Beyond The Acorn Winter 2017

Beyond

 WINTER 2017

• A C O R N N E W S PA P E R S •

THE ACORN

Young Innovators

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Romantic Selfies

INTRODUCING:

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table of contents

WINTER 2017

FEATURES 34 WEARABLE ART

Three local artisans turn their creations into functional fashion statements.

38 THAT '70S HOUSE

24

How a homeowner and an interior designer worked hand-in-hand to bring an outdated custom home into the 21st century.

42 COSMOPOLITAN CUISINE

Q Sushi, named after the owner's father, is a chic urban eatery nestled in the suburbs.

DEPARTMENTS

8 WELCOME FROM BEYOND Greetings from the editor and letters from readers.

NEIGHBORS 14 THE MANY ADVENTURES OF

MARY ANN FRASER

For this muralist and children's book illustrator, imagination is key.

INNOVATORS 18 "A" STUDENTS

How a joke inspired two college students to launch a new company.

These bakers cater to those with a sweet tooth and a love of puns.

20 REBELS WITH ROLLING PINS

ACORNUCOPIA 22 POLKA DOTS ON PARADE

Shop these spot-centric products.

42 48

LOOKING GOOD 24 A CUT ABOVE

These men's barbershops are bringing back the art of the luxury shave.

ON THE COVER: Carmen Curtis, from

The Aerial Studio in Ventura, hanging out at Leo Carrillo State Beach.

FEELING GOOD 28 THE LIGHTNESS OF BEING

No one debates the health benefits of yoga and now the ancient practice is reaching new heights . . . literally.

AROUND THE TABLE 30 SPILL THE BEANS

In praise of this protein-packed legume, plus tasty and healthy recipes from Deliteful in Thousand Oaks.

SIP & SAVOR 46 A guide to area restaurants serving the

tastiest food and most delectable drinks.

READERS CORNER 48 THAT'S AMORE!

Love is in the air for Beyond readers who share their romantic selfies just in time for Valentine's Day.

AROUND TOWN & BEYOND 50 Our calendar is full of great things to do

as you kickstart your new year.

RESOURCES 57 A guide to the people and vendors

mentioned in this issue.

SNAPSHOT 58 VISIT TO THE 4077th

A trip in time to the "M*A*S*H" set in Malibu Creek State Park.

Cover photo by RICHARD GILLARD

38 20

Ventura County Locations Ventura County Locations

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Simi Valley Radiation Oncology Simi Valley Radiation Oncology 2985 N. Sycamore Drive 2985 N. Sycamore Drive Simi Valley, CACA 93065 Simi Valley, 93065 (805) 584-6611 (805) 584-6611 North Oaks Radiation Oncology North Oaks Radiation Oncology 2230 Lynn Road, Suite 103 2230 Lynn Road, Suite 103 Thousand Oaks, CACA 91360 Thousand Oaks, 91360 (805) 496-4111 (805) 496-4111 Cabrillo Radiation Oncology Cabrillo Radiation Oncology 2900 Loma Vista, Suite 100 2900 Loma Vista, Suite 100 Ventura, CA 93003 Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 648-5191 (805) 648-5191 Westlake Radiation Oncology Westlake Radiation Oncology 1240 Westlake Blvd., Suite 103 1240 Westlake Blvd., Suite 103 Westlake Village, CACA 91361 Westlake Village, 91361 (805) 494-4483 (805) 494-4483

Christian education isn’t expensive.

IT’S PRICELESS. Christian education isn’t

welcome

From the Editor

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IT’S PRICELESS.

Since 1977 Hillcrest has partnered with parents to provide an outstanding Christian education to our students. While Since 1977 Hillcrest hashave partnered with parents the world’s values changed, ours have to provide an outstanding Christian education to our not. Come find what thishave could meanours for students.

While the out world’s values changed, your family. have not. Come find out what this could mean for your family.

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hhh, a fresh new year has arrived with all of its promise and potential. And with this latest issue of Beyond, we’ve got some new things to announce.

First, we’re debuting a new recurring department. It’s called Innovators and it’s about people who are trying something new and interesting. We will get to know locals who are launching businesses, interesting enterprises and creative products.

To start off, we meet a couple of college kids who concocted a new kind of wake-up munchie in their dorm kitchen. Flash forward a couple of years and now these two young men are seniors in college and their New Grounds CoffeeBars are in retail outlets all over the country. Nothing short of inspirational.

Our other Innovators are a couple of twentysomething friends who met at Westlake High who have launched an unusual bakery. The Kneady girls are all about great things to eat that also pay tribute to their favorite movie and TV characters. Their humor is irresistible—and so are their Robert Brownie Jr’s!

We’ve also launched our new Sip & Savor restaurant guide.

This is a fun new resource for anyone who likes to dine out—and, really, who doesn’t? In Sip & Savor we’ll spotlight all kinds of restaurants and wineries—from fine dining to the greatest grab-onthe-go hot dogs. It’s going to be fun to watch this new resource grow. And you’re going to want to hang on to these pages in particular so that you can refer back to them whenever there’s a date night or a ladies-who-lunch on the calendar.

Anyone who loves love will want to check out our Readers Corner for a peek into the love lives of readers who sent in their romantic selfies. Ahh, l’amore!

Next up, we want to see your most epic selfies—make that “creative,” “unbelievable” or “ridiculous.” The only caveat: they’ve got to be the real deal. No Photoshopped masterpieces, please. The deadline is Feb. 13.

As always, it’s such a pleasure to bring this publication to you.

Hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoy producing it.

Ciao,

Full and Part-time programs Mrs. Trish Berg, Director tberg@hillcrestcs.org

(805) 495-5513

Leslie Gregory Haukoos Editor-in-Chief beyond@theacorn.com

www.hillcrestcs.org

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welcome

Letters to the Editor

I would like to thank you for the wonderful article that was in Beyond the Acorn’s Fall issue on Golden Heart Ranch. We here at GHR received a wonderful response from the article by way of donations, interest in our programs and even a boost on our social media sites.

We appreciated how well the article was written. It mirrored exactly what we do for our special-needs community.

—Rose van Wier Hein Executive Director/Founder Golden Heart Ranch, Agoura Hills I enjoyed reading “The Last of the Independents” in the Fall issue of Beyond the Acorn. Bookstores really are rare gems to be discovered and explored!

In addition to the seven you mentioned, we invite readers to discover the Friends Bookstore in the courtyard of the Camarillo Public Library.

Our bookstore is a nonprofit run entirely by volunteers. Everything we sell is donated by the community. We have a large selection of gently used books ranging from children’s to collectible, plus videos, CDs and audio books. The selection changes constantly, so you never know what treasures you will find.

All sales benefit the Camarillo Public Library and its programs.

—Nancy Dice Friends of the Camarillo Library Thought you’d like to see how The Hanging Tree is doing. . . . After saving the old feller from complete destruction, I was awestruck to see its gorgeous sprouts. That’s life force in Old Town Calabasas!

—Dennis Washburn Mayor Emeritus, Calabasas

A recent shot of The Hanging Tree in Calabasas shows that, despite being trimmed to near obliteration, the old girl is sprouting some new branches.

The fall issue of Beyond the Acorn featured the tree's infamous story.

RICHARD GILLARD

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Beyond THE ACORN

PUBLISHER Lisa Rule EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Leslie Gregory Haukoos ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Nick Oliveri CREATIVE DIRECTOR David McMartin ART DIRECTOR Timm Sinclair PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Richard Gillard EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michael Aushenker, Ela Lindsay, Allison Montroy, Erin Newman, Stephanie Sumell COPY EDITORS Erin Newman, Mark Wyckoff EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Allison Montroy

TO TRADITIONAL

ART CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS Sarah Ely, West Maätita, Beth Thayer, Robert Ramirez, Karma Christine Salvato WEB DESIGN Beth Thayer PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Michael Coons, Bobby Curtis ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Mona Uttal, Richard Singer, Sue Martin, Jennifer Carlo-Valdez, Diane Verner, Stacey Janson, Stephanie Alatorre, Mary McCarter ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Kim Cummings ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLLER Andy McGinnis ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS Marilyn Burin, Donna Bondy Beyond the Acorn is published by the Acorn Newspaper Group in association with J. Bee NP Publishing, Ltd. Address correspondence to 30423 Canwood St., Ste. 108, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 (818) 706-0266.

Send editorial comments to: beyond@theacorn.com For advertising: beyondsales@theacorn.com

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Illustrator & muralist

The Many Adventures

Mary Ann Fraser of

Written by ERIN NEWMAN

Chatting with prolific award-winning children’s book writer and illustrator Mary Ann Fraser is like curling up with a good book.

An approachable, grounded optimist whose mantra is “it’s all good,” Mary Ann is the creator of several engaging and appealing characters. I.Q., a classroom pet rat, strives to achieve milestones such as learning to count, getting a library card and passing the physical fitness test just like real students do. Another character is straight out of folklore—a friendly, furry yeti who keeps tabs on a pair of young brothers out on a snowy pursuit to find him.

Many of her characters are like the author herself, ever the explorer, ready to dive into the next topic that strikes her fancy. Inspired by the whims of nature, Mary Ann spends time

Photo: RICHARD GILLARD; illustration: MARY ANN FRASER

neighbors

gardening, hiking, plein-air painting and hanging out with her backyard turtles. Playing the hammered dulcimer is another one of her many hobbies.

Her love of animals has led her to write and illustrate numerous books—both fiction and non—about all sorts of wild and domestic critters. The uber-creative Simi Valley resident has 60 published books under her belt.

The writing bug first bit Mary Ann in elementary school, when she was encouraged by a teacher to write stories whenever she finished schoolwork early. “My stories were sort of like the soap operas of the animal kingdom,” she says.

Mary Ann’s illustrations, playful and jaunty, are also graceful and lovely—the perfect match for her amusing yet gentle tales.

Her books come to life with clever details portrayed in a variety of methods. “I often draw in ink and then paint with gouache, which is an opaque watercolor medium. I have used acrylics for many of my books, too. And it’s not unusual for me to add colored pencil into the mix as well,” she says.

Mary Ann is also an accomplished muralist—recently gracing the children’s room at the Simi Valley Public Library with scenes of classic Mary Ann's characters set in iconic loillustrations, storybook cal settings. playful and Raised in a home where arts and crafts ruled, it’s not surprising that jaunty, are Mary Ann Fraser ended up in a crealso graceful ative field. She recalls trying every sort of creative endeavor with her and lovely. family: painting, carving linoleum blocks, making mosaics and experimenting with macramé.

“My mom and dad were both big do-it-yourselfers,” Mary Ann says. “How’d I end up here? It was kind of inevitable.”

The process of channeling her creativity into a career was more convoluted, and included a detour as a pre-med student at UCLA. After switching her major to fine arts and zoning in on the idea of writing and illustrating children’s literature, Mary Ann remembers being discouraged by a professor who shot down the idea, giving her “zero percent chance of being successful” in the competitive field.

Mary Ann gave up and began a career in commercial illustration at an advertising agency. Yet when people saw her portfolio, she was often asked if she considered working on children’s books.

Summoning the courage to follow her squashed dream, she joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, diving into workshops, conferences and critique groups and finding success in her mid-20s. She managed to write and illustrate her first book, a nonfiction selection called “On Top of the World: The Conquest of Mount Everest,” around the time that her first son was born. “I worked a lot at night, and I’m a really early riser!”

Various historical events have provided rich inspiration for her nonfiction books, many of which can be found in classrooms and school libraries. Though not a history buff, she finds that events from the past often supply the perfect elements for a story. “Writing is telling a story, and some of the best stories are in history.”

She has written children’s nonfiction about the explorers of the Grand Canyon, the Transcontinental Railroad, the Battle of Vicksburg and the first journey to the moon and says she enjoys writing about “curious and courageous people who have done

remarkable things.”

Mary Ann and her husband, Todd, have three sons—now 23, 25 and 27—all witnesses to the creative process in their home.

Mary Ann’s oldest, Ian, now a mechanical engineer, was always a big reader with an amazing vocabulary and a “really quirky sense of humor” who wrote lots of stories.

Ian concocted the story of Ogg and Bob when he was only 12. The tale of two bumbling cavemen who decide to adopt a mammoth became his senior project at Santa Susana High School. After some mentoring through the book-writing process, Ian landed a two-book publishing deal, and the Ogg and Bob series was born. Both “Meet Mammoth” and “Life with Mammoth” were written by Ian and illustrated by Mary Ann.

Books aren’t the only items graced with Mary Ann’s illustrations. “Supporting yourself on books alone is really difficult unless you have a best-seller,” she says. Looking for steadier income, the artist turned her attention toward a design trend that was booming in the 1990s with the surge in Tuscan-styled homes: decorative painting, murals and faux finishing.

A fortuitous connection with an interior designer who worked with athletes landed her several high-profile projects, including Kobe Bryant’s Newport Beach home, a job that kept her busy on weekends for a year and a half.

Despite some strange requests and the challenge of sometimes working up high on scaffolding, Mary Ann loves helping clients personalize their homes and she uses a variety of methods including trompe l’oeil, a difficult technique that creates the illusion of three dimensions. “Paint is the ultimate transformative medium.

After all these years of painting I still can’t get over that magic!”

Mary Ann’s murals—both residential and public—continue to be popular. Her mural for the Simi Valley Public Library children’s room, a lasting legacy for the community, was welcomed in an unveiling ceremony last October 1.

The mural features local Simi landmarks and classic children’s book characters intertwined among rolling green hills and trees with scenes like Jack’s beanstalk growing in the yard of the historic Strathearn house and Aladdin floating by the Simi Cultural Arts Center.

Mary Ann worked with Friends of the Library, the nonprofit that funded the mural, to choose the theme, “Storytime comes to Simi,” and the project continued to evolve long after the painting began. The pup sitting under the tree with the children was a last-minute addition. Mary Ann decided the children should be reading aloud to a dog like they do in the library’s weekly Waggin’ Tales program. “I like to stay open to possibilities—not to be too locked in to the sketch. That’s how neat things come about,” she says.

Even now, she doesn’t feel quite done with the library mural.

“It’s one of those projects I could have worked on ’til I die. I still have two little things I want to sneak in there!”

The mural wasn’t the only thing on her plate at the time. Her latest book, “Alexander Graham Bell Answers the Call,” due out August 2017, had the same deadline.

Books, which take Mary Ann about two years to write and illustrate each, continue to spring from her mind, and she makes time to share her passion by speaking in classrooms and advising budding authors and illustrators. But it all comes back to where it began: creating. “The majority of my time is somehow occupied with a paintbrush in my hand.”

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innovators

Caffeine team

What began as a joke for a couple of sleep-deprived college kids is now a viable business

“A” Students Written by LESLIE GREGORY HAUKOOS

Photo by LOGAN TAYLOR

Johnny Fayad and Ali Kothari were freshmen at Northeastern University in Boston in 2013 and, like many students, the two struggled to make it to their early morning financial accounting class on time.

“Why can’t we eat our coffee?” they would joke, not knowing that laugh would morph into a company with a half-million dollars in sales by 2016.

Quite a punchline.

Experimenting in their college dorm kitchen, Johnny, a 2012 Agoura High grad, and Ali, who’s from Saratoga in Northern California, developed the CoffeeBar, described on the duo’s website as “the all natural energy bar infused with a full cup of fair-trade coffee.”

With a tasty product in hand, the partners founded New Grounds Food, a successful startup with a mission: “To create simple, healthy, on-the-go foods to keep you energized for all of life’s adventures.”

Beyond the Acorn spoke with the young entrepreneurs, now seniors looking to graduate this spring. With plans to grow their company into a national brand, it’s doubtful these two will join the ranks of college grads peddling their resumes anytime soon.

And that’s no joke.

Beyond: Did either of you have any background in cooking or baking?

Ali: We had no culinary experience beyond liking our mothers’ food.

Johnny: But we both love making things and solving things.

Beyond: How did you develop this product?

Johnny: We bought lots of ingredients then just started trying things in the dorm kitchen. We had our friends taste them. It started out terrible, but then after a while they started saying, “Hey, that’s kinda good.” And we knew we were on to something.

Beyond: How did two college students know how to develop a product, get it made, market it, create a design . . . ?

Ali: Northeastern has an entire network of 18 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | WINTER 2017

Ali Kothari and Johnny Fayad took advantage of the resources at Northeastern University to help launch their business. newgroundsfood.com

student-run organizations that can help students go from idea to running a business. The Husky Startup Challenge is an Entrepreneurs Club program.

Johnny: We gave away tons of samples and we won the audience favorite—$500.

Ali: Scout is a design agency that helped create all of our packaging; IP CO-LAB helps provide students with legal knowledge on trademark and patent applications; and IDEA is Northeastern’s venture accelerator that helps connect students with mentors, advisers, etc.—we received two $10,000 grants from IDEA.

Love what you hear and hear what you Love!

Beyond: How about distribution?

Johnny: We started by making them in the dorm, then went to a test kitchen. One thing just led to another. At some point we made 1,000 bars and sold them to local coffee shops.

Ali: We’re now in over 500 retail locations around the United States. Our sales team has been made up entirely of students but we recently brought on Kate Prince (who spent seven years at General Mills) to lead the marketing. She's our first non-college student on the team.

Beyond: So, what makes your bars special?

Ali: The CoffeeBar is an organic energy bar infused with a full cup of fair-trade coffee. Each bar is organic, gluten-free and vegan.

Beyond: Right now you have three CoffeeBar flavors. Any plans to expand that?

Ali: We have coconut mocha, mocha latte and caramel macchiato. We’re going to stick with those for now.

Beyond: Even though you’re just starting out, I understand you’re already giving back.

Ali: We wanted to partner with nonprofits that are already doing the things we wanted to do. So far, we’ve helped fund a school in Nicaragua, funded revolving micro loans for 20 women entrepreneurs in Guatemala, and supported buildOn Boston by donating CoffeeBars and also by running in the Boston Marathon, which helps create afterschool activities for inner-city students.

Beyond: Where can someone find your coffee bars around here?

Johnny: We’re already in Erewhon (in Calabasas) and will be in Lassen’s soon. Retail sales make up 85% of our business. Our goal is to be in 4,000 to 5,000 retail outlets.

Beyond: Far from being a joke, sounds like eating your coffee is on its way to becoming a trend.

Christine Wilson, M.S., CCC-A

Raye Ann Clayton, Au.D.

818 - 991-3800

Open Monday thru Friday, 9:00 to 5:00

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innovators

Funny girls

Rebels with Rolling Pins

Glimpse the sweet world where Wookies have chocolate chips and Fudge Reinhold is a holiday treat

Written by ALLISON MONTROY

Spend five minutes with Ashley Guerrero and Kati Angelini and you’ll understand why their company, Kneady Bakery, is not like most bakeries.

The “2 Baked Girls,” as they call themselves, are more best friends than co-CEOs of a small business. Yes, they offer brownies, cookies, pies and pastries, but these baked goods aren’t just made from sugar, flour and butter. Rebelling against the everyday bakery, the girls spice up their pop culture-themed treats with a healthy dose of witty banter and clever puns from all of their favorite movies, actors and characters.

Kneady Bakery’s unique take on custom treats is gaining attention in the entertainment industry. They’ve catered the Saturn Awards’ after-party and more recently, a Halloween party at Nickelodeon Studios. And while embracing their nerdy side, Kati and Ashley also support their needy side through their #inKNEAD program, which donates a portion of each sale to charity. To date, they have donated to more than 75 charities.

The Kneady bakers, who grew up in the Conejo Valley and met at Westlake High School, bonded as teens over a mutual obsession for Disneyland, movies and old Hollywood diners. But a discovered love for baking brought the besties into business several years later in 2013.

Today, the team lives, breathes and bakes all things entertainment—just don’t ask them to make you a cupcake (“everyone else makes those”).

For Kneady Bakery girls Kati Angelini and Ashley Guerrero, life is one long trip to the movies. kneadybakery.com

Photo by BOBBY CURTIS

Beyond: Where does the passion for baking and films originate?

Kneady Bakery: We enjoy (baking), but the passion was really for the entertainment industry. Going to the movies was always an “every weekend” occurrence in our childhoods. We didn’t really discover that we were good at baking until years later. This was a really neat way to combine them and create our own niche.

Beyond: How do you come up with such clever names?

KB: The bulk of our company really bloomed on one extraordinary day through one hilarious text message where we first thought of Robert Brownie Jr’s and Rice Krispin Glovers—the Snack to the Future. We pulled an all-nighter to think of perfect puns for the rest of our items that represented movies, actors and characters that we loved. Even if no one else ever understood the names, we didn’t care. This is stuff we liked . . . even if no one has seen the movie “That Thing You Do!” our That Thing You SnickerDoodles will still taste amazing, so people will order them. Since then, we pretty much spitball ideas back and forth when something occurs to us.

Beyond: We have to ask—what did cupcakes ever do to you?

KB: Everything! No, we actually love them but we aren’t big on decorating and fancy designs.

Taste comes first and we don’t like to compromise that by using fondants and tasteless icings. If you want a cupcake, go to Sprinkles!

It’s what they do.

Beyond: If you could pick any character that your baked goods are named after to try your treats in real life, who would it be?

KB: Well, we’ve been lucky enough to have many of them try our treats. Almost every cast member from “Supernatural” . . . Nathan Fillion (“Firefly”) has tried his Salted CaraMalcolm Reynolds bars, Alan Ruck (“Ferris Bueller”) had our Ed MacaRooney’s, Scott Bakula had his Scott Baklava and Judge Reinhold orders our Fudge Reinhold for his family for the holidays. We are still working on Shia LaBeouf (Shia LaTruffs) and Robert Downey Jr. (Robert Brownie Jr’s).

Beyond: Plans for the future?

KB: We hope to establish storefront locations in a few of our favorite spots, expand our #inKNEAD program, and enjoy our lives with our families and friends. Kati is currently writing a book about romantic comedies and Ashley is a D-horror and action movie enthusiast.

As our good friend Ferris Bueller would say, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

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acornucopia

Unique finds

HENRIETTA BEVERAGE PITCHER

Dress up your drink. Standing 9 inches tall, Bloomingville’s rose-and-gold ceramic pitcher adds a feminine flair to any kitchen. www.francescas.com (800) 980-1180 $38

GIRAFFE PLUSH

Snuggle up to this sweet, spotted giraffe from Paper Source. The 14-inch plush, with soft ribbon detailing, is perfect for both little kids and kids at heart. www.papersource.com (888) 727-3711 $26.95

WEEKENDER WATCH

This retro-chic watch with its champagne and gold design, reversible nylon slip-through strap and 24hour, light-up watch face is the ultimate everyday accessory. The Weekender Dots is also water resistant up to almost 100 feet deep. www.timex.com (888) 727-2931 $42

Written by ALLISON MONTROY

POLKA DOTS ON PARADE WE´RE SEEING SPOTS & THEY´RE ADORABLE DOG TEEPEE

LUSTRE STEMLESS WINE GLASSES The confetti-like gold dots sprinkled on the glasses from Mikasa are perfect for celebratory occasions . . . or for turning a glass of your favorite pinot into a reason to celebrate. www.mikasa.com (866) 645-2721 $49.99 (set of four)

22 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | WINTER 2017

Dog houses? Outdated. The trendiest dogs take their afternoon naps in tepees. Pipolli’s lightweight, easy set-up, 100 percent cotton canvas teepee comes with a matching floor cushion and carry bag so your pup can always snooze in style, even on the go. www.pipolli.com $85

MAUVE DOTS HAMMOCK

Bloomingville knows how to make polka dots work on just about anything, this hammock included.

Made with cotton and secured with sturdy rope, the hammock also comes in gray. Midday naps never looked so good. us.amara.com (866) 896-3804 $101

SAVING SPOT

TEA FOR ONE

Pour yourself a cup of cuteness with this tea set from the Polka Dot collection at Yedi Housewares. The yellow teapot, cup and saucer’s stacked design evokes an "Alice in Wonderland" whimsy and holds 14 ounces of your favorite brew. yedihouseware.com (866) 933-4462 $29.99

Perhaps the best purchase someone can make is one that saves a life.

Volunteer-run and donation-based Save the Dalmatians & Others Canine Rescue helps abandoned Dalmatians, finding these polka dotted pups foster homes and forever families. And there’s no question about it: nobody pulls off those iconic spots better than a Dalmatian (no, Cruella, not even you). www.savethedals.org (310) 803-5414 $ Priceless

LINEN POLKA STRIPES YOGA MAT

ICE BUCKET

Don't get caught serving roomtemperature rosé to your dinner guests. Drinks stay cool and look cool in this gold-and-white ice bucket from Mintwood Home. mintwoodhome.com $55

The Pellerina Design gold dots on this yoga mat are OM-azing. The ¼-inch thick mat is made from a durable, textured nonslip backing foam and comes with a polyester carry bag, to help you shavasana in style. kessinhouse.com $99

looking good

A

Men’s fine grooming

cut

ABOVE

Written by MICHAEL AUSHENKER Photos by BOBBY CURTIS

The luxury grooming experience of a high-end salon isn’t just for women these days. Increasingly, men ready for a relaxing and refreshing spiff-up turn to a classic yet upgraded oldfashioned barbershop.

It’s a phenomenon that’s not lost on the proprietors of several area barbershops who aren’t about the rush-rush but instead indulge in turning back the clock to an era when a man could stop by for a straight-razor shave, a hot towel, a clean cut and some good conversation.

Several higher-end barbershops can be found in the area.

Sure, they might be a tad pricier than your usual cut ’n go but unlike those chain shops, there’s a consistency of talented, experienced barbers ready to clean you up while offering a manly pampering.

24 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | WINTER 2017

Ashlee Lewchenko treats her customer Jimmy Carroll to a straightrazor shave and hot towel treatment at The HandleBar Barbershop & Apothecary in Thousand Oaks.

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Live Music Saturday Nights

THE HANDLEBAR BARBERSHOP & APOTHECARY

Opened by mother-and-son owners Daryl and Gareth Stutley in 2012, The HandleBar provides good ol’ fashioned haircuts and straight-razor shaves, hot towel wraps and fine shaving products.

Occupying two storefronts in a strip mall just across from the Civic Arts Plaza, The HandleBar transports customers to another era.

“None of the old-school barbershops in Thousand Oaks would offer a straight-razor shave,” Gareth says, explaining how the Stutleys opened their shop to fill a void in the marketplace. Soon customers began spreading the word about the cozy shop’s vintage barber chairs, brick interior and the immersive barbershop experience, which includes complimentary beer on tap.

Described by one patron online as “an old-timey looking shop,” Handlebar also sells fine shaving products. Expect displays packed with shaving brushes, soaps, aftershaves, pomades and Dopp kits.

“The experience itself is a lot more pleasurable and it doesn’t take much longer (than a chain haircut shop),” Gareth says. “Any time spent on yourself is time well spent.”

2219 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Ste. 106 and 201, Thousand Oaks (805) 317-4283 | www.thehandlebarbarbershop.com

18|8 FINE MEN'S SALON

Men’s salon 18|8 delivers an upbeat, contemporary take on the male-centric barbershop tradition, featuring everything from classic cuts and shaves to skin-rejuvenating facial treatments, hair coloring and therapeutic preventative hair loss scalp treatments,

Vintage chairs provide old fashioned comfort at Handlebar Barbershop.

manicures, even waxing.

In November, this 18|8 celebrated its two-year anniversary.

Branch director Lisa Riccardi brings to Westlake Village’s location her experience from Massachusetts. “I had my own salon in Boston for many years,” says Lisa, who now lives in Calabasas and who began at 18|8 as a stylist before moving up to management.

“We try to make it comfortable for the man,” Lisa explains.

“We use a hot towel and we offer a hair, neck and shoulder massage.”

The salon also offers beer, soda and coffee to customers.

960 S. Westlake Blvd., Ste. 7, Westlake Village (805) 283-4000 | eighteeneight.com/westlake-village-ca/

THE EXECUTIVE CUT & SHAVE

The first thing you’ll probably notice when you step into this Ventura Boulevard storefront is the pool table in the center of the salon, a sign that you’re in a different kind of hair-grooming establishment. Owner John Carnevali has created much more than just a high-end barbershop, it’s a veritable man-cave, with complimentary coffee, cocktails and beer, and adjacent rooms offering facials, waxing, manicures . . . even tattoos, sessions with a psychic and a TV lounge.

“People like to come and watch football,” says manager Faith Hill of the masculine setting.

Burly, tattooed barbers such as Simi Valley’s Russ Rubin may seem intimidating upon first impression, but the guy is anything but that, and the overall vibe is chill and very inviting.

The outlet also carries an array of high-end pomades, gels and shampoos.

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P hotos or S lides to CD S c an n i n g S e rvi c e

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The Soap Brewhouse Soaps made of local craft beers—now that’s original.

Honey Wheat Ale, Smoke Stout, Grapefruit Pale Ale, even the seasonal Pumpkin Brown Ale. They’re all available through the Soap Brewhouse, Shelby Crandell’s Simi Valley-based company that specializes in handcrafted soaps and shaving products.

But why beer? The company website says this: “Beer is awesome and it naturally adds bubbles to the soap . . . win, win!”

But no worries, there’s zero chance of getting a hangover after taking a sensual shower, a decadent bath, or, in the case of their Vanilla Cinnamon Shaving Soap, a nice, luxurious shave that will leave a man’s face subtly fragrant for hours.

For anyone who’d rather lather up with non-alcoholic bars, there are varieties of suds sans booze, including Chai Cream, Almond Biscotti and Patchouli.

The Soap Brewhouse products are available online as well as at various local festivals and craft fairs. www.thesoapbrewhouse.com

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feeling good

Aerial yoga

The

Lightness of Being Traditional yoga becomes a weightless workout Written by ERIN NEWMAN Photos by JENNIFER RENEE

I

never imagined I would find myself hanging upside down, suspending my body in the air by tangling my legs through “silks” and then letting go with my hands, dragging them on the floor.

But there I was, trying aerial yoga for the first time. And, although I looked like a limp, inverted frog, I felt surprisingly serene.

It took a lot of trust—in the equipment, in the instructor, and in me—to let go and dangle instead of having some part of my body firmly rooted in the earth, but the rewards were worth it. As I righted myself from the inversion and a euphoria swept through me, I began to understand why celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow and Vanessa Hudgens have become obsessed with aerial yoga.

Before my first aerial yoga experience, which took place at The Aerial Studio in Ventura, I didn’t know anything about the practice and it sounded intimidating. But, as a student in a weekly commu-

nity yoga class for the past couple of years, I have experienced the increased flexibility, balance, strength and mindfulness of yoga, so I was game to try out the aerial version.

Aerial yoga should not be confused with aerial dance—or cirque— which is a performance art with roots in modern dance and acrobatics. Carmen Curtis, who co-owns The Aerial Studio with her husband, Gregg, describes cirque as “dancing in the air on aerial apparatuses.”

“Aerial yoga should be about the practice of yoga and not about the circus tricks,” she says.

Even aerial yoga classes can vary—some dancelike, some more fitness oriented. AIReal Yoga, Carmen’s form, is accredited by the Yoga Alliance and focuses on the 108 asanas, or postures, of traditional yoga. Curtis says she designed AIReal Yoga to help heal injuries she sustained during her career as an aerialist.

Carmen Curtis of The Aerial Studio gracefully demonstrates a few aerial yoga postures. Above, a bound angle inversion; top right, locust pose; middle, a bound angle inversion with arms in reverse prayer; bottom, a stretch variation of pigeon pose.

28 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | WINTER 2017

This form of yoga uses a “hammock,” a U-shaped loop of fabric suspended from the ceiling, to enhance a yoga practice.

The hammock is a tool to help your postures, says Carmen. “If you can’t do yoga, the hammock will hold you, so you can do it,” she says. “If you’re already an efficient yogi, the hammock can deepen your practice and make postures more challenging.”

To learn more, I spoke with April Tucker, a Newbury Park-based trainer of yoga teachers who develops yoga programming, including aerial yoga, for various companies and nonprofits.

April emphasizes the playfulness that comes from the feeling that you’re defying gravity. “The biggest benefits of aerial yoga include a sense of freedom and play in a supportive harness that allows you to float and work with gravity for decompression and tension relief.”

April also advises that beginning aerial yoga students may experience some discomfort when first using the hammocks, but it doesn’t last long. “In very little time, their sensitivities lessen as they develop an awareness of body placement, weight distribution and learning to control the hammock by isolating the core so as not to go too deep into the postures too quickly. Once students move past the initial ‘ouch factor,’ they are able to experience the true joy, release, and other benefits that aerial yoga offers.”

Because body weight is supported by the hammock, postures that normally could not be achieved are possible with aerial yoga.

That means even those with certain physical limitations, restrictions or disabilities can practice yoga, says April.

Carmen says she loves introducing aerial yoga to people with conditions like fibromyalgia or arthritis and seeing how they are able to experience movement that helps with strength and balance. “A lot of people don’t realize how much they need yoga,” she says. “Those who try aerial feel a change within five days.”

I definitely felt a change right away as I worked through the poses under Carmen’s instruction. My core was immediately challenged in ways it never had been (planks are much harder!) and my spine came alive after doing exhilarating inversions that optimized alignment. I could feel the increased blood flow, especially when upside down, and my muscles felt energized and lengthened. Going through the poses was also incredibly calming as I focused on balancing and stabilizing myself and learning to trust myself and the hammock to hold me.

The final pose, shavasana, made perfect use of the hammock as I lay suspended in yards of fabric cradling me from head to toe as my breathing slowed and I reveled in the peace of my aerial yoga experience.

TRY A CLASS 5 Point Yoga (kids; adult classes available upon request) 23410 Civic Center Way, Ste. E-3, Malibu www.5pointyoga.com | (310) 455-6681

Cool Hot Yoga (AntiGravity Aerial Yoga) 23681 Calabasas Road, Calabasas www.coolhotyoga.com | (818) 222-4949

The Aerial Studio (AIReal Yoga) 4476 DuPont Court, Ste. B, Ventura theaerialstudio.net | (805) 340-3412

V-Fit Studio (AIReal Yoga) 4538 Westinghouse St., Ste. B, Ventura www.vfitstudio.com | (805) 535-4277 WINTER 2017 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 29

around the table

Spill the beans Written by ALLISON MONTROY Photo by MICHAEL COONS

Ah, the humble bean. Simple, economical and so easily overlooked.

But these legumes complement almost any type of cuisine and deliver a ton of nutrition in each bite. This cholesterol-free, low-fat food is loaded with protein, fiber and iron.

Nutritionally, dried beans and canned beans pack about the same punch.

While canned beans win for convenience, they have more sodium and less flavor than their dried counterparts. Additionally, many cans are lined with the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA).

Next time you’re scanning the supermarket shelves looking for a hearty low-carb meal, consider the lowly, versatile bean.

Prep guidelines

Expedite dried bean soaking times by boiling before soaking, or even skip soaking altogether. But to prepare in the tried-and-true method, start by soaking beans overnight in a bowl of water (lentils, mung beans and peas don’t need this step). When ready to prepare, toss out the water and use a fresh pot of water on the stove. Follow these guidelines for tender, nutritious and tasty beans.

Bean

Bean:water ratio Simmer time

Black-eyed, kidney Garbanzo Black Pinto Fava Lima Edamame Lentils

1:3 cups 1:4 cups 1:3 cups 1:3 cups 1:3 cups 1:4 cups 1:3 cups 1:3 cups

60 minutes 75-90 minutes 60-75 minutes 75-90 minutes 40-50 minutes 60 minutes 90-180 minutes 15-20 minutes

Black beans Bursting with anthocyanins, these little beans, popular in hearty Caribbean dishes, are good brain food and support a healthy nervous system.

Garbanzo beans Besides making one of the best dips on the planet (hummus), chickpeas pack an excellent punch of zinc while also helping to suppress appetite.

Kidney beans One of the more popular dry edible beans in North America, kidney beans are loaded with complex carbs, magnesium, potassium, iron and calcium.

They also contain A and B-complex vitamins and are high in protein.

Fava beans Also called broad beans, these nutrient-dense

legumes can help lower the risk of heart disease, depression, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Lentils In Italy and Hungary, these coin-shaped legumes symbolize a prosperous new year. They also have plenty of protein, iron, vitamin B and fiber.

Has You Doggone Confused?

Edamame/soybeans Green soybeans are the go-to for a protein fix. They also have a healthy dose of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the heart and skin.

Lima beans When it comes to potassium, nothing compares to the creamy lima bean with its 950 milligrams of the mineral in every cup. Compare that to a large banana, which has less than 500 milligrams.

Pinto beans Spanish for “painted,” these pink and brown-splotched beans are a staple in Mexican cooking, most commonly used to make refried beans.

Black-eyed peas Symbols of luck and celebration, these little beans were the only food left after Union troops pillaged Confederate supplies during the Civil War. Southerners felt lucky to have survived the winter. To slaves, the beans represented freedom won through the Emancipation Proclamation, which took effect on New Year’s Day in 1863.

FAST FACTS

• Beans are one of the earliest cultivated plants in the world • There are more than 40,000 types of beans, but only a fraction are used in cooking • Many beans are harmful or even toxic until cooked • Dried beans are less likely than canned beans to cause unwanted “musical” side effects • Pinto beans are the most popular dried beans in the U.S. • On average, Americans eat seven-and-a-half pounds of beans each year

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Deliteful Bean Recipes Rapini with Cannellini Beans

Black Bean Hummus Serves 4-6

cheese. Stir until well combined and cheese has melted into the broth. Remove from heat. Place in bowl and top with remaining cheese. Serve hot.

Serves 2-3

1 lb. rapini (broccoli rabe), trimmed

1 lemon

1 cup vegetable stock

2 cups cannellini beans, cooked or canned (drained and rinsed)

2 cups extra firm tofu, cubed and sautéed

½ tsp. crushed red pepper

1 Tbsp. olive oil

½ cup Grana Padano or Parmesan cheese, grated Salt and pepper

Black Bean Quinoa Bowl Serves 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Add rapini and cook for 2 minutes. Remove rapini with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Set aside. Zest lemon peel and set aside. Juice the lemon. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add vegetable stock and lemon juice. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the beans and simmer for another 2 minutes.

Add the sautéed tofu, rapini, lemon zest, crushed red pepper, olive 1:26 oil and RA_Acorn_8-25-16_Layout 1 9/1/16 PM half Pagethe 1

HERA_Acorn_8-25-16_Layout 1 9/1/16 1:26 PM Page 1

¼

1

1

1

¾

¾

½

1

Refined coconut oil, for sautéing cup chopped yellow onion jalapeño, chopped tsp. chopped fresh garlic cup chopped zucchini cup black beans, cooked or canned cup cooked quinoa, any color cup kale, rough chopped Tbsp. chopped cilantro Salt and pepper

Sauté onions, jalapeño, garlic and zucchini in coconut oil until they start to color.

Add beans and quinoa and continue to sauté until heated and well combined. Add kale, cilantro, salt and pepper to the pan and continue sautéing until kale is wilted. Place in bowl and serve immediately.

2

1

1

1

1

1

1

½ 2-3 ¼-½

cups black beans, freshly cooked or canned (drained and rinsed) Tbsp. chopped fresh garlic tsp. cumin tsp. coriander Anaheim chile, cleaned, de-seeded and roasted Tbsp. sesame tahini Tbsp. chopped cilantro tsp. red ground cayenne pepper shakes of Tabasco or other hot sauce cup olive oil Salt and pepper

Place all ingredients except oil in a food processor. Blend until it resembles a paste.

While food processor is running, slowly add the olive oil until mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with pita bread, crackers or fresh veggies.

A special ‘thank you’ to Deliteful for sharing their recipes. The restaurant, whose slogan is “eat clean, eat delicious,” is located on the lower level of The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks.

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Wearable Written by Ela Lindsay

Dressing goes with one-of-a

Portrait: RICHARD GILLARD

Art Priscilla Kromnick draws inspiration from many sources—a color in nature, a classic painting, the pattern on a beautiful stone.

dramatic -kind pieces

Fabric and model photos: STEVE HASH

Painted Silks ~

The history behind Priscilla Kromnick’s painted scarves and shawls is as romantic and exotic as the pieces are themselves.

“My father was an Army officer and my mother collected beautiful fabrics and garments from places where we lived and visited, including Japan, China and South and Central America,” she recalls.

That meant Priscilla grew up learning about different types of fabrics and sewing techniques, including weaving, silk screening, batik, stitchery and natural dyeing.

The Agoura Hills resident says she can be inspired by many things: “a beautiful stone, a famous painting, a striking color display in nature.

Ultimately my scarves and shawls are worn, and so my designs need to work with the drape and flow of the fabric.”

Her work can be found at Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and at prestigious museums and galleries around the country.

“Often, major museums will commission me to paint scarves to reflect specific exhibits they are having,” she says. “I’ve painted scarves inspired by American realists for the Brooklyn Museum, German expressionists for the San Diego Museum of Art, French impressionists for the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento and Japanese shibori design for the Smithsonian.”

WINTER 2017 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 35

Connie Gunderson creates most of her handbags out of upholstery-like fabric and hand-stitches each pocket, zipper and detail, making every bag unique.

Courtesy of CONNIE GUNDERSON

After working in the tech field, Connie Gunderson discovered she has an eye for design. That led her to a second career—creating one-of-a-kind contemporary handbags with a vintage touch.

Connie Gunderson of Ventura describes the unique handbags she designs and crafts as “contemporary vintage.”

“I have (many) designs where the shape is vintage but the textile is very contemporary or vice versa,” she explains.

After retiring from the tech field in 1994, Connie says she never imagined she had a gift for putting colors, patterns and designs together.

“I just have an eye for it, and now I’m working harder than I ever did,” she laughs. “But it isn’t really work because I enjoy the creative process.”

As for her inspiration, she says: “When I find something, I know very quickly because the fabric decides what it’s going to be.”

Her work can be found online and at juried art shows.

Portrait: RICHARD GILLARD

Custom Handbags ~

Portrait and jewelry photos: RICHARD GILLARD

Re-imagined Jewelry ~

Amy Grauman Danziger is always on the hunt for unique vintage jewelry or other items that she re-imagines into one-of-a-kind pieces of wearable art. Her finished designs “have a personality,” she says, like the vintage shoe buckle she reimagined as a pendant. “I like statement necklaces because they frame the face and create drama.”

After years in the entertainment industry, the Thousand Oaks empty-nester delights in her new career as a jewelry designer.

“I love jewelry and I love sparkle,” says the effervescent artisan, who lived in Europe, studied history and fashion and received a bachelor of arts in design from UCLA. Amy says she likes to “play dress-up” with pieces until she gets them right. “I often work with clients’ own vintage pieces, which gives these pieces a new history.”

Aimee Elliott Designs jewelry can be found in Westlake Village at Bricks & Beams Home Decor and Ruby boutique and online.

A former entertainment industry exec, Amy Grauman Danziger wears one of her own designs, a ’70s-’80s vintage mesh necklace with wire-wrapped agate stones.

Clockwise from top left: a vintage Baroque cross hangs from a black leather choker; Amy created this mesh necklace using wire-wrapped lapis nuggets and African brass beads; freshwater pearls strung on deerskin with a horn and silver heart pendant; vintage brass bell choker necklace.

WINTER 2017 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 37

a h t T

'H7ou0ses

Written by LESLIE GREGORY HAUKOOS Photos by MICHAEL COONS

W

hen Meredith O’Donnell walked into the house she now calls home, she knew right away she had found what she was looking for. Never mind that the Westlake Village house, built in the 1970s, had river rock covering the fireplace, carpeted stair risers and a white, half-circle sofa with a crocheted blanket hanging from its side. The house had good bones.

But getting it to reflect the O’Donnell family taste would be a bit of a challenge. “I had never worked with a designer before,” Meredith remembers. She conferred with Pam Sandall, a designer based in Agoura Hills. “I wanted to keep my style in here and Pam really understood that. She asked me, ‘What do you want to keep and what do you not want to keep?’”

Meredith and her husband Mark had collected some interesting furniture and accessories while living in Belgium for three years with their children—Kenny, Aidan and Delaney. The challenge would be to integrate those European antiques, large and small, with newer furnishings and family favorites.

But before they could find just the right spots for those special items, the house needed some updating. Pam took out the dark wooden corner built-ins in the living room, creating a perfect spot for an antique hutch that now houses family photos and other personal treasures. She also replaced the river rock on the fireplace with stacked stone. And, while she was at it, she had the mantel and heavy exposed wood pillars framing the fireplace removed as well. The beamed vaulted ceiling received a fresh coat of stain.

Rather than completely replace the outdated staircase, Pam suggested they simply remove the carpet, refinish the stair risers and, voilà: an easy, relatively inexpensive update.

Meredith says she appreciated the way Pam found places for some of her family treasures. “The process with Pam was very back and forth.”

And the designer brought out a side of Meredith she didn’t know she had. Pam added bold red accents after noticing Meredith was already using touches of red, an indication that she liked a bit of flair.

And as for the animal prints, Meredith says that’s an accent she never would have used, but Pam brought over the chairs covered in cowhide and said, “I think you might like this. It’s a hint of fun.” And as for the cow pillows, Meredith says, “That’s just something I would never think to do.”

The result is a comfy chic that fits the O’Donnell family to a tee. “We are casual—we’re not formal at all,” Meredith explains. And their lovely Westlake home reflects just that.

38 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | WINTER 2017

The living room is the family's main place to congregate so it needed ample seating. Meredith found the antique toy truck in a European thrift store. The designer pulled it out of a box in the O'Donnell garage. Stella, the family's golden retreiver (named after the Belgian beer), was born in Europe. Far right: The antique hutch occupies an ideal spot where dark wood built-in shelves used to stand.

WINTER 2017 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 39

The breakfast room is like a still life with a simple dining set framed by a Belgian tapestry and a pair of sconces, also from Belgium.

The outdoor living room, with its lovely view, is a great place to watch movies on the outdoor flatscreen (off camera, to the right).

Clockwise from top left: Meredith picked up the stained glass window at a yard sale, repaired a small break using a piece of sea glass and hung it in the dining room. The mosaic game table was a Belgian thrift store find. Designer Pam Sandall worked closely with the homeowners to help them envision their personal style. A Belgian artisan made the bench using a headboard and footboard from an antique bed.

COSMOPOLITAN

CUISINE Written by STEPHANIE SUMELL Photos by MICHAEL COONS

Those who appreciate the sophistication and innovation of one-of-a-kind eateries don’t need to leave the suburbs.

Since it opened its doors last spring, Q Sushi has brought an unprecedented dose of cool to the Westlake Village area with its unique dishes, bold drink menu and exquisite interior.

The tiniest of details have been considered to enhance guests’ dining—even the sushi bar chairs are lined up at an angle to make them more welcoming.

“We wanted to essentially create the experience where it’s not just you sitting at a forced dinner where you eat and go,” Zak Levine, the director of operations, explains. “It’s the experience that you go to the city for.”

And that’s exactly what owner Binh Hoang intended.

The Westlake Village resident has long wanted to bring an upscale sushi place to the city he’s called home for more than three decades.

“I’ve traveled the world and eaten really great food. I love sushi and have always said we needed a nice sushi restaurant in this area.”

The executive-turned-restaurateur has finally made his dream a reality—an accomplishment that’s particularly remarkable considering his family history.

Binh, 42, was just an infant when his family fled Vietnam during the fall of Saigon. Sponsored by a local Methodist church, the family moved to Thousand Oaks to build a new life.

“We grew up with nothing,” Binh says. “It was my mom, my dad, five kids and my uncle in a two-bedroom apartment.”

Binh calls his dad, Kieu (pronounced ‘Q’) Hoang, a “proud American citizen” and praises him for bringing his children to America. Kieu Hoang, who at one point worked three jobs to support his family, found success as the founder of RAAS Nutritionals in Agoura Hills.

Kieu also owns Kieu Hoang Winery in Napa Valley and recently acquired 42 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | WINTER 2017

Binh Hoang opened Q Sushi last spring and, with an impeccable attention to detail, makes sure both the food and the dining experience are exemplary.

Chocolate Ganache Tempura

MAIN MENU

Fire Goddess Gyu and Tsukune Chocolate Ganache Tempura Dragon's Breath Cosmo

Fire Goddess

Gyu and Tsukune

Dragon’s Breath Cosmo

Hummingbird Nest Ranch, a sprawling estate in the Santa Susana Mountains of Simi Valley used for photo shoots, weddings and other events.

“I remember the day he got his citizenship and his passport,” Binh recalls. “I was 10 or 11 years old, and he said it was the happiest day of his whole life. He’s the American dream and I’m just fortunate to be his son.”

Binh has his father’s entrepreneurial spirit.

The Westlake High School alum, who earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Cal Lutheran, worked at RAAS before deciding to open a restaurant.

Plans for Q Sushi—named for his father—were underway when Binh met Zak at a housewarming party. Zak, who worked for Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill in Agoura Hills at the time, began consulting for Binh.

“When we went to get drinks or food . . . both of us were picking up on the smallest details.” Zak remembers. “We truly hit it off because we had so many little quirks and similarities.”

Those similarities included a passion for design. Q Sushi, located at the Shoppes at Westlake Village, has an eclectic interior, with clean lines, muted colors and a dynamic fusion of shapes and textures. The sleek sushi bar, topped by gray and white Italian marble, is offset by the warm wood of the tables and chairs.

Plush leather banquets are nestled against a backdrop of luminescent grayish-silver tiles. A long wooden table stretches down the center of the dining room. Zak says it serves as the “heartbeat” of the restaurant. Just above it hangs a dramatic wooden chandelier.

“We like a lot of clean lines,” Zak, an admitted perfectionist, says of the decor. “We really thought about every little detail.”

The same is true of the cuisine. Zak says Q Sushi is ideal for those who like having options, as the menu offers “smaller portions at a reasonable price.”

“These chefs are creating new items every single solitary day,” says Zak. “I wanted to create an environment where they all felt as though Q SUSHI ON PAGE 55

Fire Goddess

Makes 1 roll (8 pieces) 1 1 1 2 1 5 1 1½ ⅓ 1

tsp. soy sauce tsp. sesame oil tsp. Sriracha oz. albacore tuna, ground or finely chopped sheet dry seaweed oz. cooked rice (white, brown or forbidden) cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced oz. yellowtail, thinly sliced avocado, thinly sliced jalapeño or Fresno chili pepper, de-seeded and thinly sliced Ponzu sauce Chili oil

Combine soy sauce, sesame oil and Sriracha with albacore.

Flatten seaweed and press 2-4 tablespoons of rice to cover one side. Turn over and spread albacore mixture on seaweed and place sliced cucumber on top. Roll firmly or use a bamboo mat to help form the roll.

Lay 3 thin slices of yellowtail and 3 slices of avocado over the top of the roll at a slight angle. Form the roll again tightly.

Cut into 8 pieces and place a pepper slice on each.

Combine ponzu with chili oil to taste and drizzle over the roll. Serve.

Gyu (Beef Skewer) Makes 1

2 oz. skirt steak, cut into 4 cubes Sweet Soy Tare sauce (recipe below)

Place cubed meat on a skewer and set aside.

Cook skewers on a grill or in a sauté pan over high heat yet not directly over the flame, brushing or pouring sweet soy tare over the meat to caramelize. Cook to desired doneness, 3-5 minutes for medium.

Sweet Soy Tare 1 cup soy sauce ½ cup mirin** ¼ cup sugar

Bottles of Kieu Hoang wine peek through the stair risers. The label design calls to mind blood cells, subtly paying tribute to Kieu's business in healthcare.

Combine soy sauce, mirin and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then turn heat to medium and simmer for 10-15 minutes, reducing by half. **A sweet rice wine available in the Asian section of major supermarkets.

Tsukune (Chicken Meatball) Makes 1 meatball ½ 1

oz. ground white chicken meat oz. ground dark chicken meat Q SUSHI RECIPES ON PAGE 56 WINTER 2017 | WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM 45

S

IP & SAVOR

CAMARILLO

AGAVE MARIA’S RESTAURANT & CANTINA $ MEXICAN | Award-winning Mexican food and margaritas. Menu offers a wide variety of entrees with chile verde, chicken mole, rib-eye steak and barbecue chicken salad. Pixie margaritas on the patio are a special treat.

710 Arneill Road agavemarias.com (805) 383-2770 LD MONEY PANCHO $$ MEXICAN | Family-run restaurant serves authentic, homemade food and the best margaritas in town.

Book your event in the newly redesigned dining area and bar or have Money Pancho cater in your home.

3661 Las Posas Road www.moneypancho.com (805) 484-0591 BLD VERONA TRATTORIA $$ ITALIAN | Authentic Italian cuisine delivers a tasty and colorful dining experience. Popular dishes include chicken piccata and scallops. Verona Trattoria also caters events at the restaurant or in your home.

2485 Ventura Blvd. www.veronatrattoria.net (805) 383-7576 LD NEWBURY PARK COUNTRY HARVEST $$ AMERICAN | Old-fashioned country-style cuisine. Newbury Park’s hot spot for food just like home. Great food, friendly staff.

3345 Kimber Drive, Ste. C (805) 375-4598 BLD SHARKY’S WOODFIRED MEXICAN GRILL $ MEXICAN | Innovative menu strives to use fresh, natural and organic ingredients combined with unique cooking styles for enhanced flavor and the promise of excellence and satisfaction. Also in Camarillo, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Ventura with Oxnard location coming in June 2017. www.sharkys.com LD

Great spots to dine, drink and enjoy the local flavor THOUSAND OAKS

WESTLAKE VILLAGE

DARBAND GRILL $$$ PERSIAN | Considered by fans to be the best Persian food in Southern California. Darband has been serving enticing kabobs (chicken, lamb, filet mignon or fish) paired with exotic rice dishes for 30 years. Full bar and entertainment.

868 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. darbandgrillandbar.com (805) 449-1323 LD

BIG FISH POKE $ JAPANESE | Master Sushi Chef Kimura, who has worked with some of the finest chefs in the world, prepares exquisite poke, sushi and chirashi as well as other fine Japanese dishes.

2728 Townsgate Road #6 www.bigfish-poke.com (805) 719-1151 LD

DELITEFUL $$ LOW-CARB | The folks at Deliteful believe that food is medicine and should be free from harmful additives. The meat is nitrate- and nitritefree with grass-fed options. Dishes are spiced with fresh herbs and not with MSG or other chemical enhancers. Their motto: It tastes good because it is good.

322 W. Hillcrest Drive delitefulmeals.com (805) 418-5118 BLD

HARVEST KITCHEN & BAR $$$ AMERICAN | Local and seasonally inspired cuisine is served in two private dining rooms as well as on the patio that's warmed by fire pits and in the relaxing lounge area. Happy hour is daily from 4 to 7 p.m.

880 S. Westlake Blvd. westlake.regency.hyatt.com (805) 557-4710 BLD

Q SUSHI $-$$ JAPANESE CUISINE | An upscale dining experience in an unparalleled setting. Chefs have created a modern Japanese menu using the highest quality fish and ingredients with an emphasis on seasonal items. A selection of delicately prepared sushi, grilled items, Kobe beef and specialty drinks are offered.

30770 Russell Ranch Road, Ste. A www.qsushi.com (818) 540-3231 LD THE GRILL $$$ AMERICAN STEAKHOUSE A contemporary steakhouse with exceptional cuts cooked over a live fire, robust sides and impeccable wines and spirits in a chic ambiance with modern décor.

120 Promenade Way thegrill.com (805) 418-1760

BLD, Sunday Brunch, Happy Hour

HONEYFISH POKE $ JAPANESE | This fast-serve poke restaurant serves some of the finest Hawaiian- and Japanese-inspired poke on the mainland. If you like sushi you will love Honeyfish Poke.

3835 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd #G www.honeyfishpoke.com (805) 230-0007 LD MOQUECA BRAZILIAN RESTAURANT $$ BRAZILIAN | Savory seafood dishes are cooked and served in handcrafted clay pots. Delicious fresh vegetable stew. Steaks, salads and pastas are also a must-try as is the Caipirinha, Brazil’s signature cocktail made with cachaça, to complete the authentic Brazilian experience.

1610 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. www.moquecarestaurant.com (805) 230-3585 LD Res

Symbol Guide $.....Average entrée $15 or under $$.....Average entrée $16 - $25 $$$.....Average entrée $26 - $35 $$$$ .....Average entrée $36 and higher B.....Breakfast L.....Lunch D.....Dinner Res.....Reservations suggested

46 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | WINTER 2017

TWISTED OAK TAVERN

$$ GASTROPUB | A unique twist on the classic tavern. Twisted Oak combines an in-house brewery and full bar featuring craft cocktails with a scratch kitchen preparing pub cuisine. Awarded Best Beer Bar in California by craftbeer.com.

30105 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills www.twistedoaktavern.pub (818) 735-0091 LD

AGOURA HILLS

CAMARILLO

BISTRO 101 JAZZ & BLUES $$ MODERN AMERICAN WITH A FRENCH TWIST | Fine dining, specialty drinks, live jazz and blues music set in a modern and intimate environment. Great vibe for good people and music lovers.

29020 Agoura Road bistro101.net (818) 597-1900 LD, Sunday Brunch

BACK PATIO CELLARS $-$$$ WINERY | Small boutique winery crafts artisan wines that have the casual elegance to be enjoyed with a good meal or while relaxing on your home patio. Mostly red wines.

Raise a glass and become friends and family.

930 Flynn Road, Unit F www.backpatiocellars.com (805) 388-3457 No food service

WEST HILLS CAFÉ DELLA VITA $$ ITALIAN | Serving tantalizing Sicilian food, fresh from the garden to your table. Also, live entertainment, singing servers and patio dining.

Private parties for any occasion.

23759 Roscoe Blvd. at Valley Circle www.cafedellavitawellnesscenter.com (818) 340-7900 D

WINERIES VENTURA PLAN B WINE CELLARS $-$$$ TASTING ROOM AND WINERY This working winery and tasting room specializes in red varietals.

Home of Second Sunday Suppers with live music and local food trucks.

Tasting in the Barrel Room Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.

3520 Arundell Circle #107 www.planbwinecellars.com (805) 233-1453 No food service

CANTARA CELLARS WINERY

$ - $$$ TASTING ROOM AND EVENT SPACE | Perfect setting for a fun afternoon of wine tasting or enjoying a glass or a bottle of wine accompanied by a lovely cheese plate. Call for event planning.

126 N. Wood Road #104 www.cantaracellars.com (805) 484-9600 L, Appetizers WESTLAKE VILLAGE NABU WINES $-$$$ TASTING ROOM | NABU makes wines from grapes grown in the local Santa Monica Mountains and the Napa Valley. Currently producing chardonnay and syrah from Malibu and pinot gris, merlot and cabernet sauvignon from Napa.

2649 Townsgate Road #200 nabuwines.com (818) 835-3704 No food service

Come Celebrate

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2216 Pickwick Drive, Camarillo

805-482-6564 www.chestersasia.com

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M-F: 10-5 & Sat: 12 to 5 and by appointment closed Sundays

818-707-8500 • www.westlakedraperies.com • 31133 Via Colinas #101 Westlake Village, CA 91362

readers corner

Romantic selfies

Dylan Comita of Agoura Hills steals a kiss from girlfriend Hailey Ashley of Moorpark in between battles at Stryker Paintball and Airsoft field in Santa Paula.

Bonnie Firestone Van Den Berg and Harry Van Den Berg of Thousand Oaks embrace at their wedding party in 1983.

o m A re!

That's

Valentine's Day is around the corner, and Beyond readers are sharing their most romantic memories­—proposals and wedding days, intimate getaways and quiet moments for two.

Wendy and Bruce Clay of Moorpark share a sunset kiss on their wedding day at Jade Mountain in St. Lucia.

Westlake High School sweethearts Sarah and Joel Reznick share a sweet moment on their wedding day.

She said "yes"! Oak Park High alum Carmel Ashur proposes to girlfriend Anna Chavey.

Simi Valley's Nikki Pink snaps a selfie with boyfriend Garrett Jenkins on a road trip to the Sequoias for their fourth anniversary.

Joan and David Howard of Westlake Village enjoy a rickshaw ride for two during a trip to Beijing.

This was the last picture that Nicky Noxon of Westlake Village took with her husband, Nicolas, before he passed away last spring.

Mimi and Jorge Arevalo's 9-year-old daughter snapped this shot of her mom and dad. The Moorpark family was camping in Goleta.

Though Tim Carhart of Agoura Hills was born on Christmas Eve, his wife Lori always gives him a “full birthday experience� celebration to show her love and make him feel special.

See the rest of our readers' romantic selfies at www.beyondtheacorn.com

COMING UP: We want to see your most epic selfies. Send in your best (or your worst) but no photoshopping.

Just the real deal.

Thousand Oaks' Melissa and Jack Berenstein celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2012 with a romantic sunset at Moonstone Beach in Cambria.

SEND PHOTOS TO: beyond @ theacorn.com before Feb. 13.

Winter 2017

AROUND TOWN & BEYOND THEATER JAN. 5 - 8 “Fame: The Musical”

» The “Fame” franchise just might live forever. What started out as a hit 1980 movie about students at a prestigious New York City performing arts high school quickly morphed into a popular TV series.

Now it’s a musical, and Theater League is bringing it to town.

Fred Kavli Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787 www.civicartsplaza.com

JAN. 13 - FEB. 4 “Biloxi Blues”

» A World War II-era Army recruit learns about life, love and maniacal drill sergeants in this semi-autobiographical Neil Simon comedy. It’s the middle play in Simon’s “Eugene” trilogy, which includes “Brighton Beach Memoirs” and “Broadway Bound.”

Conejo Players Theatre 351 S. Moorpark Road Thousand Oaks (805) 495-3715; conejoplayers.org

JAN. 24 - 28 “Eurydice”

» Journey to a trippy hereafter in Sarah Ruhl’s modern telling of the Orpheus myth, complete with a tricycle-riding Lord of the Underworld.

Lindhurst Theatre Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu (310) 506-4522; arts.pepperdine. edu

JAN. 25 - FEB. 12 “Gulf View Drive”

» In the final play of Arlene Hutton’s “Nibroc” trilogy, the weight of dreams, family obligations and societal change test a young couple’s love.

Rubicon Theatre Company 1006 E. Main St., Ventura (805) 667-2900 www.rubicontheatre.org

JAN. 27 & 30 “The Wizard of Oz”

» Travel down the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy, Toto, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow in this family-friendly musical production presented by Metropolitan

Educational Theatre Network.

Performing Arts Education Center at Calabasas High School 22855 W. Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas (818) 591-1209, ext. 1 performingarts.lvusd.org

FEB. 3 - MARCH 5 “Much Ado About Nothing”

» Love and mistaken identity fuel Shakespeare’s classic comedy. The cast includes R. Shane Bingham as Benedick, Genevieve Levin as Beatrice, David White as Claudio and Dawn Notagiacomo as Hero.

Camarillo Skyway Playhouse 330 Skyway Drive, Camarillo (805) 388-5716; skywayplayhouse. org

FEB. 3 - 19 “The Little Mermaid”

» A teenage mermaid longs to live on land in this Disney movieturned-musical performed by Young Artists Ensemble.

Hillcrest Center for the Arts 403 W. Hillcrest Drive Thousand Oaks (805) 381-2747 www.hillcrestarts.com

FEB. 10 “One Woman Sex and the City” » If you remember the naked dress, the Post-it breakup and lines like “He’s just not that into you,” Kerry Ipema’s one-woman send-up of the HBO series is sure to resonate.

Scherr Forum Theatre Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787 www.civicartsplaza.com

FEB. 11 & 12 “Roméo et Juliette”

FEB. 22 - MARCH 12

“The Devil’s Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith”

» This revue about the triumphant, turbulent life of 1930s-era blues belter Bessie Smith is packed with songs like “I Ain’t Got Nobody,” “T’ain’t Nobody’s Bizness If I Do” and “St. Louis Blues.” Miche Braden, who starred as Smith in the original off-Broadway production, reprises her role. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura (805) 667-2900; www.rubicontheatre.org 50 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | WINTER 2017

» Center Stage Opera performs Charles Gounod’s 1867 adaptation of the Shakespeare tragedy about young lovers who must die before their families finally reconcile. Sung in French with English supertitles.

Reseda High School Performing Arts Center 18230 Kittridge St., Reseda (818) 517-4102 www.centerstageopera.org

MARCH 10 - 26 “The Gondoliers”

» Gilbert and Sullivan had their last big success with this 1889 comic opera, another biting commentary on the Victorian class system. The production is being staged by the Ventura County Gilbert & Sullivan Repertoire Company.

Hillcrest Center for the Arts 403 W. Hillcrest Drive Thousand Oaks (805) 381-2747 www.hillcrestarts.com

MARCH 17 - APRIL 15 “Hairspray”

» A teenage girl transforms from social outcast to sudden star in this Tony-winning musical. Miriam Durrie-Kirsch directs.

Conejo Players Theatre 351 S. Moorpark Road Thousand Oaks (805) 495-3715; conejoplayers.org

MARCH 18 “Lamb of God”

» A single cello represents the voice of Jesus in Rob Gardner’s oratorio about the savior’s last days. The piece, presented by Witness Music Thousand Oaks, also features a choir.

Performing Arts Education Center at Agoura Hills High School 28545 W. Driver Ave., Agoura Hills (818) 889-8058, ext. 1 performingarts.lvusd.org

MARCH 23 - 26 “Jesus Christ Superstar”

» Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s stirring rock opera is back on stage, courtesy of Theater League.

Songs include “Gethsemane,” “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and “Damned for All Time.”

Fred Kavli Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787 www.civicartsplaza.com

MUSIC JAN. 27 & 28 New West Symphony

» The orchestra, led by guest

Take charge of your life and take control of your health. Whole food, plant-based nutrition can help.

February 19, 2017

Book early to save on your registration rate

Learn about the power of a plant-based lifestyle from some of the nation’s leading experts.

Dr. Michael Greger KEYNOTE SPEAKER How Not To Die

Dr. Brooke Goldner

Reversing Autoimmune Disease Using Supermarket Foods

Dr. Michael Klaper When Vegans Don’t Do Well

Chef Mark Anthony Plant-Based Cooking Demo

Julie Marie Christensen

Protective Diet Education and Plant-Based Cooking Demo

WholeConference.org • 805.482.8080

LONGEVITY LIFESTYLE MATTERS

Contact Dr. David Lowe to learn more at dlowe_md@msn.com or 805.482.8080

BRAIN • BODY • WEIGHT

Getting your mind, body and weight in the game How to stay healthier and younger for longer.

This innovative brain-based 12-week program is designed to assist you in developing a brain-body-longevity lifestyle to maintain for the rest of your life. In addition, there will be exercise instruction, nutrition talks, and cooking demos with tasting healthy recipes. Participants will receive a carry bag, water bottle, textbook and workbook.

Starting March 12, 2017 • Every Sunday 4 – 6:30 p.m. • 12-week program Camarillo Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3975 E. Las Posas Rd, Camarillo CA 93010

We’ve Moved!

NEW Location!

SAME GREAT Service

conductor Donato Cabrera, plays works by Antonín Dvořák, Aaron Copland and John Adams.

(Jan. 27) Oxnard Performing Arts Center 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard (Jan. 28) Kavli Theatre at Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks (866) 776-8400 www.newwestsymphony.org

JAN. 28 Blind Boys of Alabama

Specializing in the servicing of Volvo vehicles since 1992

» The Grammy-winning gospel group’s roof-raising live shows are powered by a unique vocal blend that mixes the close harmonies of early jubilee gospel with the fervent improvisations of hard gospel.

Smothers Theatre Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu (310) 506-4522; arts.pepperdine. edu

Foreign Carriage

JAN. 29 Conejo Valley Youth Orchestras

Service, Inc.

3209 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Unit L/M

805.495.9557

» The ensembles’ “Pillars” concert salutes classical greats: Bach, Handel, Mozart and Brahms.

Fred Kavli Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787; cvyo.org

JAN. 29 Ace Frehley

» Kiss’ original lead guitarist plays tracks off his latest hard-rocking solo CD, “Origins,Vol. 1.”

The Canyon club 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills (888) 645-5006; www.canyonclub. net

FEB. 24 & 25 New West Symphony

» Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers joins the orchestra for a concert that includes Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons.”

Joshua Gersen will conduct.

(Feb. 24) Oxnard Performing Arts Center 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard (Feb. 25) Kavli Theatre at Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks (866) 776-8400 www.newwestsymphony.org

COMEDY JAN. 26 Garrison Keillor 52 WWW.BEYONDTHEACORN.COM | WINTER 2017

Untitled-1 1

11/8/16 7:12 AM

» The humorist, who stepped down as host of “Prairie Home Companion” last year, performs a live show.

Fred Kavli Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787 www.civicartsplaza.com

MARCH 4 Arsenio Hall

» The former late-night talk show host flexes his stand-up comedy muscles.

Scherr Forum Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787 www.civicartsplaza.com

MARCH 18 Kathleen Madigan

» Comedy concert with the standup star who’s got a new special on Netflix.

Fred Kavli Theatre, Civic Arts Plaza 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2787 www.civicartsplaza.com

DANCE FEB. 9 - 11 “Dance in Flight”

» For more than two decades, this showcase has given student dancers and choreographers a chance to let their artistic impulses soar.

Smothers Theatre Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu (310) 506-4522; arts.pepperdine. edu

MARCH 3 Aspen Santa Fe Ballet

» The company debuts a co-commissioned piece by choreographer Cherice Barton, who gained worldwide attention for choreographing Katy Perry’s performance at the 2015 Grammys.

Valley Performing Arts Center 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge (818) 677-3000 www.valleyperformingartscenter.org

FINE ART THROUGH JAN. 21 “Stories, Parables & Tall Tales” » The center’s winter show features works of art inspired by memories and creative meanderings.

Studio Channel Islands Art Center 2222 E. Ventura Blvd., Camarillo (805) 383-1368 studiochannelislands.org

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JAN. 21 - APRIL 2 “Larry Bell: Pacific Red”

» The artist uses his signature materials–glass, plastic and industrial coatings–to create a site-specific installation that pushes the boundaries of vision and perception.

Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art Pepperdine University 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy. Malibu (310) 506-4851 arts.pepperdine.edu/museum

JAN. 27 - APRIL 3 “Mass Appeal: The Art of Corita Kent”

» In the 1960s and ’70s, the late nun/artist earned fame—and a Newsweek cover—by creating pop art-style prints that posed philosophical questions about racism, war, poverty and religion.

This exhibit spotlights those advertising-inspired slogan posters as well as her popular “Love” prints.

California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks 1948 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

Thousand Oaks (805) 405-5240 cmato.org

FEB. 3 - APRIL 6 “Et in Arcadia Ego”

JAN. 29 - MARCH 5 Ventura County Jewish Film Festival

» Artists reinvent and reinterpret the timeless myth of Arcadia, a region in ancient Greece, as they explore “what it means to be human in the temporal world while standing on the precipice to the next.”

William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art California Lutheran University 160 Overton Court, Thousand Oaks (805) 493-3697 rollandgallery.callutheran.edu

» The festival, presented by Temple Beth Torah, enters its 14th year with an intriguing slate of films, including “The People vs. Fritz Bauer,” a drama about the hunt to find Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, and “Hummus,” a documentary about the chickpea dip’s ability to “bring Muslims, Christians and Jews together.”

Various locations (805) 647-4181; vcjff.org

SPECIAL SCREENINGS JAN. 7 & 21 “The Met: Live in HD”

FEB. 1 - 11 Santa Barbara International Film Festival

» There’s no need to jet off to New York City to see the Metropolitan Opera. The Met’s production of Verdi’s “Nabucco,” with Plácido Domingo starring as the Babylonian king, is being broadcast live in theaters Jan. 7. In another live transmission, on Jan. 21, Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo star as Shakespeare’s iconic lovers in “Roméo et Juliette.”

Muvico Thousand Oaks 14 166 W. Hillcrest Drive Thousand Oaks www.fathomevents.com

» Now in its 32nd year, this glitzy cinematic celebration is beginning to give Cannes a run for its money.

More than 200 films will screen over the course of 11 days. And Warren Beatty will receive the Kirk Douglas Award.

Various locations, Santa Barbara (805) 963-0023; sbiff.org

MARCH 25 “The General”

» New West Symphony plays the

score live during a screening of Buster Keaton's 1927 silent comedy.

Valley Performing Arts Center 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge (818) 677-3000 www.valleyperformingartscenter.org

FESTIVALS & FAMILY FUN JAN. 20 - 22 Winterfest Dog Show

» Fur is sure to fly at this all-breed dog show which features best-inshow and obedience competitions.

Ventura County Fairgrounds 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura vcdfa.weebly.com

THROUGH APRIL 9 “Interactive! The Exhibition: How Pop Culture Reshapes Technology”

» Interact with R2D2, a driverless car and other immersive games.

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley (800) 410-8354; reaganlibrary.com Send calendar listings to beyondcalendar@theacorn.com.

St. Jude the Apostle Catholic School 32036 Lindero Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91361

Achieving Academic Excellence in a Community of Faith

• Grades K-8 • Academically challenging curriculum aligned with state standards and Common Core • Highly competitive Junior High Academic Decathlon Team • Athletic Teams and Spirit Squad • After School Enrichment Programs

We look forward to sharing our school with you!

Can’t make it? Private tours available by appointment.

Please call 818-889-9483 to schedule your visit.

Principal Michele Schulte: mschulte@stjudeschool.org

• Christian and Community Service

Save The Date!

Date!

2017 Open 2016 Open House House Sunday, January Sunday, January 29th 31st 11 1 p.m. p.m.

11 a.m. a.m. to 1 Please Pleasejoin joinour ourfaculty faculty and and staff, staff, student student council and and parent parent board board members council members for for campus tours, tours, classroom classroom visits visits and and light light campus brunch refreshments. refreshments. brunch Admission packets packets for for our our 2017-2018 2016-2017 Admission school school year year will will be be available. available.

Q SUSHI FROM PAGE 45

they have an impact on not only the menu, but whatever special they want to create in that moment.”

Among Q Sushi’s most popular entrees is the spicy tuna and crispy forbidden rice, a purple-hued dish, served with garlic chips, ponzu and truffle oil.

The Fire Goddess sushi roll is another favorite. The colorful roll has albacore tuna, yellowtail and avocado, topped with jalapeno and spicy ponzu sauce.

Feeling adventurous? Zak recommends the chef ’s seasonal nigiri selection. “Ideally, you’re supposed to eat sushi in a specific order,” Zak says. “He will send out five pieces that essentially follow a specific flavor profile.”

The Q Sushi menu also includes grilled dishes. The Gyu beef skewer is often served with Tsukune, a chicken meatball. Both are prepared with Sweet Soy Tare, a simple sauce containing soy sauce, mirin and sugar. The savory pairing is artfully displayed on a rectangular plate, with a raw egg yolk in the center for dipping.

And don’t forget dessert.

The menu offers seasonal sorbet, which can be served alone or paired with sparkling sake as a float, and a black sesame pudding topped with homemade custard, black honey, whipped cream and pomegranate seeds.

There’s also a Chocolate Ganache Tempura, balls of rich chocolate deep fried in house-made cake batter and served with a fresh fruit compote.

Guests at Q Sushi can choose from an extensive drink menu that includes 10 wines from Kieu Hoang Winery. Although the white wines are the most popular—they are more commonly paired with fish—the menu also offers a wide selection of reds, which are often paired with the American Kobe and Japanese Wagyu beef entrees.

Feeling like a cocktail? One of the more popular drinks at Q Sushi is the Kyoto 75, a variation of a classic cocktail called the French 75. The cocktail blends a Japanese whiskey with ginger, pear and lemongrass topped with sparkling sake and garnished with candied pears.

The Dragon’s Breath Cosmo contains dragonfruit-infused vodka, agave, yuzu juice and cayenne pepper.

But Zak says people don’t just come to Q Sushi for the food and drink, they come for the experience and says the staff is well trained and “genuine.”

“We didn’t want anything forced or robotic,” he says. “We’re joining you in the experience more so than just saying, ‘I’m your server today.’ . . . It’s constant involvement throughout the meal.”

Binh, who also had high praise for the team, says he looks forward to seeing new faces walk through the doors, whether for a drink at the bar or a relaxed meal with friends.

The married stepfather of two and new dad—his son was born within days of the restaurant’s opening—says Q Sushi is the place for fine dining in a relaxed setting.

“You have your local sushi places . . . but it’s not a date night,” the owner says. “Some of them have great food—but it’s not somewhere you’re going to take your wife for a date and say, ‘Hey, let’s go out for a nice dinner.’ This is.”

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Q SUSHI RECIPES FROM PAGE 45

1 1 1 1 1 ½

pinch chopped fresh garlic pinch chopped ginger pinch salt pinch baking powder egg yolk oz. Sweet Soy Tare sauce*

Combine chicken meats. Add garlic, ginger, salt and baking powder. Form mixture into an oval shaped meatball.

Grill or sauté for 8-10 minutes or until fully cooked, coating the meatball with Sweet Soy Tare gradually throughout the process.

Serve with egg yolk on the side in a dipping dish.** * See recipe above **Fresh, raw egg yolk is a traditional dipping sauce in Japan.

Chocolate Ganache Tempura

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Makes 2 servings 3 1 2 4 1 3 ½

oz. semi-sweet chocolate, chips or bar oz. bittersweet chocolate, chips or bar oz. heavy cream eggs, separated cup whole milk cups flour cup sugar Cottonseed or vegetable oil for deep frying

Place room-temperature chocolate in a bowl.

Warm the cream using a microwave or stovetop. Slowly add cream to chocolate, folding it in until chocolate is fully melted. Place mixture in freezer until firm enough to form balls.

Separate egg whites from egg yolks. Place 3 egg yolks in a bowl and add milk, flour and sugar.

In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Slowly fold egg whites into mixture to form a batter.

Roll chocolate into 1 oz. balls. In a medium saucepan or wok, heat oil to 400°. There should be enough oil so the balls are fully covered and not resting on the bottom of the pot while frying.

Dip each ball in batter until well coated. Place battered chocolate balls into hot oil and fry 2 minutes or until golden brown.

Plate while still warm. Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately with whipped cream or fresh fruit compote.

Dragon’s Breath Cosmo ½ ½ ½ 2¼ 1 1

oz. pure agave oz. yuzu juice (may substitute lemon juice) oz. cranberry juice oz. Skyy dragon fruit-infused vodka dash cayenne pepper lime slice

Place agave, yuzu and cranberry juices, vodka and cayenne pepper in a shaker. Add ice and shake 10 times. Strain into martini glass.

Garnish with a lime slice lightly dusted on both sides with cayenne pepper.

resources

People and vendors in this issue

NEIGHBORS Page 14 “The Many Adventures of Mary Ann Fraser” Mary Ann Fraser www.fraserdecopainting.com www.maryannfraser.com (805) 501-3754 INNOVATORS Page 18 “‘A’ Students” New Grounds Food Page 20 “Rebels with Rolling Pins” Kneady Bakery kneadybakery.com @kneadybakersla FEELING GOOD Page 28 “The Lightness of Being” April Tucker

www.ekalokayoga.com ekalokayoga@gmail.com (805) 262-7641 AROUND THE TABLE Page 30 “Spill the Beans” Deliteful 322 W. Hillcrest Drive The Oaks mall, lower level Thousand Oaks www.delitefulmeals.com (805) 418-5118 FEATURES Page 34 “Wearable Art ” Priscilla Kromnick www.priscillakromnick.com pjkromnick@gmail.com (818) 324-6400 Connie Gunderson www.conniegunderson.com cghandbags@gmail.com (805) 320-7240

Amy Grauman Danziger Aimee Elliott Designs www.aimeeeelliottdesigns.com aimeeelliottdesigns@gmail.com (818) 298-2691 Page 38 “That ’70s House” Pamela Sandall Design www.pamelasandalldesign.com (818) 850-6268 Living room: sofas, custom-made Pillows and accessories, Home Goods End tables and elephants, Uttermost Floor lamps, West Elm Red pillows, Surya Coffee table, Noir Area rug, Jaunty Game table and hutch, family antique

Ottomans, trays, boxes, The Import Company (to the trade) Dining room: dining table, Orient Express (to the trade) Buffet and stained glass window wall hanging, family collection Chandelier, Regina Andrew (to the trade) Breakfast room: table, chairs and bench, Cost Plus World Market Tapestry and sconces, family collection Patio: patio set, Pacific Patio Page 42 “Cosmopolitan Cuisine” Q Sushi 30770 Russell Ranch Road Westlake Village www.qsushi.com (818) 540-3231

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Courtesy of MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK DOCENTS

Local lore

Visit to the th 4077

Just down the road from the 101 Freeway in Calabasas, the adventurous hiker can still pay homage to one of television’s most beloved sitcoms. “M*A*S*H,” which reveled in the wartime shenanigans of a couple of practical joking surgeons, was nothing short of groundbreaking in its time. The show was based on the 1970 feature film, which drew from a novel that fictionalized the real-life Korean War experiences of H. Richard Hornberger. “M*A*S*H” enjoyed 11 wildly popular years on the air—and it all was shot (at least the outdoor scenes) in what is now Malibu Creek State Park. (Interiors were shot on a sound stage on the 20th Century Fox Studios lot in Century City.) Most of the outdoor set was destroyed in a 1982 brushfire just as the show was wrapping up. But parts made a comeback in 2008 when the iconic signpost directing travelers to Boston, Seoul and Toledo was rebuilt. Today a rusted Jeep and an ambulance from the show remain, a hiking goal for weekend warriors who, when looking up at the scrubby brown hills, can almost hear the iconic opening soundtrack play with choppers pulsing in the background.

—LGH

BRIAN ROONEY

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