BACKCOUNTRY MEETS HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR | LEGACY OF ARCHIE HANSON
NINA AUSLEY HEALING ENERGY & ANIMAL WELLNESS | JOURNEY TO BELO HORIZONTE BRAZIL





































































































































BACKCOUNTRY MEETS HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR | LEGACY OF ARCHIE HANSON
NINA AUSLEY HEALING ENERGY & ANIMAL WELLNESS | JOURNEY TO BELO HORIZONTE BRAZIL
CO-PUBLISHERS
Hayley Mattson
Lonna Weber
Editor-in-Chief
Hayley Mattson
- unknown
As leaves turn golden and auburn, it is a time for us to savor the poetic nuances of Autumn, a season that rekindles our love for community, closeness, and cherished traditions. In these times, when the cacophony of the digital realm often leaves us disoriented, Hidden Hills Magazine offers a respite—a sanctuary where stories of local heroes and neighborhood gems echo the broader tapestry of what makes Hidden Hills so special.
The aroma of pumpkins wafting through the October air, a nostalgic scent that ushers in cozy sweaters and family gatherings. In our quaint community, pumpkins aren’t just for carving; they symbolize the richness of togetherness, exemplified by the tales we share—be it the glamour of “Backcountry Meets Hollywood” or the heartwarming narrative of Nina Ausley, our local horse healer.
As we move into November, it brings with it Thanksgiving, a time of profound reflection and collective gratitude. We are blessed to be part of a community where the spirit of giving is not confined to a single day but is the essence of who we are. We admire and thank the stewards of our community like Archie Hanson and his wife Mary, who committed their lives to enhancing our communal life throughout California and beyond, reminding us that we can contribute to the legacy we want to leave behind.
While you flip through our pages, perhaps settled into a cozy armchair, savoring a warm cup of cider by the comforting flicker of a fire, we aspire to inspire you. We hope to encourage you to deepen connections with those around you, become more involved in your community, and reflect on your own unique purpose during this season of change and gratitude. Your contributions have been instrumental in making Hidden Hills Magazine a unique platform that celebrates a community united in its strong sense of belonging.
We hope you enjoy this issue of Hidden Hills Magazine.
Business & Product Development
Nicholas Mattson
Layout & Graphic Design
Evan Rodda
Neil Schumaker
Jen Rodman
Editorial Assistant
Kaylie Carafelli
Copy Editor
Michael Chaldu
Contributing Writers
Gracie Bellissimo
Allie Lebos
Elyse Glickman
Jacquline Cleaveland
Tori Hanson Lepore
Contributing Photographers
Steve Geldman
Gracie Bellissimo
Tal Ronnen
Advisory Board
Joe Bellissimo
Steve Weber Inquiries
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Editorial: editor@hiddenhillsmag.com
Hidden Hills Magazine is published four times a year by 13 Stars Media. It is mailed to residents of the city of Hidden Hills, and surrounding neighborhoods in California as well as targeted distribution at commercial and retail locations in the greater Los Angeles and Ventura County areas.
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"In the chill of autumn’s embrace, we find the warmest sense of community.”
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A: Every year, the “respiratory virus season” begins in the fall and lasts through the spring as people spend more time indoors. This year, three vaccines will be available to help reduce the severity of and complications from three common viral respiratory infections: flu, COVID, and RSV. Vaccines not only protect the recipient but also the vulnerable individuals around them, like young children, the elderly, those with immune deficiencies, and those unable to get vaccinated themselves. It takes about 2 weeks for vaccine-induced protection to develop, so plan to receive your vaccinations well before the season starts.
Flu (Influenza) Vaccine This year’s quadrivalent flu vaccine will include antigens for two Influenza A and two Influenza B strains. The strains are pre-selected to cover expected 2023/24 flu viruses and even a partial viral-vaccine match is valuable in reducing severity of infection and preventing complications. The CDC recommends that everyone, with very few exceptions, gets the flu vaccine annually.
COVID Vaccine Monovalent mRNA vaccines targeting Omicron XBB.1.5 lineage spike proteins will be available sometime this Fall. While specific recommendations are pending, it’s likely that nearly everyone will be advised to get vaccinated with this formulation. Although most COVID cases are mild, each new infection carries risks of acute illness and chronic complications, including Long COVID.
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Vaccine New protein antigen-based vaccine that should be considered for people 60 and over at high risk of RSV lower respiratory tract infections. Risk factors include heart disease, asthma, COPD, diabetes, immune compromise, and general fragility. The current recommendation is a single vaccination, which is expected to provide protection for more than one season. Vaccine recommendations for young children are in progress.
Besides vaccinations, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital for resilience. Eat well, sleep adequately, manage stress, and exercise regularly. Practice good hand hygiene, especially before touching your face, and clean high-touch surfaces often. If unwell, stay home and wear appropriate masks when necessary. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for immune-boosting vitamins and supplements.
If you do fall ill, viral panel PCR testing can identify causative agents and guide treatment. Therapeutic agents for treatment of flu and COVID are available.
By taking these measures and getting vaccinated, we collectively ensure community health during the approaching fall and winter. Let’s work together to protect ourselves and each other.
23693 B Calabasas Road, Calabasas (818) 403-3072
CourtyardPharmacy.com
Gracie Bellisimo is an aspiring filmmaker and photographer born and raised in Hidden Hills. Pursuing a degree in Cinema at San Francisco State University, Gracie is a true lover of the arts and is always creating her own original content.
Allie Lebos is a writer currently living in Santa Monica, California. After graduating in 2017 from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she served as a staff writer for the Daily Nexus for nearly 2 years, Allie made her long-awaited move to Los Angeles.
Elyse Glickman, a versatile journalist and editor, covers diverse subjects worldwide such as gastronomy, wine, wellness, business profiles, interior design, and fashion. She was a Senior Editor for C-Suite Quarterly magazine, focusing on food and travel.
Jacquline Cleaveland grew up in a ranch community in Simi Valley, California, spending time in nature generating her appreciation for beauty and aesthetics. Currently she is freelance writer and Creative Writing major at Pepperdine University.
Steve Geldman, writer and photographer with over 40 years of experience, specializes in automotive photography but also explores other genres like food, architecture, and landscape. His work appears in publications like Calabasas Style Magazine, Driven World, and The Malibu Times
Q: What vaccinations will I need this fall to protect myself and family?
One of these starlets was none other than Betty Grable. Known for her iconic pin-up girl image during World War II, Betty’s fame and influence continued throughout the remainder of the United States mid-century. She had an incredibly prolific career that spanned from 1930 until 1973, getting her big break at the dawn of the 1940s, starring in the films “Down Argentine Way” (1940), “Moon over Miami” (1941), “Sweet Rosie O’Grady” (1943), and “The Pin-Up Girl” (1944). For nearly 10 years, from 1942 until 1951, Betty Grable was the number one female box office earner, marking her as an icon within American popular culture.
Outside of her career, Betty married one of the Swing Era’s most talented Big Band trumpeters, Harry James, in 1943. To escape the Hollywood hullabaloo, the couple purchased a large parcel of land in Calabasas and soon to be Hidden Hills area behind the Boething Treeland Nursery, which they transformed into the Baby J Ranch. Hidden Hills’ developer A.E Hanson was friends with Betty and Harry, and around 1950, he had to ask their permission to begin developing Hidden Hills due to the fact that the future city abutted the couple’s ranch.
by Jacqueline CleavelandIn the 1940s, the farther you drove away from Los Angeles, the more big buildings began to be replaced by green, winding California Oak trees as the cityscape turned into sprawling, untouched countryside. The sleek black roads of the city transitioned into bleached gray asphalt, which would then turn into packed dirt roads, and soon you would find yourself in Calabasas. In this rural countryside with the looks straight out of any Western film, it was common to find the secluded ranches of hideaway Hollywood stars nestled within the golden hills, chaparral, and sagebrush.
Betty and Harry would have two daughters together: Jessica James and Victoria Elizabeth James, with the inspiration for the name of their ranch coming from their young daughter, Jessica. The Baby J Ranch was known for breeding thoroughbred horses for the races, a passion of Harry’s. His stakes in horse racing can be concluded as incredibly successful, for his horses won the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes in 1951, the San Vicente Stakes in 1954, and many victories at the Hollywood Park horse races.
In 1958, a portion of the Baby J Ranch was purchased by movie star cowboy Wild Bill Elliott. Similar to Betty Grable and Harry James, he renamed the land the “Double Bar-A Ranch” in honor of his daughter, Barabara. Aligned with the frontier essence of early Calabasas and Hidden Hills, Elliot was known for starring in such countless Western motion pictures, with only a few being “The Great Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok” (1938), “Calling Wild Bill Elliot” (1943), “Hellfire” (1949), and “The Showdown” (1950). Born Gordon Nance, he was a prominent figure in Western films, which is how he became to be known by his assumed name, Wild Bill Elliott.
Considering that Hidden Hills became an incorporated city in October of 1961, by the 1960s it had surely become a popularized, flourishing community. Children ran in packs up and down the bridle trails, playing whichever imaginary game suited their summertime moods, and became awestruck that the Wild Bill Elliott, a real-life movie star cowboy, was in fact their neighbor. Hidden Hills children during the 1960s remember Wild Bill Elliott being particularly good-natured and generous. Elliot would show the kids around his working ranch and inside the western tack room where he kept his motion picture memorabilia, bridles, and collection of ornate saddles. Elliot also had a leather shop inside this tack room where he let the neighborhood kids mend their busted baseball mitts. Considering Wild Bill Elliott was the ultimate hero to many children of the time, his kindness was unforgettable.
After Wild Bill Elliot’s passing in 1965, the property entered a third phase of life. During the late 1960s, the ranch became known as the Don-E-Brook Farms, which was an equestrian center that offered riding lessons to children while also letting those who did not have the acreage in their backyards to board their horses in their stables. At the heart of the Don-E-Brook Farms was a big barn used to store bales of hay along with other farm supplies. On sun-kissed evenings during the summertime months, the lower floor of the barn would be cleared out, and the Don-E-Brook Farms would hold grand barn dances for the locals. In the other seasons, the Don-E-Brook Farms held events such as horse shows and rodeos, where it was not uncommon to find local stars participating, such as television personality Bob Eubanks.
In the contemporary day, the Don-E-Brook Farms has since moved from Hidden Hills to Santa Clarita in order to expand their equestrian centers. The original land of the Baby J Ranch has been developed to house more Hidden Hills and Calabasas residents, along with portions being absorbed into property of the Los Angeles County.
Along with the priceless collection of photographs available to the public eye, all it takes is one look outside to see that the unique essence of the Hidden Hills and Calabasas land remains.
Hidden Hills local Nina Ausley uses the Tucker Biokinetic Technique to heal horses, humans, & other animals in need
Hitting a brick wall in an attempt to get to the bottom of a health-related issue is never a good feeling. Being told by a doctor that a healthrelated issue is simply incurable…even worse. But that is where our friend and neighbor, Nina Ausley, is able to step in and provide not just hope but results…especially for horses.
Nina recounts, “I was working with my horses one day, and my friend Jan rode by on her horse Rose.” Rose had made a remarkable recovery after suffering some injuries following a fall on a trail. Although the injuries were not apparent at first, over time, Rose started to show muscle imbalance in her neck, with one side of her neck clearly more muscular than the other.
Jan was put in contact with a Certified TBT Master Practitioner named Serena Hull. TBT, or Tucker Biokinetic Technique, was developed by Dr. Renee Tucker, an equine veterinarian, chiropractor and acupuncturist. TBT was designed to resolve recurrent or difficult to solve physical problems. TBT uses gentle, energetic manipulation to help realign bones, organs, muscles, nerves, and fascia throughout an animal’s or human’s body.
Following TBT treatments, Rose’s neck was notably more symmetrical, and her shoulders had more range of motion. Jan felt Rose’s recovery was a result of the new TBT bodywork.
Fascinated, Nina felt deep within her that a practice like this was calling to her. “This was my first time hearing about this particular technique,” she explains, “I have been exploring this form of healing, and it was always in the back of my mind.”
Nina had been searching for a way to help her horses with chronic arthritis and body imbalance, so she hired the same TBT practitioner herself. After witnessing improvements in both horses and her own body from TBT treatments, she enrolled in the TBT Master Practitioner Course with Dr. Renee Tucker, DVM. Nina has been studying the Tucker Biokinetic Technique for over a year and is just days away from finishing her full certification. She is already able to successfully work with patients. Nina explains, “When I meet with a new client, I discuss and observe the clues the horse is giving me through their behavior, movement, feet, and body asymmetry. With my TBT training, I use these clues as a guide to discover the real issue to work on and where the horse may be experiencing a misalignment. I target the primary cause of the skeletal and energetic misalignment and correct it while eliminating ‘muscle memory.’ I do this by engaging Biokinetic Master Points (similar to acupuncture meridian points). I use my hands to ‘listen’ to what’s happening in the body and ‘hear’ the Biokinetic feedback to begin the healing process. My hands can be touching or held above the horse, and I am sending focused energy.”
“I use my hands to ‘listen’ to what's happening in the body and ‘hear’ the Biokinetic feeback to begin the healing process.”
By rebalancing a horse’s skeletal and energetic misalignments, TBT can help resolve problems related to performance and behaviors. These can include difficulty bending with lateral flexion, haunches in and out, suspensory issues, navicular syndrome, difficulty picking up leads, counter-cantering, head held too high or tipped when riding, cold-backed, cinchy/girthy, bucking, stiff one direction, reluctance to go forward, reduced performance such as dropping rails when jumping or going wide on barrels and more. TBT is also effective in reducing inflammation, preventing injuries, and improving your horse’s general well-being and happiness.
To start, TBT sessions can be conducted every four to six weeks. “It is a bit like peeling the layers of an onion,” says Nina, “Each session usually will have fewer primary causes as the problems start to resolve through TBT. The goal is to get to a point where the horse is on a maintenance schedule with fewer visits needed. So it may be every 30 days at first, then every three months, and then every six months, depending on the horse and its condition and activity level. A working jumper may require more frequent treatments than a non-ridden senior horse.” Following a session with Nina, one can expect varying results… “I have witnessed some healing appearing right before my eyes on the first session and other imbalances taking more time, depending on the severity or longevity of the injury. After the skeletal system has been aligned, the body will readjust itself to where it may have been compensating before. For that reason, Nina recommends that a horse has two days off of riding after a session and a light ride on the third day if normally ridden. Plenty of walking, however, is fine.
If you would like to hire Nina or inquire further with questions, feel free to book a session by emailing info@ninaausleyintuitive.com. Her website is ninaausleyintuitive.com. Nina’s general travel area is within a 20-mile radius of Northern Los Angeles (San Fernando Valley). Some cities in her travel area include Moorpark, Somis, Thousand Oaks, Malibu, Monte Nido, Topanga, Agoura, and Hidden Hills.
Serena Hull can be contacted through her website alignedequinetherapy.com.
Nina is always striving to continue her education and improve her knowledge to help animals and people. Here is a list of some of Nina’s areas of interest.
• The Masterson Method, beyond horse massage online clinic and course
• Tucker Biokinetic Technique (TBT) master practitioner online course and live seminars (www.tuckerbiokinetic.com)
• Advancing as a medical intuitive and healer for others with Tina Zion’s live online course
• Advanced and masters level medical intuition with Tina Zion certification
• Jeffrey Allen’s duality course, the power of energy awareness and healing, mindvalley online course
• Mustang Maddy’s Horse Human Connection Academy, online course
• Anna Marciniak’s “Relax That Stomach” online course (onehorselife.Com)
• The Trust Technique video course
• Equine positive reinforcement training with Peggy Hogan (Karen Pryor ClickerExpo faculty member) in person and online
• Certified Pilates instructor (educated in body movement)
Acelebrated culinary gem has emerged within the Calabasas Commons, a restaurant that has been awarded time and time again for its mouthwatering Mediterranean fare, upscale ambiance, and a glittering array of guests ranging from casual foodies to world-famous celebrities. Additionally, it is the only restaurant in Calabasas to have recently made the Los Angeles Times Best Restaurant list. The food is so delicious that many guests are shocked to learn that the meal they just enjoyed was entirely vegan.
“This cuisine shouldn’t be judged by what’s missing; it should be judged by how great it tastes”, explains Chef Tal Ronnen with utmost care. A graduate of the National Gourmet Institute, Tal is the founder and chef of Crossroads Kitchen. Hailed as a true master of his craft, Tal’s accolades range from becoming the author of the New York Times bestseller, “The Conscious Cook,” to having prepared meals for Oprah’s 21-day cleanse, as well as catering Ellen Degeneres and Portia De Rossi’s wedding, Arianna Huffington’s party at the Democratic National Convention, and a U.S. Senate dinner.
“This cuisine shouldn’t be judged by what’s missing; it should be judged by how great it tastes.”
–Chef Tal Ronnen
In the years leading up to founding Crossroads, Tal found himself working as a private chef. “I missed the teamwork of being in a kitchen. When you’re a private chef, it’s all on you…so I missed the teamwork, that whole environment. And LA had great vegetarian and vegan restaurants, but none of them were, you know, a refined, upscale, white tablecloth; none of them had a full bar if you can believe it.” And with that, Crossroads Kitchen was born, making its original Melrose location the first vegan restaurant in Los Angeles to have a full bar, wine program, and elegant atmosphere. In the years to follow since its opening in 2012, Crossroads has expanded to Resorts World Las Vegas and now has joined the Calabasas community. “The city needed it, and I had a lot of support from people that I had cooked for over the years to do this.” Among many of their incredible supporters, some investors that made the Commons location a reality include Calabasas resident Travis Barker as well as our Hidden Hills neighbor Lisa Austin (pictured with Tal).
The menu itself is built around Mediterranean cuisine, ranging from appetizers like the Calabasas-exclusive “caviar” and housemade potato chips to more familiar entrees like Spaghetti Carbonara with a plant-based egg yolk that cracks just like a real one. “Just because we don’t use eggs, butter, cream, meat, or fish, we can still create those flavors. For example, our calamari is made out of king oyster mushrooms, and we get that ocean flavor by infusing seaweed into it. And in our breading for the calamari, we use Old Bay seasoning, which people associate with seafood. There’s lots of little tricks.” And these maneuvers are exactly what have kept vegan and nonvegan clientele equally satisfied, with the familiar flavors being so deftly imitated that many guests have wined and dined without ever realizing the restaurant is plant-based. Alongside a wide selection of delicious food, Crossroads boasts a full-scale bar with handcrafted, unique cocktails as well as customer favorites, including an extensive wine list. Of course, dessert indulgences are available as well, like Chef Ronnen’s infamous take on a classic brownie ice cream sundae.
Ecstatic to serve the Calabasas community, Chef Ronnen and the rest of the Crossroads family are ready to indulge your senses with a menu that is palatable, made with care, and served in a tasteful ambiance by a team that truly loves what they do.
Crossroads Kitchen Calabasas is open to our community every day for brunch, lunch, and dinner, with seating inside the beautifully decorated restaurant or on the serene patio. Reservations are recommended but not required. The luxurious private dining room can also accommodate intimate gatherings or larger parties.
There is a happy hour at the bar Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. as well as takeout available on multiple online ordering platforms.
Visit the Crossroads website or call (747) 230-4210 for further inquiry.
EL CAMINO SHOPPING CENTER 23343 Mulholland Drive
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
Monday - Friday 10:30am -6:00 pm Saturday 11:00am -5:00 pm
Rob N. Litman, founder and CEO of Vitoli, Inc., is a man of few words, often letting his incredible landscaping, hardscaping, pool and spa, and outdoor kitchen designs speak for themselves. What Rob does believe in is putting his money where his mouth is by supporting several nonprofit organizations in the greater Calabasas area.
After working with other landscaping and design firms for a decade, Rob decided to venture out on his own. He planted Vitoli’s first seeds in Calabasas in 2007 and grew from there. Once his company became an established entity, Rob knew he needed to find ways to give back to the community which had supported him and his team of landscapers, engineers, and contractors. Several years ago, Rob learned about The Foundation for Las Virgenes Schools and knew instantly that this organization was one that he wanted to support.
“I know that so many of my clients choose to live in Calabasas and Agoura Hills because of the great schools,” says Rob. “Just like the projects we take on, we know every school needs a strong foundation. That includes great teachers, helpful counselors, and stimulating activities inside and outside of the classroom. I want to support those initiatives to maintain their level of excellence for our schools.”
President of The Foundation for LVUSD, Mark Madnick, shares, “I met Rob when we hired Vitoli to renovate our yard. I was so impressed with the character of Rob and his team. We discussed how important charity is to him, especially supporting children and education. From that point on, Rob and Vitoli have been generous contributors to The Foundation for Las Virgenes Schools by taking on sponsorships and making donations to THE Carnival, THE Battle of the Bands, and THE Event. I cannot begin to express how much we value their partnership in supporting public education and making a lasting impact on our students through increased learning opportunities and social and emotional wellbeing.”
In 2022, Rob became aware of another nonprofit organization in need of both funding and champions: Creative Steps, a program operated by The Aurelia Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that assists teens and young adults with developmental disabilities, including physical, behavioral, and social challenges, in navigating their way in the community. Their mission is to support and nurture a lifestyle of work, play, and social engagement for every client that maximizes the potential for a lifetime of growth, health, happiness, and achievement.
“Rob Littman has arguably the biggest heart and is an important stakeholder helping Creative Steps fulfill our mission of serving people with moderate to severe developmental disabilities.”
“I learned about Creative Steps and The Aurelia Foundation from CEO and Board Member Bob Charney,” says Rob. “Bob and his wife, Lisa, have a son with autism and epilepsy, and like a lot of teens with these challenges, there aren’t many programs to help these kids once they age out of the system.”
Proud to be associated with Rob and the entire Vitoli team, Bob shares, “Rob Littman has arguably the biggest heart and is an important stakeholder helping Creative Steps fulfill our mission of serving people with moderate to severe developmental disabilities. He takes time to understand our nonprofit’s challenges and opportunities and proactively looks for ways to enrich our program with both financial support and jobs for the people we serve.”
Rob believes that giving back also happens organically. When Vitoli takes on large residential projects, Rob truly takes the time to get to know his customers and what they are dealing with on a personal level. When getting to know his client Victoria Walker, he learned about the personal struggles affecting her entire family. Victoria’s mother, Gloria Walker, lived her entire life putting others first. In 2012, at the age of 63, Gloria began struggling with health issues. Over the next seven years, as Gloria’s symptoms became worse with repeated falls and multiple fractures attributed to a false diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease, endless
doctors told Gloria and Victoria that there was nothing wrong. It wasn’t until Gloria was completely incapacitated that the accurate diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) was determined.
Fortunately, Victoria and her family were introduced to the Lewy Body Dementia Association of America (LBDA), which provided a wealth of kindness, information, resources, education, support groups, and guidance for the family. When Rob Litman became aware that approximately 1.4 million people in the United States are suffering from LBD today, he decided to support the LBDA. “I learned through Victoria that LBD is one of the most widely misdiagnosed conditions and there are no cures,” says Rob. “It has a 100 percent mortality rate. LBD attacks every region of the brain, and it affects the mind and the body, leaving families absolutely torn to pieces. I knew I had to help other families like Victoria’s, and I can do that by donating to the LBDA.”
The slogan at Vitoli is “Think Outside the Box.” Rob and his team believe that should pertain not only to their work, but to the type of charitable contributions they make. “I found that donating can also facilitate the development of connections with locals and other enterprises, which can result in new opportunities and partnerships,” says Rob. He hopes other businesses are inspired to donate and become involved in nonprofit organizations to support their community’s needs.
Sunrose California Eatery is the latest and greatest restaurant to land at the Whizin Market Center in Agoura Hills. Created by Carie and Marc Hernandez, this vibrant and community-oriented eatery will be serving up farm-fresh cuisine in a stylish and airy setting. “The Whizin Market Center is truly a hidden gem that is just being rediscovered,” said Hernandez. “The space we are inheriting boasts a beautiful open atrium, and you can see how much the center has come to life over the years.” The prime Agoura Hills location also allows for easy access from the freeway and Malibu.
Spending a lifetime in the restaurant industry has allowed Carie and Marc to become experts, and they have brought an immense amount of knowledge and experience. Since the service industry tends to have tough hours, both Carie and Marc agreed that they wanted to foster a work environment that allows their employees to spend time with their families in the evening. That said, Sunrose California Eatery will primarily be open during the day before turning into a special event space that can be rented out in the evenings. Carie and Marc’s love of brunch also played a factor in the overall setting and menu. “We seriously love brunch, and as local residents, we wanted to open a restaurant that doesn’t exist in the Conejo Valley. One that offers a layer of enjoyment along with great food, service, and ambiance,” explained Hernandez. “We aspire to fill our walls with memories, laughter, and happiness.”
When it comes to food, patrons can expect to find plenty of tasty dishes, but there are a few favorites you won’t want to miss. “The Vegan Caesar Salad, The Dutch Baby, and the Pork Belly Sandwich are some of my top picks,” shared Hernandez. Vegetarians will be pleased to find plenty of options, including a flavorful, mushroom sandwich full of umami. You can also start your day off on the right foot with the Sunrose Breakfast, which puts a modern spin on the classic American breakfast.
In addition to bringing delicious bites to the neighborhood, Sunrose California Eatery is also finding impactful ways to give back to the community. “We’re proud to be involved with the Conejo Chamber of Commerce and will be graciously hosting an upcoming mixer for their members,” said Hernandez. Carie and Marc have also been heavily involved in the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley and The Foundation for Las Virgenes Schools, showing a particular interest in youth and education. “Sunrose is a family establishment, and we hope to be a staple in the community,” shared Hernandez.
Sustainability and local sourcing are also at the forefront of priorities, and the restaurant will be working with Worldwide Produce, which deals directly with farmers at Santa Monica Farmers Market. “With this partnership, we’ll be able to pick and choose farms that we can work with on a daily basis,” explained Hernandez. “Our sourcing philosophy is to rely on organic, sustainable, and regenerative farming.” You’ll also find paper bags rather than plastic, along with recyclable to-go containers.
We aspire to fill our walls with memories, laughter, and happiness.
irst-time visitors and new transplants to Los Angeles will equate it with “the Southern California lifestyle,” thanks to its colorful food scene, shopping areas, green spaces, and beaches. However, it’s easier for the traveler to appreciate what makes up that fabled lifestyle if he or she takes the time to visit San Diego, Palm Springs, Orange County, and the towns and state parks along the freeways that connect them. Along those lines, if you’ve visited Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo, you’ve gotten a hearty taste of Brazil’s culture or lifestyle, but not a fully-rounded one. Bring a place like Belo Horizonte—Brazil’s 6th largest city—into your itinerary, and what you’ll end up with is a true appreciation for Brazil as a country.
Although “BG” (pronounced “bey-ah-ga”) is landlocked, and at the edge of Brazil’s heartland in Minas Gerais state, residents take pride in what it has to offer. Its unofficial motto, “Bars, not beaches,” reflects it has much to offer, especially when it comes to its restaurants and bars, sense of style, and neighborhoods such as Lourdes and Savassi, where many of the most buzzedabout places are located. Even without a beach, Los Angeles and San Diego travelers will feel right at home in these surroundings, between the eclectic mix of 19th, 20th, and 21st Century architecture and the Espinhaço Mountains. Just like LA and San Diego, there are several historic towns between one and two hours away by car (Ouro Preto, Tiradentes, and Mariana, among them). It also enjoys a similar climate to California, though it’s good to remember that seasons are reversed south of the equator.
The Hotel Fasano Belo Horizonte, a “The Leading Hotels Of The World” property and part of a Brazilian family-owned hospitality group, beautifully embodies the city’s spirit and aesthetic. The slim building, topped with a pretty, compact rooftop pool area and spa, belies how spacious most of the public areas and 77 dwellings are. Rooms and suites have a dark hardwood floor foundation and are framed in hues of cream, wood, and copper, naturally occurring within rustic wood, patinas, soapstone, exposed bricks, and other traditional materials. This provides a perfect backdrop for furnishings and accessories designed by Bernardes Arquitetura and other Brazilian designers. All rooms are also outfitted with large marble bathrooms fully equipped with a high pressure shower, soaking tub, rich toiletries with woodsy aromas, and Ipanema flip-flops. The king-size beds are outfitted with 300-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and goose down pillows (though non-allergenic alternatives are available).
Gastronomy is a point of pride with Fasano properties, and this one is no exception. While the rooms have a well-stocked mini-bar and a coffee-tea area with organic Orfeu espresso pods, guests are greeted with hand-crafted sweets such as Brigadeiros chocolate truffles, cocoanut beijinhos, and dulce de leche fudge from the hotel kitchen. The lobby flows into Gero, where executive chef Fabio Aiello renders flavorful Italian fare with local ingredients, and cocktail bar Baretto serving up strong but elegant cocktails and live jazz and bossa nova music, bringing in residents as well as guests. By morning, a simple but pretty breakfast spread is laid out in the Gero space, with juicy tropical fruit, fresh-squeezed juices, Minas Gerais cheese, and hot-from-the-oven breads.
The hotel has everything required for a well-rounded Belo Horizonte experience, and after a long day, you can simply head downstairs to take it all in, including Loxus Jóias (exquisite Minas-mined gems in delicate, classic settings) and an elegant branch of ANIMALE, a Brazilian label providing a more tailored version of the colorful fashion aesthetic popularized internationally by Farm Rio and others. However, as it is nestled into the heart of Lourdes, one of BG’s most fashionable areas, getting out of the hotel to explore this area is not only essential but couldn’t be easier. It is a short Uber ride or manageable walk to equally hip Savassi and lushly landscaped Praça da Liberdade (“Liberty Square”), sitting at the city’s cultural heart. The three areas are concentrated with many of the city’s best museums, boutiques, urban green spaces, architecture, upscale bars, and restaurants.
Lourdes’ sophisticated eateries are its biggest draw, right down to countless coffee shops and butecos (neighborhood pubs) where you can drop in for a quick bite, sip, and quality people watching. In addition to Gero, the most talked-about destination spots combine interesting hybrids of Brazilian and other international cuisines (Italian, French, Spanish, and Middle Eastern) along with expressive décor that mirrors a lot of the ideas coming from the executive chefs and their kitchen teams. While some dishes may seem familiar based on the menu description, the most memorable read in taste and texture as full-on originals. The presentations—particularly with the appetizers, salads, and desserts—contribute to the ambiance.
For example, when you walk into chef Felipe Rameh’s Olga Nur, there’s no question that you’re in a restaurant that takes wine seriously. The ceiling is the restaurant’s most distinctive feature, with hundreds of elongated corklike elements painstakingly assembled and sculpted to evoke the topography of the Brazilian “Midwest.” Its best appetizers are all over the map, with standouts that include vegetable tempura with Korean-inspired gochujang and ginger sauces, pão de queijo (traditional Brazilian cheese bread) pressed into waffles topped with salmon; codfish pie (empanada slices) with black garlic and pepper sauces; and toasted coalho cheese bites topped with ginger chili sauce. While caipirinas with premium quality cachaca and fresh fruit are readily available here and in other restaurants, order one of the signature cocktails with gin and vodkas from local distillery Yvy, such as the “Olga Negroni,” the raspberry-rich “Englishman Pie,” and the “Black Mule” topped with a rich blackberry syrup and ginger foam.
Glouton, as the name and its décor suggest, has a French vibe but also wears its Minas Gerais state underpinnings with pride. French culinarytrained Minas Gerais native Chef Leo Paixão, whose exhaustive tasting menus get a lot of buzz in local foodie circles, also weaves African and Portuguese influences to interesting effect. Those who order a la carte will not leave hungry, as his best main courses (Crayfish and shrimp risoni, pepperoni and smoked paprika; Tarragon scented oxtail with watercress gnocchi; and local whitefish Pirarucu with peanut cream, banana, hearts of palm, and wild manioc root tucupi from the Amazon) are filling and work beautifully with both French champagne as well as Brazilian Luiz Porto Brut Rose.
Although the city abounds with traditional restaurants serving copious dishes of home-style Minas Gerais recipes integrating Afro-indigenous and Portuguese elements (i.e. Dona Lucinha in Savassi and Restaurante Xapuri, a popular first-day lunch site in suburban Pampulha which often proceeds a visit to architect Oscar Niemeyer’s most seminal buildings), Pacato (pacatobh.com.br), meanwhile, serves as a canvas for chef Caio Soter to elevate the “backyard cuisine” of Minas Gerais and ingredients indigenous to the Jequitinhonha Valley into a dinner-and-a-show presentation that provides interesting insights and interpretations of the local palate.
During the day, downtown Mercado Central is a must for those interested in exploring the heart of the local diet and the state’s best artisanal products (which, naturally, make excellent souvenirs and gifts). In addition to specialty coffee vendors, intriguing spice and herb shops, and beautiful produce displays (as you would expect in Brazil), there are several beautifully merchandised cheese and condiment shops, as well as vendors specializing in nuts and dried fruit (Loja Ananda is favorite), cachaca, baked goods, and fresh squeezed lime juice stands where trying before buying is part of the fun. There are many quick-bite spots to check out as well.
Edifício Maleta (the city’s former “grand hotel”) is another one-stopshop for casual but artsy dining, shopping, and bar hopping, depending on what time of day you stop in. It is home to several art galleries as well as cachaçerias showcasing a mind-boggling number of expressions of the spirit in shots, flights, or inventive caipirinha cocktails that take full advantage of Brazil’s bounty of fruit and produce.
Although there are several malls that feature the best Brazilian fashion brands in one spot (particularly Patio Savassi), winding up and down the streets of Lourdes and Savassi to seek real finds is particularly rewarding. Five minutes from the hotel, there’s a small but beautiful Farm Rio location (and yes, what’s on the racks is different from what’s in US stores), and not far from there, other boutiques such as Lepoeh, Iorane, Antoneita, and La Vetrina. Other shops worth keeping an eye out for include Cali, Le Lis, and Espaço LZ for looks that are completely Brazilian but will fit right in with the Southern California lifestyle.
If your itinerary covers a Sunday, make space in your schedule for the Hippie Fair (“Feira Hippie”) originating at the city’s Municipal Park. It runs between 7 a.m. through 2 p.m. and is said to be one of the largest in Brazil. While the sheer size can be overwhelming at first glance, the smart organization of the vendors (sections dedicated specifically to clothing, handbags and shoes, jewelry and fashion accessories, children’s goods, and home accessories) make the hunt for those brag-worthy additions to your home and closet a lot easier. It is also a great spot to take in street food and live music, so come prepared with cash, even though many vendors accept credit card payments for their goods.
Belo Horizonte also has numerous bike paths, hiking trails, and one-of-a-kind places where the boundaries of indoors and outdoors blur. Those who enjoy the J. Paul Getty Museums will want to allocate a full day or two for The Inhotim Institute. Its origins are strikingly similar to The Getty—established in 2004 by a former mining magnate (Bernardo Paz) to house his personal art collection. While it opened to the public shortly after, by 2014, it emerged as one of the toprated museums in the world on different travel websites. The massive museum/botanical garden hybrid occupies just over 1,942 acres and has artist pavilions, installations, and 5,000 plant species nestled into terrain blending forest and jungle. Tamboril, its upscale dining option, features a lush and eclectic indoor/outdoor dining environment, an a la carte menu, and a prolific buffet featuring contemporary Brazilian and international dishes, many of them vegetable and fruit-forward.
Rooms at Hotel Fasano Belo Horizonte begin at around $300 US per night. For more information and reservations, visit fasano.com.br/ hoteis/fasano-belo-horizonte. To learn more about Belo Horizonte, consult visitbrasil.com/en/destino-belo-horizonte-mg-ingles.
insight from Tori Hanson Lepore
On February 25, Archie E. Hanson Jr. was laid to rest alongside his late wife, Mary Hanson, in Westlake Village. For the family and the communities he touched, this occasion marked the end of an era, bidding farewell to one of the last true trailblazers of his time. As a pioneer in community development and historical preservation, his legacy drew his seven children from locations as diverse as British Columbia, Texas, Colorado, and California to attend the ceremony.
In 2016, the world lost Archie E. Hanson Jr., a man whose talents spanned from real estate development to aviation. Last year, his partner of over five decades, Mary A. Hanson, also departed. Bound together by love, creativity, and a shared passion for community building, Archie and Mary Hanson leave behind an irreplaceable legacy. Their life’s work ranged from the scenic Hidden Hills to the culturally rich Indian Camp Ranch in Cortez, Colorado.
Born in 1926, Archie Hanson Archie Hanson found himself entering the workforce at an age when many of his peers were still grappling with their future. By the age of 23, he was already deeply involved in shaping communities, a calling that would define his legacy. His father, AE Hanson Sr., saw the potential in him and introduced him to the complex and demanding world of real estate development. His first significant assignment was nothing short of formidable: designing and developing the entire infrastructure for Hidden Hills, a planned community conceptualized by his father.
Archie’s role in this ambitious project was allencompassing. From the intricate design of roads to the installation of essential utilities and the meticulous preparation of residential sites, Archie left no stone unturned. It was a monumental endeavor that would have daunted many a seasoned developer, but for Archie, it was an opportunity to prove his mettle. Under his watchful supervision and unparalleled attention to detail, what was once a barren tract of land blossomed into a flourishing residential enclave.
But Archie was not just another developer; he was a visionary in the realm of community development. His debut project at Hidden Hills was merely the opening act of a career filled with pioneering undertakings. Each phase of development, from laying down asphalt to installing sewage systems and setting up electrical grids, was executed with the utmost care and precision. Archie wasn’t just building houses; he was creating communities, carefully weaving together the fabric of residential living with the natural environment surrounding it.
These early experiences laid the foundation for a career that would see Archie as a trailblazer, leading the charge in crafting communities that did more than provide shelter; they offered a sense of place and continuity, harmoniously blending with their natural landscapes. His indelible contributions stand as a
testament to a lifetime dedicated to innovative community development and meticulous historical preservation.
Archie’s unwavering commitment to historic preservation became palpably clear when he decided to purchase and renovate the long-neglected Leonis Adobe in 1950. This wasn’t just a restoration project for him; it was a labor of love that aligned closely with his work at Hidden Hills. Moving his family into the restored Adobe, located just across the street from his life’s work, Archie achieved something quite extraordinary: the revitalization of a piece of California’s history that would otherwise have been forgotten. The Adobe home became more than just a residence; it was a living, breathing piece of California’s past, reincarnated through the lens of Archie’s indelible sense of community and historical reverence.
“Archie achieved something quite extraordinary: the revitalization of a piece of California’s history that would otherwise have been forgotten.”
By 1961, Archie had shifted his residence but remained committed to Hidden Hills, transitioning from a developer to a salesman who promoted the community he had built from scratch. His philosophy was simple yet compelling—create communities that one would be proud to call home. This belief was not restricted to Hidden Hills; Archie extended his creative urges to Paso Robles, where he developed a staggering 35,000 acres over 35 years.
In 1966, Archie married Mary Mitchell, and together they raised a blended family of seven children at Hidden Valley Ranch in Templeton, California. It was in Templeton that Archie also established the Templeton Carriage Works. The enterprise was a testament to his love for history, as he meticulously restored carriages and several historic buildings, reviving the splendor of a bygone era.
However, it was his final project that stands as a crowning achievement in a life marked by vision and industriousness. In Cortez, Colorado, Archie developed the Indian Camp Ranch, protecting over 210 Anasazi
(Ancestral Puebloan) sites in the process. In an extraordinary act of foresight and respect for history, he created the United States’ first archaeological subdivision, merging the past and present in an unprecedented manner.
Today, the communities that Archie helped to design and develop, like Hidden Hills, remain testimonies to his extraordinary life. Through the years, he maintained a consistent dedication to the ethos of personal involvement and hard work, values he instilled in his children, who came from far and wide to say their final farewells.
As Archie E. Hanson Jr. was laid to rest, he left behind more than just a family united in their grief; he left a legacy of sustainable, historically conscious development. His work serves as a model for how one man’s vision can enrich lives, foster community, and protect history for generations to come.
In Memory of Archie E. Hanson, Jr.
1926 - 2016
Mary A. Hanson1931 - 2022
“Archie developed the Indian camp ranch, protecting over 210 Anasazi sites in the process.”
Located in Agua Dulce, California, Hollywood Hoofbeats serves as a 501c(3) animal sanctuary devoted to providing a lifelong home for animals that have retired from the film industry. The sanctuary’s mission also extends to rescuing animals in need in the northern Los Angeles area, offering them a haven filled with love and stability. It stands as a vibrant meeting point where humans and animals can engage in meaningful interactions, fostering the unique joy that animals bring into their lives.
However, the organization faces pressing challenges that jeopardize its ability to sustain this safe haven. The spiraling costs of feed make it increasingly difficult to care for its 60-member herd. The fact that the sanctuary operates on rented land only exacerbates the uncertainty, with the looming threat of eviction always present. To mitigate these financial and logistical stresses, Hollywood Hoofbeats is actively seeking the support of regular donors.
Though officially founded in March of 2022, the ethos of Hollywood Hoofbeats can be traced back to decades of family-led animal welfare initiatives. Gattlin Griffith, the founder, inherited a legacy that began with his grandmother, Connie Griffith. From the 1970s onward, Connie had been a beacon for neglected and misunderstood animals, offering them care and understanding. This legacy of compassion was carried on by her son and daughter-in-law, Tad and Wendy Griffith, who continued to rescue animals even when faced with financial strain.
Growing up in this nurturing atmosphere, Gattlin developed an early appreciation for the individuality and emotional depth of each animal. While attending UCLA, he experienced bouts of severe depression and anxiety. A return to the family sanctuary reminded him of the therapeutic role that animals played in his own well-being. Inspired, he established Hollywood Hoofbeats to offer others a similar experience of emotional solace and connection. Today, the sanctuary stands as a multi-generational commitment to animal welfare, seeking to expand its positive impact through community support.
For more information or to get involved, visit hollywoodhoofbeats.com.
“Our mission is to save and care for animals, and be a part of the worldwide push to reconnect humans and animals.”
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.”
- Anatole France