Hidden Hills Community Register • April 2024

HIDDEN HILLS HIDDEN HILLS

COMMUNITY REGISTER & RESOURCE GUIDE

Published by your friends and neighbors, exclusively for our community

Your Community Resource Guide

The Hidden Hills Community Register and Resource Guide , is a monthly publication crafted exclusively for our community. Our mission is to spotlight the many positive aspects of life here in Hidden Hills, including the remarkable individuals, important issues, upcoming events, and common passions that bind us together.

In each edition, we aim to share the spirit of our community, showcasing engaging images of our treasured moments with you and your loved ones. At times, it serves as a timeless photo album, a keepsake to cherish for years to come. Thanks to the generous support of our advertisers, we are able to bring this publication to you, our valued readers, free of charge. Their contributions enable us to capture and share the essence of our community, ensuring that every member can enjoy the stories within our pages each month.

As always, we are dedicated to sharing your stories and the distinct narratives that define Hidden Hills. We encourage you to reach out with your story ideas or interest in contributing. Join us in shaping the narrative by emailing editor@hiddenhillsmag.com. Your involvement is truly valued!

We hope you enjoy this month’s issue of Hidden Hills Community Register and Resource Guide. Thoughts? Story Ideas? Want to be involved? Editor@HiddenHillsMag.com

SUPPORTING BUSINESSES

This community publication is created exclusively for you and all of our Hidden Hills neighbors and is made possible with the generous support of these local businesses.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS

THE SHEVINS (PG. 2)

MILLA PARISER (PG. 4)

LISA MORIARITY (PG. 7)

MIKE BLOOM (PG. 15)

DAVID SALMONSON (PG. 27)

FRONTGATE REAL ESTATE (PG. 44)

AUTOMOTIVE

ICON GOLF CARS (PG. 37)

DINING

LOVI’S DELI (PG. 29)

RIB RANCH BBQ (PG. 42)

ANIMAL CARE

ALLIE TASHNEK (PG. 31)

WESTERN VETERINARY CENTER (PG. 32)

START RESCUE (PG. 43)

HOME SERVICES

INTERNATIONAL PROTECTIVE SERVICE, INC. (IPS) (PG. 5)

CONEJO HARDWOODS (PG. 9)

MURRE CLEANERS (PG. 10)

UNIVERSAL KITCHEN AND APPLIANCES CENTER (PG. 12)

MALIBU MARKET & DESIGN CENTER (PG. 13)

BEACHFRONT POOLS (PG. 19)

FIRESTAD (PG. 25)

G & L DESIGN, BUILDING & LANDSCAPE (PG. 36)

MOSQUITO SQUAD (PG. 36)

DESIGN LIGHTING AND INSTALLATION (PG. 39)

EDUCATION

DANCE DIMENSIONS (PG. 21)

MULHOLLAND MONTESSORI (PG. 33)

ZOOGA CALABASAS (PG. 41)

HEALTH/WELLNESS/ BEAUTY

COMPLETE HEALTH DENTISTRY (PG. 6)

AESTHETIC SMILE DESIGNS (PG. 8)

DR. THOMAS CACHUR OB/GYN & BODY BY CONTOUR ROOM (PG. 25)

CRYSTAL VISIONS (PG. 36)

JEWELRY/ART/LUXURY

BEN BRIDGE JEWELER (BACK COVER)

ENTERTAINMENT

GOLF N STUFF (PG. 23)

nic & hayley Mattson

lonna Weber

HIDDEN HILLS CALENDAR

4/2 Farmers Market

2 - 6 p.m.

4/3 Board of Directors Executive Session 4:30 p.m.

4/4 Landscape Committee Meeting 9 a.m.

4/8 Theater Committee Meeting 10 a.m.

4/8 Gates & Patrol Services Committee Meeting

6:30 p.m.

4/9 Farmers Market

2 - 6 p.m.

4/10 Parks and Recreation Committee Meeting

11 a.m.

4/12 Movie Night: About My Father

7 p.m.

APR 24

4/16 Farmers Market

2 - 6 p.m.

4/16 Board of Directors Open Session Meeting

6:30 p.m.

4/17 Equestrian Services Committee

6:45 p.m.

4/23 Farmers Market

2 - 6 p.m.

4/24 Architectural Committee Meeting

6:30 p.m.

4/30 Farmers Market

2 - 6 p.m.

23649 LONG VALLEY ROAD, HIDDEN HILLS

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

VALENTINE’S CHARITY MUSICALE

Written

by

Megan Elizabeth Sweeney

Photography by Sam Lenkov, Rayce Aaronson, and Bret Katz

On March 15 and 16, the Hidden Hills Theater Committee put on the Valentine’s Charity Musicale, and it was a hit! Over $13,000 raised will benefit three charities: Get Together Foundation, Eastwood Ranch Foundation, and The Foundation for Las Virgenes Schools. The show has been a staple of our Hidden Hills Community for almost 30 years, created by David and Bonnie Frank in 1996, continued by Nathalie Blossom for a couple of seasons, followed by David Stanley taking over in 2016. When it looked like the show wouldn’t happen this year, Megan Elizabeth Sweeney stepped up to the plate. She brought in Suzanna Turner as director, Noreen Ceneviva as choreographer, and the extremely talented tap-dancing, piano-playing Jake Justice as musical director. The masterful cast, skillful tech crew, and fantastic live jazz band transported the audience to a 1924 Hidden Hills speakeasy. The finale ended with a bang, featuring a rendition of “All The Jazz,” renamed “In Hidden Hills,” with lyrics by Biff Sherman.

The Cast: Britt Aaronson, Bliss Monroe, Catherine Gourdier, Cecilia Bellissimo, Jake Justice, Jill Landon, Lisa Miles, Lorin Cook, Lucy Jacobson, Maurice Watkins, Megan Elizabeth, Michael Bloom, Willow Bellissimo

The Band: Piano - Jake Justice, Bass - Colton Russel, Drums - Trevan McClure, Guitar - Ripley Conklin, Saxophone - Alicia Camiña

The Team: Director - Suzanna Turner, Producer - Megan Elizabeth, Musical Director - Jake Justice, Choreographer - Noreen Ceneviva, Sound Engineer - Morgan Fottrell, Lighting Director - Erica Ammerman, Stage Manager - Savannah Harrow, Box Office - Janis Lake and Martha deCarteret, Set - Lucy Jacobson and Aaron Turner, Makeup - Suzanna Turner and Eisley Aaronson, Stagehands - Erin Newsom and Sophie Watkins, Videographer - Rayce Aaronson, Event Coordinators - Tamika Watkins and Karen Liebrecht

Special Thanks: HHCA Board of Directors, HHCA Theater Committee, HHCA Parks & Recreation Committee, Aaron Turner, Apex Surplus Corporation, Bliss Monroe, JAXX, Karen Liebrecht, Kevin Wachs, Larry Huff, Lisa Lillien, Lorin Cook, Michael Alden, Melissa Isaccs, and Maurice Watkins. And an especially big thanks to Tamika Watkins for providing the most incredible pre- and post-show receptions.

Note from the producer:: Thank you to a great team, band, cast, and crew for bringing this show together in such a beautiful, collaborative way! Thank you to all the children, women, and men that have performed and supported our wonderful theater for decades. We are so blessed to have this theater in our special community, and I’m so grateful we were able to continue the tradition of the Valentine’s Charity Musicale this year!

With 20 years of experience, we have been proudly serving the Hidden Hills Community for over 12 years. Our long-standing presence in the community is a testament to our commitment and reliability. References are available upon request.

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

HORSE & PONY DAY

The Hidden Hills Riding Academy hosted a delightful Horse & Pony Day at the Spring Valley Arena on March 3, creating a fun-filled experience for attendees of all ages. The event offered various engaging stations, ensuring there was something for everyone to enjoy. Children and adults alike delighted in pony rides, guided by experienced handlers who introduced beginners to the basics of horseback riding, fostering a love for equestrian activities. At the horse grooming station, participants had the opportunity to learn grooming techniques and bond with the majestic animals on the ground, deepening their connection to these magnificent creatures. Additionally, kids expressed their creative sides with horse-themed arts and crafts—even painting a real horse— providing lively entertainment while waiting for a turn with a horse or pony. This immersive event provided memorable hands-on experiences and instilled a sense of appreciation and respect for horses within the families of Hidden Hills.

Surviving RATTLESNAKE SEASON with Pets

Expert tips and precautions to safeguard your furry friends

By Allison Tashnek, DVM

As the days begin to warm up, we start seeing the emergence of scaly critters, including the infamous rattlesnake. In our area, there are multiple species of snake, but only one that is venomous—the Southern Pacific rattlesnake. Sometimes confused with their cousin, the gopher snake, due to their similar coloring, rattlesnakes have larger, triangular heads, while gopher snakes tend to be more narrow and thinner. If unsure, always err on the side of caution. Remember that rattlesnakes may not always have an obvious rattle. These reptiles are a part of life when living in the foothills of Southern California, so here are some helpful hints for taking care of your furry friends during rattlesnake season.

The most important thing to do if your dog is bitten is to stay calm, keep your dog calm and quiet, and immediately take them to the nearest veterinary emergency hospital. It is advised to call the hospital while you are on your way so that the staff knows to expect you and can begin preparing for your pet’s arrival. It is also important to make sure that the hospital carries rattlesnake antivenom. Most large emergency

hospitals keep it on hand, but many smaller non-emergency vet clinics don’t because of its expense. If you are unsure if your dog has been bitten by a rattlesnake, here are some clues.

Oftentimes, puncture marks and swelling will be visible. The difference between swelling from a snake bite and another cause, such as an insect bite, is that a snake bite is usually excruciatingly painful. Depending on the severity of the bite, the veterinary clinic may recommend hospitalization, treatment with antivenom, pain medications, antibiotics, and other supportive care.

To prevent a snakebite, consider rattlesnake avoidance training. Often, this is a one-day clinic where your dog is trained to avoid rattlesnakes using real, live snakes so your dog can learn what smells and sounds to avoid. They may use an electronic collar to administer a slight shock when the dog gets close to the rattlesnake. This helps your dog learn that the sight, smell, and sound of a rattlesnake is associated with an adverse stimulus—the small shock that the collar gives off. The goal is for your dog to learn to avoid the snake

completely when they encounter one in the real world.

Another option to consider is the rattlesnake vaccine. Anecdotally, veterinarians report that snake bite patients who have received the vaccination fare better than their nonvaccinated counterparts. The goal is that if bitten, the consequences of the bite will be less grave than if your dog is not vaccinated. Please remember that even if your dog has had the rattlesnake vaccine, they will still need medical care immediately after a bite. It is absolutely vital that you take your dog to an emergency clinic to be evaluated after a snake bite, whether or not they are vaccinated.

Rattlesnakes and other critters are a part of life in the Hidden Hills foothills, but we can find ways to coexist and protect our pets simultaneously. Contact your veterinarian today to find the best options to protect your pets from rattlesnake bites.

Allison Tashnek, DVM

Mobile Housecall Veterinarian (805) 410-4086

AI and College Application Essays

Navigating the Authenticity of Application Essays Amidst Technological Advancements

By Margie Chiang, Education Coach

There isn’t a day that goes by when speculation of AI’s impact on a particular space is highlighted. Following suit, I delved into the impact of AI on college admissions as we embark on the onset of the college application season, specifically the essay writing component, which is extensive with a personal statement of 650 words and for those applying to the University of California (UC) system, that would include four personal insight essays at 350 words each. In addition, many colleges have supplemental essays ranging from 100 to 650 words per essay.

I’ve had many inquiries about the college admission officers’ ability to detect aids such as ChatGPT in college application essays. ChatGPT and similar AI tools can manifest essays, stories, reports, and excerpts in seconds. Yet it’s at the stage where the created text is logical in framework and premium in wording. However, in the context of a college application essay that is appreciated for emphasizing the core values of the student, it struggles as AI models miss the intricate details of personal experience that only the writer who underwent such experiences could authentically capture.

Admission officers are trained to evaluate applications and review thousands of essays every year. Just through their lengthy experience, they can differentiate authentic essays from AIgenerated ones. Through their knowledge of AI models, they can distinguish the patterning of sentences and standard phraseology that surfaces with AI-generated content.

Yet the most distinctive tell-tale sign is the lack of insightful details that can be conjured if the writer underwent the experiences. As such, AI-generated content may lack the emotional depth and vulnerability that comes from introspection and the resulting human connection needed to demonstrate authenticity.

Regarding the AI detection aids, some of the features that navigate admission officers through college application essays:

Linguistic analysis

The software analyzes sentence structuring, vocabulary, and grammar - seeking AI-generated, correct, yet complex content.

Content integrity verification

These tools employ sophisticated plagiarism detection algorithms to check for similarities between an essay and existing AI-generated content from past essays. This helps to find cases where AI-generated material has been used in an application essay.

Context analysis

The software analyzes an essay’s context and coherence. It seeks gaps in logic patterns and sudden shifts in tone, both likely determinants of AI-generated content.

Admittedly, the detection aids are far from perfect, yet they are swiftly evolving to capture the subtle nuances of AI-generated content embedded in human written passages.

The takeaway from all this is instead of second-guessing how to use ChatGPT and similar AI tools; it would be helpful to your application and your mental well-being to dedicate meaningful time to your college personal statement and related essays beginning from self-reflection to brainstorming to frameworking and draft crafting to actualize authentic pieces that share your personal stories. The writing journey is a search within one’s self that can actualize more than just essays but a more profound sense of self and purpose that no AI tool can actualize.

That genuineness captured in the sharing of core values, experiences, inspirations, and aspirations will make you shine in college application essays and life in general.

Margie, an Education Coach, merges leadership coaching and marketing expertise to steer students through college applications and life. Contact her at margiechiang@126.com.

Beet and Grapefruit Salad with Olive Oil Dressing

Ingredients

For the salad

• 2 large beets, roasted, peeled, and diced

• 2 pink grapefruits, segmented

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

• 2 cups mixed greens (such as arugula, spinach, or spring mix)

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the beets:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash the beets and trim off any greens. Wrap each beet individually in aluminum foil and place them on a baking sheet. Roast in the preheated oven for about 45-60 minutes or until the beets are tender when pierced with a fork. Once done, remove them from the oven and let them cool. Once cool enough to handle, peel off the skins and dice the beets into bite-sized pieces.

3. Make the dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, grapefruit juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

5. Serve:

Transfer the salad to serving plates or a large platter and serve immediately. Enjoy this vibrant and refreshing beet and grapefruit salad as a light and healthy appetizer or side dish!

For the dressing

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice

• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• Salt and pepper to taste

2. Prepare the grapefruit:

Use a sharp knife to remove the peel and pith from the grapefruits. Hold the grapefruit over a bowl to catch any juices, and carefully slice between the membranes to release the segments. Set aside the segments and reserve any excess juice for the dressing.

4. Assemble the salad:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced beets, grapefruit segments, chopped parsley, chopped walnuts (if using), and mixed greens. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired.

Tips:

• You can roast the beets ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the salad.

• Feel free to customize the salad by adding ingredients like crumbled goat cheese, avocado slices, or sliced red onions for extra flavor and texture.

• For added crunch, toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes before adding them to the salad.

RESIDENTS SHARE THEIR FAVORITES

‘The best seat ...’

AHappiest Trails: Ken Oder and his horses

rchie Hanson once said, “The best seat in the house is in the saddle.” Ken Oder has the best seat in the house every day when he rides his horses! Meet Marge the Sorrel and Lily the flea-bitten grey. Also shown are Dolly and Jackson.

Share your photos with us at editor@hiddenhillsmag.com