Hidden Hills Community Register • August 2020

The first half of 2019 indicates that the Hidden Hills real estate market experienced steady activity, yet recent data shows that 2020 was not too far behind! This time last year on average saw just two more listings hit the market and only about a one-week difference in the average days on market for an active listing. Despite the start of 2020, sellers have been firm with their listing prices as inventory remains low, however interest rates are holding strong at a historic low, so buyers are feeling encouraged to purchase now rather than later. Your home’s value has changed! Visit: HiddenHillsHomeValue.com

ABOUT DAVID WATKINS

As a local 91302 REALTOR® with two decades of luxury real estate experience, David brings personal care and attention to each of his clients. From the start to the close of a transaction, he works day in and day out to ensure that every step of the process, from home showings to negotiations to inspections, is handled as smoothly as possible with his direct presence and expert guidance. He facilitates consistent communication and encourages feedback from his clients in addition to utilizing both digital and print marketing strategies that are uniquely tailored for each property. Ranked among the top Zillow agents in the area, David takes pride in his high work ethic and strong ability to negotiate desirable results.

ABOUT PINNACLE ESTATE PROPERTIES, INC.

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MONDAY 11:00am - 8:00pm TUESDAY 11:00am - 8:00pm WEDNESDAY 11:00am - 8:00pm THURSDAY 11:00am - 8:00pm FRIDAY 11:00am - 8:00pm SATURDAY 11:00am - 8:00pm SUNDAY 11:00am - 8:00pm

MONDAY 11:00am - 8:00pm TUESDAY 11:00am - 8:00pm WEDNESDAY 11:00am - 8:00pm THURSDAY 11:00am - 8:00pm FRIDAY 11:00am - 8:00pm SATURDAY 3:00pm - 8:00pm SUNDAY 3:00pm - 8:00pm

A COMMUNITY EFFORT

VINO-VATOR

Considered a pioneer in the world of wine, Alex Guarachi is credited with introducing the U.S. to the flavors of South America. His business has grown like a vine ever since.

CITY HAPPENINGS

Want to be run for city council? Get all the details about this and the undergrounding of city power lines.

In this issue, we feature some of the skills, creativity and vision of our diverse Hidden Hills community. From wine to art, from education to pet care, we are thrilled to be sharing the stories and talents of our wonderful neighbors!

There are already some great features lined up for our next issue and we hope that more of you will reach out with your ideas. We would love for you to be a part of this.

PROTECT YOUR PETS

The hidden danger right in your own backyard.

ONE BRICK AT A TIME

Meet the young artists who channeled their passion for legos and music into an artistic endeavor.

Resident Kimberly Hatam gives 3 tips for surviving education’s new normal.

LOOSE HORSE ALERT!

What to do (and not do) when you spot an equine running solo.

Joe Bellissimo Lonna weber

BALANCED & BOLD

WRITTEN BY JOE BELLISSIMO

CONSIDERED A PIONEER IN THE WORLD OF WINE, ALEX GUARACHI IS CREDITED WITH INTRODUCING THE U.S. TO THE FLAVORS OF SOUTH AMERICA. HIS BUSINESS HAS GROWN LIKE A VINE EVER SINCE.

Time and wine are two things that will forever be inseparable. Given the opportunity to age properly, the elements that make up the perfect bottle will come together to birth a superior product and experience. These elements are not just about a lot of grape juice and a little luck. There are all of the less obvious “X” factors coming into play . . . miniscule shifts in the weather, unperceivable characteristic of the wood of the barrel . . . and most importantly, the passion of the vintner. A strong business is also a product of such intangibles . . . Seeded

and nurtured over time, it grows and survives at the whims of the conditions around it, always under the watchful eye of a person with vision.

Hidden Hills resident Alex Guarachi has lived his entire career and personal life in the place where all of these conditions converge.

Born and raised in Chile, Guarachi came to the U.S. on a soccer scholarship with the hopes of playing in the major leagues. Indeed, a short time into his collegiate career, he found himself signed to a professional team. This dream came to an end however when he was permanently sidelined by an injury. “After I graduated, I wondered what the hell I was going to do,”

recalls Guarachi. “Then I had the brilliant – or not so brilliant idea – to import Chilean wines into the U.S.,” he adds with a laugh.

This was 1985, and the world of wine, at least in the U.S., was decidedly narrow. California, Italy and France were about as eclectic as it got and South America was far from “on the radar.” But Guarachi saw the blip on the horizon and new what it could become. Living in Silicon Valley at the time, he knew and appreciated California’s wine country well, but he missed the flavors of his homeland. He also recognized that Chilean wines had an excellent value-to-quality relationship. Of course, when he announced the big

idea of importing wine from far below the equator right into the backyard of America’s preeminent wine region, his sanity was more than brought into question.

Not wanting to be the local heretic, Guarachi ventured south to Los Angeles where the mindset was much more open. “In Southern California there was a much greater diversity of cultures,” he points out. “So, it was easier to get a foothold and a following.” He set up shop in the garage of a two-bedroom house in Studio City, sharing the unairconditioned space with a colony of termites. It would be best to spend as much time as possible on the road.

Soon, he would know the routes from San Diego to Sacramento blind-folded, introducing one account at a time to the exotic and wonderful world of Chilean wines. After 3 years, and thousands upon thousands of miles later, Guarachi would sign on with a distributor, convinced that the grind

was soon to ease and he could sit back and collect the dough. “They didn’t sell a case of wine in the whole year!” says Guarachi. “So, I said ‘to hell with that!’” Thus, he decided to take on another tier of the business model. Now, he would be not only an importer and seller, but also the distributor. “It was a little more work, but I made a little more money and continued to grow it little by little.”

After a few years, Guarachi expanded to pioneer the import of Argentinian wines, being the first to bring Malbecs into the U.S. Building upon that success, he continued . . . Australia. New Zealand. Italy . . . Little by little, as an importer, he started to grow and gain a solid name and reputation. Then in 1994, Costco came calling, which bumped him (in a context very different from his college ambitions) right into the major leagues. “That really changed my business,” says Guarachi. “We soon became the major supplier

of South American wines to all of Costco.”

With importation and distribution solidly rooted, Guarachi would eventually turn his attention to becoming a winemaker. 13 years ago, he hired Paul Hobbs, one of the preeminent winemakers in America, and started producing wines in Napa and Sonoma, purchasing grapes from thirdparty growers. The first cabernet, from Napa Valley, 2007 – and his first pinot noir, Sonoma, 2008, each received excellent scores and sold quickly. The following year, he was poised to parlay this success; however, he was soon disappointed to learn that the same fruit from the grower was no longer available. “I understood,” he recalls. “And I ultimately decided that the only way to really control your own destiny and to keep consistency and quality, is you must own your own vineyards.” Guarachi then adds, with a self-deprecating laughter, “Another

alex guarachi

I ULTIMATELY DECIDED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO REALLY CONTROL YOUR OWN DESTINY AND TO KEEP CONSISTENCY AND QUALITY, IS YOU MUST OWN YOUR OWN VINEYARDS

In 2008, as the recession settled in, wine pricing took a hit along with all else. Yet, there was innovation in the industry as the appetite for good wines hadn’t diminished. Soon came forth a wave of what are known as “innovation brands” with attainable pricing, consistent quality and clever names like Apothic, Manage a Trois and Ghost Pines. Guarachi was no exception, releasing brands like Tenshen, Black Ink, Surf Swim, and Bacon. Again, like a vine adapting to the whims of the weather, Guarachi turned the pivot into another successful facet of his growing empire.

With the bottom line again on the upswing, Guarachi finally set out to buy some plots of vines. In 2013, he acquired a 250-acre vineyard in Sonoma, right in Petaluma, an amazing region for pinots and chardonnays. A year later, he bought a vineyard in Napa Valley at the top of Atlas Peak . . . all red volcanic soil, which produces the best cabernet sauvignons, petit verdots and

WHEN HE ANNOUNCED THE BIG IDEA OF IMPORTING WINE FROM FAR BELOW THE EQUATOR RIGHT INTO THE BACKYARD OF AMERICA’S PREEMINENT WINE REGION, HIS SANITY WAS MORE THAN BROUGHT INTO QUESTION.

malbecs. Under the Guarachi Family label, these and several other properties produce high quality wines from across the viticultural spectrum.

For Guarachi, it is a 35-year journey that still only represents the beginning, as even in current tough times — with restaurants’ dine-in options mostly shuttered — he continues to speak enthusiastically about the next big thing he is developing and how his business continues to evolve. Yet, with all of this evolution, from garage to greatness, his most lasting contribution will likely be the inspired idea he had in ’85 that started it all. “I am known as the guy who introduced Chilean and Argentinian wines to the U.S. “I am a pioneer, the one behind all this stuff,” he says, with a balance of pride and humility in his voice. “Did this help the wine industry tremendously? Sure, but, I’m not going to complain. I’ve made some money along the way.”

SINCE HIS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS (FROM A GARAGE) GUARACHI HAS EXPANDED HIS WINE EMPIRE TO SPAN THE FULL SPECTRUM OF FLAVORS AND PRICE-POINTS WORLDWIDE.

CITY HAPPENINGS

THE

NOMINATION

PERIOD

FOR THE HIDDEN HILLS CITY GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION IS OPEN UNTIL AUGUST 5. The election will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. There are two city council seats with terms ending (currently held by Steve Freedland and Bret Katz) that are up for reelection. To hold any elective office within the City of Hidden Hills, a person must be a United States citizen, 18 years of age or older and be a registered voter of the City of Hidden Hills at the time the nomination paper is issued. The City Clerk will not issue a nomination paper if the candidate is not a registered voter. For more information contact Deana at City Hall. (818) 888-9281 or email staff@ hiddenhillscity.org.

UNDERGROUNDING POWER POLES.

Overhead power lines have been ubiquitous in Hidden Hills since its founding nearly 60 year ago. Since 2016 roughly 2,000 fires have been caused by faulty utility lines throughout California, the most recent Hidden Hills incident being just days before the Woolsey fire when a downed line set a tree ablaze at a residence.

The city has begun the long process of undergrounding poles within the city by authorizing the solicitation of bids for the first phase, which will remove 7 poles, undergrounding lines on Long Valley Rd. between the Community Center and Little Hollow Rd. Contact City Hall with questions or any further details.

FOXTAILS

DANGER LURKING IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

WRITTEN BY DR. ALLIE TASHNEK, DVM

Did you know there is a danger lurking in your own backyard that could hurt your beloved furry friends? It is a danger that is often overlooked. When we think of threats in our yard we often think of predators, poisonous plants, or pesticides. But what if I told you there is a completely natural, seemingly harmless threat lurking just outside your back door…

Let me tell you about the foxtail ... A foxtail, also known as a plant awn, is a general term for grasses that contain a cluster of sharp microscopic barbs that serve to disperse their seeds. These grasses are commonly seen in the hills of California, particularly in the summer months when they dry up. The pointy bits can become embedded in whatever they touch - you may remember getting one caught in your sock while hiking. Ouch! They can also get caught in an animal’s fur. The trouble with these seed heads is that they easily penetrate one direction, but due to the barbs, do not easily exit the opposite direction.

As a vet, one of my least favorite types of appointments is the dreaded foxtail. Foxtails can be incredibly difficult and frustrating to find once they have penetrated into the tissue. Dogs are likely

targets because they often have fluffy coats and they often brush up against dry vegetation or stick their noses into places to investigate. The most common areas to see foxtails on dogs are the ears, nose and toes. The foxtail then burrows deeper and deeper into the tissue, causing damage and spreading infection. Because of the one-way nature of foxtails, they rarely fall out on their own and more than likely need veterinarian intervention. At best, a foxtail can be a pricy vet visit for removal and some antibiotics, but at their worst, foxtails can cause serious damage, and even death, in our beloved pets.

Sometimes it is a guessing game to determine if your dog is indeed suffering from a foxtail. We may see a wound with a tract, or an obvious infection, but we can’t find the actual foxtail. Because foxtails don’t show up on x-ray, we have to follow clues to make a diagnosis. A dog may present with violent sneezing; this can be a clue that a foxtail may have gotten stuck in the dog’s nose. These require general anesthesia to remove. Foxtails can also get stuck in the throat or tongue if your dog tries to swallow one, causing difficulty eating and drinking. Foxtails in the ear can cause a perforated eardrum and hearing loss. In the worst case, the foxtail can penetrate through the body perforating into the heart,

lungs or other vital organs. Sometimes, exploratory surgery is needed depending on the location of the presumed foxtail. Needless to say, foxtails are not your friends.

The best way to deal with this threat is prevention. Monitor the area where your dog is playing for any dry grass and vegetation. If you see foxtails, move to a new area. Common locations for foxtails are hiking trails and parks, but remember that even your backyard can harbor these as well. Keep your yard free of dry vegetation, but remember that foxtails can be carried by the wind even if your yard is perfectly groomed. Most importantly, check your dog after every outside visit and remove and dispose of any foxtails you find on their fur into the trash. There are also products designed specifically to protect your furry friend when outside, such as foxtail hoodies and guards. Your dog may be a little embarrassed by his or her outfit, but that’s a small price to pay for keeping your dog safe.

Disclaimer: This article is only intended to provide general information and not intended to provide veterinary medical recommendations. Please consult with your pet’s veterinarian for medical advice specific to your pet.

Dr. Allie grew up in Hidden Hills as an avid equestrian. She went on to receive her veterinary degree from University of California, Davis in 2017. She now practices as a mobile housecall veterinarian seeing her patients, large and small, in the comfort of their own homes. drtashnek.com

OPPOSITE PAGE:

Main: Foxtails. Their barbs are designed by nature to work their way deeper into tissue in only one direction.

Inset: Dogs can still run and play in a protective “foxtail hoodie.” These are available at outfoxfordogs.com.

TIME One at a BRICK

GROWING UP, I can remember climbing through our split-rail fence to pay my nextdoor neighbors, the Lenkovs, neighborly visits. There was always such a tranquil energy to their home,

and I always knew where I could find their son, Sam: on the floor, focused as ever, building Legos. He was always a considerably quiet kid, but his mind was constantly at work; it still is. All these years later, after enjoying a successful socially-

distanced dinner in the Lenkov’s backyard, something caught my eye and made me stop dead in my tracks. Just as I was leaving, I paused to fawn over three framed pieces of some of my absolute

favorite classic rock albums, all

written by gracie bellissimo

“ABBEY ROAD” by Sam Lenkov & Dylan Ochoa. (2020)

Medium: Legos

AT LEFT: Artists Dylan Ochoa (L) & Sam Lenkov (R).

made entirely out of Legos.

I questioned Sam’s mother with immense enthusiasm as to who made these pieces, expecting they were the work of an up-and-coming, high-end modern artist. To my pleasant surprise, she told me they were in fact made by Sam, alongside his best friend, Dylan Ochoa. While social distancing, Sam and Dylan have taken their lifelong passion for Legos, as well as their more recent passion for classic rock, to new heights in recreating iconic album covers.

“We always loved building Legos together, but we started to get bored of reading instructions,” Sam explains. “We wanted to do something creative that we could be more proud of.” So, the boys decided to challenge themselves by building something original.

“Along with building Legos, we are big music enthusiasts. We frequently listen to the music of many classic rock artists: The

Beatles, David Bowie and Billy Joel, just to name a few. We also both play musical instruments, at school and in our free time, so we knew that when we were going to pick something to build, it should be music related,” says Dylan. It all began one day without motive, as Dylan and Sam were trying to decide what to build. The two, as they always do, decided to put on some music. “We happened to pull out Elton John’s iconic album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and the rest is history,” Sam recalls.

Using the actual album as a reference, the boys can pinpoint exactly where to place certain pieces. From there, it’s trial and error, attempting to find the right technique to build a certain part of the album. “Each album has an element of dimension that helps the most important parts stand out,” Sam and Dylan explain. “Most of the work, both the heavy-lifting and

“We always loved building Legos together, but we started to get bored of reading instructions” sam lenkov

ABOVE: Sam and Dylan, best friends since kindergarten, have always worked naturally together as a creative team. Much of their time is spent playing music, which inspired their lego art.

by Sam Lenkov & Dylan Ochoa. (2020)

the minor details, is split up evenly between the two of us, though we do have certain specialties,” like building hair or designing word lettering, for instance. “We try to move through the album as a single unit,” they continue, “with each of us working on a specific part and checking over the other’s work before we move on to the next section.”

I asked the boys which piece they are most proud of, unsure myself which is even my favorite being how amazing each one is. “Our favorite is definitely The Beatles’ Let It Be, as we feel it turned out the best and it was fun working on four completely separated parts of a single album,” enthuses Sam. They boys’ passion for art and music is now rightfully beginning to touch the hearts of others. They are currently being commissioned by an art collector to recreate a Jimi Hendrix album cover, and all of the money will go directly back into purchasing bricks and reference materials.

On their continuing journey as budding artists, Sam and Dylan have learned valuable skills from creating alongside one another. “This venture has taught us that the more time and care we put into a project, the better it will turn out. Through the hours upon hours devoted to each Lego album, we enjoyed not only what we were doing, but also each other’s company. To create a successful project or business, you must be passionate about it. Our love for music and Legos brought together the perfect ingredients.”

Medium: Legos

“This venture has taught us that the more time and care we put into a project, the better it will turn out.”

“We knew that when we were going to pick something to build, it should be music related”

dylan ochoa

“LET IT BE” and “RUBBER SOUL”

by Sam Lenkov & Dylan Ochoa. (2020)

just build for

we build long-term relationships.

DISTANCE LEARNING 101

1

MAINTAIN A GROWTH MINDSET

Now, more than ever, it is critical that we adopt a mindset that leads us toward achieving success. This is called a growth mindset, a term coined by Carol Dwek, a Stanford psychologist. A fixed mindset results in one giving up in the face of obstacles. A growth mindset encourages one to persist in overcoming obstacles. As adults, our responsibility is

to model a positive mindset for our children because we want our children to achieve success. Together as a community, let’s embrace the challenges that are in front of us and persist through any setbacks that come our way through adopting a growth mindset. Below are some simple mindset shifts to follow that will instill academic growth and success in times of adversity. Your choice to adopt a growth mindset will affect how your children face adversity now as well as in the future.

INSTEAD OF...

“I’ll never be as good as my neighbor at this Distance Learning thing!”

“This is too difficult to manage.”

“I’m losing my mind over this Distance Learning thing!”

“I give up!”

“This is too difficult.”

ARE YOU NERVOUS ABOUT DISTANCE LEARNING? DON’T BE! FOLLOW THESE THREE TIPS TO ASSIST YOU IN SUCCESSFULLY STARTING THE SCHOOL YEAR WITH DISTANCE LEARNING.

ESTABLISH ROUTINES

School-aged children thrive on routines. To ensure academic success and eliminate undue stress, your child needs to understand his/her daily routines. Develop routines together as a family and have them printed somewhere in the house to hold each household member accountable. Your routine should fall in place once your child’s school has established their expectations surrounding Distance Learning. Examples of routines that need to be consistently followed are:

Bedtime Routines: Bedtime should be nonnegotiable. Refrain from using TVs or tablets at bedtime as this causes over-stimulation and results in less/worsened sleep.

Morining Routines: This includes consistent wake-up times, breakfast times, brush-your-teethtimes, and log-into-school times. The State of CA will require districts to monitor attendance, so prompt arrival is encouraged and daily attendance is mandatory.

Body Break Routines: Once your child has completed his/her online sessions, what type of break will he/she earn? Body breaks include physically active breaks that will boost your child’s serotonin levels and avoid mental and physical slumps. Riding his/her bike around the neighborhood, walking the family pup, shooting a few hoops, or even an online yoga session are healthier options than Minecraft on the iPad! Don’t forget to set a time limit.

3 UTILIZE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

The most effective resources you might come across are your neighbors in our Hidden Hills community. We have many credentialed teachers, artists, athletes, etc. who are willing to come together to support our kids. Reach out to your community on our private Hidden Hills Facebook group! Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

THESE WEBSITES ARE ALSO HELPFUL TOOLS FOR KIDS AND ADULTS ALIKE:

Mindfulness: www.headspace.com/lacounty

Monthly engineering kits: www.kiwico.com/ engineering-subscription-box

Math support: www.khanacademy.org/

Reading support: www.raz-kids.com

TRY THIS...

“I’ll collaborate with my neighbors and try my best!”

“This may take some time and effort, but we will tackle this together as a family.”

“I’ll research some strategies I can use to make this a positive experience for my family.”

“I’ll use some of the strategies I learned and I’ll keep trying my best because it’s what’s best for my family.”

“This may take some time and effort, but I can do it.”

Family Bonding Routines: It is critical that you spend time together as a family, away from work and away from school. Turn off your electronics, set your phones aside, and be present with one another. Take a hike together along our community trails, try something new like geocaching or photography, cook together, and reach out to your neighbors who have horses, goats and pigs . . . many are more than willing to allow you to visit. Cherish this time together as a family.

My name is Kimberly LePage-Hatam. You may recognize me from our private Hidden Hills group as “Kimmy Kim.” I have gained extensive experience in the field of education through teaching grades K-6 over the past 20+ years. I have spent the past several years as an elementary school administrator. I have my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and hold the following three credentials: Multiple Subject Credential, Education Specialist Credential, and my Administrative Services credential. For educational support, support with establishing consistent routines, special education support, and behavioral support, you can contact me at hatam.education@gmail.com.

SAFETY TIPS:

If you’re riding in the evening, make sure that you and your horse are wearing something reflective. This makes horse and rider much more visible to approaching vehicles.

Be aware of how you approach a loose horse. Horses are prey animals and will continue to run away from anything that is running after them. Follow at a safe distance to one side, rather than directly behind them.

Do not stand directly in front of a horse that is running towards you. The horse either may not be able to stop in time or they may be panicky enough that your welfare is not the horse’s first consideration.