Hidden Hills Community Register • December 2022

Deck The Halls Decor for Selling During the Holidays!

If you find yourself selling during the holidays you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain, however, a few simple suggestions can help you successfully LIST and LIVE during the holiday season!

Although the holidays are typically not considered prime selling season, you can often capitalize on buyers who are feeling a bit more generous.

The best news for sellers, it will be a less competitive market since many sellers will be waiting until Spring to list. Another plus is the influx of out-of-town buyers, most of whom are typically more serious when they have limited time to make a decision and want the home to be ready in time for their next visit.

So how can you make sure you still enjoy the holidays while your home is on the market? Decorate and celebrate, but keep it simple by using a neutral color scheme such as whites, golds, and silvers instead of bright red and green, or blue. Keeping the decorations neutral will complement your home decor without detracting or overwhelming potential buyers during showings.

Attempt to decorate in a way that makes the potential buyer feel at home in your festive environment, a place where they can picture themselves celebrating with their own families in the future. Outdoor holiday lights will help further set the festive mood while complementing your home’s beautiful exterior and landscaping. Again, keep it neutral with beautiful white lights adding a warm glow for the holiday ambiance.

Holidays! with expert Michelle Graci

Remember, buyers need to see the beauty of your home through the decor. It may be di cult to put away some of the nostalgic decor Grandma is expecting to see displayed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it next year!

If you have young children or a tendency toward brighter decor, I suggest keeping a sizable, decorative basket with a lid in each room. is way, if you have a showing with short notice, you can have your agent place all the bright items from the rooms in the basket prior to their arrival and then easily put your items back on display after the showing.

Last but not least, make sure the house smells yummy! A vanilla candle, fresh baked cookies, cozy blankets, and soft white string lights will create an ambiance that will entice any buyer!

DECEMBER 2022

in this issue

14

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

Upcoming Events and Announcements. Retirement Party for Stuart Siegel.

16

PAST COMMUNITY EVENTS

Hidden Hills City Council and L.A. County Election Results. Halloween fun photo album.

22

GIVING OUR HEARTS TO THE HAWK Remembering Taylor Hawkins, his legacy and the impact he made on the world.

28

SNOWY MEMORIES

A look back to 1962 when Hidden Hills experienced a blanket of snow one January morning.

34

WINE PAIRING

Local culinary hero Daniel Amirian proposes a toast to entertaining with wine.

38

HAPPIEST TRAILS

Jed Smith Road, southwest trail with a stunning view of the Santa Monica Mountains and Woodland Hills.

44

HIDDEN HILLS NAMESAKES

Walker Road named after Joseph Rutherford Walker, a born explorer who pursued fur trapping and scouting.

49

FARM FRESH Farmhouse Inn, Sonoma County offers a food-driven winter wine country getaway.

Happy Holidays to our new Hidden Hills friends and neighbors.

We wish you all the best as we head into the holidays with friends and family. As you light up your homes with joy and love, we want to thank you for trusting Hidden Hills Community Register for news and information that matters to our community. With that, we have some news of our own. We are pleased to announce that the owners and publisher of e Malibu Times — Nicholas and Hayley Mattson — have added Hidden Hills Magazine and Hidden Hills Community Register to their family of publications under the 13 Stars Media banner.

e Mattsons bring their resources and experience to deliver the Hidden Hills Magazine and Hidden Hills Community Register as readers have come to expect it. Joe Bellissimo and Lonna Weber created and stewarded a valuable community publication, and Nic and Hayley look forward to keeping to the good nature of the magazines.

In moving ahead, Lonna Weber will continue her leadership, o ering community insight and re ned taste to the publications.

“We look forward to keeping to the character and quality you have come to expect, as well as make some improvements where we know we can,” Hayley Mattson shared. “We appreciate the direction Lonna will continue to provide as a resident of Hidden Hills, and the editorial support Britt Aaronson o ers. It is our intention to elevate the publication and exceed expectations in the years ahead.”

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year, and our intentions with Hidden Hills Community Register will continue as we produce a unique and special publication for a unique and special community. Happy holidays from all of us.

Thoughts? Story Ideas? Want to be involved? Editor@HiddenHillsMag.com

SUPPORTING BUSINESSES

is 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)

DANIELLE PERETZ ( PG. 6)

MICHELLE GRACI (PG. 8)

THE IMPROTA TEAM (PG. 17)

MILLA PARISA (PG. 19)

LISA MORTIARTY (PG. 41)

JILL ROSENBERG (PG. 33)

MIKE BLOOM (PG. 37)

DAVID SALMONSON (PG. 43)

FRONTGATE REAL ESTATE (PG. 53)

AUTOMOTIVE

ICON GOLF CARS (PG. 31)

ROVERS ELITE (PG. 29)

DINING

LOVI’S DELI (PG. 42)

RIB RANCH BBQ (PG. 48)

ANIMAL CARE

ALLIE TASHNEK (PG. 12)

START RESCUE (PG. 20)

HOME SERVICES

CONEJO HARDWOODS (PG. 4 & 15)

MURRE CLEANERS (PG. 10)

UNIVERSAL KITCHEN AND APPLIANCES CENTER (PG. 27)

EPOXY POWER (PG. 26)

DESIGN LIGHTING AND INSTALLATION (PG. 32)

EDUCATION

DANCE DIMENSIONS (PG. 36)

SYNERGY ACADEMICS (PG. 36)

FINANCIAL SERVICES

THE DAVIS GROUP (PG. 21)

HEALTH/WELLNESS/BEAUTY

DR. MILO (PG. 35)

COMPLETE HEALTH DENTISTRY (PG. 40)

COURTYARD PHARMACY (PG. 51)

JEWELRY/ART/ LUXURY

BEN BRIDGE JEWELER (PG. 54)

TRAVEL

THE GREEN O (PG. 13)

Published by your friends and neighbors, exclusively for our community

nic & hayley Mattson

lonna Weber

DECEMBER 2022

You’re invited on Friday, December 9, at 7 p.m. to watch Home Alone (PG) for the last movie night of the year in the Community eater.

Attend the retirement party for Stuart Siegel on Friday, December 2 at 5 p.m. at the Hidden Hills Community Center

e Annual Meeting of the Members and Election of Directors will be held on December 14, via Zoom with Accurate Voting Services, Incorporated serving as the inspector of elections. At the meeting, four (4) Directors will be elected to the Homeowners Association Board.

Please look in your mailbox for the Candidates’ Statements, o cial meeting reminder, and instructions for completion and delivery of ballots to be mailed out by November 13. Ballots must be returned to the Inspector of Elections no later than 12 p.m. on December 14.

e candidates’ names in alphabetical order are:

Joe Bellissimo

Steve Bond

Kenneth Hawk

Final Movie Night Retirement Party

John Heubusch

Liz Moses

Howard Tenenbaum

THE CITY OF CALABASAS EVENTS

Online Writers Corner Club

Attention 3rd through 7th Graders. If you like creative writing and hanging out with your friends, then join the Online Writers’ Corner Club hosted by the Calabasas Library and run by high school students. No experience in writing is necessary... this is just for fun.

e Writers’ Corner Club will meet one Saturday of the month on Zoom, and the next meeting is on December 3 at 3:30 p.m.

If your child wishes to participate and to receive the Zoom meeting information, please send your child’s name, school, and grade to Karilyn Steward at ksteward@ calabasaslibrary.org.

Book Clubs Sponsored by the Friends of the Calabasas Library:

A Hybrid book club for adults for patrons age 16 and up to join readers online on the third Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. Or please join readers at the In-person Tuesday Evening Book Club at 6 p.m. in the Library. For more information, email Barbara Lockwood at blockwood@calabasaslibrary.org.

E-Waste Collection

e collection event is independently managed by California Recycles, Inc. Contact: californiarecycles.com

December 3

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Albertsons Shopping Center - Back Parking Lot 26521 Agoura Road, Calabasas

Accepted Items: TV, Power Tools, Remote Controls, Computers, Copy Machines, Laptops, Servers, Monitors, Switches, Routers, Keyboards, Mice, Cables, Printers, Plotters, Copiers, Fax Machines, Cell Phones, Wired Phones, Cellphone and Laptop Batteries known as Lithium ION, Light Fixtures, Vacuum Cleaners, Small Appliances, Microwave Ovens, Dishwashers, Etc.

Unaccepted Items: Batteries, light bulbs or uorescent lamps or ballasts, Media such as records, tapes, CDs, lms

Jolly Trolley Holiday Tour

is Free Event takes place on December 11

10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Calabasas City Hall 100 Civic Center Way Drop by one of our two pop-up trolley stops & take a photo with the Holiday Characters.

City Council Election Results

e 2022 United States elections are an ongoing set of elections that were held on November 8. During this midterm election year, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate were contested. Dozens of governorships, secretaries of states and attorneys general were also on the ballot. ere were four candidates running for three seats on the Hidden Hills City Council. e nal election results are Laura McCorkindale with 32.2 % and 566 votes, Joe Loggia with 28.0% and 492 votes, Larry G. Weber with 20.1% and 354 votes, and Bret Katz with 19.7% and 347 votes.

County Election Preliminary Results

West Hollywood City Councilmember Lindsey Horvath declared victory in the 3rd District Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors race with 53.0 % and 256,601 votes over State Senator Bob Hertzberg with 47.0% and 227,948 votes. Retired Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna won the election as Los Angeles County Sheri with 61.3 % and 1,362,908 votes over Alex Villanueva with 38.7% and 861,776 votes.

Bringing the best, locally

In today’s world, having a trusted relationship with a financial advisor who knows and understands you is invaluable—especially when that advisor lives and works where you do.

Clients know that Stephen goes above and beyond every day, bringing the global resources of the firm to address their needs and goals here in California.

It is this dedication that earns each client’s trust and confidence—and now this distinction. Please join us in extending our hearty congratulations, and we encourage you to reach out to discuss how we can help you pursue what’s important to you.

Stephen W. Davis, CIMA® Managing Director–Wealth Management Senior Portfolio Manager

The Davis Group UBS Financial Services Inc. 3011 Townsgate Road, Suite 300 Westlake Village, CA 91361 805-367-3680

Forbes honors Stephen W. Davis as a Best-In-State Wealth Advisor for 2022, ranked #16 inLos Angeles for High Net Worth advisors.ubs.com/davisgroup

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list is comprised of approximately 5,000 financial advisors. It was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to measure factors such as: quality of practice, industry experience, compliance record, assets under management (which vary from state to state) and revenue. Although neither UBS Financial Services Inc. nor its employees pay a fee in exchange for these ratings, UBS may hire RJ Shook to be a speaker for events. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. Learn more about award criteria at ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures. As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that you understand the ways in which we conduct business, and that you carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to you about the products or services we offer. For more information, please review client relationship summary provided at ubs.com/relationshipsummary, or ask your UBS Financial Advisor for a copy. CIMA® is a registered certification mark of the Investments & Wealth InstituteTM in the United States of America and worldwide. © UBS 2022. All rights reserved. The key symbol and UBS are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. ACC_04262022-8_8x10.5_HH

Occasionally in life you’ll meet someone who makes a lasting impression, their passion for life and the world around them inescapable and infectious. Taylor Hawkins was de nitely one of those people. In March of 2022, the world was rocked when they heard the news of his passing. I was out at dinner with my family when the news broke, and we all immediately were in tears. To say the least, our hearts were broken for Taylor and his loving family Alison, Shane, Annabelle and Everleigh. One on one, Taylor was a person who was larger than life. He embodied an energy that permeated a room and had a moving positive e ect on everyone around him. It was hard to ever nd him without a smile on his face, and I will never forget him zooming through the neighborhood on his bike, the goofy ways he interacted with his kids and friends, and

the insane musical talent that he poured his heart into every day of his life.

I would imagine paying tribute to Taylor was as much a daunting responsibility as it was a “no brainer.” For decades he lived in the world of music, interwoven with others who loved him, reaching beyond rock and into an eclectic mix of genres. Many of these people, icons themselves came together for two concerts this past September to honor that spirit. ey performed tributes worthy of Taylor. e rst was in London, and seeing the clips from the Wembley Stadium show hit me with a powerful and bittersweet feeling. I prepared myself for an emotional evening knowing that I would be attending the Los Angeles tribute with my family a few weeks later.

Photos by Joe Bellissimo

Taylor: Somehow you always made those who had the privilege of knowing you feel like Rock Stars.

Thank you for the energy you brought to this community. You will be missed by us all.

TAYLOR HAWKINS 1972 - 2022

Taylor was a person who was larger than life. He embodied an energy that permeated a room and had a moving positive effect on everyone around him.

As we approached e Forum, a venue considered hallowed ground in the world of Rock ‘n’ Roll, I found myself with an unfamiliar, sinking feeling in my stomach as I walked toward the entrance. A huge banner of Taylor’s smiling face was displayed alongside the silhouettes of hawks projected onto the exterior walls of the iconic building. I could feel myself holding back the tears at the sight of the hawks, knowing it would be a beautiful and cathartic night to both grieve and celebrate. We found our seats within the arena as we were greeted by some of our fellow neighbors from Hidden Hills who had also come to celebrate his life and legacy.

e lights went down and the show opened when Violet Grohl took the stage and sang a moving rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” the rst dip on a very emotional rollercoaster that took attendees from sadness to exhilaration to amazement. It felt as if

we were experiencing one of Taylor’s personal playlists in real time, with luminaries from Queen, Joan Jett, Elliot Easton, Josh Homme, Rush, and Def Leppard performing “Photograph” with Miley Cyrus. Generations of fans sang along, awash with an admiration for a shared love of music, all connected by the common denominator that could only be Taylor Hawkins.

Dave Grohl is the Foo Fighters founder and frontman, who served as the host throughout the show which lasted over six hours. Grohl was not only Taylor’s partner in the band, but was one of Taylor’s absolute best friends as they both had in common a wide-bear-hug passion for all music. As David held back the tears, he dedicated many heartfelt words to Taylor with messages overwhelmed with gratitude that so many had come to pay tribute.

The evening ended with an hour-plus-long set from the Foo Fighters, at the end of which Shane Hawkins, Taylor’s eldest child and only son, joined the band to play drums for “My Hero” and “I’ll Stick Around.”

One of the most moving moments of the night was Brian May of Queen explaining how Alison, Taylor’s wife, had asked him to play “Love of My Life” because it was their song. e entire stadium lit up with attendee’s phone lights and lighters, creating a magical scene as Brian executed the song on his acoustic guitar. It was soul crushingly sad but simultaneously such a beautiful gesture. As the song ended, Alison and her daughters, Annabelle and Everleigh embraced in a minutes-long group hug onstage. As the family cried, much of the audience joined in chanting “Taylor Hawkins!” in unison to project love in support of those in attendance who were still mourning.

e evening ended with an hour-plus-long set from the Foo Fighters, at the end of which Shane Hawkins, Taylor’s eldest child and only son, joined the band to play drums for “My Hero” and “I’ll Stick Around.” Having known Shane for several years, I was astounded to watch him essentially grow up the moment he stepped into his father’s shoes and conquered the drum kit during those songs. He played prodigiously, nailing every key with his father’s intense energy and precision. My sisters and I were in total shock and couldn’t stop cheering him on, feeling immensely proud of our neighborhood friend as he showed the world his generational mastery of his instrument.

After midnight we led out of the arena with thousands of fans who were carrying Taylor’s energy with them. We were left with a lasting impression of his inescapable and infectious passion for life, music, his family and friends. Bittersweet to say the least in the context of such a wrenching loss for so many, particularly Taylor’s family, who will always bear the greatest weight of it all. I hope it was some consolation for them to be reminded of what they’ve always known… that there will always be that “extended” family in our neighborhood connected to them and memories will continue to orbit around Taylor Hawkins far beyond his lifetime. HH

Snowy Valley Memories in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Story by Jacqueline Cleaveland Photos by Ed Cleaveland (taken January 22, 1962)

Upon the news that Hidden Hills was to experience snow one January morning in 1962, the neighborhood children rocketed out of their beds. Running and stumbling in their slippers towards the front door, as soon as they reached the outdoors they were welcomed with a rush of unfamiliar chilly air that primed their senses to the expanse of powder that covered their front lawns. As they turned their heads to examine the scene, they noticed normal sights such as tree branches, rose bushes, mailboxes, and three rail fences all encapsulated in a foreign dreamlike coating of icy white.

roughout the week the students were let out of class at Round Meadow Elementary School to storm the play yards and immerse themselves in the winter landscape. Along with their teachers, they soaked up the sentimental winter weather phenomena. Friends rode their horses in the snow together feeling as if they were a part of “White Christmas” and members of the rural 4H program made sure to put their sheeps and goats inside the barns.

Residents grabbed their Argus 35-millimeter lm cameras to document the enchanting visions that laid before them. Ed Cleaveland, beloved Hidden Hills resident from 1951 until his passing in 2000, traipsed around in the snow with his pair of heavy rubber mucking boots, duster coat and old cowboy hat to capture photographs of the rare moment. is “gentlemen’s rancher” out t of broken-in boots and a worn hat was the common uniform for Hidden Hills residential o -duty astronauts, actors and architects who were looking to work in their backyards and hike around their rural neighborhood. is time Ed put on his boots and hat to capture the wonder of this unusual Southern Californian snow.

In the softness of a dark dawn, Ed woke up quietly and got dressed trying not to disturb his wife Mary and their children. He creaked open his front door and walked with his lm camera on Long Valley Road in the silence of early morning snow. He hiked in the open mountains around Hidden Hills in his attempts to capture the rare snow scenes from every angle possible. He walked down chilly streets and took photographs of friends' homes, of snow dusted hills and frosted street signs, not knowing that within that hour of photography on January 22, 1962, he would capture moments to be eternalized in local history.

During the 20th century, the rst snow to fall upon Los Angeles County and city was in the early 1920’s. With the rst “midwest snowstorm” to hit the area in January of 1932, during the thick of an otherwise sunbaked Great Depression. is was before Hidden

Hills inception, so the streets of Long Valley, Jed Smith and many more would need to wait to have their rst kiss with snow until early January 1949.

e next wave of full snow would come in 1962, only one year after Hidden Hills became incorporated as a city. e formation of the city came to fruition when the Round Meadow Homeowners Association and Long Valley Homeowners Association merged on October 19th, 1961. One year later a blanket of snow covered the newly formed establishment, lling residents with hopeful emotions, making for a sweet, but unexpected one year commencement. e next and last blanket of snow the Los Angeles area would experience would be in February 1989 when snow again covered local cities, even reaching its way to dusting the palm trees in Malibu.

During the evening of that rst snow storm sixty years ago, Christmas music echoed in the warm living rooms inside snowcovered homes dotting the roads between Long Valley and Round Meadow. One can imagine sleepy children laying sideways on beige, oral couches with their attention xated upon bright tinseled Christmas trees that they begged their parents not to take down. eir tired eyes slowly unfocused from details until the decorated conifers melted into a kaleidoscopic triangle of pooling colored lights. e children of Hidden Hills were slowly lulled to sleep as snow urries painted the paned windows of the one story ranch homes, creating the backdrop for a greatly sentimental moment in local history. HH

With a name like “Cork Dork,” more than 40 di erent wines by the glass, and even more curated choices by the bottle, it’s safe to say that owner/chef Daniel Amirian and his team knows a thing or two about food and wine pairings. Although the majority of wines at Cork Dork’s location in ousand Oaks are sourced from California, the team has plenty of unique selections from old-world regions in France, Italy, and Spain to new-world wineries in New Zealand, Argentina, and South Africa to unexpected places like Lebanon. It even o ers its own exclusive red and white wines under the “Cork Dorky” label.

Whether your holiday season entertaining steers grand or intimate or your menu is traditional, contemporary or a mix of both, you can be sure Chef Danny and his squad of knowledgeable enthusiasts have inspired recommendations on hand...and not only for wine but for some local favorite craft beers as well.

“When I think of holiday season dinners, turkey is only a small portion of the feast” says Amirian. “In my home as in our restaurant, we also need to account for things like prime rib, yams, cornbread, and seasonal vegetable casseroles that people love to bring over. Because you need to go for versatility, you need to consider wines that can work with a variety of di erent dishes. e best choices have to achieve a middle ground—not too light so it doesn’t get lost but nothing too heavy, either. You don’t want wine lost with Prime Rib or something overpowering mom’s cornbread or stu ng.”

Pairing is Caring

Local culinary hero Daniel Amirian proposes a toast to entertaining with wine

By Elyse Glickman

REDDomaine Michel Gros Hautes Cotes de Nuits Fontaine St. Martin Monopole: “ is wine from Burgundy, France is superb, showing a lovely mix of dried and orchard fruit and touches of spice, a lively texture, and mineral nish. It works for proteins, sides, and vegetables as it is something that has a body but is not overpowering.

Donum Pinot Noir Year of the Dog Donum Vineyard, Carneros, Sonoma County, CA: “ e Estate is bright ruby in color, with a nose and notes that are native to the Carneros growing region: Cherry, raspberry, and strawberry with a faint forest oor note. e palate is rich and lush, yet with plenty of balancing acidity that carries through as the avors go from fresh cherry and berry through oral and on to sassafras and cocoa on the nish.”

Veratone by Alto Moncayo, Spain: “ is Spanish Grenache from the Campo de Borja region is rich and velvety, with ripe red notes delivering plum pudding, cherry preserves, cocoa, and toasty avors in a great, fruit-centered style. It’s abundant in everything--fruit, oak, and alcohol--but stays balanced.”

1125 Lindero Canyon Road

Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (818) 532-7284

CHAMPAGNE

No matter how you celebrate New Year’s Eve, or any special moment during the season, you can’t go wrong with high quality French Champagne. Just as they are in the restaurant, Moët & Chandon Champagne Brut Impérial and Ruinart Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut are both crowd-pleasers with the perfect balance of drinkability and sophistication.

WHITEKistler Chardonnay Les Noisetiers: “ is is a classic California Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast appellation, with a pleasing deep greenyellow hue. e wine’s pronounced and re ned sense of minerality pierces through the initial rst blush of stone fruit on the nose. Wet stone, powdered sea sand, and a slight sense of roasted grain give it substance. e core is packed with grilled citrus, and a touch of lemongrass, and threaded with a vibrant acidity that reverberates across the palate, making it balanced and versatile.”

In addition to these substantial yet nuanced bestsellers, Cork Dork also o ers its exclusive house wines, Cork Dork Nerdy Red and Cork Dorky White. Both blends, created in the Santa Rita Hills, make good cocktail hour ice breakers as well as entry point wines for those just starting their “wine journey,” according to Amirian. e 2018 Cork Dork Nerdy Red is made from Pinot Noir, Syrah and Sangiovese. It sees 10% New French Oak and 90% Neutral Oak for 26 months. As the fruit is sourced from the Santa Rita Hills and the Santa Ynez Valley, it features mouthwatering red fruit, spice, pepper and a hint of strawberry. Cork Dorky White is made from Pinot Grigio, Gruner Veltliner and Gewurztraminer with a subtle addition of Chardonnay and Loureiro. HH

Cork Dork

HAPPIEST TRAILS Jed Smith Road SOUTH

If you’re looking for a brisk uphill hike to get a cardio workout with the reward of stunning views of the Santa Monica Mountains eastward to Woodland Hills, then enter the trail located next to 5655 Jed Smith Road. e trip immediately begins with a challenging uphill that leads to a varying array of gorgeous vistas. Exploring our vast trail system introduces hills with multiple levels of di culty. ere are steep parts, at areas, and easy downhills perfect for creating short or longer loops to create appropriate routes whether alone, on horseback, with children, or pets. ese uncommon destinations often become the best areas to enjoy sunrises in the quiet of the morning and sunsets at the end of the day.

Located on the western edge of the community, this trail is insulated by local ora and fauna between the neighbors’ backyards on Jed Smith Road and the Las Virgenes Open Space Park. e native landscape that attracted so many original ranchers is re ected in the indigenous grasses and clusters of scrub oak on display. e system is well main tained but a few trails have more than a 40-50 percent grade so be aware of washed-out conditions after the sea sonal rains. ere are several choices to settle on a spot for Valley views, and fantastic bird and reptile observation.

Winding through this labyrinth trail provides a great place to watch the landscape turn from a dry brown every summer to a stunning green by the springtime. ese routes intersect Ahmanson Ranch but can only be accessed from openings on Kit Carson, Lewis & Clark, and Bill Cody Roads since the trail system within our gated community remains private and has perimeter fencing. It is easy to access the public parkland and there are several entrances adjacent to our city: Crummer Canyon Road, Las Virgenes Road Trailhead, Victory Boulevard Trailhead, and Chesebro Road. e parklands o er an extensive trail system of thousands of acres with valley oak and Sycamore-lined canyons which remain a crucial part of the ecological link between the Santa Monica Mountains and the wildlife corridor. HH

RESIDENTS SHARE THEIR FAVORITES

WHAT DISEASES ARE HIDING IN YOUR MOUTH?

Disease can be hiding in your mouth which can findits way into your blood stream to create inflammation contributing to diabetes,Alzheimer’s, heart disease, high bloodpressure, certain cancers, kidney disease or evena stroke!

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU? Complete Health Dentistry is a unique practice that looks at therelationship between your mouth and body to determine the most appropriate way to treat your overall health. We call this theoral-systemic connection

HEALTHY MOUTH • HEALTHY BODY • HEALTHY LIFE

At Complete Health Dentistry of WoodlandHills, our entire teamis working hard to educate and change public behaviors andaddress theimportance of oral health as it relates andlinks to a patient's overall health. We believe in offering a complete range of dental services underoneroof to make it convenient forourpatients and their families. We also know that by making goodoralhealth a priority, you can reduce many risk factors fordeveloping other generalhealth problems.

Dr. Bruce Beardand Dr. Manny Fernandez are here to consult with youregardingComplete Health Dentistry

HIDDEN HILLS

THE WORD ON THE STREETS

ROAD

NAMESAKES Joseph Rutherford Walker WALKER

“Iwas with him [Walker] two years of his last explorations of our mountain country under the most desperate hardships and still I could never see any change in him. Always cool, rm, and digni ed. I nev er heard him tell any wonderful story. He was too reticent about his certainly bleak and wild experiences and he was never given to saying foolish things under any circumstance. Brave, truthful, he was as kindly as a child, yet occa sionally he was ever austere. I was but a boy and he kept me out of dangerous places with out letting me know it or even know how it was done.. . . my greatest concern is the fear that his character will never be known as well as it ought to be. His services have been great and unostentatious, unremunerated and but little understood. Modesty was his greatest fault.” (Daniel Conner on Joseph Walker)

Joseph Rutherford Walker’s travels helped connect the fur trade and Western expansion as smoothly Ashley Ridge Road joins into Walker Road. Like Jedidiah Smith, Tennessee native Joseph Walker was a born explorer who pursued fur trapping and scouting as a way of nancing his wanderlust. Born on the thirteenth of December 1798 in Tennessee, he was the fourth child in a family of seven children. His adventurous career began when he and his older brother Joel joined Colonel John Brown’s mounted ri emen to serve under Andrew Jackson. Joseph and Joel were present when their kinsman Sam Houston climbed the Red Sticks’ log forti cations during the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. e Red Sticks were a warrior sect of the Creek Indian Nation who seven months prior to the Battle of Horseshoe Bend had killed and mutilated over four hundred settlers at Fort Mims, Alabama.

JOSEPH R. WALKER

In 1819, the Walker family left Tennessee to settle near Fort Osage, Missouri. Joseph left Missouri to rst venture west in 1820 as part of an illegal trapping expedition into Spanish-controlled New Mexico territory. He was arrested by Spanish authorities, but released when he promised to help the Spanish against the Pawnees. After cooperating with the Spanish, Walker returned to the Fort Osage area.

Walker, his brother, and Stephen Cooper returned to Santa Fe in 1821 with the rst wagon train. Four years later President James Monroe signed a bill providing thirty thousand dollars to survey a wagon road from Independence to Santa Fe, and Walker was hired as a guide and hunter. In June 1827, while living in Independence, Missouri, he was appointed sheri of Jackson County, found near the mouth of the Kansas River. At the time, Independence was as far as anyone could travel up the Missouri River and soon became known as the trail town that was the major starting point for the Santa Fe, Oregon Trail, and California Trails.

After two terms as sheri , Walker retired and started trading horses at military posts as far south as Arkansas and Oklahoma. At Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, Walker met Benjamin Bonneville after he applied for a two year leave of absence from the military to trap beaver in the Rocky Mountains. In 1832, Bonneville left Fort Osage, Missouri with 110 men, including Lieutenant Joseph Walker as his eld commander, assorted mules, horses, oxen, and twenty wagons. Bonneville’s goal was to explore the topography of the West and nd the best means of making land available to American citizens. ey built a fur trading post named Fort Bonneville in present day Wyoming Territory.

While working for Bonneville, the expedition advanced its way from Wyoming to California on a trail that would prove essential to overland emigration. e Walker party explored the Great Salt Lake to try to nd an overland route to California, and spent close to a month crossing the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He was successful, blazing a trail along the Humboldt River that would be named Walker Pass

Like Jedidiah Smith, Tennessee native Joseph Walker was a born explorer who pursued fur trapping and scouting as a way of nancing his wanderlust.

Walker 1833 – 1834 California Journey

Photos courtesy thefurtrapper.com

in his honor even though it was a di cult journey where 24 horses starved to death and 17 of the dead horses were eaten after leaving Mono Lake.

Walker arrived in Northern California near San Francisco and proceeded to explore Monterey, Humboldt, San Joaquin Valley, Death Valley, Owens Valley, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Much speculation has surrounded Bonneville’s motivation for sending Walker with some historians speculating that Bonneville was attempting to lay the groundwork for an eventual invasion of California, then part of Mexico, by the United States Army.

Bonneville began to lead the party back to Independence, Missouri in 1835. He stayed in the mountains with fty-eight men to continue to trap and trade with various Indian tribes. In 1836, he married a Shoshone Indian woman which helped him build a strong bond with the Shoshone Indians. During the late 1830’s and early 1840’s, Walker made a number of return trips to California where he established a good business buying and trading horses. Most of the furs he obtained for his horses were marketed through Abel Stearns in Los Angeles.

In 1845, Walker, with his wife and retainers, joined John Frémont’s third government expedition at the White River in eastern Utah bound for California and Oregon. Despite having omas Fitzpatrick and Kit Carson as his guides, Frémont hired Walker to guide them to Utah Lake. Walker agreed to be Frémont’s chief guide, leading them down the Humboldt River to Walker Lake to the Great Salt Lake. e party divided, with Walker taking the main body to the current location of Lake Isabella while Frémont and a small group crossed the

Joseph Walker continued work as a trapper, scout, wagon train guide and ranch owner, exploring the blank spots on the map at every opportunity. In 1853, he testi ed before the California Senate Committee on Public Lands as to the best route for a railroad to the east and proposed a route over the southern end of the Sierras. At the age of 62, he set o on a two-year gold hunting expedition with 34 men across New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado, and as a result, the village of Walker, Arizona was named for him. Walker returned to California during the gold boom, trading the drudgery of daily mining since he was able to make more money providing supplies.

By the time his failing eyesight forced him to retire in 1867, Cap tain Joseph Walker had spent ve decades on the frontier and served as a guide for hundreds. Even though he was one of the most capable historical gures ever to be called a trapper, he is not as well-known as his lesser successful contemporaries Jim Bridger, Jedediah Smith, and Hugh Glass. Walker returned to Manzanita Ranch in Contra Costa County, California where he died on October 27, 1876. He is buried in the Alhambra Cemetery in Martinez, California in a peaceful, oak-studded cemetery that overlooks the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers with the words “Camped at Yosemite” in scribed on his tombstone as a reminder of the giant sequoia trees he never wanted to forget after encountering the wonders of the Yosemite Valley. HH

Sierra Nevada in the vicinity of the Truckee River, eventually reaching Sutter’s Fort, California. e two parties missed their planned rendezvous along the Kings River in the San Joaquin Valley but were reunited in February 1846.

Walker and Wife

- Alfred Jacob Mille

Farm Fresh

Farmhouse Inn, Sonoma County

By Elyse Glickman Photos by Adam Potts & Farmhouse Inn

With the hot Southern California summer and fall behind us and the eventful holiday season in progress, there’s nothing more appealing than a food-driven winter wine country getaway. And lucky for Angelenos, Sonoma County—one of America’s centers of all things avorful and comforting—is a short ight or a few hours’ drive away from the big city.

Among the many winery-adjacent luxe lodges and cottages that put Sonoma on the map, the Russian River Valley-based Farmhouse Inn has been regarded as a standard bearer since it opened its doors in 1981. While it has stayed true to its roots as a family farm built in 1837 and, later, a family-owned country inn, it appeals to modern tastes by interspersing elements found in a luxury boutique hotel. In recent years, the standards of the lodging and dining areas have been raised exponentially under the direction of siblings Catherine and Joe Bartolomei who took ownership a little over 20 years ago. What began as a six room refuge now has 25 rooms along with a welcoming Wellness Barn, a pool area, food and wine-related activities, health-driven programming, and more.

is means that what’s old is truly new again—making this winter an ideal time to experience this ultimate Sonoma getaway. rough a

recent refurbishing of its late 19th century buildings (by Gina Gattuso and Lisa North of Myra Hoefer Design), Farmhouse Inn takes on a 21st century sheen that o sets its country authenticity tied to ve generations of Sonoma farmers. New chefs are in the picture, including Chef de Cuisine Shawn Jackson Clark (overseeing the property’s new ne dining restaurant), and Executive Chef Trevor Anderson, who has rebooted the FARMSTAND restaurant and added other culinary elements including a small bites menu and curated “Farmhouse Cooler” boxed meals that can be ordered in advance for a picnic on or o property, a day of vineyard tours, or on the go exploring Sonoma’s quaint towns.

Farmhouse Inn’s restaurant garnered Michelin recognition with Chef Steve Litke at the helm until his 2021 retirement. However, the culinary standards are poised to rise and go in fresh new directions with Chefs Jackson and Anderson bringing modern global air and techniques to the various menus. However, the Wine Spectator-winning (“2022 Best of Award of Excellence”) list blending Sonoma and international selections will remain rmly in place.

Sonoma County’s carefree, rustic chic features prominently in the suites. Large windows and sliding doors beautifully frame the natural surroundings and comfortable outdoor patios with private entrances. e 200 square foot Farmhouse rooms, perched above the restaurant in the property’s original 1873 Farmhouse, are big on style and substance, with gas replaces, generous bathrooms with a soaker tub and walk-in steam shower. Two just-added Cottage Petite Suite (factoring in a new room category, as well as another roomy cottage adjoining one of them) are awash in a fresh color palette of white, gray and

black framing classic furniture with ticking stripes, four-poster beds and locally-made rustic linen drapes. Bathrooms are dressed up with Carrera marble updated with sharp ceramic subway tile accent as well as footed soaking tubs, steam showers, heated marble oors and furniture-like vanities.

Cottage rooms, at 350 square feet, feature a romantic gas replace with a sitting area, steam shower, heated marble oors, a relaxing soaking tub and quaint outdoor patio with private entrance. Steps from our acclaimed restaurant, newly revamped Cottage Petite Suites blend country-chic interiors with 550-square feet of living space. A beautiful barn door separates an alcove designed for a full size bed and living space with a gas replace, steam shower, heated marble oors, and a relaxing soaking tub.

Farmhouse Inn’s amenities, including Heaven-Sent feather beds, locally-made Sumbody bath products, fresh seasonal owers, and high-end complimentary snacks, and a complimentary Organic Ar tisan Bath Bar with a variety of skin-loving delights, further distin guish it from comparable properties. On-property extras include a Wednesday movie night, “Wellness Wednesday” workshops, tness classes, an informative wine-tasting happy hour with wines from a few of the 25 winery partners curated by Joe Bartolomei, a nextlevel nightly S’mores session at the re pits with Valrhona choco late, and house-made Gluten Free Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies on the bedside table provided during the nightly turndown.

e Inn’s Wellness Barn balances the food-driven decadence throughout the property with workout sessions for mind and body using local products and various healing modalities. e spa, tucked into the Wellness Barn, follows suit with a variety of facial and body treatments. e concierge team, meanwhile, can arrange a variety of o -property adventures, including a walk at nearby Riverfront Re gional Park, guided or self-guided bike rides (rental bikes can be delivered to guests daily), and aquatic adventure (whitewater rafting, kayak, canoe, or stand up paddle board) along the Russian River. anks to the Bartolomei’s relationship with the winery community, guests also have access to custom VIP tours and tastings at Sonoma’s most acclaimed wineries.

Room rates range from $960 for a “Farmhouse” room to $1,160 for cottages and $2,010 for a barn one-bedroom suite For more information and reservations, visit farmhouseinn.com, call 800-4646642, or write Hotel Manager Matthew DeQuillien at matthewd@ farmhouseinn.com. e Inn also allows children traveling with their parents along with rentals of additional beds brought to the rooms. For group sales for family gatherings and business retreats, please contact Tamra Waslewski at tamra@ farmhouseinn.com HH

The Farmhouse Inn 7871 River Road Forestville, CA 95436 farmhouseinn.com