Hidden Hills Magazine • Fall 2020

NEWER CONSTRUCTION MASTERPIECE

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01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale

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Securely situated in a prestigious Calabasas gated community awaits this stunning fairytale estate. Spanning over an acre, this gorgeous oasis will transport you to Tuscany with ts impeccably manicured grounds, majestic vineyards, stunning architecture & mountain vistas..

Securely situated in a prestigious Calabasas gated community awaits this stunning fairytale estate. Spanning over an acre, this gorgeous oasis will transport you to Tuscany with ts impeccably manicured grounds, majestic vineyards, stunning architecture & mountain vistas..

Engel & Völkers is a leader in the sale of residential and commercial real estate, resorts, yachts, and private jets in the premium segment. Founded in 1977 as a boutique shop delivering high-end services to an exclusive clientele, today we are a luxury brand recognized around the world for our culture of exclusivity, competence and passion. With the addition of our shop off of Mulholland, we are better able to

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From across the globe, to across the street, we will guide you home.

from

PUBLISHERS

The English writer, Max McKeown, has said that "All failure is failure to adapt, all success is successful adaptation." Never in our recent memory has this been more true. In the midst of such unprecedented challenges, we have all seen individuals, families, friends and businesses pivot continually to do their best to "keep calm and carry on." Often, we are surprised at just how many have been able to make the best of a tough situation. In this issue, we feature just a handfull of these people and businesses, who persevere, inspiring us to get out, be safe, and keep doing whatever it is we do best.

Thank you to all of our advertisers who have continued to support this publication throughout this challenging time. We hope that you will enjoy reading about them and will do what you can to safely support them.

Lonna Weber & Joe Bellissimo

Lonna@LongValleyMedia.com

Joe@LongValleyMedia.com

DEBBIE YANUCK

CO- PUBLISHERS

Lonna Weber

Joe Bellissimo

Editor-in-Chief

Joe Bellissimo

Copy Editors

Linda Raznick

Carly Fentress

Advisory Board

Archie E. Hanson Jr.

Linda Raznick

Steve Weber

Inquiries

Advertising: Lonna@Longvalleymedia.com

Editorial: joe@Longvalleymedia.com

Hidden Hills Magazine is published four times a year by Long Valley Media. LLC. It is mailed to residents of the city of Hidden Hills, California as well as distributed at commercial and retail locations in the greater Los Angeles and Ventura County areas.

Long Valley Media, LLC 5115 Douglas Fir Rd. Suite C Calabasas, CA 91302

CONTRIBUTORS

Debbie Yanuck began telling family tales about her siblings, at a young age, claiming they were nonfiction, but learned to label them fiction, and thus began her writing career. Since then, she has written 11 nonfiction children’s books (i.e. “The White House, “The Bald Eagle.”) Visit her blog at www.debyanuck.wordpress.com.

JODY MILLER

Jody Miller is a freelance lifestyle writer and enthusiast based in Los Angeles, CA.

ELYSE GLICKMAN

Elyse Glickman’s work as a journalist and editor spans the globe and topics including gastronomy, wine and spirits, wellness, business profiles, interior design and fashion. She served as a Senior Editor for business/executive lifestyle magazine C-Suite Quarterly (CSQ) magazine, covering food and travel.

GRACIE BELLISSIMO

Gracie Bellissimo 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! graciebellissimo.com

FALL 2020 features

GRAZE EXPECTATIONS

26

THE OLD PLACE

As the pandemic drags on, one of SoCal's most beloved and historic restaurants reinvents itself to become better than ever.

With an insatiable appetite for clearing brush, goats are proving to be among the best solutions for mitigating the west's wildfire crisis. 36

FIG & SPRIG

In less than a year, homemade classics and legendary treats have made this local eatery a community favorite. 38

CHIL WELLNESS

Dad and entrepreneur Kevin DeMeritt found the best way to ease his daughter's pain was an entirely natural endeavor. 40

SALON NUUVO

From hair to heart, this Calabasas salon takes matters personally. 46

ARCHITECTURALLY SOUND

Hidden Hills resident Diko Kassabian's design/build firm takes clients' visions from concept to completion. 59

THE HERO OF THE STORY

The inspiring true story of a rescue dog comes to life in a heartwarming new children's book, helping other dogs at risk. 62

RETRO ROAD TRIP

San Diego's Town & Country Resort is a close and classic, mid-century getaway.

"Chompers," one of 805 Goats' tireless and hungry workers, helps to clear a firebreak around Hidden Hills.

Photo by Gracie Bellissimo

GRAZE EXPECTATIONS

WITH AN INSATIABLE APPETITE FOR CLEARING BRUSH, GOATS ARE PROVING TO BE AMONG THE BEST SOLUTIONS FOR MITIGATING THE WEST'S WILDFIRE CRISIS

WRITTEN BY DEBBIE YANUCK | GOAT PHOTOGRAPHY BY GRACIE BELLISSIMO

Not too long ago, Scott Morris the owner/operator of 805 Goats, a local business that uses goats for weed abatement and fire mitigation, sat at a desk wearing a suit and tie every day to work. Now, he wears jeans and boots and works outside daily. A local Toast Masters meeting, a public speaking club, sparked his interest when a Ventura County Fire Chief began discussing the fact that goats were not being used in the Ventura/L.A. County heavy fire regions. Intrigued by the idea of using more natural fire prevention methods, Scott spent a few years researching and talking to people about managing goats for fire prevention. In November 2018, he began his new business and only regrets that he did not change careers sooner.

The first time he touched a goat was when he took his children to the Underwood Family Farms petting zoo in Moorpark. The lack of experience did not thwart his plan. He used the internet, along with fire department and homeowner association personnel, to find out what people thought about the idea of swapping goats for weed-whackers and mowers. He learned that people supported the absence of carbon footprints when goats leave after their work is done versus the amount of noise and chemical pollution created from the machinery used to clear away brush.

Mustard plants, which are not native to the region, are highly combustible and flourish along hillsides and fields. Not only do goats love these plants, but they also eat it seeds and all, where mowers leave the roots and

seeds behind. Scott’s crew of 140 goats travel from hillside to field chewing up the brush. He uses an electric fence (mostly to stave off the coyotes) to keep the goats in an area, and as they clear one area, he moves the fence to another. They rise around 5 a.m. and begin eating until dusk when they bed down for the day. If there is local water, Scott feeds them from a hose into troughs, or if not, he hauls up water tanks on his trailer to keep the goats watered.

It is a 24-hour, 7-day a week job. But almost a year ago, Scott hired a full-time herder to stay out with the goats. He enjoys working outdoors with minimal cell service and an abundance of physical exertion. When Scott does need a break, he takes the goats to La Reina High School. There, they have a 15-acre hillside that the goats clear for

free in exchange for a place to stay. The school uses the experience for educational impact classes: having the students study the soil after the goats leave, and the effects of the goats versus machinery to clear the land.

Scott believes that education is important so that local cities learn about the benefits of this method of brush-clearing to create a defensible space for fire control. Most cities require the brush maintenance to take place in March, April and May; it then grows back by October, the prime season for fires in California. The use of goats for land clearance is more effective as the brush does not grow back until well after the fire season.

The City of Hidden Hills recently hired a herd of Scott’s goats to handle all the perimeter brush-clearing. It will take close to four weeks, but the goats’ droppings will create a natural fertilizer, and aeration of the land occurs due to the goats’ hooves so that when the rains come there is no negative effect on the water flow. Scott believes that education on the positive impact of goats in the use of land-clearing will help cities understand the benefits and help curtail the devastation during California’s fire season.

Senator Henry Stern, representing California Senate District 27 (which includes Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, part of Santa Clarita, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Lake Balboa, Tarzana, West Hills, Winnetka and Woodland Hills) says “we need to invest in fire prevention and protection just as much as we invest in battling these blazes. Communities need to band together, target the problem areas, and create defensible perimeters with brush and weed clearing. The use of goats is beneficial in many ways and has a strong positive impact.”

WE NEED TO INVEST IN FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION JUST AS MUCH AS WE INVEST IN BATTLING THESE BLAZES

CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR, HENRY STERN, DISTRICT 27

AS THE GOATS GRAZE THE LAND, THE NATIVE PLANTS ARE GIVEN ROOM TO GROW AND THRIVE AND ARE NOT AS FLAMMABLE AS THE MUSTARD AND OTHER NON-NATIVE PLANTS

Senator Stern points out that while goats are one piece of the strategy, another is considering prevention/ maintenance a civic challenge for communities to work to come up with a plan to prepare for and thwart California’s fire season. Problem areas should be targeted and highlighted so that communities create an effective approach to lessen the danger of seasonal fires.

Funds are available through application to the State for wildfire deterrence projects. Senator Stern says, “Over one hundred million dollars is waiting for disbursement . . . Bring us more fire mitigation projects and we will fund you . . . Find alternative ways to create defensible spaces.” The cost of fire devastation is astronomical and prevention is the more cost-effective route for the State to take.

Senator Stern also says, “Regardless of what side of the aisle a person sits on, Democrat or Republican, wildfires have no party allegiance, so communities need to embrace the opportunity to be creative in working together towards sustainable fire prevention.”

Scott Morris knows that the goats are a strong beneficial part of the fire mitigation process. He adds, “We know the fires are coming every year; therefore, it is on us to be proactive rather than reactive to the fire threats to California. As the goats graze the land, the native plants are given room to grow and thrive and are not as flammable as the mustard and other non-native plants. People need to be educated as to what types of plants are best at fire prevention and where they should be planted on their properties. They need to be diligent about keeping their perimeters clear of brush. And they need to work to keep their communities clear as well.”

WE KNOW THE FIRES ARE COMING EVERY YEAR; THEREFORE, IT IS ON US TO BE PROACTIVE RATHER THAN REACTIVE TO THE FIRE THREATS TO CALIFORNIA

SCOTT MORRIS - OWNER/OPERATOR , 805 GOATS, PICTURED ABOVE WITH HIS FAMILY, (left-to-right) MAGGIE, HUNTER, PAYTON, AND WIFE, EMILY

EVERYTHING OLD

I S NE W AGAIN

The Old Place Cornell is a living history book of life in early Malibu. It also happens to be a restaurant serving delicious food flavored with the smoke from the red oak grill, genuine camaraderie, all in a cozy setting. Although the restaurant did not open until 1970, its story began in 1909 when a rural post office attached to a country store was built: Cornell Post Office and Hank’s Country Store. They operated side by side until the 1960’s before they permanently closed. While Malibu slowly transitioned away from cattle ranches and Mulholland Highway, which used to be the only route north, and

then was supplemented with the 101 Freeway, Tom Runyon journeyed with his family from New York to California as a young boy to join his cousins, aunts and uncles in their search for a new beginning. He grew up in the then, farm town of Hollywood, and in his teenage years moved further west to Brentwood, which at the time was known for growing lima beans. Tom enlisted in the Air Corps and served during WWII. He saved his money and when he returned, he began to buy land in Malibu.

In the 1960’s, Tom discovered the shuttered Hank’s Country Store and Cornell Post Office. It was located on Mulholland Highway in the

WRITTEN BY DEBBIE YANUCK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOE BELLISSIMO VINTAGE PHOTOS COURTESY OF MORGAN RUNYON

AS THE PANDEMIC DRAGS ON, ONE OF SOCAL'S MOST BELOVED AND HISTORIC RESTAURANTS REINVENTS ITSELF TO BECOME BETTER THAN EVER.

middle of the Santa Monica Mountains. The tiny town consisted of hardworking people, cowboys and hillbillies. Tom and his wife, Barbara, with the ‘help’ from their young son, Morgan, spent a few years fixing up the place and in 1970 the restaurant opened to an eclectic crowd of actors and actresses, artists, rugged outdoorsmen and locals. Everyone was warmly welcomed and as Tom’s son, Morgan, now the owner/ operator of The Old Place, says, “this was the soulful heart of what we cherish today, the spirit of the place with its core of honesty, personality and humanity.”

Morgan remembers the opening night's main dish was wild boar that his dad had hunted in Big Sur grilled over the red oak fire. The oak grill ran through the evening and the smokey scent flavored the food. The restaurant remained small throughout the years, but people were not deterred. They enjoyed the new friendships made with strangers as they waited for their tables as the good food and varied conversations filled the patrons with gratitude and happiness.

Tom Runyon died in 2009 and Morgan stepped in to run the restaurant. He never intended to go into the family business. He remembered sleeping in the family car as his parents worked, but one year into running the business Morgan realized that, “the restaurant is a gift, not in monetary gains, but in appreciation of life money.” Each day he meets new people, discovers and meets new challenges with the business, all while the restaurant uplifts him in ways he never experienced before tackling this new endeavor.

Morgan’s goal to keep the heart of the restaurant and grounds the same remains, but he has implemented small changes to heighten customers’ experience. A patron from the beginning, Alfie, donated his 1939 dilapidated flatbed truck, which still had the words “Reseda Hay Ranch” stenciled on the door to Morgan. He saw its potential and turned it into an espresso truck for the patrons to grab a coffee while they waited for their tables. During the Woolsey Fire, Alfie’s property burned to the ground, and Morgan is grateful the

ABOVE (clockwise): The Original "Hank's Country Store." Tom Runyon. Opening night, 1970. BELOW (clockwise): WWII Air Corpsman Tom Runyon. Artist Jirayr Zorthian savors the wild boar, which was the main dish at opening night. Morgan's mom, Barbara Runyon and young Morgan Runyon in the arms of his mom at the opening festivities.

truck survived as a part of Alfie and the communities’ history.

2020 is the 50th anniversary of the Old Place Cornell. The year-long planned celebration never occurred due to Covid-19, but as Morgan says, “Our 51st or 52nd year in business will be just as good of a time to celebrate.” The March 2020 shut down of the business originally caused Morgan to fall into a depression for the first time in his life. He feared losing the business his father and mother worked so hard to create. He says, “I soon realized if the sun comes up tomorrow, we can move forward… baby steps…I’m going to look forward to making mistakes because if I don’t make them, then I’m not trying.”

ABOVE-LEFT: M organ Runyon, owner and manager, The Old Place, Cornell. ABOVE: The rustic and well loved interior. Morgan, looks forward to the day when it can be again filled with the friendly communal energy The Old Place is famous for. BELOW (clockwise): Patrons at the newly installed take-out window where food can be ordered a picked-up with the safely of social distancing. Morgan fills a pint of 1903 lager. The Old Place's signature sirloin steaks on the original oak grill. Newly added outdoor seating.

THIS WAS THE SOULFUL HEART OF WHAT WE CHERISH TODAY, THE SPIRIT OF THE PLACE WITH ITS CORE OF HONESTY, PERSONALITY AND HUMANITY.

~ MORGAN RUNYON

Ingeniously adapted at every turn to accommodate outdoor seating, The Old Place property features cozy little spots like this converted old water tank and wood shed for two (far-left), and rustic banquettes (below);

Runyon built the new outdoor hand washing station using a vintage school sink.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2020 GOLD COAST WOMAN OF THE YEAR

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) would like to thank all of the 2020 Man & Woman of the Year participants. Because of their tireless efforts, LLS is able to continue advancing breakthrough cancer treatments and therapies. Beating Cancer Is in Our Blood.

For more information visit MWOY.org

Ashley Chanel Hidden Hills, CA Ashley Chanel Events + Design

“We are lucky that we have the land to move the restaurant outside,” Morgan says. He built 3-sided outdoor booths’ for people to eat in and cleaned out the entire restaurant from top to bottom. He tightened the menu, added an outdoor hand-washing station (reincorporated from a friend’s garage who had rescued it from trash pile at a Culver City school), spaced the new booths far apart, and opened again for business in a new way. “I know everyone has a different level of what they are comfortable with during this pandemic,” he says, “so I try to meet everyone in a way that offers good food in a safe environment.” Food is now ordered as ‘takeout,’ but not necessarily ‘take-away.’ With so many open areas to eat in, the patrons often remain on the grounds. Morgan strolls the yard, disinfectant bottle in hand, wiping tables and surfaces, and adding comfort in an uncertain time.

“The gratitude people expressed when we opened again, filled my tank back up,” Morgan says. “I needed the people as much as they needed the restaurant.” Morgan likes to find the good in everything and he hopes the outdoor eating concept continues. The setting is a bit wild and beautiful, the air offers a hint of a sea breeze, and it allows people to relax in a way different from the inside of a restaurant. “Many countries offer outdoor dining and I hope we can continue this here even when the pandemic wanes. I look at this as being an opportunity to create an outdoor environment that is just as special as the inside,” Morgan says.

Instead of lamenting what was, Morgan embraces the changes. He says, “You can open your arms to let [change] happen, or let it roll over you . . . you move on and create something better. Every weekend we create history with someone who never knew the place was there. We re-thread the stories back through...”.

Morgan, the self-professed best fort builder in Malibu, is eager to hear new stories, share old family stories, and tget to know each person who journeys to The Old Place Cornell.

A PERFECT PARING : I n 2007, Tim Skogstrom (top-left), opened THE CORNELL WINERY & TASTING ROOM (above and left), immediately next door. On busy nights, Old Place patrons would wait for their table here, sampling the best in local wines, cheeses and charcuterie. Cornell Winery is still open for outdoor tastings. CornellWinery.com. BELOW: A strolling musician serenades a couple; One of many friendly peacocks that proudly roam the property.

A Utopian retreat nestled in the private enclave of hidden hills

Represented by: Dana & Jeff Luxury Estates I Tomer & Isidora Fridman I David Emanuel

Developed by: @legacyestates_la In Escrow

Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. To reach the Compass main office call 310.230.5478

Fig and Sprig Restaurant opened a little over a year ago in July 2019. Its focus is on sustainable cuisine created with local, seasonal produce and, when possible, all organic ingredients. The offerings are wide-ranging and flavorful at the restaurant or home. A call or online order to the restaurant before 11 a.m. allows customers to order an aromatic pot pie (one of many dishes) in a pan ready to pop into the oven for an at-home meal. Big salads filled with greens, cheese, nuts, peppers and avocados are also available for dining on the outside patio or to take home. Husband and wife team and longtime chefs Francesco Pesce and Claudine Bernard bring years of owning and operating fine

dining restaurants to their newest endeavor, Fig and Sprig.

Two chefs walk into a bar, yes, this is how they met. Francesco walked into Claudine’s restaurant after a long day of renovations at his restaurant for a beer and a moment to sit. Claudine happened to be behind the counter of her bar getting a diet coke for herself. They began to talk and spent hours in conversation. After they married, they discussed opening a restaurant together. The novel idea of a restaurant where patrons could eat in or take out in a catering type of fashion appealed to them. They loved the idea of clients being able to order a fully prepared dinner to take home, warm in their oven, and then share with family, friends

each other in a home environment. The menu has two sides: dine-in/take out and heat at home.

The restaurant also caters. Last Thanksgiving and Christmas, Claudine says “We were slinging fully prepped and cooked turkeys out the door as fast as we could cook them. We also cater intimate dinners, large family parties and everything in between.” She appreciates that it allows their creative side the spontaneity to create dining events for people.

The Pandemic has forced them to pivot, as most businesses have experienced. Another deli case replaced the indoor tables and carefully spaced tables sit welcoming outside. As Claudine says, “It’s like we never really reached our full plan . . . it’s as if we were running a marathon and got tripped at the start, but we have been able to make our business model thrive without butts in the seats through our varied take-out menu that appeals to all appetites.

The magic of Fig and Sprig restaurant is the delicious food, the ease of taking it home for reheating, and the fact that Claudine and Francesco know their customers, not just their epicurean tastes, but the names of their children and pets, and how their families are faring in this unusual time. It is a family-run restaurant that embraces the patrons into the family fold. Claudine adds, “Even during the heat of summer, our biggest seller is our Mac and Cheese because people need the comfort of tasty food served with care and friendship to our family community.”

chil WELLNESS

When our kids are in pain, a parent’s determination to help ease their suffering is driven by a combination of gut and compassion that is unrelenting. Instinct pushes us to overturn every rock in a quest for any remedy that will again make them healthy, happy and safe. When Kevin DeMeritt’s daughter, Aspen, was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of eighteen months, he set-out to find a way to ease her pain, but the options he found were not necessarily what he had hoped. “She was put on two medicines;”

recalls DeMeritt, “a steroid, which was ingestible, and an injection of methotrexate, a cancer drug.” The fact that DeMeritt’s wife, who was pregnant at the time, was not allowed to go near the methotrexate, set off some understandable concerns about what exactly they were injecting into their daughter, regardless of the clinical benefits. “That’s where I really kind of sat down and said, ‘look, I’m going to go and try to find something natural.’”

DeMeritt knew he couldn’t take Aspen entirely off the methotrexate, but he was

determined to find ways to minimize the severity of the inevitable flare-ups that come with arthritis so he didn’t have to give his daughter additional medications with even more side effects. Soon, he had compiled a list of about a hundred products thought to help tamp down the inflammation from the flare-ups, and after a long and persistent course of research, the list was narrowed to a handful. Little-known herbs like arnica and boswellia kept popping up, along with more prominent ones like peppermint oil and menthol. Mixed into a concoction that could be rubbed-on, the compound seemed

to bring Aspen consistent relief, and the process of refinement continued to the point where DeMeritt began consulting with scientists, who were impressed at how far he had come on his own. At the scientists’ suggestion, medical-grade magnesium was added, giving a significant and noticeable boost to the compound, which DeMeritt dubbed “Aspen’s Salve.”

As word of the salve’s effectiveness began to circulate, DeMeritt found a demand among family and friends (and their friends) and soon, Aspen’s Salve gained popularity and praise among those facing any type of muscle and joint-related discomfort, whether from an ailment or from sports. For 5 or 6 years, this was the sole product, but the desire to constantly improve and amplify the benefits for Aspen continued. DeMeritt began learning more and more about the potential benefits of CBD and decided to hire a chemist that could add it in. The results were hugely improved. “Normally, the flare-ups would take 2 to 3 days to subside,” says DeMeritt. With this improved CBD version, “if she put it on at night, the next day Aspen could usually not have to miss school or miss playing with other kids on the playground. We would put it on when she would play sports. It was just amazing.” Taking it even further, nano-technology was employed to break the CBD components down at a microscopic level, allowing for even deeper and more thorough absorption into the skin.

Through this continual research, and having seen and experienced the results first-hand, there was no question in DeMeritt’s mind that CBD carried benefits reaching far beyond what he had anticipated. This too was the consensus throughout the wellness industry. So, in 2018, DeMeritt launched Chil Wellness, a company specializing in wellness products for a healthy lifestyle. Today, Chil offers a spectrum of products created with all-natural ingredients and nano-

technology that can help you destress, sleep better, stay healthy and hydrated, and of course, help with pain and inflammation. Aspen’s Salve is still the flagship product and, after a rather detailed and thorough review process, was recently approved by the Arthritis Foundation as an official sponsor, to which a portion of every topical purchase goes to raise funding for research and other programs. So far, Chil Wellness has been able to donate over forty thousand dollars to the Arthritis foundation which the company is very proud of.

FOR MORE ON THE

SALO n nuuvo

WRITTEN BY JODY MILLER

The salon industry is tough. In the best of times, the good can survive with talent, perseverance, and a bit of serendipity. In the worst of times, however, it’s not merely survival of the fittest, but thriving is reserved for the exceptional. A magical combination of artistic flair and business savvy, and a resolute promise to the soul of the

salon business – the customer – is what propelled award-winning Salon Nuuvo on an unobstructed route to distinction. Salon Nuuvo’s exceptionalism is more than its sleek and tranquil décor, which Yelp reviewers habitually praise. It extends beyond the Nuuvo Signature Shampoo Experience, which includes a neck, shoulder, and scalp massage plus a hot towel infused with lavender

eucalyptus mist. Or the fact that Nuuvo is a certified Green Circle Salon that recycles and repurposes 95% of its beauty waste. The secret ingredient is really quite simple: Founder and CEO Raychel Harrison organized a business model that would make the customer the fundamental element in every facet of Salon Nuuvo’s existence.

PHOTO BY MARC

Caring Empowerment

An award-winning hairstylist mentored by icons of the industry, Harrison busted her stylist chops as a John Paul Mitchell National Platform Artist. An American Board Certified Hair Colorist, Certified Great Lengths Hair Extension Specialist, and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Graduate, Harrison developed her astute business acumen and service philosophy while working at a prestigious Las Vegas hotel salon. That same sense of community, coupled with an impeccable standard of client care, motivated her to develop a meticulous model for her salon that built on the high expectations and caliber of her work experience. “We modeled our protocol after the Four Seasons,” Harrison explains. “For me, customer service is about what giving the customers want before they even know exactly what they need.” Along with a detailed initial consultation, Salon Nuuvo eschews the common independent contractor model in favor of a unified cohort of dedicated and talented professionals who share a collective goal for training and customer care. This translates into a team that is able to provide a codified system of excellence for each client with identical results.

The New & Improved Normal

While recent events have presented an unprecedented challenge to the salon industry, Harrison fought that adversity with an iron fist of determination. As one of the first salons to prepare custom color kits for home use, Harrison ensured each and every client was lovingly guided through the process. Harrison and her team reached out to clients regularly via phone calls and Zoom consultations. They created YouTube video tutorials and posted regularly on Instagram, as well as updating their own knowledge to become better than ever. This includes enhanced sanitization measures such as disinfecting and wrapping all brushes and utensils between services and

equipping the dressing room with separate garment bags for clients’ personal items.

For Harrison, remaining faithful to her unique strategy is at the forefront of every decision and one that transcends the salon’s physical space. “From hair to heart. My objectives never talked about space. They described the connection we make with our clients.”

Since its opening in 2012, Salon Nuuvo has been servicing HiddenHills residents with distinction.

PHOTO BY MARC ANGELES

Founder and CEO Raychel Harrison

Michael Bloom

“We are thrilled that Michael has joined our Calabasas Office Family. He is an incredible individual that touches the hearts of everyone he encounters. With many years of Real Estate experience in and around Hidden Hills, Michael brings a level of sophistication, knowledge and personal connections to the area that is unmatched by most. We are delighted to welcome Michael to The Agency and are excited to celebrate his growth and success.”

– Emil Hartoonian, Managing Partner and Jason Galardi, Sales Manager San Fernando Valley

A longtime Hidden Hills resident, Michael brings a strong work ethic, genuine love of people and extensive knowledge of Calabasas, Woodland Hills and Hidden Hills. Fluent in Spanish and Japanese, Michael is deeply involved in the community, serving as an Ambassador to the Calabasas Chamber of Commerce, a Board Member for the Foundation for the Las Virgenes Schools and Commissioner of Public Safety Hidden Hills.

Founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky, Calabasas Managing Partner Emil Hartoonian, and San Fernando Valley Sales Manager Jason Galardi are proud to welcome Micheal Bloom to The Agency’s growing team.

HIDDEN HILLS RESIDENT DIKO KASSABIAN'S DESIGN/BUILD FIRM TAKES CLIENTS' VISIONS FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION.

WRITTEN BY ELYSE GLICKMAN | PHOTOS BY STELLA LEE

ith so many residential architectural firms in Los Angeles, finding the right one to create a home tailored to your family’s lifestyle and tastes can be daunting. The ideal firm should be up on far more than latest design and building material trends. Given that L.A. is a complex city with different terrains and, in some cases, homeowner associations with their own unique rules, your architect

needs to know the “lay of the land,” figuratively and literally.

One firm that’s successfully navigated this complex world is Kassabian Design|Build. Under the direction of Diko Kassabian, founder and 1994 USC School of Architecture graduate, the reputation of the firm is solidified through stunning commissions extending from the Beach Cities south of LAX to Beverly Hills, the Hollywood Hills and diverse neighborhoods throughout the San Fernando Valley. In fact, Kassabian

earned major design awards three years in a row from the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Some of the firm’s most noteworthy Valley projects include the Thousand Peaks Estate in Calabasas, with its backyard helicopter landing pad, and the Prado De La Felicidad Estate, once the primary residence for Michael Jackson’s mother and three children.

Beyond these high-profile projects, Kassabian takes pride in offering all kinds of families the distinct advantage of being

both a licensed architect and a licensed contractor. This makes his firm’s operation “turnkey,” figuring in all aspects of home building from a to z, from developing the original concept to perfecting the end product.

“What I love most about what I do and how I do it is that I have control over a client’s home design, and have the ability to be involved in the entire process of the home’s creation,” Kassabian explains. “My clients are freed from having to hire another contractor and worry about how

accurately he or she may reinterpret my design. This means clients can rest assured that special concepts (devised) for their home will not be diluted (by a third party) as it is being built.”

This approach is particularly important in a community like Hidden Hills, as Kassabian also has the knowledge to help his clients navigate rules established by the homeowners’ association. As he explains it, while local governments of cities like Encino and Woodland Hills have a limited say in what building materials can be

used for a home’s exterior (if at all), the Hidden Hills Community Association has very stringent guidelines for the homes’ appearance and materials to maintain the “ranch look” (including the currently popular “Napa Farmhouse” style) that attracts families to the area.

“All homes we create for Hidden Hills residents require materials such as wood, natural stone, slate tiles and certain kinds of cement roof tiles with warmth rather than the cold materials and colors such as stucco and asphalt shingles,” Kassabian

“WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT WHAT I DO AND HOW I DO IT IS THAT I HAVE CONTROL OVER A CLIENT’S HOME DESIGN, AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE INVOLVED IN THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF THE HOME’S CREATION,”

DIKO KASSABIAN

details. “While all of my clients have wish lists for their future home or remodel, one of my responsibilities is (keeping them informed) about current homeowners’ association rules.”

While the exteriors of Hidden Hills homes are uniformly traditional, changes in building trends for the interiors give clients more freedom than ever to customize their home through different finishes, materials and floor-to-ceiling windows and doors that let in natural light and the area’s natural attributes.

“The home today is built around the ‘great room’ rather than the compartmentalized home design from 10 or 15 years ago, broken down into many smaller rooms,” he continues. “The kitchen opens out to the family room and a breakfast area, sometimes with double islands (for food prep and entertaining). Several of my clients want to see better proportions between the first and second floors. As there are more home businesses, clients are asking for large, beautiful offices that are visible from the street. Closet rooms are still popular, but rather than having one

Many of Kassabian’s Hidden Hills clients express an interest in adding some of the qualities of their favorite hotel or resort into their home’s design. He can speak to this trend personally, as he and his family moved to Hidden Hills last December. When the quarantine began in March, he, his wife and his children (ages 12, 15 and 18) appreciated that their new home had a delightful resort quality with the town’s best attributes such as hiking trails,

large closet, homeowners want his-andhers master closets.”

LEFT: VIEW OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN FROM THE LIVING ROOM OF A MANHATTAN BEACH RESIDENCE, DESIGNED AND BUILT BY KASSABIAN. BELOW: SINGLE-STORY CUSTOM RESIDENCE IN PACIFIC PALISADES WITH A ROOF-TOP DECK AND OCEAN VIEW

the Tuesday farmer’s market and numerous outdoor activities steps away.

Beyond his own practice, Kassabian is proud of his son’s acceptance to Cornell University, home to one of the top architecture schools in America. “I look forward to seeing what he will be learning, and compare that with what I learned years ago at USC,” he says. “I look forward to visiting him and experiencing his learning process. I think he may even wind up being a better architect than I am.”

ABOVE (LEFT AND RIGHT): CONCEPT DESIGNS FOR A 30,000 SQUARE FOOT PRIVATE RESIDENCE AND A 9,000 SQUARE FOOT RESIDENCE, BOTH IN BEVERLY HILLS.

LEFT: BACKYARD AND ENTRY OF A ONESTORY HIDDEN HILLS RESIDENCE, WHICH WAS DESIGNED AROUND CENTRAL COURTYARDS.

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A HERO AMONG US

WRITTEN BY LINDA DIAMOND RAZNICK

This book is a very true story about a START (Shelter Transport Animal Rescue Team) sick and dying rescue dog who found the will to live through compassion and kindness. That dog we would come to name “HERO” taught us to live in the moment and no matter what . . . never give up!

It’s nearing two years ago that Steve Spiro (START President and co-founder)

and I (START Board member) began bouncing around a new START pipe dream: what if we could bring our HERO’s life to living color in an illustrated children’s book, both to inspire new donations for START’s worthy ventures and to strip away all the misconceptions and stigmas that a particular breed—the pit bulls and pit bull/mixes— are ignorantly subjected to.

Steve’s a creative genius, actor, screenwriter and, most passionately, a huge champion for the abandoned,

abused and neglected animals. I’m a former law book writer, editor and publisher (over 40 years at that endeavor) who found the perfect match for my life-long animal passions when I landed at the START team after “retirement.” What an unlikely pair—law books meet screenplays? But we also became kindred spirits, not only because of the animals, but because Steve was born and raised in London, England, the homeland of my own family roots.

THE INSPIRING TRUE STORY OF A RESCUE DOG COMES TO LIFE IN A HEARTWARMING NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK, HELPING OTHER DOGS AT RISK.

Steve and I often poke great fun at each other, most regularly as we craft (he writes, I edit) START’s biweekly newsletters and regular pleas to “skip a cup” for an abandoned, abused and/ or sick dog or cat. (He says in jest I’m “annoying” with my grammar, punctuation and spelling lessons.)

Overcommitted at so many levels, our search for time to take on one more project became daunting. Yet . . . the need to tell our HERO’s story in a medium that could reach vast audiences triumphed. So, back in January 2019, we began our regular pow wows over vegan lunches (OK . . . confession . . . I did become a convert to vegan “chicken wings”) to dive into what would become our illustrated book for everyone (children and adults alike) . . . 52 Days With HERO.

In early March 2016, the pit bull we named “HERO” was found by a Good Samaritan on the streets of Riverside. This despondent boy had been starved; he was all skin and bones and severely dehydrated. He had been wrongly cast away, most likely because of what he looked like. He was taken to the Riverside shelter

where the staff was shocked by his condition. It seemed as if the poor dog had never smiled or known even a single day of happiness. The Shelter Director sent him to an emergency vet who recommended euthanasia. HERO had terminal cancer. START was asked if we could give him just a day of love to experience something good for the first time. Of course, without hesitation, START said YES! He was moved to the boarding facility we worked with, along with our instructions to “spoil the heck out of him.”

But that was not the end of HERO’s story. With warmth, love, lots of good cooking . . . and bucketfuls of tennis balls and loads of friends, HERO got to experience 52 days of joy, kindness and hope. That journey and what we learned from it had to be told.

It took Steve and I the good part of a year to bring HERO’s 52 days back to life, and another several months to work with our amazing illustrator (Eric, also a “dog rescue dad”), who brought our words into living color, faithful to the true characters who were part of HERO’s story. Every single minute we spent on this project was a true labor of love. No longer simply a pipe dream, our book was published in May.

And if you’re wondering what sets us apart from so many other “rescue organizations”: Over 9 years ago, knowing that unlike California, Oregon and Washington States did not suffer from pet over-saturation issues, START’s small group of Studio City-based co-founders used their own funds to purchase a used box truck, equipped it with crates, and then vetted rescue groups and humane societies in the Pacific Northwest who could readily rehome these abandoned 4-leggeds. START created an alliance with various high-kill shelters that wanted their help (unlike the mismanaged L.A. Shelters) to commence the life-saving journeys that would take these needy dogs and

WITH WARMTH, LOVE, LOTS OF GOOD COOKING . . . AND BUCKETFULS OF TENNIS BALLS AND LOADS OF FRIENDS, HERO GOT TO EXPERIENCE 52 DAYS OF JOY, KINDNESS AND HOPE. THAT JOURNEY AND WHAT WE LEARNED FROM IT HAD TO BE TOLD.

cats to new beginnings. That old box truck is now replaced by a 38-foot motor home retrofitted into a state-of-the-art Animal Transport. Affectionately called “The Beast,” it holds up to 150-at risk animals headed to new lives from the streets and the shelters and even from Mexico and the meat markets of South Korea. Since START’s inception in 2011, over 13,500 animals have been saved by our monthly (sometimes more often) transports to loving “forever homes.”

We also know, however, that “transport” alone, like “rescue” itself, cannot be the answer to pet overpopulation. Spay and neuter are the answer. That’s why START also funds monthly spay/neuter surgeries for low-income households in California. As I write this, START has funded over 11,000 of these procedures.

Importantly too, START fights for the underdogs. Hundreds of our rescues are pit bull/mixes, many who have become service and emotional support dogs. As did HERO himself and one of the main reasons we wrote his story, this wrongly stigmatized breed deserves the good life they’ve been denied, most often just because of the way they look. Their hearts are open wide for a second chance.

START Rescue is a 501c3 charity, awarded Platinum Status by GuideStar Charity Navigator for its commitment to transparency. We invite you to log onto our website (www.STARTrescue.

org) to learn about our mission, our vision and our hopes for the future and to sign up for our biweekly newsletters. And when you’re there, please consider supporting our efforts by purchasing a copy (or two) of 52 Days With HERO. All of the proceeds benefit START.

We at START learned so much about life and hope from our HERO . . . and you likely will too.

"52 DAYS WITH HERO" CAN BE PURCHASED ONLINE AT STARTRESCUE.ORG.

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT START RESCUE.

LINDA DIAMOND RAZNICK (L) WITH START RESCURE CO-FOUNDERS STEVE SPIRO (WHO COWROTE 52 DAYS WITH HERO) AND RENE RUSTON. THE REAL "HERO," PICTURED BELOW.

WRITTEN BY ELYSE GLICKMAN

dmit it. You’re probably feeling very nostalgic about vacations right now. We’re not just talking about recent trips to far-flung destinations, but also idyllic, spontaneous jaunts to beach and pool resorts like the ones you may have done with your immediate family. Think about the many conversations we’ve had with friends and

family about what Southern California vacations were like in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, embodied in old postcards and travel posters. The vintage turquoise, orange, yellow and red hues of this imagery certainly does take one back to a time where a simple change of scenery could make every care go away.

After a multi-million dollar remodel by noted architecture/design firm Gensler, Town & Country Resort’s management boldly reopened late this summer, reintroducing even the most travel-weary to a mid-century vacation experience...albeit one with a few new 21st Century features (WiFi, in-room Keurig machines) and essential safety protocols allowing visitors to indulge with full peace of mind. All 675 guest rooms and suites are fully renovated, yet transport guests back a few decades with a lively color scheme and elements such as a retro record player and an assortment of vinyl records. There are other nice touches evoking San Diego’s enduring status as an all-American vacation destination, such as artworks by local artists Andy Davis and Mark Warren Jacques gracing public areas throughout the resort.

“Town and Country is rooted in the history and culture of San Diego, and that history was the inspiration for the resort renovation,” affirms Todd Majcher, senior vice president at Lowe, the national real estate company and lead developer which teamed with Gensler for the remodel. “We wanted to celebrate San Diego's rich architectural vernacular (and) showcase its

The Gaslamp Quarter is a ten-minute drive away, while Old Town San Diego, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo and other top attractions are less than 10 miles from the property. However, Town & Country itself was originally conceived as a getaway from the city’s hustle and bustle. It was opened in 1953 as a small “town” in the

mid-century origins and the unique culture of our community.”

THE VINTAGE TURQUOISE, ORANGE, YELLOW AND RED HUES OF THIS IMAGERY CERTAINLY DOES TAKE ONE BACK TO A TIME WHERE A SIMPLE CHANGE OF SCENERY COULD MAKE EVERY CARE GO AWAY.

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middle of agricultural “country,” consisting of 46-room motor inn just off Highway 80. Even though the ranch style inn had the essential ingredients for an effortless vacation (swimming pool, club house, coffee shop, cocktail lounge, tennis courts and easy access to local beaches), demand from California-dreaming travelers over the years prompted ambitious expansion.

Over time, Town & Country became home to San Diego’s first convention center, and increased its size and reach by incorporating the neighboring Le Baron Hotel and its Jabberwocky nightclub (where legendary DJ Wolfman Jack spun records for a full house). More recently, the ultra-upscale Fashion Valley, connected to Town & Country by a short walking bridge, bringing luxury shopping to visitors craving serious retail therapy. With the recent remodel, poolside fun has expanded into a 10,000 square-foot aquatic wonderland with a zero entry pool, hot tub, children’s pool and an impressive four-story, looping 150 foot waterslide...all of it open (except for the jacuzzi) with the provision guests maintain social distancing and wear masks when away from those whom they are traveling with.

While the state-of-the-art fitness center inside the former Jabberwocky nightclub will not open in the immediate future, guests can stay active as they might have 50 or 60 years ago. Options are abundant, with Town & Country scheduling volleyball matches, daily health and wellness classes, walking and running paths, bike rentals and various seasonal family activities. Other activities tap into San Diego’s “endless summer” lifestyle, ranging from history and art tours throughout the property to wine tasting and winemaker dinners, Jazz Fridays, astronomy program, outdoor “Dive In” and Riverside Park movies, the Lapper sports bar’s programming, chocolate making class, mixology demonstrations, kids’ craft classes and more.

The nifty old school setting carries over to Town & Country’s dining venues (ARLO, Lapper, Lobby Bar, The MRKT), with outdoor service in the property’s revitalized patios and outdoor spaces. Even with a nostalgic setting, however, Chef Josh Mouzakes’s menus for ARLO reflects how the property looks towards the future with destination hotel dining. Mouzakes (whose resume includes Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry, Joël Robuchon’s

THE NIFTY OLD SCHOOL SETTING CARRIES OVER TO TOWN & COUNTRY’S DINING VENUES (ARLO, LAPPER, LOBBY BAR, THE MRKT), WITH OUTDOOR SERVICE IN THE PROPERTY’S REVITALIZED PATIOS AND OUTDOOR SPACES.

restaurant in the MGM Grand Las Vegas, Guy Reuge at New York's Mirabelle Restaurant and Hotel del Coronado) takes full advantage of California’s bounty of seafood, produce and other artisanal ingredients.

On the casual end, Lobby Bar offers creative shared bites and signature cocktails against a swanky mid-century lounge backdrop. MRKT fills the role of an elevated fast-casual concept with grab-and-go eats and specialty coffees.

Town & Country balances past and present while making “getting away from it all” as easy as a two-hour drive from Los Angeles (during

off peak hours, of course). Furthermore, the management has implemented the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Safe Stay industry-wide initiative, developed under the guidance of an Advisory Council, to provide peace of mind for guests.

Cleaning products and protocols meet or exceed the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. Throughout the day, multiple sanitation cleanings occur in all public spaces and high touch areas to ensure safe, comfortable environments for guests and staff. Staff members are regularly monitored to ensure they are symptom and virus free, and only four nonrelated guests will be permitted per elevator car. In addition to hand sanitizer stations and more familiar amenities, special essential items such as disposable masks are available upon request.

CHEF JOSH MOUZAKES’S MENUS FOR ARLO REFLECTS HOW THE PROPERTY LOOKS TOWARDS THE FUTURE WITH DESTINATION HOTEL DINING.

SPANKY’S PET PICS

TANK & BABE

WRITTEN BY ISABEL SORENSEN

MMeet Tank and Babe! They are 9 month old mini potbelly pigs who were given to us by our neighbors. They know tricks like, sit, paw (hoof high five) and sit pretty. They love swimming in their kiddie pool and running around the grass. We first met them, Tank, Babe, and his pig family, when they moved out of their old

house. After interacting and noticing how sweet pigs are, that’s when we started considering getting pigs as a part of our family. Oddly enough, the old owners of Tank and Babe became our new neighbors and friends. Their new house was not set up for the pigs and thankfully we had the space and loved giving them a home.

OUR ANIMAL EDITOR AT LARGE, SPANKY THE DONKEY, LOVES GIVING SHOUT-OUTS TO HIS FURRY AND FEATHERED HIDDEN HILLS NEIGHBORS. SO PLEASE SEND YOUR PICS ON OVER TO: LONNA@LONGVALLEYMEDIA.COM