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CO- PUBLISHERS Lonna Weber Joe Bellissimo
EDITORIAL
FROM THE “
You’re doing it backwards, y’know...? It’s usually a magazine becomes a website, not the other way around.” That’s what some well intentioned people told us when we decided to publish this magazine. Come to think of it, it was originally just to promote the website we had built for Hidden Hills. Obviously, this publication took on a life of its own. That said, we wanted to take this opportunity to invite you to go to HiddenHillsMagazine.com and register your email. Why? Here are a few excellent reasons to be on this list!
• While we’ve put together a few super cool events for the community, THERE ARE SOME COMINING UP SOON THAT ARE PRETTY AMAZING. IF YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED WITH THE WEBSITE, YOU WON’T GET THE INVITE!
• We also send out a weekly email letting you know about what’s new around Hidden Hills, things you’ll probably actually care about.
• If you want to know what homes have been listed in HH, that’s something you’ll learn in that weekly email as well.
• Lastly, we are committed to NOT overburdening you with a bunch of advertising, however, we do work with our partners to put together super special stuff like nights out for residents, special dinners and all kinds of other free and super discounted swag!
So please think about checking out the site and signing up. You’ll be happy you did! And if not... just unsubscribe :)
Lonna@LongValleyMedia.com
Joe@LongValleyMedia.com
General Legal Counsel David S. Schnider
Inquiries
Advertising: Lonna@Longvalleymedia.com
Editorial: editorial@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
All Rights reserved. No article illustrations photographs or other editorial matter or advertisements herein may be reproduced without permission of the copy write owner (s). Long Valley Media, LLC does not take responsibility for the claims provided herein. Printed in the U.S.A.
Dr. Kapil Moza
A Tribute to a Father and Husband Who Soared In the World of Cinema.
Two Battles With Cancer and More Than Seventy Years Won’t Keep This Cowboy Out of the Rodeo
Once a Melee of Hedonism and CounterCulture, Music Festivals Are Now the Hottest Ticket Around.
12 VINTAGE JULES
Linda Schotz finds the memory of her late father in her passion for creating vintage jewelry.
26 BARRY’S BOOTCAMP
The worldwide fitness brand that came of age in Hidden Hills.
42 FIRE UP THE GRILL! IT’S PIZZA TIME! Expand your BBQ’s horizons into the realm of these ingenious pizzas.
49 SPRINGTIME COCKTAILS
From mint to lemon to hibiscus, these blooming concoctions will kick-start your season.
56 HIDDEN HILLS RESCUE
Debbie Sutz has rescued hundreds of dogs and placed them with happy homes.
66 MALCOLM VAN HALEN IN FOCUS
Fast cars and rock ‘n’ roll are the pursuit of many teenaged boys. This one knows how to capture them both.
72 ITALY - A DOLOMITE WINE ADVENTURE
Our intrepid reporter Susan Campbell Cross eats, drinks and hikes her way through Italy to fine her inner wine snob.
85 TOMMY (THE HORSE W/THE BRAID) The unofficial mascot of Round Meadow Road poses for his fans.
52 BURKE WILLIAMS SPA (Don’t) pack your bags. You can get the holistic zen of a spa weekend during your next run to Costco.
Jackie Dodd’s recipes made her a finalist for Saveur Magazine’s Best Original Recipes, 2014 as well as the top honors for Best Beer Coverage in 2015. The Beeroness was also a finalist for Better Homes and Gardens’ Best Food Blogs, 2015. She has been seen on The Today Show and is also the author of The Craft Beer Cookbook and the newly released Craft Beer Bites Cookbook. TheBeeroness.com
Champ Clark is a career journalist and author with decades-long experience in the field--reporting, writing and editing for a variety of national publications since 1988. His byline has appeared in PEOPLE Magazine--where he was Correspondent/Staff Writer for 26 years--as well as Time, SI.com, American Legacy and others. ChampClark.info
Talia Kleinplatz fell in love with food at the apron strings of her mother and grandmother. Having lived in both Montreal and Vancourver, she has learned to eat and drink well. In 2013 she launched her award-winning cocktail blog, TwoForTheBar.com
Lifestyle expert, author and on-air personality Susan Campbell Cross, is a mom living with her family in Hidden Hills. Her latest book is the FabYOUList: List It, Live It, Love Your Life. She has also written for SHAPE, OK! and Star magazines, as well as websites like The Daily Muse, Huff Post Women and Forbes Woman.
Southern California native, Brielle Fraser is a student at Pepperdine University, working towards a degree in journalism. She is a dance instructor as well as a freelance journalist whose goal is to work in the field of print journalism.
Raised in Hidden Hills, California, Sydney Easton is a freelance writer as well as an accomplished singer and musician. She is currently studying at L.A. City College.
Elyse
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.
Catherine is a freelance journalist and editor based in Los Angeles. Previously she spent 13 years working as a reporter and editor for the UK’s Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph and was the Daily Telegraph’s Los Angeles correspondent from 2004 to 2009. She has also contributed to Agence France Presse, Goodreads.com, C Magazine, Angeleno, Stella magazine and Tatler.
Conveniently located near you, the Auto Gallery is more than selling and servicing the finest new and certified pre-owned and exotic automobiles. We are a part of your lifestyle. Come in and schedule a test drive today.
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SCHOTZ AT HER HOME STUDIO IN HIDDEN HILLS WHERE NO VINTAGE DETAIL IS LEFT UNEXPLORED
In the hands of designer Linda Schotz, Vintage Jules pieces are beautiful from the inside out.
Many designers have a creative muse. Linda Schotz’s is her late father.
Stanley Jules Lostfogel not only lives on in her heart and mind, but also has an uncanny way of letting his presence be known to her in the most random places. Whenever Linda shops for raw materials for her jewelry line, Vintage Jules (named in his honor), he manages to “speak” to her in helping
her come across the right components to create each one-of-a-kind piece.
With that, she also stresses that a secondary but equally important inspiration for Vintage Jules was the other crossroads she faced when her father passed, as an empty nester. “Once your kids have graduated college and have gone into the world, you want to find something that puts you back in touch with who you were before becoming a full
ABOVE: SIGNATURE VINTAGE JULES POCKET WATCH NECKLACES FILLED WITH SWAROVSKI CRYSTALS LAYERED WITH VINTAGE FRENCH JET BEADED STRANDS.
time mom,” she says. “I was a design major at UCLA, and remembered my passion for creating art using a variety of media. When my father passed away seven years ago, I started tinkering and I made a single piece of jewelry out of several old pieces, including a pocket watch case filled with Swarovski crystals. I wore it, and wherever I went, somebody would stop me and ask me where I got that piece I was wearing. My husband told me straight out, ‘You need to start a business.’
Beyond her husband’s encouragement, a few trips down
memory lane continued to keep the wheels of creativity turning. His middle name, “Jules,” proved to be more than just an auspicious name for her new collection’s brand. “I looked through an old trunk of his with his army stuff, and I found a photo of him as a little boy with a watch chain hanging out of his mouth,” she recalls. “I find my Dad in places I least expect, and when I am not necessarily looking,” muses Schotz on how her business came together as organically as one of her signature pieces. “The market is where I source my materials are spiritual places. When I see my dad in some of those items, it’s as if he is speaking
to me. Furthermore, when my husband and I go to the flea markets, it’s a time where he and I can be together and find wonderful, old things that capture the spirit of my dad.”
She cites one special moment that came up shortly after she decided to start the business six years ago. She had lucked upon a little brown coin purse with a silver bear on it. The next night, she says she dreamed about her father and the bear. This served as the genesis for the design of one of her distinctive, attention getting business cards. Moments like this continue to happen and inspire new ideas and designs.
As every piece in her line is one-of-a-kind, Schotz has expanded her web of swap meet and flea markets to keep her collection fresh for both her loyal customers and the handselected group of retailers in California and elsewhere who carry her pieces. She makes regular trips to London with her husband, and has also taken advantage of markets in Israel, Thailand and other countries to source other objects that speak to her, such
ABOVE: SCHOTZ’S HOME STUDIO;
RIGHT: VINTAGE MILITARY COMPASS & WHISTLES
BELOW: VINTAGE MOTHER OF PEARL ROSARY STYLE NECKLACE WITH 1898 STERLING HALLMARKED VICTORIAN MEDAL & VUNTAGE 1800’S FRENCH STANHOPE CARVED OXBONE ROSARY DISPLAYED IN VINTAGE HOT DOG BUN MOLD
as Buddhas, skulls, compasses, crosses and pocket watch keys, especially those emblazoned with the numbers 28 and 8, her father’s lucky numbers.
“In Israel, we found some great chains, as well as a piece shaped like a bird with Hebrew letters on it,” she recalls. “As my maiden name is Lostfogel, which means ‘lost bird,’ it was so interesting that I found this among other the many treasures. In the process of finding unusual items, I also find friends among the shopkeepers
line allows her to express her creativity, and let the items speak for themselves. It also keeps the spirit of her father front and center.
“I collect a lot of doctor satchels, put the jewelry in a roll-up, and then put the roll into one of these great bags,” she explains. “I help put collections together for different stores that tell a unique story that their customers can relate to. Some stores like gold, some like silver, and others like the oldest, most eclectic pieces
and the vendors at the various markets and swap meets we encounter on our travels. That’s what makes it so fun!”
The fact that every finished piece tells a story has not only made Vintage Jules a success on her web site (www.myvintagejules. com), but also among the retailers who carry different segments of her line. Schotz says she enjoys curating her retailers as much as she enjoys putting a piece together. Presenting the
I put together. Some stores don’t sell jewelry, but they take my pieces because they find them interesting.”
She then comes upon an instance she feels captures the universal appeal of her pieces.
“One retailer from Philadelphia had visited Madison in Malibu and saw my pieces,” she says.
“She called me on Father’s Day weekend, making her the first (retailer) seeking me out from outside the L.A. area. And in
our discussion, there was my daddy making his presence known, making a connection on Father’s Day. I am still in touch with this woman. It reminds me that the best thing about presenting my pieces is that I get to talk about my dad.”
Schotz also finds that the processes of making the pieces and selling them to different people provide constant reminders of the values and qualities that made her father one-of-a-kind.
“The most important thing my father passed on to me was the value of honesty, and he could be brutally honest,” she says. “On that note, I am honest when it comes to telling a customer how a piece looks on them. Honesty was important to him, as was being passionate about the things that you do, and that family comes first, which are values I passed on to my children. They are all immortalized in me. When I pick up certain pieces of mine, it always fascinates me as to why they connect with the pieces that they do. Each piece has its story, because they are made up of old pieces with their own stories behind them, whether they have a pocket watch case, a dog tag, compasses, each with their own history, people are drawn to those stories.”
As word spreads on Vintage Jules, Schotz looks forward to telling more stories through every piece.
OPPOSITE: VINTAGE WW1 MILITARY PILOT GOGGLE NECKLACES DISPLAYED ON VINTAGE DRESS FORM PINNED WITH MY DAD’S LUCKY NUMBER 28 XO
THIS PAGE: (TOP) COLLECTION OF VINTAGE WW1 & WW2 ENGLISH, FRENCH & US ORIGINAL DOG TAGS LAYERED TOGETHER AS A NECKLACE. (BOTTOM) VINTAGE COMPASSES, CHAINS, BEGGARS BAGS & COINS... CREATING PIECES WITH A HISTORY.
N eil Diamond with “Billy,” his workhorse
If ever there were an embodiment of the true spirit of Hidden Hills, it would be Neil Diamond. I’m not talking about the singer Neil Diamond. I’m talking about the long-time resident, who happens to also be named Neil Diamond. This Neil Diamond may not be much of a singer, but he is seemingly as indestructible as his surname suggests. Last June, Hidden Hills’ own Neil Diamond made it to the finals of a rodeo competition at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara. Competitive ranch roping would be difficult for anybody. For 77 year old Neil Diamond, a two-time cancer survivor, it wasn’t just a challenge, it was the motivation he needed to stay alive.
SCHAEFFER AT PEDALER’S FORK, A PERSONAL VISION THAT HAS BECOME A LANDMARK DESTINATION FOR FOODIES AND CYCLISTS ALIKE
When Neil was diagnosed with esophageal cancer twenty
years ago he had surgery to remove a portion of his stomach and esophagus. Two years ago, when the cancer came back, there was no way to operate and Neil endured chemotherapy and radiation. “My outlook was very grim, but even as I was undergoing treatment, I knew I wanted one more try on my horse. It was like my one gasp of air. Through the love of my family; my wife, mother, sister, and children, and powers greater than me, I fulfilled a selfish dream to get on my horse one more time,” Neil said. It is this reporter’s humble opinion that Neil’s dream was far from selfish. In realizing it, he demonstrated true grit and determination, and set a remarkable example of how to live life to its fullest, no matter what cards you are dealt.
The passion for horses that kept Neil going throughout his
THIS PAGE: SURROUNDED BY BRIDLES, BITS, SADDLES, ROPES AND HORSE BLANKETS, NEIL HAS TURNED HIS WORKSHOP INTO A COWBOY’S HEAVEN. HE’S RECENTLY ADDED AN ANTIQUE WOOD BURNING STOVE, TURNING THE SPACE INTO A COZY RETREAT.
OPPOSITE: THE DIAMONDS AND THEIR AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD “BLUE” AT HOME IN HIDDEN HILLS.
cancer treatments is deeply rooted in his personal history. As a young boy of eight in Jersey City, New Jersey, Neil often saved an apple from his lunch to give to the horse of a mounted policeman on his way home from school. The policemen let Neil sit on his horse and Neil fell in love with the animal. Although his family never had money for Neil to have his own horse or even lessons, there was a livery stable next to his father and uncle’s refrigerated truck business, and Neil would clean stalls in exchange for rides around an enclosed brick corral on Clydesdales and Percherons. It was at that stable where Neil met an old cowboy who told him stories of his boyhood in Nevada, and the horses that he rode.
When Neil was thirteen, his family’s refrigerated truck business went bust, and he was sent to California to live with his grandfather in Upland. “My grandfather had a business which included renting horses out and I helped him with that in the summers. My only means of transportation was a horse,” Neil explained. “When I was old enough to drive, I wanted to go where that broken down stranded cowboy talked about when I was a boy. I wanted to see all of the ranches he’d talked about and I would drive out there and see where the mustang herds were.” Neil graduated from Fairfax High School in1955 and eventually found work catching wild horses, which was a crash course in horsemanship and roping for the teenager who’d never had formal riding lessons. “I had a horse hidden in Griffith Park with a horse dealer over there. I would clean and do what I could at the barn to cover the cost of the horse’s keep. At night I’d take the horse and ride through the mountains where there were no trails to practice.”
It’s hard to imagine that chasing down wild horses wasn’t the most dangerous or exciting part of young Neil’s life, but he also spent time working as a bartender and a film editor, staying up all night on the Hollywood scene and keeping company with some much older friends who were more than a little rough. This was a time when the lines between Hollywood and the mafia were often blurry, and Neil knew had to make a decision about his future or risk getting into trouble. And so, he enrolled in college at Los Angeles City College. There he made a deal with a professor named Dr. John Archer, who offered him training and a job as an optician, if Neil would promise to stay in school. And so, Neil learned to make lenses for glasses and went to night school, and then optometry school. “That gave me an opportunity to be my own boss and determine my own destiny,” Neil recounts.
Not that he gave up his Hollywood social life entirely. It was at a Hollywood party where a mutual friend introduced him to Norma saying, “This is the girl you are going to marry.” And seven years later, he did. They’ve been married 50 years. When asked what the key to a successful, long lasting marriage is, Norma says, “There’s no key really. You just have to take it one day at a time and have new adventures,” she explains.
Neil adds, “Learning how to give, and understanding that you don’t own anyone,” to the list.
The couple moved to Hidden Hills in 1977 at the urging of a neighbor who had bought three lots himself, and knew that Neil loved horses. Their beautiful Spanish style home has a wonderful, casually elegant feel and is filled with sunlight and
“THERE’S NO KEY REALLY. YOU JUST HAVE TO TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME AND HAVE NEW ADVENTURES,”
THIS PAGE: (TOP) VARIOUS BITS COLLECTED OVER THE YEARS. (BELOW) PHOTOS OF NEIL BREAKING A MUSTANG WHEN HE WAS A TEENAGER, THE FIRST HORSE HE EVER CAUGHT (NAMED MARIAH).
OPPOSITE: (TOP) NEIL RUNNING 1,500 HEAD OF CATTLE IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS BETWEEEN TOPANGA AND LAS VIRGENES. (BOTTOM) ONE OF NEILS PRIZED VINTAGE HORSE BITS, PART OF A COLLECTION THAT HAS DRAWN INTEREST FROM THE GENE AUTRY MUSEUM. “
original works of art, as well as love and a brand new latte machine. “Norma is a city girl, but I wanted a country life. So Hidden Hills was the perfect combination of the two worlds. It was my island within the city,” Neil explains. The couple raised two children in the community; a son, Craig, and a daughter, Danielle, and now enjoys spending time with their two grandchildren, aged four and six months.
Neil may have been a family man and a successful optometrist, but he never lost his love of horses and all things western. He helped a stunt man friend of his, Joe Yrigoyen, run 1,200 head of cattle from Las Virgenes to Topanga Canyon and from the 101 freeway to Mulholland, right up to Stokes Canyon. “I would go out and take care of all of that, maintain fences even, and then I’d go home and get ready for work,” Neil recounts. Over the years, he has remained dedicated to working with horses and riding. Later on, when challenged with some decreased strength due to radiation treatments he designed a pulley system to aid him in saddling his horses. Neil has three; a 24 year old Kiger mustang that he’s had since the horse was three, a four year old thoroughbred race horse that he got fresh from the race track, and a 30 year old work horse named Billy, that Neil’s had since the horse was two. It was on Billy, and with the help of two friends, Jim George and Jess Brackenbury, that Neil made it to the finals of that rodeo competition in Santa Barbara last June.
Neil’s workshop is resplendent with authentic tools of the trade. As a thirteenyear-old boy, he became interested in
WHEN I WAS OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE, I WANTED TO GO WHERE THAT BROKEN DOWN STRANDED COWBOY TALKED ABOUT WHEN I WAS A BOY. I WANTED TO SEE ALL OF THE RANCHES WHERE THE HERDS WERE.
As someone who has dedicated her career to bringing buyers and sellers together I believe successful marketing is more than just about being online, it’s also about being there, in the community, engaging and understanding the needs and aspirations of the neighbors I represent. That’s why for nearly 15 years my team and I have been right there outside the Long Valley gate making that most important connection.
collecting horse equipment from the U.S. Cavalry. Now Neil focuses specifically on items in the California tradition including a late 1800’s California Mission saddle. He also is very talented with a rope, practicing the one-handed California technique of riding and roping with a braided rawhide reata ranch rope and a sisal rope made from the fibers of the blue agave plant, the same plant that tequila is made from.
It is the ability to balance Neil’s passion for his horses, and his extensive collection of western riding gear with his love of family life that has kept him happy to call Hidden Hills home for almost 40 years. Norma recalls watching her kids walk to Round Meadow School every morning, and riding their ponies to their friends’ homes and to enjoy barbeques and swimming at the community center. “Living in Hidden Hills affords a certain sense of safety and security,” Norma says.
And security is very important to the Diamonds. People may not recognize Neil, but they definitely recognize his name, and that has resulted in some pretty amazing stories of mistaken identity. “I did end up on stage with Don Rickles two or three times, to great humiliation,” Neil said. Once while staying at the Campbell River Lodge in British Columbia, Neil and Norma returned from salmon fishing to find that the bar of the hotel was full of women. “They were dressed to the nines in prom dresses,” Neil recalls. “I thought, what is this? I don’t see any men in there, and there were roses all over the bed in our room. I put two and two together and realized…Oh my God, it’s the fan club!” Feeling badly that the women had gotten all dressed up expecting to meet Neil Diamond the singer, Neil explained to the group, “Someone put the word out without checking it out, I am Neil Diamond, but older than the singer Neil Diamond, but I do like to have a party. So, we ordered drinks and it was all on me.” Neil certainly has an uncanny ability to balance and rope whatever comes his way, both in the saddle and in life with humor and grace. When asked for any closing thoughts for this article he reflected for a moment and offered this simple recipe for happiness, “Each day the sun comes up. I try to live it to it’s fullest and never give up.”
WHEN THE MUMFORD FAMILY MOVED INTO HIDDEN HILLS, BARRY’S BOOTCAMP WAS A TWO LOCATION FITNESS STUDIO, BY THE TIME THEY MOVED OUT, IT HAD BECOME A WORLDWIDE FRANCHISE VALUED AT OVER 100 MILLION DOLLARS. HERE, RACHEL MUMFORD TALKS ABOUT HOW SHE DID IT AND HOW HER NEIGHBORS WERE THERE TO HELP HER ALONG THE WAY
RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT! WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME COUNT, THIRTY SECONDS TO GO!
The room is dimmed to a shade of deep red, blaring music demands the feet to tread in rhythm, staring in the mirror, sprinting to the beat, right, left, right, left. Determination floods the mind and fuels the muscles to exceed the pain. You’re almost there, don’t quit, 15 seconds, 10 seconds... and at last, recovery. Taking a few recuperating breaths, you look around the studio, people are grinning, clapping,
and experiencing a feeling of universal elation knowing that together, as a unit, you have survived Barry’s Bootcamp.
Driving to work in Sherman Oaks, or even waiting in line at Pressed Juicery in Hollywood for a freeze, there is an overwhelming possibility people of the greater Los Angeles area have heard of Barry’s Bootcamp, or “The best workout in the world,” as written on their website. While a Barry’s can be located in virtually every populous city, and is also a well-recognized fitness phenomenon in the social media sphere, Barry’s was not always the major pillar in the fitness
OPPOSITE:
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community as it stands today.
Co-Founder of Barry’s Bootcamp, Rachel Mumford, was living in The Valley during her late 20’s when she met instructor, Barry Jay. She was so inspired by his dedication to each individual student to produce desired results and his quick wit that brought a light-hearted aura to each class he was instructing. The two became close friends, and much to their surprise and merriment, business partners.
The idea of Barry’s Bootcamp
THE TWO SAT DOWN TO LUNCH AND DERIVED A BUSINESS MODEL ON A PAPER NAPKIN, LITTLE DID THEY KNOW THIS PAPER NAPKIN BUSINESS MODEL WOULD TRANSFORM INTO A WORLDWIDE FITNESS CRAZE.
originated when Rachel Mumford, attended in a fitness class in West Hollywood when she was studying to become an actress. The class consisted of 30 minutes of high intensity cardio with 30 minutes of weight-training and strengthtraining mixed in. This type of strength infused cardio workout had never previously been advertised in fitness studios. Mumford knew that a well-rounded, upbeat workout was what the community needed,
and she was determined to be the first one to introduce it along with partners Barry Jay and her husband, John Mumford, who put in the seed money and served as CEO.
“There was nothing like it at the time,” said Mumford about intermixing cardio with strength training.
Barry and Rachel sat down to lunch and created a business model on a paper napkin, little did they know this paper napkin business model
would transform into a worldwide fitness craze. The duo decided to focus on a workout that emphasized a group mentality, fashioned after military bootcamp, rather than promoting an individualized one. In addition, they strived to make each workout different from class to class, to ensure no two were the same, from the music playing to the movement itself.
“I just knew I had this concept, I had no idea it would become this
worldwide phenomenon,” said Mumford.
The studio space along with the fitness equipment was a major stroke of luck for the two. The original equipment came from a storage unit auction that Mumford was anonymously notified about. With persistence, Mumford outbid all participants and was able to properly furnish her business.
“We opened up on a shoestring budget,” said Mumford in regards to Barry’s first location, “It was real bare bones, but you have to start from scratch if you don’t have serious capital.”
Mumford was not only a partner of Barry’s, but also the cleaning crew, the front desk, the marketing team, and a trainer on top of it. She prides herself on having performed all of the tasks that make Barry’s the international success it is today.
“I don’t understand how businesses fail,” said Mumford, “If you are passionate about what you do and
met. Now, in 2016, 21 locations of Barry’s Bootcamp are spread internationally.
“It’s like a rags-to-riches story, because Barry’s a songwriter and I was a communications major, we were not business majors,” said Mumford.
In 1998, the first Barry’s Bootcamp opened up its doors in West Hollywood, the exact location where Rachel and Barry first
Barry’s Bootcamp was created to be a sanctuary for all to come and sweat together without a feeling of judgment or comparison. Class times were originally set to accommodate people with their diverse work schedules, and all front desk staff and trainers were required to know everyone by first name in order to create a camaraderie and familylike environment, and moreover, a system of accountability for their members.
“Every day is like a party, every day is different, that’s why people love
working at Bootcamp; you could count on me, you could count on Barry,” described Mumford, “Barry used to make me call people when they didn’t show up.”
Barry’s second location was established in 2003 in Rachel’s hometown of Sherman Oaks. Rachel chose the location because she wanted to bring something “cool” to The Valley where she was raised. The process of growing a second location was slower than the original West Hollywood was, however classes began to fill and hope began to grow. Because they now had the two locations, people thought Barry’s Bootcamp was “bigger,” as Mumford says, than they actually were.
While the Sherman Oaks location was gaining speed, Mumford and Barry opened yet another studio in San Diego, and shortly after that,
New York happened, which “blew the doors off the hinges to Barry’s,” Mumford described.
“We were sitting around this table with all of these suit and ties, and me being the only woman in the room was very intimidating, but it felt very surreal, we went from Ventura Boulevard to Park Avenue,” said Mumford describing the New York transition.
The New York studio attracted people from all around the world, many of them tourists who wanted to fully grasp the American way of life, one of those past time being Barry’s Bootcamp. During the crucial times of expansion for Mumford, when she was traveling across the states quite frequently, she relied heavily on her Hidden Hills community for support.
“When I was traveling, they would
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-rachel mumford-
“WHEN I WAS TRAVELING, THEY WOULD TAKE MY KIDS TO SOCCER GAMES AND PICK THEM UP FROM SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS, AND THE EFFORT IT TOOK TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN BUSINESS.”
on how the Hidden Hills community helped her grow.
s a boy growing up in North Hollywood, Alan Purwin was more than once ticketed by police for riding his bicycle too fast around the neighborhood. His mother Sheila would then accompany him to court and the judge would say, “Son, you have to slow down.”
But Purwin never really did.
When Hidden Hills resident Purwin died last year at the age of 54, he was sought after as one of the top commercial helicopter pilots in the world, having turned his skill and passion for flying into a multi-million dollar, multi-faceted business that informed, entertained and, most importantly, saved lives. Purwin’s spectacular work as an aerial coordinator/cinematographer for the Hollywood film industry was essential to the visions of such A-list directors as Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Michael Bay and F. Gary Gray.
Television news organizations relied upon Purwin and his Los Angeles-based company Helinet to provide vivid images of breaking stories and natural catastrophes. Law enforcement agencies received innovative surveillance
written by: Champ Clarkassistance. Sister companies headed by the entrepreneurial Purwin were involved in developing new equipment for aerial cinematography, including film shoots from drones. And, through his efforts as a philanthropist, most particularly with Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Purwin provided nocharge helicopter support under life and death circumstances. “Alan built an amazing aviation business,” says his wife Kathryn. “But that wasn’t really his plan. He just loved flying. And he loved the business of flying.”
On September 11, 2015, Perwin died in a plane crash in Colombia, South America, during the shooting of the film Mena, starring Tom Cruise. Another pilot was at the controls of the twin-engine Piper Aerostar when it went down in bad weather while attempting to clear the Andes. One other passenger was killed in the crash, though the plane’s pilot survived. Actor Ben Stiller, who worked closely with Purwin during the filming of the hit film Tropic Thunder said, “Alan was one of the best people I knew and the greatest pilot ever. I put my life in his hands many times.” Director Michael Bay said, “Alan was one of the best aerial helicopter pilots in the world. It’s a very small group. He flew camera ships
“ “
ALAN WAS AN AMAZING HUSBAND, AN AMAZING DAD, AN AMAZING FRIEND AND A GIVING, GIVING PERSON. AND I THINK HE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED AS A REALLY BADASS PILOT.
for so many—and for almost every one of my movies. He was one of the most loyal members of my team and a true friend.” Purwin worked on more than 100 films, including the Transformers series, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, and, most spectacularly, in the 2003 The Italian Job, where he piloted a chopper that skirted dangerously through skyscrapers, swept over traffic-jammed streets, raced under a bridge and threaded needle-like through a tunnel as it chased Mark Wahlberg and his Mini Cooper in downtown Los Angeles. All accomplished without CGI technology.
Purwin’s love of flying was inherited from his father, Earl, a North Hollywood transmission shop owner who flew a private Cessna for recreation in his spare time. “Dad flew us all over the place,” says Purwin’s sister, Tina. “And Alan and my other brother Steve got enthusiastic about flying when they were very, very young.” When Alan was five-years-old, he would perch on a stack of pillows to see out the cockpit of his father’s plane. By the time he was 16, Purwin had his own pilot’s license and, encouraged by his father, soon took up flying helicopters, which became his passion. As soon as Alan graduated from high school
he went out to Greenfield, Indiana, working as a helicopter crop duster and flying ten to twelve hours a day. “It was a way build up his flight time,” says his wife Kathryn, a pilot herself, who met Alan in 1987 at the Santa Monica Airport. “That was his real start and how he became familiar with the aircraft.”
Not long after he returned to California, Purwin began working for a helicopter company that took aerial video footage of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Soon thereafter, he entered the film and television industry, flying stunts for such shows as Airwolf and The A-Team. In 1987, Purwin and partner Michael Tamburro co-founded
OPPOSITE: PURWIN ON LOCATION IN KAUAI FILMING TROPIC THUNDER. THE INITIALS EMBLAZONED ON HIS HELMET REPRESENT HIS DAUGHTER AND SON, MICHAELA AND KYLE
THIS PAGE: (CLOCKWISE)
PURWIN LANDING IN MADAGASCAR
READYING TO FLY UNDER A BRIDGE IN DOWNTOWN L.A. WHILE FILMING TRANSFORMERS
PURWIN PUTING IN HIS FLIGHT TIME IN HIS EARLY DAYS AS A CROPDUSTER
ON THE WING OF A JAPANESE ZERO WHILE FILMING PEARL HARBOR
West Coast Helicopters, using their combined funds to purchase a first generation Bell 206 LongRanger helicopter. “Alan and Mike took out a loan to start the business,” remembers Kathryn. “They had one helicopter. One little office. One desk. One phone line. They’d sit at opposite ends of the desk and wait for the phone to ring.” However humble the start, Purwin was in business. Before long, West Coast was providing charter flight services to CEO’s, performing aerial stunts for television and film, and had secured a news contract with KTLA in Los Angeles. “Alan was always looking ahead,” says sister Tina. “He wanted to own his own business. He wanted to do something different. He was going to be the Steve Jobs of helicopters.”
By 1994, Purwin had achieved many of his early goals and West Coast was thriving. Recalls Purwin protégé and now Vice President of Helinet J. T. Alpaugh: “I met Alan in 1994. I was a television news photographer for a local TV station here in L.A. and my employers were looking to go with a new helicopter venture. The news channels here don’t necessarily own their own helicopters, they subcontract out. So I met with this guy and was bowled over. Alan had the uncanny ability to make you feel special, that you were the most important person in the world. But more importantly, he was passionate about what he did and about the industry. He knew his stuff. So I went back to my employers and said, ‘Hey, we need to do business with this guy.’”
But in 1996, tragedy struck. Purwin was at the helicopter controls while filming a commercial near Palmdale, California, when the copter crashed. Purwin survived with minor injuries, but business partner and friend Mike Tamburro was killed. “It was a tragic event and a life changer,” Purwin told the LA Times. “It taught me how fragile life can be and how dangerous this business is.” Says Kathryn Purwin: “The 1996 crash affected Alan profoundly. He lost his business partner and his best friend. Our son was one-year-old at the time of the accident and I was seven months pregnant with our daughter. We named her Michaela in honor of Mike. But those were very dark days. What ultimately got Alan to put aside his grief enough to get out of bed and back to work was his commitment to the men
and women at his company. I know his dedication to all of them was the reason he was able to pull out of the gloom far enough to function and to continue growing the business. Alan’s strength nearly twenty years ago is something I’ve thought of often over the last several months.”
Not long after returning to work following the accident, Purwin received a visit to his office from Judy Sherif, newly appointed head of the emergency transport program at Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. “Our mandate, if there is a sick child, an ill or injured child somewhere in Southern California or in neighboring states is to dispatch a team to pick them up and bring them to Children’s,” says Sherif. “Some of these kids are newborns who are just a few hours old and need a transplant. We get kids who were hit by semi trucks, who are run over in a crosswalk, fall out of a three story window. Horrible things that happen. And we fly them.” Unfortunately, at the time of her visit to Purwin’s office, Children’s Hospital did not have its own helicopter, instead contracting out to a company that did not make the hospital its first priority. “I explained to Alan what we did and how we could not afford to buy a helicopter,” says Sherif. “That we couldn’t pay for the services of a pilot or for fuel. Basically, that we couldn’t pay for any of it. I asked Alan to give us a helicopter. Fully equipped for medical purposes, with highly trained pilots that would be on call 24/7 for us. And I asked him not to charge us anything.”
Purwin’s response flabbergasted the medical professional. Says Sherif: “Alan looked at me for about two seconds and then said to me, ‘Absolutely, I’m on board. I have a brand new helicopter just in. Let’s go out and look at it. It’s yours.’ I was stunned and in a state of disbelief. I almost started crying right there in that office.” In 1998, Purwin purchased Helinet Aviation, merging it with West Coast Helicopters and has since provided Children’s with additional helicopters and full flight support, all for free. “Alan was truly passionate about our mission,” says Sherif. “And he is literally responsible for saving thousands of children’s lives.” After his death, the emergency transport program for Children’s Hospital was renamed in Purwin’s honor as The Alan Purwin Emergency Transport Program.
ALAN WAS ONE OF THE BEST PEOPLE I KNEW AND THE GREATEST PILOT EVER. I PUT MY LIFE IN HIS HANDS MANY TIMES.
-Ben Stiller-
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ALAN WAS TRULY PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR MISSION... AND HE IS LITERALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SAVING THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN’S LIVES.
“ “- Judy Sherif Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles
Purwin’s business entrepreneurship continued to expand; in 2003 purchasing a controlling interest in Cineflex, an aerial-camera startup that developed the first system capable of transmitting high-definition video from a helicopter, in 2012 acquiring ShotOver Camera Systems, which develops aerial camera systems with gyro-stabilized camera platforms and in 2013 founding VideoFort, one of the largest manufacturers of HD and Ultra HD aerial stock footage. In 2005, Purwin provided support to the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security during Hurricane Katrina. He also provided the aerial footage of the storm-zone for all the major news media outlets. “Alan was a first responder to Katrina,” says partner J.T. Alpaugh, who accompanied him. “We flew in with the very first Coast Guard rescue helicopters literally a few hours after the storm had passed through and documented the very first rescues. And we stayed there providing television images to the world for three or four weeks. We also helped with the rescue efforts by finding and directing rescue crews to hundreds of stranded people over that time period. All while keeping the public informed. It was groundbreaking.”
Purwin’s groundbreaking efforts extended to his work in movies, his ability to safely create movie chaos valued like no other in the motion picture industry. “Alan was simply the best guy out there,” says film director F. Gary Gray (Straight Out of Compton). “I’ll never forget when I was shooting The Italian Job. We were sitting on a soundstage going over all the action beats—the studio
producer, the stunt coordinator and Alan. And I wasn’t satisfied with our ending. We kicked around a bunch of ideas and, finally, Alan said, ‘Why don’t we chase Mark Wahlberg’s Mini Cooper through the canyon of buildings in downtown Los Angeles, very close to him and very close to the ground?’ And then he goes and puts the cherry on the cake when he suggested that he could fly a helicopter into a tunnel during the chase. Everybody’s face just dropped like, ‘Are you nuts? What are you talking about?’ And Alan just said, ‘No, no, I can do it. No problem.’ And then he wanted Ed Norton, the star of the movie, to be in that helicopter! I thought, ‘There is no way the studio is going to let that happen!’ But Alan worked everything out meticulously before the filming and it was one of the best movie moments I’ve ever shot. It was also one of the scariest moments I’ve ever shot. But it came off without a hitch. Alan was always willing to push the envelope, but everything was always planned down to the smallest detail. It was all about accomplishing the director’s vision with viable solutions and maximum safety.”
Since his September death, wife Kathryn has involved herself in Helinet to insure that Purwin’s legacy continues. With their two children, Kyle (20) and Michaela (19) in college back east, Kathryn says her goal now is “to make sure that everything Alan built over the last thirty years keeps going.” After a pause, she concludes, “Alan was an amazing husband, an amazing dad, an amazing friend and a giving, giving person. And I think he would also like to be remembered as a really badass pilot.”
Recipes for these three, distinct grilled pizza creations on page 46
Sliding out of a tall wood fired oven on a large peel is the perfect pizza. The slight fire charred edges of the perfect crust, the high heat creating bubbly dough and beautifully melted cheese is the pinnacle in pizza perfection. Sadly, a basic kitchen oven—for many reason—doesn’t do the job nearly as well. A backyard grill, however, is a much closer relative to the real-fire, high-heat cooking of a wood fired pizza oven. The good news is—you probably already own one. A few basic tips and you’ll be able to harness the power of your grill to turn out homemade pizza so good you may never order take out again.
Pizza dough is best made a few days ahead. This will free up time on the day of your event to focus on toppings and side dishes, it will also give you a better flavor and texture. If you’ve run short on time this recipe can also be made in just an hour.
• 3 cups bread flour
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 packet dry active yeast
• 3 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 tablespoons olive oil, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
• ½ teaspoon salt
Yield: 1 Pound
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the bread flour and sugar, stir until well combined. In a microwave safe bowl, add the water. Heat to 110F degrees. Add the yeast and wait 5 minutes or until the yeast foams.
2. Add the yeast and water to the flour and stir until incorporated. Add the milk, 1 tablespoon oil, and salt, beat with the dough hook until no longer sticky and dough gathers around the blade, about 8 minutes. Coat a large bowl with the remaining oil. Add the dough, cover and refrigerate for 12 hours or until doubles in size (for faster dough, cover and allow to rise in a warm room until doubled in size, about an hour. The dough will be ready after this, although the flavor is much more developed with a one to three day cold fermentation in the refrigerator).
3. Punch down the dough and reform into a tight ball. Cover and refrigerate for another 8 to 12 hours and up to 3 days.
Make the dough and prep the ingredients. If you’re making more than one pizza make a list of the ingredients you want on each one, and make sure everything is prepped and ready to go before beginning.
Homemade dough is simple and easy to make, and best made at least one-day prior. If you’re using store bought raw dough it’s best to make sure it’s brought to room temperature before beginning. This will make shaping the dough easier.
Preheat the grill. Pizza cooks best in very hot ovens, most home ovens aren’t able to heat up past 500F. Heat the grill to about 600F for best results. If you want to avoid grill marks (although most people want the grill marks), add a pizza stone rated for very high temperatures onto the grates. Otherwise, the dough will cook just fine on the grill’s grates.
On a lightly floured surface knead the dough and then hand shape into a circle or rectangle that is the best fit for your grill. Make sure you’ll have ample space to cook the dough over direct heat. Avoid rolling pins that over-flatted the dough and remove desirable air bubbles.
Place dough on the grill. Placing the dough on a large cutting board or pizza peel covered with semolina flour or cornmeal works best to transfer the dough from your work surface to the grill. Close the lid and cook until grill marks appear on the bottom, about 4 minutes.
Flip the dough and cook just until the dough firms up on the bottom, about 30 seconds.
Use a large spatula to remove from the grill. Brush the top with olive oil, top your pizza with desired toppings (heavily grilled side up, lightly grilled side down).
Add the topped pizza back on the grill, close the lid and cook until the cheese melts and the dough is cooked on the underside, about 3 minutes. Remove, slice and enjoy!
A little sweetness goes a long way to create a pizza with a large spectrum of flavors. Grab some ripe cherries, some sweet potatoes and top with the fresh taste of chopped basil.
• 1 lbs pizza dough
• 1 large garnet sweet potato, sliced into ½ inch slices
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for dough
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ cup red pizza sauce or marinara
• ¼ cup mozzarella cheese
• 10-12 Bing cherries, pitted and cut into quarters
• 4 leaves of basil, chopped
1. Preheat the grill to medium high (550F to 600F).
2. Add the sweet potato slices to a bowl, drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, toss to coat.
3. Add to the grill, grilling on both sides until slices are softened, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from grill, set aside.
4. On a lightly floured surface knead the dough and then hand shape into a circle or rectangle that is the best fit for your grill. Make sure you’ll have ample space on the grill to cook the dough over direct heat.
5. Place dough on the grill. Placing the dough on a large cutting board or pizza peel covered with semolina flour or cornmeal works best to transfer the dough from your work surface to the grill. Close the lid and cook until grill marks appear on the bottom, about 4 minutes.
6. Flip the dough and cook just until the dough firms up on the bottom, about 30 seconds.
7. Use a large spatula to remove from the grill. Brush the top with olive oil. Spread pizza sauce over the pizza on heavily grilled side (lightly grilled side on the bottom) in an even layer, leaving about 1-inch boarder around the edges. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Add the sweet potatoes and then cherries evenly across the cheese.
8. Add the pizza back on the grill, close the lid and cook until the cheese melts and the dough is cooked on the underside, about 3 minutes. Remove, sprinkle with basil before slicing and serving.
Preheat the grill to medium-high (about 550-600F) for about an hour before cooking.
The addition of stunning little gem-like pomegranate seeds isn’t just for visual appeal. The nice little pop of acid is the prefect compliment to the earthy, creaminess of goat cheese. Top with arugula and balsamic glaze and this might be your new favorite pie.
• 1 lbs pizza dough
• olive oil
• ¼ cup red pizza sauce or marinara
• ¼ cup mozzarella cheese
• 2 oz soft goat cheese, crumbled
• ¼ cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 cup baby arugula
• 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
1. Preheat the grill to medium high (550F to 600F).
2. On a lightly floured surface knead the dough and then hand shape into a circle or rectangle that is the best fit for your grill. Make sure you’ll have ample space on the grill to cook the dough over direct heat.
3. Place dough on the grill. Placing the dough on a large cutting board or pizza peel covered with semolina flour or cornmeal works best to transfer the dough from your work surface to the grill. Close the lid and cook until grill marks appear on the bottom, about 4 minutes.
4. Flip the dough and cook just until the dough firms up on the bottom, about 30 seconds.
5. Use a large spatula to remove dough from the grill. Brush the top with olive oil. Spread pizza sauce over the pizza on heavily grilled side (lightly grilled side on the bottom) in an even layer, leaving about 1-inch boarder around the edges. Sprinkle with mozzarella, then with crumbled goat cheese.
6. Add the pizza back on the grill, close the lid and cook until the cheese melts and the dough is cooked on the underside, about 3 minutes. Remove, sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and arugula, drizzle with balsamic glaze before slicing and serving.
Brush the pizza dough with olive oil, both for flavor and a golden brown sheen after cooking.
Avoid using a rolling pin, instead hand shape the dough to protect the nice air bubbles in the dough.
Make sure the bottom of the dough is only very lightly grilled before removing it to add toppings. It’s going back on the grill!
For a bigger depth of flavor add an ingredient after the grill, like fresh herbs, arugula or chopped fruit.
The addition of stunning little gem-like pomegranate seeds isn’t just for visual appeal. The nice little pop of acid is the prefect compliment to the earthy, creaminess of goat cheese. Top with arugula and balsamic glaze and this might be your new favorite pie.
• 1 large sweet white onion
• 2 tablespoon olive oil, plus additional for dough
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 oz triple cream brie, rind removed, sliced
• 3 ripe apricots, sliced
• 2 wt oz diced pancetta
1. Thinly slice the onions, add to a pot with olive oil, sugar and salt over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions have turn dark and caramelized, about 45 minutes (can be made several days in advance).
2. Preheat the grill to medium high (550F to 600F).
3. On a lightly floured surface knead the dough and then hand shape
into a circle or rectangle that is the best fit for your grill. Make sure you’ll have ample space on the grill to cook the dough over direct heat.
4. Place dough on the grill. Placing the dough on a large cutting board or pizza peel covered with semolina flour or cornmeal works best to transfer the dough from your work surface to the grill. Close the lid and cook until grill marks appear on the bottom, about 4 minutes.
5. Flip the dough and cook just until the dough firms up on the bottom, about 30 seconds.
6. Use a large spatula to remove dough from the grill. Brush the top with olive oil. Spread caramelized onions over the pizza on heavily grilled side (lightly grilled side on the bottom) in an even layer, leaving about 1-inch boarder around the edges. Layer sliced brie on top of the onions, top with apricot slices, sprinkle with pancetta.
7. Add the pizza back on the grill, close the lid and cook until the cheese melts and the dough is cooked on the underside, about 3 minutes.
Talia Kleinplatz By
Don’t be fooled by the color, folks. This drink comes with a kick.
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There is this strange period between January and March when I long for warmer weather and Pina Coladas, but the days remain a bit too cold and short to indulge in such summery libations. But without fail, the third month of the year rolls around, the trees start to bloom, the crocuses begin to peek through the soil and I can see the hint of a daiquiri in my future. Spring cocktails always feel so hopeful. They
allude to long days and backyard BBQs, to leaving the windows open all day and savouring sunshine well into the evening. So as the frost begins to melt and the subtle hints of spring come into bloom, I start to reach for a bottle of rum, some mint and a few limes in anticipation of warmer days to come. Here are a couple of my favorite spring cocktails that tend to come out of hibernation around this time of year.
A few months ago, my husband and I stumbled upon an amazing local syrup company and we decided to play with the product in our cocktails. We were immediately struck by a hibiscus syrup which held a stunning magenta hue and gave off bright, floral notes. We combined this with rum, lemon and BBQ bitters which finished with a hint of spice. Don’t be fooled by the color, folks. This drink comes with a kick.
• 1.5 oz Havana Club 3 Year
• 3/4 oz lemon juice
• 3/4 oz Hibiscus Syrup
• 1/2 oz Simple Syrup,
• 10 drops of Bitter End Memphis BBQ Bitters
Shake all ingredients over ice and strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a beautiful flower of your choice.
Say what you will about this classic cocktail. It’s delicious. Over the past few years, I’ve heard whispers of an industry hatred towards this minted, rum-filled libation. Perhaps because it was overordered in the 90’s. Perhaps because it’s a labourintensive drink to make. But every spring I consider it my personal mission to bring back the Mojito. My current favorite iteration comes from Death and Co which leaves out the soda and adds a dash of Angostura. It’s bright, it’s refreshing, and it’s perfect sipper on a warm, spring evening.
• 6 Mint Leaves
• 3/4 oz Simple Syrup
• 2 oz Rum
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• 2 drops of Angostura Bitters
In a shaker, gently muddle the mint and simple syrup. Add the rest of your ingredients and shake over ice. Pour into a double rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
WITH UNIQUE FEATURES AND INNOVATIVE NEW TREATMENTS, BURKE WILLIAMS BEYOND THE SPA AT THE VILLAGE AT WESTFIELD TOPANGA OFFERS GUESTS A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF PERSONALIZED LUXURY
Written by Sydney Easton Photography by Tessa NeustadtHere’s a quick trivia question for you. What is the name of the original urban day spa, which opened in 1984? Don’t know? Don’t worry, neither did I. Turns out it was none other than Burke Williams, a family owned business with ten locations throughout California. Over the last three decades, Burke Williams has become the gold standard in day spa experiences, having refined and perfected the art of relaxation. I was thrilled to learn about their new location at The Village at Westfield Topanga. Being a lifestyle reporter, I felt compelled to investigate in order to bring readers the low down on this high luxe retreat. And so, I spent a Saturday doing “research”. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it. I had previously not visited The Village because I’d heard the parking was a nightmare, so I feel I should mention that even on a weekend during prime shopping hours, the second level of the parking garage, which is right by the entrance to Burke Williams, had plenty of available spaces. I walked through the doors and was greeted by the spa receptionist who signed me in, showed me to my locker, gave me a robe
and sandals in my size, and took me on a tour of the facilities. There are several lounge areas, sauna and steam rooms, and two hot tubs, one social and one quiet, which is appropriately named the “Midnight Spa”. It even has “stars” in the ceiling! If you have time, I urge you to take advantage of all of these amenities when visiting.
The space has a very open and airy feel. The design is an interpretation of a Hamptons beach house, which to me really defines the spirit of Burke Williams: timeless, elegant, and inviting. The spa offers a wide variety of treatments. There are of course, classics like the Nourishing Facial, and Shiatsu, and Swedish massage. But there are also amazing new and innovative experiences like the Radience Facial that combines H2V’s strongest antioxidants with micro-current technology and a steam mani pedi, which not only feels great, it saves a ton of water. For my personal “research” I enjoyed the “Emilee’s Infused” signature body treatment. It’s an amazing combination of a hydrating body wrap and a stress reducing massage complete with organic honey infused with rosemary. So basically, 75 minutes of pure bliss.
ONE OF THE UNIQUE FEATURES OF BURKE WILLIAMS’ NEW WOODLAND HILLS LOCATION IS THE CUSTOM BLEND BAR, WHERE AN AROMATHERAPIST CAN CREATE A PERSONALIZED BALM WITH THE GUEST’S SPECIFIC INTENTIONS IN MIND
ABOVE: GUESTS ENJOY THE RESTORATIVE EFFECTS OF HYDROTHERAPY WHEN THEY ADD A SPA BATH TO THEIR BURKE WILLIAMS EXPERIENCE.
RIGHT: THE BURKE WILLIAMS IN HOUSE BLOW DRY BAR MEANS AFTER A DAY OF PAMPERING, GUESTS DON’T JUST FEEL LIKE A MILLION BUCKS, THEY LOOK LIKE IT, TOO.
The Woodland Hills location offers a few features that currently no other Burke Williams does. There’s the Custom Blend Bar, where an alchemist concocts a mixture of essential oils just for you. Each scent has a specific intention for a truly personalized aromatherapy experience. There are literally 10,000 different combinations for lotions, massage oils, bath salts and more. These blends are available for purchase to use during services at the spa, and also to take home. There is a Garden Room that is practically a spa within the spa. Guests can choose from a menu of different “mini treatments” and enjoy them in a more social environment. The third unique feature of the Woodland Hills location is absolute genius; there’s a blow dry bar within the spa. That’s right. No more leaving the spa looking like you got stuck in a wind tunnel. If the treatments were the ice cream sundae, then the professional blow dry before leaving was the cherry on top. Of course, if you want to DIY, the locker rooms are fully equipped with lighted mirrors, hair dryers, products and an assortment of personal care accouterments.
Burke Williams at The Village is absolutely amazing and I will definitely be going back. It’s beyond conveniently located, and every bit as decadent as a resort spa, if not more so. The fact that there’s excellent shopping and dining right outside the doors only adds to the appeal. The only thing better than a day at Burke Williams, is a day at Burke Williams topped of with some delicious sushi. All that pampering works up quite an appetite, so I strolled over to Katsuya with my dewy skin and freshly blown out locks. I went home feeling completely recharged. I not only will go back to Burke Williams Beyond the Spa soon, I’m seriously considering becoming a member. With a variety of different membership packages starting at $89, there’s no better way to ensure a little “me time” to relax, refresh, and rejuvenate.
Burke Williams Day Spa
Village at Westfield Topanga 6256 Topanga Canyon Blvd Suite 2250 Woodland Hills 818-200-0260
WITHOUT EVER PACKING A BAG ONE CAN INDULGE IN TREATMENTS TRADITIONALLY RESERVED FOR A DESTINATION SPADEBBIE SUTZ WITH HER OWN DOGS, SANDY, SADIE, MARLA & PUMPKIN (Lying down)
Debbie Sutz has what she describes as a gift for healing rescue dogs from the traumas many have suffered. She calls it ‘loving them back to normal’ and over the past five years has taken over 450 abandoned and unwanted dogs into her Hidden Hills home, showered them with love and attention and given them a second chance at life.
Although a dog lover all her life, Debbie never expected to run a rescue operation. A real estate broker with her own company, Lighthouse Properties, her first rescue was in adopting her own dog, Sandy, from Whitney Caldwell, a passionate animal advocate who has saved thousands of dogs and runs Venice Rescue. The two soon became friends and Whitney encouraged
They love unconditionally. They do not hold a grudge, and it’s very rare that a dog is passed a saving point.
-Debbie Sutz “ “
RIGHT: SADIE CLAIMS THIS IS HER GOOD SIDE AND WILL ONLY ALLOW PHOTOS FROM THIS ANGLE.
BELOW: MARLA “HOARDS” HER FOOD, A SURVIVAL HABIT LEFT OVER FROM HER DAYS OF BEING SHELTERED IN LARGE POPULATIONS OF DOGS.
Debbie to start fostering dogs. “I was an accidental dog rescuer,” Debbie recalled. “I always had a passion for dogs, but then I also had time on my hands so the pieces came together unexpectedly.”
Debbie soon became known in the real estate community as “The Dog Rescuer.” “The market was so bad at that time that people were losing their houses right and left,” Debbie said. “Real estate agents would call me and say ‘I just walked into this house. It’s bank-owned and there are four dogs in the back yard’. Or ‘there’s a dog and a cat locked in the garage with no food and water’. It was crazy.”
People started bringing dogs to Debbie’s house for her to foster. Before she knew it she had a network of contacts in the rescue community, people who kept tabs on animal shelters or scoured Craig’s List for ads about unwanted dogs. She also got access to the “euth list”, a list of dogs about to be euthanized. “I would get 30 to 40 pictures of dogs that were going to be euthanized that day. I would get calls and emails and I would say, ‘okay, I’ll take your dogs.”
She took dogs from across Southern California and as far afield as Mexico; at one point she had over 40 animals. Some would be fine and able to go straight to a new home. Others were traumatized: shut down, malnourished, terrified. “They’re hiding in the corner and they’re peeing on themselves,” Debbie said. “They don’t know how to operate in a family.”
Getting a dog with the right home ensures that it will be there forever home, so Debbie would “temperament test” every animal and get to know them. Some would only be with her for an hour. Others stayed six months before they were ready for a new family. And even if there are early signs of uneven temperment, most every dog gets a chance. “I can love any dog back to health,” she says. “I have a special gift of loving animals back to normal. Living in a pack they become normal, they learn how to live in a family.”
And it’s this very belief in second chances and redemption that likely keeps Debbie doing what she’s doing. “Dogs are a higher form of life than we are,” says Debbie. “They are more evolved, maybe not intellectually – they’re not building rocket ships – but they’re more tunedin emotionally than we are. They are kinder and gentler and they are everything that we should be.” And as the dogs jump into her lap for a quick photo she adds reflectively, “There’s a saying, ‘be the person your dog thinks you are,’ and if you can be who your dogs thinks you are, if you can walk in the world and act the
way your dog would act, then I think the world would be a better place.”
Debbie will microchip the dogs of Hidden Hills residents for free. For more information about Hidden Hills Rescue to help or donate, contact Debbie at: 310-874-4799 or debbiesutz@gmail.com
Once the very force that kept parents at odds with their angst-ridden teenagers, music, both modern and old-school, has for the first time become the great connector. Widely accepted by all ages, there is no
stigma held with listening to rock or pop music anymore. The melding of music streaming accounts spread across a family’s various devices has exposed the old to the new, and the young to the classic. The resurgence of the popularity of vinyl has kids with even the most extreme ADD listening to entire albums, rather than
“Music itself is going to become like running water or electricity. So it’s like, just take advantage of these last few years because none of this is ever going to happen again. You’d better be prepared for doing a lot of touring because that’s really the only unique situation that’s going to be left. It’s terribly exciting. But on the other hand it doesn’t matter if you think it’s exciting or not; it’s what’s going to happen.”
-David Bowieskipping around the moment a song’s hook is not sticky enough. The genrepigeonholing nature of the local radio station has become subordinated by the endless stations of SiriusXM, Pandora and Spotify. It is a great leveling of extremes. The art has transcended almost every base-level medium, for better or worse,
and for the artists, this accessibility can be a blessing or a curse, depending upon whom you ask. However, there is one truth to which all will agree; in the age of hyper-accessibility, touring is everything. It is in this great universe of interconnection and blurred barriers where the evolution of the music festival
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KIDZ BOP SHMIDZ BOP. PARENTS OF THE NEW GENERATION REALIZE TO APPRECIATE THE POWER OF MUSIC, ONE ONLY NEEDS TO BE IMMERSED IN IT
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FROM ABC’S TO THE LBC. A YOUNG FAN CAPTURES SNOOP DOGG ON HIS SNAP CHAT
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HIDDEN HILLS RESIDENT JULIE HAINER REVELS IN THE MAGIC THAT IS THE AUSTIN CITY LIMITS MUSIC FESTIVAL
From 60’s Woodstock to 90’s Lollapalooza, to benefit models like Live Aid, music festivals featuring the top acts of the age have had a place in our collective culture for decades. Today, they are not only a feeding ground for high spirits, endorphins, and grossly overpriced water bottles, but also a melting pot of modern culture. While a concert for a single artist can sometimes attract a singular minded type of fan, the diversity of acts and experiences that any one of the ever-growing number of festivals bring together has allowed otherwise polarized groups of people to gather in a like-minded harmony. Yes, there are definitely huge, musically charged events that survive within their own distinct niches-- events like Made In America (aimed at hip hop fans), Lightning In A Bottle (geared towards an audience of modern hippies), and Wacken Open Air (a metal festival) are all pulling their own distinct subsets of music culture, but festivals like Coachella,
has come of age. FROM COUNTERCULTUREBottlerock Napa and Austin City Limits each span the spectrum of age, race, status and almost every music sensibility or personal label one can imagine. These massive music events that cater to people of every generation have further helped to bridge the divide between parents and children. While music today has become a connector for families Photo: anthony roberts Photo: Chris Tuite Photo: Chris Tuite
that divide will probably never fully go away (and debateably never should), at least these family-friendly festivals have helped give parents and their kids a common ground in which they can all dance. Like a musical camping trip where your neighbors are Snoop Dogg, Robert Plant & Cage the Elephant, these gatherings are a celebration of both nostalgia and discovery all packed into one big weekend (or sometimes two).
Yet as the popularity of festivals continues to grow, at some point, the laws of supply and demand kick in. Amenities and refinements emerge and prices skyrocket. It has become a status indicator—something a young person (or their parents) will pay handsomely for, just to get that
coveted #Coachella selfie on their instagram feed. An ironic twist when you consider that Coachella in part owes its origin to a 1993 concert that Pearl Jam performed at the Empire Polo Club in defiance of ticket monopolies and price gouging. Now owned by Goldenvoice, a division of AEG, Coachella.com boasts packages like “Tent + VIP (for four),” which includes VIP passes and a “fully pitched ‘ready to go’ 12×14 foot safari-styled tent equipped with 4 cots, 4 sleeping bags and 4 Pillows. The price$5,200. Bottlerock Napa is not far behind, offering VIP tickets with various amenities like sky-deck access, a shaded viewing area and front(ish) of crowd positioning, there is also the “Platinum” option which puts you in a barricaded section right at the very front of the sea of thousands. The price for that 3 day pass - $3,100 per person.
RIGHT ZELLA DAY, WHO’S NEXT FESTIVAL APPEARANCE WILL BE AT COACHELLA, WAS ‘HYPNOTIC’ AT BOTTLEROCK 2015.
BELOW: THE VIP TENT AT BOTTLEROCK NAPA.
BOTTOM: GLAMPING IT UP IN TEE-PEES AT COACHELLA
Hidden Hills resident, Julie Hainer, a lover of music with a like-minded family certainly sees the value in such packages. She has been taking her teens-to-early-twenties kids to concerts “since they were babies.” Recently, a diverse assortment of top-notch artists ranging from (Hidden Hills’ own) Drake to the Foo Fighters, to Florence and the Machine enticed them to splurge a bit on an Austin City Limits 3-day Platinum pass. “They take you around the whole festival in a golf cart, into your private tent and then when the concert goes on, they literally take you right up to the front row and walk you right up,” says Hainer with a tinge of disbelief. “You get to hang out in the artists lounge with the artists, all the food is catered, there are bars, you’re in the shade. It’s well worth every penny.” At that, those who may not have the means for such an indulgence may raise an eyebrow at the extreme nature of it all, but they would be missing the point. For families like the Hainers, the value is ultimately in the experience they are able to share with one another. The added access and transportation of the high-end option allowed them to see exponentially more performances where others may have been trudging through the crowd to try and make it to an act on another stage. “Discovering bands together is really a cool thing. Realizing, ‘wow, I can love the same music my 15 year old loves’ and introduce them to music I loved at their age,” muses Hainer. “It’s really priceless.”
Barry Rudin, owner of Barry’s Tickets, which offers its clients festival tickets, has personally seen the demand for premium experiences evolve. “VIP tickets for Coachella have become much more popular,” says Rudin. “And the Artists Passes are in high, high, high demand. People will pay almost anything for those tickets because they give you special access and if you really want to see a headliner, this guarantees you will be upfront, right where it’s all happening.”
With all these refinements emerging, purists, even some music industry veterans, will be quick to call out a disconnect from what it was all about. “I think most festivals have
shifted from being sort of organic to being synergistic corporate marketing opportunities, right down to the outfits you’re supposed to wear.” Jill Glass, Hidden Hills resident and retired senior VP of A&M Records says, comparing her experience at the second Woodstock to what she knows about the original incarnation. Though it’s an older example, it’s an excellent one: the proverbial “man” got wind of the magic that was Woodstock, and looked to replicate it.
However, it is also a generally accepted rule that without profitability, things go away, and it could stand to reason that if festivals were run against the earlier “business models,” there wouldn’t be many to go to today. “More often than not, the kids simply broke down the fences and they became free festivals,” says Elliot Easton, guitarist for The Cars and sixties rock enthusiast. Yet Easton is clearly hip to the shift in how things are handled today. “In this age, the price of tickets would prohibit many young people from attending on their own. So festival promoters and the modern rock festival in general has wisely expanded their demographic reach to include music lovers of all ages,” adds Easton.
Ultimately, there is a reason these perceived (by some) “sell-outs” sell out If you love music and people and art and culture (“popular” or “counter”) the experience at a good music festival is unparalleled. They bring an energy and a sense of oneness among thousands that can’t be manufactured. Bottlerock Napa, for one, is a three-day celebration of world-class music, food, wine and art. Extremely family-friendly, Bottlerock even has a park-like “family zone” where parents and toddlers can take a break from the crowd, chill on the grass, or climb into an art installation. As for music, this year’s line-up (May 27th - 29th) features the likes of X Ambassadors, Death Cab for Cutie, Walk the Moon, Lenny Kravitz, Houndmouth and dozens of other acts, with Stevie Wonder, Florence and the Machine and The Red Hot Chili Peppers headlining each night. Coachella 2016 will at long last bring together Guns ‘n’ Roses for their first live performance together since 1993, headlining a diverse roster which spans a spectrum of pop, rock, EDM and alternative acts like BØRNS, Chvrches, Cold War Kids, Disclosure, LCD Soundsystem, Calvin Harris and Zella Day, who has also played Bottlerock and Lollapalooza. Zella’s
mom, Ana Kerr, has had the unique perspective of experiencing these festivals from the artist’s point of view. Another mom who has raised her two girls with not only a love for music and art, but the encouragement to pursue it, Kerr sees the crowds a bit differently than the average concert goer. “It is amazing to watch someone you love so much fulfill their need to share music,” Kerr reflects. “I always love to watch and listen to Zella play, now I get to watch others connect. I wish all parents could experience so many people at one time loving and connecting with their kid; wow.”
In the end, would hope that this kind openness and connection between fans and the artists would be the strongest argument to offset even the most cynical critic of the mainstream. Regardless of your take, whether it is Coachella or Made In America, Austin City Limits or Lollapalooza, all are inarguably aligned with the spirit of what makes music so universally appealing. There is something for everybody, whether blasted through earbuds or consumed in a sea of sweaty, exuberant people eating watermelon... And really, what could be better than that?
I’ll shoot anything. As long as I can capture the moment, or create one, I’ll shoot anything.”
Passionate photographer Malcolm Van Halen shines brighter than his impressive list of accomplishments and accolades—first and foremost, he is a humble, soft-spoken, driven person and this comes across within moments of meeting him. Only after this is it worth noting that he is only sixteen years old, or the fact that his blood runs thick with the stuff of rock legend, courtesy of his father, drummer,
Alex Van Halen. I got to sit down with Malcolm in the Van Halen’s beautiful family home and discuss everything from where his passion for photography stems from, to going on tour with his dad, to what the future might hold and how big a part his skill may play.
“Photography started with my brother. I picked up his camera one day when I was younger and I just had fun with it. My mom pushed the arts when I was younger, too. I went to an arts school as a kid and it was
all about creativity and just being a kid.”
Malcolm modestly speaks to how he was not formally
Most of the photography I’ve seen in art shows is incredibly hard to reproduce. It takes so much time and effort put in for just one shoot, it’s crazy.
trained in school, but really researched the craft and played with different kinds of subjects to start
out with. It seems like horsepower was apart of the mix from the very start, pun intended. His first subjects were horses and cars, but, like a true artist, he says, “I’ll shoot anything that draws my eye.” Van Halen spends his days mostly at school and doing homework, finding time to shoot on weekends when he goes to car conventions with his dad.
I ask him about living in a community chalk full of the most beautiful cars around. From restored vintage classics, to pristine
LEFT: A SELF PORTRAIT BY MALCOLM
BELOW: “UNCLE ED” VAN HALEN, FROM THE BAND’S OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM, PHOTOGRAPHED AND CURATED BY MALCOLM.
A VINTAGE RIDE IN MIXED LIGHT
DAD, ALEX, AT THE OFFICE
A TRICKED-OUT PRIUS (YES... A PRIUS)
“ “
modern masterpieces, Hidden Hills contains one of the most outrageous and eclectic spreads of models and makes around. But no, Malcolm has an eye for something a little less flashy. “I love the cars here [in Hidden Hills], but honestly, they’re not really my thing. I really like shooting Subarus.” I was surprised by this, I thought a boy surrounded all his life by the most perfect representations of the automobile would not even think to capture the low-riding Japanese productions, but he explains that he likes playing with the photograph: he can make a souped up, tricked out Subaru look like a modest older model, and visa versa. He says the greater range in quality, shape and size from the company’s creations makes for an interesting focus. Of course, he wouldn’t say no to a few minutes with one of the many Range Rovers, Porsches, or Mustangs seen flying regularly around town.
But cars aren’t Malcolm’s only subjects.
He spent the summer of his sixteenth year traveling with Van Halen on their North American tour, taking pictures of the band both behind the scenes and onstage.
“The first few nights I got nothing; it was all overexposed, harsh lighting, it just didn’t look good. It was a lot of trial and error. But I Googled a few things, tried a few set ups, and eventually got into it.” He talks about having to combat blown out photos and mastering the art of night photography at the same time, as well as the obvious challenge of shooting quickly moving subjects after so much focus on still objects. But his efforts proved successful as the official 2015 tour Instagram boasts vibrant, sharp images of all the members of the
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LEFT: MOTORIZED MUSES - DRIVEN BY HIS FASCINATION WITH CARS, MALCOLM SPENDS A LOT OF TIME AT CAR SHOWS TO FIND NEW SUBJECTS FOR HIS ART
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THE AUTHOR WITH FIVE OTHER LUCKY JOURNALISTS GOT TO EXPERIENCE FIRST-HAND HOW WINE CAN BE PART OF A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. LAKE GARDA, ITALY
Up until recently, I could count on two fingers the number of times I’d been wine tasting. But then, I was invited by Mezzacorona Winery to come to Northern Italy during the harvest season to learn about the winemaking process and meet the people behind their labels (they have Cliffhanger and Rotari, as well as Mezzacorona). My interest was piqued, and who
wouldn’t want to spend harvest season in the Italian Alps, picking grapes, and frolicking with other journalists? So, I packed a bag and off I went, first to Verona, where I was treated to an amazing welcome dinner (and wine) and my first opera ever, Aida, which was performed in a real coliseum. Afterwards, I took a quick walk to see Juliet’s famed balcony and enjoy a scoop of gelato. Okay, two.
The following day we were off to the Trentino Alto Aldige region and Mezzacorona Winery where the head wine maker gave us a very, very thorough tour that began where the tractors brought in the freshly picked grapes and ended several hours later, where the wine was aging in oak barrels. I had no idea how much was involved. I also had no idea that there wouldn’t be people barefoot stomping grapes ala I Love Lucy.
I didn’t stomp any grapes, but I did get to pick some, and that was a magical experience. It’s harder than one would think. Mezzacorona is a big winery with 1,500 different growers who are mostly families. Grandparents, their children, and their grandchildren were all picking grapes together in the sun. It was an honor to be along side them and to experience how much human connection there is to the land and to the grapes that
ultimately become the wine.
I am not a wine snob, and to be honest, I’ve always tried to avoid wine snobs in general. I couldn’t tell you the meaning of any of the terminology they use. You won’t hear me referring to the different wines as having tannins, or being oaky, buttery, or having notes of this, that, or the other. But after a few healthy tastes of the various wines, I noticed that they spoke to me in a different way. I could think of a character that reflected the flavor and body—the personality—--of each of the different wines. It seemed to amuse the people at the winery anyways, and I had a great time elaborating on how
a particular sparkling white just was like that impossibly elegant, slightly older cousin who always looked fabulous, and who you always secretly wanted to be just like when you grew up. And of course, there was that deliciously deep and thought provoking red, serious enough to take seriously, but not so serious as not to have an amazing sense of humor. I dubbed that one “George Clooney in a bottle”.
The trip was designed to demonstrate just how integral wine can be to a healthy lifestyle. We hiked the Dolomite Mountains in a rainstorm and were shivering and sopping wet when we reached the refuge. We bonded over the
experience and warmed up with hot pasta and fruit and cheese and of course, wine. We spent a sunnier day on Lake Garda, enjoying the beautiful scenery, the feeling of the boat speeding out across the water, the sounds of the locals enjoying the rocky beach along the shore. We had great conversation, healthy appetizers and, you guessed it, wine. We had several decadent dinners at restaurants in Verona, Trento, and in the wine cellar at Rotari, the label that includes that delicious sparkling white I mentioned earlier, all made more memorable and joyous by the wines we drank together.
And so I spent the time in Italy
eating, sipping, laughing, and learning to embrace my inner wine snob. Because, the truth is, wine is all about people and mixing and sharing and celebrating. It’s not snobby at all! It was the wine that brought the group I was with together, five journalists from three different parts of the country, all focused on different types of reporting, but all there to learn and grow, experience the music, delicacies, sights, and sounds of Italy in late summer. By the way, if I could put the entire trip in a bottle, it’d be Mezzacorona’s signature wine, a Wine Enthusiast 2015 Best Buy, a 2014 pinot grigio; crisp, very slightly sweet, and deliciously
memorable. It made me feel like I was always only a glass away from turning every day into something spectacular. I know I can’t jump on a plane to Italy every time I want that feeling back, but I certainly can open a bottle of wine on a random Tuesday evening. Cheers to that, and to you this spring. May you spend it with friends and family, brought together in laughter and love, and if the mood strikes, perhaps, George Clooney in a bottle.
HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HANDSON (LITERALLY) DURING HARVEST WAS AN INTRODUCTION TO JUST HOW MUCH PERSONAL ATTENTION GOES INTO EVERY STEP OF THE WINEMAKING PROCESS
take my kids to soccer games and pick them up from school because they knew what it was like to start your own business, and the effort it took to be successful in business” said Mumford, “I thank God for that Hidden Hills directory and that I could flip it open anytime, it truly is the best place to raise your kids.”
The Hidden Hills community was an integral part of Mumford’s journey, and ironically enough, provided her with the opportunity to expand her business internationally. While Rachel was a resident in Hidden Hills, one of her neighbors had friends who arrived from Norway to vacation in Southern California.
While the people from Norway were staying next door, Mumford extended an invite to accompany her at a Barry’s Bootcamp class. Soon thereafter, Mumford received an offer to master-franchise the company in Norway, therefore extending Barry’s boundaries overseas. The Barry’s Bootcamp phenomenon had officially opened up in Bergen, Oslo, and Fana, Norway.
As of now, there are 21 locations that comprise the Barry’s Bootcamp franchise. Another location is being added to the
roster in the Upper East Side of New York in February, along with five others by the end of 2016, which include studios in Miami, Washington D.C., and London, resulting in 27 Barry’s Bootcamp’s...For now...
Each facility adapts to the environment it is placed in, while West Hollywood is more rugged with a street-scene vibe, the Hollywood location holds true with a glamorous, old-movie star feeling to it. Every detail is accounted for, including jars of hair-ties for women who might have forgotten their own at home. If that was not a thoughtful enough gesture, Barry’s also provides plastic bags with their logo on it to carry home soaking- wet clothes from a rigorous class.
“The real secret to a successful brand is the community that you build,” stated Mumford. There are many people aspiring to achieve success, however, many fail in the process; Mumford is an awe-inspiring success story. Mumford has achieved the success so many people strive for because she never reduced her jog, no matter the incline, right, left, right, left, right, left.
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band, caught in iconic moments captured forever by Malcolm’s camera. An account manned by Malcolm himself, the pictures (all by him unless otherwise stated) are of a professional grade, no doubt about it.
As an afterthought, I ask, “Who did you hang out with when you weren’t photographing the shows?” With a shy smile, he says, “Just the security guards and my parents, mostly. And a few of my friends came out to the shows in LA.” At this, Malcolm shares the feeling of being so close and desensitized to something, but seeing it light up the faces of the people closest to him in awe brings some perspective… or just set in stone how weird it is that it’s completely normal, a feeling I tell him I can certainly identify with in my own life. Looking around the Van Halen’s home, I spot some beautiful photography and distinguished paintings. “Are any of these yours?” I ask Malcolm. “Unfortunately, no. I don’t have anything up in the house. I wish I did,” he says. But his mother’s taste in art certainly influenced Malcolm’s eye, as he spent many hours going to art shows with her and studying
the mastery of professional artists and photographers.
“Going to those shows definitely changes my perspective.
I’ve tried some forms of photography that I’ve seen but most of the photography I’ve seen in art shows is incredibly hard to reproduce. It takes so much time and effort put in for just one shoot, it’s crazy.”
But Malcolm doesn’t have his sights set on his own art show.
He wants to focus more on being featured in car magazines, specialized social media, and recognition by big names in the automotive world.
Still, he maintains that photography is mostly a hobby.
I ask Malcolm where he sees himself in five years, and he speaks earnestly about wanting to get into entertainment management. “Where does photography play into that plan,” I ask.
“Pretty much where it already is – as a hobby on weekends, going to car shows and just for fun.” Malcolm has a bright future ahead of him, as his ‘just for fun’ hobby has already taken him further than many accomplished adults.
Hi! My name is Tommy Haflinger! I am a 14 year old Haflinger gelding. I enjoy meeting new people, learning tricks and taking dressage lessons from Marilyn Meadows Bernstein. Stop by and visit me and my brother Ziggy (he’s a miniature horse, but don’t tell him I told, he is still waiting for his growth spurt to kick in). I love living in Hidden Hills because I get to meet lots of friendly people. See y’all really soon and keep that fan mail coming! (If you prefer social media you can write on my Facebook page: Tommy Haflinger the Talking Horse).
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
PHOTO: Marilyn Meadows Photography
East Coast tradition and quality exude from this superbly built and beautifully updated Hidden Hills masterpiece! Highest caliber features throughout include vaulted and beamed ceilings in the main living areas, finely crafted wood floors, leaded glass windows and French doors throughout. This spacious floor plan includes all the amenities you could dream of including an elegant grand staircase, oversized family room with huge stone fireplace and wood-encased wet bar, formal dining room, custom butler’s pantry, underground wine cellar and office. The newly updated chefs kitchen include solid classic cream cabinetry with stone counters, newer stainless steel Thermador appliances and two center islands perfect for preparing fine meals to be enjoyed in the adjacent breakfast room, formal dining room or al fresco. Upstairs, the master bedroom suite is complete with fireplace, generous closets, gorgeous newly remolded stone bath and finishes, sauna and huge adjacent room with its own separate bath and entry. Relax outdoors or entertain guests with the sparkling beach entry pool and spa, covered patio areas and barbeque station in the lush garden complete with towering mature trees. Other amenities include a circular stone driveway and ample parking all in a highly coveted double cul de sac location. This is truly a home to be enjoyed and treasured for years to come.
opportunity to enjoy the bucolic Hidden Hills community and lifestyle! This renovated five bedroom, four bath contemporary farm style ranch is nestled up its own private drive on over one acre of expansive, manicured grounds. The sun bathed light & bright single story home boasts a comfortable open floor plan perfect for daily living and a great flow for entertaining. The generous great room features vaulted ceilings , wide planked wood floors & easy access to outdoor gardens. The newer kitchen, which opens to both the breakfast nook & family room is tastefully updated with stainless appliances and Carrera marble counters. The master bedroom suite features an inviting master bath, cozy seating area & huge updated closet. There are 3 other bedrooms nearby in this wing and an additional private guest bedroom and bath on the opposite side of the home as well. The sparkling pool, play area and outdoor barbecue complete this amazing property. Plenty of room for equestrian facilities on this wonderful property. Not to be missed!
This rare, mostly one-story architectural estate is located on one of the best streets in Hidden Hills. Featured in a design magazine and close to 8,000 square feet of sundrenched, open, and elegant living space, this home boasts 7 bedrooms, 7.5 bathrooms, an airy art studio/ bonus room, an office with built-in desks and storage, and a decadent art deco movie theater complete with state-of-the-art equipment and luxury seating for 12. The newly remodeled custom kitchen is a gourmet’s dream featuring an extra large center island, wine fridge, prep sink, and top-of-the-line appliances including a massive in-wall refrigerator and freezer, and an additional refrigerator and freezer discreetly hidden within classically designed, custom built-in furniture in the separate breakfast room. The large formal dining room is perfect for holiday gatherings and dinner parties, and the expansive grand living room boasts a wood beamed cathedral ceiling, marble fireplace, and wall of glass that opens onto a covered patio outfitted with speakers and heater lamps for year-round entertaining. The master suite is a private retreat with it’s own covered patio, fireplace, walk in closets, and spa quality bathroom with steam shower and soaking tub. The home features hand hewn walnut floors, a library, and six en-suite bedrooms on the lower level. The movie theater is located upstairs along with a private guest suite, den, balcony, full bath and powder room. The newly landscaped yard has grassy play areas and mature trees, a fruit orchard, a stacked stone outdoor kitchen, pool and spa with sheer descent water feature, and multiple seating areas. The property is uniquely situated to enjoy both valley and bucolic Ahmanson Ranch sunrise and sunset views. Do not miss your opportunity to own this truly one-of-a-kind Hidden Hills estate!
Casual elegance meets tradition in this fabulous residence in beautiful Hidden Hills. The large covered front porch provides the perfect welcome to this five bedroom, 4.5 bath home tucked away on a quiet private driveway off of one of the most desirable streets in Hidden Hills. Close to 4,000 square feet, this home features two fireplaces, step down living room, formal dining room, and a wide open common area complete with a chef’s dream kitchen with oversized center island, high-end appliances, and gorgeous granite countertops, a breakfast nook with bay window, and a family room with a cozy fireplace and built in entertainment center and surround sound. Entertainer’s back yard with a grassy area, patio, pool, spa, and built in fire pit. Lower yard features a variety of fruit trees, patio, barn with chicken coop, turnout/corral, two storage buildings, and a big flat grassy yard perfect for outdoor entertaining.
Inspired by the great turn-of-the-century summer estates in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Newly completed Tanglewood Farms captures the grace and refinement of a bygone era. Set in a bucolic valley, this shingle-sided farmhouse nestled in the heart of Hidden Hills encompassing over 2 acres is styled with entertaining in mind, merging the best of New England charm and California informality.
Offered at $9,250,000
This beautifully finished Hidden Hills estate has been extensively remodeled and expanded. Spanning apx. 8,300 square feet of luxury living, features include a grand two-story entry, spectacular gourmet kitchen, Wolf range & large center island, formal dining room with hardwood floors & cove lighting, living room designed as an entertainers lounge with cathedral ceilings, back-lit Onyx fireplace, wet bar, a wine tasting room with custom controlled wine walls, two private offices, and all en-suite bedrooms, including the luxurious master with fireplace, all stone bath, soaking tub and magnificent custom closet with make-up counter & dressing area. There is also a custom built, approx. 800 square foot cabana with outdoor kitchen, fireplace, dining area, music and television, plus a large, custom built dog kennel/hotel, ideal for pet lovers. The lush private grounds offer magnificent, beach entry pool(s) with cascading waterfalls, a grotto with fire pit, music, and more. The grounds offer mature trees, manicured lawns, and a wonderful ambiance Offered at $7,295,000
24100 Hidden
This exquisite Cape Cod style estate is nestled in a prime location on one of the best streets in Hidden Hills - a quiet double cul-de-sac. This pristine property has beautiful curb appeal and includes a separate guesthouse, game room/ music studio and gym. The main house has 5 en- suite bedrooms, including 2 master suites (1 downstairs), plus a gorgeous kitchen with a large center island, professional stainless steel appliances and an adjoining breakfast room with dual wine refrigerators. The spacious upstairs master suite boasts 2 individual bathrooms, 2 large walk-in
