Hidden Hills Magazine • Spring 2020

TAYLOR HAWKINS UPFRONT & PERSONAL | FARMERS’ MARKET FRESH | SORENSEN DESIGNS | TRACK DAYS WITH THE KOLBE BOYS DUSTY NABOR WINES | A CREATIVE CABO GETAWAY | HOPE IN A SUITCASE | DRINKS AT THE DRAYCOTT | ADOPT A PET

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

offer our world-class service to Calabasas residents. If you could benefit from our services, or would like to learn more about joining our elite brand as an Engel & Völkers Real Estate Advisor, we’d love to hear from you.

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

THE AGENCY CALABASAS WELCOMES

Michael Bloom

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

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

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

Michael Bloom

Michael.Bloom@TheAgencyRE.com 818.207.2088 LIC. # 01188440

23622 CALABASAS ROAD, SUITE 148 CALABASAS, CA 91302 LUXURY REAL ESTATE AT THEAGENCYRE.COM

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

from the

PUBLISHERS

Springtime is a special season anywhere you go, and this is certainly true for our community. Green hillsides, gentle breezes that are alternately cool and warm, and the aroma of fresh citrus blooms fill the air.

Right now is also a time on our planet when we are realizing more so than ever how connected we all really are. As we move through this season, it is an added comfort to know that the stronger than average sense of connection our community shares will be something we can all count on to keep us healthy, safe and happy.

Thank you to all of our advertisers who help to make this free publication possible. We hope you will remember and support them whenever you can!

Wishing you the best springtime ever!

Lonna Weber & Joe Bellissimo

Lonna@LongValleyMedia.com

Joe@LongValleyMedia.com

CO- PUBLISHERS

Lonna Weber

Joe Bellissimo

Editor-in-Chief

Joe Bellissimo

Copy Editors

Linda Raznick

Carly Fentress

Advisory Board

Archie E. Hanson Jr.

Linda Raznick

Lisa Sapiro

Steve Weber

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 is a board certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon who has specialized in minimally invasive and complex spine surgery, as well as cerebrovascular/skull base surgery, for more than a decade. He is known for his record of positive clinical outcomes with zero infections and historically low complication rates. He is the first choice for many referring physicians and has frequently won patients’ choice awards for his medical expertise and bedside manner. Dr. Moza recently launched the Centurion Surgical Center, an outpatient surgical center that is fully accredited by the Joint Commission and specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery and interventional pain management. Equipped with stateof-the-art technology and staffed by board certified surgeons and physicians. Centurion boasts the largest operating room in any ambulatory surgical center in California. It will serve as a center of excellence for patients seeking minimally invasive spine surgery and artificial disc replacement, as well as interventional pain management services, including radiofrequency ablation, epidural injections and spinal cord stimulator implantation.

TAYLOR

HAWKINS, UPFRONT & PERSONAL

FARMERS' MARKET FRESH

California Certified Farmers Markets is on a mission to bring fresh & local not only to our communities but also the next generation.

SORENSEN DESIGNS

Catherine Sorensen is ready to take her laid-back yet refined style right into your very home. 34

FAST FAMILY

The Foo Fighters drummer moves to center stage with his latest passion project and LP. 43

DUSTY DOES WINE

Hidden Hills Resident Dusty Nabor squeezes an exclusive vintage out of every grape.

GETTING CREATIVE IN CABO

Discover the vacation destination that brings out the creatiity in every guest.

The men of the Kolbe family feel the need... ...the need for speed. 61

HOPE IN A SUITCASE

Local teen Ella Reznick shares the experience of helping out kids in the foster care system.

The new Pacific Palisades mainstay at The Village offers up two of its premium libations.

Chef Michael Lewis takes us on a culinary journey with his savory dishes.

Meet just a few of the animals at your local shelters who are waiting for a home like yours.

CONTRIBUTORS

DEBBIE YANUCK

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

ALLIE LEBOS MARISSA ARLT

Allie Lebos is a writer currently living in Santa Monica, CA. After graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2017 where she served as a staff writer for the Daily Nexus for nearly 2 years, Allie made her long-awaited move to Los Angeles. Originally from Dallas, TX, Allie has been taking life one day at a time as she attempts to learn new things everyday, both about the world we live, as well as herself.

Marissa Arlt is a fashion, lifestyle, and portrait photographer based out of Long Beach, California. She has been featured on the cover of Thryve Magazine, and numerous fashion blogs. When she is not with clients or nestled in a cozy coffee shop editing photos, you can find her out hiking and exploring the many beautiful landscapes California has to offer.

ANA VELASCO

Ana Velasco is a cultural journalist, poet, and music curator. She has profiled notable people in the arts, such as Ethan Hawke, Julian Casablancas, Azealia Banks, and Philip Glass. Her work has appeared in Essential Homme, Dazed, Interview, Office Magazine, and The Face, among others, and has been published in poetry anthologies in New York and Los Angeles. Born and raised in Mexico City, she lived and worked in New York City before relocating to Los Angeles, where she works as a writer and as a music curator at Position Music.

NICOLA BUCK

Nicola is a British fine art and commercial photographer, with a distinct and unique storytelling style. Evoking more than just a visual experience, her images have a keen eye for detail. Her work has been published by the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, as well as other publications, and she has worked on marketing content for major corporate clients. Fine art trained, Nicola has also exhibited in group shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco and London. She works closely with the local charity Heal the Bay, photographing events and educational content.

TAYLOR HAWKINS

upfront & PERSONAL

WRITTEN BY ANA VELASCO | PORTRAITS BY MARISSA ARLT

Taylor Hawkins is here for a good time. Here for him right now is New York City, where he phones in from and excuses his voice. “I’m kind of getting over a cold right now,” he says.

“Trying to, anyways. Everyone’s sick at our house.” It’s the initial glimpse I get of Taylor Hawkins, Hidden Hills Dad – a title he’s been wearing for years, sure, but a title less known to those who have seen him grow into a music icon as the drummer for Foo Fighters for the better half of his life.

But don’t be fooled. Although, Hawkins might be Dad now to his wife Alison and his kids, he’s still the kind of rock dad who counts LeAnn Rimes as a neighbor – a perk that facilitated her collaboration on the new album for his side project, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders, titled Get The Money. It’s an album rife with collaborations, from Rimes to Dave Grohl, Perry Farrell, and Nancy Wilson, Chrissie Hynde and Jon Davison - a sort of patchwork of the rock music that Hawkins loves, harkening the heyday of the 70’s and 80’s guitar-strung classics. Get The Money is a homage to rock and roll in an

era when rock and roll has been faltering, but Hawkins’ intention is not necessarily to create a renaissance, it is, to put simply, to have fun. “It’s basically my record collection summed up in one record,” he says.

Hawkins will be 48 years old the week after we speak and his gratitude for the life he’s been able to live, and continues to live, is felt. “I’m really enjoying, you know, becoming that next wave of classic rock.” He knows he is a blessed man. And it’s hard to know whether his gratitude and joie de vivre are two reasons why life keeps shining on him, or whether life has shone on him so brightly he can’t help but have fun with his gratitude. In any case, it doesn’t matter, all that matters is a good time, good music, good company, and the legacy of rock and roll.

The album is incredibly fun, from the music, to the videos, and the slew of collaborators in it, including Dave Grohl, Perry Farrell and LeAnn Rimes. How did these collaborations come about?

Really, just kind of informally. Dave...obviously that’s the easiest, you know

TAYLOR'S HOME STUDIO IN HIDDEN HILLS, WHERE THE LATEST COATTAIL RIDERS ALBUM WAS RECORDED, IS A MUSICIAN'S HAVEN, WITH WALLS THAT PAY HOMAGE TO MANY OF HAWKINS' ROCK 'N' ROLL HEROES.

I’M REALLY ENJOYING, YOU KNOW, BECOMING THAT NEXT WAVE OF CLASSIC ROCK.

-TAYLOR HAWKINS

how that came about. I’m in a band with him. I called him, “Come over and help me out with a couple songs.” Perry I’m also friends with. Nancy Wilson, I kind of had to reach out for that one, but that worked out really nice. LeAnn is actually a neighbor of ours, she lives in our neighborhood. Our kids go to the same school, and it was one of those kind of parent things, you know?

It seems like the kind of ethos of the project revolved around the idea of fun, and kind of

bringing together all these people from your walks of life. What was the initial vision for the band, and how has that evolved since the first album?

Well, I mean, my ethos period, for anything outside of you know, work, which is The Foo Fighters or family, is to be creative and have fun. I love collaborating with people who I look up to. So, the idea of collaborating with Perry Farrell, or Nancy Wilson, or Joe Walsh, or

HE KNOWS HE IS A BLESSED MAN. AND IT’S HARD TO KNOW WHETHER HIS GRATITUDE AND JOIE DE VIVRE ARE TWO REASONS WHY LIFE KEEPS SHINING ON HIM, OR WHETHER LIFE HAS SHONE ON HIM SO BRIGHTLY HE CAN’T HELP BUT HAVE FUN WITH HIS GRATITUDE.

HAWKINS PERFORMS "I REALLY BLEW IT" ON JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE WITH DAVE GROHL BACKING ON DRUMS AND PERRY FARREL FEATURED ON VOCALS.

HAWKINS REGULARLY FEATURES THE WHOLE FAMILY IN HIS VIDEOS. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, ANNABELLE TAKES FLIGHT WITH DAD ON A "PEGA-CORN" AND CHANNELS HER INNER BOWIE, SHANE, A TALENTED DRUMMER HIMSELF, FEATURED IN "MIDDLE CHILD," FRANCES, THE FAMILY POOCH, YOUNGEST, EVERLEY, AND WIFE, ALISON, IN THE TELENOVELA-ESQE VIDEO FOR "I REALLY BLEW IT."

IT’S SORT OF A FAMILY AFFAIR. BECAUSE I FIGURE ANY TIME I’M TAKING ASIDE FROM SERIOUS WORK, WHICH IS FOO FIGHTERS, IT’S BEST IF I KIND OF INCLUDE THE FAMILY ON SOME LEVEL.

-TAYLOR HAWKINS

Chrissy Hynde, or any of those amazing people is a privilege. It’s a privilege I get because of the band I’m in...it created that privilege. I wanted to have fun and try and do something good musically.

The Foo Fighters, primarily when it comes to the creative side of things, it’s Dave’s vision. And I’m a creative person, so, whenever I get a chance, I am always working on something else. I’ve become more of a workaholic the older I’ve gotten because it’s fun. I have a recording studio at my house...it’s nothing super fancy, but it’s a good hang, and some decent mics, and a little bit of decent equipment. And that’s what you’re hearing was recording in that room.

Right.

There’s light as far as the intentions. I wear my influences pretty boldly on my sleeve. If I want some beat to sound like The Police then I just go there, I don’t care. If I want it to sound like Steely Dan, or Queen, or Jane’s Addiction, I just go there. I sort of, like, I’m always looking at my songwriting almost like clipart...take a little bit of that, a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Kind of makes me, you know, almost Warhol-y. I’m not saying I’m Andy Warhol by any measure (laughs). But you know what I mean? Taking things that already exist, and putting them together in a way that almost makes it new.

I also love that some of the collaborators in this are your wife and kids. What do they think about the project? It must be fun for them too.

It’s a part of it. Half the songs are about my wife, and the good, bad and the ugly, you know? They’re there with me when I do it. It’s sort of a family affair. Because I figure any time I’m taking aside from serious work, which is Foo Fighters, it’s best if I kind of include the family on some level. (From somewhere afar Alison screams “And you record at home.”) Oh...and I record at home (laughs). My wife really wants to do this interview, I think.

You’ve been playing music for over 25 years, you’ve been with The Foo Fighters, toured with Alanis Morrisette, and have

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I’M JUST SO BLESSED, AND SO MUCH OF THE STUFF THAT HAPPENED IN MY LIFE CAME DOWN TO LUCK AND TIMING. I WAS DETERMINED AND PREPARED WHEN IT CAME.

your own other slew of projects. With all of this experience behind you, what advice would you give yourself?

Slow down. (laughs) Don’t party too hard. Don’t wear your heart on your sleeve...I don’t know, I wouldn’t need to say anything, because I mean, you couldn’t have written me a better story in a way, you know? I mean, I’m so blessed. I couldn’t really think of a better sort

of storyline in my life as it is. And I don’t mean that to sound, you know, self-congratulatory, or stuck up, or anything like that. I’m just so blessed, and so much of the stuff that happened in my life came down to luck and timing. I was determined and prepared when it came. And I have a lovely family, I have an amazing house, I have an amazing career. I still have a lot of the same friends I had when I was a kid.

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resh

FARMERS MARKET from the f

WRITTEN BY DEBBIE YANUCK

In an era when people spend more time looking down at their phones than interacting in person, farmers’ markets offer a rare opportunity to come together as a community and mingle together weekly. Farmers’ markets create a gathering place where people visit with neighbors, farmers and other vendors as they make their purchases. To be able to walk from stall to stall, sampling just-harvested fruits, vegetables, breads and other goods, and meet with the same farmers and vendors, creates an almost magical place where cars, traffic and a fast pace do not exist for a brief moment in time. Jennifer McColm, founder of California Certified Farmers’ Markets

(CCFM Inc.), coordinates and sets up over 20 farmers’ markets with her hard-working staff throughout Los Angeles and Ventura County. The mission of the Farmers' Market is threefold: to give communities direct access to fresh-picked food, to create an open space for people to gather, and to reach into schools and help set up on-site gardens. The fruits and vegetables purchased from grocery stores are often weeks old and have, by then, lost much of their fresh flavor. Farmers’ markets provide food mere hours to no more than a few days after being plucked or picked from the

FARMERS’ MARKETS PROVIDE FOOD MERE HOURS TO NO MORE THAN A FEW DAYS AFTER BEING PLUCKED OR PICKED FROM THE GROUND OR A TREE.

WITHIN ten10

LOCALS AT THE CALABASAS FARMERS' MARKET IN OLD TOWN CALABASAS.

BRINGING

COMMUNITIES TOGETHER IS A BIG PART OF THE CCFM MISSION.

ground or a tree. The flavors are vibrant and the nutrients strong. The farmers’ markets also support small mom and pop vendors without the huge overhead of a brick and mortar store. Some vendors start small and then grow from farmers’ markets to large grocery chains. HealthAde Kombucha started selling in local farmers’ markets and is now sold online and in many grocery stores.

In founding CCFM, Jennifer McColm also wanted to create local areas for people

to gather weekly. Farmers’ markets provide the product and the space. The sites are open and inviting, with an abundance of free samples, fresh-baked breads and pastries, and a variety of new fruits and vegetables to sample and purchase. Over time, people get to know the farmers and vendors; they learn about their families and share friendly conversations. Melissa, a long-time CCFM director, says “The farmers and vendors become part of the fabric of the community, so much so that it is not unusual to invite each

other to weddings, birthday parties and other important family events.”

Elaborating on its third mission (reaching into schools and educating children about farming and where and how food grows), Melissa says many children see only food in a grocery store and never when it’s growing in the ground. “It’s important to teach children about what goes into growing and producing fresh food.”

So Farmers Market related initiatives have installed over 35 gardens in various communities and have given grants and aid to the schools’ farming curriculum. Farmers also visit the schools and give presentations to the children. Worm farmers come out and

bring worms with dirt, and the children get to hold them and learn why worms are so important to farming.

To stroll outside with friends and neighbors while purchasing essentials for the family’s weekly dining is a gift that brings communities back to simpler times--where conversations are face to face...where people and conversations are unhurried...where farmers and vendors become an important part of a neighborhood. Visit a farmers’ market. Chances are you will leave with flavorful food and a smile on your face.

FARMER'S MARKETS

LOCATIONS NEAR YOU

SHERMAN OAKS CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET

Tuesdays from 3 - 7pm

14006 Riverside Dr | Sherman Oaks, CA 91324

EA few farms include: Country Fresh, Etheridge Farms, La Bahn, Halaby and Alcantar Organics

EOther vendors: Dry Dock Fish, Brothers Products (Hummus & Yogurts), Fresco Pasta (Pastas & Cheeses), Sicily Street (Italian Food)

CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE (CSUN FARMERS MARKET)

Tuesdays from 10am - 2pm

18111 Nordhoff St (Next to Matador Square) | Northridge, CA 91330

EA few farms include: Halaby Farms, Kepner Farms, Reyes Ranch and Raphael Cardenas Farms

EOther vendors: Oono Sushi, Me Gusta Tamales, Hibachi Grill, Jodi Rosales Boutique

CALABASAS

CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET

Saturdays from 8am - 1pm 23504 Calabasas Road | Calabasas, CA 91302

EA few farms include: Apricot Lane Farms, Arnett Farms, Frecker Farms, Givens Farms, Etheridge Farms, Novy Ranches, Underwood Farms

EOther vendors: Dry Dock Fish, Gourmet Blends (Olive Oils), Kadi Products (Yogurts), Oiseau Foods (Gluten Free Bread), Frogs Bakery (organic breads and pastries)

WESTLAKE VILLAGE FARMERS MARKET

Sundays from 10am - 2pm 2797 Agoura Rd | Westlake Village, CA 91361

EA few farms include: Country Fresh, Nicholas Family Farms, Sunrise Organics, Underwood Family Farms, Eufloria Roses, The Valley Hive

EOther vendors: Bluewater Seafood, Blissful Bath and Body, Les Delices Du Four Breads, Mom's Products (Hummus), You Bite (Sausages)

CHANNEL ISLANDS CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET

Sundays from 9am - 2pm 3350 S. Harbor Blvd | Oxnard, CA 93035

E

(Coming Soon)

Saturdays from 9am - 2pm 28914 Roadside Dr (Whizins Market Square)

Agoura Hills, CA 91301

EA few farms include: Tamai Farms, Somers Ranch, Halaby Farms, Ojai Farms, Rocking Chair Farms, Buckhorn Farms, Blue Ridge Honey

Other vendors: Yankee Doodle Bakery, Topangas Finest Jerky, Bread Bar, Heritage Succulents, Vintage Sea Cottage

AGOURA HILLS WHIZINS FARMERS MARKET

WRITTEN BY DEBBIE YANUCK

PHOTOS BY JOE BELLISSIMO

sturdy rope swing hangs just outside the glass front door of Catherine and Mike Sorensen’s Hidden Hills home. Succulents, leafy trees and touches of whimsy surround the path leading to the inside, which with the glass door, blends together the outdoors and the indoors, just as Catherine intends. Catherine designs and produces vintage pillows and rugs and decorates homes

SORENSEN

designs

BELOW: SORENSEN REMOVED WALLS AND INSTALLED STEEL BEAMS TO SUPPORT THE OPEN FLOOR CONCEPT OF THE SPACE.

LEFT: THE COPPER TUB AND IRON SHOWER DOORS ARE OFFSET BY THE EARTHY VIBES OF THE AREA RUG AND NATURAL WOVEN ELEMENTS.

BELOW: CATHERINE AT HOME WITH ONE OF HER MINIS.

with her singular style and warmth reflected in each piece she creates and each home she decorates. She says, “Home is a sanctuary and it is important to see pieces and arrangements that make you feel good.”

Catherine, her husband, two daughters and their many rescue dogs moved into their home in 2015. At Catherine’s request, the builder left the foundation of the home and she created a 4,600 square foot haven for the family. With open spaces, wood floors and beams, soft white walls, and furniture meant to be lived on, the home is a gentle blend of airy, luxurious and comfortable. Catherine wanted a home where the family and visiting extended family could live together and, when needed, have their own spaces.

The kitchen is full of cozy nooks, including a breakfast

CATHERINE WANTED A HOME WHERE THE FAMILY AND VISITING EXTENDED FAMILY COULD LIVE TOGETHER AND, WHEN NEEDED, HAVE THEIR OWN SPACES.

booth, plenty of counter space, and an abundance of natural light. Catherine’s down-filled vintage pillows rest on a deep-seated couch while one of her vintage patterned rugs sits underneath a large ottoman. A glass antlered chandelier hangs in the center of the room. She explains, “Since Mike and I have family out of state, when they come to visit it

is for a longer period of time and we want a space that holds us all comfortably...I created spaces inside and outside the house, so everyone can find their own quiet spots as needed and then come back together.”

The backyard entertains all ages with a pool, barbecue area, a porch swing resting under a rose-

-CATHERINE SORENSEN

covered arch, a barn filled with well-loved horses and ponies, goats, chickens, a vegetable and herb garden, fruit trees, and a vineyard. Last year, the vineyard produced over 2,000 pounds of grapes and they used their olive trees to make their own olive oil. The quirky yet perfect touches of a large hanging mirror surrounded by succulents, a working zip line,

I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT A MIX OF CULTURES, DESIGNS, ARCHITECTURE, TEXTURES AND MORE... AND I WANT TO SHARE THAT WITH OTHERS.

an actual hitching post, and a barn door on a wall add to the charm and utter whimsy of the home.

CatherineSDesigns, Catherine’s company, formed in a distinctive fashion: She lived in the Philippines until the age of 13, then moved to Georgia and studied biology in college before settling in California. She

then trained in interior design at UCLA. Catherine says, “I am passionate about a mix of cultures, designs, architecture, textures and more...and I want to share that with others.” Catherine meets clients by appointment in her home where she listens and learns their personalities and how their households work before designing their interiors. Without

the overhead of retail space, she shares the cost savings with her clients as they also purchase her pillows, rugs, home décor and vintage finds. Her website launches early this Spring and her Instagram account @catherines_ designs features her many unique, high quality products and innovative design concepts.

HERE: RECLAIMED WOODEN BEAMS FROM MONTANA AND WINE BARREL FIXTURES ABOVE THE ISLAND.

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Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only.

Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. To reach the Compass main office call 310.230.5478

Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only.

Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. To reach the Compass main office call 310.230.5478

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THE KOLBE BOYS DAD, MARC, AND SONS MAX AND WILLIAM AT CALIFORNIA'S FAMED LAGUNA SECA RACEWAY

BY ALLIE LEBOS

FAMILY

WHILE HORSEBACK RIDING IS A COMMON PASSION AMONG THE RESIDENTS OF HIDDEN HILLS, THE KOLBE MEN PREFER A DECIDEDLY DIFFERENT KIND OF HORSEPOWER.

HAINER

The Hidden Hills community is known for its strong foundation of family and a connection to the outdoors. While horseback riding is a common passion among the residents., the Kolbe men prefer a more exhilarating track. For Marc Kolbe and his sons Max and William, road racing has become a staple in life. Although the sport is both competitive and fun, it has also come to serve as a way of bonding for the family. When he was 16 years old, Marc Kolbe worked on a race team for over three years. “Because I had this love for cars and I got to experience what it was like working on this race

team, I thought that I wanted to be involved in the automotive industry for my career,” Marc explained. “But things changed, and I ended up getting involved with visual effects for feature films.” However, Marc’s love for racing never subsided.

“It was about five years ago that a good friend and neighbor of ours introduced us to the Porsche Owners Club (POC), and they have a class called the Spec Boxster class,” Marc said. In this class, participants take a 1996-1999 Porsche Boxster and essentially build a complete racecar. “In this process, the transmissions and the engines are all stock, so all

of the cars are pretty much the same, meaning it’s more about the driver than the car,” continued Marc. After having such a positive experience at the class, Marc decided to use the car they had built in the class and pursue the sport as a hobby. Soon after Marc got his racing license, his son Max decided to follow in his footsteps. “Max started doing what’s called ‘Time Attack’ where you just race against time as you start learning the ins and outs of the car,” said Marc. “He did that for about a year and a half, and then he got his racing license.” As Marc and Max became more involved, they realized that sharing one car between the two

MAX KOLBE IN HIS RACEREADY 1999 PORSCHE BOXTER.

PHOTO BY ALEX

of them wasn’t going to work long term, so Marc decided to buy a second racecar. Marc’s younger son, William, then also decided to join in on the fun and he bought a third vehicle. “For William’s car, we decided to get a street car. I thought it would be good for the boys to learn how to shift gears and all that because they didn’t know how to drive a manual. That lasted about a year before we ended converting it into a full racecar.”

With three racecars under their belt, the Kolbe men turned racing into a bonding experience unlike any other. Marc explained, “When it came to building the cars, we first started pretty simple, and we didn’t really put everything that we could on them. This allowed us to kind of learn what the cars can and can’t do and figure out what works best.” From working on the mechanics of their vehicles, to improving their time on the track, racing quickly became a passion, especially for Max. “Having that hands-on experience with building the cars

really added a whole other layer to the sport,” said Max. While many racers do what is referred to as an “arrive and drive,” the Kolbe family prefers to immerse themselves in every aspect of the experience. “Some of the fun for us really is the prep, putting the cars in the trailer and the comradery that comes from working with crews and other racers,” Marc stated. Marc and Max appreciate every step of the process, but their favorite part is undoubtedly the racing. “The best experience I ever had on the track was during one of the first races we both went on, and as I was driving I was able to look up in the rearview mirror and see Max,” recalled Marc. “Now, he looks in the rearview mirror to find me.” For Marc, being able to watch both of his sons progress in the sport has been one of the most rewarding aspects. Although the entire crew has improved since starting, Max has taken the lead in regards to ranking. “He’s in the top five now, so out of the three of us I would say he’s the best . . . for now,” Marc said. Max’s brother William is currently

MAX'S 99 BOXSTER AT WILLOW SPRINGS.

PHOTO BY ALEX HAINER

WILLIAM KOLBE BETWEEN RACES AT LAGUNA SECA, SUMMER 2019. ALTHOUGH HIS TRACK TIME HAS BEEN DIMINISHED WHILE AWAY AT COLLEGE, HE GETS OUT AND RACES AS MUCH AS HE CAN WHENEVER HE IS BACK IN HIDDEN HILLS.

THE GEAR INVESTMENT FOR THE KOLBES HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLE. AT UPPERRIGHT, A 'TOTER-HOME,' WHICH HAS A LIVING SECTION AND FULL BATH/ SHOWER AND KITCHEN. THE TRAILER IS A STACKER RACECAR TRAILER. TWO CARS PLUS EQUIPMENT ARE ON THE TOP LEVEL AND THE BOTTOM HAS ONE CAR AND A WORKSHOP.

off at college, but one of the first things the boys like to do when he returns to town is hit the road and have a “track day.” Even though there is still an essence of competition between the family members, their sense of comradery always takes over.

Road racing has also opened the door for new connections and friendships for the Kolbe boys. “On that racetrack, it doesn’t matter how much money you have, where you come from or what your status is, because on that racetrack you’re all even,” Marc stated. Though Marc and his sons have been racing for quite some time now, they still claim to get “butterflies” when they first get behind the wheel. “At first

I’m always kind of like ‘I don’t know if I want to do this,’ but then the minute I get in the car and get buckled in, it all goes away,” explained Marc. With speeds averaging about 90-100 mph, it’s no wonder why racers receive such an adrenaline rush while behind the wheel. When asked how they bring themselves to do it, Max simply stated, “It’s hard to explain but honestly, you just sort of do it.” While many think that racing is more about the speed, the Kolbe’s stand by the fact that it is far more about the driver.

With races occurring about once a month, the Kolbe men spend most of their time practicing at the Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond. They are most easily spotted caravanning their impressive car haul, which displays a popular Wounded Warrior Project sticker in support of U.S. troops. Though Marc’s wife and daughter share a connection through horses, Marc, Max and William continue to forge their bond through fast cars and new and exciting tracks.

WHILE THERE IS STILL AN ESSENCE OF COMPETITION BETWEEN THE FAMILY MEMBERS, THE SENSE OF COMRADERY ALWAYS TAKES OVER.

BY ALLIE LEBOS

DUSTY DOES WINE:

DUSTY NABOR WINES

There are few things in life that can bring people together in the same capacity as does a fine glass of wine.

Ernest Hemmingway put it this way: “Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.” Though the wine industry has become more and more saturated

over the years, there are still winemakers who put an emphasis on the quality and curation of their wines. One of those crafters is none other than Hidden Hills native, Dusty Nabor.

At Dusty Nabor Wines, the focus remains on creating site-specific and terroir driven California wines. While Dusty has dabbled in several different varieties of wine, his main focus has been on Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache and Viognier. Though Dusty Nabor Wines does

THOUGH DUSTY NABOR WINES DOES NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A TASTING ROOM, THEY DO HAVE A SMALL WINERY IN CAMARILLO WHERE GUESTS CAN STOP BY FOR A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

-DUSTY NABOR.

not currently have a tasting room, they do have a small winery in Camarillo where guests can stop by for a unique experience when they book an appointment. Given that the location is not that of a typical tasting room, patrons can expect to learn more about the process of winemaking and what goes into each batch. “It’s not a production facility and it’s not a vineyard. At our winery, people sit on barrels and learn about the equipment, so it’s very hands on. And even though it may sound less exciting because it’s different, people really do love it. They love

to see the barrels, taste from the barrels and learn how we really do what we do for each wine,” stated Dusty. When asked how he became involved in the wine industry, Dusty’s answer was simple. “I became involved in the wine business through drinking it, so I come from the consumer side...When I get involved in stuff, I just take it way too far,” Dusty explained with a laugh. While working at his father’s pipe and casing supply company, 101 Pipe & Casing, Dusty met a supplier who was well-versed in the wine scene up in San Francisco. “He really got me

I BECAME INVOLVED IN THE WINE BUSINESS THROUGH DRINKING IT, SO I COME FROM THE CONSUMER SIDE...WHEN I GET INVOLVED IN STUFF I JUST TAKE IT WAY TOO FAR.

Jason Improta

Estate Agent jason@improta.com 310.597.1915 DRE 01432200

Melissa Improta

Estate Agent missy@improta.com 310.597.1914 DRE 01265975

into Napa wines and opened my eyes to this whole world of quality, and I just really dove into the whole thing.” Shortly after, Dusty found himself attending wine dinners and making connections with various wine makers. His curiosity peaked, and an interest in learning how he might be able to start his own business began to grow. “When you take a winery tour you really only get the surface of it and you’re sort of like, ‘Wait a minute, I don’t understand how it goes from being one thing to being another’,” said Dusty. “So, these winemakers started to connect those dots for me and that was when I realized I needed to do this for myself.”

In 2014, Dusty made his first batch of wine in his own kitchen so that he could understand the process of fermentation. In 2015, he discovered a winery that allowed him to produce small batches on a commercial scale, and Dusty Nabor Wines was born. Since then, Dusty has curated his three brands, Dusty Nabor Wines,

Bolt To Wines, and NSO by Dusty Nabor, all under a single winery. While Dusty places an emphasis on red wines, he also works with Chardonnay, Viognier and Grenache Blanc. However, Dusty claims that the brand’s #1 wine is without a doubt their Cabernet Sauvignon.

WE DON’T ADD ANYTHING TO THE WINE AS FAR AS CHEMICALS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, AND ALL OF OUR WINES ARE VEGAN,

“This is our most expensive wine at $65. The way we make it is more expensive because we use all new barrels, so I would say that the Cabernet Sauvignon is definitely our flagship wine. However, when it comes to scoring, some of our Syrah’s and Grenache’s have actually scored higher than the Cab.” Most of the grapes used in Dusty’s wines are harvested in Santa Barbara county, with a small amount coming out of Paso Robles. It is also important to note that all of the fruit used by Dusty Nabor Wines is organic. “We’re very low interventionists. We don’t add anything to the wine as far as chemicals or anything like that, and all of our wines are vegan,” Dusty explained.

Though Dusty Nabor Wines prides themselves on quality curation, they also provide options for those who want to enjoy a good glass of wine without breaking the bank. Dusty’s value brand, NSO by Dusty Nabor, stands for “No Special Occasion.” Each bottle carried in the NSO by Dusty Nabor line is under $20. “Even though we’re always trying to craft our wines more

DUE TO THE QUALITY AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL THAT IS GUARANTEED IN EACH BOTTLE, ALL WINE IS AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS, MAKING EACH BOTTLE ALL THE MORE EXCLUSIVE.

economically, they always end up scoring just as high as our more expensive batches,” explained Dusty. Given the craftsmanship and class of each wine, it is hard to believe that Dusty Nabor Wines is a oneman show. “It really is just me. I don’t have a cellar hand or anything; so apart from the crews that we have harvest the grapes, I do everything myself.” While having three brands under one person seems like quite the challenge, Dusty claims he took it on so he could reach more people. “They’re all different demographics, different price points and different varieties. I just figured that rather than ignore a great find just because it doesn’t fit with the ‘brand,’ why not simply slap another label on it?” Although each bottle says “Bottled by Dusty Nabor,” the three brands provide diversity and range for consumers.

A Hidden Hills native, Dusty was born and raised in Hidden Hills up to the age of 10, but has since relocated to Westlake Village. His father, CEO and Founder of 101 Pipe & Casing, is still a proud Hidden Hills resident.

For those interested in keeping up to date with the latest and greatest vino, Dusty Nabor Wines offers the opportunity to join their mailing list. Due to the quality and attention to detail that is guaranteed with each bottle, all wine is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, making each bottle all the more exclusive.

To learn more about the exciting future of Dusty Nabor Wines, stop by dustynaborwines.com.

Must be 21+ to visit.

Maximum Views with Contemporar y St yle

GETTING CREATIVE IN Cabo

Hotel El Ganzo offers what is perhaps the most unique property in… well…anywhere.

I know you’ve probably heard that half a dozen times, every time you’ve opened up the pages of a travel magazine or scoured the blogs looking for a place to vacation, but let me know if you can think of another property that has its own underground recording studio where the likes of Thievery Corporation, Slash and Telefunke have laid down tracks. Or another property that has an enormous storm trooper watching over you as you marinate in an infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Or a property that has its own bike path where you can ride free beach cruisers to a private beach club and then return to the hotel by boat. Or any other resort that has a signature artistin-residency program, where they invite artists to stay on the property, covering the spectrum from vibrant street art to contemporary minimalistic gallery art, draw inspiration from their stay on the property, and then actually draw that inspiration on the walls of the property, well, then you have me beat.

I recently had a chance to spend a week shooting 360˚ virtual reality video at Hotel El Ganzo with Superswell VR, the virtual reality production company I founded along with travel influencer Joan Jetsetter, which offered us an intimate look and experience that

cemented our suspicion that this is no ordinary Baja resort, and this no ordinary Baja resort comes with no ordinary story.

Located in the rapidly, but carefully, growing San Jose del Cabo in the Cabo Municipality on the Baja Peninsula of Mexico, don’t for a minute conjure up images of tequila soaked, frat-culture-laced, Cabo Wabo’d San Lucas or any of that tourist-laden, overhyped, overpriced nonsense.

San Jose del Cabo is the quieter, headier and chilled out brother across the peninsula. Resting on its own idyllic slice of the Puerto Los Cabos marina, El Ganzo’s owner and founder, Mr. Pablo Sanchez Navarro, “wanted to create a hotel that would become an epicenter for the cultural arts,” explains Senior Sales Manager Miriam Reuter. With an artist in residency program that brings new artists, from visual to musical, to the property every year, “Hotel El Ganzo is a hotel that is always evolving and constantly changing.”

This is very much the essence of the resort, which was cemented after Hurricane Odile in September 2014. Odile left most of the peninsula in ruins.

The region’s infrastructure, not to mention many of the resorts, are still to this day, struggling to recover. As far as Hotel El Ganzo, “it took us 14 months to reopen the doors on November 1, 2015,” Miriam recalls. “The strong winds we experienced over almost 24 hours, and of course the rain, damaged the whole hotel and left us to our bare bones.”

During the rebuilding process, they chose to incorporate aspects of Odile the into the character of the property by paying homage to Mother Nature through the work of its artists.

EL GANZO’S OWNER WANTED TO CREATE A HOTEL THAT WOULD BECOME AN EPICENTER FOR THE CULTURAL ARTS.

A WORK OF ART ITSELF, HOTEL

EL GANZO SITS PROMINENTLY ON THE MARINA OF PUERTO LOS CABOS.

A perfect example lies in the story of artist Desmond Mason.

You may know Desmond Mason as the NBA player and former slam dunk champion, but before, and after his NBA career, apparently he was always an artist at heart. A story I did not know until visiting El Ganzo. “Desmond first visited El Ganzo in 2014 and during his stay, he stayed in Suite 403,” explains Reuter. “When Hurricane Odile hit and devastated the hotel, consequently, it destroyed Suite 403 and the art.” Shortly after their reopening, the ‘artist’ Desmond Mason came back, anxious to stay in the same suite.

During his stay, he created several pieces decorating the room, perhaps most notably, he took one of the ceiling fans that hung in the suite and was destroyed during Hurricane Odile, and transformed it in a piece of art that now adorns one side of the room

He is also the artist behind the signature orange crown that greets visitors as they pull up to the front of the hotel and one of the artists, along with Jimena Montemeyer, that decorated the fountain that sits at the epicenter of the hotel.

The artists they feature come from across the spectrum of artistic disciplines. There are pieces by pencil, stencil, Sharpie (you read that right…you’d be amazed at what people can do with a Sharpie!!), oils, spray paint, string and toys.

Yeah…toys.

One of the more elaborate sets, which not everyone gets to see, is suite 300. The hotel’s largest suite, replete with its own gym that was decorated by Pedro Reyes, “one of the most important Mexican contemporary artists,” Miriam tells us.

While staying in the suite, “he decided to use one of the first materials that mankind used to express themselves through art: charcoal.” Reyes decided his theme for the suite, which the property insisted we occupy during our stay to help inspire our own creativity would be

COME BACK TO EL GANZO.

philosophers, both ancient and contemporary, so you’ll see charcoal drawings of everyone from Socrates to Noam Chomsky. While some of the art is indeed located in the private rooms, that aspect makes it more of a draw to return to Hotel El Ganzo. For each time you come, you can be treated to a new experience. If you’d like a sample of the various rooms, you can check out images on their website, www.ElGanzo.com, or the exclusive access 360˚ virtual reality Superswell VR tour. However, even without seeing every single one of the rooms, fear not, for there is no shortage of creative inspiration, as the artists have been encouraged to use the walls all over the community areas of the resort as their canvas as well.

Furthermore, the art isn’t reserved solely for the ‘artists,’ but extends to the creative side

of willing guests as well. “One of the best opportunities to get involved is during the class our visual artists give at El Ganzo Community Center,” explains Miriam. “During their stay, the artists give classes for the children of the community of La Playa in which our guests are invited to participate.”

“In the end, it reflects Pablo´s vision to create a feeling of community, where guests experience something unique and different every time they come back to El Ganzo.”

On top of it all, Hotel El Ganzo places an extreme emphasis on sustainability. From heating their rooftop pool using solar power, to using a cactus-based laundry detergent that saves almost 80% of water and 60% of electricity usage, sustainability is embedded in the DNA of El Ganzo. They also have a robust compost system, growing much of their own

ABOVE: THE VIEW FROM ONE OF EL GANZO’S GUEST SUITES.

ABOVE RIGHT: SUITE 300 NOT ONLY COMES WITH A PERFECTLY MINIMALIST VIBE COURTESY OF ARTIST PEDRO REYES, BUT ALSO ITS OWN GYM.

IN THE END ALL, IT REFLECTS PABLO´S VISION TO CREATE A FEELING OF COMMUNITY, WHERE GUESTS EXPERIENCE SOMETHING UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT EVERY TIME THEY

food on the grounds, while the rest being sourced from local farms and suppliers. They provide their guests with refillable insulated water bottles that they can use and fill around the resort, eliminating the use of plastic water bottles. Furthermore, Hotel El Ganzo is a Platinum member of CREST, a policy-oriented NGO research organization

dedicated to increasing the positive global impact of responsible tourism.

To find out more about Hotel El Ganzo, visit their website, www.ElGanzo.com.

THE ARTISTS THEY FEATURE COME FROM ACROSS THE SPECTRUM OF ARTISTIC DISCIPLINES.

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ope H IN A SUITCASE

RECOGNIZING THAT THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AFFECTS ALMOST 35,000 CHILDREN, SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD ELLA REZNICK DECIDED TO GET INVOLVED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. SHE WAS INTRODUCED TO HOPE IN A SUITCASE, AND THE REST WAS HISTORY. THOROUGHLY IMPRESSED BY THEIR EFFORTS, SHE WAS DETERMINED TO MAKE THE HOPE IN A SUITCASE MISSION HER OWN.

WRITTEN BY ELLA REZNICK | PHOTOS BY BRYAN RANDALL

Inspiration. Aspiration. Accomplishment. Empowering. All words associated with the valiant efforts and successes of Hope In A Suitcase, an organization founded by Marsha Austen, and her incredible team. Hope In A Suitcase is a 100% volunteer driven organization that provides new suitcases and duffel bags filled with new clothes, essentials, and books to children and teens allowing these registered foster kids to have something to call their own as they are often forced to move from one home to another with nothing more than a trash bag. Surrounded by a dynamic core team of leaders and friends, Marsha and her motivated, tireless volunteers

have created a space devoted to children and teens thrust into the emergent Foster Care System in the greater Los Angeles area. These volunteers are compassionate, well-educated, sensitive, dedicated, diverse, and many are bilingual. They are professionals, moms, educators, doctors, and students who host and seamlessly execute monthly TEEN/TWEEN “shopping” events where each pre-registered foster child has their own personal shopper. These events allow the tweens and teens to experience freedom of choice, selfexpression, and a moment in time devoted entirely to them. Bolstering self-confidence, pride, and a sense of community are a part of the Hope In A Suitcase mission.

Passion, dedication, and an undeniable air of positivity and optimism are palpable at Hope In A Suitcase’s headquarters in Culver City. Leaders lead by example. There is always work to be done. Inspired by Marsha’s energy and passion, I became a teen volunteer at Hope In A Suitcase over three years ago. My first volunteer days were spent cleaning, folding, organizing bins, writing personalized notes, and assisting with anything and everything that needed to be done ahead of the teen/tween shopping events. Over time, I had earned the respect of Marsha’s small but stealth crew of adult volunteers and became one of her few trusted teen ambassadors. “Team Hope” is comprised of educational therapists, writers, foster care children who have successfully aged out of the system and want to give back to their complex community, and those of us who find gratitude and fulfillment at the small, but not insignificant part we can play in improving the quality of life of others. I felt lucky and honored to work with this team, but it wasn’t until I participated in my first event that I could fully understand the benefits and rewards of our pre-event planning and attention to detail. At that time we were preparing for the 75-100 registered foster teens and tweens who would arrive at our original headquarters (an anything but fancy tiny warehouse in Culver City) to fill their bags with new shoes, clothes, and books, all chosen by the kids as they are walked through each designated area by their HIAS volunteer host. We organized, re-organized and decorated the compact space to feel as warm and inviting as possible.

To say that participation in the actual “shopping” experience was life changing is an understatement. To watch the glow, excitement, and gratitude evident on the teen/tween faces as they get to choose belongings that they can call their own is incredible. To witness the newness of this experience is humbling, and to be a part of bringing a sense of hope or pride to another person is also amazing. To realize and understand the unfortunate reality of most children in the emergent Foster care system is horrifying. Most teens and tweens entering the system bounce from home to home, relationships with family members jostled and broken, oftentimes changing schools leaving friends and teachers behind, and usually forced to abandon

all things familiar only to find another temporary place to call home. Foster Care often separates families, siblings, relatives, and sometimes prohibits kids from staying in contact with loved ones living within their own city. The need to do more became apparent.

GET INSPIRED!!!

One of the most indelible experiences for me was my first volunteer shopping day. The child assigned to me dashed across the warehouse arms outreached and bear hugged another girl shopping in the courtyard. The girls hugged for minutes with huge smiles and crocodile tears...I later found out that they were sisters forced to live with different foster families and neither girl knew that the other would be at the event. Both of their foster caretakers had independently registered as participants in the Hope In A Suitcase unknowingly allowing this brief and special reunion to bring these sisters together. That same day, my brother worked with a child whose parents had been lost in a car accident, and he too was living apart from his siblings. My mom hosted a teenage mom looking out for her four year old sister and her nine month baby who was watching in the arms of her foster care provider while she was able to choose clothing for herself and books that she could read to her baby.

SOMETIMES IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS AT THE RIGHT TIME THAT REALLY MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.

HOPE IN A SUITCASE CAN BE THAT INITIAL REMINDER THAT EACH CHILD MATTERS, AND THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

VOLUNTEERS

Learning to listen and hear the stories of unimaginable hardship and recognizing the importance of simply being a caring listener is one of the responsibilities of the host volunteer.

Last year I started a Hope In A Suitcase club at Viewpoint. We were able to get donations of new shoes from Skechers, clothing generously donated by Val Surf, books donated for the literacy corner, and assembled hundreds of hygiene kits that go into the suitcases on shopping event days. The mission of the HIAS club this year is to organize a drive at school, broaden our support and awareness base and continue to fulfill the evolving needs of Hope In A Suitcase as it has expanded and grown dramatically. This year in its new and significantly larger warehouse facility (also in Culver City) Hope In A Suitcase plans to serve more than 3000 foster kids as compared to approximately 1500 kids last year. With the help and support of other students, friends, Hidden Hills community members, and expanded resources we are looking forward to another successful year!!

AFFECT CHANGE!!!

I am extremely proud and excited about the recent launch of our radio advertising campaign to go

hand in hand with our fundraising campaign. I have been working with Marsha, Eufe (another one of our founders), and two amazing success stories of the foster care system. In partnership with a major chain of local radio stations, we recorded spots with a link to our donation site www. hopeinasuitcase.org We have already realized some substantial and significant donations directly associated with the campaign, and hope to gain more traction throughout the year.

The more love, education, support and empowerment bestowed on these kids during their tween and teen years, the more promising their life successes become. In the United States, over 422,000 children are in the foster care system. In Los Angeles county alone, there are over 51,000 foster children. According to the most current statistics provided by the UC Berkeley center for social services, only about 54% of foster children graduate from high school, and only about 10% enroll in college. The numbers are staggering, the obstacles both significant and extremely challenging. My goal is to play a part in increasing awareness, focus on establishing more corporate partnerships, and encourage others to get involved.

THE Cheers to DRAYCOTT

Fr rom London to Pacific Palisades, Marisa and Matt Hermer know how to create the perfect ambiance for friends and family to gather. Their newest restaurant, The Draycott, offers the most delicious cocktails complimenting their Californiainspired menu. . .all positively worth a jaunt to The Palisades!

BY JAKE AHLES PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTOGRAPHY

INGREDIENTS

• Tajin

• 1/2 oz. Agave Simple Syrup

• 3/4 oz. Lime Juice

• 1 oz. Watermelon Puree

• 2 oz. Blanco Tequila

• 1/4 oz. Orange Liqueur

• 1 dash Spicy Bitters

DIRECTIONS

Take a lime wedge and rub half the outside rim of the Double Rocks with the lime. Rub in the Tajin; make sure a good amount sticks to the glass. In a shaker, add the following ingredients: Agave Simple Syrup, Lime Juice, Watermelon Puree, Blanco Tequila, Orange Liqueur and Spicy Bitters. Next, add ice to shaker, as well as to the double rocks to fill the glass. Put top on shaker and shake for 5 to 8 seconds diligently. Remove the top of the shaker, attach Hawthorne Strainer and pour contents into double rocks glass. Garnish with Lime Wedge.

watermelon

picante

INGREDIENTS

MUDDLED INGREDIENTS

• 2 Slices of Cucumber

• 1 Whole Strawberry, Without Stem and Quartered

• 1 Lime Wedge

• 1 Sprig of Mint

OTHER INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 oz. Pure Cane Simple Syrup

• 2 oz. Pimm’s Liqueur

• Ginger Ale

DIRECTIONS

In shaker, add Cucumber and pulverize with a muddler. Next, add the following ingredients to the shaker: Strawberry, Lime Wedge (squeezed into shaker and dropped in), Mint, Pure Cane Simple Syrup and Pimm’s Liqueur. Then, add ice to shaker, put top on shaker and shake for 5 to 8 seconds diligently. Remove the top of the shaker and pour contents into Collins glass. Top with Ginger Ale and garnish with Lime Wedge.

SAVORY

Chef Michael Lewis, owner of Lewis Provisions, takes us on a culinary journey with his savory dishes. Each meal is prepared with the hope that his guests feel nourished and comforted while enjoying fresh and simple ingredients. Using his own line of bone broths for his creations, each bite is infused with your health and wellbeing in mind. He currently offers three flavors of chicken bone broth –

original, lemongrass and ginger, and cayenne. His versions of beef bone broth and turkey bone broth will be available soon. All are packed with many nutrients that help your skin, boost your immune system, and protect your joints along with offering many other digestive benefits. “The great thing about my broth is that you can use it to cook all of your favorite recipes. I personally use it in my risotto, soups and braises,” Chef Michael shares.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLA BUCK

BRINED CHICKEN BREASTS

INGREDIENTS

• 4 c water

• ¼ c salt

• 1/8th c sugar

• 15 whole black peppercorns

• 3 sprigs thyme

DIRECTIONS

• 2 sprigs rosemary

• 1 strip lemon peel

• 3 strips orange peel

• 2 crushed garlic cloves

• 4 chicken breasts, skin on or off

Combine all ingredients (other than the chicken breasts) and bring to boil. Allow to steep for 30 minutes. Cool brine. Place chicken breasts in brine for 1 hour. Remove from brine and dispose of brine. Rinse the chicken breasts. Pat dry or air dry in refrigerator. Can be seared in a cast iron pan or grilled on the barbeque.

CAULIFLOWER & MUSHROOM PUREE

(MAKES ABOUT 2 CUPS)

INGREDIENTS

• 130 g (1.5 c) yellow onion, sliced

• 2 large garlic cloves, chopped

• 435 g (5 c) cauliflower florettes

• 125 g (1.5 c) peeled crimini mushrooms

• 1 c Lewis Provisions chicken stock

• 2 tbsp evoo

• 1 tbsp butter

DIRECTIONS

Melt butter and oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, cauliflower and mushrooms. Mix everything so all ingredients are coated. Cover and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring every two minutes. Add chicken stock, turn to medium-low heat and cook another 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until extra smooth (maybe 3 or 4 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pro Tip: Add an extra cup of stock and ¼ c of cream and this puree turns into a luscious soup!

BRAISED HEIRLOOM BABY CARROTS

INGREDIENTS

• Braised Heirloom

Baby Carrots

• 2 shallots, peeled and sliced

• 3 garlic cloves, smashed

• 4 sprigs thyme

• 3-5 sprigs rosemary

DIRECTIONS

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, or

• 2 tbsp evoo

• 2-3 bunches baby carrots, cleaned, ½” of stem left on

• 1.5-3 c Lewis Provisions original chicken bone broth

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine carrots, shallots, garlic, herbs, butter (or evoo) in a shallow (2”) roasting pan and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add chicken bone broth, leaving about half of the carrots uncovered. Place in preheated oven and cook covered for 25 minutes. Remove cover and raise oven temp to 400 degrees for another 20 minutes or until the carrots are tender. Strain aromatics from leftover chicken bone broth and reserve stock for Chicken Jus.

ROSEMARY MAITAKE CHICKEN JUS

(MAKES ABOUT 1.5 CUPS)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 maitake mushroom, cut and cleaned

• 5 sprigs rosemary

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1.5 c Lewis Provisions original chicken bone broth

• 1.5 c chicken bone broth reserved from braised carrots

• 3 tbsp butter, cut into pieces

DIRECTIONS

Add chicken bone broth to pot with rosemary and reduce over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Remove rosemary. In a separate pan, sear the maitake mushrooms, and add to the pot with chicken broth. Resume reducing for another 10 minutes or until liquid has reduced by about half. While stirring, add in butter and simmer until jus thickens a bit, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

FRENCH ONION SOUP

(MAKES ABOUT 8 CUPS)

INGREDIENTS

• 5 pounds thinly sliced onions

• 3 cloves garlic

• 3 tbsp evoo

• 3 tbsp butter

• 2 teaspoon sugar

• 1 tbsp chopped thyme

• 1 tbsp chopped rosemary

DIRECTIONS

• 2 tbsp flour

• 3 quarts of Lewis provisions beef stock

• 1 c dry vermouth

• 4 tbsp cognac

• 1 lb gruyere cheese

• ½ lb parmesan cheese

• French baguette

Melt butter and olive oil in a medium stock pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic, stir and cook covered over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Remove cover. Turn heat to high and begin caramelizing the onions. Keep a close watch because the onions will be the easiest to burn at this point. Every few minutes, add a bit of water and scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze caramelized bits from the bottom (do not let the

bottom of the pan get black!). Repeat this process for about 25 minutes. Add sugar, thyme and rosemary, and continue to caramelize for another 15 minutes. Turn heat down to medium, add in the flour, and cook for another 2 or 3 minutes, taking care not to burn anything. Add beef stock and vermouth and cook over medium-high heat for about 45 minutes.

While this is cooking, shred gruyere and parmesan, and mix together. Cut slices of baguette, drizzle with oil, season with salt and pepper, and toast in oven until golden brown. Remove from oven, rub with a whole garlic clove, and set aside for plating. Add cognac to soup and cook for another 5 minutes. Season soup with salt and pepper to taste. Remove soup from heat and ladle into oven-proof serving bowls/ramekins, leaving about ½ ” headspace (for the bread and cheese). Place toasted baguette on top of hot French onion soup, and place a generous pile of gruyere and parmesan on top. Place under a broiler for 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted and begun to brown.

TRICOLORE SALAD

WITH ROASTED BEETS, CITRUS, TOASTED PISTACHIO, AVOCADO AND A WHOLEGRAIN MUSTARD BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

DRESSING

• 1/3 c balsamic vinegar

• ¼ c aged sherry vinegar

• ¼ c fresh squeezed orange or tangerine juice

• 1 tbsp honey

DIRECTIONS

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 4 tbsp whole grain mustard

• 2 c avocado oil

• 1 c evoo

• salt and pepper to taste

Combine vinegar, orange juice, honey, garlic and whole grain mustard. It is best to do this in a mason jar or something with a screw-on lid, which makes it easier to shake! Let sit for 10 minutes. Add in avocado oil and evoo and season to taste. Screw on lid and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds. Makes 4 cups.

ROASTED BEETS

• 3 medium red beets

• ¼ cup evoo

• 1 ½ tbsp white balsamic vinegar

DIRECTIONS

• 10 sprigs thyme

• 1 ½ garlic clove, smashed

• 1 ½ tbsp salt

• black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut the tops (stems) off the beets and wash them thoroughly. Place each beet on a sheet of foil and add all other ingredients. Wrap all ingredients in the foil, basically pinching all four corners of the foil together. Place on a sheet tray in the oven for 45 minutes-1 hour, or until a knife slides in and out of the beets easily. Remove from oven and let sit in foil for another 10-15 minutes. Peel beets by rubbing the skin off with a towel and throw away the skin. Cool beets, cut into cubes, and toss with 1 tbsb olive oil.

SALAD

• 1 head radicchio

• 1 head endive

• frisee

• arugula

• 2 roasted beets (1 red, 1 golden), cut into ½ inch cubes

DIRECTIONS

• 1 cara cara orange, 1 blood orange, 1 ruby grapefruit

• 1 avocado, cut into chunks

• ½ c toasted pistachios, chopped

• whole grain mustard balsamic vinaigrette

• goat cheese

Finely slice radicchio and place in a bowl of ice water for an hour. This helps it to crisp up and takes some of the bitterness out of the lettuce. Cut each leaf of endive in half, lengthwise. Wash and shock the frisee in ice water. Wash arugula. Dry lettuces. Remove segments from citrus.

In a large bowl, combine lettuces, roasted beets, citrus segments, avocado, balsamic vinaigrette and salt and pepper to taste. Toss carefully and then transfer to plate, making sure to spread the beets and citrus evenly throughout. Garnish with a few small chunks of goat cheese and toasted pistachio. Pro Tip: This makes a great meal when you dress it up with roasted chicken breast or seared salmon!

SPAY & NEUTER PROGRAM And Be Part of The Solution to Endless Euthanasia in California

• 70,000 dogs and cats are born in the U.S. every day.

• 70 million stray dogs and cats are living in the U.S.

• 3 to 4 million animals are euthanized by U.S. shelters every year.

and euthanize homeless animals.

animals.

• It costs U.S. taxpayers over $2 billion yearly to impound, shelter and euthanize homeless animals.

• One female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs in SIX YEARS!

• One female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs in SIX YEARS!

• One female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs in SIX YEARS!

female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs in SIX YEARS!

• One female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs in SIX YEARS!

• One female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 370,000 cats in SEVEN YEARS!

• One female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 370,000 cats in SEVEN YEARS!

• One female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 370,000 cats in SEVEN YEARS!

• One female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 370,000 cats in SEVEN YEARS!

• One female cat and her offspring can theoretically produce 370,000 cats in SEVEN YEARS!

START is part of the solution to pet overpopulation. Through our Spay/Neuter Program, we end the suffering of innocent dogs and cats by reducing unwanted births and, in turn, the number of animals entering the shelter system, thus increasing live-release numbers. We are presently able to fund 90 to 125 spay & neuter procedures monthly for needy California families and communities. But our goal is to do much more.

START is part of the solution to pet overpopulation. Through our Spay/Neuter Program, we end the suffering of innocent dogs and cats by reducing unwanted births and, in turn, the number of animals entering the shelter system, thus increasing live-release numbers. We are presently able to fund 90 to 125 spay & neuter procedures monthly for needy California families and communities. But our goal is to do much more.

START is part of the solution to pet overpopulation.

START is part of the solution to pet overpopulation. Through our Spay/Neuter Program, we end the suffering of innocent dogs and cats by reducing unwanted births and, in turn, the number of animals entering the shelter system, thus increasing live-release numbers. We are presently able to fund 90 to 125 spay & neuter procedures monthly for needy California families and communities. But our goal is to do much more.

START is part of the solution to pet overpopulation. Through our Spay/Neuter Program, we end the suffering of innocent dogs and cats by reducing unwanted births and, in turn, the number of animals entering the shelter system, thus increasing live-release numbers. We are presently able to fund 90 to 125 spay & neuter procedures monthly for needy California families and communities. But our goal is to do much more.

START is part of the solution to pet overpopulation. Through our Spay/Neuter Program, we end the suffering of innocent dogs and cats by reducing unwanted births and, in turn, the number of animals entering the shelter system, thus increasing live-release numbers. We are presently able to fund 90 to 125 spay & neuter procedures monthly for needy California families and communities. But our goal is to do much more. Donations

Through our Spay/Neuter Program, we end the suffering of innocent dogs and cats by reducing unwanted births and, in turn, the number of animals entering the shelter system, thus increasing live-release numbers. We are presently able to fund 90 to 125 spay & neuter procedures monthly for needy California families and communities. But our goal is to do much more.

SPANKY’S PET PICS

At press time, each of these furry friends were on the instagram of both the @ FriendsOfWestValley animal shelter and @agouraanimalslaco (agoura animal care center). Dogs, cats, horses, pigs, bunnies, bearded dragons and more, all looking for a new family before they are euthanized (yes...even “no kill” shelters euthanize animals).

If you can’t adopt, consider the rewarding experience of volunteering to be a dog walker at a local shelter. Dogs at West Valley Shelter and all LA shelters are in desperate need of human angels to get them out of their concrete cells to stretch their legs, feel some love and socializing. This is a huge warm fuzzy feeling for you and Invaluable for these poor pups who are locked in cells for months or years at a time. That’s right, without walking volunteers they do not get out for months on end. There is also the opportunity to foster these homeless dogs. So many rescue organizations will sponsor the dog and pay for food and vet services while you provide the love, care and time. These sweet souls need us. Spread the word!

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