Hidden Hills Magazine • Spring 2021

CREATIVITY

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WHERE

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PUBLISHERS

Welcome to spring! Somehow, we are already a quarter of the way through 2021, which is finally beginning to feel like may actually bring some renewal. In trying times, we have all had to be creative in everything we do. How we live. How we work. How we spend our free time. . .Really, everything.

So, this issue is focused on the creative spirit. From the genius of renowned photographer and filmmaker Norman Seeff—who has so graciously allowed us to publish his iconic work—to the ways we can travel locally, to the food we cook, and even turning to creative expression to cope with insurmountable challenges, as author Catherine Gourdier has done so inspiringly (pg. 39).

Thank you, as always, for supporting the advertisers who make this community publication possible. HAPPY SPRING!

Lonna Weber & Joe Bellissimo

Lonna@LongValleyMedia.com

Joe@LongValleyMedia.com

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.

CO- PUBLISHERS

Lonna Weber

Joe Bellissimo

Editor-in-Chief

Joe Bellissimo

Copy Editors

Linda Raznick

Carly Fentress

Advisory Board

Archie E. Hanson Jr.

Linda Raznick

Steve Weber

Inquiries

Advertising: Lonna@Longvalleymedia.com

Editorial: joe@Longvalleymedia.com

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

Long Valley Media, LLC

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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.

ELYSE GLICKMAN

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

ALLIE LEBOS

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.

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SPRING

2021 features

VIEWFINDER

From Mick Jagger to Steve Jobs; Joni Mitchell to Johnny Cash, Photographer and Filmmaker Norman Seeff has captured the essence and energy of the creative icons of our time.

39

SURVIVING THROUGH GRIEF

In 2009, Hidden Hills Resident, Catherine Gourdier, experienced personal tragedy beyond imagination. Now, she shares what she has learned in a new memoir meant to help others.

51

DESERT, SEA, MOUNTAINS, WINE Premium vacation home rentals for the perfect California road trip.

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FRESH SPRING DISHES

Porta Via Restaurant in Calabasas offers up some of its signature recipes for you to try at home.

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SOCIAL SMOKE

Cannabis innovators Drew Martin want to bring the occasional social smoke down to earth.

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COVER On the

Norman Seeff with music icon, Ray Charles.

Photo by Norman Seeff. Story, pg. 17.

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VIEWFINDER

WRITTEN BY JOE BELLISSIMO | PHOTOS BY AND COURTESY OF NORMAN SEEFF

Every story that you read, including this one, begins with a blank page; every painting, a canvas; every picture, an unexposed frame. For those with a passion to create, these can be either a vast, open frontier of possibilities or a daunting white wall standing between the creator and the world. Most often, it is both.

In every instance, there is fear. The nagging inner-voice of self-doubt giving you every reason why “you should not be doing this,” the inner resistances urging you to keep things in control and to stay well inside the bounds of the status

quo. After all, why risk anything if everything is fine? Why make yourself vulnerable and naked to the world, exposed to judgment and humiliation and the likelihood of complete and utter failure? They are the questions that keep great things from happening. They keep innovation and creativity and the very future at bay. They often derail individuals from pursuing their dreams, sending them back to the straight and narrow track of the safe and mundane. Without the epiphany that the emotion of fear could not only free us, but also actually propel us to the realization of our dreams, the straight and the narrow and the mundane might have been the story of Norman Seeff.

THE ICONIC WORKS OF NORMAN SEEFF HAVE NEVER BEEN A POINT-AND-SHOOT ENDEAVOUR, BUT RATHER, ABOUT BRINGING THE INNERWORKINGS OF OUR CULTURAL ICONS INTO CLEAR AND UNPARALLELED FOCUS

If Seeff is not a top-of-mind name to you, and there is a fair chance that it is not, it can almost be guaranteed that his photography has connected with you at some point in your life. The iconic image of a young Steve Jobs sitting in lotus position cradling his baby, the Macintosh (which was the cover of Time Magazine after his passing as well as the back cover of Jobs’ official biography). The iconic shot of an exuberant Ray Charles with the black and white of a piano keyboard reflected in his glasses. An eclectic array of album covers for Carly Simon, Van Halen, Joni Mitchell, Blondie and Johnny Cash, to name only a very, very few. He has been entrusted with capturing the genius of Warhol and Mapplethorpe and with distilling the essence of film directors like John Huston, Billy Wilder and Martin Scorsese – who have roughly 200,000 frames to tell a story – into one simple and precise moment of film. It is a pressure far beyond that of a blank page . . . 6 feet away from cultural icons, trying to draw out a real moment that could define them forever in an instant of light.

Born in 1939 in Johannesburg, South Africa, Seeff was reared in a sometimes tough and dangerous world. To be a curious and creative teen could make you a target. So Seeff countered his artistic nature with academics and athletics, which also came to him naturally. “I was always surviving at school because if you were a kid who drew and painted and wrote poetry, you were in danger in those days,” recalls Seeff, with his worn-velvet-like South African accent. “So, I escaped that threat because of my prowess as an athlete.” Seeff had the grit to be one of the youngest athletes to be drafted to the South African National Soccer League (1956), and in 1965 he qualified as a doctor and spent three years working in a Soweto hospital emergency room specializing in the management of traumatic

shock. To put it lightly, thin-skinned he is not. But the emotional grind of emergency medicine was wearing on him. Inspired by his father, a physician, who throughout his career would donate time in black neighborhoods with young Norman in tow, Seeff wanted to be a healer. Yet, although his work was needed in Soweto, he felt he was only a fixer of immediate emergencies and not impacting the lives of those he touched.

“I was doing work in the emergency room and that was very profound, but it was very depressing because, you know, every day, out of a hundred people that I see 10 of them die,” Seeff remembers.

“You’re 25 and 26 and you don't want to be living that kind of life.” His respite during this time were the art classes he would teach at night within a community of friends and artists that had sprung up in Johannesburg, but it wasn’t enough. “So, one day, at 29, I just woke up and I heard a voice say to

OPPOSITE PAGE: SEEFF'S COVERS FOR ROLLING STONE AND TIME, SHOTS TODAY THAT ARE CONSIDERED ICONIC REPRESENTATIONS OF JOBS' GENIUS

RAY CHARLES (1985)

ANDY WARHOL (1969)

MARTIN SCORSESE (1985)

JOHN HUSTON (1981)

BILLY WILDER (1986)

me, ‘it's time to go. It's time to go.’’Seeff resigned from his position, bought a one-way ticket and headed to New York.

NEW YORK CITY - 1969

Seeff soon found himself at the epicenter of a cultural upheaval that was exhilarating, but there was still the matter of day to day survival. “When I first started, I'm walking the streets of New York and I'm not getting any work for a year and a half and I'm feeling like, what have I done with my life?,” recalls Seeff. “I was doing profoundly important work in this black hospital that needed what I had to bring and I'm just suddenly involved in all this New York frivolous life-style—doing the downtown bars, the Midtown and uptown bars, and making sure you've gotten into Elaine’s . . . that was the bar at the time, you know, and that was like . . . I went into self-doubt —what have I done with my life?.”

Through this cloud of disillusionment, Seeff somehow instinctively kept pushing forward. Today, he recognizes this stage as part of the archetypal artists’ journey,

which he has meticulously mapped, but at the time, it was more about that nagging thought he had made a mistake and that it was never going to happen for him. “If I had only known that that fear wasn't because I was incompetent . . . the fear was saying, ‘no, you're in the right place because you're going where you've never been before.’ And that defines an innovative artist. That's

where you want to go.” Nonetheless, at the milestone age of thirty, he had only the hindsight of two prior careers that he had left behind. The uncertainty was palpable. He wandered the narrow avenues of Lower Manhattan, camera in-hand, hustling to get in front of influential creative directors at magazines and to set-up sessions with any fascinating character who would cross his

LEFT: SEEFF'S CAREER BREAKTHROUGH PHOTO OF THE BAND (1969)

BELOW: ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE & PATTI SMITH. SOHO (1969)

ABOVE: JOHN TRAVOLTA (1976). FOR THIS SESSION, SEEFF'S PLIED TRAVOLTA WITH BEERS, HAD HIM COVERED WITH SHAVE CREAM AND A BUCKET OF WATER DUMPED ON HIM.

OPPOSITE PAGE: SEEFF SHOT ALBUM COVERS FOR BLONDIE, JONI MITCHELL, JOHNNY CASH, CARLY SIMON AND VAN HALEN.

path; two of which happened to be "punk poet laureate" Patti Smith and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.

Smith and Mapplethorpe’s embrace brought Seeff more solidly into the orbits of this cooperative of artists. A portfolio began to take shape, pages of real and authentic moments that brought renowned graphic artist Bob Cato, who Seeff met with at the suggestion of a friend, to tears. Cato saw something very authentic in what Seeff was doing. Before long, at Cato’s direction, Seeff was on his way to Woodstock with a borrowed strobe to shoot The Band. His first time driving in the states, he got lost and arrived three hours late to a rather disgruntled group of musicians. It was already dark, and he had to cut the session short because, with the little money he had for supplies, he ran out of film. He headed back to New York, convinced that his career was crashed before it was off the ground. Unable to face his mentor, he slid the photo under Cato’s door and left. Two weeks later, Seeff received a call telling him that The Band loved the shot and that they would use it as a poster shrink-wrapped with their upcoming album, Stage Fright. “Suddenly, within that month, every bar that I went to, that poster was up there. If you went to all the clothing stores, the poster was up there and suddenly I'm the guy that art directors are calling and asking if I have time to come and see them,” he remembers. “My life did an instant, 180.”

Although his cachet as a rock photographer was now established, the paid gigs were still few and far between. At Bob's recommendation he was hired as a designer of album cover art by Columbia records and it was his introduction into a new world of creative expression. In 1971, at Bob Cato’s recommendation, Seeff was offered the position of Creative Director at United Artists Records in Los Angeles. Two-and-a-half years after coming to the U.S. and scraping for work, Seeff

now found himself on the West Coast, the guy giving everyone the work. With five of the ten Grammy nominations that first year going to Seeff and his U.A. team, it was a track he certainly could have stayed on and thrived professionally, but the personal sacrifice of his self-expression in exchange for the safety of a salary were not for him. After two years, he stepped down from the enviable position and rented a space on the Sunset Strip. This was not in a fit of over-confidence —The fear was, perhaps more than ever, still very much there—But again, the voice was speaking. It was “time to go.”

THE NORMAN SEEFF STUDIO

It seems a simple equation from here. An established visual artist within the world of rock at a location in the heart of where it was all happening. And if luck is the meeting of preparation and opportunity, Seeff was certainly “lucky” in that Cato had stepped in to take his position at United Artists Records. Cato, among other creative directors, began sending work Seeff’s way, and over the next three years artists like Ike and Tina Turner, Kiss, Cher, Steve Miller—and even Steve Martin—were in the viewfinder of Seeff’s camera. The work was solid, but for Seeff, there was a feeling that these sessions were not getting either him or his subjects as far as they could have gone and that the potential for the truly real moments may not have been fully realized. “I always had an eye visually and I could just knock out a shot, but what

is the resonance and what is the emotional energy that is in that authentic moment?” Seeff wonders. “So, the whole thing was, in the beginning, how do you get people to let go and surrender to the moment? And I didn't know how to do that particularly.”

So Seeff began trying to break down barriers, to open artists up and to challenge them to go beyond their boundaries of safety. At first, it wasn’t necessarily about diving into the subtly colored depths of their souls, sometimes it was just complete absurdity. In one session, with a pre-Saturday Night Fever John Travolta, Seeff plied him with beers, covered him with shaving cream and dumped a bucket of water on him, a session that actually produced great work. In others, the tactic backfired and produced the opposite effect. "My early days of shooting were very ‘trial and error.’ I was exploring how to get artists to let go,” Seeff says. “Standing opposite Frank [Zappa] I asked him 'How far are you willing to go?' He shot back, 'Anywhere you want to go.' So, we hit him in the face with a pie. Big mistake. We got cream in his ear and he was not pleased. Somehow, Frank’s quirky sense of humor and my style of shooting

worked well together and all was forgiven. I shot Frank many times after that and with Frank it was hard to not get a good shot."

a goal to get ‘the shot’ was a mistake. He had to, over the course of a session, form an authentic relationship with the artist, and to do this, he had to make himself vulnerable. “Sessions for me became experiences of relationship—of creating safety and trust with artists. If you don’t do that, the artist doesn’t let go. They will be defensive.”

Of course, this “shock and awe” approach is better used selectively and with only personalities of a certain breed. Over time, and through experiential and emotional interaction with artists from across the spectrum, Seeff instinctively realized that aiming at

As candid photos are known to be the most real, this paradigm shift made perfect sense. So, the Seeff session shifted focus to the art of creative conversation; an experiential and mutual expression of vulnerabilities, and the spontaneity of a 'let's see where this takes us' exchange of truths. It pulled the curtain back on the artist and tapped into what Seeff calls their ‘soul essence.’ It was a call for both of them to become more real. As the emotional substance of the conversations would deepen, so did the depth of each photo and the energy and authenticity of each moment translated organically to the single frame. “I realized very quickly, I'm not a photographer in essence, that's the vehicle,” Seeff says. “What I am is an explorer of the creative process . . .The human dynamics of creative communication, interaction, vulnerability...

IF I HAD ONLY KNOWN THAT THAT FEAR WASN'T BECAUSE I WAS INCOMPETENT…THE FEAR WAS SAYING, ‘NO, YOU'RE IN THE RIGHT PLACE BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING WHERE YOU'VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE.’ AND THAT CREATES AN INNOVATIVE ARTIST. THAT'S WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.

— NORMAN SEEFF —

OPPOSITE PAGE: SEEFF IS KNOWN FOR CAPTURING THE ESSENCE AND ENERGY OF HIS SUBJECTS, LIKE HE DID HERE WITH A YOUNG STEVE MARTIN (1974)

LEFT: SEEFF'S CAREER BREAKTHROUGH PHOTO OF THE BAND (1969)

INSET: FRANK ZAPPA (1976) "With Frank it was hard to not get a good shot."

all of those things. That became what I was really focused on and the beauty of what I was striving for.”

Each shoot now generated an energy that was tangible. Like the feeling when you’ve just exited the best concert you’ve ever seen. Everyone in attendance knew something special had taken place and there was a sense of wanting more. There was also a sense of loss in that the magic of the conversation between Seeff and subject had not been filmed. “I’m shooting and having these conversations with artists and people are saying to me, ‘you know, it's amazing to be in the room with you and Joni Mitchell or Stevie wonder, but there is something beyond that’,” Seeff remembers. “The conversation that you guys are having is astounding. And I'm thinking, well, because I'm this far from Stevie wonder, the conversation of course is astounding, but is it an objective experience to somebody else? So I just said, okay, I'm going to bring a film crew in and I went over to UCLA film school and I found these guys and I said, ‘okay, if you have an Arriflex camera and if you have a light, and if you have a Nagra [sound] recorder . . .’ these people could come to my sessions if they came with the equipment.” And they did.

Over the years following 1975, the threehour sessions of countless iconic artists were filmed; Fleetwood Mac, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Tina Turner . . . In one session, Seeff surprised Van Morrison, whose introversion and avoidance of interviews is well documented, with a band at the ready. Morrison went with it and willingly played through his entire catalog in a three-hour performance. Many years later, Morrison would tell Seeff that he remembered it as one of the most spontaneous and real performances he ever gave and asked to see the film. Herein lies 'the catch.'

THE SEEFF ARCHIVES

The moving images that came from these sessions, at least the ones that have been seen,

are truly moving. There is an undeniable insight into each artist that the formats of other mediums hadn't somehow captured. But the very idea to film them, while compelling to Seeff, had been ancillary to the immediate purpose of photographing the artists. The realities of the financial costs of the back-half of film production were too prohibitive and as more sessions kept coming, the decision to buy more film would continually supersede

the option to develop what had already been captured. So, Seeff taped up the exposed cans and stored them away, first, from garage to garage, then, into climate-controlled vaults in the heart of Hollywood where they remain in darkness today. Collectively, about a thousand cans of 16 mm film remain undeveloped. The cost to process them all? Roughly half-a-million dollars.

TOP: FOR THIS SHOOT WITH VAN MORRISON (1979), SEEFF SURPRISED HIM WITH A BAND AT THE READY AND MORRISON GAVE AN IMPROMPTU, THREE-HOUR PERFORMANCE, PURELY FOR SEEFF, CREW AND CAMERA. ABOVE: SEEFF SHOOTING FLEETWOOD MAC, FOR "TUSK." (1978). OPPOSITE PAGE: IKE AND TINA TURNER, SEEFF'S FIRST FILMED SESSION, AND TINA, SOLO (1983).

IF YOU TELL THE STORY, YOU NEED TO BE WILLING TO OWN SHADOW. LIGHT SHADOW, DARK SHADOW. . .IT'S A DANCE. IT'S ALWAYS THAT DANCE AND EVERY SHADOW HAS INCREDIBLE TREASURES IN IT. — NORMAN SEEFF —

There is certainly a mysteriousness to it all. If you've ever found in a box an old roll of undeveloped film, there is a wondering in the back of your mind . . ."what's on there?" There is the nostalgic promise of something forgotten, something personal to someone that should have been remembered. Or maybe it was packed away for reason. Now magnify this emotion a thousand times and you might understand how Norman Seeff feels about this archive. As someone working within a world of personalities, and in the medium of light and shadow, Seeff recognized early on that each of us are shaded in the light and in the dark and in all the subtle gradients that live in between. As each subject of his filmed sessions let these subtleties come out, including Seeff himself, he knows first-hand the importance of what is in that vault. It is an awakening. "If you tell the story, you need to be willing to own shadow. Light shadow, dark shadow . . . It's a dance.

It's always that dance and every shadow has incredible treasures in it," Seeff says as a matter of absolute fact. "And although these were also my insecure moments, the waking up part of it—it's not just me. It's the artists that I was working with and it's a historical documentation of the beginning of the story, the inception of my journey and the second half of the seventies and the eighties. This stuff needs to be developed, or it's gone. And it might be gone now. I don't know."

LOVE'S WORK

At eighty-one—although you'd never guess that age sitting within the aura of his vitality—bringing this visual history to the literal light of day has become part of Seeff's passion project (which he calls "Love's Work"). Not because of the potential revelations about the people on those reels but rather because of the perspective it provides into the pro-

cess, the importance and the humanity of creativity. There is indeed a humanizing effect that comes from witnessing the vulnerability of these iconic artists. Al Green, humble and protective of his voice. Johnny Mathis, shy and boy-like as a female friend of Seeff’s convinces him to slow dance with her while he softly sings "Misty." Alicia Keys, introspective, in the moment and vulnerable, suddenly being able to recall and sing "All Alone," the first song she ever wrote, at the age of twelve . . . the moment she says she knew music was her destiny. With Ray Charles, it is experiencing the pure energy and authority that comes from the passion for what he does and literally sharing the secret for how he creates. "The genuinely authentic artists, they're not divas," Seeff explains. "The real ones understand this dynamic and the vulnerability and the courage that it takes to do it. They have an amazing humility and a courageous vulnerability, paradoxically

together with an incredible self-confidence and they're flipping between the emotional states letting themselves feel every aspect of themselves."

It is this introspection and the courage to feel and acknowledge every aspect of ourselves that Seeff sees as the change agent that will inspire our collective creativity and bring us to a new and different world. We are, after all, at a point in our history as a species where everyone has been given a bit of a time-out; like it or not. We can bemoan it, or we can see it as a prolonged moment in our lives where we actually have the breathing room to reflect deeply into who we are and what actually matters. A time to want something more and deeper and to be inspired and to think about where we want to go from here. “The true innovators recognize the profundity and the importance in what they're doing, they are the ones willing to generate the future. It doesn't exist until you conceive it. What's next? You encounter your fears and are called to make the daring choice to commit to do it. That cycling of energy is the natural flow of the great wheel of creation."

So, by now you know that, as far as Norman Seeff sees it, that blank page before you is truly a thing of beauty. Although it may scare you and make you want to withdraw, don't. See it as the opportunity that it is and embrace that fear and let it empower you because it means you are onto something great and you're about to go somewhere you've never been. And when you hear those words in your head, in a voice that may be your own (or maybe even Norman's), don’t simply stand there looking down that path dreaming of what could be. Listen to that voice. "It's time to go."

OPPOSITE PAGE: SEEFF PREPARES HIS WORK FOR AN EXHIBITION.

INSET: 'THINK DIFFERENT' AND YOUR WORK WILL BE LARGER THAN LIFE. SEEFF'S

PHOTO OF JOHN HUSTON GRACES A BUILDING, KOREATOWN, LOS ANGELES.

BELOW: SEEFFSHOT COVERS FOR ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE OF MICK JAGGER AND THE EAGLES; JOHN BELUSHI (1981)

For more about Norman Seeff and his works, visit normanseeff.com

PHOTO BY TAI SEEFF

Product and service solutions designed to meet your personal home loan needs

Whether buying or refinancing, Union Bank® has a variety of personal home loan options available.

Union Bank has an array of loan programs that will meet various life and financial objectives, including programs for low- and moderate-income, conforming, and jumbo loans. From these programs, there are over 30 different loan products for you to choose from that are differentiated by loan size, term, interest rate (fixed or adjustable), and repayment option.

Our team of Mortgage Consultants is here to provide you with highly personalized service for managing the loan process from application to funding.

Visit your local Union Bank branch and speak with a Mortgage Consultant today.

unionbank.com

Jay Goldberg

Private Mortgage Consultant

2001 Wilshire Blvd.

Santa Monica, CA 90403

310-600-1988

NMLS ID #261023

David Rubenstein

Private Mortgage Consultant

11661 San Vicente Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90049

818-264-9703

NMLS ID #653806

Arfae Tavosy

Private Mortgage Consultant

9460 Wilshire Blvd., 2nd Floor

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

310-383-6449

NMLS ID #485762

5545 DIXON TRAIL

HIDDEN HILLS | NEWLY PRICED | OFFERED AT $17,590,000

25354 PRADO DE LA FELICIDAD

THE ESTATES AT THE OAKS, CALABASAS | OFFERED AT $37,999,000

310.919.1038

info@thefridmangroup.com thefridmangroup.com

THE ARTISAN, HIDDEN HILLS $24,888,000

5221 ROUND MEADOW RD, HIDDEN HILLS $10,995,000

25010 JIM BRIDGER RD, HIDDEN HILLS $5,995,000

25344 PRADO DE LAS FRESAS, THE OAKS OF CALABASAS $4,599,000 158 BELL CANYON RD, BELL CANYON $3,855,000

2750 QUEENS GARDEN CT, SHERWOOD COUNTRY CLUB $7,195,000

4533 ESTRONDO DR, ENCINO $5,199,000

A Selection of our Listings

24044 long valley Rd, Hidden Hills |

Bed | 7 Bath | $7,750,000

5845 hilltop Rd, Hidden Hills |

Bed |

Bath | $4,299,000

24307 Long Valley rd, hidden hills | 5 Bed | 4 Bath | $3,700,000

5742 Hilltop rd, hidden hills | 4 Bed | 6 Bath | $3,650,000

25222 Prado Del Grandioso, calabasas | 6 Bed | 9 Bath | $14,495,000

hidden hills manor

Captivating, unobstructed city & mountain views envelope this stunning Hidden Hills Manor. Perched atop a privately gated 1.5 acre knoll, an impressive motor court welcomes you to this 8 bedroom, 10 bath estate compound. A grand 2 story foyer & main hall open to an array of dramatic public living areas warmed by numerous fireplaces and adorned w/ custom millwork & gleaming wood floors. The professional chef’s kitchen boasts top of the line appliances, center island & sun lit breakfast rm. The adjacent great rm adorned w/ rich wood paneling, custom fireplace, beamed ceiling detail & impressive entertainers bar is the heart of this home. Two en-suite guest bdrms and a handsome library completes the main living floor. The upper level features an elegant primary suite plus 3 additional secondary en-suite bdrms. Additional living quarters include a charming detached guest house and separate guest apartment. Sparkling pool & spa, outdoor dining terrace and dual BBQ Stations are accentuated by the pristine manicured grounds colorful gardens, numerous citrus trees and private wine producing vineyard. Bon Appetit!

25045 Jim Bridger rD. hidden hills

8 BEd I 10 Bath $13,750,000

Frontgate is a licensed real estate broker (02014153) 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 Frontgate main office call 747.888.0508

THE AGENCY CALABASAS

michael BLOOM

Michael Bloom

are proud to welcome

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

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

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

JIM BRIDGER ROAD - HIDDEN HILLS SELLING PRICE $3,450,000

CEO Mauricio Umansky, Calabasas Managing Partner Emil Hartoonian, and San Fernando Manager Jason Galardi

Micheal Bloom to The Agency’s growing team.

CALABASAS ROAD, SUITE 148 CALABASAS, CA 91302

REAL ESTATE AT THEAGENCYRE.COM

JED SMITH ROAD - HIDDEN HILLS $4,495,000

23621 LONG VALLEY ROAD - HIDDEN HILLS $3,250,000

WATERWISE L.A.

THE PATH TO A PERFECTLY WATERED LAWN AND GARDEN

In the world of automation that we live in, how and when we water our yards isn’t necessarily top-ofmind. Not only do we set our watering timers and forget about them, but we often prefer to not have to think about them at all. While convenient, there are many downsides to this approach. Aside from the fact that we won’t notice issues until our landscaping begins to suffer, this can also make the green in our bank account wither as well.

Although it is likely you have contracted with a landscaping company that is supposed to monitor this, most often they do not

spend much time obsessing about how you can save water or money. That is where Waterwise LA’s team of trained irrigation specialists comes in. Working with you or your landscape maintenance contractor, Waterwise will first analyze your irrigation systems for inefficiencies, leaks (often found at first inspection) or general defects or breakages. Once everything is tuned-up, repaired, and checks-out as good-to-go, the setting of the proper watering schedule for your yard is the next level of creating optimal efficiency.

For example, most people think that in order to get a

luscious lawn of pure green with no dead brown spots that they need to water their lawn every day for hours on end. This big misconception can actually drive up your water bill without your lawn looking any greener or fuller. Instead of drowning your lawn, you should actually water it just enough that the water and nutrients seep through the soil to the roots and no more. This amount of water differs between grass types and which kind of soil you have in your yard and it is in this type of knowledge that Waterwise excels and applies obsessively in their Quarterly Waterwise Program, which includes:

• Inspection of sprinkler heads and drip systems.

• Cleaning of dirt and debris from nozzles and soaker hoses.

• Making adjustments in the spray direction of nozzles to ensure no water is being wasted.

• Replacement of up to 5 broken or damaged sprinkler heads.

• Inspection of Control Box/ Reset Timer.

• Adjusting timer for best watering per season/time of year.

• Inspection of Valves.

• Inspecting for wiring issues and rewire if needed.

• Inspecting for leaky valves.

• Repairing of valves (does not include replacement if a new valve is necessary).

SURVIVING THROUGH GRIEF

by Debbie Yanuck | Photos courtesy

Catherine Gourdier spent years in the entertainment business working on movies that made audiences laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. Yet, no tense music or darkened room could foreshadow the anguish she experienced on a night in early November 2009. In her hometown of Kingston, Canada, at her brother Dave’s house, she prepared with her family to celebrate her

youngest sister’s surprise birthday. In a macabre twist, the party was a surprise horror-themed event because her sister Julie loved Halloween. As Catherine writes in her upcoming book, Breathe Cry Breathe, “. . . I was putting fake blood on my sister Deb’s neck when we got the call about our mom being hit by a car . . .”

Upon arriving at the accident site Catherine learned that not only had

Gourdier

her mom been hit, but Julie had been hit too. Her parents and sister were walking home from the church directly across the street from their house when the car struck them. Her father was unscathed, but her mom and sister, both seriously injured, passed away at the hospital. “My father died several weeks later,” Catherine says, “from a broken heart.” Only one week before the tragedy her parents wowed a crowd doing the jitterbug

of Catherine

Catherine applying Julie’s makeup on Catherine’s wedding day. October, 1999

at a Halloween party at their favorite local bar. The shocking deaths shattered Catherine and her six remaining siblings.

While growing up in Kingston, Catherine, the eldest of her seven siblings, cared for and cherished her happy-go-lucky family. Even though she moved to Toronto and later to Hidden Hills, she still traveled back to Kingston two or three times a year to visit her family. Catherine and her husband Don still spend the summer months entertaining their family and friends at their lake house in Canada.

Alone at the lake the summer of 2010 she read several loss books and tried different healing therapies. She grew lonelier when her sisters did not want her to talk about the ‘event.’ She needed an outlet. Catherine says, “In deep mush-mind grief mode, I began to write about what happened . . . telling everything as I remembered it.”

What started as a self-help book for friends who lost loved ones evolved into Catherine’s family’s tragic story and what she did to ‘heal’ from her sorrow. She points out, “When someone is sick and failing, there is time

Catherine’s mother and father. Christmas, 2008

for goodbyes and final conversations, but this . . . was like a punch to the heart out of nowhere.” She writes, “Grief does not vanish quickly . . . it packs a suitcase and moves into your heart and head.”

After the tragedy, Catherine’s grief overwhelmed her desire to go back to work as a 2nd assistant director. “The job is all about the details, call times, set elements . . . to have that kind of responsibility for a cast and crew of over 100 people . . . I loved it, but I couldn’t do it,” she says.

She began to advocate for organ donation, along with updating driver’s tests for the elderly, and delved deeper into philanthropy work. These pursuits helped to distract her from sadness and helped her to accept her loss, while giving her a new purpose in life. It became the path Catherine moved towards. She says, “Some people think the Special Olympics are games that

occur every few years. That is not the case. The Special Olympics are the world’s largest organization for children and adults with intellectual challenges and provides year-round training and sports events to over 5 million athletes in 176 countries around the world. Sports training also helps the athletes develop social skills and gain more self-confidence. About eighty percent of their funding comes from donations. The organization could not exist without donors.” Catherine has hosted seven fundraising events over the past decade for the organization. In turn, they acknowledged her in 2012, 2014 and 2018 with a “Fundraiser of the year award for Special Olympics Ontario, Kingston chapter.”

With the love and support of her husband, as well as some close friends and family members, Catherine turned her grief journey into a haunting, heartfelt memoir. Breathe Cry Breathe

is deeply personal. “I’m not sure I should’ve shared all that I have, but that’s me. I wear my heart on my sleeve,” she says, “Perhaps by reading my book others who experience devastating loss will also find their way beyond grief.”

She also shares some good memories. “Touring my mom around

Beverly Hills, Hollywood and Malibu was so much fun. She loved her visits to California.”

Breathe Cry Breathe is available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The release date is May 11th, just after Mother’s Day.

ABOVE, Julie singing karaoke with Catherine at their games room at their family's lakehouse in Canada. LEFT, The last day Catherine saw her mother. Central Park, October 2009.

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JOEY 818.340.5639

WOKCANO 818.704.0923

LUCILLE'S SMOKEHOUSE BAR-B-QUE 818.346.7427

SUSHI KATSU-YA 818.704.1213

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XOC TEQUILA GRILL 818.992.7930

LOCAL INDULGENCE

AFTER A YEAR OF LEARNING TO APPRECIATE THE WONDERFUL THINGS IN YOUR BACKYARD, PLAN A GETAWAY THAT PUSHES ITS BOUNDARIES TOWARDS ALL OF CALIFORNIA’S WONDERS.

While some residents cite career and climate as reasons for moving to or living in the Los Angeles area, it offers a luxury other cites cannot match—quick, easy access to the beach, the mountains, wine country and the desert. No passport or plane ticket required. Just pack and go. However, in the past 18 months, we’ve grown to appreciate the comforts of home and learned luxury in its many forms could also be simple, streamlined and deliciously informal.

As we start entertaining the idea of vacation planning again, luxury home rentals offer a timely alternative to hotels and resorts. Like small boutique properties, they offer privacy and a precise attention to detail, but go even further in ways that are reassuring to anybody concerned about cleanliness, safety and distraction-free quality time. With the right architecture and décor that melds to a destination’s natural setting and its nearby towns, a rental guarantees its temporary residents experience the place “like a local” in a more well rounded way.

Above: The luxurious outdoor tubs at Sun Mesa Sanctuary in Joshua Tree.

Beach Yourself

Top and bottom left: This Montecito home converges Mid-Century and 21st Century sensibilities as it does indoors and outside. Bottom right: Santa Barbara County’s coveted coastline with nary a crowd in sight.

MONTECITO GOLD COAST

TurnKey Vacation Rentals offers an opulent six bedroom/five bath gated oceanfront property on a lushly landscaped two acre lot with a private beachfront. Along with the lodging, the property provides special extras rivaling some of Santa Barbara’s finest hotels. Private access to home’s self-contained section of Miramar Beach, the hidden gem of Santa Barbara, is a coveted rarity in the area whether it is enjoyed on its own or as a backdrop for the private pool and spa.

Other extras include a poolside casita, a chef’s kitchen, dual suites, and 4,077 square feet of designer living space blending classic beach house appointments with

chic mid-century and traditional furnishings harmonizing with ocean views. Guests can mix things up by taking a short walk to Rosewood Miramar Beach for dinner and cocktails, or a few minutes’ drive to the boutiques and restaurants of central Montecito and Santa Barbara.

Recent guests have raved about how, “the backyard that flows into the beach is absolutely stunning” and how the home’s size, attention to detail and perfect location made it, “an energizing vacation during a time of social distancing! We had room to run and play, room to sit and read, room to gather and eat. The property is grand with beautiful grounds, a cabana at the beach and

a mid-century modern house with loads of room,” and “well positioned for day trips up and down the coast, (enabling us to rent) bikes from a shop nearby and ride the bike paths all around the area.”

The ocean-view living room has several sunlit sitting areas, a generously sized bar, and a 70” TV. Whether you’ve hired a chef or want to express your inner central coast foodie, the expansive kitchen has everything you need, from dual ovens, sinks, and fridges to an adjoining back patio with a propane grill and cooler. A washer/dryer and parking for two in the driveway and three under the carport are provided.

SOLANO BEACH

This AirBnB Plus property, described by its manager, Brenda, as a “Hi-Tech Hideaway,” fuses urban chic and Southern California classic beach house appointments. While the deck offers impressive Pacific vistas and sunset views, clean-but-dramatic interior features include retractable doors, multiple state-ofthe-art seating and entertainment options, together with touchscreen appliances. The living room couch transforms into a hi-tech bunk bed to sleep up to six guests, should you want to bring extended family.

The garage is packed with beach essentials, making visiting the beach is an absolute must. Beach accesses are just a two-minute walk away with Fletcher Cove Park to the south and Tide Park to

the north. While the interior designer had much to work with, Mother Nature lends her touch with an 180-degree bluff view of the Pacific.

“The moment you walk in the door your breath is taken away with absolutely stunning views,” raved Michelle, one recent visitor. “The house is clean, comfortable, had everything you could need,” while another, Jonah, pointed out countless opportunities to view the area’s abundant wildlife including dolphins, humpback whales and sea lions. “(I) can’t imagine a better way to spend a comfortable and safe vacation with family or friends,” he said. “Of note the beds and linens are extremely comfortable.”

Let the sun shine in: The clean aesthetic and bells and whistles in the Solano Beach “Hi-Tech Hideaway” perfectly frames the shoreline and a carefree beach getaway.

Desert Living

Old school, new attitude poolside luxury (left) and sleek, sunny interiors (below) define TurnKey Vacation Rentals’ award-winning desert oasis.

PALM SPRINGS

Iconic estates dotting Palm Springs area chart its century-long history as Hollywood’s backyard. However, those looking for an escape into what’s to come will appreciate one of TurnKey Vacation Rentals’ most exclusive offerings. Proclaimed a “Best New Home” in Metropolitan Home magazine, the three separate structures making up this custom-built gated compound rolls 2,000 square feet of plush-butclean living space for one or two couples.

The main house, master suite, and guest suite have the hallmarks of Mid-Century modern luxury, with many up-to-date necessities, including a saltwater spa, built-in gas fireplace, heated saltwater pool, expansive bar and state-of-the-art electronics. Natural light bathes the sleekly attired “Great Room,” while the gourmet kitchen is equipped with a full suite of top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances. The home-away-from-home’s other hotel-inspired amenities include the tanning shelf in the private pool, yoga platform for meditations and workouts, a misting system to quench desert heat and two outdoor showers. An outdoor bar with its own fireplace and gas fire pit completes the experience.

An inviting master suite holds a plush king bed, walk-in closet and dual-sided gas fireplace, while its open-concept en-suite bathroom features a double vanity, flat-screen TV, waterfall shower and soaking tub. A bridge over the pool leads to the guest suite, complete with a comfy queen bed and a separate sitting area with a futon and flat-screen TV. Wi-Fi, a Keurig machine, washer/dryer, two bikes with helmets, two parking spaces and handicap accessibility round out the property. Just outside the door, you’ll find the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, links at the Indian Canyon Golf Resort, and a short drive away, downtown Palm Springs’ eclectic mix of boutiques and eateries.

The property earns high marks from its past guests for its location, well-stocked kitchen, bright furnishings and the fact that the pool area and hot tub not only provided shelter from the intense sun, but also easy-to-use controls and prime stargazing by night.

Those wanting a smaller-yet-stylish version of Mid Century cool steps from Palm Springs action will like Sierra Madre, designed and built in 1963 by William Krisel. The smartly reno-

vated two-bed/two-bath condo, listed on AirBnB, is tucked into a postcard worthy section of Canyon View Estates in South Palm Springs is surrounded with impressive mountain views and also close proximity to golf courses, tennis courts, hiking trails and shopping. The home is equipped with a chef’s kitchen appointed with a Subzero refrigerator, Miele oven and gas cooktop and drip and Nespresso coffee makers. Smart TVs, hi-speed WiFi, programmable “Nest” thermostat, access to a pool and hot tub, covered parking, and a private outdoor space with a charcoal grill to complete the property.

1101 OAK MIRAGE PLACE, NORTH RANCH | $7,500,000

6309 NORMANDY TERRACE, OAK PARK | $1,445,000

JOSHUA TREE

The four bed/two bath Sun Mesa Sanctuary (offered by Hygge Home Rentals) is a must for travelers embracing the arty, “hippie chic” element of the Coachella Valley. The vibrant paradise just eight minutes by car from downtown Joshua Tree, is decked out with a playful collage of hammocks, hot tub, picnic table, painting area, yoga mats, built-in fire pit, shaded daybed, redwood outdoor shower, infrared sauna, hot tub, outdoor double bath tubs, naturally, Joshua trees on and around the property. The bedrooms, main living/dining room and kitchen (designed and outfitted by owner Joseph Grimaldi) tap into a vibrant, updated mix of Old West, Native American and Southeast Asian design elements.

“I combined a ‘Boho chic sensibility with Los Angeles glamour when I considered the kind of place I would want to bring my spouse or girlfriend to for the weekend, or where I would send my mom and dad to reconnect with each other,” says Grimaldi, a former professional hockey player (he helped the United States National Team win the Silver in the 2004 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship and playing for the

TOP PHOTOS: SUN MESA SANCTUARY HAS EVERYTHING WE LOVE ABOUT THE COACHELLA FESTIVAL, BUT IN A DELIGHTFULLY PRIVATE AND MORE PERSONAL PACKAGE AS ENVISIONED BY OWNER JOSEPH GRIMALDI.

BOTTOM: SUN MESA SANCTUARY’S BRIGHT, ECLECTIC INTERIORS ENCOURAGE RECONNECTION, REFLECTION AND GOOD VIBES.

New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators and Carolina Hurricanes). Using Pinterest, memories of his late father’s love for the area and his past personal experience planning romantic weekends, the Queens, NY-native brought this modern desert paradise with assists from interior designer Maura McDonald and friend Brien Cruz, who helped with the landscaping.

“As Joshua Tree is a place of reconnection, I initially went there to reconnect with myself and from that, formed this dream about creating the perfect retreat where planning the perfect escape for the guests would be effortless and exciting,” he said, looking back on his starting the renewal

on the sprawling property back in September 2019 not long after real estate agent Bryce Cano first called his attention to the property. “My father, Anthony Grimaldi, who played for the New York Yankees in 70’s, truly believed that, as stated in the movie Field of Dreams, ‘if you build it they will come.’ After having a dream about Joshua Tree after my father’s passing, his comment gave me the inspiration to create the Sun Mesa Sanctuary.”

After sundown, guests can luxuriate in the outdoor tubs or spa, or enjoy a fully-loaded game room with a ping pong table, poker table and set, Golden Tee arcade game, darts and foosball table.

WINE COUNTRY

NAPA VALLEY

The secluded 8-bed/7-bath estate Villa Calistoga available through THIRDHOME Luxury Exchange is a delightful paradox, located just outside Calistoga yet standing alone on many levels. The private villa is nestled in the center of a flat 8.5-acre parcel surrounded by four acres of vines and gardens. Panoramic views are reminiscent of Italy, with vineyards, olive trees, the Palisade mountains and Mount St. Helena.

In contrast to other Northern California wine country estates, Villa Calistoga is an architectural standout with Georgian-style details (such as bricks and wrap-around porch) associated with the Eastern Seaboard and the South. “About 16 years ago, I was driving by this piece of land, and (the original owners) just stuck out a new for-sale sign,” details owner/creator Scott Mataya, a San Francisco-based real estate investor. “Although the property and landscaping needed help, I was struck by its original brick structure and breathtaking vistas. I knew this perfect piece of land had a lot of possibilities in terms of what could be created here.”

After he purchased the property, Mataya initially intended to build a spec house on it, but fell in love with it and decided to make it a sophisticated yet kid- and teen-friendly vacation home with lots of on-site activities.

From there, he began the project with his own friends and family in mind, and later, expanded it to host up to 24 people, be they a multi-generational group or a gathering of couples. He gutted and renovated the original brick structure, and then added the other structures and amenities to make it a place where one could entertain and host a large number of people in style.

“I built out the property in a modular fashion, with four adjacent structures so different families or couples could spend time together as they would in a giant private home, but also have privacy separate lodging allows,” Mataya says. “With all of the acreage, I wanted Villa Calistoga to be the kind of house you did not have to leave to appreciate everything Calistoga had to offer, with activities such as a tennis/pickle ball court, sand volleyball court, bocce ball, and gym. A few years ago, we added the yurt. Kids really love it because it gives them the feeling of camping out and

private time separate from adults. Adults like it as it offers a luxury glamping experience.”

Other features include a graciously appointed pool and Jacuzzi/spa (42x20 ft) with child safety auto-cover and 12 sets of French doors opening out to 1000 square-foot balconies or 2,000 square foot covered patios. An outdoor gazebo is equipped with a full outdoor kitchen, incorporating a professional gas grill, two burner stove, sink, and refrigerator. A renovated barn houses a private game room with a pool table, ping pong, air hockey, foosball, and dartboard. A large rose garden adjacent to the Villa provides fresh roses on a daily basis.

THE BEST OF THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LIFESTYLE IS NOT JUST OUTSIDE VILLA CALISTOGA’S FRONT DOOR. GUESTS ARE IMMERSED INTO HEART OF IT. A SMALL SAMPLING OF VILLA CALISTOGA’S EXQUISITE LANDSCAPING (TOP), AND A SPECTACULAR BIRD’S EYE VIEW (BOTTOM LEFT). AN ON-SITE TENNIS COURT (BOTTOM RIGHT) IS JUST ONE OF MANY IMPRESSIVE ON-PROPERTY FEATURES.

The Improta Team Sells Hidden Hills

Earthy, timeless lodge interiors and architectural details are perfectly updated at Haven Idyllwild. In the bedrooms (top left), the area’s natural attributes are interpreted with luxurious materials. Bottom bedroom shot: The this bedroom shows a mountain lodge can be spacious bright and cheerful without sacrificing coziness.

IDYLLWILD

A fusion of modern-cabin meets a Swiss après ski resort, the recently renovated Haven Idyllwild (via AirBnB Plus) has expansive open vaulted space incorporating floor-toceiling windows with stunning views of both of Idyllwild’s iconic rock peaks indoors or outdoors on the six outdoor patio and decks. A new outdoor cedar hot tub and deck overlooking a seasonal creek is nestled under a 400 year-old cedar tree and is flanked by a stairway leading down into the forest.

While Haven Idyllwild is well-suited for an

extended family trip, it also works well for a corporate retreat with its cozy study and work desk area. Slick high-tech features include Sonos audio throughout the living space and a surround sound home theater experience with a 55” flat screen loaded with HBO, Hulu, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. However, there are also plenty of activities for those looking to unplug, including a curated collection of books for adults and kids, an expansive board game and puzzle collection, a classic old school foosball table of bronze, steel and walnut by District 8 Design and a

private front porch screened sunroom porch to take the beautiful surroundings and fresh air in.

This real-life mountain “Haven” is a few minutes’ drive from the town’s restaurants, shops and local galleries, and an even shorter jaunt to several of the most picturesque and famous hikes in the San Jacinto mountains including the Ernie Maxwell Trail and Devil’s Slide Trail. A 10-minute walk from Haven leads to the gorgeous Climbers Trail, which heads up to Idyllwild’s favorite rock climbing area.

Old school medicine meets modern technology.

✓ Comprehensive visits that are not rushed

✓ Direct access to the doctor 24/7

✓ In-depth doctor-patient relationships

✓ Personalized health plans that are focused around preventative care

✓ Most up-to-date and effective diagnostic tools

✓ Bloodwork, digital x-ray, ultrasound, and cardiac testing all done under one roof

✓ House calls available

✓ Complete COVID-19 testing abilities

CALABASAS

Concierge Primary Care

Board Certified Internal Medicine

Meet Dr. Danny Rosen

DANIEL ROSEN, MD

The couples-only Anavo Farm Chic Retreat feels off the beaten path even though it is a quick bike ride to Los Olivos and areas wineries. The picturesque guest house includes an awaiting cheese plate and wine at checkin, private gardens, gas fire pit, jacuzzi and a fenced yard. Animals on the property (horses, sheep) in their own secure enclosures lend extra country charm.

The two-guest, open floor plan house includes a private parking area and entrance, as well as private indoor/outdoor living areas. Each level is 600 square feet, with a queen bed and two extra-large twin beds upstairs, a queen sofa pull-out couch downstairs and a sliding barn door that separates the two main sleeping areas. A compact kitchen is outfitted with a big toaster oven, induction

SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

stove top, electric grill, and a large outdoor grill, providing extra motivation to partake in the bounty offered at local wineries and food producers.

“It is clear that thought and care went into creating this magical cottage,” a recent visitor raved. “The all-white upstairs is immediately calming, and there is tasteful decor throughout. Little details like heating in the bathroom made for a more elevated experience. The farm itself is peaceful, and the animals are cute and friendly, which made for such a fun bonus. There are several seating areas outdoors (upstairs balcony, downstairs patio, fire pit) and we enjoyed all of them.

Although it may be a challenge to get to France at press time, the owners of La Petite

Maison bring the charms of France’s wine country to the Central Coast. The “French Country” influenced cottage is situated in the heart of a lavender farm and delivers rustic sophistication. The two-bed/one bath is flanked with a charming living area with a warm fireplace and an efficient (yet fully equipped) kitchen. Each bedroom has a queen-sized bed, while the bathroom boasts a claw foot soaking tub with shower as well as a washer and dryer.

The perfect European-flavored couple’s retreat feel secluded yet is convenient to several surrounding towns including Los Olivos (four miles away), downtown Santa Ynez (four miles away), and Solvang (seven miles away).

Escape from L.A. to a bit of “oo la la!” with a stay at the French Wine Country-inspired La Petite Maison.

LAKE ARROWHEAD

Although many luxury mountain lodges abound, the splurge-worthy, four-bedroom Grand Luna Lodge, offered by TurnKey Vacation Rentals, rises to the occasion of a long-awaited getaway. In addition to a pristine kitchen, temperature-controlled wine cellar, and air-conditioning (rare in this area), it is distinguished by its vaulted ceiling living room, atmospheric dining room, spa, a tricked out game room, and decks overlooking epic lake and mountain views.

“The mountains can be rustic and rugged, but also luxurious for the discerning traveler, so we brought all those elements together through our home at Grand Luna Lodge providing a one of a kind boutique accommodation in the heart of Lake Arrowhead,” says owner Marianna Kherlaryan. “Entering the gateway in this private three-story sanctuary,

one can sense the remarkable is about to happen as you take in the stunning unique views of the lake and encapsulating mountains. Grand Luna Lodge provides a special secluded retreat for those with a love of magnificent natural beauty and endless outdoor activities. Ultimately, guests leave feeling like they have their own personal luxury lodge to return to in these glorious and grand mountains.”

The three-story lodge sleeps 12 guests, between four bedrooms and a bunk area. The master suite features a king bed and a smart TV, along with a romantic two-sided gas fireplace that also adds ambiance to the spacious en-suite bathroom (furnished with a double vanity, walk-in shower and a glass door opening out to an outdoor tub and breathtaking mountain views). Another suite is outfitted with a queen bed, smart TV,

Grand Luna Lodge offers the best Lake Arrowhead has to offer on the outside and a blend of European Alpine flair and time-honored American West style on the inside, evidenced in the dining area (top), sleeping quarters (bottom left) and one of its many decks (bottom right).

and an en-suite bathroom with a jetted tub/ shower combination. The third and fourth bedrooms each offer a plush queen bed, while the bunk area is outfitted with two extra-long twin-over-twin bunk beds. The third bathroom comes with a tub/shower combination. In other words, relaxation and a luxe lodge experience for all.

Extra perks include complimentary Wi-Fi and a washer/dryer. Parking is available for four cars (two in the garage and two in the driveway). Dining, shopping, entertainment, and skiing are a short drive away, with Blue Jay Village (3 miles) and Lake Arrowhead Village (4.5 miles) offering additional dining, shopping, and entertainment options.

INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES

Drawing on the more than 25 years of design experience that has taken her brand into homes around the world, Wendy Bellissimo continues to collaborate with private clients to create unique, inspired and comforting spaces for their families. Currenlty booking 2021.

Private Residence, Bel Air, California. Ground-up build. Here, Wendy combines pieces from local resources, finishing the windows with natural woven shades from her own line of window treatments with smith and noble.

The recently renovated boutique chalet cabin Rancho Pines I Spruce, originally built during the “Post and Beam” movement (and also available via AirBnB), makes the most of the area’s terrain without sacrificing style or

BIG BEAR

substance. After a day of alpine adventures, anytime of year, guests can enjoy a soothing soak in the hot tub or squeeze in outdoor camping fun and s’mores in front of the natural rock fireplace. Other nice features

include easy access to hiking and biking (with some trailheads in the back yard) and skiing, Snowtubing Park, sledding, shopping and restaurants minutes away.

The Newest Wave of Education

Novel Education Group is an elite homeschooling & academic enrichment agency that provides a fullservice, flexible, and customized curriculum for students from grades Kindergarten through Twelve.

By providing US Accredited courses anywhere in the world, we allow students to tailor their schooling experience to fit their individual goals: students may enroll in full-time homeschool, pursue highly specialized interests, and complete enrichment programs with educators dedicated exclusively to your student.

THIS BIG BEAR BOUTIQUE CABIN TAKES EVERYTHING YOU LOVED ABOUT CAMPING AS A KID AND ELEVATES IT SEVERAL NOTCHES WITH REGAL DARK BLUE ACCENTS, UPDATED AMENITIES, WITTY ROOM ACCESSORIES, AND MODERN LIGHTING.

TIFFANY SORYA, FOUNDER

Tiffany Sorya is the founder of Novel Education Group. She is a renowned influencer and thought leader in the education industry, widely recognized for spearheading a fundamental change in the way young people engage with education in the digital age.

Spring DISHES

FROM PORTA VIA RESTAURANT CALABASAS

CLASSIC AND CREATIVE, THESE RECIPES ARE STRAIGHT FROM PORTA VIA'S DIVERSE & DELICIOUS MENU WHICH FEATURES HAND-PICKED PRODUCE.

WILD CAUGHT SEAFOOD AND “ALL NATURAL” MEATS. THE WINE PROGRAM INCLUDES NEARLY 150 WINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING A PRIVATE CONSIGNMENT OF MATURE CLASSED-GROWTH BORDEAUX.

HONEY MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE DRESSING

• 3 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard

• 1 Tablespoon Whole Grain Mustard

• 3 Cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• 1 Cup Champagne Vinegar

• 1/2 Cup Rice Wine Vinegar

• 2 Teaspoons Honey

• Salt & Pepper to Taste

In a bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, champagne vinegar, rice wine vinegar and honey until thoroughly combined. gradually whisk in extra virgin olive oil. Add salt & pepper to taste.

BUILDING THE SALAD

In a large bowl, combine kale with quinoa, citrus, pine nuts & oven roasted tomatoes.

Toss with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette.

Top with shaved parmegiano and crispy leeks.

Organic KALE & QUINOA SALAD

Heirloom Tomato & BURRATA SALAD

INGREDIENTS PREPARATION

• 1 large heirloom tomato, quartered into wedges.

• 4 oz Fresh Burrata

• 1 oz Chiffonade of fresh Basil

• 1 oz Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Dress the plate with small amount of greens or arugula. Place tomatoes, fanned in a circle. Place burrata in the middle of tomatoes. Dress tomatoes and burrata with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Add Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper to taste.

GrilledORA KING SALMON

Sustainably raised in New Zealand, Ora King is to Salmon as Wagyu is to beef. Naturally high oil content in Ora King salmon can be seen in the striking marbled fat lines within the bright orange flesh, instantly drawing comparison to Wagyu.

Orakingsalmon.co.nz/our-salmon

INGREDIENTS

• 6 oz. Salmon Fillets

• Salt

• Pepper

• Olive Oil

Rinse salmon and pat dry. Brush olive oil on salmon to prevent salmon from sticking to grill.

Season salmon with salt and pepper to taste. Grill salmon 3 minutes on each side.

Greta Goldshtein, PharmD, APh

It’s been one year since COVID-19 changed lives and disrupted health routines.

TAKE BACK YOUR HEALTH

PARTNER WITH GRETA TO TAKE BACK YOUR HEALTH WITH A CUSTOMIZED ACTION PLAN

Schedule your personalized, insurancecovered consultation today to create your roadmap to health including:

• Total wellness: nutrition, exercise, sleep, immunity, and more

• Medicine evaluation: robust review and optimization of medications, supplements, and vitamins

• Care coordination: plan and organize your health and wellness next steps with your doctors and specialists

Courtyard Clinic, on the premises of Courtyard Pharmacy, o ers our specialized consultative services, paid for by your insurance.

TOGETHER, LET’S TAKE BACK YOUR HEALTH!

WHY PLANTS, SHRUBS & TREES NEED ONGOING CARE

By practicing a good plant health care program, you will be able to reap the benefits of a beautiful landscape. The goal of our program at Greenleaf Pro is to proactively keep your trees, shrubs, and plants healthy so they do not become victims of disease or insect infection and maintain a healthy appearance.

• DEEP ROOT FEEDING

• SOIL ANALYSIS

• FERTILIZATION

• TRUNK & SOIL INJECTIONS

• INSECT/DISEASE MANAGEMENT

• LANDSCAPE PEST CONTROL

PLANT HEALTH CARE & PEST MANAGEMENT

ORECCHIETTE PRIMAVERA

with pesto cream

INGREDIENTS FOR THE PESTO PREPARATION

• 1 lb orecchiette pasta

• 1/4 cup organic carrots, diced

• 1/4 cup organic broccoli, Diced

• 1/4 cup organic cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/4 cup organic squash, diced

• 1 cup cream

• 1 cup Pine Nuts

• 1 pound Basil

• 1 1/2 Cup Parmegiano

• 3/4 cup Whole Cloves of Garlic

• 2 cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Cups Kosher Salt & Pepper to Taste

Blend Together in Food Processor until smooth.

Saute Chopped Vegetables with Extra Virgin Olive Oil to soften Add Pesto to Saucepan & Add 1 cup of Cream

Add Cooked Pasta and Toss with Pesto & Vegetables

Plate in Pasta Bowl with Basil

Leaf Garnish

REVOLUTION SMOKE of social the

by Allie Lebos

ith a seemingly endless supply of new norms and innovation, our ever-changing world has also led to people cultivating new and exciting experienc-

Wes. While the use of cannabis has been kept inside a somewhat strict box of isolation and stereotypes for many years, the options for safe and healthy cannabis use have broadened immensely, opening the door for anyone to enjoy its many benefits. Spearheading some of that innova-

tion in the industry is none other than cannabis connoisseur, Drew Martin. With low-dose pre-rolls created specifically with the “social smoker” in mind, both new and experienced users can have peace of mind knowing they will have a mellow and relaxing experience, free of paranoia

or over-stimulation. “I felt like a lot of cannabis brands on the market were offering you ‘shots of tequila.’ I wanted to create an experience that was more akin to sipping a ‘glass of rose,’” Drew explained. “To me, cannabis isn’t just a means to an end . . . people have been sharing this plant socially for thousands of years! It was exciting to explore how I could harness this ancient ritual and apply it to modern life.” While many people know they could potentially benefit from and enjoy the act of smoking socially, some don’t want to deal with the intensity of a ‘high’ that a lot of cannabis brands provide. This is where the low-dose formula crafted for Drew Martin pre-rolls comes in. According to Drew, “Having control over how much THC you intake is key to not feeling overwhelmed . . . I’ve been smoking forever and I still can’t make it through more than a few puffs of a typical joint. Creating these was a way to introduce cannabis in a much more accessible way, allowing people to enjoy the relaxation of the ritual for longer without feeling out of control.”

In addition to boasting a safe and enticing dosing technique, Drew Martin pre-rolls also tie in the unique element of botanicals, adding an entirely new element to the experience of smoking flower. After spending a decade traveling the world and studying herbalism, Drew

came up with the idea to utilize his love and knowledge of plants to create this special product. His background as a mixologist also helped with the creative process. With flavor-forward botanicals such as lavender and chamomile, the tastes and aromas are unlike anything ever experienced while enjoying a joint. “In addition to creating a more balanced high, I really focused on the smoke, the aroma and the flavor, as well as the conversation that inevitably ensues,” Drew explained. “I think the overarching flavor profile has a story to tell and each of the constituents contributes to its own piece of the puzzle. Lavender, for example, reminds me of balmy summer nights on the Mediterranean, while Passion Flower conjures memories of plucking fruit in Grandma’s yard in Brazil.” Drew also explained that the botanicals serve a purpose in maintaining the perfect dosage in the pre-rolls, stating, “When we add botanicals to our pre-rolls, it lowers the potency so that you can engage for longer and determine your desired high in a much more comfortable way.”

That being said, whether you’re a seasoned smoker or just starting to open your mind to the idea of the occasional puff, Drew Martin pre-rolls are without a doubt the most reliable, innovative, and pleasurable route to take. The only dilemma one may face is deciding which flavor to choose . . . but thankfully, Drew left us with a little advice. “Lately I’ve been into the Rose Petal and Peppermint blend because they’re two very recognizable flavors that are rarely paired together,” he explained. “But in all honesty, my preference totally changes with my mood. For that reason, I always carry ‘The Collection’ pack in my pocket because it contains one of each blend . . . I love the surprise.”

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE!

When you purchase any of these START branded items, you support saving shelter animal lives!

BUY A SEAT on the BUS

When you purchase a seat on the bus,

2021 Magnetic Calendar

8 1/4” X 5 1/2” full color magnetic material. Great for New Year’s gift giving. $5.00 each Go to: startrescue.org/merch

Adjustable mask made of 2-ply cotton with dart in center includes pocket to add the filter of your choice. Hand washable & silkscreened. $10 each or package of two for $18.00 Go to: startrescue.org/merch

100% of the proceeds go directly to START’S Transport/Relocation and Spay/Neuter Programs. To order merch visit STARTrescue.org/MERCH and click on the items of your choice and for other branded items.

START receives no government funding and survives on a few annual grants, along with the generosity of our loyal donors. We invite you to follow our journey and consider supporting our life-saving missions. To learn more about what we do, to sign up for our PAWsome newsletter, and/or to DONATE, please visit us at www.STARTrescue.org

Donations are a tax-deductible gift to START, a 501c3 organization: TAX ID # 45-4258426

SPANKY’S PET PICS

At press time, each of these furry friends were on the instagram of @agouraanimalslaco (agoura animal care center), all looking for a new family. If you call to inquire, each can be referenced by their ID# in their photo.

If you can’t adopt, consider the rewarding experience of volunteering to be a dog walker at a local shelter. Dogs at all LA shelters are in need of human angels to get them out to stretch their legs, feel some love and socializing. This is a huge warm fuzzy feeling for you and Invaluable for these poor pups. There is also the opportunity to foster these homeless dogs. 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 a home and need us.

Spread the word!

SAVE A FRIEND

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