The Family Issue
KIDS, PETS, COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION
FEATURING ZOE WINKLER
REINIS & ELSA MARIE COLLINS OF THIS IS ABOUT HUMANITY
Where Dreams Take Shape
Whispers of Childhood by Carlos Martin 22 x 29.9 in. $1,300
Child’s Future.
Family Matters
One of the things I love most about Brentwood is how deeply family is woven into its fabric. Whether it's parents cheering from the sidelines of soccer games, neighbors gathering for a school fundraiser, a couple walking their dog through town or friends showing up in times of need, there is a sense of connection that makes Brentwood such a special place to call home.
As a mom of three energetic boys, I experience this every day. My life is filled with school drop-offs, sports practices, birthday parties, endless snacks and all of the beautiful chaos that comes with raising a family. Like so many parents, I know how quickly the days can feel both long and short. It's why this month's Family Issue feels especially meaningful. In these pages, we're celebrating the kids, pets and relationships that help shape our lives and strengthen our community. Our cover story features two remarkable women, Zoe Winkler Reinis and Elsa Marie Collins, co-founders of This Is About Humanity. What began as a desire to help families in need at the U.S.-Mexico border has grown into a powerful organization creating meaningful change in countless lives. As the organization prepares for its anniversary celebration this month, we reflect on the impact it’s made and the people who continue to rally behind its mission.
Many stories in this issue share a common thread: individuals creating the resources and support systems they wished existed for themselves. From Dr. Sanam Shamtobi’s work supporting women at The Mother Hood to Coach Joel Cedeno’s commitment to helping children build confidence through sports, these are people investing in the next generation and making a difference close to home. You’ll also meet Victoria and Greg Gioia, who turned their experiences as parents into Fipl, a new children’s bath and body care brand. For pet owners, Beatrice Hernandez of LA Dog Nannies is bringing the same level of personalized care and attention to four-legged family members throughout the westside. Meanwhile, on our My Town page, we introduce Dr. Max Goldstein, a concierge pediatrician helping families take a more proactive approach to healthcare, and later visit La La Land, where founder Francois Reihani reveals how his niece Charlotte became the inspiration behind the special Brentwood location.
Whether your household is filled with children, pets, lifelong friends or neighbors who feel like family, I hope this issue reminds you just how fortunate we are to live in a community that values connection, compassion and belonging.
Here's to family in all its forms—and the bonds that bring us together. Enjoy the issue.
EBERSTEIN,
August 2026
PUBLISHER
Amanda Eberstein | amanda.eberstein@citylifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Laura SanchezQuan
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Carole Dixon, Kali Kasprzyk, Hannah Smith
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Nikki Finnin, Kelli Hayden, Janie Jones, Stefanie Keenan, Sara Lazio, Pauline Chatelan
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich
LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
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Stronger Together
Founded by Dr. Sanam Shamtobi, The Mother Hood offers women a space centered on support, connection and expert care.
Family Ties
Moved by stories of separation, Zoe Winkler Reinis and Elsa Marie Collins have built This Is About Humanity into a powerful force for compassion and action.
Fresh Start
With Fipl, Brentwood residents Victoria and Greg Gioia are bringing clean, thoughtfully formulated body care to the oftenoverlooked “in-between” years.
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Zoe Winkler Reinis and Elsa Marie Collins of This is About Humanity.
Photography: Nikki Finnin
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city scene
1: Cayton Children’s Museum President and CEO Thomas Sullivan with his wife, Daniela, and daughters at the organization’s signature family fundraising event, We All Play. 2: A highlight of the all-day pajama party was a live reading of If You Can Give a Mouse a Cookie by author Laura Numeroff. 3: Chrissy Teigen and John Legend with their daughter alongside performer Isabella Viking. 4: The host committee consisted of members of the museum’s Women’s Philanthropy Circle, including Lily Berg, Katie Durko Karvinen, Lauren Kleinman and Dr. Deepika Chopra. 5: Marshall of Paw Patrol was on hand to greet guests. 6: Amanda Kloots read her book Tell Me Your Dreams, inspired by her son, Elvis. 7: Event producer Jon Layne.
Photography by Kelli Hayden for Cayton Children’s Museum
1: Orlebar Brown founder Adam Brown and CMO Trevor Hardy celebrate the opening of the brand’s new boutique at Brentwood Country Mart. 2: The London-based label has built a devoted following for its impeccably designed swimwear and refined resort clothing. 3: Model Elaine Irwin. 4: Ben Hansen, Tyler James, Jerry Maestas and Derrick Freske pose for a photo. 5: Parker York Smith and Leo Chan dressed in full looks by Orlebar Brown. 6: Stylist and founder of The Weitz Effect, Andrew Weitz. 7: Todd and Amanda Eberstein of Brentwood City Lifestyle
Photography by Stefanie Keenan
city scene
1: Equity Union CEO Harma Hartouni was joined by his friend Rick Caruso for the official grand opening of the real estate agency’s new westside flagship office. 2: The evening featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Senior Vice President and General Manager Dan Stueve, Westside Branch Manager Goli Vahdani, Senior Vice President of Operations Veronica Fiorella, Hartouni, Caruso and Client Services Manager Lindsay Gon. 3: Guests included clients, agents, industry partners and members of the local community, including Lauren Hebard and Alita Fernandez. 4: Equity Union agents Magdalena Kosik, Amanda Lukasik, Elle Jones, Dee Barshon, Alyssa Butler and Manny Cornejo. 5: Westside realtor Limor Zamir and Michele Weill, Senior Vice President, County Manager of Lawyers Title Los Angeles. 6: Attorney Maral Vahdani. 7: Equity Union’s Elvin Apelian of the Toluca Lake office and Brentwood-based Linda Ferrari.
1: RoseRoom Salon co-founder Kate D’Andrea and her daughter, Idyllwild, at the Westwood Hills Property Owners Association block party, where the beloved Brentwood salon served as a sponsor. 2: Rick Shuart, Mark D’Andrea, Le Notarfrancesco, Kim Bertz and Julia Shuart. 3: Catherine Gotfredson, Sara Priore and her daughter, Anna, enjoying the beautiful neighborhood day. 4: Ali Gardiner and kids. 5: Partygoers with original artwork by Idyllwild D’Andrea. 6: Scarlett Gardiner, Dylan Bertz Brown and Leo the puppy. 7: DJ Eli Cole.
1: Jenni Kayne and interior designer Nathan Turner hosted an intimate celebration for their new respective books, Pacific Natural Everywhere and I Love Decorating. 2: The chic garden party was held at Hotel Bel-Air. 3: Publicist Trisha Cole with her daughter. 4: Turner with actress Mary Steenburgen, interior designer Eric Hughes and actor Ted Danson. 5: Benni Leigh Fleck with Kadi Lee of Highbrow Hippie. 6: Kayne and Pizzana founder Candace Nelson having a laugh. 7: Style expert Marc Yuquico and U Beauty founder Tina Chen Craig with copies of the books.
Photography by Pauline Chatelan
1: A furry friend at the grand opening of Redwood Outdoors’ Santa Monica showroom. 2: Real estate agent Joe Goodhue with guests at the event for the Seattle-based luxury sauna brand, held during Montana Avenue’s annual Wellness Walk. 3: Kids transform a cold plunge into a jumbo beverage cooler. 4: The official ribbon cutting with Redwood Outdoors CFO Nicholas Jensen, Director of Marketing Michelle Mayther, Store Manager Joanie Hudson, Sales Expert Naomi Frank, CEO Killian Lannen and Events Coordinator Aleks Reavis. 5: Publicist Carol Bell hosted a private mahjong and shopping party at Permanent Vacation in Brentwood Village. 6: The chic set up inside the boutique. 7: Shauna Cowett browses Permanent Vacation’s curated selection.
Thoughtful Management for Homes that Require
business monthly
A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES
Therapy Place 4 Kids: Where Growth Meets Play
Therapy Place 4 Kids provides occupational, speech and physical therapy in a welcoming Santa Monica clinic designed with children in mind. Featuring thoughtfully equipped spaces and a playful indoor structure that encourages movement, exploration and connection, the practice creates an environment where children feel comfortable learning and growing. The experienced team develops individualized treatment plans for each family’s unique goals, helping children build confidence, independence and essential life skills through a supportive, evidence-based approach. 1932 14th St., Santa Monica; 310-344-2276; tp4k.com
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Sweet 16 for Saatchi Art
Saatchi Art is celebrating 16 years of making living with art more accessible for everyone. Since its founding, the leading online marketplace has helped collectors around the world—including many here in Brentwood—discover original works from emerging artists that make their homes feel uniquely their own. Beginning August 6, special anniversary collections will spotlight some of the platform’s most popular artists, followed by an anniversary sale running August 22 through September 8. Shown here is artist Anahita Amouzegar. saatchiart.com
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Palisades Village Returns
Palisades Village will officially reopen this August, marking a major milestone following the devastating 2025 fire. Anchoring the next chapter is a new flagship from Elyse Walker, joined by returning favorites like Jennifer Meyer, Zimmermann, Brunello Cucinelli and Isabel Marant, as well as newcomers Xirena, Leset, Mother and Violet Grey. Dining destinations including Angelini, Blue Ribbon Sushi, Erewhon and Nancy Silverton’s new Spacca Tutto will help restore this vibrant community gathering place. 15225 Palisades Village Ln., Pacific Palisades; 310-648-3215; palisadesvillageca.com
STAND: The Modern Lemonade Stand for the Next Generation
Conceived by Lauren Kassan, co-founder of The Wing, STAND is where kids can create, launch and grow real businesses. Designed for children to lead and parents to support, the platform guides young entrepreneurs through every step of the process—from naming their brands and developing products to pricing, marketing and making real sales. Kids gain the pride of building something real while developing confidence, creativity, financial literacy and initiative. Use code “standsummer” for complimentary early access through summer. standkids.com
Introducing Ospi’s Strawberry Summer Sundae
Dessert is getting a little sweeter at Ospi Brentwood. The popular neighborhood Italian restaurant has introduced a new Strawberry Summer Sundae served from a charming tableside sundae cart, adding a touch of nostalgia and fun to every meal. The seasonal treat features vanilla soft serve layered with brownie, hot fudge, macerated strawberries, strawberry crumble and whipped mascarpone–perfect for special occasions or a simple indulgent treat. 11677 San Vicente Blvd., Suite 200; 424-317-0007; ospi.com
Fresh Faced for the School Year with VH Skincare
As summer winds down, VH Skincare is helping teens reset their skin and head back to school with confidence. From post-summer facials that address sun exposure, congestion and breakouts to customized skincare plans, the practice focuses on building healthy habits and lasting results. For teens experiencing persistent acne, practitioner Nisha Scapa creates personalized treatment plans through her Acne Boot Camp program, combining professional treatments, home-care recommendations and ongoing guidance. 11677 San Vicente Blvd., Suite 305; 310-849-4452; vhskincare.com
MY TOWN: DR. MAX GOLDSTEIN
“The Santa Monica Farmers Market is, in my opinion, the best in the country. As someone who believes deeply in the connection between food and health, I love cooking seasonally and building meals around whatever is freshest that week. It’s also one of the places where I constantly run into friends, patients and neighbors.”
Arizona Ave. & 2nd St., Santa Monica; santamonica.gov
“I’ve seen firsthand how much confidence and joy Sophie Dance gives children. Many of the families in my medical practice send their kids there, and it’s amazing to watch how it helps young children develop confidence, discipline and friendships.”
13050 San Vicente Blvd., Suite 201; 323-219-5930; sophiedancewestside.com
“The free Sunday afternoon music at Palisades Park is one of the best family activities on the westside. My daughter loves the music, the ocean views are unbeatable and it’s the kind of simple community experience that reminds me why I love raising a family here.”
Ocean Ave. & Palisades Ave., Santa Monica; santamonica.gov
For Dr. Max Goldstein, the westside isn’t just home—it’s woven into nearly every chapter of his life. Born and raised in Santa Monica, he grew up surfing local beaches, worked as an ocean lifeguard in Venice and Will Rogers, attended medical school at UCLA and now cares for many of the same families he has known for decades. Today, the concierge family physician lives and works from a storybook Spanish-style home in the Santa Monica flats with his husband and young daughter, where he sees patients and develops his eponymous line of all-natural children’s wellness products, Dr. Max’s. “As a physician, there is nothing more rewarding than helping children grow into healthy, thriving adults,” Goldstein says. “Through my medical practice, I have the privilege of caring for families across generations. Through my product line, I’ve been able to take solutions I originally created for my own patients and make them available to families everywhere.” What began as custom formulations for clients has evolved into a nationally distributed farm-to-pharmacy brand carried by retailers including Erewhon and specialty children’s boutiques throughout Los Angeles. This fall, Dr. Max’s will launch several new products, including a gentle Head-toToe Wash for babies and an all-natural Eczema Oil designed to support sensitive skin with clean, plant-based ingredients. “My roots here run incredibly deep,” Goldstein says. “There is a genuine sense of community here that is increasingly rare, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.” Here, Goldstein shares a few of his favorite local spots. drmaxfamilyhealth.com; drmaxs.com
“If I’m meeting friends for dinner or just sneaking away for a martini, R+D Kitchen is usually my first choice. It’s a neighborhood institution and somehow always feels both familiar and special.”
1323 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; 310-395-3314; rd-kitchen.com
“Sweet Rose Creamery is my favorite spot for a treat. I appreciate their commitment to high-quality, all-natural ingredients, and it’s become a special place for me and my daughter to hang out together and look at all the people and their dogs. Woof woof!”
225 26th St., Suite 51; 310-260-2663; sweetrosecreamery.com
“Jon & Vinny’s is one of my favorite family dinners. Beyond the great food, Helen of Helen’s Wine and Jon are both friends, and genuinely wonderful people who have created a restaurant that feels welcoming, fun and deeply connected to the community.”
11938 San Vicente Blvd.; 310-442-2733; jonandvinnys.com
“Caffe Luxxe serves my favorite coffee in Los Angeles. Gary Chau, the owner, has built something truly special, and I love supporting people who care deeply about their craft. Some of my favorite moments are sitting outside with a cappuccino while my daughter enjoys her bottle and we watch the neighborhood go by.”
225 26th St., Suite 53; 310-394-2222; caffeluxxe.com
La La Land founder Francois Reihani has turned a Brentwood hotspot into a tribute to family, kindness and community
CHARLOTTE’S CORNER
ARTICLE BY CAROLE DIXON
Ever since La La Land opened last November at the corner of San Vicente and Barrington, it has helped to transform one of Brentwood’s most recognizable intersections into the buzziest spot in town. On any given morning, lines stretch down the block, parents stop by after school drop-off, friends grab post-workout lattes and neighbors spill out onto the sidewalks. Amidst all the activity, one detail sets this location apart from every other La La Land in the country. Above the entrance is a single name: “Charlotte.” Most guests assume it’s simply a cute part of the branding. In reality, it tells a deeper story.
Charlotte is the six-year-old niece of La La Land founder and CEO Francois Reihani. Her mother is Reihani’s sister, Chloe, and Brentwood is very much the center of Charlotte’s world—where she goes to school, takes dance classes and spends much of her time. “Charlotte is my everything,” says Reihani. “She has such a personality and cares so much about others. She is a prime example of purity in its rarest form. It made perfect sense to name this location after her.” When the opportunity to open on this prominent corner arose, Reihani knew immediately it would be different. Guests will find photos, drawings and other personal touches throughout the café, along with an exclusive menu item found only in Brentwood: Charlotte’s Cookie Butter Latte, served hot or iced with espresso or matcha, spiced cookie butter sauce, whipped cream and cookie crumble on top.
The tribute feels fitting, since family, kindness and community have always been at the heart of the brand. Born in Mexico and raised in Los Angeles, Reihani attended USC before transferring to Southern Methodist University in Dallas. At 21, he launched Pōk The Raw Bar, a concept that quickly became a local success. But another idea would ultimately define his career. In 2019, he founded La La Land with a mission that went beyond coffee, envisioning a hospitality company built around optimism and human connection—one where customers might hear “I love you” instead of the usual “have a nice day,” and where social impact was woven into the business model.
Today, La La Land operates nearly 30 locations across Texas, Arizona, Tennessee and California, while its La La Cares initiative provides mentorship, internships and employment opportunities for foster youth aging out of the system, as well as individuals with special needs. Through paid internships, life-skills training and career development programs, the company aims to create meaningful opportunities beyond the coffee counter. “We are not just working with foster youth rights,” Reihani says. “At the Americana in Glendale location [owner Rick Caruso is a mentor], we’re working with people who have special needs, so we have a variety of programs.” The foster youth program runs during the summer and is based on where participants live and which store is closest to them. “That’s normally how the stores get selected, but there is usually one flagship in each city,” he adds.
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“Charlotte is my everything. She is a prime example of purity in its rarest form. It made perfect sense to name this location after her.”
Francois Reihani with his niece, Charlotte, at La La Land Brentwood
Charlotte's Cookie Butter Lattes
For Reihani, Brentwood was never just another expansion opportunity. Long before La La Land existed, he spent countless hours on that very corner waiting for his sister, who worked across the street. The siblings shared a single car at the time, and while she finished work, Reihani would sit nearby before heading to his own job at a Santa Monica Volkswagen dealership. “We were just building our lives at that time,” he recalls. “I always believed I would have something big, but I wasn’t sitting there thinking it would be hospitality—and especially right there on that corner.”
The address itself has long occupied a special place in Brentwood history. Many locals know it as the longtime Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, where countless first dates, business meetings and neighborhood catch-ups took place. Before that, the site gained Hollywood fame as the location of the actual All American Burger featured in the cult classic film Fast Times at Ridgemont High . Today, the corner has entered yet another chapter.
“I always knew I wanted to open a store in Brentwood,” says Reihani. “When I first walked the streets, I saw a community that reminded me of everything La La Land is built on: neighbors who actually know each other, people who take pride in where they live and a genuine sense of warmth. The support, the loyalty and the way people have
made La La Land part of their daily lives means everything to me personally.”
Designed as a “dream-state” environment, La La Land was built to feel different the moment guests walk through the door. While the brand is known for its trademark bright yellow aesthetic, the Brentwood location was intentionally designed to reflect the understated character of the neighborhood. “If you look at the design of Brentwood, it’s actually completely different than most of our stores,” says Reihani. “It’s not bright yellow but more muted, with bright white, wood accents and pops of yellow. Any human being that walks up to that feels a sense of joy. Yellow is an energy. It brings happiness. But that location is really special—you feel it in the people, the store and all of the white flowers.”
Behind the cheerful atmosphere is the same philosophy that has fueled the company’s rapid growth: invest in people, and they can build extraordinary things. It’s a lesson Reihani understands personally. The crowds may come for the matcha lattes and the social media-worthy aesthetic. But look above the door, and you’ll find the real heart of the brand: a little girl named Charlotte, and the values that inspired it all.
La La Land Brentwood 11698 San Vicente Blvd. 424-256-2774 lalalandcafe.com
The Brentwood interior Charlotte ready to take orders
Stronger Together
Founded by Dr. Sanam Shamtobi, The Mother Hood offers women a space centered on support, connection and expert care
ARTICLE BY AMANDA EBERSTEIN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA LAZIO
Dr. Sanam Shamtobi at The Mother Hood
For Dr. Sanam Shamtobi, becoming a mother didn’t change who she was—it illuminated who she was meant to be. Long before founding The Mother Hood, Shamtobi had established herself as a respected clinical psychologist. A Los Angeles native, USC graduate and specialist in anxiety and couples therapy, she spent more than a decade helping people navigate some of life’s most important transitions. After years in private practice, however, she began to feel something was missing. “I loved what I was doing, but I didn’t feel fully aligned,” she says. “Once I became a mother, everything started to make sense.”
That redirection arrived three years ago with the birth of her son. Becoming a mother brought a deeper understanding of the women she was increasingly drawn to work with. “I realized that this was where my passion and my expertise intersected,” she says. “I loved being a mother so much, and I realized that the way I serve my children is by serving other mothers.”
The chic welcome lounge has a residential feel
Shamtobi with her team, including Kira Sedaka (third from left)
Today, that idea has become the basis for The Mother Hood, a Brentwood-based therapy and coaching practice dedicated to supporting women through fertility, pregnancy, postpartum and every stage of motherhood beyond. Located on San Vicente just steps from Vicente Foods, the practice has quickly become one of the westside’s most trusted resources for women—combining exceptional clinical care with something equally valuable: community.
Understanding others has always been at the center of Shamtobi’s story. Raised in Beverly Hills, she was fascinated by people from an early age. After attending USC, where she studied English and Art History, she realized that psychology was the common thread. “When you’re studying literature and art, you’re really studying the human experience,” Shamtobi says. “You’re exploring relationships, identity, culture and emotion.” She went on to earn her doctorate in clinical psychology and built a career helping people navigate life’s most meaningful—and often most challenging—moments.
At the same time, another dream was taking shape. Shamtobi had always imagined building her life in Brentwood. “I always wanted to live here,” she says. “I loved the pace of life, the sense of community and being close to the ocean.” She got her first apartment, met her now-husband and eventually found a home on one of her favorite streets. Today, they are raising their two children—a three-year-old son and one-year-old daughter—just minutes from the office where Shamtobi now spends her days.
As her own family grew, so did her understanding of the women around her. Through neighborhood gatherings, friendships and school communities, she found herself having meaningful conversations with fellow moms. Some were navigating fertility treatments. Others were adjusting to new babies, balancing careers and family life or simply looking for support through a major milestone. “I kept realizing how much women needed a space that was specifically designed for them,” she says. “Not just for one phase of motherhood, but for the entire journey.”
“I kept realizing how much women needed a space that was specifically designed for them. Not just for one phase of motherhood, but for the entire journey.”
One of those conversations would prove especially significant. A few houses away lived Kira Sedaka, a former teacher and mother of three. The two quickly bonded over their shared passion for supporting families and began imagining what a more holistic resource for women could look like. Together, they envisioned a place where women could access exceptional therapy, guidance and connection. It was Sedaka who suggested they call the space “The Mother Hood.” “It was perfect,” Shamtobi recalls. “It’s motherhood, but it’s also a neighborhood. It’s a community. It’s people who have your back.” Today, Sedaka serves as one of the practice’s parent coaches, helping clients navigate everything from everyday challenges to larger developmental and family transitions.
The timing of what happened next was, by any measure, ambitious. Just two days before giving birth to her daughter, Shamtobi found the office space that would become her HQ. “I knew I wanted to be in Brentwood because this way I could serve my really local community and also go back and forth from my house,” she says. “Everything is shaped around my kids.” She signed the lease while
The Mother Hood business card and logo
recovering in the hospital and spent much of her maternity leave overseeing the renovation. “People kept telling me to slow down— that this wasn’t a good time to start a business,” she recalls. “But I truly felt this is what I was meant to do.”
When the doors opened last September, Shamtobi had created something unlike a traditional therapy office. The space feels warm, welcoming and intentionally residential. Cream-colored walls, vintage-inspired rugs and thoughtfully designed gathering areas create an environment that feels more like a chic apartment than a medical practice. Large windows overlook Brentwood Presbyterian Church Preschool, a daily reminder of the families at the heart of the practice. “I oversaw every single detail,” Shamtobi says. Because the practice serves women navigating everything from fertility challenges and pregnancy loss to postpartum depression, Shamtobi was careful to design a space that felt warm without being narrowly defined by motherhood. There are no babies on the walls. Even the changing table is tucked into the kitchenette so no one in the waiting room is unexpectedly confronted. Rather than featuring a mother and child, The Mother Hood logo depicts a woman riding a lion—a symbol of strength, courage and possibility. “This is a space for women,” she says. “Motherhood is part of the story, but it’s not the entire story.”
But perhaps the most distinctive aspect of The Mother Hood isn’t the beautiful office or even the services offered there. It’s the atmosphere. “There shouldn’t be shame around therapy,” says Shamtobi. “This should feel like a place where you want to be.” Women often linger after appointments, conversations happen organically and connections form naturally. While therapy remains at the heart of the practice, community is woven into the experience. At the same time, Shamtobi understands that every woman’s needs are different. The practice also offers virtual therapy, coaching and in-home appointments—the last of which she considers one of The Mother Hood’s most important offerings. For a woman in early postpartum who can’t imagine packing up a newborn and leaving the house, the option isn’t just convenient. Sometimes it’s the only way care actually happens. “We’ll come hold the baby so you can cry,” she says simply.
Today, The Mother Hood has grown into a multidisciplinary team of seven therapists and three coaches supporting women throughout Los Angeles. Services include individual therapy, couples counseling, fertility and IVF support, postpartum care, parenting support, executive coaching and specialized groups. What distinguishes the practice, however, is its commitment to expertise. “We are incredible therapists,” says Shamtobi. “I ride my reputation on
them because of how good they are.” Every Wednesday morning, the entire team participates in advanced training led by specialists across the maternal health landscape. Pelvic floor therapists, lactation consultants, reproductive specialists and surrogacy experts regularly contribute to ongoing education, ensuring the practice remains at the forefront of maternal mental health care. “We can’t call ourselves specialists if we don’t specialize,” says Shamtobi. “Our clients deserve clinicians who truly understand their world.”
For Shamtobi, the work is personal in every direction. She still takes every intake call herself and wants to be the person on the other end of the line when a woman finds them at 3 a.m. and decides to click. “Anybody who’s reading these words,” she says, “know that you are allowed to give that hour to yourself. Therapy isn’t painful all the time. It’s pain with purpose. It eventually takes you somewhere really important.” And ultimately, that is the mission behind The Mother Hood. “I just want people to feel a sigh of relief when they walk through our doors,” she says. “That whatever they’re going to talk about, they’re talking about it in the right place.”
The Mother Hood
12011 San Vicente Blvd., Suite 402 310-564-6466
themotherhoodla.com
The entrance to a therapy room
ARTICLE BY AMANDA EBERSTEIN
MOVED BY STORIES OF SEPARATION, ZOE WINKLER REINIS AND ELSA MARIE COLLINS HAVE BUILT THIS IS ABOUT HUMANITY INTO A POWERFUL FORCE FOR COMPASSION AND ACTION
FAMILY TIES
Zoe Winkler Reinis and Elsa Marie Collins of This is About Humanity. Photograph by Nikki Finnin
Before This Is About Humanity became a humanitarian organization with a powerful network of supporters, annual events and impact projects reaching families on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, it began with something much simpler: two mothers, a DM and a desire to help.
“I
Is About Humanity, an organization that has mobilized thousands of volunteers, provided emergency relief to families on both sides of the border, served millions of meals and built a devoted community of supporters—all while remaining rooted in the same values that brought its founders together in the first place:
SAW MY KIDS IN THOSE KIDS AND MYSELF IN THOSE MOMS. THE IMAGES COMPLETELY HAUNTED ME.”
In 2018, as images of family separations dominated headlines, Zoe Winkler Reinis and Elsa Marie Collins found themselves asking the same question: “What can we do?” For Zoe, the answer began with a video she couldn’t stop thinking about. “I saw my kids in those kids and myself in those moms,” she says. “The images completely haunted me.” At the same time, Elsa, who remarkably grew up in Tijuana crossing the border every day to attend school in the U.S., was quietly collecting donations from friends and carefully ensuring they reached those who truly needed them. The two women had crossed paths around Brentwood for years, seeing one another at SoulCycle, local restaurants and through mutual friends. But they weren’t close.
Then, Zoe saw one of Elsa’s posts on Instagram and sent a direct message. “Whatever you’re doing, I want to help,” she said. “I told her, ‘I’m just taking donations and putting them in my car,’” Elsa recalls with a laugh. Neither woman imagined what would happen next. What began as a small donation drive quickly filled a large U-Haul. Then came a volunteer bus trip. Then another. Eight years later, that grassroots effort has grown into This
compassion, dignity and a belief in showing up for others.
Zoe and Elsa arrived at the work from very different backgrounds. Zoe is LA-born and raised, the daughter of iconic actor Henry Winkler and his beloved wife, Stacey Winkler. Though she spent most of her childhood in Toluca Lake while her father filmed Happy Days , she has always had strong Brentwood ties and her parents moved to their current home in Brentwood Park nearly 30 years ago. “I’ve been going to the Country Mart since I was born, basically,” she says. “People think Los Angeles doesn’t have community, but Brentwood absolutely does.” Her mother grew up on Oceano Avenue, her husband, Rob Reinis—co-founder of Valle Reinis Builders—is also from Brentwood and today she is raising three sons here herself. Before founding a nonprofit, she spent years as a preschool teacher, including a decade at Circle of Children on Montana Avenue. “I’ve always been around families and kids,” she says. “I think that’s part of why this resonated with me so deeply.”
Elsa’s story began a world away. Raised in Tijuana, she crossed the border daily to
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attend school in San Diego before returning to Mexico for part of her education. “My mom wanted us to be bilingual, bicultural and biliterate,” she says. “At the time I didn’t appreciate it. Now I realize what a gift it was.” While attending Stanford University, she met her future husband, former NBA player and coach Jarron Collins. The couple eventually settled in Los Angeles, first living in Brentwood before purchasing a home nearby in Westwood Hills, where they have raised their three children for more than two decades. “I used to think I could never live in Los Angeles,” Elsa says. “Now I don’t know if I could live anywhere else.”
The Collins family also has deep LA roots. Jarron and his twin brother, Jason Collins, grew up in Granada Hills, and became basketball stars at Harvard-Westlake before both going on to successful NBA careers. Jason, who tragically passed away in May from glioblastoma, left a lasting legacy both on and off the court, using his platform to break barriers and help create a more inclusive future in professional sports. “Everywhere we go, people have a story about Jason,” Elsa says. “That’s the kind of impact he had—not just in sports, but in people’s lives.”
Though their paths were very different, both women shared a deep appreciation for family, community and service—values that would ultimately become the foundation of This Is About Humanity. At the start, Elsa and her sister, Yolanda Selene Walther-Meade— who lives in San Diego and serves as the nonprofit’s third co-founder—began collecting supplies for families affected by separations at the border. When Zoe joined the effort, they expected to gather a handful of boxes. Instead, donations poured in, enough to fill a 25-foot U-Haul. A friend lent them the truck. Another connection secured a bus. What followed was the first of dozens of trips to the border and the beginning of an organization that would grow far beyond anything they had imagined.
“We thought we were just dropping off donations,” Elsa says. “Then we realized people wanted to keep learning and stay involved.” The first trip took volunteers to San Diego, where they met with families, advocates and community leaders. On the ride home, participants immediately began asking when the next trip would be. Over the next several years, This Is About Humanity organized approximately 50 educational and service trips to San Diego and Tijuana. The experiences allowed participants to hear directly from families and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges they faced. The bus rides—departing Los Angeles before
A busload of This is About Humanity volunteers
Co-founders Elsa, Zoe and Yolanda Selene WaltherMeade at last year’s gala
The organization’s community kitchen in Tijuana
“WE’RE HERE TO SAY, ‘LET’S TREAT HUMAN BEINGS LIKE HUMAN BEINGS.”
dawn and often filled to capacity—became a community unto themselves. “It almost felt like camp,” Zoe says. “Everyone would introduce themselves and share why they were there. Strangers became friends.”
The organization’s name emerged during those early days as well. Shortly before one of the first trips, Elsa attended a demonstration in El Paso and made a sign that read: “This Is About Humanity.” Their friend, activist Mandana Dayani, suggested they use this as the name for their growing movement. “It was about who we are as people,” Elsa says. That philosophy remains central to the organization today. “We’re here to say, ‘Let’s treat human beings like human beings,” Zoe says.
Over the years, the organization has evolved far beyond those first bus trips. One of its largest initiatives today is a community kitchen in Tijuana. When World Central Kitchen prepared to close an existing operation, This Is About Humanity partnered with Fundación Tijuana Sin Hambre to keep it running. “We feed 3,100 people a day,” Zoe says. “More than a million people a year.” The organization has also responded to crises closer to home. Following the Los Angeles wildfires, This Is About Humanity raised more than half a million dollars for people who often fall outside traditional aid programs, including day laborers, restaurant workers, childcare and service workers. More recently, it has organized grocery distributions for families facing hardship and uncertainty. “We just keep showing up,” Elsa says.
For both founders, however, the impact is measured less by statistics than by relationships. Zoe is now the legal sponsor of a family she first met through the organization years ago, including a young girl named Zoe. “Their rent has been completely paid for three years,” she says. “They’re family to me now.” For Elsa, one of those stories belongs to a young man who arrived in the United States
CONTINUED >
A group of chefs including Javier Plascencia (center) at TIAH’s event in 2025
Jarron and Elsa Marie Collins at the 2024 gala
as an unaccompanied teenager, eventually graduated from UC Berkeley and now works helping other immigrant families navigate the same challenges he once faced. “He’s a great example of the kind of person we want in this country,” Elsa says. “Someone you would want as a neighbor.”
That spirit of community is on full display during This Is About Humanity’s annual fundraising event, which is now in its 8th year and takes place at a residence in Brentwood on August 29th. “It’s the antithesis of what you think of when you think of a gala,” Elsa says. The event began as a small dinner attended by roughly 30 guests. Today, hundreds of supporters gather for what feels more like an elevated backyard food festival than a formal fundraiser. This year’s event will feature Michelin-starred Mexican chef Javier Plascencia, along with chef Ray Garcia, who participated in those earliest dinners, as well as many more. Guests can expect exceptional food, meaningful storytelling and a celebration of the volunteers, donors and community members who have helped sustain the mission.
Past honorees have included Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent, Lauren Sánchez and Phil and Lily Rosenthal. Supporters over the years have encompassed everyone from Kim Kardashian and Jeff Bezos to countless local families who contribute their time and resources. For the founders, however, the event is never about celebrity. “We have the most incredible volunteers and community, and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them,” Zoe says. That lesson is already being passed to the next generation. Zoe’s son raised more than $50,000 for the organization through a bar mitzvah philanthropy project. He also hopes to become a chef, and cooks alongside Plascencia at the gala. Elsa’s children have grown up volunteering at events and helping wherever needed.
Eight years after that first Instagram message, the mission remains remarkably simple: show up, help where you can and never lose sight of the people at the center of the story. Or, as Zoe puts it, “We are just a group of moms supporting families.”
This is About Humanity Anniversary Gala August 29th Private Residence, Brentwood thisisabouthumanity.com
Henry, Zoe and Stacey Winkler in 2024
Volunteers at a This is About Humanity Food Drive
TIAH supporters
Eva Longoria and Lauren Sánchez
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Game Changer
Through Children’s Sports Academy, Coach Joel Cedeno is helping youngsters build confidence, resilience and a lifelong love of play
On any given day across the westside, there’s a good chance that a birthday party, sports camp, field day or school event is being led by Coach Joel Cedeno or a member of his team. Through his company, Children’s Sports Academy (CSA), “Coach Joel,” as he is affectionately known, has spent more than 13 years helping children move, play, learn and grow through sports. Whether he’s organizing relay races at a backyard birthday bash, leading a summer camp, teaching a child how to dribble a basketball for the first time, helping a youngster learn to ride a bike or encouraging a hesitant student to join a game, his goal remains remarkably simple: make sports fun, accessible and welcoming for every child.
Long before he became one of the area’s most recognizable youth coaches, Coach Joel was simply a sports-loving kid growing up in Echo Park, just steps from Dodger Stadium. Athletics were woven into his childhood. He played recreational sports throughout his early years and spent as much time outdoors as possible. His love of the game was encouraged by his parents and sisters, but perhaps no one shaped him
ARTICLE BY HANNAH SMITH
more than his dad. “My father taught me everything I know about how to be a man,” Coach Joel says. “But the greatest lesson he gave me was how to serve others first.” Those words would eventually become the foundation not only of his career, but of his life.
Today, Coach Joel views coaching as a form of service. Every class, camp and event is an opportunity to encourage, support and connect with children. His father’s passing a few years ago only deepened that sense of purpose, and CSA became a way to carry forward the values he was raised with: faith, family, humility, leadership and love. “Everything I do through CSA is a way of honoring my father,” he says. “My hope is that every child I coach feels even a small piece of the love, patience and guidance he gave me.”
The dream of working with children through sports began earlier than most people might expect. Coach Joel still remembers sitting in PE class as a teenager and looking around at his teachers. While many of his classmates were beginning to think about traditional careers,
Coach Joel teaching baseball
he found himself fascinated by the idea that these adults spent their days moving, playing sports and working with young people. “I remember telling myself that if I could one day become like them in any way, I would know I had made it in life,” he says. “Simply because I would be able to touch a ball, shoot a basketball and use sports as part of my everyday work.”
Years later, that dream became Children’s Sports Academy. What started as one coach with a love of sports and a desire to serve has evolved into a thriving company. Through CSA, Coach Joel and his team lead everything from birthday parties and sports camps to field days, enrichment programs, recess support, community events and large-scale school celebrations—reaching hundreds of children and families throughout
Los Angeles each week. Over the years, CSA has become woven into the fabric of daily life at many local schools. The company partners with institutions including Brawerman West, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, The Center for Early Education, Canyon Crest Preschool and Cassidy Preschool, where Coach Joel and his team work with students through ongoing sports programs, enrichment classes, camps and school-day activities. CSA is also regularly called upon to lead field days, school parties and community events for Brentwood School, Curtis School and many others throughout the westside.
For Coach Joel, these partnerships represent something much bigger than business growth. “Schools and families trust us with their children,” he says. “That’s something we never take for granted.” That trust has become one of CSA’s defining characteristics. Whether working with a small preschool class or coordinating an event for hundreds of students, Coach Joel and his team are known for bringing structure, organization, professionalism and positive energy to every program they lead.
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Coach Joel Cedeno
Kids in their Children’s Sports Academy jerseys
Just as importantly, they know how to connect with children. Yet some of his favorite moments happen away from the spotlight. Some children arrive eager to participate. Others linger on the sidelines, unsure if they want to join. He still finds joy in watching a child who begins the day hesitant eventually jump into a game, make a new friend or discover a skill they didn’t know they possessed. “Watching a child gain confidence right in front of you is one of the best parts of what we do,” he says.
That ability to engage children of all ages has earned Coach Joel an especially loyal following among local families. “There is no one more creative—or more adored by both children and parents—than Joel,” say longtime clients Alexis and Ryan Draizin. “His ability to engage a group of kids, whether it’s four or forty, is truly unmatched. He has a remarkable talent for making each experience fun, meaningful and memorable.”
That approach has also earned him the trust of countless families who have watched him become part of their children’s lives year after year. “Few people outside a family have the opportunity to impact children as deeply as Coach Joel has impacted ours,” say Samantha and Michael Auerbach. “We have watched him build athletes, but more importantly, build character. At the same time,
we’ve had the privilege of watching him grow from a young coach into a husband, father, entrepreneur and leader over the last decade. He has become part of our family’s story.”
Today, Coach Joel is a husband and father himself, raising two young children while continuing to build the company he started more than a decade ago. Becoming a parent has given him a new perspective on the work he does. He now understands firsthand the trust families place in the adults who spend time with their children—a responsibility he doesn’t take lightly. For Coach Joel, however, the focus has never been on building a business or earning recognition. “It’s never really been about sports,” he says. “Sports are just the vehicle. What matters is helping kids feel confident, capable and supported.”
Now, as CSA continues to grow through new school partnerships, camps and community programming, the mission remains unchanged. “My dream is to keep creating spaces where kids can move, play, learn, grow and feel connected,” he says. “Sports changed my life, and now I get to use sports to impact theirs.”
Children’s Sports Academy 626-316-9758
csala.info
A sports camp at a local school
ARTICLE BY AMANDA EBERSTEIN
FRESH Start
With Fipl, Brentwood residents Victoria and Greg Gioia are bringing clean, thoughtfully formulated body care to the often-overlooked “in-between” years
For most couples, bath time is simply part of the daily routine. For Brentwood residents Victoria Thain Gioia and Greg Gioia, it became the inspiration for an entirely new business. The husband-and-wife founders behind the new children’s body care line Fipl are no strangers to building brands. Victoria is the co-founder of Perelel, the groundbreaking OB/GYN-developed supplement company that has become one of the most trusted names in women’s health. Greg most recently served as VP of Finance at Airtable after leadership roles at Quibi and Goldman Sachs. Now, after years of building separate businesses, the pair is joining forces on their most personal venture yet.
Both New York natives—Victoria from Rye and Greg from Buffalo—the two met while attending Harvard Business School. They eventually moved west to Los Angeles, where they built their careers, had four children and became part of Brentwood’s thriving community of entrepreneurs and young families.
The idea for Fipl was born at home. “After building Perelel around the idea that what goes into your body during pregnancy and motherhood truly matters, I couldn’t stop applying that same lens to my own kids,” says Victoria. “Once you start reading labels closely, you can’t unsee it. The kids’ category was full of products where the ingredient lists didn’t hold up, or they were for teens and moving into stages that our kids weren’t ready for. We wanted this to be a stage where they were just kids learning about good hygiene.”
With four young children and plenty of shampoo and body wash disappearing from the bathroom each week, the couple saw a gap in the market. “Greg and I kept asking why clean, genuinely safe
formulations couldn’t also be products our kids were excited to use once they graduated out of the baby category,” Victoria says. “Fipl came out of that gap. It felt like the right next chapter because it’s the most personal version of the work I’ve always done.”
The brand’s name tells the story. Fipl is an acronym built from the first letters of their children’s names: Finn, Imogen, Pippa and Lachlan. “Finn is eight, curious and thoughtful, the kind of kid who’s already trying to start his own business,” Victoria says. “Immy is seven and deeply sensitive and caring; she’s our empathy barometer. Pippa is five and pure spunk; she has opinions about everything, including which products she’ll actually use. And Lachlan is our two-year-old, the happy baby of the family.” Each child helped shape the company in different ways. “The mission—clean without compromise, joyful without gimmicks—came directly from designing for four very different kids under one roof,” she says.
As with many family businesses, each founder has naturally found a role. “I am running the operations of Fipl, where Tori has focused on the overall brand strategy,” Greg explains. “It has been natural to find our lanes, and we catch up on work in any and all free moments: chats after bedtime or a strategy session while driving to a kid’s football game.” Raising four children has also given the founders a built-in product development team. “They’re our testers in the most literal sense: scents, textures and packaging they can actually open themselves,” says Victoria. “They keep us honest, because a kid will tell you immediately if something doesn’t smell right or feel good.”
At its core, Fipl is designed for children in what the founders call the “in-between years”—those years after baby products but before teen brands. “It’s the everyday essentials, formulated to high safety standards and designed for real family routines,” says Greg. “We vet our ingredients rigorously and we’re transparent about what we leave out, so parents don’t have to do the label-reading we had to do.” At launch, the line includes a Daily Cleansing Shampoo with aloe and jojoba, Daily Hydrating Conditioner featuring argan and jojoba oil, Foaming Body Wash formulated with coconut-derived cleansers, cucumber extract and hydrating glycerin and a Botanical Detangling Spray with chamomile, vitamin E and amodimethicone. But the company is about more than what goes into the bottle. “It’s also about the beauty and mayhem that comes during bath time,” Greg says. “The art of growing up and ending each day with a ritual.”
Victoria Thain Gioia and Greg Gioia with their four children
The full line of Fipl launch products
Bathtime made easy
Fipl
Victoria brings significant experience to the venture. She launched Perelel after becoming frustrated by the lack of personalized nutrition options available when she was pregnant. “Perelel started from my own pregnancy, when I realized the prenatal category was generic and one-size-fits-all despite pregnancy being anything but,” she says. “We wanted to build OB/GYN-developed supplements designed for the specific stages of a woman’s life.” Today, the company serves women throughout pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. “The throughline has never changed: rigor, real clinical grounding and seeing women where they actually are,” she explains.
Those lessons are now shaping Fipl. “From Perelel, I’m bringing an obsession with product quality, the discipline of building credibility and expert insights from day one rather than retrofitting it and the belief that trust is the entire business,” Victoria says. “The difference is the audience dynamic. With Perelel, the woman is both the decision-maker and the end user. With Fipl, parents are the buyers and gatekeepers, but kids are the users and they have to actually want it. So, you’re solving for a parent’s standards and a child’s experience at the same time, which raises the bar on both.”
For the Gioias, Brentwood has been an ideal place to build both family and business. “It’s a community that genuinely blends family life and ambition without forcing you to choose,” Greg says. “Being surrounded by other parents who are building or pursuing their own paths is grounding and encouraging. A lot of Fipl was pressure-tested in real conversations with other families, and the community is a place where the personal and the professional naturally overlap, which is exactly how we work.”
Looking ahead, Victoria hopes the company becomes more than a successful product line. “I hope Fipl becomes a name parents trust instinctively, the way they want a shorthand for ‘this is safe and I don’t have to investigate it,’” she says. “Beyond the products, I want it to stand for a standard. Proof that children’s products can be held to real rigor without losing the joy and playfulness that make childhood what it is.” hifipl.com
“I hope Fipl becomes a name parents trust instinctively. Proof that children’s products can be held to a real rigor without losing the playfulness that makes childhood what it is.”
is designed for kids at every stage of life
Peptides?
ashley.warne@raymondjames.com http://www.financialformwork.com
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TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
ON MARRIAGE, KIDS, AND THE COMEDY OF REAL LIFE
Trey Kennedy makes a living finding comedy in regular life. Marriage. Toddlers. Yoga pants. The Thursday-night scramble between school dropoffs, soccer practice, and whatever has to be done by morning. Twelve years in, it shows: millions of followers across every platform, three stand-up specials, a sold-out Relatable Tour, and a style of humor fans send each other captioned, “Are you watching me?” He delivers the kind of comedy that travels because everyone’s living some version of it.
Katie, his wife of six years, is a former biomedical engineer who also built a modeling career. She’s now raising their kids and co-hosting Correct Opinions alongside Trey — the show where the two of them swap takes on marriage, parenting, and whatever came up that week.
Trey has been at this longer than people realize. An Edmond, Oklahoma kid who grew up playing basketball described himself as a “shy kid who never thought he’d be an entertainer.” He started making videos while attending Oklahoma State University. After building millions of followers on Vine before the platform shut down, he gave himself six months on Instagram and Facebook to see whether he could rebuild from zero. He did. Stand-up soon followed. His first special, Are You For Real?, streams on YouTube; the second, Grow Up, on Amazon Prime; the third, built around the Relatable Tour, wrapped earlier this year. “I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now,” he says. A slow climb, made one bit at a time.
ARTICLE BY KALI KASPRZYK
“I’ve been trying to be funny every week for like twelve years now.”
Most of what Trey writes lately starts in his own kitchen. Thomas is three and a half, and he is, in his father’s words, “a movie.” He narrates his own life from the moment his eyes open and mispronounces words in ways his parents now repeat to each other because no one else would believe them. His younger sister, Eva, is what Katie calls “the calm one.” With a third now in the mix, the Kennedys are officially outnumbered.
After six years of marriage, Trey and Katie have learned that the partnership runs best when it gets its own time on the calendar. So once a week, they leave the kids with a sitter and go out for coffee. “You need a system,” Katie says. “It’s about taking time to look each other in the eye. Not the kids. Not the cameras. Just each other.”
The same instinct shapes the work. Most of Trey’s trial and error happens onstage or on Instagram, but the first read is always Katie’s. “There’s only been one time ever I’ve had to be like, ‘you’re not doing that,’” she says. The rest of the time, she just laughs first.
FEATURING TREY & KATIE KENNEDY
Trey and Katie talk about marriage, parenting, and the moments that don’t make the Instagram feed.
Watch or listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES HAIR & MAKEUP BY MIKAYLA CRANE
Behind each of our 200+ City Lifestyle magazines is someone who cares deeply about their community. Someone who connects people, celebrates businesses, and shares the stories that matter most. What if that someone was you?
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events
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
AUGUST 1ST-2ND
Garden Concerts for Kids: Dan and Claudia Zanes with Tyree Austin
Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Dr. | 4:00 PM
Bring a blanket and settle in on the lawn for an afternoon of family-friendly music in the Getty’s Central Garden. Beloved performers Dan Zanes, Claudia Zanes and Tyree Austin blend soulful songs, rich harmonies and vibrant rhythms into an interactive concert designed for all ages. Families are encouraged to sing, dance and enjoy a summer afternoon surrounded by one of Los Angeles’ most beautiful cultural settings. getty.edu
AUGUST 5TH
Wednesday
Workshop:
Learning
from
the Impressionists
Brentwood Art Center, 1625 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica | 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Step into the world of Monet and Sisley during this one-night painting workshop led by artist Boris Tyomkin. Participants will explore the origins of Impressionism and learn how the movement’s artists used color, light and composition to capture the beauty of the natural world. Students will create their own work while gaining hands-on insight into one of art history’s most influential movements. brentwoodart.org
AUGUST 6TH
Sunset Concerts: Annie and The Caldwells / The Campbell Brothers
Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. | 7:00 PM
Experience an evening of uplifting roots music as Annie and The Caldwells and The Campbell Brothers take the stage at the Skirball. Blending gospel, soul, blues and funk, both groups are celebrated for their spirited performances and rich musical traditions. Guests can enjoy food, drinks and a summer night under the stars in the Skirball’s scenic hillside courtyard. skirball.org
AUGUST 9TH
Family Flicks: Turning Red
Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd. | 11:00 AM
Enjoy a free screening of Disney and Pixar’s Turning Red as part of the Hammer Museum’s popular Family Flicks series. The heartwarming and hilarious film follows 13-year-old Mei Lee as she navigates adolescence, family expectations and a surprising tendency to transform into a giant red panda whenever her emotions get the best of her. Before the screening, families can participate in handson art activities inspired by the film. hammer.ucla.edu
AUGUST 13TH
Best in Show at Rosewood Miramar Beach
Rosewood Miramar Beach, 1759 South Jameson Ln., Montecito | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The Fifth Annual Best in Show returns to Rosewood Miramar Beach for an afternoon dedicated to dogs, community and coastal fun. Guests and their four-legged companions can enjoy bites, cocktails, exclusive VIP booths, shopping and festive activities throughout the resort’s oceanfront Lawn. Attendees can also compete for the chance to win the ultimate Miramar getaway, with proceeds supporting Santa Barbara Humane. rosewoodhotels.com
AUGUST 29TH
Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty
The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica | 6:00 PM
Step into a magical world where classical ballet meets modern technology during Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty. Performed by six dancers in illuminated fiber-optic costumes, the beloved fairytale comes to life through dazzling choreography, vibrant color and stunning visual effects. Designed for audiences of all ages, the 60-minute performance offers a fresh and enchanting take on the timeless story of the princess awakened by true love’s kiss. balletoflights.com
FAMILY TRAVEL BEGINS HERE
Design
Traditional | Contemporary | Spanish | English Gardens
"I love living and working in Brentwood and meeting new neighbors while designing their gardens and outdoor spaces. If you are in need of some local help and insight, please do not hesitate to reach out."
- Teryl Ciarlo, Founder of Teryl Designs
teryldesigns.com | (310) 463-7863 | @teryldesigns Los Angeles, California 90049
The Gold Standard
LA Dog Nannies is redefining pet care with trusted, relationshipdriven service designed to give both pets and their owners complete peace of mind
For more than a decade, Beatrice Hernandez has dedicated her career to caring for animals across the westside. As a professional pet sitter and dog walker, she built lasting relationships with animals and their owners, often becoming a trusted part of the family. Along the way, she noticed that while many families sought exceptional caregivers for their children and homes, the same level of personalized service wasn’t always available for their pets.” I saw an opportunity to elevate what pet care could look like,” says Hernandez. “These animals are beloved members of the family, and they deserve that same level of attention, consistency and care.” That belief inspired her to launch LA Dog Nannies, a concierge-style pet care company built around relationships, reliability and white-glove service. Rather than
taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Hernandez and her team take the time to understand each animal’s personality, routines and needs, creating a highly personalized experience designed to keep both pets and owners comfortable. “A nanny becomes an extension of the family,” she says. “That’s exactly how we approach caring for our clients’ pets.” Today, LA Dog Nannies serves families throughout Brentwood and beyond, providing attentive, professional care that allows owners to travel, work and enjoy their lives with confidence. Here, she shares what sets her business apart.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE LA DOG NANNIES?
After years of working closely with pets and their families, I realized there was an opportunity to provide a more elevated level of care. I wanted to create a service that felt personal, dependable and truly relationship-driven.
WHAT DOES WHITE-GLOVE PET CARE MEAN TO YOU?
Beatrice Hernandez with a dog under her care
It means anticipating needs, paying attention to details and treating every pet as an individual. We learn routines, preferences, feeding schedules and comfort rituals so the experience feels seamless for both pets and owners.
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE?
We offer pet sitting, house sitting, customized walks and pet transportation to veterinary, grooming and training appointments. We can also remain with pets throughout appointments to provide a familiar, reassuring presence. When owners are traveling, we provide full-time pet sitting and overnight care, as well as daily drop-in visits that offer companionship, exercise and peace of mind.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE?
Every nanny is personally interviewed by me and must have at least three years of professional pet care experience. We conduct background checks and look for people who combine professionalism with genuine compassion.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE KEY TO YOUR SUCCESS?
Building trust one relationship at a time. Many of our clients come through referrals, which is the greatest compliment we can receive. When families know their pets are safe, happy and cared for, they can truly relax— and that’s what we’re here to provide.
LA Dog Nannies
213-640-7029 info@ladognannies.com ladognannies.com
THURSDAY AUGUST 13 TH , 2026 THE GREAT LAWN
2 PM - 5 PM
Join us for the Fifth Annual Miramar Best in Show at Rosewood Miramar Beach —a fun-filled afternoon for resort guests, locals, and their furry friends.
Enjoy bites, cocktails, exclusive VIP booths, shopping, and more. Compete for a chance to win the ultimate Miramar getaway, all while supporting Santa Barbara Humane.
Scan to learn more.
Our approach is intentional and personal. Each residence is designed around the people who will live there, while respecting the spirit, scale, and character of the Pacific Palisades.
ADVISE DESIGN BUILD
