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Conejo Valley NOVEMBER 2016

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Giving Thanks ABUNDANT HARVESTS HONORING HEROES CATERING NORTH RANCH STYLE

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Lifestyle Letter

Cultivating Gratitude

s you sit down to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner this month, please remember to include the many local farmers in your list of things to be thankful for as their hard work and dedication makes it possible for us to enjoy an incredible abundance of healthy foods each day. This month's 4th Annual Ventura County Farm Day creates the perfect opportunity to visit local farms and learn firsthand about what it takes to produce the fruits of their labor. With more than 25 farms opening their doors to the public, Farm Day offers a plethora of options for exploring area farms and personally thanking the farmers who produce nutritious food for so many people, both locally and throughout the world. Big thanks are also in order for the numerous area charities like Food Share, whose dedicated volunteers selflessly share their resources to help people in need. In this issue, you'll find an impressive array of philanthropic organizations, including Interface Children and Family Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County, Court Appointed Special Advocates and Senior Concerns, to name a few. The success and proliferation of these many nonprofits affirm beyond a doubt that the spirit of caring and sharing is alive and well in our community. Thank you for making it a great place to live, grow and give thanks.

NOVEMBER 2016 PUBLISHER

Ben Malkin | Ben.Malkin@LifestylePubs.com Robin Chesler | Robin.Chesler@LifestylePubs.com EDITOR

Tracy Marcynzsyn | Tracy.Marcynzsyn@LifestylePubs.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Donna Bunce, Jenelle Kagay, Ben Malkin, Tracy Marcynzsyn, Rocky Mills, Mary Noe, Sharon Norling, MD; Kim Pagano CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Gary Faye, Goleta Chamber of Commerce, Ben Malkin, John Milliken, Marsha Randolph Photography, Montecito Bank & Trust

CORPORATE TEAM | Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CHIEF SALES OFFICER

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DIRECTOR OF MARKETING ART DIRECTOR

ADVERTISING MANAGER AD COORDINATORS

| DeLand Shore | Brad Broockerd

| Sara Minor

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Happy Thanksgiving! Tracy

| Matthew Perry

| Nicole Sylvester | Janeane Thompson

| Cyndi Harrington, Chelsi Hornbaker, Megan Seymour, Chad Jensen

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Tracy Marcynzsyn, Editor

DESIGN SPECIALIST

Tracy.Marcynzsyn@LifestylePubs.com

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Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

TALK TO US

P.O. Box 12608 Overland Park, KS 66282-3214 Proverbs 3:5-6 Conejo Valley Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Conejo Valley’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Conejo Valley Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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November 2016

Departments 10

Good Times

Around Town

Hot Spot

Our Town

Healthy Lifestyle

Local Limelight

Locally Owned

Food & Wine

Giving Back

Financial Buzz

Locals Only

38 Destination Tuscany

Hops & Vines

Lifestyle Calendar

Parting Thoughts

28 A Hero's Tale

Paying tribute to our Veterans

32 Healthy Harvests

Local farmers share their abundance with the world

Visiting Villa Lucia

46 Celebrate in Style

North Ranch Country Club caters holiday feasts with finesse

John, his father, and his sister and brother

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Estates Director

©2016 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage oﬃce is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International® and the Coldwell Banker Previews International Logo, are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Real estate agents aﬃliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. CalBRE Lic # 00545184.

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Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell Banker Residen©2016 Coldwell©2016 Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International® and the Coldwell Banker Previews International Logo, are tial Brokerage office is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International® and the Coldwell Banker Previews International Logo, are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. CalBRE Lic # 00545184. Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. CalBRE Lic # 00545184.

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Good Times

Westlake Village Welcomes Pure Barre

Pure Barre Westlake Village joins the largest, most established barre franchise in the nation, known for transforming women's bodies in record-breaking time. Pure Barre's total body workout utilizes the ballet barre to perform small, isometric movements that burn fat, sculpt muscles and create long, lean physiques. PHOTOGRAPHY BEN MALKIN

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

Forever Homes Found!

The Bay Club Thousand Oaks' 2nd Annual Workout for Paws event got everyone's tails wagging, especially those of the two dogs who were adopted! The event featured fitness classes, pet adoptions and local vendors, including The Barkley Pet Hotel, Protein for Pets, Assisted Home Health and the Pure Energy Café. PHOTOGRAPHY BEN MALKIN

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Good Times

Making Strides Towards a Cure

The community turned out for the annual Making Strides walk in full force to raise funds to end the fight against breast cancer and to especially honor breast cancer survivors.Â

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

Good Times

Big Brothers Big Sisters Rock Out

The 3rd annual Big Jamboree for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County at Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks featured award-winning country-rock singer/songwriter Ry Bradley (LA Music Awards’ Country Artist of the Year). PHOTOGRAPHY BEN MALKIN

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

Good Times

Ultimate Dining Serves Up a Sizzling Good Time!

Great fun enjoying the sights, sounds and rhythm of Miami during Senior Concerns' Ultimate Dining 2016 Hot Miami Nights, while experiencing the best in food and wine as showcased by excellent local restaurants and wineries. PHOTOGRAPHY BEN MALKIN

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

Around Town

AROUND TOWN

school musicians from around the country on Jan. 7 at halftime during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, featuring the nation’s best high school football players. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Samuel Castaneda and Staff Sgt. Brandon Walls recently presented the pair with honorary jackets in a ceremony at TOHS. The event airs nationally on NBC and online at BandDirector.com. Visit USArmyAllAmericanBowl.com for more information.

COOKIE CREATIONS

PHILANTHROPIC FRIENDS

The Girl Scouts of California's Central Coast’s 2nd Annual Fork It

The Thousand Oaks Woman's Club invites local ladies interested in

Over fundraiser at the Palm Garden Hotel featured culinary creations

stimulating and rewarding friendships with charitably-minded women

created with girl scout cookies.

to join them in their 53rd year of service, kicking off with social time

Local competitors included noted

at 10:30 a.m., followed by a business meeting at 11 and lunch at noon

chefs from popular local restau-

at the Los Robles Greens Golf Course, 299 South Moorpark Road,

rants, caterers and food trucks, who

in Thousand Oaks. The Nov. 16 event includes live entertainment by

offered samples of their Girl Scout

Hypnotist Marc Bachrach. Chef’s Choice lunch, coffee and tea will

cookie-inspired

be served for $21. To RSVP or for more information, call 805.484.7741.

appetizers

and

desserts. Conejo Valley Girl Scout moms Merley Greenidge and Alison Boring wowed the judges with their

EMPOWERING YOUTH TO SUCCEED We Lift L.A.’s 3rd Annual Former Foster Youth Benefit featured

Crusted

Berkley the Artist and raised much needed funds to support former

Chicken with honey-kissed mustard

foster youth in college. The community’s generous donations help

and razzle berry BBQ sauce, landing

cover food, housing, books and other educational-related costs for

them the Judges Choice Award. Find

these young adults, offering hope and empowering them to succeed.

more local winners and recipes at

Each year, some 4,000 California youths “age out” of the foster system

GirlScoutsCCC.org.

and often struggle to find support and community. We Lift L.A.’s aim

Savory

Lemon

PLAYING IN THE BAND Thousand Oaks High School students Kenton Luck, 17, and Peter Liu, 16, will represent Ventura County in the 2017 U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. Selected for their musicianship, mental and physical

is to help former foster youth achieve independence through consistent transformational relationships and meaningful developmental services. Visit WeLiftLA.org to get involved.

HERE COME THE HOLIDAYS

agility, and ability to work as part of a team and adapt to challenging

Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with hundreds of nativ-

situations, Kenton, a trombonist, and Peter, a synthesizer/keyboard

ity scenes on display from all over the world, plus kids activities and

player, will perform with the 125-member band comprised of high

a silent auction Dec. 2-4 at No Room at the Inn’s Nativity Display. The Grand Opening Gala is Dec. 2, from 6-9 p.m. Weekend exhibit hours are Saturday, 10-7, and Sunday, 10-5:30. Donations are $5 for adults and $1 for children. Hosted by St. Jude the Apostle Church, 32032 W. Lindero Canyon in Westlake Village. For more details, call 805.304.0806 or visit NRATI.com.

EAT, DRINK & BE MERRY The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce presents the 8th Annual Taste of Conejo, Nov. 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village. The popular event features over 60 of Conejo Valley's premier food and beverage establishments. With a wine glass and tasting tray in hand, guests will take pleasure in exploring the aisles of delicious fare and unique beverage selections paired with live entertainment throughout the evening, from 5-8 p.m. Call 805.370.0035 or visit TasteofConejo.com. L-R: Peter Liu, Band Director Marty Martone & Kenton Luck 18

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

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Hot Spot

BARBECUE AS GOOD AS IT GETS IN THE CONEJO VALLEY ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BEN MALKIN

es, I am the “Hard to Please Guy.” Never with a chip on my shoulder, but I do expect to be served food that is better than what I can make at home at a reasonable price, accompanied by friendly and professional service. When The Charhouse BBQ & Grill first opened in Oak Park, my expectations were limited. I spent four years in Dallas and I really enjoyed their great selection of BBQ restaurants, more for the food than the mostly informal ambiance. Baby back ribs, tri-tip, beef brisket that melted in your mouth, BBQ chicken, slaw, corn on the cob and beans, with all the meat slathered in a tangy BBQ sauce… life was good and tasty! Nothing in California came close, with the exception of Wood Ranch. The good news is you can find reasonably good BBQ at somewhat reasonable prices locally. For me, the down side includes too much noise, long wait times and “finish up so we can clear your table” attitudes. While I wasn’t expecting to be impressed, I figured The

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

DR. SHARON CROWDER DDS IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Charhouse was close by, so why not give it a try? Surprise, surprise!!! Owner/ Chef Isaac Kafaja prepares the best BBQ in Southern California, in my opinion, and I only have to drive about a mile to get there, although I would drive 20 miles or more if I had to. During the past few months, Robin and I have worked our way through most of Isaac’s entrees: • The tri-tip sandwich on a soft roll with cheese and sauce is my current guilty pleasure. With fries and a salad, I am in heaven. The tri-tip is lean and tender. Yum! • Isaac’s fries are another guilty pleasure. Made fresh and crisp to perfection, they are very dangerous if you are on any kind of a diet! • The baby back ribs, brisket and BBQ chicken are all perfectly prepared and slow cooked to tenderness. Most of the California BBQ restaurants I’ve been to overcook and dry out the meat, but not The Charhouse. • The last time I was there I tried the Cajun rib-eye steak. At only $27 for the dinner, which includes the usual potatoes and veggies, it might be the best meal deal in the Conejo. The steak was flavorful, juicy and tender. Like most BBQ restaurants, The Charhouse offers combo dinners with sides. I especially like the slaw and beans. They also have a full bar, a solid wine list and a nice selection of cocktails. Stop by seven days a week for lunch, dinner and their recently introduced breakfast menu and Sunday brunch menu. The Charhouse is located at 706 Lindero Canyon Blvd, #788, in Oak Park. Call

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Our Town

BLUE JEAN BALL BENEFITS

FOOD SHARE

OOD Share’s inaugural Blue Jean Ball, held outdoors at the beautiful Walnut Grove at Tierra Rejada farms, helped raise the support necessary to feed food-insecure Ventura County residents. Guests at the regional food bank’s signature fundraiser walked the denim carpet, enjoyed an extensive local food and beverage line-up and danced to live entertainment by Jade Hendrix and Justin Honsinger. An interactive “Jail ‘N Bail” featuring local celebrities provided additional entertainment in support of FOOD Share. “Solving hunger is not a challenge that FOOD Share can tackle alone—it’s a community-wide effort that requires the support and partnership of countless individuals and organizations across Ventura County,” says FOOD Share President & CEO Bonnie Atmore, adding, “1 in 6 Ventura County residents is still food insecure, and while we’ve made amazing progress as a community, we still have a long way to go. Our partners know and understand this reality, which is why so many are willing to help us. We’re so grateful for the partnership of Tierra Rejada Farms, because in addition to supporting the Blue Jean Ball, they are helping us raise awareness of the continued need our hungry friends and neighbors face every day.”

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

FOOD SHARE FACTS

More than 35 years ago, eight citizens performed a good deed by distributing food to those who were in need underneath a Ventura bridge. The early philanthropic movement quickly formed into what is now Ventura County’s regional food bank, FOOD Share, which has grown from serving a few hundred hungry people per month to 74,500 people. Today, staff and volunteers distribute more than 12 million pounds of food annually from its distribution site to more than 180 partner agencies, which include neighborhood and church food distributions and soup kitchens as well as hunger assistance programs. FOOD Share’s programs provide healthy nutrition and education to children, families and seniors. Their Feed the Line, Shorten the Line efforts draw together community stakeholders to provide county-wide access to resources that facilitate self-sustainability. A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, FOOD Share is a member of the Feeding America network, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. Visit FoodShare.com for more information.

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Healthy Lifestyle

THE KEY TO A LONG & HAPPY LIFE

ARTICLE SHARON NORLING, MD

iving a long life has been a human obsession since before Ponce de Leon’s 16th century search for the Fountain of Youth. While numerous pills, potions and elixirs have been tried and failed, new longevity research reveals how you can extend your life further than you ever thought possible. Today’s scientific studies offer genuine hope for slowing or even reversing the aging process, allowing people to live to 100 years old and beyond in good health. The reality is, not everyone ages in a linear fashion as the calendar flips from one year to the next. Instead, a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic elements affect the rate at which a person’s body, mind and skin age. “Genetic factors play a role in longevity, but not a dominant role—they contribute 25 to 30% to how long we live,” states Jack Guralnik, M.D., professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore. Other key factors include lifestyle habits, environmental influences and the ongoing strain someone experiences from illness, injuries and psychological stress. Each of these factors has a trickle-down

HEALTH effect on various physiological mechanisms—including chronic inflammation, weight gain, hormonal and metabolic changes, and so on—affecting whether someone ages appropriately or prematurely. In a recent study involving 1,909 people ages 65 to 90-plus from the Mediterranean islands, researchers examined the factors that seem to contribute to uncommon longevity. Scientists found that regular walking, a Mediterranean diet (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, olive oil and fish), mid-day naps and smoking cessation were associated with greater longevity. Another new study in the Journal of Nutrition found that high levels of polyphenols—antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, coffee and nuts— reduced mortality in older adults by 30%. And resveratrol, the compound found in the skin of red grapes, has long been known to have powerful anti-aging properties that can protect the body from age-related diseases and promote longevity. Nutrition is an essential element to healthy aging. By eliminating refined sugars and processed foods, you can avoid unhealthy consequences, such as obesity and diabetes. “Obesity accelerates aging by promoting insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes, increasing the risk of heart disease and cancer, contributing to

TODAY’S SCIENTIFIC STUDIES OFFER GENUINE HOPE FOR SLOWING OR EVEN REVERSING THE AGING PROCESS, ALLOWING PEOPLE TO LIVE TO 100 YEARS OLD AND BEYOND IN GOOD HEALTH.

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

the inflammation and leading to degenerative arthritis and diseases of the lungs,” states David Katz, M.D., at Yale University Prevention Research Center. “If you prevent obesity, you prevent accelerated aging,” he adds.

MORE TIPS FOR A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE: 1. Don’t retire 2. Move Getting 30 to 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week can help protect your heart and bones, improve blood flow, tone muscles, reduce inflammation and cancer risk and help prevent diabetes, age-related weight gain and dementia. 3. Sleep 6-8 hours 4. Be less neurotic When the body continuously pumps out stress hormones (like cortisol), this leads to wear and tear. Manage your stress by slowly incorporating healthier habits into your daily routine, including mindful meditation, time for yourself, saying “no” and making yourself a priority. This is not pampering; this is good health. 5. Remove toxins The more plastics we have in our bodies, the higher the risk for disease. When our bodies contain toxins like plastics, the liver produces an enzyme called GGT in an effort to make glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that can neutralize toxins. Elevated GGT levels are associated with an increased

risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and high cholesterol. Avoiding toxins is the best way to live a longer life. Don’t store food in plastics, don’t put plastic in the dishwasher and don’t heat food in plastic in the microwave. If you have elevated GGT levels, you may benefit from intravenous infusions of glutathione. Supplementing with EPA/DHA, vitamin D3 and other supplements specific to your needs can help detoxify your body, increasing your longevity. 6. Stay connected 7. Floss every day 8. Live Blue The healthiest people in the world, says Dan Buettner, author of Blue Zone, follow these principles: • 80% Rule – Stop eating when you are 80% full • Plant Power – Eat more veggies and less protein • Plan de Vida – Know your life purpose • Downshift – Work less, slow down and take vacations • Belong – Create a healthy social network • Your Tribe – Make yourself and family a priority. This season, thank your body by leading a healthy lifestyle that will lead you to a longer and happier life! Dr. Sharon Norling practices Advanced Functional Medicine in Westlake Village. Call 818.707.9355 or visit DrSharonNorling.com.

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REMEMBERING

THE HEROES: A Veteran's Reflection

ARTICLE MARY DOYLE NOE PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JOHN MILLIKEN

o many Conejo Valley students and parents, Veterans Day is a school holiday that brings a welcome break between Halloween and Thanksgiving. But to the almost 10,000 military veterans living in the area, November 11 has a much deeper significance—as a day to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism and service. No one knows this better than Westlake Village resident John Milliken, a former Air Force C-23 and B-52 pilot. Milliken’s father, an Air Force B-24 pilot during W WII, had been shot down by the German Wehrmacht over Caen, France in October 1944. Milliken proudly recounts how his father, who was raised in Buffalo, New York and spoke f luent French and German, was captured by the Germans, then escaped and made his way through the German lines to the safety of the French Underground.

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

John and his parents

Milliken joined the Air Force in the spring of 1967 and, after officer and pilot training school, served two tours in Vietnam. He recalls, “Although the Vietnam War was not a popular war, during my college years I happened to be one of those who believed in my government and I was for our involvement in Vietnam.” First assigned to PACAF (Pacific Air Force) in January 1969, Milliken flew C-23s out of Phan Rang Air Base in central Vietnam.

During his second tour, Milliken returned to Vietnam as a B-52 bomber pilot in the spring of 1972, flying bombing missions out of U-Tapao, Thailand on the South China Sea. Milliken’s views about the U.S. involvement in Vietnam changed during his deployment after several harrowing experiences that shaped his feelings about the war. He survived a rocket and mortar attack on the Phan Rang Base that “destroyed millions of dollars of airplanes” and was attacked by MiG fighter

planes while flying a top-secret mission over the Plain of Jars region of northern Laos. In both instances, “we were not allowed to retaliate” because of policies determined by politicians in the United States. Milliken says, “My frustration was that I always had the impression that we were fighting with at least one hand tied behind our backs because we were letting the politicians make the policy, not the generals who knew what was going on." CONTINUED >

November 2016 | Conejo Valley Lifestyle

REMEMBERING THE HEROES (CON TI N U ED)

“I think I flew about 28 missions and I do recall that on 11 of them I had missiles shot against me. A B-52 is not very maneuverable, and fortunately, we never did get hit. I survived and got out of the Air Force in August 1972.” In 1976, Milliken became a pilot for Western Airlines, which later became Delta. While at Delta, he met and married his wife Leslie, who is still a flight attendant for the airline. He and Leslie moved to Westlake Village in 1997, where they raised their son, Pierce, who is now a senior at Syracuse University. After a 28-year career as an airline pilot, Milliken retired in 2004. “I had a wonderful career that got picked for me by the Vietnam War.” Although his view of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam changed during his time there, Veterans Day is an important one for Milliken. “For me, Veterans Day has significance because I’m a veteran, and this is a country that honors its veterans. I’m very happy that today’s veterans are treated with respect. In airports, when veterans walk by, people applaud. On

airplanes, people applaud soldiers when they come on board in uniform.” Milliken reflects, “We must be a much more civil society now. As a war veteran coming back from Vietnam, I was not treated with the respect we treat veterans today.” Milliken remembers going into a department store in Rome, New York, where, although he was first in line, he was told to step aside as other customers were served ahead of him. He recalls, “We had soldiers who were beaten up in the streets because they were Vietnam veterans and it was such an unpopular war. It was not the soldiers’ fault—it was society not liking the war. For a lot of those soldiers who had experiences in Vietnam like me, it was not a friendly situation. We were not as civil a society as we are today.” “I don’t talk a lot about it, but whenever people find out about my military experience, the first thing they always do is thank me. People seem to be much more appreciative today than they were then.” Today, Milliken is known around the Conejo Valley more for his collection of

John, Leslie, and Pierce Milliken

beautifully restored antique cars than for his military service. As director of the Southern California region of the Classic Car Club of America, Milliken is “very involved in the local car scene.” He also stays active by swimming several miles a week and hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains with a local hiking group. Milliken reflects, “I was 50 years old when I became a father, and my son is very much aware of what I went through. But my impression is that kids today are not as interested in history—they don’t seem to be too curious about it. And I think that’s kind of sad. Most of the kids today seem somewhat removed and willingly uninformed about our veterans’ experiences. And I think it’s a sad thing because a lot of veterans died for our country and I would hope they would embrace that.” “So, I’m very much in favor of honoring our veterans who died for this country. I wasn’t a hero. The ones who didn’t come back were the heroes."

John, his father, and his sister and brother

Local Veterans Day 2016 Events • Annual Veterans Day Commemoration- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., ReaganFoundation.org • Veterans Day Ceremony- Conejo Creek Park North, Thousand Oaks, 11 a.m., CRPD.org • Veterans Day Services- Legacy Park, Malibu, 11 a.m., Malibu.org • Veterans Day Services- Rancho Tapo Community Park, Simi Valley, 11 a.m., RSRPD.org • Santa Barbara’s Veterans Day Weekend Ceremony, Parade & Concert, PCVF.org/Veterans-Day-Weekend

Veterans Day Offers for Active Military & Veterans with ID National Park Service To commemorate its 100th birthday, National Park Service (NPS) sites are free during 16 days this year, including Veterans Day. The parks nearest the Conejo Valley are the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Channel Islands National Park. Visit NPS.gov for information about all 413 sites. Disneyland Resort is saluting active and retired U.S. military personnel by offering Military Promotional 3-Day Park Hopper Tickets. Purchase through Dec. 16, 2016 and receive admission on any three days for just $143. Disneyland.Disney.Go.com SeaWorld San Diego Waves of Honor offers free admission to a U.S. Veteran and up to three guests (up to four total complimentary single-day admissions) to the San Diego park. This offer is only available online with a valid Troop ID and cannot be redeemed at the front gate. This Veterans Day offer must be obtained and used by Dec. 31, 2016. Learn more at SeaWorldParks.com. Ask your local restaurants about Veterans Day specials too!

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

Peggy Waters Resident since 2011

As a dancer, Peggy has spent a lifetime taking graceful steps. So her move to University Village comes as no surprise. From the beautiful cliff views and the friendly residents to the independent lifestyle and proximity to Cal Lutheran University, Peggy has found everything she was looking for, and more. For the same cost of homeownership, she feels like sheâ€™s given up nothing and gained so much. And that puts a spring in her step.

Hear more from Peggy at UVTO.com/testimonial. Or call 1-866-996-1462.

Continuing Life LLC provides support and services to leading senior housing communities under a services and licensing agreement that allows for use of the Continuing LifeÂŽ mark. The company does not own, nor is it financially responsible for, University Village Thousand Oaks CCRC LLC. State of California License #565800978. Certificate of Authority #221.

local farms feed

FAMILIES FAR & WIDE:

Farm Day Tour Provides Firsthand View

ARTICLE TRACY MARCYNZSYN | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

mong the many benefits of the Conejo Valley is the abundance of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. Many are surprised to learn that Ventura County is actually one of the top-producing agricultural regions in the nation, with 100,594 acres of crops harvested in 2014, according to the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office. The area’s temperate climate is ideal for growing strawberries, citrus and vegetables, harvested in amazing abundance, and along with 100+ fruit, nut, vegetable and grain crops, earned local farmers an estimated $2.1 billion in gross revenue in 2014. Ranked 11th among the nation’s 3,140 counties based on annual production value, Ventura County supplies millions of people around the world with fresh fruits and vegetables. Enough strawberries, for example, are produced to satisfy the annual consumption of 78 million Americans. It would take 87 million Americans to consume the county’s lemon crop, 135 million to consume its celery production and 45 million to eat all its avocados, says the Farm Bureau of Ventura County. More than 25 of the county’s 2,000+ farms are opening their doors and inviting the public to experience a day of agricultural learning firsthand on Saturday, November 5 for the 4th Annual Ventura County Farm Day. This free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and connects the community with its farming neighbors, providing an opportunity to say thanks to the

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

roadside stands

Seasonal or year-round stands at local farms provide an array of fruits and vegetables freshly plucked from the fields. BENNETT'S HONEY FARM - Offers a variety of raw and natural honey 3176 Honey Lane, Fillmore 805.521.1375 Hours: 9-5 Monday-Sunday FRIEND’S RANCHES Tangerines & Citrus 15150 Maricopa Highway, Ojai 805.646.2871 Hours: 7-noon, Tuesdays & Fridays MCGRATH FAMILY FARM - Berries, flowers, organic produce 1012 W. Ventura Blvd, Camarillo 805.983.0333 Hours: 9-6 daily TERRY BERRIES - Strawberries 7618 Telephone Road, Ventura Hours vary UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARMS - Berries & Produce 5696 Los Angeles Ave., Somis & 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark 805.386.4660/805.529.3690 Hours: 9-5

community-supported agriculture

Support local farms and receive weekly boxes of seasonal produce delivered to your door or neighborhood drop-off center. Join the Farm TheAbundantTable.org/jointhefarm/ 805.246.1070 DEARDORFF FAMILY FARMS DeardoffFamilyFarms.com 805.200.5216 MCGRATH FAMILY FARM McGrathFamilyFarm.com 805.983.0333 UNDERWOOD FAMILY FARMS UnderwoodFamilyFarms.com 805.529.3690

farmers and agricultural workforce who ensure we have food on our table. “This year, we moved Farm Day from summer to fall,” says Mary Maranville, founder and Executive Director of Students for EcoEducation and Agriculture (SEEAG), the nonprofit that organizes Farm Day each year. “The weather will be cooler, plus, in keeping with the spirit of giving during November, it gives the public an opportunity to say ‘thanks’ to our hardworking farmers who grow the food we eat.” The self-guided tour of local farms includes family friendly activities, free produce, agricultural book signings and food and beverage samplings. The public is encouraged to visit VenturaCountyFarmDay.com and choose two or three farms to tour. Visitors should wear a hat and comfortable closed-toed shoes for the tour. Participating farms, museums and farming operations include: • Houweling’s Tomatoes and McGrath Family Farms in Camarillo • Chivas Skin Care and Otto & Sons Nursery in Fillmore • Apricot Lane Farms in Moorpark • Friends Ranch, Easthrine Farm, East End Eden Farm and Ojai Olive Oil in Ojai • AGQ Laboratory, Agromin, Deardorff Family Farms, Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Gills Onions and San Miguel Produce in Oxnard • UC Hansen Ag Center, Calavo Growers and Ventura County Ag Museum in Santa Paula

“THE WEATHER WILL BE COOLER, PLUS, IN KEEPING WITH THE SPIRIT OF GIVING DURING NOVEMBER, IT GIVES THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY ‘THANKS’ TO OUR HARDWORKING FARMERS WHO GROW THE FOOD WE EAT.”

• Rancho Camulos Museum in Piru • Petty Ranch and Rincon Vitova Insectaries in Saticoy • Alpacas at Windy Hills and Greenwood Daylily Gardens in Somis • Diamond W Cattle Company and Salad Bar Farms at Balboa Middle School in Ventura. The tour culminates with a fundraising barbecue from 4 to 9 p.m. at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (San Miguel Building) in Ventura, featuring live country music by Coldwater Canyon and Friends, farm-fresh food prepared by Young Farmers & Rangers and Dearmore BBQ Catering, locally produced craft cocktails, beers from Institution Ale and wines. Barbecue tickets are $40 for adults and $15 for kids under 12. For more information on Ventura County Farm Day, including a list of participating farms and their locations, visit VenturaCountyFarmDay.com or call 805.901.0213. CONTINUED >

November 2016 | Conejo Valley Lifestyle

LOCAL FARMS FEED FAMILIES FAR & WIDE (CON TI N U ED)

TOP CROPS BY ACREAGE

Avocados 20,000 acres Lemons 15,000 acres Strawberries 12,000 acres Celery 11,000 acres There is an acre of farmland for every acre of developed land in Ventura County. Source: Farm Bureau of Ventura County LOCAL

LOCAL FAVORITE FARMS

FARMERS’

MCGRATH FAMILY FARM – Farming in Ventura County since 1868, the McGrath

MARKETS

family grows certified-organic fruits and vegetables and is open to the public. HOUWELING’S TOMATOES –

Houweling’s

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their hydro-

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• 9-1, 300 E. Matilija St., Ojai, 805.698.5555

process for growing tomatoes and cucumbers yields 24+ times more tomatoes

• 9-2, Harbor & Channel Islands boulevards

than traditional tomato fields, warranting the slogan “mastery under glass.”

(includes a fish market), Oxnard, 818.591.8286

GILLS ONIONS – Gills uses sustainable practices to grow, harvest and

• 10-2, Village Glen Plaza, Westlake Village,

sort onions. Onion waste is converted into biofuel that powers two hydrogen fuel

818.591.8286

cells and provides electricity for the operation. Gills converts 100% of its daily

WEDNESDAYS:

onion waste (up to 300,000 lbs.) into renewable energy and cattle feed.

• 9-1, Pacific View mall parking lot, Ventura,

HANSEN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EXTENSION CENTER AT

805.529.6266

FAULKNER FARMS – Built in 1920, the historic Faulkner Farms houses Hansen

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• 1:30-6, The Oaks shopping center, Thousand Oaks, 805.529.6266

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FRIDAYS:

FRUITS OF LABOR

Plaza, 2750 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley,

• 11-3:30, Regal Cinemas/Civic Center In addition to being proudly served in area restaurants, locally grown crops are

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used to produce unique and flavorful tastes in several specialty products, like Ventura

• 3-7, The Village at Moorpark Shopping

Spirits' California Vodka, the only vodka in the world made from strawberries. "As a

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distillery, ugly or overripe fruit is actually perfect for us," explains company cofounder

Angeles Avenue and Miller Parkway,

James Greenspun. "Sugar is sugar and at the end of the day, that's all we need to

Moorpark, 805.479.9699

make a delicious spirit. We source locally because we are trying to make use of the

• 4:30-8:30, Simi Valley Town Center,

waste stream in our area and give a new life to fruit that would otherwise not make it

310.663.2609

to market." The locally grown fruit is fermented, distilled and bottled by hand at their

SATURDAYS:

craft distillery on California’s central coast.

• 8-12, 2220 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo,

TOP

5 CROPS IN VENTURA COUNTY IN 2014

805.987.3347 • 8-11, fish market behind Andria's Seafood

Strawberries

$628 Million

Restaurant, 1449 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura,

Lemons

$269 Million

805.644.0169

Raspberries

$241 Million

Nursery Stock $181 Million Celery

$152 Million

Source: Farm Bureau of Ventura County

• 8:30-12, Palm & Santa Clara streets, Ventura, 805.529.6266 • 10-2, Thousand Oaks Library Newbury Park branch, 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park, 323.272.9171

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

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Tuscany’s Villa Lucia:

A Slice of History at the Magical Table ARTICLE DONNA BUNCE

ucy (Lucia) Luhan never imagined that the 500-year-old abandoned farmhouse she saw while visiting Tuscany in 1985 would become her home, a cooking school, a wedding location for Americans and a bed and breakfast for the next 30 years. Lucy Vallera, a first-generation Italian, born in Connecticut, was raised in a European household, where traditional values and customs prevailed, including making fresh pasta daily. After completing Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees at the University of Minnesota and studying for her Master’s in Public Relations at Boston University, she married Dr. Jorge Luhan in 1965 and, shortly after, moved to California. In 1976, seeing the void in quality foods, Lucy opened What’s Cooking Bistro, a quality foods-to-go establishment in Newport Beach, believed to be the first in the U.S., with some 12 different types of homemade pasta and 52 sauces before the popularity of pasta in the 1980s. To convince the public that pasta need not be a caloric dish, she offered the caloric and nutritional value of each menu item, which was publicized in local papers when she made a comparison of their menu items with popular fast food items. Ten years later, Lucy was a successful restaurateur. As president of Luhan Corporation, she operated three restaurants: What’s Cooking Bistro, What’s Cooking Express Cuisine and Luciana’s Ristorante in Dana Point. All three locations offered catering serCONTINUED > vices and food-to-go.

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

November 2016 | Conejo Valley Lifestyle

TUSCANY’S VILLA LUCIA (CON TI N U ED)

With the restaurants running smoothly, Lucy began renovating the 15th century farmhouse. “Seeing my absence from my restaurants brought curious friends to see what I was doing, which led to what was supposed to be our family home in Europe becoming the B&B of Tuscany at Villa Lucia,” Lucy says. Asked to teach a weekly cooking class, she began offering cooking classes during the year and olive oil seminars in the fall. Before long, Villa Lucia became a popular wedding location for the Luhan’s American friends. The Luhan’s daughter, Michelle, married Peter Nordberg in 1999, with 150 Americans in attendance. The wedding service was held in the small, quaint medieval church in Montevettolini, followed by the wedding party walking to Villa Lucia led by the renowned Montevettolini marching band. “We soon became a very popular Tuscan villa, hosting 2,000 to 3,000 Orange Countians over the years,” Lucy says. 40

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

With so much to see in the area, Lucy’s B&B guests needed more time to enjoy the art of living Italian style and started requesting the villa for weekly and monthly rentals throughout the year. However, time has always been set aside in the fall during the olive harvest for cooking classes and olive oil seminars, along with truffle hunts with the truffle hounds. Visiting local artisans in the area is always appealing along with shopping at popular designer stores, such as Fendi, Versace and Gucci, located down the hill from the villa in Montecatini, along with the town’s renowned spas. After years of restructuring the abandoned farm to provide the necessary amenities and meet the needs of her guests, Lucy made a permanent move to Italy in 1994, while her husband, Dr. Jorge E. Luhan, a respected plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Newport Beach, remained behind, later joining Lucy in 2001. Their son Jorge still manages the family restaurant, Luciana’s, in business for more than 35 years and catering to celebrities such as Placido Domingo, Cher, Madonna, Frankie Avalon and David Letterman, who often find their way to Villa Lucia. Lucy’s recently self-published book, Convivio, looks at life in the two countries she’s made her home. “It compares my experience cooking, teaching and enjoying life in the two countries that I love. I feel fortunate and proud to have been born in the greatest, most industrial, country in the world— America. But, when comparing food cultures, I feel fortunate to have Italian immigrants as parents, who gave me the importance of genuine foods and the daily ritual of time at the family table.” She dedicated the book to her 102-year-old mother, her loving role model, who taught her the importance of the Mediterranean “diaitan,” referring to a “way of life,” which is just as important to one’s well-being as fresh foods and olive oil. Lucy feels her inherited Italian DNA, seeking fun for herself and others, is at the center of her heart and soul, bringing her back for 35 years to life at the table. She feels fortunate to have such a treasure chest of wonderful memories at what her guests refer to as her “magical table.” After 30 years, the Luhans have decided to sell Villa Lucia, either as a family estate, a successful business or as an estate for fractional ownership. The 15-acre farm is certified organic and licensed as an agriturismo, allowing farm guests to lodge and eat on the premises. It also produces a certified organic extra-virgin olive oil. The main house has seven bedrooms and a groundkeeper’s apartment. Two detached buildings can provide lodging for an additional five rooms, staff quarters, a large family room and office. Jorge has suggested they return to Lucy’s roots in Abruzzo, the least known of all the regions of Italy, where, as a child, her passion for genuine foods and convivio commenced. Life at the table will continue with relatives and friends, but the business, Lucy feels, will be left to great memories she can relive in her last years.

To rent or inquire about the sale of Villa Lucia, visit LuciaTuscanVilla.com.

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Local Limelight PHOTOGRAPHY BEN MALKIN

Westlake Village Symphony Strums Up Food for Manna

he Westlake Village Symphony’s recent Fall Music Festival and Food Drive helped stock the pantry at Manna of Conejo Valley while providing a magical musical evening under the stars for the community to enjoy. More than 500 people turned out to take part in the festivities, including an exotic car show, open galleries, pet adoption display and food drive, and of course, inspiring live music by Westlake Village’s very own 60-piece orchestra. In line with its goal to “entertain and inspire varied audiences through excellent orchestral performances,” the nonprofit 501c organization presents free concerts to the public. In addition to Westlake Village Symphony’s performance featuring favorite show time and film music, popular classical works and Tchaikovsky’s famous 1812 Overture, the evening included musical entertainment by several other talented musicians. Steve Oliver and the Moscoe on the Hudson band and rising vocalists, including mezzo soprano Shabnam Kalbasi, soprano Natalia Vivino, tenor Dan Russo, bass Jesse Merlin and trumpeter Chris Tedesco, delighted the audience with a range of music, from opera to jazz to musical theater. Guests also enjoyed gourmet edibles and beverages from some of Westlake Village’s finest purveyors, including Five Threads Brewing Company, LLC, Duke of Bourbon and Texas-style BBQ from Farm and Flame. The public is invited to Westlake Village Symphony’s next performance on Friday, Nov. 11 from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 East Hillcrest Drive, in Thousand Oaks.

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

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Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

Director and Oral Implantologist Andrey Rossius, DMD, FICOI. “We are dedicated to every procedure for every patient, whether it is for general family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry or a specialized procedure,” he adds. With 10 years experience, 27 master certifications, 12 specialized procedures and 3,172 (and counting) smiling clients, Wellness Dental Center is committed to treating patients using the latest advancements in biocompatible technology and working in tandem with physicians, chiropractors and nutritionists in an effort to provide an organic and whole body treatment. “We feel that the best metal-free materials are porcelain and zirconia, which is why we are one of the few proud providers of all-zirconia implants, first developed and tested in Europe and now FDA approved,” explains Dr. Rossius, an Ivy League-trained dental

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p o or-f it t i n g loose removable complete or partial dentures or old failing restorations that is far more likely to last a lifetime than porcelain. According to a study published in the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, Zirkonzahn®’s Prettau® Bridge System has a 10-year record of 100% success. With incredible resistance to cracks and fractures, Prettau® Zirconia is the most advanced dental material, in which even chipping of screw access holes or biting areas is almost nonexistent. And its reinforced microstructure transparency mimics the natural transparency and sheen of tooth enamel. Wellness Dental Center patients rave about the Prettau® Zirconia Implant Bridge’s smooth, comfortable and nonabrasive texture, making it look and feel lifelike. Replacing grossly decayed teeth with the implant is a multi-step process resulting in the most durable and natural replacements possible. The experts at Wellness Dental Center note that the Prettau® Zirconia Implant Bridge often changes patients’ lives.

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Food & Wine

Hassle-Free Holidays at

North Ranch Country Club ARTICLE JENELLE KAGAY | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

winkling lights and holiday cheer are right around the corner. ‘Tis the season for coworkers to mingle casually without the usual office pressures to deal with. Depending on who caters your office parties, the event could be a blast or a bummer. Let North Ranch Country Club provide catering services and an amazing venue for your office gathering this holiday season. What better way to treat your coworkers to a lovely evening of food and cocktails than to let the staff at North Ranch Country Club plan your event, so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the evening with them. Holiday parties don’t have to be in December like many think. Why not wait until the hustle and bustle of the holidays subsides and plan an event in January when your guests can really relax and celebrate the completion of a successful year? North Ranch Country Club is known for its rich golfing tradition and mountain views that make the best backdrop for your holiday parties, creating the perfect place to welcome coworkers, friends and family with open arms to celebrate and enjoy first-class service and mouthwatering menus from our award-winning chef. When you have an event, you want it done right—no matter how large or small it may be. You deserve the Country Club experience. At North Ranch Country Club, holidays are not merry—they are unforgettable. The North Ranch Catering Department thrives on making sure those details shine. From our Oak Room and our Ace Foyer to our Oak Leaf Patio, North Ranch Country Club offers a variety of locations to host parties large and small. Whether you’re looking for a location to host cocktails, a luncheon or a three-course meal, our indoor and outdoor sites, as well as our interchangeable wine foyer, all sparkle with the touch of elegance our club is known for. tering Our clients become a part of the North r of Ca to c e ir ,D K a g ay Ranch family, and we treat your event as if it Jenelle were our own. We pride ourselves on lending our expertise in watching whatever vision you have come to life. With a combined 14 years of experience in the Catering Department, our team is ready to assist your every need and offer ideas and expertise to make your event a great success, an evening your guests won’t forget. 46

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

North Ranch Country Club has everything you could need for a one-of-a-kind holiday party experience for you and your guests. Even though we are member-owned, you do not have to be a member to host your event with us. We have a variety of elegant banquet spaces to suit any event, from an intimate group of 20 to a party of up to 300 inside our main ballroom along with our outdoor patio. When booking a holiday party at North Ranch Country Club, you get not only excellent service, but holiday décor to make your event even merrier. Every corner of our club boasts floor-to-ceiling window views of the North Ranch landscape framed by the Napa Valley-inspired décor, and our Catering Department thrives on ensuring every detail is perfectly in place—so just relax and enjoy yourself and let us do the rest! The Catering Department is open seven days a week and we are happy to provide tours of our club. Book now as dates are limited. Please contact the Catering Department at 805.496.1995 x232 for more information. November 2016 | Conejo Valley Lifestyle

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Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

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Giving Back

(CON TI N U ED)

Serving as a volunteer advocate is a meaningful way to make a lasting impact on young lives.

hildren in the foster system depend on Court Appointed Special Advocates to serve as their voice and ensure their best interests. These volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Ventura County also provide reassurance, guidance, comfort, representation and advocacy in times of extreme uncertainty for foster children ages 0-21. The only organization of its kind in Ventura County, CASA believes that every court-dependent abused or neglected child should be safe, have permanence, the opportunity to thrive and a strong, compassionate volunteer advocate. Sanctioned by the Juvenile Dependency Court under California Rules of Court and the California Welfare and Institutions Code, each advocate is thoroughly screened and receives 30 hours of training before becoming eligible to be assigned to a child. Advocates typically spend two to four hours each week with a child, providing a continuity of love and support and representing the child’s best interests with the agencies and professionals involved in the child’s care and education. National CASA research shows children with advocates receive more services, experience shorter times in foster care, are half as likely to re-enter foster care and are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care. As being placed in the foster care system is a time full of insecurity and stress, the advocate is one constant, positive presence in the child’s life until a permanent placement can be secured. CASA volunteer Linda Parker, a 29-year-old preschool teacher, has worked with 12 youth during her three years as an advocate. Currently an advocate for three rambunctious young boys, Linda is passionate about helping children in need.

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

“God gave me a passion for foster kids who I relate with in some ways and I wanted to be able to work with them. Through the catalyst of advocacy, I could stand up in court for a group that is often forgotten and show them that I care about them and that they are seen and valuable enough to be invested in, not just in a relationship, but also in court,” she says. “I continue to take cases because I love what I get to do and I love the way specifically, that I'm able to be a model for the kids, have a relationship and encourage them and the families they're with— both foster and biological. It's also a powerful resource to have a voice in court for the kids we work with,” says Linda. The California Blue Ribbon Commission on foster care recommends that each foster youth have an advocate. Thus, increasing the number of Court Appointed Special Advocates is key to serving area foster children. CASA seeks to recruit, screen and train more volunteers in order to increase the number of youth being served, with the goal of ensuring that any child who needs an advocate has one. CASA volunteers are asked to stay with their child for at least one year, and most average about 18 months with their appointee. Each CASA volunteer must spend 12 additional hours during the year attending in-service education to stay mindful of the ever-changing elements of their advocacy work. Serving as a volunteer advocate is a meaningful way to make a lasting impact on young lives. CASA of Ventura County is holding an information session to learn about CASA and volunteer opportunities on Nov. 30, from 6:30-8 p.m. Call 805.389.3120 to RSVP. Visit CASAofVenturaCounty.org for more information.

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Financial Buzz

Social Security Income Crossover “SHOULD I TAKE MY SSI EARLY OR DELAYED?”

ARTICLE ROCKY MILLS

hen should you start taking your Social Security income? Those of you facing this question (i.e., you were born between 1946 and 1954) have choices. You can take it: • EARLY… starting at age 62 • FRA (Full Retirement Age)… starting at age 66 • DELAYED… starting at age 70 Your choice determines your benefit, as illustrated in the chart below. Obviously, if you take it early, you’ll get a lower benefit amount for the rest of your life, but you’ll start to draw the funds sooner. On the other hand, if you take a delayed payment, you’ll get paid at a higher rate but will have missed out on several years of payments. So what’s the right answer? One valuable input to this question is the CROSSOVER point. This answers the question: When will the cumulative benefits of one choice surpass another?

In the chart above, we’ve looked at a couple who are both currently 62. In this case, the husband’s FRA benefit is $2,700/month; the wife’s $2,000/ month. We assumed a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 1.5% per year. The vertical orange dashed line shows that if they live past age 79, they’re better off with FRA than EARLY. And the black dashed line shows that if they live past age 84, they’re better off taking DELAYED than FRA. Then comes the tough question: What’s your best guess on your longevity? Of course, this CROSSOVER calculation is only one input into your decision, but it’s an important one. Ask your financial advisor to construct a CROSSOVER chart for you. Other considerations might include your need for cash flow and your taxes. Robert A. “Rocky” Mills is a Financial Advisor with the Global Wealth Management Division of Morgan Stanley in Westlake Village. The information contained in this article is not a solicitation to purchase or sell investments. Any information presented is general in nature and not intended to provide individually tailored investment advice. The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views

of Morgan

Stanley Smith Barney

LLC,

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Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

ARTHUR MURRAY DANCE CENTERS

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PHOTOGRAPHY MARSHA RANDOLPH PHOTOGRAPHY

he Casa Pacifica Angels and Neiman Marcus Topanga’s 15th Annual “Spotlight on Style” Fashion Show and Luncheon on Saturday, Nov. 5 is an event not to be missed. Taking place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, the event includes boutique shopping, a silent auction, lunch and a runway fashion show hosted by Susan and Ken Bauer and produced by Carin Holmenas featuring Fashion Designer Margi Kent. All proceeds from the fashion show benefit Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families, a crisis-care and residential treatment facility for abused, neglected or at-risk children in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Located in Camarillo, the agency is the largest nonprofit provider of children’s mental health services. Along with its campus-based programs, Casa Pacifica administers a number of community-based programs designed to strengthen families and keep children in their homes and communities. Visit CasaPacifica.org or call 805.445.7800 to purchase tickets in advance—tickets will not be available at the door.

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

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Hops & Vines

An Evening in

the Vines on 9-11 PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

ome 320 regional leaders, businesses and residents attended “Hope & Harvest: An Evening in the Vines” presented by Union Bank to help Interface Children & Family Services meet the needs of thousands of local children and families in crisis. Set among the picturesque Triunfo Creek Vineyards in Agoura Hills, the Hope & Harvest event featured award-winning locally farmed cuisine, fine wine, local entertainment and extraordinary auction items and experiences. Local philanthropist, businessman and reality TV star of “The Bachelor,” Andrew Firestone emceed the popular event in support of Interface’s programs, which would not exist without help from the community. With the mission to strengthen children, families and individuals to be safe, healthy and thriving, Interface Children & Family Services is Ventura County’s most comprehensive nonprofit social services safety net. Founded in 1973, Interface works to prevent and heal the effects of child abuse, neglect and abandonment; domestic violence; family conflict and mental health issues. Their 24 distinct programs represent five major service areas, including youth and family strengthening services, mental health, family violence intervention, justice-involved families and 2-1-1 information and referral across all socioeconomic levels and serve approximately 24,000 local individuals annually, along with 150,000 people statewide through the 2-1-1 Helpline. This important work is sustained

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

through donations and grants from individuals and organizations, as well as by the work of dedicated volunteers and staff. "Interface is on the front lines-they are first responders of domestic violence and they are also leaders of domestic violence prevention in our community. It is a pleasure to be a part of this event,” says Firestone. “This is our third annual event and it so gratifying to see so many from our community come together year after year to show compassion towards the victims of family violence and work together to help Interface reach more families,” shares Event Chair Dina Furash. Interface’s Family Violence Intervention Services deliver comprehensive support to prevent, interrupt and end the cycle of violence within families throughout Ventura County and adjacent communities. Its broad array of programs include 24-hour response teams, emergency and transitional shelters and My Body Belongs to Me and Teen Dating Violence Prevention programs provided free of charge to thousands of school-age children, parents and educators annually. Interface’s latest video, Premiering HOPE, was screened at the event and includes testimonials regarding the critical nature of Interface’s work, including the impact of domestic violence, abuse and neglect on children in our region and how Interface instills hope and healing. Hope & Harvest attendees also enjoyed a cocktail reception sponsored by PwC and

RESPONDERS INTERFACE HONORS FIRST

specialty drinks provided by Casamigos Tequila while viewing the Project Hope art exhibit showcasing artwork by Interface clients who have been empowered to live a violence-free life. Santa Monica trio Sora Nova played live music, and the silent and live auctions provided opportunities for guests to win specialty gifts. Banc of California sponsored a special table for honored first-responders (see sidebar) and others who are on the front lines every day in our community helping to keep children and families safe. This event was made possible by the generous support of Union Bank, McCarthy Companies, Sage Publications, Banc of California, Amerihome Mortgage, Black Knight Financial, PwC, Rabobank, UBS, Paul Hastings, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Westlake Village, Western Alliance Bank, Sage Auto, Abbott Downing, Jones Lang LaSalle, JT Rodgers, Mission Produce, Community Memorial Health Systems, CPI, AJA Vineyards, Landmark Vineyards, Lisa Queen Design & A Rental Connection.

– Victor Flores and K9 partner Ventura County Sheriff’s K9 unit ing 8-year-old boy with a highDano – In January they located a miss risk medical condition in Ojai.

•

• Ventura County Sheriff’s 911 “Dispatcher of the

Year ” – Jeremy Kieffer

• Oxnard Police Dept. Sergeant Sharon Giles

– Sexual Assault and

Family Protection Unit

• Oxnard PD Commander Andrew Salinas – Inve

stigative Services

Bureau Commander

Macias – On July 7, victim and helped with statewide he saved the life of a heart-attack le in the Chimney Fire in Paso. wildfires, protecting the Hearst Cast

• City of Santa Paula Fire Dept. Captain Austin

For more information about Interface Children & Family Services, call 805.485.6114 or visit ICFS.org.

November 2016 | Conejo Valley Lifestyle

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Lifestyle Calendar

November NOVEMBER 3 8TH ANNUAL MIKE NOSCO MEMORIAL BICYCLE RIDE DOS VIENTOS COMMUNITY CENTER

NOVEMBER 5 4TH ANNUAL VENTURA COUNTY FARM DAY VENTURA COUNTY FARMS Celebrate the "Lands and Hands that Feed Us" during this free self-guided tour of 20+ local farms. Family friendly activities include book signings and food and drink samplings. VenturaCountyFarmDay.com

Gather with the community to honor the memory of Mike Nosco

NOVEMBER 5

while raising funds for local families and individuals struggling to pay

BRIDGING THE GAPS OF HOPE GALA

for medical services. MikeNosco.com

NORTH RANCH COUNTRY CLUB

NOVEMBER 3 TANTALIZING THURSDAY - RICHEEZE MELT FOOD TRUCK & $5 GLASSES OF WINE

The Center 4 Special Needs celebrates its five-year anniversary with this formal event to benefit special needs children. Dinner, silent auction and entertainment. Center4SpecialNeeds.org

SUNLAND VINTAGE WINERY

NOVEMBER 6

This mouthwatering event features $5 glasses of Sunland Vintage

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S BARK FOR LIFE

award-winning wines and Richeeze gourmet food truck, serv-

BERNIECE BENNETT PARK

ing grilled cheese sandwiches, soup and more. Bring your appetite

Dog lovers and their furry friends honor cancer survivors, pay tribute

and your friends. Also Nov. 17, featuring Cousin's Maine lobster. Call

to loved ones lost and remember those who are still fighting. The 1

805.379.2250 or visit SunlandVintageWinery.com.

mile noncompetitive walk for dogs and their owners raises funds and

awareness to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

NOVEMBER 4 WESTLAKE VILLAGE JUNIORS' 35TH ANNUAL

Call 805.341.1910 or visit RelayACSEvents.org.

GINGERBREAD BOUTIQUE

NOVEMBER 6

ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE CATHOLIC CHURCH

MANY MANSIONS "BOWLS OF HOPE"

Find unique gifts, jewelry, clothing and home goods at this annual

CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

event to benefit local nonprofits. WestlakeJuniors.org

Enjoy delicious soup in ceramic bowls created by community mem-

NOVEMBER 5 HOLIDAY BAZAAR AND SOUP & PIE LUNCHEON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF WESTLAKE VILLAGE

bers, bid on silent auction items and watch live entertainment by local area youth. Proceeds benefit Many Mansions' Children and Adult Service Programs. ManyMansions.org

Shop for gifts, jewelry, Tupperware, homemade pickles, skincare products,

NOVEMBER 11

handmade quilted/crocheted items and more. Delicious, homemade soups

48TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY FANTASY LUNCHEON

and pies for lunch are $8 for adults/$5 for children 10 and younger. Proceeds

NORTH RANCH COUNTRY CLUB

support scholarships and local programs/charities of the Women's Ministries

The Westlake Women’s Club annual holiday luncheon includes boutique

Council of the United Methodist Church of Westlake Village. UMCWV.org

shopping, a silent auction and complimentary champagne. Guest speak-

NOVEMBER 5

er Fritz Coleman will entertain. $65. Call for reservations: 818-991-2790.

15TH ANNUAL “SPOTLIGHT ON STYLE” FASHION

NOVEMBER 11

SHOW AND LUNCHEON

VETERANS DAY EVENT

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL WESTLAKE VILLAGE

REAGAN LIBRARY

The Casa Pacifica Angels and Neiman Marcus Topanga’s fashion

Live musical entertainment, a civil war encampment, military vehicle

show and lunch includes boutique shopping, a silent auction, lunch

display and a program honoring all branches of the military is open

and a runway fashion show hosted by Susan and Ken Bauer and

to the public. Reservations recommended. Call 805.577.4057 or visit

produced by Carin Holmenas featuring Fashion Designer Margi Kent.

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Reservations required. CasaPacifica.org

NOVEMBER 5

NOVEMBER 11 8TH ANNUAL TASTE OF CONEJO

MAGICAL DAY OF HOPE LUNCHEON

FOUR SEASONS WESTLAKE VILLAGE

HYATT WESTLAKE PLAZA HOTEL

The Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce sponsors this popular

A luncheon, fashion show presented by Raffia Boutique, boutique, raf-

event, featuring local food and wine, entertainment and a silent

fle baskets and special grand prize raffles will benefit cancer research.

auction. TasteOfConejo.com

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

CONTINUED >

Lifestyle Calendar

(CON TI N U ED)

NOVEMBER 11

local charitable endeavors. Chef's choice lunch and live entertain-

FINALLY FRIDAY FEATURING THE CHRIS BANTA DUO

ment. $21. Call 805.484.7741 to RSVP.

SUNLAND VINTAGE WINERY Come celebrate with a glass or bottle of Sunland Vintage awesome

NOVEMBER 20

award-winning wine while enjoying the sounds of the Chris Banta

ARTISAN HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE

Duo. Bring your picnic and friends and stay all night. Don't miss the

OAK PARK COMMUNITY CENTER

fun!!! Call 805.379.2250 or visit SunlandVintageWinery.com.

Enjoy an artful afternoon and get a jump on holiday gift shopping at

NOVEMBER 12 3RD ANNUAL BIRD FEST KING GILLETTE RANCH

this unique holiday boutique featuring a diverse collection of local artists, crafts and specialty vendors. Snacks and sweet treats provided! Call 818.851.9679 for more information.

Listen to talks by great birders, visit with exhibitors and go

NOVEMBER 24

on bird walks. Children's events for all ages include “Mommy

12TH ANNUAL TURKEY DAY DASH

and Me” reading to Boy Scout Merit Badges, with plenty in

CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

between. SaMoFund.org

The Conejo Valley YMCA hosts this annual 5K run/walk and 1K family

NOVEMBER 15 LOLA & THE BACK-BEATS BOGIE'S SHOWROOM AT THE WESTLAKE VILLAGE INN

fun run/walk. All ages and abilities are welcome. Professional timing is provided for 5K runners. A costume contest takes place at 7:15 a.m. before the kids' race. TurkeyDayDash.org

Lola was voted "Best Jazz Vocalist in Ventura County" for the second

NOVEMBER 30

year in a row by the VCMA. No cover charge.

CASA INFORMATIONAL MEETING

NOVEMBER 16

CAMARILLO CASA of Ventura County needs volunteers to advocate for and men-

THOUSAND OAKS WOMAN'S CLUB LUNCHEON

tor local foster children; this informational session will provide de-

LOS ROBLES GREENS GOLF COURSE, SUNSET BALLROOM

tails about upcoming trainings. To enroll, call 805.389.3120 or visit

Open to local women who have a common interest in assisting with

CasaofVenturaCounty.org for more information.

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Parting Thoughts

ARTICLE KIM PAGANO

Giving Thanks for Family Traditions A

s the holidays approach, my heart is warmed by the many traditions my family has created. In order for a tradition to survive, an equal effort must be made by the family to consciously repeat the tradition year after year. As the years go by, the old saying, “you don't know what you’ve got til it's gone,” becomes even more relevant in our lives. The life span of traditions in a family many times can show just how strong the connection is within that family. Personally, this is true in my own family as we have created rituals and traditions that have become meaningful activities through the years. Creating amazing meals together is one of the great family traditions in my family. One of the recipes that I can categorize as a tradition is my grandmother’s homemade soup that my mom passed on to me and my daughters. On my husband’s side of the family, some amazing pasta recipes have been passed down as well. My husband and I have also recreated some of our own traditional meals for our children. These family traditions are like an old 66

Conejo Valley Lifestyle | November 2016

familiar song, as they can take you right back to your favorite safe place. When you are asked to bring a signature dish that you have created to a potluck, I’m sure that many of you have a family recipe that is meaningful and made with love. If you haven't started a tradition in your family yet, it is never too late. There are many different things that we do with our families every year that we might not realize have become traditions, such as gathered dinners, Halloween parties or even Thanksgiving and holiday dinners. A vacation that you all take together, eating dinner together or even choosing a game you can all sit down and play together could easily become a family tradition. These might sound like simple ideas, but that's what makes them family traditions. My family and I have made many trips to Laughlin with our kids and close friends, and we always have such a great time. Without

even realizing it, we have been creating a new family tradition by making annual trips out there together. Last year my family decided to start a new tradition by planning a family reunion with all of our kids, their spouses and our grandchildren. We decided that the best place to have this family reunion would be in Laughlin since we have made so many amazing memories there in the past. Of course, we had an amazing time as usual and we can’t wait to do it again next year. Families can be such a blessing, and I am so thankful for mine. I believe that happiness is homemade and family traditions can help make relationships even stronger. This holiday season, reflect on the treasures and memories you might have already created and realize that there are so many easy ways to create even more traditions within your family. It is important to let everyone be a part of creating your new family tradition, including your children and grandchildren, because I have found that each new generation adds a much needed twist to our lifelong traditions. Lastly, I just want to say that I am so grateful for what I do, especially being able to share my thoughts about family traditions with all of my listeners and anyone else who takes the time to read about them. Thank you for this opportunity and allowing me to share the brighter side of life with you all! For more of the brighter side of the 805, tune into the Kim Pagano Show every Saturday from 6-8 a.m. PST on AM 1590 KVTA and start your day in a positive way. You can also download Kim’s podcasts on your Smartphone at iTunes (search The Kim Pagano Show) or online at KimPaganoShow.com.

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