Malibu Coast, CA May 2023

Ode to Women!

ARE YOU THINKING OF SELLING IN 2023?

2022 Voted #1 Best Real Estate Agent in Ventura County

2022

Call Rosemary @ 805.479.7653. Rosemary can help you strategize to get the highest price. Rosemary will advise you on the improvements that will highlight your home’s strengths, downplay its weaknesses and appeal to the greatest possible pool of prospective buyers. Although the structure itself is often the deciding factor, many steps must be taken to enhance your home’s features and increase the likelihood of it selling faster and for more money.

Innately understanding the finer points of caring for clients with high net worth, and even higher expectations, Rosemary utilizes multimedia, print and digital internet advertising to masterfully unite sellers of the finest homes with quality buyers from across the globe.

2022 Voted BEST Real Estate Agent

2022 Daily News Readers Choice Awards

2022 “America’s Best”

2022 #1 Coldwell Banker Selling Agent

2020 Named “Woman of the year”

It Really Does “Take a Village”

Some years back, “It takes a village” became a popular idiom. To me, it means that we are all in this together and we need each other’s support to get over and through serious personal challenges. What are friends for anyway? In my case, a village of female friends and family gave me much of the emotional support I needed to get through the realization, the surgery and the recovery of a life-threatening and predominantly woman’s disease.

Amidst the bad news was the good news…. women share and communicate. We talk. We laugh. We cry. Sometimes by ourselves, but most often, together. The support came to me from every direction. Of course, from my family. Also, from lifelong friends. Besties I met in Girl Scouts, junior high and high school, friends from college and MVAC. Friends from my Temple while we were all raising children. Friends I have made since we settled in the Conejo Valley, my yoga “sisters” and friends I have made through our publishing business.

I am afraid that if I start listing names, I will inevitably leave someone out. You all know who you are, and I love all of you.

The support was often in person. I scheduled my visitors so we could enjoy one on one time together. The visits lifted my sprits and helped me get through the pain and uncertainty during recovery. It also gave me much needed “girl time” and gave Ben a break from his incredible 24/7 caregiver role. My visitors took time from their work and family responsibilities to talk, laugh, cry and hold my hand. They also brought lots of yummy food and beautiful flowers.

When in person was not possible, the phone calls, texts, emails and Facebook messages never stopped. The prayers from many folks in our Conejo Valley community kept coming. I know those prayers resonated. After all, here I am, still in one piece and about to take the final step in my recovery.

Here's to My Ladies! Thank You.

May 2023

PUBLISHERS

Ben Malkin | Ben.Malkin@citylifestyle.com

Robin Chesler | Robin.Chesler@lifestylepubs.com

EDITOR

Tracy Marcynzsyn | Tracy.Marcynzsyn@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sue Baldani, Tracy Marcynzsyn, Kim Maselli, Cary ONeal

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Maria Demeter Photography, Darren Eskandari, Cary ONeal, Robert Yeager

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall

LAYOUT DESIGNER Eva Tucker

PUBLISHER @MALIBUCOASTLIFESTYLE

ROBIN CHESLER,

As a passionate wellness enthusiast, I am very proud that our river cruises include plenty of guided hiking and biking excursions throughout Europe. In addition, we offer complimentary wellness classes on board our beautiful ships in Europe and Asia and will do so in Colombia in 2024. Now, you can even play on the very rst full-sized pickleball court on the rivers – on board our one-of-a-kind AmaMagna!

Kristin Karst, Co-Founder & Executive Vice President

preferred

STS KRAFTWORKS: A MAKER’S STORY

“I can make that.” If I had a dollar for every time I heard my husband say that over the past almost 20 years now, we wouldn’t need any other source of income. For better or worse though, he’s (sometimes aggravatingly) usually right. Skipper could make it, fix it or improve it. And, as someone who is about as far from handy as it gets, I am both grateful for, and envious of, that.

The other side of that coin is that he is also highly distractable—so much so that a few Christmases ago, I gifted him a shirt that reads, “I have ideas I haven’t even thought of yet.” So, it’s a wonder that Skipper felt so passionately about building a better kitchen cutting board that we were able to launch his passion project into a legitimate business last year.

After spending some time thinking about our path to making the business a reality though, it’s not that surprising after all. In fact, I’m not sure it wasn’t a foregone conclusion all along. Skipper grew up with family and friends who were always hosting gatherings, usually centered around food and often involving a big Santa Maria—style BBQ pit. As a young adult, he pursued cooking in a fine dining restaurant where he learned many finer points of preparing, cooking and serving food. While he entertained the thought of starting a restaurant over the years, with the restaurant failure rate around 30% and that attention deficiency I mentioned earlier, he turned his focus to learning and mastering the craft of woodworking and furniture making.

Three years of classical training at Palomar College furniture making school amplified his passion for fine woodworking. However, finding furniture-making jobs scarce, and driven by the desire to turn technical building challenges into practical and elegant solutions, Skipper pivoted his professional journey into residential construction. Bound by a promise to his mom, he got his general contractor’s license.

Always curious to figure out how things work and propelled by his fascination with aviation, Skipper managed to squeeze in yet another detour along the way to receive his Airframe and Powerplant certification as an aircraft mechanic. Again, with that attention thing—literally attracted to shiny objects in this case.

Throughout his professional turns, woodworking and building custom projects “on the side” remained a constant. Skipper’s compulsion to work with wood, his passion for BBQing and his frustration at not finding a cutting board that met his wants particularly fueled his determination to design cutting boards that optimize both function and form. Believing that the best tools for those home chefs who celebrate everything about cooking should be a full sensory experience, Skipper refined his designs for decades.

ARTICLE BY KRISTINE SMITH

Trying to describe how he wants cooking enthusiasts to feel when using his boards, Skipper says, “It’s like that feeling you get when you’re using a freshly sharpened kitchen knife.

“IT’S LIKE THAT FEELING YOU GET WHEN YOU’RE USING A FRESHLY SHARPENED KITCHEN KNIFE. THE KNIFE EFFORTLESSLY GLIDES THROUGH WHATEVER YOU ARE CUTTING AND IS SUCH A JOY TO USE.”

The knife effortlessly glides through whatever you are cutting and is such a joy to use.”

That is perhaps what I admire most about Skipper. In his eternal quest to “make it better,” what truly motivates him is the ability to create joy for others as part of an experience. He chases the gratification of crafting something with his hands that inspires others to feel.

The ultimate maker’s gift.

As it turns out, this new venture of ours really does seem to be an inevitable step in our journey. All the threads of Skipper’s decades-long professional path and passions woven together to land us here. A destination not possible without all his steps along the way and, yes, even his attention problem.

To all the attention-challenged makers out there, thank goodness for you. Keep making, keep fixing,

keep improving. Keep inspiring others to find and feed their craft. Those of us who consider ourselves to be creatively stunted need you.

In a digital world of crypto, NFTs and relationships via device screens, it is all the more important to be intentional about connecting with what is most meaningful to us and nurtures our souls. Thank goodness for the makers with the talent to craft beautiful tangible things that can elicit those intangible joys. As Steve Jobs said, “Those people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” Thank goodness that my maker, Skipper, is crazy enough to change mine.

For more information or to connect with Skipper Smith, visit STSKraftworks.com or email info@stskraftworks.com.

FDA approved SMILE Eye Laser Surgery

SMILE is short for Small Incision Lenticular Extraction. SMILE Laser eye surgery is a game changer in laser vision correction. Dr. Khanna is experienced in the use of the only FDA approved laser for SMILE, Visumax. Dr. Khanna is experienced in the use of this laser to carve a sliver of tissue in 30 seconds within the cornea. Cornea trained surgeon Dr.Khanna, skillfully and painlessly removes this thin tissue through a small opening. The recovery is quick with patients returning to work and sports in a day or two. The absence of the cornea flap causes less dry eye. Flapless also makes it safer, as there is less chance of the flap getting displaced. Therefore, even people who could not have Lasik, like surfers or those engaged in contact sports can SMILE.

SMILE vs Lasik

Lasik has a flap which can get displaced or allow debris, cells or bugs to creep in. There is no flap in SMILE making it safer.

SMILE vs PRK

The healing in PRK is slow and painful while that in SMILE is painless and fast.

Who can perform SMILE?

Only highly competent Lasik eye surgeons, like Rajesh Khanna, MD who are certified by Zeiss can perform SMILE laser eye surgery.

Am I a candidate for SMILE?

Khanna Vision Institutes has an advanced diagnostic machine to detect the shape and curvature of your cornea and eye. Dr. Khanna uses this information to decide if he will do SMILE surgery for you. Therefore, he offers a free consult to find out if you are a candidate for this latest procedure.

Dr Khanna and happy patients.

Find Something for Everyone at Cat ‘N Twiggs

Cat ‘N Twiggs Boutique was born out of a love and passion for unique gifts. The store’s owner, Cathy Blumel, has a love for cooking, travel, photography, hosting and celebrating with friends and family.

Cat ‘N Twiggs strives to populate the store with unique gifts, small batch merchandise and handmade items and will promote sustainable brands and independent artists as often as possible. Their outstanding personal customer service members are ready to help you find the perfect vintage or modern gift for anyone and any occasion, all of which can be presented in a beautiful, personalized parcel.

You can also find their talented vendors’ wares online at Cat ‘N Twiggs.com and via their social media platforms. Whether you live in the area or do most of your shopping online, the staff at Cat ‘N Twiggs is always ready and eager to help you find just the right item that captures the sentiment of the moment you’re celebrating.

Visit Cat ‘N Twiggs at 1125 Lindero Canyon Road in Westlake Village or contact them at 818.825.2721.

Ode to Women!

We all know women who make life special, breaking barriers in business and helping so many in need while forging new ground and pursuing their goals with fearless fortitude. Here, we celebrate a few fabulous local ladies whose vision and commitment to community serve as a bright light to all.

“If you think you can do a thing or you think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.” —

Henry Ford

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Barbara grew up on the East Coast, pursuing career goals, including a PhD. She lived in the MidAtlantic area with her husband and two children, working as a research scientist at the local medical school and “trying to find enough time to paint the local landscapes.”

Barbara and her husband moved to Malibu when their children graduated college and pursued graduate programs. Having recently retired from her position as a college dean, Barbara now happily paints full time. She enjoys plein air painting with the Allied Artists, a nonprofit group of local painters dedicated to preservation and conservation of the Santa Monica Mountains. Her paintings will be on exhibit at King Gillette Ranch in August, with a portion of her sales dedicated to support conservation efforts. As the artist of P22: The Park, a children’s book about L.A.’s beloved mountain lion P22 and his life in Griffith Park, Barbara is donating all sales proceeds to support the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.

Barbara Freund PhD, President Allied Artists

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT(S): Raising two children and instilling in them the virtues of hard work, discipline and, most importantly, being kind to others and making a difference.

I established an older driver research and assessment clinic where I developed an assessment algorithm that was awarded a U.S. Patent. The clinic received referrals from physicians throughout the area as well as from the state DMV Medical Review Board. I also developed a novel screening test for fitness to drive evaluations that led to interviews on CBS News’ “Eye on America,” “Good Morning America” and People Magazine. I am proud of the fact that the screening test is part of the American Medical Association’s Guide for Physicians

GREATEST LESSON: I’ve learned that when a good opportunity presents itself, I’ve always benefitted by acting on it. As Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

WORDS OF WISDOM: Being kind is more important than being important.

GIVING BACK: Advisory Board, Men Educating Men About Health, 2010-present

I donate a portion of the sales from my paintings to local rescue groups. Donations are based on painting themes, for example, beach paintings target marine mammal rescue, western paintings target equine rescues, landscapes target conservation and preservation groups, etc.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES:

• Woman of the Year, Men Educating Men About Health, 2019

• American Geriatrics Society New Investigator Award, 2002

• Recent juried art awards:

• July 2022: Plein Air Salon, July: Finalist, “Late Afternoon at Bluffs Park”

• June 2022: Western Art Competition, Fusion Art Gallery, Award for Artistic Excellence, “Trail Talk”

• June 2022: Art of Surf, Malibu City Hall, Malibu

FUTURE GOALS: Always improve my artwork.

INSPIRATION: I am inspired by the beautiful natural environment here. Painting causes me to notice more (even when I’m not painting), and each painting may start a conversation with a viewer about shared experiences and important memories.

R&R: Painting, hiking with our dogs, mountain biking.

BarbaraFreund.com

“I’ve learned that when a good opportunity presents itself, I’ve always benefitted by acting on it.”

Never give up!

Born in Montreal, Canada, Ellen attended McGill University where she graduated from the faculty of management with a bachelor’s degree in management and a minor in organizational behavior and personnel. She started her career at Xerox Corp, and then turned to social services, where she facilitated programs to help university students find jobs. Following this, she returned to the business world, working in IT, until she opted to focus on her family and being a mom when her first child was born in 1989.

Relocating to L.A. in 1996 when her daughter Emily was born, Ellen was actively involved in her children’s schools, serving as room mother and on the PTSA. Her life tragically changed when Emily was murdered by a driver in April 2010. She and her husband went on to create The Emily Shane Foundation, a nonprofit geared to help underserved middle schoolers succeed.

“Helping young students at a critical time in their life and development is incredibly rewarding,” says Ellen, who works tirelessly as the executive director of the SEA (Successful Educational Achievement) Program to make a difference in students’ lives.

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT(S):

• Having chosen the right man to marry! We have never been happier after 36 years.

• Being an invested mom who did my best for our children to thrive. They are now adults, and I treasure the relationships we have today.

• Creating the SEA Program and making it a reality; relishing every student’s success no matter how small.

• Publishing the children’s book I wrote.

• Fostering friendships and holding those who are dear to me close.

GREATEST LESSON: After dealing with the worst loss a parent can face, the lesson I have learned is that life will always throw us challenges; we must learn to work through them and deal with them as best we can. Stay positive! We are here for a reason and should make the most of each day. Appreciate the blessings in life. I strive to be my best self.

WORDS OF WISDOM: Believe in yourself and follow your passion; persevere even when facing challenges that seem insurmountable.

GIVING BACK: Ellen is devoted to educational equity to make it possible for all children to succeed and achieve their dreams and goals.

Ellen Shane

Executive Director, The Emily Shane Foundation, Wife & Mother!

AWARDS & ACCOLADES:

• Lifetime Legacy Award, Malibu/Pacific Palisades Chamber of Commerce, Nov. 2022

• KNX Helpful Honda Hero, Oct. 2018

• Lifetime Achievement Award, The Office of the President of the United States, May 2016

• 2013 Citizen of the Year, The Dolphin Award, The Malibu Times, March 2014

• Mother of the Year, The Malibu Times, May 2013

FUTURE GOALS: Achieve a viable and sustainable future pathway for The Emily Shane Foundation. Stay active and healthy. Continue to pursue passions that give my life meaning.

INSPIRATION: Helen Keller, Sylvia Earle, Margaret Bourke-White, Elizabeth Kubler Ross

R&R: Fitness, JAM Malibu, reading, walking, spending time with friends and family

EmilyShane.org

Bernice Ledbetter EdD, Dean of Students, Director, Center for Women in Leadership, Faculty, Organizational Theory and Management, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

“I’m convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere. For a change, start by speaking to people rather than walking by them like they’re stones that don’t matter. As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.” —Maya Angelou

Dr. Ledbetter teaches graduate-level courses across a range of leadership topics. As Dean of Students, she addresses the needs of Pepperdine Graziadio Business School students and alumni. She founded the Center for Women in Leadership and conducts research authoring several articles and book chapters on women in leadership.

She is often quoted in news outlets, including the Los Angeles Times, the LA Business Journal and U.S. News and World Report. Dr. Ledbetter is a frequent keynote speaker on topics related to her research, sharing insights with international audiences, industry groups and large organizations including Fortune 500.

She encourages people to reach for their dreams.

“If you want something to change, change the narrative, whether that is the chatter inside an organization or inside your head. Infuse your organization and your mind with the best possible outcomes you can dream of.”

GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT(S): Starting the Center for Women in Leadership at Pepperdine University in 2015. This was a dream of mine that became a reality.

Doing noble work every single day through teaching, conducting research and leading. I have the great and wonderful opportunity to work and lead from purpose and create a ripple effect by strengthening students who positively impact their communities, organizations, businesses and the world.

GREATEST LESSON: One great lesson learned is the concept of impermanence: Bad times will come to an end and good times do not last forever. Therefore, it is good to make the best of every moment.

WORDS OF WISDOM: “No” means not now—sometimes the conditions are insufficient for a dream to be realized. “No” is an invitation to continue preparing for your aspiration; don’t let “no” deter you from the quest to follow your passion.

GIVING BACK: My charitable activity consists of supporting public radio, sponsoring children in Africa and India and supporting women around the world.

AWARDS & ACCOLADES:

• Trailblazer Award, presented by Leadership California

• “Above and Beyond” Faculty Award, Graziadio Alumni Network Leadership Council, Pepperdine University

• George Award, named after George Graziadio, the benefactor at the Business School, Pepperdine University

• Howard A. White Award for Teaching Excellence, Pepperdine University

FUTURE GOALS: To continue working with women to make a lasting and positive difference in the world.

INSPIRATION: I am inspired by women who inspire, especially Oprah Winfrey and Brene Brown.

I am also inspired by sacred texts from multiple perspectives.

R&R: Hiking, reading, spending time with my two granddaughters, Rose and Goldie.

bschool.pepperdine.edu/women-leadership-center/

“One great lesson learned is the concept of impermanence: Bad times will come to an end and good times do not last forever.”

Pacific Festival Ballet Brings “The Sleeping Beauty” to Life

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT YEAGER

One of the pillars in the classical ballet history books is the iconic, "The Sleeping Beauty.” This timeless classic premiered in St Petersburg, Russia, in 1890 and continues to enchant audiences worldwide. On Saturday, May 20, Pacific Festival Ballet brings this visually stunning ballet to life in Thousand Oaks with a cast of 85 dancers lavishly costumed in tutus and tiaras. Much of the choreography staged for this production is from the original choreographer, Marius Petipa, known as the father of classical ballet. Petipa is considered one of the greatest choreographers of all times and he laid the cornerstone for 20th century ballet.

This beloved story of a young princess in a faraway land begins with Aurora’s christening where the court and benevolent fairies gather to bless her life with goodness and light. An uninvited visitor, Carabosse, the fairy of revenge, crashes the palace festivities, placing a spell on the young princess. Aurora, however, is protected by her guardian fairies. Instead of the death curse Carabosse declared on her, the Lilac Fairy places Aurora into a deep sleep. Goodness conquers evil and the triumph of true love’s kiss restores Princess Aurora and her family’s kingdom to the life they were destined for. “The Sleeping Beauty” story ballet is a dramatic spectacle as Tchaikovsky’s music sweeps you down fairytale lane!

Pacific Festival Ballet, the resident company at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, has taken on the challenge of mounting this magnificent ballet before.

“The Sleeping Beauty has a special place in my heart,” says Artistic Director Kim Maselli. “This ballet is the first production Pacific Festival Ballet presented in our inaugural season at the Civic Arts Plaza 28 years ago. We have produced ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ four different times now and it is exciting to see a new

generation of talented young artists bring this classic ballet to life.”

Performers in “The Sleeping Beauty” are cast from professional dancers in the greater Los Angeles area as well as selected dancers from PFB’s training school, California Dance Theatre. Soloist roles will be performed by advanced high school dancers enrolled in their Pre-professional Training Program. This elite program is directed by Maselli and taught by worldclass instructors. The goal of this program prepares up and coming artists for professional careers in the ballet world. To date, alumni are dancing professionally with companies around the United States. Current PTP dancers were accepted into summer programs at Boston Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Louisville Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet and Kansas City Ballet and Indiana University in pursuit of furthering their ballet careers. In the meantime, sharing the stage with seasoned professionals, “The Sleeping Beauty” provides important opportunities for artistic growth and development.

Eighteen-year-old Abbey Wyrrick of Thousand Oaks will be dancing the title role of Princess Aurora and aspires to be a professional ballerina.

“This role has been a dream of mine since I was little. The technical and artistic demands present a challenge to me. So many exquisite ballerinas have taken on this coveted role, but I have been enjoying the process of exploring what’s going to make my Aurora personal. ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ ballet is truly a trademark for the ballet world,” says Wyrrick.

This family friendly fairytale comes to life at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, May 20 at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office or through Ticketmaster.

Learn more at PacFestBallet.org.

“We have produced ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ four different times now and it is exciting to see a new generation of talented young artists bring this classic ballet to life.”

Santa Cruz Girls’ Getaway!

This May is the perfect time to gather your girls— moms, sisters, friends and daughters—pack a bag and load into the car for some good, old-fashioned road trip fun. Sure, you can fly in just over an hour, but tack on travel time to and from the airport and all that goes with flying and it’s easy to see why driving this 350-some-mile stretch to Santa Cruz is the way to go. For a weekend getaway or longer stay that’s not so far away, making the 5-hour journey to Santa Cruz is, as they say, half the fun!

Leave early and catch the sunrise over the ocean as you wind your way on Highway 101 up the coast toward Santa Barbara. Take the San Marcos Pass exit, Highway 154, through the mountains for picturesque views of Cachuma Lake while shaving off some road time too.

An easy cruise through Santa Maria brings you to Pismo Beach, where the cerulean beauty of Avila Bay beckons you to explore this gem of an area. Home to Sycamore Mineral Hot Springs Resort, Avila Bay offers a great stopping point to stretch your legs, empty your bladder and—depending on how much of a hurry you’re in—soak your body in the steaming hot mineral springs (private hillside tubs are available by the hour to rent). If lunch is on the menu, consider noshing at the iconic Madonna Inn, just up the road in San Luis Obispo. You can’t miss this pink landmark, conveniently located at the halfway point to your destination. If you’ve timed it right to avoid traffic (check Waze for current conditions), in just over 2 hours, you’ll arrive in the colorful city of Santa Cruz, where the redwoods meet the sea.

Spanish for "Holy Cross," Santa Cruz is on the northern edge of Monterey Bay and is truly one of the most unique beach towns. From the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and awe-inspiring redwood forests to the diverse variety of shops and restaurants downtown, you’ll want more than a weekend to explore.

STAY

With vacation rentals, campgrounds and hotels of all stars galore, finding accommodations is a breeze—just be sure to plan in advance as this popular seaside town swells with visitors for special events and sunny spring and summer weekends. For the ultimate in luxury combined with onsite spa perks, Chaminade Resort & Spa (Chaminade.com) offers a peaceful place to rest your head and rejuvenate your soul while you’re at it! Located on 300 wooded acres with views of Monterey Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains, Chaminade welcomes guests to enjoy lounging and relaxing amidst lush green landscaping, hike redwood-lined trails and indulge in a massage at the full-service spa. An extra bonus is the resort’s seasonal Vine to View Dinner Series featuring five-course meals with wine pairings from local wineries in an idyllic setting. This month’s dinner featuring Silver Mountain Vineyards takes place May 12.

EAT

Foodies will delight at the huge range of dining options, including grab and go, local breweries, sitdown restaurants and everything in between! Among the local secrets is Lillian’s Italian Kitchen (lilliansitaliankitchen.com), where the casual ambiance belies the gourmet meals served at this popular eatery—try the

truffle-stuffed gnocchi in Gorgonzola cream sauce for a taste of heaven!

Hula’s Island Grill (HulasTiki.com) brings island style fresh fare to town—ahi poke, Hawaiian ceviche and an array of fresh fish like Macadamia Nut Encrusted Mahi Mahi and Wasabi Blackened Ahi—plus fruity drinks and a full bar!

For savory and sweet scones and fresh coffee, visit Café Delmarette, located downtown, where you’ll also find an array of dining establishments, including the much-loved Pizza My Heart.

EXPLORE

Downtown Santa Cruz offers hours of shopping, from clothes and gifts, to books, gems, art and so much more. Be sure to savor the area’s natural beauty by visiting one of its plentiful beaches and natural landmarks.

Natural Bridges State Beach is located at the end of the windy oceanfront Cliff Drive and features a natural bridge, easy hikes and picnic tables. The park becomes home to thousands of monarch butterflies that migrate to the area from October through early February.

Visit the classic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for roller coaster (and less adventurous) rides, arcade games, shops and seasonal entertainment—check out the schedule at Roaring Camp Railroads (RoaringCamp. com), which regularly offers rides through the redwoods to the beach Boardwalk.

Add to your adventures by taking a beautiful drive through the forest to The Mystery Spot (MysterySpot. com), a gravitational anomaly that defies the laws of physics and gravity and adds to the allure of this beach town treasure!

A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY:

In addition to hurricanes and wildfires, one major obstacle was something no one could have foreseen. Shortly after setting off on her cross-country trip in January 2020, the pandemic hit. Even then, she was determined to persevere and stick to her plan.

LIFE, LOVE, JOY & LOSS ON THE OPEN ROAD

ARTICLE BY SUE BALDAN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF EMILY PENNINGTON

Emily Pennington, an accomplished writer, had a plan to visit all 63 U.S. national parks in one year and pen a book about it. Everything was set—she had saved enough money, devised a rock-solid plan, packed up Gizmo—her little van—with supplies and set off. But she never imagined how her carefully thought-out trip would be disrupted by unexpected calamities, both physical and emotional.

Published in February by Little A, an imprint of Amazon, Feral: Losing Myself and Finding My Way in America’s National Parks, allows readers to travel with her, feeling the joy, heartbreak and trepidation along the way.

“I originally thought this book was going to be about being brave, doing big things and forming an unconventional life and relationship for myself,” she says. “I also believed it was going to be about how following your own rules is more important than following those laid out for you by parents or society. It ended up being much more of an examination of how uncertainty and the void are the rule, not the exception.”

“My mom is an immigrant,” says Emily. “She came to the United States from Sweden by herself when she was around 20 years old. When you're raised by a single-parent mother who not only travels the world solo, but also does other really brave things, it almost feels like there’s a silent expectation that you should also venture forth and see what miraculous projects you can pull off.”

While she had to alter her plan many times, she met her original goal, even though it would have been so easy to quit. She fell terribly ill a few times, broke up with a man whom she thought would become her husband, was plagued with anxiety attacks and depression, came down with COVID and was frightened for her life more than once.

“One of the reasons I mention my plan in the book so often is that I had this rigid task master in my head who really wanted to crack the whip and get the project done,” she says. “But what's ironic is the end of the book is all about unraveling and ego obliteration. So even though, yes, that plan is a driving force throughout the narrative of the book, I would say that the moral of the book is almost the opposite.

“It’s very much about listening to your body and your heart and taking things at the pace that feels thematically appropriate rather than forcing a narrative onto your life. I also learned that pushing pause to practice self-care is really

important, even if you're in the middle of wanting to get a million huge things done.”

Emily found writing the book, which she did in 6 months, cathartic.

“It felt like being in very intensive therapy every single day for 6 straight months,” she says.

Of course, interwoven with her personal journey are beautiful descriptions of the national parks. It may inspire many to put on their hiking boots and get out and explore them as well, albeit at a slower pace.

Her advice to others: “Today is the youngest that you're ever going to be, and if you have giant dreams, then there’s no better time than the present to start making a plan toward fulfilling those wildest desires. Feral is proof that if I can do it—a petite solo female with diagnosed anxiety—than anyone can.”

Today, Emily and her rescue dog, Marla, are getting ready to relocate from Los Angeles to Boulder, Colorado. She’s also in therapy, going on hikes, doing yoga and focusing on better self-care.

“I’m doubling down on all of the things that I need to do to make sure that I'm showing up in the world in the way that I want to,” she says.

Read more about Emily and Feral at BrazenBackPacker.com.

Photo Credit: Darren Eskandari

Make an Impact for Mom

Memorable ways to celebrate the mother figure in your life

The moms and the mother figures in our lives mean everything to us. They deserve the best every day, of course. But at least one day out of the year, we get to shower them with the same love and thoughtfulness they give to us so selflessly.

This year, we hope you’ll consider some memorable ways to make lasting memories with the mom or mother figure in your life. If you haven’t already planned something special, take a look at our list of ideas and circle your favorites. If you have kids, let them join in the fun too!

Whether you decide to spend a day at home or enjoy a day on the town, these innovative celebration ideas will include fun for the whole family and make Mom feel loved. Whatever activity or surprise you land on to show your mom, wife, sister or maternal figure your appreciation for all they do, the most important thing is that you all get to spend some quality time together.

Take a Flower Arranging Class Mother’s Day arrives just as spring is in full bloom. Take advantage of the season by going to a flower arranging class with mom.

Play a Family Board Game

If Mom likes strategizing, challenge her to a friendly board game competition. (And, no, you don’t have to let her win just because it’s Mother’s Day.)

Pick Your Own Fruit

This activity is especially fun if you have a lot of kids who want to get in on the action. Then, when you all get home, you can whip up a treat for Mom with your selections. (Maybe give her a strawberry in a Champagne glass while she waits.)

Book Her a Weekend Away

There’s no day like Mother’s Day to be impulsive! Book a weekend trip for the two of you at a cute B&B in a city Mom has always wanted to visit.

Complete a Jigsaw Puzzle

Find a puzzle with an image you know your mom will love (or make a custom one using a photo of the two of you) and put it together over wine and snacks. You’ll be amazed at how much chatting you can get done while puzzling.

Get Theater Tickets

Go to a play or a musical — lots of towns even host outdoor theater events.

Smile

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A native of South Africa, Dr. Shindler has been living in southern California for nearly thirty years. After attending a prestigious dental school in South Africa, Dr Shindler did his post-graduate work at UCLA, and has been practicing since 1987.

We provide comprehensive dental care for both adults and children and specialize in:

Exploring the Future of A.I. With Mr. Malibu

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARY ONEAL

With Malibu’s synagogue and chabad, 10 churches, 14 psychiatrists, 3 meditation centers, 42 rehabs, 24 weekly A.A. meetings and numerous life coaches, many Malibuites engage in mindfulness and spiritual practices. There is a common thread of interest in experiencing peace and healing on all levels. To augment the above approaches, I would like to introduce PsyberCeuticals (or simply PsyC), a genuinely altruistic A.I./Machine Learning system that I created from more than 3 decades of deep experience in psychology, meditation and advanced technology.

When Socrates said, “Know Thyself,” he knew the Ocean of Answers is within all of us. Yet with certain invisible things within us, such as deeply rooted emotional and perceptual patterns that affect the quality of our experience, we need a “mirror” to see and resolve them. This mirror can be experienced via group sharing where we see part of ourselves in others, meditation where we see our mind’s activities within the stillness and new insights from PsyC, for example.

Ironically, the increasing impact of technology on the human psyche (which for millions of people is manifesting as depression, anxiety and obsessive behaviors) is highlighting the need for PsyC, which itself is advanced tech. With both global excitement and trepidation about A.I., I discussed the topic with Stephen Weese, a computer technology professor and media producer, CEO of Marvelous Spiral Studios and current consultant to the Carolina Cyber Center.

MR. MALIBU:

“There is a real shortage of women in A.I. expertise, as they comprise about 22% of A.I. experts worldwide. Women see things men do not (and vice versa). How important do you feel more women participation in A.I. development is for purely altruistic purposes and why?”

STEPHEN:

“Every A.I. system contains human bias. If we continue to create more A.I. with mostly male input, it will have male bias. This is a challenge in representing a realistic and fair point of view.”

MR. MALIBU:

“What do you think about current A.I. trends, such as ChatGPT, A.I. art (stable diffusion) and A.I. in the medical field?”

STEPHEN:

“I think the most interesting thing about the proliferation of modern A.I. systems is how it compares to past disruptive technologies. Airplanes, automated machinery, and even simple things like the sewing machine have controversial histories. Barthelemy Thimonnier, inventor of the modern sewing machine, was attacked by an angry mob of tailors trying to burn down his garment factory because they feared the loss of their livelihood.

“I believe in a moderate point of view, seeing the good and bad. ChatGPT has been trained by showing it billions of human written words and given human guidance along the way. Its responses were corrected by trainers to be more desirable from a human perspective. It then creates compelling responses due to the power of modern distributed processors. This can emulate a high-level human writer, which could then be used by pro-writers and students for essays.

“This creates an easier opportunity for writers to have the computer do the writing. Does this mean we should do away with ChatGPT? No. It simply brings another challenge in the use of A.I. that addresses this phenomena of what could be an undetected mix of humans and computers.

“The ethical issue with A.I.-created art is a bit more nuanced. Art intelligence is trained by viewing millions or billions of images and being trained to recognize objects like horses, cars, trees, etc. as well as recognize artists’ styles. Users of this A.I. type in prompts such as, ‘Two dogs in the style of Johnson Smithee,’ and it will dutifully create in that style from the public images on the internet. A human cannot compete with the scale and speed of this A.I. but can use it to magnify our human abilities.

“A.I. is already used in the medical field with expert systems to diagnose patients’ illnesses, at a success rate near to or even higher than an average trained medical doctor. Yet, no one is suggesting doctors be eliminated, as A.I is a tool to help doctors. There are intelligent systems that can detect cancer at an incredibly high rate from digital imaging, enabling patients to have a better chance at survival via early detection. A.I. has tremendous potential in health care and the medical sector.”

MR. MALIBU:

“From a technological view, the world’s first laser was invented right here in Malibu by Theodore Maiman in 1960 at Hughes Aircraft. Now 63 years

later, advanced laser systems will play a pivotal role in computer science, as computers will switch between zeros and ones a quadrillion times per second; a million times faster than today’s computers.

“In 1994, I envisioned a new way to bring insightful personality information and knowledge by way of a FUN, innocuous A.I.driven system called StarBrain projected as a holographic person simultaneously interacting with and providing intelligent answers to millions of people. But the tech to deliver it proved to be 30 years in the future. In 2016, I filed a patent for PsyC (which is also a holographic person: YOU). It acts as a mirror through which you can identify deep thought and emotional patterns in your psyche as their sources are revealed.”

STEPHEN:

“Many fear that A.I. will take over the world. Even if A.I. simulates ‘intelligence,’ it does not mean that it has a will or can ‘think’ outside of its programming parameters. I believe the

chances of A.I. forcibly taking over the world is quite slim.

“Ray Kurzweil, a leader in the school of thought that A.I. is a positive development, says we already are seriously integrated with computers. Our smartphones are small extensions of our ‘memory,’ helping us find locations and look up answers. Have we added to our intelligence with these smart devices? At the same time, we are physiologically integrated with nature and many studies show how we need sunlight and exposure to greenery and trees, which is correlated with good mental health. We can continue to explore integration with technology as long as we keep in mind our interdependence with nature and this planet. Overall, I think A.I. will be a positive development for humanity.”

Mr. Malibu’s high-profile events and celebrity interviews reach over 22 million on television, 500,000 via social media and nearly 4 million on YouTube. Visit MalibuHD.com and HeartAscent.com to learn more. Look for more Mr. Malibu chapters in next month’s issue.

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