Southbay Magazine - February/March 2016

The Endless Talent of Graphic Artist and Illustrator John Van Hamersveld. p. 94

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

WHERE WE LIVE 40 Q&A

48 Arts

Danny Zuker

Painter Dane Capo

43 Who Inspired Me

50 Media

Insta-Gratification

Initial Sparks

44 Style File

Monkey Business

52 Palate

Sausal in El Segundo

46 Street Smart

54 Arts

‘70s Swagger

50

Photographer Jill Sanders

48

56 Weekender

Denver Art Scene

58 Entrepreneurs

Brothers of Wicked+

60 Datebook

South Bay Events Calendar

62 Seen

Who’s Who Around Town

54

Also ....

124 Profiles

The South Bay’s Real Estate and Mortgage Leaders

On the Cover

Artist John Van Hamersveld Photographed by Jeff Berting

oursouthbay.com

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016, SOUTHBAY

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

94

FEATURES 78

Isn’t It Romantic?

A decadent dinner for two designed for a Valentine’s Day rendezvous.

82 Designed for Living

From total teardown to charming Manhattan Beach abode.

90 Center Stage

A grand homecoming for ballet superstar and San Pedro native Misty Copeland.

94 Endless Talent

John Van Hamersveld, the artist behind one of film’s most iconic posters, inks his legacy over a career of 40+ years.

100 Metropolis, Re-Imagined

How iconic architect Frank Gehry plans to reshape Los Angeles once again.

104 Encore Presentation

The South Bay Film Society brings seminal cinema to an appreciative audience.

108 State of the Arts

In light of budget cuts, are we doing enough to support local arts education?

114 Our Jazz Age

Musical milestones at the historical Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach.

118 Mexico Moderno

Immerse yourself in Mexico City’s thriving art scene.

118

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Advertiser Index Alison Clay-Duboff – Saltwater Properties, Inc............................ 135 Anheuser-Busch................................................................................107, C3 Bazille...............................................................................................................76 Beach Cities Mortgage Group.............................................................139 Belmont Village............................................................................................73 Brian Boyd, MD.............................................................................................47 Cake Bakeshop..........................................................................................107 Cell Life Medical.......................................................................................... 61 Chad Heitzler Fahlbusch – NW Real Estate...................................130 Chase Law Group...................................................................................... 26 Chris Adlam – Vista | Sotheby’s.........................................................142 Christine Petti, MD.................................................................................... 45 Coldwell Banker.........................................................................................150 Craft Beer Cellar..........................................................................................76 Cryo Wave......................................................................................................25 Edler | DeRenzis Group – Vista | Sotheby’s...................125, 128, 147 Forbes Corrales..........................................................................................151 Fred Astaire...................................................................................................75 Guzman Law Group....................................................................................13 Hammitt........................................................................................................... 4 Hot’s Kitchen.................................................................................................71 Hutchinson Dental.....................................................................................57 John Chuka – NW Real Estate.............................................................149 Kincaid’s.........................................................................................................77 Kristen Novoa – HOM Sotheby’s........................................................129 Kristin Egan, MD..........................................................................................38 Lily Liang – Strand Hill, Christie’s International RE......................144 LuAnn Development.................................................................................53 Manhattan Pacific Realty – Richard Haynes........................ 126, 152 Merit Real Estate – Rodman Amiri & Amir Amiri.........................136 Moss Adams Wealth Advisors............................................................... 16 Navigoe............................................................................................................31 Nev Productions.........................................................................................32 New American Funding, Inc.........................................................140, 146 NVISION.........................................................................................................72 ONEHOPE...................................................................................................... 10 Palos Verdes Art Center.......................................................................... 20 Palos Verdes Junior Womens Club..................................................... 65 Penta Water, LLC.........................................................................................14 PF Chang’s.................................................................................................... 113 Premier Business Bank.............................................................................33 Providence Foundation............................................................................35 Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.... 69 Redondo Mortgage Center................................................................... 137 Revive Wellness Centers...........................................................................51 Roberto Coin.................................................................................................. 5 Rusnak Maserati of South Bay.............................................................C4 Sandpipers....................................................................................................24 SEIA, LLC........................................................................................................34 Simply Tiles Design Center.....................................................................53 South Bay Aesthetics................................................................................27 Sports & Spine Orthopaedics...............................................................23 Stacked.......................................................................................................... 113 Summer Orthodontics..............................................................................71 Sumo Salad................................................................................................ 122 Terranea Resort.......................................................................................... C2 The Aesthetic Center................................................................................67 The Bathroom Store..................................................................................73 The Bay Club.................................................................................................. 7 The Circle Palos Verdes Art Center................................................... 122 The Gillespie-Host Group...................................................................... 133 The Inman Team – Keller Williams........................................... 138, 148 Thrill Athletics..............................................................................................28 Together Wine Co.......................................................................................72 Torrance Memorial Medical Center......................................................15 Tour de Pier....................................................................................................17 Treasures Interior Design, Inc.................................................................37 Trina Turk..........................................................................................................11 Trump National Golf Club.........................................................................6 UCLA Health................................................................................................. 19 Vista | Sotheby’s – Patty Sullivan....................................................... 132 Vista | Sotheby’s – Susan Boettner & Diana Turner...................134 von Hemert Interiors..................................................................................18 Watermark Home Loans........................................................................ 131 Women’s Council of Realtors – Courtney Self..............................153 Yoga Loft........................................................................................................87

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SOUTHBAY, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

oursouthbay.com

In this season of gratitude... we extend our heartfelt thanks to the many individuals whose passionate service to our ministry and community is a continual source of encouragement and inspiration.

We celebrate your commitment and offer our appreciation for the many gifts you bestow on us.

Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Community Ministry Board

Providence Little Company of Mary Foundation Board of Trustees

Officers

Officers

Chuck Miller - Board Chair John Armato, MD - Vice Chair Bob Gielow - Secretary

Directors

Mike Beaupre Jan Brandmeyer David Campisi, MD Sr. Renee Cunningham, LCM Sr. Lucille Dean, SP Amir Desai James French, MD Richard Fruin, Jr. Judy Gibson Suzi Gulcher Tom Hiatt Joanne Hunter Glen Komatsu, MD Jerry Kouzmanoff Sister Terrence Landini, LCM Steve Mohr Phyllis Monroe, MD James Scharffenberger, MD Jim Staes

Ex-Officio

Thomas Connaghan, Chair, PLCM Foundation Michele Del Vicario, MD, Chief of Staff, PLCMMC Torrance Mary Kingston, Chief Executive, South Bay Community Sameer Mistry, MD, Chief of Staff, PLCMMC San Pedro Terri Warren, Executive Director, Providence TrinityCare Hospice

Thomas Connaghan - Board Chair Sean Armstrong - Vice Chair James Hunter - Treasurer Yvonne Liu - Secretary

Trustees

Gustavo Amaral Anthony Arminio Richard Brombach Caroline Burke John Colich Paula Del Vicario Rex E. Fountain, Jr. Cynthia A. Hagelstein Shelley Joyce, RN Alex Kouzmanoff Sr. Terrence Landini, LCM Sandra Lash Betsy Miller James Mollenkamp, MD Stephan M. Morikawa Tracy C. Nickl Karen Olds Anne Norris Ozer, DDS Sr. Carol Pacini, LCM Mark Paullin Marilyn Prindle Rich Severa Kent Shoji, MD C. Edward Simpson III Patricia M. Sullivan Juan Torres Linda Wenglikowski

Rich Servera, Tom Connaghan, Hazel Breen and Chuck Miller

Judy Gibson and Mary Kingston Top Row: Sean Armstrong, Hazel Breen and Michelle Mollenkamp Seated: Jim Hunter, Joanne Hunter and Dr. James Mollenkamp

Marlene Young, Sean Armstrong and Hazel Breen

Mary Morikawa, Steve Morikawa and Mary Kingston

Ex-Officio

Michele Del Vicario, MD Mary Kingston Julie Mason Bruce Nelson Miles Shaw, MD Elizabeth Zuanich

Tom Connaghan, Patty Sullivan, James Lester and Tony Arminio

EDITOR’S LETTER

CONTRIBUTORS

Jennie Nunn WRITER “Center Stage”

California–based freelance writer Jennie is a former editor at magazines including 7x7, California Home+Design and most recently Sunset. A Palos Verdes native, her work has appeared in publications including The San Francisco Chronicle, AFAR, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, C Magazine, The Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, Luxe Interiors+Design and The Hollywood Reporter.

Artful Dodger

A

s a creative kid, I learned to love being alone. Not because I was some kind of social pariah or outcast (though I did kind of relish in my introverted status)­—but out of necessity. Like many artists, young or old, I thrived on solitude … and still do. In those quiet moments I could escape the noise of school, my parents, my younger brothers, and function in a world entirely my own. It was a safe space in which I could write poems, sketch characters, build models, mix music and even put on a few plays for unsuspecting babysitters.

As I got older and began working in film and theatre, I learned to appreciate the benefits of creative collaboration. But it’s those hushed moments at my desk in the morning when the house is still—or the long-distance drives where my mind starts to wander—that bring out the best in me creatively.

When do you find yourself most creative? I wonder where the amazing artists we feature in this issue do their best work. Does John Van Hamersveld see that explosive color in his studio, or does it radiate in the world around him? Does Misty Copeland feel her most powerful on stage in front of an audience, or does she find strength rehearsing in front of a mirror? Where does Frank Gehry find the inspiration for his magnificent structures? Don’t miss the backstories behind these incredible artists.

This issue we explore the vast talent pool right here in the South Bay, including interviews with a TV writer, painter, photographer, film buff, media masterminds and more. We’re especially excited to cover the subject of arts education courtesy of a great story by Michele Garber. She reached out to many local schools to learn the impact of budget cuts on these programs and ways they are keeping arts strong across the South Bay. Let’s make sure we give our creative kids a chance to explore their own sparks of brilliance now and in the future.

Kelly Dawson WRITER “Endless Talent”

Kelly is a freelance writer and a South Bay native. She contributes regularly to Southbay and writes weekly online stories for Dwell magazine. Her work has also appeared in Easy Reader News, Thrillist and Where Los Angeles, among others. Follow her on social media @ atthecrosswalk.

Elena Lacey ILLUSTRATOR “Metropolis, Re-imagined”

A graduate of Rice University in Houston, Elena spends her time designing, drawing and adventuring. She has experience working for HOUSTON Magazine and the Orange County Register and is a graphic designer with Moon Tide Media. Elena also does freelance illustration, which has been featured in places like the literary magazine Story Houston and collegehumor.com.

Darren Elms

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SOUTHBAY, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

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WHERE WE LIVE DEP | WHERE WE LIVE

Naturally Talented Redondo Beach photographer Jill Sanders displays her knack for outdoor photography at a new gallery in Riviera Village, page 54.

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WHERE WE LIVE | Q&A

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SOUTHBAY, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

oursouthbay.com

Q&A | WHERE WE LIVE

So A Guy Walks Into A House ...

INTERVIEWED BY

ZOË ALEXANDER

PHOTOGRAPHED BY

KAT MONK

Danny Zuker wanted to write jokes from an early age. Through a family connection, he was able to watch the last wave of Borscht Belt comics work in the Catskills in the early ‘70s. After college he worked steadily on such shows as The Arsenio Hall Show, Just Shoot Me! and Roseanne.

But eight years ago, like many in the entertainment industry, Danny found himself at a crossroads when the Writers Guild went on strike.

How did you go from strike to Modern Family?

When I started in comedy there were probably 40 sitcoms on network

oursouthbay.com

Comedy writer Danny Zuker makes Manhattan Beach his retreat from a busy career writing for TV’s Modern Family.

television. By the time of the strike there were seven. I went a year without working. We almost lost this house; it was scary.

I was all set to reinvent myself as a drama writer. And then Steve [Steve Levitan and Christopher Lloyd cocreated Modern Family] called me in for a pilot.

I watched a rough cut, and it was the best comedy pilot I’d ever seen. I thought, “I have to work on this.”

It changed my life. At 45 I thought I was out of the business, and at 51 I had five Emmys. I appreciate it so much.

I don’t think any of us knew it was going to be as beloved as it is.

Speaking of family, how did yours make its way the South Bay? Like every other comedy writer, I thought I should look north of Montana or Pacific Palisades. But I wasn’t raised around show business, and I liked that the South Bay wasn’t too “show-bizzy.”

I noticed this house and thought it was pretty, and someone said, “Shaquille O’Neal’s renting that house.” I said, “Cool, let me know if it comes up.”

I made all of one

good investment in my life; I bought property in the South Bay in 1998. So it’s singularly the only good investment I’ve ever made.

That first Halloween that I was the owner of

exactly the same age as the three actors who play Alex, Manny and Luke (Ariel Winter, Rico Rodriguez and Nolan Gould); they’re all 17. I always said it was fun to watch the kids who cost

It changed my life. At 45 I thought I was out of the business, and at 51 I had five Emmys. I DON’T THINK ANY OF US KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE AS BELOVED AS IT IS.” the house‑not Shaquille O’Neal‑you’ve never seen so many disappointed children when I came to the door. I love it here. I know my neighbors; I feel a part of this town. And obviously it’s beautiful.

I understand your daughters are getting ready to go to college?

They are. I have twin 17-year-old girls. I just came from a college interview with one of them. They’re deciding. [Danny also has a 14-year-old son who is a freshman at Mira Costa.]

Do your kids’ friends wonder if they inspire the characters or situations on the show?

Yeah, what’s funny is that my daughters are

me money grow up with the kids who make me money. They’ve enjoyed it, and they like coming out to the set.

Do you and your wife plan to stay here when you retire?

I travel around, and this is one of my favorite places to be on earth. I look out a window and see a palm tree—and even though I’ve lived in California for more then half of my life, I still feel like the kid from New Jersey that likes that palm tree and what it represents. 

Danny recently completed writing his 21st episode of Modern Family. He is also an avid tweeter … you can you can follow him at @DannyZuker.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016, SOUTHBAY

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“C hildren are our most valuable resource.”

- President Herbert Hoover

The LA25 Foundation for the Arts Photographed by Peter Cooper

This April, we’ll introduce an array of local businesses and schools devoted to making the South Bay a better place for our children.Whether you’re on the hunt for exemplary education programs, well-qualified doctors or summer fun, Southbay magazine has you covered in our annual All About Kids section.

ALL ABOUT KIDS

310.376.7800 | oursouthbay@moontidemedia.com | oursouthbay.com

WHO INSPIRED ME | WHERE WE LIVE

Initial Sparks

We asked a few local creative types to share with us the art or artist that helped influence and inspire their own career paths.

“When I was in my first year of architecture studies at the Southern California Institute of Architecture, I did a case study project on the Kappe House in Pacific Palisades, designed by Raymond Kappe, FAIA, for his own family in 1967. After 40 years of practice, I now know that everything that I know and believe about architecture is incorporated in that one building—a masterpiece of Southern California architecture.”

— Dean Nota, architect

ALL ABOUT KIDS

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“One of the many people who has and continues to inspire me as a photographer is film director Sergio Leone. I always loved the compositions and cinematography of his films.”

— Jeff Berting, photographer

“‘The Fragile’ by Nine Inch Nails was beautiful, complex, angry and oddly hopeful—the perfect bridge between everything I wanted to leave behind in college and everything I wanted to accomplish afterwards. Trent Reznor has become a master of reinvention, and he’s a Tony Award away from the E.G.O.T. (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony).”

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The finest professionals in the South Bay FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016, SOUTHBAY

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WHERE WE LIVE | STYLE FILE

Monkey Business The Chinese Zodiac’s playful primate welcomes 2016.

Clockwise from top right: Cross special edition “Year of Monkey” ballpoint pen, $300. cross.com Glass Menagerie Monkey on Post by Jonathan Adler, $298. jonathanadler.com Mini Mozart the Monkey plush toy, $44; Bella Beach Kids in Manhattan Beach and The Point. bellabeachkids.com Swarovski Kiki the Monkey figurine, $65; Swarovski Boutique at Del Amo Fashion Center. swarvoski.com Estée Lauder “Year of the Monkey” powder compact, $150; Nordstrom at Del Amo Fashion Center. nordstrom.com Curious George Classic Collection by H.A. Rey, $39.99; {pages} a bookstore in Manhattan Beach. pagesabookstore.com Monkey Straw in sterling silver by Tiffany & Co., $350. tiffany.com Monkey Charm by Marion Cage, $90; Gum Tree in Hermosa Beach. gumtreela.com

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SOUTHBAY, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

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WHERE WE LIVE | STREET SMART

Creative License Our talented Southbay graphic designers don funky finds with a ‘70s flair, proving that the best trends always deserve a comeback.

WHO: Elena Lacey and Christine Georgiades LOCATION: Smoky Hollow, El Segundo ON ELENA: Polka dot dress by Dress Forum, $53.99, and faux fur vest, $58.99; No Rest for Bridget at The Point in El Segundo. Boho Bag by Coach, $495; Nordstrom at Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance. Leather boots by Frye, $329; Gigi Shoes in Manhattan Village.

ON CHRISTINE: Maroon dress by Rory Beca, $180, and grey cardigan by Somedays Lovin, $98; Beach and Beverly in Hermosa Beach. Skinny scarf by ASOS, $11; asos.com. Sunglasses, $5.90; at Forever 21 at the South Bay Galleria in Redondo Beach.

STYLED BY HELEN

RAY

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN

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SOUTHBAY, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

PRESSEY

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MY MANY FACES

BY CAROL BRYAN

I have had many faces. Growing up, my physical appearance became an asset that opened many doors and became my main source of income. I started modeling at the age of sixteen and also worked in the beauty industry. I had a beautiful daughter, a successful husband, and a loving and supportive family. From the outside looking in, it must have seemed like I had it all, but looking back now I see that my life was lacking so much. I have come to realize how truly deceiving looks can be and how precious every moment of life is. This realization took time and perseverance, but now I see that I was rescued and given new life, and I am certain that God was my hero.

In late 2009 fillers, intended as preventative aging measures, were injected into areas of my face. These procedures resulted in my face expanding, contracting, and becoming distorted.

Once the initial damage was done, I was no longer able to go out in public. Corrective procedures worsened the damage, until one day, it was so bad I needed to hide my face - not only from the world, but also from my family and friends.

After four frightening years of isolation and emotional and physical pain, in 2013, my daughter finally had enough of the secrecy, and brought me back to the world to get help. She and a friend reached out to teaching hospitals all over the country, but only one would take my case. Dr. Reza Jarrahy, Co-director of the UCLA Craniofacial Clinic, of the UCLA Face Transplant Program, and Associate Professor at UCLA, with amazing compassion, assured me that he would help, but made me fully aware that there were unknown risks. My case was unprecedented. I quickly realized I had to put my trust in him. Dr. Jarrahy made me feel safe, at a time when I was so scared, felt so isolated and was extremely tired. He consulted with a panel of doctors, sharing my story and seeking assistance with the required surgeries. Only a single doctor

was up for the challenge: one of the country’s most renowned microvascular surgeons, United States and Canada Board Certified plastic surgeon, Dr. J. Brian Boyd. Dr. Boyd is a Professor of Surgery with the David Geffen School of Medicine at U.C.L.A. and Chief of Plastic Surgery at Harbor-U.C.L.A. Medical Center. Dr. Boyd is a highly skilled expert and has over 25 years experience in microsurgery. He specializes in breast reconstruction and aesthetic surgery, as well. Dr. Boyd is compassionate and goes above and beyond to help others, even against all odds! That is what makes Dr. Boyd extraordinary. This team of surgeons truly worked miracles. If it weren’t for their vast knowledge and expertise, I would still be wearing head scarves and holding the skin of my forehead up in order to see out of my left eye. I would still be afraid to leave my home. Despite all their most careful efforts, however, the initial surgery left me blind in my right eye; there could have been worse complications, so ultimately I am lucky to have only lost half my vision.

My road to recovery has been an extremely bumpy road, filled with unknown risks, anxiety, and fear. Somehow, in facing these challenges, I was able to find within myself a courage and tenacity I never knew I had. I realize how unsatisfied I was. I was lonely. I was weak. I was unhappy. I had no idea what my purpose was in life. How is it that I feel better about myself now, than I ever did then? I learned how to open up and ask for help, and appreciate the love and support of my family and the many trauma therapists, the mental health professionals, and alternative therapies that have been made available to me. And it has taught me lessons about what beauty is and how important it is to show one’s true inner self to the world. Sadly, it wasn’t until I couldn’t recognize myself that I realized true beauty begins on the inside.

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WHERE WE LIVE | ARTS

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SOUTHBAY, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

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ARTS | WHERE WE LIVE

Life in Color Despite struggles with epilepsy and autism, Hermosa Beach’s Dane Capo successfully turns artistic expression into a rewarding business.

WRITTEN BY AMBER

KLINCK |

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MONICA

OROZCO

B

old and vibrant pops of color are scattered throughout the Capos’ Hermosa Beach home, accentuated further by walls of son Dane’s artwork. The 20-year-old artist has been painting for four years, with a primary focus on portraits ranging from the local crossing guard to The Beatles.

Images of Einstein, Matisse and Bob Dylan commingle with distant cousins of Dane’s, chromatic pandas and a larger-than-life sailor.

“One day Dane just decided to start painting, and that’s where he came from,” explains Dane’s mom, Krista Capo, pointing to a portrait of Matisse hanging on the family room wall.

When asked about his inspiration, Dane mentions “a tall grandmother who was an artist,” adding that his older sister, Alex, paints as well. Krista notes that the “tall grandmother” was her mother, and that most of Dane’s initial art supplies were originally hers before she passed.

According to Krista, her mother’s artistic genes skipped a generation. “I can’t paint or draw to save my life,” she says. “But it comes so naturally for [Dane].”

Diligent in his craft, Dane is consistently working in his studio, adding to his collection of paintings. “Sometimes I decide to paint every day; sometimes I paint [a few] times a week,” he notes.

When asked how long it takes to complete a painting, Dane replies, “It always depends on the size”—with larger works taking as long as two weeks.

Having begun as a natural inclination—a hobby, Dane’s interest in art has evolved into shows in Downtown LA, aspirations of opening his own gallery and reproductions of his artwork—from postcards to socks, available for purchase on his website.

“We’re working to create a business that’s based around his talent and his gifts,” Krista says, “because 90% of people with disabilities are unemployed.”

For Dane, who was diagnosed with a form of epilepsy at 10 months old and autism at the age of 5, artistic expression comes in many forms … in his paintings, yes, but also through his love of film.

“When I graduate [Dane was recently accepted into The Los Angeles Film School], I’m thinking about being a second unit director, cinematographer or main unit director, first unit director, producer or art director,“ he says. “But I would still continue painting.”

Dane’s studio—an impressive add-on located above the Capos’ garage—was originally built as an in-home classroom. Today it serves as his working space and houses many of his original pieces of art.

“I sell reproductions and bags, and cards, and magnets, and socks … and I’m thinking about having coffee cups made,” Dane says. But

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We’re working to create A BUSINESS THAT’S BASED AROUND HIS TALENT AND HIS GIFTS, because 90% of people with disabilities are unemployed.” he won’t sell any of his originals. “I just want to keep them.”

This February marks the “one-year anniversary since we started this crazy journey,” Krista notes. When he’s not painting in his studio or meeting with his mentor—artist and owner of Blindspot Gallery in Downtown Los Angeles, Denny Bales—Dane spends his Sundays riding the train and heading to the Hollywood Farmers Market, which (added bonus) happens to be near Dane’s new school.

With big dreams of owning his own gallery, a year of selling his work under his belt and more artistic study ahead, Dane has a lot on his plate. Ambition and talent go a long way, however, and Dane speaks about his endeavors with a cool optimism—like anything and everything is possible. Of course, having the immeasurable support of a loving family always helps, and Dane certainly has that. l

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016, SOUTHBAY

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WHERE WE LIVE | MEDIA

Insta-Gratification Check out a few of our favorite Instagram curators in the world of style and design.

▼

EM_HENDERSON A former HGTV Design Star winner, bestselling author and incredible home stylist, the bright and pretty Emily Henderson recently became a Target Home Expert.

The Los Angeles-based designer often posts images of current and past work, as well as some from her talented friends.

SIZEMORENICK If you obsess about what Pantone will pick as “Color of the Year,” this is a mustfollow. A senior director of visual merchandising for Lacoste, Nick Sizemore took on a pet project and began matching real items to Pantone color chips. The result is a spectrum of fancy and fun.

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PRESTONKONRAD New York-based stylist Preston Konrad can also been seen on television programs flaunting his killer gentleman style. His daily posts from the urban jungle to international beaches offer a fresh and current look at the direction of menswear. He also posts where to buy his selected items, a plus for impulsive shoppers.

THEKAYAGIRL Our own fashion stylist Tanya Monaghan brings her take on South Bay style to the smartphone screen. A former editor of Glamour in South Africa, her uncanny eye for new trends and perfect pairings has made her a go-to for the style-savvy women of the area.

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KELLY’S PHOTO BY FRED MOSER; EMILY’S PHOTO BY MARK CARRIERO FOR DARLING MAGAZINE

▼

KELLYGOLIGHTLY If Palm Springs were to crown an ambassador to chic desert style, Ms. Golightly would be queen. “A style guide for the modern-day Audrey Hepburn,” her glamorously polished posts are a slice of pure Old Hollywood jet set.

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WHERE WE LIVE | PALATE

219 Main Street, El Segundo, 310-322-2721, sausal.com

Authentic Appeal

I

Chef Anne Conness’ traditional Rancho Redondo fare shines at Sausal in El Segundo.

WRITTEN BY BONNIE PHOTOGRAPHED BY

don’t typically read restaurant reviews, even though I write them on occasion. I prefer to form my own opinion and am particularly distrustful of sites like Yelp, where every diner is a sudden and self-appointed food critic. That said, I do voraciously read Amazon product reviews before I’d ever dream of purchasing something. What gives?

When you’re evaluating a restaurant, you’re evaluating a team. It’s not a product … it’s a suite of services, and you need to experience it in person to judge it. At El Segundo’s Sausal, there is much to compliment, particularly Chef Anne Conness’ inspired cooking. Unfortu-

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GRAVES

ANDREA BRICCO

nately, the complementary services don’t match the caliber of her food.

I turned to Yelp for the first time for some crowd-sourced affirmation. Was it a fluke to wait 20 minutes to be greeted by our server?

Was it just me or did it then truly take nearly 35 minutes to get water and two cocktails delivered?

We were nearly an hour into time at the table and had not yet had an opportunity to order food. This was on a slow Sunday night at 5:30 p.m. How many people did we flag down for water refills before one hapless busboy finally took pity and hydrated us?

Simply put, the restaurant is very inefficiently managed. The bar is

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PALATE | WHERE WE LIVE

understaffed and is incredibly slow on cocktail preparation. The table service is disinterested at best, neglectful at worst. It was disappointing. On this point, there seems to be a consensus both online and offline.

But on to Anne’s food here, which she describes as an homage to the old Rancho Sausal Redondo (“Round Willow Ranch”) that dominated the South Bay in frontier times. It’s a culinary map of Mexico-meets-Spain, with Throwback Thursday touches like beef and goat birria. This deeply satisfying stew, served with some excellent tortillas, made me yearn for a serape, a campfire and a comrade named Pancho instead of, well, Adrian.

Any authentic Mexican joint better give a go at mole, and Anne’s red mole braised lamb was good, good, good … warm, complex and even better when I ate the leftovers for lunch the following day. More modern menu touches like the spiced cauliflower huarache appeal to contemporary diners, as I don’t think the old Sausal ranchers would think much of vegetarian “sandals.”

A trio of excellent salsas accompanies the break-apart tortilla chips, which we ate like savages when they finally arrived. Nods to the Baja side of things include a mixed ceviche of Mexican white shrimp, calamari and unidentified fish, as well as beerbattered crispy fish tacos.

A word on tacos: At Sausal, they’re really quite good. One could have a lovely and substantially more strategic meal on these alone at the bar, ideally with faster drink and food delivery times. My kids loved the grilled chicken adobo duo, and the beef brisket barbacoa were out of this world.

Pair tacos with a sipping flight of some very good tequilas, mezcals and magueys—sangrita chaser included—and pass on the weird stuff like “L.A. Pink” (gin, lemon, strawberry) or the bourbon-spiked eggnog. Sausal has two nice exclusive microbrews and some great stuff on tap too.

Wines adhere to the “if it comes from a Spanish-speaking country, we’ll try it.” Hence the Mexican nebbiolo and the Patagonian pinot.

It’s a decent effort, even if some of the wines are underwhelming.

Anne Conness is a talented chef who cooks with authenticity and heart. In order for Sausal to have the success her talent merits, they need to rethink the dining room sequence of service. Someone needs to be in charge, and the entire staff needs to be reinvigorated and retrained.

Our server was apathetic about the food and seemed vaguely annoyed we were there. Food of this caliber deserves a staff that’s excited to sell it and serve it. With the rise of better restaurants all over the South Bay, it’s no longer OK to skimp on service. 

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WHERE WE LIVE | ARTS

Behind the Pretty Pictures A local landscape photographer captivates the South Bay with a new gallery in Redondo Beach.

WRITTEN BY

ALINA OROZCO |

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN

N

PRESSEY

estled between eateries and boutique shops on South Catalina Avenue is the newly opened fine art gallery GalleryJS. It’s hard to miss this addition to the Riviera Village. The bright space showcases Jill Sanders’ photography (hence the JS moniker), while the mesmerizing images displayed have the power to stop folks dead in their tracks and transport them to the seemingly magical snapshots of landscapes.

Foot traffic jams aside, Jill swears there aren’t any tricks here. No impressive acrobatics, climbing maneuvers or aerial stunts were performed when capturing the enchanting landscapes peppered on the left side of the gallery. (The right side belongs to another talented

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artist, Joshua Serafin.) Instead Jill wants you to know all this beauty is accessible to you, if you would just get out of your car.

In actuality the process is much more thorough than simply leaving your vehicle and tracking a few miles into the wild. Jill pays attention to things ordinary people may take for granted. Light, weather, seasons and most importantly the artists’ own emotions play a large role in the terrain Jill chooses to photograph.

The preparation is serious, with several apps that track weather patterns, surf forecasts, sunset and sunrises. Beyond venturing out under the perfect weather conditions to create the composition, it’s finding the soul of the moment that is most significant to her. Each

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ARTS | WHERE WE LIVE

time Jill hauls the camera equipment to a pre-designated spot, it isn’t a job but rather a spiritual journey.

Perhaps it was her unconventional upbringing. Jill was raised by three elderly great aunts and her maternal grandparents after her mother was afflicted with MS and became wheelchair bound.

This, compounded by an anxiety disorder and a battle with a brain tumor in her 20s, created a lifelong urge to explore the world, cherish each moment and make everyday an adventure.

“I was determined to try and do everything that I could,” explains Jill. Picking up a camera at an early age was a natural transition to sharing the beauty beyond the doorstep, and one that has helped Jill overcome the great adversity she was faced with so early in life.

“I am in a meditative place,” she reflects, admitting that her best images are captured when she is alone. “I’m emotional, and I allow myself to feel everything. I am the one living person standing here, and it’s truly a gift.”

It isn’t the ideal weather conditions or expert composition— although both are flawlessly executed—that mesmerize people but the transformative experience and the emotions felt when gazing at the landscapes Jill has captured. Whether a colossal wave at the Wedge, a moment of solitude under the Pier or a snapshot of the magical greenery along the trails in Oregon, what resonates isn’t simply a pretty photograph but the combustion of emotions one feels looking at nature.

“The greatest compliment to me is not when people say it’s a pretty picture, but when they feel something,” says Jill. Judging from the flurry of people who stop and stare, she has accomplished just that. l

The greatest compliment to me is not when people say it’s a pretty picture, but WHEN THEY FEEL SOMETHING.”

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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016, SOUTHBAY

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DENVER ART MUSEUM EXTERIOR PHOTOS BY JEFF WELLS; FOOD PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE NICKEL.

WHERE WE LIVE | WEEKENDER

Denver Rising Buoyed by a booming population, Colorado’s capital city enjoys a welcomed cultural renaissance.

WRITTEN BY

DARREN ELMS

M

uch like the smaller but buzzworthy metros of Portland and Austin, the city of Denver has drawn its fair share of commercial and residential interest in recent years. A well-maintained, accessible city just east of the Rocky Mountains’ Front Range, the 21st most populist U.S. city is a hotbed of new business and young talent mixed with a western entrepreneurial spirit … a good recipe for success now and in years to come. It’s no surprise that the cultural landscape has profited handsomely from this spurred economy, bringing with it a fresh audience and enthusiasm.

The anchor of artistic enterprise since the early ‘80s has been the Denver Art Museum, located downtown. The largest between Chicago and the West Coast, this museum hosts more than 70,000 works of art divided between 10 permanent collections including African, American Indian, Asian, European and American, modern and contemporary, pre-Columbian, photography, Spanish Colonial, textile and western American art. Ten years ago the venue doubled in size with the addition of the visually impressive Frederic C. Hamilton Building, which includes new galleries for its permanent collection, three temporary exhibition spaces, art storage and public amenities. The entire museum complex

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now totals more than 350,000 square feet and serves as an architectural landmark for the city of Denver and the surrounding region. (100 W. 14th Avenue Parkway, 720-865-5000, denverartmuseum.org) Across from the museum, The Art mirrors its neighbor’s modern edge and looks to draw an equally curious crowd. This ambitious hotel fills its shared and private spaces with new works of art, creating its own museum feel in a hyper-contemporary setting. All the pieces are properly marked and referenced to complete the gallery-like experience.

(1201 Broadway, 303-572-8000, thearthotel.com) Other cultural institutions that should not be missed include the History Colorado Center, Clyfford Still Museum, the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Children’s Museum of Denver.

If your artistic inclinations steer toward the audible, Denver is located near one of the coolest music venues in the West. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is not only a breathtaking natural wonder, it’s also an incredible place to watch a starry concert in the summer season. Take a walk through the museum and witness the talent that’s played here over the last decades—you’ll understand the magic. (18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison, 720-865-2494, redrocksonline.com) 

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WHERE WE LIVE | ENTREPRENEURS

Wicked Cool

First with a creative agency and now retail, the brothers Cooley take their unique brand of storytelling to a wider audience.

WRITTEN BY STEFAN

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SOUTHBAY, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

SLATER |

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KREMER

JOHNSON

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ENTREPRENEURS | WHERE WE LIVE

“W

e’ve always followed a mix of passion and opportunity,” says Colin Cooley, co-founder with Brian Cooley of Wicked+, a creative agency and marketing and design firm based in Hermosa Beach. Storytelling, the two point out, is the driving force behind the business.

Together the brothers share a love for design, public relations and revealing a brand’s many layers. According to the duo, they take on a new client because they believe in the brand’s story or message.

A couple years ago the Cooleys took that personal concept a step further with the “modern-day general store” Wicked+ and a brand new store launched in 2014, Beach & Beverly—a women’s clothing boutique.

Both stores feature clothing and everyday products that they, or their families, personally enjoy or derive inspiration from.

The Cooley brothers grew up in Florida, and they note that their father—a salesman specializing in semi-truck parts and accessories—was an enormous influence. He was, as Brian puts it, a “one-man shop for 20+ years,” and his views on owning a business and salesmanship profoundly impacted the Cooley brothers’ career choices. In the late ‘90s, after their father’s passing, the two decided to start their own business.

Colin, who at the time was a corporate attorney, wanted to leave the legal field and explore the entertainment industry. During law school, he notes, many of his friends were musicians. He saw that “a lot of bands were trying to make it and market themselves.”

So in 1999, he and Brian—a former municipal bonds trader and advertising executive—started Wicked PR in Atlanta, Georgia, with the main focus of marketing music acts, bands and music events.

After delving into the music industry, the two began to broaden their business, taking new public relations opportunities as they came, even if they were outside their traditional zones of expertise. As long as the opportunity was interesting and the brand or client’s story was engaging, they took it on. From representing poker professionals to working with clients in the food industry (such as Johnsonville Foods and Krystal), the clients varied widely.

“We’ve always been drawn to people and brands we liked and the stories they told,” says Colin. “If we liked their story and we thought we were the best person to tell their story, then we found them appealing.”

Eventually the brothers transitioned away from the music scene and became a more public relationsdriven company and creative agency. In the 2000s they changed the company’s name to Wicked+ and delved into blogging, web design and content creation.

They relocated to the South Bay and continued to take on clients they believed in. They’ve since developed marketing for luxury real estate brokerage The

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Agency and have ongoing business with Terranea Resort, the World Poker Tour, Partners Trust and restaurants like Día de Campo and Little Sister.

The business took an experimental turn when the brothers decided to open Wicked+ in 2011 on Pier Avenue in Hermosa. At one point, they note, the company used the site of the current store as an office space. They usually left the front door open, which led to passersby popping in and treating the office like a store.

“People started walking in and saying, ‘How much is this chair? This lamp?’” says Brian. So the two decided to change the office into an actual retail space, stocking it with items they found inspirational or aesthetically pleasing.

We’ve always been drawn to people and brands we liked and the stories they told. If we liked their story and WE THOUGHT WE WERE THE BEST PERSON TO TELL THEIR STORY, then we found them appealing.”

“The common thread is that they’re all everyday essentials,” says Brian, noting that the compact store carries a range of items, from shaving accessories to shoes. The creative agency often doesn’t represent the brands the store carries, but the brothers simply enjoying showcasing items that they find unique or pleasing.

The store carries Deus Ex Machina apparel, Baxter of California shave accessories and skin care products, Bar Nine coffee, Topo Ranch clothing and more.

With a general store decidedly male-centric, the brothers opened Beach & Beverly, also on Pier Avenue, for women. The shop offers women’s clothing from brands such as For Love & Lemons and Apolis, along with other products such as bath and home accessories.

The brothers, who both live in Hermosa with their families, are happy to keep sharing their clients’ stories with the world and the South Bay. Both Brian and Colin feel Wicked+ and its stores fit nicely within the community.

The South Bay as a whole, they say, is warm and family-friendly, and they find the area’s approachable vibe to be inspirational. In fact, thanks to the South Bay’s easygoing nature, it’s all too common to drum up a new PR opportunity while chatting with a customer in the general store.

“You never know who’s going to walk through that door,” says Colin, gesturing at the Wicked+ general store’s door. “Especially when you live somewhere as great as here and you have celebrities, CEOs and company founders just walking in.” l

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016, SOUTHBAY

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WHERE WE LIVE | DATEBOOK

LOVE, LANES & LUNACY March 12

Walk With Sally’s Bowl-A-Thon The ninth annual “Superhero Edition” invites costumed teams to battle it out on the lanes in an important fundraiser for the local mentorship program.

Palos Verdes Bowl, walkwithsally.org March 22–May 1

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Coming direct from New York with the 2014 Tony Award® for Best Musical, this rollicking tale of inheritance and homicide will surely slay you in the aisles.

Ahmanson Theatre, centertheatregroup.com

February 6 “Music and Memories” Gala In support of Palos Verdes Performing Arts 5:30 p.m., Harlyne J. Norris Pavilion, palosverdesperformingarts.com

20 iHeart ‘80s Party

Featuring Tears for Fears, Culture Club and Billy Idol 7:30 p.m., LA Forum, fabulousforum.com

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DRESSED TO KILL Above: A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder Right: Walk With Sally’s Bowl-A-Thon

21–May 22 Experience 20: Plan

El Segundo Museum of Art, esmoa.org

26–28 Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Presented by 3D Theatricals Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 3dtshow.com

March 4–5 Designs for Dining

St. Francis Episcopal Church, stfrancispalosverdes.org

11 M-Pact, pop-jazz vocal group 8 p.m., James Armstrong Theatre, torrancearts.org

12 PV Juniors’ “Luck Be a Lady” Trump National Golf Club, pvjuniors.org

22 St. Patrick’s Day Golf Tournament Los Verdes Country Club, sbpoliceandfire.com

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Fabian A Proano, MD

www.celllifemedical.com

310.443.3600

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Southbay Celebrates the Holidays: A Red Carpet Affair presented by Del Amo Fashion Center Southbay magazine celebrated the holidays with a red carpet bash at the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance.

Thanks to Nev Productions, our readers grooved to classic tunes from Take Off, a nine-piece live jazz band, and took photos in the glittering photo booth.

Guests enjoyed gourmet bites from Bazille, Stacked, Frida Mexican Cuisine, SumoSalad, P.F. Chang’s and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. The unveiling of the Del Amo Fashion Center was toasted with ONEHOPE Wine, Stella Artois brews and Chill Mules made with Just Chill. A special thanks to Penta for providing the purified bottled water. The festivities would have not been possible without friends at Choura Events, VOX DJs and Floret Cadet.

STACKED’s Paul Motenko and Nanette McWhertor

Frida Mexican Cuisine

Becky Davidson, Alison Clay-Duboff, Brittany, Adriana Ferreira

Frida Mexican Cuisine staff Terri Zajec and Angela Sheldon

SumoSalad buffet table

Dessert from Bazille

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Joey Farrales and Lisa Mule

Take Off

Santa and Danielle Price

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Del Amo Fashion Center created a lively party venue.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TRACY BRESHEARS, JP CORDERO AND BRANDON LAKE

Maggie Serkes, Kerry Shaffner, Jordan Fenn, Kelsey, Tara Gallagher, Shanna Shryne, Jill Teeples

Renee Uloa-McDonald wins grand prize.

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Torrance Memorial Holiday Festival

A sold-out high-fashion runway show kicked off festivities at Torrance Memorial’s weeklong 32nd annual Holiday Festival. The show featured creations by designer Mi Long Lee of the women’s luxury line Emmelle.

Festivities included a Friday night dinner gala, including a silent and live auction under the Holiday Festival tent.

Ron Santarosa, Kathy Santarosa, Carla Zanino, Walt Zanino

Jacquie Leimbach, Randi Dauchot, Allison Mayer, Kathy Goldstein, Patti Lynch, Lisa Templeton

Michel Rouse, Nancy Rouse, Sherry Kramer, Ian Kramer, MD

Nina Tarnay, Judith Gassner, Laura Schenasi

Jennifer Morgan, Allison Mayer, Ellen Smith, Kim Brothers, Randy Dauchot

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Adriana Popovich, Chelsea Gaudenti, Christine Gaudenti

Kelli Piken, Nadine Bobit, Linda Perry, Nina Tarnay

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Luck Be a Lady

A Las Vegas-style evening of sophisticated glamour and glitz 58 years of caring and sharing to benefit local philanthropies supported by the Palos Verdes Junior Women’s Club

SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2016 6:00 PM ~ MIDNIGHT TRUMP NATIONAL GOLF CLUB RANCHO PALOS VERDES DINNER, DANCING, ENTERTAINMENT, CASINO, SILENT AND LIVE AUCTIONS. $215.00 PER PERSON ~ $240.00 AFTER MARCH 1 ~ LIMITED TO 250 GUESTS FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS VISIT WWW.PVJUNIORS.ORG

Program advertising and sponsorships also available

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Sandpipers Holiday Homes Tour

Sandpipers showcased four distinctive homes in the South Bay for the 23rd annual tour. Each home was festively decorated for the holidays with the help of local interior designers and florists.

The Holiday Homes Tour attracted more than 2,000 patrons and raised more than $80,000 for Sandpipers’ philanthropic programs.

Barry Fisher, Kathy Fisher, Rosalie Haglund, Sarah Winfrey

Leah Obegi, Angela Dax, Erin Fagerlind, Betty Wilber, Sonya Emerson

Alexandra Duda, Santa, Jennifer Buchsbaum

The Dickens Christmas Carolers

Baby2Baby Fashion Show Bella Beach Kids presented a fashion show with young fashions on display at Shade Hotel.

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Palos Verdes Junior Women’s Club Holiday Fundraiser

The Palos Verdes Junior Women’s Club annual holiday luncheon and shopping boutique took place at the Doubletree San Pedro in December. “It’s A Wonderful Life” was the theme of the festive fundraiser, which benefitted South Bay women and children in crisis.

Paula Mannion-Farrow, Amy Shapiro, Zoe Smitham, Aly Moulton, Marielle Sandler, Nadia Elgrably

Bedford Falls Belles entertainers

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Carla Duhovic, Rosanne Duhovic, Angela Felix, Louisa Saluzzi, Anna Duhovic

Jane Lau, Cathy Salerno, Cheryl Benesh, Sue Shepard

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JAY ROBERTS

Sally Harris and Mitra Evans

Linda Snell

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von Hemert Interiors Anniversary Party

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JERI KOEGEL

von Hemert Interiors recently celebrated 95 years of their family business, now run by Carrie and Kelly von Hemert. The sisters, who still clock in every day, represent the fourth generation to run the family’s home furnishings and interior design business.

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Southbay Celebrates Barrera & Associates’ 25 Years of Service

Southbay magazine celebrated a milestone with its longtime partner in business Pat Barrera at the Bo Bridges Gallery in Manhattan Beach. Guests enjoyed gourmet bites from Kincaid’s and a delicious dessert bar by Cake Bakeshop.

Toasts in honor of the 25 years Barrera & Associates have provided professional legal services were made possible by Together Wine Co. and Craft Beer Cellar.

A special thanks to Penta for providing the purified bottled water and friends at VOXDJs and Floret Cadet for adding finishing touches to an inspiring evening.

DJ Eddie from VOXDJs

Cake Bakeshop dessert bar

Pat Barrera sharing memories

Craft Beer Cellar IPA

Tim O’Connor, Bo Bridges, Pat Barrera, Monica Gonzalez

Silvia Wong and Aarti McDonald

The Barrera family

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Reggie Thomas of Kincaid’s, Lindsay Skorupa, Derek Poole

Flowers by Floret Cadet

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It’s Time to Love Your Smile Call to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation

310.545.0770 Summer Blake DDS, MS

Follow us on Facebook

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Metlox Plaza 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Ste. D-224 Manhattan Beach, California 90266

www.summerorthodontics.com

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LASIK for the Active South Bay Lifestyle...

Yes, it’s that easy.

Check out this real patient experience: “…the whole process was far easier than I could have even imagined…..I was in the operating chair less than 10 minutes. It was over. I could see, though a bit hazy, and no pain at all. I even took a picture with Dr. Lusby….The next day I was in my regular doctor’s office getting the [eye] shields removed and my eyes checked. I could see perfectly. ‘You’re good to go,’ he said, patting me on the back. ‘That’s it?’ I replied.

Yes, that’s really it.”

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Our renowned surgeons use the latest laser technology for remarkable results.

Franklin Lusby, M.D. Dr. Franklin Lusby is the Medical Director and Chief of Surgery at NVISION, Torrance. He has performed over 65,000 refractive procedures including all-laser custom LASIK and PRK surgeries.

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He specializes in LASIK and cataract surgery with an expertise implanting various intraocular lenses.

- NVISION Torrance and local South Bay Patient

Call for a FREE LASIK consultation

877.916.8474

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23550 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 220, Torrance, CA www.NVISIONCenters.com/Torrance

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Kaiser Permanente Grand Opening

Kaiser Permanente celebrated the grand opening of their new Manhattan Beach medical offices. The innovation-driven space includes a pharmacy, nurse clinic, X-ray, lab services, video appointments and primary care.

Distinctive Residential Settings | Chef-Prepared Dining and Bistro Premier Health and Wellness Programs | Award-Winning Memory Care Professionally Supervised Therapy and Rehabilitation Services Assembly member David Hadley, Council member Wayne Powell, Mayor Mark Burton, Lesley Wille, Dr. Barbara Carnes, Ozzie Martinez

BURBANK | ENCINO | RANCHO PALOS VERDES HOLLYWOOD HILLS | WESTWOOD | THOUSAND OAKS

The Community Built for Life.® belmontvillage.com

© 2016 Belmont Village, L.P. | RCFE Lic 197608468, 197608466, 197608467, 198601646, 565801746, 197608291

VenturaBlvd_2_2016_fit.indd 1

Tara O’Brien and Assembly member David Hadley

1/15/16 9:08 AM

The Bathroom Store From our products to our manufacturing processes, efficiency and effectiveness are a part of our DNA.

James O’Callaghan and Dr. Maziyar Shoaee

Dr. Barbara Carnes, Mayor Mark Burton, Lesley Wille, Ozzie Martinez

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310-787-2400 | 2140 W. 190th St Torrance | www.totospecialist.com FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016, SOUTHBAY

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Kit and Ace Grand Opening

Kit and Ace celebrated their launch party in the South Bay at The Point in El Segundo. Founded by Shannon and JJ Wilson, Kit and Ace designs and develops technical apparel, accessories and lifestyle products for men and women living full-contact lives.

Adventures to Santa

Local community leaders and media experienced the newest holiday attraction at South Bay Galleria. Dreamworks Dreamplace-Adventure to Santa is a 3-D interactive ride to the North Pole with Shrek and friends, ending in a private visit with Santa.

Christian Horvath and family

Making “Gingy� ornaments

Chris Hatanelas and family

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The Hatanelas and Diels families

Santa Claus and visitor

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Neptunian Woman’s Club Holiday Fashion Show and Luncheon Trina Turk lit up the runway with their holiday collection. Local boutiques including Trina Turk, Yorktown, Trilogy, Stella & Dot, Marmi and Bob Roy Salon provided perfect gift items. A live auction featured a bag by Hammitt. All proceeds benefited the Neptunian Woman’s Club Scholarship Fund.

Liz Greggs and Marie Colmey

REDONDO BEACH BE ACTIVE, BE SOCIAL

BE HAPPY! Dancing is a perfect combination of physical activity, social interaction, and mental stimulation!

Kashi Cormier and Nicole Fitzgerald

Autumn Crockford

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Stephenie Hammitt, Cindy Feruson, Tim Valenzuela, Tony Drockton

Chris Hetzel

Tabula Rasa and Yorktown

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Kincaid’s

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Amazing beer • hospitality • education

Torrance Crossroads Mall 24667 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 310.326.2732 /cbctorrance

@cbc_torrance

cbc_torrance

Bazille offers a casual yet sophisticated atmosphere. The menu features bistro cuisine, a dynamic wine list, and a full bar featuring delicious hand crafted cocktails

Nordstrom Del Amo 21500 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503 310-750-1610 Reservations accepted on Opentable.com

@Nordstromdelamo

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February 2016 Music Calendar 2/1: Chris Pierce 2/3: Dani Armstrong 2/7: Aragorn & Olivia 2/8: Feed The Kitty 2/10: Rebecca Muir Sun 14th: Aragorn & Olivia 2/15: Neva 2/17: Dani Armstong 2/21: Aragorn & Olivia 2/22: Pure Music Movement

Enjoy local artists like Aragorn & Olivia every Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 9 + every Sunday for brunch & Bottomless Mimosas

2/24: Jack Tracy 2/28: Aragorn Weiderhold 2/29: Jerry Romano Come an experience one of the best Happy Hour scenes in all of the Southbay, located on the world famous Redondo Beach Pier for the past 17 years 500 Fisherman’s Wharf Redondo Beach 90277 @rbkincaids / www.kincaids.com

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Isn’t it Romantic?

Sometimes the most memorable dinners are those shared at home. Entice your loved one with this tempting Valentine’s Day menu for two.

WRITTEN, STYLED & PHOTOGRAPHED BY KARA

MICKELSON

alentine’s Day has historical roots that have long been overshadowed with more modern, commercialized “traditions.” Essentially we associate the day with flowers, chocolates, love notes and dining for two.

It’s a time to celebrate and cement a connection, yet it often comes with the pressure of dinner reservations, high-priced floral arrangements and an explosion of overly sentimental cards that don’t quite convey a personal touch.

And let’s face it: Being single on V-Day can be depressing. But beyond the roses and dinner reservations, the day should remind us to celebrate love in all forms.

Taking an old-school approach, we crafted a menu for two and offer a few entertaining tips for the special day. Two lovers, just family or two friends … we will let you decide.

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Menu for Two

Valentine’s Day is all about honoring the perfect match … the yin to your yang. This land-and-sea-inspired menu delivers a sophisticated touch without too much fuss. Follow the simple recipes and methods below. The dessert takes a little more finesse, so we included some handy shortcuts.

LOVE POTION COCKTAIL Warming ginger, decadent chocolate, rose water, citrus and spices add another dimension to this intoxicating blend. Use equal parts ginger vodka, crème de cacao, dash of rose water, dash of cardamom bitters or a crushed pod, splash of citrus juice. Shake with ice. Strain. Top with edible rose petals.

KING CRAB LEGS WITH MELTED BUTTER What could be easier? No recipe needed. Shop it (about 8 ounces per person), steam it and serve with melted butter and lemon wedges. Be sure you have proper tools to crack the shell and get to the meat.

FILET MIGNON WITH GARLIC HERB SAUCE We opted for a garlic herb sauce; however a compound butter is also great. Lots of flavor with less stress than a warm sauce that needs lastminute attention. Chop two whole garlic cloves, add the juice of one lemon, a pinch of red pepper flakes, 6 tablespoons of chopped parsley or mixed herbs, ½ shallot diced and a splash of sherry wine vinegar. Season with salt and pepper, and mix with olive oil to create a nice consistency.

Chill. Bring to room temperature before serving. Follow our chef tips for a perfect filet.

PERFECT FILET Rest meat, 15 to 20 minutes, at room temperature before cooking. Heat heavy cast iron or oven-safe skillet to smoke point. Add a couple tablespoons of olive oil and butter to the skillet just before adding filets.

Dry surface, press meat into coarse salt and a blend of cracked peppercorns. Add the filets to the hot pan and cook until surfaces are nice and brown, turning as needed.

Add whole peeled garlic clove to the pan. Swirl with butter and pan juices and drizzle on top of filets. Finish cooking in a 400º oven, approximately 3 to 7 minutes for a 6-ounce filet.

Doneness check: The soft spot between your thumb and index finger is what rare feels like, when your hand is open and relaxed. Now press your middle finger and thumb together and feel the spot again … that is what medium rare meat feels like. Continue closing in your fingers to the thumb to feel the levels of doneness from medium to well done. A closed fist would represent well done.

STACKED POTATOES WITH SEA SALT AND THYME Wash, slice, mix and stack 2 to 4 russet potatoes in an oven-safe dish.

Add a little melted butter and olive oil between the potato layers, season and add some fresh thyme. Cook, covered, in the oven at 375º for 15 minutes. Remove cover and cook until fork-tender and light brown on the edges, about another 15 minutes. Check seasoning and add a fresh thyme sprig before serving.

ROASTED HEIRLOOM CARROTS AND CAULIFLOWER WITH SERRANO HAM Trim, clean and peel vegetables as needed. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, top with torn pieces of ham. Roast in the oven at 375º on a sheet tray for 30 minutes or until fork-tender. Check seasoning before serving.

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Feature Hed

BAKED ALASKA FLAMBÉ Shortcut: Use a store-bought cake, cookie or pound cake for the base of the dessert.

Swiss Meringue (makes 4 to 5 cups) 6 egg whites, room temperature (freeze the yolks for another use) pinch, cream of tartar 1 cup granulated sugar Combine egg whites and sugar in a heatproof bowl of an electric mixer. Place bowl in a saucepan filled ¼ full of water. Heat and whisk until mixture registers 120º and sugar is dissolved. Transfer bowl to electric mixer and whisk on low until frothy. Add cream of tartar and continue to whisk until thick and glossy, about 20 minutes. Meringue should hold a firm shape when the whisk is lifted.

Filling 1½–2 pints each, strawberry and pistachio ice cream or gelato strawberry jam Optional: 80 proof liquor, for flambé

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Assemble cake or cookie and filling. Use a 4- to 5-cup, freezer-safe bowl as a guide to cut cake base. Line bowl with plastic wrap. Cut remaining cake into triangle shapes and layer bowl with cake pieces.

Use smaller pieces secured with jam to fill any holes. Or just use a cookie or pound cake base and don’t line the bowl. Layer slightly softened ice cream into bowl, leaving enough room for the base.

Spread with strawberry jam and secure base to bottom of dessert.

Freeze for 6 hours or overnight.

Remove frozen dessert from bowl/mold. Remove plastic wrap. Place on heatproof dish. Use a large pastry bag fitted with a star tip, or a spatula to pipe or spread on the meringue topping working quickly.

To bake the dessert, preheat the oven to 500º. Bake on a heatproof dish on an upper rack, close to the heat source until light brown, approximately 2 minutes. Or torch the meringue by holding a kitchen torch at an angle while moving the flame back and forth to create a nice light brown color.

Serve immediately, or once baked or torched the dessert can be frozen for up to 1 day. Reheat or let rest until you can slice it easily, approximately 10 minutes. Drizzle dessert with liquor and light tableside on a heatproof dish. Make sure to have a large pot or cover handy to stop the flame if needed.

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Isn’t it Romantic?

Set the Mood

Yes to red and hearts, but try a subtle approach. We like red décor accents versus an explosion of color.

Maybe add some beautiful red glassware, napkins or a red vase. Try a mixed arrangement of red and white for the table and add some sexy red to your wardrobe.

Heart-shaped décor is fine, but don’t raid the local party store for all things valentines. Add accent heart shapes to gifts and at place settings and be sure to choose some items that come in a color and a style that match your home—brushed tin, natural or painted wood—whatever looks nice.

With a solid relationship foundation, you can play your hand more and go for a bigger splash of thematic embellishments. For a newer connection, go low-key on excessive table décor and put the emphasis on time together. Even diehard romantics can feel a fevered blush and some anxiety with too much V-day ambience.

Plan your playlist in advance. Add some festive current and vintage background music. Some of our favorites are “Love Potion # 9” by The Searchers, “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding, “Kiss Me” by Ed Sheeran, “Valentine” by Kina Grannis, “Love Story” by Taylor Swift, “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake, “We Found Love” by Rihanna and Calvin Harris, “Closer” by Tegan and Sara, “Adore You”

by Miley Cyrus, “Still Into You” by Paramore and many more by Stevie Wonder, Barry White, Frank Sinatra and Elvis.

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Flower Power

It’s hard to make it through Valentine’s Day without flowers … especially red roses. Jenny Barker of Magical Blooms states, “Flowers in red and white are the classic aura tone for this theme. Roses, associated with the heart chakra of love, have the highest vibration.

The color red is optimistic, energizing, sexy and powerful. White is a symbol of hope, goodness and purity. Be creative and consult your florist for the meaning of flowers and their colors to add a special touch to your arrangement.“ If your loved one has a special flower or florist they like, be sure to use them.

Buying an arrangement can be like picking out jewelry. It is very personal. You don’t have to break the bank, but look for details that matter such as flower choice, arrangement style and container.

You will want your flower currency to get you through the night and happily into the future.

Ganache Gifting There is always boxed chocolate and jewelry, although we adore handmade gifts like this recipe.

SPICED CHOCOLATE GANACHE HEART “TRUFFLES” WITH SMOKED SALT Bring 2 cups whole whipping cream to a simmer with 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon white pepper, a pinch of cayenne and 1/8 teaspoon of grated Balinese Long Pepper or cracked pink peppercorns. Remove from heat and pour over 2½ cups 60% dark cocoa chips in a heat-resistant bowl. Let sit for 30 seconds and slowly begin to stir until everything is combined.

Pour the chocolate mixture into a 9” x 13” pan lined with buttered parchment paper sheet. Sprinkle with smoked salt. Chill to set.

Remove from pan and cut with heart-shaped cutters. Dust with cocoa and add more salt if desired. Makes about 50 (1½-inch) pieces. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

Enjoy! l

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DESIGNED FOR LIVING A Hermosa Beach couple starts from scratch and assembles the ideal home for their family.

WRITTEN BY AMBER

KLINCK |

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN

hen Josh and Carla Persell began looking for a home in the South Bay, they only had one thing in mind: location, location, location.

“We bought [our house] because of the area and because we wanted to get our kids into a great school district,” Carla explains. “We didn’t even know what it looked like.”

For the family of five—Josh and Carla have 7-year-old triplets, two girls and one boy—finding a residence that was walking distance from the beach and directly in between the Hermosa and Manhattan Beach piers was as good as it gets.

The couple’s appreciation for South Bay living began while they were studying at USC. “At the time I was living with some girlfriends in Hermosa, and [Josh and I] just kind of fell in

PRESSEY

love with it out here,” Carla says. “We knew this is where we wanted to be.”

With their ideal address locked down, the Persells turned their attention to converting their home into a space with the level of functionality needed to support their family of five.

It wasn’t long before they realized, however, that the existing property wasn’t going to work.

“As we started to familiarize ourselves with the property, we realized that a remodel or addition was simply not feasible,” explains Carla. “It was then that we decided to demo and start from scratch.”

Next came an introduction to local architect and designer Mark Trotter, president and CEO of Trotter Building Designs.

“Mark had a very calm, confident and prepared demeanor about himself that we loved,” Josh notes. “From the very first

Designed for Living

interaction, we knew he was the right fit for us. One of Mark’s outstanding qualities is that he is a great listener. He truly heard our ideas and incorporated them into the design of our new home. Mark is a wonderful guy, and he did a fantastic job.”

Next to join the project was general contractor LuAnn Fabian, owner of LuAnn Development. “One of the many reasons we ultimately hired LuAnn,” Josh explains, “aside from the fact that she’s organized, talented, on budget and on time, was that we really wanted someone we felt we could collaborate with. I always got the feeling from LuAnn that we were her only clients.”

With so much trust in the all-encompassing abilities of Mark and LuAnn, Josh and Carla opted out of hiring an outside designer. The success of their collaboration is showcased from the moment you walk through the Dutch door of the Persells’ stunning, three-level, contemporary, Cape Cod-inspired home.

Lightly stained, hand-wire-brushed white oak floors lead the way to bright, window-filled rooms, open floor plans and high ceilings. The main floor, located on the second level of the house, boasts a kitchen with three ovens, a large walk-in pantry and a man-made glass tile mosaic above the stove.

“The layout of the kitchen was very important,” Carla notes. “I cook a lot … we both do.”

Off the kitchen is the dining area and main family room, which opens to one of the home’s three outdoor spaces. A built-in office area only adds to the communal feel of the room. “The kids can do homework here, or we can get work done while sharing the same area,” Carla says.

Though the floor plan is open, subtle changes in the ceiling details differentiate each space. “We wanted to do different things in different rooms,” Carla explains.

“Even though this is one space, we wanted a little bit of separation.” With box ceilings in the dining area, tongue-and-groove in the kitchen, and exposed beams and a gabled roof in the living room, the Persells have created complementary variations with subtle yet impactful details.

When the need for practicality arose, the Persells continually opted for the most esthetic solution. The cabinets surrounding the fireplace in the living room store audio/visual equipment and require ventilation.

“I came up with this idea to do a laser-cut pattern on the front of the cabinets,” Carla says.

Even when choosing between overall square footage and character, the Persells were unwavering in their quest for detail and charm. “The design for the gabled roof and the vaulted ceilings were a personal choice,” explains Josh. “We didn’t want to maximize our square footage; we wanted to have more character—both on the interior and exterior of the home.”

At just about 3,000 square feet, “we feel like we have everything we need in this house,” Carla adds.

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Designed for Living

“WE DIDN’T WANT TO MAXIMIZE OUR SQUARE FOOTAGE; WE WANTED TO HAVE —BOTH ON THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE HOME.”

CHARACTER oursouthbay.com

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Designed for Living

The master suite, also located on the second level of the home, has an outdoor space, his-and-hers closets, and a large and bright master bath. Like the rest of the house, consistent shades of neutrals and costal blues allow for greater flexibility with textures and patterns. “I remember when we got all of our tile samples for each bathroom (all five of them). They were all different, but they all went together,� Carla notes.

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Designed for Living

“It’s one of the things I try to encourage all of my clients to do,” says LuAnn. “When you walk into a house, you want to be able to walk through every room and feel like the house was done by the same person.”

A second, more kid-friendly family room is located on the third level of the home. “This is our comfy, cozy family room,” say Carla. “The kids can come up here and read, watch movies or play games.”

Also located off the third level is a massive outdoor deck with a built-in grill area, ample storage and seating.

The kids’ rooms and bathrooms are located on the first level, giving the youngest family members—as well as mom and dad—their own space. “We put a lot of thought into the home, knowing that we would live here until our kids go off to college,” Carla notes. “We had to visualize them growing up here.”

Contributing greatly to the home’s final look were the owners of Lavish Gift + Home, Stacy Carlson and Alecia Carlder. “They helped me once we moved in with a lot of the finishing touches,” says Carla. “They were so lovely to work with, very professional, warm and creative … a great final addition to this process. Collectively, they did an outstanding job taking a brand new, vacant house and turning it into a home.”

With all the hard work behind them, all that’s left now for the Persells to do is enjoy their family’s incredible beach abode. l

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magazine’s

A NEW FILM SERIES ON LOCAL LIVING AND RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

Tour the South Bay’s most beautiful homes and enjoy behind-the-scenes interviews with the collaborators who make it all happen

is proud to sponsor our premier episode

Designed for Living Tune in to OurSouthbay.com to see more of this charming Hermosa Beach home.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Jared Sayers at jared@moontidemedia.com

center Stage San Pedro native Misty Copeland, who recently became the first African-American female principal ballerina at American Ballet Theatre, returns to the South Bay, defies the odds and illustrates that—with perseverance and fierce dedication—anything is possible.

WRITTEN BY JENNIE

I

NUNN

t’s 2:30 p.m. on December 22, 2015 at Lauridsen Ballet Centre in Torrance. A banner with the words “Welcome Home, Misty!” in block letters is flanked by two large, gold bows and stretches across the mirror in the studio. A class of 30 eager students, mostly ages 12 and up, are buzzing with excitement—patiently standing adjacent to barres in anticipation of today’s special guest teacher: American Ballet Theatre’s first African-American female principal dancer, Misty Copeland.

Misty, 33, who trained at this same studio from 1996 to 1998 when she was ages 15 to 18, is back from New York (where she currently resides) to teach a few master classes here and at San Pedro Ballet School. She is also here to attend the dedication of a square (at the corner of 13 th Street and Pacific Avenue) named in her honor in her hometown, San Pedro.

Before she is announced, three ballerinas with buns meticulously positioned on top of their heads and dressed in pink tights, black leotards and blue, pink or red sashes grab arms and smile from ear to ear as if it is the best day of their lives. They know how big this day is. For most, it is a real-life dream come true.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY HEIDI GUTMAN VIA GETTY IMAGE

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Center Stage

Misty, whose long list of accolades and accomplishments include being named one of Time magazine’s Most Influential People last year; debuting a children’s book, Firebird; performing with Prince on his Welcome 2 America tour; and being a sponsored athlete for Under Armour, was a student here shortly after she first started dancing.

“I know she has certainly inspired my kids, and they feel a great deal of pride that she is from this studio. They watch her, and they really want to be that good,” says artistic director Diane Lauridsen.

“Misty has extraordinary talent, and it blows people out of the water.

She’s a hard worker and very dedicated, and she has not let stardom go to her head. She’s given back and helped the community, and she’s extraordinarily busy and she has a lot of causes.”

Today, all grown up and engaged to attorney Olu Evans, the ballerina—who has penned the book Life In Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina (with author Charisse Jones) and is the subject of a newlyreleased documentary, A Ballerina’s Tale—is also here to give back.

Misty walks in and greets the class wearing black tights, ballet shoes and a charcoal grey Under Armour tank with the phrase “I Will What

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I Want” imprinted on it, showing off her perfectly sculpted arms.

“I learned so much of my technique from Diane,” she says while smiling to the class. “I want to work really clean and basic.”

As the class continues, Misty moves quietly and methodically around the studio, surveying the students and offering pointers such as, “Be aware of where your arms are and think of creating a frame around your face” and “When you think ballet, you think grand, but really elongate the neck” and “Be aware of the positions that you’re creating” and “I know this is different than what you’re used to, but it’s good to break out of the patterns.”

During the hour-and-a-half class, it’s clear Misty is living her dream and is equally passionate about mentoring young dancers and helping others. “Relax and enjoy,” she stresses gently with a smile.

The class concludes after a series of floor work exercises including pirouettes, grand jetés and sashays, followed by a meet-and-greet.

“She’s also done a lot to put ballet on the map,” adds Diane. “Ballet is a tradition that started in the 1500s and has been continuous.

Misty has done a lot to open the eyes of the public. Ballet is very difficult and unappreciated because we go out of our way to make it

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Center Stage

RAISING THE BARRE Opposite: Misty leads class at the Lauridsen Centre in Torrance. Top: The Warner Grand announces her hometown return. Above: Misty and Joe Buscaino at the dedication of “Misty Copeland Square” and mural at W. 13th Street and S. Pacific Avenue.

look easy. It inspires passion in those who understand it.”

BALLET BEGINNINGS Misty grew up one of six children, with humble beginnings in San Pedro. It definitely wasn’t always so clear that she would become one of the most famous ballerinas in history. In fact, she was shy and a little hesitant in the beginning.

Elizabeth “Liz” Cantine, a Rancho Palos Verdes resident and former teacher of history, English and dance drill team at Dana Middle School in San Pedro, affectionately recalls the first time she spotted Misty at age 13. “She tried out for drill team captain, and there were three girls standing in the gym. I looked at her, and I pointed to her and said, ‘I’ll take that one,’” recounts Liz, who is also Misty’s godmother (her husband, Dick, is her godfather). “She could do everything. She was naturally flexible, naturally strong and had incredible musicality.”

Liz also smiles with excitement when she recounts the first time she choreographed Hall of The Mountain King and had Misty in it— and they won. She also had Misty mimic an infamous scene in the film White Nights when Mikhail Baryshnikov effortlessly places his

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leg up on the wall in perfect line with his ear.

“I said, ‘Misty, can you go over to the edge of the stage in the auditorium and put your leg up on the wall?’ and she said, ‘Oh sure,’ and did it. It was like that. She could do anything,” says Liz, who regularly sees Misty for visits and performances and keeps in touch with her via text and email. (Liz still sends texts to Misty before she goes on stage, and Misty always has time to respond to say, “Thank you” or “I love you.”)

“She had such natural stage presence,” explains Liz. “I said, ‘Misty, is this your first time on stage?’ and she said, ‘Yes.’ The magic, the aura and the sincerity … and her heart was just in it, and it was just so natural.”

From there, Liz called Cindy Bradley, artistic director of San Pedro City Ballet, and said, “You’ve got to see this girl. She is just absolutely phenomenal.” Liz continues the story: “And Cindy came over to watch her in my drill team class and said, ‘We’ve got to get her into ballet,’ and I said, ‘Yes!’” Cindy suggested that she come across the street. (Dana Middle School was right across the street from The Boys & Girls Club, and Cindy was teaching a free class once a week.)

“It took a couple times of coaching, I remember, and encouraging her,” says Liz, a former professional dancer and president of California Dance Educators Association. She found it very different from what we did in our drill team classes.

Liz continues: “And then when she went, she just had her socks and she didn’t have any other attire. And it was the first ballet class she ever took. I think it took Misty a while to say she loved ballet, and it wasn’t like, ‘Oh, I can’t wait to go across the street.’ We did a lot of jazz and musical theatre but didn’t use ballet barres. But Cindy came the next day or the next week and said, ‘She can be the first African-American prima ballerina.’ And the talent? Everyone recognized it. As soon as I saw her even just standing that first day, I knew she was the one in a million, or the one in a billion.”

Liz has a ballet studio in her home with autographed pictures of Misty pinned to the walls of the room. “We asked her what she wanted to do,” she says, “and she said, ‘I want to dance professionally with American Ballet Theatre.’ She very much wanted to give the message to women and to dancers of color.”

Liz also remains an advocate of arts education in public schools. “I have fought for years to keep arts education in the schools, and it’s so important because if we hadn’t had the class, I wouldn’t have seen her and wouldn’t have called Cindy Bradley … and she might still be dancing in a little room or something. Don’t take out the arts; that’s what keeps students motivated, and then we can do anything.”

BECOMING BALLET’S “IT GIRL” Although Misty, who joined American Ballet Theatre’s Studio Company in 2000 and became soloist in 2007 and principal dancer in August, has graced the pages of magazines and newspapers from Glamour to the Los Angeles Times and has fiercely devoted her life to ballet, she has also overcome major adversity while maintaining her down-to-earth and kind demeanor.

“She’s still as sweet and as thoughtful and as genuine as ever,” says Liz. “She’s more mature, eloquent and articulate and well-traveled, but she’s still the same Misty. Dick and I always knew she would be a huge success. She had such discipline. When she dances, that’s her voice, and for certain Misty found it. We’re so proud of her, and it’s so great to see her so happy.”

“She worked really very hard, and she deserves everything she has gotten,” adds Diane. “When she was 16 years old, she knew what she wanted. Misty is a very special person, and she has changed ballet for a lot of people.” l

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Endless Talent Fifty years ago John Van Hamersveld created iconic artwork that captured an era, including the famous poster for the film Endless Summer. As popular culture continues to celebrate his past, John hopes his current work will shift that focus toward the future.

WRITTEN BY KELLY

DAWSON

| PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF

BERTING

Endless Talent

T

he winter light was soft against the street outside the darkened gallery. On the corner, the Warner Grand Theatre rose against a blue sky that appeared equally bleached by the sun, and a few paces away chatter rose from a café that emanated the scent of coffee and toast.

Meanwhile people walked in and out of traditional storefronts, calmly zigzagging across the empty road.

“It’s like going back in time to 1965,” designer and artist John Van Hamersveld says. “I used to buy my bell-bottom jeans from the Army Surplus store down here.”

John and his wife, Alida Post, opened Post Future: The Art Company on Sixth Street in San Pedro two years ago. They chose the sleepy, almost small-town location for the sense of community they no longer felt was present in Santa Monica.

Alida uses the gallery to display John’s art and the works of likeminded peers. But when it is closed and the overhead lights that illuminate his famous works are dark, John can still be found behind the front door. His workspace is hidden by a neon canvas at the far end of the room, past the Endless Summer poster that launched his career and the various images that tie his name to icons of popular culture.

“I work 16 hours a day. It’s been going on for years,” he says.

In those large spans of time, when his oversized desk and bulletin board are covered with sketches and a high ceiling dulls the only daylight that shines into the space, John is deep in thought. He wakes up and falls asleep thinking, slowly meditating on the possibilities of his work until he has a breakthrough idea big enough to display. It’s a balance between design and art—a plan and the execution of that plan.

But as much as John is an artist of the present, he is also surrounded by the past. There’s the mid-century setting outside the gallery and his famous Day-Glo poster of three surfers at its entrance.

There’s his creation of the album covers for The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour and the Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main St., which he completed for Capitol Records.

At 74 John is still striving to produce resonating work. But he understands, all too well, the power of nostalgia. “We’re living in this referential world,” he says. “How do you create something new? How do you deal with the past?”

Perhaps these are questions that stir in the minds of anyone after a major accomplishment. John, though, has the particular strain of finding success in the eyes of millions, and many can say they grew up with his art.

It’s appeared as décor in dorm rooms and as a statement on T-shirts; it’s garnered attention for advertisements and focused crowds on public works. The Smithsonian has a collection of his prints, and the LACMA has exhibited his work as an example of California design.

The list of accolades credited to John’s name underscores the significance of a career that has lasted more than a half-century. But before all that, he was just a kid from the South Bay—a transplant who found friends in a couple of Palos Verdes surfers.

“The idea of ‘surfing’ started for me in Palos Verdes Estates, where the ocean comes up to the cliffs of the peninsula as the point extends out into the south end of the Santa Monica Bay,” John wrote in his 2010 book, My Art, My Life. He had moved with his parents and sister from Towson, Maryland, to Westchester in 1950 after his father took a job as an engineer, and then settled in Palos Verdes a year later.

In the book John recalls how his childhood friends, Phil Becker and Jared Eaton, took him surfing around age 12 on a board that belonged to Jared’s big brother. He thought of the ocean as an escape, but when he grew up he traded surfing for art and enrolled at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

“I had a reputation as a skier and a surfer when I left P.V. at 19,” he wrote. “All of the kids who I grew up with surfed, partied and went

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Endless Talent

“

We’re living in this referential world. How do you create something new? How do you deal with the past?”

skiing. The South Bay was a very simple world.”

By the time John formed the Endless Summer image on a dining table, he was working for Northrop Grumman by day and Surfer magazine by night. His friend Paul Allen had introduced him to filmmaker Bruce Brown, and based on his strong reputation, John carried out a design that he started in night classes.

He wanted something that caught the attention of high school students, so he used a bright pink, orange and yellow hue to make the shot of three men pop.

That’s the short story. He didn’t know that his poster was going to be reproduced in The New York Times, let alone become a lasting embodiment of surf culture. John didn’t even know that the $150 payment he received would also become a tidbit that raises eyebrows to this day. The poster was a job at the time, and it has since become a legacy.

“Everywhere I go, it’s been seen in some form or another.

When people introduce me, they introduce me as the guy who did the Endless Summer poster,” he says. “You can’t get away from it. But again, that’s the past as the present.”

John admits that as grateful as he is for the recognition, the references to his youthful designs can be a challenge. It’s not that he doesn’t recognize their impact. In fact, he smiles and says that “behavior is behavior,” and history is comforting because it’s reliable. He knows that his early works have become symbols of a certain time.

But in the decades since he saw the Endless Summer poster become a phenomenon and then used it in his portfolio for a meeting at Capitol Records—again, unaware of what was to come—John has continued to create with an eye that looks slightly beyond pop culture’s gaze.

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In the 1980s a chance meeting with Steve Jobs introduced him to graphic design by computers, which sparked the next phase of his career. He began to download his drawings onto a screen and later transferred all of his work online. It was a move into the future and a new way to view the past.

“When you learn art in school, there’s always the one-point perspective, the two-point perspective and three-point perspective,” he says. “The three-point perspective can take on four sides from different vanishing points. But computers took away the vanishing points, and the [object became] its own thing.”

In the last decade, John dreamed up the LED light canopy known as the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas. He unveiled a “Waterworks” series that was digitally produced, and it inspired his most recent “Modi” collection.

But the recent project that he is most proud of, at least at the moment, is the one that connects so simply to his past. John took six months to finish the Great Wave mural on 14 th Street in Hermosa Beach, which was unveiled last summer. The 75-foot design honors the city’s surf history with three surfers in a kaleidoscopic rush

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of bright color and movement. On a personal note, the mural is a reminder of John’s early connection to the waves.

“Everybody loves it, which is the fun part of it. Looking at those figures, this is actually my body, and I put another head on it,” he says, pointing at the middle figure. “And then there’s the kid who has the attitude, because that’s a part of the time.”

It would be easy to draw comparisons between John’s most famous work and his recent favorite. The trio of surfers, the vibrant shades and his connection to the subject are both present. But the greater amount of intricacies shown in the Hermosa mural—and the fact that it was digitally printed in 48-inch strips—exemplify an artist who has grown and adapted to an ever-more detailed world.

Regardless, John isn’t interested in repeating the past. It may be on his walls, outside his workspace and after his name is said aloud, but he keeps his craft focused on the horizon. John’s aesthetic is the message, he says, and there is always something else to create.

“It’s very hard to break out and do new things. But I do that all the time, because I know that I have to move ahead,” he says. “I’ll be 80 in five years. What else am I going to do?” l

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL

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METROPOLIS

RE-IMAGINED The subject of a new career retrospective at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, iconoclastic architect Frank Gehry is poised to redefine Los Angeles once again.

WRITTEN BY

LYNN MORGAN ELENA LACEY

ILLUSTRATED BY

ew architects in history—Christopher Wren in London, Baron Haussmann in Paris, Louis Sullivan in Chicago and Stanford White in New York—have been privileged to “remake” cities according to their own artistic visions. In our time, Frank O. Gehry is such an architect.

Born in Toronto and trained at the USC School of Architecture, Gehry has embraced Los Angeles as a headquarters, a laboratory and a muse. Los Angeles, with its sprawling and varied topography, roiling social diversity and notorious reputation for relentless reinvention—elements that others have held in disdain—inspire, even energize Gehry. In a city where anything seems possible, his talent for creating unique and challenging buildings has found fertile ground in which it can flourish.

In ways and buildings large and small, Gehry has altered the visual character of Los Angeles, expanding our understanding of what any individual building can or should be. The city, filled with creativity, free spirits and unrepentant eccentrics, has provided the perfect backdrop for Gehry’s boundary-smashing designs. LA was ready to consider, accept, even celebrate buildings that seem chaotic and gleefully dystopian.

Stephanie Barron, a veteran curator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), was instrumental in bringing the Frank Gehry exhibition to Los Angeles.

“Architecture is not my specialty,” she explains modestly. “I’ve had a long history with Frank Gehry, though, since the 1970s. He has worked with me on other exhibitions for the museum. This is actually our seventh show together. When I heard that the Pompidou Centre [in Paris] was doing a retrospective on Frank, I thought it would be perfect to present it in Los Angeles.”

A frequent visitor to Gehry’s studio, Stephanie wanted museum visitors to share a similar experience. “I’ve felt the excitement there, and I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the public could feel it too?’”

The show is filled with models, renderings and even early, scribbled conceptual sketches.

(Frank Gehry is a man of many talents, but freehand draftsmanship is not one of them.)

“It’s a glimpse into the workings of his mind,” she says.

The workings of that mind have transformed the city, creating landmarks and cultural touchstones like the Loyola Law School in Downtown Los Angeles, the former “Temporary Contemporary” Museum (now known as the Geffen Contemporary in Little Tokyo), the Edgemar complex on Santa Monica’s Main Street and the Goldwyn Library in West Los Angeles. Gehry was commissioned by advertis-

Metropolis, Re-imagined

ing executive Jay Chiat to design a new headquarters for his company, Chiat/Day in nearby Del Rey. Gehry collaborated with renowned pop artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen to create the “binoculars building” on Main Street in Santa Monica. It is now a satellite office for internet giant Google.

In 1997, after years of delays, political and financial roadblocks, and a huge amount of civic skepticism, the Walt Disney Concert Hall opened in Downtown Los Angeles. Unfurling like a stainless steel lotus blossoming mysteriously on Grand Avenue, the Disney Concert Hall instantly became one of the city’s most recognizable, internationally celebrated landmarks. More than any other recent development, the building has re-energized Downtown Los Angeles, and its gleaming, sculptural splendor still makes everything around it look dated and obsolete.

In between those large-scale public commissions, Gehry also created smaller, more intimate projects that have also had an impact on the city’s visual life, including studio spaces he designed in Venice for artists Chuck Arnoldi and Laddie John Dill, and the famous “compound” he created for the late actor/director Dennis Hopper—as well as the architect’s own Santa Monica home.

“The community of artists he embraced has helped to define him,” says Paul Goldberger. A Pulitzer Prize winner for his architecture criticism in The New York Times, Paul is now a senior editor at Vanity Fair. He has just published Building Art: The Life and Work of Frank Gehry.

He has known the architect for more than 30 years. “Venice, especially back then, had a louche, rough-around-the edges vibe. The rawness appealed to Frank.”

Gehry has a powerful affinity for the Los Angeles creative community. Early in his career he began hanging around the Ferus Gallery in its early days, rubbing shoulders with the creative outliers who would eventually turn the city into an art capital: Ed Moses, Billy Al Bengston, Tony Berlant and others who lived and worked in Venice.

Reminiscing about his discovery of the LA art world, Gehry has said, “When I got close to those guys, I would hang out in their studios and watch them work— how they dealt with it—and it was very different. I was terribly enamored with the directness of it, with the Mount Everest-ness of it, how they had to confront the white canvass. The whole process seemed more likely to produce beautiful work than the architectural process did.”

In 1977 Gehry and his second wife, Berta, purchased a smallish, turn-of-thecentury Dutch Colonial house on a quiet Santa Monica street. It was modest and something of an anomaly. Surrounded by traditional English-style houses, Craftsman bungalows and California’s ubiquitous Spanish Revival houses, it looked as if it belonged in some New England college town.

It was ripe for renovation. Gehry exploded the structure, exposing its frame … enclosing it in glass, corrugated metal and chain link. The result was, like many of Gehry’s buildings, electrifying and polarizing. It became a minor tourist attraction, drawing sightseers and architecture students to the Santa Monica side street. Some of the neighbors despised the increased traffic; others nicknamed the Gehry house “the prison.”

Gehry and his wife no longer live there, but it is still a touchstone for his fans.

It is typical of Gehry’s early work: exploring materials that other architects and aesthetes disdain; his gleeful rejection of the strict, rectilinear aesthetic that had defined and dominated Modernism for most of the 20 th century; the explosion of precise, geometric shapes into surprising, unpredictable, asymmetrical forms.

It is a style and vision that Gehry has pursued and refined on projects around the world. In 1989 he won the Pritzker Prize—the Nobel Prize, or perhaps the Oscar, of architecture.

He has exported his architectural vision across America, designing Seattle’s Experience Music Project, the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College in New York, and the Ray and Maria Stata Center for Computer, Information and Intelligence Services at MIT in Cambridge.

The latter inspired a savage attack by John Silber, the former president of Boston College, in a book called Architecture of the Absurd: How “Genius” Disfigured a Practical Art. It is a vitriolic attack on Frank Gehry and other “starchitects” whom John feels are more concerned with their personal visions and egos than with designing functional structure.

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Metropolis, Re-imagined

© 2015 GEHRY PARTNERS, LLP, IMAGES COURTESY GEHRY PARTNERS, LLP

MODEL BEHAVIOR Clockwise from top: Chiat/Day Building, 1985–1991, Venice; Gehry Residence, 1977– 1978 and 1991–1994, Santa Monica; Walt Disney Concert Hall, 1989–2003, Los Angeles; Loyola Law School, 1978–2003, Los Angeles.

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“Gehry’s work can be polarizing,” Stephanie admits. “He designs buildings that look ‘different’ and make people uncomfortable at first. He imagines things that nobody else has ever seen, and he has the tools to make them real. By harnessing technology, he can take the most astonishing sketch and turn it into reality.”

Gehry’s artistic vision has been welcomed around the world. The architect has designed major projects in Japan, three towers in Düsseldorf, the American Center and Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris and the DZ Bank in Berlin. Gehry’s “Frank and Ginger” apartment buildings in Prague are beloved landmark— their sinuous lines seeming to sway and dance before the viewer’s eyes.

No Frank Gehry project at home or abroad has approached the impact and acclaim of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. Sited on the banks of the Nervion River and completed in 1998, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao is a billowing, swooping sculpture— evoking a galley in full sail. It is clad in a skin of titanium panels so thin yet malleable that they seem to flutter in the wind, making the building look as if it is in motion. Quixotic and mercurial, it was immediately hailed as a masterpiece. Robert Hughes, the late art critic, declared it the single most important building of the 20 th century.

More importantly, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao was embraced passionately by the public, re-energizing the Bilbao waterfront socially and economically as locals and tourists flock to view the building itself as much as the collection it housed. The museum continues to attract a million visitors a year, causing economists and sociologists to talk about the “Bilbao effect”—the galvanizing impact a spectacular building can have on a local economy.

At age 86, Gehry is displaying little inclination to slow down or pass his baton to another architect. Instead he continues to seek out new projects and challenges. He collaborated with Tiffany & Co. on a jewelry line; his furniture designs are sold at Design Within Reach; and he even designed a sleek and elegant bottle for Wyborowa vodka. An avid yachtsman, Gehry designed “Foggy”—a custom sailboat for his friend Richard Cohen.

“Frank is interested in fame,” Paul explains. “He wants to do things that are tangential to his architectural practice … things that will allow his name to become known to the general public, not just academics and aesthetes.”

He has succeeded. Gehry is not just the most famous architect in Los Angeles or in America but all over the world. His visual style is unmistakable, and he is the recognizable face of his discipline. He is contemporary architecture’s most marketable “brand.”

When developer Bruce Ratner hired Gehry to design 8 Spruce Street, a 72-floor tower in Lower Manhattan, the developer touted the project’s lofty architectural pedigree just as aggressively as its views, fancy finishes and chic location. The cachet of living in a building designed by an architect responsible for universities, museums and opera houses added to both its appeal and its price.

Gehry continues to reimagine Los Angeles. He is slated to design a high-end, mixeduse hotel and residence/retail complex at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Crescent Heights called Sunset Gateway.

He has also been selected to oversee the restoration of the Los Angeles River. In the 1930s, the 51-mile-long Los Angeles River was encased in concrete to provide the city with a flood channel, transforming it from a natural waterway into a storm drain—a bleak and desolate scar across the urban landscape. In recent years sections of the river have been restored to their natural state; parts of it are surrounded by hiking trails and can be navigated by kayak.

Mayor Eric Garcetti has promised a full-scale restoration, accompanied by urban waterfront development. The project will involve multiple architects, but Gehry will mastermind it.

When asked about the largest project of his career, Gehry was typically self-effacing.

“They asked,” he said. “I accepted. I’m a sucker.” He is overseeing the Los Angeles River Project pro bono.

“Frank is very interested in places,” says Paul. “His work is about the experience of architecture: real space, real materials. At this point, it is impossible to say what the river project will be; it won’t look like a 50-mile-long Bilbao! He wants to be remembered for something besides a series of individual buildings. An urban river, under ideal circumstances, is a place of beauty.”

Stephanie is convinced that Gehry will continue to reimagine Los Angeles and export that vision around the world.” He has changed the way that we imagine architecture,” she says. “He cares about the experience that people have inside his buildings. He’s not an elitist. He’s a humanist.” l

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Encore

Presentation Thanks to the South Bay Film Society, one man’s love of movies brings the cinematic experience to a larger audience.

WRITTEN BY ALINA

W

OROZCO |

PHOTOGRAPHED BY KREMER

JOHNSON

hat does city planning have to do with cinema? Not a thing. Except that the man behind the South Bay Film Society, Randy Berler, is a retired Redondo Beach planning director who happens to be fanatical about cinema. And in the last few years Randy has singlehandedly transformed the rotating roster of movies shown at the Rolling Hills AMC theatre in Torrance to include foreign, independent and art house films, along with the typical Hollywood blockbusters.

But this isn’t the first time he has taken his passion for the movies to the masses. Randy’s first stint as a purveyor of quality film started when he was studying art and literature at the University of Wisconsin. In 1972 an invitation to a literary committee quickly led him from poetry to film, and soon he was renting out lecture halls to show 16mm films on a projector.

The first was Children of Paradise, a three-hour-long French saga filmed during the Nazi occupation of France. “I looked for the least commercial film that had a good story,” explains Randy of his first choice. To his own surprise, the audience remained in their seats through the entirety of the film.

Soon after, for just $1 friends and students piled in weekly to see the films he carefully chose for each screening. High school sweetheart Linda was on hand to help collect money from the eager moviegoers.

The entrepreneurial endeavor helped pay for school and also established a lifelong passion in Randy … and a new career path.

He was accepted to the USC School of Cinematic Arts, one of the most prestigious film programs in the world. Then after gathering some notable credits as a film editor, Randy was faced with the realities of life. He was now married to Linda, who was studying law, and

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the two had just welcomed their first child. Hollywood aspirations slowly gave way to a more stable career path, but the passion for film never dissipated.

After retirement in 2008, Randy tried filling his days with new hobbies. There was tennis, some traveling and even a stint with a local rock band. Outings to the movies were also frequent, but the films he was most interested in seeing were the “artsy” films one could only find at the independent theatres in West Los Angeles, like the Laemmle. And who wants to sit in all that traffic?

Randy had hope that Laemmle would eventually build an independent theatre in Torrance. “[The] South Bay has a very welleducated, engaged community, and I knew there were others like me who want to see independent films come to this area,” he says.

By 2012 Randy decided to take matters into his own hands. With the help of Tugg, a Texas-based startup that allows anyone to bring a film of their choice to a theatre near them—pending enough tickets are sold for the showing, the film enthusiast organized a screening.

Just like back in Wisconsin, Randy selected a French cinema. Promoting 1994’s Three Colors: Red by emailing friends and colleagues, the very first showing sold out with 200 tickets at the AMC Rolling.

And just like that, the South Bay Film Society was born.

French connection aside, Randy is not merely about promoting abstruse foreign films. He is foremost attracted to the stories and the slower pace of independent films. “I’m trying to show films that allow you to see things in a new way,” he explains.

As an editor, the sense of rhythm and cinematography are also vital, but at the core it’s the ideas and messages the films tell about life often quite different from the one in the South Bay. In fact, the

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Encore Presentation

BICYCLE THIEVES / LADRI DI BICICLETTE (1948) 1948 Italian film directed by Vittorio De Sica.

“Who can ever forget the humiliation of the father in front of his son when he is caught?”

THE BIG LEBOWSKI (1998) American neo-noir black comedy written, produced and directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen.

“I encourage incorporating lines from this film into your daily conversation.”

EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP (2010) Film by famed British street artist Banksy.

“Documentaries have often become as entertaining and even stranger than fiction.”

WILD TALES / RELATOS SALVAJES (2014) Argentine-Spanish black comedy written and directed

by Damián Szifron. The 2015 South Bay Film Society’s audience favorite.

CHILDREN OF PARADISE/ LES ENFANTS DU PARADIS (1945) French film directed by Marcel Carné.

“It has it all, romance and tragedy,” recalls Randy of the very first film he showed.

NORTH BY NORTHWEST (1959) American spy thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, James Mason.

“It may not be Hitchcock’s best, but it is fabulous fun.”

▼

JULES AND JIM / JULES ET JIM (1962) French film directed by François Truffaut.

“I don’t know how I would view them today, but at the time I found them audacious and filled with life.”

SEVEN SAMURAI (1954) Japanese Jidaigeki adventure film co-written, edited and directed by Akira Kurosawa.

“An epic tale of horror and duty.”

THE BIG SLEEP (1946) Film noir directed by Howard Hawks, based on the 1939 novel by Raymond Chandler by the same name.

“The Big Sleep is the best written, best directed, least comprehensible and most entertaining.”

▼

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society has shown films from as many as 50 different countries. Now that Randy has established relationships with distributors directly, accessibility to films from all over the world can feel like an enormous responsibility.

Randy previews every film with Linda by his side. “I rely on her opinion and trust her a lot on what would appeal to our audience,” he notes. He often has the opportunity to present films that have not yet been screened anywhere else.

In truth, the audience trusts Randy’s curating with an uncanny enthusiasm.

Arlene Pinzler of Redondo Beach, along with her husband, Bob, has attended nearly every showing since the first one.

“Randy’s gift is to bring these films we haven’t heard about and probably wouldn’t get a chance to see otherwise,” says Arlene. “In the beginning it was convenience, being able to see a foreign film south of the airport. But now we go because we know whatever we see will likely stir an interesting discussion, even if it’s in a car on the way home.”

Today Randy shows as many as four films a month, has a mailing list a lifestyle blogger would envy and regularly sells out at least two theatres. Experts and film professors often attend to lead discussions after the viewing, and members like Arlene are always thrilled at the meaningful discussions Randy’s choices spark.

This is why every time Randy steps in front of the screen to thank the audience for their support, he receives an excited round of applause. But the ever-humble curator quickly points out that none of this would be possible without his viable relationship with Rolling Hills AMC, the support of his family who are often subjected to watching and reviewing films he plans to show, and the loyal attendees, many of whom—like the Pinzlers—never miss a showing.

Torrance is grateful—and not only because they get to avoid traffic but because they get the luxury of expertly curated film choices and the opportunity to see touching stories of love, life and everything in between from a new perspective. And Randy gets to again share his passion with as much enthusiasm as a young student in Wisconsin. l

SOME LIKE IT HOT (1959) American comedy film directed and produced by Billy Wilder, starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.

“What film has a better last line?”

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As many of our finest visual and performing arts programs endure the strain of budget cuts in recent years, are we doing enough to foster the talents of our creative children?

WRITTEN BY MICHELE

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GARBER

| ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTINE

GEORGIADES

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I

t is late morning on a typical midDecember Southern California day … sunny, dry, a slight crispness in the air. Though pleasant outside, inside the cavernous Mira Costa High School auditorium it’s decidedly frosty.

On stage, the members of Mira Costa’s Advanced Women’s Chorale and their beloved director of choirs, Michael Hayden, are preparing for an upcoming winter performance. Hayden gives a few stage directions and guidance for how to perform the pieces they are about to rehearse. Then they begin to sing, and a collective harmony so exquisite fills the brisk air in the hall—its resonance so layered, rich and vibrant—any notion of a chill instantly dissipates.

As the Advanced Chorale rehearsal ends, Costa’s Vocal Ensemble—an advanced mixed chamber choir—streams in to prep for the same winter concert. Within moments the space is once again filled with magnificent sound. Displaying unmitigated talent, these young men and women perform their sophisticated repertoire with voices so pure, it stirs genuine emotion that could (and did!) bring a tear to a listener’s eye.

Hayden’s choirs make up just one essential piece of Mira Costa’s excellent visual and performing arts programs. The school’s programs—drama, dance, broadcast journalism, ceramics and a multitude of art disciplines— are thriving, while the students participating in them are receiving countless awards, honors and accolades.

Most notably Mira Costa was named a 2014 GRAMMY Signature School Gold recipient, awarded to schools with a required trifecta of outstanding music including band, choir and orchestra. They have also been invited to play Carnegie Hall this May—an enormous honor.

What is most striking about the tremendous success of Costa’s music department is that a mere 15 years ago the school didn’t even have an orchestra. Fortunately—recognizing the tremendous value of music education—parents, educators and the Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) joined together to reestablish a

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strong and dynamic music program. They laid out a plan, began rebuilding, and within 12 years of re-launching an orchestra, Costa was accepting a GRAMMY. Mira Costa’s vibrant visual and performing arts program is but one luminous star in a constellation of arts education that is shining throughout the South Bay. Yet the very notion that visual and performing arts education even exists—let alone is flourishing—runs contrary to conventional wisdom and hyperbolic accounts of the arts’ complete demise within our educational system.

To be sure, school arts programs have faced seemingly insurmountable existential challenges. In an era when school districts are confronted with diminished funding and severe budget cuts, determining which curricula are expendable has been the fodder of fierce debate. Though few question the inherent value of art and music programs, when faced with painful choices, arts curricula are sadly first to get the axe.

So it makes perfect sense why there are so many misperceptions about the current state of arts programs within our schools.

Contrary to pervasive misinformation, visual and performing arts education still exists, and inspired results emanate from these programs every day. This is especially true in the South Bay, as successes like those of Mira Costa portend.

So what is the state of arts education in the South Bay? What arts education is available to students? How are we paying for it?

And most importantly, what impact does a robust arts education have on students’ lives and futures?

The myriad benefits, both long- and shortterm, of arts education have borne out in countless studies. Arts curriculum is credited with improving language, writing and math skills, enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving, and has even been associated with lowering truancy and dropout rates of at-risk youth.

In April 2013 the Arts Education Partnership, through its research arm ArtsEdSearch, published a report entitled “Preparing Students for the Next America:

The Benefits of an Art Education.” The report sites more than three dozen studies taken from the late-1990s through 2012 that confirm the limitless ways arts education prepares students for success in school, work and life. Listed among the numerous merits are increased motivation, creativity and perseverance; enhanced collaboration, communication and leadership skills; and enriched civic engagement, sense of community and cross-cultural understanding.

Such an impressive roster of benefits should be reason enough to view arts education as essential. But there is an even more relevant and pressing need to reemphasize arts education: the challenges posed by 21stcentury economic factors. In this new millennium, it is vital that American students develop skill sets that will enable them to compete in a rapidly changing and fiercely competitive global economy.

Since the late-1990s, emphasis on preparing students for success in the technologydriven, millennial economy has primarily centered on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education. STEM is undoubtedly a top priority if the U.S. is to maintain its global economic prominence.

Yet it has become increasingly apparent that the global economy also requires a new type of imaginative thinking and creative problem-solving that STEM and standard “3-R” (reading, writing and arithmetic) instruction alone will not fulfill. To truly compete and thrive in the economy of the future, children need to develop their aptitude and confidence within a creative realm.

Visual and performing arts education is uniquely qualified and essential to fostering these skills.

Moreover, STEM and arts education are not mutually exclusive. Actually there is quite a bit of overlap between STEM and arts emphases. There is even a push to add arts education to the acronym and revise STEM to STEAM. For today’s students to fully succeed, they need to stimulate and develop both sides of their brains. They need wellrounded and comprehensive education—

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which unequivocally includes the arts.

Alas, providing that imperative arts education requires a shift in two critical factors.

First, school districts and local, state and federal government agencies that oversee education must ensure arts programming is part of the required curriculum. Second, funding for arts curriculum must be included in education budgets. Auspiciously, the former is already happening, and the latter isn’t far behind.

Political and financial influences on education are extremely complicated. The U.S. education system is a massive labyrinth of regulations, laws, formulas and mandates overseen by a multi-level bureaucracy and a web of government agencies.

Throughout the decades a succession of laws have been passed aimed in earnest at improving education for all children. The 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), Race to the Top and Common Core have all sought to enhance and strengthen education—though most have fallen short or, in some cases, made things worse.

They have also given increasing control over education decisions to the federal government. As a result, the newest endeavor at education reform was passed by the U.S. Congress this past December. The Every Student Succeeds Act is a bipartisan bill aimed at shifting control away from the federal government back to the states on issues of school accountability and performance. It overhauls NCLB and Common Core, returning much of the control regarding funding discretion to the state and local level.

The fundamental truth is that the U.S., California—even the city and county of Los Angeles—are much too expansive to adequately address the diverse needs of education. Smaller districts such as those in the South Bay are far more efficient and effective at determining and addressing the needs of the children they serve.

As Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN)—an architect of the new law—puts it, “The path to higher standards and better teaching and real accountability is community by community, classroom by classroom, state by state … and not through the federal government dictating the solution.”

In California, legislation aimed at shifting education budget control from Sacramento back to the local level was passed in 2013.

The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) will be phased in incrementally by 2021. It is the first significant change in how education funding is handled in California since voters passed the controversial and historic Proposition 13 nearly four decades ago.

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THEATRE &

PERFORMING ARTS

PREPARE STUDENTS

FOR LIFE ...

T HEY LEA RN TO P RO BLEM-SO LVE,

THEY DEVELOP PEOPLE SKILLS AND LEARN SELFRESPONSIBILITY AND HOW THEIR BEHAVIOR AFFECTS OTHERS.

LCFF replaces the old system of revenue limits and categorical spending with a perstudent base grant, returning discretionary control of education funds to local districts.

Though LCFF has its skeptics, it is a profound departure from the centralized power Sacramento has had over education since the passage of Prop 13.

Prior to LCFF, California educational funding was determined and allocated through district revenue limits. The revenue limits system arose from two significant events in the 1970s: the California Supreme Court ruling in Serrano v. Priest and the passage of Proposition 13.

Before 1971 local districts could set their own property taxes to fund education. This led to an enormous disparity in school funding and the quality of education between wealthy and poor neighborhoods.

In 1971 the California Supreme Court ruled in favor of Serrano v. Priest based on the Equal Protection Clause of the state constitution. The ruling established a ceiling on revenues for the school district—thus equalizing revenues for all school districts.

But districts found a way around the revenue limit by passing local referenda.

As local districts continued to raise property taxes, homeowners on fixed incomes— especially the elderly—were losing their homes. Working families were reluctant to buy homes, unsure of future tax burdens.

In 1978 California voters approved Proposition 13, which capped increases in property taxes at 1% of the assessed property value and annual increases capped at 2%. It also required future tax increases be approved by a 2/3 majority of voters.

Prop 13 created tax certainty and stability within the housing market, but it adversely affected school funding—which hit art,

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State of the Arts

music and other “elective” subjects disproportionately hard. Positive or negative, the consequences of Prop 13 remain a contentious subject.

In the wake of Prop 13, parents, teachers and local communities throughout California mounted their own campaigns to neutralize anticipated draconian educational funding cuts. In the South Bay several community and philanthropic organizations were formed in direct response to Prop 13.

The advent of education foundations was one of the more prominent means with which communities addressed its fallout. Education foundations are not only able to raise much needed funds to supplement budget shortfalls, they provide substantial discretion for their school district to allocate funds in ways they consider necessary without government exerting unwelcome control.

Every South Bay school district now has an education foundation to meet the particular needs of their local schools. Specific initiatives and fundraising methods of each of these 501c3 nonprofits may differ, but their prime objective is the same: They are committed to enriching the educational experience of students and ensuring that

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every student in their district has access and opportunity to receive a well-rounded and outstanding education that prepares them for careers and adulthood.

These foundations have had an immeasurable impact on overall school success as well as maintaining art and music educational programs within districts. Education foundation funds are often used to hire additional teachers to ensure smaller class sizes, purchase new tech equipment and upgrade library facilities. Funds are also used to support arts education. Some foundations provide grants for specific arts initiatives, while others fully underwrite arts programs.

The level of support provided by each education foundation largely depends on fundraising capabilities and the critical needs of their district. Regardless of the support offered, the school districts universally extol gratitude to their foundations, acknowledging that they wouldn’t be able to excel in the way they have for the past 40 years without the backing of these extraordinary foundations.

About the same time that education foundations were created, a grassroots effort was initiated by a group of proactive parents whose children were enrolled in the Palos

Verdes Unified School District (PVUSD).

Increasingly concerned about budget cuts and the elimination of visual arts in their children’s schools, they launched a program called Art at Your Fingertips to ensure local children could continue to experience the wonders of art.

The program became so successful that by 1982 it had expanded beyond PVUSD to include other neighboring areas of the South Bay as Beach Cities Art at Your Fingertips.

These sister programs eventually became Young at Art (YAA) in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach, Adventures in Art in Torrance and South Bay Hands on Art in Redondo Beach.

Each of these local art programs shares a common mission to encourage and inspire children’s creativity, imagination, sense of adventure and experimentation through meaningful art experiences. These nonprofit art programs offer students in public and private local schools curated art education within the classroom environment.

Each school year, program chairs partner with professional artists and design several art experiences with differing themes in a variety of mediums. The artists then host workshops to train volunteer docents how to complete the project and how to teach it to students. The docents are comprised entirely of dedicated parent volunteers. There are typically six projects each school year, thus six training workshops, plus the time spent in the classrooms.

Each of these programs has hundreds of volunteer docents teaching thousands of children in their neighborhood schools.

Though the time commitment of the docents in extensive, they—along with the local artists—enthusiastically participate because of the immense satisfaction they derive from inspiring children through art.

Isabie Gombas has volunteered as a docent for Young at Art for eight years and served as a school chair at Hermosa Valley and Hermosa View for six years. She and her co-chairs oversee approximately 93 docents for just the two Hermosa campuses. YAA, which serves public and private schools in Hermosa and Manhattan Beach, has well over 300 docents teaching grades K-8.

“It’s amazing how the kids are so receptive when they know they’re having a YAA lesson. They get so excited,” explains Gombas. “They’re thirsty for it. It’s one of the few times in school when they are free to be really creative. We give them the steps to make the project and we give them the tools, but they get to express themselves.

Essentially it is their creativity that comes out. It’s not about the end product; it’s about the creative process. And they have a passion

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for it.”

Local artist Rafael McMaster is currently working with Hermosa View students on a YAA photography project entitled Extra/ Ordinary. McMaster takes the students on walks and helps them develop their eye to spot the beauty and wonder of everyday objects and capture that beauty in their photos. The art created by the students whom McMaster is mentoring will be exhibited and auctioned off at the Hearts of Hermosa annual fundraiser, with proceeds benefitting the Hermosa Beach Ed Foundation.

McMaster believes that if kids are exposed to art at an early age, they become comfortable and confident with their creativity. He equates this with learning to surf or ski.

When these skills are acquired while one is young, they come more naturally and stay with them through life.

The same holds true for creative thinking. McMaster says, “Creativity is a skill that can be developed. Kids have an innate ability to be creative if given the tools and proper encouragement.”

At Torrance High, theatre arts teacher Casie Duvall oversees a drama program that puts on five shows each school year.

Some are elective extracurricular and open to the whole school, while others are available to students studying in advanced theatre classes.

The productions staged by the Torrance students are completely self-sufficient, receiving no funds from the school or district.

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Students fund-raise throughout the year to support their program, so they feel invested in the quality and success of the productions.

Duvall would like to see performing arts become required curriculum.

“Theatre and performing arts prepare students for life,” she explains. “They learn to problem-solve, they develop people skills and learn self-responsibility and how their behavior affects others. They also develop a stronger sense of self. Drama gives them presence and confidence, and a feeling of ‘I’ve got this.’

It helps them with public speaking. And it fosters their imagination.”

Years before students act in Duvall’s theatre program or sing in Hayden’s choir, seeds of creativity are sown via programs like Art at Your Fingertips, or the visual and performing art courses regaining their status in core curriculum.

In the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, every student receives weekly music education in grades one through five. This emphasis on early exposure to music teaches students basic music concepts while instilling a love of music that can last a lifetime.

Katie Cavallaro teaches string instruments in the Manhattan Beach elementary schools.

She teaches 28 classes per week in grades three through five, rotating between the five campuses. String classes include violins, violas and cellos.

On a recent visit to observe Cavallaro’s fifth-grade string class at Pennekamp Elementary, the multi-layered value of

music education was clearly on display.

During the day’s lesson plan they practiced scales, rehearsed several pieces they’re currently learning and discussed various music topics—from the tone of half notes to the concept of surround sound. They even learned the meaning of a few music-related Italian words.

At such a young age, their musical abilities are already remarkably impressive, and not one child in the room seemed bored or ambivalent. They were engaged, participatory and eager. At the end of the class they beamed as they expressed their genuine enthusiasm for music and their chosen instruments.

By middle school music becomes an elective in the MBUSD, but the early exposure to music in elementary school translates into greater participation and interest for middle school students. Any student who studied an instrument in fifth grade can continue their studies without review in sixth grade.

Progressing on to seventh- and eighthgrade music classes, students need to audition and demonstrate a level of proficiency to continue their music studies. The students also have more discretion to select alternative instruments or, in some cases, play multiple instruments.

During a recent visit to Manhattan Beach Middle School, one of Denise Haslop’s concert band classes was learning a song by the pop group Smash Mouth as part of their repertoire. Beyond learning traditional orchestral pieces, integrating a variety of genres including pop and rock keeps the curriculum fresh and the students engaged.

By exposing their students to music education at an early age, MBUSD has successfully built award-winning music programs at both the middle and high school levels. This is but one example of the recognized impact and long-term benefits that visual and performing arts education has on our children.

These miraculous benefits are on display every day in every school—public and private—throughout the South Bay. Though traditional scholastic fundamentals must continue to be a primary emphasis in core curriculum, the arts have proven to be an invaluable enhancement to a well-rounded education.

By ensuring that all children have the priceless opportunity to experience the wonder and joy of arts education, we ensure a vibrant future for generations to come. 

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During the post-war years, Hermosa Beach’s The Lighthouse Café emerged as a shiny beacon of the West Coast jazz scene. The sound may have changed, but the history behind those brick walls is cemented in music history.

WRITTEN BY AMBER

KLINCK |

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE

here’s something about live music—a draw that pulls you in. Whether it’s a group of people gathered around a piano, strangers huddled close to hear a musician playing on the street, or a mob of fans moving in unison at the Hollywood Bowl … seeing an artist perform live has a way of capturing your attention, the melody taking authority over your mood.

Jazz musician Howard Rumsey knew this, and it was his ability to convince John Levine, the owner of a dive called The Lighthouse Café, to host a series of Sunday jam sessions that eventually saved the local watering hole and transformed it into the epicenter for West Coast jazz.

Rumsey began his career as a professional musician in 1938, playing with big band names such as Stan Kenton, Charlie Barnet and Barney Bigard. But it was in 1937 that he first visited Hermosa, immediately falling in love with the coastal town.

At the age of 34, Rumsey settled permanently in Los Angeles.

With hopes of making a home near the beach, Rumsey returned to Hermosa looking for a steady gig.

The Lighthouse was a popular hangout for sailors during World War II. But when Levine purchased the bar in 1949, that popularity was beginning to fade. As the ‘40s were coming to an end, so was the steady stream of thirsty patrons—making it a struggle for Levine to keep the business afloat.

On a devastatingly slow afternoon, Rumsey walked into The Lighthouse to find an empty bar and pitched the introduction of Sunday jazz performances to a skeptical Levine. He was doubtful of the plan and reluctant to take the advice of a stranger off the street.

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HERMOSA BEACH HISTORICAL SOCIETY

But Rumsey’s confidence and professionalism won over the surly owner—that and the fact that he didn’t have much to lose. On May 29, 1949, the Lighthouse opened with its first Sunday of jazz.

The sweet sounds of music poured from the bar onto the pier.

Ross Levine, the owner’s son, recounts the magic of those first music-filled days.

“I remember a sense of good times and Howard up there making love to the bass. It was wonderful,” he says with a smile. “It was something the world may never see again, because it was open. To hell with the club; the music went right out into the street, right down to the ocean.”

The personalities of the two men were very different, making for an unlikely collaboration. Not to mention they both carried reputations: Levine as a heavy gambler and Rumsey as “the guy who always had pot.”

But it worked for them, both personally and professionally. People began flooding into the bar, covered in sand, settling in to listen to the musicians on stage well into the evening. Soon patrons were traveling from distances further than the beach below to listen to the bebop jazz coming from The Lighthouse.

In a 1954 article featured in the Los Angeles Mirror, Dick Williams describes a night at The Lighthouse: “Some 400 people were turned away at a little beachfront jazz bistro in Hermosa Beach called The Lighthouse last Saturday night. Several hundred others, who arrived early, managed to sandwich themselves inside.”

Throughout the 1950s The Lighthouse was the leading jazz club in Los Angeles. It served as a platform for many young musicians, some

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of whom went on to become jazz legends while also challenging the racial and religious barriers of the time.

“There was a lot of racial tension. Many of the African-American acts were not particularly welcome outside of the club itself,” explains Christopher O. Uebelhor, curator and manager of the Hermosa Beach Historical Society. He adds that this mentality was “not unlike a lot of other parts of the country during the 1950s and 1960s.”

In fact the owner of The Lighthouse had faced his own share of discrimination after moving to the South Bay. Levine, who was Jewish, was initially viewed as an outsider and at one point was denied housing. However he was determined to stand his ground and stick it out—a decision that clearly served him well. A true character, Levine won over people from all walks of life, from fellow gamblers to politicians.

As the club’s popularity grew, the Sunday jam sessions transitioned into more polished jazz concerts and were held multiple nights of the week. Rumsey put together the Lighthouse All-Stars, which for a time boasted the addition of Max Roach, accredited by some as the greatest drummer in the history of jazz.

It wasn’t long before The Lighthouse was attracting some big names on stage as well as in the audience. Stars like Marlon Brando,

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Mickey Rooney and Ava Gardner could be spotted in the audience, while quintessential jazz figures such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, James Moody, Cannonball Adderley and Charles Mingus left their mark on the stage.

Ironically, while the club’s reputation was associated with excellence, little changed in the way of its appearance. The Lighthouse remained a dive. A dive with an impressive marquee, but a dive no less.

With a small kitchen serving Chinese food, cheap drinks and no cover, The Lighthouse attracted fans of all ages. Though, as Williams points out, The Lighthouse was infamous for having an “uncommonly high percentage of classy, good-looking girls.”

While Rumsey, Levine and a growing number of jazz aficionados were enjoying the rapid growth and success of The Lighthouse, the city of Hermosa Beach was not. In response to many of the townspeople’s negative disposition, Levine and Rumsey created their own version of a public relations campaign.

Levine became friendly with the chief of police and began hiring bartenders who eventually became police officers. Rumsey joined the chamber of commerce and led the Lighthouse All-Stars in their participation in city parades and concerts for the Lions Club and even co-sponsored a beauty contest. Soon Levine, Rumsey and The

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Our Jazz Age

Lighthouse itself became embedded enough in the community to gain the tolerance of its members.

Another big break for the club came after an interior remodel in order to increase recording capabilities. Sleepy Stein, a radio disc jockey for the world’s first all-jazz radio station, often broadcasted a live show from The Lighthouse. The exposure only further extended the reach of the club’s popularity—strengthening its hold as the hub for West Coast jazz.

With the rise of rock ‘n’ roll toward the end of the 1950s, however, the lure of jazz began to lose its luster. When it became a struggle to book talent for the Lighthouse All-Stars, Rumsey disbanded the group. But it was the sudden death of John Levine in the early 1970s that really ended the jazz era for the club, as well as Rumsey’s time at The Lighthouse.

After 22 years of working together, Levine had been both a mentor and a friend to Rumsey. The two created a legacy out of a struggling, beachfront dive, and they enjoyed doing it. In true representation of the American dream, these two renegades bent the rules and followed their instincts—and it worked.

Rumsey later described Levine as a father figure, as well as one of the three most influential men in his life. Howard Rumsey died on

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July 15, 2015. He was 97.

With the height of the jazz era behind it, The Lighthouse did what it could to evolve with the music of the times … first with a subtle transition into the blues and rock ‘n’ roll, then a sharper pivot during the punk explosion of the 1970s. In a 2004 article written by Heidi Siegmund Cuda, The Lighthouse Café is described as “a mecca for South Bay punk.”

Today The Lighthouse continues to draw a crowd of music lovers, though a much more versatile one. Depending on the night, the music coming from the club could vary from the sounds of jam bands, rock, reggae, salsa, country and of course jazz.

It remains a local favorite with its proximity to the beach and its centralized location. But for those who know the club’s past, there’s a deeper draw.

“I think it’s the history behind it,” says Uebelhor. “I mean that’s why I like it. It has so much character going back to the 1940s.”

And it’s true, even today, with the brick walls lined with images of a booming past, the long, dark bar and a stage that’s seen so much.

From the moment you walk in the door at The Lighthouse Café, it’s hard not to get lost in time. l

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Mexico

MODE R NO Beyond its infamous culinary scene, our southern neighbor’s sprawling capital is paving the way as one of the world’s leading arts and design locales.

WRITTEN BY

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JENNIE NUNN

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D

on’t let the massive size and out-of-this-world traffic of Mexico City intimidate you. The high-altitude mega-city (it stands at 7,380 feet) boasts more than 160 museums and some of the finest examples of architecture (it’s the birthplace of Mexican modern architect Luis Barragán), as well as world-renowned restaurants, outdoor markets, cathedrals and nightclubs. The storied city, host to the 1968 Olympic Games, also remains the only Latin American country to host the event prior to Rio this year.

Now Mexico City is buzzing more than ever with new and remodeled hotels, a bevy of celebrated fashion designers such as Carla Fernández, up-and-coming furniture designers, and architects following in the footsteps of lauded Mexican modernists. For the trip of a lifetime, dust off the passport and get the camera ready. Here’s what not to miss now in this booming metro.

STAY

Built in 1931, the historic, Mexican art-deco Hippodrome Hotel Condesa (hippodromehotel.mx) in the Tehuacan Building has been carefully restored, thanks to architect and owner, Nahim Dagdug.

Tucked in the quiet neighborhood of La Condesa (think cobblestone streets and elaborate stone fountains), the 16-room boutique hotel features modern-meets-glam guest rooms and suites fashioned with crisp, white linens, charcoal-hued velvet settees, mirrored walls and private balconies dotted with succulents and potted air plants. For an after-dinner drink, choose a seat on the open-air patio at on-site restaurant Aida, framed by a cascading, living plant wall.

Masterminded by architect Javier Sánchez, newly opened Hotel Carlota (hotelcarlota.com) is marked by an avant-garde reception

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area with found objects such as old suitcases, vintage typewriters and gasoline containers, and adjacent design store Taxonomía, with a mix of items—from handmade A-line dresses by local clothing designer Dafne Delgado and custom, wooden desk trays by design firm La Metropolitana. Formerly the Hotel Jardín Amazonas, the property aptly named for Doña Carlota offers a library for lounging, an outdoor lap pool and 36 guest rooms (10 with private terraces) outfitted with industrial-style lighting, concrete floors and Danish modern-inspired chairs.

The 237-room W Mexico City (wmexicocity.com), located in the Polanco neighborhood, has just unveiled a major, multi-million dollar renovation replete with renowned Chef José Andrés’ new restaurant J By José Andrés. Each of the guest rooms, appointed by New York–based designer Anurag Nema of nemaworkshop (of the W New Orleans in the French Quarter), features a “Masquerade” theme with winks to Mexican culture such as cheeky lucha libre bottle openers and over-bed mirrored art installations layered with Mexican crafts and toys. This summer the hotel will also debut a new spa concept and updated E-Wow suites.

EXPLORE

At Museo Frida Kahlo (museofridakahlo.org.mx) delve into the life and works of beloved artist Frida Kahlo. Known as the “Blue House,” the former residence-turned-museum houses more than 6,000 photographs, dresses and artwork including Vida la Vida, as well as a preserved artist studio. Grab a bite at the café or visit the boutique with a well-edited selection of art books, mugs and jewelry. (Get to the museum early to secure a place in line).

The Museo Casa Estudio Diego Rivera y Frida Kahlo is also

oursouthbay.com

Mexico Moderno

a must-see (estudiodiegorivera.bellasartes.gob.mx). The preserved buildings were inhabited by Kahlo and her husband, Rivera, (who lived there from 1934 to 1940), as well as architect and friend Juan O’Gorman, who designed the residences in 1931. Highlights include original letters and a video of Rivera painting actress Dolores del Rio. For a look at modern architecture through the lens of acclaimed Mexican architect Luis Barragán, book a guided tour of his residence, Casa Luis Barragán (casaluisbarragan.org). Built in 1948, the house (now a UNESCO World Heritage site and used by visiting architects) contains Barragán’s original modern furniture and artwork by Diego Rivera and Picasso.

Across the street, don’t miss Labor Gallery (labor.org.mx.en) with a selection of paintings, sculpture and mixed media by local and international artists such as Jan Peter Hammer, Irene Kopelman, Pablo Vargas Lugo and Jill Magid.

Relive the 1968 Olympics with a stop at Estadio Olímpico Universitario. Opened in 1952, the stadium served as the site for the opening and closing ceremonies as well as track-and-field competitions and equestrian events.

At nearby Museo Universitario de Arte Contemporáneo – UNAM, get lost in the gift shop with a large collection of art and design tomes, or linger over a leisurely lunch at the café.

The bulbous, shimmering façade of the Museo Soumaya (museosoumaya.com.mx) draws crowds from around the globe for its expansive collection of original Auguste Rodin sculptures (the largest collection outside France). Opened in 1994, the museum was named after the wife of Carlos Slim and spans collections from old European masters, miniatures and reliquaries to fashion from the 18 th to 20 th centuries.

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For works by artists including Jeff Koons and Tacita Dean, head to the 45,000-square-foot Museo Jumex (fundacionjumex.org) designed by British architecture firm David Chipperfield Architects.

In the Roma neighborhood, head to Trouvé (trouve.mx) for a curated mix of vintage items by owner Javier Carral. Inside peruse midcentury finds such as ashtrays, prints from the 1968 Olympics, 1960s chandeliers and Danish wooden nesting tables.

At Fabrica Social (fabricasocial.org) pick up a take-home gift such as pillows, scarves and dresses—all made by local fair trade artisans.

DINE

At Quintonil (quintonil.com), a top restaurant headed up by husband-and-wife duo Alejandra Flores and Chef Jorge Vallejo (of other city staples Pujol and Noma), locally-sourced offerings include a Mexican herb salad with cojita cheese; a smoked crab tostada with lime, radish and chile-habanero mayonnaise; and marlin in green sauce with fennel and prickly pear.

Dating to the 17 th century, the hacienda-style San Angel Inn (sanangelinn.com) is an ideal spot for lunch. Once a former monastery, the landmark eatery features a manicured courtyard lined with stone fountains and a traditional Mexican menu with items such as chicken with mole sauce or Veracruz-style sea bass.

Conceived by chefs Bruno Oteiza and Mikel Alonso, MexicanBasque fusion restaurant Biko (biko.com.mx) appeared on S.Pellegrino’s Top 50 Restaurants list. Awash in walnut and sandhued tones, the fine dining destination boasts two menus with inventive dishes such as the almond-infused pork cheeks topped with horchata foam, and creamy soup with German turnips (or kohlrabi) and black olives. 

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Presented by The Palos Verdes Bluff, by Mario Mirkovich

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FIND US SOCIALLY

/OurSouthbay

@OurSouthbay

@OurSouthbay

/OurSouthbay

Real Estate & Mortgage For most of us, owning real estate is the biggest financial investment of our lives. Whether buying or selling a home, it is essential to be in the right hands. A knowledgable real estate agent is crucial for navigating the process and making smart decisions. And an expert lender can be a game-changer in landing your dream property. It simply makes sense to have the very best in the business by your side.

Ready to save time, money and headaches?

Meet some of the South Bay’s top real estate and mortgage professionals on the following pages ...

EDITED BY LAURA WATTS PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL, BLAINE OHIGASHI & LAUREN PRESSEY

126 RICHARD HAYNES Manhattan Pacific Realty

131 REGAN HAGESTAD Watermark Home Loans

128 EDLER | DERENZIS Vista | Sotheby’s International Realty

132 PATTY SULLIVAN Vista | Sotheby’s International Realty

129 KRISTEN NOVOA Vista | Sotheby’s International Realty

133 THE GILLESPIEHOST GROUP Vista | Sotheby’s International Realty

130 CHAD HEITZLER FAHLBUSCH NW Real Estate Brokers

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134 DIANA TURNER & SUSAN BOETTNER Vista | Sotheby’s International Realty

138 GORDON INMAN & KEITH KELLEY The Inman Team Keller Williams Realty

135 ALISON CLAY-DUBOFF Salty Water Properties, Inc.

139 KEVIN FERREYRA & KEVIN ZARNICK Beach Cities Mortgage Group

136 AMIR AMIRI & RODMAN AMIRI Merit Real Estate

137 AARON ANVARIPOUR & POOYAN FARD Redondo Mortgage Center

140 ERIC FORMILLER & HEATHER MASON Formiller & Mason Team New American Funding

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“We want to be the most trusted name in real estate. We are in a unique position because of our locations. We are experts not only in Palos Verdes, where we’ve been a long time, but also the Beach Cities. Our tagline is: Our Neighborhood–Your Home.”

– THE EDLER | DERENZIS GROUP

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125

Real Estate & Mortgage RICHARD HAYNES Broker/Owner Manhattan Pacific Realty

2615 Pacific Coast Highway Suite 100, Hermosa Beach 310-379-1724 | manhattanpacificrealty.com

L

ongtime South Bay resident Richard Haynes founded Manhattan Pacific Realty in 2011 as a complement to his real estate investment firm, Elwood Capital Group, Inc. Richard’s team of agents specializes in South Bay real estate—from luxury homes to investment property. Manhattan Pacific Realty has recently closed transactions as far north as Playa Vista and Inglewood down to the Palos Verdes Peninsula; they specialize in the Beach Cities of Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beach.

Why should potential clients choose your team?

How does your knowledge of the local culture benefit your clients?

“I grew up in Palos Verdes and attended preschool through high school on the P.V. Peninsula. For college, I attended USC and lived in LA for four years. Postcollege I have lived, worked and played full-time in all areas throughout Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beach. I truly understand the local culture of the South Bay and greater Los Angeles area, as I have been a resident here for almost three decades. That experience allows me to take what clients want in a home or investment and accurately place them in a property that fits their lifestyle.”

“We have an energetic, young, extremely intelligent team that conducts business with honesty and integrity. With technology changing the landscape of real estate faster than ever before, sellers need a team that is in tune with the latest online marketing techniques while still honoring the tried and true ‘old school’ marketing to sell your home. Every agent at Manhattan Pacific has experience working on a real estate investment transaction, whether it is an income property, home flip, or development. As a result, they know a good deal when they see one and are able to move quickly. We pride ourselves on educating our clients like seasoned investors, and we believe that our clients acquire some of the best home and investment property deals in the South Bay. You can rest easy knowing that you are working with some of the highest caliber real estate agents in the area.”

What additional services does your company offer clients?

What trends do you foresee for the 2016 real estate market in Southern California?

“We have an unparalleled team environment in our office. There is energy and excitement every day that is difficult to find in a big-box real estate office. In addition to a great culture, we have a beautiful new contemporary office where our agents are proud to bring clients and conduct business.”

“We expect markets close to the beach to continue steady and consistent growth, while markets more inland should slow down and even plateau for a while with the exception of cities like Inglewood that have an economic driver (i.e., major redevelopment and potential NFL team). It is extremely difficult to predict what is in store for 2016 because not only does The Fed plan to raise interest rates, but it is also an election year. The strength of the stock market also holds great influence over local real estate. Those three key factors will really determine the trend of southern California real estate markets this year. We plan to be nimble and react to the results of these factors accordingly. We believe in proceeding with business as usual in real estate—but proceed with patience, caution and discipline.”

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“In addition to selling homes, we offer our clients a unique insight into income property and building a custom home of their dreams. We have many years of investment experience and have a proven track record of building wealth through income property. Our current clients have made healthy profits thanks to our advice on investing in income property throughout the Beach Cities, Inglewood and south Los Angeles markets, and our new favorite city—Oceanside. We also have a vast depth of experience in purchasing land or a teardown to build a custom home. We assist clients in assessing land value and building costs to acquire property where they not only can build the home of their dreams but have significant equity when all is said and done.”

In what ways is your firm a great place to work?

How do you give back to your community?

“I am proud to be a member of USC Marshall Partners, where we donate and raise money for the Marshall School of Business and the Leventhal School of Accounting. It is great to see the funds grant hard-working students the opportunity to travel abroad to study international business, compete in a national competition or receive seed money for a promising start-up.”

BRE #01909107 BRE #01779425

L to R: Max Fitzgerald, Paul Cooney, Jaime Davern, Kelley Dahlen, Richard Haynes, Julie Haynes

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FAST FACT A graduate of USC Marshall with an emphasis in entrepreneurship, Richard enjoys watching Trojan football, biking on The Strand, playing beach volleyball and co-ed intermural sports, and working out at CrossFit Redondo.

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KITTY EDLER, RICK EDLER, DARIN DERENZIS Edler | DeRenzis Group Vista | Sotheby’s International Realty

608 Silver Spur Rd. #103 Rolling Hills Estates 2501 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Manhattan Beach Rick: 310-872-4333 | Darin: 310-418-6210 EdlerDeRenzis.com

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n 1997 mother-and-son team Rick Edler and Kitty Edler formed The Edler Group. Darin DeRenzis joined the team in 2005, and the business name became Edler | DeRenzis Group. The team works within the Vista | Sotheby’s International Realty franchise, which has offices in Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

What makes you the best in real estate?

“What makes us effective for our clients is that we can see the market from many different angles. Twenty-five years of experience in this business has taught us trends, pitfalls and how to interact with other agents.

We do this on national, regional and local levels, all the way down to a neighborhood level. We know the details of understanding inspections and negotiating with other agents and sellers and buyers. We bring a great deal of resources to our clients.”

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What areas of real estate do you specialize in?

“First and foremost we’re residential Realtors who buy and sell homes for our clients.

However, we do not try to be all things to all people. We believe in a high level of service for a small group of clients. We also help with commercial sales, leasing, property management and with any aspect of real estate.

Our clients depend on the high level of fully integrated service we provide.”

FAST FACT Darin was born and raised in Palos Verdes and has lived in Hermosa Beach since graduating from UCLA. Rick grew up in Palos Verdes and moved to Manhattan Beach after graduating from USC; he returned to Palos Verdes 27 years ago.

Kitty was born in Chicago, attended the University of Iowa and moved to Southern California in 1984.

What is the biggest challenge facing your clients today? How do you help them with those challenges?

“There is no one, two or even three factors that influence the market anymore. We are based on the stock market in China and New York, the growth in India, the weather in Dubai and Canada. We are truly a global economy, and real estate is impacted by that.

All the old rules are changing as the world becomes a more interconnected.”

What is your #1 source for finding new clients?

“Referrals and past clients.”

In what ways is your firm a great place to work?

“We are a family, and we collaborate— whether we’re helping each other or networking with clients throughout the area. We believe in community and use that to support our clients and have a good time while we’re doing it.”

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Real Estate & Mortgage

K

risten Novoa of Vista Sotheby’s International Realty has spent 16 years as a real estate agent in the South Bay. Kristen earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology, and before becoming a Realtor she worked as a psychologist and a jury consultant. Kristen is certified in Negotiations, Luxury Home Marketing and International Property.

What areas of real estate do you specialize in?

“The Strand is a unique market where I have closed 65 transactions to date,and have set record-breaking sales there four times. I currently have active listings on the Hermosa and Manhattan Strand. My high-end listings bring higher visibility to my lower priced listings providing increased exposure overall. But I don’t only sell high-end; I bring a luxury level of professionalism to clients in any price range.”

Why did you obtain an International Property Specialization?

“After managing several transactions for people coming here from other countries and seeing clients relocate away overseas, I wanted to learn more about other cultures and better understand their ways of doing business. I’ve helped clients from China, New Zealand, Sweden, Ireland Japan, Holland, the U.K. and more. Through my worldwide network of real estate agents, I have also helped my clients purchase homes outside the U.S.”

FAST FACT Kristen has successfully managed real estate transactions for clients from the U.S. and around the world.

How does your educational background enhance your work in real estate?

“The psychological aspect is key to listening skills and mostly helps in counseling people through the home buying and selling process. They need reassurance and someone who can communicate effectively. My legal background helps me strategize and break down all the moving parts in real estate transactions. I like to get ahead of issues before they arise, which helps ease the stress for my clients. I sincerely care about my clients, and I’m here to be their chief strategist and trusted advisor through the entire process. As a certified negotiations expert, I’ve had formal training in how to negotiate—probably the most critical aspect of being a Realtor.”

KRISTEN NOVOA

Realtor® Vista Sotheby’s International Realty 2501 N. Sepulveda Blvd.

2nd Floor, Manhattan Beach 310-318-5954 southbayopenhouse.com

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How have your current and past clients described you?

“‘I felt like her only client.’ ‘Always available when I need her.’ ‘Tenacious and works through any obstacles.’ ‘A joy to work with.’ ‘Professional and honest.’ ‘Amazingly unselfish.’ ‘Calm and positive.’ ‘Extremely considerate of needs expressed.’ ‘Dedicated.’ ‘Trusted.’”

Disclaimer: Each office is independently owned and operated.

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C

had Heitzler Fahlbusch is a full-time real estate agent for buyers and sellers of single-family homes, townhouses, income properties and development projects from Manhattan Beach to Palos Verdes. He has worked in the real estate industry for the past 131/2 years. When he’s not working, Chad enjoys surfing, mountain biking and playing with his two boys, Thatcher and Blake.

CHAD HEITZLER FAHLBUSCH Realtor® NW Real Estate Brokers 1214 Highland Ave. Manhattan Beach 310-600-3555 southbaychad.com

What makes you the best in real estate?

“My clients often tell me the #1 reason they work with me and refer my services to their friends and co-workers is because they liked my level of personal service. ‘Chad is a hand-holder’ is what I often hear from clients.”

Why should potential clients choose you?

“I have sold more than $625 million in residential real estate since 2003. Results should matter, and I have a track record that makes my clients feel they are working with an expert in South Bay real estate.”

What trends do you foresee for the 2016 real estate market in Southern California?

“I see that rates will remain low and buyers will be very active in the market. I see it being an opportune time to sell property and move into something you have always wanted, to take advantage of low interest rates.”

What is the biggest challenge facing your clients today?

“Low inventory. You have to work with a Realtor who has a network and knows about homes that are not even listed on the MLS or the internet.”

FAST FACT Chad and his wife, Aimee, have two sons, Thatcher and Blake, who attend Grand View School.

What additional services does your company offer clients?

“We do everything from selling your home to remodeling your home to installing surf racks in your garage to dropping you off at the airport. We want your business!”

How do you use your personal and professional connections to help your clients get the best deals?

“The South Bay has been my home for 43 years—I was born and raised here. I have established relationships over the years that get my clients the homes they never thought they could get.”

How do you give back to your community?

“I donate to many local charities, coach youth sports in my community, and I always sponsor local sports leagues because I believe youth sports build a solid foundation for the rest of your life.”

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Real Estate & Mortgage

R

egan Hagestad has worked in mortgage banking for the past 13 years. He joined Watermark Home Loans in 2007. Regan holds a bachelor’s degree in business management, a California Bureau of Real Estate Brokers license and a National NMLS Mortgage Loan Originator license.

What makes you the best in your industry?

“My competitive spirit. As a former college athlete I love to win, and my clients are the ones who ultimately benefit from that. Whether it’s a challenge in underwriting where I need to get them to see our side of the story or if a new client is having an issue with another lender, I won’t quit until I find a solution.”

Why should potential clients choose your team?

“My reputation within the industry is what separates me and my team. The mortgage industry isn’t as simple as an advertised rate. With new regulations and guidelines coming out all of the time, clients need someone with the experience and expertise to navigate a transaction and close on time.”

What is the biggest challenge facing your clients today?

“With the internet we’re all swimming in an ocean of information, but that doesn’t always translate to knowledge. My clients don’t need to spend hours of their own time researching programs or looking at scenarios. We offer a one-stop-shop for all of their financing needs. We take the guesswork out of obtaining a home loan and provide clear, accurate advice upfront.”

FAST FACT Regan and his team have closed more than 2,000 loans in his 13-year career.

How do you help clients navigate the complex arena of real estate?

REGAN HAGESTAD

Director of Mortgage Banking Watermark Home Loans 310-607-0131 welcometoregan.com

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“Preparation and communication are the two most important things when obtaining a home loan. Being prepared by completing a full approval—not just a pre-approval—is something very few lenders do. From the time I start working with a client until well after the close of escrow, communicating effectively and often is what my clients always appreciate the most.”

What is your #1 source for finding new clients?

“The Realtors I work with and their recommendations are my main source of business. Over the past 13 years I’ve developed a system for my agents that not only gives their clients the best experience possible, it helps increase their business year after year.”

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Real Estate & Mortgage

PATTY SULLIVAN

Realtor® Vista | Sotheby’s International Realty 618 Silver Spur Rd., Suite 103, Palos Verdes Peninsula 310-418-7906 | palosverdes-beachcities-homes.com

P

atty Sullivan’s father was a real estate broker, so she grew up in the business. She has been a licensed Realtor since 2005 and has lived in the South Bay for more than three decades.

She joined Vista | Sotheby’s International Realty in 2014.

What trends do you foresee for the 2016 real estate market in Southern California?

“With Silicon Beach just north of the South Bay, I believe real estate value will continue to increase. The South Bay offers great schools and an excellent quality of life for families. With close proximity to the ocean, the air quality is spectacular. The South Bay cities also offer tremendous areas for hiking, biking and water sports. Outdoor activities and fitness are a big part of the lifestyle. And the communities offer every opportunity to get involved with the arts, education and numerous charitable events.”

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How does your knowledge of the local culture benefit your clients?

“I love sharing the history of Palos Verdes and how it was founded and developed, which actually affects all of the South Bay cities. Since I have lived on the Peninsula for more than 30 years, I have wonderful relationships with numerous people. I have raised two children here and am very familiar with all of the schools and what they have to offer. I have also been involved in supporting many local charities, helping to achieve their goals.”

Which certifications do you hold?

“I hold certifications as a Palos Verdes Specialist, a Certified Negotiation Specialist, Senior Real Estate Specialist and Accredited Buyer Specialist.”

What is your #1 source for finding new clients?

“I have come to know many people over the

years, and my #1 source of new clients is by referral.”

FAST FACT Patty holds certifications as a Palos Verdes Specialist, a Certified Negotiation Specialist, Senior Real Estate Specialist and Accredited Buyer Specialist.

In what ways is your firm a great place to work?

“Vista | Sotheby’s International offers the highest quality of marketing that is possible for its clients and their properties. Hand-in-hand with marketing are the highest quality of experienced agents one could entrust with their real estate investments. The knowledge and expertise are incomparable, and it is a privilege and pleasure to work among such committed colleagues.”

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Real Estate & Mortgage

THE GILLESPIE-HOST GROUP Vista | Sotheby’s International Realty

2501 N Sepulveda Blvd., 2nd Floor | 1144 Highland Ave. Manhattan Beach 310-546-7611, ext. 364 | GillespieHostGroup.com

T

he Gillespie-Host Group is a team of experienced brokers/ real estate agents: Jack Gillespie, Maggie Gillespie-Wright, Claire Gillespie-Waldron and Barry Host.

FAST FACT The members of The Gillespie-Host Group are all lifelong residents of Manhattan Beach and collectively have 65+ years real estate experience in the Beach Cities.

What makes you the best in real estate?

“We have the knowledge and connections to gain clients top dollar in this competitive market. No detail is too small for us to handle.

Dedication, patience, exceptional service, integrity and ethical advice are the foundation that marks us as the top-producing team with unparalleled passion for the business of real estate. We are confident that we will find our

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clients exactly what they are looking for. We proactively explore and network to locate all properties on- and off- market. We don’t take lightly the trust our clients place in us. We have developed long-lasting friendships with many of our clients because we truly care.”

What would you like potential clients to know about your team?

“The members of The Gillespie-Host Group are all lifelong residents of Manhattan Beach and collectively have 65+ years real estate experience in the Beach Cities. This is immeasurable when making the important financial decision of a home purchase. Moreover, we bring a global reach due to our association with Vista | Sotheby’s International Realty. Whether our clients are first-time or seasoned home buyers, we listen to their needs—knowing they will soon be our neighbors. It is important to us that they are satisfied with their purchase. As the saying goes, ‘There’s no place like home.’ Many of our clients have honored us by expressing their gratitude for the service we provided. These

testimonials contribute to our reputation for outstanding service.”

How important is integrity when working in this industry?

“You only have one reputation. We treat others like we want to be treated—always honest, always direct and always keeping our clients’ interest front and center.”

How do you give back to your community?

“The Gillespie-Host Group is involved with supporting local South Bay schools and is a sponsor of the Manhattan Beach Christmas Fireworks Show. We also support charities such as Giveback Homes, LA Family Housing, Jonathan Jacques Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Doctors without Borders, Union Rescue Mission, ASPCA and local pet shelters.”

Disclaimer: Each office is independently owned and operated.

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Real Estate & Mortgage

DIANA TURNER & SUSAN BOETTNER

Realtors® Vista Sotheby’s International Realty

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ealtors Susan Boettner and Diana Turner have more than four decades of combined experience representing sellers and buyers of residential and income properties in the South Bay and West Los Angeles. Susan joined the firm in 1995 and Diana in 2004.

This looks like a fun rivalry; tell us about you two.

Diana: “Susan and I have been Realtor colleagues for more than 10 years. We’ve consulted each other about various transactions.

We have the same strong work ethic. We both donate regularly to our local schools and charities. We love supporting our great LA universities.”

Susan: “Diana and I have always had parallel philosophies regarding what it takes to be a top producer and to give clients exceptional service.

The Bruin/Trojan ‘friendly competition’ between us keeps it fun. We are both longtime homeowners with deep roots in the community.”

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2501 N. Sepulveda Blvd., 2nd Floor Manhattan Beach 310-977-2313 | info@susanboettner.com 310-213-2450 | diana.turner@vistasir.com

FAST FACT Susan is a nationally-certified aquatic fitness professional and teaches at the Bay Club pool. Diana spent 20+ years in media/publishing before her real estate career, including LA Manager for Good Housekeeping.

Why was this your best business year ever?

Diana: “After being a Realtor for more than 11 years, I’ve built a good client base who have recommended me to their friends. I grew up in West LA, so I have a big circle of friends there too, and my USC alumni friends. Our merger with Vista Sotheby’s International Realty has elevated our reach to new buyers and sellers.”

Susan: “In 25+ years I’ve seen both good and bad real estate economies. My clients know

I’m here for them for the long term—not just a commission—so they trust me tremendously. I’ve built a solid source of referred clients as a result. I’ve also specialized in helping seniors and heirs with strategies to sell the family home.”

What would you like potential clients to know about you?

Diana: “I make sure my clients get my undivided attention. I have a huge list of experts for inspections, title, loan brokers, etc. to answer questions quickly. My clients will learn about local niche neighborhoods and off-market buys not seen on popular real estate websites. This gives them an advantage versus other buyers.”

Susan: “I grew up in Manhattan Beach and my kids attend the local schools. I’m a licensed broker with a high degree of knowledge and expertise. I love helping people who appreciate my value to them in helping them make the right real estate decision.”

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Real Estate & Mortgage

ALISON CLAY-DUBOFF Realtor® Salty Water Properties, Inc.

1040 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach 310-200-3037 | alisonisrealestate.com

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ealtor Alison Clay-Duboff, owner of Salty Water Properties, Inc., represents buyers and sellers across Los Angeles. She is in the top 10% of RE/MAX Estate Properties agents and has worked in the industry for almost 10 years. Alison is a graduate of George Washington University and the American University of Paris, France.

What makes you the best in real estate?

“It would be very boastful to say I’m the best, but I can say that I’m always all in, committed, dedicated, educated, current and relevant.”

Why should potential clients choose your team?

“Sellers are inspired by my marketing and results. I’m hired to sell a home, and I do the work—not someone else. My buyers know that I have a flair for getting them what they want.”

How do you find new clients?

“Referrals are a huge part of my business, but I am also known globally, so my phone keeps ringing! Open houses are always my way to represent my sellers while meeting new prospects.”

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What would you like potential clients to know about your team?

“My team surrounds me with a mainstay of knowledge, action and reliability. That’s what we all want, isn’t it?”

How does your knowledge of the local culture benefit your clients?

“It’s all about the micro-neighborhood lifestyle and how to connect a buyer with the right fit for their life requirements. Investors all have different goals, and frequently those goals are not clearly defined in their minds. I offer choices and information to help guide them to make their own informed decisions. For my sellers, it’s about being a buyer magnet, and knowledge of our micro-markets, stellar marketing and having a global reach.”

How do you use your personal and professional connections to help your clients get the best deals?

“Networking is key. It’s not uniquely what you know but who knows you, and a solid reputation in my own Realtor community is crucial.

And it doesn’t hurt to be friends with the likes of Manhattan Beach Post/Fishing with Dynomite and The Arthur J’s owners! My clients

can’t live without those bacon, buttermilk, cheddar cheese biscuits!”

Tell us about a recent real estate solution you are proud of.

“I was asked by UCLA to give a presentation about the Physician Loan Programs. I put together an extremely fact-based event. They learned more about their abilities as home buyers and the process of home buying than they ever expected!”

FAST FACT Alison is the chairperson of the Global Real Estate Committee at the South Bay Association of Realtors.

What is the biggest challenge facing your clients today?

“Some of my younger doctors and dentists face issues with their heavy student loans, but I’m overcoming these issues by educating these clients about specific loan programs that supply the options to get into a home of their own.”

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016, SOUTHBAY

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MERIT REAL ESTATE

Amir Amiri, Broker/Owner Rodman Amiri, Broker Associate 2305 190th St., Redondo Beach 310-379-4444 | meritrealestate.com

L

ocated in Redondo Beach, the team at Merit Real Estate specializes in the South Bay area. Owner Amir Amiri founded the brokerage in 1989, and Rodman Amiri joined the firm in 2008. Amir has a master’s degree in civil engineering, and Rodman has a bachelor’s degree in public policy, planning and development with an emphasis in real estate development.

What makes you the best in real estate?

“The personal service we bring to our clients. It has created life-long clients for us, and that keeps us in business. Treating people right and truly looking out for their best interests … that’s what makes us the best.”

What area of real estate do you specialize in?

“Our specialty is new construction. We are currently listing about 40 to 50 new construction homes every year.”

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Why should potential clients choose your team?

“We are a small boutique firm. When you work with one of our agents, you get the whole team. Most of our clients know our entire staff by name, and we’re all here to help in every aspect of a transaction.”

How does your knowledge of the local culture benefit your clients?

“We have been in Redondo Beach since 1989.

We have been serving the local community’s real estate and finance needs for more than 25 years. Our clients are our neighbors.”

How important is integrity when working in this industry?

“Integrity is the #1 characteristic you will find in a Merit agent. We know that buying a home can be one of the biggest financial decisions of someone’s life, and to facilitate that process, integrity and honesty are crucial to keep a client happy. Integrity relates back to our previous comment: We always keep our client’s best interests as our top priority.”

What is your #1 source for finding new clients?

“Referrals and reputation. About 90% of our clients are via word-of-mouth and repeat business. And in our business, there is no greater compliment than a client coming back to you. It shows that there is trust and satisfaction from the client.”

FAST FACT The Merit Real Estate team sponsored professional volleyball players Jenny Kropp and Nicole Branagh, who competed in the 2015 AVP Finals at the Manhattan Beach Open.

In what ways is your firm a great place to work?

“We are like a family here … we don’t compete with each other; we all like to help each other grow.”

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Real Estate & Mortgage

S

enior mortgage consultant Aaron Anvaripour and senior loan consultant Pooyan Fard of Redondo Mortgage Center assist borrowers with obtaining loans to purchase or refinance residential and commercial properties. The team services all areas of California, particularly Southern California and the South Bay.

How does your knowledge of the local culture benefit your clients?

Aaron: “Having been born and raised in the South Bay, I understand the South Bay culture. If I’m providing the best service, rates and loan products, they will tell their friends and write about it on Yelp. Being able to relate to the local culture helps me ensure that my clients will receive what they really want.”

What makes you the best in the mortgage industry?

Pooyan: “As I elaborated in my recent article published in Scotsman Guide, I firmly believe that in the current market there has been a fundamental power shift from banks and lenders to customers. Here at Redondo Mortgage Center, we embrace this change and take the necessary time to listen to our customers’ wants and needs to be able to adapt and change accordingly.

Ultimately, this shift has made it nearly impossible for lenders to compete on price and product alone. We focus on trust and customer service as our differentiators to make the competition irrelevant.”

FAST FACT Aaron has worked in mortgage banking for the past decade and joined Redondo Mortgage Center in 2005. Pooyan has worked in the industry for four years, joining the firm in 2012.

Why should potential clients choose your team?

Aaron: “We have a hard-working team of experienced and knowledgeable loan processors and loan officers.

We have great leadership. We have established excellent relationships with clients and business partners.

We are committed to integrity. We understand what it takes to make our customers happy, and we work closely together to ensure that our clients are receiving the absolute best service possible.”

REDONDO MORTGAGE CENTER Aaron Anvaripour, Senior Mortgage Consultant Pooyan Fard, Senior Loan Consultant

2305 190th Street, Redondo Beach 310-318-8999 | redondomortgage.com

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What trends do you foresee for the 2016 real estate market in Southern California?

Pooyan: “The year of 2015 was a very hot year for real estate; it was one of the main drivers of the economy.

There has been a debate on whether the Federal Reserve is going to stop their decade-long, close-tozero interest rates, and it could happen in early 2016.

I believe that the real estate and mortgage market will continue to have a healthy growth and expect it will be a great year ahead.”

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016, SOUTHBAY

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Real Estate & Mortgage

GORDON INMAN & KEITH KELLEY The Inman Team Keller Williams Realty

K

eith Kelley and Gordon Inman of The Inman Team together have more than 47 years of experience working in residential and commercial real estate. They specialize in residential real estate, multi-family and commercial properties in Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro and surrounding cities in the South Bay. The team also consists of Nicole Pletkovich, marketing coordinator, Nancy Inman, logistics, and Robyn Hosking, transaction coordinator.

Why should potential clients choose your team?

Gordon: “The personal service we bring to our clients distinguishes us from the competition.

We are hands-on Realtors with our clients; we show up for everything—inspections, appraisals, open houses, etc. We never pass our responsibilities on to anyone else.”

Keith: “Our vast knowledge of the market area is a huge factor. We are constantly striving to learn about what’s happening:

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28901 S. Western Ave. #139 Rancho Palos Verdes 310-944-5554 | InmanTeam.com building regulations, who is building what, who is selling what, and doing everything possible to know about every single listing on the market.”

FAST FACT Gordon and his wife, Nancy, have five children, 10 grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. Keith and his wife, Kelly, have two children.

Which certifications do you hold?

Keith: “Gordon and I are members of the Keller Williams Luxury Homes division, Palos Verdes Specialists and certified Luxury Homes Marketing Specialists. We are also members of ‘The Thousand,’ a prestigious national awards ranking by The Wall Street Journal. The Inman Team is now ranked in the top one-half of 1% of the more than 1,100,000 Realtors nation-

wide. The Inman Team has been the #1 team for Keller Williams LA Coastal Region for five out of the last six years and the #1 team in Rolling Hills four years straight.”

Gordon: “It is a great feeling when our work is honored through awards and features.

We made the Real Trends list of top 0.1% of all agents nationwide, and we were featured on the cover with a six-page spread in Top Agent Magazine.”

How do you give back to your community?

Keith: “Community service is very important to us. Our team has participated in fundraising events such as Patriot Angels and Keller Williams Red Day. I also attend a charity golf tournament and donate to the Los Angeles Children’s Hospital.”

Gordon: “I enjoy working with the Toberman Neighborhood Center, many of our Keller Williams fundraising events and our annual holiday party toy drive. We are also part of a movement to redevelop the San Pedro waterfront.”

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Real Estate & Mortgage

K

evin Ferreyra and Kevin Zarnick of Beach Cities Mortgage Group (BCMG) have both been mortgage bankers/brokers for a combined total of nearly three decades. They work in cooperation with American Capital Corporation, a direct lender located in El Segundo. Kevin Ferreyra graduated from UC Irvine and has a true passion for flying. Kevin Zarnick is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach and a military veteran. Both are South Bay residents with deep roots in the community. Their combined experiences, both within and outside the mortgage industry, have led to a deep understanding of clients’ needs.

FAST FACT Kevin Ferreyra has been a licensed pilot and flight instructor for more than 20 years, with ratings in both propeller and jet aircraft. Kevin Zarnick is a 10-year U.S. Air Force veteran as an intelligence officer supporting both satellite and fighter wing operations in Virginia and Okinawa, Japan.

What makes you successful in mortgage lending?

“We complement each other well. We work together creating a great synergy by maximizing both of our strengths, which in turn helps our clients attain the mortgage that best suits their needs with competitive pricing. Our partnership also ensures we are easily accessible to our clients and real estate partners.”

What area of real estate do you specialize in?

“Our focus is direct lending, meaning we have access to the people approving and funding our clients’ loans. Another benefit of our partnership is the ability to broker loans to outside banks that have special programs not readily available at direct lenders. It makes us more competitive and allows us to find the right resources for those hard-to-place loans.”

Why should potential clients choose your team?

“Our main focus is satisfaction and peace of mind. We know the home buying or refinance process is stressful, and we want to ensure we keep our end as stress-free as possible for our clients and real estate partners. Having regular contact and timely updates from us ensures everyone in the process is well informed.”

What trends do you foresee for the 2016 real estate market in Southern California?

KEVIN FERREYRA & KEVIN ZARNICK Mortgage Bankers Beach Cities Mortgage Group 2121 Rosecrans Avenue, 6th Floor El Segundo Kevin Ferreyra: 310-480-4963 Kevin Zarnick: 310-713-1764 beachcitiesmortgage.com

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“Our focus is on the South Bay market, which is typically stronger than other areas of Southern California, and we believe that trend will continue. Whether purchasing or refinancing a home, we have positioned ourselves to be both relevant and available to our clients and real estate partners so they can take advantage of that strength here in our community.”

Disclaimer: Beach Cities Mortgage Group and American Capital Corporation are registered DBAs of AKT American Capital, Inc., which is licensed by the California Department of Business Oversight, under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, License #4131347 NMLS #264422.

Kevin Ferreyra: CA BRE #01441551 NMLS #235397 Kevin Zarnick: CA BRE #01324898 MLS #282267 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016, SOUTHBAY

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Real Estate & Mortgage

ERIC FORMILLER & HEATHER MASON Formiller & Mason Team New American Funding

1230 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 402, Manhattan Beach newamericanagent.com/ericformiller FMTeam@NAFinc.com Eric: 310-308-7144 | Heather: 310-529-7674

T

he Formiller & Mason Team is a mortgage banking group under the umbrella of New American Funding, specializing in residential and apartment loans in the South Bay. Eric and Heather have a combined 30 years of experience and are Certified Mortgage Planning Specialists, licensed with the NMLS (Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System).

FAST FACT Eric and his wife, Casie, live in Manhattan Beach and are proud parents of a new baby girl, Jessie. Heather also lives in Manhattan Beach with her daughter, Sasha.

What makes you the best in mortgage?

“Experience, attention to detail and our ability to structure complex transactions is why we’re recognized as the go-to lending team in the South Bay. We have longstanding relationships with our clients and Realtor partners, which have helped us both earn rankings

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among the Top 1% of mortgage professionals in the U.S! Clients know that they can count on us to come through for them. There’s no substitute for experience, especially in mortgage lending.”

In what ways is your firm a great place to work?

“New American Funding is consistently rated as one of the top lenders in the nation. As a mortgage banking firm, we work as both a direct lender as well as a broker providing our clients access to more than 20 investor’s loan products to meet virtually every need. From jumbo to FHA to reverse mortgages, we can do it all including alternative lending programs such as low down payment loans with no mortgage insurance or using bank statements in lieu of tax returns for income qualification for our self-employed borrowers.”

Why should potential clients choose your team?

“The lending environment has changed dramatically in recent years, and today more than ever, experience is crucial. Rarely, if ever

is there a scenario that comes across our desk that we haven’t seen before. We understand the importance and value of our customers having a smooth and stress-free lending experience. Our team has created the ‘perfect loan process’ to ensure that every client has a lending experience second to none.”

How does your knowledge of the local culture benefit your clients?

“Knowing the nuances and intricacies of the local market is critical. There are many entertainment professionals, athletes and selfemployed borrowers in the South Bay, and we pride ourselves in understanding complicated income situations.”

Disclaimer: NMLS #485383. NMLS #255796.

Licensed by the California Department of Business Oversight under the Residential Mortgage Lending Act License #4131117. NMLS ID#6606. © New American Funding. New American and New American funding are registered trademarks of Broker Solutions, DBA New American Funding. All Rights Reserved. 6/2014

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S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016, SOUTHBAY

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Stunning, panoramic ocean and city lights views, this brand new, 5 bedroom Palos Verdes Estates home offers gorgeous details and quality craftsmanship through-out. $4,998,000.

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LILY LIANG Executive Vice President, Strand Hill Properties 550 Silver Spur Road, Suite 240, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 14 SOUTHBAY, NOVEMBER (310) 2015 373-3333 | lily@lilyliang.com | www.lilyliang.com Cal BRE# 00837794

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WHO IS STRAND HILL PROPERTIES?

Strand Hill / Christie’s International Real Estate is a boutique real estate brokerage with offices located in Manhattan Beach and Palos Verdes. Strand Hill is an exclusive global affiliate of the Christie’s International Real Estate network.

WHAT IS CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE?

Established by James Christie nearly 250 years ago, Christie’s conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Today, it is the world’s premier auction house and sets the standard for international art sales.

Supported by the esteemed art auction house, Christie’s International Real Estate is a global network offering exclusive home and luxury real estate services to buyers and sellers worldwide. The Christie’s brand is instantly recognizable to clients and distinguishes your property from others. We focus exclusively on luxury residential real estate and understand how to reach and serve discerning clientele. Along with this expertise, we offer you the tailored, trusted service that our clients have depended on for 250 years, collaboration with our auction house colleagues, and referrals from our network of the world’s top brokers.

Christie’s International Real Estate built its reputation on the rigorous selection of local brokerages. Our Affiliates are selected for their success in luxury property sales and their ability to meet strict standards of excellence. When awarded Affiliate status, they gain access to our global marketing programs, worldwide network of more than 1,350 affiliate offices and 32,000 agents across more than 47 countries, and the expertise of the Christie’s International Real Estate regional management teams.

The art of beach real estate

STRAND HILL PROPERTIES 1131 Morningside Drive, 2nd Fl. Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 +1 310 545 0707

550 Silver Spur Road, Suite 240 Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 +1 310 541 6566

info@strandhillproperties.com www.strandhillproperties.com

CAL BRE #01968431

THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN REAL ESTATE

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edlerderenzis.com

2816 VIA ANACAPA | PALOS VERDES ESTATES | $4,650,000 | 5 BEDS | 4 BATHS

800 VIA SOMONTE | PALOS VERDES ESTATES | $4,499,000 | 5 BEDS | 5.5 BATHS

2928 VIA LA SELVA | PALOS VERDES ESTATES | $2,899,000 | 4 BEDS | 4.5 BATHS

10 VIA MALONA | RANCHO PALOS VERDES | $2,449,000 | 5 BEDS| 5.5 BATHS

85 LAUREL DRIVE | RANCHO PALOS VERDES | $5,995,000 | 6 BEDS | 9 BATHS

70 ALBERO CT. | RANCHO PALOS VERDES | $1,999,000 | 5 BEDS | 4.5 BATHS

DARIN DERENZIS RICK EDLER 310.418.6210

310.872.4333

BRE# 01760239

BRE# 01113145

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Happy Holidays from The Inman Team!

Thank you to our clients of Rolling Hills for making The Inman Team the #1 Team in Rolling Hills out of all agents and offices

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ColdwellBankerHomes.com ©2015 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.

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FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @ForbesCorrales ©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. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals.

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LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Color Me Fine

Why it’s important to make time for the things you enjoy.

Written by Alina Orozco

W

e talk often of improving our diets, getting more sleep and carving out time for exercise—especially in the beginning of the new year. We make resolutions to improve our physical bodies but often neglect to think of improving our psychological health.

And soon enough we are spinning within the vortex of adulthood, inundated with emails, conference calls, family obligations and social commitments. Our lives are scheduled by the hour, with tasks we must cross off our ever-growing to-do list. That’s life, we say to ourselves. And we prepare to do it again tomorrow, maybe more efficiently.

That’s the trouble with adulthood. We’re convinced our precious time is designated only for activities that help us reach our goals, become more productive or yield monetary results. So we stray away from leisurely childhood activities that seemingly had only one objective: They brought us joy.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Now more adults are finding that adolescent activities are exactly what they’ve mistakenly left off their to-do list. That’s right, kid hobbies like coloring are gaining popularity among grown-ups. Countless adult coloring books are now on the market, and Crayola has even put out a special set of markers and color pencils to accommodate the growing trend.

Why are adults choosing to spend time on diversions that might not be the most productive? It’s a great stress-reliever. And besides, hobbies—those things that everyone used to do before Netflix and online retail therapy—are vital for the soul. They nurture our spirit and restore our physical energy.

In fact, hobbies can be so stimulating that a 2015 study by the

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SOUTHBAY, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016

Society of Behavioral Medicine found that people who engaged in leisurely activities were 34% less stressed, overall happier and calmer.

Researchers also reported that it didn’t matter so much what the participants did, as long as it was an activity they deeply enjoyed.

Hobbies are a great reminder that not everything in life has to be about efficiency and productivity. Have you always wanted to learn how to play the violin? Perhaps decorate a cake? Start a community garden?

It’s not too late to take up a new artistic adventure. Actually, it can be a form of therapy no retail outlet can compete with. And making the time to experience art as pleasure can have miraculous benefits on your psychological well-being.

Whichever activity you choose—whether it’s coloring, drawing, sewing, knitting, playing the piano or cake decorating—it’s important to remember the goal is to have a mild distraction, a relaxing and pleasurable activity that doesn’t have to grow into life’s passion or monetary gain. You don’t have to strive to be a soloist at the South Bay Philharmonic or open your own bakery. That isn’t the goal here; your only objective is to make art a pleasure and disrupt your daily routine with a little kid-friendly fun … for a better, less-stressed you. l Alina is a freelance writer and lifestyle blogger published in both national and local magazines. besosalina.com

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