Southbay July 2019

RITE OF PASSAGE Torrance surfer Parker Browning teams up with photographer Ricky Lesser for a distant ocean adventure

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TORRANCE MEMORIAL AND CEDARS-SINAI’S AFFILIATION BRINGS MORE EXPERT CARE TO THE SOUTH BAY. More access to Cedars-Sinai specialists and programs from oncology to neuroscience

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More expert care for our patients and the South Bay. Learn more at MoreExperts.org Left to right: Torrance Memorial: David Chan, MD; Elisa Anhalt, MD; J. Christopher Matchison, MD; Donny Baek, MD.

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Left to right: Cedars-Sinai: Clark Fuller, MD; Michael Alexander, MD; Dominick Megna Jr., MD; Shlee Song, MD.

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The Chevron Manhattan Beach Grand Prix is the second oldest one-day bike race in the country and promises to be a day of fun for South Bay residents.

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LIVE OAK PARK This year’s race will feature the 2019 SCNCA State Elite Championship

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JULY 2019

30 DATEBOOK South Bay calendar

66 TEENS

Alex Fry

38 COMMUNITY El Segundo summer

68 PALATE Berries & booze

40 ENTREPRENEURS

Later Days Coffee

72 WEEKENDER

Islands off Vancouver

52 SPORTS JJ Muno

84 MUSIC Davey Latter

54 ARTS

Thomas Delaney

86 SOUTHBAY STRONG

Robert Patterson

56 MEDIA Just the ticket

104 SEEN Who’s who around town

64 PALATE

Jame Enoteca

146 LAST WORD Bottom of the Sixth

52 84 40

also...

48 SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT Rolling Hills Prep and Renaissance Schools 80 IN GOOD HEALTH Torrance Memorial 114 PROFILES Men in Business 132 REAL ESTATE Spectacular local listings

COVER Parker Browning Photographed by Ricky Lesser

JULY 2019

features 32 ROAD TO RECOVERY Janne Kouri recently completed a 3,100-mile trek between Manhattan Beach and Washington D.C. in a powered wheelchair, raising funds and awareness for paralysis. He’s working harder than ever to give millions of Americans the resources they need to live better lives … and he’s making an impact.

42 WHEELS OF A DREAM Manhattan Beach’s Adrien Durban seeks out stories in vintage European cars … and shepherds them back home.

58 MUSIC IN THE MAKING Meet three South Bay young men embarking on careers in the music industry. Their musical paths may be unique, but they share the talent, drive and nerve to see their dreams realized.

74 ON THE RECORD The trio behind Hermosa’s Studio 637 channels good vibes with a one-stop shop for video, music and livestreaming.

88 PEAK INDONESIA A South Bay photographer and a young surfer journey to the other side of the world in search of incredible waves and unforgettable surroundings.

98 HOW TOXIC IS YOUR BOARD? Shaper Ryan Harris is on a mission to prove that the sport he loves can clean up its manufacturing act.

42

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74 88

BRING ART TO LIFE

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GROUP PUBLISHER

Darren Elms

Jared Sayers

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ADVERTISING

Michelle Villas

Media Solutions Manager | Erika Carrion 310-897-2424 | erika@goldenstate.is

COPY EDITOR Laura Watts

Media Solutions Manager | Marcie Gutierrez 424-220-6337 | marcie@goldenstate.is

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Christine Georgiades, Yasmine Kahsai,

Media Solutions Manager | Amy Tetherow

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Digital Specialist | Chloe Curtis 424-220-6341 | chloe@goldenstate.is

WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Sara Debevec, Ian Freshman, Bob Howells,

Marketing Manager | Kimberly Caltagirone

Amber Klinck, Eliza Krpoyan, Kat Monk,

424-220-6341 | kimberly@goldenstate.is

Steve Seidel PHOTOGRAPHERS Jeff Berting, Siri Berting, JP Cordero, Ricky Lesser, Kat Monk, Shane O’Donnell, Monica Orozco, Nancy Pastor

SOUTHBAY IS A DIVISION OF THE GOLDEN STATE COMPANY

MANAGING PARTNERS Charlie Koones

Todd Klawin

MARKETING & OPERATIONS Partner/Brand Publisher | Emily Stewart Partner/Managing Director, Media & Analytics | Warren Schaffer Director of Digital | Charles Simmons Director of Film & Video | Bryce Lowe-White Operations Director | Allison Jeackjuntra Community Manager | Natalie Long Director of Events | Danielle Price Accounting | Janet De La Cruz, Ljay Farris, YeVeet Wilson To learn more about us, visit thegoldenstatecompany.com No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from The Golden State Company, LLC. Any and all submissions to this or any of The Golden State Company, LLC publications become the property of The Golden State Company, LLC and may be used in any media. We reserve the right to edit.

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editor’s letter

On the Road “Live, travel, adventure, bless and don’t be sorry.”

– Jack Kerouac What was the trip that defined your coming-of-age story? Perhaps it was a backpacking trip across Europe or a fishing expedition to Alaska. I’ve heard personal stories about missionary work in Africa, English language teaching in Asia and Chekhovian theatre training in Russia … all life-changing experiences for those who made the journey.

There’s something exhilarating about getting out of your comfort zone and experiencing things that are new and different, especially when you are young. I remember the intensity of stepping foot on another continent for first time—vulnerability mixed with eagerness and eyes wide open … the trepidation that melts with each new friend, each new adventure and each incredible first.

The older I get, the more I crave that sense of wonder in my travels. It’s admittedly harder to re-create the awe that accompanied the 18-year-old voyager. But that’s not going to stop me from chasing the opportunity to learn, love and linger in places beyond my backyard.

It’s that youthful enthusiasm that drew me to the recent Indonesian adventure of Torrance native Parker Browning. Along with local photographer Ricky Lesser, the young surfer embarked on an epic adventure documented on our pages.

Parker and Ricky are two of several South Bay gents to make this year’s Men’s Issue. We’ve included a couple young coffee entrepreneurs, recent graduates, budding musicians, a seasoned percussionist, a vintage car collector, a sustainable board shaper, a promising ball player and many more. We hope you enjoy their stories as much as we enjoyed telling them.

DARREN ELMS

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SOUTHBAY | JULY 2019

contributors

Established 1997

Robert Earle Howells WRITER “How Toxic is Your Board?”

Bob, as we know him here at Golden State, writes travel stories for National Geographic Traveler and Westways magazines and is the copy editor of Ventura Blvd. He was the founding editor of the Outside Buyer’s Guide and also reviews outdoor gear for The New York Times’ Wirecutter.

INSPIRED WEALTH MANAGEMENT FOR INSPIRED LIVING

VINCE A. DILEVA MS, CFP®, AIF®, Senior

Ricky Lesser PHOTOGRAPHER “Peak Indonesia” Ricky was born and raised in Manhattan Beach. He loves shooting in and out of the water. From pipe to the South Bay, he feels equally at home in and out of the wild. His ability to adapt to various environments while capturing stunning imagery along the way makes him a versatile lensman.

SEIA provides customized wealth management and investment strategies for individuals and corporations.

O UR S ERVI C ES

“On the Record” Jeff is an advertising and editorial photographer who lives in Manhattan Beach. “I love living and shooting in the South Bay with all the diversity it has in people and their activities,” he says. “One day it’s in the ocean shooting surfing, and the next it’s cowboys roping cattle. There aren’t too many places that provide that kind of variety and visual eye candy.” jeffberting.com

$9 BILLION Client assets managed

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Where You Belong.

Where You Succeed.

www.elcamino.edu

july ONE FOR THE ROAD

Cold brew coffee maker David Israel enjoys the entrepreneurial ride.

Page 40

datebook

Summer Reign

July 4 Village Runner 4th of July 5K 8 a.m., Riviera Village villagerunner.com

Music on the Meadows Featuring Wilson Phillips Terranea Resort terranea.com

10 Henry V

7 p.m., Valley Park in Hermosa Beach shakespearebythesea.org

13 Redondo Beach Pier Concert Series

Palos Verdes Independence Day Celebration July 4

Celebrate Chefs & Cellars July 14

13th Annual White Light White Night July 20

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SOUTHBAY | JULY 2019

Founded in 1962 by local residents, this annual holiday event honors our country’s freedom. This year the community welcomes SpaceX president and COO Gwynne Shotwell as honored guest and speaker. Activities will feature patriotic music, a decorated bicycle parade for children, an apple pie contest and fun family games.

The event is free and open to all. 9:30 a.m., Malaga Cove School, 300 Paseo Del Mar in Palos Verdes.

Spend an afternoon in the vineyard dining on creations from a variety of local restaurants and delicious wines and beverages. The annual event benefits the Palos Verdes Art Center. 4 to 7 p.m, Catalina View Gardens, celebratechefs.com

6 to 8 p.m. redondopier.com

12–14 South Bay Greek Festival

St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Redondo Beach sbgreekfestival.com

19–20 Queen + Adam Lambert: The Rhapsody Tour 8 p.m., The Forum ticketmaster.com

Walk With Sally’s fundraising event brings out crisp attire to a cool alfresco scene as guests party the evening away and enjoy local bites, beverages and a tempting auction.

All proceeds go to Walk With Sally’s mission to mentor kids affected by a loved one with cancer. Top of the Plaza at Continental Park, walkwithsally.org

31–August 4 International Surf Festival Hermosa Beach surffestival.org

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road to

Janne Kouri won’t slow down. He recently completed a 3,100-mile trek between Manhattan Beach and Washington D.C. in a powered wheelchair, raising funds and awareness for paralysis. He’s working harder than ever to give millions of Americans the resources they need to live better lives … and he’s making an impact.

WRITTEN BY AMBER KLINCK

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DOOGIE BENESCH

recovery

I

n 2006 the president and founder of NextStep Fitness, Janne Kouri, was told he would never walk again. In 2009 he was able to walk across his paralysis recovery center with the assistance of a walker. In 2012 he was able to stand on his own and slow dance with his wife, Susan—a moment they weren’t able to share on their wedding day.

For someone who was told rehabilitation wasn’t an option, these are monumental steps toward recovery. But they didn’t just happen. They required countless hours of dedication and hard work, the willpower to stay positive and an outright refusal to give up hope.

Still, a fierce determination and strong spirit aren’t always enough. Having access to a progressive rehabilitation center has played a crucial role in Janne’s recovery.

Unfortunately, these types of facilities are only available to a small percentage of Americans living with paralysis. But Janne is working to change that.

A celebrated athlete, Janne played college football at Georgetown University. His accolades include being named the Most Valuable Player, an All-American title and the 1996 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year award. In 2018 he was inducted into the Georgetown University Athletic Hall of Fame.

On the day of his accident, Janne was competing in a beach volleyball tournament. In an effort to cool down, he dove into the waves and hit his head on a sandbar. The hit fractured his C5 and C6 vertebrae—leaving Janne instantly paralyzed from the neck down.

He spent two months in the ICU at CedarsSinai. A single moment had changed the trajectory of his life. There was little time to dwell on the impact of his initial injury, however. Janne had to focus his energy on how and where he’d begin his recovery.

With an abundance of support from those around him—traveling and researching facilities—as well as the financial ability to absorb the expense of long-term care, Janne was already navigating his next steps with an advantage. Still, he found himself moving 2,000 miles away from home in order to receive the treatment he needed.

“When we started researching where I was going to do my rehab, we soon came to find out there were no progressive hospitalbased rehab centers in the state of California,” Janne says. “That was extremely eye-opening.

California was the seventh largest economy in the world; how do we not have a state-of-theart progressive rehab center here?”

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SOUTHBAY | JULY 2019

Putting their lives on hold, Janne and Susan headed to the Frazier Rehab Institute in Louisville, Kentucky. “The only reason I was able to go to the Frazier Rehab and do my rehab under the best researcher in the world, Dr. Susan Harkema, is because I had very good insurance and the financial means to do it,” Janne points out. “At that moment we started thinking, ‘What are other people doing, who are getting injured? How are they getting access to this kind of therapy?’”

"There are 6 million people living with paralysis in this country, and roughly 99% of them don’t have access to progressive rehab and continuum care."

These questions stayed with Janne, and while he worked hard toward his own recovery he began researching how other Americans were coping with limited resources. “There are 6 million people living with paralysis in this country, and roughly 99% of them don’t have access to progressive rehab and continuum care,” he points out.

“I realized how fortunate I was. That’s really where the idea for NextStep came from.”

The goal was to create a communitybased paralysis recovery center that offered what the best hospital-based rehab centers had and make it accessible and affordable to everyone. Together with Susan, his sisterin-law Tracy, and in partnership with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, Janne opened the doors of NextStep Los Angeles a decade ago.

Through a partnership with the NeuroRecovery Network, NextStep is

associated with the five best hospital-based rehab centers in the country. They serve the needs of clients recovering from spinal cord injuries, strokes, traumatic brain injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions. Today there are seven NextStep centers in the United States with locations in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Orlando, Kansas City, Raleigh, Phoenix and Las Vegas.

“We started expansion about three years ago. That was our goal from day one, because we knew there were very limited resources around the entire country,” Janne says. “The problem right now in the United States is insurance only covers, on average, 36 days of hospital-based rehab. Then you’re sent home without access to anything for the rest of your life.”

NextStep offers an alternative. “So when your insurance drops you, you could still have access to the best rehab and fitness but in your own community,” Janne explains.

The lack of access to rehabilitation treatments not only stunts the recovery process for those living with paralysis, it increases the likelihood of future complications.

“Without access to rehab and fitness, there’s a very good likelihood that somebody with neurological conditions is going to suffer from life-threatening secondary complications,” Janne notes. “If you’re living with a spinal cord injury, for example, that leads to poor circulation, weak bones and poor blood pressure—all of which can lead to a lot of really serious illnesses.”

He argues that if insurance companies began supporting long-term care for those living with paralysis, they would not only provide a greater chance of recovery and higher quality of life, they would reduce cost.

“NextStep is reducing the amount of medication our clients need,” he explains. “They have fewer hospital and doctor visits, fewer cases of pressure sores and diabetes. They need less medical equipment because the more people recover, the more independent they become.”

Operating as a nonprofit, NextStep subsidizes 70% of their memberships through fundraising efforts. Yearly benefits are held here in the South Bay, as well as New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago. Janne and his team rely on crowdfunding and grants, as well as individual and corporate sponsorships.

Through the NextStep 365 program, supporters can invest $1 per day for the cause.

But it was the 2019 L.A. to D.C. “Ride for Paralysis” that was perhaps Janne’s most

JULY 2019 | SOUTHBAY

35

PHOTOGRAPHED BY FRESH AIR CREW

ambitious fundraising achievement. In an effort to raise awareness, Janne traveled 3,100 miles from Manhattan Beach, California, to Washington D.C. on a powered wheelchair.

Averaging roughly 60 miles a day, he hit the road with his friend Anderson Bell beside him on his bike, adventure documentary filmmaker Nic Good, aka “Moose,” and Janne’s nurse, Nina Prosser.

“One of the best parts of the trip was all the amazing people we met on the side of the road, in motel parking lots and in the coffee shops and restaurants,” Janne says.

“Everybody was just so kind and generous and really fascinated by what we were doing.”

In addition to the impact they were making through chance encounters, Janne and his team held events along the way.

Janne threw out the first pitch for the RedsRoyals game in Arizona, humorously adding that he then got hit in the head by a home run ball in the ninth inning. He gave out the ball at half-court during the Oklahoma City Thunder game.

They held a charity concert in Nashville and spoke to the physical therapy and occupational therapy students at the University of Tennessee. They partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project and the United Spinal Association, giving grants and wheelchairs to wounded veterans and other individuals in need.

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SOUTHBAY | JULY 2019

"One of the best parts of the trip was all the amazing people we met on the side of the road, in motel parking lots and in the coffee shops and restaurants."

“Permobil was one of our amazing sponsors. Following my ride for paralysis, Permobil generously allowed me to donate two Permobil F5s,” Janne notes. “The Permobil F5 is the wheelchair I ride on a day-to-day basis. The functionality of the chair is an absolute game changer.”

After crossing the finish line at Georgetown University, Janne donated one of the F5s to former Georgetown football player Ty Williams. “Ty broke his neck in the first game of his sophomore season three years ago. His positive attitude, dedication to his recovery and determination is truly admirable. I was thrilled to provide him with a chair that will give him the opportunity to stand and sit eye to eye with people for the first time.”

Janne completed his L.A. to D.C. ride on May 15 and only a few short days later was sharing his excitement over another Permobil F5 donation. “We’re donating a chair to my

friend Henry Queen in Manhattan Beach,” Janne says.

Henry injured himself 40 years ago and has been using the same outdated chair for 15 years. With features that allow him to lift his seat, tilt his positioning to relieve pressure and fully recline, “this new chair will be a lifechanger for him,” Janne explains.

Every step toward improving the quality of life for someone living with paralysis is a huge win. “This past week one of our clients, Frank Lin, was able to start walking with a walker by himself for the first time,” Janne says. “He’s been coming here for, I believe, six or seven years. It’s just amazing. He works extremely hard, you know; these miracles don’t just happen.”

The average NextStep client comes in about three days a week for about two hours a day. Some are there all day, every day. “We give people access to the facility as much as

they want to be here,” Janne says.

He shares that the age of those seeking therapy varies greatly. “Paralysis doesn’t discriminate. We have had clients who are 3 years old and 80 years old.”

Along with their goals to expand here in the United States, NextStep has opened their first international location in Kiev, Ukraine, and will be opening a facility in New Zealand later this year. The community is growing, and that provides more than just physical healing. It provides emotional support.

“When you come in here, it’s such a positive and uplifting environment,” Janne says.

“It’s also really motivational. Let’s say for the past 10 years you really haven’t been doing anything, but you come in here and you see people are going back to work and going back to school and starting families. It motivates you to do the same thing.” ■

JULY 2019 | SOUTHBAY

37

Everything’s Sunny in El Segundo

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SOUTHBAY | JULY 2019

3 reasons to hit this booming South Bay city this summer El Segundo’s having a moment. An upswing in development and revitalization from Smoky Hollow to south of LAX put the sleepy city back on everyone’s radar, and we couldn’t be happier. Squeeze these three El Segundo offerings into your summertime schedule.

AC HOTEL

Helping you achieve your goals has always been ours congratulates David G. Adishian for being named to Forbes’ 2019 “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors.”

Who’s watching your wealth?

Call and let’s have a conversation.

For out-of-town guests who want the best of the South Bay and the convenience of LAX, check out El Segundo’s new AC Hotel.

Design Force is behind the hotel’s locally inspired look and feel. The dichotomy of nature and aerospace served as an underlying influence of the design. The space combines hues of warm neutrals, fresh greys and cool metals accented by leathery cordovan, while showcasing original metal artwork and an overall geometry of flight motif throughout in homage to its surroundings. An openconcept, communal space that extends outdoors, the AC Lounge serves as a creative coworking hub by day and transitions into a bustling social scene by night.

2130 East Maple Avenue, marriott.com

The Adishian Group David G. Adishian, CPFA, CRPC® Senior Vice President Wealth Management Advisor Senior Portfolio Manager 310.536.1670 david_g_adishian@ml.com 2301 Rosecrans Avenue Suite 3150 El Segundo, CA 90245 fa.ml.com/adishian_group

EL SEGUNDO ART WALK A celebration of the city’s vibrant art and design scene, Main Street and its surrounding galleries and creative spaces open their doors every third Thursday in July and August for food, libations and a plethora of pop-up art exhibits. Stroll hip Smoky Hollow and view the work of local painters, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists and makers.

July 18 and August 15, 5 to 9 p.m., elsegundoartwalk.com

SMOKY HOLLOW COFFEE ROASTERS With an appropriately industrial vibe, this latest java joint from the creators of neighborhood favorite Blue Butterfly invites you to marvel at the machinery that goes into your cup of joe. Part bean roaster, part coffee bar, part community hangout, the diverse operation has plenty to love—especially that perfectly brewed cup of coffee. Come for the caffeine, stay for the sweet vibe.

118 Sierra Street, Unit C, smokyhollowroasters.com ■

Source: Forbes “Best-in-State Wealth Advisors” list, February 2019. The ranking for this list by SHOOK Research is based on due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Forbes is a trademark of Forbes Media LLC. All rights reserved. Rankings and recognition from Forbes/SHOOK Research are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a current or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance results and such rankings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor.

Investment products:

Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed

May Lose Value

CRPC® is a registered service mark of The College for Financial Planning.

ARDVPNC7 | AD-03-19-0857.A | 471003PM-0318 | 03/2019

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BREW BUDS David Israel and Robby Horn

What’s the Buzz?

Two Redondo pals enjoy Later Days with a ready-to-drink cold brew.

WRITTEN BY DARREN ELMS PHOTOGRAPHED BY MONICA OROZCO

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Friends for more than 15 years, David Israel and Robby Horn were a natural fit to start a company together. “We had a concept and started building it up, one brick at a time,” shares Robby. “We literally started by making cold brew at our apartment and giving it away to friends and family.”

Both born and raised in Redondo, they couldn’t think of a better place to launch a business. But how did they come up with Later Days?

“Whatever we are doing—whether it’s getting up early to check the surf or we just need a boost to help us get through the workday—you can take a little sip of Later Days and get that healthy jolt of energy you need to keep going,” David explains. “Early mornings need Later Days!” Robby says.

People loved the coffee, and soon Andre— owner of Granny’s Grocery in Hermosa—put it on his shelves. When it sold well, the pair had to make a decision: create a serious business or just consider it a fun side project.

“We both knew we had something, so we

decided to keep it going and start the business,” says David. “Here we are today!”

When they started out, cold brew was still a fairly new category in the coffee industry.

“We really felt like we had an opportunity to express ourselves by creating a brand and a product that wasn’t out there yet,” says Robby.

“We both love coffee and have a passion for creating something that people can enjoy. We also weren’t really fans of the energy drinks out there and the chemicals that were involved in making some of those beverages. We live active lifestyles and wanted something that would give us natural energy without all the other harmful ingredients.”

There are only two ingredients in a Later Days cold brew: coffee and filtered water. “At the end of the day, we feel good about putting a clean, healthy and conscious product out into the market,” David adds.

From day one, the partners wanted to make their product an extension of their personal lifestyles. As such, they take every measure to be eco-friendly and leave the

We had a concept and started building it up, one brick at a time.

We literally started by making cold brew at our apartment and giving it away to friends and family.” planet better than they found it.

“We recently joined 1% For the Planet and are very happy to be a part of their organization,” says Robby. “They are doing some amazing things, and we are very excited to be involved going forward.”

Because they use a high-quality coffee bean to make the product, the ready-to-drink beverage offers low acidity and bitterness and tastes refreshingly smooth. “We were turned off when we found ourselves paying $5 for a cold brew that tasted cheap or watered down,” explains David. “We aren’t about cutting corners. We never want to throw away the integrity of the product for a cheap and easy fix. We are proud of what we make, and we want you to be too.”

You can find Later Days throughout the South Bay, including Brother’s Burritos and Mickey’s Deli in Hermosa, Rock & Brews in El Segundo, Homie in Manhattan Beach and all Yellow Vase locations. ■

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Wheels of a DreaM Manhattan Beach’s Adrien Durban seeks out stories in vintage European cars … and shepherds them back home.

INTERVIEWED BY SARA DEBEVEC PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL

A

drien Durban could never sit still in class. He knew at an early age he wanted to be a formula race car mechanic. His parents, who owned a car dealership in France, supported this idea and sent him to Bugatti School— one of the best technical schools for sports cars in Europe.

In the U.S., Adrien learned how to fix, build, create and design engines and cars. He also learned he was never going to be a formula race car mechanic. Self-admittedly he is too clumsy, cutting his fingers all the time and even gluing his eye.

So when his father asked him if he wanted to help with the family business, Adrien didn’t think twice. He worked with them in Strasbourg until the business sold in 2010, prompting his move to L.A. to study English at Santa Monica College.

Now, nine years later, he has found a home in Manhattan Beach and a Hawthorne-based business selling European classic cars. Much of his inventory finds willing owners in the continent the cars were manufactured in.

What was the first vintage car you ever bought here?

I love cars. Also, my cousin is a race driver, so I grew up around a lot of different cars.

When I was here studying English, I bought an old Jaguar—a 1969 Jaguar E type convertible. I shipped it to France and made some money. That is how it all started. I then opened my business in 2012, buying cars here and shipping them to France. I was studying them, quickly made connections with big collectors and some French actors who became my clients.

Tell us about the business of selling vintage cars.

The car sales process starts with buying a car from a private party. I have 55 people— not working with me but giving me leads.

They are everywhere: in Texas, New York, Missouri, Florida. Every day I receive leads from these people.

If the car I am interested in is in Florida, then I go to Florida, talk to the owner of the car and try to find out the history of the car because that’s very important. How many owners has it had? Has the car been restored? Is it original mileage? What about color change? These are the kind of stories that I like. After that we negotiate, I buy the car, bring it here, and then I resell it.

What are some of your favorite stories you’ve come across through your cars?

Two years ago I got a lead on an early 1954 Jaguar XK-120 that was supposedly not restored. When I arrived at the location, I met a 50-year-old man who told me that the car belonged to his father who passed away 20 years ago.

It turns out that the family drove the car for five years, from 1954 to 1959, and then the car sat in the garage. The car had 5,000 original miles, was unrestored, came from the original owner and everything was there—every single tool, owner’s manual, service book … even the window stickers from the dealership were there. The car was just gorgeous!

And that’s what collectors like. They like unrestored cars, which is what makes their value. You have two types of collectors: people who want a concourse car, fully restored, and they are capable of spending $200,000 or $300,000 on them. In the end they make them better than they were made in the factory. You also have the other collectors who want original stuff with original paint, original mileage and full history from the beginning of the car up until now.

Do you see people driving older cars in the South Bay? Yes, I do! I specialize in Porsches, Mercedes, Jaguars and BMWs. That’s what I’m known for: European luxury brands. You must know that one of the biggest dealerships in America was Vasek Polak, and they had dealerships in Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes.

In your opinion, where does the fascination with vintage cars come from?

Usually the reason people buy these cars is to remind themselves of their childhood.

They buy them to remember what it was like seeing those new Porsches drive down the streets when they were a kid. Now they’re in their 50s, 60s or 70s, and they just want to buy something that reminds them of their childhood.

I would say 50% of the owners drive their cars and 50% don’t. They like to have a few cars in different colors, and they just like to look at them. For example, they like to have 10 different cars in different colors next to each other in perfect shape, but they don’t dare drive them because to fix them costs a lot of money.

“the reason people buy these cars is to remind themselves of their childhood.

They buy them to remember what it was like seeing those new Porsches drive down the streets when they were a kid.”

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Have you experienced those types of collectors?

Oh, yes. I went to New Mexico a year ago, and this guy had 50 Jaguar E-Types and 50 Porsche 911s. I have pictures of this place. You have crazy people who buy cars to just keep them forever.

So is it an art?

It’s art, actually! You also have a lot of investors who just buy cars so they could invest in them. They come to me and ask me what car they should get, and I offer them my advice.

We buy a car for them, and then we keep the car at their place for two, three years. Then they call me and they say, “OK, I want to sell it. I’m ready.” Then we sell the car, and they make their profit. But they are not real car collectors; they are investors.

What are the prices of these cars?

Range-wise you can go from $15,000 up to $3 million or $5 million. I sold my priciest car, a 1961 Porsche 356 Carrera, for $500,000.

This car was a project. It wasn’t running. They only made 32 of those in the world, and there are probably only 16 left. The rest have been destroyed during a race or something like this because it was a race car.

What do you classify as a vintage car?

Anything that is 30 years old is considered

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vintage. Then you have vintage collectible cars, which are 30+ years old with a low production, good history, nice coloring, nice color combo. That’s what makes the value of the car in the end.

How much can you make if you invest in a vintage car?

Right now the market is pretty soft and slow.

It’s going a bit down, actually. But over the past 10 years classic car business hit 400%.

I’ve known people who bought a car worth $500,000 and sold it for $1.5 million a couple years later.

Why is it so exciting to have an old car in your possession?

First of all, it belongs to the story of the brand. For example, Porsche never changed their design since 1965. So you want to own a piece of history if you like the brand. It’s also low-production, which means it’s a rare car.

So if you have one, you’re going to be one of the few people in the world who own it.

I sold one car to the Porsche museum and one to the Jaguar museum. The Jaguar was a convertible, and I like the convertibles because they have a greater value. I like the leather they use, the shape of the seats, the wood steering wheel and the engine because it’s something you can fix and repair all the time.

Right now they don’t fix car parts. They

just replace them. Back then those were still the cars you could work on, and you’d always have something to do with the car. The process of taking care of those cars is very interesting, and working on the car becomes part of the experience.

What’s your plan for the future?

Over the past years I’ve been working with cars from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, but right now I am also working on the cars from the ’80s and ’90s because they are becoming collectible cars as well. I really like my 1979 Porsche 911 SC and 1974 BMW 2002 Tii, as they are in perfect shape. I’m now building my knowledge on the ’80s cars so I could propose those cars to my customers and get more cars into their collections. I have a branch in France, and I have one here. I would also like to open a branch in Germany and Italy. So I am working with people who want to join the team and work with me.

What is your favorite car?

I would say Jaguar E-Type Series 1 convertible and 1965 Porsche 911. Why? I like the design of Porsche, and that’s the first year of the 911 ever produced. When it comes to the E-Type, it’s one of the most beautiful cars ever produced. Even Enzo Ferrari was saying that Jaguar E-Type is one of the most beautiful cars ever built. ■

SCHOOL S P OT L I G H T

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

TWO SCHOOLS, ONE VIBRANT COMMUNITY As the next school year approaches, Rolling Hills Preparatory and Renaissance Schools are raising the bar for South Bay educational programs—one exciting change at a time.

WRITTEN BY LAURA L. WATTS

T

here’s never a dull moment at the San Pedro campus of Rolling Hills Preparatory and Renaissance Schools, where if you blink you may miss one of the exciting happenings at this diverse learning hub. Excitement is in the air as both schools prepare for the 2019– 2020 school year.

Rolling Hills Preparatory and Renaissance Schools recently hosted their first annual STEM and Science Expo featuring a student science fair with interactive demonstrations, robotics activities and a wide range of speakers and presenters. In the arts, upper school students took Hello, Dolly! to the historic Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro and also performed Macbeth on campus, where middle school students performed the musical Beauty and the Beast Jr. Beginning next year, these activities will be housed in a newly renovated theater on campus. The Adam Z. Rice Memorial Theater is named in honor of an alumnus who brought his zest for life to the campus for seven years.

This intimate space will be equipped to support cutting-edge performances, presentations and activities for many years to come.

The athletic department has recently made great achievements as well. For the third consecutive year, the varsity boys basketball team won the CIF Southern section for their division, and the varsity girls basketball team competed in the State CIF Finals for their third consecutive year. These athletes earned

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the John Wooden Award for varsity basketball again for the third year in a row.

STUDENT-FOCUSED CURRICULUM When it comes to academic programs, this educational community is at the top of its game with a student-focused, customized curriculum that has been offered for more than 38 years. Now Rolling Hills Prep is taking inquiry-driven education to the next level by becoming a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme, which serves students ages 11–16.

This flexible education program drives students to think critically about their role as global citizens—prioritizing self-awareness and “learning how to learn.” The goal of IB schools is to prepare students to actively engage in international-mindedness, to question their biases, and to develop a willingness to grow and change course as needed so they can succeed in a world full of diverse possibilities, challenges and outcomes.

SPECIALIZED DIPLOMAS In keeping with the focus on individualized education, the schools offer three specialized diploma programs where students can “major” in a field of study: global studies and world language, math and science, and arts. These programs go above and beyond the standard graduation requirements and include summer programs or travel,

participation in subject-specific clubs and service opportunities, GPA requirements and teacher recommendations.

The Global Scholars Program is designed to connect students with the global community through a three-year service learning process that cultivates empathy, ingenuity and resilience. Through travel and service learning opportunities, students are equipped to be creative leaders, constructive citizens and international social entrepreneurs.

The Math/Science Honors Diploma Program is a four-year process that cultivates critical thinking, ingenuity and problemsolving, including leadership and work ethics components. This program encourages students to master theoretical and applied scientific and mathematical topics at an advanced level.

The Specialized Diploma in the Arts is for the student who demonstrates early and dedicated passion in an artistic discipline.

Students work closely with a teacher mentor, learning invaluable insight and skills beyond those taught in the classroom. All work in this four-year program is cross-disciplinary, preparing students to work in the professional art world.

STUDENT LIFE In addition to programmatic enhancements, Rolling Hills Prep and Renaissance Schools have hired Christina Morse—known for her counseling work at Chadwick School—to

ON THE MARKET

Rolling Hills Prep and Renaissance School students pose with a Lego model that depicts their vision for the campus in the next 10 years.

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“THIS EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY IS AT THE TOP OF ITS GAME WITH THE STUDENT–FOCUSED, CUSTOMIZED CURRICULUM THAT HAS BEEN OFFERED FOR MORE THAN 38 YEARS.” serve as director of student life and help reinforce key aspects of social-emotional learning, school counseling, and various inclusion and diversity goals. The schools now offer a deeper integration of mental wellness and emotional support—including counseling—to maintain a nurturing environment where students can thrive on numerous levels.

Rolling Hills Preparatory School and Renaissance School were established to support various types of learners throughout middle and high school. Both schools customize curriculum for each student in order to create an educational program that encourages social-emotional learning, creative expression and academic achievement.

Rolling Hills Prep, founded in 1981, is a rigorous college preparatory school, while Renaissance School, founded in 2004, serves students with learning differences, offering them the educational structure, support and opportunities to succeed at a heightened academic level. Located on the same campus, the schools unite around the notion of “two schools, one vibrant community.”

Rolling Hills Preparatory and Renaissance Schools are now accepting applications for the 2019–2020 school year. See their newly published viewbook and learn more about admission opportunities at RollingHillsPrep. org/viewbook.

ROLLING HILLS PREPARATORY AND RENAISSANCE SCHOOLS ONE ROLLING HILLS PREP WAY SAN PEDRO 310-791-1101 ROLLINGHILLSPREP.ORG RENAISSANCESAS.ORG

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The Big Leagues Drafted by the Chicago White Sox, Hermosa’s JJ Muno trains hard for the next level.

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAT MONK

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When Jeremiah “JJ” Muno was growing up in the early 2000s, club baseball was not as prevalent in the Beach Cities as it is today.

So he had to venture out. He played for a team from El Segundo called the Rage and another team from Torrance called the Kahunas. As his skills continued to develop, he set himself apart from other local players.

A four-year varsity starter for the Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High School Knights, JJ received All-Mission League honors each year. According to JJ’s coach Tom Dill, JJ was the core of the team. “There are many kids who are great athletes, but it takes a special kind of kid to also have the mental toughness to be a four-year starter.”

JJ, a utility player, can play many positions including outfield, third base, second base and shortstop. He throws right-handed and bats left-handed. It was no surprise when Division 1 college programs started showing an interest in him. JJ decided to play for the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he redshirted his freshman year. He was named captain of the team—a position he held his final two years.

In 2015—his junior year—the UCSB Gauchos set a program record for wins and made it to the NCAA College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. That trip was the highlight of JJ’s college career. The Gauchos didn’t win the series, but they were on the road for 22 straight days. JJ remembers, “The bond I made with those guys is something I will have forever.”

In his senior year, JJ was ranked 29th in the country in Division 1 baseball’s positional power rankings for third basemen, according to UCSB’s website.

The day of the Major League Baseball draft in 2017, JJ tried to keep himself occupied and distracted while hanging with a few buddies at his apartment. “I knew I had a chance of getting drafted,” he shares. “Some of my

teammates were getting drafted, so I looked at my phone to check. Next thing I knew my name popped up on the draft tracker, and it took off from there.“ JJ had been drafted by the Chicago White Sox. Getting drafted is just the beginning of a baseball player’s career. First comes rookie ball; then comes spring training in Arizona. After spring training you are assigned to a team.

“Once spring training ends, you go to your full season and you play 142 games. You have maybe one or two off days a month,” explains JJ. “You are playing every day and traveling—staying in fleabag motels, eighthour bus trips—it can weigh on your mind.”

The White Sox have six minor league affiliates: the Charlotte Knights (AAA), Birmingham Barons (AA), Winston-Salem Dash (A+), Kannapolis Intimidators (A), Great Falls Voyagers (Rookie) and AZL White Sox (Rookie).

Since being drafted by the organization, JJ has played for all of their affiliates except Charlotte.

Now age 25, he is currently playing for the Dash in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

A typical day for JJ looks like this: He wakes up at 6 a.m. and heads to the field for a 6:30 a.m. start time. He has breakfast at the field around 7 a.m., lifts weights by 8 a.m., has hitting practice around 9:30 a.m. and field practice from 10 a.m. to noon. After lunch, the game starts at 1:30 p.m. and ends around 4:30 p.m. Next day: repeat. Next day: repeat.

During the season he gets to the field around 12:30 p.m., and games are 7 to 10 p.m.

After going to the gym approximately five times a week, there is little time for much else.

JJ has played in 91 games in the minors so far with an on-base percentage of .359. He is excited to continue to climb that proverbial mountain to the “bigs.” According to JJ, “[Playing in the] big leagues is a dream, and making the big leagues would be a dream come true.” ■

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Art Restart After a 30-year hiatus, artist Thomas Delaney picks up a paintbrush and starts over.

WRITTEN BY ELIZA KRPOYAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY MONICA OROZCO

Remnants of blue and white paint color Thomas Delaney’s hands. Yet for three decades the Hermosa Beach-based artist hadn’t picked up a paintbrush.

Thomas worked as a corporate executive for 25 years at companies like Disney and Mattel. About four years ago he had a kidney transplant that changed his career.

As a precaution, he no longer could work a high-stress job, travel around the world or put in long hours. After 30 years he went back to painting.

Inside his Hermosa Beach home/studio he has multiple paintings in the works. His modus operandi is to work on three paintings at a time. “If I get caught up in and stuck, I move on to something [else],” he says. The paintings are usually three distinctly different styles, which helps his creativity.

During his senior year of high school, Thomas painted himself and two classmates.

The assignment was to take a picture of three students and put them in an organic pose. The young artist interpreted this literally. He placed himself and his peers against a tree.

The watercolor painting reveals muted hues including terra-cotta, blue, grey and yellow. It awarded him a scholarship to Illinois

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State, where he was an art major for three years before switching to marketing.

His art is very different now than the works he created as a child and adolescent.

At the age of 10, he made his first work of art: an oil painting of a young boy. In seventh grade he painted an impressive, dark portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

“I’m relearning my craft and pushing myself everyday,” says Thomas, whose mission is to inspire and motivate others to overcome any obstacles they might have.

His newfound painting style is malerisch.

“When you look at my paintings, it’s really just a lot of paint and visible brushstrokes,” he says. “It’s a celebration of paint.” Other artists who used this style of painting include van Gogh and Matisse.

Thomas’ artworks range from linear beachscapes to tropical flowers and palm trees, a wave that breaks the fourth wall by crashing off the canvas through the use of chicken wire, and a resin Chicago skyline that lights up. “I don’t want to be stuck in just one type of style,” he says.

An ongoing series shows lifeguard towers facing the street view—not the beach. “I wanted to have a different viewpoint from everyone else,” he says.

I’m relearning my craft and pushing myself every day.”

A single project that’s been a labor of love is really two pieces of art in one. “I took two paintings and spliced them,” explains Thomas. “If you look at it this way, it’s one painting, and if you look at it the other way, it’s another painting.” It’s on display at Barsha Wines and Spirits in Manhattan Beach.

More of Thomas’ work can be spotted on the walls of local restaurants like Decadence in Hermosa Beach and ArcLight Cinemas in El Segundo. He is a member of South Bay Artist Collective, where he has participated in shows like Symbiosis. He’s also a member of the Los Angeles Art Association and Friends of the Arts.

The transition from the corporate world and its many perks was difficult at first. Then as he got back into his art—the passion, the calming, the community—he let go of that.

“I don’t miss that lifestyle I had before,” he says. “I live a much simpler life. But again, it’s helping other artists out, where when you’re in a corporate world you’re more dog-eat-dog. It’s a lot more peaceful and enjoyable right now.” ■

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Just the Ticket

Take an adventure with a few memorable men of summer.

ANTHONY BOURDAIN REMEMBERED

By CNN | HarperCollins Publishers This new book brings together memories and anecdotes from fans reminiscing about Bourdain’s enduring effect on their lives as well as comments from chefs, journalists, filmmakers, musicians and writers. Among the interviewees: Barack Obama, Eric Ripert, Jill Filipovic, Ken Burns, Questlove and José Andrés. The remembrances give us a glimpse of Bourdain’s dedication to travel and eating well (and widely), and his love of the written word.

ULYSSES

By James Joyce | Dover Publication Originally reviled as obscure and obscene, Joyce’s 100-year-old masterpiece stands as one of the great literary achievements of the 20th century. Loosely based on Homer’s Odyssey, the novel traces the paths of Leopold Bloom and other Dubliners through an ordinary summer day and night in 1904—a typical day transformed by Joyce’s narrative powers into an epic celebration of life.

ROCKETMAN In theatres now This musical fantasy follows the fantastical transformation of shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John. At the core of the drama: Elton’s struggles with drug addiction and his parents, who refused to accept his homosexuality. The movie is set to Elton John’s most beloved songs which are actually performed by star Taron Egerton. Rocketman also stars Jamie Bell as Elton’s longtime lyricist and writing partner, Bernie Taupin.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD In theatres July 25 Quentin Tarantino’s ninth feature film is a story that takes place in L.A. in 1969, at the height of hippie Hollywood. The two lead characters are Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio), former star of a Western TV series, and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Both are struggling to make it in Hollywood, and Rick has a very famous next-door neighbor: Sharon Tate.

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WORLD - CLASS CANCER CARE IS RIGHT HERE

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Music in the Making Meet three South Bay young men embarking on careers in the music industry. Their musical paths may be unique, but they share the talent, drive and nerve to see their dreams realized.

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAT MONK

NICK SIEVERS, 20 CLASSICAL COMPOSER

W

hen Nick was 6 years old, he got his first drum kit and set his sights on becoming a successful rock star. His musical journey took an unexpected detour when he watched his sixth-grade band teacher, Peter Park, play the four-mallet marimba.

“I was so blown away, and at that point my interest shifted into percussion,” explains Nick. Peter went on to be Nick’s orchestra instructor at Mira Costa High School. “Mr. Park made so many influences on me in my musical path at really vital moments.”

While attending Mira Costa, Nick played in multiple bands for the school. He was the snare drum section leader for the marching band, and during his freshman year he played timpani for the Mira Costa Orchestra

and Concert Ensembles when they won a Grammy award.

The timpani carries the orchestra forward during big crescendos. It consists of four tuned drums and serves as a rhythmic emphasis as well as harmonic support for the orchestra. “The attack of the instrument is immediately audible—making it an absolute necessity to be very rhythmically precise,” explains Nick.

Nick also played and traveled with the prestigious Drum Corps International (DCI) the summer before his senior year. DCI is considered the major leagues of marching music—traveling the world to compete at the highest level. One of the highlights for Nick was performing for thousands of fans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

While at Mira Costa, Nick wrote his first symphony. He began writing this sevenminute piece by singing the melodies out loud. At the time, he was suffering from a condition that prevented him from attending classes.

“Composing music gave me something to look forward to,” Nick says. “Without something to look forward to or something ongoing that gives you purpose, there’s just nothing enjoyable about life.”

Peter, also Mira Costa’s director of orchestras, proved instrumental in mentoring Nick. The two met on a regular basis so the teacher could help the student with his progress.

“When I started to write out my music, I began to bring my music to him. It became a

big motivation to continue making progress,” shares Nick. “I really respected how open Mr. Park was about the music. At that time I needed someone to tell me, ‘This is good’ or ‘This is bad’—to not be worried about my feelings. Music composition is a craft, and to have someone coach me along in the early parts was really healthy.”

Peter says that Mira Costa has only had two other students compose a symphony that was performed by the Mira Costa Symphony Orchestra, and Nick’s piece was the largest piece. “When I first saw the score, I immediately thought his composition was very sincere and introspective, which is exactly what a composer is set up to achieve,” Peter says. “I saw a unique opportunity to perform a piece that reflects on such

a personal and emotional and intellectual time in the life of this young composer.”

Nick is currently in his freshman year at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), majoring in music composition, after spending a year at the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts located in northwestern Michigan. Interlochen served as a year-long artistic retreat in nature where there were no distractions—allowing Nick to hone his craft before attending a conservatory. He chose SFCM over Boston Conservatory at Berklee because he wanted to study under David Conte, who was a student of infamous composition teacher Nadia Boulanger.

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JESSE EADS, 18 JAZZ BASSIST & INSTRUMENTALIST Like Nick, Jesse wanted to play drums in a rock band, but he didn’t have a drum kit. “I wanted to be a drummer because my favorite band was The Police,” he says. “I loved drummers like Stewart Copeland.” However, one day Jesse’s dad came home with a bass guitar, and the rest is history.

Jesse currently attends Mira Costa High School, where he plays electric bass in both the jazz band and the orchestra. He also simultaneously enrolled at El Camino College, where he plays in the pit orchestra adaptive ensemble. “If the musicians around me are challenging me, then I am growing,” says Jesse.

“In addition to being a phenomenal musician, Jesse is an old soul,” shares Mark McCormick, orchestra director at El Camino.

“He approaches his musical partnerships with a depth of character that almost always adds sophistication to his music.”

Larry Steen, bass professor at El Camino, adds, “He is an exceptionally talented bassist with skills far beyond most musicians his age.

Unlike many with his ability at his young age, he’s quite humble, non-defensive and open to critique.”

Jesse notes that rhythm is the crucial first step to playing any instrument. “Everyone should start wanting to play drums,” he believes. “If we don’t start with rhythm, we end up with a bunch of people without rhythm. Having a rhythmic foundation early on is crucial to one’s development. Now I am playing a drum set, and it is coming to me pretty quickly because I have been tapping out (rhythm) on my hands and feet for years. It was just a matter of realizing it into my sticks.”

Jesse considers himself a “work in progress,” as he intends to conquer the music world and play as many instruments as he possibly can to create new music. Aside from bass and stand-up bass, he is also teaching himself how to play piano, drums, banjo, guitar and ukulele.

“I understand everything that is going on. It is just getting it [the music] into my fingers,” he explains. “That goes for pretty much every instrument; I understand what is happening, but my fingers don’t understand it yet.”

Jesse intends to double major in composition and bass in college. “Composition

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is where I have my broadest skills,” he says.

“There are a lot of stylistic or genre-based boundaries that are really hindering a lot of cool music that can be made—they just aren’t realized yet.”

Jesse was recently awarded the prestigious YoungArts Merit award by the National YoungArts Foundation for an independent submission. “Jesse has a bright future with many musical options,” says Mark. “From performing to arranging to teaching, I think Jesse could be successful on many platforms.

This spring Jesse was given the conductor’s score of a Broadway musical and was asked to create a guitar part just by listening to the soundtrack. Not only did he produce a score from scratch, but what he brought to the project elevated the entire musical and everyone involved.”

“He approaches his musical partnerships with a depth of character that almost always adds sophistication to his music.”

JULY 2019 | SOUTHBAY

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MATTHEW MACK, 17 HIP-HOP PRODUCER & MANAGER Matthew works as a hip-hop producer and artist manager, all while attending his final year of high school at Bishop Montgomery High School. “He is one of the most creative students I have taught and is using his creativity to promote his positive message of acceptance and tolerance,” shares Kathryn Bagnell, one of his instructors at Bishop.

It was only a couple years ago that Matthew found his calling for music. With a supportive mom, he applied and was accepted to a music camp at Stanford University. The camp consisted of a twoweek introductory class that included a crash course in music software including Logic Pro X and Ableton Live.

“The camp confirmed my passion to make music,” says Matthew. “We learned how to record. And being surrounded by so many creative people helped expand my taste in music.”

Last year Matthew was one of thousands of applicants who applied for the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music summer program at NYU’s School of the Arts in

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New York City. He submitted a five-minute creative sample of his best work with a resume. After his interview, he was one of only 32 people accepted into this exclusive, four-week intensive.

The program serves as a spectacular opportunity for entrepreneurs-in-training to study how music is recorded, produced and distributed to consumers. Students are divided into several groups including two producers, a songwriter, an instrumentalist and a singer.

His group named themselves Red Element.

They were in the studio every day while taking three college classes in production, arts and culture, and music business taught by Lauren Davis, who has provided legal and strategic guidance to bands such as The Allman Brothers Band, The Psychedelic Furs, Rev. Run from Run DMC, Jennifer Holliday (Dreamgirls) and salsa legend Celia Cruz.

Field trips helped Matthew learn how to brand himself as an artist through social media. He went to the headquarters of Apple, Spotify and Tidal to speak to the

CEOs. Not only did he receive an education in music, he created bonds with other extremely talented musicians.

Kathryn believes Matthew’s creativity, passion and determination will help him succeed. His current musical influences are contemporary hip-hop artists like Kendrick and Pharrell, as well as psychedelic rock band Tame Impala.

Skilled with social media, Matthew has been quite successful at meeting new artists to either produce and/or represent. He is currently representing a couple artists and making sure the right people hear their music.

This fall Matthew will attend St. John’s University in Queens, New York, to major in business management. He is excited about all the opportunities that await him in the center of the East Coast music industry.

Whether they become professional composers or instrumentalists, producers or artist managers, Matthew, Jesse and Nick hope to be part of an industry that inspires new generations of music listeners. ■

“He is one of the most creative students I have taught and is using his creativity to promote his positive message of acceptance and tolerance.�

That’s Amore It’s love Italian-style at El Segundo’s new and tasty Jame Enoteca.

WRITTEN BY BONNIE GRAVES

Restaurants are tough. Statistically, for every one restaurant that opens in the U.S., nearly two are shuttered. As any restaurateur can tell you, the margins are slim and the potential for disaster lurks with every rent hike, every worker’s comp claim and, more recently, with every mandated minimum wage increase for employees. So why do it?

The answer is twofold: love and adrenaline, both of which are on display and then some at El Segundo’s unexpected hot spot Jame Enoteca. “Ja + Me” is a reference to coowners (Ja)ckson Kalb and (Me)lissa Saka, although it sounds a lot like “gimme gimme” in Mexican slang. Perhaps this unintended pun works, as diners queue up and wait for steaming plates of pasta in a city known for carb aversion. Gimme that plate of capellini, please, topped with an incredible “36-hour tomato sauce” that will make you cry the next time you guiltily buy a bottle of Rao’s at the grocery store. It’s that good.

Love is in the air at Jame, from the cheeky neon sign that entreats you to “feed me pasta & tell me I’m pretty” to the warm, try everything. Their enthusiasm is real, and it’s a pleasure to find this kind of authentic “foodis-our-passion” in an unassuming strip mall in El Segundo.

We dined old-person style at 5:30 p.m. on a Saturday and were lucky to score a table before the masses started lining up. Frontof-the-house star Melissa, a veteran of the Hillstone group, says, “We call it, like, The Walking Dead. About 15 minutes before we open, people start coming in droves.”

Formerly a BBQ joint, Jame accommodates only about 24 diners indoors with space for about 40 more outside in the notexactly-a-patio space. I watched as Melissa and her team cheerfully and creatively moved patio furniture into neighboring

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businesses’ outdoor spaces as other shops closed up for the evening.

I hope they are bribing these neighbors with good wine, because they have it at Jame. I was sad to see how many folks brought in BYOB bottles like Rombauer chardonnay when delicious, off-the-beaten-path Italian wines made from indigenous grapes like vermentino or timorasso are literally made to go with Jame’s cuisine.

The corkage policy at Jame is very affordable, but unless it’s a special occasion bottle, I would implore South Bay diners to help keep this sweet spot afloat by buying the wines they offer. Beverage revenue is what keeps a restaurant’s lights on—no matter how good the pasta may be—and we all benefit as Jame approaches the critical one-year mark of staying in business.

So about that pasta. Chef Jackson has a pretty impressive resumé for someone under 30, that’s for sure, with brief stints at Alinea (Chicago), Robuchon (Vegas) and Union Square Café (NYC). As a preteen in the Palisades, Jackson had a catering company that morphed into a kitchen opportunity with Josiah Citrin at Mélisse—substantial experience banked even before college at Cornell’s prestigious hospitality program.

A trip to Italy and a stint at L.A.’s The Factory Kitchen seem to have swerved Chef Jackson away from the haute cuisine that Alinea particularly represents. But just because pasta is simple doesn’t mean it’s good—execution is everything, as is texture.

Pasta highlights at Jame include the capellini, an arugula pappardelle with braised pork, and a squid ink bavette in which cheese makes an uncouth appearance.

Another blasphemy is avocado in the Bolognese, but hey, it’s California—not Italy.

We also ordered the “Very Fresh Fish” of the

day, which in this case was branzino, and it was perfect. This guy can do fish and proteins too, just for the record.

It’s the feeling at Jame that accounts for the crowds, to be honest. The pasta is worth the accolades it has won for this young chef, though I would point out gently that he does not yet have the textural mastery or plating expertise of someone like Evan Funke at Felix. Evan also has a killer resumé (disclosure: He was a sous chef at Spago when I was the sommelier there), but Evan has simply done more hard time in more hard places than Jackson. A “stage” (short, unpaid internship in the kitchen) doesn’t deliver the same intuitive expertise that only years of practice can render.

Thus, my spring pea agnolotti was ice cold and kind of gelatinous, with not so much as a pea tendril, a mint leaf or a crunchy pistachio to enliven the green of the plate. It was cheerfully re-fired and was better when served hot, but it was a misstep on texture and timing that was disappointing in an otherwise lovely meal. Practice makes perfect.

What was perfect was the spirit of “We’re so glad you’re here with us tonight, and we’re so excited to share our food with you!” I also worked for acclaimed restaurateur Danny Meyer back in the day, and his ethos was that you could always teach food but you could never teach warmth. Jame is that rare little restaurant that could—tiny, fun, welcoming and warm—and I can only wish that I had something as fabulous in my own neighborhood. I’d be there at least once a week, ready for some killer carbs and kindness. ■ 241 Main Street in El Segundo 310-648-8554 eatjame.com

Next Wave

Manhattan Beach teen Alex Fry brings a competitive edge to the surf circuit.

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAT MONK

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Back when Alex Fry was in fourth grade, he played guitar in a rock band in the Grand View Elementary school talent show with a group of towheaded surfer kids who exhibited a rare confidence far beyond their years. Even then, Alex looked like a kid who owned his future.

Less than a decade later, Alex is a senior at Mira Costa High School and recently started competing in the Qualifying Series of the renowned World Surf League—the minor leagues of pro surfing. It’s an extremely tough place to compete; only the top 10 surfers qualify to compete in the world championships at the end of the year.

Considering that both his parents were Division 1 athletes at UCLA, it is no surprise that Alex was born a competitor. He grew up playing many sports, but by high school he narrowed it down to tennis and surfing.

“I think being a competitive person definitely gives me an edge when I surf in competition. I’m so in love with surfing and I want to do well so bad that it puts me in another zone when I am in a heat,” Alex says.

He started to surf competitively at the age of 12—considerably later than most competitive youth surfers these days. The surf contest scene is filled with kids who have been surfing since they learned how to walk—sometimes second- or third-generation surfers.

Well-known professional surfers such as 25-year-old Kolohe Andino and 28-year-old Coco Ho are second-generation pro surfers, and 26-year-old two-time World Champion John John Florence started surfing at 2½ years old. Surfing is not just a sport but also a lifestyle for many surfers and their families.

Some teen surfers homeschool and relocate further south where the waves are bigger and more consistent than what the South Bay has to offer. But not Alex. He can be seen at the South Bay’s local surf spots and contests, yet he still shows up to classes at Mira Costa. Alex is on the Mira Costa surf team, which affords surfers the ability to surf in the morning and start classes an hour later.

As a sophomore, Alex also played on Mira Costa’s varsity tennis team, so he didn’t have an extra period to spare. He would go straight from surfing to his first class at 8 a.m., which meant breakfast on the go.

Ultimately he knew it was time to focus on surfing when he realized he was dreaming of surfing while at tennis matches. “I found myself playing tennis and wishing I was surfing the whole time,” he shares.

After success at the local level in the South Bay Boardriders series, a third-place finish at the National Scholastic Surfing Association regional championships (17 and under) and a win in the juniors division of the Southwest Conference Explorer, Alex is on his way to the next level. Dennis Jarvis, owner of Spyder Surf Shop, believes Alex has great potential.

“It could be Alex Fry who could rise above the fray and garner a career in the pro ranks,” Dennis says. “In the past 10 to 15 years the South Bay has been hard-pressed to have a champion of the sport. A lot of young surfers have the ambition to be a professional surfer and are supported heavily with their parents’ funding, coaches and equipment. But there is always that one determined individual who sneaks through the haze and makes a name for themselves.”

That individual very likely could be Alex Fry. “What makes Alex a great surfer is his genuine passion for surfing,” says Mira Costa surf coach Tracy Geller. Dennis describes Alex’s surfing as “effortless,” stating that he “doesn’t need cameras or a contest to fire up for surfing.”

“Surfing feels nothing short of incredible,” Alex explains. “I don’t think there is any better feeling in the world than surfing in general. And that is why so many of us keep coming back to it every single day.” ■

I think being a competitive person definitely gives me an edge when I surf in competition. I’m so in love with surfing and I want to do well so bad that it puts me in another zone when I am in a heat.”

JULY 2019 | SOUTHBAY

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Berries & Booze

Chocolate whiskey tarts topped with fresh blackberries are our new summer crush.

WRITTEN & STYLED BY KARA MICKELSON PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL

CHOCOLATE BLACKBERRY WHISKEY TARTS Makes 4 (4-inch) tarts or 1 (9-inch) tart

4 Mini Chocolate Tart Shells Chocolate Whiskey Ganache 2 pints blackberries, cleaned and dried* Whiskey, plain or blackberry flavor MINI CHOCOLATE TART SHELLS 10.9 ounces slim/thin chocolate crème-filled wafers (Trader Joe’s Joe-Joe Slims wafers are perfect) ⅓ cup unsalted butter, melted 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt tart pan(s) – 4” x 1” or 9” x 1” Place all ingredients in food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles finely ground cornmeal. Add melted butter and pulse until combined. Mixture should hold together when pressed between two fingers. If necessary, add an additional tablespoon of melted butter.

Separate mixture into four equal portions and then press into tart molds. Start by building the base, and then build up the sides. Press and compact mixture using your fingers or a small glass. Carefully trim top tart edge with a knife. Place tart shells on a sheet tray and chill in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Bake chilled tart shells on a sheet tray for 15 to 20 minutes at 350°. Remove from oven and cool completely before filling.

CHOCOLATE WHISKEY GANACHE 1¾ cups dark chocolate chips, 60% cacao or greater 1½ cups plus 2 tablespoons whipping cream 1 teaspoon unsalted butter 2–3 tablespoons whiskey Pour chips into a heatproof bowl that will hold 4 cups volume. Heat whipping cream on the stovetop or in the microwave until cream starts to boil. Pour cream over chips and let set for 1 minute. Slowly begin stirring the mixture until it looks like thick chocolate sauce. Blend thoroughly. Add butter and 1 tablespoon of whiskey at a time while stirring.

Immediately pour ganache into tart shells. Pierce any bubbles with a toothpick and lightly tap tarts to settle ganache. Chill in refrigerator until firm, about 6 hours or overnight. These can be made 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container, once firm, until ready to use.

Top tarts with fresh blackberries. Drizzle with whiskey and serve immediately. *Depending on the size of the berries, you may want to purchase an extra pint. The goal is to have the tarts brimming with fruit.

JULY 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

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Pacific Coast Perfect

Escape the heat and summer crowds with an exploration of the idyllic western islands of Canada.

WRITTEN BY JENNIE NUNN

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Dotted with ancient rainforests, top surfing spots, glaciers, sea life and coastal scenery, the islands of Canada’s Pacific Coast are some of the most picturesque in the world.

Here our itinerary begins in Tofino, Vancouver Island, and moves to Haida Gwaii, an archipelago that’s known for its rampant wildlife.

TOFINO, VANCOUVER ISLAND Located approximately 45 minutes by plane from Vancouver, Tofino on the western edge of Vancouver Island is known as one of the prime surfing destinations in Canada. The laid-back coastal town set along the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (once the misty backdrop for the film The Twilight Saga: New Moon) offers everything from kayaking and bear-watching tours with Jamie’s Whaling Station to artisan shops, restaurants and galleries.

At the Tofitian café, grab a London Fog tea latte and hear the surf report from locals.

Plan a day at one of the island’s beaches (Cox Bay, Long Beach or Chesterman Beach), and pick up house-made meats and provisions from Picnic Charcuterie. Or head to nearby Summit Bread Co. for fresh-baked

rosemary cheddar bread and chocolate. For dinner, head to Wolf in the Fog for entrées including Dungeness crab arancini and island chicken with cauliflower, potato, butter chicken sauce and raita.

WHERE TO STAY Nicknamed “The Wick,” The Wickaninnish Inn is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and an old-growth forest. The woodsy property features 75 guestrooms and suites with soaker tubs and gas fireplaces and an acclaimed restaurant, The Pointe. There is also a wine cellar with 8,500 bottles and a 20-foot single yellow cedar slab table that seats 18. (wickinn.com) Situated along Cox Bay, Pacific Sands Beach Resort just unveiled a $1.2 million renovation for beachfront Lodge Suites with modern furniture and updated kitchens.

Learn to surf at the on-site surf school or fuel up at Surfside Grill with a salmon burger or a crispy chicken burger. (pacificsands.com)

HAIDA GWAII For an off-the-beaten path experience filled with adventure and history, Haida Gwaii is

an outdoor paradise. Situated approximately two hours north by plane from Vancouver, the main towns include Masset and Skidegate with about 4,500 total residents.

Start with a visit to the Haida Heritage Centre—a museum with Haida historical objects and archeological artifacts, monumental poles and a café. At Sgang Gwaay, a 19th-century village at the southern tip of the Haida Gwaii archipelago, learn about village ruins and marvel at 32 carved memorial and mortuary poles. Take a guided cultural tour of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve on a 28-foot zodiac with Haida Style Expeditions.

WHERE TO STAY Located near the Tlell River, Haida House at Tllaal is the ideal home base for exploring the islands. Originally built in the 1980s, the 10-room lodge is set on 50 acres with a fruit orchard and forest trails. (haidahouse. com) For complete seclusion, opt for newly opened Ocean House (Haida House’s sister property), a fly-in luxury wilderness lodge replete with a spa. (oceanhouse.ca) ■

LOCAL TALENT: ENVIRONMENTAL ARTIST PETE CLARKSON Pete Clarkson’s artistic debut was sparked in the most unlikely of ways. He spotted a washed-up item on one of his daily hikes— remnants of an old wood shipping box. “As humbling and calming and ultimately satisfying as it can be in close contact with the ocean and nature, I got really depressed hiking the shoreline and finding all the garbage—even in a national park,” says the Tofinobased artist. “When I found the piece, I laughed, I cried and I was inspired … so I took it home. Little did I know that that small beginning would become a major turning point in my life.”

When he’s not creating, Pete works as a park warden and visitor safety specialist at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

According to the artist, whose work is exhibited at the Tofino Botanical Gardens and Canadian Museum of Nature, his job of 35 years has influenced his work. “My passion for the ocean, wild landscapes, fresh water and birds often shows up in my art,” he explains. “That’s not to say it is the main theme of every piece, but the material itself carries a constant environmental message.”

The artist has been collecting washed-up debris for more than 20 years along the shoreline of Vancouver Island. He has procured everything from hockey gloves and shin guards to an ornate Japanese chalk measuring tool called a sumitsubo, which came from the 2011 Tohuku tsunami.

“I honestly try to take delight in everything, confident that the process is part of the journey,” says Pete. “The payoff is that the whole process is filled with a sense of discovery, adventure and promise.” (peteclarkson.com)

JULY 2019 | SOUTHBAY

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On the Record The trio behind Hermosa’s Studio 637 channels good vibes with a one-stop shop for video, music and livestreaming.

WRITTEN BY SARA DEBEVEC | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF BERTING

JULY 2019 | SOUTHBAY

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W

alking through Hermosa’s Cypress District and on my way to cover another story, I heard two young men having a lively conversation. I couldn’t quite figure out what they were talking about, but their voices led me to the door of Studio 637.

Peeking in, I quickly realized this must be a highly creative place— the walls covered in art and a beautiful mural by street artist Josh Barnes taking a big part of the room. There was no choice but to walk in and introduce myself.

The pleasant space was much larger than I imagined from the outside. Large green screens hung from the ceilings, and speakers with different shapes and sizes decorated the walls. The two men introduced themselves as Kevin and Cole. They revealed that I had walked into a recording studio that also specializes in video and livestreaming.

The Studio 637 slogan “It all happens here” aptly sums up their purpose. From shooting with Snoop Dogg at his compound in Inglewood to creating a livestream for a nonprofit in Seattle, their days are full of diverse projects: concerts, conferences, conventions, graduations and live talk shows.

The pillars of Studio 637 are Kevin Yamada, Cole Hockenbury and Alex Lockwood—three people who understand each other without words and are all-around good friends. South Bay native and reggae fan Kevin graduated from a recording school in Hollywood and interned at one other studio before setting roots at Studio 637. Cole, also born and raised in the South Bay, is an actor and gamer who loves astronomy and the adrenaline that comes with livestreaming.

Alex, originally from Denver, Colorado, studied natural sciences at nearby Loyola Marymount University, but music has always been his passion. Growing up, he played in different bands and eventually decided to go into audio engineering. Together they pool a wealth of talent and passion into this joint venture.

“We decided early on that we wanted to get involved in more than just recording because the recording industry has been declining over the past decade,” says Kevin, who was one of the first production engineers at the studio. Cole came on shortly after as an intern and was very quickly outperforming the guy above him.

“We started incorporating livestreaming early on,” Cole adds.

“That’s when livestreaming was just taking off—before YouTube was doing YouTube Live and all that kind of stuff.”

Their goal was to do everything they could for artists, to help people reach a broader audience with their music videos and livestreaming. Their mission and drive only got stronger when they realized they were really good at livestreaming.

Once all the departments were starting to grow, they needed someone to head the audio department. “Kevin was the original producer-engineer,” says Alex, “and then he found me to relieve him of his audio duties so he could focus on the business as a whole.”

Kevin chimes in: “You can imagine how hard it was to receive important business phone calls and then having to take them during a recording. I was doing recording sessions, and then I’d do a business phone call and everything would get all messed up.”

In March 2017, after the trio established a viable clientele, Alex’s family decided to purchase the business—helping them grow their livestream department and take it to the next level. “My parents, Blair and Lindsay Lockwood, were able to lend their expertise to us,” shares Alex. “My father is a corporate lawyer who has been involved in tons of different types of businesses, and my mom is super-creative and really good at design.”

With the Lockwoods’ support, Alex, Cole and Kevin revamped the

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“The Studio 637 slogan ‘It all happens here’ aptly sums up their purpose.”

“they have built a special kind of chemistry and learned to communicate clearly and quickly.”

entire place and opened their doors to more local art. Cole now runs the video and livestreaming department, Alex is head of the audio department and Kevin works with clients to build the teams.

But the three partners admit that it’s really Claire Davenport who runs the show. Claire, who started as an audio intern and became their studio manager a year and a half ago, has been instrumental in managing the growth of their business. She plays a key role in making sure “the train runs on time.”

Alex and Claire also partnered romantically. So with love, friendship and family at their core, Studio 637 feels more like a home than a recording studio.

Since 2014 the company’s involvement with the Hermosa Beach Summer Concert Series helped them break into more concert work.

Working with popular music venue Saint Rocke and local livestreaming company LiveList, Studio 637 has expanded their network beyond just the South Bay. “Music videos are a lot of fun too,” says Alex. “We did a music video with a local artist, Jeff Baker. The music video was shot in local South Bay spots like Mike’s Guitar Parlor. Mike has been a huge asset to this business, connecting us to local musicians. The project involved four to five days of shooting, and the music was recorded, mixed and mastered here.”

The Studio 637 team members also work closely with and livestream concerts for well-known reggae band Iration, and they partnered with the band Tribal Seeds and the California Roots

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reggae festival, where they had a full stage all to themselves streaming live interviews with artists.

Another major project was a video for the rebirth of Hotel Figueroa, the historic hotel near Staples Center in Downtown L.A. The hotel sought to rebrand an aging property and become more relevant, so Studio 637 streamed their vintage sign that was illuminated for the first time in 40 years to a private party downstairs by the pool bar area. In addition, they produced a legacy video showcasing the revitalization of the hotel.

“It was a pretty awesome moment for the hotel, and it was very cool that we were the video crew piecing the whole story together,” says Kevin. He remembers they had to put a camera on the roof and then run cables off it … and it’s a tall building. “We were just down there, and I have this vivid memory of Cole’s hair dangling off the top of the building,” chuckles Alex.

What’s next for Studio 637? Cole would like to see them pursue a live broadcast for the 2020 Olympics. “We are also looking at operating multiple streams at the same time, so we are constantly expanding and involving more people,” he says.

Kevin adds that since they have all been working together for years, they have built a special kind of chemistry and learned to communicate clearly and quickly. “I think we have developed our own way of workflow that has really been able to help us not only complete these productions but also take them to the next level. I think that’s why people choose us, and I am really excited for the future.” ■

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F

or residents of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and nearby areas, there is a brand new primary care medical facility located in your backyard!

Conveniently located on the hill, Torrance Memorial Physician Network – Palos Verdes is a newly designed, 6,000-square-foot space.

The practice is open to new patients and offers some same-day appointments, ample parking, state-of-the-art digital X-rays and an on-site blood draw station.

Located nearby in the Peninsula Center is the Palos Verdes Breast Diagnostic Center with 3-D mammography technology and overall shorter wait times. Patients also have access to a variety of health and fitness classes and support groups at The Center for Healthy Living at Malaga Cove, located at 2550 Via Tejon, and to the world-class medical care of Torrance Memorial Medical Center.

YOUR PARTNER IN HEALTH Why choose a primary care physician? Your primary care physician (PCP) is your partner in health throughout all stages of life. Your doctor will help you get the care you need if you are sick or injured and will diagnose and treat illnesses or refer you to specialists when necessary. He or she will help you live a healthy life by offering ongoing preventive

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care and serve as the point person to coordinate all of your medical care and make sure your treatments and medications safely interact with one another.

Even if you are healthy, active and very busy, you still need a primary care physician!

Maintaining this relationship with regular visits to your doctor is an important step you can take to protect your health—at any age.

A PCP is a physician who is specifically trained to treat the entire person—physically, mentally and emotionally. Unlike other doctors who specialize in treating one particular organ or disease, your PCP will be able to diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses (like the flu and high blood pressure) and provide routine health screenings and counseling on lifestyle changes in an effort to prevent diseases from developing in the first place. When you need a specialist, your primary care physician will make a recommendation and coordinate your care with your specialist.

MEET THE TEAM Dr. Anna Mellor grew up in San Gabriel, California, and completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Irvine.

She earned her medical degree at Howard University in Washington D.C. and completed

her residency in internal medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center. Dr. Mellor is board-certified in internal medicine and enjoys working in preventive health care and women’s health issues. She is fluent in both Spanish and Italian. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Currently accepting new patients, Dr. Kalpana Hool is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and has practiced in the South Bay for more than 20 years. She received her medical degree at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Piscataway, New Jersey, and completed her internal medicine residency at UCLA. She went on to complete a Kennamer Fellowship in women’s health at UCLA. Dr. Hool specializes in diabetes, nutrition, heart disease, asthma, women’s health and geriatrics. She loves spending time with her husband and two children, as well as hiking, cycling, aerobics and traveling.

Leah Robinson grew up in Cerritos, California, and attended UCLA for both her undergraduate degree and her Master of Science degree in nursing. Prior to becoming a family nurse practitioner, she worked at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center as an intensive care unit nurse for seven years.

ON THE MARKET

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“EVEN IF YOU ARE HEALTHY, ACTIVE AND VERY BUSY, YOU STILL NEED A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN!” Leah is board-certified and is passionate about delivering comprehensive holistic care, nutrition counseling and chronic disease management. During her leisure time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, outdoor activities, boot camp workouts and spending time with extended family and friends.

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE When it comes to medical decisions, your primary care doctor is your first stop.

Choosing the right primary care physician is an important decision for you and your family. The health care professionals at the new Torrance Memorial Physician Network – Palos Verdes office will stay informed and involved with any medical treatment you require and will help you live your best and most healthy life!

And when it comes to choosing the right hospital, Torrance Memorial and its affiliation with Cedars-Sinai brings more expert care to the South Bay. Your doctor, your hospital, your neighborhood: Everything you need right in your own backyard!

The Torrance Memorial Physician Network – Palos Verdes office is now accepting new patients. For appointments, please call 310-517-4692.

TORRANCE MEMORIAL PHYSICIAN NETWORK – PALOS VERDES 602 DEEP VALLEY DRIVE, SUITE 300 ROLLING HILLS ESTATES 310-517-4692 TMPHYSICIANNETWORK.ORG

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Celebrate CHEFS

The Associates present

CELLARS A N A FTERNOON IN THE V INEYA RD

catalina

view

gardens

·

breathtaking

sunset

and

Restaurants and Wine Tasting

For info and reservations visit celebratechefs.com

Tastings From Local Restaurants and Specialty Caterers

Fundraiser to Benefit the Palos Verdes Art Center

Baran’s 2239; Bettolino Kitchen; Cove Cafe; Creme de La Crepe; Critic’s Choice Catering; Davio’s Italian Steakhouse, Irvine, Chef István Toth; Entertaining Friends Catering & Sacred Occassions Events; HopSaint Brewing Company; Kelly, Home Chef Cooking; Lisa’s Cafe and Bakery; Marsatta Chocolate; Pappy’s Seafood; Stonefire Grill; The Whale and Ale

21+ Only Event thank you to our sponsors : candi and gregory gershuni charla and mickey martinez chase bank deepak and nandini chopra don and lynne variano dorothy and allen lay gingi inc. josette and ed hajeian jacqueline glass and family karen and leonard gale

views

Reservations Limited

$125 per ticket

July 14, 2019 · 4-7pm

ocean

kathy and jim york / catalina view gardens sandra sanders, re / max estate properties sunny rahmani, re / max estate properties virginia butler and les fishman daily breeze palos verdes peninsula news peninsula magazine south bay magazine rolling hills living

Sip, Savor and Experience Top Wines, Spirits, and Beer Balverne Wines; Bixby Roasting Co., Boisset Collection; Boochcraft Kombucha; Catalina View Wines; Girl and the Grape; Inside The Cellar; Kinship Winery; Kitson Wines; Montemar Wines; Off the Vine; One HopeWine; Scholb Premium Ales; Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Trader Joes Limited tickets for purchase at

www.celebratechefs.com or Palos Verdes Art Center

 CELEBRATE CHEFS AND CELLARS event cost per person : $125 # of event tickets : ____ visa

amex

mc

to order tickets by phone : unable to attend /donation :

$__________

total :

(310) 541-2479

$ __________

or checks payable to the associates of pvac

first name, last name street address (billing address if charging) daytime phone credit card # please mail this form to :

- must supply to process

city, state, zip email address exp. date

cvv #

celebrate chefs and cellars 2019 • attention : joyce kochanowski, 31022 hawksmoor drive, rancho palos verdes, ca 90275

Saltwater Musician Fresh off the BeachLife Festival, drummer Davey Latter celebrates nearly four decades in the music industry.

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAT MONK

Rocking a leather jacket, Davey Latter cruises down the street riding his vintage motorcycle toward his music studio. It’s hidden between multilevel, contemporary office buildings in the industrial section of El Segundo. With his infectious laugh, he quickly points out that he has had this studio space for the last 18 years and is beyond proud of its history with so many local musicians.

Davey used to sit at the bar at North End, formerly known as Critters, and occasionally order a double whiskey. Now sober, Davey is married to a beautiful young British woman and is raising three rescue dogs in North Manhattan Beach.

That does not mean Davey is leading a boring life. His band, Lost Beach, recently played at BeachLife Festival in Redondo Beach, and his smile behind his drum kit was infectious.

Davey has recorded 16 studio albums and has been in roughly 175 bands including the Devics, the Ethers, Slydell, Fireball Ministry, Twilight Sleep, Samiam and Too Rude. He has signed numerous record deals and traveled the world back and forth countless times over.

The youngest of five siblings, Davey was an independent self-starter. He became a talented competitive surfer at Redondo Union High School and surfed for Dewey Weber while competing on the National Scholastic Surfing Association contest circuit. Davey graduated from Redondo in 1982.

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Back in the ’80s and ’90s, every cool local teenager wanted to work at the Chart House, but only a few got the opportunity.

Davey made the cut and waited tables there for approximately a decade.

At 20 he decided to help a friend in a pinch and bought the guy’s drum kit for $150. Little did Davey know that this drum kit would change his life’s trajectory. “I always wanted to play drums, and it came really natural,” he shares.

As many musicians do, Davey started out with a cover band playing local house parties. They played a lot of songs by The Clash and The Cramps. He joined another cover band called Dr. Bombay with the lead singer of Pennywise, Jim Lindberg.

In 1989 Davey answered an ad at Guitar Center for a band looking for a drummer with musical influences such as The Smiths, Dead Kennedys and Echo & the Bunnymen.

He answered the ad, and Stanford Prison Experiment (SPE) was born.

SPE soon got a record deal with World Domination, a label created by Dave Allen

of the band Gang of Four. On their first tour as a newly signed band, they opened for Rage Against the Machine. At that moment Davey’s career really got started.

SPE toured for the next decade consistently before dissolving in 2001.

The last band he toured with, Everest, signed to Neil Young’s record label, Vapor Records. Everest opened for Neil Young during his 2009 North American tour. “My last gig, I’ll never forget, was two nights at Madison Square Garden opening for Neil, getting up on stage with him, singing songs, then taking a bow with him.” A pinnacle moment for this veteran musician.

Finding it difficult to make a living as a touring drummer, he started to roadie for other bands including Silversun Pickups, Beck, The Pretenders, The Last Shadow Puppets, Queens of the Stone Age and Iggy Pop. Currently he has been with Arctic Monkeys for more than a decade.

“I’m a drum and bass tech for Arctic Monkeys and also play percussion on stage.

Alex (Turner) needed my rhythm abilities!”

says Davey lightheartedly. “It’s a rush being up in front of that many people. Arctic Monkeys is extremely popular. Recently in Mexico City it was our headlining show, and there were 70,000 people in the stadium going nuts!”

But when asked if he prefers being in front of thousands of people with stadium bands or playing in a band himself, he says, “I love playing the drums, and I do that with Lost Beach. It’s satisfying, even if sometimes there are only 23 people.”

Echo Park, home to many Los Angeles musicians, was his home occasionally for a few stints. But Davey just couldn’t stay too far away from the saltwater that the South Bay has to offer. When he is not playing music, you can find him in the lineup surfing somewhere in the South Bay—most likely with a huge, irresistible smile on his face. ■

I love playing the drums, and I do that with Lost Beach. It’s satisfying, even if sometimes there are only 23 people.”

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Never Forgotten

Despite the painful loss of his mother, Robert Patterson is focused on achieving his goals and continuing to make her proud.

WRITTEN BY AMBER KLINCK | PHOTOGRAPHED BY NANCY PASTOR

Robert Patterson has wanted to be a police officer since he was 9 years old. “[They] would come to my old school during career days, and I would just look at them like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is what I want to do,’” he says. With Robert wrapping up his senior year at Rolling Hills Prep with a Dean’s Scholarship to Vanguard University, he is well on his way to making his childhood dream a reality.

“I want to study psychology and become a police officer after college,” he notes. As an officer, he wants to connect directly with those in need. “I really want to help people,” he says.

This aspiration to be of service isn’t new for Robert, but it has been fortified by his own experiences—particularly the loss of his mother, Lisa Patterson. Lisa was one of the 58 people killed during the 2017 Las Vegas shooting at the Route 91 Harvest music festival.

“After everything that has happened, it’s really brought up a lot of empathy in my life,” Robert shares. “I’ve started to realize how much I could help people by going to the [police] academy and just being on call for [those] who have no idea what their situation is—or if they need help— because I know how it feels.”

On Monday, October 2, 2017, Robert’s father, also named Robert, woke his son at 5 a.m. “It was a pretty crazy day,” Robert remembers. His father had been up all night trying to reach Lisa after learning of the shooting. As morning came, the two decided to get in the car and drive to Vegas.

“For about 11 hours we were just going hospital to hospital, talking to people,” Robert says. “We had no idea where she was until finally, at the convention center, they told us. It was a devasting day.”

Robert was 16 when he lost his mother. When he returned to school two short weeks after her passing, he tried to distract himself. “I definitely threw myself into football at that time. It was the biggest stress-reliever I had. Just going to practice and being able to hit away anything that I had, it took my mind off of everything.”

His grades initially, and understandably, took a hit. But with the help and support of his teachers,

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Robert completed his first trimester after the loss with one of his highest GPAs to date.

Today Robert still finds solace in sports. “I play baseball, soccer and football for Rolling Hills Prep,” he notes. “We’re in baseball season right now, and we’re on our eighth [year] as Coastal League Champions.”

He also works as an umpire for ASA softball in Palos Verdes. He is focused on maintaining his grades, taking care of himself and spending time with his friends, his girlfriend and, of course, his family.

Robert, his sisters Amber and Brooke, and their father are incredibly close. Between them, they keep Lisa’s memory alive.

“We talk about her a lot, and we pray every single night,” Robert says. “My older sister, Amber, doesn’t live here, [but] she comes here every night to say goodnight to me and Brooke and my dad. If she can’t make it, she calls. We always keep in touch.”

When asked to describe his mother, Robert does so with a beautiful simplicity that captures who she was as a mom. “She was always present for every single softball game for my sisters,” he says, “and she would always come to my baseball games. Even if my football game would be hours away, she would still [be there.] She’d be known for how loud she could be cheering. She was also really known for being active in the community.

At my old school, St. John Fisher, she was the PTA president. And she was always helping with mass and organizing. She was just always present in everything.”

For Robert, there are good days and bad days. “I would say I’m doing pretty well,” he says.

“Today was one of my good days, but there are definitely days where I’m taken back, and I just need to recuperate.”

Good days or bad, Robert is confident with the path he’s chosen. “I always told her I wanted to be a police officer, and she was proud of me to think like that. I think she’d love what I’m doing right now.” ■

Robert stands on the grounds of St. John Fisher Catholic Church in Palos Verdes, a place close to his heart.

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View from beneath

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Peak Indonesia A South Bay photographer and a young surfer journey to the other side of the world in search of incredible waves and unforgettable surroundings.

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY RICKY LESSER

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L

ocal time is 5:40 a.m. The vague signs of light reveal a textured sea with only the sound of a muffled diesel engine displacing water. The air temperature is a moist 86º. With not a cloud in the faint blue sky, the only way to judge whether the boat is actually moving is by the mounds of open ocean swell we are traveling over.

As if on a ride, the 64-foot vessel gracefully lunges down and then up again with

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each oncoming set. Despite jet lag fueled by a 14-hour time zone shift, there isn’t a sleepy eye on the boat. The anticipation of what’s around the next desolate, oncoming atoll creates a palpable energy only a surfer would understand.

The top deck is crowded—though silent— in fear of jinxing any of our expectations.

Surfers can be a superstitious breed, even though they probably wont admit it. From hundreds of yards away, a perfect wave is

unmistakable. From the moment you make eye contact, the excitement can’t be contained any longer.

You’ve never seen so many men, young and old, running around giddy and ready to jump off the boat the instant the anchor drops. And this is how we began the first morning of a 12-day adventure exploring every nook and cranny that may be home to a wave.

Few places on the globe are as diverse and

Inter-island travel doesn’t get any more local than this. Here Parker catches a ride with an Indo fishing boat.

wave-rich as the archipelago of Indonesia off the island of Sumatra. During their winter months—our summer—it is a perfect cocktail of weather, swell window and unique bathymetry (underwater landscapes) that creates one of the most spectacular locations for wave riders on the planet.

This area is protected by nothing and exposed to everything—sunny skies one minute and tropical squalls minutes later. But any apprehension about the remote nature

of these islands quickly disappears after one ride on a wave down here.

For Parker Browning, an 18-year-old Los Angeles-based surfer whose furthest wave trek ended near the Mexican border, an excursion to the opposite side of the globe was quite a new thing. After four flights, one train, two taxis and a short water ferry, he was anxious to ditch the shoes, jump into some boards and start gliding in the Indian Ocean. This is our adventure.

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“The anticipation of what’s around the next desolate, oncoming atoll creates a palpable energy only a surfer would understand.”

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It really doesn’t matter if it’s 60-foot or 6-foot—as long as your boat gets you to the break.

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Parker navigating his way through some tropical turbulence

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Post-surf stoke in a Sumatran sunset

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datebook

Your Best Smile Awaits EDUCATION EXPERIENCE ARTISTRY Summer L. Blake, DDS, MS

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Call or visit us online to get the smile you always wanted.

310-545-0770 www.summerorthodontics.com

how toxic is your board?

Shaper Ryan Harris is on a mission to prove that the sport he loves can clean up its manufacturing act.

WRITTEN BY ROBERT EARLE HOWELLS PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF BERTING

as seen in

Southbay is part of the Golden State network, a family of digital, social and print media brands celebrating the people, pursuits, lifestyles and ideas of California. In every issue going forward, we will share one story from across our network. Each will explore topics that go beyond the limits of the South Bay. These are California stories that speak to the meaningful impact our state and its residents make on the global stage.

To learn more about Golden State and to see more stories like this, please visit goldenstate.is.

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R

yan Harris is one of SoCal’s finest surfboard shapers, but what he’s most eager to show me in his south Torrance workshop are ... his mealworms. “These frickin’ rad critters are going to save the planet,” he says.

Saving the planet is very much on Ryan’s mind, and his strategy extends beyond curating some 10,000 mealworms. He also makes environmentally sustainable surfboards in what he calls “the only zero-waste surf-production factory on the planet.”

To understand the significance of that, you have to understand surfing’s dirty little secret: Most surfboards are toxic. They’re made from polyurethane foam—toxic, not recyclable—coated generously with toxic polyurethane resin. One serious meeting with some rocks at El Porto, and that shattered plank of toxicity heads off to the nearest landfill to molder its carcinogenic components into the earth we call home.

It doesn’t have to be that way, contends Ryan—40-year-old surfer, veteran shaper and head dude at Earth Technologies.

“We use EPS [expanded polystyrene, aka Styrofoam] for our boards, 100% recyclable.

And bio-epoxy resin. And we run our shop very similar to a recycling facility—what’s not recyclable is shredded and upcycled to new products.”

Which is why you’ll see, right next to the shaping stands at Earth Tech, thin round molds filled with excess resin. Shredded bits of almost anything get mixed into the resin inside the molds, where they harden into slender discs, then get backed with

sustainable, self-adhering cork (no smelly glue in this joint). Voila: surf-themed coasters for sale. Ryan is also beginning to take orders for barroom countertops made of the same upcycled stuff.

This is also why a venerated station in the shop is devoted to the care and feeding of those frickin’ rad mealworms. These chubby squirmers, you see, are never happier than when they’re digesting EPS foam.

What? You thought EPS isn’t recyclable?

The contrary evidence is right before my eyes, where Ryan is holding a chunk of foam riddled with mealworms making Swiss cheese of the stuff. The byproduct of their digestive efforts becomes organic gardening material.

By now I suspect that anyone who surfs has their eyebrows raised. Surfers are all about the environment, sure. But they’re also about their boards, and if these socalled ecoboards don’t perform like the real thing, well, surfers are going to stick with their dirty little secret.

Ryan is accustomed to overcoming surfers’ skepticism. “I’m as much educator as shaper,” he says. “This is an industry largely stuck in the way they did things 60 years ago. But the truth is, our core material is not only sustainable, it’s stronger. Our boards may go for $100 or so more than conventional boards—biopoxy is expensive—but our boards are going to last twice as long.”

And, of course, should you break one of Ryan’s ecoboards, you can bring it back and know that it will be 100% recycled.

LEADING THE REVOLUTION Ryan Harris came to surfing a bit late. He grew up in Portland, Oregon, where he skied and snowboarded at Mount Hood and fished with his dad. “It was all beautiful. I was groomed as an environmentalist from the beginning.”

He bailed out of a postcollege Nike job designing footwear, moved to the South Bay at age 21 and fell in love with surfing. El Porto was, and still is, his main go-to.

“I fell into doing repairs,” Ryan says, “and buddies told me, ‘You’re decent at this—you should try shaping.’ I started shaping boards for friends at first as a hobby, then a fulltime career. I was an airbrush guy at a poly shop”—meaning he’s worked with his share of toxic materials—“so I know what I’m talking about. The eco thing happened about seven to eight years into it.”

Ryan was among the first shapers to use bio-epoxy, or biopoxy, which was notorious back then for going yellow after a time. “I didn’t care that it was yellow—just that the boards were stronger and didn’t break.”

Biopoxy no longer yellows, he stresses.

Ryan may be at the vanguard of the sustainable-surf movement, but he’s not alone.

A national organization called Sustainable Surf, also based in SoCal, advocates for eco-sensitive board construction and certifies shapers who meet its standards. Those who comply with minimal standards get the Ecoboard Level One designation. Those who meet higher standards in both materials and manufacturing process are rewarded with the Ecoboard Gold Level certification.

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Ryan was the first shaper ever to earn the Gold standard.

“Ry Harris was one of the first to commit 100% to making ecoboards,” says Sustainable Surf cofounder Kevin Whilden. “That was key.

Back in 2012 he was one of the only glassers to make ecoboards. He showed that he could make high performance boards that work well and were sustainable. So many surf companies started using him—and they still do— but back then he was the only resource.”

Today dozens of board makers, including makers of stand-up paddleboards, windsurf boards and kiteboards, have Sustainable Surf certification. But Ryan’s commitment to zero waste in his workshop puts him in something of a different category.

“Ry is doing it all over again,” says Kevin.

“Number one was to show that you could use sustainable materials that don’t affect performance or quality. Number two is Ry’s focus on zero waste, on upcycling and recycling. So again, he’s a leader, an innovator setting an example for everyone else in the surf world.”

Still, only about 10% of surfboards made today are considered environmentally sustainable. “But it’s changing,” says Kevin.

“That’s a big jump from 1% six or seven years ago. In another five years it will be, ‘Why wouldn’t I do that?’ But if not for Sustainable Surf and Ry Harris, it wouldn’t even be close to where we are now.”

YOU MIGHT SMELL FOOD Back in the Earth Technologies shop—in a nondescript, light-industrial complex off South Sepulveda in Torrance—Ryan is pulling a sheet of thin fiberglass over a SUP board

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and bathing it in biopoxy. He is wearing disposable gloves but no respirator.

OSHA needn’t have a cow over the latter fact, because this is a VOC-free shop. No volatile organic compounds—the stuff you smell in paints, thinners, glues, etc. And in poly-based resins. “Yeah, nothing smells here,” Ryan says. “Well, you might smell food sometimes.”

The surf industry “loses guys to cancer every year,” according to Ryan, “guys who have been shaping with toxic poly resins.”

Only in one workshop room do Ryan and his coworkers wear masks, and that’s in the airtight shaping room where foam blanks are shaped and sanded into surfboards. That, of course, creates particulates in the air that eventually settle to the floor, as do bigger chunks of foam. What happens to those sweepings? Worm food, of course.

Those disposable gloves Ryan is wearing will get tossed into the drip trays beneath the board-shaping stations, along with strips of masking tape, to get coated with excess resin and harden into odd-looking blobs. No, that’s not worm food, but it gets fed into the shop’s industrial-strength shredder—an impressive beast that’s between R2-D2 and C-3PO in size. Those shavings go into making coasters and countertops and whatever else Ryan and his crew come up with (e.g., hand planes for bodysurfing, fins and key chains.)

In fact, Ryan calls his coworkers “zerowaste technicians.” Because in Ryan’s world, “making a coaster is just as important as glassing a surfboard.”

WAVES OF SUCCESS Ryan will be the first to tell you that it’s not

easy to make a living as a board shaper, let alone one dedicated to making sustainable boards. “The running joke around here is that margins so suck on surfboards that we’ll end up making money from our trash.”

Still, Ryan is on target to make 1,000 boards this year, plus he and the crew do private-label work for other board manufacturers. He’s fresh off a big trade show and so swamped with orders that his voicemail cautions callers that he doesn’t talk during working hours. Hilton has ordered no fewer than 400 decorative ecoboards that will hang on the walls of a Westside hotel.

And Ryan has gained notoriety among surf cognoscenti, including pro surfer Hunter Jones and former pro and current World Surf League commissioner Jessi Miley-Dyer. “We call them ecoboard ambassadors,” Ryan says.

It’s all part of his campaign to overcome a skeptical marketplace. “Most surfers give a shit about the environment, or we wouldn’t have a sport. So they’re becoming more and more open, especially when they see a pro on something eco. We did a foilboard for [pro surfer] John John Florence. Now we’re doing lots of them.”

He’s also upping his tech game with new board blanks imbued with strong composite stringers that permit careful tuning of a board’s flex pattern. But Ryan doesn’t geek out too much on topics like that. The performance of his boards speaks for itself.

He will geek out endlessly about zero waste (“We don’t even have a dumpster anymore”), upcycling, recycling and, of course, mealworms. He tosses a chunk of agave into a bin crawling with foam-eating critters.

“Gotta keep ’em hydrated.” ■

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seen

2019 BeachLife Festival

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JESSIE LEE CEDERBLOM

The first BeachLife Festival, held in Redondo Beach, enjoyed a trifecta of gorgeous weather, energized crowds and top talent.

Headliners Bob Weir, Brian Wilson and Willie Nelson electrified guests each night alongside amazing musical performances from Ziggy Marley, Jason Mraz, Berlin, the Violent Femmes and more. Guests also enjoyed dining and beverage options created by South Bay chefs and brewers.

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seen

Opening Reception at South Bay Contemporary Guests attended the opening reception for an exhibit of works by two South Bay artists at SoLA Gallery, part of South Bay Contemporary. Stever Shriver’s selection of paintings, entitled Dolla Days, is a personal reflection on how his life changed following a bicycle accident. Candice Gawne, who is known for her neon sculptures, showed a selection of encaustic (hot wax) paintings titled Voyeur: A Spy in the House of Life.

Peter Frank and Steve Shriver

Steve Shriver and Lou Mannik

Candice Gawne, Beanie Kaman, Roy Herwick

Candice Gawne

Tabula Rasa Essentials Celebrates Two Decades Tabula Rasa Essentials celebrated turning 20 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Manhattan Beach Chamber

Jill Lamkin, Maureen McBride, Kelly Stroman

Maureen McBride and Mike Zislis

Jill Brunkhardt-Taylor and Maureen McBride

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seen

28th Annual Sunday by the Sea Gala At the 28th annual Sunday by the Sea gala, more than 400 guests sampled food, wine and craft beers from more than 50 vendors.

Entertainment, silent and premier auctions and a raffle to win a night of magic at the Magic Castle in Hollywood rounded out the afternoon. The event benefits the programs and services of Providence TrinityCare.

Andrea Sala, Jim Sala, Dr. Beth McGlynn, Jim Zapp

Brian Takahashi and Maureen Takahashi

Bruce Brusavich, Jacky Glass, Debbie Brusavich

Carolyn Elliott and Dr. James Mollenkamp

Matt Sonnen, Dr. Glen Komatsu, Joyce Komatsu, Reese Sonnen

Janie Calvert, Suzy Cyr, Dr. Thomas Cyr, Chuck Miller

2019 Benefiesta The Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation 2019 BeneFiesta fundraiser was held at the home of Scott and Liz Whitehead in Manhattan Beach. Funds raised by this event will help at-risk youth, veterans and Marines experience the healing power of the ocean.Â

Edith, Bea, Audrey, Scott and Liz Whitehead

Annual water entertainment

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Stephan Jenkins, lead singer of Third Eye Blind and Pure Surfing Experience Award honoree

Peter Pichler and Gaye Straza of Kai Fragrance

Highly dedicated to clients.

Now, highly regarded by the industry.

Congratulations to Gino R. Stumpo for being named a 2019 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisor At UBS, we believe managing a client’s assets goes beyond just the value of their portfolio.

It’s about establishing trust, instilling confidence and building personal relationships.

Those are just a few of the reasons Gino R. Stumpo has been named to the 2019 Forbes/SHOOK list of Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in California.

We’re proud to have someone who has the passion and dedication to excellence like Gino on our team. We think you’ll feel the same about him, too.

For more information, call: Gino R. Stumpo, CFP®, CRPC® Managing Partner–Wealth Management Wealth Advisor Portfolio Manager 562-343-9229 gino.stumpo@ubs.com Stumpo Wealth Management Group UBS Financial Services Inc. 3030 Old Ranch Parkway, Suite 300 Seal Beach, CA 90740

ubs.com/team/stumpo

Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list is comprised of approximately 2,200 financial advisors. It was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person and telephone due diligence meetings to measure factors such as: quality of practice, industry experience, compliance record, assets under management (which vary from state to state) and revenue. Neither UBS Financial Services Inc. nor its employees pay a fee in exchange for these ratings.

Past performance is not an indication of future results. Investment performance is not a criterion because client objectives and risk tolerances vary, and advisors rarely have audited performance reports. Rankings are based on the opinions of SHOOK Research, LLC and not indicative of future performance or representative of any one client’s experience. As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers both investment advisory services and brokerage services. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that clients understand the ways in which we conduct business and that they carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to them about the products or services we offer. For more information, visit our website at ubs.com/ workingwithus. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified finanCial PlannerTM and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the US, which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

For designation disclosures, visit ubs.com/us/en/designation-disclosures. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS AG. Member FINRA/SIPC. © UBS 2019. All rights reserved. ACC_05172019-1 IS1800213 Exp.: 05/31/2020

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Providence Little Company of Mary Honors Volunteers Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center San Pedro and Torrance celebrated its Auxiliary with a luncheon honoring the service of its members. With more than 1,100 volunteers, the Auxiliary plays an integral role in medical center operations. During the luncheon, the Torrance Auxiliary board presented a donation check to the medical center in the amount of $117,000.

Sue Fox and Sue Shepard

MCHS 19th Annual Art Show Resin Gallery celebrated Mira Costa High School’s 19th annual art show with more than 100 pieces of painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media on display. A jury of five local artists had the tough job of judging this event.

The awards went to: Best in Show: Linden R. Drawing: Cristian K. Painting: Linden R. Mixed Media: Brynn E. & Georgia B. (tie) Photography: Mathew S. Ceramics: Mason M. Sculpture: Isabelle S. People’s Choice: Evgeniya B. The generous support of the sponsors— Michael Lee Architects, Coastal Ortho, El Camino College, Wells Fargo, Gerry from ReMax, King Harbor Brewing, Uncorked, Nikau Kai, funddeed, Gum Tree, Cali Bouquet and Gray Whale Gin—made this event possible.

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Michael Meltzer, Sarah Keever, Scott Ciesielski, Paul Millman, Marlene Young

Kathy Aranda and Vera Lambase

Sabeen Dhillon, Ryan Schell, Brianna Navarro, Emily Hanson, Marilyn Rivas

Sandpipers 27th Annual Fashion Show Sandpipers hosted their 27th annual fashion show in Beverly Hills, featuring the designs of Veronica Beard. Both live and silent auction items were offered this year, including trips, jewelry, beauty items and much more. Attendees could also visit a boutique and purchase goods from a variety of vendors.

1/4 AD Heather Nagler and Angela Park Sheldon

Stephanie Walsh and Colleen Safarik

discover southbay on instagram

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JP CORDERO & VOX

@ O U R SO U T H BAY

Sandy Fisler, Marianne Cano, Kimberly Mack, Marilyn Davis, Melanie Lynn, Claudia Levin

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Skechers at the NYSE

PHOTOGRAPHED BY NYSE

Skechers rang the NYSE Closing Bell® to celebrate its 20th year as a public company— a milestone that marks its ascent from an up-and-coming footwear brand into one of the world’s leading athletic lifestyle footwear companies. In the years since the company’s initial public offering, Skechers’ annual sales have grown from $424.6 million in 1999 to $4.64 billion in 2018—with global growth across all sectors of the brand’s direct-toconsumer and wholesale business.

Roundhouse Aquarium Fun Run It was the perfect day for the Roundhouse Aquarium 5K Fun Run: blue skies, cool temperatures, low tides and more than 110 enthusiastic runners. The top male finisher was Thomas Velvin with a time of 18 minutes and 28 seconds. The top female, Julia Vazquez, clocked 23 minutes and 16 seconds.

VERTE 2019 VERTE 2019 honored the city of Manhattan Beach for its environmental stewardship, and the night marked a decade since the founding of Grades of Green in the South Bay. In the last 10 years the organization grew from one school in Manhattan Beach to a network of a half-million student leaders across 23 countries. Grades of Green also won the L.A. County Green Leadership Award to kick off year 11.

Eco-leaders Sophia and Isaiah

Shaya Kirkpatrick, Lisa Coppedge, Suzanne Kretschmer, Kim Lewand Martin

Grades of Green’s leadership and board members

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high intensity pilatesÂŽ, rebounding and sculpting classes | group and private sessions certified and experienced trainers | open 7 days a week | parking 1200 pacific coast highway hermosa beach | hipstudio.com | 310.376.6447 | @hipstudio fit

7th Annual Tour de Pier Raindrops didn’t stop more than 2,000 stationary cyclists who rode in place and raised more than $1.5 million for three cancer charities.

Austin Ekeler and John Thorrington

Valerie Kondos Field, Kyla Ross, Mia Hamm, Madison Kocian, Lisa Manheim

Lisa Manheim, George Lopez, Heath Gregory

PHOTOGRAPHED BY STEVE GAFFNEY

Heath Gregory, Mayor Steve Napolitano, Steve Nash, Councilman Richard Montgomery, Lisa Manheim, Jon Hirshberg

La Candalistas’ California Dreamin’ Upon entering the exclusive Catalina View Gardens, lively music greeted guests at the California Dreamin’ fundraiser as they explored a marketplace of creations by Las Candalistas members, boutique vendors, a speaker panel, silent auction and opportunity drawing. Net proceeds benefit 1736 Family Crisis Center, Community’s Child and Trinity KidsCare Hospice.

Selina Hamilton and Anne Nelson

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Judy Armstrong and Marge Rankin

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAVE COOK

Laura Webb, Brigitte Haber, Judy Moorehead, Elaine Trutanich, Patt Crane

Come practice with us in our newly refreshed studio!

Your mat is waiting Save 10% on class packages using code: SOUTHBAY New member packages available!

Our mission at The Yoga Loft is to provide a safe and sacred space for a diverse community to ďŹ nd their way home. We deliver high-quality wellness opportunities of varying modalities including yoga of varying styles, meditation, wellness workshops, trainings, and cultural and community events.

YOGA ELEVATED

It was a day to

remember!

Thank you to our guests, volunteers and sponsors at the Go Red for Women Wellness Retreat & Executive Luncheon. We couldn't have done it without you.

Locally sponsored by

JULY 2019 | SOUTHBAY

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“My focus will always be on caring for our employees, physicians, patients and the communities we serve. My executive team is relentlessly focused on getting to the highest level of clinical excellence. We have built a culture around it. It’s at the core of our work.”

— GARRY OLNEY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, PROVIDENCE LITTLE COMPANY OF MARY MEDICAL CENTERS

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MEN IN BUSINESS

The secret to success in any business is good leadership. Leaders have the drive and resourcefulness to get the job done and get it done well. And that’s the story of each of the men on the following pages. These South Bay leaders in business are at the top of their game because they are smart, ambitious and committed.

Their hard work and entrepreneurial spirit have helped them build successful organizations despite challenges along the way. These are our neighbors, colleagues and friends. They inspire their teams, love their friends and families, and give back to their communities. Read on to learn more about the South Bay’s Men in Business …

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GARRY OLNEY Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers, San Pedro and Torrance

118 JOSH ROWLEY Givebox 120

DR. DEREK BROWNE MemorialCare Medical Group

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DOUG HOWARTH Howarth Hospitality Inc.

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KEITH MARCUS, MD Marcus Medical Spa

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FABIO RIGO DE RIGHI Domani Architecture + Planning

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MARSHALL VARON Morgan’s Jewelers Palos Verdes, Inc.

128

DAN O’CONNOR O’Connor Property Group & CPI Beach Properties

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CHRISTOPHER KEMPEL Rockefeller Kempel Architects

130

KEITH SULTEMEIER Kinecta Federal Credit Union

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RUSSELL VARON Morgan’s Jewelers Torrance

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MEN IN BUSINESS

GARRY OLNEY CHIEF EXECUTIVE, PROVIDENCE LITTLE COMPANY OF MARY MEDICAL CENTERS, SAN PEDRO AND TORRANCE

M

anhattan Beach resident Garry Olney is bringing his years of clinical training and health care leadership to Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers in Torrance and San Pedro as the new chief executive. He moved to California in 2015 to join Little Company of Mary San Pedro as an administrator. After a year and a half he was promoted to chief operating officer for the South Bay, which includes the medical centers in Torrance and San Pedro. In June he was promoted to his new position of chief executive. Together the two facilities have approximately 750 licensed hospital beds and provide a wide variety of services including primary care, neuroscience, cardiovascular, oncology, neonatal, orthopedics and behavioral health services.

WHAT DIFFERENTIATES YOU FROM OTHER HEALTH CARE EXECUTIVES? “I worked as a bedside nurse for several years.

I know what families and patients go through and what nurses and doctors experience daily.

You really need strong clinical leadership, and I feel that comes from the bedside.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM. “To take my vision of health care into the future for our medical centers, I know I must focus and support the needs of our resilient team of executives, physicians, nurses, support and ancillary professionals. They are doing complex work every single day, and my job is to enable their work, provide resources they need and highlight their accomplishments to our community and throughout the organization. The entire team is focused on our promise

to ‘know me, care for me and to ease the way’ of everyone who works or receives care at our medical centers.

When I speak to new employees at orientation, I often hear stories about how they came to work at Providence Little Company of Mary, and the overwhelming theme is the medical center’s strong mission and values. Our leadership team is focused on living the mission of our sisters, who were incredibly strategic and determined to succeed. Today the sisters of Little Company of Mary sit on our board to ensure the work continues as we serve our community’s needs.”

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE YOUR LINE OF WORK? “I became interested in the administrative side of nursing after moving to Houston, Texas, and working in the emergency room, neonatal intensive care and burn units at Memorial Hermann Health System in the early 1980s. After a promotion to the position of nursing director, I realized I had a talent for building effective teams and decided to return to school. I earned my master’s degree in business and later earned my doctorate degree in nursing.”

quality care close to home.”

HOW DO YOU UNWIND WHEN YOU’RE OFF THE CLOCK? “To remain grounded and reduce stress, I took up a new hobby at the age of 50: playing the cello. Learning to play was always a passion of mine, and I knew that starting to play later in life would be a challenge. When I play the cello, it helps me go to a place where I can truly reflect.”

HOW HAS FAMILY AND FATHERHOOD HELPED YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE? “Family has always been very important to me.

My husband and I have three sons: twins Ethan and Lucas, 16, who are adopted, and Conor, 23.

I have always felt a responsibility to treat and care for patients and their families the way I would want my family treated.

Being the father of three boys has given me a great deal of patience. It has taught me how to dig deeper for the facts in a way that is not defensive, and it has allowed me to practice the art of asking probing questions.

My family has been an incredible support system for me, and they allow me to lead with a strong sense of compassion when faced with difficult decisions.”

WHAT’S AT THE TOP OF YOUR TO-DO LIST FOR THIS YEAR? “I’m passionate about finding solutions that provide the highest quality of health care possible. My focus is on growing the more specialized service lines in the hospitals, based on the needs of the community. For example, with our recent academic partnerships with City of Hope and Keck Medicine of USC, I am confident that our patients/community will receive complex

4101 TORRANCE BOULEVARD, TORRANCE | 310-540-7676 | PROVIDENCE.ORG/SOUTHBAY

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L to R: Kyle Demshki; Vince A. DiLeva, MS, CFP®, AIF®, Senior Partner; David Swift; Tamara Patterson; Sara Hendrix; Lisa Morig; Katie O’Neill; Kathleen Adams, CFP®, CPWA®, Partner; L to R: Anne Lemaire, Ted Wang, Jeff Zuanich; RachelGlimp, Otto; MD, Eric Garry C. Pritz, CFP®, CMFC, Senior Partner Richard Olney, Scott Ciesielski, Colleen Wilcoxen, Paulo da Costa.

Not pictured: Melissa Baker.

MEN IN BUSINESS

JOSH ROWLEY CEO | FOUNDER, GIVEBOX

J

osh Rowley worked for years in the film and television industry before pivoting into technology. He consulted startups by leading their product development, marketing and overall business strategies. His guest lectures at USC, startup accelerators and keynote presentations at tech conferences led him around the world, but his love for philanthropy led him to the South Bay. He then realized that his expertise could best be utilized providing fundraising and banking technology for nonprofits. In 2015 he created Givebox.com as a free platform for nonprofit organizations, offering payment processing, banking technology and high-level fundraising tools.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE YOUR PROFESSION? “Technology advancement remains the key to our society’s progression. The lack of basic technology in the philanthropic industry keeps me awake at night. My quest is to change the world of those working to change the world for good.”

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS FACING THE NONPROFIT INDUSTRY? “The accelerated increase in credit card and debit card donations has led to the creation of overpriced fundraising platforms that only a small percentage of larger nonprofits can afford. Smaller nonprofits, which account for the vast majority of the philanthropic community, do not have access to basic fundraising tools, which leads to program closures and organizational shutdowns.”

WHAT IS GIVEBOX DOING FOR NONPROFITS? “We determined that the most effective way to help nonprofits is by drastically lowering their technology and banking costs. So we did what nobody else has done: We combined banking, payment processing and fundraising

technology into one seamless platform and built it free for nonprofits. There are no contracts or onboarding expenses.

The Givebox automated system enables nonprofits to acquire their own merchant processing and banking account in seconds as opposed to weeks. They can then launch custom fundraisers, events and more on their own website or create a new giving page for the world to see. The platform supports any size nonprofit from large nonprofits with enterprise needs to grassroots nonprofits hoping to grow.”

BESIDES FREE TECHNOLOGY, WHAT IS THE #1 WAY THAT GIVEBOX SUPPORTS NONPROFITS? “We listen. Over the past five years I have spoken with hundreds of nonprofits. My goal in each conversation is to understand what obstacles they are facing and what ideas they have for solutions. My team and I then simply render their real-world problems into technology solutions. I always tell nonprofits, ‘We did not build Givebox; you did.’”

WHAT IS THE SECRET OF YOUR COMPANY’S SUCCESS? “I believe success in business is achieved by passionate observation, then practical application. Companies fail when a solution is conceived before truly understanding the problem from a client’s perspective. But simply knowing this formula is not enough. You need to care enough about that client to embrace their pain. Givebox is a company that identifies the ongoing challenges that nonprofits face, then translates those issues into groundbreaking technologies. Our secret to success is that we care.”

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF CAREER ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE? “You have to wake up in the morning and say, ‘There is no tomorrow’ and go to bed at night and say, ‘There is always tomorrow.’”

WHY WORK AND LIVE IN THE SOUTH BAY? “I was born and raised in Southern California.

The stretch of beach and ocean here in the South Bay is one of the most hypnotic and healing entities I have ever felt. In addition, the community’s commitment to philanthropy is truly inspirational. This town is supportive and passionate about its local nonprofits.

The philanthropic energy here is what set me on my path toward Givebox. Whether I am working or playing, more than any other time in my life I feel that I am helping better the world. The South Bay is a special place where philanthropy can subtly touch so many parts of your life.”

IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU GIVE BACK? “We founded the Givebox Technology Foundation to help raise money and awareness for nonprofits and individuals in need.

Our most recent effort was to raise money for a local nonprofit here in the South Bay. Hundreds of people came to support the cause by participating in a charitable casino night at Shade Hotel. It was a huge success.

This is the first of many upcoming events where we will spotlight South Bay nonprofits.”

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR GIVEBOX? “Many nonprofits that we support are looking to Givebox to introduce them to new donors.

We are currently developing ways that South Bay nonprofits and donors can strengthen their community through online technology and offline events. Stay tuned.”

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? “America Before: The Key to Earth’s Lost Civilization by Graham Hancock. In short, this book takes us a step further toward understanding our ancestors. I believe that understanding how things were helps give us foresight into what will be.”

HERMOSA BEACH | GIVEBOX.COM

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MEN IN BUSINESS

DR. DEREK BROWNE MEMORIALCARE MEDICAL GROUP

D

erek Browne, DO, had a desire to become a physician as far back as he can remember. He earned his medical degree at Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona, and has worked in family medicine, occupational medicine and urgent care over the last nine years. He joined MemorialCare Medical Group in March 2019 and practices family medicine and primary care for patients of all ages.

WHO INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE YOUR PROFESSION? “My father was a physician, and I wanted to be like him. I was intrigued hearing about patient cases, understanding how medicines work, learning what to look for on a physical exam and always obtaining a detailed history. I chose family medicine because I wanted to be a part of taking care of families—from patients who are 1 day old to those who are 100 years old and everyone in between. I hope to help patients become the healthiest, happiest versions of themselves. My care philosophy is centered on helpfulness and availability.

From blood pressure checks to diabetes care to school performance issues and family concerns, I always prioritize the patient first.”

TELL US THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED IN YOUR CAREER. “Never doubt yourself or what you are capable of because there are plenty of other people willing to do that. Find what you excel at and love to do and take it!”

HOW WOULD YOUR PATIENTS DESCRIBE YOU? “Helpful, caring, to the point, insightful and encouraging.”

WHAT IS THE #1 WAY YOU SUPPORT YOUR CLIENTS? “I look for ways to motivate them to improve their health, mental well-being and overall lives. I’m a firm believer in the idea that the more patients know about their health, the better off they’ll be.”

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS? “I don’t think there is a secret. I show up early, work hard throughout the day, handle today’s work today and make sure I’m ready for tomorrow. Success to me means that my patients are happy, healthy and the best versions of themselves.”

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE WAY YOU CARE FOR PATIENTS? “With all my patients I want to know how they’re doing in all aspects of their lives. For kids/teenagers, I ask how they’re doing at school, and class by class we discuss their grades, what their favorite and least favorite classes are, and what career they want to choose when they grow up. For kids who are struggling in school, we spend extra time discussing why that is happening. What can be done about it? Does their smartphone or video game console need to go bye-bye? How long can they survive without checking their social media timeline? I like to also review with the patient and their parents which universities they’ve been to and which one they’re going to attend. For adults, I like to spend time on not only their physical health but also mental health. Spending a few extra minutes to see how their jobs and families are is something that I feel is important, and I make sure we discuss it routinely.”

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? “With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa

by E.B. Sledge.”

ARE YOU A BELIEVER IN TRUSTING YOUR INSTINCTS? “I believe that you should trust your instincts as well as what you’ve learned and been exposed to throughout your training.”

WHY LIVE AND WORK IN THE SOUTH BAY? “I’ve lived in the South Bay for almost 15 years.

It’s a wonderful place to raise a family, and my wife and I couldn’t be happier. I have many favorite things about the South Bay—everything from the amazing restaurants to the gorgeous beaches, along with the fantastic weather.”

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A HEALTHY BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND FAMILY LIFE? “Living in such an oasis as the South Bay, there are so many different things to do to help maintain a healthy balance. When I’m not working, I enjoy playing a variety of sports, cheering on local sports clubs and staying updated on what my favorite sports teams are doing. I like reading good books, catching a good movie and spending time with my family. We enjoy bike riding around town, having fun at a few different parks and even casual neighborhood walks with our three dogs. Being outdoors and taking advantage of the great weather is something very important to me and helps offset some of the work-life pressure.”

22719 HAWTHORNE BLVD., TORRANCE | 657-241-8640 | MEMORIALCARE.ORG/TORRANCE

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MEN IN BUSINESS

DOUG HOWARTH CEO, HOWARTH HOSPITALITY INC.

H

owarth Hospitality is a concept development and consulting company for the food service industry operated

by CEO Doug Howarth. The firm operates Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ and caters special events up and down the West Coast.

In addition, they provide small business consulting for first-time restaurant owners and caterers. Doug and former partner Silvio Correa started a catering business in 2003 and opened Silvio’s restaurant in 2008.

WHAT IS THE SECRET OF YOUR SUCCESS? “Developing and nurturing relationships with the people and the communities you operate in. Being open and honest with not only my employees but also myself. Our strategy has always been to create different revenue streams from the same footprint. Silvio’s is known for our delicious Brazilian BBQ, but my partner TJ has also made the restaurant one of the most popular and well-known Chicago sports viewing locations in Southern California.

We also do a ton of catering.”

WHO ARE SOME MEN IN BUSINESS THAT YOU ADMIRE? “Locally my friend Chris Simms does nothing but impress me. My kids love going to Lazy Dog. What Allen Sanford did with the BeachLife Festival, not to mention LiveList … wow! I went to the festival and was beyond impressed. On a large scale, Elon Musk has done some beyondincredible things. He’s a visionary and industry disruptor. In the kitchen Chef Francis Mallmann is the king of cooking with fire and a real inspiration to me personally.”

WHAT OR WHO INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE YOUR PROFESSION? “My mom and dad were pretty inspirational, although they probably don’t realize it. My mom was an incredible baker and canner extraordinaire. My dad is a whiz in the kitchen—able to throw a dish together in no time. We had this massive garden where we grew just about everything from seed.

Needless to say, eating farm-to-table was how it was done. We picked our own fruits and vegetables from our own garden and local farms, and canned and prepared everything from scratch. Lots of hard work—which I hated then but have a real appreciation for now.”

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A HEALTHY BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND FAMILY LIFE? “In this industry, it’s hard to find a healthy balance. It’s not a job; it’s a lifestyle and one that can grind and grind and grind. Having a strong-willed wife helps me. She’s from Glasgow and not afraid to kick my ass when it needs kicking. For my boys, I took leadership positions in their activities as well. That forces me to make the time. I’ve been a Little League coach, soccer coach, Cub Scout leader and Boy Scout leader. This has also helped me develop friendships with people I otherwise never would have met.”

WHY LIVE AND WORK IN THE SOUTH BAY? “That’s an easy one. Who wouldn’t? The weather, the ocean, the ethnic and cultural diversity of the people who live here. You can snowboard and bodysurf on the same day.

That’s epic.”

WHAT’S AT THE TOP OF YOUR TO-DO LIST FOR THIS YEAR? “At the restaurant I’m working on some cool things with different ingredients and fire. Some one-off, wine- and beer-paired dinners called CHAR are on the way. I’m installing a solid-fuel grill (wood and charcoal) and will be doing some pretty cool stuff with different proteins and vegetables.

I’m also happy to be transitioning a bit out of the management side of the business and have gone back to getting my hands dirty in the kitchen. Heads up for a new upscale grill and fire-centric event business to hit the scene this fall. I’m also working on a YouTube channel and podcast called ‘Hungry Dad’ with my boys and me producing it together! The content focuses on kid topics with food, restaurants and healthy eating.”

SILVIOS STARTED AS A CATERING COMPANY; HOW IS THE CATERING BUSINESS THESE DAYS? “The catering business is rockin’ and rollin’.

We’re focusing a lot on the larger corporate events. A pretty fun thing I’ve been doing lately is taking my special event food-vending experience and using that to curate entire food courts for large corporate and private parties. It’s a lot of fun—kind of taking the concept of ‘stations’ to the max. Of course we still love to cater weddings, and our corporate lunch business has really taken off over the past few years.”

HERMOSA BEACH | 310-503-6244 | HOWARTHHOSPITALITY.COM

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L to R: Kyle Demshki; Vince A. DiLeva, MS, CFP®, AIF®, Senior Partner; David Swift; Tamara Patterson; Sara Hendrix; Lisa Morig; Katie O’Neill; Kathleen Adams, CFP®, CPWA®, Partner; Jeff Zuanich; Rachel Otto; Eric C. Pritz, CFP®, CMFC, Senior Partner

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MEN IN BUSINESS

KEITH MARCUS, MD MARCUS MEDICAL SPA

F

ounded in 2008 by Dr. Keith Marcus and Dr. Michael Fulbright, Marcus Medical Spa offers both surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic services for facial rejuvenation and body contouring. The clinical team customizes medical-grade skin care lines for clients and provides personal follow-up after treatments.

Dr. Marcus is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. He attended UC Berkeley for undergraduate work, followed by medical school at USC and a residency in head and neck surgery at the University of Michigan.

WHAT DOES SUCCESS MEAN TO YOU? “I believe success is instilling confidence in our clients. Cosmetic treatments are often misconstrued as vanity, when in reality they make people feel better about themselves.

When one’s outer appearance reflects their inner beauty and vitality, there is an authentic harmony within oneself. From treating acne to scarring to signs of aging, our success comes from being able to individualize a plan for each patient and know that they are feeling their best when they step outside their door every morning. ” WHAT IS YOUR PRACTICE DOING THAT IS UNIQUE? “My practice is unique in that it is comprised of four main components: (1) I am a facial plastic surgeon and an expert in anatomy, which helps me assess patients with a different aesthetic eye and artistry. (2) I have taught thousands of doctors, physician assistants and nurses both nationally and internationally. (3) I perform clinical research including FDA trials and have a full-time research staff. (4) I have educated and advised on expert injectable treatments for the past eight years and lecture around the world.”

WHO ARE SOME MEN IN BUSINESS THAT YOU ADMIRE? “I truly admire my father, who worked until the age of 80 in order to provide all of life’s luxuries for his family. He did not grow up with affluence, but I was blessed with two parents who provided everything I could ever ask for.

My father was a professor in the USC Marshall School of Business for 25 years. He retired as professor emeritus because his own business consulting firm had taken off and become too demanding to do both. I have tried to model myself after him and can only hope to get somewhere in the ballpark.

Now, at the age of 85, you can meet my father in my practice on Monday and Tuesday mornings. He goes by Umberto and makes craft coffee drinks for our patients. His dream that he never had time to achieve was to open a coffee shop that felt like a small community.

Hopefully he feels a little piece of this when he’s serving coffee at our office.”

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED IN YOUR CAREER? “The most crucial advice I received was to create a brand of which you could be proud. If you design your business after your personal core beliefs and values, you will feel that you have succeeded regardless of the financial reward. When you’re creating a brand, you are putting yourself—not just your business—out in the public eye. Financial rewards follow when you have a good set of values.”

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL CLIENT. “Our typical client lives an active, healthy, busy lifestyle. We respect their time and rarely run more than five minutes late for an appointment. We approach aesthetics from a holistic

angle and make sure clients feel good on the inside and outside. We want them to feel a sense of calm when they arrive and allow a small reprieve from everyday hectic life.”

WHY WORK AND LIVE IN THE SOUTH BAY? “I grew up in the South Bay, and I always knew I would return. I love the small community feeling where you have everything in one compact geographic location. The businesses here have been mostly family-owned, and there are very few big corporate stores and businesses.

About a decade ago there was a food revolution in the South Bay, which makes it an even more enticing place to live. I love having access to the beach and the water because we can enjoy it year-round, and it’s a place we can be outdoors during any season.

On the weekends, I don’t have to get in my car to enjoy everything the South Bay has to offer. The school systems are stellar, and you can’t go wrong with choosing either public or private school. There’s not much not to like about the South Bay.” IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU GIVE BACK? “My wife and I donate to several organizations annually and sponsor two children in different countries so they can have the basic needs of life and education. It’s the most rewarding experience when we receive a letter from one of the sponsor children telling us about their lives and how they are flourishing, partially due to the support we have provided.

We’ve now seen these children grow up into teens and young adults. We look forward to meeting our sponsor children one day and maintaining a relationship and mentorship with them through adulthood.”

1815 VIA EL PRADO, REDONDO BEACH | 310-316-1400 | MARCUSMEDICALSPA.COM

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L to R: Kyle Demshki; Vince A. DiLeva, MS, CFP®, AIF®, Senior Partner; David Swift; Tamara Patterson; Sara Hendrix; Lisa Morig; Katie O’Neill; Kathleen Adams, CFP®, CPWA®, Partner; Jeff Zuanich; Rachel Otto; Eric C. Pritz, CFP®, CMFC, Senior Partner

MEN IN BUSINESS

FABIO RIGO DE RIGHI PRINCIPAL, DOMANI ARCHITECTURE + PLANNING

D

omani Architecture + Planning is a Los Angeles architecture firm founded 20 years ago by Fabio Rigo de Righi, who has worked as an architect for nearly three decades. He has always had a passion for this field, since his childhood in Italy. He worked in commercial architecture and construction for years and then for Landry Design Group before opening his own firm.

WHAT IS THE SECRET OF YOUR SUCCESS? “Taking the time to really listen to my clients so I can fulfill their needs and wishes beyond their expectations. The client’s total satisfaction is how I have developed a stellar reputation for excellence!”

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE YOUR PROFESSION IN ARCHITECTURE? “I immigrated to this country from Italy. I spend

time traveling, studying and working both in Italy and the United States. I get a lot of satisfaction in sharing Italian traditions of quality design, beautiful materials and craftsmanship with my clients, and they appreciate it.”

beyond what they requested. Clients appreciate this so much, and they can tell that you went the extra mile. This creates trust and a bond, which leads to a reputation for excellence in design.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRM. “My firm is an exclusive boutique architecture firm catering to a distinguished group of clients. We focus on service, through hearing clients’ needs and then synthesizing their ideas into a custom home tailored to fit their unimaginable desires.”

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED? “The best piece of advice I received in my career is to interview the client as much as they interview me so I can make sure we are well-suited to work together. Communication is key in creating a home that is a true reflection of our clients’ lives.”

TELL US AN IMPORTANT LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED IN YOUR CAREER. “One of the most important lessons I have learned is that when it comes to design, after you have satisfied your client’s wish list, you can say the design is ‘good enough’ and stop there. Or you can push for a great design

HOW WOULD CLIENTS DESCRIBE YOU? “They describe me as a great listener and someone who does not just bring their ideas to life but integrates them into an amazing home—often exceeding their expectations.”

226 S. BEVERLY DRIVE, SUITE 220, BEVERLY HILLS | 310-208-7600 | DOMANIINC.NET

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MEN IN BUSINESS

MARSHALL VARON OWNER, MORGAN’S JEWELERS PALOS VERDES, INC. L to R: Elie Massoud, Miroslav Dvorak, Danny Huang, Marshall Varon, Robert Hall

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organ’s Jewelers Palos Verdes has been owned and operated by the Varon family for more than 70 years.

In addition to jewelry sales, the company operates a watch and jewelry repair and manufacturing facility and also offers appraisal services overseen by Marshall Varon. Marshall is a Certified Gemologist® Appraiser with the American Gem Society and a Graduate Gemologist with the Gemological Institute of America.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE YOUR PROFESSION? “I found my passion 52 years ago, once I entered the artistic industry of jewelry. My desire to design and create stems back to childhood, when I loved sketching cars and airplanes (I still do today). I learned gemology through the Gemological Institute of America, studying the geography, chemistry, grading, testing and analyzing of gems, as well as the physics of light interaction inside gems. The sciences always fascinated me, and becoming a gemologist is a constant learning experience.”

HOW DO YOU UNWIND WHEN YOU’RE OFF THE CLOCK? “I was always fascinated with athletics, exercise and proper nutrition. I swim, walk and do light weight-training exercises, and I enjoy every day with deep gratitude of good health and love of family and friends.”

WHAT IS UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE ABOUT MORGAN’S? “We create new designs on-site with our own manufacturing facility. We sketch designs, create custom wax models, and cast and set gems in-house. We also repair fine jewelry. We have an expert watchmaker specializing in Rolex repair. We’ve always strived to offer excellent, quality items at very fair prices. You’ll find many one-of-a-kind items in our store.”

WHO ARE SOME MEN IN BUSINESS THAT YOU ADMIRE? “I’m a second-generation jeweler, and my father and I traveled to Europe and Asia together to import gems and jewelry.

Through his wisdom, I acquired a deep appreciation for the methodology of finding the best resourcing of gems, jewelry, design and manufacturing.”

TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM. “I feel so grateful to have an outstanding team of professionals. Elie Massoud, our general manager, is excellent in sales, customer service, designing, advertising and music. Robert Hall is a lifetime professional in sales, appraising and customer relations. Miroslav Dvorak is a certified watchmaker skilled in all fine Swiss watches. And Danny Huang, our professional jeweler, can repair and create anything.”

50-C PENINSULA CENTER, ROLLING HILLS ESTATES | MORGANSJEWELERSPV.COM | 310-541-2052

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FIN MAENNC II N A LB S UES R IN VEI C S SE S

DAN O’CONNOR OWNER, O’CONNOR PROPERTY GROUP & CPI BEACH PROPERTIES

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fter earning his bachelor’s degree in business at University of San Diego, Dan O’Connor started working in the real estate industry and became partners with his mother, a top-producing residential broker. In 2016 he bought CPI Beach Properties, a property management company, from his stepfather. The firm manages more than 100 units in the South Bay. Dan also owns O’Connor Property Group, which specializes in residential real estate sales, income property sales and residential development.

ARE YOU A BELIEVER IN TRUSTING YOUR INSTINCTS? “I am a HUGE believer in trusting your instincts. Sometimes I feel like even when you try not to, your instincts still end up being right. I am in tune with my instincts in regard to what is right for my clients

and myself, and I try to always listen to that as much as possible.”

TELL US AN IMPORTANT LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED IN YOUR CAREER. “The most important lesson I have learned is to be true to myself and not take anything for granted. As long as you stay true to who you are and what you do, work will find you. It’s not always easy, but neither is life. Anything in life can be here one minute and then gone the next.”

HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A HEALTHY BALANCE BETWEEN WORK AND FAMILY LIFE? “This is truly a struggle, as it is for most people. In the last couple years, I have made my kids a huge priority. I am a divorced dad of two amazing children, and I have made it my mission to balance my

life and work. I want them to know that work is important and it is what provides for all of us, but they also know they come first in my life.”

HOW DO YOU SUPPORT YOUR CLIENTS? “I would like to think my clients describe me as hardworking and knowledgeable.

That’s what sets me apart from other people in my industry, and it’s my focus every day. I support clients by being a resource—I have lots of information and recommendations for so many aspects of South Bay life, not just real estate.”

WHY LIVE AND WORK IN THE SOUTH BAY? “This is where I was born and raised. This place is in my blood. I don’t want to live anywhere else, so it comes easy to sell people on it … and it’s genuine.”

3201 MANHATTAN AVENUE, HERMOSA BEACH | 310-261-7756 | OCONNORPROPERTY.COM

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MEN IN BUSINESS

CHRISTOPHER KEMPEL, AIA, NCARB ROCKEFELLER KEMPEL ARCHITECTS

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ockefeller Kempel Architects (RKA) was formed in 2003 by Rocky Rockefeller, AIA, and Christopher Kempel, AIA, NCARB. The firm has been recognized by local and national organizations with prestigious design awards, and their projects have been featured in national and international publications.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE READERS TO KNOW ABOUT ROCKEFELLER KEMPEL ARCHITECTS? “We believe that architecture is more than beautiful design—it’s meaningful design that has a measurable impact. We create highly functional, expertly designed spaces that free you to live, work and retreat as you’ve always dreamed. Our diverse scope of projects includes custom residential estates, historic adaptive reuse conversions and building restorations, multifamily housing, boutique hotels, restaurants and corporate interiors. RKA is known not only for our thoughtful attention to detail and impeccable craft but for leveraging technology and the integrated disciplines of our team to advance designs that revitalize families, businesses and the surrounding community.”

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE YOUR PROFESSION? “The love of building and creating spaces where people can thrive.

I channeled a lifelong fascination with the arts into the pursuit of architecture, landing me in my current role as design partner for RKA. A graduate of the UCLA Master of Architecture program, I also studied at the Kunsthochschule Berlin Weissensee in Germany—an international program that views society and art as having a symbiotic relationship.”

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE? “Since childhood, I admired the juxtaposition between natural and manmade environments and in the confluence of my drawing, building and visionary skills. I emphasize excellence in craft. My greatest passion lies within designing residential spaces. The notion that a well-designed home can positively affect someone’s well-being is what drives me to think of every last detail.”

WHAT IS THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS? “Combining design talent and deep professional experience with great customer service. Success means earning the full trust of our clients—which ultimately leads to our best work.”

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED IN YOUR CAREER? “Be a careful listener, and always be present. I support clients by listening and developing thoughtful, beautiful solutions to meet their needs.”

ARE YOU A BELIEVER IN TRUSTING YOUR INSTINCTS? “Yes. When you’ve built your business on a deep level of knowledge, experience and excellence, your instincts are naturally strong.”

145 STANDARD STREET, EL SEGUNDO | 310-335-6000 | ROCKEFELLERKEMPEL.COM

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MEN IN BUSINESS

KEITH SULTEMEIER PRESIDENT & CEO, KINECTA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

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eadquartered in Manhattan Beach and serving the South Bay for 80 years, Kinecta is one of the nation’s largest credit unions. For the past eight years, Kinecta has been named the South Bay’s “Best Credit Union” by Daily Breeze readers.

President & CEO Keith Sultemeier has worked in banking for two decades and joined Kinecta seven years ago.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE YOUR PROFESSION? “It was just good luck that brought me to the credit union industry. I spent six years working with start-ups during the dot-com boom of the late 1990s. At the time, I served on the same board as a credit union executive. After the bubble burst, he wanted me to build a start-up subsidiary for the credit union. I realized pretty quickly that I really liked the credit union environment—measuring success in

terms of the benefits created for our members, employees and communities. Nineteen years later, I’m still happy to say I’m a credit union guy.”

ARE YOU THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS? “I’m the president and CEO. Kinecta is owned by its members.”

WHAT IS KINECTA DOING THAT IS UNIQUE AND INNOVATIVE? “Our staff is constantly looking for creative and innovative ways to serve our members and communities. Right now, for example, we’re working with several other credit unions to build a first-of-its kind, opensource digital banking platform called Constellation. It enables quick and easy integration between Kinecta and a marketplace of financial services created by other institutions and fintechs.

As for our unique approach to community service, we developed a volunteer program to help match our 750 employees with opportunities to give back.”

On the lighter side, I think we’re the only financial institution in the South Bay with a big purple ice cream truck and a 16-foot BBQ pit. It’s been a fun way for our employees and the credit union to help support community events and fundraisers. We appreciate and encourage innovation at Kinecta.”

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED IN YOUR CAREER? “The best advice I’ve ever received was from my father shortly after graduating from college. He said, ‘The secret to financial freedom is not making enough money to support a lifestyle that you think will make you happy; it’s finding a lifestyle that makes you happy and requires less.’”

1440 ROSECRANS AVENUE, MANHATTAN BEACH | 800-854-9846 | KINECTA.ORG

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MEN IN BUSINESS

RUSSELL VARON OWNER, MORGAN’S JEWELERS TORRANCE

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organ’s Jewelers, a company owned and operated by three generations of the Varon family since 1946, offers a wide selection of designer jewelry, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities for custom designs, goldsmiths, designers, certified Swiss watchmakers and a GIA-trained staff at their Torrance location. Owner Russell Varon has decades of experience in the fine jewelry industry. He is a Certified Gemologist® Appraiser with the American Gem Society and a Graduate Gemologist with the Gemological Institute of America.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE OUR READERS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS? “For more than 70 years we have been able to transcend the changing times.

We are thankful to our loyal customers who have helped us grow to become one

of the largest independent fine jewelers in Southern California. It thrills me to see multiple generations of families come in to shop with us. We have been expanding our collections of fun, trendy, moderately priced jewelry for our casual, everyday lifestyles while maintaining the Morgan’s quality.

Come in and Experience the Difference.”

AFTER SO MANY YEARS IN THE JEWELRY BUSINESS, WHAT KEEPS YOU PASSIONATE? “Basically, my passion is driven by the constant style changes in the business. With each new fashion trend, I have the chance to explore my creative side by creating or acquiring jewelry that will transcend the current fashion and put a smile on the faces of our clients—not only today but for years to come.”

WHO WAS MOST INSPIRATIONAL TO YOU? “My father. He instilled a great work ethic

and pushed us to be the best in everything we strive to accomplish. He traveled the world, setting up our international connections for direct importing and seeking out rare and different items. He truly was a trendsetter and very highly respected. He also taught us the value of giving back. I attempt in my own way to follow his path, serving on the Torrance Memorial Medical Center board of directors and also supporting Walk with Sally, Guide Dogs for the Blind, the Matthew Varon Education Foundation and numerous other organizations.”

WHAT IS YOUR COMPANY DOING THAT IS INNOVATIVE? “This year we instituted the Morgan’s Concierge Service, which offers our clients a VIP personal shopping experience in the comfort of their own home or office. We felt the need to cater to our customers’ busy lifestyle.”

22200 HAWTHORNE BOULEVARD, TORRANCE | 310-375-4471 | MORGANSJEWELERS.COM

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DRE#00967574

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HERMOSA BEACH DUPLEX 6 BEDS I 4 BATHS I 2,496 SQ. FT. I $3,299,000

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STRAND HILL | CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE LICENSE #01968431. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SQUARE FOOTAGE AND/OR ACREAGE, HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY VARIOUS SOURCES WHICH MAY INCLUDE THE SELLER, PUBLIC RECORDS, THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE OR OTHER SOURCES. BROKER HAS NOT AND WILL NOT INVESTIGATE OR VERIFY THE ACCURACY OF THIS INFORMATION.

$12,000/ Month | 5 Bd | 6 Ba | 5,249 sq ft 21,208 sq ft Lot | 3 Car Garage

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310.936.1979 | 310.944.5554 Contact@InmanTeam.com www.InmanKelleyGroup.com

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E RK P V MA D N

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Harkening back to the early history of Palos Verdes, this fine villa boasts beautifully detailed 4 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms all in an enviable floor plan. It includes a comfortable 3,000 square feet of living space with a bonus 1,000 square feet of private view terraces. The two upgraded and private view terraces make for true indoor/outdoor living including inviting friends for cocktails or al fresco dining warmed by a handsome outside fireplace. The villa includes a dramatic Living Room anchored by a gorgeous fireplace, which will steal your heart; or relax in the adjoining and aptly named Sun Room; the formal Dining Room opens to the inviting Front Terrace; the Kitchen with Old World charm adjoins the delightful Morning Room with French doors to a private back yard and herb garden; and the separate and relaxing Den includes French doors to the West Terrace. Comfort abounds in this fine residence. Do not miss this rare opportunity to call it your own.

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Anna Randall

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12 SEAHURST ROAD | ROLLING HILLS ESTATES

LISTED BY MEG PUCCINELLI

3 BEDS • 2.5 BATHS • 2,355 SQ. FT. • 15,773 SQ. FT. LOT

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last word

Bottom of the Sixth

A father in the stands speaks of the trials, tribulations and true joy of Little League.

WRITTEN BY STEVE SEIDEL | ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTINE GEORGIADES

Tucked beneath the steady hum of the freeway sits an oasis of ball fields—fields as soft as a yacht-rock ballad—and the chatter of boys and girls at play. A largely technologyfree zone, save for siblings who have been dragged there against their will, this is The Land That Time Forgot.

Banners of past victories adorn the fences. The best kosher dog in the city can still be purchased at a snack stand once manned by Annette Funicello. The obsessively maintained grass, never wavering from its kelly green sheen, would make Julie Andrews pirouette in ecstasy. Here, the hills— or perhaps I should say fields—are alive with the sound of baseball.

This idyllic setting, better known as Little League, has been the home of countless moments that have shaped my son’s youth.

At 12 years old, he is in his final season, completing his journey as a “lifer,” having participated in every level of competition.

He started with Wee Ball, where no runs or outs are counted and the most one can hope for is that its participants know to travel the bases in a counterclockwise rotation.

And he is ending in the Majors, where the emotional highs and lows of competition

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are as palpable as the nerves of the parents cheering—and sometimes coaching—from the stands.

It was here on these fields where my son learned that passion, practice and fundamentals are the great equalizer. This proved important these last two seasons in particular, as 11- and 12-year-olds personify the haves and the have-nots of puberty. My undersized, squeaky-voiced son stood on third base the other day next to a kid purportedly his age but seemingly three feet taller. He appeared to have a budding mustache; I wouldn’t be surprised if he had a driver’s license.

Meanwhile, we parents learned a thing or two about being supportive but not too tribal. “Your Children Are Watching,” command signs posted above the bleachers. It can get intense, but for the most part we have kept ourselves under control while cheering him on. Little League parent chatter is unlike any other. “Good eye!” for a ball taken. “Nice cut!” for a hearty swing and a miss. “You’ve seen it!” for a taken strike. Try chirping “Good eye!” at a Dodgers game and imagine all the blank stares of bewilderment.

As the sun sets on my son’s Little League experience, he hopes that his baseball career

is just beginning. He’ll represent with a team of his buddies competing in a tournament at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, this summer. From there, he plans to play as long as the game will have him—in middle school, high school, maybe beyond.

After a recent Sunday practice, the parents brought in dinner: pizzas, salad, homemade brownies ... and maybe some concealed adult beverages; I will neither confirm nor deny. At one point the kids all seemed to have disappeared. We looked around for them, and sure enough, they were on a neighboring field, playing a simplified version of baseball with Wiffle bats and tennis balls.

No Fortnite to distract them; they didn’t want to stop playing. The action continued until darkness overtook the field. That little slice of (mostly) prepubescent, youthful activity felt like the end of a particular journey. Hormones, girls, driving, college and all that other “real-life” stuff beckons. For now, let’s leave it all out on the field. ■ Steve Seidel is an executive producer and partner at the branded content studio VIMBY. He lives with his wife, two children and golden retriever. Follow him @schnd.

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