Southbay - April 2017

WHERE WE LIVE | DEP

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SOUTHBAY, APRIL 2017

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South Bay BMW

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INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW BMW 5 SERIES. YOU’LL HAVE TO DRIVE IT TO BELIEVE IT.

South Bay BMW

18800 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90504 | 310.856.9984 | southbaybmw.com

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Ferrari South Bay is one of the latest additions to the Mattioli Automotive Group, North America’s premiere Ferrari dealership group comprised of Ferrari Beverly Hills, Ferrari Silicon Valley, and the newly added Ferrari Westlake.

Conveniently located at the base of Palos Verdes, Ferrari South Bay offers new and pre-owned Ferrari sales, service, restoration, Classiche certification, and genuine Ferrari parts to Southern California’s affluent coastline communities such as Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, and Long Beach. We are committed to delivering exceptional service aimed at the full satisfaction of each Ferrari Customer.

Passion and performance are at the heart of every vehicle that bears the Prancing Horse emblem and is the driving force behind everything we do at Ferrari South Bay. We invite you to visit the breathtaking 2-story, 23,000 square foot showroom and service center that hosts a selection of new and pre-owned Ferraris.

Take for example the sporty, elegant and versatile California T. This innovative, turbocharged hardtop convertible melds signature Ferrari driving pleasure with versatility, making it the perfect sports car. Customized lease opportunities for the California T are available through Ferrari Financial Services.

To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, please contact our Ferrari South Bay Sales Associates or Service Manager.

Ferrari South Bay 23305 Hawthorne Blvd Torrance, CA, 90505 (877) 887-9183 sales@ferrarisouthbay.com www.FerrariSouthbay.com All trademarks and copyrights are exclusively rights of Ferrari S.p.A.

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A Benefit to Support Harbor Interfaith Services

The South Bay Auxiliary of Harbor Interfaith Services Presents

The Third Annual

Evening of Laughter & Fun(d)raising Wednesday, May 3, 2017 e Liv on! cti Au

The Comedy & Magic Club Hermosa Beach Doors open 5:30 • Dinner 6:30 • Comedy Show 8:00

TICKETS: $100 (includes dinner and show) To buy tickets go to: http://bpt.me/2722620 RSVP by April 25

Raffle Prizes !

Sponsorship opportunities are available!

For sponsorship info., to make a donation or for general questions, contact us at HISAuxiliary@gmail.com

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Thank you to our generous sponsors:

The mission of Harbor Interfaith Services (HIS) is to empower the homeless and working poor to achieve self-sufficiency by providing services such as emergency family shelter, childcare, food pantry, job placement, transitional housing, advocacy, education and life skills training. HIS is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 charitable organization.

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SA N DP IP ERS 2 5 TH ANNUAL FAS H ION S H O W & LUNCH EO N S U N DAY, A P RI L 3 0 , 2 0 1 7 BEVERLY WILSHIRE HOTEL 9500 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA

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Architectural Design & Remodeling Seminar

TWO Dates to Choose From!

Saturday April 8th at 10 am

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Seminars are held at our Design Center 2001 E. Mariposa Avenue, El Segundo

To RSVP or Learn More About Our Seminars: 310.815-4815 • VisitCustomDesign.com

This informative seminar will help you learn: • Functional designs to make the best of your living space • Choosing a contractor: What to look for and how to hire.

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Palos Verdes Homes Tour 2017

Delectable Living, Delightful and Delicious April 28 & 29 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Featuring two beautiful Garden Estates ‘Behind the Gates’ Plus Gourmet Luncheon, Original Art, Boutiques and Collectibles Benefitting Palos Verdes Art Center 5504 West Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes Admission $75, $70 in advance PVHomesTour.org | 310.541.2479

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APRIL 2017

WHERE WE LIVE 38 Arts

52 Q&A

Sammy Miller

LA Red Cross at 100

40 Media

54 Entrepreneurs

Emoji speak

E3 Vehicles

42 Give

56 Explore

Yoobi

44 Palate

Cooking with kids

48 Palate

Locale90 50 Weekender

Unearthed

58 Datebook

South Bay event calendar

60 Seen

Who’s who around town

Coastal staycations

42

44 Also ...

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80

Special Section

Kids Camps and Summer Programs

Escapes

Eros Charter

120 Profiles

56 oursouthbay.com

All About Kids

On the Cover

19 Under 19’s Kai Kushner shows us why he’s ahead of the curve.

Photographed by Monica Orozco

APRIL 2017, SOUTHBAY

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APRIL 2017

FEATURES 74

Rural Rewards

When this college senior and Manhattan Beach native trades his board shorts for overalls on a remote Ohio farm, he gets more of an education than he could possibly imagine.

78 Climb Every Mountain

Summer season in Vail and Tahoe is one Epic Discovery.

84 19 Under 19

What can a person achieve before graduating high school, or even middle or elementary school? Quite a lot, it turns out.

And these 19 young South Bay women and men aren’t wasting any time making an impact.

98

Earth Inheritors

As future stewards of our planet, our kids will be entrusted with the protection and preservation of an environment already under siege. We met with a handful of educators and students making an investment in the future.

108 Familia Para Siempre

A Southbay photographer travels to Cuba for the first time—her mother and young daughter in tow—and discovers both heritage and healing.

114 Fashion, On the Rocks

Exploring the bright and bold athletic trends for spring.

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74 98

INTERIOR & LIFESTYLE DESIGN

715 S. PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

310.735.1991 | STUDIOKCM.COM

REDONDO BEACH, CA 90277 KIMBERLY COLLETTI

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

GROUP PUBLISHER

Darren Elms

Jared Sayers

ART DIRECTOR

ADVERTISING Account Executive | Derek Poole

Michelle Villas

Helping our clients achieve financial success…

310-266-3846 | derek@moontidemedia.com

COPY EDITOR

Account Executive | Erika Carrion

Laura Watts

310-897-2424 | erika@moontidemedia.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Account Executive | Marcie Gutierrez

Christine Georgiades

424-220-6337 | marcie@moontidemedia.com

FOOD & WINE EDITOR

Account Executive | Amy Tetherow

Bonnie Graves

424-220-6338 | amy@moontidemedia.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Account Executive | Dale Tiffany

Kara Mickelson, Jennie Nunn

310-663-4609 | dt@moontidemedia.com

WRITERS Diane E. Barber, Kelsey Elliott, Michele Garber,

Account Executive | Robin Sanders

Linda Grasso, Julia Horwitz, Jenny Karl, Allison

818-427-2050 | robin@moontidemedia.com

Rae Marsh, Kara Mickelson, Rebecca Nolan, Lauren Pressey, Stefan Slater, Jack Zellweger

John Polen

President/CEO

PHOTOGRAPHERS JP Cordero, Lauren Desbeg, Nicole Leone, Kat

Carol Lowry

SVP/SBA Manager

John Turner

SVP/Corp. Banker

…that’s what makes us different.

Monk, Shane O’Donnell, Monica Orozco, Nancy Pastor, Lauren Pressey, Jack Zellweger

• Experienced bankers • Flexible and open-minded MANAGING PARTNERS Charles C. Koones

Todd Klawin

MARKETING & OPERATIONS Partner/Brand Publisher | Emily Stewart Partner/Managing Director, Media & Analytics | Warren Schaffer Brand Publisher | Hannah Lee Associate Brand Publisher | Cherice Tatum Director of Digital | Charles Simmons Director of Film & Video | Bryce Lowe-White Art Director | Angela Akers Operations Manager | Allison Jeackjuntra Marketing Manager | Rachel Gotko Marketing Manager | Danielle Price Accounting | Janet De La Cruz No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from Moon Tide Media, LLC. Any and all submissions to this or any Moon Tide Media, LLC publication become the property of Moon Tide Media, LLC and may be used in any media. We reserve the right to edit.

TO OUR READERS Southbay magazine welcomes your feedback.

Please send letters to: Reader Response Department, Southbay Magazine, 200 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110, El Segundo, CA 90245. Please include your name, address and email. Edited letters may be published.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Email: info@moontidemedia.com or phone: 310-376-7800. Subscriptions are $29 per year.

200 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 110, El Segundo, CA 90245 Tel 310-376-7800 | Fax 310-376-0200 | MoonTideMedia.com | OurSouthbay.com oursouthbay.com

• Innovative ideas and solutions • Easy access to decision makers • Loan decisions made locally Let’s talk about how we’ll help you finance your business or real estate investments.

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APRIL 2017, SOUTHBAY

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EDITOR’S LETTER

The Young and the Relentless

W

hat were you doing at 16? I vaguely remember (in no particular order): homework, crushes, drama club, student council, my Honda Prelude, SAT prep and maybe the occasional later night at Hard Rock Café. Noticeably absent from my resume after reading through the achievements of this year’s “19 Under 19” (in no particular order): TV competitions, internships with Boeing, CIF championships, job offers from the Joffrey Ballet Company and starting my own company. Wow. I mean, just wow.

This happens every year. The April issue rolls around, and we begin our search for our annual “19 Under 19.” The submissions start rolling in (a record number this round), and we’re again confronted with the challenge of whittling down a list to just 19 exceptional kids and teens. This is not an easy feat.

Every nominee who crosses our desks is exceptional. Truly. When you’re asked to zero in on 19 out of a sizable roster of brilliant young women and men, you’re talking about very small details. They’re all THAT good—and all winners in my book.

This year’s notable 19 run the gamut: 10 to 18, freerunner to freedom fighter, Highland to Hawthorne. They represent the best of the South Bay. Learning about their achievements and the dreams they hope to realize gives us a glimpse at an exciting future to come. Thanks to their parents, teachers, coaches and mentors for encouraging their passions and keeping them on track. We can’t wait to see what awaits them as they explore the next chapters of their lives.

In the spirit of our All About Kids issue, we also bring you ideas for the whole family, including kid-friendly cooking tips, local camps and zip-line adventures in Vail. Plus, with Earth Day just around the corner, we explore some local programs and organizations that are doing their part to help our kids be better stewards of the environment, now and in the crucial years to come. Also be sure to check out photographer Lauren Pressey’s engaging photo essay on her generational journey to Cuba and the lessons in family she took home with her.

Happy Spring!

Darren Elms

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CONTRIBUTORS

Lauren Pressey WRITER & PHOTOGRAPHER

“Familia Para Siempre” Lauren has been photographing South Bay children and their families since 2006. She strives to capture her subjects honestly and artfully and loves the Southern California landscape she gets to work with. A resident of Hermosa Beach and mother of two, she can often be found traveling with camera in hand, documenting the craziness that is her little family.

Christine Georgiades ILLUSTRATOR

“19 Under 19” Christine is a designer and illustrator based in Long Beach. She is a graduate of the graphic design program at California Institute of the Arts and is passionate about illustration, typography and storytelling. When she’s not designing, she spends her time traveling, drawing comics and making costumes.

Michele Garber WRITER

“Earth Inheritors” A self-proclaimed information junkie, Michele has a penchant for history, news and trivia. “Family and friends teasingly say I’m a vast wealth of useless knowledge,” she says. Yet her eternal fascination with researching new subjects serves her well as a features writer.

oursouthbay.com

APRIL 2017, SOUTHBAY

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branded experiences, custom art & premium photo activations

Kasey Jones, Ink. provides a unique variety of interactive and one-of-a-kind services for events, companies, and individuals throughout the country using multiple art mediums.

To learn more, go to www.kaseyjonesink.com

WHERE WE LIVE

Tiny Chefs Cooking with kids never looked so fun. Springtime tips and recipes on page 44.

WHERE WE LIVE | ARTS

Fascinating Rhythm South Bay native Sammy Miller enriches the lives of others with joyful jazz and globally conscious music.

WRITTEN BY DIANE

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E. BARBER

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN

DESBEG

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ARTS | WHERE WE LIVE

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rammy-nominated drummer Sammy Miller began celebrating his passion for music when he was 5 years old. He and his four siblings grew up in Palos Verdes in a close-knit musical family.

“When I was in kindergarten my brother, Nate, my two older sisters, Molly and Elana, and I started a band called Underage. I was the drummer, and I also sang. Nate (the oldest) was the taskmaster. He was always yelling at someone!” says Sammy with a smile.

The aspiring young artists practiced every day after school and performed throughout the South Bay. “We played songs from the ‘60s, which was a cool way to learn about music—everything from The Rolling Stones to Chuck Berry and doo-wop.”

By the time Sammy was 10, his musical focus was jazz and he was also obsessed with standup comedy. “I listened to Ray Charles records and Chris Rock tapes at night,” he says. “Though I didn’t realize what I was doing at the time, I was studying some of the greatest American art forms solely because I liked how it made me feel.”

He continued to hone his artistic talent and spent two years at Peninsula High School before his musical calling led to him transferring to Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. “I woke up at 6:00 in the morning to carpool to LA and listened to jazz each way in the car,” he recalls. “I was in school with kids from all over the county. It was a great experience. We even got to play at the White House.”

After high school he was lured to the historically rich jazz mecca of the world: New York. He completed his undergraduate degree at The New School before earning his master’s degree at Juilliard.

“I learned a lot, but I wanted to do more to engage audiences,” Sammy shares. “Jazz legends like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington had a warm and inviting feeling in their art. I wanted to bring

BOYS IN THE BAND Sammy, far right, performs with members of Sammy Miller and the Congregation.

that quality of warmth to whatever I created, because I believe that art should be medicinal and it should make people feel good. When I was a kid, no one showed me that art could do that.”

Today Sammy is living his dream with his band Sammy Miller and the Congregation, a culmination of his multifaceted heart connection with his art, education and comedy. Education is so essential to the band that they wrote a musical to teach kids about the history of jazz.

They also spend time at schools so students can play along with them.

“I believe you should use everything unique to yourself when creating art. A big part of what the band does is to help educate people around the world through the joy of our music. When we perform, even when we don’t speak a country’s language, we still have a beautiful connection with the audience. A congregation is about people coming together to be uplifted and empowered, and that is what we do.”

Sammy and his fellow band members—Alphonso Horne, Ben Flocks, Sam Crittenden, John Snow and David Linard—recently recorded their first full-length album. They have also created a theatre version of their music called The Great Awakening, which they will perform in late March in Los Angeles. According to Sammy, it is a comedic fictional story about a band getting banned from jazz and rebranding as a jazz theatre troupe to try to save their careers.

“Art, at the highest level, should be highly entertaining while still having sophistication and integrity,” he says. “We are reaching for that.” Sammy Miller and the Congregation will perform at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles March 18–19 and March 24–26. They will also perform at a concert fundraiser at Peninsula High School on March 21.

For tickets and more information, visit sammymillercongregation.com.

WHERE WE LIVE | MEDIA TWO EYES

MOON

What’s up? Or: You are on my radar

That’s awkward!

YELLOW FACE WITH HEART EYES

CRYING WITH SMILE

I like you!

I’m crying so hard I’m laughing

Text Symbol A parent’s guide to emojis

WINKING FACE

I think you are cute

W

hen we were kids, being social meant spending hours on the phone or hanging out at the mall. Love it or loathe it, today’s teens interact electronically with texts and “snaps.” That is how they meet, communicate and assess social status. And forget about Facebook and Twitter. Teenagers are hooked on chronicling their every move and thought with photos on Instagram (posting photos to profiles) and Snapchat (photo disappears within 10 seconds).

Whether sending a message or replying to one, emojis are a critical part of that communiqué. But the message conveyed does not always match the symbol. We queried some local teens to get the skinny on what 10 popular emojis really mean. 

BASHFUL MONKEY

ENGAGEMENT RING

She is worthy of a ring

ELLIPSIS BUBBLE

I’m thinking about you

PLUG

He or she is my source, i.e., that’s where I get my Nikes from

Thanks. I really appreciate it!

OCEAN WAVE

That’s so cool in a “wave of the future” or futuristic way

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WHERE WE LIVE | GIVE

Care Supply With El Segundo-based Yoobi, it’s one for you and one for me.

P

encils, crayons, scissors, paper—the necessities of a classroom. Each kid deserves to get their hands on an ample supply of what they need to complete their assignments. But would you believe that 99.5% of all teachers buy these and other essential classroom materials themselves, averaging $485 a year per teacher?* For K–12, that’s $1.6 billion in annual school supply spending coming right out of the teachers’ paychecks. Unacceptable.

An El Segundo company set out to change that. And they already are. Yoobi’s mission is simple: Buy one of their supplies, and another one goes to a classroom in need here in the U.S. Each donation goes into a Classroom Pack, full of the fundamental tools students need most.

The company partnered with the Kids in Need Foundation to make sure the boxes get distributed to classrooms with the greatest need, and that includes many schools right here in Southern California. Recording artist and The Voice judge Pharrell Williams partnered with Yoobi for a special collection that launched here in Inglewood last year. Target even started exclusively carrying the supplies at their retail locations.

Since starting two years ago, the young, philanthropic company has impacted more than 2 million deserving kids. That’s worthy of an A+.  Buy supplies online and find out more about Yoobi at yoobi.com. * Source: National School Supply and Equipment Association, Retail Market Awareness Study for year 2013

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SOUTHBAY, APRIL 2017

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WHERE WE LIVE | PALATE

Kitchen Kids Introducing your youngest chefs to the joys of cooking PRODUCED, STYLED & WRITTEN BY KARA PHOTOGRAPHED BY NICOLE

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MICKELSON

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PALATE | WHERE WE LIVE

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nlike today’s grab-and-go society, local South Bay mom Jenny Hinyub grew up in a home where everything was made from scratch. Her mom and grandmother cooked and baked every day and involved the kids in everything, including cleanup.

She has heartwarming childhood memories of large gardens and home-cooked meals. The holidays were a very special time and revolved mostly around food. Jenny reminisces about how food brought the family together.

Making candy at home is one of her favorite memories, and she has carried on the cooking tradition with her own kids: Juliana, age 8, and Spencer, age 6. The personal connection and bonds formed through these family activities inspired Jenny to share them with her children.

“It brings us all together on such a personal level,” she shares. “We love to create. It’s very rewarding and tangible.”

What do her kids love making the most? “We made ‘glass candy’ this year, and the kids were mesmerized,” she says. “We started with a few simple ingredients, watched the candy thermometer, and we ended up with a sweet treat. The kids were also involved with my sixmonth project attempting to make butterscotch budino. Eventually we mastered it, and now it is a favorite!”

So what’s the recipe for success when cooking with kids? It depends on your perception and willingness to take it all in stride. There have been times that she envisioned spending hours in the kitchen together, and then the kids—being kids—were not focused on it. ”That’s frustrating for me, but they are kids!” she says. “The stars have to be in alignment for it to go smoothly.”

Here are some helpful tips for getting started:

Create shortcuts by buying pre-made sugar cookies or cupcakes to decorate and use store-bought mixes to save time. Packaged, premade cinnamon rolls and cookies can be formed to create bunnies, decorative eggs and chicks for Easter. Use cookie cutters to cut bread and make mini-bunny Monte Cristo sandwiches, grilled cheese, finger sandwiches or “toast points” for cheese, dips or spreads.

If baking from scratch, encourage kids to help in various stages of the recipe versus expecting them to make something from start to finish.

KEEP IT SIMPLE Let the creativity flow and put the emphasis on decorating. Colorful decorating options for creating a special “one-of-a-kind” look will keep kids more engaged. Add new activities each year, such as decorating the table, folding napkins, and hand-writing or stamping name cards, in addition to any culinary activities. As their skills increase, add more tasks to keep them engaged.

CLEANUP Break out the disposables to minimize cleanup. Keep the focus on cooking, decorating and fun. Place goodies in trays and use cutting boards as “workstations,” so leftover product is easily swept into the sink or trash at the end of the activity. If the project is messy, buy an inexpensive art tarp or drop cloth to cover carpet or the floor and help with cleanup. If your kids are older, have them help with washing and putting dishes away.

Remember it is not so much about the end product, ingredients or your favorite family recipe … it’s about spending time together and creating those personal connections that last beyond a generation.

SHORT & SWEET Think bursts of creativity. Stay away from preconceived ideas on how the end product should look. Focus on play and offer options to keep your kids engaged. Let them sample new flavor combinations, lick the icing or whipped cream from the whisk and taste along the way.

COMPROMISE Whether it’s crafting cookies, making vegetable bugs or setting the table, there are endless options to personalize the look and practice compromise. Colorful crafty accents and over-the-top edible decorations may not jive with your sophisticated home decor or personal style, yet the free-spirit playful process is sure to create a special place in your child’s heart.

SKILLS & SETUP There are always age-appropriate tasks that can be divvied up among the kids. It could be stirring the brownie mix, creating place cards and drink tags, or adding sprinkles to cookies that have been baked. As your kids’ skills develop, you can give them more responsibility. Maybe let them crack the eggs, squeeze the cookies from the cookie press, add M&M’s to a melted pretzel/Hershey’s Kisses cookie or frost a cake.

PASS ON PERFECTIONISM Jenny encourages parents to let go of perfectionism and let their kids feel like they are doing it alone. “Allowing them to take over and not trying to do it for them (which is very hard for me) is when they have the most fun! It doesn’t always turn out perfectly, but that’s OK,” she says.

BE REALISTIC & FLEXIBLE Most kids have short attention spans. You may spend hours preparing for a day of baking, decorating and planning the perfect touches to the holiday meal and realize your kid’s focus diminishes after a few minutes.

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WHERE WE LIVE | PALATE

CINNAMON ROLL CHICKS & EASTER EGGS Makes 5 (depends on brand) 1 package large cinnamon rolls with vanilla icing (found in the refrigerator section) toothpicks 1 jar store-bought cream cheese frosting or 1 cup homemade food coloring (yellow, orange, assorted) pretzels or Pocky sticks (found at an Asian market) small raisins or currants sliced almonds or assorted nuts assorted berries small pieces of dried fruit orange slices or jellied orange wedges Remove cinnamon rolls from package. For chicks (2 to 3 cinnamon rolls): Cut a small end piece of the cinnamon dough strip to create two triangle shapes for the chick wings. Shape each cinnamon roll into a “chick” (pointy top and wider mid and bottom section) and add the two “wings” with a small amount of water to the sides. Secure wings with toothpicks.

For Easter eggs (2 to 3 cinnamon rolls): Shape each cinnamon roll into an egg. Secure end of the dough with water, and fasten with a toothpick.

Place shaped rolls on a parchment-lined sheet tray. Freeze until set. Bake from frozen, according to package directions, until firm and golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and frost with packaged vanilla icing.

Cool. Carefully remove toothpicks and add colored decorative cream cheese frosting, fruits and nuts. Use the pretzels or Pocky sticks to make chick legs and add a jellied fruit wedge or orange slice for the feet.

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WHERE WE LIVE | PALATE

Real Deal Pizza Sharing a slice of Neapolitan pizza at Locale90 in Hermosa and Redondo.

WRITTEN BY

BONNIE GRAVES

M

uch like coffee in the U.S., pizza has undergone a dramatic renaissance. You might still find folks who drink preground Chock Full o’Nuts, Folgers or Maxwell House—the classic early brands—but nowadays you’re much more likely to find coffee connoisseurs who argue passionately about their favorite beans and brewing systems. Similarly, while franchises like Domino’s and Pizza Hut may yet hold a large market share, pizza—the real deal pizza, that is—is having its moment in the 800º oven and then some.

Authentic Italian pizza shares very little in common with its greasy, red-sauced, cheese-heavy American cousin. And don’t get me wrong. I’ll always have a place in my heart and in my stomach for that classic triangle from the Original Ray’s Pizza in New York’s West Village—typically obtained well after midnight, when one daintily dabs the grease off with napkins before inhaling it whole. Yum. In my more mature years, though, I find that I’ve become a real fan of Neapolitan pizza and, as such, was delighted to discover the amazing pizzas being produced at South Bay favorite Locale90. What distin-

guishes Neapolitan pizza from its more southerly neighbors? There are a couple of key concepts to grasp, not the least of which is size.

Neapolitan pizzas are never sold by the slice, nor are they made in those enormous, team-sized circumferences either. Instead pizza pies are made about the size of a small Frisbee and are meant to be consumed by one person.

Secondly, they don’t really do the “everything” approach, e.g., 17 toppings on a single pie. Rather, one to two toppings are given a starring role—in my recent case, some broccoli rabe, fennel sausage and a few chili flakes.

Lastly, don’t go necessarily expecting red sauce. While tomatoes and tomato sauces are common in southern Italian versions like Sicily’s bready rectangle, northern pizzas often are “biancas”—white pizzas with some mozzarella and Parm but no mandatory ladle of marinara.

There are several things that Locale90 (“lo-CALL-eh”) is doing wonderfully right— not the least of which is its magnificent pizza oven, which is fueled by olive wood and fires up your crust to a perfect char in just 90 seconds. (That slight bit of black on the

edges enhances the pizza’s flavor, trust me.

If you don’t like it, go get a microwaveable Stouffer’s pizza and stop reading this.)

And if you’re inclined to fold your slices up and eat them American-style, feel free— but those knives and forks are there for a reason. Most northern Italians eat pizza with utensils.

Pizza purists usually could care less about the toppings—the quixotic quest is always for the perfect crust. I remember a friend who worked for Nancy Silverton at LA’s Pizzeria Mozza told me that this great chef spent years perfecting her basic

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PALATE | WHERE WE LIVE

dough recipe. The classics are sometimes the most difficult to master.

And while I love Silverton’s crust, I gotta tell you: The crust at Locale90 is better. It just is. It’s pretty much perfect, and thanks go to Chef Michele Galifi on that one.

The vibe at Locale90 is relaxed but efficient. I dined there with my kids on a recent rainy evening and watched the dining room fill with happy regulars who were on a firstname basis with the staff.

I loved the small but thoughtful beer and wine list. I paired my bianco pizza with a lovely little glass of vermentino, although the

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list also offers some local beers and wines in addition to the Italian selections.

I started with a terrifically simple salad of market greens, herbs, shaved fennel and house vinaigrette. I think the herbs were snipped from the little garden boxes at the front of the restaurant—a nice touch of freshness.

The authenticity of the experience carried over to our very handsome Italian waiter, who explained that the “90” in the pizzeria’s name refers both to the 90 seconds it takes to fire up a pizza as well as to their expansion plans.

With two locations already open in the South Bay—Hermosa and Redondo—the next “9-0”

zip code to benefit will be Manhattan Beach, where a third outlet is planned.

This is a concept that sells itself. It’s fast, fresh, delicious and affordable. A family of four can have two adult beverages, two kids’ drinks, two salads and plenty of pizza and still be home with time to spare. I’d eat there at least twice a week and call myself blessed.  Locale90 1718 S. Catalina Avenue in Redondo Beach 310-540-9190, locale90.com 1040 Hermosa Avenue in Hermosa Beach 310-372-9090, locale90.com

APRIL 2017, SOUTHBAY

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WHERE WE LIVE | WEEKENDER

Coast to Coast Stay close to home with spring break beach adventures for the entire family.

WRITTEN BY DARREN

ELMS

L

iving here in the South Bay, we often forget beach life exists outside our own strip of paradise. Not that there’s anything wrong with wanting to stay close to home, but sometimes it’s nice to entertain a change of scenery without sacrificing the sand and surf. With vacation time just around the corner, we suggest trading in those plane tickets for a convenient piece of paradise a freeway or two away.

When’s the last time you really explored Santa Monica? It’s much more than Montana Avenue and 3 rd Street Promenade these days, with a boom of new restaurants, hotels and shops that can keep you entertained for days.

The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (loewshotels.com/ santa-monica) recently received a major renovation, drawing new visitors to its prime beachfront location. With a family-friendly (yet stylish) pool scene, convenient ocean-view bars and restaurants like Ocean & Vine, and an eco-friendly, full-service spa, there’s something to appease everyone in the caravan. If you can pull yourself away from the amenities on property, stroll up Ocean Avenue or take a jaunt down the nearby Pier for an ice cream or loop on the iconic Ferris wheel.

Two restaurants generating a lot of buzz are Cassia (Asian with a SoCal infusion) and Santa Monica Yacht Club, where diners rave about the signature dish, whole fried fish for two with soba noodles and dipping sauce. For quick eats, grab a grain bowl at the chic, boho eatery Flower Child or at the uber casual Sweetfin Poke. Both are perfect take-alongs to the progressive art galleries at Bergamot Station.

If your gravitational pull is southward, Huntington Beach is another guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Anchoring an amazing complex right on bustling PCH, the brand new Paséa Hotel and Spa (meritagecollection.com/paseahotel) mixes artful, modern luxury with cool, coastal chic. Here it’s all about the finer details: a piece of wall art made of flip-flops, floor levels named after shades of blue, painted guitars in the rooms. This place was designed for fun. The pool also sits right above the beach for guaranteed, sensational sunsets, and the in-house restaurant, Tanner’s, packs in both hotel guests and locals who love their tasty Southern California cuisine.

Nearby, the retail hub Pacific City (the original name of the early oceanfront village that would eventually become known as Huntington Beach) offers more food and shopping options, including the Ways & Means Oyster House and Hans’ Homemade Ice Cream. 

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BEACHY KEEN Above: Pool and room offering at Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel.

Below: Alfresco dining at Paséa in Huntington Beach.

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WHERE WE LIVE | Q&A

Life Support Celebrating 100 years of the American Red Cross in Los Angeles ILLUSTRATED BY KELSEY

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SOUTHBAY, APRIL 2017

ELLIOTT

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Q&A | WHERE WE LIVE

The American Red Cross (ARC)—the highly visibly humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education in the United States—was founded by Clara Barton. She was working with a relief organization known as the International Red Cross during the FrancoPrussian War, and she began to lobby for an American branch. It would take several more decades—1916 to be exact—before the organization formed an official branch in Los Angeles.

To honor this important milestone, we checked in with Nini Sakaguchi of Manhattan Beach, who alongside her husband, Jeff, and son, Cooper, champions the organization right here in the South Bay.

Nini, how did your husband first become involved with the ARC? Jeff’s first involvement with the ARC was becoming certified in first aid and CPR as a Boy Scout, becoming a junior lifeguard and donating blood over the years. But he didn’t become directly involved here in LA until he joined the board of what was then called the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the ARC in early 2005.

By 2009 Jeff was asked to chair the board—a position he held for three years while helping lead a One Red Cross initiative that integrated and consolidated many of the chapters into larger regions. The Greater Los Angeles chapter became the Los Angeles region, encompassing all of LA County and the Eastern Sierra.

The LA region integration was such a success, Jeff was asked to join the National Philanthropic Board, which was comprised of a dozen board

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chairs from around the country, to share insights and best practices to extend to the other regions and chapters around the country.

When did you become personally active?

When Jeff became board chair in 2009, he honored me with his $10,000 donation to become a member of the Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders. The Tiffany Circle is a community of women leaders who advance the American Red Cross mission through a focused investment of time, talent and treasure by engaging and embracing women locally, nationally and internationally. What began as a local commitment to increasing membership as co-chair for the Los Angeles region soon became an invitation to join the National Council, an elected group of 30 women who help share ideas and strategies for growth and prepare for the annual summit. This was a wonderful opportunity to work alongside women from around the country who shared a passion for the mission and for fundraising in support of the Red Cross.

You’re also directly involved in this year’s Centennial, correct?

After serving my three-year term on the National Council, I have refocused my energies to helping the local chapter with the Centennial celebration, serving on the host committee of the Humanitarian Ball in March and initiating a citywide celebration that includes Manhattan Beach, LA and Beverly Hills.

Involvement with the ARC is not limited to adults. It sounds like your son also jumped in enthusiastically.

At the age of 11, Cooper had no choice but to accompany his parents to Washington DC, while we attended national conferences and splendors of our nation’s capital. For the past eight years, Cooper has learned about why the ARC is the greatest humanitarian organization in the world, which has been reinforced by the relationships he has made with the executive leadership team, military, diplomats, world figures—all of whom praise

and celebrate the ARC preventing and alleviating human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. In ninth grade, Cooper founded the Red Cross Club at Chadwick School and has fulfilled all the requirements of the Red Cross these past four years by having a blood drive, fundraising event and disaster preparedness event each year. This spring for his senior project, Cooper will support the efforts of the Red Cross to eradicate measles through their international mapping initiative.

As ARC celebrates 100 years in LA, what kind of visibility should the community expect for the occasion—especially here in the South Bay? Manhattan Beach is enthusiastically joining the celebration. The MB Fire Department will switch their uniform T-shirts from navy to red, while the Neptunian Woman’s Club has generously donated $1,000 to support the Red Cross mission and services. Manhattan Beach itself also goes red! Storefront windows will be decorated in red with posters in the windows, and banners will fly downtown—one at Highland and 11th Street and one at Manhattan Avenue and 9th Street.

The Centennial culminates with the Humanitarian Ball, a black-tie gala held at the Beverly Wilshire hotel on Thursday, March 16. The Walt Disney Company is our esteemed honoree for their tremendous support, and a salute to Walt Disney himself for his service as an ambulance driver for the ARC when he was 16 years old during WWI. How can someone in the South Bay become involved with the ARC? There are many ways. You can donate blood; help build disaster kits; learn CPR, first aid and water safety training; and, of course, volunteer directly with the organization or make an annual gift. We hope that many in our local communities will honor the ARC in the month of March with visibility and support. 

APRIL 2017, SOUTHBAY

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WHERE WE LIVE | ENTREPRENEURS

Green Machines The CEO and founder of E3 Vehicles shares why NEVs are great for the environment and perfect for the South Bay. WRITTEN BY STEFAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY

54

SLATER SHANE O’DONNELL

SOUTHBAY, APRIL 2017

S

everal years ago, when gas prices were unusually high, Amy Errett felt a pressing need to let her gas-guzzling SUV go. She’d seen other locals driving neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs)—picture a golf cart with aspirations of becoming a sports car—around Manhattan Beach. She decided to embrace the green movement and pick up a more practical, eco-friendly vehicle for neighborhood outings.

“I couldn’t find one that could accommodate my family,” says Amy, adding that she and her husband have three children. Finding a NEV with enough room was challenging enough, but finding a local NEV dealer proved to be a bit more difficult—she wasn’t able to find a dealer in the South Bay. Eventually she was able to pick up a six-seat NEV from a dealer in Orange County.

Amy, who was in the medical device sales industry before deciding to become a stay-at-home mother, thought that the South Bay was an ideal market for the NEV. She did a little research to see if she was on the right path and came across the South Bay Cities Council of Governments’ (SBCCOG) Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Demonstration Final

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ENTREPRENEURS | WHERE WE LIVE

Report, published in 2013.

Over 30 months, 51 households participated in an assessment of NEVs and provided information on their experiences with the vehicles. SBCCOG researchers noted in the report that the “development pattern of the South Bay consists of many horizontal mixed-use neighborhoods where most trips are between one and three miles.” A two- or three-mile walk is a long way on foot— especially when you’re hauling groceries—but it’s an ideal range for bicycles or NEVs. The South Bay, it turns out, is a great fit for NEVs. Amy then decided to found her own NEV business, E3 Vehicles, in Redondo Beach. They opened their doors last September. “E3 vehicles totally fit the South Bay lifestyle—they’re perfect for our community,” she says.

E3 offers a number of popular NEV brands, including Tomberlin, American Custom Golf Cars and Star Electric Vehicles. E3’s NEV options start at $9,000, and their NEVs are entirely street-legal and completely electric.

Though ranges can vary depending on the number of passengers, E3’s NEVs have a top speed of 25 mph. They’re also limited to traveling on streets that are 35 mph or under, and they can travel roughly 20 to 25 miles on a full charge.

“They’re great for reducing your carbon footprint, and they’re smaller than your average vehicle so they’re much easier to park,” she says. Due to their low speed and easy handling, she notes that they also make for an ideal first-time vehicle for a teenage driver.

E3 offers NEVs for both sale and rent. She adds that a luxury H3 Defender-style NEV is available for rent—and E3’s Redondo showroom features six different vehicles, giving locals a chance to peruse E3’s latest options.

Amy doesn’t plan on stepping away from the NEV lifestyle anytime soon. “It’s been a great way to save on money,” she says, adding that she likes to take her personal NEV to the beach. (She points out that you can load a surfboard on a NEV.) “They are completely compatible with the South Bay beach lifestyle,” she says. “They just work perfectly for our community down here.” 

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WHERE WE LIVE | EXPLORE

Bringing it Home Morgan Schaening is on a mission to give young adults opportunities to connect with each other, the world and—most importantly—themselves.

WRITTEN BY JULIA

HORWITZ

A

fter living in a variety of locations from Madrid to Melbourne, Manhattan Beach native Morgan Schaening is returning to his roots and helping others expand theirs.

With a shirt pushed up at the sleeves and a plan “to inspire young people to look beyond their own borders,” Morgan is starting a revolution of personal growth and global awareness.

In 2015, after years of working with Australian student travel organizations, Morgan created the adventure-based travel program Unearthed. With destinations from Nicaragua to Nepal, Unearthed revolves around three major principles: mindfulness, resilience and leadership. It offers student travel experiences led by expert facilitators and designed to be learning adventures.

Morgan’s journey to starting Unearthed was an adventure itself. A Mira Costa and University of San Diego graduate, he wavered between the worlds of hotel management, finance and sales. And while he found success in these areas, they were “all very unsatisfying and unfulfilling,” he says. The piece missing at that point in his life is what Unearthed strives to help young people find.

“High school students in general are unprepared for college,” Morgan explains.

“It’s tough to expect them to be prepared

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EXPLORE | WHERE WE LIVE

when they don’t know enough about themselves and yet are asked to invest a lot into a field of study that they may not end up loving.”

For Morgan, it’s not about avoiding mistakes but getting the opportunity to experiment and make the mistakes that count. As he puts it, “Any time in life is a great time to figure out what your meaning is, but the earlier that happens, the better.”

Looking back, he reflects, “I credit my own success to all of those failed career paths that didn’t amount to what I was expecting them to be. I always say that it’s great to throw yourself into things.”

Ready to throw himself in a new direction, he thought back to his time studying abroad in Madrid. He remembers, “It was the first independent trip I had done. I had to fend for myself. It was eye-opening and life-changing in so many ways. It gave me a new perspective on who I was and where I came from, which was really exciting.”

With this experience in tow and a decision to work in the world of student travel, the first seeds of Unearthed were planted. “Setting up this program has been incredibly challenging and overwhelming at times—but also really

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rewarding. My driving force is helping people; that’s what I want to achieve.”

Through a series of service and self-reflection activities, Morgan and Unearthed embody that driving force.

“Tourism, as opposed to travel, is more of a passive experience. In the classroom, education can become passive in the same way,” says Morgan. By genuinely engaging with the communities that Unearthed travels to and creating a system of teachers and students learning from each other, Morgan is pushing against that passivity.

Currently he is building relationships with schools across the South Bay to bring these life-changing experiences to students. Ann Petit, director of experiential learning at Vistamar School in El Segundo, describes working with Morgan as “a partnership rather than a one-time event.” He is passionate about forming a network of adventure-loving educators and students, noting, “I really want to give back to the community that I am so grateful to have grown up in.”  To be a part of the adventure and find out more about Unearthed, visit unearthedtravel.com.

APRIL 2017, SOUTHBAY

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WHERE WE LIVE | DATEBOOK

SPRING IN YOUR STEP April 30

Sunday By the Sea

More than 650 guests will enjoy stunning ocean views while sampling fine wines, delectable bites created by local chefs and an all-new selection of craft beers from artisanal breweries in the South Bay. Benefitting Providence TrinityCare. 2 to 5 p.m., california.providence.org April 30

Sandpipers 24th Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon

The fashions of Ted Baker will walk the runway at this annual fundraiser for Sandpipers. Expect a gorgeous luncheon, silent auction and boutique filled with stylist options for spring. 10 a.m., Beverly Wilshire Hotel, sandpipers.org Through May 21

ELSEGUNDISSIMO

Experience 27 celebrate the city’s 100th anniversary. This new exhibit will be a crowd-sourced experience, based on guest feedback and prompt new conversations about the past, present and future of the city. esmoa.org

April 1 Whisky, Wine and a Splash of Love

6:30 to 9:30 p.m., MB Country Club psiloveyoufoundation.org

Tiffany with Steven McClintock 8 p.m., Saint Rocke saintrocke.com

9 Cactus and Succulent Society Show & Sale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., South Coast Botanic Garden southcoastbotanicgarden.org

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FOREVER YOUNG Above: Tiffany at St. Rocke. Right: ELSEGUNDISSIMO celebrates 100 years of a city.

7–9 Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

May

16 Easter Brunch

Sponsored by South Bay Auxiliary of HIS, 5:30 p.m., Comedy & Magic Club brownpapertickets.com/event/2722620

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Terranea Resort terranea.com

21–May 7 The Music Man

2 p.m. & 8 p.m., Norris Theatre norriscenter.com

29–30 The Weeknd

7:30 p.m., The Forum fabulousforum.com

3 3rd Annual Evening of Laughter and Fun(d)raising

5 Go Red For Women Luncheon American Red Cross goredforwomen.org

8 Astronaut Scott Kelly

8 p.m., Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center speakersla.com

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WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

17th Annual Vistas Fashion Show

Vistas held their annual luncheon and boutique at the Queen Mary. More than 350 guests attended the “Old Hollywood” themed event. Producer Suzanne Von Schaack created a show that included collections from Alex Angelino and Thai Nguyen. The event sponsors, boutique sales and live auction raised close to $100,000 for children with special needs.

Kim Vallee, Teri Carpenter, Gretchen Privett

Kay Patel, Cindy Percz, Puni Patel

Nadine Bobit, Madeline Jordan, Renee Berliner

Children of Vistas members perform

Rika Tanous, Pam Branam, Linda Perry, Gretchen Privett

Cindy Percz and her mom, Pat Heybl

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SOUTHBAY, APRIL 2017

Fashion designer Thai Nguyen showing off his feature design

Amy Hanson, Robyn Lomas, Eileen Krock

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WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

PVAC Home Preview

Aaron Sheppard

Jessica Emmanuel

Maddie Phinney and Gail Phinney

Jose O. Lemus

The mid-century Anderson House, designed

by Frank Lloyd Wright protégé Aaron G. Green and the grand prize in this year’s Palos Verdes Dream House Raffle, provided the backdrop for a performance by Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre and a runway show of international fashion from Wearable Expressions exhibition, on view now at PVAC.

Liz Sparkman and Bob Johnson

Palm Realty Boutique Awards Ceremony

The local real estate business said “thank you” to their colleagues, clients, family and friends and celebrated the honor of #1 Independent Real Estate Brokerage in the South Bay. After 11 years, they celebrated the 2016 awards and $500 million in company transactions—shattering all prior records—and growing the company from 35 to 65 agents.

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SOUTHBAY, APRIL 2017

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Dr. Amarpreet Brar is the Cataract Medical Director at NVISION, Torrance. He specializes in LASIK and cataract surgery with an expertise implanting intraocular lenses.

“...the whole process was far easier than I could have even imagined.....I was in the operating chair less than 10 minutes. I could see, though a bit hazy, and no pain at all. The next day I was in my regular doctor’s office getting the [eye] shields removed and my eyes checked. I could see perfectly. ‘You’re good to go,’ he said. ‘That’s it?’ I replied. Yes, that’s really it.”

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WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

Peninsula Heritage School Annual Gala

The recent event attracted parents, faculty and friends of the school—and even car enthusiasts—to the Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo. Amid the beautifully restored woodies and classic Packards, guests bid on silent auction items generously donated by South Bay businesses and individuals. A catered dinner was followed by an energetic and competitive live auction, featuring among others a Hawaiian North Shore condo, an African safari and a drive at the new Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles. Proceeds from the evening will enhance the school’s library and music department.

Kathy Mallon and Chris Gini

Les Fishman, Kate McKenna, Virginia Butler

Rick Edler, Eric Gutierrez, Renee Dokmanovich, Mike Dokmanovich

Jitendra Patel and Kay Patel

Robin Mearns, Zita Macdonald, Tristen Moffett

Top Producers 2016 Vista Sotheby’s International Realty hosted a night of treats to honor the extraordinary work of their top producers in 2016. They were honored to have such a savvy collection of agents fill their offices and serve the real estate needs of South Bay community.

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SOUTHBAY, APRIL 2017

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Creative. Flavorful. Festive. Satisfying.

Catering the way it should be.

Executive Chef-Tammy Lipps 312 Rosecrans Avenue Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

catering: (310) 962-4597 to go orders: (310) 546-4800

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SEEN | WHERE WE LIVE

South Coast Botanic Garden’s 3rd Annual Sweetheart’s Stroll

Adrienne Nakashima and Wes Nakashima

Sue Soldoff and Steve Soldoff

Marcia Schoettle, Audra Platz, Mike Schoettle

A sun-kissed day greeted guests for a nature stroll in the garden. Friends enjoyed delicious tastings and libations from Redcar Brewery and Restaurant and Wooden Valley Winery. Guests delighted as they potted herbs from Sunflower Farms and were treated to a sweetheart photo with the garden’s breathtaking views for a backdrop, courtesy of Mother Nature. Proceeds from the day support South Coast Botanic Garden. Special thanks to Choura and VOX DJs for their continued partnership.

Russell Akiyama, Kathy Kellogg Johnson, Pete Olpe

State of Grace: 32nd Annual Awards Banquet

The event honored RE/MAX Estate Properties’ top producers for 2016. The Danny D Swing Band entertained and guests enjoyed a cocktail reception followed by lunch and the awards ceremony. The successful event packed the massive ballroom to capacity.

John Sanders, John Rainey, James Sanders, Bindu Xavier

Rob Freedman and Dennis Hartley

Holly Thomas, Devra Zandell, Wayne Craig, Susan Jensen, Ally Baldocchi, Brittny Burford, Janet Schueman

Denise Fast and Anne Miller

Gary Stager and Diane Sanders

David Keller and James Sanders

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APRIL 2017, SOUTHBAY

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STRIP e cafe

“honest food from a chef-driven kitchen”

at Palos Verdes Art Center Lunch Dinner Special Events 5504 West Crestridge Rd, Rancho Palos Verdes / 310.541.2479 / CafeStripe.com

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SOUTHBAY, APRIL 2017

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SEEN | WHERE WE LIVE

Water & Wood

This local art exhibit at Hermosa Design featured more than 50 South Bay artists and photographers. The artists revealed their interpretations of the water and wood concept in fine art painting, photography, mixed media and sculptures.

Priscila McMaster, Kaya Hanks, Tera McMaster, Tasha McMaster, Rafael McMaster

Eric Michael and Rafael McMaster

Jamisen Jarvis

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAMMIE VALER

Pauline Gola, Eric Michael, Tasha McMaster, Rafael McMaster, Emily Brantley

Lori Ford, Lisa Pedersen, Dana Borowsky, Keri Weber

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K I D S C A M P S & S U M M E R P R O G R A M S WHERE WE LIVE | DEP

Camp

Type

Gender Ages

Location

AdventurePlex AdventureCamp

Various M/F 4 to 12 Manhattan Beach

Aquarium of the Pacific

Various

M/F

3 to 15

Art 2 Grow On

Arts M/F 5 to 11

Beach City Baseball Academy

Various

M/F

5 to 12

BeachSports

Sports M/F 4 to 15

Long Beach Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo El Segundo Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach

Campsurf

Beach/Sports M/F 7 and up Manhattan Beach

Catalina Island Camps

Overnight/Various M/F Grades 2–11 Catalina Island

Chadwick School

Academic/Various M/F 4 to 14 Palos Verdes Peninsula

Champ Camp

Beach/Sports M/F 4 to 14 Manhattan Beach

Fit Kids Gymnastics Center

Sports

M/F

3 to 18

Redondo Beach, Torrance

Idyllwild Arts Summer Program

Arts

M/F

5 to 18

Idyllwild

Junior Lifeguards

Beach

M/F

8 to 14

Various South Bay locations

Kid Zone + Mid Zone

Various

M/F

Grades K–8

Rolling Hills Estates

Manhattan Academy Summer Camp

Academic/Field Trips/Various M/F

6 weeks to Manhattan Beach grade 5

Palos Verdes Performing Arts Conservatory

Theatre M/F 5 to 18 Rolling Hills Estates

PCH Skate Camps

Sports M/F 5 to 15

Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach

Pediatric Therapy Network’s Camp Escapades

Developmental Delays/ M/F 5 to 14 Rolling Hills Estates Sensory Concerns/Recreational

Peninsula Montessori School

Academic/Various

M/F

18 months to 12

Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach

Peninsula Racquet Club - Juniors

Sports

M/F

Grades K-12

Rancho Palos Verdes

Rolling Hills Country Day Camp

Various M/F 4-1/2 to 12 Rolling Hills Estates

Roundhouse Aquarium Summer Camp

Beach/Science M/F 4 to 10 Manhattan Beach

Sky Camp Summer Sessions

Active

M/F

5 to 12

Torrance

South Bay Film Academy

Creative Arts

M/F

7 to 17

Redondo Beach

South Bay School of Cooking

Cooking M/F 8 to 14 Redondo Beach

South Coast Botanic Garden Junior Farmers Program

Education/ M/F Grades K-5 Palos Verdes Peninsula Gardening Environment

Surf Smart and Creative Artists

Academic/Beach

M/F

Grades K-8

Hermosa Beach

Terranea Resort

Various M/F All ages Rancho Palos Verdes

Wondertree Kids Wonder-Camp

Various M/F 6 weeks to 5 El Segundo

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Field Trips

Arts

Sports

Academic

DEP | WHERE WE LIVE

Specialties Website Phone Arts & crafts, music appreciation, age-appropriate physical skill-building activities and social developmental activities, such as cooperative and imaginative games

X

adventureplex.org

310-546-7708

X

X

aquariumofpacific.org

562-590-3100

Architecture, painting, designing, building, sketching

X

art2growon.com

310-625-6028

Marine biology

X

Fundamentals, throwing, hitting, agility

X

beachcitybaseballacademy.com

310-322-3955

Ocean Safety, surfing, volleyball, beach activities, intro to Junior Lifeguards program

X

beachsports.org

310-372-2202

Ratio of one instructor to every four students, lessons on stretching, surfing, rip currents, tides, surf equipment, surfing etiquette

X

campsurf.com

424-237-2994

Kayaking, sailing, target sports, gardening, composting, outdoor cooking, photojournalism, day trips, overnights

X

X

catalinaislandcamps.com

626-296-4040

Academic enrichment, swimming, art, strategies, computer lab, field sports, music, photography, dance, painting, drama, singing, writing and physical fitness

X

X

chadwickschool.org/summer

310-377-1543

Sand soccer, water play, capture the flag, relay races, yoga, dance, skimboarding, boogieboarding, face painting, arts & crafts, dodgeball, team-building games

X

X

champcampkids.com

310-283-4509

Gymnastics and tumbling in a unique environment with fun-loving teachers

X

fitkidsgym.com

310-297-9550

idyllwildarts.org

951-468-7265

X

Computer arts, dance, film, music, theatre, visual art, writing

X

X

X

Swimming, surfing, first aid, lifesaving, rescue techniques, CPR

X

beachsports.org/jr-lifeguard-program

310-372-2202

Art, performing arts, science, sports, cooking and field trips (grade 6–8)

X

X

X

X

rhumc.org

310-377-7302

All day camp, field trips, swimming, sharpening of math, writing and reading skills

X

X

X

X

manhattanacademy.com

310-374-1804

Three fun-filled Camp Curtain Call sessions for beginning musical theatre X performers; advanced dance, acting and vocal workshops; two fully-staged musical productions

palosverdesperformingarts.com

310-544-0403

Beginner to intermediate skateboard instruction from experienced CPR & first-aid certified instructors, private lessons and parties

X

pchskatecamps.com

310-372-2202

Social skills, sensory experiences, incorporating occupational, physical and/or speech therapy into fun-filled camp activities

X

X

pediatrictherapynetwork.org

310-328-0276

Cooking, drama, music, woodwork, science, sports, technology and art

X

X

peninsulamontessori.com

310-544-3099

X

Tennis camps

X

peninsularacquetclub.com/junior-programs

310-541-2523

Academic enrichment, arts & crafts, cooking, dance, sports, imagination and creation classes

X

X

X

rhcds.com

310-377-4848

Digging for sand crabs, playing in the waves, dissecting squid, learning about sharks, water fights, fishing, crafts, experiments, beach games

X

X

X

roundhouseaquarium.org

310-379-8117

X

Jump time, games, lunch, snacks, activities

skyzone.com/torrance

310-323-4500

Acting, screenwriting, filmmaking, cinematography

X

southbayfilmacademy.com

866-496-5917

Kid-friendly hands-on cooking classes allowing children to learn new skills, try new foods, take part in team-building, share mealtimes

X

southbayschoolofcooking.com

310-350-3772

Hands-on program offers three interactive days of soil, seeds and senses, exploring the fragrant and interesting world of herb gardening

X

southcoastbotanicgarden.org

310-544-1948

Summer classes and beach

X

Fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, gold academy, surfing, whale-watching, biking, photography, horseback riding, painting Music and movement, messy art, summer prep for preschool, music fundamentals and family classes oursouthbay.com

X

X

X

missbeetutorme.com/summer

310-376-060

X

terranea.com

310-265-2851

X

wondertreekids.com

310-535-0001

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MISS BEE’S TUTORING 565 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach, CA

2017 SUMMER PROGRAMS • Private Tutoring • Common Core Review Grades K-5 • Critical Thinking & Writing • Math Review Grades 6-8 • Surf Smart • Art Camp • High School Support • Home School Support

Call y!

Toda

Miss Bee’s Tutoring is excited to announce our 2017 summer program lineup. Our diverse groups of credentialed teachers have created innovative programs designed to keep your students engaged during the summer months. Studies have shown that summer vacation is the number one cause of learning loss. Our new summer curriculum was designed to make “I forgot” a notion of the past!

As part of our offering for summer 2017, we’ve partnered with BeachSports to create Surf-Smart. This newly developed program engages both the mind and the body. This week-long, full-day program is one part learning, one part beach activities.

Students will begin their day at Miss Bee’s mastering math concepts and end their day hanging ten, boogie boarding, and playing beach games alongside certified instructors in Hermosa.

! "

(310) 376-0600

missbee@missbeetutorme.com

Rural Rewards What the muck?

When this college senior and Manhattan Beach native trades his board shorts for overalls on a remote Ohio farm, he gets more of an education than he could possibly imagine.

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY

JACK ZELLWEGER

Rural Rewards

I

’m about to get my degree from Kenyon College, where I have to complete a defense of my physics final project to graduate—a tangle of equations and data. Physics is hard, really hard. But it hasn’t been the only challenge I’ve faced in my four years here at Kenyon.

This May it will have been five years since I graduated from Vistamar High School in El Segundo, where in order to get my diploma I was also required to complete a senior project. I chose to volunteer at a commune and farm in a remote corner of the Cascade Mountains in Oregon.

Getting off the bus and stepping onto a farm was a profound— almost religious—experience. I found novelty in everything I saw.

The way the fog hugged the mountains. How earthy green covered almost everything. Even the clean air felt fresh and new to me.

I remember my first days in those mountains well, planting onions in the Cascades—a first for me. I was admittedly a bad farmhand. I spilled a bucket of curds all over the floor. I wasn’t familiar with the importance of “mucking.”

And who was Michael Pollan, anyway? The farmers were frustrated, and they never let me forget where I came from … that very much chicken poop-free Manhattan Beach in California.

One day I was clearly annoyed that dirt kept getting in my shoes while planting. Angela, the local farmer, said, “Why don’t you just take them off?” And I did.

The dark, cold, grainy earth filled the spaces between my toes, popping out and covering the tops of my feet with every step on this grey, rainy morning. Earth like this was foreign to my city-worn feet, and at first the sensation was repulsive.

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But I soon longed for that feeling between my toes. Looking back, it became a distinctive feeling that I can’t get anywhere else but in a field. Despite my ineptitude, I was hooked.

I had just tasted the free and open Oregonian air. The thought of hopping right back into a desk chair scared me. I decided to defer my acceptance to Kenyon College, get a job at a local restaurant and quickly start saving money so I could travel.

After several months working jobs at Tin Roof Bistro and Mucho Mexican, I was building fences in Switzerland and milking cows in Spain. I found that it didn’t matter where I was, as long as my feet were tucked away in soil. That year ended, but my love of farming had just begun.

Soon I found myself at the gates of Kenyon College—one freshman among many. Lots of homework, lots of reading. I was back in academia again. Clean floors and desk chairs everywhere. It was college as expected.

Don’t get me wrong—it was a good life, but I was missing that soil between my toes. It wasn’t long before I found the Kenyon Farm.

Looking back over my four years at Kenyon, it’s clear to me there was a huge gap between what I know now and what I knew then.

Yeah, I’ve taken quantum mechanics since, but in retrospect quantum knowledge wasn’t an important deficit of mine. I was lacking something far more important when I went to college. The Kenyon Farm filled that void and taught me some of the most valuable lessons of my four years here.

When I showed up at The Farm in early fall 2013, my suburban origins shined so brightly they were impossible to hide. I had been

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Rural Rewards

transplanted from a beautiful, suburban beach community—known for its high-priced homes and easy lifestyle—to the middle of rural Ohio. I wasn’t hiding anything.

Remembering those first days as a Kenyon Farm volunteer feels like watching water spill. Surrounded by students who’d been doing farm work day in and day out for years, I found that my couple of months of working at farms around the world didn’t prepare me for real farm life.

I got a lot of side-eye in those early days. I’d never had to dig a 6-foot trench or wrangle a goat back into its pen. I had to improvise every chore I was assigned. I used my body in ways I never had during those first days as a Kenyon Farm volunteer, and the other farmers knew it was all Greek to me.

One cold February evening, the farmers asked us volunteers to muck the frozen chicken coop—scraping layers of droppings that had been there for months. “Gross,” I said to myself as I ducked my head in. A pungent, organic odor was so thick in the air, I could almost see it.

I glanced over at my companion in this endeavor—a farmhand of many years. He’d done this a thousand times, and I pretended that I had too. He nodded. I dug in, cracking the first layer of grime on the floor of the coop.

Ammonia filled the air, and a sharp pain overcame my eyes and throat. I coughed, but he didn’t flinch. I stepped outside and looked over the Kenyon Farm and again remembered where I come from: the very much chicken poop-free Manhattan Beach, California.

Despite my obvious inexperience, I eventually made some of my best friends at the farm. Six student farmers lived there year-round

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in a big, white, clapboard house—taking care of 200+ animals. It takes work, and the farmers are required to get up at the crack of dawn to do morning chores. The animals’ lives depend on it.

Every day brings something different. Arriving there, I’d find so many things to do—from building shelters and planting crops to cleaning coops and harvesting honey. After work was done for the day, we’d drag our tired frames into the warm house and have dinner family-style, crack open a few beers and maybe have a fire later on.

The farmhouse, isolated and relatively unsupervised by the college, is full of artwork plastered on the walls, spirits roaming, free and open. The students there are a colorful mix of eccentrics, scholars and recluses, and it feels like living in a poem reminiscent of the Beat era.

There’s nothing better than sitting out on a cold fall night around a fire, glimmering lights of the main Kenyon campus and the rest of the students on the horizon. We’ve discovered the magic of country life and solitude, something surprisingly absent on Kenyon’s main campus—given its remoteness. But Kenyon’s main campus is full of students with their own stories of self-discovery; the Kenyon Farm just happens to be where mine unfolded.

I was never allowed to forget where I came from, but I got better at hard physical work. And beyond that, I got better at thinking for myself and taking responsibility where it was needed. The years following those first days at the farm brought me experience wrangling both goats and new volunteers, not unlike myself when I first arrived.

I came to Kenyon a young, privileged suburban kid, and working on the farm has been an opportunity to fill the holes that my upbringing left out. 

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Climb Every Mountain

Summer season in Vail and Tahoe is one Epic Discovery.

WRITTEN BY DARREN

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ELMS

oursouthbay.com

F

irst, some transparency. I’m not much of a skier.

While the charms of the “après-ski” sometimes lure me to mountain lodges in the dead of winter, I’m more likely to be on a beach counting the months to June.

So when I was invited to check out Tahoe and Vail in the summer, I was intrigued but skeptical. Would these traditionally frosty vacation spots sparkle once the snow had melted? The answer: a resounding yes.

Tahoe and Vail share a few things in common other than their alpine attributes. Both feature robust villages with restaurants and shops that pull in visitors yearround. They offer terrific hotels and restaurants that are convenient and family-friendly. And they now boast a summertime hotspot known as Epic Discovery.

Operated by Vail Resorts, which also manages properties in Park City, Kirkwood and other ski-friendly destinations in the U.S., Epic Discovery was created to entertain and engage families exclusively during the summer season. Tucked up in the pine- and aspen-laced slopes of Vail and Heavenly Mountain in Tahoe, you need a chair lift to get there. But once you’ve disembarked, you’re in for a full day of fun in the great outdoors.

Let’s start with the highlight of the itinerary: zip-lining.

I’m terrified of heights. No joke, the lift alone can be unnerving for this scaredy-cat. But nonetheless, I strapped on that helmet and harness determined to complete the several-mile course. And I’m glad I did, because it was truly an awesome and breathtaking experience.

Once I got over my hesitations on the height and let myself breathe in that mountain air, I soared hundreds of feet over trees, rocks, birds and who-knows under the guidance of our experienced chaperones. It’s a total rush and not to be missed.

You don’t need snow to inner tube down the hills—at least not at Epic Discovery. They masterfully created a few runs that let you slip, slide, twirl and tandem all the way down.

And what amusement park would be complete without a roller coaster? Epic Discovery’s version allows you to fly solo in your own cart on a metal track that dips, whips and weaves at high speeds down the mountain. So cool I rode it twice.

If you prefer to keep both feet on the ground, there are plenty of hikes to enjoy—some guided by local naturalists with knowledge of the flora and fauna that abounds.

Back down the mountain, you can unwind and relax at one of the adjacent hotels and kick off your evening. In Vail, check out The Lodge, and in South Lake Tahoe, the Marriott Grand Residence Club—both perfectly situated near the lifts.

For dining in Vail, be sure to check out Elway’s—a casual but first-rate steakhouse on property at The Lodge; Mountain Standard for a killer lunch near the creek in the Village; and Matsuhisa for a chic outing by the chef that brought you Nobu. Also in the Village, visit Bo Bridges Gallery, the Manhattan Beach photographer’s newest outpost that will surely give you a taste of home in your Rocky Mountain high.  For more on Epic Discovery, visit epicdiscovery.com.

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&

UNORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY VACATION

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

ESCAPES

T

he son of sailors, South Bay resident Cameron Riddell grew up on boats, spending much of his youth sailing the Greek isles and European waterways as well as San Francisco Bay. So it seemed a serendipitous opportunity when he was offered the chance to purchase a 115-foot teak sailing schooner from friends he’d met in Greece 40 years ago.

Eros, a yacht of fascinating provenance that had just completed a massive museumquality restoration, has a colorful history.

Built in 1939 in England, she was commandeered for the historical evacuation at Dunkirk—only later to become the private yacht of Greek billionaire Stavros Niarchos.

The king and queen of Spain honeymooned aboard Eros in 1962. Cameron and his wife, Elizabeth, now offer Eros for charter to a global clientele looking for an unforgettable vacation experience.

THE “UN-RESORT” Appreciating how Eros’ history, beauty and first-rate crew set her apart from other schooners, the Riddells knew she would appeal to travelers looking for a different kind of vacation—one that pairs adventure with the comforts of luxury travel … one that enables you to unplug and connect with family and friends … and one where you need not battle crowds for a well-positioned lounge chair, snorkeling time or dinner reservation.

With fully customizable itineraries throughout the Caribbean and New England, a private charter aboard Eros provides an alternative to resort and hotel vacations, answering the call of those looking to break the mold of hackneyed travel experiences and create incomparable memories. Guests can hoist sails, grind winches and take the wheel, or sit back and watch the crew at their positions—all once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Seasoned sailors can charter Eros for one of the many classic yacht regattas she participates in.

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

A DAY IN THE LIFE A day aboard Eros might begin by waking up anchored in a secluded Caribbean bay in one of four handsome staterooms, with breakfast to order prepared by the award-winning master chef. As the day unfolds, guests find activities suited to all ages and interests.

Snorkeling, paddleboarding, wakeboarding and fishing are just some of the ways to enjoy all the toys stocked aboard Eros.

Guests might request an impromptu sailing lesson with the crew or just choose to devour a good book on a lounge chair with 360º views of sparkling azure water.

In the afternoon, one might venture ashore for some sightseeing, a horseback ride or zip-line adventure—all of which can be arranged by the crew. Eros herself is a magnificent sailing experience, as guests will discover.

In the evening, guests enjoy sunset cocktails and dinner prepared with fresh, local ingredients. Kids take over the interior living saloon for movie or game night while the adults linger over moonlit dinner. At day’s end, everyone falls into their luxurious bed having tucked away a new trove of experiences.

Perfect for two families or three couples, Eros comfortably sleeps eight. A dedicated five-person crew balances first-class service with the intuition to know when to fade into the background. Absent hotel crowds or the drudgery of stocking a vacation rental, Eros guests relish how effortless and personal their vacation can be. Says one recent charter guest, “We never even thought about what to do next. Everything was there at our fingertips. The days just unfold. Our kids didn’t look at their phones once.”

Tailor-made itineraries focused on comfort, service, culinary excellence and fun for all aboard make a charter vacation aboard Eros an unparalleled travel choice. Where will you go?

For more information, visit sy-eros.com.

“OUR KIDS DIDN’T TOUCH THEIR PHONES ONCE.” CHARTER CALENDAR

Custom 5-10 day itineraries through: MARCH – JUNE 2017 CARIBBEAN British Virgin Islands | US Virgin Islands | Antigua & Barbuda | Nevis & St. Kitts | Saint Martin | Guadeloupe & Dominica | Martinique JULY – SEPTEMBER 2017 NEW ENGLAND Maine Coast | Cape Cod Martha’s Vineyard | Nantucket Newport | Boston | New York City

SPECIAL CHARTER OPPORTUNITIES Charter Eros to coincide with one of many exciting events: MAY-JUNE 2017 35th America’s Cup, Bermuda JULY 2017 Vineyard Cup AUGUST 2017 Newport Jazz Festival | Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta | Nantucket Race Week | Narragansett Bay Classic Yacht Regatta | Newport Classic Yacht Regatta Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race

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KONA BREWING CO. Kona, HAwAII

KONABREWINGCO.com

Beach Cities Go Red For Women Luncheon Friday, May 5, 2017

Manhattan Beach Marriott

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Los Angeles Life is Why Sponsor

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Media Sponsor

APRIL 2017, SOUTHBAY

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What can a person achieve before graduating high school, or even middle or elementary school? Quite a lot, it turns out.

And these 19 young South Bay women and men aren’t wasting any time making an impact. They’re creating, crafting and challenging life as it comes. Here we celebrate their unique gifts, early achievements and potential to enrich our world.

EDITED BY DARREN

ELMS OROZCO ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTINE GEORGIADES PHOTOGRAPHED BY MONICA

Kai Kushner 10, GRAND VIEW ELEMENTARY GREATEST HITS Won his first three surfing contests for 12 and under

WHAT’S NEXT? Become a professional surfer and filmmaker like his dad

PERSON I’D LIKE TO MEET “I’d like to meet and surf with John John Florence.”

PLACE I’D LIKE TO VISIT “The Maldives … because I have heard about the amazing waves and crystal-clear warm water with the most beautiful fish and reef in the world. And sadly, because of global warming, the islands will be gone in my lifetime.”

J.P. Reilly

18, LOYOLA HIGH SCHOOL GREATEST HITS

GIVING BACK

Helping his school win a CIF Division 1 volleyball championship

“I realize that as a kid growing up in LA, I’ve been gifted with more opportunities than most.

So I’d like to help open up opportunities for kids around the world to succeed, because in the end the combined impacts they all will have on the world will surpass my own.”

Role model for other kids diagnosed with type 1 diabetes

WHAT’S NEXT? Stanford, pursuing engineering and science; member of the university’s men’s volleyball team

BIGGEST HOPE “That people continue to innovate and push the boundaries to make the impossible possible.”

Brendan Craig 17, VISTAMAR SCHOOL GREATEST HITS

WHAT’S NEXT?

Starting his own business at age 13 called Find My Food Truck

A career in lighting design and technical directing

Creating his school’s sports broadcasting network called Vista Sports Network during freshman year

Madison Westergaard 18, PALOS VERDES PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL GREATEST HITS

MY INSPIRATION

Interned at Boeing in the Computer Aided Design Lab

“Anyone brave enough to start their own company and attempt to change the world is inspiring for me.

The people that persevere through negativity and doubt are the people that change the world.”

National Merit finalist Perfect score on ACT

WHAT’S NEXT? Become the chief engineer at Google and make advancements in the technology industry

SECRET TO SUCCESS “Persevering until a solution is found.”

BIGGEST HOPE “For my generation to work together as adults rather than spend all our time disagreeing solely because we are all different.”

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS “Don’t just let up at the first roadblock when trying to reach goals, no matter how big and impossible they are. The struggles that are faced throughout life are just points of motivation to find another way to succeed.”

Jeremy Johnson

18, PALOS VERDES HIGH SCHOOL GREATEST HITS Two-time CIF qualifier in track Advocate for those with visual impairment, like himself Started his own speed and agility training business

WHAT’S NEXT? Compete in track and field state championships in the 800m and eventually run a physical therapy company

WORD THAT BEST DESCRIBES ME “Relentless. In the pursuit of my goals and when I face obstacles, I don’t quit. I figure out a way to overcome them.”

PAY IT FORWARD “I would like to lead by example and help people with disabilities realize that they do not need to let the disability limit their potential or what they can achieve in life.”

Jackson Fujimori

14, FIRST LUTHERAN SCHOOL

Only male finalist on season one of Kids Baking Championship on the Food Network

times people make rational decisions without thinking.

I would like to teach others how to ponder over big decisions and make the right ones.”

Made 30+ dozen cupcakes for No Kid Hungry charity and raised $9,500

FICTIONAL CHARACTER I IDENTIFY WITH

GREATEST HITS

WHAT’S NEXT? Travel and find career success

MAKING AN IMPACT “I would like to educate people. I think a lot of

“Remy from the movie Ratatouille, because he is small, enjoys high-quality food and is a really good chef who likes to experiment with different ingredients.”

Kenna Horgan

15, MIRA COSTA HIGH SCHOOL GREATEST HITS Full scholarship to the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive Offered full-time placement with Joffrey Ballet Company but turned down to complete school

ACTIVITY THAT CHANGED MY LIFE “Model United Nations really opened my eyes about the world and inspired my incredible aspirations for the future. I am so lucky to be able to experience dance every day.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

PAY IT FORWARD

Continue dancing and attend an Ivy League school

“It would be a dream to be able to help write international policy that further protects and enhances the lives of women and children.”

Quinn Stoneman

17, PALOS VERDES HIGH SCHOOL GREATEST HITS

MY INSPIRATION

Captain of varsity water polo team

“My high school coach Pat O’Brien pushes and inspires me to be better every day.

Coach Pat battled cancer while coaching us. He made us all stronger.”

Daily Breeze Player of the Year YMCA lifeguard

WHAT’S NEXT? Play college water polo, keep working with kids and travel

PAY IT FORWARD “I would like to make a difference with pollution in our oceans.”

Ben Jorgensen

13, RIDGECREST INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL GREATEST HITS

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Chosen for 2016–2017 Scholastic News Kids Press Corps

“I’m observant of people’s emotions and good at getting people to open up to me.”

Zonals Tennis Tournament in Arizona Rappelling down a 30-foot waterfall

WHAT’S NEXT? Become a journalist and travel the world

PRIZED POSSESSION “My blue Fender electric guitar. I accompanied my grandmother on it at her 50th wedding anniversary, and I played the same song at her funeral service.”

Maria Pacifico

16, CHADWICK SCHOOL GREATEST HITS Runs Latino Cultural Club Working with school to build wheelchair ramps Varsity rider on Chadwick Equestrian Team

WHAT’S NEXT? Continue riding and work in intersectional, feminist activism through a career in law

PERSON I’D LIKE TO MEET “Sonia Sotomayor. She’s definitely pioneered a path for

women and Latina girls. She’s a truly iconic figure to look up to, and I would love to meet her. There is so much I could learn from her.”

EVENT THAT CHANGED MY LIFE “At the Student Diversity Leadership Conference I got to meet so many intelligent, talented and determined young people that share the same passions as I do. I learned so much about myself I wasn’t aware of. I realized that I was so much more than I ever knew I was.”

Quentin Ho

12, PARRAS MIDDLE SCHOOL GREATEST HITS Winning the national parkour and freerunning competition in Las Vegas Landing a triple back on the trampoline

WHAT’S NEXT? Become a stuntman, then an architect and get married

Luisa Delgado

16, VISTAMAR SCHOOL GREATEST HITS

PAY IT FORWARD

Starting every game at the Under 17 World Cup in Jordan

“I’d like to help women in developing countries get access to health care.”

Member of Hope Club and Feminist Club Building houses in Tijuana for low-income families

WHAT’S NEXT? Attend Stanford, play professional soccer and go to medical school for neuroscience

EVENT THAT CHANGED MY LIFE “The 2017 Women’s March in Los Angeles definitely made me feel so much more empowered and that I have a voice.”

SOMETHING ONLY CLOSE FRIENDS KNOW “I almost died once while I was flipping.”

BIG DREAM “To do Quint-In (flip): that’s four rotations (back flips) with a full twist on the first one, all in a single bounce. I have never heard of anyone doing a Quint-In, which is why I want to do it.”

Leana Jacobs

18, VISTAMAR SCHOOL GREATEST HITS

PERSON I ADMIRE

Medaled at Junior Olympics for 100m backstroke

“Martin Luther King Jr. He fought hard to put discrimination and racial segregation to sleep through nonviolent protests. He was someone who believed in freedom, peace and justice for everyone.”

First in Beach Flags at Junior Lifeguard nationals School mentor for young African-Americans and Mexican-Americans

WHAT’S NEXT? Become a surgeon and save lives

BIGGEST HOPE “To have us all come together as a nation, regardless of ideals, race, gender, religion or political beliefs, and respect each other in order to remain the powerful country that we’ve always been.”

Jason Phillips

17, PENINSULA HIGH SCHOOL

Ashleigh Rose Nubla Ogan 15, TORRANCE HIGH SCHOOL

GREATEST HITS

PERSON I ADMIRE

GREATEST HITS

PAY IT FORWARD

Creating a club called Rapping 4 Smiles with more than 100 student sign-ups

“My 95-year-old grandmother, Lily, who escaped Hitler and became one of the first women comic strip artists in the U.S. She truly persevered through adversity.”

Six-time national champion in taekwondo

800 score on SAT math

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Currently ranked #3 in the world

WHAT’S NEXT?

“Lead a balanced life.

Socializing and happiness is an important part of being successful. It’s important to see the funny things in life.”

“I just want to help out as many people as I can through volunteer work and hopefully inspire other kids to aim for their goals and never give up.

This weekend we took our taekwondo team to the St. Francis Center to do volunteer work, feeding breakfast to the homeless people in LA. There were 16 of us that went, and it was a wonderful experience.”

Coaching a sixth-grade Palos Verdes Basketball Association team

Study a combination of science and finance and live a meaningful life

Bronze medal for Team USA in the female 33kg division at the second Cadet World Championship in Muju, Korea

WHAT’S NEXT? 2020 Olympics and become an engineer

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS “Perseverance, hard work and humility.”

Loganne Basuel 15, SOUTH TORRANCE HIGH SCHOOL GREATEST HITS 2016 Level 9 Western National Champion in gymnastics 5th in the nation for all-around score

WHAT’S NEXT? Receive a full gymnastics scholarship in gymnastics at Oregon State University and study kinesiology

PRIZED POSSESSION “My family.”

SECRET TO SUCCESS “I know with a good attitude, I can accomplish anything.”

Jessica Rojas

17, ROLLING HILLS PREPARATORY SCHOOL GREATEST HITS Completed the LAPD Cadets 18-week program Medal for Most Inspirational

to become something of themselves. And for his American Dream to be accomplished, I need to help finish it. In his eyes, I am his American Dream.”

WHAT’S NEXT?

PAY IT FORWARD

Become a forensic anthropologist and FBI agent

“Once I am financially stable, I would like to give back to LA Challenge.

It’s an organization that helps low-income students attend private schools— one that I have been a part of since seventh grade.”

MY INSPIRATION “My father came to the U.S. to give his family a better life and education.

His American Dream has been for all his children

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Sophie Paige Greenhouse 16, MIRA COSTA HIGH SCHOOL GREATEST HITS Founding Prescription 4 Happiness, a group that fundraises and decorates children’s rooms at hospitals Earning 100 members and raising $10,000

WHAT’S NEXT? Expand Prescription 4 Happiness and pursue a career in medicine

EVENT THAT CHANGED MY LIFE “Visiting an orphanage in Thailand and seeing smiles on the faces of children who were born in prison. They came from nothing, have nothing and couldn’t be happier.”

MY INSPIRATION ”My family. According to my dad, I’m made from the best stuff on earth.”

Ethan Comeaux 17, REDONDO UNION HIGH SCHOOL GREATEST HITS Winning the CIF Division 1 championship cross-country race Two-time Daily Breeze Cross-Country All Area Runner of the Year

WHAT’S NEXT? 2020 Olympic Games

MY INSPIRATION “My coach and teammates most inspire me to be great.”

PRIZED POSSESSION “My computer, because I saved up enough money to buy the parts and build it myself.”

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Earth

INHERITORS As future stewards of our planet, our kids will be entrusted with the protection and preservation of an environment already under siege. Despite the challenges that await them, many young people are eager to jump in and make an impact. Fortunately there are several groups, schools and organizations in the South Bay helping nurture their natural instincts.

We met with a handful of educators, lending their knowledge and passion as an investment in the future.

WRITTEN BY MICHELE

GARBER |

PHOTOGRAPHED BY NANCY

PASTOR

Earth Inheritors

“We could never have loved the earth so well if we had had no childhood in it.”

—George Eliot,The Mill on the Floss

A

s Southern Californians, we are fortunate to live in a region with unrivaled natural resources and beauty. Within a short walk or drive from our homes, we find a vast array of indigenous flora and fauna and a diverse tableau of microclimates. Yet for all the natural beauty that surrounds us, it is no surprise to learn that today’s children are spending increasingly less time outdoors playing and interacting with nature.

A constant din of news reports laments increasing rates of childhood obesity, which has in fact doubled in the past 20 years. We hear mounting concerns over the adverse effects of overused technology.

And according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children spend an astounding average of seven hours per day on entertainment media including TV, computers, phones and other electronic devices.

In fact, from 1981 to 1997 children’s free playtime dropped 25%.

Generation Z is expected to be the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than preceding generations.

Anyone over 40 will reminisce about the days when kids played outside, unsupervised, until the street lights came on. Those days are certainly gone. But in spite of the cautionary tales of today’s children being overscheduled, stressed out and removed from the natural world, Millennials and Gen Z are actually far more environmentally aware and concerned then prior generations, which is hopeful.

So we took a look around our own community and found inspiring stories of kids learning about nature and wildlife while very young, and teens translating that knowledge into action during young adulthood.

Twin brothers Austin Nash and Brandon Nash developed a love of the wilderness and conservation as young boys while traveling to national parks with their parents. Experiencing firsthand the majestic beauty of these national treasures fostered an early and deep appreciation of nature in both brothers.

As Brandon shares, “We realized how special those places are and how important it is to protect them. We wanted to get involved with conservation, and since we can’t go to national parks every weekend and we live in a beautiful peninsula, we realized there were opportunities to get involved in our own backyard.”

A few years ago the Nash brothers, along with friends in their Los Hermanos volunteer group, participated in an event at White Point Nature Preserve organized by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Con-

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servancy (PVPLC). Impressed by the overall event and especially the PVPLC team, the brothers were hooked and knew they had found the right volunteer organization for them.

The experience was so positive, the brothers said the day went by in a blur and didn’t feel like work at all. They have continued volunteering with PVPLC at many events, but their favorite PVPLC program is Adopt a Plot.

“We adopted a PVPLC plot at Agua Amarga Canyon in Rancho Palos Verdes,” explains Austin. “My brother and I lead a group of our friends from our Los Hermanos volunteer group. We, along with our friends, tend to our plot almost every weekend, though we do so more frequently in the summer months. In the area of our plot there were already some native plants in place. Our job is to take care of native plants, especially watering in dry months. And when it rains, then we’re weeding out invasive plants. Recently we planted four new baby willow trees in the plot. On our plot there is a riparian section with a seasonal stream with a square piece of land adjacent to it.

We’ve planted native plants in a grid fashion for intense restoration of the natural habitat. Our plot keeps expanding.”

Austin and Brandon are now part of the PVPLC Team Leader Program. “It’s more beneficial to the organization for us to help the volunteers instead of being another person pulling up weeds,” Austin says. “So when there is a larger-scale volunteer event—for example, recently for MLK day—I’ll work with the volunteer coordinator, and I’m assigned to an area and to lead a group of volunteers. I’m there to answer questions and to be working too, but also watching their work to ensure they’re not pulling out the wrong plants.”

Brandon adds, “We did a Team Leader training to further our familiarity with native plants and how to operate the volunteer program. So we both work as team leaders on the volunteer days, which rotate between the different PVPLC preserves.”

Through their volunteer work with PVPLC, Brandon and Austin have developed a variety of skills, seen tangible results of their efforts, honed their leadership capabilities and realized the value and satisfaction that comes with inspiring others to do good. What is perhaps even more significant: The Nash brothers credit their work with PVPLC with helping them discover their individual callings.

Austin has found his true passion in science and plans to

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pursue a career in biology and environmental science. He has already attended two prestigious research field expeditions in Yosemite and the Galapagos Islands and is currently applying for spots in three expeditions, including one in Boulder and another in Antarctica.

Austin and his friend Jonathan Wang founded a club at PVHS called the Green School Initiative, which educates and encourages its members to be more environmentally conscience citizens. It offers students who are passionate about being green a safe place to express that passion.

The club also initiates ways for PVHS to make green changes on campus and improve its sustainability practices. Some of these changes include water refilling stations, using rain collection barrels and installing solar panels on campus. As a result of the Green School Initiative, PVHS was recently named a Green Ribbon School.

Austin is also an avid nature photographer, and his work has won awards and been featured in photo exhibitions. Ultimately, he aspires to become a researcher or professor.

Brandon has developed a passion for the business of conservation and aspires to pursue a career in an arena that will influence global policies for sustainability. Whether he ultimately works in the public or private sector, his dream is to develop a global standard supported by government and NGO entities that can slow and eventually stop climate change.

In this pursuit, Brandon is taking science and business courses and is involved with PVHS Model U.N. to hone his policy-making skills. He believes if all entities get on board, we can truly effect change on a global scale. As part of Model U.N., Brandon created a website for the group. He is currently treasurer, and next year he will serve as secretary general.

Austin’s and Brandon’s passion and activism have garnered many well-deserved honors and accolades, for which they are humbled and proud. Among these, the Nash brothers were chosen to be the keynote speakers at this year’s Palos Verdes Pastoral—the exclusive annual fundraising event to benefit the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy. Held at Terranea, the intimate, sold-out event welcomed 200 PVPLC top donors for a handcrafted, organic, chef-

prepared, farm-to-table dinner.

After the Nash brothers delivered their speech, they were approached by many attendees who thanked them for their dedication to protecting and enhancing Palos Verdes. Guests spoke of being inspired by the Nash brothers’ work and pleased to see that today’s youth are willing to take up the cause. Others expressed their pleasure in knowing their donations are being well utilized.

“Teens get a bad rap,” Austin explains, “but the guests at the Pastoral—after hearing our speech and about the work we do—can take comfort that our generation will be the change they want to see.”

Brandon adds, “We gave them hope.”

Research shows a correlation between early exposure to nature and wildlife and an enhanced empathy, appreciation and respect for the natural world and all living beings. It is also thought that the earlier in one’s youth this exposure occurs, the more profound and enduring the connection to nature will be.

Sunny Dallafior and her Traveling Nature Class are proof positive that creating a rapport between children and animals can have a meaningful and lasting effect. Miss Sunny, as kids fondly call her, shares her love of all creatures with groups of curious children in a hands-on, symbiotic and controlled environment. The Traveling Nature Class brings a menagerie of live animals into classrooms and other interactive settings, giving children an opportunity to see and touch a wide variety of unusual species while learning about the importance of our ecosystem and the unique role each living being plays in our world.

One of the primary goals of the Traveling Nature Class is to teach children to respect animals and not to fear them. By understanding the unique characteristics and idiosyncrasies of individual species— while also learning how to safely and properly handle each animal— children broaden their appreciation for the animal kingdom and our remarkable planet.

At each Traveling Nature Class, Sunny brings a wide variety of critters that are appropriate for the age group. Animals presented during a class may include hedgehogs, chinchillas, a ferret, longhaired rabbits, a miniature pig, bearded dragons, a tegu, skinks, an eclectus

SIBLING CAVALRY Austin and Brandon at work with volunteers of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy

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Earth Inheritors

WILD THINGS Kids meet new friends at the Traveling Nature Class.

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Earth Inheritors

parrot, and a variety of frogs, snakes and lizards. Sunny can also customize her class to address specific scientific subjects currently being studied by a class such as invertebrates ... humorously nicknamed The Bug Program.

The Traveling Nature Class visits schools throughout Southern California. Based in the South Bay, Sunny conducts annual classes in several local schools. She also visits campuses as far away as Pasadena, Palmdale/Lancaster and throughout Orange County.

Sunny primarily works with preschool and elementary school children, but middle and high schools also bring in her class. She also offers classes at local libraries and many private events.

On the day we visited the Traveling Nature Class, Sunny was working in a Manhattan Beach preschool. With her guidance, the 3- to 4-year-old students were unafraid of these unusual (and often villainized) creatures. Many kids had snakes draped around their arms and shoulders, while lizards, frogs, chinchillas and bunnies rested calmly in other kids’ arms and laps. It is inspiring to see the unbridled enthusiasm and curiosity of these young children as they experience interacting with these unique animals up close.

As Sunny explains, “The biggest benefit of our program is that we get kids interested in all living creatures. They learn to care about other beings and understand that we share this planet and that human actions can have an effect on other species. It changes their

vate events such as birthday parties. One of The SEA Lab’s more popular programs is summer camp, where kids can study and interact with marine science in a more in-depth, specialized educational program.

Since 1997, The SEA Lab has been operated and managed by the Los Angeles Conservation Corps. The SEA Lab team includes four full-time staff members and dozens of local volunteers. As a part of the LA Conservation Corps, a group of 15 to 20 interns play a crucial role in handling the daily operations at The SEA Lab. The Corps interns are comprised mostly of college students pursuing careers in marine biology and other relevant fields of science.

“Many of our interns choose to work at The SEA Lab because of a love of the ocean and sea life, along with a desire to work with children,” Maria shares. “They want to inspire future generations and teach them about respecting the ocean and the critical importance of conservation.”

Numerous studies have shown that when a love of nature is imbued early in one’s youth—much like it was for Austin and Brandon—it often develops into a full-blown passion by young adulthood, inspiring more dedicated pursuit. The 515 students at Environmental Charter High School (ECHS) in Lawndale are emblematic of that passion.

At ECHS and its two sister middle schools in Gardena and Inglewood, students opt out of attending a traditional public school to pursue a more academically challenging curriculum that utilizes the environment as a base to develop and enhance problem-solving and

Research shows a correlation between early exposure to nature and wildlife and an enhanced empathy,appreciation and respect for the natural world and all living beings. viewpoint and subsequent behavior and encourages them to appreciate nature and want to conserve our precious earth.”

She goes on to say, “When working with children and animals, I’m often reminded of the famous Lorax quote: ‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.’”

Much like the Traveling Nature Class teaches children about terrestrial and amphibious creatures, The SEA Lab in Redondo Beach—a marine education and science center—teaches kids about marine life and coastal conservation, also through a hands-on interactive experience. Located near the Redondo Harbor, The SEA Lab welcomes approximately 10,000 kids each year to its facility located steps away from the Pacific Ocean.

At The SEA Lab, visitors can tour an exhibition on all things water—from osmosis to droughts to variations between saltwater and freshwater sea life. The facility has open tanks with a wide variety of local marine animals as well as aquariums with underwater ecosystems on display.

Many children visiting The SEA Lab come on field trips from schools throughout the Southland, typically in groups of 60 to 75 students. Their visit is divided into three 45-minute activities, including a guided, hands-on tour of the facility where kids are able to touch sea animals; a beach exploration; and an instructional period specifically tailored to the grade level of the visiting students.

According to The SEA Lab director Maria Madrigal, some groups of students come from inland schools. It’s not unusual for their trip to SEA Lab to be their first time seeing the ocean.

In addition to field trips, homeschooled children visit The SEA Lab to meet their science curriculum. The SEA Lab also plays host to pri-

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critical thinking skills. ECHS offers students a rigorous college-prep curriculum, requiring each student to complete the A-G coursework required for acceptance into UC and CSU systems. Many students at ECHS aspire to continue their studies at universities offering degrees in environmental studies or to pursue green careers.

Opened in 2000, Environmental Charter High School is the brainchild of founder and executive director Alison Suffet Diaz, an attorney-turned-teacher whose groundbreaking idea to start a charter school teaching academics through the prism of the environment came to her while working in the classroom.

“When I was teaching,” Alison explains, “I discovered that if I could get kids to care about local issues and they in turn could see that they had the power to do something about those issues and be the change that they aspired to be, they were willing to do the work, put in the hours and take the classes needed to achieve their goals.”

ECHS is a public high school serving grades 9–12. Like so many outstanding charter schools in LA and throughout California, there are far more students who desire to attend ECHS than there are eligible spots in the school. Thus admission to ECHS is offered through a lottery system. Each year approximately 300 students apply for 130 incoming freshman spots. There are typically between 100 to 150 students wait-listed to attend ECHS each year.

The ECHS campus is often referred to as a “living textbook.” It is quite literally an outdoor classroom … a living, breathing science lab where students are engaged and empowered to implement their ideas for sustainability and see the tangible results of their green projects.

Students feel responsible and invested in their school. ECHS proudly and enthusiastically offers student-guided tours of the cam-

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WATER WORKS Ocean appreciation in action at The SEA Lab

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pus. These tours are typically led by top students. The day of our tour we met Carolyn Lam, who fortuitously moved to California from Virginia in ninth grade and won the lottery to attend ECHS. Carolyn is a Green Ambassador and is currently writing her senior thesis on pollution. She won an Air Quality Management District Award for her work.

At the entrance of ECHS is the amphitheatre, made of urbanite—recycled concrete taken from other locations on the campus. The urbanite was then broken into smaller pieces and placed strategically to create the welcoming student gathering area.

On rainy days, the center of the campus would often flood. ECHS students came up with the idea to create a living stream to handle excess water flow when it’s raining and provide a source for conducting water experiments year-round.

The school has a living wall and a solar-powered greenhouse. There are organic fruit trees spread throughout the campus that double as “seasonal snack machines,” where students can eat the fruit they want if it’s in season.

Bunnies and chickens, cared for by students, roam the school. There is a cistern, rain collection barrels and swales, along with the dry riverbed to prevent excess runoff and recycle water more efficiently. ECHS promotes composting, recycling and minimizing waste. There are also systems in place to reduce electricity and water consumption.

ECHS has an on-campus lab with 3-D printers where students are currently designing and building tiny homes and an on-campus, studentrun store selling a variety of sustainable items. The school also has its own bike shop, of which the students are especially proud. At the shop, students are able to rent bikes for a minimal fee, and they are also encouraged to build and repair bikes—adding to their learning experience.

ECHS is exceptionally proud of its Green Ambassador Program.

Originally started to mentor and train its own students and staff, the program has now become a model for other green schools around the country and offers training and development to instructors from other schools through the Green Ambassador Program.

Perhaps what is most outstanding about ECHS is its impressive graduation rates and its outstanding ability to prepare students for future success. Located in South LA, ECHS primarily educates children from underserved communities. More than 75% of the student body qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and the diverse makeup of the student population is approximately 68% Hispanic, 20% African American, 6% Asian and 4% Caucasian.

Many of ECHS’ graduates are the first to graduate high school in their families. A notable 98% of ECHS graduating students have completed the required coursework for admission to a four-year university or college (the California statewide average is 35%). Approximately 78% of ECHS graduates go on to attend college.

It is this extraordinary success in inspiring and educating children that has garnered ECHS numerous awards and accolades, including being named in the top 3% of U.S. public high schools by U.S. News & World Report, receiving a California Gold Ribbon School award and a National Green Ribbon School award and Green Leadership award, to name but a few.

Alison, who also serves on the board of Green Schools National Network, is certainly proud of the numerous accolades the Environmental Charter Schools have received. Yet she sites that the most essential element to making the schools so effective is that they create a positive and collaborative learning environment.

“Community is critical for the success of any school,” she says. “We are creating a family and a community in our schools. If you build a community and the kids feel a part of that, and the teachers feel supported and that they are making a difference—which they are … well then, that’s the magic.” 

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SUSTAINABLE STUDY Mother Nature rules at Environmental Charter High School.

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Familia

Para Siempre A Southbay photographer travels to Cuba for the first time—her mother and young daughter in tow—and discovers both heritage and healing.

WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN

PRESSEY

Familia Para Siempre

Cuba

has always been somewhat of a mystery to me. My mother was born there—though she and my grandparents fled in 1959, leaving everything they owned and everything they knew behind after Fidel Castro took power. That fact, along with a handful of stories that my grandmother retold countless times before she passed in 2015, was all I really knew about Cuba.

When travel restrictions were lifted recently for Americans, my mother decided to revisit her childhood home.

Soon, perhaps, I would discover what Cuba meant to me.

We touched down on the island with a rather intense degree of skepticism. Understandably, my mother had a lingering fear that Cuba wouldn’t let her go home, and I questioned whether it was a good idea to bring my 7-yearold daughter along on a trip that was sure to dig up the most emotion my mom and I had ever experienced. My idea of family bonding, I guess.

Following my grandmother’s passing, this felt like the ideal opportunity to explore Cuba. But upon our arrival, her presence and persistent head-shaking were hard to deflect. She never would have approved of our adventure, but we did it anyway … because, after all, we are her strong-willed daughter and granddaughter.

We arrived on a rainy day (perhaps a sign of good luck or just another day during hurricane season, I suppose) and were greeted by our well-dressed driver, Raul. He

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eagerly escorted us through the crowds, and we waited as he drove the car around to get us.

I secretly hoped a classic convertible in bright red might pull up so we could explore the island in style, but I quickly realized my expectations and reality were wider than the waters between Cuba and the U.S. Instead we jumped into our provided chariot: a small, black sedan with deeply tinted windows and a few missing seat belts.

My mother has always been a no-nonsense, type A personality, but never before had I seen her so determined. For the next three days we combed the streets of a place she hadn’t been in 57 years—since she was 6 years old. With her keen visual memory, though still fighting off tears, she was able to track down both her home and her grandparent’s estate.

Raul did a little investigating himself and was able to locate her old private school. Photos of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro littered the walls, and the building looked as though not much thought had gone into its care for decades. All eyes were on us as we were let in for a few brief moments and then quickly escorted out. Not exactly the warm reception I was hoping for.

I couldn’t help but feel that the streets of Miramar,

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the neighborhood of my mother’s school and first home, bore a striking resemblance to Park Avenue in New York City, with large medians flanked by beautiful homes and large trees. Now deteriorated, you could still picture what it might have been like in the ‘40s and ‘50s, during its glory days.

Though it certainly was still filled with life, I couldn’t get past the feeling my grandmother must have had when she was forced to leave it behind. Whether you believe the government was good or bad at the time of the revolution, the lives of many Cubans were torn apart as a result and the country they were proud to call home was changed forever.

Our next destination was that of my great-grandparents’ estate, Finca Maita. My mother’s memory of the home was of its modern ‘50s style and the impeccable grounds it sat upon. Orange groves lined one side, where my mother recalls receiving her first and only bee sting, and a welcoming porch spanned the front where the family gathered to enjoy the weekend and play dominos.

Without hesitation, my mother pointed it out as we drove past. Three women sat on the porch—the eldest may have been just shy of my grandmother’s age, along

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with what appeared to be her daughter and granddaughter. A fitting scenario, considering the circumstances. We introduced ourselves and politely asked if we could take a tour. The granddaughter happily agreed, while the old lady remained on the porch.

So there we stood, in a complete time warp. A framed tapestry that belonged to my family still hung in the entryway. My great-grandparents’ dining room furniture, with beautifully hand-carved hutches, sat just as before. The orange groves, however, were long gone. New paint had been added all around, and what remained of the landscaping was overgrown and unkempt. A portion of the land had also been sectioned off to make room for additional neighborhood housing.

We spoke to the old lady and mentioned how incredible it was to see the same furniture after all of these years, and she quickly denied that it wasn’t hers. Her defensiveness was understandable, but disappointing nonetheless.

Upon our departure, it occurred to me that even after all of this time, she might feel threatened that the original owners might be seeking to claim what belonged to them. Or was it possible that one of her family members fought in the revolution, and she was given the house as a token of gratitude for their contribution? Perhaps she only felt ill will toward us and our American ideals. I couldn’t be sure.

I began to feel utter and complete frustration. So often I had heard stories of the amazing people and culture in Cuba and how I needed to see it before there was a Starbucks on every corner. As a photographer, I’d seen countless photos of historic buildings with classic cars driving past and smiling faces in the streets. My experience thus far warranted anything but a smile. All I felt was sadness for what once was.

Even more so, I felt my grandmother’s heartache for all that could have been.

I told my mother we needed to look deeper. We needed to visit the areas that I had seen in magazines and, by God, I needed to take a photo of at least one classic car!

Raul dropped us off at a popular tourist destination in Old Havana, and we walked amongst the old architecture. In that moment, I couldn’t help but feel guilty. Instead of photographing the obvious attractions, I put my camera away and walked along the cobbled streets with my mom and daughter, still seeking our trip’s purpose.

But then came our greatest discovery. The next morning and the day before our departure, we set out early to the town where my grandmother was born and raised: Melena del Sur. Without a single contact to aid us in our search, we held on to the hope that we might find somebody, anybody, whom we could call family.

We drove up and down the streets, stopping locals who graciously did all they could to help us. It didn’t take long before a woman suggested we visit a house down the street. We took her suggestion. We were greeted by my mother’s second cousin and welcomed with open arms.

We spent the day meeting more and more family, talking over Cuban coffee and sorting through countless photos of my mother as a young girl, as well as photos that had been passed down of me and my brothers growing up. My daughter’s eyes lit up at the sight of it all. We were even able to visit the tomb of my great-grandmother, where more emotions flowed as my mother was able to put the pieces of the puzzle back together.

Suddenly Cuba felt familiar, like a cousin itself, and I had finally found the meaning I had been in search of: to reunite with the people that give our lives purpose and that help tell our story. Regardless of politics, these were the people and lives that shaped my mother and, in turn, both my daughter and myself.

We were not there to decide who in Cuba’s history was right or wrong. We were not there to give Castro our money either (as some of our Cuban relatives residing in the U.S. might see it). Ultimately, we were there to find what we were certain belonged to us: my mother’s memories, my grandparents’ pride and our family. 

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Feature Hed

MODELS’ MAKE UP COURTESY OF DERMOLOGICA SKIN CARE AND MAC COSMETICS

THE RIGHT TRACK Xirena bralette top, $92, and boy shorts, $60; both at Jill Roberts in Santa Monica. Scotch & Soda reversible bomber jacket, $225; scotchsoda.com. “Prita” silver sheen platform shoes, $740; cuff bracelet, $165; both at Calleen Cordero, calleencordero.com.

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Fashion,

on the Rocks

Bye-bye, neutrals. When it comes to spring looks, this year it is about explosions of color—bright shades of orange, purple, blue and pink. That trend, plus the rise of athletic-inspired, streamlined daywear, puts our fashion goals on the right track.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE STYLED BY ALLISON

RAE MARSH |

O’DONNELL

HAIR AND MAKEUP BY JENNY

MODEL AUDRE COURTESY OF LA

MODELS

L. KARL

MIXED MESSAGE Maje Laya off-the-shoulder crop top, $175, and Maje floaty printed trouser, $275; both at Bloomingdales, bloomindales.com

PERCH PERFECT 9 Two 5 Fit Top, $74; “Star With Me” pants, $158; Maje embroidered bomber jacket, $480; Nike Air Max “Thea” shoes, $115; all at Bloomingdales, bloomingdales.com. Gold hoop earrings, $160; Dana Kathryn Jewelry.

Feature Hed

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ALL ABOUT KIDS W R I T T E N BY

LAURA WATTS JP CORDERO, KAT MONK & SHANE O’DONNELL

P H O T O G RA P H E D BY

Children—they are our future.

From education to enrichment, we strive to give them resources that will help mold them into the best they can be. But sometimes finding those resources is a challenge. With this All About Kids profiles section, we do the legwork for you. Whether you’re looking for the right school, health care professional, summer camp or enrichment program, on the following pages you’ll find an abundance of South Bay professionals and organizations— all aimed at putting kids on the path to happy, healthy, productive lives. It takes a village. And here in the South Bay, we have one.

122 PENINSULA MONTESSORI SCHOOLS

132 ADVENTUREPLEX

124 GROWING GARDEN ACADEMY

133 PALOS VERDES HIGH SCHOOL

126 RICHSTONE FAMILY CENTER

134 PEDIATRIC MINDS

127 KIDS CLUB AT TERRANEA RESORT 128 SUMMER ORTHODONTICS 129 VISTAMAR SCHOOL 130 ART TO GROW ON CHILDREN’S ART CENTER, INC.

131 CHADWICK SCHOOL

MEDICAL CENTER

135 ROLLING HILLS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL

136 LIL’ CHIT-CHAT SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPY INC.

137 PENINSULA HERITAGE SCHOOL

ALL ABOUT KIDS

Peninsula Montessori Schools 31100 Hawthorne Blvd.

Rancho Palos Verdes 310-544-3099 907 Knob Hill Ave. Redondo Beach 310-540-9742 peninsulamontessori.com

“Our goal is to foster a child’s natural inclination to learn in a nurturing and stimulating environment.”

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ounded in 1978, Peninsula Montessori Schools teach the whole child and allow a freedom of movement unlike traditional classrooms. The school offers two campuses: Rancho Palos Verdes serves 250 students, ages 18 months to 12 years, and Redondo Beach serves 80 students ages 18 months to 5 years. In addition to academics, the school offers gymnastics, karate, dance, tennis, soccer, chess, music, art, computer and physical education.

What is your school’s mission?

“Our goal is to foster a child’s natural inclination to learn in a nurturing and stimulating environment. In addition, we aim to promote appreciation and respect for self and others, foster independence and enthusiasm for learning.”

What would you like kids and parents to know about your school?

“Peninsula Montessori is a thoughtfully designed learning environment, providing an atmosphere of acceptance, respect and trust so that creativity, learning and a sense of community can flourish. We have a proven track record over the past 39 years, and all our teachers are fully credentialed. We offer our students a beautiful environment, rich with tools and guidance that will spark their natural curiosity and foster independence.

Our program profoundly respects and supports each individual’s unique development and acquisition of knowledge, allowing them to learn and progress at their own rate according to their own capacities. Children’s cognitive, social-emotional, movement and language skills are highly intertwined.

Concrete materials are specially designed to support many different learning styles and levels of students. The manipulatives are designed to encourage participative learning that is multi-dimensional (visual, audial, sensorial, as well as cognitive).”

How do the teachers and staff at your school help your students form happy memories?

“The elements of a Montessori classroom, the child, the teacher and the prepared environment inter-relate with each other, playing a somewhat equal role in the ultimate development of the child. Although the teacher maintains responsibility for presenting individual and group lessons, the emphasis is on the student’s learning from self-correcting materials and a curriculum that reflects each new stage of a child’s development. Students learn through

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individual or collaborative discovery of concepts by participating in experimental work. The freedom of movement that is proving so important to children’s optimal functioning is prevalent in a Montessori classroom, where spontaneous self-discipline arises. It is a calm, warm, nurturing environment in which the child feels secure.”

What do kids love most about your school?

“Our students know they are respected and cherished. They learn that risk-taking is vital for achieving success. Through the use of Montessori materials, our students are able to discover their own errors and self-correct their work. The children help one another problemsolve in a collaborative manner.”

What does your school offer that is unique?

“Peninsula Montessori School is the only authentic Montessori school with fully accredited teachers in Palos Verdes and Redondo Beach that extends through fifth grade. We emphasize learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching or reading.

Our students learn at their own individual pace with beautifully crafted materials designed to transport the child step-by-step from the most concrete to the most abstract. With multi-aged grouping, communities are formed in which the older children share their knowledge with the younger ones and develop good communication skills. They leave our program with a strong sense of self and a love of learning.”

Tell us your thoughts on teaching the whole child.

“We are a unique community of families and educators dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact on our environment, our state and our nation. Our Montessori graduates are citizens whose actions reflect others’ self worth and dignity. They are aware, socially responsible people who live in harmony with nature as stewards of the earth. Parents choose our school because the values embedded in the Montessori approach match their aspirations for their children to be confident, competent learners and socially responsible members of society.”

How do parents get involved at your school?

“Peninsula Montessori Schools enjoy an active Montessori Parents’ Association. Parents are involved by volunteering as reading coaches, assisting teachers with art projects, accompanying the children on field trips, and helping in the school library and with the annual International Festival.”

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

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Growing Garden Academy 2108 Vail Ave. Redondo Beach 310-214-4999 growinggardenacademy.com

“A place where children can grow and discover in a natural, comfortable environment.”

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uilt on the success of Growing Garden Preschool, the new Growing Garden Academy is a K-5 school that provides individual education to each student.

Tell us a bit about your school.

“Growing Garden Academy is a Jewish K-5 school with personalized education for each and every child, infusing them with a love for lifelong learning, character building, companionship, empathy and courageous leadership.

We prepare children to be inquisitive learners and team players with a love for Jewish traditions and values. Our students’ families become a part of a nurturing, warm and giving community and extended family providing them with a sense of belonging, security, Jewish identity and pride.”

Why did you open Growing Garden?

“In 2001 we founded Growing Garden Preschool with the vision of building a school that is centered on the needs of children and their families. We wanted to build a place where children can grow and discover in a natural, comfortable environment—giving them the confidence and mastery to succeed in the 21st century. Our dream was to create a school environment that is a home away from home—a community where families support each other, grow together and celebrate together.

Building on the same values and progressive educational philosophy that made Growing Garden Preschool so successful, in 2016 we opened Growing Garden Academy for grades K-5. We opened the school because we saw the need for a Jewish elementary school in the area that will teach and instill values—not just subjects.

We believe that the greatest factor in our children’s future success and the most important thing we can teach them is not knowledge or skill but values, character and motivation.

Most significantly, we saw the crucial need to build a school in the South Bay where every child’s needs are addressed individually—allowing children to maximize their own abilities.”

What is unique about your school?

“We are the only Jewish elementary school and the only Reggio inspired school in the South Bay. We believe that education is not just about traditional academics but should include a range of skills that children will need to succeed in the real world today including creativity, communication, interpersonal skills and leadership skills. Our experience at Growing

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Garden Preschool taught us that children learn best when they are in a comfortable, home-like environment. We have adapted that approach to the Academy too.

Children should not be forced into a rigid classroom structure but given the comfort and flexibility to be creative, grow and thrive. At the Academy, children are given flexibility to sit and move around as they wish—so long as they are learning and maximizing their potential. Subjects are taught in a creative, hands-on manner that allows children to learn at their own pace while developing many life skills.

Education is not one-size-fits-all. The unique personality and learning styles of each child must be taken into account. The Academy personalizes the instruction to the needs of each child. The most important component of education is learning values and character building.

As a Jewish school, our values and character are at the center of all learning and instruction.”

Tell us about your physical space. How does it enhance the education experience?

“As a Reggio inspired school, we believe that our environment is our ‘third teacher.’ We place great importance on the materials in the classroom. We believe that the layout and design of the classroom is a critical variable in affecting student moral and learning. Our classroom walls are filled with documentation of the children’s learning experiences and interactions with their surroundings. The physical layout, work desks, lighting and other decor create a warm and inviting classroom community.”

What about extracurricular activities?

“In addition to our core stem and language arts curriculum, we feel that learning must teach all of a child’s intelligences. The Academy therefore includes enrichments such as art, music, drama, karate and chess to enhance the children’s multiple intelligences and enrich their self-expression.”

What role do parents play at Growing Garden Academy?

“At the Academy, we see parents as the primary educators of their children, with our role as facilitating the education role of parents.

We therefore work with parents to help them ensure that their child receives the best education possible. We encourage parents to take an active involvement in their child’s education and work to accommodate parents’ wishes whenever possible.”

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

Danielle Blake, first grade teacher, and students

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

“Kids Club promotes educational achievement, builds character and teaches positive behavior skills that help students avoid violence and negative influences.”

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ichstone Family Center is dedicated to treating and preventing child abuse and trauma; strengthening and educating families; and eliminating violence in families, schools and communities. Richstone provides a safe haven through an array of services that include therapy, afterschool enrichment, domestic violence support groups, youth empowerment and social skills groups, transitional living for women exiting foster care, and home visitation programs for the community.

Tell us about your organization “Since 1974, the Richstone Family Center has worked to end child abuse and keep children out of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Last year Richstone assisted 3,235 children and families living in the South Bay and neighboring South L.A. areas. For the lowincome and at-risk population the organization serves, Richstone is often the only place where they can seek help.”

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Tell us about Richstone Kids Club.

“The Richstone Kids Club is a no-cost, yearround program that offers homework assistance, learning opportunities and enrichment activities for children in grades 1–12 who attend schools in the Hawthorne area. An important safety net to at-risk youth, Kids Club promotes educational achievement, builds character and teaches positive behavior skills that help students avoid violence and negative influences.

Through work with dedicated staff and caring volunteers, children in the program receive personalized assistance that enhances their learning in a secure environment in which they can learn and develop socially, emotionally and academically.”

What are some of the things you will focus on this year to benefit kids?

“This year we’re excited to introduce new therapeutic treatments including play therapy, art therapy and pet therapy; support groups

and classes that promote social skills and healthy communication/relationship skills, and new health and wellness activities including nutrition, fitness, yoga, financial literacy classes, career exploration and life-skills programs.”

How important are volunteers to Richstone?

“Volunteers are critical to the success of our programs! So many of the Kids Club students who have gone on to college attribute much of their emotional growth and success to the mentorship they gained and relationships built with volunteers. Volunteers assist with our programs, events and fundraisers and provide ongoing tutoring, enrichment and academic support for children and families. Groups from local corporations also provide assistance with a wide range of projects that include facility enhancements, specialized workshops, and health and wellness activities for clients. To inquire about volunteer opportunities at Richstone, contact Allison Tanaka at 310-970-1921.”

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JACK ZELLWEGER

Richstone Family Center

13620 Cordary Avenue Hawthorne 310-970-1921 RichstoneFamily.org

ALL ABOUT KIDS

“On the beach, under a microscope and on top of the bluffs, adventure leaders take kids on a journey.”

Kids Club at Terranea Resort

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he Kids Club at Terranea Resort offers a structured camp where kids enjoy crafts, food projects, games, dancing, nature hikes, science experiments and exploring plant life. On the beach, under a microscope and on top of the bluffs, adventure leaders take kids on a journey through Terranea’s history using a variety of activities and locally inspired art projects.

Tell us a bit about your Kids Club.

“As Terranea’s path to imagination, Kids Club makes family vacations in Southern California memorable. It is rewarding to hear the children say that they don’t want to leave because they are having fun and are excited to come back.”

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How do you help children form happy memories?

“Giving them a personalized experience. We adapt our kids club daily to reflect what each child loves to do. If a child loves arts and crafts, we’ll do more arts and crafts. If a child loves playing and being energetic, we’ll stay outside longer and play games and go on longer walks. Within our seasonal camps, we help children form happy memories— from bird shows with our resident falconer to swimming in the pool or learning golf.”

How is the Kids Club unique?

“In addition to offering a Kids Club for guests, we also offer a variety of camps, special events and seasonal offerings that celebrate the unparalleled

Kimberly Sambrano & Kaela Adelsperger, Kids Club Supervisors 100 Terranea Way Rancho Palos Verdes 855-416-3928 terranea.com

oceanfront location and natural setting. Terranea summer camps are available for guests seeking a traditional summer camp experience as well as a specialty Putt & Plunge Camp. Fun and educational features include visits to the Point Vicente Interpretive Center to learn about Palos Verdes history and Marineland, falconry, a sea life touch tank and a reptile show.”

How does your business help children have fun with fitness?

“Through our time spent outdoors. When we go outside, we are taking a hike, exploring with a scavenger hunt, learning about plants or simply playing tag in the sunshine.”

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“We LOVE working with kids!”

Summer L. Blake, DDS, MS Orthodontist/Owner

Summer Orthodontics

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ummer Orthodontics is an orthodontic practice specializing in creating smiles for children and adults. Dr. Summer and her team help patients with a wide range of orthodontic issues, such as crooked teeth, crowding, spacing, protrusion, narrow arch, over-bites, under-bites, cross bites and deep bites.

They employ the latest in cutting-edge technology, such as invisible braces, metal braces and clear braces. Dr. Summer completed dental school at UCLA in 2001 and has been specializing in orthodontics for more than a decade. She opened the practice on June 21, 2010—Summer Solstice, of course! Dr. Summer and her husband, Matt, have four children ages 9 and younger.

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451 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite D-224 Manhattan Beach 310-545-0770 summerorthodontics.com What would you like kids and parents to know about your business?

“We LOVE working with kids! We have worked hard to create an atmosphere that is not only stress-free but also a fun place to be. It is not uncommon for kids (and parents) to comment on how good it feels to visit our office. In addition to the popular iPads, there are always activities and contests available for extra fun.”

What benefits do children gain from the services your practice provides?

“The beautiful smiles we create provide a lifetime of confidence to our patients. This confidence carries over into every aspect of their lives.

We are so grateful for the opportunity to have such a powerful impact. We take great pride in helping our patients become the best they can be.”

What’s most rewarding about your work?

“The most rewarding aspect of my work is seeing the pride and confidence that a beautiful smile brings. My goal is to create smiles that generate lots and lots of compliments for my patients.”

What do you like to do for fun, when you’re not at work?

“Spending time with my family is what I like to do most. I also enjoy Pilates, yoga, cooking and travel.”

Tell us about your family.

“I married my husband, Matt, here in Manhattan Beach in 2007. We have four children: Ahnika, 9, Tegan, 6, Briggs, 3, and Winslow, 2 months. It is a very exciting time for our family!”

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

“Vistamar alumni report that the collaboration, creativity and communication skills acquired at Vistamar have given them a distinct advantage in college.”

Vistamar School

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culminates with the college selection process, our students are self-aware and authentic applicants choosing to attend colleges where they’ll be challenged academically, comfortable socially and able to develop their outside interests.”

What would you like kids and parents to know about your school?

“Vistamar quite literally provides ‘the best education the world has to offer’ by providing one of the most innovative and globally-oriented academic programs that combines the very best traditions of American independent schools with adaptations of the most effective educational practices found around the world.”

What are the most important skills for young people entering college and the work force?

“Vistamar alumni report that the collaboration, creativity and communication skills acquired at Vistamar have given them a distinct advantage in college. Not only do they feel fully prepared academically, they have the confidence to fully engage—even lead—in class discussions and pursue conversations and relationships with their professors. These are the same skills needed in the 21st-century workforce.”

istamar School is an independent, coeducational high school founded in 2005 by a group of civic-minded families.

The school serves a student body drawn from more than 50 middle schools in almost 50 different zip codes in Los Angeles.

What makes your school exceptional?

“Vistamar’s Life Planning practice—a four-year program designed to prepare our students for college and work-life. By the time Life Planning

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How important is parent involvement at your school?

“Vistamar parents are viewed as partners and

737 Hawaii Street El Segundo 310-643-7377 vistamarschool.org are closely connected to their students’ academic, social and emotional experience. Vistamar is very much a family environment, and we are a better school because of our parents.”

How involved do teachers get with students?

“The Vistamar faculty is composed of extraordinary teachers who also happen to be extraordinary people: innovative, passionate and dedicated to forming personal relationships with each of their students. Vistamar students will tell you that they have at least one meaningful relationship with a member of our faculty or staff.”

What do kids love most about your school?

“Vistamar students are genuinely supported as individuals, and it is their differences rather than their similarities that are celebrated by the entire community. Moreover, Vistamar School is a joyful community—a second home where students come early and stay late—by choice.”

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Founder/president Lauren Perelmuter and Peewee Picasso students from city of Manhattan Beach.

“We are unique due to our mobility, allowing us to reach children throughout Southern California.”

Art To Grow On Children’s Art Center, Inc.

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rt To Grow On Children’s Art Center, Inc. is a mobile art enrichment company that brings programs and classes to students ages 15 months to 18 years. Founder and president Lauren Perelmuter has worked in the arts and early childhood education for 20 years and opened Art to Grow On in 2000.

How does your business make our community a better place for children?

“We believe that every child has the opportunity to enhance and change our world for the better.

By giving children outlets for expression, creativity and innovation, confidence soars. When children are supported and encouraged to be their true selves, self-esteem dramatically increases.”

What is an important trait for operating a kidfocused business?

“To acknowledge that each and every child sees the

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4010 Palos Verdes Drive North, #105 Rolling Hills Estates 310-625-6028 art2growon.com

world differently. It is our mission to support how they see their world through the art process. We emphasize over and over in our classes that there are no mistakes in art.”

skills, perseverance, problem-solving and what we call Creative Confidence. The world ahead requires a mind that is agile, flexible, adaptable and has the ability to imagine.”

What are the biggest benefits of making the children of our community a priority?

“We truly believe that children are our greatest asset and represent our future. They are of the utmost priority! We must equip them with the skills that will move this world forward with compassion, awareness, empathy, confidence and the idea that we are all connected. The arts give them that communication platform.”

How is your business unique?

“We customize our lessons for students of all ages and skill levels for a variety of clients. School districts, private and public schools, preschools, city parks and recreation, camps and more. Lessons for kindergarten through eighth grade could showcase Andy Warhol 3-D pop art, Monet watercolors, Frank Gehry architecture or Ansel Adams sketching. For our youngest students, we could showcase scissor time, tile collage, treasure boxes—lessons focused increasing fine-motor skills, problemsolving and critical thinking. We also customize, package and send lessons to schools and students outside of Southern California—check out our Art Box Academy!”

In today’s tech-oriented world, do the arts benefit children?

“Absolutely! As a parent I too have had to embrace and accept all things iPad, but it is a critical time for children to continue to develop critical thinking

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“Our students think deeply in critical and creative ways, and they develop courage to lead with confidence and character.”

Chadwick School

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hadwick School is an independent coeducational day school located on a 45-acre hilltop on the scenic Palos Verdes Peninsula. Founded in 1935, Chadwick serves 830 students in grades K through 12.

Describe Chadwick’s educational experience.

“Chadwick is dedicated to developing ethical global citizens with keen minds, exemplary character, self-knowledge and the ability to lead. Our students think deeply in critical and creative ways, and they develop courage to lead with confidence and character.”

Tell us about your team.

“We hire exceptional teachers, recruiting the best of the best from around the world. Eighty percent of our teachers hold advanced degrees. Chadwick teachers are uniquely dedicated to knowing and

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understanding our students as individual learners.

They take an active role in promoting our students’ well-being, character development, talents and interests. They are passionate about what they teach and are committed to our students’ and their own continual improvement. Our academic instructors are experts in their fields, and our fine and performing arts teachers also are professional artists, photographers, musicians, actors, dancers and directors.”

What do kids love most about your school?

“Relationships are a core part of the Chadwick experience, and Chadwick students love the atmosphere of trust, mutual respect and personal growth among fellow students and teachers. We encourage the best from ourselves and from each other. It’s a safe environment for students to challenge themselves, try new things and take responsible risks. Students are involved in a wide range of

26800 S. Academy Dr. Palos Verdes Peninsula 310-377-1543 chadwickschool.org activities beyond stellar academics, including K–12 STEM programs, 25 competitive athletic teams, extensive performing and visual arts opportunities, student-led publications and more than 50 studentled clubs.”

What sets your school apart from the rest?

“Chadwick’s core values of honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness and compassion are part of the daily academic and interpersonal experiences of our students. We bring out the very best in our students through active learning, one-on-one mentoring, challenging academics, unparalleled global experiences and an accredited outdoor education program. Our optimal class sizes allow for enhanced learning relationships among teachers and students as well as between students. We challenge students to think and apply their learning – to go deeper into the material rather than just memorize content.”

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“Healthy habits started early last a lifetime.”

AdventurePlex

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perated by Beach Cities Health District, AdventurePlex is a safe, structured indoor/outdoor play facility complete with mazes and tunnels, a ropes course and outdoor rock climbing wall, an indoor gymnasium and the recently opened “Toddler Town”—a play zone that offers classes, farm-to-table fun and birthday parties for kids ages 5 and younger. Team members encourage kids to challenge themselves physically and intellectually, and as a result, AdventurePlex is annually voted the best kids play facility and birthday location in the South Bay. What benefits do children gain from the services your business provides?

“AdventurePlex offers a wide range of activities for families, including a five-level play structure, Toddler Town, a sports court and reading corner— each designed to make healthy habits fun. Additionally, parents and children can enjoy our jam-

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packed schedule of healthy classes, which range from Parent-Tot Yoga and Parent-Child SportBall to Toddler Gardening and Toddler Movement. We offer something fun for nearly every age, including unforgettable birthday parties!”

Tell us about your team.

“All managers and camp staff are CPR-certified and receive background checks and drug screenings. AdventurePlex upholds the guidelines and standards set by the American Camp Association to ensure the facility is a fun and safe environment.”

What do kids love most about you/your business?

“Kids love exploring all the different activities, learning, playing and, most of all, having fun!”

What’s most rewarding about your work?

“The most rewarding part of operating Adven-

1701 Marine Avenue Manhattan Beach 310-546-7780 adventureplex.org turePlex is helping children create healthy habits, because healthy habits started early last a lifetime.”

What sets your business apart from the rest?

“AdventurePlex was created for families to play, learn and grow their way to good health. Here, families are encouraged to get active, get silly and get healthier.”

How does your business encourage children (and parents) to live a healthy lifestyle?

“Running, jumping, swinging, crawling, sliding, climbing and zipping are just a few of the ways your kids will play their way to good health at AdventurePlex. Packed with colorful mazes, tunnels, slides, zip lines, ball pits and a toddler-sized play farm, market and beach house, there’s fun waiting for all ages inside—even parents! And we’re open seven days a week.”

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“PVHS is simply an amazing school.”

Palos Verdes High School

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alos Verdes High School has an enrollment of 1,740 students in grades 9–12.

In addition to academics, the school features 24 athletic teams, more than 85 student-led clubs in a variety of interest areas, and award-winning programs such as Live from 205, yearbook, student newspaper, arts, drama, dance, music and student leadership programs.

What would you like kids and parents to know about Palos Verdes High School?

“Kids are happy here, and there are plenty of opportunities to smile and laugh. Why? Our Block Schedule gives us time to maximize learning in a 113-minute class. Also, we believe in our Late Start Wednesdays, because research has shown that high school kids do not sleep enough. Our Wednesday are days when our students recharge and refuel for

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600 Cloyden Road Palos Verdes Estates 310-378-8471 pvhigh.com the remainder of the week to finish strong.

PVHS places a very high emphasis on the academic success and emotional well-being of all students. Various programs—for all levels of students—challenge each PVHS student to reach his or her maximum potential. PVHS ensures students are well equipped with the academic skills that allow them to follow their own unique academic pursuits and extracurricular endeavors in high school and beyond.”

How does your school make our community a better place for children?

“PVHS is simply an amazing school. We really focus on the whole child and especially the socioemotional well-being of our students. Our school does an excellent job of balancing academics, arts and athletics. We are the only high school

in and around the South Bay area to dedicate a classroom space to a Wellness Center, and it is symbolic of the importance that we place on our students’ happiness not only as a high school student but as a person learning to develop their own character and life interests.”

What makes your school exceptional?

“PVHS is well-rounded. Our mission has always been to provide a family-like environment and offer all the opportunities of a larger high school in a smaller school setting. We offer 30 Advanced Placement courses, and at the same time 18% of our students are in AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) programs where we focus on a college-going culture with integrated tutorials. We will create programs and customize learning opportunities for any child.”

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Gemma van Biene, Patient Care Coordinator; Joshua Johnson, Child Development Associate; Simone Volpatti, Child Development Associate

“We are highly effective and have great outcomes for our young clients and their families.”

Pediatric Minds Medical Center

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he Early Childhood Treatment Center (ECTC) at Pediatric Minds is an intensive day treatment program for preschoolaged children with autism, developmental delays, behavioral issues, anxiety disorder, ADHD and many other neurodevelopmental disorders. Owner Dr. Pantea Sharifi-Hannauer, who is board-certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with sub-specialty training in pediatric neurology, opened ECTC nearly six years ago.

Describe your practice.

“ECTC provides a unique program of daily interdisciplinary coordinated care in a family-friendly environment. There are no other programs like this in the Southern CA area. We are highly effective and have great outcomes for our young clients and their families.”

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Tell us about a typical day for a child at ECTC. “Upon entrance, children at ECTC are warmly greeted by their Child Development Associates.

They are presented with enticing activities, both in a group and one-on-one, to help facilitate curiosity and motivation through a play-based environment. We have a play-based structure that uses the children’s preferences to help shape the daily schedule. Classes have art activities, sensory exploration, social games and centers where the children work on individual goals.

Our center includes two sensory gyms to help develop motor coordination, strength and balance. Our outside physical education focuses on both gross motor and social interactions between peers. Using a therapeutic approach to treatment, children feel successful tackling areas of difficulty in a supportive and nurturing environment.”

3524 Torrance Blvd., Suite 104 Torrance 310-540-1630 pediatricminds.staging. wpengine.com What do your patients say about you?

“I’ve never met so many beautiful, wonderful, selfless people in one office building before. Dr. John is such a patient, kind and wonderful communicator. He helped us accept our children’s diagnoses and told us how to move forward. You are all doing such good in the world. Thank you for being there when we needed you.” — Diana Leslie & family “Our 5-year-old son was diagnosed with autism, affecting his emotional, social and behavioral development. He participated in the program at the beginning of the summer. Within a couple of weeks we saw improvement. There have been times when I wish there was a cure, but I realize for now there isn’t. But there is the Early Childhood Treatment Center to help us deal with this.

Dr. Sharifi and her staff have been wonderful and sooo helpful. Thank you!” — Happy patient

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“We hope our students lead with their hearts in their homes, at school and in their community.”

Rolling Hills Country Day School

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olling Hills Country Day School was founded in 1961 and enrolls nearly 400 students in grades K–8. In addition to its strong academic curriculum, the school offers competitive team sports for middle school students and a variety of extracurricular classes for lower school students, including outdoor education, Scratch coding, 3-D printing, cheerleading, physical education and homework club.

where students have opportunities to experience success and, at the same time, the support and safety to work through challenges.

Our academics are rigorous, but we also believe that learning happens everywhere on campus. Whether it is in the classroom, during flag speeches, in the swimming pool or on outdoor education trips, students are inspired to realize their potential.”

What would you like kids and parents to know about your school?

“Our core philosophy is education of the whole child. Our students are critical thinkers, collaborative workers, confident leaders and involved citizens. We understand the lasting impact of the earliest years of education and the importance of preparation for high school, college and beyond.

Country Day School is a nurturing environment

What makes your school exceptional?

“We encourage curiosity, acknowledge responsibility, support creative ideas and appreciate different points of view. We help our students acquire new life skills and cultivate existing ones. Our dedication to our students shines in the reflections of their intellectual, moral, physical and social achievements. In our classrooms, on our fields and across our stage, we nurture the art of expression. As our

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

26444 Crenshaw Boulevard Rolling Hills Estates 310-377-4848 rhcds.com students develop their skills and enhance their natural abilities using the tools we provide, they come ever closer to achieving and often surpassing their goals.”

What do kids love most about your school?

“At Country Day school we consider our students to be part of our family. The students thrive as members of a nurturing community. They feel safe to take risks and make mistakes and learn how to try again.

They also love our Outdoor Education program, which allows children to learn outside the classroom. We believe good people want to be connected to the global community and find personal satisfaction by looking outward and by making someone else’s life a little better, a little easier. We hope our students lead with their hearts in their homes, at school and in their community.”

APRIL 2017, SOUTHBAY

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

Lil’ Chit-Chat Speech & Language Therapy Inc.

Sabrina Conway, MA, CCC-SLP South Bay 877-450-6757 lilchitchat.com

L

il’ Chit-Chat is a boutique speech pathology practice that provides speechlanguage and feeding therapy. All of the clinic’s therapists are California licensed speech-language pathologists who hold a master’s degree in the field and are affiliated with the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association. Owner Sabrina Conway and her team provide in-home therapy services for clients, including children as young as 18 months. Sabrina has worked in speech therapy for 12 years—first in the public sector, then opening Lil’ Chit-Chat in 2014. During her free time she enjoys spending time with her family at the beach, riding bikes or cooking a meal together.

How is your business unique?

“Our therapists truly get to know your child and their family. We do not provide a ‘one size fits all’ therapy approach. All of our clients are given an individualized treatment plan that is catered to their individual needs. We are sensitive to the family’s needs as well and support them with compassion, knowledge and guidance throughout the therapy process. Within a matter of a few weeks, you will notice progress.”

What do kids love most about Lil’ Chit-Chat?

“The fun and enthusiastic demeanor we bring to their sessions. We provide a safe and supportive environment where a trusting therapist-child relationship is established from the start. When we arrive to your child’s session, the kids are eagerly waiting to engage with their clinician. We bring engaging toys, games and activities that are age-appropriate while facilitating communication growth through best practices and innovative therapy techniques.”

What is most rewarding about working with kids?

“I have a deep, heartfelt joy when a child speaks for the first time. Equally, it’s exciting to see a child meeting or exceeding the outcomes desired from our initial planning. It’s amazing to see how a child’s confidence and demeanor strengthen as their ability to communicate improves. It is so touching to hear parents and guardians express their appreciation and gratitude for the work that we do with their children. Knowing that we make a difference in people’s lives every day is truly fulfilling.”

“We provide a safe and supportive environment where a trusting therapistchild relationship is established from the start.”

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SOUTHBAY, APRIL 2017

What are the biggest benefits of making the children of our community a priority?

“It is truly our mission to change the lives of each of our clients—and their families. I’m passionate about not only helping children through their present challenges but also providing them with the foundation to live a happy, fulfilling and successful life.”

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

ALL ABOUT KIDS

“Each child has unique gifts to offer the world, and we at Peninsula Heritage seize every opportunity to let them shine!”

Peninsula Heritage School

P

eninsula Heritage School was founded in 1961 and is now celebrating its 56th year. The school empowers students in kindergarten through eighth grade with personalized learning that matches the academic, social and emotional profile of each child.

Students come to Peninsula Heritage School from communities throughout the South Bay and beyond, representing diversity in ethnicity, backgrounds and talents.

What is unique about Peninsula Heritage School?

“Research indicates that all students do not learn alike. With our small class sizes, our teachers can astutely assess each student’s aptitude for learning and devise an academic program based on the student’s learning profile, rather than their calendar age. One result might be a second grader taking math with the third grade or even

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

26944 Rolling Hills Road Rolling Hills Estates 310-541-4795 peninsulaheritage.org the fourth grade class, and a fifth grader taking an advanced English enrichment class at the sixth grade level. Since we know that academic aptitude and social-emotional development don’t always correlate, our students are right where they need to be socially—with their same-aged peers.”

Tell us about your students.

“Our gifted program attracts students who can easily advance in specific academic areas but readily benefit from the social/emotional growth offered in their age-appropriate classes. With the skills, intellectual curiosity and strength of character they develop during their kindergarten through eighth grade years, Peninsula Heritage graduates flourish in challenging high schools and beyond—confidently seizing opportunities for themselves. We also have international students who enrich all of our children’s understanding

of other cultures and practices. Most of all, our students are happy. Within this safe, positive environment, their capacity to learn soars!”

What do kids like most at Peninsula Heritage School? “‘Why do we have Saturdays?’ asked a kindergartner who knew that there is no school on the weekend. That’s because our students are excited to come to school in the morning and reluctant to leave in the afternoon. They have talented teachers who not only personalize the learning for each child but analyze each class’ dynamic and intentionally tailor the course content to the needs, interests and strengths of the group.

Our teachers are empowered to customize and innovate, so students readily engage and find real joy in learning!”

APRIL 2017, SOUTHBAY

137

This 6 bedroom estate in Rolling Hills features a pool, spa, soccer field, indoor racquetball court, outdoor paddle tennis court, full gym, guest quarters and more! All situated on 2.6 acres with stunning, panoramic views. $7,495,000

Chris Adlam 310.493.7216 www.chrisadlam.com

REAL ESTATE DEP | WHERE WE LIVE

OURSOUTHBAY.COM/REAL-ESTATE

Coastline Panorama Panoramic city lights and coastline views from this dramatic 2.6 acre estate in Rolling Hills. Over 12,000 square feet of living space... this home is an entertainer’s dream!!!

Visit www.chrisadlam.com for more information.

Listed by Chris Adlam Vista Sothebys International Realty 310/493-7216 See oppostie page for more information.

oursouthbay.com

APRIL 2017, SOUTHBAY

139

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885 N. DOUGLAS ST EL SEGUNDO, CA

Got Bitcoin?

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Justin Miller

310.619.9389

mrjustinmiller@gmail.com

BRE 01425870 200 S PCH, Redondo Beach

a luxury division of

1716 S Catalina Ave, Hollywood Riviera

431 Main Street, El Segundo

4 Must-See Listings

NEW LISTING!

CRAFTSMAN STYLE HERMOSA VALLEY HOME

COZY BEACH CONDO

548 21st ST

77 15TH STREET #9

4 Beds, 4 Baths, Approx. 3,600 Sq Ft (buyer to verify)

Built In 2007, 3 Car Garage, Rear Patio

Huge Living Room Open To Kitchen

1 Bed, 1 Bath w/ Steam Shower, Ocean Views, Balcony, Brand New Kitchen, Perfect For 2nd Home Or Great Investment That Would Demand High Rents! Steps Away From

Hermosa Beach Pier, Shops, Restaurants & More!

HERMOSA BEACH

HERMOSA BEACH

Asking $2,995,000

Asking $899,000

COMING SOON!

COMING SOON!

OCEAN FRONT ESTATES

LUXURY BLUFF HOME

11 CALLE VIENTO

5 1 7 PA S E O D E L A P L AYA

4 Beds, 3 Baths, Approx. 4,700 SF / Approx. 24,000 SF lot,

Ocean-Catalina Views, One Level w/ open Courtyard,

Like a Model Home, Pristine Condition Built in 2003,

Exquisite Pool & Jacuzzi

5 Beds, 4 Baths, Approx. 3,500 Sq Ft,

Completely Re-Built In 2012, Coastal Plantation Style,

Ocean Front: See, Smell And Hear The Whales,

Ships & Surf 24/7

Asking $4,399,000

Asking $5,999,000

R A N C H O PA L O S V E R D E S

REDONDO BEACH

Gary Elminoufi

310.292.0332

GaryElmo@gmail.com

BRE 01139207

a luxury division of

200 S PCH, Redondo Beach

1716 S Catalina Ave, Hollywood Riviera

431 Main Street, El Segundo

“Holly Exceeded Our Expectations…”

“Holly exceeded our expectations by selling our home in under 48 hours with multiple offers and setting a new record sale price in our area. I would definitely recommend Holly when buying or selling property in the South Bay – she gets it done right and keeps her clients’ best interests as her top priority.” ~ John, Redondo Beach

Holly Kauffman

310.345.0165

holly@perfectfamilyhomes.com

BRE 01425870 200 S PCH, Redondo Beach

1716 S Catalina Ave, Hollywood Riviera

a luxury division of

431 Main Street, El Segundo

WELCOME TO STRAND HILL Strand Hill Properties is a boutique firm comprised of “The Best of the Best” real estate professionals in the South Bay. With offices located in Manhattan Beach and Palos Verdes, our Strand Hill team includes some of the most highly respected and deeply dedicated real estate professionals, with a combined experience in real estate that is quite exemplary. Their vision and commitment to customer service are invaluable to the South Bay’s luxury property market. Collectively, we sold over $1 BILLION in residential real estate during 2016.

CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE Strand Hill is also an exclusive global affiliate of the Christie’s International Real Estate network.

Supported by the world’s premier art auction house, Christie’s International Real Estate represents a global network of more than 1,350 affiliate offices and 32,000 agents across more than 47 countries, offering exclusive home and luxury real estate services to buyers and sellers worldwide. The Christie’s brand is instantly recognizable to clients as a tailored, trusted service that has maintained a high standard of excellence for over 250 years.

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Drawing upon their success as one of the world’s oldest art auction houses, Christie’s International Real Estate has evolved into a global authority on the effective marketing of fine properties, providing insightful advisory support along with sensitivity and intelligence. Only the most accomplished real estate brokers at the top of their markets are invited to join the Christie’s network, which is why we proudly display and promote our exclusive Affiliate status.

The art of real estate

Serving the South Bay with an unprecedented combination of knowledge, expertise, reliability and passion….we invite you to experience for yourself “The art of real estate.”

STRAND HILL / CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE 1131 Morningside Drive, 2nd Floor Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 +1 310 545 0707

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

CAL BRE #01968431

info@strandhillproperties.com www.strandhillproperties.com

REPRESENTING PALOS VERDES’ FINEST HOMES & ESTATES FOR OVER 30 YEARS! O LI I NC FE N E TI A M E

2701 Via Elevado Palos Verdes Estates

W O ES CLA RL TA SS D TE

One of the largest estates ever in Malaga Cove with panoramic views of the Queen’s Necklace on approximately 4 acres with striking ocean, city and golf course views.

This home is approx. 10,000 sq. ft. with a sundrenched pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean. A truly private compound that is beyond compare. $26,680,000 www.KingoftheHill.me

999 Paseo la Cresta Palos Verdes Estates

R P ED R U IC C E TI O N

Mediterranean estate on nearly an acre with Panoramic Catalina, Ocean, Malibu to Santa Monica Mountains views! 6 en-suites + a separate maid’s quarters, formal living & dining, family room, fabulous gourmet kitchen, movie theater and wine cellar.

Resort-like backyard with a salt-water pool. $11,999,000 www.999PaseoLaCresta.com

12 San Miguel Rolling Hills Estates

Gated community of Vantage Pointe. 5 en-suites stretching over 4,500 sq. ft. on a lot about 20,000 sq. ft. Lovely views of Catalina Island and the Pacific Ocean. Huge family/media room opens to lush backyard.

A separate area for the beach style salt water pool/spa/waterfall. $3,498,000 www.12SanMiguel.com

HIGH-END LEASES

605 Paseo del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates

6 bdrms, 9 ba, 6,800+ sq ft, Lot size 33,000+ sq ft Lease only. $28,000/mo. www.lilyliang.com

LILY LIANG

2 Buggy Whip Dr., Rolling Hills

4 bdrm, 4 ba, 8,000 sq ft, Lot size approx. 2.4 acres $13,500/mo. www.lilyliang.com

Executive Vice President, Strand Hill Properties 550 Silver Spur Road, Suite 240, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 (310) 373-3333 | lily@lilyliang.com | www.lilyliang.com Cal BRE# 00837794

ManhattanPacificRealty.com ManhattanPacificRealty.com 310.379.1724 BRE:BRE: 01909107 310.379.1724 01909107

320 35th Street, Manhattan Beach New Listing Coming Spring 2017 New Construction

•

Two Town Homes

•

Ocean Views

RICHARD HAYNES

310.756.5588

•

richard@manhattanpacific.com

•

BRE: 01779425

Our neighborhood, your home.

RICK EDLER

310.872.4333 CalBRE# 01113145 rick.edler@vistasir.com

DARIN DERENZIS

310.418.6210 CalBRE# 01760239 darin.derenzis@vistasir.com

KITTY EDLER

310.283.8790 CalBRE# 00800837 kitty.edler@vistasir.com

www.edlerderenzis.com

2727 VIA MIGUEL | PALOS VERDES ESTATES | $3,099,000

85 LAUREL DRIVE | RANCHO PALOS VERDES | $5,599,000

3629 NAVAJO PLACE | PALOS VERDES ESTATES | $2,499,000

100 TERRANEA WAY #32-401 | RANCHO PALOS VERDES | $2,350,000

1315 VIA ZUMAYA | PALOS VERDES ESTATES | $1,998,000

LUXURY REAL ESTATE

Aspen, Barcelona, Beijing, Dubai, London, Miami, Mumbai, New York, Paris

48 COUNTRIES / 3,000+ OFFICES / 89,000+ SALES ASSOCIATES

Hermosa Beach, CA $2,495,000 Represented by: The Bucci Weber Team (310) 890-7167

For additional information contact your local Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office today.

COLDWELLBANKERPREVIEWS.COM

MANHATTAN BEACH METLOX PLAZA (310) 802-5700 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd.

Ste D220, Manhattan Beach

PALOS VERDES BEACH CITIES (310) 378-5201 68 Malaga Cove Plaza Palos Verdes Estates

©2017 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals.

FORBESCORRALES.COM C O A S TA L

P R O P E RT I E S

#1 Coldwell Banker Team in Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach 2014, 2015 and 2016

PURE CAPE COD

5BD . 5BA . “A” location . walking distance to Lunada Bay Elementary & Ocean View Bluffs . brand new construction | $2,999,999

Brand new Cape Cod style on Chelsea Road in prime Palos Verdes Estates situated on a wide lot with large backyard and ocean peeks. This area is one of the premiere spots in all of Southern California where many legendary stories have been spoken but not written down. The home has upgraded amenities including stainless professional grade appliances, dual AC, designer light fixtures, wide plank French Oak floors throughout, built in speakers inside and out, built-in outdoor kitchen and lots of outdoor living spaces.

L A U R E N C A L B R E

F O R B E S

0 1 2 9 5 2 4 8

call | text 310.901.8512 Lauren@ForbesCorrales.com

JOHN

CORRALES

C A L B R E

0 1 2 6 3 6 8 7

call | text 310.346.3332 John@ForbesCorrales.com

©2017 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International® and the Coldwell Banker Previews International Logo, are registered service marks owned

by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

205 16TH STREET OFFERED AT $6,999,999 MANHATTAN BEACH

1904 WALNUT AVE. OFFERED AT $2,899,000 MANHATTAN BEACH

CHAD HEITZLER FAHLBUSCH NW REAL ESTATE BROKERS DIRECT: 310.600.3555 EMAIL: CHAD@SOUTHBAYCHAD.COM WWW.SOUTHBAYCHAD.COM BRE#01346526

FisherRealEstate.com

RESI DENTI A L | I N V ESTM ENT RESI DENTIA L | IALWAYS N V ESTM ENT OUR CLIENTS' INTERESTS COME FIRST OUR CLIENTS' INTERESTS ALWAYS COME FIRST

“Charles is a tremendous advocate and respected voice when it comes to buying your home. He patiently explains the process, helps navigate potential pitfalls, and vigorously negotiates on your behalf when it comes down to price.”

–Tim & Nora Reynolds

“Charles is a tremendous advocate and respected voice when it comes to buying your home. He patiently explains the process, helps navigate potential pitfalls, and vigorously negotiates on your “I would recommend Charles to both friends and strangers, and am confident he would treat each behalf when comes down and to price.” & list Nora withitthe same respect work ethic he portrayed with us. If you are looking for an–Tim agent to or Reynolds help you find a house, look no further, because Charles Fisher is your guy!”

–Marshall & Lauren Clayton

“I would recommend Charles to both friends and strangers, and am confident he would treat each with the same respect and work ethic he portrayed with us. If you are looking for an agent to list or help you find a house, look no further, because Charles Fisher is your guy!”

–Marshall & Lauren Clayton

CHARLES FISHER 310-902-7214

Charles@FisherRealEstate.com 1401 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 BRE# 01731424

CHARLES FISHER 310-902-7214

Charles@FisherRealEstate.com 1401 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 BRE# 01731424

26922 Eastvale Road, Palos Verdes Peninsula Beautiful California Ranch home offers privacy and equestrian amenities. Sitting on more than half an acre of land this home has been recently remodeled with 3 beds, 2.5 baths, 2255 sq. ft. of living space. Includes a 3-stall barn, 2-stall wash rack, tack room and riding ring. $1,675,000

Gordon Inman 310.936.1979

The Inman Team Inmanteam.com

KeIth Kelley 310.944.5554

WHEN IT COMES TO JUMBO LOANS, NEW AMERICAN FUNDING HAS MORE TO OFFER. JUMBO PROGRAM FEATURES: • • • •

• Loans to $15 million • Bank statement loan in lieu of tax returns • Foreign nationals to 65% LTV

25% down to $5 million 15% down to $3 million 10% down to $1.5 million Self employed

• Up to 10 financed properties • Cross collateralization for down payment to lessen amount of cash needed to close

Manhattan Beach Branch 1230 Rosecrans Ave. #402 Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 844-247-6883

Coastal branches located throughout Southern California

Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. NMLS ID#6606. All products are not available in all states. All options are not available on all programs. All programs are subject to borrower and property qualifications. Rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. © New American Funding. New American and New American Funding are registered trademarks of Broker Solutions, DBA New American Funding. All Rights Reserved. Corporate Office (800) 450-2010. 4/2016

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

—Lao Tzu

Surround yourself in nature in this magnificent 1.25 acre retreat in the idyllic gated Portuguese Bend community.

This unique and charming 3 bedroom, 1-3/4 bath home is full of wonderful surprises!

The “Brookside Cottage” is a perfect art studio or hideaway. Tall ceilings, lots of windows and a loft-style bed make it a perfect place to get away from the world! Perched above the 2 car garage is a spacious loft with vaulted ceilings, skylights and pastoral views – a perfect home office, exercise space, or retreat.

If horses are your passion, the property is zoned for that as well, and the Portuguese Bend Riding club is conveniently located just up the street.

Set back from the road, this rustic home has so much to offer, from the beautiful surroundings and pastoral views, the privacy of a gated enclave, proximity to the magnificent pacific ocean…a place so peaceful and serene you’ll never want to leave!

3 Plumtree Rd, Rancho Palos Verdes $1,600,000 3 Plumtree.com

Karen Anderson 310-251-2883 karen@prestigeteamhomes.com

the | KONDO | GROUP

Have we met?

Your Luxury Real Estate Team Serving the South Bay and the surrounding communities since 2004. Our focus is to serve our buyers and sellers with honesty, integrity, and dedication as dependable partners.

Call 310.567.8790 for a free market analysis WWW.THEKONDOGROUP.COM | THEKONDOGROUP@GMAIL.COM Keller Williams Palos Verdes Realty . 550 Deep Valley Dr. Ste 359 . Rolling Hills Estates

CalBRE # 01438455

Queen’s Necklace View

ituated high among the prestigious hills of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, this quiet lot provides the rare opportunity to build a dream home with expansive views of the Pacific, South Bay Beaches, downtown Los Angeles, Palos Verdes Golf Course, and picture perfect Southern California Mountain Ranges.

In addition to the spectacular views, enjoy year-round idyllic temperatures, perfect for a swimming pool and tennis court. 721 Via La Cuesta is conveniently located near the Palos Verdes Golf Course, horse back riding, the beach and the newly remodeled Del Amo Shopping Center.

Beautiful Views

721 Via La Cuesta PALOS VERDES ESTATES Offered at $5,500,000

50,950 Square Feet*

Last Remaining 721 Via LaLot Cuesta * Buyer to verify

Janney Chou

Betty Lin Peterson

310.378.6008 (p) | 310.972.8078 (c)

310.266.0581 | bettylinpeterson@kw.com

BRE#00671317

BRE#01829462

.com COMING SOON!

Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated

POCKET LISTING!

1652 11TH ST | MANHATTAN BEACH

34 3RD ST | HERMOSA BEACH

BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION – 2017 COASTAL PLANTATION 5 beds | 5 baths | 3,500 SF/Huge 7,500 SF south-facing backyard, Light filled CALL FOR PRICING!

Stunning Cape Cod walkstreet duplex | 2 lots from the strand | 2,700 SF FRONT UNIT: 4 beds | 2 baths with ocean views - BACK UNIT: 2 beds | 1 bath Feels like new construction - Great for 1031 exchange/owner user CALL FOR PRICING!

IN ESCROW

IN ESCROW

FOR LEASE

1931 POWER ST HERMOSA BEACH

1506 GATES AVE MANHATTAN BEACH

142 MANHATTAN AVE HERMOSA BEACH

4 beds | 4 baths | 4,004 SF | 10,186 SF lot

5 beds | 6 baths | 4,654 SF

B3 beds | 3.5 baths | 2,053 SF

$4,799,000

$2,599,000

$5,800/month

WE KNOW THE MARKET. WE KNOW OUR CLIENTS. Luxury property specialists with a refined understanding of the South Bay. We represent both buyers and sellers in residential transactions, structure savvy property investments, and coordinate distinctive construction projects.

JIM VAN ZANTEN 310.466.1004

WALT SPADONE 310.345.7350

CO-CEO, BROKER, CAL BRE #00544011

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER, REALTOR®, CALBRE #0143434

ROB DEPAOLI 310.896.5343 REALTOR®, CAL BRE #01918925

OMEGA VALENTE 323.612.7403 REALTOR®, CALBRE #07998742

VZG@VISTASIR.COM | THEVANZANTENGROUP.COM

THIS IS NEITHER AN OFFER TO SELL, NOR A SOLICITATION OF OFFERS TO BUY ANY CONDOMINIUM UNITS WHERE SUCH OFFERS OR SOLICITATIONS CANNOT BE MADE. PLANS, MATERIALS, SPECIFICATIONS, AMENITIES, PRICING AND INVENTORY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. THE AGENCY NEW DEVELOPMENT CA RE 01973483

THREE RESIDENCES REMAIN Only three homes remain available within this exquisitely private enclave located steps from the sand and sea in Malibu’s famed Billionaire’s Beach.

Each offers sweeping ocean views, sleek, open-concept design, soaring 11-foot ceilings and a plush, expansive rooftop terrace with fireplace and jacuzzi — the ultimate setting for seaside lounging, dining and entertaining.

Starting at $3,695,000

3 Bed | 3.5 Bath | 4,996 – 5,415 Approx. Total Sq. Ft. 310.698.7889 | Carbon-Beach.com 22065 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, MALIBU, CALIFORNIA 90265

SOCAL H O L D I N G S

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

Leaving Too Soon The essay contest winner for Cancer Support Community Redondo Beach shares how cancer affected her young life, and why she must journey on.

Written by Rebecca Nolan

L

ife is different now; life has changed. I can’t tell for better or worse, but all I know is that everything happens for a reason. My life is unique; it’s special. Full of mistakes and opportunities. Full of many “sorrys” and only a few “goodbyes.”

When my mom finally told me she had cancer, I was in disbelief. I didn’t know how much harm it could do at the moment. I sat there staring at my parents from the back seat of the car. Dumbfounded by the words that didn’t seem to be true. We continued on our same routine. Little did I know it was all about to change.

Days went on with no results, only wishing things would get better. Person after person tried to make her better, but it was of no use. We had religious people, doctors, nurses, remedies. Nothing happened.

Soon my mom was too weak to take me to school. My brother, Joshua, started picking me up because my mom couldn’t. I would always ask him, “Why can’t my mom pick me up?” He said, “She doesn’t feel well.”

We kept thinking she was going to get better. My mom had been doing chemotherapy to try to kill the cancer, but it wasn’t working. We heard it was like poison in her body.

Her immune system got weaker and weaker.

She started to lose her hair, so she decided to cut it necklength. My brother and I both trimmed her hair.

Just when we thought the tumor was getting smaller and going away, we found out it had spread from her thymus gland to her liver. The tumor was the size of a baseball, wrapped around her heart. That is why they couldn’t do surgery to remove it.

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SOUTHBAY, APRIL 2017

The cancer made her feet numb and swollen and made her eyes have yellow bubbles. Finally, it spread to her brain.

The day before she died, I wanted to go shopping because I really didn’t like the hospital. So I left the hospital, and on that day I never saw my mom again.

There are always those what-ifs. What if I stayed the last day of her life? What if I slept at the hospital with my aunt next to my mom? What if I got to say goodbye?

This experience has taught me to treasure the ones I love the most because you only have today. Losing my mom was like losing a big piece of my heart. I always wonder what life would be like if she was here. How it would be different, how I would be different.

My mom was everything to me. She encouraged me, was always proud of me and always stuck to my side no matter what the circumstances. We had our secrets that have died with my mom, which no one knows.

I don’t have my childhood anymore. I’ve lost it and can’t get it back because I am so used to this new life that was forced on me. I have taken on this role as my own mentor, my own helper, my own believer and fighter.

My dad and I have had to take on this challenge, sometimes with each other, sometimes against. It’s been a rough road for us both because now my dad has to be the mother and father of the family. My dad does some of the things my mom does, but he can never replace her.

I think God wanted my dad and I to get along better. As our life carries on, my dad and I have built a life together that works for both of us. Together my dad and I take on the world with my mom always with us in our hearts. 

oursouthbay.com

FIVE YEARS FIGHTING JOIN THE FIGHT

SUNDAY, MAY 21

TOURdePIER.COM

Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance Achieves Highest National Honor for

Nursing Excellence

Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance is proud to have achieved Magnet status, the “gold standard” of nursing excellence.

The Magnet Recognition Program® recognizes healthcare organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice — a prestigious award that represents our commitment to providing excellent care with compassion to the community we serve.

And we’re happy to share this honor with all of you.

To find out more, visit us online at providence.org/torrance or call us at 888-HEALING (432-5464).

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