Southbay Health II 2020

SOUTHBAY.GOLDENSTATE.IS

DISPLAY UNTIL APRIL 2021

Expert cancer care

TORRANCE MEMORIAL AND CEDARS-SINAI’S AFFILIATION BRINGS MORE EXPERT CANCER CARE TO THE SOUTH BAY. More access to Cedars-Sinai oncology specialists and programs located within Torrance Memorial. More patient benefits from innovative cancer research to clinical trials. More expert care for our patients and the South Bay. Learn more at MoreCancerExperts.org

just got more experts

Left to right: Melanie Friedlander, MD, Paula Eboli, MD, David Chan, MD, Amirhossein Paymon Mahfoozi, MD

Only the best to get you better. beach cities orthopedics & sports medicine

Focusing on the whole body, we offer specialized treatments to promote strong recovery and maintain optimal health.

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Pediatric Orthopedics • Full Service Orthopedics • Massage 3D MRI Imaging Stem Cell Therapy/PRP • IV Hydration • Acupuncture Cold Laser Therapy Chiropractic • Integrative Primary Care • Naturopathic Medicine Open Saturdays: Orthopedic Urgent Care

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GROOMING

OZONE THERAPY

BOARDING

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NUTRITION

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IT TAKES A TEAM TO REALIZE DREAMS, ACCOMPLISH GOALS, AND SECURE THE FUTURE. FULL FINANCIAL SERVICES IN A MULTIFAMILY OFFICE Running Point is a team of financial specialists led by veteran South Bay financial advisor Jim Schlager. We offer a holistic approach, serving families and family businesses with a complete suite of services, including wealth management, tax preparation, financial planning, business management, accounting, estate planning and trusts—all under one roof.

IN V E S TME NT & A S S E T M A N AG E ME NT TA X PRE PA R ATION & CONSULTING

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F IN A N C I A L PL A NNING

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V IR TUA L OFFICE

R U N N I N G P O I N T C A P I TA L . C O M 101 N o r t h P a c i fi c C o a s t H w y, S u i t e 3 0 5 E l S egundo, CA 9 024 5 team@runningpointc apit al.com 424 -5 02-35 0 0 D i s c l o s u r e: T h e o p i n i o n s e x p r e s s e d h e r e i n a r e t h o s e o f R u n n i n g P o i n t C a p i t a l A d v i s o r s , L L C (“ R u n n i n g P o i n t ”) a n d a r e s u b j e c t t o c h a n g e w i t h o u t n o t i c e. R u n n i n g P o i n t r e s e r v e s t h e r i g h t t o m o d i f y i t s c u r r e n t i n v e s t m e n t s t r a t e g i e s a n d t e c h n i q u e s b a s e d o n c h a n g i n g m a r k e t d y n a m i c s o r c l i e n t n e e d s. T h i s s h o u l d n o t b e c o n s i d e r e d i n v e s t m e n t a d v i c e o r a n o ff e r t o s e l l a ny p ro d u c t . R u n n i n g Po i n t i s a n i n d e p e n d e n t i n v e s t m e n t a d v i s e r r e g i s t e r e d u n d e r t h e I n v e s t m e n t A d v i s e r s A c t o f 19 4 0, a s a m e n d e d. R e g i s t r a t i o n d o e s n o t i m p l y a c e r t a i n l e v e l o f s k i l l o r t r a i n i n g. M o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t R u n n i n g P o i n t , i n c l u d i n g o u r i n v e s t m e n t s t r a t e g i e s , f e e s a n d o b j e c t i v e s c a n b e f o u n d i n o u r A D V P a r t 2, w h i c h i s a v a i l a b l e u p o n r e q u e s t . R P-2 0 - 3 6

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

PUBLISHER

Darren Elms

Amy Tetherow 424-220-6338 | amy@goldenstate.is

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Michelle Villas

ADVERTISING Director of Brand Partnerships

COPY EDITOR

Jen Turquand

Laura Watts

424-220-6335 | jen@goldenstate.is

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Director of Brand Partnerships

Nikki Smith

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

DEPUTY EDITORS

A Moment’s Peace

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t’s more important than ever to pay attention to our mental health. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the physical and neglect the psychological core that keeps us focused and alert. If it hasn’t already been a stressful year, the added impact of the holidays can cause many to reach the outer limits of anxiousness and imbalance. Take time to breathe and be grateful for what’s already in front of you. We may not be able to control some of what goes on around us—especially now—but we do have control over how we choose to react to it.

In a season of giving to others, make sure to reserve moments to give back to yourself. This can come in the form of a long daily walk, the occasional technology detox or quiet time to just reflect and reboot. My hope is that we all emerge from 2020 stronger and more resilient. We wish you all a happy and safe holiday season and look forward to more HEALTH in 2021.

Bonnie Graves (Food & Wine),

Director of Brand Partnerships

Kara Mickelson, Tanya Monaghan,

Erika Carrion

Jennie Nunn

310-897-2424 | erika@goldenstate.is

WRITERS & CONTRIBUTORS Diane E. Barber, Michele Garber, CaroleAnne Hardy, Kat Monk, Quinn Roberts, Yuiko Sugino PHOTOGRAPHERS Jeff Berting, Siri Berting, JP Cordero, Kat Monk, McCool Photos, Shane O’Donnell

SOUTHBAY IS A DIVISION OF THE GOLDEN STATE COMPANY

MANAGING PARTNERS Charlie Koones

Todd Klawin

MARKETING & OPERATIONS Partner/Brand Publisher | Emily Stewart

—Darren Elms, Editor

Partner/Managing Director, Media & Analytics | Warren Schaff er Director of Digital | Charles Simmons Director of Film & Video | Bryce Lowe-White Operations Director | Allison Jeackjuntra Community Manager | Liesl Breuner Accounting | Janet De La Cruz, Ljay Farris, Margy Way To learn more about us, visit thegoldenstatecompany.com.

No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from The Golden State Company, LLC. Any and all submissions to this or any of The Golden State Company, LLC publications become the property of The Golden State Company, LLC and may be used in any media. We reserve the right to edit.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Email: info@goldenstate.is or phone: 310-376-7800.

Subscriptions are $29 per year.

TO OUR READERS Southbay HEALTH welcomes your feedback.

Please send letters to: Reader Response Department, Southbay HEALTH Please include your name, address and email. Edited letters may be published.

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200 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 110, El Segundo, CA 90245 Tel 310-376-7800 | Fax 310-376-0200 | goldenstate.is | southbay.goldenstate.is SOUTHBAY HEALTH II 2020

inside 12

PEAK PERFORMANCE Ryan Lauderdale

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IT’S ALL GOOD Thomas Byrne

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BODY TALK Kamila Tan

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STAYING ON COURSE Keith Hinkley

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BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO Perks of a divorce coach

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RESCUE & RECOVERY Kanon Koontz

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JUMP FOR JOY Sharlena Sarmast

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MEDIA A year for the books

ALSO HEALTH CARE RESOURCE GUIDE 54 The South Bay’s top health care professionals & wellness leaders

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COVER OF RYAN LAUDERDALE PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF BERTING

ORTHOPAEDIC URGENT CARE WALK-INS WELCOME Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

See one of our expert musculoskeletal specialists and receive the care you need in a safe, clean and open environment. We offer sanitized exam and waiting rooms, open spaces for physical distancing and proper protective equipment for staff and patients.

(310) 879-5317 KeckMedicine.org/sportsinjury ©2020 Keck Medicine of USC

Peak

Performance EL SEGUNDO TRAINER RYAN LAUDERDALE TURNS HIS DIVERSE ATHLETIC BACKGROUND INTO A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY FOR A BUDDING PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY PLAYER. WRITTEN BY QUINN ROBERTS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF BERTING

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rowing up in Carson, Ryan Lauderdale was a three-sport athlete in football, track and field, and basketball. He especially loved football and went on to play wide receiver at San Jose State University. Little did he know that in the years to come, he’d become one of the best trainers of hockey players in the South Bay. Before his journey into the hockey world, Ryan worked at Velocity Sports Performance in Redondo Beach and became a Nike master trainer. When he left the sports world for a chunk of time and worked at Equinox, Ryan came to a realization: “I understood how much I missed being around sports and training athletes. I couldn’t stay away from it any longer.”

In a conversation with a client who was a hockey coach, he talked about the Los Angeles Jr. Kings and the potential of training teenage athletes who down the road could make it to the next level. That’s when he met NHL agent Pat Brisson, whose son Brendan was on the team. He began training Brendan soon after that meeting.

To make sure he was focusing on the right type of training program, Ryan went to as many games as possible and started understanding the nuances of the game better. He realized what he needed to do to get players to that next level.

“In the beginning, it wasn’t easy. It was one of those things where you question your decision,” Ryan says. “I was deciding to become a football guy in a hockey world. I constantly had to prove myself, but once I started to get results, things changed.”

As the founder of Rypen Fitness in El Segundo, Ryan has a mantra: Develop.

Evolve. Thrive. That way of thinking has never been truer than with his training of Brendan.

When Ryan began training Brendan at 14 years old, he knew it was a game changer.

He had to prove that the hard work he’d put in would help Brendan improve in all aspects of the game. During training, Ryan focused heavily on improving Brendan’s lateral power, along with his foot and ankle stability. Because of his age, Ryan also made sure to create a weight training program to build muscle.

“Since Ryan began training me, I’ve never

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had a major injury. That makes a huge difference and was something that a lot of my teammates noticed,” Brendan says. “They were always asking about Ryan and really respect him.”

Brendan said he noticed something different about Ryan right away. He made training sessions fun and was completely invested in what needed to be accomplished. While the two may not have been thinking about the NHL five years ago, things started to take shape a few years ago when Brendan took more control of his training, nutrition and recovery.

In 45 games with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, the country’s top junior league, he had 59 points. He was second in the USHL in points last season and eighth with 24 goals.

Knowing all the time and energy they had spent together over the last five years, Brendan’s family made sure Ryan was with them the night of the 2020 NHL draft. Brendan’s dream came true on October 9 when he was drafted in the first round—29th overall— by the Vegas Golden Knights, based in Las Vegas. It was especially exciting for Brendan since he grew up in Manhattan Beach and will get to play close to home.

“Playing in the NHL had always been a dream of mine, and when I found out, I couldn’t believe it,” Brendan says. “I had a smile on my face the entire night.”

Vegas Golden Knights’ general manager Kelly McCrimmon told the Las Vegas Sun newspaper that the team is excited about Brendan’s trajectory and is confident that he has a high ceiling. One of the biggest joys for both Ryan and Brendon is knowing the impact this kind of success could have on the South Bay sports community. Brendan was only one of two Americans chosen in the first round of this year’s draft.

“Everything is connected,” Ryan says. “If we can bring attention to the sport due to a local athlete like Brendan finding success, that would be great.”

While Ryan will no longer be next to him every step of the way, Brendan still plans to train with him over the summers. Brendan looks at Ryan like a big brother, and they have brought out the best in each other.

“His success is my success,” Ryan says. “I believe in hockey and want it to grow in the South Bay and throughout the country. Who would have guessed that two South Bay kids would be the ones representing California hockey in the 2020 draft?” ■

Brendan Brisson will play for the University of Michigan in the 2020-2021 hockey season.

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body TalkÂ

HAVING STRUGGLED WITH BULIMIA NERVOSA IN COLLEGE, KAMILA TAN NOW HELPS OTHERS ERASE THE STIGMA OF AN UNHEALTHY BODY IMAGE. WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAT MONK

“A

s my heart started to beat slower and slower, I felt it skipping beats and my body slipping into severe panic attacks,” shares Kamila Tan, a Hermosa Beach professional beach volleyball player.

“In the middle of the night I would wake up drenched in sweat, feeling my heart beating far too slowly—and that’s when I felt I was close to death.”

Kamila suffers from bulimia nervosa. As a defense mechanism, when the body is not adequately nourished, the heart rate slows down.

“I felt the need to conform to societal and athletic beauty standards. I needed to be ripped, lean and fit into a mold to be loved, accepted and successful,” says Kamila. With more than two years of treatment and counseling, she now knows that her relationship with her body is life-or-death.

Weight is a societal obsession prevalent in all facets of our lives. Daily messages are riddled with covert and overt, implicit and explicit biases that result in compensatory behaviors to control our body image. Living in an athletic, health-conscious beach community can intensify body image disorders for some.

Over time, compensatory behaviors such as not eating, binging, purging, restrictive eating, omitting foods, only eating clean foods and/or over-exercising can become associated with serious medical complications and psychosocial impairments. Haily Humphrey, Kamila’s post-treatment counselor at UC San Diego’s Eating Disorders Center, explains that overly restricting foods and over-exercise have become increasingly common as well as socially accepted.

Often these types of behaviors are seen as a status symbol.

Kamila transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles, to play beach volleyball. As she slipped into restrictive eating, she received more and more compliments on her body weight. Tori Adams, her UCLA roommate and best friend, explains that Kamila was “outwardly confident and bubbly.”

It is not uncommon for friends and families to be unaware that someone is suffering from an eating disorder. Their tortured

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“Everyone should prioritize their internal physical health instead of their external physical appearance.

We are human. We are meant to live fully. We are not meant to be caged in obsession over food, exercise or unrealistic body standards.”

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relationship with food and body image is mixed with shame and guilt, adding to more conflicting behaviors.

As a child, Kamila suffered social anxiety and difficulty communicating with her peers. She turned to binging near the end of high school and increased the behavior in her early college years. Gradually she moved toward more restrictive eating and excessive exercise later in college.

Kamila has always felt that her body didn’t look like all the other girls. Beauty standards portrayed in the media showcase a thin body, and she took the message that a slimmer body is a healthier body. As an athlete, however, a healthy body is a healthy body—not just a thin body. Consequently, looking in the mirror became increasingly impossible for Kamila.

“When I was playing volleyball, it felt like a lot of effort for my heart to beat faster,” she remembers. “At work, I would get dizzy at random moments.”

Ready to seek treatment, she first reached out to her mom. “I knew I couldn’t do it by myself. In the next week, I was hospitalized and my heart was monitored 24-7.”

Initially hospitalized with anorexia nervosa, she soon identified as bulimia nervosa after a critical look at her compensatory behaviors over time.

Now with a master’s degree in public health from UCLA, Kamila is dedicated to helping others find ways to accept their bodies. Recovery taught her important coping skills she hopes will serve others. As a public speaker, she advocates for mental health and wellness.

“Everyone should prioritize their internal physical health instead of their external physical appearance,” she says. “We are human. We are meant to live fully. We are not meant to be caged in obsession over food, exercise or unrealistic body standards.

Life is too short.” ■

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SOUTHBAY HEALTH II 2020

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Breaking Up is Hard to Do WITH THE HELP OF A DIVORCE COACH, YOUR IMPENDING SPLIT COULD BE MORE EFFICIENT AND A LOT LESS EXPENSIVE. WRITTEN BY KAT MONK | ILLUSTRATED BY YUIKO SUGINO

“I want a divorce; I’m calling an attorney.”

Approximately 50% of marriages end up in divorce, creating a $28 billion industry every year. But before you spend $5,000 on a retainer fee, consider a new option available to fraught couples: a divorce coach.

Manhattan Beach’s Jackie Miller helps clients figure out if divorce is their best option.

“The divorce coach is like a sports psychologist—they grease the wheels of the process,” says Ann Grant, author of The Divorce Hacker’s Guide to Untying the Knot and a family law attorney. “It is a game changer because someone like Jackie can help their client treat the divorce like the dissolution of a business partnership. And that results in better decisions and less money spent on attorneys—which at the end of the day leads to happy clients.”

Emotions can easily get the better of any of us, similar to a train heading right toward you. Nonetheless, you can step out of the train’s way or choose to get smacked head-on. Do you want to pay your attorney $500 an hour to unload all the negative exchanges you have had with your ex? If so, it will cost you dearly, and in truth, the attorney just wants to get to the legal facts of the matter. Jackie helps couples avoid the train.

Contested divorces in the South Bay cost both parties combined as much as

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“The longer you go down the road of telling your negative story, that road becomes a superhighway.” $300,000. Attorneys bill their clients by billable hours. At $500 an hour, that will cost you $125 for a quick phone call or an email.

With the help of a divorce coach, you can keep that bill lower—making the process more efficient due to less unnecessary contact with the attorney.

At its core, divorce is a legal business transaction. Jackie advises her clients on the three options of divorces: mediation, collaboration and litigation. Mediation, the least expensive, brings in a neutral mediator to listen to all the facts from both parties and offer advice. With collaboration, both parties hire an attorney and attempt to hash out the terms of the separation. Litigation, the most expensive route, occurs when the parties are unable to reach an agreement. Thus the futures of both parties are in the hands and will of a judge.

Jackie’s mission is to avoid the litigation

route, reinforcing a positive approach and offering her clients necessary emotional support. Jackie often assists her clients with hiring the right attorney—a crucial piece of the divorce puzzle. She says knowing the questions to ask your prospective attorney is crucial. If your attorney tells you everything you want to hear in the beginning and then you become dissatisfied with their services halfway through your divorce, it is extremely expensive to switch attorneys.

Anticipating the potholes makes it easier when you step in them. “The longer you go down the road of telling your negative story, that road becomes a superhighway,” shares Jackie. “California is a no-fault state.

Having a plan in place and focusing on the future is going to help you make the process efficient. The court system is anything but efficient, so any attempt to avoid litigation is better.” ■

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Kanon with Joe Salcido

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Rescue &

re cover y

A HEROIC EFFORT AND SOME QUICK THINKING HELPED KANON KOONTZ SURVIVE A POTENTIALLY DEADLY SURFING ACCIDENT. WRITTEN BY CAROLEANNE HARDY | PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL

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I

n January 2019, Lesli Koontz was where she spent most of her time: an hour from home in her office at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. She rarely minded what many would consider a brutal grind. She would wake up at the crack of dawn, jump on the 405 before the worst of rush hour and then dive into a long day at the office.

On most days, she would head north again after rush hour. During baseball season, her workdays could stretch to 15 hours. But identifying and building exciting partnerships for the Angels Baseball organization—like the wildly successful campaign for Gungho Online that featured Japanese two-way player Shohei Ohtani—was energizing and creative.

She loved the job, her colleagues and the excitement of working for the Angels. It was a dream career.

But one day changed everything. Just before 11 a.m. on a rainy January morning, an old friend—who was near Angel Stadium for a business meeting—texted Lesli to see if she could slip away from her desk for a quick coffee and a chat. But just minutes after the two women sat down together, Lesli’s cell phone rang. It was a neighbor—nothing urgent, she assumed.

So she tucked her phone away, making a mental note to return the call when she was back in her office. A minute later, her phone rang again. And again. When she finally decided she’d better answer, what she heard on the other end was the start of a nightmare.

Her neighbor told her there had been a bad surfing accident at Torrance Beach, just blocks from Lesli’s home in South Redondo.

“No one is sure, but it might be Kanon. You need to get to Torrance Memorial right away.”

Kanon, Lesli’s husband, was home when she left for work that morning. He was scheduled to fly to San Francisco for meetings but texted to let her know there had been a flight change and that he planned to do what he always did whenever he could find an extra hour or two: head out for a quick surf.

Lesli panicked. Thankfully, her girlfriend was there to help. With her friend at the wheel, the two headed north from Anaheim, navigating the midday freeway traffic. The 40-mile drive to Torrance was agony.

As they passed Long Beach, her phone rang again. It was the hospital saying they

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“WHEN WE FINALLY MET FACE-TO-FACE, I WAS OVERWHELMED. HERE WAS THIS STRANGER WHO LITERALLY RISKED HIS OWN LIFE TO SAVE MINE. THERE WERE NO WORDS TO EXPRESS HOW MUCH HIS ACTIONS MEANT TO ME— AND TO MY FAMILY. HE IS MY LOCAL HERO.”

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had a “John Doe” that they believed was her husband. Then came the call from the ER doctor: “If we lose him, do you want us to resuscitate?”

It took days to learn the whole story.

It had been a rainy day, and Kanon had headed into the water at Torrance Beach just in front of Perry’s Café. A group of local surfers noticed he was catching some good storm waves, but when they headed over to check it out, they couldn’t see Kanon—just his board floating in the surf. After alerting the lifeguard, they all rushed in to help.

Because of the rough surf, it took the lifeguard plus the help of three surfers to get Kanon onto the rescue board and then back to shore where rescue vehicles were waiting.

They cut off his wetsuit, pumped two liters of water from his lungs (more than they’d ever seen at a rescue) and rushed him to Torrance Memorial Medical Center, where he was nonresponsive.

The diagnosis: two brain bleeds resulting from the lack of oxygen while he was underwater. The prognosis was grim. At this point, the decision was made to bring their older son home from college, and Kanon’s and Lesli’s families flew in from out of state.

Twenty-four hours later, Kanon was still in the ICU and on a ventilator. He hadn’t moved at all. Distraught, Lesli stayed at his side the entire time, leaving the room only to use the bathroom while friends and family stood watch.

On day two he was taken off the ventilator and began to breathe on his own. Then, as Lesli was rubbing his feet, she felt one foot suddenly go ice cold. With prodding from Lesli and Kanon’s mom, a nurse herself, the doctors discovered that Kanon had developed blood clots in his leg. That came with a new challenge.

During a battle with colon cancer more than a decade earlier, Kanon had gone into cardiac arrest when he’d been injected with the dye used for a CAT scan. Had he remained a “John Doe,” the blockage may not have been discovered. And even if it had, a traditional CAT scan may have killed him.

By being at his side and acting as his health care advocate every step of the way, Lesli helped save Kanon’s life.

Just five days after the accident, Kanon was released from the hospital and went home, with his family at his side. Three weeks later he was back at work—remotely— and six months later he was back at the beach … and back on his surfboard.

Kanon’s recovery was considered a

miracle, and support for him, Lesli and their boys poured in from the most unexpected places. The ER doctors who were amazed by his recovery came to congratulate him. Pastors and ministers from different churches and faiths came to pray over him.

Friends, friends of friends and complete strangers brought the family meals. The firefighters who rescued him took up a collection to replace the wetsuit they had cut from his body—and even came by the house for a special visit. And the surfers who identified him—some who had known him by sight but not by name—visited him in the hospital.

For Kanon, connecting again with Joe Salcido—the surfer who swam him to shore that day—was particularly meaningful.

“When we finally met face-to-face, I was overwhelmed,” he remembers. “Here was

this stranger who literally risked his own life to save mine. There were no words to express how much his actions meant to me—and to my family. He is my local hero.”

It was the actions and strength of the community that made Lesli realize that the place she needed and wanted to be every day was right here, close to her family. She also wanted to be an active participant in the community that stood by her family’s side. That realization became the launching point for Lesli’s decision to make a major career change.

Things that once seemed so important to her suddenly seemed trivial. What mattered most of all was being close to her own family and sharing her love of our community with others—a place that still feels like a small town, where everyday people are willing to take heroic action to come to the res-

cue of their neighbors. For Lesli and Kanon, it was clear that this sense of community is what makes the South Bay so special.

Last December, 11 months after Kanon’s accident, Lesli joined Vista Sotheby’s in Malaga Cove and began her new career as a Realtor. Though the pandemic slowed her career transition, she is happy to have a new job to love—working from an office just minutes from her front door.

“Life is not guaranteed,” she says. “This is my happy place, and I want to help others find their own happy place. What greater gift is there than that? I’m able to be here for my family, and I’m able to help other families make their dreams come true in this truly special place. This is home. There’s no place I’d rather be.” ■

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PALOS VERDES EQUESTRIAN SHARLENA SARMAST BALANCES HEALTH AND STRESS IN A COMPETITIVE MILIEU. WRITTEN BY DIANE E. BARBER

PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL & MCCOOL PHOTOS

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harlena Sarmast was 9 years old when her parents imported a Hanoverian show jumping horse from Germany for her mother, Karen, who rekindled her childhood passion for riding. Not long after the new family member settled in at the stables in Palos Verdes, young Sharlena exclaimed, “I want to do that!” She pulled on a pair of riding boots and was on her way to discovering her calling.

“At first when I watched my mom training with Blue and I saw other kids riding, I felt scared because I had a bad experience on a trail ride when I was 7,” recalls Sharlena. “I fell off, and the horse stepped on my back. I did not think I would ever ride again after that.”

Curiosity soon overrode fear as she reveled in her mom’s horse-loving joy. Karen saw the light in her daughter’s eyes and bought her a mini horse as a pet to encourage her to spend time at the barn, which led to Sharlena taking riding lessons. She started slowly with ponies and, after building confidence, moved on to full-size horses under the expert tutelage of local horse trainer and instructor Alden Giacopuzzi.

Sharlena competed for the first time at a small, local show with a lesson horse at Ernie Howlett Park in Rolling Hills Estates in 2016. She rode basic equitation and was delighted to place fifth in her class. More shows followed with various lesson horses as she diligently worked her way from flat groundwork to jumping.

After she experienced the thrill of “flying” with horses, there was no looking back as she moved on to bigger U.S. Equestrian Foundation (USEF) events. Two years after Blue’s arrival, she competed with him for the first time in 2018 at an event in San Juan Capistrano and brought home her first show jumping blue ribbon.

“Sharlena is dedicated, passionate and has a really good eye for distances,” shares Alden. “The hardest part is to decide where you take off from for a jump. It is a real science, and you must be in the right place.”

After many successful competitions throughout Southern California, Blue is now enjoying retirement. Sharlena’s current partner is Caretani—a Holsteiner that the family also imported from Germany. Both horses were relocated to Canyon Country in Santa Clarita. Their new home is at facilities wellsuited for very large horses, with open fields and beach access to balance the rigors of training and showing.

Sharlena’s family is so supportive of her

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passion that they bought a second home near their horses and her current trainer, Mike Hebert. “Sharlena has many strengths, but the one that stands out the most is how tough she is. She’s not one to flinch even the slightest if you throw a challenge at her. She also genuinely loves horses. Kids who truly love the sport and the animals are the ones who make it … and that is Sharlena,” says Mike.

Sharlena currently competes in the USEF A-circuit junior amateur division (ages 12 to 18) and in open classes with adults who are jumping at the same level, while she strives to become a professional rider. Classes average 30 to 50 people the first day, and after eliminations there are typically 20 to 30 competitors the remaining days. A typical jumping course takes two to three minutes

to complete unless there is a jump-off competition, which can be five minutes.

Like many athletes, regardless of their accomplishments, Sharlena is anxious when she competes. “I am super nervous every time,” she says. “I like to stay at a hotel close by the night before, because if we drive straight to the show from home, I have a lot more anxiety. Aloe vera juice and breathing exercises help calm me down.”

When Sharlena arrives at the show grounds, she prefers to be alone to mentally prepare—except when she walks the course with Mike while she wears her lucky boots.

“We talk about what to do when I enter the course. We count steps, discuss how to approach the jumps, make the turns and what to do when we finish.”

When asked what her favorite show has

been, she says, “It was the last show with Caretani in San Juan Capistrano before school started this year. I really enjoyed it!

Our rounds were clear and solid. He was very relaxed, so I wasn’t as nervous as I usually am.”

To help her stay fit when not training and competing, Sharlena works out with weights at home, does extensive stretching exercises and takes her Great Dane, Tyson, on long walks. With her sights set on next year’s show season and a future with horses, Sharlena watches countless videos of show competitions (hers and those of others) and studies professional riders for inspiration.

“I imagine taking this forward to a professional level,” she shares. “This is more much than just a hobby to me. I will always have horses in my life.” ■

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A Year for the Books MAINTAINING OUR PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING HAS NEVER BEEN MORE ESSENTIAL. HERE ARE A FEW INSPIRING READS TO HELP US FIND BALANCE, COMFORT AND JOY. WRITTEN & EDITED BY MICHELE GARBER

The Wellness Remodel: A Guide to Rebooting How You Eat, Move, and Feed Your Soul

By Christina Anstead & Cara Clark Designer and television personality Christina Anstead and nutritionist Cara Clark believe that creating balance in mind, body and spirit is the key to wellness.

When the two first met, Anstead had been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, was struggling with infertility and had recently endured a highly public divorce.

With Clark’s guidance, Anstead learned to prioritize her physical and mental self-care and reestablish balance. Divided into three parts—Gut Rehab (food and nutrition), Building a Strong Foundation (exercise) and The Rewire (mindfulness)—The Wellness Remodel offers simple strategies, accessible and beautifully photographed recipes and informative, inspiring guidance to achieving full-body wellness.

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True Comfort: More Than 100 Cozy Recipes Free of Gluten and Refined Sugar

By Kristin Cavallari

The Blue Zones of Happiness: Lessons From the World’s Happiest People

By Dan Buettner

Designer and reality TV star Kristin Cavallari has fond memories of growing up in her Italian-American family eating casseroles, pasta and countless sweets.

She wistfully recalls making fried dough with her grandmother, meatballs with her dad and stuffing with her mom. She also recalls often feeling lethargic and irritable.

In her 20s Cavallari discovered she has food sensitivities to cow’s milk and gluten.

Unwilling to forego her favorite foods, the busy mother of three found ways to swap ingredients and still make delicious meals for her family. She shared these recipes with readers in her best-selling book True Roots. Building on its success and addressing the countless requests she’s received from fans and readers, her second cookbook, True Comfort, includes comfort food recipes from sweet potato toast to braised short ribs, chicken pot pie and dark chocolate peppermint silk pie. As we approach winter, what could be better than enjoying comfort foods that are also healthy. Bon appétit.

From his groundbreaking 2015 National Geographic cover story “Secrets of Living Longer” to founding Blue Zones (an organization that helps people live longer, happier lives) to authoring his Blue Zone series of best-selling books, Dan Buettner is dedicated to revealing the mysteries of the world’s longest-living, healthiest and happiest populations. In The Blue Zones of Happiness, Buettner shares stories of the world’s happiest people—from Denmark to Costa Rica to Singapore. He explains the three strands of happiness—pleasure, purpose and pride—shared by people of the globe’s happiest places. His book includes a test for readers to pinpoint areas in their own life where they may be able to cultivate deeper joy. He offers science-based strategies for creating a “life radius” and developing healthy and enduring happiness-boosting habits.

HOW TO INVEST WITH NO RISK IN A PANDEMIC INVEST IN YOUR HEALTH KATHLEEN ADAMS, CFP® CPWA® | David Swift CIMA® We build investing in your health into our planning so you have the freedom to take advantage of the most cutting edge tools, resources and specialists.

5 THINGS YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW:

1 2

3 4

5

HEALTH—Invest in a proactive health initiative for yourself. Boost your immunity. Take advantage of cutting edge diagnostic clinics and preventive testing, such as:

www.providence.org/locations/plcm-torrance/cardiovascular -center-of-excellence/heart-screening SELF CARE—Explore investing in dynamic home equipment (Peloton, Vasper, Mirror, etc.) vs. buying stock in the company.

Choose your thoughts; they affect actions. Don’t underestimate this.

STRESS TEST— Decrease overall stress by “stress testing” (professionally evaluating) anything that is causing you anxiety to help make informed decisions.

Don’t make big decisions based on emotion (I.E. Payoff a mortgage, Sudden move).

RELATIONSHIPS—Check in with extended family as well as members of your own household in new ways beyond zoom to fight loneliness and relieve stress.

www.protectyoungminds.org/2016/12/22/power-of-familystories/ CASHFLOW—Evaluate your cashflow to find the extra dollars to pay for health initiatives. You’d be surprised to see the spending changes you’ve made during Covid.

Contact us at for a “Covid Cash Flow Worksheet” 424.903.7174, KADAMS@SEIA.COM

Kathleen Adams, CFP® CPWA®, Partner David Swift CIMA®, Associate Advisor 1848 S. Elena Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277 | (424) 903-7174 | www.seia.com/kathleen-adams Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, it cannot be guaranteed. View expressed in this newsletter may not reflect the views of Royal Alliance Associates Inc. The articles and media referenced herein are not produced by Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC or any subsidiaries or affiliates (SEIA, LLC). This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended as individual investment advice or as a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Investment decisions should be made based on the client’s specific financial needs, objectives, goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Financial markets are volatile and all types of investment vehicles, including “low-risk” strategies involve investment risk; Past performance does not guarantee future results. Registered Representative / Securities offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Member FINRA, SIPC. 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1600, Los Angeles, CA 90067 (310) 712.2323. SEIA, LLC and its investment advisory services are offered independent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. and any subsidiaries or affiliates. CA INSURANCE LICENSE #0C76833, Adams CA INSURANCE LICENSE #OH33436

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It’s All Good A LOCAL FAMILY RALLIES TO MAKE SURE THOMAS BYRNE GETS THE HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION HE DREAMS OF. WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAT MONK

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n expectant mother and father wish and pray for their baby to be born healthy. However, when a doctor informed Andy and Maggie Byrne of Manhattan Beach, following a routine prenatal amniocentesis, that their baby had an extra chromosome—also known as Down syndrome—they were undeterred. Devout parishioners at American Martyrs Catholic Church, they decided to accept and embrace this new member of their family, Thomas.

The diagnosis of Down syndrome can be a life-defining moment and typically happens in 1 of every 700 babies born yearly.

The most common chromosomal disorder, Down syndrome is a genetic disorder with characteristic facial features associated

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with physical growth delays as well as intellectual disabilities.

With a smile, Maggie shares that over the years Thomas has brought many wonderful people into their lives, including helpers, aides and honorable people that go above and beyond to accommodate him. Their family goal has been to never limit his abilities and to expose him to as much as they could.

“Thomas slows us down and keeps our feet on the ground. He makes us grateful,” shares Maggie. “Ultimately, having Thomas in their lives has made siblings Kelly (24), Johnny (21) and Luke (13) better people in the long run.”

According to brother Johnny, “Thomas pushes us just as much as we push him, in amazing ways. He has helped us learn

values like humility, respect and gratitude at a much faster rate growing alongside him since we were young. He both challenges and blesses us. I don’t think I would be able to emulate these values in my life without a brother like Thomas.”

Thomas was the very first student with intellectual disabilities admitted to American Martyrs School. Later Thomas set his sights on Cathedral Catholic High School (CCHS) in San Diego. After a family meeting, everyone agreed it was important to make it work for Thomas.

CCHS, a private high school, only allows four students per year with intellectual disabilities. When Thomas was one of the lucky ones to be accepted his freshman year, they sat down as a family and discussed the

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commitment. The entire family agreed it was the best option.

With Thomas’ four-day-a-week school schedule, the family got creative in dividing and conquering with the help of some amazing and accommodating friends in San Diego. Maggie and Andy both have a place to stay on their stay-over nights. Maggie covers Tuesday and Wednesday, and Andy has Thursday and Friday.

Instantly, Thomas felt like a part of the student body. Maggie remembers being at the drop-off when the school president made a point to say “hello” specifically to Thomas.

Thomas says a few of his favorite high school moments include being the team assistant for the school’s highly competitive football team and being on the Prom Court his freshman year. He is currently back in Manhattan Beach for a gap year.

Mary Poppins is the nickname the fam-

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ily has given Lauren, the aide who helps Thomas at home. According to Maggie, she has helped him transition from high school into being an adult. It’s not unusual for teens with intellectual disabilities to experience a huge cliff after high school.

Thomas has always been a strong lover of animals and babies, so he is embarking upon entrepreneurship with Lauren’s help, creating a dog food business. His elaborate, multipage menu is quite large, so Maggie has encouraged him to tailor it down a bit.

Currently, Thomas’ business offers homemade dog food, birthday cakes and even specialty snacks.

Each of Maggie and Andy’s children is very successful in their own right. Kelly works at Citigroup in investment banking after graduating cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 2019. Johnny is in his second year of the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, and

Luke is a seventh grader at American Martyrs and loves lacrosse and surfing.

Thomas’ siblings grasp the reality behind his situation and never let it get in the way.

“We put our family first and have learned to put our own individual problems or agendas to the side when it comes to the happiness and well-being of all of us. We are a team,” shares older sister Kelly. “With that in mind, we all contribute to our family in different and unique ways, knowing to support each other when it matters most. So when Thomas has a special opportunity arise, of course we want to do whatever we can to make it special for him. He has taught us to look at the world through a more empathetic lens, and we want him to know that we are always his #1 fans.” ■

Thank you for your cont nued trust and support.

310.740.5742 | HELLO@THEKONDOGROUP.COM | Â WWW.THEKONDOGROUP.COM DRE #01438455 | DRE #01969527 | DRE #01965939 | DRE #02013555 | DRE #01958495 | DRE #01928661 | DRE #01953697 | DRE #01963711 | DRE #01972569 | DRE #02026278 | DRE #02013555

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Staying on

course FOR KEITH HINKLEY AND OTHER LONGTIME SOUTH BAY GOLFERS, HITTING THE GREEN OFFERS A SAFE AND SANE OUTLET DURING STRESSFUL TIMES. WRITTEN & PHOTOGRAPHED BY KAT MONK

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his year our way of life came to an unprecedented halt due to COVID-19. Retail, restaurants, gyms, concerts, college and professional sports—including the PGA, NBA, NFL, NBA and NHL—all shut down. Golf was the first to return after just a few months, with the introduction of single-person golf carts. An estimated $85 billion industry yearly, according to the PGA they lost almost 20 million rounds of golf in that initial shutdown.

One golf enthusiast, Keith Hinkley of Redondo Beach, remained sane during the shutdowns by growing his game. Keith says golf is a game that not only challenges him; it also brings him extreme satisfaction. He quotes a line from the movie The Legend of Bagger Vance: “What I’m talkin’ about is a game … a game that can’t be won, only played.”

Golf brings a unique set of challenges and joys. It is not cheap, but playing on public courses rather than joining a private country club makes the sport more affordable.

Keith was not ready for golf at age 10 when his father attempted his first introduction. Fast-forward a decade, and Keith started playing with his friends but admits his game was “horrible.” At the time, he was impatient with his skills and became known for having tantrums. “I was the slicer!”

A golf swing is imperative to playing a decent game. New golfers don’t always learn how to do this properly, and it shows in their swing and their game. Terms like “hookers” and “slicers” refer to how the shot curves in the air. Slicers are typically the hardest to teach properly because the shots take a dramatic shift from left to right. Ultimately, Keith sought the help of a professional and started taking lessons in Long Beach.

Keith commits a good portion of his weekly schedule to getting out there and playing. “I just feel it all boils down to heart rate and your demeanor. If you get all emotional or exasperated out there for any reason, you are not doing yourself any favors,” he explains. “Trying to stay on an even keel is part of the challenge for me and something that took effort for a hyperintense person.”

With wind and terrain unpredictable, no two golf games are the same. “So many variables are involved. Similar to surfing, there’s always something new coming at you,” adds Keith. He says it’s easy to get stuck in a negative cycle because the game is so challenging. “You can’t bring the same

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Terry Nolan and Chris Warshaw SOUTHBAY HEALTH II 2020

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hyper-intensive mentality you might bring to other sports. Golf is a different beast.”

Keith is not a member of a club but instead plays regularly with a group of guys.

Chris Warshaw of the Bro Golf Club sees the advantages of a club. “Our group, which has been around for almost 20 years, is made up mostly of old South Bay locals and has golfers of every ability—from scratch to real hacks,” he says. “Since the pandemic began, our members have easily played two or three times more than normal. We’ve had record turnouts for our tournaments. Getting out on the course has been one of the few ways to escape.”

It isn’t necessarily a game you play against others regularly because you and the course are the real competitors. “The reason it was a dying sport in the United States is that it is hard to get decent at, and it takes a lot of time to play a round of golf,” explains another golf enthusiast, Terry Nolan of Hermosa Beach. “Many times, though, you just go out and play and don’t have a competitive game going but are trying to score your best just for your satisfaction. It is fun hitting long drives and scoring well for your ability.”

There is a unique camaraderie amongst golfers, and thanks to the handicap system, golfers of all abilities can compete against one another on a level playing field.

“Everyone is playing against the course to a certain extent, but there are times you play against another player,” says Terry. “The goal is to have the lower score between you and your opponent on each individual hole you play. Or you may be playing in a tournament when you will try to make the best score you can, as you are competing against everyone else’s score.”

Now that you have the itch to get on the green, how does one get a tee time during the pandemic? Tee times are so hard to come by that some players have set alarms to wake up just to get online and get a spot.

“I have friends who are members at Palos Verdes Golf Club, and the demand for tee times has been so large that the club had to come up with a completely new system to handle it,” shares Terry.

Keith notes there are plenty of ways to up your game at home as well. He suggests that now is a great time to invest in your equipment and practice your grip and setup—all imperative to a good swing.

“Make reasonable expectations,” he advises.

“Getting frustrated is okay, but lessons build a strong foundation.” ■

“So many variables are involved. Similar to surfing, there’s always something new coming at you. it’s easy to get stuck in a negative cycle because the game is so challenging.”

Keith Hinkley

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discover southbay on instagram @OURSOUTHBAY

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THE SOUTH BAY’S TOP HEALTH PROFESSIONALS A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR YOUR HEALTHIEST LIFE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION EDITED BY LAURA L. WATTS | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JP CORDERO & SHANE O’DONNELL

THE GREENHOUSE CHRISTIE HAVEY SMITH

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UCLA HEALTH TORRANCE PRIMARY CARE 58 HUTCHINSON DENTAL CHRISTINA L. HUTCHINSON, DDS

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ROCKIT BODY PILATES KACI BACHER, JENNIFER CHAN, BROOKE RICCIARDI

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KRISTIN EGAN, MD, FACS

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SUMMER ORTHODONTICS SUMMER L. BLAKE, DDS, MS

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MANHATTAN BEACH PLASTIC SURGERY & LYMPHEDEMA AND LIPEDEMA CENTER JAY W. GRANZOW, MD

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SPORTS AND SPINE ORTHOPAEDICS

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MANHATTAN BEACH DENTAL CENTER MADELYNE SALO, DDS, & JENNA ATWOOD, DDS

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KELLINY ENDODONTICS DAVID W. KELLINY, DDS

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THE GREENHOUSE CHRISTIE HAVEY SMITH 2325 Palos Verdes Dr. W., Suite 205, Palos Verdes Estates | thegreenhousepv.com | @thegreenhouse_pv

SERVICES OFFERED

GROW WELL

• • • • • • • •

The Greenhouse is a boutique wellness studio and shop in Palos Verdes. We opened in September with livestream meditation, yoga and workshops. A few of our classes are also being offered as semi-privates in the studio.

The Greenhouse is like a sanctuary. Even when connecting livestream, you might feel a sense of retreat. There’s a lot of intention and passion put into each class, and meaningful dialogue is creating strong connections. Our shop offers clean, ethically sourced products to help our South Bay community take root, nurture and grow well.

Yoga Guided meditation Teen mindfulness Sound healing Contemplative writing Family cooking classes Women’s circle Wellness shop

“We face many challenges, but there is always an invitation to grow well.”

that fueled my commitment to finding a meaningful path toward wellness.

SOUTH BAY HOLIDAY I grew up in Chicago and sometimes miss seeing snow fall, but there’s nothing like sunshine on a winter day or being able to sled down a sand hill! It’s the little things that make this season magic for me. Houses all lit up, our neighbors serenading us with curbside Christmas songs, family recipes, old movies, the dogs sleeping on the wrapping paper. It’s the best.

RECOMMENDED

In the spring of 2020, we watched many of our local businesses close their doors. I figured this wouldn’t be the year to open The Greenhouse.

But as COVID-19 escalated, so did our need for calm and community. When I stumbled upon the perfect space in Lunada Bay, I knew it was time. It’s been so fun seeing the space come to life with those who come together.

CAREER PATH I’m always looking for that invisible thread that weaves all of our stories together, that points to what we can learn from each other. This has led me to study integrative wellness, mindfulness and meditation, and the practice of spiritual direction. But it’s my family’s health challenges

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Some favorites in The Greenhouse shop are the Flow Aromatherapy Oil, Meditative Mind Tea, Olverum Bath Oil, seasonal botanical diffusers, gold mantra bracelets and books. It’s a great spot on the hill to buy a gift, and our shop is also online for you to create self-care packages.

“GROW WELL” PHOTOGRAPHED BY VICTORIA O’LEARY “FAMILY CHRISTMAS” PHOTOGRAPHED BY HEIDI WALTER

OPENING IN 2020

UCLA HEALTH TORRANCE PRIMARY CARE 3500 Lomita Blvd., Suite 300 | 310-257-0028 | uclahealth.org/torrance

SERVICES OFFERED

PRIMARY CARE

SAFE PRACTICES

• • •

Joel Thomas, MD: It’s important to have a primary care physician (PCP) to keep your health care on track. Your PCP will learn your medical history and personal risk factors to help you make informed medical choices. If you are sick, injured or have a health concern, your PCP should be your first point of contact. Your PCP will also handle preventive care items, such as vaccines and cancer screenings and educate you about medical conditions and healthy lifestyle choices. A PCP will help you optimize your health and improve your quality of life.

Stephen Cho, MD: We have adopted rigorous infection prevention practices, including universal masking, physical distancing practices, enhanced disinfection and sterilization processes, and pre-screening for all patients, visitors and staff. When a patient tests positive for COVID-19, we educate them on how to self-isolate and monitor themselves at home.

Internal medicine Family medicine Geriatric medicine

“With early detection and treatment, we can reduce the risk of long-term complications and improve health outcomes.”

ANNUAL VISITS Gurveen Sandhu, MD: It is important to see your primary care physician for an annual physical, where we can address preventive health items.

With early detection and treatment, we can reduce the risk of long-term complications and improve health outcomes.

TEAM APPROACH Chris Gornes, MD: Our team of physicians, medical assistants, nurses, technicians and support staff work together to provide patients with comprehensive and timely medical care.

We have X-ray and laboratory services on-site, and if you need to be referred to a specialist, your primary care physician will coordinate that care within the UCLA Health system. The whole team has access to your electronic medical records, which provide a continuity of care and means that everyone is on the same page.

VIDEO VISITS

Mindy Goh, DO: Telemedicine or video visits are appropriate for follow-up appointments to discuss chronic disease management, medication adjustments or lab results. We also use video visits as the first point of contact when a patient has symptoms of a COVID-19 infection.

In-person visits are best if you have a condition that requires a hands-on evaluation or on-site testing, such as an X-ray or urine analysis. We can help you determine what type of appointment is appropriate for you.

TOP TIPS Charmi Shah, MD: If you’re staying at home more than usual, it helps to have a routine. Try to wake up and go to sleep at about the same time every day, and eat healthy, well-balanced meals. Open your shades to let in sunlight during the day, and exercise—even 15 to 20 minutes of vigorous activity will get those endorphins flowing. Find ways to safely stay connected to the people you care about, and either embrace new hobbies or bring back old ones.

L to R: Top: Amy Wang, MD; Charmi Shah, MD; Lilian Chen, MD; Jennifer Chew, MD Middle: Chris Gornes, MD; Gurveen Sandhu, MD; Jamie Polito, MD; Joel Thomas, MD Bottom: Gloria Kim, MD; Mindy Goh, DO; Maija Sanna, MD; Stephen Cho, MD

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HUTCHINSON DENTAL CHRISTINA L. HUTCHINSON, DDS 512 Main Street, #4, El Segundo | 310-640-2025 | HutchinsonDDS.com

SERVICES OFFERED

WHO WE ARE

DESTINATION DREAMS

• • • •

I started Hutchinson Dental in 2015. We are a family dental practice that can accommodate a variety of dental needs. We mostly perform general dentistry procedures, but if something more in the way of cosmetic dentistry or management of sleep disorders is needed, we also offer those services. We also have an exceptional network of specialists that we utilize when needed.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am itching for a trip! We had several trips canceled since the spring, and one by one future trips are being canceled by the airlines—even Thanksgiving.

Sure. I understand, but I am looking forward to the time when we can go away and explore like we used to. A girl can dream!

CAREER CHOICE

This is a continuation of a patient I shared earlier this year. This patient had clenched his teeth for years, resulting in short teeth that kept chipping. I built up his bite to allow the space to restore a length that is esthetic, functional and predictable. My lab did a beautiful job with his porcelain work!

Family dentistry Cosmetic dentistry Implant restorations Sleep apnea appliances

“Being committed to your oral hygiene is critical.”

Growing up, I had a friend who couldn’t afford the dental cleaning her German Shepherd needed. We bought a scaler from the pharmacy, and her dog let me clean his teeth!

This small achievement encouraged me to research pre-dental courses. I continued down the dental path and never deviated.

BEFORE & AFTER

PREFERRED PRODUCTS I am a fan of Crest products. Just in time for the holidays, Crest has a new product called Whitening Emulsions—like a whitening pen to brighten your smile. It is a little techniquesensitive at first, but easy after that. And the best part is, it works!

TOP TIPS

LET IT GO With so much out of our control—compared to the easy, pre-COVID-19 lives we led—I think the best thing any of us can do in the interest of self-preservation is to control what you can and to let the rest go. You have to filter what you let bother you and just go on with your day.

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There is nothing like your own teeth; being committed to your oral hygiene is critical. With so many people working from home, it is easy to get out of a structured routine. Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day and find time to floss. Do not let bad habits be your new normal!

ROCKIT BODY PILATES KACI BACHER, JENNIFER CHAN, BROOKE RICCIARDI, CO-OWNERS 1834 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach 1718 S. Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach 424-452-6040 | rockitbody.com | Instagram: @rockitbodypilates | Facebook: @rockitbody

SERVICES OFFERED

START OF BUSINESS

WISE WORDS

• • • • • •

RockIt Body is a Pilates studio that blends both modern and classical philosophies to offer a variety of classes, from fast-paced workouts set to upbeat music to a more classical, restorative program. RockIt Body Pilates has been a South Bay favorite since 2009. Kaci Bacher took over ownership in 2019 and brought her two friends and current co-owners, Jennifer Chan and Brooke Ricciardi, on board in 2020.

Focus on the opportunities life has to offer instead of the things it has taken away, and be kind to yourself. Quarantine affected so many of us not only physically with weight gain and/or loss of conditioning (including health and fitness professionals) but also mentally. Find a fitness routine you enjoy. The best one for you is the one you will stick to. It’s a lifestyle!

BEFORE & AFTER

2020 had some huge setbacks for the industry, but we powered through with the support of our clients in a way we never expected. That support has set us up to grow in two specific ways: more locations and a new venture developing a branded equipment line. We are excited and hopeful for 2021 and know that we have the people in place to make it happen.

•

Reformer Pilates classes Reformer Pilates privates Virtual studio RockIt Pilates teacher certification Acupuncture and chiropractic care Retail apparel (Alo Yoga, lululemon, Tavi Noir and more) Workshops

“Our real specialty is creating community by increasing clients’ confidence.”

Typically we don’t focus on the physical results of our clients, but a member sent us these photos of herself—excited with the results she had seen. A healthy, fit body comes in all shapes and sizes. It’s not about a number on the scale or how you look in a bikini. We are passionate about creating the best version of who you are meant to be.

A truly fit body is created with balance.

Strong glutes and a tight core are foundational to opening tight hips and supporting your back.

Understanding balance in the body allows us to program workouts to not only help keep you looking good but more importantly, feeling good and functioning properly at any age.

FACING THE FUTURE

BENEFITS OF PILATES Kaci grew up a competitive runner. Years of running took a toll on her hips, and a snowboarding accident blew out a disc in her lower back. Two hip surgeries and two back surgeries later, Pilates strengthened Kaci’s core and developed more mobility in her hips, truly bringing her broken body back to life.

Pilates is a whole-body fitness program with continual fluid movement that promotes strength and balanced muscle development while increasing flexibility and range of motion in the joints. Whether you are a senior, a professional athlete (we see a lot in the South Bay) or somewhere in between, Pilates principles apply to us all—making it a very adaptable fitness program.

ROCKIT BODY MANTRA

STUDIO SPECIALTY We are known for strengthening the core, but our real specialty is creating community by increasing clients’ confidence, helping them connect with others and pushing them to challenge themselves in ways they never imagined.

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We believe that fitness is not a singular concept. We believe in the power of community. We believe in getting uncomfortable.

We believe in dancing at 6 a.m.—even if it’s to the beat of your own drum. We believe in owning your own sh** and not taking others’.

We believe in a strong core—inside and out.

We believe the best fitness program is the one you can commit to. We hope that is with us because we believe YOU ROCK!

L to R: Jennifer Chan, Kaci Bacher, Brooke Ricciardi

KRISTIN EGAN, MD, FACS 2809 Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach | 310-426-8415 3655 Lomita Blvd #300, Torrance | 310-361-3650 drkristinegan.com

SERVICES OFFERED

HEALTH ACHIEVEMENTS

HELPING OTHERS

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I have won numerous research awards and have published widely, including multiple chapters in the main textbook used to teach facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellows. I have been in Manhattan Beach for 10 years and was a clinical instructor at UCSF before moving to Southern California.

Love what you do! I love seeing patients improve and feel better about themselves. I love operating and performing procedures in the office. I enjoy each day that I can use my skills and training in helping others.

QUICK & EASY

I am dual board-certified in both otolaryngology head and neck surgery and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. My practice incorporates my surgical skills with a focus on aesthetics and the desire for a more youthful and natural appearance. I am cognizant that a healthy, active lifestyle predominates in the South Bay and that patients desire subtle changes to their appearance to restore an image of themselves that matches how they feel.

LazerLift Cosmetic injectables Laser services Skin care Cosmetic facial surgeries Botox

“I actively try out new technologies and products on myself so I can better educate my patients about them.”

Patients are increasingly requesting less invasive procedures with less recovery time and the ability to return to work quickly. More patients are turning to the multiple in-office services that can be done without general anesthesia or a long recovery period. I am currently one of a few physicians in the L.A. area offering the FDA-approved, noninvasive, laser-assisted facelift in my office.

A YOUTHFUL LOOK

A WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE As a female surgeon in a largely male-dominated field, I bring the personal experience of aging in today’s society from a woman’s perspective. I actively try out new technologies and products on myself so I can better educate my patients about them.

RECOMMENDED: LAZERLIFT LazerLift is a one-time, one-hour, minimally invasive treatment designed to tighten the skin of the face and neck and remove excess fat using SmartLipo technology and no scalpel. This can be performed at the office and does not require general anesthesia. LazerLift uses the latest technology to take laser energy underneath your skin and stimulate collagen production in the dermis, which leads to improved skin elasticity, thickness and texture.

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BEFORE & AFTER I am a leading innovator in minimally invasive procedures and perform LazerLift—the only FDA-approved laser liposuction for the face and neck. For those patients who want minimal recovery time and an in-office procedure without the need for general anesthesia to address their jowls and neck, LazerLift is the perfect option.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ARNIL PABALAN

SUMMER ORTHODONTICS SUMMER L. BLAKE, DDS, MS 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite D-224, Manhattan Beach | 310-545-0770 | summerorthodontics.com

SERVICES OFFERED

EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE

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At Summer Orthodontics, exceptional results with an outstanding patient experience is our top priority. Every treatment plan is carefully considered to meet the individual goals of our patients. I have built my reputation focusing on the best interest of each patient. As a result, I have been named the “Best Orthodontist” by the Daily Breeze for the last two years and “Best of the Beach” for orthodontists in the Easy Reader poll over the last four years. In addition, I have surrounded myself with a warm and friendly team of dedicated professionals to efficiently support patients throughout the treatment process. Nothing makes us happier than seeing our patients complete their treatment with smiles they are proud to show off!

Traditional braces Invisalign Lingual braces Accelerated treatment

“Nothing makes us happier than seeing our patients complete their treatment with smiles they are proud to show off!”

Creating beautiful smiles that patients love is tremendously rewarding. I love that our practice delivers children and adults smiles they love. It is so fun to see patients complete treatment, and they cannot stop smiling because they have fallen in love with their new smile.

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Summer Orthodontics embraces proven technologies as a central focus of the patient experience. There have been many advances in orthodontics over the years to increase patient comfort, reduce treatment times and produce beautiful smiles. The adoption of digital technologies such as scans and radiographs makes the diagnosis and treatment process more efficient than ever. We are always on the lookout for new technologies and ways to keep our patients engaged throughout treatment.

THE SOUTH BAY LIFESTYLE

BEAUTIFUL SMILES

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Although I love my practice and the rewards it provides, the most joy in my life comes from my husband, Matt, and our four children: Ahnika, 12, Tegan, 9, Briggs, 7, and Winslow, 3. My family means the world to me. I cherish every moment as they grow. I just wish time didn’t go by so fast! When I am not in the office, I enjoy spending time with my family and taking advantage of the California sunshine with outdoor activities.

Our entire family loves the beach and spending hours in the ocean and on the sand. As a health advocate, diet and exercise are a top priority. I love preparing healthy meals for my family. I also enjoy the variety of fitness classes available in the South Bay.

MANHATTAN BEACH PLASTIC SURGERY & LYMPHEDEMA AND LIPEDEMA CENTER JAY W. GRANZOW, MD 23365 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 102, Torrance | 310-882-6261 | manhattanbeachplasticsurgery.com | lymphedemasurgeon.com

SERVICES OFFERED

CAREER CHOICE

WORK FROM HOME

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During my youth, I first focused on becoming an engineer. Little did I know it would be the basis to develop a career in medicine. I just wanted to help people. That’s when I realized I had the ability to think outside the box and when I knew medicine was it. Identifying the work being done in the world of lymphedema and microsurgery fascinated me and has become my true passion.

Like many during the COVID-19 pandemic, we worked from home and learned how to use Zoom. (See our home office desks at right.)

We stayed positive and communicated with our team and patients regularly. We reopened at the end of July, utilizing every safety precaution available to ensure a safe environment for our staff and patients. We had fun creating more personal social media messages to showcase our team. We never lost hope.

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Lymphedema and lipedema surgery Rhinoplasty Breast enhancement (augmentation, lift or reduction) Mommy Makeover Body contouring Abdominoplasty Facial rejuvenation (face/ neck/eyelid lift) Injectables (Voluma, Juvederm and Botox)

“I have successfully treated hundreds of patients from all over the world who have experienced life-changing improvements.”

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PRACTICE SPECIALTY I created the first integrated lymphedema surgery treatment system, known as the Functional Lymphatic Operations System®.

Lymphedema is a disorder of the lymphatic system, which is an important part of the immune system. While lymphedema can occur spontaneously, most cases in the United States result from treatment for cancer with surgery, radiation or both. I have successfully treated hundreds of patients from all over the world who have experienced life-changing improvements.

BEFORE & AFTER I performed delicate LVA microsurgery last fall on a 26-year-old female patient who suffered from lymphedema in both legs for five years.

LVA describes a method of directly connecting the lymphatic vessels in the affected area of the body to the tiny veins nearby. This allows the excess lymphatic fluid to drain directly into the vein and return to the body’s natural circulation. These photos show the improvement in her legs at the patient’s recent 1-year post-surgery anniversary.

TALENTED TEAM Our talented and collaborative team members who always put our patients first include Julie Inouye, patient care specialist; Linda Recendez, front desk coordinator; Thao Messinger, PA-C, clinical director; Katherine Cheung, practice manager; Yvette Velasquez, surgery authorization specialist; and Amy Granzow, Esq., director of patient advocacy.

SEASON’S GREETINGS A special heartfelt holiday greeting to all from our family. As a nation, we’ve all lost loved ones, friends and acquaintances to COVID-19.

To those families, we mourn with you. Our lives have forever changed, but we continue to wish for hope and good health for you and your families in the times ahead.

SPORTS AND SPINE ORTHOPAEDICS 23456 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite #200, Torrance | 310-875-8700 2361 Rosecrans Ave., Suite #165, El Segundo | 310-775-2331 | sportsandspineortho.com

SERVICES OFFERED

ABOUT US

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Sports and Spine Orthopaedic group is a multispecialty, full-service practice with two offices in the South Bay. Our practice includes state-of-the-art equipment including digital X-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, open MRI, physical therapy, a surgical center, electrodiagnostic neurology studies, ART chiropractic specialists and acupuncture.

Physical therapy Diagnostic imaging Pain management Surgery center Bracing & casting Open MRI

“Our expertise covers a wide spectrum of injuries in patients of all ages.”

AREAS OF SPECIALTY

Sports and Spine physical therapy center

DREAM TEAM Our group is comprised of five main partners who each have completed residencies in general orthopedics and trauma as well as an extra year of fellowship training with a specific subspecialty in orthopedic surgery. We also have part-time specialists in pain management and nerve injuries.

Peter S. Borden, MD, a specialist of the shoulder, knee and ankle, is a second-generation orthopedic surgeon. He grew up in Palos Verdes and played college basketball and water polo. Dr. Borden acts as a consultant in the development of surgical implants and teaches surgeons the latest techniques. He enjoys working out, golfing, fly-fishing and skiing.

Allyson Estess, MD, a shoulder, knee and hip specialist, grew up in Irvine. After playing four years of college soccer, she played for the Women’s National Team and is now their team doctor. She enjoys running, skiing and spending time with her kids.

Remi M. Ajiboye, MD, is a spine specialist originally from Nigeria. He has advanced training in minimally invasive spine surgery and spinal reconstruction and served as a clinical instructor at Stanford University. He has his hands full balancing his orthopedic practice

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and helping his wife with their young children.

Andrew J. Wassef, MD, a hip and knee replacement specialist, grew up in Long Beach and followed in his father’s footsteps to a career in orthopedics. He travels the U.S. teaching other doctors how to perform robotic total joint replacements. He enjoys spending time with his family.

Jennifer W. Hsu, MD, a hand and wrist specialist, works full-time as Chief of Microvascular Upper Extremity and Hand Surgery at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center as well as being our partner at Sports and Spine Orthopaedics. She excels at rock climbing and being a great mom.

The orthopedic surgeons of Sports and Spine Orthopaedics are all well trained from the top programs throughout the country. Our expertise covers a wide spectrum of injuries in patients of all ages, including fractures, sports medicine injuries, spine injuries, osteoarthritis issues, and hand and wrist injuries. We focus on nonoperative treatment of all musculoskeletal problems and strive to get patients better without the need for surgery.

When surgery is required to resolve the problem, our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive procedures that result in less pain and less tissue damage—resulting in easier and faster recoveries. A majority of the more complex surgical procedures are performed on an outpatient basis.

OUTPATIENT SURGICAL PROCEDURES Our Torrance location offers a beautiful, private surgery center exclusively for our doctors to perform various types of surgical procedures including arthroscopy (shoulder, knee, hip, ankle), fracture fixation, total knee and shoulder replacements, minimally invasive spine procedures, tendon and ligament reconstructions, endoscopic and arthroscopic hand and wrist procedures, and pain management. Our anesthesia department specializes in performing nerve block procedures that allow patients to return home shortly after the surgery without pain—even for bigger operations such as total knee and shoulder replacements.

L to R: Josh Schoenberger, PA, Dr. Jennifer Hsu, Dr. Peter Borden, Dr. Andrew Wassef, Dr. Allyson Estess, Dr. Remi Ajiboye

MANHATTAN BEACH DENTAL CENTER MADELYNE SALO, DDS, & JENNA ATWOOD, DDS 1151 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Manhattan Beach | 310-376-0482 | manhattanbeachdentalcenter.com

SERVICES OFFERED • • • • • • • • • •

Cosmetic dentistry General dentistry Veneers Implants Teeth whitening Gum treatment Laser dental treatment Endodontics (root canals) Invisalign Night guards/retainers

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Winter in the South Bay always reminds us how lucky we are to have such an amazing community, which provides people of all ages with magical holiday memories. From the local festivities to the pier lighting and neighborly decorations and events, the true hometown feeling is captured here year after year. We are thrilled to be part of all of it, and we are grateful to all who contribute to making our holidays so special.

PATIENTS’ PREFERENCES Our patients love our to-go whitening trays to brighten their smiles quickly and safely at home.

Patients are also very pleased with our thorough dental exams and cleanings. Our doctors take time to review all oral health care concerns. We care far beyond the teeth; our job is to care for patients’ overall health and well-being.

TOP TIPS

“We care far beyond the teeth; our job is to care for patients’ overall health and well-being.”

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We stress flossing and brushing diligently now more than ever, and not missing your regular dental visits. It’s easy to skip the routine of teeth cleaning when you are at home and not in your normal regimen, but taking proper care of your mouth is critical to your overall well-being!

A lesser-known dental tip is that nightguards are important protection for our teeth and are key to preventing TMJ pain and unsightly wear and tear. We highly recommend that patients obtain a professionally fitted nightguard if they clench or grind—during the day or in their sleep. We are under a lot of new stress in 2020 and perhaps a little more anxious than usual.

A nightguard is the perfect way to prevent unwanted wear and damage to your teeth.

KELLINY ENDODONTICS DAVID W. KELLINY, DDS 22920 Crenshaw Blvd., Suite A, Torrance | 310-793-2020 | kellinyendodontics.com

SERVICES OFFERED • • •

Endodontics (root canal treatment) Retreatment & endodontic surgeries Dental implants & surgery

PRACTICE SPECIALTY Our practice sets itself apart from others with our friendly office staff, state-of-the-art equipment like digital radiographs, surgical dental microscopes, high-definition CT scanner, 3-D printers and highly skilled dental professionals.

UNIQUE OFFERINGS I am considered an innovator in the field of 3-D printing in endodontics, and I use my skills to help treat more complicated and surgical cases.

We are one of the very few practices that use the Gentle Wave Procedure to improve the experience and clinical outcome of a root canal.

Also, we offer patients sedation options—nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oral sedation.

AREA OF EXPERTISE I graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from University of Southern California and earned a certificate in endodontics from USC as well. I have been a part-time clinical assistant professor at the USC post-graduate endodontic program since 2002. In 2016 I received the Faculty of the Year award, and in 2017 I received the 15 Years Excellence in Teaching award—both from Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC.

“I love working with patients to alleviate their fear and pain, solve their dental issues and achieve better oral health.”

TOP TIP I suggest that everyone visit their general dentist every six months for routine cleanings and checkups. This way dental problems can be caught early before they become big problems.

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"Happiness is the highest form of health." — THE Dalai Lama

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NEED HELP? During this time of heightened health concern, Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) is available to offer help and support. If you or someone you know in the Beach Cities needs assistance with errands, health-related information or referrals, please call our Assistance, Information & Referral line at 310-374-3426, ext. 256, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

RESOURCES: bchd.org/coronavirus

bchd.org/resources

for information about COVID-19 or to sign up for email updates from BCHD

for information related to mental health and social-emotional health for youth and adults, support groups and emergency services

T O R R A N C E M E M O R I A L’ S L U N D Q U I S T L U R I E CARDIOVASCULAR INSTITUTE IS PROUD TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A LEADER IN CARDIAC CARE.

We have been recognized as a local and global leader of NEWSWEEK’S TOP CARDIOVASCULAR HOSPITALS IN THE WORLD. This inaugural award recognition would not be possible without the unwavering support and generosity of Melanie and Richard Lundquist and the Lurie family.

Learn more at TMCardio.com

A World’s Best Specialized Hospital in Cardiology