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APRIL 2019

where we live

22 PRIME TIME Animation Producer & Director Barbara Dourmashkin-Case 26 ARTFUL LODGER Palm Springs’ Latest Attractions 28 DATEBOOK Fun Stuff to Do

42 IMPRESSIONABLE MINDS Historic Tomes for Teens 44 JUST IMAGINE Playful Spring Frocks 50 REACHING FOR THE STARS Sixth-Grader Peyton Hemann 86 SEEN Faces Spotted Around Town

68 44 features

30 FACES OF THE FUTURE Get inside the minds of 10 of the Valley’s most extraordinary teenagers. 46 RANCHERA ROYALTY Meet Grammy-nominated, Latin singing sensation Ángela Aguilar. 70 HIGH ANXIETY Discover how locals are taking a stand against the FAA in the fight over airplane noise. 78 PUT IT IN NEUTRAL The how-to on tranforming a Calabasas Tuscan into a transitional home with timeless tones. 84 HAVE MOUSE WILL TRAVEL Adventures by Disney bring on the magic in unexpected ways.

the sauce

64 PERU POWER-UP Los Balcones in Studio City 66 TOP DOG Rating Local Hot Dogs 68 JASON FRANCISCO Gray Tavern’s Chef

and then some... 52 CHILDREN’S CAMP GUIDE Summer Game Plans 88 PROFILES Curated Collection of Children’s Services 118 REAL ESTATE Spectacular Local Listings COVER Ángela Aguilar photographed by Monica Orozco

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PUBLISHER

Linda Grasso

Robin Sanders 424-220-6340 | robin@goldenstate.is

ART DIRECTOR Michelle Villas

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818-625-3515 | sue@goldenstate.is

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Christine Georgiades, Kelsey Elliott GROUP PUBLISHER Jared Sayers

VB’s The Sauce eNewsletter Editor Joshua Lurie CONTRIBUTORS Heather David, Jennie Nunn, Anne M. Russell, Susan S. Spillman, Carmina Soria, Jane Ulman, Karen Young PHOTOGRAPHERS Jesus Aguilar, Leyna Noelani Ambron, Michael Becker, Matthew Cooke, Shane O’Donnell, Monica Orozco, Clemente Ruiz, Courtney Stapleton

VENTURA BLVD IS A DIVISION OF THE GOLDEN STATE COMPANY

MANAGING PARTNERS Charlie Koones

Todd Klawin

MARKETING & OPERATIONS Partner/Brand Publisher | Emily Stewart Partner/Managing Director, Media & Analytics | Warren Schaffer Director of Digital | Charles Simmons Director of Film & Video | Bryce Lowe-White Operations Director | Allison Jeackjuntra Community Manager | Natalie Long Director of Events | Danielle Price Accounting | Janet De La Cruz, Ljay Farris 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 Ventura Blvd welcomes your feedback. Please send letters to: Reader Response Department, Ventura Blvd Please include your name, address and email. Edited letters may be published. 200 N. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 110, El Segundo, CA 90245 Tel 310-376-7800 | Fax 310-376-0200 | goldenstate.is | venturablvd.goldenstate.is

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editor’s letter | LINDA GRASSO

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Chef’s Table One of my favorite things about being editor of VB is meeting interesting people. And between our Faces of the Future feature (page 30), our Alive & Thrive wellness event (page 86) and dashing around town to try out new eateries, I experienced a bonanza of new connections. In a six-week span of cold, rainy weather, it kept me invigorated. Regarding the popular, annual Faces of the Future feature we do every April (what we used to call Top Teens; sometimes you have to mix it up), the submissions we received this year were mind-bending. Honestly we could have filled the entire magazine with inspiring, high achievers. With this feature grades are considered but not the focus. And overcoming serious obstacles or enduring hardships is not a requirement (as some of the emails I’ve received mistakenly suggest). The 10 teenagers we chose blew us away with their drive, quest for knowledge, tenacity, and their willingness to step off the beaten path and go all in on a particular passion. This year five of the “winners” are from immigrant families (a few years ago one of the teens couldn’t speak English) and one was raised by a single mom—all of which I discovered once we met at the photo shoot. At that shoot I also found out that for the second time in eight years, we selected the sibling of a former Top Teen. I told that mom I think she should write a book! Congrats to this superb group of young people, as well as their families and schools. Indeed, it takes a village. In the Sauce section of this issue, you’ll meet Jason Francisco, chef at the new Gray Tavern in Studio City (page 68). Trained by several Michelin chefs, he takes an innovative yet whimsical approach to food, and over lunch he had a chance to show it off. Jason prepared grilled octopus and my first bone marrow, complete with toast and three homemade spreads. Truly a culinary experience! You’ll also find an article on the new Peruvian eatery Los Balcones, housed in the old Girasol spot in Valley Village (page 64); and our hungry kiddie posse goes in search of the best hot dog. Happy spring everyone!

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VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

Linda Grasso Editor-in-Chief

Follow me on Instagram @linda.grasso and my podcast @she_sez

Shane O’Donnell PHOTOGRAPHER “Put It In Neutral” Shane is a native of Wisconsin and lives in the South Bay. His documentary and commercial training bring a realistic and refined style to his work. He photographs for fashion catalogs, advertising, architecture and travel and has shot for such clients as Budweiser, Hershey, Syfy Channel and Vespa. seelikeshane.com

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Monica Orozco PHOTOGRAPHER “Ranchera Royalty” Filled with passion, Monica’s known for capturing quirky, sexy images, especially those taken in her hometown of LA. Her work has been shown around the world, including New York, London and Berlin and has been published online and in numerous magazines including Anthem, Spin, TimeOut London, and Interview. demonicaphoto.com

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“Faces of the Future” Michael is a celebrity, entertainment and editorial photographer. Clients include FOX, NBCUniversal, Netflix and Bravo. He’s also an accomplished musician and graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, with both Oscar and Grammy nominations as a songwriter and producer. michaelbeckerphotography.com

APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

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APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

Give Barbara Dourmashkin-Case a simple sheet of paper and a pen, and she comes alive. She is an artist to her core. As one of the most prolific animators in showbiz, she has worked at all the major studios and mastered nearly every aspect of production, from director to producer to writer. The Sherman Oaks resident chats with VB editor Linda Grasso about her long and fruitful career, which recently includes authoring children’s books.

Share a bit about your work with your two most recent endeavors, DuckTales and American Dad! DuckTales is a huge hit for Disney! I worked on it for more than two and a half years as what’s called timing director (basically planning all the animation that is to be done overseas frame by frame on timing sheets). In February I left Disney to start on American Dad!; I’m basically working in the same capacity I was at DuckTales. American Dad! is on during prime time at TBS, which is exciting. I really like the humor and quirky characters.

Prime Time

Emmy award-winning animation director and producer Barbara Dourmashkin-Case reflects on her 40-year career—including a 27-year run at Disney— and her new gig on TBS’s American Dad! PHOTOGRAPHED BY MICHAEL BECKER

When you worked on Sesame Street, how much did you interact with the late Jim Henson? I got to watch Jim rehearse with The Muppets, which was unbelievably fun. A friend was a writer on the show, and she dated Frank Oz, who played the cookie monster. When I visited her apartment, there were cookies scattered everywhere. He really was the cookie monster! Later I was very fortunate to have Frank do voices for my short film Isabella and the Magic Brush, which won an award from the LA Children’s Film Festival. You have two grown daughters. How did you juggle your career and motherhood? When I started out, everything was done on paper, but now computer skills are important. The first studio I worked at was Hanna-Barbera on The Smurfs, and all the animation was done here in the U.S. In 1982 there was a strike to try and stop the work from going overseas. I returned to working through my company Dourmashkin Productions, and while one door closed for a while, an even better one opened. Nine months after the strike, my first daughter Natasha, [founder of the Coolhaus ice cream line and profiled in VB’s September issue],

was born. Three and a half years later, my second daughter Sarah was born, and I was able to work at home doing storyboards for The Snorks, a spin-off of The Smurfs. I directed animated musical videos for children (Baby Songs) and produced animations on one of the earliest 3D computers, all in my backyard studio. When my children got a little older, I worked at Marvel and freelanced at Warner Bros.

What was it like to win an Emmy for Adventure Time in 2015? I’d been nominated twice before—once for Phineas and Ferb and once for the Aladdin series. I couldn’t go to the ceremony that year; I was vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard. But I was thrilled to get it. Because of the Emmy, I became a member of the Television Academy, and now I get to nominate and vote on the shows each year. What has been the most rewarding aspect of working in animation? Animation combines three things I love: storytelling, art and music. I often have been assigned dance numbers in animation because of my background in dance. My parents gave me all these lessons in art, music and dance, not knowing this is how it would all come together. What would you say to anyone with aspirations of getting into animation? When I started not everyone went to animation school. But now there are schools like Cal Arts, and ArtCenter that have animation programs that really teach skills that are very helpful. This is relevant because storyboards are almost entirely done on computers, and there is a huge amount of work doing CG (computer graphics). Like all entertainment/creative jobs, one of the most difficult things is staying employed and being able to move from one project to

APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

the next as series start and end. I have been one of the lucky ones. What skills have been most responsible for your success? My success is based on the quality of my work, which means doing the best job I can while meeting deadlines. I got into Disney on an anonymous test. Staying employed and moving from show to show happens by being part of a team. Someone recently said, “The most passionate person in the room gets the job.” I’m not only passionate about my work but also passionate about staying employed! Do you think storylines have gotten more socially responsible? At a recent meeting, Disney artists, writers and producers were urged by management to create shows that would have diversity of ethnicity, gender, orientation, age, etc. When I first came to Disney, there weren’t any female directors, and now there are. Disney shows are designed to speak to Gen Alpha, who aren’t going to put up with stereotypes or sexist characters and stories. Tell us a bit about your two children’s books. My first book was Peggy Day’s Martha’s Vineyard Adventure. It is the story of a girl chasing my beloved, childhood dog (Peggy Day). The dog chases a kitten around my favorite island. Truman’s Los Angeles Adventure is about my daughter Natasha’s dog, Truman, chasing a parakeet through places that are fun to visit, like the Hollywood Bowl, Dodger Stadium and other places I love in this city. As Truman makes mischief along the way, others—ranging from a conductor to a baseball player—join the chase. The book is designed to get readers excited about getting up off the couch, putting down the cell phone or computer and visiting these places. One of the most fun things about writing my books is reading to my grandson, Remy. Why did you and your husband choose Sherman Oaks to live? Geoffrey [Case] is an architect and with his firm, Bardwell Case ZinShu Architects, we built a home in the hills. It is on a piece of property that I used to jog to every day with my dog, and then it came on the market. It’s true Zen and feng shui at its finest. This is where I want to be! ■

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

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Artful Lodger Just in time for prime season, Palm Springs welcomes a stylish new hotel and the ambitious art exhibition Desert X. WRITTEN BY DARREN ELMS

With Coachella and Stagecoach this month, Palm Springs and neighboring Desert cities are mobbed. But it’s not just the star-studded concerts that pack in the crowds. During spring’s high season, the Desert draws a diverse crowd in search of the region’s latest attractions, newest hotels and trendiest restaurants. Here’s a list of what is catching our eye. WHAT TO SEE April visitors arrive just in time to enjoy the tail end of Desert X, a region-wide art installation, free to the public. The exhibition spans 50 miles across the Coachella Valley and expands to the south to explore the ecological bellwether of the Salton Sea and further across the border into Mexico. Don’t miss Sterling Ruby’s SPECTER, a large, neon orange block just off Highway 111 as you come into Palm Springs. Down by the entrance to the aerial tram, you’ll also get a glimpse of Irish artist John Gerrard’s Western Flag, a digital simulation of the first major oil find in Texas called Spindletop. Find out where to see all 19 installations of Desert X at desertx.org. WHERE TO STAY The most buzzed about addition to Palm Springs’ blossoming hotel scene is the intimate and inviting Villa Royale. Tucked off Palm Canyon Drive on the southern end of the city, this attractive newcomer offers an old-world feel, sprinkled with Hollywood glamour and contemporary art. With only 38 uniquely designed villas, the property boasts two pools, in-room cocktail parlors, lush patio gardens, and its own bar and restaurant, Del Rey. Added bonus: it is also pet-friendly. villaroyale.com WHERE TO DINE After making an opening splash a couple years ago, The Rowan is now out to prove it’s more than a hotel. That doesn’t require much convincing after enjoying a meal at the rooftop eatery 4 Saints. With one of the loftier views in downtown Palm Springs, the eatery takes advantage of the killer scenery with open patio seating. Diners can expect a delicious selection of sharable and seasonable plates with a Mediterranean edge by Chef Stephen Wambach. Highlights include the house cavatelli with mushroom ragu, whipped ricotta and rye gremolata; and “Fish in the Forest,” a beautifully plated Kona Kampachi with wild juniper, matsutake and baby leek. 4saintspalmsprings.com ■

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

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APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

datebook

Front Seat

Going on Now Lunch A La Park Spring Concerts

Weekly lunchtime concerts at Grand Park downtown featuring high school artists from the city’s top conservatories and training programs. Through May 30. grandparkla.org

Springtime Easter Festival

Escape suburbia with a fun-filled day for the entire family at a sprawling, Moorpark farm. Through April 22. underwoodfamilyfarms.com

April 6 San Fernando Valley Film Tour

A three-hour guided bus tour of famous local film locations including Wayne’s World, Back to the Future and E.T. valleyrelicsmuseum.org

Vince Neil

The front man of Motley Crue performs some of the band’s greatest rock hits at The Canyon. wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com

6&7 Santa Anita Spring Carnival

Ballet Preljocaj La Fresque

French choreographer Angelin Preljocaj is one of the world’s busiest dance-makers, known for his collaborations across fashion, design and literature. On April 18, at The Soraya, his company Ballet Preljocaj performs La Fresque (The Painting on the Wall), based on a Chinese traditional folk story. thesoraya.org

A two-day event in the infield, featuring inflatable bounce houses, carnival games and rides. $15 admission; free parking. santaanita.com

7 Paper Earth Fair

A family-friendly, educational event at the Tarzana Community & Cultural Center that connects art and earth. 1111acc.org

Black is Beautiful

The first major exhibition of African American photographer Kwame Brathwaite fuses art, music, fashion and social history. Through September 1. skirball.org

11 Taste of the Valley

$55 ticket gets you access to samples from local restaurants, wineries, and microbreweries. Held in an outdoor venue at Westfield Topanga. valleycultural.org

30 The Wondrous Cosmos in Medieval Manuscripts Explore the complexity of the celestial realm in medieval European faith and science traditions. Through July 21. getty.edu

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

“

What has made the biggest difference is not what Dr. Tolbert has done to help my back. It’s the way that she and her entire staff have treated me from the very beginning. For them, it was never about a broken down body part. It was about helping me find me again.

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The Tolbert Center difference According to the American Academy of Pain Medicine, chronic pain now affects more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. Most people over 50 are given the option of surgery, pills or physical therapy to treat any number of musculoskeletal conditions. But, at the Tolbert Center for Rehabilitation and Wellness, a Los Angeles-area state-of-the-art medical facility, we believe there is a better way to heal people. If you’re looking to feel like you’re young again, Dr. Glenna Tolbert and her team of physicians and nutrition and fitness specialists can work with you to decrease your pain, enhance your performance and keep you moving—all without surgery. Imagine that! We offer four main treatments to restore the function of your body and make you feel faboluous.

DNA Testing As a result of an injury or the aging process, medications, stress and chronic illness can rob our bodies of their necessary elements. With DNA micro nutrient testing, Dr. Tolbert has decreased patients’ pain by supplementing their diets with minerals and vitamins to restore their bodies’ balance.

Exercise We incorporate exercise into the healing process because, as Dr. Tolbert always says, exercise is the secret to the fountain of youth. Bring in your golf club, dancing shoes or yoga mat and get personalized injury prevention training or enroll in our performance enhancement program.

Regenerative Medicine Regenerative medicine uses minimally invasive procedures, along with a patient’s own body, to regrow and repair damaged cartilage and ligaments. We use tools such as prolotherapy, PRP and stem cell injections to accomplish this goal without surgery. We are even beginning to use regenerative medicine for hair loss.

Mind-Body Connection The evidence shows that the power of the mind is important to healing the body, and vice versa. That’s why we recently added a psychologist to our team to educate patients about the strength of the mind as it relates to the body.

In our annual salute to the Valleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best and brightest, we introduce you to 10 extraordinary teenagers. With accomplishments ranging from music to science to social activism, they are deep thinkers, devoted do-ers and assertive change makers. And while striving to achieve their own dreams, all are committed to making the world a better place. PHOTOGRAPHED BY MICHAEL BECKER

JOSHUA PARK 17 | SIERRA CANYON SCHOOL

WHAT BLEW US AWAY: He is a self-motivated, culinary impresario who has worked nearly every job at a variety of restaurants, including a fancy French one. He’ll graduate this spring having completed 10 AP and 12 honors classes, and he was inducted into Sierra Canyon’s chapter of the Cum Laude Society, which recognizes the top 10 students in the class. He deftly balances his work life with his demanding schoolwork and extracurricular commitments and is admired by peers for treating people with respect. FIRST JOB: “In 10th grade I got a job at a restaurant. They were seven-hour

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

dishwashing shifts, but I got to see how a kitchen worked. I’d watch them cook. It was an Italian restaurant, but everyone was Hispanic. My next job was as a prep chef at Mistral. It was kind of grueling. I’m a vegetarian and I had to butcher chicken and devein shrimp. But it was rewarding and interesting.” INTERESTING TO NOTE: “From as far back as I can remember, I’ve loved cooking. I learned a lot from reading cookbooks like Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I also learned how to speak French; I love the culture.”

HIS OTHER SIDE: “I love writing, and recently I took a course called The Art of the Short Story. At the end of the semester, I wrote a 20-page, fictional piece about the “Red Scare” and anti-Communism. There is something about writing that is very fulfilling.” THANKS: “I credit my English teacher Victoria Zielinski. She was the one who ignited my love for writing.” GOAL: “I dream of being a Michelin chef. I’d also love to be a food critic—maybe the next Jonathan Gold.”

ABIGAIL YADEGAR

WHAT BLEW US AWAY: Her musical accomplishments, coupled with her socially conscious endeavors. She won an international vocalist competition and was selected to perform solo at a gala at Carnegie Hall. As a member of the LA Museum of the Holocaust Teen Board, she has created audio/visual guides to make exhibits more accessible to youth. And she helped design a lesson plan that will be used at LA public schools to create a platform for collaboration between students and Holocaust survivors.

16 | MILKEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

club, in which she creates opportunities for Jewish teens around the world to connect and collaborate. She attended the byinvitation-only, first Women’s Leadership Conference at Harvard University last year, which inspired her to found a female empowerment club at Milken. MUSIC IS: “About more than getting recognition—it’s about trying to create social change. I’d like to change the way we view women in opera.”

MY SECRET WEAPON: “Empathy. I think a lot of success comes from developing relationships. I try to be open-minded and see things from the perspective of others.” WHERE SHE’S HEADED: “My dream is to be an opera singer and to create change in the world. I want to continue empowering women.” INTERESTING TO NOTE: “I don’t have social media accounts. My parents aren’t into that.”

HER SOCIAL ACTIVISM ALSO INCLUDES: Being the leader of the Global Beit Midrash

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FRANKLIN HUANG

18 | VIEWPOINT SCHOOL

WHAT BLEW US AWAY: With all AP classes in his core program, he has a 4.7 GPA. He co-founded the Artificial Intelligence Club in 10th grade and after Hurricane Harvey led members to develop software that uses social media for services to help people. For the past two summers, he has been doing research (as part of an internship) with a professor of artificial intelligence at Northeastern University, and some of his work has been published. PERSONAL CHALLENGE: “I immigrated from China when I was 13 years old. I didn’t adapt well in the first year. I got D’s in history classes, but my parents said stick with it. I loved computer science, robotics and programming. Even when I was struggling, being able to access all this information was really exciting.” I GET INSPIRED BY: “Sci-fi. The Matrix changed my worldview. It asks a lot of philosophical questions like “What is real?” I’m a big fan of Star Trek. The TV series is highly philosophical.” MY SECRET WEAPON: “Being philosophical. My parents encouraged me to keep a balance between STEM and humanities. Once I saw sci-fi movies and read Isaac Asimov’s books like I, Robot, I realized there were deeper questions to consider.” HIS FUTURE: “I don’t know if I’ll take the research or business path. I’m very interested in robots and linguistics—how machines can understand our language.” FUN FACT: “My English name, Franklin, came from Franklin the Turtle. I learned a quarter of my English watching that show as a youngster in China.”

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DAKOTA GOLDBERG

15 | THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL

WHAT BLEW US AWAY: She is a devoted environmentalist who is forging new territory. As part of a school independent project program, she developed wildernation.co, an online resource for environmental activists. And in 2018 she became a finalist in Google’s nationwide Change the Game challenge for designing EcoVerse, a video game in which the goal is to save the planet through growth and rebirth. The game is currently available on Google Play Store. Plus she is one of the few ninth-grade members of Buckley’s award-winning robotics team. DOWN THE ROAD: “I like innovation, startups and solving problems. I’d like to start a business—possibly aimed at solving global issues.” LIFESTYLE CHALLENGE: “I’m trying to live with zero waste. That means things like not using plastic utensils. It is incredibly difficult in today’s society.” ON EQUALITY: “I’m happy I’m living in an age where I can do these things in computer science. In terms of equality, we aren’t there yet. I’d like to be involved in the push.” I’M NOT GOOD AT: “Dancing. I’m terrible. And I’m not flexible at all. With sports I get injured cause I’m just not flexible.” LIFE LESSON: “Being in computer science, you get a lot of problems that look intimidating. But you break it down and solve it. That is a metaphor for life. I don’t and won’t shy away from what’s intimidating.”

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DOMINIQUE STONE 17 | CAMPBELL HALL SCHOOL

WHAT BLEW US AWAY: With more titles and trophies than can fit on this page, her four-year varsity tennis run can be summed up by this: she’s had more than 100 wins and only four losses. Widely considered one of the best tennis players in the country, she is also one of the nicest. Her friendly, courteous demeanor has her being described by the OC Register as “the Campbell Hall senior who dominates Southern California tennis with a fierce forehand and a smile.”

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WHEN I’M NOT PLAYING TENNIS: “I’m busy with theatre tech after school. I do production and backstage work. It is hard juggling that with tennis, but I manage it because I really love theatre.” THE WIN THAT STAYS WITH ME: “I played in Thailand when I was about 10. It was my first time in that country, and they’re cursing at me in Thai. They thought I couldn’t understand the language, but I do. They were cussing and saying all sorts of nasty things. I understood every word, but I stayed in the game and won. It felt good.”

ON TENNIS: “I was 6 when I started. My sister played, and I looked up to her. My dad is a professional tennis coach.” SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT ME: “I’m not a good cook. One time I forgot to put water in the pan when I was boiling an egg. I just tossed the egg in the pan.” I DON’T LIKE TO: “Flaunt my wins. I’m more comfortable being humble.”

ETHAN HOWARD

WHAT BLEW US AWAY: He has been actively pursuing a career in standup comedy since he was 14 years old and performs at LA clubs almost weekly. He has hosted with headliner Jeff Ross at The Hollywood Improv and won a comedy contest put on by SNL star Keenan Thompson. He pitches on the varsity baseball team—all the while maintaining academic excellence. FIRST REALIZED HE WAS FUNNY: “When I was 4 or 5. The first time I actually made people laugh was at a family dinner. I said something and heard laughter and something sparked in me.”

17 | CALABASAS HIGH SCHOOL

HIS FIRST TIME PERFORMING: “I first got up on stage at 14. I wrote some jokes and went to the Haha Cafe in NoHo for open mike. I paid five bucks for five minutes on stage. Right before, I freaked out and ran out. But my dad said take a deep breath and go back up there, and I did.” MOST PROUD ACCOMPLISHMENT: “Keenan Thompson’s comedy contest last May. I sent them my set, and I was a finalist. They flew us all out to NY, and we did a show. I headlined at Caroline’s Comedy Club on Broadway.”

GOAL: “I want to be on Saturday Night Live one day and ultimately host The Tonight Show. My dad and I bonded over watching Johnny Carson.” HOW HE HANDLES PROFANITY: “People don’t want to hear profanity from a kid. I do not tell sex jokes and hardly ever use profanity. Jerry Seinfeld once said a comic should only use the ‘f-word’ if it furthers a joke. I believe that.” INTERESTING TO NOTE: “Offstage I can be shy, especially with girls.”

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MICHAEL BOCHKUR DRATVER

WHAT BLEW US AWAY: Not only does he have the highest GPA in the senior class (tied), his course load includes 12 AP classes in three years of high school. He has worked as a research assistant at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine’s radiation oncology department for more than two years and earned a co-authorship on a research paper published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology. As one teacher put it, “Michael has the kind of determination and intellectual curiosity you can’t teach.” MOST PROUD OF: “The work I’m doing in a laboratory at UCLA at the

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radiation oncology department. I’ve been working with breast, brain and pancreatic cancer. I’ve been learning how to grow and maintain cells in a sterile environment. After we treat the cells with drugs and/or radiation, we analyze them. I’m so lucky. When I started I was expecting to sweep floors and clean beakers.” FUTURE: “Grad school. I want to explore other research opportunities. I’m interested in the brain and cognitive sciences.” KEY INFLUENCE: “My older sister, Milana Bochkur Dratver [a VB “Top Teen” in 2014]. She really set a high

18 | MILKEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

bar. She made me see the sheer possibilities out there and my potential. She’s at Harvard Medical School right now.” MY MENTOR: “My grandfather. My parents are immigrants from the Ukraine. He was always there to help me with homework, and he is a walking encyclopedia. I learned to have a breadth of knowledge from him.” IN MY FREE TIME: “I cook—everything. I learned from watching YouTube videos like Gordon Ramsay. For my birthday present, I asked for things like foie gras from the Hudson Valley and a sous vide.”

KRISTEN LEE 18 | VIEWPOINT SCHOOL

WHAT BLEW US AWAY: Kristen is a wellknown, well-liked leader and change maker on the Viewpoint campus. Last year she was named the inaugural recipient of the Viewpoint Parent Association’s Social Justice, Ethics and Leadership Award. Whether it is organizing a walkout to recognize and honor the victims of the Parkland, Florida shooting or a voter registration campaign, she is fearless, unassuming and unapologetic. WHAT SHE WANTS TO CHANGE: “People often misunderstand the term ‘student activist.’ I actually prefer ‘student organizer’ because most of my initiatives revolve around creating spaces for people so they can have a voice.” FINDS CONFIDENCE THROUGH: “Art. I’m a president of the poetry club and in the beginning, I’d write about body image and what it meant to be a girl. I really thought about the fact that I’m Asian, more emotional and empathetic. Those are special things about me. I wouldn’t have known that if it weren’t for exploring it through art.” REGARDING CRAZY RICH ASIANS: “I support TV and movies made by Asian artists, but all of the South and Southeast Asians—brown Asians—are shown in servant, guard and other lower class positions. We need more stories that feature South and Southeast in the same class. The brown Asian community feels like their voices aren’t being heard, just those of East Asians.” I REALLY VALUE: “Conversations with people from other political parties. I advocate free speech. I want to be true to who I am but respectful of others.”

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GRACE ROSE

WHAT BLEW US AWAY: Her bravery and fearless pursuit of life in the face of cystic fibrosis and her efforts to raise money for research. Also her fun, infectious spirit. THE SPECIFICS: With fashion shows, events and her clothing line “Rosie G” (which she kicked off at the age of 10), Grace Rose has helped raise over $300,000 for cystic fibrosis research. Last year she partnered with TOMS here in LA to host a fundraising event.

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16 | JOHN BURROUGHS HIGH SCHOOL

WHAT SHE’S MOST PROUD OF: “I’m still here. I have surpassed the age they thought I’d live to. CF is a life-threatening disease that attacks your internal organs. I take 45 pills a day and give myself several lung treatments each day. I wear a vest, and it is plugged into a machine that breaks up mucus in the lungs. And I’ve had several surgeries.” HER SECRET WEAPON: “My drive. It carries me through everything I want to do in life. I’m not lucky to be here—I worked for it.”

WHO INSPIRES HER: “My mom. She raised me by herself. That in itself is pretty incredible. She taught me how to give myself pills and do my own lung treatments. And whenever I’m scared, she reassures me.” WHERE SHE’S HEADED: “I’d like to be on Broadway in a musical someday. I’d also like to be a second-grade teacher and have a comedic talk show. And I’ll always be running my clothing line.”

RYAN BLOCH 15 | CALABASAS HIGH SCHOOL

WHAT BLEW US AWAY: The way he is putting his passion for gaming to use for a greater purpose. He recently organized and threw a gaming tournament, Fortnite Battle Royal, and raised $12,000 for cancer research. It was his fourth fundraising endeavor; he founded Game On for a Kure when he was 12 years old, to honor his grandma Aileen who passed away from a rare cancer. To date Game On for a Kure has helped the Aileen Sherman Memorial Fund raise over $26,000.

WHY IT WAS SUCH A COLOSSAL EFFORT: “We put a lot of pieces together, and it took a long time. We had to contact the game creators and get our own server; find a gaming place that had enough PCs; get all the prizes donated.” HIS SECRET WEAPON: “I never give up. When a problem comes up, I work my way around it.”

WHERE HE’S HEADED: “My dream has always been to be a role model through gaming. I’d like to be a tournament influencer.” FOR FUN: “I play tennis for my high school tennis team. I’d describe my game as consistent.” ■

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Impressionable Minds 5 best-selling books that explore history from a young person’s perspective

PERSEPOLIS: THE STORY OF A CHILDHOOD BY MARJANE SATRAPI In powerful black-and-white comic strip images, the author tells the story of her life in Tehran from ages 6 to 14—years that saw the overthrow of the Shah’s regime, the triumph of the Islamic Revolution and the devastating effects of war with Iraq. The intelligent and outspoken only child of committed Marxists and the great-granddaughter of one of Iran’s last emperors, the author bears witness to a childhood uniquely entwined with the history of her country. HOW I BECAME A SPY BY DEBORAH HOPKINSON In this suspenseful new novel, set in London, we meet 13-year-old Bertie Bradshaw. He gets recruited for intelligence work by Britain’s Social Operations Executive during World War II and ends up traipsing around war-torn London, solving ciphers, practicing surveillance, and searching for a traitor to the Allied forces. He befriends a strong-willed American girl named and a boy who is a Jewish refugee and the three race to solve a mystery on the eve of the Normandy invasion. Sleuth-loving readers from ages 8 to 14 will be enthralled. THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PAJAMAS BY JOHN BOYNE Set in Berlin in 1942, Bruno returns home from school one day and discovers his belongings being packed in crates. His father has received a promotion, and the family must move. At the new house, there is no one to play with and nothing to do, and a tall fence stretches as far as the eye can see. But Bruno decides there must be more to this desolate place than meets the eye and goes beyond the fence. While exploring he meets another boy whose life and circumstances are very different from his own. Their meeting results in a friendship that has devastating consequences. DEAR MARTIN BY NIC STONE Justyce McAllister is a good kid, an honor student and always there to help a friend—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can’t escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates. Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out. A LONG WALK TO WATER BY LINDA SUE PARK This New York Times best seller begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about two 11-year-olds in Sudan: a girl in 2008 and a boy in 1985. The girl, Nya, is fetching water from a pond that is a two-hour walk from her home, and she makes two trips to the pond every day. The boy, Salva, becomes one of the “lost boys” of Sudan—refugees who cover the African continent as they search on foot for their families and a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship—from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions—Salva is a survivor, and his story intersects with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way.

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APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

just imagine Take a dive into spring with whimsical patterns and bold graphics. Here we pull some of our favorites from Ice Cream Castles, a clothing line designed by Sherman Oaks native Véronique Vicari Barnes. Each season with her line, the designer tells a make-believe story. This spring’s collection takes place in the “Land of Neon,” where alligators hang out at the “Brain Freeze Ice Cream Shop” and dolphins race around in electric cars. Find the adorable duds at icecreamcastles.com and at the boutique Sap+Honey in Sherman Oaks.

WRITTEN BY HEATHER DAVID PHOTOGRAPHED BY LEYNA NOELANI AMBRON SHOT AT SHERMAN OAKS CASTLE PARK

Left to right: Magical Graphic Tie Top Short Romper, $65; Neon Unicorn Repeat Print Zip Hoodie, $45 Alligator Skater Graphic Sleeveless Tee, $40; Brain Freeze Repeat Print Jogger, $45 Flamingo Mood Racerback Tank, $40; Flamingo Repeat Print Zip Hoodie, $45; Flamingo Repeat Print Legging, $40 Brain Freeze Graphic Sleeveless Tee, $40; Dolphin Race Car Print Zip Hoodie, $45; Dolphin Race Car Print Jogger, $45

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Ranchera Royalty Meet Ángela Aguilar. At 15 years old, she’s a three-time Grammy nominee and the third generation of a Latin music dynasty.

WRITTEN BY ANNE M. RUSSELL | PHOTOGRAPHED BY MONICA OROZCO | HAIR AND MAKEUP BY CARMINA SORIA

n the current political climate, amid constant talk of wall building and a characterization by some of Mexicans as criminals, it might seem brave for Ángela Aguilar to title her third album Primero Soy Mexicana (First, I Am Mexican). But according to the teen’s mother, it’s less of a pointed political statement and more of an expression of deep pride in and love for her Mexican culture and family’s music legacy. Aneliz Aguilar Álvarez says she is proud of her daughter’s status as an icon for second and third generation MexicanAmericans. “I’ve gotten emails from people who say, ‘My kids started to speak Spanish

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because of Ángela.’ It’s nice that she’s a good influence as a girl who’s super fluent in both languages. She is really bicultural and binational, but also 100% American.” Ángela, who lives with her family in Hidden Hills, comes by her talent naturally. Her father, José “Pepe” Aguilar, is a singer/ songwriter/producer with four American Grammys and four Latin Grammys to his credit. He has sold 12 million albums worldwide and even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You will also find a star there for his late father, Antonio Aguilar, who sold 25 million albums during his lifetime. Antonio and his wife, Flo Silvestre, were

superstars beginning in the 1950s. As famed actors as well as singers, they established what would become celebrated throughout Latin America as “La Dinastía Aguilar” (The Aguilar Dynasty). Ángela realizes the role her family has played in her success, and she is quick to give credit. “Because of my dad, I’ve been able to perform in huge venues all over the world,” she says. In fact her first appearance on stage was at age 3 on her grandfather’s final tour, and she’s loved being in front of audiences ever since. Her first album, Nueva Tradición, with her brother Leonardo, was released in 2012, when she was only 9. Her second, a Christmas album, Navidad con Ángela Aguilar, came out the following year. In addition to her brother, Angela has two other siblings. All are dual citizens of the U.S. and Mexico; the Aguilars also have a large ranch in Northern Mexico. Her choice of ranchera music, a

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century-old northern Mexican ballad style, honors her familial roots in the state of Zacatecas. She received a 2019 Grammy nomination for Best Regional Mexican Music Album for Primero Soy Mexicana. At the 2018 Latin Grammys, she performed “La Llorona,” an emotional, traditional song about a spectral woman searching for her lost children. She reprised it this year at the 61st Grammy Premiere Ceremony (which was taped before the live audience but not televised). When it comes to fashion, colorful Mexican gowns and flower crowns are Ángela’s on-stage signature style. The dress she wore for the Latin Grammy performance is from Oaxaca; another favorite is from Chiapas. In the end she didn’t win the American Grammy or her two Latin Grammy nominations—Best New Artist and Best Mariachi/ Ranchera Album—but to her, it was no surprise. “I was expecting to lose, and I did lose. I was with artists three times my age who are

much better known to the Academy,” Ángela says. Certainly she has plenty of time to catch up, considering that even performers three times her age are only 45 years old. In spite of all the fame and attention, Ángela seems to be a normal teen, albeit an extraordinarily talented, smart and pretty one. Her favorite author is young-adult, dystopian novelist Ally Condie, and she likes the teen drama series Riverdale. She has a good mind for business and says that if she weren’t a performer, “I’d like to be something in the entertainment business—maybe a manager,” adding, as most teenage girls would, “or a model.” She posts daily to her Instagram (where she has 871,000 followers) and Twitter accounts, although she leaves Facebook to other team members. Ángela says she hears from her fans constantly and that the most enthusiastic ones tend to be in the 6- to 12-year-old range, “younger for the girls; older for the boys,” she adds.

ANGELA WITH HER FATHER, PHOTO CREDIT: CLEMENTE RUIZ; ANGELA PERFORMING, PHOTO CREDIT: JESUS AGUILAR

“BECAUSE OF MY DAD, I’VE BEEN ABLE TO PERFORM IN HUGE VENUES ALL OVER THE WORLD.”

Ángela used her high visibility on social media last year to help her father with the million-voter-registration initiative, Voto Latino, which included pre-registering teens ages 16 and 17, who, like Ángela, are too young to vote yet. Although she has been mostly home schooled to this point, Ángela’s now enrolled as a middle-schooler at the progressive, private MUSE School in Calabasas, which her mom describes as, “very supportive.” Ángela is emailed her homework assignments when she’s on the road. As for what’s next, Ángela is at work on another album, to be released at the end of the year. She’s focused on doing more songwriting; “I’m writing a song a day,” she says. She’s also perfecting her French and is learning “La Vie en Rose,” the mournful love song made famous by Edith Piaf. Ángela says her fantasy performance venue is Madison Square Garden, a dream that seems well within reach. ■

ALL IN THE FAMILY Ángela with her father, José “Pepe” Aguilar

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Reaching for the Stars Sixth grader Peyton Hemann may have lost all of her hair, but sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not letting it stop her from pursuing her dream to space walk or her quest to help others.

WRITTEN BY KAREN YOUNG | PHOTOGRAPHED BY MONICA OROZCO

Wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “Occupy Mars,” Peyton Hemann greets me one Sunday morning at her Chatsworth home with a big smile. It doesn’t take long before she shares her dream: to become a NASA engineer and be among the first to walk on the mysterious red planet. Speaking with engaging candor, her brown eyes sparkle under wire-rim glasses, as she talks about her love of space. Peyton, who is in sixth grade at nearby Sierra Canyon School, counts the award-winning film Hidden Figures among her greatest inspirations. “Women did math and changed the course of history, and that’s what I want to do, except I want to be the one to go into space with the math. “Last summer I went to the space camp in Huntsville, Alabama,” she shares. “Suffice it to say, I was in heaven.” With a sense of introspection and maturity that belies her 11 ½ years and an infectious sense of humor, Peyton lightly touches her small blue earrings, perfectly visible against her completely hairless head. At age 8 she was diagnosed with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks its own hair, or as Peyton puts it, “I say I’m allergic to my hair.” Within a year and a half, Peyton was completely bald. In a tone that hints she’s done this before, she patiently explains alopecia is not contagious or painful—nor is she sick. There is no cure, yet it is unpredictable because hair can come and go. Initially she lost small patches that grew back with the help of Rogaine. But later her shoulder-length brunette locks began falling out quickly in large clumps. “It was really crazy. I’d wake up and see a big hairball on my pillow. I was just like, holy cow, is that all my hair?” Peyton’s diagnosis had quickly progressed to alopecia universalis, which causes a complete loss of body hair. Taking immediate action, Peyton and her parents, Jamie Hemann and Monica Kim, visited doctors and searched for a custom wig. Meanwhile lower school principal, Kristine Theodoratos, coordinated a school assembly to educate students about alopecia, in preparation for Peyton’s return. After wearing the hairpiece for two months, Peyton, who was in fourth grade at the time, decided she wanted to go bald. “The wig made me really hot … the wind creates a greenhouse effect where it’s actually warmer than having normal hair, and it

got itchy and sweaty and I was just like, no, I’m done.” Another school assembly was organized— this time to introduce Peyton sans wig. Jamie, who at the time worked with the NFL, reached out to Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier, who has battled alopecia since age 5. He agreed to fly out to help Peyton share her “new normal.” In a letter to the faculty, Kristine wrote: “As is customary of our dear Peyton, she marches to the beat of her own drum and will turn her autoimmune disorder into her own advocacy.” Peyton walked on stage completely bald, amidst applause, and proudly held court in conversation with Ryan “talking alopecia.” She brightly grins recalling how her big reveal evoked the same emotion as winning the lower school Spelling Bee four months earlier. “It was that elated feeling of … YES … the world is in alignment. It was one of the best moments in my life. Just being out there on the stage, spreading alopecia awareness. It’s the kind of stuff you really want to live for, and it was fun!” This is not Peyton’s first encounter with adversity. From infancy through pre-kindergarten, she battled aggressive eczema. “It was so itchy and red, I always had to wear long sleeves and long pants.” Monica believes Peyton’s resilience evolved from dealing with eczema and ice-skating daily from age 3 to 8. “If she fell she’d get right back up.”

Of their daughter’s confidence, Jamie says, “She’s owned it from the very beginning. She is comfortable in her skin and knows who she is.” Over her 25 years of working in education, Kristine says she has never been more impressed with any child than she has been with Peyton, whom she describes as “an inquisitive student and vested learner who pursues knowledge for its own sake but who’s also calm, courageous and optimistic.” Peyton plays the piano and sings, competes on a math team and two swim teams, and of course, studies the solar system through her telescope. With a mission to help other kids with alopecia, Peyton created a blog (peytonpecia. com), which is branded with a turtle logo. “I love turtles and tortoises, so it’s a metaphor for my motto—‘Helping kids with alopecia come out of their shell,’” she explains. It is filled with her haikus, poems, advice and coding—all with empowering thoughts. She is also a top fundraiser for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation. “For most people seeing a bald kid is a universally weird experience. People think you have cancer. Little kids stare, so then kids with alopecia often feel secluded,” Peyton says. “Other than our hair, nothing about us changes. We can do great things just like everyone else, and that’s what I aspire to do … like walking on Mars.” ■

Other than our hair, nothing about us changes. We can do great things just like everyone else, and that’s what I aspire to do…like walking on Mars.”

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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

Camp

Type

Gender

Ages

Location

Campbell Hall Summer Programs

Various

M/F

K-8th Grade

Studio City

Camp EcoBotics

Day Camp All 6-8th Grade West Hills

Camp Los Encinos

Day Camp with fun and enriching activities that the campers All get to choose.

1-6th grade campers, 7-9th grade for Encino CIT positions.

Camp RelevĂŠ

Performing Arts M/F 4 to 14 Tarzana

STEM3 Academy

Various All 3 to 22

Valley Glen, Culver City, Orange County

Kids Like Me Camps

Special Needs, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Developmental Challenges

All

3 to 21

Sherman Oaks, Culver City

Valley Trails Summer Camp

Traditional/Intentional Program

Co-ed

K-10th Grade

Tarzana

LA Kings Pro Competition Camp

Youth Hockey Camp

M/F

8 to 15

Santa Barbara

Summer@Stratford

Education/Academic/STEAM M/F Middle School Altadena, Los Angeles, Mission Viejo, West Los Angeles

Harvard-Westlake Summer

Academics, Arts, and Athletics

All

8 to 17

Studio City

Camp X

Day Camp

All

4 to 9

Bel Air

Summer S.M.A.R.T.S.

Summer Academic Program All 1-12th Grade Encino

Camp Funtime

Various M/F 3 to 17 Encino

Viewpoint Summer Programs

Multi-program All 5 to 17 Calabasas

Tiny Spotlight

Theater School

All

4 to 10

Studio City

The Buckley School Summer Camp

Day

All

5 to 14

Sherman Oaks

Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts

Theatre Camp

All

3 to 17

Los Angeles

Second City Hollywood

Theatre Camp

All

8 to 18

Hollywood

Planet Bravo Techno-tainment Camp

Tech Camp All 2-9th Grade Encino

Saken Sports Camp

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

Sports Camp

All

4 to 14

Encino

field trips

arts

sports

academics

Specialties Website

Phone

Creative arts, Sports, STEAM, engineering, robotics, chess, cheer

Camp Eco-Botics is a summer camp program for middle school students at deToledo High School in West Hills, CA. The programming focuses on the growing, harvesting and cooking of food in the organic garden, building and designing in the maker space, and creating in the art and design labs. Students enjoy a full day program that also includes yoga and swimming.

Water slides, field trips, sports, cooking.

campbellhall.org/summer

(818) 505-2415

dths.org/summer2019

(818) 348-0048

losencinosschool.org/camp

(818) 990-1006

https://www.relevestudios.com/camps/

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stem3academy.org

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Fortnite Camp, Surprise Doll Camp, Candyland Crazed, Broadway Bound, Try-it-all Dance Camp, and Pop Star Cap Cooking & Chemistry, Art & Design, Robot Engineering & Coding with VEX, Coding from Scratch, VR & AR, Design & Engineering

Social skills, recreational programs, language development and teen travel

kidslikemela.org

(818) 778-7136

valleytrails.com

(818) 345-3002

LAKings.com/ProCompetition

(310) 535-4472

Overnight Camp

STEAM academic curriculum x x x www.stratfordschools.com/summer-camps Academic and Arts Enrichment, Sports Camps, Debate, and Film

www.hw.com/summer

(818) 487-6527

Fashion design, filmmaking, robotics, product design

milkenschool.org/CampX

(310) 903-4800

Specialized curriculum for learning differences; small class sizes; reading/writing/math/electives

www.westmarkschool.org/SummerSMARTS

(818) 986-5045

Sports, Archery, Gymnastics, Swimming, Rock Wall, GaGa, Karate, Science, Art, Yoga, Dance, Music, Drama, Robotics, Nature, Field Trips, Theme Weeks, Special Events and More! Technology and Robotics, Day Camps and themed day camps, Academic and For-credit classes, Sports, Science, Art, Evening Adult Art Workshops.

www.campfuntime.org

(818) 789-8405

www.viewpoint.org/summer

(818) 591-6591

Musical Theatre, Improv, Writing and Performance workshops

tinyspotlightla.com

(626) 644-5651

Kindergarten Adventure, Sports, Arts, Robotics

www.buckley.org/summercamp

(818) 783-1610

Youth comprehensive theatrical training, private coaching, and internship opportunities

https://yada.org/

323-655-9232

Musical Theatre, Improv, and Conservatory

https://www.secondcity.com/shows/hollywood/

323-464-8542

From the beginning, PlanetBravo’s award-winning summer camp has always been about giving kids a fun, confidence-boosting experience where they can explore and develop new multimedia skills with their friends. Whether it’s learning to code, making movies, modding Minecraft, or building robots, our kids are using their summers to do incredible things with technology here at camp.

https://www.planetbravo.com/camps/

(310) 443-7607

http://sakensportscamp.com

(310) 273-2459

Athletic camps, clinics, and a wide variety of traditional camp services

Altadena (626) 784-1000 Los Angeles (323) 962-3075 Mission Viejo (949) 458-1776 West LA (424) 293-2783

APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

SUMMER DAY CAMP JUNE 17 - AUGUST 9

AGES 3-17 25+ Activities Field Trips Extended Care

OPEN HOUSE

CREATING LIFELONG MEMORIES SINCE 1958!

April 28

10:00 am – 1:00 pm

(818) 789-8405 @campfuntime

MA S

SUMMER

ACADEMIC PROGRAM JULY 1 - JULY 26

GRADES 1-12 Small class sizes Reading Writing Math Electives

Individualized curriculum based on each studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs and learning profile

THE DIFFERENCE IS BRILLIANT

CA 91316 | (818) 986-5045 | www.westmarkschool.org

www.westmarkschool.org

(818) 986-5045 @westmarklions

6043 Tampa Avenue | Tarzana

woodcrestschool.com Call For A Private Tour

818.345.3002 The Valley’s BEST Summer Camp

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Free Transportation From Sherman Oaks, Encino, Calabasas & West Hills

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e B tr Tak Early egis h 10 rc ER RE gh Ma F & rou th

Grades K-10

JULY 8-12 CANDYLAND CRA E AM 8:30-12:00 As you wor your way around a gigantic game board, get ready to have a blast with music, dance, arts and, of course, candy!

LOL DOLL CAMP PM 12:30-4:00

Dance, sing, act, dress-up, play and have an absolute blast in our new L L Doll camp. Campers who enroll all wee will receive a brand new L L Surprise Doll at the end!

JULY 15-19 POP STAR CAMP AM 8:30-12:00

CAMP RELEVÉ $50 OFF

EACH WEEK-LONG CAMP FOR THE FIRST 40 TO REGISTER!

Students will ta e the stage and learn how to sing and dance just li e their pop star idols. Campers will wor on a music video that they can show their friends!

FORTNITE CAMP PM 12:30-4:00

Learn all of the Fortnite dances and join in on the game with your friends. We'll be dancing and battling together throughout the entire wee !

JULY 22-26 TRY-IT-ALL DANCE CAMP AM 8:30-12:00

Try several styles of dance to see what you love most! Will it be tap, hip-hop, ja&&, ballet, contemporary hula, African, or Latin ballroom*

BROADWAY BO ND PM 12:30-4:00 Learn e$cerpts from Mary Poppins, Wic ed, Shre and more! Sing, dance, and act all wee long! End the wee with a super-fun showcase for friends and family.

PERFORMING ARTS CAMPS FOR BOYS GIRLS AGES 4-14

RELE ST IOS

18356 O& rd Street 100 T r' , CA 91356 www.relevestudios.com

818-343-7353

K I D S

C A M P S

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

S U M M E R

P R O G R A M S

SummerPrograms-2019.qxp_VenturaBlvd-ad 1/8/19 2:47 PM Page 1

K I D S

C A M P S

S U M M E R

P R O G R A M S

CAMPBELL HALL

SUMMER grades K—8

arts sports tech DAY CAMP HOURS: 8:45 - 3:15 (FREE extended care 8-4) Seven Weekly Sessions Begin June 17, 2019 REGISTER ONLINE: www.LES.camp or call (818) 990-1006

registration now open

campbellhall.org/summer

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CAMPERS: GRADES 1-6 CITs: GRADES 7-9

Make summer sensational! www.LES.camp or call (818) 990-1006

• Sports • Science • Arts & Crafts • Cooking • Photography

• Robotics • Yoga • Field Trips • Moviemaking • and so much more!!

Los Encinos School • 17100 Ventura Blvd. • Encino, CA 91316 • (818) 990-1006 www.LES.camp • camp@losencinosschool.org

APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

K I D S

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June 10 – July 19, 2019 • Grades K–8

EXPLORE! Summer @Stratford EXCEL! ENGAGE! Stay Curious.

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Discover where the Extraordinary begins Stratford School infuses its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum into an innovative and enriching summer camp experience for children in Preschool through Middle School.*

Camp Sessions June 10 – August 9

Sign-up Today! StratfordSchools.com/summer-camp Altadena

Los Angeles | Mission Viejo | West Los Angeles

www.buckley.org/summercamp

Classic summer FUN paired with futuristic tinkering in our high-tech MakerSpace and organic garden

CAMP e

o botics FOR STUDENTS ENTERING

GRADES 6-10

PLAY. INVENT. EXPLORE.

JUNE 13-JULY 14

For middle school and high school students from any school. Also offering: For students entering grades 9-12

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Academic courses and lab sciences for acceleration or remediation

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

Skills-based enrichment courses for communication, writing, and studying

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22622 Vanowent Street West Hills, CA 91307 818-348-0048 | dTHS.org

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APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

the sauce

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

Sure it is a handsome space, but what about the eats? Hear the chef at the new Gray Tavern in Studio City dish about his culinary creations, beginning on page 68.

Peru PowerUp

Owned by a family with an impressive track record, Los Balcones opens as the Valley’s first upscale Peruvian eatery. WRITTEN BY JOSHUA LURIE

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

The Valley has seen a record crop of new restaurants in recent years, but nothing like the new Peruvian eatery Los Balcones. As visitors to Peru will attest, the country is a glorious place to eat creative ceviche preparations and explore more varieties of potatoes and corn than previously thought possible. Peruvian cuisine is also a melting pot, combining indigenous and Spanish influences with proud traditions from Chinese and Japanese communities. When those flavors meld in skilled hands, as they do at Los Balcones, the result is a heightened and thoroughly hearty culinary experience. The restaurant, owned by the Rodriguez family, replaced Girasol in Tujunga Village. The family has run another Los Balcones outpost in Hollywood for the past 14 years. For the new location, Jorge Rodriguez turned to celebrated compatriot Ricardo Zarate, a 2011 Food & Wine “Best New Chef,” to craft the menu. Ricardo previously steered popular LA Peruvian restaurants Mo-Chica and Picca. With eager anticipation I began my meal with ceviche frito—striped bass prepared two ways: in crudo blanketed with piquant rocoto leche de tigre (chile-spiked “tiger’s milk”) and as deep-fried, panko crusted nuggets,

alongside caramelized sweet potato and salad of shaved celery, red onions, cilantro and crunchy cancha (toasted corn). For this multi-faceted fish dish, sommelier Sarah Jones poured an effervescent 2017 Hondarrabi Zuri txakolina from northern Spain, that’s built to drink young and bright. Los Balcones’ wine list only includes organic varietals, with half of the bottles made by female winemakers. Next I tried aguadito de choritos: plump steamed New Zealand, green-lipped mussels atop a fragrant bed of cilantro rice and in a shallow pool of sudado (“sweated”) tomato. A thicker, spicier tomato sauce, blended with mussel jus, added to the dish’s depth. Pairing against type Sarah chose a lightbodied 2016 Se Martino “Gallardia” red wine, featuring 100% Cinsault grapes from Chile’s Itata Valley. My main entrée was seco de pato, duck prepared two ways. A crispy duck leg joined two thick slices of perfectly pink, roasted breast, sporting fatty skins. Accompaniments to this hearty dish included earthy cannellini beans, cilantro salsa verde, rich pancetta huancaina feta sauce and another tangy lettuce-free salad.

With this course Sarah suggested a 2017 Aplanta Tinto, an Alicante Bouschet blend from Alentejo, Portugal. It turned out to be a rich, round-bodied red that was light on tannins and a good match for gamier meat. For dessert I enjoyed lucuma budino, a fluffy pudding crafted from an Andean stone fruit, with earthy sweetness. It is served in a glass topped with a rather ethereal Chantilly cream and feuilletine (crushed, crispy crepes) sprinkled with Maldon sea salt. Interesting cocktail options include a frothy Pisco sour, shaken with Peru’s signature grape spirit, lime juice and egg white. Vivid yellow Fire of Peru combines smoky mezcal, aji amarillo puree, passion fruit, lemon and lime juices, spicy house-made aji limon bitters and a blood orange ice cube that melts to unlock more flavor. The previous, sophisticated Girasol interiors were kept intact, making for an upscale dining room that’s right in step with the ambitious kitchen. ■ 11334 Moorpark St., Studio City 818-924-2323 losbalconesstudiocity.com

APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

the sauce

Top Dog

Sushi and tacos may have been all the rage in recent years, but there are still plenty of great spots to dive into a classic American hot dog. We sent our kiddie panel out to three of them for a taste test. WRITTEN BY HEATHER DAVID PHOTOGRAPHED BY COURTNEY STAPLETON

WINNER: THE STAND For the last 16 years, The Stand in Encino has been serving up diner standards with gourmet options like brioche hamburger buns and lemon sesame Brussel sprouts. Their kids’ meal, featuring a grilled beef hot dog with a side of fries, proved to be the ultimate taste sensation for our trio. HAYLEY: I like how long this one is. I get to eat more! MASON: The bread’s super good. It had a snap when I bit into it. ELODIE: When you take a bite of the hot dog, it crunches like a chip. I like how juicy this one is. SCORE: 9.6

FAB HOT DOGS Fab Hot Dogs in Reseda gained national attention after being featured on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives nearly a decade ago. While known for their east coast-style, deep fried dog the Ripper, our judges went for the classic steamed version. HAYLEY: I like the bread and the hot dog. It’s yummy! I could eat 199 of these. MASON: Mmmmm this is good. ELODIE: I love ketchup, but this doesn’t really need it because I like tasting the flavor of the meat. SCORE: 9.5 JUDGES: HAYLEY, 5, LAUREL CANYON MASON, 6, STUDIO CITY ELODIE, 5, STUDIO CITY

VICIOUS DOGS Vicious Dogs, in the heart of the NOHO arts district, has a rocker vibe. That edge comes out in their food too. The Mac Daddy Dog features bacon, BBQ sauce, plus mac and cheese. Our judges went for their basic sausage dog, which turned out to be a bit much. HAYLEY: I do like this one, just not as much as the others. MASON: I don’t eat hot dogs like this too much. I think the bread is kind of better than the hot dog. ELODIE: This one has black marks on it like a steak. It tastes very meaty. SCORE: 8

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

Jason Francisco

The highly trained chef at the new Gray Tavern dishes on his inventive preparations, the cooking tool he can’t live without and the surprising power of granulated garlic. PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL

Jason sitting in the small dining room at Gray Tavern, which has an attractive serpentine marble bar. There’s also a planter-lined patio out back with a retractable roof.

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

Being a professional chef was never something Jason Francisco thought about growing up in Hawaii. After graduating from Cal State Northridge, he worked as an accountant for seven years. Then he had an epiphany. “They offered me a junior partner position and at that point, I just knew I didn’t want to spend my life sitting in an office all day.” Along the way Jason had worked as a bartender and server and “just loved creating food.” So at 37 years old, he decided to attend culinary school in Las Vegas, ultimately landing a job at the two-star Michelin French restaurant, Alex at the Wynn. Jason moved on to work in LA for eateries like the French brasserie Comme Ça and for lauded chef Michael Cimarusti at both Il Pesce Cucina and Providence, which has two Michelin stars. All of this experience seems to have been a drumroll for Jason’s current gig as chef for Gray Tavern in Studio City. (The eatery is next to and shares owners with Mantee Café.) With an innovative menu that includes meat and seafood, he takes a unique approach to preparations. DIY fish tacos, for example, are presented in an innovative way. A rectangular wooden board is set on the table with a fully intact, broiled hamachi collar, a dollop of both pineapple kimchi and avocado crema and two sturdy, griddled, house-made corn tortillas. While he’s worked for some seriously pedigreed chefs, Jason’s approach includes a wink and a smile. “Most chefs are artists, but we also like to have fun. I like to be playful with food,” he says. The menu incorporates funny little ditties throughout like: “Substitutions? Can we not and say we did?” and “Gotta Instagram this!” ■

The most underrated ingredient, in my opinion, is granulated garlic. It is garlic powder that is basically freeze dried and purified. I use it on mac and cheese. Who really likes to take a bite into a piece of garlic?

My favorite cocktail is probably the Bloody Mary. Phil [general manager and beverage director Phillip Collins] makes it with chorizo salt, and it is really tasty. I love using chorizo too; you’ll see it scattered around the octopus dish. I take a cast iron pan and fry it until it becomes small, crunchy bits.

When it comes to “wow” dishes, I’d say our bone marrow. The bone is soaked in salt water before we bake it, and it is a larger bone than you typically see. Diners can scrape the marrow out and spread it on a piece of toasted

bread. It is served alongside three homemade garnishes: mushroom duxelles, lemon marmalade and crispy Brussels sprouts. My favorite music to listen to while I cook is probably [Italian singer] Andrea Bocelli. I also love listening to bossa nova. My go-to meal at home is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. My fridge at my place in Toluca Lake is typically pretty empty. I don’t like to cook for myself, only for others. And my dog— he loves beef. When it is artichoke season, I make artichoke everything. I use all kinds of cooking methods. I love them cold-braised and char-grilled. Come into Gray Tavern this spring, and you’ll see artichokes on the menu.

The kitchen tool I can’t live without is my hand blender. I like to puree stuff. You can combine lots of flavors into a single spoonful. On the grilled octopus with chorizo, for example, I use it to make the red bell pepper puree.

I view Gray Tavern as a great place to enjoy a variety of types of food in an atmosphere that doesn’t take itself too seriously. You can enjoy yourself without being too stressed about prices [the larger plates are all under $30]. Gray Tavern is essentially a fun house that serves alcohol and stays open late [1 a.m.]. I find it really puzzling when people refer to Gray Tavern as a gastropub. That is typically more of a drinking establishment that offers some food. Gray Tavern is a restaurant; we put a lot of emphasis on the food.

APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

Valley residents are in an uproar over what they believe is an increase in air traffic and a change in flight patterns, which has resulted in planes flying over our most populated neighborhoods and schools, as well as our wildlife-filled canyons. Here’s a look at the growing fight to quiet our skies—a dispute that could wind up in court.

WRITTEN BY PEGGY JO ABRAHAM ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTINE GEORGIADES

APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

he densely populated neighborhoods south of the Boulevard have long been sought after for their tranquility. They are quiet enclaves where many of LA’s most successful professionals settle down to raise families and get away from the city—residents like Rita Rubinstein and her husband. They’ve lived on Hollyline Avenue near the private Buckley School in Sherman Oaks for the past five years. “My husband is a surgeon and peaceful rest is imperative for his function. For this reason we purchased our three-acre lot, which was quiet. We paid top dollar to live here,” explains Rubinstein. But in recent years, the couple’s idyllic lifestyle has been shattered by the constant stream of airplane traffic. “I think my blood pressure goes up every time. It’s like a small attack,” she says. Brad Schreiber, who is a writer and works out of his Studio City home, can pinpoint the day everything changed. “Sunshine Hill, where I live, was the most private and quiet place I could find. There was no noise, day or night. Then in September 2017, I woke one morning to seven jets in a row at 7 a.m. flying over my house.” He says the noise has hurt his ability to make a living. Fellow Studio City resident Benjamin Marsh lives on Canton Drive. He estimates he hears more than 86 flights per day. “My Airnoise account [a subscription service for submitting complaints] confirms that in the 40 days since opening my account, I have personally lodged 3,459 complaints with Burbank Airport. This is a staggering number considering that I am out of the house Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until approximately 9 p.m.” Marsh, Schreiber and Rubinstein have all joined citizen groups aimed at reducing airplane noise. Now in existence: Studio City for Quiet Skies, Sherman Oaks & Encino for Quiet Skies and UproarLA. The Sherman Oaks Homeowners Association (SOHA) is also taking a stand. The powerful, longtime organization has formed a special committee to address the issues, headed up by Christine Kim. “In 2017 and 2018, residents who live near the waypoints began reporting the presence of regular and frequent low-flying aircraft over homes, schools and large portions of the Santa Monica Mountains, including parks such as Fryman Canyon, Wilacre, Coldwater Canyon, Franklin Canyon, Dixie Canyon, Fossil Ridge, Deervale-Stone Canyon, and

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

the protected open space of the Encino Reservoir. Aircraft over these areas is new,” Kim insists. While the Rubinsteins believe traffic from the Van Nuys Airport is responsible for their noise, most of the complaints are aimed at the Hollywood Burbank Airport. Representatives from all three citizen groups claim that without getting any kind of approval, the FAA changed flight patterns from traveling straight down the center of the Valley to flying directly over the Santa Monica mountains. They also contend that flights are more frequent, and they’re flying at lower altitudes. However the FAA is disputing most of the claims, and the argument has gotten contentious. At a community meeting last year, residents began shouting at FAA reps, who they

“THERE WAS NO NOISE, DAY OR NIGHT. THEN IN SEPTEMBER 2017, I WOKE ONE MORNING TO SEVEN JETS IN A ROW AT 7 A.M.” say responded by making a quick beeline for the door. And the net has widened—with the dispute now not only involving the FAA, but also the Airport Authority Commission and the LA City Council. The FAA says the only change that’s occurred is connected to a program known as Next Generation Air Transportation System or “NexGen.” It is a nationwide effort to modernize the country’s airspace system by moving from “ground-based radar to satellite-based navigation and from voice to digital communication.” The FAA says the new navigation system will lead to greater fuel efficiency, and make departures and arrivals safer. As part of the program, two years ago, some flight paths were altered near Burbank Airport. However according to Ian Gregor, Public Affairs Manager for the FAA’s Pacific Division, “The satellite-based route segments begin well north of the

airport, at higher altitudes.” He adds, “Air traffic controllers are handling planes the same way today as they did before we implemented the new routes in 2017.” The FAA does agree that for some still undetermined reason, flight paths have indeed drifted further south in the past few years. Residents met with the FAA for several workshops in November to try and figure out why. At one of those meetings, a study commissioned by an independent consulting firm was presented. The study confirms that since the implementation of NextGen and its departure procedures, the flight path from Hollywood Burbank Airport has shifted, with “an increase in flights over the areas south of the 101 Freeway.” However the report also states that “no direct connection was found between the implementation of NextGen and the change in the number and frequency of flights to and from the airport, the change in noise levels at the airport noise monitors or aircraft departure altitude.” Those, the study suggests, could be attributed to factors including changes in temperature and higher market demand. Hollywood Burbank Airport Director of Public Affairs and Communication, Lucy Burghdorf, says there has been a small increase in flights and airline business during the past two years, due in part to competitive fares among the airlines and the strong economy. This, however, would not account for the current complaints regarding flight paths and noise. The most pressing concern for residents is that the FAA is proposing two new GPSguided “waypoints” that would be located near Carpenter Elementary School, CBS Radford Studios and The Buckley School. According to Gregor of the FAA, “These amendments would tighten up the initial portion of the right turn that aircraft make shortly after departing and reduce the number of aircraft that drift to the south before making their turns.” Community members, however, fear they will result in even more noise and air traffic. At a recent meeting of the Airport Authority Commission, the commissioners agreed it is critical to figure out why the flight paths have gradually drifted further south, if as the FAA claims, this is not due to any NextGen changes. Patrick Lammerding, the airport’s Deputy Executive Director, Planning & Development, pointed out the airport provides the facilities but “does not

manage the airspace.” Some members of the citizen groups believe three neighboring cities are also to blame for the current situation. The Hollywood Burbank airport is owned by Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena, and it is a huge revenue generator. Many residents are quick to point out not as many planes are flying over the east Valley as are flying over the southern portion. At the Airport Authority meeting, Commissioner Terry Tornek, who is also the mayor of Pasadena, expressed empathy for the Valley residents’ concerns, reminding those present that residents have asked to meet with the airlines and pilots to discuss departure procedures and urging the staff to follow up on that request. “We need to be sensitive to the fact that people are committed on this issue,” Tornek said. A spokesperson for Paul Krekorian, whose LA City Council district encompasses the area, says the councilman has been working with constituents to help resolve the conflict and give them a greater say regarding any future changes. In addition Krekorian has filed a motion, passed by the City Council, to enable the city to prepare a strategy that ensures the FAA follows applicable laws and incorporates public input into its plans. This is a big concern for residents. “The FAA is a powerful organization that doesn’t listen to anyone except lobbyists and legislators,” claims a SOHA member who did not want to be named. In response to our questions, the statement issued from Krekorian’s office also says that protecting the Valley communities from any potential negative impacts resulting from the FAA’s proposed flight changes “is my primary goal.” It added that the councilman has requested an environmental review of the new flight plans. The FAA says it is currently evaluating all the information it received during a public comment period that ended in November, in hopes that an agreement can be reached with the affected communities before any proposed changes take place. If not, lawsuits could be filed. Krekorian’s statement explains his motion allows for the City Attorney to develop litigation to protect the interests of the city and its residents and “to ensure that the FAA is held accountable, if necessary.” UproarLA and Sherman Oaks & Encino for Quiet Skies also have plans to hold the FAA accountable. Both groups have retained the services of an attorney—the same lawyer who won a settlement against the FAA in a similar case in Phoenix, Arizona. ■

APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WE ARE TERRANEA PROUD Taking care of people has been a hallmark of L.A.’s oceanfront resort for a decade— for both its valued guests and trusted associates. WRITTEN BY DARREN ELMS

ou need only spend a few hours at Terranea to share a memorable moment with one or more of the resort’s familiar faces. Perhaps it begins at your arrival when the valet opens your vehicle door and welcomes you with a sincere smile. After you are served a favorite cocktail by Jillian at the Lobby Bar, you exchange energy with Angela in the glow of the fire pits as she makes her way down to the bluff to lead Full Moon Yoga. As Chef Jin heads to catalina kitchen with his freshly harvested ingredients, he recognizes you from your last visit and invites you to try his new seasonal menu on the fly. You indulge graciously and even make time to catch Kevin croon and strum guitar back in the lobby. Terranea is your second family—a place to connect with like minds who share your love of celebration, epicurean delights, wellness, community and daily discovery. While the breathtaking vistas and award-winning amenities and service continue to delight guests year after year, the soul of Terranea shines most brilliantly in its people. Celebrating a decade in 2019, the resort introduces an initiative to honor an employee culture that serves authentic hospitality from the heart: Terranea Proud. At its core Terranea seeks to build a strong and diverse culture—one where recruitment policies, a diverse workforce, in-house training

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

programs and an inclusive environment reflect a workplace of which all associates can be proud. “As a champion of opportunities and protection for women, minorities and all individuals for my entire career, I am very proud of what my friends and fellow associates have accomplished—for themselves, for their families and for their futures,” shares Terranea president Terri A. Haack. Terranea Proud celebrates ongoing efforts to provide a work environment where associates feel empowered to go above and beyond and ultimately create their own dream career path. “Since we opened our doors in 2009, we have worked diligently to take care of our guests and our associates,” says chief strategy officer and executive vice president Agnelo Fernandes. “Our job has always been to provide employees with resources, tools, training and support to make sure they continue to progress in their careers.” Of Terranea’s 1,250 current employees, 200 have been with the coastal property since the beginning. During the first 10 years of operation, the resort has offered more than 1,000 promotion and transfer opportunities as associates grow into new roles, take on different responsibilities and continue building their careers. “The fact that your manager tells you they see something in you, and they say, ‘You’re

“AND KNOWING YOU CAN BE WITH A COMPANY FOR SO MANY YEARS AND THEY GIVE YOU THAT OPPORTUNITY TO GROW, IT MOTIVATES YOU TO DO EVEN BETTER AND COME TO WORK EVERY DAY WITH A SMILE.”

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gonna get promoted,’ is really exciting,” shares associate Jose Marquez, who transitioned from food server to manager. “And knowing you can be with a company for so many years and they give you that opportunity to grow, it motivates you to do even better and come to work every day with a smile.” While Terranea rewards passionate and dedicated service, it also encourages a work-life balance for associates. “It all starts with compassion, from one human being to another,” shares Agnelo of the community spirit fostered from within. It could be anything from time off to attend a family celebration or a child’s game to making a recommendation for somebody’s child to attend a particular college. And that compassion extends to other practices at the resort. Sustainability leader Lauren Bergloff leads a Green Team of more than 40 ambassadors from different departments who implement eco-conscious efforts, including recycling and composting programs and encouraging reusable items instead of single-use plastic. In addition, they support initiatives like Coastal Cleanup Day, donate surplus foods to Chefs to End Hunger and redirect toiletries to Midnight Mission that would otherwise have been discarded. “These programs started and continue to run because of Terranea associates’ passion to give back to both the community and the environment,” says Lauren. “I could not be more proud.” In addition to balance, Terranea encourages associates to have fun and be themselves, knowing the best way to earn trust is through authenticity. “Your ability to approach and be approachable is very important to us,” says Agnelo. “Just be who you are. You are hired for a great reason, and that is because your DNA fits in with our values.” Agnelo recalls a time when a chef prepared an Italian pastry for a guest who had

arrived distressed from a series of canceled and delayed flights and transportation. The chef learned that she was from the same region in Italy where his grandmother was from and created a specialty that he handdelivered to her. “It’s these moments when an associate seeks to be extraordinary and doesn’t feel inhibited to ask for permission to create something off the menu,” says Agnelo. This event resulted in business with this client for the past eight years. Encouraged to embrace individuality alongside teamwork, each and every Terranea associate offers something unique and extraordinary. Longtime falconer Joe Roy III continues to enchant guests with his gorgeous raptors, which also perform an important natural abatement purpose at the resort. Newcomer Navil Lorenzana brings her nutrition expertise to the food and beverage department, helping compose a healthy menu at the property’s newest dining venue, Solviva. Server Rosalinda Garcia, celebrating her 10th anniversary alongside the resort, still gets overwhelmed with happiness when greeted by the ocean each morning while taking a guest’s order. It’s personalized gestures and moments like these that encapsulate the spirit of Terranea Proud. “I get to be myself and carve my path at Terranea,” says national sales manager Shane Phelan, who started as a bellman at Terranea in 2009. “Every associate has the power to make a difference at the resort regardless of the position they hold. Empowered and well-treated employees create a wonderful work environment, and that’s what we have at Terranea.” For more information, please visit terranea.com/careers 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes 855-416-3928

“I GET TO BE MYSELF AND CARVE MY PATH AT TERRANEA. EVERY ASSOCIATE HAS THE POWER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AT THE RESORT REGARDLESS OF THE POSITION THEY HOLD. ” 76

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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Put It In Neutral A Calabasas family trades Tuscan décor and faux finishes for a bright, timeless vibe. WRITTEN BY SUSAN S. SPILLMAN PHOTOGRAPHED BY SHANE O’DONNELL

arlene Finn shakes her head as she scrolls through old home photos on a laptop in her airy, white kitchen. There’s one of the living room, its walls awash in a yellow-gold faux finish with silk burgundy drapes that “puddle” on the floor. Another is of the old kitchen, which is olive and tan with travertine counters and distressed wood cabinets. “I was in Tuscan hell,” laughs Darlene. So was roughly half of the Valley a decade ago when Darlene and her husband, Heath, bought their home. Deep shades of red, gold and green, heavy wrought iron fixtures and chunky-framed oil paintings were all the rage at the time Darlene and Heath, a bank executive, moved to their two-story house in Calabasas Estates. “I have many clients who fell hard for the earthy brown Tuscan style and now feel trapped,” says Jennifer Grey of Jennifer Grey Interiors, who was hired for a major update of the 3,226-square-foot structure. Jennifer’s advice to the couple, who have a 6-year-old son, was simple: Strip the house down and get rid of everything. “That’s when you can finally see the bones of the house and bring out its best features,” the designer explains. Eager for a dramatic transformation, Darlene did exactly that—keeping a handful of antique pieces, including a dining set from the 1920s that Heath inherited from a relative. Darlene was set on a neutral paint palette. “That way I wouldn’t feel like in 10 years I would have to redecorate again,” she says. Jennifer agreed, adding, “Pairing antiques with neutrals makes them feel fresh.” For the downstairs living area, the women chose Benjamin Moore’s Manchester Tan, a light beige hue with a slight green undertone. “The undertone is key in a house that’s going to be full of neutral tones,” says Jennifer. “It makes everything feel fresh and light.” According to the designer, good lighting is crucial too. Not only was more and higher wattage added, careful consideration was given to selecting the mostly contemporary fixtures. In the foyer visitors are greeted by a stunning sculptural chandelier of crystal with an aged brass finish, by Hudson Valley. “It

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“The undertone is key in a house that’s going to be full of neutral tones. It makes everything feel fresh and light.”

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reminds me of dandelions,” quips Darlene. Another showstopper is the rectangular, taupe shade fixture with champagne gold detail and glass baubles, made by Finishing Touches. Both were purchased at One Stop Lighting in Thousand Oaks. Despite a household that includes a child and two dogs, Darlene was adamant about sticking with whites and creams, so she could seasonally rotate colored garlands around the fireplace mantle, flowers and throw pillows. Originally Darlene instructed Jennifer not to use any blue in the house, but once son Clayton’s room was done in that color, she changed her mind. Jennifer says, “I added some pops of blue here and there, and Darlene ended up liking a few accent colors.” For the living room seating, there’s a traditional tight-rolled arm on the sofa and slope armchairs in light upholstery that repeat

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the wall color. The ottomans were actually Darlene’s from the old Tuscan days, reupholstered in an arabesque fabric with light blue embroidery accents. A mirrored coffee table helps further elevate the space with more light, as do the light linen drapes. The kitchen layout remained the same. The tan faux-finish cabinets were swapped for a streamlined, white Shaker style. The travertine countertops were exchanged for quartz, except for one space. The area’s focal point, a century-old wood church door from Mexico that tops the center island, stayed put. Sitting at the island flipping through the “before” photos, Darlene admits the makeover was exhausting and something she doesn’t care to repeat. But with the neutral palette, which has a positive effect on her mood and energy, Darlene says, “The fact is I won’t have to.” ■

Padova bowl, $390; Miri Mara Ceramics, mirimara.com

Ceramic 12-bud vase, $36; Jayson Home, jaysonhome.com

Positano bowl, $320; Miri Mara Ceramics, mirimara.com

Like the Look? OK, so you can’t do a full makeover. Instead, “neutralize” your decor with one of this spring’s most elegant accessories.

Canopy small light green vase, $29.95; CB2, cb2.com

CURATED BY JENNIE NUNN

Bird’s Nest etched, shallow salad bowl in Opaque White, $295; Heath Ceramics, heathceramics.com Cove vases, $24.95 for short, $29.95 for tall; Crate & Barrel at The Village at Westfield Topanga, crateandbarrel.com

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Have Mouse, Will Travel Adventures by Disney brings on the magic…in ways you might not expect. WRITTEN BY DARREN ELMS

’m a self-professed Disney fan. I love the movies. I love the parks. I even worked at one when I was in college. Although my affection for the House of Mouse is still strong, I’m not the type to plan an entire vacation around it and then gleefully pack my Mickey ears. So when I found out about Adventures by Disney, it piqued my curiousity. Would this be Disney … all day, all night? Would there be a character breakfast with mouse-shaped pancakes and pixie dust in my coffee? Would the spell be broken with early bedtime before the clock struck midnight? The answer is no and yes. There is a sprinkling of Disney magic in each trip (as one would imagine). But for those who don’t want “zipa-dee-doo-dah” 24/7, you can have that too. Adventures by Disney is all about family—be it your family or a Disney family, no matter how young … or young at heart. I took a quick trip to New York City to sample their Big Apple adventure. We did see Frozen (which I enjoyed), but much of the trip was more Disney-adjacent. Our group got a tour of the New Amsterdam Theatre—a glorious venue from the Ziegfeld Follies days of the early 20th century. We got VIP admission to Good Morning America without the hassle of the lines. We rode an interactive bus through the heart of Times Square, ate amazing pizza and then took a Broadway dance class to work it off.

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The accommodation, dining and transportation was all included and coordinated by a super efficient team. And of course there’s that service with a smile—a Disney guarantee … even in New York. What intrigues me most about Adventures by Disney is the scope of their offerings. Sure, you can visit Disney parks like Los Angeles, Orlando, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Paris, and even tack on a Disney cruise if you’re feeling nautical. But how about South Africa, Norway, Peru and Vietnam? There is also a Danube River cruise for Oktoberfest and a trip with reef snorkeling in Australia. The travel packages enable you to engage with the people, cultures and traditions of a region in ways that just seeing the sights does not. An added bonus that adults will appreciate: some of the itineraries include top-of-theline hotel options like The Peninsula and Ritz-Carlton in the mix. For parents who want to plan a trip to South America or Southern Europe with their kids but have no idea where to start, Adventures by Disney is a great one-stopshopping option. Disney really knows how to create an itinerary aimed at engaging and entertaining all ages. And if you ever dreamed of standing on an icy fjord in Norway and singing “Let It Go,” you can. Your secret is safe with us. ■

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Feel Good Fest

Life coach Camilla Sacre-Dallerup opened the evening program by leading a guided meditation.

Evo Foot’s Dr. Ali Sadrieh, The Higher Path’s Jessica Martin and dermatologist Dr. Gene Rubinstein were among the panelists.

Vanessa Arevalo and Tsolair Hovsepian at The Dental Studio’s booth

David Borim and Robin Sanders

Chili rubbed chicken skewers from Mendocino Farms in Sherman Oaks

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY KRISTEN ANDERSON

More than a hundred of the Valley’s movers and shakers attended VB’s “Feel Alive & Thrive” party at Mighty Pilates on the Boulevard in Sherman Oaks. Guests noshed on tasty fare from local hot spots Mendocino Farms, The Joint and Lemonade and shopped at a pop-up store by Lorna Jane. Libations flowed throughout the evening, including three Saddlerock varietals poured by Malibu Wines, as well as mocktails by Health-Ade Kombucha and Seedlip nonalcoholic spirits. Local businesses were on hand to enlighten guests about state-of-the-art health and wellness practices and procedures. The highlight of the evening was a panel discussion featuring representatives from the evening’s sponsors: The Higher Path Collective, Mighty Pilates, Evo Advanced Foot Surgery, Dermatology & Laser Centre of Studio City and Nutritionist Elissa Goodman. Special thanks to our event partners Choura Events, Rolling Hills Flower Mart and Penta Water.

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Elissa Goodman, guest, Megan Fisher

Mighty Pilates team: Whitney Ghodsian, Sarah Bibiyan, Cheyenne Rauda and owner Cricket Wardein

Karen Silver, Orit Zeichick, Amina Ziri, Suzanne Weinstock, Alex Wald

Camille Hecks, Danielle Roman, Zabra Yee

Linda Grasso, Sarah Bibiyan, Dana Delena, Marcie Luis, Orit Srour

Brenda Lapchinski, Patty Reid, guest

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

Many of us were attracted to the Valley for a simple reason: There is no better place in Los Angeles to raise kids. Excellent schools, beautiful parks and accomplished professionals are all within easy reach. In this All About Kids profiles section, you’ll meet some of the premiere local resources for children’s services— accomplished professionals who make it their business to help children live happy, healthy, productive lives. At the end of the day, there’s simply nothing more important.

YADA® (YOUTH ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS)

92 LA KINGS HOCKEY DEVELOPMENT

105

106 STEM3 ACADEMY 107

STRATFORD SCHOOL

DE TOLEDO HIGH SCHOOL

GEM EDUCARE

MVP PEDIATRIC AND URGENT CARE

100

WISE SCHOOL

101

CAMPBELL HALL

102

ADAT ARI EL DAY SCHOOL

103

VIEWPOINT SCHOOL

104

CAMP FUNTIME

WESTMARK SCHOOL SUMMER S.M.A.R.T.S.

BERKELEY HALL SCHOOL

108 HESCHEL 109

THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL

110

MILKEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

111

LAURENCE SCHOOL

112

VALLEY BETH SHALOM HAROLD M. SCHULWEIS DAY SCHOOL

113

LOS ENCINOS SCHOOL

114

SIERRA CANYON SCHOOL

115

THE WESLEY SCHOOL

116

THE A-LIST TUTORING SERVICES, INC.

WRITTEN BY LAURA WATTS PHOTOGRAPHED BY MATTHEW COOKE & MONICA OROZCO

ALL ABOUT KIDS

YADA® (YOUTH ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS)

WHAT MAKES YOUR SCHOOL STAND OUT? “Hands-down the performance quality of YADA shows makes it nationally recognized. No matter their age or ability, all YADA performers walk out on stage in full costume, mics, hair and makeup. With professionally designed sets, lights and sound supporting them, these performances create a theatrical experience that is remembered for a lifetime.” TELL US ABOUT A FAVORITE CLASS AT YADA. “YADA is most famous for our production classes. This is where a child signs up for a particular show to perform in. Their session culminates in a full dress rehearsal and final performances. What we love most about this process is watching the children grow throughout the session. Seeing their confidence grow along with how their characters progress and the joy of their performances is priceless!” TELL US A RECENT STUDENT SUCCESS STORY. “There was a little boy who came in to audition for his first show at YADA. He was

so nervous because he was going to have to ‘sing all by himself.’ After that first day he was cast in our show and was given a solo in his role. Within hours this little boy went from not wanting to sing alone to being so excited because he got to sing alone! He studied with us for a few years and is now starring as Oliver in a professional production of Oliver.” HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOUR TEACHERS AND FACULTY ARE HAPPY IN THEIR WORK? “We hire currently working artists and allow them to continue to work on their careers while teaching at YADA. Happy and creatively fulfilled teachers make the most gifted directors. In addition, it is always so fun for the students when they see their teachers on TV, in a movie or live on stage in a show!” WHAT DO STUDENTS LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL? “There is so much joy in the process at YADA that children literally will come bursting through the doors to start their classes. Having fun while being in a completely safe and nurturing environment has these children wanting to spend all of their free time at YADA!” WHAT IS THE #1 WAY YADA HELPS CHILDREN BECOME PRODUCTIVE ADULTS? “Lani Shipman and Kim Harrigan created YADA to encourage children to grow as people as well as performers. YADA instructors are trained and dedicated to providing each student with a sense of emotional maturity and selfconfidence, while at the same time giving them a quality theatrical experience.

Not only do YADA students learn techniques in dance, voice and acting, they learn the basic tools for life: respect for self and others, commitment to a goal and the courage to try their best. They learn not only to find love for theatre but also to discover love for themselves.” HOW DOES YADA MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE? “The arts are extremely important to a healthy and interactive community. The arts bring people together. The arts make us laugh, make us feel and can even help us heal. By teaching children through theatre, music and improv, we are creating joy and expression within the communities we serve. And as these children go back out into their communities, we know they are taking everything they learn at YADA— confidence, self-respect, kindness and teamwork—with them!” WHAT DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT YADA? “One of our favorite parts about YADA is that there is a place for every child at our table. Children with disabilities, children who just want to have fun and children who are driven to make the arts their careers will all find support at YADA. The idea is that we are a family and we are a team.” TELL US ABOUT YADA GRADUATES. “We are so proud of the thousands of YADA graduates, including Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventurs of Sabrina, Mad Men), Lilla Crawford (Annie in Annie on Broadway, Little Red in Into the Woods), Lily Collins (Snow White in Mirror Mirror) and Sharone Sayegh (The Band’s Visit and Mamma Mia! on Broadway).”

12745 VENTURA BLVD., STUDIO CITY | 323-655-9232 | YADA.ORG

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY ELENA SEYFARTH

ADA® (Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts) has been offering comprehensive theatrical training to youth for 22 years. The group recently opened a second studio location in Studio City (its original location is in the historic Dupree Dance building in Los Angeles). Classes are offered for ages 3 to 17 and are taught by experienced professionals and culminate in musical theatre productions. Private coaching is available in voice, acting and dance, and YADA also offers stagecraft internships.

ALL ABOUT KIDS

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

LA KINGS HOCKEY DEVELOPMENT

he Los Angeles Kings, a franchise of the National Hockey League, began play in 1967 and has called Downtown Los Angeles’ STAPLES Center home since 1999. More than 650 men have played for the Kings, and the team has won two Stanley Cups—in 2012 and 2014. The LA Kings Hockey Development department strives to increase the number of hockey players in the Los Angeles area and is a resource for skill development. Through hockey curriculum guided directly by the Player Development Department, skills, techniques and concepts taught to the Kings players are also taught to children and teens in age- and skill-appropriate formats. Offerings by LA Kings Hockey Development include camps, learn-to-play programs, a hockey club, hockey leagues, on-ice game night activities, and interactive community events such as street hockey clinics, and hockey tutorials. LA Kings Hockey Development is operated by Derek Armstrong, the director of hockey curriculum who played professional hockey for 15 years, and Courtney Ports, the manager of Hockey Development who has worked for the Kings for the past decade. WHAT PROGRAMS DO YOU OFFER FOR CHILDREN? “The LA Kings offer camps and clinics for children ages 5 to 18. We work with all different skill levels from beginner to advanced. We know that Southern California is not known as a traditional hockey market, so getting kids on the ice at a young age and getting them acquainted with our great game in any way possible is very important to us. We remain very active at the grassroots level.”

WHAT FEEDBACK DO YOU GET FROM YOUR YOUNGEST CUSTOMERS? “Our goal is to create a fun yet educational hockey experience. We have kids skating around with smiles saying, ‘This is so much fun! I can’t wait to come back next year.’ When you see and hear that, it makes it all worth it. It also brings you back to when you were their age. It is a special feeling— that is for sure!” DOES “EDU-TAINMENT” DESCRIBE WHAT YOU OFFER? “Our pro competition camp in Santa Barbara is pure edu-tainment. We offer 15 hours of on-ice training to develop all different skills, as well as some exciting off-ice activities such as ping-pong, a beach day and other fun-filled games. Yes, we focus on hockey, but we also want to create a special, unique environment for them whether they continue to play the game as they get older or even if they advance to a college or pro career. Hockey in Santa Barbara is pretty cool and something very unique that the LA Kings offer.” HOW DO YOU FIND THE NECESSARY ENERGY TO KEEP UP WITH YOUR YOUNG CUSTOMERS? “It takes a LOT of energy to keep up, but you see the kids learning and improving year after year. They are eager to learn and get better, and they also have a lot of fun. The endless energy they exude rubs off on our entire staff. It is also our goal to channel their energy in the right direction.”

are out on the ice, kids are smiling and having a ton of fun, and you’re working for a two-time Stanley Cup championship team. The work itself keeps us happy. We say that this beats getting a real job. We feel very fortunate.” WHAT IS THE #1 WAY YOUR BUSINESS HELPS CHILDREN BECOME PRODUCTIVE ADULTS? “The LA Kings have a set of core values: Family. Integrity. Passion. Excellence. Those are important to us on the whole, and they are important to us in particular as they relate to every event. At each event we stress the importance of life skills such as hard work, punctuality and responsibility. Everyone is expected to be a good teammate. We teach and expect these things from all the kids we interact with.” TELL US ABOUT A RECENT SUCCESS STORY WITH ONE OF YOUR CLIENTS. “We held a youth hockey camp in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and we were fortunate to work with a young goaltender at that camp. Once our trip ended his father took the time to tell us how much his game has improved. That type of feedback is critical to us. We have another camp there this summer, and this young goalie—and his sister—have both registered for it. We love the continuity and the growth.”

HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOUR TEAM IS HAPPY IN THEIR WORK? “Luckily for our department we all have a love and passion for the game of hockey. It’s really difficult to call it work when you

555 N NASH ST., EL SEGUNDO | 310-535-4472  | LAKINGS.COM/HOCKEYDEVELOPMENT

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

STRATFORD SCHOOL

tratford School is an independent private school founded in 1999 by educator Sherry Adams in Danville, California. Today the school has expanded to many communities throughout Southern California, including the Altadena campus, which currently enrolls students in preschool through elementary and is now accepting enrollment for grades 3–5 for fall 2019; the Los Angeles and Mission Viejo campuses, serving preschool through middle school; and the West Los Angeles campus, which opened in 2018 and offers preschool and kindergarten. From drama to chess, sports, and speech and debate, Stratford offers a variety of afterschool clubs. WHAT IS YOUR DRIVING FORCE? “Balanced learning requires a nurturing environment—one that both challenges student intellect and encourages creativity. Our passionate teachers cultivate a fun classroom atmosphere where children feel safe and have the confidence to participate and try new things.” WHAT MAKES STRATFORD SCHOOL STAND OUT? “At Stratford School we believe high expectations lead to extraordinary results. We begin early, starting in preschool, to apply our innovative and intentionally balanced curriculum in order to inspire and nurture the minds and hearts of every student. We infuse this curriculum with sequential instruction in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics—or STEAM—to help students develop the diverse set of problem-solving skills and talents they’ll need in our changing world. Our passionate teachers also cultivate a physically and emotionally secure classroom environment where children feel

safe and eager to try new things without the fear of failing. This carefully designed approach challenges students, accelerates achievement and prepares them to become tomorrow’s creative problem-solvers, imaginative innovators and visionary, confident leaders.” WHAT ARE THE ACADEMIC STRENGTHS OF STRATFORD SCHOOL? “We build our academic curriculum in a way that intentionally instills STEAM principles from preschool through eighth grade. We accomplish this through a unique cross-disciplinary approach that enhances critical thinking, integrates ideas from multiple subjects and ultimately expands student learning. We also incorporate both fine arts and performing arts as essential components of our STEAM curriculum. Arts education complements the traditional STEM approach to foster creative thinking and promote balanced development in young minds. By approaching the arts and sciences in this unique way, we provide the hands-on learning experiences students need to develop their skills in critical reasoning, problem-solving and creative expression.” WHAT DO STUDENTS LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL? “Our students love that we balance learning with fun to spark their curiosity, challenge their mind, prepare them for their future and ultimately instill a lifetime love of learning.” “My time at Stratford helped shape the person I am today. Academically, Stratford’s preparation was second to none. I cultivated my passion for the sciences. I developed a sense of self-confidence that served me well throughout high school. I enrolled

in the most advanced classes possible. As I prepare for college, I am able to reflect back and appreciate the monumental impact Stratford had on my growth as a student and as a productive member of society.” — Vardhaan Ambati, Stratford School alumnus “Stratford has been a delightful experience for both our child and for us as parents. Our son has really blossomed and grown into an intelligent and sensitive boy who has been guided carefully by his wonderful teachers. The kindergarten program is stellar; I would go so far as saying it may be the best in the Pasadena area right now. After talking to many friends with children in both private and public schools around Pasadena and Altadena, I can say we are getting a unique experience.” — from a parent on Yelp WHAT IS THE #1 WAY STRATFORD SCHOOL HELPS CHILDREN BECOME PRODUCTIVE ADULTS? “Our curriculum is innovative, challenging and ever-evolving. We focus on core academic subjects and the fundamental skills of collaboration, creativity, communication and critical thinking to inspire children. At the middle school level we expand our STEAM program with advanced instruction and project-based learning. We want our students to not only consume technology but to also understand how technology works, and ultimately question how it could work better. At this stage our teachers also take on a mentor role, cultivating strong relationships with students that last far beyond their time together at Stratford. Our unique approach empowers students to be selfreliant and to take responsibility for their own learning. In short, we prepare students for life beyond Stratford.”

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

DE TOLEDO HIGH SCHOOL

ormerly named New Community Jewish High School, de Toledo High School is an independent, Jewish, co-ed college preparatory high school founded in 2002. The school offers honors and Advanced Placement courses, performing arts, athletics, STEAM, robotics, a speech and debate team, senior internships, extracurricular activities, a four-year college counseling program and global education opportunities. WHAT MAKES DE TOLEDO HIGH SCHOOL STAND OUT? “de Toledo High School simultaneously focuses on the pursuit of academic excellence and on creating A+ human beings. We have developed a values-based intentional community that is warm and welcoming, rigorous and challenging.” HOW DOES YOUR TEAM MAKE STUDENTS FEEL WELCOME AND CARED FOR? “We build community, one mind at a time. Faculty members care deeply about their students and develop meaningful relationships with them. We guide each student, understanding that students have unique abilities. Teachers love teaching their subjects and are experts in their fields, demonstrating a profound depth of knowledge, wisdom and empathy. They are always willing to help and collaborate eagerly with one another.” WHAT ARE YOUR SCHOOL’S ACADEMIC STRENGTHS? “At de Toledo, we encourage our students to pursue their dreams, starting with getting into the college of their choice. Our

students have matriculated to Harvard, Yale and UCLA, while others choose to follow a creative path and attend schools like Berklee College of Music. Curriculum is built to encourage teamwork and help push students out of their comfort zone so they learn how to grapple with complex issues. We value project-based learning, experiential education and the entrepreneurial spirit. We offer many academic experiences outside the classroom such as our Medical Science Academy, U.S. Biology Olympiad and Chemistry Olympiad competitions, PhysicsBowl and American Mathematics competitions.” WHAT SPECIAL FEATURES DOES YOUR CAMPUS OFFER? “Our beautiful 6-acre campus prepares students for academic and professional success. The Abronson/Lainer MakerSpace is home to stagecraft, robotics, digital fabrication, engineering and more. Students tackle challenging science courses in our dedicated labs; compete in our gym, pool and athletic fields; stir their imagination in our indoor and outdoor art spaces; and dance in our award-winning team’s studios. Daily hot lunch is offered from the Hirsch Family Kitchen. Fresh produce is grown in our organic garden, and spirulina is produced and studied in the greenhouse.” IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU TEACH HEALTHY LIVING? “In a world that increasingly rewards unkind, trolling behaviors, de Toledo High School teaches students to articulate their ideas and perspectives in ways that foster civil conversation. Our students

might be fierce advocates for their values but are able to do so in ways that encourage engagement and foundational human kindness. We also strive to build personal character at this important developmental age. At de Toledo High School, students become inspired leaders who, in the best of Jewish tradition, will seek social justice and peace in the world. We raise up students who conduct themselves in accordance with ethical standards.” WHAT DO STUDENTS LOVE MOST ABOUT DE TOLEDO? “Students love that they are valued for who they are in a community that inspires each student to discover his or her unique gifts and use them to better themselves and the world.” HOW DO YOU GET TO KNOW YOUR STUDENTS AND THEIR INTERESTS? “Our faculty foster rigorous academic excellence while simultaneously engaging their students intellectually and personally. Because we are committed to creating A+ human beings, our faculty are highly accessible and intentionally connect with students in clubs, sports, projects and personal growth opportunities.” ARE YOU HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE WHEN IT COMES TO OUR KIDS? “When our alumni return to campus, they regale us with stories of their lives. While they speak about pursuing a whole spectrum of careers and advanced degrees, we take special pride in how they express a deep commitment to and involvement in tikkun olam (repairing the world).”

22622 VANOWEN STREET, WEST HILLS | 818-348-0048 | DTHS.ORG

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

ALL ABOUT KIDS

GEM EDUCARE

em Educare is a daycare/preschool serving children from birth through age 5 in the San Fernando Valley community since 2016. The organization provides play-based preschool curriculum for children ages 3 and up taught by a staff of caregivers who are highly educated in the field of child development and child psychology and are CPR- and first aid-certified. Gem Educare also offers parenting classes, birthday party space rental and occasional date-night babysitting services. HOW IMPORTANT IS PLAY FOR KIDS? “Play is the most important part of the day. We use play 100% of the time to teach our children—guided play, dramatic play, free play, etc. We teach reading, writing, math and science through play and experimental practices. Play and emotional intelligence are the foundations of our philosophy and curriculum.”

WHAT MAKES GEM EDUCARE STAND OUT FROM OTHER SCHOOLS? “The philosophy we use is based on children’s emotional intelligence by using unique techniques of the Awareness Integration Model. We have a play-based, child-directed, emergent curriculum. Children learn to first and foremost be compassionate and kind towards themselves and others. They learn emotional regulation at a very young age. They learn how to be self-reliant and self-confident.”

dance. Children also play outside and ride their bikes. We focus on emotional intelligence and mind and body health. We have a holistic approach.”

IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU TEACH HEALTHY LIVING? “We provide organic, homemade food. Our children sit and eat together, focusing on the food and conversation with each other. We have a growing garden where children grow fruits and vegetables. We practice mindfulness, yoga and meditation. We have daily physical activities designed to help improve physical development. We sing and

HOW DO YOU HELP CHILDREN BECOME PRODUCTIVE ADULTS? “By focusing on their emotional intelligence we teach them how to be kind, compassionate and productive members of the community. They genuinely care about others. If one child cries or is sad, the rest of the group gathers around him/her and tries to make him/her happy by bringing toys, hugging and kissing.”

WHAT DO STUDENTS LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL? “They love to be with each other. They love the democratic environment and the respect they receive from the teachers. They also love the activities.”

5536 TAMPA AVE., TARZANA | 818-858-5955 | GEMEDUCARE.COM

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MVP PEDIATRIC AND URGENT CARE DAVID EPSTEIN, MD | MEDICAL DIRECTOR Dr. David Epstein with Connor Ross and Zachary Ross

VP Pediatric Urgent Care is a physician-run pediatric practice serving children in the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles County. David Epstein, MD, who opened the office with his wife in 2015, is a board-certified pediatrician with subspecialty training in pediatric critical care medicine, which he has practiced for 18 years. He earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington D.C. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE POTENTIAL PATIENTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR PRACTICE? “Our goal is to meet the acute health care needs of the children in our community, working alongside and supplementing the primary care services of their pediatrician’s office for continuity and follow-up.” WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER? “At MVP Pediatric Urgent Care, we provide superior familycentered, comprehensive, pediatric urgent care and the most effective, up-to-date, welcoming services possible. With an on-site X-ray and laboratory, the ability to splint and suture, and the capability to provide intravenous hydration, we can care for most non-life threatening illnesses. We strongly believe that our patients’ urgent needs are better served in a facility solely dedicated to children rather than in the scary, chaotic environment of an adult emergency room or urgent care clinic.” WHAT FEEDBACK DO YOU GET FROM YOUR YOUNGEST CUSTOMERS? “Our facility is designed with children in mind. Sometimes after the visit, the kids don’t want to leave the facility. They are having too much fun!” DO YOU HAVE KIDS OF YOUR OWN? “My wife and I have three children of our own and live in the San Fernando Valley. We needed a place to take our own children for acute medical care and found that there was a great need for urgent care that focused on children rather than adults. Being in the pediatric field, we realize that children are not just small adults. They require a special facility and physicians/staff who are trained to care for children.” HOW DOES YOUR PRACTICE GIVE BACK? “We enjoy providing our services to the community in various venues by setting up a first aid station in places such as local gymnastics competitions, school-sponsored fun runs and other community fairs/services where children may require acute medical services at the event.”

18555 VENTURA BOULEVARD, SUITE B, TARZANA | 818-614-3088 | MVPPEDIATRIC.COM

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WISE SCHOOL

ise School was founded in 1977 and today enrolls 600 students from Parenting Center classes (ages 3 months to 2 years) through grade 6. In addition to offering an academic curriculum and Jewish education, the school also offers extracurricular activities in music, athletics, robotics, debate, student council and various other subjects. WHAT ARE YOUR SCHOOL’S ACADEMIC STRENGTHS? “The California Association for the Gifted awarded Wise School the Five Star Award in recognition for its use of the standards for gifted education for all students, and for being a model to show how gifted education can be generalized to affect all children in a school. Wise School is honored to be one of just four schools—and the only Jewish day school—to receive this prestigious award. This acknowledgement of Wise School’s

work in partnership with faculty members from the USC Rossier School of Education is not only an honor; it demonstrates that the Wise Learning Process is recognized statewide as a model for cutting-edge educational practices. Our process is grounded in the belief that all children have the capacity, creativity and curiosity to engage in gifted education strategies and learning opportunities.”

many opportunities to develop greater awareness and the capacity to welcome life ‘as is’ with ease.”

IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU TEACH HEALTHY LIVING AT WISE SCHOOL? “Wise School actively encourages all stakeholders to live a healthy lifestyle. We have an anti-idling campaign for our carpool line, we’ve planted an organic vegetable garden to promote healthy eating, and we are focusing more on water conservation and how to make our campus greener. Through our partnership with the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center, our children have enjoyed

WHAT SETS WISE SCHOOL APART FROM THE REST? “In a first-of-its-kind partnership, we are proud to be collaborating with the USC Rossier School of Education. This pioneering program provides students access to gifted education strategies that offer a truly individualized approach to gifted education curriculum. We inspire our students to imagine limitless possibilities, and then we give them the skills they need to realize their dreams.”

HOW DOES FAMILY INVOLVEMENT MAKE YOUR SCHOOL A BETTER PLACE? “Wise School parents are the life and blood of our school. Under the umbrella of our Wise Parents Association, parents can choose a variety of ways to get involved in our school.”

15500 STEPHEN S. WISE DRIVE, LOS ANGELES | 310-889-2300 | WISE-SCHOOL.ORG

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CAMPBELL HALL

et on a 15-acre campus in Studio City, Campbell Hall first opened its doors on February 7, 1944, and is now celebrating its 75th anniversary. The school offers a wide range of opportunities, both in and out of the classroom, for students in kindergarten through 12th grade to pursue their interests and talents. WHAT MAKES CAMPBELL HALL STAND OUT? “We are an inclusive community with a richly complex and multilayered academic curriculum complemented by an equally focused concentration on social-emotional learning and spiritual development for daily life.” WHAT ARE YOUR SCHOOL’S ACADEMIC STRENGTHS? “Campbell Hall is committed to high academic standards, with a carefully planned K–12 curricular arc to support each student’s academic growth throughout their time here. Our innovative approach to teaching and learning has led us to develop cutting-edge curriculum including the creation and implementation of the high school Campbell Hall Advanced Inquiry (CHAI) courses, which allow students and faculty the ability to engage more fully with college-level coursework.”

WHAT DO STUDENTS LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL? “At Campbell Hall you can do it all. Students love that they are able to explore a multitude of interests while balancing a challenging and engaging academic life. Later start times in grades 7–12 and additional study halls for middle school athletes help students manage their time. Elementary students practice team sports during physical education classes during the school day to free up afternoons so they can pursue additional extracurricular activities.” DESCRIBE YOUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. “Faculty engage students in open inquiry that promotes academic curiosity and rigor in a warm and caring environment. Teachers take the time to get to know each student; studies have shown that these kinds of connections are key to optimizing learning. Campbell Hall offers these connections in abundance.”

4533 LAUREL CANYON BLVD., STUDIO CITY | 818-980-7280 | CAMPBELLHALL.ORG

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY DANNY BAKER | EPICIMAGERY.COM

HOW DOES FAMILY INVOLVEMENT MAKE CAMPBELL HALL A BETTER PLACE? “Parents and grandparents are valued members of our community and partners central to the success of our students. We welcome their talents and skills as volunteers in the classroom, enthusiasm and spirit at athletic and performing arts events, and caring support of the school’s outreach initiatives. Our active Parents’ Association and Grandparents’ Committee offer a wide array of volunteer opportunities that enhance the entire community’s Campbell Hall experience.”

ALL ABOUT KIDS

ADAT ARI EL DAY SCHOOL

dat Ari El Labowe Family Day School offers its progressive education model—rooted in project-based learning and Design Thinking methodologies—to students from transitional-kindergarten to sixth grade. Founded in 1979, the school offers a secular education steeped in Jewish values. WHAT IS THE #1 WAY YOUR SCHOOL HELPS CHILDREN BECOME PRODUCTIVE ADULTS? “We are constantly seeking to ‘raise up students who know themselves, serve others and act to improve the world.’ We do this by cultivating our students’ individuality and creativity, and by preparing them for the challenges of a 21st-century world— all through a Design Thinking lens, grounded in the Jewish value of empathy. Ultimately our students graduate from ADAT with all

the skills and confidence they need to succeed and make a difference in the world.” WHAT DO STUDENTS LOVE MOST ABOUT ADAT ARI EL DAY SCHOOL? “Time and time again, students share how much they adore our teachers. We understand that our teachers are the backbone of our school, and as such we invest in their professional development to make them the best in their respective disciplines. They are able to pass this knowledge on inside the classrooms—challenging our students to do better while also providing tailored instruction.” TELL US A RECENT STUDENT SUCCESS STORY. “Each year we interview our graduating sixth-grade students, and one told us: ‘I will miss the school itself. It made me discover

who I am as a person, and I’m really going to miss the place that gave me the ability to do that.’ At ADAT, encouraging and empowering students to learn more about themselves is at the core of who we are.” ARE YOU HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE WHEN IT COMES TO OUR KIDS? “Absolutely! As educators we are thrilled to see so many schools, including ADAT, making 21st-century learning and real-world life skills a priority in their curricula. Every aspect of our academic program is preparing our students for jobs that are yet to be identified. They are mastering skills that will prepare them for whatever comes their way—not just professionally but also personally—instilling core values like empathy in the very fabric of who they are. With a foundation like that, the future is very bright!”

12020 BURBANK BLVD., VALLEY VILLAGE | 818-766-4992 | AAEDS.ORG

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VIEWPOINT SCHOOL

ounded in 1961, Viewpoint School offers an enriched college preparatory program on a 40-acre campus located in the scenic foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Under the leadership of head of school Mark McKee, Viewpoint’s faculty and staff implement the school’s mission: to inspire a love of learning and to develop qualities in the students that provide strength and direction for a lifetime.

HOW DOES YOUR SCHOOL PREPARE STUDENTS FOR LIFE IN THE 21ST CENTURY? “In order to prepare our students for success in the 21st century and careers that have yet to be invented, Viewpoint offers a program with an emphasis on collaboration, creativity, communication and critical thinking. With an understanding of the latest developments in neuroscience, child development and the brain, we offer learning environments equipped with the technology, tools and space needed for students to create and to explore in all areas of the curriculum. As global citizens it is imperative for our students to be engaged with the world—locally, nationally and internationally—and our teachers are dedicated to making these connections at every opportunity. Whether in film or orchestra, team sports or Model UN, AP physics or world literature, Viewpoint prepares our graduates to live happy and fulfilled lives as lifelong learners and productive, active citizens who serve their communities.”

23620 MULHOLLAND HIGHWAY, CALABASAS | 818-591-6500 | VIEWPOINT.ORG

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY BILL YOUNGBLOOD/VIEWPOINT SCHOOL

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE KIDS AND PARENTS TO KNOW ABOUT VIEWPOINT SCHOOL? “Serving 1,215 students allows us to go beyond the boundaries of a traditional independent school. We offer a wide breadth of courses and abundant opportunities for our students to stretch themselves in their academics, athletics, the arts, service to the community and to shape their own unique paths in life. As a K–12 school, the culture of extraordinary learning and compassion begins with our youngest students and sets a warm, intellectually vibrant tone for the entire community. Whether a student’s passion is for oceanography, documentary filmmaking, ancient languages, designing self-driving cars or community service, Viewpoint’s expert teachers challenge their students to pursue their interests to the greatest possible extent—thus discovering their capacity for curiosity and hard work. This approach instills within the students a lifelong love of learning and a confidence in their own abilities.”

ALL ABOUT KIDS

CAMP FUNTIME

C PHOTOGRAPHED BY ROBERT YEAGER

amp Funtime is a traditional day camp that has been providing summer programs to children in the Los Angeles community for more than 60 years. Owned and operated by Westmark School—and directed by Linda Stephenson and Ali Guerrero since 2007— Camp Funtime offers a variety of daily activities, weekly field trips, theme weeks and special events. WHAT PROGRAMS DO YOU OFFER? “We offer Cub Camp for children ages 3 to 4, Day Camp for children entering kindergarten through grade 5, Campers in Leadership Training for preteens entering grades 6 and 7, and a Junior Counselor program for teens entering grades 9 through 12. Campers participate in a wide variety of activities including swimming, sports, archery, gymnastics, rock wall climbing, gaga, science, art, nature, karate, dance,

yoga, music, drama and so much more!” WHAT FEEDBACK DO YOU GET FROM YOUR YOUNGEST CUSTOMERS? “Our very youngest campers, who come to us at ages 3 and 4, get to experience what camp is all about in a setting geared just for them. These campers join our Cub Camp program where they get to participate in regular camp activities at an age-appropriate level. They are seen around camp with the biggest smiles and the loudest group cheers!” WHAT IS YOUR DRIVING FORCE EVERY DAY? “Our driving force is to make sure our campers walk away with positive experiences, memories and friendships at the end of each summer. To us, camp is a special place that we want to turn into lifelong memories.”

HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOUR TEAM IS HAPPY IN THEIR WORK? “Our team, comprised of counselors, lifeguards, specialists and directors, works to make sure each camper’s experience is a positive one. Our counselors are the true glue that keeps our team together and are the real-life superheroes to our campers. To ensure a happy team, communication and support is key. With weekly meetings, we listen and strive to support our counselors in all ways possible.” ARE YOU HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE WHEN IT COMES TO OUR KIDS? “Yes, we are hopeful that our campers will take the skills they have gained from summer camp and use them throughout their future. We strive to instill kindness and inclusivity along with positive character development through a variety of daily activities and fun!”

5461 LOUISE AVE., ENCINO | 818-789-8405 | CAMPFUNTIME.ORG

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WESTMARK SCHOOL SUMMER S.M.A.R.T.S.

ummer S.M.A.R.T.S., Westmark School’s summer academic program for students in grades 1–12, offers specialized curriculum based on each student’s needs and learning profile. Small class sizes incorporate Westmark’s researchbased teaching methodologies designed for students who have diagnosed language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. Summer S.M.A.R.T.S. is open to both Westmark and non-Westmark students. Program directors build a curriculum customized to each student. WHAT MAKES SUMMER S.M.A.R.T.S. STAND OUT? “Summer S.M.A.R.T.S. is taught by highly trained professionals who offer remediation to students who have learning differences. All of our methodologies are designed to support struggling learners. Students build their academic strategic learning skills with one hour each of writing, reading and math instruction and also take a strengths-based elective class. Each student is placed to specifically target their area of academic need. Class sizes are small, ensuring that each student receives the attention and support necessary to be successful.”

WHAT DO STUDENTS LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR PROGRAM ? “First and foremost, students feel understood and find success— often for the first time in an academic environment. Students look forward to attending summer school each day because they are in a casual, nurturing environment that understands who they are as learners, celebrates their strengths and supports their challenges. Typically within the first couple of days in Summer S.M.A.R.T.S., students experience success and begin to enjoy learning again. This opens new possibilities of what they can achieve, which in turn builds their self-confidence—both in and out of the classroom.” TELL US SOME RECENT STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES. “Both Westmark and non-Westmark students benefit from Summer S.M.A.R.T.S. We frequently hear from grateful parents hear how their student’s ‘abilities increased exponentially over the four weeks he was in Summer S.M.A.R.T.S.,’ that new Westmark students ‘met some of the other new kids so they didn’t feel like strangers when they started school,’ and how Summer S.M.A.R.T.S. reading program has ‘made a huge difference in my son’s reading ability, self-confidence and self-esteem … and has truly changed his life.’ These happy parents say it all.” HOW DO PARENTS REGISTER THEIR CHILDREN FOR SUMMER S.M.A.R.T.S.? “Registration is open online at westmarkschool.org/ SummerSMARTS.”

5461 LOUISE AVENUE, ENCINO | 818-986-5045 | WESTMARKSCHOOL.ORG

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STEM ACADEMY 3

TEM3 Academy provides a curriculum based on science, technology, engineering and mathematics for students with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and other social and learning differences. The school began as a pilot program at The Help Group’s Village Glen school in 2013 and today offers year-round rolling admissions. More than 130 students are enrolled across two campuses. WHAT MAKES STEM³ ACADEMY STAND OUT? “The first school of its kind, The Help Group’s STEM³ Academy (pronounced STEM Cubed Academy) has an innovation lab for prototyping and hands-on projects building, small classes led by teachers who are passionate about their field of expertise, an awardwinning robotics team, a curriculum rich with opportunities for independent projects and individual expressions of interest, and a

variety of Advanced Placement classes.” DESCRIBE THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AT YOUR SCHOOL. “Our small classes, experiential and personalized learning, and state-of-the-art innovation lab provide a nurturing and structured project-based learning environment. Through a collaborative process that involves the student, parents and school, each student has a set of goals designed specifically for their unique profile. Our program focuses on the development, strengths and needs of the whole student by using his or her strengths as a base and creating strategies to work around the challenging areas to ensure success.” WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS DO YOU OFFER? “We offer after-school classes in a variety of areas such as robotics, computer-aided design and 3-D printing, digital design and animation, and photography. We also offer

summer camps and summer school, where students can take classes in robotics, the physics of fun, coding, VR and AR, art and design, creative writing and many more. These are open to the community as well as our regularly enrolled students.” ARE YOU HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE WHEN IT COMES TO OUR KIDS? “Yes! Economists report that the U.S. is poised to experience a severe shortfall of skilled workers to fill 8.65 million jobs in STEM-related fields. Students with special needs can help fill that gap. With a 28% increase in the number of students with neuro-developmental differences enrolled in undergraduate STEM fields, we know there is a place for STEM³ Academy graduates in tomorrow’s workforce. Our school is designed to help students find pathways to meaningful work after they graduate from high school or college.”

6455 COLDWATER CANYON AVE., VALLEY GLEN 12095 W. WASHINGTON BLVD., CULVER CITY | 818-623-6386 | STEM3ACADEMY.ORG

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BERKELEY HALL SCHOOL

erkeley Hall School was founded in 1911 by sisters Mabel Cooper and Leila Cooper and today enrolls students from nursery through eighth grade. In addition to its academic curriculum, the school offers a wide variety of visual and performance arts, a competitive athletic program, enrichment classes, Outdoor Education trips, student-led clubs and school government. Berkeley Hall’s 66-acre campus includes playgrounds, sports fields, swimming pool, outdoor amphitheater and a performing arts center. WHAT MAKES YOUR SCHOOL STAND OUT? “Two things: Every professional educator at Berkeley Hall deeply believes that every student comes with unlimited God-given potential. And we take responsibility for being highly professional about our teaching because we understand that learning cannot truly improve unless teaching and classroom lessons continuously improve.”

DESCRIBE YOUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. “A prospective parent recently said, ‘We’ve visited a lot of different schools and hear a lot of talk about growth mindset, but Berkeley Hall is the only school where you’re teaching it and living it every day.’ Berkeley Hall provides a safe atmosphere in which exploration, discovery and healthy risk-taking are not only accepted but expected.”

HOW DO YOU ENSURE YOUR TEACHERS AND FACULTY ARE HAPPY IN THEIR WORK? “Berkeley Hall teachers and staff are helping students—and each other—drop selfimposed labels and limits. Our professional educators work together to better their own practice as well, resulting in deeper academic learning for our students. This makes us happy and fulfilled.”

WHAT IS THE #1 WAY BERKELEY HALL HELPS CHILDREN BECOME PRODUCTIVE ADULTS? “Berkeley Hall students are taught to be collaborative, flexible thinkers and understand that their intelligence and abilities are fluid and will continue to grow as they courageously engage with problems, experience setbacks, pick themselves back up and come at issues from different angles—often with the input of others. This kind of flexibility, collaboration and resilience will transfer to any kind of work.”

HOW DOES BERKELEY HALL MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE? “Our students think of themselves as difference-makers, world-changers. One graduate, who had great success in Berkeley Hall’s Mock Trial program, went on to the top-rated independent high school in L.A. When there was no faculty advisor to sponsor a Mock Trial team, the alum found a teacher to sign on as the advisor and said, ‘You don’t even have to show up; I’m going to run this.’ He ran the program, took the team to state and has now been accepted into law school at UCLA.”

16000 MULHOLLAND DRIVE, LOS ANGELES | 310-476-6421 | BERKELEYHALL.ORG

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HESCHEL

eschel, an educational community grounded in Jewish values, is located on three acres in the North San Fernando Valley. Founded as a grassroots operation in 1972 by a group of visionary families, the school’s Northridge campus was established in 1979 and today serves nearly 375 students in transitionalkindergarten through eighth grade. HOW DOES FAMILY INVOLVEMENT MAKE HESCHEL A BETTER PLACE? “Heschel emphasizes working in close partnership with our families. We believe the key to success lies in a strong relationship between students, teachers, parents and administrators. Heschel’s active parent organization is comprised of every current parent in our school and is responsible for a variety of community-building events.” WHAT ARE HESCHEL’S ACADEMIC STRENGTHS? “Our classrooms are rich with studentcentered, inquiry-based instruction

designed to encourage cross-curricular exploration. Students are challenged intellectually and creatively, all while developing personal character and empathy for others. Heschel teachers are passionate about fostering every student’s academic and personal growth and draw inspiration from every learner’s innate curiosity.” WHAT DO STUDENTS LOVE MOST ABOUT HESCHEL? “What stands out for our students is the sense of community, the strong bonds they have with their teachers and administrators, the iconic grade-level projects and class trips they enjoy each year, as well as the amazing lifelong friendships fostered during their time at Heschel.” TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS. “In third through eighth grades, our Feit Electric-sponsored robotics team, the RoboHawks, participates in the VEX IQ robotics league and the FIRST LEGO League.

At the FIRST LEGO League 2018 Los Angeles Championship tournament, Heschel earned first place for our project presentation of an innovative solution to challenges associated with space travel. As a result of the team’s exceptional achievements, Heschel will be one of four teams from the U.S. competing this spring at the World Festival, an international competition in Uruguay.” HOW DOES YOUR SCHOOL MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE? “Heschel creates an environment in which learning carries an imperative of moral action, celebrating diversity and promoting an open mindset to help others. Every grade level participates in relevant and developmentally appropriate projects to understand concepts and live their meaning. A highlight includes our eighth-graders’ Capstone project called Avodat HaLev (Work of the Heart), where students conduct interviews of Holocaust survivors—motivating them to consider how they can contribute to making the world around them a better place.”

17701 DEVONSHIRE STREET, NORTHRIDGE | 818-368-5781 | HESCHEL.COM

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THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL

ounded in 1933 by Isabelle Buckley, The Buckley School is an independent co-ed day school teaching kindergarten through 12th grade. Dr. Buckley developed the 4-Fold Plan of Education, which places equal emphasis on academics, the arts, athletics and moral education—four pillars that remain the foundation of The Buckley School. WHAT MAKES THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL STAND OUT? “Our K–12 school is located on one campus, allowing for mentorships, cross-divisional collaboration and a very close-knit community. Our facilities are some of the best in the city, offering flexible teaching spaces and stateof-the-art technology that enable maximum student exploration and growth.” WHAT ARE YOUR SCHOOL’S ACADEMIC STRENGTHS? “Buckley not only offers a full catalog of

traditional academic classes, including 15 honors courses and 24 APs (and four languages up to the AP level), but also several signature programs that tap into student interests. These include eighth-grade Passion Projects, where students focus on a personal interest and present the results at a year-end expo; Upper School Writing Fellows; our robust Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program; and our high school partnership with the renowned Iowa Writer’s Workshop, which enables a group of students to travel to the Midwest for three days each winter to focus on their nonfiction creative writing.” TELL US ABOUT A FAVORITE EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAM. “In our Applied Science program, students wishing to pursue an independent research project spend a year on an honors-level paper or topic of their own design that solves a real-world problem. They have won

awards at science/engineering fairs, published papers and applied for patents based on these projects. This is a class, but students also put in many hours on weekends and outside the classroom—and they love it!” HOW DOES FAMILY INVOLVEMENT MAKE YOUR SCHOOL BETTER? “We love how our families are engaged in so many aspects of the life of the community. They attend grade-level potluck dinners, affinity groups, monthly Parents’ Association meetings and parent education nights. Parents help throw our Back-to-School Bash, annual Fair, and other communitybuilding events.” WHAT DO STUDENTS LOVE MOST ABOUT THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL? “Students love that they can pursue all their passions at Buckley. As one student put it: ‘At Buckley, you can do everything you want—you don’t have to choose.’”

3900 STANSBURY AVE., SHERMAN OAKS | 818-783-1610 | BUCKLEY.ORG

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MILKEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

ilken Community Schools is among the largest independent Jewish co-ed schools in the nation. Students in grades 7–12 experience an academic curriculum combined with Jewish studies and extracurricular activities such as robotics, athletics and performing arts. DESCRIBE THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AT MILKEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS. “Judaism is an inherently critical, collaborative and creative tradition; those values are at the heart of Milken’s academic approach. Whether in a course on Jewish law, Shakespeare or United States government, Milken students learn to approach text as both a narrative and an argument. As such they learn to apply both an appreciative and a critical lens. While students are ultimately assessed based on individual mastery and application of course content, the learning environment

is collaborative as students are asked to work in small groups or pairs, known as hevruta. We believe it is essential for students to develop collaborative skills; their learning is bolstered by peer-to-peer interaction. We believe deeply that learning is an evolving and innovative endeavor that ideally results in the creation of sharp minds capable of tackling the world’s most complex problems.” HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE RIGOROUS ACADEMICS OF A PREP SCHOOL WITH ENSURING STUDENTS ARE HEALTHY? “Questions about the balance of rigorous academics and healthy students assume that one is the enemy of the other. At Milken, we believe that academic achievement and truly rigorous learning is an important outcome of supporting health and wellness in our students. We also believe that student wellness is optimized in an academic environment where there is a deliberate balance between

the difficulty of the learning tasks and the skill of the learner—ensuring that students are neither bored nor overwhelmed by academic challenges. Three key programs at Milken support this work: a Health and Wellness department, positive education and student-driven scheduling. Our Health and Wellness department provides an advisory program, ongoing formal and informal, education and individual support for students in all areas related to fostering a healthy lifestyle. Faculty and staff, parents and students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the field of positive psychology through a variety of workshops and courses, and positive education principles are woven into a variety of campus-based experiences. Our philosophy of student-driven scheduling allows students to make individualized decisions about their academic, elective and extracurricular commitments.”

15800 ZELDINS’ WAY, LOS ANGELES | 310-440-3500 | MILKENSCHOOL.ORG

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LAURENCE SCHOOL

aurence School offers traditional academics balanced with visual and performing arts, athletics, character education, coding and robotics to students in kindergarten through sixth grade, who matriculate to highly competitive secondary schools. Laurence enrolls approximately 300 students whose families come from the Valley, as well as the east and west sides of Los Angeles. HOW ARE YOU PREPARING YOUR STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY? “Head of School Laurie Wolke shares: ‘As an administration, we spend a lot of time reading and researching, attending conferences and speaking with thought leaders across many different industries and professions to answer our question: What skills should we be teaching our children at an early age to prepare them for future success? The overwhelming answer is:

communication, critical thinking, collaboration and personal presentation skills, such as public speaking.’ We begin working on these skills in kindergarten. Students practice shaking hands, making eye contact, introducing themselves, listening and asking questions that show engagement, and presenting to a group. All of these skills are essential for building confidence and learning to be an effective communicator and leader.” HOW DO YOU TEACH YOUR STUDENTS COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS? “‘We adapt our program to meet the developmental needs of students in each grade level,’ says Wolke. ‘Teachers develop projects and classroom activities to help students practice on a daily basis.’ Kindergarteners take on the role of classroom greeter, introducing themselves to visitors, while sixth-graders give

campus tours as school ambassadors. Our Curriculum Coordinator/fifth-grade teacher, Kevin Butler, developed the Morning Cohost Show, where students lead classroom discussions about current events, share their thoughts and practice active listening.” WHAT OPPORTUNITIES DO LAURENCE STUDENTS HAVE TO PRACTICE PRESENTATION SKILLS? “Sixth graders present research-based passion projects to peers, teachers and family members. Additionally, students of all ages share their community service efforts at school-wide assemblies. ‘I especially love watching even our youngest students share how they run lemonade stands to support charities, plant trees, clean up beaches and give back,’ says Wolke. ‘It’s amazing to see young children speak to our community about their efforts to make their world a better place.’”

13639 VICTORY BLVD., VALLEY GLEN | 818-782-4001 | LAURENCESCHOOL.COM

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VALLEY BETH SHALOM HAROLD M. SCHULWEIS DAY SCHOOL

alley Beth Shalom Harold M. Schulweis Day School is a K–6 Jewish elementary school in Encino celebrating its 40th anniversary. The school offers two classes per grade with an average of 16 students per class, as well as an awardwinning athletic program, an Innovation Lab, an art studio and extracurricular activities such as robotics, musical theatre, chess, invention club and visual arts.

HOW DO YOU GET TO KNOW YOUR STUDENTS AND THEIR INTERESTS? “Teacher connection is integral in assessing the type of learners in our classrooms and loving them for who they are. Administrators, the school psychologist, teachers and student support specialists meet throughout the year to measure and celebrate the progress and potential of each child at student support team meetings.”

WHAT IS YOUR DRIVING FORCE EVERY DAY? “Emotional intelligence defines academic success and is the foundation of personal growth. We partner with the Yale University Center for Emotional Intelligence and offer our students daily opportunities to recognize and regulate emotions as part of the learning process. This is intrinsically linked with Jewish practice and values at our school.”

HOW DOES FAMILY INVOLVEMENT MAKE VBS A BETTER PLACE? “Parents = Partners in educating the whole child. Our parents support the mission of our school through active involvement in building community. Parents support our sports program, booster school spirit, celebrate with us the rich Jewish calendar and are a driving force for making things happen! They selflessly share their time, ideas and experience.”

WHAT ARE VBS DAY SCHOOL’S ACADEMIC STRENGTHS? “We meet the needs of every learner through small-group, differentiated instruction. Accelerated options and extra learning support create a diverse student body where each child can reach their potential. Science, math, literature and art stand side by side with Hebrew and Judaic instruction.” HOW DO YOU MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE? “Our students take part firsthand in making the world a better place. This is the legacy of our namesake, Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis: As spiritual beings it is imperative that we transform our world for good. Design thinking projects that answer the essential questions are embedded in our curriculum. Each year on Hineni Action Day, our school goes out into the community to make a difference.”

15739 VENTURA BOULEVARD, ENCINO | 818-788-2199 | VBSDS.ORG

112

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ALL ABOUT KIDS

These third-graders are busy working on a project that combines art, engineering and design in the school's new makerspace.

LOS ENCINOS SCHOOL

ounded in 1980, Los Encinos School is an independent K-6 elementary school that offers rigorous academics as well as comprehensive arts, humanities, technology, science, drama and P.E. curricula. Students’ service learning projects are often focused on community needs to benefit those in the immediate or surrounding areas. The school also offers co-ed sports teams and a variety of after-school enrichment classes.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LES COMMUNICATIONS

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL? “We know children benefit from a comfortable environment with individualized attention. Kids learn best when they feel good about who they are. Our small classroom size with two teachers and an assistant gives each student the ability to reach their full potential on a campus that is non-intimidating. Ultimately, Los Encinos

School infuses the children with the skills and confidence needed to be successful in middle school.” WHAT DO STUDENTS LOVE MOST ABOUT LOS ENCINOS SCHOOL? “The arts program, the freedom each student is given to express themselves creatively, and the fact that Los Encinos School is small enough so that every student knows each other by name—making the school one big family.” TELL US ABOUT THE “BUDDY PROGRAM.” “The buddy program pairs each sixth-grader with a kindergartener and each fifth-grader with a first-grader to give the older students an experience of mentorship while providing the younger students with a confidant and a role model. The buddies meet formally once or twice a month for multi-grade activities. In addition, recess and lunch times are not

divided by age, so the buddies can often be found together building camaraderie. The older kids often remark how much they learn from their younger counterparts, and the friendships often continue long after graduation.” DO YOU OFFER A CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM? “Since the school’s founding, the Virtues and Values Initiative has been one of the main focuses of each school year. The faculty meets in September to select 10 character traits that will each serve as a month-long theme to be emphasized in age-appropriate ways across the grade levels. This year, the ‘double V’s’ include authenticity, collaboration, empathy, creativity, sense of humor, integrity, resilience, curiosity, responsibility, and gratitude & joy. These ‘soft skills’ are key to rounding out the whole child.”

17100 VENTURA BLVD., ENCINO | 818-990-1006 | LOSENCINOSSCHOOL.ORG

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SIERRA CANYON SCHOOL

n 1972 Mick Horwitz and Howard Wang started a summer camp in the northern Los Angeles countryside and soon decided to transform the camp into a school. Sierra Canyon School was born and has thrived for decades, adding their Middle School and Upper School and burgeoning to nearly 1,000 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. WHAT MAKES SIERRA CANYON SCHOOL OUTSTANDING? “Sierra Canyon is a private, independent, non-sectarian, co-educational, college preparatory day and boarding school where cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic diversity are welcomed and celebrated. The highly cosmopolitan student community is reflective of the Greater Los Angeles area and is represented by 43% diversity and a 7% international population. At its core, Sierra Canyon develops students who are as keen to realize their potential as their teachers are to

inspire it. Of our 101 full-time faculty, 53% hold advanced degrees.” WHAT SPECIAL FEATURES DOES SIERRA CANYON OFFER? “Sierra Canyon offers an adventure of a lifetime each year. During Peak Weak, Upper School students choose from dozens of local and international experiences that take their learning beyond the classroom and into new territory. Students come back overflowing with fresh ideas and skills—propelling them through the rest of the school year and into their future.” WHAT IS YOUR SCHOOL’S MOTTO? “Our trailblazing philosophy—Learning Forward—continues to drive everything we do. Learning Forward ensures your child gains unstoppable momentum to learn and explore, propelling him or her toward a lifetime of success. A spirit of enthusiastic creativity sweeps through Sierra Canyon, and that spirit grows

stronger as our carefully designed program expands every child’s vision, ambition and capability a little more every day. In Lower School, our nurturing program intentionally builds academic agility, genuine confidence and compassionate character in our students, preparing them to thrive in the intensive intellectual laboratories of our Middle School and Upper School. From that launchpad, students set forth for college and beyond as self-aware, selfadvocating and self-directed young adults.” HOW DO YOU HELP CHILDREN BECOME PRODUCTIVE ADULTS? “We strive to provide a well-rounded experience. Students are encouraged to discover and fulfill their deepest aspirations and tap into their true potential. While our intensive academic program cultivates their entrepreneurial spirit, students are also taught that extracurricular achievement and involvement helps drive overall success.”

11052 INDEPENDENCE AVENUE | 20801 RINALDI STREET | CHATSWORTH | 818-882-8121 | SIERRACANYONSCHOOL.ORG

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THE WESLEY SCHOOL

he Wesley School serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade and is celebrating its 20th year in the Valley. The school’s motto is: “Academic Excellence and Character Development Within the Circle of Family.” WHAT MAKES YOUR SCHOOL STAND OUT? “We emphasize social and emotional learning. We provide a rigorous core academic program, but kindness is a part of the curriculum as well. We are a diverse community, and what makes our students and families different from each other also creates an environment in which we can teach the importance of inclusivity firsthand. Our students advocate for themselves but also for each other. We strive to develop moral leaders, not bystanders, and we provide professional development for faculty and staff to meet this objective. We tackle complex, often difficult issues—racial

profiling, gender expression, bullying—in age-appropriate ways, empowering children to understand that kindness really is a virtue worth teaching alongside algebra and the American Revolution.” TELL US ABOUT THE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN YOUR EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAM. “We revamped our middle school electives and enrichment program to better serve the wide range of interests and talents among students. In sixth grade, students take the same enrichment courses—two per trimester—including performing and visual arts, technology, music and engineering. This helps develop a foundation of creativity for seventh and eighth grade, when students choose two of four different electives each term. Some students might elect all technology-based courses, while others might choose to explore the full range of

offerings. We’re proud to graduate young creatives who contribute to the artistic landscape in high school and beyond.” DESCRIBE YOUR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. “When guests visit our campus, often the big notice is that our kids are happy, engaged and independent learners. How is this accomplished? It begins in kindergarten, where children are recognized for the individuals they are and given the space necessary to become active learners. We identify the ways in which each child learns best. Instruction is differentiated to meet the needs of our students so that they can thrive. Children learn to collaborate and appreciate one another. Teachers not only teach content but also the tools to meet individual needs, including mindfulness practices to help children focus on ‘being present.’ All of this contributes to a warm and supportive learning environment.”

4832 TUJUNGA AVENUE, NORTH HOLLYWOOD | 818-508-4542 | WESLEYSCHOOL.ORG

APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

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THE A-LIST TUTORING SERVICES, INC. ALEXIS WHITE & CAROLYN WHITE

older students to become active in their communities and apply what they learn in the classroom to real-life experiences. This helps students develop a strong sense of self as they go into college admissions, so the process is less daunting.”

TELL US SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR COMPANY. “We provide ‘crib-to-dorm’ admissions and tutoring services. We can support families from preschool selection through college and also work with students who have learning differences. We pay frequent visits to the schools we recommend and stay upto-date on the admissions landscape. The goal is to find the best match and never to place prestige above fit. We motivate our

WHAT IS THE #1 WAY THE A-LIST HELPS CHILDREN BECOME PRODUCTIVE ADULTS? “We work with many different kinds of learners and adapt our tutoring and consulting methods to fit their needs. In the process we give students tools to advocate for themselves. For example, in the secondary school and college application processes, we help students learn how to write proper thank-you notes and circle back with busy professionals, which are keys to success in college and in life. This equips children to become adults who aren’t afraid to take risks.”

he A-List is a full-service tutoring and admissions consulting company that provides private, in-home academic tutoring, test prep and consulting for independent/public school (preschool through 12th grade) and college admissions. Owners Alexis White and Carolyn White are a mother-daughter team who together have close to 50 years of experience in education.

800-714-9331 | ALISTTUTORING.COM

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TELL US ABOUT A RECENT SUCCESS STORY. Carolyn: “The Greenfelds came to us for help applying to kindergarten. After getting to know the family and their child, I recommended a school that had not been on their radar and was totally different from any of the schools on their original list. Now they can’t imagine their child anywhere else, and the experience has been life-changing for the entire family.”’ Alexis: “I began working with Jake during his junior year of high school. An athlete, he dreamed of a career in sports. I set him up with a summer internship and leadership program and encouraged him to apply to an undergraduate business school with a sports management department. This fall his mother sent me a photo of him at his first-choice school and wrote, ‘Thanks again for all of your guidance. We couldn’t have done it without you!”

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HISTORIC PAUL WILLIAMS ARCHITECTURAL 4701 SANCOLA AVENUE, TOLUCA LAKE

OFFERED AT $4,495,000 5 Bd | 5 Ba | 6,334 ± sf | 29,952 ± sf lot 4315 ARCOLA AVE, TOLUCA LAKE

OFFERED AT $3,595,000

12725 HACIENDA DR, STUDIO CITY

OFFERED AT $1,699,000 4 Bd | 4 Ba | 3,419 ± sf | 6.499 ± sf lot

4422 PLACIDIA AVE, TOLUCA LAKE

4415 SANCOLA AVE, TOLUCA LAKE

OFFERED AT $2,495,000

4 Bd | 3.5 Ba | 2,880 ± sf | 7,604 ± sf

4 Bd | 3 Ba | 2,632 ± sf | 7,614 ± sf lot

3274 BERRY DR, STUDIO CITY

10411 WOODBRIDGE ST, TOLUCA LAKE

5 Bd | 5 Ba | 4,685 ± sf | 12,188 ± sf lot

OFFERED AT $1,744,000 3 Bd | 4 Ba | 3,106 ± sf | 10,196 ± sf lot

OFFERED AT $1,995,000 5 Bd | 4 Ba | 3,945 ± sf | 7,414 ± sf lot

CRAIG STRONG Vice President, Luxury Home Sales Top 1% Nationwide Sold Over $125 Million in 2018 StrongRealtor.com #1 Individual Agent Companywide

Compass does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, or other information concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records and other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. CalBRE 01450987 | 818.930.4050

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PAUL WILLIAMS ARCHITECTURAL

4701 Sancola Avenue Toluca Lake 4701Sancola.com Craig Strong 818.930.4050 info@strongrealtor.com $4,495,000

APRIL 2019 | VENTURA BLVD

119

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Matt Epstein #1 #2 #5

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4369 Empress Ave. EN- $2,639,000 6Br+7 Ba in 4,494 SqFt on a 516,022 SqFt Lot- Amazing views in this stunning contemporary home in the hills of Encino! It features an open floor plan with floor to ceiling glass walls! The backyard has a pool, amazing views and a grassy side yard.

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3620 Longridge Ave. – SO - $3,500,000 6Br+9Ba in 7,483 SqFt on a 42,650 SqFt lot- Sitting on almost an acre this prestigious Longridge Estates property is located in an amazing neighborhood in Sherman Oaks. The home features hardwood floors, media room, and huge master suite. Lush backyard with mature fruit trees, waterfall pool/spa, and BBQ area.

14437 Greenleaf St.– SC-$2,995,000 4Br+4.5 Ba in 4,320 SqFt on a 6,807 SqFt Lot –Modern, chic, edgy, south of the Blvd. home in Sherman Oaks built in 2017. It features an open floor plan with great flow, concrete and wood flooring, high ceilings, and a rooftop deck. The backyard has a pool, grassy area, and outdoor cabana.

14736 Greenleaf St. – SO-$2,895,000 5Br+5.5 Ba in 4,939 SqFt on a 10,742SqFt Lot– Stunning contemporary new construction south of the Blvd., in a prime Sherman Oaks area. This chic contemporary home features 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, chef’s kitchen, huge master suite, pool house, pool, outside living room, Jacuzzi, and much more.

3187 Oakdell Rd. – SC - $2,750,000 4Br+3.5 Ba in 5,154 SqFt on a 26,220 SqFt Lot- Amazing one story Mid Century ranch in Fryman Estates. This gated estate is on a street-to-street lot. Step back into old Hollywood glamour in this home. It features black polish granite flooring, four fireplaces, a grand theater room and a master suite with lots of closet space. Lush backyard with canyon views, pool, and jacuzzi.

Call for your FREE market analysis! ©2016 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting this information. Based on information obtained from the MLS as of (11/1/2016). Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. CalBRE 1317331

Nobody does it better...

coming soon

16036 Valley Meadow Pl., Encino $4,799,000 Royal Oaks Colony

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10430 Wilshire Blvd., #904, Los Angeles $1,800,000 The Mirabella - Wilshire Corridor

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4244 Valley Meadow Rd., Encino $3,999,000 Royal Oaks Tennis Estate

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17137 Rancho St., Encino $1,800,000 Rancho Estates

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4980 Noeline Ave., Encino $3,099,000 Brand New Modern Farm House

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3965 Sapphire Dr., Encino $1,499,000 Encino Hills

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15712 Sutton St., Encino $1,535,000 Encino Cul-de-Sac

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16655 La Maida St., Encino $1,600,000 Remodeled Villa

in escrow

3710 Ballina Canyon Rd., Encino $1,599,000 Encino Hills

18353 Lake Encino Dr., Encino $1,399,000 Lake Encino w/Panoramic View

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17428 Oak Creek Ct., Encino $2,199,000 Oak Springs Estates

818.285.3688 www.CarolWolfe.com #1 Agent Rodeo Realty San Fernando Valley

in escrow

16839 Adlon Rd., Encino $1,199,000 Encino Development Opportunity

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21555 BURBANK BLVD. #50

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CARLOS CASTILLO

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THEAGENCYRE.COM

The Agency Welcomes G E O R G E O U ZO UN I A N | D I R E C TO R , E S TAT E S D I V I S I O N

Founder and CEO Mauricio Umansky and Calabasas/Sherman Oaks Managing Partners Emil Hartoonian, Craig Knizek and Michelle Schwartz are proud to welcome George Ouzounian, one of the top-producing agents in Sherman Oaks, to The Agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing team. This seasoned agent holds unparalelled expertise in the greater San Fernando Valley area market and will be backed by the resources of The Agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s global network of more than 500 agents throughout the U.S., Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean.

GEORGE OUZ OUN I AN

Director, Estates Division George.Oz@TheAgencyRE.com 818.970.7675 | LIC. # 01948763

Congratulations to Our San Fernando Valley 2018 MVPs

ANDREA KORCHEK

GUY AZAR

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SHERMAN OAKS 1414 0 Ventur a Blvd. Suite 101 Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

CALABASAS 23622 Calabasas Road, Suite 14 8 Calabasas, CA 91302

THEAGENCYRE.COM

FEATURED FEATURED PROPERTY PROPERTY

4379 Firmament Avenue, 3718 Berry Drive, StudioEncino City COMING SOON

19173 Wells Drive, Tarzana OFF MARKET

4116 Bellingham Avenue, Studio City ACTIVE

12721 Hortense Street, Studio City IN ESCROW

14822 Hartsook Street, Sherman Oaks

COMING SOON

4207 Cedros Avenue, Sherman Oaks OFF MARKET

4227 Bluebell Avenue, Studio City ACTIVE

12727 Hortense Street, Studio City IN ESCROW

4919 Ethel Avenue, Studio City

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10331 Valley Spring Lane, Toluca Lake ACTIVE

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3620 Longridge Avenue, Sherman Oaks IN ESCROW

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Contact Us Today! info@chernovteam.com www.chernovteam.com 818.432.1524 Each office is independently owned and operated. If your property is listed with another broker, this is not a solicitation. Keller Williams Realty does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, or other information concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the 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 with appropriate licensed professionals.

5. 3.

4221 Beck Avenue

STUDIO CITY | $4,375,000 | SOLD

2. 12737 Landale Street

STUDIO CITY | $3,699,000 | IN ESCROW

4. 5088 Amestoy Avenue

ENCINO | $2,998,000 | ACTIVE

14308 Greenleaf Street

SHERMAN OAKS | $1,750,000 | IN ESCROW

3. 10509 Camarillo Street

TOLUCA LAKE | $3,499,000 | SOLD

Danielle Peretz | 818.644.1477 | Danielle.Peretz@TheAgencyRE.com | LIC. # 01897529 LUXURY REAL ESTATE AT THEAGENCYRE.COM

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Chris Pauloski 323.632.6191 DRE 01927481 One-of-a-kind Longridge estate with over 10,000 sq. ft of living space, resort-like pool, patio and sports court.

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4457 Camellia Ave $3,398,000

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4169 Hazeltine Ave $3,395,000

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4315 Arcola Ave $3,595,000 TOLUCA LAKE

10411 Woodbridge St $1,995,000

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Craig Strong 818.930.4050 DRE 01450987

4426 Irvine Ave $1,640,000

Rose Fahey 818.262.3532 DRE 01910670

5010 Fulton Ave $1,395,000

STUDIO CITY

12247 Laurel Terrace Dr $1,599,000

Craig Strong 818.930.4050 DRE 01450987

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Gloria Carmona 323.350.8686 DRE 01832843

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01991628. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate.

Celebrity Style Retreat 4000 Davana Road, Sherman Oaks $1,899,000

Sensational Mediterranean Villa 3727 Winford Drive, Tarzana $2,599,000

Alan Taylor | 818.650.1603 | info@alantaylorrealestate.com Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. DRE 01369255

New Single-Family Homes in the NoHo Arts District Situated in the heart of the NoHo Arts District, Morrison 14 is a collection of new architectural homes that are far ahead of the curve. These spacious residences combine style and efficiency with an unparalleled level of urban access. The unique floor plans provide up to 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and 1,800 square feet. Each residence has an attached 2-car garage and private roof deck with unreal views and plenty of space for outdoor entertaining.

From the $700,000s Open Sunday from 1-4pm or by appointment

morrison14.com Morrison 14 | 11037 Morrison Street, North Hollywood 91601 | 818-924-3700 Compass is a licensed real estate broker (01991628) in the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. Tracy Do CalBRE# 01350025.

MICHAEL BERGIN |

LUXURY ESTATES DIRECTOR

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

COMING SOON

IN ESCROW

3450 Cahuenga Boulevard, Los Angeles $995,000 - $1,365,000 Enclave Live/Work Townhouses

6014 Greenbush Avenue, Valley Glen $1,500,000 4 Beds 6 Baths 4,100± Sqft Guest House & Pool

10925 Missouri Avenue, Los Angeles $989,000 3 Beds 2.5 Baths 1,777± Sqft Townhome

4254 Irvine Avenue, Studio City Colfax Meadows Pool Carpenter School District Representing Buyer

4150 Kraft Avenue, Studio City $2,099,000 5 Beds 5 Baths Colfax Meadows Carpenter School District

4324 Troost Avenue #105, Studio City Colfax Meadows Carpenter School District Representing Buyer

Michael Bergin Luxury Estates Director 310.600.0715 BerginHomes@gmail.com DRE 01845572

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

Oren David Mordkowitz ESTATES DIRECTOR | REALTOR Â® CalDRE License #01246402 818-933-5866 oren@orenestates.com

4314GrimesPlace.com

4314 Grimes Place | $1,595,000

4903NewcastleAvenue.com

4903 Newcastle Avenue | $1,299,000

4235AlonzoAvenue.com

4235 Alonzo Avenue | $2,099,000

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

4938AlonzoAvenue.com

4938 Alonzo Avenue | $995,000

PENDING

17152EscalonDrive.com

17152 Escalon Drive | $1,149,000

3325AlginetDrive.com

3325 Alginet Drive | $1,749,000

16820AdlonRoad.com

16820 Adlon Road | $1,889,000

SOLD

16641 Adlon Road | $1,999,000

SOLD

4047 Hayvenhurst Ave. | $3,999,000

15906 Valley Vista Blvd. | $1,499,000

SOLD

16449 Tudor Drive | $2,999,000

SOLD

16701 Bajio Court | $6,750,000

Curious what your home is worth? Contact Oren for a complimentary home analysis!

www.OrenEstates.com

A home that exceeds expectations deserves a mortgage to match.

• Mortgage discounts with Relationship Pricing • Dedicated support every step of the way • Jumbo loan sizes up to $3 million—loan sizes up to $8 million available to well-qualified buyers who meet Citi’s High Net Worth requirements 1

We’ve got a mortgage to fit your needs. Call me today. John Musso Home Lending Officer 818-518-1008 john.musso@citi.com citi.com/johnmusso NMLS# 448606

Terms, conditions and fees for accounts, programs, products and services are subject to change. This is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit and property approval. Certain restrictions may apply on all programs. Offer cannot be combined with any other mortgage offer. This offer contains information about U.S. domestic financial services provided by Citibank, N.A. and is intended for use domestically in the U.S. A Citibank deposit account and automated monthly transfers of the mortgage payment from a Citibank personal deposit account using automated drafting will be required to receive Citibank mortgage relationship pricing. Ask a mortgage representative for details on eligible balances and the qualifying closing cost credit or rate discount. Availability of the Citibank mortgage relationship pricing for Citibank account holders is subject to change without notice.

Available for clients with a minimum of $500,000 or more in investable post-close assets, and at least $50,000 in traditional assets must be on deposit with Citi at least 10 days prior to closing. This amount may be part of the $500,000 eligibility requirement. Real estate, loan proceeds, stock options, restricted stock and personal property will not be counted as part of the $500,000 or more investable post-close assets or the $50,000 in traditional assets. Net cash value of life insurance can be counted as part of the $500,000 but not part of the traditional assets. Investable assets are defined as deposit accounts (checking, savings, money market, Certificates of Deposit), unrestricted stocks, non-vested stock and restricted stock, bonds and retirement accounts held by the individual who is personally liable on the loan. These asset types held in revocable trust may be used provided the trust document meets the Trust Policy. 100% of the face value of all assets, except non-vested stock and restricted stock, may be used to calculate the amount of funds available to meet the eligibility criteria. For non-vested stock and restricted stock, the borrower must be 100% vested within 1 year of closing and a maximum of 70% of value may be used to calculate qualifying equity. Additional conditions apply.

©2019 Citibank, N.A. NMLS# 412915. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. Citi, Citi and Arc Design and other marks used herein are service marks of Citigroup Inc. or its affiliates, used and registered throughout the world.

last word

The Parenting Puzzle

A mom of four and empty nester offers child-rearing tips for millennials.

WRITTEN BY JANE ULMAN ILLUSTRATED BY CHRISTINE GEORGIADES

“I have one piece of parenting advice,” I tell my son Gabe and newly pregnant daughter-in-law. “That’s not true,” my husband, Larry, interrupts. “Well, maybe,” I concede. “But let’s start with one: Don’t tell anyone the name until the baby is born.” “We know,” Gabe answers. How does he know? How did Larry and I know to keep the names of our four sons secret? Something we read? Heard? Gleaned from a parenting class? Or is it a protective parenting instinct that wards off myriad conflicting opinions? How do we know anything about what constitutes good parenting practices? Certainly we’ve made progress since Proverbs 29:15 advocated the authoritarian “rod and reproof” method almost three millennia ago. More recently, in 1946, Dr. Benjamin Spock published The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, assuring mothers, “You know more than you think you do.” Maybe. But not my mother. She didn’t know not to put the same bowl of increasingly crusted Gerber baby oatmeal on my high chair tray for every meal until finally, out of desperation, I deigned to eat it.

138

VENTURA BLVD | APRIL 2019

Spock opened the floodgates to a tsunami of books on childrearing—soon replaced by the loftier label “parenting”— penned by pediatricians, psychologists and other wanna-be bringing-up-baby gurus. They have brought us innumerable and conflicting parenting styles, which include among others: tiger, dolphin and jellyfish; authoritative; free range; uninvolved; helicopter; and new to me, lawnmower, which involves mowing down any obstacle your child might encounter. As a new parent, how do you decide? During my first pregnancy, Larry and I voraciously read many of those manuals, attended classes which taught us the handy football hold—and mostly worried. We later became fans of sleep trainer Dr. Richard Ferber, responsible for raising our sanity levels in proportion to the number of hours one not-to-be-identified son slept. Another favorite was author and columnist Dave Berry. “Do not try to be cool,” he advised. “You are not cool to your child. You are hideously embarrassing.” There’s a corollary, taught to me by our oldest son, Zack, at age 10, when I apologized for being a geek. “Mom,” he instructed. “If you are one, you don’t tell anyone.” Zack’s now the dad of two girls, age 3 and age 6 months. He has a few

good years before becoming an embarrassment to them. Basically Larry and I have only two time-tested, line-in-the-sand parenting tips. One, eating is allowed only in the kitchen (or TV room on those rare occasions like the Super Bowl). And two, children need to know the location of their shoes at all times. I vowed early on never to go on a shoe search, especially on those always chaotic school mornings. Over many years we’ve learned there’s no right, one-size-fits-all guide to parenting. How babies enter the world is pretty much who they are. You can make them worse with neglectful or abusive parenting. And you can maybe improve them a bit with a few common sense guidelines. Children need a safe, stable and loving environment. They need roots and wings, an education and orthodontia. And they need parents who keep their names a secret, make them eat in the kitchen and never hunt for shoes. ■ Jane Ulman and her husband, Larry, live in Encino. They are the authoritative parents of an obstinate Akita and the permissive grandparents of, to date, two girls. They now allow their four adult sons (plus spouses and significant others) to eat in the living room.

The Spitz | Cameron Group Results That Will Move You! IN

3025 Arrowhead Dr, Los Angeles $4,495,000

3973 Westfall Dr, Encino $2,189,000

16230 Quemada Rd, Encino $1,895,000

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in 2018, the Spitz | Cameron Group were among the Top 100 Berkshire Hathaway Agents Internationally! Recent Sales 4004 Hayvenhurst Dr, Encino. . . . . . . . . . . $6,937,000 3932 Vantage Ave, Studio City . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,500,000 4529 Gloria Ave, Encino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,225,000 5450 Topeka Dr, Tarzana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,753,750 16998 Encino Hills Dr, Encino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,710,000 5128 Libbit Ave, Encino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,700,000 4101 Witzel Dr. Sherman Oaks. . . . . . . . . $2,435,000 16341 Meadowridge Rd, Encino. . . . . . . . . $2,392,500 17149 McCormick St, Encino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,273,880 4441 Densmore Ave, Encino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,225,000 4356 Empress Ave. Encino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,220,000 16634 Oak View Dr, Encino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,137,200 17145 Addison St, Encino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,050,000 19611 Anadale Dr, Tarzana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,910,000 4483 Estrondo Dr. Encino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,985,000

14540 Valley Vista Bl, Sherman Oaks. . . . . . . . $1,970,000 3531 Alana Dr, Sherman Oaks. . . . . . . . . . . . $1,860,000 16055 Meadowcrest Rd, Sherman Oaks. . . . $1,720,000 4156 Hazeltine Ave. Sherman Oaks. . . . . . . $1,700,000 13019 Bloomfield St, Studio City. . . . . . . . . . . . $1,665,000 3619 Cananea Dr, Encino. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,650,000 15459 Dickens St, Sherman Oaks. . . . . . . . . . $1,630,000 3668 Willowcrest Ave, Studio City. . . . . . $1,599,000 14825 Sutton St, Sherman Oaks. . . . . . . . . . . $1,500,000 Represented Both Buyer & Seller 16067 Valley Wood Rd, Sherman Oaks. . . . $3,500,000 4701 Hayvenhurst Ave, Encino. . . . . . . . . . $3,425,000 3932 Vantage Ave, Studio City. . . . . . . . . . . $2,300,000 16618 Oak View Court, Encino. . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,560,000 12942 Bloomfield St, Studio City. . . . . . . . . . . . $1,900,000

AndrewSpitz.com

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DRE#924610 Realtor®

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©2019 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. DRE #01317331

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