Ventura Blvd — July|August 2024

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2024

Iconoclast THE DARING VISION OF VALLEY HOME BUILDER ROB DIAZ

LUXURY ON THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST

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AND THEN SOME...

RUNAWAY BURGER

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Heavy Handed in Studio City.

PROFILES: BACK TO SCHOOL From academics to dance—top

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Valley schools that aim to enrich our

ENCHANTED EVENING

children’s lives.

A local couple ties the knot at El Encanto.

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REAL ESTATE

INDELIBLE IMPRESSIONS

NUPTIAL NUMBERS

Spectacular local listings.

Sculptor and painter Charles Fine.

A deep dive into the world of weddings.

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FRESH BLOOM

PATTERN PLAY

RIGHT DOWN TO HER TOES

Remembering your wedding through

The nature-inspired designs of Block Shop.

The latest in bridal footwear.

the eyes of your kids.

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CULTURE IMMERSION

GLOBAL TREASURES

Arts and culture this fall.

Arte Bottega in Sherman Oaks.

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THE POSTER MASTER

DESIGN DYNAMO

Movie poster artist Robert Tanenbaum.

High-end home builder Rob Diaz.

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FLOUR POWER

SOME LIKE IT HOT

Lodge Bread in Woodland Hills.

Heat-tolerant greens for summer gardens.

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COVER Rob Diaz photographed by Shane O’Donnell

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xxx The first year of my marriage was a turbulent one. I had

(“morning glory vine and bamboo are the enemy!”). Wally

quit my news anchor job in Florida to move to New York

explained that, even though you’d occasionally see peren-

City to marry my husband after 10 years of dating—most

nials like peonies and tulips at the nursery, they are a

of them spent with us living in different cities building our

waste of money here. “You might get a blossom or two or

careers. It was time. My William Morris agent cautioned

have one good season, but best to stick to what works in

me not to move to New York. “They are looking for ethnic-

SoCal.” I have tried to defy that advice dozens of times and

ity, not blonde white women.” But love prevailed. I soon

have come to the same conclusion: Wally was right.

found myself sharing a bachelor pad on the Upper East

Wally came over to map out a plan. “Cut back these birds

tape to WNBC at Rockefeller Center.

of paradise!” When a large branch from one of our gigantic

Cut to seven months later, and my husband gets a big

oak trees landed on the back patio, I called Wally. A half

promotion that entails a move to LA. He was gone from

hour later he was on that patio with his chainsaw and his

dawn till dusk, and I was unemployed again. Not knowing

lovely and somewhat bewildered-looking wife, Elaine.

a single soul in LA, every day I sat at our small ranch-style

Wally must have been 75 years old at that point.

rental in the hills of Bel Air gazing at the large lush lot with terraced levels. Most of the planting beds were empty.

A few years later, Wally was assessing the yard of our current home, this one in Encino. “Wow, this is going to be

I noticed a man who lived across the street who worked

a lot to take care of,” he noted. (Oh, how right he was.) As

in his garden every day, digging, sprinkling and clipping.

a housewarming gift, he brought me some pink amaryllis

One day I introduced myself and asked for some gardening

bulbs he had dug up from his yard, which I planted along

tips. That was the beginning of my friendship with then-

the front of the house in between some white iceberg roses.

70-year-old Wally Scott—and also the beginning of my life

Wally and Elaine have passed but the pink amaryllis is

as a gardener.

I’d pop over several times a week, legal pad in hand, and

10 |

After our move to Sherman Oaks a couple years later,

Side. I got a reporter job after hand-delivering my résumé

still alive. Just when you think the August heat has nuked everything, those long sturdy stalks gracefully emerge by

Wally would patiently answer my questions. There were

the roses and then burst out an elegant pink. I think of

tutorials on roses and the best shade perennials (“noth-

Wally every summer. And I think about how grateful I am he

ing beats Clivia”), and warnings about invasive plants

introduced me to the wonders, the magic, of gardening.. ■

Follow me on Instagram @she_sez

Linda Grasso, Editor-in-Chief

PHOTOGRAPHED BY MICHAEL BECKER

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Indelible Impressions FROM BIKE RIDES ON FRESHLY PAVED FREEWAYS TO TREE CLIMBING IN MATURE CITRUS GROVES, GROWING UP IN THE VALLEY HAS INSPIRED NEARLY A HALF CENTURY OF CREATING FOR PAINTER AND SCULPTOR CHARLES FINE.

xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx

Written by Chloe King

Photographed by Monica Orozco

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Written by Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | Photographed by Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx

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xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Written by Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | Photographed by Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx

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Charles next to an original plaster sculpture that was used to cast three bronze versions. It was inspired by “an inch-long appendage that grows in Pacific Ocean kelp beds.” Of the tall structure in the foreground, the artist says it is “open for interpretation. Growth, living structure and regeneration come to mind.”

Walk into Charles Fine’s studio in

the internationally recognized Ace Gallery here in LA

Inglewood, and you’re immediately

(closed in 2016), and in New York and Mexico City. His

struck with its size and scale—ceilings

final show at Ace Gallery, “A 30 Year Survey,” spanned

impossibly high, light in excess—

14 rooms and 33,000 square feet. His work is also represented in several private and museum collections,

followed by the visual enormity of

including LACMA, the Orange County and Santa Barbara

the art that graces it. Though this is

Museums of Art, the LA-based Frederick Weisman and

very much a working artist’s studio, the space feels and looks like a high-

Marciano Collections, and the Andrea Nasher Collection in Dallas. Among Fine’s public works: a monumental bronze sculpture that graces the entrance to the AKA

end gallery. On display throughout

Beverly Hills (hotel) on Crescent Drive in Beverly Hills.

are Charles’ monumental creations,

Although the artist’s fascination for all things or-

all grounded fundamentally and symbolically in nature.

“My work deals with how histories inhabit the present,” is how Charles explains it. “The histories I’m

ganic stems in part from his travels to places like South America and Mexico, his preoccupation with natural forms and the pursuit of visual detail started here in the then-rural and verdant San Fernando Valley.

“The Valley of my youth (he was born in 1951) was

referring to are environmentally related. And how that

rich, endlessly interesting, and utterly insular. It was

environmental thought translates into form.”

nature-filled and safe. A world unto itself.”

In multiple mediums over the past half century—

Charles’ first childhood home was on the border

painting, sculpture, drawing, photography and video—

of Encino and Sherman Oaks on Firmament Avenue.

this nature-based connective tissue runs throughout, as

As the artist describes it, it was “just down the street

if one piece is a natural extension of the other. Whether

from Liberace’s house on the corner of Valley Vista and

it be his showstopping Table of Contents—a series

Sherman Oaks Avenue. The cluster of houses beyond

of large metal and glass viewing tables that display

that would soon be destroyed via eminent domain,

fragile, organic found objects; or his bronze sculptures,

making way for the construction of the 405 Freeway.”

some freestanding, some wall-hung—the experience

After the creation of the first Sepulveda on-ramp,

is visceral and poetic. You find yourself wanting to

Charles and his boyhood friends would ride their bikes

touch them, to experience their sensual, organic shapes

up that ramp and onto the just-paved freeway, which

firsthand. His paintings similarly draw you in. Though

was not yet open to traffic. They would “sail like the

they seem abstract at first glance, a deeper look reveals

wind all the way to the Sepulveda Dam, where we’d

that they too appear to be an extension of and inspired

ditch our bikes and explore the rain overflow tunnels,

by the natural world.

full of frogs and tadpoles. And from there to the corn-

“My initial thought was to create a body of work that

fields where Balboa Park now resides.”

not only referred to the natural world and living struc-

A few years later, Charles and his family moved to a

tures, but one that also acknowledged ever-increasing

property on Encino Avenue. “It was a large, deep lot,

environmental issues and the psychological state they

full of every kind of fruit-bearing tree you could imag-

perpetuate. I felt then, and still do, that this thought is

ine. Plums, citrus, apricots, peaches … I climbed every

all-inclusive, as we inhabit this one planet, together,”

one of those trees at least a thousand times.”

Charles says.

His boyhood also included some more-refined Valley

A prolific creator since the early 1980s, Charles

experiences. In 1955, Charles’ father, Don Fine, and his

has had numerous one-man shows, most notably at

uncle, Raymond Fine, bought the famed Sportsmen’s

| 15

Three of Charles’ “Furnace Flowers” sculptures, with the oil on canvas painting “Elemental Forces” in the background.

Lower right: A series of sculptures named “Table of Contents.”

“My work deals with how histories inhabit the present. The histories I’m referring to are environmentally related. And how that environmental thought translates into form.”

16 |

Lodge. The Fine brothers expanded the popular hot spot into what soon became a star-studded gathering place.

Charles remembers riding from Encino to Studio City in his father’s Jaguar XK120, top down rain or shine, whizzing down Ventura Boulevard, past the blinking neon of the movie houses and watering holes.

“There were no sidewalks, and as you approached Coldwater Canyon, the Boulevard was flanked by massive, old-growth trees. Like a forest to either side.”

When they arrived at Sportsmen’s Lodge, they’d enter the massive porte cochere, where if it happened to be a Sunday, Howard Hughes’ limousine would be parked.

The phobic billionaire and producer would wait with whatever starlet had caught his fancy until his meal was delivered to him through the car’s window.

But it wasn’t the stars or the infamous that fascinated Charles. Rather, it was the Garden of Eden-like wonderland that stretched to the banks of the LA River beyond the lodge’s massive walls of glass at the back.

It was here that Charles would explore the trout lakes,

waterfall, the dense and mysterious jungle of mature trees—the essence of which remains apparent in all of his work to this day.

poster. Power to the people! I still have it to this day.”

Against the blissful backdrop of his childhood, troubling events were brewing in the world. “Smog and the

Another location in the Valley helped form Charles’

Vietnam War,” he recalls. As the pollution that gripped

artistry: the classroom. His first stop was Hesby Street

LA (and particularly the Valley) in the 1970s escalated,

Elementary School in Encino. “My teachers would set

so too did the war. To avoid the draft, Charles left

up little easels, and we’d paint outside under the shade

the paradise that was his childhood home. Though he

of the trees for what felt like hours.” It was about that

would eventually return, putting down roots here once

time that his mother signed him up for an art class

again, his childhood experience would continue to make

outside of school. “It was in a little shack on a huge,

an indelible mark on his body of work.

wild lot in Sherman Oaks that Mosel Oglesby, a self-de-

“Growing up in the Valley left lasting impressions

clared beatnik, taught me about oil paints. I was 7 years

on me—the interface of a burgeoning metropolis and

old.” Then on to Mulholland Middle School, where he

the remnants of its natural past,” he says. Today, when

honed his skills in industrial drawing, drafting and

reflecting on the Valley, the artist can’t help but take a

woodshop class that helped to form his sculpting skills.

pragmatic viewpoint. “With the last orange groves and

And finally, Birmingham High School in Van Nuys.

cornfields came development and the onslaught of traf-

“That’s where things began to get real,” he recalls. “I took classes in advertising and album cover design and

fic and stifling smog. Fortunately, the smog has been abated, but definitely not the traffic!” ■

illustration. In 1969 I entered a competition that LAUSD held every year. I won the #1 prize with a Black Power

| 17

Pattern Play THE TALENTED SISTER TEAM AT THE HELM OF BLOCK SHOP CONTINUES THEIR EXPRESSIVE JOURNEY WITH A NEW WALLPAPER COLLECTION. Written by Jessica Ritz

Since founding Block Shop design studio in 2013, sisters

18 |

Even before they launched the store earlier this year,

Lily Stockman and Hopie Stockman Hill have created new

the sisters’ clients were eager to find creative uses of

ways to revel in color and pattern, all the while adhering

their textiles. These include items with bold geomet-

to a SoCal-honed aesthetic sensibility. Beginning as an

ric patterns combined with eye-catching colors made

endeavor that incorporated Lily’s accomplishments as a

by skilled dyers, printers and weavers whom Lily got

painter with the entrepreneurial savvy Hopie developed

to know when she lived in Jaipur, India. Block Shop’s

at Harvard Business School, the business has evolved into

distinctive oversized scarves could be spotted doubling

a growing brand that now includes a boutique in Atwater

as wall hangings, such as one in the erstwhile Echo

Village (blockshoptextiles.com).

Park restaurant Ostrich Farm. Today, with sister Grier

Block Shop’s Grier Stockman and Hopie Stockman Hill

Stockman on board as head of brand and chief market-

this past spring. As it turns out, creating wallpaper

ing officer (Lily has recently stepped away from her

has become a special way for this team to tap into rich

Block Shop duties to focus on her career as an artist),

possibilities. Both love a deep-dive research project and

their product portfolio encompasses throw pillows,

synthesizing various influences. “The theme we keep

rugs, blankets, wall art and table linens. Robes that

coming back to is living your art,” reflects Hopie.

encourage lounging and unstructured, oversized jackets are also in the lineup.

ist farmhouse Charleston in Sussex, England (now a

So when you’ve explored the possibilities of goods

museum and gallery), multidisciplinary Austrian artist

and accessories that infuse softness and joy into homes,

and designer Dagobert Peche, painter Lois Mailou Jones,

what might be next? Wallpaper seemed like the logical

and even 19th-century American maritime knot boards.

next step. “We are all about world-building through

For all this eclectic global input, the designs still feel

pattern and texture, and wallpaper has to be the most

California casual. Valley Dot suggests the motion of

thrilling application of pattern writ large,” Hopie ex-

waves—imagery that resonates in the Golden State—

plains. “Wallpaper felt like a natural extension of our

and incorporates the earthy imperfections of Japanese

art pieces and fabric, and we love the way it transforms

katagami stenciling traditions. The alternating circles

the energy of a room.”

and rectangles in cheerful People Person are an out-

The collection—which includes seven new patterns printed on paper, fiber and grass cloth—was introduced

20 |

Inspirations include: bucolic 17th-century modern-

growth of the Stockmans’ admiration for abstract artist Mavis Pusey.

Hopie Stockman Hill with some of Block Shop’s wallpaper designs. Far left: A display case filled with pillows at the Atwater Village boutique.

Left: A Block Shop wallpaper design provides the perfect backdrop for a bathroom vanity.

A certain rigor also grounds these efforts. “Our pattern language is rooted in the choreography of dots and stripes moving at different speeds across a flat plane,” Hopie says. This approach that blends emotional responses with the practical realities dictated by interior design adds cohesion to the expressive motifs, whether

“THE THEME WE KEEP COMING BACK TO IS LIVING YOUR ART.”

it’s Hopie’s lush rendering of kumquat branches inspired by a tree at their former studio space, or peony blossoms in a jaunty grid. “We went heavy on nostalgia

Intentional partnerships and ethical sourcing are at

with our florals,” she adds. “I was pregnant when I

the core of company’s mission. Block Shop dedicates 5%

designed the collection, so with this new life in mind, I

of its profits to supporting community organizations in

wanted to make patterns that would bring warmth and

Jaipur and youth-oriented arts programs in Los Angeles.

light into the rooms they inhabit.”

They also maintain close ties with a network of inde-

The production process begins with sketches and

pendent craftspeople and artisans, both domestically and

physical wood-block prints made in Jaipur. Then a

abroad. Relationships at all points in the process mat-

specialized printer in Connecticut digitally produces each

ter—including the end user. “When a client trusts us to

order on the specified materials. Like all of Block Shop’s

fill their room floor-to-ceiling with one of our designs,

endeavors, the end result has depth and tactile appeal.

we see it as a great honor,” Hopie states. ■

| 21

Best in Low: Lowrider Icons of the Street and Show

PHOTO CREDIT MOTORTREND

Culture Immersion HEADLINED BY THE GETTY’S PST ART, A ROUNDUP OF THE BEST IN ARTS AND CULTURE THIS FALL.

GOING ON NOW BEST IN LOW: LOWRIDER ICONS OF THE STREET AND SHOW A deep dive into the creation of the lowrider car. At the Petersen Automotive Museum through spring 2025; petersen.org

MICKALENE THOMAS: ALL ABOUT LOVE An exhibition of over 80 works that highlight how Mickalene Thomas has mastered multiple disciplines, from mixed-media painting to photography. Through September 29 at The Broad; thebroad.org

SIMONE LEIGH Sculptor Simone Leigh showcases dozens of key works from her career in this joint exhibit presented at LACMA and the California African American Museum (CAAM) through January 20, 2025; lacma.org

SEPTEMBER

Eric Clapton

FUTURE IMAGINARIES: INDIGENOUS ART, FASHION, TECHNOLOGY

Future Imaginaries: Indigenous Art, Fashion, Technology THREE SISTERS, 2022. COURTESY OF CARA ROMERO (CHEMEHUEVI)

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The Autry presents an exploration of the rise of futurism in contemporary Indigenous art. September 7–June 21, 2026; theautry.org

DUEL REALITY The 7 Fingers acrobatics troupe makes its Center Theatre Group debut at the Ahmanson Theatre. “Duel Reality” features a mix of circus, theater, illusion, music and dance. September 1–22; centertheatregroup.org

Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga star in Cameron Mackintosh’s Production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends.

2024/25 ONE CTG SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES NOW ON SALE! CTGLA.ORG Photo by Danny Kaan.

PST ART: ART & SCIENCE COLLIDE The sprawling Getty initiative PST ART (formerly Pacific Standard Time) returns for its third year with more than 800 artists and 50 locations across SoCal, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, CalTechLive, Crenshaw Dairy Mart, LACMA’s Art + Technology Lab and the New Children’s Museum. With the theme Art & Science Collide, this year’s topics include ancient cosmology, artificial intelligence, Indigenous science fiction and environmental justice. September 15–February 16, 2025; pst.art

REFRAMING DIORAMAS: THE ART OF PRESERVING WILDERNESS Part of this year’s PST ART event: a newly restored

Duel Reality

diorama hall that had been closed for decades at the Natural History Museum. Visitors can examine these illusions of wilderness through a series of displays and engaging programs. September 15–September 15, 2025; nhm.org

OCTOBER A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM WITH DUDAMEL Walt Disney Concert Hall transforms into Shakespeare’s magical forest when Gustavo Dudamel conducts Mendelssohn’s whimsical incidental music from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. October 3–4; laphil.com

ERIC CLAPTON Rocker Eric Clapton, with special guest guitarist Jimmie Vaughan, takes center stage at the Hollywood Bowl.

October 12; hollywoodbowl.com

Mickalene Thomas: All About Love Ballet BC

ANCIENT WISDOM FOR A FUTURE ECOLOGY: TREES, TIME AND TECHNOLOGY Artists Ken Goldberg and Tiffany Shlain reimagine ways of understanding trees at a time when technology distances us from the natural world. The Skirball exhibit, which is also part of PST ART, opens October

24 |

PHOTO BY MARCUS ERIKSSON

17; skirball.org

Belong

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SEP

SAT

28

FAUST: The Concert Music and Lyrics by Randy Newman

SEP SUN

Randall Goosby

Randy Newman’s

8PM

29 3PM

London Philharmonic Orchestra

THU

OCT

10

Edward Gardner, conductor Randall Goosby, violin

8PM OCT

Aida Cuevas

SAT

12

Canta a Juan Gabriel

8PM

WED

23 8PM

Lark, Roman & Meyer MEMBERS

OCT

Tessa Lark, violin Joshua Roman, cello Edgar Meyer, double bass ONSTAGE SESSIONS

OCT SAT

26

SUN

3PM OCT

Coco Live-to-Film Concert Featuring Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México

27 3PM

NOV

Mummenschanz

SAT

2

50th Anniversary Tour

3PM SUN

NOV

Emanuel Ax, piano

3 7PM

NOV

Leyendas del Mariachi

SAT

9

Reuniendo a Los Mejores Talentos del Mariachi

3PM 8PM

Aida Cuevas

WED

13 8PM

MEMBERS

NOV

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra Avi Avital, mandolin Estelí Gomez, soprano ONSTAGE SESSIONS

NOV SAT

16 8PM

Conrad Tao SAT

NOV

23 8PM

TheSoraya.org

Explore the full 2024-25 Season

Conrad Tao & The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra Gershwin’s Rhapsody in JAZZ Christopher Rountree, conductor with musicians from Wild Up

Ballet BC New Works by Medhi Walerski and Crystal Pite

Single Tickets & Membership Discounts Available Now

RUFUS-RETRO-WAINRIGHT-SPECTIVE After premiering at the Philharmonie de Paris, Rufus Wainwright reignites his COVID-born digital phenomenon with three concerts at The Wallis for the show’s U.S. debut. October 30–November 2; thewallis.org

NOVEMBER

A Midsummer Night’s Dream With Dudamel

BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL The 1980s hit sci-fi film about a teenager who finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by an eccentric scientist has been turned into an award-winning musical. At the Pantages, November 5–23; broadwayinhollywood.com

WAITING FOR GODOT Samuel Beckett’s tragicomic masterpiece at the Geffen features Conor Lovett (I’ll Find You), Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show) and Rainn Wilson (The Office). November 6– December 15; geffenplayhouse.org

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Pasadena Playhouse presents the Tony Award-winning musical comedy that focuses on the happenings at a St.

Waiting for Godot costar Rainn Wilson

Tropez drag club. November 12–December 15; pasadenaplayhouse.com

BALLET BC Two new pieces by choreographers Medhi Walerski and Crystal Pite mark the return of The Soraya’s resident dance company. November 23; thesoraya.org

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The exhibition Crossing Over: Art and Science at Caltech—part of PST ART

PHOTO BY STEFANIE SCHWARTZ

© SIMONE LEIGH, PHOTO © MUSEUM ASSOCIATES/LACMA

Simone Leigh

Ancient Wisdom for a Future Ecology: Trees, Time and Technology

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THE POSTER MASTER MEET ARTIST ROBERT TANENBAUM, WHOSE FUNNY, DRAMATIC, SCARY, AND OCCASIONALLY LASCIVIOUS MOVIE POSTERS TOLD STORIES AND DREW FANS INTO THEATERS FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. Written by Robert Earle Howells

| 29

To visit artist Robert Tanenbaum in his Calabasas studio is to be surrounded by brilliance and whimsy

A stickler for accuracy, Bob almost always used live models to pose for his movie paintings. He’d typically start with stills from the film (“I almost never saw the

in equal measure. You’ll see skeletons

actual movies”), but for the poster to imbue interest and

and skulls. Jumbo vases containing

action, he needed to photograph models. “You’d never

hundreds of paintbrushes beside an easel holding a giant, rather tawdry

find the head on the body doing what you wanted. So I’d go through the still books and find headshots. Then I’d hire models, get them in the right clothes, and pose

work in progress. By contrast, an

them. The trick was to make sure the model’s head was

affectionate portrait of his twin

turned in exactly the same angle as the photo.”

Rarely were the stars themselves available to pose,

granddaughters, Morgan and Madison,

but for the film Outrageous Fortune starring Bette Midler

at age 5. Lots of cowboys—mostly John

and Shelley Long, he needed a more terrified expres-

Wayne—and lots of Indians. Sports

sion of Long, hanging precipitously by her fingers from

stars: Dodger greats, Y.A. Tittle, Mel Blount. What appears to be a Norman

a cliff beside Midler. The studio arranged for Bob to visit the actress at her home, and to pose her appropriately.

“Well, it turns out she’s one of these method actors. She

Rockwell original but you know it

sends her little daughter off into another room with a

isn’t because one of the figures looks

nanny, then kneels down over a hassock, puts her hands

suspiciously like Bob (as he likes to be called) himself. A tin of Contadina tomato sauce. A St. Pauli Girl in a “c’mon, big boy” pose proffering big frosty mugs of beer. And off in a corner

on the hassock, and starts to yell: ‘Oh f***! Oh sh**!’

The art director is going nuts, laughing, but I had to stand there with a straight face and take pictures!”

Movie posters basically had a single function—to tell a story. “People would look at the poster,” Bob says, “and if it or the movie ad excited them, they would go see the movie. Two weeks after that, it was word of

of the cluttered room, a poster from

mouth. But it was the posters that brought the people

the 1986 Paul Newman/Tom Cruise

in. They had to make you want to know what was going

film The Color of Money.

All of the art in the room represents the work of the

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the artist says.

to happen in the movie.”

A skilled artist like Bob could convey a story with a sly expression, with a montage of famous faces, or

most widely admired and covetously collected movie

with action that the movie stills failed to capture. He

poster artist from the 1960s into the ’90s. Bob painted

honed his craft as an ad agency illustrator, first in his

more than 200 posters for films as famous as The

hometown of St. Louis, then in LA for an agency whose

Greatest, Super Fly, and A Christmas Story and as forget-

clients included Datsun and Sunkist. (He’s lived in the

table as The Scum of the Earth and Silent Night Evil Night.

Valley since 1964 with his wife, Trish, and raised son

If each of those posters could only speak, what

David and daughter Jill here.) “I learned doing fruit

stories they’d tell. Happily, Bob, at 87, is around to tell

art for Sunkist that there’s a certain way to paint the

those stories, which he does with a twinkle in his eye

dimples on the skin of citrus. In five years of doing

and a twitch of his bushy mustache. For instance, The

Datsuns, I learned how to read reflections, horizon

Color of Money may feature Newman’s handsome mug,

lines, how the sun hits on a car.”

but the body beneath it is none other than Bob’s own.

Along with his expertise in portraiture—including

“I’ve always said that Paul Newman won the Oscar for

an amazing ability to channel Norman Rockwell—all

that film because his head is painted on my shoulders,”

of these skills went into his quiver to be called upon

as needed for movies, for record albums (to wit, a Rockwellesque Christmas album cover for the singing duo the Carpenters), for Franklin Mint collectible portraits of John Wayne.

Still, Bob modestly asserts, “I can take absolutely no credit for being born with an ability to draw. It’s just like somebody’s being born with the ability to hit a baseball. It’s like saying I take credit for being born with blue eyes.”

The advent of Photoshop in the 1990s and a move toward heavily retouched photography sunsetted the era of movie poster art—one more example of analog yielding to digital, craft yielding to computers. But the good news is that author Dennis L. Prince has compiled hundreds of Bob’s pieces in a thing called a book. It’s filled with wonderful art and great stories. Thumbing through it is the next best thing to spending time with the brilliant, whimsical artist himself. ■ The Movie Poster Art of Robert Tanenbaum is available at tanenbaummovieposterbook.com.

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“I CAN TAKE ABSOLUTELY NO CREDIT FOR BEING BORN WITH AN ABILITY TO DRAW. IT’S JUST LIKE SOMEBODY’S BEING BORN WITH THE ABILITY TO HIT A BASEBALL. IT’S LIKE SAYING I TAKE CREDIT FOR BEING BORN WITH BLUE EYES.”

Flour Power WHEN IT COMES TO FRESH-BAKED BREAD, NOTHING TOPS LODGE BREAD IN WOODLAND HILLS. BUT GET THERE EARLY...

Written by Linda Grasso | Photographed by Jakob Layman

My husband and I were on a no-carb kick a few years

some fava bean hummus and chowed down right then

ago. No rice, bread or potatoes. It went on for several

and there in the car. Hello, carbs. I’ve missed you.

years, and it didn’t really seem too bothersome—until I discovered Lodge Bread in Woodland Hills.

It was in 2019, and I had ventured west on the

summed up by a nutritionist at a spa seminar I at-

Boulevard to check out the new Valley Country Mart. The

tended: “Carbs should be 40% of your food intake; it is

outdoor mall was sleepy; mine was one of four or five

the body’s preferred food source over protein and fat.”

cars parked in the large lot. One of the few tenants was

Needless to say this mindset jibes wonderfully with my

Lodge Bread, so I popped in for a look. Just to the right

discovery of Lodge Bread.

of the counter: shelves stacked with beautiful loaves of

A lot has changed for the eatery in the past five

fresh-baked bread. One was called Country Loaf; another

years. Visit Lodge today—particularly around noon—

was tagged Ancient Grain. There were six or seven other

and the parking lot is packed and there is often a line

options, including rye and spelt, as well as a small self-

snaking out the door. People have caught on to the

serve refrigerator filled with homemade hummus and

bread—which is naturally leavened—and the dishes.

stewed tomato-based shakshuka, which is often served

Thanks to the addition of patio tables in the adjacent

as a nest for poached eggs. As I gazed at the gorgeous

courtyard, you can order at the counter and have your

loaves, the friendly employee at the counter quipped,

food brought to you when it is ready. From breakfast

“They taste even better than they look! We can slice up a

through lunch, people are dining on the patio, noshing

loaf so you can use it for sandwiches if you like.”

on fresh salads piled inches high, brightly hued pizza,

I couldn’t resist. I bought a dark, seedy loaf and

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I am no longer carb-free, as my head has been hit by another ping-pong ball—a new school of thought,

and an array of toast dishes. Toasts of all kinds: with

Co-owner Or Amsalam at Lodge Bread. Below: The popular shakshuka and egg dish.

“OVER THE YEARS THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOUND US, AND IT HAS REALLY EMBRACED WHAT WE’RE DOING.” cultured butter or ricotta and seasonal house-made jam, cinnamon and sugar, or almond butter.

The most popular version? Avocado toast topped with thinly sliced radishes, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt.

“My favorite way to order it is to add an egg on top.

We serve it with a steak knife so you can make a mess of it,” says co-owner Arthur Sherman.

When you learn that Lodge was a finalist for a James Beard Award in the baking category a few years ago, you might assume its origins are snooty. Perhaps Lodge originates from a classically trained baker raised on baguettes in France? Not so. Lodge started as a dare between Or Amsalam and his cofounder, Alex Phaneuf.

They were both working at a West Hollywood restaurant where Or was developing a bread recipe. He created a version so tasty that other restaurants wanted to purchase it. The duo took the leap, quit their jobs, started cooking in Alex’s backyard, and ultimately opened their first location in Culver City in 2015.

Alex eventually left the company and Arthur came on board as co-owner. Arthur says he is grateful that, despite the slow start, the Woodland Hills location took off.

“Over the years the neighborhood found us, and it has really embraced what we’re doing. We’re blown away by the support and appreciate all our guests who frequent that shop. The best part is to see how my team interacts with guests and the genuine friendships they’ve made with our regulars. It’s why we’re in this business.”

Some parting advice: if you plan to visit on the weekend to buy bread, get there early. By 11 a.m. there is little selection left. Just crumbs. ■

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Runaway Burger SELF-DESCRIBED VALLEY BOYS MAX MILLER AND DANNY GORDON BRING THEIR SMASHBURGER SENSATION, HEAVY HANDED, TO STUDIO CITY. Photographed by Jakob Layman

When Max Miller and Danny Gordon met as middle schoolers (A.C. Stelle Middle School and Sierra Canyon School, respectively), there was not even a hint that years later as adults, they’d collaborate on a fast-casual restaurant. The idea was sparked when they ran into each other after college and discussed a collaboration.

Max had been hosting Sunday night dinners for friends featuring his smashburger and Danny had been running a barbecue pop-up. Before long the two were running a pop-up tent with a grill and two fryers in Danny’s driveway in West LA, relying on Instagram posts to attract customers. “We’d test recipes in the garage,” recalls Max. A year later the duo had a food truck, and in 2022 they launched their first brick-and-mortar outpost in Santa Monica. “It went gangbusters, better than we could have possibly imagined,” says Max. This past April the two “Valley boys” (Max’s term) opened a second location in Studio City at the former

“LOOK, AT THE END OF THE DAY, HEAVY HANDED IS A FUN HOUSE. YES, WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME AND EAT AND DRINK, BUT WE WANT PEOPLE TO REALLY ENJOY THEMSELVES TOO.”

Mister O’s restaurant, which had a sleek, mid-century modern vibe. Today the space, which offers indoor seating and a wraparound covered patio, could not be

and throwing things at a wall.” Danny, on the other

more different. “We wanted to be loud,” is how Max

hand, has a more formal culinary background; he’s a

explains the bright orange and red paint on the boxy

graduate of International Culinary Center in the Bay

structure and tall sign emblazoned with the eatery’s

Area (the school closed in 2019).

graffiti-style logo So what makes Heavy Handed’s smashburger special?

really high” with dip options for kids, and a nice wine and

Available in single, double or triple size, it is made,

beer selection for adults. The wines are biodynamic and

as the name implies, by pushing down the meat on a

organic. The eight beers on tap (and even more options

hot grill. The move, as Max explains it, is designed to

in a can) range from LA-based Highland Park Brewery to

“create a Maillard reaction, which happens when amino

wheat beers from Germany. Meatless options include a

acids and sugars combine. You get a crispy top and that

grilled cheese sandwich and lettuce wraps.

great beefy taste. We use a high-quality short-rib blend

38 |

Rounding out the menu are soft-serve ice cream “piled

“Look, at the end of the day, Heavy Handed is a fun

and we make our own bread-and-butter pickles and

house,” Max says. “Yes, we want people to come and

Thousand Island-type sauce.” Max learned to make his

eat and drink, but we want people to really enjoy them-

smashburger “with a lot of YouTube, trial and error,

selves too.” ■

| 39

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| 43

BACK TO S CH O OL O P E N H OUS E PROFILES

When it comes to raising children in Los Angeles, there is no better place to do it than in the Valley. Whether you are interested in a traditional, progressive or arts education for your child, the Valley is home to some of the best schools in SoCal. And when it comes to extracurricular activities, the plethora of dance classes, arts programs and sports leagues can’t be beat. In our new Back to School | Open House profiles section, we introduce you to some of the area’s top-tier resources. Each one offers skilled and committed professionals who are eager to help children grow into educated, well-rounded, happy human beings. These professionals realize the importance of sparking interest, curiosity and passion—all essential elements for a journey of learning that will continue throughout life.

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THE COUNTRY SCHOOL

48

THE HELP GROUP

49

VIEWPOINT SCHOOL

50

EF ACADEMY PASADENA

51

THE WESLEY SCHOOL

52

DEGAS DANCE STUDIO

53

MILKEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

EDITED BY LAURA L. WATTS SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BACK TO SCHOOL

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OPEN HOUSE

THE COUNTRY SCHOOL

F

or more than 75 years The Country School has offered progressive education to students from all over Los Angeles, embracing personalized learning and overall student wellness. Students from transition preschool through middle school enjoy a project-based curriculum and enrichment program.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING OPEN HOUSE EVENTS. For the 2024–2025 school year, our open houses will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17; Saturday, September 28; Wednesday, October 16; and Saturday, November 16. Bring your child and come see what we’re all about.

DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC FOCUS. The Country School provides a rich, rigorous academic environment that equips our students for their next phase in life as young scholars and, more importantly, as young people. Our approach focuses on recognizing students’ challenges and harnessing their strengths as a means for academic growth.

Oftentimes our students operate beyond grade level. Our signature Movers Program is an example of our personalized education, allowing for subject matter acceleration across all grades. If a student is advanced in a particular subject, he/she/they can move up while remaining in a primary class filled with students of their same age and emotional level.

As part of our holistic approach, we believe students learn best experientially and that magic happens when they are exposed to a variety of new subjects and ideas. We offer an abundance of enrichment courses, including technology, violin, Spanish starting at pre-K, art, rock band, chess, stop-motion animation, theater, sports and so much more!

Every year, our students go on to attend some of the most prestigious independent high schools in the Los Angeles area.

We pride ourselves on helping them and their families reach their goals. But at TCS we are most proud to lead by example, measuring students’ academic understanding and social-emotional health to define our success.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL'S VALUES. We offer one-of-a-kind, child-centered education. Our curriculum is designed to focus on each child’s strengths with personalized instruction and assessment. We are proud to offer a holistic education, ensuring that our kids reach their academic potential and maximize their full capacity in every walk of life. Our goal is for our students to grow into healthy, happy, empowered adults with the self-confidence to embrace real-world challenges and overcome them.

The Country School has led the way in providing an equitable and enriching learning environment by actively celebrating the unique cultural identities, expressions and experiences of students, families and staff. We do more than promote diversity, equity,

inclusivity and belonging; we practice these principles by seamlessly interweaving them into our classroom curriculum and school culture.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW FACULTY MEMBER. We are proud to welcome Matt Melnick to The Country School as our new assistant head of academics and wellness. In addition to his strong administrative background, Matt has been an integral leader for The Contentment Foundation—writing and teaching the curriculum behind the Four Pillars of Wellbeing program and integrating these focal points (mindfulness, community, self-curiosity and contentment) and transformative practices in classrooms for over 10 years. The benefits include increased attention spans, greater self-confidence, more positive interactions and conflict resolutions among peers, and enhanced emotional regulation—to name a few.

This new program is a natural continuation of our commitment to student wellness. Countless studies as well as decades of experience guide our simple philosophy: Kids learn best when they have the tools to manage their stress and anxiety. Kids become their best selves—academically and emotionally—when we are attentive to the needs of the whole child.

DESCRIBE SOME OF THE COUNTRY SCHOOL’S NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS. For postsecondary school, our students have gone on to attend the best colleges and universities across the country, including top liberal arts schools. We are committed to helping our students find the right fit for them. We are proud to serve as founding members of The Southern California People of Color in Independent Schools, Private School Village and Private School Axis, which foster greater diversity and belonging in independent schools.

WHAT WELLNESS PROGRAMS DO YOU OFFER? For decades The Country School has sought to address the epidemic levels of stress and anxiety our society places on children. We have fostered an environment that “does right by kids” by prioritizing student wellness. We successfully eliminated homework for students in kindergarten through the beginning of fifth grade while enacting a “no cell phone” policy. Both have proven to reduce stress and buy more time for our kids to be kids.

Additionally, we teach daily meditation and recentering practices so our children learn how to effectively handle anxiety, with the ultimate goal of cultivating independent and secure teenagers ready to take on the challenges of high school.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR ATHLETICS PROGRAM. We pride ourselves on a phenomenal athletics program that competes in the San Fernando Valley Private School League. We offer year-round athletics: boys flag football, basketball, volleyball and soccer, and girls basketball, soccer and volleyball.

5243 LAUREL CANYON BLVD., VALLEY VILLAGE | 818-769-2473 | COUNTRY-SCHOOL.ORG | @TCSVALLEYVILLAGE

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BACK TO SCHOOL

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OPEN HOUSE

THE HELP GROUP The Help Group, a nonprofit organization, offers nine specialized schools for students with social, emotional and learning differences from preschool through high school and transition-age school, with year-round open enrollment. Certified by the California Department of Education, the schools provide prescriptive teaching, small classes, individualized curriculum and enrichment activities, as well as counseling, speech and language, and occupational therapy.

WHICH STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM YOUR PROGRAMS? Our students with special needs, including autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental delays and emotional challenges, flourish in our specialized educational programs. We customize pathways to their goals, whether they’re college-bound or focused on vocational or independent skills.

WHAT MAKES YOUR SCHOOLS EXCEPTIONAL? The Help Group schools are uniquely positioned to cater to a wide range of abilities, focusing on the strengths of each student.

We offer a variety of specialized programs designed to meet the diverse needs of our students with special needs and those across the autism spectrum. We emphasize individualized learning plans,

small class sizes and a holistic approach that integrates therapy and counseling, allowing each student to grow. Our highly trained clinicians provide individual and group mental health services and offer therapeutic support during challenging moments.

HOW DO YOUR SCHOOLS HELP KIDS THRIVE? We offer a wide range of academic and enrichment programs to help students explore their interests, foster compassion and make a difference in the world. These programs range from our award-winning STEM and robotics to competitive California Interscholastic Federation athletics and intramural sports, student councils, creative and performing arts, and much more.

HOW CAN THE HELP GROUP SUPPORT MY CHILD? We provide a dedicated learning environment to enable students to realize their fullest potential of independence and skills across all academic areas. With year-round rolling admission, families can apply and access our support when they need it most. We offer individualized attention from staff using an interactive, hands-on, multisensory approach. Intensive intervention and supportive services are integrated into the curriculum.

CULVER CITY, SHERMAN OAKS, VALLEY GLEN, VAN NUYS 877-943-5747 | THEHELPGROUP.ORG | @THEHELPGROUP | ADMISSIONS@THEHELPGROUP.ORG

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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OPEN HOUSE

VIEWPOINT SCHOOL

F PHOTOGRAPHED BY TANNER WILSON

ounded in 1961, Viewpoint School educates children in grades TK–12 on a scenic 40-acre campus in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. The school operates under the leadership of head of school/president Mark McKee, a leader in education for more than 20 years.

DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC FOCUS. Love of learning does not emerge necessarily from a quest for grades or even from sustained academic success as defined by grades. Rather, love of learning emerges naturally from authentic engagement in the process of learning—when students are emotionally engaged in the work and have “bought in.” Viewpoint teachers incorporate a set of core competencies into their classrooms and curricula: Collaboration, Creativity, Classroom Climate and Application. Perhaps the most important of these is Classroom Climate, since establishing a trusting, safe space is an important part of inspiring students to engage with learning. We believe firmly that the future will belong to those who know how to work successfully in diverse, creative, problem-solving teams.

HOW DOES VIEWPOINT CELEBRATE DIVERSITY? Viewpoint families value and honor unity in diversity. We all strive

to work collaboratively, continuously deepening much-needed levels of trust, curiosity and respect—especially during these challenging times. Our annual Diversity Leadership Day offers nearly 60 sessions—most created and led by students—covering timely topics that are most important to them. Parent Partners for Diversity and Inclusion host an annual multicultural potluck, when families from some of the 75+ countries represented at Viewpoint gather to share foods that have been passed down through generations. We offer a variety of opportunities to learn more about traditionally marginalized folks from guest and in-house speakers and through specially curated events and celebrations.

HOW DO YOU NURTURE KIDS’ CREATIVITY? At Viewpoint, the arts are valued, nurtured and emphasized for all students. One example is our annual Arts Fest, where we welcome the community for a celebration of the arts. All ages are invited to enjoy an afternoon of music in the canyon; visual art displays and demos; scenes from this year's musical and theater productions; screenings of award-winning student films; and a showcase of our dance program. Mark McKee says, “It’s important that we celebrate the signature strength of our arts programs, which promote all of our core values and especially imagination.”

23620 MULHOLLAND HWY., CALABASAS | 818-591-6500 | VIEWPOINT.ORG | @VIEWPOINTSCHOOL

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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OPEN HOUSE

EF ACADEMY PASADENA

TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING OPEN HOUSE. Join us on November 2 or December 7 to learn about our global community, curriculum, extracurriculars, immersive learning philosophy and highly personalized approach. Hear from current students, faculty and school leadership as you experience what makes the EF Academy community so special.

DO YOU OFFER PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON GLOBAL ISSUES? EF Academy’s signature program, Innovation & Impact, aligns student projects with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. We aim to equip students with innovation and global change-making skills that will serve them in their careers and lives.

Students are in classes alongside other students from around the world to understand identities, perspectives and cultures different from their own. Our graduates are uniquely prepared for university

and the real world, having gained global perspective, cultural competency and understanding of people and how to work with others.

DESCRIBE YOUR ACADEMIC FOCUS. EF Academy takes a student-centric approach to teaching through competency-based learning (CBL) and personalized education. CBL creates more options for students, placing them in an educational environment that allows them to learn at their own pace and gain a mastery of skills rather than a memorization of facts. CBL enables students to progress at the pace that works for them while growing their skills.

HOW DO YOU CONNECT CLASSROOM LEARNING WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD? Our classes are designed to help connect classroom learning with the outside world by integrating project-based learning and field study. Within each course, faculty members take students on field study trips. These trips are both engaging and educational, but most importantly, they enable students to see and apply how their learning is used in the real world. For example, physics classes take trips to the Santa Monica Pier to understand the physics behind roller coasters.

1505 E. HOWARD ST., PASADENA | 626-507-9303 | EFACADEMY.ORG/EN-US/PASADENA | @EFACADEMYPASADENA

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PHOTOGRAPHED BY REBECCA ARNADA

E

F Academy is a private day and boarding high school with a 16-acre campus in Pasadena. The school’s curriculum is highly individualized and hands-on for its students from 30+ countries. EF Academy Pasadena first opened its doors in 2022 and had its first graduating class this year.

BACK TO SCHOOL

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OPEN HOUSE

THE WESLEY SCHOOL

T

he Wesley School is a coeducational K–8 independent day school in North Hollywood. It was founded in 1999 by a group of concerned parents after the closing of St. Michael’s in Studio City. Wesley’s new mission statement is: “Within a community of belonging, we nurture joyful, confident learners to think critically, creatively and compassionately.”

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DAVID HASKELL

TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING OPEN HOUSE. We are thrilled to offer open house events and individual campus tours beginning in September. We strongly encourage attending an open house event to learn more about The Wesley School. If none of the open house dates work for you, please schedule a campus tour instead. If you have attended an open house and want a second look, campus tours are there for you as well. We look forward to getting to know you and your family throughout the admissions process. Visit wesleyschool.org/admissions/ admissions-events for more information.

WHY DOES YOUR SCHOOL DESERVE THE CONSIDERATION OF PROSPECTIVE FAMILIES? We truly believe that the K–8 model is the best choice for children. It provides a safe space for them to come of age at an

appropriate pace, and a place where they can avoid some of the social pressures found in a secondary school environment. Our middle schoolers have the opportunity to be mentors to younger peers and to be campus leaders. Our well-rounded, exemplary academic program ensures that when students finish eighth grade, they are ready to succeed in the best independent high schools in the Los Angeles area. They are more mature and better equipped to handle the rigors of their next educational chapters, thanks to the extra two years we give them to blossom and prepare.

IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU CELEBRATE DIVERSITY, INCLUSIVITY AND MULTICULTURAL AWARENESS? We believe our community is stronger and our program is more dynamic when we make diversity, equity and inclusivity central commitments of our school. These efforts enrich the lives of our school constituents and deepen student learning—helping children become more creative and collaborative problem-solvers, empathetic friends, engaged citizens and productive contributors to a global society. One way we do this is through our morning community gatherings for the entire school, where we tackle difficult questions, share experiences, and celebrate our differences by sharing experiences and learning from one another.

4832 TUJUNGA AVE., NORTH HOLLYWOOD | 818-508-4542 | WESLEYSCHOOL.ORG | @THEWESLEYSCHOOL

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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OPEN HOUSE

DEGAS DANCE STUDIO Anacia Weiskittel, Artistic Director/CEO

D

egas Dance Studio is dedicated to instructing, educating and inspiring students ages 3 to adult in the art of dance. The studio was named after the French painter Edgar Degas, known for painting dancers. Degas Dance Studio offers recreational instruction as well as preprofessional opportunities and career guidance, with a focus on technique and artistry.

DESCRIBE THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF DEGAS DANCE STUDIO. Our business model is truly unique—from our original contemporary concert productions to our supportive community. We are not merely a classical ballet studio nor just a competition studio. We dedicate equal effort to training both our recreational dancers and our preprofessional dancers, as we believe in the values and life skills that dance imparts. Instruction is offered by top industry professionals who are the best in each dance style, so our students get a well-rounded and diverse education.

Students of Degas Dance Studio

HIGHLIGHT SOME OF YOUR STUDENTS' SUCCESSES AND ACHIEVEMENTS. Degas Dance Studio has produced unprecedented talent from the ground up. Our alumni are currently dancing all over the world in renowned dance companies and as freelance dancers and choreographers. Our students have been recipients of prestigious awards, year-round programs and invitations to top college programs. They continue to use their skills to help them succeed in whatever they set their minds to achieve. Former students say that dance helped them tremendously in building life skills including time management, work ethic, discipline, creativity, confidence, goal-setting and strong character values, and in finding a community of supportive, likeminded individuals who have helped them be successful.

17247 VENTURA BLVD., ENCINO | 818-528-3414 | DEGASDANCESTUDIO.COM | @DEGAS_DANCE_STUDIO

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PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFFREY FITERMAN

TELL US ABOUT YOUR LOCATIONS. Our flagship location in Encino was established in 2009. In 2021 we expanded with the opening of Degas International Dance Academy in Delft, Netherlands. In 2023 we launched our franchise business and are now actively selecting franchisees for new locations across the United States and Europe. With proven systems and extensive mentorship, we aim to support the next generation of dance studio entrepreneurs in achieving their goals and fostering vibrant communities. Join us and become part of our successful franchise network!

BACK TO SCHOOL

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OPEN HOUSE

Head of school Dr. Sarah Shulkind with students

MILKEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

M PHOTO COURTESY MILKEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL

ilken is a private day school committed to incorporating Jewish values in a rigorous, college preparatory education for children in grades 6–12. The school serves a diverse student body of more than 775 students from across Los Angeles.

DESCRIBE THE UNIQUE CHARACTERISTICS OF MILKEN. Milken Community School roots academic excellence in ethical action and fosters individual growth through engagement in a pluralistic community. Milken guides our students to fulfill our “Portrait of the Graduate: Think Well, Belong to Something Greater Than Yourself and Take Positive Action.” With students from over 70 feeder schools and 20+ zip codes and eight languages spoken in homes, Milken’s diversity creates a richer environment for learning, growth and connection.

HOW DO YOU FOSTER AN ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET? At Milken, we believe fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students and giving them the encouragement and freedom to innovate are essential to their long-term success. Milken’s Finance & Entrepreneurship Signature Program is just one pathway where students have the opportunity to explore finance and investing at

an introductory level or dive deeply into advanced investing and asset management.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR MISSION. We believe that the world our children will create tomorrow is born in the school we build today, and our mission is to educate our children so they can surpass us. We think education is about more than what students know—it is about channeling that knowledge to unlock their unique potential and create a better world. The support they receive from Milken on the journey to self-discovery gets them ready to make a difference and positions them to thrive.

HIGHLIGHT SOME OF YOUR NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS. With the early 2024 purchase of Milken East, our campus tripled in size, enhancing the student experience and fueling our growth.

Our academic decathlon team won the Southern California Division IV championship, and our literary magazine, Responsa, earned a Superior rank in the 2023 NCTE Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines program. Our robotics team clinched the Innovate Award at the FIRST Robotics competition.

And our recent graduates have been recruited to Division I collegiate and professional international athletic teams.

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

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MAKE LASTING MEMORIES at the Skirball

Photo by Apple Cheese Photography

A welcoming oasis nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Skirball offers spacious courtyards, peaceful outdoor patios, and dramatic ballrooms for your special day.

Visit skirball.org/plan to start planning your ideal celebration.

2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90049 skirball.org • (310) 440-4500

WEDDINGS

Making Memories AMID THE BEAUTY OF A STORIED SANTA BARBARA RESORT, A COUPLE TIES THE KNOT.

FROM THE CUSTOM MIRRORED AISLE TO THE FINALE FIREWORKS, MCKEEL AND DAVE THOMPSON PULL OFF A STUNNING WEDDING AT EL ENCANTO IN SANTA BARBARA. Written by Chelsee Lowe Photographed by Michelle Lillywhite

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As a certified sommelier, McKeel Thompson knows a good wine when she sips one. And for many years, she hoped to find a man as fine as the wine she pours.

Having moved to Los Angeles from the Midwest in 2009, McKeel says she dated her fair share of “characters” over the years. When she met Dave Thompson at an event in 2015, something felt different.

“I was looking for a regular guy, someone easypeasy,” she says. “Dave was polite, charming and really likable. I was pouring wine; he was drinking it. I like to say we’ve been happily tipsy ever since.”

Dave is a retiree who had a long career in retail logistics. He and McKeel dated for two years before they moved in together in Westlake Village. Two years later the couple got engaged. According to Dave, living together allowed them time to get to know one another, weathering the ups and downs of life and appreciating what makes each of them unique.

“McKeel has this amazing energy,” Dave says. “She emits an open and transparent vibe, which is not always easy to find. I was instantly drawn to her.”

When it came time to select a wedding venue, the couple’s preferences aligned. Dave suggested they tour a few venues in the Santa Barbara area. A weekend getaway to El Encanto (part of the Belmond hotel group) persuaded them to choose the hillside hideaway. Dave loved its architectural style and McKeel was impressed with the level of service she found at every turn.

“When you’re in hospitality, you have certain standards,” McKeel shares. “And El Encanto checks all the boxes. The grounds are immaculate, the view is beautiful, the people are gracious and warm and welcoming. I fell in love with its charm.”

McKeel dreamed of a wedding that was both personal and timeless, and El Encanto’s walled arbor and lily pond felt like the perfect backdrop for achieving that goal. The bride used Pinterest to research design ideas. Her most important find? A mirrored aisle, which

The couple jumps over a broomstick, an African wedding tradition that stems from the belief that brooms hold spiritual value, signifying the sweeping away of evil spirits and past wrongs.

wound up being installed directly atop the pond.

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“The way the walkway reflected the light and trees

ballroom. The main entrée options were red snapper

was just heavenly,” McKeel recalls. “It made the wed-

and flat iron steak—with specific instructions to El

ding feel so much more elegant.”

Encanto’s chef to prepare the beef well-done, which

Wedding planners Event of the Season came on board to help manage details, including numerous

table overflowed with sweets by Santa Barbara’s Lelé

personal touches. Dave’s children and grandchildren

Pâtisserie, including a three-tiered wedding cake with

helped set the scene as flower girls and ring bearer,

three distinct flavors—carrot, lemon vanilla, and choc-

and grandson Caden and young family friend Grant

olate and vanilla marble—with meringue buttercream

acted as “broom bearers.”

frosting. Other treats: powdered coconut donuts, Goleta

“In African culture, jumping over brooms is a symbolic way of saying that we’re sweeping away the past

lemon pie and Tahitian vanilla bean pot de crème.

When it came time for dancing, the bride swapped

and making way for a new beginning that’s clean and

her Jimmy Choo heels for custom bridal platform

fresh,” McKeel explains. “I wanted that to be part of

sneakers (procured on Etsy). A playlist of DJ-spun

the event.”

tunes kept the energy high, and the newlyweds wowed

Even Dave and McKeel’s labradoodle, Cognac, walked the mirrored aisle with his brother, Sir Bastian, who is owned by the bride’s brother.

their guests with a choreographed number, which Dave learned to please his beautiful bride.

“Dancing isn’t really my forte, but I loved that it

McKeel wore a Pronovias dress, purchased from

was something we could do together,” he says. “And it

Corona del Mar’s The White Dress, with a hint of

came out really well; I don’t think we missed a beat.”

blush pink to its ivory hue. That soft rosy tone became

Up until the very end of the event, McKeel’s eye for

a throughline, from the bridesmaids’ dresses to the

detail was sharp. The couple exited their party illumi-

floral arrangements by Camellia Floral Design. Pastel

nated by the sparkles of cold-fusion fireworks—which

ranunculus, garden roses, sweet peas and orchids were

produce a nonhazardous effect that resembles tradi-

prominent in the arrangements, with accents of tiny

tional fireworks—and to the tune of “I’ve Had the Time

red fountain bush blooms and jasmine vine. The groom

of My Life.”

and groomsmen were striking in classic navy suits with pink striped ties from Men’s Wearhouse.

“I wanted a wedding that was classic, elegant and timeless,” she says. “I wanted to be able to look back

After the “I do’s,” guests enjoyed cocktails and

50 years from now and not feel like it was dated—and I

canapés on El Encanto’s Channel Islands Terrace. The

think we did it. It was the most magical day of my life.” ■

dinner and reception events took place in the property’s

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McKeel notes was perfectly achieved. The dessert

The bride’s brother Kwiince Lipscomb walks Dave and McKeel’s labradoodle, Cognac, and Cognac’s brother, Sir Bastian, down the aisle. Below: The bride’s platform dancing sneakers and the pink pashminas that were gifted to the bridesmaids.

Nuptial Numbers A LOOK AT SOME EYE-OPENING FIGURES FROM AVERAGE AND ASTRONOMICAL WEDDINGS.

2.3 MILLION The number of weddings each year in the United States.

33

CARATS The weight of the famous Krupp natural-cut diamond engagement ring that Richard Burton gave to

25 FEET The length of the train of the ivory silk taffeta and antique

Elizabeth Taylor in 1975 for the

lace gown worn by Princess Diana when she married Prince

couple’s second wedding.

Charles in 1981.

$50 BILLION

1840

The year that Queen Victoria wore a white

The average amount of money that American couples spend on a wedding.

silk-and-lace gown for her wedding to

The amount of money people spend on

Prince Albert, giving rise to the popularity of

weddings each year in the U.S. (wedding,

the big white dress as bridal attire.

reception, honeymoon and gifts).

$22,000 28 YEARS The average age of an American bride.

$800

The amount that the average American bride spends on her dress.

16

MONTHS The length of the average American engagement, according to a Condé Nast Bridal Group wedding survey.

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WEDDING SHOWCASE

BELLE OF THE BALL A CHERISHED FAMILY LEGACY ENDURES AT TWO BRIDAL BOUTIQUES. Lisa Litt’s parents opened a small shop for her grandmother Lili in 1958, and soon it became a Los Angeles institution for brides.

Lisa has added modern touches—focusing on new designers and the latest trends—while maintaining the warm, welcoming ambience her family’s shop has always been known for. She also owns Della Curva, a plus-size bridal salon upstairs from Lili Bridals.

With gorgeous gowns for brides and their mothers, both boutiques are certain to become a special part of your cherished memories.

Lili Bridals | 18663 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana 818-774-9700 | lilibridals.com | @lilibridals

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Right Down To Her Toes THE RANGE OF BRIDAL FOOTWEAR TODAY HAS NO BOUNDS, ALLOWING BRIDES TO MAKE CHOICES THAT EXPRESS THEIR PERSONALITY.

FOR DRAMA QUEENS Flavia Sandals by Gianvito Rossi; $1,195 at Neiman Marcus Westfield Topanga or neimanmarcus.com

FOR ENVIRONMENTALISTS Faux Leather Persona Slingback

FOR ROYALTY WATCHERS

Pumps by Jeffrey Campbell;

Amalfi 95 D’Orsay Ecru heels by

$155 at Bloomingdale’s

Arteana; $495 at arteanafashion.com

Westfield Fashion Square or at bloomingdales.com

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FOR LABEL LOVERS Rockstud Pump with crystals and micro studs by Valentino; $1,590 at valentino.com

FOR COWGIRLS The Annie Boot by Tecovas: $295 at tecovas.com

FOR DANCERS Sidny Crystal Pave Platform Sneaker by Betsey Johnson; $89 at Nordstrom Westfield Topanga or nordstrom.com

FOR COMFORT-MINDED GALS The Sofia in Silver Metallic With Crystals by Inez; $258 at inez.com

| 65

WEDDING SHOWCASE

THE FASHION CONCIERGE CREATING BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATIONS FROM HEAD TO TOE. A full-service bridal boutique, True Romance by Orsolina ensures that every bride looks beautiful and feels special. Owner Orsolina is an in-demand master seamstress with more than 35 years of experience. She creates unique, custom gowns with exclusive fabrics and laces from Italy, France and Switzerland. She also remakes vintage dresses and provides alterations. The store carries dresses and accessories, and Orsolina’s on-site services include dressing the bride and the entire wedding party on the big day.

True Romance by Orsolina | 153 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills 424-332-2702 | 626-664-9588 | @trueromancebyorsolina

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Made for the Modern Explorer.

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While apparel is our business, our mission is to make the world a happier place by inspiring human connection through travel and exploration. Because life's not really about the destination. It's about how we feel along the way, who we’re with and how we connect with the world around us.

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Prime Seat MEET THE CREATIVE BUILDER AND DESIGNER WHO IS MAKING A MARK ON STUDIO CITY. MORE ON PAGE 76.

Global Treasures FROM PRECIOUS TO DISTRESSED, THE ITEMS OFFERED AT ARTE BOTTEGA ARE AIMED AT HOMEOWNERS WITH A SOPHISTICATED EYE. Photographed by Nicholas Tatone

Arte Bottega owners Tom Elyahu and Gio N. Kabessa.

Walk down the Boulevard in Sherman Oaks, and as you hit a corner just west of Fulton, among the shops butted up to the sidewalk, one storefront is dramatically set back. The space that just a few years ago was a used-car lot is now a charming, landscaped, pebblefilled yard highlighted by large potted plants, fountains and attractive outdoor furniture. A lanai is trellised with jasmine vine; a black wrought iron fence is lined with a ficus hedge. You almost feel like you are at an oldworld European sanctuary. And that is exactly the vibe the owners of the new Arte Bottega were going for.

“Our expertise lies in capturing the raw beauty of natural elements and blending them with warmth and simplicity,” says Gio N. Kabessa, who co-owns the shop with Tom Elyahu. “Our designer/merchandiser has an astute eye for authenticity. She procures unique, well-loved pieces with earthy, textured and neutral elements.” Gio and Tom are longtime friends who also own and operate the construction company Topteam Builders. Arte Bottega is their attempt to satisfy their clients’ desire for imported antique pieces.

“We import from all over globally. We pride ourselves in curating rare and unique pieces that showcase the

70 |

“OUR EXPERTISE LIES IN CAPTURING THE RAW BEAUTY OF NATURAL ELEMENTS AND BLENDING THEM WITH WARMTH AND SIMPLICITY.” craftsmanship of talented artisans. With Arte Bottega, we envisioned a one-stop shop for all things home,” shares Gio. Sleek teak furniture—some pieces with contemporary lines—and crisp white umbrellas fill the outdoor space, along with a large assortment of aged pots of all colors (priced from $150 to $650). Inside the store, which visitors enter from a fully retractable sliding door, a charming assortment of accessories ranges from antique breadboards to handsome marble bowls to distressed wooden tables, stools and mirrors.

When Gio describes Arte Bottega as a “one-stop shop,” he means it. The building also serves as the headquarters for Topteam Builders. The owners hope the storefront will be an opener to a conversation that can go in endless creative directions. ■

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VICTORIA HOLLY INTERIORS Victoria Holly, Interior Designer INFO@VICTORIAHOLLY.COM VICTORIAHOLLY.COM @VICTORIAHOLLYINTERIORS

WHAT WERE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OF THIS PROJECT? The home had so much potential, and our clients’ vision was clear: to infuse their new home with a distinct luxurious style that would resonate with their personalities. Also, the home 74 | S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

lacked adequate storage space, so we needed to create spaces that were not just beautiful but also functional, maximizing utility without compromising aesthetics.

HOW DO YOU DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF FROM OTHER DESIGNERS? We are committed to delivering unparalleled quality and have an eye for perfection in every detail of a project. From meticulous measurements to inspection of every piece of furniture, we scrutinize all elements of a project. We also deeply value the privilege of designing our clients’ homes and take seriously the significance of this responsibility. Our specialty is capturing our clients’ styles. We focus on everything from new builds to remodels to light remodels with furniture and decor. We mostly work on residential projects with a mix of commercial here and there—in Southern California and also across the country.

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS. We are a full-service interior design firm that takes a comprehensive approach to creating exceptional interiors, focusing on our clients’ styles and lifestyles. We love to design warm, welcoming and unique spaces with well-curated pieces that stand the test of time. We work on renovations, new builds, and a mix of residential and commercial projects.

PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHED BY VIVIAN JOHNSON; VICTORIA PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFFREY FITERMAN

TELL US ABOUT THIS PROJECT. We were given the opportunity to reinvent the recently purchased townhome of our clients, who happen to be friends of mine. This home was a new build, so we wanted to infuse it with warmth and personality while keeping it clean and contemporary. The Southern California home, while modern, lacked a high-quality and personalized touch.

To do this, we worked with the homeowners to curate bold artwork pieces tailored to each space. Our approach emphasized strategically placing vibrant artwork throughout the home to highlight otherwise lost areas.

In addition, the home lacked storage, and we’re big fans of built-ins! One standout addition was the built-in bench banquette adjacent to the kitchen, which not only provides extra seating but also cleverly incorporates storage.

We utilized custom furniture where possible, such as the custom-designed storage bed featuring integrated drawers. In smaller spaces like these, the versatility of multifunctional furniture is so important.

| DESIGN SHOWCASE 2024 |

Rob Diaz (right) with Mark Alexander

76 |

Design Dynamo WHEN IT COMES TO BUILDING SPEC HOMES, ROB DIAZ LOVES ARCHITECTURAL INTEGRITY, NATURAL MATERIALS AND SOPHISTICATED DETAILS. BUT WHAT REALLY SETS HIM APART IS HIS PALPABLE PASSION FOR DESIGN. Written by Linda Grasso | Photographed by Shane O’Donnell

| 77

When it comes to spec homes in the Valley, whether it is the large contemporary boxy structure with black framed windows or the black-andwhite “farmhouse,” the new builds you see often feature similar designs.

Builder Rob Diaz takes a unique approach. He vows never to do the same house twice. “I get bored easily.

I like a challenge,” he explains. Indeed all the spec homes that Rob Diaz Designs (the company he co-owns and runs with Mark Alexander) takes on are markedly different—whether it is the one in Studio City’s desirable Silver Triangle that sold for $4 million or the one

78 |

A spec home that sold for $7.8 million— the highest sales price in Studio City last year. “We took a bento box and created an A-frame out of it,” says Rob, who likes to build expansive upper decks that offer additional square footage.

| 79

in Longridge Estates that sold last year for $7.8 million.

over an expanse of the front yard and shades the entry.

At $1,244 per square foot, that property was one of the

Priceless—at least in the Valley.

most expensive homes ever sold in Studio City. (Strip

Although he typically works with interior designers,

away the exterior decks and just include interior living

Rob is very hands-on with decor, finishes and furnish-

spaces, and the actual square-foot price on the home

ings. In fact, he often designs custom furniture for

jumps above $1,700.)

his spec homes and sells them fully furnished. (He is

Rob’s creations do share a through line, though: ma-

Studio Rob Diaz.) For the Fryman Canyon home, Rob is

natural materials—no concrete, for example. I want it

handling interior design himself. He and Mark estimate

to feel simple and organic. Also no recessed lights.” He

the price tag for the completely furnished home will be

also has a penchant for A-frames and expansive upper

priced around $45 million. If they do get a sales price in

terraces that offer additional living space.

that range, it would be the most expensive home ever

Explaining how he designs each spec home to have

sold in Studio City by tens of millions. Rob acknowl-

its own look and vibe, Rob gave us a tour of his latest

edges the price is high but says, “Nothing like this

and largest project to date: a sprawling abeche wood-

home exists in the Valley. It is on two flat acres and the

clad, 20,000-square-foot home in Fryman Canyon

lot size is 20,000 square feet. Every room is curated and

on the estate formerly owned by Jeopardy host Alex

furnished by renowned designers, making it truly one

Trebek. The game-show host and his wife, Jean, lived

of a kind and incomparable.”

in the coveted Studio City neighborhood for more than

Just outside of the Fryman Canyon neighborhood,

25 years. When Trebek died in 2020, Rob and Mark

Rob has another project underway in the Silver Triangle

bought the property for $6.5 million.

section of Studio City. The lots are smaller in this

“We are building a full-blown compound. The style

neighborhood than in Fryman (just above it), and it has

will be the Hamptons meets California lifestyle,” Rob

a mix of old and new homes. Still, the area is highly

shares. Construction is also underway behind the main

desirable due to its proximity to the shops and eateries

house on two other structures, both fully clad in lime-

on the Boulevard—walking distance, really. The con-

stone: a wellness center with a steam room​and sauna,

temporary home with a limestone/travertine façade on

and ​a gym. In between the main house and the two

Viewcrest Road is more modest than the Fryman prop-

smaller structures: a 75-foot lap pool, set off by a row

erty, but Rob is equally proud of it. The three-bedroom

of recently planted mature olive trees.

home, with interior design by Jessica Nicastro, will hit

“This is a huge undertaking for us,” says Mark, as he gazes around the meticulously clean construction site.

Currently in year two of what Rob estimates will be

80 |

currently working on a bespoke furniture line called

terials like limestone, travertine and wood. “I use only

the market this summer. The price tag will be around $6 million—fully furnished. The home has a handsome vibe with solid oak floors and cabinetry throughout.

a three-year project, the house already conveys a sense

The walls, a warm, sandy hue, are created with a plaster

of the finished product—particularly its grandeur.

from the British company Clayworks. The application,

The library and formal living room have 30-foot-high

done in three separate coats, is a meticulous process.

cathedral ceilings and large windows that allow in

“It is natural and easy to clean—you don’t paint the

light at every angle. The house has two kitchens—a

walls in this house,” Rob explains.

“service kitchen” near the formal dining room (don’t

Knobs on cabinetry are cool and unusual shapes in

think galley kitchen; its size and scale are larger than

solid brass. A guest room bathroom features a unique

most), and a main kitchen that opens onto an expansive

solid wood, forest-green-stained medicine cabinet

living area. One thing the builders didn’t touch on the

by Josh Greene. A sleek oblong concrete sink basin by

property: a ginormous majestic oak tree that canopies

Kast—in a matching hue—is perched below. In lieu of

Rob Diaz in the 20,000-squarefoot, work-in-progress spec home, the former Alex Trebek estate, in Fryman Canyon.

This spec home in Studio City’s desirable Silver Triangle pocket has two inner courtyards that open off bedrooms as well as large upper decks, offering a seamless indoor-outdoor vibe.

“I use only natural materials—no concrete, for example.

I want it to feel simple and organic.”

four or five years, but was very bored.”

In 2007 he took a break from work to participate in CBS’s The Amazing Race. He didn’t win, but he did come in second. A year later, amid the stock market crash, he switched gears and flipped his first home. He made $80,000 on the Sherman Oaks sale—and was hooked.

One home led to the next and before Rob knew it, he had a busy career as a spec-home flipper. In 2013 he realized he need a major life change; his drinking was holding him back. He checked himself into rehab and got sober. What sparked the change? “One really bad

a standard AC/heat system with vents, subtle long thin

night.” From a career standpoint, things really started

slats are cut in the ceiling for temperature regulation,

to pick up after that.

“a very expensive option,” Rob acknowledges.

Over the years Rob and Mark kept in touch, and often

Of course, all Rob Diaz homes are smart homes, in-

joined forces to work on small remodels together. They

cluding this one. “From your bedside you can basically

had a yin-yang that worked, and in 2020 the two decid-

shut down the entire house, from lights to shades.”

ed to become partners. “I’m basically the budget guy,”

A stickler for even the smallest of details, he taps a

quips Mark, who has a background in engineering.

company called Meljac for old-fashioned switch plates

The partnership has been fruitful. Most of the duo’s

and buttons that are engraved with their functions. For

spec homes presell, never even making it to the market.

example, the light switch by the bed in the primary will

The firm got even more gas this past spring when

have several buttons labeled “Goodnight” that shut off

Architectural Digest did a cover story featuring model

lights in various areas of the house.

Amber Valetta’s Studio City home. It was one of Rob and

Rob’s sense of style and refinement doesn’t derive

Mark’s projects, and the firm was flooded with requests.

from any formal education or training. He says he has

They turned down all of them. “There wasn’t anything

had a sophisticated palate as far back as he can remem-

interesting enough. Truthfully, I just prefer to do my

ber. Raised in the Valley by a single mother who worked

own thing,” Rob says. In particular, he loves creat-

for a Pacific Theatres executive, he had an elevated

ing homes in Studio City, where he lives, and he won’t

sense of style even during his days at Grant High School

build anything in Encino. “Look, there are some pretty

in Van Nuys.

neighborhoods in Encino. I just don’t like that stretch of

“I was wearing Japanese denim! I always had an eye for scale and materials.”

After graduating high school, Rob attended col-

Ventura Boulevard. The commercial district is awful.”

As for his career success, he is pragmatic. He works hard. He knows he has a unique talent, and doesn’t

lege for a few years, but dropped out. In the late ’90s,

apologize for being well paid for it. One does, however,

he worked as a bartender at Skybar in LA’s Mondrian

detect a note of delight.

Hotel. At the time the open-air nightspot was some-

“I am an example of a self-made dream—how to

thing of a rage. “I had a lot of fun in my 20s,” he

make it in America,” he says, briskly stepping off the

laughs. It was at Skybar where he met Mark Alexander,

curb and into his shiny electric Porsche. As we said our

who worked as a doorman. “He was a pretty influential

goodbyes and he drove off, I couldn’t help but stare at

guy at the time,” Rob chuckles.

the Porsche’s unusual greenish hue. Like everything

At the age of 29, Rob switched gears and embarked

else Rob selects, his car has a distinct sense of style. ■

on a career as a real estate appraiser. “I did that for

| 83

Some Like It Hot Illustrated by Yuiko Sugino

Extend your harvest of greens with varieties that will thrive in the Valley summer garden long after the traditional cool-season ones have stopped producing. Sow from seeds— easily purchased on Amazon—or hunt down seedlings at a nursery. From fresh zesty salads to salty stir-fries, let the creative process begin!

MALABAR SPINACH has succulent leaves that offer a slightly tangy and peppery flavor with a hint of citrus. To harvest, snip individual leaves or the tips of the vines, being careful not to remove too much at once.

Tip: Malabar spinach is a great additive to curries and soups due to its thickening properties and unique flavor. It can also be stir-fried with other veggies and spices.

AMARANTH leaves have an earthy, slightly peppery flavor that is reminiscent of spinach. Leaves are a colorful addition to salads and its seeds boast a nutty flavor—they’re often used as a gluten-free alternative to traditional grains.

Tip: Harvest young leaves for salads. Use mature, larger leaves for stir-fries, soups, or side dishes. Keep an eye on the seed heads in late summer and fall. Harvest seeds once they are dry and mature (usually in late summer and early fall).

84 |

RED ORACHE, or French spinach, has tender leaves with a subtle saltiness and earthy tang. The vibrant red, pink or purple stems add a pop of color to mixed-green salads.

Tip: Sauté it with garlic and olive oil or steam it as a simple, healthy side dish. Can also be added to soups and stews to add depth.

RED AZTEC SPINACH has tender leaves and stems that offer a rich spinach flavor, enhancing raw and cooked dishes. The seed heads are striking—they resemble miniature broccoli florets, offering a delightful crunch and mild flavor comparable to broccoli rabe.

Tip: Harvest young leaves for salads; use the more mature leaves for sautéing in olive oil with garlic, or for adding depth to soups and stews.

NEW ZEALAND SPINACH has a mild, slightly salty flavor and distinct succulent texture that adds a nice crunch to salads. Pinch off individual leaves, being careful not to remove too much foliage at once, as this can stress the plant.

Tip: Younger leaves can be used for salads, while older, sturdier leaves are ideal for stir-fries, frittatas and omelets. The slightly salty flavor pairs nicely with strong flavors like garlic, lemon and chili peppers. ■

| 85

ACTIVE 10525 Woodbridge Street, Toluca Lake Offered at $2,898,000

ACTIVE

ACTIVE

10810 Valley Spring Lane, Toluca Lake Offered at $2,595,000

4654 Denny Avenue, Toluca Lake Offered at $1,997,000

ACTIVE 4333 Forman Avenue, Toluca Lake Offered at $6,395,000

ACTIVE 10060 Toluca Lake Avenue, Toluca Lake Offered at $6,195,000

ACTIVE

ACTIVE

ACTIVE

ACTIVE

10530 Moorpark Street Toluca Lake Offered at $1,695,000

4555 Wilowcrest Avenue Toluca Lake Offered at $1,695,000

4949 Sancola Avenue Toluca Lake Offered at $1,595,000

10064 Toluca Lake Avneue Toluca Lake Offered at $27,500 / Month

CRAIG STRONG Vice President, Luxury Home Sales Lead Mentor & Coach Top 1% Nationwide #1 Individual Agent Companywide $1.4+ Billion in Total Sales Volume 818.930.4050 info@strongrealtor.com strongrealtor.com DRE # 01450987

PENDING

10514 Camarillo Street Toluca Lake Offered at $3,339,999

PENDING

10542 Bloomfield Street Toluca Lake Offered at $2,199,000

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

R E A L E S TAT E

Magnificent Toluca Lake Manor 4333 FORMAN AVENUE, TOLUCA LAKE $6,395,000 7 BED | 8 BATHS | 11,075 SQ. FT. | 26,468 SQ. FT. LOT COMPASS | CRAIG STRONG 818-930-4050 | DRE# 01450987

JUST LISTED

JUST LISTED

4091 DEERVALE DRIVE | SHERMAN OAKS SOLD

5027 NAGLE AVE | SHERMAN OAKS

SOLD

REP SELLER & BUYER

4331 ALONZO AVE | ENCINO

13443 GALEWOOD ST | SHERMAN OAKS

FOR SALE

17341 W AMINA PLACE | ENCINO

FOR SALE

5001 ODESSA AVE | ENCINO

3378 CANTON LANE | STUDIO CITY REP BUYER

SOLD

4023 DIXIE CANYON AVE | SHERMAN OAKS

SOLD

14273 GREENLEAF ST | SHERMAN OAKS

SOLD

REP SELLER & BUYER OFF MARKET

SOLD

SOLD

2108 TAVERN TRAIL | LOS ANGELES

SOLD

12170 LAUREL TERRACE DR | STUDIO CITY

SOLD

18020 RANCHO ST | ENCINO

FOR SALE

4845 MATILIJA AVE | SHERMAN OAKS

FOR SALE

17360 W AMINA PLACE | ENCINO

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

AD

15615 MEADOWGATE RD | ENCINO

5028 NAGLE AVE | SHERMAN OAKS

REP BUYER

SOLD

3700 BEVERLY RIDGE | SHERMAN OAKS

SOLD

REP SELLER & BUYER OFF MARKET

11746 LA MAIDA ST | VALLEY VILLAGE REP SELLER & BUYER

SOLD

3814 VENTURA CANYON | SHERMAN OAKS

FOR SALE

5136 NAGLE AVE | SHERMAN OAKS

FOR SALE

13127 VALLEY VISTA BLVD | STUDIO CITY

ANDREW DINSKY 310.729.3393

ANDREW@THEDINSKYTEAM.COM DRE #01724985

THEDINSKYTEAM.COM

#12 LARGE TEAM IN CALIFORNIA

BY SALES VOLUME

The information contained herein has been obtained through sources deemed reliable but cannot be guaranteed as to its accuracy. Buyer to verify accuracy of information. DRE #01811831.

Nobody does it better...

Fine Estates®

SOLD

SOLD

IN ESCROW

3719 Winford Drive, Tarzana $4,225,000 Mulholland Park - Largest Plan 6 on almost 1 acre!

16105 Woodvale Road, Encino $4,050,000 Royal Oaks 1.1+ Acre Estate

18045 Sweet Elm Drive, Encino $2,999,000 Lake Encino View Estate

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

4752 Haskell Avenue, Encino $2,500,000 ($501,000 over asking) Encino Fixer Upper

4469 Estrondo Drive, Encino $2,405,000 ($406,000 over asking) Encino Fixer/Tear Down

19532 Wells Drive, Tarzana $1,725,000 Tarzana Fixer on Large Lot

SOLD

SOLD

SOLD

16711 Moorpark Street, Encino $1,720,000 Great Propertunity in Encino!

4124 Witzel Drive, Sherman Oaks $1,550,000 ($51,000 over asking) Sherman Oaks View Fixer!

5325 Newcastle Avenue, #340, Encino $549,000 2+2+Loft Condo

818.285.3688 www.CarolWolfe.com DRE #00477745

1974

2024

An Unstoppable Pair GEORGE OUZOUNIAN & GINA MICHELLE TEAM

RANKED

#39 #12 #5

SALES VOLUME IN THE U.S. SALES VOLUME IN CALIFORNIA

BY SIDES IN CALIFORNIA

GEORGE OUZOUNIAN

GINA MICHELLE

DIRECTOR, ESTATES DIVISION

DIRECTOR, ESTATES DIVISION

GEORGE.OZ@THEAGENCYRE.COM 818.900.4259 | DRE 01948763

GINA.MICHELLE@THEAGENCYRE.COM 818.850.1458 | DRE 01503003

12080 VENTURA PLACE #D, STUDIO CITY, CA 91604 | 23975 PARK SORRENTO #120, CALABASAS, CA 91302 THEAGENCYRE.COM

MICHAEL BERGIN | LUXURY ESTATES DIRECTOR

JUST LISTED

FOR FOR SALE SALE

AVAILABLE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

FOR FOR SALE SALE

IN ESCROW

IN IN ESCROW ESCROW

IN ESCROW

JUST JUST SOLD SOLD

COMING SOON

5715 Bucknell Avenue Valley Village 3 Beds 3 Baths $1,499,000

16226 Dickens Street Encino 5 Beds 6.5 Baths $3,999,000

4229 Klump Avenue Studio City 3 Beds 3 Baths $1,549,000

4268 Mentone Avenue Culver City 4 Beds 4.5 Baths $1,999,000

2553 N Palos Verdes Dr Rolling Hills 6 Beds 7 Baths $4,788,000

IN ESCROW

12236 Hatteras Street Valley Village 4 Beds 4.5 Baths $2,599,000

IN IN ESCROW ESCROW

6839 Colbath Avenue Van Nuys 3 Beds 1 Baths $799,000

N E IGH B OR

•

4427 Farmdale Avenue Studio City 3 Beds 2.5 Baths $1,948,000

EX PE RT

•

4355 Camellia Avenue Studio City 5 Beds 5.5 Baths $3,649,000

11538 Chiquita Street Studio City Sold Off Market $4,199,000

FRIEND

•

16601 Park Lane Circle Brentwood For Lease: $14,999 / Mo For Sale: $4,499,000

4013 Alta Mesa Drive Studio City 3 Beds 2.5 Baths $1,999,000

4437 Clybourn Avenue Toluca Lake 5 Beds 6 Baths $3,599,000

4087 Kraft Avenue Colfax Meadows New Construction Contact Michael

R E A LTOR

The Bergin Group 310.600.0715 Michael@MichaelBergin.com DRE 01845572

Top 1% Agent in Southern California #1 Compass Agent in Studio City / Sherman Oaks 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. *Data sourced from americandreamnetwork.tv

4254Hayvenhurst.com

4254 Hayvenhurst Ave. | Encino | $8,899,000

4407MedleyPl.com

4407 Medley Pl. | Encino | $4,200,000

SOLD

17053EscalonDr.com

17053 Escalon Dr. | Encino | $2,195,000

5421 Amestoy Ave. | Encino | $3,589,000

SOLD

SOLD

3915 Hayvenhurst Ave. | Encino | $2,299,000

12438 Laurel Terr. | Studio City | $1,249,000

Oren David Mordkowitz ESTATES DIRECTOR | REALTOR ® DRE License #01246402

818-933-5866

oren@orenestates.com

OrenEstates.com DRE #00905345

Over 25 Years of Delivering Unsurpassed Service With Unsurpassed Results!

Kevin Dees DEES REAL ESTATE GROUP - ‘THE THOUSAND’ 2024*

Top 1% in the Nation Top 1% in California

SOLD THE HOPE ESTATE

$29,000,000 #1 HIGHEST SALE IN THE VALLEY | 2023 KEVIN DEES REPRESENTED THE SELLER KEVIN DEES & SEBASTIAN SPADER REPRESENTED THE BUYER

KEVIN@KEVINDEES.COM 818.414.3404 CAROLWOODRE.COM | KEVIN DEES DRE 01915567 | SEBASTIAN SPADER DRE 02013827 | *BY VOLUME, SMALL TEAMS ©2024 Carolwood Estates. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of information obtained from various sources. Some statistics displayed herein include past sales by Kevin Dees & Sebastian Spader prior to them joining Carolwood Estates, but who are now licenced at Carolwood Estates. Therefore Carolwood Estates was not the broker of record for those transactions. Equal Housing Opportunity. DRE 02200006

A N D R E W M A N N I N G | R E A L T O R® FEATURED LISTINGS

STILL TIME TO MAKE A SPLASH THIS SUMMER SCAN TO SEE WHAT CLEANING AND STAGING YOUR PROPERTY CAN DO!

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (818) 380-2147 │ DRE LIC. #00941825 | Andrew@AndrewManning.com Instagram/TikTok: @AndrewManningRE | Facebook: @AndrewManningRealEstate

OVER $2.5 BILLION IN CAREER SALES

SOLD LISTINGS

Too late for these but we have more coming! © 2024 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. 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.

ZEEV PEREZ, YOUR VALLEY REAL ESTATE EXPERT

NEW

NEW

4640 Petit Ave, Encino

4930 Edgerton Ave, Encino

6 B E D | 10 B AT H | 12,034 S F | 49,378 S F L O T | $16,495,000

5 B E D | 6 B AT H | 5,379 S F | 9,033 S F L O T | $4,695,000

NEW

NEW

19321 Wells Dr, Encino

4331 Meadowview Pl, Encino

6 B E D | 7 B AT H | 6,085 S F | 19,960 S F L O T | $4,499,000

5 B E D | 6 B AT H | 4,178 S F | 13,728 S F L O T | $3,9 95,000

Zeev Perez

REALTOR® | DRE#: 01932490

818.445.6909

perezeev@gmail.com | zeevperez.com This is not meant as a solicitation if your property is currently listed with another broker. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals. Office DRE#01811831

Just Sold $3,285,000 13412 Galewood Street, Sherman Oaks

Just Sold $2,180,000 3433 Shernoll Place, Sherman Oaks

Just Sold $1,879,000 15454 Deerhorn Road, Sherman Oaks

Just Sold $1,849,000 3483 Woodcliff Road, Sherman Oaks

Just Sold $1,825,000 4031 Deerhorn Drive, Sherman Oaks

For Sale $1,995,000 3865 Scadlock Lane, Sherman Oaks

818.426.8677 barrydantagnan@gmail.com The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2021 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker ® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. CalRe#00616212 and CalRe#01020477

LAST WORD

Fresh Bloom A WRITER REFLECTS ON HIS WEDDING DAY, WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS KIDS. Written by Richard Lowe | Illustrated by Yuiko Sugino

My wife, Chelsee, and I got married in 2007 at the Rose

stinking vehicle, they could certainly do the same with our

Garden of Descanso Gardens in La Cañada Flintridge. It was a

wedding venue.

sweltering September weekend in which we handed out paper

Boy, were we wrong.

fans to our guests and blotting papers to the bridal party.

As we entered the grounds, the girls’ sense of wonder was

Cut to 2023. Not only is Descanso Gardens a popular

consumed by the glimmering lights. We tried to keep them

wedding venue, every winter it hosts a nighttime event

focused and escorted them to the Rose Garden. “This is where

called the Enchanted Forest of Light. The winding paths and

Daddy saw Mommy in her wedding dress.” “We exchanged

magnificent trees are decorated with lighted installations of

vows under this arch.” “Here’s where Yeh Yeh gave a sweet

all colors, some interactive, transforming the serene garden

but L-O-N-G speech.”

into something luminous—and frenetic. It seemed like

We should’ve known. How could our memories com-

something our daughters, ages 3 and 10, would enjoy. Plus

pete with floor tiles that light up when you stomp on

it’d be our first trip back to where we tied the knot.

them? Our oldest is at an age where she thinks romance

Chelsee and I were looking forward to it. Our wed-

is “barf.” She was not interested in where we “smoochy

ding day had become a distant memory. In the nearly two

kissed” for the first time as a married couple. Suddenly,

decades that followed, our life had been filled with career

our youngest rallied the family with her battle cry: “Back

changes, exciting world travels, new friends, a rescue dog

to the stomp-y floor!”

we named Benny, two marathons, three relocations (from

Not exactly what we envisioned. But later, when our kids

the Westside to Mid City to Studio City) and just the right

had gone to sleep, the experience was enough to inspire us

number of marriage counselors.

to get out our wedding album. The forgotten details filled

Our wedding had faded into hazy nostalgia, and we as-

in, like our signature cocktail we called “The Hakolowe”

sumed that seeing the Rose Garden with our kids would jolt

(a portmanteau of our last names), and the truth became

the dusty memory into clarity. Why wouldn’t it? One of the

clear. We didn’t need to see it anew. We just needed to see

greatest phenomena of parenthood is to see the world anew

it for what it was: a single night in the past, surrounded by

through the eyes of your kids. Even the most mundane

our loved ones, ushering in a future full of adventure and

things become exciting and charming. Have you ever seen

wonder that would exceed even our wildest expectations. ■

a garbage truck through the eyes of your child? It’s no

98 |

longer a rancid hunk of hydraulics but instead a mechanical

Richard Lowe lives in Studio City with his family. He no longer

wonder of curiosity. If they could work their magic on that

considers his wedding album overpriced.

Step into the Golden Age of Hollywood

The Velvet Martini Lounge

Enjoy live music Thursday-Sunday host your next private event upstairs at Vitello’s

Upstairs at Vitello’s | 4349 Tujunga Ave, Studio City, CA | THEVELVETMARTINILOUNGE.COM

Welcome to your dream estate with this charming gated Monterey Colonial-style home, located on a prestigious street south of the Blvd, represents a rare opportunity to own a piece of history. Built-in 1937, this estate is one of the first homes built in Tarzana, boasting over half an acre of lush gardens and timeless elegance.

4900 Brewster Dr, Tarzana, CA 91356 $2,500,000 5 beds | 6 baths | 4,718 sqft

Matt Epstein DRE# 01121162 818-681-2000 somatt@aol.com Kliq Real Estate does not guarantee the accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by the broker or MLS. CalDRE 02220978

Nature that inspires Community that encourages Horizons that light the way A luxury lifestyle worthy of you

Created by nature. Elevated by luxury.

Artist Rendering of Commons Courtyard

#

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5 YEARS IN A ROW

TheLivelle.com

An Application for a Permit to Accept Deposits and Certificate of Authority has been submitted to the Department of Social Services, pursuant to H&SC §1772.2(b).