Tableau Magazine July/August 2021

TABLEAU

JU LY/ AU G UST 2 0 21 I SSUE

F R O M K I TC H E N TA B L E M A R K E T I N G

NEW EATERIES OLD SCHOOL MEMORIES FAMILY HISTORIES

SUMMER ON THE COAST ISSUE

SPA DAYS, ALFRESCO NIGHTS + PLAN-AHEAD GIVING FOR BACK TO SCHOOL

Photo by Aline Espino

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L ETTER F ROM T HE ED I TOR Welcome to the July/August issue of Tableau!

Summer is here…and we’re here for it! Every year, I wait with my characteristic impatience, a new novel, and a beach umbrella standing at the ready for the June gloom to clear. Now that we’re under sunny blue skies, it seems everything “summer” is possible — and that is a fantastic feeling.

The issue celebrates that feeling of expansiveness — from our incredible coastal cover shot by Aline Espino to our thought-provoking back cover by photographer Ed Olen. In between these covers, you’ll find stories that celebrate hard work, happy memories and the power of hope.

You’ll also enjoy our coverage of what’s new in dining, the best summer spa treatments and — planning ahead as we know summer goes by all too fast — ways that you and your family can make sure that area students have everything they need to thrive when they go back to school this fall.

If you haven’t yet, please visit our brand-new website at tableauofficial.com. It’s beautiful, bold, so easy to navigate and full of wonderful stories for you to enjoy and share. Be sure to sign up for a free subscription so you’ll be the first to get our new issues and other updates.

Wishing you all the best of this magical season,

Carrie Freitas carrie@kitchentablepr.com  @tableauofficial  @tableauoc

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[ CONTENTS ]

JULY/AUG 2021

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The Contributors

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To Order

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Take Note

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Of Interest

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By Design

29

Give Back

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Do Good

31

First Person

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Self Care

Photos courtesy of Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, Balboa Bay Club, Marian Paquette, and Tanaka Farms

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OUR C O NTRI BUTO RS Elisabeth Abrahamson OC native Elisabeth Abrahamson enjoys writing about her beloved hometown. When she’s not creating content, she spends her time traveling (Palm Springs is a local fave!), discovering the best new brunch spots with friends, and watching The Office with her fiancé, Doug.

Sophia Anderson Sophia is a high school journalist who was born near the beach and has seldom left it since.

When she’s not writing or studying, Sophia is spending time with her family: doing yoga in her backyard, going out for tacos, and watching movies in her family’s cozy OC condo. It’s her, her numerous notebooks and her purple Converse against the world!

Aline Espino Aline is a drone Photographer based in Orange County. Originally from Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico, she studied Industrial Design at Tec de Monterrey before moving to Orange County in 2012. Since then, she has specialized in professional drone photography, web, and graphic design. Several of her photographs have been published in international magazines and displayed at local galleries.

Sara Hall Sara has nearly 14 years of experience at several daily and weekly newspapers, including The Record Searchlight in Redding, The Daily Advocate in Greenville, Ohio, the Newport Beach Independent, and most recently at Stu News Newport and Stu News Laguna. Her work has included photography, writing, design and layout. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, backpacking, traveling, and spending time with her husband and pets.

Alyssa Swanson Hamilton Alyssa is a lifelong Southern California resident. She has been writing professionally for over 20 years, primarily for health websites and magazines. She is an MFA candidate at Sierra Nevada University and is currently working on a novel. She enjoys permaculture, tending her meadow garden, basking in freezing water wherever she can find it, and spending time in the desert under the stars. She lives in Newport Beach with her two teenage sons and a black Lab named Bear.

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Robin Hoik Phillips A born and bred East Coaster, Robin moved with her husband, two teenagers, and two dachshunds to Newport Beach last summer and is really enjoying the weather and the laidback SoCal lifestyle. Robin was most recently the editor of Fairfield Magazine, a popular luxury lifestyle magazine in Connecticut. Prior to that she worked at New York publisher Conde Nast on such titles as House & Garden Magazine and Bon Appetit. In addition to contributing to Tableau, Robin is also a writer for Venu Magazine, and a copywriter/editor for several small business websites. Check out robinedits.com to learn more about her and her work.

Sarah Mosqueda Sarah Mosqueda has worked as a freelance journalist in OC and LA for a decade. Her work has appeared in Orange Coast Magazine, Coast Magazine, Hispanic Network Magazine and Bon Appetit Magazine. She is an avid podcast listener, amateur yogi and skilled bartender who enjoys trying new restaurants and cooking at home with her fiancé.

Michelle Pulfrey For more than two decades, Michelle Pulfrey has shaped SoCal’s TV news landscape as a senior producer for Fox 11’s “Good Day L.A.” Always on the pulse of what’s new and noteworthy, Michelle also produced the station’s popular “Style File” segment and has written on fashion, beauty and lifestyle for Modern Luxury OC/Riviera. Now, this OC resident brings her talents to Tableau.

TA B L E AU STA FF AKA The Kitchen Table Marketing Team Carrie Freitas, Editor-in-Chief + Publisher

Madelyn Sutherland

Miki Akil

Kristen Cagatao

Jordan Kruk

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TA K E N OT E

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By Elisabeth Abrahamson

Beautiful Blossoms Orange County native Sydney Sievers accidentally fell into her passion. "I started working at a beautiful flower shop in Seal Beach my junior year of high school for absolutely no reason,” Sievers said.

"I had no immediate interest in flowers, but a friend suggested I'd be a good fit.” Sievers ended up working at that shop for seven years before officially launching her own storefront, Peaches Floral Co., in Costa Mesa. She specializes in dried flower arrangements because they last much longer than fresh and are equally as gorgeous. "When I got started in this business, I wanted to do something different than what other florists at the time were doing. That's what led me to dried florals," Sievers said. Her perfectly curated shop stocks dried arrangements, single dried stems (to create your own arrangement), hand-poured candles, summer straw hats, goodies for brides-to-be and much more. | peachesfloral.co.com. IG: @peachesfloral.co

Photo credit courtesy of Peaches Floral Co., Aline Espino, Ed Olen, and WishSaver

Sobier Snapshots

Seen from Above Originally from Mexico, Aline Espino moved to Orange County in 2012 to study Industrial Design.

"I've always had a passion for photography," Espino said. Her passion for photography soared to new heights when she discovered drones. "I wanted those beach shots that are impossible to reach (with a hand-held camera),” she said. "It was intimidating at first, but I’ve been flying for a year and a half now and I've never looked back." Espino is inspired by nature, California's coastline and a good cup of coffee shared with friends. You can find one of her pieces titled "Birthday Sprinkled" on the cover of this issue—perfectly, titled because Espino shot the image on her birthday (she's also in the photo!). Fans can be on the lookout come August when Espino releases a new line of resin products to complement her photographs. | alineespino.com IG: @ae.spino

Newport Beach photographer Ed Olen spent the last ten years photographing food and fashion in Orange County. Little did he know his passion for both photography and fashion would collide in such a meaningful way. "I came up with the Sobier Photo Project right before my church's annual trip to Haiti," Olen said. "Sobier is a remote village with no running water, electricity, sewage systems, or stores. The residents had no idea of the cultural references so many of us in the U.S. grew up with (Mickey Mouse, malls, etc.), so I wondered what it might be like to photograph someone with material items we put so much value in that have no meaning in Sobier," he said. "The contrast between the objects of wealth and the people of Sobier is striking." You can see another of Olen's photographs from this series on the back cover of this issue. | IG: @sobierphotoproject

Saving Birthday Wishes It's safe to say that Newport Beach residents Brian Garbutt, Luis Morales and Roberto Wright saved birthdays. “Last year, my family gave me a birthday cake with candles on it, but I had to wave a paper plate over the candles (hello Covid-19), and I thought it was such a shame that the time-honored tradition of making a wish was gone," Garbutt said. Enter Wishaver, a clear disposable candle ring that fits on top of any cake and holds up to 21 candles. It's simple: Wishsaver keeps germs away from cakes and keeps the party going. Now you can truly have your cake and eat it too. | wish-saver.com IG: @wish.saver

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NB’s New Art HQ Newport Beach native Victoria Kennedy has a lot to celebrate this year. She opened Kennedy Contemporary, an art gallery located in her hometown of Newport Beach. "After college, I started working at an art gallery in Park City, Utah, and I knew little about contemporary art but I quickly fell in love with the artists we represented and enjoyed sharing their stories with our clients," Kennedy says. This experience led her to pursue a Masters in Art Business, and ultimately led her to opening her own gallery right here in SoCal. “I'm inspired daily by our artists," she said. "Creating art is hard, and I'm continually impressed by the works that emerge from our artists' studios and their commitment to their careers and art practice." What do we love about Kennedy Contemporary? The gallery offers a range of artists with a variety of price points, ranging from $200-$20,000. Kennedy believes good art can be accessible, and we couldn't agree more. | kennedycontemporary.com IG: @kennedycontemporary

Natural Summer Skincare Amy Zunzunegui worked at Urban Decay for almost 20 years before deciding to venture out and create her own line of vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable skincare. Enter Wldkat, Zunzunegui’s skincare line with products that are good for you and the earth. And did we mention they actually work? Wldkat products are stripped of irritating and unnecessary additives and replaced with the earth's wild ingredients, combined with modern skincare technologies. Favorites include Mushroom and Moss gel moisturizer, Saffron and Oat Milk glow serum, and Ginger and Kombucha skin tonic. Shop Wldkat on their website and at Asos.com and Urban Outfitters. | widkat.com.

IG: @widkat_skin

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Photo credit courtesy of Kennedy Contemporary, Wldkat, Mellowist, and Marian Paquette

Mulch, Music, and Mortar Married duo DJ and Jessica Aleman created an Instagram account, @mellowist, in order to share their passion for plants with their local community.

After successfully developing and selling plantthemed apparel online, the couple decided to move forward with a brick-and-mortar in Costa Mesa— Mellowist began to bloom. “There weren’t any local plant shops and we felt the niche of rare cacti, local handmade pottery and Japanese imports would be a good fit,” Jessica said. “Our task was to bring our Instagram account alive.” What can customers expect to see at Mellowist? Plants, potting services, local art and chill music. “Our shop is a ‘check your problems at the door’ kind of place,” she said. Taking part in “Mellowist Sundays” means enjoying food and coffee from local purveyors and checking out living art from other featured artists. | mellowist.com. IG: @mellowist

Marian Paquette: Edgy Environmentalism In 2018, Laguna Beach resident Marian Barker opened her first retail location, Marian Paquette, in Laguna Beach.

Over the past few years, she has successfully sold impeccably designed handbags, ottomans and other home décor, each made by hand in California. Her one-of-a-kind bags are made of reclaimed fabrics and are often accessorized with carefully selected chains or vintage embellishments sourced on her travels. “I’ve always had a passion for design,” Barker said. “I was an interior designer and was always collecting fabrics. I created my line of handbags based on reclaimed textiles and have grown from there.” It’s apparent that Barker values sustainability as much as design in her work. “I realized how much fabric is discarded,” she said. “I started with reclaimed fabrics and now implement a cut-to-order philosophy, maximizing the fabrics and minimizing waste.” Barker’s must-have bag for this summer? “Anything from my embroidered handbag collection. They are truly unique.” marianpaquette.com. IG: @marianpaquette

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BY D ESI GN ONE-OF-A-KIND DESIGN The Authentic Style of Kennedy Cole Interior Design

By Robin Hoik Phillips It wasn’t too long into internships at an interior design firm that Lindsay Stokes Kennedy and Alexandra Cole recognized they shared a vision for great design. “We had this wonderful collaborative flow and complementary approach,” explains Stokes Kennedy. The two talented designers soon ventured out on their own creating Three Salt Design Co., a full-service interior design firm based in Huntington Beach which quickly earned industry accolades and positive client word-of-mouth. As they completed projects and their business grew in scope, it became obvious that their style was indeed distinctly unique, and the company deserved an eponymous name. “We’ve rebranded and revitalized to be Kennedy Cole Interior Design, and are so excited for our clients and new projects,” says Cole.

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Photo credit courtesy of Kennedy Cole Interior Design

The duo grew up on separate coasts, and each brings a different perspective to her design. Born in San Francisco, Stokes Kennedy is a die-hard Californian, and the coastal lifestyle is a priority for her. At one point she thought she might be a novelist, but after a stint in the corporate world she knew she needed to unleash her creative talents, which began with television and film set design. “I discovered quickly my innate passion for curating and creating interiors that people loved,” she says. It wasn’t too long before she realized she should pursue a career in interior design, and after studying at the Art Institute of California, she landed the design firm internship where she met her future business partner.

“I am so pleased when Lindsay and I can personalize a house. Helping our clients understand and translate their aesthetic needs is how we transform a house into a home.”

Hailing from the East Coast and growing up in New York, Cole knew she wanted to be an interior designer from a young age. “It is what I’ve loved since I can remember,” she explains. “In high school I took interior design classes, rearranged rooms, and helped friends and family with all of their design problems and questions.” At the Art Institute of California she honed her talents more. “I strive for a balance of East-coast character and West-coast ease,” she says.

And she loves finding solutions to design challenges.

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questionnaires they send along to prospective clients. “We send one – and then maybe another – if we feel we need even more information and perspective,” remarks Cole. After reviewing and meeting with the client, they are ready to dive in to figure out what a space might look like and how it might function best.

“For each space we touch, the ultimate goal is function, interest, and longevity,” explains Stokes Kennedy. Although they stay abreast of what is hot and happening, Kennedy Cole Interior Design isn’t overly concerned with the latest trends. “If we see something over and over, and we think it might not just be beautiful but also a smart addition to our clients’ design scheme, we will find ways to incorporate it,” explains Stokes Kennedy. For example, chunky versus slim countertops – Lindsay and Alex see how those new looks might be ideally suited for different projects. Overall, their goal is to create spaces that are deeply personal and customized to their clients’ needs. Their fans would agree that the Kennedy Cole signature is clean lines, sleek finishes, and wellmade custom furniture and textiles that not only look beautiful, but also provide a timeless look and feel.

Authenticity The word authentic pervades everything Lindsay and Alex do, and they practice what they preach using their own unique process. “We get to the real heart of who our client is, how they live in their space, and what is compatible with their aesthetic needs in order to be comfortable in their homes,” explains Stokes Kennedy.

Finding out these important details often involves

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Photo credit courtesy of Kennedy Cole Interior Design

Great interior design solves problems without sacrificing beauty or comfort. Kennedy Cole is adept at tackling design issues whether big or small. For one project they were brought in and helped resolve a challenge. “For this particular home, there had been demolition and the client wanted a wine storage area.

We were able to see that one could be built on the side of the staircase in an area no one had thought of before,” explains Cole. “Our client was so thrilled.

We love finding smart solutions, especially when you might not be working with a vast amount of space – something that often happens in California!”

The designers feel that curating the ideal design for a home is an intimate experience, and they work hard to uncover the rhythms and rituals of their clients’ daily lives in order to create authentic environments that marry luxury and livability. “The home should be designed to reflect and serve the lifestyle of those who live, work, and play under its roof – and that’s what we’re committed to doing,” explains Stokes Kennedy.

While they love to work on a scheme for an entire home, they also have their favorite spaces. “I am a master bedroom person,” says Stokes Kennedy with a laugh. “I love a primary suite – with a fireplace – it’s like a little house and an area that should be very special and intimate.” Cole is drawn to a kitchen design or remodel. “I just love the technical aspects of designing a kitchen, along with incorporating beauty into it. Whether the client cooks or bakes or both, if

they need wine storage, how they entertain – all of these questions are exciting to me to have answered and then presented in the design. It’s a puzzle that I love to put together,” says Cole.

Overall, their passion is helping clients find what truly makes them enjoy living in their homes. Often people don’t know what they want and Kennedy Cole is there to guide them. “Sometimes you can order a million coffee tables but it’s still not right – and then you realize you need an ottoman!” says Cole. Since the pandemic with people spending more time at home and in their home offices the duo has seen a big movement toward reimaging spaces, like the dining room and other formal areas. “I think that now people are realizing that there’s no point to having ‘the nofun room’ anymore, every room can and should be a place to enjoy,” says Cole.

What project haven’t they done yet they’re hoping to tackle? “A mountain retreat,” says Stokes Kennedy.

“And Beyoncé’s house too!” she says with a big laugh. kennedycoleinteriordesign.com

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BY DESIGN

NOW STREAMING: Your Favorite Design Series

By Madelyn Sutherland SOCO’s Masters of Design (M.O.D.) series has two all-new episodes releasing soon! One will focus on outdoor entertaining, while the other dives into design that doubles as art – and we’re giving you an exclusive sneak peek at both in this issue of Tableau.

Outdoor Entertaining (Episode #5) We all know outdoor entertaining is a summer essential here in Southern California, and if we missed anything this past year due to COVID, it’s been gathering with the people we love. As it becomes safe to gather once again, we can hardly wait for the smell of barbecue grills, the sound of splashing in the pool, laughter of kids playing, and families enjoying the company of loved ones. Outdoor entertaining is a summertime staple, and we are thrilled for the return of backyard soirees just in time for the new season.

The extraordinary showrooms at SOCO have everything you need to transform your alfresco space into an area perfect for entertaining and relaxing. Whether you are planning gatherings with family and friends, or just looking to unwind outside on a sunny day, SOCO has what you need to make the most of summer. Be sure to tune in online at www.SOCOMastersofDesign.com to watch the episode and check out all the must-have products you need to elevate your outdoor space in preparation for summertime fun.

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Photo credit courtesy of Room & Board, Calligaris, Brown Jordan, and Famosa

Brown Jordan No one quite does outdoor furnishings like Brown Jordan, and for the past 75 years, they have been the industry leader in luxury outdoor furniture – specifically known for its iconic and award-winning designs.

The Still Collection, designed by Richard Frinier,

Room & Board Room & Board believes in creating outdoor spaces that are as beautiful and functional as what’s inside your home. Their modern outdoor lounge furniture is so stylish and comfortable, you might even be tempted to bring it indoors! The Montego outdoor sofa features a striking mix of outdoor grade stainless steel, and will catch your eye with its modern, durable style. www.roomandboard.com

is sculpted with softened edges and angles, and instantly conveys the message of serenity – perfect for outdoor hospitality. | www.brownjordan.com

Famosa When it comes to bold tiles and beautiful stone, Famosa’s unique offerings take things to the next level. Their stunning finishes can completely transform your outdoor space into a backyard oasis filled with personality and style. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your pool to be unique and luxurious, or wanting to add some style to your outdoor kitchen, Famosa is the perfect place to shop for all your outdoor surfaces. | www.famosatile.com

Calligaris The Skin Chair from Calligaris is perfect for those who love to entertain – its stackable, lightweight build makes it effortless to add some extra seating when guests are over. This versatile product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use and the fun color offerings are guaranteed to add some spice to your soiree. www.calligaris.com

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Art Meets Design (Episode #6) We can’t think of anything better than home furnishings and accessories that serve more than one purpose, and SOCO is without a doubt the top destination for finding strikingly unique décor pieces that double as works of art.

Investing in statement pieces will bring bold style and exceptional personality to your home, and with unlimited options, you can create a livable, conversation-worthy atmosphere that sparks renewed creativity.

Lightopia Lightopia brings charming style and allure in the form of light fixtures, and the Glacier Island Wave Pendant has a unique array of clear crystal rods that will glisten and light up your living spaces. Whether the light is on or off, the blend of form and design is truly stunning. www.lightopiaonline.com

Roche Bobois Roche Bobois’ Lift Sideboard Bar is a true work of art and features a very unique function that allows the storage unit to electrically rise. The exquisite facade is made of one smooth uninterrupted piece of thermoformed PMMA and the glossy finish adds a layer of beauty. www.roche-bobois.com

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Photo credit courtesy of Roche Bobois, Design Within Reach, Lightopia, and Ligne Roset

Design Within Reach The Wilks sofa, designed with a distinctive, rounded silhouette, leans towards organic shapes and will bring a fresh look and clean-lined comfort to your living space. | www.dwr.com

Ligne Roset The eye-catching Togo Sofa from Ligne Roset is both visually attractive and physically inviting – making for a total statement piece blended with modern luxury and contemporary design. | www.ligne-roset.com

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D O G OOD Special Surf & Paddle Days for Kids Who Need It Most

By Sara Hall Playing on the sand and in the water is typical for a summer beach day in Orange County, but for some kids it’s so much more.

Swanecamp created the camp as a way for the kids to get out of the hospital and into the water for a fun day of play like any other kid during summer.

Surf & Paddle Summer Camp invites children (5-18 years old) with life-threatening illnesses, and their siblings, to join Miracles for Kids to experience a day or two of stress-free summer activities at the beach.

Parents can also attend to take part in the fun.

“I started this program with the intent of lifting the spirits of these kids and their families who need a break from hospital rooms and all of the stress that comes with childhood illnesses,” says Swanecamp. “To watch the kids’ eyes light up the second they step on the beach is such an amazing feeling, and I truly look forward to this program all year.”

Miracles for Kids is an Irvine-based nonprofit that helps families with critically-ill children fight bankruptcy, homelessness, hunger and depression — so they can fight for their kids’ lives. The group helps provide monthly financial aid, subsidized housing, food and clothing, and counseling.

Going from the boardroom to the surfboard, President and Founder of Irvine-based Redrock Technologies, Inc., and Miracles for Kids board member, Tom Swanecamp, founded the surf program in 2010.

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The annual summer camp allows the kids to play and splash in the water, build sandcastles, and learn surf and stand-up paddle techniques from the experts at Waves of Impact, a volunteer organization based in Irvine.

Waves of Impact, in collaboration with Boardriders Foundation, provides free surf camps nationwide in California, Texas, New Jersey and Massachusetts for

Photos courtesy of MJM Photography and Daily Pilot Staff Photographer Don Leach

and our other supporters for making this memorable experience possible for the families in our program.”

As a nearly 100% sponsored program, the Miracles for Kids Surf & Paddle Summer Camp Program is made possible by the passion and philanthropic spirit of many volunteers and sponsors coming together.

Many of the families assisted by Miracles for Kids are in dire need of financial help, so a family beach day and surfing lessons are often new experiences.

“They’re at, near or below the national poverty level, so to get to a beach is something that some of them are doing for the first time in their lives,” says Swanecamp. “Some of them don’t have bathing suits or the resources to get to the beach.”

children with special needs, as well as for wounded veterans. The organization has been a longtime sponsor of the Miracles for Kids Surf & Paddle Summer Camp Program, supplying both the boards and surf instructors each year.

Waves of Impact’s mission is to introduce these individuals to the thrill of riding waves while focusing on building and rebuilding confidence in those who need it most.

“Our mission is to show those with exceptional struggles the joys of being in the ocean — and to provide a fun day at the beach that they might not have otherwise,” says Waves of Impact Co-Founder Keith Lovgren.

Each year, the Surf & Paddle Summer Camp returns to local coastal beach towns, like Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, for an unforgettable experience of beach therapy and the joys of childhood. This year’s camps will take place in July and August.

The camp typically includes a lunch break, a variety of beach activities, an awards ceremony for the kids, and transportation from Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Between 20 to 30 kids usually join in on the fun each day.

“Every year, Surf & Paddle provides two uplifting days for kids and their families who often spend their days in hospital rooms,” says Miracles for Kids Co-Founder and CEO Autumn Strier. “We are so thankful to Tom Swanecamp, Waves of Impact, Boardriders Foundation

Miracles for Kids is one of the only organizations on the West Coast that provides monthly financial aid, subsidized housing, and counseling to families fighting for their child’s life. The organization has helped more than 1,500 families with some of the emotional and financial devastation caused by childhood disease.

“When a child is diagnosed it isn’t just the child that is affected,” says Swanecamp. “Most of the time, one of the parents has to leave their job to support the child.

They were already financially challenged and now it’s gotten worse. Miracles for Kids supports them with resources for emotional as well as financial support.”

Swanecamp is also a board member for Waves of Impact and a longtime supporter of both organizations.

“Getting that classic ‘wave of their life’ is always great,” Swanecamp adds. “But sometimes it’s just enabling them to enjoy the beach. To take it easy. It also allows the parents a much needed break from what is assuredly a stressful time. They trust that their kids will be happy and cared for in the company of experts and volunteers. It’s a beautiful day.”

Swanecamp, a Boston native, moved to Southern California in the late 1980s. He has worked in the telecommunications industry for more than 25 years.

As a longtime Dana Point resident, he has been very active in the local nonprofit community for many years, working with a number of organizations that serve children and teens in need or at risk, as well as wounded veterans.

For more information, visit miraclesforkids.org.

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S E LF CARE SUMMER’S BEST SPA EXPERIENCES

By Michelle Pulfrey In our region of superlative day spas, it’s challenging to pick the top summer spa treatments. That said, we’ve done our best to highlight some of the season’s most exquisite experiences available at day spas on the coast... so relax, indulge and enjoy!

Montage Laguna Beach - Pure Bliss Soak up the summer with the ultimate summer glow service at Spa Montage, Pure Bliss Elements of Wellness.

This is a head-to-toe treatment that includes a full body scrub, wrap, and body milk hydration ritual, leaving the skin fully exfoliated and hydrated. The treatment concludes with a full-body shea butter application that brightens the skin. This signature treatment for Spa Montage was exclusively designed by their therapist team in Mexico using Lola’s Apothecary products, handmade in the English countryside. The Masterpiece Facial is a Spa Montage signature facial, designed by their skincare partners, Valmont. Using pure medical-grade collagen for the face, eyes, neck and decollete, this treatment infuses the skin with moisture to plump and brighten, leaving you with a radiantglow. Enhance your results with red light therapy, a product infusion boost or microdermabrasion to take an already exquisite facial to the next level. 90/120 minutes $375/$500 Spa Montage | 30801 S Coast Highway, Laguna Beach (866) 271-6953 | montagehotels.com/lagunabeach/spa

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Photo credit courtesy of Spa Montage, Balboa Bay Club, Pasea Hotel: Aarna Spa, and Ultra Red Light Therapy

Ultra Red Light Therapy Heal Your Skin Looking to naturally heal your skin issues such as rosacea, acne or eczema? Jeff and Brooke McKeever are the pros at Ultra Red Light Therapy in Corona Del Mar. They use their light pads to generate new collagen, balance the skin’s pH, improve circulation and oxygenate the tissues -- all customized to each client’s needs.

Balboa Bay Club - Spa + Stay Balboa Bay Club invites you to rediscover their resort with a package truly too good to turn down.

Treat yourself (and your guest) to a full day of pool time and full spa relaxation. Start in the spa with a calming, gentle seashell massage utilizing smooth, soft, shell-shaped ceramics filled with warm essential oils and special heat technology for a deeply relaxing massage. Then, enjoy the rest of the day poolside – with the add-on of a private cabana for the ultimate private experience. Their package includes a room for one night, and two spa treatments. Available 06/07/21 - 09/30/21 Balboa Bay Club 1221 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach (949) 630-4120 | balboaybayclub.com

Ultra Red also offers comforting and relaxing treatments, treatments for pain and inflammation, as well as a full body infrared sauna in their relaxing private suite. Your first treatment will have you hooked— that’s why they offer a first time special of four areas of the body for 40 minutes, for only $50.00.

Ultra Red Light Therapy 1111 Bayside Drive, Suite 230, Corona del Mar (949) 877-0002 | Ultraredlighttherapy.com

Pasea Hotel - An Empowering Hour Breathe in the Himalayan Sea salt wall in the front lobby to kick in the oxygen flow, then enjoy their new summer offer. “Empower Hour,” brand-new to the Aarna Spa, is available Monday through Thursday and includes a Swedish massage (now $149 instead of $189). The package also includes day passes for the pool and jacuzzi. If your skin is in need of deep hydration, you’ll want to book their new hydra resurfacing facial to plump up dry out skin from the summer heat. 25 min/$189 50 min/$269 Pasea Hotel: Aarna Spa 21080 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach (844) 814-2483 | Paseahotel.com

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TO ORD ER

By Sarah Mosqueda Southern California summers are arguably the best summers. Besides the beaches and the sunshine, we also have access to the freshest produce and highest quality ingredients. Summer brings some of the most anticipated seasonal flavors and dishes of the and you can find a few of our favorites Steelcraft in Garden Grove and Bellflower, The Hangar at LBX in Long Beach and the city of Costa Mesa. From the fresh seafood at Poké2 Grill or the summer peaches in Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, you’ll find the perfect pairing for your SoCal summer.

Just Peachy Handel’s has been making ice cream on site, the old-fashioned way, since 1945 when Alice Handel started selling it at her husband’s gas station. In those days, Alice created her flavors using fresh fruit she picked from her own backyard, which makes their highly anticipated summer flavor, peach, a perfect flashback to the old days. Handel’s uses fresh, in-season peaches to make this summertime favorite, which is available from July through mid-August. And don’t miss their other popular summer flavors like Banana Cream Pie, Strawberry, Mango Sorbet, Blueberry Cobbler and Key Lime Pie. Handel’s is open at Long Beach Exchange, Sunday-Thursday from 11am-10pm and Friday and Saturday 11am-11pm. | handelsicecream.com

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Photo credit courtesy of Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream, Baba’s Hot Chicken, Poké2 Grill, Tea Otter, and Toast Kitchen + Bakery

Otter-ly Delicious SteelCraft Garden Grove welcomes Tea Otter this summer with boba drinks and a love of all things “otter.” The concept comes from Adam and Sharon Go, the power couple behind another popular SteelCraft eatery: Barrio. Cool off this summer with their specialty drinks, milk teas and beloved boba with classic and original takes on beverages. Keep an eye out for their opening, coming soon. | IG: @teaotter

Poultry Papa Baba’s Hot Chicken began as a pop-up in 2019 before finding a home at the Riverside Food Lab. Successful locations in Costa Mesa and San Diego followed, and this summer, Baba comes home to roost at SteelCraft Bellflower. Baba’s Hot Sandwich is a labor of love. Baba’s signature sandwich includes two crispy chicken tenders, slaw, pickles, and house sauce on a brioche bun. Baba’s Loaded Fries are also popular and consist of crinkle-cut French fries piled with coleslaw, cheese sauce, ranch, and chopped chicken tenders. The SteelCraft Bellflower location will be open soon. | babashotchicken.com

The Spice is Right The Nashville Hot Chicken trend is still burning brightly in SoCal and the Hot Chicken Sandwich on the Toast Kitchen + Bakery menu is definitely on the must-try list. Chef John Park loves to use classic dishes as jumping-off points for creativity and his take on the hot chicken sandwich is fire! Nashville hot chicken is topped with buffalo hot sauce aioli, buttermilk blue cheese, garlic coleslaw, carrots, celery and pickled Fresno chiles in a soft but sturdy potato bun, making this sandwich a five-alarm favorite. Toast Kitchen + Bakery in Costa Mesa is open Tuesday-Friday from 8am - 7pm, Saturday and Sunday from 8am - 3pm and closed Mondays. | toastkitchenbakery.com

Bowl Goals Poké2 Grill at The Hangar at LBX is a Build Your Own Bowl restaurant. Start with a base of white or brown rice, chips, salad or a combination and customize your bowl with fresh tuna, salmon or albacore poke. Finish it off with toppings like seaweed salad, cucumber, sweet corn, ginger, avocado and even hot Cheetos. “We are very excited to be opening our second location inside The Hangar at Long Beach Exchange and can’t wait to get to know the Long Beach community,” says Sarah Kim, owner and CEO. Poké2 Grill will be open for lunch and dinner service 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Hangar at LBX. | poke2grill.com

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OF I NTEREST TA N AKA FARM S PL AN T E D AT T H E HEART OF ORANGE COU NTY

By Sara Hall

Planted at the heart of Orange County, amid the hustle and bustle, is a family-run farm that locals have come to love -- Tanaka Farms.

You may know these 30 acres for its popular pumpkin patch, strawberry picking fun, and educational farm tours, but there also is a history of perseverance, resourcefulness, and innovation rooted here, too.

Tanaka Farms was first planted in OC about eight decades ago -- and through generations of hard work, adaptations to the changing market, and by avoiding persecution during World War II, the Tanaka family farmers have fought to become a rural staple in urban Orange County.

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Photos courtesy of Tanaka Farms

was studying nutrition.

From 1977 to the 1990s, Glenn expanded the farm’s wholesale operation to 300 acres in Southern California. In the 1980s, he grew strawberries for roadside stands in Huntington Beach, Irvine and other local cities. He then started his own packing company and distributed produce across the country.

“It almost got too big, too fast,” Kenny Tanaka said of the operation.

Then, when produce started being imported from Mexico, the local market crashed. Kenny’s father was forced to sell some of their property to stay afloat.

As suburban development spread across Orange County, the farming operation was forced to move.

Tableau recently had the honor of interviewing Kenny Tanaka, a fourth generation Japanese American who joined the family business in 2005 after graduating college. He now manages the operation and shared with us some of the family’s, and the farm’s, rich history.

The story of Tanaka Farms begins in the early 1900s, when Kenny’s great-grandfather, Teruo, immigrated from Japan and started farming in Northern California.

In 1922, George, a nisei, or second generation Japanese American, was born to Teruo and his wife in Dinuba, just outside of Fresno, where they continued to work on a small ranch as farmhands.

George Tanaka grew up in the family business and got his own farm truck in 1941. After the family moved to Orange County, George began a produce-shipping business in La Habra. In 1942, he had to flee to Utah to avoid the Japanese internment camps. While in Utah, he met his soon-to-be wife, Chris.

“Fast-forward to about 1998, when we came to our current location in Irvine,” Tanaka said.

The Tanakas lost a big source of income in a roadside stand in Cypress around 2000, so they continued to pivot and started focusing more on the agritourism side of the business. Hosting tours on the farm and letting people pick their own produce helped keep the business going.

“People really liked the tour and learning about the farm,” Tanaka said. “It was kind of a new idea at the time.”

They started small with just two tours, but that quickly grew with word-of-mouth marketing. Tanaka Farms now hosts 12,000 school kids for tours during the strawberry season. That crowd grows to about 15,000 student visitors during pumpkin season, and

After the war, George and Chris Tanaka returned to California, settled in Fountain Valley, and worked as wholesale farmers on various properties where they grew tomatoes, green beans and strawberries.

Glenn Tanaka, a sansei, or a third generation Japanese American, was born to George and Chris in 1957. He continued the family farming business and studied agricultural business at Cal Poly Pomona. At college, he met his wife, Shirley (also a sansei), who

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The need for evolution in order to keep things interesting and encourage visitors to return to the farm has become part of the Tanakas ongoing business plan.

Today, Tanaka Farms features 60 varieties of fruits and vegetables. The primary crops are strawberries, pumpkins, corn, and watermelon, but other offerings include kale, tomatoes, blackberries and carrots. In addition to the produce stand and farm tours, Tanaka Farms offers a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, a true “farm to table” community food program. The farm also hosts fun and educational workshops, events like goat yoga and scarecrow contests, and Hikari, a seasonal/holiday mile-long drive-thru festival of lights.

to more than 90,000 visitors overall to the pumpkin patch each year.

Last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit at the peak of the strawberry season, the farm’s business structure had to adapt once again.

Before 2020, the Tanaka Farms produce stand wasn’t very busy. But once the family started the drive-thru produce stand to accommodate COVID-19 safety guidelines, it became a highly popular amenity and more people came specifically to shop for fresh produce.

“That pretty much saved us,” Tanaka said. “Without the tours and drive-through stand, we may not have lasted.”

Tanaka Farms still offers the drive-thru stand (as of mid-June) and people seem to want to keep it, so they are “playing it by ear,” Tanaka said. They are also offering the walk-in option to give people a choice in how they’d like to shop.

While things are slowly returning to normal, they are still utilizing safety precautions (social distancing, 50% capacity wagon rides, masks, etc.) and everything is still reservation only.

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Photos courtesy of Tanaka Farms

Most recently, the Tanakas opened Hana Field in Costa Mesa, which features sunflowers, zinnias, herbs, and more. Hana, which means flower in Japanese, came about after discussions with the Sakioka family (who own the land in Costa Mesa) over the last few years.

Now a father himself -- with children ages five, three and a new baby too -- Kenny Tanaka says whether his kids eventually go to work on the family farm is up to them...and to the market.

“I want to expose them to different things,” Tanaka said. “We’ll see what the next 10 to 15 years hold.”

Tanaka Farms, 5380 3/4 University Drive, Irvine tanakafarms.com.

G IVE BACK

GET READY FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL GIVING OC STUDENTS NEED YOUR HELP TO START THE SCHOOL YEAR RIGHT

By Sophia Anderson Many obstacles have hindered learning in this past year— not only due to remote learning schedules, but also due to decreased income for many families. With your help, we can make the 2021-2022 school year a much brighter one for kids in need. Get your family and friends involved in back-to-school giving as a meaningful and fun summer activity with these local organizations.

Photos courtesy of Project Hope Alliance

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Miracle Backpacks

Donate Supplies, Give Hope

Miracles for Kids assembles backpacks of school supplies, seasonal gifts, and healthy snacks for critically ill students in low-income families. Miracles for Kids is collecting school supply donations such as pencil cases, binders, calculators and hand sanitizer at their office (17848 SkyPark Circle, Suite C, Irvine, CA 92614) up until July 19. Volunteers can help assemble the baskets from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on July 31 and distribute the baskets on the same day, starting at 12:30 p.m. Sign up to volunteer on their website at miraclesforkids.org/volunteer-today.

For their school supply drive, Project Hope Alliance (PHA) focuses on aiding students in the Newport Mesa School District who are experiencing homelessness. PHA aims to give 300 students— more than any previous year! — backpacks filled with supplies and a $50 gift card. Volunteers can contribute monetary donations to buy supplies and gift cards, or purchase physical supplies and drop them off at the PHA office in Costa Mesa. Additionally, volunteers can order supplies online directly from the student’s Amazon wish lists. Visit their website at https://projecthopealliance.org for more information, at projecthopealliance.org/backpacks/.

Reaching Out to Students South County Outreach has organized a backpack and school supply drive occurring from June 28 to Aug. 2. The needed supplies are divided into three categories based on the age of students: primary school, elementary school and middle/high school.

Volunteers are encouraged to choose a category and fill a backpack with the suggested supplies for the grade level of their choosing. You can drop off the backpacks at 7 Whatney Ste B, Irvine, CA 92618 between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. For more information, contact foodteam@ sco-oc.org, call 949 380-8144 x203, or visit their website at http://www.sco-oc.org/.

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Photos courtesy of Project Hope Alliance

Sharing is Caring Costa Mesa-based Share Our Selves, a health center which provides care and advocates for systemic change for those in need, has partnered with the OC Fair & Events Center’s “We Care Wednesday” program annually for 25 years. They collect school supply donations, assemble volunteers to organize the donations, and facilitate supply drives. Share Our Selves operates thanks to financial sponsors, which help with buying supplies and offering scholarships to students. To get involved, visit their website at https://www.shareourselves.org/event/2020-backto-school-program/

FIRST PERSO N CROWN OF THE SEA: GROWING UP IN 1970S CDM

By Alyssa Swanson Hamilton Corona del Mar’s signature scent is sea salt. As a child growing up in the 70s, I remember the smell coating everything I owned in the summer. That and Coppertone sun lotion, with the advertisement featuring a toddler-aged Jodie Foster losing her bikini bottom to an overzealous dog. The Crown of the Sea. The wind teased us with beach stories. Seals barked and foghorns blew, warning boats away from the jetties. The folks on the fancier east side of Pacific Coast Highway got the previews; first dibs on the ocean. Those of us west of the highway —many the children of teachers, mechanics, single mothers —lived for that breeze.

Photos courtesy of Alyssa Swanson Hamilton

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I was raised on the flower streets, on Marigold Avenue. My mom planted actual marigolds in our yard. The houses on my block, ours included, were mostly original beach cottages with weathered paint and plentiful cockroaches. We kids met in the alleys behind our houses to ride (and crash) mini motorcycles and skateboards and study discarded Playboy magazines and steal aluminum cans and newspapers out of garbage cans to redeem for cash.

My dad, a repair technician for Pac Bell, restored vintage cars as a hobby in his garage, and the alley carried the aroma of motor oil and paint solvents on Sundays. Marijuana wafted from Mike the bartender’s apartment up the street, and cigarette smoke from raspy-voiced Lucille’s across the alley. A grand dame rumored to have been a 1920s silent film star stalked the local streets on her daily constitutional, sporting a bobbed helmet of jet hair and orange caftan and soaring penciled brows.

The lots in Corona del Mar, the alleys, and the streets are narrow. Domestic disputes, sex, crying babies: you heard it all. Marguerite Avenue, which bisects the town, led to a different world as you headed away from the beach, up the hill toward Harbor View and Spyglass. Wide lots, large twostory houses, symmetrical lawns. Crystal and silence.

I was once invited to watch a Disney movie in someone’s screening room. I walked into bedroomsized pantries and gorged on my hosts’ Oreos and

Pringles. My mother was (and still is) a nutritionist, and our 70s health food featured carob and unforgiving bricks of wheat bread. If I was good, my mother would let me have a sesame seed candy from Whipple’s Health Food Store, which was across from Gelson’s market. Every week, we made a special trip to their refrigerated organic produce room, my skin goose pimpled as we chose small hard apples and ginseng that resembled a voodoo doll.

My school friend Laura’s closet dwarfed my bedroom.

She had Izod alligator shirts and matching Gloria Vanderbilt jeans in every color of the rainbow. I felt like the girl in the children’s book 100 Dresses: the only finery I owned was imaginary. Laura’s glossy blonde hair hung in a perfect sheet. I lived in fear she would discover I was a veritable cave dweller.

A fraud.

With Laura in mind, I tried to steer my mother toward Robinson’s when we would approach the mermaid sign welcoming us to Fashion Island. But it was my destiny to end up at Sears. My mother was not a fan of shopping or wasting money and instead taught me about food, meditation, and astrology. She and my dad had my brother when I was 11, so I also learned about cloth diapers with dangerous pins and breastfeeding. My social life revolved around checking out books from the Corona del Mar library and blowing my allowance on the latest Judy Blume at the Children’s Bookstore or disappearing ink and iron-on T-shirts from Toy Boat.

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Photos courtesy of Alyssa Swanson Hamilton

I developed a hobby that bordered on obsession. I illustrated stories where the protagonist lived wild in the hills, and everyone wore animal skins and rode horses. Or she dwelled in the ocean as a mermaid with waist length hair and impossible breasts, likely inspired by my back-alley Playboy education. I filled pages and pages with the adventures of this fearless feral girl who had no use for Gloria Vanderbilts. Most embarrassingly, I narrated these stories out loud. I can’t imagine what my parents thought as I carried on for hours at a stretch.

As I entered my pre-teens (and gradually left my stories behind), I was finally allowed to cross the highway to Corona del Mar’s Main Beach to boogie board. I’d head out in corduroy OP shorts and a Velcro wallet holding my Gina’s Pizza money, and denim-blue Vans slip-ons. I had my Morey Boogie tri-color board from Hobie Surf Shop, my initials burned into the front with my dad’s soldering iron, and a solitary fin so I could stay anchored to the ground with my other foot as needed. I would paddle out and position myself just right, catching the wave and gliding through the funnel and coast the thunder of whitewater. I took on bigger waves, my fear evaporating. Wipeouts were a learning curve of discovery, how to go limp and hold my breath in the washing machine tumble and trust that the wave would eventually spit me out. I learned the rhythm of the sets. I screamed with laughter, the sharp thrill of going fast and feeling powerful like the wild girl in my head: Medusa sand caked tangles and tar ball feet and a runny nose; a small taste of freedom.

boarding and started dating surfers. I watched them with envy and awe, but I stayed on the sand. I wore the right clothes by then, went to the parties, receded.

The wild girl dove deep and let someone else take over. It wasn’t safe at the surface.

Like us as teens, our town was trying on sophistication.

Fashion Island exploded with new boutiques and added Atrium Court. There was a huge grocery store, cappuccinos and gelato, a baked potato bar with toppings we stole. Beach cottages were increasingly felled in favor of stately homes. My parents tore down our creaky beach cottage and built a two-story Victorian. Vacant lots and hillsides vanished under the jaws of bulldozers and became office buildings.

Bank of America got an ATM machine: a “VersaTeller.” We wore neon and aggressive shoulder pads.

Everything seemed brighter, bigger; the extravagant sun warming the passenger seat of a friend’s triplewhite convertible VW Cabriolet. We wanted nothing more than to be grown up and leave our childhoods far behind.

It’s true that change is the only constant. The sharp tang of nighttime air, with the right loft of breeze, can take a Gen X’er like me (or any generation) straight back to childhood. The rhythmic sea carries the memory of our wildness, our beginnings. I have started craving the depths again. The sharp cold, the crown of whitewater, the unknown unfolding underneath. A christening; a homecoming. The ocean knows who she is. Sometimes, I need her to remind me too.

In high school, in the mid to late 80s, I stopped boogey

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L AST LOO K

Ed Olen Photograph Sobier Photo Project Series IG:@sobierphotoproject