Playa Vista Direct — October-November 2020

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

A TEQUILA FOR OUR TIME Owners of Mico Tequila, Subir and AJ Singh, bring experience and innovation to their distinctive tequila brand

D I R E C T

*****ECRWSSEDDM***** POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Pasadena, CA Permit #422

Find outdoor comfort from home.

Stocked And Ready!

We can deliver to your backyard immediately.

BROWN JORDAN, SUMMER CLASSICS, TROPITONE, TUUCI AND MORE.

- OUTDOOR LIVING -

SHOP ONLINE OR BY APPOINTMENT VICTORY FURNITURE I 2512 SANTA MONICA BLVD. I SANTA MONICA CA I 310.264.1046 VICTORYFURNITURE.COM

Voted One of the Best Burritos, Best Tacos & Best Bargain Eats on the Westside 2019!

Cater Your Next Event with Benny’s!

Authentic Tacos, Burritos, Salads & Rotisserie Chicken Handmade Corn & Flour Totitllas

Fresh & Healthy Cooked Just for You!

If it is feeding a family of 4 or a company of 400, Benny’s Tacos always makes sure there is a smile on everyone’s face!

10% OFF DINE IN / TAKE OUT Mention this ad or bring a pic on your phone.

Not to be combined with any other discounts/coupons.

Let Us Do Your Next Catering

20% OFF CATERING

Call Benny 818.612.3875 Not to be combined with any other discounts/coupons.

Mention this ad or bring a pic on your phone.

BennyTacos.com 7101 W. Manchester Ave. | Westchester 90045 | 310.670.8226 915 Wilshire Blvd. | Santa Monica 90401 | 310.451.0200 10401 Venice Blvd. | Culver City 90232 | 424.298.8327

Contents EDITOR’S NOTE

HEALTH

6 We’re in this together

10 Mask up to save Endangered Animals

COMMUNITY 8 Bull & Butterfly opens at Runway

22 Lisa Hirsch-Solomon, owner of studio (mdr) credits her strong community to get through tough times

PEOPLE

PET ADOPTIONS

14 Words of Hope from personal freedom coach Preston Smiles

30 Meet Chadwick, a classy older cat with great manners

OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

26 Urbanic Paper Boutique comes to Free Market at Runway

On the cover: Mico Tequila owners, Subir and AJ Singh sip a tasty fall cocktail at SOL Cocina Photo by Zsuzsi Steiner Design by Arman Olivares

4 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

A TEQUILA FOR OUR TIME Owners of Mico Tequila, Subir and AJ Singh, bring experience and innovation to their distinctive tequila brand

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Pasadena, CA Permit #422

18 Premium Tequila Brand Mico imported by way of Playa Vista

*****ECRWSSEDDM***** POSTAL CUSTOMER

FOOD

D I R E C T

JE S S E WE INB E RG

FOR SALE

5721 S. Crescent Park #204, Playa Vista 2 Bed | 2.5 Bath + Den | 2,845 Sq. Ft. $1,749,000 Chatelaine204.com

SOLD

5815 E. Seaglass Circle, Playa Vista 4 Bed | 4 Bath | 2,384 Sq.Ft. $1,950,000

PENTHOUSE

13650 Marina Pointe Dr. #1805, Marina Del Rey 2 Bed | 2.5 Bath + Office | 2,904 Sq.Ft. $2,699,000 Cove1805.com

FOR SALE

700 Main St. #23, Venice 1 Bed | 1 Bath | 1,330 Sq. Ft. $1,199,000 700MainStreet.com

FOR SALE

FOR LEASE

5700 Seawalk Dr. #12, Playa Vista

2 Bed | 2.5 Bath + Bonus Rm or 3rd Bed | 2,005 Sq.Ft.

$1,450,000

5700Seawalk.com

SOLD

5625 Crescent Park #132, Playa Vista 2 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 1,675 Sq. Ft. $1,070,000

FOR SALE

7562 W. 82nd St., Playa Del Rey 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 2,261 Sq. Ft. $1,799,000

FOR SALE

UNIQUE LIVE WORK SPACE

13344 W. Washington Blvd., Marina Del Rey 2 Bed | 4 Bath | 1,636 Sq.Ft. $1,275,000 13344Washington.com

6020 Seabluff Dr. #439, Playa Vista 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 910 Sq.Ft. $3,999/Month

FOR SALE

3542 Veteran Ave., Los Angeles 4 Bed | 4.5 Bath | 3,314 Sq. Ft. $2,595,000 3542Veteran.com

FOR SALE

7561 Trask Ave., Playa DeL Rey 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,131 Sq. Ft. $1,649,000 7561Trask.com

FOR SALE

4234 Sawtelle Blvd., Culver City 3 New Construction Townhomes $1,200,000-$1,325,000 CulverCollection.com

IN ESCROW

Paraiso - 5831 Seawalk Dr. #241, Playa Vista 3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 2,202 Sq. Ft. $1,285,000

FOR SALE

201 Waterview, Playa Del Rey 3 Bed | 2.5 Bath | 2,775 Sq. Ft. $2,699,000 201Waterview.com

FOR SALE

310 Washington Blvd. #406, Marina Del Rey 3 Bed | 3 Bath | 1,960Sq. Ft. $1,599,000 310Washington.com

FOR SALE

8163 Redlands St. #74, Playa Del Rey 2 Bed | 2 Bath | 981 Sq.Ft. $723,333 8163Redlands.com

JESSE WEINBERG AND ASSOCIATES DRE #01435805 This is not intended as a solicitation if your property is currently listed with another broker/agent. Based on information from the CLAW MLS as of September 30, 2020. All data, including all measurements and calculations of area, is obtained from various sources and has not been, and will not be, verified by broker or MLS. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.

EDITOR’S NOTE

We’re in this together

I

f you’re like me, you probably thought that by fall, things would be relatively back to normal.

Now it’s October and because of the pandemic, kids are again learning from home and many of us still haven’t been back to the office. An election is looming, fires are burning and that last earthquake didn’t do my nerves any favors. It’s difficult to say what about 2020 is affecting me most, but putting this issue of the magazine together made me realize how grateful I am to be part of the Playa Vista community. The people who live and work here know about resilience and hope.

Everyone I spoke with or interviewed in these pages has had to change and pivot during this time and they’ve done it remarkably well.

After months of waiting, Bull & Butterfly is now serving dinner on their beautiful patio, underneath gazebos and fairy lights. Owners Alan and Heidi Jackson have put their heart and soul into the endeavor and when I went to visit the restaurant on their opening night, I can honestly say that I see Bull & Butterfly becoming a Playa Vista success story.

At the cover photoshoot with Subir Singh and his father AJ, founders of Mico Tequila, the mood was light and optimistic. They are two gentlemen who focus on what is possible, not the limitations of this time.

And, having sampled the tequila, I can honestly say it’s one of the best I’ve ever had. Thanks for sharing, Subir!

I also found out some very good news: pet adoption in the area is at an all-time high! The Annenberg PetSpace has reported being incredibly busy right now with online appointments and arranging adoptions. If there’s such thing as a silver lining, that would be it. Check out this issue’s Pet Page and don’t delay if you see a pet you’d like to add to your family.

Lastly, I really appreciate when you reach out to me with story ideas, events or recipes. That’s what a community does – it shares. As we continue to soldier on in the months ahead, it’s comforting to know that we’re in this together.

MANAGING EDITOR Shanee Edwards GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Arman Olivares Kate Doll CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lara J. Altunian · Christina Campodonico Jessica Koslow · Brian Marks · Robyn Paris Andrew Dubbins · Andy Vasoyan Kellie Chudzinski CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Zsuszi Steiner · Luis Chavez Courtnay Robbins · Maria Martin Shilah Montiel · Emily Hart Roth ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kay Christy Denine Gentilella EXECUTIVE EDITOR Christina Fuoco-Karasinski ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Rebecca Bermudez

CONTACT US EDITORIAL shanee@playavistadirect.com ADVERTISING Rebecca Bermudez rbermudez@timespublications.com

(310) 822-1629

161 S. Pasadena Ave., Suite B, South Pasadena CA 91030 Playa Vista Direct is direct-mailed every other month to homes and businesses in the 90094 area code, with additional distribution to multiple office and retail locations throughout the Playa Vista area.

Shanee Edwards Managing Editor · shanee@playavistadirect.com VICE PRESIDENT: Michael Hiatt PRESIDENT Steve Strickbine

PlayaVistaDirect.com

6 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

THE WORLD HAS CHANGED, HAVE YOUR INVESTMENTS?

GET A FREE PORTFOLIO REVIEW Gerber Kawasaki is a Fiduciary 1.1 Billion in AUM Comprehensive Financial Planning Independent Investment Advice Featured on

Hatem Dhiab

Gerber Kawasaki Managing Partner Playa Vista Resident hatem@gerberkawasaki.com 310.441.9393 Investment advice offered through Gerber Kawasaki Inc, a registered investment advisor. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All investments have risk of loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Tax advantages of qualified accounts vary based on many factors, please see a CPA or Financial Advisor to determine if a qualified plan may be appropriate for you. Gerber Kawasaki, 2716 Ocean Park Blvd. #2022 Santa Monica, CA 90405. Contact us at (310) 441-9393 info@gerberkawasaki.com

GerberKawasaki.com

COMMUNITY PHOTOS BY ZSUZI STEINER

2

1

4

5

3

6

BULL & BUTTERFLY @ RUNWAY

After many hungry months of waiting, amidst the dust of the remodel at Runway, Bull & Butterfly finally opened for business on Sept. 24, serving dinner under string-light adorned gazebos on two patios.

Brought to you by restauranteurs Alan and Heidi Jackson, creators of the fast-casual, comfort food-rich Lemonade restaurants with Executive Chef Robbie Nowlin (Otium) leading the kitchen, this California steakhouse has a modern, coastal vibe that’s sure to impress Silicon Beach’s tech-heads.

In the wake of COVID-19, the traditional steakhouse has been forced to adapt to al fresco sensibilities and Bull & Butterfly has done so surprisingly well. The Jacksons had the foresight to build two patio areas, one in front of the restaurant and one on the side.

Bull & Butterfly is open Sunday to Thursday. Hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday and Saturday night the restaurant stays open to 10 p.m. Reservations are available online via Tock.

— Shanee Edwards 8 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

1

2

3

4

5

6

Playa Vista resident and author Shana Mangatal raises a glass on the outdoor patio before her meal Masked and gloved, a server delivers wine and cocktails to guests The pink neon bull and butterfly art adds a fun, whimsical feel to Runway A bartender shakes a cocktail in the gorgeous horseshoe bar A premium cut of beef cooked to perfection with rice and beans Glass doors roll open to connect the bar space with one of the two outdoor patios for lovely al fresco dining

H E A LT H

MASK UP TO SAVE ENDANGERED ANIMALS These face masks help protect against COVID-19 and animal poaching

BY SHANEE EDWARDS | PHOTOS COURTESY OF KASEY JONES INK

A

fter founding her philanthropic organization Over and Above Africa to help protect endangered animals, Playa Vista filmmaker Kerry David directed the award-winning documentary “Breaking Their Silence: Women on the Frontline of the Poaching War” in 2019. It tells the story of an unlikely group of women willing to take a stand for these endangered animals. We spoke with David about the film a year ago as it was making the rounds at film festivals and we’re happy to announce that you can now watch the powerful, emotionally stirring film online. But now, there’s a new way to contribute to saving these precious animals: purchase these adorable face masks that are perfect for any member of the family.

David teamed up with local artist and freelance creative director Kasey Blaustein, of Kasey Jones Ink, to create these colorful, animal-themed masks that are surprisingly relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic considering the virus likely came from eating an infected animal, possibly a bat or the illegally trafficked pangolin (a segment on pangolin poaching is featured in the film).

“There’s a whole part of Over and Above Africa and ‘Breaking Their Silence’ that has to do with the human-wildlife conflict where humans are taking over the wildlife space,” says Blaustein. “In many cases, these animals are being killed and being met with dangerous ends, but also disease comes from that. It was an interesting way to remind people what happens when we don’t respect our wildlife and our animals,” she says.

Inspiration for the design came from the highly colorful African fabric and clothing you see everywhere in Africa and in the film.

“It just feels happy, you look at it and you feel (Continued on page 12) 10 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

Kasey Blaustein of Kasey Jones, Ink, and beau Adam Greener wearing the masks she designed. 100% of profits go to help endangered animals

EXPANDING CARE IN PLAYA VISTA Access to quality care has never been more important. Kaiser Permanente is making it easier to help you get the care you need. We’ve moved into a larger, state-of-the-art facility in Playa Vista, featuring expanded services and sustainable design. Visit kp.org/playavista to learn more.

Playa Vista Medical Offices 5300 McConnell Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90066

H E A LT H

(Continued from page 10)

the energy, the vibrancy of it.” Blaustein started with the elephant artwork. “I thought, ‘Can I just go color crazy and try this one thing?’ I did it and they loved it. From there, I did the rhino and the lion, too.”

Individual masks are $16.45 each. A three-pack that includes a lion, elephant and rhino mask is available for $42.

100% of profits help prevent the extinction of Africa’s endangered animals and are so popular, the first batch completely sold out.

Visit breakingtheirsilence.com to watch the film. Visit overandaboveafrica. com/masks to purchase the face masks.

Documentarian Kerry David while making her film ‘Breaking their Silence: Women on the Frontline of the Poaching War’

NOW OPEN FOR OUTDOOR DINING!

PICK UP, DELIVERY, OUTDOOR DINING. TUESDAY - SUNDAY 12PM - 9PM

(310) 670-6677 8343 Lincoln Blvd. Westchester www.AlejosRestaurant.com FALL SPECIAL: 15% OFF ANY MEAL

(DOES NOT INCLUDE ALCOHOL) SHOW THIS AD ON YOUR PHONE OR MENTION IT WHEN ORDERING. DINE-IN ONLY. EXPIRES 11/30/20 12 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT ON A SUPERSTAR AGENT MICHELLE MARTINO TURNS FINESSE INTO REAL ESTATE SUCCESS

M

ichelle Martino is a superstar.

From the time she got her first client, she’s relied on her innate ability to outthink, outservice, and outperform, for every single client regardless if they were looking to purchase, sell, or lease.

The results have been remarkable. A standout example is when she listed a home on a Saturday, held an Open House on a Sunday, and in record time, had it closed on Monday. At that time, it was not only the highest-priced home in the area, but it closed in the fastest time ever.

She followed that up by being recognized as one of the top 15 agents in over 275,000 in the California Association of Realtors.

Her skills at negotiation are surpassed only by her notoriety at achieving near 100% Buyer success — first time out. That’s including the ultra-competitive world of multiple offers.

Now, Michelle is the Executive Director of Luxury Homes at KW Silicon Beach. The key to Michelle’s success is her genuine honesty, strategic thinking, and sheer tenacity to make every deal a spectacular success.

And, she has an incredible reputation for knowing the markets, the neighborhoods, and the most effective way to negotiate a deal.

Michelle, who graduated from Loyola Marymount University with four, yes, four majors, was quickly invited to become a Mensa member and today continues to be awarded and recognized by The Argonaut — the sister publication of Playa Vista Direct — as well as several real estate organizations for her incredible talents.

Michelle also has managed to elevate client care to elite status by offering her clients spectacular staging, concierge estate services, and chauffeured neighborhood tours.

Her success is an amalgamation of her down-toearth style and razor-sharp knowledge that captivates all who meet her.

When asked what makes her such a standout, she replied, “I follow a passion to always be my best and win for my clients, while also remembering to be gracious, tenacious and absolutely unforgettable!”

Michelle Martino KW Silicon Beach 310-880-0789, marinadelreylistings.com

PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020 13 Advertorial

PEOPLE Preston Smiles believes love and humanity will always win out, even in tough times

14 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

PEOPLE

WORDS OF HOPE

Personal Freedom Coach Preston Smiles shares his thoughts on dealing with two pandemics STORY BY SHANEE EDWARDS | PHOTOS COURTESY OF PRESTON SMILES

Y

ou’ve probably seen Preston Smiles and his beautiful wife, Alexi Panos, and their three small children around the neighborhood.

Handsome and charming, a health diagnosis shook Smiles to his core when he was just 25-years-old. The former actor and model discovered he had a genetic heart condition that was giving him an irregular heartbeat.

“You can mess with anything but the heart,” says Smiles, “You mess with the heart, you’re screwed.”

Smiles didn’t want his life to be cut short, so he made some drastic lifestyle changes. “One of those changes was my diet and my stress levels, which I didn’t even know was a thing. But I had to come to grips with it and realized I was one of the most stressed out 25-year-olds you could find. It was destroying my body,” says Smiles.

Now 40, he says he hasn’t taken a pill since two months after his diagnosis.

Smiles started advocating for physical, mental and emotional wellness without ever expecting to make a living at it. But when he was offered a book deal with Simon & Schuster about five years ago, his life transformed. He wrote “Love Louder: 33 Ways to Amplify Your Life,” he and his wife wrote “Now or Never: Your Epic Life in 5 Steps,” and Panos wrote “50 Ways to Yay: Transformative Tools for a Whole Lot of Happy.” Everything blew up in a good way. Smiles now coaches people one-on-one, calling himself a “personal freedom coach” and runs three personal development and transformation companies with his wife.

His work has sent him all over the world.

I reached out to Smiles because he seemed like the perfect person to provide

Preston Smiles and wife Alexi Panos are both successful self-help authors

a message of positivity during this difficult time. Not surprisingly, his perspective on 2020 is slightly different than mine.

“This is a beautiful time,” says Smiles, “and it’s also showing the ugly sides of our country. There’s two pandemics. One of them has been happening since the birth of this country and we’re finally facing off with it. And the other one is a little trickier, but also a reminder of things everybody had previous to this pandemic and have taken for granted.”

The first pandemic Smiles refers to is that of social and racial reckoning. He says America has been guilty of rewriting history and ignoring the elephant in the room (racism).

“What’s happening right now is a great rebirth,” say Smiles. “People are forced to look at what is, and is not, working about our current society.”

“As an Afro-amazing man, I feel deeply proud to be an American for the first time. I travel all over the world and I’ve shared on my Instagram posts that I feel safer in Africa than I do in the country I was born in. Being an ‘other’ in a place your ancestors built doesn’t feel good. As a Black person, a lot of times we don’t feel there is an opening for us to even share that because the moment we do someone says, ‘Oh, you’re pulling the Black card.’”

Smiles says he’s had multiple challenging experiences due to his race, even in Playa Vista. “Before COVID-19 or any of those things, people would see me and cross the street. All their fears come up, they clench their purse – and I’m a millionaire! Imagine what that energy feels like daily for people who are strug(Continued on page 16) PLAYA PLAYA VISTA VISTA DIRECT DIRECT || OCTOBER OCTOBER -- NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 2020 2020 1515

PEOPLE

(Continued from page 15)

gling on top of that,” he says.

The good news, says Smiles, “The healing will come sooner rather than later; it’s already happening.”

The second pandemic Smiles refers to is, of course, COVID-19. The virus has uprooted work and school, causing plenty of anxiety. Many of us wake up in the morning and do a bit of doom-scrolling through the news. But Smiles says it’s important to be mindful about where we put our attention.

“If we put our attention on the news, the number of cases, and things of that nature, then that will grow,” he says. “For me, I’m very careful to guard the gates of my consciousness by not allowing garbage to come in. We don’t want to be stupid, but we don’t want to be operating from fear and lack and limitation.”

While he does worry about his three young children from time to time, he doesn’t dwell on it. “My children’s immune systems are doing the perfect work they do and will always do whether I’m worrying about them or not.”

Panos, Smiles and Kingston, the eldest of the couple’s three children

The bottom line says Smiles is that he believes love and humanity always wins.

“There’s a light inside each and every one of us that will never go out. I believe the

human spirit is courageous and will never back down. We’ll make it through this like we’ve made it through everything else,” he says.

The Admiralty Apartments THE MARINA’S FINEST 5-STAR COMMUNITY — ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ — Full-Size W/D Fitness Center Steam Room Sauna Rooftop Decks Pool & Jacuzzi Gas Stove Granite Counters

Movie Theater Billiard Room Luxurious Lounge Concierge Plenty of Parking Hardwood Floors Parking & Storage Walk-in Closets

1 Month Free on a 13-Month Lease!

310-305-1300 • 4170 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey 90292 • www.admiraltyapartments.com • email: info@pom-mdr.com 16 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

We are Committed to Excellence & Comfort Your comfort during dental care is just as important as your results, we look forward to treating you in a secure, friendly environment.

Marina Dentistry ALL DENTAL SPECIALTIES

• Easy Payment Plans/Zero Interest • No Insurance • No Problem • All Insurance Accepted • Nitrous Oxide Available • We Accept All Other Competitors’ Coupons • Se Habla Español

Dr. Sameer Aljanedi

DENTAL IMPLANT

699

$

INVISALIGN $ STARTS AT

REG 1,999 $

ABUTMENT AND CROWN ARE EXTRA NEW PATIENTS ONLY WITH AD NOW THROUGH 11-30-20

PORCELAIN VENEERS $ 699Each. REG 1,400 COMPLETE $

NEW PATIENTS ONLY WITH THIS AD EXP 11-30-20

PORCELAIN CROWN $

DENTURE $

BUILD UP IF NEEDED IS EXTRA PORCELAIN FUSED TO METAL NEW PATIENTS ONLY WITH THIS AD EXP 11-30-20

NEW PATIENTS ONLY WITH THIS AD EXP 11-30-20

399 REG 999 $

799 REG 1800 $

MARINA DENTISTRY 4292 Lincoln Blvd., Marina del Rey, CA 90292 (Above Starbucks)

2500 FREE

CLEANING SPECIAL

www.marinadentistry.com

$2,999 WITH THIS AD. NOW THROUGH 11-30-20

TEETH WHITENING SPECIAL

89

$

ONLY

00

Regular $749

ONE HOUR IN-OFFICE ZOOM! WHITENING AS SEEN ON ABC’S “EXTREME MAKEOVER” INCLUDES X-RAYS & EXAM

Cannot Be Combined With Any Other Offer

Regular $149

X-Rays, Exams, Cleaning, Oral Cancer Screening, TMJ Evaluation, Diagnosis & Treatment Plan

NEW PATIENTS ONLY!

Periodontal Root Planning Not Included • With Coupon Only • Insurance Programs Billed At Regular Fees • Exp. 11-30-20

CONSULTATION INCLUDING FULL MOUTH X-RAYS & EXAMINATION NEW PATIENTS ONLY EXP 11-30-20

DEEP CLEANING

SPECIAL

75

$

PER QUAD

REG $499

NEW PATIENTS ONLY WITH THIS AD EXP 11-30-20

310-305-9600 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020 17

FOOD

Subir Singh and his father AJ own Mico Tequila, a brand literally imported by way of Playa Vista

18 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

FOOD

PREMIUM TEQUILA BRAND IMPORTED BY WAY OF PLAYA VISTA For Mico Tequila co-founder Subir Singh, his brand has been decades in the making STORY BY ANDY VASOYAN | PHOTOS BY ZSUZSI STEINER

MONKEY THYME 1.5 oz. Mico tequila .5 oz. Gran Classico .25 oz. simple syrup .5 oz. lemon juice A spoon full of fig jam Instructions: Add ice and all ingredients into a shaker. Shake vigorously (10 to 15 seconds), and strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a charred thyme sprig.

T

hat cocktail is courtesy of Mico Tequila, a premium brand launched out of Playa Vista in 2018. President and co-founder Subir Singh has been a PV resident since 2009, but the story of how he got into the tequila business stretches back over decades and hundreds of miles.

The Singh family emigrated from Fiji in the early eighties, and Subir’s father, Ajendra “AJ” Singh, found himself living in Los Angeles with $1500 to his name. As Subir tells it, after working his

Mico is Spanish for monkey. Mico tequila comes in three varieties: blanco, reposado and añejo

way up as a CPA, AJ was approached by Martin Crowley, the co-founder of Patron Tequila, and was asked to help bring production of Patron’s tequila in-house. AJ moved to Guadalajara, became an executive in the growing Patron empire, and put it on the path to becoming the king of modern upscale tequilas. At the same time, the Singh family became close with the Nuñez family, who have been in the tequila business for more than 80 years.

AJ left Patron in 2008 and began working on his own tequila brand in 2009 with the help of Juan Nuñez. Over the next six years those efforts would turn into Mico Spirits, which was established in 2015. By that time, Subir had seen success as a sales representative in the liquor industry, working for Patron and Remy Cointreau, and he was also working with his dad’s company, though he wouldn’t quit his job and join Mico full-time until

2018.

“It was a shock to a lot of people, because I had a great gig,” Singh says.

“There’s a lot of tequilas out there, so it’s not like this was a slam dunk!”

So what distinguishes Mico tequila from the rest of the pack? Most importantly, it’s the tequila itself. “[The Nuñez family] and AJ worked together to produce the formula, and they harvest the agave from local farmers they have relationships with,” Sing says, “but the third component is Karina.

Karina Rojo is our master distiller, and she’s one of very few female master distillers in Jalisco. She and AJ are very close, and they work together to produce tequila that really reflects the highlands and is authentic.”

Although the tequila is authentic, (Continued on page 20) PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020 19

FOOD

(Continued from page 19)

that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for some experimentation in Mico’s take on the three tequila varieties: blanco (“white”), which is typically not aged, reposado (“restful”), aged at least 60 days, and añejo (“aged”), which has been aging for at least a year.

“When you get into our reposados and our añejos, typically when you age tequilas, you use American oak,” Singh says. “What we did was, we’re aging first in American oak, that’s whiskey casks and bourbon casks, and then as an experiment, we’re like, let’s finish these off in cabernet casks… I don’t know if there are any tequilas out there that are finished off in cabernet casks like we are.”

In the spirits business, however, an interesting idea can easily be overtaken by an interesting marketing campaign.

Ryan Reynolds became a stakeholder in Aviation Gin in 2018 and helped sell the company for upwards of $600 million this year. George Clooney’s Casamigos brand sold for a cool billion two years ago.

Mico’s reposado and añajo tequila is first aged in American oak casks, then finished off in cabernet casks

“The celebrity thing is super cool,” Singh says, “but I don’t think it would be a great fit for us. People have stories and ours is just a natural story, and it’s something that’s real. But I think there are definitely consumers looking for brands… with real stories that resonate with them.”

Of course, some cool packaging

Together, Let’s Save Save Energy. Save Water. Repeat.

As the weather heats up, and you’re staying safe at home, we have lots of ways to help you stay cool and save on your electricity and water costs. ladwp.com/save.

Save Generous rebates and instant savings on smart thermostats, advanced power strips, window A/C’s and more!

Set thermostat at 78°.

Close blinds or curtains.

Run major appliances at night.

Save Free showerheads and faucet aerators, and cash back on water-saving devices and appliances.

Take 5 minute showers.

Run full loads of laundry.

Check and fix leaks.

Need help paying your bill?

Visit LADWP.com/financialassistance or call 1-800-DIAL-DWP.

20 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

couldn’t hurt. For those interested, Mico’s Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo tequilas come in suave inverted-teardrop bottles, with a well-dressed monkey man on the front (mico is Spanish for monkey). The back of the bottle even has some hometown love: Imported by way of Playa Vista, California.

FEATURED PROPERTIES

NEW LISTING | CAMDEN 12534 FIELDING CIRCLE #1 | $1,525,000 NEWLY UPGRADED | PLAYAVISTACAMDEN.COM

13031 VILLOSA PLACE #105 | SERENADE CO-LISTED W/ VANESSA DUNLAP | $1,095,000 DRE #02086028 | SERENADE105.COM

13073 BLUFF CREEK DRIVE | ICON JUST SOLD! SOLD ! | $2,400,000 PLAYAVISTAICON.COM

OVER 20 YEARS COMBINED IN PLAYA VISTA. WE’VE PARTNERED TO OFFER YOU MORE.

KOFI NARTEY, MBA

Playa Vista Resident, Broker 310.849.5634 kofi@societybrokers.com DRE# 01404511

DENNIS HSII, MBA

CONTACT US FOR THE MOST EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND REACH IN PLAYA VISTA.

Playa Vista Resident, Broker 424.248.9510 dennis@highlandpremiere.com DRE# 01919746

©2020 Highland Premiere and Society. All rights reserved. DRE License #01967160/#02014153. All material presented here in is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omission, changes or withdrawal without notice. If your property is currently listed with another real estate broker, this is not intended as a solicitation.

H E A LT H

Founder of studio (mdr), Lisa Hirsch-Solomon owns four fitness studios on the Westside

22 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

H E A LT H

LISA HIRSCH-SOLOMON STAYS POSITIVE DESPITE ROLLING CHANGES Owner of studio (mdr) credits her strong community for helping her through tough times STORY BY SHANEE EDWARDS | PHOTOS COURTESY OF LISA HIRSCH-SOLOMON

O

riginally from Rockland County, New York, Lisa Hirsch-Solomon planned to become a doctor when she attended Tulane University in New Orleans.

She had a few classes to go before taking the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and was sitting on a beach at Fire Island when a young woman struck up a life-changing conversation that led to Hirsch-Solomon taking a job with RCA Records. “I interviewed on Tuesday and started on Thursday,” she said, thus beginning a long career in the music industry, hopping around to many different record labels. She ended her music career with Sirius Satellite Radio, where she was in the talent department and then moved to Los Angeles where she booked talent for the “Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”

But working in the music industry, and then in Hollywood, can be a grind. “I felt like I was working eight days a week, 27-hours a day for someone else,” so Hirsch-Solomon says she turned to exercise for stress relief, starting each morning at 5 a.m. with a workout.

At this point in her career, she knew she wanted to make a change and possibly get out of entertainment.

Then she discovered the Legree exercise method and something clicked.

The Legree method is based on slow, controlled body movements to help work multiple muscle groups at once, using tension to strengthen and tone the body.

“I fell in love with it. It changed

studio (mdr) at Runway is currently offering virtual fitness classes until fitness facilities open up again

my body. It leaned and lengthened me. … I asked my favorite teacher how to open a Legree studio and he introduced me to Sebastian Legree [founder of the Legree method]. One thing led to another and I figured why not jump in? The worst I can do is fail,” says Hirsch-Solomon.

A year later, she opened her first studio in Marina del Rey on Washington Boulevard near the beach. “We opened up with full classes on the first day, which I was shocked about. And I haven’t looked back since,” she says.

Hirsch-Solomon now has four studios, adding Playa Vista, and two

in Culver City to the list.

Then COVID-19 happened, a nightmare for all small business owners. “On March 15, I had to close all four studios and furlough about 50 employees, which was probably the hardest thing to do,” says HirschSolomon. “It was heartbreaking, but we quickly pivoted and started some online classes which I hadn’t done before.” She says they went from a total of 350 classes a week to 28 virtual classes. But the online teachers loved the new format and it helped keep her (Continued on page 24) PLAYA PLAYAVISTA VISTADIRECT DIRECT ||OCTOBER OCTOBER--NOVEMBER NOVEMBER2020 2020 23 23

H E A LT H

(Continued from page 23)

clients working out.

The studios reopened briefly with new safety protocols in June but were then shut down again in a matter of weeks. The online classes are still going strong and Hirsch-Solomon says they will continue even after they reopen because “they allow people who are out of state or just not ready to come back in person to stay in touch.”

Online classes include Virtual Booty Band Class, Virtual A** N’ Abs Class and Virtual Flashback Friday Total Body Class.

Hirsch-Solomon admits adapting to the coronavirus has been a difficult road but says, “No good is going to come of not being positive.” She says knowing how strong her community is helps, too. Sometimes, she even goes to one of her empty studios alone to reconnect with her positive attitude.

“If I can go and just sit there, that keeps me going.”

Hirsch-Solomon’s fitness classes are inspired by the Sebastian Legree Method that focuses on slow, controlled body movements that work multiple muscle groups at once

PLAYA WEST AUTOMOTIVE Modern repair facility with latest computer diagnostic equipment • Customer oriented, expert technicians, dependable and reliable • Integrity and honesty as well as mechanical know-how • We know the issues in today's complex world of automotive repairs • Your family neighborhood auto repair shop since 1962!

Owned/operated by ASE Certified Master Technician Andy Marozik • Finding a Good Mechanic is like Finding a Good Doctor! “There are no problems, only solutions” Classic car repair and restoration experts | Classic car STORAGE

ALL MAKES AND MODELS Highly trained ASE certified technicians

We can smog any vehicle including diesels: Star Certified Smog Check Center for testing and mechanical repairs

VOTED FIRST PL ACE

“BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP”

2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2018 • 2019 • SEVEN YEARS! Argonaut newspaper’s Best of the Westside and “Best Auto Shop” Hometown News NINE YEARS in a row CHECK OUT OUR FUN CAR FACTS

http://playawestautomotive.com/fun-car-facts/ CHECK OUT OUR INFORMATIVE CAR TIPS

http://playawestautomotive.com/car-tips/

8145 West Manchester • Playa del Rey • (310) 822-9115

www.playawestautomotive.com 24 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

From the coast to the hills, helping you find your place in the world.

RECENTLY LISTED PROPERTIES

L ADER A H EI GH TS

PALOS VERDES ESTATES

5636 South Garth Avenue

2828 Via Neve

6 Bed | 6 Bath | $2,099,000

5 Bed | 5.5 Bath | $5,675,000

In Escrow — Over $5 Million in New Construction Address

Bed

Bath

735 Daniel Freeman Circle, Inglewood

3

3.5

767 Sienna Way, Inglewood

4

4.5

19106 Malabar, Santa Clarita

4

3.5

728 Grace Avenue, Inglewood

3

3.5

727 Daniel Freeman Circle, Inglewood

3

3.5

Kelly Myers

Compass Santa Monica 626.676.5778 DRE 01492040

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

PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020 25

PEOPLE Founder of Urbanic Paper, Audrey Woolen had an ‘Aha’ moment in 2005 when she decided to open a paper boutique

26 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

PEOPLE

URBANIC PAPER BOUTIQUE IS COMING TO FREE MARKET AT RUNWAY Naysayers said a niche stationary store wouldn’t work. Audrey Woolen proved them wrong

BY SHANEE EDWARDS | PHOTOS COURTESY OF URBANIC PAPER BOUTIQUE

I

f you’ve been to Runway in recent months, you’re probably aware that Free Market, a modern retail collective of high end permanent and pop-up tenants, is set for a soft opening this October. And, if you’re a fan of Urbanic Paper Boutique on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, you’ll be thrilled to discover that the unique stationary store will be setting up shop inside Free Market’s 21,000-squarefoot space alongside Alchemy Works, County Line Florals and Mexican eatery Loqui, just to name a few.

Founder of Urbanic Paper Boutique, Audrey Woolen, can’t wait to come to the tightknit community of Playa Vista. Originally from Philadelphia, Woolen began her career in the fashion industry. But after a while, she wanted something in her life that felt more meaningful. “I’ve always loved stationary and desk accessories, gift wrapping – all the little details that make someone’s day when they get something special in the mail. I had an aha moment in 2005 that I wanted to open a paper boutique. I was living in Venice Beach at the time and took a leap of faith in this idea,” she says.

Surprisingly, Woolen was met with resistance when she told the people around her about her business idea.

“People at the time told me – literally so many people told me – that it would never, ever work. At that time there was only bigger box stationary like Papyrus and I think Crane. The concept of what I’m doing now has since then spread

Audrey Woolen at her Urbanic Paper Boutique in Venice where she lives nearby

out, there are others; it was definitely a new idea for something this niche to be there,” she says.

Abbot Kinney was gaining in popularity at that time and Woolen was eager to take advantage of that upswing. While freelancing in the fashion industry, “I was designing stationary out of a rented garage in Venice and selling it at Farmers Markets and we had an excellent response to it. It was not a dying art – opposite. People wanted more of it and to have acces-

sibility to it,” she says.

Woolen’s secret to success was not relying on just American designers, she also looked to Europe, Japan and Korea. “There were so many amazing lines [of stationary] that weren’t represented in these more chain stationary gift shops. I really wanted to put together something that was special and had an interactive experience to it,” says Woolen.

(Continued on page 28) PLAYA PLAYAVISTA VISTADIRECT DIRECT ||OCTOBER OCTOBER--NOVEMBER NOVEMBER2020 2020 27 27

PEOPLE

(Continued from page 27)

In addition to a retail shop with carefully selected merchandise, she sees Urbanic Paper Boutique as “a lifestyle establishment because we love doing events, workshops and super interactive and experimental things to bring people together. Because the nature of our business has so much to do with creativity and thoughtfulness, it’s very easy for us to translate that into different events that are based on giftwrapping or hand-lettering or different elements of hosting,” she says.

Woolen is confident her business will survive the pandemic, because it’s made it through rough times before.

“In 2009 or 2010,” says Woolen, “we had the economy collapse. I did not know how we were going to get through that time. But we did. This time, as scary as it is, is exciting because I love a good push. When things get agitated, new opportunities and creativity start to bloom.”

Stylish and creative, Woolen started her career in the fashion industry before experimenting with stationary

BEST ISSUE OF THE YEAR!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this once-a-year advertising opportunity!

The Argonaut will be publishing our annual Best of The Westside edition on October 22, 2020.

Reach 20,000 readers in print and 10,000 digital readers!

Closing October 12th.

TO RESERVE SPACE CALL: 310-463-0633 28 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

Advertise to an Exclusive Consumer Audience BER 2020

D I R E C T

Since 1993 you have needed a special Trust to secure your entitlement to long term care insurance under Medi-Cal. Age, health and wealth are not obstacles.

• Medi-Cal Planning • estate Planning A TEQUILA FOR OUR TIME

Owners of Mico Tequ Singh, bring exper ila, Subir and AJ to their distinctiveience and innovation tequila brand PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID Pasadena, CA Permit #422

Dec/Jan Ad Space deadline Wednesday, Dec. 2 Publishes Dec. 10

OCTOB ER - NOVEM

*****ECRWSSEDDM***** POSTAL CUSTOMER

Playa Vista Direct is the best way to reach people who live and work in Playa Vista.

Our reach, shelf life and targeted circulation are exceptional — just like our readers.

No one in California should lose their home or go bankrupt because of long term care.

FREE CONSULTATION JOSEPH C. GIRARD ATTORNEY AT LAW

(310) 823-3943 For more information, please call 310.574.7655

www.LAElderLaw.com

Zoom into Shabbat with Lev LEV EISHA SERVICES LIVE VIA ZOOM! Saturday, October 3 at 10:00am Saturday, November 7 at 10:00am Join Lev Eisha for interactive, inspiring, and virtual Shabbat services with Rabbi Toba August and cantorial soloist Cindy Paley.

We can’t wait to “see” you there! All are welcome.

To participate, please visit www.leveisha.org.

PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020 29

PET ADOPTION

Adoptable Pets

FROM ANNENBERG PETSPACE The coolest buddies in Playa Vista are waiting for their new forever homes

TIFFANY

HAN

I’m quite the cool cat with a beautiful coat. I’m ready to head to your home for snuggles. Let’s get together!

Hey there, I’m Han! I’m a young boy looking for a loving home.

I’m quite social and I know you’ll fall in love with me right away. I’ve got a lot to learn and hopefully we can take some classes together and become the best team ever!

Tips from the Trainer

we return to work after working from home for months.

It’s important to prepare them now before you return to your normal routine. Start with brief outings, like a quick walk or errand, while your pet stays home with treats or interactive toys.

Start with short time durations,

By Katie McGuire, CPDT-KA Many are concerned about how our pets will adjust when

CHADWICK

Hello, my name is Chadwick.

I’m an older gent, but I’ve got good manners and would like to make a new friend or two. Give me a good scratch behind my ears and I’ll be all yours.

then gradually increase the duration of outings. This is the first of many tips to help set your pup up for success.

Next trainer tip – we will address how to make the best (and most calm) entrance and exit for your pet.

To learn more about pet adoption, or to see other available pets, visit annenbergpetspace.org 30 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020

Catherine Jonas, CMC, LMFT PRINCIPAL

Geriatric Care Management & Counseling Services We Specialize in: • Helping People Stay in their Own Home as they Age • In-Home Safety Assessments & Recommendations • Managing In-Home Caregivers & Assisted Living Options • Advocating for Health Care Needs and End of Life Wishes • Family Counseling & Mediation • Mild Cognitive Impairment & All Forms of Dementia catherine@cjcareconsulting.com www.cjcareconsulting.com (310) 413-1277

Meet your new best friend!

Annenberg PetSpace is offering pet adoptions while practicing social distancing. Speak with an Adoption Specialist to begin the process now.

Schedule an appointment today! annenbergpetspace.org PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020 31

Trust Your Eyes to Assil Eye Institute

Please see what we are doing to comply with CDC recommendations to keep our facilities clean and safe for our staff and patients at www.assileye.com Our world-class LASIK, cataract, & retinal surgeons provide compassionate care, and cutting edge procedures in ophthalmology, including these conditions:

ABOUT DR. AVNEET K. SODHI GAUR

Dr. John May, Dr. Avneet K. Sodhi Gaur, Dr. Kerry Assil, Dr. Lindsay Harris

ABOUT THE ASSIL EYE INSTITUTE • The Assil Eye Institute is nationally recognized for its compassionate patient-centric care, its commitment to pioneering advances in ophthalmology and its dedication to supporting the health and well-being of not just its patients, but also of their community.

• Dr. Assil’s life-long commitment to advancing the field of ophthalmology is evident in his body of work developing new surgical techniques and advances in laser surgery.

• Dr. Assil lectures internationally and has taught state-of-the art surgical skills to well over 10,000 thousand ophthalmologists worldwide.

• The Assil Eye Institute has participated in dozens of FDA clinical trials, either as lead investigator or as a member of a multi-center team, testing new ophthalmological devices and surgical techniques.

• Local resident of Playa Vista with her husband and two boys • She is the Director of Glaucoma at Assil Eye Institute and a Board Certified, Fellowship trained Cataract, LASIK, and Glaucoma Specialist, with training and experience developed at nationally renowned ophthalmic institutions • She has performed thousands of surgeries including EAGLE vision LASIK, PRK, ICL as well as Laser-Assisted Cataract surgery.

• She has extensive experience in glaucoma surgical procedures as well as the latest advancements such as iStent, iStent inject, Hydrus, endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP), OMNI 360 , Xen gel stent • Voted Top Doctor 2020 in LA Magazine and was named 2019 Power Player in Angeleno

assileye.com 450 N. Roxbury Dr., 3rd Floor | Beverly Hills, CA | 90210 | 310-651-2300 2222 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 107 | Santa Monica, CA | 90404 | 310-382-5050

@avneetsodhigaurmd @assileye

32 PLAYA VISTA DIRECT | OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2020