Ventura Blvd | Nov/Dec 2023 by Moon Tide Media

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

THE SAUCE

818 ON TOUR

Driving tour of the Valley? Yep, and now it’s

WOODLAND HILLS CHIC...REALLY

part of an exhibit at the Hammer Museum.

The new eatery Casaléna puts the West Valley on the map as a dining destination.

34 NOUVEAU NEUTRA

A married pair of architects focuses their

STAGECRAFT CHEF

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AND THEN SOME...

GROWING WILD

A step-by-step guide for planting a wildflower garden during rainy season.

12 SEASON’S PAIRINGS

Riffing off gourmet dishes to create

MONDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

inspiring holiday fashion ensembles.

Revisiting a celebrity-fueled weekly event

REAL ESTATE Spectacular local listings.

at Skataway in the 1980s.

LAST WORD As his orange trees bear fruit, a writer reconsiders the notion of unpredictability.

24 IMPLORING HER GENERATION

Oakwood School alum and TEDx speaker

ELECTRIC COMPANY

Emma Blankstein on the importance of

SoCal-based Rivian recharges in an effort

Holocaust education.

to take over the Tesla market.

ABOVE IT ALL

SPANISH PILGRIMAGE

A performance at The Soraya is inspired by

Walking the famed Camino de Santiago

the Northridge earthquake of 30 years ago.

in northern Spain.

COVER Photographed by Shane O’Donnell; styled by Tanya Monaghan

6 |

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E D I TO R’S L E T T E R

When this issue lands in your mailbox, I’ll be headed down to my

think it would be a better idea to use paper plates for Thanksgiving!”

parents’ house in La Jolla for Thanksgiving. When we celebrate the

You should have seen my brother-in-law’s eyes bug out.

holiday there, it always entails juggling expectations and different

Despite all the pre-dinner jousting, getting together at my par-

schools of thought. It boils down to this: Mom is Betty Crocker,

ents’ house is always a good time. Now more than ever, I appreci-

my sister is Ina Garten, and I’m more Samin Nosrat. My sister

ate these full-family gatherings. Our two 20-something boys will

and I prepare the meal striving to be James Beard winners; my

probably marry someday, and they’ll have to split time with their

mom does the meal in her signature unfussy way. To my mother,

spouses’ families, as we did. They might move away to another

Thanksgiving dinner would not be complete without a red blob

state, as we did. (I remember my sweet mother-in-law bursting

that she literally drops in a dish and calls “cranberry sauce.” That

into tears when we told her we were moving from the East to the

canned concoction has never landed on my table for any meal.

West Coast and me naively exclaiming, “This is so exciting! Why

Another example: I cook the stuffing inside the bird (yes, I make

are you crying?”) Plus we are all getting older. It’s life.

sure it reaches 165°) with fresh herbs from my garden, and she

I pondered all of this on a recent walk in New York City. My hus-

puts it in long Pyrex dishes. “The (boxed) chicken broth will do the

band and I were passing a beautiful temple on Fifth Avenue on the

flavoring!” My husband likes variations on stuffing with additions

Upper East Side. They’d brought in big boulders to line the sidewalk

like mushrooms and oysters; my mom will only combine the bread

out front, essentially creating a barricade to try to protect against

cubes with Jimmy Dean sausage and onion.

violence. Seeing this and thinking about the situation in the Middle

Dessert? My sister likes beautiful, bakery-prepared pies that you

East is heart-wrenching. Man’s inhumanity to man. So I understand

have to pre-order and pick up a day early; Mom favors the store-

why some might be reluctant to feel festive this holiday season.

bought variety. When I offer to make our grandmother’s beloved

Elaborate gifting and decadent vacations might feel unseemly. I

Granny Smith pie recipe, my mom quips, “Why would you do that

won’t try to talk anyone out of that reluctance this year. I’ll just

when you can get a fantastic apple pie from Costco?” My brother-in

share that I’m going to be grateful for the small things in life. You

law—well, let’s just say he likes everything fancy. One year as my

know what they are. They’re the only things that last.

mom was getting out her china, she casually mused, “Sometimes I

Follow me on Instagram @she_sez

10 |

Linda Grasso, Editor-in-Chief

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER 2023 MID-AIR AFTERSHOCKS Commemorating the Northridge quake with daring dance moves. More on page 28.

season’s pairings WE CAPTURE THE SEASON’S MOST FESTIVE FASHIONS WITH A RIFF ON ENTICING, RICHLY HUED FARE FOR YOUR HOLIDAY FEASTS. Photographed by Shane O’Donnell | Food styled by Kara Mickelson | Fashion styled by Tanya Monaghan Hair by Dionah Austgen | Makeup by Beth Follert

12 |

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Black velvet strapless midi dress by Self-Portrait, $540; FWRD.com. Faux pearl bag by AQUA, $46; bloomingdales. com. South Sea pearl studs, $1,825; pearl strand necklace, $1,450; 18k pearl strand, $2,795; 28” pearl strand, $3,350; 18k gold diamond flat Cuban link bracelet, $18,950; double strand pearl bracelet with diamonds, $2,890; 18k white gold wide lattice diamond bracelet, $32,850; South Sea spiral ring with diamonds, $3,550; South Sea pearl ring, $3,680; all available at morgansjewelers.com. Right page All fine jewelry courtesy of morgansjewelers.com.

OYSTERS WITH MIGNONETTE SAUCE Recipe courtesy Walter Nunez Makes 2½ cups 1 cup plus 1¼ teaspoons sake piece konbu (2–3 inches in length) 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar ½ teaspoon salt 1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled and finely diced freshly cracked black pepper In a saucepan over medium heat, reduce sake by half. Add konbu; remove from heat and let mixture cool. Add rice wine vinegar and salt. Let sauce rest for 2 hours at room temperature. Prior to serving, add apples, pepper and more salt, to taste. Serve with fresh oysters.

14 |

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CHERRY LIME PISCO SOUR Makes 1 cocktail 2 ounces 100% cherry juice

Add all ingredients into a shaker. Shake

In a small saucepan over medium heat,

2 ounces pisco sour

vigorously for two minutes. Pour into a

combine the sugar, lime and cherry juices

2 ounces fresh-squeezed lime juice

glass. Add bitters and a couple drops of

and bring to a low boil. Reduce to a simmer

1½ tablespoons pasteurized liquid

Cherry Lime Simple Syrup. Enjoy.

and cook until sugar is dissolved, about

100% egg whites

4 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool and

½ ounce Cherry Lime Simple Syrup

Cherry Lime Simple Syrup

store in refrigerator. Can be made a week

cherry bitters

1/3 cup granulated sugar

in advance.

juice of one lime

RECIPE BY KARA MICKELSON

1/3 cup cherry juice

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| 17

Ray dress in gold by Sabina Musayev, $490; revolve.com. Black onyx and diamond deco ring, $8,850; 18k gold black onyx and diamond ring, $5,650; 18k gold diamond and onyx domed ring, $6,850; 18k white and gold diamond enamel domed bracelets, $6,500 each; all available at morgansjewelers.com. 14k gold diamond hoops, $19,000; hamiltonbutlerjewels.com. Right page Osetra caviar provided by greatamericanseafoodmarket.com

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Sequined gown by Mac Duggal, $498; macduggal.com. 18k aquamarine heart pendant, $5,965; 18k pink tourmaline earrings, $13,125; (2) 18k aquamarine and diamond rings, from $8,400; 18k aquamarine and sapphire ring, $5,880; hamiltonbutlerjewels.com. 18k rose gold ring with tanzanite, emerald and diamonds, $8,350; 18k gold cuff with tourmaline and diamonds, $16,850; morgansjewelers.com. Right page: Fine jewelry courtesy of hamiltonbutlerjewels.com; macarons by bottegalouie.com

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| 23

Imploring Her Generation FORMER OAKWOOD SCHOOL STUDENT EMMA BLANKSTEIN STEPS INTO THE SPOTLIGHT WITH A TEDX TALK ON GENOCIDE AWARENESS. Written by Lauren Horowitz | Photographed by Shane O’Donnell

It is crystal clear that Emma Blankstein is going places.

“At that point I was doing all of this activism and so-

Excelling as a student at Oakwood School in both aca-

cial justice work that I was really interested in person-

demics and extracurricular activities, she was chosen

ally and just following my passion for that. It was cool

in 2022 as one of Ventura Blvd’s Faces of the Future.

to realize that other people found interest in that too,

The annual article, which features extraordinary Valley

and thought that that work was worth paying attention

students, highlighted a trifecta of advocacy issues she

to, which fueled me further.”

championed: holocaust and genocide education, climate justice and menstrual equity.

24 |

Emma, who is now a sophomore at Brown University, says there was never a time during her Jewish

upbringing that she didn’t know of the Holocaust. In

in absolute awe of her as she spoke. She was such an

elementary school she found it strange that many of her

incredible storyteller.”

fellow classmates were oblivious to it. Her belief that

In high school, Emma was called to action after

genocide education was important was cemented at 12

realizing that a lack of awareness about the Holocaust

years old after she heard Holocaust survivor Dorothy

was prevalent not only among classmates, but her

Greenstein speak at her synagogue, Temple Israel of

entire generation. Emma worked with the Los Angeles

Hollywood, during Yom Hashoah, the international

Holocaust Museum to create six documentary-style

Holocaust Remembrance Day. Dorothy was the daugh-

videos to capture the testimony of survivors, includ-

ter of a rabbi and lived near Warsaw. After the war

ing Dorothy Greenstein. She noticed a common thread:

started, she was forced along with her family to live in

All of them wanted their stories to help prevent future

a ghetto. As conditions worsened, the family was forced

generations from facing the injustice they had expe-

to split up, and Dorothy—alone at age 11—fled to the

rienced. Her dedication to preserving and sharing the

countryside. She survived by begging for food and shel-

stories of past generations echoes the George Santayana

ter. Eventually a sympathetic Christian helped Dorothy

proverb: “Those who cannot remember the past are

steal the identity of a deceased Christian child and obtain

condemned to repeat it.”

a birth certificate. She used that to get work as a maid

Having written several pieces about her advocacy

until she was old enough to join the Polish uprising.

work, Emma applied to do a talk at TEDx PSU, a student

Emma forged a friendship with Dorothy and met with her every week for years to listen to her stories. “That was an incredibly formative experience that continues to shape who I am today. I remember being

organized conference at Penn State University. From a pool of applicants, she was chosen to deliver her speech in February. Poised and prepared, her steady gaze toward the crowd,

| 25

Emma in front of the Children’s Memorial at Holocaust Museum LA. The memorial commemorates the youngest victims of the Holocaust.

Emma launched into her talk with staggering statistics.

East, it will not be. The need for retelling of survivors’

“I am a member of Gen Z. And people seem abso-

stories continues, as does the urgent need for genocide

lutely baffled by us: ‘Why does Gen Z not want to work? Why does Gen Z complain so much? Why does Gen Z hate skinny jeans?’

Since Emma’s speech was published on the official TEDx YouTube channel it has already racked up 25,000

“I ask a different question: Why does 63% percent of

views. “It was a wild and surreal experience. I feel like

my generation and millennials not know that 6 million

I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. The process

Jewish people were murdered in the Holocaust?

of writing was wild. It literally just came to me. I wrote

“Why do 11% believe that Jews caused the Holocaust? Why do 10% not believe or doubt that the Holocaust happened?

the whole thing in an afternoon.” Emma’s activist streak seems bound to continue. She is studying environmental science, history, and ethnic

“Crimes against humanity that are focused on the

studies with an interest in the intersection between

past sometimes get pushed to the back burner, but I

climate change and genocide. She founded the Last

think bringing them to the forefront is important, now

Generation Coalition, a youth-led nonprofit (with 501c3

more than ever. Despite the refrain of ‘never again’

tax-exempt status) that spreads genocide awareness

after the Holocaust, we are once again confronted with

and provides educational resources. Through that effort,

murderous atrocities and a growing tide of anti-Semi-

Emma hopes to get genocide education curriculums

tism around the globe. My TEDx talk was built around

passed in state legislatures. Although she hasn’t yet de-

the hope that my generation would be the last to know

termined her exact career path, one thing seems certain:

people who survived genocide and the hate that fueled

We’ll be hearing the name Emma Blankstein again. ■

it. Tragically, with what is happening in the Middle

26 |

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Above It All HELMED BY ENCINO LOCAL JACQUES HEIM, THE DANCE COMPANY DIAVOLO CREATES A PERFORMANCE AT THE SORAYA TO COMMEMORATE THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORTHRIDGE EARTHQUAKE. Written by Diane Haithman

wall by beginning each performance with an impromp-

performing arts company’s new piece Existencia is

tu move: reaching out to audience members to take the

inspired by the 1994 Northridge earthquake and will be

mic and describe their own encounters with disaster,

performed at The Soraya—right at the epicenter of that

including the 1994 quake. Jacques says the company is

quake—30 years after the fateful event.

increasing its commitment to community issues; during

But it’s not about an earthquake. That is, it’s not

the last seven years, Diavolo has worked with veterans

about buildings, bridges and freeways falling apart—

on what he calls restoration. “We restore the physi-

it’s about people coming together.

cal, mental and emotional strength.” That work has

Jacques, whose company performs often at the

resulted in Diavolo’s Veterans Project, incorporating

Northridge performing arts center, was asked by the

workshops and performances around the country.

theater’s creative leadership to create a piece com-

Jacques graduated from CalArts and launched his first

memorating the anniversary of the January 17, 1994,

dance studio on Parthenia Street in Northridge in 1992,

earthquake. He chose to create a dance performance

little knowing that the peaceful area would soon be the

that focuses on the way resilient communities rebuild

epicenter of a 6.7 quake. Although it took 30 years to

after disasters, whether caused by war, climate change

revisit the quake in movement, the experience has in a

or natural catastrophe. “We read this book by Rebecca

sense shaped Diavolo since it happened.

Solnits called A Paradise in Hell. She visited different

“I was living in Hollywood in an apartment complex,

communities and gathered that communities facing

and I didn’t know my neighbors at all. Suddenly we

disaster actually have a sense of joy, because it is the

were sharing food and blankets and water and taking

first time strangers help strangers,” he says.

care of one another. I said to myself, this is fantastic,

Jacques, a Frenchman who lives in Encino, talked animatedly about Existencia over soft-boiled eggs at one of his favorite haunts, Encino’s Le Pain Quotidien, which

that is amazing,” he shares. “I realized that is what I want to re-create with my dance company.” Is Diavolo’s work risky? You bet. “Diavolo is danger-

he visits for authentic croissants. He prefers describ-

ous. People ask why is your work dangerous; is it just

ing his work as movement rather than dance, and says

because you want to have a wow factor? The answer is,

he is more inspired by the work of architects than other

not at all,” Heim explains. “When you put a human in a

choreographers. Diavolo is noted for building aston-

state of danger, in a state of survival, they come closer

ishing structures into its sets, enabling dancers to be

together, stronger, like a tight community. That is the

suspended mid-air, and Existencia is no exception. The

mission of Diavolo. When you push humans beyond

performance will include collapsing towers, skateboard

their own physical, mental and emotional limits, they

ramps and even some aerial choreography by Amelia

can discover who they are.” ■

Rudolph, founder of Bandaloop, a dance company known for vertical performances on buildings, cliffs and walls.

28 |

Diavolo will also smash theater’s traditional fourth

Architecture in Motion wants you to know that the

Existencia, January 17 and 19, The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIE SHELTON, GEORGE SIMIAN AND MELISSA TAYLOR

Jacques Heim, founder and artistic director of Diavolo/

30 |

818 On Tour THE STORY OF HOW VINCENT ENRIQUE HERNANDEZ’S VALLEY TOURS IN AN OLD VOLVO STATION WAGON WOUND UP AS PART OF AN EXHIBITION AT THE HAMMER MUSEUM. Written by Diane Haithman | Photographed by Jeffrey Fiterman

Artist Vincent Enrique Hernandez, a proud native of Van

performance art out of taking visitors on a Valley tour

Nuys, admits he’s better at explaining San Fernando

in his 36-year-old Volvo, pointing out the history,

Valley culture by focusing on what it is not rather than

landmarks and secrets of a famously misunderstood

what it is.

area. Now his tour and his unique postcard art are part

“It’s not what people say it is,” Vincent contends. “People are always talking smack about the Valley: ‘It’s

of the biennial Made in L.A. 2023: Acts of Living exhibition at the Hammer Museum at UCLA.

a cultural wasteland.’” Understanding the Valley, he

Vincent’s contribution to Made in L.A. 2023, which is

says, is “about recognizing what has been said about

free to the public, includes a Valley Tours promotional

it and then picking it apart and utilizing it and going

poster and Vincent’s 2019 map of local highlights,

against it at the same time.” The Valley, according to

surrounded by his self-published picture postcards of

Vincent, embodies all the clichés of suburbia, but with a

Valley landmarks. Visitors who want the full experience

self-awareness that defies its media image.

can enter a lottery to win one of Vincent’s multi-hour

“It’s suburbia, but it’s suburbia turned on its head.”

weekend tours.

Vincent, a 25-year-old CalArts grad, makes a mis-

Made in L.A. 2023 is the sixth iteration of the bien-

sion of countering the stereotype of strip malls, tract

nial exhibition. It features 39 contemporary artists or

homes, clogged freeways and airheaded mall rats (you

artist collectives from the LA area and runs through

remember Moon Unit Zappa’s 1980s pop hit “Valley

December 31. The exhibition, curated by Pablo José

Girl”?) with a personal love letter to the 818. He creates

Ramírez and Diana Nawi, encompasses sculpture,

| 31

“IT’S SUBURBIA, BUT IT’S SUBURBIA TURNED ON ITS HEAD.”

assemblage, painting, drawing, ceramics, installation, and, of course, performance—as in Vincent’s tour. For Vincent, it’s about finding the beauty hidden in suburban sprawl. “Whether you’re in Hollywood or you’re in another part of town, you see the doubledecker red bus or the van with the roof chopped off and some guy with a headset yelling at a bunch of people,” he says. “I was like, OK, well, maybe there’s a different version of this.” Vincent’s version focuses on unsung sites and facts about the Valley. He points out Studio City’s Sushi Row (the highest concentration of sushi restaurants outside of Japan), and his favorite high school hangouts. He also includes better-known sites such as Judith Baca’s “Great Wall of Los Angeles” mural. Curator Ramírez says Vincent’s art reflects the exhibition’s title. “He works at the borders of art and life. It doesn’t matter if it’s art or not. What matters is that he’s doing something that makes sense for him and the community.” By the way, there’s another nod to the Valley in Made in L.A. 2023: Guatemalan American artist Jackie Amézquita’s “El Suelo que nos alimenta” (“The Soil That Feeds Us”), a work that comprises 144 earthy brown slabs, each one a 12-inch square depicting scenes from LA neighborhoods including the NoHo train station, a park in Northridge and Circus Liquor’s famous clown sign. The slabs are made in part of soil gathered from the neighborhoods they depict. ■ Made in L.A. 2023: Acts of Living, Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood

32 |

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Creating Exceptional Readiness for Extraordinary Futures

Our World Ready Promise to our TK through Twelfth Grade Students Visit viewpoint.org/visit to learn about ways you can visit us this fall.

| 33

34 |

nouveau neutra A DILAPIDATED MID-CENTURY CLASSIC IN THE HILLS OF SHERMAN OAKS WINDS UP IN THE RIGHT HANDS. Written by Linda Grasso | Photographed by Shane O’Donnell

| 35

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Most homes by renowned architect Richard Neutra have a moment in the spotlight—whether being mentioned in an article or featured in a coffee table book. But perched high on a hill in Sherman Oaks, down a private driveway, a modest Neutra home stood for more than a half century with hardly anyone taking notice. It was the home of TV writer Stephen Lord (Fantasy Island, CHiPS). In 1962 he commissioned Neutra to design the structure on a bluff overlooking the Valley. With a built-in bar and a corner office facing the view, the 2,600-square-foot house was originally designed as a bachelor pad. The structure featured Neutra’s design hallmarks: a geometry of glass, wooden beams, open interiors and seamless connection between the interior and outdoors. When Lord married and had three daughters, the structure was modified slightly, but for the most part, the architect’s original International Style design stayed intact for almost 60 years. Enter Erik Amir and Dora Chi. The couple moved to the Valley, along with their two young sons, from Hong Kong in 2021. The husband-and-wife architects, who run their own firm called Spatial Practice, had bought a hillside lot and were designing their dream home in Studio City while renting in Sherman Oaks. They weren’t loving the accommodations. “We kept looking at rentals and the terms were just ridiculous. I thought, why don’t we just buy a small place we can quickly fix up and live there until our home is complete?” Erik says. Their real estate agent suggested they see a Neutra that had come on the market. The agent warned them it wasn’t a quick fix-up; the house was in poor condition. A Neutra? The couple was intrigued and set up a walk-through, ultimately discovering the structure was in worse shape than they imagined. Lord died in 2012 and his widow in 2020. The one-level structure Husband-and-wife architects Dora Chi and Eric Amir retained such Neutra hallmarks as abundant glass, wooden beams and open interiors.

| 37

Original Neutra house plans gave Dora “the chills.” Whether viewed from the kitchen (above) or a bathroom (right), the connection between interior and exterior is evident.

38 |

suffered water damage during a 2019 rainstorm and had sat exposed to the elements for several years. “There was no electrical or water. It was uninhabitable,” Erik recalls. Yet the bones were there. So were the original plans. Gazing at the faded drawings today, spread on a table, Amir says, “Looking at these, just like when I first saw them—it gives me chills.” The couple couldn’t resist. They bought the property and embarked on what would ultimately be a 16-month renovation, carefully preserving key design elements like the terrazzo floor at the entry. “Most of what you see today with terrazzo is tiles. This floor is stones set in concrete, which you’ll see in a lot of Neutra homes,” says Dora, who is also a professor of architecture at USC. “We cleaned out any noise we saw. When we added, it had to be clean and simple,” adds Erik. Updated features like white oak floors and kitchen cabinets and contemporary double-paned Fleetwood windows were installed. The bathrooms were all redone with travertine tile. Water pipes were relocated from the ground to the roof. The decidedly feminine, bean-shaped pool was given a facelift and a guesthouse with a contemporary pavilion was added. The Lords’ baroque-style sculptures stayed put. Dora says that when it came to the interiors, they wanted to avoid all the “must-have” clichés. “To me, that is personal. We live in spaces. I thought, ‘What is the experience we as a family want to have here?’ It’s not about having a picture-perfect life like so often is presented on Instagram.” Blue, one of the couple’s favorite colors, is present in pops throughout the house. But for the most part, hues are a mix of natural taupes and grays. Strolling through the austere interiors, one gets the feeling that they didn’t want to detract from the brilliance of the design. “It is very cinematic,” says Erik. “Soft and warm. There is proportion and scale—and finesse. When you walk in the front door you can see the light from the reflection pool outside dancing on the ceiling. You don’t need a lot of stuff around when you have that.” ■

“IT IS VERY CINEMATIC. SOFT AND WARM. THERE IS PROPORTION AND SCALE—AND FINESSE.”

| 39

Growing Wild IF YOU ARE INTO BLOOMS, THERE’S NOTHING MORE INTOXICATING THAN WILDFLOWERS—AND NOW IS THE TIME TO PLANT. FROM BUYING TO SOWING SEEDS, HERE’S SOME EXPERT ADVICE.

With the rainy season currently underway, now is the time get started on a wildflower garden. It’s a simple three-step process: buy seeds, prepare the soil, and then wait for the right time to plant. Max Kanter of Saturate Landscaping suggests keeping your eye on the forecast. “The ideal time is totally dependent on the winter rains. Some years the rains come heavy in November and December. Other years the rains come in January and February. Technically one can sow the seeds anytime heavy rains are on the way.” Although Max adds that one should usually sow before March, giving wildflowers time to soak up the rain and establish their root systems for their warm-weather debuts.

40 |

SPRINGING FOR SEEDS theodorepayne.org The Sun Valley-based nonprofit sells seeds at the store and online. plant-material.com Shop at the store (three LA locations) or order online. ssseeds.com Great option if you are interested in large quantities.

GROWING TIPS • Sow the seeds before the first big winter season rain (storms that will generate at least 1 inch of rain).

• Make sure to use a little top layer of mulch to nurse and protect the seedlings and to lock in moisture. When it comes to mulch, walk-on bark is fine, but avoid shredded cedar.

• Don’t let the seeds dry out. Soak with water every other day for the first three weeks or so.

• Get the right flowers for your sunlight conditions. Some varieties, including California poppy, perennial flax, arroyo lupine, tidy tips and phacelia, like full sun. Others, like California yarrow, clarkia mix and Chinese houses, can tolerate partial shade.

• Time your blossoms by season. Spring flowers will have bloomed by June or so. Summer flowers will just be getting going in June and July. They can be planted in the same bed. Summer flowers include native sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and evening primrose (Oenothera elata).

• Don’t forget to collect seeds in the late spring for next year. Get brown paper lunch bags and deadhead the seed pods into the bag. Then shake the bag and seeds will fall out of the pods. Store in a cool, dark, dry place.

| 41

A RTS S P OT L I G H T

JAZZ AT NAZ FESTIVAL Swing into the rhythm of jazz at The Soraya.

hether you’re a hard-

poignant rhythms of Cuba; and Delfeayo

core jazz aficionado or

Marsalis featuring the sounds of New

simply looking for a fun

Orleans with the Uptown Jazz Orchestra.

night out, there’s music

“We’re bringing Mardi Gras flavor and

for everyone at The Soraya’s Jazz at

New Orleans funk,” says Marsalis. “Funk

Naz Festival. This year marks the third

is all about the groove. It makes you

annual festival at The Soraya, located on

want to get up and dance, and that’s the

the vibrant campus of California State

essential element to American music.”

University, Northridge, in the heart of Los

PHOTOGRAPHED BY PETER FRANK EDWARDS, PIPER FERGUSON, JAZZ FRANK, ALEX LOGAISKI, LUIS LUQUE, DEWEY NICKS, ZAC SMITH, THE SORAYA

Angeles’ San Fernando Valley.

Can’t make it to Southern California for the festivities? Jazz at Naz is available to

To launch the six-night festival on

everyone—no matter your location—via

January 27, 2024, trumpeter Herb Alpert

livestreaming, and recordings will be

and vocalist Lani Hall will celebrate their

available as well for attendees to view

50th wedding anniversary with an evening

post-concert (the Herb Alpert–Lani

that pairs her throwback vocal stylings

Hall concert will not be livestreamed).

with his signature brass. “It’s all about

Returning as hosts of the 13-camera

music for me,” says Alpert, who led the

digital stream are The Soraya’s Executive

Tijuana Brass band in the 1960s. “I’m 88

and Artistic Director Thor Steingraber and

years old now—though I don’t feel it—and

accomplished jazz musician and educa-

it’s all about how you feel. We’re just trying

tor Reggie Quinerly. The livestreams will

to make good music. When it gets you, it

feature exclusive backstage content and

gets you … and you can’t explain it.”

candid interviews with the artists.

Jazz at Naz features two settings: the

“Since The Soraya opened its doors in

Great Hall for big nights, and the Jazz

2011, many jazz greats have appeared

Club—set on The Soraya’s stage—to

here,” says Steingraber. “CSUN has

create an intimate experience complete

been for decades an important training

with dinner and drinks. The star-studded

ground for jazz musicians, and we can

festival includes Ranky Tanky’s funky vibe

safely say that Northridge is now an epi-

paired with Lisa Fischer’s versatile vocals

center for jazz in Southern California.”

for an evening of spirituals, standards and Southern jazz; Booker T. Jones with Hammond B-3 organ prodigy Matthew

THE SORAYA

Whitaker celebrating the 60th anniver-

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Onions; guitarist Eliades Ochoa and fiery

THESORAYA.ORG/JAZZ

pianist Harold López-Nussa offering the

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S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N | 43

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44 |

THE SAUCE

West Valley Dish A swanky new eatery is generating citywide buzz—and no, it’s not in Studio City. For more turn the page...

| 45

THE SAUCE

Woodland Hills Chic… Really FOR YEARS THE WESTERN STRETCH OF VENTURA BOULEVARD HAS BEEN A NO-MAN’S-LAND FOR A SATURDAY NIGHT OUT. CASALÉNA IN WOODLAND HILLS IS CHANGING THAT. Written by Linda Grasso

Some good friends we occasionally dine with have a

fixtures and indoor trees. And with 8,000 square feet of

rule: They won’t venture west on Ventura Boulevard

space that can seat 250 diners, it is also huge.

beyond Sepulveda. “We’re not going way out there!”

areas: the main dining room with its dramatic glass

of Sherman Oaks. I get it. Aside from two or three

A-frame ceiling; the adjoining atrium terrace; or the

eateries, that stretch is barren until you hit Calabasas.

open-air, plant-filled garden. Upstairs are a smaller

Nothing there combines excellent food and an appeal-

dining area, a balcony and a private events space.

ing vibe. The West Valley just doesn’t feel chic for a

Casaléna’s lighting is particularly appealing: low and

Saturday night out.

subtle, while still allowing for menu reading.

The new Woodland Hills eatery Casaléna seems to be

The space has a number of sleek, sexy bars. Even

changing that. First, for a Valley restaurant, it sets a

before you learn that Chloe—the eldest of the three sib-

new bar for ambience. When we walked in, my husband

lings who own and operate Casaléna—is 32, you sense

remarked, “Wow! This restaurant could be in New

a youthful force. This place was designed not just for

York!” Thirty years of dining in the Valley with this guy

food but nightlife. The bar is open until midnight on

and that’s a first.

weeknights and 2 a.m. on weekends.

The eatery and events space, which opened this past

Chloe envisions the property as an escape. “We

summer, aspires to have the “ambience of a coastal

want guests to feel as if they have been transported to

European retreat,” explains co-owner Chloe Makhani.

their favorite European destinations, whether they are

And indeed, it is jaw-droppingly pretty with thoughtful

choosing to enjoy an intimate dinner in the outdoor

architecture and well-appointed interiors that include

sunken garden patio or unwind with a late-night cock-

contemporary paintings and classic photographs (think

tail,” she says.

Slim Aarons), Italian ceramics, sophisticated light

46 |

On the first level, diners have their choice of three

they’ll exclaim when we suggest a restaurant west

The original building on the property was constructed

by the siblings’ father in 1982 and run as the fine-

started with a kale, avocado, white-bean salad and

dining French restaurant Lautrec. Several iterations

grilled sugar snap peas over a bed of tangy tomato con-

followed, with the latest being the farm-to-table eatery

fit dotted with marcona almonds. Next, a sweet-corn

Villa, which had to shut down in 2017 due to a kitchen

agnolotti pasta in brown butter—I loved the unexpected

fire. Then the pandemic hit. Around that time, Chloe

touch of crunchy corn sprinkled on top. Finally, the en-

and her brothers, Brandon and Tyler, decided to collab-

trees: a perfectly cooked piece of Chilean sea bass over a

orate on a restaurant—and the unsexiness of Woodland

crunchy bed of fennel orange salad, and a hanger steak

Hills didn’t seem to be a deterrent.

with chimichurri. (Diners can alternatively choose au

“The Casaléna property was an easy choice to be a

poivre or cherry bordelaise to spice up the meat.)

canvas of our vision. We were convinced that our family

While not expansive, the wine list is pleasing and

history and connection to this property, combined with

includes bottles and glasses of California varietals like

the demand expressed by the community, would create

Caymus as well as some from Europe. If we weren’t

an impact,” explains Chloe.

completely satiated at the end of the meal, we would

The trio embarked on an ambitious two-year buildout, made even more challenging by the pandemic.

have gone for dessert. We were eyeing the clementine sorbet and the blueberry oat crumble on a nearby table.

Designing the menu was less taxing. With pizzas and

When we arrived on a Thursday night at 7:30 p.m., the

pastas, my husband thought it was Italian. With fresh

three first-level dining areas were about 75% full. When

fish, steak and lots of veggie dishes, I thought the menu

we left at 9 p.m., every seat was filled and the area by

was California continental. Chloe describes the menu

the door was packed, with some of the crowd spilling

as coastal Mediterranean with influences from Spain,

outside. People waiting for tables on a Thursday night

Italy, France and Greece.

in Woodland Hills? I’m just hoping I’ll be able to get our

Regardless, we enjoyed our food immensely. We

East Valley-loving friends to join us next time. ■

| 47

THE SAUCE

The Stagecraft Chef CHEF KEVEN ALAN LEE AIMS TO TAKE CLIENTS TO A NEW LEVEL, DAZZLING THEM WITH EXTRAORDINARY PRESENTATION AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES. Written by Kara Mickelson

From his signature leather hat embossed with a skull to

Born and raised in the Valley, Keven moved to New

a vintage, custom-designed heat lamp used for carv-

York to pursue his passion, attending the Culinary

ing stations at his events, details matter. They are his

Institute of America. He also studied the art of pas-

secret sauce for creating extraordinary experiences and

try and chocolate at the Culinary Arts Academy

an ethos he has incorporated into his company, CKL

Switzerland. Early jobs included working at the

Events, which he runs with chef Patrick Thompson and

Sanctuary Resort & Spa in Costa Rica, where Keven

CEO Sallee Taylor.

learned to work with limited resources, and at Lutèce at

“I’m like a spider that spins a web, artfully designing each detail to captivate the audience,” Keven proclaims.

the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, at the time one of the world’s top-rated hotels.

Whether catering exclusive events at Coachella and

He moved back to his home turf when he was re-

Burning Man, large-scale productions at the Emmys,

cruited to work as corporate executive chef for Syndicate

or private corporate events for Disney, Bravo and the

Hospitality and its subsidiary Velvet Ropes Events Group

Food Network, Keven says it’s about elevating cuisine

(both have since been acquired by SBE Entertainment).

and executing one-of-a kind immersive experiences.

With that job he oversaw food, beverage and events for

That can mean anything from serving live-action liquid

five nightclubs and a restaurant. Leading a team that

nitrogen frozen custard bars to creating a stunning

catered star-studded events for magazines like Vogue,

display of crafted hand roll stations. Keven’s dishes are

and for companies such as Sony, Keven gained industry

often delightful surprises. A tangy scallop ceviche is

street cred in the culinary field. At the same time, he

served on a gorgeous shell; a blini is topped with a dol-

forged relationships with Hollywood A-listers, many of

lop of lox mousse and Kaluga caviar.

which he maintains today.

After 27 years working as a chef, Keven, known to

Within his CKL Events business, Keven has recently

friends and business associates as “Cheven,” has mas-

launched several brands, including extra virgin olive oil

tered the art of culinary stagecraft.

(The Final Touch), Kaluga caviar (Bottega Taboo) and

“Whether we are cooking in a client’s mansion, on a

organic coffee (Sombra de Amor). Calling the products

125-foot yacht or for a private event at Sundance Film

“chef swag,” he says the small-batch, limited-produc-

Festival, our focus is on customized, immersive experi-

tion items are a special treat he shares with clients. ■

ences,” says Keven. His cooking style is grounded in classical French technique and influenced by Mediterranean, Asian and Pacific Rim cuisines. “We use farm-fresh and globally sourced ingredients while adding dramatic flair to the plate,” he says. “The subtle use of chilis, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaf or

48 |

galangal root can bring a dish to life.”

For more on Keven, go to chefkevenlee.com.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAMEKA JACOBS

Chef Keven Alan Lee likes to put his stamp on things.

“AFTER A FEW TREATMENTS YOU REALIZE HOW MUCH BETTER YOUR SKIN LOOKS— AND IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER.”

S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N

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DR. ELLIOT M. HIRSCH Helping you look and feel better—from skin care to cosmetic surgery.

lliot M. Hirsch, MD, practices the

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spending time with my kids and my wife.

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It’s very important to me that my staff

Dr. Hirsch has co-authored more than 40 manuscripts and book chapters, PHOTOGRAPHED BY TAMEKA JACOBS

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| 51

Roller skating runs deep in actor Helena Kallianiotes’ veins. Here she’s shown skating with Raquel Welch in the Roller Derby film Kansas City Bomber. 52 |

Monday Night Lights CELEBRITIES ON THE EAST COAST HAD STUDIO 54. BUT HERE ON THE WEST COAST, IT WAS ALL ABOUT SKATAWAY, AN UNGLAMOROUS ROLLER RINK IN RESEDA THAT DREW THE BIGGEST STARS OF THE DAY. Written by Chloe King and Carol Wolper

In the late 1970s when New York’s infamous nightclub, Studio 54, was making headlines, another celebrityfueled nightspot here on the West Coast was creating a sensation. The two nightspots couldn’t have been more different. With live animals, fog machines and sequinclad dancers, Studio 54 was akin to a rowdy Vegas show, and people went there to be seen. The nightspot on the West Coast was down and dirty, drug- and alcohol-free, and completely under the radar. And the location was something of a surprise. It wasn’t near the bright lights of Tinseltown, but rather deep in the San Fernando Valley. It was a barebones roller skating rink on Sherman Way in working-class Reseda. Skataway was the brainchild of one of the most underrecognized “it girls” of the 20th century, Helena Kallianiotes. A Greek immigrant, belly dancer and actor (Five Easy Pieces), Helena became aware of Reseda’s Sherman Square Roller Rink when her friend Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas asked if she’d give her skating lessons in the hope of landing a part in a Roller Derby movie. Helena, once a championship skater, didn’t hesitate. Michelle learned quickly, but as she dryly

| 53

recalls, “I did not get the part. Helena did.” That film

clear by a sign that famed LA artist Ed Ruscha painted

was Kansas City Bomber, a cult favorite that starred Raquel

for Helena to hang near the entrance that read: “No

Welch and earned Helena a Golden Globe nomination.

cameras. No drugs. No press.”

But it wasn’t until Helena was hanging with her pal

ass and not have it be in the National Enquirer the next

As she remembers it, “Ringo was complaining that

day,” explains Helena.

there was no place to take his son for fun in LA, and I thought, yes there is.”

There were a couple other rules, she adds: “No alcohol—skates and booze don’t mix—and everyone had

Soon Helena was calling her friends, inviting them

to skate. You weren’t allowed to be just a spectator.”

to a mystery evening out. The only clue was an address

Though ask Jack Nicholson what he remembers most

in Reseda. The only instructions: “Wear comfortable

about Skataway, and he recalls a spot at the railing over-

clothes, socks, and bring a dollar.”

looking the rink where he liked to survey the action. “I’d

Considering the unglamorous location, Helena expected a handful of friends. Seventy-five showed up. The evening was so successful that Helena started renting the rink every Monday night, and soon some of

hang out there, watching everyone skating by.” But Nicholson wasn’t just a spectator. “Jack became a very good skater,” Helena points out. “He even got good at skating backwards.”

Hollywood’s biggest names began showing up. Regulars

Ed Begley Jr., one of the original members (membership

included Ed Begley Jr., Michelle Phillips, Ringo and son,

included an ID card and spiffy Skataway satin jacket) was

Jack Nicholson, Anjelica Huston, Cher, Jeff Bridges,

also known on the rink for his expertise skating backwards.

Rebecca De Mornay, Joni Mitchell, Penny Marshall,

He says that he even got a job out of those skills.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Francis Ford Coppola.

“A casting agent for Charlie’s Angels was there one

As Rebecca De Mornay puts it, “Skataway Mondays

night, and I got cast in an episode about the Angels inves-

were incredible relaxing fun. Maybe that’s what made

tigating a skater who gets kidnapped on Venice Beach.”

it so incredible. Nobody was uptight if Helena was running things.” In contrast to Studio 54, Helena’s club had a strict no-paparazzi, no-cameras rule. That point was made

54 |

“I wanted a safe space where you could fall on your

Ringo Starr that the idea of a skate club came to be.

Though Helena jokes that her Monday night skating club at one point was turning into “deals on wheels,” fun and friends remained the priority for most. Allegra Huston (John Huston’s daughter and Anjelica’s

From left: Sherman Square Roller Rink; Helena at a Skataway night; Raquel and Helena on the set of Kansas City Bomber; the Monday night scene at the Reseda rink; a prized Skataway satin jacket.

sister), who was a teenager at the time and Helena’s

to a shooting that took place at the rink, albeit not on

secretary, remembers that although there were plenty

a Monday night. But Helena is decisive by nature and

of stars, everyone was treated equally. “Helena did have

when she senses it’s time to move on, she does.

her small roped-off reserved section, but that was not

Driving by the location today—now a Walgreens

about being famous; it was about being her friend.”

drugstore—it’s hard to imagine that Sherman Way in

The general consensus was that Skataway was about

Reseda was an exclusive celebrity hotspot. And that with

your vibe, not your resume. And the vibe Helena was

Helena’s special touches like white tablecloths and a rose

going for was “a good time and plenty of exercise.”

on every table, an ordinary roller rink was transformed

Though she did make some money (beyond the mini-

into a one-of-a-kind, almost magical experience.

mal door charge) selling professional roller skates, Helena

We can imagine it, but we can’t see it. The downside

admits, “I could have made a lot more. Nordstrom wanted

of Helena’s no-cameras rule means there are almost no

to go into business with me selling Skataway jackets,

photos of this sparkling weekly event. But the people

and Flippers—a skate club that later opened in West

who were there hold onto the memories.

Hollywood—offered me a fortune to get my guest list.” No surprise that Helena turned them down. Her cachet was not for sale; nor was her friends’ information. Not her style.

“Round and round that rink, and boy, could you fall hard. I know I did,” Michelle Phillips remembers fondly. “They all fell from time to time, and they all got up and kept going,” Helena adds with one of her wry smiles.

Part of the fun vibe had to do with the music. A DJ

For the crowd lucky enough to attend, Ed Begley Jr.

would blast disco favorites until things wound down

sums up Monday nights at Skataway perfectly: “It felt

around 11 p.m. At that point, Helena and her inner circle

like freedom.” ■

often moved on to the 94th Aero Squadron at Van Nuys Airport, where the crowd would knock back a few drinks.

Chloe King and Carol Wolper are working on Hollywood,

Allegra Huston recalls staying out until 2 in the morn-

North, a book that examines the San Fernando Valley’s

ing and then getting up early the next day to go to school.

often-underplayed role in Hollywood film and TV history.

No one got tired back then.

Over the next several issues of VB we’ll share, as we did with

After about four years, Helena ended her Monday

this article, some excerpts from their interviews for the book.

night skating parties. The end was abrupt, due, in part,

| 55

SHERMAN OAKS

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56 |

TOP 3 ENCLOSURE BENEFITS 1

Protect Your Cats!

Protect The Environment

Increased Happiness

INFO@CUSTOMCATIOS.COM • (323) 905-4695

as seen in

In every issue, we share a story from our sister platform Golden State that explores a topic beyond the limits of the Valley. These California stories speak to the meaningful impact our state and its residents are making on the global stage. To learn more about Golden State and discover more stories, visit goldenstate.is.

Electric Company STYLISH AND EFFICIENT, RIVIAN’S ELECTRIC VEHICLES SHOW PROMISE. BUT CAN THEY RALLY TO BEAT TESLA? Written by Bonnie Graves | Photography courtesy of Rivian

Sometimes revolutions start noisily, and sometimes

According to data reported in October 2022, Rivian

they start quietly—like the announcement made by the

produced 7,363 vehicles at its Illinois manufacturing

California Air Resources Board in August 2022. For all

location in the third quarter, which was a substantial

intents and purposes, this may well have marked the

increase from Q2—nearly 67% more. The company

death knell of internal combustion engines.

reported that 6,584 vehicles (a sum of all three models

As the world’s fourth largest economy, California

produced: the R1T truck, the R1S SUV and its electric

leads and the rest of the United States tends to follow—

van made for investor Amazon) were delivered in Q3. It

such that our state’s commitment to cleaner air may

announced optimistically that subsequent production in

also presage a national shift. The key provision of the

Q4 would reach the targeted annual goal of 25,000 total

new rule is the statewide ban on the sale of greenhouse

vehicles produced.

gas-producing vehicles by 2035—a short 12 years into the future.

In actuality, the company manufactured 24,337 total vehicles in 2022. While close to its announced annual

Additional benchmarks along the way will include

goal, nevertheless this made investors nervous. Q4 de-

interim targets like a requirement that 35% of new pas-

liveries also lagged, angering impatient would-be own-

senger vehicles sold by 2026 must be net-zero emis-

ers who had been promised delivery in 2022. Challenges

sions. That percentage rises to a remarkable 68% of new

cited include supply line snags and parts delays.

vehicles sold as soon as 2030. Governor Gavin Newsom

But it wasn’t just the extended delivery delays that

describes the new regulations as “one of the most

created frustration last year. In an ill-advised move

significant steps to the elimination of the tailpipe as we

that created considerable backlash, Rivian raised its

know it.” He notes, “Our kids are going to act like it’s a

prices substantially on preordered vehicles in March

rotary phone or changing the channel on a television.”

2022. The company announced increases of 17% for

But while California’s bold action is good news for

the truck and 20% for the SUV, based on a shortage of

the environment, it creates both opportunities and

semiconductors in the market and higher wholesale

challenges for the automakers tasked with producing

costs for other critical parts.

these vehicles. If timing is everything, then it’s a good time to be electric vehicle start-up Rivian. As antipathy for Tesla’s Elon Musk grows, many

If you’ve been waiting a long time for your new fancy EV and then are told you’re going to have to pay substantially more for it while you continue to wait, you may just

consumers are exploring alternatives. Well-funded

cancel your order and shop elsewhere—which is what

Rivian may be poised to pick up the Teslarati looking to

many buyers did. Rivian later rescinded the retroactive

spend elsewhere. While just a few of Rivian’s signature

price increases for consumers with purchase reservations

trucks and even fewer of its SUVs can be currently seen

made prior to March 1, but the price increases held for

on California’s highways, they’re coming—just a little

new reservations made subsequently in 2022.

later than frustrated consumers expected.

For many, the sticker shock now outweighs Rivian’s

| 59

feel-good climate consciousness and sleek design.

And in related good news, Rivian has established a

Just how much a Californian is willing to pay for an

bellwether partnership with Apex Clean Energy, a re-

eco-luxury vehicle is a question that rival carmakers

newable energy power generation company that works

Tesla, Lucid and Polestar also continue to test. None of

with wind and solar. Rivian aims to power up to 75% of

these cars are remotely affordable when compared to

the hourly energy needs at its Illinois plant with Apex’s

Chevy’s Volt and other competitors at the value end of

Goose Creek Wind farm.

the category. Manufacturing and scalability questions aside, there is much to recommend about Rivian. With California

a two-for-one benefit that may help take the sting out

ushering in a new era of state-mandated EV sales, the

of that price tag for the environmentally minded con-

market remains ripe here if Rivian can satisfy existing

sumer. Virtue at the point of purchase and no pain at the

orders while ramping up. SoCal consumers can check

pump make for a compelling combination.

out Rivian’s Venice Hub to experience in person all that

The general feeling is that Rivian sincerely supports

the brand hopes to condense: climate consciousness

sustainability while struggling to sustain investors’

and community, packaged up in a car.

support. Rivian’s IPO and early trading in November

The Hub is described as a neighborhood hangout, open to all, with no obnoxious car salesmen or bait-and-

2021 clocked shares at a breathtaking high of $179.47. Two years later, they’re hovering around $16.

switch pricing. It’s designed to be the polar opposite of

Troubling news includes its recent breakup with Ford

a shiny showroom adjacent to a lot filled with gleaming

and the scrapping of its European expansion plans with

rows of new cars. Rather, it’s a green space filled with

Mercedes-Benz. It’s also weathered a painful round of

bespoke coffee, gardens, books and just two floor models

layoffs at its Irvine headquarters.

on display. And yes, you can crawl up in the R1T’s super

All big launches have growing pains, but it’s whether

cool truck bed camping tent and take that beautiful R1S

Rivian can outgrow them that is key. The vehicles

out for a spin.

themselves are a joy to drive, and the company’s core

Another attractive selling point is Rivian’s commit-

ethos may yet bring it to a place where doing good for

ment to environmental partners like the National Park

the environment is complementary—not counterpro-

Service (NPS) and select state park systems. Rivian

ductive—to a company’s growth.

claims to be on “a mission to keep the world adventur-

A documentary made in 2006 called Who Killed the

ous forever,” and its vehicles are definitely designed for

Electric Car was followed by a sequel in 2011 called

off-roading and outdoor exploration.

Revenge of the Electric Car in which a younger, less cocky

Working with nonprofit Adopt a Charger and the

guy named Musk details his similar launch travails.

NPS, Rivian is building out the Waypoint public charg-

Rivian’s rise and California’s newest regulations might

ing network in many scenic if remote locations where

well equal a trilogy in which zero-emission vehicles do

EV charging has previously been nonexistent. Rivian’s

finally triumph. Let’s all hope so, on behalf of our great

Waypoint chargers are 100% powered by sustainable

Golden State and the air that our grandchildren and

energy sources. These specialized charging locations

great-grandchildren will be breathing here someday. ■

are currently free to consumers and are not specific to Rivian, unlike rival Tesla’s proprietary charging stations. (Rivian’s proprietary Adventure Network—a comprehensive network of fast-charging sites—is free to owners only for the first year.)

60 |

Vehicles that are 100% zero-emission and manufactured primarily with renewable wind power? Now, that’s

The R1S. Above: Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe; the manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois.

| 61

Spanish Pilgrimage WALKING THE HISTORIC CAMINO DE SANTIAGO IN SPAIN IS A RIGOROUS PHYSICAL ADVENTURE THAT CAN HAVE SPIRITUAL REWARDS. Written by Maira Suro

of Spain preaching the gospel, and upon his return to Judea a few years later was beheaded. Legend has it his remains were put on a boat headed for Spain, but it crashed along the shoreline. Years later, a shepherd was guided by divine light to the remains of the apostle, and in 820 A.D., King Alfonso II decreed St. James the patron saint of Galicia, ordering that a cathedral be built in his honor. Today, more than 300,000 people walk the route each year. Known as “pilgrims,” they have their own personal reasons for walking the Camino, be it spiritual, a bucket-list item or simply taking a break from routine life. Through The Ashram in Calabasas, we committed to an

Some milestones in life push you to get out of your

itinerary that included all meals, hotels, daily yoga classes

comfort zone. My girlfriend’s 60th birthday qualified

and massages. The entire route spans 491 miles starting

as such. And being two adventurous types, we headed

in France and crossing over the Pyrenees into Spain. We

to northern Spain to walk the fabled route known as El

opted to walk a portion of it: 120 miles in seven days.

Camino de Santiago. The ancient pilgrimage trail leads to the tomb of

62 |

My pilgrimage started with a 20-hour journey from LA to Santiago, during which I hushed doubts about my

St. James. James, also known as James the Great, was

ability to meet the demanding daily walks. Instead, I

one of Jesus’ 12 disciples. He spent time in the north

tried to focus on my fit body and mental fortitude.

Left: Walkers are given “passports’’ and told to collect two stamps daily from cafes and restaurants to track their progress. To receive a certificate of completion, pilgrims must walk a minimum of 62 miles. Far left: The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela

Upon arrival in Santiago we met our group, mostly

other. Whether it was the woman in need of a respite

Americans between the ages of 40 and 60, and were driv-

from caring for her sickly husband, or the couple

en to Trabadelo, a small town two and a half hours away.

making time for each other after 35 years of mar-

During the welcome dinner we learned valuable tips:

riage, a common theme emerged—we all felt a strong

Vaseline and dry socks are your feet’s best friend, and

connection to history. On several nights we lifted our

blisters, your worst enemy. The wake-up call the next

glasses of orujo (Galicia’s answer to grappa) to toast the

morning was at 6 a.m. We were on the trail by 8 a.m.

Camino and those who came before us.

Each day was different. Day 1 was an aggressive 14-

Arriving at Santiago’s main plaza was not what I

mile climb through the mountain village of O Cebreiro.

expected. The throngs of tourists were overwhelming as

Day 2 was a downhill 16-mile trek through fog toward

we hustled into the cathedral along with a thousand

the town of Samos. We walked through beautiful coun-

other worshippers for noon mass. Sitting in the pew, I

tryside past curious cows and endless rows of corn. Day

found myself taking in the familiar scent of incense and

3 pushed us across 17 miles to Sarria, the second big-

the beauty of the ornate altars, and soon this lapsed

gest town in the province of Galicia, where we visited

Catholic found herself reciting the prayers of her youth.

monasteries and enjoyed arroz con leche (rice pudding),

Then something unexpected happened. I realized

Galician beer and Albariño wine. These last two were a

that the most important part of the journey had started

much-needed distraction from my achy back, which by

at my own doorstep: my willingness to embark on

the end of day 3 was wrenching.

this experience. The quiet reflection on the trail, the

The nightly inns were a welcome sight at the end of

laughter shared with my girlfriend, and the feeling of

the day. Employees greeted us with hot tea and restor-

accomplishment summiting hilltops made me think of

ative massages. The dinners were lively with conversa-

the Emerson quote, “It’s not the destination; it’s the

tion as we rotated seats in an effort to get to know each

journey.” Never did anything ring more true. ■

| 63

NEW LISTING

R E A L E S TAT E

Contemporary Farmhouse Retreat Experience the pinnacle of luxury living within your own contemporary farmhouse retreat, nestled securely in the prestigious enclave of Hidden Hills. Crafted with precision by Nobel LA in 2021, this magnificent residence stands proudly at the end of an exclusive cul-de-sac, surrounded by lush, impeccably manicured grounds that guarantee absolute privacy. Step into the grandeur of this home, highlighted by a spacious great room featuring soaring double-vaulted ceilings and walls adorned with panoramic windows. This architectural masterpiece seamlessly blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living, inviting you into a private backyard oasis—featuring a 65-foot pool and spa. Elevate your lifestyle with an array of unmatched amenities that truly define this as the ultimate entertainer’s paradise. 24350 Bridle Trail Rd, Hidden Hills | $17,495,000 Rachel Salgado | DRE 02162668 | 310-351-1828 | rachel@thebeverlyhillsestates.com Greg LaPlant | DRE 01959830 | 323-992-8166 | greg@thebeverlyhillsestates.com Branden & Rayni Williams | DRE 01774287 | DRE 01496786 | 310-626-4248 | rayni@thebeverlyhillsestates.com The Beverly Hills Estates | DRE 02126121

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

| 65

ACTIVE 17341 Cumpston Street, Encino Offered at $3,495,000

ACTIVE

Custom Lake House on Toluca Lake

3601 Berry Drive, Studio City

Offered at $15,000,000

Offered at $2,695,000

ACTIVE

SOLD

4638 Arcola Avenue Toluca Lake Offered at $2,650,000

5130 Strohm Avenue Toluca Lake Offered at $1,845,000

4302 Teesdale Avenue Studio City Sold for $3,400,000

10402 Bloomfield Street Toluca Lake Sold for $2,850,000

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

SOLD 4409 Ponca Avenue, Toluca Lake Sold for $2,500,000

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

ANDREW MANNING | REALTOR®

THERE’S STILL TIME TO BE

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties

DRE LIC. #00941825 (818) 380-2147 | andrew@andrewmanning.com | www.andrewmanning.com Instagram/TikTok: @andrewmanningre | Facebook: @andrewmanningrealestate

NO. 10 AGENT

WORLDWIDE OUT OF 50,000+ BHHS AGENTS

© 2023 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties (BHHSCP) is a member of the franchise system of BHH Affiliates LLC. BHHS and the BHHS symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. BHH Affiliates LLC and BHHSCP do not guarantee accuracy of all data including measurements, conditions, and features of property. Information is obtained from various sources and will not be verified by broker or MLS. Buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information.

J UST L I ST E D

4213 RHODES AVE | STUDIO CITY

SO 11851 OTSEGO ST | VALLEY VILLAGE

R C

4301 FULTON AVE #203 | SHERMAN OAKS

SA R FO

1707 N CATALINA ST | BURBANK

C ES IN

22450 MIRANDA ST | WOODLAND HILLS

SA R FO

3930 ROYAL OAK PLACE | ENCINO

W O R

LD SO 12106 MAXWELLTON RD | STUDIO CITY

6001 PAT AVE | WOODLAND HILLS

4709 NORWICH AVE | SHERMAN OAKS

4148 MARY ELLEN AVE | STUDIO CITY

14569 BENEFIT ST #105 | SHERMAN OAKS

LD SO

4136 DIXIE CANYON AVE | SHERMAN OAKS

843 BROWN DR | BURBANK

LD SO

11758 LA MAIDA STREET VALLEY VILLAGE

AD 23710 KIVIK ST | WOODLAND HILLS

4935 AGNES AVE | VALLEY VILLAGE

13618 ADDISON ST | SHERMAN OAKS

ANDREW DINSKY 310.729.3393

ANDREW@THEDINSKYTEAM.COM

DRE #01724985

THEDINSKYTEAM.COM

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

FE AT UR ED

573 Westlake Road | Malibu Offered at: $12,995,000

ACTIVE

3676 Crownridge | Sherman Oaks Offered at: $7,789,000

ACTIVE

5326 Encino Ave | Encino Offered at: $3,099,000

10052 Hillgrove Drive | Beverly Hills Offered at: $12,495,000

ACTIVE

19316 Palomar Place | Tarzana Offered at: $3,895,000

ACTIVE

5185 Woodley Ave | Encino Offered at: $4,695,000

4952 Haskell | Encino Offered at: $3,555,000

ACTIVE

17622 Weddington St | Encino

17623 Weddington St | Encino

ADI LIVYATAN

New Construction and Luxury Home Specialist Wall Street Journal Ranked #15 in CA | #28 in the Nation Mobile: 818.919.4060 • Ofﬁce: 818.285.3220 Email: adilivyatan@yahoo.com DRE# 1892750

www.AdiLivyatan.com

HALF A BI LLION SOLD I N 2 0 21-2 0 2 2

$185 Million Sold in 2023. The Numbers Don’t Lie.

RECENT ACTIVITY ACTIVE

ACTIVE

1518 BEL AIR RD | LOS ANGELES

6312 MIRROR LAKE DR | LOS ANGELES

21149 ENTRADA RD | TOPANGA

6 BED | 10 BATH | 9,310 SQFT. | 18,772 LOT OFFERED AT $14,350,000

6 BED | 9 BATH | 7,005 SQFT. | 11,432 LOT OFFERED AT $6,299,000

6 BED | 4 BATH | 5,498 SQFT. | 55,670 LOT OFFERED AT $4,995,000

ACTIVE

17655 BELINDA DR | ENCINO

521 ROSE AVE | VENICE

4730 COLUMBUS AVE | SHERMAN OAKS

3 BED | 3 BATH | 3,206 SQFT. | 86,648 LOT OFFERED AT $4,990,000

7 BED | 7 BATH | 3,987 SQFT. | 2 UNITS OFFERED AT $3,795,000

5 BED | 6.5 BATH | 3,905 SQFT. | 7,645 LOT OFFERED AT $3,600,000

ACTIVE

4765 LEMONA AVE | SHERMAN OAKS

4624 COOLIDGE AVE | CULVER CITY

7147 WOODROW WILSON DR | LOS ANGELES

5 BED | 6.5 BATH | 4,190 SQFT. | 7,573 LOT OFFERED AT $3,449,000

7 BED | 6 BATH | 3,417 SQFT. | 8,499 LOT | ADU + JADU OFFERED AT $3,095,000

2 BED | 1 BATH | 1,136 SQFT. | 2,789 LOT OFFERED AT $1,700,000

WHO YOU WORK WITH MATTERS. GEORGE OUZOUNIAN

GINA MICHELLE

DIRECTOR, ESTATES DIVISION

GEORGE.OZ@THEAGENCYRE.COM 818.900.4259 | DRE 01948763

GINA.MICHELLE@THEAGENCYRE.COM 818.850.1458 | DRE 01503003

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

We help you turn one day... into right now. visit

LittleHouseLosAngeles.com

Mia Capanna Garrett McKechnie M 818.489.0781 G 323.481.0585 mia@littlehouselosangeles.com garrett@littlehouselosangeles.com

The reviews speak for themselves. When my husband and I began working with Garrett and Mia, we were ready to give up on ever buying a house we loved in the market which is Los Angeles. It felt like an impossible nut to crack-- especially during the pandemic, with everyone and their mother trying to buy, move, and sell. Garrett offered us not only a fresh optimistic perspective, but also insights to neighborhoods we had either written off as too “hot” or had yet to consider. They not only made our search fun again, but found us the house of our dreams. I couldn’t recommend two more passionate, dedicated and fun agents to work with!

My husband and I just bought our first home, with help from Mia and Garrett. They are both incredibly knowledgeable about the LA area and the market. They helped us with the inspection process, contractors, movers and cleaners so that we never felt abandoned after we made our big purchase. They stuck with us every step of the way and they’re such lovely people to hang out with! First time home ownership can be scary but with Mia and Garrett, the process was fun from beginning to end. We will definitely be using their services again in the future!

— Ellen E., Los Angeles, CA

— Dayna K., Burbank, CA

IF YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT SELLING, CALL US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION. © 2023 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. This material is based upon information which we consider reliable but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. All offerings are subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please¬ disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. Equal Housing Opportunity.

MICHAEL BERGIN | LUXURY ESTATES DIRECTOR

C E LE B R AT I NG A NOT H E R Y E A R OF SUC C E S S W I T H GR AT I T U DE At The Bergin Group, we understand that your success is our success. We want to thank each and everyone of you for choosing us as your Real Estate Partners.

Erika Quicquaro

Andrew Kline

Angie DeGrazia-Shaw

Sylvia Haftvani

Rady Math

Kirt Kingzett

Loren Franck

Norma Paladines

DRE# 02193735

DRE# 02041695

DRE# 02158666

DRE# 02192931

DRE# 02088080

DRE# 01741998

DRE# 02208527

DRE# 02026104

N E IGH B ORS • EX PE RT S • F R I E N D S • R E A LTORS

The Bergin Group 310.600.0715 Michael@MichaelBergin.com DRE 01845572

Top 1% Agent in Southern California #1 Compass Agent in Studio City / Sherman Oaks Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdraw without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. *Data sourced from americandreamnetwork.tv

Experience + Expertise OVER 2 DECADES OF EXCELLENCE WITH UNRIVALED RESULTS

SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY AGENT IN THE VALLEY

REAL ESTATE ALL - STARS 2021 | 2022 | 2023

LEADER OF INFLUENCE IN RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE

500+ HOMES SOLD & COUNTING...

BROKER ASSOCIATE DRE#01430970

818.415.1819 Michael@theMJOgroup.com

For More Information Visit

theMJOgroup.com

Michael J. Okun is the #1 Sotheby’s International Realty agent in the San Fernando Valley based on the total number of sales from January 01, 2022 to December 31, 2022. © 2023 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. This material is based upon information which we consider reliable but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. All offerings are subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with them and cooperate fully. Equal Housing Opportunity.

F E AT U R E D L I S T I N G

5416 Lemona Avenue SHERMAN OAKS

Nestled in the heart of Sherman Oaks, moments from the award-winning Kester Elementary School, this captivating one-story residence is calling those with an eye for opportunity. With its large 1,859 sq ft of living space, this home boasts 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths, perfectly situated on a generous 6,772 sq ft lot. Whether you are a contractor eyeing the perfect flip, seeking an optimal investment for rental income, or envisioning a canvas to craft your dream home, this property is priced to sell. Beyond the home itself, its prime location ensures quick and convenient access to West Los Angeles and Downtown, as well as major commuter routes. Additionally, indulge in the array of boutique shopping experiences and savor the eclectic culinary delights found along Ventura Boulevard. This property truly represents a gem of opportunity in Sherman Oaks. We invite you to view its potential for yourself today. Do not miss this chance to craft a legacy in one of LA’s prime neighborhoods.

4 B E D RO O M S • 2 B AT H RO O M S • 1 , 8 5 9 S Q F T • 6 ,772 S Q F T LOT

Kevin Pane

Julia Kanesawa

DRE# 02007 794 3 1 0 . 3 0 8 . 7 5 9 5 • K E V I N . PA N E@ S I R .C O M

D R E # 0 1 3 0 2 74 1 3 1 0 . 8 0 1 . 8 4 4 8 • J U L I A . K A N E S AWA@ S I R .C O M

S OT H E BY ’ S I N T E R N AT I O N A L R E A LT Y, S H E R M A N OA K S B R O K E R AG E , 1 3 5 0 1 V E N T U R A B LV D. , S H E R M A N OA K S , C A 9 1 4 2 3 © 2023 Sotheby’s International Realty. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark and used with permission. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated, except those operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. The Sotheby’s International Realty network fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

FEATURED

4970 Brewster Drive TARZANA, CA 91356 7 BEDS | 8.5 BATHS | 7,023 SQ. FT. | 25,716 SQ. FT. LOT | $6,745,000

ACTIVE

19233 Wells Drive, Tarzana

16752 Addison Street, Encino

18207 Lake Encino Drive, Encino

17252 Escalon Drive, Encino

5 BEDS | 7.5 BATHS | 7,837 SQ. FT. | 31,491 SQ. FT. LOT | $6,999,000

6 BEDS | 6.5 BATHS | 4,947 SQ. FT. | 8,000 SQ. FT. LOT | $4,499,000

7 BEDS | 6 BATHS | 3,992 SQ. FT. | 19,166 SQ. FT. LOT | $3,249,000

3 BEDS | 3 BATHS | 2,730 SQ. FT. | 8,773 SQ. FT. LOT | $2,995,000

ACTIVE

5116 Sophia Avenue, Encino

4930 Edgerton Avenue, Encino

4171 Elmer Avenue, Studio City

3676 Crownridge Drive, Sherman Oaks

5 BEDS | 5.5 BATHS | 5,770 SQ. FT. | 10,298 SQ. FT. LOT | $4,999,000

5 BEDS | 5.5 BATHS | 5,379 SQ. FT. | 9,030 SQ. FT. LOT | $4,979,000

5 BEDS | 4 BATHS | 3,279 SQ. FT. | 6,649 SQ. FT. LOT | $2,199,000

7 BEDS | 8 BATHS | 10,085 SQ. FT. | 23,815 SQ. FT. LOT | $7,789,000

IN ESCROW

SOLD

4954 Sancola Avenue, Toluca Lake

11023 Fruitland Drive #204, Studio City 16050 Woodley Park Lane, Encino

22016 Napa Street, West Hills

3 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 1,664 SQ. FT. | 5,214 SQ. FT. LOT | $1,299,000

2 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 1,691 SQ. FT. | $948,000

3 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 1,964 SQ. FT. | 11,106 SQ. FT. LOT | $1,273,875

SOLD

5 BEDS | 3.5 BATHS | 3,862 SQ. FT. | 9,096 SQ. FT. LOT | $2,299,000

SOLD

Represented Buyer

14452 Greenleaf Street, Sherman Oaks 14577 Round Valley Drive, Sherman Oaks 3931 Vista Linda Drive, Encino

13117 Otsego Street, Sherman Oaks

4 BEDS | 3 BATHS | 2,500 SQ. FT. | 6,801 SQ. FT. LOT | $2,190,000

6 BEDS | 7 BATHS | 4,738 SQ. FT. | 7,425 SQ. FT. LOT | $4,025,000

3 BEDS | 2 BATHS | 2,210 SQ. FT. | 6,370 SQ. FT. LOT | $1,520,000

5 BEDS | 5 BATHS | 6,119 SQ. FT. | 17,597 SQ. FT. LOT | $4,999,000

OVER

$1 Billion In Sales 2020-2022

818.432.1524

#1 TEAM IN THE VALLEY | #4 IN CALIFORNIA | #7 IN THE U.S.

I N F O@C H E RNOV TE AM.CO M W W W.C H E RN OV TE AM.CO M W W W.T H E AG E NCYRE.CO M DR E #01850113 #01904054

Each office is independently owned and operated. If your property is listed with another broker, this is not a solicitation. The Agency does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, or other information concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection with appropriate licensed professionals.

4407MedleyPl.com

926ValleyStreet.com

4407 Medley Pl. | Encino | $4,300,000

926 N.Valley St. | Burbank | $2,099,000

17053EscalonDr.com

LaurelTer.com

17053 Escalon Dr. | Encino | $2,195,000/Lease $9,950

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

19306YolieLn.com

17901 Lake Vista Dr. | Encino | Lease $10,500

19306 Yolie Ln. | Tarzana | $1,695,000/$5,800 Lease

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

818-933-5866

oren@orenestates.com

OrenEstates.com DRE #00905345

Over 25 Years of Delivering Unsurpassed Service With Unsurpassed Results!

Nobody does it better...

Fine Estates®

NEW LISTING

SOLD

19324 Palomar Place, Tarzana $2,699,000 Stunning 4700+ sq. ft. Estate

19323 Redbridge Lane, Tarzana $5,250,000 Record-breaking sale in Mulholland Park!

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

SOLD

19200 Allandale Drive, Tarzana $3,875,000 Spectacular Updated Mulholland Park Estate!

17440 Weddington Street, Encino $3,100,000 ($101K over asking) Spectacular Amestoy Estates Single Story!

5327 Vanalden Avenue, Tarzana $2,550,000 ($150K over asking) Tarzana Compound on 8/10 Acre

SOLD

17445 Oak Creek Court, Encino $2,499,000 Amestoy Estates Gated Community

6013 Lubao Avenue, Woodland Hills $2,200,000 (over asking) College Acres Estate on 1/2 Acre Lot

5036 Woodley Avenue, Encino $1,850,000 ($200K over asking) Incredible Opportunity in Encino!

818.285.3688 www.CarolWolfe.com DRE #00477745

WALL STREET JOURNAL

We’re Making Moves in Toluca Lake.

10333 WOODBRIDGE STREET | OFFERED AT $5,325,000 4 BEDROOMS | 4 BATHROOMS | 5,334 SQFT | 9,653 SQFT LOT

11217 KLING STREET | LEASE FOR $13,000/MO

BOB HOPE ESTATE | SOLD FOR $26,000,000

4 BEDROOMS | 4 BATHROOMS

TOP 3 ALL-TIME HIGHEST SALE IN SFV

3,433 SQFT | 8,254 SQFT LOT

REPRESENTED SELLER AND BUYER

KEVIN DEES DEES & ASSOCIATES KDEES@THEAGENCYRE.COM 818.414.3404 | LIC. #01915567

THEAGENCYRE.COM

JUST SOLD $3,600,000

JUST SOLD $2,695,000

JUST SOLD $2,675,000

3371 Alana Drive, Sherman Oaks

14030 Roblar Road, Sherman Oaks

15047 Sherview Place, Sherman Oaks

JUST SOLD $2,565,000

JUST SOLD $2,300,000

JUST SOLD $1,830,000

3747 Benedict Canyon Ln. Sherman Oaks (Buyer Representative)

13707 Valley Vista Blvd., Sherman Oaks

13327 Cheltenham Drive, Sherman Oaks

JUST SOLD $1,665,000

JUST SOLD $1,975,000

FOR SALE $2,395,000

4929 Van Noord Ave. Sherman Oaks

14859 Jadestone Drive, Sherman Oaks

3433 Shernoll Place, Sherman Oaks

818.426.8677 barrydantagnan@gmail.com

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

SPITZCHAVEZGROUP.COM $2.5B+ SALES VOLUME Selling A Lifestyle!

ACTIVE I CASE STUDY HOUSE #18 199 CHAUTAUQUA BL, PACIFIC PALISADES 3 BD | 2.5 BA | 1,701 SF | $11,900,000

ACTIVE 16430 WESTFALL PL, ENCINO 5 BD | 7 BA | 8,600 SF | $8,995,000

ACTIVE 16479 ROYAL HILLS DR, ENCINO 6 BD | 9.5 BA | 6,750 SF | $4,999,500

NEW LISTING 16105 WOODVALE RD, ENCINO 5 BD | 4.5 BA | 4,396 SF | $4,695,000

NEW LISTING 5421 AMESTOY AVE, ENCINO 5 BD | 6 BA | 7,128 SF | $4,150,000

IN ESCROW 4311 CORONET DR, ENCINO 3 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,371 SF | $2,418,000

ANDREW SPITZ & FRAN CHAVEZ EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF LUXURY ESTATES TOP 1% NATIONWIDE • TOP 100 IN SO. CAL. 818.453.9119 | ANDREW@ANDREWSPITZ.COM 818.517.1411 | FRANCHAVEZRE@GMAIL.COM DRE 00924610 | 01013357 SPITZCHAVEZGROUP.COM

SOLD 23500 PARK SORRENTO #E21, CALABASAS 3 BD | 4 BA | 2,360 SF | $2,190,000 “TOP >1% OF OVER 1.8 MILLION REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS IN THE U.S.” BY REALTRENDS THE THOUSAND

SOLD 300 S KENTER AVE, BRENTWOOD 2 BD | 2 BA | 1,319 SF | $1,950,000 “TOP 100 REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN LA COUNTY” BY LA BUSINESS JOURNAL

SCG ENCINO BRANCH OFFICE 15760 VENTURA BLVD, SUITE 100 I ENCINO

AKG | Christie’s International Real Estate is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527644. 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 the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footage are approximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation. If your home is listed, please disregard. We do not intend to solicit offerings from other real estate brokers. We are happy to work with and cooperate fully with them.

Enjoy a discount with Citi’s Mortgage Relationship Pricing *

for the love of

feeling right at home. for the love of progressSM

An offer for new or existing Citi banking customers

$500 off

typical fees and expenses due at final closing

-OR-

Ask how your clients can take advantage of Mortgage Relationship Pricing

an interest rate discount for the life of the loan

John Musso Senior Home Lending Officer 818-518-1008 john.musso@citi.com citi.com/johnmusso NMLS # 448606

* Citi Mortgage Relationship Pricing — A Citibank deposit account is required to receive the interest rate discount or closing cost credit. Automated monthly transfers of the mortgage payment from a Citibank Deposit Account using automated drafting will be required. Actual interest rate discount or closing cost credit will depend on the level of the Citi Eligible Balances, which will be verified after final loan approval. Deposit Account Balances must be in the account five (5) Business Days following final loan approval and Investment Account balances must be in the account six (6) Business Days following final loan approval. Citi eligible accounts include a personal, consumer Citibank Deposit Account in which the borrower is a direct signer, Citibank IRAs, and Investments held in linked Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGMI”) accounts. The borrower must be an account holder on investment accounts. IRA and annuity positions shown on linked CGMI Account statements are eligible (except tax qualified annuities under sections 401, 403, or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code). Balances from Citibank Business / Commercial accounts, ERISA accounts, Keogh accounts, Bank Collateral accounts, Foreign accounts, Fiduciary accounts, and Trust accounts where the borrower is only listed as the Beneficiary are excluded. All Custodial type accounts are excluded with the exception of Custodial IRA accounts through Citibank or Pershing LLC where the borrower(s) is the beneficiary, which are eligible unless otherwise noted. Citibank IRAs that are not linked to a Citibank Deposit Account are excluded. The closing cost credit offer will be applied at closing and may not be used prior to closing. In Texas, the Citi Eligible Balance Relationship Pricing Benefit credit may not result in you receiving cash back. $1 – $49,999.99 $500 off closing cost If you are interested in Citi’s banking account relationship offers, please contact your Home Lending Officer or Mortgage Representative. Speak to your loan officer about whether the relationship offer is best for you. $50,000 – $199,999.99 1/8% (0.125%) off interest rate Citibank Mortgage Relationship Pricing for Citibank account holders can only be applied prior to loan $200,000 – $499,999.99 1/4% (0.250%) off interest rate closing and is subject to account and balance validation. Citibank Mortgage Relationship Pricing is subject to change without notice. $500,000 – $999,999.99 3/8% (0.375%) off interest rate Glossary of terms for this offer: Business Day means Monday through Friday and does not include federal holidays; Eligible Balances means total funds showing in the account at the time we verify the balances less $1,000,000 – $1,999,999.99 1/2% (0.500%) off interest rate any funds we determine you will need for a down payment or closing costs; Deposit Account means a Citibank $2,000,000 or more 5/8% (0.625%) off interest rate personal checking and/or savings account as well as certificates of deposit and money market accounts; Investment Account means IRAs and investments held in Citigroup Global Markets Inc. accounts. Terms, conditions and fees for accounts, programs, offers, products and services are subject to change without notice at any time. Offer may be modified or withdrawn at any time without notice. Offer cannot be combined with other offers, except when applied with specific Community Lending Programs. Offers are not applicable on Home Equity Loans and Lines of Credit. This is not a commitment to lend. This offer contains information about U.S. domestic financial services provided by Citibank, N.A. and is intended for use domestically in the U.S. http://sipc.org). Citibank and CGMI are affiliated companies under the Investment products are offered through Citigroup Global Markets Inc. (“CGMI”), Member SIPC (http://sipc.org common control of Citigroup Inc. © 2023 Citibank, N.A. NMLS# 412915. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. Citi, Citi and Arc Design and other marks used herein are service marks of Citigroup Inc. or its affiliates, used and registered throughout the world.

LAST WORD

Life Bears Fruit A WRITER RECONSIDERS THE MATTER OF UNPREDICTABILITY. Written by Richard Lowe | Illustrated by Yuiko Sugino

When my family and I moved to Studio City in October

(If middle age isn’t the time to question things, when

2021, our house came with three orange trees, a nice

is?) Looking back at my life, my best memories are of

nod to the Valley’s history of citrus groves. But al-

spontaneous, dynamic, almost alchemical moments

though it was the right season, they had no fruit. Our

when the universe moved me out of my schedule and

gardener explained that the previous owner kept the

let me discover life’s possibilities. Like 15 years ago

trees trimmed and that they hadn’t produced anything

when my wife and I got lost in the highlands of Ecuador

in years. Hopeful that they were resilient enough to

and had to rely on our wits to hitchhike back to civili-

reverse course, we told him to let them grow wild.

zation before night fell. In hindsight it was an exhila-

It worked. Our trees are healthy and on a predictable

rating adventure. I wouldn’t recommend it, but the

schedule of bearing golden fruit. Two years in, I love their

truth is, I couldn’t recommend it. It’s not repeatable.

whimsical way of telling time. In spring and summer,

It’s something that just happened.

they produce fragrant blossoms. In fall, young green orbs

How fun would it be if my orange trees were a bit

sprout. In winter, juicy oranges finally appear. The cycle

more unpredictable? What if they were magic fruit trees

repeats with certainty, and I find that comforting.

that sprouted a different harvest every year, like apples

I’ve been a planner my whole life. I had my first daily

or mangoes? Or heck—even almond croissants? I guar-

planner in third grade. When my friends asked what

antee I’d take joy in checking to see what new food was

superpower I dreamed of having, I went right to clairvoy-

dangling from their branches.

ance. “That’s lame,” they would tease. “Well, I’d win the

There’s a reason I use the word “magic.” Because

lottery,” I’d snark back. But deep down I knew they were

surprise feels like magic. It sparks delight. Why scrub

right. My choice was probably the 11th coolest superpow-

any chance of it from our own lives? Is opening our-

er. But I’ve just never liked surprises. So our orange trees

selves up to the unknown sometimes scary? Probably.

blossoming on a rigid schedule? Yeah, that speaks to me.

But it can also lead to awe and wonder. This next year,

We live in a society of schedules, appointments, and

I’m resolved to try something new: Be a little less like

Google calendars. Because how nice is it to have every-

my orange trees and save some room for magic. ■

thing planned out? Less thinking, more getting stuff done. Routine brings order: gym, work, lunch, work,

Richard Lowe lives in Studio City with his wife and two

dinner, repeat.

daughters. This essay is dedicated to his wife, who has always

Lately, however, I’ve been having second thoughts.

82 |

encouraged him to be more spontaneous.

Coming Soon TO WOODLAND HILLS: WISTERIA AT WARNER CENTER

Construction is underway at LA’s newest retirement community, and we’re ending our pre-construction depositor program soon. Now is the perfect time to get in on the ground floor. With heavy grading underway, Wisteria at Warner Center will be here before you know it, and our upcoming Life Plan Community will be unlike anything else currently available in The Valley. With so much planned for our 17 beautiful acres, including maintenance-free homes, classes, clubs, events and more, it’s no surprise that interest in LA’s newest retirement living option is growing. In fact, many of your neighbors have already joined our depositor list, securing their option to reserve a brand-new home at preferred pricing.

CALL TODAY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JOINING THE DEPOSITOR LIST! WisteriaWC.com

Home reservations have begun and time is running out to reserve your spot. Stop by for a visit sooner rather than later so you can become a depositor and secure a long-term plan that makes sense – before it’s too late. Plus, we’ll tell you all about the benefits of Wisteria at Warner Center, including priority access to the adjacent health center for assisted living, memory care and long-term care in a skilled nursing center, if ever needed.

1-818-214-8599 Wisteria at Warner Center has been authorized by the California Department of Social Services to accept pre-construction deposits. Offerings depicted are subject to change.