T H I S I S C A R M E L - B Y-T H E - S E A 1916 -2016
TH I S I S CA R M E L- BY-TH E - S E A
Congratulations to Carmel-by-the-Sea on its 100th Anniversary
CARMEL | PEBBLE BEACH | DALLAS | NEW YORK | ATLANTA WWW.ROBERTTALBOTT.COM
100 ( and 1) Reasons To Visit Carmel-By-The-Sea Carmel-by-the-Sea turns 100 the same month we turn one. Coincidence? We think not. Join us this fall to celebrate our tasting room’s first year of business in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Mention you saw us in 65 Degrees and receive a gift with purchase through November 30.
Visit us in our new tasting room in Carmel by the Sea, located on Lincoln between Ocean and 6th. Open daily from Noon - 7pm carmelroad.com
©2016 Carmel Road Winery, Soledad, CA CR16_96055
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Celebrating Twenty-Three Years in Carmel by the Sea
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65° DEPARTMENTS PERSONA A Standard of Success | By Tracy Gillette Ricci COMMUNITY Beat of a New Drum | By Ana L. Roman A New Chapter for Forest Theater | By Katherine Matuszak Welcome to Dali17 | By Ana L. Roman STYLE Centennial Classic Couture | By Ana L. Roman SPECIAL Artful Living by the Sea | By Chadwick Medel
Cover artwork by Carmel local Lisa Bryan. 100 year anniversay of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
T H I S I S C A R M E L - BY-T H E - S E A 1916-2016
Begin your own tradition.
You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely take care of it for the next generation.
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By Ana L. Roman “The greatest beauty is organic wholeness, the wholeness of life and things, the divine beauty of the universe.” —Robinson Jeffers In our land-by-the-sea, there's no better way to commemorate our Bohemian legacy than with well-deserved pageantry. As gala, symphony, and event season sways near, there is no fear in living our sweetest story-book fantasies. Royal purples, shimmery silks, and hand-sewn details call upon music and festive fetes while ringing in a new season. Wild pine greens, earthy pinks, and bare shoulders inspire timeless whispers and adoring looks. Elegant side slits, boleros, and glass beading command the room and make for eternal moments. After all, it is in the unforgettable details and benchmark risks that make for the greatest moments in life. It is what inspires us to dream our dreams by the sea. Even when the champagne runs empty and the centennial clock strikes midnight, there will always be space for new creative hands to emerge and shape a bold, new century forevermore.
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PERSONA | ARMANDO IGLESIAS
PERSONA | ARMANDO IGLESIAS
A Standard of Success By Tracy Gillette Ricci | photos by Manny Espinoza Perched above the streets of Seaside, looking out towards the expansive Monterey Bay, there lies promise for the future. The school cafeteria is transformed. It is bustling with the energy of dozens of young students who are there to be mentored and tutored in a safe haven after school. It was in this environment seven years ago that Armando Iglesias found himself. He had always been a “good kid,” but in third grade, he began getting into trouble, a pattern that has all too often led to the perils of gangs, drugs, and violence. Armando’s mother was told about the programs at the Community Partnership for Youth by his teacher, and he would start their afterschool program skeptical but hopeful. That hope would be realized as he is now a tenth grade student at Seaside High School employed as a mentor/ tutor. It is a position he set as his goal to give back the experience he was given. Each day after school, Armando swipes his MST bus pass and goes the two miles to Martin Luther King School. With his infectious smile, he embodies the standards the CPY program advocates. Shaking hands and humble when asked of his accomplishments, he looks down at the white Nike Air Jordans he bought with his earnings and says the feeling he experienced when he received his first paycheck was overwhelming. He has worked his way through the ranks of the program, becoming a Jr. Leader in middle school, and in eighth grade, participating in Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES), a curriculum designed to teach community advocacy to
young people. Along with his cousin, who served as the Y.E.S. President, Armando organized a cleanup at Laguna Grande Park. He and his cousin were shocked at the number of cigarette butts that littered the grounds where children and families come for recreation. Armando brought his suggested solutions before the city council, his first public speaking experience which he described as empowering. An award given by the United Way for “Youth Volunteer of the Year” now decorates the family living room. As he talks about his upbringing and family, what is most striking is that there is never a complaint, only enthusiasm and gratitude. His Spanish-speaking home is filled with family, including his grandmother, mother, cousins, and siblings. Armando’s eyes light up when asked about his mother, who he describes as his “rock.” It was her wish for a better life that brought her to the U.S., and although she was unable to complete her education, Armando says she places great emphasis on studies. She has been tireless in her involvement with the children’s schools and encourages them to pursue college in the future. Armando, who held a 4.0 GPA in ninth grade and is now enrolled in advanced placement courses, says he is excited to fulfill that dream of his mother’s and be the family’s first college graduate. For now, he’s content to live in the moment and continue his dream to help others reach their goals.
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SCENE | CLUB 65ยบ "LIVE THE EXPERIENCE"
Congratulations Sonia Werk, the first winner of the Club 65˚ Magazine's "Live the Experience!" On September 10, Albatross Ridge winemaker Garrett Bowlus kicked off the day in his Carmel-by-the-Sea tasting room. “Garrett greeted us with such warmth and genuine excitement. My friends and I were treated like royalty,” says Sonia. She and her guests sampled wines under Garrett's tutelage before being chauffeured by My Black Car to the Albatross Ridge Vineyard. As they approached the private gate leading to the ridgetop vineyard in Carmel Valley, inside the car it became silent. Overcome by the exquisite views, the group sat in awe. Chef Soerke Peters and Amy Stouffer of Basil Seasonal Dining greeted them for a private culinary experience. “The food was so fresh and delicious. My mouth is watering just thinking about it,” says Sonia. In a spontaneous moment, Garrett invited the group to embark on an exhilarating tour through the vineyards, tasting grapes off the vine, something Sonia had never done before. “I expected the club to be a great way to stay connected. I did not expect to win such a lavish prize. This was by far one of my best experiences ever!”
MAGAZINE
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Seasons Greetings
sf corner of junipero and ocean • carmel-by-the-sea 625-8106 • www.khakisofcarmel.com Jim Ockert
CULTURE | MONTEREY SYMPHONY
Beat of a New Drum By Ana L. Roman Lee Rosen, chairman of the Monterey Symphony, looks bright and determined on a brisk day inside the symphony’s headquarters. On the cusp of a new season, his staff is buzzing to the beat of a new drum and a renewed sense of creativity. In the midst of the buzz, 65/57˚ Magazine sat with Rosen to talk about the new season, renewed vision, and exciting endeavors to come. 65˚: What are the highlights you’re most excited about for the upcoming season? LR: First and foremost, a season of "Shakespeare in Music" for the 20162017 concert series. Other highlights include a celebration in conjunction with our October concert for the Carmel Centennial. Inspired by the beauties of the Central Coast and the poetry of Robinson Jeffers, noted local composer John Wineglass will feature the World Premiere of his piece Big Sur: The Night Sun. This composition was written specifically for the Carmel Centennial Celebration with support from the Big Sur Land Trust. In November, the Honors Orchestra of Youth Music Monterey County will be joining the Monterey Symphony musicians in a side-by-side performance of Brahms' Variations on a Theme by Haydn. 65˚: Symphony of Flavors is an event that brings food, wine, and craft artisan beers to audiences before the programs. Do you feel this is vital for the symphony in order to attract younger audiences? LR: Without a doubt! The event has proven to be an effective way to attract younger audiences. We’ve been delighted to have several
hundred new audience members enjoy this pre-concert activity. In addition, it offers fast-paced pre-concert entertainment by Ana Lola Roman, Todd Samra, the symphony's musicologist, and other special guests. It adds to the experience by creating an entire evening of unforgettable entertainment for patrons. 65˚: With everything going around the world, its vital that children and young people have the arts to turn to! How has the Symphony further committed itself to its Youth Education programs in 201617? LR: We will be presenting eight concerts for young people in 201617. We invite and encourage hundreds of students to attend concerts narrated by Musicologist Todd Samra and Maestro Max BragadoDarman. The feedback has been very positive as we’ve captured their interest, their attention, and their emotions! 65˚: Dance, visual arts, music, and technology in the 21st century will create new synergy and renew the future of instrumentation as we know it. How will the Monterey Symphony be a part of this conversation? LR: We have presented several multi-media shows from Ansel Adams’ America to Disney's Fantasia to Hindemith and the upcoming Wineglass composition, which will be accompanied by visuals and poetry that enhances the music. We believe that enhanced presentation capabilities through various forms of technology must be harnessed to extend the listener's enjoyment of the concert experience.
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SCENE | CONCORSO ITALIAN FASHION SHOW
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COMMUNITY | FOREST THEATRE
A New Chapter for Forest Theater By Katherine Matuszak | photos by Manny Espinoza
The forest is often a popular setting for stories (e.g. Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel), as it contains elements of magic that storytellers have felt from the beginning. Perhaps it's no surprise, then, how natural it feels to see actors perform a play under the stars, surrounded by pine and oak trees, or have a film enhanced by the background noises of the woods: the distant murmurs of insects, and the trees, as if in response, shushing in the breeze. Carmel’s much-loved Forest Theater opened in 1910 with ambitions of focusing on original works by local authors performed by community members. Today, the space is a shared, city-owned property with two current user groups for the half-year season. Forest Theater Guild’s Films in the Forest Series, live plays, and classes are up first, with Pacific Repertory Theatre (PacRep), who has produced various shows at Forest Theater since 1984, finishing the season. A collaboration with deFaria Productions for an original play, The Abalone Club, will end the Carmel Centennial Year season at the theater on October 23. The theater has seen many improvements since its opening, including the addition of the indoor theater, concession stands, a light/sound booth, new bench seating, and a ticket booth. Caring for a 100-year-old theater is no easy task, however, and the Forest Theater was forced to close in April of 2014 to undergo a multitude of renovations. Yvonne Hildebrand-Bowen, third generation Forest Theater alum and Executive Director for the Forest Theater Guild, says the focus of the
renovations was making sure the theater was up to code in all aspects of safety and health, including meeting ADA regulations, "so the theater's more accessible to everybody." A new sloped pathway was installed, along with a new seating area in the center of the seating bowl that allows for wheelchairs and attendant seating. The stage itself, onstage bathrooms, and dressing rooms are now also handicap accessible. A new assisted listening device system, funded by the city, was also added this year. Other updates include a state-of-the-art Lutron lighting system installed for the facility, bringing the electrical system up to code, retrofitting the structural integrity of the building, and reworking the driveway to accommodate an ADA parking stall. "We wanted to make it safe and comfortable," Yvonne says. All this was achieved with input from the stakeholders group, city staff, architects Cody Anderson Wasney and contractor OTTO Construction, while maintaining the look and the integrity of the theater's original intent. The Forest Theater reopened June 1 with a Chamber of Commerce mixer followed by a screening of Mamma Mia!. With the theater up to code and accessible to all, Carmel continues a tradition of stories under the stars that has been a part of the community for over a century. To help support the continued restoration, renovation, and maintenance of the historic Forest Theater, contact the Forest Theater Guild at ForestTheaterGuild.org.
MAGAZINE
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Seasons Greetings
sf corner of junipero and ocean • carmel-by-the-sea 625-8106 • www.khakisofcarmel.com Jim Ockert
SPECIAL | OCARMEL'S CENTENNIAL
Artful Living by the Sea A celebration of Carmel’s Centennial By Chadwick Medel
“There is a beautiful view from the Carmel Grade, the curving bay with the waves creaming on the sand, the dune country around Seaside and right at the bottom of the hill, the warm intimacy of the town.” ~ John Steinbeck, Cannery Row This excerpt, as penned by Steinbeck, describes the intimate connections that Carmel-by-the-Sea townspeople have created with the land since Carmel’s incorporation in 1916. The town’s residents have since manifested their stories, which are representative of the variety of guests that began their journey down Ocean Avenue. Carmel has remained largely unchanged since its founding in 1906, its aesthetic quality surviving each subsequent decade. In 1945, a local publication, What’s Doing, described the city as “. . . picturesque with unpaved streets, pine trees, shops, which resemble gnome houses…beautiful beach.” It’s a description that still holds true in 2016. The original intention of Carmel co-founder James Frank Devendorf was for the coastal city to be a place where people could go to church, send their children to school, and enjoy the natural environment without the unnecessary encroachments of civilization. “He wanted them to form a real community of friendship. That is why he insisted that there be no house numbers or street addresses. People would have to meet each other at least once a day when they went to the post office, he reasoned,” recalls Jack Galante, Devendorf’s great grandson and President of Galante Family Winery. Devendorf allotted a notable amount of effort in planting trees throughout the town, taking care to not cut down any trees, even building roads in such a manner that it would accommodate growth. Devendorf
appropriately articulated his fervor: “The settlement has been built on the theory that people of aesthetic taste would settle in a town of Carmel’s naturally aesthetic beauties, provided all public enterprises were addressed toward preventing man and his civilized ways from unnecessarily marring the natural beauty so lavishly displayed here.” The love for community and concern for the town’s well-being could be seen with the Laiolo family. Eleonore Laiolo, wife of former Mayor of Carmel Barney Laiolo, shares the same admiration for this sense of community: “The friendliness and caring of one neighbor for another has always been a highlight of this city.” Her husband would be the first mayor in Carmel’s history to be elected through a popular vote rather than by the previous method where city council election determined the mayor. After his election, he had to face an influx of vandals that were harming the foundation of this tightknit city. “They would sit in Devendorf Park and dig the heels of their shoes into the grass to destroy it,” stated Eleanora, explaining her husband’s covert plan to stop the vandals. “Barney would disguise himself as a tourist with loud shirts and crazy hats. He would walk with a camera to take photos of the vandals while speaking into the walkie talkie on his shirt collar to call the police department.” The intimacy of this visually stunning town still stands firm to this day. The numerous efforts and sacrifices made by its public servants and citizens have created a century of shining tradition—the city that is Carmel-bythe Sea.
SCENE | LIZZY'S GALLERY OPENING
Congrats Lizzy By Tracy Gillette Ricci | photos by Manny Espinoza
Seven year old Lizzy, of Monterey, arrived at Bennet Sculpture Gallery in grand style to a cheering crowd of family, friends and community, gathered to support the young aspiring artist’s wish to have her own gallery show. In preparation, Lizzy worked for two days with award winning artist, Tana Quincy at the San Francisco Art Institute to create the three acrylic paintings showcased in the Carmel-bythe Sea gallery. Mayor, Steve Dallas, presented her with a proclamation and
invited her to City Hall to be honorary Mayor for a Day. Sponsored by Make-aWish Foundation, the afternoon reception included painting stations for the young guests in the balloon filled gallery. A jubilant Lizzy autographed posters of her featured work titled “Cake” surrounded by tables garnished with sweet treats. "Every Wish has the power to help children get through their treatments, and to fight their illness with renewed hope and strength." said local MAW Volunteer Kathy Eckerson.
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COMMUNITY | DALI 17
Welcome to Dali17 One Collector, A Surreal Legacy, and A New Museum of Epic Proportions By Ana L. Roman | photos by Scott Campbell The eternal life and immortality of Salvador Dali has graced our corner of the world with his surreal presence once again. Formerly known as The Museum of Monterey, the newly remodeled museum—now entitled Dali17—is home to a permanent exhibit of 543 works. The new collection, made possible through a partnership between Pebble Beach businessman Dmitry Piterman and the Monterey History and Art Association, is the second largest private collection of Dali art in the United States and the first of its kind on the West Coast. The prolific museum also hosts a hefty selection of lithographs, sculptures, original etchings, mixed media, and tapestries. While visiting the exposition, one can almost hear the laughter and glee of Dali’s voice. Maverick, polymath, obsessive multi-tasker (before it was a 21st century ailment) and revolutionary, Dali inspires museum patrons to keenly observe the meanderings and mystic musings of the artist. With Carmel and Monterey’s historic penchant for hosting writers, poets, and photographers, one could say that Dali made his most inspired works while living in Monterey during the 1940s. To investigate further, 65/57˚Magazine had a chance to attend the opening and sit down with Piterman to speak with him on his sincerest and most passionate ventures: art and Dali.
65˚: How did you start collecting Salvador Dali, and what is it about Dali’s art that made you want to collect only his works? P: I think it’s perhaps his revolutionary spirit together with his amazing craftsmanship. He has an uncanny ability to transcend and transform reality into a wonderful imaginary world that is all his own. 65˚: What makes Dali17 unique versus any other permanent art exhibitions in the region? P: It’s important to convey that the exhibition is an organic monument to his life in this region, especially in Monterey. 65˚: What inspired you to pick Monterey to house your collection? P: It is the city where Dali lived and worked between 1941 and 1948. He moved here to escape the war in Europe, and it is here where he dazzled, entertained, and amazed the artistic community of the world. 65˚: How do you believe Salvador Dali’s work has impacted the art community and our culture? P: The work of Dali has permeated movies, literature, paintings, sculptures, graphic works, and illustrations. Also, jewelry, tapestry, set designs for ballet, design of perfume, and even clothing. He worked in many mediums to provoke the imagination through tapping into the subconscious universe. DALI17 is located at 5 Custom House Plaza in Monterey and is open Sunday-Thursday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
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57° DEPARTMENTS COLUMN Publisher’s Note PERSONA Out of the Box | By Andrew Call A Fate of Purpose | By Tracy Gillette Ricci The Artful Play of Winemaking | By Sandy Balzer Constant Creation | By Katherine Matuszak COMMUNITY A Semicentennial Celebration | By Katherine Matuszak STAY Mandarin Oriental Geneva: The Swiss Don’t Miss | By Michael Cervin Auberg du Soleil | By Katrina Boldt STYLE Modern Tales of the Newly Tailored | By Ana L. Roman
Cover artwork by Carmel local Lisa Bryan. Holiday watercolor of the San Francisco skyline.
THIS IS THE CIT Y
PUBLISHER’S NOTE by Rich Medel As we ease into the third quarter of the year, we welcome autumn by celebrating the centennial anniversary of our beloved Carmel-by-the-Sea. Paying homage to its rich 100-year history, we present Artful Living by the Sea, a special feature that shares the unique formula used to create and maintain village intimacy.
Year” by the United Way. Meanwhile, for Farah Makras, philanthropy is something that is just in her bones. Serving on several non-profit boards, Farah has climbed every obstacle in her life with grace and continues to help create opportunities for people and pave the way for creativity.
We are grateful that artist Lisa Bryan contributed this issue’s cover of 65˚, a painting of historic Carmel. Her lovely work is a perfect accompaniment to the town’s aesthetic charm. She also painted the cover for 57˚, a gorgeous interpretation of San Francisco.
We’re also grateful for Lizzy Candidate for the Make-A-Wish art debut. And we hope you’ll enjoy taking a visual tour of the Mandarin Oriental, Geneva, truly a one-of-a-kind resort.
As usual, we have several inspiring stories to carry us into the season. As a student of Community Partnership for Youth (CPY), Armando Iglesias is already harnessing his inner power to make this world a better place, having been honored with the distinction of “Youth Volunteer of the
We are happy to announce the first winner of Club 65 . You can read about Sonia Werk’s experience inside of these pages. If you aren’t already a Club 65 member, sign up for free at www.65mag.com/the-club/ for a chance to “Live the Experience” while learning about local events and promotions.
THIS IS THE CITY PUBLISHER Rich Medel rich@65mag.com EDITORIAL
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Andrea Stuart andrea@65mag.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Sandy Balzer Katrina Boldt Andrew Call Michael Cervin Katherine Matuszak Chadwick Medel Tracy Gillette-Ricci Ana L. Roman
COPY EDITOR
ASSOCIATE EDITORS ART
Katrina Boldt Katherine Matuszak Marisa Espinoza Ana L. Roman
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Manny Espinoza manny@65mag.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Manny Espinoza Patrice Ward Hemail Zaveri Trisha Leeper
Carmel Beach Sunset by Manny Espinoza | cremacreativemedia.com
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San Francisco from the Mandarin by Manny Espinoza | cremacreativemedia.com
SUBMISSIONS: For article submissions, email proposal to editors@65mag.com. 65° Magazine is published quarterly, P.O. Box 6325, Carmel, CA 93921-6325. Subscription rate: $40, payable in advance. Single copies $4.99. Back issues if available, $15 (includes shipping and handling). POSTMASTER send address changes to 65° Magazine, P.O. Box 6325, Carmel, CA 93921-6325. Entire contents © 2013 by 65° Magazine™ unless otherwise noted on specific articles. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is strictly prohibited without Publisher permission.
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KATRINA BOLDT
CHADWICK MEDEL
KATHERINE MATUSZAK
ANDREW CALL
THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
MANNY ESPINOZA
PATRICE (POUR) WARD
HEMALI ZAVERI
MICHAEL CERVIN
TRACY GILETTE
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SCENE | PEBBLE BEACH CONCOURS DE ELEGANCE
STAY | MANDARIN ORIENTAL GENEVA
Mandarin Oriental Geneva: The Swiss Don’t Miss by Michael Cervin Geneva, Switzerland is one of Europe’s under-the-radar cities. Yet, this vibrant city offers incredible access to multiple countries, stunning scenery, amazing history, and a robust food and wine scene. The best place to begin your adventure is at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental. If a preponderance of flowers is not for you, then by all means, avoid the Mandarin Oriental. If, however, roses, orchids, and hydrangeas in public spaces and in your room is appealing, then you have arrived! The Mandarin is one of Geneva’s most iconic, comfortable, and consistent lodgings. Refurbished in 2009, and again in 2013, the Mandarin Oriental looks nearly brand new. The concierge level service is indicative of what you would expect from this type of hotel, and the vibe is formal but understated; comfortable yet professional. Mandarin Oriental is either a seven minute walk from the Geneva train station, or a two-tram stop. Situated along the Rhone River, with some rooms and suites offering glimpses of Lake Geneva, it boasts easy walking access to the lake and the historic downtown area. Geneva is also a great home base for nearby skiing—within a two-hour drive from the city—or a 30-minute drive to La Cote, Geneva’s closest wine region. The rooms and décor at Mandarin Oriental are subtle and warm, accomplished without being too ceremonious or pretentious: appointed in soft tones of beige, purple, and brown, with Greek and Italian marble in the bathrooms. In addition to attentive service, all rooms have personal printers (though there is a small business center on the lobby level) and all suites include yoga mats in case the mood strikes. There is also a 24/7 fitness room and spa, and large venues for weddings, anniversaries, and meetings.
MO Bar, just left of the lobby entrance, with its masculine sensuality, is the perfect rendezvous place for a cocktail or a glass of Swiss wine. There are three restaurants, of which includes La Riviera. Located on the ground floor, it offers outdoor dining in the summer months and a voyeuristic experience with river views. Le Chalet, a wood-toned space meant to resemble a Swiss chalet, is your traditional fondue stop. But it is their signature restaurant, Rasoi by Vineet, that sets the standard for dining in Geneva. Awarded a Michelin Star, Rasoi became the first Indian restaurant in continental Europe to hold this distinction. The food focuses on Indian spices and flavors, but is not the oily, heat-driven fare associated with mundane Indian food. Instead, the delicate nuance of suggestion is at play here. Fresh herbs, a deft hand, and the coaxing of amazing flavors from a diversity of ingredients is all part of the nightly routine. Baskar Chakravarthy joined Rasoi as head chef in January 2016. “Geneva is a multi-cultural city with a huge population of foreign inhabitants due to the many international companies and organizations located here,” he tells 57˚. “Passion for food has always been strong here, and we have the best location for supplies and fresh ingredients, considering we are so close to France, Germany, and Italy, making Geneva a great culinary destination.” When considering a trip to Europe, pay a visit to Geneva, and ensconce yourself at the Mandarin Oriental.
PERSONA | CHRISTIAN GARDNER
Out of the Box By Andrew Call | photos by Hemali Zaveri Christian Gardner’s keen eye for style and fit is more genetic than anything. Operating independently from creatively restrictive big-box retailers and “made to measure” programs, Gardner’s customized approach to clothing is as dynamic as his family’s imaginative tastes. His father, a surgeon and artist, and his late mother, a renowned interior designer, imbued Gardner with a stylistic practicality that has made him into a trusted custom clothier. His siblings followed equally visionary paths: one sister is an opera singer and a dancer, and his brother is a world class skier and scratch golfer. Most telling about Gardner’s success with Élevée Custom Clothing—working closely with high profile athletes, tech executives, and investment bankers—is his ability to walk the line between his client’s preferences and his own aesthetic expertise. . “There’s a difference between what we do and ‘made-to-measure.’ Before I work on a piece for a client, the clothing template does not exist. Each client’s fit is intrinsically different. For Gardner, the obsession with the perfect suit shows up in more places than just the end product. He recalls a cold November Monday Night Football game at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park. Steve Young, Gardner’s sports idol, was guest announcing the game that night and only had the ten minutes during halftime to be measured and fitted for his 49ers Hall of Fame coat. At the end of the second quarter, Gardner (who grew up in Los Altos, 30 miles south of where Young played his legendary career) was ushered down by security to the old San Francisco Giants dugout, where he met and fitted the athletic frame of a quarterback he watched lead the 49ers to a Super Bowl win as a young man. “Getting into the business, I never thought I’d meet my childhood heroes, but working with them is something else. I love what I do.” Gardner’s success has everything to do with an internal passion and buoyant attitude. He is collaborative as a fashionable confidant for his clients. His
approach is long-term, and he builds the types of working relationships that span different seasons of colors and fabric trends. Always working onsite in his client’s homes or offices adds to the experience. He’s adamant about a process used at Élevée called “basted fitting,” where he’ll receive the jacket unfinished and meet with his client one more time before making final adjustments, “just to be absolutely sure,” he says. Gardner’s passion for precisely fitting clothes and carefully selecting seasonal hues is met, however, with an equally intense flare for the unknown—travel, adventure, and extreme sports. Most recently, Gardner embarked on a helicopter powder skiing trip 5,000 miles away from his California home in the Chilean Andes Mountains; the same mountains that soar 15,000 feet above the country’s famed southern point-breaks, where he surfed days later in the same trip. Years earlier, that very same thrill for travel and adventure prompted Gardner to jump at the chance to globetrot as clothing model for Armani, Levi’s, and Banana Republic. Now, on the other side of the camera, Gardner’s skillful attention to designing that same photoshoot caliber style of clothing has reintroduced a balanced capacity for traveling the world again. “It’s really come full circle. This is the best of both worlds,” proclaims Gardner. With an incredible office space in the heart of San Francisco’s Marina district on Chestnut Street, backed by Élevée’s dynamic state-of-the-art, quick-turnaround facility in Van Nuys, California, Gardner continues to deliver freshly cut, impeccably distinct clothing for his ever-growing list of clients. As of this writing, Gardner’s next customer is his father, who will be showing his 1930 Gardner Roadster at the 2016 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. He will undoubtedly look back at the experience and have pride, having felt dapper alongside his magnificent machine.
By Ana L. Roman “San Francisco is the only city I can think of that can survive all the things you people are doing to it and still look beautiful.” Frank Lloyd Wright The fog is rolling in, the leaves are wet, and the streets gleam with electricity. Dashing hats and flirtatious fedoras come back on, while the baseball caps go to the back of the closet. The cufflinks are fastened quickly, while the scarves are gently tied. The peacoats are lightly dusted, while the utility suits and hoodies are rightfully considered. Some say that dressing rituals and chivalry are dead, but here in the Bay we say, “Excuse me fine sir, but we beg to differ.” Whether tailored or weekend lounging, there’s a new frontier of style to be explored. So while those Bay area winds drum up and the drizzle blows onward, remember this: fall is the perfect time to renew future utility elegance, dapper denouements, and 21st century menswear style.
FASHION | MODERN TALES OF THE NEWLY TAILORED
Modern Tales of the Newly Tailored
BURBERRY
PRINGLE OF SCOTLAND
FENDI
JOSPH ABBOUD
GIORGIO ARMANI
MATTHEW MILLER
TODD SNYDER
DOLCE GABBANA
PERSONA | FARAH MAKRAS
A Fate of Purpose By Tracy Gillette Ricci | photos by Hemali Zaveri
In 2010, inspired by her love of children and with the youngest of her four children, entering kindergarten, Farah Makras, devoted mother and wife, was afforded the time and opportunity to begin the philanthropy that was always part of her plan. Her daughter was adopted after Farah learned there was an infant, months old, in need at a Guatemalan orphanage. With the goal to continue helping children, she planned to visit Haitian orphanages. Fate would intervene that year on January 12th, just three days prior to her departure to Haiti. A magnitude 7.0 earthquake would devastate the Haitian capital and surrounding areas with powerful aftershocks. In response, Farah teamed up with Sirona Cares Foundation’s, Michelle Lacourciere to organize a donation collection. Farah expected to receive a couple of suitcases worth of donations, but ended up collecting enough donations to fill a 12,000-square-foot warehouse that would fill three container trucks, all to be distributed to the ravaged country. As a result of her work, Farah was awarded the “Unsung Heroine Award” on International Women’s Day by former San Francisco Mayor, Willie Brown. Farah currently serves on three boards dedicated to children and young adults, including Family Builders, Booker T Washington Community Service Center, and Asian Neighborhood Design. It’s hard to imagine the path that led her to the life she has built in San Francisco. Born in Iran, to upper middle class parents, her father was a veterinarian and her mother was the headmaster of a large public school in the city of Tehran. Farah and her sister were raised in a relatively westernized culture during the reign of the last leader to hold the title of shah. As was customary, her sister, Flora, went to study in the United States. A 13-year-old Farah and her mother would join Flora in California for a visit in the summer of 1978.
While Farah and her mother enjoyed their vacation, the unrest that had begun to take hold of Iran, in protest of the shah, intensified. It had built and waned over the previous months, so Farah never imagined it would lead to anything. Her mother returned to Iran at the end of the summer as planned but Farah extended her visit by a month; a fateful choice. The young teen would not see her parents again for six years. The revolution, with demonstrations and campaigns of civil resistance, paralyzed the country and eventually forced the exile of the shah and the overthrow of the Pahlavi Dynasty. The airports closed. Farah remained with her sister, at first in their comfortable four bedroom home in Foster City, but later with friends when the money her parents sent was reduced and at times stopped altogether. They they were hired by families in au pair positions for room and board while Farah obtained a student visa, thanks to the school’s principal, who was sympathetic to the plight of the Iranian girls. Despite the extreme circumstances, Farah pushed forward. The sisters moved into an apartment and Farah continued her education, afforded by her job at a local diner. She married while in college at the age of eighteen. Their youth would divide their union seven years later but not before the couple welcomed a son. Her parents were by her side thanks to the diplomacy of Senator Pete Wilson. Several years later, she found love again with Victor Makras. They grew their family with two sons, now ages fifteen and sixteen, followed by their daughter. Farah, with the support of her family, is focused on championing the causes she is most passionate about to make a difference in the lives of children in need.
SCENE | THE V FOUNDATION
STAY NAPA | AUBERGE DU SOLEIL
Auberge du Soleil by Katrina Boldt
Perched upon Rutherford Hill in Napa Valley, Auberge du Soleil is perennially ranked one of the World’s Best Hotels by Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, and other influential publications. Inspired by the rustic sophistication of southern France, the Forbes Five Star hotel began as the vision of French restaurateur Claude Rouas and initially opened as a destination restaurant. Fifty guest accommodations, or maisons, were added in 1985, each featuring private terraces and panoramic views of the valley. The resort features original interiors by American designer Michael Taylor as well as extensive updates by Suzanne Tucker of Tucker & Marks, Inc., San Francisco, Taylor’s former protégé. Suzanne Tucker describes the design icon’s recent evolution: “My updated design retains the spirit of the Auberge’s hillside allure, the private, romantic ambience and brings the interiors forward with a more contemporary approach. We are after timeless qualities here, and this thoughtful approach has felt very natural and organic, just as the Auberge and its surroundings are.” The newly updated suites, some offering up to 1,300 square feet of space and sculptural stand-alone tubs in outdoor private bath gardens, feature floor-to-ceiling steel windows that drench the rooms in sunshine and allow guests to make the most of their iconic Napa Valley surroundings. Rich furnishings set amidst bleached and cerused woods as well as accessories from Janus et Cie, Circa Lighting, Arteriors, and Roost, among others, also create tastefully “collected” spaces featuring fireplaces and spa-like bathrooms bathed in warm sandy beiges, creamy limestone, and shades of pale terra cotta. In maisons Menton and Narbonne—which welcome guests with clean architectural
interiors that blend the styles of the South of France and California—spa-like limestone and marble bathrooms feature skylights to let in plenty of natural light, oversized sculptural soaking tubs, open-air showers, heated limestone floors, artisan bath amenities, and Waterworks furnishings. All guest rooms are fully outfitted with high-definition Samsung televisions, Blu-ray DVD players, Bose Bluetooth audio players, and high-speed wireless internet to keep guests entertained and connected. In the custom of Auberge du Soleil to provide special touches, rooms include complimentary yoga mats, house-made refreshments, minibars, and welcome bottles of local wine. George Goeggel, Auberge du Soleil’s Managing Partner, emphasizes the luxurious sensuality that embodies the new dramatic features of Napa Valley’s most awarded hotel: “We’ve re-envisioned the lifestyle at Auberge du Soleil and infused it with a lightness of spirit that is very fresh, young, and very sexy. With private terraces, custom-designed beds, and more than a little glamour, our new rooms are a seductive retreat within a retreat.” This fall, Auberge du Soleil invites you to experience Napa Valley at peak harvest season with its Big Crush Getaway mid-week package. Participants will enjoy $100 in resort credit, complimentary tasting for two at Crocker & Starr, a room upgrade upon arrival, daily breakfast for two, 10 percent off spa services, and complimentary use of the resort’s Mercedes convertibles. This package is subject to availability.
AGRI-CHIC ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE HEART OF WINE COUNTRY Centrally located in the lively West End of Downtown Napa, Andaz Napa is a luxury lifestyle hotel featuring 141 agri-chic accommodations inspired by our local surroundings. Eat and drink at Andaz Farmers Table or Mercantile Social with our farm to table food, craft cocktails and boutique wines or just relax near a firepit on our outdoor terrace. VISIT ANDAZNAPA.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.
The trademarks Andaz® and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Corporation. © 2016 Hyatt Corporation. All rights reserved.
PERSONA | KATHRYN HALL
The Artful Play of Winemaking By Sandy Balzer | photos by Patrice Ward
When asked what it’s like to write a book with her husband while running a business with him, Kathryn Walt Hall gives a warm laugh and honest reply: “Let me start by saying it’s not always easy. Both Craig and I are very strongwilled and we don’t always agree. So it’s not that it’s smooth sailing. But I think that this contrast between us and the disagreements make us both stronger. It certainly makes the work more interesting. We have differing opinions and we talk about them and argue about them and it’s not boring. It’s exciting. I love working with my husband.” A Perfect Score: The Art, Soul, and Business of a 21st-Century Winery chronicles Kathryn and Craig Hall’s 20-year wine-making odyssey. But Kathryn’s wine story began long before she met Craig Hall. Family and wine are inextricably linked for Kathryn, who grew up on her family’s vineyards. “Wine was always a part of every family celebration from the time I was a little girl,” she says. When her dad followed his passion and bought a vineyard in Mendocino Valley and moved the family there, Kathryn fell in love. She and her brother even managed the family vineyard from 1982 to 1992, selling grapes to other wineries, as well as producing Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon under the label WALT Vineyards. “It’s in my roots and it’s real,” she says.” I’m always happier when I’m around dirt. I can’t imagine a life without being in this world.”
Perfect Score explores their journey navigating the art, lifestyle, politics, and soul of the evolving business of making and selling wine, specifically two wines awarded perfect scores from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. “Today, this world is so different than it was when I was a kid. Grapes are still grown and we still make wine from grapes, but the technology, the artful play—winemakers are better than ever. How you sell wine is totally different,” says Kathryn. “Today the connection is much more personal. It’s lovely to be able to work in a world where it’s all about adding joy to other people’s lives.” Kathryn’s philanthropic nature and commitment to environmental causes are a pillar of Hall Wines. Last April marked the 7th Annual Hall Cabernet Cookoff raising over $60,000 for local charities. All of Hall Vineyards are certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), and in 2009, HALL became the first winery in California to be distinguished as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold Certified fully-sustainable production facility. For Hall, doing business the right way, a personal way, is simply good business.
Of course, Kathryn thoroughly explored other career paths as an attorney, a businesswoman, and an ardent advocate for various social causes. Her appointment as United States Ambassador to Austria in 1997, just two years after the Halls purchased their first winery together, paused their wine-making plans.
Everything about their business is personal, according to Kathryn. “We talk about this a lot at the winery, whether we’re in the tasting room or talking to our wholesalers, or conducting business on the phone,” she adds. Kathryn believes it’s about really knowing your customer and letting them know you, which is something they hope to accomplish with the book. “I love this business; I love the people I work with. I’m living my dream,” says Kathryn with a smile.
But when the Halls returned to Napa in 2002, they re-committed to their vision of establishing a showcase wine estate for Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. A
Pairing this book with a rich cabernet and getting lost in a great story about family, wine, and passion sounds like a dream indeed.
SCENE | LA FOOD & WINE
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SCENE | PLAE INC FALL 2016 FASHION SHOW
SPECIAL | ASIAN ART MUSEUM
A Semicentennial Celebration By Katherine Matuszak San Francisco locals are well acquainted with the familiar facade of the Asian Art Museum. For many young people, it is a building that has always been a part of their city, a staple of historic San Francisco. The Asian Art Museum features more than 18,000 pieces of important works from throughout Asia, spanning 6,000 years of history. This fall, the museum presents The Rama Epic: Hero, Heroine, Ally, Foe, an exhibition featuring contemporary and ancient artwork illustrating the sacred Ramayana, a series of stories as old as the Bible and longer than the Odyssey. This beloved tale is common knowledge to countless people around the globe, yet much of this hemisphere has yet to learn it. From October 21 to January 15, The Rama Epic will be larger than any previous exhibition, with 135 sculptures and paintings, masks, puppets, and examples of temple architecture from India, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia, with pieces borrowed from museums across the U.S., U.K., and Europe. The museum will also host screenings of TV mini-series and movies retelling the Ramayana. Opening weekend of this exhibition, October 22-23, coincides with the celebration of Diwali, the most important Hindu celebration of the year. This festival of lights signifies light and hope prevailing over despair and darkness. The museum’s weekend of Diwali programs and activities will be free to all, inviting families for a celebration of song, dance, storytelling, and art.
This year, the museum commemorates 50 years of sharing art and culture, and they’re celebrating their Gold Anniversary in several exciting ways. The museum partnered with San Francisco’s iconic creamery Humphry Slocombe to create a new ice cream flavor for the occasion, and the result is Adzuki Almond Cookie, made with adzuki beans and chewy almond cookies, available only at the museum’s Café Asia. If you’re just craving some celebratory ice cream and don’t have time to visit today—good news! Museum admission is not required to visit the café. On January 15, the museum will open a 50th anniversary timeline installation titled Zero to 50+, illustrating the history of the museum. An online experience will accompany the installation, inviting the public to share their memories at the Asian Art Museum (memories.asianart.org), and vote for their favorite artwork out of the museum’s collection of more than 18,000 objects (50faves.asianart.org). Other special events this year include the Japanese New Year’s bell-ringing ceremony, a demonstration and lecture with internationally renowned dance troupe Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, and a gold-themed public party in honor of the museum’s golden anniversary and the opening of their anniversary exhibition, Hidden Gold: Mining Its Meaning in Asian Art. The museum also has a variety of upcoming community events, including mochi-pounding to celebrate the New Year, a Lunar New Year celebration, art festivals, and various cultural celebrations. Their calendar is jam-packed with opportunities you won’t want to miss, and you can view it at asianart.org.
PERSONA | ANTONIA ALLEGRA
Constant Creation By Katherine Matuszak | photos by Hemali Zaveri If Antonia Allegra constructed a résumé today, it might come close to the length of one of her books. Allegra is a culinary coach, author of Napa Valley: The Ultimate Winery Guide, and served as founding Editor-in-Chief of VINE: Napa Valley and Appellation magazines—but that's only some of the headliners. The simplest way to define Allegra might be to say that she is a lover of food and writing, or maybe she simply enjoys the act of creating: putting an incredible meal on the table, spinning words into a story, and helping others do the same for themselves.
Following a job offer to her husband, the entire family moved to France, where Allegra took classes in French cooking under Suzanne Bergeaud, who also trained Julia Child. After about a year, the family moved to San Diego, where she prepared classical French and Northern Italian dinners for their guests, local scientists, and their wives. She began teaching, and for eight years taught three classes a week, 13 students a class, teaching full four-course meals. "My children would open the fridge and I'd say, “Not for the family! For the class!" One of her students soon became the food editor for The San Diego Tribune.
When asked about her background, she begins with her ancestors from Italy and Switzerland's Ticino in the 1800s, and how they brought traditional Italian cooking with them when they came to America. She and her sisters grew up surrounded by incredible Northern Italian food. "It was a normal part of life, eating sautéed zucchini, scallopine . . . point is, we grew up with that palate."
Allegra was a leader of the International Association of Culinary Professionals and other culinary associations, continuing her studies in France over the years. She never felt a pull towards becoming a chef or restaurateur, instead she was inspired to teach in schools and speak publicly about history and food.
Allegra's familial connection to Napa Valley goes back to Emilio Lastreto, her grandfather, who worked as an attorney during Prohibition. "He was one of the attorneys who convinced the archbishop that certain wineries should still be able to grow grapes for wines for sacramental purposes," she says. Perhaps her love of wine, food, and this region was already in her blood. Her other grandfather, Antonio Laiolo, was one of the first vice presidents of the Bank of America, and his son, Barney, served as Mayor of Carmel for three terms. Allegra's family would go to Carmel at least once a year at Thanksgiving to visit "Uncle B." She remembers the short walk from the Laiolo house to the beach, and their uncle's memorable neighbor, Clint Eastwood: "We could look out his living room window and see him washing dishes in his kitchen!" She reminisces. "As it grew as a city, I witnessed Carmel evolve into this thriving community; it's as beautiful as it was." She married her first husband, a biophysicist, and together had three children.
Believing in the power of possibility, she accepted the invitation to take over the food editorship at the Tribune when her former student moved on to a different paper. Soon, she was noticed and offered a job by Beringer Winery in Napa Valley: the same vineyard for which her grandfather was once the attorney. After spending some time with Beringer Vineyard's School for American Chefs, she helped open a new campus for the Culinary Institute of America/Greystone campus there in the valley. Meanwhile, she wrote two books, established several magazines, and started the Symposium for Professional Food Writers. "Through all of this, I'm cooking up a storm," she assures. In 1998, she studied to become a professional coach. "I've made it my business to be a writing and career coach within the food and wine industry," she says. She lives today with her second husband, Donn Black, in St. Helena in what she's named their "Treehouse," where she's lived for thirty years. "This is my last home, the place of my deepest years of inspiration." She's currently working on one of multiple writing projects and taking a class in memoir writing. After just a short time speaking with her, it is clear she has plenty more stories to tell.
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COMMUNITY | MLVS
Home is Where the Heart Is By Andrea Stuart Known as a melting pot of cultures, the City by the Bay attracts people with dreams of finding and living their passions. San Francisco is where the heart is for many people who emigrated from their home countries in an effort to build a life here—many of whom are of Latin decent and represent generations of people who built many of our neighborhoods and contributed to their rich histories. Originally established as Centro Social Obrero, The Mission Language and Vocational School (MLVS) was formed in 1962 by a group of concerned Mexican laborers and community activists who recognized a need for education and job training. They secured a 35,000-square-foot facility at 2929 19th Street and converted it from a warehouse into a school, pioneering the Bay Area’s first Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) program. After incorporation in 1971, the school purchased the building and expanded its instructional programs. Today, MLVS has expanded its offerings with programs in the fields of healthcare, culinary arts, and clerical. “MLVS represents much of the history in and around the Mission, and seeks to keep the community with opportunities to live and work in San Francisco. In this way, our neighborhoods stay diverse and have a compelling narrative from which we all benefit,” says MLVS Executive Director, Daniel Brajkovich. Enrolling over 300 students each year, MLVS helps students escape the poverty cycle by enabling them to become self-sufficient, productive members of their communities, 70% of which remain employed after one year. Often seen as a universal language, food offers a wealth of opportunity for many of MLVS’ students. La Floridita, MLVS’ culinary academy, raises proceeds for their programs from their catering and rentals, educating students, such as Christopher Guerra and Gabriel Ventura.
Christopher, a native of San Francisco with El Salvadoran roots, completed his culinary training program at MLVS and was awarded a pay raise with more responsibilities at Global Gourmet Catering, where he worked during his culinary studies. Christopher worked diligently mastering his kitchen techniques while acquiring new skills in addition to building knowledge of cooking principles. His passion for modern cuisine, complex flavors of gastronomy, and artistic displays collectively stem from his innate creativity of mural design and graphic artistry. Gabriel Ventura, a native of El Salvador, completed his culinary training program at MLVS and was awarded a pay raise at Jillian’s Restaurant. He relocated to San Francisco three years ago and has since cultivated a strength in delivering fiery palate experiences, expanding his ability to create rich contemporary fare while refining his knife, organizational, and leadership skills. Within three years of joining the program, he grew from dishwasher to supervisor at Jillian’s Restaurant. Throughout its history, MLVS has helped place over 400,000 students in jobs. “The benefits of the jobs students receive have a tremendous ripple effect; not only are we doing workforce development, but in many ways, it is community development and community reinvestment,” says Brajkovich. Up to 150 youths are also served annually in MLVS after-school and summer programs for at-risk middle- and high-school aged students. The school’s bi-lingual, multi-cultural staff provide career guidance, counseling, job placement, and referral services for legal, childcare, health, and housing assistance. In this way, MLVS is recognized as an innovator in job skills training, all the while creating opportunities and inspiring passion. To learn more, visit MLVS.org.