7 BEDS | 11 BATHS | APPROX. 14,453 SQFT | APPROX. 3.44 ACRE LOT NEW ESTATE ON A QUIET CUL DE SAC WITH PASTORAL AND CITY LIGHT VIEWS OFFERED AT $22,500,000
24232 LONG VALLEY ROAD, HIDDEN HILLS
6 BEDS | 9 BATHS | APPROX. 5,700 SQFT | APPROX. 2.39 ACRE LOT CHARMING EQUESTRIAN ESTATE ATOP A PICTURESQUE KNOLL OFFERED AT $8,995,000
6 BEDS | 11 BATHS | APPROX. 18,183 SQFT | APPROX. 2.94 ACRE LOT CUSTOM ESTATE WHERE “FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT MEETS MONDRIAN” ON NEARLY 3 ACRES
OFFERED AT $26,750,000
22557 UHEA ROAD, WOODLAND HILLS
5 BEDS | 5 BATHS | APPROX. 3,603 SQFT ELEGANTLY UPGRADED TRADITIONAL HOME WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS OFFERED AT $1,995,000
4169 PRADO DE LA PUMA, CALABASAS
5 BEDS | 6 BATHS | APPROX. 4,602 SQFT BEAUTIFUL EAST COAST INSPIRED ESTATE OFFERED AT $4,890,000
24884 JIM BRIDGER ROAD, HIDDEN HILLS
6 BEDS | 8 BATHS | APPROX. 5,573 SQFT | APPROX. 1.26 ACRE LOT UPGRADED ONE STORY HOME WITH A SUNNY, OPEN FLOOR PLAN OFFERED AT $7,995,000
5600 ROUND MEADOW ROAD, HIDDEN HILLS
7 BEDS | 10 BATHS | APPROX. 7,900 SQFT | APPROX. 2.29 ACRE LOT BEAUTIFULLY REMODELED ESTATE WITH A GUEST SUITE OFFERED AT $7,999,000
OVER 10,000 Nose & Sinus Procedures
Award winning Dr. Alen Cohen has been consistently regarded as one of the best nose and sinus doctors in all of Los Angeles and the physician that other doctors will send their friends and family to. Dr. Cohen has been recognized as a Los Angeles Magazine Super Doctor since 2013 and a Castle-Connolly Nationally Recognized Nose and Sinus Surgeon since 2017.
OVER 5,000 In-Office Balloon Procedures OVER 18 YEARS of Experience Alen N. Cohen, MD, FACS, FARS
He is Founder and Director of The Southern California Sinus Institute, a nationally recognized sinus center of excellence, which serves the greater Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley and Ventura County areas.
Nose & Sinus Surgeon
FRONT LEFT: Duncan Hizzey: Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor; Seth Haye: Managing Director-Wealth Management, Financial Advisor; Katie DuBois: Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor; BACK LEFT: Tyler Davis: Financial Advisor; Clint Spivey: Vice President, Consulting Group Analyst; Elisa Decker: First Vice President, Chief of Staff; Griselda Hernandez: Wealth Management Associate; Stephanie Hartmire: Assistant Vice President, Group Director; Brandon Fraye: Registered Client Service Associate; Adagio Cisneros: Business Development Director
Anyone can build a house. WE BUILD WITH HEART.
As Calabasas residents, we understand the lifestyle, values, and details that shape this area. Crafting custom homes and refined remodels with care, collaboration, and exceptional craftsmanship for nearly 25 years.
• Complete Designs
• Walkways
• Masonry
• Turf
• Decks
• Irrigation
• Retaining Walls
• Ponds
• Patios
• Fences
• Water Features
• Hillside Specialist
A Note From the Publishers
Welcome to the “Our Kids” issue of 91302 Magazine, celebrating the vibrant youth that represent the very heart and future of our community. Raising children takes a village, and we are proud to spotlight the local educators, schools, and enrichment programs inspiring our kids to reach their potential.
Beyond academics, we explore support systems keeping families strong, highlighting dedicated professionals offering specialized tutoring, counseling, and expert guidance for children with additional needs. Discover the neighborhood resources, mentors, and advocates committed to helping every child thrive, grow, and succeed.
Enrichment activities that build physical, cognitive, and social skills outside traditional classrooms are also featured. “Taking the Reins”— beautifully written by Nancy Fath and photographed by the exceptionally talented Jim Jordan—tells the powerful story of building character in the saddle and how horseback riding instills deep empathy, patience, and confidence as children learn to communicate with and care for these powerful animals. The story also highlights “strength beyond the ring,” demonstrating how balancing and guiding a horse can help develop exceptional strength, physical coordination, and sharp mental focus that can benefit kids for life.
We are also happy to share the amazing story of Matan, founder of Matan Dog Training, who utilizes his extensive background with protection and working dogs to help clients build a cohesive, successful bond with their pets. Operating out of Westlake Village, Matan also provides personalized puppy training, obedience coaching, and behavior modification rooted in the philosophy that “life is better when your dog listens to you.”
Please enjoy our “Summer Favorites”—highlighting great shops, merchandise, and restaurants to enhance the rest of your summer in the greater 91302 area. Special thanks to our advertisers and contributors who make the magazine possible, and to you—our readers—who are the heart of everything we do.
Linda Perry & Lonna Weber Co-Publishers
CO-FOUNDER Linda Perry PUBLISHER
CO-FOUNDER Lonna Weber PUBLISHER EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
CO-FOUNDER Elissa Linick CREATIVE DIRECTOR
ADVERTISING DIRECTORS Linda Perry Lonna Weber
COPY EDITOR Nicole Schubert
COVER PHOTO Jim Jordan
STAFF WRITERS Britt Aaronson
Lee Aubin
Nancy Fath
Steve Geldman
Adelaide James
Linda Perry
Brian Rooney
Dustin Troyan
BOARD-CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Steve Geldman
Karl Larsen
Peter Bell-Mounteer
Melissa Westervelt
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Tiffany Thompson
SOCIAL MEDIA Melissa Westervelt
ADVERTISING
For more information about advertising, upcoming issues, and editorial content, please contact our advertising representatives by emailing Lonna@longvalleymedia.com or Linda@91302mag.com.
EDITORIAL POLICY
Editorial submissions are welcome but are published at the discretion of the publisher. No material published in the magazine can be reproduced without written permission. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of contents in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. 91302 Magazine is published six times annually.
I
have heard that the FDA issued a warning for certain sleep medications. Can you clarify?
The FDA issued a “boxed” warning, which is the strongest type of warning the FDA can give. This particular warning addresses the possibility for serious injuries related to certain sleep behaviors.
These behaviors are referred to as complex sleep behaviors and may include sleepwalking and sleep driving, among other activities that occur while asleep. The FDA has listed these occurrences as rare. However, these behaviors have resulted in deaths, the agency noted. The boxed warning is geared toward sleep medications known as “Z-drugs.” These include eszopiclone (Lunesta); zaleplon (Sonata); and zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, Intermezzo, and Zolpimist). The FDA noted that dangerous sleep behaviors seem to be more common when people are taking these medications.
Complex sleep behaviors can happen even at the lowest recommended dose of a Z-drug or after just one dose. Furthermore, these behaviors can happen if a Z-drug is taken with alcohol or without alcohol and with or without other medications that work via the central nervous system, such as strong painkillers and anti-anxiety medications.
If taking any of these Z-drugs, be aware of dangerous sleep behaviors and monitor for any occurrences. If dangerous sleep behavior occurs, discontinue the medication and contact your doctor or pharmacist for alternatives.
The Library is a boutique bottle shop offering a thoughtfully curated selection of specialty wines, whiskeys, and spirits from around the world. Designed to be as inviting as it is refined, the store provides a distinctive shopping experience for both connoisseurs and those simply looking to discover something new. Shelves feature everything from rare, hard-to-find bottles to approachable everyday favorites, all selected with intention.
Warm, elevated, and unhurried, the atmosphere sets The Library apart from traditional bottle shops. Knowledgeable staff are always available to guide guests, answer questions, and help select the perfect bottle—whether for a special occasion, a thoughtful gift, or an easy weeknight pour. The Library also hosts private tastings and curated events, offering an intimate setting to explore remarkable wines and spirits among friends, colleagues, or clients.
Rooted in the Calabasas community, The Library brings a level of sophistication and personal service, all while remaining welcoming, educational, and accessible to all.
Built for the collectors, the connoisseurs, and the quietly curious. Come find your signature bottle.
LADY OF J UST ICE
LAW OFFICES OF SHEIDA SHOALEHVAR
CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
Defending all misdemeanors and felonies Offices in Woodland Hills and Glendale FREE CONSULTATION Available 24/7 818.451.5274 | lady-of-justice.com
Local Heartwork
Make a difference. Get involved with local nonprofits and community organizations where your time, talents, or donations can truly impact lives—right here in the greater 91302.
Food Banks
West Valley Food Pantry westvalleyfoodpantry.org 818.346.5554
Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank mannaconejo.org 805.497.4959
Calvary Community Church Food Pantry calvarywestlake.org/local-help 818.991.8040
Animal Shelters
Eastwood Ranch Foundation eastwoodranch.org 818.338.1551
Agoura Animal Care Center animalcare.lacounty.gov 818.991.0071
West Valley Animal Shelter laanimalservices.com/west-valley 818.756.9325
Life Animal Rescue lifeanimalrescue.org 818.707.2007
Community Organizations
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley bgcconejo.org 818.706.0905
Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families casapacifica.org 805.366.4040
Forever Found foreverfound.org 805.306.8018
My Stuff Bags Foundation mystuffbags.org 818.865.3860
WHEN CANCER SHOWS UP, OUR 2,000 CANCER EXPERTS SHOW UP STRONGER.
Our only focus is curing cancer.
Amber, a busy television producer, knew her story was bigger than a cancer diagnosis. Today, she’s living her sequel. As one of the nation’s largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations, our singular focus on cancer drives breakthrough discoveries, advanced treatments and outcomes that surpass national standards — bringing more victories to more patients worldwide. Ending cancer
Innovative physical therapy and fascial integration for whole-body healing.
Jimmy Clabots combines 15 years of experience with science-backed therapies and hands-on care to create personalized treatment plans that reduce pain, restore function, and support lasting recovery.
What Sets Biohacker Rehab Apart?
Integrative manual therapy and fascialintegration
SoftWave® shockwave therapy
Chronic pain and injury recovery
Performance optimization and mobility enhancement
Nervous system and structural alignment focus
Personalized, whole-body treatment plans
Nurture the mother. Strengthen the family.
Personalized postpartum care rooted in ancient wisdom and modern healing. Postpartum doula and health coach Elena Krail helps mothers recover, restore, and reconnect during the critical weeks after birth. Through compassionate support and holistic wellness practices, she creates a nurturing path to long-term health and healing.
Services and support include:
• Postpartum doula care
• Holistic health coaching
• Nutrient-dense meal preparation
• Bodywork and massage
• Placenta encapsulation
• Red-light therapy and PEMF support
• Nervous system and emotional wellness guidance
“When a mother is supported, the whole family thrives.”
THE CON TENTS
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Mizel Estate Wine Mixers
SAVORING FINE WINES & INSPIRED MUSIC AT MIZEL ESTATE
Guests gathered on July 16th at the gorgeous Mizel Estate for an evening pairing of Mizel’s fine wines with a stirring live musical performance. As the sky glowed behind the mountains, visitors mingled while tasting elegant, complex wines in their breathtaking vineyard. Ensconced in a welcoming outdoor lounge, music lovers took in the soulful sounds of MJ Ultra, a local singer-songwriter and instrumentalist known for his solo alternative R&B sound.
Guests also enjoyed delectable bites of cheese, charcuterie, and artisanal chocolates. Mizel Estate’s wine mixer takes place every Thursday through the end of August. Learn more at mizelestate.com/wine-events.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELISSA WESTERVELT
Come
Break Out of the Conventional
WINE TASTING IN THE VINEYARD
Every Saturday
1:00PM-2:15PM & 2:30PM-3:45PM
Indulge in a ight of Mizel’s luscious, velvety red wines, made from 100% estate-grown French varietals. Enjoy a guided tour of our vines, where the magic begins.
WINE MIXER
Every Thursday 5:00PM-6:30PM
Step out of your week and into a world apart. Taste Mizel’s ne wines, listen to live music, play games and socialize with fun-loving wine devotees in our gorgeous vineyard.
ART AND WINE WITH BOBBIE RICH
2nd and 4th Sundays 3:00PM-5:00PM
Free your creativity with an immersive art class, paired with Mizel’s ne wine. Bring your masterpiece to life under the gentle guidance of acclaimed artist Bobbie Rich.
YOGA AND SOUND BATH
3rd Sundays 9:00AM-11:00AM
Surrounded by nature, Mizel’s yogi guides you through a yoga and sound bath session, promoting relaxation and tranquility. Afterward, savor Mizel Wine and artisanal chocolate.
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BumbleBee Foundation
GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER FOR PEDIATRIC CANCER
The 6th Annual BumbleBee Foundation Charity Golf Tournament successfully concluded on June 15th at the beautiful Wood Ranch Golf Club in Simi Valley. As the nonprofit’s flagship fundraising event, the tournament united local community members, corporate sponsors, and families for 18 holes of purpose-driven golf. All proceeds earned directly support families navigating a pediatric cancer diagnosis, funding crucial programs that alleviate medical and travel expenses. The impactful day featured competitive play and sponsor-backed tee activities, culminating in an evening awards banquet celebrating collective community hope. For more information, visit bumblebeefoundation.org.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELISSA WESTERVELT
Your Home Management
Whether you reside locally, split time between coasts, or embark on extended escapes, Lexington PMC serves as your exclusive concierge, expertly managing every detail of your homeownership responsibilities with sophistication and precision.
• Ensure your home is cared for while you are traveling
• Schedule preventative maintenance
• Ensure the bills are paid on time, expenses are tracked, and budgets carefully followed
• Respond to emergency calls 24/7
• Total remote access to updates via a secure owner portal
Rest easy knowing that every aspect of your property is professionally managed.
DOUG HUBERMAN
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SunSets Concerts
SUMMER FUN AT CALABASAS LAKE
The City of Calabasas launched its 2026 SunSets Summer Concert Series at Calabasas Lake on June 14th featuring Billy Nation, a premier Billy Joel tribute band. This highly anticipated event temporarily opened the exclusive, private lake grounds to the public, drawing local families for an evening of live music and lakeside relaxation. Attendees packed picnics, lawn chairs, and blankets onto the greenbelt to enjoy timeless hits under the open sky. The free community kicked off a vibrant season of summer entertainment with additional concerts scheduled August 2nd and August 23rd.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA PERRY
— BEING SCENE —
Counseling Partners of LA
HOSTS FESTIVE APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
Counseling Partners of Los Angeles (CPLA) Executive Director Therese Funk hosted an annual volunteer appreciation fiesta luncheon at her Calabasas home. CPLA is a nonprofit organization providing vital, low-cost, school-based mental health counseling to at-risk and underserved students in over 56 Los Angeles schools. The organization relies on more than 80 volunteer counselors, including masters-level trainees and post-graduate associates earning clinical hours for licensure under expert supervision. Together, they deliver essential support to help vulnerable youth, parents, and educators to foster resilient school communities across the region.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA PERRY
Your closet is a mess. An unorganized, chaotic, stress-sweat-inducing mess. But it could be organized. It could be an Inspired Closet.
Your closet is a mess. An unorganized, chaotic, stress-sweat-inducing mess. But it could be organized. It could be an Inspired Closet. Inspired days start in Inspired Cl osets™
Your closet is a mess. An unorganized, chaotic, stress-sweat-inducing mess. But it could be organized. It could be an Inspired Closet. Inspired days start in Inspired Cl osets™
Inspired days start in Inspired Cl osets™
SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME
DESIGN EX PERIENCE
818-346-1800
6465 De Soto Ave
SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME DESIGN EX PERIENCE
Woodland Hills CA 91367
818-346-1800
SCHEDULE YOUR FREE IN-HOME DESIGN EX PERIENCE 818-346-1800 6465 De Soto Ave
6465 De Soto Ave
Woodland Hills CA 91367
Woodland Hills CA 91367
Why Your Skin Needs
Mineral and chemical sunscreens protect your skin differently, but mineral formulas offer distinct advantages. Mineral sunscreens, also called physical sunscreens, use active ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These natural minerals sit on top of the skin’s surface. They act as a physical shield that reflects and scatters harmful UV
One major benefit of mineral sunscreen is immediate protection. Unlike chemical versions that require 20 to 30 minutes to absorb and become effective, mineral blockers work the moment you apply them. This makes them highly convenient for people on the go or parents applying sunscreen to squirming children.
Additionally, mineral formulas are much gentler on sensitive skin. Chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin and convert UV rays into heat, which can trigger inflammation, redness, and allergic reactions. Mineral ingredients are noncomedogenic and rarely cause irritation. This makes them the ideal choice for individuals with acne, rosacea, eczema, or highly reactive skin types.
Mineral sunscreens also offer superior environmental safety. Common chemical ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate wash off in the ocean and contribute to coral bleaching. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are reef-safe options that protect marine ecosystems while spectrum defense against both UVA and UVB rays naturally. They remain stable under sunlight, meaning they do not break down as quickly as chemical filters during sun exposure. Choosing mineral sunscreen ensures immediate, skin-friendly, and eco-
A new home for familiar faces
Collective Beaut y may be a new name in Calabasas , but its stor y here began many years ago Long before opening its doors , many members of the team spent years caring for patients throughout the communit y, building lasting relationships that ex tend far beyond aesthetic treatments They have celebrated life milestones with clients , watched families grow, and become par t of the fabric of the communit y they proudly ser ve
Together, the team brings decades of experience in aesthetic medicine, united by a shared commitment to natural-looking results, exceptional patient care, and honest recommendations While Collective Beauty is a new practice, many of the relationships its providers have built throughout Calabasas have been years in the making
For founder Alexis York , opening Collective Beaut y in Calabasas was deeply personal Her family has called the communit y home for many years; her children attended Calabasas schools from kindergar ten through graduation, and many of her closest friendships and professional relationships were built here When it came time to create her own practice, there was never another location to consider
The name Collective Beaut y reflects exactly who the team is a collective of experienced providers who have
worked together for years, combining their expertise to deliver thoughtful, personalized care while supporting one another and every client who walks through their doors
Today, Collective Beauty combines that experience with some of the most advanced technologies in aesthetic medicine A s the first practice in Calabasas to of fer HALO TRIBRID laser resur facing, along with XERF skin tightening, regenerative aesthetic treatments , advanced injectables , and carefully curated skincare, the practice is committed to bringing the latest innovations to the communit y it knows and loves
Above all, Collective Beaut y is about people It is a place where clients feel welcomed, heard, and genuinely cared for While delivering exceptional aesthetic care remains at the hear t of the practice, the team is equally committed to suppor ting local businesses , par ticipating in community events , and giving back to the Calabasas communit y that has suppor ted them for so many years
“While Collective Beauty is new, its connection to Calabasas is not,” says Alexis “We are honored to continue caring for the friends, neighbors, families, and generations of clients who have trusted many of us for years, and we look forward to building those relationships for many years to come ”
5076 ISLAND FOREST PLACE | THOUSAND OAKS OFFERED AT $15,450,000 EMIL HARTOONIAN | 310.990.0063 | LIC. #01796925
19378 LEMMER DRIVE | TARZANA OFFERED AT $13,985,000 AMIR JAWAHERIAN | 818.561.1600 | LIC. #01899893
3121 OLD TOPANGA CANYON ROAD | CALABASAS OFFERED AT $10,999,000 CRAIG KNIZEK | 818.618.1006 | LIC. #01377932
10801 N OAKDALE AVE LOT B | CHATSWORTH OFFERED AT $10,000,000 CHRISTINE DEMIRTSHIAN | 310.279.0673 | LIC. #01944195
17647 BELINDA STREET | ENCINO OFFERED AT $9,995,000 COREY KESSLER | 818.571.3352 | LIC. #01882925
The 13th Annual Calabasas Film Festival (CFF) showcases major premieres, student films, documentaries, and standout selections across all genres. Enjoy an ultra-premium celebration of film and television featuring local wines, culinary experiences, festive cocktail hours, and lively afterparties. This unique cinema and culinary event is one of the season’s most anticipated gatherings.
To purchase tickets online: calabasasfilmfestival.com
Enjoy access to ALL film screenings and after parties during the 5 day festival!
September 23-27, 2026
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Independence Day
CALABASAS LAKESIDE FUN RUN
The City of Calabasas celebrated Independence Day with its family-friendly 4th of July Spectacular at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center featuring fun and festive activities for all ages. The day kicked off with the annual Lakeside Fun Run where participants could run or walk along the greenbelts and pathways of beautiful Calabasas Lake, with commemorative medals and awards for top finishers in each of the 2-mile and 4-mile races. The festivities also included a popular pet show for furry companions and a splash party at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center, featuring music, games, and poolside fun.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA PERRY
EQUITY UNION REAL ESTATE CONGRATULATES
Ranking the Top 1.5% of Real Estate Professionals Nationwide
Equity Union is proud to congratulate Denise Marks on being recognized among the Top 1.5% of Real Estate Professionals Nationwide based on 2025 sales data. This achievement reflects Denise's dedication to providing exceptional service, expert guidance, and outstanding results for her clients.
With extensive market knowledge and a client-first approach, Denise has built lasting relationships rooted in trust and professionalism. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition and her continued commitment to excellence.
If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling a home, connect with Denise Marks to experience the expertise and personalized service that set her apart.
PETER WEISS, MD
Progeny
By Lee Aubin
Peter Weiss, MD, has built a distinguished career at the intersection of medicine, education, and public discourse. The author of approximately 50 published articles spanning a wide range of healthcare topics, Dr. Weiss has long been a trusted voice in wellness, bringing clarity and credibility to complex issues. His expertise has been featured on numerous national television talk shows, and he continues to shape public understanding of health as a national reviewer for medical content published through Verywell Health.
A graduate of the University of Michigan School of Medicine, Dr. Weiss has also contributed to healthcare policy, serving as a national advisor during Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign. His academic legacy includes 30 years as an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA School of Medicine, and he now holds the title of emeritus physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. In his encore years, Dr. Weiss has been giving back as an attending physician at Kern Medical Center, teaching hard-working, new resident physicians in a very high-risk, underserved community.
Dr. Weiss also has turned his attention to fiction with his compelling debut novel, Progeny (January 2026). Set in a chilling near-future dystopia, the story explores a society where newborns are reassigned at birth in the name of enforced equity. Through the eyes of Brooke Yeled, a loyal agent who begins to question the system she serves, Progeny delivers suspense, emotional depth, and timely ethical questions about autonomy, family, and control.
Outside of his professional accomplishments, Dr. Weiss, a Hidden Hills resident, is a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who cherishes family life—and the role of storyteller within it. peterweissauthor.com
Calabasas’ Most Trusted Choice for Healthy Smiles
Calabasas Dental Institute combines advanced technology with personalized care to deliver lasting results. From routine cleanings to complex restorative surgery, discover why more than 5,000 patients trust the practice.
Calabasas Dental Institute is the one-stop shop for all your dental care.
n Same-Day Crown Technology
n Advanced Implant Solutions
n 25+ Years of Experience
n 5-Star Patient Experience
n Multi-Specialty Team
n Payment Plans
n Emergency Services
Our financing through CareCredit allows you to make convenient monthly payments towards your treatment plan.
Kids at the Club
Dads Get the Royal Treatment on Father’s Day The club went all out to make dads feel special on Father’s Day. The celebration included an endless buffet and cookout serving every dad’s favorite steak and lobster. The event also included relaxing chair massages and acupressure for dads and pony rides and a bounce house for the kids.
Kids’ Summer Foam Party and Toy Story Character Night Kids kicked off their summer vacations with an interactive outdoor foam party where they splashed and played in cool, clean, refreshing allergy-free foam. Kids were also excited to interact with their favorite Toy Story characters—Sheriff Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and spirited Cowgirl Jessie, who wowed the crowd with her magical face painting. 818.222.8111 | calabasasgolf.com | info@calabasasgolf.com
6th Annual Ladies Calabash Invitational The 6th Annual Ladies Calabash Invitational Tournament took place May 19th through May 21st. The three-day tournament was chaired by Calabasas Ladies Club President Lisa Malkin, who coordinated the 112 participants that made up the 56 teams. This year’s overall gross winners were club member Wendy Sidley and her guest, Francis O’Keefe. The overall net winners were member Carin Meyer and guest Karen Isaacs.
Summer Fitness Heats Up at the Club Members know that the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer don’t mean skipping their daily workouts at the club. The club’s health and fitness center has great group classes and state-of-the-art fitness machines and equipment plus oneon-one and semi-private Motivator sessions to keep members on track with their
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Calabasas Senior Center
10TH ANNIVERSARY AND OPEN HOUSE
The Calabasas Senior Center celebrated its 10th anniversary on June 5th with a vibrant open house event. Community members toured the award-winning, 9,400-square-foot, LEED Gold-certified facility, which has enriched lives since its opening in June 2016. Attendees had the opportunity to explore the diverse classes, clubs, and upcoming excursions offered at the center while connecting directly with instructors and social leaders. The afternoon gathering successfully honored a full decade of fostering meaningful connections, active living, and lifelong learning for area seniors.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELISSA WESTERVELT
Caring Calabasas Club Eyeglass Donation Project
The Caring Calabasas Club (CCC) is known for doing myriad acts of kindness for their community. Recently, the club organized a month-long event via the Malibu Lions Club to collect and donate eyeglasses for those who are visually impaired and financially unable to purchase eyeglasses. The final donation count was 605 eyeglasses that were donated from the community. Carol Davis, leader of the CCC, and Karen Nebel, project point person, provided guidance and support for the collection project, collaborating with many members, friends, and family members affiliated with the Calabasas Senior Center. Justin Lok, sophomore from Agoura High School, volunteered his time to count the glasses, finding the majority in good condition. The Malibu Lion’s Club was thrilled to receive the used prescription eyeglasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses to support its mission.
TAKING THE REINS
By Nancy Fath
Photography by Jim Jordan
Makeup by Let's Make Up
There is something extraordinary about the bond between a child and a horse. It isn’t built on words, expectations, or achievement. It begins with trust.
Long before children learn to lead a horse, they learn to understand one. They discover that strength doesn’t come from force but from patience. That confidence isn’t loud. That trust is earned quietly, one gentle moment at a time. Perhaps that is why the connection feels so timeless. Children approach the world with curiosity, kindness, and an openness that horses seem to recognize instinctively. Horses don’t respond to titles, appearances, or accomplishments. They respond to calm, honesty, presence, and quiet confidence. In return, they teach children lessons that extend far beyond the riding arena.
Perhaps, the greatest lesson can never be measured by science. It is found in the quiet space between a child and a horse.
Science now supports what generations of horse lovers have always known. Studies have shown that children who spend time with horses experience lower levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, while developing greater emotional regulation, empathy, resilience, confidence, and a stronger sense of emotional well-being.
Arabian Horse Riding Academy instructor and Hidden Hills Riding Academy founder Nedra Johnson has seen all the research as well that concludes that working with horses can improve confidence, emotional regulation, empathy,
How horses teach confidence, character, and compassion
and communication skills while reducing stress and anxiety. Yet, for Nedra, the greatest evidence isn’t found in academic journals; it’s reflected in the children themselves.
She has watched shy children find their voices, anxious children discover calm, and uncertain children grow into confident young leaders. Time and again, she has witnessed the quiet transformation that happens when children realize that a 1,200-pound animal trusts them and accepts them as partners.
“I founded Hidden Hills Riding Academy on a simple belief,” says Nedra. “Every child deserves the chance to discover who they become in the presence of a horse. While many riding programs focus on ribbons and competition, we’re rooted in something far more long lasting.”
"A horse doesn’t just carry children on its back—it truly carries them toward confidence, responsibility, compassion, and the courage to believe in themselves." — Nedra Johnson
At Hidden Hills Riding Academy, every lesson begins long before a child climbs into the saddle. Students groom, tack, feed, and care for their horses, learning that trust is earned through patience, consistency, and kindness. Those quiet moments in the barn often become the greatest lessons of all.
“A horse doesn’t care about grades, popularity, or social media,” explains Nedra. “Horses respond honestly to energy, emotion, and intention. They teach children to become calm instead of reactive, patient instead of hurried, confident instead of fearful. In return, children discover resilience they didn’t know they possessed.”
In a world where childhood is increasingly shaped by screens, schedules, and constant pressure, perhaps the greatest lesson can never be measured by science. It is found in the quiet space between a child and a horse. In a world that asks children to grow up so quickly, horses invite them to slow down. To breathe. To listen before reacting. To earn trust instead of demanding it. Horses teach responsibility, compassion, patience, and the confidence that comes from caring for another living soul.
These lessons become a part of the child. Long after the riding boots have been outgrown and childhood has become a cherished memory, the character built beside a horse remains. The kindness. The empathy. The resilience. The quiet confidence to lead with both strength and heart.
Perhaps that is the greatest gift horses give our children—not simply the ability to ride but the opportunity to become compassionate, courageous, and deeply connected human beings. The greatest journeys don’t always begin with a destination. Sometimes they begin with a child, a horse, and a quiet understanding that trust, kindness, and compassion are strengths that will continue to guide long after they leave the barn.
Sometimes the greatest teachers never speak; they simply stand beside a child and quietly help shape who the person is or who the child is destined to become. l
Hollywood Glam in Woodland Hills
Favorites Summer
COLLECTIVE BEAUTY MED SPA
Give your skin the ultimate summer facial treatment it deserves. Experience Cible Skin’s advanced Parisian formulas for a deeply hydrated, sculpted, and effortlessly radiant complexion. 23622 Calabasas Rd., #111, Calabasas 818.221.1044 | collectivebeautymedspa.com
FEATURE
Discover BAPE's iconic STA silhouette in a bold purple and yellow patent leather construction. Blending streetwear heritage, premium craftsmanship, and unmistakable attitude with global influence.
The Commons at Calabasas | 818.912.6148 feature.com | @feature
PATEK PHILIPPE AT POLACHECK’S JEWELERS
Discover the pinnacle of haute horlogerie with the Patek Philippe Complications timepiece at Polachek’s Jewelers. Masterfully engineered, this legendary collection blends timeless elegance with uncompromising mechanical precision. The Commons at Calabasas | 818.225.0600 polachecks.com | @polachecksjewelers
Favorites Summer
POLACHECK'S JEWELERS
Brilliance in every form. Round, pear, heart, and emerald-shaped diamonds unite in 18K yellow gold for a tennis bracelet unlike any other. The Commons at Calabasas | 818.225.0600 polachecks.com | @polachecksjewelers
ZIMMERMANN CALABASAS
The Valiant Panelled Wrap Mini has landed at ZIMMERMANN Calabasas. For fall 2026, ZIMMERMANN channels a spirit of confidence with Art Deco influences emerging in prints and silhouettes. The Commons at Calabasas | 747.266.1351 zimmermann.com/us | @zimmermann
ELYSEWALKER
Saint Laurent’s Icare Hobo blends soft volume with iconic house attitude, offering a roomy, shoulderready silhouette that elevates everyday styling with signature luxury edge. Retail price: $4,300. The Commons at Calabasas | 818.937.9190 elysewalker.com | @elysewalker
Favorites Summer
ROCK. COUNTRY. MOTO.
Customized. One of a kind. Yours. No two are alike. Transforming curated garments into wearable expressions of individuality, creativity, and personal style. @rock.country.moto | rockcountrymoto.com
SOLO BEAUTY
Unlike typical back applicators, this innovative design allows you to effortlessly reach over your shoulders, mid and lower back, providing an unmatched experience. With durable mitts that last for years, you can trust Solo Beauty as a reliable choice to elevate your skincare exeperience.
THE LIBRARY
Special bottles and thoughtful finds await at The Library Boutique—Calabasas’ go-to for curated wines and spirits everyone will love and appreciate. 23504 Calabasas Rd., #3, Calabasas | 747.356.3546
thelibrarycalabasas.com | @thelibrarycalabasas
MIZEL ESTATE WINE TASTINGS
In the heart of Hidden Valley, Thousand Oaks, Mizel Estate Wines awaits. Indulge in a flight of Mizel’s luscious red wines, made from 100% estate-grown French varietals. Saturdays. Reservations essential. 1050 W. Potrero Rd., Thousand Oaks | 805.795.2506 mizelestate.com/wine-events | @mizelestatevineyard
BLVD STEAK
Sun-drenched and inviting, summertime at BLVD Steak features the popular $35 three-course Power Lunch, Golden Hour happy hour, weekend brunch, and elevated dinners rich in prime cuts and seafood. 4776 Commons Way, #A, Calabasas 818.436.2900 | blvdsteak.com
Favorites Summer
KITTYBIRD BLOOMS
Kittybird Blooms crafts stunning, floral arrangements that blend elegance and artistry—perfect for adding a touch of natural charm. They have a beautiful selection of Quail Ceramics to brighten any space. 23504 Calabasas Rd., Calabasas kittybirdblooms.com | @kittybirdblooms
By Adelaide James
Cultured
Add fresh, vibrant staples to your closet that are ideal for sunny days and warm SoCal temperatures.
TOTEME
CHLOÉ
ALAÏA
ERDEM
SELF PORTRAIT
ALAÏA
TOM FORD
Couture
Style meets comfort with 91302 Magazine's take on the latest in cultured couture.
EMILIA WICKSTEAD
GUCCI
MANOLO BLAHNIK
GUCCI
ERES
PUCCI
— BEING SCENE —
Senior Concerns
32ND ANNUAL LOVE RUN FOR MEALS ON WHEELS
Nearly 2,000 participants gathered June 7th for the Senior Concerns 32nd Annual Love Run presented by Logix Federal Credit Union. Featuring a 10K, 5K, 1-mile, and virtual race, the event raised funds to provide 18,000 nutritious meals for Senior Concerns’ Meals on Wheels program. This vital initiative supports older adults across eastern Ventura and western Los Angeles counties, delivering over 70,000 annual meals alongside daily wellness checks to over 425 homebound seniors. Major event naming sponsors included PENNYMAC, Carol’s Tribe, California American Water, and Kaiser Permanente.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ELIZABETH GU, CINDY MORROW, AND VIBRALINX
— BEING SCENE —
Calvary Community Church
CHRISTIANITY, CARS, AND CHARITY
WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY STEVE
GELDMAN
On June 13th, Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village hosted its fourth annual charity car show, presented by the church’s Seasoned Adult Ministry. The free-to-attend event, with nearly 250 vehicles registered, raised money for the charities RaisingHOPE and James Storehouse—specifically for helping young adults out of foster care to gain access to reliable transportation. Over 100 Calvary volunteers—including Pastor Dick Thompson, publicity lead Tom Howell, and coordinator Mary Roberts—were on hand to assist in parking, registration, food services, and more. The Best of Show award went to Frank McGrath for his beautiful 1957 Chevy Nomad. Visit calvarywestlake.org/carshow.
BACK TO SHUL: NEW YEAR, RENEW YOU
How a vocabulary lesson can teach us about the High Holy Days
By Rabbi Cantor Kyle Cotler
Most people know Hanukkah as the festival of lights. We associate it with latkes, dreidels, and a gloriously incandescent menorah. Fewer people know what the word Hanukkah actually means. It comes from the Hebrew verb chanakh, meaning "to dedicate." The holiday marks the moment the ancient temple, reclaimed after the Maccabean Revolt, was rededicated for sacred use.
Here is the part almost nobody learns in Hebrew school. That same Hebrew root gives us the word chinuch, which means education. This is not a mere coincidence. The root itself is doing double duty for two ideas we usually keep in separate boxes.
In Hebrew, learning and dedicating yourself to something are treated as a single act. An enduring education was never meant to just be information you memorize and later forget. It was meant to change what you are willing to commit your life to. You can know a thousand facts about a subject and still have no chinuch, no dedication, running underneath them. And you can walk away from one deep, honest conversation newly devoted to something, which is its own kind of education.
This is where the High Holy Days come in. Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, arrive each fall as the two most significant days on the Jewish calendar. Together, they are often treated like a final exam for the year. I once heard it described as 10 days to prove you still remember the material and feel appropriately guilty about the parts you forgot.
I would rather think of them as a chanukah (dedication) of the self. Not a test to pass, but a forthright rededication. A yearly opportunity to ask yourself how you want to devote your time, attention, and love. And to make that choice with intention— instead of by chance. That kind of question does not require perfect Hebrew, a religious upbringing, or years of synagogue membership. It only requires the willingness to sit with yourself quietly, while knowing you’re not alone.
That is the spirit we aim to build every High Holy Day season at Shir Kadosh. When our individual voices join the choir and the orchestra fills the room, something in us shifts. The music reaches what words alone cannot, and a room full of strangers becomes a community. That is where renewal and growth begin, not on our own, but together. Whether you grew up steeped in Jewish tradition or have never set foot in a synagogue, there is a place for you here, exactly as you are.
If you're curious about what it might feel like to begin this new year from a place of meaningful reflection, we’d love to have you. Visit ShirKadosh.org or email me at RabbiKyle@shirkadosh.org. I’ll save you a seat. l
Rabbi Cantor Kyle Cotler is the founding spiritual leader of Shir Kadosh, a young, Reform synagogue in Woodland Hills that blends tradition with a modern, welcoming approach to Jewish life. @templeshirkadosh
Dance Dimensions Stories That Move Us
This June, Dance Dimensions Performing Arts Center (DDPAC) united artistry and activism in its recital, “Stories That Move Us.” Partnering with Access Books to combat the literacy gap, students and their families hosted a massive book drive and transformed Huntington Park Elementary, painting vibrant murals and stocking a brand-new library. To inspire young readers daily, DDPAC also launched a “Little Library” in its studio lobby. Onstage, hundreds of dancers breathed life into beloved tales through beautiful, expressive choreography, crowned by a guest duet from Luminario Ballet. By nurturing compassionate leaders, DDPAC’s dancers created a profound, lasting impact on and off the dance floor.
Hidden Hills Summer Kickoff
Residents of all ages came out to celebrate at the Annual Hidden Hills’ Summer Kick Off party on June 14th at the Community Center for a great day of seasonal fun. Families enjoyed live music, games, bumper boats, a giant waterslide, Nitro ice cream, shaved ice, a mechanical shark ride, a foam party, and face painting. The event also included delicious local food trucks and refreshing tropical drinks. This annual summer spectacular is always a great way to catch up with friends and neighbors and celebrate the most beloved season of all.
Education Station
Taking Flight Flight simulator program trains future pilots
The flight simulator room at Oaks Christian School is quiet, focused, and filled with opportunity. While it may resemble a room of dedicated gamers, the 14 students in the Institute of Engineering’s aeronautical program are developing real-world aviation skills through professional-grade flight simulators and hands-on training.
Recent graduate Preston Hall is one of the program’s standout students. Inspired by a family legacy in aviation—both his father and grandfather worked for commercial airlines—Hall began flight lessons at age 15 and earned his private pilot license at 17. As the program expanded, he helped shape its development while serving as a teacher’s assistant, using his experience to mentor classmates.
“I had the opportunity to be very engaged in how the course was developed,” says Hall. “Being a teacher’s assistant allows me to practice explaining what I have learned, which helps both me and the other students.”
The aeronautics pathway, part of the Institute of Engineering at Oaks Christian for the past five years, has grown significantly with the addition of a dedicated flight simulation lab led by Dr. Connor Mullen. Students rotate through FAA-aligned ground school instruction, build and test radio-controlled aircraft, and spend extensive time in flight simulators that mirror those used in collegiate aviation programs.
“We wanted students to experience aviation in a handson way,” explains Dr. Mullen. “This is learning by doing, making mistakes in a safe environment, and preparing for the real world.”
Students perform pre-flight inspections, navigate challenging flight scenarios, and troubleshoot problems in real time, gaining a deeper understanding of aerodynamics, meteorology, engineering, regulations, and decision-making. The immersive environment develops critical thinking, teamwork, and precision—skills that extend beyond aviation careers.
Hall says the simulators provide invaluable experience by allowing students to safely practice emergency procedures and learn from mistakes without real-world risk.
The popularity of the program continues to grow, with a waitlist for the upcoming school year. Several students are already pursuing private pilot licenses, while others are exploring careers in aerospace engineering and aviation.
This summer, Hall and his father, a senior pilot for American Airlines, further expanded the program by donating a retired Boeing 737 cockpit, giving future students an even more authentic flight-training experience. l
Photography by Oaks Christian School
Education Station
Oaks Christian School
31749 La Tienda Dr. | Westlake Village
818.575.9900 | oakschristian.org
Oaks Christian School (OCS) launches its next chapter for the 2026–27 school year by introducing its brand-new TK-3 program. This key addition completes OCS as a premier, full TK–12 college-preparatory day and boarding school. Located at 975 Evenstar Avenue in Westlake Village, the new elementary campus features rigorous core subjects like English, math, science, and Bible. Young learners also explore STEM, music, art, and American Sign Language. Growing from 73 students in 2000 to over 1,700 Lions this fall, OCS holds a phenomenal legacy of athletic championships, award-winning arts, and signature academic institutes. The innovative TK–3 program builds directly on this rich tradition of excellence. Learn more at OaksChristian.org.
Highland Hall Waldorf School
17100 Superior St., | Northridge 818.349.1394 | highlandhall.org
Founded in 1955 on 11 peaceful acres in Northridge, Highland Hall Waldorf School nurtures hands-on, creative, and deeply human learning. From preschool through high school, students build focus, curiosity, critical thinking, and confidence through a rich curriculum that blends rigorous academics with the arts, sciences, movement, outdoor education, and practical skills. Small classes and dedicated teachers ensure every student is known, challenged, and inspired in a developmentally thoughtful environment. Graduates leave prepared to thrive in college, meaningful careers, and a rapidly changing world with resilience, creativity, and compassion. Highland Hall is currently enrolling students for preschool through high school and invites interested families to attend a tour.
Education Station
Carden Conejo School
106 W. Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks
805.497.7005 | cardenconejo.com
For 55 years, Carden Conejo School has provided families with a distinctive education rooted in academic excellence and character development. As a non-sectarian independent co-ed school— Carden is known as a trusted partner in educating resilient students who are ready to make a difference in the world. The time-tested Carden Method provides a classical, mastery-focused, and languagecentered curriculum that teaches students how to think—not just what to think. This proven approach empowers students to think independently and communicate with confidence. Carden places a strong emphasis on manners, morals, and patriotism by weaving kindness, integrity, perseverance, and responsibility into daily practice. Beyond the classroom, students benefit from competitive athletics, leadership opportunities, community service initiatives, and a vibrant parent community.
Las Virgenes Unified School District
4111 Las Virgenes Rd., Calabasas 818.880.4000 | lvusd.org/enrollment
Every kind of excellence, every kind of future. Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD) is ranked among the nation's top school districts, serving 15 schools from preschool through high school in the communities of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Bell Canyon, and Westlake Village. LVUSD is a destination district known for outstanding academics, targeted small class sizes, award-winning music and arts programs, and championship athletics. Students benefit from innovative opportunities including dual immersion (TK–5); a public Waldorf school (TK–8); Media & Entertainment Academy; AP Capstone; International Baccalaureate; sports medicine; and cutting-edge technology and robotics. LVUSD graduates attend the nation's most prestigious colleges and universities. Their mission is to provide the highest quality education in a personalized environment, ensuring every student is prepared for success.
Agoura High School
818.889.1262
28545 W. Driver Ave. Agoura Hills agourahighschool.net
Viewpoint School is committed to creating exceptional readiness for extraordinary futures by cultivating the critical skill set, courageous mindset, and resilient identity of each individual student. Beyond its legacy of academic distinction and college preparedness, the school’s commitment is to yield world-ready graduates who are ready to excel, lead, thrive, and serve. The school’s 40-acre, scenic campus provides young people in grades TK–12 with an ideal setting to grow and learn, where each student is known, respected, and included. Programs include ways for students to engage in new activities and subject offerings to challenge and develop their talents and interests. At Viewpoint, students will find a foundation with the core values of love, honor, excellence, imagination, and optimism and a school where “tradition connects us and innovation propels us.”
Ilan Ramon Day School
27400 Canwood St. | Agoura Hills
818.707.2365 | ilanramon.org
Ilan Ramon Day School prepares students to thrive in an everchanging world by nurturing curious minds, compassionate hearts, and confident leaders. Welcoming children from age 2 through 5th grade, this community Jewish day school offers an integrated curriculum that blends academic excellence with innovation, critical thinking, social emotional learning, Jewish values, and a meaningful connection to Israel. They live their values every day. Together, they bend, stretch, reflect, and shine, going "Above and Ilan" for their students, their community, and each other. They cultivate a lifelong love of learning while empowering students to become engaged citizens, proud Jewish adults, and thoughtful leaders who are ready to make a positive impact on the world.
Education Station
Montessori of Malibu Canyon
4029 Las Virgenes Rd., Calabasas
818.880.0555 | calabasaspreschool.com
Each child deserves a place to thrive—and all parents deserve peace of mind. Montessori of Malibu Canyon (MoMC) in Calabasas offers a nurturing, holistic environment based on Dr. Maria Montessori’s methods. Serving children ages 2 to 6, MoMC provides year-round enrollment with flexible fullday or half-day programs. The curriculum includes toddler and preschool programs and an elementary transition class. MoMC emphasizes personalized learning, mindfulness, and hands-on activities that go beyond typical preschool offerings. All teachers hold a BA or higher degree in early childhood development and Montessori certifications. The school fosters confidence and curiosity in a safe, inspiring setting. Learning is fun, engaging, and meaningful. Interested families can call to schedule a tour of their beautiful campus.
Ditch School
ditchschool.org
Frustrated by one-size-fits-all schooling? Be amazed at what happens when learners are empowered to become architects of their own education. Watch them grow as performers, athletes, scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs. See stress and sadness associated with school replaced with confidence, drive, and joy. Ditch School rejects the idea that learning must take place from 8 AM to 3 PM in a hard desk under fluorescent lights with an authority figure controlling when you can speak, eat, or move. It also rejects the curriculum largely unchanged from that of previous generations. Ditchers, ages 11–17, pursue college-level academics while building real-world skills through unschooling, mentorship, internships, passion projects, and meaningful work and play. This is education for the curious, driven, and unconventional, delivering strong outcomes and 100% acceptance into prestigious universities.Join them to disrupt injustice, counter hegemony, and reclaim education.
At Ditch School Youth for Innocence Project
During COVID in 2020, educator Jessica Jacobs was watching Netflix when she came across a documentary about the Innocence Project. Captivated by the story of lawyers working to free people who had been wrongfully convicted, she felt compelled to do more than simply watch. The documentary included an interview with Ellen Eggers, a retired public defender acting as a pro bono attorney to free an innocent man. Inspired to learn more, Jacobs reached out, introduced herself, and asked if there was any way she could help. To her delight, the attorney welcomed her involvement even though she had no formal legal training.
Over the next several years, Jacobs worked alongside the attorney, exploring cases and sharing every bit with her teenage students who were enrolled at Ditch School— an innovative, alternative educational consulting program that blends the freedom of unschooling with early college opportunities, empowering middle and high school students to bypass mainstream classroom constraints and pursue individualized, real-world passion projects. Eggers soon realized the powerful contributions the students were making and entrusted Jacobs and the teens to take on a case of their own.
Several of her alternative-school students—Bijan Taheri, Helena Palladino Piassi, Darya Podehh, and Oceana Bender—rose to the challenge. Many of the cases involved teenagers who had been convicted of crimes. Working alongside Jacobs, they spent countless hours examining police audio interviews, comparing investigative files, and analyzing inconsistencies across case materials. By carefully reviewing and comparing information contained in multiple murder books and witness statements, the students identified critical details that had previously been overlooked.
Bijan Taheri and Helena Palladino Piassi’s work contributed to the investigation that ultimately helped demonstrate the innocence of two incarcerated individuals, Jofama Coleman and Abel Soto—who were found factually innocent of the crime in late February of 2024. They were released.
For students, the experience was transformative. Instead of studying the justice system from a textbook, they were participating in it. Instead of memorizing constitutional principles for an exam, they witnessed firsthand how those principles impact real people's lives. The experience inspired Bijan Taheri and Helena Palladino Piassi to think even bigger. The teens took the steps necessary to found Youth for Innocence, a nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging young people in wrongful conviction investigations. What began as a student-led project has since grown into a global, student-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with approximately 150 volunteers from around the world working on more than 100 cases involving claims of wrongful conviction.
Today, Youth for Innocence operates a chapter in Calabasas at Ditch School at 4500 Park Granada. The organization welcomes students from all educational backgrounds. Adults are also encouraged to join. Participants do not need to attend Ditch School; students enrolled in traditional public or private schools are encouraged to get involved as well. The internship experience provides not only civic education but also opportunities to develop critical thinking, research, writing, communication, and leadership skills. The internship also stands out on college applications. Students gain exposure to law, criminal justice, journalism, public policy, and social advocacy while contributing to meaningful work that can have life-changing consequences. For more information, visit ditchschool.org.
DITCH SCHOOL
BREAK FREE FROM THE STATUS QUO. BUILD A LIFE OF PURPOSE ON YOUR TERMS. EARLY COLLEGE
Earn college degree while in high school.
INTERNSHIPS
4 Independent thinkers seeking something more
YOUTH FOR INNOCENCE Work on real cases to help free people from prison.
UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS GUIDANCE Stand out. Get in. Thrive at top universities.
ACHIEVE SUCCESS WITH THE FREEDOM THAT CONVENTIONAL SCHOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE:
Participate in internships
Build competitive university applications
Explore purpose and future direction
IN-PERSON SUPPORT 4 DAYS PER WEEK
Remote services available for out-of-area or world schoolers
Photography by Peter Bell-Mounteer
GE AR Garage for Engineering and Auto Restoration
The auto shop at Agoura High School is more than just a place where engines roar and wrenches turn. It is where students learn how to think, solve problems, and take pride in their work. The automotive technology program, part of the career technical education department within the Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD), gives students a real taste of what it means to work with their hands and their minds at the same time.
The program is called GEAR—short for Garage for Engineering and Auto Restoration. The name reflects its mission well. Brian Wright, Agoura High School’s automotive technology teacher, is credited with revitalizing the school’s auto program and turning it into a strong, hands-on career pathway. Under his leadership, students take on complex vehicle restorations, making the class an engaging, community-centered learning experience.
Students do more than study cars—they rebuild them. They work on every major system, including engines, brakes, steering, suspension, and transmissions, developing a strong understanding of how vehicles operate, especially classic models. These cars demand craftsmanship, patience, and precision— not simply diagnostic tools. When students get an old Cobra or Porsche running smoothly again, they are doing more than repairing a vehicle; they are mastering a craft.
The teaching philosophy follows sound pedagogy that reflects the ideas of John Dewey and learning by doing. Students are not passive in this program. They are the drivers. Every decision—from which vehicle gets restored next to which aftermarket parts the students install—is determined through democratic discussions and student voting. In this program, the students pitch ideas, debate costs, weigh pros and cons, and take ownership of the direction on the entire project.
Agoura High’s auto Shop drives hands-on learning
According to Brian, “That is what education should look like: young people learning to collaborate, think critically, and have their voices matter.”
Brian credits the program’s success to the dedicated support of Agoura High School Principal Garrett Lepisto and the LVUSD district. “The support has been nothing short of incredible,” he says. “They understand that programs like this give students who thrive on hands-on learning a real reason to show up and engage. Our shop is not just another elective; it is a cornerstone of career education at Agoura
High. We are preparing students for ASE certification, but more importantly, we are helping them build the confidence and skills that will serve them in any profession.”
This year, Agoura High School’s GEAR auto program celebrated a major milestone on May 16th with its first-ever auto show, bringing together more than 300 students, families, industry partners, and community members for a day showcasing hands-on learning and automotive restoration. More than 25 classic and custom vehicles were displayed throughout campus while the student band Sequoia performed live. l
Educator Brian Wright Automotive Technology teacher
Station Education
Monarchs Gymnastics & Parkour
5331
monarchsgym.com
Monarchs Gymnastics & Parkour has been helping children build confidence, strength, and a love of movement since 1977. With locations in Agoura Hills and Newbury Park, Monarchs serves more than 1,500 families through over 300 weekly classes in spacious 13,000+-square-foot facilities designed for active kids ages 15 months and up—and adults. With recreational and competitive gymnastics, tumbling, cheer, ninja, and parkour programs, kids learn new skills, stay active, and grow with supportive coaches. The Agoura Hills location features the MonarX Parkour Complex, while the Newbury Park center includes a 30-foot Ninja Warrior setup for obstacle-based training and fun challenges. Monarchs also offers seasonal camps, open gym sessions, and birthday parties, giving families countless ways to connect, play, and create lasting memories.
Shir Kadosh: Packed With Purpose
818.208.5998 | shirkadosh.org
Nine years ago, Linda Fingleson and her twin sister Lisa recognized a need in the community: Too many children were beginning school without the supplies they needed to learn and succeed. What started as a heartfelt effort to support local students has grown into an annual tradition. This year, as part of Shir Kadosh’s community effort, the sisters will provide 300 backpacks filled with essential school supplies for students at Bassett Street Elementary in Van Nuys. Each backpack represents a child who can enter the classroom with confidence, the tools to learn, and an opportunity to thrive. Donations of any amount are welcome and appreciated. For details on how to get involved, donate, or participate, visit shirkadosh.org/events and click on Mitzvah Day Backpack Drive. The event takes place Saturday, August 15th, at 5 PM. RSVP or donate through the event page.
Station Education
Catie Chase Consulting
Catie Chase, M.A., I.E.C., is a heart-centered educator, certified professional life coach, learning specialist, and independent educational consultant who has spent more than 20 years helping students discover their true potential. Catie fulfilled a lifelong dream by writing A Girl’s Guide to Being Me —an interactive guide filled with modern life skills and real-time tools. At the heart of the book is “The Modern Toolbox for Success,” a practical framework that empowers high-achieving students, student athletes, creatives, and neurodiverse learners to build confidence and navigate challenges with grit and grace while creating a student life rooted in purpose, connection, and well-being. Catie believes every young person has brilliance within them, waiting to be discovered, nurtured, and shared with the world.
Young CEO Squad
805.242.2005 | youngceosquad.com
Parents are wondering how to prepare their kids for an AIpowered future. We don’t know what jobs will exist, but the skills entrepreneurship builds—problem-solving, financial decisionmaking, resilience, and the confidence to start something and see it through—hold up no matter what comes. Young CEO Squad, founded by Agoura Hills resident Suzanne Appel, is already in more than 300 schools nationwide. Students in grades 3–8 don’t just learn about business; they run a real one. The turnkey, curriculum-aligned kits require almost no prep and they help schools meet new financial literacy requirements. Schools can plug the program into existing subjects, electives, clubs, or after-school activities—and PTAs use it as a fundraiser, where students run the business and the profits come back to the school. Mention Young CEO Squad to your curriculum director, principal, or PTA. It starts with one parent asking.
Station Education
Performance Neuro Training
Paige Roberts, PhD, LCSW
970.875.4591 | robertsneurotraining.com
Dr. Paige Roberts, founder of Paige Roberts Performance Neuro Training, helps athletes overcome invisible barriers to peak performance. With over 20 years of experience in sports psychology, neuroscience, and nervous system optimization, she works with youth, collegiate, professional, and elite athletes. Dr. Roberts addresses performance anxiety, fear of reinjury, loss of confidence, the yips, trauma, and unexplained performance declines. Her proprietary Alpha Imprinting™ methodology combines performance psychology with nervous system training. This helps athletes restore confidence, improve emotional regulation, and perform consistently under pressure. Dr. Roberts empowers athletes to return to competition post-injury, regain starting positions, earn collegiate opportunities, and rediscover joy in the sport they love.
Willow Kids
844.900.0074 | www.willow.kids
All children deserve an academic coach that truly gets them. Willow Kids is the premier online tutoring marketplace connecting families in Calabasas, Westlake Village, and the greater Los Angeles area with rigorously vetted academic coaches—matched by subject expertise, teaching style, and personality. Every coach on the platform undergoes a thorough background check and screening process so parents can focus on what matters most: their child's growth. From preschool foundations to K–12 subject mastery, test preparation, music, arts, and sciences, Willow Kids offers personalized, one-onone coaching at home and online that builds confidence and lasting academic skills. They don't just match students with tutors—they match children with academic coaches who inspire them to excel in school and life.
PAIGE R O B ER T S PERFORMANCE NEURO TRAINING
Is your athlete physically cleared, but still not playing like themselves?
If your teen athlete:
• Practices well but struggles in competition
• Has lost confidence after an injury or concussion
• Worries about making mistakes or getting hurt again
• Seems anxious, hesitant, or “stuck”
• Is underperforming despite working harder than ever …it may not be a physical problem.
Their nervous system may still be operating in protection mode.
Peak performance isn’t about trying harder. It’s about training the nervous system to perform under pressure.
Every child has a spark. The right academic coach ignites it.
ACADEMIC COACHING MADE FOR CALABASAS FAMILIES
Rigorously vetted coaches, matched to your child’s learning style, goals, and personality. Scan to get started
Station Education
Oak & Sage Behavioral
4500 Park Granada, #202, Calabasas 818.877.7323 | oakandsagebehavioral.com
Oak & Sage Behavioral is a boutique, BCBA-led private practice in Calabasas that provides individualized, one-on-one ABA therapy for children with autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions. Clinical care is overseen directly by Julianne Rodriguez, the owner and clinical director. The practice stands out by utilizing only board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) with a relationshipcentered approach by prioritizing emotional safety, trust, and family integration. Therapy sessions primarily target essential developmental domains, including verbal communication, social interaction, self-help capabilities, independence, and emotional regulation. By collaborating closely with families, Oak & Sage Behavioral aims to build lasting confidence in children while enhancing the overall quality of life for the household.
Meridian Education
margiechiang@126.com
Meridian Education is a boutique college admissions consultancy guiding students through one of life’s biggest milestones with clarity and confidence. With clients across the U.S. and beyond, Meridian works with students as young as 11 to craft personalized plans across academics, social service, and passion projects. Meridian’s coaching centers on authenticity. Through 1:1 mentorship, students uncover their core values and learn to lead with purpose—transforming self-awareness into contributions of lasting social impact. Families turn to Meridian for personalized strategy that aligns with each student’s growth and goals. They offer expert guidance on building standout extracurriculars, crafting compelling essays, and mastering interviews. Meridian’s students have a proven record of acceptances to the most selective universities and top-tier academic institutions. They help students rise—transforming potential into purpose and purpose into a life of meaningful leadership and contribution.
High-quality, ethical ABA therapy for children with autism grounded in evidence, guided by compassion, and focused on meaningful progress.
Growing up in Westlake Village, Julianne Rodriguez was just 6 years old when she formed a close friendship with her neighbor who had a developmental disability. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for helping others and ultimately shaped her career.
Today, Julianne is a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and the founder of Oak & Sage Behavioral, a private practice dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities navigate everyday challenges while building the skills needed to improve their quality of life through applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy.
living skills, teaching emotional regulation, collaborating with schools and IEP teams, and empowering caregivers through education and support.
Oak & Sage Behavioral was founded on the belief that every individual deserves compassionate, personalized care centered around unique strengths. Through years of working closely with families, Julianne recognized how overwhelming it can be to navigate diagnoses, services, and support systems. She created a BCBA-only practice where families receive direct support from a board-certified behavior analyst.
Julianne works with children, adolescents, and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental or behavioral needs across home, school, and community settings. Her work often involves helping children communicate wants and needs, supporting teenagers’ independence, strengthening social and daily
At the core, Julianne's passion lies in recognizing the unique strengths of each individual and helping people reach their fullest potential. She believes that a diagnosis should never define what is possible but rather serve as an opportunity to discover what an individual is capable of achieving.
Julianne Rodriguez, M.S., BCBA, LBA Founder and Clinical Director
4500 Park Granada, #202, Calabasas 818.877.7323 | oakandsagebehavioral.com
Station Education
Kumon Math and Reading Centers
Kumon Math and Reading Center is ready to help each child succeed this year. For over 60 years, Kumon’s academic enrichment program has empowered children worldwide. Whether a child needs enrichment, support catching up, or a strong start, Kumon fosters focus, motivation, and independence. Individualized learning allows students to progress at their own pace. The two Kumon centers in Calabasas and the Thousand Oaks North center are owned and managed by Daynabelle Anderson, along with Josephine Gatus and Linden Schuffert. Together their goal is to nurture a lifelong love of learning and help shape a brighter future—one child at a time. With the help of Kumon, children can pursue any dream with confidence and joy. Visit one of their three locations today.
Code Ninjas is opening soon in Agoura Hills, and you’re invited to become a founding member. Code Ninjas teaches kids ages 5–14 to learn real AI, robotics, and coding skills through fun, hands-on lessons. Screen time turns into skill time with a curriculum that builds problem-solving skills, creativity, and confidence with each activity. Experienced instructors create an engaging environment where kids gain valuable skills for school, future careers, and the digital world—all while having a blast doing it. Students advance from white to black belt as they master coding languages like Scratch, JavaScript, and C#. Code Ninjas offers flexible scheduling for busy parents with drop-in hours. Call or email to learn about enrollment today.
Station Education
Dance Dimensions Performing Arts Center
23241 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills
818.999.3262 | mydancedimensions.com
Dance Dimensions Performing Arts Center (DDPAC) is a place where the love of dance is fostered in a supportive, enthusiastic environment. DDPAC offers beginning through advanced classes for all ages. Their vision is to enrich the community through the discipline of dance, building self-confidence and creativity to help children succeed. They offer a wide variety of classes, from aerial silk and hammock to acro, ballet, tap, contemporary, musical theater, jazz, pointe, hip hop, lyrical, jazz funk, Persian dance, and Bollywood. At DDPAC, the idea is instilled that dance is not only movement but a way of life, with lessons that can be applied to an ever-changing and culturally diverse society.
Looking for fun, active experiences that kids will love? Zooga is a premier children’s destination for fun, fitness, and creativity in Los Angeles, offering dance, music, gym/acro, Kickin’ Ninjas, messy art, yoga, and more. Every Zooga class is designed to inspire confidence, creativity, and imagination through movement, music, games, and hands-on fun in a welcoming, high-energy environment. The bright, colorful studio provides a one-of-a-kind space where kids can explore, play, learn, and make new friends—all while building important physical and social skills. Families enjoy seasonal camps and Kids’ Nite Out drop-off events and love to celebrate with the unforgettable themed birthday parties. Zooga also offers private classes at the studio or in clients’ homes, making it easy to bring the fun right to the clients.
What the Lemonade Stand Teaches Kids
That AI Can't
The lemonade stand goes up on a Saturday morning somewhere off Mulholland—a wagon, a cooler, and a hand-lettered sign. By noon, the kids have learned three things nobody planned to teach them. One is that the first customer paid too much and they felt strange keeping the change. Two, the neighbor two doors down walked past without stopping and they had to decide whether or not that meant anything. And three, when the lemonade ran out at 1:00 p.m., they wanted to know how to make more faster the next day.
That last impulse is worth paying attention to because it points to the question almost every parent is asking right now: When a machine can write the essay, solve the problem, and pull together an answer in seconds, what is left for a kid to be good at? The reassuring answer is that
sitting with a problem that doesn't resolve on the first try, and talking a nervous customer into a sale. These are human skills, and kids build them the same way they always have—by doing real things and coming back to do them again.
Every time Suzanne Appel passes a lemonade stand, she gets a little excited. She has watched that first spark catch in kids for years—first with her own two children in Agoura Hills and then in classrooms across the country. In 2019, she founded Young CEO Squad, an entrepreneurship program that now runs in more than 300 elementary and middle school classrooms nationwide.
“Every parent I speak with is asking the same question,” says Appel. "How do we prepare our children for a world we can't fully predict?" Her answer is entrepreneurship, though not the version most people picture. It’s not a single workshop or a one-day market. It is something kids do at age 8, then again at 9, and then again at 10 and on until the instincts become theirs to keep.
One stand isn't enough
It starts with the lemonade stand and then goes past it. A single stand is a good afternoon. The kids count their money and feel the thrill of a stranger paying for something they made. What most of them never get is the second stand—the one where they figure out that the corner by the
“When a machine can produce the answer, what matters is the kid who knows how to question it, verify it, and keep going when the first plan falls apart.”
school does better than the quiet street, that the sign has to be bigger, and that warm days sell more. That is where it stops being a nice memory and starts becoming a skill.
“One workshop is an experience,” explains Appel. “Multiple experiences become a skill set.” Young CEO Squad is built around this idea, starting as early as third grade and returning children to the same challenges, harder each time, so the skills have somewhere to accumulate.
Failure as a data point
The part that surprises parents is how much of the value lives in the things that go wrong. A slow sales day, a product pitch that has to be reworked on the spot, the customer who says no—all of these issues introduce a healthy amount of difficulty and teach children that failure is a piece of information rather than a verdict. The kids who sold four keychains when they hoped to sell 20 do not walk away defeated. They walk away with a question about pricing, and they come back to answer it.
That comeback is where the program lives. Young CEO Squad provides workshop-in-a-box products and full curricula—turnkey enough that a teacher can hand third through eighth graders an actual micro-venture. Selling products like keychains and charms, students learn to price goods, calculate return on investment, stand across a table from an adult customer, and make the sale. The pathway continues into high school as students get older, but the heart of it starts in the elementary and middle school years, when kids are first working out what they're capable of.
What machines can't do
This is the throughline back to the question every parent is asking. When a machine can produce the answer in seconds, what matters is the person who knows how to question it, verify it, and put it to use and the kid who can keep going when the first plan falls apart. These are durable skills, and entrepreneurship happens to be one of the most concrete ways a child practices all of them at once.
“When a machine can produce the answer, what matters is the kid who knows how to question it, verify it, and keep going when the first plan falls apart,” says Appel.
“Entrepreneurship education is one of the clearest answers we have," explains Appel. "The skills it builds—critical thinking, resilience, adaptability, creative problemsolving—aren't just entrepreneurial skills. They're fundamentally human skills that will define success in an AI-driven world.
“So, when your own kid comes back from a lemonade stand already planning the next one, that instinct is the thing to feed because the first stand was only ever the spark.”
Suzanne Appel Founder | CEO youngceosquad.com @youngceosquad
805.242.2005
According to the Harvard Business Review, AI stratification is already clear: Some people are AI pilots, the rest are passengers
MINDSET FIRST: Preparing Students for an AI-Shaped Future
Why the strongest students are not defined by their major but by their ability to keep thinking, adapting, and contributing as the world changes
By Margie Chiang, education coach
"Many AI tools that we use today are designed to give you a polished, finished output rather than help people learn," says Stanford AI researcher Hari Subramonyam. Essentially, AI provides students with a way to sound finished before comprehension. Since AI can actualize finished work before learning has happened, the real question is not whether a student can produce polished deliverables. It is whether a student is thinking. This is why mindset is not a soft skill. The practice of questioning, revising, and being intellectually awake is essential.
This is also why the question of college majors needs to be reframed. Parents often ask, "Which academic major secures a job?" We all want our kids to be safe yet before choosing a major, we need to focus on something deeper.
According to the Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum, some of the key skills that will be required in the future include the ability to think creatively and flexibly combined with the use of artificial intelligence. Thus, future employers will not only ask, "What did you major in?" But they will also expect to know the person’s thinking style and whether or not the person is flexible. They might ask: “What do you see as a problem?” and “How do you usually deal with one?"
No single major can guarantee protection from future change. The best preparation we can give students is the capacity to keep learning, adapting, and making sense of new tools as they emerge.
According to Wharton professors Ethan Mollick and Lilach Mollick, AI can be categorized in several different ways. AI can be seen as a tutor, a coach, a mentor, and a teammate. AI can be a helpful tool, a simulator, and even a student.
All of these roles work when the student actively participates. AI should not be an answer machine. Instead, it should be a collaborator.
That is where metacognition matters. Metacognition simply means thinking about one’s own thinking. One could ask: "What do I understand?" "What am I missing?" "Is this answer accurate?" "What assumptions am I making?" "What is my point of view?"
So, what can parents do?
First, praise process instead of just results. Ask "What strategy helped you improve?" not just "What grade did you get?"
Second, ask children to explain their thinking out loud.
Third, let them struggle a bit before rescuing them.
Fourth, teach them to use AI with better questions: "What might be wrong here?"
"What is another perspective?" "How can I make this more original?" "What do I think?"
While majors are critical to a student's development, they are not the end goal.
In the AI era, those students who will be successful are continually re-inventing themselves. They will ask better questions, absorb feedback, revise their thinking, and apply what they learn to solve real human problems. l
Margie Chiang is an education coach based in Hidden Hills and Shanghai. Her students have been accepted into top universities, including Stanford, Cornell, Northwestern, Brown, UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, and many others. She has an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in business from USC. She can be reached for college admissions support at margiechiang@126.com.
Harmony Unleashed
By Britt Aaronson
Photography by Melissa Westervelt
After more than 12 years in business, Matan Shaibi’s approach to dog training has evolved beyond commands and corrections. While many trainers focus primarily on obedience, his practice is deeper and cooperative. He believes that working with animals is a manner of being. It’s about coexisting in harmony and finding a way to live with pets so they can receive what they need and owners can get what they desire: companionship, connection, and love.
Matan views his work as a bridge between human and animal communication, helping owners better understand not only their dogs but themselves. His philosophy grew out of a lifelong connection to animals. A vegetarian since age 4, he always felt drawn to the natural world. Following military service, a chance encounter with a friend working with protection dogs introduced Matan to professional K-9 training. Within months, he unearthed a hidden talent and began a journey that would ultimately become his life’s calling.
Along the way, Matan mastered meaningful lessons from some of the dogs he met, such as leadership without force, how to navigate emotions, and how to be conscious of what he projects. These outlooks influence many aspects of his profession as animals often reflect the emotional patterns of their owners. Dogs can become mirrors, and in someone’s relationship with their pet, it’s very easy to see how they show up in life. By observing how people speak, touch, and interact with their pets, he can often identify larger patterns at play.
At Matan’s facility, dogs come for obedience training, behavior modification, puppy development, and aggression rehabilitation. Yet beneath every service lies a larger theory rooted in the knowledge that begins with learning the animal’s nature, needs, and essence. Every dog has a unique character and different drives; rather than forcing them all into a predetermined or gimmicky rewards system, Matan and his team develop individualized programs based on temperament, breed characteristics, history, and the lifestyle of the owner. Their customized approach combines techniques from across the spectrum, guided not by a general ideology but by effective results.
Whether working with an energetic puppy, an anxious rescue, or a reactive adult dog, Matan and his team of experts tailor their approach to both the animal and the family by offering private and group
classes for all ages and breeds. Their goal is to never force a dog into a mold but to help owners create an environment where both canines and humans can thrive.
Matan wants people to know that training isn’t solely reserved for problems. It can also deepen an already healthy connection. Training isn’t only about fixing things. “It’s about creating more beauty in the relationship,” says Matan. “It’s about learning who this animal is and how to live together better.”
It is a common misconception that training is for eliminating unwanted behavior. In reality, what people call bad behavior is often just normal dog behavior. Matan explains, “Aggression is a form of expression.
Prey drive is natural. Fear is natural. The question isn’t: How do we erase these things? The question is: How do we guide them?” That guidance requires understanding a dog’s nature rather than fighting against it. Every breed, temperament, and personality comes with different needs.
“First they’re dogs,” Matan says with a smile. “Then, they’re breeds.”
In an era of endless social media videos falsely promising instant results, Matan compares training tools to a hammer—capable of building something beautiful or causing harm, depending on how it’s used. He shares the analogy of a balcony overlooking a beautiful city— without railings, no one feels comfortable standing near the edge. Add clear boundaries and suddenly there is freedom. “The same thing happens with dogs. Structure creates freedom,” says Matan.
At Matan Dog Training, the focus is on helping owners communicate clearly, creating healthy limits and building trust.
Matan is also expanding his work into men’s leadership development. He sees the path as similar because the lessons are the same. Whether guiding a dog through fear, helping an owner find confidence, or supporting someone through personal growth, all roads come back to awareness, connection, and intention. At the heart is a simple belief: Harmony looks different for every family. And for anyone struggling with their pet, he offers one final piece of wisdom that applies equally to dogs, people, and life itself: “If something isn’t working, try something different. Give something else a chance.” l
Helping Children Succeed in School, Health, and Life H H
By Dr. Tanya Altmann and Dr. Marina Salama
Photography by Collen Altmann
When parents think about helping their children succeed in school, they often focus on academics, tutoring, and extracurricular activities. While these are important, true success starts with a strong foundation of health. At Calabasas Pediatrics Wellness Center, we believe children thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and physically when their well-being is prioritized from an early age.
As pediatricians with a focus on longevity, our goal is not simply to help children stay healthy today. We focus on building habits, nutrition, resilience, and lifestyle foundations that support lifelong health and well-being. The choices made during childhood influence not only how children perform in school today but also their future health and quality of life as adults.
One of the most important factors influencing a child's success is sleep. Sleep affects attention, memory, learning, emotional regulation, behavior, and overall health. At Calabasas Pediatrics, we help families establish healthy sleep habits from infancy through adolescence. When sleep challenges arise, we look beyond bedtime routines to identify potential contributing factors such as anxiety, stress, screen use, allergies, nutritional deficiencies, and sleep-disordered breathing. By addressing the root causes, we help children get the restorative sleep they need to perform their best in school and in life.
Nutrition is another cornerstone of success. Growing brains require high-quality fuel to support concentration, energy, mood, and learning. We provide individualized nutrition guidance tailored to each child's unique needs and lifestyle. Deficiencies in nutrients—such as iron, vitamin D, magnesium, omegas, and other vitamins and minerals—can contribute to fatigue, poor concentration, mood changes, and sleep difficulties. Through micronutrient testing, we can identify deficiencies and create a personalized nutrition and supplement plan to improve a child's energy, focus, sleep, and overall well-being.
Movement is equally important. Physical activity supports cardiovascular health, strong bones and muscles, mental health, and academic performance. We encourage children to find activities they enjoy, whether that be organized sports, dance, martial arts, biking, swimming, or simply spending more time playing outdoors. Our goal is to help children develop lifelong exercise habits that support both immediate and long-term health.
Emotional wellness is another key component of success. Children learn best when they feel safe, connected, confident, and supported. During visits, we discuss stress management, resilience, friendships, self-esteem, family dynamics, and mental health. We screen for concerns such as anxiety, depression, and behavioral challenges and help families access additional support when needed. By addressing emotional health early, we help children build the coping skills they need to navigate challenges throughout life.
HHWe also recognize the growing body of research connecting gut health and the microbiome to overall health. Through healthy and appropriate nutrition, pre and probiotics, lifestyle recommendations, and gut microbiome testing when needed, we help support a healthy microbiome that may positively influence immunity, digestion, inflammation, mood, and overall well-being.
At Calabasas Pediatrics Wellness Center, our mission extends beyond treating illness. Through personalized, integrative, and preventive pediatric care, we help children build the foundation for lifelong health and longevity—because success is about more than report cards. It’s about raising healthy, resilient, confident children who are prepared to thrive in school, health, and life. By investing in children's health today, we help create healthier futures for decades to come. 23586 Calabasas Rd., #107 | Calabasas 818.914.4429 | calabasaspeds.com | @calabasasped s l
Many families also seek guidance regarding attention, learning, and school performance. Every child learns differently, and difficulties with focus, organization, executive functioning, and attention can affect confidence and academic achievement. We work closely with families to evaluate concerns, identify contributing factors, and develop individualized plans that may include lifestyle interventions, nutritional support, school accommodations, and referrals to specialists when appropriate.
— BEING SCENE —
Hidden Hills Gymkhana
A FUN-FILLED DAY AT SPRING VALLEY ARENA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELISSA WESTERVELT
The School’s Out Gymkhana brought riders and families together for a fun-filled day at Spring Valley Arena on June 14th. The event featured a variety of exciting competitions for both children and adults, creating an atmosphere of friendly competition and community spirit. Participants tested their skills in crowd favorites including lead line, the obstacle course, hurry scurry, and the always-thrilling barrel racing. Spectators cheered on riders of all ages as they demonstrated teamwork, horsemanship, and determination. Sponsored by the Equestrian Service Committee, the annual event celebrated the start of summer while encouraging riders to build confidence, have fun, and enjoy a memorable day in the arena.
Marina Salama, MD, and Tanya Altmann, MD, FAAP
— BEING SCENE —
Saving Wildlife
EXOTIC ANIMAL SHOW AND BBQ
On July 9th, the Equestrian Service Committee hosted the Hidden Hills Summer BBQ for families and friends, with catering from Rib Ranch BBQ. The event featured an educational, live exotic animal show from the Saving Wildlife International Foundation, allowing attendees to meet Paco the tiny monkey, a kookaburra, Amador the armadillo, and other wild animals. This interactive community event was held in support of the foundation’s mission of changing the plight of the world’s animals through conservation and education as detailed on wildswi.org
PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELISSA WESTERVELT
Michael Hoang, DDS Jason Pair, DDS
Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food, & Brew Festival
HONORS YUMMIE CULINARY WINNERS
Top chefs from across the region went head-to-head in the 2026 Top Chef Yummie Culinary Competition at Casa Pacifica’s 33rd Annual Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival held June 7th at California State University Channel Islands. Chefs competed in two categories—Sweet and Savory—with entries evaluated on taste, creativity, and culinary technique. This year’s Savory category winners were: first place, Chef David Alonso of Parque 1055 for his hibiscus-marinated steak with jalapeño avocado mousse; second place, Chef Jose Rodriguez of BG’s Café for his Mayan pulled pork tacos; and third place, Chef Felipe Cuevas of Mothers Tacos for his confit carnitas tacos. In the Sweet category, first place honors went to Gina Stymacher of Camarillo Cupcake for her orange creamsicle pot de crème with candied pistachios. Second place was awarded to Chef Levi Richard of Sports Bar at Chumash Casino for his lemon blueberry cup, and third place went to Chef Martin Ledesma of Rocks & Drams for his deconstructed tiramisu. The expert judging panel featured an impressive roster of culinary talent, including Chef Alex Montoya of Nurifo Solutions—the most decorated Top Chef Yummie Culinary Competition winner in the event’s history—along with Chef Eric Kopelow of Cedarlane Natural Foods, Chef Masa Shimakawa of Soko at Fairmont Miramar, Chef Emily Conklin and Chef Rachel Conklin of Cooking with Conks, and Chef Abdu Romero of Birnam Wood Golf Club. Proceeds from the Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival support Casa Pacifica, which provides essential mental health services for at-risk youth and families throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Visit cpwinefoodbrewfest.com to learn more about the winning chefs and view a complete list of exhibitors. Photography by Melissa Westervelt and Samuel Quiroz
EVERY SATURDAY | 1PM – 4PM MIZEL ESTATE WINES: WINE TASTING IN THE VINEYARD
Indulge in a flight of Mizel’s luscious, velvety red wines made from 100% estate-grown French varietals. Enjoy a guided tour of the vines—where the magic begins. For information and reservations, visit mizelestate.com/wine-events or call 805.795.2506.
EVERY THURSDAY | 5PM – 6:30PM MIZEL ESTATE: WINE MIXER
Step out of your week and into a world apart. Taste Mizel’s fine wines, listen to live music, play games, and socialize with fun-loving wine devotees in the gorgeous vineyard. Enjoy breathtaking views, relaxing moments, and unforgettable memories with friends. For information and reservations, visit mizelestate.com/wine-events or call 805.795.2506.
AUGUST 1 | SATURDAY
10TH ANNUAL LUCSTRONG KICKBALL FUNDRAISER
Join the LucStrong Foundation fundraiser supporting families affected by sickle cell disease at Del Prado Playfields in Newbury Park. Enjoy community kickball games, activities, and fundraising for awareness and research. For event details, visit lucstrongfoundation.org.
AUGUST 14 | 7:30 PM
DIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHT AT THE CALABASAS TENNIS AND SWIM CENTER
Whether you are watching from the pool or lounging poolside, this is a great way to enjoy a movie under the stars while connecting with friends, neighbors, and the community. Food available for purchase. Registration required; cabanas may be reserved in advance. Open to all ages. For information and registration, visit cityofcalabasas.com.
SEPTEMBER 13 | 4PM
CELEBRATION OF HOPE GARDEN PARTY
Enjoy an elegant evening of dinner and silent and live auctions benefiting oncology patients, survivors, and local medical support foundations. Held at Los Robles Greens, 299 South Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Tickets required. For more information, visit e.givesmart.com/events/OjC.
SEPTEMBER 14 | 10AM
34TH ANNUAL CARE FOR KIDS GOLF CLASSIC
Tee off for a great cause at Casa Pacifica’s 34th Annual Care for Kids Golf Classic at The Saticoy Club. Enjoy a championship day of golf, on-course contests, food and beverage experiences, and an awards banquet, all while supporting Casa Pacifica’s programs for at-risk children, young adults, and families. For more information, visit casapacifica.org.
SEPTEMBER 23–27
13TH ANNUAL CALABASAS FILM FESTIVAL
The 13th Annual Calabasas Film Festival showcases major premieres, student films, documentaries, and standout selections across all genres. Enjoy a premium celebration of film and television featuring local wines, culinary experiences, cocktail hours, and lively after-parties. Held at MPTF and Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center. Ticket prices vary. To purchase tickets online, visit calabasasfilmfestival.com.
SEPTEMBER 26 | 9:30 AM
YOGA ON THE MOUNTAIN AT KING GILLETTE RANCH
Join a free community wellness program featuring yoga led by certified instructors, live acoustic music, and a peaceful setting at King Gillette Ranch. Supports public accessibility to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Free admission.
Events may be subject to change or cancellation, so please confirm with organizers beforehand. Please send calendar submissions three months in advance to info@91302mag.com.
The American Hypercar has arrived... ...and
Written by Dustin Troyan | Photography by Chevrolet
The new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X is more than just the fastest Corvette ever built—it marks a defining moment in American sportscar performance. By combining the twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter LT7 V8 from the ZR1 with Chevrolet’s electrified allwheel-drive system, Chevrolet has created a true daily-drivable hypercar producing an astonishing 1,250 horsepower. Insanity!
The hand-built LT7 engine delivers 1,064 horsepower on its own, while a 186-horsepower electric motor powers the front wheels, providing incredible traction and instant acceleration. Chevrolet estimates a blistering 0–60 mph time of under two seconds and a quarter mile pass in under nine seconds, placing the ZR1X in the same performance league as the world’s most exclusive European hypercars—at a fraction of the price. Unbelievable!
Beyond its staggering performance, the ZR1X showcases remarkable engineering. Advanced electronic controls
it's
a Corvette!
continuously manage power delivery between the front and rear axles, maximizing grip during hard launches, corner exits, and high-speed driving. Massive carbon-ceramic brakes, aggressive aerodynamic enhancements, and a race-inspired suspension ensure the car is every bit as capable on a road course as it is in a straight line. And the looks? It looks so good!
In classic Chevrolet fashion, the Corvette once again proves why it remains one of the greatest sports cars ever built. It can outperform many of its European rivals, deliver exceptional reliability, and still remain within reach of enthusiasts who dream of owning a world-class performance machine.
The Corvette ZR1X is the ultimate expression of Corvette engineering, American ingenuity, and the relentless determination to show the world that Chevrolet isn’t just building sports cars anymore. It’s building hypercars, and I want one! Well done, Chevrolet! l
50 Years OutdOOr educatiOn OF
Malibu Creek State Park and its volunteer corps are celebrating five decades of public service this year.
Often referred to L.A.’s most spectacular park and “the Yosemite of Southern California,” the park, with its 8,000 acres of mountainous majesty just minutes away from the Los Angeles city boundary, offers an extraordinary escape from the concrete confines of the West Coast’s largest urban area.
From the beginning, the park’s dedicated volunteer organization has been leading hikes, making park improvements, staffing the visitor center, organizing educational speakers and public events, and being the location’s year-around ambassadors.
Volunteer education efforts reach beyond the park through the website MalibuCreekStatePark.org and their work maintaining the historic filming set of the beloved series “M*A*S*H” that draws a steady stream of international visitors as the show still airs in 35 countries around the world.
One of the park’s most popular programs involves hosting and leading outdoor educational walks for grade school students. In the past two years alone, this program has conducted over 60 walks. This year so far, the park has enlightened and inspired groups of students from the Las Virgenes, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Hueneme, Moorpark, and Santa Monica-Malibu school districts. These school walks often have the greatest impact for disadvantaged students in Title 1 schools, especially those from the inner city. For these students, a trip to Malibu Creek State Park is the first time they’ve been more than 100 feet away from asphalt and concrete.
Students from St. Mark’s School in Altadena enjoy exploring and learning about the outdoors in Malibu Creek State Park.
Photographs courtesy of Saint Mark's school (2)
For 50 years, the Malibu Creek State Park docents have been the primary educators for park visitors.
The summertime campfire talks in the amphitheater are popular with visitors. Photo by California State Parks, 2026
Students get to explore freshwater streams, identify native plants, spot wildlife, and conduct stream surveys out in the field. When they find out that the Santa Monica Mountains that they’re exploring were at the bottom of the ocean ten million years ago, it’s a real eye-opener. Prehistoric seashell fossils are found in rocks today.
Malibu Creek is the rare state park that has been seen all over the world on movie and television screens for almost 100 years—thanks to all the productions shot there. Volunteer Hashi Clark, who leads educational programs in the park, chimes in, “It’s been very rewarding watching our offerings for young people explode in reach and number over the four years I’ve been a docent. I believe that one of the very best ways we can steward our park and our planet is to instill a love of nature in the young. And to love it, they need to know it first. So that’s what we do… interpret nature in age-appropriate ways so that the young can experience its magic and wonder. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be doing this work”.
The park’s educational programs are not just for kids. All ages are welcome for the long-running, summertime speaker series in the amphitheater near the park’s campground. Every year, local experts in wildlife, park history, local filmmaking, and more share stories with the audience. Each summer, actor Tim Russ from Star Trek: Voyager shares his passion for night sky astronomy.
The volunteer corps of Malibu Creek State Park hopes to double the number of school walks it does—starting next year—and plans are underway to build an outdoor classroom. They invite everyone to come join the fun.
Photo by Sasan Sheibani
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Malibu Creek State Park Saturday, 9/28, 4-8 PM. Reserve your free ticket
"It's been very rewarding watching our offerings for young people explode in reach and number."
–Hashi Clark, MCSP Volunteer Education Lead
Brian Rooney is proud to serve as a historian and archivist for the Calabasas Library. He is the author of the bestselling local history book Three Magical Miles, now in its 5th edition, and is an award-winning documentarian for his film on the historic 20th Century Fox movie ranch.
Students on a group school hike explore one of Malibu Creek State Park’s many trails. Photo by Saint Mark's School
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6 BED | 8 BATH | 7,003 SQFT
$3,749,000
5 BED | 3 BATH | 2,368 SQFT
jeff@frontgaterealestate.com
DRE 01383921 Dana Olmes
dana@frontgaterealestate.com
DRE 00944676
24317 BRIDLE TRAIL ROAD 24962 ELDORADO MEADOW
TEMMA CT 23909 LONG VALLEY ROAD
A NEW CHAPTER IN LUXURY REAL ESTATE
INTRODUCING FRONTGATE LUXURY
A dedicated real estate division within Frontgate Real Estate. Built around discretion, expertise, and a relentless commitment to extraordinary results.
