FEBRUARY 2019
MalibutoPalisadesLifestyle.com
Arts Scene NEW WEST SYMPHONY
PEPPERDINE LAW DISASTER RELIEF CLINIC
THEATRE PALISADES
The longest journey begins with the first step.
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You are going to need a valid pilot’s license. For the plane, too. The nation’s first and only standalone AMG® showroom has landed at Mercedes-Benz of Thousand Oaks. With over 3,000 square feet of iconic, modern design, the AMG Elite Performance Center is the latest manifestation of 50 years of fanatical dedication to the pinnacle of automotive performance. Come experience the soul-stirring rumble of hand-built V8 motor, or configure your dream machine in life size on a video screen that’s bigger than most garage doors. The world’s fastest family finally has its own home, and it’s right here in Thousand Oaks. Fly on in any time.
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LIFESTYLE LETTER
Readers Chime In WHILE I KNOW THAT OUR FEATURE ARTICLES AND LOCALLY FOCUSED CONTENT LIKE AROUND TOWN AND LOCALLY OWNED ARE VERY WELL READ, I OFTEN WONDER IF ANYONE READS OUR LIFESTYLE LETTER. I put a lot of energy and emotion into the ones I contribute. That was especially true with our December and January issues. We were already well into final edits
Malibu to Palisades L
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FEBRUARY 2019 PUBLISHER
Ben Malkin | Ben.Malkin@LifestylePubs.com Robin Chesler | Robin.Chesler@LifestylePubs.com
with the December issue when the Borderline tragedy stuck, followed immedi-
EDITOR
ately by the fires that hit Malibu, the Conejo Valley and Calabasas. We literally
Tracy Marcynzsyn | Tracy.Marcynzsyn@LifestylePubs.com
“stopped the presses” (sounds like an old movie from the 1930’s, doesn’t it?) and replaced my Happy Holidays Letter with one that was much darker and troubled. We also redid our entire editorial run sheet for January, and as you have seen, we’ve covered the fires and Borderline. What follows are emails we received from readers that made us feel it was all worthwhile.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
David Dorenfeld, Alicia Doyle, Tracy Marcynzsyn, Rebecca Roling, Jeff Runyan CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ben Malkin, Backer Photo
Ben Malkin, Publisher Ben.Malkin@LifestylePubs.com
I read your Lifestyle Letter for the December issue a week or more ago and it has stayed in my mind. Very well written and I agree wholeheartedly with your thoughts. It's rare to see the ugly truth confronted in a publication like yours— which obviously is intended to focus on beautiful and successful lifestyles—but these things need to be said in public forums. I appreciate your willingness to
CORPORATE TEAM
tackle the hard issues in an unlikely space, and I hope that many of your readers
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
read your comments and took them to heart.
CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore
Martha Farwell, Westlake Village Hello Ben,
ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson EDITORIAL MANAGER Nicolette Martin AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTORS
As a local writer and editor who has contributed several articles to Conejo Valley
John Newman | Eric Williams
Lifestyle, I love to read our local and regional publications for inspiration. I’m writing
WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell
to thank you for the thoughts you shared regarding the Borderline shooting in your Lifestyle Letter in the current issue of the Conejo Valley edition. Your thoughtful reflection articulated the feelings of many in our community and were especially prescient in light of the fires that devastated our area soon after you wrote them. Thank you for publishing magazines that celebrate the best of our community.
ARIZONA | CALIFORNIA | COLORADO | CONNECTICUT | FLORIDA | GEORGIA IDAHO | ILLINOIS | KANSAS | MARYLAND | MINNESOTA | MISSOURI | MONTANA
Best regards, Mary Noe
new Musical Director Michael Christie.
4
Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle | February 2019
TENNESSEE | TEXAS | VIRGINIA | WASHINGTON
514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO Proverbs 3:5-6
ON THE COVER New West Symphony’s PHOTOGRAPHY BY BACKER PHOTO
NEVADA | NEW JERSEY | NORTH CAROLINA | OHIO | OKLAHOMA | OREGON
MalibutoPalisadesLifestyle.com
Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Malibu to Palisades areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.
INSIDE THE ISSUE FEBRUARY 2019
FEATURES 12 Students Advocate Pepperdine Law Clinic Aids Fire Victims
18 Top Choice New West Symphony Announces Music Director
24 Local Drama On Stage with Theatre Palisades
28 24
28 Arts Scene On the Town with the Arts
12
18
DEPARTMENTS 4
Lifestyle Letter
8
Good Times
10
Around Town
12
Giving Back
14
Financial Buzz
24 Local LImelight 28 City Scene 32 Lifestyle Calendar 34 Legal Compass
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GOOD TIMES
Montecito Bank & Trust Gives Back to Community Now in its 16th year, Montecito Bank & Trust’s unique Community Dividends awards program has granted a total of $16 million to local Santa Barbara and Ventura County nonprofits. This year’s event at the Four Season Biltmore’s Coral Casino ballroom gave a share of $1 million to 188 central coast nonprofits. PHOTOGRAPHY BEN MALKIN
8
Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle | February 2019
AROUND TOWN
CASA VOLUNTEERS STAND UP FOR CHILDREN
honor her memory by ensuring that those dreams stay in sight for other students now and into the
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
future. With $100,000 seed funding, the University
serve as advocates for foster children in the
established the Alaina Housley Memorial Endowed
Ventura County Dependency Court System who
Scholarship Fund to create an enduring legacy
are victims of abuse and neglect. With a string of
for Alaina—by supporting generations of future
people, often including their own parents, in and
Pepperdine students in perpetuity.
out of their lives, these children are in desperate
Though Alaina's time at Pepperdine was short,
need of a stable adult. A CASA Volunteer becomes
she created a lasting impact for her classmates and
that adult—the one adult who stands up for them
teachers alike. Through this scholarship fund, the
and commits to advocating for them until the child
Pepperdine community hopes to ensure that, even
is placed in a safe, permanent home.
in her death, she will always continue to change
CASA currently needs more volunteers! To
lives for the better. Impact.Pepperdine.edu
learn how you can make a difference in the life of a child in our community, consider attending the next CASA Informational Session on Wednesday, February 20 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. For more information or to reserve your seat, contact Rebecca at 805.389.3120 or Rebecca@casaofventuracounty.org. Address will be provided upon registration.
LOCAL LANDSCAPE ARTIST PRESENTS “A WALK WITH NATURE” A Walk with Nature Art Exhibit and Sale at the Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center features more than 30 paintings by local landscape painter Russell Hunziker. His original watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings of the beautiful landscapes in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Channel Islands National
LIFE AFTER DEATH EXAMINED
Park are coordinated with a map of their locations
Classicist and expert in Greek mythology, religion
and inspirational quotes by naturalist John Muir.
and magic Radcliffe G. Edmonds III, the Paul Shorey
Located at 26876 Mulholland Hwy in Calabasas,
Professor of Greek in the Department of Greek,
the exhibit runs through Feb. 27, from 9 a.m. to 4:30
Latin & Classical Studies at Bryn Mawr College,
p.m. Parking and admission are free; a portion of
Pennsylvania, discusses the ancient Greeks’ ideas
the funds from art sales will be donated to further
regarding death and the afterlife. Complementing
arts programs in the Santa Monica Mountains. For
the
more information, call 805.370.2302.
Afterlife,” on view at the Getty Villa through March
MEMORIAL FUND IMPACTS FUTURE On November 7, Pepperdine first-year student
exhibition “Underworld:
Imagining
the
18, the talk takes place Sunday, February 10, at 3 p.m. in the Auditorium at Getty Villa. Tickets are free; reservations required. Getty.edu
Alaina Housley was killed in the mass shooting at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks. The entire University community—students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends—grieves the loss of this bright, compassionate young woman taken well before her time.
10
We are always accepting submissions for announce-
Though Alaina was unfairly prevented from
ments you’d like to see included in our Around Town
achieving her dreams of completing a college edu-
section. Submissions are accepted via the Contact
cation, the Pepperdine community has chosen to
Us tab at MalibutoPalisadesLifestyle.com.
Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle | February 2019
The heart of your home is about to get a whole lot happier!
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GIVING BACK
Pepperdine Law Students
Host Disaster Relief Clinic
IN THE WAKE OF RECENT NATURAL DISASTERS IN CALIFORNIA, THE CLINICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AT PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW LAUNCHED THE DISASTER RELIEF CLINIC, WHICH PROVIDES PRO BONO LEGAL SERVICES TO THOSE HARMED BY WILDFIRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN 2018. The clinic, which relies on volunteer lawyers and referrals for early phases of recovery, offers a variety of services to people in Malibu, the Conejo Valley and Ventura County. These include assistance on FEMA applications and appeals, insurance coverage matters, business interruption, housing and rental issues, estate matters, unemployment and consumer protection issues. “The clinic was first launched to serve folks after Hurricane Harvey and the Thomas Fire, and now we get to serve our own people in our community,” says Jeffrey R. Baker, Associate Clinical Professor of Law and Director of Clinical Education at Pepperdine University School of Law.
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Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle | February 2019
ARTICLE ALICIA DOYLE
The disaster clinic was inspired in 2005, when Baker was a young lawyer in his home state of Mississippi; Hurricane Katrina hit, forcing the evacuation of the southern half of the state. During this time, Baker volunteered his legal services while he and his community dealt with the devastation. “My family and I were profoundly affected by our experience,” Baker recalls. Then, almost a year ago, Hurricane Harvey hit South Texas. “I wanted to find a way to see if we could reach out to help, drawing on my own experience with Hurricane Katrina, even though we live in California now,” he says. “We reached out to
“Thanks to my Marvel
partners and friends from other legal aid agencies and asked
hearing aids, I can hear
how we could help… I thought that we would gain experience and learn the ropes and do some good with our friends in
conversation even when
Texas and prepare ourselves for when this would become a local moment for us.”
the music’s playing.”
That local moment hit in December 2017, when the Thomas Fire wreaked havoc throughout Ventura County. “What we’re doing technically is called ‘limited scope representation,’ so we’re not getting involved in litigation,” Baker explains. “We’re helping people understand the system around FEMA and insurance… and helping people advocate for themselves and understand the scavenger hunt that can occur from a natural disaster.” A big aspect of the Disaster Relief Clinic involves community education events in which volunteers with the program provide information and guidance to people affected by the fires. The most recent was the Day of Malibu Healing & Assistance in mid-December, which included yoga, meditation and acupuncture—as well as free legal counseling with representatives from the Pepperdine Law Disaster Relief Clinic. The Disaster Relief Clinic is part of the clinical education program Baker oversees in which law students have the opportunity to practice various areas of the law while attending law school,
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“This is an opportunity for students to practice with real clients under faculty supervision,” Baker explains. “So we’re providing a service while teaching students how to be excellent, ethical lawyers.” He notes that the week immediately after the Woolsey Fire
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in November, “We recruited volunteer lawyers around FEMA, insurance, housing… then we created a system where we could connect local people affected to our pool of lawyers who had a heart to serve.” In only two weeks, 80 lawyers stepped up to volunteer their expertise, “and over the next six weeks, we connected 96 people to volunteer lawyers,” Baker says. “It was exhilarating and
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inspiring to see the turnout.” February 2019 | Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle
13
FINANCIAL BUZZ
B U I L D I N G A SUC CE SSF UL I N V E S T M E N T
P O R T F O L I O BUILDING AND DESIGNING A SUCCESSFUL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO IS SUBJECTIVE, AS EACH INVESTOR HAS A DIFFERENT DEFINITION OF ACHIEVING SUCCESS. Because success is articulated differently for investors, it’s plausible to see how the portfolio building process can be part “art” and part “science.” Of course, if it were only science it would be much easier because we would know definitively the inputs to consider in our ARTICLE JEFF RUNYAN
equation, meaning we could precisely anticipate the output. Two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen, and voila, you predictably get water! But, the reality of stock, bond, real estate, and
Jeff Runyan is the lead of Runyan Capital Advisors fi-
other financial markets is that they fluctuate in a way that reflect
nancial advisory team based in Beverly Hills, providing
the instincts and proclivities of, in the words of economist John
clients nationwide with wealth management and retire-
Meynard Keynes, “animal spirits.”
ment planning advice. Backed by over two decades of
You may have noticed in the last quarter of 2018 that stock mar-
industry experience, Jeff leads an investment team com-
ket values for indices including the DOW, S&P 500, and NASDAQ
mitted to designing investment portfolios that adhere to
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Securities offered through Wedbush Securities Inc.
informed investment decisions. Despite that shared knowledge,
Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC.
many had different financial outcomes.
14
Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle | February 2019
The “science” part of portfolio building is important. Having an understanding of which direction interest rates are headed, the unemployment rate, other economic trends, as well as what government stimulus or spending is likely to occur is a solid foundation to building a successful portfolio. But, the “art” of building the portfolio is an unparalleled and equally critical component to developing the balance that will maximize your investing experience. The “art” of it begins with a real understanding and introspection of what risk and willingness for loss you are willing to accept without deviating or altering your investment course. Literature and pundits will tell you to “stay for the long term” and “weather the storm,” or to “ride it out.” But, I know you. You are like Keynes described when he said, “emotions ostensibly influence and guide human behavior,” meaning, you’ll “stay the course” as long as you can stand it, but when the markets really decline you’ll effectively say “mercy, I’ve had enough” and likely choose to sell. Selling at the nadir of a market decline is really the moment when you should be buying. But too often, emotion dictates, and “fear” and “greed” drive ultimate decision-making. While everything is clearer in hindsight, if you allocate the portfolio in a way that has less risk to begin with, then you can handle the decline in stock market values because you won’t feel the same pain when you open your month-end statement. That is the “art,” to know just what you can handle and not to accept more risk, no matter how tempting the returns are in the stock market or how much money your next door neighbor professes to have made in the stock he or she told you about. It’s not black and white; it really is part art and part science. And, the sooner you’re ready to blend the two together, you’ll find an allocation of investments that are just right for you. Not too hot, not too cold, but just right. The “Goldilocks” economy is one where it’s not so hot that it causes inflation, and not too cold to lead to recession, but still operating with full employment and economic stability. We were in that environment for years, but that is a story told better by the artist who wrote it.
February 2019 | Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle
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“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY GREAT PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE TO YOU GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEE AND NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE NEW WEST SYMPHONY, MICHAEL CHRISTIE!”
ARTICLE REBECCA ROLING
Music Director Leads Symphony to New Heights “AND NOW FOR A BIG SURPRISE. Tonight is a joyous celebration and I cannot imagine a better time and place to make this announcement, in front of 300 close friends of the Symphony,” teased Natalia Staneva, chief executive officer of New West Symphony, at the organization’s December gala. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to introduce to you Grammy Award nominee and new music director of the New West Symphony, Michael Christie!” And with that, a nearly three-year conductor search culminated in a rousing standing ovation for Maestro Michael Christie, by New West Symphony’s patrons and musicians. Christie takes on the position of Music Director, a role that represents the artistic and creative leadership of New West Symphony. Christie first performed with the Symphony in October 2018, conducting the orchestra’s season opening concert, featuring Rhapsody in Blue and other George Gershwin songs performed by Grammy-winning soprano Sylvia McNair. 18
Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle | February 2019
“The orchestra members experienced tremendous chemistry performing with Michael and expressed a great desire to have him as music director, and the board of directors agreed,” says Symphony Board Chair, Kim Woods. “Michael is a great fit for our organization and we have full confidence in his success as an artistic leader in our community.” In addition to conducting the orchestra during performances, the position encompasses more than most people might realize. “The main part of the job is obviously leading the performances and rehearsing the orchestra,” but as Christie explains, “the music director job has come to mean more than the man or woman on the podium. It includes setting artistic vision to help people understand why we’re doing certain pieces, and to engage, enlighten and entertain audiences. And in partnership with our donors, board and staff, getting our programs into people’s hearts so they want to support the organization and come to concerts.” CAREER HIGHLIGHTS With a career spanning more than 20 years, Christie has been music director for Phoenix Symphony, Brooklyn Philharmonic and Queensland Symphony in Australia, as well as a guest conductor with some of the world’s most notable orchestras around the world, including an apprenticeship under Maestro Daniel Barenboim with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Most recently Maestro Christie led Minnesota Opera as music director for eight seasons. “Michael’s experience producing diverse, multimedia productions was particularly interesting to us as we advance our repertoire to include a wider array of performances,” says Staneva. “This is unique and valuable experience, which we know will present opportunities for New West Symphony to expand into new types of concerts moving into the celebration of our 25th anniversary in 2019/2020.” Christie’s reputation in the opera world has just been boosted with four Grammy Award nominations for his live recording of the contemporary opera, The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs, which he debuted with the Santa Fe Opera in 2017. “It’s really interesting to create an opera from scratch. When you do a brand new piece, audience members are comparing it to different things,” says Christie. This unique work, composed by Mason Bates and librettist Mark Campbell, tells the story of Apple Computer founder and the inventor of the iPhone, who, as Christie describes, “revolutionized the way people communicate, and yet he struggled with personal communications.” No stranger to winning notable awards for conducting new opera works, Christie also premiered, with the Minnesota Opera, Silent Night by Kevin Puts, who won a Pulitzer Prize for the work.
CONTINUED >
February 2019 | Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle
19
MUSIC DIRECTOR LEADS SYMPHONY
(CON TI N UED)
NEW PERSPECTIVES With his expansive background in opera, Christie brings a unique perspective to the symphonic world. “Opera forces you to be a musical storyteller. For example, when you conduct an opera by Dvořák, and then you look at his symphonic work, his dramatic impulse can inform your choice of tempo and how you do phrases. Opera gives us a way to think about composers’ symphonic music in terms of how they view drama.” New West Symphony’s 25th anniversary will mark Christie’s debut season, and planning for this milestone season, which launches in October 2019, has already begun.
“WE ARE GOING TO START WITH SOMETHING THAT GETS PEOPLE’S ATTENTION AND REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF THE WHOLE SEASON,” SAYS CHRISTIE. “IT ALSO MEANS BALANCING WHAT WE’VE DONE IN THE RECENT PAST. PEOPLE LOVE THE OLD MASTERS, BUT WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT WHEN WE PLAY A MASTER WORK, WE GIVE IT A FRESH LOOK.” MAESTRO CHRISTIE OFFERS A CLUE OF WHAT TO EXPECT IN HIS INAUGURAL SEASON: “BEETHOVEN’S 250TH BIRTHDAY WILL BE IN 2020. BEETHOVEN IS BEYOND POPULAR; HE’S VITAL TO WHAT WE DO.” While Christie is inspired by music from every era, he does have some favorites. “I do gravitate to early 20th Century. I like Stravinsky and Debussy, both in their opera and symphonic works; both composers created instrumentation with a tremendous color palette. A lot of instruments really came into their current form during the late part of the 19th century, so the power and the beauty of the sound has to do with the volume the instruments could play.” Prior to this period, instruments were relatively muted, but the brass and keyboard instruments, in particular, evolved to have the larger sounds more familiar today, which are core to the modern orchestra. “You have composers like Ravel, Debussy, Stravinsky and Gershwin, who made all those color combinations really sparkle,” Christie explains. Today Maestro Christie makes Minneapolis, Minnesota, his home, with his wife Alexis, a pulmonary/critical care physician he met in Australia when he was music director of Queensland Symphony, and daughter Sinclair and son Beckett. “Minneapolis is a little bit cooler than Ventura County,” he says. “I love the seasons. I grew up in Buffalo, and I love that bracing cold air. Sinclair, who is 10, is a great figure skater, as well as a Suzuki violinist. Our son Beckett is 4 and we’re waiting to see what his musical direction will be.” 20
Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle | February 2019
SPRING SHOWS Maestro Christie will return to conduct New West Symphony’s April concerts, “Indescribable Beauty,” featuring Chopin Piano Competition winner Yulianna Avdeeva performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, and the orchestra performs Schuman’s Symphony No. 4. “One of my favorite symphonies is the 4th symphony of Schumann,” says Christie. “It’s a beautiful piece with a surprising number of solos for instrumentalists in the orchestra offering moments to put the spotlight on them.” Christie continues, “Robert Schumann was a fascinating composer who was trying to embrace what was going on stylistically at the time, but at the same time trying to find his own voice. With his fourth symphony, he blends the movements together in a very clever way; it’s quite dramatic and innovative. He’s a very athletic composer for the orchestra but also very lyrical.” These concerts will be performed April 6 and 7 in Thousand Oaks and Oxnard. With a degree in trumpet performance from Oberlin College of Music, Christie notes, “Trumpet players are dramatic; we like to be the top voice. I love drama in music. I can look back on the last 23 years and I can see how I’ve been influenced by that.” With his appointment at New West Symphony, audiences will get to experience Maestro Christie’s unique artistic vision and perspective in action.
For more information on New West Symphony’s Masterpiece Series and Maestro Michael Christie, visit NewWestSymphony.org. February 2019 | Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle
21
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LOCAL LIMELIGHT
t h e a t r e p a l i s a d e s : e n t e r t a i n i n g l o c a l s
f o r
d e c a d e s
ARTICLE TRACY MARCYNZSYN
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Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle | February 2019
Theatre Palisades events are offered at reasonable prices and are well-attended by its supportive subscription base and a faithful audience. 2019 SEASON Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," directed by Sabrina Lloyd and produced by Martha Hunter and Sherman Wayne, runs Fridays and Saturdays through February 17. The classic tale of “mistaken identity, gender confusion, a mordant clown, a pompous major domo and whackadoodle relatives” offers entertainment for patrons young and old. March 29 through May 5 features “Clybourne Park” by Bruce Norris, a Pulitzer Prize-winning family drama inspired by Lorraine Hansberry's “A Raisin in the Sun.” Set in 1959, Act 1 depicts white community leaders attempting to derail the sale of a home to a black family. In Act 2, set in 2009, the now-predominantly African-American neighborhood battles white gentrification.
FOR ALMOST SIX DECADES, THEATRE PALISADES' PRODUCTIONS HAVE DELIGHTED LOCALS, BRINGING HIGH QUALITY LIVE PERFORMANCES OF BOTH CLASSIC AND ORIGINAL PLAYS TO AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES.
“Lend Me A Tenor” by Ken Ludwig runs May 31 through July 7. Set in 1934 Cleveland, Ohio, the production stars a world-famous Italian tenor and his jealous wife. Up next from August 30 through October 6, is “Ruthless! The Musical,” with music by Marvin Laird and based on the book and lyrics by Joel Paley. In her quest to play Pippi Longstocking, 8-year-old Tina Denmark will stop at nothing to win the part.
Founded by a trio of television writers—Ken Rosen,
Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap,” running from
Sheldon Stark and Jacquie Chester—to produce original
November 1 through December 8, ends the 2019 sea-
plays, Theatre Palisades was created in 1963, holding
son. Set in post-WWII England, the play begins with
its earliest performances at the Pacific Palisades Jewish
news about a murder in London and weaves a mysteri-
Community Center (now Kelhiath Israel) on Sunset Blvd.
ous tale sure to enthrall audiences.
From 1967 to 1975, the membership- and subscriber-driven community theatre produced shows in area
THEATRE PALISADES YOUTH
venues, including Palisades Park and Rustic Canyon Park,
The youth theater provides an opportunity for youth
before securing its permanent location in 1975 on land
in 3rd through 9th grades to participate in a hands-on
donated by Lelah and J. Townley Pierson.
theater experience with a professional and experienced
In November 1988, Theatre Palisades opened Pierson
director and production staff. Producing two shows a year,
Playhouse, a 125-seat theatre named in honor of the
Theatre Palisades Youth presents “Guys and Dolls Jr.”
Piersons. Today, the busy theatre produces five major
from February 22-24 and March 1-3.
productions with an 18-show run each year, as well as two yearly shows by Theatre Palisades Youth, chamber music
For tickets and more information, call Theatre Palisades at 310.454.1970 or visit TheatrePalisades.org.
concerts, special shows and membership meetings. Theatre Palisades also hosts Palisades Historical Society
Theatre Palisades is located at 941 Temescal Canyon Road,
presentations throughout the year.
in Pacific Palisades.
February 2019 | Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle
25
Pacific Jewelry Watch Appraisers & Buyers
Paul Shikhvarger
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CITY SCENE
A Date with the Arts ON THE TOWN WITH THE ARTS The Malibu and Pacific Palisades areas are a mecca of arts and culture. Make a date this month with your sweetheart to appreciate some of the many cultural offerings right here in our own backyard.
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Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle | February 2019
THE FREDERICK R . WEISM AN MUSEUM OF ART
TUESDAY-SUNDAY, 11 A.M.-5 P.M. PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY Founded in 1992, the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University showcases historical and contemporary art by nationally recognized artists, with a focus on California artists. Through March 31, the landmark exhibit, “Richard Diebenkorn Beginnings, 1942–1955,” explores the artist’s evolution from early representational landscape, to semiabstract Cubist and Surrealist-inspired work, to his mature Abstract Expressionist paintings from the Sausalito, Albuquerque, Urbana and early Berkeley years, culminating in his return to figuration in the mid-1950s. Focused exclusively on paintings and drawings made in his formative years, it features approximately 75 works, most of which have never before been publicly exhibited. Arts.Pepperdine.edu
WALK WITH NATURE ART EXHIBIT & SALE
THROUGH FEB. 27, 9 A.M.-4:30 P.M. SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS INTERAGENCY VISITOR CENTER Local landscape painter Russell Hunziker features more than 30 original watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings of the beautiful landscapes in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Channel Islands National Park. Russell coordinated his captivating paintings with a map of their locations within the Santa Monica Mountains and Channel Islands and inspirational quotes from the famed naturalist John Muir. This is a wonderful opportunity to take an artistic walk through a unique and precious area! This free event runs all month. A portion of art sales will benefit future arts programs in the Santa Monica Mountains. WNPA.org
“ T WELFTH NIGHT ”
FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS THROUGH FEB. 17 THEATRE PALISADES Pacific Palisades’ own community theatre presents classic and modern works to entertain and delight audiences of all ages. This month, Director Sabrina Lloyd and Producers Martha Hunter and Sherman Wayne present William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." The classic tale features a shipwrecked heroine who disguises herself as a boy and joins Duke Orsino's court. Sent as his emissary to the Countess Olivia, who's mourning the death of her brother, chaos—and a great deal of fun—ensues. TheatrePalisades.org
THE LISA SMITH WENGLER CENTER FOR THE ARTS
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY'S MALIBU CAMPUS The public is welcome to attend the many performances held throughout the year by world-renowned and emerging musicians, dance and circus companies, and students. This month features a wide variety of options: + Dance in Flight, presented by Pepperdine Student Activities, Feb. 7–9, Smothers Theatre Emerging student dancers and choreographers from a variety of dance backgrounds, interests, and fields of study present an impressive showcase of student artistry. $20 + Kenny Broberg, Piano, Recital Series, Feb. 10, 2 p.m., Raitt Recital Hall Award-winning pianist Kenny Broberg performs Johann Sebastian Bach’s Toccata in C Minor, BWV 911 and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sonata No. 31 in A-flat Major, op. 110. $28 + Die Fledermaus, Feb. 21 & 23, 7:30 p.m., Smothers Theatre Presented by The Flora L. Thornton Opera Program, Johann Strauss's beloved operetta Die Fledermaus captures the charm of cosmopolitan Vienna and imagines what would happen if for just one night, we were free of the bonds of our social status. $20 + Ailey II, Feb. 26, 8 p.m., Smothers Theatre As a part of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, Ailey II continues the legacy of its founder Alvin Ailey by celebrating the American modern dance heritage and preserving the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience. $20-$50 Arts.Pepperdine.edu
February 2019 | Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle
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Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle | February 2019
FEBRUARY
LIFESTYLE CALENDAR
DAILY, ALL MONTH
shaping of themes, revelation of inner voices, and an unfailing sense of
momentum”
(Texas
Classical
Review), pianist Kenny Broberg is known for his “poise” and “technical
UNDERWORLD: IMAGINING THE AFTERLIFE
brilliance” (Minnesota Star Tribune). Arts.Pepperdine.edu
24 MALIBU LAGOON WALK WITH THE AUDUBON SOCIETY Pacific Coast Highway
and Cross Creek Road
The Santa Monica Bay Audubon
The Getty Villa
Organized around a monumental funerary vessel on loan from the National Archaeological Museum in Naples and recently conserved at the Getty Villa, this exhibition explores
10
Society "SMBAS" invites all to their
THE ROMANTICS
month, at 8:30 and 10 a.m. Meet at the
free, monthly Malibu Lagoon Field Trips, held the 4th Sunday of every
Oxnard Performing Arts Center
metal-shaded viewing area next to
depictions of the Underworld in the
Fawzi
conducts
the parking lot before going forward
art of Greece and southern Italy.
New
Symphony's concert
with the 2-3 hour tour. Binoculars
Beyond tales of famous wrongdoers
featuring
Romantic
masterworks
and rulers of the dead, the objects on
including
Brahms’
monumental
view highlight the desire for a blessed
Symphony No. 1, which took 14 years
existence after death. Getty.edu
to complete, and which many have
Haimor West
guest
called “Beethoven’s 10th.” Rodolfo
recommended. SMBASBlog.com
26 AILEY II
4
Leone performs Beethoven’s vigor-
Malibu 90263
SMARTY PANTS STORYTIME
County composer Pauline Frechette presents "The Sacred Mountains
As a part of the Alvin Ailey American
Malibu Library
of Ojai" and "Reflections (Song for
Dance Theatre, Ailey II celebrates the
Children of all ages are sure to enjoy
Michael)." NewWestSymphony.org
American modern dance heritage,
ous Piano Concerto No. 1, and Ventura
this storytelling event, held Mondays at the Malibu Library. Malibu.org
9 “TWELFTH NIGHT” Theatre Palisades
Director
20
African-American
CASA INFORMATIONAL SESSION
technique” (Broadway Dance World),
“dynamic movement and dazzling
ular human beings” (the New York
in the life of an abused or neglected
Times). Arts.Pepperdine.edu
foster child in our community at this CASA Informational Session. Court
William
Appointed Special Advocates serve
Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night," Fridays
as a stable adult in a child's life. RSVP
and Saturdays through Feb. 17. Tickets:
or for more information: 805.389.3120.
present
ence. Universally renowned for its
the members of Ailey II are “spectac-
and
Wayne
experi-
Learn how you can make a difference
and
Martha
cultural
Ventura County
Lloyd
Sherman
Sabrina
preserving the uniqueness of the
Hunter
Producers
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
$22. TheatrePalisades.org
20
10 KENNY BROBERG, PIANO
32
THE SECRETS OF SUPER SUCCESS The Sunset Restaurant
We are always accepting sub-
Pepperdine University
Malibu Toastmasters Club proudly
missions for events you'd like to
Winner of the silver medal at the
presents Michael Levine, widely
see included in our Calendar sec-
Fifteenth Van Cliburn International
regarded as one of the world's pre-
tion. Submissions are accepted
Piano Competition for performances
eminent branding and media experts
via
that
for the past 30 years. Malibu.org
MalibutoPalisadesLifestyle.com.
showed
“an
imaginative
Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle | February 2019
the
Contact
Us
tab
at
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33
LEGAL COMPASS
Health and Wellness & Their Intersection with the Law ARTICLE DAVID DORENFELD, ESQ.
IN OUR MORE THAN 60 COMBINED YEARS OF
allowing the other side to have something they may
PRACTICE, THE ATTORNEYS AT DORENFELDLAW
not deserve. If this dilemma controls the strategy and
HAVE HONED A SAFE, THOUGHTFUL AND CAR-
potential dispute resolution, it can lead to decisions
ING APPROACH TO MANAGING EACH CLIENT’S
that are not in the client’s best interest.
EMOTIONAL (AND PHYSICAL) HEALTH DURING OUR TIME TOGETHER.
David Dorenfeld, Esq.
Addressing these two fundamental hurdles at the inception of a dispute can remove stress and anxiety
When a client first comes to us and identifies the
from the process and allow the client and our attor-
nature of their legal dispute, the first questions we ask
neys to spend our time (and the client’s money) on
are: (1) What is your wish list? and (2) What are you
productive decision-making.
seeking to accomplish? By using the answers to these
Another important issue is recognition and accep-
questions as our starting point, we can focus the client
tance of factors beyond one’s control. A client cannot
on two important variables in managing a legal dispute.
control his or her adversary. The actions of the adver-
First, we work with the client to identify what com-
sary and his or her counsel can become a source of
ponents of the problem relate to the emotional aspects
continued anxiety and stress for the client. It is accord-
that are driving the dispute. For instance, some disputes
ingly important not to allow your opponent to draw you
have an innate emotional aspect, such as a dispute
in; if they do draw you in, the litigation can then take a
relating to one’s home or family. Often at the beginning
scorched earth approach to dispute resolution. Falling
of a dispute of this nature, the client feels wronged
prey to this tactic increases the emotional toll of litiga-
on a personal level, taken advantage of or wrongfully
tion (as well as the amount of time and costs involved)
attacked. We alleviate the stress on the client by dis-
and in the end creates an atmosphere where practical
cussing this at the outset, presenting an empathetic yet
solutions cannot be achieved.
objective viewpoint, and seeking to remove the emo-
Being in a legal dispute is a stressful and, poten-
tional factor at the inception. This tends to set the client
tially life-altering event. Selecting an attorney who is
more at ease and assists us in clarifying decision-mak-
sensitive to these issues can make the bumpy road
ing. This approach then allows us to work toward prac-
of litigation a little more comfortable to travel. At
tical, pragmatic and real-world solutions.
DorenfeldLaw, we strive to provide our clients with
Second are the disputes that are personal in nature,
an informed, considered and holistic approach to
such as those between long-term business partners. In
achieve their goals while attempting to minimize their
these settings, the client often dwells on what the other
stress and anxiety.
side might get or want. Those feelings gnaw at the client and fuel bad decision-making. Reigning in this
34
impulse at the beginning of our relationship reduces
David Dorenfeld is the lead attorney at DorenfeldLaw,
stress and anxiety (not to mention anger). Whether you
located at 30101 Agoura Ct., Suite 210, in Agoura
are suing or being sued, at the end of the day, the anal-
Hills. For more information, contact DorenfeldLaw at
ysis boils down to what is best for you. This may mean
818.865.4000.
Malibu to Palisades Lifestyle | February 2019
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