Ventura Blvd Magazine - April 2015 by Moon Tide Media

April 2015

WHERE WE LIVE

Top Teens:

to watch

SPECIAL SECTION: ALL ABOUT KIDS p. 78 OURVE NT U RA B LV D.CO M

Moon Tide Media

18-year-old Paloma Baillie

SIX DOLLARS

APRIL 2015

Clarity >

hollywoodsierra.com

Itâ€™s something we bring to your vision to help you find the right products and features resulting in a beautiful and functional kitchen.

facebook.com/HollywoodSierra

926 North La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90069

(310) 659-9290

THE BRAINS OF THE OUTFIT

Precise, easy control with nine cooking modes and Dual VertiCrossTM convection technology The New M Series Built-In Ovens from Wolf

APRIL 2015

Where We Live 14 As You Were

26 Weekender

The Garland in NoHo

Venice by day

17 Palate

29 Media

A salute to Guinness

For kids only

18 Arts

31 Local Talent

High school Getty installation

20 Q&A

Childrenâ€™s talent agent Kristin Malecki Pizza put to the test

24 Pit Stops

Fun stuff around town to do

34 SEEN

Fresh tastes

dpHue on spring hair

33 Datebook

23 Friendly Competition

Teen band Breaking 27

32 Tips

Local faces spotted on the party circuit

Features 48 Top Teens: 10 to Watch

Meet some of the best and brightest teenagers in the Valley.

58 Playing and Winning the College

Clockwise from top: Emerson Tenney at the Valley Performing Arts Center; spring fashions; the entry of a stunning Tarzana home.

Admissions Game

An inside guide to selecting and gaining admission to college.

Channeling Travel

The treasure-filled Tarzana home of a couple that loves exploring the world.

Splendor in the Grass

Colorful outfits for kids and moms this spring.

And Then Some... 40

Summer Camps Guide

Profiles: All About Kids

106 Real Estate

Spectacular local listings

130 Last Word

A table-turning mom gets tech-savvy on her teens

On the Cover:

Paloma Baillie, senior at The Buckley School. Photographed by Lauren Pressey

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

TOP DENTISTS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Linda Grasso

Ajay Peckham EDITORIAL

Editorial Director | Darren Elms Food Editor/VB’s The Sauce Editor | Karen Young Copy Editor | Laura Watts Art Director | Angela Lewis Graphic Designers | Elena Lacey, Michelle Villas CONTRIBUTORS Karen Jordan, Sheryl Marcus, Kathleen Markel, Judith A. Stock, Leslie Rodriguez, Lee White, Rachel Heller Zaimont PHOTOGRAPHERS Hugh Hamilton, Paul Joyner, Ryan Miller, Lauren Pressey, Lu Tapp ADVERTISING

Director of Marketing | Cherice Tatum Marketing Manager | Kaleena Cano Operations Manager | Allison Jeackjuntra Business & Financial Consultant | Karina Aguiar ADVISORY COMMITTEE Robbie Fox, Sandra Gelfat, Nancy Hammerman, Beth Laski, Sheryl Marcus, Stacie Mindich-Jordan, Judith A. Proffer

MANAGING PARTNERS

Charles C. Koones

The finest professionals in theValley 8

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

Todd Klawin

VP, BRANDED MEDIA

Emily Stewart No part of this periodical may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent from Moon Tide Media, LLC. Any and all submissions to this or any Moon Tide Media, LLC publication become the property of Moon Tide Media, LLC and may be used in any media. We reserve the right to edit. TO OUR READERS Ventura Blvd magazine welcomes your feedback to our magazine and stories. Please send your letters to: Reader Response Department, Ventura Blvd Magazine, PO Box 3760, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Please include your name and address and email address. Letters may be published. We reserve the right to edit. SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe by email: info@moontidemedia.com or phone: 310-376-7800. Subscriptions are $29 per year. 58 11th Street Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 Tel 310-376-7800 • Fax 310-376-0200 MoonTideMedia.com OurVenturaBlvd.com

ESTHETIC PROFESSIONALS

COMMENDABLE A collection of distinguished dentists who craft the most genuine smiles.

TOP DENTISTS

310.376.7800 | ourventurablvd@moontidemedia.com | ourventurablvd.com

EDITOR’S LETTER | LINDA GRASSO

CONTRIBUTORS

Lauren Pressey PHOTOGRAPHER “Top Teens” & “Splendor in the Grass”

Dip In

his is my favorite time of year. I’m always alerted that spring is beginning by the freshly blossomed wisteria that drapes my backyard trellis. The lavender blossoms remind me to fertilize my perennials, blanket the yard with a layer of fresh, organic soil and plant my vegetable seeds in starter pots. Then I begin tearing apart my house trying to find the slip of paper where I jotted down which heirloom tomatoes produced. There is nothing more disappointing than caring for a plant all season long only to get three tomatoes, which often happens with heirlooms. For the record, Black Carbon was a really great producer last year. This is also a favorite time of year because this is when we do our Top Teens feature. Again, I was wowed by this year’s teens. From budding inventor Jonathan Berman to water polo phenom Ben Hallock to writer and philanthropist Emerson Tenney, these young people are striving for excellence and achieving it in new and different ways. Inspiration, pure and simple. Don’t miss the interesting piece in this issue on tackling the college admissions process. As a parent who has gone through the experience with a child, it can be stressful— trying to choose the right school and then, amidst a flood of über-qualified applicants (will there soon be a 5.0 GPA?), gain admission. Most parents simply want their kid to be happy regardless of the school they choose. But the process can cut students to the core and leave them grappling with issues like peer pressure and self-esteem. And all the while, they’re trying to make perhaps the biggest decision of their lives thus far. I discovered a really cool, unique, new place on the Boulevard recently: Augustine in Sherman Oaks. With its perfect lighting, cozy seating and gorgeous flower arrangements, it reminded me of a swanky SoHo or Napa Valley wine bar. Oh, and then there are the fabulous beverages. For the simple pleasure of enjoying a glass of vino, in terms of ambience, there’s nothing quite like it on the Boulevard.

Photograph kids when they’re not looking. Capturing the in-between

moments when kids are either engaged with each other or are doing something they love—those are the best images. Get up close. Get down to their level

and have them fill the entire frame. This makes better portraits. Act silly. The quickest way to a natural smile is to act like them. Say funny words, make creative sounds or tell crazy stories. Create the moment. Photos don’t

have to be about special occasions. Create your own moment—that is what I do with my own kids. Whether they’re jumping in the ocean or quietly reading to themselves, give a kid something they’ll have fun with, and you’ll get better images.

P.S. Got an interesting story idea? Email me

at lindagrasso@moontidemedia.com.

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ERIKA NOVICK

ON LOCATION VB’s Linda Grasso, Lauren Pressey and Ajay Peckham with Top Teen Ben Hallock at HarvardWestlake

There is a reason we asked Lauren Pressey to do photography for two of the main features in this issue: She is an ace at capturing children. “I’ve always loved being around kids and have really never stopped feeling like one myself. I truly find them fascinating and love what I do,” she explains. Here’s Lauren on the “how-to” of her craft.

Terranea is a land where quality time is celebrated, and every day spent with family is a special occasion.

100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 Come discover a land not far away. 310.265.2800 | www.Terranea.com For a limited time, stay two nights and receive a third night free. Restrictions apply. For reservations, call 866.802.8000 or visit Terranea.com.

WHERE WE LIVE

We Heard a Rumor ... that some Valley art students are working on an installation at the Getty this spring. For more see page 18.

ESTEEMED TEENS Students from Cleveland Charter High School in Reseda. ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | AS YOU WERE

Unveiling on Vineland A NoHo hotel with Hollywood history gets a glamorous makeover and new name. WRITTEN BY KAREN

JORDAN

he Garland, formerly known as the Beverly Garland, has just undergone a dramatic, $20 million renovation. With its 257 rooms refurbished in “retro-cool California style,” stunning gardens by celebrity landscape designer Jonny Appleseed and a sophisticated, spacious event space, the seven-acre property seems poised for success. As exciting as the future seems, the NoHo property also has an interesting past. The hotel was first opened by actress Beverly Garland and her husband, real estate developer Fillmore Crank. Beverly, known for roles on popular TV shows (My Three Sons, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, 7th Heaven) and Fillmore purchased seven acres of land in 1970 from actor Gene Autry with dreams of building a lodge. Instead they built a misson-style hotel, with the help of John Kell Houssels—considered one of the forefathers of the Las Vegas hotel/casino industry and founder of the Tropicana hotel. The actress focused on interior design, while her husband oversaw construction. The facility opened for business in 1972. Hollywood elite, including John Wayne, attended the grand opening, according to Fillmore’s son, James Crank, who now runs the property. James fondly remembers his mother’s mantra: “It’s the personal touch that counts.” Beverly was known, when not on a set, to work at the hotel taking care of the property—including even changing lightbulbs and rearranging flowers. “It was a very special place,” James says. “I think what they taught me was how fantastic a hotel can be.” At one time, the hotel joined the Holiday Inn chain, but it broke away in November 2013—and has returned to its roots as an independent, boutique hotel. Now seven years after his mother’s death and with the renovation near completion, James hopes to build on what his parents accomplished, bringing back “the best elements of the ‘70s” while also meeting the needs of visitors (free trolley service to Universal Studios and CityWalk) as well as Valley residents. He is inspired by the current gentrification and growth of the arts scene in NoHo and has plans to feature the work of local artists. James envisions the hotel as a community hub where people can come to relax and host events like weddings or bar mitzvahs. And what would his mother think of The Garland of today? “I think she’d be really thrilled,” James muses. “My parents loved the community and the hospitality business.” 

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

AS YOU WERE | WHERE WE LIVE

Clockwise from left: actress Beverly Garland; before and after renovation; original construction underway in the early ‘70s

1970

1972

1999

2008

2013

2014

2015

Actress Beverly Garland and her husband purchase seven acres of land from Gene Autry.

The Beverly Garland Hotel opens and is named for the actress.

The couple’s son, James Crank, becomes part of the hotel’s management team.

Beverly Garland dies. James becomes president of Rio Vista Development Corporation, which owns the hotel.

A $20 million renovation begins at the hotel, and it sheds its Holiday Inn affiliation.

The first phase of renovations is complete with new lobby and bar, renovated guest rooms and the addition of Beverly Park, an outdoor events venue. “Beverly” is dropped from the hotel’s name.

The Garland, fully renovated, is scheduled to debut in the spring with the opening of the on-site restaurant, The Front Yard.

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

FRESHOLOGY.COM 1 (877) 89- FRESH

SUMMER IS ONLY 3 MONTHS AWAY

SAVE UP TO $150

USE PROMO: VENTURA15 HEALTHY GOURMET MEALS DELIVERED DAILY TO YOU

PALATE | WHERE WE LIVE

The Good Stuff

To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we share more than 250 years of Guinness history in a pint.

In 1752, Arthur Guinness is left £100 (about $147) in the will of Archbishop Price. Three years later he sets up business as a brewer in Leixlip, County Kildare, just 17 kilometers (about 11 miles) from Dublin. The rest is history.

Guinness stout is made from water, barley, roast malt extract, hops and brewer’s yeast.

In 1840 a shipment of Guinness is sent to the states via New York.

The Guinness harp motif is modeled on the Trinity College harp of the Irish text Cogad Gáedel re Gallaib.

During the air raids of WWII, Export Bottlers Ltd. in Liverpool was destroyed by German bombs. The factory was hastily rebuilt, and the patched-up factory continues operating until 1957.

Porter is also referred to as “plain,” as referenced in the famous refrain of Flann O’Brien’s poem “The Workman’s Friend”: “A pint of plain is your only man.”

“Stout” originally referred to a beer’s strength but eventually shifted meaning toward body and color. (The World Guide to Beer)

In the 1920s the slogan “Guinness is Good for You” debuted when consumers told the company they felt good after a pint. Advertisements for alcoholic drinks that imply improved physical performance or enhanced personal qualities are now prohibited in Ireland.

Before 1939, if a Guinness brewer wished to marry a Catholic, his resignation was requested. That changed by the 1960s. (A Bottle of Guinness Please)

The “perfect pint” of draught Guinness is the product of a “double pour,” which according to the company should take 119.5 seconds.

ourventurablvd.com

Despite its reputation as a “meal in a glass,” Guinness only contains 198 calories per imperial pint—fewer than skimmed milk, orange juice and most other nonlight beers.

Although Guinness may appear to be black, it is officially a very dark shade of ruby.

40% of Guinness sales come from Africa.

At least 10 million glasses of Guinness are enjoyed every day.

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | ARTS

Artist in Residence Students from two Valley high schools get mentored by a world-renowned artist—thanks to an innovative program at the Getty Center.

ew artists reach the accolades and acclaim that Barbara Kruger has achieved. The conceptional artist, known for her large-scale installations that address social and political issues, was honored at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual “Art +Film Gala” held in November. Director Quentin Tarantino was another honoree at the glamorous event, which was also attended by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Kanye West. But it was students—a group from Chatsworth Charter High School—who captivated Barbara’s attention one afternoon in December. The students sat silently as she peppered them with questions. “What does advocacy mean to you?” she asked the crowd. “What about fear? What do you fear?” The class of nearly 40 juniors and seniors initially seemed reluctant to respond. “Everyone was shy,” senior Robert Zolfaghari explains. “We’re not used to an adult of that high prestige coming.” The visit was part of a project that Barbara designed after being chosen by the Getty Center for its annual Artists Program. As the selected artist, she was asked to create and implement a “passion” project, which the Getty project team would help organize. Barbara chose to work with LAUSD students on a series of critical thinking projects, naming her project Whose Values? The Getty project identified the humanities programs at both

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

JORDAN

Chatsworth and Grover Cleveland Charter high schools as excellent matches for the themes central to Barbara’s work—including social justice, race and identity. She has been working with the students since November. “I just really believe in the importance of public education,” Barbara says. “I do believe when you work with young people, you can suggest possibilities that really make a difference.” “She’s been such a seminal figure in the art world for many years,” says Cathy Carpenter, education specialist at the J. Paul Getty Museum. “She’s a fixture. Everybody knows her. We are very fortunate to be working with her.” Eventually the students spoke. “Fear of failure,” replied senior Ivan Matias. Others chimed in with concerns of letting their parents down or struggling in the future. Barbara, who avoids being photographed, urged them on, stressing that there were no right or wrong answers. She also spoke of the importance of avoiding stereotypes and thinking out of the box. “Art is a form of commentary,” she explains. “Those pictures of mine on the wall, that’s just one way to do it. There are a million ways to be an artist.” The students from both high schools will experience perhaps the ultimate thrill for an artist on May 5 when their projects from the program go on display at the Getty. 

ourventurablvd.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RYAN MILLER/CAPTURE IMAGING FOR THE GETTY

WRITTEN BY KAREN

WHERE WE LIVE | Q&A

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

Q&A | WHERE WE LIVE

Star Search

A top children’s commercial agent on what it takes to get into and prosper in showbiz PHOTOGRAPHED BY HUGH

For the past five years, Kristin Malecki has seen thousands of hopefuls at L.A. Talent—looking for representation. The statuesque talent agent sits down with Ventura Blvd editor-in-chief Linda Grasso to spell out what she looks for and the qualities that have skyrocketed some of her young clients from TV commercials to feature films. What are the qualities that make a child a good actor for TV commercials? Personable and outgoing. There’s a lot that goes into a commercial production, so shy or timid kids can easily get overwhelmed. If they can’t answer a question without help from parents during the meeting, it’s usually a sign they’re not ready. And besides personality? We keep our client list fairly small, so I look for kids who have a unique characteristic or trait about them. For example,

ourventurablvd.com

if they speak a different language or can skateboard, etc. What, if any, experience should a kid have? Depends on age. I don’t expect younger kids to have acting classes or workshops on their resumes, but if they do, it shows me that they’re committed. Kids who have been in the business for a few years or are older (ages 7 to 9) should have at least a commercial acting workshop under their belt. What else does a child need to succeed? A parent who can shuttle a kid across town at a moment’s notice. In many cases my clients get the call and have to audition that very same day. So if they live outside of LA or both parents work full-time, it can be difficult. Can kids have other interests/commitments? I don’t expect children to have acting as their only passion, but kids who have something like sports practices every day with little to no flexibility can’t do both. Don’t you think acting also takes a thick skin? Yes. Commercials are a lot of times about a look. It doesn’t mean a kid didn’t do a good job at the audition; it’s just not what the client was looking for. The constant disappointment can take a toll. Give some tips on what makes a good headshot and a price one should expect to pay. $150 is very reasonable. Typically you can do a couple of different looks. Headshots should be fresh, natural and capture personality without taking away from their

HAMILTON

face. Accessories such as bows, hats and/or big jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Also stay away from loud prints and logos and keep colors neutral. I prefer indoor shots with a solid background, but outdoors can work too if kept simple. How much can a child make with a principal role in a commercial? It depends on how much the commercials runs, where it runs, the time of day it runs, the number of spots, edits, the amount of shoot days, etc. The ad agencies decide on all these factors and pay actors according to SAG guidelines. Also, there’s no guarantee a spot will even air. What does it take to get a theatrical agent? Theatrical productions are creating a character and contributing to a storyline and can be a much bigger commitment. It’s a lot harder to break into film and TV projects, since a different level of acting is required. Many theatrical agents would want to see some sort of tape or footage on a kid. So getting involved in acting classes and/or individual coaching sessions are important. Is it exciting to watch your young clients progress? Yes, it is one of my favorite parts of my job! It is such a rewarding feeling when I see them on the big or little screen. I’ve had kids on Mad Men, True Blood, Grey’s Anatomy and many others. One of my most memorable moments was booking my client Seth Carr in Her with Joaquin Phoenix and finding out another client, Mace Coronel, booked a series regular on Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn. 

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

LATIN JEWISH LIFE IN FILM FILM STILL FROM MR. KAPLAN, COURTESY OF MENEMSHA FILMS

Mantener la Fe: Keep the Faith

Starting March 11, the Skirball Cultural Center presents films from four different countries that explore the resilience of the human spirit and the conviction to stand by one’s beliefs, even in the most adverse circumstances. OLGA | Wednesday, March 11 MR. KAPLAN | Thursday, March 26 VISA AL PARAÍSO (VISA TO PARADISE) | Thursday, April 16 THE LONGING: THE FORGOTTEN JEWS OF SOUTH AMERICA Featuring a Q&A with Director Gabriela Böhm | Sunday, April 26 Advance tickets recommended BUY/RESERVE NOW: (877) SCC-4TIX, skirball.org, or on site

2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049 skirball.org • (310) 440-4500 FREE on-site parking; street parking strictly prohibited

THIS FILM SERIES IS PRESENTED AS PART OF “VIVA!,” AN ONGOING SKIRBALL INITIATIVE THAT EXPLORES THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN JEWISH AND LATIN AMERICAN CULTURES THROUGH LECTURES, CONVERSATIONS, AND PERFORMING, VISUAL, AND MEDIA ARTS. VIVA! PROGRAMS ARE MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY SUPPORT FROM: MEDIA SPONSOR:

FRIENDLY COMPETITION | WHERE WE LIVE

Pizza Party A tried-and-true teen favorite—a large cheese pizza—gets put to the test with home delivery by four Valley eateries, rating each on a scale of 1 to 10. WRITTEN BY KAREN

YOUNG

THE JUDGES: RUBY SCHIFF, 16, Oakwood School CLAIRE SLINEY, 16, Oakwood School AVERY SIEGEL, 16, Oakwood School ELLEN COOPER, 17, Notre Dame High School

1 PEPE’S NY PIZZA

NNE This pizza place with two locations in Studio City R! was neck-and-neck with Joe Peep’s NY Pizza and Pagliacci’s, so we had to involve the teenagers’ parents to break the tie. All three parents preferred the slice from Pepe’s. Priced at almost $19, Pepe’s pizza was the most expensive and largest pie of the group. It was also the only one with delivery included. All our judges raved about the thin crust and thought the cheese-to-sauce ratio was perfect. RS: Love the ratio of tomato-to-cheese-to-crust. The perfect thickness. Aesthetically pleasing. CS: A little flimsy, but I like that the cheese and sauce are cohesive. AS: It looked a bit too saucy in the box, but tasted lighter. EC: A very traditional, New York-style pizza, although it did seem a bit greasy. Large, 20-inch, $18.99 plus tax, free delivery. 11946 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, 818-358-2233, pepesnypizzala.com Score: 7.25

3 PAGLIACCI’S

We ordered from the fast-casual Studio City location (there is also a full-service restaurant nearby). All gave the thumbs-up to the thin crust and the ample amount of cheese. A consensus only a teenage group could come up with: This would make the best pizza to eat cold the next day. RS: It looks appetizing and freshly prepared, but not enough flavor. CS: Cheesy, so I’m loving the presentation; not enough tomato. AS: Crunchy crust with light tomato sauce, but a little thin for me. EC: A very neat-looking pizza with a lot of cheese, but it wasn’t too greasy. Could have been a little more tomato sauce. Large, 16-inch, $13.95 plus tax, $3 delivery. 3990 Vantage Avenue, Studio City, 818-766-2515, pagliaccispizza.com Score: 6.75

ourventurablvd.com

2 JOE PEEP’S NY PIZZA

This is Joe Peep’s signature, decadent pie that boasts “5,969” calories with a fluffy crust, thin center and homemade sauce. Diners can also opt for half the cheese or the “blue collar” version with no crust. All loved the presentation and thought it looked “fancier” than the other pizzas. RS: Very flavorful with the perfect amount of sauce, although a little greasy and thicker than I like. CS: Amazing crust, love the oregano. Looked so cheesy and warm, I wanted to eat it instantly. AS: Lots of sauce, a nice amount of cheese and a very flavorful crust. EC: Looked nice with the spices on the crust. But too much cheese for me. Large, 16-inch, $14.99 plus tax, $2.62 delivery fee (depends on distance). 12460 Magnolia Boulevard, Valley Village, 818506-4133, joepeeps.com Score: 7

4 CRUST

This was the lowest-priced pie but the smallest of all the pizzas ordered. All agreed that this pizza would not be good cold. RS: Flavorful, but too rich and cheesy. CS: My 6-year-old self would’ve loved this, but now it is too overwhelming. One bite made me full. AS: Pleasing to the eye, but the crust didn’t seem fully cooked. EC: Too much thick cheese; the crust is soggier than the other pizzas. Large, 14-inch, $12.95 plus tax, $3 delivery. 11928 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City, 818-980-0008, crust.com Score: 3.5

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | PIT STOPS

Mix it Up

Farm to Doorstep

Tired of your own cooking? Three ways to expand your repertoire. School Week

Take a cooking class at the Wellness Kitchen at California Health & Longevity Institute. Learn how to eat healthy with inventive recipes, nutritious ingredients and the perfect wine pairings with the Wine Wednesday class: dinner with a lecture and Q&A with a nutritionist and a wine expert. Or discover dishes that are made with local, fresh, sustainable produce at Farm-to-Fork Fridays: cooking demonstration followed by a communal dining experience. With both classes, recipes are your take-home gift. chli.com

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

Taste of India

Order the Kitchen Curry Master, which includes a recipe book filled with gorgeous photos of authentic, gluten-free Indian dishes (we loved the tutorial on spices in the very beginning; turmeric is part of the ginger family—who knew?) and an aroma-preserving, brushed steel container packed with fragrant, fresh spices. There are even a few refills. The kit is the brainchild of Patel Williams (a.k.a. “Neena”), who lives in the Valley. kitchencurrymaster.com

Why not take a break and let Freshology deliver tasty, caloriecontrolled meals right to your doorstep? The delivery service partners with local farms for fresh produce. With really inventive recipes they create nutrientdense, healthy, whole foods without losing a keen focus on taste. Plans include gluten-free, postnatal and weight loss, as well as our fave, Freshology Gold. How could you possibly go wrong with meals like Creole-style shrimp Caesar salad, Parmesan flaxseed tuille and chicken andouille sausage? And if that doesn’t fill you up, there is always the white chocolate raspberry mousse for dessert. freshology.com 

ourventurablvd.com

WHERE WE LIVE | WEEKENDER

When in Venice Need a family getaway but can’t leave town for spring break? From Pasadena to Pacific Palisades, there are several fantastic day trips within an hour’s car ride from the Valley. One of them is the colorful city of Venice. WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN PRESSEY

ot only is Venice Beach just a hop, skip and a jump from this side of the hill, its unique vibe offers enough adventure to make you feel like you are on vacation … for at least a day. The city’s popular entertainment corridor or “main drag,” Abbot Kinney, is filled with chic boutiques and swanky restaurants and is sure to satisfy just about any shopping and dining need. If you are rolling your eyes, longing for the magical hippie days of the ‘60s and ‘70s, sure it’s changed. But there’s still enough local flavor and culture to make it thoroughly entertaining for adults and kids.

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

WEEKENDER | WHERE WE LIVE

EAT

Start the day with something familiar to ease kids in. Pitfire Pizza sits just east of Lincoln Boulevard, and like its NoHo twin, it will be a family pleaser. Great selection of gourmet pizzas, tasty salads and craft beers. Plenty of seating, comfy booths and a noisy atmosphere make it the perfect relaxed-meets-rambunctious environment you need when dining with little ones. Burrata pie and the kale salad are faves for adults, while the kid-sized pizzas, organic softserve ice cream and pizza-making parties will dazzle the “littles.” 12924 Washington Boulevard

SHOP

You’ll find Burro, a sweet little children’s boutique, in the middle of Abbot Kinney. It packs quite a punch for its small size, with a clever, curated assortment of gifts and the adorable clothes. Lining the shelves is a colorful selection of children’s books and Blabla dolls, both big and small. Don’t miss the adjacent Burro gift shop for women, with art books, bags, candles and pretty stationary. 1409 Abbot Kinney Boulevard

PLAY

Hidden amongst rows of beautiful, modern homes and quaint beach cottages, the Venice Canals provide the perfect landscape for exploration. Originally developed in 1905 by the city’s founder, Abbot Kinney, the canals were part of the Venice of America plan that would transform the little city into a beach resort town with European flare— complete with gondoliers and quaint walking bridges. Today many of the original canals are no longer in existence, but a few remain, offering the same charm and the perfect respite to a hectic week. Stroll down the sidewalks, say hello to the ducks and geese, and enjoy the peace and quiet. Find the Venice Canals within South Venice Boulevard, Pacific Avenue, Ocean Avenue and Washington Boulevard. Always an adventure: the Venice Boardwalk. There are always a host of eclectic characters and an enthusiastic crowd. It is fun to browse among the vendors that line the walkway with tables of tourist tchotchke. Tucked behind the busy boardwalk is the Venice Beach Skatepark. Find yourself a spot and become mesmerized as skaters (sometimes including a few pros) fly within the 16,000-square-foot facility. Located just east of the beach near Windward and Ocean Front Walk. Open 9 a.m. to sunset. 

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

MEDIA | WHERE WE LIVE

We Are

YOUNG

Relished reads and inspiring flicks for the teenage dreamers in your household. EDITED BY DARREN

ELMS

{PAGES} I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN By Jandy Nelson

This New York Times bestselling story of first love, family, loss and betrayal follows Jude and her twin brother, Noah. The early years are Noah’s story to tell. The later years are Jude’s. What the twins don’t realize is that they each have only half the story, and if they could just find their way back to one another, they’d have a chance to remake their world. This radiant novel from the acclaimed, awardwinning author of The Sky Is Everywhere will leave you breathless, teary and laughing— often all at once. ELEANOR & PARK (COLLECTOR’S EDITION) By Rainbow Rowell

This story is of two high school juniors who meet on the school bus and hate each other at first sight. Eleanor is an awkward, eccentrically dressed new girl,

ourventurablvd.com

and Park is a medium-popular boy who just wants to keep his head down and get through the day. But after he lets Eleanor take the seat beside him (a big social risk), things start to change, and slowly those bus rides together become the best part of their days. From this modest setup blooms an engaging teen love story. THE CATCHER IN THE RYE By J.D. Salinger

The essential teen classic. Ever since it was first published in 1951, this novel has been the coming-of-age story against which all others are judged. Read and cherished by generations, the story of Holden Caulfield is truly one of America’s literary treasures. Now with a nifty, original, illustrated jacket.

{STREAMING} THE FAULT IN OUR STARS Directed by Josh Boone

If you loved the book by John Green, you’re likely to be won over by this faithful film adaption starring Shailene Woodley as Hazel and Ansel Elgort as Augustus. Bring a packet of tissues and watch with someone you love. Available on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play. {FILM} MCFARLAND, USA Directed by Niki Caro

Inspired by the 1987 true story, this Disney film follows novice runners from an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley. The althletes give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of their coach (Kevin Costner), a newcomer to their

predominantly Latino high school. In theatres now. FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD Directed by Thomas Vinterberg

Based on the literary classic by Thomas Hardy, the story follows the independent, beautiful and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan), who attracts three very different suitors: a sheep farmer captivated by her fetching willfulness; a handsome and reckless sergeant; and a prosperous, mature bachelor. This timeless story of Bathsheba’s choices and passions explores the nature of relationships and love—as well as the human ability to overcome hardships through resilience and perseverance. In theatres May 1. 

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

FREE

Environmentally Safe Dry Cleaning & Laundry

PICK

-UP &

DELI

VERY

Proudly using biodegradable poly bags

13646 Ventura Blvd. Sherman Oaks

(at the corner of Woodman & Ventura) Parking In Rear

818.906.2345

Mon-Fri 6am-10pm | Sat 8am-8pm | Sun 9am-5pm | Overnight Service WWW.STEAMERCLEANERS.COM

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

LOCAL TALENT | WHERE WE LIVE

Band on the Run With high praise from a rock icon and an album underway, a local teenage band seems poised for a breakthrough.

ountless rock bands have seen their careers take off after playing at Sunset Strip’s The Whiskey. So Breaking 27, a group of young, Valley-based musicians, was thrilled to open for another band there this past fall. The icing on the cake, though, was that Robby Krieger of The Doors—who was in the audience— introduced them to the stage. According to drummer Max’s mom, Audrey Wright, Robby had seen Breaking 27 perform a song at a club over the summer, and he showed up that night to see the group do a full set. “Afterwards, his quote was ‘Yeah, well, they are ready. I don’t know what for, but they are ready!’” Audrey shares, adding that Robby has asked the band to open for him at a fundraiser in April. “That was awesome!” quips Max. “And The Whisky was such a cool place to play.” The band’s name pays homage to rock stars including Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Amy Winehouse, all of whom passed away at age 27 due to drug overdoses. By making good decisions, the band aspires to—as they see it—break the curse. Like most rock groups, Breaking 27 has gone through several incarnations. Max and bass player Charlotte Dean have been the constants throughout its five years. The two met at local “rock” school. That’s where they also caught the eye of Mark “Muddy” Dutton (bass player for The Chris Robinson Brotherhood), who has become something of a mentor. The band points to The Beatles, Foo Fighters and Green Day as inspirations. “Annika is obsessed with Paramore! And we are kinda like Paramore. We’re a rock band ... but we have a little pop edge to our music,” explains Max. Another thrill was playing at the Dolby Theatre in front of the celebrity judges and an audience of 4,000 for America’s Got Talent. The group made it to the semifinals last season—just one step away from heading to New York. Performing cover and original songs, Breaking 27 is currently working on their first record. 

ourventurablvd.com

Above: Clockwise from left: bass player, Charlotte Dean; keyboard player, Aidan Stern; guitarist, Ryan Arshonsky; drummer, Max Wright; singer, Annika Rose Below: The band outside The Whiskey with Robby Krieger of The Doors

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | TIPS

Lighten Up

7 ways to brighten hair for spring

ustin Anderson is the creative director at Studio City’s innovative new salon dpHUE. Think dry bar but for premium color: single-color application is $68, blowouts $25 extra. Yes, you heard that right. Here Justin offers some techniques that he uses on clients like Jennifer Aniston for freshening up hair for the new season. For blondes, go for extra lightness on the ends for a gradual fade into a lot of pop! Make sure highlights are a complementary tone to what you already have. 2 Keep hair darker at the root with lighter streaks that start lower down the hairline, as if the sun were naturally

lightening your hair from time on the beach. If you are grey, go blonde instead of dark. It is easier to maintain because (when growing out) the greys don’t stand out as much as they would next to a darker color. Make sure you deep-condition!

If you are a bright blonde but you feel washed out (from a skin-tone perspective), try a deeper root shade and then add golden tones back into the hair.

For blondes with skin tones that aren’t too pink, consider a strawberry blonde! Über-blonde is a great blank canvas to work with to achieve that gorgeous, very light coppery-red look

(think Jessica Chastain). For brunettes, step up the shine by getting a gloss treatment and/or get subtle highlights that are a complementary tone to your base (highlights shouldn’t necessarily be “blonde”). 7 Go red. Be careful to choose the right shade of red for your skin tone and be aware that red is the fastest-fading color. Don’t overdo it with highlights. Keep it simple with a base color and a gloss. Minimize shampoos so the color lasts. 

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DESIGN | RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REMODELING PROJECT MANAGEMENT | CUSTOM FURNITURE AND CABINETRY

5031 Fair Avenue Suite 241, North Hollywood, CA 91601 | 818.995.1070 | www.daynakatlininteriors.com

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

DATEBOOK | WHERE WE LIVE

SPRING FLINGS

EYE-CATCHING Clockwise from top: Robert Landau billboard on Sunset Boulevard; the new Discovery Cube hockey exhibit; Earth Day expo at the LA Zoo

Earth Day Weekend

LA Zoo This expo highlights the role wildlife plays in the Earth’s health. Interactive stations that explore animal conservation and preservation, sustainable living and recycling. April 18 & 19. lazoo.org

Rock & Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip

Skirball Cultural Center Exhibit featuring works by photographer Robert Landau of hand-painted, temporary billboards lining LA’s fabled Sunset Strip for almost two decades. Through August 16. skirball.org

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF LA ZOO; ©ROBERT LANDAU/ROCK ‘N’ ROLL BILLBOARDS OF THE SUNSET STRIP/ANGEL CITY PRESS

The Science of Hockey

Discovery Cube LA Explore the math and science behind the game. Enter through a replica of the players’ tunnel at Staples Center, climb aboard a replica Zamboni and don a glove as a goalie tries to stop virtual puck shots. Created in association with the LA Kings. discoverycube.org

Going on Now

Henry IV, Part One Antaeus, LA’s classical theatre ensemble, performs this part-comedy, part-tragedy and growing-up tale of youthful rebellion. Through May 3. antaeus.org

March

22 CicLAvia Participants will travel a 5.5-mile route between NoHo and Studio City on car-free streets, using foot, pedal and non-motorized wheel power. ciclavia.org 27 Class The story of a young Hollywood starlet taking lessons from an esteemed acting

ourventurablvd.com

teacher. Working together, they learn more about themselves than the craft. Through April 19. falcontheatre.com

31 Sunset Walk & Talk An hour-long hike led by a park ranger and a museum guide. A half-mile covered at a moderate pace with stops to discuss the highlights and history of Griffith Park and objects in the sky. griffithobservatory.org

April

1 Spring Festival & Egg Hunt This Beeman Park event includes a moon bounce, carnival games and an art contest (submission deadline: March 27). facebook.com/SCRCBeemanpark

15 Taste of the Valley Experience the ultimate in dining from local restaurants, wineries and microbreweries. valleycultural.org 25 Empire and Liberty: The Civil War and the West An exhibit that looks at how westward expansion tested the meaning of freedom and the rights of individuals. Through January 3. theautry.org 28 & 29 Greg Allman The lead singer of the Allman Brothers performs the band’s unique fusion of rock, blues and country. canyonclub.net

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

Zoo To Do

The Los Angeles Zoo hosted a Valentine’s Day event celebrating romance in the animal kingdom. The evening featured chats with keepers and a presentation about animal relationships by actress Joleen Lutz.

Sweet treats from Whole Foods Market

Kara Shaw and Daniel Freeman Greg Gai and Kate Chaney with Oscar, a macaw, and keeper Shawna Joplin

Meg Volk and Ron Volk

Patty Meepos and Bobby Meepos

Vanessa Burns and Anthony Burns with an armadillo and keeper Nicki Piepers

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JAMIE PHAM

Ryan Flores and Charlotte Marquardt

SEEN | WHERE WE LIVE

Jonathan Fried, Jake Fried, Max Fried, Amos Fried

Gary Valentine with Honey County

Home Plate

Encino native and Atlanta Braves baseball player Max Fried hosted a fundraiser to benefit Strikeout “K” Crohn’s Disease, a nonprofit he founded. Guests at the Sportsmen’s Lodge enjoyed comedy performances along with music from Honey County.

Mike Reuben and Mike Burton

Jodi Lewis, Rob Lewis, Deb Goldfarb, David Goldfarb, Jan Heller, Rick Heller, Karen Rudnai, Tom Rudnai

idilluc

INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

FRESH, TIMELESS INTERIORS... We believe that a home should be centered around a client’s lifestyle. With attention to detail, focus on value and a lifetime of experience, Kate Nolan and her team can transform your house into a home of bespoke luxury.

KATE NO N, MA ASID Call today for a consultation. 818.783.2313 | www.idillucdesign.com

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

Bowling Bash

Actress Jordan Van Vranken hosted her fifth annual Bowl-A-Thon & Music Festival at Corbin Bowl. The event raises money to support children housed at Memphis’ Ronald McDonald House who are being treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Performers included singers Kailey Swanson and Laci Kay, artist Lauren Dair Owens and magician Garrett Orness.

Gabrielle Elyse

Jordan Van Vranken, Laci Kay, Lauren Dair Owens, Kailey Swanson Tiffany Espensen and Jordan Van Vranken

Celebrating the Golden Age Belmont Village residents enjoy exceptional hospitality, luxurious amenities and premier programs for health and wellness. Senior Living has never looked better!

PHOTOGRAPHED BY PAUL ARCHULETA/GETTY IMAGES

belmontvillage.com Encino (818) 788-8870 Burbank (818) 972-2405 Hollywood Hills (323) 874-7711 Rancho Palos Verdes (310) 377-9977 Thousand Oaks (805) 496-9301 Westwood (310) 475-7501 Winner of the George Mason University Healthcare Award for the Circle of Friends© memory program for Mild Cognitive Impairment. Provider to the NFL Player Care Plan. RCFE Lic 197608468, 197608466, 197608467, 198601646, 565801746, 197608291 © 2015 Belmont Village, L.P.

VenturaBlvd_2_2015_golden.indd 1

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

1/12/15 2:45 PM ourventurablvd.com

SEEN | WHERE WE LIVE

State Senator Robert Hertzberg

Super Soiree

At his annual Super Bowl party, Dr. Gary Gitnick, co-founder of the nonprofit Fulfillment Fund, led a town hall discussion on education following a presentation from The Pittsburgh Promise’s Saleem Ghubril.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ELAINE LEE PHOTOGRAPHY

Saleem Ghubril, Maria Espinosa Booth, Christine Devine, Kenny Rogers

Gary Gitnick, Melanie Lundquist, Maria Espinosa Booth, Tamar Galatzan, Kenny Rogers

Dr. George McKenna, Maria Espinosa Booth, Saleem Ghubril, Melanie Lundquist, Tamar Galatzan, Dr. Gary Gitnick, Kenny Rogers, Steve Zimmer, Michelle King, Alex Caputo-Pearl

St Patrick’s Day at the Blue Dog

WINNER LOCALS’ CHOICE AWARD “Place Where Everybody Knows Your Name”

Round up your mates for a few & JOIN THE PARTY!

“BIG PARTY IN A LITTLE HOUSE” “A TAVERN LOVER’S OASIS” - VALLEY SCENE MAGAZINE

ourventurablvd.com

4524 Saugus Avenue Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 818-990-2583 - bluedogbeertavern.com

Open ‘til midnight Mon-Wed, ‘til 1 am Thurs-Sat

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

WHERE WE LIVE | SEEN

Pet Parade

Owners Mark Boonnark and Andrew Kim

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

Pets and their owners attended a party for the opening of Healthy Spot in Studio City. The shop specializes in eco-friendly items and wholesome, organic food lines for cats and dogs.

ourventurablvd.com

JINKY’S

Fine Wine • private dining • exceptional menu

KF EA

T AS

prime steaks. Legendary service.

ANY TIME

· Best breakfast in LA · Gourmet salad + sandwiches · 20+ chili’s (5 featured daily) · coffee bar · Bottomless mimosas (daily in studio city, Agoura, Thousand Oaks ) · Healthy vegan & gluten free options Warner Center | 6250 Canoga Ave | Woodland Hills, CA 91367 818-703-7272 | mortons.com / woodlandhills

I’m a peasant for wine.

CAFE

15% OFF ON TOTAL CHECK WITH THIS AD

www.Jinkys.com SHERMAN OAKS | SANTA MONICA | AGOURA | THOUSAND OAKS | STUDIO CITY

FIND US SOCIALLY

/OurVenturaBlvd

@OurVenturaBlvd

/OurVenturaBlvd

19100 Ventura Blvd. Ste. N | Tarzana, CA 91356 818 . 708 . 7081 | eat@peasantwinebistro.com www.peasantwinebistro.com

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

Kids Camps & Summer Programs

CAMP

TYPE

GENDER AGES

LOCATION

A Perfect Day Surf Camp

Sports, Various

M/F

5 to 17

Los Angeles

The Buckley School

Sports, Various

M/F

Grades K–8

Sherman Oaks

Camp Los Encinos

Enrichment

M/F

Grades 1–6

Encino

Camp Funtime

Various

M/F

3 to 17

Encino

Camp Kinneret Various M/F 4 to 14 Agoura Hills

Camp Shane

Weight Loss, Various

M/F

7 to 19

Thousand Oaks

Campbell Hall School

Creative Arts, Sports, Various

M/F

Grades K–8

Studio City

Catalina Island Camps Overnight, Various M/F Grades 2–11 Catalina Island Chaminade Center for Excellence

Academic, Enrichment

M/F

Grades 1–12

Chatsworth

Degas Dance Studio

Dance

M/F

7 to 18

Encino

Destination Science

Academic

M/F

Grades K–6

Multiple locations

Fusion Academy

Academic

M/F

Grades 6–12

Woodland Hills

The Help Group Camps

Special Needs

M/F

3 to 21

Sherman Oaks

Idyllwild Arts Summer Program

Arts

M/F

5 to 18

Idyllwild

Join The Band Music Camps Music Camps M/F 7 to 18 Sherman Oaks Kids Club Adventure Day Camp

Academic, Various

M/F

5 to 13

Woodland Hills

Los Angeles Ballet Academy

Dance

M/F

8 to 18

Encino

Mad Science Camp

Science

M/F

6 to 12

Van Nuys

Malibu Canyon Camp Various M/F 6 to 15 Calabasas Monarch Camps

Various

M/F

5 to 14

Van Nuys

Pali Adventures Overnight, Various M/F 9 to 16 Running Springs Rustic Pathways

Travel, Community Service

M/F

Grades 9–12

Worldwide

Sports Plus Day Camp Sports, Various M/F 5 to 14 Sherman Oaks Steve and Kate’s Camp

Various

M/F

Grades K–7

Valley Village, LA

Sunny Days Camp

Various

M/F

Grades K–7

Northridge

Summer Art Academy

Creative Arts

M/F

7 to 11

Valley Village, Agoura Hills

Valley Trails Summer Camp

Various

M/F

Grades K–8

Tarzana

Summer at Viewpoint

Various

M/F

Grades K–12

Calabasas

Westmark School Summer S.M.A.R.T.S. Academic M/F Grades 1–12 Encino Youth Academy of Dramatic Arts

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

Arts

M/F

5 to 17

Los Angeles ourventurablvd.com

FIELD TRIPS

ARTS

summer camps!

SPORTS

ACADEMIC

Essential information on

SPECIALTIES WEBSITE Surfing, volleyball, soccer, capture the flag and dodgeball



PHONE

perfectdaysurfcamp.com 310-985-1458

Swimming, basketball, soccer, robotics, science, art and dance

  

Music, art, dance, sports, technology, science, robotics, field trips

    losencinosschool.org/summercamp 818-990-1006

buckley.org/summercamp

818-783-1610 x410

Rock wall, art, science, karate, drama, gymnastics, nature, swimming, archery, yoga, dance, music, gaga, sports

   campfuntime.org

818-789-8405

Swimming, art, gardening, woodworking, cooking, music, drama, archery, basketball, volleyball, field hockey, gymnastics, hiking, miniature golf

   campkinneret.com

818-706-8255

Sports, crafts, nutrition, cooking, drama, computers

    campshane.com

914-271-4141

Creative arts, sports, robotics, chess, cheer

  

818-505-2415

campbellhall.org/summer

Unique outdoor experiences in a community that cultivates respect for   catalinaislandcamps.com self, others and the environment Summer academic classes and enrichment, sports, band

 

Ballet, contemporary, jazz, funk, hip-hop, musical theatre, break dancing, acting, modern, songwriting, industry Q&A and audition technique Music, animation, robotics, mystery solving, astronaut training



 

626-296-4040

chaminade.org

818-366-8294 x555

degasdancestudio.com

818-749-6644

destinationscience.org 888-909-2822

One-to-one academic program offering classes for credit and tutoring    fusionacademy.com

818-712-9521

Social skills, recreational programs, language development, teen travel    thehelpgroup.org

818-778-7136

Computer arts, dance, film, music, theatre, visual art, writing

  idyllwildarts.org 951-468-7265

Rock band, songwriting, music recording, Try An Instrument Camp and  summer JTB performance class, guitar, piano, drums, bass, vocals lessons Science, academics, beach, swimming, bowling, horseback riding, hikes

   kidsclubdaycamp.com

Ballet, pointe, repertoire, modern, jazz and Pilates  Interactive and hands-on science activities

jointhebandmusiccamps.com



818-345-8950 818-591-2582

laballet.com

818-382-2500

madscience.org

818-909-6777

Cooking, science, dance, archery, music, magic, veterinary, art,    malibucanyoncamp.com basketball, soccer, hiking, yoga

   monarchcamps.com

818-878-3031

Swimming, arts, nature, science activities, sports, theatre, travel

Acting, broadcasting, culinary, dance, DJ, extreme action, fashion, film, motorsports, watersports, science

   paliadventures.com

909-867-5743

Travel and service programs in more than 20 countries

    rusticpathways.com

800-321-4354

Disneyland trips, Knott’s Berry Farm, beach days, movies, rollerblading, boogie boarding, hiking, biking, camping, swimming

   sportsplusdaycamp.com

Arts & crafts, singing, music, cooking, animation, dance



steveandkatescamp.com

818-304-3016

818-905-6125 323-472-4752 x132

Sports, field trips, arts & crafts, games, rock climbing, swimming    usu.csun.edu/sunnydays

818-677-3617

Cooking, ceramics, magic, musical theatre, fencing, woodworking 

summerartacademy.com

818-386-1108

High-rope adventure, kayaking, drama, overnight trips, CIT program  

valleytrails.com

818-345-3002

Trips, science, robotics, technology, sports, music, visual/performing arts     viewpoint.org/summer Strategies, math and science, active learning, reading and writing, technology, Skills for Success

 westmarkschool.org

Dance, voice, filmmaking, scene study, improv, stage combat, makeup

ourventurablvd.com

 yada.org

818-591-6597 818-986-5045 323-655-9232 APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

Kids Camps & Summer Programs

www.buckley.org/summercamp summercamp@buckley.org

A Day Camp Oasis Tucked in a Quiet Sherman Oaks Canyon Weâ€™re already looking forward to summer & hope your children will join us for the fun! Arts, sports & fun learning on our beautiful canyon campus in Sherman Oaks. Five, one-week sessions from June 15 - July 17 with programs tailored for students entering Kindergarten, grades 1-3, & 4-8.

Registration Available Online THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL | 3900 Stansbury Avenue, Sherman Oaks 91423 | 818-783-1610 ex. 410

SUMMER 2015 Dynamic and engaging summer learning experiences for grades 1-12.

Online Registration Now Open www.chaminade.org/centerforexcellence

March CFE2015.indd 1

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

2/25/2015 10:14:06 AM

ourventurablvd.com

Age-appropriate activities including art, science, gymnastics, karate, archery, nature, music, sports, dance, yoga, rock wall climbing, drama and so much more! Summer Day Camp June 15 - August 7 Programs for Ages 3-17

March 22, April 12, May 3 1:00 - 4:00pm

www.CampFuntime.org • 818.789.8405

JUNE 6 - JULY 31 8:00am - 12:20pm Grades 1-12 One to One Tutorials Reading Programs Academic Skills Classes

S trategies M ath & Technology A ctive Learning R eading & Writing Tutorials S kills for Success

www.westmarkschool.org • 818.986.5045

Building on the strengths of students in grades 2-12 with dyslexia and ADHD, as well as math, reading & other language-based learning differences.

OPEN HOUSE

Wednesday, April 22 7:00pm ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

2015-2016 School Year

Kids Camps & Summer Programs

THE HELP GROUPâ€™S 2015

SUMMER CAMPS AND PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN, TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND OTHER SPECIAL NEEDS

VILLAGE GLEN DAY CAMP

Popular day camp for children ages 3-21 with moderate to severe challenges. Professional team oversees a creative, fun program designed to build new skills and foster social growth.

Weekly starting June 15th

Located in the Santa Monica Mountains. A ONE WEEK, outdoor day camp adventure at the Tumbleweed Day Camp site especially for children 4-13 with mild to moderate special needs.

Unique social skills program for teens ages 13-18 with high functioning ASD and other social challenges featuring daily trips and adventures throughout Los Angeles.

Aug 24-28

Weekly starting June 15th

For more information and camp schedule please visit www.kidslikemela.org OR contact Nicole Webb at nwebb@thehelpgroup.org | 818.778.7136

CAMP SUNSHINE

Therapists and highly trained staff oversee this fun and enriching social skills camp designed to promote skill development and friendships for children with high functioning ASD ages 3-13.

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

Also Offering Travel Camps: Disneyland Weekend - July 24-26 Denver Week - Aug 23-28

ourventurablvd.com

SP_Ad-VenturaBlvd-April-2015.qxp_Layout 1 2/23/15 8:27 AM Page 1

Kids Camps & Summer Programs

SUMMER PROGRAMS 2015 at C AMPB E L L HA L L

June 8- July 31 • Full & Half Day Camps • K-9th Grades

CREATIVE ARTS ACADEMY theater • music • dance • improvisation • fencing original theatrical production • outdoor games & activities mixed media free art • costume and prop design • ﬁlm

CHAMPIONSHIP CAMPS robotics • chess • baseball • basketball • football • soccer softball • sports & games • volleyball • dance • tennis • cheer STEAM • magic • extended day program

www.campbellhall.org/summer Spring Break Camps • March 23-27 • March 30-April 2 • 9:00 am -1:00 pm Register by March 15th for Early Bird Discount!

Campbell Hall • 4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd • North Hollywood, CA • 91607 • (818) 505-2415

Field Trips Join us for summer fun and learning!

www.losencinosschool.org/summercamp or call 818-990-1006

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

Kids Camps & Summer Programs

WIN BIG WITH

Mom, this one’s for you!

WIN ONE GOURMET LUNCH A WEEK FOR ONE YEAR That’s 52 lunches the busy mom in your life doesn’t have to worry about.

ENTER TO WIN AT OURVENTURABLVD.COM/LUNCH-ON-US/

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

INTRODUCING — THE ALL NEW —

OURVENTURABLVD.COM THE VALLEY 24/7

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

Top Teens of the Valley:

to Watch Achievers, innovators and better place-makers—the Valley is full of bright, young stars well on their way to making a difference in the world. Here we spotlight a group of exceptional teens who, in every aspect of their lives, are striving for greatness. Just now spreading their wings, we can’t wait to watch them soar. WRITTEN BY RACHEL

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

HELLER ZAIMONT

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN

PRESSEY

ourventurablvd.com

HANGING OUT Top Teens Jonathan Berman, Natalie Yakobian and Ethan Davidson

Top Teens of the Valley (photos on previous page)

Jonathan Berman, 16

Natalie Yakobian, 18

Ethan Davidson, 14

Encino

Woodland Hills

The main thing Jonathan Berman remembers about meeting President Barack Obama nearly five years ago is how tall the commander in chief appeared to the then-sixthgrader. Johnny, as he is known, and three friends were invited to give a presentation at the White House Science Fair after their project—studying safer helmet linings to prevent concussions in athletes—won first place in the national eCYBERMISSION science competition. “He was very intimidating when he walked in, and we were nervous,” Johnny recalls with a smile. “It was a great honor getting to present our project to him, and it really helped encourage me to get more into math and science.” Since then the Harvard-Westlake School sophomore has aced local, state and national math and science competitions, participated in UCLA’s Los Angeles Math Circle for four years and became an MVP tennis player on the junior varsity team. He’s also on HarvardWestlake’s science bowl and robotics teams and has taken part in the FIRST Robotics Competition. And to top it all off, the Encino teen was invited back to the White House Science Fair last year to present a second nationally recognized science project: a robotic bracelet to help children with autism. Johnny and two co-innovators read research that showed that kids with autism engage in stereotypy (repetitive motions such as hand-flapping) as a form of stimulation. So they designed a device that recognizes when a child is performing these motions, which can alienate kids socially, and uses vibration therapy to reduce the urge. The team hopes to improve the bracelet’s recognition time once they learn a little more advanced math. “I’m currently working my way through, trying to get as far as I can in math to help us out with that,” Johnny says. In the meantime Johnny is tackling another global concern: He’s experimenting with solar panel shapes to find the most efficient alternative to the flat solar panels used now—a project he and a few classmates began three years ago. Their work with 3-D photovoltaic shapes is patent-pending, and Johnny hopes to take the research as far as he can. “I’m very interested in renewable energy,” says Johnny, who plans to major in computer science in college. “I feel like we’re killing our planet, and people are oblivious to the plight we’re in. I think that’s the biggest challenge we’re facing, and I want to do anything I can to try to help with that.”

New Community Jewish High School senior Natalie Yakobian has built a headspinning resume. She is president of her school’s philosophy club, the National Honor Society chapter and the debate team. She also finds time to participate in the poetry club. And that just covers what she does at school. In her “free” time Natalie, a trained EMT, is the youngest lab assistant ever to work with live tissue at UCLA’s Dubinett Lab for lung cancer research, where she interns twice a week. Yet unlike some kids who excel, for Natalie it didn’t all come so easily. “I had a really hard time reading when I was a kid,” says the Encino teen, recalling her longtime struggle with an array of learning disabilities. She enjoyed stories and trips to the library with her mother and was crushed when she was placed in the “extra help” group at school. “I loved books, but it was a love-hate relationship because I couldn’t read them for such a long time,” she remembers. But when she saw a poster advertising a debate club in middle school, she decided to sign up. “It really helped my organization and my writing in general,” she says. “I saw it as an opportunity to push myself and keep practicing.” Nowadays Natalie is a voracious learner who also thrives on helping others. Getting her EMT license and doing emergency ride-alongs has taught her that “being a doctor is more than healing the physical wound; it’s also helping to heal emotional wounds as well.” She also volunteers at Mattel Children’s Hospital, an experience that has shaped her desire to become a pediatric surgeon. “They’re not just patients; they’re kids,” she explains. “I would like to make an impact where I’m making them feel a little less scared … a little less apprehensive.” For her capstone project at school, Natalie is starting Kerplode!, a volunteer organization that will teach hands-on science to disadvantaged children after school—taking them “out of the realm of textbooks” through creative experiments. The compassionate teen hopes to one day comfort others through her practice of medicine. “I really want to heal people,” she says. “I really value life—living it, saving it.”

As early as Ethan Davidson can remember, he’s had a golf club in his hands. “Ever since I started walking, I picked up a golf club and started swinging,” he says. “I always wanted to go out and play—wanted to become better.” Now a competitive golfer on the team at Calabasas High School, where he’s a freshman, Ethan has more trophies, medals and impressive credits under his belt than he can count. He grew up watching his father play golf and began entering tournaments at age 5 or 6 after a coach at Braemar Country Club saw his talent and told his parents he should compete. But Ethan emphasizes that his motivation is all his own. “My parents never forced me to play—I was always begging them,” he says. “I love playing tournaments. Play bad, learn from it; play good, see yourself on top.” So far Ethan has won two U.S. Kids Golf Los Angeles tours and competed in the U.S. Kids Golf state and world championships. He also competed in the PGA Junior League for the past three years and is now part of the DMG USA Junior Golf team, an elite coaching program. He’s also a member of the Ventura County Junior Golf Association, which he credits with fueling his competitive drive. When he’s not on the greens, Ethan is helping others get into the sport. Last summer he volunteered as a mentor through the Ventura County Junior Golf Association’s Training on Wheels program, which offers free golf and life skills instruction to underserved kids. He has collected hundreds of used clubs to donate to the program. He also organized a fundraiser that drew $9,000 to reach even more aspiring golfers. “Some kids had the potential to make their high school golf team, but they didn’t have the proper equipment,” Ethan says. “To see their faces when they got everything was priceless.” Ethan plays golf four to six days per week and hopes to attend a Division I or II college and eventually go pro. “I love golf—it’s been my lifelong goal,” he says. “I believe I can do it, so I’m going to keep going on that track.”

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

Top Teens of the Valley

Amir Yorke, 17 Mission Hills Amir Yorke was 5 years old the first time he saw a major theatre production. He remembers his mother piling his whole family into a van and driving to the former Kodak Theater in Hollywood, but she didn’t tell him what they were there to see—it was a surprise. When the first notes of The Lion King sounded in the theatre, Amir was awestruck. “It was the biggest moment for me,” says the teen, now a senior at CHAMPS Charter High School in Van Nuys. “It changed my life. It inspired me to work hard and have a goal and really go for it.” Amir has stayed true to his childhood ourventurablvd.com epiphany—he is now an accomplished ballet

dancer with aspirations of a career on stage. He first started doing musical theatre at age 12 at Millikan Middle School. When he got to CHAMPS, he took ballet and modern dance and fell in love with dancing. His mother enrolled him at Degas Dance Studio in Encino, where he practiced up to four hours per day. Formerly a track runner, Amir relished the chance to move in a more expressive manner. “It felt very free and liberating,” he recalls. “It felt good to move my body that way.” Since then, Amir has competed in the Youth America Grand Prix ballet competition, and he recently returned from a six-month stint at

The HARID Conservatory, a ballet school in Boca Raton, Florida, where he was awarded a full scholarship. There, he took intensive classes in ballet techniques including jumps, turns and partnering. “I was very honored,” he says. “I loved every moment.” The exuberant performer hopes to major in dance in college and perhaps start a modeling career on the side. His goal is to eventually dance and act on Broadway; he hopes one day to join the cast of The Lion King, the show that taught him to dream big. “I’ve always wanted to inspire other children to feel the same way I felt,” he muses. APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD 51

Top Teens of the Valley

Valerie Higgins, 16 Granada Hills It’s not often that a junior becomes captain of the women’s varsity basketball team at Chaminade College Preparatory School, but Valerie Higgins has set herself apart—both on and off the court. “In practice, it’s about hard work and dedication,” she modestly sums it up. Among female high school basketball players, Valerie is ranked 20th in the country for the class of 2016 and was named fifth in her position by ESPN. She has been playing on her school’s varsity team since her freshman year. The 6-foottall athlete specializes in steals and defense and says she aims “to be the hardest player to play against and the easiest player to play with on the court.” She comes by it naturally, you

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

might say. Both of her parents played for Cal State Northridge’s Division I teams and went on to coach high school varsity basketball. They now run a local nonprofit, the California Heat, teaching basketball to Valley kids. “I pretty much grew up in the gym, and I asked my parents to sign me up for classes when I was 5 or 6,” Valerie recalls. “I’m really a competitive person,” she explains. Plus she likes that the game rewards hard work. “If you make a mistake, you can always make up for it—you can double down on defense, hustle and take the ball right back.” Valerie practices every day at school for up to four hours, and over the weekend she trains

with her father at the gym. She maintains that her grueling schedule—sacrifices and all—is worth it. “There are certain things a regular teenager would do that I have to give up, like going to the movies or hanging out with friends,” she says. “I’m usually like, ‘I’m sorry, I have practice.’” When she’s not shooting hoops, she’s often watching her brother, 12, while her parents work. And she makes a point of going to church with her family every Sunday. Valerie is thinking about studying journalism in college and going into sports broadcasting. But her immediate aim is to attend a Division I school. “My dream is to make it into the WNBA,” she says. “I would be like, ‘My life is complete.’” ourventurablvd.com

Top Teens of the Valley

POOL PHENOM Ben Hallock in the pool at Harvard-Westlake.

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

Top Teens of the Valley

(photo on previous page)

Ben Hallock, 17

Paloma Baillie, 18

Studio City

Water polo wasn’t Ben Hallock’s first choice of sport. In fourth grade, his parents wanted him to try something different from his regular activities—baseball and basketball—so he settled on water polo on a whim. “I didn’t play seriously at first, but then I decided to make it my full-time sport,” he says. Ben is now a major force on HarvardWestlake’s varsity water polo team, and the high school junior is also the youngest player currently training with the USA Men’s Senior National Team—an elite group comprised of college-level players and beyond. So far Ben has traveled with them to Australia and Budapest, Hungary, to train and compete against other countries’ teams. He might even have the chance to train with them at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. It’s a dream opportunity for the 6-foot-6 athlete. “I love the physicality of water polo,” Ben explains. “People always talk about lacrosse, hockey, football as being physical sports. But water polo takes strength combined with skill. You have to be strong and powerful but also extremely smooth and athletic, which is really cool. It’s also one of the hardest team sports because it moves so quickly.” At school, Ben was proud to be on a Harvard-Westlake team that went undefeated last year. He’s usually in the pool two hours per day, with another hour in the weight room. On training trips, he’s in the pool up to six hours at a time. “What drives me is I don’t like losing,” he says. He applies the same commitment to community service. Ben has volunteered at Operation Gratitude with his water polo team for the past three years. Because of his size and power, he’s often tasked with carrying heavy boxes of donations back and forth for the Van Nuys nonprofit, he notes with a laugh. Ben eventually hopes to attend business school and work in finance. But first, he has his eye on the 2016 Olympics. “It would be an honor to represent the U.S. on the world’s biggest stage,” he says.

Paloma Baillie is happiest when she’s creating—either with clay or edible ingredients. The Buckley School senior is a nationally recognized ceramicist whose work has been honored by the prestigious Scholastic Art & Writing Awards; her sophomore year, she won gold in her region and silver in the national competition. Her piece, an elaborately decorated cookie jar, was displayed at Carnegie Hall in New York. The imaginative teen grew up in an artistic family. Her parents create movie posters through their graphic design company, BLT Communications, and her sister studies fine art in college. When Paloma was 7, her mother signed her up for ceramics classes, which seemed to match her temperament. “It was something I could do with my hands that I could get very involved in,” Paloma says. “With drawing and painting you have to have a lot more patience. It was exciting for me when I was little, and I stuck with it. It’s kind of a distraction from everything—it’s very calming to me.” This year Paloma won two more Scholastic regional silver awards, and her work has also been exhibited through K12 Clay. In her AP studio art class, Paloma is currently crafting a series of ceramic animals. “They all have their own personality, and they’re very quirky,” she says. “I like to have character with my pieces.” When she’s not at the pottery wheel, Paloma can often be found in the kitchen. She spent last summer in Florence, Italy, studying sketching and culinary arts, and she previously interned at Duff ’s Cakemix, a bakery owned by the pastry decorator host of Ace of Cakes. Paloma volunteered with Heifer International in India her freshman year, helping deliver goats to families in rural villages. She has also figured out a way to combine her fondness for both cooking and dogs by baking dog biscuits for the Pasadena Humane Society. Next year she plans to attend Bates College in Maine, where she hopes to continue studying ceramics. She also aspires to go to culinary school and perhaps one day even open her own restaurant. “I don’t have a definite plan,” she shares. “I just want to go and see what falls into place.”

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

Top Teens of the Valley

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

Top Teens of the Valley

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Chad Gasman, Emerson Tenney and Jordana Gotlieb on stage the Valley Performing Arts 56atVENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015 Center on the campus of CSUN.

ourventurablvd.com

Top Teens of the Valley

Chad Gasman, 16

Emerson Tenney, 17

Jordana Gotlieb, 18

Sherman Oaks

Studio City

Encino

Transferring schools in the middle of high school isn’t easy, but Chad Gasman feels he has blossomed since joining Valley International Prep. Chad is president of his school’s Gay-Straight Alliance club, where he closely tracks news in the LGBT community and is currently organizing a food drive for people living with AIDS. “I want to make sure everyone in my school and community is aware of the resources available to them,” says Chad, a junior. “I don’t think anyone should have to go through life alone and afraid.” The soft-spoken teen has had to overcome some challenges to get where he is, including working through depression and anxiety. He says the experience made him want to help others struggling with the same issues. He now pursues a vast collection of interests, from math and science to theatre, speech and poetry. He is also becoming a community leader; since his freshman year he has participated in the YMCA’s Youth & Government program, where teens serve in a model government and learn leadership and advocacy. “I was really shy going into high school, and the program really helped me come out of my shell,” Chad says. Last year he ran for and was elected as California’s 67 th Youth Lieutenant Governor, and he recently got to address the Youth Senate when it convened over a weekend in Sacramento. Chad is also a dedicated volunteer. He’s on the Youth Advisory Board of the East Valley Family YMCA, where he’s working to establish an LGBT center that, he believes, is needed in the area. “I’d coasted through life in some ways, and I wanted to do something to make a difference,” he says. Chad hopes to study political communications in college and one day work on staff with elected officials. He also envisions a life deeply connected to community service. “I want to be in a position where I can give back and not have to worry about myself, and just be able to worry about other people,” he says.

At a summer writing workshop three years ago, Emerson Tenney wrote a poem called “The Catalyst” based on an idea she felt passionately about. “As a young adult, lots of things happen to you that you don’t have control over. But in spite of that, you still have the power to be the catalyst for the change you want to see in the world,” she says. The Sierra Canyon School junior (and daughter of actors Teri Hatcher and Jon Tenney) has made it her mission to be exactly that. She uses her love of writing to better the world by blogging at her website, reachandsafe.com, and collecting donations for nonprofits that are meaningful to her. The project started last summer, when Emerson traveled cross-country to visit colleges. “Higher education is a privilege. I thought, ‘What’s a charitable aspect I could add to this?’” the enthusiastic teen recalls. She decided to blog about her experiences and solicit donations for the Fulfillment Fund, which helps prepare disadvantaged kids for college. By the end of the journey, she’d raised $10,000. Currently Emerson is raising money for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, where she volunteers. While visiting and playing games with sick children, Emerson was struck by the impact of playtime on their overall wellness. But she learned the hospital lacked funding to keep playrooms open on weekends. Her solution: interviewing artists from across the world and blogging about the value of art and creativity. Her goal is to raise $50,000, enough to keep the hospital’s playrooms open every Saturday for one year. Meanwhile “The Catalyst” has morphed into something larger than a poem. Emerson—who serves as production manager at her school’s literary magazine—traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with lauded photographer Sebastian Rich and interviewed kids she met in the slums about their hopes and dreams. She then captured their stories in a series of essays and monologues and recently went to New York to present her project to the U.N. “They have been incredibly positive and supportive,” she says. Emerson plans to major in English or creative writing and hopes to eventually publish children’s books (she has already written one). She’s also excited to develop “The Catalyst” into a documentary chronicling the challenges and strengths of young adults today. “I definitely think it’s something that could have a powerful, global impact,” she says.

Growing up, Jordana Gotlieb watched her father market an innovative product to aid the visually impaired: a clock that listens to voice commands. So when the Milken Community School senior took a science research class a few years ago, where students could choose any topic they wanted to study, she followed in her father’s footsteps. “I was like, ‘Maybe I could make something for the blind that’s useful,’” the teen recalls. She was right. In short order, the Encino teen designed a glove that would help the visually impaired navigate their environment. She entered the project into the Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge, where she placed as a semifinalist. Since then she has modified the apparatus from a glove to a belt, after her research suggested it would be more convenient as a hands-free device. This year Jordana brought her revamped B.E.L.T. (Blind Enhanced Location Technology) to life. She supervised a test-trial involving 22 blindfolded participants and says it was “really cool” to observe her creation in use. “It went really well—people were able to determine where there was an object in their way and go around it,” she says. She submitted a research paper on the experiment to the highly competitive Intel Science Talent Search and has placed in the Conrad Spirit of Innovation Challenge semifinals two more times as the project has evolved. Jordana has also participated in Milken’s community service program, Yozma (which means “initiative” in Hebrew), for the past two years and is currently co-chair of the group’s hunger and homelessness initiative. She is currently working to secure the group’s first corporate sponsorship: getting Panera Bread to agree to donate leftovers to the SOVA food pantry. “I tried to think, ‘How can we help the community in a different way that we haven’t done in the past?’” she says. Jordana, who is also on Milken’s varsity swim and water polo teams, hopes to major in biomedical engineering with a minor in entrepreneurship. She eventually wants to bring her B.E.L.T., which is patent-pending, to market and also create products to aid the deaf, or design prosthetics. “I really want to continue developing devices that are going to help people with disabilities,” she says. 

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

Playing and Winning the College Admissions G A M E As any parent who has recently been through it knows, getting a child into a good college is a lot more complicated than it used to be. Here we offer an inside guide to navigating the sometimes complicated and often stressful college admissions process. WRITTEN BY JUDITH ILLUSTRATION BY LEE

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

A. STOCK WHITE

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

START

ybelle Sprague is all too familiar with the stress of getting kids into college. She and her husband, Tom, have two sons currently attending Emory University. The Encino couple is currently prepping their daughter, Bella, a junior at Viewpoint School, to embark on the admissions process next year. With experience under her belt and what one could easily view as a track record of success, you might think the stay-home mom would feel confident—almost laid-back—about going through it a third time. But reflecting on her older kids’ experiences, Sybelle says that is not the case.

“While at Viewpoint, one of the Valley’s most academic schools, the boys still had to get good grades, good test scores and juggle the challenges of an intensified athletic schedule with rigorous academics,” she says. “Both of my boys were recruited for their baseball abilities, but one minute a coach wants you; the next he’s chosen someone else.” The Spragues’ younger son initially had his sights set on going to Columbia. The university courted Thomas until team recruiters discovered a player they perceived as better. “Many prospective students—athletes or not—have their hearts set on a university only to be disappointed when they’re not admitted,” says Sybelle. “The recruitment process can be tough.”

THE GAME PLAN

According to Milly Roseman, co-founder of Growing Minds Academic Achievement Centers in West Hills, one thing the Spragues are doing right is thinking about Bella’s college plan well in advance. “Preparation for college begins in high school. Start early thinking about college admissions once the parents and student decide that college is the right path,” says Milly. Specifically, she says parents need to think about what classes their student needs to take, how to build their portfolio, what sports and extracurricular activities to participate in, and how to ensure their child is developing the right skills to be successful at college. “Not everybody is set up to do all AP classes,” says Milly. “For me, the whole plan has to be with real goals. Our firm helps to identify students’ skills and refine the process.”

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

THE HOLISTIC STUDENT

With grade inflation, the high number of applicants and the supersized resumes of today’s overachieving and often privately tutored teens, getting into a well-known college can be a challenge. Aside from standardized test scores, academic achievements, recommendations and GPAs, many parents wonder how to get their child to stand out in such a crowded, accomplished field. Milly advises students to strive to be “an outstanding applicant from a holistic point of view.” Paula Friedman, a college and career advisor at The Academic Match, in Westlake Village, agrees. “A candidate should have strong test scores, excellent teacher recommendations and excel in at least one extracurricular activity, such as athletics, music, performing arts, fine arts, student government, debate, mock trial, Eagle Scouts/Girl Scouts or employment throughout the student’s high school career,” advises Paula. Everyone we spoke to echoed this opinion. College admissions officers today tend to look at more than numbers—digging deeper for clues to what kind of person the applicant really is. “Colleges are curious about what makes a particular applicant an interesting human being capable of affecting change in the world,” says Jennifer Simpson, director of college counseling at Campbell Hall. “Filling out applications is but one piece of a larger process of demonstrating how interested and interesting students are and their potential to positively impact a college community.”

THE NUMBERS GAME

If, upon reflecting on your own college experience, it seems harder to get into colleges

these days, indeed it is. “More students are applying to more colleges, so the number of applications is increasing, while the number of spots are staying the same,” explains Paula. She says this results in the admit rate decline, particularly for “hot” colleges like those ranked in the top 25 to 50 by U.S. News & World Report. She says the average number of colleges that her students typically apply to is 13 to 15. “Five years ago, the average number of colleges was typically 10 and sometimes fewer,” she notes. Jennifer believes, in the application process, it is important for a student to define what their priorities are and demonstrate their ability to handle academic and personal demands, as well as a willingness to engage with learning and the world. She suggests sharing a set of interests and experiences that show a school that the student really wants to make a difference in the world. As she points out, “Universities and colleges look for students who treat education as a privilege and not a right, and those students who take advantage of opportunities as well as creating their own opportunities.”

THE REALITY CHECK

Prepping kids and parents for the college admissions process, Campbell Hall counselors try to present a reality check freshman year. “We probe kids to think about who they are, what they envision for themselves and how that is connected to the choices they make today,” explains Jennifer. Milly also believes in the concept of a reality check. “I am brutally honest,” she insists. “There are those students who both underestimate and overestimate themselves. I look at their transcripts, community service, etc.,

ourventurablvd.com

Playing and Winning the College Admissions Game

and sometimes there is a child that will do Theresa. “On business trips my husband developmentally) to attend a four-year unisomething like underestimate an award.” would take one of the boys with him to see the versity immediately after high school. These The Spragues are taking a reality check colleges in the area when they got older.” students may be better served attending a now with Bella. “I’m confident she’ll get into She notes they tried to interest the boys in community college for two years and then a good school as she tests well and makes A’s, certain schools they thought they’d be able to transferring to a four-year university. but I think it’s important to be reasonable get into or might not have considered before. “My older son, Dan, attended Santa Barwith expectations,” Sybelle says. “My oldest son had a whole list of schools bara City College (SBCC) right after graduatHer husband, Tom, agrees. “Everything is that he was interested in, and frankly I had ing from high school,” shares Paula. “It was relative. Our daughter has good grades, but a never considered Ohio State or Penn State,” the right path for him and for many of his lot of kids have good grades. It is so competishe explains. “He knew that he wanted a big SBCC classmates, who also transferred to a tive now for every kid. No one has it easy.” school with a great football team and great four-year college to complete their underThe Spragues’ plan is to review Bella’s school spirit. That’s what college was supgraduate education.” GPA and ACT scores next fall and apply to posed to look like for him.” the target schools where she has a reasonWhat is sometimes tougher to focus on GAME TIME STRATEGY able chance of gaining admission, along with during the college selection process: finances. One thing that makes the process a bit easier a safety school. Sybelle believes that with Milly calls that a mistake. today is the Common Application, honored thousands of good schools out there, the key “In the end, choosing a college is a family by 500 colleges and universities. There are is finding a good fit for Bella. decision. A lot of families don’t want their also other common applications, including “Every straight-A, overachieving the Universal College Application. student is not getting into an Ivy Plus the University of California League university,” says Sybelle. “We application is used by all schools in need to realize there’s a lot of top the UC system. universities that may not be in the top Regarding the all-important essay 20 or so but will definitely provide our question, Jennifer advises students to Tips from The Academic Match kids with the tools to achieve success.” “just be true to yourself. Admissions advisor Paula Friedman For all three kids, the Spragues sit behind computers reading essays relied on the college counselors at all day. They will know if a tutor or Explore schools that match the student’s unique Viewpoint and, thus far, have been you wrote the essay. So just be you.” academic, social and financial needs. pleased. They hired private standardAccuracy and grammar are ized test tutors for both boys and plan important when it comes to submitWork on a road map to ensure all college application to do the same with Bella. ting the student essay. Some of the deadlines are met. more common mistakes are not reading or following directions, NARROWING THE FIELD Put thought into and follow up on getting letters being late sending in your essay, To find the right college, Jennifer of recommendation from counselors, teachers, exceeding the maximum word advises students to start thinking community leaders, etc. count and not fully answering the deeply and clearly about what motiessay question. Another common vates them and what experiences they Make sure you fully understand the different slip-up: lazy proofreading. gravitate toward and why. And she tells admissions options such as early decision, early action “Treat the process with respect them to “listen to their own compass.” and single choice early action. and thoughtfulness, as college admisNicolette Behnam, a senior at If you feel overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional sions officers read thousands of Westmark School in Encino, says the to help with a comprehensive plan for completing application process wasn’t all that applications and take the review and applications and essays and meeting deadlines. difficult for her. “I did avail myself of selection process very seriously. Stuthe services of the high school college dents should too,” Jennifer advises. Whether postponed acceptance, deferral or waitlist, counselor, and it was the best choice Students should be willing to make sure to follow up with the school accordingly. I ever made.” Nicolette will continue be completely honest, organized, her education at Loyola Marymount accurate and concise, and they University in the fall. should pay attention to the instrucSherman Oaks resident Theresa Chase student to incur college loan debt. I listen to tions (don’t go over word count or character and her husband have three boys in college the student, read between the lines—as ours count). A parent, counselor or hired expert coast-to-coast: Duke, Oregon State and Penn is a relationship of honesty, and what may should carefully proofread applications. State. At a young age their boys attended colappear to be good for one student may not be As parents, counselors and experts all lege sporting events and visited UCLA—their for another.” agree, the impact a college can have on a mother’s alma mater—along with visits to an Also consider whether a four-year college person’s life often continues long after leavuncle who was attending law school at UC is truly the best choice. Often students aren’t ing campus. “You want your kids to be happy Berkeley at the time. developed enough to know exactly where wherever they end up,” says Theresa. “It has “College was something we always talked they’re headed or what they want out of life. a huge impact on the rest of their lives: posabout … what the differences were in the Paula says sometimes it comes down to sibly where they’ll end up living and working environments of various schools, college town recognizing that a student does not have the after graduation, whom they’ll meet, and vs. big city, big school/smaller school,” explains maturity (academically, socially, emotionally, many could end up being lifelong friends.” 

DO’S AND DON’TS

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

Los An gel esâ€™

Be st S

ilk Flo we rs!

Stunning Beautifying L.A. For More Than 60 Years

with quality silk ďŹ‚owers, custom trees, arrangements & more!

7651 Sepulveda Blvd. Van Nuys

www.aldikhome.com

(818) 988-5970

Channeling

Travel

A Tarzana couple combines a reverence for exploration and a love of art to stunning effect at their hilltop home. WRITTEN BY LINDA

GRASSO TAPP

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LU

ourventurablvd.com

HOME SWEET HOME Michal Alpert at her front door. A painting by Israeli artist Sigal Tsabari is on the APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD wall behind her.

Channeling Travel

or most of us, designing our dream home is a challenge. We know what we like, but how to achieve it—the transformation from vision to reality—can be trying. That is why so many of us hire interior designers. Not so for Michal Alpert, who has left her own personal sense of style on virtually every inch of her 7,000-square-foot Tarzana home. “Look at this place,” she says with a sweeping gesture in the lightfilled foyer. “Sometimes I can’t believe I was only 26 years old when we built it!” Michal and her husband, Danny, who own a fine jewelry manufacturing business, built the hilltop contemporary Mediterranean home and happily raised their three sons there. In 2002, with just one child still at home, they took on a complete renovation. Michal then went about the process of decorating the house with things bought from the couple’s travels around the world. “I’ve always loved design and just the hunt. I buy when we travel—everywhere we go. I’ll find things at local markets from Paris to Prague to London. Sometimes I even go to the Rose Bowl!” the petite brunette laughs. With sky-high ceilings, generously proportioned windows and limestone floors, interiors are sophisticated and dramatic. In each space there is a focal point: art, most of which has a tie to Israel. “There are just so many artists there I love,” Michal quips. One of them is Sigal Tsabari. A trio of paintings by Tsabari, including one of a scene from a Tel Aviv rooftop, appears to float in a single frame on the entry wall. Michal has a story to tell with nearly every painting. Some of the artists are under-the-radar; others, like Nir Hod, are prominent. “See that butterfly?” she says, pointing to a diptych on a hallway wall. “It is by Nir Hod. My kids met him in New York, where he had moved from Israel. They told me I just had to see his work. When I was in Manhattan the next time, I went to his studio in the Meatpacking District and bought this.” A handsome set of Biedermeier chairs is proudly on display in the living room, but Michal’s eye goes straight to the accessories that dot the various tables. “This is a 400-year-old vase I got in Vietnam, and these brushes are from China. They are for writing,” she explains, noting that she feels no pressure to stick to one particular style. “My taste is eclectic—I buy what grabs me.”

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

Channeling Travel

ROOM WITH A VIEW In the sunroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, two Eames chairs flank a stunning tortoiseshellhued Karl Springer table.

I’ve always loved design and just the hunt. I buy when we travel—everywhere we go. I’ll find things at local markets from Paris to Prague to London. Sometimes I even go to the Rose Bowl!

Channeling Travel

SMALL SURPRISES The “spa” room includes a striking bureau with inlaid motherof-pearl from Damascus. Below left: A Godiva chocolate box was Michal’s inspiration for a powder room with covered walls and gilt molding. Below right: A collection of miniatures.

A den in ivory, brown and taupe tones is where the couple likes to relax. Vintage, fabric-covered pillows bought in India rest on chairs. The room doubles as a theatre, with a drop-down screen hiding in the ceiling. Floors are walnut parquet. A vintage Goyard trunk from Paris rests against the back of one sofa. A sunny, white kitchen with Calcutta marble is elegant and airy. Glass-paneled cabinetry shows off Michal’s glass and serving-ware collections—from milk glass cake stands to gold-rimmed barware from Prague. Michal, a frequent hostess, insists, “I use all this stuff! When I entertain I do a sweets table, and I bring out my milk glass.” An Indonesian day bed is the centerpiece for a spa room that opens onto a covered lanai/seating area in the backyard. “We actually have friends who like to sleep here instead of a bedroom,” Michal quips. A stunning, handcrafted bureau with inlaid white shells from Damascus rests against a wall; a mirror over the sink echoes the intricate design. Two rattan chairs from Ikea provide extra seating. A series of eight oil paintings of nudes by Victor Man adorns the wall of the couple’s

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

Channeling Travel

VISION IN WHITE The Calcutta marble kitchen center island is fronted by a wooden cutting board table made in Provence. â€œI bought the table up in Sonoma. Then I designed my kitchen around it. I just loved thinking about all those delicious French meals that had been prepared on it,â€? says Michal.

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JEFF ELSON

Channeling Travel

FRESH AIR The house has 180ยบ views and a deck that reaches out over the hills facing south, offering spectacular sunlight.

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

Channeling Travel

ivory and light blue-hued bedroom. Michal created the bed, after purchasing a 5-foot piece of molding at Villa Melrose on the Westside. “So the molding became the inspiration for my bed story,” she says. “With the help of a fabricator, I basically created my bed around that one piece of molding.” Double French doors, paned in mirrored beveled glass, flank the bathroom entry— hinting at a space that is anything but ordinary. The floor in Calcutta marble boasts an Italian-tiled mosaic that Michal helped design. Instead of lining the wall, the tub sits perpendicular, designed so Michal could sit in the tub at night and “see all the twinkling lights up in the hills.” Walls on both side of the bathtub are lined with a collection of antique miniature portraits. The sink, faced with antique mirrors, is a reprduction that was inspired by an 18 th-century bureau Michal saw at Jean De Merry in West Hollywood. “It was very expensive—too expensive to put in a master bathroom—so with the help of the store owner, we had it replicated.” While Danny gives Michal “free reign” to do what she wants with decor, when it comes to art, purchasing decisions are made jointly. “Art is different. And I have found that Danny has definite opinions about art— what he likes, what he doesn’t. And I like including him on that,” she says with a smile. 

ARTISTIC VISIONS Clockwise from top: A set of nudes by Victor Man in the master bedroom; a colorful diptych of a butterfly by Israeli artist Nir Hod; a nude by Michael Rapoport.

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

TWO BUNCH PALMS

Everyone loves a comeback. Take the iconic Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs. A legendary oasis known for its mineral-rich, lithium-infused artesian waters, the spa resort welcomes a multi-million dollar renovation, just in time for an important milestone.

ESCAPES

ourventurablvd.com

TWO BUNCH PALMS 67-425 Two Bunch Trail, Desert Hot Springs, CA twobunchpalms.com | 800-472-4334 S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

Find your better self … Marking 75 years in 2015, Two Bunch Palms has much to celebrate. Last year’s incredible renovation of the 270-acre property resulted in 70 pristine, new room accommodations, a revised restaurant, yoga dome and View Point conference center and meeting facility. This physical transformation, including the addition of a 3.5-acre solar field, puts Two Bunch Palms on the destination spa map as the first “Sustainable Wellness Resort” in North America and the first carbon-neutral resort. A legacy that spans several generations of guests—from notorious gangsters to Hollywood elite to romantic spa seekers—the property and its newest incarnation brings a rich and storied history full circle. “It is an honor for my partners, our associates and me to be involved with one of the oldest operating hot springs spa resorts in North America and to celebrate Two Bunch Palms’ anniversary as we work to ensure these waters flow and traditions continue for another 75 years,” shares CEO Kevin Kelley. “This tremendous milestone speaks to the legacy and spirit of this unique, hot mineral spring spa resort.” This adult-only sanctuary (guests must be 18 or older) invites you to don a comfortable Two Bunch robe and explore the four pillars of the resort: waters, spa, movement and cuisine. Their renowned, natural spring grotto features two mineral water pools carefully kept at a consistent temperature to ensure therapeutic and

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

mood-enhancing properties. Guests are encouraged to “take to the waters” and connect body with spirit before enjoying a menu of spa treatments including facials, massages, mud baths, immersion therapies, Watsu and much more. With a nourished body, guests may partake in a number of wellness activities, such as nature walks, tennis, biking, golf, tai chi, qigong and yoga in the beautiful new dome. Cap off a full day with drinks, music and dinner prepared

ourventurablvd.com

by French-born chef and former Olympian Cossi Houegban at Essence. This farm-to-table experience also includes a once-amonth Vintner Dining Series with special guests and pairings from popular wineries. It’s just a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, so come experience this award-winning resort for yourself. For reservations, call 800-472-4334, or visit twobunchpalms.com. Two Bunch Palms, 67-425 Two Bunch Trail, Desert Hot Springs, CA.

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

CHIC PAIR Bella Luxx maxi skirt, $98. Marea, Terranea Resort. Debbie Clint wood arrowhead necklace, $709, stone cuff, $196, and ring, $69. Ya Yaâ€™s Boutique, El Segundo. On girl: Mimi & Maggie chambray shorts, $48. Bella Beach Kids, Manhattan Beach. Sol Angeles t-shirt, $46. Blvd., Manhattan Beach. Opposite: Bowdy Sprout graphic t-shirt, $46; Monster Republic plaid shorts, $48; Converse shoes, $42. All available at M. Fredric, Studio City.

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

Splendor in the Grass

Whether for a poolside BBQ or a picnic in the park, here are some colorful looks to put a spark in your style this spring. STYLED BY SHERYL

MARCUS PRESSEY MAKEUP BY LESLIE RODRIGUEZ

PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

Splendor in the Grass

STYLISH STROLL NG The Label floral jumpsuit with gold-plated neckline, $253; Kantis gold and turquoise ring, $495; Fendi sunglasses, $395; Tory Burch rope wedge sandal, $350. Neiman Marcus Topanga. On girl: Elisa B floral dress, $92. Meant 2 Be, Tarzana. Ragg gold ballet slipper, $36. M. Fredric, Studio City.

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ourventurablvd.com

Splendor in the Grass

POW WOW Bella Blue coral top, $80; Luna Luz white legging with chiffon overlay, $150; layered, multi-colored necklace with rubber medallions, $135. Layered, Studio City. White thong studded sandal, $400. Calleen Cordero, Studio City. On him: Kapital K shorts and top, $36 each. Meant 2 Be, Tarzana. ď Ź

ourventurablvd.com

APRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

All About Kids “Kid, you’ll move mountains!” said Dr. Seuss. That positive mindset is clearly evident here in our community with professionals and organizations that make it a priority to get children on the path to living happy, healthy, productive lives. Looking for a school or tutor for your child? A kid-friendly medical professional? Some after-school or summer fun? A place to get fit? Here we share some top-notch options for you to consider. Read on … in this issue, it’s All About Kids!

EDITED BY LAURA WATTS PHOTOGRAPHED BY HUGH HAMILTON & PAUL JOYNER

80 CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY 81

THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL

82 VIEWPOINT SCHOOL 83 LOS ENCINOS SCHOOL 84 CHILDREN’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL

89 MILKEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

98 DEGAS DANCE STUDIO

90 DR. KATAYOON SHAFAGH Studio City Orthodontist

99 CAMPBELL HALL

ANDREA PARIS-GUTIERREZ Los Angeles Ballet Academy

92 WISE SCHOOL

100 CAMP FUNTIME 101 NEW COMMUNITYJEWISH HIGH SCHOOL

93 WESTMARK SCHOOL

102 SUZANNE BERGER, DDS Ocean Adventure Dentist

94 THE WESLEY SCHOOL

103 BERKELEY HALL SCHOOL

95 IDYLLWILD ARTS ACADEMY

104 FUSION ACADEMY WARNER CENTER

87 LAURENCE SCHOOL

96 ADAT ARI EL DAY SCHOOL

88 SIERRA CANYON SCHOOL

97 LOUISVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

104 JOHN MIZENKO Join the Band® Music Lessons Studio

85 VALLEY INTERNATIONAL PREP 86 IRINA KARADJIAN Sweet Pea 4D Baby To Be Imaging

105 THE COUNTRY SCHOOL

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

ALL ABOUT KIDS

CHAMINADE COLLEGE PREPARATORY

FAST FACT Chaminade is one of the largest Catholic college preparatory schools west of the Mississippi.

haminade College Preparatory is a coeducational Catholic school in the Marianist tradition, serving more than 2,000 students in grades 6–12. Founded in 1952 as an all-boys high school, Chaminade began admitting girls to the student body in 1971. Today Chaminade operates a middle school campus in Chatsworth and a high school campus in West Hills. What are some of the extracurricular activities that you offer? “At Chaminade learning isn’t just limited to the classroom. Students are encouraged to explore their individual interests, discover new talents and foster greater ties with their community through our extensive co-curricular offerings. Athletics is also an integral part of the Chaminade experience, and our teams have earned accolades at the state and national levels.”

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

7500 Chaminade Avenue, West Hills 818-347-8300 | chaminade.org What would you like kids and parents to know about your school? “With Mary the mother of Jesus as our model, we work toward deepening the faith of our students from all religious traditions. Students are encouraged to grow as people of faith. Spiritual retreats are offered at each grade level and foster relationship-building with God, self and others. Chaminade also inspires its students to be leaders—through Campus Ministry or other major leadership programs. The advanced placement program at Chaminade allows students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school with more than 30 courses available across multiple subject areas.” What do kids love most about your school? “Students love the family spirit and community aspect of Chaminade. Both campuses have been described as ‘a home away from home.’”

What sets Chaminade College Preparatory apart from the rest? “At Chaminade, we offer a cutting-edge education with our One-to-One Tablet PC Program. The tablet PC delivers course content in a more relevant and interactive manner, enabling students to take an active role in their learning, rather than passively receiving information transmitted by a teacher lecture or a textbook. Chaminade actively integrates technology into the learning environment and continues to seek new ways for it to enhance the learning process. Chaminade is committed to preparing our students for an information-driven, technology-rich world. Tablet PCs are issued to all Chaminade students, and we actively integrate technology into the learning environment and continue to seek new ways for it to enhance the learning process.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

ALL ABOUT KIDS

ounded in 1933 as an independent co-educational institution, The Buckley School is still growing—with the addition of two award-winning buildings and the expansion of its curriculum offerings, which now include robotics, video production, an online newspaper, podcast, full athletics program, digital arts and Lower School farm. Buckley serves 830 students in grades K–12. What would you like kids and parents to know about your school? “The core reason families come to the school and stay is our wonderful faculty—people who are passionate about their respective fields and eager to inspire a lifelong love of learning in our students. Our K-12 model provides our students the opportunity to grow and learn in a safe, nurturing setting, which allows faculty and staff to better understand every child’s potential.” What sets your school apart from the rest? “Nestled in a quiet canyon, Buckley offers focused learning in a safe, natural setting. Our K-12 student body fosters opportunities for peer-to-peer mentorships, easy communication about students among divisions and

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL 3900 Stansbury Avenue, Sherman Oaks 818-783-1610 | buckley.org

FAST FACT The Buckley School was founded by education pioneer Dr. Isabelle Buckley. Drawing on her experiences abroad where schools emphasized a well-rounded program, Dr. Buckley’s educational philosophy emphasizes “self-expression through self-discipline.”

departments, an inclusive model for athletics and several student-driven programs that allow for passions and individual interests to grow. Our two new buildings are outfitted with smart walls, chairs and desks on wheels for better collaboration, and other cuttingedge technology. Our new Lower School farm allows children to explore growing cycles and

learn about sustainability in a hands-on, living laboratory. Our goal is to allow students to express their truest selves.” What are important skills for people who want to work successfully with children? “Children are not simply vessels to be filled with information but individuals who bring their own unique passions and talents to every subject. Buckley teachers help students discover a variety of disciplines to develop these passions into lifelong skills and talents. In the classroom, we look beyond the ‘sage on a stage’ model to more integrative and progressive ways of learning, including longterm projects, collaborative problem-solving, interdisciplinary units and student-driven programming.” What do kids love most about The Buckley School? “The outstanding teachers and all they bring to the classroom every day. Our 111 faculty members yield a ratio of 8 students to 1 instructor. Ten hold doctoral degrees, 59 have a master’s degree and 71% have 10 or more years’ teaching experience.”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

ALL ABOUT KIDS

VIEWPOINT SCHOOL

FAST FACT Viewpoint is the first school in California to offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award—a self-development program available to young people worldwide that equips them with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and their world.

ince its founding in 1961, Viewpoint School’s mission has been to inspire a love of learning and to develop qualities in students that provide strength and direction for a lifetime. Viewpoint offers an enriched college preparatory program, emphasizing academic excellence. The school’s 40-acre campus is located in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. What sets your school apart from the rest? “Serving 1,200 students allows us to go beyond the boundaries of a traditional independent school. We offer a wide breadth of courses and abundant opportunities for our students to stretch themselves in academics, athletics, the arts, service to the community and to shape their own unique paths in life. As a K-12 school, the culture of extraordinary learning and compassion begins with our youngest students and

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

sets a warm, intellectually vibrant tone for the community. Viewpoint’s expert teachers challenge students to pursue interests to the greatest extent, thus discovering their capacity for curiosity and hard work. This approach instills within the students a lifelong love of learning and a confidence in their own abilities.” How does your school prepare students for life in the 21st century? “Viewpoint emphasizes collaboration, creativity, critical thinking and communication. With an understanding of the latest developments in neuroscience and how young brains develop and learn, we offer learning environments equipped with the technology, tools and space needed for students to create and explore in all areas of the curriculum. As global citizens it is imperative for our students to be engaged with the world—whether locally, nationally or inter-

23620 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas 818-591-6500 viewpoint.org nationally—and our teachers are dedicated to making these connections at every opportunity. This preparation enables Viewpoint’s graduates to live happy and fulfilled lives as lifelong learners and productive, active citizens who serve their communities.” What would you like parents to know about your school? “We believe in actively promoting ethical values among our students and instilling within them a spirit of community service. Within this environment, students learn to value the differences among individuals and to appreciate the unique contributions each person adds to Viewpoint’s diverse community. Viewpoint students are encouraged to go beyond their boundaries and try new things; we want students to find their voices through the exploration of different activities.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E C T I O N

ALL ABOUT KIDS

LOS ENCINOS SCHOOL

FAST FACT Los Encinos School has a rich co-curricular program that routinely integrates fine and performing arts, community service, athletics, science, and technology.

os Encinos School provides a comprehensive educational program within a nurturing environment, serving 168 students in grades K–6. Founded in 1980 by educator Chris Holabird, Los Encinos School prepares students to become global thinkers and citizens with a sound academic foundation, emphasizing strong character and mutual respect through the service learning program and in the classroom. Los Encinos provides a wide selection of extracurricular opportunities, sports and after-school classes. What would you like kids and parents to know about Los Encinos School? “We believe childhood is a unique and magnificent time of life, and we are committed to helping children experience it fully. This means keeping our school small enough to reap the proven social benefits of a close-knit learning community while pursuing rigorous and developmentally appropriate academic programs.

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

At Los Encinos School, we honor all aspects of growth and development, which include physical and emotional health.” What are the biggest benefits of making children a priority? “At Los Encinos School, children always come first. We know that children are more adventurous and eager to learn when their environment comforts rather than overwhelms them. As educators, we understand the importance of knowing each child as an individual. At Los Encinos, students experience learning with more attention, more personal recognition, more confidence and therefore more success.” What benefits do children gain from your school? “Perhaps the most extraordinary benefit of our school is the deep, interpersonal engagement it affords at so many levels. Our students not only interact socially across all grades, they also learn

17100 Ventura Blvd., Encino 818-990-1006 losencinosschool.org together and from each other during planned, multi-age learning experiences. These shared experiences build confidence in young children and give older students mentoring practice and solid leadership skills.” What sets Los Encinos School apart? “By keeping our school small, we provide a uniquely student-focused elementary education that sets the stage for a child’s future academic success. Los Encinos students leave our school with stellar academic credentials, a mature sense of independence and strong character.” Does your school support charitable organizations that help children? “We encourage family participation in a variety of charitable projects that benefit children, such as Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, LA Family Housing, Habitat for Humanity, Guide Dogs of America, the LA River Project, ONEgeneration and Meet each Need with Dignity.”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

ALL ABOUT KIDS

FAST FACT The aftercare program at Children’s Community School features soccer, knitting, animal interaction, chess, sign language and much more.

ounded in 1980, Children’s Community School is home to 115 students in grades K–6. The school is dedicated to teaching children to think for themselves, collaborate successfully with others and take responsibility for their own education in a safe, loving environment. What benefits do children gain from the services your school provides? “CCS graduates children who are not only ready for middle school; they are prepared for life. They take responsibility for their community by knowing how to be a good friend and being aware of the world. The adult alumni of CCS have taken many paths in their lives—from the Ivy Leagues to world travel to entrepreneurship to music to law and medicine. CCS prides itself in helping each child find his or her own path.”

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

CHILDREN’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL 14702 Sylvan Street , Van Nuys 818-780-6226 ccsteaches.org

What would you like kids and parents to know about your school? “The progressive education practiced at CCS helps children achieve their personal best. By being a small school, individual attention is built into the school day. Teachers know children as individuals and support them in order to achieve competence and know themselves as learners.”

Tell us about your team. “The teachers at CCS are at the center of our curricular excellence and dedication to the individual student. Every class has two full-time teachers, and there are four art specialists who teach visual arts, letterpress print shop, dance and movement, storytelling and music, all integrated into the curriculum.”

How do you encourage parent involvement? “CCS needs parents to participate in the life of school, but we know that families have a variety of constraints on their time. So we have lots of opportunities for parents that can fit a variety of time frames and skill sets—from reading with children in our library to opening car doors in the morning to raising money for the school.”

What sets your school apart from other schools? “CCS is committed to creating a school community that strongly resembles Los Angeles. We have a vigorous tuition assistance program that facilitates diversity. We want our students to have friendships and experiences with children from all walks of life, to create a school community that embraces differences so our graduates understand diversity in the world.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

ALL ABOUT KIDS

FAST FACT Some of the extracurricular activities VIP offers are speech and debate, mock trial, gaming and coding, culinary, performance poetry, ComedySportz, Friends with Inventions, skateboarding and private music lessons.

fter seeing a need in mid-San Fernando Valley for an intimate learning community with a strong emphasis on academics, educators Anne Cochran and Brad Koepenick paired with a parent organization and opened Valley International Prep (VIP). VIP offers a highly vetted, connected team of teachers and educational leaders. What would you like kids and parents to know about your school? “We are a traditional college prep school with a contemporary take on arts and sciences. VIP has a strong academic focus and one of the best college counselors on the West Coast. It is a nurturing, rigorous, artsy/funky, collegebound culture.” How does your school make our community a better place for children? “We understand the needs of the whole

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

child and foster self-expression, serve individual needs and employ best practices in project-based, hands-on and crosscurricular education.” What are the biggest benefits of making the children of our community a priority? “School choice is front and center in creating quality schools and serving the needs of outliers and those falling through the cracks in traditional private and public education.” In what ways do you encourage parent involvement? “Our Parents in Partnership have a 10-year relationship, many having run extremely successful parent organizations in elementary and middle school. They have their own 501(c)(3) and actively support the administration and needs of teachers and students. We have an open-door parent policy and communicate daily with parent representatives and community partners.”

VALLEY INTERNATIONAL PREP 14701 Friar Street, Van Nuys 818-616-9441 valleyprep.org

Tell us about your team. “Anne Cochran, the founding head of VIP-South, is the guiding force in creating the school’s programs. Brad Koepenick is the director of arts and communication for Valley International Prep and the assistant head of school for VIP-South.” How does your school encourage a healthy lifestyle? “Holistic wellness is at the core of VIP. Major leaders in education and health sit on our VIP advisory board. We offer cardio and fitness training, yoga, nutrition and food science, meditation and mindfulness. Staff and faculty participate with the students, and adults model these behaviors.” What benefits do children gain from VIP? “Rigorous, engaging classrooms; caring, qualified, connected teachers; innovative curriculums; the best college counseling available; inclusiveness, self-expression, safety and holistic wellness.”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

ALL ABOUT KIDS

IRINA KARADJIAN

FAST FACT During the HD live ultrasound session at Sweet Pea 4D Baby To Be Imaging, some families get to see their unborn baby sucking his or her thumb!

your family can enjoy a take-home DVD of your session, a recording of your baby’s heartbeat in an adorable plush toy of your choice and a complimentary, exclusive ‘First Seen at Sweet Pea’ onesie.”

What would you like kids and parents to know about your business? “Our goal at Sweet Pea 4D is to create a memorable experience for families during one of the most exciting and important times in their lives. We invite all families to enjoy each moment while getting to know their baby during an advanced 3D/4D ultrasound session— featuring enhanced performance to deliver clear, detailed images of your unborn child— and an HD live ultrasound session. You and

What do kids love most about your business? “Our theater room is designed for not only parents but children as well, with custom seating, complimentary snacks and beverages, Skype sessions and game stations. Children are very excited to see their little baby brother or sister before they are born. It’s a wonderful way for children to bond with their new sibling even before he or she has arrived. Children get excited choosing from our large variety of our adorable heartbeat plush toys they get to take home with the baby’s recorded heartbeat.”

weet Pea 4D Baby To Be Imaging is a baby boutique store as well as an imaging studio that offers 3D/4D ultrasound and HD live ultrasound sessions so parents can have a first glimpse of their little one before birth. Owner Irina Karadjian, an ultrasound technician, started the business last year.

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

CEO Sweet Pea 4D Baby To Be Imaging 12080 Ventura Pl., Suite B, Studio City 818-358-2748 | sweetpea4dbaby.com

What’s most rewarding about your work? “By far the most rewarding part of Sweet Pea is bringing so many smiles and happiness to families while getting to know their unborn baby—making so many memories even before their little Sweet Pea has arrived. Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” What sets your business apart from the rest? “Our facility operates with the most advanced ultrasound imaging system, with registered sonographers at all times. Custom seating, private Skype sessions and a large, 80-inch projection screen will allow guests to watch their Sweet Pea live and in 3D/4D. We want our guests to connect with their baby and enjoy each moment, making precious memories.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

ALL ABOUT KIDS

or more than six decades, Laurence School has been grounded in the “total child” philosophy that sees children as individuals who benefit from a challenging curriculum, character-based education and embracing global citizenship. The faculty and staff at Laurence value curiosity above all else, aiming to develop creative thinkers who seek innovative solutions to complex problems. The school has an enrollment of 300 students in grades K–6. Why is STEAM education such a hot topic today? “STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) allows every student the opportunity to explore his/her passions and talents across multiple disciplines. At Laurence, our innovative curriculum is leading the way in guiding students to be mathematicians, inventors, engineers and artists—all while working collaboratively to highlight each student’s strengths. First-graders learn how to create computer code, sixth-graders study 3D design and develop their own video games, and every grade below and in between is engaged in complex robotics creations, learning circuitry work and exploring

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

LAURENCE SCHOOL 13639 Victory Blvd. Valley Glen 818-782-4001 laurenceschool.com

FAST FACT Laurence School offers a wide variety of innovative extracurricular activities, including athletics, visual and performing arts, yoga, cooking and robotics.

conductivity. Sixth-grader Jennifer K. says, ‘I’m learning so much—these are hands-on skills that I know I will take with me as I move on in school and in life.’” How is Laurence a game-changer when it comes to its STEAM curriculum? “Lauren Wolke, Head of School, describes how

STEAM can inspire students’ love of learning and success: ‘STEAM serves as an incredible foundation for producing a new generation of mathematicians, engineers, scientists and creators and gives all students the skills and confidence they need to be successful in their future education and careers.’ That engagement is powerful especially when it comes to developing critical thinking skills. The school has even created a life-sized chessboard on campus—just another way students are able to expand their minds.” How does Laurence stay one step ahead? “Wolke is always looking ahead to the next move: ‘It’s our responsibility as educational leaders to foster the love of learning in innovative and engaging ways. At the same time, we need to be responsive to the ever-changing landscape of our 21st-century world.’ Dr. Maria Klawe, president of Harvey Mudd College, recently visited the Laurence campus and was impressed: ‘To have girls and boys who are obviously so happy, so engaged, so unafraid to ask questions and comfortable exploring everything … that is wonderful.’”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

ALL ABOUT KIDS

ierra Canyon School is an independent, nondenominational, coeducational, college preparatory school with 1,000 students in early kindergarten through 12th grade. Founded in 1978, the school has two campuses in the Chatsworth area and offers intimate classes taught by passionate and expert teachers. How does your school make our community a better place for children? “Students are taught to value the dignity and diversity of all individuals as they engage in meaningful service, which encourages them to make a difference in the world around them. Students at all grade levels participate in service learning events, which are coordinated through the school. They are also encouraged to give to the greater community as individuals by participating in community service activities on a regular basis.” What benefits do children gain from the services your school provides? “The Lower School offers small classes with lead and assistant teachers for all core subjects. Differentiated learning in small groups challenge students individually. Wide-ranging honors and

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

SIERRA CANYON SCHOOL 11052 Independence Ave. (Lower Campus) 20801 Rinaldi St. (Upper Campus) Chatsworth 818-882-8121 | sierracanyonschool.org

FAST FACT Sierra Canyon School continues to grow its physical plant, with an athletic center opened in 2012 and an athletic field and building completed in 2014.

Advanced Placement Upper School classes and a comprehensive college counseling program further prepare students for college and life beyond.” Does your school support charitable organizations that help children? “Three Sierra Canyon students founded their own nonprofit organizations, donating new backpacks and homework supplies; teaching

basketball skills and donating equipment to high-risk youth; and donating thousands of dollars of P.E. equipment to public schools with underserved students. We host an annual Week of Giving event consisting of hands-on projects with community partners, and students volunteer at several local charities.” In what ways do you encourage parent involvement? “Parents are encouraged to take an active part in their child’s education at Sierra Canyon. They can serve as room parents in the classroom, serve as a host family to welcome new members of the community, assist with annual fundraising events, serve as a team parent to an athletic team, join the Parents’ Association Board, chaperone a field trip, or attend athletic and fine arts events.” What sets your school apart from the rest? “Sierra Canyon is a highly diverse school. Students reside in more than 75 zip codes, 37% are non-white and 60+ international students are enrolled. And Sierra Canyon emphasizes experiential learning with activities, trips and programs created to provide learning beyond the classroom.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

ALL ABOUT KIDS

college preparatory institution for grades 7–12, Milken Community Schools is one of the largest Jewish, independent, co-educational schools in the country. Milken’s specialized institutes and centers range from architecture and design to science and technology and advanced Jewish studies. Also offered are advanced placement courses and a full array of performing arts, visual arts and language electives. Why choose a Jewish school? “A vibrant education focused on helping young people view the modern world through a Jewish lens is the best way we know of to prepare students with sharp minds, kind hearts and generous souls.” What would you like kids and parents to know about your school? “Milken Community Schools is a place of rigorous academics and intellectual inquiry—a school based on profound and transformative experiences, with learning, and spiritual and ethical practice at the very heart of the institution. When a student comes to Milken, they receive an unparalleled education that prepares them

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

MILKEN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS 15800 Zeldins’ Way Los Angeles 310-440-3500 milkenschool.org

FAST FACT Two of Milken’s recent alumni were just named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 list.

for the world beyond school. Just as importantly, with our guidance, they are committing to make a difference, to partaking in a kind of learning that is both demanding and relevant, and to doing something of value and meaning.” What do kids love most about your school? “The sense of community; the way our faculty help them discover what they’re passionate

about and connect that to their learning; and the fact that each student is treated as a unique individual learner—school is done with students, not to them.” Tell us about your alumni. “Our alumni are regularly acknowledged for their accomplishments and innovations. They are remarkable people who think well, belong to something greater than themselves and take positive action in the world around them.” What are some new initiatives you’re excited about? “This is a time of enormous growth at Milken. From the Milken Saperstein Middle School campus’ X-learning initiative focusing on design, innovation and entrepreneurship; to our upcoming student Shark Tank competition; to the Playful Learning Educator Summit and our student-run TEDx initiatives; to the remarkable performing arts programs; to the upcoming construction of the new Guerin Family Institute for Advanced Science, the Lowy Judaic Center and a greatly expanded Architecture + Design Institute, Milken is focused on raising the bar for 21st century education.”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

ALL ABOUT KIDS

tudio City Orthodontist is an Invisalign-only orthodontic specialist, headed by Dr. Katayoon Shafagh (a.k.a. “Dr. Kathy”), who has worked in the dental field for 23 years. The office is certified environmentally responsible by Green Life Consulting. What do children gain from your services? “Teens and parents love our office because Invisalign is a way to get the perfect smile they want without the inconvenience of traditional metal braces. Appointments are only every two months and last about 10 minutes. Kids today are living in a very different world. It’s much more teen-conscious, and nine out of 10 feel braces keep them from fitting in with their peers. A recent teen confidence study found this meant that 86% of teens who need braces are likely to ask their parents for Invisalign.” What is most rewarding about your work? “I get excited about the technology behind Invisalign and how much teens want it. After the struggles my own teen daughter

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

DR. KATAYOON SHAFAGH

Owner Studio City Orthodontist 12405 Ventura Blvd. Studio City 818-452-5688 orthodontiststudiocity.com

FAST FACT Dr. Kathy is the mother of two children and enjoys practicing yoga when she’s not working.

had with braces, I started learning more about Invisalign. We have a very kid-friendly office with a teen lounge equipped with props for taking selfies, a refrigerator with favorite drinks and a feeling of community. We love to get our patients involved with

different projects in the community, and we also help them with their projects or charities. Recently we had a food and clothing drive at our office on Valentine’s Day for Skid Row. Thanks to more than 50 of our patient volunteers, we were able to share some love with a big group of underprivileged. It was so special to watch them distribute all the donations and see how touched they were, experiencing so much love and compassion.” What would you like kids and parents to know about your business? “Thanks to the revolutionary science behind Invisalign, most teen and pre-teen cases can be successfully treated with Invisalign. It’s important that children as young as 7 come in for a consultation so we can address potential future complications that may be affecting your child’s teeth and jaws with simple appliances and ensure that they will be future Invisalign candidates. Call today for your complimentary consultation and learn more about Invisalign. Your kid will love you for it.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

ALL ABOUT KIDS

ANDREA PARIS-GUTIERREZ

Artistic Director/CEO Los Angeles Ballet Academy 16422 Ventura Blvd, Encino 818-382-2500 | laballet.com

FAST FACT Los Angeles Ballet Academy offers Summer Intersession—a program of drop-in classes. During the school year they also offer performance opportunities, as well as ballet assessments and Royal Academy of Dance examinations.

n business for 23 years, Los Angeles Ballet Academy teaches a variety of dance styles to children ages 3 to 18 and offers an adult fitness and ballet program, LABA4LIFE. Owner Andrea Paris-Gutierrez danced professionally for years. She and her husband, Iker, have a son, Dylan, who is a professional dancer with the Joffrey Ballet Company, and a daughter, Veronica, who is freelance dancer and choreographer. What would you like kids and parents to know about you? “LABA strives to teach dance to the highest standards and safe practice. We are members of the Royal Academy of Dance, an international organization that monitors teaching standards and practices and encourages continuing education. We teach dedication, commitment and discipline to our students. Even though we work hard, we have fun.” How does your company make our community a better place for children? “We are a safe and creative place to go after school. We provide a strong sense of community and a friendly atmosphere where everyone is welcome.”

PHOTOGRAPHED BY IKER GUTIERREZ

What are the most important skills for people who want to work successfully with children? “Qualified, credentialed instructors with professional experience and a love of the art form to pass on to the young dancers.” What sets your school apart from the rest? “The level of the dancers at LABA is exceptional and on a parallel with many professional (audition-only) schools across the country and abroad. We expect excellence from our students, and they achieve it. Our team of teachers not only are highly qualified, but they work together to produce performances and

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

technical training that is at the top of the field.” Does your school support charitable organizations that help children? “The Los Angeles Youth Ballet Theater and Theatrics Dance Company is a nonprofit division of the Los Angeles Ballet Academy; it provides scholarships to further the training of children from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Very talented students without the funds to train for a ballet career are not turned away at LABA. We are looking for sponsors to send nine dancers to New York City for the Youth America Grand Prix. To support a talented student, contact us at andreaparis@laballet. com. Donations are tax-deductible. We match all donations in funding talent in the San Fernando Valley.”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

ALL ABOUT KIDS

WISE SCHOOL

FAST FACT Wise School is collaborating with the USC Rossier School of Education in a pioneering program to provide students access to gifted education strategies that offer a truly individualized approach to gifted education curriculum.

ise School was founded in 1977 with a goal that every child would feel a deep and profound connection to Judaism as well as the world around them. The school serves students from preschool to grade six. Extracurricular activities include music, athletics, robotics, Odyssey of the Mind, debate, student council and an annual spring musical. What would you like kids and parents to know about your school? “The California Association for the Gifted (CAG) awarded Wise School the Five-Star Award for Gifted Education in recognition for its use of the standards for gifted education for all students and by being a model to show how gifted education can be generalized to affect all children in a school. Wise School is honored to be one of just four schools—and the only Jewish day school—to receive this prestigious award.”

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

In what ways do you encourage parent involvement? “Under the umbrella of our Wise Parents Association, parents can choose a variety of ways to get involved in our school. Their guidance, leadership and feedback is invaluable.” How does your school encourage a healthy lifestyle? “Wise School actively encourages all stakeholders to live a healthy lifestyle. Through the efforts of our Sustainability Committee, we are dedicated to supporting the environment through an anti-idling campaign for our carpool line, organic vegetable gardens planted throughout the campus, and a focus on water conservation and how to make our campus greener. Wise School is helping children experience wholeness through our new mindfulness program. Through our partnership with the

15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles 310-889-2300 | wise-school.org

UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center, our children have enjoyed many opportunities to develop greater awareness and the capacity to welcome life ‘as is’ with ease. In our classrooms, we focus upon body awareness, regulating attention, managing emotions, sharing joy and gratitude, self-compassion and empathy. Through short guided-imagery exercises, our students learn how to apply mindful applications to their daily activities. Recently our parents received training in this program to support the work their children are doing in the classroom.” What do kids love most about Wise School? “The feedback from our students is overwhelmingly positive! If we could pick one word to describe our children it would be ‘happy.’ Our size means we’re big enough that there’s something for everybody but small enough that everyone knows your name.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DARRETT SANDERS

ALL ABOUT KIDS

or more than 30 years, Westmark has offered a whole-child collegepreparatory curriculum and environment for students in grades 2–12 with a variety of learning differences, like dyslexia, ADHD or other math or reading language-based learning disabilities. The school’s signature programs educate the whole child, providing not only small student-to-teacher ratios and individualized instruction but also experiential and service learning opportunities, athletics, and performing, visual and digital arts. Tell us about the Westmark School difference. “At Westmark School, learning is different … and the difference is brilliant. Building on the strengths of our students, our faculty, signature programs and curriculum prepare these bright students to shine as they discover that learning differently carries its own unique rewards. At every grade level, we spark imaginations, ignite passions and illuminate futures, preparing our students to reach their potential and to become critical thinkers and their own best advocates.”

What would you like kids and parents to know about your school?

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

succeed, dream and reach his or her potential makes all the difference.”

WESTMARK SCHOOL 5461 Louise Avenue Encino 818-986-5045 westmarkschool.org

FAST FACT The 240 students who attend Westmark School are from more than 60 different zip codes throughout Los Angeles.

“Often, making the decision to change from a traditional school to Westmark is intimidating. But the Westmark community is made up of other parents and students who have likely travelled a similar road, and there is a great sense of comfort in knowing your child is finally at a school that understands him or her and knows how to help. Watching your child thrive and

Tell us about your team. “Our team of highly trained staff and experienced faculty members are leaders in their fields, in special education, and in their individual subject matters as well. They understand the struggles and challenges that our students uniquely face and are passionate about helping them explore their interests and affinities, develop their own approaches to academic achievement and build a foundation for lifelong success.” What do kids love most about your school? “Our students love being understood, supported and inspired. They discover how they learn best and often discover academic success for the first time. They discover their areas of strength and new passions and learn how to accommodate for their areas of weakness. They love the self-esteem, resilience and confidence that come with those discoveries. They love that they can participate in extracurricular activities and discover passions and affinities they never knew existed.”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

ALL ABOUT KIDS

THE WESLEY SCHOOL

FAST FACT The Wesley School supports the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry on a weekly basis, providing nutrition for families in need, as well as the Toy Loan Program, Teens for Jeans, Bookends, Heifer International and Relay for Life.

4832 Tujunga Avenue North Hollywood 818-508-4542 wesleyschool.org

nurtured at Wesley from kindergarten on, the building of confidence, and the students’ willingness to work hard toward a goal and to support one another as a team.”

he Wesley School was founded in 1999 and has grown over the past 16 years to a total enrollment of 270 students in grades K–8. The school’s motto is “Academic Excellence and Character Development Within the Circle of Family.” Electives include Spanish, art, music, computer, PE, drama, yearbook, mock trial, public speaking, Global Nomads and film studies. After-school offerings include a competitive sports program and enrichment classes such as Cooking, Legos, Shakespeare, Mini-Yogis, Woodworking and Garage Band.

What would you like kids and parents to know about your school? “The Wesley School has a palpable sense of community where students are engaged participants in their learning. Children are happy,

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

encouraged to take reasonable risks and to develop leadership skills, while being supported in pursuit of their individual strengths.” What do kids love most about your school? “They appreciate that they are not anonymous but are an integral part of the school, and they especially love the close relationships they have with their teachers. These relationships and the learning that ensues as a result make going to school fun.” What sets your school apart from the rest? “The Wesley School frequently places in the top four of the Los Angeles County Mock Trial competition, and this year we won first place for the third time in a dozen years. Our students’ consistent success is the result of the emphasis on public speaking skills

What benefits do children gain from the opportunities your school provides? “Even with the school’s recent expansion, The Wesley School is still small enough to provide a real sense of belonging and the opportunity to feel a part of something. The school’s small size allows students to participate in everything from sports to drama, to singing solos and to taking on leadership roles. Not only do we pride ourselves on being a diverse community, we are also a multicultural one. The Wesley School is committed to diversity because, as a whole, all students benefit from the knowledge and experiences that a diverse community provides.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

ALL ABOUT KIDS

et on 200+ acres in a mountain village, Idyllwild Arts Academy offers arts education and a comprehensive college preparatory curriculum for 305 students grades 9–12. The mission of the school’s arts foundation is to promote and advance artistic and cultural development through education in a beautiful, natural environment conducive to positive personal growth.

What would you like kids and parents to know about your school? “Young people whose creative individuality may isolate them at most schools will find a home here. Their artistic passion is supported by a community that never stops wondering how we can think in ways no one has ever thought before.” Tell us about the history of your school in our community. “Although Idyllwild Arts Academy was founded in 1986 to serve talented, arts-loving teenagers from all over the world, the school maintains close ties with the town of Idyllwild. About 40 local teenagers attend our arts and academic classes along with 265 boarding students.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

IDYLLWILD ARTS ACADEMY 52500 Temecula Road, Idyllwild 951-659-2171 idyllwildarts.org

FAST FACT Every Idyllwild Arts Academy student specializes in one of seven arts disciplines taught by a faculty of professional artists.

What benefits do children gain from the services your school provides? “While many of our students succeed as professional artists, they all learn the discipline and creativity that prepare them for satisfying lives and thriving careers outside the arts.” What’s most rewarding about your work? “We encourage young people to imagine the future rather than to repeat the past.”

In what ways do you encourage parent involvement? “Parents living on the other side of the world stay close to our community with the help of parent volunteers who translate our regular communications with them.” What do kids love most about your school? “Teenagers who don’t want to have their creative impulses tied up in neat, predictable packages enjoy seeing the package ripped open here. Our global community of accomplished teacher-artists and aspiring young artists sets creativity free.” What are some of the extracurricular activities you offer? “Our students can join many clubs they’ve established for themselves, as well as the National Honor Society. On weekends throughout the school year we offer trips to Los Angeles and San Diego so students can enjoy concerts, plays, museums, theme parks and shopping. Summer brings the chance to volunteer in a rural village in East Africa where we already have many friends.”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

ALL ABOUT KIDS

o answer the growing need for Jewish and secular education, ADAT Ari El Day School opened in 1979. The K-6 program fuses innovation with tradition, linking robust general studies, arts and athletic programs with the development of Jewish identity and values. What would you like kids and parents to know about your school? “We are dedicated to creating self-motivated, lifelong learners through a curriculum that maximizes each child’s potential. Graduates from our school have gone on to attend prestigious, competitive middle and high school programs and top universities. Many of our alumni have become leaders in the Los Angeles community. They are even parents of current ADAT students. Our mission is to instill a passion for learning and the confidence to lead, which our students carry with them into adulthood.” In what ways do you encourage parent involvement? “Parents are vital partners in the educational process. We count on families to help reinforce the values taught during school hours.

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

ADAT ARI EL DAY SCHOOL 12020 Burbank Boulevard, Valley Village 818-766-4992 | aaedayschool.org

FAST FACT Students love ADAT Ari El’s recent addition of a STEAM Lab (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics), where they can design robots, prototype their inventions and discover the intersection of art and engineering.

Our vibrant parent volunteer core creates and executes programming designed to reinforce ADAT’s principle tenets. At ADAT, the whole family is embraced by our educational community.” How does your school encourage a healthy lifestyle? “Our Health and Wellness Program, directed

by a team of dedicated physical education specialists, promotes healthy living and a sustained interest in being physically fit and active. ADAT’s integrated nutrition program steers children toward making healthy food choices. We believe the development of both physical skills and self-esteem are of equal importance in creating confident, physically adept students. Our campus is equipped with an outdoor soccer field, a state of the art pavilion which covers the outdoor basketball court, multiple playgrounds and a student-tended garden.” Does your school support charitable organizations? “For ADAT students, Tikkun Olam (Hebrew for ‘repairing the world’) is imperative. It is each student’s responsibility to make the world a better place. Each year students learn a new way they can make a difference and come up with actions and projects that reflect their learning. Our students coordinate collections of much-needed supplies for residents of LA Family Housing, a shelter for families transitioning to stable housing. Our community supports SOVA, a food bank that provides food and comfort to hungry children and adults, by volunteering to sort and deliver food.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

ALL ABOUT KIDS

ouisville High School is an all-girls, Catholic high school that is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and a member of the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools. Louisville offers numerous Advanced Placement and honors classes, including courses offered through the prestigious Online School for Girls, and a variety of enrichment opportunities such as Model U.N., Spanish Honors Society, Science and Math Bowls, and robotics and athletic teams.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ABIGAIL MILLER

What do kids love most about your school? “Louisville’s beautiful campus and safe and nurturing atmosphere create an environment where young women can explore possibilities while being true to themselves.” What’s most rewarding about your work? “Witnessing the transformation and empowerment of young women as they grow from eager teenagers to accomplished and confident young women in four years on our campus.” What sets your school apart from the rest? “Louisville is small by design, which allows us to know all our students. As an all-girls school, we

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

LOUISVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 22300 Mulholland Drive, Woodland Hills 818-346-8812 louisvillehs.org

FAST FACT Louisville High School offers a guidance advisor for each grade level; a dedicated college advisor; a team of support personnel including IT staff; and a 37-member faculty with 26 holding one or more advanced degrees.

are able to focus on the way girls learn. Teachers challenge each student to reach her academic potential. The school offers many outlets for displaying talents and teamwork, including a broad spectrum of visual and performing arts activities.” Does your school support charitable organizations that help children?

“Louisville High School requires that students participate in a Christian service program, addressing the topics of hunger, the environment, poverty and local charities. This program encourages the commitment to lifelong service to the church and the community.” What are the most important skills for people who want to work successfully with children? “We believe that Louisville is effective when adults take students seriously by listening and understanding the student perspective. We believe that focusing learning on the whole person is the most important skill one can bring to students.” What are the biggest benefits of making the children of our community a priority? “Our future-orientated approach recognizes that the world is constantly changing and affords all of us a chance to transform this world by shaping young hearts and minds.” In what ways do you encourage parent involvement? “An active Parents Guild and Dads Club host numerous events throughout the school year and participate in all aspects of campus life.”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

ALL ABOUT KIDS

ecently celebrating its five-year anniversary, Degas Dance Studio is dedicated to instructing, educating and inspiring students—from children to advanced professionals—in the art of dance. The studio has 170 students and offers classes in a variety of dance genres and ranging from recreational to advanced preprofessional training. What benefits do children gain from the services your school provides? “We believe in teaching life lessons as well as dance lessons. Students learn proper dance technique, class etiquette, and respect for themselves, their peers and teachers from starting at age 3. Dance offers so many benefits— physical fitness, expression, posture, work ethic and learning to push yourself beyond what you thought you were capable of.” Tell us about your team. “In only five years we have produced unprecedented training results in our students. Our pre-professional elite dance team has become well known for its innovative artistry and concert-style contemporary choreog-

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

DEGAS DANCE STUDIO 17247 Ventura Blvd., Encino info@degasdancestudio.com degasdancestudio.com

FAST FACT In addition to dancing 10 to 20 hours a week, most of Degas Dance Studio’s elite team members are also straight-A honor students in school.

raphy. Our foundation is built on our strong Vaganova-style classical ballet technique with lead faculty Arsen Serobian, Artour Bajanov, Dasha Tertova and Jennifer Currier. However I believe it is the fact that all of our dancers study such a unique, versatile array of classes from world-class master teachers around the world that makes us stand out. Our team members all support one another and share

a strong bond. They are not about flashy costumes or awards—they are true artists and young storytellers who are passionate about the art of dance.” Do you offer summer programs? “We offer an incredible summer ballet/contemporary intensive in June and performing arts camps in July that offer an exciting collection of classes designed to improve technique, artistry, encourage healthy habits and prepare children for the real working world.” Does your school support charitable organizations that help children? “Each year we have auditions and scholarship 10 students who display potential and, most importantly, a strong passion and desire to learn and great work ethic—someone whose family could not otherwise afford the necessary amount of training for a pre-professional study. We also have the Rei Aoo memorial scholarship, where a ballet student receives one year of weekly private coaching. And we recently launched Project Boys Dance, giving full-tuition scholarships to boys willing to train in a well-rounded full study of dance.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

ALL ABOUT KIDS

CAMPBELL HALL

FAST FACT Campbell Hall’s Summer Enrichment Pilot Program, one of many public purpose programs, is a tuition-free academic enrichment/college access program for low-income high achievers who aspire to be the first in their family to graduate from a four-year college.

ampbell Hall is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school that opened its doors a little more than 70 years ago. The school sits on a 15-acre campus with more than 1,100 students in grades K-12 and encourages a strong sense of moral, ethical, and spiritual understanding while providing a multi-layered academic curriculum.

What would you like kids and parents to know about your school? “Campbell Hall implements innovative, research-based best practices with extraordinary attention to students’ overall health and well-being. We are open to a variety of instructional methodologies that help our students make stronger curricular connections. Our approaches to teaching often deviate from traditional forms of instruction through the use of technology and hands-on activities to present

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

concepts and/or guide activities. Our classrooms are rich with student centered, cross-curricular, inquiry-based problem-solving activities designed to allow students the opportunity to explore their own potential and learn in a challenging, yet supportive, environment.” What do kids love most about Campbell Hall? “Our amazing faculty! There are 220 faculty and staff with an average of 15 years of teaching experience per faculty member. Our faculty allow students to pursue questions wherever they lead, which teaches and empowers students in a very unique way.” What sets your school apart from the rest? “From providing both single-gender and coed programs at various developmental stages to offering high school students the opportunity to learn television production in our multi-camera studio and more, Campbell Hall offers tradi-

4533 Laurel Canyon Boulevard North Hollywood 818-980-7280 | campbellhall.org

tional and innovative programs. At heart, we are a community exploring together the nature of reality, the norms of culture, and the many ways we can make the world a better place.” Does your school support charitable organizations that help children? “Community service and service learning are an integral part of Campbell Hall. From our Outreach Committee, which develops servicebased projects for communities in need, to our public purpose programs such as ACTION, a two-week summer workshop for elementary school students in partnership with LA’s Best, Campbell Hall supports a wide-range of worthy causes and organizations.” What are some of your summer activities? “Our summer camps offer a variety of activities for all ages, including robotics, cheerleading, creative and performing arts, sports and more.”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

ALL ABOUT KIDS

What would you like kids and parents to know about Camp Funtime? “Camp Funtime is a traditional summer day camp where children get to participate in a wide variety of activities. Whether campers spend the minimum of 12 days with us or the entire 40 days, they are sure to walk away from camp with new skills and friendships that will last a lifetime.” What do kids love most about Camp Funtime? “Camp Funtime campers love the community we have created here at camp. Many campers grow up with us, spending each summer reconnecting with camp friends and former counselors.”

100

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

CAMP FUNTIME 5461 Louise Ave., Encino 818-789-8405 CampFuntime.org

FAST FACT The mission of Camp Funtime is to provide a well-rounded summer program for children, enabling them to learn new skills and experience personal growth in a safe, secure environment.

What benefits do children gain from your camp? “We have developed a well-rounded summer program that is committed to the growth and development of your child. Through our developmentally age-appropriate activities, campers are learning new skills while experiencing personal growth in a non-competitive atmosphere.”

What’s most rewarding about your work? “Watching campers leave us at the end of the summer with new friendships, new skills and the love they have for camp. This lets us know that we have successfully accomplished our goal for the summer.” What sets your business apart from the rest? “Camp Funtime is proud to be an accredited camp by the American Camp Association, an organized group that works to improve the camp experience for children by being a resource for organized camps. Camp Funtime is required to meet more than 300 standards for health, safety and the quality of our summer program.” Tell us about your team. “Our Camp Funtime team is comprised of young men and women who work and relate well with children. Our team of staff members is one big family that makes camp what it is—an amazing place to spend the summer! But what makes some of our staff so special is that many of them were once campers and have grown up with us.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

PHOTOGRAPHED BY BRITTANY LEHMANN

ntering its 57th summer, Camp Funtime is an accredited, traditional summer day camp that provides programs for boys and girls ages 3 to 17. Serving more than 650 children each summer, Camp Funtime offers 25+ activities at their gated facility at Westmark School. The camp was founded in 1958 and has been directed by Linda and Ali Stephenson since 2007.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY RICHARD HARTOG

ALL ABOUT KIDS

ew Community Jewish High School (NCJHS) offers a college preparatory program for grades 9-12 that features rigorous academic and Advanced Placement courses, STEM, competitive athletic teams, a wide variety of extracurricular activities, a comprehensive college counseling program, summer programs and global education opportunities. Students come from 50 zip codes, and the school’s average class size is 15. What would you like kids and parents to know about your school? “NCJHS will change its name to de Toledo High School on July 1, thanks to a transformative naming gift from the de Toledo family. The school will remain a collaborative, caring community that emphasizes a culture of kindness.” Tell us about your team. “Our team is led by head of school Dr. Bruce Powell, a world-renowned educator who founded NCJHS in 2002. His team includes principal Ellen Howard, rabbi-in-residence Rabbi David Vorspan, and 85 teachers, administrators, staff members and coaches.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

NEW COMMUNITY JEWISH HIGH SCHOOL 22622 Vanowen Street West Hills 818-348-0048 ncjhs.org

FAST FACT New Community Jewish High School will change its name to de Toledo High School on July 1.

What benefits do children gain from the services your school provides? “At NCJHS students can innovate, imagine, help shape the future and pursue bold passions at a school which enables their minds and spirits to soar. Students can become inspired leaders who, in the best of Jewish tradition, will seek social justice

and peace. We develop students who conduct themselves in accordance with ethical standards.” In what ways do you encourage parent involvement? “Parents serve as ambassadors and docents for school events, athletics and musical theatre productions, and serve on various leadership committees. Our student store is a hub for parent volunteers who manage the sales of spiritwear.” What do kids love most about New Community Jewish High School? “Students love that they are valued for who they are in a community that inspires each student to discover his or her unique gifts and use them to better the world.” What sets your school apart from the rest? “We provide students with a moral and ethical lens along with knowledge. We seek to shape students into collaborative leaders and respectful people of character who embrace life in an ethical manner.”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

101

ALL ABOUT KIDS

cean Adventure Dentist is a pediatric dental specialty group that opened in 2003. Owner Dr. Suzanne Berger is a board-certified pediatric dentist with 38 years of experience in the industry. The other pediatric dental specialists in the practice are Dr. Linda Lott and Dr. John Chen. What would you like kids and parents to know about your practice? “The Ocean Adventure is an exciting (and entertaining) marine science venue where we practice state-of-the-art pediatric dental specialty care through learning, teaching, sharing and fun!” What are the biggest benefits of making the children of our community a priority? “Our intention is always to be a fun and nurturing community resource and help parents raise healthy children who will become tomorrow’s responsible consumers, educators and policy-makers.” Tell us about your team. “Our doctors are dedicated and experienced with exceptional credentials. Having both male and female assistants on the team provides a wonderful blend of compassion,

102

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

SUZANNE BERGER, DDS Owner Ocean Adventure Dentist 28040 Dorothy Dr. #201 Agoura Hills 818-889-2061 oceanadventuredentist.com

FAST FACT Together the dentists at Ocean Adventure have more than 80 years of dental experience.

gentleness, humor and vitality. Most staff members are parents. We all take pride in being efficient, understanding, patient and, most importantly, kind.” What benefits do children gain from the services your business provides? “Our focus is preventive dentistry rather than traditional restorative dentistry. Preventive

health care works best as a partnership between patient, parent and doctor; thus we strive to build collaborative relationships with our patient families. This is the secret of our success in helping kids develop into healthy, savvy dental consumers and mindful citizens of our ocean planet.” What sets your business apart from the rest? “We tailor our care to specific needs of individual patients and their families. We do not just fill teeth but continually emphasize preventive measures and healthy options. We excel at oneon-one coaching. Parents are always welcome to accompany their children into our treatment bays. We take as much time as necessary to inform families of all options in the care of children’s teeth, and we listen.” What’s your advice for kids wanting to become entrepreneurs? “Entrepreneurship is certainly not the right fit for a lazy person! It involves a lot of hard work. It is also one of the most rewarding experiences in life because it taps into every aspect of the creative process and provides continuous challenges and opportunities for problem-solving. In short, it is never boring.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

ALL ABOUT KIDS

BERKELEY HALL SCHOOL

FAST FACT Berkeley Hall School is the oldest coed independent school in Los Angeles, with an enrollment of 260 from nursery school through 8th grade.

he mission of Berkeley Hall School (BHS) is to develop active thinkers in a balanced learning environment that inspires children of diverse backgrounds to fulfill their unlimited, God-given potential. Founded in 1911 by sisters Mabel Cooper and Leila Cooper, BHS offers a variety of extracurricular activities, including athletics, music, dance, chess, science, animal encounters and cooking. What would you like families to know? “BHS has a century-old history of fearless learning based on our founders’ educational philosophy of ‘no limits, no labels and lots of love.’ Academic understanding soars when students learn to persist in the face of challenge.” How do you make our community a better place for children? “We integrate character education into every

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

aspect of the school experience. Our core values—respect, responsibility, compassion and honesty—are part of the daily conversation and explored in weekly assemblies. In what ways do you encourage parent involvement? “We have an active Parent Advisory Committee and a lot of cherished traditions in which parents are actively involved—from the family campout on our football field to a formal graduation tea.” What do kids love most about your school? “They can be themselves. There is acceptance of individuality and great diversity—economic, cultural and religious. Most of all, students feel loved. Of course there are all the regular things too: an amazing 66-acre campus, athletic fields, outdoor pool, amphitheater, tennis courts, 1-to-1 laptops and a state-of- the-art woodshop.”

16000 Mulholland Drive Los Angeles 310-476-6421 | berkeleyhall.org

How does your school encourage children to live a healthy lifestyle? “We develop a growth mindset in our students in which struggling and initially failing is viewed as a natural part of learning. We then support them to pick themselves up and persist until they succeed. This promotes mental and emotional health, because students gain a real sense of achievement.” Tell us about your team. “Our teachers meet weekly in workgroups to determine grade level expectations, improve individual lessons and measure student progress across the grade levels. We have a shared vision of where we want students to be as academics and as people. The one thing all BHS teachers have in common is they are committed to viewing each and every student without limits, without labels and with lots of love.”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

103

ALL ABOUT KIDS

FUSION ACADEMY WARNER CENTER 21650 Oxnard Street, Suite 100 Woodland Hills 818-712-9521 | FusionWarnerCenter.com

FAST FACT The mission of Fusion Academy is to help every student flourish emotionally, socially and academically, using positive relationships, one-to-one classrooms and a supportive community of learning.

usion is an accredited private school that provides one-to-one education with personalized learning for students in grades 6–12. The school, which started nearly three decades ago at the Solana Beach campus, serves more than 100 full-time students and also provides classes for credit and tutoring/mentoring. What would you like kids/parents to know? “Fusion is a revolutionary school where positive, constructive relationships unlock academic and personal potential. We provide a community of

learning dedicated to creating a supportive campus environment where every kid can flourish emotionally, socially and academically.” What sets your school apart from the rest? “Fusion is about helping students write their own stories, and every story is different. For some, the next chapter in the book is a four-year college. For others, the goal is to feel comfortable in their own skin and ready to meet the world with confidence. Fusion Academy does not have one definition of success. Rather we support and prepare students to be ready for

the next step that they decide to pursue. Fusion takes the ‘home’ out of homework by providing Homework Café spaces for students to complete their independent work. By providing the structure and support that students need, we allow their students to thrive and flourish.” What does it take to be the best? “Fusion is great at changing lives and igniting the hidden potential in their students. We address education with a holistic approach, taking into account students’ social, emotional and academic well-being.”

JOHN MIZENKO Owner Join the Band® Music Lessons Studio

5928 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks 818-345-8950 jointheband.com | jointhebandmusiccamps.com

FAST FACT

oin the Band® offers music lessons, band performance classes and summer classes for kids, teens and adults. Bands perform at real venues throughout Los Angeles such as the The Mint, The Federal Bar and The Roxy Theatre. Owner John Mizenko opened Join the Band in 1998. What would you like kids and parents to know about your business? “We provide a friendly, professional music environment where kids look forward to coming in for their music lessons and classes. Our teaching

104

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

staff is comprised of university-trained teachers who love to teach.”

perseverance and preparation, and the value of setting and obtaining goals.”

What benefits do children gain from the services your business provides? “Private lessons focus on the individual student and their specific goals and needs. Bands and camps introduce the value and importance of teamwork by having students participate with others to achieve a common goal. We teach our students that what they learn during their lessons and classes is more than just music. They are also learning the importance of teamwork,

What’s most rewarding about your work? “Watching students (old and young alike) have ‘aha!’ moments when everything comes together at a show and/or a recital and they ‘get it.’ These moments are a big boost for how students feel about themselves, and they are a huge reward for their efforts to accomplish a goal. Join the Band has put on well over 200 concerts over the years, and I have seen the ‘aha!’ moment at every show.”

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOHN MIZENKO

Since Join the Band’s inception, they have enrolled more than 1,250 students and had more than 1,750 band performances at their concerts.

ALL ABOUT KIDS

THE COUNTRY SCHOOL 5243 Laurel Canyon Blvd. Valley Village 818-769-2473 country-school.org

FAST FACT The Country School is the only CAIS school with a no-homework policy. TCS is giving kids their lives back and parents their kids back.

he Country School was founded in 1948 by a husband-and-wife team who sought to develop a learning environment that is child-centered, hands-on, and tailored to the specific needs of young children. Today, the Country School, headed by Holly Novick, serves 200 children from preschool to eighth grade. What sets your school apart from the rest? “We are the only member of the California Association of Independent Schools with a no-homework policy. Many people think that homework makes children smarter. It doesn’t. Many think homework makes kids test higher. It doesn’t. Last fall, we eliminated daily homework for grades K-4 with the full expectation of seeing student stress go down and engagement in the classroom go up, and it did. After the first year without homework, standardized test results have reinforced the improvements reported by parents, teachers and staff. In all classes taking the Educational Records Bureau annual standardized test, scores increased from one year to the next for the same students. Scores also increased across the board by grade level.” What’s most rewarding about your work? I get to do important things at the Country School and feel like I’m doing my part to make the world a little better in the process. We are all partners here: administration, staff, faculty, parents and students. This empowers me to take bold steps like institute a no-homework policy and have every expectation of success. Equally important are the daily moments I get to spend in conversation with our children. What are the biggest benefits of making the children of our community a priority? “The natural curiosity and creativity of a child unfettered by prejudice, bullying and adult

S P E C I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S E CT I O N

pressures is worth preserving, because it is what today’s employers are looking for. We live in a world where flexible and adaptive thinkers are in high demand. We prioritize kindness and conversation; we call it the Country School Way.”

How does your school make our community a better place for children? “We let kids be kids, and we teach them to be advocates for themselves and each other. They know that their voices are heard and their ideas are valuable—no matter what grade they’re in.”

A PRIL 2015, VENTURA BLVD

105

South of the Boulevard Specialists 14090 Davana Terrace, Sherman Oaks 5BR + 3BA 3,725 sqft 9,373 lot size Listed at $1,795,000

15174 Encanto Drive, Sherman Oaks 4BR + 4BA 3,892 sqft 5,850 lot size Listed at $1,427,000

14071 Roblar Road, Sherman Oaks n ce Re

D OL S tly

4BR + 5BA 3,308 sqft 9,559 lot size Listed at $1,795,000

High end home sales are robust in Sherman Oaks and Studio City. A strong stock market, low interest rates and lots of cash coming from overseas investors are increasing the demand for luxury homes. According to the California Association of Realtors economic forecast for 2015, real estate has become a safe deposit box. International buyers want to put their money somewhere safe. In 2013 they were mostly buying with cash, with 69% purchasing in cash and only 31% getting financed. In comparison, the traditional American buyers were making 27% of their purchases with cash. In 2013 there were 72 properties sold between 1.5 and 2 million, with 44 properties selling for over 2 million. As the luxury market has heated up, now 100 properties have sold in 2014 between 1.5-2 million, with 71 properties selling for over 2 million. The most expensive sale in Sherman Oaks last year was for 3.4 on Greenleaf St and for 6.5 on Lockridge Dr in Studio City. Older homes continue to get knocked down to make way for newly constructed properties- out of the 171 homes sold last year for over 1.5 million, 60 of those were new construction. This is another contributing factor bringing up the overall price range of our area, although some argue that the density issue of overbuilding on smaller lots is a sacrifice our neighborhoods have now made.

Karin “Basin” Miller

818.487.5860 direct 818.788.1212 Home karinm@coldwellbanker.com REALTOR®, CalBRE#00292631

nanette basin

818.487.5859 direct 323.394.4298 cell Nanette@nanettebasin.com REALTOR®, CalBRE#01210045

©2014 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage office is owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker® and the Coldwell Banker Logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International® and the Coldwell Banker Previews International Logo, are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals.

REAL ESTATE OURVENTURABLVD.COM/REAL-ESTATE

GATED FRENCH TRADITIONAL ESTATE

17300 Oak View Drive, Encino $2,899,000 Represented by Harriet Cameron and Andrew Spitz Berkshire Hathaway Home Services 818-380-2151 For more information see Inside Back Cover

Craig Strong presents

THE BOB & DOLORES HOPE ESTATE

CRAIG STRONG

Director, Aaroe Estates 310.439.3225 craig@strongrealtor.com

StrongRealtor.com

TOLUCA LAKE | $23,000,000 The breathtaking 5+ acre estate treasured by Bob and Dolores Hope hits the market. Designed in 1939 by a celebrity architect, redone in the â€˜50s by the master of Hollywood Regency and lovingly enhanced over the years, it has hosted decades of star-studded gatherings. Walled, gated, and utterly private, the compound includes a nearly 15,000 square foot main house, a two-bedroom guest house, staff quarters and offices. In the main residence, a soaring foyer opens to a vast formal living room with walls of glass that frame the sumptuous landscape. A family room, bar and billiard room, formal and family dining rooms, commercial grade chefâ€™s kitchen, and library complete this level. Upstairs are four bedroom suites and a lavish master wing. The estate features both a classic outdoor pool and a glass-enclosed indoor pool and spa. A historic opportunity to own one of the most iconic residences in Southern California. 10346MoorparkSt.com John Aaroe Group does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, or other information concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records and other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. CalBRE 01450987

FRYMAN ESTATES

Secluded Pool Home $2,495,000 Fryman Estates 4bd, 3.5ba with gourmet kitchen and pool on quiet cul-de-sac.

find open houses now

aaroe.com

11743ElCerro.com Bryan Abrams 818.266.4300

STUDIO CITY SHERMAN OAKS

SHERMAN OAKS

4015 Stansbury Ave Rose Fahey & Sarah Kotler

$3,599,000 818.262.3532

SHERMAN OAKS

4035 Pacheco Dr Eric Lieberman

$2,695,000 818.535.8755

ENCINO

Gated Contemporary $2,150,000 Silver Triangle 4bd, 4ba built in 2011 with pool on quiet, tree-lined street. 12334Cantura.com 4167 Stansbury Ave Greene & Nelson

$2,300,000 818.239.6270

TOLUCA LAKE

10512 Bloomfield St Craig Strong

B E V E R LY H I L L S

15732 Sutton St Kevin Driscoll

$1,799,000 818.398.0797

TARZANA

$1,599,000 310.439.3225

BRENTWOOD

4201 Nogales Dr Alan Taylor

MARINA DEL REY

Donovan Healey 310.903.1876

STUDIO CITY

$1,595,000 818.453.9175

SUNSET STRIP

11744 Sunshine Terr John Locke

SHERMAN OAKS

TO LU C A L A K E

$1,049,000 818.915.0139

PASA D E N A

John Aaroe Group does not guarantee the accuracy of sq. footage, lot size, or other info concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records and other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy.

Director, Aaroe Estates | Top 3% company-wide | Top 2% nation-wide

Cutting Edge Marketing | Excellent Service | Outstanding Representation

Sold by Alan Taylor in 2014

ALAN TAYLOR | 818.324.9329 | Alan@AlanTaylorRealEstate.com | AlanTaylorRealEstate.com John Aaroe Group does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, or other information concerning the condition or features of the property provided by the seller or obtained from public records and other sources and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information. Production numbers based on 2014 earnings. CalBRE 01369255

new construction

sold

16187 Royal Oak Rd., Encino $5,900,000 www.EncinoTrophyEstate.com

active

3943 Archdale Rd., Encino $3,450,000 www.ArchdaleEstate.com

coming soon

Nobody does it better...

#1 Agent at Rodeo Realty

818.285.3688

3775 Winford Dr., Tarzana $2,699,000 Mulholland Park

sold over list price 15711 Royal Oak Rd., Encino $1,775,000 Royal Oaks

coming soon

3815 Valley Meadow Rd., Encino $5,000,000 Royal Oaks

new construction

coming soon

5131 Topeka Dr., Tarzana $2,999,000 Tarzana

just listed

4623 Encino Ave., Encino $1,899,000 www.EncinoAvenueEstate.com

just listed

15524 Morrison St., Sherman Oaks $1,599,000 www.NewHouseOnMorrison.com

www.CarolWolfe.com CalBRE #00477745

just listed

4001 Clarinda Dr., Tarzana $25,000/Month Furnished www.ClarindaEstate.com

just listed

4905 Tarzana Woods Dr., Tarzana $1,349,000 www.TarzanaWoods.com

FOR

SAL

12346 CANTURA ST. | STUDIO CITY 4 BED | 3.5 BATH |

3,654 SQ. FT.

O F F E R E D AT $ 2 , 2 9 5 , 0 0 0

Located in the coveted Silver Triangle area, the “farm on Cantura” uses a blend of perfect architecture, clean modern lines, a warm farmhouse presence and sophisticated materials. This is far from your typical NEW CONSTRUCTION seen on most every block. The main home is 3,200 sq. feet with a 400 sq. feet guesthouse in the rear.

FOR

SAL

12437 RYE STREET | STUDIO CITY 4 BED | 3.5 BATH | 2,509 SQ. FT.

O F F E R E D AT $ 1 , 3 7 0 , 0 0 0

Located in a private and quaint neighborhood of Studio City, this newly remodeled traditional yet modern home includes 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. This home features a spacious, open and airy floor plan with 7.5” wide French oak hardwood flooring. This home not only includes a 6-camera security system with full coverage but also a 5.0 speaker system in the living room and master suite, which can be controlled separately.

www.12437Rye.com

D ENNI S C HE R NO V REALTOR® | CalBRE Lic #01850113

CHERNOV TEAM

818. 355. 2461 dennis@dennischernov.com | www.ChernovTeam.com

BRIAN

PANE EXCELLENCE

Oren David Mordkowitz ESTATES DIRECTOR / REALTOR 速

818-933-5866

CalBRE License #01246402

oren@orenestates.com

In Escrow!

Just Sold!

Oren Estates

17809 Twilight Lane Encino $2,349,000

17821 Twilight Lane Encino $1,299,000

4520 Gloria Avenue Encino $1,549,000

4301 Coronet Drive Encino $1,689,000

18100 Chardon Circle Encino $1,499,000

16035 Valley Wood Road Sherman Oaks $1,349,000

Just Sold! I

Curious what your home is worth? It would be my pleasure to deliver you a FREE Market Valuation Report within 24 hours!

www.OrenEstates.com

Tucked away on a secluded cul-de-sac, Horizons at Calabasas offers a sanctuary from bustling city life in a serene suburban setting. Our spacious Active Adult (55+) apartments come in one- and two-bedroom designs to fit every possible lifestyle. Each apartment features a state of the art chefâ€™s kitchen, tile flooring, recessed lighting, washer/dryer, and a long list of community amenities. Enjoy full concierge services, complementary housekeeping, transportation services, lush courtyards, controlled-access gate system and much more.

THIS BRAND NEW FACILITY IS FILLING FAST. CALL TODAY FOR YOUR PERSONALIZED TOUR. 855.286.9823 | 26705 Malibu Hills Road, Calabasas, CA 91301 | www.horizonsatcalabasas.com

4107 FULTON AVE, SHERMAN OAKS Jim Pearson 818.599.0178 Contemp English Farmhouse. 2015 built 5BD/6½BA, bonus rm & 4 FPs. Pool & spa. Top of the line! $4,295,000

4123 STANSBURY AVE, SHERMAN OAKS Andrew Manning 818.380.2147 7BD/8½BA estate with grand entry. Majestic grounds with pool, sport court and 2BD guest house. $3,895,000

4167 WESLIN AVE, SHERMAN OAKS Scott Harvey 818.679.5864 Sophisticated, new 4BD/5½BA bath custom home with jetliner views, pool, and master retreat. $3,595,000

2117 SHADOW CREEK DR, AGOURA HILLS Jennifer Camp 818.633.9501 Gated community in Santa Monica Mountains. 5 bedrooms, 6 baths. Pool/infinity spa & sport ct. $2,499,000

10505 CAMARILLO ST, TOLUCA LAKE Gary Dean & Traci 818.908.2420 1936 Toluca Lake Colonial Revival estate. Restored & upgraded. Grand lot with pool. 4BD/5BA. $2,495,000

5451 VANALDEN AVE, TARZANA Andrew Manning 818.380.2147 Gated resort-like villa. Banquet-sized FDR. Grmt kit open to FR. 5BD/5½BA. Pool w/ waterfall. $2,199,000

13329 INWOOD DR, SHERMAN OAKS Jim Pearson 818.599.0178 Newly completed 3BD/3½BA masterpiece w/ cyn views. White oak plank flrs & hi ceilings thruout. $2,095,000

24525 STAGG ST, WEST HILLS Russ Church 818.636.9181 Elegant, upgraded 4 bedroom, 3 bath single-story home in the Stonegate Collection! Great schls. $945,000

12700 HORTENSE ST, STUDIO CITY Richard Burt 818.203.9797 Charming 3BD/2½BA Trad. Open LR w/fireplace, entertainment area & lg patio w/pool. Two-car gar. $942,000

Visit us online at bhhscalifornia.com Sign up online for

© 2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by the seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals. CalBRE# 01317331

In Focus LA a weekly lifestyle newsletter

Andrew Manning

From Condos to Castles Landmark Estate For Sale

5451 Vanalden Avenue, Tarzana - Offered at $2,199,000

Resort-like custom-built estate, rebuilt in 2001, set back off street behind mature landscape & sweeping gated circular drive - 6bd + 5.5bath with pool/spa/waterfall

This next year will mark Andrew’s 30th year in real estate, as he continues to break sales records by remaining among the TOP 10 of all Berkshire Hathaway’s agents in the COUNTRY! From Condos to Castles, Andrew SELLS them ALL!

SOLD

4845 Andasol Ave.

4330 Gayle Dr.

SOLD

13050 Greenleaf Street

4549 Alonzo Ave.

4050 Wilkinson Ave.

5007 Vanalden Ave.

SOLD

2005 Chilton Drive

12036 Hesby Street

Featured Communities

Sherman Oaks

Studio CIty

Toluca Lake

Valley Village

Encino

Tarzana

Andrew Manning - Realtor® Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | 14141 Ventura Blvd., Suite 8 | Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 818.380.2147 | www.andrewmanning.com | andrew@andrewmanning.com | CalBRE#: 00941825 © 2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

The Ross Report 17551 Margate Street, Encino CA Offered at $2,295,000

5BD/5BA | 4,297sqft on a 16,115 sqft lot

New ListiNg! To view this home go to www.17551Margate.com

Prestigious Amestoy Estates one-story contemporary. This meticulously designed and turn-key Encino home offers the “Best of the Best” designer interiors with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. Recently remodeled and updated with the finest materials and craftsmanship available. Magnificent gourmet cook’s kitchen, family room, formal dining room, living room, game room, and an incredible master suite. 3 fireplaces, wood floors, state-of-the-art Nest thermostats, custom built-in china and silver closet, sound system, crown moldings, recessed lighting, CCTV system, copper plumbing, all-house filtration system, alarm system, newer windows and doors, and dual A/C. Large private entertainer’s backyard with large pool with waterfall and a spa for 10. Built-in BBQ island and mini-sports court. Every conceivable convenience has been addressed so you can start enjoying the good life. Judy Ross 818.427.5918 | judyross05@gmail.com doug Ross 818.421.5991 | dougross05@gmail.com www.JudyanddougRoss.com

MATTEPSTEIN.COM SOMATT@AOL.COM 818-789-7408 CALBRE# 01121162

With proven results from the market leader, why call anybody else?

17085 Rancho St | Encino | 7Br+6Ba in 6,236 SqFt on a 67,085 Lot | $5,750,000 | Exquisite and sophisticated South of the Blvd gated estate

4007 Ethel Ave

3660 Alomar Dr

Sherman Oaks

4Br+4Ba in 3,242

7Br+6.5Ba in 5,147

SqFt on a 8,620 Lot

SqFt on a 17,123 Lot

$2,485,000

$2,249,000

South of the Blvd.

South of the Blvd

East Coast Traditional

Mediterranean with

in Longridge Estates

amazing views

14839 Valley Vista Bl

15023 Encanto Dr

Sherman Oaks

6Br+4Ba in 4,572

5Br+4.5BA in 4,187

SqFt on a 8,347 Lot

SqFt

$1,999,999

$1,999,500

Gated and South of

South of the Blvd.

the Blvd with privacy

Spanish Entertainers

and views

Masterpiece

Call for your FREE market analysis! ÂŠ2015 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. Equal Housing Opportunity. CalBRE# 01317331

LAST WORD

Tech Wars: The Empress Strikes Back A Valley mom gives new meaning to the term “parental controls.” Written by Kathleen Markel

he other day I was listening to a morning radio show where this DJ was having kids call in to share stories about their “soooo uncool” parents who aren’t tech-savvy. One teenager was talking about how her mom always texts everything in all caps, not realizing it’s tech code for “I’m yelling at you!” She and the DJ went on laughing condescendingly and speculating that her mom does this because her eyes are getting bad and she doesn’t know how to change the font size. This apparently was nothing short of hysterical. Here’s the deal: As a parent of four teenagers, I know I’ll never have the time they do to sit around and figure out all the features of my phone. I do, however, have enough working knowledge of it to be able to use it against them. Here’s how: When my daughter with the sweet tooth starts to go overboard on the ice cream order, I pull up a picture from my photo library that immediately puts the brakes on it. It’s a pool of iridescent-purple vomit on the bathroom floor from the time she thought a triple scoop of BaskinRobbins’ Wild ‘n Reckless sherbet with sprinkles and gummy bears in a waffle cone was a good idea. After discovering one of my boy’s fake IDs in the laundry, I texted him several photos: (1) the fake ID, (2) a pair of scissors and (3) the result of their interaction. In a fortuitous turn of events, my lack of “techknowledgey” has actually worked in my favor. Recently I somehow accidentally downloaded all of my kids’ contacts from the cloud into my phone. At first the

130

VENTURA BLVD, APRIL 2015

acquisiton of all this additional data through my unintentional “mommy hack” was annoying. Then I stumbled upon a brilliant idea. I took some old hard-copy photos and scanned them … you know, the unflattering ones from the middle school years before they lost their baby fat? Now I have them at my fingertips for a colossal group text to their peers if they get out of line. Nobody misses curfew at my house. As I’ve learned, you can also use technology to motivate kids to help out around the house. Remember

those user-unfriendly chore charts we all had as kids hanging on the fridge? No need. If I see dishes in the sink, I just pull out my phone and cancel the weekly allowance bank transfer for the offending teen. No discussion. No drama. And when my son fails to take out the garbage, I don’t nag. I just text him a picture of the overflowing trash can followed by that most wondrous of all Valley teen motivators: a picture of his Coachella ticket. Tech-venge is sweet, and by the way, it’s a dish best served “old.” 

ourventurablvd.com

Named In The Wall Street Journal Top 250 Teams Nationwide

Joseph T. Ho, MD, PhD Specialist in Cerebrovascular and Endovascular surgery

THINK ABOUT IT. SOME OF THE FINEST NEUROSURGICAL CARE IS RIGHT IN YOUR BACKYARD.

One of the few elite physicians trained in neurosurgery, neurointerventional surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery, Dr. Joseph Ho, is part of the world-class Skull Base & Neurosurgical Center at Providence Saint Josephâ€™s Hycy & Howard Hill Neuroscience Institute. His experience gives our patients confidence in optimal surgical outcomes. And he is one more reason Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center is ranked by Healthgrades as one of the top 5% hospitals in the nation, two years in a row. Experience Excellence. Experience Providence Neurosciences.

501 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91505 1-888-HEALING | providence.org/saintjoseph