Normally our December holiday issue is about all of the fun and celebratory activities we all associate with Christmas and Hannukah. Unfortunately, there is nothing “normal” about 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic has upended our health and economy nationally, statewide and locally. Experts—scientists and public health officials—are warning us that we are about to encounter a second wave of infections during the fall and winter. Our local retailers, restaurants and those local businesses that supply and support them have suffered tremendously. So have the commercial property owners who lease space to these businesses. Suspending or reducing monthly lease payments can realistically go on for just so long. There will eventually be a reckoning of some sort and we hope everyone comes out of it still in business.
In the Sunday, October 11 edition of the Los Angeles Times, the outstanding journalist Steve Lopez wrote a column titled, “The Los Angeles We Love Is Dying in 2020. We Must Fight to Save It.” His focus was on Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena and Musso & Frank Grill in Hollywood. Both are iconic, local and actually regional destinations; both are threatened with extinction—Vroman’s by Amazon and Musso & Frank by the shutdowns. There are businesses that we all know of and love right here in our own backyard that are just as endangered, if not more so. We all have our favorite restaurant, which may be open for now, but they are still operating at limited capacity while dealing with increased costs.
Local boutiques, jewelers, spas and many others all deserve your business. Pay them a visit (they are open) before you click on Amazon and make Bezos richer than he already is. Case in point: I needed a stationary cycle or an elliptical trainer. Without thinking, I looked online. Why not? Amazon, NordicTrack and Peloton will sell you one online, just try and figure out shipping and assembly and which one is really right for you. Then I had a better idea. I visited RX Fitness on Thousand Oaks Blvd. Tim Adams, the owner, ensured I made the right choice based on my needs and budget, threw in free delivery and assembly and added a softer bike seat for my delicate fanny—I am a satisfied customer. I also SHOPPED LOCAL! There are dozens upon dozens of local businesses that need your patronage. Please do it!!
The Arts
5-Star Theatricals
Providing an extraordinary performing arts experience through live, Broadway-quality productions of musical theatre.
805.497.8613 | 5StarTheatricals.com/
Glass Arts Collective
Offering all-levels classes and workshops in fused glass, mosaic and stained glass in a fully equipped glass studio with enthusiastic instructors.
818.318.1462 | GlassArtsCollective,com
New West Symphony
The New West Symphony inspires passion for symphonic music through live performances and education initiatives that engage and enrich diverse audiences.
805.497.5800 | NewWestSymphony.org
Pacific Festival Ballet
The resident ballet company at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center. Pacific Festival Ballet is a not-for-profit institution with a rich history of presenting performance art to the Conejo Valley.
805.906.2088 | PacFestBallet.org
Education
California Dance Theatre
Celebrating 35 years of dance excellence as the official training school of Pacific Festival Ballet.
818.906.2087 | CalDanceTheatre.com
Calif State University Channel Islands
Reimagining higher education for a new generation and era.
805.437.8456 | CSUCI.edu
Hillcrest Christian School
Dedicated to providing a high quality Christ-centered education for K-12th graders.
805.497.7501 | HillcrestCS.org
La Reina Middle and High School for Girls
A Catholic college preparatory school for young women in Grades 6-12.
805.495.6494 | LaReina.com
Oaks Christian School
Preparing minds for leadership and hearts for service, serving Grades 5-12.
818.824.9429 | OaksChristian.org
Oak Park USD
Educating compassionate and creative global citizens.
818.735.3253 | OPUSD.org
Stowell Learning Center
Since 1984, helping thousands of students with a variety of learning challenges to become successful learners through a proprietary brain-training approach.
805.601.6633 | StowellCenter.com
Finance
The Lake Avenue Group at Morgan Stanley
Laura Marie Raulinitis, Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor
805.494.0236
Montecito Bank & Trust
Committed to making the communities we serve better places to live and work.
800.348.0146 | Montecito.Bank
Westlake Private Wealth Management
Stephen Meli, Managing Director
818.436.6801 | WestlakePWM.com
Food & Drink
Nabu Wines
Handcrafted wines from Napa Valley to the Malibu Coast since 2012. A “Reader’s Choice” best wine tasting winner from 2018 to 2020.
818.835.3704 | NabuWines.com
Original Pizza Cookery
Serving up delicious pizzas, pastas, salads and warm homemade garlic cheese bread to happy customers since 1975.
818.887.4770 | PizzaCookery.com
Fitness
Athletic Society
Encouraging members to achieve the highest level of sustainable fitness through easy access to personal training, studio classes, aquatics, wellness programs, rejuvenation and more.
805.778.0888 | AthleticSociety.com
Fitmax iPools
Providing consumers with affordable access to quality aquatic fitness products that combine a lap pool, therapy pool and home gym, all in one—iPool!
805.383.6266 | FitMaxiPool.com/Shop-iPools
Harmony Family Yoga
Connect with your inner self. Supporting children and family’s health, mental and emotional wellness through yoga, breathing and meditation.
805.558.3634 | HarmonyFamilyYoga.com
Pre Post Wellness
Posture therapy for pain mitigation and injury prevention.
805.479.6800 | PrePostWellness.com
Health & Wellness
Agoura Hills Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
Comprehensive dental care for adults and children, including veneers, implant restoration, same day crowns and cosmetic smile restoration.
805.495.0187 | PhilipShindlerDDS.com
AME Medical
A cohort of well-qualified physicians with various specialties providing Urgent Care and Covid-19 testing Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to5 p.m.
818.699.6553 | AMEQME.com
Conejo Hearing Center
Better hearing and a better quality of life can be yours for many years with the help of the right hearing professional. Taking pride in developing long-term relationships based on unsurpassed personal service with patients.
818.991.3800 | ConejoHearingCenter.com
Dr. Thomas Van Geem, MD
Years of experience and the most comprehensive woman’s health care. Providing expertise in Obstetrics, Gynecology, Urogynecology, Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery and more.
805.495.4545 | VanGeemMD.com
Duben Holistic Chiropractic Center
Offering a combination of holistic therapies to help patients reduce and control their back pain.
805.494.1339 | DocDuben.com
Home Helpers
MAKING LIFE EASIER® Trusted caregivers providing seniors and families with exceptional in-home care.
805.777.8111 | HomeHelpersHomeCare.com/ThousandOaks
Khanna Vision Institute
Combining exceptional skill with more than 20 years’ experience in Lasik eye surgery to deliver brilliant lifetime sight.
805.250.4530 | KhannaInstitute.com
Luminous Clarity Family Therapy
Dedicated to working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, addiction, complex trauma, PTSD, grief/loss, and chronic mental illness.
805.267.1869 | Luminous-Clarity.com
Rejuvenating Massage Therapy
Massage therapy for relaxation, therapeutic, and health-related intervention.
909.753.4495 | MissyRejuve.com
Revitalizing Minds Project
Enhancing the lives of individuals through the use of traditional and creative arts therapies.
310.896.5233 | RevitalizingMindsProject.com
Southern California Vein Center
Specializing in the treatment of cosmetic and medical vein therapy.
805.988.2033 | SoCalVeinCenter.com
Sunzsafe
Safe & simple UV protection for you and the Earth.
805.870.5009 | Sunzsafe.com
Trident Health Group
Providing the most advanced technology and professional experience in treating men with erectile dysfunction.
805.277.7410 | TridentHealthGroup.com
Vascular Neurology Southern California
Offering a range of specialized treatments that aim to provide the very best neurovascular care in the Conejo Valley.
805.242.4884 | VNSC.org
Westlake Body Contouring
Melt fat and lose inches without side effects with safe and proven state-of-the-art technology.
818.852.7352 | WestlakeBodyContouring.com
Wolf Creek Wellness
Explore the natural healing properties of mind, body and spirit with the therapeutic use of hypnosis, imagery and mindfulness.
424.644.9598 | WolfCreekWellness.US
Home
Aldik Home
Experience the magic of Christmas with thousands of gorgeous ornaments, stunning Christmas ribbon, sophisticated LED lights and the best artificial Christmas trees ever made.
818.988.5970 | AldikHome.com
Cat in a Hammock Landscape
Providing beautifully designed, stylish, functional, and quality-built outdoor living spaces to connect people with nature and bring joy to families and neighborhoods.
805.263.4200 | CatInAHammock.com
Cellar Masters
Providing dream custom wine cellars to protect wine collections and enhance your home or business.
805.375.5040 | CellarMastersINC.com
Donnelly Innovations
Providing a full spectrum of construction services, including construction management, structural enhancements, new construction, remodels, tenant improvements and handling all phases of development.
805.377.0852 | DonnellyInnovations.com
The Drapery Guy
Unlike other window-covering companies, this is a full-service design house! The interior design team specializes in window decor, offering free consultations. A Hunter Douglas Gallery dealer.
818.707.8500 | TheDraperyGuy.net
Eileen Gould Design & Construction
Providing 30+ years of designer sense and construction know-how to handle every detail, from start to finish, including plans, permits, shopping, ordering and implementing.
818.421.7667 | EileenGouldDesignAndConstruction.com
Interior Design Group
A local, award-winning interior design, decorating and space-planning firm that specializes in commercial and residential real estate improvement projects.
805.428.8294 | JDiamondInteriors.com
The Sofa Guy
Bridging the gap between a design firm and a furniture store to inspire, design and build custom sofas and furniture.
805.497.3222 | TheSofaGuy.com
Thousand Oaks Fireside and Design
Offering a wide selection of stylish and unique gas, wood and electric fireplaces from leading manufacturers.
805.496.6660 | ThousandOaksFireside.com
VC Home and Design
Offering quality interior design and consultation services.
805.232-8526 | VCHomeAndDesign.com
WDC Kitchen and Bath
Offering a wide selection of appliances with a focus on expert service, unbeatable value, and a commitment to supporting the community.
818.991.8846 | WDCAppliances.com
Jewelry
Ben Bridge Jewelers
Offering a large collection of high quality jewelry, from engagement rings and diamond earrings and necklaces, to bracelets and Rolex watches.
805.446.7911 | BenBridge.com/Rolex
Rock Star Couture
Specializing in one-of-a-kind artisan created unique custom jewelry.
805.370.1110 | RockStarCoutureJewelry.com
Legal
Dorenfeld Law
Established and respected attorneys serving a wide-ranging clientele in business, real estate personal injury and insurance law for more than 20 years.
818.865.4000 | DorenfeldLaw.com
Law Offices of Terri Hilliard
Dedicated to providing an exceptional level of care and planning for every stage of life via comprehensive plans for estate, business, wealth protection, eldercare and long-term health management needs.
805.201.2552 | TerriHilliard.com
Law Offices of Raymond Stuehrmann
Providing the highest quality estate planning and probate representation to ensure long-term security.
805.230.1288 | RaymondLStuehrmann.com
Zonder Family Law
A negotiated divorce has advantages —preserving assets, ensuring privacy, limiting risk and reducing stress. If a settlement cannot be reached, the team will advocate your interests in court. We are “Settlement Minded. Ready for Trial!” —because settlement is never guaranteed.
805.777.7740 | ZonderFamilyLaw.com
Nonprofit
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Conejo Valley
Enhancing the lives of young people and their families by providing a positive environment that cultivates academic success, healthy lifestyles, good character and citizenship.
818.225.8660 | BGCConejo.org
Safe Passage
Breaking the cycle of domestic abuse by healing and empowering women and their children, enabling them to live new, safe and productive lives.
818.232.7476 | SafePassageHeals.org
Pets
Krista’s PAWSitive K9 Solutions
Providing in-home and off-site training services to address your pet’s individual needs.
805.906.9394
VC Westlake Animal Hospital
Providing high-quality, professional care and genuine personal service to instill client trust and confidence that your pet will always receive compassionate, gentle care, as well as the highest standard of veterinary medical service available.
805.497.4900 | VCAHospitals.com/Westlake-Village
Real Estate
Affirmative Escrow
Providing the highest level of escrow services to Ventura County for over 19 years.
805.496.7254 | AffirmativeEscrow.com
Rosemary Allison
Recognized in the Who’s Who of Luxury Real Estate, Rosemary Allison specializes in marketing residences in the upscale neighborhoods of Santa Rosa Valley, North Ranch, Somis, Westlake Village and Camarillo while putting the needs of clients first and preserving that relationship for life.
805.491.2100 | CallRosemary.com
The Landing
A prestigious location of a landmark office and retail center, with stunning lake views and beautifully landscaped grounds.
818.597.0945 | Dolphin-Partners.com/ourproperties.aspx
Travel
Ama Waterways
Celebrating 18 years leading the way in river cruising.
800.626.0126 | AmaWaterways.com
Women's Apparel
Ilene’s Boutique
Offering an outstanding collection of clothing, handbags, shoes and jewelry at the North Ranch Pavilion.
805.373.6633
Wildflower Boutique
Offering a selection of unique, quality clothing in Newbury Park.
805.262.1555 | LoveWildflower.com