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4:40 pm
Editor Letters Publisher Letters September

Editor’s Letter

Tracy Marcynzsyn, Editor

Some call it Mayberry, while others call it heaven on Earth. However you describe this beautiful region, one thing is for sure—living in the Conejo Valley comes with a signature style cherished by all who call it home.

In this month’s style-themed issue of Conejo Valley Lifestyle, we showcase some of the many things we love about living here that make our community so unique and wonderful. Kicking off the editorial lineup is our feature article about home services providers. Every one of the 10 businesses included in the feature represents the best in their field, and we wholeheartedly recommend consulting with any of them when it comes to handling any home-related needs, from remodeling to decorating and everything in between.

As feathering our nests reflects the values we hold dear, so does caring for each other, something this community makes a top priority. This month, as we do in every issue, we share about local nonprofits that exist to help in some way. MANDO is a prime example. Created to mentor youth at risk, MANDO’s dedicated staff take pride in guiding young adults to live their best lives.

You’ll also read about the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, taking place this month and serving as a comfort and support to those affected by cancer; and the Soroptimists’ Margarita Mix Off, a fundraiser to benefit the organization’s many programs to boost opportunities for females in need. We also highlight Housing Trust Fund Ventura County’s recent event, where the community rallied together to break fundraising records and promote affordable housing for all.

Embracing the spirit of service as is the style in this community is Smiles 4 Life’s Pantea Choroomi, who shares her story of achieving the American dream and settling in the Conejo Valley to raise her family and run a dental practice to serve others—now that’s something to smile about, we think you’ll agree. Here’s to community style!

9:52 pm
August Publisher Letters

Publishers Letter

Ben Malkin, Publisher

Let’s start with our cover girl, Isabella Gertz. She is a 16-year-old Agoura Hills High School student who started a nonprofit to raise money to help families in need. Utilizing her culinary passion and skills she started BellasBakes.org. She’s also won individual awards for her creations. We love featuring a brilliant young woman who contributes to the welfare of our community.

Our article about the best local public and private schools are a wonderful example of what a fine community the Conejo Valley is to raise a family—so many fine educational choices for your children are right on your doorstep.

We also feature Oxnard’s Pacifica High School English teacher John Beck, this year’s Teacher of the Year for Ventura County. He is an excellent example of a lifelong educator staying in his community and ensuring that the next generation is successful.

We’re excited to share something a little different with the opening of The Little Kitchen Academy in the Oaks Mall this month. Kids of all ages will learn to cook. Just think Mom and Dad; your kids can make their breakfast and prepare their lunch while you enjoy your morning coffee. I’ve always loved cooking. I would drive my mom nuts with questions while she prepared dinner. Had she had this opportunity she would have enrolled me in a minute.

The pets in this issue are amazing too. It’s all about dogs this time, and what great information we have to share. OBOL continues to provide aid and comfort to animals in what is a stressful shelter environment. Gold Coast K9 provides safety tips on active summer activity for your kids and pets. As a “cat person,” I was not aware of what to watch out for, so this article is really enlightening.

The therapy dogs providing a calming environment for children is something that could have helped me many years ago to settle down, pay attention and get better grades. Having kids read to these gentle canines is a creative and effective way to promote a love of literacy.

Every year, this is perhaps my favorite issue. I hope you enjoy it.

8:12 pm
Publisher Letters

Publishers Letter

Ben Malkin, Publisher

Through the years the theme of our June issue has always been “Men”. This month we have chosen to lead with a feature on a local nonprofit that supports both men and women, For The Troops. If you are a regular reader  you are familiar with who they are and the purpose of their mission. This issue highlights their latest fundraising event.  They honored Vietnam veterans and raised donations to support the men and women currently serving in our armed forces.

For The Troops is an all-volunteer run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing members of the American military with “We Care” packages containing basic necessities, goodies, games and—most of all—a show of support.

Since its inception in 2005, For The Troops has substantially grown in volunteers and donors and has distributed more than 250,000 packages year-round to American troops who risk their lives overseas every day—far away from the comforts of home.

The men and women in our armed forces….Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines are deployed throughout the world and particularly in the Middle East. They are presently risking their lives under what are often miserable and dangerous conditions. Supporting them is not at all about agreeing or disagreeing with whether they should be there or not be there. As an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam Era, I am very familiar with that kind of debate. I encourage as much local community support of For The Troops as possible. Donations and letters to encourage morale are always welcome. Learn more about them at For The Troops.org.

I will sign off with the current core value of the USAF. “Integrity first, Service before self, Excellence in all we do”.

8:16 pm
May Publisher Letters

Publishers Letter

Robin Chesler, Publisher

I’ve always loved entertaining—not the “Come over for dinner” kind (that’s Ben’s department!)—but the kind that makes people laugh. Whether it’s telling a joke, sharing a story, singing in the backseat of my parents’ car all the way to Canada and back, or tossing in a perfectly timed funny comment, making people smile has always been my thing.

But the role I love most? The Fun Grammy.

I may not be ready for stand-up just yet, but my entertainment skills have found their perfect audience: my four grandkids. They’re captive, they laugh at my silly jokes and, best of all, they think I’m “cool.”

Whether we’re baking (my skills are limited but perfectly acceptable for the under-13 crowd), playing intense rounds of double solitaire and gin rummy with my fiercely competitive 11-year-old—who is funnier than she realizes—or belting out The Beatles songs and Broadway show tunes in the car while remembering every single word…I am, and always will be, the Fun Grammy.

Being with my grands brings out my joie de vivre. There’s no need to be serious—there’s enough of that in their daily lives, and that’s their parents’ job anyway. The joy of grandparenting is getting to indulge my silliness, share my stories and simply have fun.

We’ve raised our kids. Now we get the best reward of all—enjoying our grandkids.

And honestly…isn’t that what life is about?

12:02 am
April Publisher Letters

Publishers Letter

Ben Malkin, Publisher

The theme of this month’s issue is investing. Since I am not a stock market expert, I will leave that discussion up to the experts at two of our marketing partners, the Lake Avenue Group at Morgan Stanley and Montecito Bank & Trust. Robin and I invested in the Conejo Valley and Santa Rosa Valley communities when we launched Conejo Valley Lifestyle in 2015. Our magazine is a business, and our mission is to communicate with the folks who live here about some of the best our community has to offer. Our focus for the past 11 years and into the future has been primarily on small businesses like ours and the many nonprofits that flourish in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County.

More often than not, starting a small business involves investing your own money. It’s not about investors and “OPM” (that’s Other People’s Money for those who never saw the movie). Whenever I launched a new business (I’ve done more than a few) I never looked down from the tight rope. Aside from having the new “great idea”, I always made certain I had a marketing budget. Every entrepreneur in our community is investing in themselves and the neighborhood, town or city in which they do business. It’s a combination of a “family affair” and the community at large.

In this issue, we feature an honest-to-goodness family affair. SoCal Sleep Dentistry in Westlake Village was recently launched by the husband-and-wife team of Dr. Nina Rastegar and Dr. Daniel Kohanchi. While they are highly qualified and skilled dental health professionals, their practice has a vision that reflects family values and a commitment to health and wellness in the Conejo Valley. You can learn more inside this issue.

There are many more professional practices and businesses like SoCal Sleep Dentistry in Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Oak Park and Agoura Hills. They are excellent examples of what is bestd about our cities and our country.

7:07 pm
March Publisher Letters

Publishers Letter

Ben Malkin, Publisher

It’s the start of Spring and time once again to look at our homes and decide what needs some sprucing up.

Some fresh paint inside or out? Give Felix at First Choice Painting a call. Replace worn-out carpet with classy wood flooring from Best Floors N More. Luis provides and installs premium flooring. Time for a new kitchen or bath? Darlene and Doug Kimbell at State Restoration can be counted on for the best quality, design, and efficacy. Their new studio in Thousand Oaks is the place to fulfill your dream of a new kitchen or sexy bathroom.

Is your furniture getting a bit shabby? Maybe the cat finally finished it off, or it’s simply time for a new look. Or maybe you’re ready to update the dining room. We have two very distinct choices for you: Paul Trent at The Sofa Guy has been serving our community with custom-built quality home furnishings for over 20 years; another very distinctive option is Mark Thomas Home—a family business for over 60 years, carrying national brands like Lexington, Hooker, and Hunter Douglas Gallery.

Moving outdoors, is your landscape and hardscape tired? At Cat in a Hammock Kristina and Alan Jones are waiting for your call. Also, make certain that you use the finest material from Angelus Block. Consider adding a premium barbecue like a Delta Grill from Thousand Oaks Fireside and Design to your outdoor enjoyment.

Are you a wine aficionado? Installing a custom wine wall from Cellar Masters is a great way to store those ageable Bordeaux. Why not? As Flip Wilson said many years ago (I am really giving away my age with this), “If you got it, flaunt it.” Including an amazing painting by Artist John Hanley would look very stylish in the same room.

On a more serious note, if a new roof is necessary, or perhaps a complete overhaul is needed, call on Top Armor Roofing to protect your home against leaks and fire.

If you are looking to buy or sell your home, look no further—Rosemary Allison at Coldwell Banker Realty is your first choice. The bottom line is that you come first. Always!

Here’s to our home sweet homes!

11:56 pm
Publisher Letters

Publishers Letter

Ben Malkin, Publisher

The title of this message might seem like an overstatement (it is)…there is certainly plenty of that going around these days. However, I was inspired by a “local” story that is not local to our commu-nity, but to one in Florida. While it is 3,000 miles away, it meant as much to me as if it happened in Thousand Oaks or Westlake Village.

I’m old-fashioned. I’d rather be informed by what I read from a diverse selection of credible sources than have my brain fried by TV “talking heads” or a blabbermouth podcast “influencer” (gads, I really dislike that word!). So, I get news feeds from newspapers, magazines, broadcast and internet media of all sorts.

In this case, The Washington Post sent me an article entitled, “He ate at this restaurant every day. When he didn’t show, the chef saved his life.” What happened was that a retired Air Force veteran was an everyday diner at the Shrimp Basket restaurant in Pensacola, Florida. He always ordered the gumbo. He chatted with folks and became friends with the chef. When he stopped showing up, the chef went to his apartment, found him near death and then saved his life. That and the amazing follow-up support from the chef, the restaurant and its staff and patrons are in the article (https://apple.news/A11Yn4eQ_QMqCKXiZVFVczQ).

Businesses and a neighborhood came together to support a lonely senior. What does this caring, compassion and generosity in Pensacola have to do with our community? Pretty much everything. I believe it could and might happen here and come out just as well.

In this issue you will see how Montecito Bank & Trust supports local nonprofits throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. It’s a bank for Pete’s sake! But it’s a community bank and that says it all! There is much more inside and itis all about us…the “locals.” Friends and neighbors.

10:16 pm
Editor Letters Publisher Letters

Editor’s Letter

Tracy Marcynzsyn, Editor

As the last month of the year rolls around, it’s incredible to realize that 2025 will soon be a memory, referred to in the past tense! There’s still so much to experience as we close out the year and head into 2026, and our holiday issue features several ways to soak up the spirit of the season and celebrate.

Attending the annual performance of Pacific Festival Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” tops the list of favorite holiday traditions! Bring the whole family to this inspiring event to witness the beauty and grace of these talented dancers, who have spent months (and even years, in some cases) preparing to wow audiences and spread holiday cheer.

A trip down the 101 to Aldik Home presents another opportunity for holiday awe that all ages will enjoy. Strolling through the breathtaking displays of delightfully decorated Christmas trees, colorful lights and festive décor makes for an afternoon of memories that will last for years to come, especially if you find a special ornament or a new tree to brighten up your home for the holidays.

Our local Luxury Destinations Concierge shares about Christmas traditions around the world. From Italy’s panettone to South Africa’s malva pudding, people from cultures far and wide gather together around the table to eat unique and tasty treats. This season, consider discovering a new recipe (try the Hot Mulled Wine in Shantha’s article) along with those tried and true favorites. Whatever you choose to serve or sample at your table, as Shantha reminds us, “the most meaningful gifts aren’t wrapped in ribbons. They’re found in shared laughter, new discoveries and unforgettable memories of moments together.”

Cheers to a happy, healthy and hopeful holiday season to you and yours!

6:05 pm
Food • Beverage Publisher Letters

Publishers Letter

Ben Malkin & Robin Chesler

Why not? Who knows what tomorrow may bring? If the food is good, the style of cuisine is to your liking, and the wine and libation list is reasonably priced, then there is no better time to support your local restaurant, wine bar, or brew pub. As we emerged from the dark days of 2020 to 2021, the quality and service in restaurants have returned to whatever was “normal” for those that survived the pandemic (it wasn’t easy!).

While prices are higher due to inflation, the smart customer- and community-focused restaurants have kept the tab at the end of a date night for two somewhat under control. A creative way of doing that has been to increase the size of a portion so that their patrons can share. Since Robin is an expert at “sharing,” this has made her very happy. Besides… even I am willing to share an 18-oz Kansas City Strip Steak on the menu of the new and quite excellent Old Oaks Steak House in Thousand Oaks. As a result, their $80 steak really becomes a $40 steak. Since it is aged premium beef, once we add in shared sides, that’s plenty of food. Our first visit was somewhat “new restaurant not quite ready for prime time.” We gave it another shot and were very pleased. As you enter, the wine wall built by Scott Berry’s Cellar Masters is stunning.

We enjoyed a delicious food- and wine-pairing experience at Marcello Ristorante. The carefully chosen Italian wines paired perfectly with excellent eggplant parmesan, marinated shrimp, and the rest of a multicourse small bites dinner.

Last but certainly not least…wine! The best wine bar/winery in the Conejo has been, and continues to be, NABU Wines. I have been begging Greg Barnett to submit his Napa, Malibu, and now Mendocino and Paso Robles wines into competition. He is now knocking the ball out of the park with multiple medals from state fairs and wine events throughout SoCal. The reds are superior wines that can also be aged. The Albariño, a not-too-well-known Spanish varietal, is a star.

Last, but not least, take a look at our Sonoma wine country trip—more on that inside this issue.

6:43 pm
Publisher Letters

Publishers Letter

Ben Malkin, Publisher

Our theme this month is Style. In our Conejo Valley and Santa Rosa Valley communities, most of our attention regarding “style” is on our homes. While almost everyone dresses quite well, we are not a hyper-fashionista-focused place like Paris, New York, or even Los Angeles. The distance between us and La La Land may not be far, but culturally, we are pretty far apart. The “style” that concerns us the most is what takes place in our homes, both inside and outside.

If I look back on what attracted Robin and me to want to live in the Conejo Valley when we moved here 20 years ago, it was the natural beauty that still surrounds us and the way our cities and neighborhoods have been built out without creating too much congestion and pollution so common to much of Southern California. I lived in South Orange County for many years. When I moved there, it was similar to the Conejo Valley—but no longer. I am happy to be here.

Our homes are often a reflection of the community’s overall zeitgeist. Not necessarily the particular type of décor, outdoor landscape, or hardscape, but simply the care and love that have gone into it. If we love the environment and the community in which we live, it makes it easy and enjoyable to invest and continually improve the personal space in which we live: our home.

Cat in a Hammock, Holly Viane Interiors, The Sofa Guy and State Restoration take us on a style tour of new ideas and opportunities for your home. At Conejo Valley Lifestyle we have also expanded our social media presence on Facebook and Instagram. There you can find articles from Aldik Home, Milben Construction, First Choice Painting and the beautiful homes represented by the amazing Rosemary Alliso.

We also thought it would be nice for you to discover Ilene’s Boutique for some of the most beautiful styles in women’s clothing. Ilene has been tucked away in North Ranch for “only” 34 years. What took you so long to find her?