Just as summer comes to end, we’re excited our cover is keeping things hot! If you’re a fan of Showtime’s Emmy-nominated TV series Shameless, then you already know who Shanola Hampton is. If you aren’t hooked yet, you can read more about the show and SCV’s very own Shanola Hampton on page 8. We promise you’ll love her just as much as we do!
In this issue, we announce the Ultimate Home & Garden winners, chosen by all of you who voted. This gave me the opportunity to meet some really great local businesses, and I encourage you to support them as much as possible, in keeping with Valencia’s “Shop Local” theme. If you’re looking to redo your kitchen floor, touch up window treatments, or take on your entire backyard, take a page from the experts, and you’ll find exactly what you need to get started. Be sure to tell them you saw them in élite Magazine!
Speaking of Ultimate Awards, this is the first year we are doing the Ultimate Ladies in Business, and the voting has been off the hook! In fact, with nearly 10,000 votes coming in, we had to increase our bandwidth to handle it all! Look for the winners in the December/January issue – I know you’re on the edge of your seats!
New to this issue are two features I’m really excited about! We’ve added a whole new section called Health & Wellness. For our debut section, we cover diet and fitness tips from our favorite local experts. Stay tuned for more health-related content for you and your family! And if you’re looking for something different yet delicious to eat, turn to pages 76 to see our brand new feature, The Perfect Bite! You might discover a new restaurant – or a new dish from one of your favorites!
One of my favorite sections in this issue is Shopping, with two super fun features, Fabulous Finds and Autumn Fashions! In our Fabulous Finds, check out some treasures we found such as Rodan + Fields Redefine Regimen, which is quickly gaining recognition in the skincare field, and Ma Maison’s Table Top Bar! These would make great holiday gifts. I know what you’re thinking – but it’s never too early to start your holiday shopping! And as we get ready to set back our clocks, we should be fashion-forward with our wardrobe. You can find some autumn clothing inspiration on page 46. We bet you’ll discover a new boutique you didn’t know about before!
There’s some excitement happening over at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, which just celebrated 40 years! Amidst the excitement, the hospital was named Most Wired Hospital by a recent survey. They also welcomed a new president of the foundation and vice president of marketing, Marlee Lauffer.
This issue sent me off to the races, literally, hitting the track to watch Del Mar’s Million Dollar Race while experiencing all the track has to offer. And experience it, I did! Just a few hours south of SCV, the racetrack is ideal for a date, a day with your friend, or a family outing. They have something for everyone! Del Mar is full of excitement!
As each issue comes together, I get more excited by all of the people I have the pleasure of meeting. I truly thank each one of you for your continued support!
Cheers!
Amanda Benson