We can tell when the new issue arrives in mailboxes because our phones ring off the hook and we are slammed with new business. We have been extremely pleased with the response!
ENZO SCOGNAMIGLIO
Brio Tuscany Grille •
Advertising Partner since 2012
We have been consistently participating in every issue and are very pleased with our experience. Jody and her team truly care about helping our business continue to succeed. If you are interested in reaching the South County community, I am absolutely thrilled to recommend Jody and her fabulous team!
JEFF MCCABE
One Way Painting •
Advertising Partner since 2011
I really appreciate and value the service provided by Jody and her team at Community Publications. The close attention to detail that has gone into every article Jody has written is outstanding and has helped us get the word out on One Way Painting & California Gun Services. The articles you have written really show you understand what services we provide and what value we offer to our customers. Each time a magazine comes out, the calls increase, and we get to introduce the company to new people. Thank you for making everything so easy.
How to Know When Your Medicare Coverage Starts
By Stephanie Frisch
Most people decide to go on Medicare when they turn 65. They do NOT have to do this if they have group health coverage through their or their spouse’s employment. (Group must be 20 or more lives).
The decision to stay on group coverage usually boils down to finances and how much they’ll pay for Medicare Part B and an assessment added to Part D coverage if their income is higher than the baseline adjusted gross income (AGI) set by Medicare for the standard Medicare Part B premium. (This is called IRMAA- Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount). These individuals wait until they retire or their income drops for other reasons to go onto Medicare. There is no set Medicare enrollment window for these individuals. They can choose to leave group coverage at any time by submitting the appropriate paperwork to Social Security.
So, back to those who DO decide to go onto Medicare when they turn 65.
If you sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) during the first 3 months of your Initial Enroll-
ment Period, your coverage starts the first day of the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, your coverage starts the first day of the prior month.
If you delay doing this prior to the month you turn 65 and you instead take care of signing up the month you turn 65, then your coverage starts 1 month after you sign up.
The delay in coverage continues the longer you wait to sign up for Medicare.
If you wait until 1 month after you turn 65, your coverage begins 2 months after sign up.
If you wait until 2 months after you turn 65, your coverage begins 3 months after sign up.
If you wait until 3 months after you turn 65, your coverage begins 3 months after sign up.
If you miss signing up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, then you must wait for the “General Enrollment Period”. That window of time is January 1st – March 31st. However, your coverage won’t begin until July 1st.
Now, back to those who want to stay on group coverage after turning 65. It is still recommended (by me) and they can sign up for premium free Part A (if they or their spouse paid into it for 40 quarters while working) any time during or after their Initial Enrollment Period starts to establish their Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). This will make the activating Part B process much easier when that time comes.
If you sign up within 6 months of your 65th birthday, your coverage will start at the first day of the month you turn 65. (unless your birthday is the 1st of the month, then it begins the month before you turn 65). After that, your coverage start date will go back (retroactively) 6 months from when you sign up.
Caution. Not enrolling in Medicare Part B when turning 65 and not having group health insurance as mentioned earlier leads to a lifelong late enrollment penalty and a lot of headaches when you realize that you do need coverage. Staying on a personal health insurance plan that you purchased yourself is not an option.
Stephanie Frisch is the owner of Insurance 101 and is an independent insurance broker dedicated to helping others make “educated decisions” about their insurance choices when it comes to Medicare. For answers to your questions, or no-fee consultation, call (949) 351-2443.
Senior-Focused Niche Real Estate Firm
ow does life look in the seventh, eighth or ninth decade? As one enters this period of life, adorned with wrinkles, heirlooms and too much yard work, there are countless concerns to consider. Selling your home, or relying on your adult children to do so, shouldn’t be one of them.
Rob Perkins and sister Corinne Ross, founders of San Diego-based Senior Home Purchase Program (SHPP), know this all too well. After a decade of residential real estate investing, personal experience led them to the realization that the traditional home selling process
`Provides Options for Home Sellers
can be extremely overwhelming, and they saw an opportunity to remedy this situation.
“We watched our grandparents reach the point of no longer being able to live alone,” said Rob. “We saw the effort it took from our entire family to support them through the transition of selling long-time homes and lining up new residences, calling on family to become experts in real estate, organizing, cleaning and caretaking.”
“We founded SHPP in 2015 with the mission of offering seniors a simple way to transition into senior living,” said Perkins.
SHPP offers a direct purchase option, in which SHPP buys the home directly from senior homeowners, at a nominal discount, and with no fees to the seller. This allows the seller to quickly and easily transition into their next home, without any prep work, repairs, or costs.
As SHPP has become popular in the San Diego senior living community, and with recent expansion into Orange County, the company continues to evolve with market conditions. In keeping with their original mission, SHPP has launched their new listing service, Simply Sell, an “easy list and sell” option for clients
We purchase your home in ‘as-is’ condition and close according to your timeline.
Sell with Certainty
Sell directly to us at a fair price and eliminate all the unknowns.
Sell As-Is
No prep for sale, no showings and no buyer-requested repairs.
Move on Your Timeline
Close and move on a timeline that works for you including an option to leaseback for up to 60 days.
who might benefit from the more traditional listing method to fully maximize their home’s value.
“Simply Sell offers a streamlined listing process which eliminates many of the inconveniences involved in a home sale,” explains Perkins.
“With our expert pricing strategy, full oversight and management of all aspects of the home sale, no upfront cost for repairs, $2,500 paid by us for decluttering, packing and unpacking services, and coordination of move logistics - Simply Sell removes all of these burdens from the home seller, allowing them to focus on
their next home.”
Perkins and Ross emphasize that with both programs, they will continue to deliver on their promise to serve seniors with integrity and transparency. “We are in the business of helping people pilot an emotional and financially important decision, and we do not take this lightly,” said Ross.
For further details and a complimentary consultation to determine which SHPP option would be best for your specific situation, please contact us at 714-923-7477 or visit westviewshpp.com.
We sell your home and eliminate many traditional home sale inconveniences.
List with Confidence
Benefit from our valuation and local market expertise to maximize your sales price.
Move without the
Stress
Receive up to $2,500 in move management services to ensure a stress-free move.
Enhance to Optimize
Utilize our team of trusted home improvement experts to optimize your home value with no upfront cost.
Our signature “Love it or Leave it” service is available with both programs!
THE VALUE OF A CPA FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Some things in life are better when combined with other things. Peanut butter is great, but better with jelly. S’mores are wonderful, but somehow tastier when eaten next to a campfire. Mobile phones are indispensable, but incrementally improve with every added app. This idea holds true with financial advice as well. CPAs and financial advisors are important and valuable resources in their own respects toward ensuring a sound financial future, but they’re even better when they’re both the same person.
The reason for this is simple; sound investment advice must be done with consideration of tax implications, as the cost of not doing so can be significant. Likewise, good tax planning often involves taking advantage of investment opportunities that become evident during the tax preparation process. Only the CPA Financial Advisor can ensure that these interdependent objectives are executed on successfully
According to a study involving 42,000 advisors by Envestnet, a leading investment platform provider, the “value added” of using a financial advisor is roughly 2% per year. The added value of a CPA/tax management is another 1% per year. The study breaks down the added value coming from 5 core areas:
The following highlights more tangibly describe how the value of a CPA financial advisor can enhance your financial plan.
Tax Savings = Enhanced Investment Returns
When considering the financial plan for one’s entire life, one should make tax savings as much of a priority as the selection of investment and retirement products. Tax savings simply can have too tremendous a positive impact on maximizing your retirement nest egg to ignore. And its importance and value generally increases proportionally with your marginal tax rate. This is especially true today, given the generally rich valuations and low yields of most traditional investment options.
Tax Management = Tax Savings
As the value of your taxable investments grow, so does the importance of utilizing tax management to minimize taxes. Whereas many financial advisors may list these offerings, you can count on the CPA financial advisor to ensure that tax management is being performed.
High Frequency of Interaction = Better Financial Maintenance
Another important ingredient to a sound financial plan is maintenance. Financial plans are snapshots in time that require
periodic updates. Long-term impacts of near-term events such as career, family and preference changes need to be incorporated into the plan when they occur. So, frequency of interaction is paramount to good maintenance. And here again, the tax professional is, unfortunately like taxes, with you year in and year out. Hence, maintenance of a financial plan by a CPA financial advisor is a natural fit.
South Coast Shutter and Shades
Operating honestly and with integrity has served as the foundation for the continued success of the Laguna Niguel-based South Coast Shutter and Shades for over 32 years. Owners Tom and Donna Schuster launched their own company after realizing that “on our own we would be able to offer quality products in an honest environment to our customers, as well as servicing the products we sell.”
Specializing in custom shutters, blinds (mini, faux, wood, vertical), cellular shades, woven woods, plantation and security shutters and everything in between, Tom and Donna offer free in-home consultations for design as well as measuring, they always include free professional installation and prefer to bring all of the samples to each client’s home to go over the assorted styles and many color options to suit each home’s interior and its homeowner’s unique lifestyle.
“We listen to you and then incorporate your ideas with ours to design your custom shutters, blinds or shades,” says Tom. “Our portfolios and samples are very extensive, so you will be able to envision how your windows are going to look when complete."
Tom and Donna, credit their success to date to the quality of customer service they and their team give their customers, which in turn creates a wonderful repeat and referral business. “Although there may be providers of similar products, there is no one that can match our superior customer service – from showing up on time, making precise measurements and flawless installations - and with a professional ‘can do’ attitude,” says Donna.
Tom adds that “our pricing with unbeatable discounts, sales support and the fact that we offer our customers an in-house design team at no additional charge is the first step in setting us apart from our competition. I am proud to say that we have built a reputation in the business for having the highest quality, best beauty, fit and finish and value available. All of our products come with a lifetime warranty.”
A 5-Star Yelp rated company, South Coast Shutter and Shades boasts scores of glowing testimonials online, including Debora R of Laguna Niguel who writes "Donna and Tom are amazing! Great products, great prices, great service.I've used them twice for two different businesses and I could not be happier. Donna makes suggestions based on what I tell her
my needs are and she has been spot on with her recommendations. Installations by Tom are quick and easy. Highly recommended!"
Another reviewer, Doug W. of Mission Viejo posted that "From the first call, I knew I was dealing with a reputable, experienced, HONEST company. Donna and Tom are absolute PROS and obviously take pride in their work … Their price was very competitive. Also, what they quote is what you pay - keep that in mind when talking to the "other guys" whose price seems to go up and up. All appointments including install were FAST. The installation was flawless. I had a question later that evening about my motorized shades and they called me back IMMEDIATELY. My impression is that I could call them 5 or 10 years from now and they would just as helpful."
SOUTH COAST SHUTTER AND SHADES
Morena Tile & Stone Your Local Resource from Concept to Completion
Morena Tile and Stone, in San Juan Capistrano, is a 5000 square foot store showcasing one of the largest selections of tile, and natural and engineered stone in South Orange County. The business was opened in 2014 by John Schrab and his wife, Linda, with the goal of
their clients, while helping to bring their projects to life. From mild to wild and traditional to modern, they will assist in finding the perfect materials for your dream kitchen or bath. Morena’s designers are on hand to assist customers with navigating through the myriad of choices to get their project started and they serve as a resource every step of the way – from concept to completion
creating a convenient, local resource where one can find an abundance of fun, imaginative and up-to-date tile and stone – all under one roof.
As a family-owned business, John and Linda focus on customer service and building relationships with
Homeowners, designers and contractors love the vast product selection and convenience of shopping locally, in a store where everyone knows your name. John, a 4th Generation tile and stone contractor, is willing and available to answer your questions and provide advice on materials, design, and installation. He believes in treating cus¬tomers like family and understands what it takes to make your project come to fruition.
Whether you’re undertaking a major home renovation, updating your
kitchen island or installing a tile floor, Morena Tile & Stone offers all of the necessary components to manage your project in-house. Along with a gorgeous variety of materials for you to choose from, there’s also an onsite fabrication shop with a crew of master craftsmen that have worked for John for decades. This level of experience and cutting-edge technology, combined with old-world craftsmanship, provides clients with the reassurance that their project will be done correctly and beautifully. As John likes to say, “We make things pretty every day.”
Morena Tile & S tone:
“As a family owned business, we focus on customer service and getting to know our clients while we help bring their projects to life. From mild to wild, traditional to modern we’ll help you find the perfect tile and stone for your dream kitchen or bath.”
Visit Morena Tile & Stone when you’re ready to embark on your next home improvement project. John and Linda would love the opportunity to offer you a cup of coffee while you look around, and they’d be proud to add you to their long list of satisfied customers.
Mr. John Schrab, a fourth-generation stone fabrication and tile contractor took over Morena Tile five years ago and fulfilled his dream of owning his own tile store. Since then, Morena Tile has become a trusted resource for local contractors, designers and homeowners supplying natural stone, porcelain tile and engineered stone to projects both big and small in scope. Offering an abundant 5000/sf showroom with over fifty top manufacturers to choose from and a top-notch staff, Morena tile has reached the pinnacle amongst the ubiquitous onslaught of “big box design” options.
“Treating our customers like family is the first step. We invite all our customers to our showroom to look around and meet our staff, discuss their project or join us for a little lunch and conversation around our kitchen island. We’re here to help.” Says John.
Morena tile’s showroom proudly displays one of the largest selections of tile, natural and engineered stone in South Orange County. Morena Tile’s designers are on hand to help customers navigate the myriad of choices to get their project started - and serve as a resource every step of the way from concept to completion.
Whether your Kitchen, Bathroom, Flooring , Fireplace or BBQ project calls for granite, marble, travertine, limestone or Natural Quartzite, you can find it all at Morena Tile & Stone.
4 generations of tile
The Morena Tile team’s penchant for imagination and fun extends to its marketing - variations of this playful feline has become synonymous with the company’s moniker in South OC.
To connect with John and the p call (949) 489-8990, visit ww 5000+-square-foot showroom at 32951 Calle Perfecto in San Juan Capistrano
The future craftsman pictured here with father, grandfather and great grandfather
Owners John and Linda Schrab
Little Johnny with his pop, granddaddy and great gramps,
guys.
Home Improvement Spotlight:
Save Money with Fabrics by the Yard Direct from the Mill
Hard as it may be for her to believe, Cecilia Durkin has been beautifying residential, business and marine interiors for 50 years in South OC - taking pride in every stitch she has made since 1969.
Today, with her daughter Lisa by her side, the pair of expert seamstresses boast a unique distinction in their business.
"We have a workroom on our premises which allows us to offer a wide range of products and services to fit our clients’ needs and lifestyles," says Cecilia. "We proudly stand behind all of all of our work. We believe in quality craftsmanship and use only the best materials for our projects."
The company, which originally started up on Del Mar in the 1970s, worked its way to its current location with a steady stream of loyal customers and their referrals to keep their operation going strong.
"I entrusted my two Louis XVI chairs for reupholstering and was delighted with her work," says client Ellendea T. "Given the superb attention to detail I would say the cost is quite reasonable. I highly recommend her. She is often busy, so book ahead for your projects."
Although Cecilia’s Interiors offers a wide variety of services, they specialize in custom:
• Draperies and valances
• Re-upholstery and Slip Covers
• Complete Bed ensembles (bedspread, skirts, shams)
Making the Right Connections with Steve Carter Electric
By Jody Robinson
The average American household has 45 lights in it. Cup lighting, recessed, portraiture; indoor, outdoor. Incandescent, CFL, LED. There are likely as many types of fixtures and functions in the residential electrical world as years Steve Carter Electric has been in business.
Astaple in south Orange County for the last thirty years, it isn’t hard to imagine why someone might call in the professionals at Steve Carter Electric for help wiring and all things electrical.
Dedicated to providing the best quality on every job, and investing in long-term service is the backbone of the business, and what Steve Carter himself carries into every job.
“We know that your home is more than a tangle of wires: its not the fixtures, its the connections made inside and out.” Specializing in whole house fans, lighting and electrical upgrades, repairs, back-up power, panel upgrades, landscape lighting, E.V charger installs and general
troubleshooting, there isn’t a job too complex to take on.
One of the perks of publishing South County Magazine is being able to give testimonials for local businesses that our family has personally utilized.
As a San Juan Capistrano resident blessed to live in coastal OC, I realize it’s ridiculous to refer to the unseasonable warm weather we experienced in September and October as uncomfortably “hot.” But warm air rises and our bedrooms are upstairswhere the temperature would get to the mid-80s, which would make it a little warmer than we’d like when trying to get to sleep at night.
My husband had been hankering to have a whole house fan installed after
we experienced the benefits for ourselves while visiting family friends in Northern California. With 10 minutes of turning the whole house fan on, all of the warm air had been evacuated from the home, replaced with the cooler ambient air from outside - dropping the temperature in the house by 10 degrees! He was sold. In researching local companies, we came across the Yelp 5-Star rated San Clemente-based family-owned Steve Carter Electric. We couldn’t be happier with the QuietCool whole house fan we had installed - and equally importantly, the service provided by Steve and his team of professionals and are now all set to make quick work of the warm air during our next “hot” spell.
“I knew back in high school that I wanted to learn the trade and become an electrician,” says Steve. “My Dad taught me to take pride in my workmanship, and I’ve carried that through until today. We don’t cut corners because we’d like to be your electricians for life.”
Laguna Niguel Promenade is excited to announce the re-opening of 24 Hour Fitness just in time for summer!
Raising the Bar on Health & Safety, 24 Hour Fitness is committed to keeping our community healthy! When you return to the reopened club, you can expect clean and well-spaced environments, new touch-free club check-in, and important safety guidelines that support the health & wellness of members and the 24 Hour Fitness team.
NEW touch-free 24 Hour Fitness club check-in! Go to the App Store or Google Play & download the free 24GO® app. to bypass touching high-contact surfaces by checking into the club using your mobile phone. It’s quick & easy!
To celebrate the re-opening of 24 Hour Fitness Laguna Niguel, they’re offering a 3 Day FREE pass & a FREE fitness assessment from a personal trainer. Start, or continue, your fitness journey today!
The shops & restaurants at Laguna Niguel Promenade are following Orange County guidelines regarding Covid-19 health recommendations for your safety and the safety of their staff. Call or check online for individual stores updated hours and safety policies. Thank you for supporting local businesses!
Vista
LIVE MUSIC WEEKEND LINEUP
New Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment Reduce Pain Without Harmful Drugs or Dangerous Surgery
Infinity Medical and Wellness offers a tremendously successful treatment option - FDA Cleared and Covered by Medicare and Most Major Medical Insurances
Are you or a loved one suffering from chronic pain caused by peripheral neuropathy? Do you experience pain, numbness,
burning, tingling, or tightness in your hands and feet? Have you tried multiple therapies and medications (i.e. Gabapentin, Cymbalta, Lyrica and
Neurontin) only to experience side effects and with little to no relief? Would you like to try a natural treatment that is covered by insurance?
Call us to find out if you are covered. Most of our patients pay little to nothing and see a decrease in pain in only a few treatments.
We use a cutting-edge electrical cell signaling device to increase blood flow and nutrient delivery to sites of pain. This helps give the nerve cells the nutrients they need to get you out of pain and remain healthy.
Depending on your coverage, YOUR TREATMENT COULD BE LITTLE TO NO COST TO YOU. The amount of treatment needed to allow the nerves to recover sufficiently varies from person to person and can only be determined after a detailed physical exam.
Call to make an appointment to determine if your chronic pain and peripheral neuropathy can be successfully treated.
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SUFFER ANOTHER MINUTE. CALL NOW!
We are extremely busy. If your call goes into voicemail, please leave a message. We will call you back ASAP.
Dream Vacation Rent a Long-term Getaway in South Lake Tahoe
By Jody Robinson
The world has changed in myriad ways over the past year and a half. Culturally, socially, politically: you name it, it has likely been altered in some way.
Residents in South Lake Tahoe aren’t strangers to change, especially those who spend part of their year in another town entirely. Renting out vacation homes has been a long-time means of maintaining second homes, and keeping the year-round tourist business thriving in a city where the fun just doesn’t stop. Full ski slopes in the winter months and an icy blue lake in the summer, there’s more than enough to keep folks clamoring for more no matter the season. But a recent voter referendum banned vacation rentals within city limits, and for the past few months, many owners have scrambled to sort out how they can balance the demand for flexible space with the legal ramifications of such a mandate.
Enter the newly minted and expanded work (or school!) from home world!
With the freedom to take a laptop on the road and have your mobile desk available anywhere you have an internet connection, long-term rentals have literally exploded. Around the world, owners are seeing an enormous spike in requests for month(s)-long rentals. Home, away from home.
South Lake Tahoe is no different. A pristine, vibrant destination, chock full of possibilities when you can unpack and stay for a bit longer. Through the region's premier vacation home rental agency, Tahoe Keys Resort (www. tahoevacationguide.com) visitors can book their choice of over one hundred properties around the lake available for singles, couples, families and extended families looking for a fantastic getaway with no hassle and days and days of vacation - or work/
school in an environment that feels like a vacation - ahead of them. 31day plus, as a matter of fact. It’s never too early (or too late!) to start planning your next escape. And think - it could be over a month, and just a month away to one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
Tahoe Keys Resort 599 Tahoe Keys Blvd. South Lake Tahoe (530) 523-5836
www.TahoeVacationGuide.com
Pets of the Month
Ten month old Savannah is a young mama cat now ready for adoption. She is an outgoing kitty who gets along with other cats but isn’t the biggest fan of dogs. She is mild mannered and likely wouldn’t mind a home with children. With her bright green eyes and a sweet personality, Savannah would be a great fit for just about any family.
This pretty little girl is Morgan. She was born with a heart defect and is a considered a special needs kitten. While Morgan may have some disadvantages, she doesn’t let that stop her from being as happy and loving a kitten as she can be. Morgan is looking for an understanding adopter who can help her to live her best life.
Ulysses is a two year old Dachshund mix who is looking for his perfect match. Full of joyful energy, Ulysses has an adorable charisma that is evident from the moment you meet him. He would make a wonderful companion for someone searching for a lovable little canine.
If you are interested in adopting an animal listed here, please visit www.PetProjectFoundation.org/Adoptions/AdoptADog or www.PetProjectFoundation.org/Adoptions/AdoptACat to download an adoption application form. Completed forms can be emailed to AnimalServices@scdpanimalshelter.org and you will be contacted about making an interaction appointment.
It’s Not Epoxy, It’s SpartaFlex!
For nearly 40 years, southern California homeowners have used Epoxy for garage and industrial floor coating projects despite its tendency to yellow, it’s soft and easy to scratch surface and it’s tendency to be permanently damaged by the hot, high performance tires found on most cars in the OC area.
Today OC homeowners don’t have to settle for Epoxy and all of its flaws anymore. SpartaFlex is an advanced, next generation 100% solids polyaspartic floor coating that gives your garage a beautiful finish that is 3x harder than epoxy, resists yellowing while also resisting permanent damage from hot tires. Perhaps best of all, SpartaFlex comes with a much better warranty than Epoxy.
Perkins Custom Coatings has been installing SpartaFlex on OC garage floors for nearly 14 years and has completed over 9,000 floors during that period of time. Its CEO and owner, Paul Frankel is considered by many to be the most knowledgeable contractor in the local market. “Unlike many of our competitors, we strive to do an onsite assessment including a moisture test for every floor coating project we install and instead of using the ‘one size fits all’ approach, we develop a coating solution that we believe will last for decades not just for a few years.”
Perkins uses only the most advanced surface preparation methods available and will either diamond grind or shot blast every floor that he installs. Old, failing, yellowed ep-
oxy coatings can also be removed during this same process. “Despite the fact that Coatings Industry requires concrete to at least be diamond ground before installing a new coating system, many of my competitors will install their coatings right over raw or pressure washed concrete just to save a few bucks - I will never do that” says Paul.
Perkins also is known for its professional and unique approach to repairing concrete cracks. “Anyone can slap some crack repair paste to cosmetically fix a crack” says Paul. A year later, when the concrete moves again and damages their brand new floor coating, the devastated homeowner will learn that this damage is not covered by the typical Epoxy warranty. “We are the only company that I know of that uses a ‘structural crack repair’ technique to fix cracks. The process is so effective we can offer our customers a warranty that can cover future damage from cracks!” says Paul.
After the surface prep is completed, a very effective moisture control primer is applied to the concrete. “This is extremely important” says Paul because for many homes built in Socal before 2005, elevated moisture vapor levels in the garage concrete can have a detrimental impact on floor coatings. Paul does a fast and non-destructive moisture test for every one of the pre-2005 homes he visits and develops a unique installation plan for each home. For newer homes, Paul and his crew can use a basic primer that dries a bit faster allowing installation of a garage floor in as little as one day!
The color chips that give the Perkins floor its legendary appearance are sandwiched between this primer and finish coat. Perkins carries the widest selection of colors and sizes in the market and uses a ‘full chip broadcast’, not a partial sprinkling of chips like many of its competitors. “The full chip broadcast gives the floor a consistent appearance and makes the floor much more durable and helps hide dirt better than the partial broadcast finish” says Paul.
Finally, Perkins installs the SpartaFlex polyaspartic finish coat and the finished garage comes to life. “Epoxy & SpartaFlex floor coatings are virtually identical in appearance when they are first installed” says Paul. “However, when you will really begin to appreciate a SpartaFlex floor is a few months down the road when you would typically start to see problems develop with an Epoxy floor. If there was a better material on the market, I would be selling it, but there isn’t and that is why we love selling SpartaFlex.”
For more information or to see for yourself the advantages of SpartaFlex over Epoxy, you can call Perkins Custom Coatings, at 866-330-1DAY (1329) or visit their informative website at www.perkinscustomcoatings.com.
he stepped in with a solution. “Usually people think they just have to be replaced, but that isn’t the case! We have a ton of experience with all kinds of doors, no matter how old, what material, or what brand.”
Performance & Professionalism: Dr. Slide-Door
By Jody Robinson
It’s a new year. I, along with everyone I know, made resolutions: mostly hoping that this year would be better than the last, but some that genuinely reflected an optimistic mindset. Said mindset led my husband and I to craft one that hadn't topped our previous lists: fix broken things.
Like most everyone we know, our family has spent considerably more time at home these past months - and knocking around the house all day, we've made a priority
of a dizzying array of home improvement projects - both indoors and out - that we'd previously deferred. Turns out, we're not alone.
A common refrain among our friend group? Countless home appliances to be replaced. Garden and landscaping projects to embark on. And a rather surprising number of sliding glass doors in need of repair in our collective Southern California homes.
If hauling open your sliding door requires Herculean strength, it’s likely you’re experiencing rollers with dirt and dust buildup so they don’t roll the way they used to. Over the years, it’s common for the rollers to wear to the point that you may actually be dragging the entire weight of the sliding door across the track, which causes even more damage and drag every time you do it.
Whether your door is modern or ancient, made of aluminum, vinyl or wood … all you have to do to “remedy your rolling troubles” is schedule a free inspection. A tech will come out to see if the components can be fixed or replaced, and then...fix it. With over 25 years of industry experience, Dr. Slide-Door is the number one chosen sliding glass door repair service in Southern California. What sets them apart? Each member of Dr. Slide Door’s team arrives with everything you’ll need on site.
“Your sliding door professional will replace the parts right down to the rollers, leaving your door feeling weightless and good as new. You’ll be amazed at how easily your door slides open and closed.”
Enter Shy Hadan. Known as Dr. SlideDoor, Shy's father was in the business of selling sliding doors, but when he saw that there was no one to fix them,
With parts made in Germany, you can be assured that your “new” door could last another 20 years: plenty of time to tackle out the rest of your resolutions.
SUMMERCAMPREGISTERNOW!
Make a Splash this Summer
at Aquatica
BY JODY ROBINSON
San Diego!
Our tween and teen are always clamoring for theme park experiences with friends. Rather than carnival rides, I was hoping for a more active experience that would not only allow for a bit of independence, but also a good deal of exercise and warm weather fun outdoors. I ticked all the boxes off on a recent trip to Aquatica San Diego - open now for its last season ever - through Labor Day weekend. And bonus! Aquatica delivers all day fun at a fraction of the cost of a traditional SoCal theme park ticket.
I loaded up the minivan with my 14-yearold son, 13-year-old daughter and their friends to spend a full day at this whimsical water park where the kids literally ran amuck between the extreme water slides like the Whanau Way where they whooshed down one of six 60-foot paths to a splash-filled destination and WooHoo Falls where thrill seekers choose from three different slides, including one in the dark. For my part, I braved Walhalla Wave with the girls aboard a family-sized raft to splash down a 78-foot ride before spending the subsequent 30 minutes floating serenely along the 1,250-foot lazy river.
A favorite for my son and his friends was the Taumata Racer - a high-speed water slide where they must have raced each other no less than 10 times that day, while the girls loved Tassie’s Twister
- a four-person cloverleaf ride. There’s even an entire area perfect for the littles - Walkabout Waters is loads of handson fun with slides, hoses, jets, geysers and more, while Slippity Dippity offers the younger set a children’s slide and waterfall.
Guests can treat themselves to a private cabana rental or rent a shaded “wave lounger” in a semi-private area to serve as “home base” while the kids explore all the rides and slides in the waterpark.
Once the waterpark closes after Labor Day, construction will begin its transformation into Sesame Place, a family-friendly waterpark featuring the beloved characters from Sesame Street. Until the summer season ends, California residents enjoy tickets starting at $35.99 with required reservations made online.
AQUATICA
Mindful Behavior Modification for Beginners
By Anthony Cupo, TMF
What is behavior modification in the context of mindfulness?
For many of us, behavior modification involves changing the way we act in order to live more authentic and enriching lives. But this definition, while somewhat helpful, does not capture the full scope of mindful behavior modification.
The process of changing our behaviors is a scientifically studied technique — one that involves positive or negative reinforcement to achieve the desired outcome. By introducing a reward and punishment system to our everyday behaviors, we can systematically increase the amount of good, mindful behaviors we engage in and reduce the amount of anti-mindfulness actions we take.
This is great news for adults and children alike trying to change their lifestyle habits. If you are a parent looking for a way to reduce the amount of TV your kids watch, or a spouse who wants to reinforce the amount of support your husband or wife gives you, behavior modification can help you do exactly that.
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION DEFINED
Before we go over behavior modification techniques, it is important to understand exactly what behavior modification is and does. The process of changing behavior is a standard therapeutic treatment used by many mental health professionals to
reinforce good habits and break old ones.
Based on this, behavior modification uses operant conditioning to change existing behaviors by replacing them with others. With this definition, it becomes possible to start modifying our behavior in pursuit of a specific goal.
The following are three different types of behavior modification tactics you can use to improve your everyday wellbeing and become more mindful.
MODIFICATION METHOD NUMBER ONE: POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
Positive reinforcement is probably the most commonly understood form of behavior modification. This involves encouraging desired activities through a reward-based initiative.
What does this mean in a real-life context? For adults, this might involve drafting a predetermined contract between the person trying to modify their behavior and the one holding them accountable. So, if you are trying to become more mindful — such
as wanting to appreciate and spend more quality time with your spouse — you would agree with your spouse to write up a list of behaviors that qualify as quality time and engage in positive reinforcement every time you correctly display those behaviors.
Positive reinforcement could mean receiving compliments from your husband or wife every time you spend quality time together unprompted. Or, it could take the shape of a weekly reward — a night out on the town or a movie date — if you successfully engage in mindful behavior with your spouse that week.
For children, the process becomes more rudimentary: if you want your child to be more mindful, you might give them a treat or celebrate their behavior every time they engage in the behavior you outlined for them. This might be drawing more, spending more time outside, or even making new friends at school.
MODIFICATION METHOD NUMBER TWO: NEGATIVE REINFORCEMENT
When it comes to behavior modification, the opposite of positive reinforcement is negative reinforcement. And while many adults think that negative reinforcement involves punishment, the process simply means removing an unwanted enforcer upon successfully engaging in the desired behavior.
For example, until you become more mindful, you might commit yourself to exercising heavily every day — an exhausting process that you do not particularly enjoy. Your incentive is to stop exercising so heavily, and so to remove this negative reinforcer you spend more time with your spouse. This is negative reinforcement in a nutshell: taking away unwanted stimuli once your behavior consistently changes.
A negative reinforcer for children might be taking away additional afterschool teaching once they have successfully learned a subject or im-
proved their grades. The goal here is not to punish the person whose behavior you are trying to modify — with negative reinforcement, the objective is simply to remove an external factor once behaviors have changed.
MODIFICATION METHOD NUMBER THREE: PUNISHMENT
While positive reinforcement means introducing rewards and negative reinforcement deals with removing stimuli, punishment involves instating something specifically unpleasant as a result of the unwanted behavior. This is the kind of behavior modification most parents are intimately familiar with — factors such as verbal reprimands and early bedtimes are a key part of teaching children that inappropriate behavior is not tolerated.
For adults, punishment is more nuanced. You cannot exactly send your spouse to bed early for their bad behavior. But, if both parties mutually agree upon the principle, you can work together with your spouse to develop a list of potential punishments that can be applied if one of you fails to change their behavior. The most important part of this method is that the punishment should not be done out of spite, anger, or resentment — doing so can undermine the behavior modification. After all, a spiteful child or spouse is not the best recipient of mindful instruction.
Another important thing to remember is that punishment should not be the first behavior modification method you rely on when trying to change your behavior or the behavior of others. Having new tools in your mindfulness toolbelt — such as positive and negative reinforcement — means you have other ways to modify behavior before automatically resorting to punishment.
BECOMING MORE MINDFUL THROUGH BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION
It makes sense that mindfulness and behavior modification go hand in hand. After all, mindfulness starts with modifying your behavior to be more present, aware, and appreciative. Introducing reinforcements to encourage that mindset can be a radically transformative way to quickly become more mindful.
The next time you or a close family member is engaging in unwanted actions, consider the prospect of behavior modification — you may just find it helpful. Alternatively, if you want more ways to increase your mindfulness or the mindfulness of others, check out the following books: The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, Atomic Habits by James Clear, and The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod.
Anthony Cupo is a trained mindfulness facilitator (TMF) from the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. He is a co-owner of Stepping Forward Counseling Center, LLC and has been meditating for over 30 years.
Is your child struggling?
Stepping Forward Counseling Center, LLC (SFCC) offers a variety of individualized therapeutic programs for children and young adultsages 4-18. If your child is suffering from the challenges of neuro-biological disorders, emotional issues, or mental illnesses, SFCC will bring peace of mind to your family. SFCC will develop a program that works for your child and family’s needs! Our customized evidence-based programs draw from principles of CBT, ABA, and DBT, and are set in natural environments. Skills are targeted in a variety of settings, making it more likely clients will generalize outside of SFCC.
All activities are designed to replicate “real life fun” so children and teens generalize new skills and feel confident and successful in social situations.
Services Include: Emotional Consultations, Social Skills Assessments, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Parent Education/Consultation, Individual/Group/Family Therapy, Functional Behaviorial Assessments, Psychiatric Evaluations/Assessments, Trauma Assessment and Treatment, Med Management, Psychological Testing
Our Clients Improve in Areas of: Self-Esteem, Social Behavior, Rule Following, Friendship Skills, Home Behavior, Anger Control, Problem-Solving Skills, Academic Competence
The data proves it works! The base of the program is the same as in all our programs — data-driven, evidence-based treatment.
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Programs Offered: Family & Parenting, Early Interventions, Behavioral Programs, Partial Care Day Program, (IOP) Intensive Outpatient, Social Skills / After School Program, Telepsychiatry, Telepsychotherapy, Therapeutic Academic Tutoring
SFCC TEAM MEMBERS: Gary Pedneault M.D., Psychiatrist Liz O’Malley, LMFT
Programs Insurance Approved In-Network with Anthem
Stepping Forward Counseling Center’s programs are set in different environments that call for a variety of “natural” social and interpersonal skills. SFCC programs address behavior problems and skills deficits. Treatment decisions are based on data and can address improving social skills, activities of daily living and family life, play skills, and language skills. These environments include Doc Joc’s Sports, School Matters, Manners Matter, Art, Yoga, Martial Arts and Social Skills/Group Therapy.
RATIO
California Everyday
Kids’ Surf Camps at La Jolla Shores
La Jolla ocean adventure company Everyday California kids’ surf camps - running from June 21 to August 27 at La Jolla Shores – is one of the best places in the country to learn how to surf!
The five half-day surf camps will be offered for kids ages 5-11 and run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Under close supervision from Everyday California’s first aid and CPR-certified instructors, kids will be given all the gear they need from surf boards to rash guards and will learn the fundamentals of surfing in a safe and fun outdoor environment.
In addition to being a fun, social outdoor activity for kids, these surf camps give back to the community in a meaningful way. Everyday California committed to donating 10% of all bookings to local youth nonprofit Urban Surf 4 Kids so all children, regardless of their background, can enjoy the mental and physical benefits of this transformative outdoor experience.
summer
INSPIRE
Kidcreate
The Proof is in the Paint with ONE WAY PAINTING
By Jody Robinson
Photography of Jeff McCabe by Lana Farfan, Caught in the Moment Photography
Ralph Waldo Emerson famously said “who you are speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you’re saying.” Keeping this quote in mind has served me well over the years, particularly in choosing friends … and when seeking out the services of professionals. In my opinion, integrity isn’t a word heard often enough in the business world. Competitive, certainly.
But unfortunately phrases like “bottom-line oriented,” “unscrupulous,” even “cutthroat” have cropped up in the vernacular when hearing home improvement gone wrong stories from fellow homeowners. That’s why it was so refreshing to come across Jeff McCabe and his Orange County-based One Way Painting.
In business since 1976, Jeff and his team serve all of the OC and specialize in interior and exterior residential and commercial painting. They swear by the rules of professionalism: “no cutting corners. No cheap materials. We pay attention to every detail, and never call a job complete until the customer is completely satisfied.”
Some might call it good Christian values. Others might say it’s simply good
business. But for the last 42 years, working from the heart has earned One Way Painting such a respected reputation in the industry that the vast majority of their work comes through repeat customers or referrals from repeat customers. The company’s success isn’t merely rooted in customer service though. Boasting a superior knowledge of available product on the market and hiring the most profes sional crews in the business also goes a long way.
“Our reputation speaks for itself; but if it didn’t, we have 16 satisfied employees on our permanent payroll who would put a hand up in
defense of the standards we set,” says Jeff. Standards which were born and bred through a commitment to ethical business practices and hard work. In 2001, Jeff teamed up with seasoned professional Ron Bartz as a journeyman, then took over the company when Ron retired, and has been growing it ever since.
In 2009, Jeff took the pair of threeman crews and expanded the operation to encompass six crews, two office staff, and a project manager who oversees jobs, right alongside the man with the plan himself. “We currently have four trucks on the road and I’d like a full fleet someday. I’d like to leave a legacy for my daughters, and that means more than just cans of paint and a warehouse full of equipment and materials.”
To Jeff, it means taking care of his employees, taking care of his family: taking care of business. The hope is that One Way Painting becomes a household name, for its quality of work and quality of values.
My husband and I can happily attest to both. When we moved into our home in San Juan Capistrano five years ago, we acquired quotes for exterior painting from several contractors, but were particularly impressed with Jeff and his crew. Prior to starting work at our home, Jeff came by in person to go over what the job would entail and answered all of our questions. His team showed up right on time the first day - and each subsequent day - and at the end of each day everything was cleaned up before they left.
process and followed up immediately upon completion of the job to ensure that we were satisfied with the results and our overall experience of working with One Way Painting).
Their attention to detail is found from start to finish. For exterior projects, they begin by power washing to clean and remove any loose paint, mildew or mold. Then the patching: with stucco, trenching around the foundations and priming with an acrylic. They’ll treat your wood siding, eaves, fascia,
“We pride ourselves on working with a team of long-term employees - we do not hire off the street,” says Jeff. “We guarantee our work and do not require payment till the job is completed and the customer is completely pleased with our work.”
Jeff and his crew delivered on these promises and more than exceeded our expectations - the result was outstanding work, a job completed on time and on budget and defined by unparalleled customer service (Kelly in his office was hyper-responsive to our inquiries during the estimating
windows. Main doors, garage doors, trim. Even wrought iron, or other specialty surfaces like patio covers and fences. Most work depends on the client’s preference: flat to semi-gloss, acrylic or oil finish. Inside walls see flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi, or hi-gloss. If you have natural wood cabinets and they need refinishing, One Way’s crew will see to it that they look new again. Also licensed and bonded as commercial painters, Jeff’s crew has been making businesses and their buildings look new again for 42 years. With a free on-site estimate, your custom needs are sure to have a custom solution. No deposits required, and “no surprises along the way,” Jeff is quick to add.
“I think at the end of the day what sets us apart is taking our time with each and every customer that comes our way,” says Jeff. “We run a business like every person we interact with is family.” They may not be the cheapest out there, but then that wouldn’t fly in Emerson’s eyes, and not in Jeff’s either. “Our business is based on the Christian ethic of treating every customer with honesty and integrity. Every job is done ‘as unto the Lord.’ Does this mean we’re perfect? No. It does mean that we strive to do the best painting job possible.”
Melanoma: The Silent but Deadly Skin Cancer
--- Prioritize Your Skin Exam with Your Dermatologist ---
You eat well, get lots of exercise and try to obtain at least eight hours of sleep a night — you’re doing everything right to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But when was the last time you had a skin exam?
The skin is the largest organ in the body and plays an extremely important role in our overall health and well-being. It serves as a barrier that protects the body from external stimuli, trauma and dangerous substances, it helps regulate the body’s temperature and is integral in balancing the body’s water. The skin is a warrior fighting on the outside to protect our insides — and it can also provide helpful clues about other issues the body may be experiencing, like stress or inflammation. For all these reasons, it is very important to take care of your skin — and not just the skin on your face! Regularly looking at the health of your skin and
proactively monitoring for changes or abnormalities is a smart way to help ensure you’re identifying anything suspicious that may indicate a larger health concern.
One of the most serious skin conditions that is often overlooked is melanoma. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that starts in melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color. Melanoma can occur anywhere on the skin surface from the scalp to the soles of the feet. It occurs in areas that are easily seen on self-examination but can also occur in areas that are impossible to see without the help of a partner.
Melanoma, when identified early, has a 99 percent survival rate.[1] This number drops to 27[KG1] percent if it spreads to other parts of the body.1 It is considered the deadliest form of
skin cancer, and unfortunately, numbers are increasing worldwide.[2]
While the exact cause of melanoma is still unknown, several risk factors have been identified — notably, exposure to UV rays, either via sunlight or tanning beds. Other risk factors may include family history, genetics and skin type.2Although people with any skin color can develop melanoma, individuals with lighter skin tones, red hair or those who’ve had several severe sunburns in their lifetime may be at increased risk. Additionally, people who have a large number of moles on their body and/ or those who have a family history of skin cancer may also be more likely to develop melanoma.[3]
Most of us wear sunscreen on our face, neck and arms when we know we’ll be in the sun for extended periods of time. But I’ve found melano-
ma in areas that have never seen the sun (think: below the belt), and these are often places overlooked by most people. While some of these “hiding places” are common for melanoma, these are often areas of the body that can be very difficult to catch during a self-exam. When I was in medical school, my institution embarked on an educational campaign to inform beauty school students about skin cancer and what to look for. Often, melanomas or other skin cancers hide on your scalp or behind your ears — areas most people don’t think to apply sunscreen to or to check for abnormal spots or moles.
If you’ve identified an area of the skin that looks suspicious, your doctor may recommend a surgical biopsy. This is the standard method for detecting melanoma and involves the removal of part of the lesion for testing. Unfortunately, biopsies require local anesthesia, which means an injection. Many people find these injections uncomfortable, and the biopsy itself may sometimes lead to a wound and, potentially, a permanent scar. In a study from 2018, over 90% percent of biopsies to diagnose melanoma actually tested negative for melanoma![4] While it’s smart to be thorough, that’s a lot of cutting.
Fortunately, there’s an innovative, non-invasive tool for detecting melanoma that is currently available by a California-based company — DermTech. The DermTech test uses a clear sticker to collect skin tissue samples. This “Smart Sticker™” painlessly and non-invasively removes the most superficial layers of skin to obtain genomic material. This genomic material is tested by DermTech to look for
biomarkers correlated with melanoma, which help your doctor diagnose your lesion. The Smart Sticker is able to pull cells from the whole lesion by painlessly lifting away the outermost layer of cells from the surface. For context, a biopsy, which takes a small portion of the lesion, typically evaluates approximately 1-2 percent of a lesion.[5]
The DermTech test helps to determine which skin lesions have the biomarkers correlated with a pathologic diagnosis of melanoma. If the test is negative, a biopsy isn’t required, but you and your doctor should continue to monitor for any changes. If the test is positive, your doctor will perform a biopsy to establish the diagnosis.
The DermTech test is a new, effective option for detecting genomic markers to help clinicians assess melanoma with genomic precision — but maintaining healthy skin starts with you. You can’t test an abnormal lesion on your body if you don’t know it’s there! I typically recommend an annual skin exam for most people. If an individual has undergone previous biopsies, has a family history of melanoma, or has other risk factors associated with skin cancer, a doctor may recommend more frequent visits.
Melanoma can have devastating consequences if not caught early. This Melanoma Awareness Month, make it a priority to see a doctor, encourage your friends and family to stay current on their skin exams, protect your skin from the sun by wearing sunscreen and other protective gear when outdoors, and avoid direct sunlight during midday hours.
This article was composed in partnership with DermTech.
Fleming Dermatology & Aesthetic Center 23141 Moulton Parkway, Suite 110 Laguna Hills (949) 916-5956
www.flemingderm.com
[1] Skin Cancer Foundation. “Skin Cancer Facts and Statistics.” 2021, https://www.skincancer.org/skincancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/.
[2] American Skin Association. “Melanoma.” 2020, https://www.americanskin.org/resource/melanoma.php.
[3] Mayo Clinic. Melanoma: https://www.mayoclinic. org/diseases-conditions/melanoma/symptomscauses/syc-20374884.
[4] Lott JP et al. Population-Based Analysis of Histologically Confirmed Melanocytic Proliferations Using Natural Language Processing. JAMA Dermatol. 2018 Jan 1;154(1):24-29.
[KG1] Change “25” to “27” per reference listed: Bullet 8 listed under “Melanoma” section.
Insurance 101 Services
How to Know When Your Medicare Coverage Starts
If you sign up for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and/ or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) during the first 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period, your coverage starts the first day of the month you turn 65. If your birthday is on the first day of the month, your coverage starts the first day of the prior month.
If you delay doing this prior to the month you turn 65 and you instead take care of signing up the month you turn 65, then your coverage starts 1 month after you sign up.
The delay in coverage continues the longer you wait to sign up for Medicare.
If you wait until 1 month after you turn 65, your coverage begins 2 months after sign up.
If you wait until 2 months after you turn 65, your coverage begins 3 months after sign up.
If you wait until 3 months after you turn 65, your coverage begins 3 months after sign up.
If you miss signing up for Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period, then you must wait for the “General Enrollment Period”. That window of time is January 1st – March 31st. However, your coverage won’t begin until July 1st.
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