South County Magazine November 2024

San Clemente • Dana Point • SJC • Laguna Niguel • Laguna Hills • Rancho Mission Viejo + Ladera Ranch

NOVEMBER 2024

MAGAZINE

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STEPHANIE FRISCH

Insurance Services 101 • Advertising Partner since 2011 The best business decision I ever made was to advertise in South County Magazine - I’m proud to say that I have been participating since the very first issue. I have gained several hundred clients over the last decade due to my ad, and several hundred more from the referrals of my ad clients. I have a steady flow of business all year long, and South County Magazine has a lot to do with that.

DIANE SILVERSTEIN

Absolutely Fabulous • Advertising Partner since 2006 “Local print advertising is an essential part of our marketing strategy. During all these years in business, I have found Jody’s HB Magazine to be the place to call home for our local print advertising. Not only is Jody very accommodating and easy to work with, she really cares about us and has become a part of our business family. Her magazine feels like Huntington Beach: friendly, smart, pro-business and fun. I highly recommend HB Magazine to anyone who is looking to advertise locally.”

JON COLBURN

ReelTime Sight & Sound • Advertising partner since 2011 As a business here in South Orange County, we’re always looking at a variety of ways to market our business, our brand and the services we provide. It is always an amazing experience working with Jody and her team at Community Publications. They make the process extremely simple and easy for us to convey our message to our desired clientele. South County Magazine has been a great partner in growing our business and establishing ReelTime Sight & Sound in the community.

For Info on Advertising + Complimentary Editorial - Call Jody at (714) 469-3495

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• Drug Price Negotiations: Medicare will start negotiating prices for 15 specific Part D drugs, aiming to lower costs and improve access to vital medications.

• New Drug Deductible: Some plans may add a drug deductible as high as $590. Additionally, monthly premium increases will be limited to approximately $2 to help manage healthcare costs while maintaining access to necessary medications.

• Changes in Medications Formulary and Tier Levels: High-tier medications may come with increased costs and higher deductibles. It’s important to check your plan’s formulary to understand any changes to your medication coverage, as out-of-formulary drugs will not count toward your $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum.

• Reduction in Benefits: Please review 2025 summary of benefit for your plan’s upcoming changes.

NAVIGATE MEDICARE’S 2025 CHANGES WITH CONFIDENCE DURING ANNUAL ENROLLMENT Significant updates to Medicare Part D make this year's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) crucial—explore new caps on out-of-pocket costs, new three-phase benefits and more to optimize your coverage.

N

ow through December 7, Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is your opportunity to review and adjust your Medicare plan to ensure it meets your needs for the upcoming year. This year, several significant changes to Medicare Part D make it even more critical to review your coverage.

Changes to Medicare Part D include: • Cap on Out-of-Pocket Costs: Starting in 2024, annual out-of-pocket spending for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000. Once your drug costs exceed this amount, you won’t have to pay more for the rest of the year. However, this may lead to increased premiums or changes in your plan’s coverage, such as approving only generic medications instead of brand-name drugs.

• Elimination of the Coverage Gap Phase (Donut Hole): The coverage gap phase (also known as the “donut hole”) will be eliminated. Medicare Part D will now have a simplified, three-phase benefit: a deductible phase, an initial coverage phase, and a catastrophic phase. The initial coverage phase will extend until your costs reach the $2,000 annual cap. After this, in the catastrophic phase, you will pay $0 for covered medications (within the plan’s formulary).

• Plan Discontinuation: Certain plans, such as UHC’s $42 monthly PPO and Alignment 007 PPO, will no longer be available in 2025, and beneficiaries will be automatically dis-enrolled into traditional Medicare. If you are affected, call Jose Juarez at (877) 599-5622 for guidance through this transition.

• MemorialCare Acceptance: Some plans, including those from Alignment and Clever, may no longer be accepted

by MemorialCare starting January 1, 2025. If you want to continue receiving care through MemorialCare, contact Jose Juarez at (877) 599-5622 for help navigating your options.

Check MemorialCare.org/MedicareClasses for upcoming classes or call (877) 599-5622 to enroll.

Jose Juarez, Medicare education specialist, MemorialCare

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OF COMPASSIONATE HOME CARE FOR SENIORS

eniors overwhelmingly want to stay in the comfort of their own home as they age. Our home is filled with memories and it’s what we’ve created over the years with our loved-ones. In Home Care has become a wonderful way that families can honor the wishes of their loved ones by keeping them at home as long as possible. When additional help is needed, in home care support can be an invaluable resource helping seniors maintain their independence and dignity in the environment they are most comfortable in.

Often times I am asked why someone should choose Your Home Care to provide home care assistance for a loved one. My response is always the same, our company will always look for ways to exceed your expectations and provide a personal touch and meaningful interactions. We go above and beyond to ensure our clients get the best care and feel loved and supported by the our wonderful caregiver team.

Each case is unique and each client presents an opportunity for us to find ways to exceed expectations. It could be preparing a special homecooked meal, going on a favorite outing, baking a birthday cake for the special day, playing cards, reminiscing, taking them out to their favorite places, or simply being there to hold their hand. In many cases our loving caregivers become like family.

We recently spoke to Segal Ronen, President of Your Home Care Inc. about what they do and the benefits of home care services.

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Q: Tell us a little bit about Your Home Care and what it is that you do.

Q: What is the biggest gift or or blessing that you see while providing care for seniors?

A: At Your Home Care, our mission is to enrich the quality of life for seniors by providing compassionate caregiving services at home. We have been in business since 2002 and have roots in the community. Our agency is licensed, insured and bonded, all our amazing caregivers are vetted, trained and background checked. We service most areas of Orange County, CA with a concentration in Laguna Woods and the surrounding cities.

And we also work seamlessly with all Long-Term Care Insurance plans. We are passionate about making lives better for the seniors entrusted into our care.

A: The culture we have created here at Your Home Care is that of kindness, and compassion. The most important thing we can offer families is that we honor the people we are entrusted to care for. Our caregivers become an important part of their lives, providing connection and consistency that they lean on for support. There is nothing we enjoy more than to see our clients smiles when they are being loved and cared for. It is a gift to see our caregivers make such a positive impact in their lives.

Q: Can you tell us about the industry trend and your place in it?

the families we serve. We work hard to have the same caregivers work with our clients whenever possible in order to build rapport and strong relationships. We want our clients to light up when their favorite caregiver walks through the door. It’s a very special bond.

Q: Tell us about the team at Your Home Care.

A: The senior home care industry is growing and changing. The trend we are seeing is an increase in rates, add-on fees and lengthy minimum hour requirements. At Your Home Care we don’t have lengthy minimum hour requirements, nor do we up-charge. We make every effort to be as accommodating and flexible as possible to meet the needs of our clients. We are responsive and available to our clients and caregivers when they need us. We act quickly to address and resolve any issue or concern. And we strive to provide care for as many seniors as we can.

Q: How many hours does a typical home care client start with?

A: The hours vary based on the needs of the client. Some clients like to start with a four-hour, or a six-hour shift a couple of times per week. Others know they will need more care and schedule 12-24 hour days. We do our best to accommodate the needs of our clients. We work with many clients coming home from the hospital, or skilled nursing facility who require 24 hour live in care as they work to regain their strength. Another important aspect of scheduling is establishing consistency and dependability for

A: Employees and clients say they appreciate working with us because they can see and feel that we care. They have access to the president of the company when needed and can see just how important they are to us. I, Segal, directly oversee everything from client acquisition, employee hiring, scheduling and office administration. But the real magic behind what we do is the talented, experienced and warm team of caregivers we have the pleasure of working alongside. Our team is filled with special people and it’s apparent they genuinely love what they do and have “a calling” for this work. They are service-minded, kind, loving people, who truly enjoy caring for seniors as though they are family.

They love to share their client stories with us and love the time they spend with our seniors, learning about their lives.

Q: What types of services does home care typically cover?

A: We offer a wide range of nonmedical home care services and customize a unique and personalized

care plan for every client. These services include services such as bathing, dressing, bathroom assistance and other personal hygiene needs.

We prepare meals, provide transportation for outings, Dr. appointments, and grocery shopping, as well as help with light housekeeping duties.

We assist with mobility and fall prevention, helping seniors with all the activities of normal daily living they might need a hand with. Companionship and social engagement is another key aspect of what we do. Some of our seniors feel isolated and lonely or may not have family close by, so a caregiver becomes a friend to talk to and their bond is lasting. Additionally seniors with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or Dementia can benefit greatly from a caregiver who is experienced in cognitive impairments and understands the challenges they face. They are trained on the techniques used to manage behavior, keeping them safe and well supervised.

Q: What makes Your Home Care stand out above others?

A: It’s our love for the people we get to serve. We absolutely enjoy that we get to make lives better and help preserve dignity for seniors who are not able to have the autonomy over the lives and bodies the same way they used to. We truly cherish being able to support the family members who can’t always be there and want to know their loved ones are safe, cared for and enjoying life while they are not together. It comes back to our mission…to provide kind, compassionate home care services that enrich families’ lives.

We would love to speak with you. If you are considering home care for yourself or for your loved one, please call Randi Kenny directly at

(949)424-9322

and let us show you just how much we care.

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YEAR-END TAX PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES & STRATEGIES

By Peter D. Prescott CPA, Masters in Taxation

INDIVIDUALS: 1. Consider a Roth-IRA conversion to take advantage of low taxable income or historically low tax rates.

2. Consider non-taxable gifts ($18,000 per person in 2024).

3. For individuals aged 70.5 years or older, make your charitable gifts out of your pre-tax IRA accounts to reduce taxation on IRA distributions (called a Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD). This is especially important if you are claiming the Standard Deduction and not benefiting from itemizing charitable deductions on your tax return. A reduction of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) can potentially lower the taxation on your social security benefits and reduce the cost of your Medicare premiums.

4. Surviving Spouses whose spouse passed away within the last five (5) years should review if a Form 706, Estate Tax Return, should be filed to claim the deceased spouses’ unused estate tax exemption (DSUE). The return must file a Portability Election to carry over the unused exemption.

5. This is extremely important since the current high estate tax exemption of $13,610,000 in 2024 is currently scheduled to be reduced back to $5 million plus inflation adjustment on January 2026.

Schedule a meeting with us to review estate planning concepts to potentially take advantage of the historically high estate exemption. This is extremely important since the current estate tax exemption of $13,610,000 in 2024 is scheduled to be reduced to $5,000,000 plus inflation adjustment (approximately $7,000,000) on January 1, 2026.

6. For Worthless or Abandoned Partnership Interests, taxpayers need to take affirmative steps to terminate their ownership interest so they can claim a taxable capital loss on their tax returns.

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7. Based upon the draft bills for a new CA payroll tax if you don’t have adequate long-term care coverage, wage earners would have a new payroll tax.

Call us to review if purchasing a policy now for LTC makes sense for you and your family (which might prevent the imposition of the tax on your wages).

Great action item if you were considering LTC coverage in the future.

BUSINESSES: 1. For Sole Proprietors, consider forming an S Corporation for legal liability protection and to minimize the Social Security and Medicare taxes paid. This is especially important now that the Social Security Wage Base has been increased to $176,100 for Tax Year 2025 (up from $168,600 for 2024) and the State Disability Insurance (SDI Rate) is now 1.1% and is charged on 100% of your gross wages (previously 0.9% and capped at $153,164 in 2023).

2. For S Corporations, LLCs, and Partnerships, take advantage of the new Pass-Through Elective Tax (PTE) payments which allow the business to pay the California personal income tax on

the income generated by the S Corp/ LLC/Partnership. By having the business pay your personal income tax for the shareholder, the shareholder receives tax savings of at your marginal tax bracket times the amount of tax paid. This can be as high as 37% savings on the amount of CA tax paid on behalf of the shareholder.

3. Review your retirement plan to determine which plan is the best option based upon your tax bracket, how much you want to contribute and how much you have to contribute for others. The most relevant plans for your consideration are 401(k), Defined Benefit and Simple-IRA plans. Based upon recent contribution limits which have increased due to inflation adjustments, a Single 401(k)/Profit Sharing participant who is age 50 can contribute as much as $76,500 for Tax Year 2024.

GO ONLINE OR CALL NOW AT (949) 248-9815, Ext. 1 TO SCHEDULE YOUR TAX APPOINTMENT OR FINANCIAL REVIEW

Prescott Tax & Wealth Management grant@prescott500.com • www.Prescott500.com Securities and advisory services offered through Independent Financial Group, LLC (IFG), a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. PTWM and IFG are unaffiliated entities.

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By Jody Robinson

When I was younger, my Mom loved to read me the book “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.” The plot essentially revolves around an ever-growing list of to-do’s that had to be accomplished, all set into motion by the simple act of giving a mouse a cookie. This tale came back to me recently when I purchased a new television at Best Buy.

W

hat was a simple shopping trip ended up being an adult’s version of that circular tale. If you give a grownup a television, they’ll have to measure their wall. When they measure the wall, they’ll realize they may actually have room for a bigger television. When they buy the bigger television, they’ll find out they have no idea how to mount it to the wall. When they start mounting it to the wall, they’ll see that the power outlets are all in the wrong 14

places. When they realize the outlets need to be moved, they’ll call an electrician. (This could go on forever.)

Luckily for clients who have been on the receiving end of ReelTime’s patient, intelligent, and personalized service, the rabbit hole of home automation doesn’t have to swallow you entirely. With the help of their independent certified Control4 dealer, it’s easy to update your home without upending your entire life.

After all, the true luxury of an integrated entertainment system is really dependent on its ability to deliver seamless entertainment. By placing every control at your fingertips, the team at ReelTime helps homeowners manage everything from how brightly lit your family room is, to your streaming devices - all with a single remote. And best yet? You can control your whole home from the comfort of your couch- even seeing who is at the front door, without ever

leaving your seat. Simple, clean, and uncluttered.

And on the home entertainment front … when you started planning for your ultimate home theater set-up and sound system, could you find the right media cabinetry for your particular space – cabinetry that wouldn’t catch on fire from the heat of the equipment, or that would simply

We’re here to make sure you get the equipment that will give you what you want and the system that will work with that equipment, without leaving you to fend for yourself.” look good in the room? Did you understand half of what the televisions, receivers and other devices could do, and did you have anyone to hold your hand to make sure you weren’t overspending for what you wanted?

Big box retailers, the professed champions of value, are happy to sell you any home theater and sound equipment you think you might like, and send you off to figure it out at home. That’s what they do. And that’s all they do.

If you want the home theater system that you envision, seek the services of Skip Myers and his team of experienced professionals at ReelTime to take you from start to finish for the home theater or sound system of your dreams.

“Usually there is a part of the job that you find you just can’t do by yourself,” says Skip, who has overseen the design and installation of thousands of home theater and sound systems over the course of 40-plus years in the business. “You get your brand new television home, you’re so excited, then you realize you need to move an outlet or none of the cabinets you can find will fit your space.

Skip opened the doors at ReelTime in 1983. Today, the technicians and designers that Skip assigns to clients are all ReelTime employees, knowledgeable in all home theater and sound technologies. First, they work closely with you to determine what you’re looking for. Then they custom design every aspect of the project, from wiring to custom-built cabinets, frames, or built-in wall designs. Finally, licensed, in-house contractors install your entertainment system with care and precision.

Skip is also an advocate for getting what you’ll use, which is part of the design and planning process.

There are a couple of things that people may not think about when they embark upon the road to their own home entertainment system.

“You can buy everything you want to, but if you can’t operate it, what’s the point?” he says. “There’s the television, DVD and Blue-ray; there’s the receiver, there’s Apple TV… it’s all great, but how do you get them to work together? We’re big advocates of the universal remote. Not everyone knows how to get the most out of their systems with one powerful remote – they’re not expensive, but the best ones are computer-based. We’ll set that up for you so you’re getting the most out of your custom system.”

“You need to think about your home theater goals,” says Skip. “You don’t have to do everything at once – you can do it bit by bit – but if you know where you’re going, you’ll save money and when it’s all said and done, you’ll have exactly what you want and what you will actually use. We’re here to help you determine your goals.”

It’s easy to assume that personal service is expensive, but a conversation with Skip and the experts at ReelTime is free. Ultimately, in planning your purchases for the right outcome, you’re likely to save money while avoiding chilling setbacks. The only chilling you want to be doing is in front of your fantasy home theater system.

Connect with Skip Myers and ReelTime by calling (949) 240-0555, stop by their beautiful new showroom at 26381 Via De Anza in San Juan Capistrano or visit www.reeltimeav.com 15

Jay Minor, Certified Senior Advisor® and Dementia Care Certified®

By Jody Robinson

I

was doing a bit of research on word origins recently in helping my son with a high school assignment. I discovered the root “hospes,” which comes from “hostis.” But what was interesting was that the etymology actually branches off into “host,” “guest,” or “stranger.” And gives us the word hospitality.

As defined, hospitality is “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.” In giving my son examples of real-life application, I thought of Jay Minor. As the owner of Assisted Living Locators, Jay lives the term hospitality as a daily discipline and practice. Those he serves would likely describe it as life-changing.

In March of this year, Jay purchased and opened Assisted Living Locations, a no-cost (to the client) senior living placement service whereby Jay and his team help those in need navigate the confusing landscape of assisted living and memory care.

"We take a very personal approach to helping our clients, from personally accompanying them on every community they tour to providing trusted resources to aid them in every step of their journey," he says. "We have a long list of specialists that we rec-

“I want to be your partner to help you find the care that your loved ones deserve.”

16

ommend for senior real estate transactions, reverse mortgages, moving, downsizing, insurance, healthcare options, insurance needs, hospice care and more."

Doing the hard work of researching, scheduling, and making phone calls is just the tip of the iceberg - the real job is to ensure that their clients find the right place for their loved ones to receive the care they need. Like the textbook definition of hospitality, Jay's goal is to be a helpful advocate and guide clients through the entire process at no cost to the client.

A Certified Senior Advisor® and Dementia Care Certified®, Jay was formerly a pastor for nearly 25 years and "always loved helping people navigate through life's transitions."

"When I was searching for a new career after transitioning out of the ministry, I remembered watching my parents and my in-laws all go through every stage of senior living, even up through memory care and hospice.

It was an incredibly difficult journey and I often wished I had someone to guide me and answer questions," says the father of four grown children.

"When the opportunity to open a senior living placement agency presented itself, it was a very easy decision. I wanted to give myself to serving my clients who might be going through a difficult time, and perhaps, give them the support that I wish I had been given when I was on my own journey."

Jay is also a member of the Foundation of Senior Services, a non-profit

organization whose mission is to provide seniors and their families with education, options and resources so they can choose quality care and support that will help preserve their independence for as long as possible.

"I understand how difficult and challenging searching for assisted living can be," says Jay, who lives in Ladera Ranch with his wife Traci. "I want to be your partner to help you find the care that your loved ones deserve."

An act of kindness next on my list of word origins to look up.

Jay Minor Assisted Living Locators South Orange County (949) 444-9055 E-mail: jay@assistedlivinglocators.com

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Giving Thanks for our Members & Volunteers

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California Gun Services Safe Gun Storage, Ownership and Disposal After my grandfather passed away, I moved in with my grandma, doing chores around the house and helping to maintain the garden.

O

ne day, I was looking for my grandfather’s whetstone, to sharpen an old pair of shears, and I stumbled across his Colt Python 357 Magnum.

I thought it might be a relic from one of the movies he worked on in the 50’s, but according to my grandma, it was just “one of those things your grandpa just insisted on having.”

Jeff McCabe has gotten more of his fair share of calls from people like myself, who accidentally come across family firearms in their home and don’t have the first idea of what to do with them. The owner of California Gun Services (CGS), Jeff is in the business of safe gun storage, ownership and disposal. The first step? Following California gun laws.

I had zero clue that by driving the Colt to the Army Navy to try and turn it in, I’d be breaking a couple laws. According to Jeff there are laws restricting gifting or selling a gun, receiving a gun, borrowing a gun, transporting a gun, even storing guns. New laws come out every year, and it is almost impossible for anyone, even aficionados to keep up with them. Jeff and his team work closely with local law enforcement to ensure the process is easy and safe.

My grandma was afraid the grandkids might find it and would “just feel safer without it.” A sentiment shared

by Jeff’s friends, family and fellow church parishioners many of whom have sought his assistance over the years to ensure the proper storage or disposal of firearms they found themselves in possession of upon the passing of a loved one.

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A BUSINESS IS BORN

What initially started as a favor for a friend has grown into a bonafide side business as word has spread about Jeff’s particular skill set and confidence in handling firearms. As the owner of the Orange-based One Way Painting, Jeff often encountered situations whereby he would come across a firearm when moving furniture around for a client prior to starting a painting project.

“Many times, the firearm belonged to my client’s father, grandfather or late husband and she never touched it because she was afraid of guns, but didn’t know how to get rid of it safely,” he says. “So many times these guns are loaded and just stuck in a nightstand or stored under the bed.”

Over the years, Jeff has encountered a variety of different circumstances where individuals seek his assistance in disposing of unwanted firearms. All situations call for professionalism and expertise, but some also require a more delicate approach. One such case was a recent call by a family whose patriarch was once a responsible gun owner, but was now suffering the early signs of dementia.

“His family wanted the firearms removed for safety reasons, but the gentleman lawfully owns the guns so it’s important to have a heightened sensitivity so as not to create upset,” says Jeff.

In addition to lay people looking for help, Jeff and his team also assist estate and probate attorneys representing

clients who are surviving family members in possession of unwanted firearms to navigate the process of safe gun disposal.

Raised in a family that had firearms for hunting and sporting, Jeff was taught early on how to handle, be respectful and always be safe when handling firearms. Jeff adds that “ … we as Americans have a great privilege to be able to own a firearm, but with that comes an even greater responsibility to not only protect ourselves legally by complying with Federal and State laws, but to protect ourselves, our neighbors and most importantly, our children from all possible dangers associated with firearms.”

San Clemente resident Rhonda Murphy couldn’t agree more. “There are many things to deal with when a loved one dies. In 2010, when cleaning out my husband’s closet, I came across several of his guns. I didn’t want to keep them and was unsure of what to do with them. My daughters didn’t want the guns and I didn’t want to deal with the hassle of storing them as my grandkids are often at my house. A friend suggested I call Jeff. He was very nice, easy to talk with, trustworthy and knowledgeable. He came to my house, checked all the guns to make sure they were unloaded and removed them. Jeff also told me that one of the guns was a collector’s item and was able to sell it for me. One less thing to have to worry about. I can’t recommend Jeff enough.”

As part of their auditing procedures, California Gun Services gives clients the option of a Voluntary Registration Form (in the case where the weapon was inherited). Many of Jeff’s clients are like my grandma who just prefers that the gun is destroyed. Jeff holds a Federal Firearm License and as such, is able to take possession of firearms without a Gun Transfer. He can also inspect firearms to ensure they are still in working order, and even tell you if the gun, or guns, you have is California Compliant.

“Most people are unaware that firearms that were purchased legally from a gun shop just a year ago may now be illegal in California,” says Jeff. “If we find a firearm that is out of compliance with the law, you’ll receive solid advice on how to make it compliant, sell it out of state, or potentially dispose of it. Our process is approved and certified by local law enforcement, it’s legal, safe and adheres to all state and federal firearms laws.

“Since firearms last more than a lifetime, families often have small and large collections of guns in their home.

Knowing what you have and what to do with those firearms is important. Whether it’s from a death in the family, inheritance, or just a need for clearing out some that you know you will never use, we can help. Following California gun laws is essential. We come to you. It’s a safe, easy and professional process.”

California Gun Services (714) 639-9608 www.CaliforniaGunServices.com

California Gun Services’ processes are approved and certified by local law enforcement and adheres to all state and federal firearms laws for the following services:

GUN AUDIT Jeff will come to you and inspect your firearms to make sure they are in proper working order and that they are California Compliant. If your firearm is not compliant with the California Law, you will receive solid advice on how to make it compliant or possibly dispose or sell it out of state.

GUN DISPOSAL If a firearm is found to be unsafe to use, cannot be repaired and has no historical value. California Gun Services will permanently destroy it by torching the receiver or frame into three parts or cutting it with a saw into five parts. Jeff will document this with photos and log it for the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and email you the proof of destruction.

GUN TRANSFERS Private Party Transfers happen between two individuals and will need to take place at a Federal Firearm Licensed Dealer. Since this needs to be done at a Gun Shop, Jeff cannot offer this as an in-home service. If you have inherited or legally obtain a firearm, he can provide you with a Voluntary Registration form or you can download it from the California Department of Justice which is NOT required to do at a gun shop.

California Gun Services has a Federal Firearm License and can legally come to you and take possession of a firearm without a Gun Transfer.

GUN PURCHASES OF UNWANTED FIREARMS OR COLLECTIONS California Gun Services will come to you and appraise a single gun or an entire collection of any size.

You will receive an explanation of how guns are legally sold and transferred. California Gun Services can then make you a fair market value offer and/or explain how a gun can be put up for sale on consignment.

AMMUNITION AUDIT California Gun Services will make sure you are using the right ammunition for the firearms that you have and that it is legal in the State of California. Jeff will inspect the ammunition to make sure that it has been stored correctly, is in good condition and will ensure that the ammunition is being stored properly, using the right type of container and stored in the right location in your home.

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Kristy Fleming, MD, Double Board-Certified in Dermatology and Micrographic Dermatologic Surgery

FLEMING DERMATOLOGY & AESTHETIC CENTER 23141 Moulton Parkway, Suite 110, Laguna Hills | (949) 916-5956

How Can I Tell If I Have Skin Cancer?

There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Because each has many different appearances, it is important to know the early warning signs.

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ook especially for change of any kind. Do not ignore a suspicious spot simply because it does not hurt. Skin cancers may be painless, but dangerous all the same. If you notice one or more of the warning signs, see a board-certified dermatologist right away, preferably one who specializes in diseases of the skin.

WHAT PATIENTS NEED TO KNOW 1. Everyone needs to perform a self-skin exam once a month.

ACTINIC KERATOSIS

An actinic keratosis (AK) is a crusty, scaly growth caused by damage from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. An AK is considered a precancer because if left alone, it could develop into a skin cancer. AKs are the product of a lifetime accumulation of UV damage and typically appear on areas most commonly exposed sun, such as the backs of the hands, forearms, face, neck, and scalp.

BASAL CELL CARCINOMA

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most frequently occurring form of all cancers, with more than 4 million cases of diagnosed in the U.S. each year. BCCs may look like open sores, red patches, pink growths, shiny bumps, or scars. Any skin lesion that doesn’t heal, or bleeds with even gentle trauma, such as drying with a towel, is concerning for a BCC.

2. Melanoma can appear anywhere on the skin, including the palms/soles, under your nails, and places...for most, have never seen the light of day (genitalia). For this reason, it is important to look everywhere. Lock the bathroom door, get out a hand mirror, and check, it could save your life.

3. What to look for: ABCDEs, and an ugly duckling A - Asymmetry: If I draw a line down the middle, do the sides match?

B - Border: Is there a nice crisp border, or does the mole melt into the surrounding skin?

C - Color: Moles should be one color, one shade of brown. Is there a variety of shades or additional colors, such as black, red, white, or blue?

D - Diameter: Any mole larger than 6mm, ie the head of a pencil eraser, has a higher risk of becoming melanoma.

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells arising in the epidermis, the skin’s outermost layer. SCCs often look like scaly red patches, crusty bumps, warts, or elevated growths with a central depression. SCCs may appear suddenly and some forms are tender to touch. They can become disfiguring and sometimes deadly if allowed to grow. More than 1 million cases of SCC are diagnosed each year in the U.S., which translates to about 115 cases diagnosed every hour.

Incidence has increased by 200 percent in the past three decades in the U.S., and more than 15,000 Americans die each year from this type of skin cancer.

MELANOMA

Melanoma is a very dangerous form of skin cancer. Melanoma is caused mainly by intense, occasional UV exposure (frequently leading to sunburn), especially in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease. An estimated 178,560 cases of melanoma are diagnosed in the U.S. each year and is fatal for an estimated 9,320 of these patients. Fortunately, if melanoma is recognized and treated early, it is almost always curable.

E - Evolution: Has it changed?

F - The Ugly Duckling Sign: Most people have a “signature mole,” their own personal mole appearance and architecture. Is there a mole that seems different from all the others?

4. Everyone needs a full body skin exam by a board-certified dermatologist once a year, more frequently if you have a family history of skin cancer, a personal history of skin cancer, or live in an area with substantial sunshine.

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Commercial & Residential New Builds Remodels Maintenance Pool Repairs

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Issue: March 2020 Date: 2/9/20

Four Color, Gloss Paper

Time: 6:00pm

H U N T E R DTOH U GAL A U R YS BH L IO N DPS P I NICN GH OLRO IZO NS K AYLTA O U CFE N OTR CNA L F!A B R I T E C H

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• Cellular Shades • Roman Shades • Roller Shades • Motorization • Now offering Lutron

up to

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Please approve ad or provide changes/corrections within 48 hours ofStubborn receipt. Sliding Door?

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Whether your job requires a rebuild or replacement parts,

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IT'S TIME! Upgrade Your Home Today!

ReelTime Connecting Your Lifestyle and Technology

Audio/Video HiFi WiFi/Networking Solutions Automation Media Rooms Theater Rooms Custom Cabinetry Lighting Shades Outdoor Living Surveillance

Call Us at 949.240.0555 to schedule your FREE Connected Home Consultation!

Home Automation

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Outdoor Living

26381 Via De Anza San Juan Capistrano reeltimeav.com Open 10AM to 6PM • Closed Sunday

SMART Technology

What’s the best way to fix a broken pumpkin?

Use a pumpkin patch.

5,000+ SQ. FT. TILE STORE

FEATURING 75+ VENDORS & REMNANT YARD

Morena Tile & Stone Your Local Resource for Tile and Stone in South OC

tileandmarble.com

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• CUSTOM SHUTTERS • CELLULAR SHADES • WOVEN WOODS

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South Coast Shutter and Shades

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perating 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.”

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.

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.

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.”

“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."

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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 (949) 388-8344 SouthCoastShutterAndShades.com

LAGUNA KOI PONDS

TIME FOR YOUR DEEP CLEANING BEFORE WINTER SETS IN...

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(949) 494-5107

www.lagunakoi.com

CASH FOR GOLD & JEWELRY LOANS WE BUY

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DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

MONTHLY EVENTS NOVE H Y P E R LO CA L , TA R G E T E D R E A D E R S H I P SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNE

Gluzman Plays Brahms

3

Jazzy Ash

Samueli Theater • 600 Town Center CM • 3:30 pm

10

Philharmonica Baroque

SOKA Performing Arts Center • 1 University Dr. AV • 3 pm

17

Segerstrom Hall • 600 Town Center CM • 7pm

24

Shrek the Musical

Segerstrom Hall • 600 Town Center CM • 6:30 pm

4 11 18

25

Happy Hour

Casanova Ristorante 33585 Del Obispo DP • 3:30 pm - 6 pm

Booze and Bites Happy Hour

26860 Old Mission Road SJC

Bayside 900 Bayside Drive NB • 6 pm - 10 pm

Happy Hour

Brio Tuscany Grill 24050 Camino Del DP

5 12 19

Segerstrom Hall 600 Town Center CM • 8 pm

Empanada Tuesdays

Villa Roma Argentine 25454 La Paz Road Laguna Hills

6

Fau

Samueli Theater • CM •

Taco Taco Tuesday Tuesday 32082 Camino 32082 Camino Capistrano Capistrano SJC SJC

13

The Coach House Capistrano

Chela’s Mexican Kitchen 1011 Avenida Pico SC

20

Villa 25

26

27

The Coach House • 33157 Camino Capistrano SJC • 8 pm

WinterFestOC.co

ESDAY Segerstrom Hall 600 Town Center CM • 8 pm

ure Quartett

• 600 Town Center • 7pm

John Haitt

e • 33157 Camino SJC • 8 pm

Roma Argentine 5454 La Paz Road Laguna Hills

om

THURSDAY An Evening with SHAWN COLVIN and KT TUNSTALL

7

SOKA Performing Arts Center 1 University Dr. AV • 8 pm

Laguna Playhouse • 600 Laguna Canyon Road LB • 7:30 pm

14

Matthew Aucoin

Samueli Theater • 600 Town Center CM • 7pm

21

Jeremy Piven

The Coach House • 33157 Camino Capistrano SJC • 8 pm

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1

DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

EMBER 2024 FRIDAY

Segerstrom Hall • 600 Town Center CM • 7:30 pm

8

Common Sense

The Coach House • 33157 Camino Capistrano SJC • 8 pm

2

SATURDAY Bernadette Peters

Segerstrom Hall • 600 Town Center CM • 8 pm

9

Aretha st.

Sheléa

Segerstrom Hall • 600 Town Center CM • 8pm

15

16

The Coach House • 33157 Camino Capistrano SJC • 8 pm

The Coach House • 33157 Camino Capistrano SJC • 8 pm

22

Space Oddity

The Coach House • 33157 Camino Capistrano SJC • 8 pm

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The Platters The Coach House • 33157 Camino Capistrano SJC • 8 pm

23

The Coach House • 33157 Camino Capistrano SJC • 8 pm

30

Lee Rocker The Coach House • 33157 Camino Capistrano SJC • 8 pm

OC'S PREMIER CONCERT VENUE TICKETS + RESERVATIONS:

(949) 496-8930 NOVEMBER 8TH 11/2 VENICE

11/3 WINEHOUSE EXPERIENCE

11/14 THE SWEET

11/22 SPACE ODDITY

12/8 SANDRA BERNHARD

12/11 DAVID BENOIT

NOVEMBER NOV 1 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS NOV 2 VENICE NOV 3 THE WINEHOUSE EXPERIENCE NOV 8 COMMON SENSE NOV 9 TYRONE WELLS NOV 13 JOHN HIATT NOV 14 THE SWEET NOV 15 RONSTADT REVIVAL NOV 16 JOSHUA RADIN AND RON POPE NOV 21 JEREMY PIVEN NOV 22 SPACE ODDITY - A TRIBUTE TO DAVID BOWIE NOV 23 RUFUS WAINWRIGHT NOV 24 CTRL + Z ft MARC BONILLA, THOMAS LANG, RIC FIERABRACCI, ALEX MACHACEK, & JONATHAN SINDELMAN NOV 26 LEONID & FRIENDS NOV 27 LEONID & FRIENDS NOV 29 THE PLATTERS NOV 30 LEE ROCKER

DECEMBER DEC 4 LIVINGSTON TAYLOR & LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III DEC 6 WHICH ONE’S PINK? A TRIBUTE TO PINK FLOYD DEC 7 WHICH ONE’S PINK? A TRIBUTE TO PINK FLOYD DEC 8 SANDRA BERNHARD DEC 11 DAVID BENOIT CHRISTMAS TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE BROWN DEC 12 KY-MANI MARLEY FALL 2024 TOUR DEC 13 ABBA HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS DEC 14 THE HIGHWAYMAN SHOW DEC 15 THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA DEC 18 SAMANTA FISH SHAKE ‘EM ON DOWN TOUR DEC 19 A VERY WHITNEY CHRISTMAS - A HOLIDAY TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON DEC 20 A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS DEC 21 AMBROSIA - HOLIDAY SHOW DEC 22 GARY HO HO HOEY DEC 27 BEATLES VS STONES DEC 28 DRAMARAMA DEC 29 L.A. GUNS DEC 31 THE ENGLISH BEAT

33157 Camino Capistrano | San Juan Capistrano  coachhouseconcerthall  @coach_house  www.TheCoachHouse.com

 (949) 496-8930 34

COMMON SENSE Common Sense has established itself as one of California’s premier reggae rock bands. Their influences from reggae, rock and ska, give them a new roots sound of their own. Nick Hernandez, Larry Young, Billy Sherman and Phil Gough have been brothers in music for years and are committed to performance and sound they love. The band’s multiple personalities work together to craft soulful, intelligent sound that tells stories of real life. With heartfelt lyrics and melodic harmonies Common Sense delivers a true music experience.

NOVEMBER 21ST

JEREMY PIVEN Jeremy Piven was most recently seen as a series regular in the CBS television series WISDOM OF THE CROWD. He was also recently seen as Harry Gordon Selfridge in the popular PBS series MR. SELFRIDGE. Among his many notable roles, Piven is best known as movie agent “Ari Gold” in the hit HBO series ENTOURAGE, which aired for eight seasons and won Piven three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.

NOVEMBER 24TH

CTRL+Z CTRL+Z is a dynamic supergroup of world-class musicians from the realms of rock, jazz, and progressive music. The band’s five members represent a widely known array of talent. CTRL+Z features an extensive library of original works from each artist. The band’s diversity is highlighted by each member’s unique signature. These artists also performed with such icons as Peter Gabriel, Keith Emerson, Asia, Chick Corea, UK, Billy Cobham, John Wetton, Toy Matinee, Montrose and Steve Hackett.

NOVEMBER 30TH

LEE ROCKER OF THE STRAY CATS Grammy-nominated musician and Bass Player Hall of Famer Lee Rocker made his mark singing, playing, standing on, spinning and rocking his giant upright bass as a founding member (along with Brian Setzer and Slim Jim Phantom), of the Grammy nominated music group The Stray Cats, who sold over 10 million albums, garnered 23 gold and platinum certified records, and were music video pioneers of the MTV. The Stray Cat’s worldwide mega hits “Stray Cat Strut”, “Sexy and Seventeen” and “Rock this Town” have become a part of the fabric of rock and roll. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has included “Rock this Town” as one of the 500 most important songs in rock.

 33157 Camino Capistrano | San Juan Capistrano  www.TheCoachHouse.com

 (949) 496-8930

Experience THE TASTE OF ITALY Scallops with Ricotta

Pizza

Classic Venetian Cuisine + North Italian Specialties using only the freshest of ingredients!

Accepting Reservations for the Holidays! + Catering for Any Size Event

33585 Del Obispo St. Dana Point (949) 496-0992 CasanovaRistorante.com  

Cannoli

NOVEMBER SPECIAL $20 ANY PIZZA 3:30 pm - 6 pm daily (mention this ad)

Grilled Lamb Chops

Extensive Wine LIST California and Italian Wines

Abbso A s s u u o o l l solluutteellyy F u Faabbu

By Jody Robinson

Y

Surf City’s Most Unique Gifts & Décor Boutique

ears ago, a friend had a birthday and her family threw her a surprise party. This is a woman I've always had the hardest time shopping for - she leans toward unique, one-of-a-kind items and decor and her tastes are always a little eclectic and a lot of fun. I called a mutual friend for some ideas and she told me something I haven’t forgotten to this day: there are two types of presents. One that means something to the receiver because it reflects what they love. The other means something to them because it reflects what you love. Eighteen years ago, Diane Silverstein walked into an impulse buy like no other. (i.e. not your regular gift purchase) She came home with the deed to a retail space that would become Absolutely Fabulous - a supremely unique gift and decor destination that has evolved into a Surf City staple that folks 36

from every corner of Orange County flock to for every milestone that calls for an extra special gift.

A recognized retail maven, Diane actually started her career as a registered nurse, practicing medicine for 34 years. A specialist in spinal cord injuries, she worked tirelessly to get her patients the care they needed. Now she is working to overcome some of her own personal health challenges, creating fun, happy spaces in the shop, and winning awards along the way.

Her eye for curating the most incredible selection of home accent offerings and unique gifts make it easy to find the perfect item without making a million stops or needlessly scouring the vast black hole of the internet.

To surprise others with such a selection, you have to have a specific passion for hunting down curious items others might have passed

chandising (did I mention that they have the best windows in the country – an honor repeatedly bestowed upon them by industry publications) and marketing. Diane was even flown to the United Kingdom by Gifts and Decorative Accessories Magazine (the leading magazine in the gift industry), put up in a hotel, and honored with the title of “VIP buyer.” “I guess they just like the selections I’ve made over the years,” Diane humbly responds when I ask why they chose her for this honor.

over, or never looked for in the first place.

The variety and uniqueness of products at Absolutely Fabulous is astounding: hand-made jewelry, Miche Bag purses (the ones where you just drop the “insides” of your purse into a new shell, rather than having to dump all of your stuff out!), $10 silk scarves, old-school shaving kits for men, a “Daddy’s Tool Bag” that includes diaper changing equipment, and instructional DVD, face mask and other funny items, rare paintings by successful artists, large crystal chandeliers, crystal perfume bottles, stuffed animal baby bottle covers, piggy banks for kids, “dorm survival kits” for new students, wedding party gifts, rare Disney art and collectibles, seasonal decor and gifts, Christmas decorations that range from very inexpensive bottle stoppers and tree decorations to 6-foot high collectible Santa dolls.

Absolutely really does cover the gamut of gifts for anyone: “from birth to death and everything in-between is our moniker” Diane proudly states.

I tend to agree.

Let’s see what other people have had to say about Absolutely Fabulous (we checked their reviews): “nicest ladies who took terrific care of me,” “Love this store. It’s amazing and wonderful to shop in.” The raves go on and on. Absolutely Fabulous is not only a local treasure, however, they have been awarded multiple national awards for her visual mer-

Diane’s love for the store is reflected back by the community: this is the place locals love to shop and folks from out of town make sure to stop. Since that birthday when I struggled to find something for hardto-shop-for friend, I’ve heard another saying: “it’s not the gift, it’s the giver.” Diane is a little bit of both.

Absolutely Fabulous 6026 Warner Avenue Huntington Beach (714) 842-1608 AbFabHB.com

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HAPPY HOUR

From 3:30 to 6:30 PM I 7 Days a week!

FOOD

JOE’S GARLIC BREAD

$4

MEATBALLS AL FORNO

$6

CHICKEN WINGS ITALIANO

$7

CHICKEN WINGS DIAVOLA

$7

MEATBALL SLIDERS

$7

Toasted Italian bread with our house blend of garlic and herbs butter

House made meatballs, mozzarella, parmiggiano, pomodoro, garlic bread Parmesan, garlic creamy sauce

Tabasco glazed, served with house ranch dressing

Handmade large meatball with melted mozzarella in Hawaiian sweet rolls

CHICKEN SLIDERS

$8

JUMBO SHRIMP COCKTAIL

$8

FAGIOLI VERDI FRITTI

$8

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN QUESADILLA

$9

Buy Two Footlongs, get one free.* Available after 7pm. *One per customer. One per day. Redeemable at participating restaurants. In-store only.

Extras and bottled beverages addt’l. Plus tax. No addt’l discounts/coupons. Excludes Fresh Melts®, Footlong PROTM, Wraps, Cali Subs, and The Monster. ®/© Subway IP LLC 2022.

Gluten-free breaded chicken breast filet, tomato, lettuce, aoili Jumbo blue wild Mexican prawn served with our house made cocktail sauce

Fried green beans with house made chipotle aioli Flat grilled sundried tomato tortilla filled with mozzarella cheese, chicken, tomato salsa

CARPACCI DI MANZO

$10

AHI TUNA CARPACCIO

$12

SUBWAY DOWNTOWN DANA POINT 34119 PCH, Suite I

SUBWAY MISSION VIEJO 24000 Alicia Parkway SUBWAY LAGUNA HILLS 25614 Alicia Pkwy.

SUBWAY DANA POINT 33489 Del Obispo St.

Thinly sliced filet mignon encrusted with cracked black peppercorn, topped with arugula, capers and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil

SUBWAY SAN CLEMENTE 638 Camino De Los Mares

Sashimi grade tuna over tri-color house made slaw, cucumbers, cut tomatoes, carrots, wasabi, soy ginger vinaigrette

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Hadestown Segerstrom Hall November 1 + 2, 2024

Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. Winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album, this acclaimed new show from celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today... and always.

HADESTOWN intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love.

Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers and singers, HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.

FEEL GOOD, DO GOOD WITH OUR BROADWAY DONATION DRIVE Want to help fight hunger in Orange County? You CAN! We are thrilled to partner with Grandma’s House of Hope for a canned food drive during the run of Hadestown – two years after our original Hadestown collaboration that began our Feel Good, Do Good campaign. Join us in making a difference in OC by bringing rice, boxed potatoes, shelf-stable meals, and other canned goods and dropping them off in the designated bins on the Plaza and Orchestra levels. Thank you in advance for your generosity!

For info, visit SCFTA.org 39

Elevated Seaside Dining at

Henry’s Coastal Cuisine

By Jody Robinson Planning an extra special evening out in celebration of a milestone?

Ready to wind down after a long day, relax on a sprawling patio with stunning ocean views as the sun sets over the horizon? Located in The Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, Henry’s Coastal Cuisine showcases an exceptional dining experience enhanced by an incredible sight line of the Southern California coast.

Executive Chef Lewis Butler takes special care in crafting a menu in which each elegant and creative culinary delight showcases regional flavors from local shores to ensure a seasonal and locally farm-to-table experience for each guest.

Sip from an extensive wine list full of curated French and Californian varietals, along with specialty craft cocktails. Our genial server Jay was polished and highly knowledgeable – sharing tidbits about the restaurant’s history and Chef’s inspirations as well as suggesting the perfect wine pairing to accompany our selected starters.

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of marinated yellowtail arrive with surprising accents of uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe), gooseberries, Fresno chili tempered with a soothing cucumber green juice.

Sous Chef Michael Wilson’s preparation of entrees are equally beautiful to behold. My “worth writing home about” Braised Short Rib was fork tender and delicious atop a carrot and carraway seed puree and sauteed spinach.

I am the unabashed seafood aficionado in our family, so a menu with so many fresh fish and shellfish options speaks to my culinary leanings. Inventive appetizers range from a Jumbo Lump Crab Salad (carrot fudge, brioche toast, electric blue spirulina aioli) and Lobster and Mushroom Cannelloni (Maine lobster, ricotta oyster mushrooms, sauteed spinach, truffle drizzle) to the grilled Spanish octopus puree (Yukon gold, crispy capers, asparagus and forest mushroom fricassee).

I have enjoyed many a Hamachi Crudo over the years, but Henry’s exquisitely plated version is among the most flavorful I’ve sampled. Slices

Because emphasis here is placed on seasonal, local, farm-to-table ingredients, the menu changes several times throughout the year. Herbs, spices and “picked at its peak” produce informs the elevated culinary offerings. In fact, at the time of this writing a new lineup of Chef Butler’s imaginative gastronomic delicacies are set to make their Fall debut. For my part, I can’t think of a better cause for celebration.

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The experienced wine connoisseur will find our wines to be balanced, complex, memorable and a true expression of the regions they come from. The newer wine enthusiasts will find our wines to be approachable, delicious, exciting, and as I always like to say… uncomplicated. sommstash.com

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American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker December 12 - 22, 2024

S The Nutcracker for Kids!

December 7, 2024

P

Segerstrom Hall

repare for a whirlwind of enchantment as Pacific Symphony and American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School at Segerstrom Center for the Arts unite to reimagine Tchaikovsky's cherished holiday spectacle. This exhilarating new production bursts to life with a freshness that will dazzle the senses and ignite the imaginations of all ages. Every turn is filled with breathtaking dance, vibrant costumes, and the beloved, timeless score that has become synonymous with the wonder of the season.

Mon: Closed Tues - Thurs: 11 am - 9 pm Sat + Sun: 9:30 am - 9 pm

2022 BEST TACO

Segerstrom Hall

oCal’s favorite holiday tradition returns with American Ballet Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. Created by one of today’s most celebrated choreographers, Alexei Ratmansky, this dazzling holiday treat features ABT’s roster of superstar dancers along with gorgeous sets and costumes by Tony winner Richard Hudson, and Pacific Symphony playing Tchaikovsky’s timeless score.

The Nutcracker is the tale of a young girl, Clara, who receives the gift of a nutcracker doll at her family’s Christmas party. In her dreams that night, the nutcracker doll comes to life as a handsome prince who joins her on a magical journey. Together, they travel to lands filled with dancing snowflakes, waltzing flowers, a mouse army and other exotic characters, all brought to vivid life on stage by a cast of over 100 performers!

For info, visit SCFTA.org

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inner of the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical, Back to the Future: The Musical is adapted for the stage by the iconic film’s creators Bob Gale (Back to the Future trilogy) and Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump) and directed by the Tony Award®-winner John Rando with original music by multi-Grammy® winners Alan Silvestri (Avengers: Endgame) and Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”), alongside hit songs from the movie including “The Power of Love,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Earth Angel,” and “Back in Time.”

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When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself... back to the future. When Back to the Future hits 88mph, it’ll change musical theatre history forever.

For info, visit SCFTA.org 45

Chef Carlos Gaytán

Paseo A Celebration of Mexico

By Jody Robinson

T

here is a lot of attention on the restaurant world as an industry prominently featured chefs and television reality shows, star ratings, and more. There is also a fair amount of attention on Disney, and when the two come together it can certainly create fireworks. Chef Carlos Gaytán and Patina Restaurant Group are the newest to pair up with the world-renowned resort system, ushering in a new wave of authentic Mexican with Paseo, landing in Anaheim at Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District.

Through an unfiltered expression of his native food and culture, Chef Carlos brings a true Mexican dining experience to the Downtown Disney District — taking guests on a multisensory journey to the heart of his home country. From fresh shrimp ceviche to savory cochinita pibil, each dish is thoughtfully and artfully crafted.

Contemporary rich woods, custom leathers, lavish greenery, and native accents celebrate Mexico’s warm climate and culture.

The first Mexican-born chef to earn a coveted Michelin star, Gaytán has been praised publicly for his rise to the top of the culinary world from his origins in Chicago. He now seamlessly integrates his Mexican heritage with a passion for French cuisine, “getting the chance to combine my love for my home country, my family, and hoping those visiting Downtown Disney will make their own memories here.”

My kids will tell you that my favorite meals are those that are cobbled together by appetizers so that I can create my own culinary adventure by sampling several different dishes in one sitting. My husband will say I achieve the same objective by tasting everyone else’s entrees as an enhancement to my own. Either way, I had my work cut out for me on a recent trip to Paseo, where its robust menu is characterized by deliciously reimagined dishes inspired by Chef’s favorite early childhood cuisine.

Anchored by a contemporary yet show-stopping dining room, Gaytán looks to offer a dining experience which highlights lesser-known Mexican delicacies because as he shares “there is a Mexico that very few in other parts of the world. It’s my purpose to share it through my food.”

Small plates and the cold bar provided the perfect opportunity for the former from land and sea: the Chicken Tetela (a tasty triangular shaped dough made from corn paired with chicken barbacoa, creamy coleslaw, avocado mousse, queso chinco and radishes); New York steak tartar with

46

chipotle honey aioli; and a super fresh and delicious Yucatan Ceviche which combines Hamachi, baby cucumbers, fried plantains, mango habanero gelee and achiote aguachile.

Popular entrees include the Lamb Barbacoa marinated in orange and avocado leaf, Mama’s Conchinita Pibil (a tender guerrero-style pork shank) and the Mextalapique Trout which arrives wrapped in corn husk and enhanced with a roasted pepper and almond pesto. My advice? Every dish should be accompanied by Chef’s fragrant fresh, handmade corn tortillas. Inventive sides include brussels sprouts prepared with chorizo and lemon juice and Esquites - local fresh corn, epazote garlic aioli, chili powder and lime juice.

Blending cultural legacy with the present day, it’s easy to see why Paseo is poised to top the list of first-choice eateries for any occasion: a family dinner out, date night or a get-together with favorite friends.

1580 Disneyland Drive, Suite 106 Anaheim (714) 204-3354 PaseoAnaheim.com

WINE. UNCOMPLICATED.

INTRODUCING EXCEPTIONAL WINES TO PEOPLE IS AT THE HEART OF WHO I AM AS A SOMMELIER. WITH THE SOMM’S STASH, I CREATED WINES THAT ARE MEANT TO BE POURED & SHARED. I HOPE YOU ENJOY.

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Young Kim is Fighting for You! C ongresswoman Young Kim is proud to represent California’s 40th District, which includes parts of Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, in the U.S. House of Representatives.

An immigrant, small business owner, community leader, former California Assemblywoman, mother, and grandmother, Young is proud to be one of the first Korean American women ever to serve in Congress and is fighting to help all Americans have the chance to achieve their dream just like she did.

In the House of Representatives, Young serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee – where she serves as Chairwoman of the Indo-Pacific 48

Subcommittee and as a member of the Africa Subcommittee – and on the House Financial Services Committee – where she serves as Vice Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions and as a member of the Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy Subcommittee. Young also serves as co-chair of the Women in STEM Caucus, the Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus, and the Maternity Care Caucus.

In her first term, Young had nearly 30 bills pass out of the House of Representatives and more than a dozen signed into law. Her record was ranked among the most effective of members of Congress according to

the Center for Effective Lawmaking, the Common Ground Committee, the Lugar Center and McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University, and data by Quorum Analytics.

She also received the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Legislative Action Award.

Young and her husband Charles live in Anaheim Hills in CA-40 and are the proud parents of Christine, Kelly, Alvin and Hannah and grandparents of Mia and Caleb.

A FEW POLICY HIGHLIGHTS SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES

As a small business owner, Rep. Kim understands the challenges facing entrepreneurs working to start their business, open their doors, keep staff on payroll, and make their American dream a reality. On the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Kim is working to help entrepreneurs of all backgrounds know what resources are available to them and to ensure regulations make life easier for Americans, not harder. She has led several bills to help entrepreneurs access capital, such as the PPP Protection Act to allow small business owners more time to access a loan from funds already allocated to the Paycheck Protection Program during the pandemic. She also is leading the Reviewing Expansion of Government (REG) Act to review the SEC’s regulations to ensure they are working as intended and not hurting small businesses, and the Small Dollar Loan Certainty Act to provide clear principles for financial institutions providing small-dollar loans and ensure working Americans can access the capital they need.

and Social Security benefits seniors have paid into their whole lives. Rep. Kim helped introduce the Medicare Economic Security Solutions Act, a bipartisan bill to cap late fees on Medicare enrollment. Americans shouldn’t be punished for delaying enrollment in Medicare, but under current law, seniors who defer enrollment can find themselves with a higher bill.

HELPING FAMILIES PREPARE FOR RETIREMENT

With two-thirds of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, and living costs hiking up, saving at all – let alone for retirement – is getting more difficult. We also know inflation hurts those on fixed income the most. Rep. Kim is working on the Financial Services Committee and as co-chair of the bipartisan Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus to create opportunities for Americans to grow wealth, invest, save for retirement, and avoid debt, fraud, and other financial concerns.

COMBATTING MAIL AND RETAIL THEFT

Arrests for robbing letter carriers are up 73 percent year after year, and in May, at least 7 Southern California convenience stores, including in Orange and Anaheim, were robbed in one day. Between 2019 and 2022, letter carrier robberies increased sixfold, and high-volume mailbox theft increased 87 percent. Rep. Kim introduced a bipartisan bill to combat the nationwide increase in mail theft.

She has also introduced a bipartisan bill to help combat rising organized retail crime. She will always support our law enforcement who work around the clock to keep us safe.

If you need help with a federal agency, reach out to Rep. Kim’s office at (714) 984-2440 or visit her office website at youngkim.house.gov. For official updates, follow Rep. Kim on social media on Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube at @RepYoungKim.

CUTTING TAXES

Californians face skyrocketing living costs and the highest gas prices in the nation. The last thing families need is more taxes. Rep. Kim is working to make life more affordable and lower taxes for hardworking Californians. She is co-chair of the SALT Caucus and leading the SALT Deductibility Act to repeal the cap on State and Local Tax (SALT) deductions. She supported the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, a bipartisan bill that passed the House to to expand the child tax credit, provide more tax relief for losses from natural disasters and wildfires, strengthen the low-income housing tax credit, invest in research and development, and create U.S. jobs. She has also urged Governor Newsom to suspend the state gas tax every year since she’s been in Congress.

LOWERING MEDICARE COSTS

As someone approaching eligibility age herself, Rep. Kim is committed to protecting access to Medicare 49

Ask a SOMM

By Jody Robinson

A good sommelier is a helper, a guide to finding the best wine for your food and experience. For this month’s installment, we again approached South County-based sommelier Micah Sampson to address a few frequently asked questions.

Q Should I pay attention to

wine ratings? What do they mean?

A At the end of the day all wine rat-

ings really are are opinions and scores from people who drink and know a lot about wine.

So if you need some help picking out a wine from a region you know nothing about, then sure, take a look at an online magazine and see what some of the ratings say. Generally, 88-90 points and higher mean the wine is going to be good. But once you get to the high 90’s you’re likely going to be paying a lot more for them, mainly because they have the high rating.

But I can let you in on a little secret, many amazing producers out there don’t even get their wines rated! The best way to find these is to look for wines with high ratings, remember the areas they come from, and then look for other producers in the same areas. You can often find killer wines for a fraction of the price when doing it this way. Another secret… this is exactly the way Somm’s Stash wines are made

��

Sommelier Micah Sampson

Q How long do wines stay

good after opening?

A This is an easy one, but still important. In general, wines will still be good for a day or two after you open them, but will start to degrade a bit from the moment you open them.

Usually by day three you’ll notice the wines aren’t as good as they were when first opened, and by days four and beyond the wines just don’t taste right.

A little hint to get an extra day or two out of opened red wine is to seal the bottle with a cork or rubber stopper and store the half empty bottle in the fridge! The low temp in the fridge helps slow the degradation process.

Just let the wine slowly warm up in a glass when you want one, cupping your hands around the glass will speed this up a bit.

Q What are sulfites and are

they bad?

A We’ve all heard it… “Do you have any wines without sulfites? They give me headaches.” This is when the som-

melier mentally puts his or her palm to their face.

In the recent social-media-driven years, the word “sulfites” has become the new bad word in wine. But why?

When did we become so focused on this one component in wine, treating it like a poison? It’s mentioned with an almost villainous undertone now, like some evil wizard is adding it to wine when no one is looking.

In reality, sulfites have been a known part of wine making for a thousand years. They are harmless to almost everyone and occur naturally in all wines.

Yes… I said naturally in all wines.

Sulfites occur as part of the fermentation process, a natural byproduct of yeast metabolism during the conversion of sugar to alcohol. They are completely harmless to over 99% of all people.

In fact, the human body produces sulfites, a whole bunch of it, there’s already about 10 times more sulfites in you on a daily basis than a bottle of wine.

The thought of sulfites being a synthetic chemical added to wine is just a misguided fear. Winemakers might add additional small quantities near the end of fermentation to halt the process, but that’s the natural way to do it, like turning on the lights at the end of a dance party.

It’s also added during bottling as an antioxidant to help prevent spoilage.

But, they only use what is needed to complete those stages, usually using amounts far within acceptable boundaries.

Sulfites do two things really well: they bond with oxygen molecules, keeping the wine from oxidizing into vinegar, and they push bacteria out of the wine to keep it from spoiling. Sulfites are like bouncers at the door of a bar, keeping the bad people out without ruining the party.

Micah is happy to connect personally His cell is (562) 241-1699 or Micah@SampsonFamilyWines.com SommStash.com 50

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62ND ANNUAL Voted, “10 Best Christmas Lights Destination in the U.S.,” by AOL. Benefiting the nationally recognized Youth Music Education Programs of the Philharmonic Society of Orange County

December 18-23, 2024 Cruise times 5:30 pm | 6:30 pm | 7:30 pm “Worth The Drive,” according to AAA Southern California.

Voted, “Top 10,”

By Coastal Living Magazine.

The Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee Cruise of Lights® offers 50-minute narrated boat tours through the waterways of Huntington Harbour in Huntington Beach, California. In December both locals and visitors share the beauty of thousands of lights and animated displays on brightly decorated homes, docks, decks and boats.

Tickets now available. CruiseofLights.org

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n the words of Clive Davis of the New York Post, “The Peking Acrobats [are] pushing the envelope of human possibility,” combining agility and grace in remarkable feats of “pure artistry.” The Peking Acrobats have redefined audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs and display their technical prowess at such arts as trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. For info, visit SCFTA.org

January 21 - February 2, 2025

Insurance 101 Services

Segerstrom Hall

new musical about growing up and growing old (in no particular order), KIMBERLY AKIMBO is the winner of 5 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL.

Kimberly is about to turn 16 and recently moved with her family to a new town in suburban New Jersey. In this “howlingly funny heartbreaker of a show” (The New Yorker), Kim is forced to navigate family dysfunction, a rare genetic condition, her first crush … and possible felony charges. Ever the optimist, she is determined to find happiness against all odds and embark on a great adventure.

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AEP- It’s About Saving you Money

C

alling all existing Medicare beneficiaries, are you looking to save some money on either your monthly premiums, your co-pays, or your prescription drug co-pays? Then the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is the time for you to make a change to your current plan. All changes made during this time (10/15 – 12/7) go into effect 1/1/25.

The biggest way to save money is to see if a Medicare Advantage plan would work for you. If it does meet your needs, then you cancel your Medicare Supplement and Medicare Drug plan for 2025 because the Medicare Advantage plan gives you that type of coverage and financial protection from medical bills. You’re no longer paying a premium for Medicare Supplement and a Medicare RX plan if you decide to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans in Orange County typically have no or low premiums and are both HMO’s and PPO’s.

Regarding a “standalone” Medicare RX plan. These plans used to not have a name brand drug deductible and now most do. The annual deductible for brand name drugs is increasing up to $590 in 2025. Have your prescriptions changed since you enrolled in your current Medicare RX plan? If they’re expensive medications (the $35-$100 range or higher when you fill them) then it’s time for a review. Also, familiarize yourself with the “Inflation Reduction Act” changes to your prescription drug coverage in 2025. It will lower your out-of-pocket drug costs, which is great news!

However, as a result, your monthly Medicare RX plan premium will go up.

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) ends December 7th. If you’d like to schedule a no cost Medicare options review, contact my agency soon, and either I or a well-qualified Medicare broker from my team will be happy to help you.

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Mission Viejo Wigs:

Where Customers are “Family”

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by Jody robinson

ission Viejo Wigs is truly a family business. Not in the traditional sense, where its owners and operators share the same genes. But rather in such a way that every person who has walked through Owner Betty Darroch’s doors in the 30+ years she has been in operation immediately felt like a member of Darroch’s extended family.

As a professional hair and wig stylist since 1962, Betty began her career at CBS where her résumé reads like a celebrity screenplay starring the coifs of a veritable “who’s who” of Hollywood: Ann Margaret, Carol Lawrence, the Midnight Specials and the Sonny & Cher Show. She went on to work for the Hallelujah Hollywood Show at the MGM Hotel in Las Vegas.

But it wasn’t until she opened her own business in Mission Viejo that she felt as though she were “truly doing God’s work.”

Her clients today include people who are experiencing hair loss due to chemotherapy treatment, alopecia or other medical conditions. Betty specializes in wigs, hairpieces and toupees for women, men and children and carries only the highest quality brands. Each wig or hairpiece is custom fit to the client for the most natural look and feel – no one will know you’re wearing a wig unless you tell them.

“Hair loss, whether it is the result of illness, the aging process or heredity, can be a traumatic and emotionally draining experience,” says Betty.

“We work with people on a daily basis who are facing the issue of hair loss for the first time.

Our goal is to help you find the solution that works best for you and do so in a caring way that makes you realize that you are not alone.”

There are wonderful testimonials from longtime customers on her web site (missionviejowigs. com), but for me, the best testament to Betty’s genuine, caring nature came from a source closer to home.

When my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer six years ago, there were so many aspects of what she was facing - including the side effects associated wit chemotherapy treatment – that were out of our control. But my mother’s appearance was something she felt she could dictate. We knew she would lose her hair, but she was determined not to “look like a sick person.”

From the moment my mother met Betty, she knew she had found the right place and more importantly, the right person to help her. Betty shared so many stories of survival – of longtime customers and friends who fought a similar battle and won. Her warm embrace and inspired hope and help steel her resolve to maintain a positive, fighting attitude when she was diagnosed with lung cancer.

The wig Betty selected was the perfect color and style for my mother’s face (and head) shape. The wig was so natural looking that my mother

You can connect with Betty by calling (949) 581-4549.

Mission Viejo Wigs is located at 25571 Jeronimo Road in Mission Viejo.

60

received many compliments on her “new do” and no one was the wiser.

It’s been over nine years since my mother completed treatment and is now leading a cancer-free life. Although her own hair has long since grown back, she still often prefers to wear Betty’s wigs on “bad hair days.”

Thank you Betty!

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assistedlivinglocators.com/south-orange-county 61

AEP- It’s About Saving You $$

By Stephanie Frisch

C

alling all existing Medicare Beneficiaries, are you looking to save some money on either your monthly premiums, your co-pays, your prescription drug co-pays or perhaps a trifecta and you get all three?

Then contact my agency soon to review your Medicare plan options.

The biggest way to save money is to see if a Medicare Advantage plan would work for you. If it does work, you cancel your Medicare Supplement and Medicare Drug plan for 2025 because a Medicare Advantage plan gives you that type of coverage and financial protection from costly medical bills. These types of plans in Orange County typically have little to no premium. The savings can be life changing to some people, especially married couples over the age of 70.

Medicare supplement plan premiums go up as you get older in addition to the annual premium increases related to the cost of medical care for their enrollees.

Most people on a “standalone” Medicare prescription drug plan don’t realize when their monthly premium increases in the new year because if 62

they’re taking social security the premium is typically being directly deducted from their social security check.

Insurance companies have increases in their monthly RX plan premium and their annual deductible. Have your prescriptions changed since you enrolled in your current Medicare drug plan? If they’re expensive medications (in the $35-$100 range when you fill them) then it’s time for a review. Also, familiarize yourself with the “Inflation Reduction Act” changes to your prescription drug coverage in 2025. It will lower your out-of-pocket drug costs, which is great news! However, as a result, your monthly Medicare RX plan premium will go up.

Also, while the Annual Enrollment Period is NOT the time to change your Medicare supplement plan (The months around your birthday month are, it’s called the “birthday rule”) it could be a time to get educated

about what other carrier’s premiums are for the Medicare supplement plan that you’re on. Medicare Supplement plans are all standardized by the government. A Plan F, Plan G or Plan N, for example, are all the same, no matter what insurance company you use.

However, some insurance carriers have upped their game, adding additional benefits such as routine vision and hearing, acupuncture and more to their Medicare supplement plan for a more “value added” experience.

The additional premium for these extra benefits is minimal.

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) ends December 7th. If you’d like to schedule a no cost Medicare options review, contact my agency soon, and either I or a well-qualified Medicare broker from my team will be happy to help you.

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 949-292-4958.

Celtic Christmas at Soka Performing Arts Center

SAT. | DEC. 7 | 8PM

With Titanic Piper Eric Rigler & Dirk Freymuth Ignite the holiday spirit with festive songs from the British Isles!

Join renowned piper Eric Rigler, known for his work in Titanic, Braveheart and Outlander, as he celebrates the season with enchanting Irish uilleann pipes & Scottish small pipes.

Accompanied by Dirk Freymuth on guitar, with vocals & flutes this is a magical experience you won’t want to miss!

Presented in partnership with KCRW

Soka Performing Arts Center at Soka University of America 1 University Dr, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 | FREE PARKING

soka.edu/pac tickets@soka.edu 949-480-4278

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P.O. Box 73188 San Clemente, CA 92673

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