South County Magazine December 2022

JASON SPATES

Doheny Bike • Advertising Partner since 2020

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.

30 Years in the same Location

Cefali & Cefali, APC

Trusted Accident Attorneys for the Most Serious Injuries

By Jody Robinson

It’s a remarkable feeling when you can find someone to take your side. In relationships, sports: you name it. That one person who believes in you, makes you better, fights alongside you.

Michael Cefali matched with his person (his wife Courtney) long before law school - but their partnership extended through the long years studying for the bar and paid off in an even match that has stacked up in their favor many times over. Graduates of Chapman Law and California Western, respec tively, they started the San Juan Cap istrano-based Cefali & Cefali, APC in July of 2019 and have been fighting for the little guy ever since. From set ting clients up with top-tier doctors and specialists, to negotiating stel lar settlements, Cefali & Cefali, APC handles cases from start to finish with client health as their top priority.

Focusing on all aspects of personal injury, the Cefalis are what you might expect in such a ring: passionate, ag gressive, and most importantly, hon est - all traits that have contributed to the couple having recovered millions of dollars per year on behalf of their clients since opening their firm.

“The insurance companies would like you to think that they get to deter mine the value of your injuries, your suffering,” says Michael. “We’ll fight for every last penny because we know that you deserve it.” Clients ap preciate the work that the Cefalis do. In fact, as of the date of this publica tion, you won’t find a single negative review of their firm anywhere on the internet.

Client Jamie shares, “I am so grate ful for everything that Mike Cefali and his team did for me! Not only was he able to help me get what I was owed in my settlement and then some, but he was so responsive and kind and

it was very apparent that he cared about me and my case! He and his team are so HONEST and FAIR and it was clear from start to finish that he

had my best interest in mind! Not only is he a good lawyer but he is a good person which made a world of differ ence for me. I could not have asked

Michael and Courtney Cefali

for a better experience with a personal injury attorney! I have already recommended him to all of my friends and I will continue to recommended him to anyone looking for a good lawyer! Thank you so much Cefali and Cefali!”

Another client Carrie echoes Jamie’s sentiment, “My hus band and I were rear-ended on the freeway. We felt bad thinking of contacting a lawyer, but after several months of continuous pain and medical treatments, a friend rec ommended Michael Cefali. From the beginning, he lived up to his core values of integrity, loyalty, and vigorous ad vocacy. Michael is a dedicated, friendly, and competent attorney who seamlessly represented our interests and en sured the outcome was in our favor. He treated us not like a client, but like family; he was there any time we needed him. He was empathetic to our situation and worked tire lessly with all parties to represent us. We don’t trust many people, but we trust Michael and his team and would highly recommend him to anyone seeking a professional, effective, and focused attorney.”

With five staff members to back up the stellar work Mi chael and Courtney produce, the couple remain incredibly hands on, based on a culture of empathy, integrity and advocacy.

“We craft each case personally, build each one for trial, and remain accessible to clients,” says Michael. “Personal injury attorneys get a bad rap when really we’re the good guys. I like to think of our firm as a pirate ship. Nimble, clever, and tenacious in spite of being outspent by the ad versary, we pry money from greedy insurance companies and give it to our very deserving clients.”

Giving back is the spirit of the firm, and community work creates a direct link between Michael, Courtney, and their circle in San Juan Capistrano. The couple and their team proudly supports a number of local charitable and com munity organizations including: The Boys and Girls Club of Capistrano Valley (Courtney is on the Board of Directors), The San Juan Capistrano Friends of the Library (Courtney is also a board member), CREER, the Pacific Marine Mam mal Foundation, and Project Coyote. Michael is a member of the San Juan Capistrano Rotary Club and has been rec ognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.

The Cefali team’s ethics, constant communication (every client is given Michael’s personal cell phone for easy ac cessibility), commitment to their clients and involvement in the community keeps everyone growing stronger and healthier together. Remarkable isn’t it, that feeling when someone takes your side?

Cefali & Cefali, APC (877) 423-3254 CallCefali.com

Graceful Aging with San Clemente Village

By Jody Robinson

I think most folks grew up with the saying “it takes a village.”

Though no one is entirely certain where the adage originated, many posit that it was noted in reference to either African communities or Indigenous ones. Wherever the origin, (and whatever age the adage refers to) the idea lives on cross culturally today.

One of the most incredible examples emerged out of the Boston area in the early 2000’s, when an online retirement service organization let its residents, near and far, come together to age gracefully surrounded by friends.

Within the last two decades, the mod el has expanded westward, catching the attention of Jessica Reiter-Flax, now Executive Director of San Clem ente Village in South Orange County.

The Village concept which started in San Clemente in 2014 as a hope that “neighbors would help neigh bors” evolved to include full services two years later. The 100% volunteer driven membership organization

provides services for local seniors ranging from transportation to ap pointments, grocery shopping, so cial outings to happy hours and help around the house. The average vol unteer is 65 years young - looking for ways to give back.

“Sometimes they just have some extra time on their hands now that they’re retired themselves - most just want a really rewarding volunteer experience," says Jessica. "The ma jority of our volunteers forge lasting friendships with our members.”

Things like Sunday brunch or a movie matinee may not seem like they make a huge difference in the overall cog nitive, physical, or psychological suc

cess rates of older adults (aged 87, on average). But more than 70% of seniors want to remain in their homes as they age “and the Village helps them do just that. They can socialize easily, which reduces isolation, main taining a state of continuous physical and mental well-being."

“We hope to continue our geograph ic reach to include more South Coun ty cities in coming years,” says Jes sica. “Part of the Village Movement California, San Clemente Village is the only full-service not-for-profit ser vice Village in Orange County. There are more than 40 such organizations throughout the state - helping older adults live their best lives, and our volunteers are always ready to wel come new members into the fold.”

After all, at this point with a full roster of wellness initiatives, grocery store, technology assistance and even fall risk reduction preparedness, it really does take a village. Interested in becoming a volunteer or in need of service? (949) 441-1348

Favorite time of year

The Covington is designed for a life lived fully. Here, you’ll discover an invigorating array of choices, activities, freedoms, and flexibility – all so that you can make every day precisely what you want it to be. It’s casually sophisticated, resort-style living in the heart of Aliso Viejo. And it’s where you belong.

LET US HELP YOU IMPLEMENT

THESE CRUCIAL YEAR-END TAX PLANNING STRATEGIES

By Peter D. Prescott CPA, Masters in Taxation

INDIVIDUALS:

1. Consider a Roth-IRA conversion to take advantage of low market valuations and recapture growth as a potentially tax-free distribution. Business owners can use their Net Operating Loss (NOL) to offset this conversion.

2. Consider non-taxable gifts ($16,000 in 2022 and $17,000 in 2023).

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. The return must file a Portability Election to carryover the unused exemption. This is extremely important since the current high estate tax exemption of $12,920,000 in 2023 is currently scheduled to be reduced back to $5 million plus inflation adjustment on January 2026.

5. 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.

6. Outline your Family Financial Map as a precursor to holding a successful Family Meeting which focuses on the transfer of your estate upon your passing. The greatest contributors to a successful transfer of wealth is clear, consistent, illustrative communication with the next generation.

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 $160,200 for Tax Year 2023.

2. For S Corporations, LLCs, and Partnerships, take advantage of the new Pass-Through Elective Tax (PEET) 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 a tax savings of at your marginal tax bracket times the amount of tax paid. This can by as high as 37% 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 $73,500 for Tax Year 2023.

4. Employers should consider formalizing an Accountable Expense Plan so they can reimburse their employees’ out of pocket business costs (meals, entertainment, auto expenses). Employer business reimbursements are tax-free to the employees. This is in stark contrast to Employee Business Expenses which are not deductible on an employee’s Federal income tax return. Alternatively, some employers have non-accountable plans (i.e. pay an auto allowance to employees). This approach results in taxable wage income to the employee which is reported on their Form W-2.

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

Prescott Tax & Wealth Management Peter@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.

Peter D. Prescott CA Insurance License #0733213

THE SOMM'S STASH

Purposefully designed to make great wine uncomplicated

By Jody Robinson

One could venture to say with Micah Sampson, what you see is pretty much what you get - passion, excitement, intel ligence. But each of those things is about as complex as the best glass of wine - and as a sommelier Micah will tell you there’s so much more to wine than just fermented grape juice.

“There’s history, geology, geography, chemistry, cultural studies," says the San Juan Capistrano resident. "Books and movies have been centered on it. Wars, empires, and country lines have been fought over it.”

So how is it that one of the most uncomplicat ed pleasures in the world is also one of the most complex and variegated? Micah would like to help answer that question - with his own brand of vari etals - Somm’s Stash.

A good sommelier is a helper, a guide to finding the best wine for your food and experience. He says "basically, my job is to drink a lot of wine and know everything about it,” which reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from an author when she realized she could major in writing - ‘it was like finding out I could major in eating chocolate.’

“It’s a bum mer,” Micah laughs. “But the idea of hav ing a wine brand run by a sommelier was to give people a chance to try and learn about varietals they may not have tried before.”

Uncomplicating the wine game has worked well for the Somm’s Stash since 2020, and unwrapping the mys tery of why wine is enjoyable is a task Micah foresees sticking with for a long, long time. Probably longer than the shelf life of that Chardonnay or Petite Sirah sitting in your wine fridge right now.

The best part is, you can go about it any way you want to by booking a private tasting with Micah, and see ing what really goes into the wine you love so much. Bouquet, tannins, aroma, body, finish. Formal, informal

- a guided pairing or a casual dinner party with friends where he'll chat with anyone who has questions.

In a wild turn of events, what seems so uncomplicated stems from an extremely complex background of learning and teaching: the educa tion and wine appreciation behind the distinguished certification. What ever your reasons for coming to the Somm’s Stash for insight, leave with a personalized understanding of the real world behind wine. After all, what you see is truly what you getyou just have to understand what’s behind that first glimpse.

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

When he visits HAMMER & NAILS | Men’s Grooming Shop in the Ocean Ranch Village in Laguna Niguel, his most difficult decision centers around which premium beverage to enjoy and what cable program to watch on his own personal big-screen TV while receiving his services. Providing a fullrange of experiences from Premium Haircuts, Beard Grooming and OldSchool Straight-Razor shaves to their cornerstone experiences for Hand & Foot Grooming (Men’s MANicures & Pedicures), as well as services such as Facials and Facial Waxing (eyebrows, ears & nose), making it his premier one-stop destination for confidence

to always look and feel his absolute best.

“We’ve built a ‘Man Cave’ and it has everything you’d expect,” says the owner, Beverly Shepherd. Adding, “Our guests can relax without all the astringent smells you typically find at normal nail salons. Instead detecting the subtle scents of cedar, leather, and steel. We have an incredibly cool custom ‘57-Chevy lighted door panel that welcomes guests before being warmly greeted by one of our Client Concierge’s.”

When you first arrive, your eyes are immediately drawn to the larger-

than-life graphic of sparks exploding from the Hammer and is impacts the steel beneath it. As you are still tak ing in the rugged, weathered corru gated steel wall behind the reception counter, you are greeted with a warm friendly smile, offered your choice of a premium complimentary beverage including choices such as Ketel One® Vodka, Macallan®, Crown Royal®, selection of craft beers, wine, or soft drinks.

Beverly first came to America from the Philippines in 2009. Shortly after she met her husband, Michael while she was working at the Nordstrom cosmetics counter in Fashion Island.

Beverly & Michael married in 2017 in a romantic beach ceremony at the El Nido Resort in the Philippines. Mike sold his previous company, an elec tronics & materials test lab, in 2015 and they wanted to start a new busi ness together. After seeing the epi sode on SHARK TANK® featuring the original founder of Hammer & Nails, they decided to open the first HAMMER & NAILS Franchise in Or ange County in Laguna Niguel and

just celebrated their 4th anniversary for the shop.

Bev & Mike have assembled a team of the top talent in Orange County providing 5-Star services to local resi dents as well as many from out of the area and those vacationing at one of the many local luxury resorts in the area. “With couples getting mar ried at these amazing resorts, many will schedule groomsman parties to be sure they are all looking sharp and “on point” for their special day,” Beverly stated. While our incredible Barbers/Stylist can keep anyone look ing their best and have proven timeand-time again their confidence and skill for clients seeking a new look and even a total transformational haircut style. Beverly also added, “it is not uncommon for gentlemen to visit our shop each month and spend several hours, starting with a Premium Hair cut and Shave or Facial then relaxing in our Hand & Foot Grooming Man Cave for one of our Signature Mani cure/Pedicures combos like the Big Daddy Aromatherapy.

“It was a good experience for me. I was there after a tough day and felt welcomed. I have received several compliments on the haircut and will be back for more soon. Thank you.”

- T. Alvarez

“Another great experience at Ham mer & Nails. I don’t live in the area

PREMIUM TREATMENTS

These Premium MANicure/Pedicure Combo are the Signature Services of HAMMER & Nails found nowhere else and are the service that places us a level above any other nail salon for Men. All our Premium Pedicure services include callus resurfac ing, infused signature scrub, hand & foot massage, nail care (clip, file, and buff), finishing with warm paraffin on your hands & feet, and our steamed towel wrap.

• The Jack Hammer Experience - Rich, liquid-gold from fingers to toes.

• The Hops & Cedar Experience - Beer-lover’s bliss.

• The Big Daddy ExperienceRefresh & relax with our most popular Hand & Foot experi ence.

• The Milk & Honey Experience Saturate your skin in luxury.

• Sports Pedicure - Sore muscle relief for our most active guests.

• Essential Tea Tree PedicureFor feet needing extra TLC.

but often visit friends in Dana Point and Laguna Niguel who turned me on to Hammer & Nails so I always try to stop in for a haircut or manicure/ pedicure. I think this was my 4th visit. The stylists and nail techs are skilled and friendly, and you can enjoy a complimentary adult beverage dur ing your appointment. Terrific!” - E. Rodgers

“The place was “hopping”, but I never felt overlooked or unattended

to. When my turn came around, I certainly felt the personal touch your business has always provided me. Found a new addiction too, my first facial experience has left me yearn ing for more.” - D. Brask

“You guys are doing great. I called Friday afternoon in search for a mani curist for an urgent need of a pedi cure due to a painful ingrown toe nail. My manicurist was unavailable. I was hesitant to drive from Irvine to Laguna Niguel but your reception ist talked me into. She was right. 20 minutes. Not bad. I was seated right away and offered a beverage. Jack & Coke in a crystal short. Nice! The manicurist, I wish I knew her name, was amazing. She talked me through the service and help relieve my pain. The Jack & Coke helped. She did an awesome job! - F. Mejia

“I’m a repeat customer and always treated well, have a good experi ence.” - T. Gallagher

“Service is always prompt, excellent and friendly. BEST IN CLASS” - G. Powell

“You took really good care of my el derly father who has many foot and toenail issues. The staff was all very kind.” - R. Misiow

HAMMER & NAILS is active in the community a Members of the Cham ber of Commerce for both Laguna Niguel and Dana Point. They also actively sponsor and contribute to many of the local schools and com

munity events. Bev & Mike and their entire staff take a great deal of pride in providing exceptional services to the community and have enjoyed getting to know their clients and oth er local business owners

Beverly Shepherd

LAGUNA

Kristy

Look 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.

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

ACTINIC KERATOSIS

An actinic keratosis (AK) is a crusty, scaly growth caused by damage from expo sure 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 typi cally 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.

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 sur rounding 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 larg er than 6mm, ie the head of a pencil eraser, has a higher risk of becoming melanoma.

E - Evolution: Has it changed?

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells arising in the epidermis, the skin’s out ermost layer. SCCs often look like scaly red patches, crusty bumps, warts, or elevated growths with a central depres sion. 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.

F - The Ugly Duckling Sign: Most people have a “sig nature 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-cer tified 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.

With over With over

there’s ...

atLEGOLAND®

After a nearly three-year hiatus from visiting one of our kids’ favorite nearby theme parks, our family planned a fun-filled Sunday at Legoland. We arrived right when the park opened at 10 am to take full advantage of a park hopper pass which allowed access into the main park, separate water park AND Sea Life Aquarium.

With over 60 rides, shows and attractions, there’s no shortage of fun to be had and especially so during the winter season when characters are out in force to spread the holiday spirit. For me, the heart of the 128-acre amusement is Miniland USA, which showcases miniature dioramas impressively crafted from colorful Lego bricks. The elaborate exhibits depict instantly recognizable national landmarks and sites. Hollywood’s Chinese Theatre resides alongside the iconic casinos of the Las Vegas Strip while the White House and Capitol building are juxtaposed against the New York skyline and Central Park.

The Sofi Stadium is an architectural marvel that took a team of 25 dedicated Master Model Builders more than 6,000 hours and more than 500,000 bricks to build. Standing at more than 30 feet long, 15 feet wide and over 4-feet tall, it’s currently considered the largest LEGO stadium in the world.

While Legoland offers an array of ride options for the younger set, there are still plenty of thrills for older kids - ours clamored aboard the Coastersaurus several times - a rollercoaster that traverses a prehistoric jungle of Legoland dinosaurs and Dune Raiders - where they raced each other side-by-side down a six-lane slide.

BENEFITS OF FENCING

Fencing is a NCAA sport. Our fencers are constantly recruited by the Ivy League schools and the top colleges in the country. Fencers are at least 10 x more likely to play in college than all mainstream sports Fencing develops confidence, quick thinking and decision making while being physically challenging Cool factor. On a scale of cool, fencing tops most sports

The Power of Laughter and How Reading Lets the Joy of Laughter Ring Loud

By Jeanne Huybrechts, Chief Academic Officer, Stratford School

I

s there any sound more wonderful that a child’s laugh? Often when we think about children, we have a vi sion of fun, play, and laughter.

Psychologists have reported that the laugh of an infant activates reward centers in a parent’s brain, reinforc ing continued playful interactions that produce more laughter. Laughter re ally IS contagious! Research has also shown that laughter reduces levels of stress hormones and even improves blood flow to the heart. I personally never tire of hearing children laugh and laughing along with them. I once heard a baby-laugh ringtone that made me laugh out loud and briefly contemplated installing it on my mo bile phone!

We all need a laugh right now, so we have compiled our favorite LOL list of books. There are read-aloud books for preschoolers and a variety of sto ries for readers at all levels – begin ning readers to preteens. Some are goofy-silly, others witty and clever, some include gorgeous illustrations, a couple offer relatable life-lessons learned through misadventures or embarrassing moments -- and ALL will make the reader laugh out loud. If you give any one of these books as a gift, and you’re not reading it your self, be sure to ask your young reader to share the funny parts. Then pre pare to giggle.

PRESCHOOL

This Moose Belongs To Me

Written and Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

How can a book that is so beautiful also be so funny? This book has so many quirky moments you will abso lutely have to read it twice. We start out with Wilfred, a very organized young boy complete with suspend ers and a bow tie, and his pet moose Marcel, who isn’t always good at fol lowing the many constraining rules of being a pet. Through the book, they take a journey to stunningly painted mountain landscapes in which they meet other “owners” of the moose. Wilfred needs to learn not to stifle his new pet’s outgoing personality in order to maintain his part owner ship. A great lesson in boundaries, expectations and the value of be ing open-minded and willingness to adapt in order to solve a problem.

KINDERGARTEN

Gilda the Giant Sheep,

Written by Emiio Urberuaga, and Translated by Ben Dawlatly Opening with a drawing of a housesized sheep named Gilda and a bunch of scheming shepherds, this gripping fable of Gilda’s escape from her farm is hilarious as well as poignant. The shepherds wake up one day too lazy to shear Gilda, deciding instead to “chop Gilda up and sell the meat at market.” Gilda’s extra large ears hear the evil shepherds, prompting her to

leave and look for a new home. On her way she squeezes through a city, where selfie-sticks and cars frighten her off, prompting a King Kong-style skyscraper climb, “She looked like a huge wooly cloud.” Next, she is re jected by a circus for not being able to swing on a trapeze. Gilda does find her way, and her misfit status makes her final triumph more satisfying; there’s a home for everyone, Urberu aga argues--one just needs to find it.

GRADES ONE AND TWO

The Leaf Thief

Written by Alice Hemming and Illustrated by Nicola Slater

A fast paced, hilarious, and possibly even sneaky way of teaching kids about the changes of the season. Adorably hyper squirrel is upset be cause his leaves are going missing. Searching all over the forest, accus ing his fellow animals of thievery, Squirrel is followed by his best friend Bird. Bird keeps trying to explain why the leaves aren’t staying around. Cute drawings and a very frustrat ed squirrel keep the laughs coming. Everything is finally making sense, and then, “Bird! Someone has stolen the grass!!!” Sigh, it is called snow. A valuable and concise two-page explanation at the end of the book will help young readers understand seasons. This book is also good for talking to young ones about how to accept change, and how transitions can be scary and frustrating.

GRADES THREE TO FIVE

The Bad Guys (series)

Written and Illustrated by Aaron Blabey

This relatively new format called a hybrid graphic novel, which combines text with lots of drawings, is fabulous for reluctant readers. The “Bad Guys” are all pretty scary: The Big Bad Wolf, Mr. Snake, Mr. Piranha, and Mr. Shark. The wolf gathers them all together for the first meeting of “The Good Guys Club” in an attempt to change their rep utations by doing good deeds. As the motley crew break a bunch of dogs (wearing prison uniforms) out of the ani mal shelter, all the dogs run away, terrified of their “scary” rescuers. I challenge anyone to read this series and keep a straight face.

“

A smile starts on the lips, a grin spreads to the eyes, a chuckle comes from the belly; and a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, overflows, and bubbles all around.

– Carolyn Birmingham, author

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Addison Cooke and the Tomb of Khan, (series)

Written by Jonathan W. Stokes

This book is one part Indiana Jones, one part Treasure Is land and two parts laugh out loud silly. A goofy teenager and his motley crew travel around the world to seek the secret tomb of Genghis Khan, causing and then solving problems, and teaching the readers history at the same time. Addison is a funny kid, seemingly able to talk his way out of any situation. His sister Molly trusts him and is willing to use her skills learned from eight weeks of mar tial arts training. Raj is a daredevil and constantly jumps in when others are in danger. Eddie manages to whine and find the worst in any situation. While Addison and his cohorts always get involved in huge messes, they escape using their vast knowledge of history and archeology, demonstrating that it is OK for kids to be both goofy and studious all at once.

Most of us have heard the phrase, “Laughter is good med icine!” When we laugh, physical changes take place that affect our internal organs. As we draw in oxygen-rich air our lungs, heart, and muscles are stimulated. Research shows that when we laugh, endorphins are released in the brain to produce a feel-good emotion. Laughter has been shown to boost our immune system and improve our cognition/un derstanding of a situation. Humor and laughter are import ant social skills and can assist children as a stress reliever when challenges present themselves. Laughter is a happy sound; easily understood in every language. It is one early childhood developmental skill that you can easily reinforce and enjoy while you are laughing out loud together!

Learn more about how Stratford School promotes learning and reading opportunities for children. Visit stratfordschools. com and schedule a personalized tour today.

DECEMBER 11

PROGJECT

The Ultimate Prog Rock Experience: Performing the classics and epics of Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, ELP, Pink Floyd, Rush and more...

DECEMBER 17 + 18

WALTER TROUT

Walter Trout is the beating heart of the modern blues rock scene. Re spected by the old guard. Revered by the young guns. Adored by the fans who shake his hand after the show each night. After five decades in the game, Trout is a talismanic figure and the glue that bonds the blues community together, at a time when the wider world has never been so divided.

DECEMBER 22

DAVID BENOIT CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

For three decades, the GRAMMY®nominated pianist/composer/ arrang er David Benoit has reigned supreme as one the founding fathers of con temporary jazz. Born in Bakersfield, California, he grew up in Los Angeles and was bitten by the jazz bug after watching a Charlie Brown special on television and listening to the music of Vince Guaraldi in 1965.

DECEMBER 31 + JANUARY 1

THE ENGLISH BEAT

Dave Wakeling is a hell of a nice guy! Dave loves to tell you the stories be hind his songs, either from stage or af ter the show. Ask any one of the thousands of fans who have met him over the years and that’s what you’ll hear. Never mind that Dave is the singer/songwriter from two of the most popular bands of the end of the millennium, The English Beat and General Public, he’s a stand up man from Brum.

Day Tripping in Style DesertatHills Premium Outlets

By Jody Robinson

Full disclosure: I’m a mom of teen agers and as such, am continually on the hunt for bonding opportunities that a) don’t involve electronics and b) do entail entertainment and activ ities that are enjoyable for both age brackets. So I was thrilled when my suggestion of a day trip to the Desert Hills Premium Outlets was literally met with squeals of excitement from my 14-year-old daughter.

Home to the largest collection of luxu ry outlets in the Golden State, and just twenty minutes west of Palm Springs, the center features a list of 180 de

signer stores that reads like a “who’s who” of the fashion industry - includ ing Burberry, Gucci, Dolce & Gab bana, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Coach, Balenciaga, Alo Yoga, Polo Ralph Lau ren, Prada, Saint Laurent, Versace, the only Christian Louboutin outlet in the U.S. and more. These reside along side several of my daughter’s favorite retail staples (Forever 21, Claire’s and American Eagle Outfitters) and an chors Neiman Marcus Last Call and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH.

The newest stores to open here in recent months include Alo Yoga (the trendy and practical activewear line that easily transitions from studio to street), Buck Mason (in spired by the laid back California ethos of easy living, quality and sim plicity), IRO (a beautiful French line of ready-towear pieces) and just in time for winter adven tures everywhere - the West Coast’s first Moose Knuckles outlet loca tion (the Canadian luxu ry outerwear collection showcases warm parkas

and down coats that can withstand sub-zero temperatures in style).

Surrounded by majestic mountains with temperatures hovering in the mid-70s, our mother/daughter day was defined by leisurely strolling in and out of stores, sipping Boba tea and thoroughly enjoying the pictur esque outdoor shopping oasis. With savings up to 65 percent off regular retail prices, we happily crossed sev eral names off our holiday lists. Moth er/daughter bonding + retail therapy + productivity? That sounds like an equation for a fun-filled endeavor that bears repeating in the not-toodistant future. DESERT

VIEW restaurant at the Vea Hotel in Newport Beach

By Jody Robinson

Sweeping ocean and verdant golf course views aren’t the only thing you can come to expect from VIEW - the gorgeously appoint ed restaurant at Vea Newport Beach’s floating lanai. The chef-driven menu showcases innovative California coastal cuisine with a cosmopolitan perspective, VIEW capitalizes on its locale’s “chic social sanctuary where revelry and relaxation mingle.”

Other defining characteristics include an extensive, eclectic and exempla ry wine list of domestic and interna tional varietals, unique craft cocktails (think pumpkin spice martinis), sea sonal margaritas and signature start ers like crispy confit chicken wings (enhanced with Marshall’s farm hon ey, mint and togarashi) and a deli

cately delish tuna crudo with summer vegetables and crispy nori.

Salads arrive as meals unto them selves - seafood aficionados will love the Dungeness crab salad while fans of kale will love the View’s version with candied pecans, Fuji apples, maple vinaigrette and feta.

Entrees range from a flavorful roast chicken on farro and enhanced cit rus, sauteed kale and natural demi glaze and pan roasted halibut ac companied by curried cauliflower, carrots and pistachio to the Austra lian Wagyu sirloin with bone mar row butter, charred greens and truf fle fries and the Klingemann Family Farm bone-in pork chop paired with polenta, mustard seeds and crispy pork rinds.

The spicy crab sushi roll is super fla vorful with jalapeno yuzu, asparagus and spicy furikake while the Sunset

“View” Roll improves upon the tradi tional California roll with fresh salm on, Hiramasa yellowtail, trout roe and green curry aioli.

Relish in all-day dining, live music and a charismatic indoor/outdoor scene where light bites are paired with ta bleside martinis, savor signature sushi rolls or indulge in a decadent multicourse meal ... no matter what time of day you choose to linger ... you’re all but guaranteed a meal in idyll. VIEW

Festival Ballet Theatre Presents The Nutcracker

INTERNATIONAL BALLET STARS DANCE IN BELOVED HOLIDAY TRADITION TO ENCHANT AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES

Festival Ballet Theatre presents the return of its critically acclaimed pro duction of The Nutcracker to the Ir vine Barclay Theatre, one of Orange County’s premiere entertainment ven ues. The production has been delight ing audiences in Orange County for more than 30 years. The Nutcracker, set to Tchaikovsky’s renowned score, opens December 10 with 13 matinee and evening performances through December 24. This year Festival Ballet Theatre welcomes back international ballet stars as guest artists, and fam ilies can once again enjoy the preshow Nutcracker Tea Party.

“The Nutcracker is a time-honored treasure for so many people during the holiday season. We are honored to be part of their traditions and wel come new audience members every year,” said Artistic Director, Salwa Rizkalla. “There is something for ev eryone in this stunning production, which captures the joyful holiday spirit and showcases our Company through iconic music, sets, costumes and choreography.”

The beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier are a highlight of Clara’s adventure. These roles will be per formed by international ballet stars, Festival Ballet Theatre’s spectacular guest artists. The Sugar Plum Fairy will be danced by Maria Kochetkova (former San Francisco Ballet), Lauren Lovette (former New York City Ballet) and Jeraldine Mendoza (Joffrey Bal let). The handsome Cavalier will be danced by Constantine Allen (Dutch National Ballet), Dylan Gutierrez (Joffrey Ballet) and Connor Walsh (Houston Ballet).

Festival Ballet Theatre’s breathtak ing production of The Nutcracker makes this age-old holiday tradition sparkle like new. Audiences will be swept away as Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, dancing toys, mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes, waltzing flowers and a cast of hundreds take them on a magical journey to mysti cal lands.

The full-length traditional production is choreographed and directed by Festival Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Di rector, Salwa Rizkalla. In addition to the world-renowned guest artists, it features professional Festival Ballet Theatre Company dancers and ex ceptional young talent from across the Southland.

IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE 4242 Campus Drive Irvine FestivalBallet.org (714) 309-1280

This handsome guy is Odin, a three year old German Shepherd mix with a heart of gold. Loveable and affectionate, he is known as our resident gentle giant and would make a great cuddle buddy. Odin gets along well with other dogs and would be a good addition to a loving family.

Eight month old Tyrion is ready for his big break. Taken in as a stray under dire circumstances, Tyrion received emer gency medical treatment which helped to save his life. Since his recovery, he has proven himself to be quite the lit tle sweetie and captures the hearts of everyone he meets . Now what Tyrion wants more than anything is a place to call his very own. Could you be one to help him start living the good life?

ME

Say hello to Arabella, a pretty momma kitty with striking green eyes. With her kittens all adopted, Arabella is finally ready for some “me time.” She has a fun, curious personality and loves to play and explore. She is an independent lady but wouldn’t mind a like-minded feline roommate or two.

Because Home is Where the Heart is

For the majority of seniors living in California, quality of life equates to living at home. A recent AARP survey reports that 77 percent of se niors want to remain in their home for the long term.

The advantages of aging in place are numerous. As we age we want to maintain the highest degree of inde pendence possible. Our home is fa miliar and comforting to us, it’s where we feel safe.

Throughout the pandemic we have seen our homes become a safe-ha ven, a place where we can heal and stay healthy. Our home is filled with memories and it’s what we’ve created over the years with our loved-ones.

Often times in order to keep seniors living at home in comfort and safety, services and help are needed. Many seniors have opted for home care services when they need help and want to remain at home.

As the senior population increases, so has the home care industry. We spoke

to Kyle Warner, co-owner of Your Home Care Inc. about what they do and the benefits of home care services.

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

Answer: At Your Home Care, our mission is to enrich the quality of life for seniors by providing compassion ate caregiving services at home. The agency was created in 2003 and is family owned and operated.

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 concen tration in Laguna Woods and the surrounding cities. And we also work seamlessly with all Long-Term Care Insurance plans.

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

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. It is indeed a blessing to see our services make a positive impact in people’s lives. It is humbling to know that we get to provide a vital service that enriches and prolongs people’s lives.

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. Others know they will need more care than that and schedule full days. We try to be as accommodat ing as possible to meet the scheduling needs of our clients.

We work with many clients coming home from the hospital, or skilled nurs ing facility and they require 24 hour care as they rehab and regain their strength.

Another important aspect of schedul ing is establishing consistency and de pendability for the families we serve. We work hard to have the same care givers work with our clients whenever possible in order to build rapport and strong relationships.

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

A: Employees and clients say they appreciate working with us because they get to deal directly with the owners. They like working with the decision makers because it tends to make things run more smoothly and the process is more streamlined. Owners Segal Ronen and Kyle Warner over see everything from client acquisition, employee opera tions to office administration.

But the real magic behind what we do is the talented, experienced 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 people, who love to care for seniors as though they are family.

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

Companionship and social engagement is another key aspect of caregiving. Some of our seniors feel isolated and lonely, so a caregiver becomes a friend to talk to and their bond is lasting.

Seniors with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or Dementia can benefit greatly from a caregiver because they are experienced in working with people with cognitive impairments. 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 the other home care agencies?

A: The senior home care industry is growing and chang ing. 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.

Going back to our mission…to provide compassionate home care services that enrich families’ lives… with this in mind we are always looking for ways we can exceed our clients’ expectations.

Home Care is a company with heart, we care about our clients, and we care about our employees. If you are considering home care for you or your loved one, you can call Kyle Warner directly at (949) 424-9322 and let us show you how much we care.

Your

Medicare Part B Costs Decrease in 2023

paying more for Medicare Part B, as well as how much you can make before going into a higher IRMAA bracket.

In 2022 the bar was set at $91,000 for an individual and $182,000 for a mar ried couple.

In 2023 it will change to $97,000 for an individual and $194,000 for a mar ried couple.

If, as an individual, you make above $97,000 up to $123,000 or, as a mar ried couple above $194,000 up to $246,000 you’ll pay $230.80 a month for Part B.

If, as an individual, you make above $123,000 up to $153,000 or, as a married couple above $246,000 up to $306,000 you’ll pay $329.70 a month for Part B.

If, as an individual, you make above $153,000 up to $183,000 or, as a married couple above $306,000 up to $366,000 you’ll pay $428.60 a month for Part B.

By Stephanie Frisch

Since 2007, a Medicare beneficiary’s Part B monthly premium is based on his or her income. The income-related monthly adjustment amounts affect roughly 7 % of people with Medicare Part B. However, in Orange County with the cost of living being what it is, one would imagine that percentage is MUCH higher.

Ihave had to be the bearer of bad news to at least 50% of my new clients that they will pay more for Medicare Part B (an additional IR MAA assessment also gets added to the Part D coverage as well).

If your modified adjusted gross in come is above a certain amount, you will pay an “Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount” aka “IRMAA”. Medicare uses the modified adjusted gross income reported on your tax return from 2 years ago. The IRS pro vides this amount to Social Security.

There are 5 income brackets that cause a person to pay more for their Medicare Part B.

The Standard premium for Medi care in 2022 was $170.10. In 2023 it will decrease to $164.90. Yes, that’s right, a DECREASE! The Medicare Part B deductible also decreased; from $233 in 2022 to $226 in 2023.

A bit of good news for those in the higher income brackets. Medicare raised the bar on what amount of in come you can make before you start

If, as an individual, you make above $183,000 and less than $500,000 or as a married couple above $366,000 and less than $750,000 you’ll pay $527.50 a month for Part B.

The “good news” is once you make $500,000 as an individual or $750,000 as a married couple; you can make any amount higher than that but still pay the same Part B premium. That monthly amount is $560.50.

These are smaller increases in what you pay compared to last year, and the levels of earned income before having to pay more for Medicare Part B have adjusted to a higher lever as well. I’m happy to be the bearer of good news.

Stephanie Frisch is the owner of Insurance 101 and is an independent insurance broker dedicated to helping oth ers 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.

Moose Knuckles

The Onyx Ladriere Bomber updates the iconic shape of the Debbie Bomber with horizontal baffles of lofty 90/10 goose down fill, meeting our highest insulation rating. The mid-weight polyester shell protects against wind and precipitation while remaining nearly soundless. The removable hood features a striking Blue Fox fur ruff. Desert Hills Premium Outlets. PremiumOutlets.com

Doheny Bike

DohenyBike.com 34163 Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste. 100 Dana Point (949) 427-3305

Monaco Jewelers

Serving the community for over 30 years in the same location, Monaco Jewelers offers an extensive selection of the latest styles and designs in 14K/18K white gold. Super competitive pricing. Superb quality. Lifetime warranty. Special 12 Month, 0% Interest Financing. 33955 Doheny Park Road San Juan Capistrano JewelsbyMonaco.com 949.489.3510

Medicine and Surgery. Cosmetic services include Botox, Fillers, Laser and Professional Skin Care. 23141 Moulton Pkwy, Suite #110, Laguna Hills (949) 916-5956 flemingderm.com

Life. Organized.

By Jody Robinson

Classy Closets’ unique, custom solutions for the home and office can instantly double or even triple your storage space.

Closet organization is something of an oxymoron at my house. Same goes for my home office. I actually do know where everything is in the stacks of paper that perpetu ally reside atop my desk, but good luck having anyone else make rhyme or reason of my filing “system.”

I’m clearly a candidate for the handi work of a company like Classy Closets

– if it’s a matter of function or simply a desire to have your mess aestheti cally addressed, Classy Closets will customize your work/life space with made-toorder cabinetry and organiza tion systems for your home office, ga rage, bedroom, laundry room, pantry, media centers, wallbeds and more.

Think you can’t afford to bring in the professionals? Classy Closets, which

has served all of Orange County and San Diego since 2003, offers organi zation options for virtually every bud get – from basic white melanine to solid wood cabinetry.

“Nothing we do is cookie cutter,” says Company CFO Gary Pavitt. “Although Classy Closets is a fran chise, we’re not governed by the rules that typically dictate processes of typical franchise operations – par ticularly with regard to the materials and mounting systems we use. What works in terms of style and function at a home in Tucson, for instance, wouldn’t necessarily translate to a house in Huntington Beach. So we have the freedom to customize our work to our client’s specific needs and desires.”

Another differentiator is that Gary and his team manufacture their prod ucts right here in Southern California, which affords them the ability to offer their clients a broader range of prod uct options at a level of quality that is “second to none.” And because they are “hands-on” from design consulta tion to manufacture and installation, Gary and his staff pride themselves

“What’s really fun is having the abil ity to create the products in-house,” says Gary. “I really enjoy introduc ing new ways to make things better, bringing in new products and keep ing up with the latest trends in the in dustry. We go out of our way to keep our customers satisfied … that’s what makes it all worthwhile. As in any business, your customers are golden and we’ve been very fortunate that a large percentage of our business is in referrals.”

Repeat customers Marta and Mike Fowler of San Diego say that Classy Closets is a “dream company - one that not only delivers beautiful crafts manship, but also that elusive quality of excellent service. Every good cli ché regarding their work applies.”

“This is our second home that Classy Closets has refined to meet all our storage needs, from closets to ga rage, from bathroom storage to en tertainment center. And they never try to oversell, giving honest recom mendations for products, charging

fair prices within reach,” says Marta. “Their creative solutions and impec cable workmanship combine to make functional pieces we love living with. We have only one warning: Classy Closets is addictive, and you will find yourself wanting to spread the good news.”

In a letter to Gary’s business partner Kate Monaghan, Carlsbad-based In terior Designer Karen Wirrig echoes the Fowler’s sentiment and adds that “my new master closet is beautiful and your attention to detail is evi dent. I also want to commend your installation crew. They were on time, tidy, polite, and did excellent work … I will wholeheartedly recommend your company to all my clients. It has been a pleasure to work with you all.”

Classy Closets

23024 Lake Forest Drive, Suite K Laguna Hills

(949) 249-5600 www.classyclosets.com

Clockwise from top: Partners Enzo, Marco and Peppe

DINING OUT:

There’s is little that erases the strain of a long day more easily than dancing and live entertainment, intimate con versation with your closest family or friends and consistently delicious authentic Italian cuisine. Brio Tuscany Grille delivers all of the above. Providing the perfect environment for lunch or dinner, the elegant appointments and delectable food make it a no brainer for all in South Orange County. Calamari, antipasto, crab cakes, caprese - all on the menu with no traditional el

ement spared. Try the social menu or stay for dinner and indulge in signature dishes complete with incredible locally sourced ingredients. Any occasion is the perfect one replete with excellent service by a warm and friendly staff.

This place isn’t the kind of establishment that has huge, bedazzled lights pointing to it with acrobatic sign hold ers out front. This restaurant respects itself in a quaint location at 24050 Camino Del Avion in Dana Point. If you didn’t know about it, you might miss it driv ing by. But after you read this, I guarantee you’ll make it a point to seek it out.

For starters, the Antipasto Italiano Platter ar rives with an array of flavorful favorites - Pro sciutto di Parma, artisan salame, fresh buffa lo mozzarella, Tuscan olives, grilled artichoke hearts, roasted bell peppers and toasted cia batta bread. Yum! A seafood aficionado? Try the Mare Platter which is made for sharing: Buttermilk battered calamari fritti, seared Ahi tuna and blue shrimp scampi.

I love the wood-fired pizzas here. They don’t make deep-dish-American-football-sweatpants pizza. No. They serve handmade, thin, crispy, flaky crust pizza. I had the Con Carne Pizza - a meat lover’s dream topped with pepperoni, Italian sau sage, Brio house-made meatball and mozzarella cheese. You know, the kind of pie you sip wine with, re flecting on the old country while a hot steam of fresh ness rises poetically around you. Or, as others put it: one heck of a tasty pizza.

For heartier appetites, I recommend the USDA Prime Cut filet mignon dust ed with fresh herbs and cooked to perfection with a hearty Barolo wine reduction and fresh herbed butter, and favorites like the Rigatoni Casa Brio char acterized by grilled chicken breast, cara melized onions, roasted garlic, baby spinach, cremini mushrooms, sweet baby peas and fresh basil topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella.

Brio Tuscany Grille has an incredible se lection of fine wines (and a full premi um bar), great nightly specials and the kind of attentive-yet-unobtrusive ser vice that makes any meal that much more enjoyable. Visit briorestaurant. com for their menu and catering op tions or call (949) 443-1476 for res ervations. You won’t be disappointed!

Join Us in Changing the Future of Our Community – One Student at a Time!

By Robyne Wood, Director and Founder of ROBYNE’S NEST

As a young teen, I grew up in an extremely toxic and dysfunctional home with little to no parental or family support. To escape that unhealthy environment, I left home when I was 17 and finished high school on my own by working full-time and attending night classes.

After graduation, I attended the local community college while working full-time in op erational positions. My education, combined with working in the real world, changed my life and gave me a chance to grow into the adult I wanted to become: a successful busi nesswoman, wife and mother who is happily involved in her community.

Years ago as a parent of school-aged children, I became involved in PTSA where it became clear there was an issue with homeless high school stu dents living within our Huntington Beach community in unsupportive and unhealthy environments. This stirred my empathy for our local atrisk teens and ignited my passion for helping them.

Robyne’s Nest was created, out of love and empathy, to help and guide

these at-risk and homeless high school students (who are alcohol and drug-free) in that critical window of time between youth and adulthood. We created a program that I would have loved to have had when I was a teen. Our Standard (Student Care) Program Support Services include housing, mental health therapy, life skills education, career mentor ing and personal coaching with our trained volunteers. We provide cloth ing and food assistance, educational support, transportation and legal support. Combined with our one-onone wrap around services, we try to give our students all that is neces sary to help them become indepen dent, self-sufficient, and aware young adults. We drive students to doctor’s appointments, help them apply for Medi-Cal, teach them how to drive, help them apply for birth certificates

"My expertise comes from personal experience. Every step is a success. Each day new habits overtake old habits is a success.” - Robyne Wood

and Social Security Cards, advocate for them at school, help them fill out FAFSA forms for colleges, help them shop for prom dresses and suits, teach them how to do their taxes, nurse them back to health when they’ve suffered some kind of medi cal situation…and the list goes on.

High school graduation is our first goal because it gives our students a better chance to break those cycles of homelessness, abuse, addiction and more. A high school diploma is fundamental to long-term life oppor tunities, stability and self-sufficiency.

We are proud to say that during the 2021-2022 school year, we provided (21,989) meals to the Robyne’s Nest students and “food insecure” high school students in HBUHSD, (873) hours of mental health therapy and (2,136) nights of safe housing to the students enrolled in our program.

Since 2015, the inception of our pro gram, 159 Robyne’s Nest Students have graduated from high school.

Through individualized attention to each student, we have purposefully kept our focus on local high schools to ensure that we can give each stu dent the quality care they deserve. We meet our students at school gen erally during lunch or after school, so as not to interrupt their classes. We seek to understand and treat the un derlying issues that drive low self-es teem, lack of emotional intelligence, moodiness and other mental health factors that lead to homelessness and dropping out of school.

At Robyne’s Nest, we are very much in the business of helping our students create a new foundation to build the life they want to have.

Director and Founder Robyne Wood

Medicare Part B Costs Decrease in 2023

The majority of Medicare beneficiaries don’t’ pay a pre mium each month for Part A, but they do for Part B. Their Part B premium will be automatically deducted from their social security check and if they aren’t taking so cial security yet then they get a bill from the Medicare (aka the government). The Standard premium for Medicare in 2022 was $170.10. In 2023 it will decrease to $164.90. That’s right, you read this correctly, your Medicare Part B premium will DECREASE next year.

The Medicare Part B deductible also decreased; from $233 in 2022 to $226 in 2023.

If your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is above a certain amount, you will pay an Income Related Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Medicare uses the modified adjusted gross income reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago. The IRS provides this information to Social Security. Notices for your IRMAA amounts will begin to arrive in the mail for 2023, so keep an eye out for that to avoid any surprises in the new year.

There are 5 higher income brackets that cause a person to pay more for their Medicare Part B and an added assessment to their Part D (drug) coverage. In 2023 IRMAA will be assessed when an individual’s MAGI is above $97,000 and a married couple’s MAGI is above $194,000.

What to Consider when Choosing a Caregiver!

By Pamela Mangen MSN, MBA, RN, PHN, PCCN-CMC

When considering a Care Giv er, it is important to know the specific type of care you require; for example, Skilled Nursing or simple companionship or a person to assist with your Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as dressing, con tinence, eating, etc. Do you need a 24-hour live-in, full or part-time skilled nursing/assistance, or round-the-clock technology access such as tele-moni toring?

The next step is to choose the Agen cy who will be providing the services. Are they credentialed and licensed with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)? When was the last time a survey, audit or on-site exam been completed at the facility? Do they have the necessary insurance requirements and bonding? What are the licenses and credentials of the management team, the governing body and their board of field supervi sors? Are there any unfavorable out comes such as ‘letters of deficiency, practice violations or any other com plaints or grievances submitted to the CDPH or other regulatory body?

What are the credentials and licenses of the caregivers or the skilled nursing staff? Are their medical exams, testing and vaccinations (including Tuberculo sis, Hepatitis, COVID, etc.) current. Have

they been subjected to a thorough background check including Federal & State Health Care Sanctions, the Na tional & State Sex Offender Registry, the Adult Abuse Registry or the Nurse Aide Registry. Have their previous employers and patients, if known, been contacted by the Compliance Dept. and approved for hire? Do they have good credit histo ry reducing the temptations of theft and fraud? Do they have any DUIs or reckless driving violations, etc. which would indi cate irresponsibility, etc.? Do they have a history of workers comp claims, etc. It is prudent to be diligent when screening and selecting your caregivers.

What about Training? Are their med ical professional licenses or certifica tions current? Do they have CPR and Advanced CPR current certification?

If only caregivers, are they Certified as a Home Care Aide (CHCA) by the CDPH? If not, are they currently un dergoing field training, passed com pliance checks, been fingerprinted and completed the education neces sary for licensing? If licensed, have they met their annual 12-hour manda tory in-house training?

What supervisory oversight and control measures are in effect? Is the Field Su pervisor, properly qualified by reason of training, education and experience, able to provide an initial health evalu ation of the patient and a risk assess

ment of the patient’s environment as well as provide adequate supervision over the employee(s) so assigned? Transition Care holds our home-care employees to the same high standards as our home-health employees when it comes to quality patient care and acting in an ethical and professional manner. Regarding live-in caregivers or personal attendants, TCT’s Field Su pervisors (RN) bring the employee(s) to meet the patient and their family mem bers so they can interact and feel com fortable with the new individual(s) to be assigned.

Pamela Mangen is the CEO of Transition Care Telemetry, Inc. (dba TCT Health), a Home Care and Home Health agency and a Hospice agency. Prior to the formation of TCT, she held executive and clinical management positions with a few large hospitals here in Orange County and has also conducted various health re search projects. If you want more infor mation or to set up an initial interview, please call 888.757.2018 and speak with Brian Flammer at ext. 509 or Maylia Tsen at ext. 510