So countymag(mar2014)

ADVER TISER TESTIMONIALS

"It is an absolute pleasure advertising with South County Magazine Wow! We were stunned by the overwhelming exposure and publicity from being on the front cover of South County Magazine It put our Assisted Living Community on the map for South County We felt special and like Rock Stars! - Aileen and Paul Brazeau, San Clemente Villas by the Sea

"We would like to thank South County Magazine for keeping us busy during this holiday season It has been our experience in the past that right after Thanksgiving our type of business really dies down This was our first time advertising with South County Magazine and we ran a November and December ad and that kept our phones ringing right up to the New Year Thank you South County Magazine - our investment paid off!!!!!"

- Donna Schuster, South Coast Shutter and Shades, Dana Point

March 2014

"Being new to San Juan Capistrano, I wasn’t sure what would be the best avenue for advetising and marketing Thankfully I picked up a copy of South County Magazine at a restaurant and read the testimonials They were not like any I d seen – raving about the staff and Jody s way of being more like a partner in your business than just an advertising publication Jody met with me soon after I called She listened to my goals and concerns, and then shared her thoughts and expertise with regard to what might be most effective for my unique business Several months later, she is still in easy contact, never seeming like she s trying to make a sale, but always wanting to be sure I don t miss an opportunity to grow Participating in South County Magazine has brought response from quality clientele who are interested in real life improvement Also, the calls are often from past issues, so the ads last more than just the month I cannot say enough about what an asset Jody and her magazines are to our communities and businesses "

- Catherine Darras, Catherine Darras Hypnotherapy, San Juan Capistrano

With many options when investing my advertising dollars, I decided to interview and research the local publications before I made a decision After several interviews, it was clear we would put our trust into Jody and South County Magazine Jody is a delight to work with, giving above and beyond professionalism and attention to detail I feel she truly cares about the success of my ad and my business Thank you Jody, South County Magazine is the best!" - Mary McPherson, Awoken Life Brain Wave Optimization, San Juan Capistrano

"After searching for the best bang for my marketing dollar, I thought I hit a wall until I found South County Magazine Great customer service is a priority to me, so when I met Jody and the staff, I was very pleased They are very organized with a family feel They want the best for your business and it shows The best part of South County Magazine - it works! I have received many amazing clients due to this magazine Thank you South County Magazineyou are the best! ! - Brittany De Anda, Bronze by Brittany, San Juan Capistrano

We have been in business for 9 years and we have always done advertising to reach new customers Recently, we started advertising with South County Magazine and the calls began flowing in right away! Jody was so helpful and didn t push us into a long-term contract We believe that positive results are the only contract we need We look forward to continuing to build our business even more with South County Magazine " - Scott & Suzie Sells, Spot Free Windows, San Juan Capistrano

"South County Magazine is a class act publication We are very pleased with the way they do what they do The writing, the business, the concept, the staff pure excellence We are impressed and pleased with the immediate response we ' ve received from the readers Our advertising investment has clearly paid off Thank you for being so nice and so good " - Dr. Boris del Cid, D.C. & Dr. Jeremy Sontag, D.C.,

Advertising in South County Magazine has truly been a blessing! As a one-woman show, it's a very secure feeling to know that I don’t need to find the time to “knock on doors” (to add more clients) because my ad placement generates enough for me to continually grow my business " - Stephanie Frisch, Insurance 101

Working with South County Magazine has truly been a success With running a family owned business, they really help us bring out that aspect of our company Jody is always there to help us with the layout and we are so happy to be working with them! - Ambiance Home Collection, Mission Viejo

Clements

Graphic Design Intern Janelle Watzke

Editorial Assistant Alex DeFelice

Sales & Marketing

Marlo Andersen • Anthony Arcurio

Eric Bergstrom, Bergstrom Media Kim Roberson

Distribution Managers

Rolando Ruiz • David Starr

Advertising Inquiries (714) 469-3495

Contributing Writers

Juris Bunkis, M D , FACS

Denise Carson Janeen Christoff Jim Cover

Genene Dunn

Heather Evans Clay Forsberg, M D

Stephanie Frisch

Morris Hasson, M D Ann Laurence

Stephanie Leger Mar y McPherson C Lawrence "Larr y" Thomas

Contributing Photography

Lana Farfan, Caught in the Moment Photography

South County Magazine ser ves the communities of

We will strive to continually improve with each edition and welcome feedback from our readers For questions or comments, please e-mail the editor at jody@southcountymag com

San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo

Apex Chiropractic & SCI Wellness Center, San Juan Capistrano

Your Vulnerable Brain

Bumps to the head can impact your brain for years to come

by Mary McPherson

How many times have you bumped your head throughout your lifetime? My granddaughter slipped and fell on a marble floor running through the kitchen in her socks when she was three years old - the blow to the back of her head sent blood flying in all directions. Rushing her to the hospital, we realized she was going to have a concussion She will never remember that incident, yet in that moment the Neuro Net of her brain went into shock and her brain activity ramped up to start the healing process.

What we don’t often realize is these blows to the head can create a number of conditions that will develop in the months and years following the injury - ADD, headaches, anxiety, depression and many more.

In fact we’re seeing it now with our professional athletes where research studies are finding that so many repeated blows to the head from playing football, soccer, etc has a lasting adverse effect on the Neuro Net.

Concussions or head injuries from sports, automobile accidents, hard blows to the head, falling and hitting your head – almost everyone either has a similar story or knows someone who experienced a head injury When I was a young girl I was hanging upside down from the top of the swing set and fell straight on my head.

ften times the impact of the injury n’t apparent immediately after the njury – in the weeks and months after blow to the head, look for signs of tuttering, lack of concentration, posibly drifting off (or what we would all daydreaming), irritability, defince, disassociating with friends and ven feeling anxious and argumentaive

If you notice yourself or your child exhibiting any of these symptoms or behaviors after a blow to the head there is help. Having a brain assessment after an injury is a helpful tool to see if the injury has actually created damage to the neural pathways

Mar y McPherson is the founder of the San Juan Capistrano-based Awoken Life Brainwave Optimization, where she helps adults and children achieve brain balance and harmony in order to live healthier, happier, and more abundant lives. Neurotechnology “Brainwave Optimization” helps the brain to reconnect the neural pathways after an injur y. Connect with Mar y and Awoken Life by calling (949) 661-6909 or visit www.awokenlife.com.

Sweet Dreams and a Sweeter Smile

Spotlight on ... Scott E. West, DDS

by Jody Robinson & Heather Evans • photography by Lana Farfan, Caught in the Moment Photography

Ibet you didn’t know you could sleep your way to a better life. That’s exactly what Scott E. West, DDS, helps his patients do. Focusing on Snoring, Sleep Apnea and CPAP intolerance, Dr. West has become the premier expert in oral appliance therapy

While CPAP masks are the most effective treatment protocol, it’s not always the best solution for individuals suffering from sleep apnea, a problem that affects the health and longevity of millions.

“The number one treatment for sleep apnea is the CPAP mask. But if you take 100 people who have been told they have sleep apnea, and know that the effects of sleep apnea are very damaging to their health, and you give them the CPAP, and then follow up with them a year later, 60% of them are not wearing it,” says Dr. West, a member of the Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and the Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines. “They don't do a lot of good in the closet.”

His 95% patient success rate speaks volumes, but the countless husband and wives he’s helped take their testimonials a step further, crediting him with being something of a miracle worker.

For patients who are CPAP intolerant, the oral appliance is the best alternative and dentists like Dr West are the professionals licensed to work with these devices While most dentists are trained on one type of sleep aid appliance, Dr. West works with many types of oral appliances.

“We don’t have a one-size-fits-all approach to our patients,” says Dr West, who is one of the few Medicare providers for this procedure ’’ ‘’I have developed a system of simple test where each patient can actually see which appliance will be most effective for them. For this reason, we have a very high success rate.’’

In the mid-1970s, Dr West began his career as a general dental practitioner in Mission Viejo, where he focused on cosmetic and family dentistry

"From day one, I've truly enjoyed helping people," says Dr. West "I enjoyed staying on the cutting edge of aesthetic dentistry, but also became interested in ways to improve my overall health and the health of my patients "

Because of this, it was a natural progression for Dr. West to find himself working closely with Holistic and Naturopathic practitioners and to begin approaching dentistry from a biological point of view So, when a colleague contacted him seven years ago about an oral device he had developed to treat patients with Sleep Apnea and snoring problems, Dr West expanded his practice to include treatment for sleep issues.

“I can’t tell you how good it feels to hear a patient tell me they’ve had the best sleep in years, or that they’ve been able to sleep in the same room as their partner again,” he says. “I’ve seen a patient’s whole life change just because they got a good night’s sleep!”

His 95% patient success rate speaks volumes, but the countless husband and wives he’s helped take their testimonials a step further, crediting him with being something of a miracle worker.

If you think you might have a sleep problem or have participated in a sleep study and are interested in alternatives to the CPAP mask, Dr West's office should be the first phone call you make Consultations are complimentary Among the most common comments from patients is that Dr. West explains their condition and available treatment in such a way that it's easy to understand and determine the best options to address their individual needs

Dr West is now located in Lake Forest just blocks off the 5 freeway. With convenient parking right at his front door, he treats patients from as far North as Los Angeles and as far South as San Diego.

If you would like to know more about Dr West, visit his websites, www cannotusecpap com and www westwellnessdental.com, where you’ll learn about what he can do for you. Questions about your insurance plan? Not a problem. His friendly and caring staff are ready to help you.

A CPA who helps you plan a SECURE FUTURE

Certified Public Accountant Peter D Prescott is single-minded: “I strive to make each client as tax efficient as possible. Using a client’s entire finances as a framework, we establish major goals and then combine tax savings techniques and professional financial planning to enhance the growth of their money!”

Peter’s background is impressive: A business degree from U C Berkeley, a Professional Financial Planning designation from U.C.L.A., a Masters in Taxation from Golden Gate University, Big 8 accounting experience at Price Waterhouse and the rigorous Personal Financial Specialist Designation (PFS) from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Overwhelming technical expertise belie the fact that Peter is a people person His clients appreciate his professional knowledge of course, but love him for his down to earth sensibility, wit and humor. As a man who has participated in public speaking venues, stand-up comedy and a few game shows, Peter loves life and is not only dedicated to his profession, but also maintaining a balance of work and play His most important priority is his own family. His wife Margie is a homemaker and formerly a special education teacher in San Clemente Having three sons, Peter understands that early planning to meet family goals is critical

Peter has been helping Southern Californians with their income tax returns, tax planning, and comprehensive financial planning needs for 35 years Peter is adamant when

he says, “As long as the IRS keeps up with its annual “tax simplification” strategies, you will want to use a professional who understands the constantly changing tax and financial environment ”

Peter stresses that “the start of the year is the perfect time for tax planning It enables us to achieve a good sense of direction and work together with my undivided attention This is true for any individual, small business, or corporation seeking to become more tax efficient and a better financial consumer.”

Knowledge of the tax laws is of little value unless they can be applied wisely to fully meet your needs That is why Peter Prescott follows a comprehensive approach combining effective tax savings, advance financial planning strategies and professional investment methodologies.

Why allow yourself to become anxious and stressed out about your taxes, retirement, college, or business planning? The best time to begin the process is now.

There are still many actions that can be taken to save you money this year and be better positioned for the future

With Peter’s help you will benefit not only from his experience, but you’ll be able to relax a little more too! Call today to schedule a tax planning or tax return preparation meeting to take advantage of Peter’s New Client Offer

Medicare’s General Enrollment period is the least well known about and since it ends March 31st, I thought it would be a good topic to focus on this month

The General Enrollment period star ts January 1st and ends March 31st every year.

Understanding Medicare’s General Enrollment Period

by Stephanie Frisch

During this time, people who missed their Initial Enrollment period into Medicare for some reason, or just have Medicare Part A and missed the timeframe to activate their Part B, can now do so

Then starting April 1st- June 30th, they can enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan either with or without prescription drug coverage, or just enroll in a standalone prescription drug plan The timeframe for adding a supplemental plan is more flexible because you can do that anytime during the year once you have Medicare Part A and B, but you’re only guaranteed issue the first 6 months.

How do people get themselves in this predicament? Here’s one good example: an individual is 65 and on a COBRA plan (suffering very expensive premiums usually) If they didn’t activate their Medicare during their initial election period, then they’re stuck with those very high premiums until the General Enrollment Period rolls around. Since most people pay nothing more than a Medicare Part B premium of $104.90 when they’re on a Medicare Advantage plan and enjoy better benefits than what a COBRA plan offers, each month they have to wait for the General Enrollment Period lends itself to a harsh reminder when they pay their COBRA premium

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, Long-Term Care Planning, The Health Insurance Marketplace-Covered California and Life Insurance. For answers to your questions, to schedule a complimentar y phone appointment or a no-fee face to face consultation for Medicare beneficiaries call 949-351-2443

MENOPAUSE • PERIMENOPAUSE PMS • ANDROPAUSE

WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?

3,500 women enter menopause ever y day in the United States. Menopause is identified as no menstrual cycle for 12 months, but symptoms can be as long as 15 years before the cessation of menses.

WHAT IS PERIMENOPAUSE?

Perimenopause is a highly individual experience. When and how it begins, and how long it las varies widely. Perimenopause, the five to seven years leading up to menopause, is a natural transition in a woman’s life between the ages of 40 and 55.

WHAT IS MALE ANDROPAUSE?

Once it was known as a man having a “Mid-Life Crisis.’’ If you are a male over 40, you may be experiencing this condition which now has a medical name - andropause. Approximately 25 million men experience this condition which can be defined by its nickname “ADAM,’’ which stands for Androgen Decline in the Aging Male. FEATURED ON

❍ Decreased Work Performance

❍ Decrease in Cognitive Function

❍ Loss of Memor y or Concentration

❍ Sad or Grumpy “Grumpy Old Man Syndrome’’

❍ Depression

❍ Irritability, Anger or Bad Temper

❍ Feelings of Being Over Stressed

❍ Anxiety or Ner vousness

❍ Decreased “Enjoyment of Life’’

❍ Decrease in Sex Drive

❍ Erectile Dysfunction

❍ Weight Gain

❍ Decrease in Muscle Mass

❍ Decrease in Strength

❍ Decrease in Endurance

❍ Fatigue

❍ Loss of Height

❍ Deterioration in Sports Ability

❍ Falling Asleep After Dinner

❍ Stiffness & Pain in Joints & Muscles

❍ Hot Flashes

❍ Memor y Lapses

❍ Insomnia

❍ Anxiety

❍ Irritability

❍ Loss of Sexual Interest

❍ Painful Intercourse

❍ Urinar y Leakage

❍ Bloating

❍ Burning Tongue

❍ Snoring

❍ Lower Back Pain

❍ Aching Ankles, Knees, Wrists, Shoulders & Heels

❍ Weight Gain

❍ Night Sweats

❍ Mood Swings

❍ Lower Back Pain

❍ Depression

❍ Migraine Headaches

❍ Vaginal Dr yness

❍ Vaginal Itching

❍ Osteoporosis

❍ Fatigue

❍ PMS

(Pardon My Screaming)

❍ Sore Breasts

❍ Gassy

❍ Hair Loss

❍ Hair Growth on Face

Independence Bank Gets Married

by C. Lawrence "Larry" Thomas

Usually, in this precious space in South County Magazine, I talk about financial and banking issues and services, as well as community relations, that would impact you, the reader. Generally, I write on a “micro” level; meaning about specific services and techniques that can save you time and money in your banking or help you increase your business This article is a little different

This time I need to report a major achievement; a wedding really, between two customer and community oriented banks; Independence Bank (born and raised in Orange County) and Premier Service Bank (a native of Riverside County).

We are now one bank, merging our four Independence Bank offices with the two offices of Premier Service Bank. The result is six offices in Newport Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Fountain Valley, Tustin, Riverside and Corona.

With this addition, Independence Bank can serve a greater number of individuals and families in the larger geographic area But, equally important, we can serve companies with facilities and employees in the expanded area, being of greater service to them.

One of the most important aspects of this merger is a blending of similar purposes; service to our customers and communities

On a Saturday in early February all the employees of both banks got together for a “meet and greet ” The affect was to grow closer and, as a result, we all determined that we are similar in our focus on our customers and communities

The result for our customers is a financially strong bank, that believes in customer service for both individuals and businesses, and that offers the services and benefits that will make the banking experience more efficient and friendly, as well as less costly

For our communities, we are a resource for service and to assist the community’s leadership with banking advise and assistance. We serve dozens of cities and special districts with their banking needs.

For the current customers of both banks, continue to expect the friendliness and excellent customer service you have grown accustomed to; it will only get better and better

All that said, we are excited about the opportunities for the two banks to work together to serve our customers and potential customers That is the increased Power of Independence

C. Lawrence “Larr y” Thomas is First Vice President and South County Regional Manager of Independence Bank. The South County Regional Office is located at 32291 Camino Capistrano, Suite A in San Juan Capistrano. Larr y can be reached at (949) 373-1578 or visit www.ibankca.com

&Health Beauty

Dr Bunkis and Dr Forsberg are Board Certified Plastic Surgeons in Newport Beach With the start of the New Year, getting fit is on the minds of many people The doctors will answer a question with before and after photos from actual patients

QUESTION: “WHY IS YOUR SPECIALTY CALLED ‘PLASTIC’ SURGERY, AND WHAT IS A ‘PLASTIC’ SURGEON?" - Manny T., San Juan Capistrano, CA

ANSWER: This is an interesting question The name of our specialty was derived from the Greek word “plastikos”, which means to shape or to form Plastic Surgery, by definition, is surgery to repair, restore, or improve lost, injured, aged, defective, or misshapen body parts What the lay person usually perceives as plastic surgery is usually related to cosmetic surgery This is an integral part of the Plastic Surgery specialty, and some plastic surgeons specialize in cosmetic surgery, but others may specialize in other branches of the specialty such as taking care of bir th defects, reconstructing body parts or repairing large holes resulting from cancer, surgery or trauma, taking care of burn victims or doing hand surgery! It is true that implants are used for breasts, chins and other body par ts, but most plastic surgical procedures rely on a reshaping or repositioning of your own tissues to achieve the desired result

By definition, a plastic surgeon is one who does plastic surgery But much confusion exists today

Q&A WITH BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEONS AT ORANGE COUNTY PLASTIC SURGERY

(Actual patient of Dr Forsberg): 74yo female before and after facelift, microfat grafting, and fractional laser resurfacing around the mouth

because many physicians who call themselves plastic or cosmetic surgeons have not been trained in plastic surgery residencies, and indeed, some are not even surgeons! The American Board of Plastic Surgery is the only board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties to cer tify a surgeon in plastic surgery of the face and entire body. Many doctors doing “plastic surgery” are indeed Board Certified but in specialties such as Otolaryngol-

ogy (Ears Nose and Throat) or in Internal Medical specialties such as Dermatology. And because they do not have the training to be called Board Certified Plastic Surgeons, many have joined “Boards” which are not recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialists. Becoming a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon requires prerequisite training, a recognized plastic surgery residency, and successfully passing the rigorous examinations presented by the Board There are two main forms of plastic surgery training, a two to three year residency following three to five years of prerequisite training, or an “integrated” six to seven year program in which the resident learns about a variety of surgical specialties but the entire time, the focus is on plastic surgery Dr Forsberg did an integrated program at Wake Forest University and thereafter successfully completed his written and oral examinations to become a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr Bunkis did a complete general surgery residency (with board certification in general surgery) at Columbia University in New York, followed by a plastic surgery residency at Harvard University in Massachusetts, board certification in plastic surgery, and a full time teaching position at the University of California, San Francisco, before venturing into private practice Most people who drive a Mercedes do not take their vehicle to a Toyota mechanic for service Likewise, if you are considering Plastic Surgery, we would suggest that you make sure the surgeon you are considering is indeed a plastic surgeon! If you are considering seeing a particular surgeon, you can always check the American Board of Plastic Surgery web site to see if your surgeon is Board Certified in Plastic Surgery – go ahead and give it a try and you’ll be amazed at how many doctors who represent themselves as plastic surgeons are indeed not plastic surgeons!

Here in California, we do primarily aesthetic surgery and the occasional reconstruction for a mastectomy defect, skin cancer, trauma, etc But we have operated for years in Africa, South America and Guatemala doing pro bono volunteer work Here are examples of the two extremes of plastic surgery, yet with the same goal of making someone look better and feel better about themselves

Please feel free to contact our office at 949-888-9700 to set an appointment with Dr Forsberg or Dr Bunkis You may also visit our website at www.orangecountyplasticsurgery.com to see further examples of similar patients. Our offices are located at 4501 Birch Street in Newport Beach (across from the Radisson Hotel at MacArthur Boulevard).

(Actual patient of Dr Bunkis in Guatemala) Lady in her 30’s with a cleft lip and after repair

Are You a Victim of a Junk-Debt Buyer?

by Jim Cover, Esq.

Are you or is someone you know the victim of a junk-debt buyer? If any of the following scenarios sound familiar, know that there is help available – the bleeding can be stopped, your credit restored and the underlying problem resolved.

Maybe you are a busy professional who went through a brief period of hardship due to a major illness in the family and incurred a substantial amount of medical bills You settled with most of the providers but one bill for $2,900 was referred to a collection agency, and the agency added thousands of dollars in unidentified late fees, interest charges, and collections costs and reported the account to the credit bureaus, demanding you pay $6,100 or they will file suit.

You could be a successful small business owner who was just denied a line of credit with a local bank because there were unpaid items and an outstanding judgment reflected on your credit report A collection agency reported a debt stemming from a disputed account closed more than five years ago The agency recently filed a lawsuit and obtained a fraudulent default judgment against you.

Perhaps you are a realtor that went through a period of little to no income when the market was down and filed for personal bankruptcy You received a discharge of all your unsecured debts, including a $27,000 credit card obligation The bank reported the debt to the credit bureaus as being discharged in bankruptcy, but sold it for pennies on the dollar to a junk-debt buyer who is now aggressively attempting to collect.

You have always paid your bills on time Somehow an identity thief got a fraudulent credit card issued in your name and rung up more than $10,000 in fraudulent charges You filed a police report and notified the bank of the fraud and they closed the account but the bank failed to properly remove the false reporting from your credit profile and sold the account to a junk-debt buyer. Now, the junk-debt buyer files a bogus lawsuit against you in hopes that you will default and they can get a judgment for an otherwise invalid debt.

Every day some version of these scenarios unfolds across the country; what they all have in common is the fact that their adversaries never actually extended credit to any of them. Rather, they are buyers of junk-debt, corporations that purchase, for pennies on the dollar, obligations that have already been deemed uncollectable by the original creditor, and then collect some or all of the money at a profit They buy this debt with little or no documentation of the terms and conditions of the underlying contract, the payment history, or the unbroken chain of title. Frequently, the consumer does not legally owe any money at all. Most of the time, even if there is an underlying obligation, the consumer does not owe the amount that is being claimed Without a valid chain of title, the junk-debt buyer does not have standing to sue

Consumer advocates are becoming aware of the astronomical volume of bogus lawsuits filed by these junk-debt buyers nationwide. We are learning that the vast majority of these collectors have no intention of ever appearing in cour t to prosecute these cases The junk-debt buyers file lawsuits relying on a couple of historically accurate assumptions: that the vast majority of consumers will not timely respond to the lawsuits resulting in a default, and the courts often award default judgments based on questionable proofs of service and documents inaccurately depicted as affidavits

Many of these cases are completely defensible In addition to the issues referenced above, there are often other significant defects, and discovering these defects doesn't require a deep background in litigation defense or consumer law. It just requires attentively reviewing the complaint and accompanying materials over a cup of coffee armed with a highlighter and a pen

First, look for defects on the face of the complaint. For example, the named plaintiff might be a different corporation from the entity named in the supporting documents. This occurs with surprising frequency

Second, California requires debt buyers to be licensed as debt collectors, so check whether the debt buyer is currently licensed and in good standing. Suing on behalf of a suspended corporation or one without a license creates standing issues and constitutes a violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

Third, challenge the plaintiff's ability to prove the existence of, and the terms and conditions of, the alleged underlying contract. More often than not the junk-debt buyer does not have the evidence necessary to establish its case.

CoverLaw, a business, tax and consumer law firm in San Clemente, Calif , strives to help consumers, professionals and business owners with these and similar issues Our approach is to simultaneously treat the symptoms (restore the clients credit, financial stability and reduce stress), stop the bleeding (halt collections and the reporting of negative information, levies, garnishments, foreclosures, and repossessions) and address the underlying causes of the problem (overwhelming debts, defaults, litigation, judgments, audits, and back taxes).

AMaster Instructor in Martial arts, Magic and Music who has been teaching these arts to the local community for over 20 years, Adam Zax Ialong with co-founder Ken Friess (Friess Contracting in San Juan Capistrano), James Peterson (Chairman of the Board of Microsemi Corp in Aliso Viejo) and longtime friend Ricardo Beas (Ricardo's Place in San Juan Capistrano), was inspired to help our local military heroes by giving of their time, talent and resources. In the following interview with South County Magazine, Adam shares his vision for the organization, the inspiration behind the formation of the not-for-profit 501(c)3 foundation

Adam Zax: The dual missions that Well Rounded Heroes Foundation has are a result of two different inspirations The first one came when I saw a television program that was a report on the lives of the family members of our active military soldiers. I was stunned to learn that the heroes who had been and were protecting my freedom all these years had families at home that were sacrificing a lot more than just the absence of their loved one The show explained that in many cases soldiers families could not afford even the most basic things we take for granted. For many soldiers things like basic cable TV or the ability to afford dance or martial arts lessons for their children are completely out of reach This amazed me and at that moment of learning this I made the decision to do something about it I wanted to find a way to offer training and/or lessons in WHATEVER these Heroes and their families wanted to learn

It was shortly thereafter that I was inspired again. This time the program I saw was discussing the separation of those in the mili-

Making a Difference: The Well Rounded Heroes Foundation

An interview with Executive Director and Founder Adam Zax

tary with the civilian population. They pointed out that if you ask a civilian how many active military soldiers they personally know and have regular contact with, most people with say less than a handful out of hundreds or thousands of people they work with on a regular basis If you ask a military family or soldier the same question you will get a similar answer as most soldiers only know a few civilians as almost everyone in their circles are active military as well.

When I learned this fact I was reminded of my childhood and the feelings I had during the Vietnam war when my eldest sisters friends were being drafted and sent to war I recall the real feeling of fear that I had for them and for the idea of losing them This fact made me feel very strongly about what wars our country was going to engage in and it made me realize those feelings have been absent for most civilians like myself ever since the first Iraq war Just like the decision to do something about those military families quality of life it became apparent to me that I needed to start a foundation that would address this issue and get the military and civilian communities back together again as they once were

I could see that there were plenty of foundations that served soldiers and even their families, all of which are noble but none of which brought together the military and civilian communities

That was when the concept for Well Rounded Heroes Foundation came to me We would not only serve the Soldiers and their Families by allowing them to learn the skill or art of their dream but we would have civilians be the ones who teach them and in doing so create new bonds with each other.

SCM: What is the mission of the foundation and whom/what organizations does it benefit?

AZ: In short there are two missions of WRHF. The first is to allow Veterans, Active Military AND their immediate families to learn the skill or art of their choosing at little or no cost to them. Our site www.wellroundedheroes.org will act as a matching site for those who want to learn and those who are willing to teach them WRHF will court individuals, teachers and schools to offer courses at greatly reduced prices or full scholarship In addition, we will solicit the community to give them a chance to give something back other than a financial donation.

The way it works is as follows: Say for example a daughter of soldier wants to learn hip hop dancing in Phoenix She will go on the site and register There she can use a directory to see if there are already any hip hop classes available already If there is, we can match her immediately If there is not she will register a request for a teacher. We will find her a teacher in Phoenix. Once she has been taught to the point of being able to teach others, she will be expected to pay it forward to others by becoming a teacher for the foundation if they can This creates perpetual growth for the foundation Classes can be offered in just about anything, for example at our local Well Rounded Heroes Academies in San Juan Capistrano we teach Martial Arts, Magic and Illusions and Music & Recording

My hope is that South County Magazine readers will decide they have something to offer, whether its teaching astronomy, how to speak in public or the best ways to cook quick meals. EVERYONE has something to teach and simply offering it will make them feel better about themselves even if no one takes them up on their offer. If some readers really feel they have no skill or art to offer then I hope they will donate financially to the cause.

e can be reached at 888-855-0215 or on the site at www.wellroundedheroes.org

Thanks for taking the time!

The second mission relates the first in that it is WRHF's goal is to have the teachers mainly come from the civilian community as means of creating bonds between our civilian and military communities. We need to know the HEROES who protect and fight for us and their families who sacrifice so much

So this foundation is different than most in that we ask business people in the community to consider teaching someone something vs. just asking for money Yes we can use funds, but it's the idea of someone offering of themselves to those who protected their freedom or sacrificed for it that makes it different

4. What are the foundation's goals and visionboth short term and long term?

Our long term goal is to be a national matching organization, using the web based database system to handle much of the matching just as dating sites do now We want to see that all qualified Heroes meet and bond with non-military teachers in whatever they want to learn.

The short term goals are to put together the infrastructure of volunteers to make the dreams of these Heroes realities This will take charitable donations but most importantly it will take individuals from local communities deciding to do more than just send a check or applaud for a soldier at the airport. Don' t misunderstand me, those are noble acts and should not be stopped, I am simply talking about delving deeper into people's ability to give of themselves as these Heroes and their families have done for them.

SCM: What are some of the foundation's achievements to date?

AZ: To date, the biggest achievements have been in being able to teach some of the local Heroes and their kids at no charge. The appreciation level for our services is off the chart and the feelings of satisfaction cannot be measured We have launched the website, although it is now being updated with a new database section to handle the matching.

We have in a short time since being designated non-profit raised a fair amount of funds; I am happy to announce that Microsemi has committed $25,000 to the foundation and Diamon-Fusion International, after donating over $15000 last year, has committed now to donating a percentage of gross sales this year and beyond. Our fundraising efforts have just begun

Now, This Place Has Roots!

Curtis Michaels Full Service Salon

by Heather Evans

Everyone is always talking about “how things used to be ” The days when people knew what service meant, what sacrifice was about and the ar t and work of chasing a dream. These days, it’s harder to find a business that has survived through the years and still maintains their roots (pun intended)

The Curtis Michaels Full Service Salon is perfectly at home in historic San Juan Capistrano. Making history themselves, the Curtis Michaels salon has four generations working there, three of which are exclusively in San Juan Capistrano.

The salon officially opened on April 1st, 1994, by owners Curtis and Chantele Gallegos They met years before, when Curtis owned another salon where Chantele had a small boutique space with her own label: Chantele Designs. Chantele also worked as a skilled manicurist and it wasn’t long before Curtis fell for her and asked for her hand in marriage

The two decided to follow their dreams, so together they sold everything and moved into a small converted garage to open up Curtis Michaels Full Service Salon. Chantele worked tirelessly, juggling her fashion, manicure and future styling career by working during the day and attending school at night. The business quickly became a huge success and the couple eventually found themselves as inventors Introducing the revolutionary ‘Colorrod,’ they spent many

years traveling and educating other hair ar tists across southern California A tool specifically designed to assist with highlights and low-lights, the Colorrod helps maintain beautiful, shiny, healthy hair. “With the Colorrod, seeing is believing!” says Curtis.

The key factor that sets this salon apart from others is they are so deep rooted in the belief that family, fun and dedication make for an exceptional experience Customers, vendors and their employees say this is the most welcoming, talented group of professionals they’ve come across. The salon is dedicated to keeping abreast of the latest trends and education, so they hold monthly classes to keep everyone informed Curtis and Chantele love to motivate their staff and reward them for their wonderful work

They are also known for turning Junior Stylists into highly soughtafter staff! On Sundays, they offer a $20 wash and hair cut and Junior Stylists get to share their upcoming talent by experimenting with cut and colors next to the hands of seasoned professionals at a reasonable price point Their men’s cuts are $30 and women’s cuts begin at $55 All haircuts are seven days a week, but the Curtis Michaels Salon is open every day of the week

There’s trendy, there’s modern and then there’s exceptional. The Curtis Michaels Salon is the absolute best at making you look your best They’ve got over 30 years of combined experience to prove it!

"Randy Rose is the consummate professional who is experienced, knowledgeable, passionate, patient and caring. He easily beats the competition by knowing more, caring more, spending more time and doing what it takes to assure complete customer/client satisfaction He short-changes no one because he possesses deep professional pride and cares about ‘getting it right’ " -

Morris Hasson, M.D. -

Center for Effective Weight Loss & Lifestyle Change

After 15 years as the Medical Director at US Irvine Weight Management Program, Morris Hasson, MD opened a full-time concierge practice in Aliso Viejo in 2012 Although his concierge practice was thriving, Dr Hasson felt a key component was missing and a year ater, he expanded his practice to include The Center for Effective Weight Loss & Lifestyle Change.

"In my first year as a concierge physician, I really missed not having a weight management component in my medical practice," says Dr Hasson, a Board Cer tified Internal Medicine Physician "I felt it was a needed and impactful offering not ust for some of my own patients, but also for others in the community. It has been very rewarding.”

Dr Hasson brings both his vast professional experience as well as his personal compassion to a varied group of patients, many of whom have long-standing and complex medical histories

The weight program is staffed by dietitians and other healthcare educators teaching weekly classes and Dr. Hasson, who sees the Center’s patients on a weekly basis, adds that "it's wonderful to see patients transform from having to stop to catch their breath three times between the parking lot and my office into patients who routinely use the stairs and exercise more than I do "

Program Director Sheri Normann, MS RD brings years of experience (she helped organize the Optifast Program at Fountain Valley Hospital in the 1980s) and a motivational, non-judgmental approach to helping patients lose weight

The Center offers many program options to help patients achieve their weight loss goals. The most popular option is a full meal replacement program This program uses OPTIFAST products that consist of shakes, bars, and soups fortified with extra protein which safely allows the calorie level to drop below 1,000 calories per day Most women lose 2-4 pound per week and most men lose 3- 5 pounds per week

"Without lifestyle changes, temporary efforts result in temporary weight loss," says Dr Hasson "Patients must attend weekly lifestyle education classes taught by an experienced Health Educator. Depending on the program option, many will also be medically supervised and have periodic blood tests to help ensure their safety during weight loss."

Throughout Orange County and across the globe, there’s a buzz in the yoga, fitness, and wellness communities The excitement is surrounding Yoga Tune Up®, a refreshing movement-based method Part of the enthusiasm rests on a specialized two and a half inch rubber ball with the sole function of massaging the entire body

The Yoga Tune Up® therapy balls have been featured on Oprah com, the Today Show and even better, it’s being embraced by the medical community Due to the physical and mental benefits, strong emphasis on anatomy and movementbased therapy, the method is revolutionizing the concept of self-care. Through self-guided deep tissue massage, Yoga Tune Up® therapy ball rolling relieves pain, improves posture and enhances body function, leading to a higher quality of life.

Get Rolling and Have a Ball!

by Stephanie Leger

Applying the body’s weight against the therapy balls, and using various rolling techniques on the floor or at a wall unearths and unwinds tangled, knotted regions of the body By rolling the therapy balls over the body’s tissues - from of the soles of the feet, to the crown of the head and everywhere in between, the work relieves strain and stress from joints, muscles and connective tissue Designed to stimulate multiple layers of muscles as they target and unravel tension from high-charged areas like the neck, upper back, lower back, hips, iliotibial band, and feet. In turn, this helps improve muscle strength, flexibility, while preventing injury and bringing the body back into balance

Beyond the abundant physical benefits, employing the therapy balls also has a significant tranquilizing effect on the nervous system They stimulate specialized nerve endings called “Ruffini endings,” which are found in the deepest layers of tissue. This helps to down-regulate the nervous system and create a deep state of relaxation.

Give yourself a massage, tune up the body and feel better It’s no wonder Yoga Tune Up® is creating such a stir! Promoting health and wellness in an incredible number of ways, the method is great for all walks of life. Classes can be found in a growing number of yoga studios, fitness centers and wellness programs today. Get rolling, have a ball and gain a higher quality of life.

Stephanie Leger is a yoga instructor at Align Pilates Center. Connect with Stephanie, Nicole, Cara and the Align Pilates team by calling (949) 481-3577, stop by the studio at 26850 Ortega Hwy., Suite K in San Juan Capistrano or visit www.alignpilatescenter.com

Pets of the Month

Snickers is a happy Australian Shepherd mix who lives up to her sweet name! She loves long walks and running around in the yard and at 4 years old has the perfect level of energy. Whether you’re looking for an active outdoor companion or a furry friend to just sit by your side, Snickers will make a loving and loyal addition to your home

Two year old King is a lovable pooch hoping to meet his new best friend Very friendly and full of energy, King loves to cuddle and lavish you with kisses When he’s not busy running around the yard, he doesn’t mind just hanging out and being mellow. If his soulful gaze doesn’t get you, his captivating disposition will!

Miso is a real beauty in the cat room and loves to be brushed and pampered

A 1 ½ year old Persian, Miso can be a little shy at first but after she gets comfor table she is lovely company! Once you meet her, you’re sure to be enchanted by her big blue eyes and winning personality

This little lady is Chiquita and she is ooking for a lap to call her own A 3 year old Domestic Shor thair, Chiquita is as sweet as can be and loves to greet you with a purr and a rub against your leg When she’s not showering you with attention, she can be found gazing attentively at the birds outside her window If you’re looking for a loving lap kitty, Chiquita might just be your perfect match!

The Sculpted Brow Eyebrow & Beauty Bar

One feature a person can change about their face that doesn’t require surgery is the shape of their eyebrows Excessively thin, dramatic eyebrows can give an individual an overly harsh look. On the other hand, the right eyebrow shape can make a person look younger by softening their facial features This softening touch is achieved through defining the eyes and framing the face, which give the appearance of lifting the eyes That is why

The Sculpted Brow believes eyebrows are one of the most overlooked attributes on a person’s face. Their philosophy is eyebrows look best when they are full, natural and well defined.

The Sculpted Brow is an eyebrow and beauty bar located in the heart of Dana Point dedicated to creating beautifully shaped brows. When a client comes in for an appointment, they are shown where their eyebrows should start, arch and end according to each person’s own unique facial structure Once this is determined, the eyebrows are sculpted to perfection by either using a gentle cream wax or through careful tweezing Because hygiene is paramount, waxing sticks are never double dipped!

After each eyebrow is meticulously shaped, clients are shown how to fill in their brows to accentuate their natural appearance The Sculpted Brow also features a full line of custom brow products, which include brow powders, brushes and grooming gels to keep those brows tamed and defined throughout the day.

The Sculpted Brow is committed to continually researching the ever expanding field of skin and beauty care As a result, they are pleased to offer some of the best new beauty finds in the industry. So while you wait, check out some of their amazing finds.

The Sculpted Brow is more than just an eyebrow bar Additionally, full body waxing is offered as well professional makeup services to meet the needs of all those special occasions. Whether it is a wedding, party, photo shoot or just a girl’s night out, they have you covered.

Talia Chavez is a licensed esthetician and graduate from California State University San Marcos. Talia has been an esthetician for over 10 years and has specialized in eyebrow shaping for over 5 of those years.

"I decided to have brainwave optimization because I was suffering from depression and insomnia Little did I know that my troubles were much deeper then that At my assessment, it was uncovered that I was suffering from abandonment issues and the aftermath of a severe head injury 6 years previous The injury visibly had healed, but the evaluation said that my lobes were no longer talking After 6 years of being off, I needed help Thank God for Awoken Life and Brainwave Optimization - I feel more confident than ever and my depression is completely gone, Im sleeping better and have an overall sense of calm I am amazed that this process worked with only 5 days of treatment " - Catherine C , Dana Point

Owner Talia Chavez

Life Transitions: The most excitingand often very scary places to be

by Genene Dunn

Many of life’s milestones are wonderful, exciting events (high school or college graduation, marriages, births, etc ), but often little forethought is given to the stress that can accompany these momentous moments

One of the most effective ways to balance the celebration of each occasion with the pressures that can come along with them is to have a plan in place to help with the financial side of things.

Among the most celebratory and positive experiences in life are the transitions between earning your degree and entering the workforce, getting married and starting a family

This is the point I find myself today. I will be completing law school in a few months and although I have been working in the law profession for over five years, I will be entering an entirely new aspect of the industry Over the course of the past year, I got married, bought a house, and will be planning to start a family in the near future

While all these things are greatly rewarding, what comes with them is an entirely new sphere of fear and stress that does not get discussed as much as the celebration of everything. It’s expensive to start a family, purchase a home, obtain stability, and keep your debt under control during these transitional points in life - and having a plan for how to handle the financial side of things can greatly help you keep perspective on the personal side of things

The best way to alleviate the financial stress that invariably comes with life’s transitions to seek advice from a trusted professional who help can shed some light on the reality of your specific financial situation. In my case, my husband and I are planning to start a family, but I am feeling burdened by student loans, a mortgage and increasing bills and the thought of adding the expense of a child becomes almost more intimidating than exciting

A financial professional can help you understand how to best navigate your financial future - how much income you’re bringing in, how that income should be invested or spent, and how to ensure that all debts and bills are paid in a timely manner will allow you to prepare for each new phase in life.

If you own a home or have any substantial assets, a good attorney will suggest you also prepare a trust to ensure your assets are protected from probate. In that case, you may also want to consider advice on what types of people you should choose to serve as the guardians to take care of your children and what types of people you should choose as your trustee to handle your assets in the best way possible.

Once you have received the proper advice from a professional who has made you feel confident in your life situation and how to reach your goals, the next step thing to think about is how to best protect your new family or assets

The main thing to consider in protecting your new family is what guardians you should choose to appoint should something happen to you and your partner. The best way to appoint guardians and ensure your choice is legally binding is to prepare a will A will allows you to outline who will serve as the guardian(s) of your children and estate, as well as backups to those guardians in the event that something should happen to the individuals you have chosen The best way to ensure you have a properly constructed will is to seek the advice of an attorney to make sure the guardians are adequately and legally secured, and to see if there is anything else you should be doing to protect your children in addition to preparing a will

If you own a home or have any substantial assets, a good attorney will suggest you also prepare a trust to ensure your assets are protected from probate. In that case, you may also want to consider advice on what types of people you should choose to serve as the guardians to take care of your children and what types of people you should choose as your trustee to handle your assets in the best way possible. It may be that these two types of people are one in the same, or it may be that they are different individuals to ensure a balance you believe is necessary to handle all of your affairs.

Align Pilates Center

by Heather Evans

There’s nothing worse than being excited to start a new fitness class but then immediately feel bad because you don’t know what you’re doing and there’s no one to point you in the right direction. I, for one, have found myself totally lost and half dancing in Zumba, falling over 50 times in yoga class, and pretty much just wanting to call my mom (or therapist) after five minutes n boot camp. Still, my quest for fitness remains and I never know where to start. It’s always hard to join the flow of the class and most instructors don’t have the know how to accommodate people of all fitness levels

Accommodating: This is exactly what sets Align Pilates Center in San Juan Capistrano apart.

Pilates is an incredible workout for everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Nicole Howard and Cara Fraser, owners of Align Pilates Center want people to know that everyone is welcome to try their classes and see for themselves why their method is so incredible

“We strive to enhance and enrich the lives of our clients and not just their bodies through the Pilates method," says Nicole. "We focus on quality of movement rather than the quantity of exercise We offer the experience of Pilates to develop the mind, body and spirit in a great environment We also pride ourselves on our years of education and our advanced training."

Specializing in private training, semi-private/group training and mat classes, they truly have something for everyone

“We have been for tunate to have worked under a physical therapist as PT aides for over the eight years prior to opening Align Pilates Center," says Cara "This has given us a tremendous learning experience regarding post rehabilitation in combination with personal training through Pilates It’s also wonderful that we all hold degrees in dance from CSULB plus a Comprehensive Pilates Training with Dance Specialization Cer tification from BASI and Master Pilates training from the renowned Rael Isacowitz It truly has given us the oppor tunity to work with high-level athletes to the elderly, even children "

Nicole adds that “having had the pleasure of dancing together, training together, and working together for almost 13 years, we have an amazing ability to lean on each other and work as a team We have also had great education experiences and wonderful teachers "

By attention to detail and an immense knowledge of the body, team Align focuses on bringing your body, mind and spirit into alignment through quality pilates Pilates is a form of movement developed to simultaneously strengthen, stretch, tone, and align the body. It concentrates on proper form, breath, and the mind/body connection to create a full body workout that is highly affective. The pilates repertoire and equipment uses a combination of springs, pulleys, gravity, and body weight to provide resistance to the muscles The versatility of the movement and equipment allows for alterations in the practice to accommodate any personal limitations or ability. Ultimately creating a customized pilates session to the individual Pilates is truly a unique movement based form of exercise that improves ones health and quality of life At Align Pilates Center this is always their number one goal.

SOUTH COUNTYCALEN

The Last Haircut and Style

Hospice Care of the West

by Denise Carson

Nancy Johnson, a volunteer for Hospice Care of the West, is on call to give haircuts and makeovers to patients wishing to look and feel good at the end of their life. For many, it’s the last haircut and style

Nancy is part of a team at Hospice Care of the West that provides comfort care for patients enduring a life-limiting illness in their home, or wherever they call home. The hospice team includes a doctor, nurse, social worker, spiritual care coordinator, the home health aid that cares for personal hygiene and a volunteer, like Nancy who gives of their talents to improve the quality of life for their patients

The mission of Hospice Care of the West is to celebrate the lives of their patients and in that way Nancy ensures the patients look good for the occasion She is on-call when she is not working at her own shop, Shear Attitude, in Newport Beach

One of her most memorable experiences came on the afternoon she received an urgent call that Katherine, a 93-year-old hospice patient, needed a haircut and style Katherine requested Nancy come right away Upon arriving at Katherine’s home, Les, her son answered the door Nancy entered to see a frail woman connected to an oxygen tank Her hair was already washed and ready for a cut So, they walked into the kitchen. Nancy whisked a black cape out and around her patient. Katherine gave specific directions on how she wanted her hair cut and styled.

“I want it short in the back, longer on top,” Katherine said

After Nancy spun her magic, she gave a mirror to Katherine.

“Outstanding,” Katherine said beaming Nancy turned to Les

“When was the last time you had your hair cut?”

“This is not about me it’s about her,” Les said But he couldn’t remember the last time as he had been so wrapped up with caring for his mother An hour later, Les sported a new haircut too He was filled with gratitude that Nancy had taken the time to care for both of them

Katherine passed away the next day.

“She looked good for Jesus,” Nancy said “I think in my heart of hearts, she knew it was time ”

When Nancy was just 25 years old, her mother was dying from esophageal cancer. She gave her mother a last haircut and perm at home just three days before she passed away.

“It was a bittersweet,” Nancy says recalling combing and styling her mother ’s hair for the last time “I knew this was it, but it made her happy and in that moment I was happy too ”

That’s why Nancy and her calling to just make people feel good in the moment while on hospice is in sync with the team at Hospice Care of the West who believe every moment we have a chance to transform, celebrate and honor the lives of our patients.

She was introduced to Hospice Care of the West in 2010 when her husband, Paul Johnson, the longtime NBC4 Today in LA morning traffic repor ter, went into hospice He was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, the deadliest form of brain cancer Paul made the decision not to have any treatment radiation or chemotherapy.

“I don’t want to be sick while I’m sick,” Paul said to Nancy “I want to live the bucket list while there’s still time ”

So, they rode a B-29 bomber, saw a live performance of South Pacific and every weekend they celebrated his life with friends coming in from near and far for backyard barbecues.

“He had an amazing quality of life,” Nancy said “If there is such a thing as a beautiful death, he had one He died at home in my arms and he was not in pain. Deb Robson, of Hospice Care of the West, was with me, every step of the way Sometimes she would come at midnight if I needed her “

Nancy wanted to find a way to give back. She married her love for cutting hair with volunteering for the hospice Whether at her shop, Shear Attitude in Newport Beach, or in the home of a hospice patient, Nancy wakes up every morning excited about who is going to be in her chair that day.

One morning, she was called to the home of Arline Perrizo, 93, and her daughter, Mary. Nancy trimmed and curled Arline’s hair as she twirled around the kitchen Then she blushed Arline’s cheeks and rolled on some lipstick She took off the cape and brought the mirror up for Arline to see.

“I feel like myself again,” Arline said Mary, her daughter, smiled. “Hospice Care of the West is truly our hospice angels, I don’t know what we would do without you,” she said

From Wig to Wag

by Heather Evans

You know the hipster grunge look? The shaggy hair, the pathetic mustache, the disheveled NOT sexy look? Got it pictured in your mind? Good Now, take a look at your dog The poor thing needs grooming, doesn’t it! You are a bad dog

To the untrained eye, poodles are actually a tougher breed to groom than you’d think, but the results are worth the extra time and effort Liana and Alma give.

owner if you’ve let your pet become a shaggy ironic hipster pooch I bet your dog has even begun to chew up your favorite pair of TOM’S Shameful

It’s going to be ok. Here’s what you need to do: Take them to Wig Wag dog grooming! They are the best. You’ve met the owner, Liana, and recently learned about her newest hire: Alma And, if you’re truly a gold-star South County reader, you’ve read that Liana’s grandmother is a big part of the reason that San Juan Capistrano is a destination train stop!

What we haven’t done is show you what they can do We’ve decided to put them to the test and they met us to the challenge. Meet miniature poodle Lislot! See the grungy, hipster ‘before’ shot vs. the “after’ happy shot?

To the untrained eye, poodles are actually a tougher breed to groom than you’d think, but the results are wor th the extra time and effor t Liana and Alma give Just look at how adorable Lislot looks! “I washed her with our signature oatmeal shampoo, followed by our conditioner,” says Alma. “I fluffed-dried her, trimmed her nails, cleaned her ears, pulled her ear hair out, and give her a poodle puppy cut with her owner’s instructions, which included a five blade on her face instead of the traditional clean face and feet. She likes the ears really long and a pom pom tail I see her every four to six weeks We just love her!”

If you think your dog isn’t aware of it’s looks, think again! Every pooch deserves to look as stylish and happy as Lislot.

According to John Casato, principle at St Anne Middle School in Laguna Niguel, eighth grader

Ashton Carroll is a great combination of hardwork, intelligence and a fun-loving attitude.

“Ashton is insightful beyond her years, has a ton of friends and performs at the highest level academically,” he says “She is truly a wellrounded individual who represents the best of her generation!”

Ashton Carroll STANDOUT STUDENT

St. Anne School, Laguna Niguel Class of 2018

Ashton is a natural leader and unifier She serves as President of the St Anne Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society; she is editor of the school’s yearbook, a teacher-elected member of Where Everyone Belongs (a student mentoring program) and a member of St Anne’s Future Problem Solvers team – all while excelling in academics for a GPA of 4.8. She even took second place in St. Anne’s recent Geography Bee.

Ashton stays active in club level soccer, and is on her school’s soccer, volleyball and basketball teams She is a member of the St Anne surfing club and enjoys water and snow skiing She recently completed a “mountains to sea” hiking and camping trip through western North Carolina and the coast of South Carolina.

Ashton (seen here sorting donations) provides community service through a number of organizations Her primary focus is Sports Gift, based in Laguna Hills, which refurbishes used athletic equipment and then provides it to underserved children throughout the U S and abroad She recently personally delivered a complete set of soccer uniforms and equipment to a church youth program in an impoverished area of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Ashton does not yet have any concrete plans for college or career, but is considering the study of law

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SPOTLGHT ON

Owner Robin Clow

Doheny Builders Supply

by Heather Evans

photography by Melisa Chandler, Chandler Photography

You can say this much about Doheny Builder’s Supply: It’s built tough by one heck of a woman Meet Robin Clow, owner of Doheny Builder’s Supply (DBS) She’s amazing Until 14 months ago, she led a completely different professional life as a paralegal Then things changed

Her father had owned and operated Serra Lumber Company since 1969 The business was phased out due to the big-box store effect Her brother Tracy took it over, retooled the company with the help of their father, and DBS was run by Tracy for 18 years When her brother sadly passed away last year, Robin stepped in to save the iconic family business

“Talk about a crash course,” Robin laughs. “The first thing I did was make a promise to our existing employees (one of whom had been with us for 35 years) that no one was losing their job. I can’t tell you how much we value our employees. As for me, I’m learning so much. I wear every different hat here that you can think of and I enjoy all of the different aspects of this job,” she says.

DBS has been known for being a niche business where truly everyone knows your name “That’s why I had to step up We’re a family here,” Robin comments In addition to selling quality doors, windows, moulding, hardware, masonry, landscaping, and every other necessary supply you can think of- they are famous for their on-site custom jamb/milling shop and rebar fabricating

The company itself has wonderful prices, a huge selection and helpful employees (unlike most big box stores), but that’s not the only thing that makes it great. The history is truly in the walls, as people come just to see the vintage pictures of DBS throughout the years. “We’ve been known as the community secret,” Robin says to us. “We’re known for our special orders and we are very proud that our customers largely know us from referrals, not because we’re a huge chain store.”

While Robin might not be changing any of the Clow family secrets to great business, she is certainly adding to it. Incorporating a new tagline: ‘Doing business the old-fashioned way with integrity,’ Robin is excited about growing the business and putting it on the Orange County map She recently unveiled their new website: www dohenysupply net, and she has big plans for the female aspect of home improvement “I’m a woman business owner and I want to share that experience with our community,” she says “In the past, we’ve done fun events, like pull the In-N-Out truck up to the shop and serve burgers and beers That was definitely a memorable day,” she continues, laughing “But I want to offer something even more for female home owners I plan to host female-centered events on home improvement, teaching them things from how to use a paver to simple things like weather-stripping replacement ” Robin is dedicated to continue giving back to the community through hands-on mentoring workshops to teach the next generation Something tells us her plans for DBS are going to inspire a new generation of builders, homeowners and business owners alike!

Low Back Pain? Sciatica? Plantar Fasciitis?

by AnnMarie Librescu

If you've ever had low back pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis or foot pain, you know how miserable it can make you feel and if you're like most folks, it's worth trying anything short of surgery to relieve the pain Many physicians recommend Good Feet products,

including shoe inserts that have been scientifically and medically tested to alleviate the pain and promote healing

At the Good Feet store in Dana Point, you'll discover shoe inserts that support your feet in comfort so that you can enjoy walking, dancing or playing sports again. This family-owned and operated store carries a full range of 25 different inserts to fit every pair of shoes in your closet They provide long lasting relief from foot problems such as plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, bunions and other common conditions.

"Your feet are your foundation," says Carolyn of the Good Feet Dana Point store "That's why we custom fit every pair of Good Feet arch supports that we sell and our inser ts fit into every style of shoe imaginable, including sandals, boots, high heels, and athletic footwear." Every client who comes into the store gets his or her arches and foot flexibility measured. Good Feet arch suppor ts come in over 350 sizes, styles and flexibility to ensure a great fit

Teen Entrepreneur Academy at Concordia University, Irvine

“It’s never too early to teach teens business,” according to Stephen Christensen, founder of the Teen Entrepreneur Academy (TEA) at Concordia University where he also serves as entrepreneurship instructor and dean of the business school. “Our local business leaders have acknowledged the relevance and importance of entrepreneurship as an educational and economic remedy, making the need for youth entrepreneurship programs more evident than ever With the recent recession creating a new standard

of employment, entrepreneurship has become not only popular, but essential for job creation And what better environment to host the Academy than entrepreneurial Orange County California, a hotbed of technology, innovation and business startups.” TEA fosters the development of an educated and business-savvy workforce that ultimately suppor ts the region’s and America’s economic vitality

A 2011 national Gallup survey of high schoolers found that:

• 86% of high school students wished they had more business classes

• Seven out of 10 said they want to start their own business

What do high school kids know about being entrepreneurs? Turns out their curiosity about the world around them, their natural creativity, willingness to take risks, and unbridled enthusiasm add up to the characteristics of our greatest entrepreneurs Concordia's TEA is a one-week residential summer camp academy for teenagers that encourages the next generation of entrepreneurs This program “sparks or fans the flame” of business ownership in young people whose inventiveness and drive can actually teach us something about being entrepreneurs. TEA empowers TeenPreneurs to kick-start their business startup dreams while writing their own practical business launch plans

Living in the university’s dorms on campus in Irvine, 75 participants get total immersion in entrepreneurial culture and business principles. The 2014 Academy occurs Sunday, July 13, 2014 to Saturday, July 19, 2014 We know that education is a key to improving a person and a changing a community Therefore, we take great satisfaction in introducing teenagers to the real world of business startups and opportunities presented by entrepreneurship

Young entrepreneurs at Concordia University's Teen Entrepreneur Academy

Where Summers Go Swimmingly

& spas from Gold Coast Pool & Spa

Apool is an enormous value to a raws friends and family to you; it’s r exercise and respite alike; it’s a ull of fun waiting to happen. When un-down and bleeding energy (and e there’s no tomorrow, it’s the assle a homeowner ever entero if you have a pool (or the semone), or if you are considering a pool, the question is: How do you th a pool that’s an advantage, not on?

tter You might say that Nick grew ecutive of one of the largest pool a young man, he worked for his far and maintenance clientele before company that installed pools. He would listen to the owners brag about the price they had gotten for pools they would install with no finesse and little quality, and he knew that he could not only build better pools, he could give homeowners everything they really wanted in their biggest backyard fixture He founded Gold Coast Pool & Spa, now the premier builder and remodeler of custom swimming pools in Orange County.

Nick quickly enlisted the help of Rick Fulton, one of the best softscape and landscape designers in the region Together Nick and Rick have

designed and built thousands of pools and spas across the county, from simple shapes to extraordinary water features characterized by rich foliage, waterfalls, cabanas, bathrooms, outdoor kitchens and fireplaces More and more, homeowners are coming to them to reinvent existing pools, which is always an exciting challenge for Nick and Rick Dilapidated, dysfunctional pools are transformed into beautiful, energy efficient watery escapes that can truly be enjoyed. Whether designing new pools or remodeling old ones, Gold Coast Pool & Spa’s purpose is to create pool environments that turn your backyard into a place of elegance, beauty and style that welcomes you and the ones you love, every day

“Quality pools and beautiful backyards are a product of excellent, detailed design and honest work, simple as that,” says Nick. “When you have a good idea of what elements you want, you can trust our vision to tie it all together We want you to love your pool and enjoy your backyard every single day Otherwise, what’s the point?”

For most homeowners, this comes down to a couple of factors: cost and comfort.

New technologies developed as recently as within the last decade have dramatically altered the energy efficiencies and therefore the cost efficiencies of swimming pool equipment The impact is so remarkable that Nick asserts that with key technology upgrades, homeowners can save up to 90% of what they currently spend in energy costs using outdated, inefficient technology. That means heating your pool won’t

Owner Nick Satter

by Betsy Sanz • Cover photography by Lana Farfan, Caught in the Moment Photography

Since the beginning of swimming pools, the arrival of summer was trumpeted not just by the scents of jasmine and waffle cones, but by the chokingly dubious smell of calcium and sodium hypochlorite, replete with all its unhappy byproducts: burning eyes, dry skin and green hair. The reign of chemical chlorine is over. Today, homeowners, with the help of advocates like Nick and Gold Coast Pool & Spa, are turning to natural chlorine (aka saline) pools for healthy recreational swimming Did you know that conver ting your chemical chlorine pool to a safe, natural saline pool is not only possible, but is possible within hours? Saline also requires less maintenance and does less damage to pumps and equipment, making your pool not only a ton more pleasant but also less costly to maintain. Such are the benefits of conver ting to saline that Nick promises to give his clients “nearly care-free pools and spas ”

If you have a swimming pool that is in need of a cosmetic remodel, a saline conversion or a technology update, or if you want to increase the value of your property and the quality of your domestic lifestyle by installing a custom pool, consider contacting Gold Coast Pool & Spa. The firm is a fully licensed general contractor, possessing a B1 and C53 custom pool builders licenses Unlike your stereotypical construction contractors, Nick and Rick walk every project through design, installation and finishing, a factor that is almost as refreshing as a dip on a summer’s day

Our goal is to help our patients achieve their weight loss goal...and STAY THERE! Many people have lost weight... only to regain it back over time. Losing weight may seem like an individual problem to tackle on your own, but having strong social and professional support is one of the most important factors in losing and maintaining a healthy weight Weight loss is sustainable only if accompanied by long-term lifestyle changes that become the foundation for long-term health and wellness.

Acting Academy for Kids

is just around the corner

How are you gong to keep your children and teens ac tive and inspired? Here are some great summer camp programs across South County ... a list designed to get your wheels turning.

Ages 4-13 • Camino Real Playhouse, San Juan Capistrano / Cabrillo Playhouse, San Clemente • 714-747-4915 • actingacademyforkids com • Your child can create lasting summer memories, become more confident, and grow their repertoire of skills at the same time Campers are guided through the production of a popular musical theme from start to finish via daily classes (music, acting, and dance) and the culminating event a Friday showcase on the main stage! Participate for one week, the entire summer, or anywhere in between! No experience necessar y!

Azarian Gymnastics Training Center

1 Argonaut, Aliso Viejo • 949 455 1020 • azariangymnastics com • These camps are a great way to enjoy time with old and new friends Azarian incorporates many exciting exercises and educational activities to ensure a fun-filled program for all campers

Bold Girlz Fashionista Fun Camp

Ages 6-12 • The Kaleidoscope, Mission Viejo • 949-764-0098 (Costa Mesa), 949-348-1300 (Mission Viejo) • boldgirlz com • Five-day summer camps cover fashion outfit selection and coordination, runway modeling poses and routines, skin care techniques, tshirt decorating, a charitable fashion project, hair and make-up techniques and a fashion photo shoot finale.

Brain Builders Educational Programs

Ages 6-14 • 26041 Cape Drive Ste 223, Laguna Niguel• 714-360-1101 • brainbuildersed org • Brain Builders offers programs that build off of the STEM and use Lego robotics to make a fun and enriching experience for children

Bridges Equestrian Horse Camp

Ages 8-13 • 26282 Oso Road, San Juan Capistrano • 949-858-0970 • bridgestrainingstable.com/camps • Each day, campers with groom their own horses, ride for at least 45 minutes in a group riding lesson, participate in clinics dealing with a variety of horsey subjects, and participate in other hands-on horse activities

Carden Academy

Grades K-7 • 24741 Chrisanta Ave , Mission Viejo • 949-458-1776 • cardenacademy com • Carden Academy Summer Campers will experience a thrill as they participate in a multitude of challenging, fun, and enriching activities Each week will have its own special theme with special culminating activities

Catalina Sea Camp

Ages 8-17 • Toyon Bay, Catalina Island • 800-645-1423 • californiasummercamps org • Catalina Sea Camp and Junior Sea Camp are dedicated to marine

biology and located at Toyon Bay on Catalina Island Kids can spend their summer on a private beach learning about the wonders of the sea at Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI)

Center Stage Studio Musical Theater Song & Dance Camps

Ages 6-12 • 27101 Aliso Creek Rd , Suite 136, Aliso Viejo • 949-305-9758 • thecenterstagestudio com • Each week campers participate in a unique musical experience with an end of week presentation to family and friends Campers also sing camp songs, participate in team building exercises, arts, crafts and more

Child Development Center Summer Camps

Ages 5-12 • Multiple locations • 949-553-4440 • cdicdc org • The CDC offers a variety of summer camps from the traditional day camp to enrichment experiences Children can learn leadership skills, make jewelr y and art, learn to bake, take field trips and more

Concordia Teen Entrepreneur Academy (TEA)

High schoolers • Concordia University Ir vine • 949-214-3198 • cui edu • It’s never too early to teach young people the basic principles of business and entrepreneurship Concordia’s TEA is a one-week residential summer camp academy for teenagers that encourages the next generation of entrepreneurs This program “sparks or fans the flame” of business ownership in young people, with real-world business training that helps teenagers become leaders with ethics and integrity

Creative Kids Playhouse, Children’s Theatre of Orange County

Ages 3-14

• Various theaters around South County • 949-297-6257 • creativekidsplayhouse com • In ever y Creative Kids Playhouse production, children work with professionals in drama, dance and voice who work to create a fun, rewarding and accomplishment-filled experience

Cr ystal Cover Native American Summer Camp

Ages 5-11 • 31392 La Matanza St , San Juan Capistrano • 949-248-2558 • journeystothepast.com • This camp engages, enlightens and educates for a whole week but most importantly children will have fun with hands on activities learning about the Indians and the environment They’ll weave baskets, make Indian games, make gourd rattles, paint rock art, car ve soapstone, make arrowheads, make shell necklaces, make and paint with yucca paint brushes and even make Indian rope

Evolution Sports Camps

Ages 5-12

• San Juan Hills High School, 29211 Montana, San Juan Capistrano / Nellie Gail Tennis and Swim Club, 25281 Empty Saddle Drive, Laguna Hills •

is just around the corner

How are you gong to keep your children and teens ac tive and inspired? Here are some great summer camp programs across South County ... a list designed to get your wheels turning.

949-388-454 • evosportscamps com • Evolution Sports Camps operates a fitness-based summer day camp for youths with an emphasis on physical activities that promote health, combat sedentar y lifestyles and keep children active

Fashion Camp

Ages 7+ • The Shops at Mission Viejo • 949-478-0846 • fashioncampoc com • Fashion Camp is a creative learning space, where children and adults can learn the principles behind fashion, design and sewing

iD Tech Camps

Ages 7-18 • Multiple college campuses • 888-709-8324 • idtech com • iD Tech camps foster learning environments that allow kids and teens of various backgrounds, skill levels, and learning styles to better understand computers and technology

Lazy W Ranch Camp

Grades 3-12 • 23852 Hot Springs Canyon Road, P O Box 579, San Juan Capistrano • 949-728-0141 • lazywranch org •This year’s summer camp experience will help campers of all ages get to know the real, historic, biblical Jesus--what he did, what he said, why he lived and why he died and rose again

Mad Science of South Orange County

Ages 3-12 • Multiple locations throughout South County • 949-582-5071 • soorangecounty.madscience.org • Mad Science of South Orange County camps offer a daily combination of in-class discover y and exploration, outdoor games and physical activities, and hands-on applications of the scientific principles presented

Renaissance Summer Art Camp

Ages 5+ • Anaheim Hills, Laguna Niguel, Ir vine, Rancho Santa Margarita • 800430-4278 • fineartclasses.com • Summer Art Camp provides a balance between learning how to draw and paint and exploring other various arts and crafts projects Kids will learn the fundamentals of drawing using The Gluck Method and then they’ll move on to pastels, watercolor, and even oils - artistic skills that will last a lifetime

Ocean Institute Summer Adventures

Ages 5-17 • 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr Dana Point, CA • 949-496-2274 • ocean-institute org • Camps offer single-day, weeklong and multi-day overnight opportunities Family programs and special occasion Adventure at Sea programs are also available

Our Lady of Fatima Falcon Summer Fun Camp

Grades K-8 • 105 N La Esperanza, San Clemente • 949-492-7320 • olympicagymnastics com • Daily activities include light academics, themed activi-

ties, technology, quiet and outdoor play, with weekly themes of art, science, water and sports Field trips and extended hours too!

Olympica Gymnastics

All ages • 26601 Cabot Rd , Laguna Hills • 949-582-3329 • olympicagymnastics com • A dynamic camp for children of all ages focused on gymnastics as well as a variety of other sports

Rawhide Ranch

Ages 7-15 • 6987 W Lilac Rd , Bonsall • 760-758-0083 • rawhideranch com • Discover real ranch life at Rawhide Ranch overnight camps Learn to vault, rope, ride and more

Soul Surfing School

Ages 12-19 • Various locations, Laguna Beach • 949-637-0463 • soulsurfingschool com • All camps include exclusive locations, amazing surf spots, great for all levels, Super-fun time with friends, Focus on Jesus with Awesome worship, speakers, Bible studies and activities, Trips include missions and community ser vice projects

St. Anne School Summer Knights Day Camp

Grades Pre-K - 8 • 32451 Bear Brand Road, Laguna Niguel • 949-276-6700 • stanne org • St Anne Summer Knights Day Camp is filled with a balance of light academics, arts and crafts, water play, weekly themes, special guests, cooking, and field trips with a flexible schedule for working parents or for kids who are just looking for some fun this summer

Tall Ship Summer Sailing

Ages 10-18 • Channel Islands • 800-645-1423 • californiasummercamps org • Tall Ship Summer Sailing is a live aboard sailing camp that focuses on sail training, marine science, and island exploration It is designed to stimulate minds, encourage teamwork, develop self-esteem, and more

YMCA of Orange County

Ages 5 -17 • Multiple locatios • 714-508-7616 • ymcaoc org • Summer camp at the YMCA is fun, action-packed experience with opportunities for sports, outdoor activities, field trips, specialty clubs and more

Zoomars Summer Animal Camp

Ages 4-12 • 31392 La Matanza St , San Juan Capistrano • 949-248-2558 • journeystothepast com • Through crafts, games, songs and stor ytelling the children will be enriched and enlightened each day about the amazing world of animals

Hiring a Remodeling Contractor

While we all know that remodeling isn’t rocket science, we have also either experienced personally or heard of projects exploding on the launch pad or soon after take off While this is not completely avoidable, asking the right questions will do more than anything else to increase the chances for your projects success.

Before I get to the “right” questions, here’s a short “Don’t List”:

• Don’t give your hard earned money to a contractor working out of his truck.

• Don’t fail to call the references (call them all)

• Don’t end up holding less than 25% of the job cost at the end (it’s called leverage)

The following questions and requests for information are not exhaustive. They’re just a few that should be included in interviewing contractors when two conditions exist:

1. The contractor is not already well known by you (and I mean really well known)

2. The project is of significant value or complexity (i e costing more than $10,000)

Let’s start with the basics; you will want to ask for:

• Contractor ’s license number or printout from the Contractor ’s State License Board This will allow you to see the type of work the contractor is licensed to perform and any complaints filed against him with the board, including the result (i e license suspension)

• Liability Insurance certificate to cover any damage to your property caused by the contractor, directly or indirectly.

• Workman’s Compensation certificate to protect you in the event that a workman is injured on your property

• Better Business Bureau report This will show complaints against the contractor made to the bureau including if and how they were resolved Note: Most people won’t go to the trouble of filing a complaint with either the BBB or the CSLB. Consequently, if you see

y p g

tes a negative pattern

the contractor provides the previous inforation, and doesn’t have a record of comlaints, the next request will be for eferences. This is where the wheat is sepaated from the chaff and where homeowners ften fail to winnow thoroughly.

Ask the contractor how many jobs, conservatively speaking, he completes each month. f he says four, then ask for at least 12 referp ed in the last six to nine months This is less than half the jobs completed in that period of time if his number is accurate, and is a large enough reference pool to demonstrate a pattern of pleasing clients. If he is unwilling or unable to provide such a list then he either exaggerated the amount of work he does or he doesn’t consistently satisfy clients. Neither one of these is positive, though a bit of exaggeration can be forgiven while failure to satisfy clients consistently cannot be overlooked

Ask that the contractor also include at least one client (two is better) with whom there was an issue that was satisfactorily resolved This will indicate how the contractor deals with inevitable problems

Call all the references and ask:

• On a scale of one to ten how would you rate the contractor’s overall performance?

• Would you hire him for other projects?

• Were there any negative surprises during the project?

• Did the contractor and his workmen communicate with you satisfactorily?

• What could the contractor have done to improve you experience with him?

These questions should enable you to find a qualified contractor though perhaps not the cheapest. In another article we will cover questions and requests for the contractor you have selected in order to arrive at an agreeable price and clear understanding of what to expect. Happy Remodeling!

Tips for Filing Your 2013 Individual & Business Tax Returns

Based upon increased IRS scrutiny (not to mention audits), I can’t think of a more important time to have your tax return professionally prepared by a CPA. It is critical that you remove guess work when you prepare your tax returns. I am ready to help you implement these ideas

• 50% Bonus depreciation is back for 2013 Check the rules to see if you qualify for this accelerated deduction for your business assets

• California now allows individuals to carryback 50% of their 2013 Net Operating Loss to the two preceding tax years

• The IRS and FTB are collecting millions sending out collection notices A good percentage of these notices are incorrect and are created by IRS computer matching problems. Have your notices professionally reviewed if you don’t understand them. Learn how to avoid IRS penalties by understanding the “First Time Penalty Waivers” that are available to you for failure to timely pay, deposit or file

• The “Business Use of Home” deduction now has a safe harbor option of $5 of expense deduction for every dedicated square foot of business use. Learn the details to see if this is a better option for you.

• Carefully review your Form K-1s to determine if you are actively or passively involved in the business If the K-1 activity is coded as active, you can avoid the 3 8% Medicare surcharge for passive income

• California has some new rulings that provide Cancellation of Debt relief for taxpayers. Seek professional help if this may apply.

• Corporations can take advantage of new late filing S election guidelines to receive preferential tax treatment, if applicable

• IRS has provided new guidance on when to expense or capitalize/depreciate your business assets Taxpayers need to establish a written capitalization policy to avoid IRS scrutiny and examination changes.

• Review and document properly your employee and independent contractor relationships This is a very hot IRS and FTB topic

• IRS has established a “Fresh Start” Offer in Compromise program to assist taxpayers burdened by past due liabilities. This streamlined process has fewer requests for financial information and more IRS flexibility in reaching a settlement

• Get assistance to review repositioning investment assets to reduce the Medicare surtax of 3.8%.

• Establish a retirement plan prior to the extended due date of your personal or business tax returns to reduce taxes

• Fund an IRA or Health Savings Account prior to April 15th for tax savings.

RE VOLUTIONARY NE W FOOT SUPPOR T

E VERYONE CAN BENEFIT FROM

Just like the technological advances in electronics, where the iPhone changed the way we think about and use phones, there has been a significant technological leap forward in custom orthotics.

It is estimated that 95% of the population suffers from mechanical foot imbalances These are primarily seen as over pronation of the feet. Pronation is where the feet/arches collapse or the ankles tend to fall inward. Abnormal pronation is certainly seen with all flat feet, but people with high arches can also have pronation problems.

While the average person might not be able to identify abnormal pronation and determine if these new orthotics could be of benefit to them. If you have any of these problems, you are a candidate for the new Perfect Posture orthotics.

• BUNIONS

• HAMMERTOES

• NEUROMAS

• HEEL SPUR OR PLANTAR FASCIITIS

• ACHILLES PROBLEMS

• KNEE, HIP or BACK PAIN

• TIRED FEET OR LEGS AFTER ACTIVITIES

This list encompasses about 95% of the U.S. population.

You may ask, "What is so new about these Perfect Posture arch supports?" These orthotics utilize a new casting method that puts the foot into its best position. When the cast is made, the mold produced is actually the shape of the new orthotic. This new casting process results in a full contact orthotic which supports your foot so that there is a contact with all the parts of the foot in its optimal position

Another improvement from the old technology is the orthotic device is made of materials that is calibrated to YOUR weight. Utilizing this new material and process results in an orthotic which will act as a spring for your arch, as it will flex just the right amount when walking, standing or exercising based on your weight Should you gain or lose 15% of your weight, the orthotic should be recalibrated

From a long-term perspective, you will walk and stand with better posture. This results in less deformity of the foot and body or the elimination of deformity if these are worn during childhood. These orthotics will provide you with a life that is more productive with fewer problems related to your feet, knees, hips and lower back

For patients who say I already have orthotics, this situation is analogous to having an old cellular phone. Yes you have a phone, but you get so much more function and convenience with smart phones. So discard those old orthotics and come in! You'll benefit form the latest advances - while you get the most out of your feet - and your life!

Ivar E. Roth, DPM, MPH

Diplomate American Board of Podiatric Surgery

Located 28 years in Newport Beach. Hoag

"With Good Feet, you can go from big bad feet to nice little Good Feet " - Mar y Lou Retton, Olympic Gold Medalist

Getting Melodramatic

by Gary McCarver

Did you know that during the mid-1600’s most British theatres were prohibited from performing "serious" drama, but were permitted to show comedy or plays with music? To get around the restriction theatres presented dramas that were underscored with music and, borrowing the French term, called themselves Melodramas. It wasn’t until 1843 that theatres were finally allowed to play drama and by then Melodrama had been transported to the United States with the formulas intact

Those formulas are based around having the same character in every scene, often a hero, a heroine (usually the one that the hero saves), a villain, and the villain's sidekick (who typically gets in the way of or annoys the villain). The stories were centered on evil vs good, keeping the plots easy to understand and underscored with music

public clamored for more modern theatre and film was in its infancy While the popularity of Melodrama on stage declined, ironically many of the plots of the new films were based on the melodramatic formula!

Fortunately, this art form did not fade into obscurity and has come

From 1850 to 1920, Melodrama dominated the American stage and was adopted to be an American art form. During the roaring 20’s the

back to this new century because audiences still love to boo the villain, cheer the hero, and watch good triumph over evil. It is escapism in its truest sense. Finding family friendly in a world where very few things are so, has made it popular once again Melodrama remains a true American art form that is simply unabashedly fun - and one that is alive and well

You can enjoy Melodrama during the month of March with the annual San Juan Capistrano Historic Melodrama. his year’s family friendly offering is based upon the old San Juan Hot Springs and is titled Trouble Bubbles at the Hot Springs. Tickets are available at www.CaminoRealPlayhouse.org.

SOUTH COUNTY DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

Brio Tuscany Grill

by Ann Laurence

I have to admit - I'm pretty particular when it comes to deciding where to go for dinner on date night, out for a family meal or simply stepping out to enjoy a glass of fine wine and live entertainment after work. Lucky for me, I live in Dana Point and am only a stone's throw from a popular eatery that dishes up all this and delicious Italian cuisine to boot: Brio Tuscany Grill

This place isn’t the kind of establishment that has huge, bedazzled lights pointing to it with acrobatic sign holders 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 driving by. But after you read this, I guarantee you’ll make it a point to seek it out.

For starters, the Antipasto Italiano Platter arrives with an array of flavorful favorites - Prosciutto di Parma, artisan salame, fresh buffalo mozzarella, Tuscan olives, grilled artichoke hearts, roasted bell peppers and toasted ciabatta 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 "Make Your Own Pizza"

with prosciutto and arugula, complete with a soft flurry of mozzarella You know, the kind of pie you sip wine with, reflecting on the old country while a hot steam of freshness rises poetically around you Or, as others put it: one heck of a tasty pizza

For heartier appetites, I recommend the Filetto Toscano (USDA Premium choice filet mignon medallions pan roasted and served with a sweet red onion, shallots, Chianti reduction and melted fontina cheese, and favorites like the Rigatoni Casa Brio characterized by grilled chicken breast, caramelized onions, roasted garlic, baby spinach, cremini mushrooms, sweet baby peas and fresh basil topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella

Brio Tuscany Grill has an incredible selection of fine wines (and a full premium bar), great nightly specials and the kind of attentive-yet-unobtrusive ser vice that makes any meal that much more enjoyable. Visit briotuscanygrill.com for their menu and catering options or call (949) 443-1476 for reser vations. You won't be disappointed!

Laguna Niguel: M-F

Laguna Beach: F-Sun

SOUTH COUNTY DINING & ENTERTAINMENT

South County Safari is a magazine format television program spotlighting the fun and intriguing people, places, and things that make living in our idyllic part of the state so great In the following interview, the show's creator shares his vision and what viewers can expect of the first sode and beyond

County Magazine: What is pt/inspiration behind South County Safari?

Eric Bergstrom: South County Safari is the show about all the cool and interesting people, places and events that make Orange County the best place in the world to live You probably had no idea that some extremely talented, clever and passionate people could be your neighbors. Whether it's amazing up-and-coming musicians, world class athletes or compassionate philanthropists you'll probably see them here.

SCM: Where and when can we expect to view South County Safari?

EB: South County Safari is coming soon and will be broadcast on Cox Channel 3. You can find out more details - like televised schedule, upcoming episodes, or watch past episodes - by visiting www.SouthCountySafari.com.

Our first episode features an exciting chase of stampeding dolphins and the largest mammals on earth - the Blue Whales and lots of Gray Whales playing

in the warm Pacific waters of Dana Point as they make their regular trek along our coast You'll also spend a fun day touring Zoomar's Petting Zoo with owner Carolyn Franks And we'll have a ruff day as we meet some world champion athletes, the Flying Frisbee Canines of Kirby McNab.

SCM: What makes South County Safari fun, different?

EB: This is a show full of stunning visuals and people in action South County Safari never conducts an interview in a chair on a set in a studio. Our guests don't just talk about what they do, you get to see them in action doing what they do best.

The show's creator with his son, Alec

Guapas Tapas

by Ann Laurence

Restaurateurs derive inspiration from many sources in crafting their menu of culinary offerings, selecting the perfect location to open their establishment and then creating a space that is reflective of their vision

Guapas Tapas' concept hails from the Muniz family's Spanish Basque background and traditional family recipes handed down the gener-

ations coupled with the "perfect" locale in San Juan Capistrano - a city that mirrors "the strong sense of community and historical significance" of the restauranteurs own heritage.

"Our family has been in the restaurant business since the early 80’s," says John Muniz "My parents actually met at the first restaurant my Dad opened in South Coast Village named Verdugo’s, which is an amazing coincidence because we are located on Verdugo Street. With the experience my parents have and Chef Matt Brady’s modern gastronomical ideas, we have the perfect blend between old school and contemporary."

A Level II Sommelier, John and his colleague Katie Delanie, a Level III Sommelier with a Masters in Oenology (the study of all aspects of wine and winemaking) have created "what we believe is a list that can satisfy every palate - from the simplest wine drinker to the most eclectic aficionado. We are constantly evolving the list every month trying to introduce wines that are in the up and coming."

Popular dishes on the tapas menu include the Flash Fried Shishito Peppers (flavored with sea salt, cilantro and a cucumber remoulade), Stuffed Dates (speck prosciutto, blue cheese, Marcona almonds) and the Empanada Trio (ham/cheese, ground sirloin with olives and onion and fig paired with soft Manchego, bacon and spinach)

2014 Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Street Fair Return to San Juan Capistrano March 22

The 56th Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Fair will take place in downtown San Juan Capistrano on Saturday, March 22, 2014 beginning at 11:00 a m Fiesta de las Golondrinas - meaning Festival of the Swallows - activities pay tribute to the annual return of the swallows and San Juan Capistrano’s Spanish, western and Juaneno Indian heritage.

The Mercado Street Fair is held in Historic Town Center Park featuring over 100 vendor booths, live music, activities for children and a wide variety of food and drinks Local business owner Jim Curwood (Buy My Bikes) is serving as grand marshal.

The parade begins at Or tega Highway and Del Obispo Street and continues along Camino Capistrano An annual Pancake Breakfast is held at the Women’s Club located at 31442 El Horno Street from 6:00 – 10:30 a m Another major parade-day attraction is the Mercado Street Fair with live music, dozens of food booths and a variety of vendors at the historic Town Center Park off of El Camino Real and Ortega Highway from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p m

One of the nation's largest non-motorized parades, the Swallows Day Parade features approximately 130 parade entries, 500 horses, high school and military marching bands, floats, folkloric dancers, historical reenactments and dozens of community groups According to the California Show Horse Association, the Swallows Day Parade is the largest equine judged event in California. Highlights in the past have included the United States Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard, The Housewives of the Old West and Percheron draft horses pulling a 1902 American Steam Fire Engine. For more information about the Swallows Day Parade or Fiesta de las Golondrinas events, call 949.493.1976 or visit www.swallowsparade.org.

The Fiesta Association will host a Shuttle Bus from 8:00 a m to 5:00 p m with pick ups at Endevco and FluidMaster along Rancho Viejo Road between Ortega Hwy and Junipero Serra.