I try not to use the word “staple” too much, when I’m talking about dining, or the community, a coffee shop, etc.

There aren’t too many places in my vocabulary that can live up to the standard of being a “staple” in my life, the lives of my husband and kids, my friends. Bistango, however, is a staple. In November this year, the restaurant and the incredible family that founded it celebrated 35 years of service to the Newport Beach community, and let’s be honest - to the greater Orange County area as well.

The menu showcases extensive offerings in inventive New American fare (think starters like sweet garlic soup, charred Spanish octopus and panko fried calamari strips with sriracha aioli). On a recent date night, my husband Tim and I opted for the grilled bacon wrapped petit filets – flavorful, cooked-to-perfection and enhanced by green peppercorn sauce – that was almost a meal unto itself.

I lean toward seafood when dining out so I didn’t deviate from the norm when selecting my entrée for the evening. The tamarind-chili glazed King Salmon accompanied by thyme-garlic crispy potatoes, broccolini and lemon caper butter sauce was delicious while Tim’s grilled grass-fed filet mignon was equally delectable.

Other popular picks range from the Parmesan Shrimp Risotto (bacon-wrapped Mexican shrimp, white corn, Parmesan, chives) and the Wagyu-Beef Black Truffle Ravioli (mushrooms, truffle zest, onion marmalade and Parmesan Veloute) to the Oven-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass with exotic mushroom risotto and the marinated New Zealand Lamb Chops marinated in garlic curry.

Visit online and get lost in the photo gallery of , or even reading descriptions of their gorgeous and varied dining areas. Ten thousand square feet of elegantly appointed options for your dining pleasure. Available for booking large parties or intimate gatherings, Bistango has an option for everyone.

The Atrium, Sky, Patio, Galleria, Main Dining Room all boast a combination of locally curated fine art, twinkling bistro lights, live entertainment, and more. And that’s all before you peruse their Wine Spectator award-winning wine list, New American fare, and hand-crafted cocktails. Come for the ambiance and stay for the food, or vice versa. Neither will disappoint. A testament to Founder John Ghoukassian’s legendary vision so many years ago.

19100 Von Karman Avenue
Irvine
(949) 752-5222
Bistango.com

Valentine’s Day was right around the corner when I booked a reservation to sample the culinary offerings at PUBlic Legacy - Chef Kent’s newest restaurant located in the center of the bustline and historic City of Orange.

Located within the Stadium Promenade center, PUBlic Legacy is not only the brainchild of partners Chef Andrew Kent and Chad Dickey, it is a flagship culmination of their passions, experiences in the industry, and core values. The chef-driven dining experience focuses on elevated comfort food, hand-crafted cocktails, craft beer, and the most thoughtful choices in wine around.

While I’m typically not a fan of Hallmark’s second-favorite holiday, after dining here, I’ll use any excuse or occasion for a return trip. The menu which “plays into the diners’ moods, feelings and even their lifestyle choices,” showcases a variety of vegan and vegetarian selections, house-made cheese sauce designed for the dairy-free crowd (cashews!, nutritional yeast!) and every alternative is every bit as craveable as its omnivorous counterparts.

For date night, my husband, Tim, and I often order several appetizers rather than entrees to pair with a glass of fine wine. I can already tell that the starters here are going to be our new go-tos. I adore garlic and am a huge fan of the traditional bruschetta … however, Chef Kent puts a delicious spin on this familiar favorite. The Tomato Addiction combines herb-seasoned tomato, crushed garlic cloves and balsamic reduction and pairs it with St. Andre brie and fragrant toasted house sourdough. The NYA Brussels and Cranberry is a delicious blend of golden fried brussels sprouts, goat cheese crumbles, drunken cranberries and balsamic reduction. The Mushrooms and Hummus is super delish – sunflower tahini hummus, garlic roasted mushrooms and toasted house sourdough.

Somewhat of a meat connoisseur, Tim tends to order steak dishes when dining out. Because he has sampled many a flavorful cut over the years, it’s exceptionally high praise when he calls PUBlic Legacy’s Big Boi chili and coffee-rubbed 16 oz. ribeye among “the best steaks” he’s ever eaten.

Centrally positioned between the Honda Center, Angel Stadium, and Disneyland, you can’t go wrong for an easy and delectable dinner out - but borne from their desire to create an equitable dining experience throughout the day, you can also sit down for a daily brunch.

Because Chef Kent and Dickey wanted to accommodate locals and visitors alike, offering a unique take on the classic breakfast “felt like it would be the immediate favorite it has become” since the restaurant’s inception in November. Popular picks range from a vegan benny (mushrooms, egg, charred tomato over a savory biscuit finished with Hollandaise sauce), Crook Muh Damn (house gouda toast, greens, Cotto ham, mornay and egg) and the maple pork (grilled salt + sugar-brined pork chop, fried egg and maple drizzle).

PUBlic Legacy
1547 W. Katella Avenue, Suite 102
Orange
(657) 598-2450

In writing this editorial, I recalled a friend once asking me to explain the premise of a book called “All Creatures Great and Small.”

It’s about giving veterinary care to animals like you’d give pediatric care to children in your community - with grace, and love, and an incredible amount of passion. James Herriot’s example was set long ago through the tales of extraordinary and ordinary circumstance, but the level of service, specialization, and care lives on in clinics like Healing Hearts Emergency Animal Hospital in Laguna Hills.

Since opening its doors last August, the team of compassionate professionals here have provided the highest level of emergency medicine to dogs, cats, avian patients and even most exotics. Dr. Berschauer, the CEO and founding veterinarian behind Healing Hearts, strives to put together the best option for treatment for each patient on an individual level.

“We do this by working with each pet owner to determine what the optimal plan looks like for the care of your beloved pet,” says Stephanie Yun, office manager. “With a fully equipped ICU, advanced monitoring systems, oxygen cage, full in-house lab, we’re ready to handle almost any emergency.”

In the rare instance that your pet needs treatment outside of Healing Hearts’ capabilities, they’ll help you coordinate the transfer and care to an outside facility. “We’re not kind or compassionate within our four walls alone - the nature of community is that it exists beyond our front door and we’re willing to go to any lengths to ensure your pet’s needs are met, wherever they end up.”

Dr. Berschauer and his staff’s warmth and dedication to caring for our furry (and sometimes not so furry) family members truly sets them apart. Each came from a different medical field, but their love of animals brought them to where they are today. Ensuring that we can bring back the “old-school feel” of veterinary medicine “where your animal is assessed and treated from head-to-toe with state-of-the-art equipment” comes first. For all creatures, great and small.

23501 Avenida de la Carlota
Laguna Hills
(949) 409-0333
HealingHeartsEmergencyAH.com

This has been a big year. A big one to celebrate, to recover, rebuild. A comeback year. For Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort (SierraatTahoe.com), a new chapter begins in its 75-year history as this is the first season since the devastating Caldor Fire in 2021 that the slopes have opened, making the record snowfall even sweeter.

Multiple early season storms and seasonally cold temperatures have contributed to an impressive amount of powder covering the landscape - helping to renew some of the hundreds of acres that burned as multiple fires raged across California two summers ago. But the fires couldn’t destroy the long and varied list of elements that continues to make Sierra-at-Tahoe one of the best mountains in the region for enthusiasts of all skill levels: from beginner to expert.

For our family (which includes an expert skier, an intermediate snowboarder, a novice skier and an absolute beginner), the mountain appeals to every skill level. Having skied here years ago, I remembered long, wide open intermediate runs that were (relatively) easy for me to navigate as a first-timer. This trip, the scenery may have changed with few trees in the skyline, but many of the areas that were once inaccessible due to tree density have now opened up, creating a true bowl experience. Not only are there uncovered lines, but entirely new pockets of terrain that have never been touched before – the overall experience of which many locals contend “actually ski better than it did before.”

For our part, the wide-open terrain and even wider runs were awesome to experience. While we stayed on the groomed trails, there are a number of trails that remain ungroomed, allowing skiers and riders the opportunity to explore untouched terrain throughout the West Bowl (everyone is encouraged to exercise caution while learning the new landscape as unmarked obstacles do exist, particularly off-piste).

My husband and son thoroughly enjoyed their time together on the mountain, tackling the more difficult runs while my 14-year-old daughter (a first-time skier) and I spent a couple of hours taking lessons to learn the tips and tricks to what we found to be the most wonderful of winter adventures.

If you’re not in the mood for skiing but still want to hit the slopes, look no further than Blizzard Mountain. The two-lift accessible lanes feature gigantic doughnut tubes, an easy take-off, and a gentle run-out that makes each run as comfortable as it is thrilling.

Just here to admire the view and eat some great food? Look no further than The Sierra Pub, Aspen Cafe, Baja Grill, or take in lake views at the 360 Smokehouse BBQ. Whether you’re on the hunt for easy green circle entertainment or double black diamond adventure, Sierra is ready for the season.

Sierra-at-Tahoe By the Numbers

It’s All About the Mountain

• 2,000 Acres
• 2,212’ Vertical Rise
• 8,852’ Top Elevation
• 6,640’ Bottom Elevation
• 47 Trails
• 25% Easier
• 50% More Difficult
• 25% Most Difficult
• Longest Run: Sugar n’ Spice - 2.5 miles from the top of the mountain
• 5 Gates access Huckleberry Canyon backcountry

Lifts

14 Lifts

• 3 Express Quad Chair Lifts
• 5 Double Chair Lifts
• 1 Triple Chair Lift
• 5 Surface Lifts

Terrain Parks

• 6 Terrain Parks - Small, Medium, and Large
• Burton Progression Park
• Smokey Boarder X
• TransWorld SNOWboarding Top 10-rated Halfpipe

Family Adventures

• 4 Adventure Zones - just for kids
• Blizzard Mountain with 2 lift accessed tubing hills and a snowplay area
• Snowshoe trails - 3 miles

Like a lot of kids, Mike Parks daydreamed about saving the day - “For as long as I can remember,” he says. “I’ve had a strong desire to help people.”

“My Dad was in the electrical-wire business, and I helped out during the summer as a teenager. Being around it so much, I became extremely interested in how all things electrical work.” He started Electric Medics in 1995, and has been gathering top talent since then. Field technicians are typically students of routine, but Mike’s team trains like he did as a paramedic.

“Not only do we thrive on action and excitement, we get an incredible sense of satisfaction when we get to come through for people when it matters the most,” says Mike. “The adrenaline certainly gets pumping when a burned-out electrical panel needs to come back online, or we get called to restore AC to an elderly customer in a devastating heat wave.”

A fantastic reason behind keeping his techs current in skills and new technologies. Performance as well as character define the outcomes of customer service, and Mike’s reputation rides on how well his techs can serve.

“We’re a small, family-owned and operated business. My daughter Kristina masterfully runs the front office, while my other talented daughter Anna pitches in on a part-time basis. We succeed as long as our customers are getting what they need.”

Trained and licensed to do residential work, electrical panel replacement, EV charging, “smart home” automation, or even small wiring fixes, the team are always available in case of emergency. “We keep in close touch while a job is underway, show up on time, and we don’t leave a mess.”

All of which has earned Electric Medics rave reviews from customers like Dawn F. of Mission Viejo who writes “Finally after 50 years of dealing with electricians, I found one that deserved a 5-star review and I will use in the future for other electrical projects. Give Electric Medics a call. You won’t be disappointed.”

It’s electrifying, finding those moments where you can genuinely connect to people in the community: and Electric Medics does just that. After all, what’s life without a little spark?

24000 Alicia Parkway #17-241
Mission Viejo
(949) 462-9200
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ElectricMedics.com

There’s a certain mystique that comes alongside the signs which state “National Register of Historic Places.” Even more so, the places which are waiting to be named.

Occasionally in disrepair, like the Prado Dam Mural in Corona, California, these places hold significance to a great many, yet have often yet to be recognized for their cultural and historic significance. Status doesn’t matter to Jeff McCabe, owner of One Way Painting, based in Orange, California. Luckily enough, the pursuit of a singular passion has been enough to keep Jeff pushing for a complete repair and repaint of the Prado Dam.

The journey began in 2012, when Jeff passed by the mural on the 91 freeway, but unlike over 300,000 other drivers that see it on their daily commute, Jeff took notice of the state it was in.

“I wanted to repaint the dam after seeing it fall into disrepair,” he says. “It was being tagged. As a sign of our patriotism, it felt like people were disrespecting our flag and country.”

Jeff, like many others, was born in 1976. A Bicentennial Baby as his mom called him, the mural has always held a special place in his heart. The mural was originally painted the year he was born, by the students of Corona High School. Part of a school project and contest, Ron and Perry brought 30 of their friends along and over two weeks, painted the mural.

Celebrating America’s 200 years of freedom, the unveiling of the mural was part of the Bicentennial celebrations that took place all over the States. “Ten years in the making, with close to 60,000 events planned,” reporter Dave Mecham said “it was like the 4th of July on steroids, celebrated throughout the entire year.”

After years of attempted connections, Jeff finally made headway with the Army Corp of Engineers. And not too soon. By chance his brother Jim “saw online that the Corp was settling up to strip the mural, and that there was a group of the original artists, now in their 60’s, who were trying to save it.”

Joining forces, Jeff, Jim, and the former Corona High students formed the Bicentennial Freedom Mural Conservancy, whose sole purpose is to repaint the mural and preserve it indefinitely, for future generations to enjoy. Key major contributors include Dunn-Edwards, Rust-Oleam and Orange County-based Veteran Air.

“Upon completion of the repainting of the dam, there will be an unveiling, dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony.” A labor of love, like the first time around, the mural is still a symbol of American resiliency, hard work, and dedication. Just ask the moms who fed the original 30 students, or each individual private donation to cover labor and materials, insurance, equipment, worker’s compensation, and insurance. Mystique or no, the Prado Dam mural is here to stay.

The first time I heard of Ketamine was a few years ago from a friend in nursing school. Then again recently from another friend whose mother suffers from fibromyalgia as she began researching therapies to relieve chronic pain. A growing number of studies have found that Ketamine can be effective for people with a myriad of chronic pain and mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Based in San Juan Capistrano, Renew Ketamine Infusion is the brainchild of Tanya Dall, MD and Justin Yanuck, MD – board certified physicians who became colleagues and friends in their emergency medicine residency training at UCI Medical Center. Both have extensive experience utilizing Ketamine for various medical indications and treating complex pain disorders. Dr. Dall studied physiology at the University of Arizona, and went on to obtain her medical degree from Georgetown University. Dr. Yanuck received his medical degree from UCI and then completed a Pain Medicine Fellowship at Harvard Mass General Hospital.

Ketamine was originally FDA approved in 1970 as a safe way to anesthetize patients. However, as is common in medicine, often one medicine can have multiple uses and over the last 20 years research has been building showing Ketamine’s safety and efficacy for a range of psychological disorders. Dr. Yanuck and Dr. Dall use Ketamine nearly every day in the emergency room for things like procedural sedation, and treatment of acute pain. A few years ago, they had a conversation about how frustrated they were with the current framework for how most mental health and chronic pain conditions were treated, and that for many patients, they not only get little to no relief from these traditional medications, but often suffer undesirable side-effects. That night, some new articles on the efficacy of Ketamine came up in conversation, and the rest is history. Renew Ketamine Infusion was founded shortly thereafter.

The basis of Renew is to treat each patient as a unique individual, and to take a holistic approach to the entire Ketamine experience. “We don’t believe in a model where everyone receives the exact same dose, or the same dose at each infusion. Everyone responds differently and we treat you like the unique person you are,” says Dr. Dall. The infusions don’t happen in a vacuum: each session has a specially-trained MD (Dr. Dall or Dr. Yanuck) to oversee it, which allows for in-the-moment adjustments as needed, and is preceded and followed by integrative psychotherapy consultations with a licensed clinical psychotherapist specially trained in Ketamine assisted psychotherapy. Furthermore, each infusion takes place at their clinic which places an emphasis on patient privacy and comfort. Their clinic is far from the typical sterile medical office and has more of a spa-like atmosphere. The clinic opened last year, and the program is built on years of clinical experience and research.

Renew treats depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, addiction, suicidality, chronic pain and fibromyalgia. All of which have something in common: stress. When someone is in a chronic stress state, there is a reduction in the number, function, and quality of brain connections. Ketamine has been shown to increase the function and quality of connections. These connections allow neural pathways to open back up, producing proteins that increase the number of synapses in the brain. These synapses lead to a rapid resolution of symptoms – if your mind-body connection is restored in a big way, you’ll find relief.

Dr. Dall is quick to add that while Ketamine is not a drug that will solve all psychiatric ailments, “we believe Ketamine combined with psychotherapy gives patients - especially those who have not responded to previous therapies - the best chance of relieving one’s symptoms so they can live a life free of the burdens of mental and physical anguish.”

Patient Claire says she had been suffering from depression for years and despite trying multiple medications and years of therapy, she “couldn’t get out from under the weight of depression.”

“To be honest, I was skeptical about Ketamine clinics, I felt like if this worked so well, everyone would be doing it,” she says. “After my first session, I was a believer. I’m now two months out from my last injection, and while I would say I still have some baseline depression, I feel 95% better. Words cannot truly describe what the experience through the infusions taught me and how much better my quality of life is now. I’m so grateful for the entire staff at Renew Ketamine Infusion for giving me my life back.”

Dr. Deepak Chopra was interviewed recently, and stated that as a physician, he was taught to never use the word ‘healing.’ You could treat a patient or their symptoms, but you might not heal them. He disagrees, and so do Drs Dall and Yanuck. “Ketamine takes advantage of the idea that our brains are moldable: even when our brains have been damaged, we have the capacity to heal from within. Ketamine kickstarts this healing process.”

I don’t believe in a miracle drug. I don’t think that the medication we have on the market today is capable of solving all our psychiatric ailments. But I am beginning to understand that repairing the mind-body connection might give patients, like my friend’s mother, a chance to feel relief from years of chronic pain. Especially in cases where previous or traditional treatments have fallen short.

In Drs Dall and Yanuck’s experience, and based on clinical studies, about 70-80% of people will have significant relief of their symptoms. Long-lasting relief. This is a positively staggering response rate given the patient population are those who have tried and failed multiple other therapies. They set out to open a space that allowed for the optimal delivery of this powerful medication, and have succeeded in creating a program that treats patients “not as objects that are broken, but people that have the capacity to heal from within.

Renew Ketamine Infusion
30230 Rancho Viejo Road, Ste. 134
San Juan Capistrano
(949) 503-1414
RenewKetamineInfusion.com

There is a specific type of business person I particularly appreciate when utilizing his or her services. One who is detail oriented.

Ryan “Bubbles” Jara is just such a professional. Having been in mobile auto detail business serving Orange County for over 25 years, he must be, and especially since his specialty is restoration and paint correction on classic cars. Bubbles was the plan since the beginning, it seems.

“My uncles restore classic vehicles so I grew up in the industry," he says. "It only made sense to one day have a business of my own bringing cars back to their original glory.”

But what happens before a car becomes a classic? Those of us that pride ourselves on being detail oriented would perhaps note that a regular car wash and wax are in order. Ryan takes it one step further. Bubbles Mobile Auto Detail comes to you, and handles all of the heavy lifting - from upholstery cleaning to paint protection.

Jara's services include hand wash and wax, interior and exterior detailing, headlight restoration, steam cleaning, ceramic coating, engine bay wash and ... something my minivan could certainly use ... pet hair removal. You name the vehicle, Bubbles will ensure it is looking its finest.

“Having a passion for the cars I’m servicing takes almost no effort - I know I love this work," he says. "The commitment to excellence and knowledge of the chemical industry gives your car its million-dollar shine.”

RV’s, motorcycles, daily drivers, trucks, boats and classic cars. The convenience is unmatched and the product? Well, it’s detailed. And you know I love nothing better.

WE COME TO YOU!
• Cars • Boats
• Trucks • Motorcycles
• RVs • Classic Cars

Ryan “Bubbles” Jara
Bubbles Mobile Detail
(714) 863-3483

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

Other defining characteristics include an extensive, eclectic and exemplary wine list of domestic and international varietals, unique craft cocktails (think pumpkin spice martinis), seasonal margaritas and signature starters like crispy confit chicken wings (enhanced with Marshall’s farm honey, mint and togarashi) and a delicately delish tuna crudo with summer vegetables and crispy nori.

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

Entrees range from a flavorful roast chicken on farro and enhanced citrus, sauteed kale and natural demi glaze and pan roasted halibut accompanied by curried cauliflower, carrots and pistachio to the Australian Wagyu sirloin with bone marrow butter, charred greens and truffle fries and the Klingemann Family Farm bone-in pork chop paired with polenta, mustard seeds and crispy pork rinds.

The spicy crab sushi roll is super flavorful with jalapeno yuzu, asparagus and spicy furikake while the Sunset “View” Roll improves upon the traditional California roll with fresh salmon, Hiramasa yellowtail, trout roe and green curry aioli.

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

View Restaurant
VEA Newport Beach
A Marriot Resort & Spa
900 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach