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

Purposefully designed to make great wine uncomplicated

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

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

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

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

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

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

The best part is, you can go about it any way you want to by booking a private tasting with Micah, and seeing what really goes into the wine you love so much. Bouquet, tannins, aroma, body, finish. Formal, informal - a guided pairing or a casual dinner party with friends where he'll chat with anyone who has questions.

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

Micah is happy to connect personally
His cell is (562) 241-1699 or
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SommStash.com

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

Home to the largest collection of luxury outlets in the Golden State, and just twenty minutes west of Palm Springs, the center features a list of 180 designer stores that reads like a “who’s who” of the fashion industry - including Burberry, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Coach, Balenciaga, Alo Yoga, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Saint Laurent, Versace, the only Christian Louboutin outlet in the U.S. and more. These reside alongside several of my daughter’s favorite retail staples (Forever 21, Claire’s and American Eagle Outfitters) and anchors Neiman Marcus Last Call and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH.

The newest stores to open here in recent months include Alo Yoga (the trendy and practical activewear line that easily transitions from studio to street), Buck Mason (inspired by the laid back California ethos of easy living, quality and simplicity), IRO (a beautiful French line of ready-to-wear pieces) and just in time for winter adventures everywhere - the West Coast’s first Moose Knuckles outlet location (the Canadian luxury outerwear collection showcases warm parkas and down coats that can withstand sub-zero temperatures in style).

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

Desert Hills Premium Outlets
48400 Seminole Drive
Cabazon
(951) 849-6641
PremiumOutlets.com

There are a few places on my winter vacation shortlist: San Diego for a surf and sand staycation, Big Apple for the holidays, Big Sur to see McWay Falls at its peak, and South Lake Tahoe for literally everything else. Boating, shopping, gaming, nightlife, hiking, biking. Dining out or cooking dinner with the family, staying slopeside or near the waterfront: there are endless combinations of fun to be had. Taking a break but staying close to the amenities that make you comfortable at home can be a tough lift, but on the shores of the lake waterfront homes often come with a dock for easy access to get you to whichever activity you’d like.

Split by the massive, magnificent alpine lake in the middle, both the north and south shores of Lake Tahoe are easy to navigate and offer an abundance of outdoor (and indoor) attractions and activities year round.

Our family is rather partial to the south shore - many of our best vacation memories were made here over the years. It doesn’t matter which season you visit: whether a winter wonderland or a water enthusiast’s dream during the summer. When snow caps the Sierra Nevadas, there’s snowshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing and snowboarding, while warmer weather is perfect for hiking, biking, kayaking or simply soaking in the picturesque environs from the shoreline. Pristine waters, deep gorges, craggy mountains and tall green trees define the spectacularly scenic landscape.

A unique way to experience the lake is to embark on a family-friendly daytime scenic cruise aboard the Tahoe Queen for a tour of Emerald Bay – an absolutely must for amazing photo opportunities. Take in some of the most incredible views in the world, enjoy lunch, hot cocoa and a good dose of South Lake Tahoe history with the Captain’s live narration.

For a more comfortable, cozy and convenient option to staying in a traditional hotel room, The Tahoe Keys Resort and Lake Tahoe Reservation Bureau (www.laketahoe.com or 800.698.2463) offers an extensive selection of luxury homes, condos and rustic cabins to suit your specific needs – whether you’re a couple looking for a romantic retreat, a family with kids or a large group of friends.

For those of us who are working from the confines of our kitchen table or a cramped home office looking for a break, Tahoe Keys Resort features abundant 30+ day-extended stay properties. Perfect for a work-vacation combination trip, or a multi-generational vacation, the opportunities for excitement and relaxation are unlimited.

Traveling with our teens, we have been booking accommodation through Tahoe Keys Resort since they were littles. The process couldn’t be easier and with so many options, we’re ensured plenty of space to stretch out, everyone has their own room to retreat to, we save time and money by being able to cook our meals and dine in rather than eat out three times a day and are within minutes of area attractions, casinos and, of course, the lake. We could easily bike to the nearby beaches, hike Camp Richardson and still be a mere stone’s throw from all the action at stateline.

Unlike vacations where we schedule a series of specific activities designed to keep everyone occupied and entertained away from the hotel room, this trip was all about taking full advantage in what the condo we rented had to offer – the kids were in and out all day long, playing frisbee, tossing a ball and enjoying a “picnic” lunch on the property’s expansive lawn between bike rides to explore the environs.

Lunches and dinners were either easy outdoor affairs – steaks, burgers, hot dogs and grilled corn cooked on the barbecue or on the last evening, a multi-course meal prepared in the chef’s gourmet kitchen – and for the adults, “happy hour” on the upstairs deck was a nightly highlight sipping a glass of fine wine while watching the sun slip over the horizon – a perfect end to each fun-filled day in one of the prettiest places on the planet.

Tahoe Keys Resort features spacious condos, rustic cabins or luxury homes for short and extended stay.

Where to Eat, Stay and Play in the "City of Fountains"

A friend of mine joked with me recently that Kansas City is the loudest city in the midwest. He assured me that it was strictly due to the volume of sports fans: Royals baseball and Chiefs football, Sporting KC soccer, NASCAR at the Speedway. Someone is always cheering.

I can’t say we’re the biggest sporting family, but I’ll wager Kansas City can compete with the best when it comes to family-friendly activities during the fall. The free KC Streetcar, located within walking distance of all the major hotels downtown, gets you to Union Station’s Science City, dubbed a “play-and-learn paradise.” Also home to the Planetarium and the Extreme Screen Theater, there’s more entertainment that you might be able to squeeze into one afternoon.

Accommodations of Distinction

Kansas City is known as the Crossroads of the US, and there’s one property located at its heart that channels the unique history of the city while celebrating its contemporary culture. The award-winning 131-room Crossroads Hotel (www.crossroadshotel.com) - with its trio of bustling bars and restaurants - is where people from all over the world and around the corner come together.

Like the energy, creativity and passion of the city it calls home, this vibrant property is all about community and connection. At every turn, local artists, designers and purveyors share their talent in its public and private spaces.

Accommodations here are stylish with a Midwestern point of view - spacious and welcoming spaces characterized by hints of the structure’s historic roots (think hardwood, exposed brick, original industrial details). Encompassing two buildings originally built by Pabst Blue Ribbon and used as a bottling and distribution center, Crossroads Hotel’s design pays homage to the city’s 20th Century heritage as “The Paris of the Plains” - a reputation earned by defying Prohibition.

Lazia, the hotel's signature dinner-only establishment showcases a fresh take on nostalgic Italian cuisine. Start with the fragrant warm house-made focaccia with your choice of small bites as accompaniment. These range from a creamy whipped ricotta )enhanced with local honey and pistachio butter) and baked littleneck clams to a roasted eggplant pecorino puree or "burger's smokehouse attic aged ham."

The kids loved the from the hearth, napoletana style pizza topped with mozzarella di bufala, basil and san marzano tomato. Popular house-made pasta dishes include the cocoa cappelletti filled with roasted butternut squash with lemon brown butter, pumpkin seeds and amaretti cookie crumble. Among the main courses meant to share is the bistecca alla fiorentina - a grilled to perfection Morgan Ranch bone-in florentine steak accompanied by Tuscan fries and black garlic bone marrow butter.

Barbecue, blues, destination dining, the arts and culture are a given, but lest we forget the Kansas City's apt moniker - there are literally fountains to be found everywhere - with over 200 in the greater metro area. Some are big and boastful in their beauty, while others are more understated but equally impressive.

If you’re looking for thrills, check out the rollercoasters at Worlds of Fun and Towers of Fun - or just skip straight to the Zoo - either way, you’re guaranteed to whoop and holler with excitement all the way through your visit. Maybe KC is really the loudest city for a reason.