Committed to Exceptional Care

All throughout my youth, I wondered why people didn’t like going to the dentist. That all changed when I moved away from home to go to college, and had to find a new dentist for the first time. That experience opened my eyes to how intimate dentistry is and how vulnerable you feel if you are not comfortable in the dental office.

Your smile/mouth is the first thing people notice when they speak to you. Finding someone you trust to take care of your dental hygiene is imperative to enjoying the confidence a beautiful smile gives you. Ivan Ho, DDS is one of those select few dentists you can trust. From the moment you meet him, you are immediately touched by his warm nature and empathy.

Dr. Ho has been caring for patients for over twenty years and has won numerous awards and reviews that focus not only on his excellency within dentistry, but also the warmth with which he treats his patients - as welcome guests and friends.

As a University of Southern California School of Dentistry graduate and an award winning board certified dentist, Dr. Ho lectures nationally and internationally about both cosmetic and implant dentistry. His expertise and warm demeanor have earned him the respect and trust of both colleagues and patients.

“As a doctor myself, extensive knowledge and expertise is important,” says Patient Steve H., MD. “Dr Ho is truly an expert!”

Angela P., a local school teacher, echoes the sentiment and adds: “I’ve been searching for a dentist with honesty and compassion, I found Dr Ho through a co-worker and refer all my friends and family to him.”

Dr. Ho has had more than his fair share of time in the dental chair as a patient. This has given him the unique perspective of both a professional and a patient.

“I had extra teeth and gum issues that required multiple gum and oral surgeries from my childhood all through my adolescence,” says Dr. Ho. “Despite the many and varied procedures I went through, I was fortunate enough to see wonderful providers and I was extremely grateful for the care they gave me. The experience of rectifying my own oral health led me to pursue dentistry. I wanted to give back to a profession that changed my life.”

In 1992, Dr. Ho started his practice in Laguna Hills and added a second office in Rancho Santa Margarita and with great dedication and hard work, cared for residents of both cities.

“As my children started to grow up, I realized that I wanted to spend more time with them while I could,” he says. “So I sold my Laguna Hills location and focused on RSM, which is where I lived. I recently relocated back to Laguna Hills as now my children have grown, but my parents need a little more attention. They reside in Laguna Woods Village.”

Dr. Ho has been enjoying his return to Laguna Hills and being able to care for patients that got him started twenty-plus years ago.

“It is not just fillings, crowns, implants, cosmetic dentistry or cleanings: it’s ‘beyond the nuances’ dentistry. Your oral health plays a very important role in your overall health and your ability to enjoy the simple pleasures of life like eating good food.

“After all, your smile is an indication of what is within.” Dr. Ho says with an engaging smile of his own.

Ivan Ho, DDS
DOCOI, FAAID, AACD
Pro Smiles OC
24953 Paseo de Valencia, Suite 6C
Laguna Hills
(949) 880-6638
ProSmilesOC.com

My daughter loves the movie Frozen. The Disney hit is based around locations in Norway, but there’s one stand out part in my mind every time I watch the movie, and it really belongs to Arendelle’s non-fictional neighbor to the east: the sauna.

JNH Lifestyles shares my affinity for the Finnish invention, dated back originally to 1112 AD. Introducing the heat-based healing tool to the world was simply the first step, however. As the technology evolved, so did its health benefits.

“What began as a simple tradition became one of the most invaluable homeopathic tools used to relax, detoxify, and regenerate humankind worldwide,” says COO, Brian Montes.

Essentially an enclosed space filled with steam (wet) or air heated by stones (dry) for an extended period of time, a traditional sauna utilize heat to release toxins through sweat, pressing the circulatory system to release toxins, thereby reducing stress, pain, and even aid in weight loss. JNH Lifestyles’ offerings on the other hand elevate your level of healing and pain relief using an even more updated technology: the infrared (IR) sauna.

IR employs far infrared light to emit a frequency of light waves that match the frequency of the water in one’s cells. The water molecules vibrate, causing friction on a microscopic scale. This is what generates heat and causes perspiration. When this occurs, toxins are released into the bloodstream and are excreted from the body. The long and short of this? Safer than a traditional sauna where the cabin temperature can rise upwards to 190 degrees, IR saunas utilize “radiant heating” - warming the sauna user rather than the cabin air.

IR saunas offer a myriad of health benefits including increased circulation and lowered blood pressure, joint and muscle pain relief (particularly for arthitis sufferers), improved sleep and stress reduction, collagen growth for smoother skin ... and with up to 600 calories burned per session, can aid in weight loss.

Today, millions of Americans experience the benefits of having a home infrared sauna.

Modern IR saunas can be installed in any average home at an incredibly reasonable price.

Designed by a team of dedicated engineers and experts with over 30 years industry experience, the one, two, three and four-person capacity ultra-low EMF or Full-Spectrum Infrared saunas come equipped with 6 to 16 infrared heater panels depending upon the size of the unit. Each operates simultaneously to deliver infrared benefits 80% more efficiently than other brands. Tested and approved by two independent third party facilities, the carbon fiber heaters maximize output and ensure a safe sweat in the comfort of your own home. The units are easy to install for DIYers or can be delivered and installed for convenience (Southern California only). JNH offers flat rate shipping and financing, should the need arise. Using only the highest quality untreated, unstained FSC Certified Canadian Hemlock, “our tongue and groove construction makes it a literal snap to set up.”

Eliminating the traditional need for framing tools, mitre joints or other woodworking tricks to keep the wood in place, tongue and groove also allows the wood to flex with the infrared heat, and give when it shrinks back into shape. Dual-wall construction means the sauna will trap more heat and also keep its overall shape, ensuring owners can tuck it into a smaller space and not worry about additional insulation or heat expansion. A see-through safety glass door allows for visibility within and without the sauna, and a digital control panel lets you decide on the temperature and duration of your IR experience.

“Unfortunately, we can’t literally touch infrared the way you’d pet your dog,” which is indeed unfortunate, as it feels like the IR waves are giving you the loveliest hug imaginable, “but we can feel the heat it generates within our bodies.”

Like your levels of excitement once you get the sauna put together, your cardiac activity will soon increase with the heat, and you can start enjoying the long-term rewards of lower blood pressure and increased relaxation. The Finns got it right. JNH is bringing it home. And you can relax for less, with quicker set up and greater benefits in less time than it takes to get a child to sing through the entire Disney song library; again.

JNH Lifestyles
(949) 979-6034
JNHLifestyles.com

Insurance for All with Jonathan Bayani. GEICO Laguna Niguel

There are very few things that throw people off balance more easily than an accident. Be it at home, in the car, or on the water, an accident can ruin a day, a week, or even a year for the uninsured. For the last 85 years, your safety and that of your family has been GEICO’s ultimate priority, and for Agency Owner Jonathan Bayani and his team of licensed agents at the GEICO local office in Laguna Niguel, carrying that mission on is about much more than offering competitive rates.

Bayani and his team strive to serve South OC residents with elite and tailored customer service curated over the last twenty years in the auto and insurance industries. Customers can purchase car insurance, as well as coverage for renters, condos, RV’s, boats, and commercial vehicles. Identity protection, jewelry, and homeowners are also among the list of offerings GEICO boasts: a far cry from the original single policy auto coverage GEICO founders Leo and Lillian Goodwin offered clients in 1936 when they first opened their doors.

“As the father of three children, looking after the wellbeing of my family is top priority,’ says Bayani. “Insurance is integral to every industry and after serving the San Diego Padres and seeing how closely knit the players and their families are to their individual coverage, I wanted to bring what I learned to everyday folks in my own community.”

A bilingual team of agents, the office in Laguna Niguel will look to bring savings to each client that walks through their doors. “We have special association and alumni discounts for graduates of UCLA, SDSU, UCI, CUSF, CSULB, USC and other local schools.” Active duty military serving at Camp Pendleton may also qualify for GEICO’s military discount.

Accidents or incidents can derail even the best laid plans, but they don’t have to. GEICO has been proving that for 85 years, and Jonathan and his team are here to back you up for those to come.

GEICO
Local Office
Laguna Niguel
27261 La Paz Road, Suite J
Laguna Niguel
(949) 268-6740
Geico.com/Laguna-Niguel-Bayani

The last 12 months have been some of the most taxing in recent memory. Nearly a year of intermittent lockdown, skyrocketing unemployment rates, global pandemic.

Not necessarily the right time to start a business, when so many need assistance. Unless, of course, the business you start is the business of helping others out. Amidst one of the more nutty summers on record, the Irvine-based Ola-Help! got its start. Looking to assist people with fast and efficient services and delivery for personal shopping, buying, sending gifts, or even scheduling rides for appointments for residents in South OC, there isn’t a challenge too large for the team.

Specifically targeted at those most compromised by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ola-Help! looks for ways to meet the demands of a world driven by technology and connection when so many were driven into isolation, separated from the ones they love who helped them stay relevant through computers, tablets, and the seemingly endless scroll of smart phone apps. My Mom turned 88 in September, and we haven’t seen her in months. As such, we’ve taken to screens as much as we can to help walk her through paying some of her bills online, downloading podcasts from the cloud, or getting her set up on a shared photo feed so she can see incoming images of the grandkids.

But not everyone has the bandwidth to support what sometimes feels like a part time job keeping their loved ones afloat, especially during such trying times.

“We believe in humans helping humans," says Owner Prashna Raniga, Ph.D. "Assisting those that are the most vulnerable part of the community is our priority.” When you call Ola-Help!, you speak with a person, and not an automated message system asking you to repeat your command until you’re blue in the face.

A recent 5-Start Yelp review by client Mariam A. of Irvine speaks to the level of customer service you can expect: “Ola-Help! is an amazing service! I was looking for a someone to deliver some perishable items to someone locally and Ola-Help! was the PERFECT SOLUTION to my problem! I will definitely use this service again!”

Ola-Help! serves as your “one-stop, personal assistant” to navigate the myriad of online resources - whether you are looking for someone to run errands, seniors who need help with online purchases, scheduling transportation to a doctor’s appointment, grocery shopping or food delivery.

“We’re a tele-concierge service that understands the difficulties of living in a predominantly online community platform,” says Dr. Raniga. “It can be tough to know who to trust, or which app to open.” My Mom used to say how nice it would be if she had an- other set of hands to get everything done, and now you do: just call up Ola-Help!

Ola-Help!
(833) 927-3782
OlaHelp.com

The most recent season of Netflix’s revolutionary bio-drama The Crown follows Britain’s royal family to the Queen’s Scottish estate house, Balmoral. Views of verdant, rolling hills, and moody, dark skies await its guests. As a fan of the show and an avid traveler, I’d been dreaming about a family getaway. I couldn’t have been more excited when my husband and I planned a weekend retreat to La Jolla’s atmospheric the Lodge at Torrey Pines. I’d only seen photos of the sprawling expanse, and on the drive in felt utterly transported - just to the north of the property the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve showcases 1,750 sprawling acres of unspoiled land that protects its namesake - one of America’s rarest pine trees. By the time we pulled in under the Lodge’s porte-cochere and were greeted by doormen attired in traditional Scottish kilted dress, we knew we were in for an experience unlike any other.

With warmer, Craftsman detailing than you might find at the Queen’s residence, the AAA 5 Diamond rated resort boasts expansive public rooms with fireplaces, marble mantles, leather chairs, and unbeatable views of the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Beyond, you’ll find you’re looking at the Pacific, not the cool Atlantic - but to be honest, I knew I’d be hard-pressed to be pulled away from the cozy poolside cabana. The heated pool, especially during California’s winter months, was just what we all needed to unwind and relax.

Understandably, travel looks decidedly different these days and as a family with two middle-school aged children, safety is a top priority. Transparent in its commitment to ensure the well-being of resort guests, The Lodge’s Clean & Care Commitment protocols have earned the property a Clean + Safe Certification from the California Hotel & Lodging Association (see website for details).

Accommodation + Amenities

It’s easy to see why Sunset Magazine rated The Lodge as the #1 Hotel in the West and described it as “one of the most beautiful hotels anywhere.” Our stunning guest accommodation featured the most luxurious Egyptian cotton linens, gorgeous oversized soaking bath, a cozy fireplace, spacious living quarters and breathtaking views of the world-renowned Torrey Pines Golf Course overlooking the California coastline.

We chatted with a couple who raved about the 36-hole facility owned by the City of San Diego, originally designed by William F. Bell. The South Course was redesigned in 2001 by Rees Jones in preparation for the 2008 U.S. Open and is now 7,698 yards with a par of 72. The North Course is 7,258 yards in length with a par of 72.

The Lodge features a full-service spa and state-of-the-art fitness center. Although these may be closed due to state guidelines at the time of your visit, there’s no shortage of open-air recreational opportunities - from outdoor yoga and croquet to golf, guided hikes and of course, the gorgeous heated pool.

The Lodge’s signature restaurant, A.R. Valentien, highlights seasonal cuisine crafted from locally sourced ingredients - delicious dishes we enjoyed “outdoors” in an elegant, open air, timbered dining room. The metal-strap post-and-beam structure, hand-crafted wood framed windows and stained-glass lanterns all a nod to its Southern California heritage and Craftsman architecture and further enhanced by the panoramic views overlooking the 18th hole of the Torrey Pines Golf Course.

For starters, we sampled wonderfully fragrant and flavorful artisanal cheeses paired with spiced nuts and jam followed by a delectable crispy skin sablefish butternut squash tortellini, lobster consommé, pomegranate and preserved orange relish.

During our stay, we also indulged in room service with wood-fired favorites (think chimney roasted chicken and wood-grilled tri-tip). My daughter and I are completely addicted to the charcoal bread avocado toast topped with smashed avocado, fennel, pickled and fresh vegetables, watercress and Everything seasoning and the wood roasted vegetable quinoa (our attempts to replicate the recipes at home came up a little short so she’s already angling for a return trip). My son would eat the Grill’s “Drugstore Hamburger” at every meal if you let him and my strictly meat-and-potatoes husband thoroughly enjoyed the cooked-to-perfection New York Strip paired with a glass of regional wine.

An offshoot of the early 1900s Arts and Crafts Movement, the Lodge boasts one of the loveliest examples of California Craftsman you can find. Clean lines, warm, open spaces, and naturally rough raw materials, like stone, wood, and plenty of natural light give beautiful complement to the deliberate and exceptional care the staff take to ensure each guest’s stay is comfortable and memorable. You’d think we were titled guests of the estate with the unprecedented service we received. The best part? You don’t have to claim a royal lineage to stay.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines
11480 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla
(858) 453-4420
LodgeTorreyPines.com

The nature of gift purchasing has changed greatly since the advent of the internet. How has Absolutely Fabulous stayed above the fray and blossomed while the rest of the gift industry flounders? “That’s easy,” responds Diane Silverstein, owner of the iconic Huntington Beach-based Absolutely Fabulous gift boutique, “quality, selection, price range, and ease of shopping.” After many visits to her “absolutely fabulous” gift and décor shop, I would have to agree. “Plus – we ship world-wide, so you can mail your stuff right from here!”

While the internet excels at making home shopping the easiest experience, when you know exactly what you’re looking for, much of holiday gift-giving starts with “who is this for, and how much do I want to spend on them?” Absolutely Fabulous makes this type of shopping easy with their “you know the personality, we know the product” approach to holiday gift-giving. “You see,” Diane explains in her charming English accent, “we spend hours and hours searching for the best new products offered in the gift industry. When our customers come in with their lists, we walk them around and point out options that our customers would never have found in an internet search.”

Diane is not kidding on that last point. The variety and uniqueness of products at Absolutely Fabulous is astounding: hand-made jewelry, Miche Bag purses (the ones where you just drop the “insides” of your purse into a new shell, rather than having to dump all of your stuff out!), $10 silk scarves, old-school shaving kits for men, a “Daddy’s Tool Bag” that includes diaper changing equipment, and instructional DVD, face mask and other funny items, rare paintings by successful artists, large crystal chandeliers, crystal perfume bottles, stuffed animal baby bottle covers, piggy banks for kids, wedding party gifts, rare Disney art and collectibles, holiday-themed decor and gifts, Christmas decorations that range from very inexpensive bottle stoppers and tree decorations to 6-foot high collectible Santa dolls. Ab Fab really does cover the gamut of gifts for anyone: “from birth to death and everything in-between is our moniker” Diane proudly states. I tend to agree.

This holiday season, find out why Absolutely Fabulous is so appropriately-named. Connect with Diane and the crew at Absolutely Fabulous located at 6026 Warner Avenuein Huntington Beach, call (714) 842-1608 or visit
www.absolutelyfabulous1.com

The nature of gift purchasing has changed greatly since the advent of the internet. How has Absolutely Fabulous stayed above the fray and blossomed while the rest of the gift industry flounders? “That’s easy,” responds Diane Silverstein, owner of the iconic Huntington Beach-based Absolutely Fabulous gift boutique, “quality, selection, price range, and ease of shopping.” After many visits to her “absolutely fabulous” gift and décor shop, I would have to agree. “Plus – we ship world-wide, so you can mail your stuff right from here!”

While the internet excels at making home shopping the easiest experience, when you know exactly what you’re looking for, much of holiday gift-giving starts with “who is this for, and how much do I want to spend on them?” Absolutely Fabulous makes this type of shopping easy with their “you know the personality, we know the product” approach to holiday gift-giving. “You see,” Diane explains in her charming English accent, “we spend hours and hours searching for the best new products offered in the gift industry. When our customers come in with their lists, we walk them around and point out options that our customers would never have found in an internet search.”

Diane is not kidding on that last point. The variety and uniqueness of products at Absolutely Fabulous is astounding: hand-made jewelry, Miche Bag purses (the ones where you just drop the “insides” of your purse into a new shell, rather than having to dump all of your stuff out!), $10 silk scarves, old-school shaving kits for men, a “Daddy’s Tool Bag” that includes diaper changing equipment, and instructional DVD, face mask and other funny items, rare paintings by successful artists, large crystal chandeliers, crystal perfume bottles, stuffed animal baby bottle covers, piggy banks for kids, wedding party gifts, rare Disney art and collectibles, holiday-themed decor and gifts, Christmas decorations that range from very inexpensive bottle stoppers and tree decorations to 6-foot high collectible Santa dolls. Ab Fab really does cover the gamut of gifts for anyone: “from birth to death and everything in-between is our moniker” Diane proudly states. I tend to agree.

This holiday season, find out why Absolutely Fabulous is so appropriately-named. Connect with Diane and the crew at Absolutely Fabulous located at 6026 Warner Avenuein Huntington Beach, call (714) 842-1608 or visit www.absolutelyfabulous1.com

Travel for our family has always been an exciting opportunity to explore both far-flung destinations and closer-to-home hidden gems. During these unprecedented times defined by shelter-in-place and safer-at-home, we - like many families - pressed pause on several planned summer vacations and weekend getaways to destinations farther than an easy driving distance. For Southern Californians, the beaches are open, and the weather is bright and warm well into the fall and few places are as idyllic as Coronado Island to while away a couple of days in the surf and sand.

Just over the bridge from San Diego, Coronado is a small, quaint, tree-lined retreat characterized by beautiful, rarely crowded white sand beaches, a rich, romantic history and laid-back, small town atmosphere. Although locals refer to it as “the island,” Coronado is really a peninsula connected to the mainland by a finger of land called the Silver Strand. With wide leafy streets lined with Victorian homes and Southern California beach bungalows, the island is small enough to walk almost anywhere (it’s only a mile from the San Diego Bay side of the peninsula to the Pacific Ocean). Once we parked upon arrival for a recent stay at the lovely Glorietta Bay Inn, we discovered that Coronado truly is a “car-optional” environment and were able to easily navigate the relatively flat paths on foot and by bicycle.

We chose the Glorietta Bay Inn (www.gloriettabayinn.com), a beautiful boutique hotel and historic landmark famous for its grandeur architecture, as “home base.” The former private residence of sugar baron John D. Spreckels, the hotel (which features 11 historic mansion rooms in the main original building circa 1908 and 89 contemporary rooms and suites in structures added to the property in later years) is situated across the street from Coronado Beach and a short walking distance from an array of retail shops and restaurants.

Defined by an artful blend of Old World charm and contemporary coastal comfort, the Inn features a scenic outdoor verandah, a storied music room complete with a baby grand piano and a sun warmed lobby that once served as the grand foyer to Spreckels’ home.

Each of the historic mansion rooms are uniquely styled: the Sugar Baron Room, originally the private bedroom of Mrs. Spreckels, features king-bedded room with a large balcony and a spectacular view of Glorietta Bay; the Spreckels Suite the private bedroom of John D. Spreckels, this beautiful room has a living room area with a convenient kitchenette, and a separate bedroom with a king size bed. French doors off the living room open up to a spacious balcony with an equally gorgeous view of Glorietta Bay. Amenities for all accommodations include the complimentary use of beach chairs, towels, and sand toys for Coronado Beach.

As our family discovered on similar sojourns to “the island,” it doesn’t take much planning to have a perfect day in Coronado. We had brought our bicycles and started off along Coronado Beach - a picturesque stretch of sand and surf that stretches for over a mile along Ocean Boulevard in front of historic and glamorous houses. Voted in the top 10 beaches in the USA by the Travel Channel, this long and wide beach is great for walks, runs, beach volleyball or sandcastle building. If you bring along a furry friend, there is a leash-free dog zone at the far end of the beach where pups chase each other in the waves.

Fans of author L. Frank Baum’s iconic classic “The Wizard of Oz” will enjoy pedaling past the quaint yellow Cape Cod-style home (located right across from Star Park) that he rented during his stays and the place where he penned three of the books in the Oz series.

We spent the better part of an afternoon tooling around town, along the Bayshore Bikeway, past Glorietta Bay and the Coronado Golf Course and under the Coronado Bridge (if you continue following the well-marked bike path, you’ll end up at the Coronado Ferry Landing, where a ten-minute ride would bring you to downtown San Diego.) After our bike ride, we strolled Orange Avenue, a beautiful commercial boulevard that curves back to the Glorietta Bay Inn, and stopped in Bay Books where staff members leave heartfelt handwritten recommendations under their favorite reads and stumbled upon MooTime Creamery - where locals and tourists alike were lined up for what they all (accurately) claimed was “the best handcrafted ice cream and hand-rolled cones” in town.

We kept the “enjoy the outdoors” theme going through the end of the day, spending the afternoon and early evening playing in the waves and soaking up the sun on Coronado Beach. The kids spent the entire trip outside and active - and much to their parent’s pleasure, off their respective electronic devices. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed kicking back on the balcony with a glass of wine each evening and even managed to finish a couple of books we’d been wanting to get to for weeks (you’d think we would have found the time at home, but it seems as though there’s been no shortage of home improvement projects to focus on).

Our weekend away in Coronado was just what we all needed - a change of scenery and experience - at a destination fast becoming one of our favorites. Given its ideal location central to literally everything, its unparalleled amenity and service and laid-back charm, the Glorietta Bay Inn will undoubtedly be our family’s first choice for future visits.

Glorietta Bay Inn is the ideal location for an Orange County Staycation. For our readers, use code ORANGE at www.gloriettabayinn.com for an Exclusive Staycation Offer with discounted room rate and free parking until January 31, 2021. With extra hygiene measures in place for the safety of guests and staff and flexible cancellation up to the day before arrival, feel confident in booking.

Glorietta Bay Inn
1630 Glorietta Boulevard
Coronado
(619) 435-3101
www.GloriettaBayInn.com