A Q & A with Derek Mannion, founder of Alliance Eldercare

You think it might be time to consider options for your aging loved one’s future care and quality of life. Easier said than done when the mere thought of navigating the myriad of options - from independent senior living and board and care homes to memory care communities, long-term, hospice  Parkinson’s and more - seems a Herculean task.

That’s where a senior placement specialist can prove to be a tremendous resource … and available at no cost to you. Having said that though, you’ll want to make sure the professional you are working with has your family’s best interests at heart, is experienced with key relationships in the senior industry and will advocate for your loved one to find the best fit for his or her needs.

In the following interview Derek Mannion, founder of Alliance Eldercare, addresses frequently asked questions concerning options, the process and finding the right senior placement specialist to work with your family.

Question: How do I know when placement is needed? What are the signs that my loved one may benefit from placement?

Answer: There any many signs that someone may benefit from being placed in an assisted living environment. Some of the big ones for me are fall risk and fall prevention. Is your loved one safe to be left alone? Does he leave the stove on with an empty pot or pan? Wander and get lost? Is there a need for incontinence care or help with general cleanliness and personal hygiene? Are medications taken as prescribed or does she take a second dose, having forgotten that she already took her medication? These are all signs that someone could benefit for an Assisted Living environment.

Q: How do we determine the best setting for my loved one - what are the differences (assisted living, memory care, board and care, skilled nursing)?

A: To find the best care options for your loved one, we must first complete a Care Needs Assessment to determine the personal needs of an individual. We must evaluate the ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), as well as the individual’s mental status. We also need to discuss what a viable monthly budget would be to work within the individual or family’s financial means. We can also look into Veterans Benefits and discuss any Long Term Care policies that the individual may have. Once we narrow down the options that work best for your loved one’s needs and budget, I personally tour the family. Sometimes there isn’t an exact fit for an individual’s needs. This is when we tour the options so your loved one and family members can see for themselves the differences between the types of facilities and options available and what each has to offer.

Q: What should I look for when working with a senior placement company?

A: Not all Senior Placement or Referral Agencies are the same. There are things that families should be aware of and want to have in place. Stay away from online agencies that want personal information in exchange for a list of Assisted Living Comminities. Work with companies that offer Free Guided Tours rather than companies that just want to give you a list of places. If the company offers personal tours, they are likely in the communities regularly. Ask how familiar they are with the specific communities that they are referring you to consider. Ask about their experience, training and relationships in the industry. Are they a licensed RCFE administrator? Ask if they will share your contact information or keep your information confidential. They should never share your information without obtaining your permission.

Q: Do senior placement companies find the best fit for my loved one or do they typically place individuals with the ones at which they have contracts?

A: Finding the best long-term solution is always my goal at Alliance Eldercare Senior Placement Service and should be the goal of any reputable senior placement company. For me, it’s about building a relationship with the community and getting to know the people who run and/or own the facilities. This gives me a better understanding as to what they can and can’t do (or sometimes won’t do). This allows me to better place someone in a Community that fits the individuals likes and needs. It’s not about contracts, it’s about care.

Q: Can a senior placement service work with our family if our family disagrees on the best care for mom or if our loved one has behavioral problems?

A: You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. Sometimes families don’t agree on things. This is why in our industry we recommend having one POA or decision maker if the loved one is incapable of making decisions for themselves. This is a decision that the senior needs to make while they have capacity. If the loved one has behavioral problems, I would connect them with a neurologist if they don’t have one already and work with the doctor to get the behaviors under control. Getting the behaviors under control can open up more options for care. We can discuss this further during the Care Needs Assessment at Alliance Eldercare.

For a FREE Care Needs Assessment, Derek and the Alliance Eldercare team can be reached by calling (866) 936-4241 or visit www.AllianceEldercare.com

A Q & A with Dr. Michael DeYoung, M.D., LaSara Medical Group

Men with erectile dysfunction (ED) often suffer in silence. For many, it’s a taboo topic associated with a stigma that affects their self esteem. So much so that they don’t even share the details of what they are experiencing with their primary care physician or urologist.

What these men might find surprising is how much they have in common with approximately 18 million other men across the country. Erectile dysfunction impacts men of all ages from their 20s to their 90s. But here’s a particularly staggering statistic: It is estimated that 50% of men will be affected by ED by the age of 50. That means that when a group of 50-something year old men get together, nearly half of the men in the room are likely struggling with ED.

The physicians at LaSara Medical Group have seen men from age 27 to 95 walk through their doors. For those with a vascular disorder, or blood flow disorder, as the root cause of their ED, LaSara offers a clinically proven treatment option without drugs, without surgeries and without needles.

As the Southern California leader in low intensity focused shockwave therapy, LaSara has seen incredible results for its patients utilizing the only proven method of reversing ED for the long-term. Before obtaining treatment anywhere, Dr. Michael DeYoung, Medical Director at LaSara, strongly encourages men to do their due diligence, investigating the efficacy and research behind provider care.

While most of LaSara’s competitors base their businesses on the same research, they use an entirely different machine with a type of energy (radial, acoustic or pressure waves) that produces less than half the success rate that LaSara’s patients enjoy. If that weren’t enough of a difference, the machine that LaSara’s competitors utilize requires the use of numbing cream to (hopefully) minimize what can be a rather painful process - unlike LaSara’s pain-free treatment option. “Our goal is to restore natural functionality in a safe, discreet environment for our patients. Our professional, all male staff is committed to providing a medical experience that surpasses all your expectations.”

In the following interview, Dr. DeYoung addresses frequently asked questions concerning the patient experience and shares specifics about low intensity focused shockwave therapy.

Q: How long has LaSara Medical Group been in existence and what does it specialize in?

A: Since January 2018. We specialize in Men’s sexual health providing treatment for erectile dysfunction and peyronies disease.

We’ve treated more men in southern California with focused shockwaves than anyone else around. On a daily basis, we have 14-18 men coming through our doors in each location. We use the exact machinery and protocol that’s been clinically studied and proven.

Q: What is low intensity focused shockwave therapy, is it a new treatment and how does it work?

A: The treatment is relatively new to the United States, but not to the world. It’s been studied and used for 15 years, originally in Europe (Switzerland, Germany, UK, Denmark, etc.), Canada, Asia (Japan, Korea, India), Australia, and most recently here in the US in the last couple of years.

The majority of men who experience ED have a vascular disorder or blood flow disorder. What happens is their blood vessels have prematurely hardened, there is plaque that builds up, or they have other medical conditions that attack the vascular system, such as Diabetes. When this happens, a man loses his ability for blood to easily travel into his penis allowing for an erection to occur.

We use low intensity focused shock waves to trigger the body to grow new blood vessels into the penis. The shockwaves create a small micro trauma. When this happens, new blood vessels begin to grow throughout a man’s penis. This is the process of neovascularization. Over time, the body miraculously repairs and heals the countless blood vessels damaged and prematurely hardened by the accumulation of plaque. As the plaque becomes eliminated, more and more blood vessels grow back... The ultimate goal is get a man back to achieving erections naturally and without the use of medication, like Viagra or Cialis.

Q: How do you determine if a prospective patient will benefit from treatment?

A: The process starts with a complete medical evaluation and history to determine whether a vascular disorder is the cause of a prospective patient’s ED. We weed out if he is experiencing ED as a result of a psychological or neurological issue. If the ED is determined to be caused by a vascular disorder and he does not have other major medical risk factors, then he is a good candidate for this treatment. Our patients range in age from 27 to 95 and 80% of our patients experience positive results from the treatment.

Q: What are the benefits of treatment? What is the process and when might a patient expect to see results?

A: The primary benefit or goal of treatment is to restore a patient’s ability to have spontaneous intimate experiences, restored confidence and a natural sex life. Unlike other treatment options, there’s no timing to take a pill when you want to perform. No injections to medically induce an erection, which can obviously be very intrusive when you are “in the moment.” Treatment is non-invasive - no surgery and no side effects.

In terms of what a patient can expect of the process, the first step is to schedule a consultation - a 10 to 30-minute phone call with a member of our team will give us an idea of whether or not he is a good candidate for the treatment. After he is determined to be a quality candidate and that the root cause of his ED is likely a vascular disorder, the patient will visit our office for an in-person consultation with one of our physicians.

The next step would be to begin treatment, which typically involves six visits over the course of three to five weeks. Then we wait for 90 days as the body takes six to 12 weeks to fully react to the treatment, at which time he’ll come back in for a follow up visit with the doctor. Because LaSara is committed to achieving the best result for its patients, they will perform a second round of treatments, if necessary, at no additional charge.

Call for your FREE phone consultation to determine if LaSara’s treatment is right for you.

Dr. Michael DeYoung, M.D. is the Medical Director for LaSara Medical Group with offices in Tustin and Beverly Hills. A Fellow of the American College of Emergency Medicine, Dr. DeYoung worked full time in emergency medicine for 43 years before retiring in 2017 to focus on his “second career” in the field of men’s sexual health. The Tustin office is located at 14642 Newport Avenue, Suite 250. The Beverly Hills office is located at 150 N. Robertson Blvd., Suite 205. For more information, call (855) 200-1111 or visit www.lasara.com.

Let’s play a quick game: I’ll say a word and you write down the first thing that comes to mind. Ready? Beer. Now, I’ll bet you a pint that you immediately imagined some Oktoberfest, flush with icy cold brews and brats grilling in the background.

But while beer has a colorful history indeed in the cloisters and taverns of Germany, the story of beer actually began a few thousand years before the Reinheitsgebot. Since its earliest days in ancient Sumeria, the art of brewing has come a long way. The simple act of allowing water, malt, and hops to ferment coursed through many different iterations before landing in the age of “craft,” when more than 150 beer styles and 20,000 plus brands exist on the market, all for the simple enjoyment of drinking.

As of early this year, more than 6,000 separate breweries hold the recipes for all the craft beer in the United States. No longer bound to Germany’s “Purity Law,” you’ll find ingredients in brews today ranging from avocado honey to hemp. Andrew and Kim Reed believe there has never been a better time to appreciate the craft, and as such, opened the doors to The BrewHouse in 2014. The premier spot in Orange County to learn about beer and experience a range of flavors, Andrew’s “beertenders” are more than happy to show you some of the raw ingredients, introduce you to the Digital Pour feature, and serve up a (giant) signature pretzel, which, the last time I checked, was as shareable as it was delicious and accompanied by a Bavarian and classic yellow mustard for dipping. Try a panini, hot from the sandwich press, complete with locally sourced beef jerky on the side and your choice in kettle chip.

Not feeling up to an entire pint? Let Andrew and Kim set you up with a flight of flavors, from breweries all across California. Santa Monica to Moorpark, San Clemente to Santa Ana, Buellton to Boonville to Torrance and back. A four-beer flight is just 20 ounces, and you’ll be covered with The BrewHouse’s range of flavors: light and tart sours, dank IPAs, malty golden ales, rich stouts and more. With a rotating selection of food trucks on Wednesday and Friday evenings and trivia night on Wednesday, there’s never a shortage of entertainment to be found. Let’s play that game again. Ready? Beer. I’ll bet you an icy-cold-rotating-tap-locally-sourced-pint your first thought was The BrewHouse.

For more info, stop by 31896 Plaza Drive, #D3 in San Juan Capistrano, call (949) 481-6181 or visit www.thebrewhousesjc.com. The BrewHouse is located in what just might be one of this historic city’s “best kept secrets” for fine furnishings, unique retail, health and wellness: The Capistrano Center. These speciality retailers are situated along the back side of the Plaza Del Obispo Shopping Center at the corner of Del Obispo and Camino Capistrano.

In a recent conversation with my mother, I discovered something. Something that was a cause for pause as I pondered all the possible ramifications. This thing I realized? My mother appears a bit more stubborn than she used to be. She laughed when I called it to her attention, but the more we thought about the fact that she was growing increasingly stubborn, it occurred to both of us that this trait could prove to be increasingly problematic as she got older.

She shared that she had always imagined herself to be a strong elder - a grey haired grandmother who had seen it all, survived it all, and was stronger for it. But the real truth was that as she remains set in her ways, the traits that she could get away with in her younger years (like wanting to do everything herself and refusing to ask for help when she needs it) would only be exacerbated by the slights of age. At 84, she sometimes forgets the simplest of day to day tasks. Like taking her vitamins and prescriptions - on time and in the right dosages.

In an article referenced on the web site for the National Center for Biotechnology Information, studies have shows that in the United States alone, non-adherence to medications causes 125,000 deaths annually and accounts for 10 to 25 percent of hospital and nursing home admissions. Further, the consequences of non-adherence are enormous. Patients who don’t take their prescribed medications run the risk of serious health issues, including hospitalization and death (ref: mhealthintelligence.com).

How prevalent is this problem? According to a recent Kaiser Permanente report, 72 California hospitals were fined in 2016 by the federal government for the disproportionate number of patients who returned within 30 days of hospital discharge. Ninety percent of these patients were readmitted due to health issues specifically arising from medication non-adherence.

“In spite of their difficulties and illnesses, many men and women prefer to remain independent and self-sufficient as they age,” says Andrew Harper, Co-Founder and Pharmacy Director of the Orange County-based AmeriPharma Specialty Care. “So many cases of patients who arrive at their doctor’s office with the same symptoms they were prescribed medication for, return still suffering, because they had not taken their medication as prescribed.” Or, as I could suddenly foresee happening with my mom, forgetting to take her medication at all.

A respected industry leader utilizing cutting-edge prescription packaging systems, AmeriPharma Specialty Care introduced the MedBox and helped set a new standard in medication management that has revolutionized the way for government-run healthcare programs, skilled nursing and assisted living facilities dispense medication. And now they are bringing the MedBox direct to consumers for use in the comfort of their own home.

Non-adherence to medications causes 125,000 death annually and accounts for 10 - 25% of hospital and nursing home admissions

Working directly with your pharmacy, AmeriPharma arranges with your physician to manage, maintain, and dispense your medical prescriptions - delivering them right to your front door. Packaged by date and time to be consumed, the MedBox is out to change the way we take pills - for the better. Wrapped in customizable packaging, the doses are easily identified by the patient and/or their caregivers, and even easier to handle and open.

“Dosage times are marked, and the procedure of actually filling the packets is done directly under the care and supervision of the pharmacist - which eliminates the chance of you, as a patient, misidentifying a bottle or taking the wrong dosage,” says Harper. “This is especially useful for those patients who cannot manage their own medications as prescribed due to physical disabilities, mental infirmities, or a combination of other factors. Fifty-eight percent of all patients over 65 admit that they have missed taking at least one dose of their prescriptions at one time or another.”

There is no additional cost to using the customized MedBox - patients keep their current insurance and co-pay and won’t pay a penny more for this service (delivered directly to your door - monthly, bi-monthly or in an emergency, within four hours!).

With benefits that include convenience, no additional cost, ease of use, peace of mind AND safety? The MedBox sounds like something my mother and I can both stay stubborn about.

For more information, call (800) 270-7091 or visit ameripharma.us/medbox

In-Home Care and the New! Senior Social Club & Stay Care Center in Laguna Woods Village

Over the past decade, there have been an increasing number of studies examining the effects of stress on the human body - from the immune to metabolic systems, to cell division, diet, hormonal changes, heart rate and of course, cortisol levels. Cortisol, after all, is what floods the body in response to stress. Its main purpose is more far-reaching than was once believed. Systemic effects play a great many roles to maintain homeostasis in the body: which, at a basic level, looks like a greater span of stress-free years. Experts at UCLA, Harvard and the University of Maryland all posit that lowering stress levels leads to healthier mental and bodily functions across the board, which is great for everyone, but can be particularly meaningful for men and women of an advanced age.

Founded in 2002, the professionals at Your Home Care, Inc. are dedicated to ensuring the individual care they provide will lessen the stress of everyday life for your aging loved one and their families. Between the two divisions of this Laguna Woods-based family-owned and operated business, seniors have the option of in-home care or respite at the Senior Social Club and Stay Care Center (applications are currently being accepted for participation).

In-home care

With loving kindness, trained caregivers provide exceptional general care and assist with the basic necessities of daily living in the comfort and safety of a senior’s own home. In-home care encompasses services tailored to the senior’s specific needs and range from meal preparation, medication reminders, doctor visits, grocery shopping, laundry, light housekeeping, dressing and incontinence care to Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related care.

“We have observed that those who are able to stay in their homes are more likely to remain healthy and free from common communicable illnesses, such as influenza and pneumonia that are prevalent in nursing homes and assisted living centers due to the high volume of residents and close living quarters,” says Boyd Warner, founder of Your Home Care, Inc.

Understanding that the safety and security of your loved ones is of the utmost importance, the professional caregivers at Your Home Care undergo a rigorous interview process, from reference checks and background clearance to competency training. But that’s just the beginning … equally as important as each applicant’s credentials is their personal philosophy as Warner says “our caregivers want more than a job. They want to make a difference in the lives of those in their care. As a company, our job is to give caregivers the direction and tools they need to fulfill their personal mission of service, as well as our corporate mission of improving the lives of those we serve.”

We will be your resource for respite care which will allow family members relief from the emotional and physical strains of being a full-time caregiver.”

Upon meeting the company’s strict selection criteria, caregivers are insured and bonded before completing a comprehensive orientation process to ingrain Your Home Care corporate policies and procedures followed by ongoing, specialized training on issues that help them develop as better overall caregivers, as well as deal with very specific situations. These issues include medication management and compliance, Alzheimer’s and dementia, osteoarthritis and mobility loss, hypertension/stroke recovery, diabetes, heart disease and cancer recovery.

“We believe that our focus on the individual and family is what sets us apart,” says Warner. “When you contact us, you will receive individualized care that will meet the needs of your family and your aging loved one. Whether you are in need of around the clock assistance, night relief or a short shift during the day to assist with ADL’s, you can rest easy knowing that we have your well-being and that of your loved one as our priority.”

Senior Social Club & Stay Care Center

While in-home care focuses on the one-on-one, allowing trust and friendship to flourish between caretaker and patient, the Adult Day facility follows a social model in a “beautiful, warm and inviting place for seniors to gather together and create new friendships and memories.” Different from many other day centers, the licensed caregivers at Your Home Care’s “Social Club & Stay Care” Center oversee all activities and are highly interactive with each visiting senior.

“In a typical day, our clients will arrive at the center, sign in, and enjoy leisure activities in the morning, such as enjoying our reading center, or watching a movie or playing a game with other participants and our caregivers,” says Warner. “We will also provide daily activities that will vary depending on the day, but you can expect to find on our schedule activities such as bingo, karaoke, and knitting caps for the newborns at local hospitals. We will also provide lunch at our facility.”

Warner and his team encourage family members to stop by and tour the facility to see firsthand the advantages of participation.

“Our service will greatly benefit those who find themselves living in multi-generational homes, whose primary caregiver is stretched thin,” says Warner. “We will be your resource for respite care which will allow family members relief from the emotional and physical strains of being a full-time caregiver. Our mission is to provide a fun, exciting place for your aging loved one to participate in activities that they love and maybe even try something new. Further, this facility allows those who may be isolated from the world an opportunity to open up and create new friendships.”

After interested seniors (or their loved ones) fill out an application for the program, they undergo a medical evaluation from their own doctor, and then a follow up visit with the program director at Your Home Care, Inc., to determine whether participation the adult day facility would be the best fit for their needs.

“We’re very serious about providing a compassionate caregiving service, preserving dignity, ensuring independence, and a higher quality of life,” says Boyd. “We want this to be as good a fit for you as it is for us.”

Taking stress off anyone’s plate is a loving act in itself. Yet, I can see how many selfless acts might feel like a double-edged sword. My mother is the primary caregiver for my 85-year-old stepfather who suffers from dementia. As a result, she has less time for activities she enjoys, spending time with her friends, going to the movies and the infinite other little things that seem to fill the cracks in a single day. When I emphasize the importance of also caring for herself, she brushes the thought away not wanting to be “selfish.”

“Taking advantage of a referred professional caregiver is not giving up on your loved one or being selfish,” says Warner. “On the contrary, you’re being selfless by bolstering your own love and support with professional, quality care while enabling you to spend more time enjoying their company.”

What could be more selfless (and scientific) than helping to lower cortisol levels (yours and your loved one’s)? Eliminating that unnecessary drain on energy can mean restored resiliency, greater access to memory, improved brain function. Selfish? Or selfless? Stress full? Or stress free? Through compassionate in-home care and its new adult day care center in Laguna Woods, Your Home Care is here to ensure that this choice is the easiest you’ve made in a long time.

Connect with Boyd and the professionals at Your Home Care, Inc. by calling (949) 215-0004 or visit www.yourhomecare.com.
The Senior Social Club & Stay Care Center is located at 24191
Paseo de Valencia, Suite B in Laguna Woods.

Friends are good for a great many things. Laughing with you, getting out of tight spots every once in a while, bringing hot soup when you’re sick, makeovers: the list is almost endless. Advice, however, is one of those beautiful friend-offerings that can literally be life-changing. For Deb Massey-Arnold, a friend’s recommendation that she look into Rodan + Fields changed the trajectory of her career.

Drs. Rodan and Fields first gained international recognition and acclaim for PROACTIV, the incredible anti-acne miracle. The brand brings to mind commercials with fresh teens splashing cool water on their faces: free of pimples thanks to one of the most popular skincare products of all time. In 2004 Drs. Rodan and Fields went back to the laboratory to work on solutions to issues they found in their private practices. The developed the #1 Premium Skin Care Redefined. After their success with Proactiv, they sold their product to Estee Lauder to distribute in high end stores. When they the did some research, they realized that it was by word of mouth that women were buying their products. In 2007 they purchased back Redefine and completed the line of 4 skin care regimens. In 2008 they opened up in the Direct Marketing arena.

Though she got her start in 2015, there were a few setbacks. “My daughter was finishing her last year in high school, my mother passed away, then my family relocated from San Jose to Orange County. It took a while to get settled back in.” The following year, Deb took her business to social media, meeting new people in the Rodan + Fields family. “I am truly blessed by the people who have supported me physically and virtually. Everyone is so positive and uplifting!” Negativity has little place in a business that has grown exponentially since its inception. 2017 saw the launch of Active Hydration, which uses 3D3P - to provide a reservoir of moisture for the face. “It was a breakthrough to aging in reverse!”

A follow up to the Active Hydration Line, Bright Eyes kicked off Deb’s business. Reducing the appearance of puffiness, dark circles, and tired looking eyes, the products that Rodan + Fields are creating aren’t just remarkable, they’re groundbreaking. Starting with their online solution tool, you can find a personalized skin care regimen. From there, take your routine on the road; whatever and wherever. The promise Deb made is to ensure that her clients can take the healthiest, most beautiful version of themselves wherever they want. Noticeably softer, smoother, and more nourished skin is nothing to brush off, and like a good friend’s advice, goes further than you’d think.

“Our company was established on the principle that living better in your skin means living better in your life,” she says. "We believe everyone has the opportunity to make a difference in their own lives - and in the lives of others.”

No stranger to making an impact in the lives of others, Deb is deeply invested in her community, supporting the Prescription for Change Foundation, and Build On. Helping youth in urban areas that are underperforming in school, they ignite an interest in students to engage in their community by focusing on their grades, in order to help others.

“To speak with these students is a blessing; to see how their thought patterns have changed, and how they are reaching out - out of the county, out of the country. Building homes and community centers.” Another reason for Deb’s love for Rodan + Fields? The organization raises millions of dollars each year specifically to match nearly all the money raised by its consultants to give back to the causes closest to their hearts. After all, giving back is what friends are for.

To connect with Deb directly, call (408) 250-3439 or visit Debluvsmassage.myrandf.com

There is no question that San Diego’s Wild Animal Park has taken the concept of safari to the next level. A constant on the leaderboard of fascinating family-friendly activities in one of the prettiest cities in North America, the Safari Park has upped the ante even more, introducing each park goer to a live experience alongside nature, by removing the glass walled enclosures and getting us ever closer to the animals we’ve only ever seen on television.

Visitors can embark on an exciting expedition aboard the Africa Tram, a guided tour that travels along a ride path around some of the field exhibits to give guests a chance to connect with the animals on a closer level or take to the skies in a tethered hot air balloon that can hold up to 30 passengers for unbelievable views of the Sargenti shared only by the birds.

Want to even more personal with your favorite African Plains animals? You can add a customized safari experience: travel in the back of a covered, open-air safari truck to visit at least two field enclosures with an opportunity to feed giraffes (Caravan Safari); meet and greet the star of Cheetah Run - where the sleek cat races on a straight 330-foot-long track that allows it to really stretch its legs and reach maximum speed of about 70 miles per hour (Cheetah Safari); climb like a monkey on a challenging rope-course adventure (Jungle Ropes Safari) or amp up your adventure by adding a dose of adrenaline as you take in a bird’s-eye view gliding along a 2/3 mile zip line over vast animal exhibits (Flightline Safari) or spend the night during a special camping adventure (Roar & Snore Safari).

Taking things one step further, the park just opened its doors to the wilds of the Australian outback with the Walkabout Australia safari in May. Following a backcountry trail through bottlebrush blooms and eucalyptus trees transports you to walkabout down under. Kangaroos, wallabies, cassowaries, tree kangaroos, magpie geese and all the varied plant life of the Australian plain greet each curious pair of eyes along the many trails through the outback.

After our day on “safari," our family looked forward to winding down at the newly “reimagined” hideaway at Hotel Karlan San Diego (858-672-9100) - a Doubletree by Hilton property. Truth be told, our kids couldn’t wait to check in when they learned of the hotel’s signature welcome: a decadent warm chocolate chip cookie. Conveniently located right near the Safari Park, the Hotel Karlan San Diego’s new design is particularly apropos of our visit as it brings a touch of nature indoors.

Set among rolling hills and palm trees, the property features 174 stylish and super comfortable guest rooms and suites distinguished by oversized sleeping quarters - each with a private balcony or patio, two onsite restaurants with indoor/outdoor seating, fitness room, tennis court and outdoor pool. The Asado Grill showcases a delicious array of sustainable seafood and gourmet contemporary American culinary creations. Popular entrees range from a seafood mixed grill (kebab of shrimp, salmon, scallops, farm fresh veggies, aside aioli and served with cilantro rice) and Napa Valley beef short rib (in cabernet sauce and paired with pappardelle pasta) to the signature Asado burger made with 8 oz. of angus, aside aioli. lettuce, pico, avocado, pepperjack cheese and bacon.

This property was the perfect pick for our family weekend away - we couldn’t have asked for a more convenient location, spacious accommodation, dining with something to appeal to every palate (I love seafood, my husband is a meat eater and the kids always opt for kid-friendly eats, of which there were plenty of menu options) and a staff populated by extremely friendly, courteous folk.

Savanna is no longer simply synonymous with the roar of a lion or the wild gait of a giraffe. The zoo’s Safari Park welcomes you into the home of its many bright eyed, keenly aware multi-legged friends. Enjoy a caravan, cheetah, or jungle rope safari, and take in the bird’s view of the park on its ⅔ mile zip line through the park. Whatever the experience you’re looking for, San Diego is sure to make it a wild one.

Vera is a six year old sweetie with a great personality.  She absolutely loves to be petted and will follow you around in hopes of more snuggles.  With her striking green eyes and pleasant demeanor, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better companion than Vera.

Seven year old Daisy is a sweet kitty who loves to go with the flow.  She enjoys having company and likes being brushed but is far from high maintenance.  Daisy is an independent cat who knows just when you need a cuddle.

This happy girl is Patty, a one year old bundle of fun.  An overgrown puppy, Patty has lots of energy and just loves to exercise.  Once she’s ready for some down time, you’ll find Patty is very treat motivated and takes instruction well.  Patty would thrive in an active home where she can continue her training.

Mother and son duo Bonnie and Clyde quite the adorable pair.  Bonnie is a great momma rabbit and dotes on Clyde whenever she can. Practically a mirror image of his mother, eleven month old Clyde is a curious bunny who loves exploring.  Both rabbits are litter trained and would make wonderful house rabbits in a quiet, loving home.

As a female, I may be feeding the stereotype when I pen this, but my first thought when I have to take my car in for service (even for something as simple as an oil change) leads me to feelings of anxiety. A mechanic once told me with a straight face that the reason it felt like my tires were out of alignment was because the Earth was round. I took the car to a family friend a couple days later who has a small shop and he confirmed what I thought originally: that my tires were actually out of alignment.

It’s no wonder then, that I was a bit skeptical when I first learned of the Paradise Automotive Group nearly a decade ago, and the supposedly stunning service they offer to each one of their clients. No auto shop or dealership could possibly live up to a moniker like Paradise, in my mind. But John, Paradise’s President, literally lives up to the name: in fact, it’s his family title, and he wears it well. A Boston native who decided to give the Golden State a try 20 years ago thought he might stay when he found that Orange County residents had more than a passing passion for their cars: in specific, luxury automobiles.

Starting one vehicle at a time, John passed along his own passion for customer service, grew the business, and turned an island of an idea into an archipelago of phenomenal associates giving personalized attention to each client who walks through the doors. Glen McDorman, the on-site Service Manager, is no stranger to the concept of the idyll. A purveyor of the outdoors, he loves to head to the mountains with his wife and two boys for backpacking, fishing, snowboarding and mountain biking. Bringing in a healthy attitude curated outside, Glen counts each of his customers like he would his own wife and sons.

“We understand that everyone makes a choice when they bring their vehicle to us, and if we don’t meet their needs, we may never see them again.” Over the past 20 years, Glen and his team have seen a great many customers come back time and again when they have repair needs, and know that the secret to keeping them around is to go the extra mile: every single time.

“It isn’t just a secret of fishing or backpacking that when you head around that last bend in the trail or walk that extra foot into the river that you’re bound for a better view that you had before, or hook the fish that has been eluding you all day,” says Glen. “The trick to customer service is the same.”

Building a culture of honesty and openness is no small feat. “We give our customers fair advice about repair options, letting them know that even some repairs can wait until a future visit. We never recommend a repair that a customer doesn’t need.”
Specializing in one-stop shopping also makes it a simple equation for their clients. “Folks know they can have it all done here: from buying the model they’ve always wanted - be it hybrid, domestic work truck, or exotic - and then having everything taken care of over the course of the car’s lifespan.”

Oil changes, powertrain management diagnostics, transmission overhauls? No job is too large, or too small for the factory trained, ASE certified expert technicians working underneath Glen. “We only use the latest diagnostic tools and software. That coupled with decades of experience and training lets the techs diagnose and repair vehicles in an incredibly short amount of time. With no hassle: and nobody telling you the reason your car pulls to the right is the Earth’s spherical shape. Sounds like paradise indeed.

Paradise Automotive Group is located at 32592 Valle Road in San Juan Capistrano. For information, call (949) 347-2522 or visit www.jparadise.com

It would be difficult to put Nashville on the list of must see places if you didn’t have some kind of appreciation for music. Dubbed the “music city,” and named one of Traveller U.K.’s “cool places,” Tennessee’s capital city is home to legendary venues, publishing houses, gorgeous hotels, vibrant nightlife, and sprawling college campuses; like Vanderbilt and Belmont University. Founded by James Robertson, John Donelson, and named for Francis Nash (the Revolutionary War hero), the city grew exponentially during the 1970’s, and then again in the 90’s, when urban renewal became the city’s priority, and a handful of urban landmarks were constructed and revamped.

Among the monuments the city chose to renovate was the Country Music Hall of Fame, a museum dedicated to the legends of twang. The first members; Hank Williams, Fred Rose, and Jimmie Rodgers were inducted in 1961. Since, the country music’s trade created the accolade to recognize “significant contributions to the advancement of country music by individuals,” and has ranked among them the likes of Gene Autry, Garth Brooks, and Johnny Cash. Nashville’s downtown area features also an enormous assortment of entertainment, dining, and architectural attractions alongside its love of country music and musicians.

Metonymic with the industry it homes, it is no wonder that the city’s most popular tourist diversions involve the music scene. The Ryman Auditorium was home to the Grand Ole Opry until 1947 when the show moved on down the road to the Grand Ole Opry House, where it has since played several times a week, except for the winter run, (a limited edition, if you will): at the Ryman. If the Opry is what interests you, the best stay in Nashville is the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center (www.marriott.com). Less than ten miles from the airport and a ten-minute walk from the Opry itself, the accommodations and amenities qualify for an adventure in themselves while exploring Nashville.

A world away from the usual stuccoed hotels and motels along the usual strip of tourist trap attractions, the Gaylord Opryland is a step back in time. Boasting both indoor and outdoor pools, nine acres of indoor gardens, cascading waterfalls, an on-site spa, golf course and salon, there is no shortage of luxury to be found. 700,000 square feet of event space guarantee that the resort can host your most elegant, unforgettable meeting, conference, reunion, or reception without blinking an eye. Add to that the superior rooming, dining, and fitness opportunities on-site, and you might not actually ever leave the Opryland’s grounds.

Why would you, when you can take a boat tour on the indoor river, schedule a massage at the spa, or let the kids decide which one of the three pools to jump into first. The fitness center features your typical free weights and cardio equipment, just in case you’ve indulged in one too many Southern BBQ experiences, but also boasts 3,500 square feet of circuit training and a full body spa indulgence for your cool down. The choreographed show the Delta Fountain puts on is nothing short of spectacular, a feat of engineering that melds the beauty of light, water, and of course: music.

SummerFest featuring Music, Magic & Memories

Through September 3rd, the Gaylord Opryland Resort features SummerFest, an array of kid-friendly activities and attractions geared toward the property’s young guests. There are free events like the Hootenanny Hoedown (where DJ Tyrus gets you movin’and groovin’ with line dancing, limbo and kids karaoke), summer fountain shows (choreographed water, lights and music), a outdoor pool party complete with a summer playlist and the Learning Log (a giant fallen tree, hollowed out and made safe for exploration - crawl inside for a close-up look at the learning terrariums). An array of activities for a fee range from the Haunted History Tour (a PG-rated 40-minute narrated tour of the region’s spookiest tales), Junior Chefs Camp and “Music, Magic & Memories,” Live Atrium Show showcasing music, water, lights and extraordinary performers unite in a heart-pounding extravaganza. Our kids had an absolute ball becoming Tennessee trivia insiders on an interactive adventure exploring the resort to discover all the surprising hidden fun facts to turn in their completed booklets for a special prize.

If the kids somehow grow tired of the river tours, pools, and fountain show, look no further for city history than Centennial Park’s Parthenon. The pinnacle of architecture in the ancient world, Nashville’s version is a gorgeous, full-scale replica, complete with the 42-foot statue of Athena, built for Tennessee’s 1897 Centennial Expo.

Leaving Athena’s home base, travel to Hermitage: the home of America’s advocate for the common man, and the 7th President of the United States: Andrew Jackson. Built solidly on 1,120 acres of farmland, the mansion features tours led by costumed docents, seasonal walking tours through the estate’s state of the art museum, and horse-drawn wagon tours. Our young history buffs were enthralled by “The Duel - Art of the Southern Gentlemen,”a 30-minute new visitor experience and actual dueling demonstration by Hermitage’s historical re-enactors.

Stepping back even further into the past, visit the Italian-style villa and residence of Tennessee’s own steel magnolia: Adelicia Acklen. Constructed in 1853, Acklen’s estate is drenched in history, from the ornate Victorian furnishings, to the history behind the Union’s headquarters during the Civil War.

Cruise through time with the Delta Riverboat Company on a guided tour of the Gaylord Opryland’s 4.5 acre indoor garden. Build up an appetite along the way and indulge in The Old Hickory Steakhouse, and see your fill of water attractions, working both with and against gravity. Three waterfalls, an 85-foot fountain, and a ride through Nashville’s most beautiful resort await.

Water not really your pace? Trade in for a unique combination of music and transportation with the Old Town Trolley Tour. A 1.5 hour guided roll through the streets of the Music City shows you straight to the heart of Fort Nashborough, the Cumberland’s fur trade, and each musicians heart wrenching dream played out from the steps of the bus to the streets of Broadway. A real “transportainment” delight.

From Ryland Auditorium to the steps of the Grand Ole Opry, tour music history and get the backstage story of each musician to walk the stage. Cross paths with the nation’s own country music superstars, and see just what happens behind the scenes of the show that made their names!

The Goo Goo Shop and Dessert Bar

Our kids had a ridiculous amount of fun (and consumed an insane amount of chocolate and other sugary confections) during a hands-on chocolate class and dessert sampling where we all had an opportunity to make our very own version of the Goo Goo Cluster. The world’s first ever combination candy bar as imagined by the Standard Candy Company was created right here in Nashville in 1912. The original version is a roundish mound of caramel, marshmallow nougat, fresh roasted peanuts and rich milk chocolate. Our kids’ iterations also included oreos, pretzels, sprinkles and pecans and were a gooey-chocolate-y delight the effects of which lasted well into the evening and made for one of our most memorable activities while visiting Music City, USA. The Goo Goo Shop and Dessert Bar is located 116 3rd Ave. S in downtown Nashville (googoo.com).

Woolworth on 5th

Calling itself a "welcome table of southern roots and rhythms,” the building this reinvented restaurant resides was originally built in the 1890s and opened for business as one of the country’s first iconic “five and dime” stores in 1913. Today, Woolworth on 5th (woolworthon5th.com) is a registered historic site which honors the history of space with an upbeat atmosphere with food, music and dancing for all. The menu here explores the roots and history of Southern culinary arts, with ingredients and techniques that can be traced all over the globe - and the beverage program is inspired by the building’s previous life as a diner, where guests can order fro a menu of accessible, soda fountain-inspired cocktails, wine and beer. The basement level is home to the “New Era Ballroom,” which hosts a variety of regular music and performances - with emphasis on the sounds of the 1950s, 60s and 70s.