At elementary schools all over California, fourth graders have been making missions from craft supplies for years. My son constructed Mission San Diego Alcala (the first of 21 established in the state) last year, which made our visit all the more exciting and impactful. The city’s first downtown area and the true birthplace of California, San Diego is now famous for its pristine stretches of sandy shore and hip shopping and bar crawls through Pacific Beach. But once upon a time, San Diego was known for the historic sites, cultural lore, and the nearby Mission San Diego de Alcala. The…

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Scoliosis affects nearly six million people in the U.S. alone. Making it the most common spinal deformity in our society. Scoliosis is a generic term that refers to any imbalanced curvature in the spine due to a genetic predisposition, or habitual muscle patterning. Either way, exercising has shown to be extremely beneficial in addressing issues associated with Scoliosis. Especially, exercise modalities known to emphasis core strength like Pilates and yoga. Scoliosis in its simplest terms is a problem of asymmetry. Ideally the right and left sides of the body should be balanced…

There is a marked difference between a capable contractor, and the near-comical profile of an incapable one. Akin to the often long-winded and dry jokes about terrible lawyers, the myriad tales on home-improvement horror populate many a family’s dinner time storytelling. Tipping the scales in favor of customer service you remember in rosy hues is a feat. One that GM Pacific Remodeling has been leaning on for the past 16 years: building their remarkable reputation from the ground up. Gil Moscovich grew up in the business. “My father was a framing foundation specialist, and my mom was a plans drawer…

There is something powerful about true, deep calm. The spread of quiet. Perhaps the draw of it is why so many seek the peace of the woods, the white noise of the ocean, the exquisite contentment a great yoga class can bring. People are drawn to it, animals can’t get enough of it. Ryan Furlet is the possessor of a powerful calm. With the laid back aesthetic of a Bob Marley fan and the grace of a Zen master, Ryan is perhaps the gentlest soul I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. And what’s even more important than my first…

Winter Wonderfest Offers Kids the Chance to Learn About the Science of Snow with Interactive Exhibits Featuring Real Snow WHAT: Discovery Cube in Orange County is hosting their annual Winter Wonderfest, beginning December 16-17, 2017 for the opening weekend and open daily from December 22, 2017 through January 7, 2018. This snowstorm of thrills and excitement will offer kids the opportunity to experience a lesson in physics, insulation and how snow is formed through hands-on activities. The holiday exhibit will include sliding down a 75-foot long ramp on inner tubes, a snow play area and real snow sledding. Kids will…

As it happens each January, we all have the best of intentions in keeping our “new” resolutions. Which, for most folks, are similar (if not identical) to last year’s goals, and the year before ... Every single year, we start with the highest of intentions but along the way we get sidetracked. In 2013, Forbes Magazine reported that while over 63 percent of Americans make New Years resolutions, less than eight percent of them are actualized. No matter your socio-economic circumstance, the statistic pretty much stays the same for everyone from highly successful entrepreneurs and professionals to soccer moms and…

Free Performances, Events, Music and Family-Friendly Activities Marked Day-Long Celebration Segerstrom Center for the Arts opened its new Julianne and George Argyros Plaza and Center for Dance and Innovation on Saturday, October 28 with music, dancing, performances, family activities, bands and more from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. More than 10,000 people and families from around the neighborhood and throughout Orange County explored the 56,100-square-foot plaza designed by Michael Maltzan, with its spectacular fountain entry, the grand spiral staircase that wraps around the new Center 360 outdoor café, leading from the Segerstrom Hall terrace to the plaza, shaded seating and…

Certain things in life I am very grateful for. These things include chocolate, wine, soul music and places like the Doheny Clothing Exchange in Capistrano Beach. Picture this: racks and racks of men and women’s name brand or designer clothing and accessories, all gently used or sometimes new, at way, way less than the original price. And the beauty of it is I can bring in my own gently used clothing, and trade in for something different and better  tting. The owners, mother and daughter team Pamela and Caia take the time to truly inspect each item and because they get new merchandise every day, their store stays fresh and new. Personally, I love…

“The gypsy cri-i-i-ied…” Lou Christie – The Gypsy Cried Was the voice you heard a high pitched female alto, a young man crying out in pain, a peacock in heat, or someone trying to imitate a female singer? None of the above! It was one of your favorite artists reaching a new voice level beyond his or her normal range. It was a way to offset the emphasis on bass singing by going beyond the tenor or baritone lead. It would be termed “falsetto.” Falsetto is most often used in the context of singing to refer to a type of…

Celebrate the arrival of 2018 in spectacular style with Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. You’ll be enchanted by the spirited romance of operetta, the glamour of ballroom dance and the delicate beauty of ballet. Inspired by the tradition of Vienna’s beloved New Year’s Concert, this frothy celebration blends acclaimed European singers and dancers with a full orchestra for a rich cultural experience that will leave you longing to join them on the dance floor. Fall in love with a musical program that weaves highlights from The Merry Widow, Die Fledermaus, and The Gypsy…

Last spring, with the “immense assistance of my design and sales team,” Owner Dennis Penman completely redesigned his 11,000-square-foot showroom starting with a new name: Sanctuary Home Furnishings by Renaissance. “We started here in San Juan Capistrano (as Renaissance Home Furnishings), and now we’re back home - to help local home owners design their home to reflect their personality.” Renaissance Home Furnishings has long been known for their Mediterranean and Spanish Tuscan flair but as trends have shifted and Renaissance becomes Sanctuary Home Furnishings by Renaissance, Sanctuary can now help the Spanish Tuscan homes bring in a cleaner Coastal Transitional…

This scruffy little guy is King, a four year old cutie who is hoping to meet his match. While King enjoys playing in the yard with the other dogs, his favorite place to be is curled up in your lap. With his happy personality and gentle nature, King would be great for family members of all ages.         Five month old Slater is an adorable little kitty looking for his forever family.  Very sweet and good with other cats, Slater has a great personality and just loves lap time.  He would make a wonderful addition to almost…

Paris in a Cup is a transporting experience. That is to say, once inside, you’re in Paris. Segmented into two unique experiences, Paris in a Cup greets you with a boutique where treasures from France abound (at very reasonable prices), where you can find a little beautiful something for almost anyone: imported and signature lines of tea, handmade cards, aprons, Parisian memorabilia, jewelry, sweets and more. NINA’s teas boasts a 300 year tradition distinguished by a wide range of the finest tea blends - today delicately flavored with pure essential oils, including its popular Marie-Antoinette tea, flavored with apples and…

Serving private residences/homesNursing homesCorporate buildingsVeterans’ communities There are countless things to worry about in our world: Large and small, tangible and intangible - hurricanes, supervolcanoes, bills, hidden gluten in our food. the dryer eating socks mysteriously. The list is long, and often feels like it’s getting longer. Most folks are already a little apprehensive when it comes to going to the dentist, but the worry of tooth decay, gum disease and plaque can pile upon all the other worries until the basic thought of leaving our homes becomes a little too much to handle. Dental care, for most of us,…

The holiday season has arrived! But what to do about that perfect gift? Well, if there’s a special someone in your life that loves mindful movement, why not give them the gift of yoga or pilates? It’s functional. It improves quality of life. It’s a pathway to healthy living. It’s perfect! Here are a few ideas from the folks at Align: A MAT Anyone who practices yoga or Pilates will need a mat, but with so many different types and price ranges on the market these days it’s hard to know what to get. And trust us, not all mats…

The word “lymphedema” means swelling (edema) that results from the pooling of too much lymph fluid in areas of the body. This swelling occurs most often in the arms and legs, but it can also affect the face, neck, abdomen, or genitals. It is estimated that 5 million Americans suffer from lymphedema – resulting from cancer treatment - or other risk factors, including genetics, being overweight or obese and other health problems like heart or circulation issues. Lymphedema can be complicated to treat, which is why you should see your medical professional for appropriate options as there are many variables,…

A symphony orchestra is typically comprised of seventy to one hundred musicians. Depending on the work being played and the size of the venue, the philharmonic is comprised of brass, woodwinds, and percussion, sometimes including keyboard or a stand-alone instrument, like a standing harp. Each piece has its part in the composition. Each piece has its own individual music, the notes blending together to form the symphony’s movements. Each musical note is vital to the performance. A human body is comprised of six main elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. 60% of those elements makes a body of…

My first introduction to the city of Chicago was the 1995 film While You Were Sleeping. B-roll of the city’s skyline flashed through the movie, and the clickety-clack of the “L” ran through its soundtrack. A silver caterpillar cruising over bridges, past the Chicago River. Home to two and a half million people, the city boasts some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Parks, hotels, river walks and cruises: enough to fill a day, a weekend, or even a couple weeks of fun filled romping around The Windy City. Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, Millennium…

312 Chicago136 N. La Salle Street Old World charm and authentic Italian cuisine is at its finest in the heart of the Chicago Loop. Located adjacent to the Cadillac Palace Theatre inside the Hotel Allegro, 312 Chicago is presided over by executive chef and Italian native Luca Corazzina. Taste your way through plates of silken Burrata cheese, pappardella bolognese, and Mediterranean branzino (a skin-on sea bass with yellow pepper puree, crab meat, green onions, radishes, fresno peppers, lime juice, olive oil and micro cilantro) so fresh you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to Italy for dinner. Eleven City Diner…

Depression does not discriminate based on your social standing, how much money you have in your bank account, your accomplishments. Even if there’s nothing but happy moments around you, why then do you still feel depressed? Research has found that the brain out of balance and lack of harmony between the lobes could possibly lead to disorders such as depression, anxiety, insomnia and more. Many people turn to prescription medications in an attempt to address their symptoms, but ironically these same medications can possibly cause or perpetuate the afflictions we are expecting them to treat. Brainwave Optimization is a unique…