South Coast Shutter and Shades

Beautiful Windows. Personal Service.

For Donna Schuster, helping homeowners find the perfect window coverings is about more than choosing fabrics, colors and styles. It’s about listening, building relationships and providing honest advice customers can trust.

As co-owners of South Coast Shutter and Shades, Donna and her husband, Tom, have built a family-owned business centered on quality workmanship, personalized service and treating customers like family.

A FAMILY BUSINESS BUILT ON TRUST
With more than 30 years of experience in the window treatment industry, Tom and Donna Schuster have built their business on quality craftsmanship, personalized service and lasting customer relationships. Since establishing South Coast Shutter and Shades in Orange County in 2010, they’ve continued their commitment to helping homeowners find beautiful, functional window treatments.

Today, Donna handles consultations and sales while Tom oversees most installations. Their shop-at-home approach allows customers to explore window treatments in their own homes, considering lighting, furnishings and architectural details.

Donna considers herself an educator rather than a salesperson, helping homeowners understand their options without pressure.

“I don’t think of myself as a salesperson. When I meet with a customer, I’m an educator,” she explains.

That philosophy has earned loyal customers and referrals spanning generations. Donna recalls repairing an elderly customer’s existing shade rather than recommending an unnecessary replacement, a gesture that ultimately brought additional referrals.

FRESH STYLES FOR TODAY’S HOMES
Window treatments can transform a room, and today’s homeowners have more choices than ever.

South Coast Shutter and Shades offers custom shutters, roller shades, woven shades, draperies and Roman shades, helping homeowners balance style, privacy and light control.

Custom draperies soften interiors, add texture and create an elegant, finished look. With countless fabric and design possibilities, they can introduce warmth, color and sophistication.

Roman shades combine the tailored appearance of a shade with the softness of fabric, complementing everything from contemporary coastal interiors to traditional spaces.

Donna also sees growing demand for woven shades, natural textures and streamlined roller shades that create an open, airy feeling. Motorized options add convenience with effortless light and privacy control.

WHY PROFESSIONAL LICENSING MATTERS
Choosing a window treatment company involves more than selecting a beautiful product. Accurate measurements, professional installation and accountability are equally important.

As a licensed contractor, South Coast Shutter and Shades emphasizes the importance of hiring qualified professionals who understand the requirements of custom window coverings.

Working with a properly licensed contractor offers added peace of mind, consumer protections and a way to verify credentials before work begins.

For the Schusters, professionalism means standing behind their work, communicating honestly and being there when customers need assistance.

MORE THAN A TRANSACTION
After more than three decades in the industry, Donna believes lasting success comes from treating people well and putting customers first.

“When I bring on a new client, it’s ‘welcome to the family!'” she says. “You will be treated like family.”

It’s that personal commitment, paired with beautiful window treatments and dependable service, that keeps customers coming back.

South Coast Shutter and Shades
Serving South Orange County
949.388.8344
SouthCoastShutterAndShades.com

Laura Picard Therapy

LAURA PICARD, MA, LMFT #135100

FEATURED MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALIST
Do you find yourself overthinking, being your own worst critic or feeling overwhelmed by emotions you can’t quite explain?

For many women, teens and young adults, anxiety can appear as perfectionism, peoplepleasing, difficulty setting boundaries, selfdoubt or persistent negative beliefs.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Laura Picard specializes in helping individuals navigate anxiety, trauma, emotional overwhelm, low self-esteem and challenging relationship patterns.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT’S BENEATH THE SURFACE
You may appear to have everything together while quietly struggling with self-doubt, loneliness or the pressure to meet others’ expectations. Past experiences can influence how you see yourself, connect with others and feel secure in relationships.

Laura helps clients understand these patterns, develop self-compassion and change the beliefs and behaviors that keep them feeling stuck.

A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THERAPY
Using Internal Family Systems (IFS) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), Laura combines deeper emotional healing with practical tools for everyday life.

Her approach helps clients better understand themselves, manage intense emotions, strengthen relationships and establish healthier boundaries.

ABOUT LAURA
Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Laura Picard now calls Laguna Niguel home. She earned her undergraduate degree in Boston and her master’s degree in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University.

Her experience includes private practice, providing mental health services in underserved Catholic school communities and working at one of the nation’s largest free clinics. These experiences have shaped her compassionate, inclusive approach and commitment to helping clients feel seen, heard and understood.

Laura has also pursued advanced postgraduate training through the Internal Family Systems Institute and continues to expand her expertise through ongoing education and specialized clinical training.

LAURA PICARD THERAPY
Laguna Niguel
323.510.7571
LauraPicardTherapy.com

49th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot

This Thanksgiving, lace up your running shoes, gather your family and friends, and join one of Southern California’s most beloved holiday traditions – the 49th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot!

For nearly five decades, this iconic event has brought thousands of runners, walkers, and families together for a fun and active start to Thanksgiving Day. Known for its playful tagline, “Run the race before you stuff your face,” the Turkey Trot is the perfect way to kick off the holiday while enjoying Dana Point’s beautiful coastal scenery.

And while construction continues to transform the Dana Point Harbor, one thing remains unchanged: the tradition of spending Thanksgiving morning together at the Turkey Trot!

New this year, the Turkey Trot features THREE 5K races, offering even more opportunities for participants of all ages and abilities. The additional 5K is designed for casual trotters, walkers, and families looking for a more relaxed experience. Participants can also tackle the 10K or 15K Combo, while children 12 and under can join the one-mile Kids’ Gobble Wobble.

Beyond the finish line, the Turkey Trot celebrates community and giving back. This year’s charitable partners are the RH Dana Booster Club and Boys & Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley. Participants are encouraged to embrace the Thanksgiving spirit by bringing non-perishable food items or new toys to support local youth and families.

With a health and wellness expo, and plenty of Thanksgiving spirit, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or making memories with loved ones, the Turkey Trot is a tradition worth sharing.

WANT TO SAVE ON REGISTRATION?

A special treat for The Local DISH readers! Use promo code TURKEYDISH to receive $5 off each registration. Gather your flock and register today at TurkeyTrot.com!

The Future Of Active Living

Advanced Center For Sports & Musculoskeletal Medicine

KEEPING PATIENTS IN MOTION.
The Advanced Center for Sports & Musculoskeletal Medicine helps patients overcome injuries, reduce pain and return to the activities that matter most. With an emphasis on nonsurgical orthopedic and sports medicine care, the practice combines advanced diagnostics, innovative treatments and individualized care for conditions affecting the muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments and spine.

From competitive athletes and weekend warriors to those simply hoping to move more comfortably, the goal is to restore function and keep patients active.

A REGENERATIVE APPROACH
An important part of the practice is its S.O.A.R. regenerative medicine program, which focuses on orthobiologics — biologic treatments that support the body’s natural healing and repair processes. S.O.A.R. takes a team approach, bringing together a sports physician, registered dietitian and chiropractor/physical therapist to support each patient’s recovery. Treatments may include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow concentrate, with image-guided procedures precisely targeting areas of injury or degeneration.

This approach provides additional nonsurgical options tailored to each patient’s needs, goals and activity level.

EXPANDING EXPERTISE WITH DR. MELANIE WORLEY
Double board-certified in sports medicine and emergency medicine, Dr. Melanie Worley brings specialized expertise in interventional orthopedics and orthobiologics to the practice. Her advanced fellowship training allows her to perform image-guided regenerative procedures for conditions affecting the arms, legs and spine — expanding the center’s treatment capabilities.

Dr. Worley’s expertise includes musculoskeletal ultrasound, image-guided procedures and orthobiologic treatments such as PRP and bone marrow concentrate. She also teaches and lectures nationally in these areas.

Together, the Advanced Center for Sports & Musculoskeletal Medicine and its S.O.A.R. program combine sports medicine, nonsurgical orthopedic care and regenerative medicine to help patients regain function, remain active and get back to doing what they love.

Advanced Center For Sports & Musculoskeletal Medicine
SportsandMSKmedicine.com
665 Camino De Los Mares, Ste. 305
San Clemente • 949.388.1060

41990 Cook St., Bldg F, Ste # 1006
Palm Desert • 760.636.1067

22342 Avenida Empresa, #195
Rancho Santa Margarita • 949.858.7001

VMSG-OC Veterinary Hospital

A TEAM OF BOARD-CERTIFIED VETERINARY SPECIALISTS

At Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group (VMSG-OC) in San Juan Capistrano, they have built a team of experienced, compassionate veterinarians and board-certified specialists that offer their clients an extension to their primary care veterinarians. Together, they provide specialty and emergency veterinary care for pets in Orange County.

The mission of VMSG-OC is to provide state-of-the-art medical care and exceptional service to both their clients and referring veterinarians. They proudly serve pet owners and veterinarians by providing advanced level services and procedures not generally offered in family veterinary practices.

Elise P., a recent client, shared a “happy tail” from her recent VMSG-OC visit: “The staff was very detailed discussing my dog’s surgery. They called as she was going into surgery and updated me soon after she was done. Great communication.”

Any time pet owners cannot reach their primary care veterinarian, VMSG-OC is available to help with 24/7 emergency services. Their San Juan Capistrano veterinarians are specially trained in emergency medicine, and a board-certified critical care veterinarian treats pets with life threatening conditions.

VMSG-OC is staffed with expert veterinarians and board-certified specialists who provide advanced care for all of a pet’s medical needs. The staff includes Sebastian Mejia, a small-animal specialist and advanced orthopedic surgeon. Dr. Tim Menghini specializes in soft tissue, surgical oncology and reconstructive procedures. Emergency care services are provided by Drs. Courtney Mantecon, Monique Mongeau, and Mercedes Baeza.

VMSG-OC is staffed with highly-qualified veterinarians and board-certified specialists. Each of their veterinarians has completed at least three years of additional training beyond veterinary school and has passed rigorous examinations. The team at VMSG-OC welcomes referrals from local primary care veterinarians who would like to refer a patient to their hospital for emergency or specialty care.

VMSG-OC was designed to meet pets’ specialty and emergency needs. They pride themselves in using the latest in veterinary care to provide the most complete and exceptional service possible at their state-of-the-art hospital.

VMSG-OC Veterinary Hospital
31896 Plaza Dr., Suite C1
San Juan Capistrano
949.201.4100
vmsg-oc.com

Trestles Chiropractic

RYAN ANDERSON, DC

Trestles Chiropractic has been serving the community for 13 years, and continues to provide the ultimate modern chiropractic care. Dr. Anderson and Dr. Sydney are committed to delivering pain relief, but they ultimately want to see you thrive. They believe the first step in the treatment process is listening to their patients in order to determine the origin of each ache and pain.

Life events, traumas, and past injuries can all wreak havoc on a body, so open communication helps to formulate the most impactful treatments and suggest realistic lifestyle changes to prevent further pain. After a complimentary consultation, patients can sign up for an initial examination, which includes a set of fully digital X-rays, performed on-site. The practice saves patients time and money by eliminating the drive to an imaging center. Trestles Chiropractic has the ability to offer test results within just a few minutes. Once Dr. Ryan or Dr. Sydney have reviewed the X-rays, their hands-on work can safely begin.

Treatments offered by the physicians at Trestles are as varied and unique as the conditions they address. When it comes to spinal adjustments, Trestles utilizes the diversified technique, which involves using manual pressure to restore proper movement. Traditional and state-of-the-art chiropractic devices provide lower force techniques for patients with conditions like osteoporosis. Laser therapy is also available for those suffering from joint and soft tissue injuries.

Dr. Ryan says massage therapy is one of the most effective treatments for repetitive stress disorders, pelvic instability, and shoulder injuries resulting from vehicle collisions. He has a team of massage therapists with 40 years of combined experience to specifically treat these patients. Dr. Ryan feels that true therapeutic massage with a doctor’s input lets two sets of hands diagnose or track an injury, even if that injury resulted from an incident that took place years ago.

“Pain is the last symptom to show up. If you just threw out your back, that didn’t just happen. That was the ‘last straw’ that resulted from something else,” he says. If you want to avoid future pain, consider chiropractic treatment as a preventative measure, before symptoms arise.

Athletes flock to Dr. Ryan’s office for pre-competition adjustments or post-injury healing. “We see a lot of golfers,” he says. They also treat many youth soccer and water polo players, as well as new pickleball enthusiasts suffering from sprains, strains, and shoulder impingement.

Whether you want to stay in form for pickleball or just want relief from pain and discomfort, Trestles Chiropractic has a treatment solution for you. Call today to schedule a complimentary consultation at 949-284-6620 or visit TrestlesChiropractic.com.

Trestles Chiropractic
653 Camino De Los Mares, Suite 100
San Clemente
949.284.6620
trestleschiropractic.com

Sea View Pharmacy

DRS. EUGENE AND JENNIFER MEDLEY

Establishing a personal relationship with your neighborhood pharmacist is a crucial but often overlooked aspect of healthcare. Experienced and independent pharmacists serve as invaluable resources for a wide range of individuals, including parents, seniors, athletes, and anyone in need of trusted medical advice and consultations.

Sea View Pharmacy in San Clemente stands out as a family-owned and operated establishment with a rich history spanning almost 50 years and now in its second generation. This pharmacy has been a steadfast presence in the community, offering support through significant shifts in healthcare over the decades and is poised to continue serving local families in the years to come.

Eugene’s journey to pharmacy ownership took him through diverse experiences, including lifeguarding, animal husbandry, and teaching veterinary anatomy. His professional path ultimately led him to earn a doctorate degree in pharmacy and join his father in running the family business.

Sea View Pharmacy’s specialization in compounding allows them to offer customized therapies that may not be readily available in commercially-run stores. Eugene emphasizes that their focus on customer service surpasses that of larger corporate chains. They collaborate closely with physicians to create tailored treatments for individuals whose needs don’t align with standard, off-the-shelf medications. This includes specialized treatments for babies with digestive issues, hormone replacement for both women and men, veterinary patients, and those with unique dietary requirements.

As the only independent pharmacy in San Clemente, Sea View is the go-to destination for all medical equipment and supplies, even those that may be hard to find elsewhere. From bandages and braces to compression garments and wheelchairs, they aim to fulfill a wide range of healthcare needs. SeaViewPharmacy.com provides a wealth of information including drug profiles, healthy recipes, articles, and referrals.

If you’re in the area, stopping by Sea View Pharmacy is a great way to introduce yourself and experience firsthand the personalized care and expertise they offer to the community.

Sea View Pharmacy
665 Camino de los Mares, #101
San Clemente
949.496.0123
seaviewpharmacy.com

San Clemente Smiles

BRANDON CURFEW, DMD

OFFICE VIBES
Dr. Curfew and his staff place their highest priority on the experience of every patient they treat. Patients enjoy the light, airy feel that the natural light in the office provides through floor-to-ceiling windows. Overhead smart TVs and wireless headphones are also available for patients who enjoy entertainment during their dental appointment.

ABOUT DR. CURFEW
Dr. Curfew lives in San Clemente with his wife of 20 years and their two boys. He’s grateful to be able to serve the community in which he lives. He earned his dental degree from The University of Louisville School of Dentistry and then completed a General Practice Residency at the VA Hospital in Denver, Colorado. While there, Dr. Curfew gained extensive experience in the placement and management of implants, surgical extractions, and many other advanced dental procedures.

PERSONALIZED TREATMENT AND PATIENT COMFORT
Dr. Curfew participates in ongoing training in many areas of dentistry to provide his patients with the most personalized treatment and the best outcomes. He is active in local study clubs and continues his education through intensive training with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and other professional organizations. The office utilizes cutting-edge technology such as intraoral scanners, cameras and lasers to ensure that every patient is well-informed and receives optimal results with maximum comfort.

THE HIGHEST STANDARD
When you are in the care of a team member at San Clemente Smiles, you will always receive the highest quality treatment and be given the utmost respect. Whether you need assistance with scheduling an appointment, you’re visiting for a routine dental cleaning, or you are completing a life-changing smile makeover, you will receive the undivided attention and professional treatment that you deserve from the team at San Clemente Smiles. Every team member is highly skilled in their chosen area of expertise and takes great pride in the experience that they provide and the relationships they build.

San Clemente Smiles
905 Calle Amanecer, Suite 220
San Clemente
949.498.1320
sanclementesmiles.com