A Taste of San Juan

One of the highlights of the Fiesta de las Golondrinas season is the annual Taste of San Juan. This festive event will be held on Wednesday, February 16th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the historic El Adobe Restaurant in downtown San Juan Capistrano. Billed as the kick-off celebration of the return of the swallows, the Taste of San Juan is the first of many events leading up to the Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Fair.

Delightful dishes from over twenty local restaurants and dancing to live country music will make for an evening of great food and fun. Some of the local restaurants featured at this year’s event include L’Hirondelle, Ricardo’s Place, Sundried Tomato Café, The Vintage Steakhouse, Marbella Farmers Market, Sarducci’s Café, Thai Juan On, Simply Fondue, O’Neill’s Bar and Grill, NYC Café and Catering, Donna B’s Bakery and Akioni’s Catering. Under one roof, tastes from these and other area establishments will tempt guests with their signature fare.

The Taste of San Juan is an important fundraiser for the nonprofit San Juan Capistrano Fiesta Association. Proceeds support a variety of community events throughout the year including the annual Swallows Day Parade that will take place on Saturday, March 26th. Other upcoming 2011 Fiesta Association events are the Kids Pet Parade, El Presidente Ball, Fiesta Grande and Hoos’gow Day.

Admission to the Taste of San Juan is $20 per person and includes food and live entertainment. Tickets may be purchased at the door or at the San Juan Capistrano Chamber office. For more information, please call 949.493.4700 or visit:www.swallowsparade.org.

Here is the local lowdown on South County hot spots!

Bringing you American cuisine in a relaxed environment, Sundried Tomato simulates the complete gameday experience with prime viewing, tasty food and drinks and fantastic cash prizes. Equipped with four flat-screen TVs and a 46 incher on the patio, Sundried Tomato San Clemente party-goers won’t miss a moment of the action. Feeling lucky? Then rush over for their cash prize raffle of $250 at each quarter and a $500 cash prize at the end of the game.

San Juan’s Sundried Tomato is also getting in on the action, offering $250 at halftime and $250 at the end of the game. Fans will score on fare that ranges from filet of beef tacos to braised beef sliders.

If you’re looking for unique ambiance in which to watch the game, you will find it in the form of a swanky, fully-restored 1927 Pullman Car at The Vintage Steakhouse. Located adjacent to the train station in downtown San Juan Capistrano, the art deco-styled restaurant will be offering their happy hour menu throughout Super Bowl Sunday. Consisting of half-priced Lounge Menu items, $4.95 martinis and well drinks, $2.50 select beers and $5 wines, you can’t afford not to hop aboard!

We’ve got a line on big fun in Laguna Beach. At The House of Big Fish, five large HD flat-screens, sumptuous seafood, more than 40 different beers, a complimentary nacho bar and a new Bloody Mar bar are the name of the game. Raffle prizes will be given away every quarter and a grand prize giveaway for a one night stay at La Casa del Camino in Laguna and Hotel Menage in Anaheim, along with gift certificates to House of Big Fish, The Rooftop Lounge and K’ya Bistro are yours to win.

For serious football fanatics, Renaissance Café is broadcasting the game on a giant 12 foot screen and on four additional LCD TVs. A $15 all-you-can-eat buffet and $5 beers will ensure that your appetite will be satisfied and your thirst will be well-quenched. The festivities will start at 2 p.m. with prizes being awarded at the end of each quarter.

At The Next Door in San Clemente, you’ll be greeted by an upscale, yet casual viewing experience and a unique menu reflecting the regional fare of the competing Super Bowl teams. Don’t miss their 25 cent wings, eight homemade beers and over forty wines from which to choose.

Super Bowl XLV watchers will be cheering Luxe’s happy hour specials, delish tapas-style small plates and generous giveaways. Located in Dana Point on Del Prado Avenue in the former space of the Purple Feet restaurant, this newly-opened spot will not only feature the game, but an appearance by the Bud Girls. Drink specials include: $3 draft beers, $4 cocktails, $6 martinis and $5 wines by the glass.

Sunsets in Capo Beach will offer up a spirited Super Bowl Sunday along with superior scenery. With a hard-to-beat ocean view, this island-style bar offers an interesting approach to catching all the gridiron. The bar will literally be split down the middle into two sections right down to the décor, food and beverages representing each team’s region. Wear your favorite team’s colors and you’ll receive $1 beers each time they score.

Ross Medical Associates

When the late Dr. T.A. Ross realized his vision of combining quality, personalized medicine with easy-access urgent care, he was onto something big…and that vision has inspired Ross Medical Associates every step of the way.

Dr. Ross was one of the first doctors to set up shop in the area in the 1970’s. What started as a small clinic in Mission Viejo has expanded into the largest family medical group in South Orange County. Locations in Rancho Santa Margarita, Ladera Ranch and most recently San Juan Capistrano are open 365 days a year and provide a wide range of family-oriented medical services as well as urgent care—all with the utmost in convenience.

Ross believed in providing convenient care for patients when they needed it, without the hassle of scheduling appointments days or weeks in advance. His philosophy of seeing patients the same day, even if it’s closing time or there’s a wait, seems like a simple, straightforward idea, but in practice, it’s been a revolutionary one.

The Ross formula relies fundamentally on patient satisfaction. Without the bureaucracy found at larger facilities, patients enjoy personalized attention and a modern approach to medical care. All four facilities share the same business infrastructure and are set up to be interchangeable for patients, making it easy for them to see the same doctor at each visit.

Since all Ross offices are tethered with electronic medical records, patients can be assured that medical files are complete and up-to-date. Exam rooms are equipped with computers from which physicians can access a patient’s entire medical history in just a few clicks. This high level of efficiency leads to more thorough examinations, sharper diagnoses and easier-to-manage preventative care. When a patient walks in to a Ross facility with flu symptoms, the treating physician will be automatically alerted if a routine screening such as a colonoscopy or cholesterol test is due. Tracking and utilizing this data helps both patients and doctors stay ahead of conditions that might otherwise have gone unchecked.

Ross Medical Associates has found that healthy patients are good for business, too. The opening of each new facility has brought this unique brand of medicine to a growing number of South Orange County households. In fact, the San Juan Capistrano location is celebrating its first year in business and is the fastest growing location yet. Dr. Gebhard, a partner in the enterprise and a Ross physician, says that a satisfied, healthy community is the best form of advertising. He thinks that the shift away from specialists and back to family medicine and preventative care is better for long-term health management.

Gebhard emphasizes that in addition to cutting-edge technology and a progressive business model, Ross Medical is committed to the tradition of its founder. It was important to Dr. Ross that he give back to the community that supported his business. Ross’ legacy is alive today through the group’s outreach efforts that serve to address the needs of the entire community, with a focus on youth. Ross Medical supports youth participation in athletic endeavors by offering no-cost sports physicals, sponsoring teams and volunteering medical services at local tournaments. This early interaction with the student athlete lays the groundwork for a lifetime of good health practices and gives parents peace of mind.

The physicians and staff at Ross Medical Associates know that the holidays may be over, but a new year brings a new opportunity to give. Through their “Get a Shot, Help a Lot” program, Ross Medical is offering free flu shots with a new toy donation to benefit Olive Crest’s children in need. No appointment is necessary and new patients are welcome.

Our community has the good fortune of knowing that a Ross Medical Associates clinic is right around the corner – when you need it. Dr. Ross wouldn’t have had it any other way.

FAMILY PRACTICE HOURS: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
URGENT CARE HOURS: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
HOLIDAYS: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.RossMedical.net

The Laguna Playhouse: Featuring Hershey Felder in Maestro

Riptide Rockin’ Sushi & Teppan Grills

For early risers, there’s no better way to start off a Sunday than to have a big beautiful breakfast, but if sleeping in is your idea of starting the day off right, then brunch is your meal. Riptide Rockin’ Sushi has put together some new twists on brunch that will have you coming back for more (and more).

Located in Kaleidoscope Center and convenient from any South OC locale, Riptide is serving up their “Champagne & Punch Family Brunch” every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’ve never seen so many options before noon. The Eggs Benedict, Applewood smoked bacon, house-made corned beef hash and biscuits & gravy are all go-to favorites. Make a stop at the omelet bar for eggs your way, or to customize some pancakes, French toast, or Belgian waffles to fit your mood.

Carnivores will be immediately drawn to the prime rib carving station where the perfectly roasted beef is sliced to your liking and served with horseradish and au jus. The tasty chicken enchiladas were also a hit at our table.

From here the buffet goes a whole other direction with an entire section devoted to the sushi and cut rolls that Riptide is famous for. My favorite were tiger shrimp lettuce wraps – a soft leaf of Bibb lettuce wrapped around sushi rice, tempura shrimp and other goodies. Don’t forget to sample the spicy tuna on crisp wonton chips – yum!

Riptide takes good care of the youngsters in the crowd with pizza slices, mini-corndogs, tater tots and their famous PB&J pizza. To entertain the little tykes while they enjoy their meal, the amazing “balloon engineer” and his mesmerizing creations will do just the trick!

As the name implies, brunch includes champagne (or fruit punch for the kids). Enjoy the bubbly, but definitely save room for the chocolate fondue with marshmallows and picture-perfect strawberries for dipping!

RIPTIDE ROCKIN’ SUSHI & TEPPAN GRILLS
Kaleidoscope Center
27741 Crown Valley Parkway * Mission Viejo * 949.282.0182
www.riptidesushi.com

Activities in South Orange County
By Shelley T. Hudson

Dana Point:
Harbor The Holidays
What’s better than a fruitcake? Dana Point’s jam-packed holiday calendar, starting with Holiday in the Harbor on December 3rd. This event has everything—photos with Frosty and Santa, holiday crafts, face painting, a puppet show, carolers, balloon artists, live music and comedy! The activities take place at Mariner’s Village, Mariner’s Alley and Dana Wharf beginning at 4:00 p.m. Visit www.danapoint.org for the full schedule of events.

If that’s not enough, hop on a Free Boat Ride with Mr. Bowl-full-o-jelly on December 4th and 5th. Cruises run every 20 minutes from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. from Dana Wharf. Bundle up and don’t forget your camera! For more information, log on to www.danawharf.com

A Boatload Of Fun
Mark your calendar for the 36th Annual Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights. This year’s theme is “Jingle Bell Rock,” so you can expect many creative musical tributes. You’ll get several chances to take in this local tradition: December 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Let It Snow!
Dana Point’s Winter Festival hits La Plaza Park again with merriment to spare. The fun starts on December 12th at noon with face painting, a crafts fair, carnival games, a petting zoo (with real reindeer!), cookie decorating, North Pole VIPs, a marionette show, balloon and caricature artists and a real snow play area! The Dana Point Police Departmentwill be onhand to fingerprint your child, and the Dana Point Fire Department will collect new, unwrapped toys for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. After the tree lighting at 5:15 p.m., enjoy cocoa and cookies and a screening of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” This extravaganza features live music throughout the day. Bring your camera, mittens, lawn chair and toy donation!

Deck Your Halls
If you like to keep up with the Joneses, then consider entering your home in the 11th Annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest on Dec. 17th from 5 – 7 pm. The Dana Point Youth Board judges this fun event and awards prizes for “creativity, spirit and overall enthusiasm.” Call 949.248.3514 to enter.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
Get Your Ducks In A Row
ZOOMARS Petting Zoo will also be a bevy of activity on Los Rios Street on December 4th. Admission is free until 9:00 p.m. and you won’t want to miss Pathway to Hope’s Live Nativity Performances at 6:15 and 7:00 p.m. near the petting zoo. To sweeten the deal, SJC’s Downtown Shops will stay open late and offer special discounts!

Merriment At The Mission
Mission San Juan Capistrano continues its tradition with Christmas at the Mission. For a $2.00 admission, guests enjoy carolers, Santa photo ops and mariachi and choir performances. A Santa’s Workshop studio for kids will keep little fingers busy while grownups sip on mugs of Mexican hot chocolate. Please bring a canned food donation for Serra’s Pantry. The event immediately follows the Tree Lighting Ceremony on
December 4th and runs until 8:00 p.m.

Smiles For Miles
Bring the little ones to Del Obispo Terrace in San Juan Capistrano on December 5th from 10:00 – 11:30 for a special Smiles for Seniors event. Pack your holiday cheer and a camera, because Santa will be in the house to share the moment! The fun takes place at 32200 Del Obispo Street. For more information, call 949.496.8802.

SAN CLEMENTE:
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
The city’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on December 2nd at the San Clemente Community Center at 5:30 p.m. Santa’s elves will serve cocoa and cookies (how do they find the time?) before a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by The Jolly One. The mayor will be on hand for the official tree-lighting at 6:30 p.m.

Gifts That Keep Giving...
Family Assistance Ministries is sponsoring a Gift Exchange Program on December 11th at 11:00 a.m., also at the Community Center. Lunch will be served. What a great opportunity to demonstrate your holiday spirit by making a donation for children in need. For details, contact FamilyAssistance Ministries at 949.492.8477.

Feeling Nutty?
Pacific Coast Dance Academy’s Youth America Ballet will perform The Nutcracker locally this year. This magical holiday show is a must-see for all ages. Performances are December 4th at 2:30 and 7:00 p.m. and December 5th at 2:30 p.m. at San Juan Hills High School’s Collaborative Arts Theatre. For the younger, attention span-challenged set, check out the Holiday Follies at the academy’s studio on December 15th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Students will sing and dance, and Santa and The Nutcracker’s Mother Ginger will be available for photographs. For information on either event, call 949.361.9277.

LAGUNA BEACH
When The Sawdust Settles
Laguna Beach’s premiere holiday event is the Sawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy—A Palette of Holiday Treasures. TheFestival is pulling out the stops for this 20th Annual celebration. Over 170 exhibitors will show and sell their creations on the grounds of this “winter wonderland.” Kids will enjoy craft projects and visits with Ole St. Nick. The Winter Fantasy is the perfect way to shop while enjoying live entertainment and food from four outdoor cafes. The event runs December 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for kids, but if you attend on a Sunday, bring a new, unwrapped toy for free admission!

Capistrano Toyota – It’s a Family Affair
By Shelley T. Hudson

Capistrano Toyota’s Roger Hogan has earned his stripes in the car business and has seen auto trends come and go. He started with Toyota in 1976—just in time for the “black Celica craze” that hit streets the following year. His dedication and hard work earned him his own dealership in the early 90’s, which he twice expanded. After more than three decades and an unbroken string of successes, he has returned to Orange County to give back to the community and share his good fortune with his family.

Since taking over operations in San Juan Capistrano two years ago, Hogan has dug in his heels and made a significant commitment to the local community. Capo Toyota has sponsored car giveaways for Trabuco Hills High School, The Ocean Institute, Children’s Hospital of Orange County and Capistrano Unified School District, to name only a few. This generosity has helped generate hundreds of thousands of dollars for these organ-izations and Hogan says he’s only just beginning.

Roger Hogan’s three sons help keep it all in the family. Roger, Jr. is currently the General Sales Manager at the San Juan Capistrano dealership. Steven is the General Manager of the flagship location in Claremont and youngest son Kyle (a 2004 graduate of Laguna Beach High School and recent Pepperdine alum) is the Pre-Owned Car Director. Roger, Sr. has fond memories of coaching youth sports and high school basketball and he considers his business relationship with his sons an extension of that camaraderie.

As the consummate family man, Roger has also managed to incorporate his grandson in to the family business. Hogan has featured his image on everything from license plate frames to marketing materials to the two-story inflatable mascot that sits at the front of the dealership. Out of his pride as a grandfather, the company tagline, “Oh Baby!” was born.

Capistrano Toyota’s best-selling model is the high-performance Prius hybrid. Hogan asserts, “The Prius defines San Juan Capistrano right now. This community is youth-oriented and environmentally aware.” Considering that South OC is also home to tens of thousands of commuters driving north to Irvine and beyond or south to San Diego, the Prius just makes good economic sense. In fact, the Prius outsells the Camry by 500% at Capo Toyota, bucking the nationwide trend that has kept the Camry in the top spot year after year. Hogan’s enthusiasm about the model shines through. He’s not only a proud Prius driver, but he’s also eager to unveil the new line of Priuses in 2011, which will include a four-door model, a full-electric model and a wagon version.

Toyota has proven to be the clear leader in hybrid technology and will celebrate ten years on top in 2011. With the current Prius model averaging fifty miles per gallon and the electric model expected to perform at up to 140 miles on a single charge, the competition is left at the starting line. Capo Toyota has mechanics on staff who are specially certified to service hybrids—a must for this ever-advancing technology. The service department is stacked with friendly, knowledgeable staff who are the best in the business. The department services all models of Toyota, Scion and Lexus vehicles.

With customer-friendly perks like complimentary lifetime oil changes with the purchase of a new vehicle and time savers like online finance applications and service appointments, the car-buying experience couldn’t be easier. Toyotathon’s December offers just sweeten the deal. See for yourself why “great deals are born here every day!”

CAPISTRANO TOYOTA
33395 Camino Capistrano » San Juan Capistrano
877.857.0134 » CapistranoToyotaCars.com

Ichibiri – Smokin’ Hot Fun!
By Krissy V.

Ichibiri is hardly the new kid on the block when it comes to South County restaurants. For over 25 years, they’ve been delighting locals with some of the finest Japanese teppan and sushi in the area.

Featuring teppanyaki cooking, which literally translates as “iron plate cooking,” Ichibiri’s chefs have clearly mastered this artful and playful preparation by incorporating skillful technique and a dash of comedy to create an entertaining and delicious dining experience. Patrons at the teppan grill, especially the younger set, can’t help but be amazed by each chef’s repertoire of stunts: from spinning, tossing and catching various bottles and utensils to fashioning smoking volcanoes out of stacked onion rings or sculpting the likeness of Mickey Mouse from mounds of fried rice. The fact that I can also maintain an uninterrupted conversation with my husband while my 5-year old is mesmerized by the chef’s antics is the proverbial cherry on top!

After the “show” concludes, you’ll be met with a generous portion of rice, yakisoba noodles, tasty vegetables and your choice of filet mignon, teriyaki chicken, scallops, halibut or other protein to dip into a selection of tasty sauces. Pair it with saki or a Sapporo and you’re all set for a great meal.

Also in Ichibiri’s bag of tricks is a tasty array of sushi and sashimi that can be enjoyed at the sushi bar, teppan grill or at a private table. Ichibiri works diligently with local suppliers to assure their customers receive only the freshest fish and ingredients and their sushi chefs echo this attention to detail by preparing your personal favorites, even if they’re not on the menu.

No matter where you reside in South Orange County, you’re not far from one of Ichibiri’s convenient locations in Dana Point, San Clemente or Laguna Niguel. Whether you’re an old fan or a new friend, visit them for lunch, dinner and a great time!

27981 Greenfield Dr # J • Laguna Niguel • 949.362.8048
16 Monarch Bay Plaza • Dana Point • 949.661.1544
1814 N El Camino Real • San Clemente • 949.361.0137
www.ichibiris.com

Holiday Activities in South Orange County – Puttin’ On The Glitz

On Saturday, November 27th, San Clemente kicks off the season with its premiere holiday event – Puttin’ on the Glitz. The San Clemente Downtown Business Association, in conjunction with the City of San Clemente, present a magical evening of fun for the entire family.

Decked out in twinkling lights, historic Avenida Del Mar will be transformed into a festive pedestrian mall as children enjoy rides on a motorized mini-train and an enchanting horse-drawn fantasy carriage. Face painters, balloon artists and magicians will captivate the crowd while carolers in Victorian costumes, a barbershop quartet, a bagpipe troupe and other performers will fill the air with live music.

The charming shops and windows lining the avenue will be decorated for the season and will remain open to accommodate holiday shoppers anxious to get a jump on their lists. Organizations and vendors such as the Boy Scouts of America will offer hot apple cider, fire roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate, snow cones and cotton candy as you stroll the quaint downtown village.

Sirens will signal the arrival of Santa Claus perched upon a fire truck, as he leads a fanfare procession down Del Mar to the Community Center. Mrs. Claus & their elves will greet and take Santa to his awaiting fireside chair where children will have an opportunity to profess their hearts’ desires and create a lasting memory with a photo.

Puttin’ on the Glitz is free to the public and runs from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. A complimentary shuttle service is provided from the San Clemente High School parking lot, located just East of the freeway on Avenida Pico.

For more information about the event, please contact the San Clemente Downtown Business Association at 949.218.5378 orwww.villagesanclemente.org.