Capistrano Hardwoods

Dave Smith

When veteran carpenter Dave Smith decided to open his own supply house, he searched for a location that was in desperate need of a quality lumber and specialty hardwood warehouse. He discovered San Juan Capistrano, a city located far south in the county. Tradesmen were accustomed to driving up to Anaheim to locate the exact moldings and custom woodworking solutions for their customers. In 1989, Dave opened Capistrano Hardwoods, off of Avenida Aeropuerto, where he and his team of experienced professionals have been delivering quality, hard-to-find woodworking solutions ever since.

The business serves homeowners, do-it-yourselfers and tradesman with prices that beat the big box home improvement stores for moldings, windows and doors. “I’m thrilled to have been able to build a quality reputation for Capistrano Hardwoods these past thirty-two years,” states Dave, “Our amazing employees continue to provide excellent customer service and our customers are the most loyal clientele I’ve ever seen.”

When you need quality interior finish design services, visit Capistrano Hardwoods. The friendly staff has the knowledge and experience to answer all of your questions and concerns. Since the showroom is open 6 days a week, they are able to serve weekend DIY-ers. They pride themselves on answering all their customers’ questions in order to provide the best choice for their project.

As the staff often conveys to new customers on the phone, “We’re just down the street from The Coach House.” That’s a landmark with which most Orange County residents are familiar.

From moldings to hardwood lumber and custom windows to barnwood doors, Capistrano Hardwoods prides itself on its extensive inventory. They also have a huge variety of cabinet hardware, staircase and banister options. Save yourself the time of driving to a big box hardware store with elusive customer service, or traveling 45 minutes on the freeway to central Orange County. Simply stop by to speak with Ken, Zack, Izzy and the team for your next project, big or small.

Capistrano Hardwoods
26131 Avenida Aeropuerto # A
San Juan Capistrano
949.661.6244
capistranohardwoods.com

Triton Air

From Heat Pumps To Helping Hands, Triton Air Is On A Mission!

by Victoria Kertz

For over two decades, Triton Air and their sea-blue service vans have been a part of the San Clemente landscape, providing essential heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) services while fostering a culture of positive impact. With a commitment to excellence and deep roots in south Orange County, Triton Air is thriving in its third decade. They’re growing, improving, and under the leadership of a dedicated team, Triton is poised to help even more residents live better lives.

Luis Montiel, the recently promoted General Manager, has big plans for the company he’s been with for nearly 11 years. Having started his HVAC journey as an installation apprentice and doing stints in commercial and installation roles, Luis truly shines as a manager. His promotion exemplifies Triton Air’s commitment to nurturing talent from within. The team is always on the lookout for people who like to build, repair, and problem-solve, inviting potential candidates to learn the ways of HVAC service.

Alongside Luis is Karyn Lerdahl, the team’s longtime heart, soul, and no-nonsense Office Manager. Known for her steadfast and efficient planning, she keeps everything running promptly and smoothly. She works out of the team’s San Clemente headquarters and was integral to the opening of Triton’s brand-new service and installation center in Laguna Niguel.

Expanding Their Reach in Laguna Niguel
The opening of the Laguna Niguel office in 2023 brings much-needed space for one of their largest departments: installation. Spearheaded by Christian Nicks, the Laguna Niguel office is set to play a pivotal role in Triton’s growth strategy. With ample office space and plenty of warehousing opportunities, the new office gives Triton a leg up on their competition, enabling them to have quick access to parts, tools, and in-demand materials. Christian, overseeing operations, ensures efficient management and seamless integration with Triton’s overall objectives. The new office is a key move in Triton’s growth strategy, while San Clemente will remain the company’s headquarters and hub. The northward expansion allows for increased capacity and service while maintaining the close-knit community feel that Triton Air is known for.

Embracing Sustainability
When you meet with a Triton Air representative, you’re getting top-notch service and meeting with an HVAC expert. Reps know the latest tech and how to apply for current state and local rebate opportunities for energy-efficient machines and installs. They recommend replacing older furnaces with modern heat pumps as temperatures begin to dip; this shift from gas-powered systems offers a safer and more energy-efficient way to heat and cool homes that also happens to reduce carbon emissions. Triton Air can help you navigate the enrollment process for government programs incentivizing environmentally friendly installations. This comprehensive approach ensures homeowners can make informed decisions and bring on sustainable solutions. Have solar panels? “Heat pumps are the best way to maximize your panels,” Luis says, “because heat pumps are powered by electricity, not gas.”

A Force for Good
Ask anyone in San Clemente, and they’ll tell you Triton Air is more than the number you call when your AC goes out. They have supported San Clemente High School athletics for years and raise funds for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the National Breast Cancer Foundation. In a display of remembrance, Triton’s service van dons a year-round purple wrap, honoring a lost team member to pancreatic cancer. Their endeavors earned them recognition on ABC7, showcasing their involvement in “Spark of Love” — a program dedicated to delivering joy to underprivileged children in Orange County during the festive season. Triton Air believes you’re never too busy to help someone in need.

Looking Ahead: Growth with Purpose
Since 2001, Triton Air has grown organically. As they move forward, their goals remain clear: expand the maintenance team, continue to improve customer reviews, and extend their reach to help more people throughout Orange County. “More than anything, we want to keep serving our communities and have more community involvement in Orange County,” Luis says. “Our mission is everything; we are here to impact our community and everyone we do business with — positively.”

Triton Air is the best example of a company that thrives by prioritizing service and community! Prepare for cooler months and call Triton Air today for a healthier, safer, and cleaner indoor environment for your family. Call 949.482.2492 or visit TritonAir.com to see this month’s offers and savings.

Triton Air
1221 Puerta Del Sol #300, San Clemente
TritonAir.com • 949.482.2492

St. Anne School in Laguna Niguel is an independent Catholic school where students are inspired to pursue the highest level of academic achievement, spiritual formation, and character development in a supportive environment. The dedicated teachers, administrators, and parents ensure that the students are rooted in their community, strengthened by their faith, and motivated each day by the possibilities of their future.

The students of St. Anne benefit from differentiated instruction, opportunities for collaboration, and strategies that stimulate critical thinking. Based on research and best practices, the classes maximize engagement and growth. The Student Support team ensures that all students can access the curriculum and enrichment opportunities available. Recognizing that learning isn’t limited to the classroom, experiential opportunities are incorporated into the programming. From upper school field study trips to Astrocamp, El Capitan, Catalina, and Washington, D.C., to the preschool mud kitchen, students have access to activities that build real-world knowledge.

St. Anne School is committed to developing students’ academic skills, as well as their character and unique talents. Art, music, engineering design, digital media production, orchestra, rock band, and creative writing classes provide students with opportunities to explore their interests and reflect the dedication to educating and celebrating the whole child.

Guided by the teachings of the Catholic Church, the vibrant Campus Ministry program encourages spiritual growth through participation in service projects, retreats, and weekly Mass. Additionally, extra-curricular programs such as musical theater, after-school classes, the Future Problem Solving team, and various team sports allow students to grow and have fun.

In an environment rooted in community and strengthened by faith, St. Anne School has graduated well-rounded, compassionate, creative students of character who are well-equipped for the challenges of high school, college, and beyond.

To schedule a private tour or learn more about St. Anne School, please contact the Office of Admissions at 949.371.9932.

St. Anne School
32451 Bear Brand Road | Laguna Niguel
949.371.9932 • www.st-anne.org

California Republic Leadership Academy Capistrano, a tuition-free charter school deeply rooted in the classical liberal arts tradition, is dedicated to shaping scholars who embody excellence in soul, mind, and body. The school’s unwavering commitment to this purpose sets it apart as truly exceptional.

CRLA Capistrano’s academic program consistently produces scholars with outstanding achievements, instilling a focus on character excellence and virtue. Grounded in the classical liberal arts tradition, the school’s curriculum, culture, and purpose yield remarkable results based on timeless principles.

Through Classical Education, the school guides students to appreciate truth, goodness and beauty. Historical facts are presented to provide a natural understanding of how morality has shaped the world. Teachers deliver unbiased instruction, fostering curiosity and sparking a love for learning.

Critical thinking naturally evolves as students reflect on learned concepts and make connections to their lives. Subjects like math, Latin, and grammar contribute to their analytical skills. In contrast to postmodern ideology, Classical Education rejects relative truth, emphasizing the objective pursuit of knowledge.

The primary goal of Classical Education is to cultivate virtue and wisdom in students, instilling a deep appreciation for truth, beauty, and goodness. Recognizing the intrinsic curiosity of children, the curriculum focuses on moral development, promoting critical thinking through content-rich lessons.

Classical Education upholds language, mathematics, and the teacher as central, emphasizing critical thinking through thoughtful questioning. The objective is not just to instruct students on what to think but to teach them how to think. The school believes in education for its intrinsic value, valuing truth, beauty, and goodness above mere vocational training.

To embark on the transformative journey of classical education for your child, contact California Republic Leadership Academy Capistrano today at 949.298.6040 or visit CRLAcapo.org for more information. Discover how our commitment to excellence can shape the future of your scholar.

California Republic Leadership Academy Capistrano
31711 San Juan Creek Road | San Juan Capistrano
949.298.6040 • www.CRLAcapo.org

The Capistrano Unified School District Language Immersion program started in 1992, and develops high levels of biliteracy, cultural appreciation and academic success in students. With programs in Spanish and Mandarin beginning in preschool and continuing to graduation, students receive a premiere dual-language education that is “additive bilingual,” meaning the student’s first language continues to be strengthened and augmented while acquiring a second language.

Spanish is taught in a Two-Way Immersion program, which is structured with an equal number of students who are monolingual or dominant in English and students who are monolingual or dominant Spanish, at the time of enrollment. Mandarin is taught in a One-Way Immersion program, with the majority of students dominant in English at the time of enrollment. The Mandarin preschool–grade 12 program is the only public program in Orange County and one of only a handful in California.

The Language Immersion program focuses on the goals of bilingualism, biliteracy, academic achievement, and sociocultural competence. Language Immersion students develop high levels of language proficiency and literacy in both program languages, demonstrate high levels of academic achievement and develop an appreciation for and understanding of diverse cultures. An average of 52% of Language Immersion students take one or more AP/IB classes, and 98% of Language Immersion students earn a score of 3 or higher on the AP Spanish Language Exam.

In the fall of 2022, the Language Immersion program received a Golden Bell Award from the California School Board Association (CSBA) in the English Learner/Biliteracy category. The Golden Bell Awards promote excellence in public education and school board governance, and CUSD was honored for having a highly comprehensive and effective program.

The Language Immersion program continues to grow each year, in both enrollment and capability. Families interested in learning more can visit the Language Immersion website on capousd.org.

SPANISH LANGUAGE IMMERSION SCHOOLS
• Las Palmas Elementary
• R.H. Dana Elementary
• San Juan Elementary
• Viejo Elementary
• Bernice Ayer Middle
• Fred Newhart Middle
• Marco Forster Middle
• Capistrano Valley High
• Dana Hills High
• San Clemente High
• San Juan Hills High

MANDARIN LANGUAGE IMMERSION SCHOOLS
• Marian Bergeson Elementary
• Fred Newhart Middle
• Capistrano Valley High

Capistrano Unified School District
33122 Valle Road | San Juan Capistrano
949.234.9200 • capousd.org

St. Edward the Confessor Parish School is a preschool through eighth grade campus within the Diocese of Orange, sharing in the mission of the Roman Catholic Church to live the Gospel message by building Catholic identity through a Sacramental life of service to God, family, parish and community.

CHARACTER
St. Edward students are #alwayslearning. The faculty and staff are dedicated to preparing students to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. St. Edward develops resilient, innovative and confident students. We strive to help our students grow spiritually, intellectually, socially and emotionally within a Christ-centered environment.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Consistent with Diocesan curriculum guidelines, St. Edward Parish School follows the Common Core State Standards for English and math and the California Next Generation Science Standards. We are first and foremost a Catholic school. All curriculum seeks to educate the whole child, forming their spiritual, intellectual, personal and social capacities through academic, religious, faith formation, service and co-curricular programs which prepares students for success in high school, college and career. Teachers use differentiated instruction, engage students through meaningful hands-on experience and cultivate curiosity and creativity.

COMMUNITY
Faith and academics are at the core of the school, but the community is the heart. Special events such as Family Movie Night, Monarch Main Event and Community Coffee highlight just some of the ways our school community comes together. Parents are involved in the school, from volunteering at events on campus to coaching after school sports and attending weekly Mass.

FAITH DEVELOPMENT
St. Edward prepares students to meet the spiritual and moral challenges of the future by providing opportunities to develop and stengthen Catholic values. Students pray daily, attend Mass weekly, participate in service projects and provide mentorship through Prayer Partners.

CREATIVITY
Through Art, Music and dynamic Makerspace classes, St. Edward students are able to develop and explore their talents and imagination. The Makerspace studio integrates technology, engineering and innovation providing students opportunities to apply project based solutions to real world situations. St. Edward offers a variety of after school programs and sports to further engage students interests and curiosity.

St. Edward the Confessor Parish School
33866 Calle La Primavera | Dana Point
949.496.1241 • stedschool.org

Our Lady of Fatima Academy is a TK-8th grade Catholic school. Its mission is to nurture individuals to discover their God given gifts, to encourage them to use these gifts in the service of others and to empower them to be models of integrity and peacemakers who work for justice. Parents, school staff, and parish community collaborate in striving for educational excellence.

OPEN HOUSE – SUNDAY, JAN. 28th
Mass: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Tours: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Our Lady of Fatima Academy
105 N. La Esperanza | San Clemente
949.492.7320 • www.olfschool.net

At Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts (OCASA), students learn by doing. They are encouraged to ask questions, take risks, make discoveries, observe patterns, exhibit creativity, and celebrate success. OCASA offers our programs at two campuses.

OCASA Elementary School (TK to 5th Grade) is a tuition-free, public TK-5 charter school that excels in personalized learning through small group instruction in a mixed-age setting. Focused on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, students grasp new concepts

through real-world experiences, achieving remarkable growth in Math (14.6 points) and English (29.7 points), according to the California School Dashboard. With credentialed teachers and a supportive staff, OCASA Elementary encourages exploration in small, technology-equipped classes. The school boasts dedicated instructors for performing arts, fine arts, STEM, and Spanish, contributing to a vibrant community enriched by field trips and a dynamic PTSA.

OCASA College Prep (6th Grade to 12th Grade) ensures a rich, personalized, rigorous, and joyful education. As the only public charter high school in South Orange County, OCASA College Prep emphasizes academic, social, and physical development in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Offering each student a MacBook Air, the innovative curriculum facilitates independent progress. In middle school, students engage in Project Lead the Way classes, while high school pathways in Biomedical Sciences or Computer Science culminate in a capstone project. College credits are earned through AP and dual-enrollment options, with diverse clubs and activities such as robotics, drum line, ASB, and more enhancing the secondary school experience. School-wide events, including field trips and dances, further contribute to the comprehensive education offered in collaboration with PTSA.

Both OCASA schools follow a low-homework, low-test philosophy and hold full accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Enroll for the 2024-25 school year by visiting ocasa.org, where you can RSVP for a school tour or complete your application.

OCASA Elementary (TK to 5th Grade)

29292 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel
OCASA College Prep (6th Grade to 12th Grade)

31522 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano
Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts

949.269.3290 • www.ocasa.org

Mathnasium Learning Centers slogan is simple: “We make math make sense!” Whether your child starts out far behind or is ahead in math, Mathnasium helps students advance because they know that any child can be successful in math—it is a matter of teaching it in a way that makes sense to them.

The experienced math tutors utilize proprietary teaching materials and techniques, The Mathnasium Method™. This instructional approach goes beyond traditional math tutoring to develop an understanding and build a love for math. Students are evaluated with a written and verbal assessment unique to Mathnasium to deliver a customized learning plan. Based on the results, Mathnasium develops an individually tailored program designed to address each student’s specific needs and close any educational gaps they may have so they can jump ahead and be ready for advanced math challenges.

Students engage with their instructors in a unique combination of mental, verbal, visual, tactile, and written exercises. Basic math concepts and skills are specifically designed to help students build number sense. Mathnasium’s proven technique does more than just meet state math standards; it surpasses the recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Common Core State Standards.

Instructors also help students understand their homework as part of each session and can prepare your child for school tests, as well as standardized tests such as the California High School Exit Exam, SAT, ACT and ISEE.

If math is a problem, Mathnasium can solve it. At Mathnasium, students grow more excited and confident about math—and their grades reflect that. For students who already excel in math, the sky’s the limit. All students will discover that doors open to them by being proficient in math and how math can be applied to interesting areas such as computer science, biology, and psychology.

By giving your child a firm foundation—and confidence—in math, Mathnasium can unlock the potential for continued educational success in the future.

Mathnasium
Dana Point 949.240.6284
Laguna Niguel 949.360.6284
San Clemente 949.481.6284
Ladera Ranch 949.429.3020
www.mathnasium.com