Stoneface Inc.

The Sculpted Rock Artisans

by Veronica Badzey

Are you ready for the backyard of your dreams? Is it time to take the plunge and build the dazzling swimming pool you’ve always wanted? Let Mark Allen of Stoneface, Inc. transform your mundane yard into a magical oasis that’s guaranteed to deliver unlimited fun and a lifetime of memories.

Make an investment in your home for years to come. Become the house on the block where all the kids want to play. Host pool parties and gatherings with instant entertainment provided by hours of splashing, swimming and fun in the sun. Mark Allen can appreciate the allure of a stunning pool and with good reason: for over 30 years, he’s designed and built natural-looking rockscapes and water features surrounding swimming pools that rival those found at the finest resorts. He brings undeniable talent to the table and can create various backyard features with sculpted concrete. He’s constructed everything from towering waterslides to enormous panda habitats (and 15 other exhibits) at the San Diego Zoo to intimate backyard grottos in some of the region’s most beautiful backyards.

Mark’s three decades in the industry equip him with a with a discerning eye and a skillset that’s unparalleled in Orange County. “I’ve been doing this for so many years and I always strive for my new projects to be better than the last one,” he says. “If it doesn’t look extremely natural, you might as well not even do it.” That attention to detail is what’s propelled Stoneface, Inc. to the top of its craft.

In the 1980’s, Allen got his start in masonry, constructing streams, but found he had a knack for creating intriguing hardscapes from sculpted concrete. He founded Boulderscape in 1990, a San Juan Capistrano-based company which grew significantly after working on government and military projects over the years. In 2014, he sold that piece of the business to his son.

Mark launched Stoneface, Inc. with four of his most talented rock sculptors to exclusively design high-end residential pools surrounded by rocks, waterfalls, hidden caves, swim-up bars and fast-moving, twisty waterslides. In other words, the fun stuff. He runs the business with his daughter, Rachel Ferguson. “She is the smartest woman I’ve ever known,” Mark says with dad-like effusiveness. “She’s really incredible with finances and customer service. All of our customers work with her and she’s hyperfocused on responding to the needs and concerns of our clients.”

When you contact Stoneface for a consultation, Mark meets with you personally. “I take the project from the first meeting until its completion,” he says. “I design, sell, and manage the art direction. I visit every project, every day.” Allen partners with various pool contractors who build the pool shell and install the electrical and plumbing, while he oversees the entire project and enhances the pool with artificial rock installations. It’s this dedication and hands-on approach that’s designated Allen as one of the top pool designers in the country. His work can be seen all over the U.S. and even in megadream homes in Hawaii.

“I truly want each job that has my name attached to it to be the best one I’ve ever done,” Mark says proudly. To ensure this, he covers safety and functionality with clients before diving into the potential beauty of a pool. “When I design a project, I view it from various perspectives, typically the kitchen or another family gathering place,” he adds. His work is breathtaking from any angle, but he knows it’s the customer who will be looking at it every day.

Mark listens carefully to a client’s ideas, wants and desires when developing their overall design. “I like to give them lots of options,” says Mark. “Part of the fun in my job is coming up with exciting, marvelous ideas then seeing the final outcome. I love what I do and it brings me joy when I’m able to create something special for families to enjoy.”

What about existing pools or one that hasn’t been used in years? For an artisan like Allen, an old pool is a blank canvas waiting to become a masterpiece. Recently, he took one large backyard and resort-ified it with a 2,000 square foot cave, a locker room, steam room and sauna. The adjoining pool had multiple waterfalls, two waterslides and a swim-up grotto. Staycation, anyone?

Stoneface Inc. | 949.370.7576 | Office@StonefaceInc.com | StonefaceInc.com

OC Pizza

Get Your Slice of the Pie

by Dina Scaglione

The new OC Pizza in San Juan Capistrano is anything but another pizza joint. Each patron who enters will walk out with far more than a belly full of delicious food. Tasty pizza, salads, pasta, and sandwiches are only part of the experience — every meal is dished up with a large serving of good old-fashioned hospitality.

Owners Michelle and Patrick Peters designed their new eatery with a dual mission. They’ve made it their goal to offer high-quality, great-tasting food that is affordably priced while treating every customer as if they were family.

In September 2019, family-run OC Pizza opened its doors with the intention of differentiating itself from its predecessor. Starting from scratch, they’ve developed all new recipes including house-made sauces and freshly baked bread, along with high quality meats and cheeses. They’ve paid special attention to the small stuff, which has translated into big differences in the final product. Baking fresh bread for sandwiches, making cookies on site, and cooking sausage with a pizza, to infuse a fresh-smoked flavor, are just a few of the ways OC Pizza goes the extra mile to ensure that all guests receive a deliciously warm and positive experience.

In addition to the ubiquitous Italian staples we all love, OC Pizza offers inspired creations such as its 3 Cheese White Pizza with olive oil, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan and an enticing Chicken Alfredo Pizza topped with chicken, artichoke, mushrooms and roasted garlic. The Pesto Pizza is my personal fave, adorned with chunks of chicken, tomatoes, spinach, parmesan and garlic. The tasty Grinder sandwich features pepperoni, salami, ham and mozzarella, warmed on freshly baked bread with a soft, crunchy texture. Generally, salads offered at pizza places are hardly worth mentioning, but OC Pizza carries the flavors of its homemade sauces throughout its dressings, to complete the culinary experience.

OC Pizza is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., so swing by for take-out or come in and stay a while. Family-friendly and casual, kids can enjoy the build-your-own pizza option while you sip an IPA beer or a glass of wine. Be sure to inquire about kid’s build your pizza parties and if you order online, look for the ‘secret menu.’ At OC Pizza, you may enter a stranger, but Michelle and Patrick will make sure you leave with new friends.

OC Pizza | 32341 Camino Capistrano | San Juan Capistrano | 949.429.8888 | OCpizzaSJ.com

San Clemente Christian School

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work

The dream team at San Clemente Christian School includes some of Orange County’s finest educators. Like many quality educational institutions, San Clemente Christian School offers academically rigorous learning and a standards-based curriculum from a group of highly qualified, credentialed teachers. What sets SCCS apart is its outstanding teaching staff — the heartbeat and soul of its faith-based school and community.

SCCS partners with parents to meet every child’s needs, both academically and spiritually, while offering biblical instruction, reinforcement and family values. The school provides each student with an individualized learning program that allows them to exceed expectations in critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. From cooking carts and culinary classes to web page building and robot programming, students are reaching new heights as they explore their God-given gifts and interests.

SCCS’s talented, enthusiastic and compassionate team of teachers is the key to fostering the school’s Christ-centered curriculum and inspiring academic, social and spiritual growth. The team consists of credentialed teachers, many holding masters and doctorate degrees, with an emphasis on 21st-century learning. The staff is comprised of teachers who love the Lord and work daily to please Him, and genuinely care about the development and safety of every student.

Team up with San Clemente Christian School and watch your child max out to their full potential! Call 949.496.3513 to schedule a personal tour of the campus and to meet all the teachers on the school’s lineup.

1050 Calle Negocio, San Clemente | 949.496.3513 | SanClementeChristianSchool.com

read more

Who we are…
As an independent Catholic school, St. Anne School in Laguna Niguel encourages students from preschool through grade 8 to expand their world and discover their passions. Walk through the halls and you’ll see students holding doors open for guests, collaborating on projects, and high-fiving teachers and administrators. St. Anne School is a friendly and nurturing learning environment, focused on educating the whole child. St. Anne students are happy, respectful, and engaged learners, who are ready to discover what kind of great they want to be.

What we do…
St. Anne School partners with parents to ensure every child achieves an education that supports their needs, talents, and interests while forming their character and spiritual development. The exceptional teachers at St. Anne inspire students to develop independence, discover their love of learning, and push themselves to unlock their potential. Students are empowered further by using state-of-the-art technology to develop their academic strengths.

St. Anne families come from a variety of faith backgrounds. Students are taught to treasure their faith and are encouraged to develop their spirituality as they participate in weekly Mass, daily prayer, and community outreach.

Exceptional core academics are enriched by a variety of elective classes and after-school programs starting as young as Kindergarten. Some of these electives and programs include Future Problem Solvers, Garage Rock Band, Food and Fitness, Show Choir, Create and Innovate, and Navigating Our World. Students have the opportunity to grow in virtue by participating in St. Anne School’s 21 sports teams and award-winning performing arts program.

What we achieve…
A St. Anne graduate is a well-rounded, compassionate, creative, and curious young adult, well-equipped for a challenging high school experience and ready to live out their own greatness.

Discover St. Anne School. Our doors are open and we welcome you.

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, CA 92677
www.st-anne.org

Santa Margarita Catholic High School develops students who are people of faith, skilled lifelong learners, healthy individuals and involved citizens of the world. Ranked as the No. 1 Catholic High School in the county by Niche.com, the school’s 42-acre campus is nestled against the picturesque Saddleback Valley Mountains in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Individualized Learning

• Academic tracks tailored to meet the needs of varied learners
• 107 higher-level courses
• Only Catholic high school in the county to offer the globally-recognized International Baccalaureate program
• Auxiliary Studies Program supports students with specialized learning needs
• Students attend mock meetings of the UN close to home and abroad through the Model United Nations program
• Award-winning arts program with 61 visual and performing arts courses
• Nine counselors provide academic, college and personal counseling
• 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio
• One of 41 schools in the nation recognized as a Microsoft Showcase School for transforming the educational experience through student-centered immersive learning

College Preparedness

• 99 percent of graduates in the Class of 2019 attend college; the class received $41.9 million in scholarship offers
• Director of college relations dedicated to building strong partnerships with universities across the nation
• 100 percent acceptance rate at 184 schools (class of 2019)
• Comprehensive college counseling and college relations programs
• Approximately 155 college representatives visit campus annually

Building Champions for Life

• 71 CIF championships, 217 league championships and eight state championships
• 29 CIF and club sports programs
• Ten-time recipient of the CIF Commissioners Cup, recognizing the top athletic program in the 570-member CIF Southern Section

Campus and Faith Life

• Faith-based education and culture of compassion
• 90 percent of the student body participates in more than 85 campus clubs and activities developing leadership skills
• Eagles Edge program develops “real-world” lifelong skills and provides networking opportunities
• Award-winning robotics program, three-time world championship qualifier
• Retreats, fellowship, school Masses and service-learning
• Link Crew and dynamic SOARientation program eases the transition into high school
• One in four students receives tuition assistance
• Bus transportation serving Orange County

Santa Margarita Catholic High School
22062 Antonio Parkway
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
949.766.6076 • www.smhs.org

At Stratford School, high expectations lead to extraordinary results. The school’s advanced, innovative, and intentionally balanced curriculum inspires, challenges, and nurtures the minds and hearts of every student. It also produces impressive results. Stratford students outscore independent school students, are recognized for academic achievement, and contribute to their communities.

The curriculum is created in a thoughtful and deliberate way to provoke curiosity, nurture exploration, and encourage inquiry. Students develop a love of learning, study above grade level, and prepare themselves for the future.

Stratford infuses its broad liberal arts curriculum with Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). It combines traditional teaching styles with 21st century learning principles, integrating technology with careful intention. The school provides a variety of extracurricular pursuits, personal development activities, physical education, and play-time. The teachers cultivate a physically and emotionally secure classroom environment. The staff both welcome and listen to the feedback of students’ parents.

The result is a rich spectrum of hands-on learning opportunities — provided in an energized classroom atmosphere where students are mentally focused and highly engaged — that enable students to learn, question, collaborate, and develop the diverse skills and talents they need to compete in today’s world.

Harnessing the collective power of over 6,000 students, 800 teachers, 100 administrators, and 300 classrooms, Stratford School is able to explore and rapidly implement new teaching practices to achieve the ultimate goal of preparing students to become the next generation of creative problem-solvers, imaginative innovators, and confident, insightful leaders.

To learn more, visit: www.StratfordSchools.com/mission-viejo

Stratford School
24741 Chrisanta Drive
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
www.StratfordSchools.com

Always learning, The Parish School graduates are confident and compassionate young men and women who will make a difference. Faithful to Catholic values, The Parish School at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church sustains a dynamic schoolwide learning environment that inspires each learner to achieve his or her God-given potential inside and outside the classroom.

ALWAYS LEARNING
The Parish School is #AlwaysLearning. Learners don’t just memorize math equations or recite spelling words. They ask questions. They explore. They love not just school – but the process of learning. And learning comes not just through doing things right, but through doing things wrong. The Parish School develops resilient, innovative learners who try, grow and achieve.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
The Parish School utilizes a standard-based curriculum aligned to the Roman Catholic Church teachings which prepares learners for high school and beyond. The faculty and staff continually expose learners to meaningful hands-on experiences, resulting in thoughtful risk-taking, problem solving and collaboration.

SMALLER CLASSES – IN-DEPTH LEARNING
Not only does the school boast a low instructor-to-student ratio, but it has a unique classroom format. First through fifth grade is one of the only schools in the Orange Catholic Diocese to use Departmentalized Platooning. Each class moves as a unit between three classrooms, with a teacher focused on just two subjects. The result – a richer learning experience and expert teachers.

In the Upper School, each learner has eight periods daily on a waterfall schedule, the standard for many high schools. The classes are integrated, yet small groups and individualized instruction ensures learners’ needs are met and challenged.

CREATIVITY
Through art and music classes and after-school activities like chorus, The Parish School builds creative and confident leaders. And, it’s one of the only elementary schools to offer Makerspace – a hands-on studio that integrates technology, engineering and creativity with project-based solutions to real-world situations.

FAITH DEVELOPMENT
Each day, the school community prays, serves and grows in their relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is present in the books they read, the history they teach, and the music they sing. Learners attend weekly Mass, participate in monthly hands-on service projects, and provide mentorship through Prayer Partners.

The Parish School | St. Edward The Confessor Catholic Church
33866 Calle La Primavera
Dana Point, CA 92629
949.496.1241 • www.StEdSchool.org

Conveniently located on the South end of San Clemente, Our Savior’s Lutheran School (OSLS) is a developmental, play-based, Reggio-inspired, Christian Preschool and Infant Center (soon to open). Our Savior’s is a close-knit family that understands and values exceptional education, equipping children to be positive members of their community.

OSLS is committed to excellence through a creative and energizing curriculum, with a strong social, emotional, and Christ-centered foundation. Curriculum is modeled around Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences. The school’s highly qualified and inspirational staff provides a quality educational experience. All OSLS families receive constant communication regarding their child’s growth, supported by assessments and progress reports along with parent-teacher conferences. This partnership facilitates an extension of the child’s day into the home and bridges the learning opportunities both at school and beyond.

Our Savior’s Lutheran School provides a unique opportunity for children to be engaged in a developmentally appropriate environment with a child-centered approach. The preschool team designs their curriculum and lesson plans starting with the California Preschool Learning Foundations, customizing instruction based on the child’s individualized goals and needs. These developmentally appropriate practices and classroom experiences intentionally foster exposure to the world around the child and capture the many moments of curiosity. Throughout the day, OSLS teachers guide student learning individually and in groups to explain, educate, and empower the children, encouraging them to ask questions and explore their learning environment. They understand that every child develops at their own pace while being committed to continuous growth and excellence in all levels of early childhood education. With a long-term education in mind, OSLS’s most important goal is to foster and encourage a love of learning.

To find out more about Our Savior’s Lutheran School and the new Infant Center opening soon, please call the school at 949.492.6165 or email the Director, Joan Lundbohm, at j.lundbohm@oursaviorsschool.net to schedule a tour.

Our Savior’s Lutheran School
200 Avenida San Pablo
San Clemente, CA 92672
949.492.6165 • OurSaviorsSchool.net

Temple Beth El’s acclaimed Early Childhood Center has been enlightening children for over 19 illustrious years. The school has forged a strong reputation within the local community for its loving, experienced and long-term staff who are dedicated to each and every child in the program.

Temple Beth El offers a multitude of classes including Parent/Toddler classes for 7-24 months, Preschool for 2-4 years and a TK program. In addition, Temple Beth El offers dynamic after school enrichment classes and before and after school care.

Each year, Temple Beth El has been able to provide early education for children with varying special needs in a traditional classroom setting. For example, a child in need of a support facilitator would be welcomed and immersed in the program. Temple Beth El’s preschool curriculum is built with a balance between academic and developmental philosophies of education, with an emphasis on the whole child. It is designed to create an environment that encourages a love for learning, with a focus on the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of each child.

TK students prepare for Kindergarten by utilizing the “Get Set for School/Handwriting Without Tears” curriculum. All TK teachers have been trained in this program to best implement the curriculum.

The Temple Beth El facility is clean, bright and cheerful and has large playground-facing windows in each room. The school goes the extra mile to help create not just a vivid and cheerful atmosphere, but a splendid learning environment.

Check the Temple Beth El website at tbesoc.org in February for registration forms and to learn all about programs being offered. Registration will begin in February 2020. The school welcomes prospective families to schedule a tour of Temple Beth El in January and February. You can contact the admissions office at 949.362.3999 ext. 317 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Temple Beth El
2A Liberty
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 362-3999
www.tbesoc.org