A CUT ABOVE: The Beveled Edge celebrating 25 years in business
By Shelly T. Hudson

In 2011, you might be hard-pressed to identify an industry that’s been relatively unchanged by technology in the last century. A shining example of how expert craftsmanship and old-fashioned customer care still make all the difference, however, is Norton and Vicki Canterbury’s art glass studio, The Beveled Edge. As many “mom and pop shops” have made way for superstores and big box warehouse chains, The Beveled Edge operates in much the same way as they did in 1986—all custom, all hand-crafted.

Fresh out of the Marine Corps in 1983, Norton took an apprentice position at a stained glass overlay franchise to make ends meet. Three years later, he opened his first studio. Since then, Norton has occupied locations in both San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, with the Canterbury’s settling the business in Laguna Niguel in 2000- where it’s still going strong.

What’s the secret behind The Beveled Edge’s 25 years as a successful, family-owned business? It’s actually no secret at all. Norton and Vicki personally work with each and every customer, guaranteeing their workmanship for a lifetime. When customers approach the Canterburys with a project, the wheels are set in motion for the creation of a one-of-a-kind, fully-custom art piece. While the Beveled Edge specializes in traffic-stopping entry doors, they also design and install elaborate windows, cabinet doors, shower systems and table tops. Each piece of glass is completely hand-crafted.

The design process is collaborative every step of the way. Once Norton and his customer formulate a concept, Vicki creates a full-scale template of the design. After the final design and color scheme are approved, the project is fabricated right at the shop. With 140 years of combined experience among the crew, precision craftsmanship is the standard. The Beveled Edge’s customers enjoy knowing that they are working with the owners of the business directly and that their projects are executed with expertise from conceptualization to installation.

Although most of The Beveled Edge’s business is residential—and from satisfied repeat customers—the Canterburys work frequently with designers and local businesses. Their sophisticated stained glass installations are displayed throughout the area and stunning examples can be seen at the Dana Point City Council offices and JSerra High School’s chapel.

An entryway designed and installed by The Beveled Edge sets a home apart from the rest of the neighborhood, providing distinctive curb appeal and a beautiful exterior focal point. Many larger homes have dark, uninteresting foyers and front entries. The Beveled Edge’s leaded glass designs offer style and flair, allowing natural light to flood the space.

Norton says that the majority of his residential entry projects utilize the homeowner’s existing door(s), translating into an eco-friendly, cost-effective solution. The Beveled Edge will transform any door—even metal and fiberglass doors primarily used in new construction—into functional works of art. In fact, many doors are designed utilizing an existing motif from the home that’s incorporated into the pattern. For example, the curves of a favorite iron table or the geometric shapes of an art deco chandelier may provide the inspiration for the final product. One customer even surprised her golf aficionado husband with a stained glass version of himself on the fairway!

By all accounts, Norton Canterbury is a lucky man. This year, he celebrates 30 years of marriage with Vicki and 25 years in business with The Beveled Edge. He has made his home in Laguna Niguel since 1986 with his wife and three children: Jaime, a professional distance runner residing in Arizona, Jeremy, a senior art degree candidate at UCSB and Paige, a sophomore and track athlete at Dana Hills High School. While many of us might consider slowing down after 25 years, Norton is as eager and enthusiastic about his business as ever. Maybe that’s his edge.

“The Beveled Edge’s creative talent and superior craftsmanship were spectacular at enhancing the beauty of our home’s entryway. The final product improved the look of our entry by 1000%. The full-scale template of the new door and windows was extremely helpful in visualizing the final design. Norton & Vicki are both congenial and a pleasure to work with. We congratulate them on their 25 years in business.” —Tom and Trishia Wood, Laguna Beach

27931 Cabot Road, Suite B • Laguna Niguel • 949.582.1035
TheBeveledEdge.com

JSerra Catholic School

In only its eighth year, JSerra High School, San Juan Capistrano’s top-tier Catholic learning institution, has exceeded all measurable expectations of growth and excellence. The school’s Professional Magnet Program, implemented just last year, has been overwhelmingly successful and has garnered national attention from Ivy League educators. The music and theater programs have been significantly expanded. The athletic department has developed championship teams and nationally-ranked individual athletes in a variety of sports. The school has 23 international students from seven different countries. Graduates of JSerra earn a remarkable $24,311 on average in scholarship and have been accepted at 70 of the 100 top-ranked universities. Frank Talarico, JSerra’s President and CEO, views these achievements as examples of “good customer service.”

Talarico describes his approach to managing the development of the school and its students as “customer focused.” That commitment to his customers, in this case the parents and students, has driven him to take the job of college prep to the next level and beyond. In fact, Talarico’s exhaustive discussions with both JSerra parents and parents of students in other area high schools led to the evolution of much of JSerra’s innovative curriculum.

The Professional Magnet Program is one such innovation. JSerra students may apply to either the medical or business track and get a jumpstart on a higher education and possibly a future vocation. Hands-on demonstrations in an actual hospital or business setting combined with the practical application of classroom concepts provide students a foundation from which to start a professional trajectory.

Talarico credits the school’s close relationship with its corporate partners for much of the magnet program’s success. Mission Hospital’s CEO, Peter Bastone, “has been an extraordinary partner” in the medical track, according to Talarico. The business track, which was just introduced this school year, is co-facilitated by UCI’s Paul Merage School of Business, headed by Dean Andy Policano and Denise Patrick. “Without their vision and confidence, this program never would have happened,” insists Talarico. The corporate partners work alongside the school to offer students a unique first-hand insight into their respective fields.

The magnet programs offer significant academic advantages in addition to professional exposure. Business students can earn UC credits through JSerra’s program, and students in both tracks receive a distinctive certificate with their diplomas upon graduation. In the highly competitive climate of college admissions, participation in the Professional Magnet Program may give students the competitive edge they need. Future magnet programs in the works include law, engineering, technology and performing and fine arts. Talarico intends that these tracks will follow the model of the existing programs: real world experience coupled with a strong corporate partner.

JSerra has an eye on globalization as well. The science department is currently adding a second college-caliber laboratory and classroom and the liberal arts program is looking to expand its foreign language offerings to include Chinese. Students routinely earn perfect scores on Advanced Placement exams, which speaks well to both the quality of the curriculum and faculty.

In addition to academic excellence, JSerra is committed to providing students with a well-rounded high school experience. The school’s South Campus is dedicated to 22 sports and its training facilities rival any in the country. The Aquatics Center has one of only two pools west of the Mississippi that can host an Olympic Qualifier—the other is at Stanford. JSerra’s soccer and cross-country teams are defending CIF State Champions and the baseball team has sent more players to Division 1 teams than any other in Orange County in the last three years. ESPN featured student Juan Gutierrez on its cover and named him the top soccer player in his position in the nation. If that’s not enough, JSerra even has a successful ice hockey team!

The JSerra Choir was recently selected to travel to Rome and perform for the Pope. The black box theatre has been expanded and upgraded to accomodate a wider variety of performance art. In conjunction with the school’s Community Relations Committee, many JSerra students are involved with local non-profit organizations, including The Mission in San Juan Capistrano. This commitment to nurturing well-rounded young women and men is as important to the administration as test scores in determining long-term success.

JSerra is just getting started. Talarico promises “very exciting and progressive academic announcements” in the next few months. He says he simply “wants kids to be curious about the world.” In doing so, he’s piqued the curiosity of the academic world about JSerra. Visit www.jserra.org for more information on the school.

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

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

Laguna Nursery

If you thought about popping into Laguna Nursery for a few annuals to plant this weekend, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. Clear your schedule, because more than a couple of minutes are needed to explore their maze of elegantly and artfully displayed antiques, artifacts and garden wares. Salvaged architectural pieces, unique pots and interesting plant compositions make this garden emporium a wealth of inspiration for your indoor and outdoor spaces.

Ruben Flores purchased Laguna Nursery three short years ago, but his architectural background is evident everywhere you look. When Ruben heard the site was slated to become a storage facility for a local hotel, he “couldn’t let it go.” His business has since flourished into a local destination for landscape architects, designers and homeowners alike. Flores considers himself and his crew—most of whom have been with him throughout his illustrious career—“artistic directors of the garden.”

A series of coincidences early in his career brought Flores to Laguna Beach. While a student at Cal Poly Pomona, he toured Coastal California on speaking engagements, educating audiences about California native plantings. It was at one of these lectures that Flores was “discovered” by a well-known landscape architect in Laguna Beach. That project—the Villa Elena Mansion—propelled him into the world of high-end landscaping. Flores went on to design the rolling gardens of the Gucci Mansion, whose owner sent him to Europe to study the “visionscapes” of France, Italy and England. Flores describes this immersion into historically significant art and sophisticated European lifestyles as an “intensely creative” time.

Today, Flores incorporates his exposure to art and architecture into all his projects. He prefers residential to commercial work because he values the collaborative relationships that develop with homeowners. He designs landscapes

around his clients’ lifestyles and especially loves creating intimate spaces for entertaining. Flores emphasizes that a garden can be visually interesting no matter what the size or budget and that even a tiny patio has great potential. His mantra is, “Keep it spinning and don’t get bored,” and also believes that, “A garden can’t just be given to someone; it has to be nurtured and appreciated.”

Renaissance Home Furnishings – A Desire To Inspire
By Shelly T. Hudson

Equal parts family business, warehouse showroom and design boutique, Renaissance Home Furnishings in historic San Juan Capistrano’s Home Center earns its reputation as South OC’s go-to home decorating resource. That reputation hasn’t come easily—owner Dennis Penman and his staff of designers have been known to help their crew offload containers at all hours of the day and night to keep a delivery deadline.

Penman and company’s dogged pursuit of customer satisfaction has won over a loyal following of discerning customers. Although he jokes that Renaissance is “the best kept secret in San Juan,” because of its tucked-away location, Penman knows that his 14 years in the home furnishings business have landed his store on the short list of both design professionals and savvy homeowners alike.

It helps that Renaissance provides 11,000 square feet of pure inspiration. Customers can stroll through the showroom and plop down on a squishy sofa while they flip through fabric samples or decide on the perfect lamp or artwork. From Old World European to contemporary to beach cottage-chic, the design staff works with each customer to determine his or her own version of “affordable luxury.” Since repeat customers (and their referred friends and neighbors) make up the bulk of the business, the staff and crew at Renaissance develop a familial relationship with them. In fact, it’s not unusual for a customer to stop by with homemade cookies as a thank you.

Now for the best part: because of the high volume of business Renaissance provides its manufacturers, the overhead and margins are kept low. Customers reap the benefits of the “40% off every day” philosophy and keep coming back. The instant gratification of purchasing items right from the selling floor combined with quick turn around times—even for custom pieces—solidifies the relationship.

In addition to offering beautiful home furnishings at reasonable prices at a quicker-than-average lead time, Renaissance Home Furnishings provides complimentary design services at every level. Louise Vincent and Robin Earp lead the design team, and they provide both in-store and in-home consultations. So whether you just need help choosing a rug or your house is an empty shell needing warmth and comfort (and paint, and flooring, and window treatments…), Louise and Robin are waiting to scramble. This hard-working staff has been known to furnish an entire home from ceiling to floor in two weeks! Louise describes this unusual service as “completion oriented.” With 27 years in the design business, she knows a thing or two about getting things done.

Another design service option offered at Renaissance is their “shop at home” program. This commitment-free home visit allows customers the opportunity to see and feel the furniture in their homes before they purchase. The designers arrive with everything—furniture, rugs, lighting, accessories. Once set up is completed, the client can select any or all of the design. It’s truly a stress-free, no obligation shopping experience for the customer.

These in-house services are more than a convenience; the one-stop shopping is a time saver and a budget saver. The one-to four-week turnaround on custom furnishings makes it easy to change your look seasonally. If it’s your turn to host the holidays this year and your home could use a little style boost, stop by the store or have a designer meet with you at home to put some ideas together. It’s easy and it’s free!

Loyal Renaissance customers, Kelly and Rob Hammons, describe their experience as “highly recommended and so easy.” The Hammons are transplants from the furniture capitol of the country—North Carolina. Kelly was most impressed with the follow-through of the design staff. She said she was kept informed of her custom order status and was surprised that the delivery estimates were right on. Her husband Rob echoed her sentiments. “The prices are highly competitive and the customer service is first-rate. I can’t say enough about the staff. They truly go the extra mile.