Life + Culture

Sawdust Art Festival Turns 60

Laguna Beach’s iconic event welcomes families all summer Article by Paige Candee | Photography by Courtesy of Sawdust Art Festival Tucked beneath towering eucalyptus trees in Laguna Beach Canyon, the Sawdust Art Festival is celebrating a major milestone this summer: 60 years of art, community, and creative spirit. Now open through September 6, the beloved festival continues to draw families, art lovers, and curious visitors looking for an experience that feels both vibrant and deeply rooted in...

Local Services

Paws & Purpose

A Laguna Niguel couple channels love, loss, and new beginnings into a pet-centered business built on care, connection, and community Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Autumn Ricketts Within the span of a year, Jiten and Charisma Bhakta welcomed their first child, rescued a puppy named Max, and opened Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming in Laguna Niguel. It was a season marked by both new beginnings and difficult goodbyes. The same day they learned they were expecting their first child...

Education

Local History Alive

A hands-on Laguna Hills museum makes regional history engaging, interactive, and family-friendly Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Eric Stoner History may not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a family outing, but the Moulton Museum is changing that.  Housed in converted storefronts in Laguna Hills, the museum brings interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and engaging community programs, the museum invites visitors to discover what shaped South Orange County. ...

Sports + Recreation

A Different Kind of Sport

Laguna Fencing Center offers kids focus, discipline, and a place to belong Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Travis Shields For many kids, sports are a way to build skills, make friends, and discover what they are capable of. At Laguna Fencing Center, those lessons happen with a mask, a weapon, and a healthy dose of strategy. Leading the way is founder and head coach Nick Dinu, whose passion has grown into a thriving community in Orange County. “My journey into fencing began when I...

Education

Where Passion Meets Purpose: Fairmont San Juan Capistrano

Passion-Driven. Purpose-Led. Personally Known. Article by Debbie Speik | Photography by Fairmont Video Team For many South Orange County parents, choosing a school comes down to one essential question: Can my child be challenged to achieve more while still being understood, supported, and valued as an individual? At Fairmont San Juan Capistrano, those priorities are central to the school experience. Serving students from preschool through grade 8, Fairmont SJC combines rigorous academics...

Travel

Cruise Adventures, Tailored For You

Experience August in Alaska with personal guidance, wildlife wonders, and glacier-filled days Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Mark McCready There are journeys that simply fill a passport, and there are journeys that change the way we see the world. A voyage through Alaska, especially in August, is the kind of experience that stays with you long after you return home. Towering glaciers drift beside the ship, whales rise from the water without warning, and majestic wildlife move...

Fitness

Discover Pilates

An inviting path to strength, healing, and deeper mind–body connection at Blue Moon Pilates Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by TVFPhotos and Krista Mason Photography For Kelly Leonardi, movement has always been about more than performance. Before founding Blue Moon Pilates in 2002, the Orange County studio owner spent 15 years as a professional ballet dancer, performing nationally and internationally. Those years spent onstage shaped the way she approaches movement, instruction, and...

Education

Explore What Your Child Can Achieve

Use summer’s breathing room to bridge learning gaps, build confidence, and spark lasting academic growth Article by Heather Whitsitt | Photography by Huntington Learning Center With summer in full swing, the door is open to slower schedules, more flexibility, and time to refocus. Yet, according to Dr. Deanna Tang, Executive Director of Huntington Learning Center in Laguna Niguel, the season also offers something meaningful—the opportunity to unlock a child’s potential before school is back in...

Local Services

Explore With Confidence

Discovering the right senior living path with guidance, clarity, and care Article by Paige Candee | Photography by Travis Shields Exploring senior living options often begins with quiet concern: late-night research, difficult conversations, and a desire to find the right path for someone you love. It’s a journey that can feel uncertain, emotional, and overwhelming, especially when families are unsure of where to begin or who to trust. In South Orange County, Jay Minor of Assisted Living...

Travel

A Hero-Worthy Escape on the California Coast

Explore Gaylord Pacific Resort, where DC adventures, luxury amenities, and bayfront beauty create an unforgettable summer destination Article by Kara Witherow | Photography by Gaylord Pacific Resort Just seven miles from downtown San Diego, an extraordinary new destination has redefined the California getaway. Nestled along the scenic Chula Vista Bayfront, Gaylord Pacific Resort blends dramatic ocean, bay, and mountain views with unforgettable experiences designed for every type of traveler...