Contributors
Angelina Hardy is a Private Piano Teacher in the Carmel Valley San Diego community. She graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. In addition, she is a member of Music Teacher Association of California and currently serves on their board of directors in the San Diego chapter. Angelina is married to Jason Hardy, one of the lead Pastors at the Wave Church SD (a new church in Carmel Valley), and together they have two toddler boys whom they absolutely adore! They both love their jobs and love serving the Carmel Valley community and the amazing people that live here.
Bobby Buchanan is a Branding and Communication Expert. Along with being a Carmel Valley resident and local business-owner, he is a father to three wonderful kids and a husband to his life-long love Darcy Buchanan. Besides running Buchanan Design and Detour Photography, Bobby enjoys gardening, collecting orange objects and cooking for his family. His favorite foods include burgers, ribs, sushi, and Thai. He enjoys listening to a wide variety of music, such as 80′s, Classic Rock and POP.
Candy Stokes is a Carmel Valley resident and local business-owner. She is an Interior Design Specialist with a passion for giving back to her community. There are few things that energize Candy Stokes more than facing a room full of tumbled furniture and art with the challenge of transforming it into a buyer’s delight for resale, or a happy place for a family to live and flourish in. She recently took her passion and opened up her own staging and redesign company, Studio C Home Design. Four years ago, Candy and her husband Clay shifted their belongings and four children from the SF Bay Area to Carmel Valley, where Clay is co-pastor of Wave Church. In their spare time, the Stokes’ love to explore San Diego, find good places to eat, and hang out with their family and friends.
Christina Small and her husband Doug have lived in Carmel Valley for 11 years. They’ve been married for 12 and are loving it! They have two sons, ages 3 and 7. Her hobbies are surfing (when she gets an opportunity to), scrap booking, scuba diving and hiking. She quit my job to be a stay at home mom at the end of 2004, which she says was the best decision she has ever made. Though she does sometimes miss the life of a scientist, she have plenty of opportunities at home to share science with my kids.
Founder of Healthy Chats, Dr. Chrystal de Freitas is a pediatrician, author and mother of three children who has a special interest in health education. She completed her pediatric training at the University of Washington, in Seattle, WA, and has been in private practice for 22 years. She practiced with North County Health Services in Encinitas, for 6 years. In 2004, Dr. de Freitas opened her solo private practice of pediatrics, Carmel Valley Pediatrics in San Diego, CA.
Chris Placencia is a Carmel Valley business owner and studied Business Administration and Marketing at Cal State San Marcos. He owns and operates Jason Paul Marketing, which is an original and innovative marketing firm dedicated to helping its clients achieve the highest level of exposure via the Internet and Public Relations.
Christine Ellingsen is a Northern California native now practicing law as an estate planning attorney in Carmel Valley San Diego at the Barger Law Group, APC. She spent a year in New York working in the business sector before moving to Southern California to attend law school at the University of San Diego. She is happy to have started her law career in San Diego and to now call Encinitas home, where she keeps busy between exploring Coastal North County and training her new puppy.
Clay Stokes is a typical California transplant, having hailed from Nebraska, Texas, Colorado, and the SF Bay area before relocating to the community of Carmel Valley San Diego with his wife and 4 kids in 2007. Living here fits Clay and wife Candy like a glove. The ocean, the weather, the golf, sports and people are great. Clay also has a little Guy Fieri (host of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives) in him. Constantly on the hunt for “The Best Of” in terms of food, he and Candy often cruise for new “good eats” on their day off. Being co-Pastor of Wave Church and caring for the people here in Carmel Valley San Diego community gives Clay plenty of opportunities to glean opinions and invite others along on his quest.
As a freelance travel writer/photographer since 1988 Cynthia Dial has visited the world’s seven continents (most recently Antarctica) in quest of a good story . . . from getting her hair cut in Paris, horse whispering in Hawaii and touring Burma (Myanmar) only months after Aung San Suu Kyi’s release . . . to celebrating Summer Solstice within Finland’s Arctic Circle, hiking to Machu Picchu and visiting Molakai’s former leper colony atop a mule alongside a plunging cliff. In short, she experiences and writes about topics at the top of many readers’ bucket lists. Cynthia is author of the award-winning non-fiction book, Get Your Travel Writing Published. Now in its third printing it was published in London, England, and sold worldwide (U.S. distributor is McGraw-Hill). Among her outlets are national and international newspapers and magazines including Time magazine, Hemispheres, Destinations Weddings & Honeymoons, Shape, Dallas Morning News and the Toronto Star (which featured her around-the-world shopping column, Shopping Trips). She also contributes to TraveLife Magazine (distributed throughout Canada) and JustLuxe.com (a luxury portal receiving 2.1 million monthly hits). Radio experience includes World Footprints Radio (formerly Travel’n On) and the Travel Hub show on WorldTalk Radio, on which her No Passport Required segment was a regular feature. She additionally appears as a travel specialist on LiveFitMagazine.com. The travel-addicted writer admits that each time she steps onto an international flight, boards a train or steps onto a ship’s promenade deck to go to work, she congratulates herself on her career choice.
Dana Kittrelle is a Carmel Valley resident and Torrey Pines High School graduate. After graduating with a major in Economics and a minor in Biology from Pomona Collge in Claremont, CA, she joined the financial management firm Payden & Rygel as an economist to get some hands on professional experience. Return home to Carmel Valley after some time, she now is currently tutoring and helping local students refine their college applications to get into their top choice school.
Jim and his wife Jo have lived in Carmel Valley since 1987 and first got into the real estate business in 1992 after a successful career in the construction industry in South Africa. Kevin Dalzell joined the team in 2002 after playing professional rugby in Europe (represented the U.S. in two Rugby World Cups) and is now living with his wife, Nina, in Solana Beach. Ryan Dalzell coordinates the team’s marketing program, and he joined the group in 2004 after working as a flight instructor. Ryan lives in Carmel Valley with his wife Julie and their 3 children. Amber Worsham recently joined the team as the new Marketing Manager & Transaction Coordinator. With over five years of experience in marketing real estate in Coastal North County, Amber provides us with extensive expertise in the print, internet and direct marketing aspects of the business.
Dave Clegg is a self-taught amateur chef and recipe creator who has always been inspired by his mom’s great cooking. He has been cooking for over 40 years and has lived in Carmel Valley with his family since 1985. He created “Carmel Valley Kitchen” as a way to share his passion. Dave was recently selected as a semifinalist in the “Next Great! News Instructor Cooking Challenge” and his basic cheese cake took third place at the 2011 San Diego County Fair. Dave has a comprehensive knowledge of ingredients, equipment and cooking techniques that he is always happy to share.
Gillian Sky Walker believes in you! Her belief that her life’s calling is to be an inspiration and
source of encouragement to as many people as possibe led her to create shinygilly.com, where she offers
personal growth and wellness videos as Shiny Gilly. Gillian has over 15 years of counseling, teaching and speaking experience. She is the founder of Therapeutic Trance Training and leads several trainings a year, certifying others in this method. Her authentic and dynamic delivery makes wellness accessible and fun for
everyone. Her certifications include Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP Practitioner,
Registered Yoga Teacher and Reiki Master. Gillian spends most of her time speaking, teaching and filming. She and her husband run Shiny Gilly Productions, filming web content for local business owners out of their home studio. They also co-host a youtube show together where they discuss current events, interview local business owners, and answer relationship questions. They are finishing up a book on dating advice that will be released later this year.
Born and raised in San Diego, Dr. James Tasto attended University of San Diego High School where he lettered in both golf and wrestling. After earning a Bachelors in Science from Loyola Marymount University, Dr. Tasto graduated from University of Southern California Dental School with an emphasis on cosmetics and sports dentistry. Dr. James Tasto was selected by his peers to be included in the List of Top Dentists in San Diego for 2007 – 2011. He appeared in the May issue of San Diego Magazine. Dr. Tasto is also a member of D.O.C.S. (Doctors Offering Charitable Services), a local organization that offers medical services such as plastic surgery, vision and dental to the less fortunate patients in San Diego. Dr. Tasto currently resides in San Diego with his lovely wife Traci and their 3 children. He enjoys golf, beach volleyball and playing with his kids.
Janet Larson Melugin, M.S., is the creator of My Diary Unlocked, a social movement that merges meaningful diary entries with expert insights and guidance to enhance personal growth. Her motto, “share your story – make a difference,” is reflected in her work and in her life. As a young girl, Janet loved reading famous and inspirational quotes. She soaked in the wisdom and use it to propel her life in a progressive movement toward a deeper understanding of herself and others. Her career evolved from human resources development to more direct personal development. Janet’s passion led her from teaching at the top three universities in San Diego to become certified to teach Self-Esteem Seminars (FSS by Jack Canfield) and Redirecting Children’s Behavior (INCAF). Her self-esteem workshops have reached venues from Girl Scouts to unwed teen mothers to Barnes and Noble groups. Janet is the author of the forthcoming book, “My Diary Unlocked.” She lives in Carmel Valley with her husband and preteen daughter.
Joe Decker is recognized as “The World’s Fittest Man” after breaking the Guinness World Records® 24-Hour Physical Fitness Challenge in 2000. As an ultra-endurance power athlete, renowned fitness trainer, and motivational author and speaker, Joe has inspired thousands of people to take control and get into shape. He is a personal testament to overcoming fitness obstacles and leads by example. Overweight and out of shape at 25 years old he hit bottom. Joe transformed his body and life through his “Gut Check Fitness” method, known for its no nonsense approach to eating, exercise and life in general. He founded the hard core fitness company Gut Check Fitness and teaches boot camp-style workouts in San Diego, California. Joe certifies trainers in the “Gut Check Fitness” method and continues to challenge himself and others to strive to be the best they can be.
Karen helps attorneys, mediators, individuals and couples, navigate through the financial morass of divorce and widowhood. Her expertise lies in understanding the special tax and financial issues that can plague divorce and she helps clients get their financial fair share and equitable settlements. She provides financial analysis, projections and solutions so clients can avoid long-term regret over decisions made early on in divorce and widowhood. Karen offers a range of financial, investment and insurance services that address clients’ complete financial picture and long-term needs before, during and after marriage. She is currently writing a book entitled, “To Have and To Hold Onto Your Financial Fair Share: Financial Decision Making When Marriage Ends in Divorce or Death.”
Dr. Keith Kanner is a Licensed and Board Certified Clinical Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychologist and Psychoanalyst. In addition to a full-time private practice in Rancho Santa Fe, California, he is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine at the University of California San Diego where he teaches both human development and also trains medical students how to better understand and relate to their patients. He also serves as the Director of Clinical Counseling for La Jolla Country Day School in La Jolla, California, and is a Clinical Professor at The San Diego Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. Dr. Kanner also sits on the National Board of Directors for Kids Korps USA, which is the largest organization in the country that teaches children and adolescents the importance of volunteering to help the community at large. As a father of three children, he is also a dedicated baseball, football, and soccer coach.
Kristin Rude is the Owner and Center Director of FasTracKids, Del Mar & Carmel Valley. She previously taught in the Del Mar Union School District. Kristin obtained her teaching credential from the University of San Diego and has her Masters degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on second language learners. When Kristin is not working, motherhood keeps her plenty busy with her 2 children, Connor, age 3 & Katherine, age 2. She looks forward to having her own children benefit from the FasTracKids program. Spending time with her family, golfing, traveling, and continuously learning are among her favorite activities.
Kyle Brown is a health and nutrition expert whose portfolio includes everything from leading workshops for Fortune 500 companies and publishing nutrition articles in top-ranked fitness journals, to training celebrity clientele –from pro athletes to CEOs to multi-platinum recording artists. In 2010 and 2011, Kyle was voted San Diego’s Best Personal Trainer by the readers of The San Diego Union Tribune and Signonsandiego.com. Kyle is the CEO and the creator of FIT 365®, an all-natural, complete low-calorie meal in a shake. Kyle is also the author of the forthcoming book Secrets of a Champion.
Lindsey Smith is a Del Mar resident and founder of San Diego Office Properties. She serves as a trusted advisor for San Diego’s owners and occupiers of commercial space. Lindsey comes from a family of “serial entrepreneurs” and has a true passion for helping local businesses find office space that is aligned with their corporate strategy, culture and budget. Lindsey is a graduate of the University of San Diego. She began her real estate career in 2003 working at a large corporate brokerage house and founded San Diego Office Properties in 2012. San Diego Office Properties functions under the KW Commercial umbrella which allows clients access to a national platform and corporate resources while capitalizing on the flexibility that only a boutique firm can offer.
Liz Hughes serves on the North Shore Girls Softball League board as Fall Ball Coordinator and Social Media Director. She also has her own food blog called Virtually Homemade and is an experienced writer. Liz is a Carmel Valley San Diego community resident and mom to two wonderful kids and a wife to a loving husband. She will be working on behalf of North Shore Girls Softball League to feature information about youth athletics and also inform the community about their softball events and the North Shore Girls Softball League in general. We are excited to have both Liz and NSGSL as part of our growing “Sports” section.
Louis McKay has performed and taught Master dance and musical theater classes in 42 of our 50 states and Europe and South Africa. In 1980, Louis McKay opened Louis McKay Dance Studio, later to become North County Dance Arts, Inc., which is a teaching facility that is best known for its professional teaching staff and quality dance training. Dancers from beginning level to professional are taught technique, terminology, and discipline in a nurturing and fun environment. Louis currently lives in Carmel Valley San Diego with his wife Tanya and is the proud father of four grown children and two grandchildren. Louis and Tanya McKay also own DanceHearts, a 501 (c) (3) Public Charity called Bells of Freedom Program, serves military men, women and their families by providing emergency care and support, back to school backpack program, vehicle donations and the annual “The Big Thank You” Military Holiday Event.
Luis Espana is a current Carmel Valley resident and the proud business-owner of LGE Prime Plumbing. Born and raised in San Diego, Luis knew early on he was going to be a plumber. What he did not know was that his work was going to centered in one of the most community enriched areas in San Diego. This was the only location that he would come to decide was the best place to live and work for his family. Luis comes to share his experiences and tips for the local San Diego Carmel Valley residents. If you do happen to run into a problem, LGE Prime Plumbing The Carmel Valley Plumber, is dedicated to providing plumbing, drain cleaning, install & repairs for all Carmel Valley Residents and San Diego County.
Meghan Carraher is a passionate Sassoonhair stylist and colorist at Salona Mar Salon, a quaint boutique hair studio in Solana Beach, CA. In the fashion side of hair, Meghan has worked under world renknown Wella hairstylists in Los Angeles, bringing San Diego a taste of the celebrity treatment and trends yet in a comfortable and peaceful spa like salon. Her professional highlights include working the Emmy’s, Oscars, Grammy’s and Golden Globes, as well as leading ad campaigns for national brands including Charlotte Russe. Meghan uses her 10 year esthetician background to create a relaxing and unique hair experience, including hand/arm massages during color processes, options for facials/peel ad ons and waxing. Meghan prides herself on a perfect blow-dry that lasts for days, and amongst her peers is considered the Blow-out Queen!
Minh Nguyen is a professional Raw Fusion Chef and is the founder of “Minhs Living Tree.” His passion is helping people live a healthier life!! He believes that in order to do this, we must be physically, spiritually, and mentally healthy. Being physically fit is a great goal, but getting yourself mentally drained while trying to achieve this, is not healthy either. Having an understanding of your health and how the physical elements effect you is one of the keys to living a well balanced life. He holds classes every month in his home kitchen, the Pacific Athletic Club or various locations with Garden of Eden Organics that combines his specialty skills as a Raw Culinary Chef.
Our family created and distributed The Beach Break News, a local news magazine showcasing the coastal communities in north county san diego. We felt a website would be a fun way to continue spreading the word on what’s happening around our town and so Coastal Family Living was created. We share thoughts on local restaurants, events, favorite boutiques, raising children, and all things that inspire us like the many local families that have a great story that should be shared. We also love photography and love to share moments captured through a lens, whether it’s from our lens or yours. We are a family of five and we love our life!
Perry Chen is the youngest award-winning film/ entertainment critic & animator, artist, speaker, and entertainment personality. He started writing movie reviews at 8 using a kid-friendly starfish rating system, under the guidance of his mom Dr. Zhu Shen and his 3rd grade teacher Ms. Harris. Perry’s debut on the CBS Evening News in 2009 made him a national sensation. He has been featured extensively on local, national, and international media, including NPR, Fox, CNN, NBC, The Guardian, The China Press, and many more. He has interviewed prominent filmmakers at film festivals, red carpet premieres, and press junkets. He won a prestigious “Excellence in Journalism Award” at the San Diego Press Club in 2010 as its youngest member. Perry currently writes movie reviews for the Animation World Network, San Diego Union Tribune, Amazing Kids! Magazine, and his own Perry’s Previews website with a combined readership of over 2 million worldwide.
Just a little bit about myself…I was born and raised in California by two loving parents. My family loved taking vacations every summer, we traveled cross-country many times and when I was older went to Europe a couple of times. My love for travel, food, and hospitality in general was formed from the many fun and interesting experience gleaned from my childhood. I am positive and upbeat. I like to laugh and have a good time. My children and my job are my passions. I believe you need to be passionate about the people and things you love most. I’m excited to continue learning and growing within all aspects of the Hospitality Industry as I write this Blog and share my passions, feelings, and what I learn from each experience in the process.
Rich Mino, a financial advisor with Del Mar Financial Partners, Inc., works closely with families and small businesses in the Carmel Valley area. He is passionate about making a difference in his community through financial literacy programs, and focuses on building strong relationships with all of his clients so that he can be a resource to them where needed most. An active member of the Del Mar Kiwanis, Rich supports his Carmel Valley community through local service projects, and by sponsoring the Builders Club and Key Club leadership programs at Carmel Valley Middle and Torrey Pines High Schools. In 2012, he is working to implement a financial literacy educational program to help prepare and educate kids with the challenges that they will face as they begin and graduate from college. He is a registered representative of Securian Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. Securities dealer and registered investment advisor. Del Mar Financial Partners, Inc. is independently owned and operated. 12526 High Bluff Drive, Suite 280, San Diego, CA 92130. 438300 DOFU 01/2012
Robert has always gravitated towards art at a very early age. Even winning numerous awards in various mediums as a child. He’s always believed that he’ll become an architect one day, realizing later that life had different plans for him. After spending several years behind a drafting table and a successful decade on stage and on screen, he discovered photography on a dare. His connection with talent agencies gave him the break to start shooting fellow actors and celebrities and eventually led fashion photography. A self taught photographer, he had the great fortune of assisting and being mentored by some of the best commercial & fashion photographers. He has an extensive background in the studio and location, but is best recognized for his natural light photography. His work can be seen on a number of magazine covers/editorials and fashion campaigns. When he’s not shooting, he can be often found at the beach surfing or taking detours out on his motorcycle or blazing trails on his mountain bike with his dog Cole.
Dr. Steve Ronco is a Wellness Doctor & Family Chiropractor located in the Torrey Hills Marketplace in Carmel Valley San Diego. Dr. Ronco is committed to providing a level of care that nurtures and supports the true nature of health. This involves ‘caring’ for each person’s individual needs as well as providing the education necessary to foster an environment of prevention. In addition to working with adults, athletes and typical injuries, he holds a strong belief that taking care of children starting early on in their developmental years, provides the best opportunity to prevent minor issues from contributing to a lifetime of discomfort. Dr. Ronco continues to provide free lectures in his office weekly (Wednesday evenings) and strives to maintain an active level of community involvement: most notably when he and several colleagues created the original Chiropractic Relief Crew (C.R.C.) during the San Diego firestorms of 2003, volunteering their services to hundreds of firefighters on a daily basis.
Tommy Maurer has been interested in coaching and developing soccer players since 1999, when he moved back to San Diego after living in San Francisco for 15 years. His passion for coaching and mentoring young athletes was sparked after kicking the ball around with a family in Coronado. The parents suggested he become a coach and that is exactly what he did! The Sharks invited Tommy to coach two U-8 teams for the 1999 fall season and he hasn’t stopped being a part of the organization ever since. He currently is the Director of Sharks Recreation Soccer, which has allowed him to present the game of soccer to a great community and has given him the opportunity to coach and develop the skill of soccer players of all levels.
Trevor Sacco is the founder and president of Sacco Restaurant Group.With more than 25 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, Trevor is well versed in restaurant operations and performance, strategic planning, growth, risk management, procurement and development of food and beverage offerings. Having grown and operated several corporate powerhouses as well as his very own restaurants, Trevor is available to act as CEO or evaluate and implement strategies.
William Traenkle, the founder of Tranquilnet, was practically born to be a leader in the IT solutions field. William has been building and solving problems ever since he was a kid, and has dedicated his life to being on the cutting edge of technology and helping others take advantage of all modern technology can provide. A little over a year after graduating from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo (where he supported and managed the school’s infrastructure) in 2000, William founded Traenkle Networks.
Dr. Zhu Shen’s love for the movies started when she was a young girl, growing up in China during the Cultural Revolution where watching movies was the only entertainment available to the masses. Her journey to become a filmmaker took a convoluted path. She studied medicine at Peking Union Medical College before coming to the US and earning a Ph.D. in biochemistry from University of Colorado, and then an MBA from Cornell University’s Johnson School. She is a producer of the upcoming documentary feature “Average Joe on the Raw,” about journey into raw food and health. Dr. Shen is also an award-winning biotech executive, author, speaker, China business expert featured on national and trade media including CBS, Fox, Business Week, Pharmaceutical Executive, and more. She has worked at IBM, Bayer, Chiron, Immusol, and is the CEO of BioForesight, consulting on cross-Pacific life science business. *Photos of Perry Chen and Zhu Shen by Brian Bostrom
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