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M AY 2 02 1

Women's The

issue

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

MAY 2021 PUBLISHER

Michael Gerard | michael.gerard@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

The Female Leaders of Laguna Niguel TO OUR FEMALE READERS...

Barbara Kimler STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Karen Reuter ACCO UNT E XECUTI VE

Kristin Buchanan AD DESIGNER

Whitney Lockhart

Dog moms, cat moms, plant moms, human moms, career moms—calling all moms and pseudo-moms! We’re celebrating you this month and sharing stories of the difference you all make in our community.

L AYO UT DESIGNER

Dani Moore CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

We are so proud of the women here in Laguna Niguel, and we want you to know

Barbara Kimler, Mike Gerard

that no matter your age or occupation, you are a unique and crucial part of who we

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

are as a community.

Karen Reuter, Apollo Reyes, Steve Manivong

We wouldn’t be the same without you, so spoil yourself this month and enjoy the celebrations. In this issue, you can read about some local "Wonder Women" and maybe even make a new connection. If you’re interested in someone’s story, try reaching out on social media to learn even more! You never know what new opportunities and partnerships could come from it. Happy May, ladies. And thank you for all you do!

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

Michael Gerard, Publisher

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

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ON THE COVER OC Fashion Week® MODEL: RYLEE SPINKS FASHION DESIGNER: SAUL LIZACRI PHOTOGRAPHER: APOLLO REYES 4

Laguna Niguel Lifestyle | May 2021

CityLifestyle.com/LagunaNiguel

Proverbs 3:5-6 Laguna Niguel Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Laguna Niguel areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Laguna Niguel Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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INSIDE THE ISSUE MAY 2021

FEATURES 12 Greta Boris: A Women’s Journey The Road to Becoming a Best-Selling Mystery Author

18 Return of the Swallows Mission San Juan Capistrano Opens on St. Joseph’s Day

22 Wonder Women Local Ladies Who are Making

the World a Better Place

30 The Flower

30 12 DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Good Times

Local’s Choice

22 Local Limelight 30 Inspired By

GOOD TIMES

OC Fashion Week® Returns to the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel OC Fashion Week® returned to the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel from March 20-22. The three-day event was a huge success and featured designers from all over the world—including celebrity designer Pol’ Atteu and Patrik Simpson, his co-star on the Emmy Award-winning Amazon Prime Series Gown and Out in Beverly Hills. OCFashionWeek.com | PHOTOS: STEVE MANIVONG

Laguna Niguel Lifestyle | May 2021

OC Fashion Week® (continued) “OC Fashion Week® provided a stunning locale, overlooking the ocean, to showcase gowns from my 2021 couture collection,” said Pol’ Atteu. “This was a great kick-off to the upcoming awards season, where my designs will be worn by celebrities on the red carpet. Thanks to Kathy Marino and the OC Fashion Week® team.” OCFashionWeek.com | PHOTOS: STEVE MANIVONG

CityLifestyle.com/LagunaNiguel

WHAT DO WE DO? We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

The Laguna Niguel Rotary Foundation raises funds for local non-profits: • Family Assistance Ministries • So County Outreach • Wells of Life • Laura’s House • The Ocean Institute • The YMCA We also sponsor a local dental clinic, award scholarships to local high school seniors, provide dictionaries to Laguna Niguel third graders, participate in community food drives, and much more. . . Service Above Self!

Want to make a difference?... Join Us Today! LagunaNiguelRotaryClub.org

Laguna Niguel Lifestyle | May 2021

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LOCAL’S CHOICE

G R E TA B O R I S :

A WO M E N ’ S JOURNEY THE ROAD TO BECOMING A BEST-SELLING MYSTERY AUTHOR ARTICLE BARBARA KIMLER | PHOTOGRAPHY KAREN REUTER

Laguna Niguel Lifestyle | May 2021

N HER OWN WORDS, GRETA BORIS HAD A LOVELY HOME, A

GREAT HUSBAND, AWESOME KIDS, GOOD HEALTH, AND A CUTE DOG. There was only one thing wrong - she was miserable! Raised by an opera singing, piano playing, voice coach and a magazine publisher in Greenwich Village, New York, her original life plan was to be a famous Broadway actor, singer, and dancer; but a move to Southern California set her on a different course.

“Sin is ultimately just bad behavior, and you don’t have a crime without bad behavior. Boris experienced a variety of careers from marketing, teaching for independent study programs to exercise instructor, personal trainer, and health and wellness director for a local YMCA. She says that nothing felt quite right until a ‘stream of words entered her brain.’ While she didn’t understand why they were important at the time, she followed her instinct and started writing. Here’s what followed and how Boris became a USA TODAY bestselling author of the Seven Deadly Sins series. 1. HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS SERIES? I love psychological suspense novels and wanted to try my hand at them. By definition psychological suspense features an ‘everyman’—or in my case woman—character who runs into big trouble. They’re not detectives, cops, journalists, or Navy Seals. They’re business people, school teachers; essen-

G RETA BORIS

tially they are your neighbors. It didn’t make sense to have a real estate agent (my main character in the first book, A Margin of Lust) run into a serial killer more than once in a lifetime, so I knew each novel had to have its own protagonist. How to link a series of books that each have a different heroine was my problem—hence The Seven Deadly Sins. Sin is ultimately just bad behavior, and you don’t have a crime without bad behavior. It seemed like a good jumping-off point to pick a sin as a theme and explore it. The books are all set in Orange County, and many of the characters know each other and show up in each other’s stories.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/LagunaNiguel

LOCAL’S CHOICE (CONTINUED)

2. A PINCH OF GLUTTONY AND THE COLOR OF ENVY BOTH TAKE PLACE AROUND A FICTIONAL VERSION OF LAGUNA NIGUEL. WAS THERE A PARTICULAR INSPIRATION BEHIND THIS IDEA? I used to live in Laguna Niguel, and I love the town. There was once a cooking supply store off Town Center. When I decided on a chef who also owned a cooking supply store as one of my main characters (A Pinch of Gluttony) that location came to mind. If the store was there, why not her home as well? Her best friend is the hero of The Color of Envy, so I moved her next door. The streets they live on and the shop itself is fiction. I didn’t think it would be nice to kill someone in an actual location, but readers will recognize many of the streets. 3. HOW HAS THIS PAST YEAR AFFECTED YOUR WRITING CAREER AND LIFE IN GENERAL? Many writers I know really slowed down, understandably.

They

were

emotionally

impacted by the pandemic and found it difficult to write. For me, writing became an escape. Since I couldn’t go anywhere, and I didn’t want to think about world events, I wrote a lot! I finished edits on A Pinch of Gluttony, wrote The Key of Greed (releases in June) and I’ll finish The Peril of Pride in April 2021. I also hit the USA Today list with a new novella in a multi-author anthology. Writing kept me out of trouble.

“For me, writing became an escape. Since I couldn’t go anywhere, and I didn’t want to think about world events, I wrote a lot!” 14

Laguna Niguel Lifestyle | May 2021

4. WHAT’S NEXT? DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER SERIES IN THE WORKS? I do! The novella I wrote for the anthology, Mortuary School, is set in a darker but more humorous world. My protagonist begins the series as a hairstylist. When she’s called to do the hair and makeup for a client’s funeral, she discovers an unusual ability. She feels the final emotions of the dead when she touches their hair. Of course, mystery and mayhem ensue. My plan is to release two full-length Mortician Mysteries at the end of 2021. To learn more, visit gretaboris.com.

“My plan is to release two fulllength Mortician Mysteries at the end of 2021.”

CityLifestyle.com/LagunaNiguel

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ARTICLE BARBARA KIMLER | PHOTOGRAPHY KAREN REUTER

of the sw n allo t o ur a t a s n s w n jua n re ssio a n ca istr i p m

HISTORIC LANDMARK OPENS TO PUBLIC ON ST. JOSEPH’S DAY MISSION SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO IS NOW OPEN FOR VISITORS AND CELEBRATED ST. JOSEPH DAY AND THE ANNUAL, WORLD-RENOWNED, RETURN OF THE SWALLOWS ON MARCH 19. “Mission San Juan Capistrano proudly opened its doors this year on St. Joseph’s Day after last year’s events were canceled and the bells were silenced. Although our festivities have been reduced or shifted to virtual experiences, the bells rang as we welcomed everyone home, including the swallows,” said Mission San Juan Executive Director Mechelle Lawrence Adams. 18

Laguna Niguel Lifestyle | May 2021

Saint Joseph’s Day, a feast day marked by the Catholic Church, has been celebrated on March 19 since the 10th century. Mission San Juan Capistrano

began

celebrating

the

Return of the Swallows on Saint Joseph’s Day in the 1920’s when then Mission resident priest Father St. John O’Sullivan wrote the legendary swallows story on St. Joseph Day, which happened to be his birthday. Swallows migrate 6,000 miles from Goya, Argentina to San Juan Capistrano in large groups. Some cliff swallow colonies number more than 3,500 nests found under the eaves of the Mission. The gourd-shaped nests are made of mud pellets consisting of sand, silt, and clay while the nest chambers are lined with grass and feathers.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/LagunaNiguel

RETURN OF THE SWALLOWS (CONTINUED)

ang as w r s l l e e be we n e o lco cluding the n th ery i v m , e e d sw e m all ho ows Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that features permanent exhibits with original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits. Orange County’s only Mission, the site is home to Serra Chapel, The Great Stone Church, and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing and promotes faith, education, preservation, and cultural event programming. Founded on November 1, 1776, by Saint Junipero Serra as the seventh of 21 California missions established by Spain, Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and receives no church or state funding. The Mission Preservation Foundation, comprised of business and community leaders, is its fundraising entity committed to ensuring education, preservation, and its long-term historic and religious significance. missionsjc.com

Laguna Niguel Lifestyle | May 2021

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LOCAL LIMELIGHT ARTICLE BARBARA KIMLER | PHOTOGRAPHY KAREN REUTER

LOCAL LADIES WHO ARE MAKING OUR WORLD A BETTER PLACE

K E L LY R E Y N O L D S Kelly Reynolds is Regional Vice President, Pacific for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The territory this Wonder Woman leads includes nine States and American Samoa. Kelly’s strategic leadership builds the capacity of local Boys & Girls Clubs everywhere. She brings organizations together through shared vision and collaboration. With over 25 years of experience partnering with nonprofit leaders, Kelly has raised millions of dollars to support nonprofit growth and sustainability. She has led projects in dense markets that have created new business models used nationally. Boys & Girls Clubs serve over 4 million young people in 4700 locations across the country. “There is no silver bullet to success,” says Kelly. “It takes an army of people, a safe environment, high-quality programs, and unique experiences to level the playing field for all kids. Boys & Girls Clubs don’t do just one thing, we do whatever it takes to build great futures for America’s young people.” Kelly lives in Aliso Viejo with her husband Wendell and two children Christopher (17), Erin (14), and dog Bailey. She volunteered for 5 years on the Advancement Committee at St. Anne School as well as on the Diversity, Inclusion, Vision, and Equity Committee for Santa Margarita Catholic High School where she is currently a thought partner and resource. bgca.org

Laguna Niguel Lifestyle | May 2021

Wonder Women

INGRID TRENTON Ingrid Trenton’s heart is as big and booming as her Brazilian-accented voice. As the Daycare Director at St. Anne School in Laguna Niguel, Ingrid is beloved by students, staff, and alumni alike. Whether she’s dancing while directing carpool or allowing students to make an ice cream sundae on her head, Ingrid brings her joyful spirit to campus each day. Ingrid’s big heart is evident in the various outreach programs she works tirelessly to organize at St. Anne. From collecting donations and assembling Easter baskets for families in need to food drives, shoe drives, and gift drives at Christmas, Ingrid always puts the needs of others first. Ingrid holds a degree in both business and nursing from her native country of Brazil. She earned her early childhood education credential after coming to the United States and was one of the first people hired when St. Anne School opened in 1992. She not only directs the school’s popular daycare program but also supervises lunchtime and runs the Summer Knights Day Camp. From preschool to middle school, students benefit from her advice, direction, and compassion and never want to disappoint Miss Ingrid. According to St. Anne parent, Mrs. Mailan Nguyen Moore, “Ingrid is the cog and gears of St. Anne School.” st-anne.org

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/LagunaNiguel

LOCAL LIMELIGHT (CONTINUED)

J E N A M I N N I C K- B U L L Jena Minnick brings a unique combination of businesswoman, educator, performer, and parent to the dance education industry. As founder and executive director of South Coast Conservatory, Minnick-Bull is a mentor and inspiration to thousands of children in our community. Considered one of the area’s top dance studios, South Coast Conservatory’s goal has remained the same for 25 years: Change lives through the power of dance. Her state-of-the-art facility in Laguna Niguel offers professional dance instruction from beginners to professionals for students of all ages. The facility boasts eight dance studios, a Pilates Room, a tumbling/aerial gym, and a retail store. There are also two pre-professional dance companies, master classes with guest teachers from around the world along with a teacher training program and a National Honors Society of Dance Arts chapter. South Coast Conservancy partners with the brightest and most compassionate dance educators and hosts professional dance companies to inspire dancers through progressive training from certified programs. In 2010, Minnick-Bull founded the nonprofit Dance Discovery Foundation (DDF) to instill key life skills and confidence through dance. DDF provides pathways to education, scholarships, leadership, and performance opportunities for those who would not have the opportunity otherwise. scconservatory.com 24

Laguna Niguel Lifestyle | May 2021

DONNA KALEZ AND GISELE ANDERSON Meet Wonder Women Donna Kalez and Gisele Anderson. This dynamic duo successfully trademarked Dana Point as the Dolphin & Whale Capital of the World in 2020. Co-directors of the Dana Point Whale Watching Company, Donna and Gisele navigated the lengthy process to designate Dana Point as the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas, as established by the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA), the world’s largest marine conservation partnership dedicated to the promotion of safe and sustainable whale watching. A Whale Heritage Site is an outstanding location where cetaceans (whales, dolphins, or porpoises) are embraced through the cultural, economic, social, and political lives of associated communities, and where people and cetaceans coexist authentically and respectfully. Kalez says, “To have Dana Point recognized as a Whale Heritage Site is a dream and has been a goal of mine for some time.” Anderson added, “Being the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas is an amazing accomplishment and serves to further give Dana Point and the whales and dolphins that live and visit here the recognition they deserve.” Criteria for acceptance are focused on protection, sustainability, education, research, public access, and community support. To learn more, visit whaleheritagesites.org.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/LagunaNiguel

LOCAL LIMELIGHT (CONTINUED)

MECHELLE L AW R E N C E A D A M S As executive director of Mission at San Juan Capistrano, Mechelle Lawrence Adams is working relentlessly to keep our rich California Heritage alive. The Mission is a 240-year-old California landmark chapel, museum, and gardens. Now, in the 21st century, Mechelle is ensuring it can be appreciated in new ways by students, the faithful, arts and culture lovers, history buffs, and those in need of respite during challenging times. Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded as the 7th of 9 missions established by Saint Serra on November 1, 1776. Ultimately, it would become one of 21 California missions built. Preservation remains a top priority for Mechelle and her team. And adopting a stance of inclusivity in its interpretive voice is key. This ensures visitors of all ages can develop a deeper appreciation for the Mission’s historic and religious significance. Like all of this month’s Wonder Women, Mechelle Lawrence Adams is a humble community servant. She is quick to remind us that it’s the engaged community, at large, that is ensuring our historic landmark is accessible and inspiring for future generations. missionsjc.com

CHELSEA THORNTON Chelsea Thornton is the local mom, wife, cheerleader, chef, chauffeur, and adventure enthusiast behind SouthOCMoms. After growing up on Balboa Island, and attending the University of Arizona, she spent a semester studying abroad in Florence, Italy. There, the adventure bug bit and hasn’t let go since. In the blink of an eye, she was married with three children under the age of four. Even with three small kids, she remained an uber-organized and thorough researcher. Case in point, when it came to deciding on a kindergarten for their son, Chelsea created color-coded spreadsheets to evaluate every available option. She did the same with summer camps and other adventures for children. Friends took notice; and soon after, the social media powerhouse, SouthOCMoms, was born. Chelsea immediately immersed herself in Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, WordPress, and photo editing. Today, she one of our county’s most popular Mom Bloggers. Chelsea’s mantra is: Giving Moms the Gift of Time. “If I can save one Mama from having to leave their kiddos to research something online, then I have definitely succeeded!” @southoc_moms 26

Laguna Niguel Lifestyle | May 2021

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INSPIRED BY

THE FLOWER, SO LUXURIOUS TO ADORN THE GRANDEST OF EVENTS AND WEALTHIEST OF SPACES AND YET SO SIMPLE AND COMMON THAT EVEN CHILDREN ARE FOUND RUNNING THROUGH FRONT DOORS WITH HANDFULS FOR THEIR MOTHER. The flower attends practically every special occasion from wedding celebrations to welcoming new babies into the world.

Laguna Niguel Lifestyle | May 2021

PHOTOGRAPHY JANIE JONES

THE FLOWER It is often used as a gesture of love as it is given to a sweet-

to their blooms? Whatever it is, I am thankful for their presence in all

heart, used as a symbol of remembrance on anniversaries

the different times, reasons and seasons.

and a thoughtful act of congratulations at graduations of

The flowers of spring are my favorite of them all. After a long

all kinds. The flower even reaches past joy into the spaces

cold and dark winter, hope of summer is born in a Spring flower.

of hardship, loss and mourning. Never a misplaced sight

Claude Monet once said, “I must have flowers, always, and always.” I

to find a flower tucked somewhere in a hospital room or

couldn’t agree more, especially as my heart and bones begin to thaw

somewhere close by a sickbed. The flower is welcomed into

from winter. As spring continues to slowly roll in, I encourage you to

our moments of grief as we gather at funerals to celebrate a

take the chance to bring flowers into your home or workplace. Here

life lived. The flower is rarely invited but always welcomed,

are a few ideas to inspire the beauty and joy that the flower can most

accepted, and even expected there. What is it that draws us

certainly bring this spring.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/LagunaNiguel

INSPIRED BY (CONTINUED)

{I PROMISE, THEY ARE} FAUX-REAL BOUQUETS I have a secret! More than half of the flowers in my spring tablescape are faux. Can you tell which ones are which? I’ll reveal one of them... all of my white tulips are faux! I am sure I’ve made all Florists cringe but in my humble opinion, when you mix faux flowers with real ones it really does something magical. Not only do faux look real next to real flowers but the whole bouquet lasts so much longer (I mean, half of them aren’t going to die anyway so I guess that’s pretty obvious). Mixing faux-real does a trick on the eye and I promise that you cannot tell the difference. There are, however, a lot of really bad obviously-faux flowers out there so follow these simple tips to get the best looking ones. FAUX FLOWER TIP #1: When hunting for the best faux flowers, look for the colors that you would see in nature. For example, in the natural world, flowers are often brightly colored but never, ever neon (save that for an outfit at your next 80’s party). FAUX FLOWER TIP #2: Choose faux flowers that have a natural looking shape as real flowers are rarely perfect and never identical. Stay away from faux flowers that are totally perfect. Perfect is not real life. FAUX FLOWER TIP #3: When choosing faux florals don’t forget to keep an eye on the stems and leaves. Go for a finish that is textured and never high gloss or smooth. Check out my faux floral highlight on instagram to see the difference. @silvertoothfarmhome. FAUX FLOWER TIP #4: Unlike real flowers where you can use a floral frog to secure stems into place, faux flowers work much better if you use chicken wire inside your vase. Using chicken wire lets you place flowers exactly where you want them and they stay put. FAUX FLOWER TIP #5: When arranging faux flowers (even if you aren’t mixing with real flowers), always, always add water to the vase. Seeing the water is another eye trick that will make your faux flowers look completely real.

Laguna Niguel Lifestyle | May 2021

The flowers of spring are my favorite of them all. After a long cold and dark winter, hope of summer is born in a Spring flower.

CityLifestyle.com/LagunaNiguel

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