DECEMBER 2011 Did USC Trojan mascot have a connection with

Transcription

DECEMBER 2011
AROUND
ALHAMBRA
PUBLISHED BY THE ALHAMBRA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Christmas-themed
events abound.
See 2B-3B, 13B-19B
Santa to light Christmas Tree in Downtown Alhambra
The official start of the holiday season begins with Downtown Alhambra’s Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5:30
to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 at Renaissance Plaza, the northeast corner of Garfield and Main. Santa will arrive
by fire truck to light the Christmas tree at 6 p.m. and will be available until 9 p.m. for free pictures with
Santa. Complimentary refreshments will be served. The annual event is hosted by the Downtown Alhambra
Business Association. For more information, phone 626-282-5767.
SECTION B
life
community
seniors / health
dining / entertainment
auto / real estate
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP
PAGE 2B
SENIOR
Suggestions to find
gifts for seniors
SEE PAGE 4B
HEALTH ... PAGE 8B
DINING &
ENTERTAINMENT
Souplantation’s menu
reflects customer taste
SEE PAGE 13B
AUTO
Wondries Collision
provides expert repair
SEE PAGE 24B
Did USC Trojan mascot have a
connection with movie Ben-Hur?
B Y GARY FRUEHOLZ , D ILBECK R EALTORS
The fall of each year reminds Southern Californians of our rich local heritage with collegiate
football. And one of the nation’s best known college mascots is the University of Southern
California’s Trojan Horse mounted by a Trojan
warrior.
The beautiful white horse, known as Traveler,
has been a staple of the school’s football pride for
decades and nicely ties into the name of the
school’s athletic teams, the Trojans.
Alhambra has many USC alumni, and I am an
alum of the school, so many of us find this interesting.
USC’s athletic teams acquired their name of
Trojans in the 1920s. The Tommy Trojan statue
on campus was dedicated in 1930, but the Trojan
warrior on a white horse did not appear until decades later. What lead USC supporters to put a
Trojan warrior on a white horse in the first place?
Does the mascot of Tommy Trojan on a horse
derive its presence merely from the nick- name of
athletic teams and Greek mythology, or is there
an additional source of momentum and inspiration that helped create the beloved symbol of
school pride?
“Before there was Mutiny on the Bounty, before there was Lawrence of Arabia, before there
was Doctor Zhivago, there was Ben-Hur,” said
Ernest Dickerson, award-winning cinematogra-
pher of Malcolm X, in a
1990s interview stressing
the impact of Ben-Hur
on the motion picture industry.
And before there was
Tommy Trojan on a
white horse at each football home game, there
was Ben-Hur.
Ben-Hur was released Gary Frueholz
in November of 1959 so
it would be eligible for the 1960 Academy Awards.
During 1960 and 1961, Ben-Hur grossed more
than $74 million ($780 million in today’s dollars)
to become one of the greatest grossing motion pictures of all time as it saved MGM from bankruptcy
and won 11 Academy awards. Ben-Hur was not
only an epic movie, but was also a powerful merchandising brand.
Traveler with Tommy Trojan made their first
appearance at USC football games in the home
opener in 1961 and have been a fixture ever since.
Bob Jani, then the director of special events for
the school, and Eddie Tannenbaum, a USC student at the time, convinced a horse owner named
Richard Saukko to ride his steed at the games.
My thinking here is that there is a connection
between the movie Ben-Hur winning all those
Academy Awards in 1960 and Tommy Trojan’s first
appearance on a white horse in the fall of 1961. I
decided to contact the “Traveler Fund,” Traveler’s
support group at USC, via e-mail and see what
they thought of my theory.
The response was fairly predictable. “The answer is no. It is strictly coincidental (the appearance of Tommy Trojan on a white horse in 1961
after the movie was released),” the e-mail from the
group reported back to me. The e-mail went on to
explain that, “Richard Saukko was wearing
Charlton Heston’s costume in the 1961 (Rose)
Parade when Bob Jani and Eddie Tannenbaum saw
him.”
Hmmm. I know they are trying to say there is
not a connection, but doesn’t their explanation
really support my theory? If there is no movie, then
there is no Charlton Heston costume to wear in
the Rose Parade.
The color and breed of Traveler may also be
more than a coincidence. Heston’s beautiful four
chariot horses in the movie are all white and purebred Arabians, as is Traveler. The four Ben-Hur
horses are named Antares, Altair, Aldebaran, and
Rigel - all after stars in prominent nighttime constellations.
Continued. Please turn to Page 26B
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 2B
12/2011
Christmas In The Air
Center for Performing Arts promotes $5 senior, military,
student discount tickets; Mozart Festival, Dec. 3
The Center for the Visual &
Performing Arts (CVPA) at Sage
Granada Park United Methodist
Church is celebrating its sixth
year anniversary with discount
tickets for seniors, military (veterans and active duty) and students who have an appreciation
for the performing arts.
“CVPA is a community outreach program of 87-year-old
Sage Granada Park United Methodist Church. As a gesture of appreciation for our patrons and a
way to provide more support to
the local community, we will offer special discount tickets of $5
to seniors (55+), military, and
students (with ID) for the upcoming Alhambra Mozart Festival at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec 3,”
said William Yee, executive director of the center and a founding
board member.
Mr. Yee said future programs
will also be eligible for special senior, military, and student pricing, which will be at least 50%
off the normal $15 – $20, the
suggested donation ticket price.
The center is also hosting two
events by musicians from UCLA
and USC over the next few
months. At 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec.
3, the Alhambra Mozart Festival
will feature UCLA’s Philharmonic Conductor Professor/Director of Orchestral Studies Neal
Stulberg performing on the
center’s fully restored 1918 Mason
& Hamlin grand
piano
with
Guillaume Sutre,
professor of violin
and director of
string chamber
music at UCLA
Herb Albert School
of Music. Their
Mozart program
will include Sonata
K380 in E flat (Allegro, Andante con
moto, Rondeau),
Sonata k306 in D
(Allegro con spirit,
A n d a n t e
Cantabile, Allegretto), and Sonata
K454 in B flat (Largo-Allegro,
Andante, Allegretto).
On Feb. 18, the center will
be host to USC’s Thornton
School of Music violin students
of renowned violinist Midori in
recital.
The Center for the Visual &
Performing Arts is a community
outreach program of Sage
Granada Park United Methodist Church, 1850 W. Hellman
Ave., Alhambra.
For information on upcoming performances and the discount ticket prices, contact Mr.
Yee at 626-230 5435, or e-mail
[email protected].
Visit the center’s Web site at
www.cvpaministry.com.
Celebrate Advent & Christmas at
First Baptist Church of Alhambra
Christmas is just around the corner and we have great opportunities for both children and adults
to give musical worship to our Lord for the holiday season! Join us in the Woship Center for ...
Sunday, Dec. 4
The Great Christmas Giveaway
Children’s Choir • 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 24
Christmas Eve
Worship
Saturday, Dec. 24, 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11
Communion
9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Sunday
Sunday, Dec. 18
Christmas Day
Light Looked
Down
Celebration Choir
9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m
and New Years Day
O Holy Night
We will have one worship service
at 10:45 a.m.
First Baptist Church of Alhambra
101 South Atlantic Blvd. Alhambra CA 91801 • (626) 570-1511
www.discoverthejoy.com
Childcare provided for infants through kindergarten ages
12/2011
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP / AROUND ALHAMBRA
Experience San Gabriel’s newest holiday tradition
San Gabriel Valley Music Theatre,
which recently presented the hit Broadway show Flower Drum Song, will host
a Holiday Extravaganza at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec.10 at the San Gabriel Country Club.
Guests will enjoy a fine dining experience while being serenaded into the
holiday spirit by stars of the music theatre.
“The evening will include door prizes,
raffle items, amazing cuisine, and outstanding music creating a festive atmosphere to share with friends and family,” said Sally Baldwin, president of the
San Gabriel Valley Music Theatre. “Last
year’s Holiday Extravaganza sold out, so
be sure to call for more information or
to purchase tickets at 626-282-1440.”
The San Gabriel Valley Music Theatre will offer business packages for this
event for organizations wanting to give
a holiday treat to employees. All proceeds go to support the arts within the
community.
Tickets are $95 per person. The price
includes a waiter-server dinner and the
floor show.
Formed in 2004, the San Gabriel Valley Music Theatre’s mission is to preserve
and present Broadway musicals in the
San Gabriel Valley and has presented a
broad range of high-quality musical
events at affordable prices at the historical San Gabriel Mission Playhouse.
The music theatre will present “An
Evening of Andrew Lloyd Webber,” featuring some of the greatest hits of
Broadway’s composer Andrew Lloyd
Webber, in 2012.
For more information, visit the
theatre’s Web site at www.sgvmusictheatre.org,
or phone 626-282-1440.
PAGE 3B
SENIOR NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 4B
12/2011
Seniors / Retirees News|Activities, Projects, Features
Cowboys, shopping included in Senior Outings
Dec. 6 is the next Senior Outings registration day. Trips in January include
the Gene Autr y Museum and the
Americana in Glendale on Jan. 10 and
a visit to Victoria Gardens on Jan. 27.
Registration for the final Senior Outings of 2011 took place in November
but a quick phone call to 626-570-5056
will provide information concerning any
openings for the trip to Huntington
Harbor, for dinner and a view of the
Cruise of Lights, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Dec. 15.
The Gene Autry Museum and
Americana outing, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10, kicks off the New
Year in style, with a little bit of Western
culture and a large dose of shopping
(lunch not included). Now called the
Autry National Center, formed in 2003
by the merger of the Autry Museum of
Western Heritage with the Southwest
Museum of the American Indian and
the Women of the West Museum, the
Autry is an intercultural history center
dedicated to exploring and sharing the
stories, experiences, and perceptions of
the diverse people of the American West.
Their exhibitions, whatever the subject,
are always top notch and rife with fascinating information. The fee is $12.
Then it’s off to The Americana at
Brand for lunch (lunch not included)
at one of its many choice restaurants and
shopping at a wide variety of shops, in-
Joslyn Center
Alhambra Senior Tours
Decking the Halls at Joslyn Adult Rec. Center
Santa will make an appearance at 11 a.m. Friday Dec. 23 at the Holiday
Luncheon Celebration and Auld Lang Syne will be the theme song of the New
Year’s Eve Luncheon Celebration at 11 a.m. Friday Dec. 30.
Phone at least two days in advance, 626-458-4455, to make a reservation.
Suggested donation is $2. The monthly birthday luncheon celebration is scheduled for at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7. Make sure to be healthy for the holiday season and beyond by attending one or both of the last Informational
Seminars of the year:
• “Identifying and Managing Depression,” 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13,
presented by VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.
• “Ask the Doctor—Diabetes,” 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, presented by
Citizen’s Choice Health Plan.
Be sure to check the event calendar, posted by the front door, for other
events.
cluding many major brand-name outlets. See the ever-growing list of shops
at www.americanaatbrand.com.
On Friday, Jan. 27, the luxury coach
heads for Victoria Gardens for what the
Senior Outings staff calls “shopping
therapy.”
The
store
list,
www.victoriagardensie.com, is so extensive that
additional trips will need to be planned
to visit them all. But on this one day,
from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., browse
through favorite stores and visit some
new ones. In addition, have lunch (not
included) at either fine-dining restaurants or quick-serve cafes. The cost for
this fun day is $12.
Another important 2012 date to remember is Tuesday, Jan. 3 at which time
one can register for the February Senior Outings to Downtown Riverside
from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 9, fee:
$12, and to the Cabazon Outlets and
Morongo Casino from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Feb. 24, fee: $12.
Registration information for all Senior Outings is included in the city of
Alhambra Leisure Activities Guide, available at www.cityofalhambra.org. For those who
like to plan ahead, the guide includes
details of Senior Outings through June,
although new outings can be added with
little notice.
Visit or phone the Joslyn Adult Center regularly to receive up-to-date information.
Social Security online
Claimants can check the status of their pending Social Security applications on
Social Security’s Web site.
Visit www.socialsecurity.gov and select the “check the status of your application”
link on the upper, left-hand side. Then enter the Social Security number and the
confirmation number given at the time of the application.
Around Alhambra
For advertising rates and other information, contact
Alhambra Chamber of Commerce
104 S. First St., Alhambra, CA 91801
Tel: 626-282-8481 Fax: 626-282-5596
www.alhambrachamber.org
submit press releases to: [email protected]
“When we needed help,
we discovered Vista Cove at San Gabriel”
Quality
• Assisted Living
• Memory Care
• Respite Care
Lic. #197606796
AT SAN GABRIEL
For more information or to schedule a tour, please phone
(626) 289-8889
901 W. Santa Anita St., San Gabriel, CA 91776
12/2011
PAGE 5B
HHS proposes health care innovation challenge
to improve care, save money, focus on jobs
Up to $1 billion dollars will be
awarded to innovative projects across
the country that test creative ways to
deliver high quality medical care and
save money. Launched Nov. 14 by the
Department of Health and Human Services, the Health Care Innovation Challenge will also give preference to projects
that rapidly hire, train and deploy health
care workers.
“We’ve taken incredible steps to reduce health care costs and improve care,
but we can’t wait to do more,” said HHS
Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Both public and private community organizations around the country are finding
innovative solutions to improve our
health care system and the Health Care
Innovation Challenge will help jump
start these efforts.”
Funded by the Affordable Care Act
(otherwise known as Obamacare), the
Health Care Innovation Challenge will
award grants in March to applicants
who will implement the most compelling new ideas to deliver better health,
improved care and lower costs to people
enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid and the
Children’s Health Insurance Program,
particularly those with the highest
health care needs.
The Challenge will support projects
that can begin within six months. Additionally, projects that focus on rapid
workforce development will be given
New funding
available for
next generation
of health care
innovations
priority when grants are awarded.
“When I visit communities across the
country, I continually see innovative
solutions at the very ground level – a
large health system working with community partners to decrease the risk of
diabetes with nutrition programs or a
church group that sends volunteers to
help home-bound seniors so they can
live at home,” said Donald M. Berwick,
M.D., administrator of the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services.
“By putting more programs like this
in place and more boots on the ground,
these types of programs can truly transform our health care system,” Dr.
Berwick said.
Awards will be expected to range from
approximately $1 million to $30 mil-
lion over three years. Applications are
open to providers, payers, local government, community-based organizations
and particularly to public-private partnerships and multi-payer approaches.
Each grantee project will be evaluated
and monitored for measurable improve-
ments in quality of care and savings generated.
For more information, including a
fact sheet and the Funding Opportunity
Announcement, please see the Health
Care Innovation Challenge initiative
web site at www.innovation.cms.gov
PAGE 6B
12/2011
Suggestions in finding gifts for seniors
BY D ENNIS M C F ADDEN , CEO,
ATHERTON B APTIST H OMES
Christmas is coming — the lights, the
carols, the decorations, the sales, the
smells in the mall — and the whole
country seems alive with the impending celebrations.
So what do you do for the senior in
your life who says, “Don’t give me anything. I don’t want a single thing this
year!”? Gifts for older people can be
tricky at best. Here are some suggestions:
Useful Gifts. A quick Internet search
of three Web sites found nearly 30 pages
of gift giving ideas for older parents and
grandparents:
• http://www.activeforever.com/s-54-gifts-forgrandparents.aspx
• http://www.squidoo.com/Christmas-for-seniors
• http://redelf.hubpages.com/hub/Great-Gifts-forSeniors-Christmas-Birthday-Anniversary-Gifts
And, best of all, the ideas come in
every price range. The expensive options (GoGo Elite Traveler, lift chairs,
Eschenbach Mobilux Portable Video
Magnifier, scooters) are matched by an
equally fascinating array of inexpensive
ones (book holders, electric jar openers,
no-drill steel grab bars, TV silencer to
mute the television when the phone
rings, warming shawl, bionic golf glove,
senior exercise DVDs, adjustable cane,
diabetic foot care kit with body sponge,
therapeutic gloves, easy reach lotion ap-
Dr. Dennis E. McFadden
Understanding
the Senior
Experience
Dennis E. McFadden, is President
and CEO of Atherton Baptist
Homes, 214 S. Atlantic Blvd.
Alhambra. Phone him at 626-2894178.
plicator, and PikStik TelescoPik adjustable “reacher,” and even a playing card
holder to assist card players with arthritis).
Even a veteran retirement home executive like me can be surprised by the
ingenious collection of high tech tools
and low tech assistive devices available
for seniors. Bath lifts, computerless email, brain fitness software, wireless television amplifiers, talking thermometers,
one-handed nail clippers, no-bend foot
scrubbers, and television screen enlargers await your shopping selections.
Sentimental Gifts. The value of a
sentimental gift lies in its ability to speak
in the language of the heart. A
“Grandma Poem” will bring a tear to
anyone’s eyes. If you combine it with a
picture of her and her grandchildren and
frame it, you will have a permanent
keepsake.
Family pictures, including school
photos of the grandkids or greatgrandkids can also become a meaningful gift. My 92-year-old mother always
appreciates receiving the latest school
photographs of her grandchildren as
Christmas presents.
She proudly displays them in her Assisted Living room at Atherton and
shows them off to her friends, each one
with a special story or unique vignette.
For the last several years, one of my chil-
dren presents his mother and me with a
hardcover book featuring photographs
of two of our grandchildren.
Shared Experiences. For those who
do not live in large houses, especially for
those who have moved into a senior retirement community or assisted living
facility, may not be interested in receiving anything at all. For such a person, a
family adventure may be the best bet.
One year, our entire family (including
sons, grandchildren and their spouses,
and several great-grandchildren) all
spent a day with great-grandma at
Disneyland. My mother, who turned 92
on Veterans Day, still speaks of what a
wonderful time she had sharing with the
whole family in our day at the park. Less
expensive but no less meaningful would
be a day-trip, picnic, or dinner at a favorite restaurant.
Finally, don’t ignore the power of
cards and flowers. Who does not appreciate the beauty of a floral arrangement?
My mother keeps her birthday and
Christmas greeting cards on display for
weeks, showing them to every friend and
care giver who enters her apartment at
Atherton.
Even seniors look forward to Christmas. Do not miss this giving opportunity to share your love for the older parents and grandparents in your life!
12/2011
PAGE 7B
Happy Holidays
to Our Valued Customers
Metro Home Healthcare
★
December
Equipment and Supply Inc.
& January
Sale
Scooters &
Wheelchairs
Power Wheelchairs
starting at $1888
Standard
Wheelchairs
starting at $188
Scooters
starting at $888
Medical Equipment
& Supplies
Service and Repairs
Respiratory Care Service
Home Oxygen/Portable Systems’Air
Travel Oxygen
CPAP / Bi-PAP for Sleep Disorders
Home Ventilators
Nebulizers
CPM/Tens Units
Scooters
Manual Wheelchairs
Motorized Wheelchairs
Hospital Beds/Air Mattresses
Wheel Chair Ramps
Lift Chairs/Walkers
Massage Chairs
Incontinence Supplies
Diabetic Supplies/Shoes
Wound Care Supplies
Patient / Ambulatory Aids
Compression Stockings
Orthopedic/Orthotic Supplies
Power Chair & Scooter Repair
Sigvaris Compression Stockings
Blood Pressure Systems
Littman & other Stethoscopes
Rollators
starting at
$88
Metro Home Healthcare Equipment and Supply Inc.
1430 W. Valley Blvd. • Alhambra CA 91803 • (626) 282-2200
Business Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. • Sat. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. • Closed Sunday
HEALTH NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 8B
12/2011
Health & Medical News|Hospitals, Physicians, Dentists, Facilities
Keep your focus on Healthy Living
B Y S HEILA Y ONEMOTO , P.T.
I recently participated in a health fair
different from any other I have previously attended. It wasn’t the usual “getting your blood pressure checked with
lines of people waiting to get tested,”
but rather more like the L.A. County
Fair Exhibition Halls with booths, live
entertainment, cooking demonstrations, and educational opportunities. It
was quite festive and provided all-day
participation.
Like most health fairs, it attracted the
over-50 crowd, but I also noticed a few
babies and small children in attendance.
Most of the 20- to 30-year-olds were
volunteers.
The event focused on living healthy,
with programs devoted to exercise,
dancing, movement of all types, eating
well, and planning your future.
I spoke with a man in the retirement
living industry who said that his company promotes healthy living to keep
people in their own communities
longer, since they have maxed out their
units and don’t plan on building more.
It made me think about when I might
need such services, and I started to wonder if there would be a place for me to
go. The thought reinforced my inten-
tion to plan ahead and do everything I
can to stay healthy. We have been told
that Social Security will run out before
the Baby Boomers can benefit from it,
as will Medicare, mostly because there
won’t be enough younger people to support the aging population. It follows that
there won’t be enough caretakers to help
an aging population that outnumbers
them.
I thought of the 97-year-old physician from Japan who felt our retirement
age of 65 was based on statistical data
from 50 years ago when the average
lifespan was 67. He thought that since
we now live well into our 80s, we should
revise our retirement age to the late 70s
or older. I always felt that I would want
to work until I die, since I like my work
and feel it is my “excuse” to be with others. Plus, I don’t think I can afford to
stop working with the economy the way
it is. Nevertheless, I want to be one of
those fortunate people who can choose
whether or not to retire and not be
forced into retirement for health reasons
or because of someone else’s decision.
Thousands of people attended this
event, and I had encounters with friends,
past patients, and people seeking proactive solutions for themselves and others.
Sheila Yonemoto, P.T.
Sheila Yonemoto, P.T., has been a physical therapist for more than 30 years, specializing in Integrative Manual Therapy
utilizing a holistic approach. She can be
reached at Yonemoto Physical Therapy, 55
S. Raymond Ave, Suite 100, Alhambra.
Phone 626-576-0591 for a free consultation, or visit Web site www.yonemoto.com for
more information.
My husband commented to an old
friend that he looked younger and
healthier than the last time they had met.
It turned out this friend had given up a
five-pack-per-day cigarette habit and had
also quit drinking alcohol. An old high
school classmate who made a mid-career
change was much happier as a result and
looked young and vibrant. Many retirees looked young and active and were
still engaged in community activity as
well as physical exercise but admitted
they couldn’t take the stress of their jobs
anymore. Many people sought pain relief solutions and numerous booths promoted various products or services. One
massage therapist commented to me that
a person has a lot of choices if they are
willing to change their lifestyle habits,
which is also a belief I share and one that
the health fair also promoted.
I hope this type of event continues so
it reaches more people and reinforces the
idea of “lifestyle change.” It should also
be geared to younger populations, especially school kids and young adults, while
they are able to change the course of their
lives and can start including healthy habits that delay the onset of degenerative
changes. Then people will live longer,
healthier, and more productive lives.
12/2011
PAGE 9B
Karen H. Chao, O.D.
Attention parents: a word about toys
• Building eye-hand coordination.
• Shape and size discrimination (important for reading).
• General movement skills (for everything from writing to sports).
• Space and distance judgments (crucial for driving and sports).
• Left/right awareness (vital in avoiding reversals).
• Visual thinking.
B Y K AREN H. C HAO , O.D.
While toys keep children amused
and, hopefully, out of trouble, it is important to understand that toys also play
a vital role in overall development and,
especially, visual development.
If children play too many computer
games and watch too much TV or movies, they don’t get the necessary opportunities to develop the visual skills that
are critical to academic success. We have
seen a lot of children throughout the
years, who were struggling in school because of poorly developed visual skills.
Fortunately, we were able to help them,
but we know there are millions of children out there who are still struggling.
Keep in mind that seeing 20/20, or
passing a vision screening, only means
that your child can see the letters on the
eye chart she is supposed to see from
20 feet away. Vision screenings do not
test all the visual skills vital for learning.
Having said that, it’s time to talk
about toys. Most toys are designed for
play within a distance of 18 to 24
inches. Visual development also requires
outdoor activities, such as playing catch,
T-ball, badminton, tennis, etc.
This holiday season, you can help
your child by looking for toys to help
with:
Optometrist Karen H. Chao, O.D., has
been in private practice for more than 15
years. In addition to general optometric
care, her services include Vision Therapy,
Neuro-Optometric Evaluation for Traumatic Brain Injury, Corneal Refractive
Therapy and Low Vision Services. She can
be reached at 121 S. Del Mar Ave., Ste.
A, San Gabriel 91776, 626-287-0401,
or visit www.TotalVisionDC.com for more information.
• Visualization.
• Visual memory skills (enable us to
develop concepts).
Below are guidelines from the American Optometric Association for certain
types of toys and activities for children
of different ages:
1-year-olds:
Toys: bright balls; blocks; zippers;
Continued next page
PAGE 10B
12/2011
HHS announces Web site to find, compare health insurance
HHS P RESS O FFICE
A greatly expanded Web site to give
small business owners an unprecedented
detailed review of their health insurance
plan choices was announced today by
the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.
The tool is located on
www.HealthCare.gov, which was created un-
der requirements contained in the Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as
Obamacare), the new health care law of
2010.
Just in time for 2012, this powerful
new tool allows small business owners
to compare the benefits and costs of
health plans and choose those that are
best for their employees.
For the first time ever, it will allow
small businesses to research locally available products in an unbiased manner
and foster a more transparent and competitive marketplace.
“This new information will help business owners navigate what has traditionally been a complicated and confusing
decision,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen
Sebelius. “Both owners and their employees can feel more confident that the
plans offered will be the best to suit
everyone’s needs.”
In addition to the market being difficult to analyze, small businesses do not
fare as well as large employers when negotiating health care price. On average,
small businesses spend 18% more for the
same health insurance coverage.
This new tool brings needed transparency to the marketplace, which will
help ensure insurance companies will
compete for business on the basis of
price and quality.
The Web site is the first of its kind to
bring information and links to health
insurance plans to one place, and to
make it easy for consumers to learn
about and compare their insurance options.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services worked to define and collect detailed benefits and premium rating information from insurers across the
country to develop the site.
The new information added gives
small business owners access to the following:
• Insurance product choices for a
given ZIP code, sorted by out-of-pocket
limits, average cost per enrollee, or other
factors.
• A summary of cost and coverage for
small group products that shows the
available deductibles, range of co-pay
options, included and excluded benefits,
and benefits available for purchase at
additional cost.
• The ability to filter product selection based on whether the plans are
Health Savings Account eligible, have
prescription drug, mental health, or
maternity coverage, or allow for domestic partner or same sex coverage.
More than 530 insurers have provided information for more than 2,700
coverage plans across all states and the
District of Columbia.
Toys that improve children’s visual skills
Continued from previous page
rocking horse; riding toys pushed with
the feet.
Activities: throwing a ball.
2-year-olds:
Toys: crayons; bean bag/ring toss
games; peg hammering toys; sorting
shapes/size toys; puzzles; blocks.
Activities: read to your child; outdoor play barefoot; catch.
3 to 6 years:
Toys: building toys with large snaptogether components; stringing beads;
puzzles; pegboards; crayons; finger paint;
chalk; modeling clay; simple sewing
cards; large balls; match-up-shape toys;
tricycle; connect-the-dot games; sticker
books/games.
Activities: climbing; running; using
balance beam; playground equipment.
Older children
For older children, here is a list of
some toys which not only are fun to play
with, but they help develop some of the
many visual skills that are critical to reading and learning:
Battleship game (MB), Chalkboard
(24” x 36” min.), Tinker Toy set, Erector Set, pegboard and pegs, coloring
books and crayons, dot-to-dot drawing
books, jigsaw puzzles, Twister (MB),
building blocks, Playskool color blocks,
Indian beads for threading, painting by
number, Playskool parquetry blocks,
models cars and airplanes, card games
(Old Maid, etc.), Dominoes, Legos, Lincoln Logs, sewing cards, checkers,
Tiddlywinks, Concentration (MB), ring
toss, Chinese checkers, finger paints.
action darts with Velcro board and
Velcro-covered balls.
Have a fun, safe, and healthy holiday
season by encouraging your children to
round out their activities with some of
these tried and true games. If you find
your child doesn’t like these games, it
could be a sign of a vision problem in
which case you should schedule a vision
evaluation with an optometrist who provides in-office vision therapy programs
that are designed to help children develop the visual skills necessary for learning.
For more information on the 17 visual skills required for academic success
and vision therapy, you can visit
www.visionforlearning.org or www.totalvisiondc.com.
12/2011
PAGE 11B
Smile Talk
Periodontal disease and the whole body
B Y J OHN C. C HAO
D.D.S., M.A.G.D.
It is already well-known that
periodontal disease is linked to
heart attacks, lung disease,
rheumatism, premature birth,
and low-weight babies.
More and more studies further confirm the proposition
that oral health is essential to
general health and that one affects the other.
Periodontitis, commonly
known as gum disease, most
often occurs in adults as well
as a small percentage of teenagers.
Although poor oral hygiene
or improper brushing can lead
to plaque that eventually infects
the gums, the hidden causes of
the disease are complex and involve genetics and transfer of
specific pathogens (germs)
from parents to child. Periodontitis is very often a painless disease and may remain undetected.
Patients need to be aware of
symptoms of periodontitis,
such as bleeding or swelling of
the gums, receding gums, dark
spaces between front teeth, and
loosening or shifting of the
front teeth.
Failure to seek treatment
may result in tooth loss. Periodontitis is the major cause of
tooth loss in adults.
Collateral damage of periodontitis is that inflammation
generated in the gum spreads
to the rest of the body through
the blood stream.
According to an article in
the Annals of Periodontology,
July 1998, this metastasis of
oral inflammation is believed to
be the connection between periodontitis and systemic dis-
Furthermore,
recent research
shows that people
with COPD or
bronchitis often
have bad teeth.
For more information, contact Dr. Chao at 626-3089104. Visit Dr. Chao’s Web
site at Alhambradental.com
ease. Risk for atherosclerosis,
heart attack, and stroke are
higher by up to 70% for those
with periodontitis.
Furthermore, recent research shows that people with
COPD or bronchitis often
have bad teeth. Many factors,
including smoking or a weakened immune system, may also
increase the risk of developing
lung disease.
According to the journal
Clinical Diabetes, October
2005, diabetes affects more
than 18 million individuals in
the U.S. and more than 171
million worldwide and has
reached epidemic status. Diabetics often have inflamed
gums.
The relationship between
diabetes and gum disease is
well studied. Diabetics with
poorly controlled blood sugar
levels can result in festering
wounds. Excess sugar in the
blood promotes inflammation
and inhibits healing.
If periodontal disease is diagnosed by your dentist via xrays and clinical examination,
your dentist may recommend
more diligent and more intensive homecare. In addition, if
the disease state is moderate to
severe, “deep cleaning” and
other therapeutic procedures
may be needed.
If disease persists after initial
phases of treatment, your dentist may suggest surgical intervention or special non-surgical
options.
These non-surgical alternatives include application of
topical antibiotics, endoscopic
debridement (which will be the
topic of the next column), prescription mouth rinses, and
self-administered anti-bacterial
systems (Perio-Protect) and laser. Your dentist
can help you to
make the best
decision.
Obviously, if
you are diagnosed with diabetes, you must
do everything
you can to keep
your blood
sugar consistently within
normal levels
by following
your doctor’s instructions.
In addition, you should consult with and be examined by
your dentist regarding the state
of your periodontal health.
Make sure you comply with
your dentist’s directions regard-
ing the care of your teeth in
general, and the care of your
gums, in particular.
The best way to keep your
smile bright and clean for the
rest of your life is to see your
dentist regularly.
Fremont Optometry Center
Se Habla Español
2447 W. Valley Blvd. • Alhambra, CA 91803 • (626) 300-9251
PAGE 12B
12/2011
Cosmetic Surgery
Rejuvenate skin with a customized peel
B Y D R . S TEWART W ANG
The holidays are just around
the corner and it’s time to fill
one’s calendar with shopping,
parties, and gathering with
friends and family. There are
numerous opportunities to
snap those memorable holiday
pictures.
Is your skin looking its best?
The harsh, dry, cold winter
weather makes it even harder
to keep up and maintain beautiful skin with radiant texture.
To be camera-ready and fitting into a busy holiday schedules, perhaps a customized peel
is a perfect solution: either a
Smart or a Perfect peel.
The Smart Peel is a customized, rejuvenating peel tailored
to each individual’s skin. Typically, a series of three or four
Each session takes
about 45
minutes and best
of all, the peels
are not painful.
peels are recommended for obtaining the best results.
Each session takes about 45
minutes and best of all, the
peels are not painful. A patient
may experience slight, temporary stinging and warmth during the application.
But one can leave immediately following the peel and return to a normal routine. The
Dr. Stewart Wang is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been
in private practice since 2002. His primary focus is on aesthetic surgery of the face, breast, and body. For more information, please contact his office in Alhambra at 626-282-6680 or in Upland at 909985-6030. Follow the practice on Facebook, or visit the Web site at
WangPlasticSurgery.com.
peel is so gentle that a patient
is able to apply sunscreen and
makeup.
Following the Smart Peel,
skin will be brighter with fewer
visible wrinkles, smaller pores
and vastly improved texture.
Dark age spots may also be
lighter and less noticeable.
Based on one’s skin features,
there will also be recommended a personalized skin
care regimen to maintain the
skin’s new, improved look.
Patients wanting a little
more might jump into the Per-
fect Peel. The Perfect Peel will
help to eliminate acne, reduce
melasma and lighten hyperpigmentation.
It takes about five minutes to
apply and it is not painful. Just
like the Smart Peel, a patient may
experience some tingling during
the first few seconds of the application.
Unlike the Smart Peel, you
need to precondition the skin for
several days before coming in for
the peel. Initially, following the
peel, the patient’s skin will appear orange. This can last for
about two days.
The peeling process starts between the third and the fifth day
and can last anywhere from three
to six days. By one week, the
transformation is complete.
With even just one treatment, a
patient will see a brighter,
smoother skin with reduced fine
lines and wrinkles. Even the
pores will be less noticeable.
Phone Dr. Wang for more details on these or any matters at
626-282-6680 or 909-9856030.
12/2011
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 13B
Dining & Entertainment | What’s Happening for Food & Fun
General Manager Chris Clark says freshness is what Souplantation is all about.
Souplantation’s 55-foot salad buffet draws in the crowds.
Souplantation brings holiday freshness to dinner table
Restaurant Spotlight
B Y M ARK N IU
With the holiday season in full swing,
Souplantation in Alhambra is offering
some new, festive selections while maintaining its high quality food and service.
“Our concept is all about giving the
guests options,” said General Manger
Chris Clark. “They can go for the vegetables and the really healthful options,
or they can splurge and get the desserts
and sweet stuff. We cater to both sides
of the spectrum.”
Fresh off its Thanksgiving creations,
which included an amazing shepherd’s
pie soup and delectable pumpkin bisque,
Souplantation will whip up its holiday
favorite creamy herb turkey soup with
stuffing. It’s “Goodness To Go” program
will also allow customers to order larger
family or party portions by phone, inperson, or online. The tasty side-dishes
available for order include smoked turkey, spinach salad, and turkey chutney
salad. There’s also an assortment of fruit
cobblers, such as caramel apple and
Georgia peach. You can even pick up
freshly baked classic sugar or chocolate
chip cookies, or order the cookie dough
itself.
Souplantation boasts a 55-foot salad
bar and is well known for its themes and
seasonal menu changes. But Mr. Clark
said one thing that never changes is the
company’s commitment to freshness. He
said no preservatives are used in any of
its products, and everything is made
fresh daily.
“It comes from the field to the fork
within 48 hours,” he said. “What’s being grown—broccoli, romaine lettuce,
tomatoes—is on the truck within 24
hours, and most of the time it’s here at
the restaurant within that 48-hour period. That’s a huge thing, especially in
the service industry, to say something
like that.”
Mr. Clark has been running the
Alhambra location for the past two years.
If you haven’t been there before,
you can usually spot him mingling and helping out guests like
they were practically in his own
home.
On my visit, smiling and
friendly faces on the staff
seemed to be omnipresent. I was
particularly impressed by how
quickly staff would get to customers’ tables before they be-
came overloaded with old dishes.
“In a buffet restaurant you don’t typically see certain things like the personalized table attention that you get at our
location and the little touches like hot
cookies delivered to your table at the end
of your meal,” said Mr. Clark. “I think
the interaction between our employees
and our guests is definitely what keeps
our guests coming back.”
The statistics bear out Mr. Clark’s
claim. Last year, Souplantation in
Alhambra was the busiest Souplantation
in all of Southern California. Indeed, the
restaurant lies in a competitive area with
such superstores as Costco and Target
nearby. But Mr. Clark believes
Souplantation integrates well with the
other businesses, working to feed off
each other.
“Guests like having the combination
of shopping and eating,” said Mr. Clark.
Mr. Clark also added that
Continued. Please turn to Page 15B
Enjoy a Delicious Brunch featuring Shrimp and Crab, Omelettes,
Belgian Waffles, New Action Pasta Station and Homemade Pizza, Roast
Beef, Fajitas, Fresh Fruit, Decadent Desserts and Much More...
PAGE 14B
12/2011
Alhambra is Rich in
Restaurants
Live Maine lobster is now being featured at Twohey’s, 1224 N. Atlantic Blvd., Alhambra.
Twohey’s Lobster Feast is back
for holidays by popular demand
C
elebrate the season with the ultimate holiday
feast. Twohey’s is reintroducing its famous Lobster Feast which features a rich creamy lobster
bisque for $7.95, a tasty lobster roll in a New England
style bun for $9.95, a succulent one-pound whole Maine
lobster for $19.95, and a surf ‘n turf pairing of steak and
lobster tail for $19.95. For land-lovers, Twohey’s offers the
award-winning all-you-can-eat Baby Back Ribs for $19.95
and a new mouthwatering sirloin steak special for $15.95.
Long renowned for its great burgers, onion rings, sundaes, and fresh lemonades, Twohey’s also
offers a variety of dinners, including
Bone-in Rib Eye Steaks, Porterhouse
Chops, a new line of award-winning
Stinko gourmet burgers, and a new selection of micro-brewed beers. For this
holiday season, contact Twohey’s for office and home gatherings or stop by on
the weekend to try the brunch menu specials and fabulous mimosas.
Twohey’s, a San Gabriel Valley institution, was established in 1943 and is
located at 1224 N. Atlantic Blvd.,
Alhambra. This family-owned eatery has
www.thebarkleyrestaurant.com
Great service
and simply great food.
Planning a Party?
Check out our
Special Banquet menu.
Feel like dancing?
We have a new and improved large
dance floor.
HAPPY HOUR: Sunday - Wednesday 4 - 9 p.m.
Thursday - Friday 4 - 8 p.m.
Well Drinks $3 • Domestic Beer $3
Free Appetizers
Live Entertainment
Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
No cover.
Gift certificates available.
All menu items are available for take out.
won numerous awards and accolades
over the years, including being voted
Best Family Restaurant, Best Breakfast,
and Best Burgers in Pasadena Weekly’s
2011 reader poll. To celebrate this outstanding Triple Crown achievement, a
new line of premium all-natural ice
cream will be introduced and available
in hand-packed pint containers.
Twohey’s will offer them for a special
price along with a variety of new shakes
and sundaes including pumpkin, eggnog, and peppermint for a limited time.
General Manger Charlie Christos insists, “The award-winning bittersweet
All Natural Fudge packed in a jar makes
the best stocking stuffer.” Being in the
holiday spirit, Twohey’s is also giving
away $5 gift certificate cards with every
$50 gift card purchase. Stop by, or phone
626-284-7387 for a take-out order, or
have Twohey’s cater a holiday event.
Twohey’s Restaurant will celebrate its
70th anniversary next year.
Crown City Chorus to perform Dec. 3
The Pasadena Crown City Chorus
takes to the stage for its annual Christmas show at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 at
the Duarte Performing Arts Center,
1401 Highland Ave., Duarte, (exit I-210
at Buena Vista).
The Crown City Chorus is a 50member, all male, four-part harmony a
capella choir. Under the direction of
John Minsker, this chorus has been competing, performing, and singing in Pasadena for more than 60 years. The cho-
rus is dedicated to singing a cappellastyle harmony, an American musical
style that has roots in early American
gospel, riverboat, and street corner harmony.
The chorus will perform favorite
Christmas songs along with several quartets. The show will have something for
the whole family with all the magic and
pageantry of a great Christmas show.
Tickets are only $10. Visit the Web
site at crowncitychorus.com, or phone
Jolly Jay Marcott at 626-286-0355.
12/2011
Mosaic Lizard Theater presents holiday
classic The Shop Around the Corner
The Mosaic Lizard Theater is celebrating the
holiday season by presenting a classic drama of
the season: The Shop Around the Corner.
An attractive store clerk falls in love with a
letter writer whom she has never met while trading barbs with an obnoxious co-worker. As the
holidays approach, tensions mount and love is
found in unexpected places in the lives of the
staff and owner of the struggling shop.
Shop opened in November and runs at 8 p.m.
through Sunday, Dec. 18 on Fridays and Satur-
days and at 2 p.m. Sundays.
Phone 626-457-5293 for reservations; seating
is limited.
The Shop Around the Corner is based on a
screenplay by Samson Raphaelson and on a 1937
play, Parfumerie, written by Miklos Laszio.
Directed by Lizard Artistic Director Jay Parker,
this holiday classic is suitable for all ages. General admission is $12 and students and seniors
pay $10.
Pasadena Master Chorale presents Home for the Holidays, Dec. 10
When conductor and composer Jeffrey
Bernstein founded the Pasadena Master Chorale
(PMC) in 2008, he saw the organization functioning as a kind of musical matchmaker, “creating opportunities” to bring together those who
love to make music and those who love to hear
it. Home for the Holidays — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 at First Congregational Church, 464
Walnut St., Pasadena — will provide ways to
strengthen, deepen, and enhance this friendship.
“There’s no better time to hear choral music
than during the holiday season,” Mr. Bernstein
said. “In this concert, the chorale will explore the
unique glories of the choral sound, sampling familiar works from the Renaissance through the
20th century. It’s Christmas music for the whole
family.”
Highlights of the concert include Heinrich
Schütz’s Also Hat Gott Die Welt Geliebt, standbys
like the Coventry Carol and O Holy Night, and
less familiar works like Noam Elkies’s Stopping
By Woods on a Snowy Evening, which Mr.
Bernstein describes as “haunting and touching.”
Joining the chorale are nearly 20 student and
PAGE 15B
Downtown Alhambra swings
on Saturday nights
Enjoy great music every Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
on Rick’s Main Street Cafe’s stage, 132 W. Main St., in Downtown Alhambra, brought to you by Marini Music and Rick’s:
Dec. 3: Bob’s Garage — classic rock
Dec. 10: Rendition Band — classic rock
Dec. 17: One Way Ticket — ‘60s
Dec. 24: 2nd Time Around — oldies
Dec. 31: Bank Shot — oldies and classic rock
For more information, contact Marini Music at 626-2890241.
YAMA RESTAURANT
Featuring fine Japanese Cuisine
Christmas music for the whole family
apprentice singers from Pasadena-area schools.
The concert will also include what has become
a highly anticipated Pasadena Master Chorale
tradition: an audience sing-along of seasonal carols.
PMC will release a companion CD entitled
Home for the Holidays. So, now, the audience can
take the sounds of the concert home with them.
Tickets for Home for the Holidays are $22/
person ($25 at the door) and are available online
at www.pasadenamasterchorale.org or at the door (cash
or check only). For more information, phone
626-208-0009.
The Suemura family invites you to enjoy
Traditional Japanese Food
Since 1968
(626) 576-9828 • 433 W. Main St.
Downtown Alhambra at Fourth Street
Alhambra, CA
Souplantation’s menu
reflects customer taste
Continued from Page 13B
Souplantation’s menu is often a reflection of what customers want. By signing up for Club Veg at
Souplantation.com, customers can give feedback and request
their favorites. For Alhambra, the current favorites are
the chicken noodle soup and clam chowder. As a Club
Veg member, customers are informed of early menu promotions and receive coupons.
“We try to balance between profitability and giving
guests the best deal for dining out,” said Mr. Clark.
“We’re in business,
but we want to make
sure our guests are
being respected and
getting value.”
Respecting the
community is a top
priority of the restaurant. Souplantation
of Alhambra regularly
plays a major role in
fundraising efforts.
Typically at restaurant fundraisers, 1520% of the proceeds
go back to the specific
organization.
Souplantation also
recently participated
in health fairs at First
Baptist Church and
the YMCA.
Souplantation is
located at 2131 W.
Commonwealth Ave.
where it has operated
since 1988.
Exp.
1/31/11
Expires
12/31/11
Expires 12/31/11
PAGE 16B
12/2011
Restaurant Spotlight
38º has Wednesday night Slider & Craft Beer Flight Pairings
B Y B ILL K INMAN
It’s no longer necessary to wait for Friday to relax,
let down, and sample great food and drink combinations at a favorite restaurant. Wednesday, in the midst
of a hectic work week seems the perfect time to stop,
take a deep breath, and recreate energy and enthusiasm for the remaining days of economic servitude.
Scores of folks from Alhambra, the San Gabriel Valley and way beyond, have found a mid-week respite at
Alhambra’s notable 38º Ale House & Grill, 100 W.
Main St., sampling the weekly “Slider and Craft Beer
Flight Pairings” created by Chef James Boyle and Beer
Aficionado (and 38º co-owner) Clay Harding.
Mr. Boyle has had enough experience in the foodpreparation business to develop 38º into one of the
prime dining spots in the valley. And, one might swear,
he must have surreal dreams about food, based upon
the combinations of ingredients and taste that he serves
up within his Wednesday night sliders. The combinations may sound unusual, but your taste buds tell you
that he has hit on something really special.
And Mr. Harding – well, he comes from a beer family and has developed an amazing sense of taste, picking the best of the best of new brews and long-time
favorites to meet the varied tastes of his customers. The
list of brews in the book-size drink menu is staggering,
and Mr. Harding can intelligently discuss the aspects
of each of the listings and, if you didn’t drop by to just
have a brew, suggest how you can improve your dining
pleasure by adding a brew that will enhance the taste
of the food on your plate.
Thus, the Wednesday night Slider and Craft Beer
Flight Pairings.
Every Wednesday night is a different
eating-drinking experience while one of
the unique sliders may occasionally show
up again on a subsequent Wednesday,
you’ll never see a carbon copy menu from
earlier Wednesdays.
You’ll always have new taste experiences, and want to come back again for
the next creative foray into complementary eating/drinking experience.
If you’ve never seen a slider, on some
restaurants’ menus, featuring buffalo,
falafel, ostrich, pork and fig, veal
bockwurst or venison, you haven’t yet
been to the Slider & Craft Been Flight
Pairings at 38º and don’t know what
you’re missing.
One recent Wednesday evening’s offering included the following amazing taste treats:
Grilled Eggplant Caprese – balsamic reduction, basil, roma tomato, fresh mozzarella paired with Lagunitas
Pils, Czech Style Pilsner;
Reuben – corned beef brisket, 1000 island, pickle,
sauerkraut, aged swiss cheese paired with The Bruery
Birra Basta, Bierre De Garde;
Crab Cake – Black Forest ham, julienne carrots, creole tarter sauce, baby arugula paired with Beachwood
BBQ Hoppa Smurf, Belgian IPA; and
Polenta Beef – poblano chile, onion relish, tomato
salsa, chipotle aioli, pepper jack paired with Dogfish
Head 90 Minute IPA, American Double IPA.
Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it – the rising at-
Wednesday night Slider & Craft Beer Flight Pairings.
tendance of repeat Wednesday night customers speaks
to the success of the creations. Why don’t you join the
happy crowd – any Wednesday night from 5 p.m. to
10 p.m. – and enjoy these exotic, gourmet pairings for
just $18 (one of the greatest food values in this or any
town). Slider Flight only (no beer) - $13.
38º Ale House & Grill is located at 100 W. Main
St. Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
11:30 – 1 a.m.; Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11:30 a.m.
– 2 a.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. for NFL Football to 1 a.m.
12/2011
PAGE 17B
The Verdugo Hills Showtime Chorus will present The Real Secret of Christmas - Applause for Mrs. Claus! on Dec. 3.
Hear The Real Secret of Christmas – Applause for Mrs. Claus!, Dec. 3
The Verdugo Hills Showtime Chorus will present The Real Secret of
Christmas – Applause for Mrs. Claus! at
2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Join the
audience at 1:30 p.m. for a sing-along. The show will feature the large
resonant ladies chorus, chapter quartets,
performing elves, and Mr. and Mrs.
Claus.
There is also a raffle and bake sale.
This event takes place at Westminster
Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, 1757 N.
Lake Ave., Pasadena 91104. There is free
parking behind the church.
For tickets, phone Sheila Stinnett at
909-985-7552, or send e-mail message
to [email protected].
General admission is $15; group sales
(10 or more) are $12; tickets for seniors
(65+) and children (6-15) are $10; children 4 and under are admitted free.
Ticket prices include a drink and
Christmas treat.
Community Sevices Family Excursions going skiing, novices too
The 2012 Community Services Family Excursion
program starts off with a day of skiing and
snowboarding at Mountain High. It doesn’t matter if
participants are seasoned skiers or if they have never
touched the snow before because this trip is for the
whole family.
Beginners, 13+, can get a beginner package that will
provide everything needed: ski equipment, lessons, and
a lift ticket to the lower mountain. Experienced skiers,
13+, can enjoy the whole day with the purchase of a
lift ticket only. Bring ski equipment, or rent equipment from the mountain for an additional cost.
New this year is the Children’s Academy selection
which includes a full day of lessons, ski and snowboard
rentals, an eight-hour all mountain lift ticket, lunch,
and a progress card. Chaperones, 18+, must be present
for anyone under the age of 18 years.
Cost: lift ticket only $55; beginner package $ 77;
Children’s Academy $100; chaperone $ 15
Register for Family Excursions by phone, by fax, in
person, or by mail. Complete registration details are
included in the city of Alhambra Leisure Activities
Guide located at www.cityofalhambra.org, or phone
626-570-3242.
PAGE 18B
12/2011
Family Ties: activities, events sutiable for entire family
Saturday, Dec. 10 – Holiday
Living History Tours at the
Homestead Museum – 2:30
p.m.-6:30 p.m.; tours depart
every 30 minutes. Learn about
how the celebration of Christmas changed from the 1840s
through the 1920s while touring the museum’s decorated historical houses. Admission: $5
adults; $3 seniors, students, and
children (free for under age 2).
Reservations are recommended. Location: 15415 E.
Don Julian Road, City of Industry 91745. For more information,
visit
http://
homesteadmuseum.org/.
Monday, Dec. 12 – A Sing-
valueable coupon
ing Cowboy Christmas at the
Autry National Center –
11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Enjoy a day
of holiday cheer inspired by
Gene Autry, America’s favorite
singing cowboy, featuring
children’s crafts and activities
based on classic carols from
Gene Autry’s Christmas CDs,
screenings of episodes of The
Gene Autry Show, and more.
Admission: Museum regular
admission applies or free for
Autry members; Location:
4700 Western Heritage Way,
Los Angeles 90027. For more
information, phone 323-6672000, or visit http://theautry.org/.
Wednesday and Thursday,
Dec. 14 and 15 – The Sound
of Christmas – 7 p.m. Enjoy
this free music experience for
the entire family, which has
been designed so people will
enjoy holiday music in a way
that they never have before.
Creative media, festive atmosphere, community highlights,
and the finest musical and vocal talent in the valley. Admission: Free. Location: Azusa Pacific University Felix Event
Center, 701 E. Foothill Blvd.,
Azusa 91702. For more information, visit www.ccvsocal.com/
events/share-the-season.
Saturday, Dec. 17 – Riverside Mission Inn Festival of
Lights - (Alhambra Community Services Department Family Excursion) - 11:30 a.m.8:30 p.m. The beautiful, historic Mission Inn, site of many
a celebrity wedding, is a mustsee for any California resident.
The Festival of Lights has one
of the country’s largest and
most elaborate displays, as well
as the shops and restaurants
that make up the charm and
elegance of this famous hotel.
Fee: $20 — all ages welcome.
For more information or to register, phone 626-570-3242; fax
626-284-0310; or visit in person at the Alhambra Park Office, 500 N. Palm Ave.,
Alhambra 91801.
Various dates/times in December – 2012 Rose Parade
Float Volunteers - Phoenix
Decorating Company is building/decorating Alhambra’s float
called Bearing Down the Track!
at the Rosemont Pavilion.
(Other floats will be decorated
at Rose Palace). If interested in
assisting as a volunteer float
decorator, be prepared to work
an eight-hour shift and be assigned to any of the floats. To
volunteer to work on
Alhambra’s float, come by the
office, 104 S. First St., to fill
out an application. Rosemont
Pavilion float-building location
is 700 Seco St., Pasadena
91103. For more information
about Phoenix Decorating
Company, visit www.phxdeco.com.
Now through Jan. 22– Holiday Wonderland at the Hollywood Museum – Wednesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Hollywood Museum will
become a Holiday Winter
Wonderland with 18 Christmas trees decorated in the spirit
of Hollywood’s greatest holiday-inspired movies, such as
Miracle on 34th Street, It’s A
Wonderful Life, A Christmas
Story, Meet Me in St. Louis,
Home Alone, White Christmas,
and more. A collection of celebrity autographed ornaments
on display includes Lauren
Bacall, Angela Lansbury, Heidi
Klum, Paris Hilton, Brittany
Murphy, and Phyllis Diller, to
name just a few. Admission:
$15 adults, $12 seniors and students, $5 kids (age 5 and under). Location: 1660 N. Highland Ave., West Hollywood
90028. For more information,
phone 323-464-7776, or visit
www.thehollywoodmuseum.com.
12/2011
PAGE 19B
Opera Posse presents Amahl and the Night Visitors, Dec. 9-11
For many children, Christmas Eve celebrations involve putting presents under the tree and hanging stockings on the mantel for Santa to fill.
But when mezzo-soprano Stephanie Vlahos was a
child, Christmas Eves meant it was time to watch
NBC’s broadcast of Gian Carlo Menotti’s holiday opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. So perhaps it is no
surprise that Ms. Vlahos, artistic director of the newlyformed opera company Opera Posse chose to revive
this holiday tradition and present Menotti’s one act
opera at the Pasadena Playhouse Friday, Dec. 9 through
Sunday, Dec. 11.
Amahl and the Night Visitors will be presented at the
Pasadena Playhouse on the following dates:
Friday, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.;
Saturday, Dec.10 at 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m.;
Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
Tickets range from $49 to $100 and are available
online at either www.operaposse.com or www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.
Tickets may also be purchased at the Pasadena Playhouse box office or by phoning 626-356-7529. The
Pasadena Playhouse is located at 39 S. El Molino Ave.,
Pasadena 91101.
“Watching NBC’s production of Amahl and the
Night Visitors was a tradition not just for my family
but for countless families nationwide throughout the
1950s and 1960s,” said Ms.Vlahos. “It’s a lovely opera
that encapsulates the true meaning of the season.
“I’ve seen – and directed – Amahl countless times,”
she said. “But its story of how a poor crippled shepherd boy, Amahl, and his mother are visited one starry
night by three kings on their way to visit a very special
child never fails to move me to tears. It’s so exciting to
have this opportunity to revive the tradition begun by
NBC more than 50 years ago and share the joy of
Menotti’s opera with a whole new generation of children and their families.”
Members of the cast, the chorus, and the orchestra
have demonstrated that they share Ms.Vlahos’ passion
for the project in a unique way. All – from mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzman, who plays The Mother, to
conductor Jorge Mester – have agreed to donate their
time.
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Dec. 7 ........... Satyagraha encore ........
Dec. 10 ......... Faust .............................
Jan. 11 ......... Faust .............................
Jan. 4 ........... Rodelinda encore ..........
Jan. 21 ......... The Enchanted Island ...
Feb. 8 ........... The Enchanted Island ...
Feb. 11 ......... Gotterdammerung ........
Feb. 25 ......... Ernani ............................
March 14 ...... Ernani ............................
April 7 .......... Manon ...........................
April 25 ........ Manon ...........................
April 14 ........ La Traviata .....................
May 2 ........... La Traviata .....................
Glass
Gounod
Encore
Handel
Handel, Vivaldi, Rameau
Encore
Wagner
Verdi
Encore
Massenet
Encore
Verdi
Encore
Joining Ms. Guzman and Mr. Mester are tenor Greg
Fedderly, who will play King Kaspar, and baritone Leroy
Villanueva, who will play King Melchior. Boy soprano
Caleb Glickman will play Amahl. In addition, under
the direction of Jeffrey Bernstein, members of the Pasadena Master Chorale will join the chorus, portraying
villagers and shepherds. Mr. Mester – music director
of the Naples Philharmonic, Conductor Laureate of
the Aspen Music Festival, and former music director
of The Pasadena Symphony – will conduct several of
the performances.
Because Amahl and the Night Visitors is roughly
45 minutes in length, Ms. Vlahos has programmed a
reading of Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas in Wales
to open the production. British actor Malcolm
McDowell, who is perhaps best known for his roles in
A Clockwork Orange and as “the man who killed Captain Kirk” in the film Star Trek Generations, will narrate the poem.
“A miraculous healing takes place at the end of
Amahl and the Night Visitors,” said Ms. Vlahos. “And
that so many renowned and extraordinarily talented
people have jumped on board to help make this production happen is yet another special kind of miracle.
Now we’re hard at work, creating the most luminous,
inspiring, and musically superb production possible so
that Amahl’s miracle continues to spread, taking up
residence in the heart of each member of our audience.”
To learn more about Opera Posse, its mission, and
upcoming events and productions, visit
www.operaposse.com.
PAGE 20B
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
Automotive News
12/2011
| Auto Dealers, Repairs, Services
Prepare for a rainy day with simple steps to avoid
wet-weather headaches with your car or home
BY R OBIN J ONES
COURTESY OF W ESTWAYS MAGAZINE
After a long, dry summer and fall, the first heavy
rain of the year can take us by surprise. How many
times have you been caught in a sudden downpour
without an umbrella?
Wet hair and soaked shoes are annoying, to be sure.
But much more disconcerting is the damage that rain
can wreak on your car and home. And it’s just as easy
to forget to prepare your most valuable assets as it is to
forget to carry your umbrella. So this year, plan ahead.
Here are a few simple things you can do to avoid an
insurance claim down the road.
For your car
Many rain-related claims are due to crashes; typically, the vehicle’s condition and driver behavior are
contributing factors. Preparing your vehicle and yourself are the best ways to stay safe on the road during
the rainy months.
Check your wiper blades. Worn wiper blades can
compromise your ability to see the road clearly. “Wiper
blades usually work effectively for a year at most, and
sometimes even less,” said Marie Turner, an AAA auto
claims manager. Excessive heat and exposure to the sun’s
rays can cause them to crack, tear, and harden. If the
blades chatter or leave streaks as they move across your
windshield, it’s time to get a new set.
While you’re checking the blades, “fill your wind-
shield washer reservoir, and check to see that your heater
and defroster are working properly, so you can keep
the windshield nice and clear,” Ms. Turner added.
Check your tire tread and pressure. Worn tires are
more likely to lose contact with the road (i.e., hydroplane) in a rainstorm, which can cause a loss of steering or braking control. So be sure to properly inflate
your tires to ensure that you’ll have the best possible
traction.
Make sure your headlights and brake lights are working. Always use your headlights in rainy weather; they
improve visibility, and they help other drivers see you
better. California law requires that your headlights be
on when your wipers are operating constantly. The law
also requires that you have functioning brake lights,
which are especially important in a storm to warn other
drivers that you’re slowing down or stopping.
For your home
Clean out your rain gutters. They direct rainwater
away from your house. “Removing debris will allow
rain gutters to work properly,” said Lori Duvall, an AAA
homeowner claims manager. If the gutters can’t do their
job, rain could run off your roof on to windows, doors,
and walls, where it could cause damage.
Check the roof for weak spots. Don’t wait to find a
pool of water on your floor to realize you have a leak in
your roof. Hire a roofer to do an evaluation (it’s often
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1700 W. Main St. • Alhambra
(626) 284-8533
free). If repairs are necessary, do them now, before the
rains start.
Inspect your windows and doors. Look for cracked
caulking, and make repairs so that your windows won’t
leak in a rainstorm. Then check your doors for old or
damaged weather stripping, and replace it as needed so
that the doors seal properly and keep the rain out.
Check the landscaping around your home. “Water
should drain away from the structure,” Ms. Duvall said.
If it pools on your property, it could damage your lawn
or plants, your deck or porch—or worse, your foundation.
Ask an Agent
Q: If a tree or a branch falls and lands on my home
during a rainstorm, is the damage covered by my
homeowners insurance policy? What if it falls on my
car?
A: Your homeowners policy almost always covers the
damage to your home, even if the tree or branch weren’t
growing on your property. Most policies cover damage
to the structure and the contents within; some also cover
the cost of removing the tree.
Cars damaged by falling trees are often covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance
policy. Comprehensive coverage also comes in handy
for damage other than that caused by a collision. —
Chris Moons, AAA insurance agent, Corona branch
12/2011
PAGE 21B
California Superstores announces new executive general manager
California Superstores Alhambra
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram has announced that Tony Tajalli is the executive general manager and operator of
their newest and most modern facility
in Southern California at 1100 W. Main
St., Alhambra.
After gaining a national reputation for
sales volume with outstanding customer
service, Mr. Tajalli was the choice to run
the entire operations at the new local
dealership. His hard work and dedication has made him, at 35 years old, the
youngest general manager in the
organization’s history.
His sales and service teams mirror his
philosophy of “customer first” service
and attention to details. “This community expects the best service, and we will
provide nothing but the best!” Mr. Tajalli
tells his employees every morning.
Mr. Tajalli is 100% committed to
making sure that every customer receives
the best treatment and highest respect
from every single employee in his orga-
Tony Tajalli is the executive general manager of California Superstores
nization. “We are here for the long haul.
We are not interested in simply selling a
car. We want to build a long lasting relationship with our customers and make
them feel at home at our location.”
Mr. Tajalli immediately made improvements to the customer waiting
lounge by adding comfortable furniture,
business centers with computers, and
flat panel televisions to make servicing
vehicles a pleasant experience. He has a
well-known history and reputation of
putting car dealerships on the map as
well as partnering and building long lasting relationships with the community.
“Come in; let’s have some coffee, and
see if I can upgrade you into a newer
vehicle today,” he said. “I’m excited to
see my business grow and to see more
loyal customers every day.”
Mr. Tajalli grew up in Sweden where
he was a part of the junior soccer national team as well as the Olympic soccer team. He came to the United States
in 1994 to pursue his goals and dreams.
He attended the University of New
Mexico on a full soccer scholarship and
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received his bachelor’s degree as well as
his MBA in international finance. He
graduated in the top 1% of his class. He
was a first team All American soccer
player for the Lobos.
Mr. Tajalli has held a few key executive positions with prominent auto
dealer groups in the nation on his way
to his current post as the general manager of the local Chrysler Dodge Jeep
Ram location with the California
Superstores chain of dealerships in
Alhambra.
Contact Mr. Tajalli and his team at
www.Alhambracdjr.com or by phone, 626537-2400.
PAGE 22B
12/2011
DMV improves advance
appointment services
Making an appointment with the
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
has never been easier.
The DMV has restructured appointment availability, offering more advance
appointments to customers than ever
before. By expanding the number of
appointments available, customers can
continue to do business with the DMV
at a time more convenient for them.
Director George Valverde said that 90
to 95% of customers with advance appointments are being served expeditiously, and nearly the same percentage
are getting appointments within four
days.
Customers can schedule an advance
appointment directly online, or by
phoning the DMV’s customer service
department at 800-777-0133. In addition to making more appointments
available for customers, DMV employees are working with customers to better educate them about appointment
availability.
Expanded appointment availability is
the latest in a series of customer service
improvements launched by the department. Earlier this year, the DMV unveiled Appointment Notify, where customers will receive a reminder call three
days prior to a scheduled appointment.
With the new DMV NOW
Smartphone applications for the Android and iPhone, customers on the go
Shop for a new car in
Alhambra and get a
great deal
The Alhambra Chamber of Commerce salutes
Alhambra Auto Mall
Alhambra Mazda
1200 W. Main St.
(626) 576-2800
New Century BMW
1139 W. Main St.
(626) 570-8444
Alhambra Nissan
726 E. Main St.
(626) 289-6161
Sierra Acura
1700 W. Main St.
(626) 284-8533
California Superstores
Alhambra • Chrysler,
Dodge • Jeep • Ram
1100 W. Main St.
(626) 537-2400
Volkswagen Alhambra
1811 W. Main St.
866-426-2915
Bewley Allen Cadillac
801 E. Main St.
(626) 289-5203
Goudy Honda
1400 W. Main St.
(626) 576-1114
Bob Wondries Ford
400 S. Atlantic Blvd.
(626) 289-3591
Wondries Toyota
1543 W. Main St.
(626) 289-8000
The Chamber of Commerce urges all residents to
shop locally for their new or used cars and trucks.
Keep Alhambra Green!
Expanded appointment
availability is the latest
in a series of customer
service improvements
are now able to make appointments, find
a local field office, and take sample driving tests among many other options.
And, customers making advance appointments will automatically receive a
courtesy reminder call three days in advance of their scheduled appointment.
DMV’s Appointment Notify telephone
system reminds customers about the
date, time, field office location and type
of appointment.
Don’t Stand In Line, Go Online!
Doing business with the DMV has
never been easier. The DMV offers an
array of services to customers 24 hours
a day, seven days a week through its Web
site (www.dmv.ca.gov), including online
appointments for written and drive tests,
vehicle registration and driver license
renewals, selection of personalized license plates, changes of address and payment of fees via secure debit transactions.
Customers can also effect transactions
by phoning DMV customer service at
800-777-0133. DMV is a department
under the Business, Transportation and
Housing Agency.
12/2011
PAGE 23B
Chevy tells dealers to sell
The Difference is the
their Volt demos
Customer Service
in effort to move 10,000
Chevrolet has freed 2,300 Volts from
the automotive equivalent of indentured
servitude as it hurries to meet a self-imposed goal of selling 10,000 of the plugin hybrids by the end of 2011.
With supplies low, Chevy has told its
dealers that they can sell their demo vehicles, ending a previous agreement that
required the outlets to keep the vehicles
on the lot for at least six months before
offering them for sale as used cars, Automotive News reports.
Chevrolet began building and selling
the Volt in small quantities in late 2010,
but didn’t ramp up to full production
levels in August of this year. So far it has
produced 10,896 cars in 2011, but has
only been able to sell 5,003. Along with
the 2,300 tied up as demos, 1,100 are
in transit to dealers, leaving just 1,800
currently available for sale.
Sales have increased in each of the past
three months, but the company says it
will be several more weeks before the
pipeline of vehicles has reached the point
where supply will catch up with demand. Nevertheless, executives have refused to back down from their target of
10,000 sales, adding that they expect to
sell 60,000 Volts worldwide in 2012.
As an incentive to move the metal,
dealers are being offered $1,500 to prep
the cars for sale and cover depreciation.
According to the Detroit Free Press,
buyers should still qualify for the $7,500
federal tax credit that is available for the
$39,995 Volt, but depending on the
number of miles on the odometer at the
time of the sale, some state incentives
may no longer apply.
How much car insurance
coverage do I need?
B Y S TATE F ARM I NSURANCE , A LHAMBRA
When looking for auto insurance,
consider the following three questions
with the help of an agent:
1. How high should the auto liability coverage limits be on my car insurance?
No one can predict exactly how much
you would have to pay if you were to
cause an accident.
Ask yourself how you would pay for
any damages exceeding your coverage
limits.
The higher your liability coverage
limits are, the more likely your auto insurance policy will be able to pay all of
the damages.
2. How high or low should my collision auto insurance and comprehensive deductibles be?
Higher deductibles lower your premium but increase the amount you must
pay out of your own pocket if a loss occurs.
Ask yourself how much you would
be willing and able to pay on short notice in order to save on your premium.
3. Should my auto insurance include collision and comprehensive
coverage?
You may be required to carry collision or comprehensive coverage if your
vehicle is leased or financed.
Once you have paid off your car, and
its value decreases, you might consider
dropping these coverages to save money
on your auto insurance.
Consider, though, whether the savings would be enough to offset the risk
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PAGE 24B
12/2011
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*0.0% APR for well qualified buyers when financed through participating lender. Not all
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months at $16.67 per month per $1,000 financed ith $0 down at participating lenders. Loan
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General Manager Jay Kirschner said Wondries Family Collision Center’s quick repair
process can often save customers several days of headaches.
Wondries Collision
provides expert repair,
restoration of damage
Customers are not often in the greatest of moods when they head into
Wondries Family Collision Center, 328
S. Marengo Ave. But it’s the repair
shop’s goal to have them feeling good
by the time they come out. Dealing
with insurance companies, confusing
cost estimates, and inconvenient repair
schedules can be a nightmare, which is
why Wondries is continually working
hard to simplify the process.
“We are a direct repair facility for all
the major insurance companies,” said
General Manager Jay Kirschner. “All
they have to do is call their insurance
company and get a claim number. Then
we take it from there. They don’t have
to have any further contact with the insurance company at all. We’re authorized
to make the repairs without contacting
the insurance company. Our estimates are
automatically uploaded to them. It’s onestop shopping for collision repair.”
Unlike some competitors, Wondries
Family Collision has gone the extra mile
to make sure they’ve been approved for
direct repair with all the major insurance
companies such as Farmers, State Farm,
Mercury, All State, and 21st Century. Mr.
Kirschner said the distinction can often
save customers several days.
“It’s more convenience and fewer
headaches for the customers,” said
Continued on next page
Wondries Family Collison Center is located at 328 S. Marengo Ave.
12/2011
PAGE 25B
Buy a Car in Alhambra
Because of its association
with the Wondries car
dealerships, the shop is
able to get overnight
delivery on parts.
San Gabriel Blvd.
Atlantic Blvd.
Fremont Ave.
Marengo Ave.
Continued from previous page
Kirschner. “Normally if you don’t take your car to a
direct repair facility, you have to wait for that insurance company to send an adjustor out to the shop
so they can write their own estimate. If there’s a
supplement, customers have to wait for the insurance company to come back out and re-inspect.
Once a customer drops off their car with us, we are
authorized to continue with the supplement.”
Pasadena
210
“We Speak Your Language”
r.
Mr. Kirschner believes another reason insurance
South
on D
t
g
tin
Hun
Pasadena
companies and customers trust their work is due to
r.
on D
s
is i
their shop being recognized with the highest of stan M
Alhambra
dards: the I-CAR gold certification. In order to
Valley Blvd.
achieve the gold standard, everyone in the shop has
10
710
to receive extra training on numerous aspects of the
collision business.
“I-car is the governing standard of the
industry, so when people see I-car certified, they can feel comfortable that everyone has been fully trained,” said Mr.
Kirschner.
400 S. Atlantic BIvd. Alhambra. CA 91801 888-643-1092 www.bobwondriesford.com
Quality and capability may also be
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further reasons for decreased customer
downtime. The shop does its own inhouse mechanical, alignment, paint, and
glass work. And, because of its association with the Wondries car dealerships,
the shop is able to get overnight delivery
on parts.
• Class leading
“We do everything to reduce any kind
40 mpg highway
of delays that may come with an accident,” said Mr. Kirschner. “We are very
• Top Safety Pick (IIHS)
• Top Safety Pick (llHS)
fine-tuned to make sure everything goes
• Standard safety features include stability and traction control,
• Standard safety features include stability and traction control,
fast.”
antilock disc brakes, front seat side air bags and side curtain
antilock disc brakes, front seat side air bags and side curtain
Wondries Collision has been quick to
air bags. Also included is a class exclusive driver knee air
air bags.
take the lead on environmental concerns.
bag.
• Voted Mid Size Sedan of the year.
• Class Exclusive Sync®. Works with any Bluetooth®-enabled
Being in a residential area, the shop in• Available in 4-cylinder, V6 Sport and Hybrid.
phone.
stalled expensive pollution control sys• European Inspired Design.
tems for their spray booths, which have
helped to eliminate air pollutants. It also
Best in Class
• 2011 Ford Fusion
made the switch to life-time warranty
fuel economy
Hybrld Is the most fuel
water-based paints several years before
2011 Fiesta SE
effiilent midsize sedan
they became a requirement.
with SFE package2
In America.*
“We were at the forefront years ago
when people didn’t have to do it. That’s
why we have much more experience with
it. It was also healthier for our employees,” said Mr. Kirschner. “We also don’t
• Top Safety Pick (IIHS)
throw anything in the trash. Everything
• Standard safety features include stability and
that comes in here goes out and gets retraction control, antilock disc brakes, front seat side
cycled.”
air bags and side curtain air bags. Also included is
Mr. Kirschner, a member of the
a class exclusive driver knee air bag.
Alhambra Rotary, has been with the
• Available Sync with MyFord Touch™
Wondries group for 29 years. The
• Available 6-Speed PowerShift Automatic
Transmission
Wondries have been in business in
•
Available
Intelligent Access with push button start
Alhambra for more than half a century
and are deeply involved with commuAUTHORIZED FORD-LINCOLN-MERCURY REPAIR AND PARTS FACILITY SERVICE DEPT. OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 800-870-0491
nity efforts, supporting such organizations as the Y of West San Gabriel Valley, the board of education, and substance abuse programs. Helping out the
community and helping out customers
has become somewhat of a tradition.
“We’re a household name and have a
very high reputation to maintain,” said
Mr. Kirschner.
• Motorcraft® Premium Synthetic
• Inspect brake system
“We’re deeply rooted in the commuBlend Oil and Motorcraft Filter
• Test battery
Change
• Test battery
nity and will be for many, many years to
• Rotate and inspect four tires
• Top off all fluids
Dealer-installed Motorcraft® or Genuine Ford brake pads or
• Check air and clean filters
come.”
shoes only, on most cars and light trucks. Limit one
Retail
Purchases
only.
Up
to
five
quarts
of
Motorcraft
oil
and
redemption per axle per customer. Front or rear axle. Includes
Wondries Family Collision Center
Motorcraft filter. Taxes, diesel vehicles and disposal fees extra. Hybrid
maching rotors or drums. Taxes extra. Offer valid with coupon.
battery test excluded. Offer valid with coupon. Expires 12/31/11.
Expires 12/31/11.
can be reached at 626-414-1900.
328 South Marengo Ave.
Alhambra, CA 91803
The 40MPG Club
2011
Fiesta
2011
Fusion/
Hybrid
The All New
2012 Focus
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REAL ESTATE & FINANCIAL NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 26B
12/2011
Real Estate News | Residential, Commercial, Loans
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difference in people’s lives and help serve our
community.
So why are they called short sales?
B Y L EE L IEBERG
According to a recent article
on Trulia.com, the number one
complaint of short sale and REO
buyers is that they take so long.
They typically take anywhere
from 45 days to eight months.
A look at the REO’s in Alhambra
last month showed an average of
only 32 days to complete. Short
sales had a greater issue with delays as it took an average of 68
days to complete.
The 68 days it took to close
escrow does not include the time
it takes to negotiate an offer. You
can expect the process of negotiating to be longer than it would
be with a standard seller. Banks
are typically slow to respond, frequently lose paper work, and often request additional documents from both buyer and
seller.
So why do they call them
“short” sales? It is because the
bank is accepting a short payment on the loan secured by the
property. For example, a home
that has a loan of $400,000
might only net $350,000 after
it is sold. This would leave the
bank with a payment that is
short by $50,000.
It has nothing to do with the
amount of time it takes to complete the transaction.
In fact, if
they were referring to the time
it takes to close
when naming
them short
sales,
they
Interested in growing with us? Call us today at
(626) 372-6602
Charles Tran
Partner
CA OF60915
New York Life Insurance Company
301 N Lake Ave Suite 500
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 372-6602
[email protected]
NEW YORK LIFE. THE COMPANY YOU KEEP.®
EOE M/F/D/V
*Standard & Poor’s (AAA). A.M. Best (A++). Moody’s (Aaa) and Fitch (AAA) for financial strength. Source: Individual Third-Party Ratings Reports (as of 6/16/09)
©2010 New York Life Insurance Company, 51 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010
SMRU 00409011CV (Exp. 07/11) AGY-1564 100277
would call them “long” sales.
If you are considering the purchase of a short sale, it is important to keep these obstacles in
mind. Delays can be nerve racking if you are coordinating the
sale of another home, planning
around school years, changing
jobs, or simply timing your
move.
Investors inherently have an
advantage as they are less attached emotionally to properties,
frequently have cash, and normally have more flexibility in
their timing.
Additional hurdles plague
short sale buyers because there is
the bank to deal with beyond the
seller. Banks frequently change
terms that you thought were previously agreed to, or back out of
deals altogether. Remember the
real decision maker is the bank,
not the person selling their
home, and unfortunately banks
have been given their own set of
rules.
Buyers can reduce the head-
Lee Lieberg can be contacted at
[email protected] or
phone him at 626-826-1120.
aches by working with an agent
who is familiar with short sales.
Part of your agent’s job will be
to analyze the property, loans,
market conditions, and the other
agent.
There are deals to be found,
so do your homework and go in
with realistic expectations.
OCTOBER MARKET REPORT
# Homes
Sold
Median
Price
# Condos
Sold
Median
Price
October 2011
15
$440,000
9
$361,000
October 2010
15
$485,000
7
$358,000
Listed 11/10/11
Homes
66
Condos
68
*Data was obtained from Multi-Regional MLS Alliance and deemed to
be reliable. Lee Lieberg can be contacted at [email protected].
or at 626-826-1120.
Ben-Hur and Trojan mascot?
Continued from Page 1B
USC had another mascot before Traveler. George Tirebiter, a stray dog on campus,
was adopted by the football team. The dog not only demonstrated a capacity to chase
cars, but also to lead the football team onto the field at the beginning of games. From
the 1940s to 1957, there were four different dogs named Tirebiter.
The official explanation is that there is no connection between the movie Ben-Hur
and Tommy Trojan riding Traveler. But when you consider the facts, I just can not help
but wonder, if it had not been for the movie Ben-Hur, might we not be watching
Tirebiter XXIII run around the Coliseum on fall Saturday afternoons?
Gary Frueholz is a realtor with Dilbeck Real Estate, a past member of the Alhambra
Planning Commission, and a certified Senior Real Estate Specialist. He can be reached at
626-318-9436.
12/2011
PAGE 27B
REAL ESTATE & FINANCIAL NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
Funding a buy-sell agreement with life insurance
As a partner or co-owner (private shareholder) of a business,
you’ve spent years building a valuable financial interest in your
company. You may have considered setting up a buy-sell agreement to ensure your surviving
family a smooth sale of your business interest and are looking into
funding methods. One of the first
methods you should consider is
life insurance. The life insurance
that funds your buy-sell agreement will create a sum of money
at your death that will be used to
pay your family or your estate the
full value of your ownership interest.
How funding with life insurance
works
When using life insurance with
a buy-sell agreement, either the
company or the individual coowners buy life insurance policies
on the lives of each co-owner (but
not on themselves). If you were
to die, the policyowners (the company or co-owners) receive the
death benefits from the policies on
your life. That money is paid to
your surviving family members as
payment for your interest in the
business. If all goes well, your family gets a sum of cash they can use
to help sustain them after your
death, and the company has ensured its continuity.
Advantages of using life insurance
• Life insurance creates a lump
sum of cash to fund the buy-sell
agreement at death.
• Life insurance proceeds are
usually paid quickly after your
death, ensuring that the buy-sell
transaction can be settled quickly.
• Life insurance proceeds are
generally income tax free; a C corporation may be subject to the alternative minimum tax (AMT).
• If sufficient cash values have
built up within the policies, the
funds can be accessed to purchase
your business interest following
your retirement or disability.
Disadvantages of using life insurance
• Life insurance premiums are
paid with after-tax dollars because
the premiums are generally not a
tax-deductible expense.
• Premium requirements are an
ongoing expense.
• One or more co-owners may
be uninsurable due to age or illness.
• If the co-owners’ ages vary
widely, younger co-owners will
have to pay higher premiums on
the lives of the older co-owners.
• If the ownership percentages
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Wall Street On
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ker-dealer or investment advisor.
Prepared by Broadridge Investor
Communication Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2011.
Cesar Franco is an independent financial
advisor with Royal Alliance Assoc., Inc.
Contact him at 113 W. Main St. #228,
Alhambra 91801, 626-588-2417, or
[email protected].
vary widely, more insurance will
be needed to cover the owners
with the larger ownership interests, resulting in higher premium
costs for those with smaller ownership interests.
How to set up different types of
buy-sell agreements
In an entity purchase buy-sell
agreement, the business itself buys
separate life insurance policies on
the lives of each of the co-owners.
The business usually pays the annual premiums and is the owner
and beneficiary of the policies.
In a cross purchase buy-sell
agreement, each co-owner buys a
life insurance policy on each of the
other co-owners. Each co-owner
usually pays the annual premiums
on the policies they own and are
the beneficiaries of the policies. If
your company has a large number of co-owners, multiple policies must be purchased by each coowner.
A wait and see (or hybrid) buysell agreement allows you to combine features from both the entity
purchase and cross purchase models. The business can buy policies
on each co-owner, the individual
co-owners can buy policies on
each other, or a mixture of both
methods can be used.
The buy-sell agreement should
be fully funded
The amount of insurance coverage on your life should equal the
value of your ownership interest.
Then, when you die, there will be
enough cash from the policy proceeds to pay your family or estate
in full for your share of the business.
But if all that is affordable is
insurance coverage for a portion
of your interest, you might want
to go ahead and fund that
amount. Later, the company may
be able to increase the amount of
insurance or use additional funding methods. In the meantime,
the agreement should specify how
your family or estate will be paid.
The value of the business could
change over time
What if the insurance proceeds
turn out to be less than the value
of your business interest, due to
growth in the business? Your surviving family members might end
up getting less than full value for
your business interest. Your buysell agreement should specify how
the valuation difference will be
handled.
Conversely, the insurance proceeds might be greater than the
value of your business interest
when you die. Your buy-sell agreement should address this potential situation upfront and specify
whether the excess funds will belong to the business, the surviving co-owners, or your family or
estate.
Should group life insurance be
used?
Using a company’s group life
insurance plan to fund a buy-sell
agreement is generally not recommended. Normally, group life insurance premiums are tax deductible to the company. But premiums are no longer deductible if the
business is the beneficiary.
Keeping track of your buy-sell
agreement
Each year, the premiums on the
policies must be paid, or the insurance will lapse. So monitor premium payments carefully. Your
buy-sell agreement should include
a feature requiring ongoing proof
of payment. Also, review the
amount of insurance regularly.
The insurance coverage may have
to be increased periodically to reflect increases in the value of the
business. If additional insurance is
not possible, another funding
method should be established. Finally, periodically check the financial rating of your insurance company. The policies funding your
buy-sell agreement will do your
family no good if the insurer becomes insolvent.
Securities offered through
Cesar Franco, an independent registered representative of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. Member
FINRA/SIPC. Certain insurance
products are offered by Cesar
Franco as a licensed agent inde-
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3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms home Madre 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,
located in Madison Heights with 1142 s.f. turnkey contemporary town
refinished hardwood floors, freshly home located within one block of the
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For more information,
phone Gary
Dartmouth Ave., El Sereno
14,027 SF, LAR1
Gary Frueholz
pendent of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. NWF Advisory is not
affiliated with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. or registered as a bro-
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://gary.frueholz.dilbeck.com
El Sereno Hillside lot with
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no matter the size
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PAGE 28B
LIFE SECTION / AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2011

DECEMBER 2011 Did USC Trojan mascot have a connection with

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