September 2014 Section B - Alhambra Chamber of Commerce

Transcription

SEPT. 2014
AROUND
ALHAMBRA
PUBLISHED BY THE ALHAMBRA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SECTION B
life
community
seniors / health
dining / entertainment
auto / real estate
Alhambra Hospital
Medical Center scores
A rating in hospital safety
Two important developments were
recently announced by Alhambra Hospital Medical Center that benefit
healthcare in Alhambra.
Alhambra Hospital Medical Center
again scored an A rating in the evaluation of patient medical safety by the national organization that measures hospitals throughout the country.
In addition, Alhambra Hospital
Medical Center is the only hospital in
the San Gabriel Valley that offers an affordable, low dose CT lung cancer
screening procedure.
Alhambra Hospital officials stated at
a press briefing Aug. 22 that an A rating is often achieved, and expected, by
large hospitals, and that the achievement by a small, community hospital
is definitely good news.
Based upon an evaluation of 28 separate measures, ranging from specific
medical occurrences, such as breathing
failure after surgery, catheter associated
infections, etc., to staffing and nursing
issues, such as ICU patient staffing and
the nursing workforce, the Alhambra
Hospital Medical Center, listed first in
the California rating listing available at
www.hospitalsafetyscore.org, is ranked
alongside the best hospitals in the nation.
“We’re very pleased to receive the
highest rating for patient safety in the
latest Hospital Safety Score,” said Dr.
James Wang, the hospital’s chief of
Quality Improvement Committee and
physician adviser of the Patient Safety
Committee. “My goal is to make sure
our entire medical staff and team here
at Alhambra Hospital Medical Center
put patient safety at the top of the list
every day.”
In addition, the announcement concerning the low dose CT lung cancer
screening is great news for the
Alhambra community, especially since
the disease, which develops at a younger
Alhambra dirt –
It’s far more valuable than
many would think
Alhambra Hospital Medical Center again scored an A in the evaluation of patient
medical safety and is the only hospital in the San Gabriel Valley that offers an affordable, low dose CT lung cancer screening procedure. From left are Ngo Phan, M.D.;
Joseph Kuei, M.D.; James Lin, Jr., M.D.; Stephen Chen, M.D.; James Wang, D.O.;
and Iris Lai, CEO.
age in Asians and is more common in
Asian women, can lead to safer screening due to the lower dose of radiation
than the regular CT screening and a
lower risk of lung cancer deaths in high
risk individuals because of early detection.
The cost of low dose CT lung cancer screening is not currently covered
by insurance, but the Alhambra Hos-
pital Medical Center offers the service
to patients with a physician’s order for
just $130 and $250 for patients without a physician’s order.
A full range of information, including safety score, low dose CT lung cancer screenings, and much more, is available at www.alhambrahospital.com.
MORE HEALTH NEWS ON PAGES 5-10B
Understanding
Real Estate
Gary Frueholz
DILBECK R EAL ESTATE • 626-318-9436
Gary Frueholz is a Realtor with Dilbeck Real Estate, a
past member of the Alhambra Planning Commission, and
a certified Senior Real Estate Specialist. Mr. Frueholz can
be reached at 626-318-9436 or by e-mail at
gary.frueholz@dilbeck.com. To see all of Gary’s articles on Alhambra,
visit www.garysstories.com.
B Y GARY FRUEHOLZ , D ILBECK R EAL E STATE
The next time you dust off your shoes in Alhambra, think twice. You might
just be surprised at the value of Alhambra dirt.
As realtors, we can roughly
calculate the value of land, i.e.,
dirt, whether it be for residential, commercial, or vacant land.
When a home sells, the value of
the improvement on the land
can be estimated. This value can
include the actual cost of the
building, entitlement process,
architects, etc.
When the value of the improvement on the land along
with the transactional costs are
subtracted from the sale price,
the value of the land is what ultimately is left. In other words,
this is the value of the dirt. It is
not unusual for the majority of
the cost of a Southern CaliforThe sale of this Alhambra home demonstrates impressive value relative to other local cities.
nia home to be for the lot that
the house is on.
sion into these upcoming calculations.
blocks away from the San Bernardino
I recently had a listing of a lovely
But they will demonstrate a point.
Freeway.
three-bedroom single family detached
Alhambra’s land, due to its location
When I calculated the value of this
home in Alhambra. It was not in
next to Los Angeles and the character
property’s dirt and compared it to
Alhambra’s Bean Tract, which is next
of the city itself, is valuable.
other cities that I knew, my jaw
to San Marino, but rather in the
The Urban Land Institute is one
dropped.
southern section of the city, a couple
of the most distinguished professional
Do not read a false level of preci-
Gary Frueholz
organizations on gathering real
estate data. A project of theirs
in 2012 came up with a cost of
$176 per square foot in Southern California to build. A
broader figure from the 2010
United States census came up
with the median figure of $103
per square foot to build a home
in the western region of our
country. For our discussion, we
will use the figure of $176 per
square foot to build.
The home I listed in Southern Alhambra sold earlier this
year for $615,000. It was three
bedrooms, two bathrooms,
1,718 square feet of livable
space, and a lot measuring at
6,176 square feet on
Westminster Avenue. The value of the
house’s land calculates at $51 per
square foot by the above assumptions.
The interesting part of this story is
that the sellers of this property bought
a three- bedroom, two-bathroom
CONTINUED ON PAGE 25B
PAGE 2B
SENIOR NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
9/2014
Seniors / Retirees News |Activities, Projects, Features
UNDERSTANDING THE SENIOR EXPERIENCE
Volunteerism helps extend life in retirement years
B Y D ENNIS E. M C F ADDEN ,
P RESIDENT /CEO - R ETIRED
A THERTON B APTIST H OMES
“Retirement,” Malcolm Forbes famously observed, “kills more people
than hard work ever did.” Studies have
repeatedly shown that people who retire early tend to die younger than those
who continue working.
The ancients called us “homo faber,”
the one who “works” for a reason. As
much as we crave leisure, we were created to “do,” not merely to watch others doing.
A growing body of literature suggests
that one crucial key to satisfaction during one’s senior years relates to how you
spend your time. People who find ways
to invest their days wisely and significantly seem to derive greater enjoyment
from their remaining years.
I have long marveled at the residents
at Atherton, Alhambra’s premiere century-old retirement community, and the
way so many of them seem to live to
100 years and more. Perhaps the “secret
sauce” is their unusual commitment to
continuing meaningful activity and engagement in the world around them,
particularly through volunteerism.
Last month, Atherton residents
Doug and his wife, Martha, returned
from Dubai where the 79- year- old
served the last several months as an interim pastor for yet another church.
Since joining the Atherton community
‘I realized again how much I had to offer’
Dr. Dennis E. McFadden has recently retired
as president and CEO of Atherton Baptist
Homes.
a few years ago, they have been in Asia,
Mexico, Europe, and the Middle East
with similar assignments. Eddie completed, and saw published, his 18th book
printed by a major Christian publisher,
extending his contributions to training
the next generation of leaders around the
world.
Others such as Wicham travel to
Thailand for months at a time in order
to train pastors and church leaders. Cory
and Reine, Donald and Yetsuko,
Kazuko, and Connie all take a global
approach to volunteerism as well, devoting serious time to efforts overseas. Gary
and Sharlene leave Atherton for work in
America with the Gleanings organization, a mercy ministry that has helped
with hunger issues in more than 100
countries.
Some seniors volunteer locally. Celia
recycles her experience as a professional
teacher to conduct ESL classes in
Alhambra and surrounding communities. Her goal is to help immigrants learn
English. Ernie and Lucille have focused
their time with the “Movers and Shakers” group at Atherton, volunteers who
work to extend the useful life of things
by taking “gently used” items of clothing, jewelry, books, and small household
items and “repurposing” them.
Later this year, buses of Atherton
residents will travel to work with
Samaritan’s Purse, assisting in the annual
Operation Christmas Child effort.
George and Elaine typify what motivates this kind of activity. “We looked
many places, some fancy and others not
so much, but all places of value, what
really was the determining factor in our
move to Atherton was the various opportunities for volunteerism. It is so important to us to continue our active and
useful lives.”
Activity with a purpose or cause
larger than oneself seems to capture the
flavor of why so many seniors find their
retirement years to be the most meaningful of all.
Gene stated it well when he observed:
“I thought I was getting old, and it was
time to make a move. Little did I know
how busy I would be serving in local and
not-so-local ways, and right here at
Atherton. I realized again how much I
had to offer and that I was not too old
to help others. Almost 20 years later I
continue to serve at an age I used to
think was “old!”
Various empirical scientific studies
cannot agree on what makes for longevity. However, whether volunteer activity makes you live longer or not, finding ways to reinvest yourself significantly, particularly in the service of others, will make the life you do have feel
fuller, more vibrant, and exciting. It certainly beats trying to guess what letters
Vanna White will be turning over next.
As one longtime resident of Atherton
put it: “Caring about others and doing
for others is part of who we are here.
We have so many opportunities here and
outside Atherton to make a difference.
I love it; the people here love it. It’s part
of what keeps us going and makes us
happy.”
“When we needed help,
we discovered Vista Cove at San Gabriel”
Quality
• Assisted Living
• Memory Care
• Respite Care
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 Lic. #197606796
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
9/2014
PAGE 3B
Joslyn Adult Recreation Center
Seniors invited to visit Joslyn Center this fall
A hearty welcome is what seniors will
receive when they come to the Joslyn
Adult Recreation Center, 210 N. Chapel
Ave. Participants can enjoy club meetings, challenging seminars, relaxing afternoons in the library, tasty lunches, and
exciting special events.
A preview of senior activities is available in the City of Alhambra Leisure
Classes, Activities & Excursions Guide, at
www.cityofalhambra.org but the most up-todate list of activities is posted near the
center’s entrance.
In September, the beginning of the fall
season, some of the Joslyn activities include:
Bone Density Screening from 9 a.m.
to 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12. Presented by
Citizen’s Choice Health Plan.
Keeping Fit After 50, an educational
seminar presented by Alhambra Hospital
Medical Center, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept.
16.
Fall Ball – Under the Big Top, a fall
dinner and dance event that ensures an
evening filled with excitement and live
entertainment, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 17. The fee is $12. Registration, which began last month, is required. This event is co-sponsored by
AGA Medicare Options.
Trusts and Planning for Aging Parents, a seminar in the “Managing Elder
Care, Trusts & Medi-Cal” series presented
by Elder Law Attorney Carlos A. Arcos,
at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18.
METRO on the Move, an informa-
tional seminar presented by METRO
Representative Gayle McKinney, at 10
a.m. Friday, Sept. 19.
Due to space restrictions, registration is
required for instructional classes, seminars,
and health screenings, which are free unless
otherwise noted. To RSVP, phone 626-5705056, or check with the Joslyn office.
The weekday Senior Nutrition Program
requires reservations one day in advance.
Phone 626-458-4455 at 9:30 a.m. Suggested donation is $2.
Close out the year with trips from Senior Outings
The Senior Outings travelling agenda for the coming
months is filled with many interesting sites.
Seniors registered for September’s Senior Outings last
month, but check with the Joslyn office for any available
space for the outings to:
Los Angeles County Fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 10. The fee is $20.
Huntington Beach from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday,
Sept. 26. The fee is $12.
October: Registration for October Senior Outings
takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Check out the registration procedure at www.cityofalhambra.org, or phone 626570-5056 for information. The luxury coach will head
to:
Los Angeles County Natural History Museum from
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10 The fee is $17. Most
visitors head directly to the new Dinosaur Hall, but with
a collection of more than 35 million specimens dating
back 4.5 billion years, visitors have their choice of halls
(and millennia) to visit first. Have lunch (not included)
in the NHM Grill or picnic in the nearby Rose Garden.
BAPS (Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam
Swaminarayan Sanstha) Hindu Temple and the Shoppes
at Chino Hills from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct.
23. The fee is $12. BAPS, one of more than 3,850 centers in a worldwide network, is a traditional Hindu place
of worship in which the individual growth of members is
fostered through the Hindu ideals of faith, unity, and
selfless service.
Senior Outing participants will learn about this culture on a 45-minute guided tour and explore the sacred
site on their own. Lunch and shopping, later in the day,
will take place at the Shoppes at Chino Hills.
November: Registration for November Senior Outings takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 7, for outings to:
Pilgrim Place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 14. The
fee is $12. Relive the settling of America with a historical
Pilgrim play, browse the on-site craft fair, bazaar, and rummage sale, and enjoy a selection of food for lunch (not
included).
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library from 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. Nov. 20. The fee is $30. Ticket price includes
admission and a two-hour docent-led tour, with plenty
of time to browse the historical exhibits, including a replica of the Oval Office and board Air Force One. Purchase lunch on site or bring lunch.
December: Registration for November Senior Outings takes place on Nov. 4 for outings to:
Fashion Island and Roger’s Garden from 9 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Dec. 5. The fee is $12. Holiday shopping is on
the agenda at Fashion Island, Orange County’s premier
shopping destination, followed by a visit to what many
consider “America’s most beautiful Home and Garden
Center,” the seven-acre site known as Roger’s Garden.
Huntington Harbor Cruise of Lights from 2 p.m.
to 8 p.m. Dec. 18. The fee is $20. A late lunch or early
dinner starts the festivities, followed by a narrated boat
tour to view hundreds of brightly decorated homes, docks,
decks, and boats.
PAGE 4B
9/2014
The Benefits of Slumber: Why You Need a Good Night’s Sleep
NIH N EWS IN H EALTH
We have so many demands on
our time – jobs, family, errands
– not to mention finding some
time to relax. To fit everything
in, we often sacrifice sleep. But
sleep affects both mental and
physical health. It’s vital to your
well-being.
Of course, sleep helps us feel
rested each day. But while we’re
sleeping, our brain and body
don’t just shut down. Internal
organs and processes are hard at
work throughout the night.
“Sleep services all aspects of
the body in one way or another:
molecular, energy balance, as
well as intellectual function,
alertness and mood,” said Dr.
Merrill Mitler, a sleep expert and
neuroscientist at NIH.
When we’re tired, we can’t
function at our best. Sleep helps
us think more clearly, have
quicker reflexes and focus better.
“The fact is, when we look at
well-rested people, they’re oper-
ating at a different level than
people trying to get by on one
or two hours less nightly sleep,”
said Dr. Mitler.
“Loss of sleep impairs our
higher levels of reasoning, problem-solving and attention to detail,” he said. Tired people tend
to be less productive at work.
They’re at a much higher risk for
traffic accidents.
Lack of sleep also influences
mood, which can affect how we
interact with others. A sleep deficit over time can even put one
at greater risk for developing
depression.
But sleep isn’t just essential for
the brain. “Sleep affects almost
every tissue in our bodies,” said
Dr. Michael Twery, a sleep expert at the National Insttitute
of Health. “It affects growth and
stress hormones, our immune
system, appetite, breathing,
blood pressure and cardiovascular health.”
Research shows that lack of
sleep increases the risk for obesity, heart disease and infections.
Throughout the night, heart
rate, breathing rate and blood
pressure rise and fall, a process
that may be important for cardiovascular health. The body releases hormones during sleep
that help repair cells and control
the body’s use of energy. These
hormone changes can affect
body weight.
“Ongoing research shows a
lack of sleep can produce dia-
betic-like conditions in otherwise healthy people,” said Dr.
Mitler.
Recent studies also reveal that
sleep can affect the efficiency of
vaccinations. Dr. Twery described research showing that
well-rested people who received
the flu vaccine developed stronger protection against the illness.
A good night’s sleep consists
of four to five sleep cycles. Each
cycle includes periods of deep
sleep and rapid eye movement
(REM) sleep, when we dream.
“As the night goes on, the portion of that cycle that is in REM
sleep increases. It turns out that
this pattern of cycling and progression is critical to the biology
of sleep,” said Dr. Twery.
Although personal needs vary,
on average, adults need seven to
eight hours of sleep per night.
Babies typically sleep about 16
hours a day.
Young children need at least
10 hours of sleep, while teenagers need at least nine hours. To
attain the maximum restorative
benefits of sleep, getting a full
night of quality sleep is important, said Dr. Twery.
Sleep can be disrupted by
many things. Stimulants such as
caffeine or certain medications
can keep you up. Distractions
such as electronics – especially
the light from TVs, cell phones,
tablets and e-readers – can prevent falling asleep.
As people get older, they may
not get enough sleep because of
illness, medications or sleep disorders. By some estimates, about
70 million Americans of all ages
suffer from chronic sleep problems. The two most common
sleep disorders are insomnia and
sleep apnea.
People with insomnia have
trouble falling or staying asleep.
Anxiety about falling asleep often makes the condition worse.
Most of us have occasional insomnia. But chronic insomnia –
lasting at least three nights per
week for more than a month –
can trigger serious daytime problems such as exhaustion, irritability and difficulty concentrating.
Common therapies include
relaxation and deep-breathing
techniques. Sometimes medicine
is prescribed. But consult a physician before trying even overthe-counter sleep pills, as they
may leave one feeling unrefreshed
in the morning.
People with sleep apnea have
a loud, uneven snore (although
not everyone who snores has apnea). Breathing repeatedly stops
or becomes shallow. If you have
apnea, you’re not getting enough
oxygen, and your brain disturbs
your sleep to open your windpipe.
Apnea is dangerous. “There’s
little air exchange for 10 seconds
or more at a time,” said Dr.
Phyllis Zee, a sleep apnea expert
9/2014
HEALTH NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 5B
Health & Medical News|Hospitals, Physicians, Dentists, Facilities
How to avoid running injuries
B Y S HEILA Y ONEMOTO , P.T., & D OUG G ULICK , P.T.
Alhambra once had the good fortune to interest a
world-class runner, Lynn Jennings, in running in one
of their Moonlight 8K races. She later went on to win
the Bronze medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in
the 10,000 meters event.
During her running clinic at Alhambra High School,
she imparted some important information to the local
high school track teams about avoiding running injuries. Amazingly, she never had a running injury in her
entire career.
Her basic advice was listen to your body and rest
when not feeling up to par, and slow the pace of training when needed. To prevent injuries, do adequate
warm-ups and cool-downs, pre and post running
events. The general rule-of-thumb is to start slowly and
progress gradually, working your body up to a warmer
temperature and even perspiring. Warm-ups are done
dynamically, meaning you move versus holding a position, while cool-downs are characterized by static
stretching.
Studies show that static stretching done during the
warm-up actually decreases muscle strength.
An example of a dynamic warm-up activity would
be standing next to a fence or pole, holding on, and
slowly swinging the leg back and forth to increase the
leg’s flexibility. Do this gradually for about 30 seconds,
20-30 repetitions, then repeat with the other leg. Your
body should feel warmer and more flexible. Increase
the intensity of the workout to mimic your event.
Equal time should be spent cooling down after the
event to stretch out muscles and normalize blood flow
and heart rate. It is important to incorporate core leg
strengthening into your routine. Basic moves include
hamstring stretching, quad stretching, calf stretching,
and hip stretching.
The key is to progress gradually and safely. Don’t
overdo it. Muscles adapt much more slowly than the
cardiovascular system. Better to be safe than sorry. Your
workout will be more pleasant, and you will stay on
course doing the things you want to do.
Sheila Yonemoto, P.T., has
been a physical therapist for more
than 30 years, specializing in integrative manual therapy, using a holistic approach. She can be reached
at Yonemoto Physical Therapy, 55
S. Raymond Ave, Suite 100,
Alhambra 91801. Sheila also offers
a “Chinese Energy” exercise class.
Phone 626-576-0591 for more information or visit www.yonemoto.com
Good sleep is critical to good health
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4B
at Northwestern University. “The oxygen goes down and the body’s fight or
flight response is activated. Blood pressure spikes, your heart rate fluctuates and
the brain wakes you up partially to start
your breathing again. This creates stress.”
Apnea can leave a person feeling tired
and moody. One may have trouble
thinking clearly. “Also, apnea affects the
vessels that lead to the brain so there is a
higher risk of stroke associated with it,”
Dr. Zee added.
Those with mild sleep apnea might
try sleeping on their side and exercising
or losing weight to reduce symptoms. A
CPAP machine, which pumps air into
the throat to keep the airway open, can
also help. Another treatment is a bite
plate that moves the lower jaw forward.
In some cases, however, people with sleep
apnea need surgery.
“If you snore chronically and wake up
choking or gasping for air, and feel that
you’re sleepy during the day, tell your
doctor and get evaluated,” Dr. Zee said.
NIH is currently funding several studies to gain deeper insights into sleep apnea and other aspects of sleep. One fiveyear study of 10,000 pregnant women is
designed to gauge the effects of apnea
on the mother’s and baby’s health. Dr.
Zee said this study will shed more light
on apnea and the importance of treatment.
Good sleep is critical to good health.
To make each day a safe, productive one,
take steps to make sure of regularly getting a good night’s sleep.
PAGE 6B
9/2014
Soothing a sore throat
What to do when your throat hurts
NIH N EWS IN H EALTH .
Everyone has had sore throats around
this time of year. The throat feels
scratchy and may hurt when one swallows. What can be done to soothe a sore
throat? And when is it a sign of a more
serious infection?
Most sore throats are caused by viral
infections such as the common cold or
the flu. These throat problems are generally minor and go away on their own.
To soothe an irritated throat, keep it
moist. “Ever notice that a sore throat
seems worse in the morning? It’s because
the throat gets so dry overnight,”said Dr.
Valerie Riddle, an infectious disease expert at NIH. “Having lozenges or hard
candies – or anything that stimulates
saliva production – will keep the throat
moist. It’s also important to drink plenty
of fluids.”
For young children who might choke
on hard candies or lozenges, try cold liquids and popsicles. Throat pain might
also be soothed by throat sprays and
over-the-counter pain relievers such as
acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin,
but don’t give aspirin to young children.
Contact a physician if a sore throat is
severe, doesn’t feel better after a few days,
or is accompanied by a high fever or
swollen glands. These symptoms could
be signs of a bacterial infection, such as
strep throat. Taking antibiotics won’t
help at all if a sore throat is caused by
viruses, but they’re essential for fighting
bacterial infections like strep.
Strep is the most common bacterial
throat infection. Although it can occur
in adults, strep throat is more common
in children between ages 5 and 15.
Dr. Riddle said strep can be harder to
detect in younger children, because it can
cause a runny nose and other symptoms
that make it seem like a cold.
“If a child has severe throat pain, a
fever above 100.4 degrees, or swollen
glands, one should get medical attention
right away,” said Dr. Riddle.
Children with strep also may experience nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.
To see if a sore throat is due to strep
throat, the doctor will take a throat swab.
If test results confirm strep, the doctor
will prescribe antibiotics. After 24 hours
of taking them, a patient should no
longer be contagious. They’ll likely begin feeling better within a couple of days,
but to fully recover it’s important to finish all of the medicine.
Strep is highly contagious. Treat it
quickly to prevent it from spreading to
others.
“Not only can the infection be transmitted, but there are potential complications from untreated strep throat,” Dr.
Riddle said. These include ear infections,
rheumatic fever and kidney problems.
Another fairly common throat infecCONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
9/2014
Karen H. Chao, O.D.
Back to school prep - are
you missing something?
B Y K AREN C HAO , O.D.
It’s hard to believe, but another school
year is about to start. The quest for the
perfect book bag or the first day of school
outfit is all many kids can think about.
It is the parents’ job to ensure that their
children begin the year with all their
supplies. A child’s vision can have a huge
impact on academic performance and
behavior in the classroom, and an eye
exam is often not on the back-to-school
checklist.
Why an eye exam and not a vision
screening? Vision screenings typically
test to see how well your child can see
the letters on the eye chart. Most people
don’t realize that all 20/20 means is that
you are looking at the eye chart from a
distance of 20 feet, and you are able to
see the size of letter you are supposed to
see from 20 feet. That’s it!
If you think about it for a minute,
where does a child do most of his or her
learning? Most reading, writing, homework, and test taking is done up close
(one may see well at distance, but not
see properly at 16 inches in front of
them, which is the recommended reading distance).
So, what are some of the skills that
are missed if we only look at distance
vision and only check if someone has
“20/20”? When we are reading, we need
to be able to:
• Follow a line of print from left to
right.
• See the letters clearly as our eyes are
moving.
• Move from line to line effortlessly
and accurately.
In the classroom, we need to be able
to look at our materials on our desk and
quickly focus on the teacher’s writing on
the board so we can copy it back to our
notes. And we need to be able to do this
all day. If any of these visual skills are
missing or deficient, reading and learning will be difficult.
If your child is performing well in
school, then you need to schedule a
yearly eye exam with any eye care pro-
Dr. Karen H. Chao, O.D. has been an
Optometrist in private practice for more
than 20 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. Phone
Dr. Chao at 626-287-0401 or visit
www.TotalVisionDC.com for more information.
fessional you trust. However, if your
child struggles with reading, is smart in
everything but school, or is a bright underachiever, you need to make sure your
child has all the visual skills required for
academic success.
To do this, you need to see an optometrist who provides an in-depth binocular vision evaluation or will refer you
to a colleague who does.
So, as you make their back-to-school
list of things to do, start with an eye
exam to make sure your child’s eyes are
healthy and she doesn’t need glasses. But,
if she struggles with reading or schoolwork, also ask for a binocular vision
evaluation.
Best way to protect from
germs that cause throat
infections is wash hands often
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
tion is tonsillitis, which occurs with sore,
swollen tonsils. It’s caused by many of
the same viruses and bacteria that cause
sore throats. If one has frequent bouts
of tonsillitis or strep throat, they may
need surgery (called a tonsillectomy) to
have their tonsils removed.
The best way to protect from the
germs that cause these infections is to
wash one’s hands often. Try to steer clear
of people who have colds or other contagious infections.
Avoid smoking and inhaling secondhand smoke, which can irritate your
throat.
Sore Throat Relief
• Try hot tea with lemon and honey
or some hot soup.
• Keep your throat moist with lozenges or hard candies.
• Gargle with warm salt water or use
ice chips.
• Cold liquids or popsicles can numb
the pain. Throat sprays and over-thecounter pain relievers can help, too.
• Use a humidifier or vaporizer, especially when sleeping, to keep air from
getting too dry.
• If the sore throat persists for several days, contact a health care professional.
PAGE 7B
PAGE 8B
9/2014
Keeping kidneys healthy to live longer
NI H N EWS IN H EALTH
Kidneys aren’t very big – each is about
the size of a fist – but they do important
work. They keep one healthy by maintaining just the right balance of water and
other substances inside your body.
Unfortunately, if kidneys start to malfunction, one might not realize it for a
long while. Kidney disease usually doesn’t
make you feel sick until the problem becomes serious and irreversible.
Kidneys are two reddish, bean-shaped
organs located on either side of your spine
in the middle of your back. Their main
job is to filter your blood. Each kidney
contains about a million tiny filters that
can process around 40 gallons of fluid
every day – about enough to fill a house’s
hot water heater.
When blood passes through the kidney, the filters sift and hold onto the substances your body might need, such as
certain nutrients and much of the water.
Harmful wastes and extra water and nutrients are routed to the nearby bladder
and flushed away as urine.
Kidneys also produce several hormones. These hormones help to control
your blood pressure, make red blood cells
and activate vitamin D, which keeps bones
strong.
We all lose a little of the kidney function as we get older. People can even survive with just one kidney if they donate
the other to a friend or family member.
But when kidney function drops because of an underlying kidney disease, it’s
something to be concerned about. Toxins
and extra water can build up in your
blood. Falling hormone production can
cause other problems. About one in 10
adults nationwide, or about 20 million
people, have at least some signs of kidney
damage.
There are different types of kidney disease. Most strike both kidneys at the same
time, harming the tiny filters – called
nephrons – and reducing their filtering
ability. When damage to nephrons happens quickly, often because of injury or
poisoning, it’s known as acute kidney injury. It’s more common, though, for nephrons to worsen slowly and silently for years
or even decades. This is known as chronic
kidney disease.
“Most people have few or no symptoms
until chronic kidney disease is very advanced,” says Dr. Andrew Narva, a kidney specialist at NIH. “You can lose up to
three-fourths of your kidney function and
essentially have no symptoms.”
Chronic kidney disease can strike
people of any race, but African Americans
are especially at risk. African Americans
also tend to have high rates of diabetes
and high blood pressure, the two leading
causes of kidney disease. Other risk factors for kidney disease include heart disease and a family history of kidney failure
– a severe form of kidney disease.
For those with these risk factors, it’s important to be screened for kidney disease,”
said Dr. Narva. “That usually involves
simple laboratory tests: a urine test to look
for kidney damage, and a blood test to
measure how well the kidneys are working.”
The urine test checks for a protein
called albumin, which isn’t routinely detected when your kidneys are healthy.
The blood test checks your GFR –
glomerular filtration rate. GFR is an estimate of your kidney’s filtering ability. A
GFR below 60 is a sign of chronic kidney
disease. A GFR below 15 is described as
kidney failure.
Without treatment, kidney disease often gets worse. When GFR drops below
15, one may feel tired and weak, with nausea, vomiting and itching. By that point,
a kidney transplant or dialysis may be
needed.
It’s a good idea to talk with a doctor
about the possibility of these therapies
long before they’re needed. It takes time
to understand your options, and it’s easier
to figure things out when you’re feeling
healthy.
“In general, the preferred therapy for
kidney failure is to have a kidney transplant, but not everyone can have a transplant,” said Dr. Kopp. Some obstacles include long waiting lists for healthy kidneys and finding a well-matched donor.
Dialysis is a treatment that filters wastes
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
9/2014
Kidneys –
Getting teeth cleaned reduces
‘bad’ cholesterol by 30%
B Y J OHN C HAO , D.D.S.
A study of 273 aboriginal
Australians showed that treatment of gum disease with “deep
cleaning” was so able to reduce
the thickness of the carotid artery that this change can be
equated to having reduced “bad
cholesterol” by 30%.
This study was conducted by
the University of Sydney and
published in Hypertension
online June 23, 2014. The author, Michael Skilton, BSc,
PhD, said, “The study shows
that the non-surgical periodontal therapy significantly reduced the progression of thickening of the carotid artery over
a one-year period.”
He further explained, “The
effect is comparable to a 30%
[decrease] in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [levels] commonly referred to as ‘bad’
cholesterol - which is associated
with a decreased risk of heart
disease.”
Dr. Skilton led a team of researchers from The University
of Sydney and other Australian
and U.S. institutions.They enrolled 273 aboriginal Australians who had periodontitis in
a parallel-group, open-label,
Research by a team
of researchers from
The University of
Sydney and other
Australian and
U.S. institutions.
randomized clinical trial.
Participants in the intervention group received full-mouth
periodontal scaling during a
single visit. Those in the control group received no treatment.
Follow-up data were available for 169 participants at
three months and 168 participants at 12 months.
After 12 months, participants in the intervention group
had experienced a significant
decrease in intima-media thickness – an indicator of arterial
structure – but those in the
control group did not, the authors reported. In contrast,
there were no significant differences between the groups in
pulse wave velocity, an indicator of arterial function.
PAGE 9B
Smile Talk
and water from the blood, allowing patients with kidney failure
to feel better and continue with
everyday activities.
One can take many steps to
avoid or delay reaching the point
of kidney failure.
The best thing one can do is
control blood pressure. A healthy
lifestyle, including physical activity and a heart-healthy diet,
can help to normalize blood
pressure and also slow kidney
disease.
Protect Your Kidneys
• Get your blood and urine checked
for kidney disease.
• Learn to manage your diabetes,
high blood pressure or heart disease.
• Take medicines the way your provider advises.
• Cut back on salt. Aim for less than
1,500 mg of sodium daily.
• Choose foods that are healthy for
your heart.
• Be physically active.
• Lose weight if you’re overweight.
• Limit alcohol, quit smoking.
Fremont Optometry Center
For more information, contact Dr. JohnChao at 626308-9104. Visit Dr. Chao’s
Web site, chickenswelcome.com
“Future studies may tell us
whether a more intensive approach to periodontal therapy,
including regular periodontal
maintenance schedules, can
produce more marked improvements in vascular structure,” Dr. Skilton said.
So don’t wait when you have
gum disease. See your dentist
and save your life.
Se Habla Español
2447 W. Valley Blvd. • Alhambra, CA 91803 • (626) 300-9251
GROUND-BREAKING DISCOVERY IN DENTISTRY*
New patented treatment for receding gum line
Pinhole Surgical Technique™ Restores Smiles in One Visit
• Do you have receding gums?
• Are your teeth sensitive to hot or cold?
• Are your teeth sensitive to brushing?
• Are receding gums ruining your smile?
BEFORE
AFTER
Restore Your Beautiful Smile
New no-cut, no gum grafting technique is:
knifeless, stitch-free, and relatively pain free
Brief Procedure is
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John C. Chao, DDS, MAGD
of Alhambra
Inventor of Patented
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• Patent No. US 8.007.278.B2 • Patent No. US 8.202.092.B2
To solve your problem
using Dr. Chao’s patented technique,
Call 888-928-5905
* Published in
The International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry, October 2012.
PAGE 10B
Protect teeth by using
mouthguards in sports
tective. These protectors are ready to be
B Y D R . D ARA G ASHPAROVA , D.D.S.
used without any further preparation;
Summer is over and it’s time for
simply remove from the package and
school. This means it’s also time for baseplace in the mouth. They must be held
ball, soccer, basketball, football, hockey,
in place by constantly biting down.
and all kinds of sports in which we encourage our kids to participate.
I want to remind parents about
the importance of sports guards, also
called mouthguards, to protect their
kids’ developing smiles.
According to the National Sports
Foundation, hundreds of teeth are
lost in sport activities every year. A
lifetime estimate cost of a missing
tooth is between $5,000 and
$10,000. The cost of pain cannot be
Chipped teeth are often the result of sports activity.
measured in dollars.
Prevention of dental injuries
Mouth-formed “boil and bite”
A mouthguard is a safety device that
mouthguard
- over the counter: Made
protects your child’s teeth during sports.
from thermoplastic material, they are
It cushions the impact that may otherimmersed in boiling water and formed
wise cause broken teeth, jaw injuries, or
in the mouth by using finger, tongue,
cuts to the lip, tongue, or face.
and biting pressure. Available in limited
Mouthguards are not just for athletes.
sizes, these mouthguards often lack
Any child or adult involved in a recreproper retention and do not cover all the
ational activity that may cause injury to
teeth.
the mouth, such as rollerblading or
Custom-made mouthguards: Custom
skateboarding, should protect his or her
made mouthguards are supplied by your
smile with a mouthguard.
dentist from an imprint of your teeth.
Selecting a mouth guard
Custom mouthguards provide the denThere are three types of
tist with the critical ability to address sevmouthguards:
eral important issues in the fitting of the
Ready-made or stock mouthguard:
mouthguard.
The stock mouthguard, available at most
A properly fitted mouthguard must
sporting good stores, comes in few sizes
be protective, comfortable, resilient, tear
and is the least expensive and least proresistant, tasteless, cause minimal inter-
9/2014
Ask
Dr. Dara,
DDS
Dr. Dara Gashparova, D.D.S. is located at 1933 W Valley Blvd. Readers with dental
questions or concerns should contact her at 626-289-6131, or e-mail daradds@yahoo.com.
injuries, but the worst of them
is a tooth knocked out. The following tips can save your child’s
teeth:
• Do not handle the tooth
by the root.
• Do not brush. If it’s dirty,
gently rinse with water.
• If possible, place the tooth
A mouthguard can
back
in the socket and have the
prevent chipped or
athlete gently bite down on a
lost teeth for sports
towel. Immediately see your
participants.
dentist.
• If unable to put the tooth
back in the socket, transport it
in milk, saline, or under the athlete’s
tongue. Do not let it dry.
ference to speaking and breathing, not
Please let us know about your conbe bulky, and have sufficient thickness
cerns, no matter how big or small they
in critical areas with excellent retention
are. No question is insignificant when
(possibly the most important criteria).
it comes to our children.
How to handle tooth injuries
Please don’t hesitate to call or conThere are a few possible sports tooth
tact us.
9/2014
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 11B
Dining & Entertainment | What’s Happening for Food & Fun
Bon Appetea Cafe joins Main Street’s food purveyors
B Y S ARAH G REAR
Bon Appetea celebrated its grand opening on Aug. 5.
The café’s soft opening took place on July 7. The San
Gabriel Valley’s newest tea, coffee, savory and sweet food
spot offers reasonable prices and large portions. There
are more than 100 options on the menu, and tea patrons
can pair their drinks with food dishes like kale salad and
popcorn chicken.
“My personal favorite dish is the sun dried tomato
and pesto chicken sandwich served hot on sourdough
bread with pesto aioli and fresh basil leaves,” said co-owner
Robert Lee. “It’s healthy, warm, and just the right amount
with a tasty green salad on the side.”
Another popular option on the menu is the fried pork
chop rice plate. They also serve a smoked salmon filet
mixed with smoked salmon cream cheese mousse, capers,
red onions, and fresh arugula spread served on a fresh
pretzel roll. The pretzel bread comes from a local bakery
along with desserts and cakes sourced locally.
Bon Appetea wanted to bring authentic, high quality
flavors to its menu with many different teas. Customers
are encouraged to ask for sugar and ice adjustments based
on their preferences. Bon Appeteas’ boba makers are called
Sandwich chef Tony Chen with a Bon Appetea pressed sandwich paired with a side salad.
Hard-boiled eggs scrambled with worcestershire sauce and
truffle oil served on an open face pumpernickel sandwich.
bobaristas, and the tapioca balls are cooked and served
within 90 minutes to ensure that the flavor quality remains high throughout the day.
When I visited the cafe on a busy Thursday afternoon,
the well-lit space was brimming with customers. The
window bar looks out onto Second Street. Rustic tables
are available for large and small groups, and a lounge
area with couches is set up near the front windows to
Diner on Main
Diner on Main
The Home of
SPECIALS
7-11 A.M. Mon.-Fri.
Just $6.50
Enjoy our
Made-From-Scratch
Cakes & Pies to Go
look like a living room. Outside there is al fresco dining
reflecting the popular outdoor seating that is typically
found in Europe or at an art cafe.
The restaurant is 1,200 square feet and with 12 employees they are still hiring. What makes Bon Appetea
different from other tea houses is its focus on customer
feedback and desire to address all the needs of the cusCONTINUED ON PAGE 12B
Under new ownership and management
118 W. Main St.
Alhambra 91801
626-308-0169
www.fronterasgrill.com
ANNOUNCING
Our NEW Line-up of CRAFT BEER
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Happy
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SUNDAYS
3 p.m. – 9 p.m
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3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Join us for
Fireball Fridays
Get a shot of
Fireball for $5
Join us for
Jack’d up
Saturdays
Jack Daniels any way
you want it for $5
Expires 9-30-14
TACO
TUESDAYS
Kids*Under 12
Eat Free on Wed.
* Accompanied by
paying adult.
Expires 9-30-14
Two Full
Service Bars
12 TVs showing
all major sports
with
NFL
SUNDAY TICKET
Large Patio
for Parties
Superb
Mexican
Cuisine
PAGE 12B
9/2014
Bon Appetea
European-inspired macaroons and sandwiches are also served
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11B
tomers, with focus on quality control provided by
kitchen staff as well as servers.
The four partners in the restaurant, Robert Lee,
Jason Chen, Lulu Zhang, and Howard Cheung, are
friends. Two of the co-owners were managers from
existing cafes. Robert is in real estate, but he always
wanted to open a cafe.
They love the location and like that the building
is charming and has the small town feel of being in
Middle East Restaurant
Sun dried tomato and pesto chicken sandwich served
hot on sourdough bread with pesto aioli and fresh
basil leaves with a tasty green salad on the side.
Downtown Alhambra. It’s also a plus that they are
so close to the high school.
“We want to give people a good customer service
experience,” said Robert. “We have been very busy
since the opening, and we have already seen regulars returning for their favorite meals.”
The restaurant name Bon Appetea plays off the
European phrase, “Bon Appetit.” The name allowed
them to get that European feel while incorporating
their specialty teas as well, since they are a tea house.
European-inspired macaroons and sandwiches are
also served.
“Give us a try,” Robert said. “You will walk out
feeling that this is a neat place to come to, and you
will want to share this place with friends. Our focus
is on quality food as well as comfortable, enjoyable
seating areas and environment for customers.”
Bon Appetea has been involved with the high
school and the community. The cafe is hosting
fundraisers for different clubs. Bon Appetea recently
became a member of the Chamber of Commerce.
The cafe also has plans to participate in a Lunar
Festival in October.
Lunch specials are available all day. You can add
a milk tea, green tea, or black tea to the meal for a
special price or get a discount off any drink of your
choice.
Bon Appetea is
open 11 a.m. to 10
p.m. Tuesday Thursday, 11 a.m. to
11 p.m. Friday and
Saturday, and 11
a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday at 7 S, Second St.
The phone number
is 626-281-2266.
You can find them
online
at
www.bonappeteacafe.com,
and you can “Like”
their Facebook page Iced strawberry tea served
at www.facebook.com/ in a mason jar is the
bonappeteacafe.
perfect treat to cool down.
Popcorn chicken is a top seller at Bon Appetea.
Mosaic Lizard Theater to present
special fundraiser event, Sept. 6
September at Mosaic Lizard Theater starts off
with a fundraiser night.
The theater’s budget is run solely on ticket sales
and student tuition, and many times the theater’s
bills are greater than what it takes in. Therefore,
once a year a fundraiser takes place to help keep
the theater afloat.
Saturday, Sept. 6 at 8 p.m. will be an evening
filled with all sorts of entertainment, great food
donated by local restaurants, raffles, and prizes.
No donation is too small or too big. Or send a
check or money order to Mosaic Lizard Theater
Foundation, 112 W. Main St., Alhambra 91801.
Opening Friday, Sept. 19 is One Acts Accordingly, a mixer of one acts, some
classics, and some original works
by Lizard and Boundless playwrights. This show runs Sept. 19
through Sept. 28, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2
p.m.
Admission is $15 general and
$12 seniors and students.
The Mosaic Lizard Theater is
located at 112 W. Main St.,
Alhambra. For more information,
phone 626-202-2859.
St. Steven’s 10th annual
SerbFest is Sept. 13-14
The Saint Steven’s Cathedral’s
10th annual SerbFest will take
place Saturday and Sunday, Sept.
13-14 at the cathedral grounds,
1621 W. Garvey Ave., Alhambra
91803.
The festival is open to the public and fun and enlightment for
the entire family is promised.
Serbian culture will be celebrated with authentic music, food
and folk dance performances.
A children’s arcade, gift vendors,
a $5,000 raffle and cathedral tours
will be part of the festivities.
9/2014
PAGE 13B
Two for the Show
B Y M ICHAEL C ARVAINES
Michael Carvaines
MOVIE REVIEWS
Spy-thriller A Most Wanted Man,
Sci-fi Guardians of the Galaxy
In theaters now are two very exciting yet very different - action movies. A Most
Wanted Man is a spy-thriller that’s more
cat-and-mouse cerebral than explosively
visual. Guardians of the Galaxy, on the
other hand, is a sci-fi spectacle based on a
quirky comic book. Both are well made
movies worth checking out.
Watching A Most Wanted Man is both
an enjoyable and sad experience. This is
the last completed movie by Philip
Seymour Hoffman, and it’s another terrific performance that underlines the loss
of this great actor.
The story takes place in Hamburg,
Germany, where the post-9/11 landscape
has made every Muslim a suspect in the
global war on terror. Gunther Bachmann
(Hoffman) has his sights set on a wealthy
Islamic fundraiser, but he quickly targets
a new suspect, a half-Chechen, half-Russian Muslim, who arrives in Hamburg
with no ID, except an authentic letter
claiming inheritance to several million
Euro.
Hoffman, of course, is excellent. He’s
subtle when he needs to be and explosive
at just the right moments. The ending is
pure cinematic beauty – one of the best
climaxes in recent memory. It’s not just
the perfect and inevitable way to end the
movie, it’s the most poetic end to a glorious film acting career. RIP Philip Seymour
Hoffman.
Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the
most unusual Hollywood blockbusters of
the year. Not just because of the bizarre
characters and mystical plot, but because
it’s a big budget extravaganza based on an
obscure comic book that features no familiar characters or superheroes. Part of
the charm is that it is so different from
the typical Spiderman or Batman flick
that the movie ends up succeeding as a
fresh, fun summer film.
Based on Marvel Comics’ cult series,
Guardians is a space opera heavily influenced by Star Wars. The story follows
former Earthling and present day space
scavenger Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) – the
self-proclaimed Star-Lord – as he teams
with a band of misfits to save the galaxy
from an evil race of bad guys. His team
includes a green beauty (Zoe Saldana), a
mutant raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), and an alien tree-human-thing
(voiced by Vin Diesel).
Seeing the team interact is a joy, and
some of the movie’s best moments are the
funny jokes between the diverse cast.
Guardians works best as a comedy and
would have benefited from even more
humor. Instead, the plot gets weighed
down by an overload of serious talk about
saving one race of aliens from another race
of aliens. In the end it’s hard to follow.
That’s OK, because the explosions come
fast and furious, and the Guardians are a
truly likeable bunch of Star Warriors.
Alhambra resident Michael Carvaines is
a Real Estate Agent with Dilbeck Real Estate. He can be reached at 323-697-0704
or michael.carvaines@dilbeck.com.
Sports fans invited to get ready for
football at 28 West Sports Bar
The 28 West Sports Bar is the place to
watch all sporting events, from college to
NFL. During football season. The 28
West will serve breakfast and lunch
throughout the season. Try the handtossed pizzas.
The official San Gabriel Valley Raiders Boosters headquarters, 28 West Sports
Bar is recognized by the Oakland Raidhelps youths complete their education and
ers. The Booster Club was started in 2009
transition to mainstream housing. The
and has continued to grow with dedicated
Boosters conduct annual toy drives, food
Raider fans. There is always a packed
drives, and 50/50 raffles in order to give
house with family and friends gathered
back to the surrounding communities.
to watch the games.
Expect
toWINGS
make many
Booster
members
become
part 10%
of anAT ALONDRA
• CLIP
THIS AD
AND SAVE
HOT
• friends and become
part
of
the
SGV
family. Visit them
organization that gets involved with comat
28
West
Sports
Bar,
28
W. Main St., or
munity outreach. For the past several
28westbar@gmail.com
or
contact
them
at
years, the club has worked with a nonsgvraidersboosters@sbcglobal.net.
profit organization named Jovenas, which
Fun for all at Family Excursions
There are two more City of Alhambra
Family Excursion opportunities scheduled
for 2014, and they are both favorites for
tourists and Southern California residents
alike: the world-famous San Diego Zoo and
the Riverside Mission Inn Festival of Lights.
The San Diego Zoo has perennially been
the “go to” zoo in Southern California, their
fame boosted, in recent years, by the presence of those cuddly Panda Bears. The trip
is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct.4. The fee is
$45 for those 12 years or older and $40 for
those ages 3 to 11.
The Riverside Mission Inn is worth a
visit, even without the amazing display of
3.5 million lights in elaborate displays. It
gained its fame as the site for many celebrity weddings.
Families will enjoy its charming, elegant
sights, numerous shops and restaurants, and
the beauty of the Festival of Lights. This trip
is from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 6. The fee is
$20 for all ages.
Register for these family experiences now.
Check out the registration procedures at
www.cityofalhambra.org, or phone 626-5703242 during weekday business hours for
program information.
BUY ANY ENTREE & GET ONE FREE
with the purchase of two beverages
second entree must be equal or lesser value up to $9.00
This offer limited to one person per group, party or table seating, regardless of separate checks.
Not valid on holidays. Offer valid when presented with this ad coupon. Special offer valid only at
Always
Open
369 Main St. Alhambra
Phone 626-281-6701
Banquet
Room
Available
Not valid with 2-4-6-8 Value Menu or Complete Skillet Meals or any other offer or discount. Offer expires 9-30-2014.
KIDS EAT FREE MON. – FRI. 4 PM – 10 PM (see store for detail)
PAGE 14B
9/2014
9/2014
:
PAGE 15B
PAGE 16B
9/2014
Downtown Alhambra rocks on Saturday nights at Rick’s
Enjoy great music every Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Rick’s Main Street Café’s
stage, 132 W. Main St., in Downtown Alhambra, brought to you by Marini Music and
Rick’s:
Sept. 6: Janie Steele & Pacific Electric - country and ’60s
Sept. 13: The Other Brothers - music for all generations
Sept. 20: One Way Ticket - ’50s and ’60s
Sept. 27: Blue Bird Harmony - classic rock
Oct. 4: Debbie Dagger - R&B
For more information, contact Marini Music at 626-289-0241.
Trio Celeste will present a free concert on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Sage Granada Park United
Methodist Church.
Trio Celeste, $5 million Stradavarius
coming to Performing Arts Center
Alhambra Performing Arts Center will present the award-winning Trio Celeste,
from Carnegie Hall, for a free concert at Sage Granada Park United Methodist Church,
1850 W. Hellman Ave., Alhambra, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.
Trio Céleste is quickly establishing itself as one of the most important young chamber music ensembles in the country. Recently appointed Ensemble-in-Residence at
the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at the University of California, Irvine, the trio has
taken on several ambitious performance projects including the complete trio works of
Ludwig van Beethoven featuring performances of the Triple Concerto with the UC
Irvine Symphony Orchestra; a second Viennese School project in collaboration with
the Schoenberg family in Los Angeles; and a four-week residency at the Grand Canyon National Park during the summer of 2014 with violist Michelle Gasworth.
Iryna Krechkovsky performs on the $5 million 1689 Baumgartner Stradivarius
violin on loan by the Canada Council for the Arts Music Instrument Bank.
Alhambra Performing Arts Center, formerly The Center for the Visual & Performing Arts/CVPA, is a member of the Consortium of Southern California Chamber
Music Presenters and a member of the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce.
Admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted during intermission.
For more information, contact Artistic Director Bill Yee at 626-230 5435, or email bizwind@yahoo.com.
The center’s Web site is www.cvpaministry.com.
2505 W. Valley Blvd • Alhambra CA 91803
Join Us for Our Daily Specials
Monday: Fajita Night 2 for $20 • Taco Tuesday • Margarita Wednesdays
We now deliver in Alhambra from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday Bucket Night
4 - 10 p.m.
Happy Hour
Tues. - Fri. 4 - 7 p.m.
6 bottles imported or Domestic Beer
15% off all appetizers
$3 DRAFT BEER
15% off all appetizers
Lunch Buffet - $7.99
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Join Us for Sunday
Champagne Brunch
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. $14.99
Chonito’s Mexican Restaurant
2505 W. Valley Blvd • Alhambra CA 91803 • 626-284-8601 • http://chonitos.com/
Angeles Chorale opens 40th season with
Abundant Joy: an evening of gospel, spirituals
The Angeles Chorale opening concert
of its 40th season will take place at 7:30
p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 at First United
Methodist Church in Pasadena.
Artistic Director John Sutton and the
chorale will feature Dr. Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass. In addition, the chorale will
present such spirituals and gospel songs as
Here’s One, He’ll Make A Way (Byron
Smith), Wondrous Love, Lord I Know I Been
Changed, Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal,
Ain’t Got Time to Die and City Called
Heaven.
Soloists include Eyvonne Williams,
mezzo-soprano, and Darnell Abraham,
baritone, as well as pianist Bryan Pezzone,
bass player Brandon Shaw, Bryan Taylor on
drums, Greg Mathieson on the Hammond
B-3 organ, guitarist Moses Sun, and
Grammy Award-winning saxophone player,
Justo Almario.
While traditionally most Masses are
sung in Latin, Dr. Ray – an African American pianist, choral conductor and composer
– set out, in 1979, to write a Mass that
drew strongly upon elements of gospel, jazz
and the blues. He also wrote the work in
response to the Second Vatican Council
and its decision to say Masses in the language of the congregants themselves rather
than Latin.
Tickets for Abundant Joy: An Evening
of Gospel, Spirituals and More are available in advance for $25 per person and, on
the day of the concert, at the door, for $30
per person. Student tickets are also avail-
CALENDAR SUMMARY
Angeles Chorale presents
Abundant Joy: An Evening of
Gospel, Spirituals and More
Featuring Robert Ray’s Gospel Mass,
plus such spirituals and gospel songs as
Here’s One, He’ll Make A Way (Byron
Smith), Wondrous Love, Lord I Know I
Been Changed, Hark I Hear the Harps
Eternal, Ain’t Got Time to Die and City
Called Heaven.
Performance will pay tribute to 16year old student, Altadena resident Justin
Carr and the foundation for World Peace
established in his memory
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13
First United Methodist Church
500 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, 91101
$25/person in advance
$30/person at the door
$20/students at door with valid ID
www.angeleschorale.org
818-591-1735
able for $20 at the door with a valid ID. To
purchase tickets or learn more about the
Angeles Chorale, visit www.angeleschorale.org
or phone 818-591-1735. First United
Methodist Church is located at 500 E.
Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena, 91101.
The Chorale thanks the Los Angeles
County Arts Commission for its help in supporting this concert.
9/2014
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 17B
Automotive News | Auto Dealers, Repairs, Services
Browning Mazda of
Alhambra announced
as new owner-dealer
Browning Automotive Group purchased Mazda of Alhambra’s dealership on
Main Street in April. The Browning Automotive Group consists of 14 franchises
in nine locations employing more than
700 professionals. New management in
the Alhambra location is focusing on serving customers and reflecting the diversity
of the community.
“Our dealership represents employees
from many different countries, and they
are fluent in Korean, Mandarin,
Cantonese, Spanish, Farsi, Arabic, Hebrew, German, and French,” said General
Manager David Nehrir.
The inventory manager has been working in the Alhambra community for more
than 27 years, and Mazda is happy to have
him as part of the team. The sales and service staff members are all factory trained
and certified.
As a family owned and operated dealership, Browning Mazda sells a full line
of Mazda cars along with an extensive variety of pre-owned makes, models, and
colors. The Mazda line has changed quite
a bit over the past couple years: they have
redesigned the Mazda3 and Mazda6,
added the all new CX-5, and the newly
redesigned Mazda2 will debut this fall.
Richard Browning, founder of the
Browning Automotive Group, began his
automotive career in 1934 when
he joined the used car department of C. Stanley Martin
Oldsmobile in Long Beach. Between 1934 and 1960, he worked
in all departments, eventually
becoming part owner and general manager. In early 1960, he
purchased the entire dealership
and re-named it Dick Browning
Oldsmobile.
The business continued to
operate successfully as an exclusive Oldsmobile dealership in
Long Beach from 1960 until
1980. With space limitations
from business increasing, and
with an aging facility, the decision was made to relocate to an entirely
new facility in the then new Cerritos Auto
Square in late 1980. Upon relocation to
Cerritos, the business name became
Browning Oldsmobile-Isuzu.
The Cerritos Auto Square became one
of the premier auto sales locations in the
United States shortly after opening in
1980, and Browning Oldsmobile-Isuzu
enjoyed great success. The opportunity to
represent Dodge in Cerritos resulted in the
opening of Cerritos Dodge in 1984. The
group was also privileged to be one of the
first Acura dealers in the United States
Browning Mazda of
Alhambra sales team
in a Mazda convertible: Front left:
Gerardo Cruz, driver
seat- Jay Hernandez,
left back- Raymond
Kwong, right backDaniel Mendez.
with the opening of Cerritos Acura in
1986. Although the Oldsmobile-Isuzu
franchises have been replaced by Mazda,
Browning Mazda, Cerritos Acura, and
Cerritos Dodge continue to operate successfully in the Cerritos Auto Square.
With Mr. Browning’s death in 1991,
ownership of the Browning Automotive
Group passed on to his son, Kent Browning, who has been with the Browning Automotive Group since 1975. Under Kent’s
direction, the business has expanded to
Victorville, with the purchase of ValleyHi Toyota and Valley-Hi Honda in 2001
along with the purchase of Valley-Hi
Nissan in 2004, the addition of Valley-Hi
Kia in 2010. In 2012 they expanded to
Norco, Calif. with Browning Dodge
Chrysler Jeep Ram and now the addition
of the All New Browning Mazda Of
Alhambra in Alhambra.
“The keys to our success have been,
and will continue to be, representing
quality products in state-of-the-art facilities while treating all customers and
employees with courtesy, honesty, and
respect,” said Mr. Nehrir. “With all the
Great Tires – Great Sevice
Browning Mazda
of Alhambra
Invites you to see the new Mazda3
Featuring TOYO Tires
2014
Car and Driver
Top Choice
Vehicle
Wheel
Alignment
$85.00 Regular
June Special
49.95
$
Visit our shopper-friendly dealership at
Offer good with this coupon
expires Sept. 30, 2014.
1200 West Main Street
CSC Tire &
Auto Service
Alhambra, CA 91801
CSC Tire & Auto Service
2101 West Valley Blvd.
Alhambra, CA 91803
Check out our entire stock
and featured specials at
(626) 281-2501
www.AlhambraMazda.com
CSCTAS@gmail.com
Sales: 877-972-3444 • Service: 877-972-4111 • Parts: 877-972-3555
Open M-Sat 8 am – 6 pm • Sun by appointment
PAGE 18B
9/2014
Toyota provides free public
Wi-Fi at six L.A. city parks
Public-private artnership provides
millions of visitors opportunity to
connect at select parks
The City of Los Angeles Department
of Recreation and Parks announced in
August that thanks to Toyota and American Park Network, free public Wi-Fi is
now available at six popular Los Angeles
parks and beaches.
Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi™ is currently
available at six of the most iconic, highly
visited city parks throughout Los Angeles. Locations include the Griffith Observatory and the tremendously popular
Venice Beach, which alone receives an
estimated 16 million visitors annually.
The parks that are participating in the first
phase of this pilot program are Venice
Beach, Pershing Square, Griffith Obser-
vatory, Cabrillo Beach, Echo Park Lake
and Reseda Park.
This comes on the heels of a similar
announcement last week by authorities
in New York State of a program in four
highly visited parks there, as well as one
in New Jersey.
Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi™, is part of a pilot program made possible through the
generous support of the Toyota Prius
Plug-in Hybrid. All of the equipment, including installation, is being provided at
no cost to taxpayers as a function of this
public-private partnership between the
Parks Departments, Toyota and American Park Network.
This program represents the first time
Wi-Fi has been installed in Los Angeles
city parks and is a small but meaningful
step toward providing free, universal ac-
Browning Mazda of Alhambra —
newly redesigned vehicles, Mazda is offering low rate financing and lease specials
that can meet any budget. Please stop by the all-new Browning Mazda of Alhambra.”
Since the management changeover in April, Browning Mazda of Alhambra has
remodeled the service area, added additional service bays, and hired new Mazda
certified technicians.
They have repainted and carpeted the entire dealership and added a children’s
play area, new TVs for the customer lounge, and all new computer systems. Also,
the wireless Internet and phone systems have been upgraded.
Being new to the San Gabriel Valley, the dealership is excited to be working directly with the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce to establish its roots in this community.
Browning Mazda of Alhambra is located at 1200 W. Main St. Business hours are
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday - Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. The service and
repair shop is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The phone number is 626-576-2800. The dealership can be found online at
www.alhambramazda.com.
Oh, Ranger! Wi-Fi™ is currently available at six of the most iconic, highly visited city parks
throughout Los Angeles. Locations include the Griffith Observatory , above.
cess to wireless broadband throughout all
of Los Angeles.
Latest research indicates that smart devices are being relied on more than ever,
which is growing the demand for Wi-Fi
availability in public areas. Last year the
International Data Corporation (IDC) in
collaboration with Facebook issued a study
on smartphone usage and identified that
79% of 18-44-year-olds have smartphones
with them 22 hours a day.
In a separate survey conducted by Hotel Chatter, 94% of people cited Wi-Fi as
the most important amenity when booking in the hospitality and lodging industry.
moving forward
Gas Misers for the 21st Century
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Starting MSRP at $18,950
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Starting MSRP
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Don’t let size fool you, this little car is loaded with big features,
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Wondries Toyota/Scion
1543 W. Main St. • Alhambra
626.289.8000
visit our Web site:
www.wondriestoyota.com
Get complimentary Toyota Care
when you buy or lease a new Toyota
9/2014
Full-speed forward collision warning-plus delivers capability once reserved for luxury vehicles. It is available in model-year 2015 on the all-new Chrysler 230 (above left), the
redesigned Dodge Charger (above right), and the Jeep Cherokee. If the driver responds with
PAGE 19B
inadequate brake-force, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus triggers Advance Brake
Assist, which automatically increases brake-force for improved performance.
Safety, security pluses adding up for Chrysler
group with proliferation of driver-assist features
Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus is the latest iteration of Chrysler
Group’s most advanced driver-assist feature, which benefits from a unique pairing of radar and camera technologies. This
affords greater precision and reliability
than those systems that employ singular
solutions to object-detection.
“Chrysler Group takes seriously its
commitment to providing innovative and
intuitive driver-assistance features to the
mainstream market segments,” said Mark
Chernoby, senior vice president of engineering and vice president of the product
committee. “Accordingly our engineers
seek to develop the most effective means
to deliver on that commitment.”
Chrysler Group’s radar and camera
technology combine to determine if a
frontal impact with another vehicle is
imminent. The two must agree, or the
system will not activate. Such redundancy
is designed to prevent false-positive readings more prevalent with competitive systems that use either radar or camera technology.
When Full-Speed Forward Collision
Warning-Plus determines a frontal impact
appears imminent, it pre-fills the vehicle’s
brakes and transmits two simultaneous
warnings to alert the driver that intervention is required. One warning is audible
and the other is boldly displayed on the
brightly lit thin-film transistor (TFT) display of the vehicle’s instrument cluster.
If there is no driver response, the sys-
tem triggers a brief brake application as a
tactile alert. If the driver remains unresponsive and the collision risk remains, the
vehicle’s brakes are steadily and firmly
applied to slow forward progress.
This intervention is intended to provide more driver-reaction time and, if
there is no response, help reduce crash
energy in the event of a collision.
If the driver responds with inadequate
brake-force, Full-Speed Forward Collision
Warning-Plus triggers Advance Brake Assist, which automatically increases brakeforce for improved performance. However,
if the driver has not responded, the collision risk remains, brakes will be automatically applied to slow the vehicle. This helps
reduce crash energy.
If an imminent collision is detected at
speeds below 20 mph, the system may deploy maximum brake force and bring the
vehicle to a full stop.
For model-year 2015, Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus will be available on the redesigned Dodge Charger
full-size sedan, the all-new Chrysler 200
mid-size sedan and the acclaimed Jeep
Cherokee mid-size SUV.
Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning-Plus joins a growing list of autonomous-intervention features available on
Chrysler Group Vehicles. That list includes Lane-Departure Warning with
Lane-Keep Assist and Adaptive Cruise
Control-Plus with Full Stop.
PAGE 20B
9/2014
2015 Taurus features new appearance, technology
Ford Motor Co. claims its 2015 Ford
Taurus delivers more of what large sedan
buyers really want – technology, design refinement, craftsmanship and great driving dynamics.
Ford boasts the 2015 Taurus is the most
fuel-efficient gasoline-powered, full-size
sedan in America, with an EPA-estimated
rating of 32 mpg on the highway with the
2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine, while producing horsepower comparable to competitive, normally aspirated V6 offerings.
Every 2015 Taurus gets the award-winning SYNC® connectivity system with
AppLink™. Drivers can use simple voice
commands to take control of more than
60 available apps that run on connected
smartphones, while keeping hands on the
wheel and eyes on the road. The list of
compatible apps includes programs for
entertainment, news, traffic, navigation
and more.
This innovative full-size sedan is also
available with MyFord Touch®, which replaces many traditional buttons, knobs
and gauges with clear, colorful LCD
screens and steering wheel-mounted fiveway toggles. These screens can be personalized to display information relevant to
each driver by using voice commands,
keeping the driver’s eyes on the road and
hands on the wheel.
Ford makes backing up a little easier
with a standard rear view camera for the
2015 Taurus. Taurus SEL adds standard
ultrasonic reverse sensing system and available Intelligent Access with push-button
start. Standard power-adjustable pedals
with memory enables Taurus Limited buyers to optimize their driving position.
Taurus Limited and Taurus SHO are
Taurus for 2015 offers three new exterior colors – Bronze Fire, Magnetic and Caribou.
Power Moonroof is available on Taurus Limited, power-adjustable pedals with memory
are standard on Taurus Limited. A rearview camera and Ford SYNC® are standard on
Taurus SE. The Taurus SEL has Reverse Sensing System as standard with Intelligent
Access with Push-Button Start available.
available with Ford’s lane-keeping system,
which helps notify drivers if they drift
from their lane. This feature is bundled
with Ford’s intuitive active park assist technology, making life simpler and more convenient for customers.
Power of choice. A choice of engines
offers customers efficiency, without compromising the responsive performance
they want.
Taurus is available with the advanced
2.0-liter EcoBoost® engine. Ideal for fullsize sedan buyers seeking maximum fuel
efficiency without sacrificing performance, this advanced engine combines
direct injection of gasoline and a turbocharger to provide performance comparable to normally aspirated V6 engines
offered by competitors.
The 2.0-liter EcoBoost produces 240
horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque with
an EPA-estimated rating of 32 mpg highway. A relatively high compression ratio is
enabled by the use of direct injection of
gasoline, operating at fuel pressures from
2,200 psi to 2,800 psi. The unique turbocharger is optimally matched to the 2.0liter EcoBoost and direct injection system,
providing precise fuel pressure control to
deliver boosted power at low rpm without annoying turbo lag.
The 2.0-liter EcoBoost uses 5W30 oil
to reduce internal friction, and enables
10,000-mile oil change intervals representing a potential reduction in cost of ownership. In addition, fuel economy is optimized with a low-tension accessory drive
belt and one-way alternator clutch.
Ti-VCT 3.5-liter V6 (The 3.5-liter V6
is offered as standard equipment in Taurus SE, SEL and Limited series models.
In Taurus, this engine benefits from the
twin independent variable camshaft timing for enhanced fuel economy and
drivability.
The engine has been engineered for
durability with chain-driven camshafts,
high-strength forged metal connecting
rods with floating pins, a fully counterweighted forged steel crankshaft, die-cast
aluminum deep-sump oil pan and fourbolt main bearing caps with side bolts
through the engine block.
Noise, vibration and harshness characteristics are controlled and reduced
through employment of a tuned composite upper and lower manifold, a silentchain camshaft drive and an acoustic engine cover.
3.5-liter EcoBoost V6
The 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 – standard
equipment in the high-performance Taurus SHO – is Ford’s most powerful
EcoBoost offering, delivering 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque.
Like all Ford EcoBoost engines, this
3.5-liter produces peak torque across a
broad plateau from 1,500 rpm to 5,250
rpm. Peak torque building quickly off idle
ensures responsive acceleration. From the
driver’s seat, the result is linear power delivery.
Combining direct injection and a pair
of turbochargers, the EcoBoost V6 avoids
lag by employing impellers that spool up
quickly for swift response.
This Taurus SHO combination of
power, consistent torque delivery, allwheel drive and up to EPA-estimated rating of 25 mpg on the highway is unmatched by competitors. Taurus is manufactured at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant.
SEPT.
Bob Wondries Ford
400 S. Atlantic Blvd.
WE SPEAK YOUR
Alhambra
LANGUAGE –
SPANISH, CHINESE,
VIETNAMESE
626.289.3591
AUTHORIZED FORD-LINCOLN-MERCURY REPAIR AND PARTS FACILITY SERVICE DEPT.
SALES, PARTS and SERVICE
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
1-866-377-1807
All advertised prices are in addition to government fees and taxes, and finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge and any emission testing charges. On approved credit.
Photos for illustration purposes only. All prices in this ad expire 9-30-14.
9/2014
PAGE 21B
Enhancements for Altima 2015 include standard NissanConnect! with Navigation with Mobile Apps and Blind Spot Warning for 3.5 SV and 3.5 SL models.
Six options packages are available: a Convenience Package (2.5 SV), Moonroof
Package (2.5 SL), Technology Package (2.5 SV, 2.5 SL), Display Audio Package
(2.5 S), Sport Value Package (2.5 S) and Power Driver’s Seat (2.5S). Altima 2.5
SV models include Dual Zone Automatic Temperature Control, fog lights Remote
Engine Start System with Intelligent Climate Control, leather-wrapped steering
wheel, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, RearView Monitor, SiriusXM Satellite
Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), 5.0-inch color audio display, USB port with iPod® connectivity, Hands-Free Messaging Assistant. Altima
3.5 SV also adds 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.
2015 Nissan Altima boasts
segment-defining style,
performance, innovation
As the cornerstone of Nissan’s dynamic
product lineup, Nissan Altima for 2015
embodies the philosophy of “Innovation
that excites” with thoughtful technology
solutions that make life easier and a premium experience that is unique in its segment. Altima is not only Nissan’s best-selling vehicle but also one of the top-selling
cars in the United States – thanks to its
distinctive exterior and interior design, rewarding driving experience and innovative, driver-focused technology.
Altima also offers efficient 38 miles-pergallon fuel economy (2.5-liter engine) and
available next-generation Safety Shield
Technologies. Altima is again available in
a range of seven high-value available models that meet a range of customer needs
and budgets.
For the 2015 model year, Altima 3.5
SV and 3.5 SL grades add NissanConnect!
with Navigation and Mobile Apps, Blind
Spot Warning (BSW), Moving Object Detection (MOD) and Lane Departure
Warning (LDW) as standard equipment.
All three 3.5-liter V6 Altimas also feature a 1-mpg increase for highway and
combined fuel economy ratings due to reduced internal friction (including DLC
piston rings and sodium-filled valves),
improved air intake resistance, the addition of exhaust variable camshaft timing
(VTC), enhanced D-Step Shift logic and
reduced internal friction for the standard
Xtronic transmission. Fuel economy is
now rated at 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined.
Other enhancements for 2015 include
the addition of 8-way power driver’s seat
and 2-way power lumbar support for 2.5
SV and 3.5 SV models, 4-way power front
passenger seat for SL models, Beige interior-equipped models receive black carpeting and lower seat side trim, fog lights are
now standard on the 2.5 SV trim level and
Intelligent Climate Control is added to
models equipped with Remote Engine
Start System (SV, SL).
A Premium Presence
Completely redesigned inside and out
just two years ago, its premium style and
“class above” appeal continues in 2015
with its wide, aggressive stance and dramatic front end styling. Its wide front and
rear track and deeply sculpted fenders –
which use deep-draw stamping techniques
that allow for complex surfacing – combine with a crisp grille design, seamless
bumper and projector-type headlights to
create a bold, sophisticated appearance.
Altima headlights feature a two-stage
automatic-on function. In lower light situations during the day, the headlights illuminate automatically – but the gauges remain in daylight mode. In late evening/
night conditions, the headlights remain
illuminated and the gauges revert to nighttime lighting. Fog lights are standard on
SV and SL trim levels.
In addition, many states now require
the headlights to be illuminated in rainy
conditions. In the Altima, after four passes
of the windshield wipers, the headlights
turn on automatically. If the vehicle is
turned off with the wipers in motion, instead of stopping mid-motion, they automatically complete a full cycle – so they
don’t get frozen to the windshield in icy
or snowy conditions.
The Altima “premium proportions”
continue with the angled A-pillar, high
waistline, long sloping rear roofline and
raised, deep-stamped trunk that combine
to create a more fluid silhouette. The body
design is capped by large taillights that
flow from the rear into the bodysides.
LED taillights are standard on SL models. Attention to aerodynamic fine-tuning
gives the Altima a low coefficient of drag
of 0.29.
The 2015 Altima is available in a palette of eight rich exterior colors: java metallic, brilliant silver, saharan stone, gun
metallic, super black, cayenne red, pearl
white and storm blue.
To see and test drive the 2015 Altima,
contact Alhambra Nissan, 726 E. Main St.,
Alhambra. Phone 626-289-6161.
PAGE 22B
9/2014
Volkswagen GTI outperforms seven other contenders in contest to determine the car with the
best performance for the price
All-new 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI
wins cars.com Cheap Speed Challenge
Just one month after arriving in U.S.
dealerships, the all-new 2015 Volkswagen
Golf GTI has been named winner of the
Cars.com, first-ever Cheap Speed Challenge.
The challenge focused on compact
coupes, sedans and hatchbacks that cost
less than $30,000 and are equipped with
features popular among drivers seeking
performance in a new car. The 2015 Golf
GTI beat out seven contenders in the
competition.
Experts from Cars.com, USA Today,
and MotorWeek, as well as an actual car
shopper in the market for an affordable
performance car, tested the eight contenders over a five-day period. Additional performance-focused testing was done on a
racetrack.
“Not only does the all-new 2015
Volkswagen Golf GTI offer the best per-
formance bang for the buck, it is also one
of the most comfortable,” said Joe
Wiesenfelder, executive editor at Cars.com.
“The GTI outperformed most cars in just
about every test we conducted. Also, unlike some of the other Cheap Speed competitors, the GTI offers an impressively
roomy and high-quality interior in addition to being seriously fun-to-drive.”
“We are thrilled that the Golf GTI has
been recognized by such expert media as a
high-performing vehicle that offers an incredible value, and we thank the voters for
their choice,” said Joerg Sommer, vice
president of product marketing,
Volkswagen of America. “The Golf GTI
is an iconic vehicle for Volkswagen, and
we are extremely proud that is already earning accolades and admiration in the U.S.
market.”
Shop for a new car in
Alhambra and get
a great deal
The Alhambra Chamber of Commerce salutes
Alhambra Auto Row
Browning 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.
Alhambra
626-284-8533
Alhambra • Chrysler,
Dodge • Jeep • Ram
1100 W. Main St.
626-537-2400
Goudy Honda
1400 W. Main St.
626-576-1114
Kia of Alhambra
1247 W. Main St.
626-289-0000
Volkswagen Alhambra
1811 W. Main St.
866-426-2915
Classic Car Shows on third Wednesdays
Alhambra’s Classic Car Cruz and Vintage Rides car shows at the Diner on Main restaurant, 201
W. Main St., take place from 5 till dark the third Wednesday of the month through October. The
shows have attracted more than 60 vintage cars and several hundred visitors who come out to
enjoy the variety of fine old cars on display. Bring a vintage car to show and receive a 20%
discount on dinner while dining at the Diner. Or just come out to enjoy the fine Southern
California evening weather while visiting with the car owners. For car show information, contact John Chappell at 626-483-9522, or e-mail undertakerssocal@mail.com.
Auto Row News
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!
Goudy Honda announced they have
a new Accord V6 with a six-speed manual
transmission. The V6 has good power and
is a great mid-sized option for the community. The 2014 Honda Civic Coupe
has gotten an update to its styling making this sedan in coupe clothing an appealing ride. The redesigned 2015 Honda
Fit is finally on sale.
1400 W. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
626-576-1114 • www.goudyhonda.com
Browning Mazda of Alhambra represents employees from many different
countries that are fluent in Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Farsi, Arabic,
Hebrew, German, and French. The sales
and service staff members are all factory
trained and certified.
1200 W. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
626-576-2800 • www.browningmazda.com/
Alhambra Nissan invited all the children from Alhambra and the surrounding community to attend a free LA Galaxy Youth Soccer Clinic. Some of
Alhambra Nissan employees’ children attended. This was the first clinic hosted
by Alhambra Nissan. The all-star squad
will visit the dealership to give away soccer game tickets. More details are available by contacting Alhambra Nissan.
726 E. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
866-760-0298 • www.alhambranissan.com
9/2014
PAGE 23B
Alhambra’s Auto Row News
Alhambra’s Auto Row dealers invite the public to shop for a new or used car and check out
the special deals they are offering before the summer promotions are over.
Wondries Ford competes in Winner‘s Circle Challenge
Members of the Bob Wondries Ford Parts Department team, driver Antonio Olmos and
Anna Cedeno.
Bob Wondries Ford announced its
parts department is one of the largest
wholesaling dealers in the nation.
Due to its success in parts sales, Ford
Motor Company recognized the Alhambra
department in their latest challenge known
as The Winner‘s Circle Challenge.
This is a competition where some of
the largest Ford dealerships compete in
parts sales for a period of three months.
General Manager Chris Greco rewarded
the parts staff to a Dodgers vs. Angels game
A
to celebrate the accomplishment.
The Bob Wondries Service Department is celebrating its growth and will add
a Chinese/Mandarin speaking service adviser. Interested applicants should have experience in a dealership atmosphere while
taking care of 15 to 20 customers per day.
Excellent customer service skills are an essential part of joining the Bob Wondries
team.
400 S. Atlantic Blvd. • Alhambra 91801
626-289-3591 • www.bobwondriesford.com
Open 7 days a week
626-282-5666
A lhambra
CAR
WASH
ATLANTIC and MAIN
Full Service Polish Dept.
$
11.99
FULL SERVICE
WASH
Bob Wondries Ford General Manager Chris Greco rewarded the parts staff for its success in
parts sales in The Winner’s Circle Challenge, where some of the largest Ford dealerships
compete in parts sales for three months, with a Dodgers vs. Angels game. Ford Motor Company recognized the Alhambra department for its success in the challenge. Wondries’ parts
department is one of the largest wholesaling dealers in the nation.
$
2 OFF
ANY CAR WASH
PACKAGE
Alhambra Car Wash
704 W. Main Street, Alhambra, CA 91801
2015 Acura TLX Sedan at Sierra Acura
Stop in at Sierra Acura of Alhambra 1700 W. Main St., Alhambra 91801, to see the allnew 2015 Acura TLX Sedan released in August. Putting excitement back into driving while
also raising the standard on safety, it replaces the TL and TSX sedans. Phone 626-284-8533
or visit Web site www.sierraacura.com
2015 Acura TLX is coming soon
4 Wheel Computerized Wheel Alignment & Suspension Repair
Check out our extended service hours
PAGE 24B
REAL ESTATE & FINANCIAL NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
9/2014
Real Estate News | Residential, Commercial, Loans
Market Report
Single family homes continue to sell very fast as
Alhambra reverses Southern California market trend
B Y M ICHAEL C ARVAINES
Alhambra sales remained vibrant in
July even as the real estate market
showed signs of slowing down throughout most of Southern California. Both
volume and price were up in July, versus both the previous month of June,
and also July of 2013.
Look for this trend to continue as
more houses were listed in July, with
prices remaining a good value relative
to the surrounding cities.
In July, 26 single-family homes were
sold in Alhambra, up from only 16 in
SOLD!
SOLD!
282-6121
June. The median home price of
$519,500 was up 6.6% from July of
2013. The other key figure that continues to rise is the median price-persquare-foot. This past July, that number rose to $403.77 — high for
Alhambra — but still less than much
of Los Angeles County.
Single family homes continue to sell
very fast with the average Days on the
Market dropping to fewer and fewer
days.
The median number of Days on the
Market dropped to only 26 days this
SOLD!
SOLD!
674-1351
DRE# 00465088
July, down from 33 days in July, 2013.
The multiple offer scenarios discussed
last month remain competitive, with
half of all homes selling for above asking price.
As of July 31, Alhambra had 61 single
family homes for sale on the market,
which is an increase over the previous
month’s total of 54 on June 30.
In July, the condo and townhouse
market slowed down a bit. Only 13 were
sold this past month, compared with 19
in June. Yet the numbers were still up
from 2013, as the median price rose to
$440,000 in July, up from $425,000 in
July, 2013. As of July 31, Alhambra has
53 listings, up from 45 condos and
townhomes actively for sale at the start
of the month.
As we head into fall, look for the
numbers to remain strong, especially as
families continue to move into our wonderful school district. With fantastic new
restaurants opening all the time,
Alhambra excels as a great place to live.
Alhambra resident Michael Carvaines
is a Real Estate Agent with Dilbeck Real
Estate. He can be reached at 323-6970704 or michael.carvaines@dilbeck.com
JULY TRANSACTION SUMMARY
July 2014
July 2013
# Homes
Sold
25
12
Median
Price
$519,500
# Condos
Sold
13
Median
Price
$440,000
$487,500
9
$425,000
*Data was obtained from Multi-Regional MLS Alliance and deemed to be reliable.
Editor’s note: Lee Lieberg, above, the
new president of the Alhambra Chamber
of Commerce, has turned his real estate column duties over to Realtor Michael
Carvaines. Thanks to Mr. Lieberg for his
informative column over the years.
Advertising Pays
Returns
Phone 282-8481
9/2014
Alhambra dirt –
It’s far more valuable than many would think
C ONTINUED
FROM
P AGE 1B
home in the southern section of Oceanside, by
Carlsbad, for an amount less than what they sold
for in Alhambra. Their new home is walking distance from the beach and on a 7,492 square foot
lot. The house is scheduled for a kitchen remodel.
But when I calculated the value of the land on
the new home purchased in Oceanside, it came
out at $35 per square foot.
Now I would not argue that this is conclusive,
but in this case, Alhambra dirt proved more valuable than Oceanside beach adjacent dirt.
I decided to compare this recent Alhambra sale
on Westminster to some other cities at large.
I gathered sales data in Monterey Park for the
last six months of three-bedroom homes that had
livable footage between 1,500 and 2,000 square
feet. The value of the Monterey Park dirt calculated out at $43 per square foot relative to my
listing on Westminster’s $51 per square foot.
I tried Montebello over the last six months
with the same criteria and came up with a value
of land at $27 per square foot. So Alhambra dirt
triumphed again.
And Hilo, Hawaii, didn’t even stand a chance relative
to Alhambra dirt.
Now if you think deeply about this it could be argued
that my comparing one property in Alhambra to the averages in Monterey Park and Montebello is not completely
fair. I might even agree with that response.
But the bigger picture of this exercise illustrates the powerful point that our city’s real estate fares very well relative
to other towns like Oceanside, Monterey Park, and
Montebello because of its location and quality of
life. Last year, Alhambra ranked in Livability.com’s
top 25 Best Places to Live in the United States for
mid-sized cities.
So I am going to continue to climb those golden
stairs and proclaim the truth, that our city has some
real estate gems and Alhambra dirt has value for a
lot of good reasons.nd Alhambra dirt has value for a
lot of good reasons.
Gary Frueholz is a realtor with Dilbeck Real Estate,
a past member of the Alhambra Planning Commission,
a Certified Senior Real Estate Specialist and a Certified
International Property Specialist. He can be reached at
626-318-9436. See his stories at www.garysstories.com.
information and essential tools needed to proceed
with the home buying process.
The Homeownership Fair will feature several
housing workshops conducted in English, Spanish,
and Chinese by lenders and industry experts on how
to successfully navigate through the homebuyer process, including detailed information on down payment assistance, credit repair, and mortgage loans.
For more information, phone 626-288-6212.
Understanding
Real Estate
Gary Frueholz
D ILBECK R EAL E STATE
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
or by e-mail at gary.frueholz@dilbeck .com
Call me to find out about
my 15 low-cost ways to
spruce up your home.
Free Homeownership Fair assists potential home buyers
Fair will offer information, tips, and assistance to
local residents interested in buying or selling homes.
The West San Gabriel Valley Association of Realtors® and California Association of Realtors will
host a free Homeownership Fair from 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the West San Gabriel
Valley Association of Realtors Gold World Plaza,
1039 E. Valley Blvd., Suite 205B, San Gabriel Valley.
The fair is designed to provide a one-stop-shop
for residents of the San Gabriel Valley to obtain
PAGE 25B
• Email: gary.frueholz@dilbeck.com • Web: http://gary.frueholz.dilbeck.com
Call Gary for a free market
evaluation of your home!
Go to www.garysstories.com
for Gary’s stories on Alhambra.
DILBECK REAL ESTATE • GARY FRUEHOLZ • (626) 318-9436
• PARA SERVICIO EN ESPAÑOL LLAME A MARIA FRUEHOLZ • (626) 318-8095
TUR
FEA
ED
T
LIS
ING
$1,385,698 • Silverlake
2372 Loma Vista Pl, Silverlake, CA 90039
4 BD/3BA – Open Floor Plan
Brand New Construction; Reservoir Views
Altadena
1014 Morada Place, Altadena, CA 91001
3 BD/2BA – Craftsman Style.
Designer Kitchen & Baths
Approx. List price: $795,000
Montecito Heights
4384 W Rose Hill Dr., El Sereno, CA 90032
Spacious 2BD/1BA; Views Galore!
Approx. List price: $385,000
Around Alhambra
your source for
Real Estate News
and Advertising
Covering Residential, Commercial, Loans, Personal Finance
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: djenkins@alhambrachamber.org
Silverlake/Franklin Hills
3921 Franklin Ave., 90027
2BD/2BA Stylish & Contemporary
Completely Remodeled
Approx. List Price: $955,000
Mt. Washington
429 Beech St., 90065
3BD/2BA Brand New Construction
Great Location with Views!
Approx. List Price: TBD
PAGE 26B
Lunch & Learn
9/2014
Mortgage & Finance
Rudy L. Kusuma, licensed real estate broker, specializes in
complex transactions representing property owners in
disposition of real estate. He has significant experience in
pre-foreclosure sales, short sales, divorce sales, trusts, and
probate. Phone him at 626-780-2221 or visit his Web site
at www.TeamNuVision.net.
DRE# 01820322
Increased home prices signal
an end to struggles that began
with the housing crisis
B Y R UDY L. KUSUMA , REALTOR( R)
Increase Your Profitability in Two Months was the
topic for the Chamber’s Lunch & Learn program on Aug.
21. Price setting has a direct effect on business profits, yet
the majority of businesses spend little time in getting it
right. Robert Fukui of High Point Marketing, Inc., standing right of Kay Lee Fukui, shared practical tips on how to
set the correct price and increase profits in as little as two
months. The Lunch & Learn meetings take place the third
Thursday of each month and provide informative and
educational seminars that are helpful to small businesses.
March 2014 was the 25th consecutive month of year-over-year increases in
home prices, according to the CoreLogic
Home Price Index Report.
For millions of homeowners nationwide, the increased home prices signal
an end to struggles that began with the
housing crisis.
During the housing crisis, home
prices dropped precipitously. The drop
in prices left millions underwater on
their mortgages, owing more on their
home than the property was worth.
However, the recent increase in home
prices in San Gabriel Valley, and SoCal
in general, is ending mortgage struggles
for many.
Home prices have increased dramatically. Many homeowners have finally regained equity in their homes.
Several market conditions combined
to drive the recent price increases, such
as limited inventory, more people looking to buy a home, and fewer distressed
properties.
Many people don’t realize just how
much things have improved. The same
factors driving prices have also made
today’s market a seller’s market. Today,
homeowners who have been struggling
in recent years have more options than
at any time in the last five or six years.
Home sellers: Find out what homes
down the street sold for. A free computerized list with maps and pictures of area
home sales and current properties is
available for sale. Free recorded message,
phone 888-300-4632, enter ID# 1041.
Access this information online at
www.MyAreaHomeSalesReport.com.
(c) 2014 The Charfen Insitute | All Rights Reserved
9/2014
Managing expenses during college years
For most parents, paying for a child’s college
or graduate school education is a major event.
For some parents, it rivals only the purchase of a
home in number of dollars spent. As the cost of
college continues to rise, it’s little wonder that
parents view their ability to pay college costs with
some apprehension.
Yet, in all but the most affluent families, paying for college does not involve a 100% out-ofpocket contribution from parents. Rather, the
average family uses a combination of strategies
to pay higher education costs - savings, financial
aid, education tax credits, out-of-pocket contributions, and other creative solutions.
Savings
Hopefully, you’re one of the parents who have
been saving money for their child’s college education on a regular basis. If so, now’s the time to
use those funds. But in many cases, this won’t be
enough to cover all the bills.
Financial aid
The majority of college-bound students
qualify for some type of need-based financial aid
(as opposed to merit-based financial aid like athletic scholarships), and this can supplement your
savings. The largest provider of need-based financial aid is the federal government, followed
by colleges.
Need-based financial aid consists of loans,
grants, scholarships, and work-study jobs. Loans
eventually need to be repaid by you or your child,
while scholarships and grants do not. Work-study
jobs are paid jobs performed by students and are
subsidized by the federal government or the individual college.
Every college that accepts a student will try
to create a financial aid package for that student.
Typically, loans make up the biggest portion of
any financial aid package, though the exact percentage will vary by student. Most students take
out at least some student loans, which lessen the
financial burden on their parents.
All students should apply for federal financial aid, even if they’re not sure they’ll qualify,
because eligibility criteria may change slightly
from year to year, and filing the federal
government’s aid application (called the FAFSA)
is often a prerequisite for obtaining other types
of aid, such as college aid.
After you become savvy about the financial
aid process, you can learn about legitimate steps
to take to position your income and assets to
enhance your child’s financial aid eligibility.
Though it’s best to become familiar with these
steps while your child is still in high school (allowing time to implement them), you can also
take advantage of these suggestions while your
child is in college because financial aid must be
reapplied for every year.
It’s best to become familiar
with these steps while your
child is still in high school
One final note: graduate students may not
have the same breadth of financial aid programs
available to them, or, conversely, they may have
certain programs available to them that are not
available to undergraduates. For example, the federal government’s grant programs are limited to
undergraduates, but universities may offer special grant programs to graduate students that are
not available to undergraduates.
PAGE 27B
Wall Street On
Main Street
Cesar Franco is an independent financial
adviser with Royal Alliance Assoc., Inc.
Contact him at 113 W. Main St. #228,
Alhambra 91801, 626-588-2417, or
cfranco@royalaa.com.
Securities offered through Cesar Franco, an independent registered representative of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. NWF Advisory is not affiliated with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. or registered as a broker-dealer or investment adviser. Article Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions,
Inc. Copyright 2014.
Education tax credits and
deductions
There are several education tax credits and deductions that can help families weather college
costs. All of the education tax credits/deductions
have income limits. For more information, see
IRS Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education.
Out-of-pocket contributions
The way you pay the bill from your own
pocket can range from the simple to the complex. It may mean tapping funds from any number of sources - your current weekly paycheck,
your savings and investments, your IRA or employer retirement plan, your home equity, other
loan sources such as banks or brokerage accounts,
or other assets such as cash value life insurance.
The commonality is that the money comes from
you, and is a drain on your financial net worth.
An important reminder: Paying for college out
of pocket can conflict with other
important financial goals, most
notably saving for your retirement. It can be hard to manage
both goals, but it is possible to
save for college and retirement.
Support Alhambra Businesses
Other creative
solutions
Finally, there are other creative
ways for parents to lower their
college costs by lowering the actual cost of school. For example,
a student could choose an accelerated program and graduate in
three years instead of four; a cooperative education where education is interspersed with paid internships; or a live-at-home arrangement where money is saved
on room-and-board costs.
They support you
PAGE 28B
AROUND ALHAMBRA
9/2014

September 2014 Section B - Alhambra Chamber of Commerce

Transcription

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