Destroying our Local Envirornment

By Nor Cal Scooters

The ecosystem has been a hot topic as of late due to global warming concerns, but there is another ecosystem that is in danger, local economies.  And they are just as fragile and interconnected as any ecosystem found in nature. 

In recent years, there has been a systemic growth of internet based companies, such as Amazon, selling at a discount direct to the public. On the surface, this seems like a great way to save a few dollars. But as local economies begin to feel the effects, it is far more costly in the long run. Economies are extremely interconnected and interdependent much like our environment.  When you begin to remove links from the chain, it all starts to unravel and in many cases this can not be reversed.

Every business depends on other businesses even if they have no direct link or obvious connection. Ten years ago, large box stores were wreaking havoc on small business by under-selling them and driving them into bankruptcy.  The justification for this was that they provided jobs and cheap commodities to the public. However, even they are in danger now, and the new predator is not creating jobs and is destroying local economies. Thriving stores such as Best Buy did run mom and pop stores out of town but they did employ people and created what has come to be known as anchor stores. These are popular retailers that draw crowds to them and smaller stores and shops formed “mini malls” around them, feeding off their foot traffic.

Online stores do not have this effect, and as anchor stores like Best Buy begin to close, so do the smaller shops that counted on them to bring in customers. Many large retailers are complaining that their former customers are now coming in to look at products in person, then going home and ordering on line to save a few dollars. The ramification of this is staggering. When a large box store closes its doors, three or four smaller shops fail, due to a sudden slump in business. Then, where there was once a thriving mini mall, there is now abandoned buildings that are only growing weeds and inviting vandalism.

As these mini malls collapse, so does the local economy. Everyone who provides goods and services depends on their local customers to be employed in order for a healthy economy to flow.  As stores close and people lose their jobs, a domino effect begins. Doughnut shops that do not directly compete with online stores fail because the employees of local businesses that have closed their doors no longer stop for a bagel and coffee.  Property values drop due to the dilapidated appearance of a main street devoid of business.

Where there were once shops and stores, there are now vacant buildings. Local municipalities that depend heavily on taxes collected from local businesses as well as licensing fees paid by businesses are no longer being collected, so the local infrastructure suffers as well. Soon the area becomes further depressed, driving down property values and insuring no new business will open in these neighborhoods.

The quality of life is indeed impacted, and in some ways that were not even considered. I have a family member who during a conversation brought up how much they missed going to Blockbuster video with the kids on a Friday night and picking out a movie. She complained about how Red Box did not have nearly the selection Blockbuster did and that new movies were not available for weeks on Red Box.  She also said how much she missed walking down all the isles looking at the movie covers and finding an old movie she enjoyed as a kid and renting it for her children. I asked her if she used Red Box when Blockbuster was still in business. She said yes, but not all the time, only half the time! I asked if she thought she could live on half her income. The answer was obviously no, but she never considered if everyone used Red Box half the time how Blockbuster could survive on half their sales.

The result was, Blockbuster’s employees lost their jobs, customers lost an enjoyable experience, the landlord lost the income from rent, the local government lost revenue in taxes and licensing fees, vendors that provided candy, sodas and popcorn lost a customer and the adjacent stores lost the foot traffic business which in some cases caused them to fail. A savings of $2 in rental fees by the public is the only thing that was gained.  When you weigh the cost- to- benefit, it really was a losing proposition for the local economic environment. 

The message here is a grass roots approach to the local economic environment. Citizens must be aware of their actions and understand how it directly impacts them when they send their money out of the local economy to some online retailer. It is imperative that we do not pollute the air we breathe or contaminate the water we drink. We know we can’t survive in an unhealthy environment. We also should be aware that we cannot flourish in a community in decay and we have control over this as well. Buy local! The job you save may be your own and the neighborhood you impoverish is the one you raise your children in. If it cost you an extra $2 to buy a baseball at the corner store remember, that $2 will make its way back to you as money in a community changes hands every day. If you spend it online, it is gone from your local community and it’s never coming back.

The Pursuit of Prosperity

By Bob Cox

My wife Diana is a very busy massage therapist, which is a blessing and a curse. The blessing is her client’s walk away feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. The curse is the additional work long after the thrill is gone; namely: laundry, laundry and more laundry! Every Saturday morning, strange as this may sound, I look forward to the challenge of rising early, bagging up all our laundry from work and home and heading to the clean and quiet laundry facility in our park. I receive immense satisfaction whenever I get a large amount of work done is a short period of time. On top of that, I enjoy the simple solitude of this morning ritual, from the time I haul in the hefty bags of dirty laundry until I leave two hours later with several new 33 gallon bags filled with fresh and clean folded sheets, towels, blankets and clothing.

Last Saturday, as I was setting down my supply of clean bags, dryer sheets, laundry soap and quarters, I noticed three crisp white flyers spread out strategically on the long folding counter. Generally, I don’t allow any distractions to slow me down as I enjoy the spirit of competing against the clock. This time; however, curiosity won out as I quickly glanced at the contents.

The flyer was announcing an upcoming prosperity seminar in the park with the promise of no selling during the event. My inner skeptic chimed in as I went about my business, dropping garments and popping quarters into one machine after another like a one man assembly line. I had serious doubts about that claim, believing that those presenters of prosperity would likely slip in a softer and more subtle approach to sales by building curiosity in the audience while slowly revealing their product or service through their questions.

As I was doing this, I kept thinking about how elusive prosperity has been during certain points throughout my life, especially those times I have chase after it as if my life depended on it. A few moments later, when I began to transfer the wet clothing from the washing machines to the dryers, a question and answer came to me: “Want more prosperity? Make more sales calls.”

This certainly was not new advice. After 22 years in outside advertising sales, I have heard those words of wisdom thousands of times, but this time it really hit home as I reviewed the past year’s strategy of making fewer calls and the financial rewards that eluded me. As I reviewed this strategy over and over in my mind, I became swept up with excitement and my spirit soared when I accepted the challenge to increase my sales calls from 20 to 50 per day!

This strategy shift will require plenty of sacrifices, which includes no more late morning starts, no long lunches at home and no coming home early, no matter how drained I might feel on any given day. A few hours later, my son Bobby came by the house for a short visit and shared a conversation with a friend who was having a tough time getting out of the house and off to work the previous week. What’s his occupation? Sales of course! Ah, the magic of synchronistic events.

Bobby urged his friend to follow my advice, to stop focusing on the bottom line results (sales), which he could not control and set a goal that he could control by knocking on a specific number of doors each day. When you choose do that, better results will more than likely come; however, the immediate payoff may be even greater, which is gaining the internal peace, joy and satisfaction of knowing that you’re making a positive and proactive change today to create a better life tomorrow.

You do not have to be in sales or own your own business to benefit from this suggestion. If you are like most other Americans who would love to have more financial prosperity, avoid the pitfalls of dwelling on matters that are out of your control and focus on just one thing you can do that will make the biggest impact on your bottom line. Sometimes, for guys like me, that means getting off my bottom so I can see the line! The sacrifices you will need to make as you raise your game will likely pale in comparison to the thrill and excitement your new direction will bring you. By the way, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!      

Turn your life around in 15 Weeks

By John McCain

When I first met a couple named Jerry and Elizabeth 15 weeks ago, they were battling a variety of physical and psychological challenges. Jerry started out with a weight of 352.6 and he suffered from low levels of self confidence. Elizabeth came in at 263.2 while dealing with chronic depression and stomach disorders. They came together, determined to reverse their unhealthy lifestyle. What has happened in these last few months in nothing short of miraculous.

Jerry’s Story: I was tired of people telling me that I was getting bigger, so I thought it was time to do something. The hardest part about getting started on the Premiere Nutrition Program was understanding what I could eat and learning how to read labels and looking for the 10 to 1 ratio of protein to fat. I used to eat fast food like hamburgers, French fries and pizza. Now, I feel more confident and people are noticing. A lot of people have said, “Wow, you have lost a lot of weight”, so that gives me the opportunity to tell them how we did it. I let them know that we don’t have to starve and it’s all about making the right choices. I tell them what we snack on and what we’re able to eat and show them that direction. Before, I felt almost like a buffalo walking around, but now I feel more confident. I feel like I look better and I just feel better all around.

Elizabeth’s Story: I started on the program because I was upset with how people looked at me and how I looked at myself. I wanted a better career and I wanted to go to college but I did not feel good enough to do that. Since I’ve been on the program, it’s been difficult giving up certain foods I have associated with my depression or my boredom, like chips and chocolate, which I would eat every day. I have noticed that when I eat the food recommended on the program and drink their shakes, I don’t get nauseated. Before I got on the program, I would get sick to my stomach, no matter what food I ate. Then I would feel tired and sad. Now, I don’t feel tired and I don’t feel sad. I feel good, I feel strong and I have more energy. Before Premiere Nutrition, I felt sluggish and sad and now I feel energetic and excited about life!

Since Jerry started on the Premiere Nutrition Program, he’s lost a total of 44.6 pounds (352.6 to 308.0), 3% body fat, 5 visceral points and a combined size loss of 31.5 inches in just 15 weeks! Elizabeth came in at 263.2 and she’s now at 231.4 pounds. She’s down 31.8 pounds, 3% body fat, 4 points in visceral fat and a combined inch loss of 15 ¼ inches. They are both excited. They have become aware of their association with food and have made conscious decisions to make healthier choices. They now realize whenever they are tempted to make a bad food choice and why they feel the urge to do it. They are going through a life transforming process and I’m proud of them. They’re doing a great job!

Jerry and Elizabeth still face challenges to make healthy choices every day, but they’re doing it and I’m proud of them. They come in every two weeks, get measured, weigh in on the iron man scale and track their progress. It’s fun to see people being committed to a healthy lifestyle and its fun to see the results for me personally. It motivates me when people are successful and they start to believe in themselves.

Jerry and Elizabeth have a ways to go to reach their goals, but they did not get there overnight and they’re not going to change overnight. But in just 15 weeks, to see these results is inspiring. When I see those numbers and hear how positive and excited Jerry and Elizabeth are now, it gives me chill bumps. I think to myself, “Man, this is what it’s all about! 

Fun Guide

Aerospace Museum of California: This is an aviation museum located in North Highlands, California on the grounds of the former McClellan Air Force Base. It features displays of authentic military and civilian aircraft as well as space vehicle replicas. The museum has over 40 aircraft in its collection from the fully restored, one-of-a-kind 1932 Curtiss Wright B-14B Speedwing to one of the last Grumman F-14D Tomcatsretired from U.S. Navy service in 2006. Contact information: www.aerospaceca.org. 3200 Freedom Park Dr. McClellan, CA 95652. (916) 643-3192.

Black Chasm Cavern: This cavern was designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service in 1976 and is considered a "nationally significant natural area.” Visitors to the cave are enchanted by the beauty of a wide variety of formations including stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and the vast arrays of rare helictite crystals, for which Black Chasm Cavern is justly famous. Above ground, kids love the gemstone mining at the mining flumes right outside the Visitors Center. Everyone is guaranteed to find some real gemstones; the perfect start to a rock collection! Try their new incredibly popular geode cracking too! Contact information: www.caverntours.com. 15701 Pioneer Volcano Road, Volcano, CA 95689. (866) 762-2837.

Codfish Creek Trail: Codfish Creek Trail is a 3.4 mile out and back trail that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for camping, hiking, scenic driving & walking and is accessible from December until May. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Contact information: www.alltrails.com. Weimar, CA 95736. (530) 885-4527.

Hagan Community Park: This is the largest park within the Cordova Recreation and Park District. Nearly 80 acres, the park offers multiple baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts, aquatic center, community center, dog park, youth playground, fishing lagoon, restroom, and various family and group picnic locations. Additionally, adjacent to the American River Parkway Hagan Community Park provides quick access to natural walking and biking trails and eco-friendly commuter routes to downtown Sacramento. Contact information: www.crpd.com. 2197 Chase Dr. Rancho Cordova, CA 95670. (916) 362-1841.

Nevada City: Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, Nevada City is a wonderful way to get away for a few hours, relax and recharge. The drive is quiet and beautiful and the shops are quaint and inviting. The City of Nevada City is dedicated to preserving and enhancing its small town character and historical architecture while providing quality public service for their current and future residents, businesses and visitors. Contact information: www.nevadacitychamber.com. Visitors Center 132 Main Street Nevada City, CA 95959. (530) 265-2692.

Phoenix Dog Park: The Phoenix Dog Park is situated in the southwest corner of Phoenix Park in Fair Oaks, CA, formerly occupied by the Jim David T-ball Fields. There are three fenced in areas: one for small dogs and puppies, one for large dogs and another for small to medium dogs that are less sociable. Contact information: www.fairoakspark.org. 9050 Sunset Ave. Fair Oaks, CA 95628. (916) 966-1036.

Theatre of Lights: Old Sacramento’s Theatre of Lights blends a symphony of lights, sounds and visual effects that transport the audience back in time with a reading of the famous poem The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore. The narrated reading of the powerful and nostalgic poem is brought to life through theatrical elements and visually-exciting lighting choreography that takes place on the balconies and rooftops of Old Sacramento’s historic buildings. Contact information: Old Sacramento Business Association. info@oldsacramento.com. 980 9th Street, Suite 400 Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 442-8575.

The California Museum: The museum opened in June of 1998 through a unique partnership with the State of California as a private non-profit institution focused on California history and culture. In 2003, former First Lady Maria Shriver began working with the museum to expand its vision and mission. Since then, the museum’s exhibitions have continued to emphasize stories not presented to reflect all aspects of California’s diverse population and culture, with an emphasis on the contributions of women and under-represented groups. Contact information: www.californiamuseum.org. 1020 O Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
(916) 653-7524.

The Discovery Museum Science & Space Center: This museum was originally founded in 1951 as The California Junior Museum. The center was designed as a space where children could experience science and nature through interactive programs and exhibits. Today, the Discovery Museum is one of Northern California's premier institutions with an emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education and hands-on learning. Contact information: 3615 Auburn Bl. Sacramento, CA 95821. (916) 808-3942.

Velocabs: Velocabs are zero emission, human-powered vehicles - the latest evolution in pedicab
design. They operate in the downtown/midtown grid, around the Capitol, Convention Center, Old Sacramento, Raley Field and midtown. If you see one empty, flag it down and catch a ride. Contact information: www.ridevelocab.com. (916) 498-9980.

Advances in Dentistry - Sacramento & Rancho Cordova

By Dr. Andrade & Dr. Montalvo

Our never ending thirst for knowledge and the ability to offer our patients the best possible range of treatments continues here at Dynamic Dental. From the day we entered dental school, 11 years ago we learned two things in great depth. First, we learned how to gently use a needle to administer local anesthetic. Second, we studied facial muscles, nerves, and arteries.

We quickly became familiar with such muscle names as frontalis, temporalis, masseter and levator labii superioris alaque nasi. Wow, try saying that fast three times! What we were studying and learning intimately were the muscles that caused our jaw to move and our lips to rise as we smiled.

Now, in our never ending efforts to widen our services, keep up with technological changes and perform particular procedures as well as if not better than any other health care provider, we at Dynamic Dental are offering therapeutic uses to Botox and dermal fillers. What you are witnessing now is one of the fastest growing trends in dentistry and medicine.

Who better knows and understands how a properly balanced and healthy smile should look? Where does a smile end? With the teeth? With the lips? With the “smile lines” around the mouth?

Do you have tension headaches and or pain in your jaw from grinding during the day when you can’t wear your night guard appliance? Do you wish you did not have that big gummy smile or wrinkles around your lips when you pucker? We can safely and effectively treat these conditions with Botox. Treatments will last up to 4-6 months. How about those open black triangles at your gum line where age has caused loss of gum tissue and food gets stuck there every time you eat? We can safely and effectively treat those conditions with dermal fillers. Treatments can last up to 9-12 months.

These procedures are safe, fast, easy and virtually painless and both curative and preventative when properly administered by a well trained dentist/MD who is a member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics. We can even combine these appointments with your dental cleanings and fillings.

Please visit us today at www.dynamicdentist.com, to learn more, or call us at (916) 368-2500 to schedule a complimentary consultation!

Go for it Fun Guide

California Auto Museum: On May 1, 1987 the Towe Ford Museum opened to the public, displaying the personal collection of Edward Towe, which included one of almost every car Ford ever made, from the pre-Model T to the Pinto. In the mid 1990’s, the IRS slapped a lien on the cars and an auction in 1997 broke up the Towe Ford Collection. The renamed Towe Auto Museum began displaying vehicles of all makes and models, creating a much broader story of the automobile through history. In 2009, the Board of Directors officially changed their name to the California Automobile Museum. Contact information: 2200 Front St. Sacramento, CA 95816. Phone: (916) 442-6802. Website: www.calautomuseum.org.

Old Folsom: In 1856, the arrival of the Sacramento Valley railroad set in motion the development of Sutter Street, as entrepreneurs constructed stores and businesses to profit from the influx of rail passengers. At the turn of the century, autos were soon the preferred mode of travel, and in 1915, Sutter Street became part of the nation’s first transcontinental highway, the Lincoln Highway. Today, Old Folsom has a variety of businesses, most of which line Historic Sutter Street. Old Folsom businesses include restaurants, pubs, wine bars, art galleries, jewelry and antique shops, boutique stores and a hotel.

Petroglyph Ceramic Lounge: Petroglyph is an upscale paint–your-own pottery studio. Explore your personal creativity, enjoy time with friends and take home a unique ceramic art you create. Founders Jennifer and Michael Rubin opened the original studio in 1994 and after almost 20 years Petroglyph is one of the largest and most successful businesses in the industry and continues to be privately owned and operated. Contact information: 2030 Douglas Blvd. Roseville, CA 95661. Phone: (916) 772-4278. Website: www.petroglyph.com.

Red Hawk Casino: As stewards of the land, it was the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians’ vision that this casino be created to honor the past and celebrate the future. Located on a beautiful hilltop less than 20 minutes east of Sacramento on Highway 50, Red Hawk casino is an oasis for gamblers who seek excitement and adventure close to home. Several great restaurants provide a delicious assortment of appetizing entrees to satisfy most palates and family friendly entertainment is also available. Contact information: 1 Red Hawk Parkway Placerville, CA 95667. Phone: (530) 677-7000. Website: redhawkcasino.com.

Steven’s Trail: This is a popular year-round hiking trail in the lower elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The trail provides a gentle slope that is suitable for even the most novice hikers.  During your journey you will enjoy a series of spectacular views of the famous Gold Rush era river, pass the infamous China Wall built by Chinese laborers, several mine shafts and other early signs of mining. Follow I-80 East towards the town of Colfax and exit at North Canyon Way.  Travel along North Canyon Way past the Colfax cemetery to the Stevens trailhead. Contact information: 5152 Hillsdale Circle El Dorado Hills, CA 95762. Phone : (916) 941-3101. Website: www.blm.gov.

Strikes Unlimited: Strikes Unlimited is the premier bowling venue in Rocklin, CA. Whether you’re looking for bowling, dancing, live music or a great place to hold a party, Strikes Unlimited and Halftime Bar & Grill (formerly Strikes and Coaches) delivers.  This facility features 50 state-of-the-art lanes in a fun and vibrant atmosphere.  Each lane is outfitted with personal seating and tables, flat-screen TV's and giant projection screens.  Their restaurant, Halftime Bar & Grill, offers a wide variety of food, drink and entertainment. Contact information: 5681 Lonetree Blvd. Rocklin, CA 95765. Phone: (916) 626-3600. Website: www.strikesrocklin.com.

The California State Railroad Museum: First opened to the public in 1976, the California State Railroad Museum complex is one of Sacramento's largest and most popular visitor destinations. Over 500,000 visit the museum annually. With over 225,000 square feet of total exhibit space, the buildings within the California State Railroad Museum complex use stimulating exhibits, enthusiastic and knowledgeable docents and beautifully restored railroad cars and locomotives to illustrate railroad history in California and the West. Contact information: 125 "I" Street Sacramento, CA 95814. Phone: (916) 445-6645. Website: www.csrmf.org.

William Land Park: William Land was a quiet and self-contained man who was viewed as an active businessman in the Sacramento community and who gave the city nearly half a million dollars to enhance the conditions of its citizens. A beautful park was named in his honor and is located in the Land Park neighborhood just south of downtown Sacramento. The park includes several popular attractions, including The Sacramento Zoo, Fairytale Town, Funderland and The William Land Golf Course. Contact information: 4000 S Land Park Dr. Sacramento, CA 95822. Phone: (916) 808-5200. Website: www.cityofsacramento.org.

The Capitolaires: The Capitolaires have been singing in the Sacramento area since 1946 and welcome men who like to sing.  They meet every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Sierra Arden Untied Church of Christ at 890 Morse Avenue, Sacramento 95864. If you are interested in singing with them, please call (888) 877-9806. Their website is www.capitolaires.org.

Don't Pack on the pounds During the Holidays!

By John McCain

Be prepared for the holidays, because the endless assortment of tasty temptations is just around the corner! It’s easy to fall into the unhealthy mindset of deciding to eat everything that’s set before you as well intentioned loved ones present you with a cornucopia of mouth watering meals and delicious desserts. Stay away from thinking that you can’t change those unhealthy decisions during the holidays.

Decide right now, just prior to the holidays, to continue to take your supplements, drink your protein shakes and make the majority of your meal choices healthy and balanced. This does not mean you can not have your cheat meals or cheat days. Just be prepared for all the temptations that you will be presented in the next two months and plan ahead. Plan on the surprise pot luck, plan on the office party celebrations and get ready for the invitation to the festive meal at the family home.

Resolve now to eat properly most of the time and then allow yourself those occasional days of indulgence. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you only have two extreme choices: “Either I have to give up everything that’s being offered to me and rigidly stick to a healthy plan or I have to eat everything I’m offered and then resign myself to putting on an extra 5, 10 or 15 pounds during the holidays and then start all over at the first of the year.”

Chances are very good that you will be invited to numerous special meals with your family, friends and loved ones. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, work parties or pot lucks, when you’re there, just be wise about your decisions. Choose to have a little more turkey and a little less stuffing. Have another slice of ham and not as much mashed potatoes. Eat more green salad than corn. Just be conscious of the decisions you’re making and that you’re filling your plate up with more of the foods that are healthy for you. Most of the parties will have both healthy foods and filler foods available, so stay away from filling your plate with the filler foods.

Choose wisely my friends and start eating healthy now! You will feel better and you’ll enjoy the holidays more when you have this awareness. Develop the mental attitude of going into the holidays with a plan to stay balanced while choosing mostly healthy meals each day. Remember, you can still have your cheat days or cheat meals, just don’t allow them to roll into cheat months! If you do, then you may literally be rolling into the new year with a lot of extra baggage attached to your waistline!

Stupid Kid Tricks

By Bob Cox

As I watch my wife Diana’s mounting frustration with her 20 year old Grandson shoot through the roof, I have to sit back and smile. The situation takes me back to the days when I was a young man struggling to make good choices and allowing temptation to get the better of me and my exasperated parents.

During my career as a college student, my parents were chronically frustrated with my obsession to pick the coolest looking cars that broke down constantly. I’m sure you’ll never guess who I went to for help to solve my chronic transportation challenges; that’s right…good old Mom and Dad! This never ending saga had them on an accelerated aging regimen, sort of like each President of the United States.

My first car was a beautiful 1967 Chevy Camaro. There was just one thing wrong with the car, aside from the fact that it sat in the driveway almost as much as it got me from point A to point B. The engine was far too small (an inline 6 cylinder). How could I maintain the cool image of a muscle car enthusiast when my parent’s big boat of a car could dust me off the line?

That is when things went from bad to worse as I chose one high powered muscle car after another. They all looked faster than greased lightning as they sat on the secluded streets of Granite Bay. If they only ran, then I’d really have something!

The pattern of dysfunction between my parents and me played like an old record with an annoying skip. Whenever my car would break down, which was more often than not, I would ask Mom and Dad if I could borrow the white submarine (My nickname for their 1973 Chevy Bel Air) to get to school and work. That’s when that tired old song, “Griping and Lecturing” would play on and on. I did everything I could to tune them out, all the while resenting them and doubting myself a little more with each encounter.

What I now realize from those experiences is how my parents actually enabled me each time they bailed me out. They would gripe endlessly about the bad choices I made and how it inconvenienced them (which I did very well) and then my confidence would decline with each disaster. My low self confidence would inevitably entice me to make even more bad choices, leading us back to where the viscous cycle would begin again.

Looking back, the best thing my parents could have done for the collective sanity of our entire family was to give me a fair and reasonable time line to get reliable transportation and then stick with that time line, no matter the consequences. I would have been forced to figure it out on my own and my parents could have enjoyed some well deserved moments of peace and sanity. Instead of getting sucked into more “Stupid Kid Tricks” from yours truly, they could have been watching TV and laughing at “Stupid Pet Tricks” on Late Night with David Letterman!

Safety First for our Newest Drivers!

By Walter Ford

With kids now back in school, parents have good reason to be concerned with safety. Safety is especially important for our new drivers, so now is a good time to have an overall safety check of your vehicle before you hand over the keys. First of all, a teenage driver is a new driver, so they are inexperienced. They tend to be more inattentive when compared to more seasoned drivers. You want to make sure that your car is in good overall health. Kids have enough challenges operating a car on a public highway, so you don’t want to throw them any curve balls. A good place to start is to make sure that the brakes and tires are in really good condition.

When inspecting your brakes, be sure to have plenty of life on your brake pads and the rotors are in good shape. You really want to check the rotors to make sure they don’t have any ridges, even though the pad does not run across the whole face of the rotor. You want to look at the edge of the rotor, because that’s a clear indication of how much has been taken off. With most cars nowadays, the old rotors are tossed out and new ones are put on. They are relatively inexpensive now compared to what they used to be. As for the brake pad itself, you probably want 3/32 of an inch or more. The issue with the brake pads is the more material it has, the more heat can dissipate, so the less likely it will stay under pad in stopping conditions.

When you inspect your tires, make sure you have a decent amount of tread on them, especially now that the rainy season is here. In the old days, people used a penny as a guide and measure to the top of Lincoln’s head, which is 2/32 of an inch. In the state of California, you’re allowed to have a minimum of 2/32 of an inch on your front steer axle. The rear axle must be a minimum of 1/32 of an inch of tread. A word of caution is that these are minimums.

Most new cars now tend to be a little sportier, with tires that are more of a summer tire. So, I would take my car to someone who really knows what they’re doing and ask if the tires will be good for the winter time. If you are driving a vehicle with a sports package, you’ll likely have a tire that is a performance summer tire. If you only have 2/32 of an inch, it’s pretty useless in the rain. So, be sure to examine not only the trend depth but also the tread design. 

Women in the Auto Repair Industry

By Walter Ford

A generation ago, less than 1% of all mechanics in the United States were women, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. In 1989, there were 880,000 automobile service and repair technicians and only 6,000 of them were women.
Just 10 years later, there were 43,000 fewer technicians but twice as many women (12,000) and the ratio appears to be growing as more and more auto repair shops look for reliable and competent help from both genders.

Now, the industry is making a comeback. The nation's demand for auto mechanics is expected to grow about 17% from 2010 to 2020, adding 124,800 jobs for a total of 848,200, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. So, there’s never been a better time for more women to enter this male dominated industry.

Walter Ford, the owner of Valley Motorwerks in Rancho Cordova is pleased and excited to see more women entering the industry. Valley Motorwerks is a shop that specializes in the service and repair of BMW, Audi, Volkswagen and Mini Cooper vehicles. Walter believes that women add a variety of important skill-sets and perspectives to auto repair shops that lack a female presence.

When Walter decided to expand his business, he hired Jane Schwarzbart, a seasoned veteran in the auto repair industry to manage his shop. I got a chance to speak with Walter and Jane recently. Here’s how our conversation went.

Q: Walter, can you tell us about your history working with Jane?

Walter: Well, I have known Jane for several years now from the racing side of our business. She ran a very successful shop in the bay area and also fielded a race car and took a championship. That’s not a simple thing to do and it takes a lot of team building skills and management ability. When I found out that Jane was living in the area and was looking for an opportunity, I looked back on that season they had won and thought it would be advantageous to have someone with those skills manage Valley Motorwerks as I move on to some other things.

Q: Jane, what’s your background in the auto repair industry?

Jane: It started out with my father in the industry when I was growing up and he worked at a dealership here in Sacramento. I moved to the bay area, married into it and ran a business from then on, so I don’t know anything else.

Q: How many years have you worked in the auto repair business?

Jane: Many years – 18 years in the business.

Q: As a manager, you’re responsible for running the business from the front counter …

Jane: From the front counter to the back counter to parts, customers, marketing, keeping the doors open and insuring total customer satisfaction.

Q: Where was the shop you owned?

Jane: Albany, California.

Q: How did that shop compare with Valley Motorwerks?

Jane: The same car lines, just a different area.

Q: What brought you to Sacramento?

Jane: I needed a change. Sacramento is where I grew up. It is home to me.

Q: What were some of the biggest challenges that you found when you first came into the industry – being a woman in an industry that’s predominately male?

Jane: Getting used to being around males and cleaning up the language (laughing). However, Walter has done an excellent job at maintaining a professional environment.

Q: Would you care to expand on that?

Jane: No (laughing)!

Walter: I will though. I think this industry, since it’s male dominated, tends to run free a little bit with a lot of sexist behavior and disregard for customers in general because; unfortunately, when you have a group of men working together there is a certain us vs. them mentality. That is something that we don’t have here and absolutely can’t have. I think that having Jane here brings a unique perspective, a woman’s point of view.

Q: What are some of the things you’re looking forward to having Jane manage this shop?

Walter: I think despite Jane growing up in the industry, just being a female in a male dominated world gives her a unique perspective and it’s good for us. It’s advantageous to show the guys to see what it’s like to see through her eyes. We have a great group of guys. They’re fun, don’t use foul language, relatively clean – well I thought they were until Jane got here and made them clean the bathroom and the kitchen… and then the bathroom again!

Jane: A woman’s touch needs to be added.

Walter: Absolutely and that’s the sexist part of me that says women are different than men, not necessarily better or worse, but different, and I think we should have a full 360 degree view of what the customer is experiencing and what they need.

Q: Do you think your female customers will appreciate a woman in this business?

Jane: Yes and it helps them feel comfortable. It adds a level of comfort knowing that they are coming to a shop managed by a woman. Sometimes, when the repairs are explained in a technical way and possibly over their head, they may not say anything about it. It is my hope that they are more apt to ask when I’m at the front counter.

Walter: I think that’s important because… and here it is with the female perspective, if I am sitting at a counter and a guy comes in and I tell him, “Hey look, this is what’s wrong with your car… if he understands, cool. If he doesn’t understand, then he’s going to ask. I think Jane pointed something out that is very important, that a woman may feel reluctant to ask for explanations.

Jane: Right, because they don’t know so they don’t know what to ask.

A: So, you have found it to be more common for a woman to avoid asking for an explanation. Is that right?

Walter: That’s right. We do have some female customers come in who are very mechanically inclined. We have a lady who comes in that is pushing 70 years old, grew up on a farm and she will talk to you about almost every car model and make made for the last 45 years. She is a blast to talk to. You have to treat every customer as an individual. When we tell her what’s wrong with her car, she understands. In those instances where we have somebody that we need to do more explaining towards or who is afraid to ask, I think with Jane here they are more likely to ask.

Q: Jane, have you been able to spot that tendency in your female customers who have a blank look in their eyes?

Jane: The deer in the headlights, yes!

Q: Whereas a man might feel like he’s done his job and explained it to them. Do you find that to be the case?

Jane: A lot of times yes. When it comes to walking through that door, they just have a different outlook on what to expect. Most women, because it gives them the feeling of I don’t know if they are going snowball me or not because I won’t understand. An educated customer makes better decisions.

Q: What are some of the biggest changes you have noticed with women in the auto repair business?

Jane: I have been seeing more women in the industry, which has been a big plus. They are actually getting out of those typical office jobs and getting more into the industry.

Q: Do you see more women at the service counter or more technicians?

Jane: I have seen more at the service counter. I have seen technicians too and they love it. I did have a hair dresser in the bay area and she went to work for a dealership. I was impressed. She did both and she liked the challenge of both but she preferred being a technician. You would have never thought that very small petite woman would, but she loved the challenge.

Q: Walter, can you tell us about your newest expansion?

Walter: Yes, at Valley Motorwerks, we started a racing series back in 2006 and that is the series that Jane and her company were involved with. They were some early adopters actually and that part of the business has grown. We have leased a 15,000 sq. ft. shop off of Power Inn Road and 100% of all racing and performance stuff is going to be offloaded to that shop. The workflow here will be unimpeded and Jane won’t be calling me and yelling at me about all the race cars around her shop. The goal of having Jane here – because I've been an absentee owner here for awhile now because I've been taking care of very ill parents, is to get the business back on track. 

Getting the FAQ's on Oral Hygiene

By Dr. Andrade & Dr. Montalvo

On a recent trip to down the oral hygiene aisle, I came face to face with the many choices facing our patients. Which toothpaste is better? Does the Waterpik really work? Should I upgrade to an electric toothbrush or should I stick with the old manual? Let’s break down each of these questions.

Which toothpaste is best?

This alone can take a few pages to answer, but let’s cover the most important aspect of any toothpaste. Does it contain fluoride? If it does, then you are getting the most important ingredient, because it has been shown in many years of research to be very effective in preventing cavities.

Caveat: As one of my dental school professors once said, “You don’t need toothpaste to brush your teeth”. It took me many years to understand that. This basically means that the most important thing about brushing is not the toothpaste, it’s the brushing. The fluoride helps prevents cavities by killing bacteria, but brushing helps remove food that feed the bacteria.

Should I go electric?

Yes. This comes down to a very simple idea. You can sweep your floors all you want, but a vacuum can do it better. The same thing applies with a toothbrush. Not to mention the most important aspect about brushing: Time. When was the last time you timed yourself when you brushed your teeth with a manual toothbrush? If you brushed for two minutes, pat yourself in the back, but I would venture to say that most patients don’t brush past a minute. This is where an electric toothbrush comes in handy, since it will automatically be set for the recommended 2 minutes. For children, it is usually set at 1 minute. If you think 2 minutes is not that much time, next time you brush your teeth with your manual toothbrush, time yourself and see how long you brush.

Caveat: Oral B vs. SoniCare. Some research shows a slight advantage for SoniCare.

Does the Waterpik really work?

Yes, but not in the way you may think. The box will tell you that it removes plaque better than floss (about 50% better). Yet the research included on their website says that there is only a 30% improvement compared to regular floss. The research is based on about 70 test subjects who brushed with manual toothbrushes, then used regular floss or the WaterPik. This is definitely not a large test population, but based on over 4,400 reviews on Amazon, most people rate the WaterPik close to five stars. We still recommend using floss, however. Happy shopping and keep those sugar bugs away.

Choose Premium Fuel for your body

By John McCain

How do you look at the food you eat? Do you look at food as a reward, a central part of every celebration or fuel for your body? Whenever you look at the food that you put into your body, be sure to ask yourself this important question: Am I eating the proper food that fuels my body and allows me to have a positive attitude, do the work I need to do and have the energy I need to make the most of each day? If you answered yes, congratulations. Give yourself a well deserved pat on the back!

Treat yourself like a high performance machine. If we were to build your body, it would cost a billion dollars. If you had a million dollar race horse, would you give it fast food, sodas and chips? Or, would you give it the best food money can buy? You need to treat yourself like that million dollar race horse. It’s all about how you look at food. Do a mental self check and ask if you’re eating that because it tastes good but you know that it’s not good for you. Do I drink the soda pops just because I like the taste? Is there something I can replace it with? Remember this: Food equals fuel for the body.

If you are not getting the proper nutrition from your current diet, don’t beat yourself up with negative thinking. Instead, make a healthy choice the next time you fuel up your body and choose the premium quality foods that are high in nutrition. Stay away from the mental and physical filler foods, foods that just fill up space in your stomach that really have little to no nutritional value. Some common filler foods include potatoes, corn and white rice. Instead, choose foods that are rich in fiber, vitamins and lean proteins.

Here are a few tips to help you replace low nutritional filler foods with high octane foods loaded with nutrition and flavor. 1. Replace white rice with wild rice. 2. Reduce the amount of potatoes and eat more salad with vegetables. 3. Replace the high fat greasy hamburger and get the lean hamburger that is 4% in fat. It may taste even better than the high fat burger when you add the right spices for your pallet. 4. Eat more chicken, tuna, fish and ground turkey. 5. You can still enjoy Mexican cuisine and savor all the seasonings by choosing vegetarian re-fried fat free beans with no tortillas. You can have a few chips (5-6) with some healthy dip; just don’t overdo it with a basket full!

There are several celebrity chefs on television today who offer great cooking tips that will help you enjoy a healthier diet that’s high in nutrition. They will show you how you make healthy food taste great. Finally, you don’t have to starve when you’re eating the right stuff. If you don’t like the way you look or feel, you can change that by the food you eat, so don’t put it off until tomorrow. Go for it today!  

I had a Dream

By Bob Cox

I had a dream the other night that I was plunked into the role of a grade school teacher, much like the character Sam Beckett in the old sci-fi hit show Quantum Leap. Just a few minutes left before the bell sounded and I would be completely exposed to the spotlight with no idea what I was going to do!

When the bell sounded, I asked the kids (around 5 years old) to be seated. What on earth could I possibly do to keep 30 energy packed children busy for the next 6 hours? Suddenly, an idea popped into my head as I asked them to grab their favorite crayon and proceed to the front of the room. I instructed them to write their dream on the ugly old wallpaper and then draw a cloud around their dream while placing their name at the bottom.

From that moment on, the kids began to shriek and scamper about, looking for their favorite crayons and then writing excitedly on the outdated olive green wallpaper that stood like a tattered monument to school budget cutbacks. For the few kids that got stuck, I told them to write down what they wanted to be when they grew up.

When the last of the kids finished, I asked them how they felt after writing their dreams on the wall that they would have to look at every day, and they all yelled and screamed with excitement, which of course made me feel pretty great! Once they settled down, I asked them if they ever heard of a man named Martin Luther King? And that’s when I woke up.

In my half-awake state, I decided to continue the dream. I went on to describe who Martin Luther King was, and how he made his famous “I Have a Dream Speech” 50 years ago during the march on Washington, which helped unite a divided nation. I imagined that we could have easily spend the entire day discussing the power of Dr. King’s words and the importance that each of us has a dream for the best possible life.

As I was thinking about that, another idea entered my mind. “What if I asked the kids if they saw the movie Planes?” I asked for a volunteer to play the main character, Dusty Crophopper and pretend to fly around the room while shouting his dream to be a champion racer while he broke free from he was built to be: a boring crop duster. Next, I instructed the other kids still sitting to shout at him what he was supposed to be, a crop duster, all the while reminding Dusty to ignore their nonsupportive words and fly faster around the room. Finally, I questioned everyone if Dusty knew how to be a champion racer or if he had to ask someone he trusted and respected for help, in spite of feeling fearful and intimidated.

I think those little kids would have had a blast while learning two very important lessons: To have a dream for an extraordinary life and then summon the courage to soar higher while conquering your fears one by one and to go for it! 

October Fun Guide

Farrell’s Ice Ceam Parlour & Restaurant: Step back in time over 100 years to see servers dressed in pin-striped vests, old fashioned ties and cane hats. The restaurants feature the distinctive “old Farrell's” appearance of a century past ice cream parlor. The newspaper type menu, old fashioned candy and delicious food and ice cream will let you experience or re-experience what made Farrell's famous all across the U.S. since the first restaurant opened in 1963. Contact information: 1625 Watt Ave. Sacramento, CA 95864. 916-972-8000. www.farrellsusa.com.

K1 Speed: K1 Speed offers all-electric indoor go-kart racing in Sacramento. In addition to their race track, K1 Speed features a museum-quality collection of authentic racing memorabilia, including signed race apparel, full-size racecars and collectible artwork. Refreshments are available at the Pit Café snack bar. Guests can play video games between races and stay abreast of the on-track action by watching plasma screen televisions. Contact information: 3130 Bradshaw Road, Sacramento, CA 95827. (916) 368-7223. www.k1speed.com.

Sacramento Community Center Theater: Situated in the heart of downtown Sacramento and across from Capitol Park, the 2,422-seat Sacramento Community Center Theater is a popular venue for audiences. In recent years, capacity audiences have enjoyed performances by world-renowned artists such as Johnny Mathis, Jackson Browne, Garrison Keillor and Jerry Seinfeld; as well as multi-week engagements of "Mamma Mia", "The Phantom of the Opera", "The Color Purple", "Jersey Boys", and Disney's "The Lion King". Contact information: 1301 L St. Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 808-5181. www.sacramentoconventioncenter.com.

Suspect Murder Mystery Comedy Theatre: Now the largest Interactive Murder Mystery Comedy Dinner Show in the United States, The Dinner Detective® Murder Mystery Dinner Show was voted 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 “Best Dinner Show” in Los Angeles and Denver. Their actors have mastered the art of improvisational theatrics by hiding their actors among the customers and leaving everyone to suspect who is part of the show and who is not. Contact information: 1000 Front St. Sacramento, CA 95814. (916) 443-3600. www.thedinnerdetective.com.

The Rink: Formerly Kings Skate Country, The Rink has been remodeled and is under new ownership. The Rink is a skating rink that is good old fashioned fun for the entire family. They feature the hottest new music to skate to and have specialized “era music” as well for adult nights along with a cool lighting show that sets the mood. They offer a video arcade and snack bar for even more fun. Contact information: 2900 Bradhsaw Rd. Sacramento, CA 95827. (916) 363-2643. www.therinksacramento.com.