Granite Bay View - September 2008

THE LIFE MAGAZINE OF GRANITE B AY • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 8

How to plan the

Perfect Wedding Top 10 ways to keep calm and cool for the big day Romantic honeymoon destinations far from home

Prospective bride and Granite Bay resident Brittany Self models a gown from Diamond Bridal Shop in Granite Bay.

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Postal Customer Granite Bay, CA 95746

Years

ECRWSS

GRANITE BAY & ROCKLIN VIEW COVER SIGN-OFF SHEET MIKE GIANGRECO SUSAN BELKNAP BILL KRAWCZYK BILL WALLACE

TOBY LEWIS

JAMES TODD

U.S. Postage Paid Permit #275 Roseville, CA 95678 PRSRT STD

THE WEDDING PLANNER

A VIEW INSIDE

IN

THIS ISSUE:

T

ALL

ABOUT WEDDINGS Page 4

Find everything you need here in Granite Bay

HONEYMOON

DESTI-

NATIONS Page 8

Beginning your life together with the perfect getaway

KIMBERLY’S GARDEN Page 13

GB woman creates designs for dozens of households

ALSO

his month the Granite Bay View focuses its attention to weddings. Why not? June isn’t the only month people get married. Besides, couples scheduling a spring or summer wedding know now is the time to begin the planning process. For those readers in the midst of arranging any sort of ceremony and reception, they already know planning such a big event takes months, sometimes years to plan. There’s so much to think about; finding a location, deciding what type of food to serve and of course, for the bride, the all important wedding dress. It can be stressful even for the most organized personalities. In this issue we’ve tried to take some of that anxiety out by providing a list of places here in Granite Bay that can help take care of many of the wedding necessities. We’ve even included a list of 10 ways to keep the whole day running smoothly. Thinking about an out-of-

POINT OF VIEW BY

SUSAN BELKNAP

the-ordinary celebration? Check out Joy Reed’s column on page 10. Joy has been a caterer for more than 30 years and admits she’s dealt with hundreds of brides on their special day. You’ll be amazed at the story she tells of a recent Argentina-style reception held in Granite Bay in July. It was one Joy said she’d always remember. Once all the invitations are sent out, the dress is ordered and decisions about the ceremony and reception are complete, the prospective couple must decide what type of honeymoon to take. There are so many choices available today, every bride and groom can easily customize their honeymoon to fit

their style and budget. Our story on page 8 tells of the variety of honeymoon destinations Awanna Travel in Granite Bay has helped coordinate for many couples. For those who love adventure there’s donkey rides along the cliffs in Greece. Or how about a resort in Bora Bora where on-the-water bungalows feature glass-bottom floors designed and lighted for sea life views? But weddings and all their preparation are not the only highlight of our September issue. On page 13 meet Granite Bay resident Kimberly Montgomery. Even if you don’t know her, you’ve probably seen her designs of coasters, kitchen towels and potholders at Wal-Mart and Target. We’ve also included features for parents to help everyone get back in the swing of the new school year that began for Granite Bay students a few weeks ago. I hope you enjoy this edition of the Granite Bay View.

INSIDE:

KEEP STRESS AWAY ON YOUR WEDDING DAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 DAYTRIPPER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 ARGENTINE WEDDING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 PARENT FACTOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 RIDING THE BUS TO SCHOOL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 LISTENING EFFECTIVELY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 BETTER COMMUNICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 GRANITE BAY SCRAPBOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 DATEBOOK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

GRANITE BAY VIEW 188 Cirby Way, Roseville, CA 95678, (916) 774-7937 www.granitebayview.com

September 2008 Volume 19, Number 9 Bill Wallace, publisher Phone: 774-7925; e-mail: [email protected]

Susan Belknap, editor Phone: 774-7955; e-mail: [email protected]

Deb Collender, advertising executive Phone: 774-7954; e-mail: [email protected]

Debbrah Campbell, senior real estate consultant Phone: 774-7951; e-mail: [email protected]

Sue Morin, production supervisor Cover photo by Tim Lloyd, cover design by Bill Krawczyk Copyright 2007 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. The publisher shall not be responsible for any liabilities arising from the publication of copy provided by any advertiser for the Granite Bay View. Further, it shall not be liable for any act of omission on the part of the advertiser pertaining to their published advertisement in the Granite Bay View. A publication of Gold Country Media.

www.granitebayview.com

Granite Bay View | September 2008

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STORY BY

WEDDINGS: THINK LOVINGLY, PLAN LOCALLY Lauren Weber

he question has been asked, the ring has been admired and the location has been set. But what comes next? There’s the white gown that generates the groom’s photo-

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worthy smile. There’s the flowers with endless choices of fragrances and colors and the food – should it be a summertime barbecue or an elegant sit-down affair? And don’t forget the pampering, because every bride needs it – there’s the hairstyle, the makeup and the nails that need to be done.

But before the stressing starts and you think you have to travel to the big cities to make that special day perfect, take a look at what Granite Bay has to offer. From finding the perfect dress and fragrant flowers to the scrumptious food and the beauty treatments, it’s all right here.

The dress The wedding dress is every girl’s fantasy. Some brides are lucky and only try on a few styles before they find “that one” dress. But no matter the number, Diamond Bridal Gallery in Granite Bay has enough choices for brides to find their dream gown. “The best advice for the bride is to go with the dress that looks best on her,” said Seniya Petra, owner of Diamond Bridal Gallery. “When the dress looks good on her, she feels pretty.” Petra’s tip seems pretty simple but she finds that many brides come in with one vision in their head and end up finding a dress completely opposite. “Brides are unpredictable,” Petra said with a smile. Petra tries to get brides to try on dresses they may have never imagined. Diamond Bridal features gowns by designers such as Paloma Blanca, Maggie Sottero, Jasmine Bridal Couture, La Sposa and most exclusively and popularly, Oksana Couture from Eastern Europe. From gowns and jewels to invitations and favors, the gallery can order it all. And with so many people watching their pocketbooks, the store is always featuring specials such as discounts off invitations with the purchase of a gown. “We’re trying to meet everyone’s needs, especially now,” Petra said. “Every bride wants her day to be perfect.” And Petra helps with the process, because finding the dress is one of the biggest wedding decisions a bride encounters. She recommends brides do

their “homework” by tearing out magazine photos of gowns they like prior to dress shopping. She also advises people to bring their mother, friend or relative who will give a second opinion on dresses. “Your mom is your best advisor,” she said.

The food When it comes to wedding day food, it’s hard not to be picky. It’s the married couple’s first meal as man and wife and it should be memorable and flavorful. It could be a meal that takes the couple back to the first date or simply a dish they both love. Whatever the feast, it should be filled with variety, complimentary flavors and first-class presentation. That’s where a caterer comes in and Granite Bay has a handful of choices. A Chef’s Affair in Granite Bay offers buffet style, family style and interactive stations for weddings. According to Tori Frankhuizen, executive chef and owner of A Chef’s Affair, interactive stations are what are currently favored. Stations are set up with different foods, flavors and courses and chefs cook at the station. Frankhuizen said it’s grown in popularity from trendy culinary television shows. The catering menus for A Chef’s Affair simply introduces brides to the selections. Every menu is unique, Frankhuizen said, because each can be tweaked to mix in or eliminate whatever the bride and groom envision. “I’m all about creativity,” she said. Frankhuizen has 20 years of WEDDINGS/page 5

The Dress What: Diamond Bridal Gallery Where: 6963 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday and Monday by appointment only Phone: 797-7200 TIM LLOYD/SPECIAL TO THE GRANITE BAY VIEW

Seniya Petra, owner of Diamond Bridal Gallery in Granite Bay, looks through her inventory of bridesmaid dresses.

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Granite Bay View | September 2008

Web site: www.diamondbridalgallery.com

www.granitebayview.com

The Food What: A Chef’s Affair Where: 6889 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay Contact: Troi Frankhuizen, executive chef and owner Phone: 797-1404 Web site: www.achefsaffair.com What: Events at Quarry Ponds Where: 5520 Douglas Blvd., Ste. 130, Granite Bay Contact: Joy Reed, caterer Phone: 772-3900 Web site: www.quarryponds.com What: Spoons Where: 8230 Auburn Folsom Road, Granite Bay Contact: Tony Adorno, executive chef and general manager Phone: 797-0554 Web site: www.spoonsgranitebay.com

WEDDINGS continued from page 4 culinary experience and enjoys working with whatever is in season. Some of her hors d’oeuvres include bacon-wrapped apricots and summer frittata triangles with buffet courses including Vande Rose Farms beef tenderloin with pinot noir demi-glaze, carved tableside and family-style twisted pasta with gorgonzola, fresh pears, pancetta, drizzled with fresh lemon juice and California Ranch olive oil. Frankhuizen said her company is known for its high-end catering, but also works within budgets for brides and acts as a one-stop wedding location. “We’re not just a caterer,” Frankhuizen said. Their services also include floral design, venue recommendations and rental and entertainment booking. Another Granite Bay caterer Joy Reed, recently joined Events at Quarry Ponds, which offers catering services to wedding locations from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe. Reed has been in the busi-

www.granitebayview.com

ness for 30 years and knows how to find what the bride and groom want. First she finds out what foods they love and hate, then how they envision the wedding. She said many couples are expressing interest toward a cabaret format with food stations set up throughout the room or space. “For the bride who wants something a little different,” Reed said. “It’s more of a celebration from start to finish instead of a timeline; it’s more of a party, everyone is very social.” Events at Quarry Ponds specialize in weddings and work with budgets. Reed recommends that couples contact catering companies at least nine months to one year before the wedding. Reed said she starts with a blank canvas and determines the menu from talking with the couple, so every menu is customized. Spoons in Granite Bay is another option for food for that special day. The restaurant can create customized options but also has pre-selected menus. For about eight years, Spoons has catered large

TIM LLOYD/SPECIAL TO THE GRANITE BAY VIEW

Tony Adorno, executive chef and general manager of Spoons in Granite Bay, prepares a meal at the restaurant. Spoons has been catering weddings and large events for eight years.

events and weddings and Tony Adorno, executive chef and general manager for Spoons, knows food: He’s been in the culinary field for about 30 years. Some of the mouth-watering wedding menu selections from Spoons include garlic prosciutto mushrooms, Swedish meatballs with lingonberry sauce and crab cakes with lemon aioli for hors

d’oeuvres and main courses of stuffed chicken piccata, pecancrusted halibut with valute sauce and pork tenderloin stuffed with apples and apricots. “A lot of people like to do the hors d’oeuvresy thing,” Adorno said of what’s gaining popularity for weddings. He’s also found that people are hungry for stations with different foods such as Italian

or Mexican. Adorno advises contacting the caterer at least six months before the event, as it allows for planning, consultations and tasting to be done well in advance. “We’re a small little company and we take pride in the people who come in,” Adorno said. WEDDINGS/page 6

Granite Bay View | September 2008

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WEDDINGS continued from page 5 The flowers With hundreds of flower species, unless you have a favorite must-have flower, it can be a tough task to pick the wedding day bouquet. With a little flower design expertise, the bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces can be a bed of roses. Granite Bay Floral on Douglas Boulevard has been providing wedding flowers since its opening three years ago. Pam O’Day is the manager and designer at the floral shop and has tips for making the flower picking process simpler. Come in with color samples and photos of favored arrangements, O’Day said. It helps her to get an idea of the bride’s personality, style or event (is it a casual country wedding or a glamorous city affair?) and can work with budgets, avoiding out of season flora. “I think brides usually chose roses and in the summer months, peonies,” she said. The most popular wedding flower colors are romantic tones of pink, red and white, she added. O’Day recommends connecting with a florist eight to 12 weeks before the wedding day to chose the table arrangements, bouquets and boutonnieres for the big day. Looking through their numerous books helps many brides decide what attracts them. “We do high-end design here,” O’Day said. “We design our bouquets and wedding arrangements in regard to

what the bride wants.” Another florist in Granite Bay is Lilygrass located in the Quarry Ponds center. Owner and designer Sara Richardson said her shop stands out because of its “high-style” and use of out of the ordinary materials such as grasses, pods and orchids, which are favored right now. Richardson has been in the floral business for four years, bringing her city-like San Franciscan style to Granite Bay. The shop offers full service wedding flowers from church décor and reception arrangements to personal flowers. In addition to bringing personality to the arrangements, Lilygrass also works with budgets by choosing seasonal flowers and colors, which typically cost less. As far as floral trends at her shop, Richardson said the bright and primary colors are currently what is in fashion. “We just offer a personal experience,” Richardson said.

The pampering To avoid wedding day jitters, brides have many choices to treat themselves to some much-needed tender love and care. The Atrium Salon Spa in Granite Bay offers manicures, pedicures, hairstyling, makeup application, massages, facials, body wraps and spray tanning all in their 5,000-square-foot facility. “She (the bride) only has to come to one place and she gets the best, we offer the best products,” said Deena Estes, spokesperson for Atrium Salon Spa.

Estes recommends brides come in about a week before the wedding for a hair and makeup demonstration deemed “necessary.” “We get an idea of her style and are able to put something together,” she said. Also a week before, many brides come in for a facial (“They want their skin to glow,” Estes said), a relaxing massage and a body wrap, which detoxifies and takes inches off. For wedding-day services, the Atrium Salon Spa can accommodate an entire bridal party with their 16 stations, lunch and wine services can be provided, but people should make appointments a couple months ahead of time to reserve spots. Essentials Spa Salon on Auburn-Folsom Road also helps brides de-stress before they say, “I do.” The salon features a large range of services including aromatherapy massages, lavender and tangerine body scrubs, volcanic mud masks for the entire body, microdermabrasion, waxing, facials, nail and hair care and makeup application. With so many services to

The Pampering What: Atrium Salon Spa Where: 6851 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 791-8585 What: Essentials Spa Salon Where: 8639 Auburn Folsom Road, Granite Bay Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: 791-8511 Web site: www.essentialsgranitebay.com

offer, Linda Manzer, owner of Essentials Spa Salon said it’s not just the brides who come for some pampering. “Mothers of the bride are the ones that come in and want to relax,” Manzer said with a laugh. For the brides, Essentials offer a girls night out package where the salon closes and bridal parties come in for pedicures, facials, massages

and refreshments. But most importantly for the bride are the full hair and makeup application before the wedding to test out styles and colors. Essentials also goes on location for weddings if needed – anything to make the day go more smoothly. With so many choices for wedding planning in the Granite Bay community, why go anywhere else?

The Flowers What: Granite Bay Floral Where: 3988 Douglas Blvd., Ste. 120, Roseville Contact: Pam O'Day, floral designer Phone: (866) 285-0671 or 676-2716 Web site: www.granitebayfloral.com What: Lilygrass Where: Quarry Ponds, 5550 Douglas Blvd. Ste. 170 Contact: Sara Richardson, owner and designer Phone: 771-5459 Web site: www.quarryponds.com

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Granite Bay View | September 2008

COURTESY

Lilygrass Floral Shop in Granite Bay’s Quarry Ponds creates custom table arrangements, bouquets and boutonieres.

www.granitebayview.com

STORY BY

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TIPS FOR A STRESS-FREE WEDDING DAY ■ 8 REMEMBER: YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED

Lauren Weber

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orget about the little things that no one but you will remember or even notice. A wedding day is just that, a day to celebrate marriage. Stay focused on your spouse to be and don’t stress on the uncontrollable things. No one in attendance will remember if they served baked potatoes instead of mashed or if the bouquet bow is dark blue instead of light blue. The day isn’t about what flowers you have, what food you eat or what music you dance to. It’s about making a commitment to someone you love.

■ 1 NOTHING IS PERFECT

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wedding day is no exception. Plan for things to go wrong because it’s possible they will. If the wedding is planned for outdoors, have a backup plan indoors in case of rainy weather. If the photographer is running late, have someone take some snapshots until he or she arrives. If the food arrives and isn’t what you’d asked for, try to go with the flow and enjoy the day.

■ 9 COMPILE AN EMERGENCY KIT

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ust in case something is forgotten, have an emergency kit on hand. Keep aspirin, breath mints, deodorant, lotion, hair spray, dental floss, bobby pins, Tums, tissues, cologne or perfume, extra cufflinks and spot remover. Make sure both the bride, groom and other people involved in the wedding have a kit.

■ 2 STICK TO THE BUDGET

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ake a budget and stick to it. You don’t want to get to a week before the wedding only to realize you’re way over budget. Use budget planning tools, a spreadsheet, whatever helps keep funds organized. Be sure to organize expenses and spend the most on what is a priority to you. The last thing you need is to be stressed about the cost on the wedding day.

■ 10 HAVE FUN AND RELAX

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■ 3 PICK A BRIDAL PARTY YOU TRUST

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ridesmaids and groomsmen should be people you can rely on, people who will keep you happy and focused on the day, not the little things that may go wrong. Make sure they’re trustworthy – you don’t want to be waiting on one of the bridal party members to get the day started. Give each bridal party member a schedule for the day and a list of things you need them to do.

■ 4 HIRE A WEDDING COORDINATOR

his is a once in a lifetime event and you should enjoy it. If pedicures relax you, plan for a wedding day salon visit. If playing basketball is calming, plan for a quick game in the morning. Anything that makes the day more enjoyable and stressfree is worth it.

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f time is of the essence for planning the wedding, hire a wedding coordinator. A wedding coordinator will worry about the little things so you don’t have to.

■ 5 GET ORGANIZED

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eep a list of vendor contact information just in case. Give it to your best man and maid of honor, parents and anyone else who will help. If the caterer hasn’t shown up, give them a call to see what is going on. By having all the numbers with you, it eliminates panic if someone is late or lost. Also, make sure the vendors all have your cell phone number or a number of someone else who’s involved in the wedding plans.

■ 6 CHOOSE AN ORDER OF EVENTS

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ecide the order of events at the reception in advance. Do you want to toast before cake cutting, food after the first dance? You want the event to run smoothly, so plan ahead. Let the disc jockey and/or wedding coordinator know the plans also – they’ll help keep the order of things.

■ 7 DON’T FORGET TO EAT

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ven if you have butterflies in your stomach, eat. You don’t want to be the bride or groom who faints at the altar. Have a healthy breakfast, munch on snacks and stay hydrated.

www.granitebayview.com

Granite Bay View | September 2008

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STORY BY

EXOTIC HONEYMOON GETAWAYS Eileen Wilson

or many couples, marriage is bliss, and what better way to start a happy life together, than with the perfect honeymoon. Forget run-of-the mill destinations. “Today people want to go somewhere exotic – not normal places everyone goes to,” said Joyce Flanagan, manager of Awanna Travel in Granite Bay. During Flanagan’s 16 years with Awanna, she’s put together some amazing trips; trips customized for individual couples. “We try to talk to the clients and find out if they just want to relax on a beach and do nothing, or if they want activity,” she said. A high-end trip Flanagan and her staff recently put together was a trip to the Greek Isles. The lucky couple began in Athens, and took their own, private guide to see ancient Olympia, and also visited some of the romantic surrounding islands, like Santorini, which straddles the top of a volcano and is home to famous and picturesque white-painted homes, which cling to a hillside and overlook the Aegean Sea. The precipitous cliffs can be reached by both cable car and donkey. “But you have to take the donkey,” Flanagan said. “The donkey takes you right to your hotel.” Another romantic option that involves over-water bungalows and plenty of sea life is the many South Pacific Islands, like Tahiti, Bora Bora and Fiji. According to the travel experts at Awanna, Fiji is an amazing place for honeymooners. Kathy Schultz, a travel consultant at Awanna, suggests forgetting the main island and going to the small, outlying islands. “We went to Tokoriki – you can get there by sea plane or boat,” she said. “The people are very friendly, and you can have a private outdoor shower. The staff comes out to greet you by boat, singing.” Bora Bora and surrounding islands are also hot honeymoon spots. The consultants at Awanna recommend the islands for snorkeling, swim-

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COURTESY

Honeymoon destinations such as Tahiti, left, Costa Rica, top, and Fiji, above, offer customized trips for the newly married couple.

ming and lounging. “It’s a very laid back, relaxed thing,” Schultz said, sharing her favorite part of Bora Bora – the over-water bungalows with glass-bottom floors, designed and lighted for sea-life views. She’s also impressed with the breakfast, which is rowed out to you by an outrigger canoe every morning. If you want to go out to dinner, Schultz explained, you simply let your concierge know and the restaurant will send a driver to pick you up, and don’t be surprised if the driver is also your waiter. For more adventure-minded couples, Costa Rica is a popular destination. “Zip lines, hot

springs, volcanoes, white water rafting, kayaking, beaches – Costa Rica is for an active, nature-loving couple,” Flanagan said. “You can see all sorts of wildlife, from monkeys to crocodiles.” Schultz agreed. “We did the canopy tour – you’re right up there with the toucans,” she said. Adventurous travelers are also enjoying safaris as a honeymoon treat. On the high-end, African photo safaris are quite popular – clients are flown to different areas so they can see numerous animal species, and stay in elaborate tents or lodges. Guests often dine with the safari company’s owner.

“It’s a very special vacation,” Flanagan said. European travel is always popular as well, and to try and beat the high price of the Euro or the Pound, Flanagan advises booking a pre-paid package through a travel agent, which can be paid in U.S. dollars, and is usually a better deal. In addition, traveling to non-Euro countries like Switzerland, Hungary and Croatia will help you stretch your travel budget further. For the honeymooning couple who wants a truly unique experience, all they have to do is ask. Whether it’s a yacht with a crew, or a private guided tour through the Sistine Chapel, travel agents can help

a couple attain their dream. “We have destination specialists all over the world – we can do anything,” Flanagan said. For honeymooners who don’t have the time or budget for a two-week African safari, the staff at Awanna also helps couples visit unique destinations within driving distance, like Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Menodocino or even locations as close as the Napa wine country. “We put people in little bedand-breakfasts with spa treatments for the two of them. It’s very romantic,” Flanagan said of the Napa area. “When we plan a trip for a couple, we really want to go too.” www.granitebayview.com

STORY BY

STEPPING BACK

TO

DISCOVER COLUMBIA’S PAST

Sheri Hitchings

utumn is a special season for adventures in the historic destination of Columbia. Located about two hours from the Roseville/Granite Bay area travelers will enjoy a spellbound ride through the beautiful countryside. Take Auburn Folsom Road south to Highway 50 east, then south on Latrobe Road, continuing on to Highway 49 until you turn off for Columbia. All decked in DAYTRIPPER out 1850s dresses, our granddaughters Kristina and Kelly were eager to explore Columbia, and their enthusiasm was catching. We met with California State Park official Jennifer MacNaughton and museum curator Thonni Morikawa to learn about the activities and museum. The displays include fascinating artifacts and important information, setting the stage for your visit. Stepping back to this bygone era of California’s Gold Rush, we were ready to explore this well-preserved mining town. Brochures and maps are available in the museum or, if you wish, join a tour commencing daily from the museum at 11 a.m. Highlights of our visit were bowling with antique bowling equipment next door to the museum, watching the intricacies of candle dipping and horse shoeing, panning for gold and visiting the nearby restored school house. The

Some of the historic attractions Columbia has to offer are a Gold Rush-era stagecoach, left, an old-fashioned schoolhouse, below left, and panning for gold, below.

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SHERI HITCHINGS/GRANITE BAY VIEW

unique shops were fun to explore. There are many outstanding annual events. McNaughton recommended the Gold Rush Days on the second Saturday of each month from 1-4 p.m. when volunteers are dressed in period costumes. If you love music, come Oct. 4 at 10:30 a.m. sharp for the fiddle and bango contest (Yes, bango. Someone made a spelling mistake on the first year’s T-shirt, and banjo permanently became bango.) This is only one example of the locals’ sense of humor. Another unique experience has to be the Poison Oak Show on Sept. 27 when locals

share poison oak photographs and arrangements, with the lucky winners receiving prizes. The streets will be packed with vendors for the Harvest Festifall (Yes, fall. Here we go again!) on Oct. 11 and 12. Lamplighters will guide tours on Dec. 5-6, as they act out an evening play. December will also be highlighting Christmas Through the Years, and the miners will be recognized with the Miner’s Christmas on Dec. 13, 14, 20 and 21. Toys, games and crafts of the 1850s will be available for the amusement of the younger set. For more information see www.columbiacalifornia.com. For dining suggestions, the Jenny Lind Restaurant provides breakfast and a delicious hamburger and fries for lunch. The City Hotel Restaurant serves a delicious lunch and dinner, and lunch and tea time is offered at Columbia Kate’s. After exploring, you might cool down in the afternoon with a visit to the Fallon Ice Cream Parlor. We did, and it was a treat. Ice cream concoctions are also available during intermission or after each of the fabulous Fallon Theatre’s award-winning performances on Wednesdays-Sundays. The Big Bang plays Sept.

19-Nov. 3 followed by the Christmas Foundling Nov. 21Dec. 21. Interested? Hotel rooms are available. Tempting is a stay at the 150-year-old Columbia City Hotel on Main Street or Fallon Hotel at 11175 Washington St; both have special getaway packages, including dinner, two theatre tickets, a night’s lodging and desert and more.

Visit www.cityhotel.com for more information. Nearby places to explore if you can stay for a few more days are the Calaveras Big Trees or Railtown. On the way home, we stopped at Mark Twain’s cabin. You’ll see the sign along the road. If you call (800) 446-1333, you can receive a free Tuolumne County visitor’s guide.

Granite Bay View | September 2008

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PARENT TRAP: DON’T BLAME MYSPACE first learned about MySpace (www.myspace.-com) five years ago while performing “control H” on my seventh-grader’s computer. It revealed a social network ofthat captured tons of very personal information including age, sex, sexual orientation, favorite colors and flavors, and “how you want to die.” I began inquiring with other parents about MySpace and learned of significant dangers. One Granite Bay High parent shared with me a story about his teenage daughter being pursued by someone who had come to the home and later looked up her profile on MySpace and asked her for a date. There is no doubt that in order to keep children safe, parents must supervise their online activities. Hindsight/Lessons: ■ Internet access should only be possible in open common areas of the home where it can be easily monitored. ■ Have your child show you how to utilize the Web-enabled programs and services to which

I “I was concerned that I’d lose my independence with a move to a retirement community. Then I discovered Eskaton Lodge Granite Bay. Imagine my surprise when I found that I have more freedom than ever. I have privacy in my own apartment. My neighbors are my friends. I come and go as I please, and I no longer worry about cooking, cleaning or home repair. Plus, if I need assistance, it’s right here.” Call Stephanie Watson, Marketing Director and arrange your personal visit. (916) 789-0326

Eskaton Lodge Granite Bay Independent Living with Services & Assisted Living 8550 Barton Road Granite Bay, CA 95746 916-789-0326 • www.eskaton.org

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Granite Bay View | September 2008

PARENT FACTOR BY

JOANNA JULLIEN you grant him/her access. ■ Stay away from chat rooms. Chat rooms are where the predators are waiting to introduce themselves. Instant messaging is a little more protected. You can maintain a buddy list . ■ Establish a “profiling rule” in your home that requires children to seek parental approval before submitting personal profile information for any medium. This profiling rule should also require that you know the passwords for Internet Web sites accessed by your child. And then check them randomly, so you can easily monitor what is going on. Note that “control H” function on the Internet browser will give you a history of where your child has been.

www.granitebayview.com

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STORY BY

ORIGINAL DESIGNS

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EVERYDAY PRODUCTS

Eileen Wilson

ou may not know the name, Kimberly Montgomery, but if you shop at Wal-Mart, Jo-Ann Fabric and craft store or Target, you’ll certainly recognize this Granite Bay woman’s designs. Montgomery, the paintbrush and pen behind Kimberly Designs, feels a thrill every time she spots a bit of her artwork on store shelves. Tin cans, coasters, flags, stationery, kitchen towels and potholders – name a product, and a Kimberly design has probably adorned it. “I have so many products, I can’t remember,” laughs Montgomery. “I’ll walk in to a store and say ‘oh yeah, I did that.’” Fascinated with art since barely older than a toddler, Montgomery comes by her talent naturally. Her mother had the largest art gallery and school in the Sacramento area, Northern California Academy School of Arts. After receiving a double major in graphic design and fine art, with a minor in art history, she had an opportunity to illustrate 250 water color plates for a Disney movie and went on to create decorative paper items for Kinko’s. “I thought, I can do this,” she grins, brown eyes flashing with the memory of the days when she marketed her own artwork. But it takes more than a talented artist to get original designs on every-day products. It takes the marketing skills and business acumen of someone like Donna Westman, owner of DSW Licensing Company, to bring artwork from paper to product. Both women agreed it was a wonderful day when a mutual friend introduced them. Seven years later, the pair has propelled the Kimberly brand, including Kimberly’s Garden, Kimberly’s Kristmas, Kimberly’s Klassroom, and more, in to retail giants, midsized stores and the tiniest boutiques. The team is ecstatic that

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TIM LLOYD/SPECIAL TO THE GRANITE BAY VIEW

Kimberly Montgomery’s artistic designs of coasters, kitchen towels and pot holders can be found at Wal-Mart and other stores throughout Placer County.

Kimberly designs have become so popular. Teachers gifts, (aprons, totes, stationery), have arrived in stores just in time for back-to-school shopping, and have proven to be some of their most popular items. While Montgomery was able to market her ideas on a small scale 10 years ago, she gives credit to Westman for taking her designs to a massproduction level. Her designs are so successful in fact, that she was recently named one of the nation’s top five rising stars in licensing by Greetings magazine. “That’s what you strive to do is become recognizable,” Westman said. “People should be able to look at a product and say ‘that’s a Kimberly.’” Westman hails from Louisiana, and received a degree in fashion merchandising and marketing from Louisiana Technical

University. Nowadays she also makes her home in Granite Bay, and has been in the area for more than 25 years. A successful sales and marketing professional, she promoted books and motivational speakers for a living, but was ready for change. “I love this even more,” she said. “This is a great career and continues to grow and build.” Montgomery explains Westman is much more than a licenser, she is a supporter and friend first. “I wanted someone to market my work, but didn’t want a

traditional agency relationship,” she explains. While some licensing agents take on 20 or more artists, Westman remains committed to three high-quality California artists. “If an agent has 30 artists, there is no way you can represent their work well,” she said. Montgomery heartily agrees. “Donna has to be able to pull up from her memory what images of teacups her artists have,” she said. Bubbling with southern charm and enthusiasm, it’s obvious why Westman is suc-

cessful in marketing, but her job is much more than it seems. She has to have picture-perfect recall to discuss her client’s artwork as well as a shrewd mind to navigate the designs through the convoluted world of licensing and manufacturing. Once Montgomery creates a set of images, Westman shops it to manufacturers who buy the rights to use them for a specified time. The team has final approval over a product before it arrives in stores – a process that can take up to a year. “Our image is important to us,” Westman emphasizes. “My dream is to walk in to any store and see our products.” Both women love what they do, in part, because their jobs offer flexibility that allows KIMBERLY/page 19

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AN ARGENTINE EVENING OF LOVE AND LAUGHTER

T h e V i l l a g e a t Tr e e l a k e

THIS

Argentine evening. Sandy Herrick was not only the mother of the bride but the designer, developer, producer, director, and master mind of this first ever Granite Bay Argentine extravaganza, and that is exactly what it was. It was immediately apparent that Joy this was her project and I was Reed fortunate to be worthy of her plan. eing a wedding caterer Let me start at the beginfor some 30 years, I’ve ning… experienced receptions When Sandy told me about of every size, shape and kind. her plans I was immediately Every couple has a vision that intrigued and excited about is uniquely theirs. Even the being part of an Argentine most traditional dream will wedding. After much discushave dozens of personalized sion we were both confident choices in style, setting and that we would embark on this timeline. very exciting journey together. The menu selections, cake, This was her vision, and it and beverage service beckons was, indeed, her dream come thought-provoking questions, true. and answers that evolve into On the night of the big day parts of the puzzle that fit the guests arrived with the together perfectly on a couanticipation of an evening of ple’s wedding day. festivity. The setting was a I once catered a very forgorgeous, private Granite Bay mal wedding in the Santa garden with expansive lawn, Cruz redmature trees woods. The laden with couple was in hundreds of Centerpieces were Boston and I hanging lights, absent from the tables was in blooming as this was all about Sacramento. It flowers and was just us, 16 the splendor and lush foliage. months, and The reception beauty of food. hours of long area was spadistance phone cious for the calls (this was 22 large round long before e-mail). It was tables beautifully appointed such a fun process, and in the with fine linens and five end we were rewarded with an glasses per each setting and absolutely magnificent recep200 candles and illuminarias tion, flawless in every detail. that glowed throughout the That was 28 years ago and night. the point when I realized that Centerpieces were absent every dream can become reali- from the tables as this was all ty. Throughout my career I about the splendor and beauty have welcomed the unusual of food. and embraced the challenges The guests were greeted that many caterers would with white sangria and citrus never consider. This has been infused waters as they gathan all-win policy that has pro- ered for the ceremony. vided extraordinary opportuni- Immediately following, the ties to execute the most crefull bars were opened, and ative visions of all. appetizers were passed. One such reception is the Sandy’s homemade subject of this wedding story. empanadas were warm from I was approached by the the oven, along with demitasse mother of a bride who was cups of South American-style searching for a caterer to help her with a traditional ARGENTINE/page 19

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STORY BY

SCHOOL BUSES SAVE LIVES ... Parents can research bus safety at schoolbusinfo.org. For specific bus routes visit www.eureka-usd.k12.ca.us, transportation page. For additional information, speak with the school’s principal or contact the Transportation Department directly.

Kristin Withrow

nyone who has struggled through the lines in the school parking lot while waiting for their child to wade through the sea of students and find their car has often wished for a better way. In reality, our school parking lots are amazingly efficient considering the large numbers of students that must be loaded and unloaded, as safely as possible, every day. If you are a parent who dreads the long wait, one who arrives 20 minutes early just to ensure you get a spot in line, you should know there is a better way. In fact, there is a way that will save time and gas and is actually safer for your child and everyone else going to and from school. It is the bus. That big yellow bus that is iconic of school can be a lifesaver in more ways than one. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, “students are nearly eight times safer riding to school in a bus than in their own parent’s or guardian’s vehi-

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KRISTIN WITHROW GRANITE BAY VIEW

cle.” According to Terry Voy, president of the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services, “school buses are a great American success story with a safety record that is unmatched in motor vehicle transportation.” There’s even a Web site, www.schoolbusinfo.org that was created to allow parents and media to quickly locate safety statistics and news releases regarding school bus

safety and usage in the U.S. The school bus can be a lifesaver for harried parents. For those parents who spend 30 minutes a day involved picking up or dropping off students, 3.75 days can be saved if those students take the bus over the course of one 180-day school year. Additionally, Eureka Union School District bus passes cost less money than those in the surrounding areas. While a round trip year long Eureka bus pass is $208, it is lower than a

TO IGNORE THE FACT DOES NOT CHANGE THE FACT Tips from your Neighborhood Dentist The summer is coming to an end - kids are back in school and you are back to work after your vacation. Everything seems to be normal but you have a nagging feeling that you are forgetting something. “I cannot remember what I was supposed to do” you say to yourself as you are enjoying a fresh cup of coffee. Right as you take another sip, a painful reminder comes out of nowhere. “Ouch,” pain, pain, pain! Your broken tooth is what you have been keeping on the back burner, postponing getting treatment Dr. Ty Vardanian DDS, MSD, until you had more time. You hate going to the PHD & Staff Dentist and you always come up with an excuse not to go, but this time the pain won’t go away as it has in the past. You finally admit to yourself that ignoring the fact does not change the fact. Friends, after practicing Dentistry for over 25 years, I can assure you that ignored dental problems become only more painful and more expensive to fix. That fact alone is reason enough to stop overlooking your dental needs, but if you need more convincing remember that there are only four months left in 2008. If you don’t utilize your dental insurance benefits before year’s end, you will lose them. I think you’ll agree with me that every dollar counts, especially in this economy, so make sure to take advantage of your benefits. So, dear neighbors, if you have any unresolved dental problems, need a checkup, or just need to start with a dentist, give us a call. We will help you in a professional, proficient, and personable manner.

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Granite Bay View | September 2008

pass at Rocklin Unified and Folsom Cordova School Districts at $245 and $248 annually, with San Juan Unified topping the list at $270. While handing over $208 may seem like a lot of money to start the school year, considering the economics over the course of the year, it is actually an overall savings. If you estimate 20 miles per gallon and live five miles from school, making the trip twice a day at $3.80 a gallon, you will save $476 over the course of the year. Add that savings to the 3.75 days of your life and you could take a nice little weekend vacation with your savings … all from having your kids ride the bus. Peter Towne, principal of Greenhills Elementary, notes that increased congestion will add to the parking lot strain when the school district changes take effect in 2009-10 and Greenhills is expected to increase its student body by more than 200 students. “There is a tremendous cost advantage to riding the bus that many parents aren’t aware of,” Towne said. “We need to get parents comfortable with the idea of having their kids on the bus. It’s a matter of changing their concept of the bus. From transportation safety to helping children develop socially, the bus has many advantages.” According to Eureka Union

MONEY School District Transportation Coordinator Barbara Terry, all students on campus are safer by using the bus. Terry said most of the schools do not have sidewalks leading up to them, so kids who walk or ride their bikes are on the street. Additionally, parents often park on side streets to avoid the congestion of the school parking lot, which narrows the street for through traffic and causes blind spots for kids walking between cars. While parents may have reservations about giving up the control of door-to-door service for their kids, Terry says the bus drivers “take every precaution to ensure the safe passage of their riders.” They become aware of which direction each kid is supposed to walk when they get off the bus, who is supposed to be meeting the child and where. Terry adds that if a child voices concern over exiting the bus because a parent is not waiting for them, the driver brings the child back to school so a parent can be contacted for pick up. Additionally, all students learn the safety rules and etiquette of bus ridership, whether they have a pass or not, because buses are used in field trips for the schools. “Our drivers take the time to get to know the students, and they are always looking out for their safety,” Terry said.

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ARGENTINE continued from page 10 gazpacho. The bride’s father contributed his traditional smoked salmon and accoutrements that we offered with thin slices of rye. The groom, being an accomplished musician, was in charge of the music, which was ever changing, fun, festive and enjoyed by all. The delicious traditional meats were cooked, carved and ready for my staff to garnish and serve on platters covered with banana and tea leaves. Sandy selected bright and boldly colorful family favorite recipes and for me, they were unusual and adventurous to present to 200 guests. The menu featured beautiful beets with oranges we layered with arugula and baby spinach; quinoa with grilled summer vegetables; roasted fennel and artichokes that crowned ribbons of red chard and were garnished with tiny coblets of grilled corn, and a brilliant turmeric potato salad that was finished with delicate rings of marinated red onion.

KIMBERLY continued from page 13 them to spend time with their families. Montgomery has a child who attends the Art Academy University in San Francisco and another who attends Granite Bay High School. Westman has two teens at Granite Bay High, and another at Cavitt Junior High School.

Baskets of wood oven artisan breads broken in pieces and drizzled with olive oil left room only for the ever changing bottles of great wine. And the music played, the guests danced and endless wine was presented with traditional toasts, stories and nonstop laughter. And as even the most glorious evening must mellow toward the end, this party’s encore was a sky high display of fabulous cupcakes in a myriad of flavor combinations; a welcomed midnight ovation. Oh, did I mention the everflowing champagne? A perfect balmy night with guests that rallied to the end. Everyone enjoyed every last minute of the magnificent Argentine wedding reception that one amazing mother of the bride worked so diligently to create. On behalf of my chef, captains, and staff, I can say that this was one wedding that we will all savor for a very long time. – Joy Reed is a chef and caterer in Granite Bay. She can be reached at [email protected].

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“Doing this business gives me the opportunity to be a mom – I always say ‘faith, family and career,’ and in that order,” Westman said. The best part of the job, both women agree with a chuckle, is all the free products. To see Kimberly designs, or additional artists licensed by DSW Licensing, visit www.kimberlysgarden.com or www.dswlicensing.com. Kimberly Montgomery has been fascinated with art since she was barely older than a toddler. TIM LLOYD/SPECIAL TO THE GRANITE BAY VIEW

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LISTENING ACTIVELY, CAREFULLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO YOUR CHILD isten fully. – Posture Communication is a 2. Put yourself in your two-way street. The child’s place to understand message must be received or what your child is saying and listening doesn’t happen. how he or she feels. Parents need to learn how to be good receivers of their 3. Restate the child’s most child’s information. important thoughts and feelRemember: Important keys ings. are: listen first, always 4. Do not listen, create interrupt, EASY a special offer advice LISTENING time and or give sugBY place to lisgestions. Do ten and use not bring up SHERI active listensimilar feelHITCHINGS ing. ings or problems from ■ Effective listeners listen your own experience unless carefully your child asks for the inforFocus on listening carefully mation. to your child without thinking about what you will say next. 5. Convey confidence in Also, in attempts to help your child’s abilities. your child communicate, parents often bombard the child 6. Remember: Listening with questions and end up effectively builds relationanswering them or don’t give ships. enough time for thinking. Remember: think, and then ■ Listen carefully to feelcount to seven before you ings and fears respond. 1. Effective listening is reflective and nonjudgmental. ■ Paraphrasing The purpose is to help you An effective listening strat- understand what your child is egy (“I hear what you’re saysaying. ing”) captures the essence of your child’s message and asks 2. At times, it will mean for more information. respectful silence. Silence shows you want to listen and ■ Avoid obligatory lanhear your child’s viewpoint. guage Pay close attention to oblig3. Good listening skills atory words that you use with need to be modeled. your child. For example, how many times have you said a 4. Listen to fears and help sentence that includes: your child work through their You must… fears. You ought to… You should… 5. Listening effectively You have to… sounds like… You better… “You seem to be saying that…” ■ Listen actively “Sounds like…” 1. Show understanding and “You’re feeling…” acceptance to your child by non-verbal behavior: Tip: Listening thoughtfully – Tone of voice shows respect. – Facial expressions – Gestures LISTEN/page21 – Eye contact

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LISTEN continued from page 20 ■ Benefits of communicating with an open door policy: 1. Your child is more likely to succeed when there is a positive family communication. 2. Keep communication lines open. 3. Your child is more likely to grow up healthy when parents model positively and have a hopeful attitude.

When your child “knows you have an open mind and an open attitude, your child will share more feelings and information with you.

■ A Final Powerful Tool: “OWL” Observe cues, Wait for the child to formulate thoughts into words, and listen by giving enough time and your undivided attention. Your child will be much more excited about communicating and doing so effectively.

4. Create an atmosphere of communication being careful not to be preoccupied or getting in the habit of half listening, jumping to conclusions or assuming the worst.

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6. Listen to understand; listen more than you talk.

5. Remember: A child who is listened to learns how to listen.

3. If you are upset about something else in your life, let your child know that you are not angry at him/her.

James M. Jack, D.D.S. Pieter J. Linssen, D.D.S.

5. If you criticize for what your child tells you, your child will close the door the next time. Be appreciative that your child wants to communicate.

7. Be available when your child needs you.

2. Ask your child’s advice or opinion about an important matter.

FAMILY DENTISTRY

”

4. When your child knows you have an open mind and an open attitude, your child will share more feelings and information with you.

■ To improve communication: 1. Ask caring questions, have open ears and an open heart.

Granite Bay

8. Remember: Don’t criticize first, ask first.

Granddaughter Kelly also reminded me or this valuable poem she learned. A wise old owl sitting in an oak. The more he heard, the less he spoke. The less he spoke, the more he heard. Why can’t we all be more like that wise old bird? – Author Unknown

791-4719 Join the fun! Monday, Oct. 20, 2008 ~ 11:30 a.m. Granite Bay Country Club Granite Bay Library/Rotary Club Open Free Beer ~ Snacks ~ Dinner ~ Games ~ Raffle

OOPS! In the August edition of the Granite Bay View, on page 20 the Rotary Club of Granite Bay’s ad incorrectly spelled the name of the sponsor. State Farm Insurance agent Todd Elizalde sponsored the August ad in addition to the advertisement at the right hand side of this page. www.granitebayview.com

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CLEAR COMMUNICATION ON YOUR BIG DAY re you getting ready for that big day and wondering how to sound and look your best? Be it your wedding, a job interview or a presentation, whenever your big day arrives, you will be sure to impress everyone by using the following top 10 techniques for clear communication. ■ Drink water and get plenty of rest SPEECH the night TALK before the big BY event. Yes, I NANCY know, it’s easier said than BARCAL done, but sleep will improve your ability to concentrate on all aspects of communication. ■ Prepare for failure. You are human and you may make a mistake. Rather than fear it, accept it and plan for it. How will you recover? Be prepared with a positive comment and smile. Use a statement, which will help you regain your focus. ■ Practice what you will say until you are confident you will remember key points. Record your presentation and listen to it several times. Do you like what you hear or do you need to reduce or expand the content? ■ Visualize the day of the big event. Imagine you are standing at the altar, the podium or in the interview room. Visualize the audience and anticipate a positive response to your message. Expect them to love your presentation and you will be less nervous. ■ Practice your presentation in phrases, rather than sentences. If you try to say a sentence using a single breath you are more likely to strain your voice. If you are the least bit nervous your voice may crack, your vocal volume will be reduced and your pitch will be higher. Instead, type the presentation and insert vertical red lines in between each phrase to remind you to pause as you practice. This also allows your listeners time to absorb your message and provides time for you to take a breath. ■ Practice your presentation in front of the mirror. Videotape your presentation and review it. Are you open-

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ing your mouth wide enough to allow your voice to flow freely? Are you loud enough? Analyze your shoulders and body language. Are you hunched over or standing tall? Are you using natural and relaxed hand and body gestures or are you too stiff? ■ Practice using vowel prolongations and your speech will sound much clearer. Vowels that are stretched slightly allow the speech muscles time to move positions. Words “bit” and “bet,” spoken without vowel prolongations, sound similar when the vowels are produced quickly. Vowel prolongations also provide time for your jaw to open and your volume to remain loud. Try saying a long “eee” with your teeth together, and then say “ah” as if you are at the doctor’s office. Which sound do you think is more likely to be heard and understood by your listeners? Practice vowel prolongations on your computer at www.speechrate.com (click on comments to receive instructions on how to use the program once you reach the site). ■ Practice saying the ending sounds in each word. Have you ever strained to understand a young child as they developed speech sounds? Children may drop the last sound in their words and you may not know where one word ends and the next one begins. “Mike wants milk” may sound like “my wan mil.” Avoid making your listeners strain to understand you by clearly pronouncing the last consonant in each word. Use a yellow highlighter to draw attention to all final consonants as you practice your speech. ■ Avoid the use of fillers such as, “um, uh, like, you know.” Silence is golden. Use pauses instead. Fillers detract from your message. ■ Drink small sips of water and vary your intonation. Pitch changes keep your listeners attention. If in doubt, always use a lower pitch. As COMMUNICATE/page 23 www.granitebayview.com

the spotlight! Your big day only happens once!

COMMUNICATE continued from page 22

– For information on speech, language and learning, visit www.granitebayspeech.com. or send your questions to speech language pathologist Nancy Barcal at [email protected].

we age, we lose the ability to hear higher pitches. Lower tones invoke relaxation; higher tones increase stress. Finally, enjoy your time in

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GRANITE BAY SCRAPBOOK Cassano to visit D.C. for leadership forum On Sept. 22, 11-year-old Daniella Cassano of Granite Bay will embark on a weeklong journey to Washington D.C., to join other youth from around the world for the 2008 People to People World Leadership Forum. People to People is a program where fifth- through eighth-graders, nominated for their promising leadership skills, are invited to experience the nation’s monuments while visiting Capitol Hill, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Museum of American History and Colonial Williamsburg, Va. and to study the characteristics of past American leadership. Established by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956, the program is dedicated to helping young adults to pursue

COURTESY

Daniella Cassano

their leadership potential and encourage world peace. As a fifth- grader at Adventure Christian School in Roseville, Daniella was nominated during the 2007-2008 school year for her outstanding scholastic merit, civic involvement and leadership potential. “A good leader is someone who can speak their mind and tell the world what they think, and I think I’d make a good leader because I love to teach people about things, especially little kids,” Daniella said.

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To get the Mo$t, call “Mots”! The Eureka Flames U12 girls soccer team.

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COURTESY

Eureka Flames win Hot August Blast-off The Eureka Flames U12 girls soccer team won first place in Eureka Youth Soccer Club Hot August Blast-off tournament on Aug. 16 and 17. The team was

undefeated through the tournament in a flight of eight teams. The Flames are continuing on a winning tournament tradition after finishing in first place last year in the EYSC U12 division and taking first place in the district cup. Accepting the check for ATOU is Paul Mitchell, left, Greg Elie, Leslie DeDora and Ed Ennis. Seated is Steven Sanchez and far right is Dan Vistica. COURTESY

River Cats big hit for Touch of Understanding The River Cats Foundation recently presented a check to A Touch of Understanding, a nonprofit disability awareness program that originated in Granite Bay in the 1990s. Through this program, more 24

Granite Bay View | September 2008

than 32,000 students throughout the greater Sacramento area have gotten a glimpse into the lives of individuals with disabilities. ATOU’s mission is to encourage acceptance and respect for all individuals, and to instill positive attitudes toward people with disabilities. www.granitebayview.com

Eat Greek, dance Greek and live Greek for a day at Saint Anna’s Greek Food Festival, from 4-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at 1001 Stone Canyon Drive in Roseville. Admission is free and there will be food available to go. Info: 772-9372. Live jazz at Spoons Restaurant and Fine Catering, 6-9 p.m. Saturdays. 8230 Auburn Folsom Road, Granite Bay. Info: 797-2233. Meet the Northern California Children’s Chorus, a new group in Placer County, at a singers workshop and informational meeting for families from 1011:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Valley Springs Church, 2401 Olympus Drive in Roseville. Info: 220-0970. “Keeping Kids Fit and Healthy” seminar presented by California Family Fitness and Kaiser Permanente, from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10 at California Family Fitness, 5001 Foothills Blvd. in Roseville. Info: 448-5802. The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support group will meet from

FOOTHILLS DATEBOOK 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, and Oct. 16 at Sun City Roseville Main Timbers Lodge, 7050 Del Webb Blvd. The group will also meet Fridays from 1:30-3 p.m. Sept. 26, and Oct. 24 at Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Drive in Roseville. Info: 9309080. The 6th annual NCAS Accordion Festival, presented by the Northern California Accordion Society takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Lutheran Church Hall, 6365 Douglas Blvd. in Granite Bay. Info: Vince Cukar at 7913401 or Jim Shoemaker at 443-0974. Enjoy a two-day trip to the Monterey Peninsula offered by Roseville Parks and Recreation. 8 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28, and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29. Trip includes over-night lodging at the Beach Hotel, and visiting Monterey Bay Aquarium and Cannery Row on day two. Cost: $363, $328 resident discount for double occupancy

COURTESY

Local artist Isabelle Truchon is exhibiting her Tree of Life collection of fresco and prose through Sept. 19 at Quarry Ponds, 5550 Douglas Blvd. in Granite Bay. Auburn Arts Commission will sponsor a fund raising event, “Shop Till You Drop,” at Quarry Ponds from 4:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, with an opportunity to meet the artist. Info: 759-7945. www.granitebayview.com

Quarry Ponds in Granite Bay presents “The DeanO-Holics” tribute to the Rat Pack 7-10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 at Quarry Ponds. Location: 5550 Douglas Blvd. in Granite Bay. Info: 2134373. COURTESY

and $445 single occupancy, $410 resident discount. Cost includes lodging, baggage handling, driver gratuity, full breakfast on day two, and admission to aquarium and 17-mile drive. Deadline to register is Tuesday, Sept. 9. Info: 774-5950.

Enjoy all those oldies but goodies with singer/ guitarist CJ Noddings at “Songs of Nostalgia,” from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 at the Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Drive in Roseville. Info: 774-5960.

The Senior Employment Program invites seniors to a free orientation to help bridge the gap from retirement back to full or part-time work from 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the Maidu Community Center, 1550 Maidu Drive in Roseville. Info: 486-1876.

The 2008 Sacramento Combined Koi Show will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28 at the Placer County Fairgrounds, Johnson Hall, at 800 All American City Blvd. in Roseville. Info: 922-2525.

WJU, Bayside host the National Christian College Fair from 6-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 16 at Bayside Church, 8191 Sierra College Blvd. Attendees can view displays, gather planning materials, meet with admissions representatives and receive detailed information about the financial aid process in two important seminars. Institutions represented include William Jessup University, Azusa Pacific University, Biola University, Westmont College, Point Loma Nazarene University and Seattle Pacific University, as well as schools from the Northeast, Texas and Canada. Light refreshments will be offered free to attendees. Bayside Church’s Café will also be open selling a variety of food and drinks. For more information, contact Vance Pascua at 577-2221 or go to www.naccap.org/fairs.asp.

Don’t miss the Fashionista clothing and jewelry trunk show from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 13-14 at Quarry Ponds in Granite Bay, 5550 Douglas Blvd. Info: 786-5511. The 13th annual “Splash” in Roseville will be held 6:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Roseville Aquatics Complex. Cost: $85. No tickets sold at the door. Must be 21 years old to attend. Proceeds benefit Roseville Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs and Roseville Chamber of Commerce Building Fund. Info: 783-8136. The Polish American Club of Greater Sacramento hosts their annual festival from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at the club’s hall, 327 Main St. in Roseville.

Admission is free. Info: 7827171. Join the Divorce Care support group with the First Presbyterian Church in Roseville from 6:45-8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15. Divorce Care support group is a DVD based program with practical, Biblical help in healing from and moving forward after divorce. Group meets Mondays at First Presbyterian Church, with a concurrent program offered for children ages 5-12. Cost: $10. Info: 7823186. Enjoy the art fest, painting demonstration and crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 at Quarry Ponds in Granite Bay, 5550 Douglas Blvd. Info: 7865511. Enjoy a Texas barbecue and dance with St. Joseph Marello’s Knights of Columbus at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Lutheran Church, 6365 Douglas Blvd in Granite Bay. Cost: $20, advanced ticket sales only. Info: 652-9552 or e-mail [email protected]. Awana Clubs, a kids club for preschool-sixth grade boys and girls, is presented by East Parkway Church in Roseville every Sunday night from 67:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 21. Cost: $50 for the year. Location: 4700 East Roseville Parkway in Granite Bay. Info: 781-2013. Granite Bay View | September 2008

25

Financial

A lesson from a Lion as we wait for a Bull Overview: Looking ahead, somewhere over the rainbow Like the lion in The Wizard of Oz, the current bear market could use a shot of courage in order to become the bull that we all love. In the meantime, it will take brains to see past the current circumstances to the rainbow that lies beyond. Those who do will realize that a bear market is filled with long-term opportunities, but it will take nerve to act on them . What precisely is the trouble with the current stock market? It seems there are many concerns, but the thorniest of them have roots in the last financial crisis – the technology bubble of the late 1990’s. In the wake of that bubble’s collapse, and the chaos and fears brought on by the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Federal Reserve held interest rates artificially low. This achieved the desired result of dampening the fallout from those shocks, but in so doing it sowed the seed of the housing bubble and its collapse, which we are now dealing with. Frenzied demand for real estate, fueled by low interest rates, inflated the bubble. Mortgage originators began practicing aggressive lending practices with loans that were pawned off to unsuspecting buyers across the globe through securitization. The upswing in new debt creation stimulated economic activity and employment growth. But in 2006, new borrowers became increasingly hard to find and the collapse began. This caused liquidity to decrease. Defaults and foreclosure activity increased as ARM interest rates reset higher. This is now causing bankruptcy and foreclosure for many borrowers, especially those who arrived at the party late. During 2007, nearly 1.3 million U.S. housing properties (about 1% of all outstanding mortgages) were subject to foreclosure activity, up 79% from 2006. The severity of the decline in housing prices is now threatening the profitability and solvency of many banks. This is resulting in a dramatic reduction in new lending as banks attempt to protect their balance sheets from further losses. This situation, and the negative mindset it helps engender among consumers and business people, continues to be the primary impediment to the economy and the stock market. Adding to these strains, inflation has gained a foothold in the economy. The consumer price index jumped 1.1% in June and is up 5% from a year ago, the most since 1992. Companies are having difficulty passing along these cost increases, so profit margins are getting squeezed – more bad news for the stock market. A weakening dollar serves to compound the inflationary pressures even more. Other problems for the stock market to deal with include a presidential election that could significantly change the tax landscape for investors, as well as the possibility of a global economic slowdown. As usual, there is no shortage of opinions on the likely outcome of each of the aforementioned problems. This has resulted in significant uncertainty and volatility in the market, and we now have our first bear market in over five years. Improved clarity on one or more of the major problems has the potential to provide greater clarity to the other problems. At present these factors are feeding of each other for better or worse. The Stock Market “Lions and tigers and bears! Oh, my!” - Dorothy The market peaked over nine months ago and has dropped over 20% since, as shown in Figure 1 below. In this environment it’s hard to blame people for seeing danger around every corner. This attitude helps reinforce a weak market by way of self-fulfilling prophecy. But in this type of environment successful investors lay the groundwork for superior returns by having the courage to buy when buying is not fashionable, before a new herd of bulls starts to run. It is important in times like these to remember that the stock market enjoys a reverse-law-of-gravity. Things can go down for awhile, but eventually, and over the long haul, the market’s natural direction is up.

We remain mired in a bear market for the dollar, which has lost a third of its value since 2001, as measured by the U.S. Dollar Index (see Figure 2 below). As always, declines in the dollar have the redeeming side effect of fueling demand for American exports by making American products less expensive to foreign buyers. The other side of this coin is that American buyers have to pay more for foreign products, which helps fuel the inflation specter that is currently haunting U.S. consumers.

The market is closely watching the price of oil. A sustained retreat in oil prices would likely trigger an opposite move in stocks, and vice versa. In the past week oil has backed off of its recent highs. Financial and consumer stocks responded positively, while energy stocks declined. It is too early to consider this situation a trend. If it is, it will be a welcome one, as it should help relieve inflation fears and make the market’s recovery that much easier.

Recent days have seen some stabilization of the dollar, particularly on Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s comments expressing support for a stronger dollar. But there remains a long way to go before we can say that this bear has been vanquished. The value of a nation’s currency has derivative value as a general indicator of the amount of confidence traders have in that nation’s economy. When we see the dollar make a definite turnaround, it will be a good indicator that the overall economy is not far behind.

Elections: One uncertainty that’s certain to be resolved

Housing: Don’t let the numbers fool you

Short of an electoral quagmire reminiscent of the Bush/Gore stalemate in 2000, the elections (and election year uncertainties) will be decided in November. While the markets famously fret about the election of a Democrat, Ken Fisher, a financial columnist for Forbes, has some interesting insight on the connection between elections and stocks: “The U.S. has a long history of elections and S&P 500 returns, and the pattern is pretty clear. First, years in which Democrats capture the White House are usually bullish years for the stock market. Second, inaugural years following a Democratic win in November are better than Republican inaugural years. There is a reason for this pattern. The market expects the worst of a Democratic President and then discovers that he’s not so bad for investors. It tends to rebound after the initial premonitions that a Democrat will win. On the other hand, Wall Street expects the most of a Republican and is disillusioned after the election.” - Ken Fisher, May 19, 2008 The Banking Sector: Still working the kinks out Five banks have failed in the U.S. so far in 2008, the most in any calendar year since 2002. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has 90 banks currently on its list of problem banks. The recent failure of IndyMac Bank, a giant mortgage lender, and troubles at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac illustrate how severe the stresses on the financial system still are. But swift, decisive action by both the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department has calmed the waters in previous periods, creating inflection points for temporary market reversals. Further actions will bring the possibility of a reversal that will stick. Current problems must also be kept in perspective. During the five years from 1987-91, a total of 1,901 banks and savings & loan institutions failed in the U.S. That is a rate of more than one per day.in the three-and-one-half years following the stock market crash of 1929, a total of 9,096 U.S. banks failed, more than one out of three (source: FDIC) . Inflation: Will the oil spike run out of gas? Inflation news of late has been one of contrasts. June consumer inflation has risen sharply to a six month rate of increase of 5.5%, the highest since 1992. But the core rate, which excludes food and energy, has risen at a more moderate rate of 2.4%. This means that the source of much of the inflation picture has come from the oil market. After a stunning string of increases, oil prices over the past few days have fallen almost $20. This is a sign that demand is starting to moderate as consumers find ways to reduce their energy usage. This demand response, along with a slowing economy, will make it much harder for oil to be an ongoing source of fuel for overall inflation. The recent widening of credit spreads may also work to reduce inflationary pressures in the coming months. Considering all of these factors, we expect that as we move into late 2008 inflationary pressures will subside from current levels.

Figure 1. The Dow Jones Industrial Average

26

Granite Bay View | September 2008

Dollar: As currency goes, so goes the economy

“The first question to ask yourself is whether or not you have faith in the long-term growth of our country. Growth that has continued since 1776 based on our democracy and free enterprise system. .... If you do have faith in our country, ask yourself one major question: Would you rather buy stocks after they have been going up for a long time or after a long decline? Bear markets occur approximately every four to five years and do one very good thing — they create great buying opportunities for the long term.” - Al Goldman, Chief Market Strategist for Wachovia Securities, July 15, 2008

Currently, the Federal Reserve is in the difficult position of having to plan monetary policy with an eye on balancing concerns about both economic growth and inflation. Ameliorating one of these problems tends to worsen the other. There are indications that the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee, which sets monetary policy, is divided on the subject of whether economic growth or inflation is the greater evil right now. If inflation does recede, it would help prevent any current division from boiling over into real conflict.

Housing starts jumped 89,000 units in June, but these gains were driven by multi-family issuances largely resulting from a one-time change in New York City building codes. Single-family starts and permits once again declined, although the pace of decline has slowed. Mortgage applications are down 20% from last year’s levels, but stable within recent ranges. Overall, we expect that housing activity will remain weak at least through the summer. Economic Outlook: Slowing to a crawl to avoid a crash The economy is likely to remain soft through most of this year, with weak GDP growth and rising unemployment. The pundits can argue over whether such a state of affairs qualifies as a recession, a “growth” recession or deserves some other such moniker. As William Shakespeare understood, a rose by any other name is a still a rose, and the outlook for the rest of 2008 is not an especially rosy one. We expect consumer spending to slow as the stimulus from rebates fades. The housing market and the resulting tight credit will continue to be a drag on the economy. But exports and spending on the war should continue to support a small amount of growth. Like Dorothy, who experienced many setbacks and challenges while making her way back home, we maintain confidence that the economy is on the right path, not too far removed from its recovery. We anticipate significantly better growth prospects in early 2009. The Bottom Line: Don’t be fooled by smoke and mirrors “Read what my medal says: ‘Courage.’ Ain’t it the truth? Ain’t it the truth?” - The Cowardly Lion In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy and her friends learn that the wizard is not as frightening as he appears to be, and that what they needed was inside of them all along. As investors we should take a lesson from this. The U.S. economy, despite some weaknesses, still possesses wellsprings of strength from which to begin the next growth phase. Brains and courage are needed to get positioned correctly before it begins. Getting to where we want to be will not be as simple as clicking our heels together. But one thing is the same for us as it was for Dorothy. First, we have to believe.

The views expressed are those of Byron Green as of July 23, 2008, and are subject to change. The information contained herein does not constitute investment advice or take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. Additionally, this publication is not intended as an endorsement of any specific investment or investment advisor. Information contained herein is derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources. We encourage you to consult with your tax or financial advisor.

For more information please contact: Phil Mottini @916.797.1020

300 Harding Blvd., Suite 215 Roseville, CA 95678 www.PlanWellLiveWell.com Registered Representative of, and securities offered through QA3 Financial Corp. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative of and services offered through QA3 Financial, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Smith-Mottini Financial Advisors and QA3 Financial Corp. are non-affiliated companies.

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