What's The Biz -- Oxford

What’s The Biz -- September 2009 1

BIZ What’s the

September 2009

Vol. 4 # 9

Oxford Area’s Monthly Business News & Info

Dorothy Johnston, owner of Johnston Photography in downtown Oxford, logs on to her new business blog at www.johnstonphotographyoxford.blogspot.com Mention the blog post and receive one of the following: 1) Half-off your high school senior session fee; 2) 20 percent off the incredible senior portrait package; or 3) 15 percent off the awesome family portraits sessions. Photo by C.J. Carnacchio.

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What’s The Biz -- September 2009

North Oakland Dental Group

• Comfortable Family Care • Warm Friendly Staff • Cosmetic Dentistry • Make Over Consultations • Most Insurances Accepted

• At Home and In-Office ZOOM® WHITENING • Join Us In Our Newly Remodeled Office Today • Quality Care In Our Community Since 1981

I-69 Exit #155 DOWNTOWN OXFORD

830 South Lapeer, Oxford

830 S. Lapeer Drahner Rd. LAKE ORION I-75 Exit 81

www.northoaklanddentalgroup.com

Laura Lee’s Salon SEPTEMBER SPECIALS

LAURA LEE

ANDREA BALLOR Back-To-School

Mention This Ad

Kids Cuts

FREE Gift

$

With Any Ser vice By Appointment Only

10

Special Te a chers

20% Off Any Service

Walk-ins Wed. 9-6 and Sat. 8-3

248-628-2324

810-614-4487

CHANTEL BOZIED

ANDREA (HOLMBERG) COCHELL $ Free Conditioning 20% Off Trea tment Any Service

10 OFF

With Color Ser vice By Appointment Only

248-343-0693

With Jim

Any Color Service

248 628-2324

Monday 10-6, Friday 9-6 Tue., Wed., Thurs. & Sat. by Appointment

248-941-7149

NICHOLE WAWRZYNIAK

LISA COOMBE

Massage Therapist

Esthetician

$ Massage

1 Hour Swedish

35

1 Hour

Facial

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25

By Appointment Only

By Appointment Only

248-930-2914

248-321-1976

4 W. Burdick • Downtown Oxford • lauraleessalon.vpweb.com

From the left, front, Andrea C., Laura Lee, Chantel B., (back) Nichole W., Andrea B. and Lisa C.

Laura Lee’s Salon: Smiles so bright you’ll have to wear shades We welome you to Laura Lee’s Salon, where you will always recieve excellent service in a very relaxed, comfortable enviorment. On top of that, we’re all very friendly. We all love what we do and we would love the opportunity to serve you. We welcome men, women and children of all ages. The entrance to the salon is only a few feet from the southwest municipal parking lot in downtown Oxford -- so there is plenty of parking for everyone; also this is great for our clients who have trouble walking. According to salon ower Laura Lee Davisson, the new stylists are Andrea Cochell and Lisa Coombe. Andrea was formerly with Premier Hair Studio. She specializes in all services for women’s hair and her rates have remained the same. Lisa also specializes in women’s hair and is an excellent esthetician. She is offering mini-facials starting at $15 and one hour facials starting at $30. Lisa also provides manicures and pedicures. Andrea Ballor was formerly at Paul’s Barbershop and specializes in clipper cuts and flat top when she joined our team. Chantel Bozied and Jim Pantello for-

merly worked at Sabrina’s Salon. They specialize in haircuts, coloring and highlighting (they have lowered thier prices when they joined our team). We also added a massage therapist, Nicole. She is offering one hour massages starting at $40 (by appointment only). Look for monthly specials and free services in the Biz section of the Oxford Leader (delivered to homes on the last Thursday of the month). Smiling faces, attention to detail and excellent service are what owner Laura Lee attributes to our high volume of returning customers. The reliable, dependable staff are all independant and run thier own business within Laura Lee’s. You may reach them directly at thier number listed with thier special. To reach Laura Lee, call 248-628-2324 -- which always forwards to her cell phone when she is not in the salon. Customers can call anytime between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week. The salon has been in Oxford for 11 years at 4 W. Burdick St. (next to Patterson Pharmacy). Give them a chance and they’re sure you will leave very satisfied. Please look for staff specials in Laura Lee’s September ad.

What’s The Biz -- September 2009 3

Get educated about investing

Village businesses earn beauty awards It’s the property owners who wield paint brushes, plant flowers and spend countless hours manicuring their lawns that keep Oxford Village looking like a center spread straight out of Better Homes and Gardens. To recognize all of their hard work and property-enhancing efforts, the village’s Beautification Commission recently named nine winners as part of its 17th Annual Beautification Awards program. Three attractive businesses were among the award winners – (pictured below from top to bottom) Victoria’s Delights, Mark A. Young Jewelers and Phillip B. Maxwell & Associates (building owned by Dave and Joan Weckle). Winners were selected based on their property’s aesthetic contributions – landscaping, upkeep, repairs and improvements – toward the village’s overall appearance.

ATTORNEY & COUNSELORS

FACING FORECLOSURE? Learn about your rights under the New Michigan Foreclosure Law.

FREE SEMINAR Oxford Public Libary Wednesday, August 5th • 7:00 p.m. $50.00 credit for attendees toward services rendered

20 Hudson St • Oxford • 248-969-1490

FINDING THE RIGHT FINANCIAL ADVISOR IS AS IMPORTANT AS FINDING THE RIGHT BOND. At Edward Jones, you’ll always have the ability to find quality investments. But the service and respect you’ll get go far beyond the numbers. So take a look at the figures below, then call to learn more. 1. Government-sponsored Enterprise Notes .54% to 4.15%* Guarantee applies only to the payment of principal and interest. 2. Federal Income Tax-free Bonds 3.94% to 6.01%* Interest may be subject to state and local taxes and the alternative minimum tax (AMT). Insurance does not eliminate market risk. 3. Corporate Bonds 2.02% to 5.91%* *Yield effective 8/3/2009, subject to availability and price change. Yield and market value may fluctuate if sold prior to maturity, and the amount you receive from the sale of these securities may be more than, less than or equal to the amount originally invested. Any bonds called prior to maturity may result in reinvestment risk for the bond owner. Contact your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor for more information about maturity dates and applicable call provisions. Bond investments are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the price of bonds can decrease and the investor can lose principal value.

Call or stop by today.

Andrew Hunter

Andrew Hunter Financial Advisor 826 South Lapeer Road 826 S. Lapeer Rd., Suite A Suite A Oxford, MI 48371 Oxford, MI 48371 248-628-3811 (248) 628-3811 Financial Advisor .

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

If you have children at home, you’re no doubt aware that it’s the traditional back-toschool time. \But even if your days of parent-teacher conferences are in the past, or even in the future, you can still find a place in your life for education — and you might want to start by educating yourself about investing. To get the most out of your investment education, ask yourself these questions: ■ What are my goals? Your financial goals should drive your investment decisions. You probably have short-term Andrew Hunter goals, such as making a of Edward Jones down payment on a home or paying for a vacation, and long-term goals, such as saving for your children’s college education or building resources for your retirement. Once you’ve identified your goals, you can create an investment strategy to help achieve them. ■ What is my risk tolerance? Self-awareness is important in every aspect of life — including your approach to investing. As you create your investment portfolio, you need to understand your own views on risk. Would you consider yourself an aggressive investor — that is, someone who can accept a relatively higher degree of investment risk in exchange for potentially higher returns? Or are you a more conservative investor — someone who is willing to take lower returns in exchange for lower potential risk? Or perhaps you’re a moderate investor, less riskaverse than some but less aggressive than others. However you’d characterize yourself, it’s essential that you factor in your risk tolerance when choosing investments. Otherwise, you’ll likely end up causing yourself needless worry over your investment portfolio’s performance. ■ When should I make changes to my investments? Once you’ve built an investment portfolio, you shouldn’t leave it on “autopilot.” Over time, you most likely will need to add new investments or sell others. However, try to avoid selling quality investments just because their share price has dropped — they may still have good long-term prospects. In general, you should sell an investment under certain circumstances. For example, if your goals have changed, you may find the need to sell some investments and purchase others. You may decide to sell an investment if it’s no longer what it was when you purchased it. For example, maybe you’ve invested in a company whose products are less competitive than they once were, or perhaps the company belongs to an industry now in decline. And finally, if your portfolio Please See INVESTMENTS on Page 5

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What’s The Biz -- September 2009

Good Eats WTB’s

Out For Lunch

Sit Down Dining American Legion Post 108 130 E. Drahner Rd. Oxford, 248-628-9081 Big Boy - Oxford 955 S. Lapeer Rd., Oxford, 248-628-3841 Ken’s Coney Island 212 S. Washington St. Oxford, 248-969-3665 Lakeville Inn 1318 Rochester Rd. Lakeville, 248-628-4460 Louie’s Food & Spirit 600 Lakeville Rd., Lakeville, 248-628-2440 (The) Nugget 1055 S. Lapeer Rd Oxford, 248-628-2503 Ox Bar and Grill 22 S. Washington St. 248-628-1400 Oxford Hills Golf Club (Seasonal) 300 E. Drahner Rd. Oxford, 248-628-2518 Oxford Tap 5 S. Washington St. Oxford, 248-236-0380 24th Street 2 N. Washington St., Oxford, 248-628-1200 Rob’s Place 13 S. Washington St Oxford, 248-628-1217 Tami’s Grill 1386 S. Lapeer Rd. Oxford, 248-236-0900 Victoria’s Delights 12 S. Washington St. Oxford, 248-969-3477

Ethnic Casa Real (Mexican) 21 S. Washington St., Oxford, 248-969-2801 Golden Dragon (Chinese) 32 S. Washington St.,

Oxford, 248-628-9800 Italia Gardens (Italian) 1076 S. Lapeer Rd., Oxford, 248-628-4112 Thai Cuisine (Thai) 180 S. Washington St. Oxford, 248-236-9205

Coney Joint Country Coney 1040 S. Lapeer Rd., Oxford, 248-628-7712

Pizza Place Cottage Inn Pizza 51 S. Washington St. Oxford, 248-628-9500 Fatty’s Pizza 40 N. Washington St. Oxford, 248-628-4471 Guido’s Premium Pizza 1396 S. Lapeer Rd., Oxford, 248-969-2111 Isola’s Pizzeria & Restaurant 80 N. Rochester Rd. Addison Twp., 586-752-3585 Jet’s Pizza 204 S. Washington St. Oxford, 248-969-5387 Little Caesar’s Pizza 89 W. Burdick St., Oxford, 248-628-6302

Fast Food Burger King 583 S. Lapeer Rd. Oxford, 248-628-3636 Dairy Queen Oxford, 248-628-3690 McDonald’s 280 N. Washington St. Oxford, 248-628-2780 Subway Sandwiches 95 W. Burdick St. Oxford, 248-969-6920 Uncle Boomba’s Mr. Pita/ Dairy Queen 1010 S. Lapeer Rd., Oxford, 248-969-2222

Restaurant managers -- call us if you would like to have a menu item featured! 248-628-4801

Located at 22 S. Washington St. in downtown Oxford, the Ox Bar & Grill offers something for everyone. For more information call (248) 628-1400 or visit them on the web at www.theoxbarandgrill.com. The Ox is open Monday through Wednesday and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Photo by Andrew Moser.

Ox Bar & Grill offers diverse menu By Andrew Moser Downtown Oxford has another dining destination for lunch or dinner. The Ox Bar and Grill combines America’s favorite sports bar foods such as burgers, pizza and sandwiches with an assortment of pasta and chicken dishes. The Ox offers 12 different appetizers, ranging from mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, chicken tenders and onion rings to double baked potatoes that are topped with chili and cheese to calamari and pork shanks.

If that doesn’t fill you up, the Ox offers a wide variety of burgers and sandwiches. Their signature burger is the Ox, which is 8 ounces of beef grilled and topped with bacon and Swiss cheese. The sandwiches include a polish sausage topped with bacon, sweet relish, chopped onion, pickle and tomato, a Monte Cristo that is a triple decker of turkey, ham and Swiss and their signature Reuben. The Ox offers seven different types of pizza. The Ultimate is the house favorite, combining Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms and onions that are topped off with parmesan

cheese and fresh basil. Also on the menu are Hawaiian and Buffalo Chicken pizzas. The main event portion offers steak, fish, ribs and the ever popular chicken florentine, which is a sauteed chicken breast with spinach, bacon and a velvety cheese sauce. Add in a pasta menu that includes fettuccine alfredo, baked ziti and spaghetti arrabiata, the Ox Bar and Grill offers something for everyone. If you’re thirsty, the Ox has 12 beers on tap to complement your meal.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa My dad, who is now 87, tells this story of growing up on a farm in Bay County, Michigan. When the corn was ripe for picking, dinner would often include all you could eat corn-on-the-cob. He, and his five brothers, would pile up the ears of corn on their plates pyramid style. Usually, they would each eat about a dozen ears of corn at a sitting. Even now, my dad’s Mary Forte favorite corn comes from Bay City and is called “Peaches and Cream.”

Although I cannot eat that many ears at a sitting, at this time of year when the corn is in, I do enjoy eating it almost every day. There are three very different ways that I enjoy my corn. First, I enjoy corn-on-the-cob, covered with sour cream and grated sharp cheddar cheese. This tastes like a baked potato and corn-on-the-cob all in one. Next, I enjoy grilled corn-on-the-cob slathered with Lime Cilantro Butter. In addition, I came up with this recipe for Black Bean and Corn Salsa. 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 3 ears of fresh corn, scraped off the cob 1/3 cup sweet onion, chopped 1 whole jalapeño pepper, stemmed, seeded, and minced

1 large tomato, seeded and chopped ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice ½ cup chopped cilantro 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cumin powder ½ teaspoon black pepper Place the ingredients in a large bowl. Stir, and let sit at room temperature for one hour. Store in the refrigerator until ready to eat. You Be The Chef Add the salsa to one pound of cooked pasta. Place strips of grilled chicken in a tortilla, and top with salsa and sour cream. Serve on a bed of lettuce topped with grilled salmon

What’s The Biz --

Special ladies sought for ‘Magical Makeover’ The Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for a few good women. Do you know a special woman who deserves some recognition and a little pampering? Maybe it’s someone who has struggled through a difficult illness or a tough personal situation. Or maybe you would like to honor your mom, sister, daughter or a good friend. The Women’s Expo committee would like you to nominate that special woman for our “Magical Makeover” contest. The nominees will be entered into a selection process and the winners will receive many lovely pampering services. They will be honored at the Women’s Expo in October where their transformations will be revealed to a very appreciative audience. Please write a letter describing your candidate and why they deserve this recognition. Include your name, address and phone number as well as the same information for the candidate. Mail your letter to the Chamber office or send by email to: [email protected]. The deadline is Thursday, Sept. 10.

Investments Continued from Page 3 has become “overweighted” with certain types of investments, you may decide to sell some of them to bring your holdings back into balance, based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. ■ Whom should I consult for help? You can do a lot to educate yourself about investing — but when it comes to making the right choices for your future, you may need help. A professional financial advisor who is familiar with your family situation, short- and long-term goals and investment preferences can help you build and maintain a portfolio that can help meet your needs. The investment world can be complex, so the more knowledge you have on your side, the better off you’ll be. Take the time to learn as much as you can about investing. It’s an education that can pay off in the long run.

September 2009 5

Now Open!

Oxford Urgent Care 72 S. Washington St., Ste 102, Oxford, MI 48371 (Crittenton Medical Plaza)

NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY Sports Injuries Minor Emergencies Digital X-Ray Flu Shots • EKG Lab Tests Work, School & Sports Physicals Common Illnesses

248-236-8333 OPEN 10 AM-10 PM 7 DAYS

Most Insurances Accepted

greatlakesurgentcare.com

ELLA FASHION 248-236-8386 • Accessories • Jewelry • Clothing • Shoes • Fashion

Diva’s Don’t Shop at the Mall

Go Back-To-School with Ella Fashion • Find What You Need For Fall • Unique Styles • Good Price

GALVANIC SPA SYSTEM It Firms, Cleanses and Tones All At Once! Seeing Is Believing!!!

Home Book your Spa Party with Friends and Spa Receive your own Facial Demonstation Free! Parties Available Call for a detailed brochure! 248-736-2343

24 S. Washington • Downtown Oxford

Left, Jude Cunningham and Lisi DeCampos, founder of Ella’s Fashion.

Kids get cool for school at Ella School is right around the corner, and Ella Fashion has everything that you need to go back to school and take fashion with you! You definitely need to make a statement on your first day at school. At Ella Fashion we can show you the tricks to help you work what you got. Whether you’re curvy, petite, plussize, or tall we can show you how. Bold colors, details, and flattering fits, are all signatures of a well dressed womens. That is exactly what you need to make a statement. Using cool layers, Blazers, mini skirts with tights and the perfect boots and flats. If you are a romantic girl, you got to try the fitted blazers. The details make them cute and perfect for school. As for accessories, Ella Fashion has unique, cute friendship bracelets for only U$3.50. Another accessories you can’t miss is the scarfs, tie-dyes, plains or printed we have them all. So, make sure you come over and check out. You will find everything you want at prices you can afford. We are open 7 days a week, late hours on Thursdays and Fridays and for questions call us (248) 236-8386.

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What’s The Biz -- September 2009

Leader wins national award for education Every week The Oxford Leader is jam-packed with articles and photos chronicling all the good things Oxford students do. In recognition of our efforts, the National Newspaper Association (NNA) is honoring us with a General Excellence award as part of its Best of Newspaper in Education Contest. Every year, the NNA recognizes the excellent effort made by community newspapers and press associations to engage young readers in the pursuit of actively learning the important role newspapers play in our community. There were 75 entries in this year’s Best of Newspaper in Education Contest, an all-time high since the competition’s inception in 2003. The Leader was one of three newspapers to win a General Excellence award in the non-daily division.

HEALTHY SMILE CENTER Personalized Gentle Care For The Entire Family New Modern Office With State-of-the-Art Equipment 9 N. Washington (M-24 - Lapeer Rd.) • Oxford

MarthaVega-Crist,DDS

248-969-4840

SJCConstruction

The other two winners were the Washington Missourian based in Washington, Missouri and the Wilson County News out of Floresville, Texas. Which papers won first, second and third places will be announced at the “Toast to the Winners” awards ceremony Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel in Mobile, Alabama. As part of its entry, the Leader submitted a three-ring binder chock full of news/feature articles and photos highlighting the activities and accomplishments of Oxford’s K-12 students during the 2008-09 school year. All of the stories and photos submitted were the work of Editor C.J. Carnacchio, who’s been with the paper since May 1999. “I couldn’t be happier or prouder,” Carnacchio said. “This is first time I’ve entered a national contest and to win right out of the gate is a tremendous and humbling honor.” “I’ve devoted so many days, nights and weekends to covering school-related news that it’s really satisfying to see all that hard work recognized and appreciated on a national level,” Carnacchio added.

ASSISTED LIVING “Make Our House Your Home” Janet K. Mazzetti Executive Director • Lake Orion

Small Jobs • Door Installation • Trim Work Bookcases • Counters • Window Restoration

Pineview Manor 2888 Baldwin Rd.

Silverbell Manor Orion Manor 1241 E. Silverbell Rd. 1814 S. Lapeer Rd.

Scott Cunningham • 248-882-7402

248-814-6714 • Fax 248-814-6725 www.oaklandcommunityalternatives.com

General Insurance Insurance Protection for your

VICKI LUBELAN Owner/Operator

BUSINESS • HOME • AUTO Immediate Coverage Friendly, Personalized Service Serving The Orion/Oxford Area For 56 Years www.hastingsmutual.com

(248) 628-9531

Creative

EMBROIDERY Computerized Embroidery and Monogramming

Custom Designs Teams • Schools • Business Tees • Hats • Jackets • Shirts

10 E. Burdick St. • Oxford, Michigan 48371

“For All Your Family Pharmacy Needs”

Patterson 1097 South Lapeer Road • Oxford 248-628-2565 • www.dkpins.com

1 S. Washington St. • Oxford Tim Davidson, R.Ph.

Chris and Tom Hanson, co-owners of Orbit Satellite, want to free you from the shackles of cable television. Photo by Andrew Moser.

Let Orbit Satellite bring the world into your living room By Andrew Moser Brothers Chris and Tom Hanson have fond memories of Oxford. They lived in Oxford as children before their family moved to Lapeer. “It’s a great community,” said Chris. “We both grew up around here as well. Our whole entire family still lives in the Oxford/Lake Orion area.” It was those memories that helped motivate Chris and Tom to base their business, Orbit Satellite, in Oxford. Orbit Satellite is a local branch of Direct TV that makes its own sales and instillations of Direct TV service. Orbit also helps maintain and serve the customer as long as the customer has the satellite service. Orbit has been operating out of the old Sea Ray building for the last couple of months. After working for Direct TV for five and a half years, Chris as a Technician and Tom as the Team Leader of Oakland County, they took their opening when they saw that there wasn’t a lot of retail in the area. Tom said that they were approached by Direct TV after working for Wirecom, who helps maintain the dishes for Direct TV, over a year ago and asked them if they wanted to start making their own sales. “There is only one company that you can go through that will do the instillation for you in the state of Michigan,” said Tom. The situation couldn’t have worked out better for Chris, Tom and Direct TV: Chris and Tom get commission from the sales while Direct TV gets another customer for two years. The brothers try to keep most of their sales in and around the Oxford/Lake Orion area, even though they do service the en-

tire state of Michigan. “We try to keep a lot of our sales local here. I think it looks better to be a local guy instead of a nameless number somewhere out there,” said Chris. According to Chris, Orbit has 15 technicians that are certified in every area of Direct TV installation and repair work. One of the main reasons that they were drawn to Oxford is because of the fact that it was a growing area. “When I was a child, this whole area back here was a gravel pit,” said Tom. “Now it’s a whole entire neighborhood with probably 2,000 homes.” Another reason was that they would not have any competition for Direct TV retail sales -- they are the only retailer in the area. The current plans for Direct TV range anywhere in price from the Family Package, which costs $29.99 a month and includes over 45 channels, to the Premier package, which costs $109.99 a month and offers over 265 channels. They have already serviced a number of companies since they moved to Oxford. They recently finished registering and installing 14 receivers for Casa Real. “They were one of the bigger retail services that we had and they were very happy with our service,” said Chris. Advertising is going to be the key to the continual growth of the company. Whenever technicians are on the job, they hang up door hangers on all their jobs. They are also looking to advertise in The Big Deal, which serves the Oxford, Lake Orion, Clarkston and Waterford area. For more information, call 1-877-25-ORBIT (67248).

What’s The Biz -- September 2009 7

Candidate Jacobsen says ‘get rid’ of biz tax surcharge By C.J. Carnacchio Leader Editor On Monday, the Brad Jacobsen campaign express to Lansing officially pulled out of the station. Family, friends and local officials packed Jacobsen’s Flowers in Lake Orion to offer their support and well wishes for the 52-year-old lifelong Oxford resident as he formally announced his candidacy for the 46th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives. “I’m looking forward to an exciting campaign,” said Jacobsen, a Republican who’s served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners since 2006. Jacobsen told the crowd he hopes to bring “a common sense businessman’s approach” to the state Legislature. “You’ve got to run government like a business to make it work in today’s environment,” said Jacobsen, who’s worked full-time in his family’s 89-year-old floral company since 1979. One of things Jacobsen’s passionate about doing is eliminating the Michigan Business Tax’s surcharge, which “hits most businesses for about 20 percent on the profits they make.” “We’ve got to get rid of that,” he said. “All of us need that money to keep our businesses going, to keep expanding and to create more jobs for Michigan.” Jacobsen, who served as a trustee on the Oxford Township Board from 1984-2000, is anxious to collaborate with other state leaders in order to help get Michigan’s economic engine humming again. “It really is going to take a team effort to get this state straightened out,” said the 1975 OHS graduate. Ultimately, he believes the folks in Lansing should look to Oakland County as a model for economic success. For more information about Jacobsen and his campaign visit www.bradfordjacobsen.com.

Surrounded by his family at Jacobsen’s Flowers in Lake Orion, Oakland County Commissioner Brad Jacobsen (far right) formally announces his candidacy for the 46th District seat in the Michigan State House of Representatives. Pictured (from left) are his daughter Emily, son Brad, daughter Lauren and wife Teri. Photo by C.J. Carnacchio.

Business gives seniors chance to help other seniors By C.J. Carnacchio Getting older isn’t easy for many folks, especially when the body or the mind, or both, begins to fail them. They want to stay in their own homes, but it’s too much work for them on their own. They want to maintain their independence, but they also want a little companionship. They need some help with the basics of life, but they want to maintain their dignity. Fortunately, those spending their Golden Years in the Oxford/Addison area can call upon the in-home services of Seniors Helping Seniors (SHS), which matches seniors who want to provide help with seniors who are looking for help. “As our senior community grows, it just makes sense to bring seniors together,” said Oxford resident Dawn Neely, who co-owns the local franchise with her husband of five years, Bob Neely. “It’s so much easier to receive assistance from someone that you feel really does understand what you’re going through and can relate to the issues you’re dealing with.”

The Neelys established their Seniors Helping Seniors franchise in Oakland County in February 2008. They serve Oxford, Addison, Brandon, Orion and 18 other communities. “We have concentrated on our local community for the most part right now,” Dawn said. “It was really important for us to touch our local community first.” SHS currently has 17 “very active” seniorto-senior matches and several seniors who receive care on a more infrequent basis. SHS provides a full-range of home care, companion and home maintenance support services, all of which are “100 percent, nonmedical,” according to Dawn. “Whatever our seniors needs are we can meet them,” she said. Services include light housekeeping, meal preparation, transportation, laundry, personal grooming, minor home repairs, yard work and errands. “The most rewarding part is knowing in some shape or fashion, we’ve made a difference in somebody’s day,” Dawn said. “We’ve helped them live independently and stay in their homes. We think that’s where we are the healthiest and happiest, surrounded by our things, our memories.” Services usually cost from $17 to $19 per Please See SENIORS on Page 10

Seniors Helping Seniors – (from left) Office Manager Dawn Foltz, Co-owner Dawn Neely, Caregiver Nancy Lovell and Co-owner Bob Neely. Photo by C.J. Carnacchio.

8

What’s The Biz -- September 2009

Please Welcome Our New

FAMILY PRACTICE PHYSICIANS to POH Regional Medical Center Oxford Campus

Dr. James Giuliani, D.O.

Dr. Craig Magnatta, D.O., F.A.C.O.P.

Dr. Mathias Weitz, D.O. Schedule your appointment today Walk in or call 248-628-2597 385 N. Lapeer Road, North of Burdick St. • Oxford Appointments Are Available Monday - Saturday

Family Practice comes to POH Oxford campus Meadowbrook Oxford Family Practice is now located at POH Regional Medical Center in Oxford. It is a well-established group of board certified Family Practice Physicians dedicated to providing excellent primary health care services to the residents of Oxford, Lake Orion, and the surrounding area for over 25 years. Drs. Giuliani, Magnatta, and Weitz, along with their dedicated medical staff are pleased to provide a centralized continuum of care and offer a variety of services, including: on site pharmacy, complete physical exams and health maintenance, management of acute and chronic illnesses, physical therapy, children’s health care, PAP smears, bone densitometry to diagnose and follow osteoporosis, ultrasound, laboratory, X-ray, MRI, CT and PET CT scans. The physicians at Meadowbrook Oxford Family Practice are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine and their specialized training provides them with a better understanding of the ways that an illness or injury to one body

part can affect another; this knowledge can benefit patients by reducing or eliminating unnecessary referrals to specialists. While both the M.D. –Doctor of Medicine and D.O. – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine use all accepted methods of treatment, including drugs and surgery, D.O.s have additional schooling and place a special emphasis on the body’s musculoskeletal system, preventive medicine, and holistic patient care. If you are looking for a primary care physician, who provides quality care for you and members of your family as well as accessibility and convenience contact a health care professional at Meadowbrook Oxford Family Practice. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m on Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Appointments are preferred, but for your convenience walk in’s are accepted. We are currently accepting new patients. For information call (248) 6282597.

Thrift Store to offer deals, jobs to Oxford By C.J. Carnacchio Oxford is quickly becoming a bargain hunter’s mecca as the community prepares for the opening of a second large-scale resale store. Saturday, Nov. 7 is the target date for The Salvation Army to open one of its popular Thrift Stores in the spacious building once occupied by the now-defunct Carla’s Fresh Fruit Market (1200 S. Lapeer Road). “It’s a new area for us. We have 25 Thrift Stores in the metro Detroit area,” said Colleen Kinney, director of community relations for The Salvation Army, Southeast Michigan, Adult Rehabilitation Center. “We’re looking forward to being in a new community and providing the same high level of thrift store shopping.” Back in February, Goodwill, which is not connected to Salvation Army, opened a resale store at 1500 S. Lapeer Road. Salvation Army’s Oxford store will occupy all 22,000 square feet of the former fruit market. “Most of the suburban stores that we’ve been opening in the last five to seven

years have been at least that big,” Kinney said. A wide variety of donated items will be sold at the store including clothing, electronics, books, furniture, sporting goods, housewares, jewelry, accessories, shoes, bikes, appliances, mattresses, bedding and seasonal items such as lawn mowers and snowblowers. “It’s pretty all-encompassing. Think of it like a Target,” Kinney said. “It’s a wonderful place to get a wonderful deal.” Every Thrift Store prides itself on being a fun place to shop. Kinney said everything’s always organized and the place is “open to anybody who wants to bargain.” Besides being a resale store, the building will also function as a drop-off site for the donation of new and gently-used items from the general public. All donations to The Salvation Army are tax deductible. Kinney said the donation center will probably open sometime in early October, three or four weeks ahead of the Thrift Please See SALVATION ARMY on Page 11

What’s The Biz -- September 2009 9

Trespassing can cost hunters big bucks

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The approaching hunting season gives good cause to remind Nimrods of Michigan's Recreational Trespass Statute. Those who enter the property of another without consent risk criminal prosecution for a misdemeanor, fines up to $500.00, confiscation of property, and the possibility of a lawsuit by the property owner for damages and actual attorney fees. The statute is one of the few laws allowing the recovery of the plaintiff’s Attorney James R. Porritt, Jr. attorney fees. A person convicted of a second offense risks fines up to $1,000.00 and the loss of hunting, fishing or trapping license for 3

Got a business-related story or blurb you’d like to see in What’s the Biz? Call (248) 628-4801 and ask for C.J. or Drew.

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years. By entering into a written Hunting Lease Agreement both the property owner and the hunter can void mis-communications and spell out details of their understanding. Aside from the compensation to be paid to the property owner, the lease can set the beginning and ending dates, describe the area of property covered, require proper licensure and compliance with game and fish laws, and protect people, buildings and livestock. The lease can limit the owner's liability. It can permit, restrict or prohibit the building of blinds or tree stands and it can specify whether the hunter can bring guests with him. By faithful performance the hunter can be assured of continuing hunting privileges. The owner also gets the benefit of a guard against unwanted trespassers.

10

What’s The Biz -- September 2009

China, Japan and our debt: Will other countries keep buying our treasuries? If China and Japan change their minds, could the United States have a problem? Since 1980, the U.S. has imported more than it has exported. It makes up for this trade deficit by issuing Treasury bonds and other debt instruments. Foreign governments have long lined up to buy them. China holds almost $800 billion of U.S. Treasuries. That’s the April 2009 figure from the U.S. Treasury (at this moment, the most recent data). In addition, Japan has $686 billion in Treasuries. Hong Kong has $81 billion, Taiwan $78 billion, Loran Coffman, Singapore $40 billion, CPhD, RFC is a India $39 billion, and Representative with South Korea $35 bil- H. Beck, Inc lion. Away from Asia, Great Britain holds $153 billion, Russia holds $137 billion, and Brazil holds $126 billion. U.S. Treasury bonds offer these institutional investors some stability in uncertain times. Are China and Japan wary of buy-

ing more? Earlier in the decade, China, Japan and other nations readily bought Treasuries. From 2004-2008, China spent as much as 14 percent of its GDP on the purchase of foreign debt - mostly American debt. What happened as a result? China, Japan and other creditor countries got a nice return on their investment and a strong export market. We got to buy inexpensive imports. This kept the dollar strong and interest rates low. Now we have two problems that could potentially sour this relationship. The economies of China, Japan and other countries have suffered along with ours in the global recession. Moreover, the U.S. has run up a huge budget deficit to accompany its trade deficit. Our President is on record as saying that we may have trillion-dollar deficits for “years to come.” Under these conditions, China and Japan are naturally getting leery of holding so much American debt (especially when the Federal Reserve is printing money to buy it). China needs to pay for its own $600 billion stimulus package, and Japan announced a $154 billion stimulus in April. Tax revenues in both economies have de-

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clined with the recession. Government regulators in China have ordered banks to direct money this year to local governments and small- and medium-sized businesses. All this means China and Japan aren’t as eager for dollars and Treasuries as they were a few years ago. What if other nations stop buying our debt? There are three potential side effects. One, interest rates would likely increase as there would be fewer buyers for Treasuries. Two, the dollar could weaken. Three, long-term bond prices could fall. Voices on the fringe worry about a scenario in which the central banks of China, Japan and other nations jettison dollars en masse or abruptly quit buying U.S. debt. Realistically, the odds of something like this happening are slim. These countries would have nothing to gain by stifling America’s chances for economic recovery, and these decisions would greatly harm the world economy. Now for some good news. In May, our trade deficit fell to its lowest level since November 1999. It shrank 9.8 percent in May from April levels, defying analysts’ expectations – and offering a hint of economic recovery. Our deficit with China in-

creased by $4.4 billion for May, but the 2009 increase is 12.6 percent under last year’s pace. The U.S. deficit with Japan reduced to its lowest level in more than 20 years last month. More good news. Domestic and foreign demand for Treasuries is still strong – in its auction in the first full week of July, the Treasury quickly sold $19 billion of 10-year notes, with Treasury yields hitting 6½-week lows. At least in the short term, it appears the government doesn’t have to struggle for buyers to fund its reforms and rescue efforts. Loran S. Coffman is the founder of Wealth Preservation Strategies, LLC and may be reached on the Web at www.WPSinvestments.com, by phone 248693-5599, or by email [email protected]. See “The Science of Financial Health”, Coffman’s exclusive weekly financial column on the Web every Wednesday at www.LakeOrionReview.com. These views are those of the author and should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Seniors

“They’re everything to our business,” Bob noted. “They make the difference.” SHS only hires seniors who have “the right spirit and the right heart.” “We want someone who’s really here because they want to care for somebody. It’s got to be more than just a job for them,” Bob explained. “If it’s just a job, then you’re not going to go there to develop a relationship. You’re just going to go in there to take care of a service.” “Our providers truly feel they receive more or at least just as much out of this as they give,” Dawn noted. Most of SHS caregivers have experience caring for their own loved ones, are retired nurses or have a background helping others through churches or service clubs. “Our senior caregivers have been doing this all their lives,” said Dawn, noting they earn $8.50 per hour. Those who don’t have a lifetime of experience needn’t worry. All that’s really required to work for SHS is a desire to help and a willingness to develop a relationship with a fellow senior in need. “We’re always looking for people who really share the heart and spirit of Seniors Helping Seniors,” Dawn said. “There isn’t a specific training required for the types of services we’re providing.” For more information about SHS please visit www.seniorshelpingseniors.com. Those interested are also welcome to call (248) 969-4000 or e-mail [email protected].

Continued from Page 7 hour and there’s a two-hour minimum. Medical insurance doesn’t cover SHS services, however, long-term care insurance does. Although the services form the meat and potatoes of the business, they’re not the heart and soul. That comes from the relationships developed between the caregivers and recipients. Bob said it’s “pretty amazing” to watch two complete strangers “come together and instantly bond.” “There’s a comfort level that’s created immediately when they know that they’re talking to somebody who really does understand and relate to what they’re going through,” Dawn said. Bob recalled an instance in which a caregiver and client learned they were both from the same country originally. The caregiver then made the client a special soup from their native land. “She didn’t have to do that,” Bob said. “She did it because she wanted to.” It’s the caregivers that really separate SHS from other in-home services companies. “We love what we’re doing, but we couldn’t do it without the incredible providers that we have,” Dawn said. “Our caregivers are amazing.” “The really cool thing about our providers is they’re doing it because they want to, not because they have to. It’s really important to us that that basic concept be shared by our caregivers.”

What’s The Biz -- September 2009 11

Credit cards & teens Are Credit Cards a good idea for teenagers? Some people argue that it helps teach teenagers how to be financially responsible, while others argue that it does just the opposite – it encourages teens to spend, spend, spend without understanding the consequences that can occur. These consequences often happen when the payment comes due and there is no money to pay it. Late fees and sudden interest rate jumps can occur due to late payments, making it even harder to Carolyn Chevier is get caught up. Be- president of Lakes fore you know it, a Community Credit student may lose Union. out on admission to graduate school, an apartment, or even a new job because of their poor credit history. Yet statistics show that 54 percent of college freshmen carry a credit card and 92 percent of college sophomores carry at least one credit card. Can this be a good thing? It can be a good thing if the card is handled responsibly. Establishing a good credit history can help set the foundation for teens to have the ability to take out future loans for a car and even a mortgage. Having a credit card can be a step teens can use to learning how to budget – making sure their income can cover their expenses, including credit card payments! Responsible budgeting is a tool that may help them avoid financial difficulties as they move forward in life. The new Credit Card Reform Act will require people under the age of 21 to have a co-signer on their credit card, unless the individual can prove he or she has the means to make the payments on their own. In many cases, the co-signer will be the parent – parents will need to review their own debts and decide if they can handle the extra debt if the child cannot make the payments. Parents need to teach their kids how to handle credit cards responsibly, or seek out alternative education – for instance, at Lakes Community Credit Union, we have Free Financial Workshops for teens that cover an array subjects.

Continued far right

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Continued from Page 8 Store. “Usually what happens is the donation center opens first,” she said. “It kind of helps us get the store set up.” Revenue generated by the Thrift Store funds The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center program, which helps participants learn to live a balanced lifestyle through work therapy, individual and group counseling, and the practical application of the Christian faith. “Our program’s supported entirely through the Thrift Stores,” Kinney said. “Whether they shop or drop off donations there, they help the Salvation Army. Through our Thrift Stores we provide programs at no cost for people in need.” Those looking for a job should be pleased to learn the Thrift Store plans to hire between 20 and 25 full and part-time employees. Kinney explained the store needs a “core group” of full-time staffers with part-timers filling in where needed. The Oxford store should begin hiring later this month. Watch the store window for a sign indicating dates and times to apply. Once it opens, shoppers will be able to enjoy the Thrift Store from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. “You can generally donate (items) anytime the store is open,” Kinney said. Those wishing to donate on Sundays, when the store’s closed, will be able to do so between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Credit cards cont. The workshop subjects include how to create a budget, what interest rates mean, and what savings and loan products they will be exposed to in the financial world. We also consult our teens when they come in to open a credit card account with a qualified co-signer on the details about our cards so there are no surprises. Lakes offers a fixed rate credit card – not a variable rate. Variable rate means just that – it can vary over the life of your card - many low introductory rates jump up to undesirable higher rates due to variable rates. The Credit Card Reform Act helps the consumer to a point – the bottom line is to read all the disclosures and fine print. You won’t find any surprises with Lakes Community Credit Card – we clearly disclose the terms of our fixed rate card. Come check us out. We are your community credit union!

12

What’s The Biz -- September 2009

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