1. shopping
2. gifts

DEC. 2014
AROUND
ALHAMBRA
PUBLISHED BY THE ALHAMBRA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SECTION B
life
community
seniors / health
dining / entertainment
auto / real estate
Finding great holiday gifts in Alhambra is easy
Local businesses are filled to the brim with presents that are perfect for family, friends, and loved
ones. Get in the holiday spirit by shopping at local
businesses.
From fun fitness classes to snappy camera deals
and jewelry that sparkles, local businesses are bringing the holiday season to Alhambra homes.
tain amount and receive a special discount. Ask associate for details. Give the gift of great food this holiday season or just keep it for yourself.
515 W. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
626-576-7119 • www.alondrahotwings.com
Book Smart is getting parents and their kids ready
for Common Core standards. Come in and get free
bouncing putty.
1118 W. Valley Blvd. • Alhambra 91803
626-291-2703 • www.booksmart123.com
Adiva Intimates invites customers to come in during the holiday season to buy the perfect gift for loved
ones. Some of Adiva Intimates’ most popular items
are the baby doll lingerie and corsets. When visiting,
mention this article and receive a special coupon. Ask
associates for details.
815 S. Fremont Ave. • Alhambra 91803
626-300-9100 • www.iadiva.com
Alhambra Camera is offering free external cleaning and will check the menu settings of your digital
camera. Mention this article, and get your camera
ready for the holidays now through Dec. 24.
121 E. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
626-282-6365 • www.alhambracamera.com
Stop by Alondra Hot Wings to pick up holiday
gift cards for family and friends. During the entire
month of December, purchase a gift card for a cer-
Alhambra Camera is offering free external cleaning and
will check the menu settings of your digital camera
58 Facets Jewelry can help find the perfect gift
that will brighten the holiday season.
The newest service offered at 58 Facets Jewelry is
custom engraving. They recently installed a Signature
8080 Super engraver. This is a fully computerized
engraving machine that will both engrave or foil stamp
just about anything.
There are special attachments that engrave both
the inside and the outside of rings or bracelets. Items
for engraving can be as small as a guitar pick or as
large as a football. Please phone for additional information.
36 W. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
626-569-7289 • www.58-facets.com
C ONTINUED ON PAGE 2B
Realtors and
cultural diversity
B Y GARY FRUEHOLZ , D ILBECK R EAL E STATE
Real estate can be a portal to viewing the world
around us. A perspective like real estate can take the
mega changes evolving in our world and place them
into a context that is more defined and comprehensible to us.
Gary Frueholz
Cultural Diversity as seen through real estate is one
example of this. Specific approaches in protocol such Gary Frueholz is a Realtor
as business cards, introductions, and the approach to with Dilbeck Real Estate, a
member of the Alhambra
negotiations align with the cultures of various nations. past
Planning Commission, and a
As the world expands to a global economy, this diver- certified Senior Real Estate
sity of economic cultures creates a Cultural Diversity Specialist. Mr. Frueholz can be
reached at 626-318-9436 or
in the world of real estate.
by e-mailing him at
An understanding of this Cultural Diversity in real gary.frueholz@dilbeck.com. See all
estate transactions is valuable in foreign countries and of Gary’s articles on Alhamalso meaningful within our own culturally diverse bra at www.garysstories.com.
landscape here in the United States. And a respect of
this diversity can lead to successful real estate transactions.
Realtors love their business cards. In the United States we give them out like
water. But in other cultures, the business card is a serious element of business,
and the exchange of them is a ceremony in itself.
In the People’s Republic of China, business cards are held with the print facing the guest and are received with both hands. In Japan, a business card (called
“Meishi”) is presented with both hands and received with the right hand. Nothing casual about this.
A business card in Asia is an extension of oneself and is an extremely important element of a business relationship. The exchange of business cards among
individuals working a real estate transaction is a ceremony.
The casual maneuver of flipping a business card to someone is seen in a negative and disrespectful light. Also, the portraits of agents which adorn realtor business cards in the Untied States are seen as garish and unprofessional in many
cultures. A smart move on the realtor’s part is to have the backside of their card
printed in the language of the culture they are dealing with and leave the picture
off.
And in Asia, be sensitive to follow the “pecking order” in presenting your
business card. The most important person in the real estate transaction receives
your card first. When in doubt, start with more senior individuals.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. And in Asia, the
presentation of the business card often creates this first impression.
CONTINUED ON P AGE 26B
Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5
Downtown Alhambra will host its Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 5, at the Renaissance Plaza, northeast corner of Main and Garfield.
Free photos with Santa will be available after Santa arrives by fire truck to light
the Christmas tree at 6 p.m. Music will be provided by the Swingin’ 8 Balls.
Complimentary refreshments will be offered. For more information, phone 626282-5767.
PAGE 2B
CHURCH / AROUND ALHAMBRA
58 Facets Jewelry can help find the perfect gift that will Evike.com is a one-stop shop for awesome gifts. From apbrighten the holiday season. The newest service offered at parel, sporting goods, collectibles, Oakley, and GoPro,
Evike.com is a one-stop shop for awesome gifts.
58 Facets Jewelry is custom engraving.
Marini Music celebrated the
50th Anniversary of the
Beatles with an in-store
tribute to raise money for the
GIST Cancer Foundation.
The participating musicians
were Marini Music staff
members with a little help
from their friends, customers
Rick Fowler on drums and
Daniel Lugo on piano.
12/2014
With the holidays fast approaching, now is the time to jump
start your metabolism and fitness at The Fit Factor.
Finding great holiday
gifts in Alhambra is
lots of fun and easy
CONTINUED FROM P AGE 1B
Jayvee Dance Center will offer a special for adult dance classes.
Enroll and bring a friend to enroll in one six-week session and receive a
special voucher to use toward the next session. Ask associate for details.
Offer lasts through the holiday season and
into the New Year. Expires 1/31/15.
216 E. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
626-281-5858 • www.jayveedancecenter.net
Fosselman’s Ice Cream has tempting
holiday ice cream flavors like cinnamon,
peppermint bark with chocolate, pumpkin, gingerbread, and egg nog.
1824 W. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
626-282-6533 • www.fosselmans.com
Evike.com offers unique gift ideas that
are not boring this holiday. From apparel,
sporting goods, collectibles, Oakley, and
GoPro, Evike.com is a one-stop shop for
awesome gifts.
2801 W. Mission Rd • Alhambra 91803
626-286-0360 • www.evike.com
Marini Music is offering four free guitar lessons with the purchase of any guitar. This past month they celebrated the
50th anniversary of the Beatles with an
in-store tribute to raise money for the
GIST Cancer Foundation. The musicians
were Marini Music staff members with a
little help from their friends, customers
Rick Fowler on drums and Daniel Lugo
on piano.
222 Main St. • Alhambra 91801
626-289-0241 • www.marinimusic.com
With the holidays fast approaching,
now is the time to jump start your metabolism and fitness to make room for all
those yummy meals. Take a class with The
Fit Factor’s newest fitness gurus: Annalee,
Amy, Danielle, and Sherry. They are waiting at The Fit Factor Studio on Main
Street in the heart of Downtown Alhambra.
38 W. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
Alhambra is Rich
in Restaurants
See Pages 15-18
12/2014
CHURCH / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 3B
St. Therese Catholic Church
90 years of Ministry
1100 East Alhambra Road •Alhambra CA 91801
(626) 282-2744 • www.sttheresechurchalhambra.org
The Carmelite Friars of St. Therese Church
invite you to attend one of our Christmas Masses!
Our Mass times are as follows:
Christmas Eve
5:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and Midnight
Christmas Day
7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
AND a Latin High Mass at 1:00 p.m.
Please note that there will be
NO 5:00 p.m. Mass on Christmas Day.
New Year’s Eve
EVENING OF THANKSGIVING
The St. Therese Carmelite
Friars AND our neighbors, the
Carmelite Sisters of the Sacred
Heart, also invite you to this joint
New Year’s Eve celebration.
This special night of prayer
will begin at Sacred Heart Retreat
House (920 East Alhambra Road)
at 8:00 p.m. with Registration,
Exposition of the Blessed
Sacrament, and a conference.
From 9:00 to 10:00 p.m.,
there will be Confessions and
Adoration; at 10:00 p.m.,
Benediction and Refreshments.
Then, at 10:30 p.m. there will
be a Candlelight Rosary
Procession to St. Therese Church.
At 11:00 p.m., there will be
another conference and more
time for Confessions. Then last,
but certainly not least, will be
Midnight Mass.
PAGE 4B
CHURCH / AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2014
CHRISTMAS IN ALHAMBRA
Christmas: A holiday celebrated year round
B Y R EV . F RANCIS C HUNG , M ANDARIN
B APTIST C HURCH OF L OS A NGELES
C
hristmas is a season of cel
ebration, full of cheer and
laughter, with an abundance
of good will. To the delight of both
young and old, gifts are bought, given,
and exchanged in numerous gatherings
with friends and family. This holiday
spirit makes Christmas a time of heartfelt joy.
This joy is evident because Christmas
signifies the good news of Jesus Christ
and His birth on this earth. The Gospel
of Luke depicts an account with an an-
nouncement by an angel of the Lord and
the subsequent response from the heavenly angels: In the same region there
were some shepherds staying out in the
fields and keeping watch over their flock
by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory
of the Lord shone around them; and
they were terribly frightened. But the
angel said to them, “Do not be afraid;
for behold, I bring you good news of
great joy which will be for all the people;
for today in the city of David there has
been born for you a Savior, who is Christ
the Lord. This will be a sign for you:
you will find a baby wrapped in cloths
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there appeared with
the angel a multitude of the heavenly
host praising God and saying, “Glory
to God in the highest, And on earth
peace among men with whom He is
pleased.” (Luke 2: 8-14 NASB)
This is the message of Christmas;
God has not abandoned mankind. God
was born as a man to save mankind. In
celebration of the birth of Christ, Mandarin Baptist Church of Los Angeles
(MBCLA) will host a special production
of a Christmas play entitled “Simeon’s
Song.” This will take place at 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec.21. Following this live perfor-
Around
Alhambra
For advertising rates and
other information, contact
Alhambra Chamber of Commerce
104 S. First St., Alhambra, CA 91801
Tel: 626-282-8481 Fax: 626-282-5596
www.alhambrachamber.org
mance, we will host a Christmas Eve
Service at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24.
However, the theme of Christmas
should never be limited to a few weeks
in December; it should fill our hearts
and lives throughout the year. During
the Christmas season, the members of
MBCLA provide gifts and visit local
convalescent homes. We have also donated more than 1,000 shoe boxes filled
with gifts to children around the world
through the organization Samaritan’s
Purse. Our giving continues even after
the holiday season has passed.
Throughout the year, we donate
backpacks and school supplies to needy
families that attend a neighborhood
school, visit and serve at a homeless shelter in the downtown area, provide free
health clinics and English classes, sponsor a bone marrow drive, and minister
to families that are affected by disabilities. In this manner, the spirit of Christmas is a part of our lives and an ongoing
call of service.
This year, I urge you to celebrate
Christmas year round with us. Perform
acts of service and make self-less giving
a daily lifestyle. Bring the joy of Christmas to those around you at all times,
and in the name of Jesus, keep the joy
alive.
12/2014
CHURCH / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 5B
GREAT CHRISTMAS MUSIC TO BE PERFORMED IN SO CAL
Angeles Chorale to present
An American Christmas, Dec. 13
Hollywood Master Chorale to
present Good Tidings Dec. 6
My Heart Needs A Night Like This
Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noël
Whether it’s via Web sites like Jacquie
Lawson or, more traditionally, through
snail mail, most of us can count on receiving a holiday card or two this upcoming
season. But a card with a four-part carol
penned within it is a bit tougher to come
by.
Those hoping to open such a card will
want to attend “An American Christmas”
performed at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13
at First United Methodist Church in Pasadena, when the Angeles Chorale presents
a program of holiday music that will include the Alfred Burt Carols.
“I absolutely adore the Alfred Burt Carols,” said Artistic Director John Sutton.
“They are not only beautiful but so very
personal because they began as holiday
messages for friends of the Burt family.
“Originally Alfred Burt’s father, an Episcopal priest, wrote both the lyrics and music, but Alfred soon showed signs of so
much talent that he took over composition duties. By the time Alfred’s father died,
the carols had become such a popular tradition that Alfred chose to continue writing them in his father’s honor.”
Yet while the Burt family’s mailing list
grew from 50 to 450 people, the carols remained largely unknown until shortly before Burt’s death in 1954, when Columbia
Records learned of the carols and assembled
a choir of Hollywood singers to perform
the carols. Burt completed the last carol,
Angeles Chorale presents
An American Christmas
Celebrating Christmas music written/arranged by American composers, including
Alfred Burt (Caroling, Caroling; All on
a Christmas Morning; We’ll Dress the
House; Star Carol;)
Randol Alan Bass (Gloria)
Daniel Pinkham (Christmas Cantata)
Morten Lauridsen (O Magnum
Mysterium)
Lullay My Liking (Holst)
Handel (Hallelujah Chorus)
Mel Torme (The Christmas Song)
And a jazz arrangement of God Rest Ye
Merry Gentlemen
Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 pm
First United Methodist Church
500 E. Colorado Blvd.,
Pasadena 91101
$25/person
$30/person at the door
$20/students at door with valid ID
www.angeleschorale.org
818-591-1735
The Star Carol, which the Chorale will
perform, less than 24 hours before he died.
Since then performers ranging from Nat
King Cole to Simon and Garfunkel have
recorded versions of Burt’s works.
MORE INFORMATION ON P AGE 17B
When the Hollywood Master Chorale
presents its holiday concert, “Good Tidings,” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at the
Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church, it will
be celebrating some good tidings of its
own, its 20th Anniversary Season.
“This is a huge milestone for any nonprofit organization,”said Artistic Director
Dr. Lauren Buckley Schaer. “But for the
Hollywood Master Chorale it is especially
important because we are celebrating not
only longevity but community.”
For Schaer, the term “community” is
wide reaching. For starters, the 20th anniversary is a celebration of the friendships
that come with being bound together by a
common love of choral music.
“Several pieces on the program help to
highlight this special relationship,” Dr.
Schaer said. “Most notably the two settings
of Auld Lang Syne. The first is the tune everyone will recognize as the traditional song
on New Year’s Eve, but the second is perhaps even more beautiful and poignant.
Both entreat the listener to remember
friends of old even as we celebrate the future.”
And, of course, “community” extends
to those who resonate to what Leonard
Bernstein described as the “joy of music.”
“I wanted to present a concert that is a
thank you gift to our audience,” said Dr.
Schaer. “I lifted the title, Good Tidings,
directly from the lyrics of We Wish You a
Merry Christmas because that is our greatest desire: to give something to our audience that makes their lives and our community better - music.”
The large work featured in “Good Tidings” is Marc Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit
pour Noël (Midnight Mass for Christmas).
Accompanied by harpsichord, every movement is based on a traditional French carol.
“By borrowing these tunes, Charpentier
creates a sense of intimacy and
familiarity,”said Dr. Schaer. “He invites his
listeners to come together to recognize a
common melody threaded within a new
musical creation.”
Since there is no season more often accompanied by tradition than the holidays,
the HMC brass ensemble will once again
return to join the chorale. Plus, what is
more traditional than a sing-along?
Tickets for “Good Tidings” are available
online through Brown Paper Tickets at http:/
/www.brownpapertickets.com/event/893725.
For more information about the Hollywood Master Chorale or the upcoming
performance, visit the HMC Web site at
www.hollywoodmasterchorale.org or phone 323960-4349. Tickets are $20 for general seating and $15 for seniors. Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church is located at 505 Rodeo
Drive, Beverly Hills, 90210.
Celebrating the Birth of Christ
First Baptist Church of Alhambra
101 South Atlantic Blvd.
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 570-1511
Join us this holiday season!
“For unto us a child is born,
Unto us a son is given;
And the government will be
upon His shoulder.
And his name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
The Celebration Choir and Orchestra
with Southlands Christian School Chorale
presents Three Gifts
Dec. 14, 10:30 a.m. Worship Center
Christmas Eve Service and Reception
firstbaptistchurch@discoverthejoy.com
www.discoverthejoy.org
Dec. 24, 6 p.m. Worship Center
PAGE 6B
SENIOR NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2014
Seniors / Retirees News |Activities, Projects, Features
UNDERSTANDING THE SENIOR EXPERIENCE
Finding meaningful gifts for seniors
B Y D ENNIS M C F ADDEN
R ETIRED P RESIDENT /CEO
A THERTON B APTIST H OMES
Even with temperatures in the ’80s and
’90s last month, Californians who enter
stores or listen to commercials realize that
shopping days for Christmas are slipping
away quickly. For some of us, the challenge of honoring the seniors in our lives
presents a head-scratching problem of
frustrating complexity.
Many older persons protest that they
do not “need” anything and may not welcome the standard stuff. And, by the time
we arrive at December, we have already
exhausted the obvious items we gave them
for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and their
birthdays. A senior with a wish to “down
size” presents an even greater dilemma.
Here are some general ideas to assist
you in making it through the holidays successfully as you seek to honor grandma or
grandpa or some other senior in your life.
Sentimental gifts
Dr. Dennis E. McFadden has recently retired
as president and CEO of Atherton Baptist
Homes.
The value of a sentimental gift lies in
its ability to speak in the language of the
heart. A “Grandma Poem” will bring a tear
to anyone’s eyes. If you combine it with a
picture of her and her grandchildren and
frame it, you will have a permanent keepsake. Family pictures, including school
photos of the grandkids or great
grandkids, can also become a meaningful
gift. When she was alive, my mother always appreciated receiving the latest
school photographs of her grandchildren
as Christmas presents. She proudly displayed them and showed them off to her
friends, each one with a special story or
unique vignette.
Useful gifts
Personalized mugs are great gifts for a
grandparent. Malls generally have places
where you can even have a favorite photo
applied to the mug along with a greeting
or expression of love. Electric foot massagers and back massagers can bring great
relief to a senior. Kiosks in malls often
sell bean bag neck warmers that can be
heated in a microwave and used to apply
soothing comfort to a stiff joint or arthritic neck. Slippers are always a winter
favorite, even in sunny California. If you
still need something to stimulate your
“When we needed help,
we discovered Vista Cove at San Gabriel”
Quality
• Assisted Living
• Memory Care
• Respite Care
AT SAN GABRIEL
For more information or to schedule a tour, please phone
(626) 289-8889
901 W. Santa Anita St., San Gabriel, CA 91776 Lic. #197606796
own creativity, there are numerous Web
sites that specialize in practical ideas for
older persons.
For example:
SeniorStore: http://www.seniorstore.com/giftideas.html
First Street: http://www.firststreetonline.com/
Electronics+amp+Gadgets/
Parent Giving: http://www.parentgiving.com/shop/
gift-shop-415/c/
These sites are but a few of many places
to go for gift-giving suggestions.
Shared experiences
Those who do not live in large houses,
especially those who have moved into a
senior retirement community or assisted
living facility, may not be interested in receiving anything at all. For such a person,
a family adventure may be the best bet.
When my mother was in her 90s, our entire family (including sons, grandchildren
and their spouses, and several great-grandchildren) all spent a day with great
grandma at Disneyland. Up until her
death, my mother fondly remembered the
wonderful time she had sharing with the
whole family in our day at the park. Less
expensive but no less meaningful would
be a day-trip, picnic, or dinner at a favorite restaurant.
Finally, don’t ignore the power of
cards and flowers. When my mother
turned 90, she was blessed to receive beautiful floral arrangements. More than a week
after her birthday, she still insisted that
every visitor to her assisted living apartment at Atherton Baptist Homes see her
flowers and array of greeting cards.
Gifts are expressions of tender love and
connect us to the giver. This Christmas,
make sure that the seniors in your life
know that they are loved by you and that
you not only value their part in your life
but you seek to honor them for who they
are and all that they have done in their
lives.
Public invited to Holiday Craft Fair
at Joslyn Adult Rec. Center, Dec. 3
The Joslyn Adult Recreation Center, 210 N. Chapel Ave. (in Story Park),
regularly provides a wide range of activities and services for Alhambra’s senior
population, including health screenings, informational seminars, special events,
a daily hot meal, and more.
Joslyn is opening its doors to the entire Alhambra community from 11 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, for a Holiday Craft Fair.
Local crafters, talented in the creation of unique, hand-crafted works of art,
will highlight their wares for shoppers who want to find that special gift for the
holidays, or, on a more personal level, just the right decoration to add interest
and color to their own home décor.
An early arrival will ensure the widest variety of crafts available for purchase,
but a visit, anytime during the day, will please the eye and the pocket book.
12/2014
SENIOR NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 7B
PAGE 8B
SENIOR NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2014
Joslyn Adult Recreation Center
Joslyn celebrates another year of service
It’s been another busy year at the Joslyn
Adult Recreation Center, 210 N. Chapel
Ave., and on the eve of another year, the
beat goes on: club meetings; health screenings; special events; informational seminars; a hot meal every week day, including birthday and special celebrations; a
relaxing library; and friends with whom
to meet and chat.
December events of special interest for
seniors include:
Happy December Birthday Luncheon Celebration 11 a.m. Wednesday,
Dec. 3. Co-sponsored by Care 1st Health
Plan. December birthday honorees in attendance will receive a token gift.
Holiday Craft Fair 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 3. Crafters will sell their
creative hand-crafted works enabling seniors to purchase unique, original art
works for those on their gift lists. Fee for
crafters: $20.
Holiday Blues Informational Seminar 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10. Presented by VITAS Innovative Hospice
Care.
Holiday Festivities, including a Holiday Luncheon Celebration, starting at
9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23. The Music Center ushers will provide a musical presentation. Seniors will be invited to visit with
Santa. A special luncheon menu will be
provided at 11 a.m.
New Year’s Eve Luncheon Celebration & Countdown beginning at 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 31. Ring in the New
Year with Joslyn friends, with hopes for a
new year filled with good health, wealth,
happiness, luck, and warmth. Lunch, the
last of the year, will be special.
Joslyn will open again from 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, beginning a new year
of senior programs and services.
Senior Outings on the road throughout Southern California
The Senior Outings luxury coach hits the road for the
final views of beautiful Southern California on Friday, Dec.
5, to Fashion Island & Roger’s Garden and on Thursday, Dec. 18, to Huntington Harbor Cruise of Lights.
Registration for these two trips took place last month, so
phone 626-570-5056, or visit the Joslyn office to determine if any seats are available.
In January, Senior Outings visits:
Huell Howser Archives & Old Town Orange from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. The fee is $12.
Morongo Casino & Cabazon Outlets from 8:30 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28. The fee is $12.
Registration for these outings takes place on Tuesday, Dec.
2. See a full description of registration procedures in the
City of Alhambra winter/spring 2015 Leisure Classes, Activities & Excursions Guide, available at www.cityofalhambra.org.
Huell Howser is referred to as “the late TV legend,” but
it is as if he is still here in countless television shows, including the recent repeat of the Fosselman Ice Cream Company segment and in the Huell Howser Archive, an exhibit that includes images, text, and artifacts outlining
Howser’s career and legacy, located in Chapman
University’s Leatherby Libraries, and sponsored by the Automobile Club of Southern California.
The Huell Howser visit, a very special treat, will be
followed by a visit to Old Town Orange and especially to
the Orange Plaza where there are myriad shopping opportunities and a variety of restaurants, pubs, and casual eateries in which to enjoy lunch (not included).
February Senior Outings feature an immersion in art
and culture as the luxury coach heads for:
Getty Center Museum from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb.
11. The fee is $12.
Hsi Lai Temple from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 25. The
fee is $18.
The Getty houses a spectacular collection of Western
Art, including European paintings, drawings, sculptures,
and decorative arts This visit will include a viewing of the
“Spectacular Rubens” exhibit, which recently received a
rave review in the Los Angeles Times. The buildings and
gardens are also considered works of art and can be enjoyed while eating lunch in the picnic area or after dining
in one of the center’s cafes.
The Hsi Lai Temple is within a 15-acre site built to
serve as a spiritual and cultural center for those interested
in learning more about Buddhism and the Chinese culture. A guided tour will provide visitors with information
concerning the buildings, gardens, and statuary of ancient
Chinese monasteries. A full vegetarian lunch in the dining
hall is included in the outing cost.
Registration for the Getty and Hsi Lai visits takes place on
Tuesday, Jan. 6.
Senior Outings in the spring months include:
Ojai, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 12, and Japanese
Garden and Sherman Oaks Galleria, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
March 23. The fees are $12 and $15. Registration day is
Feb. 3.
Downtown Ventura, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 9,
and Los Angeles County Arboretum and Sierra Madre, 9
a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21. Both trips are $12. Registration
day is March 3.
Americana at Brand and Griffith Observatory, 1:30
p.m. to 9 p.m. May 14, and Santa Monica on Farmers
Market Day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 27. The fee is $12 for
both trips. Registration day is April 7
12/2014
HEALTH NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 9B
Health & Medical News|Hospitals, Physicians, Dentists, Facilities
Preventing type 2 diabetes: steps toward a healthier life
N ATIONAL I NSTITUTE OF H EALTYH
HTTP :// NEWSINHEALTH . NIH . GOV
People with diabetes have a
problem with blood sugar. Their
blood sugar, or blood glucose,
can climb too high. Having high
levels of sugar in the blood can
cause a lot of trouble. Diabetes
raises the risk for heart disease,
blindness, amputations, and
other serious issues. But the
most common type of diabetes,
called type 2 diabetes, can be
prevented or delayed if the right
steps are taken.
About 29 million Americans,
or nearly one in 10 people, have
diabetes. Many more have a condition called prediabetes. People
with prediabetes usually have no
symptoms, yet they’re at risk for
eventually developing type 2
diabetes, heart disease, and
stroke.
Research shows that one can
greatly reduce the risk for type
2 diabetes and prediabetes by
eating a healthy diet, getting
plenty of physical activity, and
losing excess weight.
Type 2 diabetes arises because
of problems related to a hormone called insulin. Digested
food is broken down and converted to glucose and other molecules, which then travel
through the bloodstream. Insu-
lin signals cells to let glucose in
for use as an energy source.
When a person has type 2 diabetes, either the body’s cells have
trouble using insulin, or the body
isn’t producing enough insulin.
As a result, glucose can build up
to harmful levels in the blood.
Type 2 diabetes occurs most
often in people who are middleaged or older, but younger
people can get it too. “Before the
mid- to late-1990s, we almost
never saw type 2 diabetes in
youth,” said Dr. Barbara Linder,
an NIH expert on childhood diabetes. But now, type 2 diabetes
is becoming more common in
young people, alongside increasing rates of childhood obesity.
Some factors that raise
people’s risk for type 2 diabetes
are beyond their control. Having an immediate family member with diabetes increases one’s
risk. Type 2 diabetes is also more
common in some races or
ethnicities, including AfricanAmericans, Alaska Natives,
American Indians, Asian-Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Hispanic/Latinos.
People who are overweight,
obese, or inactive are also much
likelier to develop type 2 diabetes. But these are risk factors that
you can change, and doing so
will greatly reduce the risk for
diabetes.
To understand how weight
loss might affect diabetes risk,
NIH launched a study in the
early 1990s called the Diabetes
Prevention Program. Doctors already knew that being overweight or obese was a risk factor
for diabetes, but they didn’t
know if losing weight would reduce that risk.
The study enrolled more than
3,000 people who were overweight and had prediabetes.
They were randomly assigned to
different groups.
One group met regularly with
study staff to focus on healthy
behaviors, such as eating fewer
calories and exercising more;
they aimed to lose at least 7% of
their body weight and to do at
least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Another group
received metformin, a drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, along with standard advice
on diet and exercise. A control
group received standard advice
and an inactive placebo pill,
which had no drug effects.
After an average of around
three years, the researchers found
that diabetes risk dropped by
58% in the group encouraged to
make healthy lifestyle changes.
About 38% in that group had
achieved and maintained their
weight loss goals and 58% their
physical activity goals. The group
taking metformin was also less
likely to develop diabetes; their
risk dropped by 31% compared
to the control group.
In a follow-up study, both
lifestyle changes and metformin
continued to reduce the risk of
developing diabetes, although
their effects declined. After 10
CONTINUED ON PAGE 13B
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INJURIES
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PAGE 10B
HEALTH NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2014
Salivary Diagnostics can
predict diabetes in children
B Y J OHN C HAO , D.D.S.
Certain proteins (biomarkers) in the
saliva of children have been identified
to be possible predictors of Type II diabetes in a study published online in Public Library of Science June, 2014. Based
on this study, it is anticipated that salivary testing can in the future displace
other more invasive methods, such as
blood tests. It is speculated that in the
future, saliva collected during a dental
visit can be used to help diagnose medical conditions in conjunction with your
physician.
The present study was conducted by
researchers from the Forsyth Institute in
Cambridge, Mass. They evaluated metabolic differences in 774 11-year-old children who were underweight, of normal
healthy weight, overweight, or obese.
In this study, four salivary biomarkers,
including insulin and C-reactive protein,
changed with increasing obesity. Other
biomarkers can be identified in future
studies that can be used to diagnose or
prognosticate (predict) risk of disease, regardless of body weight.
The advantage of salivary testing is
that it is non-invasive and can be easily
used to screen large numbers of people,
especially children. This sort of non-invasive testing is important in developing disease prevention programs focused
on children.
Called Salivary Diagnostics, this kind
of testing “could provide a more acceptable alternative, which could create a
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new paradigm for research in preventive
health,” said Dr. Max Goodson, author
and senior member of the staff at Department of Applied Oral Sciences at
The Forsyth Institute.
More and more, your dentist will be
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order to work together to bring you better dental health as well as system health.
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12/2014
HEALTH NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
For Your Good Health
Manual therapy, an integrated
approach to whole body health
B Y S HEILA Y ONEMOTO , P.T.
As a physical therapist, I often see
people with multiple problems. The
prime concern becomes sorting out top
priorities. No more simply, “Do this
exercise and your ankle will feel better.”
Instead, we recognize swelling can best
be treated by opening up the lymph flow
affecting ankle movement, balance, and
strength. Our priority becomes determining which techniques give the most
benefits in the least amount of time.
Many patients have numerous problems that can slow the healing process
or progress with their rehabilitation program, such as digestive issues preventing proper nutrient absorption. Others
cannot sleep, and some have chronic systemic problems zapping their energy,
making it difficult to add musclestrengthening exercises to their daily
routine, since even doing normal living
activities exhausts them.
In these days of managed care emphasizing quick results, we need more
efficient and effective treatment methods. This may include helping people
sleep better or improving their nutrition.
The health care system used to separate the various systems and established
“specialists,” such as lung, heart, and
liver. Today, insurance companies have
made “generalists” more important.
Now we see a person as a whole integrated system rather than a collection
of pieces.
Physical therapists who previously
screened only the muscle and joint systems have broadened their approach.
They understand how the supportive
tissues influence the immune system,
which is critical for the health of the individual. Many techniques stimulate the
person’s own healing process in a gentle
manner, so as to cause no further damage to the system.
Unfortunately, many medical procedures and treatments do cause unintentional damage while attempting to promote healing, such as the numerous de-
Sheila Yonemoto, P.T., has been a physical therapist for more than 30 years, specializing in integrative manual therapy, using a holistic approach. She can be reached at Yonemoto
Physical Therapy, 55 S. Raymond Ave, Suite
100, Alhambra 91801. Sheila also offers a
“Chinese Energy” exercise class. Phone 626576-0591 for more information or visit
www.yonemoto.com
In these days of
managed care
emphasizing quick
results, we need more
efficient and effective
treatment methods.
structive side effects from medicines. An
unwanted side effect from surgery is scar
tissue. A detrimental result from exercise can be increased pain.
Solutions for health problems should
contain a multi-dimensional approach
including all of the various systems for
an overall maximum effect. Unfortunately, taking one magic pill just doesn’t
exist today. Perhaps it never did, and we
finally see the situation more realistically.
PAGE 11B
PAGE 12B
HEALTH NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2014
Karen H. Chao, O.D.
Buy, give eye-friendly
toys to have safe holidays
B Y K AREN C HAO , O.D.
Looking for gifts for kids? The holidays are filled with anticipation of gifts
and new toys.
When making decisions for selecting
new toys, parents need to tell Santa and
loved ones to pick eye-safe and age appropriate toys for children.
In general, parents should avoid toys
with pointed, sharp or rough edges or
pieces. Blocks are great for almost any
age as long as corners and edges are
blunted to reduce the risk of eye injury.
Also, to avoid eye injuries, beware of
long-handled toys, like mops, brooms,
pony sticks, and rakes.
Check to make sure that they have
rounded handles and watch closely children under 2 with such toys.
Be careful to avoid toys that may be
age appropriate for an older child but
could be dangerous for a younger child.
Always supervise children in situations
when they might share an inappropriate toy with a younger sibling.
While children may ask Santa for the
latest computer and video games, there
are some tried and true toys which children love, are safe and they help your
child build vital learning skills. If your
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
Dr. Karen H. Chao, O.D. has been an
Optometrist in private practice for more
than 20 years. In addition to general optometric care, her services include Vision
Therapy, Neuro-Optometric Evaluation
for Traumatic Brain Injury, Corneal Refractive Therapy, and Low Vision Services.
She can be reached at 121 S. Del Mar
Ave., Ste. A, San Gabriel 91776. Phone
Dr. Chao at 626-287-0401 or visit
www.TotalVisionDC.com for more information.
12/2014
HEALTH NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
Diabetes Prevention —
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9B
years, people who continued with lifestyle
changes delayed diabetes by about four
years compared to people in the control
group. People who continued to take
metformin delayed diabetes by about two
years.
Metformin has long been used and approved for treating type 2 diabetes. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasn’t approved the drug for preventing type 2 diabetes. Research suggests
that the drug’s preventive effects may work
best in younger and heavier people. For
older people, lifestyle changes were especially helpful; they lowered diabetes risk
by 71%.
“Weight loss is key, and physical activ-
ity is very important, but lifestyle changes
are never easy,” said NIH’s Joanne
Gallivan, director of the National Diabetes Education Program (http://ndep.nih.gov).
The program offers resources to help with
weight loss, healthy eating, and physical
activity. Specific tips are provided for certain groups of people, such as children and
older adults. Most materials are offered in
Spanish, and some are available in other
languages.
As the Diabetes Prevention Program
showed, diet and exercise can reduce the
risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You’re
most likely to succeed at weight loss,
Linder said, “if you can find some physical activity that you enjoy and can do every day.”
Consider toys to help your kids —
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
child spends too much time on the computer, and add to that prolonged TV
watching, he or she won’t develop many
of the underlying visual skills required
for academic success.
Just as motor skills and learning and
cognitive skills require development, vision also requires development and can
benefit from a variety of toys and activities. And developing a child’s visual skills
is critical to success in the classroom. Did
you know there are more than 15 visual
skills in addition to being able to see “20/
20”? These skills are vital to reading and
learning in children.
This holiday season, you can help
your child by looking for toys to help
with:
• Building eye-hand coordination.
• Shape and size discrimination,
which is important for reading.
• General movement skills, for everything from writing to sports.
• Space and distance judgments,
which are crucial for driving and sports.
• Left/right awareness, which is vital
in avoiding reversals.
• Visual thinking.
• Visualization.
• Visual memory skills, which enable
us to develop concepts.
Have a fun, safe, and healthy holiday
season by encouraging your children to
round out their activities with some of
these tried and true games. If you find
your child doesn’t like these games, it
could be a sign of a vision problem in
which case you should schedule a developmental vision evaluation with an optometrist who provides an in-office program of optometric vision therapy.
PAGE 13B
PAGE 14B
HEALTH NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
Nearly 60% of commonly
taken drugs cause dry mouth
Dry mouth refers to any condition
in which your mouth is unusually dry.
Most often, dry mouth is the result of a
decrease in saliva produced by the glands
in your mouth (salivary glands).
Why is saliva so important?
Adequate saliva helps keep your teeth
clean and protects your gums. It prevents infection by controlling bacteria
and fungi in the mouth. It makes it possible for you to chew and swallow.
Dry mouth and drugs
Hundreds of medications, including
many over-the-counter drugs, produce
dry mouth as a side effect. Dry mouth
leaves you more vulnerable to decay and
gum disease.
Here is a list of the most common
medications that reduce saliva production:
Antihistamines: allergy alleviating
drugs, many of them over the counter.
Decongestants: Medicines of this
group are easily available over the
counter to treat cold symptoms.
Antidepressants: They are becoming
more common prescription drugs.
Anorexiants are drugs that act on the
brain to suppress appetite. They are also
known as diet pills.
Hypotension drugs: Also known as
blood pressure medicine.
Diuretics: Also known as water pills.
Sedatives: Sleeping pills.
What can you do?
Check with your physician if the drug
you are taking can be changed or the
dosage adjusted. It is not recommended
to stop taking any prescribed medication without consulting with your doctor. For those who cannot stop medications, there are alternatives to relieve dry
mouth:
• Chew sugar-free gum or suck on
sugar-free hard candies to stimulate the
flow of saliva.
• Limit your caffeine intake because
caffeine can make your mouth dryer.
• Don’t use mouthwashes that contain alcohol because they can be drying.
• Stop all tobacco use if you smoke
or chew tobacco.
• Sip water regularly.
• Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes, mouthwash, or soft lozenges.
Look for products containing xylitol,
such as Mouth Kote, Oasis Moisturizing Mouth Spray, Biotene Oral Balance,
Salese Soothing, or ACT Total Care Dry
Mouth Rinse. The last one also offers
protection against tooth decay.
• Breathe through your nose, not
your mouth.
• Add moisture to the air at night
with a room humidifier.
Dry mouth is not a normal part of
aging. So if you think you have dry
mouth, see your dentist or physician for
help.
12/2014
Ask
Dr. Dara,
DDS
Dr. Dara Gashparova, D.D.S. is located at 1933 W Valley Blvd. Readers with dental
questions or concerns should contact her at 626-289-6131, or e-mail daradds@yahoo.com.
Hundreds of medications, including many over-the-counter drugs, produce dry
mouth as a side effect. Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. So if you think
you have dry mouth, see your dentist or physician for help.
Dental insurance about to expire?
This is a friendly reminder that at the
end of the year your dental insurance
benefits will expire. Now is a good time
to see your dentist for a check-up or fi-
nally take care of dental treatment that
you have been postponing all year long.
Remind your friends and family to get
the most out of their dental insurance
this year as well.
12/2014
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 15B
Dining & Entertainment | What’s Happening for Food & Fun
Restaurant Spotlight
Located directly next to each other at 410 W. Main St., Al’s Beef and Nancy’s Pizza have their own
unique processes for making Italian beef sandwiches and cooking pizzas.
Al’s Italian Beef, Nancy’s Pizza are
newest additions to Main Street
B Y S ARAH G REAR
Al’s Italian Beef and Nancy’s Pizza are celebrating opening their two new locations on Main Street,
located next to each other. Al’s Beef is serving delicious Chicago-style sandwiches, sausages, and hamburgers to the community. Nancy’s Pizza specializes in Chicago deep dish pizza and salads and pastas. With close to 45 locations throughout Illinois,
Nevada, Texas, California, and Georgia, this is their
first restaurant in Los Angeles County.
“Many of our ingredients are imported from
Chicago to maintain that authentic Mid-West flavor,” said Director of Operations David Walia. “We
pride ourselves on bringing new flavors to the City
of Alhambra.”
Al’s Italian Beef serves a signature seasoned sandwich with 19 different spices and celery used to
marinate the thinly sliced beef served on French
bread. The tender meat is leaned by removing the
fat up to 97%, and gravy is collected as the meat
cooks.
“The sandwich is topped with your choice of
sweet bell pepper or spicy pepper soaked in oil for
three days,” said Mr. Walia. The sandwich can be
paired with their loaded potato fries, which comes
with bacon, onions, cheese, and sour cream on the
side.
In a separate kitchen located directly next to Al’s
Beef is Nancy’s Pizza, with its own unique process
for cooking pizzas. With a variety of options, they
serve the soft and delicate Neapolitan pizza that is
made with simple ingredients all the way to the
robust and full-flavored stuffed pizza.
“Stuffed pizza is completely different
and something new in Alhambra,” said
General Manager Michele Galifi. “It
comes with sauce on top, cheese and toppings inside, and two layers of crust like
a pie. The flavor is like lasagna melting
in your mouth.”
Another popular menu item is the
wings that are prepared from raw meat,
never frozen, and baked to lock in the
flavor. With a spacious 2,800-squarefoot restaurant with large TVs lining the
restaurant walls, it’s the perfect place to
watch a game and eat with friends. They
Sauteed shrimp paired with fresh spinach
in pink alfredo sauce.
also offer catering for large parties on-site or off-site
for local events.
Nancy’s Pizza has been open since 1971 and was
started by Italian immigrants Nancy and Rocco
Palese in Chicago under a different name called
Guy’s Pizza. Al’s Italian Beef has been open since
1938. The restaurant was originCONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
Operating hours,
Web sites
Lunch specials are available
at both Al’s Italian Beef and
Nancy’s Pizza. They are open
from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11
a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and
Saturday at 410 W. Main St.
The phone number is 626872-0755.
Find each of their Web sites
at www.alsbeef.com and
www.nancyspizza.com.
Like their Face-book pages
www.facebook.com/alsbeef and
www.facebook.com/nancyspizza,
and follow them on Twitter
@alsitalianbeef and @nancyspizza.
PAGE 16B
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2014
Expires 12-31-14
Some of the Al’s Beef and Nancy’s Pizza team of more than 40 employees. The friendly
servers and line cooks look forward to serving the Alhambra community.
Expires 12-31-14
Al’s Italian Beef, Nancy’s Pizza
open side-by-side on Main St.
FROM PAGE 15B
ally opened in Chicago by Al Ferrari,
his sister, his brother-in-law Frances,
and Chris Pacelli, Sr.
“The Italian beef sandwich and
stuffed pizza flavors are something that
we feel was missing in Alhambra until
we opened on Main Street,” said Mr. Walia.
“The full flavors of our foods speak for
themselves.”
“We invite the community to visit, and
we hope to be a new place for local families and high school students to visit,” said
Ms. Galifi. “It’s a safe environment for them
to come to hang out.”
Dip’s Grill fetes Halloween
TWOHEY’S RESTAURANT
1224 N. Atlantic Blvd. • Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 284-7387 • www.twoheys.com
Dip’s Grill, 39 W.
Main St., Alhambra, hosted a
costume contest on
Halloween. First
place winners were
Kristine Tieu and
friends, who won
a $100 dining
credit to Dip’s.
Second place was
Anna Cao and
friend, who won
a $50 dining
credit. Third place
was Jacky Nhan,
who won a $30
dining credit.
Fourth place was
Kyle Chang, who
won a $20 dining
credit.
12/2014
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 17B
Downtown Alhambra jumps on Saturday nights
Two for the Show
B Y M ICHAEL C ARVAINES
Enjoy great music every Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Rick’s
Main Street Café stage, 132 W. Main St., in Downtown Alhambra, brought
to you by Marini Music and Rick’s:
Dec. 6:
MOVIE REVIEWS
Looking at new sci-fi epic Interstellar,
morality exploration Nightcrawler
B Y M ICHAEL C ARVAINES
Two major movies hit theaters in early
November: one otherworldly and metaphysical, and the other a modern Los Angeles critique.
Interstellar is the new sci-fi epic directed
by Christopher Nolan, best known for The
Dark Knight trilogy and Inception. His
skillful talents are on display again in this
fascinating spectacle about big ideas, as
well as old-fashioned romantic notions of
love and family.
Matthew McConaughey stars as Cooper, a near-future farmer whose piloting
experience gives him the opportunity to
lead mankind’s last hope into space. His
mission: to find a habitable world for humans, as the Earth is quickly turning into
a barren wasteland. The movie’s first hour
is set on Earth, but the remaining two
hours are a visual journey through a
wormhole into a distant galaxy full of ice,
water, and mystery.
It’s a thrilling ride, with beautiful visuals and touching moments as Cooper worries if he’ll ever see his family again. Interstellar covers a lot of space, and not all the
particles add up to a coherent whole. The
style and effects recall 2001: A Space Odyssey, only without the sense of mystery.
Ultimately the movie is about a father and
daughter. Their emotion is as simple as
everyday problems of parenting and loss.
Interstellar is neither an action movie, nor
a straightforward drama, but it is impressive and worth checking out on a really
big screen.
Nightcrawler is a brutal dissection of
21st century morals, and how they’re influenced by local news. Starring Jake
Gyllenhaal as a Los Angeles videographer
of accidents and crime, he redefines
creepy as Lou Bloom. It’s a phenomenal
performance, and Mr. Gyllenhaal has
never been better - or scarier.
His character begins as an out of work,
petty thief, but soon decides that a videojournalist career is his calling. It’s fascinating to watch him learn the bare minimum and quickly transform into a success. Of course, success is a relative term.
He also lacks any sense of right and
wrong, and doesn’t care much for the law.
To help battle his demons, Lou confronts the local news director played by
Rene Russo. Leading the city’s least
watched news broadcast, her character’s
professional ethics are also a blurry signal. She gives him the only lesson he
needs when she sums up her industry with
the movie’s best rallying cry: “Think
about our newscast as a screaming woman
running down the street with her throat
cut.”
The movie is a scathing portrait of local news, reminiscent of such classic films
as Network and Broadcast News. But this
is more about the individual. Who’s feeding whom? Who needs whom? It’s a compelling debate, and Nightcrawler does an
excellent job moderating the discussion.
Swingin’ 8 Balls - rock-a-billy and ’50s
Dec. 13: J.E.S. - classic rock
Dec. 20: Jamie Steele & Pacific Electric - ’60s and country
Dec. 27: The Blues Buzzards - R&B
For more information, contact Marini Music at 626-289-0241.
2505 W. Valley Blvd • Alhambra CA 91803
Join Us for Our Daily Specials
Monday: Fajita Night 2 for $20 • Taco Tuesday • Margarita Wednesdays
We now deliver in Alhambra from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Monday Bucket Night
4 - 10 p.m.
Happy Hour
Tues. - Fri. 4 - 7 p.m.
6 bottles imported or Domestic Beer
15% off all appetizers
$3 DRAFT BEER
15% off all appetizers
Alhambra resident Michael Carvaines is
a Real Estate Agent with Dilbeck Real Estate. He can be reached at (323) 697-0704
or michael.carvaines@dilbeck.com.
Angeles Chorale to present An American Christmas
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5B
Other carols by Burt on the program
include Caroling, Caroling; All on a
Christmas Morning; and We’ll Dress the
House.
“Alfred Burt is so American,” says
Sutton. “How could we not include him
in a program celebrating the contribution of American composers to
sacred holiday music?”
Those attending “An American
Christmas” will also hear Daniel
Pinkham’s Christmas Cantata,
Randol Alan Bass’s Gloria, Handel’s
epic Hallelujah Chorus from The
Messiah and O Magnum Mysterium
by Morten Lauridsen. The chorale
will dedicate the performance of the
latter work to the late Paul
Salamunovich, Artistic Director of
the L.A. Master Chorale, because he
was so instrumental in the work’s
genesis.
“So few of the traditional, sacred
carols we sing are American,” said
Mr. Sutton. “And, when you think
about it, this makes sense. We are a
nation of immigrants so, of course,
we would cherish those carols from
back home. But there is also this
wonderful treasure trove of music
that is uniquely American. Music of
joy and peace and extraordinary
beauty...with all the grandeur that
brass, organ, and percussion provide.”
Those who feel a Christmas concert is not complete without the car-
ols most closely associated with the holiday, however, will not leave disappointed.
The program also includes A Christmas
Garland by Conrad Susa, which includes
sections where audience members are invited to sing along.
Lunch Buffet - $7.99
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Join Us for Sunday
Champagne Brunch
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. $14.99
Chonito’s Mexican Restaurant
2505 W. Valley Blvd • Alhambra CA 91803 • 626-284-8601 • http://chonitos.com/
PAGE 18B
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2014
Restaurant Spotlight
Hot Red Bus #1 in two contests
Fish & Chips
Sage and Sonny Sehmi own the Hot Red Bus, which
serves “the best fish & chips this side of the pond.”
Hot Red Bus, 31 E. Main St., Alhambra, recently
won “Best British-Style Fish & Chips Los Angeles
2014” in L.A. Weekly’s Best of 2014 edition and “Best
Fish & Chips” in the cityvoter.com L.A. Hot List contest.
Hot Red Bus opened in late 2012 and is growing in
popularity with local residents as well as attracting customers from other areas. Not just a chip shop, Hot
Red Bus offers Indian-inspired fare popular in the English Midlands. Replicating what someone might get
walking into a Brit-Indian eatery there, the “Bus” adds
its own twist on the menu that sets the restaurant apart
from other British establishments in Southern California.
“You can choose either swai or the traditional cod
for your fish, which is dipped in a secret recipe batter,
fried and served atop perfectly fried Kennebec chips,”
said Jim Thurman, L.A. Weekly. “Since the recent acquisition of a liquor license, you also can swig British
beers with your meal. Assorted Brit pop is also available.”
Owner Sonny Sehmi, an Alhambra resident of Brit
and Indian background, found California cuisine lacking in one crucial area: no fish and chips.
“Sonny noticed that every time we tried to get fish
and chips here, he couldn’t find any flavors that were
close to home,” said co-owner Sage Sehmi.
“The Hot Red Bus is a British Indian chip shop
Hot Red Bus owner Sonny Sehmi found California
cuisine lacking in one crucial area: no fish and chips.
with a Californian twist,” said Los Angeles Hot List.
“Serving the best Fish & Chips this side of the pond
along with Indian Balti bowls, straight outta Birmingham, England, and served nowhere else in America,
Samosa rolls, and Doner. Funky, casual, cozy, and as
authentic as geographically possible.”
For more information, contact Hot Red Bus at 626576-2877, or view the Web site at hotredbus.com.
Mosaic Lizard Theater presents
Spiderman Christmas Dec. 12-28
Middle East Restaurant
Mosaic Lizard Theater is celebrating the holiday season with
“Spiderman Christmas,” a sequel to Cameron Parker’s hilarious satire, Spiderman Turn on the
Light!
It is a new adventure based
on the popular comic book character and almost every Christmas movie ever made. In the
vein of It’s A Wonderful Life, Peter Parker must go on an interdimensional journey to a world
where Spiderman doesn’t exist in
order to save Christmas and
New York City from the diaboli- Cameron Parker and Sergio Venegas reprise their roles from “Spiderman
cal Doctor Doom.
Turn on the Light” in “Spiderman Christmas.”
The play is written by
Cameron Parker and stars many actors from the
duction. Mosaic Lizard Theater apologizes for this
original cast, plus a few new Lizards from Pacific
inconvenience.
Conservatory of Performing Arts. Parker’s
Tickets are $15. Students and seniors are $12.
Spiderman Christmas is a hilarious fun filled
Please
RSVP by phoning 626-202-4859.
show that will add cheer to the holiday season.
Mosaic Lizard Theater is located at 112 W.
The play is directed by
Main St., Alhambra. The Web site is
Cameron Rose and Cameron
www.lizardtheater.com.
Parker.
Parking is located behind the theater, in the
The show runs from Dec. 12
parking structure on South First Street, and in
to Dec 28, Fridays, Saturdays,
the new Mosaic Lizard parking structure on North
and Sundays at 8 p.m. There
First Street.
will be no matinees for this pro-
BUY ANY ENTREE & GET ONE FREE
with the purchase of two beverages
second entree must be equal or lesser value up to $9.00
This offer limited to one person per group, party or table seating, regardless of separate checks.
Not valid on holidays. Offer valid when presented with this ad coupon. Special offer valid only at
Always
Open
369 Main St. Alhambra
Phone 626-281-6701
Banquet
Room
Available
Not valid with 2-4-6-8 Value Menu or Complete Skillet Meals or any other offer or discount. Offer expires 12-31-2014.
KIDS EAT FREE MON. – FRI. 4 PM – 10 PM (see store for detail)
Clip these
Valuable Coupons
Save Momey
on Meals
12/2014
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 19B
Automotive News | Auto Dealers, Repairs, Services
Alhambra Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram under new management
This past August, Alhambra Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep,
and Ram got a new management team. The dealership
continues to offer a wide selection of cars to fit the
needs of the community. With sports utility vehicles,
convertibles, and full-sized trucks, they have all car
buying and repair needs under one roof. Test drive their
top-selling vehicles at the Alhambra showroom, located
at 1100 W. Main St., at Atlantic.
“With our new ownership bringing great promotions to the table, and the fact that we have four brands
under one roof, we look forward to making sure the
community’s car buying needs are met,” said General
Manager Robert Horacio.
There are more than 300 cars in the Alhambra
Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram fleet featuring some
of the more popular vehicles like the Cherokee and
Grand Cherokees, Challengers and Chargers, and the
Dodge Dart.
“With our new ownership bringing great promotions to
the table, and the fact that we have four brands under
one roof, we look forward to making sure the community’s
car buying needs are met,” said General Manager Robert Horacio.
Employees serve the community in Spanish and
Chinese. The Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram team takes
pride in the customer service culture they are develop-
ing. From finance to sales, and their full service repair,
each department works hard to provide top notch services to the community.
The dealership is gearing up for the “Big Finish”
end of the year promotion to clear out their 2014 stock
from now until the end of December.
“We would like to invite everyone to visit the all
new Alhambra Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Ram,” said
Mr. Horacio. “We have even better deals and better
commitment to the community with our new team.”
Alhambra Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram’s sales
business hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through
Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. The phone
number is 888-720-9710. Weekly offers and promotions can be found online at www.alhambracdjr.com, follow
them on Twitter @alhambracdjr , and like them on
Facebook.
New 2015 Chrysler 300: return of the big, bold American sedan
Introduced at the L.A. Auto Show on Nov. 19,
the new 2015 Chrysler 300 highlights six decades of
ambitious American ingenuity through iconic design proportions inspired by historic 1955 and 2005
models – world-class quality, materials and refinement, best-in-class V-6 highway fuel economy, plus
segment-exclusive innovations – all at the same
$31,395 starting price as its predecessor.
Among its many features are:
• New Chrysler 300 sedan’s iconic and unmistakable exterior proportions are now crafted with
even more sculptural and expressive style for 2015,
with a bolder “face of Chrysler” front grille, signature LED lighting, unique finishes and new wheel
designs.
• New Chrysler 300C Platinum model features
quilted Nappa leather, hand-sanded wood, ultra-premium Poltrona Frau leather-wrapped instrument
panel and console, plus platinum-chrome exterior
details and 20-inch wheels – all at an attainable value.
• All-new interior design elements include a standard 7-inch full-color driver information display
(DID) and class-exclusive electronic rotary transmission shifter, plus Chrysler brand’s new three-spoke
steering wheel with larger vehicle controls and
available die-cast paddle shifters.
• Class-exclusive TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission, now standard on every model,
balances V-8 performance with segment-leading 31
mpg highway fuel efficiency.
Introduced at the L.A. Auto Show on Nov. 19, the Chrysler 300
offers a best-in-class V-6 highway fuel economy with 3.6-liter
Pentastar engine.
PAGE 20B
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2014
Mazda reveals four exciting new
vehicles at 2014 L.A. Auto Show
In a press conference on the floor of
the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, Nov.
19, Mazda Motor Corporation revealed
the all-new 2016 Mazda CX-3 compact
crossover SUV to the world.
Sharing the spotlight with the CX-3
on stage was the 2016 Mazda MX-5
Miata, the fourth generation of the world’s
best-selling roadster, as well as updated
and revised models of the Mazda6 midsize sedan and CX-5 crossover SUV.
“Mazda is in a commanding position
in the U.S. right now, outpacing a rapidly recovering auto industry,” said Jim
O’Sullivan, president and CEO of Irvine,
Calif.-based Mazda North American
Operations.
“Whether it’s the Mazda3, Mazda6 or
CX-5, sales results and industry accolades
allow me to say that if you think there’s a
better vehicle in these segments than these
cars, then you’re wrong. And whether we
look to breaking ground in new segments
with the all-new CX-3 or reinforcing our
sports car credentials with the all-new
MX-5 Miata, there’s no denying that these
are very good times indeed for Mazda.”
The 2016 Mazda CX-3 complements
the Mazda lineup, as it perfectly hits the
target in a rapidly growing segment in the
industry.
The all-new compact crossover SUV
offers all the essentials young urbanites
are looking for in a car: a design of overwhelming quality and style, packaging
developed solely with their needs in mind,
and the responsive driving feel that is a
hallmark of every Mazda.
Powered by a SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter
gasoline engine in North America, CX-3
Shop for a new car in
Alhambra and get
a great deal
The Alhambra Chamber of Commerce salutes
Alhambra Auto Row
Browning Mazda
1200 W. Main St.
626-576-2800
New Century BMW
1139 W. Main St.
626-570-8444
Alhambra Nissan
726 E. Main St.
626-289-6161
Sierra Acura
1700 W. Main St.
Alhambra
626-284-8533
Alhambra • Chrysler,
Dodge • Jeep • Ram
1100 W. Main St.
626-537-2400
Volkswagen Alhambra
1811 W. Main St.
866-426-2915
Goudy Honda
1400 W. Main St.
626-576-1114
Bob Wondries Ford
400 S. Atlantic Blvd.
626-289-3591
Kia of Alhambra
1247 W. Main St.
626-289-0000
Wondries Toyota
1543 W. Main St.
626-289-8000
will be equipped with an automatic transmission with either front- or all-wheeldrive. Output details and specifications
will be revealed closer to launch, in summer 2015.
The 2016 MX-5 Miata is the latest iteration of the world’s best-selling two-seat
roadster, with more than 930,000 sold
globally and nearly 40% of those in the
U.S. After making its global debut in
three cities around the globe simultaneously in early September, it is making
its North American auto show debut in
Los Angeles. Powered by specially turned
SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter engine, MX-5 is
every bit the real sportscar. With a curb
weight approximately 200 pounds lighter
than the outgoing model, the new MX-5
will perform like enthusiasts and weekendracers alike would expect, a true embodiment of the “lightweight sports” Jinba Ittai
(literally “horse and rider as one”) ethos.
Also making their global debuts during the announcements made during the
show were revised versions of the 2016
Mazda6 midsize sedan and the 2016 CX5 crossover SUV. Both vehicles feature
updated interior and exterior styling, the
sort of updates you would expect in vehicles either growing long in the tooth or
not selling well. Neither of those accurately describe these two vehicles however,
as both are exceeding previous years’ sales
numbers by more than 25%, as well as
winning awards and accolades on a regular basis.
Both Mazda6 and CX-5 see extensive
updates to the interior, highlighted by the
addition of Mazda’s proprietary in-car
infotainment system, Mazda Connect.
Browning Mazda
of Alhambra
Invites you to see the new Mazda3
2014
Car and Driver
Top Choice
Vehicle
Visit our shopper-friendly dealership at
1200 West Main Street
Alhambra, CA 91801
Check out our entire stock
and featured specials at
The Chamber of Commerce urges all residents to
shop locally for their new or used cars and trucks.
www.AlhambraMazda.com
KEEP ALHAMBRA GREEN!
Sales: 877-972-3444 • Service: 877-972-4111 • Parts: 877-972-3555
12/2014
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
PAGE 21B
On 25th anniversary, Ford Explorer announces more technology
Building on 25 years of innovation and
sales leadership, a new Explorer is on its
way, with even more smart technology,
Ford announced a new 2.3-liter
EcoBoost® engine and an all-new Platinum series when the new Ford Explorer
goes on sale next summer.
The new Explorer, revealed Nov. 19 at
the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, builds
on the strength and leadership of Ford’s
new vehicle lineup – the freshest in the
industry – and provides SUV customers
even more versatility, capability, smart
technology and efficiency.
“Explorer helped define how the world
thinks about SUVs,” said Raj Nair, Ford
group vice president and chief technical
officer, Global Product Development.
“Explorer is the centerpiece of Ford’s global utility vehicle lineup because it delivers an ideal combination of form and function. And with 7 million already sold,
nearly everyone has an Explorer story.”
Introduced as a 1991 model, Explorer
featured generous interior space customers were looking for, and was engineered
specifically for people seeking adventure
for their families and a way to express their
individuality. For a quarter century, Explorer has been America’s best-selling SUV.
Ford Explorer is built in North America
at Chicago Assembly Plant, as well as in
Venezuela and now, Russia. It is sold in
more than 100 markets across the globe.
Ford expects to export 56,000 Explorers
from the United States this year alone.
“Customers love Explorer, and expect
this SUV to lead the way in innovation,
performance and fun,” said Arie
Groeneveld, chief engineer for the new
Explorer. “It’s a tall order, but we’re aim-
The New Ford Explorer made its global debut at Los Angeles Auto Show, Nov. 19, with even
more smart technology, available 2.3-liter EcoBoost® four-cylinder engine and all-new Platinum series
ing to build the best SUV in the world.”
More innovation for new adventures
Even more smart technology – that’s
what customers will get with the new
Ford Explorer. It offers more technologies than previous models – features that
enhance the driving experience. These
include:
• Front and rear cameras with washers: Both front and rear cameras have
wide-angle lenses and come equipped
with a washer – an industry-first.
• Enhanced active park assist with perpendicular park assist, park-out assist and
semi-automatic parallel parking: The system uses ultrasonic sensors and electric
power-assisted steering to help drivers
with parallel parking and perpendicular
parking maneuvers. Enhanced active park
assist now includes park-out assist to help
a driver pull out of parallel parking spots.
The system controls the steering wheel,
while the driver operates the accelerator
and brake pedals, and shifts the vehicle
into gear.
• Smart-charging USB ports throughout: Located in the front and rear of the
vehicle are USB ports to charge smart devices.
• Hands-free liftgate: A customer need
only kick his or her leg below the center
of the rear bumper to unlock and raise the
liftgate.
• Industry-exclusive 500-watt Sony
Audio System: Explorer Platinum will be
the first Ford vehicle to get an all-new 500-
watt Sony Audio System with Live Acoustics™ and Clear Phase™ technology.
• Active Grille Shutters: Upper and
lower fascia openings close at highway
speeds to reduce drag. At low speeds, the
shutters open to deliver airflow to cool the
powertrain. Shutters allow for larger front
end openings to cool the engine while reducing drag.
• Air curtains: Standard air curtains
create a high-pressure region of air that
impacts the outer surface of the wheels and
tires. The result is airflow held close to the
vehicle body, minimizing drag
These current Explorer features provide
a foundation for innovations on the new
model:
• Adaptive cruise control and collision
warning with brake support: Uses radar
to detect moving vehicles directly ahead
and changes the cruising speed if necessary.
• Lane-keeping system: The system
automatically detects left- and right-hand
road lane markings using the front camera system. A vibration in the steering
wheel alerts the driver if the vehicle begins to drift out of the lane. The system
can also provide steering torque to help
guide the vehicle back into the lane if
needed.
• Blind Spot Information System:
BLIS® uses radar to trigger a warning when
another motorist is in the driver’s blind
spot.
• Cross-traffic alert: Uses radar to help
alert drivers to oncoming traffic when
backing out of a parking space.
• Auto high-beams: Automatic highbeams use windshield-mounted cameras
to automatically switch between highCONTINUED ON PAGE 24B
Nov.
Bob Wondries Ford
400 S. Atlantic Blvd.
WE SPEAK YOUR
Alhambra
LANGUAGE –
SPANISH, CHINESE,
VIETNAMESE
626.289.3591
AUTHORIZED FORD-LINCOLN-MERCURY REPAIR AND PARTS FACILITY SERVICE DEPT.
SALES, PARTS and SERVICE
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
1-866-377-1807
All advertised prices are in addition to government fees and taxes, and finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge and any emission testing charges. On approved credit.
Photos for illustration purposes only. All prices in this ad expire 12-31-14.
PAGE 22B
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2014
Scion’s iM concept debuts at 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show
At the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show,
Nov. 19, Doug Murtha, vice president of
Toyota’s Scion Division introduced the
Scion iM concept.
This new Scion concept is a vehicle
that’s ready for adventure. With versatility, sporty handling and a captivating design, it’s ready for whatever fun comes its
way.
Mr. Murtha defined the new iM concept with the I standing for Individuality,
Intrigue and a good fit for customers’ Income and with the M standing for Modern, Multifaceted, and Magnetic.
The iM Concept marries sleek styling
with the versatility of a five-door hatchback for those who want the freedom to
load up their car with friends and gear and
escape their daily routines.
Mr. Murtha said Scion’s buyers want
something comfortable, technologically
advanced, with great features and styling
moving forward
Gas Misers for the 21st Century
FLEET PRICE TO THE PUBLIC*
that doesn’t look like everything else on
the road.
After revealing the iM Concept car at
the Los Angeles Auto Show, Scion announced that a production version of the
versatile five-door compact hatchback will
be coming to dealerships in 2015. Fans
will get a first look at the road-ready,
sporty ride – and another new Scion
model – at the New York International
Auto Show in April.
“The two models we’re debuting in
New York next spring are just the beginning for Scion,” said Scion Vice President
Doug Murtha. “We plan to bring three
new products in three years to our showrooms, offering a variety of exciting options for current and new Scion customers.”
As a test laboratory for Toyota, Scion
attracts those with an independent spirit
and desire to stand apart from the crowd.
But many of today’s consumers between
18-34 years old also value a degree of practicality to support their self-reliance and
more mobile lifestyles. Faced with greater
independence and less disposable income,
they value fun and sensibility in a vehicle
choice.
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
Alhambra’s Auto Row News
Holiday happenings with Alhambra’s Auto Row
Alhambra’s Auto Row is celebrating the holiday season by inviting the community
to test drive their high quality vehicles.
With friendly staff, holiday promotions, and convenient hours, Alhambra’s auto community is one of the best in the San Gabriel Valley. New car models are available at
several of the dealerships, and each auto business is celebrating the holiday season with
its own festive events. Head over for a test drive, and take advantage of their special
offers this holiday season.
$ 199+tax special lease with
$ 999 due at lease
inception plus
dmv, doc, and sales tax.
Lease is for 36 month
with 12k miles
annually on
model 1201.
Starting MSRP
at $18,950
Estimated mpg: 53 city / 46 hwy
SCION IQ
iQ THEREFORE i AM
$ 199+tax special lease with
$ 3129 due at lease
inception plus dmv, doc, and sales
tax. Lease is for 36 month
with 12k miles annually on
model 66242.
Don’t let size fool you,
this little car is loaded
with big features, all
within a modern,
intelligent design.
*Contact Mgrs Paul Luong or Quang Huyhn
Direct line 626-414-2528 or 626-414-2418
Email: Paull@wondriestoyota.com
Email: Quangh@wondriestoyota.com
Estimated mpg:
36 city / 37 highway
Wondries Toyota/Scion
1543 W. Main St. • Al hambra • 626.289.8000
visit our Web site: www.wondriestoyota.com
Get complimentary Toyota Care
when you buy or lease a new Toyota
Bob Wondries Ford hosted its annual Halloween costume contest at the dealership. There
were more than 25 employees who dressed up. There were cash prizes, and every employee in
a costume got movie tickets. 400 S. Atlantic Blvd. • Alhambra 91801 • 626-289-3591 •
www.bobwondriesford.com
Just in time for the holidays,
Volkswagen Alhambra is offering the eGolf with all-electric power and retaining much of the driving charm of its gas
and diesel VW Golf cohorts, thanks to a
firm suspension and taut handling.
A 115-hp electric motor and lithiumion battery give the e-Golf a range of 70
to 90 miles, while adjustable driving and
regenerative braking modes help boost
range in the most aggressive settings. An
optional 240-volt charger drops charge
time to less than four hours. The e-Golf
is available in California and 10 other
markets.
1811 W. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
626-407-0500 • www.vwalhambra.com
Goudy Honda announced the Honda
Fit is shortlisted for the North American
Car and Truck of the Year. The 10 cars
nominated will be whittled down to three
finalists in time for the holidays, and the
winner will be announced at the 2015
North American International Auto Show
in Detroit in January.
1400 W. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
626-576-1114 • www.goudyhonda.com
Browning Mazda of Alhambra is excited to bring the CX-3 to Alhambra in
time for the holidays. With the KODO Soul of Motion design language and the
SkyActiv technology, the all-new CX-3
will be unveiled at the 2014 Los Angeles
Auto Show. A first design sketch of the
compact SUV is online.
1200 W. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
626-576-2800 • www.browningmazda.com/
Alhambra Chrysler-Dodge-JeepRam announced that this past August they
received a new management team. The
dealership continues to offer the widest
selection of cars to fit the needs of the
community. From sports utility vehicles
to convertibles and full-sized trucks, they
have all car buying and repair needs under one roof. Test drive their top-selling
vehicles at the Alhambra showroom.
1100 W. Main St. • Alhambra 91801
626-308-4500 • www.alhambracdjr.com
12/2014
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
2015 E-Golf, will be arriving soon.
2015 Volkswagen Golf GTI has arrived.
Golf GTI, the seventh-generation version of
Volkswagen’s best-selling car is bigger, lighter,
more fuel-efficient, and even more versatile.
Its new 1.8-liter TSI® engine gets 20%
improvement in manufacturer estimated
highway fuel economy over outgoing Golf.
New VW Golf TDI S model reduces Clean
Diesel entry pricing by more than $3,000.
The manual transmission TDI model’s EPA
estimated highway fuel economy is now rated
at 46 mpg, an improvement of 4 mpg.
Volkswagen Golf family is named
Motor Trend 2015 Car of the Year
Motor Trend, one of the world’s premier automotive authorities, today named
the Volkswagen Golf family — Golf 1.8T,
Golf TDI® Clean Diesel, Golf GTI and
e-Golf models — as the 2015 Motor Trend
Car of the Year.
“VW floored our judges by
reimagining the seventh generation Golf
for nearly every need and want,” said
Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Ed Loh.
“From the value-laden Golf 1.8T and
high-MPG Golf TDI to the legendary hot
hatch GTI and all-electric e-Golf, there
truly is a Golf for everyone.”
The 2015 Motor Trend Car of the Year
award was presented to Michael Horn,
president and CEO, Volkswagen of
America, during an announcement, at the
L.A. Auto Show, Nov. 19.
“Volkswagen is extremely proud to receive this prestigious award,” said Horn.
“This recognition from Motor Trend is a
testament to the versatility of the Golf
family and the quality and value these cars
offer in the compact hatchback segment.”
Motor Trend’s Car of the Year program
is open to any all-new or substantially upgraded 2015 automobile. Rather than being compared against one another, contending vehicles are first put through Motor Trend’s full battery of performance tests
to measure acceleration, braking, and limit
handling.
About Motor Trend
Motor Trend®, a media brand of The
Enthusiast Network, was founded in 1949
and is internationally recognized as one of
the leading brands in the automotive category. The Motor Trend brand is composed of Motor Trend’ magazine; the
award-winning Web site MotorTrend.com;
Motor Trend’ Auto Shows; Motor Trend’
Audio; Motor Trend’ en Espanol; Motor
Trend India; and the renowned Motor
Trend’ Car of the Year, SUV of the Year,
Truck of the Year, and Best Driver’s Car
awards programs.
At the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, Nov. 19, Doug Murtha, vice president of Toyota’s
Scion Division introduced the Scion iM concept.
Scion introduces iM concept car
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
The iM Concept is a hatchback that
earns its name from characteristics aimed
at this evolving audience. Its captivating
styling and custom-blended “Incrediblue”
paint are complemented by matte silver and
gunmetal accents.
The iM Concept communicates its
sporty handling and racing inspiration
through a wide stance and low ride height
for a grounded appearance. It features front
and rear bumper overhangs that create dynamic surfaces, as well as geometric grille
inserts, deep air intakes and fog lights.
Large 19-inch forged alloy wheels sit flush
with the body while vented rotors with 4piston front calipers work with the adjustable-height racing suspension.
Urban drivers can expect the iM Concept to meet the needs of city streets with
excellent fuel efficiency, sporty handling and
easy parking. Details on the production
version’s transmission, engine, technology
and other details will be available in 2015.
Pricing information will also be available
next year, but Scion anticipates that a price
under $20,000 could make this car enticing to youthful customers.
PAGE 23B
happy
holidays
PAGE 24B
AUTOMOTIVE NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2014
Acura to launch more powerful, technologically advanced ILX Sport Sedan
At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Nov.
20, Acura took the wraps off its restyled,
reengineered and reborn 2016 ILX sports
sedan today, launching at Acura
dealerships nationwide in early 2015. The
2016 Acura ILX delivers more strongly
than ever before on its mission as the gateway to the Acura lineup with a major injection of Acura performance DNA, courtesy of its new 201-horsepower, directedinjected i-VTEC engine and 8-speed dualclutch transmission for all models, the
same advanced engine and transmission
combination that powers the justlaunched TLX.
The 2016 ILX boasts dynamic new
front and rear styling cues, standard Jewel
EyeTM LED headlights, upgraded inte-
A
rior materials, optional upsized wheels and
tires, enhanced connectivity, and a host
of new premium features and technologies, along with significant improvements
to cabin quietness, sporty handling and
collision safety.
The 2016 ILX also expands customer
choice with six available grades vs. the previous three, including the standard ILX,
the ILX with Premium Package, and the
line-topping ILX Technology Plus Package. In addition, an all-new A-SPEC package, available with the Premium and Technology packages, adds sporty style, and
all models can now be equipped with
AcuraWatch™, the most advanced suite
of safety and driver assistive technologies
in the class. The ILX AcuraWatch suite
Open 7 days a week
626-282-5666
A lhambra
CAR
WASH
ATLANTIC and MAIN
Full Service Polish Dept.
$
11.99
FULL SERVICE
WASH
$
2 OFF
ANY CAR WASH
PACKAGE
Alhambra Car Wash
704 W. Main Street, Alhambra, CA 91801
includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane
Keeping Assist System, Road Departure
Mitigation and enhanced Collision Mitigation Braking System™ with pedestrian
sensing capability.
“Top to bottom, from dynamic design
to luxury features, and leading-edge safety
technology to sport sedan athleticism and
sophistication, ILX is now a true gateway
to Acura’s performance luxury sedans,”
said Michael Accavitti, senior vice president and general manager for the Acura
division. “ILX was always a great idea.
Now it’s a great idea fulfilled—a luxury
vehicle for the next generation.”
New Powertrain: All 2016 ILX models will be powered by a 2.4-liter, 16-valve,
direct-injected DOHC i-VTEC engine
with peak output of 201-horsepower at
6,800 rpm and 180 lb.-ft. of torque at
3,600 rpm, up 51 horsepower and 40 lb.ft. compared to the outgoing 2.0-liter engine. The new engine is mated to an 8speed dual clutch transmission (DCT)
with torque converter and paddle-controlled Sequential Sport Shift.
It’s the most advanced transmission in
its competitive set, delivering incredibly
quick, crisp and intuitive gear changes,
including rev-matching down shifts, to
achieve outstanding response and sporting performance with top-class fuel efficiency. The world’s first DCT with a
torque converter, Acura’s 8-speed DCT
provides off-the-line torque multiplication
for smoother, more powerful launches that
other DCTs cannot match.
New Premium Features and
AcuraWatch™: In addition to the new
powertrain and extensive interior and exterior upgrades, the 2016 ILX also ups the
ante for luxury, connectivity and technological sophistication.
Premium and above grades get a new
two-position driver’s seat memory function, a 4-way power passenger seat,
Homelink remote, and Acura’s On-Demand Multi-Use Display (ODMD) with
upper 8-inch display screen and lower 7inch touchscreen. The evolved
touchscreen connectivity and media sys-
tem receives more than 50 design changes
to enhance intuitive operation and functionality.
Also available for the first time on the
Premium grade is a new tethered navigation system powered by the user’s compatible iPhone and data plan via the
AcuraLink navigation app. Premium and
above models also get Acura’s Blind Spot
Information and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor along with enhanced audio options,
including SiruisXM radio, AHA radio and
HD radio.
The Tech Plus grade with
AcuraWatch™ and embedded Acura
Navigation add a color Multi-information
Display (MID) between the tachometer
and speedometer, Siri Eyes Free and ELS
premium audio system along with the latest generation of Acura Link connected
car technology.
All ILX models can be equipped with
the AcuraWatch™ suite of advanced
safety and driver-assistive technologies, the
most advanced system of its kind in the
competitive set. AcuraWatch™ includes
Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping
Assist System, a Multi-View Rear Camera with Dynamic Guidelines, as well as
Road Departure Mitigation and an enhanced Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (including Forward Collision
Warning) with sensor fusion technology
that enables new capabilities including
pedestrian sensing.
Body, Chassis and Safety Enhancements (The ILX body and chassis benefit
from significant engineering changes that
advance collision safety, increase body rigidity, improve cabin quietness and enhance sporty handling performance.
Using Acura’s next-generation Advanced Compatibility Engineering™
(ACE™) body structure, the 2016 ILX
is designed to more efficiently absorb and
disperse the energy in a frontal collision
and targets a Good rating in the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) smalloverlap frontal crash test and an overall
Top Safety Pick+ IIHS crash safety rating.
Ford Explorer reaches 25th anniversary
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21B
beam and low-beam settings when oncoming traffic is detected.
• Inflatable rear safety belts: Inflatable
rear safety belts, introduced on 2011 Explorer as an industry-first, deploy an airbag
over the torso and shoulder of an outboard
passenger to help distribute crash forces
over up to five times more area than a traditional safety belt. Spreading forces over
a larger area helps reduce pressure on a
passenger’s chest, and helps control head
and neck motion.
All-new EcoBoost engine (Capability
– that’s what customers will get even more
of with the new Explorer, thanks to an
available 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder
engine delivering at least 270 horsepower
and at least 300 lb.-ft. of torque.
The 2.3-liter EcoBoost is available on
the base, XLT and Limited series. The new
powerplant is expected to give customers
12.5% more horsepower and 11% more
torque over the current 2.0-liter EcoBoost
engine. It improves highway passing times
10%.
4 Wheel Computerized Wheel Alignment & Suspension Repair
Extended
Service Hours
Monday – Thursday
7 AM – 8 PM
1700 West Main St.
Alhambra, CA
www.sierraacura.com
*While supplies last
REAL ESTATE & FINANCIAL NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2014
PAGE 25B
Real Estate News | Residential, Commercial, Loans
Good news for buyers
B Y MICHAEL C ARVAINES
Good news for buyers: all signs in October pointed to a more friendly market. Prices dipped slightly as inventory
rose, making it very enticing for home
buyers to start hunting for a great deal.
This is the first time in several months
that the market has been this buyer-favored.
In October 2014, 15 single-family
homes were sold in Alhambra, down
slightly from 16 in October of 2013. The
median home price, however, dropped
all the way to $490,000. This is the first
time that figure has been below
$500,000 in several months. Home
owners shouldn’t panic, since a closer
inspection reveals why that number is
low. Alhambra saw a number of smaller
houses sold this month, including three
homes under 1,000 square feet, and a
total of six homes under 1,200 square
feet, thus driving down the median
price. Also, the price-per-square-foot remained consistent, reflecting the overall
stability. That figure was $405 this October, which is where it’s been for most
of 2014.
The median number of Days on the
Market stayed consistent at 52 days this
October, and selling prices remained
OCTOBER TRANSACTION SUMMARY
October 2014
October 2013
# Homes
Sold
15
16
Median
Price
$490,000
$587,500
# Condos
Sold
14
17
Median
Price
$413,750
$420,000
*Data was obtained from Multi-Regional MLS Alliance and deemed to be reliable.
Alhambra resident Michael Carvaines is
a Real Estate Agent with Dilbeck Real Estate. He can be reached at 323-697-0704
or michael.carvaines@dilbeck.com.
slightly less than the listing prices at an
average of 98%.
As of Oct. 31, Alhambra had 65
single-family homes for sale on the market - up from the previous month. This
figure has been slowly rising every
month, as market conditions continue
to favor the buyer with more choices.
In October, the condo and
townhouse market also remained stable,
with a slight tilt in the buyer’s favor. A
total of 14 were sold this past month - a
slight dip from 17 in October 2013.
Once again, the selling prices were down
from 2013, yet almost the same as the
previous few months. The median
condo and townhome price was
$413,750 in October, down from
$420,000 in October 2013. As of Oct.
31, Alhambra
had 42 condo
and townhome
listings.
This should
also be encour-
aging for buyers as that number has
slowly risen since the summer.
As the surrounding areas experience
a similar shift in favor of the buyer, Alhambra remains a solid bargain. With
interest rates remaining near record lows,
buyers have more reason to embrace
Alhambra’s excellent values.
For advertising rates and other information, contact Alhambra Chamber of Commerce. 104 S. First St., Alhambra, CA 91801;
626-282-8481 www.alhambrachamber.org. Submit press releases to: djenkins@alhambrachamber.org
Innovative business services offered to
rescue, assist small, struggling businesses
Are you a start up business? A struggling business? Even a well-established business? The Southeast Area Social Services Funding Authority
(SASSFA) WorkSource Center has programs that
can save time and money.
The authority offers paid work experience programs for adults and youth by working with them
to find pre-screened, qualified candidates for thier
companies. Similarly, the authority has an on-thejob training program that reimburses businesses up
to half the salary of a new employee during the
time needed to train new employees. For more information, phone Arthur Monreal at 562-6339511, x239.
Start-up businesses or a struggling businesses face
unique challenges that two tandem programs can
meet: Layoff Aversion and Rapid Response.
SOLD!
SOLD!
282-6121
Could employees benefit from specialized training? Is a company running as efficiently as it could?
Does it have a clear business and marketing plan?
The Layoff Aversion program can bring people, resources, and institutions to your fingertips that will
empower your business to thrive. Phone Martha
Acosta at 562-946-2237, x263.
If a company finds itself in the position of needing to lay off some of its workforce, Rapid Response
is a solution. The authority works closely with a
business to set up orientations for employees to empower them to make the transition easier to their
next job. The authority can help them with their
job search, training, and unemployment insurance.
For more information, phone Lindsay Frank at 562633-9511, ext. 228.
SOLD!
SOLD!
674-1351
DRE# 00465088
Residential real estate
Real estate investment
Classic California Bungalow located
in Pasadena’s Bungalow Heaven, 2
bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 convertible
den, spacious patio, hardwood floors,
living room fireplace, and garage.
Call Gary for a
free market
evaluation
of your home!
calculations and
cash flow analysis
• Email: gary.frueholz@dilbeck.com
• Web: http://gary.frueholz.dilbeck.com
Go to www.garysstories.com for
Gary’s stories on Alhambra.
DILBECK REAL ESTATE • GARY FRUEHOLZ • (626) 318-9436
• PARA SERVICIO EN ESPAÑOL LLAME A MARIA FRUEHOLZ • (626) 318-8095
PAGE 26B
REAL ESTATE & FINANCIAL NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
Curiousities of cultural diversity and Realtors
CONTINUED FROM P AGE 1B
Handling names during a real estate introduction is another example of cultural diversity. In the People’s Republic of China, the full name is preferably used, but the order
of the names is reversed from here in the states. If the person being introduced has a last name of Chao, the introduction would arrange the names in this manner; Mr. Chao
(last) Fu (middle) Lei (first). This is seen as more formal
than saying Mr. Chao.
The language of international business is numbers. In
this global business world, not just currency, but units of
measure become an example of cultural diversity.
The majority of the world thinks in terms of the metric
system.
And it is not just being “politically correct” in using the
metric system, rather it is realizing that this is a fundamental difference that tracts relative to cultures. And it is more
than just meters, but also hectares instead of acres and kilograms instead of pounds that the sophisticated realtor
speaks to.
Some cultures place a lower priority on owning a home
than the United States. Historic instability and attractive
rents have led to the majority of German families renting
their homes (53% - quartz.com). And if a German family
buys a house, they tend to buy it for life. In America,
younger families often follow the approach of purchasing
12/2014
Understanding Real Estate
By Gary Frueholz
D ILBECK R EAL E STATE
Gary Frueholz is a realtor with Dilbeck
Real Estate, a past member of the
Alhambra Planning Commission, a certified Senior Real Estate Specialist and
a Certified International Property Specialist. He can be reached at 626-3189436 or at gary .frueholz@dilbeck.com. See
his stories at www.garysstories.com.
a “starter home” and then upgrading to larger homes every
few years.
In America, after a buyer
enters into a real estate purchase
agreement, there is a period of
negotiating repairs, termite
work, and adjusting for inconsistent lender appraisals. All of
this can lead to effectively renegotiating the purchase price. In
Germany, once the buyer signs
the contract, the sale becomes
final and no further recourse
exists for price renegotiation.
Americans like to say that
time is money and they accordingly transact their real estate at
a fast pace. In foreign countries
like Japan and China, often a
slower tempo results from
longer meals together where clients spend time getting to know
their representatives and potential business partners in a deal.
Handshakes are not taken for
granted. The International Association of Protocol Consultants concluded that a handshake
with a Latin American should
CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE
12/2014
REAL ESTATE & FINANCIAL NEWS / AROUND ALHAMBRA
Wall Street On
Main Street
What are year-end investment decisions?
Year-end investment decisions may sometimes
result in substantial tax savings. Tax planning may
allow you to control the timing and method by
which you report your income and claim your deductions and credits.
The basic strategy for year-end planning is both
to time your income so that it will be taxed at a
lower rate, and to time your deductible expenses so
that they may be claimed in years when you are in
a higher tax bracket. In terms of investment planning, investing in capital assets may increase your
ability to time the recognition of some of your income and may help you to take advantage of tax
rates that are lower than the ordinary income tax
rates.
You have the flexibility to control when you recognize the income or loss on many types of investment assets. In most cases, you determine when to
sell your capital assets. In some cases, however, shifting potential capital gain income to other taxpayers through gifting may be an appropriate strategy.
How do you use the capital gains tax to lower
your taxes?
Capital gains and losses are accorded special tax
treatment. Currently, the top long-term capital
gains tax rate is 20% (for most types of assets), while
the top ordinary income tax rate is 39.6%. That’s a
difference of 19.6%. As a consequence, by converting some of your ordinary income to long-term
capital gain income, it may be possible for you to
reduce your federal income tax liability.
Long-term capital gains are generally taxed at a
capital gains tax rate of 0% for taxpayers in the 10
and 15% tax brackets, 15% for taxpayers in the 25
to 35% tax brackets, and 20% for taxpayers in the
39.6% tax bracket.
Timing your capital gain recognition
Careful timing of when you sell capital assets
may help you to reduce your federal income tax
liability. For example, if it’s late in the year and you
want to sell a capital asset, you can wait until January to sell it so that you realize your capital gain or
loss next year (assuming that you have a calendar
tax year). This strategy is particularly useful if you
are in a higher marginal tax bracket in the current
year and expect to be in a lower one in the following year. Timing can also be important because capital gain income increases your adjusted gross income (AGI). Itemized deductions and personal exemptions may be phased out or decreased if your
AGI in a given year exceeds a specified threshold.
Plan your year-end capital gain and loss status
Planning the time when you recognize capital
losses may also be important. If you expect to recognize a capital gain this year, you should review
your portfolio for possible capital losses that can be
Frueholz
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE
be executed twice as long as a handshake
given in the United States. Also, their research determined that virtually every culture has a softer handshake than we give
here in the states and that a knowledge-
used to offset the gains. If you have any capital loss
carry-forwards, you should review your portfolio
for capital gain opportunities to make use of such
carry-forwards. In general, net capital losses are deductible dollar-for-dollar against net capital gains.
Excess losses are allowed to offset up to $3,000
($1,500 for individuals filing married filing separate tax returns) of ordinary income per year. Losses
over and above the limit may be carried forward
indefinitely.
The following strategies may be appropriate:
• Sell capital gain property before the end of the
year if you have already realized capital losses for
the year that exceed the sum of any capital gains
you have realized plus $3,000 ($1,500 for individuals filing married filing separate tax returns).
• If you have gains for the year that exceed your
losses, sell property with built-in losses to offset the
excess gains.
• If your other allowable deductions for the year
exceed your income, you should, to the extent possible, avoid realizing any further capital losses for
the year.
• If you’ve held a capital asset for close to 12
months and want to sell it, wait awhile (if possible).
You can take advantage of the lower long-term capital gains rates if you hold the asset for over 12
months before selling it.
PAGE 27B
Cesar Franco is an independent financial
adviser with Royal Alliance Assoc., Inc.
Contact him at 113 W. Main St. #228,
Alhambra 91801, 626-588-2417, or
cfranco@royalaa.com.
Securities offered through Cesar Franco, an independent registered representative of Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. NWF Advisory is not affiliated with Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. or registered as a broker-dealer or investment adviser. Article Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions,
Inc. Copyright 2014.
How do you select investments to control income?
You can select investments likely to produce ordinary income such as interest, or income that is
taxed at reduced rates (certain qualifying dividends
or long-term capital gains). You can also select investments likely to produce ordinary or capital
losses. You can control when your investment earnings are taxed, bearing in mind that income distributions are generally not taxed until you receive
them (assuming that you use the cash method of
accounting). By knowing the tax rules, you can
lower your taxes.
What about shifting income?
It may be possible to shift potential capital gains to other taxpayers
through gifts. If you are in a 25%
or higher individual marginal tax
bracket, the zero% long-term capital gains tax rate for those in the 10
or 15% bracket may provide an incentive for you to transfer appreciated assets to relatives in those lower
tax brackets.
Prepared by Broadridge Investor
Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2014.
able realtor will include a bow with their
handshake in Asia.
So, simple business protocol with cards,
introductions, and even a handshake can
have a positive influence on a real estate
transaction. And real estate agents and their
clients need to be sensitive to this Cultural
Diversity.
TUR
FEA
E
IS
DL
TIN
G
$784,000 • Altadena
1014 Morada Place, Altadena, CA 91001
3 BD/2BA – 1,750 SQ. FT.
Craftsman Style. • www.1014Morada.com
North Arcadia
2029 Highland Oaks Dr., Arcadia, CA 91006
3BD/2BA – Prairie Style Home
Beautifully remodeled; desirable location.
Approx. List price: TBD
Montecito Heights
4385 W Rose Hill Dr., El Sereno, CA 90032
3BD/2BA; approx. 1,900 sq.ft. Amazing Views!
High end finishes; outdoor decks; spacious lot.
Approx. List price: $ 525,000
Silverlake
2372 Loma Vista Pl, Silverlake, CA 90039
4 BD/3BA – Open Floor Plan
Brand New Construction; Reservoir Views
Approx. List price: $1,385,698
Mt. Washington
429 Beech St., 90065
3BD/2BA Brand New Construction
Great Location with Views!
Approx. List Price: TBD
PAGE 28B
AROUND ALHAMBRA
12/2014