FREE Newspaper Visit us online for breaking news
FREE Online Business Directory
FREE Online Classifieds
FREE Online Archiving Find Us on:
Volume 1
Issue # 6
October, 2015
INSIDE CONSERVATORSHIP EXPLAINED
Vista Murrieta High School Named Most Spirited School in the United States by C.J. Leger A Murrieta High School has been named the most spirited school in the United States. Vista Murrieta High School was awarded the recognition by Varsity Brands. The announcement was made on National School Spirit Day, a new holiday officially recognized by Congress in 2014. Varsity Brands is the national leader in athletic gear for high schools and colleges. It dominates the cheerleading, dance and band scenes, and it currently holds a historic place as one of the most trusted brands commissioned for the recognition of student milestones. The company launched their own school spirit contest dubbed America's Most Spirited High School Contest, to which Vista Murrieta applied and won. Schools were required to submit a 500 word essay, two letters of recommendation, a 90 second video and recorded proof of school spirit in the form of photographs. Invitations were sent to schools throughout the United States, and schools from 33 states in total were included in the contest. Ultimately, the video submitted by Vista Murrieta High School, which featured footage of multi-sport games,
cheerleading pep rallies and a host of different student engagements was chosen as the best. The contest was looking for schools that had a large base of students who took pride in their school colors, teams, clubs and spirit. Varsity Brands was also looking for a vast environment where a majority of students were included in activities, clubs, sports, or some type of extracurricular engagement. The company's CEO, Jeff Webb, stated that school spirit was essential to student achievement in a statement he made, which read: "We're proud to host this contest after our research last year confirmed the connection between school spirit and student achievement, involvement and confidence. We are on a mission to expand student involvement and promote school spirit in America's High Schools, and we're pleased to honor Vista Murrieta's pride and achievements.” Vista Murrieta reported that at least 85% of their enrolled students took part in an extracurricular activity, earning them a top spot in the lead. On September 10, a list of finalists was published, which included Vista Murrieta, Enterprise High School in Enterprise, AL, Greenwich High School in Greenwood, AK, and Richardson High School in Richardson, TX. Students and fans were encouraged to vote online via nationalschoolspiritday. org and on September 22, Vista Murrieta
was announced the winner. Jeff Webb addressed the win by saying, “Their submission truly represented their unique school spirit and dedicated student body, in every activity from marching bands and pep rallies to community service and student government." Overall the role of the contest was to determine which school in the United States boasted an incredible following by their students in terms of school government, club, sport, cheerleading, and various other extracurricular activities that may also include volunteer work, with the idea of promoting the concept that high levels of school spirit directly affect academic student achievement and success. A white paper published in 2014 found a direct correlation between student success and school spirit, stating that 92% of Principals agreed with the concept. The white paper also stated that 90% of students who focused on school spirit and carried a genuine pride for their educational institution, were more likely to become leaders in the future. We congratulate Vista Murrieta High School on their recognition and wish them many more years of toget h e r n e s s and success.
LOCAL BUZZ
Couple celebrates 65-years of matrimony
A California Conservatorship is a judicially created relationship where an adult has been given the legal authority and responsibility to care for another adult. Generally, Conservatorships can be three basic types: 1) Conservatorship of the person; 2) Conservatorship of the Estate; and 3) Conservatorship of person and estate. The process begins when a “proposed” conservator petitions the Court to become the conservator of a person. It is at this time that the “proposed” conservator will decide whether to seek appointment over the person, estate, or both.
Page 8
CREATE A MARKETING ROADMAP TO SUCCESS
How can creating a “Roadmap to Success” help in your marketing evaluation? Your business marketing strategy is essentially a map of your targeted destination. Ideally it gets you from your starting point to your goal – from your basic business concept to a healthy, successful business. It gives you a clear idea of your obstacles that lie ahead and points out alternative routes. The business planning process is an opportunity. While creating your business strategies, you have a chance to:
Page 9
Tips on Halloween Candy & Safety for this Year Halloween is right around the corner, and while this holiday is full of fun and carefreespirited behavior, it also comes with a few responsibilities for parents. As your child trick or treats around neighborhoods, be sure to take into consideration the dangers of the road and check your child's candy before consumption. Page 2
Eddie and Donna Bylund recently celebrated their 65-year wedding anniversary at the Chateau of Harveston. The happily married couple had a banquet room overflowing with friends and family wishing them well, and sharing memories The Bylunds met 77-years ago in Minnesota, when Ed was seven and Donna was six-years old. Ed said he use to lay on the floor of his now wife’s living rooms, listening to her practice the piano after school. Page 4
Page 4
Page 10
CITY NEWS Harry Ramos’ Alleged Sexual Harassment Lands City $1 Million Lawsuit
The scandal that has engulfed the Mayor of Murrieta, Harry Ramos, continues. Page 10
WINE COUNTY Temecula Wine Country's Harvest Celebration Turns 25, Offers Old and New Page 5
LOCAL NEWS
Autumn Pumpkin Picking & Activities Around Murrieta Page 4
BIZ BUZZ
TECH News
How Ready Deadlines, the name says Are You for it all. This is the date or the Zombie time all should be done Apocalypse? Deadlines
or the project (you) are ‘dead’. Page 10
Page 6
Page 2
Murrieta Buzz—www.murrietabuzz.com
Tips on Halloween Candy & Safety for this Year
by C.J. Leger Halloween is right around the corner, and while this holiday is full of fun and carefree-spirited behavior, it also comes with a few responsibilities for parents. As your child trick or treats around neighborhoods, be sure to take into consideration the dangers of the road and check your child's candy before consumption. There have always been candy warnings as Halloween approaches. Decades ago, warnings were about simple expired chocolate bars or candy that may have been contaminated. As the years progress, the dangers become significantly higher. As ABC 7 News reported last week, candy seized from a bust in Conroe, Texas, yielded loads of gummy worms, gummy bears and peach rings laced with marijuana. As a result, authorities issued a nationwide warning after they realized that these laced candies were being shipped into Montgomery County, Texas and that there could be a possibility that they could exist elsewhere in the country. Last year a woman found a razor in her child's Halloween yield, and police issued several warnings regarding candy with dangerous items inside. Even worse, edibles that look like tart candy tablets have also been confiscated and later identified to be serious narcotic drugs. The dangers of the road are also a concern, children and their parents have been hit by cars or assaulted in some areas. The warnings are serious, but that doesn't mean you can't do your part to protect yourself and your children from these threats. It just takes a little bit of extra time and a vigilant eye to do so. The following actions to help keep your family safe. Monitor Candy Consumption Before your child consumes any candy, you should check their yield for specific things. Ensure that all chocolate wrapped in individual wrappers is brought to you before eating so that
you can check it, as many of these Halloween chocolate bars are often expired. You can tell if chocolate is not safe to eat if it has an ashy, white powdery coating. As with the report of gummies laced with marijuana, ensure that any gummy candy your child receives is packed in the manufacturer's official packaging. Do not accept any loose candies or throw them out if they have infiltrated your child's Halloween basket. Do not allow your child to eat any candy that was given to them in a ziplock bag, baggy, or other unofficial packaging. Ensuring that candy is in its official packaging not only lessens the risk of laced candy, but it can also help you keep track of tainted candy via a lot number that can be traced back to the manufacturer’s product line. In the event that a mass-produced candy has been tainted, contaminated or tampered with, you can call the manufacturer and offer a lot number. In many cases, parents who do this alert the manufacturer who can then place a recall on particular batches that have received multiple complaints, elevating community awareness and safety. Safety in the Streets Ensure that you and your child are not put in harm's way while trick-or-treating by finding safe places to do so. Find well lit areas and complexes with a family-oriented atmosphere to do your trick or treating in. You can also visit the stores downtown that will be participating in handing out candy. Avoid treating in dark areas and dead end streets, and try not to go out alone. It's always best to trick or treat
in groups, and if your child will be trick or treating with their friends, make sure that there is a responsible adult or older teenager accompany their group. While outside, make sure that you have reflective gear on yourself and your child at all times. At night, drivers may not be able to differentiate a dark costume from the backdrop
of the landscape. To avoid accidents, purchase reflective bands or pulsating light clip-ons. Alternately, you can find cheap handheld stick lanterns at stores like Dollar Tree. A little bit of extra vigilance will go a long way. As long as you follow your instincts and go to trusted sources, you'll be sure to have a memorable Halloween this year.
Murrieta Buzz—www.murrietabuzz.com
Local Couple celebrates 65-years of matrimony
Written by Michelle Mears Eddie and Donna Bylund recently celebrated their 65-year wedding anniversary at the Chateau of Harveston. The happily married couple had a banquet room overflowing with friends and family wishing them well, and sharing memories The Bylunds met 77-years ago in Minnesota, when Ed was seven and Donna was six-years old. Ed said he use to lay on the floor of
his now wife’s living rooms, listening to her practice the piano after school. As the years went by the pair remained great friends. Donna continued to play the piano eventually becoming a concert pianist capturing her husband’s heart through music. “I loved everything she played,” said Eddie. After more than six decades of marriage, the couple remains madly in love. “It seems like yesterday when we met, but she was six so it wasn't yesterday," Eddie told his guests during a speech. Eddie who was an engineer and veteran said, “She believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself.” Eddie recollected how he leaned on his wife’s moral support during his tour of duty in the Korean War. The couple tied the knot in 1950, Eddie joined the Army a year later and deployed in 1953.
Page 3
Donna, who is now 84, spoke with a soft voice about her husband who is 85, at the anniversary party, “He was a leader, and a real gentleman.” The love between the couple was evident as they were seen often holding hands during most of the celebration. Donna said she also was attracted to Eddie for being a gymnast and cheerleader and was well liked. “We took things one day at a time,”
said Donna. “We never wanted to give up on our marriage and we never wanted to throw in the towel.” Donna repeated more than once what a great father her husband was to their four children, Darcy Johnson, Pam Newell, Brad, and Bonnie Bylund. The Bylunds raised their family in Fullerton, California where they also were involved in their church and playing bridge with friends.
Page 4
Murrieta Buzz—www.murrietabuzz.com
Joke of the Month: What is the favorite health insurance for Goblins, Ghosts and Monsters? Medi-Scare What do goblins and ghosts drink when they're hot and thirsty on Halloween? Ghoul-aid!!!
Across 1. Aquatic mammal (5) 4. Striped equine (5) 7. Watered (9) 8. Flows back (4) 10. Tennis stoke (5) 13. Assumed name (5) 14. Disparaging remark (4) 17. Essential (9) 19. Rear part of a ship (5) 20. Smooth fabric (5)
Down 1. Relinquished (6) 2. Atmosphere (3) 3. Boundary of a surface (4) 4. Stringed instrument (6) 5. Confound (7) 6. Desiccated (4) 9. State of equilibrium (7) 11. Bird of prey (6) 12. Implement for writing or drawing (6) 15. Optical device (4) 16. Small snakes (4) 18. Colony insect (3)
The Buzz Is Updating Our Calendar OCTOBER'S Fun Facts: Please send your Items for the calendar to rmotter@aol.com for next months and future months calendar listings. Mark in subject line calendar listings “Murrieta Buzz” We want to get all the items updated and make sure they are current and each month they will be updated.
1. Research has shown that allowing chocolate to melt in your mouth produced brain and heart rate activity that was simliar to - and even stronger than - that produced with passionate kissing. 2. Men who kiss their wives in the morning live five years longer than those who don't. 3. The Earth gets 100 tons heavier every day due to falling space dust. 4. The tradition of putting tangerines in stockings comes from 12th-century French nuns who left socks full of fruit, nuts and tangerines at the houses of the poor. 5. The range of a medieval long-bow is 220 yards. 6. There are approximately 1,319,872,109 people on the Internet. 7. Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn't wear trousers. 8. Sandra Bullock is allergic to horses! 9. The distress code 'Mayday' comes from the French for help me, M'Aide! 10. The lifespan of mammals is about 1 and a half billion heartbeats.
Harvest Family Activities Around Murrieta
by C.J. Leger It's Autumn, the season of harvest, giving and family. Take advantage of all of the local harvest-inspired activities you can do with your family this season. In October, many of the local pumpkin patches and apple-picking farms will be open for your enjoyment. We’ve catalogued some great activities you can do and places you can visit with your family! A local favorite is Stu Miller's Pumpkin Patches. This entity has lots around the Southern California area, and they're all set up like a mini carnival for the entire family. From far past the road, you can see the giant inflatable slides and bouncy environments for children and the fun mechanical rides. Stu Miller's Pumpkin Patches make it a priority to create an environment where everyone can have something fun to do and make memories with the family. Whether you're buying pumpkins, going on rides, or just bouncing
around like a kid again, Stu Miller has it all. The Murrieta patch even has a zoo and coloring contests. Grab your family and come visit the Murrieta patch at 38244 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd., Murrieta, California 92563. The patch will be open until January. Just 40 minutes away we found a farm that literally has everything. The Bates Nut Farm is the place to go for your holiday fix of nuts. Roasting chestnuts and eating salted and caramelized nuts during the harvest season is one of the staples that can make your home feel and smell like home. This farm has every nut variety you can think of and has created an exceptional place to go for various hosted events, starting with their pumpkin patch. This year they opened their pumpkin patch on September 24, and it will be open until October 31st. It's an all day affair that has been around for over 50 years. The Bates Nut Farm offers straw
mazes, pony rides, tractor hayrides, and self-picking pumpkin fun using wheelbarrows. You can also get all of your fall decor there, gourds, squashes, Jack O’ Lanterns… On Saturday the farmer features live music from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., great food, famous barbecue and sport activities like rock climbing and bounce environments. For just $5 you can park on the grounds and enjoy the farm from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. On October 3rd you can stop by for their Pumpkin Festival. The farm is serving breakfast from 7 a.m. 10 a.m. in an allyou-can-eat fashion, featuring pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage, coffee and orange juice for just $6. All proceeds from their Pumpkin Festival will go towards charity, and their shop will be featuring handmade crafts and fine art. Vendors can still visit the website for information on how to reserve a spot. Throughout the month Bates Farm hosts an array of events. On October 10, the farm will be having a very anticipated scarecrow contest. You can visit their website and email them for more information and download their entry form.
The winner of the Scarecrow contest will have their scarecrow displayed at the farm until October 26. Towards the end of the month, on October 25th, you can bring your pooch in for their annual doggie costume contest from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The highest ranking dogs will win awesome prizes, and all dogs will get to go on a parade before judging begins at 11 a.m. The event will be followed by live music and food. Make sure you get yourself some delicious nuts and a variety of their dried fruits before you go home. Nearby in Temecula there’s Kenny's Strawberry Farm. In their strawberry season from February through August, the farm has a delicious yield of red, ripe berries. However, starting October 1st all the way up until October 31st, the farm will have their pumpkin patch open for all to come. Kenny's Strawberry Farm offers great event amenities for school tours and more. You can visit Kenny’s Strawberry Farm at 953 Rainbow Valley Blvd. in Fallbrook California 92028 or call them at 888-236-0101. We came across a very unique farm, Riley's Farm. It's a bit further, about an hour away in Oak Glen, but they offer an incredible line up of adventures and amenities for everyone. The farm has day tours for school that take you through history around six different historical events like the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the Gold Rush. The form has a U-Pick apple orchard, something every family has to do during the harvest season. They perform scary plays for guests and hold open auditions for anyone who wants to be in one of their plays. Guests can take part in haunted-inspired dinner parties and more. You can visit Riley's farm at 12261 South Oak Glen Rd. in Oak Glen.
Murrieta Buzz—www.murrietabuzz.com
Page 5
The culmination of Southern California Wine Country's fall harvest will be celebrated, Sunday, November 8, 2015 when 10 wineries invite visitors to indulge in a full-day of sampling select wines artis-
excavated 11,000 square foot wine cave. The cave reaches a depth of more than 100 feet below the surface. 2. Carter Estate Winery, opened earlier country grew more popular, many winer- this year, will participate in its first-ever ies could no longer adequately handle the Harvest Celebration. The winery is the all-weekend event. We realized we could second for Jim Carter, proprietor of threemake some desired changes and keep the time California Winery of the Year, South tradition alive." Coast Winery. Carter Estate features the The traditional event format - showcasing finest wines in the Carter collection, and samples of premium wines and chef-in- includes luxury lodging among its vinespired food pairings - remains the same. yards. The new features include hosted trans- 3. Baily Vineyard & Winery will greet Harportation for every guest, a shift from a vest guests in its appointment-only wine two-day weekend format to only one day production facility, normally reserved for on the less-busy Sunday, and optional par- Baily VIPs who arrange private tastings of ticipation by Temecula wineries. library reserve vintages hosted by owner "The changes should result in a higher lev- and winemaker Phil Baily. el of service for guests," Kellihersaid. As an added bonus to encourage wine pur-
tically paired with the perfect cuisine. While much of the event which started 25 years ago will be familiar, organizers have changed this year and made adjustments to appeal to wine aficionados. Previously organized by the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association, a more intimate version of the event will be hosted this year by Grapeline Wine Tours, a Temecula-based company that offers wine tasting tours in Sonoma, Santa Barbara, Paso Robles and Temecula. "The event was difficult for the Winegrowers Association to sustain," explained Kim Kelliher, Grapeline's president. "Winery participation was mandatory, and as wine
"Including a smaller number of participating wineries allows us and the wineries to provide more VIP treatment," explained Kelliher. "And including a low-cost transportation method solves the DD problem for everyone." Harvest-goers aboard Grapeline mini-coaches will stop at eight of the ten participating wineries. The wineries include: Baily, Callaway, Carter Estate, Cougar, Danza del Sol, Doffo, Europa Village, Falkner, Lorimar, and Oak Mountain. This year's Harvest Celebration presents three venues that will be new to the public. 1. Oak Mountain Winery will present their Harvest offering inside their newly
Wine Country Spotlight Temecula Wine Country's Harvest Celebration Turns 25, Offers Old and New
Dark N’ Stormy It’s the first day of October and the first of our favorite Halloween fuelled month! As such, it’s time to embrace all things scary and cool. Like this Dark n’ Stormy cocktail. You won’t need an umbrella to weather this storm, unless it’s a cocktail sized one. Ingredients Ice 1/2 cup Ginger Beer 1/4 cup Black Rum 1/4 cup Apple Cider Apple slices or chips Directions: Find your coolest glass, and fill it to the brim with ice. Then, pour ginger beer, rum and cider on top. Give a good stir and top that deliciousness with some sliced up apple or dried apple slices. Bask in the awesomeness of this drink, and the fact that it’s encouraging a serving of fruit. Don’t be afraid of a little booze. Be afraid of what you may or may not decide is a “good” costume when you’ve had more than a few.
A LITTLE DEFFERENT
chases, Grapeline is offering its Harvest guests a $50 gift certificate toward future tours for anyone who purchases at least four bottles of wine or joins a wine club on the day of the event. Grapeline was founded in 2002 by Kim and John Kelliher. The company provides wine tasting tours and transportation services to more than 25,000 guests annually in four California wine regions. Earlier this year, the Temecula Valley named Grapeline a Business of the Year for the second time. The company maintains a five-star average on all major review sites, with more five-star reviews than any other Temecula activity provider. For more information call (951) 693-5755 or visit https://gogrape.com/page/temecula/harvest-celebration-tour/
OK!OK! I know I'm supposed to be the food critic, but I just couldn't help straying a bit for this
months article. The only food offered at the place I am going to talk about this month is wine, beer and popcorn. It is the Historic theater in the city of Hemet On Saturday night I had the pleasure of attending a show there that consisted of 50's and 60's rock and roll music that stared Jerome Robinson doing his Wolf Man Jack tribute and a trio of young ladies known as the Satinettes. The show started with a melody of songs from the Satinettes headlining Jonnie Fox and her wonderful trio with Tom the Guitar Guy offering musical accompaniment . The songs were great and proceeded to get the audience (including myself) into a wonderful mood to hear even
more. Then came Jerome. He has been entertaining audiences for years and Saturday night was no exception. Doing many of the fabulous Motown era songs with a little Wolf Man humor mixed in, he managed to continue the already great evening of fun and memories. Laughing and dancing continued through out the evening. All this took place at a venue known as the Hemet Historic Theater. It's located in old town Hemet and brings the beauty and class of the 1930's back to life. The theater is under new management and is attempting to bring live entertainment back to the Hemet area. Whether plays, variety acts, or even a Halloween show, this little theater offers memories from the past as soon as you walk in. Hoping to continue the rebirth of this landmark theater they are offering many different types of entertainment and hope to attract new audiences there to enjoy both the surroundings and presentations. I suggest that you go on line and discover some of the events scheduled for the near future. (historichemettheatere.com) Help keep this wonderful theater afloat and enjoy some fantastic entertainment at the same time. By the way. The wine and popcorn were to die for.
Page 6
Murrieta Buzz—www.murrietabuzz.com
TECH TALK
Hello, my name is Yanik Gozlan from The Computer Repair Experts and I write “Tech Talk”. My goal is to give tips and information on the latest gadgets or common issues you may have with your technology. I have been helping people solve their technology problems since 2002. With multiple certifications and over 10 years of experience in this industry, I will try to educate and share common interests that most of the surrounding areas are talking about.
How Ready Are You for the Zombie Apocalypse?
We all know it’s coming. It is not a question of if, but when. The other question is how prepared you are for when the zombie apocalypse does happen. Admittedly, there are some people who are not taking this seriously, and if you are one of them, you might want to stop and listen. Heck, even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are taking it seriously! This government agency is the best when it comes to emergencies and public health matters, so why shouldn’t we pay attention to what they say? Recently, the CDC released a primer on preparedness, for when the zombie apocalypse occurs.1 In true CDC style, the post gives all pertinent information and practical tips that might very well save your life in case of a zombie emergency. You even get a brief history of zombies.
After all, the best way to prepare for emergencies is to understand the cause! If you already have an earthquake kit, you will find the zombie apocalypse kit a breeze to put together. Here are the essential things you need, according to the CDC: • Water (1 gallon per person per day) • Food (stock up on nonperishable items that you eat regularly) • Medications (this includes prescription and nonprescription meds) • Tools and Supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.) • Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.) • Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets) • Important documents (copies of your driver’s license, passport, and birth certificate
to name a few) • First Aid supplies (although you’re a goner if a zombie bites you, you can use these supplies to treat basic cuts and lacerations that you might get during a tornado or hurricane) More than having a kit, though, you need to have a plan. You know, preparedness is all about rehearsing possible scenarios in your head so that when faced with these scenarios, you know exactly what to do. Salient points (italics mine): Identify the types of emergencies that are possible in your area. Pick a meeting place for your family to regroup in case zombies invade your home… - call it a rally point or whatever you want. The important thing is that this meeting place will help you find each other more easi-
ly and lessen the stress on you. Not that the stress will ever go away when the zombies attack. Identify your emergency contacts. Police, firemen, etc. Of course, they might all be zombies at some point, but it is still helpful to have their contact numbers. You also need to include the list of relatives or friends to get in touch with, especially those out of state. Plan your evacuation route. Knowing which routes to take will make your escape easier. You might have to evaluate these routes once the zombies actually attack as original routes may be impassable. Oh, and the CDC reassures everyone that they are always ready. So when the zombies come in hordes, we can rely on them. Unless they all become zombies themselves.
Funhouse Escape is Riverside County’s FIRST Real-Life Puzzle Escape Room
This new phenomenon has hit the Menifee Valley and we are excited to host it for you. Plan your experience with a group of friends, family members, co-workers or total strangers! In our escape room, you will use your imagination and teamwork to find clues and solve puzzles to complete the challenge. The Dressing Room: Sixty Minutes to Curtain In this scenario, you and a troupe of actors arrive at a dressing room to discover that the costumes for your show have been locked in a trunk that cannot be opened. Your act starts in an hour, but you can’t go onstage until you gather the clues to solve the combination and open the trunk. You have just Sixty Minutes to Curtain… can you do it? Remnet Magical Entertainment's Funhouse Escape 27070 Sun City Blvd. Menifee, CA 92586 714-808-6494 www.funhouseescape. com email info@ funhouseescape.com Fa c e b o o k / I n sta g ra m / Twitter @funhouseescape Current Hours: FridaySunday Please call to schedule a private event.
ow?
Does your computer run sl Freeze up? Display Errors? Pop-ups?
Call Now: 951.643.7663
Aces Comedy Club 39745 Avenida Acacias Murrieta, CA 92563 (951) 525-5653 www.laughyouraceoff.com
Murrieta Buzz—www.murrietabuzz.com
Page 7
Keeping an Eye on Interest Rates
The Federal Reserve and the monetary policy it pursues is always a matter of interest to investors. The level of intrigue has been particularly acute this year because of growing speculation that the Fed is likely to boost the Fed Funds rate, a short-term interest rate it controls directly, for the first time since 2006. This creates challenges for investors who may have pursued one investment strategy in a period of declining or stable interest rates. A different approach might be required if the interest rate environment shifts to one where rates trend higher. Assessing bond market risk today Interest rate risk is always a concern for bond investors, but especially when rates are as low as they are today. Rising interest rates may seem beneficial to fixed income investors who would like to earn higher yields on their savings, but there is a downside. When interest rates rise, the value of bonds already in the market (and potentially held in your portfolio or bond mutual fund) declines. These price declines occur as the bond yields rise to reflect the increase in interest rates. In the long run, the bonds will mature at par, or 100% of their initial value, but in the short run, investors may see a drop in investment values.
For several years, there’s been significant speculation among market analysts that the interest rate environment was due for a change. Consider it from an historical perspective using the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note at constant maturity as a benchmark1: The yield peaked at 15.84 percent in September 1981. Over the next 30 years, yields moved lower, eventually hitting a low of 1.43 percent in July, 2012. For the last three years, yields have fluctuated in a fairly wide range, from 1.68 percent to 3.04 percent as investors have digested economic data and Federal Reserve commentaries. At these current low levels, the general consensus is that rates are likely to move higher, meaning bond portfolios might be at risk of losing value in the near term. A potential residual effect on stocks The impact of rising interest rates on the equity market is typically less direct than it is on the bond market. At times in the past when interest rates have moved higher, it has dampened returns in the stock market. There could be a few reasons for this. With rates moving higher, some investors think bonds are more attractive than stocks. Also, higher interest rates could potentially dampen borrowing activity, and even contribute to a slowdown in business activity. Of course, there are many other factors that can also affect stocks and businesses besides interest rate movements. Regardless of what happens with rates, your age and investment time horizon have a lot to do with how you make investment decisions. Make sure these decisions are in the long-term interests of achieving your financial objectives.
Positioning for a change If past market cycles are any guide, it is inevitable that at some point, interest rates will begin to move higher. The biggest questions are when it will
start, and how quickly and dramatic the increase will be. While it may not be possible to eliminate all risk from the impact of rising rates, investors should exercise some caution. Now is a good time to consult with a financial professional about how to prepare for potential changes in the investment landscape that would occur if interest rates begin to move higher. Jeremy Taylor is a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Menifee, CA. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 11 years - To contact him,
please call 951-679-2222, 29826 Haun Rd #206, Menifee, CA 92586. http:// www.ameripriseadvisors.com/jeremy.i.taylor/profile/ 1Source: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Ameriprise Financial and its representatives do not provide tax or legal advice. Consult your tax advisor or attorney regarding specific tax issues. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Š 2015 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. File #1155759
Page 8
Murrieta Buzz—www.murrietabuzz.com
Local Meet Marie Waite, CEO/Founder
The Inland Valley Business & Community Foundation (IVBCF) Four or five years ago I had the opportunity to meet this dynamic woman, who is truly a born leader and has a passion for helping her community. She has done wonders with the non-profit foundation she founded and has helped so many in the community. She and her IVBCF organization does a fantastic Spring Fashion Show which one year I had the pleasure of being one of the judges along with several other distinguished judges. They also at these events make a donation back to a nonprofit in the community. Marie also hosts the Annual IVBCF Award Celebration where one year Abraham, from Boston Billie’s and Nafe, and I were honored to be winners in different categories which was a great surprise and the event was amazing. The last two years I had the honor of nominating some dynamic individuals from Menifee as Nominee’s for her great awards. Marie has no hesitation on anything. Recently she decided to take flying lessons, and constantly steps out of her comfort zone to enjoy life and to be there for so many people that look up to her, including me, as she is a woman of heart. Because I like to look at women in the community and see the great work they are doing and have knowledge of many award opportunities, I have over the years been able to nominate many women for a variety of awards. Also over the years many of the women I spend time writing up the nominations who are most deserving have won. Last year I was able to nominate Marie Waite for the Community Bridge Builder Award for the Inland Empire NAW-
CONSERVATORSHIP EXPLAINED By Jeremiah Raxter, Esq A California Conservatorship is a judicially created relationship where an adult has been given the legal authority and responsibility to care for another adult. Generally, Conservatorships can be three basic types: 1) Conservatorship of the person; 2) Conservatorship of the Estate; and 3) Conservatorship of person and estate. The process begins when a “proposed” conservator petitions the Court to become the conservator of a person. It is at this time that the “proposed” conservator will decide whether to seek appointment over the person, estate, or both. Most Conservatorship proceedings start when a person is incapacitated to the point that he or she cannot manage their own affairs. The person who is the caretaker is called the conservator, and the person who is being taken care of is called the conservatee. Conservatorship also applies to adults with developmental disabilities. Why not use a power of attorney? While a valid power of attorney document can authorize the power of at-
BO (National Association of Women Business Owners) Award and in doing her nomination I had to evaluate what I saw in her and the work she is doing. These are some of the things that I highlighted in her award write up, that I feel are worth sharing as this gives you more knowledge of who this dynamic woman is. 1. Perseverance: Marie is totally a strong leader and when she comes across challenges and when things don’t go according to plan, she totally understands that it’s how you push through challenges that make you a leader. 2. Nurturing Spirit: In the past, women have been condemned for being “soft” or being “nurturers”, I think being a nurturer, having a sense of being fair and just, and the use of our women intuition are some of our strongest traits. “Marie is one of those women”. 3. Confidence: One of my defining characteristics of leadership is confidence. This is one of Marie’s strongest skills. 4. Giving Back: I believe it’s important for female leaders to look for ways to give back to their community and to do the following: “Be generous and help others without looking to be reciprocated.” Be trustworthy and trusting; always be willing to learn about yourself and others; look for ways to work with people, not against them, and above all listen and over-communicate.” That is why Marie is as loved as she does all these things. 5. Education: Through her work with IVBCF, she helps to ensure that future leaders have the opportunity to obtain an education and she helps her members find a mentor or coach as she knows this is vital to their success, and shares many opportunities with them. 6. Balance: Marie Waite totally understands how important it is to achieve balance in her life and take care of herself, and encourage others to do the same. 7. Vision: Marie is an expert in her field, but she knows how important it is for one to see the bigger picture, and understands her role in the wider world. She totally believes that change is possible and worthwhile, and is able
torney holder to accomplish certain tasks of a conservator, a power of attorney cannot prevent the ill person from contracting, conveying property or marrying. For example, a patient with Alzheimer's disease may become subject to fraud by unscrupulous persons. While he or she could have given a valid power of attorney while he or she was well, he or she may be befriended, may marry, and convey his or her property to a new spouse.
to convey that message to others in a way that has meaning. This quality is best summed up by one word –vision. She is a leader with a vision who can see the path ahead and inspires others to help them turn a dream into a reality. In addition to being the founder and Executive Director of this Foundation, she is also a Realtor (owner/Realtor) and works at Loma Linda University Hospital in Murrieta as a Decision Support Analyst. Marie moved to the United States in 1989 and lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she invested, owned and managed Real Estate properties. She also decided to get into the Medical field industry and extend her education in the field of computer programming. In 1994, she moved to California and continued to work in the Healthcare industry as a Financial Analyst and System Administrator where she utilized her knowledge and skills both in Medical Field and Computer Programming. She also jumped into the Real Estate business and became a licensed Real Estate Agent in 2005. She and her former husband started a Real Estate Company at that time and managed over 50 Real Estate Agents servicing the Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Wildomar, and so many other areas in Riverside County and San Diego. Because of her passion for helping struggling businesses within the community, she started a non-profit organization in 2008 called the Inland Valley Business and Community Foundation. This organization was to provide an
In such a situation, the California probate code provides that a conservatorship may be established, and the conservator may ask the court to set aside any contract entered into by the ill conservatee. The advantage of the conservatorship is that it can safeguard against fraud against the ill person. A conservatorship can strip the conservatee of their legal right to perform many tasks. This is one reason that conservatorships can be very emotionally draining for all
About Us ~ Buzz Bylines
parties involved. No one likes to admit that dad, mom, sister or brother lacks the ability to legally care for themselves. The conservatorship proceeding begins with a petition filed with the court, followed by an investigation by a court investigator and a court hearing. A conservator of the estate is required to provide periodic accountings that give details of the conservatee' s assets, income and expenses, showing exactly the status of all accounts maintained by the Conservatee. Additionally, the court may require that the conservator of the estate to post a bond. The conservator is paid by the conservatee's estate and the court supervises the reasonableness of the payments to the conservator. In the event that several persons file competing petitions for conservatorship requesting that each becomes the conservator, the court will decide who shall become the conservator. Preference rules exist for making such a determination. Contested Conservatorship proceedings may result in a trial. A conservatorship must continue un-
Serving the communities of Murrieta, French Valley, Bear Creek, & La Cresta
Call us @ 951.588.5594
Production Yanik Gozlan - yanik@murrietabuzz.com Art Department Elmir Isakovic - info@murrietabuzz.com Sales Chris Corpuz- Account Manager sales@Murrietabuzz.com
Writers Robbie Motter , Writer news@murrietabuzz.com CJ Leger, Writer news@murrietabuzz.com
avenue to promote businesses and connect them to the community. IVBCF has reached membership from business professionals, business owners, community performers, community leaders and students in many schools. Her skills in the computer programming and her experience working for corporations served her in marketing IVBCF. IVBCF is an amazing organization for so many businesses and it brings such a great positive impact to the community. Marie’s vision on IVBCF was merely helping people and implementing the power of people’s collaboration for the good of the community. She believes in creating a fun social gathering of people where the purpose is to also serve the community. If you do not know this individual, you totally need to meet her, her email is mariewaite@ ivbcf.com. Marie obviously has gone into so many different areas with no hesitation. Challenging herself to do different types of work was always a great opportunity to take. She was not afraid of doing anything outside her comfort zone because it gives her tremendous wisdom and knowledge where she utilizes it for managing her life personally and professionally. Her leadership skill became an essential quality to function on certain roles that she commits to. All the individuals who belong to IVBCF have learned much from this dynamic woman and know that her passion is helping them soar to even greater heights that they even imagined. Check out her website at http://www.ivbcf.com/about-us/ better yet sign up as a member, it’s only $100.00 a year. Over the years, Marie has been honored with many awards for her work in the community, and she is most deserving for all of them. I know I am glad that our paths crossed as I have been able to watch from afar and see the great work this woman is doing. She is totally a heart person that cares. It's never about her but about the people she can help.
Editor - Jocelyne Valois info@Murrietabuzz.com News - news@Murrietabuzz.com Socal Media
networking@murrietabuzz.com Delivery Tyler Andersen—Distribution Manager
The opinions expressed in the Murrieta Buzz do not necessarily reflect those of the staff. Advertisements are accepted, and believed as factual. It does not constitute endorsement of its sponsors or the products offered. We will not knowingly publish fraudulent, libelous or misleading advertisements. We reserve the right to reject any advertisements and editorial we find unsuitable to the format of the publication.
til the court orders the conservator relieved from his or her duties. This can happen if the conservatee dies; if the estate is used up; if the conservatee regains his or her capacity; or if the conservator becomes unable or unwilling to act. In the last situation, the court will assign a successor conservator. Candidates for conservatorship can be, although are not limited to, those who suffer from Alzheimer's disease, stroke, head injuries, Parkinson's and other debilitating disorders. It may be possible for a conservator to petition the court for approval of appropriate Medi-Cal planning transactions. Conservatorships are not an easy decision, and should not be entered into lightly. However, sometimes protecting a loved one from themselves is the best way to show them that you care.
Jeremiah Raxter, Esq. 27851 Bradley Rd, Suite 145 Menifee, Ca 92586 951-226-5294 www.raxterlaw.com
Buzz Us
Check out how social we are, plus get Breaking News, and Events in Murrieta:
Murrieta Buzz—www.murrietabuzz.com
Biz buzz Deadlines Deadlines, the name says it all. This is the date or time all should be done or the project (you) are ‘dead’. Considering a deadline is similar but can be more impor-
tant than a goal, what line do you draw in the sand and make your absolute drop dead deadline? Business owners know how to make deadlines and statistics show 80% of work is done in 20% of the time because people force themselves to finish. Want to leave for vacation and not have loose ends? Running to a kid’s game and trying to make kickoff? Having a party or grand opening and want everything perfect? These are all types of deadlines we deal with and we put added stress onto ourselves. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time… Fighting deadlines can be as easy as setting short term goals in preparation for the long term goal. If an article is due, plan out how many paragraphs or pages need to be written per day. If saving money, how much needs to be saved per day to meet your goal of having enough money to purchase a new whats’it? Many Business and Life Coaches are out there to help people accomplish their deadlines. Do not
Page 9
be afraid to reach out and talk to someone. The money you spend may be worth the headache and accuracy in the long run. Ask those with experience, it may surprise you how willing a person is if asked to help. At the very least, you may make a new friend! Plan it out, think ahead, what must get done between now and your deadline? Write it down and stick to the plan. Don’t become a victim of the 80/20 rule because your work may suffer. So go ahead, leave for vacation, make kickoff or set up your grand opening and remember to always take your business Up 1 Level.
Brian Walker Rilynn Company Inc. 27070 Sun City Blvd. Menifee, CA 92586 Office (951) 934-0338 Fax (951) 672-3427 CA License #0D76384
CREATE A MARKETING ROADMAP TO SUCCESS
How can creating a “Roadmap to Success” help in your marketing evaluation? Your business marketing strategy is essentially a map of your targeted destination. Ideally it gets you from your starting point to your goal – from your basic business concept to a healthy, successful business. It gives you a clear idea of your obstacles that lie ahead and points out alternative routes. The business planning process is an opportunity. While creating your business strategies, you have a chance to: Learn about your industry and market. Obtain a competitive edge. To clarify your company’s focus, as part of your business strategy process, you should redefine your mission and goals annually. What image are you trying to portray? Remember that stationary, signs, business cards and other marketing materials contribute to the image of the company. Everything from the receptionist to furnishings creates an impression. The following four strategies are important in defining your target market. Definable: It should have specific characteristics to identify what the potential customers have in common. Where do they live? What is their income level? What Age? Meaningful: The characteristics must meaningfully relate to the decision to purchase. Sizeable: It must be large enough to sustain your business. Reachable: Both the definition and size must lead to affordable and effective ways to market to potential customers. Is your pricing consistent with what your customer’s view as the service values? How did you decide on these prices? Have you considered other pricing options? Will you provide discounts or other incentives? How mature is the overall marketplace into which you are introducing your products or services? Are you the first? Are you one of a few? Many? How reliable is your product or service? What level of quality are you trying to portray? Remember not all products are sold on the basis of top quality and reliability, since price can then become prohibitive. Have you taken the time to truly look at your company’s sales and marketing strategies? Do you have a marketing plan in place? If
yes, when was the last time you updated it? A poll by a major CPA firm showed that when the question was asked, “what needs improving in your business” 1,300 executives – 70% of them at small firms – indicated marketing and sales capability. In a variety of training classes that I conducted over the years, I was amazed to find that when I asked the question, “How many of you have a marketing plan in place,” very few hands were raised. In questioning them further I found that many had a business plan, and had no idea they needed an additional marketing plan for their business. It is important that you take the time to know your products or services, customers and prospects. It is also important to understand what your competitors are up to. Only then can you develop effective strategies to achieve your sales and marketing goals. To begin the process of developing your marketing plan, take time to ask yourself some questions that will help you define the answers needed for your outline preparation. Here are some of those questions: What business are you in? What do you sell? Who are your target markets? What are your marketing goals for next year? Your sales & profit goals? Who might keep you from achieving these goals? What is your marketing budget? What are the benefits of your products and services? What are the unique selling proposition of your products and services? What product or service is the best contributor to your overhead and profits? Who are your current customers? What are their buying habits? Why do they buy your products or services? Who are your best customers and pros-
pects? Why? What is your market share? Is your market share growing, shrinking or stable? Who are your competitors? What do your competitors do better that you? What do you do better than your competitors? What is your competitive position? How do you establish your prices? What are your sales practices? What are your business strengths? What are your business weaknesses? What is your advertising and promotion budget? What are your promotional and advertising objectives? How do you promote your business? You are probably thinking that there are just too many areas to look at and you just don’t have the time to deal with it. The key to creating your marketing plan and achieving your roadmap to success is to take one area at a time, think about the question and take time to review and answer each one. Once you have answered it, go back over it again and have others in your com-
pany also look at the question and give their input. Next step is to implement the plan and set up periodic reviews to see if it is working. If not, go back through the questions again and see if you overlooked something or if there has been any changes that are impacting the sales process. Remember your marketing plan is not locked in concrete. It is a roadmap to guide you and your company’s success in achieving your sales and marketing objectives. *********************************** ************************ Robbie Motter is a marketing/PR Consultant, Certified National Speaker, Author, Host of weekly Diva Strategies for Success Radio Show on Blog Talk Radio, Writer for the Menifee & Murrieta Buzz and the Nafe Global Director. She also runs a Nafe network each month in Murrieta, Menifee and Wildomar. Robbie also serves on the Board for the Temecula Valley Symphony, and is the PR Chair for the Menifee Valley Lions Club and the GFWC Menifee/Sun City Women's Club. She can be reached at rmotter@aol. com or 951-255-9200 website is www.robbiemotter.com
Page 10
Murrieta Buzz—www.murrietabuzz.com
City Harry Ramos’ Alleged Sexual Harassment Lands City $1 Million Lawsuit by C.J. Leger The scandal that has engulfed the Mayor of Murrieta, Harry Ramos, continues. Over the course of 2 months, we reported on an external investigation launched against Ramos by the City Council. Shortly after, claims of an apparent sexual harassment incident at the January 22nd, Chamber of Commerce mixer party involving Harry Ramos surfaced. This week it appears that the woman involved, Kathleen Smith, has filed a $1 million lawsuit against the City of Murrieta and Harry Ramos, claiming that when she came forward with her claims of sexual harassment, the city did nothing to intercede. Her attorney, Dan Gilleon, says that their inaction paved the way for a lawsuit. After it was reported that Harry Ramos allegedly forced himself onto Kathleen Smith after the mixer party in the parking lot, Harry Ramos’ membership with the Murrieta Chamber of Commerce was terminated. The decision was made after the Chamber of Commerce conducted their own preliminary investigation, which also included allegations of Ramos having inappropriately touched a Chamber of Commerce member at a July 18 event and offered her a sexual proposition. In Kathleen’s statement, she claimed that multiple witnesses also saw how Harry Ramos was incessantly flirting with her during the party and showing aggressive interests in her. According to the statement, the actual climax of the inappropri-
Add your
FREE Business Listing www.murrietabuzz.com
CRIME MAP Assault 9/29/2015 22:02 38700 Block CLEARBROOK DR 9/28/2015 0:56 24800 Block HANCOCK AV 9/24/2015 18:44 40100 Block LOS ALAMOS RD 9/24/2015 9:42 39500 Block VIA MONTALVO 9/22/2015 21:04 40800 Block SUNFLOWER RD 9/22/2015 1:16 39600 Block RAMSHORN DR 9/18/2015 23:46 42100 Block EAST VIEW WAY 9/18/2015 21:32 40800 Block SUNFLOWER RD 9/17/2015 1:10 40800 Block SUNFLOWER RD 9/14/2015 19:37 23700 Block SILVERWOOD ST 9/13/2015 21:36 40100 Block LOS ALAMOS RD 9/11/2015 21:08 26000 Block MAYFIELD UNION WAY 9/9/2015 23:02 25100 Block CALLE ENTRADERO 9/8/19:33 2015 40300 Block HANNAH WAY 9/7/2015 21:46 24800 Block HANCOCK AV 9/6/2015 0:45 24900 Block MADISON AV 9/6/2015 0:04 24800 Block HANCOCK AV 9/5/2015 23:06 40100 Block LOS ALAMOS RD 9/2/2015 0:43 25900 Block KILEY CT 9/1/2015 0:22 40000 Block BUCK WOOD WAY Breaking & Entering 9/24/2015 18:50 38700 Block CLEARBROOK DR 9/22/2015 14:14 25200 Block CALLE DE TRES AMIGOS 9/22/2015 0:39 25100 Block MADISON AV 9/21/2015 10:38 40600 Block CALIFORNIA OAKS RD
ate behavior occurred in the parking lot near Kathleen's car after Ramos followed her outside. The extent of the harassment went as far as making unwanted advances, unconsented kissing, and the groping of Mrs. Smith’s inner thighs. Prior to this, we covered the investigation that had been initiated against Harry Ramos by the City Council, which hired a private investigator to determine whether or not claims of the Mayor's abuse of power were true after the Council was notified of Mr. Ramos’ inappropriate behavior by Councilman Doug McAllister at a council meeting. Throughout these investigations, Ramos has remained Mayor of the city. It is unclear whether or not the city offered any type of help or cooperation regarding Kathleen Smith's claims of sexual harassment, but according to her attorney, the city did not take her claims seriously enough. All attempts to get comments from Ramos by various journalistic authorities have resulted in the same answer. Ramos says that these claims are “absurd” and that these allegations are racially driven. According to the Mayor, when the investigation was initiated to probe into alleged abuse of power, it was done so with the intention of dethroning him as Mayor because he was Latino. After the investigation was made public, the apparent
9/18/2015 18:44 24700 Block WASHINGTON AV 9/15/2015 17:55 41500 Block BLUE CANYON AV 9/15/2015 8:23 24000 Block VERDUN LN 9/12/2015 13:54 24900 Block MADISON AV 9/11/2015 9:25 24700 Block RIDGEWALK ST 9/5/2015 7:01 25400 Block EDNA RD 9/3/2015 11:35 25400 Block EDNA RD 9/3/2015 10:32 24700 Block RIDGEWALK ST 9/2/2015 12:09 24300 Block JACKSON AV Other Sexual Offense 9/5/2015 19:17 39400 Block MURRIETA HOT SPRINGS RD Robbery 9/27/2015 13:30 25100 Block MADISON AV 9/17/2015 13:03 40700 Block MURRIETA HOT SPRINGS RD 9/17/2015 2:06 40400 Block MURRIETA HOT SPRINGS RD
9/3/2015 19:36 41000 Block CALIFORNIA OAKS RD 9/3/2015 12:20 25300 Block MADISON AV Sexual Assault 9/16/2015 16:34 41900 Block IVY ST Theft of Vehicle 9/30/2015 22:37 26100 Block ADAMS AV 9/26/2015 10:02 41700 Block CLARK WAY 9/23/2015 8:23 24800 Block HANCOCK AV 9/20/2015 17:01 40400 Block MURRIETA HOT SPRINGS RD 9/17/2015 17:27 41200 Block MURRIETA HOT SPRINGS RD 9/16/2015 7:25 22900 Block JOAQUIN RIDGE DR 9/12/2015 9:11 29100 Block GANDOLF CT 9/11/2015 8:53 28800 Block CALLE DEL LAGO 9/10/2015 10:32 38000 Block VIA DEL LARGO 9/1/2015 22:03 29200 Block VIA FRONTERA
character assassination plot begin. Kathleen stated in her press release that she came forward because she is a single mother of three children, and she wanted to set a good example for them, to speak up when
something is not right. However, Kathleen only came forward after an investigator conducting the probe initiated by the City Council contacted her with inquiries about the city case.
Murrieta Buzz—www.murrietabuzz.com
Homeowners Beware! When it comes to home improvements, maintenance, and remodeling some of us are not handy. While others are very handy, however there just is not enough time in the day to get the task(s) done. So sometimes it is easier to pay someone else to do it, like a Contractor. While this might be reasonable and in most cases work out, there are some unfortunate people that get taken advantage of. How do you know if the Contractor you chose is the right contractor for the job? Here are a few steps to help. Be careful choosing a handyman, it is recommended to use a licensed, trustworthy Contractor. The first and most important thing when hiring a contractor, make sure he/she is a licensed Contractor by the State of California. A License Contractor, must first take a test on State guidelines and laws for general contractor procedures. If they past this test they get a license. Also, a license contractor has to provide
contract and start and completion dates are listed. Do not pay any money to the contractor for materials before-hand, a good contractor will provide his/her own materials to complete the job. Some contractors may ask to collect a percentage of the costs or a credit card number for larger jobs prior to starting. Be sure the money paid up front will come off the final bill and only pay what is requested after the first start date to ensure work gets done. It is a law that in the State of California a contractor can only collect 10% of the job cost prior to starting. DO NOT pay more than that. Handyman are not recommended because most handyman are not licensed. A handyman is a person who basically is a jack-of-all-trade’s. Meaning they can do everything. And they will for the cheapest price using improper application, causing you trouble down the road. For example, some handyman
a state mandated warranty on the parts he/she installed for one year. To verify that the license belongs to the specified contractor or hasn’t been suspended, you can log on to https://www2.cslb. ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/ CheckLicense.aspx . Type the number in the designated area to verify. When verifying the license, make sure the holder of the license is the name of the person doing your job. Make sure it is not a relative or in-law, it needs to be the person performing the work. (For larger corporations, the CEO, would be the license holder). Make sure the license is valid in California. Many contractors hold licenses in other states. Other states guidelines differ on certain laws and regulations in regards to construction. It needs to be a California state contractor’s License. Another important step is to verify, the contractor is bonded and insured. Sometimes mistakes can happen that cause a lot of damage to your home. If he/she is bonded/ insured if a mistake occurs he/she is insured to cover the accidental damages. Before signing any contract or agreement, be sure to fully read and review the contract, ask what you are signing. Look to see if the License # is on the contract and matches the number that you researched. Be sure that everything you and the contractor talked about is on the
or contractors will say, I can install your marble counter top, when they only do cabinets. Chances are they have only assisted tile installers on a job site in the past but have never performed the task on their own. This could result poorly and be costly. However, most contractors specialize in certain trades only to ensure your marble counter top is installed properly and cabinets installed correctly. Be sure whoever you choose for improvements on your home is thorough in explaining and showing you each step they will perform prior to starting work on your home. These days money is precious and very hard earned. Protect your money and your home by making sure the contractor you choose is license, can be trusted and has experience. Sincerely, Tony Falco, CR Call our office to make an appointment Monday-Friday 8am-5pm 888-333-5325.
Page 11