Alameda County's Renew Magazine

Alameda County's

Renewing Life’s Possibilities A magazine for the mature

Spring /Summer 2013, Volume 1, Issue 2

Meet Four

Alameda County Residents

An Oasis in

Alameda County Hepatitis

A Growing Concern

Over 50 and Renewing

Alameda Counties

Uncle Sam Donald R. White

Louis Gossett

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

20

20

20

20

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Contents

In Every Issue 04 05

From the Founder Meet this issues Contributors

Health & Wellness 06 08 10

20

The Power of Pampering Hepatitis: A Growing Concern for a Maturing Society An Oasis in Alameda County

Finance 12

20 14 16

19 Good Reasons Why Medicare Beneficiaries Should Love the Affordable Care Act Five Reasons Not to Be A "Do-ItYourself" Meet Uncle Sam of Alameda County Donald R. White

Entertainment 18 20

20

Wine Talk with Antoinette Too much of a good thing is wonderful‌Mae West

Lifestyle & Home 22 24 28

Renewing your Wardrobe 7 Ways to Renew your relationship in 2013 Leave a Legacy Be a GeM Mentor

Featured Articles 30 32

From Roots to Renewing Life's Possibilities Over 50 & Renewing

36

Louis Gossett JR.

Alameda County 40

Considering Civic Engagement

42

An Exciting Opportunity to Focus on Preparedness You Voted! Alameda County Election Returns

43

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editorial note

From the Founder

E d i to r i a l Te a m

When I was about 10 years old I remember sitting at my Grandpa Delmar’s feet listening to his explanations on why he

Creative Editorial Director

couldn’t explain the details of an investi-

Antoinette Warren

gation he had been working on with the other seated St. Louis County Grand Jury Members. The only thing he detailed was

Editor-in - Chief Antoinette Warren

that the individuals being investigated were entrepreneurs. So I questioned what is an entrepreneur? As he blew a smidgen of smoke he had taken from his pipe into the

Entertainment Editor Vivian Stone

air he said it’s when a person has an idea and believes strongly that they can organize their idea, manage and assume the risks of

Advice Columnist Mary Ellen Jones

the business. After he discussed in further details and the definition was checked by Merriam-Webster Dictionary I began to dream of my entrepreneurship. Then one day when I was greeting Grandpa’s tax clients and making sure they had all their papers in order Grandpa looked at me and said “I am an Entrepreneur”.

My idea of creating RENEW Magazine with the purpose of encouraging the mature to “Renew Life’s Possibilities” evolved into an entrepreneurship. With this RE-NEW Year 2013 Issue of RENEW Magazine we are encouraging and inspiring you to” Renew Your Life Possibilities” by visiting your ideas and dreams which will motivate you in fulfilling your goals for 2013.

In this issue we would like for you to meet some Great Alameda County and Bay Area entrepreneurs who are going to tell you their stories. Also I am suggesting that you

Food Columnist Reign Free Simpson

Alameda County, News & Information Columnist Wendy Peterson

Lifestyle & Home Columnist Tanya Troung

read Breakthrough Entrepreurship by Jon Burgstone and Bill Murphy. Their definition of entrepreneurship is “when you see an opportunity do not feel constrained from pursuing it because you lack resources.”

I am renewing my life’s possibilities in 2013 by bringing exciting, motivating and inspiring information to the readership of RENEW Magazine and seeing more sunset’s and ocean waves. Including enyoying each day to its fullest potential.

Happy RE-NEW Year 2013

e t t e n i o t n A

Please submit letters, comments and questions to info@renewlifemagazine.com

Printed and published in the United States.

Published 4 times per year.

Copyright 2013 RENEW MAGAZINE. No portions of this work may be copied or reproduced without express written permission of the Publisher. We can be contacted at (510) 936-1627

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CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTOR PROFESSIONAL Dr. Anthony Jones

ARTICLE

CONTACT INFO

Dr. Anthony Jones is a general Physician

practitioner in Alameda County

Hepatitis

510-268-1800

Sharon Thomas is an expert in

How to Renew your

Email

releasing fear and living life at

lifestyle possibilities

sharonthomas244@yahoo.

its best.

without fear

com

specializing in HIV and AID’s.

Sharon

Motivational

Thomas

Speaker

Melinda Moros

SHORT BIO

Melinda Moros is founder of

19 Good Reasons Medi-

Medicare

a consulting firm based in

care Beneficiaries should

Consultant

Alameda County focusing on

love the Affordable care

Medicare and Medicaid.

act.

Email melinda@melindamoros.com, 925-202-7552

Cheryl Rose is a financial Advisor Cheryl Rose

Financial Advisor

at Edward Jones specializing

5 Reason Why you

Email

in retirement planning and in-

Should Not Be A

cheryl.rose@edwardjones.

vestment strategies to meet the

Do-It-Yourself Investor

com, 925-225-1055

unique goals of her clients.

Donata Nilsen

Community Pre-

Donata Nilsen works at

paredness

Alameda County Public

Coordinator

Health Department

An Exciting Opportunity to Focus on Preparedness & Response for Older Adults

Email donata.nilsen@acgov.org, 510-208-5907

Camari Henderson is founder Camari Henderson

Fashion Designer & Master Pattern Maker

of Camari Henderson Design and Issca Uzzah Fashion, a non

Spring/Summer 2013

profit organization focusing on

Trends

the breast cancer awareness and

Email info@camarihenderson.com, 415-496-6199

research support

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Health & Wellness

The Power Of Pampering

By Natasha Lee-Jefferson

There is real power in pampering. Although some people might say that it’s completely self-indulgent that’s just fine. The goal is to prescribe to a lifestyle that is proven to have profound health benefits. So what seems like a selfish indulgence is found to be an important tool for health improvement and well-being.

I encourage men and women alike to make pampering a daily practice. There are many ways to pamper yourself, a relaxing bubble bath, a herbal facial, aromatherapy foot scrub, and journaling just to name a few. Create the

ambience or atmosphere by adding soft music, candles and aromatherapy oil to aid in the relaxation process.

Many of us have so many responsibilities and stress in our daily lives that we often forget to take time out for ourselves. Practicing some of these pampering techniques is a great tool for controlling the stress in our lives both mentally and physically. When we reduce the stress in our lives it helps our body’s ability to fight infection.

By adding personal pampering time into your life on a regular basis, it can also help strengthen your immune system, reduce anxi-

ety, lower blood pressure, aid in healthy digestion, and reduce pain. Pampering can also trigger the relaxation response which is known to prevent chronic stress. The relaxation response is the counterpart to the fight or flight response.

I would also like to suggest making a pamper basket. This is an easy way to gather and carry all of the things that you will need. I suggest including your favorite tea cup, an assortment of herbal teas, and a journal with a nice writing pen, an aromatic candle and a good book. Although there are many ways to pamper yourself I have to say a relaxing spa day is at the top of the list.

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Hepatitis

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Health & Wellness

What’s all the hype about hepatitis? There is, in fact, growing discussion and concern about this increasingly common medical condition.

Hepatitis is defined as inflammation and damage to the liver, which may result in inability of the liver to perform its vital functions.

By Dr. Anthony Jones

T

hese functions include important roles in food digestion and energy storage, as well as metabolizing and processing of various substances including toxins.

There are many different causes of hepatitis including toxins, illegal drugs, and excess alcohol, but most hepatitis is caused by a group of viruses. The most common types are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. All three types can cause an acute illness with symptoms including jaundice-yellowing of the skin or eyes, low grade fevers, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Some people also may have diarrhea and/or dark urine. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can also result in chronic illness with low level, long term inflammation and liver damage.

This chronic phase is often asymptomatic and many infected people with chronic Hepatitis B or C are unaware of their condition.

Hepatitis A is contracted by orally ingesting the virus. Most commonly this occurs through ingesting food or water that has been contaminated by infected human waste. This situation is seen most often in developing countries or areas with poor sanitation. Hepatitis A usually results in a self-limited illness that resolves after weeks to months. Hepatitis B, on the other hand, can be contracted through multiple routes. It exists in high concentrations in the blood and can readily be transmitted through contaminated blood or other body fluids. The most common modes of infection include unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing of needles or blood contaminated instruments, or from a pregnant woman to her unborn child either before or during childbirth. Some Asian and African countries have especially high rates of Hepatitis B transmission by this mechanism.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hepatitis C is currently

the most common chronic blood born infection in the United States, with approximately 3.2 million people chronically infected. They further report that up to 70% of newly infected people have either mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. Between 75-80% of these people will develop the chronic form of the Hepatitis C infection, and most of them will have evidence of ongoing liver inflammation. But because most of these people have no symptoms, they are at risk for passing the infection on to others. The most common route of transmission for Hepatitis C is through contaminated needles or drug paraphernalia, but other possible pathways of infection include sexual exposure or passage from mother to baby during pregnancy.

As mentioned above, Hepatitis B and C are especially important because of their ability to cause long lasting, chronic disease states. These chronic disease forms can lead to a number of debilitating and even deadly conditions including cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Most people live years or even decades before their chronic Hepatitis B or C infection starts to show clinical signs of cirrhosis. Some of these signs include easy bleeding or bruising, chronic jaundice, chronic fatigue, swelling of the abdomen or legs, bleeding from the intestinal tract, or even kidney failure.

How do we screen for hepatitis? Screening for the hepatitis viruses requires a simple blood test. Through these tests, healthcare providers can determine if an individual has been previously infected with any of these hepatitis viruses and whether their immune system has cleared the virus. These blood tests can also determine whether the virus has established the chronic infection characterized by low level persistent liver inflammation.

Why do we screen for hepatitis? There are a number of important reasons to screen for hepatitis.. There are currently very effective vaccines that can prevent Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B infections. Discussing risk factors and vaccinating when appropriate can greatly reduce or eliminate risk of serious illness related to these 2 conditions. Unfortunately, at this time there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. Both Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are medically treatable conditions. Hepatitis B is usually treatable with oral medications which can prevent long term liver damage, as well as help to decrease likelihood of transmitting the infection to others. Hepatitis C is also treatable, although currently treatment requires combined injection and oral medication. The treatment for Hepatitis C has traditionally been complicated by relatively serious side effects, and has resulted in variable levels of success. Recently, major progress has been made in the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C with the creation of new drugs that nearly double treatment response and cure rates. Additionally, there are many new Hepatitis C drugs in development that are expected to be released over the coming years.

In summary, hepatitis is an important illness with multiple etiologies. Viral hepatitis is the most common cause, with Hepatitis types A, B, and C, being responsible for most cases.

Mature adults may be at especially increased risk of contracting viral hepatitis for a number of reasons including being born outside of the U.S., or by receiving blood transfusion before implementation of universal screening of donated blood for infectious pathogens.

They may be at increased risk of having had exposure to intravenous drug use during the transitional sixties era, or having procedures including tattoos before implementation of mandatory equipment sterilization laws Hepatitis A is highly contagious through the fecal-oral route, but usually has a self-limited course with fewer long term complications. Hepatitis B and C both have a chronic disease course that can cause long term liver scarring and cirrhosis. In some cases, cirrhosis will progress to liver cancer or have other potentially fatal consequences. During the chronic disease state, many people are asymptomatic which places them at higher risk for transmitting Hepatitis B or C infection to others. Ask your healthcare provider whether hepatitis screening and or vaccination is appropriate in your case.

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An Oasis in

Alameda County Interviewee: Diana Silvestre, Physician, Executive Director of Oasis Clinic. Asst.

Professor of Clinical Medicine

W: Why did you start the clinic S: Throughout my career I have had an interest in caring for marginalized patients. I began to take care of persons with addictions in a drug treatment program, in San Leandro. And at that time, in the late nineties, it became clear that it was really hard for them to get the kind of quality care that one should expect when you’re sick. It was a whole lot of fun to take care of them, because it stretched my ability to care for the most challenging of conditions that people have. And I think that was because people had gone so long without getting the type of care they needed, they had conditions that had been undiagnosed which expanded beyond the usual reach of typical patients we saw. And so, it was really a challenge for me and I liked that a lot. The problem with taking care of them in a drug treatment program is that you’re limited in your ability to do medical care.

So it became clear that in order to do that was to form a separate nonprofit clinic that could

focus on providing the kind of care that these people needed. Our ultimate focus became hepatitis C and that was a direct extension of my interest in caring for people with a history of drug use. As you know hepatitis c is carried through blood and in this area of the country if you’ve ever used a needle the chance of being exposed to hepatitis c exceeds 90%, even if you’ve only used a needle once. And so because at that time, no one would even care for general medical conditions that were much worse than hepatitis c, I found myself as a person who cared for a lot of drug use, with many hundreds of patients who also had hepatitis c, there was no place to refer them to, at all, I mean no where for me to refer them to. So it became necessary for me to learn how to care for patients with addictions and serious medical conditions, but also to be able to provide them with care for hepatitis c , if I was going to be doing my ethical responsibilities as a doctor.

So that’s how we got started.

W: In a earlier conversation, you mentioned that many community volunteers help in delivering the concept of care and intervention. Can you explain?

S: I think that is a really important question, because when you approach the kinds of patients we like to focus on at our clinic, they’ve had years of bonafide abuse at the hands of the social services and medical system and so the tendency is not to trust medical professional like me, even though I work in a facility that strictly tries to offer care for them. And very early on it was obvious that what I really needed to do was reach the kinds of patients we would try to reach in the community at our clinic through peers. We had developed a small cohort of very trusted peer educators that we had (raised) up through our clinic, and they were so grateful to receive non judgmental quality care. They became our arms and fingers into the community to draw people who otherwise might not trust us at the beginning of their admission … just because we’re a kind of scary medical facility. We developed a kind of integrated clinic where I consider the role of our peer volunteers to be equal with mine because without them we would never be successful at bringing people who need the kind of care we provide. If they don’t come to our clinic I can’t help them.

W: Fantastic, that’s great so there’s a lot of team work to make it all beneficial .

S: Absolutely W: As someone in the senior and mature population what are some of the challenges you face in this information age?

Dr. Silvestre pauses, then laughs and responds: there are a lot of assumptions about the benefit of some of the electronic information technologies and how they can help in situations like mine. Some are true and some are very very false. A good example of just general information is of course the internet and its abilities to bring information to me in my isolated

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setting, remember I’m not at the university of san Francisco, I’m at a community clinic, so I don’t have access to the information offered in an academic setting, but with the internet I can plumb the depths of the knowledge in my own setting. But we also have the belief that something like electronic medical records is going to salvage our medical system in a small facility like mine.

I choose to keep small because I believe it’s the best way to provide quality of care to patients like mine. I believe electronic medical records are more of a burden than a help. I know all of my patients extremely well and I like to have conversations with them. I don’t like to type into a computer when I’m interviewing my patients, and the depersonalization [with the computer] as a medical interaction. [This] is something that can really take away when you’re trying to get people to trust you and take major steps in their health like quitting drugs, getting treated for hepatitis c and taking psychiatric medication when they have reservations.

Information technology in many ways can detract from our relationships in a setting like this. So we chose to stay away from that and suffer the consequences. Medicare assesses a penalty on places that don’t use electronic records and electronic prescribing. But I have to choose if the technology is not in the best interest of my patients, then I have to be penalized.

W: Wow, that’s a hard stance. And you have to go to your heart for answers. How are your patients referred to your clinic S: many of the referrals have come directly from the streets. If you go to any corner in Oakland and say that you have hepatitis c you’ll probably be steered to our clinic we have a open door program on Tuesdays at noon to educate the community and offer testing and treatment. And that is on a walk in basis and free for all. The reason we’ve evolved that model is because if you’re an incredibly chaotic individual in other words actively using drugs having untreated mental illness or the like it may be hard to remember an appointment on may 19 at 2pm, but you can remember Tuesdays at noon. And if you don’t make it this Tuesday then you can come next Tuesday or the one after that. So eventually you have little excuse of not showing up, because you have no barrier to getting care at our clinic. And we have that as our greatest benefit to the community but also we’re known for our work on hepatitis c.

There are not a lot of doctors who like treating hepatitis c because it’s challenging and doesn’t pay well. And so we also get a lot of referrals from doctors in our community on a Doctor to Doctor basis.

W: You are absolutely critical in our community for this disease. What positive attribute do you think your maturity brings to your business factor S: I think that caring for extremely challenged individuals takes a level head and a level temperament. And I’m getting better at growing those attributes over the years. I really love my patients most of the time but every day, every week brings its own challenges with patients who have aggression issues or anger issues.

In order to provide care for them it’s really important to be able to step back and recognize this for what it is, not a bad patients I need to kick out of my clinic but as a manifestations as some of the tributes they have internally that we need to help them with. And it’s hard to do

Everyday that I take care of patients, and every patient that I see is a renewed opportunity to bring humanity to the equation of what we do.

that but with time and experience we’ve been able to do that better and I think that’s one of the keys to our ability to be able to care for the people that others can’t in our community.

W: what recommendations do you have for someone starting a business.

S: I don’t know if I can answer that. A nonprofit clinic is hardly your typical business model. So I’m not sure I have any good insights. My general inclination is to find something you really love, and figure out a way to make it happen.

Because if your love what you do then you can fix all the problems that come up.

W: Absolutely true.

W: How are you renewing your life, either personally or in business for 2013.

S: Everyday that I take care of patients, and every patient that I see is a renewed opportunity to bring humanity to the equation of what we do. Every day is a renewal, every patient is a renewal it’s an opportunity to the future. As time goes on for me I see that more and more. We’re all linked in and when I can use what I have to help others become successful in their lives, their healthcare and endeavors that passed on to their families their children and future generations. That’s so important because of the disparities in our society and the way we look upon the kinds of patients we take care of and that’s a renewing possibility for me all the time.

That’s why we keep doing the exact same thing over and over, and over again. There is such affirmation in seeing people who never had a success in their lives become successful and then helping them in the volunteerism bringing that success to other people.

That’s as renewing as it gets.

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Finance

By Melinda A. Moros

Remember the “old” days - the days when Medicare did NOT cover preventive benefits?

Those days weren’t so long ago!

19 Good Reasons Why Medicare Beneficiaries Should Love the Affordable Care Act 12 RENEW - Winter 2013

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For all the beating that the Affordable Care Act takes on a daily basis, I hear very little about the new benefits it affords for Medicare beneficiaries. These are new benefits

designed to help people live healthier and longer lives. Is it any coincidence that preventive health care also saves money in the long run….? I think not!

The Affordable Care Act introduced several new preventive health benefits for Medicare beneficiaries in the last couple of years. It expanded these benefits even further in 2013. So for anyone enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A + B or a Medicare Advantage plan in 2013, you are entitled to the following preventive health benefits:  Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening  Annual Wellness Visit – every 12 months  Bone Mass Measurement – every 24 months  Breast Cancer Screening (Mammogram) – every 12 months age 40+  Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Visit (therapy for cardiovascular disease) – twice per year  Cardiovascular Disease Testing  Cervical and Vaginal Cancer Screening –

M

any people don’t realize that until recently, Medicare paid for “medically necessary” services but allowed only ONE physical exam per lifetime and no other preventive services.

Think about it….. That’s kind of like buying a car and opening the hood to check the oil only once in its lifetime…… How long do you think that car’s lifetime would be with no maintenance?

How long do you think your lifetime would be with no preventive health care?

every 24 months  Colorectal Cancer Screening Depression Screening Diabetes Screening HIV Screening  Immunizations (pneumococcal, influenza, Hepatitis B)  Medical Nutrition Therapy (for diabetics and those with kidney disease who are not on dialysis)  Obesity Screening and Therapy - to promote sustained weight loss  Prostate Cancer

Keep in mind that not every preventive health benefit is appropriate for everyone enrolled in Medicare. Some benefits, like the Annual Wellness Visit and Influenza Vaccine, are appropriate for almost all Medicare beneficiaries on an annual basis. Other benefits, such as Breast Cancer Screening, Cervical and Vaginal Cancer Screening, and Prostrate Cancer Screening, are appropriate based on gender. Other preventive health services are appropriate only for those at risk, such as Bone Mass Measurement and Diabetes Screening. You should talk with your physician about which preventive services are appropriate for you.

And, it gets even better! These preventive benefits are covered at NO cost under Original Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage

Screening Exams – every 12 months age 50+  Screening and Counseling to Reduce Alcohol Misuse  Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Counseling to Prevent STIs  Smoking and Tobacco Use Cessation (counseling to stop smoking or tobacco use)  “Welcome to Medicare” Preventive Visit – once during your first 12 months of Part B coverage

plans will also cover these benefits at no cost unless you are being treated or monitored for an existing medical condition during the visit when you receive the preventive benefit. In that case, you may need to pay a copayment.

Refer to your Evidence of Coverage to learn how your plan covers these benefits.

So these are your new benefits…. Be sure to take advantage of them and live a longer and healthier life!

To your health, Melinda 925-202-7552 Melinda@MelindaMoros.com Ever wonder if there was anyone who could help you make sense of your Medicare options..?

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Finance FINANCIAL FOCUS

5

Reasons Not to Be a “Do-It-Yourself”

Investor These days, you can go online and invest, for modest fees.

You can also visit various websites for research and watch numerous cable shows for investment recommendations.

So, why shouldn’t you be a “do-it-yourself” investor rather than work with a financial professional?

By Cherly Rose Actually, there are at least five good reasons why a financial advisor can help make you a better investor.

A financial advisor can: Ask the right questions — If you try to invest on your own, you may find yourself

asking the wrong questions, such as: “What’s the ‘hottest’ investment out there?” A financial professional can help frame better questions, such as: “Given my individual risk tolerance and longterm goals, which investments should I consider to help me build a balanced portfolio?” In other words, a financial professional can help you ask

the questions that can lead to better results.

Look at your situation objectively — No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to take all the emotion out of your investment choices. After all, your investment success will play a large role in some key areas of your life, such as your ability to enjoy a comfortable retirement. Consequently, if you think you’re not making the progress you should with your investments, you may be tempted to make a hasty decision to give your portfolio a “jolt.” Frequently, though, such choices can backfire. When it comes to investing, it’s better to invest with your head, not your heart. A financial advisor can analyze your situation, assess your risk tolerance and make appropriate recommendations.

Show a deeper understanding of investment research — You can look up many types of financial data on your own.

But do you know how to put all these pieces together into a cohesive picture? A financial professional, with years of experience and training, is generally more capable of finding the research sources and making the most sense out of the results.

Put experience to work in making portfolio recommendations. Even if you’ve been investing for many years, you might be surprised at all the underlying influences that should go into making investment decisions.

But a financial professional understands market patterns, the nature of diversification and other factors necessary in helping you make the right choices for your situation.

Spend time looking for opportunities — Even if you enjoy the process of investing, the chances are quite good that you can’t spend as much time on it as a financial professional. That means, among other things, you aren’t constantly on the lookout for new investment opportunities.

Nor are you always looking within your own portfolio for opportunities to rebalance or make other adjustments that can help you move forward toward your goals. But when you work closely with a financial advisor, he or she is exploring the financial markets for new investment prospects while regularly reviewing your portfolio for possibilities of upgrading quality, increasing diversification or making adjustments in response to changes in your life.

The “do-it-yourself” route may be fine for home repairs. But when it comes to managing your investment situation, there are benefits to working with a professional.

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Finance

Meet Uncle Sam of Alameda County Donald R. White How long have you been in that position and what are your major responsibilities?

I have been the county Treasurer and Tax Collector since 1985. I am responsible for collecting property and other taxes for the county. Taxes are collected on secured and unsecured property. Secured property includes real estate and personal property. Unsecured property includes business equipment and inventory, boats and aircraft. There are 58 Counties in California and the property taxes are required to be made payable in the name of the Tax Collector for the county. Donald R. White, Tax Collector, Alameda County, first of all you have to get all of that on one line on a check and secondly my name is a common house hold name in Alameda County.

Most people don’t know, as the Treasurer for the county, I am the banker for the county, all of the school districts, and special districts located in the county. As the County’s Chief Investment Officer, I am directly responsible for the investment and custody of $3.5 billion dollars of County funds, manage two departments on a budget of $10.5 million, and supervise a staff of 70 that collects and accounts for all secured and unsecured County property taxes, Business License taxes and Utilities tax. As Treasurer I am an ex-officio member of the Alameda County Employee’s Retirement Association, which has assets of approximately $5 billion dollars. I also serve as the plan administrator for Alameda County’s Deferred Compensation Plans, which have over 6,000 participating county employees and approximately $350 in assets. I am a member of the CAO’s Finance Committee which is responsible for the financing of all County’s capital projects and bond issues. I am often referred to as the billion dollar man.

In the 28 years of service to Alameda County what has been the most fulfilling and memo-

rable task that you can recall?

Good question. There have been so many. One that comes to mind is when I was first elected treasurer. I convinced the Alameda County pension board to divest from investing in companies doing business in South Africa during Apatite. After Nelson Mandela became president, I convince the pension board two not only lift the divesture requirement but to also make a direct investment in Africa. It turned out to be a good investment for the pension fund.

What tax issue do you feel is most important for Alameda County residents to be aware of in 2013?

To pay their property taxes on time and before the delinquent date. Property taxes are due in two installments. The first installment is due on November first of each year and becomes delinquent on December 10. The second installment is due on February first and is delinquent on April 10. If the taxes are not paid by the due dates a 10% penalty is added to the taxes and interest accruals at a rate of one and a half percent per month. This is very expenses. It is less expensive to pay the taxes and borrow the money from a bank or pay by credit card.

Also, if the taxes are not paid for five years,

the property becomes tax defunded and I can sell the property for the amount of the outstanding taxes. Not a good way to lose your property.

I always recommend property owns to pay into a mortgage impound account and have the Mortgage company pay the taxes. This way you don’t get hit with a big payment in December just before Christmas.

With the current recession, unemployment and struggling economy is there a payment plan available for property taxes?

I can only accept the total amount due for taxes on the due dates. There is an installment plan for prior year taxes if the plan is started before the five year deadline. You have to pay the current year taxes plus 20% of the prior year taxes and delinquent fees. You should contact my office if you would like to start a plan or have any question regarding the installment plan for prior year taxes.

REWNEW Magazine’s tag line is “Renewing Life’s Possibilities” How are you renewing your life professionally or personally for 2013?

My New Year’s resolution for 2013 is to become a better listener and enjoy what life has to offer!

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BRAYLEN JAMES BUSINESS SOLUTIONS

Braylen James Business Solutions Is a small business management and professional services firm headquartered in Northern, California. ​ Braylen James professionals work with micro, small and medium size enterprises to effectively plan, strategize, and execute solutions to increase sales, develop infrastructure, processes, sustain revenue and grow.

services Business Planning Strategic Planning CRM Development & Deployment Renew.indd 17

Business Process Management Business Marketing &​Branding Social ​Media Planning, Training and Implementation 5/26/2013 9:10:13 PM

Entertainment

W i n e

T a l k

W i t h

A n t o i n e t t e

Let’s Taste Organic for 2013 ZD Wines Rutherford, California www.zdwines.com ZD 2011 Pinot Noir Price: $41.00 Review: A medium ruby color and aromas of dark cherries, briary strawberry and subtle hints of vanilla and lavender give way to lush, silky palate with more bright fruit, cedar and toast.

Silver Medal 2011 San Francisco International Chronicle Wine Competition What makes them unique: ZD Winemaker Chris Pisani says Ënhance Your Special Moment with Large-Format Bottles. The most common large format at ZD is a magnum which holds the equivalent of two bottles. The bottles are beautiful and are made to create memories for a lifetime. They offer etching on bottles for special occasions. Several other large format bottles to discover are named after biblical figures such as The Methuselah, named for the oldest man in the bible holds six liters, and the Melchizedek (30 liters), but these are rare. Just imagine showing up at a special event you will become the hero of the night.

Silver Medal 2011 San Francisco International Chronicle Wine Competition

Hill Wine Company Affordable, Vineyard-Driven “Green” Releases St. Helena, California www.club@hillwinecompany.com

Bronze Medal 2012 San Francisco Chronicle

Price: $18.00 Product: Hill Company Releases the first series called The Black Dog (named after the owner’s black Labrador) and offers various bottling’s. This issue’s choice is Chardonnay.

Review: The golden hue entices the eyes while the nose has aromas of pineapple, golden delicious apples, gooseberries, vanilla and custard. Bronze Medal 2012 San Francisco Chronicle What makes them unique: If the owner, Jeff Hill, Jr. is questioned is it still possible to make great Napa Valley wines without harming the land or the wallet in the process? “He declares, unequivocally yes! and we have done so by keeping the emphasis on great grapes organically grown in awesome locations which are interfered with as minimally as possible to let the vineyards speak for themselves in the glass “

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Entertainment

Too much of a good thing

is wonderful…

By Reign Free Simpson

The Red Door Catering is a boutique catering company based in Oakland, California dedicated to deliciously giving its clients too much of a good thing. This commitment to excellence in service and all things wonderful, extends to the community it has served since 2006.

Mae West

M

ore than a commercial enterprise, it is dream fulfilled of owner Chef Reign Free and the perpetuation of a legacy of entrepreneurship within her West Indian family.

Living in the Bay Area provides access to some of the finest organically grown and locally produced ingredients. She is a believer in both the Farm to Table and Slow Food Movement. As Chef [Reign Free] likes to say, “we have to support each other to keep it going.”

Chef Reign’s strong work ethic has gar-

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who are interested in this field.

I learned to cook standMy passion is connecting with ing beside my mother in hard to reach youth. I believe our kitchen and I want exposure and experience can help launch great academic to try to replicate that and professional careers experience for other that’s very exciting,” says Chef young people who are Reign. “My mom and my uninterested in this field. cle were always in the kitchen.

As a matter of fact, in our famiGarden, Hacienda De Las Flores, Meridian Gally everything happened in the kitchen – so my lery, Mills College, Museum Of African Diaspora, business philosophy really centers around the Piedmont Community Center and Rosenblum idea that food and fellowship builds commuCellars. nity.” At The Red Door memories are created, Spring of 2013, The Red Door will launch not just meals. Their goal is to make the enIn the Kitchen at TRD. Food. Friends. Fun, which tire dining experience memorable: the arrival, premiers gourmet cooking parties. Born of the flowers, linens, cuisine and accompanying many client requests and Chef Reign’s ongoing wines –each element of their presentation crecommitment to create community by bringing ate the building block of a great event. family and friends together, the cooking parties Their client roster includes celebrities, are a fun way to take the anxiety out of meal elected officials, brides, corporations and many preparation and to have a good time cooking local community based organizations. From fresh, healthy, quick meals. The cooking parties milestone celebrations to corporate picnics will have themes: Put A Ring On It!- Single Laand elegant galas, The Red Door offers the dies; Watch out Rachel Ray-Dinner in 15 Minbest in Bay Area full service catering and event utes; Date Night- For Couples Only; and Love design. They are committed to making your Affair- A Pastry Class. Every class will end with event special. a party! For more information email info@redThe Red Door is located at 6232 LaSalle doorcatering.com .

Avenue in Oakland’s Montclair District. Their In the fall, we will also launch 530: Casual. kitchen and tasting room stand ready to welClandestine. Cuisine. a private foodie event. come new clients. They are also featured on Fresh food presented with flair and fun in several preferred catering lists including: The mind – this is too much of a good thing being Brazilian Room, Chabot Space & Science Cenwonderful – this is The Red Door Catering. ter, David Brower Center, Dunsmuir House and

…

nered many awards including, The Women’s Initiative - 2011 Enterpriser on the Rise Award.

Ever committed to education and training, The Red Door is also committed to the next generation of entrepreneurs and food service professionals. So in addition to running a full service catering company, Chef Reign accepts interns from the Oakland Mayor’s Summer Jobs program and teaches classes at local high schools on various topics within the food service industry. “I learned to cook standing beside my mother in our kitchen and I want to try to replicate that experience for other young people RENEW - Winter 2013 21

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Lifestyle & Home

Dos & Don’ts Color is in this spring, you'll see it everywhere especially in pants, so don't be afraid over color blocking, but Orange in a major trending color. Stripes are in for all body types. Coming in multiple directions and colors , make sure to get them in a silhouette that's flattering to your body type. When it come to accessories, a fabulous pair of flats are still a major staple for any closet. When renewing your thought on fashion remember, “your pieces don’t have to match, they just need to go.” Don’t wear head to toe matching colors or print. Do mix different hues and tones with solids, prints and metallic.

Spring/Summer 2013

Trends With Spring closely approaching its time for a yearly Spring cleaning. Time to Renew our look and revitalize our closet for the upcoming season.

By Camari Henderson

W

hen shifting your chunky sweaters, and heavy coats to the back of your closet, and moving your denim skirts and chiffon blouses to the front make sure to only keep the staple items that fit and trendy

pirces that have longevity. This will allow plenty of space for new pieces that follow the rtrends of the season. A good closet will have a balance of staple piece and trendy items that can be mixed and matched throughout

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GROWING BAY AREA SMALL BUSINESSES TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP since 1985

Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center OUR MISSION

OUR VISION

OUR WORK

The mission of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center is to empower and increase the entrepreneurial capacities of socially and economically diverse women and men, and thereby strengthen our communities through the creation of sustainable new businesses, new jobs, and the promotion of financial self-sufficiency.

Renaissance believes that in order to create a truly thriving economy, all motivated individuals must have access to the training and resources needed to

Each year through our four centers in SoMa and Bayview Hunters Point in San Francisco, East Palo Alto, and San Rafael, and our online and offsite programs in Daly City, Redwood City and Richmond, Renaissance brings the power of entrepreneurship to the Bay Area by providing women and men with access to tools, training and resources needed to start and grow small businesses.

Renaissance SoMa 275 Fifth Street San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 541-8580

secure their financial independence.

Renaissance Bayview India Basin Plaza 1325-B Evans Avenue San Francisco, CA 94124 (415) 647-3728

Renaissance Mid-Peninsula 1848 Bay Road East Palo Alto, CA 94303 (650) 321-2193

Renaissance Marin 1115 Third Street San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 755-1115

For general inquiries, please contact 415.541.8580 or info@rencenter.org.

For media inquiries, please contact Maria Kelly at 415.348.6223 or mkelly@rencenter.org.

For more information on Renaissance services, events calendar and client success stories, please visit www.rencenter.org.

For information specific to Renaissance Marin, please visit www.rencentermarin.org.

Renaissance annual small business BIG IMPACT fundraising gala will take place on October 1st, 2013 at the Bently Reserve.

For event details and ticket purchase, please check www.rencenter.org.

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Lifestyle & Home

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Seven Ways 2 to “Renew�

Your Relationship in 2013 We all know that friends, loved-ones, co-workers and casual acquaintances cannot change their offending behavior if they are unaware of it. And neither can we change our offending actions if we are not aware of ours.

By Mary Ellen Jones

C

ome on, fess-up. We are not perfect. We are not without flaws. Why our relationships need to be Renewed is not always the other person's fault. It's a brand new year. Lucky 13. Let's get to work by setting our own life in order. Possibly there are those in your life you miss, even wonder about their where-a-bouts. You may even long to hear that special voice and sometimes pray for a telephone call to reminisce about wonderful, treasured, past times. Worst of all, memory fails and you can't even remember why you stopped texting, calling or speaking. Well, it's time to say goodbye, farewell, adios to whatever caused the rift . We are going to examine our own behavior first and "Renew" our commitment to a new season of fun, peace, harmony and mending fences. Let's begin to explore some tips to "Renew" splintered relationships:

1

APOLOGIZE: "I'm sorry." Saying "I'm sorry," is always difficult but it is the first step. There is just something magical about those words. I have found that it is as difficult for a kindergartner to verbalize those two little words, "I'M SORRY," as it is for an adult. As life progresses, apologies don't get any easier.

One individual in a relationship is hurting. That person pushes away and thus begins the estrangement. Typically, the offender has little knowledge of the committed offense. The lack of communication between the two intensifies and the separation turns into weeks then months then years. Become the bigger person. Telephone your friend and say,"I miss our time together. I really miss you. If it's something I've done I'm so sorry." The ball is now in the other court. Let the natural conversation flow from there.

One unexpected benefit of a relationship is to have someone to whom you can pour out your soul. You are able to reveal intimate secrets, very personal tidbits. You know deep down that, that person is interested in your well-being.

There is no doubt in your mind.

FORGIVE: Here is a common scenario: It's difficult to look the other way when an envious associate, co-worker or church member becomes a thorn in the side by maliciously maligning your reputation.

The emotional intensity builds and builds, overwhelming you. Your initial response is righteous indignation and you decide to give the evil one a piece of your mind because that person has gotten on your very last nerve.

But through some God given wisdom you encounter some self-control and calmly and maturely approach the evil one and say," Hey, you hit me with your best shot. Now can I buy you a cup of coffee? Let's talk." Look for the opportunity to diffuse a situation and "Renew" your relationship. Forgiveness is the key.

3

COMMIT: It is imperative that one commits to friendship.

Friendships must be continuously "Renewed" or they become stale, lifeless, tiring and boring... the relationship fizzles-out. That is a tragedy because friendship brings companionship, validation, balance, humor, joy, laughter, hope and commitment.

It is a rich cycle. The relationship is an "Action and Response" equation. You cannot have a rewarding, exhilarating relationship if one person is doing all of the giving-in while the other person is always the decision maker, e.g. where to go for lunch what movie to see. Let others decide. Give up the need to be right all the time. Givethe other person the opportunity to make choices. Then encourage and applaud those decisions. You are committed to the friendship. Not to controlling it.

GIVE WHAT YOU WANT TO GET. Keep it new by sending humorous greeting cards for no special occasion but always remembering birthdays, and Valentine's Day. Such actions are manifestations of a genuine desire to elevate an already thriving relationship.

"Renewal" calls for action: telephone calls, small gifts, e-mails, compliments, and encouragement. There is a Yin and a Yang, a give and take an "Action and Response."

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Lifestyle & Home

4

LISTEN: It's pretty hard to carry-on a mutually satisfying relationship when one person does all the talking. All the time. Some of us have that one friend who cannot wait for us to finish our statement in order for her/him to begin telling her/his story. Right? She/he is not an active/caring listener, just a prop while you are speaking. One unexpected benefit of a relationship is to have someone to whom you can pour out your soul. You are able to reveal intimate secrets, very personal tidbits. You know deep down that, that person is interested in your well-being. There is no doubt in your mind. She/he knows your most embarassing moment. A secret to her/him is a secret - a sacred vow no question about it. You are vulnerable and it's crazy fun! This "Listener-Friend" is a magnificent blessing to be treasured. And because you are so close only you know how to reward such a friend. Only you know what makes that person the happiest because you have studied her/him. You have intently listened to her/ him."Renew" the gift of a "Listener-Friend" as soon as possible.When it's your turn to talk, tell her/him again how deeply she/he is appreciated and loved.

5

REBUILD: In this fast paced world where we are often disrespected, disregarded, disgusted and feel like we are going to self-destruct, don't give up!

I have some good news. Each one of us has a place we can go for help. We have a sanctuary of our own that provides some pleasurable solitude and peace, a place to rebuild, refresh and "Renew" our bodies. It's a place called the "Bathroom." We are unable to enrich the lives of others, let alone,"Renew" relationships if we, are not refreshed or centered within our own mind,body and spirit. Build up your bathroom so it becomes your personal spa; it will if you allow it. It is as simple as stocking a shelf with your favorite things. The most important person you should rebuild and "Renew" your relationship with is YOU. Step into your own world of luxury. Step out into the fast-paced world and be prepared for everything!

6

CONTROL: Yes, control. Control your stress, NOT the relationships. When control of your life is taken in bite-size pieces, problems/stressful tasks tend to fall into place and large problems break apart and become bite-size and manageable. Tak-

ing bite-size pieces of a task in the morning; taking bite-size pieces of a task in the afternoon and bite-size pieces of a problem in the evening may put you in control of much more of your day. Larger tasks are completed and don't seem so overwhelming when you attack them in pieces. This typically applies to almost any project as life comes to order. Your responsibilities are met e.g., job, kids, grand kids and marriage. Implementing this tip can free-up time to allow you to better perform professionally at work. People around you may be drawn to you because of your warm, calm, approachable demeanor. Coworkers may even seek you out for advice based upon your disposition and willingness to Coworkers may help. Relationships are created, "Renewed" and sealed for life even seek you when you control/manage stress and teach others how to do the same... manage tasks in bite-size pieces. Manage your day, out for advice manage your stress, you may even manage your destiny!

based upon your disposition and willingness to help. Relationships are created, “Renewed� and sealed for life when you control/manage stress and teach others how to do the same... manage tasks in bite-size pieces.

Manage your day, manage your stress, you may even man-

age your destiny!

7

LOVE: You are attracted to someone. Thrilling, exciting stages blossom into no less than an explosion of happiness, euphoria and bliss! After a while the emotions grow, develop or die. What happens? Like any other meaningful endeavor, love requires feeding, nurturing and a great deal of hands-on-attention. The six previously listed categories: Apologize, Forgive, Commit, Listen and Rebuild comprise the very DNA of a loving relationship. These principles have to be renewed constantly.

Love is the culmination of "out-giving" to the object of your affection. NO, not With material gifts (However, showering the one you love with material gifts is all good.) The total giving of self is what I describe in my book, A LETTER TO MY DAUGHTERS - THE LETTER I WISH I HAD RECEIVED. Love is a "practice."

It is not all about you. It is about giving. There is no such thing as a fifty-fifty relationship. It baffles me to think that lovers will allow their relationship to stagnate because they refuse to keep it fresh. And the relationship takes a nosedive. Wash the car for your man. Wash and fold the clothes for your lady.

There is no such thing as defined male/female roles. He cooks, she does the dishes and takes out the trash. Love is about giving, giving, giving and demonstrating and touching,touching touching, all the time. Never let a day go by without praising your loved one. Lasting relationships keep it fresh by constantly "Renewing" the seven tenets listed in this article, and implementing them can introduce a level of pleasure on earth. ...AND THAT'S A GOOD THING!

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Lifestyle & Home

Leave a Legacy

Be a GeM Mentor

By Tanya Truong

Have you considered how you would leave your legacy in this world?

Imagine how your legacy can be passed on to the next generation by just spending a few hours with the younger generation. You can make a big difference to the next generation with all of the amazing knowledge and life experiences you’ve gained in this world through the Volunteer X GeM mentorship project.

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the older generation of volunteers that Volunteer X aims to serve. Within the S.C.A.R.F. program, Volunteer X has developed a project called Generational eXchange Mentoring. (GeM) The GeM project focuses on mentoring youths to expand their education and career possibilities toward a better future. It allows active senior adults to mentor young adults by sharing their life experiences and career knowledge to inspire young adults to expand their education possibilities and guide them in making better career and life decisions. In exchange the young adults share their knowledge of current trends in technology with the mentoring seniors. The mentors gain new learning and tools to help identify the mentees’ interests, strengths and talents to guide them toward a positive mindset in exploring future career opportunities.

WHO? Volunteer X is an online volunteer community that promotes volunteerism both locally and globally via an online experience sharing platform and outreach programs. Volunteer X envisions making volunteering a natural part of everyday life.

WHAT? Volunteer X has developed an outreach program called S.C.A.R.F. (Seniors Caring about Rebuilding Futures) that engages professional active adults and retired seniors to donate their time to various volunteer projects. This outreach program represents

munity centers, libraries, or school campus) in the afternoon hours. Training is provided for all potential mentors in person or online.

WHEN? We are currently forming our East Bay GeM Mentors to start in summer of 2013!

We have launched the first session of our GeM mentorship project in the Silicon Valley with the San Jose Conservation Corp and plan to launch another session in the East bay area this summer.

WHERE? We plan to launch another session in the East bay area this summer. YOU CAN HELP! If you have a youth organization you support and believe that it will benefit by engaging with the GeM project, please send us their information.

WHY? The GeM project is unique because it relies on conversations between mentors and mentees. These conversations focus on exploration and openness to possibilities based on natural talents, aspirations, strengths and interests of the mentees, to help them set up their roadmap toward success. The GeM project will enable both generations to harness their resources of experience, skills and their availability of time to make a difference in each other’s lives.

CONTACT US! The next generation needs your guidance! Won’t you join us to make a difference? So leave your amazing legacy in the world by becoming a GeM mentor!

Active seniors and retired adults interested in becoming potential mentors to guide young adults in their educational and career planning activities, please contact Tanya Truong via email at tanyat@volunteerx.com to receive an informational brochure about the GeM project and fill out a mentor questionnaire.

HOW? GeM requires mentors to spend only 1 hour every other week with the mentee with a 6 months commitment. You will meet the mentee individually but within a group setting at public designated location (com-

SUPPORT US! We are seeking for sponsorship, donation, and board members to help grow the GeM program. Please contact us at GeM@volunteerx.com if you can help. Your valuable contribution is always appreciated.

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Lifestyle & Home

How to Renew

Your Life Possibilities Without Fear

How many times have you heard the phrase “I Try To Treat People The Way I Want To Be Treated” spoken with the utmost sincerity.

By Sharon Thomas

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A

t the end of the day as you unwind and begin to reflect on the events of the day and all of your actions, interactions, and reactions with everyone that you have come into contact with. With a clear conscience can you honestly say that you were true to this phrase? Or did FEAR creep in under the disguise of EGO which is FEAR in it's purest form. Here are few disguises that slip in under Ego's heading

A nger Was there anything that happen during the day that you gave in to anger, which would also tie into the three above?

S elf E steem Were you waiting for or felt that you needed someone eles approval for conformation that you did a good job, looked good, made the right decision, associated with the right people and the list can go on forever?

C ontrol

D enial

Was there an unnecessary need to take control a situation, someones thought process and/or a conversation?

This happens to be one of my favorites, how many time a day do you go into denial or avoidance without even realizing it? When we see a weakness and/or something that we dislike in others it is usually because we have done or are still doing what we recognize in others and turn away from.

M anipulation Did you use any form of manipulation in any way?

I mpatience

L ack O f

How many times during the day did you become impatient with someone or something be it thoughts or actions?

Is a BIG ONE and is FEAR PERSONIFIED lack of is what we feel, think and in turn manifest. I remember when I was very young and in elemen-

tary school we use to have have can food drives, which was a time that all the children brought one or as many cans of food the their parents could afford to send. I remember this one time going home and telling my mother that I needed and had to bring at least ten bags of food to the poor and hungry children. My loving mother look at me and smiled and quietly said that we needed to be standing in line on the receiving end. I was mortified as I looked up at her and ask momma are we poor? She looked at me for a long time and then said to me with laughter in her eyes as well as on her lips, no sweetheart what we are, is truly blessed and two days later walked to school with me with four bags of grocers. The moral of the story being I was so loved and protected that I did not know what the meaning poor was because I lack nothing.

So always remember at the end of the day if you are honest with yourself and are truly able to recognize and look at your fears without blaming others for how you got to this point. The healing has already begun and your life as well as your life's patterns will automatically shift because you no longer need it hold onto thoughs of fears any longer.

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featured article

50 Over

&

Re n e w i n g

Renew Magazine is excited to share the stories of four Alameda County residents who are Over 50 and Renewing Life’s Possibilities in business. We hope their stories inspire our readers to always Renew.

Sara Ann Smoothers Artist How are you this morning?

I’m great What inspired you to paint?

One of the things that inspired me to paints I was married for 25 years, after starting a family at age 17. When I went back to school I took up child development, and became a preschool teacher and with being in the school system with young children, it really inspired me because I so the joy they received from painting, and I would join them and I decided this was something I really wanted to do.

So I decided to take a class, I only took one, but it let me see that I really did have it in my heart and in my ability.

the that but we chose to were

How would you define your style of painting?

Landscapes, flowers, still life I like to paint things that are colorful and inspiring. The first painting I did was of a parrot, which I did with oil paint.

What is the price range of your work?

My art starts at $50 and can go up to around $500

How are you renewing your life in 2013?

I’m exploring new ways of expressing myself through art, through the art expression of painting, poetry and also through learning a new instrument. I recently bought a harmonica.= and I want to start painting with music in the background and learn how to express myself through music because music and painting go hand in hand and can inspire each other.

How long have you been painting?

I only been painting about three years, since the age of 54. Since then I’ve really enjoyed it and been exploring it more.

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Patricia Green

Founder of Check and Balanced Book Keeping How long have you been in business?

July 2012 however it existed in an informal manner the last year or 2 What aspired you too start business?

I like numbers! I always have, I find it easy! I like organizing! You line up all your numbers and keep everything balanced. Its something that comes very easy to me.

What was your career before you started your business?

I was a legal secretary for 27 years so I started in 1976 when I got out of high school; before computers hit the market. I did litigation, corporate and medical malpractice for law firms. For years I also worked with the famous Atty. Melvin Belli.

Would you like to offer a suggestion for some individuals who are interested in starting their own business?

Yes, I benefited greatly from taking a business planning class and you can find them through the Small Business Administration. The particular class I took was through Renaissance Entrepreneur Center. I found these classes to be invaluable. There are so many resources for business owners out there and the more pre-planning you do, the higher the possibility of success. By taking advantage of these resources, the less chance you will have of running into a problem that

you may not foresee and that could potentially close your business As you know the tag line for the magazine is renewing life’s possibilities. How are

There are so many resources for business owners out there and the more pre-planning you do, the higher the possibility of success.

you renewing your life possibilities professionally or personally in the year 2013?

Starting this business was a big step for me I had been a legal secretary forever and when I left that I knew I wanted to do something else. After starting this business, I feel there is such a wide range of choices that I have in the future and that’s exciting. Another way I feel like I am renewing myself in 2013 is that I am going to become a grandmother for the first time. This is a very big step I am looking forward to.

You can reach Patricia Green at 888-679-2228 or info@checkedandbalanced.biz RENEW - Winter 2013 33

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Over 50 & Renewing

Vall Fullove Smith

Owner and Principal Designer of SIMPE TREASURES Jewelry

I spent 23 year with Pacific Telephone and Telegraph, then I retired from the management side of the house in 1991. Then I was a contractor for while. I was a dotcom contractor where I did project management for high tech, I did that for about 5 years, then I joined Wells Fargo as a Vice President of training for a division within the company. While I was working at Wells Fargo was when I started my jewelry business I retired from Wells Fargo about 2 years ago and have been able to grow my jewelry business significantly since then.

How long have you been a designer and what inspired you I have been a designer for about 7 years, and I have two apprentices who come along with me when I do a show. They are learning how to design and finish jewelry pieces.

The way I got started was through a local ad I saw in a Fremont newspaper about a sale at a bead shop. I had never heard of a bead store before, so on my lunch break I thought I would go and check it out. As soon as I entered the store, it hit me like a bolt of lightning I saw all kinds of materials for making jewelry as well as a number of finished jewelry items on display.

Prior to that when I was pregnant with my soon, 44 years ago, I used to on make my own earings, and made little pierced earrings very simple, but this was of course very different, and It intrigued me. I asked immediately if they had classes, I attend two classes, and I guess as they say, the rest is history.

Isn’t that amazing how you can just be lead to your passion.

F: I look at the jewelry I made when I first started out, and I think of how simplistic it is. I sold my first necklaces at around $15 to $20, of course now, there quite a bit more.

What was your career before jewelry making?

It looks like you've brought a lot of your business expertise into your own business. What type of jewelry do you make and what is the jewelries price range?

I make high-end fashion jewelry; I use semi-precious stones like turquoise, amber, jasper, and more. My price range is from about $100 to $500. It is custom designed and one of a kind. These appeal to a lot of my clients. I also like to incorporate my customers into the design process. I have a full design studio as part of my home, where clients come in and we sit down

and design jewelry together, and most of the time they are extremely pleased with the final product.

Since you’ve been in business a couple of years, how has your business flourished?

Its has flourished from the beginning where I would spend a lot of my time finding out where there was some kind of street fair, or some sort of event, where they were selling tables and soliciting vendors. I found that wasn’t really the right vehicle for introducing high-end jewelry to the market place. So now we do our own show, I have about one or two a year encouraging clients to come to my studio, while also getting the jewelry into the Ritz Carlton Hotel gift shop and in the museum of the African Diaspora. They will ask me to create a small collection of jewelry items, usually necklaces and bracelets, for an exhibit that will be [in the museum]. And I’ll do a contemporary spin on that exhibit and the items are sold in the gift shop at Moads. Those two [avenues] have been extremely successful, as well as clients coming in and designing the types custom of jewelry they want. My next project is to start selling jewelry on eBay. If people are interested in contacting you where should they go.

Please visit our website at wearablejewelryart.com, to see examples of the types of jewelry I design, or by emailing us a valfullovesmith@yahoo.com What recommendations do you have for someone starting a business?

Well that depends on the type of business that person is starting. But definitely having their own shows, invite friends and have your friends invite their friends, having a website, and definitely trying to get your wears into retail businesses.

In 2013 How are you renewing your life’s possibilities?

We are introducing our jewelry on eBay, and I find myself becoming more creative and edgy. If you want to stay current and your line to be marketable then you must evolve. So in 2013 I’m [renewing] by always evolving and staying funky on the cutting edge.

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Bill De Sena

General Manager of Avalon Private Security When did you get started with your business?

I received my license in 2011, but I have 30 years of experience, with my first licensed security company in 1978, and then re-licensed again in 1983.

It sounds like you know quite a bit about the security industry.

It’s kind of an inspirational story how I got started again. I was talking to a deacon at my church who was doing private security work himself and mentioned that he wanted to have his own private security company. So I told him that I had owned ac couple and had also done work in law enforcement, local government, and as a consultant. So I told him if he was willing we could go into business together. So I took the licensing exam and passed, but unfortunately my inspiration passed away last year from pneumonia. He was only 35 years old. He was my inspiration to go back in business.

What type of security detail does Avalon provide?

Because we’re small and growing, were mainly

you can’t choose the circumstances that we’re born into but we can certainly chose how we’re going to live in the time were given. doing uniform guards and patrols for special events. But we also do things like business security, helping visitors, parking lot control, and construction sites.

Our goal is to keep our business scalable, and right now we’re at scale one and growing.

So it sounds like you have about 40 years of experience in security.

I started back in 1972 as uniform security officer for the Bank of California as the lobby guard, guarding the gold vault. Keeping an eye on the gold found in the sierra. I have had numerous jobs in the Administration of Justice field in the states and abroad. With training and employment in the business arena I am living my dream as a business owner over 50.

What recommendations do you have for someone starting a business..

Research. Who in your immediate circle can help with advise, money or labor. Check into the hidden expenses such as business licenses, taxes, payroll, and insurances.

How are you renewing your life’s possibilities in 2013?

I have a saying that you can’t choose the circumstances that we’re born into but we can certainly chose how we’re going to live in the time were given. Every day is a gift and you can wrap it up, make it useful, profitable, and use those skills to help someone else out.

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Louis

Gossett

Jr

By Vivian Stone

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G

iven the 36 year anniversary of the revolutionary 1977 ABC television mini-series “Roots” and in honor of Black History Month, this entertainment reporter decided to kill two birds with one Stone (pardon the pun on my last name…lol) and take a trip to Southern California to interview veteran actor Louis Gossett Jr. Gossett is most well-known for winning an Emmy Award for his portrayal of “Fiddler” in “Roots” and for the Academy Award winning role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman.

After a very successful 60 year career on the stage, in film and in television, Louis is renewing his life’s possibilities in 2013 by going in a totally new direction. A life threatening toxic mold exposure in 2004 almost cost him his life before being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010. Thankfully Louis is alive and healthy today after receiving medical care and in his words; “the blessing from the good man upstairs”.

While recuperating Louis reflected on his life, reconnected with his spiritual self and sought God’s guidance as to life’s possibilities not yet explored. His prayer was a simple one; “Why am I on this planet? How can I be of service?”

His most recent endeavor is a direct result of his question of God and how the universe works when we are open to the possibilities. I was blessed to have met Louis in 1978. Interestingly, 35 years later we have come full circle to reconnect so that we can work together with me and my business partner Makedah Shartukar (of Full Circle Outreach & Marketing Group, Inc.) and Alan Dones (Strategic Urban Alliance, LLC (SUDA) from Oakland to create and build the world’s first Cultural Heritage Site for the descendants of slaves brought forth from Africa and shipped to the four corners of the globe some 400 years ago.

According to DNA analysis, Louis descended from people of Liberia and Sierra Leone.

He fell in love with the people, the beauty of the land and its rich history while filming several movies in Africa. The continent is going through a long awaited resur-

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gence, a metamorphosis and a cleansing of its negative reputation as portrayed on television, in the media and in movies.

Although Louis still works as an actor, he made a conscious decision in 2005 to renew his life by living a selfless life focused on serving others. He wrote the book; “An Actor and a Gentleman” for his fans, sons and grandchildren chronicling his life so that we might know him as the whole person and not just as Louis Gossett Jr. or as a father and even as “Pau Pau” (grandfather). He felt it important for us to learn his history and where he came from to understand the totality of his evolution. Having suffered the effects of racism and seeing the negative impact it had on him, his family, the community at large and even his work, he established “The Eracism Foundation” in 2006. Its goals are noble - to eradicate the impact of all forms of racism, violence and ignorance and to teach children where they come from, how to negotiate life’s journey and bumps in the road in such a way to promote non-violence and to possess a confident sense of self in order to traverse hatred and/or ignorance with love. Louis truly believes that “Loving your enemies means acknowledging that nothing beneficial comes from hatred”. He feels leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu offer the steps we can to take in our own lives to realize and live a different philosophy than we might have grown up with; “that change comes not through hate but through

Gossett is most well-known for winning an Emmy Award for his portrayal of “Fiddler” in “Roots” and for the Academy Award winning role as Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman.

love”. Baby Boomers are the largest demographic in the world. If we Boomers lived our daily interactions in the ways of these great leaders then violence, hatred and ignorance would have no place in this new millennium. You can find out more by going to Louis’ website www.eracismfoundation.org You can join our collaborative effort in March 2013 when we start our grass roots campaign for the Cultural Heritage site on the Indiegogo website. www.indiegogo.com What can you do to Renew your Life in 2013? Join us! Make a positive difference in the life of another. Step outside of your comfort zone and your own life to do something positive for another human being and/or even for yourself! Banish fear and be the real you!

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Alameda County

Considering Civic Engagement

O

h, I couldn’t do what you do” said a colleague after I finished making a presentation to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. I’ve heard that comment so many times, often combined with thanks for being the one to stand up and make the case for policy changes that would improve seniors’ lives. I reply politely but I always take these comments with a grain of salt.

You see, I didn’t become an advocate by design, or because of any inborn aspect of my nature. A decade ago, if you had told me I’d be working in policy advocacy I’d have laughed and probably said “Oh, I couldn’t do that.” But what I did have was what most every one of us has – a sense of responsibility to my community – and it led me down a path of civic engagement.

Civic engagement might be defined as “individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern.”

A lot of people think of civic engagement along the lines of “speaking truth to power” and, because that sounds risky, decide it’s not for them. Some think it’s “politics” and considerably distasteful, inappropriate for polite company and not to be touched with a ten foot pole.

I have a different view. I think that, at its heart, civic engagement is about being a member of your community. It’s about being a

part of collective decision making and exercising the right of the people to define just what is the public good and where should we put our collective resources. Certainly direct interaction with institutions of government is one

know that, in fact, each person is already a powerful actor in the civic life of the community.

Think about this… How much more powerful could we be, if we took a step further and made this civic engagement intentional? If we decided to work with others to solve a problem? If we volunteered our time to help a local nonprofit pursue its mission? If we decided to spend a few hour a week at a library reading to children? If we took steps to develop in ourselves the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make a difference?

As my teenage son would say, it would be awesome!

Don’t misunderstand me; I’m not suggesting altruism and saintliness beyond the scope of ordinary mortals. Everyone has their own pace and comfort zone. There are enough opportunities to go around. Just check out VolunteerMatch.org, VolunteeringForOakland.org or the web sites of local organizations that do the work you care about.

There’s more, and maybe this is the most important part. I would like to propose to you that civic engagement is good for the soul. It’s something that everyone entering the second half of their lives (that is, the half that comes after age 50) should take seriously. Whatever the activity, civic engagement brings a deep sense of personal satisfaction.

Think about this… How much more powerful could we be, if we took a step further and made this civic engagement intentional? way to exercise this inalienable right. Voting and paying taxes are significant acts of civic engagement.

But mostly, we do it by our everyday actions. We do it by staying home when we have the flu so as not to infect other people. We do it when we recycle our cans and bottles, text ten dollars to the Red Cross to help hurricane victims, yes, even when we pick up after our dogs so someone else doesn’t have to.

With these simple everyday acts, we shape our community. That’s why I’m skeptical when people tell me they couldn’t do what I do. I

It opens your mind to the bigger picture and the longer view, helps you recognize and appreciate other perspectives and let go of some of your own preconceived notions, and connects you to the fabric of your community and to friendships, fun and joy. Who could ask for anything more?

Wendy Peterson Wendy Peterson directs the Senior Services Coalition of Alameda County, a policy advocacy coalition working to improve the system of services and supports for seniors in Alameda County.

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Alameda County

An Exciting Opportunity to Focus on Preparedness & Response for Older Adults

F

ew areas of the country can hope to rival California’s diversity in cultures, languages, geography, industry--and disasters. Since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, northern California has been home to the nonprofit preparedness movement, specifically to address the needs of seniors, people with disabilities, and others with Access and Functional Needs (AFN). Emergency Preparedness Strategies for Community-Dwelling Older Adults is a project being implemented by the Alameda County Public Health Department, Public Health Emergency Preparedness program (PHEP). This project builds on years of local innovation and is designed to have preparedness reach, serve and support an important and often hard-to-engage group; community-dwelling older adults. This is an exciting opportunity to continue moving beyond brochures and generic preparedness messages, to engage senior-serving agencies in meaningful activities that leverage community assets and build lasting partnerships.

The Public Health Emergency Preparedness program has received a small grant from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) to implement emergency preparedness strategies for community-dwelling older adults. Strategies will include preparing older adults to respond in an emergency or disaster as well as increasing their ability to help others or each other. Additionally, the project aims to identify ways to reach individuals in the community that may be isolated and unconnected to traditional service providers. The main focus areas for the project are: Convening a County Cross-Sector Leadership Team Building a Registry of Community-Based Organizations serving Older Adults and Individuals

Providing training opportunities for organization and individuals Characterizing our community dwelling adult population The Public Health Emergency Preparedness program will be working with many organizations in the County. The Cross-Sector Leadership team will have representatives from senior service providers, emergency planners, health providers, and others. Initial outreach will focus on Senior Centers, Adult Day Care Centers and Senior Residences to link individuals and organizations to resources such as preparedness trainings focused on increasing organizational capacity and individual preparedness abilities. The PHEP program also hopes to partner with many non-traditional service providers, especially those reaching homebound and nonambulatory older adults such as library services and in-home visitor programs. We would like to reach individuals in our community that are the most challenging to reach. Caregivers are often a key link to

homebound older adults, so working with a network of caregivers to help identify needs will also be a part of the project.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our county to build a comprehensive coordinated and connected system focused on the preparedness and response needs of older community-dwelling adults. There is already so much great work going on in Alameda County; we can put our heads together to reach the most hard-to-reach older adults in our communities that may need additional assistance in an emergency.

A County Kick-off Meeting with the Leadership Team will be scheduled for March 5th, 2013.

For More Information PHEP Webpage: http://www.acphd.org/phep.aspx Donata Nilsen, Community Preparedness Coordinator Donata.Nilsen@acgov.org, (510) 208-5907 Zerlyn Ladua, PHEP Director Zerlyn.Ladua@acgov.org, (510) 208-5962

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Alameda County

Election Returns November 6, 2012 President of the United States of America, Barack Obama Vice President of the United States of America, Joseph Biden Great State of California US Senator Dianne Feinstein US Representative 13th Congressional District Barbara Lee US Representative 15th Congressional District Eric Swalwell US Representative 17th Congressional District Mike Honda State Senator 7th District Mark DeSaulnier State Senator 9th District Loni Hancock State Assembly District 18 Rob Bonta Alameda County Cities Alameda Marilyn Ezzy Ashcroft City Council Kevin R. Kearney Auditor

Kevin Kennedy Treasurer Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker City Council at Large Rebecca Kaplan City Council District 1 Dan Kalb City Council District 3 Sean Sullivan City Council District 6 Noel Gallo City Council District 7 Larry Reid San Leandro City Council District 2 Ursula Reed City Council District 4 Benny Lee City Council District 6 Jim Prola Bart District 7 Zakhary Mallett District 5 John Mcpartland District 3 Rebecca Soutzman

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Congratulations to Delta Sigma Theta, Inc as they celebrate

100 years

100 years of fighting for voter rights 100 years of fighting for woman and civil rights 100 years of creating, celebrating, and living art 100 years of fighting for advancements with education for all people 100 years of transforming lives and impacting communities 100 years of Delta Sigma Theta Inc. 44 RENEW - Winter 2013

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