Russian Time Magazine

Russian Time REVIEW OF THE PRODUCTS, SERVICES, ACTIVITIES LOVED BY THE RUSSIAN-SPEAKING COMMUNITY

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SUMMER 2014

FIREPROOF RUSSIANS

NAPA VALLEY

Above & Beyond

НАХОДКА

аn EXTREME

для СТРОИТЕЛЕЙ

Kind of Fun

BOYS will be BOYS

СЛАДКОЕЖКА

THE SWEETEST SPOTS of the CAPITAL REGION

СЕКРЕТ

УСПЕШНОГО МУЖЧИНЫ Интервью с Алексеем Товаряном RUSSIAN TIME MAGAZINE

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PUBLISHERS Sergey Ivannikov Olya Ivannikov

EdItoR-IN-CHIEF Olya Ivannikov

ASSoCIAtE EdItoR Oliga Garicichina

OLHA MELOKHINA PHOTOGRAPHY

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CREAtIVE dIRECtoR Anya Astapova

CoRRESPoNdENtS Denis Oleshko Andrei Gribakov Lika Emelyanova Bradley Paul Clark Olena Leon Maria Sself Natalia Vizitiuv Alexandria Solari Ihar Tsaryk

MARkEtINg MANAgERS Sergey Kotserubov Angelica Strijaous Lyudmila Borisova

TESOL

ГЛАВНЫЙ РЕДАКТОР Оля Иванникова

ИСПОЛНИТЕЛЬНЫЙ РЕДАКТОР Ольга Гаричкина КРЕАТИВНЫЙ ДИРЕКТОР Аня Астапова КОРРЕСПОНДЕНТЫ Денис Олешко Андрей Грибаков Лика Емельянова Брэдли Пол Кларк Олена Леон Мария Сселф Наталья Визитиу Александра Солари Игорь Царик

МЕНЕДЖЕРЫ ПО МАРКЕТИНГУ Сергей Коцерубов Анжелика Стрижаус Людмила Борисова

CoMMUNIty LIASoN СВяЗЬ С ОбщЕСТВЕННОСТЬю COMMUNITY LIAISON Luba Chosenko Любовь Чосенко

dIStRIBUtIoN MANAgER Alex Mistiuk

МЕНЕДЖЕР ПО РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИю Александр Мистюк

ACCoUNtINg ФИНАНСОВЫЙ ОТДЕЛ Margret Okunev Маргарита Окунев

gRAPHIC dESIgNERS Vlad Kotserubov Oleg Ivannikov Dilshot Ahmedov

ДИЗАЙНЕРЫ Влад Коцерубов Олег Иванников Дильшот Ахмедов

PHotogRAPHERS Igor Ilyenko Kristina Sosina Olha Melokhina Tia Gemmell Anatoliy Pislar Ilya Bulanov Mike Karpekin Yulia Yedinak

ФОТОГРАФЫ Игорь Ильенко Кристина Сосина Ольга Мелоxина Тия Гемел Анатолий Пислар Илья Буланов Майк Карпейкин Юлия Единак

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AttoRNEy At LAw АДВОКАТ David Henderson, Esq. Дэвид Хэндэрсон

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CHANGE THE WORLD FROM HERE

CoMMUNIty AdVISoRy BoARd C.C. Yin APAPA / Yin McDonald’s Kathy McKim AT&T Kevin J. Barri Wells Fargo John Kehriotis Embassy Suites Hotel, Sacramento Robert Dugan California State University, Sacramento Larissa Gonchar Community Outreach Academy Florin Ciuriuc Slavic Community Center of Sacramento Alice Perez California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Frank Gayaldo Gayaldo International Sergey Malko Malko Dance Academy Vicki Beaton World Journal Sergey Terebkov Slavic American Chamber of Commerce Jerry Del Core Fox 40 Edgar Calderon La Pulga Marketing Tie Zhang US-China Business & Culture Association Adrian Perez SacLatino Magazine Ronald W. Harden Epic Bible College

Russian Time Magazine is published by Russian American Media, Inc. Though Russian Time Magazine uses its best efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information it publishes; it is not possible to ensure that all information provided with this magazine is entirely accurate and up-to-date. Russian American Media, Inc. accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors or omissions with information and/or advertisements contained herein. © 2014 Russian American Media, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written permission of the Publisher.

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:: Russian Time Magazine

RUSSIAN TIME MAGAZINE

WWW.RUSSIANAMERICANMEDIA.COM

www.RussianAmericanMedia.com

Olga Ivannikov Editor-in-Chief

Olha Melokhina Photographer

Anya Astapova Creative Director

Igor Ilyenko Photographer

Lilya Sosina Contributor

Olena Leon

Contributor

Frank Gayaldo Contributor

Ilya Bulanov Photographer

Oliga Garicichina Associate Editor

Igor Kondrya Photographer

Bradley Paul Clark Contributor

Alex Bolyshkanov Web Developer

Irina Kharlamova Contributor

IN THIS

THE CONTENTS

issue Whether Napa is your regular destination or you have never been to the wine country before, we challenge you to step off the beaten path of the wine country.

Discover some local gems that can take you above and beyond the ground zero of American wine making. Three hit attractions meant to make your stay in the valley unforgettable.

54 An Extreme Kind Of Fun

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40 32 Susanna Shkrabak

Meet Miss Congeniality 2014, a Registered Nurse that saves lives on the weekdays while risking hers on the weekends doing all kinds of dangerous stuff.

Whitewater rafting – an adventure that could satisfy the most daring madcaps and the super-cautious slow-pacers alike. It can be just as extreme as you want it to be and combines the serenity of the great outdoors with a thrill of a mad roller coaster ride.

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40 46 Boys Will Be Boys New research suggests, that engaging in leisure activities can help improve work performance, emotional health, and quality of life. See RT putting this theory to the test as we take a peek into the playrooms of some of the most notable men of our region.

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On The Cover

Alex G. Tovarian, Attorney at Law Story by: Olga Garicichina

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Five Fun Exercises

To do at home with your baby.

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16 Сладкоежка

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The sweetest temptations from the local dives that could make you skip your dinner, just to leave room for dessert.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Ref lections on Men, Success, & Sweet Life

It has become a good tradition to have one of our gorgeous beauty queens or a sweet family shot on the cover of Russian Time. It is not just a pretty face or a “cutie pie” kid we go after.

We wish to remind our people to take great pride in their heritage and to celebrate the things we have in common.

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n this edition of the Russian Time we have departed from the usual.

We got a full blooded lawyer as the face of our magazine. While culture and family reflect our vales, we took a note of the great success some members of our community have achieved. As our cover guest, Aleksey Tovarian, said, “There is no secret to success. It is a matter of hard work, dedication, and perseverance.”

I completely agree. We get lucky when we work hard.

Inside this issue you will find a story of a few lucky men that work hard, and play hard as well. The “Boys Will Be Boys” piece will give you an insight on some of the most successful men of our region. For instance, you’ll find out how our Mayor Kevin Johnson spends his spare time, discover what the best “Sushiologist” in town, Taro Arai, dreams of, and learn what one of the most vigorous bankruptcy attorneys, Anthony Hughes, would not do for a million dollars.

The fact that all of our featured guests have some sort of hobby might not be a coincidence. According

to the latest research, work and play should go hand in hand to increase productivity and promote overall well-being. For that reason we present you with a story on whitewater rafting, a daring activity that fits all ages and personalities.

It could be an extreme ride suitable for the “boy’s day out,” or a “family day” perfect for gliding down the river with your children. Whatever your adrenaline preference is, you’ll enjoy reading about our contributor’s firsthand experience in whitewater rafting.

For those of you who wish to make life a little sweeter without getting their feet wet, we’ve done a great research on restaurants, bakeries, and cafes that offer the best desserts around the city. French, Asian, Italian, Russian, Armenian, whatever your food preference is, “The Sweetest Spots of the Capital Region” has got you covered. From a mile high, bittersweet Italian Tiramisu from Bella Bru Café, to a heavenly, light French Napoleon cake filled with creamy custard from the Tower Café, this story has just enough tease to make you crave for something sweet.

Our team has put some great work into this publication. We hope you find something that appeals to your unique taste, interests, and personality in this issue. Enjoy!

RUSSIAN TIME MAGAZINE

Sergey Ivannikov Publisher Russian American Media, Inc. WWW.RUSSIANAMERICANMEDIA.COM

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IN

community

MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS With over 5,000 tickets sold, SummerFest 2014 was a striking success. The concerts were held at the Nevada Fairgrounds in Grass Valley and presented a full spectrum of “classical music” including pop, jazz, big band, Broadway, and many iterations of modern chamber music.

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photo 1 Konstantin Soukhovetski on piano during the Orchestra Series performance at the SummerFest 2014. Konstantin is a graduate of the Julliard School of Music and a recipient of over 15 prestigious music awards photo 2 Konstantin Soukhovetski is a renowned pianist of Russian origin whose performance captivated audience world-wide, including France, Italy, Romania, Russian, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and North America photo 3 Soukhovetski likes to personally greet his fans after each performance

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photo 4 Happy Birthday USA concert held outdoors on the lawn at the Fairgrounds.

A full-house celebration of Broadway hits, Hollywood classics, and Good Ol’ U.S.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.RussianAmericanMedia.com

photo 5 Konstantin Soukhovetski takes a bow with orchestra members after a synergetic performance Photo credit: Ilya Bulanov @ Light Bay Design, www.lightbaydesign.com

IN

community

THE INTERNATIONAL KIDS FESTIVAL Celebrating its tenth year anniversary, the festival brought together thousands of families from multicultural communities. The event provided an excellent ground for quality family time while teaching parents and children about well-being, sustainability, and green future. The guests were treated to an elaborate collection of activities and performances, all at no cost.

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4 photo 1 Mexican Folklore performance on the Festival Main Stage which offered a full day showcase of different cultures and nationalities photo 2 Free Pony Rides sponsored by Children’s Choice Pediatric Dental Care and Image Orthodontics as a courtesy to their existing and potential patients photo 3 Complimentary face painting, Henna body art, balloon twisting, and art contest offered at the Art Zone organized by the United International Art Association

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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.RussianAmericanMedia.com

photo 4 Young festival guest holding a gift basket won during a raffle that sent dozens of Children’s Choice Pediatric Dental patients home with handful of gifts and freebies photo 5 Miniature train ride gave parents and children an opportunity to take a break from all the festivities and enjoy a peaceful ride along the lake photo 6 Rock Climbing wall provided to the guests as a courtesy of Image Orthodontics and Children’s Choice Pediatric Dental Care Photo credit: Vlada Gj

IN

community

DAY OF RUSSIA CELEBRATION IN SAN FRANCISCO Annual reception traditionally held at the Consulate General of Russia in San Francisco dedicated to the celebration of the Day of Russia.

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photo 1 Honorary Consul of Russia, Natasha Owen, with Consul General Sergey V. Petrov and CSUS Professor Tatiana Scott photo 2 Anatoliy Yevsyukov, a guitar virtuoso and one of the most demanded guitar instructors in the Russian­-speaking community, with wife Nelly and Victoria Prisacaru photo 3 Stanislav Holodkov - ataman of Cossacks National Union, hereditary Don Cossack. Cossacks is historical guardians of liberty and best warriors in Russia

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photo 4 Consul General of Russia, Sergey V. Petrov, with the Executive Director of Council for Cross Cultural Affairs, Olga Ivannikov, and CEO of Russian American Media, Sergey Ivannikov

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.RussianAmericanMedia.com

photo 5 The Founder & President of ROMEX Transportation services, Roman Olievskiy with wife Alevtina Photo credit: Russian American Media

IN

community

MISS D’PRIMERAMANO CALIFORNIA 2014 Miss d’primeramano California is an annual beauty pageant produced by the Publishers of the D’primeramano Magazine. The contest allows participants showcase their beauty, personality, and values while competing for a lavish prize package. The event promotes education among young Hispanic women with a $2,000 scholarship awarded to the first winner.

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4 photo 1 Susan Romanishin, Executive Director of Miss Russian California and one of the four judges at Miss D’primeramano, with Angelica Strijaous, Olha Melokhina, Olya and Sergey Ivannikov, Maria Carbonell, and Olga Garicichina photo 2 Alejandro Sanchez, Maria Carbonell, and Miguel Borges, Editor and CEO of D’primeramano Magazine respectively photo 3 First place winner, Melissa Martinez, during the “Meet our Contestant” segment photo 4 Ana Lilly Zepeda, one of the eight finalists, wearing a Mexican Cultural Attire

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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.RussianAmericanMedia.com

photo 5 Miss D’primeramano finalists line up: Ana Lilly Zepeda, Maria Magdaleno, Brianda Plasencia, Melissa Martinez, Yesenia Ramirez, Stephanie Carriola, Maira Lujano, and Crystal Reynoso Photo credit: Olha Melokhina Photography, www.olhaphotography.com

СЛАДКОЕЖКА

Smetannik · Russian Sour Cream Cake. Pacific Coast Food

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THE SWEETEST SPOTS OF THE CAPITAL REGION

ur food traditions combine the smoky whiff of savory Armenian kabobs cooked on an open fire with the aroma of Russian piroshky freshly pulled out of the fryer.

It is spiced up by the smell of Uzbek Pilov sprinkled with Asian spices and comforted with the mouthwatering taste of Ukrainian Pelmeni drenched in sour cream. From the flaky crust and the heartfelt oozing filling of freshly baked Moldavian Placinte to the satisfying warmth of Borscht, the most traditional Russian soup originated in Ukraine, our food is just as versatile as the traditions behind it. The good thing is, a Russian meal is usually served ‘family style’ so you can pick and choose from many treats offered on the table, or you can try them all. The way we take our food reflects our culture – we enjoy simple things in life and do not mind sharing.

Until it comes to desserts.

Sweet tooth is one common thread most Russian-speaking nationalities have in common. No matter how much lip-smacking food we have on the table, we always leave room for dessert. And when it comes to dessert, we never hold back on time and effort to make it worth living for. It is perfectly common for a Russian family to spend hours and even days on baking a homemade cake. For instance, the preparation of Napoleon, the most traditional Russian cake, resembles craftsmanship of medieval alchemists with a dozen of

precise, tedious, and time consuming steps that go into that recipe. And yet, we were willing to go to such great lengths to make the sweet magic happen.

Some blame it on the harsh Russian climate. The rumor has it, people used to compensate the luck of natural sugars by stocking up on fruit preserves and sweet treats because long cold winters striped supermarkets shelves of fruits as the grocery business used to be much more dependable on the seasons. Others simply justify our love for sweet delights by our culture. For most of the children in Slavic families getting done with their dinner was just a matter of getting through to the desserts. Whatever the reasons are, the fact that Russian-speaking folks have a sweet tooth is simply undeniable.

For us Russian-speaking Californians the dynamics of American lifestyle has changed the way we are getting our sweet fix. Unfortunately, the pace of our everyday life does not leave much room for time-consuming homemade recipes. Luckily for us, the California Capital region is saturated with locally owned pastry shops, restaurants, and bakeries that could satisfy any kind of sweet cravings. We want to present you with the hottest sweet treats from the six local dives that could make you skip your dinner, just to leave more room for dessert.

Vanilla Mousse · served in a martini glass · Tower Café

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There are no boundaries when it comes to Russian cuisine. It is netted from hundreds of ethnic flavors fused together over decades of blending. It merges dozens of versatile recipes into one rich food ensemble soaked with a myriad of distinct overtones of flavors.

BELLA BRU CAFÉ & CATERING

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ur first pick has been voted The Best Breakfast Café in Natomas for the past several years. However, a lavish breakfast menu is not what makes this neighborhood joint a favorite hangout place for the locals and visitors alike. The first thing that stuns the guests as they walk through the doors is a big and shiny pastry display full of all sorts of fancy cakes.

The owner, Liz Mishler, envisioned Bella Bru as a place where people could get together with their friends over a cup of honestly good coffee and a bite of freshly baked goodness and enjoy some time together. To fulfil her vision, Liz designed Bella Bru as a European street style café with its spacious outdoor seating covered with oversized umbrellas and hindered by rose bushes.

All of Bella Bru’s delicacies are designed by the café’s own pastry chef in the spirit of best European traditions and baked fresh daily.

Their trending desserts include such classics as Raspberry Chiffon Cake, Peach Almond Tart, an unsurpassed rich and creamy Chocolate Decadence, and of course, Tiramisu - the cake that made a name for Bella Bru. Bella Bru has its own take on this old Italian classic. To start with, their Tiramisu is a mile high and extremely good looking. It’s a fortress of slender lady fingers drenched in rum and circled around a silky delicate mascarpone custard layered with heavenly light whipped cream. The slight sweetness of the cream perfectly marries with a hint of bitterness of chocolate bits hidden thought the layers of custard. As big as the cake is, it is surprisingly light and satisfying. Come and try for yourself.

You may find yourself coming to Bella Bru just for dessert and staying there for breakfast or dinner.

PACIFIC COAST FOOD

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f course we simply must include Russian desserts in our sweet research. Slavic culinary traditions assume that real desserts should be baked at home; however, there is a place or two around town that offer Russian sweets that could pass even mama’s quality control. The one we want to recommend is Pacific Coast Food, the largest Russian grocery store in our area. One thing we particularly like about the Pacific Coast Food is the variety of sweets it offers. Here you can find anything from Armenian breakfast rolls, Ukrainian pastries, Moldavian chocolates, to Russian cakes.

The three desserts we wish to put in the limelight are the Ukrainian walnut meringues, Russian

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Bella Bru Café & Catering 4680 Natomas Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95835 916-928-1770

Pacific Coast Food 7263 Greenback Ln Citrus Heights, CA 95621 916-721-3050

Smetannik cake, and ‘Rojik,’ Armenian walnut and grape roll. The meringues sandwiches sold here are heavenly light and crispy, glazed with sweet cream and crunchy walnuts bits. It is a perfect choice when you are looking for a light and guilt-free dessert. ‘Smetannik,’ the Russian cake, is on the contrary a stand-alone sweet affair.

It is a satisfying and flavor rich combination of moist sponge cake layers smothered with rich sweet and sour filling. And the last but not least, the Armenian walnut roll. It is an excellent choice for those that care to satisfy their sweet cravings in a healthier manner. The roll is nothing more that raw walnuts netted on a thread and covered with caramelized fruit juice - a sweet way of getting your Omega 3’s.

Tiramisu is the cake that made a name for Bella Bru. The restaurant has its own take on this old Italian classic.

Tiramisu Cake 路 Bella Bru

Fruit Basket Cake 路 Bella Bru

Rojik 路 Armenian Walnut Roll Pacific Coast Food

Ukrainian Walnut Meringue Cookies 路 Pacific Coast Food

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ETTORE’S EUROPEAN BAKERY & RESTAURANT

o far we took a look at the local versions of the most famous Italian, Russian, and Ukrainian spoils.

The next dessert we had to spotlight is of Swedish origin and is fit for Royalty. As a matter of fact, it even carries a Royal name – the Princess Torte. It’s a vanilla sponge cake with a thin layer of tangy raspberry preserve interlaced with Bavarian cream and topped with fresh whip. This whole goodness is wrapped in a thin layer of smooth pastel almond marzipan touched with delicate chocolate elements. A feast for eyes that lives up to its name.

We found this posh dessert proper for the table of Marie Antoinette in a locally-owned café that is now a landmark of Fair Oaks Boulevard.

The place was opened back in 1985 and had only one employee, four tables, and 10 chairs.

Over the years it became a select restaurant

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that has over 90 employees, offers a full range of European pastries, cookies, and cakes, and has a 24-hour production line that caters for the Nugget markets, upscale weddings, and special events.

Ettore’s has a well-founded food philosophy – they only use 100% real butter, the freshest real ingredients, and make products the artesian way – from scratch by hand. Everything is produced in small batches so a day old pastries are never sold the next day. No wonder Ettore’s became a local tradition with some of its customers coming back for over 29 year. The restaurant takes pride in numerous awards from best bakery, best dessert, best burger, best takeout, and best wedding cakes. As renowned as the restaurant is, it is kept as a family business with the founder and owner Ettore Ravazzolo still working there together with his wife Megan and all of their sons.

TOWER CAFÉ

ur next stop is a local legend. It is an international fusion of culture and flavor with a big claim on the local history. The Tower Café is located next to the historic Tower Theatre and could easily compete with most Hollywood hits in both creativity and character.

Its outdoor patio is conceived by a dense jungle of exotic trees and flowers with a number of cozy tables hiding underneath outdoor lights and hanging lanterns. The interior takes you by surprise. It combines sacred cultural elements borrowed from all over the world with futuristic pieces from iconic science fiction movie sets.

Here you can find hand carved Thai wood wall décor hanging next to a poster from Star Wars topped with Western-style buffalo skull wall mounting. Aside of some great food, this place leaves you rest assured that you’ll never go bored while waiting for your order.

The menu of the Tower Café is just as versatile as its décor. It offers homemade custard-soaked

Ettore’s European Bakery & Restaurant 2376 Fair Oaks Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95825 916-482-0708

Tower Café 1518 Broadway Sacramento, CА 95818 916-441-0222

French toast alongside with the Thai Steak and Jamaican Jerk Chicken. But the main reason we stopped by this crossroad of flavors, was a jumbo dessert display overstocked with houseprepped cakes, pastries, and mousse made fresh daily. After 40 minutes of looking for parking, which is usually completely full within a two block radius, we have finally made it in.

We headed straight to the sweet fair of treats when one of them immediately caught our attention; there it was, the Napoleon, the king of Russian desserts, puffed up in all its glory.

It would not be consistent with the Tower’s unconventional philosophy to serve this cake in its traditional version. So the restaurant’s pastry chef added a nice touch by embellishing the Tower’s Napoleon with fresh berries and fruits. While there is nothing we can do about the parking that is usually full on any given day, we strongly recommend you to make a prior reservation to make it into this unconventional food hideaway.

Napolean · Daily Treat · Ettore’s

Ettore’s Princess Torte is a Royal dessert fit for the table of Marie Antoinette. It’s a vanilla sponge cake filled with layers of tangy raspberry preserve interlaced with Bavarian cream topped with fresh whip.

Princess Torte · Ettore’s Napoleon · the king of Russian cakes · Tower Café

Lime Cashew Tarts · Tower Café

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Fresh Berry Tart · Whole Foods Market in Roseville

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WHOLE FOODS MARKET

t seems that honest ingredients are the “must” factor for all the trendy desserts, whether it is an Armenian Walnut Roll or a Swedish Princess Cake.

For that reason we absolutely had to stop by the Whole Foods at the Fountains Square in Roseville – the undeniable source of anything fresh and local in our town. Probably one of the most beloved grocery markets in the Slavic community, this is the place where one has the most chances to run into a Russian-speaking person.

Aside of being a trustworthy sources of fresh meats, seafood, and fresh produce, Whole Foods is also famous for its amazing bakery. As a matter of fact, it is the line by that pastry counter where I usually bump into the Russian-speaking friends I haven’t seen in years. Whole Foods offers an abundant choice of fresh-baked hearth breads, cookies, pies, cakes and pastries. Everything here is made with pure ingredients such as unbleached flour and real butter. It also helps to know that Whole Foods does not allow any use of hydrogenated fats in their bakery. The store also offers vegan and gluten-free baked goods, in case you’re gluten sensitive or simply looking for an

Whole Foods Market 1001 Galleria Boulevard Roseville, CA 95678

excuse to have one more of those bursting with flavor and juicy blueberries freshly-baked muffins.

The seasonal items we took a note of, were the Fresh Fruit Tart, the Seasonal Fruit Galette, and the Fresh Mango Tart. All these goodies looked so healthy dressed up in fresh local berries and fruits that it almost seemed justified to go for an extra slice. So, whether you are looking for something to bring for dinner when you’re going to visit your friends or in-laws on a Saturday night, or simply need a cheerful bite to go with a cup of tea while watching your favorite TV Show on a weekday, these tender pastries filled with smooth cream and fresh fruits are always a good idea. After all, could you think of a better way to take in your daily dose of fruits?

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O

FAT’S ASIA BISTRO & DIM SUM BAR

ur next stop took us as far away from the Russian cuisine as it gets – Fat’s Asian Bistro in Sacramento Old town. While not a big fan of Asian food, this place is a joyful exception for me. One of the oldest locally owned restaurant chains, Fat’s Bistro serves Chinese American food that is cooked from scratch using fresh local ingredients. The menu features anything Asian ranging from spicy seafood to grilled steak thinly sliced and smothered in oyster sauce. Their most popular highlights include honey walnut prawns, seafood pot with clams, shrimp, calamari, and scallops in chili sauce with mushrooms and veggies, and Peking duck roasted and served over steamed buns.

Despite of their abundant menu, exotic Asian food is not the reason we come to Frank Fat’s. It is the Banana Cream Pie, their famous house-made dessert prepared according to the secret recipe of Fat’s

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Fat’s Asia Bistro & Dim Sum Bar 1500 Eureka Road Roseville, CA 95661 916-787-3287

family that lures me in every time. And once again I make an exception for Fats’ restaurants, as I am not a big pie eater. As a matter of fact, I would hardly call it a ‘pie.’ A heaping rise of velvety goodness, it consists of creamy vanilla custard packed with pieces of freshly cut bananas concealed in a fluffy pastry crust and topped with flakes of freshly whipped cream.

Perhaps Russians like Fat’s Banana Cream Pie for a reason. Its custard filling brings back the taste of childhood, as it closely resembles the pastry cream used in our favorite Napolen cake. Or maybe it is the way the light texture of the custard fuses together with the aroma of fresh bananas and a hint of salt in the crunchy crust that make Banana Cream Pie so appealing to Fat’s guests. Whatever the reason is, it is common to see a Russian-speaking party coming in just for that dessert or stopping by to grab a whole pie ‘to go.’

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Автор: Ольга Гаричкина

ИНТЕРВЬЮ С АЛЕКСЕЕМ ТОВАРЯНОМ

СЕКРЕТ

УСПЕШНОГО МУЖЧИНЫ

К

огда речь заходит о юриспруденции, я всегда вспоминаю шутку, которую когда-то рассказал мой друг, работающий судьей в Приморском районном суде Одессы: «Адвокаты делятся на 2 категории — одни знают хорошо закон, другие хорошо знают судью». В Америке эта шутка не столь актуальна, поэтому успешность адвоката заключается в его умении довести дело до победного конца, отстаивая интересы своего подзащитного. Здесь борьба более изощренная, но и послевкусие совсем другое. На юридическом поприще Алексей уже более 15 лет. Его репутация зарекомендована множеством успешно завершенных дел, 26

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касающихся нарушений трудового права: травм, аварий, увечий, несчастных случаев, и даже фатальных исходов. Выпускник Ростовского Государственного Университета России с последующей аккредитацией в США, Алексей привлек наше внимание как состоявшийся юрист и настоящий профессионал своего дела. Узнать, в чем же секрет его успеха, меня и направила к нему редакция Русского Времени. К встрече с Алексеем я заранее не готовилась. Решила сознательно импровизировать. Было интересно, как раскроется мой собеседник, ведь многие знают его только как успешного адвоката, и мало кто догадывается, что Алексей весьма незаурядная и творческая личность.

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Ни дорогой костюм, ни офис в центре Сан-Франциско, ни серьезный проницательный взгляд моего собеседника, меня не удивили. Именно таким я и ожидала увидеть успешного адвоката, практикующего одни из наиболее сложных и востребованных областей юриспруденции – трудовое и гражданское право.

Я люблю то, чем занимаюсь. Только любя свое дело можно быть в нём успешным.

В. Нашим читателям наверняка знаком фильм «Адвокат дьявола», в котором юристу пришлось защищать подсудимого, догадываясь о его виновности. Были ли подобные случаи в Вашей практике? О. Такие случаи встречаются сплошь и рядом. В моей практике, слава Богу, была только одна ситуация, когда я понял, что защищаю, мягко говоря, не совсем порядочного клиента. В подробности вдаваться не буду, но суть заключалась в том, что мне успешно удалось довести дело до «mediation», - это когда две стороны встречаются и полюбовно решают вопрос. Волею судьбы ко мне на стол попали документы, доказывающие, что мои клиенты – люди не совсем честные. У меня, конечно же, были все шансы закрыть на это глаза и помочь им выиграть солидную сумму денег, но я предпочел отказаться от дела. Представлять клиента, скрывающего факты от своего адвоката, не в моих правилах.

Секретов успеха нет, есть усердие и кропотливая работа над собой, которая в результате приносит плоды.

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В. Если Вы знаете, что не можете помочь клиенту — честно заявляете ему об этом? О. Если я вижу, что в деле не за что зацепиться — честно признаюсь в этом клиенту. Ни один адвокат не может гарантировать исход, но если я берусь за дело, значит я буду бороться за своего клиента до конца! Нельзя играть с человеческими судьбами. Ответственность адвоката чрезвычайно высока. К примеру, если речь идёт WWW.RUSSIANAMERICANMEDIA.COM

об иммиграционных делах, как только судебная машина запущена, у большинства клиентов уже нет пути назад. Порой это даже вопрос жизни и смерти. В моей практике бывали случаи, когда клиенты просто не могли вернуться на родину без угрозы для жизни, так что единственным приемлемым исходом для них было выиграть дело. В. Алексей, а какой случай из юридической практики Вам Запомнился больше других? О. Запомнившихся случаев в моей практике достаточно, но особенным стал суд, состоявшийся в марте этого года, с гигантом Американской стоматологии - корпорацией Western Dental Services, Inc. Дело касалось компенсации стоматологов и знаменательно тем, что в результате нашей победы была внесена поправка в трудовой кодекс. Процесс был непростой, судья изначально не понимал всех деталей и склонялся к позиции оппонентов, но позже принял наш аргумент и вынес решение в пользу нашего клиента. Особенно приятно осознавать, что мы не просто выиграли процесс, а создали прецедент на основе которого каждый человек, работающий в области стоматологии и оказавшийся в подобной ситуация может претендовать на выплату сверхурочных! В. Говоря о трудовом праве, насколько востребована эта ветвь и много ли нарушений в этой сфере?

ЕСЛИ УЖ ТЫ РЕШИЛСЯ БЫТЬ АДВОКАТОМ — НЕОБХОДИМО БЫТЬ БОЙЦОМ.

О. Я бы сказал более чем достаточно. Как я уже сказал, трудовое право - это сложная и динамичная область закона, нормы которой постоянно меняются. Вдобавок ко всему, подобные дела чрезвычайно субъективны, они основываются на динамике человеческих отношений. Отсюда и возникают нарушения прав работников или не обоснованные иски против работодателей. Бывают случаи, когда работодатель сознательно нарушает права своих подчинённых. Но к сожалению, чаще всего работодатель непреднамеренно ущемляет права своих работников из-за незнания трудового кодекса. В. Кого Вы чаще представляете в суде: работников или работодателей? О. В основном, я представляю иски работников. Это и отсутствие выплаты сверхурочных, непредставление должных перерывов, задержка с выплатой зарплаты, различного рода дискриминации и тому подобное. Бывают случаи, когда с просьбой о защите ко мне обращаются сами работодатели. Если быть откровенным, я предпочитаю консультировать предпринимателей о том, как предохранить свой бизнес от подобных исков, ведь бережёного Бог бережёт. В. А каким образом вы можете помочь бизнесмену предохранить себя от исков со стороны работников? О. Каждой компании необходим определённый набор документов,

Ни один адвокат не может гарантировать исход, но если уж принялся за дело, значит нужно бороться за своего клиента до конца! Нельзя играть с человеческими судьбами. Ответственность адвоката чрезвычайно высока!

который поможет предотвратить неприятности и тягостные судебные процессы. К сожалению, для нашей общины эта тенденция достаточно нова. Грамотный адвокат поможет подготовить правильный пакет документов, объяснит предпринимателю, какие нюансы трудового права касаются его бизнеса, подскажет, как вести бизнес согласно закону. Такой подход помогает избежать неожиданных судебных исков от работников и впоследствии может сэкономить массу денег, времени и нервных клеток. В. Уверена, что график у Вас весьма напряженный, получается ли расслабляться? О. График безусловно насыщенный. Чтобы быть успешным адвокатом, недостаточно получить лицензию. Нужно постоянно работать и работать хорошо, аккумулируя знания, следя за постоянными поправками в законах, изучая новые нюансы законодательного кодекса. Если уж ты решился быть адвокатом — необходимо быть бойцом. Поэтому и приходится порой работать без передышки, просыпаться среди ночи от идей по делу о защите клиента. Хотя и расслабляться порой необходимо. Мне помогают спорт и книги. Я люблю писателей, которые лаконично доносят суть своих мыслей. Предпочитаю короткие произведения, на большие, с моим плотным графиком, не так-то просто настроиться.

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Чтобы быть хорошим адвокатом, недостаточно получить лицензию.

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В. Алексей, а если говорить в целом об Америке. Что первое приходит на ум, в сравнении с жизнью в России. Что лучше и что хуже? Возможно, ответ банален, но все же, Америка — это свободная страна. Пусть не настолько, как это было в 80-х годах, но в любом случае, если ты живешь и не нарушаешь закон — возможностей добиться чегото существенного здесь намного больше, чем в странах постсоветского пространства. Если же говорить о том, чего не хватает, так это общения, или, если позволите, душевности. Здесь нужно отдать должное техническому прогрессу. С появлением интернета связь между людьми стала упрощенно-виртуальной. В. Что для Вас значит дружба? О. Вспомнился анекдот, когда маленький мальчик в 2 часа ночи кричит под балконом своего друга: «Петя, выходи. Пеееетя, выходи!!! На балконе появляется мама Пети и говорит: «Саша, ты видишь который сейчас час? Петя давно спит». На что ей Саша отвечает: «Видел, но я думал, что дружба — это понятие круглосуточное». Знакомых, приятелей, интересных собеседников, может быть много, но настоящие друзья, для которых дружба это понятие «круглосуточное» — мало. Их не может быть много. В этом и есть их ценность. Друг это тот, на кого ты можешь рассчитывать независимо от положения стрелки на часах. В. Каким Вы видите себя через 10 лет? О. Буду откровенным — хочу быть успешным в своем деле. Я люблю то, чем занимаюсь, ведь только 30

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любя свое дело можно быть в нем успешным. Для меня успех не сводится к Бентли и вилле на лазурном берегу. Я ценю такие понятия, как любовь и уважение клиента. Многие намеренно сохраняют дистанцию и жесткость в общении с клиентами. Я считаю, что нужно в первую очередь оставаться человеком. В. А в женщинах, что для Вас важно? О. Красивая внешность, умение себя преподнести, обаяние, безусловно, не могут остаться незамеченными для любого мужчины. Для меня, важно в женщине наличие богатого внутреннего мира. Красивых и эффектных оберток много, а вот цельного содержимого и палитры душевных качеств внутри — не всегда. Внешняя красота — это отображение внутренней красоты. С такой женщиной хочется быть рядом и наслаждаться мгновениями, проведенными вместе. В. Алексей, в чем же секрет Вашего успеха? О. Признание себя успешным и воображение того, что ты чего то достиг — уводит человека от реальности. Каждый день — это определенный жизненный урок, который ты либо усваиваешь, либо нет. Жизнь может не всегда ломает, но надламывает каждого. Вопрос лишь в том, найдешь ли ты силы на преодоление трудностей и покорение дальнейших вершин или нет? Жизнь напоминает своего рода игру в шахматы — каждый ход необходимо продумать, чтобы в итоге добиться конечного результата и стать победителем. Секретов успеха на самом деле нет — есть усердие и кропотливая работа над собой, которая в результате и приносит плоды!

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415-984-9990 tovarianlaw@gmail.com www.agt-lawyers.com

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1338 Howe Avenue • Sacramento • (916) 927-0542 341 Iron Point Rd., Suite B • Folsom • (916) 353-1982 1001 K Street Sacramento · (916)-330-1977

Susanna Shkrabak

Miss Congeniality 2014

Susan is an RN who works long shifts at the UC Davis Medical Center. At the same time, she is a free-spirited adrenaline junkie that enjoys riding motorcycles, skydiving, and snowboarding.

Nice

Naughty or

It would be right to say that the Miss Russian California beauty pageant is a highly competitive endeavor. Just think about that for a second, ten most beautiful, smart, and ambitious young women compete for the title of the best and brightest lady of Slavic descent. Each year, we get swamped with a myriad of applications for the pageant that are submitted from all over the Golden State. Majority of applicants have a lot in common – good looks, noteworthy achievements, and big dreams. It is seldom when one jumps out of the common pool of beauty and personality.

And yet, it happens.

As a matter of fact, it happened to us last year, when in a middle of the prelim interviews a green-eyed blonde breezed into the room. It wasn’t her looks or her killer smile that captured the judges’ attention. It was the polarity of her personality that swept them off their feet.

She is a Registered Nurse that put herself through years of school and completed a highly competitive medical program. Her work schedule involves repetitive 12-hour shifts at the department of surgical specialties at the UC Davis Medical Center.

At the same time, she is a freespirited adrenaline junkie that enjoys riding motorcycles, white-waterrafting, skydiving, snowboarding, and volleyball. She made it into the finals with ease. And just like that she swamped the title of Miss Congeniality 2014. So let’s find out more about who this extraordinary beauty is and where she comes from.

“My favorite toy as a kid was a homemade first aid kit. I would rummage through the cabinets looking for the hands-on material to put it together.”

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“I knew that the nursing career was a calling.”

As a young girl, Susanna enjoyed participating in many of the activities children cherish. Some of her fondest memories reflect the times where she and her siblings played, “house.”

While her sisters frequently alternated between pretending to be the “mom” or “daughter”, Susanna consistently and passionately insisted on acting as the role of a nurse. In addition to playing a nurse, one of her most favorite and mischievous endeavors included rummaging through the cabinets of the house acquiring materials to create what would become her favorite toy, a homemade first aid kit.

With these supplies Susanna excitedly bandaged and nursed injuries both real and pretend of her siblings and neighborhood kids.

Although she lived in a loving household, her family emigrated from the Ukraine and the initial transition into American Society proved difficult.

Aside from the natural cultural and linguistic obstacles presented to Susanna’s family, her father also suffered from a debilitating condition causing the loss of sight. Susanna’s awareness of the struggles faced by her family fueled her tenacity to work towards achieving a professional occupation that would allow her to possess financial security and an opportunity to work in the field of healthcare.

In High School, a teacher and mentor took notice to Susanna’s interest and innate nature to work as a compassionate caregiver. Susanna’s passion drove her towards pursuing an internship introduced by staff and teachers at her school. At age 15, Susanna was afforded the life changing experience of working alongside doctors, nurses and a variety of specialists within the hospital setting of the emergency room. Susanna engaged in activities varying from resuscitation through CPR tactics to working with specimens in a lab. One particular moving opportunity she experienced emerged in the blessing of engaging with sick and bedridden patients and providing them with care and comfort. Susanna witnessed the impact and influence her care had on the patients and thereafter knew that the nursing career was a calling.

After graduating high school, Susanna enrolled in California State University, Sacramento where she pursued a degree in Nursing and Psychology.

Upon entering the highly impacted 4-year nursing program in college, Susanna was required to maintain a competitive grade point average. In the nursing program she encountered a vigorous curriculum that not only challenged her devotion to the career, but also prepared her for work in the

changing and developing health care environment. During her schooling, the curriculum encompassed training in: clinical skills, nursing theory, nurse leadership, health promotion, family planning, mental health, environmental and occupational health, adult and pediatric care, medical and surgical care, psychiatric care, community health, and home health care.

After graduation, Susanna’s hard work in the past as a 15-year-old intern proved beneficial as she landed a well deserved position as an RN in the department of Surgical Specialties at UC Davis Medical Center. As an RN she finds her career versatile, mentally stimulating, and exciting. Susanna discovered that as a professional she is held to higher standards and has developed core values including human dignity, integrity, autonomy, altruism, and social justice. She strives to provide excellent, holistic, culturally appropriate, compassionate, and individualized nursing care. Although Susanna greatly enjoys her position as a nurse and providing patients with care, compassion, and tenderness, she has plans of furthering her education in the field of medicine in order to continue providing people with services that she has demonstrated and dreamt of from the time of her childhood.

Photographer: Igor Ilyenko MUA/Hair: Anna Shkrabak Stylist: Anna Shkrabak Graphic Design by: Anastasia Creative www.nlRussia.org

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5 Exercises you could be doing with your baby

T

here is nothing more fulfilling and joyful then having a new baby. From looking for your own features in their face to watching them taking their first steps, being a new parent is a rewarding and exciting experience. At the same time, it is also a hands-on, highly demanding, and fully engaging task. Making time for yourself while having a toddler in a house might seem next to impossible, let alone finding some time to go to the gym and workout.

Hugo Brambila, a certified private trainer and the owner of Custom Fitness, a private fitness studio in Natomas, believes you don’t have to give up the time with your baby to stay in shape. Being a new parent himself, Hugo came up with a fun and simple 15-minute routine that could help you get stronger and leaner without the stress of leaving the house. Here are five easy exercises you could be doing with your little bundle of joy.

1.Split Squat A. Start by standing with one foot about 2 feet in front of the other, make sure your toes are pointed straight in front of you and your knee does not go over your toes.

B. Drop you back knee until it is about 2 inches away from the floor.

C. Return to the starting position.

Repeat 8-12 times. Repeat on opposite side.

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Workout presented by: Hugo Brambila Custom Fitness 916-333-2776 www.cfnatomas.com

2.Bridge Up A. Start by laying down on your back.

Bend your knees so your heels are about 1 foot away from your bottom.

Point your toes up in the air.

B. Using your heels, press down against the floor and drive your hips up into the air. Squeeze your gluteus and hold for 5 seconds.

C. Return to the starting position.

Repeat 8-12 times.

3.Low to High Chop A. Start by standing tall with your feet shoulder width apart.

Bending at the hips, rotate to one side and lower your weight.

B. Stand up, rotate and reach to the opposite side.

C. Return to the starting position. Repeat 8-12 times.

Repeat on opposite side.

4.Plank A. Start by laying down on the floor face down and holding yourself up on your elbows/ forearms and knees.

B. Keeping your back and hips in a straight line, press down with your forearms and extend your knees so you are holding yourself up on your elbows / forearms and toes.

C. Hold this position for 10-30 seconds and return to the starting position.

D. As you get stronger and can hold the plank for 2 min, you can progress and try adding some resistance to your back (like your little baby).

Remember, make sure you are strong enough before you add resistance. Repeat 8-12 times.

5.Mason Twist A. Start by sitting on the floor with your feet off of the ground. Hold the weight straight in front of you.

For those of you that wish to expedite your fitness goals, RT recommends trying private fitness training. This effective and efficient type of workout allows you to get a customized program adjusted specifically to your body type.

B. Using your torso, rotate side to side. If this move is difficult, try putting your heels on the floor while you do the exercise.

Repeat 8-12 times.

Design by:

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NAPA VALLEY Above & Beyond STEPPING OFF THE BEATEN PATH OF THE WINE COUNTRY

THREE HIT DESTINATIONS TO MAKE YOUR STAY IN THE NAPA VALLEY UNFORGETTABLE Napa Valley is the very place that put American wines on the map of the world-class wine making.

It is Napa’s full-bodied Cabernets that share the same pages of the wine menus with the French Bordeaux and Italian Tuscany blends.

N

o wonder Napa is one of the most appealing destinations in California, for locals and tourists alike. The valley is saturated with hundreds of wineries accompanied by some exquisite dining and luxury lodging. So, whether you are a wine spectator or a sober companion, the wine country offers plenty of reasons to come for a visit.

Wine tasting is the most common reason people come to the Valley. However, some tour the wineries just to enjoy the fascinating ambiance of the elegant tasting rooms. Napa’s famous Tuscanylooking castle, Castello di Amoroso, alone is worth seeing whether you are interested in wine tasting or not. The wineries vary from boutique, familyowned estates, like the Italian-spirited Regusci, to world-known iconic names, like Robert Mondavi and Beringer Vineyards.

There are no rules when it comes to exploring the Napa Valley. You can literally take any exit along the Highway 29 or the Silverado Trail, the two main roads in Napa, and run into a scenic winery or a vintage tasting room. We want to offer you a different take on your Napa getaway, an itinerary that will through you off the beaten path of the wine country and provide you with an experience you will remember for life. We present you with three local gems that can take you above and beyond the ground zero of American wine making. Literally.

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Exquisite dining, luxury lodging, and relaxing scenery instantly make you feel worlds away from the stressful urban lifestyle.

stay N NAPA RIVER INN 500 Main Street, Napa, CA 94559 1-877-251-8500

apa River Inn is a four-star waterfront hotel situated within the Historic Napa Mill in Downtown Napa's Riverfront District. The hotel is located within a walking distance from the fancy shops, upscale boutiques, and world-class restaurants featured in travel magazines and on Food Network

shows. It’s just minutes away from the intimate French hideout Angèle, the famous Japanese American twist Morimoto, and one of the best places for sophisticated fresh seafood the Fish Story.

Aside of its convenient location right in the newly-

play T BALLOONS ABOVE THE VALLEY 1-800-464-6824 www.balloonrides.com

he two attractions we chose to spotlight are nothing close to the usual wine country experience. They allow you to step away from the ordinary and see Napa Valley from a whole different perspective. Our first recommendation is getting a birds-eye view of the entire valley from a hot air balloon.

Hot air balloons are a sight to see even when you simply look at them from the ground, let alone when you ride one. Now, imagine floating up in the sky, looking down at one of the most picturesque countryside in the nation and have its rolling

reborn Downtown District, Napa River Inn offers deluxe accommodations with high class amenities.

The rooms are equipped with luxurious beds which have heavenly-comfortable mattresses, cotton sheets, and feather down comforters.

hillsides, wooded trails, and lush wineries all at your fingertips. A pretty terrific view.

Balloons above the Valley is the company we recommend. It has quite an extensive history and a perfectly safe flying record. It was founded back in 1976 by one of the pioneers in hot air balloon aviation, Bob Barbarick. Since then it has grown to become one of the most trusted hot air balloon companies in America. There is a variety of tour options you could choose from; however, their sunrise flight paired with a champagne brunch is especially breathtaking. The meeting time for the sunrise

to Start with, you need a

PLACE TO STAY It has to be fancy enough to correspond to the world-class accommodations Napa is famous for, and affordable enough to avoid the aftershock on your bank account. While there is no deficiency with lodging when it comes to Napa, finding a place that would balance pricing and rating is quite challenging. Making sure this place is not an hour away from all the action makes the job even harder. We feel like we have completed the challenge.

Bathrooms are finished with marble vanities and upscale appliances and feature Organic locally sourced bath products, such as Cabernet body wash and Champagne conditioner. The floor plans are spacious and wide-open finished with lavish décor and cozy fireplaces. To make

your stay more memorable, Napa River Inn will start your day with a complimentary cup of Peet’s Coffee and breakfast in bed from Sweetie Pie Bakery.

Luxury bedding, gourmet breakfast in bed, and locally-sourced organic bath

flight is pretty early. You have to be at the meeting point by 5 am.

The good thing is, the rondevu is only 10 minutes away from the Napa River Inn. At 5 am that helps a lot. Upon your arrival you’ll be treated to some hot Starbucks coffee with freshly baked pastries and then taken to the launch site to see your hot air balloon being inflated. That’s when you claim your spot in the basket and it takes you off into the fresh morning air. You’ll find yourself standing thousands of feet above the ground with no safety belts or glass windows to keep you in – an unbelievable sensation. Your experience will be completed with a gourmet Champaign Brunch served upon your arrival.

products are not the only features that set Napa River Inn aside. It is the view that makes the stay in this hotel so memorable. Unlike most of other Napa hotels, the Inn is not surrounded by rolling hills and groomed vineyards. Its wide-open windows covered with

bushy vines overlook a fast-running river. Whenever the night falls down the water lights up with a myriad of reflections from the street lights that guard the waterfront. There is something soothing and magical about this dynamic dance of light and water.

Now,

something EXCITING TO DO

As we’ve got you set up with the hotel, we wish to advise you on some things to do.

Something unconventional, to make your saty in Napa a memorable experience.

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NAPA VALLEY WINE TRAIN www.WineTrain.com 1-800-427-4124

dine

O

ur next featured attraction allows you to explore the wine country from within.

It combines an exquisite dining experience with a scenic ride on board of a restored antique engine that takes you through some fabled vineyards of Napa Valley. Napa Valley Wine Train is area’s most distinctive restaurant. It offers seasonal menu created by the Executive Chef Kelly Macdonald. The meals are prepared from fresh local ingredients and everything is cooked to order while the guests enjoy their relaxing journey.

There train has three kitchens cars and the guests are more than welcome to stop by and watch the meals being prepared. Your server will be more then welcome to advise you on the best time to visit the kitchen and see the chefs cook the food on board of a moving train. An experience that could easily compete

with any cooking show! Each car offers a separate multiple course menu. A sample meal in the Vista Dome lunch package features such delicacies as Smoked Salmon Crepes with crème Fraiche, caviar, and honey onion marmalade as an appetizer, and Grilled Local Lamb Chops in a sweet corn puree as the main course.

There is a variety of packages you can choose from with tickets available for lunch and dinner journeys, romantic endeavors, such as the Moonlight Escape, and Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre. All packages include multiple course gourmet meals and a threehour antique train ride. The train leaves from the station located in the Historic Downtown Napa within a short ten-minute walk from our featured Napa River Inn. A roundtrip covers thirty-six miles of railway that goes through the world's most famous vineyards to the charming village of St. Helena, and back.

Explore the wine country

FROM WITHIN You don’t have to be a wine spectator to have a reason to come to Napa. There is plenty of things to do and places to see aside of wine tasting. Napa’s rural scenery alone is worth the drive. Its rolling hills, family vineyards, and wooded foothills strongly resemble a countryside of Eastern Europe. A nostalgic view for the immigrants from the post-soviet republics.

The perfect balance of value and coverage. В Western Health Advantage мы знаем, что Вы желаете лучшего для своей семьи. Поэтому мы создали для Вас доступный план медицинской страховки, предоставляющий Вам доступ к широкому спектру медицинских провайдеров и клиник. Наш план идеально сочетает цену и качество, гарантируя Вам надлежащее медицинское покрытие в любой ситуации. Чтобы приобрести медицинскую страховку без компромиссов, звоните Елене Обутковой: 916-628-5547

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Author: Olya Ivannikov

BOYS WILL BE BOYS They say boys never grow up, it’s just the size of their toys that change. There might be some truth to this old joke; at least the part that suggests men don’t have to give up their fun as life goes on.

As a matter of fact, there might be a direct correlation between taking time to do the things we like and becoming successful at the things we do.

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Success is not a matter of luck but rather a result of hard work. And when it comes to work, there is hardly another nation in the world that knows how to work, better than Americans. Thanks to smartphones, tablets, and social networks, we can stay plugged into business on any given day, at any given time, in any given place. We might be the only country in the world that considers a vacation stay based on the availability of Wi-Fi by the pool side, so we could have access to our e-mails while sipping a tropical cocktail.

Our “always on” mentality keeps us on our toes 24/7 and hardly assumes any time off at all. However, more and more research suggests that in order to stay at the top of our game, we actually have to take time off to play. Literally.

Psychologists agree, that in order to maintain emotional health, enhance quality of life, and improve work performance, people need to take breaks from work and engage in recreational activities.

Russian Time decided to put this theory to the test. We took six successful men that are well known in our region for their leadership skills, career achievements, and overwhelming schedules, and asked whether their success goes hand in hand with some kind of leisure activity. Here is an insight into the playrooms of the most notable boys of our region.

SUCCESSFUL MEN AT PLAY KEVIN JOHNSON

The Mayor of Sacramento Kevin Johnson, the Mayor of Sacramento and the first African American to serve in that office. A former NBA player with a 12-year career in professional sports.

Why basketball?

I was actually drafted by the Oakland A’s when I was in college to play professional baseball. While I loved both sports, the reason I chose basketball over baseball is because with basketball I didn’t have to rely on anyone else to practice and workout.

With basketball, I could go to the gym at all hours of the night whereas with baseball, I’d have to have a partner or several partners in order to practice.

How did it feel being on a professional basketball team?

It feels like yesterday since I was drafted 7th by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1987. Even though it was expected that I would be drafted, it was still surprising and thrilling to hear my name called. I had fulfilled a lifelong dream. But the real hard work started after I made the team.

How much commitment did the sport require?

Playing professional basketball required complete commitment and dedication. First, I owed it to my teammates to work as hard as possible to try to accomplish the ultimate goal, winning an NBA championship.

Second, there is so much talent out there, if I let up, I knew that there was someone else who wanted to take my spot.

Do you ever find time to play basketball these days?

No, my basketball days are over. On my 40th birthday I tried to see if I could still dunk. Bad idea! When I couldn’t, I knew that I had to give it up.

Any physical activity you like to engage in your spare time?

Exercising is a big part of my life and working out is part of my daily routine.

I try to do it whenever I can find time in my busy schedule. My favorite activities are going to the gym and running. If you see me jogging around Sacramento please make sure to wave.

SUCCESSFUL MEN AT PLAY ANTHONY HUGHES

Attorney at Law Hughes is a graduate of Lincoln Law School of Sacramento.

He specializes in bankruptcy law, helping thousands of clients to get a fresh start.

Why did you decide to become a lawyer?

It was my father’s dying wish in 2002.

Do you have a hobby?

Competing in physique and bodybuilding competitions.

When did you first get interested in bodybuilding?

On a Christmas morning at the age of 12. My parents gave me a couple small pieces of workout equipment as a present, so I began working out with a trainer at my house.

Why body building?

It is fun while doing it and you get to carry the benefits around with you 24 hours a day.

How does working out make you feel?

Like Rambo with Rocky music playing in the background.

How much commitment does your hobby require?

One hour a day, 6 days per week.

How do you find time to work out while heading a successful law firm?

It actually saves time to work out. You get higher quality sleep so you need less down time. Besides, it energizes your mind so work becomes more productive and you can get more done.

Also, I work out with some of my staff members so during our workouts we are able to discuss issues relating to work as needed.

Top item on your “Bucket List”?

I want to fly with a jet pack. I am hopeful that a personal and affordable jet pack will be invented in my lifetime before I get too old to do it due to a risk of heart attack from the thrill. I remain optimistic the technology will be there.

Something you wouldn’t do for a million dollars?

Become a vegetarian.

SUCCESSFUL MEN AT PLAY CC Yin may have built his fortune by expanding his chain of McDonald’s restaurants; but he has made his name by founding and directing APAPA – a nonprofit organization dedicated to education and empowerment of Asian Americans.

You are steering a nationwide non-profit organization and heading twenty McDonald’s restaurants. What does your schedule look like?

APAPA is a highly dynamic organization.

It requires lots of traveling to be able to support all the chapters across the US. I am gone most of the weekdays and the weekends often assume fundraisers or community events here in the area.

Do you have a hobby?

Quite a few. I love playing tennis and Ping-Pong, fishing and, most definitely, shooting.

Why shooting?

It’s a great sport that exercises precision and accuracy while always leaving room for advancement. Plus, it gives you with real life skills that could provide for self-defense or protection of your loved ones.

What firearm can you shoot?

I can handle anything from pistols, to shotguns, and rifles.

What do you like the most about your hobby?

It is a great stress reliever that always challenges me to improve. Shooting range is also a great unconventional place to spend time with friends.

What is your favorite gun?

A special rifle I received as a gift from the City of Vacaville Sheriff Department. It is engraved with the logo of Yin Ranch and my family name. It was a Thank You gift for supporting the Sheriff department by providing my shooting range at their disposal for practice.

Were you ever in a situation that provoked use of a firearm?

CC YIN

McDonald’s Restaurants owner

I opened my first McDonald’s restaurant in the most dangerous neighborhood of Oakland. Gangs, guns, and gunshots were a part of the everyday life in that area. I never used a gun though.

I needed customers, not enemies, so I used my smile instead.

SUCCESSFUL MEN AT PLAY ALEKS KAPLAN, DDS

Dentist

Kaplan is the owner of Eureka Dental Group, an elite practice voted Best Dental Office of Roseville for five consecutive years.

Your hobby?

Race cars.

Why racing?

I am Russian, all Russians like speed.

What was your first encounter with speed?

I first got a full taste of speed when I was picking up my special edition BMW from a factory in Munich, Germany. I got to drive my new car on the autobahns which have no speed limit.

An unforgettable experience.

What is that you like the most about racing?

It’s an extreme that you can control. It’s absolutely addictive!

What was your first race track?

Sonoma Infineon Raceway.

My test drive was an Austin Martin. A friend of mine is a professional racer and a champion of the Ferrari Challenge race. He was my first raceway teacher.

What’s it like, to be on a race track?

It’s an unparalleled feeling, takes your breath away! There is no place for fear, all you can think of at the moment is how to keep control of the car.

When do you find time to play?

Mostly during the weekends.

Are there any health benefits in racing?

It’s a great stress reliever. Besides, I think I lost at least five pounds by the end of my first race.

One item from your “bucket list”?

Go backpacking around the world.

SUCCESSFUL MEN AT PLAY Do you have a hobby?

My job is my hobby, I’m just getting paid for it as well.

What exactly is it that you do?

I manage an auto repair business which was founded in a small garage years ago. Today, it is a full spectrum automotive repair center which has a capacity for 30 cars, and a separate department that deals with tuning and restorations.

Do you have a formal training in this area?

I have a Bachelor degree in information science. I began working on cars from my garage with a few friends while being in school. It wasn’t about the money; it was just for fun. And it felt good - so good, I realized I wanted to stick to what makes me happy rather than going into the IT field.

Which part of your job feels more like a hobby?

It’s definitely tuning and restoration.

It’s amazing to give an old vintage car a new life. Not only do we restore the cars, but we make them better.

It’s fun to design new parts for old classics and see them completely transformed.

Do your projects get outside attention from the broader community?

Absolutely! Some of the classic BMWs we’ve restored and tuned have appeared in numerous shows and got us quite a few awards. We also have an immense number of people following us on social media.

Since you’re already living the dream doing what you love, do you have any additional aspirations?

One. I wish to see one of our projects appear at SEMA, one of the biggest car shows that draws over 60,000 domestic and international visitors.

IGOR POLISHCHUK Entrepreneur

Polishchuk is the owner of CAtuned Motorsports, a special division of Auto Heaven which specializes in tuning and restoration of vintage classics, such as most eyecatching BMW builds.

SUCCESSFUL MEN AT PLAY Have you attended college, if so, what is your degree in?

KOTARO “TARO” ARAI

University of Mikuni, Sushiology.

Do you have family/children?

Sushiologist

I am married and have 2 boys and 2 girls; 2 in college and 2 in high school.

What do you do for fun?

Taro Arai, the owner of Mikuni, a popular chain of Japanese Restaurants & Sushi Bars. His personal take on his position?

CDO - Chief Dreaming Officer.

I cook. I never view being in a kitchen as work; I play with food. I enjoy cooking, so to me work equals fun.

I also enjoy eating good food, golfing, fishing, and playing piano among all others.

How did you learn how to fish?

I grew up on an island, so I have learned how to fish from my father when I was a little boy.

Why fishing?

I love anything that has to do with water. Plus, I love eating fish. Fishing satisfies both. It’s an exciting sport because you never know what you will catch. What’s even better, fishing gives me a chance to spend quality time with my precious friends.

How does being on the boat make you feel?

Whenever I go ocean fishing, I get sea sick. Other than that, being on the boat makes me feel relaxed and appreciative of the nature.

How do you find time to play while navigating a chain of acclaimed Japanese restaurants?

I find time to work between my vacations and hobbies ;) Top item on your “Bucket List”?

I would like to go to Japan to evangelize and share what God has done through Mikuni. Also, if it’s God’s plan, I would want to go fishing and golfing with my grandchildren whenever I get some.

SUCCESSFUL MEN AT PLAY Why did you decide to become a doctor?

I loved medicine and knew that I will be able to help people with my skill. Oral surgery is a unique combination of art and science. It’s an incredible feeling to know I can give people confidence to smile again.

ALEXANDER ANTIPOV, D.D.S.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Your hobby?

Sport cycling and practicing yoga.

When did you first get interested in riding a pro-bike?

A few years ago after meeting a professional all-around cyclist Vladimir Efimkin.

Why biking?

It gives me lots of energy and positive emotions. Plus, you don’t have to worry about gas and parking.

How does being on a bike make you feel?

I ride because I love to feel wind on my face and freedom in my heart.

How much commitment does your hobby require?

Not much. I enjoy biking, so I don’t have to push myself to take a stroll.

I rather look forward to it.

How do you find time to bike with your busy schedule?

It is always on my schedule no matter how busy I am. I incorporate it in my daily routine so it becomes a part of my schedule, not a loophole. During the weekdays I may bike to work to get a nice wake-up call in the morning and shake the day off at night.

Top item on your “bucket list”?

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Antipov is a highly acclaimed Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.

He holds a medical degree from Loma Linda University and has completed his residency at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York.

AN EXTREME KIND OF FUN What is your fun personality profile?

Are you a type of person that grabs a backpack and takes on a ten mile hike, or do you prefer the adrenaline rush of crowded amusement parks?

Does your ideal day off involve soaking in the sun in a company of a good book, or is it incomplete until you are surrounded by people you care for doing the things you love?

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Author: Lika Emelyanova

W

hatever it is you like, the experience I am about to share with you could satisfy both the adrenaline loving junkies and the peaceful nature lovers. I came across this adventure when I was asked to come up with a story on an unconventional way to spend a weekend. It did not sound difficult at all until I read the fine print underneath my task description.

I was supposed to find an activity that could be done in one day, would be in a close proximity to the Capitol region, and would be appropriate for all ages. Oh, and on top of that, it was supposed to be fun, different, and unforgettable. Other than that, I could pick anything I wanted.

It took me a while to find a good fit.

After hours of asking around, surfing the web, and nagging on my friends,

I finally found it, an extreme kind of fun that could land me a ‘good job’ from my boss. Whitewater rafting - a great experience that combines the serenity of the great outdoors with the thrill of a mad roller coaster ride.

The kind of activity you can do on your own, with your kids, or in the company of friends and family. It incorporates the beauty of the great outdoors with an adventure of a lifetime!

Whether you are looking for a fun way to spend a weekend with your kids or a knock-out adventure to satisfy your adrenaline crave, whitewater rafting is a great choice to go with!

I did my research to find a good guide for my first encounter with whitewater rafting. All Outdoors Whitewater Rafting Company was my final pick.

Aside of having great reviews and a friendly staff, All Outdoors had a great reputation and years of hand-earned experience in recreational whitewater rafting. One of the first few original outfitters in California, they have been guiding people down the rivers for more than 50 years. I felt pretty confident that they knew what they were doing with over 30,000 trips and 300,000 people they have led down the runs.

Considering myself a pretty adventurous person, I didn’t think twice before grabbing my camera and claiming myself a place on a raft.

I sneaked behind a seven-foot-tall “Captain America”-looking guy, who seemed strong enough to shelter me from most anything that could come my way. Just in case. My plan worked perfectly, at least for a little while.

Whenever we would come across a big wave or a speedy drop, I would duck

behind the back of my companion letting him take all the heat.

I got away with most of the splashes that way feeling pretty good about my agility. That is until we reached the legendary Hospital Bed – a Class IV vertical drop. The rapid took the raft flying up in the air and then let it free-fall straight into the raging river, which concealed the entire boat underneath the roaring waves.

In a split second, “Mr. America” got knocked out of his seat, and swept to the back of the boat, landing his entire weight on my lap. We found ourselves dying of laughter once we realized that he hadn’t squashed me to death.

Your rafting experience can be as extreme or as mellow as you want it. Rivers and rapids are rated on a scale from one to six. The rating is based on such factors as the water flow and temperature, obstacles (like trees and rocks) and the vertical drop in elevation. Class I is mainly slow moving, flat water with minor, little

All-Outdoors California Whitewater Rafting 1-800-247-2387 www.AOrafting.com

waves and a few obstacles, if any. It is easy and perfect for young children and those wishing to enjoy the river without getting splashed. Class V, on the contrary, involves powerful rapids with steep eight-foot drops. It often contains narrow passages and complicated maneuvers. This type of rafting would satisfy the most daring madcaps.

I got just enough adrenaline out of my Class IV whitewater rafting experience to impress my boss with a good story. And just as much excitement to look for the first chance to go back and do it again. Whether you are looking for a fun way to spend a weekend with your kids, or a knock-out adventure to satisfy your adrenaline crave, whitewater rafting is a great choice to go with! My personal recommendation? Choose a credible guide, like the All Outdoors Whitewater Rafting, and don’t hide behind someone’s wide back.

Otherwise, you might find them sitting on your lap instead.

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People call them heroes. Hollywood makes movies about them. News channels show them coming to someone’s rescue on big red trucks and tackling with raging infernos. What is it like to be a FIREFIGHTER? How does one embark on a risky journey of service and valor?

FIREPROOF RUSSIANS Author: Bradley Paul Clark

A story about those, that run in when everyone else rushes out

THIS IS A FIELD WHERE YOU CAN’T Some dream of being a baseball player or a rock star, others want to become a doctor or a lawyer. Whatever it is one dreams of, it is usually ordinary events or people that ignite those aspirations.

This is a story of two young gentlemen of Slavic heritage who realized their dreams. They serve their communities in amazing ways.

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ndrey Obutkov is a full-time Firefighter working for East Contra Costa Fire in the Bay Area. He has worked in the Fire service for 5 years. Prior, he worked with CAL Fire in Humboldt Del Norte and volunteered with Newcastle Fire as well as Nevada County Fire. When Andrey was six years old his family won the green card lottery and had their pick to move to any US state. They chose The Golden State and began their journey in a new land that held promise and possibility. The price was leaving behind their home, family, friends, and careers as civil engineers.

For the first few years in The United States, even in the state whose history is quite literally gold glittered, were hard. His family were all hands on deck. They cleaned houses, delivered newspapers, anything they could do to earn a living at six thousand dollars a year. Through hard work,

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determination, holding on the promise of freedom and staying in the pursuit of happiness, Andrey’s family became successful. These experiences and the inspiration of his grandfather fueled his desire to serve and be a valuable asset to his family, his community, and the country that made it possible for him to realize his goals; his country, our country.

Another example is that of Val Zalutskiy.

He and his brothers are beginning what could become a “family business” as he and his brothers are all firefighters.

He explains some of his story, “When I was a kid, my family lived in less privileged apartments, I remember one extremely hot day when Sacramento City Fire Deptartment showed up to do fire hydrant inspections near the apartments, and like always a bunch of us kids gathered around the fire engine.

Well these guys were so cool, instead

This job is not about the rescuer, but about the one being rescued.

MAKE IT BEING SELF-CENTERED of doing what they needed to do and getting out of the heat, they did their job and then stuck around for a few minutes and sprayed water in the air for us to run around under and cool off.

Not a crazy story but it’s an example that a simple act of kindness in our daily lives can serve as an inspiration for someone. I developed a childish ambition to become a Firefighter, that ambition caught fire when I was in high school, and my older brother Igor Zalutskiy got his first job as a Firefighter, he loved his job and got me fired up for it. He has been my role model through-out this pursuit ever since. So yea, I guess you can say that I have always wanted to be one.” Val and Andrey both discussed how amazing it is that they have realized their goals of being a firefighter, but the achievement and honor comes from being a part of a brotherhood of those who are dedicated to service.

Val says, “Trying to get a career in the Fire Service is probably one of the most competitive fields out there. There are 6,000 applicants for a few job openings.

So anyone that makes it learns that this is not a field you can make it being self-centered. Throughout training and stepping stone jobs we unfold the meaning of a “Team”, you have to learn to both trust and depend on your partners, not just when you’re responding to emergencies, but in your daily life. That’s why they call the Fire House a home away from home.

You gotta realize this isn’t just a 8-5 job, we live together for 48-72 hours sometimes more a week, we see stuff people don’t want to see, so we rely on each other to get through our days. In time we find that most of your friends we hang out with on days off are Firefighters, and it’s really rewarding to know I have friends that I can trust with, and rely on with anything.”

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Photos by: Olha Melokhina www.olhaphotography.com Action images: courtesy of Val Zalutskiy & Andrey Obutkov From far left: Andrey Obutkov with fellow firefighters Training emergency repelling and rapid escape A wild fire from 2013 (top) Val Zalutskiy doing a morning workout at the station (bottom) Andrey Obutkov during a rescue in a car accident aftermath Val Zalutskiy on a rescue mission WWW.RUSSIANAMERICANMEDIA.COM

61

LIQUIDATORS

Flooring

Author: Margret Okunev

Every company has a unique start up story. The business may have been passed down from generation to generation, it possibly could have been foreclosed and bought out, or perhaps it started in the back of a pickup truck. That may sound like a movie script, but it’s part of the fascinating real-life story of Steve Kellogg, founder and chief executive of Flooring Liquidators, now the biggest flooring retailer in all of California.

НАХОДКА для

СТРОИТЕЛЕЙ

The

background story 15 years ago, Steve was selling laminate and carpet out of the back of his pickup truck. At one point he was actually living in his warehouse.

As sales increased, he was able to open up his first store in Modesto California in 2004. Living by the slogan “If you are not growing, you are dying” Flooring Liquidators has grown to 13 retail locations and 2 warehouse location in the past 10 years. Steve quickly realized that a successful business is about more than just selling stuff, he has a vision for his company. He is not afraid to take risks or to compete with anyone.

W

ith the current obsession of buying, selling and remodeling homes, surely there must be dozens of flooring companies out there, right?

Sitting down with General Manager Jamie LaRossa, he explains why Flooring Liquidators beats out all their competition.

Jamie: I think one of the things that set us apart from other companies, other than our pricing, is the buying experience that you have. It is a fun company. Our employees are fun people. People want good pricing and we have that. They also want to be comfortable buying from someone and I think we provide that assurance as well.

international vendors. This has allowed us the ability to purchase direct from manufacturers and then pass those savings on to our end users. People do not like to wait for anything these days. We are able to have stock on hand and can install new flooring in a customer’s house within days of a purchase. I also believe that we provide excellent customer service. We exceed customers’ expectations of what a Liquidator is. Much of our growth is from repeat customers and referrals.

Our advertising budget is much smaller than national averages. We rely on word of mouth.

Q. How does Flooring Liquidators

Q. What makes Flooring

beat out competition with such great pricing?

A. We have developed some great relationships with national and

A. Manufacturers need to keep their machines running. When we purchase in volume it does just that.

Volume buying means lower prices.

Liquidators the biggest flooring store in California?

These are passed on to consumers.

I also believe in our system and our employees. We have great people.

We have centralized many of the functions of our business. This keeps costs down, reduces errors, and allows us to provide great customer service. We have our own trucks so we can respond quickly to any situation.

Q. What types of flooring does the company specialize in? What brands and manufactures does Flooring Liquidators deal with?

A. I like this question. Most customers view a Liquidator as someone who sells discontinued, damaged, or defective product. They expect to see broken pallets and an unorganized store. We could not be further from that. Our stores are clean and orderly.

95% of our products that we sell are running line products that can be re ordered if necessary. We sell all major

flooring brands: Shaw, Armstrong, Mohawk, etc. We have all of the latest and popular products in flooring.

Because of our purchasing ability we can offer these name brand products at a much lower price than our competitors. And we can install everything that we sell.

Q. With so many companies

going out of business during the recession, how was Flooring Liquidators able to overcome the low economy and stay in business?

A. I was once told by Steve’s father that in “good times” people will want a deal and in “bad times” people will want a deal. I feel we offer great deals to people and this has helped us grow during one of the worst economic times in our nation’s history. We run a very lean business that has a system and flow of materials. Low overhead also helps during “bad times”.

Q. Speaking of deals, how well does Flooring Liquidators accommodate different budget amounts?

A. We have products for every budget. If you are on a tight budget I have carpet for $.49 sq ft. If you want the best carpet on the market I have Karastan carpet in stock and ready to rock.

I have laminate flooring at $.49 sq ft.

I also have Mannington Restorations plank laminate in stock for $2.79 sq ft.

Try and find it lower!

Q. How can one obtain a quote or samples of flooring?

A. Most samples may be checked out from the store at no charge. We have outside salesman in vans that provide in home estimates at no charge. Just call us and we will send someone out.

Q. What other services does

Flooring Liquidators offer?

A. We offer financing. We offer installation. We offer free estimates.

We offer window treatments. We offer all brands in flooring. Soon we will offer granite counter tops. We offer a relaxed environment to purchase.

Come give us a try!

As you can quickly comprehend, Flooring Liquidators isn’t your average company. There is a lot of noise in any marketplace, which is something that every business owner is acutely aware of. However, delivering the best products and services, can outlast that noise as customers leave happy and satisfied. Quality is paramount, and that extends from the people that work there, to the people that shop there.

Flooring Liquidators 2020 Taylor Road Roseville, CA 95678 (916) 724-0500

Proud supporter of small businesses.

Sunrise Branch Tammy Ellis, VP & Branch Manager 916-965-3333

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Keeping you dry

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Complete Re-roofs - All types Gutters Roof Inspection reports Roof Certificates Attic blow-in insulation Consultation Контактная информация: Nick Cherenkov 916.288.5338 Email: nick@whiteriverroofing.com www.whiteriverroofing.com

2014