OCTOBER 2020 | THE CITY ISSUE
A CITY SUPPORTING ITS COMMUNITY
Discover La Quinta Medical Center At Desert Care Network’s La Quinta Medical Center Campus you’ll discover an intimate setting for hospital outpatient services. Our services include: • The Institute of Clinical Orthopedics and Neurosciences for joint replacement, sports medicine and an array of orthopedic and neuros services
• La Quinta Imaging provides a wide array of medical imaging, including X-ray, CT and MRI scans • Desert Regional Medical Center’s Comprehensive Cancer
Center satellite facility offers consultations, infusion services, and screening mammography
• Desert Care Network Primary & Specialty Care, where patients can schedule appointments with physicians in a variety of primary and specialty services
La Quinta Medical Center | 47647 Caleo Bay Drive | La Quinta, CA 92253 | (760) 323-6511
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TABLE OF CONTENTS October 2020
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06 Message from the Chairman
The new Residence Inn by Marriott in La Quinta
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The City of La Quinta Helps Struggling Businesses
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What’s Happening at Old Town 4
City Pages
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Required Financial Statement Changes for Homeowners Associations
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Why is Medicare so Complicated
THANK YOU FOR THE MAJOR SPONSORSHIP PROVIDED BY
The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) was created in Q 2016 in cooperation with the former Coachella, La Quinta, Cathedral City and Indio Chambers, along with the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians and ES Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission T. 1 9 5 0 Indians. It enhances and significantly improves the way businesses interact with each other and the community in the entire Coachella Valley. As a Regional Chamber, the GCVCC delivers services and benefits to its members on a scope not seen before in the area.
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GCV LA QUINTA CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ray Dominguez, Chairman | Lamar Outdoor Advertising Steven Weiner | National CineMedia Doug Motz| Motz-Rusin Insurance Agency Mike Chapa | Fairway Independent Mortgage Karen Lambrose | Caliber Home Loans Lee Osborne | Osborne Rincon CPA’s Elisa Guerrero | Old Town Peddler Bike Rental & Repair Leslie Locken | Old Town La Quinta Steve Wilson | Optavia/Next Level Coaching- Steve Wilson Janice Isbell | La Quinta Chevrolet-Cadillac Carrie Babij | Desert Insurance Solutions, Inc. Eric Mosser | Edward Jones Financial Advisor - Eric Mosser THE GEM PRODUCTION TEAM THE LA QUINTA GEM IS PRODUCED BY THE GREATER COACHELLA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. The Gem is an official publication of the GCVCC. Circulation: Approximately 23,000. Distributed free to all residents, Chamber members and businesses in La Quinta. To advertise please call (760) 347-0676. Please Note: The opinions and views expressed in all editorial material are those of the writer or person interviewed and are not necessarily those of the GCVCC, its Board of Directors, or the advertisers in The Gem. The GCVCC endorses no person, political candidate or opinion unless specifically stated. The Gem reserves the right to reject certain advertising submissions. For a list of advertising standards, please contact staff. The Gem reserves the right to edit all submissions for grammar, length, and questionable content. Advertisers please note that colors may look slightly darker, or slightly lighter due to variables in the printing process. Questions or comments? Email us at info@ GCVCC.org or call (760) 347-0676.
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Message from the Chairman Submitted by: Elisa Guerrero, La Quinta Chamber of Commerce Chairperson
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In October we look forward to the start of our “season” with a change in the weather (and don’t forget the clocks!) and new and returning visitors. It’s also a time to reflect on the year we’ve had and the state of our city now and moving forward. To that end, the La Quinta Chamber and Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce invite you to join us for the annual State of the City presentation on October 15th which will be streaming virtually on various platforms. More information on how to tune in can be found in this issue. Despite the challenges we have faced this year, our La Quinta businesses have rallied and worked together in creative ways to keep thriving. Thanks to the leadership and dedication of our city staff & elected officials, our city was positioned to offer generous financial assistance and other support like the “Open for Business” banner program to businesses affected by the state and county mandates related to Covid-19. We are also welcoming new businesses and development to the city before year’s end, including the first Dutch Bros Coffee to open in the Coachella Valley. Our commitment to healthy lifestyles and a great quality of life for our residents has earned the city various awards this year, in both public works and highway safety. Real estate is booming everywhere, and La Quinta remains a top destination for buyers. As ever, the chamber remains committed to supporting and advocating for our local businesses and in turn, our community and neighbors. While many of us have had enough “change” for a good long while, it remains true that a shift is underway, and I am personally grateful to be living in a community that continues to roll with the punches and work together. Elisa Guerrero is a lifelong Coachella Valley resident and alumnus of La Quinta High School class of 2000. She and her husband are the owners of Old Town Peddler Bike Rental in the La Quinta Village, and take great pride in showcasing the area to the thousands of tourists they meet each year. She lives in La Quinta with her husband and two small children.
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Management reserves the right to alter or cancel a promotion at any time. Some restrictions may apply. See Casino Services for details. Valid Photo ID Required. Problem Gaming? Call 1-800-Gambler.
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The new Residence Inn by Marriott in La Quinta Submitted by: GCVCC Staff Driving down Highway 111 in La Quinta, you can see a new hotel being built. Located near Costco and eateries like Mimi’s Café and Torakichi Ramen, the new Residence Inn by Marriott in La Quinta is a great addition to the Highway 111 shopping corridor. According to their website, you can enjoy modern, flexible suites with all the comforts of home. Their long-stay hotels are packed with thoughtful features to maximize your stay. We spoke with Bradon Welker, Senior Project Developer, to find out more about what is coming to our Gem of the Desert. Could you tell us a bit about the company? Paul Welker founded Sunridge Properties and began operations in 1981. The main area of focus for Sunridge has always been in the hospitality industry with the development of approximately 50 hotel projects representing various hotel brands. Since joining Marriott in 1999, Sunridge has received numerous awards including multiple “Management Company of the Year” awards, multiple “Best New Opening” awards and awards for highest “Guest Satisfaction Scores” (GSS), just to name a few. Sunridge is also a seventime recipient of Marriott’s most prestigious award, “The Partnership Circle Award”, which is presented to Marriott’s top Management & Development Companies. Sunridge’s success is the result of our associates who adopt the “Spirit to Serve” attitude and who take pride in meeting and exceeding guest expectations. What made you want to open in La Quinta? Sunridge was looking for an opportunity to develop a
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hotel in the Coachella Valley. We feel that this property is central to much of the happenings in the valley and is a great fit for an extended stay Marriott brand. We are excited to bring the Residence Inn by Marriott to the City of La Quinta and to accommodate all who visit. How many rooms will you have? The hotel will have 108 guest rooms which are made up of studio units, double queen units, 1 bedroom units, and 2 bedroom units. Being an extended stay hotel, all rooms include a kitchenette. Is there anything additional that will be in the hotel? Amenities that are available at the property include an outdoor swimming pool, outdoor putting green, patio seating with a fire pit and two barbecue grills, market to purchase snacks and beverages, lobby bar, guest business and quick print station, complimentary breakfast buffet, complimentary WiFi, rentable meeting space, spacious fitness room, and a guest laundry room. When is your expected opening date? We anticipate opening in December of this year. How can someone get more information? To learn more about Sunridge Hotel Group please visit sunridgehotels.com and for more information on the Residence Inn by Marriott in La Quinta, please email our General Manager Lashan Pope at Lashan.Pope@ sunridgehotels.com.
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The City of La Quinta Helps Struggling Businesses Submitted by: GCVCC Staff The City recognizes that COVID-19 has put a difficult burden on our small business community. As a response to this unprecedented challenge, on March 25, 2020, the Council authorized the appropriation of up to $1.5 million from the City’s economic disaster reserves and directed staff to bring back for Council consideration a program offering micro-loans or similar relief to assist local businesses affected by the COVID-19 local emergency. As a result, the COVID-19 Small Business Emergency Economic Relief Program (Program) was created. In July, the City received $502,034 of unbudgeted Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding, and applied funds toward the Program, increasing the total budget to $2 million. As of September 4, 2020, Rounds I, II and III of the Program combined have provided $765,827 in loans and rebates to 75 unique businesses. 41 businesses have been awarded through the Rebate Program, and 51 awarded through the Microloan Program. As of early September, the Program has expended a total of $765,826. Of this, $128,609 from CARES Act funds were reported as spent and the remaining amount of $373,425 was allocated to other eligible expenses. The remaining Program budget, funded with reserves, is $789,783. Rounds I and II: Funds were provided to eligible businesses in the form of zero interest loans starting at $5,000 and up to $20,000. Rounds I and II awarded $500,000 to 51 businesses. Round III (Revised on July 21, 2020): Funds are being provided through a Rebate Program for La Quinta businesses with a physical storefront that invest in safety measures as part of the statewide industry
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guidance. The program was revised to include onetime lease/mortgage and utilities reimbursement for restaurants and other businesses affected by the State mandated closure of indoor activities that occurred on July 1 and July 13, 2020. The application period for this one-time relief closed on August 31, 2020. Below is a breakdown of businesses and funds allocated. • Staff has received 73 applications for the Round III Rebate Program and continues to review the remaining applications that are being submitted; • $266,000 has been awarded to 41 businesses as of early September 2020. ° $135,467 has been awarded to 17 restaurants as part of the One-Time Rent/Mortgage and Utilities Relief Program for Restaurants. ° $55,609 has been awarded to 14 businesses as part of the One-Time Rent/Mortgage and Utilities Relief Program funded by the CARES Act. ° $51,817 has been awarded to 16 businesses as part of the Rebate Program. (Some businesses applied for both rebates and rent-relief) ° $22,933 has been awarded as part of the Al Fresco reimbursement program to restaurants. • Potentially, $300,000 could be awarded to the remaining 32 applications currently being reviewed. For additional information or questions visit www.laquintaca.gov/covid19businessloan or call 760-777-7085.
What’s Happening at
OLD TOWN
The Grill on Main
RD RNNR
La Quinta Brewing Co.
Farmers’ Market
Lauren Youngs Designs
Alankara Aveda Salon
FARMERS’ MARKET, FALL BEAUT Y & MORE! We’re excited to welcome cooler days with expanded outdoor dining areas, new fall fashions at shops and the return of beauty services. Please continue to check with businesses for updates on hours and services. Lunch Anyone? Season is back! The Grill on Main is now open for lunch as well as dinner and happy hour. Enjoy Take-Out & Patio Dining Daily plus Happy Hour Specials & $4 Taco Tuesdays! Thegrillonmainlq.com Mucho Al Fresco RD RNNR’s new second patio is ready for guests & serving up hearty Craft American Fare with beer, wine or your favorite cocktail. Curbside pick-up and patio dining, weather permitting. Roadrunnerlq.com It’s October Fest Time! Enjoy DesertFest or your favorite craft beer at La Quinta Brewery’s Old Town Taproom. Best of all, by the end of the month, re-connect with family and friends at the Taproom’s new 3000 square foot
location (formerly Landmark Lounge) with a large, misted patio & pub-food favorites! Laquintabrewing.com Season’s Event Preview The Certified Farmer’s Market is returning on October 4th this year, Sundays from 8 am to 12:30 pm. Stay tuned for Art on Main Street 2021 dates and the November opening of a new Art on Main Street Gallery to support local artists! To purchase AOMS artist Lauren Youngs’ VOTE bracelet, visit laurenyoungsdesigns.com. Flawless Color & Hair Repair Alankara is offering a free, new Aveda Intensive Botanical Repair treatment to every first-time color guest in October. This multiple step treatment system, in salons only, incorporates restructuring ingredients into every step of your color process to create a silky, flawless feel. Schedule a consultation today with a master stylist in a Covid-19 SafetyCertified Salon. Alankarasalon.com
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—Submitted by Old Town Staff 78100 Main Street, La Quinta, CA
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City Manager’s Message By: Jon McMillen, La Quinta City Manager
Hello La Quinta and welcome to October. We now head into season and we encourage you to find ways to shop local, whether it be online or in person. With some virtual events coming up and many city projects still underway, let’s look at what is going on around our Gem of the Desert. First and foremost, I would like to invite everyone to join us for our Virtual State of the City on October 15th. You can view this on the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce website, the City’s Facebook page as well as our YouTube page. We will give updates on past success, upcoming projects, financials, and events this next year and into 2021. On November 11th, 2020, the City of La Quinta will present our virtual Veterans Day Ceremony. The Veteran Recognition Program collects, preserves, and recognizes the sacrifice and valiant efforts of American Military Service Members by engraving their name, rank, and years of service onto the Veterans Acknowledgement Sculpture in the Civic Center Campus. For information on this year’s ceremony, visit us at www.laquintaca.gov/veterans.
over 310,000 square feet of pavement rehabilitation on Washington Street between Calle Tampico to 500 feet north of Sagebrush Avenue. Upgrades to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) curb ramps within the project vicinity will be reconstructed. Construction is anticipated to be complete by December 2020. The Washington Street at Fred Waring Drive Triple Left Turn Project is beginning construction. The project will construct triple left turn lanes on all four approaches to the Washington Street and Fred Waring Drive intersection through a cooperative agreement with Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), Cities of La Quinta, Palm Desert and Indian Wells. Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2020. Lastly, construction is underway on the Fritz Burns Sidewalk and Parking Improvements project. This project is located on the north side of Francis Hack Lane adjacent to the skate park. The project includes the removal of the existing temporary island, construction of sidewalk to the park, and striping of diagonal parking in front of the skate park. Completion anticipated by November 2020. Just a reminder that City Hall is open on a limited basis, by appointment only. Staff is ready to meet, answer questions and serve you. All of us here at the City of La Quinta want to thank you for being a part of our beautiful city.
Construction is wrapping up on the Complete Streets project and the contractor is completing the final items. For more information on how to navigate a roundabout please visit www.laquintaca.gov/completestreets. The Rancho Ocotillo Landscape Project has begun construction. This fifth phase of the Measure G funded La Quinta Landscape Renovation project is located at the La Quinta Rancho Ocotillo Development on the south side of Fred Waring Drive, the entrance on La Palma Drive at Adams Street, the east side of Adams Street, and the two retention basins within Rancho Ocotillo. The project converts approximately 80,000 square feet of parkway, median, and retention basin including the replacement of 28,000 square feet of turf with the Desert Oasis plant palette. Construction is anticipated to be complete by the end of 2020. The Washington Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project is beginning construction. The improvements include
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Tweens Check Out a New Series (Available on our YouTube Channel) A new video series, about series books! Each week we will showcase the first book in a series. Listen as Miss Sara reads the first couple chapters and decide for yourself if it’s your next great read. Teens
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Read. Write. Return. (Get started at laquintapl. blogspot.com) READ one of our specially picked books, WRITE your comments IN the book as you read, and RETURN it for someone else to check out and continue the conversation. Make sure you select a “Read. Write. Return.” book in our catalog when you place your request.
La Quinta Public Library is located at 78-275 Calle Tampico. Enjoy FREE programs for all ages! Questions? Call 760-564-4767
SPECIAL EVENT Spooky Drive-Thru: The Night the Library Came Alive Friday, October 30 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm Twas the night before last, at half past eight The librarian heard a sound: Who could be here so late? All around her the books came alive As their characters popped out deep from inside. Their villains escaped, they had been set free To wander the world and capture all that they see. On October 30, bring your family and roll up to our spooky drive-thru to help the librarians return the storybook villains to their books. Enjoy this physically distanced, family-friendly event from your car. Feel free to wear costumes and decorate your car. Participants will receive a free book from the Library and bookmark made by the La Quinta Creation Station. VIRTUAL PROGRAMS Children & Family “In the Stacks” Storytime with Miss Sara (Available on our Facebook Page) Wednesdays @ 11:15am, Facebook Live on La Quinta Public Library’s Facebook Page Get ready for songs, stories and lots of fun with Miss Sara during a live storytime on our Facebook Page! Would you like Miss Sara to say hello to your little one during the next storytime? Send a message to our Facebook Page with the little one’s FIRST NAME ONLY. Miss Sara will be sure to say hello during storytime! Storytime Music Mix (Available on our YouTube Channel) Want to be part of the storytime fun? Send a video of you and your little one, or just your little one, singing our storytime songs. Miss Sara will sing along with you and turn them into a very special Storytime Music Video. *Sending a video implies a consent to publish videos or other media on the RCLS website and library social media accounts. Be sure you have permission to share videos with multiple people.
Tell Me What to Read Vote for the book you want the teen librarian to read this month. Polls are live on the library’s blog (laquintapl. blogspot.com) from the 1st to the 15th of each month. A video review of the winning book will be posted to the Library’s Teen YouTube Channel on the 30th. LIBRARY SERVICES Express Service La Quinta Library is now offering Express Service for holds pickup. Here’s how it works: 1. Call the library at 760-564-4767 or go online to www.rivlib.net to place a hold request. 2. When you receive a notification that your hold is available, call the library to schedule a pick-up time. 3. Arrive during your designated pick-up time and call the Library for further instructions. 4. Make sure to have a face covering with you as you must wear one while picking up your items. 5. Return materials to outside book drops only. La Quinta Library Express Service hours: Monday – Friday, 11:00am – 5:00pm and Saturday, 2:00pm – 5:00pm Visit http://www.rivlib.net/website/express-service-6548 for more information. Ask-A-Librarian If you have a reference question, you may ask it through this free e-mail service offered by the Riverside County Library System. You will receive a response within three days, with the vast majority of questions answered in less than 24 hours. Visit www.rivlib.net to access this service. LiveChat Get real-time support from one of our librarians, Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 6:00pm. Visit www.rivlib.net to access this service. La Quinta Public Library | 78275 Calle Tampico La Quinta, CA 92253 | 760-564-4767
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Financial Gems Required Financial Statement Changes for Homeowners Associations Submitted by: Monica S. Duarte, Osborne Rincon CPAs In May 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) – in response to COVID-19 – elected to again delay by one year the complex implementation of Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. As a result, any company who had not completed the implementation of this standard was given an additional year to comply. However, effectively, this means that all homeowners associations (HOAs) with fiscal years beginning January 1, 2020 must implement the guidance if they have not already done so. The changes required to the financial statements are significant, as the FASB has determined that HOAs have contractual agreements with owners that HOAs will take and hold replacement fund cash on behalf of the owners until it is needed to be used for repairs and replacements of the HOA property and assets. Under this new system the replacement fund allocations cannot be recognized as revenue until they are spent, and must be considered a contract liability until that time. An analysis of existing fund balances and accounting policies and procedures should be completed in order to implement these requirements properly. A summary of the required changes to the financial statements is listed below. 1. Replacement fund assessment revenue cannot be greater than the amount which is spent on repairs and replacements in the year presented. Previously, the replacement fund revenue was equal to the amount which was allocated from the owner dues for the fiscal year. 2. Dues amounts which are allocated to the replacement fund will be recognized as a contract liability until used for the purpose previously stated. Previously, the amounts would be considered fund equity. 3. Excess operating amounts transferred to the
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replacement fund will remain a fund balance. This could result in a replacement fund equity balance, as well as a replacement fund contract liability balance. Previously, there would have been no such liability to the members. 4. The entity must determine whether replacement fund interest income, miscellaneous income, and excess operating transfers will be recognized in the year received. If not, it will be identified as a fund balance until spent as this will affect the amount which is able to be recognized as dues assessment revenue. Previously, these amounts did not affect the amount which was recognized as owner assessment revenue. 5. Expanded disclosures so users understand the changes implemented. If your Homeowners Association needs assistance navigating any of these tax issues, call Osborne Rincon at (760) 777-9805. Monica S. Duarte – CPA, MSA and CFE – is the Audit Senior & Firm Administrator for Osborne Rincon CPAs. She graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in Business Administration, and received her Master’s in Accountancy from Texas A&M. Osborne Rincon is one of the oldest and most respected full-service accounting firms in the Coachella Valley. To learn more, call (760) 777-7805 or go to www.OsborneRincon.com.
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Why is Medicare so complicated? Submitted by: Randy Foulds, Turning65 and Foulds & Feldmann Insurance Agency I get that question a lot. Medicare became law over 50 years ago. In that time, Medicare law has been changed and improved hundreds of times to deal with changing situations. Many people now work past age 65, most seniors want a supplemental health plan, prescription drugs need to be covered, some prefer all-in-one plans, etc. So let’s review the basics. At age 65, during your Initial Enrollment Period (3 months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and 3 months after your 65th birthday month), you qualify for Medicare Part A enrollment. This covers hospitalization and has a deductible of $1,316. It also has a hefty copay if you are hospitalized for more than 60 days. You also qualify for Medicare Part B. It has a monthly premium of $134. It is up to you to ensure you get enrolled in Part B. For many, it happens automatically but don’t count on it. Call Social Security or visit the local office in person and ensure you get part B if you want it. If you have other coverage from a retiree plan or your current job, speak to the benefits administrator at your employer and get a certificate of coverage in writing, which allows you to delay Part B without a late enrollment penalty. Or, if the employer coverage is costing you more than Medicare would charge, you can drop your group coverage and take your Medicare Part A and B as your primary insurance. Compare the costs before you do anything though, especially drug costs. Once you have proof of enrollment in traditional Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) you can then enroll in a Medicare supplement and a prescription drug plan (Part D), or a Medicare Advantage plan, without
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or without drug coverage. Medicare supplements are standardized plans from private insurers that cover some or all of the deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance and are secondary to your traditional Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are private insurance plans that replace traditional Medicare. In an Advantage plan, you assign your Medicare benefits to a private insurer, and they provide your healthcare with less out of pocket costs. Coinciding with your Medicare effective date, you are allowed to choose any level of coverage you want without medical underwriting. In other words, you cannot be declined during this enrollment window. Once you are enrolled, you can change your coverage at two different times of the year without answering health history questions. Open enrollment, each fall allows you to enroll, change or drop an Advantage plan or Part D plan and, the 30 day birthday rule each year allows you to change your Medicare supplement to a similar plan or lesser plan. There are many special circumstances where you can make other changes called Special Enrollment Periods. Moving, leaving your job, being admitted to a long term care facility, enrolling in MediCal, are just some of these SEP’s. This is just a brief outline. Of course there are many special circumstances and qualifications. Make your choices carefully and enjoy a long, healthy retirement. Randy Alan Foulds is an independent health insurance agent, with Turning65 and Foulds & Feldmann Insurance Agency in La Quinta, and can be reached at 760-3466565.
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