Lifestyle

THE SIGNAL . SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017 . L1

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Audiology Associates helps improve quality of life for many in community

Katharine Lotze/The Signal

Audiology Associates’ Patrice Rifkind and Kevin Bolder.

L2 . SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017 . THE SIGNAL

SCV Community Pride ★ LIFESTYLES

Lifestyles Audiology Associates

Embracing Technology to Help Patients

Katharine Lotze/The Signal

Patrice Rifkind and Kevin Bolder of Audiology Associates review a hearing test.

By Alicia Doyle

A

n audiologist for more than two decades, Dr. Patrice Rifkind has earned a reputation for focusing on each individual patient to find the best solutions for their hearing needs.

“It’s not like a medical office where you go and get your treatment and you’re done,” said Dr. Rifkind, owner of Audiology Associates in Valencia. “I work with each patient on all different sources of communication with the goal to help them hear better.”

Thanks to modern technology, new hearing aids have made great strides in the industry.

“A lot of hearing aids now connect to iPhones without wires,” Dr. Rifkind explained. “We can connect the hearing aids directly to the phone, so if it rings, they hear it. And when they say ‘hello’ they can hear the person on the other line.

The sound they hear from the phone is amplified to meet their needs.”

There are other benefits and features of this new technology.

“For instance, you’re standing in a super noisy place with your wife and she’s trying to talk to you quietly without telling everyone in the area,” Dr. Rifkind hypothesized. “You can hand the phone over to your wife and using the microphone of the iPhone, she can whisper in your ear and nobody else hears it.”

Dr. Rifkind especially enjoys introducing seniors to this modern technology.

“We get seniors who will come in with iPhones and don’t know how to use them,” she said. “I

help them learn how to download the app, which is free. I’ll take the time to help them with this technology, which is above and beyond what we’re doing communication wise, but improves their quality of life.”

When Dr. Rifkind first started out as an audiologist, almost all hearing aids were analog.

“Now they’re all digital,” she said. “The processing of the sounds is different. Instead of grouping all sounds, we are selectively amplifying the frequency and loudness the listener needs. We can adjust devices like an equalizer on a stereo.”

These hearing aids are tailored for each individual and their specific hearing needs.

“I recently set up a special program for a woman who goes to a quilting class and she needed to hear others in the class,” Dr. Rifkind said.

“We also helped a composer with his hearing aids, to make a special music program to allow him to hear the pure tone of one piano.”

Today’s hearing aids are also much more comfortable and aesthetic then they have been in the past.

“They don’t look like your grandfather’s hearing aids,” Dr. Rifkind said.

“When I first started everyone was wearing large hearing aids in the ear or wrapped around the ear, and only people who really needed them were wearing them,” Dr. Rifkind recalled.

Now, some hearing aids can be practically invisible depending on the patient’s needs, she said.

“We have some people who have barely any hearing loss, but they do very well with hear-

Katharine Lotze/The Signal

Kevin Bolder reviews a hearing test at Audiology Associates.

ing aids that they wouldn’t have considered 20 years ago.”

In addition to running her business, Dr. Rifkind also helps people behind-the-scenes.

“We have a special program coordinated by the Veteran’s Administration recently due to high volumes of veterans needing help with hearing care,” she said. “We also give away lots of earplugs every year for people at events like concerts and gun shows.”

There are times when a person has special needs, such as a severe illness or gaps in insurance and income.

“We have been able to sometimes reduce the cost or offer no cost devices to help them,” Dr. Rifkind said.

Over the years, she has helped “thousands and thousands” of patients. The youngest was three months old, and the oldest was 105.

“We have a great staff here – I couldn’t do this without them,” Dr. Rifkind emphasized.

In her latest endeavor, she recently authored a book, “Hear Better: A Guide to Finding the Best Hearing Health Care.”

“Hearing is one of your five senses and you only have five,” Dr. Rifkind said. “It’s your input to the world, your ability to communicate, continue staying gainfully employed, healthy, and having good relationships.”

Above all, “I love what I do – to be able to put hearing aids on someone who’s really struggling and have them hear better,” she said.

For more information call 661-284-1900 or visit www.AudiologyAssociates.net.

Katharine Lotze/The Signal

Patrice Rifkind of Audiology Associates examines a patient’s ear.

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Lifestyles

THE SIGNAL . SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017 . L3

Several Generations of Assistance League Life Changers

By Jackie Hamby

T

eens in Santa Clarita are busier now than they have ever been. They work hard to maintain the grades necessary to be accepted into competitive colleges. From early on, after-school sports and other activities have been part of their lives and take up an enormous amount of time. In addition, they are expected to be well-rounded citizens, giving back to their communities. It can be overwhelming for both teens and parents.

Few nonprofit organizations have volunteers that span generations. Assistance League Santa Clarita members and Assisteens, the teen auxiliary of Assistance League, are an exception.

We have been partners in volunteering for over 25 years and all agree that we’re better together!

Together, we witness the smiles of the students who receive new clothing and shoes to allow them to focus on learning. Together, we make treats for homebound seniors and bring smiles to the residents of the Santa Clarita Convalescent Hospital. Together, we bring joy to the residents of the Los Angeles Residential Community (LARC) with a dance party that has been a long-standing program for our organization.

Assisteens are likely to say that their favorite program is the Foster Care backpack program. They fill backpacks with essential items that a child entering the foster care system will need. Clothing, school supplies, personal hygiene items and a cozy blanket, handmade by Assistance League members are included.

Assisteens have become an important part of our largest fundraiser, Assistance League Resale.

They have the energy and enthusiasm that it takes to help process the many donations that come into our store. Since we are 100% operated by member volunteers, keeping up with all those donations is an enormous task. Having our Assisteens working by our side on weekends and during the summer has provided a much-needed boost to getting donations on the floor and into the hands of our wonderful customers. This increases the amount we can give back to our community through our programs. All in all, our inter-generational partnership makes a genuine and heartfelt impact!

Jackie Hamby, President of Assistance League

Photo Tom Cruze/For the Signal

Assistance League members and Assisteens pose with backpacks they filled with essentials that will be given to adolescents going to foster homes.

Santa Clarita says, “We are working hard to further incorporate these dynamic teens in all of our programs and fundraisers. These students add so much to our organization and provide new perspective to keep us on top of ever-changing technology and ideas in volunteering.”

Vice Chair of Assisteens, Erin Meottel, tells us that, “Volunteering with Assisteens is such a rewarding experience. I love giving back to my community in any way I can and none of it would be possible without the help of our Assistance League members who are all so kind and supportive of everything we do in Assisteens.”

Helping students succeed in school, bringing joy to those in need, letting children know they are not forgotten, Assisteens and Assistance League are volunteering together for a better tomorrow. www.assistanceleaguesantaclarita.org. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter (ALSantaClarita).

Photo Tom Cruze/For the Signal

Assistance League Assisteens from left: Tara Bramen, Gracie Flynn and Katey Mansoo place a greeting on the freshly baked and wrapped blueberry muffins that will be presented to area seniors on Valentine’s Day.

Assistance League would like to thank our Community Partners for all they do to support our programs including our signature program Operation School Bell(R) Assistance League would like to thank our Community Partners for all they do to support our programs including our signature program Operation School Bell(R) Assistance League would like to thank our Community Partners for all they do to support our programs including our Assistance League would like to thankOperation our Community Partners for all they do signature SchoolPartners Bell(R) for Assistance League would like program to thank our Community all they do to support our programs including our signature program Operation School to support our programs including our signature program Operation School (R) Bell(R) Bell Assistance League would like to thank our Community Partners for all they do to support our programs including our PLATINUM signature program Operation School Bell(R) PLATINUM PLATINUM PLATINUM

PLATINUM

PLATINUM GOLD

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L4 . SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017 . THE SIGNAL

SCV Community Pride ★ LIFESTYLES

SCV Community Pride ★ LIFESTYLES

THE SIGNAL . SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017 . L5

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SCV Community Pride ★ LIFESTYLES

Lifestyles Dance Studio 84:

In Step for More than 4 Decades

By Alicia Doyle

I

n business for more than four decades, Dance Studio 84 has earned a reputation as the longest operating dance studio in the Santa Clarita Valley that offers instruction in many styles, from ballet to hip hop.

Voted “Santa Clarita’s Best Dance Studio” more than six times, this business has thrived over the years primarily through word of mouth.

“With decades of experience in educating in the art of dance, we feel we provide the very finest in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Carla Hunt Smallwood, owner and director of the studio for the last 30 years. “Our staff is extremely experienced in both performance and education.”

Dance Studio 84 is known for being well-organized, she said, and providing a wonderful, clean, age-appropriate, positive environment.

“We cater to a wide variety – from the once a week recreational dancer to those training in a pre-professional program,” Smallwood explained.

To that end, Dance Studio 84 offers instruction in various styles of dance – including tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, musical theater and tumbling – for students age 2 to adult.

“With a focus on teaching the correct technique for each style of dance, we also provide performance opportunities for all our students,” Smallwood said.

These performances include June recitals, presenting a full-length ballet, “The Nutcracker,” in December; as well as many community performances throughout the year.

“We attend competitions; however, it is not our main focus,” Smallwood said. “We strive to train well-rounded dancers, to share our passion for dance with our students and their families.”

While the majority of students are children and teens, “we have a few adult classes as well,” Smallwood noted. Adult classes include tap, jazz, stretch and hip hop.

With a 9,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility with five different dance rooms, and more than 100 classes per week for all ages and abilities in a large variety of styles, “we work to find the perfect class for each dancer,” she said.

Dance Studio 84 is also known for its philanthropic work in the local community.

For instance, the studio has aligned itself with causes to support the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Guild, Boys and Girls Club, Special Olympics, SCV Rotary Club, Child and Family Center, California Police Youth Group, St. Jude’s, City of Hope, American

Photo Tom Cruze/For the Signal

Instructor Carla Hunt Smallwood tap class participants at Dance Studio 84. Back row from left: Dusty Faulconer, Lara Ray, Carla Hunt Smallwood, Frankie Peji, Amanda Judson and Ellie Loya. Front from left: Bethany Chan, Jenna Laspinas, Shine Lim and Joy Peters.

Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and many others.

Dance Studio 84 is located at 27889 Smyth Drive

“Many former students reach out to tell us what they learned with us helped shape them into the adults they are now,” Smallwood said.

warms our hearts and makes us so proud.” in Valencia. For more information call 661-7757655 or visit http://www.dancestudio84.com/

“Dance provides many wonderful lessons, far beyond the technique.”

Smallwood speaks from first-hand experience as a resident of the Santa Clarita Valley for 40 years who graduated from Saugus High School and raised three children in town.

“I grew up at the studio I now own,” she said. “My pride in Santa Clarita and Dance Studio 84 runs deep.”

Above all: “We love teaching dance – truly,” Smallwood emphasized.

“We are a fun, organized, loving, caring family. And now we are teaching our former students’ children, which

Photo Tom Cruze/For the Signal

Instructor Carrie Metzger leads a tap & ballet class.

Photo Tom Cruze/For the Signal

Instructor Carla Hunt Smallwood (2nd from right) leads a tap class at Dance Studio 84.

SCV Community Pride ★ LIFESTYLES

Lifestyles

Ages 2 to Adult All Abilities Welcome

THE SIGNAL . SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017 . L7

NO Registration Fee! FREE TRIAL CLASS

Providing Our Students with the Opportunity to...

perform!

P

AM C E C DAN

4 1 0 July 1 -10 Ages 5

RECITA

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tions”

June 3 &

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Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Hip-Hop,Tumbling, Boys Only, Special Needs, Adult Fitness, Spring Recitals, Nutcracker Ballet, Competitions & Many Community Events.

• Established, Organized & Professional | All Under the Same Direction Since 1986 • Qualified Responsible Instructors that CARE & Love Teaching Dance • Classes Year-Round - FULL SUMMER CURRICULUM • 8-Week Summer Program for Preschoolers | Dance Camp for Ages 5 thru 10 • 9,000 Sq. Ft. State of the Art Facility with Sprung Floors to Prevent Injury • Dance Camp and Summer Preschool Session Enrollment Opens May 1

27889 Smyth Drive Valencia • 661-775-7655 • www.dancestudio84.com

L8 . SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2017 . THE SIGNAL

SCV Community Pride ★ LIFESTYLES

Lifestyles

Santa Clarita Church of Christ Focuses on Opportunities to Help Others Church congregation fosters environment of giving

By Martha Garcia

A

lex and Tara Soto host a Christmas party every year for their friends. This past Christmas, the couple decided to forgo that tradi-

tion, instead hosting a concert for the residents of the Santa Clarita Convalescent Home.

The couple hired a jazz band, hoping to spread the Christmas spirit to the residents, a population that is often forgotten. They invited fellow church members and handed out blankets, beanies and socks.

This is one of many examples of community work in Santa Clarita done by members of the Santa Clarita Church of Christ.

“We wanted to take an opportunity to encourage other people,” said Alex Soto.

Most members actively look for ways to give back. Santa Clarita Church of Christ often hosts large church-wide outreach events. Other events are organized by smaller groups within the church.

Many outreach efforts grow naturally, spurred by the desire to help others.

The church focuses on community outreach locally and abroad. Projects include outreach to foster children in the local Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), volunteering at Carousel Ranch, work at Bridge2Home, serving Santa Clarita’s homeless, and annual mission trips to support churches in Russia.

“There is a significant segment of the population that has needs and we believe we should give and help meet those needs,” said Mike Hammer, long-time attendee of the SC Church of Christ. “Jesus’ ministry was about giving to others. Orphans, foster kids, it’s no fault of their own, but they have challenging lives and we have the ability to let them know people care.”

Hammer was a part of mission trips to Russia in prior years. He felt it was as important to move beyond the U.S. and help people in other areas of the world, as it is to help those nearby.

Photo courtesy of Cheryl Hammer and Nate and Samantha Hines

Some of the men serving at Carousel Ranch, a therapeutic center using horses to help children with special needs. From left to right: Tim Baker, David Santana, Jimmy Mendoza, Louis Escobar, and Anthony Munoz.

Connecting with the community Is it the church that inspires the people to do good in the community or do inspired people seem to be drawn to the church? It’s a case of the chicken or the egg. In any event, Santa Clarita Church of Christ offers myriad opportunities for members to help others.

Jennifer and Tim O’Connor helped organize this year’s toy drive and Christmas party for DCFS foster children. Under their direction, volunteers collected nearly 1,000 toys. They also organize a food drive for the local food pantry every year.

“It’s always been on our hearts to help out,” said Jennifer O’Connor. “There are families in our own backyard in great need.”

More than 300 children attended this year’s Christmas party, which included catered food, treats, games and face painting. Children were given the change to pick out their own toys.

“We have a beautiful church family that wants to make this world a better place,” said O’Connor.

“We try to look at Jesus’ example. He was giving and serving, loving and going way beyond what he could do. That’s who I like to follow, and would love to do even more.”