Peralta Hills Gazette- April 2011

Gazette VolumeX - Issue 62 - Apr 2011

Newsletter of the Peralta Hills Estates Improvement Association ELECTED OFFICERS Board of Directors President: Patrick Mahoney 714-920-0445 Vice President: James Jekums 714-348-0930 Secretary: Helen Curtis 714-637-6605 Treasurer: Lucille Krueger 714-637-2796 Immediate Past President: Sonia S. Jekums 714-865-5276

Comittee Chairs

Public Relations: David Flores Steve Kitsigianis Welcome: Delia Cabo Linda Knohl Sonia S. Jekums Joan Schlund Neighborhood Watch: James Jekums 714-348-0930 Tracey Frazier 714-863-9997 Underground Utilities: Andy Plisko, M.D. Cathy Wills Peralta Hills Awards Beautification: Emily Guichet Steve Kitsigianis Patrick Mahoney Cathy Wills Annual Gala:Craig & Roseli Wildvank Crescent Drive Speed Control: Anne Dos Santos

Club Chairs

Book Club: Lois Howland 714-998-3045 Kids Club: Raza Kitsigianis 714-974-2056 Movie Club: Martha Mahoney 714-602-7159 Pet Registry: Cathy Wills 714-998-3716 Tennis Club: Joan Schlund 714-637-2638 Wine Club: Cathy Wills 714-998-3716

Editorial Staff

Editor in Chief: Sonia S. Jekums Associate Editor: Patrick Mahoney Columnists: Bette Aitken Sandra Day Robert Frazier Raza Kitsigianis Martha Mahoney Richard Stegemeier Joan Schlund Cassandrea Chen Historian: Lucille Krueger Coming Together: Lois Howland Profile: Cathy Wills Potpourri: Helen Curtis Restaurant Review: Jeannette D. Curtis Humor: Craig Wildvank Graphic Designer: Sandy Chang

PAST PRESIDENTS IN RESIDENCE Richard Cramer Dr. Howard Knohl Bob McComber Sonia S. Jekums

management

Tammy Mount 714-307-6048 tkmount@sbcglobal.net

President’s

Corner

by Patrick Mahoney If you get a chance this weekend – step outside. Jolynn and I have been trying to get out and hike each weekend at Oak Canyon Nature Center which is behind Anaheim Hills golf course. It’s really hard to believe that such natural beauty is right in our own back yard. I would recommend it highly.

Here in our own Peralta Hills neighborhood, plans are underway for our annual Neighborhood Gala. The date is set for September 24th. A good time is definitely on the menu as our hosts Tom and Eileen Miller share their new “Peralta Hills ocean front” property with us. Themed as a beach party – there is fun in store for all. Each year, the proceeds from the Gala fund additional landscape improvements to the common areas around Peralta Hills.

The Peralta Hills website is a great way to share information and get involved in events and activities right here at home. Our Administrator, Tammy, needs help keeping the website current. Anyone with website knowledge and willing to help, please give her a call at 714.307.6048.

The website has been the catalyst for many of the social clubs here in Peralta Hills. On March 27, Jolynn and I hosted the wine club in our home. We had a lovely evening tasting independent vintner’s wines from Rare Cat, Common Dog and Amici. Not to mention enjoying them in the company of our friend and neighbors.

The Kid’s club is growing as well. By the time we print this newsletter, they will have had a really fun Easter Egg Hunt at Graylee’s. A beach adventure is in the works for the end of June – stay tuned to the web and neighborhood network for all the details.

There is so much happening in the neighborhood, it’s a wonder we ever get out!

Hope your spring is filled with family and friends.

Bikes for Tykes

Paul & Ilene David

Paul and Ilene are the co-chairmen for the Bikes for Tykes annual drive. For the past two years they have personally contacted neighbors, PHEIA, and coordinated with several Target stores to raise money to purchase new bikes for the kids in Anaheim.

Over 100 Bikes have been delivered to the annual Toys for Tots Drive sponsored by Station 8 Fire Department. Let’s continue to assist them in this worthy endeavor.

Paul and Ilene have been Peralta Hills residents for 14 years and are transplanted Texans. Both are retired. Ilene was a sales executive and Paul was a regional CEO of an international printing firm. Ilene’s interests include bookclub, cooking, gardening and architecture. Paul’s interests include hunting & hot rods. Together their favorite pastimes include traveling, fly fishing & spending time with their three teenage grandchildren.

Anaheim Beautiful Award

Peralta Hills Estates

by Dennis P. Hollow for the Independent

Peralta Hills Estates was honored earlier this month at local nonprofit Anaheim Beautiful’s most recent awards luncheon. The Peralta Hills Estates was recognized for improvements it has made to beautify their community.

Located on the city limits of Anaheim, Peralta Hills Estates feature minimum one-acre lots in Santa Ana Canyon.

“It is an honor for this organization to welcome residents from Peralta Hills Estates and to honor their beautification efforts last year to make their community a more beautiful place to live,” Anaheim Beautiful President, Susan Faessel said, presenting the award.

Accepting the honor on behalf of the residents, many of whom were in attendance, was Patrick Mahoney, president of the Peralta Hills Susan Faessell and Pat Mahoney Estates Improvement Association. The Association is different than traditional associations since this is a volunteer group of interested residents in the overall beautification of their neighborhood. They only pay minimum dues but hold fund raisers to generate funds to make a difference in the community’s beauty.

Peralta officials planted trees and added new split-rail fencing to improve their lots and roadside areas near the estates, Mahoney said. The company also mulched vacant lots and improved nearby walking trails to make the surrounding area more attractive.

“We all love Peralta Hills,” said Lucille Kruger, an Anaheim resident for 51 years. She was a newlywed when she and her late husband looked all over Orange County through Friendly Hills, La Habra Heights and Sunny Hills.

They put bids on three or four properties before settling on Peralta Hills. The land at that time was owned by the Bixby family from Long Beach. It was supposed to be cattle herding land, but the Kruger’s were destined to buy five parcels and build a custom home.

According to the Orange Buddies, a neighborly and informal Peralta Hills resident group, made up of Lucille Kruger, Joan Schlund and Lois Howland, the group raised the best Valencia Oranges in Anaheim.

In addition to honoring Peralta Hills, the capacity crowd listened to guest speaker, Sandra Sagert, Community Preservation Manager in the City of Anaheim’s Code Enforcement department. Sagert spoke about the City’s efforts in removing graffiti. Sagert was among the speakers at the Keep California Beautiful Conference on March 10th, Susan Faessell, Sonia Jekums, Joan Schlund, hosted by Anaheim Beautiful at Vineyard Anaheim Church.

OC Titan Award

Lois Howland and Lucille Krueger

Bette & Wylie Aitken Honored by Cal State Fullerton Bette and Wylie Aitken of Peralta Hills were this year’s recipients of the Orange County Titan Award, presented each year by Cal State Fullerton to an organization or individuals who have made a positive impact in Orange County. The 2011 award was presented during the university’s February 19th Front & Center event at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

The Aitkens are longtime supporters of the university and attended Cal State Fullerton. A nationally recognized consumer advocate trial lawyer, Wylie Aitken is a founding partner of Aitken Aitken Cohn, a well-known personal injury law firm in Santa Ana. Aitken was one of the youngest presidents in the history of the State Trial Bar. Since then, he has been continually recognized by Lawdragon magazine as one of the “Top 500 Lawyers in America” and by Los Angeles Earth, Wind & Fire and the Aitkens Daily Journal as on of “The Top 100/California’s Most Influential Lawyers.”

He has been repeatedly designated a “Southern California Super Lawyer” and featured in Best Lawyers in America and the Preeminent Lawyers of America.

Some of Aitken’s honors include the Franklin G. West Award—the Orange County Bar Association’s highest award—and the American Board of Trial Advocates Trial Lawyer of the Year award.

Continued on next page

A Quarter Blue

Who knew when entitling A Quarter Blue’s Blue Carpet Event Fashion Show after Regina Brett’s quote “Life is Not How You Survive the Storm, but How You Dance in the Rain” that all guest models would be dancing down the runway in the rain?

Emcee Michelle Merker, four-time Emmy nominee, Producer of Discover Orange County, and local traffic reporter on KOST and KRLA took stride with the constant sheet of rain falling upon her and guests. While some took refuge in the house peering through open windows, most withstood the soaking while watching stunning clothing collections presented by Chadia Alameddin from Betinnis in Brea. The group of models included members of the community, sports, politics, child actors: Zach Callison, Madison Leslie, and Brandon Tyler Russell, the Women’s USA Volleyball Team, Discover Orange County’s Lisa Hart, The Bikini Chef-Susan Irby, The White House’s Bruno Serano, and OC Register’s Barbara Venezia.

The founder of A Quarter Blue poked fun of the irony of dancing in the rain. She then shared about having a choice when her childhood molestation became public.

Instead of feeling shamed by the abuse she endurend, she chose to use her life experience to educate society, protect children, and empower children, parents, and professionals alike. She prompted guests to Boldly Resolve Abuse Together.

Hosts, Craig and Roseli Wildvank graciously welcomed guests to their exquisite home in Peralta Hills. Prominent people from the community attended, including, Mayor Tom Tait and wife, Julie, Tom McCoy and Kathy Rigby McCoy, The Los Angeles Laker Girls, among numerous high profile Orange County residents. The support from the community was overwhelming. Thank you to all our sponsors Betinnis of Brea, CW Industries, Inc., Le Petit Flowers, Southern California Motorcycles, West Coast Arborists, Inc., South Coast Wineries, Heineken, Thank Goodness It’s Sophia, among many others. Through generous donations over $30,000 was raised to further Hosts: Craig & Roseli Wildvank the educational work of A Quarter Blue.

Craig Wildvank with the Laker Girls

OC Titan Award

Roseli Wildvank, Chadia Betinnis and Martha Wade

Continued from page 2

In addition, former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently nominated him to the California Arts Council, and he was recently reappointed by Governor Jerry Brown.

Aitken also serves as a trustee for the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and Chapman University, as well as board president for South Coast Repertory. He is a member of numerous other area boards, such as Susan G. Komen Pink Tie, Mission San Juan Capistrano Preservation and Santa Ana College foundations.

Bette Aitken is a member of the board of trustees of South Coast Repertory and its Gala Committee, and is active with Angels of the Arts, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts support group; Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation; Women in Leadership Orange County; and Laura’s House, where she was honored as 2007 Woman of the Year.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Earth, Wind & Fire headlined Cal State Fullerton’s Front & Center 2011 for an evening in sync with the Grammy-winning group’s hit single “Let’s Groove.” The soul, funk and R&B group’s gold and platinum albums feature such hits as “Boogie Wonderland,” “Singasong,” “Shining Star” and “September.”

Baritone Jubilant Sykes served as master of ceremonies of the 16th annual event. A CSUF Class of ’79 music graduate, Sykes was a 2010 Grammy Award nominee for Best Classical Recording. Known to Hollywood Bowl audiences, he has been a featured soloist with many of the world’s most prominent orchestras.

Page 3

PHEIA Management

by Tammy Mount

Peralta Hills Estates Improvement Association Board Meeting Date: April 12,2011 Location: Baci Di Firenze Trattoria Attenedees: Pat Mahoney- President Helen Curtis- Secretary Jamie Jekums-Vice President Sonia Jekums- Immediate Past President Lucille Kruegger- Treasurer Tammy Mount- PHEIA Management Agenda & Minutes: • First item discussed was landscaping. Improvements to the walking path on Santa Ana Canyon from Lakeview to Cerro Vista is continuing. The plants have filled in and the evergreen roses look great. No concrete pathways will be added, just a walking path with wood chips. The neighborhood is still concerned with the overhanging trees on Santa Ana Canyon and some on Chrisalta Way. We will send another request to the city and ask them to side trim the trees.

• Second, we have 113 active residents in the association who paid the annual dues. We have 3 new residents whom have been sent a welcome letter from the association. We consider a household 1 resident.

• Third, financial items were discussed. Lucille told us about the Destination ImagiNation (the Association has previously donated money to this organization) that won first place in the state competition and will now be going to the global competition in Tennessee in May. The board agreed to donate $600 towards their trip.

• We will be helping out with Kids Club Easter event as well.

• The website is up for renewal and the board agreed on a three year renewal of $476.57 (a savings of $304 by signing up for more than one year).

• Finally, we will be planning the annual Association Meeting at the Chambi’s Estate sometime in June or July.

• I am working on updating the website. If you are familiar with Front Page and would like to help, please let me know.

• We would like to welcome HPM Commercial Corporation, The Keeters, and The Fillians to our neighborhood. We hope to see them at some of the neighborhood functions very soon!

• Several residents have asked if purchasing items at the gala or the annual dues are a tax deduction. I always refer them to their tax professional.

If you have any concerns or questions about the neighborhood, please let me know.

Go Green! If

you prefer an electronic version of the gazette, just send your e-mail address to tkmount@sbcglobal.net.

Tennis Anyone?

by Joan Schlund

The 2011 BNP Paribas Open, a tennis tournament, was played at Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California from March 7 through March 20, 2011.

Both the men’s and women’s events took place at the Garden.

For more than three decades, tennis fans have traveled from all over the world to watch one of the game’s biggest tournaments, the BNP Paribas Open. It’s also the most well-attended tennis event in the world that isn’t one of the four Grand Slams. In 2010, nearly 340,000 fans, with close to 80 percent of them traveling from outside the area, took advantage of world-class tennis, fabulous luxury hotels, five-star golf courses, and some of the best high-end shopping anywhere.

In 2011, the BNP Paribas Open continued to build on what is considered one of the premier sporting events in the world. The tournament has installed Hawkeye instant replay on every match court, for a total of eight courts. No tournament in the world has this technology on eight match courts and the closest ones are Wimbledon and the US Open, which have it on three courts. It makes the event more interactive for fans and the most precisely officiated tournaments in the history of the sport.

In addition, the tournament has upgraded their already incredible viewing area adjacent to the accessible practice courts. Fans can simply stroll along the main walkway and get a mere few feet away from courts where the best players in the world are practicing, making it easier than ever before to get close to the action.

The BNP Paribas Open attracts virtually every big-name professional: Two-Time Indian Wells winner Rafael Nadal, three-time champ Roger Federer, and 2008 winner Novak Djokovic. On the women’s side, Jelena Jankovic, Caroline Wozniacki, Justine Henin, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, two-time Grand Slam champion Sveltlana Kuznestsova, also played this year in the tournament.

For those of us who live in Peralta Hills, the drive time to Indian Wells Tennis Garden is less than one and a half hours! Do not miss this exciting tournament in March 2012!

For more information regarding the tournament, call Indian Wells Tennis Garden at 760.200.8400.

Run Your Own Bank

by Bob Frazier

Growing up I loved to play Monopoly. I would always make sure I was the banker. I liked keeping track of the money. It also helped me stay focused on what was happening with the game.

With all the uncertainty in the markets and growing national debt, shouldn’t we be keeping a much closer eye on the money? We all know that Social Security will not provide us with much, if any, benefits.

After watching the recent budget debate do we really trust the Government to watch out for us or our children? Why not be our own bankers?

What do most banks do? They take capital in the form of deposits, and put the capital to work by either investing or loaning it out. They earn interest and must maintain reserves. In many ways Life Insurance companies do the same thing. They take in funds in the form of premium and invest those premiums. Unlike a bank, they provide risk protection; but they, too, need to invest, make loans and maintain reserves.

Instead of just trusting their chances on a roll of the dice, more people are turning back to the Insurance Industry as a source of tax savings, security and flexibility. Insurance companies are amongst the most heavily regulated financial institutions and have much stricter reserve requirements than banks. Insurance Companies also offer more flexibility to access retirement funds and tax advantaged planning than the options we are accustomed to using.

One such way to become your own loan officer is with an Indexed Universal Life Plan (IUL). A IUL is a permanent life policy tied to an Indexed fund such as the S&P 500. Like a bank premium dollars are remitted and are deposited in as indexed fund. Unlike the old style variable universal life, your cash value does not drop with the market. An IUL protects your fund account from market declines, but allows you to earn in market upswings.

The end result is you have a vehicle that earns a solid return without suffering the negative impacts of a downturn in the market.

You can open your teller window when it comes to accessing the cash value in your plan. An IUL lets you take tax-free withdrawals whenever you want (or never), without penalties. Also, under the right circumstance you can deduct the cost of the premium as a business expense. However, the best part is, you can take loans without reducing your fund balance. That is right , You… Mr./Mrs. Banker, can loan yourself funds from your index account and still earn a return on the index fund account. You, literally, can earn credit on the money you loan yourself. The loans remain within the insurance policy (your bank) and are not repaid until the policy is cancelled or collected upon.

Like any plan, everyone’s situation and results will vary. However, if set-up properly, an IUL offers security, flexibility and the potential of a lifetime tax-free income stream. I did not always win at Monopoly but I did learn some great life lessons.

Bob Frazier is President of Select Choice a local Employee Benefit/Risk Advisor and Human Resource administration firm. Bob lives at 400 S. Peralta Hills Drive with his wife Tracey, two kids George (14) and Gabriella (16). You can reach Bob at 714.240.7845 or his email rfrazier@selectchoicenow.com.

Neighborhood Watch

There were two incidents reported in our neighborhood recently. First, a resident reported that a camera was stolen from an unlocked car in the owners driveway. Second, another theft occurred in daylight where the burglars broke into a home and stole several items.

As a result of these incidents I requested the assistance of Officer Arleen Harris to give us some safety measures to help prevent more crimes in our area.

Please watch out for any unusual cars or persons you see lurking in the neighborhood.

Have a fun-filled and safe summer. -Jamie Jekums

Officer Arleen Harris, Sr. Crime Prevention Specialist 8201 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd. | Anaheim, CA 92808 | 714.765.3814

Co-Chairs:

James Jekums & Tracey Frazier

714.348.0930

714.863.9997

Home Safety

• Make sure you have sturdy, metal or solid wood doors at all entries into your home and that sliding glass and similar doors are properly secured.

• Install and use well-made dead bolt locks (1.5 inch throw or greater) on all exterior doors.

• Make sure all exterior doors have wide-angle viewers that can be used by everyone in the house. Install two viewers at different heights if necessary.

• Trim shrubs and trees that might give criminals a place to hide or climb to second stories.

• Make sure entry door areas are well lighted so you can tell who’s there. Motion detector lights, floodlights, or similar lighting can help brighten up the property so crooks can’t hide.

• Make sure everyone-adults, teens and younger children know house rules for answering the telephone and the door.

Neighborhood Safety

• Start or strengthen your Neighborhood Watch. For information on Neighborhood Watch, call Officer Arleen Harris.

Please call or notify the co-chairs of any incidents in the neighborhood.

School Safety

• Tell your children, anything that makes him or her uncomfortable or suspicious should be reported immediately to you and school officials.

• Make sure your child travel in groups to and from school; kids in groups are generally safer.

• Check out the routes your child takes when walking or biking to school- whatever your child’s age.

• Check out the school bus or regular bus stop area, if your child uses them. Look for hazardous shortcuts that might tempt kids or take them out of public view. Agree on safe walking and biking areas.

Peralta Hills Kids Club

by Cassandra Chen

Please see Gazette Insert for Kids Club News and Upcoming Events

Peralta Hills Wine Club

by Cathy Wills

The first wine club meeting of 2011 was hosted by Jolynn Benn and Patrick Mahoney at their palatial estate on March 27th. Over 180 residents and their friends attended!

The meeting featured Winemaker’s John and Sharon Harris and their prized Rarecat, CommonDog and Amici Cellars wines. They were so kind to generously pour their various blends and to expertly describe each wine. Pat & Jolynn provided delectable pairings for the wines, live music, and a spectacular setting for the 2011 kickoff of the Peralta Hills Wine Club. If you are interested in purchasing any of these wines, please feel free to contact me and I will get the selection and pricing information to you. Awesome job Jolynn & Pat! The next wine club meeting is scheduled for May 22nd with Fred and Laleh Graylee hosting. The meeting theme will be announced soon and it promises to be another great wine club gathering.

Meetings will also be held in June, July, August, September and October. Future hosts also include Mary and Richard Cramer, Mel and Margie Smith, Tracy and Bob Frazier, Roseli and Craig Wildvank and Bonnie and Larry Bann.

If you are interested in attending any of the meetings or would like to be put on the email invitation list for information regarding future meetings, please contact Cathy at cawills@pacbell.net or at 714.998.3716.

Pet Corner

by Cathy Wills

APRIL MORRIS: CHASE AWAY K9 CANCER

April Morris and her husband, Gregg Gibbons, have lived in Peralta Hills since 1985. During that time, they have adopted numerous pets from the German Shepherd Rescue League of Orange County, the Orange County Animal Shelter and the Doberman rescue League of Orange County. They are both dedicated animal lovers and strive to change the life of each animal that they adopt.

In November 2009, April and Gregg experienced their first pet loss from cancer. Their beloved German Shepherd, Lucky, developed hemangiosarcoma, an April & Gregg’s beloved“Lucky” aggressive form of cancer that took his life some eight short weeks later. April and Gregg attended the Paws For Cures event last September and were touched by the stories and experiences of everyone who has faced similar situations.

April has recently taken up road biking and will be participating in a 200 mile ride from Seattle to Portland (“STP”) on July 9 and 10, 2011. April has generously volunteered to use her ride as a means to raise additional funds for the effort to find a cure for cancer in animals. For those of you who would like to make a donation based on her ride, please visit the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Foundation’s website: www.chaseawayk9cancer.org.

When you sign up, please type “April’s STP Ride” in the comment field (within the payment information section). ACVIM, the benefactor for the Paws For Cures events, funds studies aimed at finding cures for diseases that plague our companion animals. The Chase Away Canine Cancer is a program that ACVIM supports and all proceeds go towards funding canine cancer studies.

April Morris training for the upcoming STP ride If you see April biking around the neighborhood in preparation for the ride, don’t hesitate to open your car window and shout out “STP”! We are all hopeful that one day a cure and effective treatments will be found, in pets and in humans, for this terrible disease. Good Luck April!

For more info and if you wish to join the Kids Club, call Raza Kitsigianis at: 714.974.2056

Humor

by Craig Wildvank

Hi Peralta Hills Neighbors, My Wife and I want to thank all of you that supported the fund raiser we hosted at our home for A Quarter Blue.

We are blessed with great friends that are so giving of their time and financial support for such a noble cause. So for that, the least I can do is send you subpar jokes- and often time offensive ones too! So here we go again!

A father put his 3 year old daughter to bed, told her a story and listened to her prayers which ended by saying: “God bless Mommy, God bless Daddy, God bless Grandma, and good-bye Grandpa.”

The father asked, ‘Why did you say good-bye Grandpa? The little girl said, “I don’t know daddy, it just seemed like the thing to do.” The next day grandpa died. The father thought it was a strange coincidence. A few months later the father put the girl to bed and listened to her prayers which went like this: “God bless Mommy, God Bless Daddy, and good-bye Grandma.”

The next day the grandmother died. “Holy crap” thought the father, “this kid is in contact with the other side.”

Several weeks later when the girl was going to bed the dad heard her say, “God bless Mommy, and good-bye Daddy.”

He practically went into shock. He couldn’t sleep all night and got up at the crack of dawn to go to his office. He was nervous as a cat all day, had lunch and watched the clock. He figured if he could get by until midnight he would be okay.

He felt safe in the office, so instead of going home at the end of the day he stayed there, drinking coffee, looking at his watch and jumping at every sound. Finally, midnight arrived, he breathed a sigh of relief and went home. When he got home his wife said “I’ve never seen you work so late. What’s the matter?”

He said “I don’t want to talk about it, I’ve just spent the worst day of my life.”

She said, “You think you had a bad day, you’ll never believe what happened to me. This morning my golf pro dropped dead in the middle of my lesson!”

Dictionary for Women’s Personal Ads 40-ish Adventurous Athletic Average looking Beautiful Contagious smile Emotionally secure Feminist Free Spirit Friendship first Fun New Age Open-minded Outgoing Passionate Professional Voluptuous

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

49 Slept with everyone No tits Ugly Pathological liar Does a lot of pills On medication Fat Junkie Former very ‘friendly’ person Annoying Body hair in the wrong places Desperate Loud and embarrassing Sloppy drunk Bitch Very fat

Large frame Wants soul mate

= Hugely fat = Stalker

Women’s English Yes No Maybe We need I am sorry We need to talk Sure, go ahead Do what you want I am not upset You’re very attentive tonight

Men’s English

= = = = = = = = = =

No Yes No I want You’ll be sorry You’re in trouble You better not You will pay for this later Of course I’m upset, you moron!

Is sex all you ever think about?

I am hungry = I am sleepy = I am tired = Nice dress = I love you = I am bored = May I have this dance? = Can I call you sometime? = Do you want to go to a movie? = Can I take you do dinner? = Those shoes don’t go with = that outfit

I am hungry I am sleepy I am tired Nice cleavage!

Let’s have sex now Do you want to have sex?

I’d like to have sex with you I’d like to have sex with you I’d like to have sex with you I’d like to have sex with you I’m gay

And finally...

A recent scientific study found that women find different male faces attractive depending on where they are in their menstrual cycle.

For example, when a woman is ovulating she will prefer a man with rugged, masculine features.

However, when she is menstruating, she prefers a man doused in petrol and set on fire with scissors stuck in his eye and a cricket stump shoved up his backside.

Now share this with a man who needs a laugh and a woman with a sense of humor!

Restaurant Review CHEF ADAM’S CATERING SERVICE AND CAFÉ

by Jeannette D. Curtis

5205 E. Orangethorpe Ave., Anaheim Hills, CA 92807 | 714.779.2225 | Tue-Sat 11-8pm What bit of serendipity or favorable wind brought Chef Adam into our midst? Located 3 miles from Peralta Hills, his comfortable little bistro features Michelin star-type cuisine at reasonable prices. This Cordon Blue trained, former Wolfgang Puck Catering, Pasadena Center, and Sony Pictures Chef has operated his bistro for 8 months. He features a generous menu of casual dishes like homemade pizzas and pastas ranging from prawn and salmon ravioli with lobster sauce to filet mignon manicotti and sandwiches, to classics like Bolognese ravioli and spaghetti and meatballs. A person won’t be disappointed with these, but the formal dinner entrees are sublime. A sushi grade red snapper is a generous portion of snapper with an exquisite slightly fruity sauce on a...

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Wine Facts

by Raza Kitsigianis

• The smell of young wine is called an “aroma” while a more mature wine offers a more subtle “bouquet.”

• A “cork-tease” is someone who constantly talks about the wine he or she will open but never does.

• An Italian study argues that women who drink two glasses of wine a day have better sex than those who don’t drink at all.

• California, New York, and Florida lead the United States in wine consumption.

• California is the fourth-largest wine producer in the world, after France, Italy, and Spain.

• Wine testers swirl their glass to encourage the wine to release all of its powerful aromas. Most don’t fill the glass more than a third full in order to allow aromas to collect and to not spill it during a swirl.

• Most wine is served in a glass that has a gently curved rim at the top to help contain the aromas in the glass. The thinner the glass and the finer the rim, the better. A flaring, trumpet-shaped class dissipates the aromas.

• When tasting wine, hold the wine in the mouth for a moment or two and then either swallow it or, preferably, spit it out, usually into a spittoon. A really good wine will have a long aftertaste, while an inferior wine will have a short aftertaste.

• A wine that tastes watery is said to taste “dilute.” It may have been made from grapes picked during a rainstorm.

• The worst place to store wine is usually in the kitchen because it is typically too warm to store wine safely.

Refrigerators are not satisfactory for storing wine either.

Even at their warmest setting, they’re too cold.

• Richer, heavier foods usually go well with richer, heavier wines; lighter foods demand light wines. Additionally, red wine typically is served with red meat, white wine with white meat and fish, and sweet wine with desserts.

• It is traditional to first serve lighter wines and then move to heavier wines throughout a meal. Additionally, white wine should be served before red, younger wine before older, and dry wine before sweet.

• Serving temperatures should be lower for white (45-50 degrees Fahrenheit) than for red wines (50-60 degrees Fahrenheit).

• There is a right and wrong way to hold a wine glass. Wine glasses should always be held by the stem and not the bowl because the heat of the hand will raise the temperature of the wine.

• Not all wines improve with time. In fact, a vast majority of wines produced are ready to drink and do not have much potential for aging. Only a rare few will last longer than a decade.

• A wine that has a musty smell, similar to wet cardboard or mold, may mean that the bottle is “corked” (the bottle has a contaminated cork).

• One ton of grapes makes about 60 cases of wine, or 720 bottles. One bottle of wine contains about 2.8 pounds of grapes.

• A standard glass of dry red or white wine contains around 110 calories. Sweeter wine has more calories.

• With age, red wines tend to lose color and will eventually end up a sort of brick red. On the other hand, white wines gain color, becoming golden and eventually brown-yellow.

• Red Burgundy is made from the Pinot Noir grape and is so difficult to make that winemakers all over the world see it as some kind of Holy Grail.

• Global warming may redefine wine growing in the future.

Even tiny temperature changes can dramatically change the quality of wine.

Unlock your brain’s potential with

Neurofeedback

by Marina Chirco

What is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback) is brain exercise. We observe your brain in action from moment to moment by monitoring your brain waves. We show you your brain activity and we help you to change it by rewarding shifts toward a more appropriate and stable brain state. It is a gradual learning process.

Neurofeedback is training in self-regulation. Good self-regulation is necessary for optimal brain function.

Self-regulation training enhances the function of the central nervous system and thereby improves mental performance, emotional control and physiological stability.

With Neurofeedback we target bioelectrical functioning of the brain, which is actually a more important issue than the “chemical imbalance” that is often talked about. We are concerned with the brain’s internal regulatory networks, and we train the brain’s functional disregulation. Simply by tecting the brain going off track through the EEG, we can train the brain toward enhanced stability and improved functioning.

In other respects, Neurofeedback is somewhat like putting the brain on a stair stepper to exercise certain regulatory functions continuously. This is applicable to a wide variety of functional deficits.

Does Neurofeedback cure symptoms or conditions?

In the case of organic brain disorders, it is a matter of getting the brain to function better rather than curing the condition.

When it comes to problems of disregulation, we would say that there is not a disease to be cured, and self-regulation may very well be a complete remedy.

Who can benefit from Neurofeedback?

Individuals of any age can benefit from EEG training. Neurofeedback can help a variety of childhood problems including bedwetting, nightmares, developmental disorders, attention deficits and other forms of disruptive behaviors. Neurofeedback can assist adolescents who struggle with anxiety and depression or drug and alcohol use. For adults, Neurofeedback can alleviate symptoms of physical and emotional problems such as migraines or PTSD. Neurofeedback can help anyone maintain good brain function as they age. Peak Performers also use EEG training to enhance their abilities in sports, business and the arts. Neurofeedback is painless, entirely non-invasive and a treatment that is unique to each individual.

Marina Chirco is a licensed MD in Europe where she successfully managed her own private practice. She now collaborates closely with like-minded professionals such as Doctors of Osteopathy, Doctors of Naturopathy, Chiropractors and Family Therapists throughout Orange County. Marina is a new resident of Peralta Hills and enjoys family time, cooking and long walks. If you would like a free consultation or would simply like to know more about Neurofeedback, contact Marina at 562.343.4828, mchirco@neurofeedbackhealth.com or visit her website at www.neurofeedbackhealth.com.

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Marge Spess Stegemeier

The Peralta Hills Estates Improvement Association would like to express their deepest sympathy and condolences to Dick Stegemeier and his family.

Marjorie Spess Stegemeier died peacefully on Wednesday the 16th of February at her home in Anaheim, California.

Daughter of James and Lily Spess, Marge was born on Sept. 15th, 1933 in Mannford, Oklahoma. She grew up with her sisters, Ruth , Rebecca (deceased), Ramona and Emma. Following graduation from high school in Tulsa, she married Richard J. Stegemeier of Wood River, Illinois in 1952. In the following years Marge and Dick were blessed with four children, Rick Stegemeier, Dave Stegemeier, Laura Whited and Martha Tesh. She is also survived by nine grandchildren.

Marge enjoyed life throughout the world, establishing loving homes for her family in California, Japan, Australia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Faithful to the virtues of an Oklahoma farm girl, she treated all with kindness, generosity, a warm smile and a quick wit.

While raising a family, Marge also devoted her life in support of her children and devoted husband, she will forever be our first lady.

A Rosary Service in Marge’s memory was held at the McAulay & Wallace Mortuary in Yorba Linda on Feb. 25th. The Requiem Mass was held at the San Antonio de Padua Church in Anaheim on Feb 26th, followed by interment at the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Littlest Angel Guild of Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), where Marge served as a volunteer, or the St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, which provided outstanding care during her lengthy illness.

Restaurant Review

Continued from page 7

bed of mushroom risotto. Chicken stuffed with artichoke and sun dried tomato is accompanied by a delicate fig gastrique – a surprising combination of flavors and incredibly good. Other entrées include short ribs over polenta. Entrees are reasonably priced and extras like dinner salad are definitely worth it. For 5 dollars— you get an individually made salad created with exquisite care. The house dressing – raspberry vinaigrette – might be best salad dressing I ever experienced with none of the chemically induced commercial sweetness so often found in raspberry vinaigrettes. The care given to the most mundane salad is evident in all the entrees. You don’t get the feeling any item was made en masse earlier just waiting to be reheated.

Desserts are another area where the restaurant shines.

Just when experience had taught me that red-velvet cake is much over-hyped and nothing more than dry chocolate cake with red food coloring – Chef Adam served the real thing—presented as an oversized cupcake, it is truly unique, moist—served warm, with notes of chocolate – but better. Served with homemade cream cheese, it looks too good to be true, as if it had jumped off the cover of Bon Appetit. The restaurant also features other desserts like Madagascar Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee and Ricotta Chocolate Cannoli – all are approximately $2.50 to $3.00, and served generously.

The gourmet cuisine, reasonable prices, and casual coffee-house atmosphere might be the reason that there are often solo diners eating here. If feels like an undiscovered little find. The restaurant has applied for its liquor license. Bringing your own bottle is discouraged at this time. But with food this good—you kinda forget about the wine.

A Weighty Matter of Success

by Francisca K. Klos

5…4…3…2…1…the clock was ticking and a successful solution to their Instant Challenge lay between “The Team that Forgot to be Named” and the State Championship of Destination ImagiNation’s Challenge E, “Verses! Foiled Again!” Could they succeed?

Earlier the structure they had engineered using only wood, foil, and glue had stood strong. Weighing just 17.6 grams, it had supported 710 pounds of weights. The skit they had written and their props had been well received. Now all they had to do was impress the judges with their teamwork, ingenuity, and creativity and solve the task at hand. Five minutes later they felt they had succeeded, but they would not find out for yet another hour. Later that night Matthew Carter, William Klos, Zachary Klos, Jesse Johnson, Jonathan Johnson, and Zachary Mips celebrated. “The Team That Forgot to be Named,” had been named. They were declared the State of California’s Left to Right: Matthew Carter, William Klos, First Place Team for Challenge E, at the Middle School Level. This distinction has Jonathan Johnson, Jesse Johnson, earned them the honor of representing California at Destination ImagiNation’s Global Zachary Mips, and Zachary Klos Finals, where the best of best teams from across the U.S. and around the world, will come to compete in Knoxville, Tennessee, May 24th-27th.

Destination ImagiNation is a non-profit organization that promotes creativity, ingenuity, teamwork, and problem solving, with a course of academic challenges for students in Kindergarten through the University level. The teams take months independently developing solutions for the challenge they chose on their own. Solutions are presented and Instant Challenges are solved at Regional Tournaments, with the top two teams in each challenge and region progressing on to the State Tournament. After that the best teams go on to compete at the Global Finals.

The team members attend, Nohl Canyon Elementary, Cerro Villa Middle School and El Rancho Middle School in the Orange Unified School District. They are seeking support in their endeavor to raise funds to get to Tennessee. If you would like to help, please contact their Team Manager, Francisca Klos, at angelklos@sbcglobal.net, 714.349.9922 or 714.998.1290. Two of the team members, Zachary and William Klos, are residents of Peralta Hills. Any help provided for the team will be greatly appreciated. For more information on Destination ImagiNation please visit www.idodi.com.

Editorial

by Sonia S. Jekums

Bonnie Wusz Grace Karam

In every community, you come across Housewives who excel in everything they do. They are loving and dedicated wives, supermoms, outstanding professionals, and role models.

Bonnie is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 28 years of experience.

In 1983, subsequent to teaching high school mathematics, she began her career in the financial services industry at Dean Witter. In April of 1988, Bonnie founded BW & Associates, Inc. (www.bwandassociatesinc.com), a registered investment advisory firm. Her true passion lies in empowering clients to surpass their financial dreams by developing long-term investment strategies. She is featured in The Winners Circle…How 30 Financial Advisors Became the Best in the Industry, by R. J. Shook.

Bonnie earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from California State University, San Diego, and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. She holds FINRA Series 4, 7, 63, 65, 66 and 24 licenses, as well as a California insurance license.

Bonnie and her husband, Tim Wusz, have been married for 35 years. Tim was employed for thirty-nine years as an Engineer at Unocal. He is currently VP with Rockettbrand Racing Gas. The Wuszs moved to Peralta Hills six years ago and thoroughly enjoy their neighbors, the community, the beautiful surroundings and their home. They also take great pleasure in traveling.

Grace completed her early education at the all girls, French Catholic Sisters’ schools (Franciscan’s & Dames de Sillon) in Beirut, Lebanon. Thereafter, she attended the University of St. Joseph in Lebanon where she obtained her Master’s degree in Law (license en Droit) and a degree in administrative and political sciences. After obtaining her law degree, she joined the Law firm of Mr. Fouad Boutros, a former magistrate, former minister of justice and a former minister of foreign affairs (equivalent to our Secretary of State). The law firm dealt with high profile cases in complex local and international corporate business in the middle East.

For over a decade, Grace was assigned to represent clients such as American Express, Fransa Bank, and American Life Insurance Co. Her client base also included international personalities and a former American Secretary of State.

In 1996, she moved to the U.S. where she worked for Air France, LAX and the LA Unified School District with the bilingual testing commission.

Grace is married to Kamal Karam, a civil engineer, Principal and VP of the prestigious firm of Hunsaker and Associates. She still does consulting services and is a full time mom to twins Kevin and Kyle. She oversaw the recently completed renovation of their home in Peralta Hills.

Deirdre Kelly In Peralta Hills, meet some of these exemplary Housewives...

Tiffany Sepetjian

Deirdre is an attorney and law school professor at Whittier Law School in Costa Mesa. Prior to joining Whittier Law School three years ago, she practiced for 18 years as a business and real estate litigator at big law firms, most recently Paul Hastings, LLP. Deirdre grew up in Simi Valley and went to Simi High where she was the class Valedictorian. She attended the University of Southern California and studied international relations and then graduated from Loyola Law School in 1989.

Deirdre is married to Howard Privette, also an attorney at Paul Hastings, LLP. Howard is a Yale alumni and graduated from Stanford Law school.

They have a 5 1/2 year old son, Liam.

Deirdre enjoys English horseback riding and showing, the theater, and spending time with her family. They are USC football season ticket holders and members of Cardinal and Gold. Deirdre and Howard moved to Peralta Hills a decade ago and enjoy its rural atmosphere and friendly neighbors.

Tiffany is a successful entrepreneur with extensive retail experience. She has a BA degree from the University of Southern California with a background in advertising. She was previously the National Media Supervisor of Team One Advertising and oversaw the Lexus automobile account managing the Lexus National Broadcast’s cable and outdoor media schedule. She left her position in 2002 to open a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory franchise.

Prior to selling the store, it was among the top 25 in sales for the chain nationally.

Currently she is a co-owner and co-operates six previously 10 (four were sold) Cohiba cigar retail sites. The Cohiba brand is the largest privately owned cigar retailer in California.

Tiffany is married to Raffi, who has over fifteen years of experience with the cigar industry. He was recently invited to serve on the Board of the Tobacco Association of America. Tiffany is a diehard Trojan and shares her allegiance with many of the alumni living in the neighborhood.

Tiffany and Raffi have two girls, Sofia and Sasha, and one on the way. They moved to Peralta Hills eight years ago and state that it is the ideal place to raise their young ones. The family enjoys outdoor activities including water and snow skiing and motorcycle riding.

Editorial

by Sonia S. Jekums

Health in focus

In acknowledgement to the physicians who shared comprehensive information on their various fields of specialized medicine, we would like to thank them by reprinting their bios.

These distinguished group of physicians represents the Best of the Best in their field.

Dr. Betsy Bao-Thu Nguyen

Dr. Betsy Bao-Thu Nguyen is a comprehensive Eye Physician and Surgeon, Board Certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology. She has been practicing in the Anaheim area for the last 11 years. She has served as one of the team eye doctors for both the LA Angels and the Anaheim Ducks. She is also active in eye research with USC and multiple clinical studies.

Dr. Nguyen grew up in Orange County and her educational and research background are stellar.

She was her high school valedictorian and graduated Magna Cum Laude in her undergraduate studies at UC Irvine. She then received her medical degree from the prestigious UCLA School of Medicine in 1995, graduating with the highest honors in the top 5%.

Dr. Nguyen received her ophthalmology training at the world renowned Jules Stein Eye Institute at the UCLA School of Medicine. She then pursued additional training in Glaucoma at the prestigious UCSF in San Francisco.

She can be reached at 714.808.9358 and her office is located at 1314 S Euclid, Suite 103, Anaheim, CA 92802.

Dr. Andrew Klein graduated from Stanford University, pre-med with department honors and UC San Francisco Medical School. He interned at UCLA and did his General Surgery Residency at Beth Israel Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston. He did his Otolaryngology Residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School and did his Plastic Surgery Residency at the University of Florida. He is double board certified in Otolaryngology and Plastic Surgery, specializing in Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Klein served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant Commander assigned to the Fleet Marine Force. He has been awarded the “Man of Distinction Award” at Fullerton Junior College as well as was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society. He has done research, publications, and presentations in his field of practice.

Andrew Klein, M.D. F.A.C.S. He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, California Medical Association, California Society of Plastic Surgeons, Orange County Medical Association (where he is a delegate), and the Orange County Society of Plastic Surgeons.

For more information, call 714.776.4690 or go to www.drandrewklein.com. His office is located at 1211 W. La Palma Ave., Suite 609 in Anaheim.

Dr. Klein is fluent in English, German and Russian languages. He is married and is an avid tennis player with special interests in collectors’ cars. The Kleins are long time residents of Peralta Hills.

Dr. Mark P. Miller

Dr. Mark P. Miller is a seasoned internist and cardiologist who has been in practice for over thirty years. He earned his B.A. from Colgate University, his M.D. from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and his Fellowship in Cardiology from U.C. Davis.

Dr. Miller is triple board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and Interventional Cardiology. He is Chief of Staff-Elect at Anaheim Memorial and lectures on cardiovascular risk reduction for the leading pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. You may have heard him sing the National Anthem for the Angels or the Ducks, which he has done on multiple occasions.

Dr. Mark Miller can be reached at 714.635.9680. His office is located at 1211 W. La Palma Ave., Suite 101 in Anaheim.

In the next issue, acknowledgement to the following Phycisians: Dr. Helen Luong, Dr. Ricahrd Kim, Dr. Anita Gregory, Dr. Howard Knohl, and Dr. Rakesh Bhola Editorial continuation on page 10 & 11- Our Real Housewives of Peralta Hills In the next issue, Special Feature: Dr. Desmond McGuire- Retina Eye Specialist

EDITOR’S NOTE: Wishing all the Kids Club mothers, our mothers and all the mothers out there a

Happy Mother ’ s Day!

PH Kids Book Club

by Cassandra Chen

A couple weeks ago, the Peralta Hills Kids Book Club met for the first time. Preston Gielau & her family hosted the meeting at their house. There were five attendees- Preston, Sandra Wills, Ashley Mize, Kyle Chen, and I. After everyone arrived, we immediately set to business. Everyone showed the books that they brought. By a process of elimination, we chose Judy Moody Was in a Mood. Not a Good Mood. A Bad Mood by Megan McDonald as the book to be read for the next meeting. Afterward, there was an excellent pizza dinner. Then all of the kids went into the backyard to play.

The next book club meeting will be on Friday, May 6, 2011 at 5pm at Preston’s house located on 183 Peralta Hills Drive. If you would like to join, please show up at Preston’s house, having already read Judy Moody and bring books to exchange with other kids. I hope that more kids will join. It is a great opportunity for the kids in the neighborhood to come together. The last meeting was a lot of fun.

Easter Egg Hunt Recap

by Cassandra Chen

On Saturday, April 16th, the Peralta Hills Kids Club met at the Graylee’s for an Easter egg hunt party.

Lots of kids came of all ages. Pat, the Easter Bunny came, and a burger truck was hired. Lots of games were played and prizes were given out. When the egg hunt began, there were 3 special eggs to be found, 2 silver eggs and 1 golden egg.

The silver eggs each came with Baskin Robbins gift certificates. The golden egg came with movie gift certificates. The rest of the eggs had some chocolate. Yum!!!

Overall, I think the party was really successful.

The next Peralta Hills Kids Club meeting will be either a beach or a pool party coming soon. I invite all of the neighborhood kids to come to these next two events coming up. So mark your calendars, make notes on your fridge, so that more neighborhood kids can socialize.

Pat Mahoney with hostsThis is Cassandra Chen, kids reporter, signing off till next time!

Fred & Laleh Graylee

G H P e h t n i en e s s a T R E INS

Peralta Hills Kids Club UpComing events for the Kids Club

A Day at the Beach & Pool Parties For more details call Raza Kitsigianis at 714.974.2056

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PERALTA HILLS BEAUTIFICATION AWARDS

By Cathy Wills

April 2011

The Peralta Hills Beautification Committee met recently to nominate new Beautification Award recipients.

The basic criteria for the award is that the property shows pride of ownership, outstanding curb appeal, extraordinary landscaping and gardens or recent improvements that have increased the beauty of the property. Nominations take place in January, April, July and October.

The homeowners that receive this honor will be featured in an article in the Peralta Hills Gazette and will have a Peralta Hills Beautification Award sign displayed in their yard for approximately three months.

The Peralta Hills Beautification Award recipient for this quarter is:

G H P e h t n i en e s s a T R E INS

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The Maglica family at 230 Peralta Way

CONGRATULATIONS to these very worthy recipients!! Special thanks to the Maglica family for adding to the beauty of Peralta Hills.