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Side Effects By Bob Cox
Are you part of the 20 million Americans who suffer from depression? If yes, the folks in the pharmaceutical industry have great news for you! They have a magic pill you can take, and who wouldn’t like to experience more of the following symptoms on their way to resolving depression: Nausea, dry mouth, sleepiness, fatigue, constipation, decreased appetite, increased sweating, dizziness, fainting upon standing, problems with urine flow, headaches, weakness, confusion, problems concentrating, memory problems, increased eye pressure, feeling unsteady, low sodium levels, skin blisters, serious or peeling rash, hives, mouth sores, other allergic reactions, life-threatening skin reactions, itching, right upper-belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin/ eyes, high fever, confusion, stiff muscles, unexplained flulike symptoms, severe liver problems and increased suicidal thoughts? Yes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and yes, it is an oncoming train: This is not even a complete list of side effects, according to a leading pharmaceutical antidepressant website! This reminds me of a distraught child who sobs hysterically while desperately seeking the support and comfort of an overwhelmed parent who barks back, “I’ll give you a good reason to cry” as he shows him the back of his hand! As time marches by, more and more Americans are losing their way while searching for the magic elixir that instantly relieves pain. The U.S. population represents just 5% of the world’s population, yet we account for 42% of the total spending on prescription drugs, according to a CBS Television Broadcast back in 2005. Far too many American’s have become addicted to the fastest and easiest methods to escape pain through the use of prescription medications and this trend is growing by leaps and bounds. According to a recent report by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, Americans spent more than $234 billion on prescription drugs in 2008, up from $104.6 billion in 1999. Where there is drug use (prescription and non), its sinister cousin “drug abuse” lurks nearby. Over 48 million people (almost 20%) over the age of 12 in the U.S. have used prescription drugs for non-medical purposes according to The National Institutes of Health while nearly 3 million teenagers and young adults (those aged 12 to 25) become new abusers of prescription drugs (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Report). While we often hear about people who abuse drugs, I believe the greatest threat is the exact opposite: Drugs that abuse people. The side effects from many prescription drugs are so extensive and potentially destructive; it’s disheartening to watch the growing number of people who’ve become more and more dependant on them. Do you think that the skillful, well crafted marketing messages created by the pharmaceutical giants have anything to do with this? You bet your bottom line! How many of us can actually still hear the lengthy list of side affects from the 4 GO FOR IT May May2012 2012
melodic narration of a soothing voice as it blends into white noise against the backdrop of the images presented before us? We become mesmerized by all the smart looking and beautiful people, doing beautiful things in beautiful places. You are getting sleepy, very sleepy, yes? On August 8, 1997, the FDA released a draft guidance that effectively enabled the use of broadcast ads for direct to consumer (DTC) advertising. This allowed advertisers to forgo the requirement that they scroll or read the entire brief summary, provided they met an “adequate provision” standard for risk information. As a result of the FDA’s draft guidance, spending on DTC advertising increased from $220 million in 1997 to over $26 billion in 2011 (Schonfeld & Associates), an increase of over 100 times the investment less than a generation ago! Another study by two New York University researchers in 2004 revealed that the U.S. pharmaceutical industry spent nearly a quarter (24.4%) of every sales dollar on promotion, versus 13.4% for research and development. If you think that practically every commercial on T.V. is pushing prescription drugs, you’re probably closer to the truth than you realize! We’ve become a country that’s become dependant on the fastest and easiest way to escape our pain through the overuse of prescription drug medications. If you want to help reverse this destructive trend, start by taking your personal power back. Instead of delegating your health care to others with more knowledge on the subject, take a very proactive role by getting in touch with all your thoughts and feelings, trust your instincts, examine all of your options and then take decisive action. A great place to get started on your quest for optimum health is to visit your local health store. While you’re there, I strongly recommend that you ask for the book “Healthy Healing” by Linda Page, Ph.D. This 672 page masterpiece is a very comprehensive step-by-step guide to healing over 400 ailments through diet, whole herbs, supplements and exercise. The section for handling depression is quite extensive and she actually states, among other things that many prescription drugs actually create nutrient deficiencies! It’s your body and you are the boss! Hopefully, for your body’s sake, you’ll carefully consider the least evasive choice first and then proceed from there. If you look at pain as the enemy, stop now and change your mindset. Pain is actually your closest friend and he/she is screaming at you to change your lifestyle…Go For It! Bob Cox is the founder and publisher of Go For It Magazine. He can be reached by phone at (916) 266-3115. His email address is coxrobert@comcast.net. Go For It Magazine is owned and operated in Rancho Cordova, CA. Copyright © 2012.
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Why Moms Love Grocery Outlet By Monica Ortiz With a major grocery store closing in our area, many of you may be wondering where you’ll do your grocery shopping from now on. With this in mind, we would love to invite you to visit our store: Rancho Cordova Grocery Outlet. We’re an independent and family owned extreme value grocery retailer and we’re part of the number one close-out retailer in the U.S. We bring you bargains every week, with savings of up to 40% or more on all items in the store. We offer grocery, frozen foods, deli products, fresh meat, fresh produce, dairy, health and beauty aids, house-wares, beer and wine and all at discounted bargain prices. We’re the biggest secret in town and a fun store to shop. Every day is like a treasure hunt, because you never know what we’ll have and we’re going to surprise you every time. When you do find your favorite items, be sure to stock up on them because they may not be here next week! Why do so many moms love shopping at Grocery Outlet? Because we carry many of the top brands you know and trust like Del Monte, Dole, Kellogg’s, Quaker, Ocean Spray, Oscar Mayer, Nestle, Kraft, Nabisco, Kashi, Green Giant, Stouffer’s, Dove, Gillette, Tide, All, Pantene and many more and all at bargain prices! How do we get such amazing deals? Because our buying team is constantly searching for the best brands at bargain prices. We also offer 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. If you don’t like an item you bought, just bring it back for a full refund. Who else loves to shop at Grocery Outlet? Everyone! We have some of the smartest shoppers around. We have health
Mother’s Day Floral & Plant Sale May 10th-13th Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13!
conscious families that like to save money and provide their kids with healthy and nutritious meals. We have financially savvy families that need to save on their food budget to send their kids to college. We have large families that want to stretch their food budget and enjoy those little extras, like healthy snacks and juices. We have senior citizens that are in fixed incomes and know how to save money. They also get an extra 10% off during our Senior Mornings, which happens every second and third Wednesday of every month from 8 am to 1 pm. They also enjoy free refreshments and prizes! Young adults shop Grocery Outlet to find some of their favorite gourmet cheeses, crackers and wines. Food banks, churches and nonprofit organizations shop with us because they know they’ll be able to feed more families with our bargain prices, which are often below wholesaler’s prices. Civic groups shop with us when they have their crab feeds, fundraiser and barbeques. We’re community oriented too and love to be part of many local events like the Cordova Community Food Locker Thanksgiving Basket Program, The Kid’s Day at the Park, The Fair Oaks Fiesta Run, The Eppie’s Great Race, The Christmas Tree Lighting, A Taste of December sponsored by Folsom Cordova Community Partnership, The Police Activity League Fun Run, The Cordova Community Council 4th of July Celebration and many other events throughout the year. So, the next time you see our booth in and about our community, stop by and say hi. We would love to meet you!
2801 Zinfandel Dr., Rancho Cordova, CA (916) 858-2801 www.groceryoutlet.com Mon–Sat: 8am–9pm • Sun: 8am–7pm
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Is Your Pool Ready to Party? Aztec Solar Will Make It Happen By Bob Cox Q: What’s the idea behind the unusual headline: Is Your Pool Ready to Party? A: Well, we know that May is a good time to use your backyard to have friends and family over for birthday parties, holidays and other celebrations, so we want you to have your pool ready for the season. You can swim in 80 degree temperature water in May and get the whole family in the pool with a very environmentally friendly, clean and green way of heating your pool. You can enjoy an endless summer with solar pool heating by making an investment that will extend your swimming season an extra four months every year! Q: How much does it cost to install a solar water heating system for a typical pool? A: The cost of installing a solar pool system is minimal when compared to using a gas heater. Your investment runs from $4,500 to $6,000 for an average pool system and you
can enjoy your pool for an extra four months a year! Q: Does that mean that the average pool owner will get to swim two months earlier in the spring and two months later in the fall? A: Exactly. Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the conventional way of heating a pool and explain the advantages of going solar? A: Yes, with solar, you’re going to offset your carbon emissions, so you’re not polluting the air when you heat your pool, so you’ll feel good about that. In addition, you’re going to save some money. The investment of solar will be paid for in two to three years if you were heating your pool with a gas fired heater. Studies have shown a 100% return on investment for a solar pool heating system in the property value of your home. This technology is well engineered with the industries best warranty on parts and labor. It’s really a minimal risk investment. Q: Are you offering any financial incentives to help pool owners get an early start this spring? A: Sure, we’re currently offering $800 off your solar pool installation, so you’ll be ready to swim before summer. We offer several different financial options to bring you the best value for your investment. Q: Aztec Solar offers other solar powered systems. Can you tell us more about them? A: Yes, we offer both solar electric and solar water heating solutions for people who want to have a green lifestyle. The solar water heating systems for your domestic water heater have great incentives right now. You can take advantage
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of these offers through your local utility and the federal government. We’re also offering a solar electric system that you can lease or purchase, and that system will get your bills down significantly. These savings will vary as they are based on your energy load and the architectural design of your home. Q: Why would people want to invest in a solar pool heating system? A: Solar pool heating is one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly ways to heat your pool. Installation only takes one day and within 72 hours, the water temperature in your pool will increase from 3 to 9 degrees. Getting solar right now makes sense.
Q: So, you can become green and not have to pay anything extra for that, right? A: Correct. Furthermore, it has been reported that solar is increasing people’s home values. Just as gas efficient cars have gone up exponentially, we’re seeing energy efficient homes with solar powered upgrades increasing in value from 7% to 20% because it’s worth something to homeowners. Editor’s notes: For more information about Aztec Solar, please call (916) 853-2700, stop by their showroom at 11370 Trade Center Dr. in Rancho Cordova or visit their website: AztecSolar.com.
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(916) 536-0000
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Happy Anniversary to Dynamic Dental By Dr. Andrade & Dr. Montalvo It seems like only yesterday we
Four years later, we are open five
opened the doors at Dynamic Dental.
days a week and see on average 12
Back in 2008, we took over an office
patients a day. We still focus on quality
that had been opened since the early
service but offer a much wider array of
1970’s and was barely surviving.
services, ranging from implants, laser
We started by reaching out to the
dentistry, conscious sedation, cosmetic
Rancho
braces and cosmetic dentistry.
Cordova
community.
We
opened two days a week and saw on
In this short time, our office has
average about 5 patients a day. We
been completely renovated. We’ve
focused on families and offered to
adding modern elements and warm
see patients in the evenings and on
inviting colors. We’re most proud of
weekends. We also focused on quality
the fact that all of our patients have
work at a relaxed pace. Things were
brought their family, friends and even
pretty quiet then.
co-workers to see us. It feels great to know that our patients trust us to provide excellent service to the people
treatment options patients have to
they love and respect.
address their dental concerns and also
For this reason, we continue to offer the most current dental services to
We look back on the past four
area. This April, Dr. Montalvo will join
years and are greatly appreciative to
the American Academy of Esthetics
everyone, especially our patients and
and be certified in botox and dermal
our dental team that has made our
fillers. It’s exciting because this will
office a success and a dream come
allow us to continue to expand the
true.
New Patient Special
9833 Horn Road
Located in the Old Mills Winery Business Park
Sacramento, CA 95827
(916) 368-2500
www.dynamicdentist.com Horn Rd.
Bradshaw Rd.
99 (Reg $230)
Not valid with any other offer. Expires 6/30/12.
FREE
Whitening for Referring a Friend ($150 Value)
Folsom Blvd.
H
Business Park Dr.
Horn Rd.
HWY 50
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49 Exam, X-Rays & Basic Cleaning $
Caring Dentistry For The Entire Family
Dr. Andrade and Dr. Montalvo with son Noah and daughter Ella Luz.
and esthetic smile.
the Rancho Cordova and Sacramento
Dynamic Dental Emergencies & Walk-Ins Welcomed!
help patients achieve a more beautiful
Tues, Thurs & Fri: 7-5 Wed & Sat: 9-5 Hablamos Español
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Pain Free Dentistry Free Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) Be relaxed and comfortable during your next treatment
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Proud to be an American Lee Greenwood wrote a good song... And with two American holidays approaching, now is a good time to take stock of what being an American means and what we should do: not just once a year, maybe not every day, but certainly more frequently than most of us do. REMEMBER: On Memorial Day we honor those who sacrificed their lives for our country. As Greenwod said “I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me”. CELEBRATE: We tend to take for granted our freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I think nothing makes a community feel more connected to ALL of the other communities than a party and parade that you know is going on all over the country. PARTICIPATE: President Kennedy said “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Volunteer your time to making your community (from local to global) a better place. Jim Rohn said “The Pledge of Allegiance starts with “I” and ends with “all”. That’s what America is all about - “I” (individual) and “all” (all of us). When all of us undestand how valuable each of us is, that’s powerful. And here’s what else is powerful: When each of us understands how powerful all of us are.”
Fair Oaks Cemetery District Memorial Day Celebration - Sat., May 26, 10 am - The 14th annual event will honor Civil War Veterans and will feature the American Veterans Band, a Color Guard and Rifle Salute from Civil War Member Organizations. The Cemetery will be decorated with hundreds of American flags for its signature “Avenue of Flags”. Special guest speaker to be announced. For more info, call 916-966-1613. Rancho Cordova 4th of July Celebration July 3-4, 11 am - 11 pm. FREE concerts each night and of course, FIREWORKS! Featuring the famous Kid’s Zone, carnival, beer garden, food court and the BEST home-town parade around starting at 10 am on the 4th. Visit RanchoCordovaJuly4th.com for details. The Cordova Community Council is an organization of nonprofits that have many opportunities to volunteer and serve the Rancho Cordova community and surrounding area. Visit Cordova Council.org to sign up for the newsletter or volunteer list. For details about these events and more visit BobsPocket.com. You can also learn more about theses organizations that we are proud to work with:
*For tools and tips, as well as Bob’s bio, visit www.BobsPocket.com
The Fair Oaks Cemetery District Memorial Day and Avenue of Flags Honoring
CIVIL WAR VETERANS
“The Strengthening of a Nation” 14th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony Saturday, May 26 Formal ceremonies start at 10 am Fair Oaks Cemetery, 7780 Olive Street, Fair Oaks
• Tom Askins will be the master of ceremonies. • Musical program provided by the American Veterans Band, conducted by Warren ‘Bud’ Turner. • Color Guard and Rifle Salute team from Civil War Member Organizations. • Ceremony of the laying of the wreath at the memorial in honor of over sixteen hundred veterans who are buried in the cemetery. • Cemetery will be decorated with hundreds of flags lining its roadways as “The Avenue of Flags.” • More names will be added to the Veterans Memorial Wall. • The Fair Oaks Historical Society and Orangevale/ Fair Oaks Grange will provide complimentary refreshments after the ceremony.
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FU
Fun Things To Do T
Sacram
California State Railroad Museum North America’s largest railroad museum draws more than 500,000 train enthusiasts annually.
California Delta A unique 1,000-mile waterway labyrinth fed by five major rivers, including the Sacramento River and the San Joaquin River.
Old Sacramento This historic area of restored buildings, museums and novelty shops brings life to the Sacramento waterfront. Many restaurants and nightlife spots.
Crocker Art Museum One of the first art museums in the U.S. and is now one of the leading art institutions in California.
California State Capitol and Museum This 19th-century granite building, modeled after the U.S. Capitol, is home to the California Legislature and houses a public museum.
American River Parkway A picturesque 23-mile stretch of land along the American River that offers visitors wonderful scenic beauty. For bikers or hikers.
Crest Theater Opened in 1949, the spectacular Crest quickly became the city’s top theater, which it remains today. 18 GO FOR IT May May2012 2012
Capitol Park Capitol Park has a notable collection of specimen trees, some of them planted in the 1880s. If you are a fan of trees or like seeing unusual plants, then Capitol Park is a must.
California Automobile Museum The mission of the California Automobile Museum is to educate and entertain while preserving and promoting the automobile. Sutter’s Fort Recreation of John Sutter’s fort. Historic site, architectural buildings, tours.
Fairytale Town A nonprofit park dedicated to promoting the imagination, creativity and education of children, Fairytale Town is home to three-dimensional play sets. Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament A beautiful place of worship and an amazing church!
UN
o This Summer In
mento Governor’s Mansion Built in the late 19th century, this mansion was the official residence of the state’s governor through the late 1960s. Sacramento Memorial Auditorium Beautifully restored classic theatre.
Sacramento Theatre Company One of the two professional theater companies in Sacramento. Sacramento Zoo Children and adults alike delight in this zoo’s almost 400 species of wildlife. Funderland Amusement/Theme Park.
Discovery Park A great place to watch or launch boats on the river. Picnic areas, swimming.
Nimbus Dam Jogging paths, tracks, etc.
Frasinetti’s Winery Little out of the way, but worth a visit.
Sacramento Child’s Museum in Rancho Cordova Children are encouraged to think for themselves, expand their problem-solving abilities through creative exploration, and exercise both their bodies and their minds. Discovery Museum Science & Space Center This interactive science museum for children includes a wide range of exhibits and a planetarium. Power Balance Pavillion This arena is home to the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Good venue for concerts and sports. Sacramento River Water Intake Structure Architectural building with interesting style.
William Land Park Golf Course A nice urban getaway.
The California Museum This modern museum explores the history of California through a collection of exhibits and archives.
California State Indian Museum This museum explores a diverse range of Native American topics, from history to culture to art. California Exposition & State Fair Don’t miss it! It’s THE State Fair. Sacramento Convention Center Home and garden shows, etc.
Paddlewheel Showroom Located on the Delta King river boat, this is one of Sacramento’s only floating theaters. IMAX Theatre The Esquire IMAX Theatre is conveniently located in downtown Sacramento. May May 2012 2012 GO GO FOR FOR IT IT 19
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Car Tech Talk
The Customer is the Decider By Walter Ford Something that is very important to us at Valley Motorwerks is to provide clear and concise information to the customer. At the end of the day, it’s their hard earned money that is being spent. We recently had a situation where a 750li was showing signs of transmission trouble. Based on the BMW fault codes, there was an SIB (Service Information Bulletin) put out by BMW with a possible fix. The fix is approximately $1000.00; a replacement transmission is considerably more. However, the issue at hand is this: What is the possibility that the $1k is going to solve the problem? BMW says it is the first step, but that first step is expensive. What do you do? Personally I am not comfortable picking the pocket of the customer for $1k on an off chance something will work. I feel it is the customer’s money, so it’s their choice. This is where being clear and concise is very important. What we did was lay out both options and their chance of success to the best of our knowledge. Obviously, changing the entire transmission is going to resolve the issue, but what if it is a little seal inside the pan?
Inevitably the customer will ask...“What would you do?” In this case, I would swap the transmission and keep the car another few years. This particular car was in perfect condition otherwise and was worth keeping. If it were in poor condition or had other problems, my answer would be different. It’s important to remember that it’s the customer’s money that is being spent. In these difficult financial times it’s even doubly important to do our best in counseling customers accurately. We need to give the customer a reason to pass by other shops to come to us. One very good reason is that we do honestly care about our customers well being. Mistakes are sometimes made and this is what separates a good company from a great one. Valley Motorwerks strives to be a GREAT company. Editor’s notes: Walter Ford is the owner of Valley Motorwerks. He can be reached at his shop, which is located at 11401 White Rock Road in Rancho Cordova, CA. His phone number is (916) 636-9526 and his website is www.vmwerks.com.
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