September 2011 GO FOR IT 1
Q&A
Sean Lively Owner, Lasertag of Carmichael Q: When was Lasertag of Carmichael established? A: Lasertag of Carmichael first started here in 1997. I purchased it in 2008. Q: Why did you decide to buy it? A: I got into laser tag right out of high school and I enjoyed the industry so much that I’ve stuck with it off an on for the last 14 years. I enjoy the heck out of it!
Affordable Fun For The Entire Family
Q: So it’s definitely your passion? A: Yes definitely. I enjoy providing an atmosphere that families can come in and have fun together. There are very few activities that provide a level playing field for adults and kids at the same time. Q: Is laser tag one of those activities? A: Definitely it would be one of those. Q: What are some things that you have here that would surprise the people in Carmichael, Fair Oaks and Arden? A: Our facility here is 10,000 sq. ft. and we have a 6,000 sq. ft. black light themed arena. Currently it’s the largest arena in northern California. It’s not one of those plug and play arenas where everything looks the same. Every part of the arena is different so it provides a unique experience every time you go in. We’re currently building a snack bar, we have 25 video games and we have several black light birthday party rooms. Q: How is your pricing compared to other facilities? A: Our pricing is very inexpensive. It’s actually cheaper now than back in 1997 when Lasertag of Carmichael opened.
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6031 Fair Oaks Blvd. Carmichael, CA 95608 (916) 972-7395
Marconi Ave Kenneth Ave
El Camino Ave
H
Fair Oaks Bl.
Q: So you’re an actual player then? A: I am avid player (laughing).
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Hardwood Floor Cleaning Tips
Why do I Love E-Z Living Cleaning? With Georgia Wenger Q: How did you select E-Z Living to clean your home? A: When I had my very first remodel, the contractor was working with E-Z Living Cleaning and they were doing the big clean up after construction. They did such a great job that I called them time in and time out. Pretty soon, I had them cleaning on a regular basis.
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Vacuum floors with an approved hardwood floor vacuum. Sweeping will leave fine particles behind.
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Use water & vinegar or a Bona Floor Cleaner product once a month.
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Get on your hands and knees. Use a minimal amount of water and dry as you go. That’s how the pros do it at E-Z Living Cleaning!
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September 2011 GO FOR IT 3
Living Your Purpose By Bob Cox awareness without action is like driving a Ferrari without When my son Bobby and I were out one Friday gasoline. It looks amazing in your driveway but it won’t night enjoying each other’s company, along with yet take you where you want to go. another savory pepperoni pizza, he asked me which book would help him most in life. I was shocked and When we arrived at the bookstore, I found a book excited, because from the time he retired his last diaper, written by one of my favorite author’s, Jack Canfield I’ve been strongly encouraging him to make a positive (Chicken Soup for the Soul books) that seemed to investment in his mind and his future by reading scream at me. “The Success Principals” is a guide and empowering and uplifting books and articles. For the a workbook that was created to help readers get from past two decades, his response had always been the where they are to where they want to be. For the past same, “No thanks dad, I’m not really interested in that several months, I had been brainstorming about what stuff. Besides, thinking isn’t my strong point!” my life’s primary purpose really was. When I got to chapter 2 titled “Be Clear Why You’re Here,” I knew that I asked him why he had developed a sudden interest synchronicity had once again worked its way back into my life. in the subject of self improvement and he told me that a friend of When I got to the end of the chapter, I worked my way through his was reading a book called “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon the four part “Life Purpose Exercise” which helped me really refine Hill. He went on to explain how the book had turned his friend’s life my purpose for why I’m sharing this spec of dust with nearly 7 completely around. Instead of getting high with a little help from billion other souls in a cosmic sea his friends, his good buddy had of shining stars. discovered a transforming thirst In my mind, awareness without action is like driving While there is a big part of for knowledge and wisdom. I told a Ferrari without gasoline. It looks amazing in your me that would love to experience him that while that was very good driveway but it won’t take you where you want to go. a wide variety of interests that read, the one book that had the would require financial wealth, I know in my heart that my primary greatest impact on my life, both personally and professionally was purpose is to use my creativity and unique insights to inspire others “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steven Covey. with lighthearted humor to become the best possible version of When I explained how that book helped me create better themselves. I really like the feeling I get when I truly believe that I relationships and achieve greater wealth, he said, “Great, I’ll get can have it all, that as long as I follow through by living my purpose that book first,” then agreed to go to the book store with me that with passion and a sense of urgency every day, I will eventually evening. I was thrilled by his desire to follow up on his inspired idea earn a life where limitless possibilities exists. and sensed a real turning point in his young life. In the past, he would have said something like, “No thanks dad, I’ll order it online One of the best ways to achieve my life purpose is to ask and save some money,” then fail to follow through. In my mind, all of you for help by sharing your life’s purpose and/or unique and inspiring real life stories. If you’ve had one or more positive life changing experiences that you believe would help encourage and inspire our readers to live their lives to the fullest, we want to read all about it. Personally, I love nothing more than a good laugh, so we welcome all articles that are seasoned with insightful, humorous and lighthearted wisdom. Email us your article to the address below and we will do everything we can to publish it in the next issue of Go For It Magazine. Please limit your story to 500 words, and we will do our best to find a business that’s willing to sponsor your article. All submitted articles become the property of Go For It Magazine.
“
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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 © 2011.
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September 2011 GO FOR IT 5
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90 Seconds That Could Save Your Life By Dr. Denisse Montalvo According to The Oral Cancer Foundation, someone dies from oral cancer every hour of every day in the United States alone. Over 300,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed every year, worldwide. This is a serious dental disease. Oral Cancer is defined as the uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage to surrounding tissue. Oral cancer appears as a growth or sore that does not go away. Oral cancer, can include cancers of the lips, tongue, cheek, floor of the mouth, hard and soft palate, sinuses, and pharynx (throat). It can be lifethreatening if not diagnosed and treated early. Tobacco use is the number one risk factor in oral cancer. Studies have shown that at least 75% of those diagnosed were either current or former tobacco users. Heavy use of alcohol among tobacco users has been proven to have a 15% greater risk of developing oral cancer than tobacco users that aren’t heavy alcohol users. Age and prolonged exposure to radiation or sunlight are contributing factors as well.
Unfortunately, in its early stages, oral cancer can go unnoticed. It can look like a common ulcer, cold sore or a discoloration of tissue. The most common symptoms of oral cancer include: • Swellings/thickenings, lumps or bumps, rough spots/crusts/or eroded areas on the lips, gums, or other areas inside the mouth. • The development of velvety white, red, or speckled (white and red) patches in the mouth. • Unexplained bleeding in the mouth. • Unexplained numbness, loss of feeling, or pain/tenderness in any area of the face, mouth, or neck. • Persistent sores on the face, neck, or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal within 2 weeks. • A soreness or feeling that something is caught in the back of the throat. • Difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue. • Hoarseness, chronic sore throat or change in voice. • Ear pain. • A change in the way your teeth or dentures fit together. • Dramatic weight loss. Fortunately, your dentist can see or feel if a lesion looks cancerous. If you have any type of lesion in your mouth or on your lips that doesn’t heal within two weeks, if the lesion appears to be getting bigger, if the lesion is painful or you have difficulty in swallowing for a prolonged period of time, it is very important to see your dentist right away to make the correct diagnosis and begin treatment. The treatment for a suspicious lesion in your mouth might be having it removed by your dentist, but your dentist will most
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likely send you to a specialist for a biopsy, which is a painless procedure. If oral cancer is detected early enough, it could possibly be treated with surgery alone. Radiation combined with surgery would likely be used if the cancer is in its advanced stages. The best preventions of oral cancer are not to use tobacco of any kind and only drink alcohol in moderation. Avoid prolonged exposure to sun or use a sunscreen on your lips. Visit your dentist every 6 months for regular check ups. When your dentist examines your mouth at your routine check up appointments, they will also screen you for oral cancer. This process only takes about 90 seconds and consists of a visual examination for any presence of cancer. Although the number of deaths each year from oral cancer is astounding, it is highly curable if diagnosed early. Prevention is a key factor in oral cancer and a 90 second dental examination could save your life.
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September 2011 GO FOR IT 7
The Bargain Floor Hunter By Bob Cox the floors, were all very professional and When Scott Manley was reading Go extremely clean about doing the work. It’s For It Magazine a few weeks ago, one ad kind of a messy job but they cleaned up in particular stood out. Fortunately for Lynn after themselves and were really concerned Lawson, the owner of Ralph Opfer Floors, about me as the homeowner and what I it was her ad because Scott ended up liked and what I wanted. It’s difficult when choosing her company to install beautiful you are living in a house and having a new hardwood floors in his house. “I saw project of this magnitude. They literally their advertisement and liked the floor replaced all the floors in the hallway, dining that was in the ad. I called the number room, living room and the kitchen, so it is and spoke with Lynn and she said that she kind of a difficult living environment but would have somebody come out and give absolutely, they kept it clean at the end of me an estimate right away. Within a day, their workday. They followed up with me the estimator was out and gave me some to make sure I was happy as the process ideas about what I could do with my floors proceeded and then was completed, so and gave me a quote right there on the we had good communication with the spot. We then went forward with the new contractor and both Lynn and Gregg were flooring,” recalled Scott. concerned that I was happy all the way Over the past several years, Lynn throughout the project, so I appreciated has developed a reputation for being a that as well. It was a difficult project, but relentless bargain hunter on behalf of they made it as painless as possible,” her clients. She will go the extra mile and Manley chose to combine hardwood explained Scott. shop for the best flooring at the lowest Scott with slate and the results are extraordinary. Scott’s project was extremely complex possible price. Scott; however, was even and challenging because Scott not only more impressed by the outstanding lived in the home; it required multiple skill sets to complete. service he got, from start to finish. “The entire staff, from The job required two specialized installers, one who worked Lynn to Gregg (Lynn’s husband), who was overseeing the on hardwood floors and one who worked on tile. But the project along with two different servicemen who worked on people from Ralph Opfer Floors finished the project on time and on budget. “Like I said, it was a big project, but they started right on time and finished in 6 days. They thought it would take approximately a week,” said Scott. While price was an important consideration for Scott, it was not the deciding factor when it came time to choose a floor company. “I didn’t do a lot of competitive shopping but I had so much confidence after talking with Lynn and meeting with Gregg about the quality of workmanship they were going to do. They had been in business for a number of years and I was confident they were competitively priced. I actually chose a more expensive floor than what they were recommending. They had to order it because it was a special floor, but it arrived on time and they installed on time. I was pleased with the pricing and I thought it was a fair price. I am more of a person that looks for quality and value over
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a cheap floor, and I wanted quality and think I got it at a fair price,” smiled Scott. I spoke to Lynn about her experience taking over the reins of the business her father, Ralph Opfer started over 30 years ago. Here’s how our conversation went…
When someone comes in looking for flooring, I try to ask as many questions as I can to try to get an idea of what it is they are looking for. I go to quite a few lengths to actually find what people want. I will have customers come in with a piece of wood from an existing floor and they Q: The company you don’t know what it is, but own is called Ralph Opfer they need more of it. I’ll Floors, which was named spend the time researching after your father who it and trying to finding it, founded the business. so I can help them get what When did your dad get they want. So yeah, it’s the started in the flooring personal attention… I try to industry? be very honest with people Lynn Lawson (Left) , the owner of Ralph Opfer Floors consults with one of her clients. A: Dad started selling about quality and pricing. and installing laminate I’m also kind of a bargain floors in the 1970’s. Before that, he was a real estate hunter. I’ll look for specials when people have a certain broker and a handyman. Dad bought and sold houses and budget. A lot of times, the budgets won’t fit into what they refurbished rentals. When Pergo came into the country actually want in their house, so that’s where those special in the late 1970’s, he talked the local hardware store into items come into play. You can get some really nice products letting him have a space in the corner of the store. Dad at lower prices, but it takes time to search for those things. sold and installed Pergo out of the hardware store for many I’ll go to bat for them and try to find what they want in a years. After moving up to Northern California he became price range they can afford. We carry every type of flooring known as “the bargain hunter,” to all his suppliers. He you would need, including laminate, hardwood, carpet, would buy all of their closeouts so he would have deals to tile, and vinyl. I also have a lot of stock in my warehouse of extend to his customers. With a warehouse full of inventory, Continued on page 10 you could always come to Ralph Opfer Flooring to find a bargain. Q: How did you get involved in the business? A: I got married and moved up here in 1979 and three of my siblings did as well, so 4 out of 7 children were up here in the Sacramento area. We finally talked my dad and my mom into moving up here. In 1999 my brother helped get the flooring business started up here. By 2002, the business had grown to the point where it needed an office manager and I was in a position to take that challenge on. I learned a lot from working side by side with my dad and brother. Q: What makes Ralph Opfer Floors really special and unique that you won’t find in other flooring stores? A: The personal attention you get when you come here.
The Olympic Spirit (and then some) 2012 brings the Summer Games and the HIGH drama of a worldwide arena that happens only once every 2 years makes the stories of unexpected victory and tragic disappointment that much more poignant. Then there are the stories in a class by themselves. One night, in the year 2000, a lone swimmer captured the world’s attention. His performance was, in a word, “pathetic” but also mesmerizing! His name was Eric Moussambani and he was one of four athletes representing the new country of Equatorial Guinea. He had practiced in the ocean, had his first experience in a swimming pool at a hotel, and had never been in an Olympic-sized pool before. The reason he was there at all was his name was picked as one of those from smaller countries that could compete without qualifying. The reason he was alone was that the other two swimmers in his first heat false-started and were disqualified. So, there he was, swimming alone in a style that was perhaps a cross between FREE-”style”, dog-paddle, and drowning. But you could tell he was determined with the entire world watching and he would finish no matter how long it took. The crowd sensed his determination and cheered him on. When he did finish, the crowd was cheering so loudly, he thought perhaps he had won something! Well, he did WIN: by being there, by participating, by showing courage, by having his presence count for something! The moral is “Show Up**, Do Your Best, Make a Difference!” Don’t let excuses rob you of any EXPERIENCE!! Take it from Eric! **Events & activities in calendar brought to you by:
*Visit www.BobsPocket.com for the VIDEO in Bob’s Blog. You’ll be glad you did!
September 2011 GO FOR IT 9
The Bargain Floor Hunter Continued from page 9
special purchases I’ve made, so customers can come in, pick flooring and leave with it. Cash and carry! Q: What do your customers love most about working with you? A: I’ve become friends with a lot of the people I help. I try to treat them like they’re family and spend a lot of time on each individual person. In a business like this, you have to be able to trust the person you are working with. I try to be as true to myself and as honest with people as I can because that’s what I would want. I also try to keep as up to date as I can on new products and trends of the industry so I can be as knowledgeable as possible. Q: Did your dad offer real personalized service like you and did you learn that from him? A: Yes he did. I don’t think I realized how much I was like my dad until I started working here. Anybody you know that’s ever met my dad loves him. He knows his stuff and customers liked that about him. I’ve learned a lot from him, and cherish the time and knowledge he’s given me. Even now at 78, he would be in here selling and installing floors if he physically could. Editor’s notes: For more information about Ralph Opfer Floors, visit their website at www.ralphopferfloors. com, their showroom at 10265 Old Placerville Road #14 in Sacramento or call (916) 366-1672.
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Systems Pwy.
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10265 Old Placerville Rd., #14, Sacramento, CA 95827
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September 2011 GO FOR IT 11
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Q&A With Sherm’s New Manager
Randal Shepard Q: Where did you work before you came to Sherm’s? A: I worked at Rick’s Body Shop in Sacramento for 27 years. Q: What’s most important to you when it comes to managing a full service auto body shop? A: I’m big on service and customer service is paramount. Our customers love my honesty and integrity. Q: How will you be able to help the customers here at Sherm’s? A: I have a lot of experience and connections with the auto body industry. The insurance companies all know me and they trust me. They know I’m honest and reliable. They know I won’t try to cheat them or rip them off. This trust helps the entire repair process run smoothly, so I’m here to make sure the customer always gets what they pay for and the job is done right. I go through a complete checklist on every car to make sure everything was done as promised. On the rare occasion when something doesn’t get fixed because the technician didn’t see a very small repair, I’ve brought it to the attention of my customer and given them the option of either a credit for future work or deducted the cost of that repair from their bill if they are satisfied with the final results.
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