go for it - april 2011 - rancho cordova

April 2011 GO FOR IT 1

2 GO FOR IT April 20112 GO FOR IT April 2011

April 2011 GO FOR IT 3April 2011 GO FOR IT 3

4 GO FOR IT April 2011

www.GoForItMagazine.comGo for it

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The Inside Scoop

What’s the BuzzBy Bob……………….…………….... 6

Going the Etra Smile

By Bob Cox............……………….... 8

Superior FillingsBy Dr. Andrade & Dr. Montalvo…… 14


I was watching one of my favorite T.V. shows the other day called Million Dollar Listing, when a million dollar idea slowly penetrated my thick skull. The reality based program features three young, successful and driven real estate agents who sell multi-million dollar properties in the wealthiest areas of Los Angeles while rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. The two stories I’m about to describe illustrate the razor thin line between success and failure in the cutthroat world of real estate.

The first story features superstar agent Madison Hildebrand, who’s being interrogated (not interviewed) by a wealthy investor and his partner. The investor, whom we’ll call Mr. Hardball, has a very thick accent and even thicker skin. He’s on a mission to secure the ultimate bachelor pad and he’s all business and no pleasure. He’s trying to decide whether or not to hire Madison as his agent, so he tells Madison to step out while he consults with his partner. When Madison receives permission to come back into the room, Mr. Hardball informs Madison that his partner likes him but he himself is concerned that Madison is too nice to negotiate a great price on a fantastic property that’s in his price range. Madison assures him that his strategy is to kill the seller with kindness and then negotiate hard until the deal gets done. Mr. Hardball reluctantly hires him.

After looking at a few properties that lack the wow factor, Madison finds the ultimate home for Mr. Hardball, who’s practically salivating with excitement. When they open the garage to discover a very sleek and sexy sports car inside, Mr. Hardball jumps inside the car without permission, grabs the steering wheel and announces that he wants it all, including the car! Madison is visibly concerned because he instinctively knows that the deal has just become far more difficult to close because the seller is very unlikely to part with his vintage sports car. When Mr. Hardball insists on the car, Madison caves in to his outrageous demands and sets up a meeting with the selling agent. The deal becomes even more contentious when Mr. Hardball announces that he will be at the meeting, overriding Madison’s advice. A few minutes into the meeting, Mr. Hardball is fuming mad when the seller’s agent firmly turns down the offer, insisting that the car is not for sale. When Madison quietly listens to the seller’s demands, Mr. Hardball takes over by raising his voice, then stating his demands loud and clear. The deal dies and Mr. Hardball tells Madison that their relationship is not working out and fires him like Donald Trump! Tragically, everyone loses.

Our next story has a much happier ending. Meet Josh Altman, a recent transport from the east coast who brings New York fashion to Los Angeles. His high powered business suits clash dramatically with southern California’s laid back casual attire. Josh is much more than just dressed to kill. He has a growing reputation for selling the most exclusive properties while being a ruthless shark at the negotiating table. While having lunch with his mother one afternoon, his mom asks him for a favor. She has a 90 year old friend who needs to sell her modestly priced home and she asks Josh to sell it for her and also cut his commission. When Josh tells his mom that she’s killing him, she turns to him while rubbing her thumb and forefinger together and says that’s the sound of the world’s tiniest violin! They both share a good laugh and Josh finally accepts the proposal.

When Josh meets his sweet and elderly client for the first time, he slows his fast paced approach to a crawl, asks lots of questions, listens attentively and turns on the charm. He discovers that his gentle and soft spoken client needs to move across the country in 30 days and wants to get the best possible price within that time frame. After getting a lowball offer, he finds out what his client’s bottom line price is, makes a strong counter offer that’s above her lowest asking price and closes the deal on the spot. His client is delighted and they celebrate with champagne and sparkling cider! Happily, everyone wins.

These two stories illustrate the difference between practicing the Golden Rule (Do unto other as you would have them do onto you) and thriving with the Platinum Rule (Do onto other’s as they would like to be done onto). In Madison’s story, he treated his client and everyone else the way he wanted to be treated, with a warm, gentle and soft spoken approach. Unfortunately, that’s not what was important to his client, who wanted a warrior to represent him and battle to the bitter end. Josh, on the other hand, accepted a deal that was far from being his first choice and then merged gracefully out of the fast lane of high powered real estate transactions by treating his client exactly the way she wanted to be treated, with kindness, patience and respect.

Practicing the Platinum Rule is no easy task. It requires us to break free from self centered thought patterns and really listen to what’s important to others. Truly successful people have the best business and personal relationships because they practice the Platinum Rule often by being

inquisitive, compassionate and attentive listeners. If you’re having trouble in a relationship and you want to create positive and lasting change, stop listening to the world’s tiniest violin and start practicing the Platinum Rule. Don’t wait for the other guy to change, be proactive and 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 [email protected]. Go For It Magazine is owned and operated in Rancho Cordova, CA. Copyright © 2011.

By Bob Cox

A Million Dollar Idea

Furniture Wholesale U.S.A...……. 2Granite Transformations………... 3Contents………………………..... 4Avon...………………………….… 5Cordova Sewing & Vacuum Center.. 5Alpine Cabinet Company………. 5GoRanchoGuide.com…………… 6Fabulous Facials ………...………. 6Sherm’s Gold River Auto Body…. 7Commerce Printing……………... 7Stoney Folks Jewelers……………. 8California Family Fitness………... 8Beauty Salon Spa & Nails……..... 9Nails by Nance…………………… 9The Moth Hole.....……………….. 9Ralph Opfer Floors…………........ 10Grocery Outlet………...……….... 10Golden State Transmission……... 11California’s Finest………………... 11Sac Cycle…………………………. 11Jimboy’s Tacos………………....... 11Gold River Auto Repair………..... 12Smog N Go………………………. 13Valley Motorwerks…………........ 13Dynamic Dental............……...… 14ReMax……………………………. 15Alco Windows & Siding...…….... 16


A Million Dollar Idea

GARAGE CABINETSCUSTOM CLOSETS

Alpine Cabinet CompanyGarage Cabinets • Custom Closets • Wall Beds • Home Offices

FREE In-Home Estimateswww.AlpineEstimates.com

Showroom: 3110 Sunrise Blvd., Rancho Cordova 916-635-7070


Looking for Somethingin Rancho Cordova?

Go to The Guide!

We are a proud sponsorof the Rancho CordovaGreat Health Challenge

Check out the 2010 RESULTS & video recap onwww.20tonsin2010.com

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• Enter our monthly drawing for prizes from local businesses

A T T E N T I O N : B U S I N E S S E S

Get your business listed FREE!Visit: GoRanchoGuide.com or call:

(916) 965-4870 and ask for Susan or Bill

Thanks for support from:

In 2010, Rancho Cordova was recognized as an All-America City, one of only 10 communities nation-wide! We also garnered nation-wide attention when Rancho Cordova shot from 83rd to finish 12th in only 2 weeks in an on-line contest sponsored by Reader’s Digest, finishing tops in California. We heard: “Who ARE you people?”

Here’s the scoop. We are a community of dedicated citizens making a DIFFERENCE. In February, many were recognized at the annual Community Volunteer Awards dinner. The theme was “Under the Big Top” and there was a balloon raffle, popcorn, a magician… Great fun and so great to recognize citizens from teens to 80-something.

The “three-ring circus” (their words) that resides at City Hall are the City, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Cordova Community Council. Together they bring you events like the California Capital Airshow, the 4th of July Celebration, iFest and Kid’s Day. Visit www.CordovaCouncil.org for all the details and sign up for the newsletter for quick updates…

You might say that I’m biased in being so PROUD. Well, YES, but I live in Fair Oaks… So it’s not about where your roots are. It’s where your heart are (is)!!

*Visit GetYourSelfInGear.com for links to resources and Bob’s bio.

Proud to be an All-American!



As a single mother holding down three jobs, the last thing Teresa Rasor needed to worry about when replacing her living room floors was getting ripped off. Unfortunately, that’s a cause for concern, because of the stories that circulate about the small percentage of crooked contractors that target unsuspecting single women. “I think everyone is hesitant to just go with someone they don’t know. You wonder if you can trust them in your home when you’re not there,” explained Teresa.

So, Teresa made the sensible choice when she contacted a long time friend of hers. Her fiancé Joe knew Gregg and Lynn Lawson, the owners of Ralph Opfer Floors for over 20 years and he highly recommended Gregg and Lynn. “Gregg has done some work for Joe in the past and he was really pleased with his work, and felt confident that Ralph Opfer Floors would do a really nice job for me. Teresa listened to her friend and made the call. I went down to the store and met Lynn and she helped me pick out some

flooring samples. She sent me home with a few choices that I used to make my decision for the flooring in my living room, entry and 2 bathrooms and it turned out beautifully,” said Teresa.

Much to Teresa’s surprised relief; the entire job went smooth as silk. “I was very pleased with the customer service. Gregg came to the house, looked at everything, gave an estimate and made it happen like clockwork. The men he had come and do the work were very courteous, kind and patient with me and the kids. I felt comfortable leaving them at home while I went to work. My daughter goes to college and is in and out of the house and she was very comfortable with them being there as well,” recalled Teresa.

According to Teresa, the folks from Ralph Opfer Floors went above and beyond the call of duty, taking care of other problems that were not part of

the service agreement. “There were some problems in the upstairs bathroom with some dry rot and they took care of it. They discovered that the real problem was the shower slider, which they replaced. They also replaced some toilets. They went far beyond my initial expectations, which is really pleasing because I have this house to keep up by myself and a lot of things that come up and I’m not sure what to do as far as the upkeep. So, it was really helpful to have Gregg and Lynn’s expertise. I’m so happy that I want to get an estimate on the rest of the flooring in down stairs part of my house. I would highly recommend them to any friends I have who are doing remodels and will talk them up and show what a beautiful job they did,” smiled Teresa.

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 what she had to say…

Q: The company you own is called Ralph Opfer Floors, which was named after your father who founded

Going the Extra SmileMeet Lynn Lawson, Owner of Ralph Opfer Floors

By Bob Cox

Lynn Lawson went the extra mile (and smile) with Teresa Rasor.


the business. When did your dad get started in the flooring industry?

A: Dad started selling and installing laminate floors in the 1970’s. Before that, he was a real estate broker and a handyman. Dad bought and sold houses and refurbished rentals. When Pergo came into the country in the late 1970’s, he talked the local hardware store into letting him have a space in the corner of the store. Dad sold and installed Pergo out of the hardware store for many years. After

moving up to Northern California he became known as “the bargain hunter,” to all his suppliers. He would buy all of their closeouts so he would have deals to extend to his customers. With a warehouse full of inventory, 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. 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 don’t know what it is, but they need more of it. I’ll spend the time researching it and trying to finding it, so I can

help them get what they want. So yeah, it’s the personal attention… I try to be very honest with people about quality and pricing. I’m also kind of a bargain hunter. I’ll look for specials when people have a certain budget. A lot of times, the budgets won’t fit into what they actually want in their house, so that’s where those special items come into play. You can get some really nice products at lower prices, but it takes time to search for those things. I’ll go to bat for them and try to find what they want in a price range they can afford. We carry every type of flooring you would need, including laminate, hardwood, carpet, tile, and vinyl. I also have a lot of stock in my warehouse of special purchases I’ve made, so customers can come in, pick flooring and leave with it. Cash and carry!

Teresa loves her new bathroom floors, which look amazing!

Continued on page 10


Gardening Tips & BargainsBy Monica Ortiz

2801 Zinfandel Dr., Rancho Cordova, CA(916) 858-2801 • www.groceryoutlet.com

Mon–Sat: 8am–9pm • Sun: 8am–7pm Join Us On Facebook

Here at Grocery Outlet, we are very excited with all of our gardening bargains. We have planters, pots, water fountains, hoses, pruners, rakes, trowels, gloves, bulbs, seeds, bare root roses, fruit trees, potted plants and even a gazebo. All are at bargain prices that will make you look like a master gardener!

Spring is an exciting time for gardeners, as preparations are made for the bounty and beauty of the garden as it awakes from winter hibernation. It can also, however, be a bit overwhelming to know how to prioritize your gardening tasks at this time of year. Here is a helpful list of chores that should be tended to in the spring:

Pruning: Prune early blooming shrubs as soon as blooms have passed.

Deadheading: Remove spent flowers from bulbs, but leave the rest of the plant as is for the time being.

Weeding: Pull all weeds from your beds and borders before they have a chance to take hold and spread.

Composting: If you do not have a compost bin, spring is a great time to start one.

Tools: Spring is a good time to prepare your tools.Planting: It is a great time to add new plants to your

garden. Be sure, however, that all threats of frost have past. Plant such things like trees, shrubs, hardy annuals and summer blooming bulbs.

Fertilize & Mulch: Attend to beds and borders. Spring is also a good time to fertilize fruit trees.

Lawn Care: Spring is the best time to start a new lawn from seed. For established lawns, you should start mowing in the spring, but don’t initially cut the grass very short for the first few times.

Carpet ` Hardwood ` Laminate ` Tile & More

Hardwood or LaminateEntire Room

$649 Reg $8997/16” Engineered Oak or Laminate. Install includes wood,

pad and trim, removal of existing carpet, R&R existing wall base. Based on a 10’x12’ room. Select styles only.

New CarpetingEntire Room

$599 Reg $799Includes carpet pad, installation and removal of old carpet. Based on a 10’x12’ room. Select styles only.

Expires 5/31/11 Expires 5/31/11

Save $250 Per room! Save $200 Per room!

10265 Old Placerville Rd., #14Sacramento, CA 95827

(916) 366-1672(916) 870-0270

Overstock Blowout Sale!Real Hardwood Floors From

$169 Square Foot

(Reg. $2.99 S.F.)

` FREE Estimates` Financing Available

Family Owned & Operated Since 1974

FREEBottle of BonaFloor Cleaner

When you bring this ad

Expires 5/31/11No Purchase Necessary

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.

Going the Extra SmileContinued from page 9

April 2011 GO FOR IT 11 April 2011 GO FOR IT 11

12 GO FOR IT April 201112 GO FOR IT April 2011


RC


For more than 150 years, dental practitioners have been restoring teeth with metallic/amalgam fillings. It has been the number one choice for dentists throughout the world because of its low cost, ease of use and longevity. With rising concerns of possible mercury toxicity and the need for more aesthetic dental materials, dentists across the nation have begun to move away from metallic materials. Today we can choose to restore a tooth with resin composites, porcelain, white gold or zirconia. Here we’ll review how each of these materials offers some pluses and minuses compared to the old amalgam technology.

Resin filling materials offer some similar qualities to metallic fillings in that they are low cost and relative easy to place. These resin materials have been around the last 20-30 years and have gradually improved; however, there are still some issues that need to be ironed out. Mainly, post operative sensitivity is still high and longevity is low. Most resin fillings last anywhere from 2-10 years. This is the only other filling material available today.

A Shift Away From FillingsFillings are restorations that are done in

one visit to the dental office. Inlays, onlays and partial crowns are usually done in two visits. The tooth is cleaned and prepared and an impression of that prepared tooth is taken and sent to the lab. The lab then makes a “filling” made out porcelain, gold, or zirconia. These materials are not only stronger than resin or metallic fillings, but fit better, appear more natural and last a lot longer.

Of these three materials, at Dynamic Dental we like using zirconia the most due to the technology behind the material. Fillings made from zirconia are made using CAD/CAM technology. This is a computer controlled milling machine that produces a filling so well fitted that the longevity is increased tremendously and post operative sensitivity is almost completely diminished.

Q: So, it sounds like zirconia is the best.

A: Yes, it’s one of the strongest materials out there. It’s basically the closest thing we have to a diamond. It’s really state of the art stuff. A computer captures a picture of the preparation that we’ve done, and then the computer communicates to the milling machine that cuts it out of a block of zirconia. It’s really cool technology and

Superior Fillings that Last a Lifetime

Dynamic Dental

Dr. Andrade and Dr. Montalvowith son Noah and daughter Ella Luz.

9833 Horn RoadSacramento, CA 95827

(916) 368-2500www.dynamicdentist.com

Open Saturdays • Hablamos Español

Emergencies & Walk-Ins Welcomed!

Folsom Blvd.

Horn

Rd.

Brad

shaw

Rd.

HWY 50

H

By Dr. Andrade & Dr. Montalvo

the better the fit, the longer it lasts. We can color it and shape it to fit the remaining tooth much more than we can in the office. For the first time in dentistry, we’ve been able to rehabilitate a tooth to almost its original natural form.

Q: Is zirconia a lot more expensive than the other traditional fillings?

A: It’s a little more expensive because of all the materials we use in the lab, but it’s less expensive in the long haul. If you consider that in the lifetime of a filling, you may have to redo a filling every couple of years, and every time the filling gets bigger and bigger. By the second or third time, that tooth may end up needing a crown or a root canal, which is a lot more expensive and invasive. It’s worth doing the best restoration the first time and only once.

Complete Exam, X-Rays and Basic Cleaning.

FREE Implant ConsultationIncludes Dental Exam and

Complete X-Rays. A $300 Value!

Zoom WhiteningBrighten your smile at least 2 shades lighter in 1 hour!

Reg. $230

Reg. $375

$59

$180

Not valid with any other offer. Expires 5/31/11.





For more than 150 years, dental practitioners have been restoring teeth with metallic/amalgam fillings. It has been the number one choice for dentists throughout the world because of its low cost, ease of use and longevity. With rising concerns of possible mercury toxicity and the need for more aesthetic dental materials, dentists across the nation have begun to move away from metallic materials. Today we can choose to restore a tooth with resin composites, porcelain, white gold or zirconia. Here we’ll review how each of these materials offers some pluses and minuses compared to the old amalgam technology.

Resin filling materials offer some similar qualities to metallic fillings in that they are low cost and relative easy to place. These resin materials have been around the last 20-30 years and have gradually improved; however, there are still some issues that need to be ironed out. Mainly, post operative sensitivity is still high and longevity is low. Most resin fillings last anywhere from 2-10 years. This is the only other filling material available today.

A Shift Away From FillingsFillings are restorations that are done in

one visit to the dental office. Inlays, onlays and partial crowns are usually done in two visits. The tooth is cleaned and prepared and an impression of that prepared tooth is taken and sent to the lab. The lab then makes a “filling” made out porcelain, gold, or zirconia. These materials are not only stronger than resin or metallic fillings, but fit better, appear more natural and last a lot longer.

Of these three materials, at Dynamic Dental we like using zirconia the most due to the technology behind the material. Fillings made from zirconia are made using CAD/CAM technology. This is a computer controlled milling machine that produces a filling so well fitted that the longevity is increased tremendously and post operative sensitivity is almost completely diminished.

Q: So, it sounds like zirconia is the best.

A: Yes, it’s one of the strongest materials out there. It’s basically the closest thing we have to a diamond. It’s really state of the art stuff. A computer captures a picture of the preparation that we’ve done, and then the computer communicates to the milling machine that cuts it out of a block of zirconia. It’s really cool technology and

Superior Fillings that Last a Lifetime

Dynamic Dental

Dr. Andrade and Dr. Montalvowith son Noah and daughter Ella Luz.

9833 Horn RoadSacramento, CA 95827

(916) 368-2500www.dynamicdentist.com

Open Saturdays • Hablamos Español

Emergencies & Walk-Ins Welcomed!

Folsom Blvd.

Horn

Rd.

Brad

shaw

Rd.

HWY 50

H

By Dr. Andrade & Dr. Montalvo

the better the fit, the longer it lasts. We can color it and shape it to fit the remaining tooth much more than we can in the office. For the first time in dentistry, we’ve been able to rehabilitate a tooth to almost its original natural form.

Q: Is zirconia a lot more expensive than the other traditional fillings?

A: It’s a little more expensive because of all the materials we use in the lab, but it’s less expensive in the long haul. If you consider that in the lifetime of a filling, you may have to redo a filling every couple of years, and every time the filling gets bigger and bigger. By the second or third time, that tooth may end up needing a crown or a root canal, which is a lot more expensive and invasive. It’s worth doing the best restoration the first time and only once.

Complete Exam, X-Rays and Basic Cleaning.

FREE Implant ConsultationIncludes Dental Exam and

Complete X-Rays. A $300 Value!

Zoom WhiteningBrighten your smile at least 2 shades lighter in 1 hour!

Reg. $230

Reg. $375

$59

$180




14 GO FOR IT April 2011 April 2011 GO FOR IT 15

go for it - april 2011 - rancho cordova

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