Givers Gain: The Official Blog of BNI Half Moon Bay

Aging in Place

2008-08-13T18:48:00.000-07:00

Is it just me, or does the industry wide designation “Aging in Place” just strike a funny chord with you, my fellow ‘boomers?’

During my recent attendance at the Peninsula ASID Chapter “Designing User Friendly Interiors for Aging in Place,” education training, presented by Dr. Wilma S. Hammett, FIFDA, most of the attendees, educated, beautiful, successful business women, and a few good men, were fairly taken aback by the very specific natural physical aging process all of us will eventually experience. “Not me” outbursts were overheard, along with “Kill me now!” from several in the group as we began to understand and see examples of how our vision, sensory perceptions, strength and the degree the influence of ergonomics all will dramatically change as we and our client base continue to age.

Statistically, the older generation is rapidly outnumbering the younger generation. The need to support this rapidly growing, higher net worth group with value-added design services that will allow them to enjoy a longer life in their dream homes is difficult to ‘sell’, yet extremely important to implement. The difficult “Sell” is, I believe, the branding.

Kicking around the idea yesterday, my husband, Bob, owner of Hammer Building, my favorite General Contractor on the Coastside, said, “Why don’t you call it Aging Comfortably?” I thought that had some merit, but it still had the Aging word in it, and I think that’s the ‘objectionable’ part. So later on, I was talking with Susan and Dr. Eric Shapira, of Aging Mentor Services, and they said, “How about Designs for Easier Living?” Well that’s a little better. But the jury is still out. If you can think of something better, please email me your thoughts jane@hbdesigninc.com . I’ll publish them all next time.

And just to give you a few highlights & tidbits of info:

Top Home/Consumer Product Related Injuries for 65+ 2006 (*CPSC)
1. Stairs, Ramps, Floors
2. BEDS, MATTRESSES PILLOWS
3. Chairs, Sofas, Sofa beds
4. BATHROOMS
5. Carpets
6. TABLES
7. Stools, Ladders
8. DESKS, CABINETRY, SHELVING
9. Non Glass Doors or Paneling
10. Window, Door Sills, Frames

TOP CONCERNS WHEN DESIGNING FOR ‘EASIER LIVING’
1. Ergonomic Placement
2. Flexibility in use
3. Perceptible Information
4. Size and Space for Approach and Use
5. Chair Design and Fit
6. Furniture Stability, Shape and Placement
7. Lighting
8. Glare
9. Color and Color Contrast
10. Windows and Window Covering

Now, there’s been quite a bit done in the bath industry, where I continue to do a great deal of work applying Universal Design, but as we expand to other rooms and gain a deeper understanding of clients with individual and generational health issues as unique as their taste in their interiors, there will be a great deal more opportunity for us to creatively connect with the aging population and make well designed spaces for ‘easier living.’

I look forward to engaging with you to build your easy living interior!

The Meridian System

2008-07-17T17:37:00.000-07:00

by Judy Pruzinsky, L.Ac.

"Through = no pain (disease), not through = pain (disease)"

This is a basic principle of Chinese medicine.

Just like we have a circulatory system, nervous system, and lymphatic system, we have a meridian system. The meridian system is a continuous circuit of energy channels that penetrates deep into the organs and rises superficially to the skin. These channels are what the chi/energy travels “through” or “not through”.

There are twelve major meridians or channels. Each meridian corresponds to an organ: heart, small intestine, bladder, kidney, (heart protector/pericardium, triple burner,) gall bladder, liver, lung, large intestine, stomach, spleen. At the end of the last meridian, it joins back to the beginning of the first meridian. So, at the last point of the spleen meridian we circle back to the first point on the heart meridian. We often refer to them as “organ systems” vs. “organs” since the influence a meridian has pertains to not only the functions of it’s related organ but also all the area covered by its pathway.

Let’s look at a couple of examples:

Liver channel: The superficial pathway begins at the lateral nail point of the big toe, the travels up the top of the foot, between the first and second metatarsals, passing in front of the ankle bone. It then travels up the inside of the shin and thigh, loops around the genitals and continues through the belly to the lower ribs. Here it goes deep into the liver, continues to the gallbladder, penetrates the diaphragm and on up through the ribs. One deep branch reaches the lungs. Another branch continues up behind the trachea, larynx, and pharynx to the nasal cavities and the tear ducts. It connects with the eye. Then it rises up the forehead, over to the parietal bone at the top of the head and terminates at the crown. There’s a branch that leaves the deep pathway traveling through the jawbone to circle the mouth and inside of the lips.

Some of the disorders that it addresses are:

Toe, foot, or leg pain, cramping or atrophy
Genital disorders
Menstrual difficulties
Infertility
Liver weakness
Digestive difficulty
Hiccups, or belching
Abdominal or thorax/flank pain
Breast problems
Throat problems
Nasal sensitivities
Eye problems
TMJ
Headaches
Vertigo or dizziness
Lung congestion

Stomach channel: The stomach meridian begins at the side of the nostril, travels along the side of the nose to the bridge of the nose. It then travels through the inside corner of the eye to the middle of the eye socket where it begins its superficial path. The meridian goes down the cheek, past the mouth to and around the jaw, up past the front of the ear to the temple. A deeper pathway breaks off, to the lips. Another branch travels deep along the side of the trachea, past the collar bone. The superficial pathway descends the chest in line with the nipple, through the abdomen to the groin. A deep pathway penetrates the diaphragm, enters the stomach then the spleen. At the groin the deep and superficial pathways meet and travel down the front of the leg, through the ankle and between the second and third toes, ending at the lateral nail point of the second toe. A second branch heads to the third toe, and yet another branch joins up with the spleen meridian on the inside nail point of the big toe.

Some of the disorders that it addresses are:

Sinus congestion
Eye problems
Teeth and/or jaw problems
Ear disorders
Headaches
Throat problems
Chest pain
Breast problems
Digestion problems
Genital problems
Leg pain, muscle atrophy
Ankle, foot, or toe problems

It’s important to understand that Chinese medicine diagnoses through differentiation. From these two examples we would ask, “what kind of headache am I seeing? Where and how does the leg hurt?

Each organ system has a particular personality. For example, the stomach is in charge of ripening and rotting. Together with its paired yin organ, the spleen, it would make sure the food – physical, mental and emotional (food for thought) is processed instead of left to rot and turn to garbage bogging down the works. Therefore, nasal disorders associated with the stomach could come with excess mucus. The genital presentation could be discharge. The headache could be a foggy, heavy frontal headache. The liver is in charge of planning, and is paired to the gallbladder in charge of decision making. When they are doing their jobs well there is a smooth flow of
chi and blood. When these two officials get out of balance there is an erratic sense, winds can stir and pain can arise. The headache may be stabbing; with the pain presenting at the top of the head or behind the eyes. The genitals may itch. The menstrual cycle might be erratic, with cramping and blood clotting. There might be sneezing, dizziness, even twitching.

All of this is merely scratching the surface of understanding how Chinese medicine looks at imbalance: which organ system is primarily responsible, which pathways are involved, and how to help. We haven’t even touched on the emotional or spiritual imbalances that lead us to understanding why a person has so much anger and another person can’t get motivated. You can read more about the stomach/spleen influence in my July 2008 article in CoastViews (available on-line).

Judy Pruzinsky, L.Ac., practices Classical Five Element Acupuncture, Herbology, and Chi Gung. She teaches at Five Branches Institute and has offices in both Half
Moon Bay and Aptos. She can be reached at 650 576-9749 and 831 426-5717.

Does Magazine Advertising Still Work?

2008-07-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

Have you heard a lot of talk recently about the future of magazines and newspapers in the internet age? Does magazine advertising still work?

Yes it does. I have many resounding testimonials.

"Had a call from my July ad — not for albums, but for a family portrait! They have booked me. Advertising with you pays!"

Surrey Blackburn, www.surreyblackburnphoto.com.

"I've been running my ad in CoastViews Magazine for several years now. Gwen was right — it does sometimes take time for the branding to work but I had three calls last month."

Betsy Ballenger, www.iralandgroup.com.

For help with branding your business, please contact us at coastviewsmag@coastside.net. Visit our Web site at www.coastviewsmag.com and see our articles on the site. All print advertisers get a free link in our business resources section.

Call 650-726-0307 for deadlines.

CoastViews Magazine's 5 demographic groups:

Half Moon Bay Coastside Residents & Businesses

Pacifica Residents & Businesses

San Mateo/Belmont Residents & Businesses

San Francisco Residents & Businesses

Weekend and Summer Tourists

Authentic Empowered Communication

2008-06-12T15:50:00.000-07:00

by Philippa Barr, Coastside Pysch

THE IMPORTANCE OF WORDS ...

Words are the components of thoughts and beliefs. What we believe determines what experiences we attract to our lives. Whatever we communicate to another, we are also communicating to ourselves. We can pay more attention to the words that we use in order to create more honesty, awareness, and conscious choice in all of our communications and experiences.

Words of Victimhood VS. Words of Freedom/Power

But, though, and although replace with AND

Try to (no commitment) replace with I will or I won’t

Can’t replace with Won’t

Should/ought/must/have to replace with Like, want

Need (implies lack) replace with Want, desire, wish

Always/ Never replace with Often/Rarely

Kind of/Sort of/Just/Too Omit these words

Able/Capable replace with Willing

Fault/Blame replace with Responsibility

Mistake replace with Lesson

“Makes me feel,” replace with “I feel…….”

Could not replace with Did not/Would not

It replace with I

Use “I” statements (“When you_______, I feel________.”), rather than ”You” statements or blame statements when describing your experience.

Remember in communicating feelings to others, that the purpose is to get it out as cleanly and honestly as possible, not to elicit a particular response from someone else. Get clear about your intention and do not be attached to the other person’s response.

You do not have to give your power away. You ALWAYS have a choice.

Short Cuts for a Greater Greener Home

2008-06-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

It doesn't take much to be a little greener!

by Diana Zamudio, Green Intention Design

Change your incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent. Look for 3000K rating for a more pleasing light. Use motion sensor switches where ever possible.
Add houseplants as they will absorb CO2. Some even say they neutralize radiation from computer monitors - that I don’t know.
If you take your shoes off when you enter your home, you will not only keep out a lot of dust but it is easier on your carpet. Dust and “street grime” destroy your carpet over time.
Recycle vegetable kitchen scraps into a compost pile to feed your garden instead of throwing down the garbage disposal mixing clean water with garbage taxing the sewer treatment plant.
For new walls or to change an existing wall color purchase recycled paint or zero or low-VOC paints. Better yet, look at non-paint wall finishes like Tobias Stucco, American Clay, and Green Planet Paints. These aren’t paints so they don’t have the petroleum bases that paints do.
Hopefully you all are purchasing the most energy-efficient appliances that you can afford. There is real money to be saved each month with these. Top energy hogs are refrigerators older than 10 years.

~ ~ ~

E-mail Diana@GreenIntentionDesign.com with your 3 best “greener” living tips. Don’t forget to include your name.

Win 2 dipping bowls from Fire & Light. Retail value $24.00
Winner announced at next BNI meeting, June 12th.

~ ~ ~

How much more am I paying to have an insurance agent?

2008-05-28T13:05:00.001-07:00

by Kevin O'Brien, Weller/O'Brien Insurance Services

Sometimes people ask me how much I charge for my services.

How much more is it costing me to have the services of a professional agent, rather than just buying my insurance on the internet or by mail?

So, I thought I would do a little test of my own auto insurance, just to see how much I could save by going with the gecko. I tried four different online insurance systems: esurance, Geico, Costco (Ameriprise) and Progressive.com, which gave me quotes for Progressive, Farmers, Liberty Mutual and State Farm.

Here is what I found out!

First, it is fairly easy to get online quotes. Since I didn't actually buy a policy, I can't tell you if that process is difficult or not. I did have to give them my name and email address, so we'll see how many emails I get!

Here is how the prices compared with what I'm currently paying. I have two cars, two drivers (my wife and myself) and neither of us have any tickets or accidents during the past five years. One car is rated business and the other is rated pleasure use. I chose coverages that were as close to my current coverages as they offered. One problem with the online companies is that they don't all offer high enough limits for me ... and typically they eliminate medical payments coverage to reduce premiums.

Geico: +$66
esurance: +$64 (lower liability limits)
Costco: +$40 (this was the lowest of all)
Progressive: +$560
Farmers: +$1100
Liberty Mutual: +$800
State Farm: +$750

The moral of the story: I'm paying less WITH the services of a professional agent. The reason for this is that the insurance company pays me to place your business with them. You don't pay my commission, the company does.

Stable Solutions: From High Tech to Handmade Soap

2008-05-21T20:07:00.000-07:00

by Monique Hodgkinson, Stable Solutions

I've always loved horses and making things by hand. The neighborhood kids used to come over to our house and ask what we could do the old-fashioned way. We'd make hand spun yarn, knit, felt wool, make dolls, weave, bake without a mix, and create all kinds of crafts. I had mostly been involved with fine art or textiles; handmade soap was a departure. Handcrafting products has always been a nice balance to the high tech world that I grew up in professionally. I had worked for both startup and Fortune 500 companies for nearly 17 years, before leaving Silicon Valley to be home with my kids and work for myself.

After learning to make cold process soap in 2005, I was hooked. I made soap once a week with my friend Kathy. In 2006 Stable Solutions was born. Less than 2 years later, I now have 15 products in my product line. Visit my website: http://www. aStableSolution.com to see my main product lines.

No one actually believes that I really am a shy person, but I am. Its easier for me to bury my head into a project than to make small talk. BNI has been great for me on a number of levels. It has allowed me to meet other small business owners who are focused on growing their businesses. BNI has also shown me the importance of networking for growing a small business.

Small business is about putting yourself out there, building relationships, appreciating, and helping others. Read more about my adventures with a start up business...

In our chapter, the Half Moon Bay Chapter, we have a wide assortment of businesses. I always find it fascinating to learn more about other businesses and their models. Check out our web page: www.bnihalfmoonbay.com

All the best!

Monique
Stable Solutions
P.O. Box 814, Pescadero, CA 94060
1-888-PONIES-9 , 1 -888-766-4379
www.aStableSolution.com

Mortgage Update

2008-05-20T15:29:00.001-07:00

by Kellie Morlock, Adamarc Financial

What in the world is going on in the mortgage industry? Business as usual - post credit-crunch.

We have new limits on "jumbo-conforming" loans in high cost areas such as ours, for loans in the $417k - $729,750 range. Better news - these rates are finally moving closer to the regular conforming loans (close to 6% at 0 pts for 30 yr fixed).
FHA has also temporarily increased their loan limits in high cost areas up to $729,750, which is making home-ownership easier for those with lower down payments - with as little as 3% down.
Jumbo mortgage rates (loans larger than the conforming or "conforming-jumbo" limits) are improving as well, although there is still a larger than normal gap between these rates and conforming rates. 30 yr fixed are well over 7% for the most part.

There are many signs that the nation's housing slump has hit bottom and has begun to recovery, where busloads of investors have recently toured bank-owned properties in the Sacramento valley for good investment opportunities.

The biggest challenge to lower interest rates is long-term inflation, with the Producer Price Index increasing this morning (Tues. May 20) by .4% - double analysts projections of .2%. This means that costs are increasing for manufactures and will likely be passed on to consumers in the near future.

So with long-term rates near 6% and higher loan limits available through the end of the year, this is a great time to look at your home financing and make plans for the future. I'm happy to answer any questions about home loans: Kellie Morlock 650-289-2365; kellie@adamarc.com

BNI Half Moon Bay Blog: Welcome

2008-05-19T12:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the official blog of BNI Half Moon Bay. We look forward to discussing topics of interest to business owners and consumers on the Half Moon Bay Coastside and beyond.

Here are a few FAQs and answers about BNI Half Moon Bay.

Who is BNI?
BNI is the largest referral organization in the world. It is comprised of business professionals who want to increase the volume of their businesses through personal referrals.

What is BNI?
BNI is a marketing program based on the philosophy of "Givers Gain" - by giving business to others, you will get business in return. The sole purpose of the organization is to increase business through a structured system of giving referrals.

How does BNI work?
"Word of Mouth" is the most cost-effective form of advertising possible. BNI provides a structured environment for the development and exchange of these quality business leads. By meeting once a week, members are able to learn about each other's businesses, creating an environment where they are comfortable referring their family, friends, and clients to one another. There is only one person allowed per profession in each BNI chapter, so there is no built-in competition.

Why visit and join BNI?
In business as in life, what goes around comes around. People who give business referrals get business referrals. Being active in BNI is like having a sales force working for you, understanding your business, carrying your card and talking about the quality of service you provide.

Where and When does BNI meet?
The Half Moon Bay Chapter meets every Thursday morning from 8:00 - 9:30 AM at San Benito House Restaurant. More information about our meetings ...