go for it magazine january 2012

January 2012 GO FOR IT 1

2 GO FOR IT January 2012

We’re off the beaten path but worth the search!

Hwy 50

Old Placerville Rd.

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We’ll go the extra mile to find the Perfect Flooring

at the Best Price!

Ralph Opfer Floors10265 Old Placerville Rd., #14

Sacramento, CA 95827 (916) 366-1672(916) 870-0270

www.RalphOpferFloors.comMon-Fri: 9am-4pm • Sat: 10am-2pm

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I knew I was in completely over my head when my mind was too tired to think and my body too exhausted to move. When I took on the task of installing our new and beautiful laminate floors we had just purchased from Ralph Opfer Floors, I estimated that it would take me two full days to complete the job. I figured it would go smoothly and quickly because over the years, I had listened to several do-it-your-selfers describe how easy it was to install laminate floors. They would say things like, “It’s so simple, you just click the pieces together and you’re done. It is way easier than installing hardwood floors.” Since I had installed hardwood floors in our other home, I thought it would be a snap.

How wrong I was! A full week had gone by and I wasn’t even halfway through the project. To make matters worse, the floor had gaps in several areas, and no amount of pounding and adjusting was making it any better. As a matter of fact, the more I pounded, the more boards I was chipping and damaging. On top of all that, my wife Diana and I were running out of time. It was late one Sunday morning and we had to move into our new home that upcoming Friday. One way or another, we had to get those floors in!

ing in the bathroom. Vince agreed, and on Friday morning they returned and finished the job by the middle of the afternoon, and just in time because we were ready to move all our furniture in.

The finished job was even better than we hoped for and we really enjoy our beautiful new floors! Vince and Greg were not just ridiculously fast, they really did an outstanding job overall. We were particu-larly impressed with the extra time and effort they took on all the baseboards. We have lots of small spaces in our home, and they really paid attention to every detail and took their time to make it perfect. Thank you Lynn for sending us the best in the business and for helping us find these amazing floors that fit our budget. You are the best!

Editor’s notes: For more information about Ralph Opfer Floors, visit their website at www.ralphopferfloors.com, their show-room at 10265 Old Placerville Road #14 in Sacramento or call (916) 366-1672.

So, I turned to Diana and said, “I know we’re running out of money and time, but I cannot figure these floors out. I think we need to call Lynn and ask her to send out one of her installers.” After quickly assess-ing the situation, Diana completely agreed. So, I picked up my cell phone and called Lynn Lawson, the owner of Ralph Opfer Floors, and she gave the names of two of her best installers. When I called Vince Park-er, he asked me where I lived; I told him I was in Rancho Cordova. Even though I had called him out of the blue on a Sunday afternoon, he was very friendly and said, “No problem, I live in Rancho Cordova too. I’ll be there within the hour.

Vince showed up on time and was very attentive and courteous. He took a thorough look at the floors and patiently explained the things that were done incor-rectly, which were pretty much everything! We told him we were out of time and the project would need to be finished before that Friday and he said, “No problem, my work partner Greg and I will get started this Tuesday afternoon and we will finish the job by Wednesday.” We told him we needed all the help we could get to pull it off financially, so he cut us a killer deal if we took up the old flooring and installed the padding, which we eagerly agreed to do.

By the end of Tuesday, in just a few short hours, they had successfully installed more flooring than I had done the entire week. They were so fast and efficient; they reminded me of how Charlie Chaplin moved in the old silent movies! The next day, they wrapped up the job earlier than they anticipated, so we asked them if they would be willing to install all the base-boards and use the remainder of the floor-

Let Them Do-It-Yourself!By Bob Cox


The Installers from Ralph Opfer Floors paid attention to every detail.

Our beautiful laminate floors are easy to maintain and always look amazing.


Go for your dreams in 2012! What do busy moms dream of? To cook healthy and quick meals for our family and stay within budget. A great way to achieve this is by creating a weekly meal planner and cook with items that are in season.

Reserve time on Friday night to talk with the family and get their ideas for dinner for every day of the week, then write a list of items needed and shop weekly for the ingredients. Everyone can take one day for themselves and help with the cooking too.

Moms can start a game to get everyone motivated and to have fun. What about calling your helper chef, since you’re the master chef. Chart all your meals and ingredients and give everyone points for healthier meals and for meals that use the produce that is in season. Remember to share the ingredients for several days to stay within your budget. Everyone can redeem their points once a month for a special treat like their favorite ice cream, a movie rental, special time with mom, going for a walk; pamper mom’s day and many more creative ideas.

Here are some frugal winter meal ideas available at our website at www.groceryoutlet.com:

1. Host a taco bar! Set out plates of tortillas, cooked chicken or ground beef, grated cheese, sour cream, salsa, lettuce and tomato, and let everyone make their own tacos.

Happy New Yearfrom Grocery Outlet! By Monica Ortiz

2801 Zinfandel Dr., Rancho Cordova, CA

(916) 858-2801 www.groceryoutlet.com Mon–Sat: 8am–9pm • Sun: 8am–7pm

2. Baked potato bar—same idea, different spin. Bake up a potato for each family member and load it up with cheese, sour cream, chopped chives, cooked veggies, chili or whatever they like. Hearty and filling, and the vegetables give it extra nutritional value too.

3. Get your kids in on the action. Help them brainstorm a five ingredient-or-less meal, shop for it with you and then make it together. Kids like being included and if you keep the ingredients and prep low, it should be pretty easy going. Ideas we have: spaghetti with meat sauce, mac ‘n cheese with a side of steamed veggies and English muffin pizzas. Have fun!

January 2012 GO FOR IT 3EBT Welcome Toll free and direct connect to store nearest you

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Hostess Jumbo Twinkies, Cupcakes or Ding Dongs24 pk.

$499SAVE UP TO $2

Rosenborg Castello Bleu Cheese Crumbles5 oz.

$199SAVE UP TO $5.50

Olitalia Extra Virgin Olive Oil1 liter

$699SAVE UP TO $5

Organique Organic Crisps3.5 oz. Assorted varieties


Prairie Grove All-Natural Lunchmeats6 - 7 oz. No added nitrates or nitrites. No antibiotics.No added hormones.Gluten free.Assorted varieties


Quilted Northern 3 Ply Bath Tissue Soft & Strong or Ultra Plush 4 Double Rolls

$299SAVE UP TO $2

NATCO Loop Remnant Rugs4' x 6' Assorted colors and prints. Selection varies by store

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7 Piece Microfiber Comforter SetQueen or King. Assorted prints. Selection varies by store

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Bacon Wrapped Beef FiletsTwo 6 oz. filets

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Maxi Dino Buddies Chicken Breast Nuggets5 lb.

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Bath Towels27" x 52"

$299SAVE UP TO $2

Hand Towels16" x 27" 99¢

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Wash Cloths12" x 12" 2for

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Del Monte Pears or Cherry Mixed

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$399SAVE UP TO $3

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Pure Nature Blueberries24 oz.In the freezer

Avia Ladies Walking Shoes or SneakersAssorted styles and sizes Selection varies by store

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Celebrating 60By Bob Cox


Whenever my wife, Diana walks into our bedroom before the crack of dawn with a cup of coffee in one hand and a chair dragging behind in the other, I know it’s going to be a memorable experience. The other day, she came in while I was still half asleep and then sat down, kicked her feet up on the bed and exclaimed that she was really looking forward to her upcoming 60th birthday. She went on to explain that she was super excited and was planning to celebrate the big six-oh for the entire year, and not just one day. “This is the year I really want to have fun. I’m going to go on my cruise and buy a new diamond ring,” she shouted with joy. I said, “That all sounds great…can I be a part of your plan?”

Whenever I think back to the days when I was a kid, my agenda was pretty simple and clear. It was the same goal that my all friends had too: to have as much fun as possible while avoiding boredom at all costs. Unfortunately, while pursuing this agenda, I somehow managed to create more than my fair share of trouble. Thankfully, it was never anything too serious, because I’m still around to tell the tales.

Then suddenly, everything changed one day just two weeks before my 16th birthday. My parents whisked me away from southern to northern California and everything I ever knew and loved was hundreds of miles away. To make matters even worse, whenever I would complain about how unhappy I was, instead of feeling sorry for me, they unleashed a diabolical brainwashing campaign that made the Chinese water torture seem like a sponge bath by repeating the same message over and over until it felt like my left brain was separating from my right…GET A JOB!

It took me over 30 years to unravel the mystery behind the motives of this cold case file. You see, before the big move, I was young, free spirited and having a blast hanging out with my buddies. During those care free days, I operated completely under the radar of my parent’s awareness. But after the move, I became bored, moody, frustrated and angry because everything in my world had changed. Of course, like any typical, self respecting teenager, I blamed my parents for all my misery. Tragically, whenever I complained about anything, my parents found an answer that would shut me up in no time…GET A JOB!

At the time, I thought they were trying to be helpful and falsely believed that they were just hopelessly out of touch regarding the depth of my despair. Looking back, I finally unraveled the mysteries behind my parent’s diabolical plan: they simply wanted me to shut up so they could enjoy some peace and quiet…GET A JOB!

I’d wake up in the middle of the night, with those words haunting me like a ghost with a grudge against lazy teenagers…GET A JOB! GET A JOB! Oh yeah and one more thing…GET A JOB! When I finally found a job, my childhood incentives changed from having fun to becoming independent. Once I was working, my parents relentless nagging ended and I was finally free from having to listen to the same old lectures. A few years later, when I was out on my own, I knew that the price of freedom, independence and a healthy self esteem had a big price tag, namely lots of hard work, but the rewards were totally worth it. The priority of having fun became a distant memory.

If you take a look at the most common New Year’s resolu-tions, you might be surprised that freedom, independence and positive self esteem are at the core of many of them. Millions of people will set out to lose weight, look younger and be more attractive, and the reward is improved self esteem and feeling more comfortable in your skin. Others will set financial goals to achieve greater wealth and financial security and the payoff there is the freedom to make more choices and independence from excessive worrying and inner doubt.

While all those resolutions are great, I think Diana is really on to something this time. Maybe it’s time to resolve to set aside the work first approach in everything I do and incorporate a few old ideas that involve having fun and celebrating life. I must be on the right track, because I’m already having fun just thinking about it! And if that doesn’t work I can always…GET A JOB!

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 © 2012.


Meet The Owners of E-Z Living Cleaning

Kristy Skondras and Annette Arent

• Interior House Cleaning • Carpet Cleaning • Window Washing

$100 OFF* Deluxe Package

$20 OFF*

Small House Cleaning

$40 OFF*

Medium House Cleaning

$60 OFF*

Large House Cleaning

20% OFF*

Commercial Special

DiSCOuntS FOr:Military, Disabled

& Seniors EvEry Day!

New clients only. First cleaning. Call for details. Expires 2/29/12. New clients only. First cleaning. Call for details. Expires 2/29/12.

New clients only. First cleaning. Call for details. Expires 2/29/12.



E-Z Living Cleaning, LLC8611 Folsom Blvd., Ste GSacramento, CA 95826

(916) 381-5490www.ezlivingcleaning.com

FREEEstimates!

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Residential • Commercial/JanitorialConstruction Clean-up

Spring Cleanings • Garage Detailing Room by Room OrganizationMove-in/Move-out Cleanings

Closet Cleaning • Windows & ScreensPet Poop Pick-up • More

Discounts not available for move-outs*

“We don’t cut corners, we clean them!”

Happy 2012, we’ve made it to another year! Have you made any New Year’s reso-lutions? Many people think about money, health and family when they resolve to take action toward being better people and liv-ing richer, fuller lives and what better place to start than with the cleanliness of your home? From saving you time and effort to improving the very air that you breathe, having your home cleaned on a regular basis by a professional cleaning company this year could be the most valuable action you take toward improving your and your family’s health.

per hour with no minimum. Call for details! Get your house or office off to a clean start in 2012!

We want all Go for it magazine read-ers to know we can take care of all your cleaning and organizing needs with just one phone call to (916) 381-5490. In ad-dition to regular house cleaning, we offer several other services you might find useful to take care of tasks you’ve been meaning to get around to but just haven’t found the time or motivation to get started on. We clean offices, organize rooms, clean garag-es, clean carpets, clear rain gutters, clean windows outside, clear cobwebs around your house, and powerwash slippery walk-ways. Just call us for more information on these services.

Those of you who enjoy getting a great deal should be sure to check out the Discounts tab under the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of our website www.ezlivingcleaning.com for information about the discounts we offer to our clients!

For the month of January 2012 we are putting the following services on special - one room (up to 300sf) carpet cleaning for $59, regularly $99; 2 car garage (approx. 800 sf) cleaning / organizing for only $150, regularly $200; room by room organizing and cleaning by Annette & crew for $25

resolve To Let The Professionals Clean House!By Annette Arent



*Visit www.BobsPocket.com for Bob’s Blog & Bio.

One of my favorite works is SERENDIPITY. The definition is “making fortunate discoveries by accident”. The discovery might be a person, a resource, a path in life that takes you on a journey you could not have ever imagined (much less planned).

1) Believe in the serendipitous nature of the universe. It often requires a (big) leap of faith... I like the quote from Matt Damon’s character in “We Bought a Zoo” — “All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage, and I promise you, something GREAT will come of it.” (I posted the trailer on my blog and if you were on the edge about seeing this movie, I think the trailer will push you off the fence*).

2) Be willing to DO something. It requires an open heart, an open mind, and the willingness to listen to and act on those voices that often get muffled in the white noise, obligations, and headline stories... We need to tap into that inner wisdom (or higher power) that envisions us thriving in what we are destined to do.

Jim Rohn said “If you learn to set a good sail, the wind that blows will always take you to the dreams you want, the income you want, and the treasures of mind, purse, and soul you want.” So, in short, “believe-act” or “Serendipity-DO (duh!)”

Have a GREAT 2012!! On-line calendar of events (including fund-raisers) brought to you by:

Serendipity-Do-Duh


RC


Welcome to 2012! This should be the start of a great new year. With the rush of the Holidays over and the excitement of the New Year, sometimes we neglect to take care of ourselves. In this New Year, let’s make it a resolution and promise to ourselves to take care of our health and our smiles.

Nothing is more valuable than good health. In fact, staying healthy is a sure way to be there for our family and friends as they depend on us throughout the year. Just think of how your life would change if you were to

New Years Resolution:A Bright & Healthy Smile

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

9833 Horn Road(Located in the Old Mills Winery Business Park)

Sacramento, CA 95827(916) 368-2500

www.dynamicdentist.com

Emergencies & Walk-Ins Welcomed!

By Dr. Andrade & Dr. Montalvo

Exam, X-Rays and Basic Cleaning

(Reg $230)

Whitening for Referring a Friend. ($150 Value)

$4999

FREENot valid with any other offer. Expires 2/29/12.

Not valid with any other offer. Expires 2/29/12.

get sick and could not do the things you normally do. This might mean missing work or missing out on your kid’s activities.

One of the easiest ways to stay healthy and prevent a serious illness is to visit your doctor at least once a year and your dentist every 6 months. These regular checkups are essential in helping your doctor determine if everything is normal and if changes need to be made to your diet, your medications or your hygiene. Most dental checkups can be done in less than an hour. Nothing feels better than walking out after a six-month checkup with a clean bill of dental health and that fresh just-cleaned feeling. Most things, if caught early, are easily treated. Even if you get a cavity, it’s best to catch it early. Small physical problems become a lot harder to treat when we put it off.

Did you know that women who go to the dentist have healthier hearts? That’s according to a new study from University of California,

Folsom Blvd.

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Caring Dentistry For The Entire Family

Berkeley researchers, who published their findings online Sept. 29 in the journal Health Economics. The study suggests that women who get dental care reduce their risk of heart attacks, stroke and other cardiovascular problems by at least one-third.

So if you’ve been putting off your regular dental check-up out of anxiety, stop it! Going to the dentist can be fun if you do it every six months.


January 2012 GO FOR IT 11January 2012 GO FOR IT 11

By Bob Cox

Q: How did Aztec Solar get started? A: Aztec Solar started 35 years ago. Ed Murray

founded the business. He was an advocate for solar technology and worked with a company called Murray & Sun. From there he branched off and started Aztec Solar a solar electric and solar heating and cooling installation company serving commercial and residential customers throughout Northern California for 30 years.

Q: What kinds of services does Aztec Solar offer?A: We offer solar water heating, solar electric and

solar pool heating solutions to homeowners. Solar water heating is a great technology and it’s going to reduce your natural gas or your water electric heating bill. Natural gas uses up to about 40% of your cost in heating water. So, with a simple investment that is now covered with 50% incentives through the California Solar Initiative and through a federal tax credit, you can install a new water heating system in your home for under $4,000.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit more about these programs and the financial incentives that they offer?

A: Sure, installing a solar water heating system is a simple one day installation. Currently, there is a rebate program whether you’re with SMUD or PG&E. They both offer a cash rebate that we extend directly to the customer and in addition to that you have a tax write off of 30% of the installed system cost. Aztec solar wants to help homeowners become more energy efficient and achieve independence in their energy solutions, so we’re offering $800 off a solar energy system that’s good through February 29, 2012.

Q: Aside from the big cost savings benefits, are there any other advantages of going solar?

A: Yes, when you support local businesses, you help create more jobs, which is great for the community. You’re helping the future of our planet, which is great for our children and our grandchildren. Ultimately, you’re saving in your pocket book every month.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit more about the solar electric program?

A: Solar electric technology is going to reduce the electric portion of your bill and it’s a good idea to install all year around. It’s an especially good time to install solar electric when you’re using your heater a lot, when you have a lot of guests in the home and you’re using more appliances. There are financial incentives available right now and Aztec Solar has a special lease program that can get you into a brand-new system with no money down.

Heather Dowling, Aztec Solar

Q&A

q Save Money by Lowering Energy Bills

q Increase the Value of My House

q Support Job Creation with Local Business

q Invest in Environmentally Friendly Products & Services

2012 Resolution Check List

FREE Estimates & Financing Available

11370 Trade Center DriveRancho Cordova, CA 95742

(916) 853-2700AztecSolar.com

R Solar for your Entire House R Solar ElectricR Solar Water Heating R Solar Pool Heating

2012 Resolution Special

$800 OFFSolar

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Call for details. Not valid with any other offer.

Expires 2/29/12.

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go for it magazine january 2012

Documents

beautiful laminate floors

beautiful new floors

amazing floors

10x12 room

r yentire room of hardwood

new home

old placerville rd

entire room of new carpeting