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May-June, 2006 Volume 8 Issue 3

BALBOA ISLAND CALENDAR
SUNDAY MAY 21 BALBOA ISLAND ART WALK—9 am until 5 pm S. Bayfront Boardwalk.  http://www.balboaislandartwalk.com
THURS. JUNE 1 FRIDAY NIGHT STROLL 7pm—9 pm, Marine Avenue
SUNDAY JUNE 4 BALBOA ISLAND PARADE, 11 am—Marine Avenue
BALBOA ISLAND BRIDGE CLOSES AT 10:45 am.
GRAND MARSHALS— Our Keystone Cops
SAT. JUNE 10 PANCAKE BREAKFAST—7:30 am—10:30 am
Beek Center , 115 Agate Avenue, Balboa Island
FRIDAY JUNE 23 BIYC Sign-Ups, Beek Ctr.—Info: Curtis Converse 949.722.8884

SHOOTING THE BREEZE.  .  .Carolyn Carr
Thanks to everyone who participated in the ALL ISLAND GARAGE SALE.  We didn’t have quite as many paid entries as last year, so I cut the advertising back a bit to fit our budget.  When all was said and done there is $101.00 less in The Balboa Island Garage Sale Bank Account than there was in January when the first flyer went out—$737.94. 

Paid Entries—79 $790.00
Advertising Expenses $738.74
4400 Flyers
Color Posters
Publication Ads
Banner Changes
Miscellaneous $150.00
Tape
Creamer
Flyer Delivery/Collating
Total Expenses 888.74
Loss -$98.74

I figure we have a few more years before the reserve we collected from the city during Steve Bromberg’s tenure runs out.  It has been suggested that we raise the fee next year—but somehow that works out to punishing the honest and rewarding the dishonest.  Somehow that’s how things somehow things tend to work out in this crazy world!

In the meantime remember to go to our LOCAL STARBUCKS.  They were the ones who donated the free coffee, as they do for every Island event.  Manager Kim Allum says, “Sales haven’t picked back up since closing for remodeling this winter and we miss some of the regulars who got in the habit of going to another Starbucks.”

And a huge thanks to Mr. Michael Kamps for climbing up that ladder and putting up the Garage Sale banner.  He’s a good guy who also has been doing the BIIA bulletin board on the Coldwell Banker building since 1995!! Now that is devotion to a six day-a-week job that doesn’t pay anything—but the hours are very flexible !!

JIM’s STORIES
This month our story comes from Marcia Last, a long time Balboa Island Resident.

My fond recollections of Jim Jennings:
Back in 1961, I moved to Balboa island with my two young boys to start a new job at Ford Aeronutronic.  That job lasted 32 years.
My starting salary was something like $400.00 a month.  We saved money by moving to Costa Mesa in the summer because rent on Balboa Island was 1/2 price during the winter months ($150 a month year-around, but only $75 in winter!!)
I bought an old used station wagon for about $600 and Jim kept it going.  He really knew cars inside and out and seemed to enjoy patching up my old clunker.  Sometimes he didn’t even charge me for what he did.
I remember he used to put something in the radiator to seal up leaks so I didn’t have to pay for expensive repairs.
Jim was certainly one-of-a-kind!  Always friendly, helpful, kind—sounds like the Boy Scout model, doesn’t it?  It makes me smile just to think about him.

ANNE LEBRECHT HAS A GREAT NEW BOOK
Island Author and Agate neighbor, Anne Lebrecht has just finished a couple of new books—one fiction, one of poetry. 
My personal favorite is called The Daughters of Nora Crawford.  Three sisters, once strangers, find themselves bound by one single event that changes their lives forever.  As they search for themselves and their past, Anne leads us on a journey that twists and turns and keep the reader interested right up until the final page.
I curled up one night with this page turner and found myself reading far into the night.  You can purchase an autographed copy of Anne’s book at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and Island Style—and maybe even get to meet the author. 
More about Anne at http://www.annelebrecht.com and in this column next month. 

POETRY BY FAITH BOWLUS
Each year we revel in the anticipated glory of spring showcases along the bayfronts:  however, certain gardens on the side streets, their colors profusely blazing, are more likely to take us by surprise.  How true this is of Jill’s tiny, densely planted garden!  It has a wonder all its own.
Jill’s Garden
Tiny world of wonder
Amidst the swirl of things;
Hidden yet apparent
To those who truly see;
Calling forth within us
The magic we have known
Since our yesteryear
Of childhood
When fantasies held reign.

Tucked behind wood fences
All one could wish to glimpse—
The joy of Jill’s creation
Blends real world with a dream.
We live again that magic;
We are once more a child.
Entranced, we linger briefly
Then leave with secret smile.

Faith Bowlus

FAX AND COPY AT ISLAND FLOORING
We have a new high-speed copy machine.  We can now copy large and small quantities, color copies and fax.  Come in and try out our service.

JUST A REMINDER—SEND US YOUR STORIES OF JIM JENNINGS—They will be printed in the Island Breeze and eventually made into a book by Jim’s son, Jim Jennings, Jr.  Thanks.

BUSINESS BUDDIES. . . JON BRATTON . . . LIQUID STUCCO
Jon Bratton is a native of Houston, Texas.  Eight generations of his family have lived in Texas.  His father, originally from a West Texas farming family, was the first to go to college.  He became a lawyer.  Jon’s mother was in Real Estate.  Jon says, “I was the original “Latch-key” kid.”
After high school graduation, Jon spent four years in the Army at Ft. Devins, Massachusetts.  He is from a military family—Jon’s brother is currently in Iraq serving his second tour.
Army life was followed by another four years in college at the University of Massachusetts.  Jon graduated with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration.
Jon was working in Colorado when the future owner of Liquid Stucco in San Diego, Patrick Green, met him and thought he would make a great representative for the company.  Jon didn’t want to move.
Three years ago when Patrick wanted to expand to Orange County he approached Jon again this time to be a partner in the business.  Liquid Stucco of Orange County was created with Jon, Patrick and a third partner.
Jon believes in Liquid Stucco.  Originally designed by Creighton International in Vancouver, Canada to protect lighthouses; Liquid Stucco is actually two different products.  When it is used on stucco it is called Liquid Stucco.  When it is used on Wood it is called Liquid Siding.
Liquid Stucco is a three part system that looks like paint, but lasts far longer—it has a 25 year warranty!!  The first part of the process is a waterproofing agent, the second part is a ceramic and the final part is a skin—or breathable membrane.  Over all it is like wrapping your house in Gortex.
Liquid Stucco does not change the architectural integrity of your home.  Jon has coated several houses on Balboa Island to rave reviews—including the Dahl house on South Bayfront.  He is also currently doing KABC talk show host Larry Elder’s mothers house.
You can reach Jon at 949.701.444 or http://www.888neverpaint.com

EDITORIAL
Recently two stories touched me: 
“No surprise that maids were blamed for theft”
I owned a cleaning service in Orange County for 22 years, so it was no surprise to me when I saw that three cleaning women were blamed for a theft in Santa Margarita.  And it was also no surprise that the maids didn’t do it (“Migrant trio cleared in purse case: Local, April 29)

When I saw the original article, I said to my friends, “You watch, this woman either left her wallet in a pocket, in her car or somewhere where she actually lost it—these house cleaners had noting to do with its disappearance.  The first person blamed for a misplaced object is always the cleaning person.”

I know—we were often blamed.  And in 22 years my cleaners were responsible for one theft that I know of—a roll of stamps—by a new employee, who was immediately fired.  As my lead woman used to say, “We are in the business of cleaning, not thieving.  We wouldn’t stay in business if we steal.”

Usually we would see the missing article left out on our next visit—rarely did we get an apology for being accused wrongly.  For some reason people seem to perceive cleaning people as less than human.

If my experience is any example, the homeowner probably didn’t have an ulterior motive—she was just reacting as everyone else seems to when something disappears around the house.  Maybe this could be a lesson to those who have cleaning people (or any other subcontractors who come to into your house).  They are people—treat them with respect. (Carolyn Carr, OC Register, Sunday, May 9, 2006)

This also ties in with a book written by Raytheon CEO called Swanson’s Unwritten Rules of Management—free from http://www.raytheon.com The premise of his book is that how you treat the maid, the waitress and any staff member is a true measure of your character—it is called the “Waiter Rule”.  Google “Waiter Rule” for an excellent article printed in USA Today.

TIPS OF THE MONTH
1. Should I Throw Out all My Non-Stick Pans?
There has been a lot of media attention to the possible carcinogenic effects of Teflon pans.  The fluoropolymers degrade.  However, it you are not a bird owner, don’t throw out your pans yet: buying new cookware can be an expensive investment, and reducing cooking temperatures will reduce the fumes.  A preheated pan on high heat can reach over 600 degrees F in two to five minutes.  When it comes to frying an egg or a steak there is no need to set the burner on “high”.  Heating the pan to medium (300 to 350 F) then reducing it to low heat (175 to 300 F) will cook eggs and meat just as well.  Meat will brown at medium heat and sautéing should always be done at medium or lower heats.  If you want to sear your steaks it is recommended that you purchase a cast iron or stainless steel pan. 
As for when you should replace the pans, the non-stick coating should last for about two years before it begins to degrade, according to a 1991 study published in Chemical Engineering Progress.  Be sure to replace your pans two years after your purchased them.  And during those two years, do keep an eye on overheating your pans.
Because the fumes offgassing from Teflon pans can be fatal to birds even at very low levels, we advise bird owners to replace Teflon pans as soon as possible and not to cook with Teflon in a room that connects to the one that houses your pet bird.  Bird owners should also be wary of Teflon-lined ovens, non-stick cookie sheets and burners lined with Teflon drip pans.  Also check your space heaters for possible Teflon coated parts.  For a list of products containing Teflon and related perfluorochemicals (PFCs) go to http://www.ewg.org/reports/pfcworld/products.php
Since Teflon is only one variety of non-stick, watch out for “non-stick”labeling and ask if the coating is PTFE—Calphalon, Scanpan and All Clad non-stick pans use PTFE as well. 
(http://www.thegreenguide.com)

2.  OptOutPrescreen.com
This is the official Consumer Credit Reporting Industry website to accept and process requests from consumers to Opt-In or Opt-Out of firm offers of credit or insurance.
Through this website you may request to:
Opt-Out from receiving firm offers for 5 years.
Opt-Out from receiving firm offers permanently.
Opt-In and begin receiving firm offers.  This option is for those who have previously completed a request to Opt-out.

3.  Responsible Credit Cards
Many credit cards are issued through corporate mega-banks such as Citibank.  The problem with these banks is that they may be using your fees and the interest you pay on your credit card balances to fund projects that aren’t in line with your values.  For example: Harming the Earth:  Several mega-banks have been targeted for environmentally destructive projects they are funding:
Better Mega-Banks—JP Morgan (Chase and Bank One), Bank of America and Citibank adopted a new lending policy that addresses global warming and deforestation, and recognizes the rights of indigenous nations.  Worst performers: Wachovia, Wells Fargo, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley (Discover) and Credit Suisse First Boston. 
(Real Money Newsletter November/December 2005)

4.  Dial “H” for Human
These days your chances of calling a big company and not having to talk to a computer are just about zilch.  Unless you know a few tricks.  A Winchester, Mass. Man has compiled a cheat sheet on his blog at paulenglish.com/ivr/ listing more than 200 direct numbers and secrets to avoid getting trapped in the computerized-voice maze. 
Some companies catch on and reprogram their systems—you can always try to press 0 0# #0 *0 0* or call sales and ask them to transfer you—or even say “agent” or “representative”.  All good tricks to try.

5.  My Favorite Trick—*67
Always being sent to voicemail?  Someone who owes you money?  A missing person?  Punch in *67 and wait for the dial tone—then dial their number—*67 blocks your number—they think the call might be important—it is—it’s me!!! (Land Lines only!!)