DTLA LIFE
TM
May 2015 www.dtlalife.com
LIVING LARGE IN SMALL SPACES TARINA TARANTINO DECORATING YOUR PATIO/BALCONY PAUL KAUFFMAN SPOTLIGHT WHITE PARTY QUEEN KELLY OSBOURNE NATIONAL PET MONTH NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK TIME TO PAUSE AND RECEIVE COORDINATED ENTRY PROGRAM
RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES AT LA LIVE
3 BEDROOMS | 4 BATHS | 4,250 SQFT. Offered at $8,800,000 http://www.downtownlalofts.net/property/residences-at-la-live-47g/ by appointments only | www.laloftsrealty.com CalBRE # 01822666 | If you are already represented by a licensed agent, this is not a solicitation to represent you.
DTLA LIFE
TM
May 2015 www.dtlalife.com
LIVING LARGE IN SMALL SPACES TARINA TARANTINO DECORATING YOUR PATIO/BALCONY PAUL KAUFFMAN SPOTLIGHT WHITE PARTY QUEEN KELLY OSBOURNE NATIONAL PET MONTH NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK TIME TO PAUSE AND RECEIVE COORDINATED ENTRY PROGRAM
DTLA LIFE | Magazine! TM
May 2015
Publisher ULTIMATE LIFE LIVING, llc 215 West 5th Street #1103 Los Angeles, CA 90013 213 221 7090 Editor in Chief Alex LiMandri, alex@laloftsrealty.com Associate Editor Tiffany Gatto, tiffany@dwellhomes.com Art Director Alex LiMandri Editor Peter Badillo Contributing Writers Cinnia Finfer - Retail Tiffany Gatto - Real Estate Jim White - Community Petra Wright - Art Janene Zakrajsek - Pets Dr Eve Flores DVM - Vet Dr Leia Castaneda - Vet Juliane Pease - Design Lori Tierney - Lifestyle Margalette Audion - Fashion Dave Culwell - Finances
www.dtlalife.com www.laloftsrealty.com www.dwellhomes.com
There is simply no question that Downtown LA. is an urban center where the cutting-edge and classics sit side-by-side. Where the whirlwind of culture, art, commerce and people create fascinating, and sometimes fantastic contrasts. We’ve devoted this issue to helping you find exactly what you want, from culture, music and nightlife, to the perfect hotel for your tastes and budget. Even New Yorkers are not making jokes about Los Angeles, The New York Times featured the fact that Los Angeles and Its Booming Creative Class Lures New Yorkers, you can read the article online at: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/03/style/los-angeles-and-itsbooming-creative-class-lures-new-yorkers.html Downtown LA is probably the main reason that New Yorkers start thinking of Los Angeles as a city. DTLA is vibrant, has some of the best restaurant in the country and the art scene brings the a great balance of culture to the city of the angels. I promise you, the center of the city is the place place to live, work and play. Regarding investments, we believe in DTLA with real estate prices doubling over the past few years. The growing interest and the lack of new inventory will create an increase in rent and value of condos. All predictions for Downtown LA agree the DTLA city center will be as expensive as San Francisco or New York City in just a few years. So start looking for your next home now and don’t miss the opportunities that present themselves to join us in this burgeoning city center. Since 2000 we are trying our best to help you with your Real Estate needs in DTLA and been rewarded by your trust as the leading residential team. We care about our clients and all we want is help you. We are honored to be part of the nominees by the Downtown News Best Of Downtown 2015. Please vote and win at: www.votebestof.com and don’t forget to click “Alex LiMandri” as your best residential real estate agent. We truly appreciate it and you can win great prizes: Win a weekend on the town! Fill out at least 30 categories of the ballot and your e-mail address will be automatically entered in our drawing.* The grand prize winner will receive a complimentary two-night stay at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel that includes dinner for two at Noe, $200 spending cash, dinner for two at Morton’s The Steakhouse, and a Los Angeles Conservancy walking tour. It’s a great package, if we do say so ourselves. Additional prizes: iPad Mini, cash prizes, gift certificates and more!
Alex LiMandri Editor-in-Chief DTLA LIFE TM | Magazine! www.laloftsrealty.com www.dwellhomes.com www.dtlalife.com
FROM THE EDITOR
RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES AT LA LIVE | 3 BEDROOMS | 4 BATHS | 4,250 SQFT. | Offered at $8,800,000 by appointments only | http://www.downtownlalofts.net/property/residences-at-la-live-47g/
www.laloftsrealty.com
CalBRE # 01822666 | If you are already represented by a licensed agent, this is not a solicitation to represent you.
LET’S TALK ABOUT by
Tiffany Gatto
LIVING LARGE
IN SMALL SPACES
While there are many advantages to city living such as, proximity to major venues, retail madness, gourmet dining, underground eateries or the ability to simply be in the middle of it all, the amount of space available in city living might leave you feeling a bit cramped. In order to make the best of your small space there are several tips that will have you feeling less confined in no time. Follow the guidelines below and find yourself enjoying your efficient, cozy and charming space as if it was a country estate. 1. Less is More – The never ending clutter issue. We can all find ourselves hoarding away and clutter will take over and make your home feel even smaller than it already is. Get your items under control and take back your space. Spend a few bucks and a few hours setting up a system so, even if you have limited space, everything has a place to go. It will keep you on track and your home feeling cozy not crazy. 2. Keep it Clean - Dirt builds up terrifyingly fast in any home but in a small home it can seem almost instantaneous (and there’s nowhere to go to get away from the mess). Get proactive, get on a schedule and nip that dirty, depressing situation in the bud. Invest in beautiful cleaning supplies. No broom closet? Swap the plastic broom and dustpan for something pretty and you won’t mind looking at them hanging from a hook or propped in the corner. 3. Maximize your View – Be sure to allow for maximum light, drape windows with light colors and keep them open or try hanging a mirror nearby to reflect light into the room. Remembering to clean the windows too! 4. Keep it light - Be careful with color. Lighter furniture will allow you to have much more in a space without its seeming cramped. Choose simple furniture with clean lines which can make a tiny apartment feel roomier. Get familiar with the properties of certain colors and what they can do for your space before you take the plunge. Darks might not be the way to go as they’ll make a small room feel even smaller. Consider the amount of light, how you’d like to feel in that space and your room size to make sure you make the smartest choice. 5. Furniture should do Double Duty – When you have limited space, double duty furniture is a must. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of every inch you can? Think storage benches, under-bed boxes or even simple ideas like a dresser used as a nightstand. In case you’re not blessed with minimalist ideas be sure to use every square inch. Under your bed is a great place to keep winter clothes, extra blankets, games pictures, and any other items you haul out three times a year.
6. No Bright Florals - Florals can make a tiny loft feel tinier. Keeping crisp whites for beddings, walls, ceilings and furniture is easier on the eye and makes the apartment look bigger. 7. Use your wall space - There’s plenty of valuable real estate all over your home, not just on the floor. Shelves, cabinets and even simple, cheap (and endlessly customizable) pegboard racks can get your belongings organized while keeping them from taking up your limited floor or counter space. 8. Be Creative - It definitely is about creativity, a little rebellion, artistry, and doing what you might dream about no matter how small your space. Embrace the differences in a city dwelling to a country estate. Be free and think big. 9. Get out Often – Spend your time in your city. No matter how perfectly designed your tiny home is, you still need to get out and about to avoid cabin fever. Make a point to actually use all the great places available to you like public parks, the library, coffee shops or any place where you can camp out and get a change of scenery for a few hours. Treat the whole dang city like it’s your living room. 10. No overnight guests - Give yourself permission to say no to overnight guests. It’s okay to explain that you don’t have the space to accommodate overnight guests. Know your local hotel/motel options and make a deal for visiting friends and family! You will probably have a better time if they are not in your SPACE. For more information, to buy or sell your home, feel free to drop a line or give us a call at LA LOFTS | Realty ®. We are more than just your realtors, we’re your neighbors!
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Tiffany Gatto tiffany@dwellhomes.com www.dwellhomes.com
YOU LOVE LA, WE WILL FIND YOUR HOME IN LA!
laloftsrealty.com Leading Residential Sales Team Since 2000
info@laloftsrealty.com
(213) 626 5433
LA LOFTS | Realty ® is a DBA of ULTIMATE LIFE LIVING, llc - MERIDAN CAPITAL REAL ESTATE SERVICES | CalBRE # 01822666 - Alex LiMandri - All Rights reserved | If you are already represented by a licensed agent, this is not a solicitation to represent you. All offers or promotions are subject to change at any time, please call for details. All listings are posted with permition of the seller. Photos used are not necessarily thise of offered properties. ULTIMATE LIFE LIVING, llc, LA LOFTS | Realty ® is a full service Sales and Marketing Real Estate company with Licensed Real Estate Agents. For more information please visit www.laloftsrealty.com
on what’s next Dwell on Design Los Angeles. America’s Largest Design Event Celebrating its 10th Year.
May 29-31, 2015 Los Angeles Convention Center See 90 onstage programs, 250+ speakers and more than 2,000 innovative, modern furnishings and products / Hear from design industry experts / Walk through prefab homes and living landscapes / Explore stunning homes with Dwell Home Tours / Connect with hundreds of brands / Curated by the editors of Dwell magazine
Register today at dwellondesign.com Save $5 with promo code LALOFTS
Photo Cinnia Finfer
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NEW KIDS ON THE
BLOCK by
Cinnia Finfer
www.pitchounbakery.com
Photo Cinnia Finfer
Pitchoun! (translation: kid or kiddo) is one of those places that make you think to yourself, “How did we ever do without this?!” A beautifully executed boulangerie/patisserie showcasing’ French country recipe of Agen, Pitchoun feels like it’s always been here. Everything is made in the onsite kitchen. Produce is purchased locally and only if in season, so the menu will fluctuate as the year progresses. All the furnishing and detailing are from France including a wall encased in side panels of wine cases and a small but charming “library.” The service is fast casual so you stand in line, but that gives you a chance to admire the offerings and ponder what to get from a fairly substantial menu. Touting everything from baguettes, breads, sweet and savory pastries, cakes and salads, hot /cold sandwiches, and a soup du jour, the choosing is not so easy. A full selection of coffee and hot drinks are offered as well as iced drinks, homemade lemonade and fresh squeezed juices. While such a place is a common thing in France, in will be a welcome addition for DTLA morning and lunch regulars.
PITCHOUN! BAKERY 545 South Olive Street Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 689 3240 www.pitchounbakery.com
Whether commuting, racing or exploring, Rotelli Cyclery offers custom bikes for every size, purpose and budget. This isn’t about taking the third one from the left, but rather sitting down and discussing what your bike needs to do for you. Artisan is a term that’s thrown around a lot these days, but at Rotelli, it is a way of life. They specialize in “up-builds”, starting with an Italian hand-built steel frames and then crafting a cycle for your specific aesthetic, functional and financial specifications. You need a bike today? Not a problem, as there is a selection of ready-to-go cycles, all with their own unique style. Be sure to look over the accessories as there may be a seat, handles, racks and or bag that will quickly take your bike to the next level. While you’re at it, why not pop for Demarchi racing jersey?
ROTELLI CYCLERY 1133 East 5th Street Los Angeles, CA 90013 (213) 621 7722 www.rotellicyclery.com
Photo Cinnia Finfer
Photo Cinnia Finfer
Don’t want to start your day in a fog? Rather not sit in traffic after work? There is a better option. Pure Barre has opened a DTLA location directly across the street from the future Whole Foods store. Known for their 55-minute workouts that are a blend of stretching, resistance, ascending hand weights and dance-inspired movement, Pure Barre is challenging, but not intimidating. The 1,000 sq. ft. studio is fresh, well-lit and ventilated. The front of the studio has a choice selection of workout wear from Alo Yoga, Chill by Will and Pure Barre by Splitz 59 as well as some light refreshments. Studio Manager Katelin Martini advised they have already attracted a nice blend of downtown residents and office workers, both women and men.
PURE BARRE 740 South Olive Street Los Angeles, CA 90014 (323) 305 7025 www.purebarre.com/ca/downtownla
Just in time for the warmer weather, a new store has bloomed at 6th and Spring. Velazca, the brainchild Monica Bachue, is a wildly popular women’s store in Columbia known for urban, chic styles. After 4 successful years, Bachue wanted to crack the LA market, and reached out to a long time friend and Angelino, Marcie Medina. Apparel, shoes jewelry and accessories –it’s all here. Variety is the key, as Velazca purposefully carries only 1-3 pieces per line. The result: two very different girlfriends can walk into the store and emerge with utterly unique looks. Prices range from $10 -$60.
VELAZCA 548 South Spring Street #112 Los Angeles, CA 90014 (213) 265 7153 www.velazca.com
Photo Cinnia Finfer
Photo Julianne Pease
DESIGN by
Julianne Pease
DECORATING
YOUR PATIO/BALCONY
Do you have a large balcony, deck or patio but lack a plan on how to fill it? Or maybe your balcony is tiny, but you’d still like to decorate it with style. Either way, Cathi Marcoly and Mary Alice Slattery, design partners at CM In The City, have helped us lay out a great plan to help you design an outdoor space you can enjoy for years to come. We will be using the term ‘balcony’ but you can apply these decorating principles to any outdoor setting, whether it is a deck patio or balcony. Sit for a bit The most crucial component of balcony décor is the seating. It’s hard to hang out on your balcony for long periods of time if you’re always standing, or sitting in uncomfortable chairs, not well-positioned for conversation. To encourage the use of your balcony, be sure to provide good seating. If you only have a small space to work with, consider multipurpose seating. Mary Alice suggests a storage bench that can store your extra items and provide extra seating or can act as an ottoman. If you don’t need the storage space, a cute bistro set offers seating and takes up very little space—you might even find yourself enjoying breakfast outside on the patio for the first time ever! Plant it up Balcony gardening is perhaps easier than you might think and the rewards are endless. Whether you’re considering large or small containers, trellises, or window boxes, patio or balcony gardening is a great way to lend color and scent to your outdoor space. Planters have come a long way over the last few years. Cathi shared that your local home improvement stores have wonderful planters that look like ceramic but are made of a lightweight composite: They are typically available in a variety of colors, which can enhance any décor. If you have room for even one of the larger ones, imagine fresh lemons or limes available anytime from your own dwarf citrus tree. Mary Alice suggested that a baker’s rack is the perfect spot for a small herb garden: Using small pots with various herbs and a few other plants such as marigolds will give you a colorful and aromatic garden without taking up too much of your terrace or patio. How about going vertical? Do you have a blank wall begging for a garden? New systems are available consisting of containers that hang on the wall, providing just that, a vertical garden. There are also many DIY ideas for vertical gardens available on Pinterest. A little planting will go a long way toward making your balcony a more attractive and appealing place to be. The bonus: All those great fresh herbs. Divide and Conquer Fencing is usually thought of as something that contains or separates, but you can add it to your balcony simply for decoration. Your balcony, especially if you’re not on the first floor, probably already features a barrier of some type for safety reasons. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t add more attractive or taller fencing to add style and increase the privacy of your balcony. Keep in mind fencing isn’t just for separating your balcony from the rest of the
Photo Julianne Pease
world: Consider using it to divide the balcony into two sections -- for example, separate the grilling side from the gardening side. Get creative and have fun mixing up your outdoor living space! If your building does not allow you to add fencing that is visible from the street, consider adding a decorative room divider, which you can secure in place. Room dividers come in a myriad of options, some have candleholders on them others have décor elements. Cathi said that websites like, Overstock.com, One Kings Lane.com, Wayfair.com and other similar sites are great options. The Fun Part ~ Adding Décor Elements Now you have your seating all set, the plants are in place and any desired dividers or fencing is up. Now comes the fun stuff-- adding the colorful décor touches. Both Cathi and Mary Alice are big fans of Sunbrella™ fabrics, both for their vast design choices and durability. However your local home design store typically has a good selection of outdoor pillows and tablecloths in the newest seasonal colors. If your new patio furniture includes a table or ottoman, consider adding a colorful tray. Also, adding a bit of art might fit your design style like an outdoor sculpture, or specially designed, weather-resistant outdoor art prints -- and let’s not forget -- décor options for lighting are endless. You can add a lovely string of café lights across your patio or around the edges of an umbrella. Try having a few candles placed strategically around on tables or on wall sconces. Cathi explained that if you choose candles, be sure to take care with their placement. Putting them in direct sunlight, you might come home to a heap of melted wax. This is also true for the new LED candles as most of them have a wax base or shell. Even if you can’t leave them out during the day, you will still love using them at night, providing a romantic ambiance. In Summary There are many ways to make your outdoor space fun and enjoyable, so don’t wait another day before adding some of these ideas to your outdoor living space. By providing a garden, or a lovely place to dine al fresco on your balcony, you will be giving your home an outdoor room and the feeling of having more square footage!
CM Designs Cathi Marcoly (323) 942 9920 Mary Alice Slattery (323) 942 9921 www.cm-designs.com
Photo Julianne Pease
the leading real estate marketplace for modern homes
dwellhomes.com
306 Sherman Road | Santa Barbara, CA
Offered at: $2,395,000.00 info@dwellhomes.com (844) OWN DWELL 1 (844) 696 3935
LIVE INTERNATIONAL | Real Estate! does not make any assurance as to the timeliness or accuracy of the property details above including incomplete, insufďŹ cient or inaccurate information which has been provided courtesy of the actual property listing agent and/or broker for the purposes of this advertisement. BRE#01822601 Tiffany Gatto | LIVE INTERNATIONAL | Real Estate! - 548 South Spring Street #109 - Los Angeles, CA 90013 - USA - Tel. 844 OWN DWELL Please visit www.dwellhomes. com for more information.
Paul Kauffman
ART
SPOTLIGHT by
Petra Wright
Art thrives on duality. Many artists are known to have led double lives, or to live their lives between opposing poles…Paul Kauffman is an excellent example of this, and as is so with all art that is reflective of one’s soul, it can be traced within his work. Kauffman’s academic career began in a seminary. He spent 6 years there, studying to become a priest. This also meant that he was only allowed to speak for 3 hours each day. The rest was spent in silent contemplation, study and work. For 9 months out of the year, this was his life… But once the semester ended, Paul was whisked away to join his grandparents, working in a traveling carnival. The theatricality and showmanship of carnival life could not have stood in greater contrast to his life at the seminary and he loved it. Working summers at the carnival allowed him to pay for his college education, including his art education. Ultimately, however, life took Paul in different directions, and he left the seminary to pursue other goals. Yet two things never left him – art and spirituality. The practice of these two disciplines always remained a key component in his life. “I believe that our creativity is the divine speaking through us”, Kauffman says. Paul’s paintings are certainly beautiful, centering often around still lifes of flowers, but they are not serene – on the contrary their vitality and drama leads us beyond physical beauty into a more essential realm. The painting process is an emotional experience to Kauffman, resulting in joyful catharsis. The beginning of his journey may be calm and centered, but as he continues to work, he enters a kind of meditative zone, throughout which his energy can build to a point of exhaustion. During this process, which he terms ‘intentional freedom’, Kauffman says he cannot separate the spiritual and the emotional. He may hold a rough composition in mind, but it merely sets the stage for the movement and colors to flow. “Painting is my permission to play”, Kauffman says. Typically, the painting will reveal itself and come together in the final few minutes. Harkening back to his carnival days, Paul thrives on painting ‘live’ before an audience, sometimes set to music. “The showman versus the poet-monk… I still inherently move between those two poles…it’s a wonderful marriage of the sacred and the profane”.
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Point in case: Kauffman’s Artist Statement is an eloquent poem describing the agony/ecstasy cycle that is life itself… and the antidote, which is doing the thing you love most, the thing that is most authentic to you and connects you to that which lies beyond. “The sky is blue, the air is crisp, the birds are singing and the flowers bloom. My spirit is filled with hope. I am feeling grounded and at peace. Life is beautiful. And so I paint. The sky is blue, the air is crisp, the birds are singing and the flowers bloom. My spirit is restless, distracted and anxious. And so I paint. The sky is blue, the air is crisp, the birds are singing and the flowers bloom. My spirit is filled with doubt and all kinds of fearful uncertainties. All reference points are blurred. And so I paint. The sky is blue, the air is crisp, the birds are singing and the flowers bloom. My spirit is once again feeling grounded and life is filled with adventure and unlimited possibilities. And so I paint.” - Paul Kauffman Paul Kauffman’s art will be on view at GDCA through May 31st. To make an appointment to view his paintings, please call (323) 309-2875
GLORIA DELSON CONTEMPORARY ARTS 727 South Spring Street (between 7th & 8th) Los Angeles, CA 90014 (323) 309 2875 www.GDCAgallery.com
FASHION
FAMILY CARD by
Stephanie Margalette Audion
THE JEWELLERY SPARKLES
FUNKY QUEEN:
TARINA TARANTINO
Photo Cameron Dain
In the huge Fashion family you have the jewel creator, the one who realized our wildest dreams. Tarina Tarantino is a fervent resident of DTLA, she is immediately recognizable to its color that dazzled our eyes to her passage, her unique pink deposit , we want to follow this stealth comet through the streets of DTLA. From the roof of her building named Sparkles Factory on Broadway where there are things happening every storied, Tarina Tarantino ensures that DTLA shines the same brightness as her multicolored, psychedelic and funky rhinestones and pearls. Tarina and her team create handcrafted pieces for Katy Perry, Kelly Osbourne, Emma Stone, Cameron Diaz and always has-been strong advocates for Producing fashion merchandising Domestically “Handmade in LA”. Her 2015’s colorful universe sparkles inspired her to launched with SEPHORA a full color cosmetic line. Coming soon at the top of the building Sparkles Factory makes the Tarina’s wishes “To be creative in life and follow your dreams” “MY DTLA” “I remember my first venue in DTLA going to Chinatown
with my grandparents. I like Downtown LA for its energy. The merging of a brilliant but forgotten past, re-emerging, molding with the new and through its renaissance, becoming a legitimate downtown, with the best restaurants, bars and shops. My favorite time of DTLA is Twilight. My favorite street of DTLA is Broadway and a hidden pleasure of DTLA are the Lentil soup at Wood Spoon. If DTLA was a movie, it would be directed by Michelangelo Antonioni, starring Monica Vitty, Alain Delon, Marcello Mastroianni and Catherine Deneuve about two couples from different cities disputing that people in fact do walk in L.A. If DTLA was a book, it would be the sequel to The Wizard of Oz, because one is definitely not in Kansas anymore. If DTLA was a perfume, it would be Guerlain Imperiale. IF DTLA was a rhythm, a sound, a music, a famous record, it would be Burt Bacharach”s “This Guy’s in Love with You”.
Photo Cameron Dain
Photo Cameron Dain
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Photo Cameron Dain
There is one thing that most people don’t know about DTLA; there are more than 50,000 people living here. My favorites adresses in DTLA to share with you are: The Last Bookstore at 453 South Spring Street., The Eastern Columbia at 849 South Broadway, MOCA at 250 South Grand Avenue, The Ace Hotel at 929 South Broadway and of course my Studio at 908 South Broadway Street. My last “breaking news” of DTLA it’s the Rain! But if I had to describe DTLA in three words it would be: Exciting, vibrant and noisy!” www.tarinatarantino.com
MARGALETTEPRODUCTION Los Angeles*Paris Stéphanie Margalette Audoin LA showroom 1259 South Camden Drive Los Angeles, CA 90035 PARIS showroom > Mamzelle Margalette 64 rue Tiquetonne 75002 Paris margaletteproduction@gmail.com
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ALWAYS THE
GIVER?
TIME TO PAUSE
AND RECEIVE! by
Lori Tierney
We are programmed at a very early age to share our toys, to help others, to not be focused on self, that self-absorption is a “bad thing”. Self-sacrifice builds character, we are told. This programming has a simple flaw in it that many of us carry into adulthood-that flaw is balance. We live in a dual Universe. Where is the balance in always giving? Balance occurs only when we not only give, but also receive. Many of us have forgotten how. This is especially true for those of us that have adopted a caring attitude for others, for society, for humanity, for our cities, our country and our world. We spend countless hours working on projects that help those in need, those less fortunate, the earth, the drought, not to mention the giving we do in our daily work lives, as parents, or care takers to elderly parents. I am not suggesting we stop these efforts, I am simply giving us permission to “fill the well”, to restore balance, to receive. For in that balance, we are able to keep going, to achieve our altruistic goals, from a place of restoration and balance of self…a place of self-love. Many of us are afraid that if we shut off our cell phones, skip a few hours or a day of work, or play hooky from life, we will miss an important opportunity. Actually the opposite is true. By going 24-7 we run the risk of burnout, disease or worse! Author Alana Fairchild, in her guidebook, “Sacred Rebels” (Blue Angel publishing) states, “From a place of nourishment you will more effortlessly create, live and love with greater energy and thriving, pulsing passion. The earth rests each night so it can greet the sun again each morning with the spectacular living art of sunrise. Allow yourself to switch off, step away, close the laptop, switch off the phone, and just be with yourself for a little while. You will return and be more efficient and effective. Rest now, play now, and work later. Forget your worries for a while. Switch off. Do something else. Let it all go and it will all flow.” Fairchild reminds us of the famous French Impressionist painter, Monet, as he sat in his garden on a warm afternoon. He was napping lightly on his garden bench, with the sunlight dappling gently through the straw hat resting over his face. It was soft and warm on his closed eyelids. He sighs contentedly. A nosy neighbor poked his head over the fence, keen to know what the brilliant artist was up to now. “Sir, you are resting!” the curious neighbor called out. “No”, responded Monet, wriggling to get even more comfortable on his reclining garden chair. “I am working.” He relaxed further as the mild breeze tickled the hair on his forearms. Monet returned to his garden the next day. Consumed by the urge to translate his feelings onto the
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canvas, he painted with great energy and focus. He was inspired and paint flowed. Again the nosy neighbor poked his head over the fence. He called out, “Sir, you are working!” “No,” said the artist, barely pausing with his brush, “I am resting”. Following are two receptive yoga postures that are easy to integrate into your practice, or perhaps they will inspire you to begin a simple practice of receiving: Yoga postures that open us to receive: As Sally Kempton states in Yoga Journal (229-12), “Just as each yoga posture you practice affects you psychologically as well as physically, these hand and arm gestures, combined with an intention to be receptive, can help you train yourself into a receptive mode. The Cup: Form a cup with your hands, wrists, thumbs, and pinky fingers together, letting the other fingers splay open. Place your cupped hands against your chest, over the heart center, with the sides of the thumbs touching the chest. Close your eyes and breathe deeply, with the sensation that the breath is bringing energy and light into your body through your cupped hands. Arms to the Sky: Standing with your feet about shoulder-width apart, hold your arms at your sides, about 6 inches from your body, with your palms out and your elbows relaxed. With an inhalation, gently let your arms float up until they form a wide funnel, fingertips pointing at the sky. Keep the arms relaxed as your face tips upward slightly. Let yourself embrace the space, with the sense that you are opening to and welcoming in the energy of the universe. Slowly draw your arms down the front of your body, with your palms open, until your arms are about a foot away from your body. Then let your arms relax at your sides. Repeat twice.” As you embark upon your conscious “receiving” practice, keep a journal beside your nightstand and take time to jot down any feelings that surface. Perhaps some judgment or shame may bubble up. Embrace these messengers and keep reminding yourself that each day is your day to receive the bounty and gifts of the Universe that holds you it its loving arms!
Lori Tierney @cougaryoga www.loritierney.net www.redroadretreats.com
PETS by
Janene Zakrajsek
Celebrating Life With Pets | May is National Pet Month Pets equal unconditional love. It’s very straightforward, just as the joy they bring into our lives. There are many pet holidays on the calendar these days, some just for fun, but few are as important as National Pet Month, as it’s time to reflect on the importance of pets and pet ownership, or as many of us now refer to it as pet guardianship, aptly placing more emphasis on the ideology of companionship. National Pet Month began over twenty-five years ago and is celebrated both here and in the UK (during April) with these same basic goals in mind: 1 | Support pet adoption #AdoptDontShop #RescueIsTheNewBlack and #SaveThemAll are just a few of the most well used #tags on social media and driving socially conscious pet-lovers to fuel the no-kill, no more homeless pets movement. Adoptable pets come in all shapes, sizes, breeds, and best of all— have lots of love to give humans giving them a second chance and a forever home. 2 | Promote responsible pet ownership Pets are important and valued companion animals that have earned themselves a warm place within our hearts and families. In exchange for unconditional love, they depend on us for much more than the basics of food, water, and shelter. Commit to positively enhance your relationship with your pets through a modern pet lifestyle, which includes healthy pet nutrition, socialization and more.
4 | Increase public awareness of services available from professionals who work with animals More than just veterinarians, by today’s standards, there are likely a group of professionals that provide care to your animals, including groomers, trainers, dog walkers, day care providers, specialty retailers, animal welfare workers and volunteers – Each responsible for a different aspect of your BFF’s well-being and a valuable resource for pet guardians. 5 | Raise awareness of the role, value and contribution to society of service animals Specially trained dogs (and many other animals) perform in a variety of settings for the good of humankind. Their social contributions make them super-heroes of animalkind. Service animals are widely regarded for their work in military, search-and-rescue, and assistance to individuals with disabilities. Answers common questions about service animals and the rights of their owners can be found here from the Department Of Justice. Join us in-store for #MuttMingle or #MeowMIngle and celebrate your pets at Pussy & Pooch– We host free, monthly mixers on the last Tuesday of the month in Downtown LA to provide a safe, clean and fun opportunity to socialize your pooch. Check our Events Calendar for our rotating feline-friendly socials and all our other special events too. Whichever your species, we celebrate YOU as caregiver and all things furry.
3| Promote the benefits of pet ownership A growing field of research routinely points to the positive effects of the human animal bond, with mounting evidence and case studies citing improvements in the health of people, contributing to our wellbeing, and impacting our physical, emotional, and social needs. All types of therapeutic outcomes from treating autism and kids with disabilities, to support for the elderly and victims of abuse, to treating veterans with PTSD, and including reducing your own stress.
Be well, Janene Zakrajsek Pussy & Pooch | founder
Spotlight on Fido + Fluffy Here are a handful of pet basics that can improve your four-legged BFF’s overall wellness through diet, exercise, training, socialization, and playtime/enrichment: Nourish: Learn more about the quality of your pet’s food and evaluate whether it’s the best choice. Nurture them from the inside out by selecting protein-rich foods, adding fresh food supplements, and regulating portion-size for optimum nutrition and weight-management. Explore: Get out and be adventurous on walks, runs, or hikes. An exercised dog is a better-behaved dog. Indoor-only cat? Get moving vertically in a cat-enriched space to encourage climbing and jumping exercise resulting in behavior improvement. Discipline: Practice makes perfect. Work some training into your daily routine to mentally challenge you dog or cat. Use mealtime to reward work toward desired learned behaviors. Hire a professional trainer/behaviorist to learn a new training routine or overcome challenges. Mingle: Sniff-out some new friends and learn appropriate social skills by interacting with other four-legged buddies in a safe setting or in a variety of pet-friendly settings within the neighborhood. Frolic: Have fun and play no less than 15 min/day with your dog or cat. Choose interactive toys and games that encourage hunting/ thinking play for enriched mental activity to alleviate boredom and reduce stress. Playing with your animal goes a long way toward strengthening your bond and benefiting their overall wellness. Janene Zakrajsek founder | chief creative officer Pussy & Pooch Pethouse and Pawbar® www.pussyandpooch.com media.pussyandpooch.com
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Marble Trivet by Fort Standard $88
Blossom Candlesticks by Applicata $55–$75
Roule Tray by Discipline $250
Craig Carrying Case by Delfonics $54–$72
Timeless Accessories When accessorizing, consider elegant geometric shapes in varied materials like these marble trivets from Fort Standard and the brass Roule Tray from Discipline. Add saturated color you can take on the go with Delfonics’ Craig Carrying Cases. Shop our collection at store.dwell.com.
FILMS by
Photos courtesy of NewfilmakersLA
Alex LiMandri
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NewFilmmakers LA Spotlights Asian Cinema at May 16th Film Festival in Downtown LA This month NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) is excited to announce two Asian Cinema spotlight programs while showcasing the creative works directed by locals and internationals from all around the world. The festivities— held at the AT&T center in Downtown LA — will kick-off with a pre-reception and close with an after party. From Tze Chun’s Sundance Film Festival selection, ‘Children of Invention,’ to Double Dutch Media’s recent ‘Fight Night,’ by James Z. Feng, today’s Asian filmmakers are sharing inspiring stories and challenging their stereotypical culture: immigrants, sportsman, businessmen, children all born into poverty and rising to stardom -a classic rags-to-riches tale. One we never get tired of. NewFilmmakers LA celebrates the Asian filmmaker and narrative; topic, vision, perspective, and style culminate in a night of riveting film spotlighting Chinese, Japanese, and Korean filmmakers. The program will highlight the following films. CARRY ON directed by Yatao Li (China) During the brutal withdrawal of Japanese forces at the end of World War II, a Chinese father does whatever he can to save his family. Born in Beijing, director Yatao Li, is now a film director at Aim Entertainments and has been nominated for Best Director at the 2014 Los Angeles Movie Awards, Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood, and the Long Island International Film Expo. CARRY ON has over 50 wins and 20 nominations and was an official selection of the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, UK Film Festival, and the Los Angeles International Student Film Festival, among countless others. Starring Chen Chang (Painted Skin: The Resurrection), Miura Kenichi (‘Beginning of the Great Revival’), Zongling, and Takuya Saito, CARRY ON has been featured in Variety, Hollywood Reporter, INDIEwire, Screen Daily and Hitflix. com, who claims CARRY ON is “[a movie that] ends on a note of simultaneous uplift and heartbreak that is sure to draw out a reaction.” ROSIE directed by Bryan Dechart ( USA) A seemingly normal day takes a significant turn in this intimate glimpse into the life of a young woman struggling to make ends meet in Los Angeles. Producer Leslie-Anne Huff, known for her work on ‘CSI:NY,’ ’Bones,’ ‘The Middle,’ ‘NCIS,’ ‘Chuck,’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’,
produces ROSIE as her first short as writer-producer alongside Director Bryan Dechart, who has worked on popular ABC Family shows such as ‘Jane by Design’ and ‘Switched at Birth’ as well as HBO’s ‘True Blood.’ He has recently starred in the independent film ‘Dakota’s Summer’ and his Sony Picture apocalyptic thriller, ‘The Remaining,’ was released in theaters last fall. ROSIE stars Ben Levin, ‘As the World Turns’ cast member and is a collaboration between artists and friends in telling a young woman’s story who could be anyone’s friend, daughter, or neighbor. KI.RYU directed by Shinya Kawakami (Japan) After several sightings of a dragon in the Tokyo suburb of Kiryu, Gunma university professor Mari Yshida starts her own investigation on the mysterious connection between the dragon and local citizens. Director Shinya Kawakami is an independent movie director known for his work in various short films and TV commercials. KI.RYU has won many awards including an ACC Gold award, ADFEST Silver award, NYADC Bronze award, NYFES Bronze award, and Cannes Lions Shortlist award. TUESDAY MORNING directed by Chad Kukahiko (USA) Rick and Jewels are professional colleagues who are deeply in love with one another but married to others. During a morning tryst, they find themselves faced with an extraordinary but morally questionable opportunity. TUESDAY MORNING was submitted through the film collective We Make Movies ‘Film Challenge’ and noticed by director Chad Kukahiko, the collective’s Chief Operating Director, who teamed up with DP, Ryan Baker, from Stage 32 (his ‘Happily Never After’ won Jury awards at the Las Vegas Film Festival and Boston Underground Film Festival) and brought the production to life. The collective decided to launch a Patreon campaign and managed to crowdfund their production company, creating the community and collaborative spirit of TUESDAY MORNING. The production stars Jaimi Paige, who is the recipient of LA Weekly’s ‘best two person performance” for her work in ‘Tender Napalm,’ and Ian Kerch from the MGM produced pilot ‘Madso’s War.’ KARAMA directed by Sixing Su ( China) Cunning Hou attracts customers to his auto repair shop by spreading nails on the road; but when he’s confronted by a business-savvy monk, he finds that what goes around might just come back around after all. Director Sixing Su earned his MFA from New York Film Academy and has recently won Best Foreign Film at the Los Angeles International Underground Film Festival for KARMA.
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Photos courtesy of NewfilmakersLA
LUCK DAY directed by Si Yeong Jung (South Korea) Jihun, who fails to have sex with his girlfriend, Gyeongmi, and finds himself drunkenly taken with a new girl, Eungyeong. But when she disappears, he finds he has nothing left to remember her by except for a few words written on dressing table mirror in red lipstick. Director Si Yeong Jung, reproduces hyper realistic dialogue through interviews and surveys of real situations among individuals in their 20’s to alert her audience of the disorder and chaos that uneducated sexual decisions may bring. THIS IS WHEN WE MET directed by Sean Cunningham (USA) A story about Robbie and Mary living out their entire relationship in three minutes. Sean Cunningham and Mary Catherine Green decided to make THIS IS WHEN WE MET while they were going through a breakup last fall. They wanted to keep the film realistic, using improvised dialogue and showing an objective view of two people meeting, forming a relationship, and drifting apart slowly. The film stars Robbie Tann, who has been featured in Gotham, Person of Interest, and Nurse Jackie and also appears in the new film ‘The Family Fang’ directed by and starring Jason Bateman. Cunningham started the production company Hero Status Films, in 2012, which specializes in branded content and short films. His work has been screened at SXSW Interactive and Cannes Lions. Cunningham is the Writer, Director, Cinematographer, and Editor of THIS IS WHEN WE MET, alongside producer and actress Mary Catherine Green. Green has appeared Off Broadway in NYC and as the token redhead in various TV and commercial spots (AMC, ABC). She was also a regular in the web series ‘Hot Mess’ and is a producer for Hero Status Films. #NIGHTSLIKETHESE directed by Hannah Macpherson (USA) When a night’s escapade takes a disturbing turn for two teen girls, we learn just how disconnected and desensitized social made has made them. Hannah Macpherson has a background of producing reality TV in LA and NY and is currently editor for a reality show on REELZChannel. Macpherson has written and directed numerous short films, webisodes, and music videos and won best director three years in a row at the NM 48 Hour Film Project and has recently completed principal photography on the feature film ‘Those Who Wait.’ Starring Amber Midthunder (Cinemax, A&E, USA), whose first role was in a scene
Photos courtesy of NewfilmakersLA
alongside Alan Arkin just days before winning his Oscar, and Shay Eyre (daughter of celebrated film director Chris Eyre, known for ‘Empire of Dirt’), who has taken her first venture as both actor and director, #NIGHTSLIKETHESE shares the lives of two fifteen year old girls through their social media in a stream of hashtags, selfies, and texts from bullies and boyfriends. TADAIMA directed by Robin Takao D’Oench After the closure of US Japanese Internment Camps at the end of World War II, a Japanese American family returns home and must find the strength to rebuild both their houses and family amidst the emotional and physical destruction. TADAIMA is the first short film of director Robin Takao O’Dench and currently works in film/TV/ commercials in NYC and Los Angeles. O’Dench felt that the stories of minority Americans were not being represented on the screen and used TADAIMA as a symbol of respect and acknowledgement to those who came before us, specifically the generation of surviving Nisei Japanese Americans. PAPER TIGER directed by Chu-Jen Wu (USA) A warrior monk struggles with his inner demons after refusing to help a victim of assault. Chu-Jen Wu grew up in Taiwan but with his family’s deep-tie with the mainland China, the conflict between his Chinese identity and Taiwan identity become a driving force behind his decision to enter a career of storytelling. PAPER TIGER features Mara New (‘Doradus’) and Talbott Lin (‘Lil Tokyo Reporter’) and shares a story about the preservation of the Chinese identity and the traditions it is fighting to preserve in the face of a new and modern culture. STAIN directed by Sherry Greer (USA) A short paranormal thriller about a grieving son who unwittingly awakens a demon at his dead father’s home that will never let him leave. STAIN was directed by Sherry Greer (known for her work as director, editor, writer, and sound editor of ‘Double Take’) and written by Katherine Bennett-Greer. Starring Brandon Hamilton (‘The Man From Hades’), Bryan Brooks, and Carlos Madrid Mora (’Wrecker’) TWIN LOTUS directed by Vasco Xu (USA) Enter the seedy world of drug smuggling and follow the Chinese mafia as they import, process, and distribute Colombian cocaine. TWIN LOTUS was an official selection of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival and is directed and produced by Vasco Xu, known for ‘Red Light & Green Wine’ and ‘Forgive Me Not Again.’
RAB DA VAASTA directed by Devulapalli Chakravarty (India) Must you kill in order to live? A small time barber with a traumatic past contemplates a difficult dilemma when an unusual customer walks in and demands a shave. Director Devulapalli Chakravarty received his diploma in filmmaking in December 2010, shortly after his father’s death, a life-changing moment for Chakravarty and his family that led him to filmmaking. He states, “The aesthetic principle of this film does not lie in its images but in the inherent tensions within and between the images, all layered.” RAB DA VAASTA stars Nissar Khan (‘D-Day’), Lalit Mohan Tiwari (‘Welcome to Sajjanpur’) and Ankit Varshneya (‘Amidst Dark’) and is scored by IFFCA Award winner Abhinav Agnihotri (‘Manjhi the Mountain Man’) SILENCIO CHINO directed by Javier Malero De Luca (Venezuela) ‘Chinese Silence’ is the story of Chiung, a young pathologically mute Chinese boy who finds himself in an extreme situation: speak or lose his life. Interestingly, all of the Chinese actors in De Luca’s film are non-actors, cast one day as De Luca decided to visit Caracas’s Chinatown when the Chinese community gathers to talk and find people who would help share his story. As De Luca lived in Caracas, he was intrigued by the customs and lack of socialization he observed, that silence was a learned habit, imposed by fear. He overheard the stories told about semi-slavery conditions of those coming to Venezuela and used SILENCIO CHINO to tell the cautionary tale about the cost of silence. Located in Downtown LA, AT&T Center is the Presenting Venue Sponsor of NewFilmmakers LA (NFMLA). Founded in 2007, NFMLA has screened over 1000+ films from over 59 countries. NFMLA boasts over 60,000 supporters locally. The organization provides a forum where filmmakers can be recognized with title supporters Sony Pictures Entertainment, TheWrap, SAG-AFTRA and Variety Magazine. For information or to reserve tickets to the NewFilmmakers LA May 16th screening event, please visit www.newfilmmakersla.com
New Filmakers LA www.newfilmmakersla.com.
Photos courtesy of NewfilmakersLA
THE WORLD
IS A SAFE PLACE by
Jim White
Preventing Homelessness through Coordinated Entry
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The Antelope Valley celebrates 100-Days of Coordinated Entry System (CES) implementation. The growing “kinship and teamship” of these community organizations has led to over 67 permanent housing placements in just 100 Days! This demonstrates that the CES model works and it can help to end homelessness in Downtown Los Angeles. So what exactly is CES? Coordinated Entry System paves the way for more efficient homeless assistance systems by: • Helping people move through the system faster (by reducing the amount of time people spend moving from program to program before finding the right match) • Reducing new entries into homelessness (by consistently offering prevention and diversion resources upfront, reducing the number of people entering the system unnecessarily) • Improving data collection and quality and providing accurate information on what kind of assistance people need
Coordinated Entry System is only as strong as its partners, and as we are seeing today, Antelope Valley is not short of great organizations working together to end homelessness! CONGRATS to Valley Oasis, Mental Health America of Los Angeles,CSH, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, AV Community Clinic, CSU San Bernardino and all of their supporters during the last 100 days! For more information on the Skid Row pilot of CES: http://www.unitedwayla.org/2013/03/home-for-goodlaunches-pilot-project-in-skid-row/ If you would like to be a part of ending homelessness in Los Angeles, please contact United Way of Los Angeles at info@unitedwayla.org
Coordinated Entry is ideally a system-wide process and can serve any and all populations. Systems may accomplish coordinated entry through the use of a centralized phone hotline (e.g. a 2-1-1), a single physical point of assessment (through an emergency shelter or a dedicated assessment center, for example) or a decentralized coordinated system (with multiple assessment points all employing the same assessment and referral process). Each assessment point in a coordinated system handles assessment or screening of people’s needs, data entry, referrals, and, potentially, program admissions. Ideally, these centers are the main access points for prevention and diversion services as well. After an initial assessment, a case worker or other subject matter expert should either provide the necessary prevention or diversion services or admit or refer a person or family to the program that is best equipped to get them into permanent housing as quickly as possible. Providers are discussing bright spots and barriers, and making plans for the next phase of their work together throughout the day. But, most of all, they are celebrating the new and strengthened partnerships formed through this process. One provider shared that they have been “part of a lot of collaborations for the last 20 years, but when CES was brought to the table [they] were able to work together in a new way.”
Jim White, Author THE WORLD IS A SAFE PLACE (213) 620 8000 info@theworldisasafeplace.com www.theworldisasafeplace.com www.unitedwayla.org info@unitedwayla.org
Coordinated Entry System
FINANCES by
Dave Culwell
WILL SOCIAL SECURITY BE THERE FOR ME? The Social Security Act was signed into law by President Roosevelt on August 14, 1935. The Act created a social insurance program designed to pay retired workers age 65 or older a continuing income after retirement. Social Security is largely a pay-as-you-go system. When you work, you pay FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes into the Social Security system. These funds are entrusted to the Social Security trust Fund. Much of the contributions from today’s workers flow back out as a monthly income to current beneficiaries. Since 2010, distributions have exceeded revenues, and it is currently predicted that by the year 2033, Trust Fund reserves will be exhausted and revenues will only pay about 75% of current scheduled benefits. SHOULD WE PANIC? What does the future hold for Social Security? What many future retirees fail to realize is that there have been a number of changes to Social Security in the past-changes that were enacted to support and strengthen the Social Security system for future generations. Perhaps the most significant changes took place as a consequence of the Social Security Amendments of 1983. In the early 1980’s, Social Security faced a serious financing crisis due to overly optimistic economic assumptions and projections. FICA revenues could not keep up with the ever-increasing benefits. Unemployment was high, reducing the amount of Social Security taxes collected. In fact, projections indicated that Social Security Trust Fund would be exhausted by July of 1983. The National Commission on Social Security Reform was created to address this crisis. This Commission, chaired by Alan Greenspan, issued a financial report with special recommendations, many of which were included in the Social Security Amendments of 1983. Among the changes included in these amendments were a six month delay in the COLA, changes in the tax rate schedules, slow increases in the full-benefit retirement age, and income taxation on Social Security benefits of higher-income individuals. The changes were enacted quickly by the 98th Congress on a bipartisan deal within a mere three months of the National Commission on Social Security’s study and were signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on April 20, 1983. Since that time, and continuing through 2009, Social Security’s income from FICA taxes exceeded benefit payments and administrative
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expenses. The money in the trust fund is invested by the treasury in a form of treasury bonds-non marketable securities issued and guaranteed by the “full faith and credit” of the federal government. And, although distributions now exceed income from taxes. Interest from these bonds have enabled the Social Security Trust Fund to maintain a surplus that is predicted to continue until 2021. After this time, the Trust Fund balance will continue to be reduced until it is exhausted, which is currently projected to occur in 2033. Thereafter, payroll taxes are projected to only cover approximately 75% of program obligations. Social Security predicts that, without changes, it can honor 75% of its obligations until the year 2082, when the percentage dips to 73% of promised benefit.
curity will be able to pay out 75% of promised benefits after 2033 through 2083. Additional changes may also be on the horizon-solidifying Social Security’s foundation for future generations. Please feel free to contact me regarding this or any other financial need/issue you have. My team and I are continuously looking to have these conversations and help create options for you and your family for today and tomorrow.
It is not uncommon for retirees to take benefits early in reaction to the assumption that Social Security won’t be around. People who do this are consenting to a permanently reduced benefit for life-under assumptions that may not be grounded in fact. Before making a decision that could permanently reduce this lifetime stream of income, we are hopeful that knowledge of this history will encourage a more objective view of the situation. While we agree that change need to be made to sustain the solvency of Social Security, a number of possibilities are already being raised. AMONG THE SUGGESTED CHANGES 1. Raising the limit on taxable earnings ($117,000 in 2014, $118,500 in 2015) 2. Raising the Full Retirement Age (FRA)-indexing FRA to increases in life expectancy 3. Changing the benefits formula for higher income earners 4. Changing the benefits formula to include 40 years of earnings history 5. Reducing/eliminating the Cost of Living Adjustment 6. Requiring coverage for all newly hired state and local government employees after 2020 7. Reducing/eliminating the spousal benefit 8. Increasing the payroll tax 9. Decreasing benefits It is important for you to consider all the facts when deciding when to take Social Security. As you can see from this historical look at Social Security, our nation has faced this problem before; most recently in 1983. And, even without any changes, it is predicted that Social Se-
Dave Culwell | Financial Representative Northwestern Mutual 515 South Flower Street 33rd Floor Los Angeles, CA 90071 (213) 243 7065 dave.culwell@nm.com