Long Beach Impact

"You don't have to serve in the military to be a patriot. There's no shortage of ways to give back in this country. We're blessed so why not pay it forward." - Antoinette Balta Veterans sacrifice so much for this country. And when we think about helping them, it’s usually about blankets. Or providing shelter. Or food. We hardly ever think about the legal challenges they face. But Antoinette did. She saw a need. A growing need for legal services that needed a response. Someone needed to step up. And so she did. Now Antoinette and the other attorneys at the Veterans Legal Institute now represent those who sacrifice so much for us. She embodies the type of guest we love to have on this podcast. That is someone who believes in purpose over profit. Subscribe & Share! Listen and Subscribe via iTunes Listen & Subscribe via Stitcher Topics in the podcast: What the Veterans Legal Institute Is Legal battles Veterans are facing How Veterans can get help How to be a real Patriot Show Notes: Veterans Legal Institute 2100 N. Broadway, Ste. 209 Santa Ana, CA 92706 Ph: 714-852-3492 Antoinette's email: abalta@vetslegal.com Veterans Legal Institute:  www.vetslegal.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veteranslegalinstitute/ Twitter: @vetslegalOC Lawyers for Warriors event: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07eev2hll4d8e1adf4&llr=54bdezrab Podcast: http://www.aworldapartpodcast.com/ Donation button: http://www.vetslegal.com/get-involved.html Amazon wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/registry/wishlist/36RUFRSJ5J53D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_ws_5MxSAbX1BZRR0

"At BeerPaper, we're beer fans just like all the other beer fans.  And we're providing a voice to our fellow drinkers and breweries."- Daniel Drennon It's a new month.  Is it here yet?  Where is it? Wait, I think I see something.  No, that's last month's issue. You grab another beer, thinking that if you wait long enough ... it will arrive. People around you laugh.  Life is good.  But you're wondering, seriously thinking "When is BeerPaper going to arrive?"  It's become a bit of a ritual.  A monthly routine.  Grab a beer.  Read the newest edition. Just then, a tall gentlemen walks in.  Ball cap on his head.  A stack of newly minted newspapers in his hand.  He cuts the strap, releasing the newspapers to the world. You grab your copy of BeerPaper.  You can almost feel the heat from printing press.  It smells so new.  And feels just right. The newspaper opens.  Which brewery was featured this month?  Which brew master talked about his story?  Did my beer photo from Instagram make the issue? This is BeerPaper.  The publication loved by this beer loving community from Southern California. And now the Editor, the Founder of BeerPaper grabs a beer, sits down with us, and shares his story. Subscribe & Share! Listen and Subscribe via iTunes Listen & Subscribe via Stitcher Todays Topics Include: The Genesis of BeerPaper Following Your Passion and Building a Community The history behind some of the popular beers, including IPA's Show Notes: BeerPaper Website:  http://www.beerpaperla.com/ BeerPaper on Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/BeerPaperLA/ BeerPaper on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/beerpaperla/

"Music in combination with the other arts transforms individuals. It's the bridge that allows our students to have personal expression and connect with other people." - Helen Dolas It's easy for most of us.  Get dressed in the morning.  Grab coffee.  Drive to work. But for some of us, we're trapped in our bodies.  Or trapped in our heads.  And the simplest activity requires help. Autism.  Down Syndrome.  Cerebral Palsy. But Helen Dolas has found a way to reach these people.  To let them express themselves through music.  And art. Art is not limited to only those with high IQ's.  Or to those with all their limbs.  Or full mobility. Art is for everyone.  Art is expression.  Art is community. Maria, one of the people that Able Arts helped, would like to say something to you. Four years ago, this wasn't possible.  Maria has Cerebral Palsy.  She can only move her head just a few inches. Now her art is displayed at LACMA, MOLA and other galleries.  She's had her own exhibitions.  And continues to be commissioned to create art pieces for international clients. Her incredible story is in this episode. Please enjoy this interview with Helen Dolas. Show Notes: Able Arts Works Website:  http://www.ableartswork.org/ Able Arts on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ableartswork/ Able Arts on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/ableartswork/ Able Arts podcast ArtBeat Radio:  http://artbeatradio.podomatic.com/

In this episode, I'm flying solo. It's amazing how a simple message can strike a thought.  Consume our every waking thought. That's todays episode. A conversation with my friend turned into a stream of thoughts.  Something that inspired me to share with all of you. In this episode, I discuss Chasing your dream How death brings clarity Building real connections with people Sharing your story ... And Much More

It's tough.  Your parents that you've grown to love, to admire.  Who were always there for you.  And for you to watch as the simplest tasks start to evade them. Parents are proud.  They are "the parents" after all.  You're only the child. But seeing your parents struggle pulls at all our heart strings.  We want what's best for them. This is where Ramona Streit comes in. Ramona has built her home care business around providing exactly what parents and their adult children believe they must have. Assistance in Home Care is staffed with the best people, from their in home care providers to everyone in the office staff.  Everyone is cross trained so when a client calls they can get the answers they're looking for no matter who answers the phone. Plain, old fashion, real customer service. In this episode we discuss Why she started this business The difference between Home Health and Home Care Free home care programs for Veterans ... and much more! Show Notes: Assistance in Home Care Website:  https://www.assistanceihc.com/ Ramona's Email: ramona@assistanceihc.com Assistance in Home Care Phone Number:  844-490-9755

You're dressed to the nines.  The doors swing open in front of you.  People turn their heads, seeing you. Compliments fly.  You're feeling good.  Right at home.  The hours spent preparing yourself are paying off. You make your way to the bar.  You're confident.  Smooth.  Feeling good.  The lady next to you whispers to her friend that her shoes are killing her feet.  That's too bad.  There's still 3 hours of partying left. But not you.  You stopped by Tenni-Mocs.  Alex Maltezos hooked you up with great looking shoes that are comfortable. At her store, she gives a proper fitting.  With the right shoe.  Something lost due to the "cost cutting", "time saving" MBA's that now run nearly all shoe stores. But that's ok with Alex.  She's on a crusade.  Make people look good.  While keeping your feet healthy.  Healthy feet are important. Because they're the only ones you got. In this episode we talk about Real customer service How podiatrists work How to pick out good, healthy shoes ... and much more! Show Notes: Tenni-Mocs Shoe Store Website:  http://www.tenni-mocs.com/ Tenni-Mocs Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tennimocsshoes/ Address: 6502 East Spring Street, Long Beach, CA (562) 429-7777

It takes guts. Coming to an unknown country.  Not knowing the rules.  Sensing an opportunity.  Facing overwhelming odds to make your dream come true. Especially when you've fallen in love. For Alex Chaunt, it was the love of aviation.  Helicopters to be exact. For him, it became a passion.  A mission.  To share his love with as many people as possible.  To let them experience what he experiences every day. To "slip the surly bonds of earth ... Put out my hand and touch the face of God."* Along his path, Alex has had plenty of time to reflect, to be introspective about his entrepreneurial and life journey. Especially the challenges one faces in life.  And how we choose to handle those challenges speaks volumes about our character. In this episode, we talk about The Fortitude necessary when starting a business Is it really a failure?  Or an undiscovered opportunity? Using fear as a motivator Ethics and the Poison Carrot And much more! Show Notes: Anthelion Helicopters Website:  http://www.anthelionhelicopters.com/ Anthelion on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/anthelion.helicopters/ Anthelion on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AnthelionHelicopters Email: info@anthelionhelicopters.com Address: 3200 Airflite Way Long Beach, California, 90807 *- Taken from the poem "High Flight" by John Gillespie Magee, Jr

There's too many options.  Too many voices.  Too much information. Should I?  Or is it better to wait?  Are there any penalties?  What are the tax implications?  Are there any penalties? Will this help me achieve my objective? What is the market really doing? I have to learn something else?  What is the IRR? In this land of confusion, Jeff Tilson is right at home. Jeff's mission: take your goals, turn them into a map, and help you navigate the terrain. Whether you're goal is short term (down payment on a home) or mid-term (college education for the kids) or even long-term (retirement), Jeff leverages his vast experience to make sure you're making the decisions that are right for you.  Understanding the psychology and knowing the level of risk one is willing to take. In this episode we talk about People's attitudes about bull and bear markets Rational and irrational decisions people make How to Plan for a Downpayment And much more! Show Notes: Jeff's Website:  http://www.jstinvestmentconsulting.com/ Connect with Jeff on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JSTINVESTCO/

To take a stand.  To say this must be stopped.  To say I can do more.  Be more.  To fight for a cause.  To fight for something greater than yourself. To defy convention.  Defy the skeptics.  The non-believers.  And to do this year after year, each year getting stronger.  Getting better.  Influencing and inspiring others. That's courage. That's conviction. That's Jonas Corona. Jonas started his crusade to help the homeless at the age of four.  And he shows no signs of slowing down. And while many dismiss him or even simply humor him because of his youth, he has turned that to his advantage.  Being showcased time and again on national news platforms, online and print, and national TV interviews.  Drawing attention to his non-profit, inspiring kids across the nation, helping This is what people of conviction do.  Turn disadvantage into advantage. In this episode, we talk about How to get involved Evangelizing and Inspiring Others Challenges youth face with growing a non-profit And Much More! Show Notes: Love in the Mirror Website:  https://loveinthemirror.org/ Instagram:  @loveinthemirror Facebook:  fb.com/LoveintheMirror/ Want to help?  The 1,000 Toy Give-Away:  https://loveinthemirror.org/giving-season/

"When I tell jokes, the people in the audience forget about their problems.  It takes them out of their stressful life." - Victor Vega You step into the dark club.  A light smokey haze perpetually hangs in the air.  The single light that shines on stage silhouettes the others, crouched around tables.  Sipping on their drinks.  Talking in hush tones. The password got you into the speakeasy.  Now you keep your cool.  Because you want to stay. Because you don't want to miss this guy. You slide into your chair.  Your cocktail resting on the table next to you.  The seats filled up quickly tonight.  You're lucky you got there early. Then, a gentlemen saunters on stage.  He grabs the mic.  "Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen to the Speakeasy!  Tonight be prepared to be whisked away by this local favorite who's killing it!  Give it up for the one, the only Victor Vega!" This Long Beach comedian shares his heart, his Speakeasy and his sense of humor with the world.  Giving first time comedians their "big break" by performing at his Speakeasy, having shows that raise money for charitable causes, and have a bunch of laughs along the way. In this episode: The real life of a comedian How to handle multiple rejections ... and Much More! Show Notes: Victor Vega's Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/victorvegacomedian Victor's Email:  komicgrande@yahoo.com

"When you commit to yourself, you're committing to bettering yourself." - Rachel McClusky Life leads us down some interesting paths.  Where we think we're going is very seldom where we end up. And no matter where that path might lead, we're given only one body to get us there.  One body, one mind, one soul. How we use, how we maintain, how we treat our bodies determines whether we journey on this path in style.  Or in pain. But the connection between mind and body is strong.  After all, the body hears everything the mind says. It's at this intersection between body and mind, between soul and spirit that you'll find Rachel McClusky. A fitness buff since forever, Rachel moved into the world of physical fitness only to discover this growing need among her clients for something more.  She listened.  She responded.  Creating a unique "Wellness" experience that focuses not only on the physical but the mental.  And the soulful. In this interview, we cover: Finding motivation to get to the gym How to start meditating and be successful What exercises don't do much And much more! Show Notes: Rachel's Blog:  https://rachelrecharged.com/ Rachel on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rachelmcclusky/

Sometimes, you just have to go all in. Part risk taker.  Part adventurer.  Part visionary.  All entrepreneur. Win some.  Lose some.  Win some more.  Being flexible.  Always willing to learn what's needed to get ahead.  To move the needle just a bit every day. All while not forgetting where you're from.  Not forgetting those who need a break. That's Matt Halvorson. Matt moved to Long Beach nearly 5 years ago.  And has thrived ever since.  He and his roommate saw an opportunity and decided to capitalize on it.  Focus on creating the best product on the market. Sure they could have made a quick buck.  Got in.  Got out. But that's not Matt. He and his business partner wants to build something. For them, slow and steady wins the race. In this interview, we discuss: His origins and what he has had to overcome Building a business with no formal training or education Taking ownership of your mistakes And much more. Show Notes: Khali Vapors Website: http://khalivaporsmerch.com/ Khali Vapors Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KhaliVapors/  

"The thought that there might be something beyond this material existence scares some people." - Kirsten Thorne 3 a.m.  Some call it the witching hour.  When spirits are at their most active. Most of us are dead asleep.  Not aware of anything. But some of us are just getting started.  Looking to find what causes that "bump in the night".  Asking the question of the darkness "Who's there?" Kirsten Thorne does just that.  Her and her team boldly walk into the realm of the unknown, looking for answers to questions that most are scared to ask. Skeptics, non-believers will always be among us.  Refusing to acknowledge or even deny other realities.  "Show us evidence!  For you can't!" they insist. Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Kirsten searches for proof.  Looking for evidence.  Presenting it for the world to see.  To observe.  To judge. All while trying to help people who may need to find closure in their lives. In this episode we discuss: What really goes during an investigation Dangers of Paranormal Investigations What to do (and what not to do) if you have a ghost And much more! Show Notes: Paranormal Housewives:  http://paranormalhousewives.com

"Look for ways to give back to the community because the more you give back to anybody the more comes back to you." - Lisa Ramelow You're walking down 2nd street in Belmont Shores.  Your stomach growling with each restaurant you walk by.  At one point, you stop at one restaurant.  It's pretty busy.  Must be good.  Italian?  Why not? You take a seat.  Within minutes, a glass of ice water appears on your table to stave off that California heat.  Bread and butter.  Enough to temporarily satisify Mr. Grumpy Belly. Suddenly, a blonde woman approaches your table.  A warm smile.  Kind eyes.  Even kinder words of greeting.  Welcoming you to La Strada.  She quickly goes over the specials.  Let's you know that she's available if you should need anything.  Says she'll be back to check on you later. As she walks away, what you don't realize is that you met the woman who could easily win the award for "World's Most Interesting Woman". Mother, restauranteur, philanthropist, adventurer, business owner, student, rocket scientist... Lisa Ramelow, the owner of La Strada, and her staff have been doing something right on 2nd Street.  Their love affair with cuisine d'italia still endures after two decades. Order the Shrimp Scampi with Lobster Cream Sauce everyone declares.  Everything tastes good with a good sauce. Lisa crafted the life she always wanted.  Not many can say that.  Driven by a strong sense of family, she turned a defunct shell of a restaurant into a thriving Italian eatery known simply as La Strada.  Overcoming challenges is business as usual. In this episode, we discuss Running a Business Using Facebook for a Small Business Training & Treating Employees And much more Show Notes: Lisa Ramelow on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LisaLaStrada La Strada Website:  http://www.lastradalongbeach.com/ La Strada Location: 4716 E, 2nd St. Long Beach, CA 90803 Tel: (562) 433-8100 Email: lisa@lastradalongbeach.com  

"You gotta make things work.  If not, you'll be at the bottom of the barrel." - Jesse Trejo To call Jesse a "barber" almost seems inadequate.  He's a craftsmen.  Dedicated to the art of doing a job and doing it well. Of course his customers love him.  Just reading their comments online will keep you busy for the next few days. But there's more to the man than just his shears.  In addition to making his clients look better, the man is a skilled carpenter.  And when he's not chopping hair or word, you can find him spinning his vinyl to entertain the crowds. He's put on benefits and art shows, giving local artists a chance to share their music, their voice, their vision with the world.  He does all this because he loves it.  He does this all because he cares.  Working tirelessly to take care of his family, his friends and his community. This man does not believe in idle hands! If you're ever near 4th and Redondo, look him up.  He's definitely someone you want to know. In this episode we cover: Building a service business using Social Media Mistakes men make when getting a haircut How to get a great haircut And much more Show Notes: Connect with Jesse Trejo online:  @jessetre and also @on_target Razorback's Barber Shop:  http://razorbacksbarbershoplb.com/

It's a gorgeous Sunday morning.  The coffee pot just finished brewing your favorite coffee.  You pull a mug down, pour a cup and look into your backyard. "Why not?" you ask yourself. You step out of your kitchen, into the freshly cut grass of your lawn.  You take a seat on your patio.  Smell the aroma of your fresh coffee. What's special about that? It's that it's your kitchen.  Your backyard.  Your yard.  Your grass. That's the pride of home ownership.  Something Scott Affre helps people accomplish every day. A loan officer by trade, Scott works tirelessly to help first time home buyers make that dream come true. Scott Affre (@scott.affre) is a Long Beach native, working tirelessly to help people buy their dream homes for over 25 years.  When he's not sitting behind his labtop, you can find him participating in numerous causes that raise money for charities or help people get down payment assistance. Scott managed to survive not one but two housing market corrections.  But his commitment to his ethics and his clients carried him through both.  The results are thousands of happy clients. In this episode, we discuss: Challenges facing first time home buyers The power of giving back to the community And much, much more. Please enjoy this great conversation with Scott Affre! Show Notes: Scott's Email:  scott.affre@nafinc.com Scott's Website:  http://www.newamericanagent.com/ScottAffre Scott on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/scott.affre  

Stephen Hawking.  Stevie Wonder.  Helen Keller.  Jeff Healey. All people who accomplished great things.  All people who overcame tremendous adversity.  Overcame public cynicism.  Believed in themselves. Charles Whitehead is among them.  He survived 2 near fatal accidents, one of which left him paralyzed from the waist down.  This local hero has not only overcame these adversities.  He's beaten them.  His zest for life, his positive outlook keeps him rollin' forward. He tirelessly works to raise awareness for people with disabilities.  Raising funds, giving people a chance to express themselves through art.  Music, paintings, poetry.  Whatever that might be. A musician himself, it's possible you may have heard one of his songs.  The Long Beach Visitor's Bureau uses it as their official song. Everyone, I'm happy to introduce to you Charles Whitehead. Show Notes: Per Se the Band:  https://www.persetheband.com/ Per Se Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/persetheband/ Charles' Email:  rollinman1@aol.com Downtown Long Beach Video

...and then one day, I met this woman. It seems the most romantic adventures begin with that sentence.  You meet someone.  Standing on the white sand beaches of Mexico.  Feeling the ocean breeze, the warm ocean water.  And then, the person you want to spend the rest of your life comes into view.  You talk all night long.  You really connect with this person.  And the next morning, they're gone. And when she left, she took Lionel's heart. Lionel moved to Long Beach, married that woman and launched his coffee shop business.  Before long, Sconeage was born.  Maybe you've tried their legendary tri-berry scones.  Or snacked on his drool inducing granola. Running a coffee shop is tough.  But Lionel and his family prevails.  Twenty five years and going strong.  He found a way to differentiate his business.  Something every business needs to do in order to survive. Here's his story. Show Notes: Website:  sconeage.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sconeage/ Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sconeage/ Email:  granola@sconeage.com Address:  4339 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA 90804

Welcome to Long Beach Impact! This is the inaugural episode.  From here, you'll learn about the genesis of this podcast; what it's about; what you can expect; why you should care. Questions or comments:  cliff@longbeachimpact.com