TORRANCE TRIBUNE August 23, 2012 Page 11 Council from front page Finance McCune whether alternative fuel vehicles will Committee that held a meeting on August How to Save on Back-to-School Shopping have to pay the toll or if they would count 13 to discuss the budgets of the Madrona as a “solo carpool” like they currently do. He Marsh, the Torrance Art Museum, the Senior By Jason Alderman garage sales, thrift and consignment noted that the State Kegislature is working Citizen Excursion program, subsidy levels for On the fun-o-meter, I’d probably stores, and sites like Craig’s List. on a bill that would exempt alternative fuel community services and marketing support rank back-to-school shopping • F i n d o u t h o w m u c h vehicles from tolls on high occupancy toll for cultural services classes. There was some right above getting a flu shot and extracurricular activities (athletics, lanes. However, McCune pointed out that the controversy over the discussion of the Madrona preparing income taxes. Never mind music, art, etc.) cost. Account for pilot program would be exempt from the State Marsh budget. According to multiple members the hassle of figuring out what our uniforms, membership dues, private bill. If the ExpressLanes project becomes a of the Council, hundreds of citizens believed kids need for the coming school lessons, field trips, snacks, etc. permanent part of the 110 and 10 freeways, it the Madrona Marsh was about to be closed, year and dragging them to the • Compare the cost, convenience would have to allow alternative fuel vehicles a claim Scotto rejected as a baseless rumor. mall, it’s just so expensive. and nutritional value of school to use them toll-free. “They can use the lanes He chastised the anonymous creator of the For example, our son insists that lunches and snacks versus food and use FasTrak like every other vehicle,” said rumor for derailing the budget talks. Because we replace his baseball glove and bat as he you prepare yourself. McCune. “If they are driving solo they have to of the concern over the marsh, other topics enters 7th grade. (He’s right – his four-year-old • Learn your school’s policy on pay the toll. If they are carpooling, they don’t were only discussed briefly, including the mitt has seen better days.) Also, our daughter immunizations and see what’s covered by your have to pay the toll. After the demonstration, if popular Senior Citizen Excursion program, is starting soccer and needs cleats – good insurance – or which ones you can access the program continues then they will then be which is currently unavailable due to budget ones aren’t cheap and footwear is one area free at health fairs or community clinics. allowed back into the lane as a solo carpool.” constraints. Councilmember Pat Furey where we refuse to scrimp. • Factor in public transportation, school McCune ended her presentation by telling lamented the fact that there wasn’t time to Many years ago my wife and I learned our bus or carpool expenses. the public that they can find more information give each topic and each speaker the attention lesson and started setting aside money each • Although shopping online can save money, on the ExpressLanes and sign up for a FasTrak they deserved. “It’s unfortunate that we had month for the inevitable – and unexpected time and gas, don’t forget shipping and return account online by visiting metroexpresslanes. so many topics on the agenda with so many – expenses that crop up each fall. By trial costs, which could undo any net savings. If net, by calling 511, or by visiting a walk-in people who wanted to be heard,” said Furey. and error – and sound advice from fellow your kids are old enough, put them in charge center (the nearest being 500 W.190th Street “I wish we had time to devote to each and parents – we’ve developed a back-to-school of online comparison shopping. in Gardena). every one of them.” The committee meeting budgeting checklist: • Clip newspaper and online coupons. Many The Council also accepted a report from results were accepted and filed with no action First, calculate how much you can afford stores will match competitors’ prices even if the Citizen Development and Enrichment on the Council’s part. • to spend on school-related expenses without their own items aren’t on sale. Plus, many blowing your overall budget or racking up consolidation websites post downloadable debt. Scoring bargains won’t help your coupons and sale codes for online retailers. One Man’s from page 5 bottom line if you end up paying interest • Mobile shopping apps let in-store on unpaid balances. smartphone and mobile browser users scan making this race a referendum on his the left cannot equal. Next, make a comprehensive list of product barcodes and make on-the-spot administration’s follies and identifying his “We will use our now superior financial anticipated expenses for each child and build price comparisons, read reviews, download philosophies as a destruction of American resources to build our momentum day-by- in a cushion for unexpected costs. Try these coupons, buy products and more. ideals. day and issue-by-issue to reach a crescendo strategies: Some parents wrestle over whether or not “Our party’s platform will show a reverence in November. Our allied independent • Examine previous years’ bills and compare to take their kids on shopping trips. I think for religion, individual responsibility and Super PACS will carry the negative attack notes with other, more experienced parents. it’s worth the effort so they can hear and private enterprise as the cores of our society-- segment of the campaign while the Romney • Ask the school which supplies they absorb your decision-making process and sharply contrasting with the Obama positions campaign will carry the positive policy expect you to buy. Pool resources with understand what’s available to spend. My on secularism, government domination and side of the campaign, ignoring the Obama other families to take advantage of volume kids are probably sick of hearing me say, a denigration of private enterprise. ‘spitball’ campaign for the presidency. As discounts and sales. “I’m going to buy this brand of underwear “At our Party Convention, we will attack Newt Gingrich said, ‘Every day, Obama • Spread clothing purchases throughout the because it’s cheaper, which will give us Obama on every front, and as Sarah Palin diminishes himself and the office he holds.’ year so your kids won’t outgrow everything more money to buy a better-quality jacket.” urged us to do, ‘set our hair on fire.’ As the To paraphrase Bill Clinton, soon the era of at once; plus you can take advantage of off- Bottom line: Back-to-school shopping can keynote speaker, Chris Christie will ignite big government will truly be over.” season sales. be tedious, but if you plan carefully, you can enthusiasm from the moderates as Ryan has With that conclusion, the cat doffed his • Review school dress codes so you don’t save time, money and aggravation. ignited the conservatives. This event will helmet and bowed to the stunned and adoring waste money on inappropriate clothing. Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial unite the GOP with a level of enthusiasm neighborhood. • • Before buying new clothing or accessories, education programs. To Follow Jason look for “gently used” items in the closets Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ Political from page 5 of your older kids, friends and neighbors, at PracticalMoney. • he gave his compelling inauguration speech they stage another well-planned-out refinery from page 3Stylebent over at the pump by Big Oil whenever ex- Chicago land community organizer when some three-plus years ago? fire? Probably not. Or a drop in the obscene Said some Demo vitriol after the Ryan fees that the states are charging our kids to about for years. “I think most of all I wanted the final round. I already know what look I selection: “A Romney/Ryan ticket is sure to matriculate to college. Ha! Heard something to showcase myself as a whole being--not just want to go for. I’m hoping to give people a take us back and repeat the same catastrophic about the fact that some cities out there were my style,” she said. “I feel like I portrayed little insight of my style and give people a mistakes that got us into the mess we found actually considering limiting the gouging that that in my video for Project Style. The outfit few styling tips.” ourselves in the first place.” they do with their parking meter scams…That I put together was based solely on what I More information about the contest is Shrewd move, link the Romney/Ryan ticket would be welcome. Don’t see too many rip-off like and what I find comfortable and not so available at www.southbaygalleria.com/ to the Bush era failed financial policies. Which parking meters in Mayberry. Think the last time much by trend. Realistically, who wears knits project-style. • may resonate with some folks. Whether the I saw a meter, I was parked on the top level during the summer? I do, because that is accusations are true or not. in the lot outside of the now-defunct Cooke’s what I like. I wouldn’t say that I necessarily So what do we have to look forward to, market, watching, among other sites, the setting like to follow trends, but I do like to keep politically wise, in the run-up to the election? of a beautiful sunset gazing north towards the up with them and incorporate a few trendy One of the top-tier candidates decrying the iconic Hollywood sign perched way above the pieces into my wardrobe from time to time. obscene gouging that is currently happening tumult of the 405 north freeway. And I dropped Overall I dress in clothes that I like and that to us petrol whores as we continue to get nary a quarter in the slot. • I feel comfortable in. The ultimate goal was for people to get a sense of who I am and what I like to wear.” However, the competition is open to A drunk driver ruined something everyone and organizers encourage anyone precious. Amber Apodaca. lack experience. “Typically we will choosecommitted to fashion to enter, even if they people who feel like they have a real fashion Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk. sense, who might be interested in certain designers, but mostly they have to have a fashion sense and they must feel like they have their own style,” Marraffino said. “They have to want to pursue fashion in one form or another. We are a shopping mall and our focus is fashion and so we just wanted to Photo by Michael Mazzeo look at a different way for people to express their fashion, versus just coming to the mall and shopping. We just wanted to create more of a fashion experience for our guests.” For Gonzalez, who maintains a calm demeanor with regard to competing, she goes into the final round not feeling pressure about the possible outcomes. “I am very relaxed,” candidates. Gonzales won a spot as a Project Style finalist byJennifer Gonzales was selected from a pool of more than 50 she said. “To me, style is effortless and fun. achieving by receiving more than 150 votes to win round two. It should never be forced. I’m excited for Photo courtesy of Jennifer Gonzales.
Torrance 8.23.12
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