Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 1, 2014

BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 1, 2014 
10 BUSINESS NEWS & TRENDS Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 1, 2014 
10 
BUSINESS TODAY 

The latest on Business News, Trends and Techniques 

By La Quetta M. Shamblee,MBA 

THE BUSINESS OF SAVING LIVES, ONE MEAL AT A TIME 

A successful entrepreneur, John Tanner is the President of Tanner Research. 
After he launched his company in 1988, the company went on to garner 
the Deloitte & Touche’s Fast 50 Award five times by 2002, which recognizes 
exception revenue growth. He is clearly on a mission to help others achieve 
a level of success with their health that parallels his success in business. An 
interesting undertaking for an accomplished business leader with an MS in 
Electrical Engineering and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Caltech. 


Last Wednesday, a group of about forty adults was abuzz as they filed out of 
the building at 825 S. Myrtle after attending the “Nutrition Workshop 101” 
presented by John Tanner. He talked about how converting to a plant-based 
diet has been the key to his rebounding from a near fatal heart attack while 
jogging near his home in Pasadena on October 11, 2009. 



The local SGV residents who had RSVP’d to attend the free presentation were privy to some of the 
latest research on the eating choices proven effective in preventing or reversing health conditions at 
the top of the list for leading causes of death in the United States. The presentation included easy 
to understand statistics that clearly demonstrated the correlation between what people eat and the 
associated risks for cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Each attendee received a folder that included 
several easy to follow recipe cards along with a few brochures and handouts containing information 
and tips on how to make the transition to a plant-based diet. 

Everyone was treated to a complimentary dinner with menu items from one of John’s latest ventures, 
“Little Green Forks,” a healthy food home delivery service with all plant-based, whole foods prepared 
with no added oils. A hearty split pea soup was a tasty complement to the buffet of lasagna, tamale pie 
and a sweet potato bowl that included mango and black beans. Even some of the meat eaters returned 
to enjoy second helpings. 

“This was an evening well-spent,” was the sentiment expressed by numerous attendees as they were 
each surprised with selecting a book on health and nutrition from a choice of nine titles as a parting 
gift. This event was sponsored by The Nutrition Science Foundation, a nonprofit co-founded by 
Tanner in 2012. Additional workshops are scheduled for February. To learn more about the tasty 
menus items available for delivery to homes and businesses, visit www. Littlegreenforks.com. For 
information on upcoming workshops, visit www.nusci.org. 


When a child plays, they are motivated by pure curiosity without fear. They question, and they set 
out to find the answer. Why? Because it’s fun. 

Then something happens to us over the years. Our experiences tell us a different story: a story of 
fear and worse case scenarios. We don’t feel safe to experiment like we used to. Now we are aware 
of the consequences -- especially the bad ones. There ARE good consequences, but our mind 
doesn’t focus there. Instead, we begin to narrow our choices in hopes of limiting our risk. 

Play requires an attitude of allowance, and openness to possibilities -- to the possibility of good 
outcomes. To the place of child-like believing. When we start listening again to the natural curiosities 
that come to us daily, we have the choice to take “Inspired action.” Not just any action, but 
action that is generated from our spirit. It’s supported by that “gut feeling.” 

Questions arrive that we can’t answer, such as, “wonder what would happen if I advertised in 
Yelp?” That thought came to me recently, and my whole body lit up. Because my body reacted that 
way, I knew my spirit was saying, “do it!” So, I did. I signed up for a year. Because of my body, not 
my logical mind. Logic was saying, “are you crazy?!! There’s no proof.” And wanted to play it safe. 
Or rather, not play. 

Fear will never lead to play. It stops new outcomes and incomes dead in their tracks. Insanity is 
described as doing the same thing and expecting different results. If we want something bigger, 
we’re going to have to do something different. It requires us to head straight into the unknown. 

Am I scared? Heck yeah. I don’t know if it will pay off. That’s part of play, and a big reason why 
most people don’t. But if we don’t play, there’s no fun. And isn’t that why we’re in this? I mean, 
aren’t we just big kids?! 
. . . . . 


LORI KOOP, helping entrepreneurs maximize their success. Schedule a complimentary session: www.
LORIKOOP.com or call 626-836-1667. (Location: 49 S. Baldwin Avenue, Suite L, Sierra Madre 
91024) 


|THE ARTS 
SEAN’S SHAMELESS 
REVIEWS: 


Review By Sean Kayden 

GARDENS & VILLA 

Gardens & Villa, a band from Santa Barbara, CA, is poised to release their 

sophomore record, “Dunes.” With this specific endeavor, the California five-

piece indie rock act headed to Michigan for a bleak winter experience to record. 
It was a far different living situation than the boys ever could have imagined. The results were far from 
a sunny, breezy tone that the band was already accustomed to in California. What was formed ended 
up being a record consisting of nine dark synth-pop tracks embedded with pulsating snyth lines, 
effervescent rhythms, and shimmering vocals. The influences of 80s snyth rock bands gloss over the 
tracks, but the band is far from being imitators. 
Introspective songwriting, dance jam tunes, 
and fluttering melodies makes “Dunes” the first 
great album of the year. 

“Colony Glen” covers every 80s sound possible 
and is down right intoxicating. In “Bullet 
Train” Chris Lynch hits the notes sky high with 
“The young die young, if they work too hard / Palm silhouettes, magnetic rails though the heart 
young silhouettes, we were doomed from the start.” The band’s first self-titled record was a lot more 
experimental and a bit all over the place. It still had some good songs, but it showed a band somewhat 
green on their first outing. With “Dunes,” Gardens & Villa come back like seasoned pros with a 
remarkable accomplishment of producing nine utterly enthralling and superlative songs. Sonically, 
the two albums are far different, but “Dunes” is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor. “Echosassy” 
puts the listener in a trance with a heavy snyth tempo. “Purple Masses,” best track off the record, is a 
completely beautiful, downtempo affair. Lynch’s vocals are intimate and stimulating and when paired 
with striking melodies, there’s no going wrong. 


“Avalanche,” another solid entry that will have you dancing in no time and if not, something is 
terribly wrong with you. “Minnesota” is a slow burn tune that shows Lynch painstakingly singing 
over a piano. It’s heartfelt and pensive. It’s a departure from the rest of the album, but nothing to shun. 
“Chrysanthemums” is another slightly slower track from the other offerings, but no less beautiful and 
warm. It also feature female vocals that go hand in hand with Lynch’s soft tones. “Thunder Glove” 
closes out the record and it reminds me a lot of a Fleetwood Mac tune. Ironically, the band covered 
their song “Gypsy” a few years ago for a compilation record. At just under forty minutes, “Dunes” 
is one great listening experience. It has tremendous replay value. It’s dark, deep, romantic and filled 
with insight. The second album from Gardens & Villa surpasses all expectations I had going in. Their 
travels have served them well and what lies beyond is anyone’s guess. 


For the moment, “Dunes” will serve as the album to bring in light where winter’s darkness occupies. 


Grade: 8.6 out of 10 
Key Tracks: “Chrysanthemums,” “Purple Masses,” “Avalanche,” “Thunder Glove” 


ENJOY AN AFTERNOON OF MUSIC, WINE, AND HORSD’OEUVRES IN AN HISTORIC ALTADENA HOME 

Chamber Music Fundraiser Benefits Pasadena Community Orchestra 

PASADENA, CA – On Sunday, February 23rd, Penka Kouneva. These short pieces showcase the 
from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., the Pasadena Community Elixir Piano Trio’s versatility and broad range of 
Orchestra presents an afternoon of music, wine repertoire. 
and hors d’oeuvres for its 3rd annual Chamber 
Music Benefit. The award-winning Elixir Piano Winner of the Most Distinguished Musician award 
Trio (Lucy Nargizyan, Samvel Chilingarian and at the 2005 IBLA International Competition in 
Garik Terzian) will perform gems of piano trio Italy, the Elixir is the Trio-in-Residence and on the 
literature, featuring Arensky’s passionate Trio faculty of the Beverly Hills International Music 
No. 1 in D Minor, in an historic Altadena home. Festival. The Los Angeles-based ensemble is known 
Admission is $50 per person when purchased in for their unique and exciting interpretations, and 
advance ($60 at the door); all proceeds benefit the has dazzled audiences in Europe and the United 
Pasadena Community Orchestra. States with their energy and sensitivity. Known for 

promoting works by contemporary composers, 
Anton Arensky studied with Rimsky-Korsakov at the dynamic Elixir Piano Trio performs both 
the St. Petersburg Conservatory, and later taught traditional and modern repertoire with classical, 
at the Moscow Conservatory (his pupils included folk and jazz influences. 
Rachmaninoff and Scriabin). The Piano Trio No. 
1 is regarded as Arensky’s masterpiece, as well as The Elixir Trio is a truly international ensemble: 
one of the finest examples of the Russian romantic pianist Lucy Nargizyan was raised in Moscow, 
piano trio, a form “invented” by Arensky’s close violinist Samvel Chilingarian is a native of 
friend and mentor, Piotr Tchaikovsky. Deeply Armenia and studied in Vienna, and cellist Garik 
influenced by Tchaikovsky’s works, this trio is Terzian grew up in the former Czechoslovakia. 
lushly lyrical, alternately poignant and tender Described as “a pianist with fluent grace, beautiful 
then intensely dramatic and passionate. Arensky tone, great technique and presence,” Ms. Nargizyan 
dedicated the piece to the memory of cello has appeared as soloist, chamber musician and 
virtuoso Karl Davidoff, and the cello plays a major accompanist in the United States and Canada, 
role in the trio, giving the piece a particularly rich, Europe and Russia. She has won numerous 
luxurious color. competitions, including the Moscow Young Artist 

Competition and the USC Concerto Competition. 
Also on the program are the heart-rending Violinist Samvel Chilingarian enjoys a varied career 
“Adagio” from Spartacus by Khatchaturian, as performer, educator and conductor. An avid 
Astor Piazzolla’s popular tango, Oblivion, and chamber musician, Mr. Chilingarian has toured 
Cassandra’s Rockaby by contemporary composer extensively throughout Europe, Japan, the United 


States and Central America. Mr. Chilingarian’s 
focus currently is on suppoting young musicians 
through his position as Artistic Director 
and conductor of Verdugo Young Musicans 
Association, and active participation with the 
Los Angeles Philharmonic YOLA initiative. Mr. 
Terzian has performed extensively throughout 
the former Soviet Union and the Czech Republic, 
as well as the United States, Mexico, Spain and 


Ireland. All of the 
Trio’s members are 
on the faculty at East 
Los Angeles College, 
and Lucy Nargizyan 
and Garik Terzian are 
also on the Glendale 
Community College 
faculty. In addition, 
all three have been 
featured in live radio 
broadcasts on 91.5 
KUSC FM. 

Seating for this event 
is limited: RSVP 
by Wednesday, 
February 19th. For 
additional details, 
and to RSVP, please 
contact publicity@
pcomusic.org, visit 
www.pcomusic.orgor call 626.445.6708. 
Tickets are available online at http://www.

brownpapertickets.com/event/537861.

 This event is sponsored in part by Old Town Music,

Green Street Restaurant, Edible Arrangements

Pasadena and other local businesses.