4 August 9, 2012 www.alamedasun.com Alameda Sun Alameda Sun www.alamedasun.com August 9, 2012 5

Call now for your FREE Brochure:8 Critical Mistakes that can cost you $$ if

you've been injured in an accident

(510)337-1600 / 800 856-7508 WWW.LEWELLYNLAW.COM

Personal Injury AttorneyAuto Accidents, Slip & Fall, Wrongful Death

AV Martindale-HubbellPeer rated top 5% of all attorneys nationwide

(510) 337-1600 / 800 856-7508WWW.LEWELLYNLAW.COM

GREATER ALAMEDA GREATER ALAMEDA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION BUSINESS ASSOCIATION www.gabaonline.org • INFO: 510-869-5848 • REPRESENTATION • NETWORKING • CO-OP MARKETING • EDUCATION

(510) 748-9749Bridgeside Center2651 Blanding Ave, Ste. B, Alamedaeyewiseoptometry.com

Back to School!Visit Eyewise Optometry for our Back to School special - anyone 18 or younger gets free polycarbonate lenses ($150 value), or for $25 can upgrade to Trivex lenses ($175 value)

with the purchase of a complete pair of eyeglasses. Not to be combined with any other offer or insurance.

We also provide comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings.

Open in Bridgeside Center at 2651 Blanding Ave, Ste. B, Alameda, by the Fruitvale Bridge. Call us at (510) 748-9749 or visit eyewiseoptometry.com

FREE LENSES!

GABA MEMBERS GABA MEMBERS TAKE PARTTAKE PART

The Alameda Sun and the Greater Alameda Business Associa-tion announce new content for this monthly GABA page.

Starting this month, member profi les, ribbon cuttings and event announcements will appear here to help inform Alam-edans about local businesses. GABA members who advertise

here are supporting the organization with their advertising dollar by helping GABA spread the word.

TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL GABA BOARD MEMBER MICHEL MICHEL AT 205-6805

T. G. Johnson & Associates T. G. Johnson & Associates a CPA and Financial Service FirmTom G. Johnson, JD, CPA Carole Johnson, CFP

We are more than your Accountant ~ We are your Advocate! From tax preparation and planning through fi nancial and business accounting, we work with you, our client, to arrange your fi nancial aff airs to your best advantage.

How can we help you? Call now for your free

initial appointment

510-632-3272

Law Offices of W. Lance Russum

Diana ReddingJD, MBA, LLM

“We Care About You”

WILLS, TRUSTS, PROBATE LITIGATION CONSERVATORSHIPS ELDER LAW & MEDI-CAL PLANNING TAX PLANNING BUSINESS & REAL PROPERTY:

Sales, Purchases, Leases, Incorporation MEDIATION & ARBITRATION SERVICES FAMILY LAW PATERNITY & ADOPTIONS SEPARATION & PRE-NUPTIAL AGREEMENTS ASSET RECOVERY

W. Lance Russum, JD Since 1966

522-6900 / Fax: 523-95162500 Santa Clara Ave. • Alameda

Mission StatementThe Greater Alameda Business Association is

dedicated to the growth and prosperity of independent business in Alameda. GABA conducts monthly meetings, which provide its members with educational seminars and an opportunity to network. GABA keeps members informed of current issues before City of Alameda agencies and offers its members subsidized and shared advertising. Founded in 1987, GABA is funded by its membership dues and fundraising efforts.

Alameda: An Architectural Treasure Chest

The comprehensive overview of the Island’s domestic architecture. To

order this 128-page book send a check for $30 made out to Alameda Sun to

3215J Encinal Ave. Alameda CA 94501

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 263-1472

A Guide to Alameda History and Architecture

A law practice devoted exclusively to Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate

• Living Trusts / Inheritance Protection Trusts• Elder Law / Medi-Cal Planning / Special Needs• Asset Protection / Business Succession Planning

510-523-2100 www.HuntEstateLaw.com1001 Marina Village Pkwy, Suite 400

1300 Encinal AvenueAlamedavictor@ISellRE.com

INCOME PROPERTY SALESINCOME PROPERTY SALES

VICTOR JIN, CRBLicensed Real Estate BrokerDRE#00578937

(510) 523-1115www.ISellRE.com

PROPERTY INVESTMENT SERVICESPROPERTY INVESTMENT SERVICES

STELLAR MEDIA GROUP, INC.FOR ALL YOUR

PUBLISHING NEEDSAdvertising • Publications

Promotional Materials

Layout/Graphic design for:

• Flyers/Brochures

• Business Cards

• Letterhead

• Desktop Publishing

• Newsletters

• Calendars

• Web Design/Consultation

• Branding

• Book Design

Original Graphic Artists on Site

Call 263-1472 FOR A FREE ESTIMATE

Law Offi ce of

Cassandra C. MasseyCOMPREHENSIVE ESTATE PLANNING FOR FAMILIES

• Living Trusts/Wills• Incapacity Planning• Kids Protection Planning• Guardianship NominationsUpcoming Event: Sunday, August 26, 11 a.m.

at Tot Tank, 1413 Park St.Estate Planning 101 for Parents: How to Protect your Kids Please RSVP to www.freekidsprotectionworkshop.com

email: cassandra@masseyestatelaw.com • www.masseyestatelaw.com

M 2219 Santa Clara Ave. Suite C (510) 992-6773

HARRY HARTMAN INSURANCE SERVICES

Lic. #0701575Lic. #07015751516 Oak Street • Ste. 208

814-0572 or (800) 585-0572e-mail harry@hartmaninsurance.com

www.hartmaninsurance.com

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL

PLANNINGFOR YOU, YOUR FAMILYAND YOUR BUSINESS

Top carriers and best rates available!

A Message from the GABA President

Courtesy photo

Wayne Stedman runs DS Techonology Design and is the current president of GABA.

Dear Alameda Sun Readers,

The number one question I get, even before becoming GABA’s president, is “What is GABA?”

It’s a great question to ask any orga-nization and an especially interesting one for the Greater Alameda Business Association. As any good organiza-tion should, we are working to better define the answer to that question beyond our historical roots. To learn more about those roots, take a moment to visit the About Us section of our website at www.gabaonline.org/about.php.

So let me share with you what GABA is now and the people that make up this great organization.

The Greater Alameda Business Association is a group of more than 110 business owners in and around Alameda. We do have members from outside Alameda who understand the value of doing business within our great city. As representatives of the business community, our members see the benefit of getting involved, in whatever small way, with other busi-ness owners. By joining GABA, they have found the resources they need, goods or services to help grow their business, and developed a sense of camaraderie with other members. They have been able to strengthen

their businesses from GABA’s edu-cational offerings and learned from other businesses about how to ensure their own continued success.

My own business has been strengthened by joining GABA, and to be fair, the other organizations to which we belong. Some of my clients have come from direct interaction with GABA members or from mem-bers referring my services. On the flip side, I have also given my patron-age to local businesses by getting referrals from GABA members in the form of insurance, financial advising and banking.

These are all benefits that you can find in many other groups, but what makes GABA special are the warm and inviting members. Most members have commented that the vibe within GABA has lowered some of the barriers that would have kept them from doing business together. Our events are friendly and laid back. You can meet and interact with other business owners without pressure to do business together. Almost all GABA members that I know have done or are doing business with other members. At each of our events a greeter is there to welcome you and introduce you to other guests. And if you don’t get to meet everyone

before being seated, each of us stands and introduces themselves so your business gets immediate exposure.

The board of directors and I want to continue to expand the welcoming aspect of GABA’s character and are working on ideas to increase business opportunities and enhance the value of mem-bership to all. We hope you’ll join us at our next event and discover for yourself what makes GABA such a great organization. Thank you.

— Wayne Stedman

www.GABAonline.org

Bring a bottle of your favorite wine for a brown bag wine tasting event. This annual event is lots of fun, and there’s a prize for the favorite wine. Please bring white wines chilled. We will supply the brown bags for this blind tasting.

This event is free for GABA members and $5.00 for other members of the business community. Everyone is welcome! Hosted by The Alameda Museum at the Meyers House & Gardens.

Thursday, August 16th 6:00-8:00 PM Meyer’s House & Gardens 2021 Alameda Avenue

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Alameda Community Acupuncture & Michael Notaro, Esq.Donna Chang founded Alameda Community

Acupuncture (ACA) to provide acupuncture as an affordable and accessible health-care option. At ACA, people receive acupuncture in a comfortable, quiet, shared space. Many have found relief from pain, stress and a variety of health conditions. They use community acupuncture regularly for improving their health. For most people, acupuncture works best when received regularly for a period of time. ACA has an afford-able sliding scale of $17-40 per treatment so more people can afford to get acupuncture regularly. Born in Alameda, Chang is excited to bring this way of practic-ing acupuncture to this wonderful community.

Real estate attorney Michael Notaro’s mission is to provide cost-effective legal services to real estate own-ers, investors and brokers. With more than 27 years in the real estate industry, Michael Notaro, Esq. will work with you to effectively and affordably resolve your real estate concern, problem or issue. His Alameda-based law firm represents clients in purchase contracts, lease agreements, contract disputes, eviction, partition, nuisance, deeds, foreclosure, quiet title, easements, land use, litigation, encroachments and lien-removal matters. To schedule a free 20-minute legal consulta-tion, contact the Notaro Law Offices at 522-2666. Visit www.notarolaw.com for more information.

Michel Michel

In this day and age, where we all need to keep one step ahead of our competition, it

is important to be on the cutting edge in all facets of our busi-ness. Printing is no exception. Your customers will judge you by the printed material they hold in their hands. Your letterheads, business cards, brochures, fly-ers and booklets represent your company. “The printing you choose says something about you,” said Bob Baker, owner of Excel Graphics. “It’s up to you to be in charge of what you and your company will look like to your customer.”

Excel Graphics opened its doors in Alameda in 1989. “I grew up in the printing indus-try,” said Bob. “It’s always been in my blood.” Excel Graphics has won several high-quality printing awards for its printing, foil stamping and emboss-ing quality from the East Bay Craftsman Club, and the Northern California International House of Printing Craftsmen’s

Club, where the competition included the western third of the United States.

Bob is known for his high-quality pieces. “We are all about your printed piece; it’s not about just ink and toner on paper. We care about your printed material because we want your business to look good; we want your business to grow.

“We have a wide selection of papers to choose from, rather than the limited selections that a box store may have available,” said Bob, “We also understand the pros and cons of each paper we carry. We can create some-thing that will make you look unique, and help you stand out no matter where your budget needs are.”

Bob is serious about meet-ing his customer’s needs. Their web site; www.ExcelGraphics.biz, is set up to accept all forms of digital files. “We have lead-ing-edge, web-based access for ordering, proofing, and shipping. You can do it all right from your desktop. With our

secure site, you can count on us receiving exactly what you sent. Take a look at all our digital and online services. Online value-added services, means you’re guaranteed the finest printing and best support around. Simply put, no matter how small or big your require-ments are, we can handle the job,” said Bob.

Excel Graphics offers high quality; competitive, short-run color printing, binding, collat-ing, die-cutting, foil stamping, embossing, letterpress services and much more. They can han-dle any size, configuration and volume of the largest and most ambitious printing-require-ments.

“We became a printer, trusted by customers in this very competitive market by staying on the cutting-edge and exceeding our customers expectations. We didn’t just buy a franchise; we’ve earned a reputation,” said Bob. Excel Graphics can help you create fabulous printing that performs

Excel Graphics Can Help Make Your Business Excel

for you, and that customers have been turning to since they opened their doors.

Check out Excel Graphic’s website, its remarkable menu of services, and your ability to accomplish all your print-ing needs online from their website.

Excel Graphics produces door-hangers, envelopes, letter-head, direct-mail printing, flyers, presentation folders, newslet-ters, programs, rack brochures, product sheets, name badges, calendars, table tents, carbon-less forms, and pretty much any printed material you might need. Excel Graphics offers electronic pre-press services, binding, color-copying, and any digital or conventional printing service you’ll require… not to mention online ordering, proofing, inven-tory control, plus pick-up and delivery.

“You’re going to be glad you contacted Excel Graphics, because we’re going to make sure of it,” said Bob. Excel Graphics is located at 1825 Clement Ave.here in Alameda. You can contact Bob at 522-0462, or visit Excel’s website at: www.ExcelGraphics.biz.

Pull up Excel Graphics

from your smart phone

using this QR code!

Donna Chang of Alameda Community Acupuncture is new to GABA this month.

Michael Notaro’s real estate law firm is new to GABA this month.

How will you promote your company? Excel can offer many solutionsWe didn’t just buy a franchise; we’ve earned a reputation,”

— Bob Baker, Excel Graphics

Bob Baker