AgeSong Expands in Oakland; Brings Holistic Approach to Historic Hotel Property

AgeSong
Senior Communities is bringing its nationally recognized holistic
approach to a local historic landmark. The 1927 Art Deco Lake Merritt
Hotel has been transformed to AgeSong at Lake Merritt, an
independent-living residence for seniors. This newest property is the
fifth residence AgeSong now offers
senior adults in the Bay Area. Its four other residences are in Oakland,
San Francisco and Emeryville, and provide a full range of living options
for independent, assisted-living and forgetfulness-care.

Established in 1995, AgeSong is a family-run group of senior communities
with a holistic approach to care. It was founded by Shabahangi and his
siblings, who combined their diverse backgrounds in psychology, law, and
theology to create unique, holistic environments for their residents, led
by their vision to transform attitudes toward aging.The 49,155 square-foot building offers 46 apartments with new, upgraded
kitchens and bathrooms, and views of nearby Lake Merritt, the East Bay
hills and the downtown Oakland skyline. The apartments feature 9-foot
ceilings and crown moldings, period-style ceramic tile bathrooms and
spacious closets and alcoves. Among the many upscale amenities it offers
are a popular full-service restaurant open to the public, spa and fitness
center, full-time concierge, high speed wireless internet, activity rooms
and a 9,000 square foot garage.A unique aspect of AgeSong at Lake Merritt is that its lake location, public spaces and community support make the
integration of the larger business, cultural and social aspects a natural
addition to its programs.The historic building is owned by local real-estate owners Cheryl and
Randall Berger and managed by AgeSong. In 2007, the Bergers restored the
building's architectural heritage and beauty in a $3.5 million renovation
that preserved the building's historic features while offering modern
conveniences and improved accessibility.Additionally, public educational and cultural programs sponsored by AgeSong
that welcome the community into the building provide opportunities for
social interaction beyond the residence. External social/cultural programs
for residents promote involvement in local organizations such as the
Oakland Museum and the Public Garden."In each of our locations, we believe strongly in integrating the community
with our residences to bring social and generational diversity to the
neighborhoods. This creates vitality and an important exchange among our
families and neighbors, which includes adults, children, grandchildren and
elders," said Nader Shabahangi, CEO of AgeSong.Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1035694AgeSong's other residences include AgeSong at Lakeside Park ( Oakland); AgeSong at Bayside Park (Emeryville, opening in January 2010); AgeSong
Hayes Valley Care and AgeSong
Laguna Grove Care (San Francisco).AgeSong's
approach is designed to re-establish the role of the elder, to create
communities that allow residents to stay connected to the larger community
and to provide opportunities for continued learning. AgeSong programs
address the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of senior
adults.In 2006, AgeSong won the American Society on Aging's Award for Excellence
in the Field of Aging.Contact: Kim Kellogg Mara Tyler 510-635-4150"The idea that residents can create their own lifestyle while being
supported by staff and programs is a fairly new concept for senior
communities," said Victoria Stone, community relations director of the
residence. "For example, in most senior living communities, residents dine
in isolation from the larger community and choose meals from a limited
menu. But here, the Terrace Room enables residents to mingle with local
business, association, club and neighborhood patrons who come to eat at
this public restaurant," she added.

Contact: Kim Kellogg Mara Tyler 510-635-4150

High-tech system makes 'no-goop' dental impressions

A Scranton dentist is on the cutting edge with new technology to make that crown, bridge, or veneer in your mouth absolutely perfect.

He also added that there are also benefits for the dentist. And, of course, there is convenience. "There's virtually no additional chair time because there are basically no adjustments," he said. "So there's less time in the chair for the patient, less time in the chair for the doctor, so it's a win-win situation for everybody." Dr. Hazzouri is located at 600 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton."At the click of the button, the impression is sent immediately sent over the Internet to the lab. The lab then builds a 3-D model of exactly what was in the patient's mouth just seconds before and the crown is then made based on that model," said Dr. Hazzouri. "It's just perfect. The most important thing about this machine is the accuracy." Moreover, he said, "The lab is very good at constructing a 3-D model, so the process is just that much quicker.""The benefits for the patient are many because you're getting a much more accurate impression of the tooth and you're getting a much better prosthetic replacement whether it's a crown, bridge or veneer," said Hazzouri.Dentists stuff a tray into their patients' mouth with a loose-fitting putty type mold. Once in the mouth, it hardens and the dentist is able to make an impression of where the crown will go. "Sometimes, depending on where it would go, the mold and the impression actually change. It's the same with the cold." He added the thermal changes often cause minute changes and even the slightest change can make a not-so-perfect fit."There's no trays, no goop in your mouth, so the discomfort of having this rubbery substance in your mouth isn't there," he said. Patients can watch on the computer screen as the impression is being taken.Digital scanners such as the one Dr. Hazzouri is now using were on the market in the 1980s, but it was only until about two years ago that scientists and technicians (along with software engineers) were able to perfect the system, iTero is made by Cadent Inc., a New Jersey-based dental company. According to the Cadent's Web site, it recently attracted about $15 million in new investment and has been rapidly expanding.Dr. Hazzouri said before the patient even leaves the office, the digital impression is already being prepared."The norm for the past 100 years has been to take an impression and send it to a lab," said Dr. Albert Hazzouri, a who has been practicing dentistry in Scranton for 25 years.It doesn't take just a few pictures--it takes as many 100,000, giving Dr. Hazzouri a nearly perfect impression. There's no discomfort either. It also takes about half the time and patients don't have to return for an office visit to get adjusted."The system has a wand with a camera, which takes all different views," said Dr. Hazzouri. "You put this wand on the tooth, you push a button on the floor and it takes an image of the tooth" He said the computer system actually scans the tooth from several different directions, making the impression perfect. The system is a 3-D "digital dental impression" being used by a handful of dentists across the country.

He also added that there are also benefits for the dentist. And, of course, there is convenience. "There's virtually no additional chair time because there are basically no adjustments," he said. "So there's less time in the chair for the patient, less time in the chair for the doctor, so it's a win-win situation for everybody." Dr. Hazzouri is located at 600 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton.

Prime Income Asset Management Completes Successful Lease Up of Sugar Mill and Savoy of Garland Multifamily Developments

DALLAS -- Prime Income Asset Management (Prime), a Dallas-based advisory and management company to real estate and energy sector companies, announces their successful construction and lease up of the Savoy of Garland in Texas and Sugar Mill Apartments in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Savoy of Garland and Sugar Mill were both completed in the summer of 09 and are currently over 90% leased. “Both properties exceeded our expectations; so much so that we’re developing another property, Parc at Denham Springs in Baton Rouge Louisiana. Baton Rouge experienced a great influx of residents after Hurricane Katrina, and we’re happy that we can provide new, centrally located, affordable housing for the city’s newest residents,” comments Al Crozier, executive vice president of residential construction.Prime Income Asset Management, LLC (www.primeasset.com) is a Dallas-based real estate management company and energy sector advisor, which owns, develops and manages in excess of $3.5 billion of commercial real estate for public and private real estate entities and advises energy companies with both domestic and international gas, oil and electricity operations. Affiliated companies also under management or advisement by Prime include American Realty Investors, Inc. (NYSE: ARL), Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. (NYSE: TCI), Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc. (AMEX: IOT) and Regis Property Management, LLC (www.regisinc.com). Prime Income Asset Management was founded by Gene E. Phillips (www.genephillips.org).Savoy of Garland is a newly developed property offering 144 units with such amenities as built in desks, crown molding, 9 foot ceilings in living and dining, and large walk in closets. The property also offers reserved covered parking, private remote access garages, and a community playground. Being close to Lake Ray Hubbard, residents are also able to rent onsite boat storage.

Prime Income Asset Management, LLC (www.primeasset.com) is a Dallas-based real estate management company and energy sector advisor, which owns, develops and manages in excess of $3.5 billion of commercial real estate for public and private real estate entities and advises energy companies with both domestic and international gas, oil and electricity operations. Affiliated companies also under management or advisement by Prime include American Realty Investors, Inc. (NYSE: ARL), Transcontinental Realty Investors, Inc. (NYSE: TCI), Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc. (AMEX: IOT) and Regis Property Management, LLC (www.regisinc.com). Prime Income Asset Management was founded by Gene E. Phillips (www.genephillips.org).

Product briefs

Mail announcements of new products and literature to Editorial Department. Electrical Apparatus (page 2). No faxes, e-mail, electronic submissions (CD-ROM's, etc.), or follow-up calls, please. There is no charge for publication, which does not constitute endorsement, nor can we verify product claims.

TOOLSFeatures of the PDS5022S 25MHz two-channel bench-top oscilloscope include auto-scale, FFT, and trigger hold, as well as video trigger, 100 MS/s sampling. XY mode, auto-set, averaging, math functions, USB output, and waveform storage. The PDS5022S can automatically measure and display frequency and peak-peak/RMS/mean values. Built-in self-calibration facility improves measurement accuracy. For more information, contaci Saelig Co. Inc., Pittsford, N. Y.: (888) 723-3544.Edited by the EA staffMEASURING EQUIPMENTThe model 195083-4 jobsite miter saw stand is available from Makita U.S.A.. Inc.. of La Mirada, Calif.; (800) 462-5482. Designed to suit the Makita LS1016L 10 in. dual slide compound miter saw, the stand adjusts to five positions, with spring-loaded mechanism for quick setup. Material support extensions with feed roller will support long crown molding. Large rubberized handle and solid rubber 12-in. wheels facilitate jobsite portability. Net weight is 90.7 lbs. Dimensions are 50.5x21.5x12 inches, length-width-height.The Simple Logger II Model L481 bipolar 850 V d-c data logger records d-c voltage at user-selectable rates from 8/sec to 1 per day, with 0.1 V resolution. Dataview software facilitates real-time viewing of measured data while recording. Internal memory allows storage of more than 240,000 measurements. Other features include extended recording mode, delayed start time, front panel LED's showing status of state and memory usage, and report generation from pre-defined templates or operator custom-designed templates. Request further details from AEMC Instruments, 200 Foxborough Blvd., Foxborough, Mass. 02035; (508) 698-21 15.The 59-piece Master TorqueControl Set includes industrial torque screwdrivers and bits rated 1580 oz.-in., 5-10 lb.-in.. and 10-50 lb.-in. Also included are hex bits in seven metric sizes from 1.5 to 6 mm; 1 1 hex bits from 0.05 to 1.4 in., 10 Torx bits; three square bits; two Pozidriv, three Phillips, and three slotted bits; 14 metric and English sockets (4 to 8 mm, 5/32 to 3/8 in.); hex-square adapter and bit holder; and a torque setting tool. For further details, contact Wiha Quality Tools, 1348 Dundas Circle, Monticello, Minn. 55362-8434; (800) 494-6104.

Edited by the EA staff

Photocopy note faker is jailed for two years

HARD-UP Ian Andrew was so desperate for cash after his divorce that he printed off his own counterfeit money on photocopiers at libraries.

Andrew admitted passing, possessing and making counterfeit currency, and was jailed for two years.The planning enforcement officer then tried to spend them in Wales, hoping shop staff wouldn't notice they were fakes, Mold Crown Court heard.Henry Hills, defending, said his client was depressed at the time, barely eating to try to save money and that it was not a sophisticated offence.But judge Philip Richards said incompetence was not grounds for leniency.Andrew, 52, of Sandbach, Cheshire, brought home some Scottish pounds 10 notes from a holiday and decided to reproduce them using copiers.

Andrew admitted passing, possessing and making counterfeit currency, and was jailed for two years.

Ex-Corrie star bids to beat booze

FORMER Coronation Street star Bruce Jones has vowed to beat the bottle and save his marriage.

The court heard that Jones's drinking was the reason why he lost his job on Coronation Street and that had led to financial woes for ther family.Jones, who played Les Battersby in the ITV soap for 10 years, was accused of subjecting her to years of drunken abuse.Jones was bailed with conditions that he lives and sleeps at an address given to court, remains there between 9pm and 7am after March 25 and does not contact his wife.He admitted drunkenly yanking the wheel of their Mercedes M Class car from her hand as she drove along a busy dual carriageway and shouting he would kill them both.The case was adjourned for pre-sentencing reports to an unspecified date in April when Jones, who has a previous drink-driving conviction, will return to Mold Crown Court.The actor spoke out after Sandra, his wife of 26 years, was forced to give evidence against him at court.Jones, 57, who appeared in court under his real name of Ian Roy Jones, was almost half way through a trial when the jury were discharged because of a legal issue.Jones, who was two-and-a-half times the legal limit during the incident last August, issued a statement through his barrister Dominic D'Souza.He had the option of going for a retrial but decided against it - not wanting to force his long suffering wife to give evidence again, his barrister said.CAPTION(S):He was banned from driving at Mold Crown Court and bailed to return for sentencing next month after admitting dangerous, drunken driving.Outside court the lawyer said: "Mr Jones accepts for the first time that he has an alcohol problem which he needs to address.

HAPPIER TIMES: Former Coronation Street actor Ian Bruce Jones, aka Reg Battersby, with his wife Sandra and (inset) Jones arriving at Mold Crown Court

Ritz-Carlton significantly drops some prices in Md.

Owners of the high-class Ritz-Carlton Residences at the Inner Harbor have significantly dropped the asking price of 30 luxury units in an attempt to jump-start the dull sales that have consistently plagued the project.

"The [discounted] units are located throughout the building -- some on the ground floor, some on the waterfront, some with downtown views," Harris said. "It is a mix."Sales at the Ritz have been in the spotlight since the June 28 auction of 18 units at the development's next-door neighbor, Harborview Pier Homes, where sales had been equally stagnant, local real estate sources say. The auction served to reset values in the luxury condominium market on Baltimore's waterfront, and units listed at or above $1 million sold under the gavel for between $545,000 and $750,000.Graziose said RXR Realty, which purchased the Ritz-Carlton Residences property in December 2007, was not seeking to sell it. The sales office offers detailed brochures, maps and books detailing the property and its gilded lifestyle. RXR Realty, Graziose said, has "the necessary coffers and we're stable and solid. There will be no bulk sale, no fire sale."Only 23 of the development's 190 units have sold since the $220 million project opened in 2007. Three of those units were bought by bestselling author and video game entrepreneur Tom Clancy, who shelled out $12.6 million last year and merged them into a mega- penthouse where he now lives."The condo market in Baltimore has a lot of obstacles to overcome," Herber said, listing the stagnant market, high city taxes and condo fees as negatives. "I also think that one of the top issues is that it's very difficult to get financing for condos. It's not impossible, it's tough and you need to shop around.""It attracts a very small wedge of the market that are capable and comfortable getting into a property with that sort of arrangement," Herber said, of the luxury condo market in Baltimore. "I don't know what the fix is."In the past, Graziose admitted, the Ritz development had a standoffish atmosphere along Baltimore's waterfront, where working class people once carried lunch buckets to labor at loading and unloading ships on city piers.The Ritz condos, located at 801 Key Highway, feature a "five- star" lifestyle with elevators to each unit, elegant crown molding, marble floors, a spa, indoor pool, concierge service and panoramic views of the city skyline."I think the Ritz is a beautiful and unique property, and it's special in a number of ways, but in this particular market, the rubber has to hit the road and people are much less inclined to splurge as they are now looking for solid investments," Lynott said. "I think a price reduction at the Ritz to get people in the property is a good idea."Carl Herber, vice president of the Inner Harbor branch of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokers, said the decision to drastically lower prices at the Ritz was a good move.Condo fees, which Graziose said cost about $900 per month at the Ritz, add to the bottom line and, combined with high city taxes, often amount to "a second mortgage payment."Ritz officials declined to release a complete list of the new prices, but revealed a select few. One unit, a 1,675-square-foot, two-bedroom condo that originally listed for $1.2 million, is now $700,000. Another unit, a 3,799-square-foot, three-bedroom penthouse, is listed at $2.1 million, down from its original asking price of $2.7 million.Betty Lynott, a Realtor with Long & Foster based in Fells Point who specializes in condo sales on Baltimore's waterfront, said all of the luxury condo units in the city, many built during 2004-2006 when the housing boom was in full swing, are selling for less "across the board."Data reflects the downturn. The marketing group Delta Associates reported last month that new condo prices in the Baltimore metropolitan area were down 3.6 percent over last year and that there are 1,752 unsold units.Lynott said she had recently rented out a unit at the Ritz- Carlton Residences and that the development also has a rent-to-own sales plan.In February, RXR Realtors, the Long Island-based owner of the project, refinanced $176 million in construction debt for the Baltimore Ritz to a consortium of 14 lenders from around the world.Joe Graziose, senior vice president and project executive for RXR Realtors, said he crafted the new "tier-release" marketing plan that includes lowering prices of 30 units with a goal of selling them by early 2011. Another group of 30 units would then be targeted and discounted, he said.When sales continued to remain stagnant, RXR went into negotiations with its lenders last month to drop the prices further, Harris said."It's really apples and oranges," Graziose said, of the two luxury developments that are side-by-side and abut the waterfront across from Inner Harbor East. "It's a different project at the end of the day. The "A" word is a dirty word -- it means something is wrong. But we don't feel anything is wrong."The restructured loan has a three-year term and a pledge from RXR Realty to sell out the development within that time period. Prices on Ritz condos were dropped 10 percent in February as incentive."The refinancing took the pressure off," Graziose said on Monday. "But the clock is ticking and I'm definitely feeling it."But the development has remained mostly vacant. Units were originally listed between $800,000 and $5 million, but this week the prices were cut to between $499,000 and $2.1 million, said Greg Harris, marketing consultant for the project."There was too much velvet rope nonsense," he said, in a thick Brooklyn accent of his hometown. "The lesson here is to be transparent and to communicate the honest, open issues. We want people to come down and see what is a day in the life like here. There is no place in this market that compares to living here."

"There was too much velvet rope nonsense," he said, in a thick Brooklyn accent of his hometown. "The lesson here is to be transparent and to communicate the honest, open issues. We want people to come down and see what is a day in the life like here. There is no place in this market that compares to living here."