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THURSDAY MAY 20, 2010 www.redbluffdailynews.com Pastimes See 4A Breaking news at: RED BLUFF Grandparents Day Mercy golf SPORTS 1B Mostly sunny 72/46 Weather forecast 8B DAILYNEWS TEHAMACOUNTY DAILY 50¢ T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Not your average workout CalPERS votes to delay increase SACRAMENTO (AP) — The board of California’s largest public pension fund voted Wednesday to delay asking the state for an addi- tional $600 million contribu- tion to pay for employee retirement benefits next year, citing concerns about the state’s dire fiscal condi- tion. California faces a $19 billion budget deficit in the fiscal year that begins in July, prompting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to propose eliminating the state’s main welfare program. A key committee of the California Public Employ- ees Retirement System had voted Tuesday to take $600 million more from the state than it did last year to help pay for government retirees. The board will consider whether to postpone the rate increase for a year during its June meeting. ‘‘An additional $600 mil- Daily News photo by Tang Lor Annelyse Hays pulls a tire during a workout at Body Projex while Gina “Boom Boom” Guidi, Nic DeFrancesco, Avery Vilche and Thomas Ballard cheer her on. By TANG LOR DN Staff Writer An open house and membership drive is planned for Body Projex gym Friday. Body Projex is not a typical gym, owner Jill Becker said. The gym will not only help people become physically fit but make them feel better overall. “We attack the body as a whole,” Becker said. “We want to bridge the gap to people’s future by addressing all the areas — mind, body and spirit.” Through workshops and group setting classes, people’s emotional, spiritual and physical needs are met. Even the exercise equipment and method at the business is different from that of a conven- tional gym. The gym adheres to old school under- ground strength training, a workout system that utilizes endurance and core strength. Workouts include pulling fire hoses, flipping tires and carry- ing sandbags. “This is not equipment that you will find at a typical gym,” Becker said. The gym, which opened about 18 months ago, offers off site and regularly scheduled classes, which include a mixed martial arts class taught by Avery Vilche, a recently retired professional MMA fighter. Becker plans to start a running club and work- out group for mothers and their babies. During the open house, classes focusing on toning different muscle groups will be held every half hour. Becker will launch her Zumba class, and offer a free session that evening. Vilche will host an exhibition fight. Life coach Faydra Rector will be on hand to offer her service and advice. Other local businesses offering services and products ranging from spray tanning and massage therapy to purses and makeup will have booths at the event. The open house will be 5:30-8:30 p.m., Friday. The gym is at 1450 Schwab St., Unit A. For information, call Becker at 941-5502. ——— Tang Lor can be reached at 527-2153, Ext. 110 or by e-mail at tlor@redbluffdailynews.com. Mamma Mia, girlfriends, what an event What started as one downtown merchant’s contribution to the Red Bluff Downtown Business Associa- tion’s Girlfriends Day, bloomed into a Well-Being Faire to be held in con- junction with the May 22 event. This event is scheduled to end with wine tasting and the movie “Mamma Mia” at the State Theatre. In short order, six practitioners swelled to more than 50 practition- ers, readers, healers, poets, artists, candidates, advisors and vendors of many natural alterative or holistic healing options. Lotions, aromas, foods, make-up, herbs, acupuncture and cleansing products are now scheduled to fill the sidewalks downtown during the event. This is in addition to the 50 mer- chants joining the day’s activities by offering clay demonstrations, chair massage, local product tasting, in store refreshments and entertain- ment. Six stores are offering whole store discounts from 10 percent to 25 percent off. Most are offering shopping specials on selected items, some up to 50 percent off. A detailed schedule of events is now available in all participating stores to help downtown visitors find lunch or dinner specials, dis- counts and their favorite well-being practitioners. A wide variety of local products, such as buffalo products, olive oils, fudge and honey, will be featured along with music by vocalist and guitarist Linda Rowland, Native American Drumming, essential oils and candles. Friends can get match- ing tattoos or schedule day spa treat- ments or just enjoy a meal together. Spirit Stone readings, dermato- glyphic work-hand analysis, ASYRA and SCIO computer body scans, Native American quantum touch, Reiki in two presentations, aura imaging photos, numerology and Tarot, Chakra and Mediumship reading and more will be included. More information is available by calling Jann Holden at 529-1091 or by picking up a schedule at a partic- ipating merchant. Local doctor lending his expertise in Africa By JULIE ZEEB DN Staff Writer All kinds of medical equipment is on its way to Africa and when it arrives in Liberia, St. Elizabeth Community Hospital Director. of Surgery Leon Randall will be there to meet it. “My goal is to be there when its time to unpack the containers and to help train them to use the equip- ment,” Randall said. Courtesy photo St. Elizabeth Community Hospital Director of Surgery Leon Randall and his brother, Lynn Randall pose for a picture during a January 2010 trip to Duside Hospital on the Firestone Plantation in Liberia. POWER PRODUCTS DOLMAR 7 5 8 5 5 1 6 9 0 0 1 9 Red Bluff Outdoor Power As Local As.... CALL TODAY (530) 529-1222 237 South Main Street The three-and-a-half containers with about $350,000 worth of equip- ment, which is being shipped by Firestone Tires, will leave the United States on May 23. They should arrive in Liberia on June 23 where they will be about an hours transport from their final destination at Duside Hos- pital on the Firestone Plan- tation in Liberia, Randall See AFRICA, page 7A lion burden on a state budget that has a $20 billion deficit, it seems to me, is impru- dent,’’ said state Treasurer Bill Lockyer, a member of the CalPERS board. The board also voted to delay the request for an addi- tional $100 million for non- teaching school employee pensions. It also will revisit that decision in June. Before the June meeting, CalPERS actuaries will ana- lyze the effect of postponing the rate hike for a year, Lockyer said. After the committee’s decision on Tuesday, Schwarzenegger said the additional pension requests illustrated the need for pen- sion reform, a cause he has championed. The state is required to pay the contribution rate set by CalPERS every year. The need for additional money was driven by investment losses and the longer lifes- pans of retirees. CalPERS’ interim chief actuary, Alan Milligan, said Tuesday the investment loss- es would hurt the fund for years to come. CalPERS, the nation’s largest public pension fund, lost $55.2 billion during the 2008-09 fiscal year. It serves 1.6 million public employ- ees, retirees and families and was valued at $205 billion on Friday. California’s second largest pension fund, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, does not plan to ask for a rate change from the state. It requires legislative approval when it requests more money, unlike CalPERS. CalPERS’ decision Wednesday was not wel- comed by David Crane, an economic advisor to Schwarzenegger and former CalSTRS board member. He said CalPERS would miss out on investment returns it would earn on that $600 million. • “Main Street or Wall Street” banking, which do you want • Still offering better than free checking • Now offering Health Savings Accounts • Local decision making • Community Support