Oakland Zoo – A History as Told by the Founder’s Daughter
My curiosity about the Oakland Zoo was sparked after reading the novel FREEIN’PANCHO by New England author Lloyd Prentice, telling a story of a boy growing up in the Oakland Hills in the 1950s. The crux of the story occurs in the pristine Oakland hills with a boy shortcutting to school through the Oakland Zoo when Skyline Boulevard was lined with shady groves and stables. I read the book presuming the Mr. Snow character to be fictional—but he was not—the Snow family founded the Oakland Zoo. Prentice, in his youth, had himself lived in the hills, had cut through the ...
Foothills Of Diablo: A Photo Journal
Once upon a time there was a man who liked to tell stories with his camera. They were the best kind of stories because they allowed everyone to create their own, personal story, all from looking at the very same photographs. From his eye, mind, heart—the story travels—to your eye, mind, heart.
Herman Rarebell of the Legendary Scorpions
Herman Rarebell, known by fans as ‘Herman Ze German’, is a rock star with staying power—enduring fifty years of rock band business. He made his mark, not only as a drummer in the popular heavy metal band, The Scorpions, but also as a prolific songwriter of classics like Another Piece of Meat, Falling in Love and Passion Rules the Game, and as the lead lyricist for Rock You Like a Hurricane, Make it Real, Blackout, Dynamite and Tease Me Please Me. Rarebell not only played drums but his songwriting skills were one of the band’s key ingredients that helped their music ...
Special Spaces: Changing Children’s Lives One Bedroom at a Time
Special Spaces Inc, is on a mission—a mission to create dream bedrooms for children with life challenging illnesses. A child’s room is a place for them to find comfort and hope while coping with their unfortunate medical needs. One of the fulfilling attributes of being a designer is being able to share your passion in a platform that is beneficial to another. Being a part of something as rewarding as Special Spaces, Inc. is a true honor. Aside from being an interior designer at J. Hettinger Interiors, I am also a volunteer with Special Spaces, Inc., as a room designer. I ...
Las Lomas Outdoor Classroom
Non-profit organization TLC for Kids Sports, sponsored by O.C. Jones & Sons, Inc., announced today that construction broke ground for the Las Lomas Outdoor Memorial Classroom. This is the culmination of a year-long fundraising campaign and school activities in honor of Gavin Powell and Matt Miller, two students who died last year while rafting in a storm-swollen local creek. “I am amazed that all our talking and designing and planning are actually taking shape,” said Senior Class Vice President Erin Donoghue. “For a long time I feared that we would not be able to make the memorial idea a reality ...
You Are Feeling Relaxed…Very, Very Relaxed and Calm
If you're reading the newspaper, watching the news regularly, or looking for work—then feeling relaxed and calm may not be a mainstay of your diet these days. During stressful times, like the ones many of us are experiencing, it is important to develop "self-care tools." One self-care tool that I personally would find difficult to get along without is self-hypnosis. When I'm unable to sleep, one of my most effective ways of relaxing is practicing self-hypnosis. I teach many of my clients how to use self-hypnosis to assist in relaxing and getting a good night's sleep. In addition to sharing self-care ...
2012 Acura ZDX Crossover – Coupe Style!
Crossovers are still very popular and vital to the U.S. market. A crossover is the blending of the high riding and utility of an SUV, but built on a more fuel efficient automobile platform. In an effort to add a sporty flare, Acura created the ZDX which looks like a four-door sports coupe. The advantage is sleek profile styling. The ZDX was designed, developed, and is manufactured in North America. The sculpted lines and sensuous curves were crafted by Acura's first female designer. At first glance you may think the Acura ZDX is the sister car to the Honda Crosstour. The ...
Stamps in my Passport – Lithuania
While traveling around the back roads of most nations, one often comes across hidden jewels – those treasures scattered about like oases in a desert – that are often ignored by major tour companies. Certainly main attractions such as historical buildings and wide, expansive vistas are on the itinerary of these agencies. But some out-of-the-way, often hard-to-find sites are overlooked. During the years, I’ve stumbled on a number of these locations which have proven to be highlights of my travels. Let me share one of my favorites with you. We left Helsinki, Finland by ferry and headed almost due east. It ...
IN THIS ISSUE...
ALIVE Book Publishing
May 1, 2012 · Leave a Comment
You’ll get one-on-one, personalized attention. Work “Face to Face” with YOUR Publisher! We’ll PUBLISH your book… Editing & interior page layout design Custom, cutting-edge cover design ISBN & Bar Coding & QR Code & MS Tag Distribution via Amazon, B&N, Ingram& more PLUS We’ll MARKET your book with … Your own complete website with direct ordering Professionally produced TV Spot Local Zone Cable TV Spots on CNN, MSNBC, HLN, etc Advertising on the ALIVE Marketplace iPhone App Twitter, Facebook coordinated accounts Online... [Read the full story]
HOME and GARDEN
It’s the Pits!
May 1, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Late spring marks the start of stone fruit season. (So-called because these fruits contain a single pit, or “stone.”) First come cherries and then apricots, followed by peaches, nectarines, plums, and all their various hybrids. Unlike the tasteless, mealy imports found in supermarkets, your farmers’ market carries tree-ripened, locally grown fruit—just the way nature intended. One juicy bite and you’ll be hooked. I promise. Cherry season starts off slowly with the arrival of the Black Tartarian and Burlat; followed by the blushing yellow Royal Anne and Rainier. Sour cherries, like the... [Read the full story]
ARTS
Successful Careers from Mediocre Beginnings
May 1, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Many famous and successful people, including musicians and composers, abound in our present day society. But many of these highly-thought-of, very accomplished people were not as famous and successful in their early lives as they became later. Many people who we admire and esteem today had very mediocre career beginnings. It is surprising to note that when I was doing research for this article I found world renowned individuals represented in the fields of business, politics, science, medicine, sports and the arts including musicians and composers. When we think of the gifted and illustrious composers... [Read the full story]
SPORTS and WELLNESS
Shedding Light on Natural Pain Relief
May 1, 2012 · Leave a Comment
They can repair your vision with just one treatment and measure the distance from the Earth to the moon within a millimeter. They are in supermarket scanners and compact disc players. What are they? Lasers. Theorized by Albert Einstein in 1917 and invented in 1960, lasers have proven to be a versatile high-tech solution to many of life’s problems. Today, more and more people are learning that therapeutic doses of laser light can also relieve pain and expedite healing for a wide range of health complaints. What is laser therapy for pain relief? Laser therapy is the application of low levels... [Read the full story]
FEATURE
Oakland Zoo – A History as Told by the Founder’s Daughter
May 1, 2012 · Leave a Comment
My curiosity about the Oakland Zoo was sparked after reading the novel FREEIN’PANCHO by New England author Lloyd Prentice, telling a story of a boy growing up in the Oakland Hills in the 1950s. The crux of the story occurs in the pristine Oakland hills with a boy shortcutting to school through the Oakland Zoo when Skyline Boulevard was lined with shady groves and stables. I read the book presuming the Mr. Snow character to be fictional—but he was not—the Snow family founded the Oakland Zoo. Prentice, in his youth, had himself lived in the hills, had cut through the zoological gardens to school... [Read the full story]
COLUMNS
A Lost Decade?
May 1, 2012 · Leave a Comment
The last ten years or so have been widely referred to as the “lost decade.” In many ways this term does accurately reflect our economic and financial market struggles since the year 2000. We have experienced unthinkable terrorist attacks, painful stock market declines, ongoing wars in the Middle East, and the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. No argument here that the last 10-12 years have been an extremely tough environment for many Americans and a very frustrating and challenging time to be an investor. Despite all these struggles, there have been some very positive developments... [Read the full story]
FEATURE
Oakland Zoo – A History as Told by the Founder’s Daughter
My curiosity about the Oakland Zoo was sparked after reading the novel FREEIN’PANCHO by New England author Lloyd Prentice, telling a story of a boy growing up in the Oakland Hills in the 1950s. The crux of the story occurs in the pristine Oakland hills with a boy shortcutting to school through the Oakland Zoo when Skyline Boulevard was lined with... Read more of this article
Foothills Of Diablo: A Photo Journal
Once upon a time there was a man who liked to tell stories with his camera. They were the best kind of stories because they allowed everyone to create their own, personal story, all from looking at the very same photographs. From his eye, mind, heart—the story travels—to your eye, mind, heart. Read More →
Herman Rarebell of the Legendary Scorpions
Herman Rarebell, known by fans as ‘Herman Ze German’, is a rock star with staying power—enduring fifty years of rock band business. He made his mark, not only as a drummer in the popular heavy metal band, The Scorpions, but also as a prolific songwriter of classics like Another Piece of Meat, Falling in Love and Passion Rules the Game, and as... Read more of this article
Special Spaces: Changing Children’s Lives One Bedroom at a Time
Special Spaces Inc, is on a mission—a mission to create dream bedrooms for children with life challenging illnesses. A child’s room is a place for them to find comfort and hope while coping with their unfortunate medical needs. One of the fulfilling attributes of being a designer is being able to share your passion in a platform that is beneficial... Read more of this article
Las Lomas Outdoor Classroom
Non-profit organization TLC for Kids Sports, sponsored by O.C. Jones & Sons, Inc., announced today that construction broke ground for the Las Lomas Outdoor Memorial Classroom. This is the culmination of a year-long fundraising campaign and school activities in honor of Gavin Powell and Matt Miller, two students who died last year while rafting... Read more of this article
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ARTS
Successful Careers from Mediocre Beginnings
Many famous and successful people, including musicians and composers, abound in our...
ALIVE at the Movies: Gattaca
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COLUMNS
A Lost Decade?
The last ten years or so have been widely referred to as the “lost decade.” In...
A Mother’s Mysterious Death
I believe in numbers, probabilities and odds. How often do mothers of two boys go...
Beauty Bloom – New Surprises in Cosmetic Technologies
I love when new technologies improve our life, making it easier and less complicated....
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HOME & GARDEN
It’s the Pits!
Late spring marks the start of stone fruit season. (So-called because these fruits...
Dirt Gardener – Dandelions
Q. Dandelions have invaded my lawn and are taking it over. I’ve tried pulling...
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SPORTS & WELLNESS
Shedding Light on Natural Pain Relief
They can repair your vision with just one treatment and measure the distance from...
Have All Star Games Run Their Course?
Fan voting begins this month for the Major League Baseball All Star Game to be held...
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