It’s the free application for smart consumers interested in getting a bargain. And, if you own a business, it’s the application with the potential to grow your business, month after month. It is promoted in ALIVE Magazine, on our various websites and in our television commercials.

The way it works is simple. The ALIVE Marketplace is where consumers can go for exclusive special offers that aren’t available anywhere else, from the businesses featured in the application.

This free application is easily downloaded from the App Store on your iPhone or iPod, and through iTunes—just do a search for “Alive Marketplace” and you’ll find it.

Once installed, just tap the icon and the application will default to a map screen, showing where the different participating businesses are located. There is also a searchable menu tab feature, so special offers can be easily found that way too.

In addition to the special offers, you can also access a fully operational version of the ALIVE Magazine website by clicking on the “News” tab at the bottom of the screen, so you can keep up on everything “ALIVE.”

NOTE TO BUSINESS OWNERS
Unless you’ve been asleep, you already know you need to be a part of the mobile marketing revolution that’s happening all around you.

But how do you start? And, are you prepared to invest tens of thousands of dollars or more to develop and promote an iPhone application of your own?

Or, maybe you still think you can do it the old fashioned way, with a radio ad, a flyer, or a coupon book. Well, in the words of Tony Soprano, “Forget about it!”

The ONLY viable strategy for any business to make it in today’s competitive environment is to take advantage of the multimedia information super-highway—you must access smartphone technology, print, online and TV. And the easiest way to do that is through the ALIVE Marketplace and ALIVE Mediaworks.

For example, for less than you’d spend for just a print ad in that “other” East Bay magazine, your business would be featured on the ALIVE Marketplace App, a TV commercial, an ongoing online ad, and the same size ad in ALIVE Magazine. You’d reach tens or even hundreds of thousands more potential customers or clients, all for the same cost!

Call me, Eric Johnson, at 925-837-7303, to find out what we can do to help your business or professional practice grow!
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Lafora is the most virulent, progressive and degenerative form of epilepsy known and usually strikes young healthy kids in their early teen years. With its devastating nature, Lafora slowly tears away their ability to walk, talk and function. Children with Lafora suffer from rampant grand mal seizures, loss of cognition and generally, within 10 years, they lose their life. LAFORA HAS NO CURE.

What transpired between Chelsea’s diagnosis in January 2006 and now has been the birth of Chelsea’s Hope: Lafora Children Research Fund. Chelsea’s Hope began out of helplessness, isolation, devastation and a need to believe in miracles. With just a few hundred diagnosed cases of Lafora worldwide, there was little information available, no resources for families, and essentially no funding for research.

Chelsea’s Hope, an IRS non-profit corporation, is the only organization dedicated to connecting families, creating awareness and raising funds for Lafora research. Within these past several years, our organization has grown into a community of families dedicated to emotionally supporting one another, who have become in their own right, experts in the care of their children’s medical needs.

We have developed a strong bond with the few leading Lafora researchers in the world, presently at UCLA Medical Center and Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto, helping them by bringing forth an awareness of Lafora publicly, and thus, have been instrumental in helping families receive long sought after diagnosis for their children.

We are proud that Chelsea’s Hope has raised over $225,000 for Lafora research. With these funds, protocols have been supported which has led to the recent FDA approval for the drug, Gentamicin, to be used on Lafora patients, those with certain mutations. This long awaited approval represents HOPE, while it is not a cure, it promises to halt the progression, temporarily, while a search for a cure continues. This is the first medical treatment that will be used on Lafora children as opposed to medications administered solely for seizure control.

We are doing what we can, with a mournful yet empowered heart, to make a difference in Chelsea’s life and every other child’s life that is affected by Lafora. What these children have lost should not happen to any other child. No parent should have to wait years for a diagnosis only to hear, “I’m sorry, there is no cure.” It is our dream, our wish and the reason for our existence, that one day when a child is diagnosed with Lafora, that instead of hearing the word fatal, parents will learn there is a treatment.

Last year, at our first fundraising event, Dr. Escueta of UCLA, stated in his 20 years of Lafora research no one had ever raised funds to support this work. He also mentioned that if medical research funds were made available, it is believed a cure could be found within a few years.

Please join us for the Premiere of The Chelsea’s Hope Documentary Film, meet the researchers and participate in keeping hope alive at our second annual fundraiser September 26, 2010 at the Blackhawk Museum.

Chelsea’s Hope brings hope to many and, is indisputably, making a difference for children suffering from Lafora.

To learn about Lafora, read about our children, make your donation, and attend our event, go to www.chelseashope.org.

I sometimes wonder, with today’s swirl of computers, smartphones, iPads and GPS units, are we drowning in a techno-polluted sea of our own making? Are we losing touch with what it means to be human? Would our quality of life be better if we took a few steps back and lived without our steady press forward into a future seemingly filled with ever more clever gadgets and gizmos?

I’d say it’s a matter of perspective—of keeping “things” in their proper place in the hierarchy of human affairs. We must remember that technology is a means to, not an end in itself. As the saying goes, “The most important things in life are not things.” How and why we use technology defines its value, so if we strive to create and use it in ways that support virtue and health, I say, “Bring it on—the more technology, the better.” We just need to control the technology, not let it control us.
Of course our cover this month is certainly all about technology. Our ALIVE Marketplace application is just one way we’re doing our best at ALIVE to add value to what we offer to our readers and advertisers.

Technology is neutral. So long as the motivation behind it is to make life better and serve those around us, then our satellite radios, microwaves and graphite golf clubs are good things. It’s okay to love technology, but not as much as you, you see, always and forever…

At the ALIVE Marketplace, you’ll find special offers and discounts for products and services, provided by businesses that advertise in ALIVE Magazine.
You won’t find these specials and discounts anywhere else. The application is free. The specials and discounts are real. Simply download iTunes to your computer and go to the “Applications” section, or go the App Store on your iPhone. Then, just search for “Alive Marketplace.”

NOTICE TO BUSINESS OWNERS: WAKE UP!
If you’re not advertising through the ALIVE MARKETPLACE, you’re missing HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of potential customers! Promote your business or professional practice to MILLIONS of iPhone users with the ALIVE Marketplace, This powerful advertising vehicle is FREE when you advertise in ALIVE. Call us today at 925-837-7303.

Find out how easy it is to be part of the ALIVE Marketplace.

He explains that, “Proactive people focus their efforts in the Circle of Influence. They work on things they can do something about. The nature of their energy is positive, enlarging and magnifying, causing their Circle of Influence to increase.” He then goes on to describe a person who focuses their attention on their Circle of Concern: “Reactive people, on the other hand, focus their efforts in the Circle of Concern. They focus on the weakness of other people, the problems in the environment, and circumstances over which they have no control. Their focus results in blaming and accusing attitudes, reactive language, and increased feelings of victimization. The negative energy generated by that focus, combined with neglect in areas they could do something about, causes their Circle of Influence to shrink.”

I am of the opinion that one of the best ways to work within and enlarge one’s Circle of Influence is to donate time to a worthy cause, and that one of the best places to find these is through a local church. Now before you jump on me for suggesting it, let’s forget about the “church” label for a moment and consider what resources that just one local church, New Life in Alamo (see their ad on page 23), offer to those seeking to positively change (help) their world through their own “Circle of Influence.”

First, they support the San Francisco City Academy (see “Miracle on Jones Street,” by Clint Ladine). For 11 years the City Academy has been providing educational opportunities for the underserved children of the Tenderloin District. These kids are being taking from a path of gangs, violence, and prison, and set on a new path of opportunity, healthy relationships and success. This program, which receives no support from the City or government, provides an education, hot meals, after-school opportunities, and basic medical services for these children.

New Life Church supports a number of other effective programs that directly impact lives in important, even life-saving, ways. Through New Life, your Circle of Influence can include helping the homeless in San Francisco’s Tenderloin through the San Francisco Rescue Mission, or teenagers in Oakland and San Jose through a youth drug treatment program called Teen Challenge. You can even expand your “Circle” to positively impact the lives of people in other parts of the world, like in Mexico through a program called Open Arms, where impoverished children are provided hot meals, an education and most importantly the experience of God’s love through people who care.

Want to be a “highly successful person?” Then focus on the things you can really do something about—focus on your Circle of Influence. And an easy way to do that is to be involved in your local church.

Added to these, I share in the broader celebration with most Americans in the recognition of Independence Day—the fourth of July. Of course if you follow much of the media, you might be left with the impression that we have little to celebrate of late. Bad news sells, after all.

Ever contrarian, at ALIVE we do not share in the dire descriptions of our media comrades. Need a little boost in your patriotic pride for the American economy? Look no further than Damien Couture’s uplifting Market Watch article on page 49, as he does a terrific job in setting the record straight—when it comes to the economic engine of the world, America remains in front.

To be sure, we face a number of challenges these days, but we must remember that we have something of enormous power that we can depend upon to solve these issues—the “American Recovery Act.” Of course I’m not referring to the American Recovery Act of the billboard variety that politicians use to advance their personal agendas; the one I mean is the feeling in your gut if you are a person whose eyes still well when you hear our national anthem.

Our hope and our pride as Americans still come from the same place inside as it did for the great men and women who conceived this nation: That America is called the “United” States because it is, in the final analysis, a group united, ultimately made of collections of counties, then cities and towns, then neighborhoods, streets, homes, families and finally, freedom loving individuals.

Every July 4th we celebrate much more than our national liberation—we celebrate our independence as individuals as we enjoy the glorious blessing of freedom which our nation provides.

As I consider the many reasons why July is one of my favorite months, may God bless you and yours as you celebrate your independence. And may He continue to bless the United States of America.

In recent years I had the pleasure of congratulating my dearest niece and nephew for their accomplishments at graduation, but this year’s celebrations promise to be especially meaningful as my own son and his closest friends join the ranks of new graduates.

At the risk of bending to the temptation of offering parental advice, I ask that you indulge one proud father a few words that I would share with my son and all of the graduates of 2010. I promise this will be no laundry list of dos and don’ts, for I really have only one point to make, and it is this:

Always remember who and what you are, and remember that you can always depend upon His promises.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord.”—Jeremiah 29:11-14.

I offer my heartfelt congratulations to you son, for I could not be more proud. And likewise to all graduates everywhere: may this be the beginning of a wonderful and exciting journey for you all!

Grylls is always animated yet matter-of-factly confident as he demonstrates these extreme survival techniques. This is true of every episode I’ve seen—except one. I don’t recall the exact circumstances, but in this particular episode, night was falling as Grylls’ normally steady composure seemed to flag a bit. He was obviously tired, and while there was a film crew nearby, he was apparently feeling lonely. He then said something that, while out of character for Grylls, seemed very real and heartfelt. To paraphrase, he said, “when things seem bleak; when I start to feel down or alone, I always remember the three Fs — friends, family and faith.”

Attitude is everything, and Grylls’ statement resonated as probably the most useful and powerful survival technique he had ever shared. Keeping the “three Fs” in mind can go a very long way indeed, on every level—physically, emotionally and spiritually. In my day-to-day routine, I try to make a point of thinking about the three Fs, whenever I can, but confess that sometimes, I forget.

One of the most amazing things about the three Fs is that if you do happen to forget, they will be there for you anyway, ready to reach out and lift you up when you need it most. Take the “friends” part of the three Fs, for example. I recently discovered that I have one I have yet to meet in person, as a result of writing this column every month. Her name is Dorothy, a local Alive reader.

In a letter I received from her recently, Dorothy expressed her appreciation for Alive Magazine and for the positive message we try to convey. She composed a beautiful, eloquent letter, complimenting all of our editorial contributors. In short, Dorothy took the time to open a door of friendship to me that, due to the circumstances of the day, could not have arrived at a more appropriate time. I wasn’t expecting it, but one of the three Fs reached out and lifted me, just when I needed it.

What else can I say but, “Thank you Dorothy. Thank you for being the kind and caring person that you are. I appreciate your gesture and words, and hope you will grant me the honor of adding you to my three Fs list, as you may certainly count on me to be on yours!”

Plus, of course, our usual assortment of articles on style, fashion, health and fitness, food, automobiles, investing, the arts and all those elements which make ALIVE, well, so alive.

Photo by Susan Wood taken at an unlikely location, off Arnold Industrial Road in Concord, in front of the new Lowe’s Home Store.

But with April comes a new feeling; a new attitude—time to brush out the cobwebs and do a little spring cleaning! Yet there’s the age old horsecart question, how does one change direction? Do we feel like moving in a new direction and then go there, or do we just go and then feel better as a result of having moved? It may seem counter-intuitive, but the latter method is one of the best ways to effect meaningful change. Many times, how we feel—our emotions—come from what we do. It is motion that creates our e-motions.

When was the last time you did something to change-up your thinking? When was the last time you did something new? In this issue of ALIVE we have some powerful options that you can use to help you get started in making some changes in your life. How about taking up art, as in “industrial art”—like blacksmithing, glass blowing or woodworking? Dive into Anita Venezia’s article about The Crucible to find out about this extraordinary, hands-on institution right here in our own backyard. This place can definitely bring a little spark into your life, if that’s what you’re looking for.

Or check out our good friend and new ALIVE columnist Ron Kardashian’s advice. Ron will definitely “fire you up,” and give you tips on how to move in new directions.

Changing direction might begin with something simple, yet effective, like changing your décor. When was the last time you really spruced-up your surroundings? Need some help? Look no further than to our friends at Azzulina. For the entire month of April, they are offering incredible discounts on superb quality furniture and accessories. When you visit Azzulina in Livermore, you’ll discover an enormous selection of custom-quality furnishings at warehouse prices.

Come to think of it, visit any of the great businesses advertising in this issue of ALIVE and you’ll find a great resource to help you change your surroundings, your direction, and thereby how you feel.

Remember, motion causes emotion—so change it up. Do something new. Make some changes in what you do and in your surroundings and twelve months from now, you’ll look back and see the warm, pleasant year that followed April 2010!