Column

How long until your car dashboard audio experience is digital and internet driven?  By that, I don’t mean radio or satellite, but on demand programming? Does it make sense it will be? Apple is in the game with something it is calling CarPlay. It brings iPhone features and Siri voice activation right into the dashboard.  Apple isn’t alone.  Google and others have been trying to lock down space. And 80 million new cars sold globally each year creates a huge space for them. Having that potential in our cars creates whole new listening vistas for us.

Radio industry analyst, Jerry Del Colliano, writes that Apple just killed radio’s digital dashboard.  He’s writing from radio’s point of view.  He’s saying that consolidation has ruined radio and left it ripe for this. He says this is especially true for the younger generations, as well as many of us baby boomers, who get most of our information from our mobile devices.  Now we’ll be able to either plug in or WiFi our own programming from that smartphone.

Apple has already locked down Ferrari, Mercedes, and Volvo, and it says Ford and Honda are on the way. It says CarPlay will also work with music services, Spotify and Beats Radio. Pandora isn’t on the list so far.  I’m guessing you still be able to get some radio streaming as well.

So, question:  Will this be more distracting for drivers or less?  As things are now, you can have presets for your favorite stations. With CarPlay, my guess is, it will come up on a digital dashboard display, or you’ll be able to use Siri to go where you want to go.  That, on the face of it, would seem to be less distracting.  Now, we can plug in our device through our USB or Bluetooth and bring up stuff, but to do that we aren’t hands free. Does this solve that problem?

Another aspect.  So far in all this talk, it doesn’t seem that these systems will accommodate android devices.  Will you either have to have an iPhone or be forced into the Apple family to make these connections?  Or will you have to choose car brands based on what kind of operating system your phone is?  Interesting!

On the whole, this has seemed inevitable for several years, but now with the way technology can move, it seems it’s here.  Cool.  On demand.  You make the decision to listen to what and when you want.  Make sense?

The proliferation of television cooking shows has turned us into a nation of voyeurs. Our insatiable appetite for perfection transports us to the land where pasta is always made from scratch and calories never count. With no more than a click of the remote, we effortlessly transition from an ocean-view kitchen in Malibu to the plains of Oklahoma to a chic locale in the Hamptons. We swoon over impossibly complicated desserts; long for a personal florist to design our garden tablescapes; and cheer for our favorite “chef-testants.” I know this because I’m right there with you. Until real life enters the picture.

April is a good reminder that sometimes the simplest things are the most satisfying. I don’t feel compelled to top my “protein” with a cloud of foam. I don’t need a pantry filled with magic powders or a tank of liquid nitrogen or a sous vide machine or a blast-chiller or an anti-griddle. Everything I need is in my own home kitchen. And the “fanciest” food I need is found at the farmers’ market.

This month, cherry lovers will rejoice at the sight of those chubby little sweeties, and kiwi fanatics can get their fill before that fruit’s season comes to a close. But most importantly, cruciferous and root vegetables are being moved aside to make room for early spring crops like asparagus, artichokes, fava beans, crunchy celery, and peas. Yes, I said peas—with enthusiasm.

Peas are something we tend to take for granted year ‘round, for who among us doesn’t have a bag or two stashed away in the freezer for emergencies? One taste of farm-fresh peas, however, and you’ll understand what a sorry substitute their frozen counterparts really are. Sure, there is a bit of labor involved when you buy peas-in-the pod, but shelling them is a great job for kids, and a not-so-unpleasant task for adults. Just be sure to buy more than you think you’ll need—during the shelling process, raw peas tend to become a popular snack food. (Pea Arithmetic: one pound of English peas-in-the-pod yields 1 cup of shelled peas. Before snacking.)

There are basically two kinds of peas: English peas (aka common garden peas-in-the-pod) that must be shelled to eat the “seeds” inside; and snow peas and sugar snap peas, which have edible pods. Snow peas—a favorite in Chinese cuisine—are flat, while sugar snaps peas are plump. Sugar snap peas also live up to their descriptive name—in a big way!

One of my go-to recipes for sugar snap peas comes from The Food Network—a worthwhile payoff for all those hours spent in front of the television. Ina Garten tells the story that this came about as the result of a fortuitous accident. Her staff had placed an order for snow peas and their produce suppliermistakenly sent sugar snap peas—which at the time were a fairly new on the market. As she was on the phone telling the supplier to pick them up, she tasted one—and the rest is history. She created this salad on the spot, and it sold out within hours. She then called the supplier and ordered 100 pounds for the next day.

The Barefoot Contessa’s salad contains three ingredients, requires absolutely no cooking, and is utterly brilliant in its simplicity. To make it: Leave the sugar snap peas whole, but trim away the leafy end and remove the strings if needed. Toss the uncooked sugar snaps with barely enough Asian-styletoasted sesame oil to coat lightly. (Be miserly here. Don’t think of the oil as “salad dressing.” Add only enough oil to make the peas glisten.) Sprinkle with toasted black or white sesame seeds and serve at cool room temperature. In the words of The Food Goddess herself: How easy is that?

Emboldened with this revelation, I decided to play around with a saladrecipe from the Union Square Café in New York City. Although the restaurant’s version calls for blanching the sugar snap peas, here in California—where locally-grown sugar snaps abound at the farmers’ market—the step is totally unnecessary. So here is another winning recipe to celebrate the flavors of spring. Tune in next month for more perfectly simple ideas.

Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Pancetta

 1 pound sugar snap peas, ends trimmed

4 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/4-inch dice

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons champagne or white wine vinegar

1 teaspoon coarse (kosher) salt or more, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/2 cup California extra virgin olive oil

1 green onion (scallion), thinly sliced

3 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh mint leaves

1/3 cup freshly grated Pecorino-Romano or Parmesan cheese

 

1. Cut the snap peas into thin strips by slicing them on a sharp diagonal.

2. In a 10-inch skillet, combine the pancetta and 1 tablespoon of water. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the water evaporates and the pancetta begins to render its fat, 4 to 5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until crisp. Drain on paper towels.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and a few grindings of pepper. Gradually whisk in the oil.

4. Stir in the prepared sugar snaps, pancetta, green onion, mint, and all but 1 tablespoon of the cheese. Taste, adding more salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top. Serves 4 to 6.

 Minding Your Peas and Q’s

–Although “string-less” sugar snappeas are increasingly popular, more classic varieties have a tough string running along the length of the pod. If they are not labeled “string-less” at the farmers’ market, just ask the grower. Removing the string is incredibly easy: Just snap off the leaf end and pull down on the string. (This is a mindless chore best done while watching The Food Network.)

–Like corn, the sugars contained within peas convert to starch shortly after harvesting, so it’s best to buy them fresh from the farmers’ market and eat them as soon as possible. Store them in an open plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.

— Regardless of which variety of peas you buy, always inspect the “packaging”: look for plump, glossy green pea pods, crisp and free of blemishes.

–Easy does it! An over-cooked pea is a sorry thing. Strictly speaking, no peas require cooking—though giving common “English” peas and snow peas a quick sauté or blanch in boiling water will intensify their color and mellow their flavor ever so slightly.

 The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad and Prospect, is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For specific crop information call the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at 1-800-949-FARM, or visit their web site at www.pcfma.com. This market is made possible through the generous support of the Town of Danville. Please show your appreciation by patronizing the many fine shops and restaurants located in downtown Danville. Buy fresh. Buy local. Live well.

 

 

“I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out.” We’ve probably all heard that old saying but it may just be more truth than fiction. From what I can see, the kids, and often adults, who play the game are just plain tough!

We’ve just finished up with yet another amazing Winter Olympics. It was back in Russia again this year. The Canadians won the gold again in Men’s Hockey. It is usually either the Russians or the Canadians. The Canadians are our friends but there seems to be a fierce competition between the United States and Russia when it comes to most things but none more obvious than Hockey.

The year was 1980. The place was Lake Placid, New York. The Soviets had won the Gold for the last four Winter Olympics. But… in 1960 the United States team took the Gold for the first time ever, and Herb Brooks (Kurt Russell) was left sitting on the sidelines watching. Having trained with the 1960 team for months, he was the last one cut from the roster. His dream of winning never faltered, so when asked to coach the team he was ready. He truly believed he could coach this scraggly bunch of college boys to victory. With no Gold Medal since 1960, no one else believed in his dream.

The first hurdle was picking the team. When questioned about his choices, he said that he wasn’t looking for the best players, he was looking for the right players. In the midst of his year-long training, he was told over and over again that he was working the boys too hard. Many held grudges against their fellow players for tactics in past games. Many were young and didn’t quite want to work that hard. Many just didn’t believe it could be done. It was his almost impossible task to mold them into a winning team.

Miracle is a David and Goliath story in a time when it was badly needed. The Cold War was a cold fact. The world was hurting. The USSR had invaded Afghanistan just a few months before. The Communist way of life threatened the very fabric of the lives of freedom-loving people around the world. Evil was alive and well and rearing its ugly head. This win was more than just a Gold Medal; it was symbolic of victory over our enemy, without a fire being shot.

I loved the poignancy of the wall in the locker room covered in telegrams from well-wishing Americans…even the one that said, “Beat those Commie Bastards”. Like I said before, in 1980, this was more than a hockey game for many. The average age of players on our team was 21. Most of the well-seasoned USSR team had been playing together for 15 years, but as Coach Brooks said, “Great moments are born from great opportunity.”

Throughout their training, Coach Brooks would occasionally ask a player, “Who do you play for?”  They would say the name of their school. When he finally asked the question to one young player and heard the reply, “The United States of America.” He knew he had his team. They learned that the name on the front of the jersey was more important than the name on the back. Coach Brooks gave them not just a chance to dream, but to believe.

Miracle is a great family movie. You can watch it with your kids, your grandkids or alone. Alone might be best, that way you won’t be embarrassed when you jump out of your seat, pump your fist in the air and yell “GO USA.”

As usual, you can email me at Carolyn@rockcliff.com

Today we encounter stress and anxiety everywhere we go. The vicissitudes of modern life almost predict that disruption of one’s peaceful and calm existence will sometimes be interrupted, many times unexpectedly.  What can we do about it?  Through many research studies, science has proven that listening to or producing calming music can have a positive and lasting impact on relieving stress. How is this accomplished?

It is now well established music releases endorphins (natural opiates that relax us) into the body thereby lessening the stress and anxiety causing our discomfort. In a research study by Marie Helsing at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, she used two groups, one listened to music everyday and the second group spent time relaxing each day without music. The results showed a decrease in cortisol, the stress hormone, and better overall health in the group that listened to music.

The type of music did not seem to matter as much as whether or not the participants liked the music. The more the participants liked the music, the better the results. Music evokes positive emotions in listeners and therefore is thought to be beneficial for wellbeing and health, reported Helsing.

Current thinking based on scientific research says that making music is just as effective as listening to music. Singing, for example, is a very effective way of easing tension and anxiety. The old bromide of singing in the shower turns out to be beneficial to ones well-being and not just singing to hear your self sing. Singing is a great release of tension.

The soothing power of music is well established. It has a relaxing effect on minds and bodies, especially slow, quiet classical music. Music decreases the levels of stress hormones. Calming music before bedtime promotes peace and relaxation and helps induce sleep. As we know, productivity increases when stress is reduced. Music can also relieve depression and increase self-esteem.

Music can be a great aid to meditation, helping to prevent the mind from wandering. Certain music is appropriate for meditation as it can help the mind slow down and initiate the relaxation response. Loud, raucous music can be irritating or unsettling. Gentle music with a familiar melody is more comforting.

Listening to music can lower a stressed patients’ heart rate, reduce the need for anesthesia in surgery, enhance restful sleep, lower blood pressure and boost immune response, to name a few. Relaxation music often uses the sounds of nature on compact discs (CD). Water sounds are soothing and birdsongs are often used as an aid to help release stress.

There is a genre of music specifically designed to relieve anxiety and stress naturally without drugs and pills. It is called healing music and listening to it eases the stress response. Healing music can help people achieve a calmer, more peaceful state of mind. It produces physical changes in the body by alternating brainwave patterns and lowering blood pressure.

There are a few CDs highly recommended for healing music. Music for Brainwave Massage, by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, moves one to a meditative state.

Wind and Mountain, by Deuter, is good for encouraging creativity. Drone Zone, by Kay Gardner, has short songs for relaxation based on a root tone or “drone” that produces a specific vibration within the body. Harmonic Response, by Jim Oliver, produces harmonic tones to which the body responds. Music for Healing, by Steven Halpern, who is a pioneer in the science of sound healing.

Janelle Barlow, Ph.D. of the Stress Reduction Institute says, “Reduction of stress may not only be modern man’s answer to survival but also the key to his expanding potential.”

When you close your eyes and listen to calming music on a daily basis you will be more centered and less venerable to outside pressure. This April, while doing your taxes, play calming music and maybe it will become a less stressful chore.

Mark your calendars for The Danville Community Band’s Annual Blackhawk Museum Concert “A Gallery of Sound” Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. Free concert with museum entrance fee.

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net

Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville

Community Band.

 

 

TAPESTRY, the Bay Area’s only combined vocal and handbell ensemble, presents:

–Timeless and Timely–

ENCORE!

 

TAPESTRY PERFORMING IN THREE EASTBAY CONCERTS

Walnut Creek: Friday, April 11, 7 pm

Pleasanton: Saturday, April 12, 7 pm

Clayton: Sunday, April 13, 4 pm

 Friday, April 11, 7:00 pm at Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, 1543 Sunnyvale Ave., Walnut Creek – traditional pie party to follow.

Saturday, April 12, 7:00 pm at Lynnewood Methodist Church, 4444 Black Ave., Pleasanton.

Sunday, April 13, 4:00 pm at Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Rd., Clayton.

Under the direction of Cindy Krausgrill, Timeless and Timely takes a musical journey with best-loved music from Rodgers & Hammerstein to The Beatles, offering something for everyone and perfect for all ages.  All concerts are free and open to the public.  A free-will donation will be accepted in support of the Bay Area Chapter of P.E.O., an international organization whose mission is to promote educational opportunities for women. For more information about Tapestry and their spring concert season, please visit their website at www.TapestryRingersandSingers.org, or Facebook.com/tapestryringersandsingers.

 

 

As readers and a loyal audience, you should have never let me roam outside the boundaries of Alive Magazines circulation. You see, I am an explorer, and the act of staying put resembles trying to herd cats. The most wonderful aspect of this article is whenever I do break the lock on my own kennel; my first thought is that I can’t wait to bring you all with me. Today we are going to Portland!

There is a belief—a philosophy if you will—that I have about doughnuts. Somewhere around toddler-hood, the deep connection between a kid and a doughnut is formed. Perhaps this even precedes physical memory, but that does not deter from the power that is generated. Then, as we grow and mature, we see the doughnuts as security. An item that brings nostalgia, comfort, understanding, does not change and will always be there for you when you need it most. In adulthood, we veer a little further off course and even lose our connection for a bit, while we look at the effects that pastries and sugars have on our aging bodies. We examine our intake to preserve our waistlines and start making crucial cuts. Doughnuts are the poster children for dropped habits. I believe that they are the first to go because we know that if ever we change our minds, they will be there, waiting for us. Never questioning where we have been, never wondering why it took us so long to get back, and probably served by the same person in a hair net that we knew from so very long ago,

I have recently arrived at an amazing part of my life. I am now in possession of the body that I will be buried with one day. No more 20lb swings in either direction—a little soft in the middle, but comfortable. I love what I am and it requires little effort, outside my current routine. This allowed me to shake hands again with my old friends; maple bar and chocolate old-fashioned, and oh, how I have missed them!

Last week, my wife, son and I took a quick pilgrimage to the Pacific North West. This trip served two purposes. One: I got to meet some people that will be carrying my book, “What Seems to Be the Problem?” in their stores and two: One last trip before we meet my daughter, set to arrive in April!

While there, we had a short list of “musts,” coinciding with our short amount of time, but on that list was Voodoo Doughnuts!

Here’s the skinny (great word here)—Kenneth “Cat Daddy,” Pogson and Tres Shannon are longtime friends. These two operate as one and always wanted to create a business in Portland. They landed on doughnuts as an un-tapped reservoir of “creativity meets business sense,” but how? They knew nothing about confections, so the two infiltrated LA and the doughnut masters that would teach them like samurais in the fine art of doughnut rolling, frying, flipping and creating. They returned to Portland with stories of fame and not only created amazing donuts, but shapes and styles. Dead body doughnuts filled with raspberry jam, frosting “Xs”over the eyes and pretzels protruding outward from the chest. Maple doughnuts with crushed Oreos, drizzled with peanut butter. Maple bars with bacon on top (ridiculously good food), and don’t get me started about the cream-filled éclair in the shape of man parts. But the best part is that each bite is cathartic. Something about the bright pink building with Mrs. Pac Man and pinball inside, the traditional doughnut shop smell of coffee, pastry and frosting, and “cash only” nuance secured our breakfast heaven.

We introduced my son that day to what I am sure will be a lifelong relationship to a food that will provide comfort when we can’t.

Voodoo Doughnuts, 22 SW 3^rd Ave, Portland Oregon 503-241-4704

 

So long. sweaters!  The newest looks are fresh and fun!

Bright and airy colors…

 

 

 

 

 

 

… Floral prints (look by Blugirl)

 

 

 

White with black accents–not to be confused with plain ol’ black and white (available at lyst.com)…

 

 

 

 

 

THE color of the season, radiant orchid, makes a handbag look, well…radiant (bag by Michael Kors)…

 

 

 

 

The summer bootie works with slim slacks, skirts, dresses and shorts—this season’s IT shoe (shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo, available at Neiman Marcus, $750)…

Designing with the season is a great way to update your space. Interchangeable pillow covers for the family and living rooms, different table cloths and runners for the dining table, and throw blankets for the bed and sofas are all great places to start. Bringing in new designs also means it is time to clean and declutter. Nothing makes a room feel better than a freshly cleaned, bright and airy space. Updating is an excuse to purge and replace items that have seen better days.

Did you know that reupholstering a sofa can cost about the same as buying new? The cost largely depends on the type of fabric chosen and if the cushion fill needs to be changed out. It is always a good idea to look into the cost of buying new before you settle on updating the old. A new style of sofa in the living room can brighten the space and lighten it up. Older sofas that weigh down a room can have a huge, negative impact on the space. Working around one element or item in a room that you are not in love with is difficult. Make sure the base elements of your room are to your liking; paint colors, flooring, and lighting elements.

Spring is the perfect time to start designing. The winter market is over and manufacturers are just starting to release their new styles, so you are sure to get the latest fashions for your home. Fun new fabrics and furniture styles come into my office every day; I am able to present them to my clients before anyone else has a chance to see them. Working with a designer on your springtime update will save you valuable research time and money. Brighten up your space just before the rush of summer!

In honor of National Pear month, let’s discuss famous pairs, like Abbott & Costello, Martin & Lewis, Lewis & Clark. (I made that stuff up about a National Pear Month. Just being silly).

1. In the early 40’s, Universal Studios tried to advance a vaudeville team to be competition for Abbott and Costello. Their two movies were “Hellzapoppin,” and “Crazy House.” Who were these two comics? (Last names will do).

2. They played shortstop and second base together for 17 years for the Detroit Tigers during the 1970’s and 1980’s. Who were they?

3. They were responsible for the Broadway musicals “Babes in Arms,” “Pal Joey,” and “On Your Toes.” Who was this wonderful team of composers?

4. He was a squirrel and his friend was a moose. They made kids laugh on TV in the early days and delighted parents (like me) with their offbeat humor. Who were they?

5. Their last names were Elliott and Goulding, but we knew them by their first names. They delighted radio listeners of the 40’s and 50’s with their whimsical humor. By what names did we know them?

6. They made several musicals for MGM in the 30s and 40s, such as “Rose Marie,” and “Naughty Marietta.” Who were they?

For anyone interested in watching the cream of the Bay Area Triviaphiles in action, you are urged to run, not walk, to WPLJ in Walnut Creek on Sunday April 27 from 11AM to 3PM for the annual Kings X Trivia Tournament. You will certainly thank yourself for attending.

 

What would you think if tomorrow’s lead newspaper headline read: Gas Prices Skyrocket Overnight: Pass the $5 Barrier to $5.25 per Gallon!? As bad as it sounds, as you read more, the news gets worse. A gallon of milk isn’t $3.50 like it was yesterday, it’s now $4.88. And what about your daughter’s planned enrollment to Cal? You’ve been budgeting for tuition of $13,800.00, but today it is announced that you’ll need to come up with quite a bit more–$ 19,300.00 a year!

When the price of a new car that costs $38,000 today jumps to $53,000 overnight, and when a house valued at $800,000 at 9:00 a.m. is worth $1,114,000 at 5:00 p.m., I would say something is horribly wrong in the marketplace. This is exactly the kind of out-of-control economic spiral possible when some in the federal government believe one of their constitutional duties includes tinkering with the free market.

Right now, several marketplace intervention ideas are being proposed by the Obama Administration. The first is a raise in the minimum wage, from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour. If the prices hikes mentioned above seem incredible, then the one in wages should as well—they all represent a 39% increase. Other proposed regulations include mandated paid sick, family and parental leave laws.

There is nothing within the General Welfare Clause of our constitution that implies the authority or responsibility of our elected representatives to set prices or wages, and all Americans should be concerned when politicians—especially ones with zero business experience—start down this path. Our antennae should be up for their election year game of “We’d Like to Buy Your Vote,” with promises of chickens in every pot, two cars in every garage, and… higher wages—all mandated via government decree!

The fact is, wages are a cost on any business’ income statement, and when wages are arbitrarily forced to rise, business owners will make adjustments in other areas of their budget to account for that rise. They will either raise their prices or cut costs in other areas—like laying people off. In a recent survey by the nation’s largest privately held staffing firm, Express Employment Professionals, 65% of business owners said they would raise prices to adjust for an increase in the minimum wage and 38% said they will cut their workforce. In other words we’ll all pay more for goods and services and unemployment will rise.

Those who support government mandated wage hikes argue that it stimulates the economy by giving consumers more money to spend. By that logic, why then only raise it to $10 per hour? Wouldn’t a minimum wage of $20, $40 or even $150 per hour be even better? As the level of these spurious wages rises, so too the flaw in the logic supporting them becomes more obvious.

The real value of goods, services and labor are most accurately determined by the marketplace. Prices and wages are inextricably linked and should reflect a legitimate relationship between market-driven forces of supply and demand.

Whenever the government imposes changes on one part of the market, the rest of the market will react in kind.