December 2012

Looks like the greatest “legs” in history belong to James Bond. After 50 years, the latest in the movie series is making record earnings worldwide. Most of the moviegoers who are making this record were not even born when the original Bond movie came out in 1962.

1. What was the name of the first Bond movie?
2. Who played the first “Bond girl” in that movie?
3. “Goldfinger” was one of the best of the early Bond films. What was the name of Goldfinger’s Asian accomplice?
4. “On His Majesty’s Secret Service” was the first Bond movie that did not star Sean Connery. Who played Bond in that film?
5. After Roger Moore and before Pierce Brosnan played Bond, a British Shakespearean actor had a go at Bond in two movies. Who was he?
6. In 1955, the television series “Climax” made an Americanized TV movie of “Casino Royale.” Who played the character Jimmy Bond?

 

November Answers

1. Teddy Roosevelt
2. Punta Arenas
3. Argentina
4. 2002
5. Peter Brand
6. Ken Schott

NOVEMBER WINNER:
MR. NOBODY!

WIN LUNCH ON BEN!
The first person to email or mail, no calls please, the correct answers to all of the above questions will win a $25 gift certificate for Restaurante Forli in downtown Alamo, compliments of Ben Fernandez! Entries must be received by Dec 20, 2012.
In the event of a tie, the winner will be drawn at random.
Please email your answers to info@aliveeastbay.com, or mail to ALIVE East Bay, 3200 A Danville Blvd., Ste. 204, Alamo, CA 94507. Employees and family members of employees of ALIVE East Bay are not eligible. Restaurant may be changed without notice.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition in which there is damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. This can result in pain, tingling, loss of feeling, and inability to control muscles. As with any other condition, there is no “one size fits all” remedy for those suffering from this malady and treatment may vary depending on the cause and severity. However, many individuals find relief using natural remedies.

Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that affects people in every walk of life. It is estimated that 20 million Americans and 60% of diabetics suffer from this disorder. There are hundreds of different kinds of neuropathy, the symptoms of which include burning, tingling, weakness, numbness, paralysis, and dull to excruciating pain – especially in the limbs.

Although many neuropathies have no known cause, neuropathy is often associated with another condition, such as: Diabetes, HIV, shingles, toxins, autoimmune disorders, neurological conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome, and malnutrition. Statin (cholesterol) drugs and chemotherapy can also cause neuropathy.

While medications can sometimes help with the symptoms, they cannot be relied upon to restore the health of the nerves. Most often the drugs that treat Neuropathy leave the sufferer feeling intoxicated and hopeless to lead a normal active life.

Understanding the Nervous System
Nerves carry the electrical signals that allow us to move, feel, breathe, digest, detoxify, respond to our environment, and much more. Nerves are the electrical wiring of the human body. Plain and simple, if the nerves do not work the body will not work, in some capacity.  It is also important to understand that unlike other tissues, the primary blood supply to nerve tissue is actually located WITHIN the nerve itself. So, if a nerve becomes impinged or compromised, so does the blood supply to the nerve.  Without proper blood supply, the nerve does not receive the energy and nutrition that are needed for the nerve to heal. Over time neural impingement leads to a painful chronic condition called Neuropathy.

How can I heal my neuropathy?

• Class IV Laser Therapy.  Ending the pain caused by neuropathy requires reversing the cause of nerve damage. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce pain and heal tissue simultaneously.  Laser therapy creates an optimal healing environment that reduces swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured tissue returns to normal, function is restored and pain is quickly relieved.  In other words, NO MORE Pain, NO MORE Numbness, NO MORE Tingling and NO MORE Burning!
• Feed your nerves back to health. A single nutrient deficiency can contribute to any number of disorders of the nervous system, including neuropathy, migraines and even Alzheimer’s. We use SpectraCell Labs patented micronutrient test to measure the function of selected vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential micronutrients within your white blood cells. Standard blood tests do not measure if the nutrient is properly functioning within the body

With the proper combination of holistic therapies it is possible to heal your nerve pain and in the process feel more alive and energetic than you have in years. Depending on the type and severity of neuropathy we have witnessed patients begin to get relief after the first visit and with continued care receive complete relief long-term.

Dr. Niele Maimone of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA has been active in natural health & wellness since 1999. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

 

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! Everything about the holidays gives me joy and not the least of these is the plethora of Christmas movies. I’m a feel good movie junkie, so when the Hallmark holiday movies start in November, I’m just a happy camper. As far as I’m concerned many of these movies rival what’s in the theaters. My favorite happens to be one that’s been around for several years, A Season of Miracles. Every year they give us many new entries into the mix but the others are like “old friends”.

So, right about now you may be saying who is this woman? I guess I’m the same woman who recommends movies all year around but turns into a sentimental fool in December. Call me Pollyanna (I’ve probably been called worse) but I love the soft fuzzy choices that come to our DVD players and TV’s that we can curl up with in front of a warm fire and a bowl of popcorn and someone we care about.

I am thrilled to find that Cinemark is bringing back Classic Movies into their theaters. Their December offerings include one of my all-time favorites, A Christmas Story.  I think my grandkids may finally be old enough to spend a Wednesday evening with me seeing it on the big screen (and they make the popcorn!). They are also offering The Miracle on 34^th Street, Home Alone and of course everyone’s favorite, It’s A Wonderful Life. This would be a great family outing!

Then you have the crazies like Elf, Christmas Vacation, The Santa Clause, Scrooged and Shrek the Halls. Jack Frost will be new (again) this year in theaters. Babes in Toyland is a classic and no Christmas would be complete without at least one viewing of a Muppet or a Chipmunk!

Last year they actually brought Polar Express back to the big screen. Hopefully, they will do that again but if they don’t be sure to rent it. It’s amazing!

My favorite Christmas “oldie” is White Christmas. After I watch this movie I go around singing “Sisters, Sisters” for days. This film starring Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney literally epitomizes the kinder gentler times that exemplify Christmas.

I love How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It’s story of acceptance and love for others tied up with a big red bow has a message for young and old alike. Best contemporary love story of the season goes to The Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Jude Law. This provides great cuddle up entertainment.

Last but certainly not least, I would like to encourage you to watch The Nativity Story (2006). Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. As much as we sometimes get lost in the Santa Claus vantage point of the holiday, Christ is the reason for the season. The Nativity Story is a beautiful telling of everything Christmas. Watch it with your kids, your friends or by yourself but watch it. It will give a whole new meaning to the holiday so you can say, like me…I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

I welcome your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

Gaining weight during the holiday season is almost expected. Then we make a New Year’s resolution to take it off.  Most doctors and healthcare professionals agree that such a “roller coaster” weight program is detrimental in many ways.

Most of us understand that maintaining an optimal weight helps us to avoid many serious health problems including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke.

Before you take a big helping of that store bought spinach dip or grab a plate full of those tasty little BBQ flavored baby hot dogs, take a moment to look forward. Do you want to spend future holidays at parties with friends and family or in an assisted living facility once you reach your 60’s, 70’s or 80’s? What you do now makes the difference between having an active and enjoyable life in your golden years and turning that gold into straw.

It’s more now than just carrying extra pounds around and suffering from the many side effects of doing so. In 2009 the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine was awarded to three scientists for finding that the ability of our cells to reproduce is greatly affected by the breakdown of telomeres, which are pieces of DNA that form a protection to the chromosome allowing the cell to replicate itself and divide. Fat affects that. By the way, Dr. Blackburn and her graduate student, Carol Grieder, discovered telomerase, which corrects the damage done to telomeres, by cell division, basically creating a fountain of youth, on Christmas Day in 1984.

This gives us even more reason to stay good to our bodies. The kind of foods that make you fat, along with ingesting processed foods and chemicals, can increase the shortening of the telomeres and greatly accelerate your aging process as well as give you cancer.

I hope I have captured your attention, but I still want you to have fun and enjoy the holiday season while avoiding the need for that weight loss resolution.

You can make great spinach dip with all fresh ingredients and not need to fill it with poisons. The manufacturers of processed foods have to give that food the longest shelf life they can as well as preserve the color and enhance the flavor to make it taste fresh. They do that by adding chemicals, salts and fats that do us great harm. I used to own a cooking school, The Cuisinary in Danville. I never put turkey or chicken fat in my gravy and people loved it.

Beware that some cheeses have far more calories and fat than others. Olives and nuts, smoked salmon and oysters as well as wild shrimp make great hors d’oeuvres. Avoid vegetable oil, especially deep frying your holiday turkey. Eat as close to nature as possible. Pureed celery root can be absolutely delicious. Occasional desserts can be tolerated by our body, but not every day. The glucose found in most desserts is also found to have a negative effect on telomeres.

Since eating more than normal during holiday events is a given, you should avoid exacerbating the problem by eating a lot of gluten and dairy and over-imbibing in high-calorie holiday punch and mixed drinks.

The purpose of this discussion is not to put a damper on your holiday season, but to take a damper off the rest of your life. Combining the stress most of us face on a daily basis (another factor that damages telomeres) with poor nutrition and additive poisoning is absurd.

The good news is that science is now finding the mechanisms by which our aging process is accelerated and how we can prevent it. If you truly want a full, long, enjoyable life, we are getting to the point where we can get into the driver’s seat and achieve it. So many of our most common problems that totally take the joy from life for so many people, rich or poor, can be overcome. It only requires a commitment to paying attention to what you put into your body and getting into the habit of sensible, more natural eating.

In short, the closer your plate is to nature and the further you keep it from fatty and processed foods, the better. A long, enjoyable, productive life is achievable if we just pay attention to what we put in our bodies during the holidays and throughout the year.

Robert Brown, DDS has a TMJ and sleep apnea practice in Danville and thoroughly enjoys discussing holistic medicine. You can contact him at 925-837-8048, at info@aodtc.com, or visit his web site at www.aodtc.com.

Q. I have a well established, twenty-year old Wisteria climbing up the front of my porch. By now, the growth is out of control. Can I trim it back during the year without jeopardizing next spring’s blooms? Also, how might I help increase the flowering, as there isn’t an abundance of blossoms?

A. There is a reluctance of gardeners to prune deciduous vines, fruit trees and roses once the primary winter pruning season is completed. When quizzed why not the most common answers are, “it may die,” or, “it will stop blooming.” The reality is, plants never die from such pruning practices; however, flowering issues may develop related to off-season pruning depending on the species. Spring flowering plants and trees such as plums, pears, cherries redbuds, lilacs and wisterias are best pruned after flowering. The only harm in pruning earlier during the winter months is the removal of the spring flowering wood that reduces the show of color. Wisteria as you have mentioned is an aggressive grower, so an annual pruning is required to keep them contained. It is okay to continually shape the plant during the growing season by pruning off or back any of the growth that is growing in the wrong direction. Wisteria blooms on the second year and older wood or shoots. With my Wisteria, I’m forever cutting the new growth out of the eves of the house, floodlights and a nearby orange tree. I’m not worried about the flowers as there will be plenty of growth for the Wisteria to bloom on next spring. You can improve the flowering by lowering the soil pH. The pH scale is from one to fourteen with seven being neutral. Any reading above eight is said to be alkaline while soils below seven are said to be acidic. Wisteria likes a soil pH around six to six point five. You can purchase a simple pH kit at your favorite garden center. Since our soils are somewhat alkaline, I’d apply Soil Sulphur or GreenAll pH Adjuster to lower the soil pH. With the beginning of the rainy season, it’s an excellent time to apply these products. Soil Sulphur or GreenAll pH Adjuster is also beneficial to Blueberries, Azaleas, Camellias, Rhododendrons, Gardenias, and other shade loving plants.

Q, I recently sowed Dichondra seed between the stepping-stones in my backyard. I’m now noticing some thin grass starting to pop up. Is there a weed killer that you can use on dichondra to control weeds. I’ve heard that some weed killers won’t work because Dichondra is actually considered a broadleaf plant and the weed killer would kill the dichondra as well. Is this correct?
A. Yes, Dichondra is a broadleaf plant and not a grass. Thus any of the broadleaf-weed killers or herbicides would wipe out the Dichondra. But all is not lost. Ortho Grass-B-Gon is a selective herbicide for grassy weeds in broadleaf plants. It can be used on Dichondra for the unwanted grass. You’ll then have to manually remove any of the broadleaf weeds that sprout.

Buzz Bertolero is Executive Vice President of Navlet’s Garden Centers and a California Certified Nursery Professional. His web address is www.dirtgardener.com and you can send questions by email at dirtgarden@aol.com or to 360 Civic Drive Ste. ‘D’, Pleasant Hill, Calif. 94523 and on Facebook at Facebook/.com/Buzz-Bertolero

Do you wake each morning wishing for more sleep? Are you tired of tossing and turning? Are you dependent on drugs to get you through the night? ’m sure you already know sleep medications can leave you feeling “out of it” in the morning. You also know that “forcing” your brain to sleep with medications is only a temporary solution to poor sleep.

Imagine what your life will be like when you can wake up refreshed and bubbling over with energy! There was a time in your life when you slept perfectly. Your mind and body awoke each day invigorated and you could look forward to a fresh new productive day. Along the way something changed. Unfortunately, it didn’t go back when the stressor left. Poor or inadequate sleep is one of the most frustrating and cruel things one can experience.

What’s so dangerous about insomnia is that it’s not easily seen like bruise or a broken bone. It’s usually a slow progression where you may not have any idea how this happened. Suddenly you realize that you aren’t the same person you used to be. You can’t control your emotions and certainly you can’t think clearly. Your memory is shot, you have no energy, have lost your sex drive and may be looking at some serious depression.

The FIVE problems that can rob you of your well deserved sleep.

Problem / Solution #1: Your Brain
If the brain is not balanced because of physical, emotional or chemical stress the sleep/awake centers of the brain like the tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) or the reticular activating system (RAS) function improperly. This can also happen when the cerebellum, responsible for coordination and posture, is not functioning well and doesn’t properly signal the pathway to the RAS, resulting in disturbed sleep. This can be tested and assessed with a “Functional Neurological” examination and can be dramatically improved with targeted brain stimulation.

Problem / Solution #2: Your Adrenal Glands
Your adrenal glands, small but important hormone producers, may not be producing cortisol at the right time. Cortisol, the stress hormone, should be high in the morning when you need it to wake up and decreased at night so you can sleep. Interestingly, the area in the brain that controls this daily cycle—the hippocampus, is also the area that is responsible for short-term memory. Many times this cycle is reversed so you feel tired in the morning and awake at night. We can accurately test for this with an Adrenal Stress Index.

Problem / Solution #3: Your Thyroid Gland
Thyroid function and the production of thyroxin (T3,T4) really sets the stage for sleep/awake cycles. The thyroid releases its hormone in the morning and decreases its production in the evening. Essentially it follows the same “cortisol” rhythm as your adrenal gland. Clearly, thyroid function should be optimal to sleep. This will also help with weight loss and will improve brain function (clear the brain fog).

Problem / Solution #4: Your Hormone Balance
Hormones like testosterone, estrogen, progesterone and others can play havoc with your sleep patterns and erratic sleep patterns can mess with your hormone levels. This should be evaluated as part of a comprehensive approach to solving your sleep difficulties.

Problem / Solution #5: Your Glucose (sugar) Regulation
Blood sugar dysregulation, either hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or insulin resistance (high blood sugar) affects the sleep system because at night fluctuations will cause spikes in adrenalin that will make you wake up and unfortunately stay up.

All of the above problems can be tested and resolved. Here at Davis Chiropractic Neurology we specialize in neurological, immunological, and endocrine sleep disorders without the use of drugs or surgery.

Dr. Don Davis, D.C., DACNB is a BOARD CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC NEUROLOGIST in Walnut Creek. He has been serving individuals with insomnia for 30 years. For information about how you can get a free consultation with Dr. Davis, call (925) 279-4324 (HEAL). Visit us at WalnutCreekHealth.com.

After a long day of alternately elbowing your way through crowds and then sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the promise of a warm, home-cooked meal is a reasonable fantasy. Throughout most of this busy month, however, it is often easier to imagine than accomplish.

Even in the darkest of days, soup remains the ultimate comfort food; and when it’s homemade—all the better. If you think that making a pot of soup is beyond your capabilities this week, think again. This steamy stunner is made from inexpensive ingredients you’ll most likely have on hand; and it’s a lot healthier than most of the other stuff we’re eating this month. It also comes together in 1 hour or less, and offers the sort of soothing aromatherapy you’ll never find at the perfume counter at the mall. As an added bonus, it may even steam up your kitchen windows as it simmers on the stove.(I’m all about bringing cozy back.)Served with or without a salad to start, a loaf of warm crusty bread rounds out this satisfying meal. When the spirit moves you, feel free to substitute winter squash for the potatoes. Or spice things up by sautéing a chopped jalapeño along with the garlic. The possibilities are endless. Think of this soup as a canvas awaiting your signature.

Kale Pesto is my current passion. Here, a mere dollop adds incomparable pizazz to soup; but it can be used the same as any other pesto: as a zesty spread for panini or crostini; stirred into yogurt or sour cream for a delicious dip; tossed with warm pasta for a quick sauce; or spooned on top of grilled chicken or salmon for a memorable condiment.

Whenever I visit the farmers’ market this month, I will inevitably shop for holiday gifts right along with my groceries. In addition to bargain-priced wreaths, plants, and flowers, I can’t resist picking up a few fragrant lavender goodies; a bottle or two of locally produced olive oil; fruit-infused vinegars; sweet-tart artisan jams and preserves; locally-produced honey; little bags of hand-crafted toffee; fresh-from-the-farm dried fruits and nuts; and glistening jars of sun-dried tomatoes. Gifts of good taste never go out of style. And there is no better way to show gratitude to the people who grow the food we eat.

Creamy Potato Soup…without cream

• 2 tablespoons California olive oil or butter
• 11/2 pounds russet (baking) potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4 cups)
• 1 onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 sprigs flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 6 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth, or as needed
• Fine sea salt
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• 1 cup Greek-style plain yogurt (low-fat or nonfat), at room temperature
• Optional: Kale Pesto (recipe follows)

1. In a soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat until hot. Add the potatoes and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley and garlic and cook 1 minute longer.
2. Pour in the stock and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir in about 2 teaspoons of salt. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are very tender when pierced with a knife, about 30 minutes. Remove from the heat.
3. Puree the mixture with a hand-held “stick” blender. (Alternatively, let mixture cool for about 20 minutes. Working in batches, puree in a blender until smooth. Return mixture to the soup pot and cook over medium heat until hot; then remove from the heat.) If you prefer a thinner soup, stir in enough warm stock or water to reach the desired consistency. (Soup can be prepared to this point up to 2 days in advance. Refrigerate, covered; or freeze for longer storage. Reheat before proceeding to Step 4.)
4. In a medium bowl, whisk the yogurt until light and fluffy. Gradually whisk in about 1 cup of the warm soup mixture; then return all to the pot, whisking gently just until the yogurt is well incorporated. Season with cayenne and additional salt as needed. Ladle the soup into individual bowls and top each serving with a dollop of Kale Pesto. Serve at once. Serves 6 to 8.

Kale Pesto

• 2 garlic cloves, cut into pieces
• 1 teaspoon coarse (kosher) salt
• 3 cups (packed) coarsely chopped kale leaves
• 1/3 cup chopped California walnuts, toasted
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Asiago or Parmesan cheese
• 2 sprigs flat-leaf parsley
• 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes
• 1/3 cup California olive oil, or as needed

In a blender or food processor, combine the garlic and salt. Process until the garlic is finely chopped. Add the kale, walnuts, cheese, parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, and pepper flakes. Process, pulsing the machine on and off and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until a coarse paste forms. With the machine running, pour in the 1/3 cup olive oil. Use at once, or transfer to a container and cover with a thin film of olive oil. Refrigerate, covered, for up to 2 days. Freeze for longer storage.

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 supporting the many fine shops and restaurants located in downtown Danville. Buy fresh. Buy local. Live well.

Picking the right paint colors can be a tricky and daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be.

Paint is a simple change that can bring new life into any room. Gaining color inspiration from different items in the home is the first place to start. The closet is a great source for color options. One picks clothes with hues that complement their skin tone, why not do the same with paint? An interesting vase or sculpture from an exotic trip can inspire a color palate for a fun accent wall or a soft neutral that is a bit more yellow or grey than one would have thought about.

Use the existing architecture in the home such as wood beams or cabinets for color help. If the beams are more on the red side, stick with a warm neutral for the walls. Cool neutrals will look too purple or blue next to the red wood beams. Carpet and flooring materials are also a great place to start for inspiration. Pick a color from the tile floor with the help of a color fan deck. If there are a few colors that match closely, get the paint samples and paint three foot by three foot squares on two or three walls in the room that get different sun exposure and shadowing.

There is no rule of thumb for ceiling color, however there are recommended options. For low ceilings a clean white is the best bet to give more height to the space. Painting the ceiling the same color as the walls is a great idea if they are higher or if there is white crown molding that needs to be accented. Vaulted ceilings can be painted one or two shades lighter than the wall color to casually draw the eye up without bringing too much attention to it. Always consult a designer if the task of refreshing paint colors seems too overwhelming, we are here to help!

It’s nice to know that in your garage is parked a machine that is capable and ready to take you to work in style or maneuver through the mountains to deliver you safely to your favorite sky resort. Mercedes-Benz has a solution and it is the mid-size redesigned 2013 GLK-Class sport utility.

The 2013 model year introduces us to bolder exterior styling, a more elegant and user friendly interior and a new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 engine with ECO stop-start. Also new is a more fuel efficient seven-speed automatic transmission and electromechanical steering. The GLK-Class is a mid-size SUV that fits below its big brother GL-Class. The 2013 model lineup consist of the GLK350 ($37,090), GLK350 4MATIC ($39,090) and the GLK250 Blue TEC 4MATIC (arrives early 2013).

The revised 2013 GLK-Class is dressed with a more athletic build and stricter angular lines that are shared with the full-size GL-Class. The exterior changes fall under the category of a mid-cycle refresher verses a full sheet metal change. The large Mercedes-Benz emblem in the grille is the center point of the front end. The side crease is angled upward extending just over the rear tails creating a sense of motion while standing still. At the rear is a chrome step and chrome trim spanning from exhaust tip to exhaust tip. The power rear liftgate (optional) adds to the ease opening and closing.

New for 2013 is the Adaptive Highbeam Assist that uses a windshield-mounted camera to control the vertical tilt of both the low- and high-beam headlights. The system is engaged by turning the headlight switch to “Auto” and turning on the high beam setting.

The 2013 GLK-Class offers two engine options. The first is the 3.5-liter V6 that generates 268 horses at 6000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque. The GLK250 Blue TEC carries a four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine that is rated at 190 horsepower at 4200 rpm and 369 pound-feet of torque. The GLK250 comes standard with AWD (4MATIC). As noted above the engines are mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The GK350 handled turns with ease, while accelerating smoothly and quickly through the curves. The ECO stop-start system turns the motor off while sitting still to save fuel. The moment you slightly lift your foot of the brake the engine re-engages and you are ready to go. You do need to keep firm pressure on the brake or it will start up immediately, which if the light is still red then you will have to reapply brake force and if you aren’t careful the engine will start and stop a few times while waiting for the green light.

The interior was beautiful and much improved for 2013. The dash and doors have rich burl walnut wood trim wrapping features as it expands throughout the cabin. Large round vents replace the previous square vents. The seats are comfortable and double stitched. The screen is large and operates the radio, navigation, rear camera and climate control systems. A knob in the center console allows you to navigate through the screens and systems. The shifter is mounted on the steering wheel column and has an easy push up for reverse, down for drive and in for park.

Room for improvement:

• The back seat with three passengers gets a little crowded

Cool Features:

• ATTENTION ASSIST – Between 50 and 112 mph, the system identifies the erratic steering corrections drivers make as they begin to get drowsy and triggers an audible warning
• Adaptive Highbeam Assist
• Stop-Start Eco System

The standard safety equipment for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class include ten airbags, active front head restraints, Attention Assist, mbrace2, adaptive brakes with Hold feature, electronic Stability Program with Trailer Stability Assist, anti-lock ABS brakes, Hill Start Assist and tire pressure monitoring system. Another new safety option is the Lane Keeping Assist makes use of special computer analyzes images from a multi-purpose camera in the windshield to recognize lane markings. This system alerts the driver by simulating rumble strip vibrations in the steering wheel if the car drifts from its lane without the turn signals on. A separate option, Active Lane Keeping Assist (as well as Active Blind Spot Assist) incorporates an intervention feature, in which ESP braking automatically helps correct the car’s course if the driver doesn’t heed the initial warning.

 

In Summary – The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class has been restyled inside and out to a higher level of power, refinement and luxury. The results are a more powerful engine, improved handling and comfort and technology features everywhere; not to mention 54.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The exterior is outfitted in chrome accents, while the inside touts wood treatments and fine optional leather.  The GLK is a vehicle fit for every day driving and exciting weekend get-a-ways.

Specifications

2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK360 4MATIC

 

Base price: $30,090 as driven: $53,075 (including destination and optional packages)

Engine: 3.5-liter direct-injection V6

Horsepower: 302 @ 6,500

Torque: 273 foot pounds @ 3,500 – 5,250 rpm

Transmission: 7-Speed Automatic

Drive: All-Wheel Drive

Seating: 5-passenger

Turning circle: 37.7 feet

Cargo space: 24.7 cubic feet

Curb weight: 4,079 pounds

Fuel capacity: 17.4 gallons

EPA mileage: City 16 / Highway 21

Wheel Base: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper to bumper

Also consider: Acura RDX, Audi Q5, BMW 3-Series, Buick Enclave, Infiniti EX, Lexus RX

Over the past five years or so, I’ve written monthly articles for Alive. Almost all of the stories have centered on people or places that have stimulated my imagination. In retrospect I find, for the most part, that I have neglected a number of categories. For example, art and music have shown up in only a few of my tales. Except for a recent article, the very important topic of food has somehow avoided a story. And, of course, there are other equally-neglected topics.

I am about to remedy one such omitted subject. This month I will share with you architectural curiosities that either impressed me or caused me to marvel. Because of the size of the list I’ve developed, I will limit my observations to structures of recent, i.e., maybe fifty years ago or so, construction. I hope you’ll bear with me on this.

When I look at my list, I find that emerging countries dominate the contents. For example, I have the People’s Republic of China down twice. The one most bizarre structure of all is the Beijing headquarters of Chinese government-run telecommunications, a Rem Koolhas design. This twin tower is connected by an apparently off-balance triangle. It seems to defy gravity. My first impression was that of an unfinished building. Would be scary to work in this out-of-kilter office.

The other structure in Beijing that is on my list is the 2008 Olympic Pool building, designed by Weaire-Phelan. It has generated the nickname of “The Water Cube” and rightly so. When viewed from afar it appears to be a building made of pure H2O. The feeling inside augments the outer view. You are convinced that you are frozen in a giant ice cube.

Another nation which has a few unique structures on my list is Dubai. Actually, one is a building – the other an entire development. The building is the Burj Al Arab Hotel. Its towering height alone is impressive, but to see celebrity guests arriving at their rooms on the twenty-eighth floor, via a helicopter pad somewhere up there, is beyond belief. Wish I had the money to enjoy the thrill of airport to hotel room via a chopper, although it might be a little frightening for the faint-hearted. The hotel is built to resemble the sail of a dhow, a type of Arabian vessel. And, the two “wings” on the outside form a mast. The view at night is particularly stunning because of the glittering lights on these “wings.”

The Palm Islands Real Estate Development, also in Dubai, is beyond belief. Areas of the Arabian Gulf were filled in with rocks and sand to resemble huge palm trees with individual homes grouped along their fronds. The view from above staggers the imagination. The plan is to have over one thousand waterfront homes on these three “islands.” Who can afford this?

No list of architectural marvels would be complete without the Sydney Opera House. That collection of giant clam shells, framed by the Harbour Bridge, is recognizable world-wide. I have great memories of our visits there.

For a great laugh, and just a “good” feeling, I must include the Tate Modern Gallery in London. It doesn’t have a chance of winning any architectural awards, but crossing the Thames on the Millennium Bridge, seeing the grand sculptures in the yard, and lying on the floor looking up at the mirrored ceiling some three stories above leaves an indelible impression and a smile. I chuckle every time I think about my visit there.

For sheer size one must add in the Taipei Tower – all one hundred and one floors of it. At one time this was the tallest building in the world. It just goes up and up. Watching as it appears to move with the wind with its airplane wing-shaped height makes me want to stay on the ground. We visited Taipei during a typhoon and marveled that such a structure could withstand those winds. I am told each of eight sections contains a mass damper which acts as a pendulum. Don’t ask me how this works – it just does.

Well, that’s my top seven. I didn’t get a stamp in my passport for viewing the Golden Gate Bridge, nor could I include the marvelous recreation of bomb-destroyed cities in Europe. Come to think of it, maybe those are worth a visit. Think I’ll go.