Column

Every year about his time—on the heels of Thanksgiving and as Christmastime nears—I am filled with a desire to express my heartfelt thanks and best wishes to ALIVE readers everywhere. In trying to come up with how best to express my feelings, I kept coming back to the words I used in my 2006 message. If you would indulge me the privilege of paraphrasing, I repeat them here:

Would I be correct in guessing that you don’t have much time to read this? As the final days of 2013 draw near, many of us, despite our best intentions, get caught up in a whirlwind of frenetic activity. We take all of our regular obligations and then pile on a good measure of “holiday-related chores.”

As our staff prepares each issue of ALIVE, we ask ourselves, what can we include this month that will be different? This month, I’d like to try something unusual. I’d like to ask you to make a promise. In fact, I’d like to ask that you make several promises.

First, promise that you will take some time for yourself, between this moment and December 25^th –at least two hours (yes, it must be all at once)—and  do something just for yourself. Schedule that time in your calendar immediately. Pick up that book you’ve been wanting to read. Take a drive to someplace you’ve never been. Whatever it is that you do, the focus must be on you.

Understand that you are important. The fact that that you are here, at this moment in time, matters. In terms of others, you may never realize or even know just how many lives your life will impact. The point is, your life does and will impact the lives of others. Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s being considerate. Sometimes, when we speak about the immeasurable value and potential of each individual, we forget to include ourselves.

Promise number two: Think about someone that you appreciate and then stop whatever you are doing this moment and tell them. Do it face-to-face if possible, or call them. (And by the way, it’s important that you actually speak your words, so no email or texting allowed for this promise.)

Last but not least, promise that you will strive to live, and love, each day as if it were your last. Please, make every moment count… because every moment does!

As I think back over this past year, I am so very grateful for so many blessings in my own life. I am blessed by being married, for the past 37 years, to a most special, beautiful woman, and by having a wonderful son who amazes me every day with his creativity, intelligence and humor. I have the privilege of working with some of the most talented, good-natured people that you could ever hope to meet, and although I may not know you personally, without you there would be on ALIVE, so I count you as one of my blessings, too. I appreciate you.

My hope is that you make these promises and take them seriously. My heartfelt wish for you is that during this special time of year, and throughout the year to come, you too will be and feel blessed in more ways than you can imagine.

Q. For the past several years, I’ve noticed several green patches of what I been told is Mistletoe. They’re growing on the branches near the top of several backyard shade trees. The clusters are very apparent when the leaves drop off. I’ve also been told that Mistletoe is harmful. If this is so, how do I get rid of it?

A. Yes, Mistletoe is harmful to trees; however, the decline occurs slowly. Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that lives off other plants or host to survive. For many years, Mistletoe was limited to the foothills around the Central Valley but today it is commonly found throughout the Bay Area growing in the canopy of mature, shade trees. Birds are the primary means of spreading Mistletoe as they feed on the clusters. The white Mistletoe berries contain many sticky seeds. The birds carry the seeds from tree to tree on their feet, beaks and in their droppings, as the seeds aren’t digestible. It’s found growing high in the canopy where the birds nest or perched and out of the reach of predators. There are two methods of controlling this problem. They’re both a bit problematical because Mistletoe is hard to get to because of the height off the ground. The obvious solution is to prune it out of the trees. Unfortunately, you’ll need to remove a portion of the branch where it’s growing; otherwise, it grows back as the roots are still attached. This more than likely will require an arborist with the right equipment to reach it. Mistletoe may reestablish itself depending on the bird activity. The second method is to spray the clusters with Florel Fruit Eliminator. Florel is the only product registered for controlling Mistletoe. Florel is a plant growth regulator so it has no insecticidal, fungicidal or herbicidal properties. It’s best applied when the temperatures are above sixty degrees, November and/or February through April. The entire tree doesn’t need to be sprayed, just saturate the Mistletoe clusters. In five to seven days, the Mistletoe should begin to shed its leaves and branches. A second application is only necessary if Mistletoe is still present after three weeks. After spraying the tree, wash or hose off any of the spray residue on any plants that are under the trees. You’ll need a sprayer that will reach the growth. The Mistletoe will grow back eventually so repeat applications are recommended every three to four years.

Q. Is there an ideal time for us to install sod? My wife wants to do it ASAP; I’d rather wait until the spring.

A. Sod can be installed any month of the year. There are pros and cons with each season. During the rainy season, the biggest deterrent is wet conditions. Sod is usually not available during wet rainy periods, as the sod cutting machinery can’t operate. I’d avoid laying sod if the soil is soft and muddy as you end up with grass being uneven.

 

 

 

Every day, I see women who are overwhelmed. They are exhausted and confused about purchasing safe, reliable and effective skin care products. Most women over 30 are searching for that perfect skin care regime to reduce or even reverse the signs of aging.

The search is over! Ongrien Technologies has created a perfect skin care system to promote healthy, smooth, and youthful looking skin, safely delivering dramatic results in improving the skin for women of all ages. This holiday season spoil her with a healthy gift of beautiful skin, by choosing the best in highly quality affordable advanced skin care. It will bring dramatic youthful results for her skin now and for the future.

Holiday Beauty… With Benefits:

Ongrien Exfoliating Anti-Aging Cleanser: This unique organic gel cleanser combines the benefits of non-abrasive enzymes to gently exfoliate the skin and minimizes large pores, leaving the skin simply beautifully soft and smooth.

Ongrien Rejuvenating Anti-Aging Cleanser: This gentle high-tech lightweight gel cleanser has powerful antioxidants and rich anti-aging vitamins to refine and repair the surface of the skin, leaving the skin smooth and radiant.

Ongrien Vitamin C Peptide Antioxidant Toner: This new technology in skin care has a softening treatment that is infused with powerful antioxidants of Vitamin C peptides, Ester, Green Tea and Seaweed Extract that will provide anti-aging protection to help fight free radical damage and increase hydration.

Ongrien Rejuvenation Ultra Firming Eye Cream: Want to smooth crow’s feet, puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles around the eye area? This new ultra firming eye cream uses innovative technologies to intercept many of the factors responsible for the loss of youthfulness in the delicate eye area. With a strong anti-puff formula that firms and repairs damaged dehydrated skin, this anti-aging technology pays special attention to your eye zone’s vulnerabilities including wrinkling, dehydration, inflammation, fragility, puffiness, and dark circles.

Ongrien Ultimate Cellular Repair Anti-Aging Serum: Want to repair the skin from the inside out smoothing fine lines and wrinkles?  This intense anti-aging serum by Ongrien Technologies, combines 10 of the strongest anti-aging peptides including Neuropetides, to rapidly repair and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while protecting healthy cells from future damage. This powerful tri-complex of peptides with neuropeptides was selected for its collagen-boosting benefits allowing the skin to organically heal and repair the surface of the skin for a more youthful complexion.

Ongrien Regeneration Anti-Aging Cream with DMAE and Lipoic Acid: Want a cream that will instantly give you a face-lift? Our new intense anti-aging lotion, rich in the latest powerful antioxidants, DMAE and Lipoic Acid, deeply repairs the skin’s surface and instantly lifts sagging skin, delivering powerful nutrients that restore the skin’s moisture level.  Lipoic Acid is 400 times stronger than Vitamin C and will provide antioxidants to work effectively, smoothing the skin, giving skin cells extra protection and preventing the action of the cell from breaking down, which causes aging. With the perfect combination of six powerful antioxidants in one along with Lipoic Acid; there is no other skin care product of its kind. Scientists were able to see dramatic results in the skin’s ability to heal faster, organically restoring the skins youthfulness, resulting in minimizing wrinkles and photoaging.

Now with a steady diet of easy, intelligent skincare with clinical proven results, “Aging is Optional!”

Happy Holidays from The Rouge!        

 

In 2004, Align Healing Center began using laser therapy to help patients relieve their muscle, joint and nerve pain. Due to the near miraculous results that laser can provide to a sprain, strain or chronic pain, our patients began to ask “what else can laser help heal?” Wondering the same thing, we began to branch out and use laser on any and all injuries and wounds that our patients were presented with. We have literally watched the healing process occur right before our very eyes. Swelling reduces within minutes, severe bruises dissipate with no visible sign within a day or two and surgical wounds become painless, with minimal scarring and redness. We have had patients that have had knee surgery and hip replacements, shoulder surgery, spinal surgery, breast augmentation and reconstruction, rhinoplasty, face-lifts and c-sections that heal in a fraction of the time typical without the use of laser therapy. If you are intending on having surgery or have a stubborn injury that has taken longer to heal than you would have expected it is worth your while to explore the benefits of Class IV K-Laser therapy.

How Laser Therapy Speeds Tissue Healing

Injuries and surgery cause tissue damage and inflammation which reduces the circulation to the injured tissue thereby impeding the nutrition and energy available to the damaged area. Laser therapy is the application of low levels of laser light to areas of the body that have been injured or damaged. Therapeutic lasers do not cut or burn, but instead, supply energy to the body in the form of photons of light. Light is transmitted through the skin’s layers (the dermis, epidermis and the subcutaneous tissue under the skin). The wavelength of the Class IV Laser allows these photons to travel deep into the body; up to 8-9 inches. When laser light penetrates into the body, it stimulates damaged cells to start producing ATP. ATP is the “fuel” or energy source that all cells need to function and repair. When damaged cells have the energy they need to function properly they can immediately start the repair process. Laser therapy accelerates the healing of injured areas, decreases inflammation, and eliminates pain allowing patients to quickly return to normal activities.

How long does it take to work?

95% of our patients notice improvement after the very first treatment. However, some conditions may take a few treatments to respond. Each laser treatment is cumulative, meaning that each successive treatment builds on the previous. The doctors at Align personally work with you each visit to ensure that you are progressing as quickly as possible.

For more information about how laser therapy may be helpful to you contact Align Healing Center to schedule a free consultation (925)362-8283. Visit us on the web at www.AlignHealingCenter.com.

A while back a patient who was attending one of my lectures asked me to talk about my personal “Journey,” living with Hashimoto’s disease (a condition caused by an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland). At first I was taken aback because I don’t typically think of my experience as a “journey,” but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that doctors don’t often share with their patients what they do to heal themselves. For instance, you almost never hear what doctors do about their personal diabetes control or about their personal bouts of gallstone attacks or of their preferred method of dealing with low back pain.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease (when the immune system attacks and slowly kills the cells of the thyroid gland) in 2005, following an extremely stressful time in my life. You see, stress, whether from a new job, from not getting enough sleep, or from dealing with a damaged relationship is all the same to the body. If you have inherited a gene that makes you susceptible to Hashimoto’s, this stress may turn the gene on, and from that point on, your immune system will classify your thyroid as a foreign object and will continue to try very hard to destroy it. This will then decrease the amount of thyroxin (T4) the thyroid produces. Unfortunately, even though the medication returns the T4 levels to normal, your body may still not be functioning normally. In fact, most of the patients I treat are in this situation. Their lab values look good but their symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, hair loss, depression, sleep disturbance, and gut symptoms do not return to normal and they usually get worse.

Stress Reduction: The first thing I realized was that I had to get the stress under control. After all, if stress caused this condition, then stress could make it worse and worse. So I decided that I was going to meditate seriously from now on in order to help put my life in proper perspective, and I also committed to be consistent with my four days a week work-out routine.

 Immune Management: Next, since Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition and not an actual thyroid problem, I set out to keep my immune system from going overboard. I reviewed my recent lab results and used this information to develop a specific nutrition and supplement plan to manage my immune system and keep it from becoming over-reactive.

The Plan:  For me, the plan turned out to be an anti-inflammatory and liver detox diet, supplements that help modulate the T helper cells that control the immune systems attack cells, and herbs that help decrease inflammation. I also added other supplements that help the immune system get back in balance like Vitamin D, plenty of omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

In my case, there were some other items that needed attention like irritable bowel syndrome, and a tendency toward hypoglycemia. I hadn’t really taken these conditions seriously until I really had to. This apparently was the time I “had to.”  I added probiotics for my gut, which as it turned out, was a major contributor to resolving the inflammatory issues that had resulted in back pain and had shown up on my lab results. I also included botanicals that support healthy blood sugar and insulin control.

The Results:  It took some time to sort out, but the results for me personally were phenomenal. Not only did the thyroid lab values return to normal, but my irritable bowel is well-controlled and I no longer experience sugar surges or the various pains that accompany inflammation.

I know that there are many of you who have similar challenges and just don’t know where to turn. I suggest that you develop (with the help of your doctor) a specific plan like I did that is based on your individual physiology, lab tests and personal history, and then GO FOR IT!

Dr. Don Davis, D.C., DACNB is a BOARD CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC NEUROLOGIST in Walnut Creek and has been serving individuals with chronic pain for 30 years. For information about how you can get a free consultation with Dr. Davis, call (925) 279-4325 (HEAL). Visit us at WalnutCreekThyroidInstitute.com

 

 

In the last two issues I reviewed some of the dietary factors that influence chronic inflammation in your body, the foods to avoid and the foods to include in your meals.  This subject is so incredibly important to your survival, not just good health, than I feel all of us should do all we can to learn and be knowledgeable.

It is a huge challenge to even try to keep up with the information coming in. Finally, so many mysteries are being solved as to how our total lifestyle can and should be altered to make optimal health possible. Science has discovered how the way we think and our happiness affects our health and much more. It has found how our thoughts and feelings can effect our aging as well. Our ability to perform in our work and endeavors as well as our intelligence can be affected. Finally we are finding out what the actual chemistry causes these things to happen.

In this issue, because space is limited, I will concentrate on what most of us think are the causes and how to find out if you are in trouble.

Normal causes are:

• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise or excessive exercise
• Stress – not just the external stress, like work, but the stress of hurt feelings, dwelling on negatives, childhood abuse, lack of support and more.  Being unhappy with yourself is not healthy.
• Hidden or chronic infections (parasites, yeasts, bacteria, etc.)
• Hidden allergies (food or environment, molds and yeasts)
• Toxins such as heavy metals or chemicals
• Neglected teeth and gum disease
• Obstructive sleep apnea

Here are some things you can do about it:

1. Follow the guidelines for what to avoid and what to eat in the  October and November issues of Alive
2. Regular exercise- there is so much value to your body and your emotions, along with your heart and immune system. Advice on what to do and how much from an expert is highly recommended.
3. Relax – meditation has been scientifically proven to improve areas of your brain.
4. Take supplements – a good multivitamin with chelated minerals and, past 40, probiotics and antioxidants.
5. Avoid any foods you are allergic to. If you are following an anti-inflammatory diet already gluten and dairy are out.
6. When you are in for a physical exam ask for a “C-reactive protein” test to be included. This test reveals the presence of inflammation. Ask the doctor what he/she thinks about chronic inflammation and any other test they might use. You should also enquire about the health of your intestine, especially if you are irregular or have spent a lot of time in not so clean countries. If a stool sample reveals a parasite it must be treated.

One can feel totally healthy and have a raging inflammation going on. Sometimes, due to symptom reducing drugs for diseases like arthritis or asthma the inflammation is hidden allowing it to produce damage and disease in other areas. The answer is not anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, aspirin or steroids. Again, you are just masking the symptom while the problem gets worse and many die from these drugs.

It is becoming more apparent that the many facets of medicine are so specialized that true diagnosis and proper treatment plans are hard to come by. These new discoveries, I hope, will force doctors into a more integrated approach to medicine where they more understand the underlying cause of the symptom that appears in the area of their specialty.

In treating more than the symptom known to their specialty and going after the cause, your doctor could be saving you from problems in other areas. Even if you know someone who already has a disease like cancer or heart failure, it is extremely important to control and eliminate the biggest single factor that caused it –chronic inflammation.  Their chances of survival can be greatly increased.

Robert Brown, DDS has a TMJ, orthodontia, 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.

I’m getting very weary of something. It’s hard enough when one side of the political spectrum, the conservatives were first, starts using catch phrases like “mainstream media,” when talking about journalists. That side will use it when it wants to put an exclamation point on its point of view, but now we have both sides bashing the “mainstream media.”  The liberals are saying that “mainstream media” is owned by corporations and doesn’t serve the middle and lower classes.   The most recognizable conservative talk show host talks about “mainstream media” constantly. Now I’ve heard a couple of liberal hosts pick it up.  I wonder whether they have looked at who signs their paychecks? Both sides. I’ll bet it’s a corporation. Is it a conservative corporation?  Is it a liberal corporation?  I’m not going to use personality names here because it’s not as much about personalities as it is the role they are playing. They both have picked up the talking points—dueling talking points—same target.  Pretty ridiculous, huh?

When I landed here in San Francisco, I was hired by ABC.  During the time I was there it was sold to Capital Cities, Disney, Citadel—all corporations. I did newscasts. We were a major market major player. Not once—not one time—did anybody from corporate talk to us about editorial content.  Not once did any of them sit in on editorial story meetings. Even the President and General Manager stayed away.  Our only directive was to make sure we covered both sides and had points of view from all sides on controversial issues.

I worked for the ABC Radio Network on occasion. It never directed the editorial flow of the newscasts. I substituted for Paul Harvey News and Comment, who in turn worked for ABC.  Paul was conservative. The network didn’t tell him what to think, write, or report. When I was substituting for him, he didn’t give me editorial guidance. Neither did the network.

Cable TV has changed that.  Fox has a conservative bent, MSNBC liberal, and CNN somewhere in between. They have become mini “talk shows.” I don’t consider them “mainstream media news.”  They are trying to appeal to a niche audience.  When I do my talk shows and commentaries, I understand they are informational but also have a point of view. That is not mainstream news. The real “mainstream media” is just trying to cover stories.

The name callers are not doing a good job of framing things. In mainstream news, people want to hear information, good clean, as editorially neutral as is humanly possible. I’d say the vast majority of journalists do that.  Blaming the “mainstream media” when it isn’t even defined properly is pointless, stupid, and in the business sense, counterproductive.

So called “Mainstream Media” isn’t the devil, but maybe those people trying to find something to stir up an audience, are.

The weather is downright chilly (at least, by California standards) and the traffic is outrageous. A quick review of the week’s social obligations provokes an anxiety attack. And with each passing day my holiday gift list seems to grow rather than shrink. Welcome to December.

It’s not all gloom, however. No matter how difficult the logistics might be, gathering with friends always soothes my soul. And there is never a shortage of good food to lift my spirits. Or good spirits to lift my food.

This month more than ever, shopping at the farmers’ market is a win-win situation: I not only avoid the craziness of a mall, I feel good knowing that whatever money I spend goes directly to the people who grow the food we eat throughout the year. While I purchase all the produce and other specialty food items needed for the coming week, I inevitably find a few “tasteful” gifts to cross off my list. Along with the rainbow of bargain-priced fresh flowers and plants to brighten both my home and those of my hosts, there’s a wide variety of artisan jams and jellies; local honey; California extra virgin olive oil; and plenty of top-quality dried fruits and nuts just ripe for giving. Baskets filled with plump raisins, apricots, walnuts, and almonds are perfect for any foodie, but a big bag of California dates will place your gift over-the-top.

Most supermarkets sell small boxes of pitted diced dates that taste as though they were chopped in 1978. The perceived“convenience” of this product is far outweighed by the fact they are little more than dry nuggets of sweetness. Whole dates, purchased pit-in to ensure freshness, are a different matter altogether.Especially this month, when the newest crop is available at the farmers’ market. One taste, and you’ll eschew the box forever.

Date palms have thrived in the southern California desert for over a century. The most common varieties of dates you’ll find at the farmers’ market are the papery-skinned Deglet Noor, and the fat, meaty Medjool—often considered the Rolls Royce of dates.Check with your grower for information on round dates, and other less-popular but equally tasty varieties.

The best dates are inherently sticky, but that is not a problem. Simply spray the blades of kitchen shears (or a sharp knife) with no-stick cooking spray, and you’re ready to get the job with the least amount of residual goo.

Eating a few nutrient-rich dates out of hand is sure to cure any sweet-cravings…and has the added value of being a genuine super-food. I also like to serve them as appetizer—perhaps stuffed with California goat cheese and a toasted almond. After dinner, dates can be a satisfying accompaniment to walnut halves and chunks of good Parmesan cheese drizzled with honey. For a heart-healthy blast of natural sugar, try adding a few bite-size pieces of pitted dates to your morning oatmeal or other cereal; salads; smoothies and shakes; stuffings; stews; or rice pilaf.

There are plenty of great recipes out therefor date breads and cookies and bars, but Sticky Toffee Pudding remains in a class by itself.  If you haven’t tried it, December is a good time to go for broke–when “diet” is a 4-letter word. This is the sort of dessert I enjoy only once or twice per year, so I can ignore its caloric shortcomings without guilt.

Lest you be confused by the name of the recipe, please know that in British food-speak the word pudding is simply code for “dessert.” In this case, it’s a moist date cake topped with a wicked-good toffee sauce. This is uber-rich, so serve small portions. But be prepared for guests to ask for second helpings. How sweet it is!

Sticky Toffee Pudding

8 ounces dates, pitted and chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

1 1/4 cups water

1 teaspoon baking soda

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup (packed) dark brown sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

Toffee Sauce (recipe follows)

Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the dates and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from the heat and stir in the baking soda. Let stand for about 30 minutes, so the dates break down and soften completely. (Don’t worry if the mixture discolors from the acid in the baking soda—this is normal.)
2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Generously grease a 9-inch square baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper, and grease the parchment.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer for 3 to 5 minutes, or until light and very fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla.  With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix in the flour and baking powder. Add the date mixture and mix just until well blended. Scrape the batter into the prepared baking pan.
4. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the cake is just beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with no more than a moist crumb. Remove the pan from the oven. Using a toothpick, poke holes all over the top of the cake and drizzle with about 3/4 cup of the warm Toffee Sauce. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares or rectangles. Serve the “pudding” warm or at room temperature. Top each serving with a scoop of ice cream and drizzle the remainingwarm Toffee Sauce over all. Serves 6 to 8.

Toffee Sauce

1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

1 1/2 cups (packed) dark brown sugar

3/4cup heavy (whipping) cream

1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 2 tablespoons brandy

In a heavy medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, cream, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes.

1. Stir the vanilla into the warm toffee sauce. Serve at once, or refrigerate, covered, for up to 1 week. Reheat gently before serving.Makes about 2 cups.

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.

 

Okay, the Holiday Season has officially started. No, it’s not the pre-Halloween decorations in the stores and it’s not the Peppermint Hot Chocolate at your favorite coffee place. It’s that I have dusted off my favorite Christmas movie—White Christmas!  If I watch it early enough in the season, I get the joy of watching it again closer to my favorite holiday.

White Christmas is a 1954 masterpiece. Post World War II, this film is nothing short of amazing. Let me tell you why. Number one: Bing Crosby.  This man was made for the 50’s favorite movie genre, the big screen musical.  He has a voice that simply soaks into your being and wraps itself around your heart. Close your eyes, can you hear him singing White Christmas?  I can. Number two and three (not sure in what order): Rosemary Clooney and Danny Kaye are the perfect co-stars. Number four would be the ultimate dancer, Vera-Ellen.

White Christmas’ music and lyrics were the genius of the one and only, Irving Berlin. I wonder if he had any idea how his song, Sisters, would be pure magic for me and my sisters, Jane and Kelly, or even my daughter, Laura, and her daughters, Emma and Sophia. Kelly and her four daughters have even used it for their phone ringtones. Well, I guess I could go on with the sister-thing but I think you get the picture. While I’m at it, I suppose I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Bing Crosby, who is no longer alive, has sold over 100 million copies of the song, White Christmas, while another 300 million have been recorded and sold by other artists. It is the most recorded song of all time! Let’s see, then there is Snow, Mandy, Count Your Blessings (instead of sheep), When You’re Dancing and Love, You Did Me Wrong. You may not remember these songs until you’ve watched the movie again, but I guarantee you’ll be humming them through the season.

I just love the full orchestra, beautiful costumes and yes, the cheesy sentimentality. The war is still fresh and the free world is full of patriots. America and their allies have saved the world and life is great… so, let’s sing and dance!

Unbelievably small-waisted and tiny Vera-Ellen is the only real dancer in the lead cast and she has mind-boggling talent. She has a scene where she does this toe tapping thing that is so fast you can hardly see her foot move. I have no idea how she managed to dance the way she did in stilettos. Vera-Ellen is not as strong as a singer but definitely carries her weight (pun) in the cast.

Rosemary Clooney was at her pinnacle. They almost didn’t cast her because she was not a dancer, but her vocals more than made up for the maneuvering that had to be done on set. An incredibly talented and sexy woman, she had a long and illustrious career. Modest and tender hearted Danny Kaye was the perfect complement to Bing Crosby. Danny had a great voice and was an amazingly good dancer. He was also a UNICEF Ambassador for over 33 years.

White Christmas is a movie for the whole family from the youngest child to the oldest grandpa or grandma. This is definitely going to be a family Holiday favorite for years to come so you might as well buy the DVD instead of renting it!  As always, let me know what you think at chastings@rockcliff.com

 The Holiday Season is upon us and many are immersed in the good feelings of family get-togethers, gift giving, stuffing ourselves with enormous amounts of food and a myriad of other activities of this festive season. One of the most recognizable and all encompassing manifestations of the season is the preponderance of holiday music. We hear it everywhere – radio, television, department stores, carolers, holiday concerts, in churches and in the homes of our families and friends.

Where did most of our familiar Christmas music come from? The early Christmas music, of the first European Americans, originally came from Western Europe. The pilgrims brought much of their European heritage with them to the new world. Among their musical traditions was music that was sung and played at Christmas time. However, in England in 1645, Puritans, led by Oliver Cromwell actually banned Christmas as they thought the celebration of Christmas was decadent. This practice was repealed during the rein of Charles II and the English people could again celebrate Christmas.

The Anglican Church instituted carol singing on Christmas Eve in1880. In Boston, from 1659 to 1681, celebrating Christmas was declared illegal. The fine for celebrating could cost as much as five shillings. Can you imagine?

Musicologists have traced the antecedents of the song, Holly and the Ivy, still sung today, back to the middle ages. Leaders of the Protestant Reformation – Martin Luther (1483-1546) of Germany and Charles Wesley (1707-1788) of England, were both influential in advocating the use of Christmas carols in church worship services.

After the American Revolution the restrictive customs of England began losing popularity, especially celebrating Christmas. Interestingly, the American Congress met on Christmas day in 1789, the first Christmas after the constitution was signed. It was almost a century later, in 1870, when Christmas was made a federal holiday in the United States.

The early Christmas music had a decidedly religious theme inherit in the words and music. It, of course, had its roots in sacred music of the church.

According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, “A carol is a popular hymn of a joyous nature in celebration of an occasion such as Easter or Christmas. The earliest English carols date from the 15^th century. The carol is characterized by simplicity of thought and expression. Many Christmas hymns composed in the 19^th century have been called carols.”

As time went on, music that was related to Christmas themes became more secular in nature. Some milestones in the evolution of Christmas music and the singing of carols are: O Come All Ye Faithful, (Adeste Fidelis) written in the mid-1700’s, originally in Latin, was later translated into the vernacular. Angels from the Realms of Glory, written in 1816, is one of the most famous carols with words by James Montgomery and music by Henry Smart. Away in a Manger with music by William Kirkpatrick, was written in 1885. Clement Moore wrote the famous poem, The Night Before Christmas in 1822. This text has been set to music many times.

“Rudolph the Ninth Reindeer,” A poem by Robert L. May in 1939, became the seed for the song, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” written in 1949 by Johnny Marks. Gene Autry made it a best seller Christmas song, second only to White Christmas, made popular by singer, Bing Crosby.

In addition to the previously mentioned carols, some of the more popular include:  Angels We Have Heard on High; Away In A Manger; Deck The Halls; Ding Dong, Merrily On High; The First Noel; God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Good King Wenceslas; Hark the herald Angels Sing; Joy To The World; Silent Night; O Holy Night and O Little Town of Bethlehem. Popular American Christmas songs include: Jingle Bells, Jolly Old St. Nicholas and Up On the House Top.

When we trace the history of many of our favorite carols, we may be surprised to find how many of them are of European origin. We can thank our English and German cousins across the “pond” for a large number of these carols. Our musical heritage at holiday time is rich and varied. This season take some time to listen, participate and enjoy the beautiful sounds of the season in the rich heritage of Christmas music in America.

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.