Column

Choosing a movie to watch is a little like choosing food to eat; sometimes you feel like hot and spicy and sometimes you just want warm and comfy. There are times you even choose the salad because the veggies are simply good for you. Well, today I’ve got some of each to chat about.

I think the entertainment industry has finally figured out that for the most part we all love Christmas. Hallmark and other film industry machines have been adding a few new “made for TV” movies every year and recently they have definitely stepped up the pace. So much so, that we now have the 60 day “Countdown to Christmas” instead of beginning the run on Thanksgiving. I, for one, love it and the rest of you get something different than the Murder She Wrote reruns.

What is truly awesome is that they have instituted Classic Thursdays. So far, just this year, I have watched Holiday Inn, Holiday Affair, and Christmas in Connecticut. The Bishop’s Wife is just sitting waiting for me to have a free couple of hours. These have got to be someone’s “warm and comfy!” They certainly take you back to a different and maybe even more gallant time.

I’m a real sucker for the typical Hallmark movie fare year ‘round but never as much as Christmas. I was just thinking this morning (with a chuckle to myself) that the hardest part of making some of these has got to be finding a title. You would have to find something Christmas-y, but it would need to be clever…and yet somehow set your movie apart so year after year the viewing audience would remember it and say, “Oh, Season of Miracles is on today,” as I do.

So, I’ve talked about the wonderful (?) predictability of Hallmark long enough. They aren’t the only channels capitalizing on our penchant for schmaltziness, but probably the best.

Whether you are watching TV or renting movies, you will find your summer salad or your box of popcorn. The Nativity Story is definitely your salad. A story about Christmas, for Christmas. It is virtually impossible to focus on the true meaning of Christmas with all the sales and gimmicks going on around us. Even Black Friday has been moved up by the marketers, and tell me, really, is Black Friday the unofficial start of the Christmas Season? In the midst of all this, we must never forget the true meaning of Christmas, and movies like The Nativity Story do just that. It is beautifully crafted.

On my short list this year is, Merry Madagascar, with my grandkids. I am a closet penguin fan so my gk’s will just have to suffer through it since they are starting to grow past that era. Also, on that list is one of my big screen favorites, The Holiday.

Kirk Cameron’s: Saving Christmas is in theaters this season and hopefully Polar Express will be back on the 3D screen again. I will definitely look for it. It is one of those movies just made for not only the big screen, but 3D!!

So, I have a little gift for you Christmas movie lovers! www.countdownuntilchristmas.com is a comprehensive TV Christmas Movie Guide. Enjoy, and as always email me at chastings@rockcliff.com.

The Christmas season is a time of great joy, goodwill toward men, gift giving, and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. It is also the season of joyous Christmas carols and many worldwide performances of George Frideric Handel’s famous oratorio, Messiah.
Most people are familiar with this great work, but many do not know that in 1741 Handel, unbelievably, composed Messiah in just 24 days! The very famous Hallelujah Chorus so moved England’s King George II that he rose from his seat, thereby establishing a custom that has become universal whenever it is sung. “The raising of the chorus to the role of principal dramatic protagonist constitutes Handel’s most significant contribution to the oratorio,” wrote Martin Bernstein in his book, An Introduction to Music.

The Oratorio
An oratorio is a composition for solo voices, chorus, and orchestral accompaniment with a scared text. It is usually performed without scenery, action, or costumes. Handel’s oratorio, unlike Bach’s, were written for an audience, not specifically for a congregation. The text, or libretto, is in English, not Latin, and is based on selections from the scriptures.

Handel, when performing Messiah, used a small chorus of men and boys, and women appeared as soloists—unlike today’s presentations that often use very large choruses and orchestras.  “Messiah remains Handel’s best loved work,” wrote McKinney and Anderson in Discovering Music. “In its massive choruses, beautiful solos and fine orchestral background, it embraces an affectionate and intimate portrayal of the Christ story through its three phases – birth, death and resurrection.”

Handel composed Messiah in London where he was already an experienced and successful composer of Italian operas. He turned mainly to oratorio writing after becoming dissatisfied with opera. He used it to express his own dynamic personality, incorporating the elements of his dramatic opera style. After Handel mastered the form of the Oratorio he became the undisputed master of English music.

Handel
Born in Halle, Germany in 1685, Handel was an extrovert who did not come from a musical family at all. His father, a barber/surgeon, did not want young George to be a professional musician, but wanted him to be a lawyer instead. Handel relished travel and spent much time traveling and living in other countries – always assimilating the musical styles of the countries he visited. He was able to study music composition and learned the violin, oboe, clavier, harpsichord, and organ, of which he was a master.

In 1703 Handel’s lust for travel took him to Hamburg, where his music was first heard by a large and appreciative audience. Next, he ventured to Italy in 1706 where his interest in Italian opera peaked. His three-year stay in Italy was met with great success. Handel then assumed the post of Kapellmeister at the Court of the Elector, George of Hanover – who later became King George I of England.

Handel received an invitation to visit London that proved to be a pivotal turning point in his life and career. He composed Italian opera for an English audience that was hungry for good opera. Here he was met with tremendous success and adulation. From 1712 until his death, England became his home. As opera was waning in London, a new form of music was to become his greatest triumph – the oratorio.

Handel, unfortunately, became totally blind in 1753, but this did not stop his work as a composer or performer. His secretary wrote down his last works as he dictated them. Handel composed 46 operas, 32 oratorios, chamber music, keyboard songs, and many instrumental works, including Water Music and The Royal Fireworks, both still popular and performed today. He died in 1759.

Handel’s final resting place in Westminster Abbey, attests to the fame and esteem the British public held for the German composer who became English.

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Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Oratorio, Messiah

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The kingdom of this world is become
The Kingdom of Our Lord and of His Christ,
And of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever
And He shall reign for ever
And He shall reign for ever
And He shall reign for ever
King of Kings,
For ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And Lord of Lords,
For ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
King of Kings,
For ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And Lord of Lords,
For ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
King of Kings,
For ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And Lord of Lords,
For ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
King of Kings,
For ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And Lord of Lords,
For ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Kings of Kings
For ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever,
King of Kings,
And Lord of Lords,
King of Kings,
And Lord of Lords,
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
King of Kings,
And Lord of Lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Took a sentimental journey to renew old memories. Visited the Normandy beaches of France. Watched the names tumble by – Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, Caen, Dunkirk, Bayeux, Cherbourg – on and on they rolled. No, I wasn’t there when they became household words. Too young, just finishing high school. But every day on the radio, in the newspapers, and on a big map at school and at home, I marked the locations with red lines and stars.

So I went back this fall, and once again studied the terrain. Walked the sandy beaches, threaded my way through the rows and rows of white crosses and Stars of David – and remembered.

And out of these nostalgic remembrances came, of all things, a very private and personal Christmas story. I ask you to bear with me for one month and forget about passport stamps. Travel back through the years to salute the life of one of the lucky ones who came home to build a better, stronger life here in America.

My story is about a friend who I will call Jim. Jim was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago during those nasty depression years. Jim’s dad was a plumber by trade, but similar to most men in those years he did not have a steady job. Each day he would carry a sign saying “Professional Plumber for hire,” and he might be picked up by someone with a plugged drain or a leaky faucet.

During Jim’s twelfth year or so, his father got a great two day job and was paid in cash on the morning of December 24, just in time for Christmas. On his way home that afternoon he stopped at a grocery store and purchased one orange for each of his children – a real treat in those days. The orange was one of those thick-skinned Washington navel oranges – one which you tried to peel without too many tears – maybe four inches across. It wasn’t one of those thin-skinned varieties.

Slowly over the years the giving of an orange on Christmas Eve became a tradition at Jim’s house.

Now Jim finished high school toward the end of World War Two. He enlisted at graduation, and a month later he was being shown which end of a rifle a bullet goes in, and which end it comes out of. A few months later he found himself filling in for some wounded GI only a few hundred yards from the German lines. His poor luck continued. Almost immediately on his arrival the Germans began a fierce counteroffensive which was called “The Battle of the Bulge.” The fighting was ferocious, and books and movies have commemorated this battle. While rations and ammunition were scarce, the USO still felt it necessary to deliver mail and packages to keep up the morale of the troops. Christmas was approaching.

Jim got his box. His kid sister had knitted him a pair of wool socks because his letters said his feet were always cold and wet. His mother had stuffed as many homemade chocolate chip cookies into the package as she could. And Dad – Dad, of course, added an orange.

Jim was lucky. He made it home. Got an engineering degree on the GI Bill, met a sweet gal named Pat, and got married.

On their wedding night lots of Jim and Pat’s friends got up and gave them a rough time, lots of teasing and laughing.Then it came time for Jim’s Dad to speak. Never a very articulate guy, the whole wedding party fell silent when he got up. He stood behind the mike, quiet for a few seconds, then turned to Jim and said “Jim, from now on you gottta buy your own oranges.”

Have a happy holiday season and eat an orange to remember one member of the “Greatest Generation.”

It was one of those late night thoughts that creep so effortlessly in the dark of the night. I was sprawled out in bed, reading (something health/diet related) and was stricken with the fear that I was ostracizing you, the readers, and chastising those of you who were not living like me. Here I have been preaching to you my families new found glory in nutrition and health. Up on my soapbox, force- feeding you my philosophies and practices, and suggesting—nay, telling you, how you should live as well. These thoughts are a bi-product of our one-sided relationship.

Then I took a step back. Why shouldn’t I care about you and your longevity? Even if I never meet you, why shouldn’t I try and spread the gospel on nutrition and health? And why shouldn’t I be dismayed at the availability of businesses promoting the same message through their consumer-based fare.

I have decided that I was being neurotic, but I still very much want to hear from you. Like my Facebook Page, “Written By Tobin,” go to my website, writtenbytobin.com, or follow me on Twitter @tullist, to open up the conversation.

So, I continue my quest with a little egg on my face.

Through a wonderfully executed cross-promotion with Acai-Me, my wife heard of an amazing, health conscious deli in the Fresh and Easy shopping center on Diablo Road, called Slow G’s Eatery. I walked in and ordered lunch and asked to speak to the owner. The man preparing my sandwich had a backward baseball cap and apron on and introduced himself as Gary. I explained how excited I was to find him and that I wrote the Restaurant Column for Alive. Without hesitation, he said “You’re Toby!” I had just met one of my readers.

Gary is one of our angels that have answered their calling. He traded the boardroom for cutting boards in an effort to make the world healthier without sacrificing flavor or quality. The egg on my face is that he has been doing this for three years! I was shocked I had not been here before, but I refuse to live in the past. I know now (after eating here a couple of times) that I will know Gary Ramponi for a long time.

Slow G’s has a three-pronged message: “Cut Sodium,” “Cut Sugar,” and “Cut Unhealthy Fat.” This is not enough to write on a logo and forget. People should live up to this high standard, and Gary is doing it! Here’s how: No packaged meats. Gary makes all of his own deli meat in house. Raw, skinless chicken breasts are the only way to cut sodium, pork and roast beef slow cooked in his dual ovens.

He makes all of his own sauces and spreads. His edamame pesto is out of this world; high in protein and fiber and replete with fresh basil and nuts (no added salt or sugar). He is at the Danville Farmers Market every weekend picking up his ingredients in an effort to maintain his farm-to-table mantra as well as supporting local growers. His bread is supplied by Semifreddi’s Bakery and he donates the daily-unused quantity to people in need through St. Vincent de Paul.

Gary’s motivation comes from the same place this article comes from, “a frustration of not being able to find a place where he knew the food was of good value and wasn’t laden with unhealthy fats, sodium, and sugar.” In short, Gary “get’s it.” He is doing for us, what we may be scared or intimidated to try ourselves, and he has been doing it quietly for a long time. My aim is to change that. Slow G’s Eatery is not merely a part of a movement, they are the driver.

So go and rediscover how a deli should taste. Introduce yourself to Gary, and tell him that you are interested in living a long and happy life.

440 Diablo Rd. @ I-680, Danville
925-831-1268

Just returned from a wonderful Princess Cruise to Mexico. My wife did not see too much of me because there were three separate Trivia games onboard the ship each day. They deal more in General information than I do, but there are some goodies I can share with you. Because the Entertainment staff is fairly British, no baseball. How shocking! Hope Princess does not sue me for stealing their material.

1. What was the first movie that featured Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers?

2. What is Sting’s real name?

3. Who was the first boxer to defeat Muhammed Ali?

4. What is the third largest sea in the world?

5. Who was the author of the book “Witches of Eastwick?”

6. My favorite. Shortly after Margaret Thatcher passed away, an old song was re-released and soared to the top of the British pop charts. What was it?

Let Us Make Your Holidays Merry and Extra Nice

Our Favorite Things
It’s that time of year when our beauty boutique comes alive with excitement with new cosmetics and gifts galore in every corner. To keep up with all the excitement, we have put together some of the hottest beauty gift ideas to help you find that perfect gift for your special someone. We want our store to be precisely where your gift list and happiness intersect. Nothing makes us happier than helping you make holiday dreams and wishes come true. Customer service is our passion and the force that drives us, every day, to surprise and delight you!

What’s Hot

Fleur Visage Waterproof Lip Liner’s. These extraordinary Lip Liner’s have the new technology women dream of. With a new gel formula that lasts all day, it includes a powerful stain, while achieving definition with a precise and effortless glide-on line. Add a little pop to your lips this holiday season with a perfect pout that won’t run into lines, fade, or smudge.

We’re excited to introduce our new, all natural, organic line Barr Co. It takes classic Americana style and combines it with wholesome, natural ingredients that have been known to do wonders for the skin. Pure-ly trendy to suit every taste.

Chan Luu’s Winter 2014 Jewerly Collection is in store and is sure to “wow” you this season. Known for their beautiful wrap bracelets, which come in an array of hand-cut semi-precious stones, sterling silver, gold vermeil, and custom dyed leathers, Chan Luu continues to be a trend leader in fashion today. Whether your style is modern/bohemian, or simple and classic, Chan Luu jewelry gives you the perfect, trendy statement for your own fashion canvas.

Have you ever wished you could capture the aroma of the holiday season? Well now you can, because Illume candles have done just that. Their scrumptious pumpkin collection for 2014, is the perfect gift to make anyone’s home smell like the holiday season. One whiff of this pumpkin dream and you’ll head straight to the bakery to order a pumpkin pie! They even come in different styles to suit everyone’s home.

Everyone is all about organic, natural spa products and what better way to spoil someone this holiday season than by nourishing their body with organic soaps and scrubs? We have a huge assortment of delicious soaps and scrubs with aromas to awaken the senses with every use. Heal the skin with the magic of the earth.

Michael Stars is always a popular choice for your loved ones. The Michael Stars scarf collection is so on trend and fashionable this season, everyone on your list will love them. Michael Stars collaborate cozy with style to ensure your look is smart and trendy all year round.

At The Rouge we only carry the finest cosmetics and skin care products, plus trendy Chan Luu Jewelry, Michael Stars, and spa indulgences that are sure to please. Don’t know what you need for holiday gift giving? We have holiday gift certificates and wish lists available.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!