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Below is an article written by my seventeen year old son, Stefan. Part of my goal to educate and promote inclusion also includes acknowledging all the loved ones of a special needs individual. Each family member comes to terms with a medical setback in their own unique way. Myson has always been very nurturing with his sister, Naomi, but I did notrealize the intensity of his concern for her. The protector rises within him and is equivalent to his love for her. When I asked him to write this article, I knew he had a writing gift but this really opened my eyes. It squeezed at my heart to see how deeply he feels about her. May this bless you and your family as much as it does mine.  We must always remember to include ourselves, whether we are the parents or another relative of someone with special needs, in the healing process. I hope that my son’s words spark more steps towards a world that is rid of misconceptions. May it lead to freedom for all our worries and fears as we remember that “it takes a village.”

~ Stefanie Boggs-Johnson

The Ink to My Pen

Do you know what it feels like? Have you ever sat anxiously thinking about all the demeaning and demoralizing insults little kids may exclaim at your younger sister because she isn’t “normal” like them? Are you constantly worried about your sister’s future and what opportunities she may be excluded from? Odds are, your answer to these uncomfortable questions is, most likely, “no.” However, for me, these vicious thoughts occur in my mind daily. Being the sibling of an energetic and humorous nine- year-old girl with mild cerebral palsy is the best thing to ever happen to me, but the inhumanity of those around her is what has me in a constant state of fear.

I know what Naomi Erica Johnson is capable of in this world. She is a very intelligent, imaginative, and loving child that wants nothing more than to have fun and live a normal life. Despite this, there are many disgusting people in this world that will try to tear her down and make her seem less than who she is: a beautiful girl who can do whatever she sets her mind to at any given moment. I am always wondering how her day is going and hoping that nobody is spewing rude comments her way simply because she was born with a disability. I am always making sure she is as healthy as can be so that her disability doesn’t hinder her at all. I am always persistent in assuring that she does her homework diligently and on time. I am always the overprotective brother that wants the best for his sister.

Although my anxiety and instinctive need to be her guardian causes me to constantly worry about her wellbeing, my little sister has also brought me an abundance of joy and peace. I love being able to admire her giant glowing grin whenever she sees me after along day or week. Going to the park, talking about how our day went, or simply being in her presence gives me an overwhelming feeling of exuberance. Not only has she made me happier and given me companionship like no other, she has also played a large role in molding me into the man that I am today.

Naomi has shown me what it truly means to be perseverant. She defies all expectations and limitations placed on her by educational systems, outsiders, and even the doctors that told our family she may never be able to do things a “normal” person can do. No matter how difficult a task may be due to her condition, she refuses to let it stop her. It is this relentlessness that motivates me every day to strive for greatness.

Naomi is not just my little sister, and I am not just her older brother. We are each other’s rock in a hard place; we give each other solidarity and confidence in life that nobody else can provide. She’s the jelly to my peanut butter, the wind to my sails, and the ink to my pen.    

Stefan Jones lives in Concord, California and is a senior in high school. In addition to working part-time, he is a volunteer for the Seniors Club at his school. Stefan is an honors student and hopes to attend UC Berkeley to major in Sports Management. He loves to hang out with his sister, his friends and enjoys going to concerts. Naomi Johnson is nine years old and is a pediatric stroke survivor. Diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy, she has overcome many obstacles and is a thriving, happy child. She loves to play outside with her brother, dance, color, and make slime.


With the advent of some graffiti and new-wave street artists such as London’s Banksy, and Lisbon’s “carved-in- stone” portrait artist, Alexandre Farto, and America’s famous Roy Lichtenstein, you don’t even have to go into an art gallery, museum, or retail store to find assemblages  of art that can do all of the above. It’s popping up everywhere, on shipping containers, structures, fences, and even on traffic signal utility boxes!

A couple of months ago, while driving down Crow Canyon Road in San Ramon, my wife and Istopped at the corner of San Ramon Valley Boulevard where an artist waspainting some utterly beautiful art nouveau designs on the stop signal control boxes at that corner. Attached to the protective bollard’s at each corner ofthe utility boxes was a simple paper sign that read, “San Ramon Art Work inProgress.” This prompted a discussion which continued until we again observed another strikingly attractive utility box of blazing colors and beautifuldancers at another corner. It didn’t take long to discover that there were five unique and beautiful utility boxes on Crow Canyon Road alone. Now, I seek out these beautiful little pop-up works of art wherever I drive.

I became curious as to whose idea this was, how long it had been going on and what were these communities’ plans for similar public art projects in the future. I went back to the first art project and found the artist’s name and email address onthe side of the box. It turned out that this artist’s name is Sophia Lee. I called her, and she, in turn, advised me to contact Erica Burg at the City ofSan Ramon’s Parks and Community Services for more detailed information and history about this art project.

I interviewed Sophia Lee and asked her how she found out about this art creation opportunity in San Ramon. She explained that once she got into the Public Art Network, the art commission in Redwood City hired her to paint one of that city’sutility boxes. Erika Burg then contacted the Public Art Network, asking about how she could contact similar street artists, similar to those employed by Redwood City. The woman who manages the Public Art program in Redwood City forwarded Sophia’s name to Burg.

After sending in an example of her artwork, Miss Lee secured a commission for her artwork in San Ramon and was awarded the job to paint two large electrical control boxes. She explained that the job was quite time consuming, as she was required to clean the boxes and prime them before she began painting herartwork. The job took far more hours to complete than she originally thought. 

This hard-working lady has loved art and painting since she was a child in Taiwan and has become a professional artist who continues to explore her love of art. Sophia’s family left Taiwan in 1979. Her family eventually moved the United States.

Thanks to the help Sophia provided me, I was able to contact Erica Burg who is the recreation coordinator for the arts in San Ramon. She was excited to show me how this program came to fruition, and how pleased the community seems to be. Erica told me that the city has sought out members of the arts community for input and ideas and ultimately sought out individuals who might be interested in just such a project.

Out of a substantial group of applicants, five artists were chosen based upon the proposed artwork they submitted. After a lengthy consideration process, the five artists selected for this most recent program were Suzanne Gayle, Jeanett Braucher-Wolfe, Molly Keen, Sophia Lee, and Lee Burg.

I asked Erica if any of these artists were residents in any of our nearby San Ramon Valley communities and she gave me the name of a Mr. Lee Burg. With her help, I managed to contact Mr. Burg, who lives in Livermore, and met with him at his art project at the corner of Twin Creek’s Drive and Crow Canyon Road. I asked what this project has meant to him. He appreciatively explained that he has been painting and creating art his entire life. Having grown up in Pleasanton, California, he feels quite fortunate to have been so close to fine museums and other places of inspiration nearby. He says that he loves everything; from painting on canvas, to film and digital photography.

Even though he has sold a number of his works, he does not consider himself a professional, but simply an avid, passionate artist. He states that when he was in high school he learned about Pop Art and the work of famous artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. He says his passion and love of their work inspired him. He also follows the work of current famous street artists, such as Shepard Fairey and Banksy. He has acquiesced to working with a paint brush but his real passion has been in learning to spray paint his subject matter with a style of paint application that is difficult to work in.

He didn’t begin to realize how vital and valuable art was to his existence until in 2011 he suffered a major brain injury and lost feeling in his hands and legs. He was deeply concerned that he would never be able to create anything artistic ever again, but after a few years of intense therapy and slow recovery, which is still progressing, he feels much better and is now able to hold a paint brush (or spray can) again. He still has minor seizures every month and may never have 100% of his brainpower back, but in his own words “I am alive and have plenty more things to create!” And I would say, he is truly alive and living inhis art, and we, the public, are perhaps even more alive and grateful for his endeavor to overcome his disability and provide us with such a wonderful gift—art that is easily accessible.

Photographs by Charles Jarrett, Stephanie Gellepes, and Stacy Belmont.

For more information of these artists, visit their websites:

Suzanne Gayle: Suzanne@starArtsStudio.com; JeanettBraucher-Wolfe: ibwolfe50@yahoo.com; Molly Keen: mollykeenart@gmail.com; Sophia Lee: solee@barkingowls.com; and Lee Burg:leeburg86@yahoo.com.

Other than perhaps the atheists out there, who hasn’t asked this question? If you’ve been living on planet Earth for a while and you haven’t asked it in earnest yet, it’s a near certainty that you will eventually.

When I was in my twenties, a friend said something that really struck me at the time. He said, “Life is hard; for the most part it’s really not much fun. It’s just really hard.” Maybe I had just been going through a rough patch at the time, but those words stuck and at times they seem a perfectly accurate characterization of life.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m an optimist—a “positive thinker” who’s always seeing the glass as half… no, three quarters full, even when I’ve been told we’re down to a few drops. It’s just that I also know that life really is hard; setbacks, disasters, challenges, illness, death—bad stuff happens to everyone, to one degree or another.

It’s true that some people seem to get more than “their share” of tragedy in life, which, of course, then causes everyone else to again ask that same question: “Why, God, did You allow this to happen?” as those atheists smugly proclaim, “See! It’s like I’ve been saying, either God isn’t ‘all loving,’ or He would have prevented this… OR, if He could not prevent it, then it proves He is not ‘all-powerful.’”

I asked the question after the Butte County fires. I ask it again whenever I hear news about some other tragic event. Life is hard and sometimes ugly. And very often, it is heartbreaking. “Why, God? Why?”

Of course, life isn’t all bad news; there is very much good and bright and wonderful in the world. But the questions asked by the atheists deserves an answer. If you’re a parent and you haven’t dealt with this issue yet, get ready, because you’re going to have to deal with it eventually.

I do believe there is an answer, but in order for it to be real for any given person is a very personal matter. Bad stuff happens in life for only one reason: it is the catalyst for our one-on-one, private conversation—our introduction, if you will—with our Maker. And if we’ve already been introduced, it is the vehicle by which your relationship grows. For some, it comes as a slap on the face because we’ve been traveling in a wrong direction. For others it starts through anger or even rage.

And then there is heartbreak; the one we, at first, think most cruel. “Why would God do this?”

Until I was in my early thirties, I thought about religion and God and pondered “the” question with the brain that either He or Darwin gave me, but my and my wife’s“conversation”—our personal introduction—didn’t happen until we lost our beautiful daughter, Emma, shortly after her birth. It was then that the pondering stopped; all the cerebral gymnastics searching for an “answer” ceased, as everything became crystal—and right down-to-the-bone-marrow real.

Please don’t misunderstand; I don’t wish hardship or heartbreak on anyone. But it’s going to happen, and when it does, you’ll be faced with a decision—the decision—to either answer His call and get the (your) answer, or turn away.

As Christmastime approaches, my hope for you is that you would trust and know that if you choose to answer and not turn away, you will be blessed beyond measure, as the weight and darkness of life’s tragedies will be lifted.

You will come to see that it is only through life’s most difficult challenges and heartbreaks that our egos are moved aside; removed, in fact, so that we can know God, and discover that we are truly loved and valued as His most precious children.

The holiday season is in full swing and chances are, you’re serving lots of wine and good cheer to friends, family, and business associates. So what’s the proper pairing for a Partridge in a Pear Tree? Do you worry about buying the right wines for your holiday table? You’re not alone.

Wine often makes people nervous. No one wants to be exposed as a wine dilettante. It’s easy to be intimidated by what appears to be a rarified and somewhat exclusive club, made up of highly educated snobs who effortlessly mix French words into casual conversation and seem to innately understand esoteric wine terms like minerality and autolytic complexity.

As a result, people usually stick to the same old boring wines they’ve been drinking for decades, or go out on a limb and purchase terrifyingly expensive wines that they don’t know, in the hopes that their guests will be impressed with the labels, if not the wines. Take heart! There’s no need to break the bank this year and you’ll be the toast of the town.

The bottom line is, there are no “right” wines. Beauty is in the palate of the taster. Delicious wines sometimes have very little to do with the wines themselves. The best wine professionals always keep a handful of tricks conveniently up their sleeves to ensure successful holiday soirées.

Before you even consider buying wine, take a good look at your stemware. If you’re serving your guests in cheap glasses with the names of the various vineyards you’ve visited in the past 10 years, it’s time to make a change. Wine tastes better in crystal. Even a cheap wine will somehow become elevated when sipped from a crystal goblet.

Crystal is elegant and beautiful. It will make your table sparkle in the candlelight and raise the quality of the dining experience in your home from so-so to truly divine. There are many fine makers of crystal glasses in all shapes and sizes. Buy the best you can afford. Your stemware is a reflection of you. Be fabulous.

While you’re buying that new crystal stemware, go ahead and purchase a crystal decanter as well. Pouring a bottle of wine into a decanter exposes the wine to oxygen and opens up the flavors and aromas. Most wines improve markedly from decanting, the exception being very old wines, which are sometimes too fragile to be decanted.

In addition, if you are on a strict budget and have purchased inexpensive wines or wines in larger format bottles, decanting is a great way to hide the bottles from your guests. No one will consider the price of a wine being served from a stunning crystal decanter.

Seek out wines from different parts of the world. The professionals in your favorite wine shop likely have a few favorites they can share with you. Generally, the more unusual the wine, the lower the price, as demand tends to be fairly low. Look for Furmint from Hungary, Txakoli from Spain, Morellino di Scansano from Italy, or Xinomavro from Greece. You’ll find new flavors and terrific quality for a fraction of the price of a fancy brand.

Wine served too warm or too cold loses most of its endearing qualities. Many red wines are excellent served at room temperature…as long as your room is about 68 degrees Fahrenheit. As we tend to keep our homes much warmer than that, always lightly chill your reds before serving. The wine may eventually rise to the ambient temperature of the dining room but by then, your guests will already be enjoying it.

Whites, rosés, and sparkling wines are meant to be served chilled.  However, if you serve them straight out ofthe fridge, they will be too cold and the delicate scents and flavors the winemaker worked so hard to achieve will be subdued. Chill your bottles lightly 15 minutes before serving in a bath of ice and water. Never put bottles in the freezer as subzero temperatures can damage wine.

Let the holidays be filled will good wine and good cheer this year. May all the joy ofthe season be yours.

Cheers!

Huzzah to December! Originally the tenth month of theRoman calendar; January and February were added later. One of the more hecticmonths, but it also gives us time to relax and reflect.  Let’s get toastyand try these December questions…

1. “December” is Dezemberin German, and Dicembre in Italian. What European language has December as Grudnia?
2. December Bride was a CBS sitcom of the ‘50s, airing after I Love Lucy. Who played Lily Ruskin, the title character?
3. St. Stephen’s Day and Boxing Day are both on which December date?
4. One of the most famous NFL games of all time happened on December 31st, 1967.  It has been nicknamed The Ice Bowl, with a windchill factor of -48 degrees.  It was for the NFL Championship. What two teams played?
5. “Twas the night before Christmas…” starts the famous poem A Visit from St. Nicholas. Can you name all eight reindeer?
6. What group had a # 1 hit with these lyrics:

Oh, what a night

Late December back in ’63

What a very special time for me

As I remember, what a night

During this holiday season, I am reminded of how very thankful I am for my family and friends, and my extended family in the Sentinels we serve. 

Franchon Powell, one of our Sentinels, has much to be thankful for. After struggling to complete high school, she joined the army and trained to become a combat medic.

During Franchon’s initial deployment to Iraq her convoy was attacked. While tending to an injured solider, she was hit by a blast from a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) that violently threw her to the ground. The impact separated and broke her pelvis and left her with a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). The chronic pain is a constant reminder of the events ofthat fateful day.

Franchon, however, would not give up. She would refocus her goals and begin the educational journey she dreamed of. She knew it would not be easy. “The day SOF came into my life was a day that will always be in my heart.  I was a single mother of five doing the best I could with what I had.”

Franchon completed her associate’s degree from Florida State College in occupational therapy. She is now at Columbia College working towards her bachelor’s degree in human services to pursue a career working with at risk youth; helping them to succeed in the mist of deficits and learning disabilities that are too often used as reasons to give up.

“The roads and journeys that I have taken would not have been possible without the Sentinels of Freedom program. I am not just a disabled veteran, someone who was too injured to finish out my term in the Army, I am now a strong woman with purpose and I owe it to the SOF program and to the donors who so graciously believe in me.”

Thank you for your support of wounded veterans like Franchon.  We wish you and all your loved ones a wonderful holiday season!

Where Style meets Performance!

So, there are sports cars and then there are Sports Cars. The 2019 Lexus LC 500 coupe falls into the second category. How do I know this? Everyone with whom I have been in conversations with about the vehicle told me so! My sister-in-law just previewed the San Francisco International Auto Show and on Thanksgiving shared with me that of all the cars she had seen, the only one she would have coveted was the LC 500. She wasn’t the only person who placed the Lexus LC 500 high on their wish list,“People constantly came up to me, and loved the car.”

The 2019 Lexus LC 500 is probably the most recent, exciting car in the Lexus fleet. It isn’t for the faint of heart. My model was packing 471 horses under the hood and priced with options at $105,345. What’s interesting about the LC is that it makes a statement declaring worth the price with a roar and style confirming it! Heads turned wherever I drove, eyes grew large and tongues wagged. It is a drop-dead gorgeous attention getter. The 5.0-liter V8 rumbles with power, hungry to bereleased. Let me tell you, it was both easy and fun to let the beast out.

Pricing and Trims
The2019 Lexus LC 500 is available in two trim levels LC 500($93,225) and LC500h Hybrid ($97,735).

What’s new for 2019?
The 2019 LC 500 is pretty much unchanged. That said, Lexus did update the Adaptive Variable Suspension system for a more comfortable ride, altered the programming on the 10-speed transmission to enable smoother shifts, and altered the assist levels in the power steering. Lexus also added a new color –Obsidian. They added, as well, Apple CarPlay compatibility and Amazon Alexaintegration, however, decided to hold off on adding Android Auto.

Interior Highpoints
The interior is plush with standard features including a 12-speaker audio system, SiriusXM ready, leather front 10-way power driver leather seat, NuLuxe rearseats, blue tooth, 10.3-inch LCD TFT multi-information display with mouse-liketouch-pad controls, drape-like surface design with ambient illumination of doorpanels, satin, metallic finish throughout, and aluminum foot pedals. The LC 500features two USB ports and a 12V socket, Siri® Eyes Free, and Smart Access keyless entry with push-button start. An optional ($1,220) Mark LevinsonPremium Surround Sound Audio System is available, which sounds amazing. The interior sports a back seat for namesake, but there is zero legroom. The seatsare comfortable for short drives but after driving to Carmel and back to theTri-Valley, my back was a bit sore.

Exterior Highlights
What can I say about the exterior design? It is a work of art! Every swooping angle is crafted with perfection and elegance. The LC 500’s wide hips are masculine and sexy. The LC sits low and wide and looks assertive. The trunk won’t holdmuch cargo but is fine for your day-to-day storage needs.

Performance Specs
Let me start by saying the Lexus LC 500 is exciting to drive! Powered by a 471-hp 5.0-liter V8, the LC 500 is much more powerful than its Hybrid brother. The Hybrid generates 295 horses from a 3.5-liter double overhead cam V6 that combines with an electric motor and battery pack to upgrade the status to 354 total horsepower. Now that’s a hybrid! Both power plants are connected to avery smooth 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The LC 500 rockets to 60-miles per hour in only 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 168 mph. The fuel economy is what you would expect from a V8 – 16 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The LC 500 is rear-wheel drive.

Cool Features:

• The speedometer slides to the right allowing new info and commands to appear in the dash
  
  
• Rear Pop-up Spoiler
  
  
• Unique Styling
  
  
• Self-revving engine when starting the car
  
  

Safety Integrity
The 2019 Lexus LC 500 is well–equipped with safety features including: Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) and Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) function for all positions except driver (driver’s only equipped with ELR), entry system with lock, two-stage unlock, trunk open and “panic” features, volume-adjustable confirmation tone and rolling code technology, Lexus Enform Service Connect and Safety Connect with AutomaticCollision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assist Button, and Enhanced Roadside Assistance and vehicle theft-deterrent system.

In Summary –The 2019 Lexus LC 500 is a fabulous “two-seater” with style, grace and a lot of horsepower. It’s a dream to see, drive, and ride in. It’s sporty and sexy at the same time. The LC isn’t for everyone, as one needs a lot of cash on hand to buy one;  it’s not a family car. But if you meet the LC’s demographics, go out and have a “joy” ride in the 2019 LC 500 coupe! 

Specifications 2019 Lexus LC 500 Coupe

Base price:              $92,200 as driven: $105,345(including destination & optional features)

Engine:                     V8, 5.0 Liter DOHC 32-valve

Horsepower:            471 hp @ 7100 RPM

Torque:                      398 lb.-ft.@ 4800 RPM

Transmission:            10-speed automatic

Drive:                          Rear-Wheel Drive

Seating:                       4-passenger

Cargo space:               5.4 cubic feet

Curb weight:              4,280pounds

EPA mileage:             City 16/Hwy 25/Comb 19 MPG

FuelCapacity:             21.7 gallons

Turning Circle:          17.7 ft.

Wheel Base:               113inches

Warranty:                   4 years/50,000-miles

Also consider:            Acura NSX, Alfa Romeo 4C, BMW M6, Jaguar F-Type, Porsche 911

It is a little-known fact that the band instrument manufacturing center of the world was in Elkhart, Indiana, in the heartland of America. Elkhart, located in the northern part of the state almost to the Michigan border, is about 20 miles east of South Bend, Indiana, the home of the University of Notre Dame.

How Elkhart became “The Band Instrument Capital of the World,” is very interesting and intriguing. The man who started this empire of manufacturing band instruments was Charles G. Conn. He was born in New York in 1844. The family moved to Michigan in 1850 and then moved to Elkhart in 1851.

At the age of seventeen, Conn joined the Union Army as a drummer boy. From a mere private he advanced to the rank of captain. Later he was captured and sent to the notorious Confederate prison camp, Andersonville, in southwest Georgia. After the war Conn advanced to the rank of colonel, and that moniker followed him the rest of his life. He also received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Connlearned to play the cornet at an early age. But an unfortunate incident lefthis ability to play in doubt. He was injured in a fight in 1873 and as a result,cut his lip so severely, he couldn’t play the cornet. He was determined tocontinue playing so he made a mouthpiece out of rubber and silver. He called itthe “elastic face.” This became so popular that he went into business makingthese mouthpieces. This mouthpiece could also be used by people with an irregular mouth structure including protruding lower jaw, upper teeth(overbite) or general malocclusion.  

French instrument maker, DuPont, asked Conn if he could borrow some tools to make some instrument repairs. Conn decided after watching DuPont that he could make instruments himself and in 1875 he developed the first cornet made in America.

Until Conn started production, most instruments in the United States were made in Europe. Conn brought skilled European craftsmen to help his domestic employees. By 1880 he had 80 employees. Conn learned the methods of instrument construction through experimentation and the knowledge and skills of his European trained craftsmen.

Instrument manufacturing rapidly expanded, and he began making other instruments, including some ‘firsts’ in the United States. In 1889, Conn made the first saxophone as well as the first metal clarinet and the first double belleuphonium. By 1893 he had over 300 employees.

Many celebrated musicians and band directors used and endorsed Conn Instruments. These men included the great John Philip Sousa. Sousa took his band on an overseas tour. Conn generously gaveeach member of Sousa’s band a jeweled, engraved instrument.

In 1898 Conn made a new instrument, the Sousaphone; Sousa himself specified how the construction should be made. The Sousaphone faces forward rather than up like a tuba. Facing forward helps in projecting the sound.

Conn wasn’t satisfied with justmaking instruments; he was also active in politics and publishing and in 1880 he was elected Mayor of Elkhart. He was elected to the Indiana General Assembly in1888 and to the House of Representatives in Washington D.C. in 1892.

He also bought newspapers andstarted his own paper in Elkhart, called The Elkhart Truth in 1889. During his time in Washington D.C., he bought The Washington Times and after his termin congress he sold the newspaper when he returned to Elkhart.

Conn, unfortunately, had bad luckwith his factories. At least three burned down and each time he replaced thebuildings with a larger, expanded facility.

The success that Conn enjoyed with instrument making did not go without notice. It generated great interest from other would-be instrument makers. It was not long before other men who started working in the Conn Factory branched out on their own. They honed their skills learned at Conn and went into business for themselves.

Other noted instrument manufactures in business in Elkhart during this time were: The Martin Company, Selmer, Buescher, Blessing, Vincent Bach, Artley and Peddler, among others. It wasn’t long before instrument manufacturing began to develop rapidly. Elkhart quickly became the center of the band instrument making industry; hence the name, “Band Instrument Capital of the World.”

Conn advertising was not at all modest. Unabashedly it proclaimed that, “The Conn company was the originator ofall-important improvements in band and orchestra instruments in America,”writes author George Riebs from Elkhart,A Pictorial History.

They said they were the “Proprietor of the largest and best equipped factory in theworld for the manufacture of high-grade musical instruments.” Instruments madeby C.G. Conn were used and endorsed by all the great soloists and band masters in America.

Years went by and the instrument companies did quite well in Elkhart. But, as things sometimes do, changes usually occur. Because of a shortage of funds Conn sold the instrument company and The Elkhart Truth to C.D. Greenleaf in 1915. Shortly thereafter Conn moved to California, without his wife and daughter. He subsequently divorced his wife, married Suzanne Cohn and at the age of 70 fathered a son!

Conn lived until 1931 and died atthe age of 86. He died too destitute to pay for his own funeral. He led a“rags-to-riches to rags” life.

Although the early companies are gone, instrument manufacturing still has a presence in Elkhart. Trade names and companies were bought and sold but what is left is United Musical Instruments; that morphed into Conn Selmer and other companies still producing a full line of band instruments. The internet lists all the existing instrument manufactures in Elkhart.

My wife, Jan (Janet Olsen), was born and grew up in Elkhart. She says that when children were in third grade elementary school, teachers did not say, “Do you want to play an instrument?”Instead they said, “What instrument would you like to play?” The Band instrument companies generously provided the schools with student instruments, thereby encouraging children to embrace music and learn musical skills that they could carry throughout their adult years. Truly a beautiful gift.

If you, or a loved-one, is interested inplaying an instrument, a gift of a musical instrument is a gift that will last a lifetime and give one great satisfaction and joy.

Sunday, December 16, 2018 at 3:00pm, the Danville Community Band will present A Christmas Festival at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville. Free concert and parking. Note: Arrive early as seating is limited.

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net. Visit our website at www.danvilleband.orgfor up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band. 

The Grinch, again.  Simply The Grinch, no stealing, no Christmas in the title. The Grinch has arrived. It has been interesting to watch the unfolding of the Dr. Seuss created character. I had thought that no one could play a better Grinch than Jim Carrey in How the Grinch Stole Christmas released in 2000. I know I have watched that movie at least 18 times! Before that Dr. Seuss’ gave us How the Grinch Stole Christmas! filmed in full animation in 1966. Yes, the original version had its 50^th anniversary two years ago.

Jim Carrey played a mean Grinch, truly I think he was meaner (and bigger) than Benedict Cumberbatch. Cumberbatch, the new version of Mr.Grinch, is British, born and raised by actor parents. He studied acting at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art earning an MA in Classical Acting. He brilliantly portrayed Stephen Hawking in several TV documentaries. Benedict has also played in several Oscar nominated films. Such talent. His Bio states: “Often portrays posh upper-class figures,” and “Usually plays highly-intelligent and gifted characters.” Now, that just about sums up The Grinch!

Does he top Jim Carrey?  I would say yes, but also, he’s a very different Grinch. His portrayal, while still true to the Seuss storyline, is very much his own—just like Carrey. The biggest difference is the technology that has developed over the past fifty two years. I watched all three Grinch movies in a short time frame in preparation for this review and the mind blowing aspect is not the amazing characters but the technology. The Grinch has taken us from grainy cartoon to simply amazing Grinch.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a few of my very favorite Holiday movies, like White Christmas, Miracle on 34^thStreet, It’s a Wonderful Life, and anything Irving Berlin, if for no other reason, than the music. There are so many joyful comedies like Elf, The Santa Claus movies and A Christmas Story. And don’t forget The Holiday, Scrooged and one of my all-time favorites, The Polar Express. You can even fill in the rest of the nights with one of the hundreds of made-for-tv Christmas movies, especially my personal favorite, Hallmark.

While not necessarily embracing the religious side of Christmas, The Grinch certainly portrays the redemptive aspects of theholiday. The one thing we all share at Christmas is how it makes us feel—that there is good in everyone, even the Grinch. So, whether the voice we hear in our heads is Boris Karloff, the original Grinch, Jim Carrey, or the voice our children and grandchildren will hear, Benedict Cumberbatch, it speaks the same message.  Christmas is about love, love from above,brought to earth by a baby boy.

Thank you for reading my column month after month, year upon year. I want to bring you Holiday Cheer all year long. It gives me joy to offer to you movies that not only entertain but educate and hopefully make us all want to be like the Grinch—a little better person.  Once again, I welcome your comments at Carolyn@carolynhastings.com  

As much as I normally enjoy shopping, I am officially over it. I am happy to say goodbye to circling parking lots in my car, praying to find an available space. I gladly bid farewell to wasting precious hours supermarket lines, awkwardly maneuvering an oversized cart filled with luxury impulse purchases. (And don’t even get me started on the mall.) During this year especially, when so many Californians have lost so much, I need to step back and reflect on what is really important.

The farmers’ market is the perfect place to clear my head. My purchases are more thoughtful, and I know that the money I spend there directly supports the people who grow the food we eat. In addition to buying staples for home meals, I can also purchase tasteful gifts and fresh flowers to brighten someone’s day.

The past month has been a whirlwind for most of us, so every delicious shortcut is a gift. Holiday mornings at home should be all about enjoying a leisurely breakfast or brunch, rather than juggling pots and pans to execute the perfect Eggs Benedict.

Chillax. This is not the Culinary Olympics.

Special-occasion breakfasts are made easy by serving a strata, a make-ahead savory bread pudding that incorporates meat, eggs, dairy, and veggies. Stratas are usually served directly from the casserole dish in which they baked, but using a springform pan makes for a more festive presentation. If you are so inclined, get extra-fancy and serve a dab of pesto on the side.

The name “strata” refers to layers of ingredients, but the same flavors are had by simply mixing everything together. In fact, the most difficult thing about this one is remembering to let the bread get stale so it won’t completely disintegrate in the custard. (A little “disintegration” is desirable, as it gives body to the strata.) But should you forget that step and start out with a fresh loaf, the problem is easily remedied. (See Cook’s Tips below.)

If you like, accompany this with a big bowl of chilled red and green grape clusters. Or a platter of assorted peeled and sliced citrus fruits, drizzled lightly with California olive oil and dotted with pomegranate arils (seeds). Homemade muffins or coffee cake studded with chunks of fresh pear and candied ginger could be made ahead and pulled from the freezer. Or consider a baby spinach salad with crisp local apple or Fuyu persimmon slices, toasted California walnuts, and dried cherries or cranberries.

A glass or two of champagne would not be out of the question, either.

Lazy-Morning Strata

2 teaspoons California olive oil

12 ounces fully-cooked chicken-apple sausage (about 4 links), or other favorite sausage, diced

1 small red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice

2 small green onions (scallions), thinly sliced

6 large eggs

1 1/4 cups half-and-half or whole milk

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Freshly ground black pepper

8 ounces shredded Gruyere or Monterey jack cheese (about 2 cups)

1 tablespoon butter, for greasing the pan

Optional: 1/2 cup prepared pesto, purchased or home made

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the oil, swirling to coat. Add the sausage and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is lightly browned and the bell pepper is just tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the green onions and set aside.

• In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, salt, and mustard until well blended. Stir in the sausage and cheese and season to taste with pepper. Gently fold in the bread cubes until evenly moistened. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes orovernight.

• Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Butter the bottom and sides of an 8-inch springform pan and place on a baking sheet. Scrape the egg mixture into the prepared pan and cover loosely with foil. Bake 25 minutes; then remove the foil and bake 10 minutes longer, uncovered, until lightly browned on top and a sharp knife inserted into the center shows no evidence of uncooked egg. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Use a blunt knife to loosen the edges; then carefully liftaway the springform.

To serve, cut into wedges. Pass a small bowl of pesto at the table, if desired. Serves 6 to 8.

                                                   Cook’s Tips:

1. If you have forgotten to leave out the bread for a day or so to get stale, cut the fresh loaf into cubes and spread on a large baking sheet. Bake about 20 minutes @ 200 degrees until thecubes are dry but not browned. Let cool before adding to the custard mixture.
2. Breakfast sausage or Italian sausage can be substituted for the chicken-apple sausage. Remove the meat from the casings and cook in a large skillet—adding a bit more oil if needed—until nicely browned on the outside and no longer pink inside; then drain well onpaper towels.
3. Because springform pans sometimes leak, this one gets filled just before baking. If you do not have an 8-inch springformpan, use a 9-inch springform and bake for 5 to 7 minutes less.

If you do not have a springform pan, bake in a 10-inch square or other baking dish.

The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad & 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 at1-800-949-FARM, or visit their web site at www.pcfma.org. 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!