Column

Happy New Year everybody! At the beginning of a new year it is always very tempting to offer up some forecasts of what to expect in the economy and investments during the coming year. I am sure you will see many commentaries out there that will attempt to do this. One thing that always makes me laugh is when I hear people say that we live in “uncertain times” or that the “market doesn’t like uncertainty.” What a joke. Since when has there ever been a time when the future was certain? As investors, uncertainty is all we have and all we ever are going to get. As Yogi Berra taught us; “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”

Of course, I certainly have some opinions as to what the outlook might be and it is very important to understand how major long-term trends will affect the economy and the markets. However, for today I thought it would be a good idea to go back to basics and talk about some fundamental guidelines for investing that I believe can guide you through any type of market. Regardless of an investor’s stage in life, the information age we live in has made investing more complicated and confusing than ever. Individual investors are bombarded with an information overload on a daily basis. My advice is to turn down this “white noise” by doing the following:

Know and keep your objectives in place, only altering them when circumstances force a change. Consider adhering to my Five Tenants for Investing:

1. Invest with a plan. Sounds basic enough but have a specific plan and time frame for your money.
2. Diversify. Invest globally and maintain exposure to a variety of asset classes.
3. Invest with a professional. Get some help. A professional can help you put a plan together to reach your goals and manage risk. More importantly, a professional cam help take the emotion out of investing by injecting some rational thinking and perspective. This is crucial during downturns.
4. Invest continually. Up or down markets, keep reinvesting and adding to those accounts.
5. Have patience. Probably the most important tenant of all. The biggest pitfall I see for investors of all ages is not sticking to their plan. Too often, investors change the direction of long-term plans by making short-term decisions based on emotion. Decide if you are an “investor” or a “trader.” Investing should only be undertaken with a long-term time horizon.

Damien helps individuals invest and manage risk. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and an Investment Adviser Representative of, and offers securities through, Financial Network Investment Corporation, Member SIPC 1850 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Suite 170 Walnut Creek, CA 94596. These are the views of Damien Couture, CFP® and should not be construed as investment advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Not all recommendations are suitable for all investors. Each investor must consider their own goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Your comments are welcome. Damien can be reached at 925-280-1800 x101 or dcouture@jbcfg.com.

Iron Chef Michael Symon was in San Francisco recently to promote his new cookbook. On this particularly chilly morning he deftly fielded questions from journalists while preparing an awesome breakfast for all of us. (Sometimes my job is really tough.)

Between all the cooking and conversation it became apparent that this executive chef and restaurant owner is, first and foremost, a passionate advocate for home cooking. Like most food pros he opts for locally grown products whenever possible. He’s not pushing any sort of crazy health fad—he made it clear that he can get down with the rest of us when it comes to eating fats and making other questionable dietary choices. He just wants to eat natural, flavorful food; and he knows the best way to do this is to make it yourself.

As a dozen pencils sailed across notebooks to capture his wisdom, Symon said, “The easiest way to improve your food is to improve how you shop. If you can buy food, toilet paper, toys for your kids, and a lawnmower all at the same place, it is time to change your food shopping habits.” Needless to say, he then gave a big shout-out to farmers’ markets. I swooned.

Watchdogs constantly remind us of the perils of eating processed foods, but Symon made the point painfully clear when he poured several teaspoons of salt into the palm of his hand. “This is how much sodium is in a can of soup. Make your own soup, and you control how much salt goes into it.” Point taken.

It’s cold outside. It’s dark. The holidays have taken a toll on us, both physically and economically. Everywhere there are cosmic signs directing us to shape up and live right. Making a pot of soup may just be that first step toward change. It’s cheap. It’s healthy. It’s comforting. And it’s the perfect reason to gather family or friends around your table.

Italians have given us plenty of nourishing recipes to make this easy. Zuppa alla pavese involves frying thick slices of country bread in olive oil; placing them in individual bowls, and carefully cracking in a raw egg or two. When scalding-hot broth is slowly poured over the top, it poaches the egg and softens the bread. Sprinkle on a little grated cheese, and you’ve just made dinner. Acquacotta (literally, “cooked water”) pretty much involves cleaning out your refrigerator in order to make a hearty vegetable soup. Somewhere in between lies minestrone, arguably the most popular one of all.

Old-school minestrone might simmer on the stove for hours, but this souped-up version (sorry!) provides equal amounts of comfort and love in a fraction of the time. Minestrone is also receptive to adding just about any other fresh vegetables you may have on hand—Swiss chard, spinach, mushrooms, and potatoes all come to mind. The more the merrier.

A traditional garnish of freshly grated Parmesan is always welcome, but you may want to take another tip from thrifty Italians and freeze the hard rind leftover from a chunk of Parmesan that’s been grated down to near-nothingness: add the rind to your next soup or stew for extra flavor and body. (Just remember to fish it out of the pot before serving.)

Serve this minestrone with a loaf of crusty bread and a salad of tossed greens from the farmers’ market. And since you’ve already opened a bottle of red wine to make the soup, drinking the rest of it with dinner is the sensible thing to do. For dessert? A perfectly ripe pear. Virtue never tasted so good.

40-Minute Minestrone
2 (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, undrained
4 cups water, vegetable stock, or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
3 zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 leek, white and tender green parts only, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
1 carrot, chopped
1/3 cup dry red wine
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes, or more, to taste
Optional: the rind from a piece of Parmesan or other hard grating cheese
1 cup uncooked tubetti pasta or small elbow macaroni (about 1/4 pound)
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
Salt and freshly ground pepper
California extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

1. Empty 1 can of the kidney beans into a soup pot. Using an immersion (stick) blender, process until smooth. (Alternatively, puree in a food processor or blender and scrape into the pot.)
2. Stir in the remaining can of kidney beans, the water or stock, tomato sauce, zucchini, celery, leek, carrot, wine, garlic, pepper flakes, and Parmesan rind, if using. Bring to a boil; then cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Stir in the pasta and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until tender. Remove and discard the cheese rind. Stir in the parsley and taste, adding salt, pepper, and more hot pepper flakes, if desired. Ladle the soup into warm bowls and drizzle each serving with about 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil. Makes about 2 1/2 quarts, to serve 4 to 6.

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.

Q. We have a sorely neglected nectarine tree. The limbs are very long and bare except on the ends where there are clusters of small branches. I’ve already removed many of the water sprouts but I’m unsure on how much to cut these branches back? We would like to salvage the tree if possible.

As. With neglected deciduous fruit trees, it’s always a judgment call if they’re salvageable or not. The overall health of the tree is critical to your final decision. Trees under stress have dead, twisted, or gnarly branches with sections of the canopy that doesn’t break dormancy in the spring. You’ll also find that the bark is peeling and there are numerous sap globules present along the trunk and main branches. I’d replace all the trees with these characteristics; however, your tree sounds like it’s in good condition. Peaches and Nectarine produce fruit only on the second year wood. Once the scaffolding and other supporting branches have been established, you should remove fifty percent of the growth each year. I’d eliminate all the dead wood, the rubbing and crossing branches, and then cut the long branches in half or more to open up the center of the tree and shape the canopy. With neglected fruit trees, you sacrifice fruit production in order to get the trees back in shape. All deciduous fruit trees are fed with16-16 16 after pruning to encourage the new growth and again in May/June. I’d apply a half-pound of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter measured two feet off the ground. The fertilizer is evenly spread around the drip line, not piled at the base of the tree. Also, don’t be afraid to do some selective pruning during the summer months. And finally, nectarines don’t require frequent watering. You should have a six-inch high water basin that extends from the trunk to the drip line. After the rainy season concludes, I’d fill this basin up several times once every two to three weeks. Excessive summer watering is a primary reason for the decline of nectarine, cherry, plum, peach and apricot trees.

Q. A few years back I planted some Vinca Major on my hillside. During the summer, I had it removed and re-landscaped the area. It’s now starting to reappear. I know if I do not do something it will invade all the new plants and I am back to square one. Any advice you can give me on killing the roots without hurting my new planting. 

A. Unfortunately, you’re at square one, minus one. There are no selective herbicides that will kill the Vinca but not harm the desirable plants. So you will have to be very careful around the plants with whatever herbicide you use. This is a task that will begin in earnest come March. I’d probably use Round Up and protect the new plants with a movable cardboard plant shield. Round Up is absorbed by the leaves and is ineffective when sprayed on bare ground.

You will be making many repeat applications, as it is a war of attrition.

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

The New Year gives us all the opportunity to reflect on ourselves and the time to change. It is a time to replace old habits with new, which includes changing up your skin care and makeup routine. Cleansing your skin properly at night and applying the correct moisturizer for your skin type should be on your New Year’s Resolution list. It’s time to find out what’s good for your skin and what’s not.
 
Make the Most Powerful Choice 
This New Year make the choice to be a wise consumer by making sure your skin care products contain high-potency anti-oxidants and quality vitamins. Together they are most effective against free-radical damage and improving your skin.

Before the first antioxidant-based cream appeared on the market, beauty-conscious women everywhere were dabbing Vitamin E oil under their eyes and on patches of dry skin, because it supposedly possessed the power to make fine lines disappear. Although those sticky and marginally effective treatments have been replaced with more sophisticated creams today, scientists in the 1960s and early 1970s did not realize they did not truly understand skin-nurturing power of antioxidants and vitamins in skin treatments.

 We have come along way since the 1970’s, and technology just keeps getting better. Research on anti-aging is becoming so advanced that aging is almost optional! Listed below are the most recent documented anti-aging treatments on the market:
One of my favorite anti-oxidants is Alpha Lipoic Acid. It is 400 times stronger than Vitamin C, and it is designed to increase circulation and tightening of the skin. Alpha Lipoic Acid therapy, along with Vitamin C ester, act as anti-inflammatories in order to reduce fine lines and smooth and firm the skin. Concentrated coQ10 with DMAE and the above anti-oxidants work harmoniously together, improving skin tone and lifting sagging skin and eyelids. DMAE works rapidly. You can actually see changes within 20 minutes after one use. The improvement is even more apparent after three weeks. The result: a more youthful, brighter, and firmer complexion.

Applying Neuro-Peptides to the skin along with the anti-oxidant therapy will provide powerful nutrients to reduce and stop fine lines in their tracks. Neuro-Peptides haven’t been out on the market very long, but they are gaining fame as some of the most dramatic advanced skin care therapies on the market. They will not only nourish and hydrate the skin, but they will dramatically stop the fine line formation that causes wrinkles. Within a couple of months you will see the new, fresh, rejuvenated, smooth texture of your skin.

When you read the labels of topical products containing Alpha Lipoic Acid, look for the words “High potency.” I also recommend using high concentrated serums of Neuro-peptides. They will be your guarantee to getting the highest concentrate of anti-oxidants in skin care treatments that is bound to change the future of skin care and your beautiful skin.

At The Rouge we carry only the finest High Potency Anti-oxidants on the market. Please come in to our Cosmetic Salon to sample our selection of advanced skin care treatments.

As I sit to write this article I am acutely aware that this will appear on the newsstands on or about Jan 15. It is hard to fathom what has happened to my family in this past year. On January 11th I was like a lot of other people in the country, our family was uncertain about the economy and how it was going to affect us. We had a commercial property that had been vacant for several months and we were worried. So on that Sunday afternoon Sully and I took to the hills that we love so much, to hike that evening. It was a beautiful evening with clear skies and a slight breeze. As we stood on that hill looking out over the beautiful valley, Sully turned to me and said, “looking out there makes you feel like anything is possible doesn’t it?” We returned home and he left early the next morning on his trip as usual.

On the afternoon of January 15 I had gone to Starbucks for my usual cup of tea. I had stopped at Ann Taylor in the Blackhawk shopping center and gone home to an important conference call. I had been working with a producer in Los Angeles and we had a pitch meeting that afternoon with Oprah Winfrey’s new network, OWN. We were on the phone when Sully started calling home. His first call was on my cell which I promptly ignored as I was busy! He proceeded to call our phone lines back and forth which I ignored until about the fourth call. I told Dan, Sully was going crazy on the phone and maybe I should take the call. “Oh sure” he said, go ahead and call me back.

As I had expected Sully home that night and we knew it was a close connection and the weather was bad I was expecting to hear from him. His first words were… “I just wanted to let you know I am ok.” I thought that meant he was going to make it home that night. Ok, I said ready to get back to my important phone call. He then said there has been an incident. Ok again, I thought, that meant he was not going to make it home. Clearly I was not getting it and he asked me if I was watching TV …and as I turned it on he said we hit a flock of birds and I had to ditch the airplane in the river—“I am ok but I have to go now.”

Wow… how do you absorb that kind of news? My body started to shake violently as I sat on the chair uncertain what to do next. I called my long time best friend and told her what had happened and said what do I do now? She said go get the girls and so I did. When the three of us got home we turned on the TV and sat in silence as our world as we knew it started to shift.

We don’t know exactly how the media got a hold of Sully’s name: but the first media call that came into our house was from the New York Times on my daughter’s cell about 45 minutes after we got home. And once that happened all whats-it broke loose. Shortly after that the first reporter from CNN (and might I add the best looking of the bunch) showed up on my porch. Followed closely by two friends who slipped past the “Mr. Good Looking” reporter at the door to help answer the phones. By that time both our land lines our fax and cell phones were all going off simultaneously. It is funny, the little things that stand out in my memory. Like later that night one of the girls wanted to go to her dance class as usual; the place was crazy and she needed to get out of the house. On her way back the mom that was driving stopped at Costco and bought us some premade pasta and salad. I remember thinking… how odd; you take food when someone has died. And thank God no one has died. Little did I know that with the crushing media we were going to be house bound for several days and that was all we had to eat!

That night I lay awake in my bed listening to the hum of the generators of the big new satellite trucks in our court. With the occasional phone call from a news outlet from the other side of the world. Sully called later that night and said I think this will change our lives forever – but I don’t think we knew what that meant exactly at that moment. Funny enough I do remember calling some of my personal training clients the next day and telling them I did not think I was going to be able to meet with them for a while.

By the next morning we were answering the phone to Katie Couric, Diane Sawyer and Matt Lauer. We had some light moments, like when I was on the phone with the Jay Leno people and my older daughter Kate came into the room with her phone. I hushed her with my finger and told her who I was on the phone with. With her hip cocked out to the side and her finger pointing to the phone she said, “Yeah, I’ll have Matt Lauer!” Ok you win.

Because of the media work I have done for ABC-7 I had some media connections and so I made phone calls the next day to try to get us some help. Alex and Libby arrived by Friday night and were fielding over 250 calls and requests a day that went on for months.

In the last 8 month’s we attended countless black tie events from the Inauguration and Presidential Neighborhood Ball to the Emmy’s.

So what do I make of all of this? As I have said in several articles, there is power in a worldwide feel good moment. Sully, and to some degree our family,are the public face of that good news –that feel good moment. And now I am left trying to reconcile our old life with our new life. And what I have come to is this.

As you may know I AM a passionate advocate for women’s wellness and the power of exercise. I had owned a women’s gym and was continuing my career in television. Over the years owning the gym and talking with women about their fitness I had heard every excuse in the book. They were going to get in shape: for their son’s wedding, their daughter’s wedding, a class reunion, family reunion… And I don’t have time to work out, because the kids are out of school… because the kids are in school… because of work… because I am out of work…you name it they were waiting. Well I am here to tell you to stop waiting.

On January 15th thank God my roots were touched up and I was not waiting to lose that last 10 pounds, I was ready. My belief in the power of exercise and my self improvement quest made me ready when my moment came. We all know Sully was ready. He had spent a lifetime readying himself; reading and studying being ready on all fronts. Little did I realize, my media training and contacts were going to serve us well that day. As Sully was looking to his career beyond flying in the future he had recently completed his Safety website and just launched it a couple of months before. Like the pinnacle of a mountain top all of our collective life preparedness came into use on that day and the months to follow.

So my question to you… Are you ready? If your career is slowing with the economy, ready yourself for the next big opportunity. Don’t wait to focus on your personal fitness; your big moment could be just this afternoon. If you are a mother, your family’s health depends on your health. And if you are single…what if the man of your dreams is in the produce aisle of Safeway tonight.

None of know what tomorrow will bring…be it good news or bad. Are you ready?

The great philosopher, Joseph Campbell wrote, “When the world seems to be falling apart, the rule is to hang onto your own bliss. It’s that life that survives.” As we start a new year it is this thought that rings loud and clear, as the many producing organizations at the Lesher Center color the dates in the 2010 calendar and begin again.

Art mirrors life and artists use their creative energy to help us embrace our everyday lives with all the struggles and the glory with more clarity, empathy, and understanding. Whatever happens and wherever the way of the world takes us, theatre artists are joyous and resilient and it is with great pleasure that they continue on year after year, season after season.

Saturday, January16th will mark the 31st Annual Shellie Awards honoring outstanding achievement in the performing arts for this past year. Actors, directors, designers and producers will gather together at the LCA to celebrate the fine work of thirteen vibrant producing organizations in Contra Costa County. If you are a theatre lover, beginning at 7:30pm in the Hofmann Theatre, the 31st Annual Shellie Awards is your opportunity to attend a stellar event that will be dazzling!

This super evening is open to the general public. Come and cheer on your favorite theatre companies and performers, including: Center REPertory Company, Contra Costa Christian Theatre, Contra Costa Musical Theatre, Diablo Theatre Company, Galetean Players Ensemble Theatre, Pittsburg Community Theatre, The Vagabond Players, Willows Theatre Company, Butterfield 8 Theatre Company, Diablo Actors Ensemble, Onstage Theatre, Role Players Ensemble, and Town Hall Theatre Company. Tickets are now on sale. Come and join in our Bay Area version of the Tony Awards!

January also cheers on Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation at the LCA on January 8th with Prodigies for Pets at 7:30pm. Please join Tony and the Doobie Brothers’ Marc Russo as they present talented young artists with finalists from ARF’s youth talent search. Many of these young artists will perform alongside Russo, donating their performances to support ARF’s lifesaving programs.

On January 9th at 7pm, Tony will add to his annual celebration by bringing us ARF’s 19th anniversary of Stars to the Rescue. This fabulous show is filled with music and entertainment will include Jon Anderson of the English progressive rock band Yes, rising country music singer David Nail, stand-up comic Chaz Elsner and the Phantom of the Opera’s Tim Gleason, plus more surprises. These great January events have become favorite annual traditions at the LCA and we hope to see you there.

As this month comes to a close, Center REP is proud to present the 2001 Obie Award Winner of Best Play of the Year, Pamela Gien’s The Syringa Tree.(Jan. 28-Feb. 27). This remarkable, powerful play performed by one amazing actress, Shannon Koob, playing 28 roles, will greatly entertain you as well as touch your heart deeply. Center REP assures you that Ms. Koob’s tour de force performance will be a highlight of your 2010.

Here’s to a happy and healthy New Year for us all! For more information or to purchase tickets call (925) 943-SHOW or visit us online at www.lesherARTScenter.org.