July 2013

I have a completed manuscript but I would NEVER pay to have by book published.” Those were the words of a young author, in response to my wife’s mentioning to him that ALIVE publishes books, and in most cases the author pays to have their work published.

The sentiment expressed by this young author is still common, but it is really nothing more than a “throwback” from a bygone era, when it was assumed that a handful of large publishing houses served as the gatekeepers by which literary works became available to the masses. I say “assumed,” because unbeknownst to many, this was not really the case, as many well known authors actually self published their first works or had them published by “vanity” publishers.

The Three Paths of Book Publishing

There are three ways to go about having your book published: traditional, subsidy (also known as “vanity” publishing) and self publishing. All three have advantages and disadvantages, and the path you take largely depends upon your reason(s) for wanting to see your book in print. Some authors simply want to see their work bound in a book format with the intention of sharing it only with family and close friends; some have a desire to share a story or communicate an idea with as many people as possible, and some—the majority—have commercial success in mind, if even as only a “side benefit” of reason number two, that is, telling a story or sharing an idea with the world.

Path #1: Traditional Publishing

 In the past, the traditional route was considered by many to be the only “respectable” path. This is where the author begins the process by sending query letters—essentially a “sales pitch,” intended to capture the attention of a literary agent or publisher. The query letter includes a description of the proposed (or completed) work and the intended audience for the work, and some information about the author (a bio). The idea here is, if the author’s pitch is compelling, they will then be afforded an opportunity to have a publisher review the author’s manuscript, and if it is “good enough,” the publishing house will agree to publish the author’s work.

If one hopes to have their  work published by one of the larger, better recognized publishing houses, like Random House or Harper Collins, it is nearly essential that the author be represented by an experienced agent.

The biggest challenge with this path is, it is usually a long and unfulfilling process. Few authors “make the cut,” so to speak, as most agents and large publishing companies are so inundated with queries they filter out all submissions they are unable to classify with 100% certainty as “marketable.” The most likely candidates to have their work represented by established agents and published by major brand publishing houses are authors who have already demonstrated (through previous vanity or self publishing and marketing) that their work sells, and celebrities or personalities with well recognized names.

 In the case of traditional publishing houses, the company will be willing to invest in the author and the author’s work, if they believe a substantial financial return will be realized. They may even pay an author a sizeable “advance,” predicated on the fact that the publisher stands to make a sizeable profit well beyond the amount to be made by the author. The key factor in the eyes of the publisher is: is the author well known or is the author’s work guaranteed to sell?

For example, prior to January 2009, ALIVE Magazine’s fitness columnist was Lorrie Sullenberger, the wife of the now famous pilot, Sully, who successfully landed his plane in the Hudson River. Prior to the landing, had Sully approached one of the major publishing houses with a query letter about writing a book about his experiences as an airline pilot, it’s likely he would have received the typical response—a rejection letter.

However, by the happenstance of a few geese colliding with his plane and his subsequent artful skill in landing that plane, Sully became an “in demand,” instant celebrity. At the risk of sounding crass, Sully became a marketable commodity. He was offered a two-book deal by a major publishing house. And while J.K. Rowling now commands millions of dollars for her books, her initial attempts at publishing her work were rejected by a dozen publishers, including Harper Collins and Penguin. Before she got the attention of a major publishing company, she had to first prove that her work would sell (and sell, it did) by way of a small publisher.

While traditional publishing provides advantages—namely brand recognition and the ability to have books placed onto the shelves of major book retailers and warehouse stores like Costco, the profit margin for authors on each book sold can be very thin indeed—miniscule, in fact. The big houses are betting on mega-volumes of units sold—preferably millions of books—so they are looking for authors that fall into just a few, select categories. First, they are looking for authors that have either proven themselves in a literary-marketing sense; ones who can re-produce works that will be eagerly snatched-up by their fans (the Grishams, Kings, Steels, Pattersons and Rowlings). Next, they are happy to publish the works of someone well known and currently popular; actors, sports stars and politicians, for example; or anyone making news, like Sully, right after his remarkable landing, or the Navy Seal who killed Bin Laden.

In all of these cases, if all goes as hoped, an author might earn thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. In some cases, as in Rowlings’, where other media companies (film) become interested, millions can be earned by an author. And the publishing houses, of course, enjoy significantly greater returns in all of these scenarios.

The sad truth is, unless he has already personally sold a few thousand copies of his work, or has the last name Kardashian or Palin, authors like the young man my wife encountered that opt for this route alone, will likely never see their book published. The only reasonable route open to this young author is self or subsidy publishing.

Path #2: Self Publishing

It is possible to self publish your book. The main advantage to self publishing is that you control 100% of the process. The main disadvantage to self publishing is… you control 100% of the process!

You will earn the highest margin of profit this way, but that is because you will be doing all of the work yourself. The steps involved are numerous, and if your plan is to produce a quality product (your book) that sells well and sells enough copies to be commercially successful, you need a very large tool-box of skill sets.

Self publishing means that you not only need to write your book, you’ll need to edit it, design and create the cover, design and format the interior pages, obtain the necessary ISBN and bar code, file your copyright and obtain your Library of Congress Control Number. Do you know where and how to have your book printed?

Assuming then that you want to sell your book with a hope of making a substantial amount of money, you’ll need to market it in some way. Remember, even though you will make the most money per book by publishing and marketing it yourself, in order to make very much, you’ll still need to sell a lot of books!

In order to do that, you’ll need to know how to make your book available through large online resellers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble? Will you know how to re-format your book as an e-book and be able to make it available that way in the marketplace? Will you create your own website, promotional materials and press releases? In short, do you already have the knowledge, technical and artistic skills, connections and resources to truly “publish” and market your book?

Self publishing is an option, if you’ve written a book—and then again, so is building your own car if you want to travel. But sometimes, just being the driver (or author) is a more logical choice.

Path #3: Subsidy Publishing 

The final and most used path of publishing is subsidy publishing, sometimes called “vanity” publishing. Years ago this type of publishing was considered “second rate”—a method supposedly only used by desperate authors whose work was not “good enough” or had been rejected by traditional publishers. The names “vanity press” and “vanity publishing” also imply that authors who choose this route are having their work published, merely for the sake of bragging rights, as in, “hello, my name of Joe Smith, and I am an author.”

The fact is, a large number of highly successful writers got their start this way, and in light of the realities of the traditional or self publishing routes, this is the most logical, effective and affordable way for any author to get their work published.

To be sure, there are a plethora of subsidy publishing companies to be found online, most of which offering a menu of various basic services designed to get your book published. Most have low cost options to start, but just like in self publishing, the more they do for you, the more it costs.

One of the major disadvantages of online subsidy publishing companies is a lack of individualized, personalized, customized service. Looking at it from their perspective, because these publishing companies function and compete solely in the very crowded online universe, they have had to design their service offerings with that in mind. So things are “standardized.” They often limit the author to “A, B or C cover template options,” for example, or “Gold, Silver and Platinum” packages, each with narrowly defined options.

Finally, another very important consideration when considering subsidy or self publishing companies online, is their ability (or lack of) to market and promote the author’s book. Most all of these publishers offer a variety of services, but they are limited to very basic, simple things like providing the author with a stack of “postcards,” or to writing up a “professional press release.” Some will claim to include a “website,” which is really just a page on the web that displays the author’s work, with no functionality included.

The fact is, while web-only based publishing services are able to “publish” an author’s book, they are very limited in what that entails. You won’t be meeting with their art director or designer, for example, in order to discuss one of the most important elements, marketing wise, of any book —the cover; nor will you will be able to select a font style from a vast collection of options for the text of your book. And while these online companies claim to offer marketing services, the fact is, they only offer a very thin veneer of “marketing-like” resources at best.

Are There Any Other Options?

Does all of this sound a bit hopeless? Are you beginning to wonder if there are any viable options available to the author who wants to have their book not just published, but effectively and successfully marketed as well?

As the old saying goes, “find a need and fill it,” and there has been a need here in the San Francisco Bay Area, for a publishing company that serves local authors in both publishing and marketing.

Yes, Option #4: ALIVE Book Publishing!        

Let’s get something out of way, right from the beginning: Regardless of the reason that an author has for wanting to have their book published, the only reason any publisher will agree to take on an authors work is if they believe it will be a profitable venture; plainly stated, the goal is to make money—period.

Large commercial publishers are banking on a proven track record or an author’s “celebrity” status, while online subsidy or vanity publishers are really just interested in having the author pay to be published in a “cookie cutter” process. And they are ill-equipped and will do little, if anything, to help market, advertise or sell books for the author.

After thinking about this dilemma, it occurred to me a that with the experience we had gained at successfully producing, marketing and selling a high quality magazine, couldn’t we apply that vast experience to book publishing, in order to serve local authors? Couldn’t we create a kind of “hybrid” publishing company that can not only publish an author’s work, but do so in ways that meet each author’s unique needs and situation; and one that can also market books in ways that are truly effective yet affordable?

Enter, ALIVE Book Publishing, where we have what local authors need. First off, we speak their language because we are, first and foremost, writers and editors. And we provide what no online publishing company can—a one-on-one, face to face relationship, every step of the way.

We consider every publishing job we undertake to be a unique partnership, so we work with every author and their project in a hands-on, individual way. One size does not fit all with ALIVE, so we don’t have templates or set formulas that we try and squeeze authors into. As the author’s partner, we will often invest more in the project than the author, because our ultimate goal is for the author’s book to sell successfully.

With over eight years’ experience in the real world of editorial content publishing with our flagship product, ALIVE Magazine, we know what it takes to design, create, publish and market a winning editorial product. Authors benefit from the experience we’ve gained in the fast moving world of magazine publishing, where in order to survive one must produce a fresh, new and exciting editorial product every month. They benefit from our unique, practical publishing methodology, whereby editorial products must be more than just good—they must sell.

And, best of all, ALIVE is uniquely equipped to market and advertise an author’s book like no other publishing company because we are he only publisher with multi-media marketing and advertising tools, and the expertise required to put real power into a local book launch.

A Word About Printing On Demand—“POD”

POD is a smart, efficient and fast method of book production used as an alternative to, or in conjunction with, traditional offset printing methods. POD books are digitally archived and printed individually, as they are ordered (on demand). This is the process we use at ALIVE Book Publishing.

In today’s fast-paced, competitive, digital environment, authors who publish their books using our “on demand” method enjoy considerable advantages. Publishing in this way allows the bulk of an author’s initial up-front investment to be directed where it needs to be–in the marketing and advertising of their book.

Up-front productions costs are low, and because books are stored digitally and then printed and shipped in is little as 12 hours from the time of each individual order, books are, in most cases, always listed as being “in stock” by retailers.

Although POD books are produced quickly, there is no obvious difference in the appearance or quality of books produced in this way, as compared to books produced in traditional, offset printing methods. Book buyers have no way of knowing if the book they are purchasing is coming from a POD digital archive or from a traditional, offset-produced book inventory.

Another advantage of the POD component is that authors can inexpensively launch a “pilot study” version of a book into the marketplace and then easily make modifications to that book, if needed.

Our “Hybrid” publishing services can include a combination of POD and traditional, offset production methods, along with a good mix of marketing and worldwide distribution of an author’s book. ALIVE has a vast and powerful array of optional marketing components, all designed to provide the author with a comprehensive, effective and powerful initial book launch, into both the local and global marketplace.

What Can ALIVE Publishing do for the Author?

The typical services we provide for all authors includes personal advice as to the overall concept of the book project; a custom cover design; layout and formatting of the book’s interior pages; the determination of the best price for the book; obtaining the required ISBN and bar code for the book; filing for a Library of Congress Control Number; POD set-up of every book; listing the author’s book through major online distribution channels like Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and distribution through an established network of over 30,000 wholesalers, retailers and booksellers in over 100 countries

We are also able to provide each author with customized, comprehensive copy editing, and formatting in all e-book formats. We also offer a wide variety of marketing and advertising options.  We can create and run display ads in ALIVE Magazine; create professional, fully-functional order-fulfillment-capable websites; produce professional videos for online and TV, and we are even an agency for Comcast, so we can run local TV commercials promoting an author’s book in the local marketplace on major channels like CNN. Oh yes, and we also have a professional public relations specialist available to work with our authors, also on a face-to-face basis.

Putting it All Together: What Does it All Mean?

 While advances in technology have radically changed the publishing landscape to the point where anyone with a computer and a credit card can become a published author, as I noted earlier, this is not going to be enough if an author wants to “go big.” The bottom line is: the real reason some books become commercially successful (make it) in the long run and why some do not has more to do with the author’s belief in their work than in anything else.  

If everyone on the planet already knows who you are, you might consider having your book published via the traditional path. If you have all the skills and resources to go it all alone, self publishing may work for you. If you’re only interested in a tiny, short-lived yet possibly expensive ego boost, go ahead and send your manuscript into “the cloud,” and hope for the best.

But if your goal is to be serious about your book project and its chances for success, I suggest you elicit the aid of and partnership with a local publishing company that will be as serious and careful about your project as you are—ALIVE Book Publishing.

 Email or call me today at 925-837-7303 for a free, confidential, one-on-one appointment, and tomorrow you may be well on your way toward having your book published!

 

 

 

 

Do you have any idea what your personal property is worth? That is all the cool stuff INSIDE your home or office. Is the obscure painting that hung for years in grandfather’s dining room worth a small fortune? Is that old porcelain centerpiece with winged cherubs actually a piece of pricey Sevres Porcelain from 18^th century France? Could the carpet bought at an estate sale for fifty bucks be a semi-antique pre-1950s Persian rug? Could the American Indian basket Aunt Mabel bought at a charity shop be a museum-quality piece from New Mexico?

We’ve all read the sensational stories about finding priceless treasures at garage sales and Goodwill. We have all heard yarns that just after someone gives something away it sells for hundreds of thousands at auction and makes banner headlines in USA Today.

A few years ago I wrote about an old painting that hung over a fireplace in a Dublin rectory and when centuries of grimy soot was removed the priceless Caravaggio masterpiece came to light. And then in New England a garage sale regular bought an old frame for $4; and when he took it apart he found one of only 200 known originals of the Declaration of Independence behind the stained floral print. It sold at auction for $2.4 million.

Some of these unrecognized treasures could be languishing in local attics or garages—one never knows how a hunt goes. Evelyn, who took my class, “How to Shop Antiques Like a Pro,” paid five dollars at an estate sale for “a blackened coffee set; tray, coffee pot, tea pot, sugar and creamer,” in a dirty box in the corner. She polished the pieces, checked the back-stamp with a magnifier and discovered the great find. She sold the early 20^th century Georg Jensen sterling silver Coffee-Tea Service for $6,000.00.

Another surprise came when an East Coast eagle-eyed appraiser spied a white bowl on a mantel. “Oh! That old bowl, my mother paid $3 at a tag sale…”  The five-inch bowl was from the Song Dynasty; it sold for $2 million at auction.

Many people do not have a definitive dollar amount of the total contents of their home. I see heartaches. I hear stories about great losses through fire, natural hazards or theft. The total replacement cost of what we own is far beyond what we may expect it to be.

How do we remedy this dilemma? Make a list with the approximate purchase price, date of acquisition and where the object was bought. Next, call your insurance agent and find out what is covered and what is not.

WHAT IS AN APPRAISAL?

An appraisal is a formal document report. It is not a guess; it is not a verbal approximation of value. An appraisal is prepared accordingly with stringent guidelines by a professionally-trained expert who researches the values in the marketplace with methodology formulae.

When clients call me in to appraise their belongings; antiques, art, furniture, books, kitchenalia, ornaments, electronics, collections, clothing and jewelry and the other accumulated artifacts—they are astounded at the values of what they own—their possessions, their Stuff with a capital “S”.

So what is one to do? Make a list, that’s what. Start with one room. I usually identify the room as living room, dining room, bedroom #1, 2, 3 etc. I start at the left and go clockwise around the room taking photographs, and identifying each article with a number. It’s not as hard as one may think when the object is numbered, described and valued. When the first room is done, move to the next and the next, as time permits. There is no timeline, just start. Once you have a list, describe the pieces to the best of your ability. Object type; wood, metal, glass, fabric, Plexiglas, approximate size, shape, condition, where and when bought, and the approximate price. At this point I suggest adding any family legend; history, provenance and previous owners, like grandfathers, grandmothers, relatives or famous people and such.

In most cases, an insurance company will not accept an unqualified appraisal done by the owner, however, it is a good way to start before you decide if you need a professional to come in and complete the job. If insurance claims are to be made on expensive items, there must proof of ownership and proof of value by a neutral party. The more documentation, bills of sale, receipts and information provided to the appraiser, the easier it is to complete the job.

Remember that objects of great value will need an insurance floater for extra protection from loss, theft, fire or vandalism. I suggest you call your insurance agent to find out what is actually covered under your existing policy. Objects that may require extra floaters on the homeowner’s policy include antiques, jewelry, fine art, silverware, furs, Oriental carpets and rugs, musical instruments, guns and electronics.

When the list is made of each room, type the document, add up the total and—voila! You’ll be surprised. If you cannot arrive at an educated guess or close value for your own satisfaction, complete the chore, or if you need further help, call me. I have been a professional appraiser for over twenty six years. Value conclusions are based on prescribed methods of valuation and research, and the document is written in an opinion report.

Professional Appraisers are trained to do the best job for their clients, and they must adhere to the standards of ethics set forth by Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, USPAP. Professional appraisers usually charge by the hour. Training to be the very best takes years of study supported by hands-on experience. Personal Property Appraisers must study Appraisal Ethics, Report Writing Standards and should be familiar with Market and Value Research and Analysis, and Legal Issues. Professional appraisers are not licensed; however, their professional profile resumes state their education, qualifications, and certain areas of expertise.

There are many reasons for qualified appraisals by a professional; to insure in case of loss with adequate coverage, to make a donation documented for the IRS, to pass on to loved ones, property division for divorce, equitable distribution, inheritance, or to liquidate—to sell in the secondary market or at auction. It is important to know the value whether it is retail replacement value for insurance purposes, or fair market value for IRS donation of $5,000 or more, property division, equitable distribution or liquidation. They are different appraisal values.

NET WORTH

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘millionaire’? It’s not only luxury cars, high-end diamonds and Picassos—it’s the everyday stuff that adds up fast—the things we have accumulated over a lifetime.  The total amount of one’s net worth can come as a surprise—a very big surprise. Take your assets, subtract your liabilities, and that, my friend, is your net worth.

So many people do not know their actual net worth, or at least they do not include their personal property assets in the equation. You need a compass to guide you when you are building a business, buying a home or need to provide your net worth for a bank loan. It is the wise man/woman who calculates their net worth annually, it is wise to make it all happen as soon as possible.

After you have stated your savings, cash, investments, IRAs, Retirement Accounts, Stocks and Bonds, Life Insurance Cash Value, Real Estate, Automobiles, other assets and personal property; and have deducted what you owe on mortgages, bank loans, credit cards, property tax and other taxes due—you will have an idea of your net worth. At this point you can decide to save more and spend less.

A word to the wise; many families own things that may have greater value than perceived. Art purchased 20 or 30 or more years ago could have tripled and quadrupled in value. Antiques too have enjoyed an increase in value, and we know what happened to the silver and gold markets. There are many surprises on the horizon and when objects are valued greater than expected, they take on an extra mantle of appreciation.

Why does art increase in value? After artists die, their paintings or other artworks become rarer and may increase in value because the demand exceeds the supply. So that obscure artwork that has hung on the living room wall for years should be looked at by one who knows the market. Not all objects appreciate in value—some fall out of favor and cannot be sold at any price. Collectible plates, collectible knick-knacks and shelf objects made specifically for that market do not hold their value. Collectibles are a flash in the pan—once the craze evaporates, prices bottom out.

Rare objects, in good condition should be looked at as values vary from time to time and region to region. Markets range from being very soft to being robust by what’s happening in the economy. The good stuff and one-of-a kind-pieces always hold value.

If you become overwhelmed by ‘appraising’ your own personal property, call in an expert. I have done over a thousand appraisals and have valued tens of thousands of objects over twenty six years. I have owned several antiques stores, exhibited in high-end antiques shows, have chaired many antiques roadshow type events, have written columns on antiques for newspapers and magazines, have access to colleagues for consultation, realized auction results, a library of books and I know how to value personal property, antiques and art for insurance, IRS donation, liquidation, equitable distribution or property division. Up your assets, call an appraiser.

When we last checked in, the Have a Ball Golf Tournament was making a trial run at expanding to two events each year locally in Danville.  Now in its third year of expansion, the Have a Ball Golf Tournaments have established themselves as one of the largest privately held golf tournaments in the world.

Based in Danville, the Have a Ball Foundation has raised more than $1.5 million for cancer since 2005 through two “double shotgun” (that’s 300 people at each event x 2!) golf tournaments. This year alone, the Have a Ball Golf Tournaments are on pace to raise $290,000.00 through 610 participants, 56 corporate sponsors, 52 hole sponsors and over 200 corporations in all involved. The foundation hopes to break its own record (currently at 20) and send funds to 22 to 24 different cancer organizations this year.

Founded by two-time cancer survivor Bob Hammer and his wife Kim, the little engine that is the Have a Ball Foundation is making an impression globally in the cancer community.  “When I started this nine years ago, I had a goal of sending $2,500.00 to the Lance Armstrong Foundation in an effort to say thank you, and here we are, nine years later, sending money to possibly 25 different organizations out of our garage in Danville. It’s just crazy!”

Bob Hammer endured 26 rounds of chemotherapy in 1999 and 2001 and was set to have a surgery that would have left him unable to have more children (he had a daughter) when he met a famous oncologist at an Armstrong event in 2001.  He ended up taking the advice of the famous oncologist and did not have that surgery.  A year later, he and his wife Kim had their son Josh (now 10) and since then they have helped thousands through their non-profit.

They have sent close to $400,000 to Livestrong “It’s still a great organization by the way,” Hammer adds. They have sent over 75 children with cancer to Camp Okizu in Novato. They also created, and have now awarded eight oncology nursing scholarships on top of sending money to so many other organizations.

For more information, visit www.haveaballgolf.com

The Fieldhouse Sports Grill and Tavern will be opening soon in Blackhawk Plaza. A family-friendly, sports-themed restaurant being run by local guys anxious to cater to anyone who has ever looked for somewhere to eat following a little league game, soccer match or swim meet. An eating establishment whose goal is to provide its customers with high quality affordable food, plenty of sports filled TV screens and a place where, “cleats are welcome”.  What will make the Fieldhouse truly unique are the ownership group’s plans to donate a portion of each meal back to the organization of the eater’s choice.  Proprietor, Mike Banducci says, “We want to build customer loyalty by giving back to all of the teams instead of just sponsoring one event here and there.”

Mike Banducci, 43 and a resident of San Ramon, was frustrated that he, his wife and daughters couldn’t find a family friendly place to eat after the girl’s sporting events. “I wanted a place we could go after a game when the kids were still wearing their uniforms. Somewhere fun, affordable with diverse meal and beverage choices was also important,” Mike says. “We couldn’t find what we wanted and were growing tired of the same old restaurant options, so I thought why not open one myself.”

Banducci, who grew up in Cupertino, is a former civil engineer and real estate developer. As a partner at Bancor Properties, Mike was instrumental in the acquisition and entitlement of such mixed-use projects as Tralee and San Ramon Village in Dublin. During a self-imposed hiatus from development, Mike worked for friend and Fieldhouse partner, Eric Janssen, at Amber Bistro in Danville. “I was interested in learning all aspects of the restaurant business, from dishwashing and food prep to cooking on the line. I also learned about food inventory, cost control and interacting with vendors.  The restaurant experience proved to be opportunistic when Mike when he and Rob Price, another Fieldhouse partner, were involved in fundraising endeavors at Coyote Creek Elementary.

Several local area restaurants occasionally work with non-profit organizations to fundraise.  The typical arrangement involves the restaurant donating a portion of the proceeds over a designated block of time on a certain date. “We talked about opening a restaurant with local sports team memorabilia on the walls and where donating a portion of each diner’s bill toward the youth sports program of their choice was part of our culture,” says Price

The Banducci family has also been active in youth sports since Mike’s two daughters, Mia, 14 and Averi, 12, became old enough to walk. The girls have played soccer, softball, lacrosse, basketball, little league baseball, golf and even participated in the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition. Mike has coached many of his girl’s teams and served on the school PTA board. “We are always trying to come up with new ideas to raise money. The Fieldhouse will be an easy ongoing way to support your team/league, group or school.”  Price, who’s four kids are very active in the local sports programs and whose wife, Renata, has long been active on the PTA and other school activities. “The fact that the Fieldhouse will offer leagues (or individual teams) with 501-3C status a chance to register as a participating partner and every time someone affiliated with the organization eats at the restaurant, a portion of their bill will be routed to a designated fund is unlike anything else in the restaurant landscape right now,” adds Rob.

Mike’s wife, Lynn, who owns and operates Tassajara Learning Center in Danville, a preschool for children between the ages of two and five, is a big supporter of the Fieldhouse for the same reasons any mom would appreciate it. “I love that there will be a Gluton free menu and healthier pre and post game food options for the kids. Mike, Rob and Eric keep coming up with so many great ideas for the restaurant targeting just what is needed in the community given the popularity of youth sports in the Tri Valley.”

The Fieldhouse will not only show real time sporting events on their twenty-plus flat screen television screens, but also be able to show game films on their big screen or in a private team room.  “We look forward to teams coming in directly following a game, match or meet to watch their most recent competition while having a meal,” Banducci says. One of the promotions that Banducci and his partners have come up with is the team that raises the most money for their team at the Fieldhouse, during their season, can earn up to $500 which will go toward a team party at the venue.

“Ultimately, I want to build a place where people want to stop by because they know they’ll get something good to eat, run into friends and have a good time. I’ll really be proud if we can create an experience that the community will embrace and support,” Banducci states. Given the number of kids who participate in Mustang Soccer, SRVGAL softball, VSA swimming, Danville and San Ramon Valley little leagues, Scorpion Lacrosse, not to mention cheer, dance, football, track and field, volleyball and band, the Fieldhouse has a tremendous target market and the fundraising element should be a key draw. If Mike Banducci and his partners execute their plan successfully, I can see a string of Fieldhouse Sports Grills popping up in communities everywhere.

A few months ago, I wrote an ALIVE article about how an out of control “Inner Rebel” can wreak havoc on your health. I received a LOT of great responses, so I decided to delve into the topic again.

Now, before we address the challenging side of the “Inner Rebel,” here’s a question I want to re-visit: Are there any benefits to expressing the “Inner Rebel?”

Actually, yes! The Inner Rebel has some valuable gifts to offer. First, there’s a spiciness that comes from healthy levels of rebellious energy. For example, if we think of a rebellious teen, we might picture someone who is coming into his or her own by “breaking out of the box” of the role he or she played within the family. This time of individuating from one’s family is normal and healthy—so that teens eventually fly from the nest—surviving, thriving, and uniquely expressing who they are on their own.

Similarly, adults who positively embrace their rebellious energies may be expressing their unique creativity and life purposes. For some, this requires “swimming against” an ancestral or societal current—in a quest to courageously pursue an important goal or dream.

For example, in his early career, musician Quincy Jones rebelled against allowing racism to stop him from expressing his creative talents. As you may know, in the 1950s, many hotels were not yet integrated. Sadly, for a person of color, getting a “traditional” hotel room while traveling…wasn’t an option. In fact, one night while on tour, the only place Quincy and another African American musician could find to sleep was in a funeral parlor—amidst a bunch of caskets! Whew!

Meanwhile, if Quincy hadn’t rebelled against society’s racist ignorance by continuing to push onward, he would’ve missed the opportunity to realize his dreams and thrive! And, we’d have missed enjoying decades of his amazing work, including 27 Grammy Awards and celebrating him as the first African American to win the “Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award” (in 1995).

Thank God Quincy had the strength—and a courageous “Inner Rebel”—to successfully navigate the challenges of his time and fulfill his life purpose. Plus, he helped pave the way to increased equality for others!

Now, in my private practice, I work with a lot of clients who have strong “Inner Rebels.” Some are creative souls who want tools and support while they continue to pursue their goals and dreams. Others are people who come to see me seeking tools to stop smoking or overeating. Unfortunately, in some of these cases, health crises are the motivators.

Clearly, when the “Inner Rebel’s” behavior includes self-destructiveness, it expresses a dark side. For instance, the dark side of “rebellious teen” energy can be the feeling of indestructibility—such as, thinking that he or she can drink and drive (without dangerous consequences), text while driving, or function on little sleep—all while eating and drinking “super-sized” junk food.

Many of us remember our own impulsive “teen years” and are grateful to have gotten through them. On the other hand, some folks stay stuck in their teenage behaviors and chronically struggle with their “Inner Rebels” who continually impact their health in negative ways.

Now, let’s shift our focus, and explore an “overview” that includes descriptions of rebellious energy being repressed, expressed constructively, or expressed destructively. It helps to think of rebellious energies in terms of a continuum.

Qualities of repressed rebelliousness can include the following: an avoidance of taking healthy risks, living a constricted life, and feeling energetically frozen.

Qualities of constructive rebelliousness can include the following: taking calculated risks in life, living adventurously (yet mindfully), feeling free-flowing energy, and experiencing fear (when it’s appropriate).

Qualities of destructive rebelliousness can include the following: taking unhealthy/dangerous risks in life, feeling “indestructible,” acting impulsively (without weighing consequences), and feeling fearless.

The good news is that there are many tools available to help balance an “Inner Rebel” to create healthier responses to life. Feel free to call me to set up an appointment to discuss this further and hear about the tools I offer. I work with many clients who are learning to appreciate their spiciness and playfulness—while finding healthy ways to express their “Inner Rebels.”

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 Trina Swerdlow, BFA, CCHT, is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, an artist, and the author and illustrator of Stress Reduction Journal. She currently has a private practice in downtown Danville. You can reach her at: (925) 285.5759, or info@TrinaSwerdlow.com.

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychotherapy.