Column

Famous concert halls inspire and delight the senses while music lovers enjoy the great musical ensembles of the world. That said, one does not need to be interested in music to seek out the wonders of these edifices. Just the architecture and construction of these buildings are of interest to many people. The acoustical properties of these great halls interest sound engineers, designers, and acoustical physicists, among others.
            The world famous Carnegie Hall in New York City, was finished in 1890 and was financed by philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie. It has an enviable history of performers and world premiere performances. One of the most memorable moments at Carnegie Hall was Russian composer Peter Tchaikovsky conducting the opening concerts in 1891.
            The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, is also internationally known. It was built by businessmen who wanted an opera house. In 1995 a unique technological improvement was added to the back of the seats. They display the translation of the libretto (lyrics) while they are being performed on the stage. It is a very large house seating over 4000, plus standing room. The Metropolitan Opera Company is one of the foremost and acclaimed in the entire world.  
            Radio City Music Hall in New York City is not just a concert hall but an entertainment center for all forms of the performing arts. The stage and movable platforms are hydraulically operated with many configurations possible. These inventions were well ahead of their time. During World War II the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had guards under the stage where the machinery was housed, 24 hours a day. They were fearful of sabotage by enemies of the United States. The Rockettes, the music hall’s famous dance troupe, presents outstanding Christmas shows there, like no other, each December.
            Boston Symphony Hall in Boston, Massachusetts was built in 1900 and is known worldwide for being one of the important venues for classical music. Similar to a shoebox it is rectangular in shape. This style was originally found in Leipzig, Germany in the Gewandhaus. The acoustics are the result of physics professor from Harvard University, Wallace Clement Sabine. He carried out experiments to understand how room environments affect sound. The hall accommodates both the Boston Symphony and the Boston Pops Orchestra. It is said to be the first hall built using scientific acoustical principles.
            Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles is one of the newest world class modern

concert halls. Designed by Frank Gehry, it is acclaimed for its superior acoustics and distinctive architecture. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra calls the hall home.
            Royal Albert Hall in London, England was opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, named in honor of her husband, Prince Albert. It is London’s most iconic venue and home to the “Proms Concerts” dating back to 1895. This series of summer concerts last over eight weeks. They are some of the most famous classical music concerts associated with the hall.
            Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, England, is a fairly new hall dating from 1996. It is a completely silent hall allowing for very quiet playing yet the music still can be heard. In 1996 an IRA bomb exploded nearby and no one inside the hall heard the explosion because of the superior construction materials and building techniques.
            The Grosser Musik Vereinssaal in Vienna, Austria is often hailed as the best concert hall in the world. The sound seems to be coming from all directions. It is known as the “Golden Sound in the Golden Hall.” The Vienna Philharmonic, The Vienna State Opera and the Vienna Konzer Haus, all call it home, thus making Vienna a leading venue for classical music.
            The Culture and Congress Centre Concert Hall in Lucerne, Switzerland has a reverberation chamber that wraps around the outside of the hall. The acoustics can be changed to accommodate not only classical but other types of musical shows.
            The Berlin Philharmonie in Berlin, Germany opened in 1963. It has a tent-like exterior noted for its advanced acoustics. The seating is called vineyard terracing. The technician breaks the seating in blocks. The hall is representative of music-in-the-round where some of the audience sits behind the orchestra.
            Philharmonie de Paris in Paris, France is not the every-day rectangular or squarish concert hall. It is almost impossible to see a straight line. The eye sees almost nothing but curves. All the shapes and curves are designed for maximum acoustical excellence. It is a hallmark, state-of-the art sound engineering phenomenon. It also boasts a museum of musical history from the 17th century to the present.
            Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia opened in 1973. It is recognized as one of the most famous and iconic structures in the world. This concert hall is one of the most photographed buildings by tourists and locals alike. Of the 233 designs submitted, the one chosen was by Scandinavian designer, Jorn Utzon. In 2003 he was named Pritvker Prize Laureate. The building is actually a complex of venues including a concert hall and several theaters.
            The Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest, Hungary, was built between 1875 and 1884. It is a good example of Neo-Renaissance architecture and design. Due to its ornate decoration, it is one of the world’s most beautiful halls.
            Christ Church Town Hall Auditorium in New Zealand has a unique interior design. The acoustics in this hall are reflected from the walls to the sides of the heads of the audience. To enhance the acoustics, wooden panels form a large tent-like structure, resembling a tepee hanging over the audience.
            La Scala in Milan, Italy is an important venue in the world of opera. This large structure holds 2,030 people and was constructed in 1778. In 1943 during World War II it was badly damaged by bombing. La Scala is considered a musical mecca with its many crystal chandeliers and gorgeous decorations. It has a museum and offers tours of the opera house; even during rehearsals of great performers and renowned conductors.
            Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco was completed in 1980 for the San Francisco Symphony. Before it was built, the Symphony shared space in the Opera house with the San Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet. It has the capacity to play repertory from Pre-Baroque to the present day. The acoustics can be altered by convex acrylic panels over the stage suspended from the ceiling. The famous Fratelli Ruffatti organ was added in 1984.

These notable halls are only a few of the fine concert halls of the world. Every large city can boast of their venues with pride and passion.

Some of the research of the above was by Trevor Cox of The Guardian.
Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net
Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

 

 

                                                                         

 

 

There is not a person on Earth who has not endured some type of challenge, and it’s no exception to have felt like an island, isolated from the rest of the world.  I, too, have felt this throughout my life and I share my world in an effort to ignite hope, affirming that you are never alone.  Like the title of this magazine, I reach out to those with common experiences in the hope of helping others feel “alive” again. 

My journey began when my daughter, Naomi, soon after her birth, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy due to an en utero stroke.  Although my thoughts on paper are geared for the special needs community, even those who have never been introduced to the special needs world can relate to the emotions of which I mention.  We all are spiritual beings having a human experience.  For those with special needs or if you have a loved one diagnosed with special needs, it is a world where adjustments you never envisioned having to learn (or re-learn) are now a part of your everyday reality. 

As a special needs parent, my goal is to reach others who may feel like the rest of the world just doesn’t understand the upstream battles of those dealing with limitations of a medical, intellectual, or physical nature. The vision began when I wrote “I See You, Little Naomi,” a children’s story about my daughter.  By creating this platform to educate, instill compassion and understanding, I was able to come to terms with each new phase of my daughter’s development.

When my family and I were first given the news of the extent of her brain trauma, my fears about my daughter’s future was overwhelming—almost too much to bear. As a means to alleviate some of that despair, I began a journey of bridging a gap through awareness and support.  It was (and is) about building meaningful relationships between the special needs and mainstream communities, because in many ways, it takes a village to thrive.

On July 21^st, in Hollywood, California, I will have the privilege of being involved in a special needs prom event through the non-profit organization, InClusion ClubHouse. What began as a one-time attendance to an event, where all kids could enjoy a night of pampering and dancing, is now my permanent role on the board as facilitator to expand the organization’s mission to Northern California.  My daughter’s test has now become a testimony.  It is because of her strength and survival that I was taught true strength.  And that applies not just to me but to my entire family. 

For those who can relate to my experience as a parent, I want you to know that meaningful support is all around you.  It does not depend on you alone to provide a joyful, safe and productive life for your child or family member. And it takes more than living just to make it through the day to be “ALIVE”—it takes a village.

For more information about the Special Needs Prom, visit www.inclusionclubhouse.org or follow Stefanie’s Facebook page @ItTakesASpecialVillage

“I See You, Little Naomi” is available on Amazon.com

This morning, I spoke with a friend of mine who expressed anguish at how his father, now retired and in his early sixty’s, has no passion for anything or interest in doing anything other than parking his derriere on his sofa while watching a movie on the TV, listening to a baseball game on the radio, or perhaps watching another sports event being streamed on his smart phone.

With his mortgage paid off, and no job, he has no incentive to do anything with his time other than to let it go by. “What a waste,” says my friend, “With so many jobs available; so many volunteer opportunities to engage in or interesting things to do that could offer him the ability to learn, grow, and engage with or help others, it’s just a waste. This should be the time of his life.”

In the articles that I’ve written over the past several months, I’ve provided examples showing how the arts have saved, transformed, and helped to improve numerous lives throughout our communities. I’ve shared how theater companies, high school drama, art, and dance programs have served young people throughout the East Bay. I’ve shown how troubled and disadvantaged children have found confidence, pride, recognition, and new life through these programs and mediums, and how people involved with the arts have assisted them in finding meaning and satisfaction in their lives.

I have illustrated how young people who began with a passion to become actors and performers eventually altered their artistic and educational paths so that they could do for others what others had done for them, by becoming teachers and mentors themselves.

Today, I wish to congratulate those whom I call our communities’ “backbone benefactors,” the everyday citizen volunteers who support the needs of these institutions, without whom, most of these organizations would fail.

So, while I laud the importance of community and high school theaters’ paid management and owners for providing creative direction and opportunities for our youth, there are many more benefactors who seldom get more than a basic nod when people read promotional material for theater productions. I don’t believe that there are any community theaters in America today who can survive by ticket sales alone.

While there may be many wonderful artistic directors, writers, and composers who can create and guide the production concepts and oversee the quality of community or high school theater productions, it is, in large part, the volunteers –the “backbone benefactors” –who make it all come together, especially where there is little or no funding to pay for professional support staff.

In previous newspaper and magazine articles I’ve mentioned costume designers and seamstresses such as Hope Birdwell, Liz Martin, and Lisa Danz, set builders like Diane McRice and Ryan Terry, sound equipment operators like Randy Knott and Michael Kelly, just to name a few, for whom I have great respect, who work tirelessly to make these shows come to life. Add to this, the lighting designers, scenery painters, poster graphics artists, publicity staff, social media mavins, ushers, and directors, who provide the backbone of these wonderful little theaters.

When I first met my wife at the Town Hall Theater in Lafayette in the early 1980s, her mother, Nancy, acted in and directed shows; her father, Edwin, built sets and stored the reusable materials in his construction company storage buildings in Berkeley for years, without any cost to the theater. My wife even managed lights, sound, and stage props in some of these community shows. It was here that I learned how important it was to have someone who could make sure the appropriate prop was where the actor expected to find it when it was needed, and how important it was to have someone after the production was over, to clean up and take down or “strike the set.”

Sometimes these backbone benefactors go far beyond what anyone might expect them to do just because their child or children are in a company’s show or classes. Take for example Dr. Samuel Lewis, a now retired Lafayette Podiatrist, whose son, Rob, performed in the Belasco Theater company in Walnut Creek. Sandy (as he is known by friends) became so excited by the excitement of the children in Eddie Belasco’s theater company, that in a short time he went from the role of proud parent supporter and funding donor, to assisting in funding the theater by soliciting funds from other professionals who were his peers in the area.

If it were not for so many wonderful philanthropic organizations and individuals of wealth and compassion who have practiced extraordinary acts of philanthropic giving, such as the Dean Lesher family who assisted significantly in the funding of the Lesher Center for the Arts, the old Walnut Creek walnut warehouse theater probably would never have been razed and rebuilt as the Lesher Center for the Arts. Without the Campbell Family’s generosity, the old auto parts store in Martinez would probably not have become the great community asset now known as the Campbell Theatre. If it were not for local city governments finding ways to support the arts, I believe our communities would be less socially responsible, healthy, wealthy and wise.

In conclusion, let me propose to you as I did to our friend in my opening paragraph—share with your friends and family the wonderful contributions that they can make, and the joy they can have as volunteers in our local worlds of the theater and the arts.

Hi there! Macca here, a stay-at-home mother of two young boys (18m apart), wife to my football coach high school sweetheart, child of God, and fashion lover. As I was writing this column, I could not help but feel excited to share my love for fashion. Since I was young, I have always been interested in style. Dressing up and creating cute outfits was my jam and still is!

My family is new to California and we are loving it. The sunshine is killer (in a good way) and Walnut Creek is my new “happy place”. Since moving to the Bay Area, I started a style blog (maccarose.com) as an outlet for all things fashion. I also use Instagram as a platform for my website (@maccarose_). Unsure of where that venture would lead me, I am bursting with excitement that it has led me here, to this moment, sharing my passion with you! Never in a million years did I think I would be sharing my ideas with others through the pages of a magazine. I am so thankful!

With that, let us dive in. I thought I would start out with what I like to call “clothing insurance.” One way to make sure any item is a good purchase is to have in mind three or more ways to style it. For example, let’s consider ways to wear a linen pair of pants. Linen is the perfect lightweight material for those hot summer days. They are seriously versatile—worn casually for daywear, or easily dressed up for a luncheon or night out on the town.

First look: This is for daywear. Super casual, comfortable, and easy going. Pair your linen pants with sandals or tennis shoes, a solid or printed top, and/or lightweight scarf, and finish it off with a denim jacket. Balance is key. If the pants are loose and flowy, the top should have some structure. It is attractive to the eye when there is a balance. If the pants are high waisted and the top is loose don’t be afraid to add a knot to the shirt for a little visual interest, as I did here. Adding a third piece, such as a denim jacket or scarf, furthers the dimension of your look, creating awesome visual interest.

 

 

Second look: This look is perfect for most occasions. Great for a weekend brunch, a casual yet sophisticated dinner date, hanging out with friends/family, or just because. I like this one the most because it is appropriate for so many occasions. Pair the linen pants with wedges or heeled sandals. The height on the shoe adds so much versatility. A wedge or sandal isn’t super dressy, however the height means something. It allows the look to be casual if need be, but leans toward the dressier side; all making it super versatile. A certain sort of effort is implied when you pair wedges or heels to an outfit. Again, pair with a solid or printed top. Something with structure. A fitted tank or crochet top. Crochet is always fun with linen. The texture of a crochet top balances out the flat linen fabric.

 

 

Third look: Let’s get dressy! A strappy heel is the way to go for dressing up linen pants. Whether you like height and want four inch heels or prefer a kitten heel, the pants will take on a whole new look with a sassy leopard print, bold hue, or nude heel. This time, make the top a dressy fabric, like silk. A silk tank tucked in and a bold necklace or statement earrings will completely transform your linen pants. If you are really getting into it, add a bold lip for the perfect pop. Lipstick is my favorite way to pull a look together and in this case bold really does make a statement for dressier occasions. Finally, wear a wrap as your outerwear. Wraps instantly add sophistication.

For another way to style your linen pants, head over to maccarose.com. There you’ll see how I share how to transition look #3 to a more sophisticated outfit with a quick switch of two pieces. Can you guess which ones?

Extra fun additions:

With any of these outfits, the finishing touch is what makes the outfit come together. Statement earrings, a necklace, bold lipstick, or scarf is a great way to add dimension and visual interest to any look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHOP THESE OUTFITS AND OTHERS ON MACCAROSE.COM

 

Macca lives in Walnut Creek with her husband, two boys, and dog. She is a stay-at-home mom with a love for all things chic and stylish. Macca is always on the go with her energetic little ones, regularly posting on her blog about fashion, and during football season cheering on her husband an assistant football coach and the UC, Berkeley. Go Bears! She welcomes you to visit her website, maccarose.com and Instagram page @maccarose_ where she shares her passion for styling.

A morning at the summer farmers’ market is an inevitable source of culinary inspiration. In California, we have won the Produce Sweepstakes. The combination of blue skies, truckloads of just-picked sweet corn, and the intoxicating perfume created by juicy stone fruits, plump blackberries, ripe strawberries, and fresh flowers does it to me every time. Top it all off with a little live background music, and I’m ready to do some serious shopping. There’s a reason I keep an ice chest in the trunk of my car.

Vine-ripened tomatoes and just-picked corn win the popularity contest at the market, with berries and stone fruits running a close second. But don’t overlook the proliferation of melons, which seem exceptionally sweet this year. Be it orange or green-fleshed, a succulent wedge of ripe melon is a surefire way to begin a summer day.

And then there’s watermelon. (sigh) Not the anemic, mealy specimens piled high at the supermarket, but the seductively sweet and juicy melon that childhood dreams are made of. I can rarely resist taking one home to enjoy throughout the week. Plain or fancy, watermelon rocks.

A couple of summers ago I attended a potluck with a number of fellow food professionals. One particular salad, provided by my friend and colleague Cheryl Loring, was the star of the afternoon. I was not the only one who returned for seconds. We begged, and she shared her recipe.

I must admit I’m a little “meh” about most watermelon salads. So many try too hard to be “creative”and end up masking the watermelon flavor with a lot of hefty ingredients. But this salad made me (and others) sit up and take notice. The unlikely combination of sweet melon and crunchy cucumber tossed in a slightly spicy, fruit-forward dressing with an unexpected touch of heat, is finished off with cooling shreds of fresh mint, making it as refreshing as it is intriguing.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m still all about enjoying an ice-cold hunk of summer watermelon any time of day or night, but sometimes I need to up my game, especially when entertaining. That’s why this salad is now part of my annual repertoire.

Cheryl Loring teaches custom cooking classes in her delightful art-filled home in Alameda. She is the consummate hostess, and her knowledge of various cuisines knows no bounds. (As an added bonus her husband, Michael, is a brilliant chocolatier.) Find out how to learn more creative recipes from Cheryl’s Party Kitchen by going to cherylloring.com.You may just add a new dish or two to your own repertoire.

                        Cheryl’s Watermelon and Cucumber Ribbon Salad

1 English (seedless) cucumber, ends trimmed

4 cups diced seedless watermelon

1/4 cup Momma Cheryl’s Apple Cinnamon Syrup (recipe follows)

1/8 cup fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon mint chiffonade*

1. Use a mandolin or vegetable peeler to cut the cucumber lengthwise into ribbons.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the syrup, lemon juice, and pepper flakes. Add the cucumber ribbons, watermelon, and mint. Toss gently to mix. Serve chilled. Serves 6 to 8.

* Chiffonade is a technique used to cut leaves into fine ribbons. (In French, it literally means ‘made of rags.”) A shower of herbaceous goodness is not only a practical way to distribute flavor, but looks charming—albeit a teeny bit chef-y—adding a festive, confetti-like appearance to any dish. (And in this case, also mimics the cucumber ribbons.)

To make the mint chiffonade: Stack several mint leaves on top of each other, neatly aligned; then roll them into a tight cylinder. Use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to cut the cylinder crosswise into very thin strips. Separate the strips with your fingertips, and let the party begin!

                                    Momma Cheryl’s Apple Cinnamon Syrup

This recipe makes far more syrup than you’ll need for this salad, but it keeps very well in the refrigerator. Make it your “secret ingredient” to add to vinaigrettes; pie fillings; or to drizzle over berries or other fruit salads. It can also be drizzled over pancakes, waffles, or ice cream; stirred into applesauce or yogurt; or added to just about anything that would benefit from a hint of spicy sweetness.

1 quart apple cider

1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick

1/3 cup pomegranate molasses

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the apple cider and cinnamon stick and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil for 20 minutes, or until the cider is reduced by half.
2. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the pomegranate molasses. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the mixture reaches a syrup-like consistency that will coat the back of a spoon. Let cool, then transfer to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate until needed.

                                           Seeds of Wisdom

–Since melons have no starch reserves to convert to sugar, they do NOT continue to ripen once harvested. This alone is reason enough to shop the farmers’ market, where quality is a given.

–Shopping tips: A whole watermelon should feel heavy for its size. Then look at the area where the melon has rested on the ground during its growing period—a creamy yellow area indicates ripeness at the time of harvest.

–A whole watermelon can be kept at cool room temperature for up to 1 week; or refrigerated, whole, for up to 2 weeks.

–It takes 8 to 10 hours to chill a whole watermelon thoroughly, so plan accordingly.

–Always rinse the outside of any melon well with water before slicing.                                      

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 at 1-800-949-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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anesthesiologists have been performing nerve blocks for surgical anesthesia for centuries to allow a patient to undergo an operative procedure more comfortably with less general anesthetic and therefore fewer side effects. Modern anesthesiologists prefer to administer more regional anesthetics (i.e., anesthetizing only a specific region of the body) over a general anesthetic whenever possible because we find that patients have less pain, nausea and delirium postoperatively, as well as shorter, if not outpatient, hospital stays. Typical types of surgery that would fall into this category are surgeries on extremities including total hip and knee replacements; leg, foot, arm, shoulder and hand surgeries.

The pain management specialty was borne from the desire to help more patients who are not having surgery, but who are in pain nonetheless, with the same techniques. By offering interventional techniques such as nerve blocks and steroid injections, we can treat outpatient pain problems without having to rely on or use high dose oral pain medications. The most commonly performed procedures are epidural steroid injections for neck, mid-back and low back pain. Herniated discs and stenosis (spinal arthritis) can cause inflammation and swelling of spinal nerves to create severe pain in the neck, arms, low back and/or legs. The injection of steroid medication into the epidural space, which surrounds the nerves, helps reduce the swelling and inflammation and pain. We often inject a local anesthetic, aka “numbing medication,” with the steroid for some immediate pain relief, which is what makes the injection a “block.” Oftentimes the anti-inflammatory effect of the steroid provides long lasting pain relief for months or years; however, occasionally the pain relief effect may only last days or weeks. The difference in the result from person to person depends on multiple factors including: severity of the disc herniation or arthritis, weight burden on the spine, muscle tone surrounding the spine, and amount of inflammation, to name a few. Unfortunately, these steroids don’t cure the ultimate cause of the pain, but they can and do, for most people, improve function and reliance on pain medications. The injections can safely be repeated if the pain returns, however, the best way to avoid future pain exacerbations is to optimize spine health with weight reduction, core strength training and stress reduction/management.

As with any medical technique or recommendation, the benefit of the treatment should far exceed the risk. Cervical and thoracic epidural injections inherently carry more risk to perform because the spinal cord can be injured if they are not performed correctly. The spinal cord terminates at L2 and exists as long spaghetti-like nerve endings below this level, so lumbar epidural injections carry less risk of spinal injury, however all injections should only be performed by specialty trained doctors. Patients who are at higher risk for complications from injections include those with diabetes or bleeding disorders or those who are taking blood thinners. If steroid injections are done too frequently, side effects can occur including adrenal suppression (the body doesn’t make its own steroid hormones), early cataracts and hormonal imbalances.

My pain management philosophy is to use a balance of treatment options so the patient isn’t at higher risk from any one particular type of treatment. Also, the complexities of chronic pain are better addressed by using a treatment plan that is directed at alleviating more than one aspect of the pain. Oftentimes pain, anxiety, depression, insomnia, isolationism, anger and embarrassment are intertwined and there just isn’t one type of medication or injection or treatment that will make all of those symptoms resolve simultaneously. The best treatment plan is one that will reduce pain and increase quality of life and function for the short term and the long term with the least side effects.

Probably one of the most frustrating challenges I have in holistic medicine is that so many doctors and patients want a “quick fix” to take care of their problems.  This “quick fix” can, many times, create another long lasting problem, adding on many other problems and side effects.

If you have followed many of my previous articles, you are already aware of the importance of real and deep sleep.  Not allowing real and deep sleep can destroy cognitive abilities, lessen your immune system, cause depression and anxiety, and, in general, exacerbate the very problems that interfere with sleep.  In other words, it is a vicious cycle. Advertisements in the media love to suggest we take something to “help us sleep” and entice us with those little birds and butterflies dancing around our bedrooms.  Well, those little critters flying around are part of what can actually destroy your health and happiness.

All Sleeping Pills Prevent Most REM and Delta Sleep

Occasionally there is a true need for taking a medicine to get some sleep, even though medicines for sleep do not allow the regenerative stages of sleep, which are REM and Delta sleep. If a sleep aid is needed, it should only be done short term and closely monitored by a sleep specialist.  In my article last month, “The Sleep Loss Epidemic,” I covered many of the benefits of achieving proper sleep. Because of the lack of Glial cell function for brain health, only getting shallow sleep is like living with a toilet you rarely flush as far as your brain is concerned.

I highly recommend doing your own research into the side effects of any drugs you are taking.  Even the foods that you are eating, supplements you are taking, and daily habits can all affect your sleep, including creating the insomnia in the first place.  For example, even though fish oil supplements are extremely good for you, they can keep you awake, so taking them in the morning may prevent this problem.  Hormone imbalance, allergies and antihistamines, antidepressants, ADHD meds, alcohol consumption, pain medications, and just plain eating too late can all effect sleep.  Be sure to study what habits hurt sleep and what habits help sleep. 

If you still need help, it is best to visit a doctor that specializes in sleep. Finding the right remedy and when to use it can be very complicated. Don’t just take that sleep aid that is going to knock you out but not allow you to sleep restfully. Keep in mind, if you are currently taking a medication and are considering stopping, please consult your physician first.  Caution must be taken when weaning off certain medications and very serious side effects can happen if it is not done properly.

For more information please visit www.aodtc.com.

Q. I’m trying to kill off my lawn and replace it with drought tolerant plants. Is there any weed killer available that won’t harm my pets?

A. There are a number of organic herbicides available today that kill the existing grass along with being safe to use around pets and kids. Bonide Burnout and Dr. Earth Final Stop are two. Burnout uses acetic acid, commonly known as Vinegar, Clove Oil and a lemon extract while Final Stop uses Citric Acid, Clove Oil and other essential oils. They do an excellent job in killing the grass and have a pleasant smell when applied. They’re both non-selective herbicides so don’t spray them on any desirable plants. They bind themselves to the leaf surface of weeds and grasses and rapidly begin destroying the cell structure through a ‘burn down’ process. There are no residue issues as they are one hundred percent biodegradable. Once in the soil, they become inert, so the roots of desirable and non-desirable plants are not affected. Shallow-rooted, cool-season grasses such as Fescue, Blue, and Rye grass are easily killed, but they aren’t recommended for killing Bermuda Grass, St. Augustine Grass, Zoysia Grass and other deep-rooted perennial grasses. With these varieties, you’ll need to use a harsher herbicide. Burnout and Final Stop are water soluble so don’t turn on the sprinklers shortly after application. It is best to wait until the foliage has dried.  You might consider Sheet Mulching as an option. Sheet Mulching will kill the existing grass without using any chemicals, but you’ll need a good supply of cardboard or newspaper. You’d mow the grass as short as possible and then cover it with a thick layer of cardboard or newspaper which is then covered with a three-inch layer of mulch. Next, cut holes in the layer, plant and install drip irrigation by converting the existing sprinklers to drip. The grass dies because of the lack of sunlight so Photosynthesis can’t take place.  You’ll find more information at

https://www.marinwater.org/158/Sheet-Mulching-Guide or google “sheet mulching.”

Note: If there are large mature shade trees around the area, they’ll now need to be watered as the lawn watering did it before.  This point is usually overlooked in the conversion, causing them to suffer from water stress. They can be watered using a soaker hose, drip stakes, or deep root irrigator. They can’t go all summer without water.

Q. I sprayed Round Up along the cracks of the sidewalk to kill the weeds. It did a great job; however, the over spray killed the edges of the lawn. Is there anything I can do to correct this?                         

A. Unfortunately, it’s too late to do anything to save any of the damaged grass. Once it turns a yellow/brown color, the grass is dead, and there is nothing that will reverse the effect. In the future, you can prevent this problem from occurring by using a cardboard plant shield or barrier. It is simple to use and very effective. As you get close to the edge of the turf, you place the shield or barrier between the edge of the grass and the sidewalk or a driveway. Round Up can be sprayed right up to the barrier as it’s a leaf absorbed herbicide that kills only the leaf surface it contacts. It doesn’t feather or bleed out so you can spray in a straight line. If you spray half a leaf that half or portion is the only section that is killed. Round Up is never absorbed by the roots of plants; hence, it’s never sprayed on bare ground. You move the barrier along as you spray. The plant shield doesn’t have to be very long and just tall enough to prevent the spray from drifting. Also, it doesn’t have to be cardboard, as any solid material will do. What to do next to repair the damage is going to be a judgment call on your part. You could do nothing and let the grass fill in on its own. But, you’ll have to be very patient as it’s not going to repair itself this season. Reseeding the damaged area with Pennington One Step or Scott’s E-Z Seed is the option that I favor. These products include the seed, mulch, and fertilizer. All you’ll need to do is rake up the dead debris and apply the material and water. Watering is the key as you’ll need to sprinkle the area three to five times a day, depending on the temperatures until it germinates which is about two weeks. July is a tough month to re-seed so you may wish to wait until the fall. The damaged area is probably too small to re-sod.

Q. Is there a rule to follow as far as pruning back trees that hang over from a neighbor’s yard? Our neighbor’s tree stands over 2-1/2 stories tall, and it shades out some portions of our yard. Is it okay for me to cut the over-hanging branches?

A. The general rule of thumb is that you can prune any tree back to the property line, which is usually the fence. However, the pruning cannot increase the risk of the tree falling over by making it lopsided. I might have an arborist come on site to evaluate the tree and make a recommendation. The report then can serve as a valuable document in case there is an issue in the future.

What is Golfer’s Elbow?

Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is similar to its counterpart, Tennis elbow. The primary differences between these conditions are the location of the pain and the activity that leads to injury. However, both conditions are caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, leading to inflammation and pain around the elbow joint, commonly called tendonitis. Golf is one common cause of tendonitis, but many other sports and work related activities can cause the same problem.

The cause of golfer’s elbow can vary from a single violent action (acute injury) to, more commonly, a repetitive stress injury where an action is performed repeatedly and pain gradually develops.  In an acute injury of the elbow inflammation occurs without substantial tissue damage. However in a repetitive stress situation a person may experience damage to the tendon and surrounding soft tissue causing tissue degeneration over time. Inflammation from acute injury often responds quickly to rest and anti-inflammatory treatment. However, if the injury is due to tendon tissue degeneration, treatment will be longer and will be focused on improving the strength of the tendon as well as rebuilding tissues.

Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms

With golfer’s elbow pain is on the inside of the elbow, usually during or after intense use. Typically the pain increases during wrist flexion or pronation and often radiates to the forearm. Because this frequently occurs in golfers, it has become known as “golfer’s elbow.”  However, it is also known as “pitcher’s elbow.”

Treatment for Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow does not usually cause any long-term disability. However, the condition may become stubborn and proper rehabilitation will help alleviate the symptoms and get you back to life again.

Rest and Reduce Inflammation: The first step a person should take if tendinitis is suspected is to stop the activities that cause the pain and inflammation in this case, rest the arm. Use a topical cream containing Arnica to begin to reduce the inflammatory process quickly.

Laser Therapy to Heal the Damaged Tissue:  Ending the pain caused by golfer’s elbow requires healing the damaged tissue. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only form of therapy that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser CUBE a Class IV Laser. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During Laser Therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function and health. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, scar tissue and pain.

Correct the Mechanics of Motion:  Assessing the forearm, elbow, shoulder and spine for proper postural feedback is done to diagnose and correct improper alignment. After proper alignment is restored specific muscular taping is applied to improve circulation and insure proper motion on a daily basis. Lastly, specific strengthening and stretching exercises are given. By strengthening the muscles and tendons involved with golfers’ elbow, you can prevent the problem from returning.

At Align Healing Center we are having great success treating golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, arthritis, carpal tunnel, post surgical pain, sports injuries and more; even long-term residual pain. Ar­thritis and degenerative disc disease sufferers can see long term benefits from this treatment without any of the negative side effects experienced with the long term use of medications.

  Dr. Niele Maimone, DC is the owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. She has been active in our natural health and wellness community since 1999. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

 

 

 

A Valuable Opportunity to Teach Your Children Smart Spending Habits

It may seem too soon to broach the topic of back-to-school shopping, but believe it or not, it is right around the corner. Just as families are getting settled into their summer schedules and are enjoying the relaxed pace of flexible schedules, retailers are gearing up their advertising campaigns and bombarding us with TV commercials, valuable coupons in our inboxes, pop-ups on our social media feeds, and print ads in our mail boxes. Offers range from the latest back-to-school fashions to stocking up on school supplies and from decorating lockers to dorms. You name it, retailers have you covered.

And although you may want to avoid it like the plague, taking the time to plan in advance can not only save you time and money, it can also provide a financial learning platform for your children. Whether your children are heading to grade, middle, high school or college, the below steps can be worked through together:

Step One – Take Inventory

Schedule a day for you and your child/children to go through their closet(s) and take inventory of what they really need (versus want) for back-to-school. Clothes that still fit stay, clothes that are too small, donate or sell. If your child rolls their eyes at the thought of having to try on their clothes and purge, make it a money-making game. As they sort through, they can create a pile to consign their gently used clothing and the income generated from the sale of the clothes can be their money to spend. Or, pay your child an allowance to go through their closets and drawers and purge. There are many great consignment stores and websites. For example, Snickerdoodles in Danville or online websites such as ThredUP, eBay, or Next Door. The sites are endless.

Step Two – Set a Budget

Once the inventory is complete, have your child make a list of their wants and needs for back-to-school and set a budget. Wants and needs should include clothing items, shoes, backpack, supplies, locker décor, or dorm necessities. Review the list with your child and separate the absolute needs from the wants. From there, set a budget with your child and divide the budget into categories. For example, category one: backpack and school supplies; category two: clothing; category three: shoes; and category four: locker décor or dorm décor. Assign amounts to each category and make it a challenge to have your child stay within the budget. If your child stays within the budget, offer a reward—maybe an item from their want list, lunch, or a fun gift card. It is amazing how creative kids can get!

Step 3 – Calendar Shopping Days

Schedule a couple of shopping days to avoid trying to cram it all into one day. One day shop for a backpack and school supplies, another day shop for shoes and clothing, and another day shop for locker or dorm décor. Breaking the shopping into smaller, manageable trips will avoid burnout and impulse shopping, and will keep your child focused on which items need to be purchased each day. It can be overwhelming when trying to shop for multiple categories in one day which can lead to deviating from the plan and overspending.

Step 4 – Coupons and Sale Days

Be sure to take the time to print the offers and discounts that arrive in your inbox or mailbox and calendar the shopping days when stores are promoting deep discounts and sales. Retailers are continuously sending discounts and promoting sales, so teach your children to use these to their advantage as discounts lead to savings which can equate to another item on their list or savings for you!

A little advance planning will help your family stick with the plan, avoid impulse shopping, save you money by syncing shopping days with sale days, and most of all, provide the opportunity to teach your child smart money management and budgeting skills.

There is plenty of time left to shop. Plan well and you will save well.