June 2012

New technologies continually make our daily lives easier. Need a recommendation for a great Italian restaurant? Go to Yelp. Afraid of getting lost? Turn on your GPS. Like that song? Download it on your iPhone. Technology makes us more efficient, keeps us on track, and removes life’s daily obstacles that get in our way.

Technology though has had little impact on our lives when it comes to getting in shape. For many of us, it’s still a boring, time-consuming struggle.

Until now.

Koko FitClub, the “world’s first automated personal training studio,” is using state-of-the-art technology to make exercise simple, efficient and personal. Its patented SmartrainingTM system takes the best of exercise science and designs a completely customized training plan that guides you through each step. These smart, high-efficiency cardio and weight training workouts can be completed in 30 minutes or less.

“It’s like having your own personal trainer without having to have a personal trainer,” said Michael Lannon, CEO and co-founder of Koko. “Everything you do at Koko is precisely customized for you. We do all the planning and thinking so you don’t have to. This means no more falling into ruts, no more wasting time figuring out what to do, and no more disappointing results trying to follow a program that’s not the right fit for you.”

With locations nationwide in nearly 30 states and thousands of men and women across the country as members since first opening in 2009, Koko is literally becoming a nationwide movement.

“Thanks to our technology, Koko is delivering a whole new, more efficient way to exercise than the world has ever had before,” said Lannon.

You just show up, pop in your personal “Koko Key” and you’re guided through a personalized, custom workout regimen based on your individual strength and fitness level. And Koko automatically adapts each day to the progress you’ve made so your body and your mind stay continually engaged.

“Koko is for people who are done with the whole gym scene. We have jobs and families, and don’t have the time or desire to spend hours at gyms that don’t work for us anymore” said Lannon. We also don’t want to pay for a personal trainer, but we could really benefit from the right level of guidance, motivation and accountability. On our terms and our schedule. That’s where Koko fits in perfectly.”

Technology is the future for many things in our life, and Koko is surely the future of fitness. In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy your comprehensive custom workout and get back to your life. You can be confident you’re making the most of your time because Koko’s cutting edge technology has already figured out your most efficient workout. And Koko not only saves you time, but money. For the cost of one single personal training session, a membership at Koko FitClub gives you unlimited sessions each month. Getting in shape has never been easier. Just go to Koko.

Koko FitClub Danville is owned and operated by Val and Mike Rogers, local Danville residents. Koko FitClub is conveniently located in downtown Danville at the Iron Horse Trail Crossing.

The Elegant and Efficient Window

If you are looking for a soft and airy window treatment design that diffuses sunlight, custom sheers may be the ideal solution.  Direct sunlight into the home can damage furniture, carpeting, and fabric. It is important to protect these interior items from fading and discoloration with decorative sheers and draperies.The style and application you choose depends on the needs of your space.

Sheers look good standing alone or under your favorite drapery. Sheers are usually made from a lightweight, loose weave fabric, and more commonly appear as panels, tiers or valances depending on the look you are going for.

Custom draperies are available in a variety of designs to accommodate any style or function. Much like sheers, custom draperies prevent unwanted light and are a beautiful addition to any room. Standard lining will block out most of the light when the draperies are drawn closed, or they can be lined with black out lining which will not let any light in- ideal for those late sleepers!

For a fuller, more traditional drapery look inner lining can be added; this lining is placed between the decorative fabric and the main lining, which creates more protection from the sun. Tie backs can also be used in this application when the drapes are open. The gathered look of draperies on either end of a window adds drama and interest to any space.

Roman shades provide a decorative valance when open and defuse light when the shades are lowered. Roman shades can be opaque, blackout, or sheer to provide the desired amount of privacy. This design also offers superior light control, heat reflection and insulation, while creating a decorative way to block out unwanted harsh sunlight. Beading or decorative trim at the bottom of a roman creates a whimsy addition.

Hardwired, battery operated, or manual draw drapes are available for all drapery options including sheers, draperies, and roman shades.  Hardwired window treatments are ideal when ease and versatility are required.  There are no cords or chains so large windows can easily be covered with automatic draperies at the touch of a button.

A designer can recommend the perfect sunlight control option for your home or office. Get started today and beat the heat just in time for summer.

J. HETTINGER INTERIORS   200 HARTZ AVE. DANVILLE, CA 94526

P: 925.820.9336   F: 925.820.9414

WWW.JHETTINGER.COM

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about “throw-away” marriages and I’ve got to say it breaks my heart. I’m not sure what the cause is, much less the cure, but I suspect the reasons are multi-faceted.

I enjoyed The Vow primarily because it is a film based on a true story with an incredible message. Leo (Channing Tatum) and Paige (Rachel McAdams) are newly and blissfully married. On their way home one snowy Chicago evening they have a tragic accident and Paige is thrown through the car windshield and suffers a severe brain injury. After weeks in a deep coma Paige awakens to her old world; her old, old world. She has lost the last five years of her life, including Leo.

Now, in case this is not problematic enough, she has lost all feelings for him as well. What is truly problematic is that she does remember her well-to-do family and former fiancé, all of whom Leo has never even met. So now, we’ve got the good guy, (new) husband, trying to start all over again creating a relationship when his wife has memories and, she thinks, feelings for this whole other life before Leo.

Even though Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum have both starred in a Nicholas Sparks movie or two, I want to mention that The Vow feels to me to be more of a drama-romance than a romance-drama. This should be somewhat of a relief to some of you guys who don’t tend to cry at movies. Besides, this one ends well.

The book, “The Vow: The True Story Behind the Movie,” was written by Kim Carpenter. The story is untouched by Hollywood of Kim and Krickett Carpenter. The main difference is that the real people shared a faith that was the core of the story. This doesn’t mean the situation was easy, just different. Not only was Krickett’s memory gone, the amnesia appeared to alter her personality. Kim was quite literally married to a different person. This is when their vows kicked in. “Til death do we part” left him with a wife who didn’t know him, maybe didn’t want to and had a dramatic personality change. I wonder, what would I do?

Kim, a baseball coach went back on road with his team after the insistence of his in-laws. He called every evening to speak to a wife who didn’t really want to talk to him. This went on for weeks when one night, a little later than usual, he summoned the strength the call yet again. When his mother in law answered the phone she said the words he had been waiting to hear, “There’s somebody here who wants to talk to you.” Even though when Krickett got on the phone all she said was “Got to go now, bye,” it was the encouragement that he needed.

The Vow has an all-around good cast including Jessica Lange and Sam Neil as Paige’s parents and Scott Speedman as Jeremy the low-life (oops, almost gave it away) old fiancé.

Whether you’re married for the first time or want whatever marriage you’re in to be your last, watch The Vow, read the book or both. This #1 box office hit may just save a few marriages! As always, I welcome your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

 

The umpteenth annual Kings X Trivia Tournament was held a couple weeks back at WPLJ in Walnut Creek. We still use the Kings X name to honor our log time headquarters in North Oakland, the famous “home of trivia.”

Unfortunately, my team lost in the finals to a good friend, Darrel Garrison and his team of stalwarts. Fortunately, we lost, so I do not have to host next year’s tournament, Darrel does. This year’s host was Rich Berkery, who did an exemplary job. You know the moderator has done well when there are no complaints afterward. Here a few of Rich’s gems.

1. What team was the winningest in ABA history before they merged with the NBA?
2. John Wayne won an Oscar for “True Grit.” For which other movie was he nominated for Best Actor?
3. What lake is called “Lake in the Clouds?”
4. What was the name of the detective agency on the TV show “77 Sunset Strip?”
5. “Heartaches” was the song. Whose band played it on the popular recording of the 40’s?
6. Morgan Freeman reunites with Tim Robbins in the final scene of “Shawshank Redemption” in what Mexican city?

 May Answers:

1. Dreamt
2. Berlin, Germany
3. The Holy Roman Empire
4. “The Color of Money”
5. “Thieves”
6. England and Scotland

MAY WINNER:
Joyce Granville of Pittsburg

WIN LUNCH ON BEN!
The first person to email or mail, no calls please, the correct answers to all of the above questions will win a $25 gift certificate for The Uptown Cafe in downtown Danville, compliments of Ben Fernandez! Entries must be received by June 20, 2012. In the event of a tie, the winner will be drawn at random.

Please email your answers to info@aliveeastbay.com, or mail to ALIVE East Bay, 3200 A Danville Blvd., Ste. 204, Alamo, CA 94507. Employees and family members of employees of ALIVE East Bay are not eligible. Restaurant may be changed without notice.

Every spring in the month of June, hundreds of thousands of high school and college students graduate at special commencement exercises across the United States and many other countries. What is common to almost all commencements is the music that is part of the ceremony.

As Christmas carols are unique to the holiday season so is one particular piece common to most of these graduation exercises. That piece is Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March. It is probably the most played piece of music in the month of June, literally performed thousands of times. Unfortunately, it is rarely heard at other times of the year. This is regrettable, as this is a great piece of music that would be an excellent selection on any concert program.

The March

The Pomp and Circumstance March is not just one piece but one of five marches all called Pomp and Circumstance. The one that is most played today is number one in D. It was premiered in 1901 and became very popular almost from the beginning of its public performances. Elgar actually wrote some sketches for a sixth march but it was never completed. The Sousa band recorded number one as early as 1904.

“Written with an honest pride in Britain’s love of ceremony, the march’s melody was requested by King Edward VII to be used as the coronation ode theme in 1902,” according to Norman E. Smith’s March Music Notes. An interesting side note is, for years it was the required accompaniment for newsreel glimpses of Britain’s Royal Family.

In regard to the slow section or trio in the march, Elgar said, “I got a tune that will knock’em – knock’em flat! A tune like that comes once in lifetime.” The trio section would later be named. Land of Hope and Glory.

 
The Composer

Sir Edward William Elgar (1857-1934) was born in Broadheath, England into a musical family of modest means. His father was a musician who for 37 years was primarily an organist at St. Georges Catholic Church. When the senior Elgar was not working at his music shop he also composed and arranged pieces for different combinations of instruments. Therefore, it was not unusual that Edward received his early musical training from his father.

Elgar had varying abilities on a number of instruments including: violin, organ (he often substituted for his father at the church), bassoon, cello and trombone. Young Elgar had a practical working knowledge of these instruments which was valuable for writing his compositions.
 
Considering his advanced compositional skills it is interesting to note that he was basically self-taught after his early training by his father. He has been described as a self- taught ‘Edwardian’ Englishman.

The road to pre-eminence as a composer of international fame was not an easy one. He was a Roman Catholic in predominantly Protestant England, a Victorian provincial society.

In the 1880’s and the 1890’s his style matured and he gained valuable experience as he conducted and composed for local musical organizations. Just after the turn of the century his reputation gained considerable acclaim and he began to garner awards and honors. Elgar was knighted in 1904 and numerous honorary degrees followed not only from English Universities such as Cambridge and Oxford but from Universities from other countries including the United States.

In 1905 he was invited to Yale University to receive an honorary Doctor of Music degree. At that commencement ceremony Pomp and Circumstance was played as a recessional. This was most likely one of the very first times it was used as a graduation march. Today it is usually used as a processional in high schools and colleges.

Elgar was one of the first composers to take the gramophone seriously. Between 1914-1925, he conducted a series of acoustic recordings of his compositions. Musicologists have said that Elgar was the first English composer to win international recognition in more than 200 years.

His other well known compositions are the Enigma Variations of 1899 which was his first big success and his two symphonies Number One in A Flat and Number Two in E Flat. Elgar, of course, wrote many other pieces in all forms of music.

H.D. McKinney and W.R. Anderson in their book Discovering Music wrote: “in many ways he was the typical nineteenth century Englishman; he was the consummate craftsman, the reserved, proud, thorough gentleman.”    
Mark your calendar for the Danville Community Band’s annual free Spring Concert, Sunday, June 17, 3:00 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church, 222 West El Pintado in Danville.

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

Q. Is there a way to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in my pond? I’m not having a problem; yet, but afraid it’s not too far off?     

A. Mosquito’s are easily controlled in ponds, fountains, water gardens, and birdbaths with a larvicide. They’re only going to be a problem where water is stationary and not moving. In addition, I’d also include any saucer where water may collect for more than twenty-four hours. With the concerns with West Nile Virus, we need to be diligent in controlling Mosquito’s once the rainy season concludes.

A Larvicide is an insecticide that specifically targets the larval stage of an insect. Besides mosquitoes, they’re commonly applied to control the larva or worm stage of caterpillars such as the Tomato Hornworm, Cabbage Loppers and Budworm on petunias and geraniums. For the home and garden, the typical Larvicide for caterpillars is Bacillus thuringiensis, also known as Bt, while Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, known as Bti, and Bacillus sphaericus, is used specifically for mosquitoes. When ingested, the target insects get a fatal case of the stomach flu as the bacteria crystallize a toxin that destroys their digestive tract. They’re naturally occurring bacterium and pose no threat to kids, pets, other insects or the environment. In water, Mosquito Dunks and Bits, made by Summit Chemical Co are available for controlling mosquitoes. The Mosquito Dunk is a solid material in the shape of a donut. They float on the water’s surface and will keep on working for thirty days or longer. While floating, they slowly release the larvicide on the waters surface where it is eaten by the mosquito larvae, which then die before reaching maturity. You would apply one dunk per one hundred square feet of surface water. They can easily be broken up to treat small areas and any unused dunks retain their potency so you can store them indefinitely. Mosquito Bits are designed to provide a quick kill when a large population of mosquito larvae is present. They’re also used in those areas where the dunks are not practical such as in saucers. These fast acting control needs to reapplied every fourteen days.

Note: It is the female mosquito and not the male that bite. Her typical life span in nature is two weeks. Mosquito’s don’t produce venom. Instead, the saliva from the bite is what causes the pesky welt and the bothersome itching.

 Q. Is it okay to recycle old wine in the garden? We want to discard a number of full or partly full old bottles. So far, we have hesitated for fear that it might not be a good thing.

 A. With old wine, I’d pour it down the drain and not on your compost pile or around plants. Like a wine barrel, the pungent fragrance of the wine could last for an extended period of time. My horticultural concern is what if the wine has turned to vinegar. Plants could be damaged from the highly acidic liquid. I see very little value in disposing of it in a garden.

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 and on Facebook at Facebook/.com/BuzzBertolero

Joint pain, known as arthritis, comes in many forms. The most common type is osteoarthritis, known as “wear and tear arthritis”.

Joint pain can flare up for a number of reasons — some of which may be overlooked by conventional practitioners. Many of my patients ask me if their pain is caused by arthritis. Sadly, it is estimated that one in five Americans has been diagnosed with some form or arthritis. There are over a hundred different arthritic conditions, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis being the most well known.

Rheumatoid arthritis, is an autoimmune disease causing inflammation in the synovial fluid of the joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is most common in the hands and feet and is frequently accompanied by a hot or warm feeling in the joint, stiffness for over 30 minutes in the morning, the same joint affected on both sides of the body, polyarthritis (more than one joint affected at a time), and pain that can last through the night. With this form of arthritis, most of my patients notice the pain eases the more they use the joint.

Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, feels worse the more we exercise and as the day wears on. Also linked to inflammation, this type of arthritis can be traced back to a breakdown in the joint cartilage. It generally affects the hips, knees, spine, hands and feet and develops as more of a wear-and-tear situation, whereas rheumatoid arthritis is closely tied with genetic factors that lead to an autoimmunity problem.

What you need to know if you suffer from arthritis.
All forms of arthritis involve some kind of inflammation — either local or systemic. When injured, a chain of events in your immune system known as the inflammatory cascade is triggered. This is what causes the redness, swelling and pain we often see with an acute injury. When this process, known as local or acute inflammation, turns on and then off in response to injury it’s a sign of a healthy immune system. Yet when the symptoms of inflammation don’t disappear, it tells us that your immune system is unable to turn itself off when it should and therefore leads to a state of chronic inflammation.

How do I begin to heal my arthritis pain?

1. Adopt a healthy diet rich in natural anti-inflammatories. Eat small meals often and choose a diet of richly colored fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and pure omega-3 fatty acids.
2. Class IV Laser Therapy. Ending the pain caused by arthritis requires stopping the cycle of inflammation. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. Laser therapy creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is quickly relieved.
3. Rule out infection and allergies. Special testing is available to identify subclinical infections and allergies to foods and toxins.
4. Remove/reduce the toxins in your life. If you cannot understand the ingredients on the label don’t buy the product.
5. Reduce stress. Exercise, meditation, nature walks, yoga, prayer … The beauty of stress reduction is that it’s never a waste of time — it serves you on every possible level.

We have great success helping people solve the causes of their joint pain. If you suffer from arthritis it is worth your while to spend some time figuring out which of any number of factors are contributing to your pain — and which combination of therapies will help heal it. The good news is — you can do it without drugs, and you don’t have to give up any of the activities you love!

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

Perhaps it’s the length of the season, or the fact that every player leaves a statistical record, or that the every-day nature of the sport leads to a wealth of stories. Whatever it is, baseball lends itself to full length books more than any other game.

Two new books in particular lend expose opposite ends of the baseball prose spectrum. One, Defining Greatness by Michael Hoban, a retired mathematics professor, is an analytic review of the requirements for entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame with conclusions regarding who should be in that isn’t and who was erroneously enshrined. The second, A Bitter Cup of Coffee by Douglas Gladstone, is the story of about 900 players whose major league careers were too short to qualify for baseball pensions despite others in similar circumstances who have received pension-like grants. Gladstone writes of the struggles of these players since their careers ended and the advocates trying to right what the author purports to be an injustice.

For those who enjoy thinking about baseball’s greats and near greats and comparing the virtues of differing degrees of excellence, Hoban’s book is for you. The author’s primary hypothesis is that the Baseball Hall of Fame is overpopulated, some of those on the outside should be in, and that there should be strict objective standards for player admission.

“Over one-third of the players who are in the Hall of Fame should not be there,” Hoban says. “Those who should be in there are the ones who have earned the right to be there.” In his book, Hoban has come up with a formula that assigns a numerical value to a player’s career. The system, called Career Assessment Wins Shares (CAWS) ranks all the players of the twentieth century according to their career numbers. And it establishes career benchmarks for each position to determine if players have Hall of Fame numbers.

Of course there is no debating players like Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, Ted Williams and Tom Seaver. The controversy comes when evaluating the cases of players like Don Mattingly, Bill Mazeroski and Kirby Puckett. A baseball fan reading a book like Hoban’s will naturally reflect back on favorite players and moments from the past. He or she will also evaluate Hoban’s method and the case he makes for it. Finally, the big fan will consider whether membership in the Baseball Hall of Fame should be strictly objective, or if subjective standards like sportsmanship or character should come into play.

Gladstone’s book is entirely different. He postulates that since Major League Baseball generates more than $7 billion per year that it should take care of all its former players. As it stands, there is a window of players whose careers ended between 1947 and 1980 who had to accrue a minimum of four years of service to qualify for post-career benefits. Major Leaguers active since 1980 need only one day of service to qualify for lifetime medical benefits and 43 days of service to receive a monthly stipend.

Players from the era captured in Gladstone’s book played for a minimum salary of $6,000 per year as opposed to the $500,000 annual minimum today. Average salaries for most of this period were under $20,000 per season, as compared to about $3 million today. Therefore, says Gladstone, these players need the pensions and stipends, and many have endured financial hardship since their playing days ended.

The situation Gladstone described is complicated by a grant Major League Baseball made to Negro League Players of the 1940s and 1950s. He says that the 1947-1980 Major League players not receiving pensions are therefore victims of discrimination. Much of the book covers the pursuit of that case and castigates MLB and the Players Association as skinflints for not making allowances for the pre-1980 players.

The stories of hardship and near-misses in A Bitter Cup of Coffee are compelling and open a window for readers to tales not normally captured in popular sports media.

Both books are available in hard copy and e-reader formats from amazon.com.

 

June heralds the long-awaited introduction to summer’s bounty, with newly harvested vegetables and stone fruits arriving each week at the farmers’ market. Look for a rainbow of crunchy sweet bell peppers; perfect little beets; baby leeks; new red onions; berries of every persuasion; tree-ripened apricots (be still, my heart!); plump cherries; juicy melons; and the first peaches and nectarines of the season. You’ll also see mounds of just-picked summer squash, and—when we’re lucky—delicate zucchini blossoms just begging for a quick dip in a lacy tempura-style batter.

The generic term “squash” covers two very different vegetables. Winter squash, i.e., hard-skinned varieties like acorn, butternut, Kabocha, and pumpkin, store well and tide us through the colder months. Once warm weather returns, thin-skinned summer squash comes into season, i.e., the ubiquitous zucchini and its many kin, like yellow crookneck squash, golden zucchini, the round Eight Ball, and the pale green or yellow disk-shaped pattypan with scalloped edges.

Unlike their cold-weather cousins, summer squash is both easy to prepare and quick to cook. Steamed, sautéed, grilled, broiled, baked, braised, microwaved, stuffed, breaded and fried, tucked into omelets or frittatas, added to stews, pickled, or simply eaten raw, summer squash is a deliciously economical addition to everything from appetizers, soups and salads to desserts. (Shredded raw summer squash stirred into a muffin, cake, or quick bread batter provides extra moisture as well as nutrients…and manages to dupe unsuspecting vegi-phobes of all ages.)

As any home gardener knows, summer squash plants are zealously prolific. Oversleep one warm summer morning and you’ll end up with zucchini the size of a zeppelin. (You know, like the ones your neighbors try to unload on you.) But bigger is not always better in the vegetable world. These oversized squash are flavorless or—worse yet—bitter; with unpalatably large seeds and a tough, watery, or spongy texture. Nor should you let those limp, overblown batons of out-of-season blandness found at supermarkets throughout the year influence your opinion of this entire species. Shopping at the farmers’ market ensures you will find only young, tender vegetables with creamy flesh and a distinctively mild, slightly nutty flavor. Summer squash the way it’s supposed to taste. At its peak of perfection.

The following recipe was inspired by one that appeared on the outstanding web site, www.food52.com. I love the combination of sweet-sour-salty-spicy-crunchy flavors, all punctuated with the heady perfume of fresh mint. Best of all, it tastes as good at room temperature as it does fresh off the stove.

Summer Squash with Toasted Almonds and Fresh Mint

Although this is just about perfect as is, for variation I sometimes swap fresh basil for the mint, or crumbled soft goat cheese for the Asiago.

• 1/3 cup sliced California almonds
• 1 1/2 pounds mixed small zucchini and yellow summer squash
• 4 tablespoons California olive oil
• Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes, or more to taste
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon sherry wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup (packed) fresh mint leaves, cut into thin strips
• 1 small chunk of aged hard cheese, such as Asiago or Parmesan

1. In a small dry skillet, toast the almonds over medium heat, stirring often and watching carefully, until just fragrant and very lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2. Cut the zucchini and squash crosswise into pieces about 1-inch thick.
3. In a large sauté pan or skillet, warm about 3 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Working in batches if needed, add the squash without crowding and increase the heat to high. Season with salt and pepper flakes and cook, stirring and tossing frequently, until the squash is just tender and nicely browned on the edges, 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Reduce the heat to medium. Sprinkle the sugar and vinegar over the top and cook, stirring, until the sugar has melted, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Taste, adding more salt if necessary. Just before serving, stir in the reserved almonds and mint and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Use a vegetable peeler to shave cheese over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature. Serves 4 to 6.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Stalking the Wild Zucchini

• Summer squashes are actually gourds harvested at an immature age, while their skins and seeds are still edible.
• California is second only to Florida in summer squash production.
• Look for zucchini that is no larger than 5 inches in length or 1 1/4 inches in diameter. The skin should appear firm, slightly glossy, and free of nicks, shriveling, or any soft spots.
• Store summer squash, unwashed, in an open plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator for up to 5 days. Baby varieties are more perishable, and should be used within 2 days. One cup of chopped raw zucchini contains about 20 calories, 0 grams of fat; 12 mg sodium; 2 grams protein; 4 carbs; plus vitamins A and C, and small amounts of calcium and iron.

______________________________________________________________________________

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.

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy riding in style and still believe that what we drive says something about who we are and what is important to us. For example, you could actually hear comments such as, “Wow! Look at the lines on that car. That owner has class,” or, “Did they really pick that color of green, and what’s with the smoking exhaust?”  Of course, it’s not just the sheet metal that makes a statement. These days it’s also how green or fuel efficient a vehicle is both on the environment and on our pocket books.

Meeting the qualifications of star-studded design, power, and fuel-sipping friendly will limit one to only a handful of choices. With that said, there is a new entry in this category that is making a splash:  the 2012 Ford Edge with EcoBoost.

The Ford Edge has enjoyed strong sales numbers since its launch. It is a beautiful mixture of sedan and sport-utility falling into the popular cross-over category. The 2012 Edge is now available with the all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, delivering an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

The 2012 Ford Edge comes in four trim levels: SE ($27,770), SEL ($31,080), Limited ($34,915) and Sport ($37,110). The Edge offers three engine options. Standard on all except the Sport, is Ford’s 3.5-liter V6 that generates 285 horses, and 253 foot pounds of torque while squeezing out MPG numbers of City 19/Hwy 27. The Sport is powered by a 3.7-liter V6 that drums up 305 horses with 280 lbs of torque and logs MPG in at 19 City and 26 Hwy.

The optional 2.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine ($995) happens in at a respectable 240 horsepower, and here is the twist: it puts out 270 pound-feet of torque – that’s more than the 3.5-liter V6 and it manages MPG stats of 21 City and 30 Hwy. The acceleration of the EcoBoost is smooth and quick. All engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift. These numbers are for the 2-wheel drive models.

The Ford Edge shares a platform structure that underpins the Mazda 6. It is classified as a five-passenger crossover and cousin to the Lincoln MKX. The Edge experienced a facelift in 2011 and remains pretty much unchanged for 2012, with the exception of the new 2.0-liter Ecoboost motor. The Ecoboost models receive special aerodynamics to reduce drag and help improve fuel mileage. The 2012 Edge is equipped with compelling features including real adult interior room, MyFord Touch system and a Vista Roof glass panel.

The interior defines what a crossover vehicle wants to be. There is plenty of room for five occupants to sit high and in comfort with sedan-like styling and features. But wait! With just a few adjustments the Edge is ready to take on large loads of bulky cargo. Buttons in the cargo area quickly drop the back seats down for added load space. The fit, finish, and interior materials are rich to the touch and show like a luxury car.

The Edge comes with two different gauge and switch packages. The SE and SEL are equipped with the more conventional analog instrument cluster and a single 4.2-inch LCD information display. The instrument panel on the Limited and Sport models is much larger with a panel of switches and steering-wheel mounted buttons.

The MyFord Touch system is an evolution of the Ford SYNC voice-activated system. It controls and displays audio settings, climate adjustments, telephone, navigation, and SYNC services. There are some touch buttons below the screen that allow you to manually manipulate climate and audio changes. Ford has experienced a fair amount of complaints with the MyFord Touch stating it is hard to use. They have made a number of improvements; however, still think it has a way to go. The nice part is that you can operate a number of these systems via voice commands.

From the driving prospective, the 2012 Ford Edge behaves more like a sedan than a truck. The tires roll with comfort and cuts corners with confidence. The high sitting position provides a better view of the road and surroundings. The braking system has been upgraded and the feel of the pedal is vastly improved. The optional All-wheel drive is electronically controlled and operates full-time delivering power mostly to the front wheels and elsewhere when the situation requires.

Room for improvement:

• MyFord Touch system keeps improving; however, still needs some work

Cool Features:

• Bold front grille
• Push button start
• Smart Key feature (finally offered on a Ford)
• Ford’s excellent navigation system

The standard safety equipment for the 2012 Ford Edge includes dual-threshold front airbags, front-passenger side impact airbags and head-protection curtains for all outboard seats, Ford’s ActiveTrack stability system with rollover mitigations, antilock brakes, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Option safety features available are: a rearview camera, a blind-spot warning system, and all-wheel drive.

In Summary – The 2012 Ford Edge is a beautifully designed crossover inside and out. The addition of the new 4-cylinder Ecoboost engine adds the cherry on top providing impressive fuel economy from a vehicle of its size and weight. The interior is dressed to impress and packed with available high-tech toys to add to the driving experience. When comparing the features against the comparable European models, the price tag highlights the value of the 2012 Ford Edge.

Specifications

2012 Ford Edge Limited with EcoBoost

Base price: $34,915 as driven: $38,910 (including destination and optional packages)

Engine: 2.0-Liter 4 cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost

Horsepower: 240 @ 5500

Torque: 270 foot pounds @ 3000

Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic with SelectShift

Drive: Front-Wheel Drive

Seating: 5-passenger

Turning circle: 39.3 feet

Cargo space: 68.9 cubic feet

Curb weight: 3,998 pounds

Fuel capacity: 18 gallons

EPA mileage: City 21 / Highway 30

Wheel Base: 111.2 inches

Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper

Also consider: Acura RDX, Audi Q5, GMC Acadia, Honda Crosstour, Infiniti EX, and Volkswagen Tiguan