Column

The term “bucket list” became popular a few years ago with the release of a movie by the same name. In the film, two terminally ill men, portrayed by Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, befriend each other and set out to do things that they’ve always wanted to do—before they “kick the bucket.”

Having a bucket or wish list is common, and for some, many of the things on that list could be considered exciting or even dangerous. I suppose this has a lot to do with how the human spirit is hardwired—we have a hunger for adventure and a need to explore the unknown.

Aside from adventure, lots of other things can be on one’s list of course—like writing a book or learning a new language. Part of our bucket list, here at ALIVE, is one that continues without end as we strive to bring you new ideas and material that might inspire you to add to your own list!

In this month’s issue for example, feature writer Bob Fish, shares his experience of scuba diving in Palau with his wife, Jennifer (page 18). After reading his piece and seeing the photographs of the extraordinary, colorful sea life, I suspect some readers will add a scuba adventure to Palau to their own bucket lists.

If Pacific sea life doesn’t inspire you, ALIVE’s writers always have other ideas to get your juices flowing. If you’ll allow me to brag a bit, there isn’t another magazine within 500 miles with the variety or depth of content provided each month by our stellar cast of writers, and if that’s not enough, this month we are proud to add yet another talented individual to our editorial roster—Ed Baxter.

You’ll probably already be familiar with Ed Baxter from his years as a radio personality on KGO, where he was the anchor and host of morning and afternoon news programs, and served as the main substitute for Paul Harvey News and Comment, the world’s top rated radio program. Ed is a member of the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame and was the recipient of the Edward R. Murrow award for best newscast in the country. Ed began writing for ALIVE last month with his article, “1962: The Age of Innocence,” and begins a column called “Making Sense” in this issue (page 43 ).

I hope you enjoy this month’s issue of ALIVE. Read it, and I guarantee you’ll have no excuse for a short bucket list.

 

 

The Intouchables is about the handicapped — and is in French with sub-titles—a double whammy! Now that I have that out of the way, can I say I loved this movie? Would I have picked it had I known what I just told you? Probably not. Would I have missed out on an amazing, life affirming story? Absolutely.

Monotony. Sounds like a boring word but it claims a whole new meaning when it describes, not just a few hours but the rest of your life. That’s what French aristocrat, Philippe was facing. Philippe (Francois Cluzet) is a quadriplegic who used to be a daredevil. Now he is trapped in his own body, relegated to a wheelchair. Philippe has a houseful of staff but they all seem to fawn over him. In the beginning of the story he is interviewing for a care giver, someone with a strong back and strong hands. Everyone who comes to interview seem to have sterling resumes. When ex-con Driss (Omar Sy) shows up it is for one reason and one reason only: he needs to get a signature to prove he’s out looking for a job so he can draw his benefits. No sterling resume but there was something about him that told Philippe this one just might make a difference in his “hohum” existence.

The Intouchables is an irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility. This film depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common.

This true story fascinated me. I have to admit that personally, I often don’t know how to act around the handicapped. It’s not that I don’t care for them but more than likely that I care too much. I don’t want to hurt or offend them. I suppose, in my ignorance, I just never had the courage or the honesty to ask the question: how would you like me to treat you?

In real life, Philippe Pozzo di Borgo is a descendant of two prominent French families and is the director of one of the most celebrated champagne houses. He was not in the habit of asking for help. Then in 1993, right on the heels of his wife being diagnosed with a terminal illness, a paragliding accident left him a quadriplegic. In a moment, he became the equivalent of an “Untouchable,” unable to reach out to others as others were afraid to reach out to him.

The only person who seemed unaffected by Philippe was someone who had been marginalized his entire life, Abdul the unemployed, uninhibited Algerian immigrant who would become his unlikely caretaker. In between dramas and jokes, he sustained Philippe’s life for the next 10 years. Philippe wrote a book about this period of time entitled, “Second Wind.” Philippe describes his friend, Abdul, as irreverent and cheeky, with an outrageous sense of humor; a sweet craziness.

This statement is depicted splendidly by directors and writers, Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache. The Intouchables, a French box office hit, has taken home many awards in Europe. Go see The Intouchables! You’ll be glad you did, then email me at chastings@rockcliff.com

PS: This film is graphic, so it’s not for young children.

 

The time is early in the young child’s life but even just removing the simple cake from her easy bake oven, she senses that the connection is larger. She is a first generation child of immigrants from Spain. Immigrants that embody the American Dream and will slowly and methodically pass all that they know on to this curious kitchen inhabitant. Her mother will teach her how to cook and the importance of customer relationships through her own successful bridal shop. Her father will take over later and finely hone her business skills in his own successful communications company. And in the between time, she will devour reading material on cooking and food.

She is Denica Freitas, and her story is a fairy tale.

At 25 she will take weekend classes at California Culinary Academy of San Francisco and essentially work herself into a successful cake shop that caters and delivers pasties all over the Bay Area. I imagine her secret ingredient is passion.

Across town is a boy. He has come up through life donning an apron since the age of 15, taking any and all restaurant jobs from the Bay to Hawaii, which will not only mold his signature sense of floral attire, but ignite that same passion for desserts as Denica’s. He will find himself the owner operator of a very successful cookie shop in Castro Valley that ships his delicacies around the world. On paper he is a competitor. In a fairy tale, he is the prince. This is a fairy tale. The boy and girl fall madly in love. A love that is equaled only by their passion for food and in 2000, they combine forces and open Denica’s.

This restaurant comes to my attention by my wife. Since the day I met her, she has told me about this place, and literally, her face lights up when she speaks of it. The feeling is something she can’t explain, almost as unexplainable as what took me so long to get there myself. But I went, and I am in love with the love you feel here.

The restaurant is not spectacular in itself; a counter in front of an elevated yet simple menu, in front of a display case of pastries; a wall covered in mismatching frames displaying her family on various trips as you might find in her hallway at home, and a menu serving fresh, homemade, very healthy breakfast (all day) and lunches—salads and bowls, sandwiches and burritos, omelets and quesadillas, and of course desserts!

But it is the secret ingredient that a young Denica found so long ago that is palpable in this place—a live ingredient that has grown and invisibly made its way over every nuance. The ingredient is…passion. When she met her husband, James “The Cookie Man,” she doubled her wattage for life. Individually, they possessed enviable amounts of personal passion; enough to affect others on smaller scales and create successful businesses, but together their hunger for life, adventure and food, as well as the love for their five children, has created what can only be felt, not written about.

In 2005 they expanded the business next door by knocking out a wall and creating the Taco Lounge and of course have been met with success. Success is in their DNA. The food is delicious. It is flavorful and healthy. It can be vegetarian or not, but it is hearty. There is something about the walls here that make you want to be nicer to the people around you. The kind of happy that comes from a homemade chocolate chip cookie and a fountain soda or peering at the smiles of their kid’s faces on the walls. The kind of inspiration that comes from the Freitas’ personal motto~”Dream it, think it, do it, repeat.”

Denica’s Real Food Kitchen ,6058 Dougherty Road, Dublin, 925-829-6200

 

 

There are certain car buyers who purchase a hybrid because of its environmental impact and others who just want to save dollars at the gas pump. For whichever reason a person decides to go the hybrid route, there is a balance sheet comparison of current price versus expected long-term fuel savings that is played out in the final decision. Hybrids recently have fallen short on extra features and style to benefit the overall fuel economy. For 2013; however, Ford introduces its latest offering – the C-Max – breaking tradition.

The C-Max replaces the Ford Escape Hybrid and delivers a much-improved driving experience. With an SUV-raised view of the road, plenty of passenger space, and 47 miles per gallon, there is an increase of 15 mph over the Escape and a 5 mpg increase over the Toyota Prius V.

The all-new C-Max is loaded with features, room and style. Some of the high-tech features in the C-Max include: Hands-Free Lift gate – allowing an easy rear lift gate opening with a simple kicking motion under the rear bumper, and Active Park Assist that with only minor driver pedal involvement parallel parks the car in 26 seconds.

Other standard features include: Fog Lamps, Ambient Lighting, Dual Zone Climate Control, Leather Trimmed Heated 10-way powered driver’s seat, Power Locks and Windows, MYKEY, Homelink and Intelligent Access with push button start. The C-Max is only available as a hybrid.

The 2013 Ford C-Max Wagon is available in two trim levels: SE ($25,995) and SEL ($29,160). There is also a plug-in hybrid version called the Energi that will be reviewed separately.

C- Max Hybrid features an advanced lithium-ion (li-ion) battery that is 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries used in first-generation hybrid vehicles.

The power of the C- Max comes from two sources: 2.0-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle with 141 horsepower and a Permanent magnet AC synchronous electric motor generator that delivers 118 hp. The transmission is a HF35 eCVT hybrid powersplit transaxle.

The interior is similar to that of the Ford Focus and Escape and is decked out in high- quality materials, solid construction, and a stylish design. The quiet interior is roomy; however, did have a little wind noise ruffling in the cabin. The C-Max specifications state that it seats 5 and the middle seat is less comfortable and best left to the center armrest, which contains cup holders. The rear-door openings are a bit narrow and rear cargo is limited due to the battery pack. Overall, the seats were very comfortable and visibility was good.

Exterior styling follows Ford’s current themes and is stylish especially for being a hybrid. The grille is commanding on the front end and rises up to a heavily sloped windshield. The rear drops into the hatchback lift gate. An optional power lift gate can be ordered.

Handling is tight and delivers a strong command of the road. The C-MAX feels solid throughout providing a more expensive European driving experience.

Room for improvement:

• Cargo space is less than the Toyota Prius V

Cool Features:

• Push-button start
• Hands Free Lift Gate
• Active Park Assist

The standard safety equipment on the 2013 C-Max Hybrid comes standard with anti-lock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag. C-MAX also combines technology called Curve Control to automatically slow the vehicle when it’s cornering too fast and a feature called Torque Vectoring Control to accelerate through a turn when necessary. AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control™ and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) also are standard. Parking sensors and a rearview camera are available.

In Summary – The 2013 Ford C-Max nicely blends the needs of a compact SUV with the fuel economy of a hybrid. Like most of Ford’s vehicles today, C-Max offers SYNC® with MyFord Touch® offering multiple ways – including voice – for owners to manage and control their phone, navigation, climate and entertainment functions. This generation of MyFord Touch shows strong improvements over past iterations. If you are in the market for a hybrid wagon with great fuel economy, ride, and style, then the 2013 Ford C-Max should be on your list of vehicles to check out.

Specifications

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid SEL

Base price:  $28,200 as driven: $31,605 (including destination)

Engine:  4-Cyl, Hybrid, 2.0 Liter

Horsepower: 188 @ 6000 RPM

Torque:  129 @ 4000 RPM

Transmission:  Automatic, CVT

Drive:  All Wheel-Drive

Seating:  5-passenger

Turning circle: 38.3 feet

Cargo space:   24.5 cubic feet

Curb weight:   3682 pounds

Fuel capacity:  13.5 gallons

EPA mileage:   City 47/Hwy 47

Wheel Base:   104.3 inches

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

Also consider:    Honda CRV, Nissan Leaf, and Toyota Prius V

 

 

“There have been approximately 10,000 big league baseball players in my lifetime,” says 67-year-old East Bay novelist Jack Saunders. “It’s impossible that none of them have been gay, yet 100% of those who were chose to remain in the  closet, at least during their playing careers. “I thought the consequences of the first active major league baseball player to come out and the story behind it would make for an interesting book project.”

That is the back story to Baseball Comes Out, Saunders’s exploration of the first acknowledged gay player to come out while still in the big leagues. As it happens, the protagonist plays for the San Francisco Giants and is portrayed as the best closer in the big leagues; meaning the team would be inclined to put up with the distractions created by such an event. That his partner is the team’s best pinch hitter and a respected veteran of nearly 20 seasons adds further spice to the story.

“In my mind, the plight of gays is the civil rights issue of the early 21^st Century,” Saunders said. “It’s easy to forget that right after World War II, African Americans often could not frequent the same restaurants or drink from the same water fountains as white Americans could. Most of us now, naturally, see that as ridiculous. I believe that Americans later in this century won’t understand the furor around same-sex marriage and the reluctance of gay athletes to be themselves in public. The movie 42 featured the heroism of Jackie Robinson but also highlighted the ignorance and bigotry of some of his white contemporaries. I tried to do the same thing with my book.”

Baseball Comes Out is a what-if story. What if a gay major leaguer decided to come out of the closet? How would the baseball establishment react? What affect would a gay player have on his team? How would fans behave?  “This is not the rant of a gay man,” Saunders says, but rather a protest by an offended baseball fan. “The game I love is screwing men I admire. The villain here is the closet itself.”

The author’s background as a professor at Golden Gate University and a corporate p.r. director for Lawrence Livermore Labs and Pacific Bell are especially useful has he takes us behind the scenes for plausible front office and consultant conversations. The book’s characters are multi-dimensional and the baseball segments are realistic.

A gay athlete coming out in one of the four major North American team sports is probably more a matter of when, not if. World class athletes in tennis, rugby, soccer and golf have already done so. Retired gay football and baseball players have published books about their time as pro athletes in the closet. Reading Baseball Comes Out is akin to reviewing the first draft of a coming major event in American sports history.

Baseball Comes Out is available as an e-book on amazon.com for kindle readers.

“Music is enough for a lifetime but a lifetime is not enough for music.”

                                                                                                Sergei Rachmaninoff

Today, in many homes, one will find the piano residing in the living room or other location. Whether the instrument is played by a family member or just an elegant piece of furniture the piano is important to many.  Have you ever wondered how the piano came to be?  Obviously it just didn’t appear in its present state of construction one day in the past. It, like almost everything, has an origin and a history of its ancestor’s evolution to its present day form.

Piano

How does it work? The piano, a stringed-percussion instrument, produces sound by hammers striking metal strings that are stretched across a soundboard when the black and while keys on the keyboard are depressed.  The piano was originally known as the ‘Pianoforte’ that literally means “soft-loud.”

Bartolomeo di Francesco Cristofori (1655-1731) is credited with the development of the modern piano we know today, in 1709.  He was a harpsichord maker from Florence Italy. The early piano was first produced because an instrument was desired that had a better dynamic range (degree of loudness) than the harpsichord. The new hammer action could produce gradations of loudness that was lacking in the harpsichord. Finally performers were able to have a better mechanism to provide musical expression and varying degrees of dynamics, contrast and nuance.

Around 1720 the original piano action was improved upon and went virtually untouched for the better part of a century.  Even with modern improvements during the last 300 years the modern version is very similar to Cristofori’s piano of the 18^th century.

“From 1790 to the mid-1800’s, piano technology and sound greatly improved due to the inventions of the industrial revolution,” wrote Mary Bellis in The History of the Piano. “Tonal range increased from five octaves to seven and more.”

The modern piano is so versatile it is used as a solo instrument, an ensemble instrument an accompanying instrument for vocalists and other instrumentalist in both classical and other genres. It is currently manufactured in upright and grand piano formats.

To establish a link to the piano’s present-day construction, appearance and function one must go back several hundred years to the late medieval through the renaissance, baroque and classical eras. Many string and keyboard progenitors preceded the piano; prominent among these are the clavichord and harpsichord that led to the invention and construction of the pianoforte.

Clavichord

The clavichord can be defined as a stringed keyboard instrument housed in a rectangular case. In order to produce a tone, the strings are “struck” by a mental wedge called a tangent. The name “clavichord” comes from the Latin word clavis meaning key and chorde which means string. The Harvard Dictionary of Music states the clavichord produces a very soft sound and at first hearing is often thought as disappointing.  Variations in the force with which the keys are struck produce changes in loudness although not to a great extent. The instrument is limited in the range of its sound therefore it is a very sutbtle sounding instrument best heard in small intimate settings as opposed to a large concert hall or outdoors.

One of J.S. Bach’s sons, Karl Philipp Emanuel Bach, was an important composer of the most idiomatic music for the clavichord. Today there are numerous clavichord societies around the world keeping the instrument and its music alive.

Harpsichord

A rudimentary definition of a harpsichord is: a keyboard instrument similar to the piano. The strings are ‘plucked’ by a quill rather than struck by a hammer like the piano.  “The harpsichord is descended from an instrument called the Psaltery; a hand-held stringed instrument played with a plectrum: a piece of quill, ivory or metal used to pluck the strings,” explained Cynthia Reeser in The History of the Harpsichord. “In the late 14th century a keyboard was added; this development soon led to the harpsichord in the early 15th century.”

Some of the early instruments, especially those made by the Italian makers, circa 1521, were somewhat small and lightly constructed.  It is reported that they have a characteristically pungent, immediate, almost at times percussive tone. The Flemish style instrument from the early 17th century was more solidly constructed than their Italian cousins. Two sets of strings and two manuals (keyboards) were common and they had a fuller sound.

In general, harpsichords were used for both solo work and as an accompanying instrument in chamber groups as well as larger ensembles. It was much in favor in the Baroque period as a ‘continuo’ or bass part in numerous compositions. In the late 18th century the harpsichord was gradually displaced by the piano.

So the piano, the instrument in many of our homes, has a long and storied history. It just didn’t happen – it came about through many prototypes and the genius of talented instrument makers of the past, for whom we are so grateful.

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.

 

 

 

Successful investing is not easy, although it should be.  Unfortunately human nature and our emotions often get in the way of investment success. A great deal of time and energy is put into trying to predict the future. But just like Yogi Berra said, “It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” Our society is addicted to instant information. At every turn your smart phone, tablet, PC, print media and TV are all bombarding you with information 24/7 about the direction of the markets, economy and interest rates. At the end of the day, none of it really matters. The future is unknowable and all of those talking heads on CNBC cannot predict the future any more than you and me.

Don’t get me wrong. A working knowledge of available investment products and an understanding of how different asset classes interact with each other can give you an edge. Staying informed and studying history can give us some perspective on current events. I certainly have some opinions as to what the outlook might be and it is very important to understand how major long-term trends will affect the economy and the markets. My point is that the daily information overload does little to help us make intelligent investment decisions. It is just “white noise” that distracts from what is really important.

So what is really important? I believe there are certain investment basics that never go out of style. These guidelines can bring you success no matter what the future holds. I call them my Five Tenets for Investing:

1)      Invest with a plan.  Sounds basic enough but have a specific plan and time frame for your money. Is your goal to “beat the market” or are you simply trying to make sure your money will provide you a worry free income during retirement? There is a big difference. Decide what is important to you and to meeting your goals.

2)      Diversify.  Invest globally and maintain exposure to a variety of asset classes. This means that there are always going to be some things doing better than others at any given time. Resist the temptation to change your plan and pile into the asset class that is doing best right now. We want some things to zig when others zag!

3)      Invest with a professional.  Get some help.  A professional can help you put a plan together to reach your goals and manage risk. More importantly, a professional cam help take the emotion out of investing by injecting some rational thinking and perspective. This is crucial during volatile periods.

4)      Invest continually.  Up or down markets, keep reinvesting and adding to those accounts.  Regardless of what future investment returns will be, it is certain that the more you save the more you will have at retirement.

5)      Have patience.  The most important tenant of all.It is also the toughest for most investors to follow. Investment results are measured over many years, not quarter to quarter, month to month or day to day. You have got to stick to your plan.Too often, investors derail their long-term plans by making emotional, short-term decisions. We have all heard it a million times (maybe because it is true!) … you have to invest for the long-term.

Investing can be easy if you stick to the basics.

This is my last column for Alive. Thank you for reading. I hope it has made some of you better investors. Good luck and happy investing!

Damien helps individuals invest and manage risk. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional and a principal of Walnut Creek Wealth Management. These are the views of Damien Couture, CFP^® and not intended as investment advice.  Additional risks are associated with international investing, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic stability and differences in the accounting standards. Your comments are welcome. Damien can be reached at 925-280-1800 x101 orDamien@WalnutCreekWealth.com.

I spent the first one-third of my life taking cucumbers for granted. Whenever I came face-to-face with one, at best, I hoped it would be; A) not bitter, and, B) crunchy. Expectations for flavor were nonexistent. Cucumbers were something that showed up in restaurant salads, and I dutifully ate them without thought.They were neither good nor bad, just…there.

For years I half-heartedly purchased cucumbers to “dress up” green salads at home, or to add yet another element to a crudité basket. Then my friend, Ernie, invited me to dinner at her family’s ranch in Glen Ellen.

Mrs. Raffo, her mom, was a warm and generous hostess whose Sunday suppers rivaled any restaurant in town. The make-shift dining table often extended well into the next room, just to accommodate all the family, friends, and neighbors who routinely dropped in. (And this wasn’t exactly a convenient location for a drive-by. Perched high above the Valley of the Moon, to reach the house required arocky ride up miles of winding dirt road. Believe me, anyone who pretended to “drop in” for a Sunday afternoon visithad an ulterior motive.) While captivating aromas wafted from the kitchen, Ernie’s dad made sure everyone’s glass was filled with local red wine. This Irish girl from the suburbs suddenly longed to be Italian.

I can’t remember the entrée fromthat warm summer evening, but I do remember the huge platter of sliced home-grown cucumbers—both green and yellow (who even knew there was such a thing?)—layered with garden-fresh tomatoes and slivers of sweet, red onion. Was there a drizzle of fruity olive oil on top? Salt and pepper? Who knows? Who cares? It was love at first bite. The combination was heavenly; and these cucumbers actually tasted good. Where had they been all my life? Evidently not in a supermarket’s cold-storage unit.

In those days (when dinosaurs roamed the earth), if you didn’t have a backyard garden, your only chance for truly fresh produce was a country farm stand. But now that California is blessed with a proliferation of farmers’ markets — with a stellar one right here in downtown Danville—procuring a genuine taste of summer couldn’t be easier.

In addition to real cucumbers, this month’s farmers’ market is brimming with vine-ripened tomatoes; sweet corn; summer squash; tender little apricots; juicy berries of all persuasions; aromatic melons; early nectarines, peaches, and plums; and the last of the cherries. And you’d better stock up, in case someone drops in for supper on Sunday.

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The 411 on Cukes

–Varieties found at the farmers’ market include the long, slender Japanese cucumber; round, yellow “lemon” cucumbers (named for their appearance rather than their flavor); the long, ridged Armenian variety; and of course the “slicing” or “common” cucumber most frequently used in salads. Short, bumpy Kirby cucumbers are perfect for pickling, though equally good eaten raw.

–Long, thin English (hothouse) cucumbers have fewer seeds and very thin skin—which is why they are encased in plastic.

–As a general rule, the smaller the cucumber, the smaller the seeds.

–Most large-scale commercial growers favor tough-skinned cucumber varieties that withstand days of abuse during the long ride to supermarket distribution centers. These cucumbers are pumped with water to make them grow faster (and weigh more), and then waxed to hold in the moisture….in case you’re wondering why they are usually such sorry specimens.

–Common cucumbers from the farmers’ market are not waxed, so the skin is perfectly edible. Lemon cucumbers with a rough exterior are the only ones that benefit from peeling.

–Check the ends of a cucumber for any sign of deterioration; then make sure the entire cucumber is firm. If there are any soft spots or it is limp or shriveled, it has lost moisture and is not fresh.(Fresh cucumbers are approximately 96 per cent water.)

–Cucumbers are best eaten within 3 or 4 days. Refrigerate whole, unwashed cucumbers between paper towels in a loose plastic bag. Slice them just before serving.

–Don’t limit cucumbers to salads—they add delicious crunch to sandwiches, too.

–Farm-fresh cucumbers are so tangy-sweet, you’ll want to eat them cold as a snack. A noisy cucumber is a good one!

–Cucumbers can also be sautéed in olive oil or butter with a little garlic or fresh herb, and served warm as an intriguing side dish.

–Give yourself the spa treatment: Add several slices of cucumber to a pitcher of cold water and refrigerate for several hours to blend flavors.Bliss.

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Greek Cucumber-Yogurt Dip

Don’t confuse this with those watery dips that often pass for tzatziki. Thick, good-quality yogurt and farm-fresh cucumber make all the difference.You could take a shortcut—and omit Step 1—by using Greek-style yogurt, but draining plain yogurt overnight ensures proper texture, so be sure to plan ahead. Serve with fresh vegetables for dipping, or wedges of fresh pita bread or pita chips. I also often serve a generous spoonful alongside grilled chicken or fish fillets. It’s cool and creamy and refreshing — the perfect antidote to a warm summer day.

• 2 cups plain yogurt
• 1 large cucumber, halved lengthwise, seeded, and coarsely grated
• 1 tablespoon coarse (kosher) salt
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh mint
• 1 garlic clove, crushed through a press
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• Freshly ground pepper or cayenne

Line a sieve with cheesecloth, an unbleached coffee filter, or a double layer of white paper towels and place over a medium bowl. Spoon the yogurt into the lined sieve, cover with plastic wrap, and let drain in the refrigerator overnight.

1. In another bowl, toss the cucumber with the salt. Cover and refrigerate for about 3 hours to draw out the liquid.
2. Transfer the drained yogurt to a clean bowl.  (Discard the liquid, or whey, or save for soup stock or another use.) Stir in the sour cream, lemon juice, dill, mint, garlic, and cumin.
3. Using your hands, squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the cucumber. Add the cucumber to the herbed yogurt mixture and stir to mix. Season with pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours (or up to 8 hours) to allow the flavors to develop. Makes about 3 cups.

 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.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.

 

A summer getaway to Europe is an exciting adventure. However, packing for such a trip can be overwhelming. But, it can be a simple and efficient process that will result in looking sharp and feeling comfortable throughout your travels. I once toured Austria and Italy for three weeks with only one carry-on bag, and I had 42 outfit combinations that I did not repeat!  So, here’s my recommended packing list for a two to three week European escape:

5 Bottoms: (1) jeans, (1) cotton/casual pant, (2) pair of shorts (a longer length will allow you to enter churches, etc. without incident), and (1) skirt. All bottoms should be either of two neutral colors: navy/tan or black/white, for example. If you don’t like to wear shorts, then add another casual pant or skirt instead.

6 Tops:  (2) tanks, (2) short sleeve t-shirts, (1) long sleeve t-shirt, and (1) button-up blouse. Layer the tanks or t-shirts under your blouse if the weather gets cooler. Select tops in accent colors that will coordinate with the bottoms. The goal is to have each top go with as many bottoms as possible for variety and comfort.

2 Sweaters: (1) pullover, and (1) cardigan. The fabrics should vary, so that you’re covered when the temp drops.

1 Dress: a cotton dress that can go with flat sandals during the day, and dressier sandals at night.  Select a dress with an all-over pattern (a feminine floral, perhaps?) that won’t show wrinkles as much as a solid. (photo 1, available at etsy.com.)

4 Shoes:  (1) comfy flats (photo 2, available at shopgeox.com), (1) sporty walking shoes, (2) sandals—one flat and comfy, and one dressy (and comfy). Make sure that the pressure points of the shoes hit your foot in different places, so that if a blister pops up, you can switch shoes, and give that “owie” a break for a day or two.

Additional items: (1) hat, (6) underwear, (2) scarves, (1) lightweight jacket, (1) umbrella, (3) socks, (1) carry-on tote for magazines/books and (1) small cross-body bag (photo 3, available at countryoutfitter.com) and a minimal amount of inexpensive/versatile jewelry.

 

 

A few more dos and don’ts:

*DO roll clothes or use packing cubes (photo 4, available at bedbathandbeyond.com) to maximize space in your luggage.

*DO wear your heaviest clothes/shoes on the plane both ways, including a wrap/pashmina, and use it for a pillow or blanket.

*DO check the weather forecast before you leave. Why carry an umbrella for 3 weeks, when it’s clear skies?

*DON’T wear sneakers or a fanny pack. They scream “Tacky American Tourist”, and that’s a bad thing (photo 5). That includes sports teams t-shirts and baggy cargo shorts, too.

 

*DO use a local laundromat, rather than washing items in the sink. You get to experience the local culture firsthand, it only takes 1 ½ hours, and you don’t have underwear drying all over your hotel room.

*DO go shopping, and pick up anything you’ve forgotten…and have a fabulous time!

Share your packing ideas with Carolyn at C2style.com/blog.

 

 

 

If you have dizziness, vertigo or balance problems, you are not alone. In adults, about half report episodes of these problems to their doctor every year. In fact, among adults 65 or older, falls caused by vertigo, dizziness, and balance problems are the leading cause of injury and death. And it’s not just an issue of the inner ear or sinuses; these problems can be the result of a complex web of neurological, hormonal, immune, mechanical and nutritional problems.

These balance disorders are generally named from the symptoms they cause, like “the room is spinning” (vertigo), a feeling of clumsiness (ataxia), and seeing something that overwhelms the brain and gives the feeling of spinning (visual vertigo).  There are also problems where inflammation will cause hearing loss, nausea and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). And of course we all know about the dizziness we get when riding in the back seat of a car.

The secret to improved balance and the freedom it gives you, is realizing that these disorders are a complex interaction of body systems of the brain, vestibular system, and multiple organ function. This is where you truly find the “cause.” Addressing only the middle ear will unfortunately leave most patients with continued symptoms.

In the past, treatment for dizziness and vertigo was limited to the drug Meclizine, a vestibular suppressant that had inconsistent results. But in the last ten years, the understanding of the brain has exploded. This research has shown that dizziness and balance is also related to other conditions such as panic attacks, anxiety, movement disorders, Parkinson’s, essential tremor and brain injury which can predispose premature fall risk. And as this information increased, it has lead to extensive new therapies and treatments.

To properly move through your life without dizziness, three senses must be intact and in very good working order: vestibular (inner ear), vision (shows you where you are in space) and proprioception from the neck (lets you feel where you are in space). Then your brain, using the cerebellum (that wiggly thing at the back of the brain) compiles all that information and creates a 3-D view we can use to jump, run and play. When one or more of the eyes, ears or neck are out of sync (including the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain), we get dizzy—the room begins to spin.

Reconnecting these areas is the only way to effectively solve the dizziness problem. I’ve found that the most successful approach to be functional-neurological rehabilitation—specific exercises that can be thought of as “activations” that re-synchronize the areas of the brain that are underperforming. Using extensive examination procedures like eye movement videography and functional neurological evaluation, and then creating an individualized treatment program that targets those findings leads to the best result possible.

Equally important is setting the stage metabolically so that the neurons involved are not being damaged by inflammation are not running out of fuel, so they can function properly. Essentially, this is a balancing act, making sure that the brain has the proper fuel (glucose and oxygen), the proper activation and the proper environment (no toxins). I can’t stress enough how important it is to investigate all these areas and scientifically design a treatment program that can address any areas of weakness. By implementing dietary alterations and targeted natural supplementation we can provide the support needed to activate weakened brain cells.

All together, the specific neurological activation and the metabolic improvement in the brain environment can bring balance to your body and brain.

Dr. Don Davis is a BOARD CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC NEUROLOGIST in Walnut Creek. He has been serving individuals with chronic problems for 30 years. For information about how you can get a free case review consultation, call (925) 279-4324 (HEAL). Visit us at WalnutCreekHealth.com.