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The Apollo 8 mission to the moon was one of the more memorable and groundbreaking of the entire manned space program. Departing Earth on December 21, 1968, the flight traveled at a speed reaching 24,208 MPH—at the time, faster than any other human being in history.

One of the first lessons learned by many people from that historic flight was just how far away the moon really was from Earth because even at such incredible speeds, it still took nearly three full days to reach our nearest neighbor in the cosmos. Apollo 8 entered lunar orbit on December 24th.

The three astronauts aboard Apollo 8—Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders—were the first human beings to travel beyond Earth orbit. They circled the moon a total of ten times over a period of twenty hours, and during their ninth orbit, they transmitted a live television broadcast back to Earth.

The televised portion of the broadcast was simply a view outside one of the orbiter’s windows, showing the surface of the moon as Apollo 8 moved over the lunar landscape, while the audio was the three astronauts taking turns reading the first several verses of the book of Genesis from the bible. The broadcast was seen and heard by the largest audience in human history at the time, as Frank Borman concluded the transmission with, “And from the crew of Apollo 8, we close with good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas and God bless all of you—all of you on the good Earth.”

Even now, I get goose bumps thinking back on the experience of hearing those words, as I recall how it seemed like such an historic and meaningful event. I remember thinking that even the upcoming lunar landing missions would have a hard time “topping” this one, in terms of impact. To my mind, this was the first time in human history that the entire Earth seemed united in a common sense of fulfillment, as if everyone, everywhere shared in rejoicing this amazing human accomplishment.

It has been a long time since the Apollo program, and that sense of a “world united” is long overdue. But, alas, there is hope on the horizon as author Bob Fish shares with us NASA’s plans intended to take us well beyond the moon, to Mars. Be sure to see his article beginning on page twenty-four, for the latest information about our exciting future in space yet to come.

Photo: Far and away one of the most iconic photographs ever taken as human beings got their first eyewitness view of the planet every person alive or who has ever lived, calls or called “home.” The beautiful blue globe that is the Earth–the only place in the known universe where life flourishes–is framed in the stark relief of the cold, black background of space. To a large degree, this “new” perspective of our planet spawned a renewal of the environmental movement that began with naturalists like John Muir and conservationists like President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt.

This was what my new IT consultant asked me regarding the prescription narcotic addiction epidemic that this country is currently being plagued by. He said he wanted to get the information directly from an expert. So here is a more historical, although still oversimplified version of this complex issue.

Chronic pain is a medical problem that has existed for centuries. Soldiers in WWI were diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome due to severe nerve injury, although it wasn’t named as such for decades later. Since the development of the Pain Management specialty in the early 1950s, new ways of treating chronic pain have been adopted into the physician’s armamentarium. In the 1980s, opioids or morphine like medications, i.e. narcotics, gained traction as legitimate and appropriate medications to treat chronic pain. The philosophy at that time and until relatively recently was, “give patients as much as they need to be comfortable.” Essentially what this meant was, if they continued to complain of pain, increase the dose. The risk of narcotic addiction was deemed “low” or less than 1% if the patient was being treated for a pain process. As a result, many people were helped and able to live more productive lives by the use of narcotic medications for severe pain.

Now, fast forward to 2003 when a national initiative occurred to treat pain as “the fifth vital sign.” The four vital signs to assess someone’s wellbeing or acute medical state are: Temperature, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, and Respiratory Rate. As a new diagnostic tool, physicians were asked to evaluate and treat vital sign number five: Pain Score. I believe that it is absolutely important to consider pain a vital sign for an acute situation such as for the postoperative assessment or acute injury scenario. In medicine, it is accepted that untreated acute pain can cause a multitude of complications including hypertension, hyperglycemia, anxiety, depression and chronic pain, to name a few. As a result of the initiative, which turned out to be largely funded by Big Pharma; who has patents on “designer” narcotic medications; many physicians who weren’t previously prescribing pain medications began to do so in the effort to help more people.

Chronic pain is a complicated process commonly confounded by factors that aren’t directly related to physical changes. Any kind of chronic pain can be worsened by depression, anxiety or any type of external stressor. For example, if a person with chronic low back pain is also undergoing a divorce or dealing with a death in the family, the severity of pain will seem much worse because their pain tolerance is lower. Emotional distress can make a preexisting pain feel more intense because one’s coping mechanisms are being overloaded and compromised by the additional burden. Narcotic pain medications should not be used in these circumstances and the dose for someone already taking them should not be increased to respond to this type of exacerbation. When narcotics are used to treat pain associated with a weakened coping mechanism, or “emotional pain,” the risk of long term use and addiction are greater. Also, there are other ways to treat pain besides medication such as nerve blocks, steroid injections, physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, biofeedback and relaxation, and acupuncture, that should be incorporated into both short and long term plans to avoid narcotic side effects.

Using a pain score to decide the amount of narcotic medication needed without also incorporating other assessment tools such as physical functional level, emotional state, mental function and overall health, can lead to over-prescribing, continuous dose escalation and an increased risk of overdose. Narcotics also have what is called a “ceiling effect” which means that there is a limit to the pain relieving effect it can have despite how large the dose is. This is particularly important because there is no ceiling effect to the risk of overdose. The larger the dose, the more likely it is that a person can inadvertently overdose with it. Moreover, if a person is also taking a medication for anxiety and/or insomnia and/or drinking alcohol and/or taking illegal drugs, the risk of overdose then becomes exponentially higher because these factors all lower the threshold for overdose when combined with a narcotic medication.

In order to restrain the prescription addiction epidemic, we all need to accept responsibility and act accordingly. Big Pharma should fund treatment centers for patients who have succumbed to addiction disorders to prescription narcotics. Physicians who want to continue to prescribe narcotics for chronic pain should have appropriate training or refer to those who do. Patients need to have realistic treatment goals and inform their doctors of factors that could increase their risk of addiction. Families of patients with chronic pain and or addiction need to get involved by providing additional support or information in the patient-physician treatment dynamic when needed. I appreciate it when family members accompany patients to office visits because it gives me another perspective on their home lives and functional levels that the patients don’t necessarily divulge.

My philosophy and approach to treating chronic pain is to balance the treatment modalities so that the patient has the benefit of different treatments that lower the risk of side effects to any one particular approach. I use medications to treat a specific diagnosis and cause of pain; which may or may not be narcotic analgesics; along with steroid injections or nerve blocks that can break the cycle of pain and minimize the dose needed of pain medications. The goal of pain management is to reduce the suffering from pain and minimize disability in the safest possible way for the greatest benefit and least harm.

What is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on the median nerve — the nerve in the wrist that supplies feeling and movement to parts of the hand. It can lead to numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle damage in the hand and fingers. The median nerve provides feeling and movement to the “thumb side” of the hand (the palm, thumb, index finger, middle finger, and thumb side of the ring finger). The area in your wrist where the nerve enters the hand is called the carpal tunnel. This tunnel is normally narrow, so any swelling can pinch the nerve and cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness. This is called carpal tunnel syndrome.

Causes and risk factors
Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in people who perform repetitive motions of the hand and wrist. Typing on a computer keyboard and using a mouse are the most common causes of carpal tunnel. Other causes include:
• Driving
• Assembly line work
• Painting
• Writing
• Use of tools (especially hand tools or tools that vibrate)
• Sports such as racquetball or handball
• Playing some musical instruments

A number of medical conditions are associated with carpal tunnel syndrome, including:
• Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
• Bone fractures and arthritis of the wrist
• Diabetes
• Alcoholism
• Hypothyroidism
• Menopause, PMS and Pregnancy
• Infections
• Obesity

Symptoms
• Numbness or tingling in the thumb and next two or three fingers of one or both hands
• Numbness or tingling in the palm of the hand
• Pain extending from the elbow
• Pain in wrist or hand in one or both hands
• Problems with fine finger movements (coordination) in one or both hands
• Wasting away of the muscle under the thumb (in advanced or long-term cases)
• Weak grip or difficulty carrying bags or opening a jar (a common complaint)
• Weakness in one or both hands

Class IV Laser Therapy for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Up until recently the most common treatment for Carpal Tunnel has been the use of anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, wrist splinting and surgery. These treatments do not treat the cause but the symptoms only and are not always effective long-term.

Now, however, we have a powerful, effective, non-invasive solution to reverse the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. Ending the symptoms caused by Carpal Tunnel Syndrome requires stopping the cycle of inflammation at its source. 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 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. Therefore, laser therapy creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function and strength are restored and pain is relieved.

Relief is Possible!
At Align Healing Center we are having great success treating carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, arthritis, tendonitis, post surgical pain, sports injuries and more; even if it’s long-term residual pain. Ar¬thritis 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 & wellness community since 1999. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

Volvo was once recognized for producing boxy, slow performing, and safety-first DNA vehicles. Let me tell you, those days are long gone! For a few years now, Volvo has replaced its tired boxy form with smooth, curvy lines that are gorgeous and graceful. The now Asian-owned company has continued its dedication to providing the safest cars on the road. Volvo’s premier sedan is the S90, and this 2018 version is loaded with luxury, performance, high tech equipment, and naturally, lots of safety-first inspired features. As of now, the S90 is still designed in Sweden, while being built in China.

Pricing and Trims
For 2018, the Volvo S90 is available in the following three trim levels: T5 Momentum ($48,100), T6 AWD Momentum and Inscription ($54,100, $58,600) and T8 eAWD Momentum and Inscription ($58,648, $63,148 – pricing with Federal Tax Incentive).

What’s new for 2018?
Starting with the 2018 model year, the Volvo S90 is sold in the United States and will be equipped with the long wheelbase version that is assembled in China. New for 2018 is the introduction of the T8 plug-in eAWD model and the base T5 is also available with all-wheel drive (AWD). The T5 AWD and T6 AWD models now come standard with blind-spot warning with rear-cross traffic alert, panoramic moon roof, retractable side view mirrors, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The Inscription model includes a tailored dashboard and upper door panels, power-operated sun curtains for the rear and side windows, and optional 20-inch eight-spoked silver alloy wheels.

Interior Highpoints

The S90’s wheelbase has been stretched by 4.7 inches, while maintaining its beautiful proportions and complimenting the rear passengers with an extra 4.5 inches of legroom. You’ll feel the comfort level the moment you sit in the front and rear seats. The seat’s surface has leather with a 10-way power front driver’s seat. From the rear passenger seat, you can operate the power rear sun curtain. A 9.0-inch center display and 8-inch digital driver’s display all increase the usability and functionality. With the Convenience Package ($2,550) you also have heated washer nozzles, power operated trunk lid, 360-degree surround view cameras, HomeLink, 12V Power outlet, compass, and park assist pilot and front park assist.

Exterior Highlights
The S90 is striking in design with a well-balanced front to rear ration and beautifully-sculptured inside and out. The outer shell initiates emotions of a sport sedan dressed in luxury attire. The rear cloaks fastback-esque appeal with thin taillights that curve around the edges and into the trunk lid.

Performance Specs
There are three engine variations to choose from coming from one motor: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder. The S90 T5includes a turbocharged 250 horsepower, the T6 is packaged with a supercharged and turbocharged 316-hp, and finally a supercharged and turbocharged working with an electric drive system on the T8 Twin Engine, which is rated at 400-horses. All three are mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Cool Features:
• 360-degree surround view cameras (optional)

• Backrest Massage, Front Seats (optional)

• 4-Zone Electric Climate Control with Cooled Glovebox (optional)

Safety Integrity
The Volvo S90 is considered an IIHS 2017 Top Safety Pick since the sedan received the highest ratings of Good in all five crash tests and the highest rating of Superior for front crash prevention for properly warning a driver of a possible collision. Other reasons include: avoiding both a 12 and 25 mph frontal collision thanks to the standard City Safety automatic emergency braking system. The 2018 S90 also comes standard with rear parking sensors, Pilot Assist (semi-autonomous drive system) with adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning with rear-cross traffic alert, front emergency braking, after collision automatic braking, driver alert control, and a rear collision alert system.

In Summary –My test vehicle was the 2018 Volvo S90 T8 eAWD Inscription with the Convenience and Luxury packages, so in other words – it was fully loaded (as was the price $82,140). With that said, the S90 was amazing to drive and always delivered the comfort and performance expected from a car in this price range. I kept finding new features and truly felt like I was driving with the 1%. The styling was beautiful, the interior was amazing, and I enjoyed the 360-degree surround camera view. Since it all comes with an $82K price, the more you want, the heftier the price tag. Even without the $20,000 of extra packages, the 2018 Volvo S90 still includes a lot of features and one of the best safety ratings.

Specifications
2018 Volvo S90 T8 e-AWD Inscription

Base price: $63,650 as driven: $82,140(including destination & optional
features)
Engine: 2.0-liter supercharged and turbocharged working with an electric drive system
Horsepower: 400hp
Torque: 472 lb.-ft.
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Drive: All-Wheel Drive
Seating: 5-passenger
Cargo space: 15.4 cubic feet
Curb weight: 4,579pounds
EPA mileage: N/A
Fuel Capacity: 13.2 gallons
Turning Circle: 38.7 ft – 40.0 ft
Wheel Base: 120.5inches
Warranty: 4 years/50,000-miles
Also consider: Audi A6, BMW 5-Series, Cadillac CT6, Lexus GS, Infiniti Q70, Jaguar XF,  Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Immigrant, Veteran, Cancer Survivor, Single Father and now a College Graduate

Sentinel Jhonnatan “Johnny” Chinchilla immigrated to the United States from Guatemala when he was six years old. He enlisted in the Marine Corps following his high school graduation. After four deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Johnny was forced to retire due to severe back injuries, but his struggles were far from over.

After being diagnosed with testicular cancer, this single father fought the battle of his life. He fought for himself and for his daughter.
Once in remission, he decided to return to school with Sentinels of Freedom standing proudly by his side. During his time at the University of San Diego, he served as the President of the Veterans Student Organization and later as the Finance Chair of the USD Associated Student Body. Volunteering and giving back to his fellow veterans and students comes naturally to Johnny.

Johnny recently graduated from USD with an Accountancy degree and a minor in Supply Chain Management. Johnny was honored with multiple academic awards, but by far the most meaningful was a special award created just for him by USD: The Jhonnatan Chinchilla Perseverance Award!

This first-generation college graduate will now continue his education at USD in their Master’s Accounting program (the university’s president wrote his letter of recommendation).

We all wish Johnny the best of luck in his future endeavors. We know he will continue to do great things!

Last summer I invited a few good friends to my house for a leisurely Sunday lunch. One couple brought me a flat of Blenheim apricots. No bottle of mediocre wine, mind you. A flat of Blenheim’s. Seriously.

Such an incredible gift! All of us ignored the appetizers I had prepared, as we sat there popping those incredible little apricots into our mouths, mopping up the sweet juices with napkins. I can’t even remember what else we ate that day.

I was still savoring that taste-memory when a couple of months later I was contacted by a woman writing a single-subject cookbook on apricots who wanted some help fine-tuning her recipes for publication. We met, waxed poetic over apricots (as only food lovers do), and decided this collaboration would be a good fit.

Fast-forward another few months, and the book is released—just in time for the 2018 apricot season. And a lovely book it is. First-time author Lisa Newman will have you salivating from beginning to end.

For the Love of Apricots: Recipes and Memories of the Santa Clara Valley contains over 60 recipes beginning with Breakfast and ending with Cocktails; as she says, “just like the best days of our lives.”

Since apricot season is so painfully short, Lisa provides both sweet and savory recipes for apricots in every form: fresh, dried, and preserved—with plenty of tips for freezing, preserving, and otherwise saving your own. She even gives instructions for making your own apricot syrup and apricot liqueur.

If you are interested in learning more about apricots, or would like to order a copy of Lisa’s book, visit her information-packed blog, fortheloveofapricots.com.

Since apricots are the star of stone fruits at the farmers’ market this month—right up there with ripe red cherries—I turned to Lisa for one of her recipes. And she didn’t disappoint.

I think the first time I saw a Dutch Baby was many years ago at some upscale pancake house. Someone nearby had ordered one, and as the waiter whisked it to the adjacent table I was mesmerized by this extravagantly puffy concoction barely hidden beneath of shower of powdered sugar. It was definitely an “I’ll have what she’s having” moment. I was later delighted to learn how surprisingly easy they are to prepare.

This is not the sort of pancake that sinks into your stomach and sits there all day like a leaden zeppelin. It’s light and pleasantly eggy, like a clafoutis gone wild.

Lisa says, “A Dutch Baby pancake takes minutes to assemble and the alchemy that happens when the batter and hot melted butter mix at high temperature makes for a dramatic moment when it comes out of the oven. I like to gather everyone around the oven as if unveiling a work of art. Adding apricot slices to the pancake batter takes this breakfast tradition to another level. Feel free to use sliced frozen apricots in place of fresh so you can enjoy this recipe year round; they work just as well. The Dutch Baby is a great foundation for toppings. For my taste, a dusting of freshly grated nutmeg with squeezes of lemon and a sprinkling of powdered sugar is heavenly. Drizzling some apricot or maple syrup over the pancake is wonderful too.”

Apricot Dutch Baby Pancake

3/4 pound fresh, ripe apricots (about 6)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
3 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
Toppings
Grated fresh nutmeg
1 to 2 lemons, quartered
Powdered sugar
Apricot syrup

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Pit and slice the apricots. There should be enough to lightly fill the bottom of a 2- to 3-quart pan. Set aside.

Place butter in the pan (a cast iron pan is ideal) and set in the preheated oven to melt for 3 to 5 minutes. Watch carefully so it doesn’t burn.

While the butter is melting, quickly make the batter. Mix the eggs in a blender with the machine running for 30 seconds. Pour in the milk and blend well, then gradually mix in the flour. Beat 30 seconds or longer, scraping down the sides if necessary, until the flour is well incorporated.

Remove the pan from the oven, pour in the batter, and bake until puffed and nicely browned, 20 minutes. While the Dutch Baby is baking prepare the toppings.

Remove the Dutch Baby from the oven and dust the pancake with nutmeg. It will quickly deflate and should be served immediately. Pass lemon wedges, powdered sugar, and syrup toppings at the table.

Note: Lisa says this serves 4. Her family must be far more polite than mine.

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!

Is it a bird, is it a plane, is it a strange alien being, or is it a harmonica or mouth organ made out of glass? No! It is none of the above! Well then, what is it?

It’s the glass harmonica, an actual musical instrument that most likely 95 percent of the population never heard of.
I first heard of this instrument as an under-graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley. It was in a Music History and Literature class where the professor explained what it is and showed a picture of it; it was a total surprise to everyone.

Anatomy of the Glass Harmonica
The instrument consists of a series of glass bowls or basins of graded size and thickness. They are pierced in the center and strung vertically on a horizontal spindle close together. The spindle revolves or rotates by means of a foot treadle. The glass bowls are suspended over a trough filled with water that keeps the rims of the glass bowls wet. The player delicately touches the rotating rims of the bowls with the fingers of both hands.The sound is produced by fingers coming in contact with the wet rims of the bowls.
This device is on a stand or table somewhat like a sewing machine. Originally, the instrument was supported by a wooden case or stand made out of mahogany wood. This set-up was in keeping with the piano, organ, harpsichord, xylophone and other mallet instruments.

Background and Creation
The use of glass in producing musical sounds is indeed not new. It was known in Persia in the 14th century. Much later, circa 1743, an Irishman, Richard Pockrich, created musical glasses or the glass harp. It consists of drinking glasses filled with greater or lesser amounts of water. The sound is produced by rubbing wet fingers along the rims of the glasses. The amount of water in each glass produces different pitches thereby making it possible to produce a musical scale. The sound may be made softer or louder by either stronger or weaker pressure of the player’s fingers. Referring to the glass harp, Curt Sachs in Our Musical Heritage wrote, “In the immaterial vagueness of their tones, which transported the listener and carried him to the land of blissful dreams, they complied with the mood of the time.”

Benjamin Franklin
The glass harmonica was invented surprisingly and ironically by Benjamin Franklin. He was a founding father of our country, a strong patriot and a scientist and inventor. Franklin represented his home state of Pennsylvania as a delegate from Colonial America to London and Paris. The story goes that Franklin, in 1761, in London, attended a concert consisting of musical glasses. After hearing the concert he was motivated to improve on the sound of the primitive glasses and subsequently he created the glass harmonica. This instrument was also known as the glass armonica – a name whose origin is from the Italian word armonia for harmony. The glass harmonica turned out to be exceedingly popular, especially in Austria and Germany.

Franklin’s design for the glass harmonica included the lower tones produced by larger glass disks on the left side of the spindle and higher tones produced by smaller glass disks on the right side. The rims of the disks were painted different colors to indicate pitch names.
In a letter to Giambattista Beccaria, an Italian priest, Franklin described the sound of the glass harmonica as “incomparably sweet.” Franklin said, “Of all my inventions, the glass harmonica has given me the greatest personal satisfaction.” Quite a quote from someone who invented so many significant creations.

The instrument was not without its problems and distractors. The purported dangers, misuses and myths were rampant for a period of time. It was thought by some people that both players and listeners could go mad. This was due to the plaintive tones produced by the instrument. The tones were said to excessively stimulate the nerve endings causing serious depression. The users suffered from dark and gloomy moods called melancholia. These beliefs were centered in Germany and Vienna, Austria. There was also a fear of lead poisoning due to the leaded glass and the lead content of the paint. Since they were made of glass they were susceptible to breakage.

Famous Composers
Noted famous composers did not trivialize the importance of the glass harmonica and many wrote serious music for it.Wolfgang Mozart wrote two pieces for the instrument – Adagio and Rondo and Adagio in C Major. Ludwig Van Beethoven used the instrument in a melodrama Leonora Prohaska. Gaetano Donizetti used it in his opera Lucia di Lammermoor. Camille Saint-Saens wrote for it in Carnival of the Animals.

The instrument fell into disuse around 1830 but was reinstated by Richard Strauss in his opera Die Frau Ohne Schatten. These are only a few of the many composers writing for the glass harmonica – including contemporary composers.

By 1790 and Franklin’s death, 5,000 glass harmonica instruments had been built. What a legacy to his invention. If it were not for Franklin’s genius, imagination, creativity and inventiveness we might never have had this unique, ethereal and mysterious instrument—the glass harmonica.

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.

 

Oh, the joys of summer are fast approaching; longer days, warmer weather, the kids are out of school or back home from college. The lazy days of summer are jam packed with grads, Dad’s Day, camps for kids,vacations, and outdoor entertaining. It is a fantastic season to get outside, attend celebrations, connect with family and friends, and travel to new and exciting places. But, summer can be a very costly season that can leave you with the summertime blues if you do not stick with a budget.

According to the National Retail Federation, consumers will spend $5.6 Billion on graduation gifts, $15.5 Billion on Father’s Day, and $7.1 Billion on the Fourth of July holiday. Add to that, the cost of summer camps for kids and a vacation, and summer is sizzling with spending that could melt your budget quickly. To keep your budget in check, try the following:

Write down which celebrations you will be attending each month this summer, which parties or holidays you will be hosting, dates your children need to attend camps, where you would like to go on vacation and the cost associated with each. Use the following chart as an example to help you plan:

SUMMER SPENDING BUDGET
Examples:
June Graduation: $100
June / July Camps for Kids: (6 @ $350 each) $2,100
August Vacation $4,000

Total $6200

Next, review the figures and determine if the total amount is in line with the amount you had in mind to spend. If you have to go into debt to fund your fun, take the time to cut, trim and find alternative ways to accomplish the same goals. A little planning can save you a lot of money. Let’s take a look:

Summer Camps: Go online and research camps that are being offered through your school district, your city, or community college. Schools, cities and colleges typically offer a wide variety of camps that are both cost effective and fun for children. Additionally, staying local allows your children to attend camps with school friends and the opportunity to support your individual school.

Vacations: Whether you drive or fly this summer, vacations come with a costly price tag. In a study done by the financial planning company, Learnvest, nearly three quarters of Americans go into debt on vacation. On average, a family of four spends $4,800 per year on vacation. If you charge that amount, make the minimum payment (with a rate of 12%), it will take 253 months to pay off the initial debt not to mention the $4,244 in additional interest. That much needed vacation will set you back instead of helping you relax and recharge.

Opt for a staycation this year and spend the time exploring the Bay Area. Take a day trip to San Francisco, a hike through Muir Woods, pack a picnic and spend the day on the beach in Capitola or Santa Cruz, or explore the local museums—the options are endless. Exploring activities in your own backyard can be fun, educational, and stress free as you don’t have to contend with packing bags, long security lines, and you can return to the comfort of your home each day.

Entertaining: Backyard BBQ’s and swim parties are a must during the summer and can create fantastic memories with family and friends. But shopping, planning, and preparing can take the splash out of the fun. If you are planning on entertaining this summer, create a theme and ask your guests to bring their favorite entrée, dessert, or appetizer. Guests always enjoy pitching in and showcasing their favorite seasonal dish and you may even pick up a new recipe or two for future parties!

Whatever you choose to do this summer, taking the time to plan and budget will allow you to thoroughly enjoy the dog days of summer and not end the summer with a spending heatstroke.

Everyone knows that sparkling wine is traditional during the holidays and when celebrating special occasions, but what about the rest of the year? It seems such a shame to relegate the sheer pleasure of some of the world’s best wines to a few short moments on the calendar. Champagne and sparkling wine are miracles of science. Think about it – tiny bubbles harnessed in bottles spreading good cheer from the moment they pop open! What’s not to like? Why not make every day a celebration?

A quick reminder – all champagnes are sparkling wines but not all sparkling wines are champagne. What this means is that true champagne can only be produced within the borders of northern France’s Champagne region. Any other wine produced outside these boundaries is legally barred from using the moniker “champagne.” Sparkling wines in the rest of France are referred to as “cremant” or “mousseux.”

What’s so special about champagne anyway? Champagne has been the preferred choice of royalty for coronations, weddings, christenings, and other noble celebrations for centuries. Decidedly pricier than most sparklers, champagne has a certain prestige that comes with the name, and for good reason. With its intrinsic freshness, complex palate, rich aromas, and bright acid, French champagne is the benchmark of quality against which all other sparkling wines are judged.

The production method of a sparkling wine affects the flavor, aromas, and overall quality of the wine. The Traditional Method (or “Methode Champenoise”) creates the tiniest bubbles and a soft, creamy mouth feel. The Tank Method (also called “Charmat”) produces larger bubbles but still affords a pleasing sparkle. Carbonation creates the largest bubbles of all, with a somewhat harsh quality, not unlike soda pop.

The traditional method of production is required of all champagne-makers. They may not stray from the traditional varieties of grapes nor from the approved system of fermentation, bottling, and aging. In the rest of the world, this is not the case. With a few notable exceptions, such as Italy’s fine Franciacorta and Spain’s classic Cava, most sparkling wine producers can do as they please and use their wine as a canvas for their own creativity. As a result, we consumers can reap the harvest of wonderful sparkling wines from across the globe.

The high acid in champagne makes it a natural complement to fried food. Pop open a bottle with your favorite fried chicken, fried calamari, or even crispy French fries. For a simple snack, champagne and potato chips is a divine pairing. Rose champagnes and sparkling wines beautifully complement roasted game, poultry, pork, and lamb.

With summer at our doorstep, impress your friends with a hearty, sparkling red shiraz at your next barbeque. Bring a bottle of chilled suds to a picnic. The zippy acid is perfect with cheeses and charcuterie. For sweeter moments, sip a California demi-sec with crispy cookies, or try Moscato d’Asti with a lovely fruit salad. The difference between a meal and a feast is wine, and bubbles always add magic to the moment.

There’s something about a sparkle that lifts your spirits, tickles your nose, and dances on the palate. Good bottles of sparkling wine can be had for a song if you’re on a budget, or for thousands of dollars if you’re feeling indulgent. Truly, there’s something for everyone. Don’t wait for an occasion. Celebrate the now. There’s a world of flavor to be explored. With the wide variety of fabulous sparkling wine on the market today, there’s no reason not to enjoy one every day of the year.

Cheers!

Racial tension. What is it? Intolerance? Yes, somehow that is what it boils down to because it has been part of society since the beginning of time. Nothing new under the sun, as King Solomon once said.

Freedom Writers is a true story about such a time. This story was birthed in a time of intolerance, quite literally burning, killing, and looting in the streets of Los Angeles in the mid 90s.

Erin Gruwell (Hilary Swank), had always wanted to be a teacher, but not just at any school, she dreamed of being a teacher at an inner city school. She wanted to make a difference.

Her dream has come true. She walks into a classroom of total chaos. Her new English class is white, black, Hispanic, Asian and everything in between…and they hate each other. Overwhelmed by the seething hatred, Erin stands alone—with a cardigan sweater and a strand of pearls—expecting to be trusted. She can either walk away from her dream or stand and fight for these kids that seem to see right through her. Can she unify this seething mass of disadvantaged, racially divided students? She can and she does but she doesn’t do it using techniques taught in college.

Erin battled against not only the student’s hatred but when she went to the school to check out books for her students to read they wouldn’t let her have the books which were part of her curriculum. The school said that the books would be lost, stolen or damaged so they couldn’t have them, so Erin worked two extra jobs just to buy books for her students.

One of the first books on her reading list was Ann Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. Virtually all of her students had never even heard of the Holocaust. As they started reading the book, they were introduced to a whole new realm of intolerance; intolerance not about the color of your skin but religious intolerance; intolerance not where a few hundred people lost their lives but literally millions. They found that intolerance was not new, just different.

When these kids finished reading about Anne Frank, Erin decided it was time for a field trip. Once again, funding it herself from her second and third jobs, she takes them to The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles. Afterwards she takes them to a restaurant where they were joined by real life, living Holocaust survivors.

This was just the beginning of their journey. Erin purchased simple notebooks and invited each student to journal daily. It didn’t have to be a lot but it needed to be daily entries. She kept these journals in a locked cabinet with a place where they could be placed if she was allowed to read them. Writing in these journals started the healing process for this class, for this school. Eventually Erin, with their permission, was able to have their journals published as The Freedom Writers Diary, the genesis of this film. The money was divided amongst the authors.

The real story was about the students of Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California where there were more than 100 murders in 1993. The real story is about a young woman who made a difference. Virtually all of Erin’s students graduated from High School; most went on to college. Some became teachers. Some taught at Woodrow Wilson High School.

As you can read, I loved this beautiful, uplifting true story. It is inspiring faire for your family of teens and pre-teens. This would be great summer family night viewing. As always, I welcome your comments at Carolyn@carolynhastings.com