November 2010

While doing this I am watching game two of the NLDS between the Giants and Braves, Giants are ahead one game to zero, but you will know how they did when you read this. So, let us delve into Giants postseason foibles as we know them.

1. When Willie McCovey hit the line drive to end the 1962 World Series, our heart broke. Who caught the line drive?
2. The Yankee pitcher that day pitched a complete game and was named the MVP of that series. Who was he?
3. The Giants missed a chance to go to the World Series in 1987 when the Giant right fielder muffed a line drive in the eighth inning of the deciding game. Who was he?
4. The Giants made the World Series in 1989 when Will Clark hit a line drive single in the 8th inning of the final game. Who was the Cub pitcher that day?
5. Heartbreak of heartbreaks occurred in 2002 when a singles hitter for the Angels hit a three-run homer in the 8th inning of game six of the World Series and started the downhill slide to lose that key game after a 5-0 lead. Who hit the Homerun?
6. The Angels’ catcher in that series went on to become a Giant and a real fan favorite. Who was he?

OCTOBER’S TRIVIA ANSWERS:

1. Cliff Robertson
2. Errol Garner
3. Pittsburgh and Boston
4. “Autumn in New York”
5. Edward Gibbon
6. Nick Nolte

OCTOBER TRIVIA WINNER:
Mr. Nobody!!!!!

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 at The Uptown Cafe in downtown Danville, compliments of Ben Fernandez! Entries must be received by Nov 25, 2010. 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, 199 East Linda Mesa Avenue, Suite 10, Danville, CA 94526. Employees and family members of employees of ALIVE East Bay are not eligible. Restaurant may be changed without notice.

Q. When we bought our house, we inherited a dozen older rose bushes. They had been ignored for years and look stringy at best. We are considering pulling them up and starting over. Are the plants worth saving?

A. Roses are very resilient plants. They can be ignored and or abused for years but with nutrients and moisture, the bushes can be revived. With inherited roses, it’s always a personal choice on which ones, if any, to keep. Their fate is usually determined by their color and how disease free they are. Often sentimental reasons are why poorly growing varieties are kept. Personally, I’d replaced them all. I suspect that many of the original varieties have died and have been replaced by the vegetative growth from the rootstock. These are shoots from below the bud union or from the surface roots. The bud union is the large knot located near at the bottom of the plant where the desirable variety was budded on to the rootstock. The majority of the older plants are not growing on their own roots. Starting over allows you to layout the area with a selection of varieties that suits you. Bare root or package roses will be arriving shortly at your favorite garden center so you can replant the area quickly. You could also wait until spring when the container roses are available in bud and bloom.

If you decide to keep them, I’d prune them back severely during the winter to about two feet from the bud union and eliminate the rubbing and crossing branches as well as those from below the bud union. Next, thin out the canes so the space between them is the diameter of your pruning shears or fist. In late February or early March, you start applying Rose Food monthly to encourage the new growth. Roses are watered frequently after the rainy season concludes. This is usually twice a week and then daily with warm temperatures.
Note: The following websites contain photos and descriptions of the new roses for 2011 plus many old favorites.
All-American Rose Selections
Jackson & Perkins
Weeks Roses

Q. Could you tell me what I need to do in order to keep my Poinsettia plants from dying? They seem to wither away so quickly each year.

A. Poinsettia leaves turn yellow, curl and shrivel quickly because of warm temperatures. Poinsettia plants like to be kept in a cool room, preferably under seventy degrees. They need to be kept away from heater vents, operating fireplaces and drafts, especially inside doorways as the sudden change in temperature causes problems. The flower and leaves of the Poinsettia plant collapses when the plant is excessively wet. They like to be kept uniformly moist. Before watering, stick your finger down an inch in the soil. If it feels moist to the touch then skip the watering. After watering, always dump the excess water that collects in the saucer and punch a hole in the decorative foil so the water can drain away.

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

Q. Tom, I have decided to sell my home; should I place it on the market now during the holiday season (mid-November to mid-January)? I am getting differing opinions with the prevalent advice being to wait until the springtime 2011 market. Does this mean I should wait until March or April?
You actually have a couple of good options here. First of all, please allow me to dispel the real estate myth that houses don’t sell during the holidays … they do! And the main reason houses sell during what is traditionally viewed as a ‘slow period’ is that so many other sellers temporarily take their homes off the market over the holidays thereby creating less competition. Keep in mind that motivated buyers typically stop looking for homes only during the four day Thanksgiving break and from late December through very early January. Every other day those buyers & their agents are actually shopping for the right home. So, here are your two options: 1) place or keep your home on the market now and through the holidays and keep the holiday decorating to a minimum or 2) hold off until after the holiday season but don’t wait too long. The springtime real estate season starts as early as mid-to-late January and is typically robust until about the end of May. In either scenario, I strongly recommend pricing your home accordingly for current market conditions as the one constant that everyone agrees on is that the 2011 market will remain price-sensitive. In other words, price your home to be a GREAT value.

Q. My spouse and I disagree regarding what we should do to get our home ready for the market … more specifically the importance of curb appeal. I think we should invest our limited improvement funds on the interior and she thinks we should spend more money on the exterior because curb appeal is critical to getting prospective buyers in the door. Who’s right?
She’s right hands down! As we say in the business, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” And no matter how many pictures or virtual tours of a home are posted to the internet, the reality is that upon personally visiting a home a potential buyer feels an ‘emotional hook’ within about 10 seconds based on its physical appearance—or not! So it is in your best interest to consider touch-up paint, new door/lock hardware, clean doormat, refreshed landscaping (grass and scrubs), power-washed walkways and sparkling light fixtures. Everything leading up to and including the front door shows to the prospective buyer the seller’s pride of ownership and is usually an excellent indicator of the overall condition of the rest of the home. Unsolicited advice … don’t look at the improvements as an expense, look at it as an investment that you’ll get a return on. Remember if the buyer never gets out of the car and through the front door, it doesn’t matter what the rest of the house and backyard look like.

Q. Tom, what’s the prognosis for the 2011 real estate market … weaker or stronger?
My personal belief is that it will be about the same as 2010 but it really depends on where you’re buying or selling and your general price range. For instance, the $600,000 to $900,000 price range in the San Francisco Bay area is forecasted to be a bright spot in the overall California market. But I remind you that condition, location and price are the key factors in the marketability and desirability of any particular home in a given community. Optimistically, the recently published California Association of Realtors® 2011 economic forecast predicts California homes sales to increase 2% to 502,000 units (over 2010) and the median California home price to climb 2% (over 2010) to $312,500.

Tom Hart is a practicing Real Estate Broker and a partner at Empire Realty Associates in Danville. He is a Certified Master Negotiator by the University of San Francisco and a Certified Master Strategist by HSM Harvard Program on Negotiation. He is past president of the Contra Costa Association of Realtors (2005) and past president of the Realtors’ Marketing Association of the San Ramon Valley. Tom is in high demand as a speaker & trainer inside & outside the real estate industry.

You can contact Tom at 925-355-1187 or tom@tomhart.com

November is special. It just feels good—especially here in California. We get to enjoy a bit of the vibrant colors and crisp morning air that announce the change in seasons, but avoid the ice and frigid temperatures our eastern friends contend with. Where else but in California do you have clear blue skies and seventy degree weather in November?

It’s also special because it includes holidays that have somehow avoided commercialization. On Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving, it’s all about reflection and expressing gratitude. It’s a time to consider the many sacrifices others have made, and continue to make, for us.

In this month’s issue of ALIVE you’ll find two very special articles that remind us of the people who serve—in the military and as first responders—who make sacrifices every day so that we might enjoy life as we know it, here in the United States.

In the first article (page 14) by Anita Venezia, you’ll learn about Fallen Heroes, an incredible organization that works to provide comprehensive support and care for the families of fallen police officers and firefighters. Then, on page 18 you’ll find The Front Lines of Caring, an article about TroopsDirect.org, an organization that collects and delivers much-needed supplies to our front line soldiers in Afghanistan.

In both stories we are reminded that while we have much to be thankful for, we all have the responsibility to do what we can to support those who serve us. In the case of these two extraordinary organizations, it was one, Tom Gallinatti (Fallen Heroes) and Aaron Negherbon (TroopsDirect.org) who chose to “walk the walk” and put real action into helping those who serve, by founding these fine support organizations.

On behalf of the writers and production staff at ALIVE we dedicate this month’s issue to our men and women in uniform, and their families—the soldiers, police officers and firefighters, who, in one way or another, serve all of us by insuring the freedoms, safety and security that we enjoy. We are blessed to live here, in this unique country, only because of the sacrifice of these special people.

Truly, November is special.

Recently, I saw some interesting information about how our brain functions. The brain has 3 parts: The Hominid Brain which is responsible for higher thought and reasoning, the Mammalian Brain which is responsible for feelings like love, hate, lust, fear, anger, and hurt. This part is also in charge or our “fight or flight” response, and finally the Reptilian Brain, which takes care of our basic survival functions like breathing, heartbeat, etc. Understanding which part of your brain is doing the thinking can be a big help when making decisions about your portfolio and financial future.1

Most of us assume that all three parts of our brain are always working together. To the contrary, studies have shown that sometimes the different parts of our brain are not all functioning in harmony. During times of extreme stress, such as the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, the logical, reasoning part of our brain (Hominid) actually shuts down completely. Our brain goes into survival mode and all of the blood flows to the parts that keep us alive (Reptilian and Mammalian).1 Unable to look at things logically, we become irrational and emotion takes over. Sadly this leads investors to the destructive habit of selling at market bottoms and buying at market tops.

Neuroeconomics is a relatively new discipline that combines psychology, neuroscience and economics to better understand how we make financial decisions. A book by Jason Zweig entitled “Your Money & Your Brain” offers some fascinating findings:

• A monetary loss or gain is not just a financial or psychological outcome, but a biological change that has profound physical affects on the brain and body.
• The neural activity of someone whose investments are making money is indistinguishable from that of someone who is high on cocaine or morphine.
• After two repetitions of a stimulus – like the markets having two big up days in a row – the brain automatically, unconsciously, and uncontrollably expects a third repetition.
• Once people conclude that an investment’s returns are “predictable,” their brains respond with alarm if that apparent pattern is broken.
• Financial losses are processed in the same areas of the brain that respond to mortal danger.
• Anticipating a gain, and actually receiving it, are expressed in entirely different ways in the brain.
• Expecting both good and bad events is often more intense than experiencing them.

The bottom line to his book is that many of us repeat poor decision making in regard to investments because we do not recognize and understand our own detrimental behavior. To quote Zweig, “…our investing brains often drive us to do things that make no logical sense – but make perfect emotional sense. That does not make us irrational, it makes us human.” Understanding why we do what we do is a good first step to becoming a successful investor.

1. Fighting against physiology, John Hancock Funds, 5-2010

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 should not be construed as investment advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Your comments are welcome. Damien can be reached at 925-280-1800 x101 or Damien@WalnutCreekWealth.com.

Okay, shoot me—I love Country music. So, when I heard about Crazy Heart my interest was mildly piqued. I watched as Jeff Bridges won the Oscar but I still waited seven months to rent it. I even had the DVD for three days before I put it in the machine.

Crazy Heart is about Bad Blake (no, I didn’t make this up), a broken down, hard living country music singer who’s had way too many marriages and far too many years on the road. But Bad’s real problem is too many drinks along that road.

You may be asking yourself right about now why I’m even reviewing such a clichéd film. One word…Jeff Bridges. Bridges fully inhabits Blake, slowly revealing the bone-weariness of this singer’s life. His very essence is beaten up by life—downtrodden, yet with flashes of arrogance. His “under acting” is brilliant.

Bad meets a journalist along the way. He’s 57 and playing dives. Jean (Maggie Gyllenhaal) knows who he was in times past and asks for an interview. This odd pair can’t seem to stay apart as she discovers the real man behind the musician. She has a three-year-old son that Jean wants to shield from Bad’s bad habits (couldn’t resist that one) and he has a twenty eight year old son he hasn’t seen since he was four. Along the way they fall into a semblance of a relationship, him trying to control his drinking around Jean’s son and her encouraging him to reach out to his.

Bad has music in the very core of his being. Even in a drunken stupor in a seedy hotel room, he picks up his guitar and writes the most amazing songs, saying, “the harder the life, the sweeter the song.”

At one of his lowest points, Jean walks away from him and he reaches out for salvation, not necessarily of the religious variety but the utter redemption of a man hanging at the end of his rope looking for the knot.

When I heard about the movie, I guess the real reason I didn’t run right out and rent it was that I intrinsically don’t like downer movies, but I didn’t get that feeling from Crazy Heart when I finally watched it. I somehow knew that this Bad boy (couldn’t resist that one either) was going to redeem himself.

Crazy Heart also went home from the Academy Awards with an Oscar for Best Original Song, The Weary Kind. But if you’re not fond of country music then Crazy Heart may sound like the kind of tear-jerky movie you should avoid. Bridges will change your mind. It took an Oscar chasing role tailored for Bridges to win him the belated respect; the movie is hardly worthy of him. It’s a small movie perfectly scaled to the big performance at its center.

I would be totally remiss if I didn’t mention Robert Duvall’s stellar performance as Blake’s best friend and mentor. Let me know what you think, did Bridges deserve the Oscar? The Academy doesn’t always get it right but in one woman’s opinion, this time they did Good! You can email me at chastings@rockcliff.com.

The Year of Living Biblically
One Man’s Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible

I’ll admit this is a real stretch from the types of books I normally read and review. Usually I read fiction. To me, reading is a means of escape from the cares of real life. However, this summer when life got especially overwhelming for about a month, I read this book and it cracked me up! I actually laughed out loud which led to questions from my family.

The Year of Living Biblically doesn’t sound funny. Actually it might sound a little boring. The author, A.J. Jacobs, is an agnostic Jew and doesn’t know much about the bible at all. He decides to study the most famous book in the world and follow it as literally as possible for a year. He manages to do so while being brilliantly funny and reverent at the same time.

Meshing Old Testament biblical laws while living as a modern day husband, father and New Yorker is no small feat. He grows a beard, carries a portable stool called a Handy Seat to avoid touching impure things, and blows a ram’s horn at the start of every month. He also buys tassels for his Old Testament garments from “Tassels without Hassles.” Struggling to avoid gossip, covetousness and anger are a constant battle.

Most people think of the Ten Commandments when they think of Biblical Law, but A.J. identifies 800 laws to follow. Some are more well known such as “thou shalt not kill.” Others are more obscure, such as the law against wearing mixed fibers. To avoid breaking this one, he invites a Rabbi Berkowitz to come whose job is to inspect clothing with a magnifying glass
.
A.J. tries to follow all the laws, which is of course impossible. He gets various Rabbis and Christian leaders to mentor him and help interpret the laws such as a retired Lutheran minister who calls himself the Pastor out to Pasture. He approaches it all with an open mind. What results is not only funny, but also thought-provoking and enlightening. At the end of his year-long experiment he is a changed man.

I was both entertained and educated by this book which is a pretty unusual combination. I raved about it to everyone and was reading passages out loud to my husband who was laughing hysterically. If you want a book with substance that won’t make you nod off with boredom, this is the one. You’ll be a wiser and much happier person for it.

Playing a musical instrument adds a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction to one’s life. Many learn to play for their own enjoyment and as an outlet for self-expression and relaxation. Studies have proven that playing music enhances the quality of life by improving one’s, intellect and self-worth.

Join a Group
Playing in a school ensemble as early as the fourth or fifth grade, or later in middle or high school, is one of the first steps to begin a lifetime of musical enjoyment. This not only brings self satisfaction but is also an opportunity to be part of a group whose members have similar motivation and are like-minded in many ways.
Music teachers encourage children to get involved in their school band or orchestra ensembles to nurture their interest and further their musical education.

What’s Out There
But how can you use your musical skills after you learn to play an instrument? Most high schools and colleges offer opportunities in marching and concert bands, string orchestras, jazz groups and small woodwind, brass, string and percussion ensembles. There are many types and styles of musical groups to explore.
Other opportunities to play music may be available at local churches and community organizations, like the Danville Community Band. Civic theatres often have show bands. There are also small groups, such as traditional jazz bands, swing groups and rock bands available to players.

The music profession is just as varied as the groups mentioned above. Many major cities have large Symphony orchestras, like the world- renowned San Francisco Symphony. To play in an organization like this, one has to reach a very high degree of musicianship (usually conservatory graduates). The competition is rigorous but the rewards are great and the pay commensurate with ability.

All of the military services have bands and other musical ensembles available to qualified enlistees. Some make a career out of being a military musician.

Restaurants, hotels, clubs and cruise ships often hire solo musicians or small groups to play for their patrons. Musicians often perform at events such as weddings, holiday dances, school proms, country clubs and civic halls. One may find these positions by checking the local classified ads in the newspaper, through private teachers, school music directors, musicians unions and by word of mouth.

Teaching Music
A teaching career in music is rewarding and exciting and gives one a lifetime of living with music, offering a great sense of fulfillment. Watching others learn and become passionate about their craft is a wonderful way to make a living! Being a lifetime music educator, it is very gratifying to see students rise to leadership positions, gain self confidence and become better students. To become a music educator one needs a college degree and a teaching credential and a passion for playing music and working with students.

Being a conductor of a band or orchestra is also a possibility if ones inclination is toward leadership. A director must have a working knowledge of the various instruments – how they sound and blend together – how to read musical scores and techniques to motivate and inspire people to produce the best musical result.

I have listed just a few of the many opportunities to continue the joy and satisfaction of playing music. Music participation does not have to end after high school or college graduation.

Playing music is a gift to ones self and gives great enjoyment to those who benefit from listening to music in its many forms. It is a legacy that will last a lifetime.

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.

The holidays are filled with parties, get-togethers, and special events. This holiday season try something gorgeous to make it extra special like face shimmers, sparkle eye paints, or jewel tone lip-glosses. These are just some beauty pick-me-ups to feel pretty and to look sensational this holiday season!

Face shimmers are in big demand this season. They look so fabulous and radiant on the skin it’s like a supermodel in a bottle! They make the skin glow and your complexion look oh-so-smooth. There are so many to choose from like golden shimmers, bronzy shimmers, champagne liquids, porcelain powders, bronzers and beautiful rosy golden stick highlighters. Depending on your skin tone, try a few before purchasing your favorite one. This can be tricky so ask a trained professional to help you with placement and color. You do not want to apply a face shimmer all over the face. It belongs only on the highest part of the cheekbone and on top of the apple of the cheek.

Holiday Lips
It’s funny the way a new shade of lipstick or gloss can put a spring in your step and a fresh fragrance can totally make your day. It’s the little simple things that make us smile this holiday season. With new jewel tone lip-gloss colors glowing everywhere this season, now’s the time to load up on shine. The shinier the better and with some fun runway-worthy sparkle! Glam it up with lips looking like juicy-jewels! If you want to slip into something a little more silky, you can try lipsticks that have peptides in them for a true moisture surge and a more fuller looking lip. Anything you decide make sure it’s glossy and lips look nice and hydrated. There is nothing worse than having dry chapped lips. Before applying your favorite gloss or lip color use a good Vitamin E with Vitamin C lip treatment. This will help heal and super hydrate the lips and protect the lips from harsh weather conditions.

One Hot Minute Eyes
Eyes are enchanting this holiday season there is so much texture, dimension, and intense colors in shadows you can look fabulous in minutes. Gold with sparkle is a big hit this season with your favorite browns and smoky grays. Deep rust purples hit center stage with their intense pop of color. Use this amazing color as an accent to achieve a glam-dramatic look and make heads turn when you walk in the room.

Eye Bright
Who needs sleep when you’ve got the latest tools and techniques to give your eyes that well rested look? With the help of Ongrien’s Ultra Firming Eye Cream and Fleur Visage Concealing Cover Stick you’ll be transformed in a blink. Simply apply the Ultra Firming Eye Cream under the eyes to help de-puff eyes and make them brighter. Add our cover stick with super concealing benefits to hide even the darkest circles.

Let The Rouge take you on a glamour journey with beautifully applied make-up to make your parties extra special. We are available to Glamorize you Tuesday through Saturday for all your special events.

Stop Waiting. Go Make it Happen! “Success is for Doers- Not for hearers. Seize the moment!”- Ron Kardashian

A business desire of mine began one afternoon when a business man asked me for some help. My reply to him was so on-the-spot that it came in 30 seconds. Since that time it has yielded six figures, pushing seven ever since. In that specific moment I had no time to wait, and formulated what is now a world wide coaching company servicing all walks of life.

However, it was in the crucible of my own struggles that I had to make a decision to either go up or give up. In every leader’s life there is a moment in time where they must step up and meet the challenges of life. They key is NOT just handling overwhelming elements of stress or pressure, but HOW you handle the stress. This is what shapes and molds your life, supplying the power to make critical decisions.

You see, while the decision to help this man was a 30 second decision, the previous three years I had been dealing, head on, with personal failures. So when that phone call came, I was not beat up over my past failures—I was not waiting around for someone to come and help me get my idea going. By faith, I said, “Sure, I can do this!” When I released those words, my integrity was on the line and I had to develop this company just for this one person.

You may have a wonderful idea, concept or business model that you have been waiting to execute, but the battles from the past may appear larger than your dream. This is where a 30 second decision must be made. You might say, “But Ron, you had someone ask you for help.” You’re right, and I’m asking you, right now, “Can you make the world a better place by doing what’s in your heart to do, right now?” You can respond to the call that I’ve made here, in writing, by deciding to “move forth.” You have a success coach telling you, “Stop waiting around and go make it happen!”

Don’t be afraid, but DARE to take a stand on issues and how you could make something better. Forget the money. Follow your passion and the money will come to you. I’m living proof. I believe in you. Go for it!

Assignment this month: Whatever is holding you back can be altered in 30 seconds if you DARE to step across the boundaries of limitations and pursue with gracious force the aspirations of your heart. Write down what you have always wanted to do and get on the internet gathering knowledge to pursue, overtake and make the world a better place!

Taken from the Book “The 30 Second Solution” by Ron Kardashian. Available in bookstores worldwide Fall of 2011!

Ron Kardashian is a life coach, fitness expert, educator, conference speaker, author, national television and radio personality, and NSCA-certified strength and conditioning coach. Kardashian was one of America’s first life coaches. In 1994, he founded Kardashian Life Coaching & Personal Training and has since inspired hundreds to reach their full physical, mental and spiritual potential.

Kardashian has been twice nominated as Personal Trainer of the Year. He has been an honored speaker for the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Considered a “coach’s coach,” he has empowered executives to operate at peak performance; personally, professionally, and most important , spiritually.

Ron also heads a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation that is relentless in its efforts of bringing optimal health to people of all walks of life. This organization’s mission is to fight obesity and related diseases on a global scale. Across the globe, Kardashian’s unique approach has garnered amazing results, making him a powerful, voice of change for professional athletes, CEOs, political leaders, and clergymen of every age, religion, and creed. Ron lives in California with his beautiful wife, Tia, and two children.

For an appointment or bookings you can reach Ron at: info@kardashian.tv, or call 888.918.HEAL. Visit Ron’s website at www.kardashian.tv.