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For a few thousand years, music of faith has been sung and listened to and is still today, a significant part of worship. Sacred music has a profound effect on people all over the world. It has the power to enlighten, elevate one’s belief and to inspire one’s feeling of reverence. Today, even after many generations of the faithful have passed, music of faith is still a vital part of most church services.

Ironically, Michael Graziano, professor of Neuroscience at Princeton University, who apparently is a self-proclaimed atheist, said, “Something that goes beyond cultural impact unites music and religion. When listening to certain pieces of (sacred) music I feel a reverence creeping over me; an awe that has a spiritual quality.”

Due to the enormity of this topic, my comments here are limited to Christian music traditions.

Medieval Period
Musicologists can trace the beginnings of our Christian music to early Greek songs and Jewish chants and liturgy. Church music originally came from an oral tradition that was passed down from person to person.
Early church music was not notated or written down until the 10th or 11th Century. This was a very early form of notation – not like the notation we have today. The early chants were monophonic in nature, meaning one voice or one music line.

Pope Gregory I was credited with the founding and promulgation of the chant used in the Roman Catholic Church. He also established music schools in the church, hence the term, Gregorian chant has been used for centuries to describe the early chants. However, some historians have disputed the claim that Pope Gregory invented Gregorian chant.

As early as the 9th century, polyphony (that is, two or more combined melodic lines) first began. This laid the foundation for the future development of the traditions of western music. During this time, instrumental music was not as important as vocal music.

This early music, or chants, accompanied the Holy Mass and other rituals. The mass celebrated parts of the Eucharistic liturgy. The sections of the mass are Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Benedictus and the Agnus Dei. The Requiem Mass or Mass for the Dead, was a modified version of the mass.

In this Medieval period, the Motet, a polyphonic choral composition, came into being and had a sacred text, usually in Latin and unaccompanied.

It was prevalent in the 13th through the 15th Centuries. It later had both sacred and secular texts and was the sacred counterpart to the popular secular madrigal.

The Reformation
After Martin Luther (1483-1546) led the Protestant Reformation in the early 16th Century, new forms of music led to the development of new church music. This was primarily in Germany, in the Lutheran Church and England, in the Anglican Church. Luther’s influence championed an event of great importance – the Protestant Chorale. This was an important development comparable to the Gregorian chant.

The chorale had a lasting influence on the Cantata that was the main type of German church music in the Baroque Period. This grew into the Oratorio and Passion by the great composers, Bach and Handel.
After 1750 great church music was not as present as before but the Oratorio continued uninterrupted. It became more prominent in the concert hall rather than the church. The Messiah by G. F. Handel is probably the most famous example of the Oratorio. Other large compositions of importance are the Requiem masses of Mozart, Brahms, Berlioz and Verdi, to name a few.

Hymns
Historically, Saint Paul mentioned hymns in his letters as early as A.D. 64. There was a plethora of hymn writing and singing favored by Martin Luther during the Reformation.

In England, Charles Wesley’s hymns, spread Methodist theology and were sung in many protestant churches, not just in Methodist churches. In 1779, Amazing Grace was written by Englishman John Newton. In 1972 the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards recording of Amazing Grace, featuring bagpipes, became a hit in both England and the United States.

Carl Boberg, wrote the words of How Great Thou Art, to the music of a Swedish folk melody. Later, Stuart Hine expanded the words and made his own arrangement. It has become one of the most popular hymns in the entire hymn repertory.

Holy, Holy, Holy, was written in 1826 by Reginald Heber. In 1529 Martian Luther wrote, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God and Isaac Watts wrote O God Our Help In Ages Past in 1719. These are just a few of the many great popular hymns of the Christian church, past and present.

Carols
Carols are a genre of music generally associated with the Christmas season. They are festive songs of joy and praise. Carols are usually religious in nature and used both in church and for secular occasions. Some carols date to the 13th Century and others trace their heritage to the early Middle-Ages. One can hear carols continuously throughout the Christmas season.

Spirituals
African American spirituals and gospel songs emerged from slavery times with elements from their native lands. ”When we sing gospel music, we are basically singing our prayers to God,” said Nancy Groeneveld, minister of worship & arts at Community Presbyterian Church in Danville, California. Spirituals and gospel songs are prevalent in religious settings as well as non-religious occasions.

Contemporary Music
Modern worship music is the predominating music in many Christian churches today. It is characterized by a range of styles influenced by popular forms of music. Historians have found that some churches began using contemporary songs in the 1960’s and they became very popular in the 1970’s.

The “Praise Band” has all but replaced the organ in contemporary church services. “The message in the music is positive…that God is there, not only in the good times but in the midst of our pain and struggles.” said Groeneveld.

The modern Praise Band consists of keyboard, lead guitar, secondary guitar, bass and drums. Sometimes strings, woodwinds and brass instruments are added. Also the hymnals have basically disappeared and often words to songs are projected on large screens. This practice has virtually eliminated part singing from church music.

The word of God, through music, has been spread by various musical styles throughout the ages. The richness of the past heritage and the legacy of Christian people have been immortalized by the inspiration and creativity of contemporary composers. The music of faith is here to stay.

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 officially upon us. Instead of panicking over what lies ahead, I prefer to embrace Thanksgiving and everything it stands for. This is a time to celebrate family and friends, and give thanks for the many blessings that come our way.

It is also the perfect opportunity to thank the people who grow the food we eat throughout year, by purchasing the majority of the holiday meal’s ingredients directly from the farmers’ market. Veggies, fresh and dried fruits, nuts, lettuce and other greens, artisan bread for stuffing, California olive oil—it’s all there.

If you are fortunate enough to be a guest instead of a host on November 26, the farmers’ market is still a valuable resource. Eschew crowded supermarket aisles and shop in the open air for fresh flowers, wreaths, and a multitude of other tasteful gifts to bring your host. Who wouldn’t enjoy a basket of decorative gourds or edible winter squash? It’s certainly a more creative offering than that tired ol’ bottle of wine.

When planning the Thanksgiving menu it’s easy to get carried away, trying every new recipe that graces the cover of a magazine. Over the years I’ve learned that it is not necessary to reinvent the wheel every year. Thanksgiving is not the Culinary Olympics, and nobody is comfortable when the host is harried. Breathe deeply, and enjoy the company. Simple is best…especially when that simple food tastes terrific.

Sweet potatoes are a staple of the American holiday table, though our annual consumption is very small compared to the rest of the world. They are never going to win any beauty contests, but it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without them.

I grew up in an era when sweet potatoes came out of a can. (This is one childhood memory best left forgotten.) Fortunately times have changed. Although we easily find fresh ones almost year ‘round, their peak season is now through the end of the year.

Unlike most veggies that taste their best when freshly picked or dug-from-the-earth, sweet potatoes require some curing time to toughen their skins and convert their natural starch to the sugary sweetness consumers expect. This task is taken care of by the growers, before they ever reach the market.

This month’s recipe is easy and inexpensive, and ends up tasting terrific. If you want to gild the lily, I’ve also included a few variations below. And even if you have been assigned the potluck task of bringing sweet potatoes to someone else’s home for dinner, have no fear. The entire dish can be prepared and baked one day in advance, so you won’t have to impose upon your host for an hour + of oven space… which, on Thanksgiving, is the most valuable real estate in town.

Spirited Sweet Potatoes
3 pounds large red-skinned sweet potatoes (yam variety), peeled and halved crosswise
1 cup (packed) light brown sugar
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus extra for greasing the baking dish
1/4 cup water
Fine sea salt
4 to 5 tablespoons bourbon, to taste

1. Place the rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees. Cut each potato half lengthwise into quarters.

2. Place a steamer-rack insidea Dutch oven or other large saucepan and add enough water to reach the bottom of the rack without touching. Place the quartered potato halves on top of the rack, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, covered, until the potatoes are barely tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let cool, uncovered.

3. Generously grease a shallow 3-quart baking dish. When the potatoes are cool, arrange them in an even layer in the baking dish and seasonwith salt.

4. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar, butter, 1/4 cup water, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar melts and the syrup begins to thicken, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the bourbon, to taste. Drizzle the syrup evenly over the potatoes and bake, basting occasionally, until the syrup has thickened and glazed the potatoes, about 1 1/4 hours. Serves 8.

Note: If prepared in advance, let the baked casserole cool to room temperature; then cover and refrigerate overnight. Before serving, reheat, loosely covered, in the oven or microwave.

Tips for Sweet Success
–Sweet potatoes are part of the morning glory family; which explains their beautiful vines.

–The edible roots with light tan skins are commonly called sweet potatoes. When cooked, their flesh is somewhat dry and fluffy, similar to a russet potato. Those with reddish skins and moist orange flesh belong to the yam variety of sweet potatoes, but are usually sold simply as “yams.” Look for colorful names like Beauregard, Jewel, and Garnet. Here’s how the confusion began: In the 1930s, Southern growers began to erroneously market red-skinned sweet potatoes as “yams” in order to distinguish them from the paler, drier, less sweet variety. (True yams are from a different botanical group altogether and are seldom seen outside of Latin markets the U.S.)

–Buy sweet potatoes of similar size so they cook evenly. Look for firm potatoes that feel heavy for their size.

–Sweet potatoes should also have smooth skins with no soft spots. (Surface bruises that have sealed over with a white-ish patch are not a problem, but do avoid potatoes with any with black patches.) Sweet potatoes at the farmers’ market have come directly from the grower’s climate-controlled curing facility, so they are handled minimally and are usually in much better condition than those shipped to supermarkets.

–Sweet Potato Arithmetic: 1 pound generally equals about 5 small; 3 medium; or 1 1/2 to 2 large sweet potatoes.

–Sweet Potatoes are a good source of fiber as well as Vitamins A, B6, C; and beta carotene, iron, potassium, and magnesium.

–Store uncooked, unwashed sweet potatoes in a dry place that is both cool and dark. Do not refrigerate.
For this particular recipe:

–Look for sweet potatoes on the large-ish side; ones that will hold their shape during cooking without turning into baby food. (The added bonus of using the big guys is you won’t have to peel as many!)
–To spice things up, add a generous pinch of ground cinnamon, cumin, nutmeg, or coriander to the syrup.

–Feeling “meh” about bourbon? Dark rum and brandy work equally well. Or explore your inner Janis Joplin and add a healthy glug of Southern Comfort.

–If you are not feeling very spirited, omit the booze altogether and flavor the syrup with the juice of 1 orange and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

–For those inclined to go a little nutty, add a sprinkling of coarsely chopped California walnuts over the top before baking.

–Save the marshmallows for hot chocolate in the morning. They don’t belong on top of sweet potatoes. Ever.

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 s1-800-949-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!

So, here we are, with you once again, just ten short years after the first issue of ALIVE became a reality in November, 2005. Since then you’ve probably changed some; so have we. If you’ve been with us since the beginning, let’s see if you can recall some of the changes to ALIVE over the years…

Do you remember when ALIVE was simply folded in the middle and bound by two metal staples (called “saddle stitch” in the printing world)? We dropped the staples and moved to our current “perfect bound” style as of our Summer Issue, in June 2006.

How about the width of ALIVE? Do you remember when it was like Time or Newsweek, and only eight and a half inches wide? In July 2007 we added another half inch, becoming the current 9 x 11 we are today.

Can you recall when our cover had the words “East Bay” in small print on either side of the “I” in ALIVE? That stayed with us until the March 2008 issue.

While there have been a number of changes to ALIVE, what hasn’t changed is our mission, and how we intend to continue serving you, our readers. Have we stayed true to what I said in my first “Publisher’s Message?” Here is the main part of my message from that first issue. You be the judge…

What you hold in your hands is the collaborative effort of a number of people whose desire it is to provide you with a magazine that is informative, and hopefully, fun to read. We hope you’ll find the information in this first issue useful, and the stories entertaining.

I’ve been asked many times why we chose the name ALIVE. After many days of considering several dozen ideas, we settled on ALIVE because we thought it best captured the vision of what we hope to express in the months to come. It’s our hope that in reading ALIVE you’ll feel, perhaps, just a little more that way… alive!

We wanted to create a lifestyle magazine that would be in touch with reality; stylish yet still grounded in our community. Our focus is on home, health, family, culture, and community. We know that’s a pretty wide net to cast, but for anyone to be truly ALIVE, we know you’d agree that all of these need to be considered.

Things that are alive, by their nature, change and grow. That is what we hope to do with this magazine. On that point, we are very much a work in progress, and always will be, so please excuse our inevitable foibles. That does not mean we are not trying for perfection, it just means that we know we shall never achieve it.

Part of our effort in trying to make this magazine a pleasure for you to read is our commitment never to take ourselves too seriously; we never want to become just another fluff magazine with an attitude. (And we certainly don’t want to make you yawn, either!)

We hope to inspire, and to be inspired by our readers, so we encourage your comments and suggestions. Please, don’t be shy in contacting us.

We also hope that you’ll enjoy this first issue of ALIVE… and by reading it, you’ll feel more so.

A lot has changed in the world these past ten years—some good, and some not so good—but what comes to mind most to us is how much we appreciate you, our loyal readers, for making ALIVE a part of your world, each and every month.

The best advice is usually information that has been touted for centuries. It seems as if every month new medical recommendations are broadcasted regarding what supplements to take, which antioxidant foods to eat, and which vaccinations to have or not have.

Throughout history, health issues have been of foremost concern and thoughts on best practices have been shared by physicians and other intelligentsia. Benjamin Franklin is a good example of an impactful non-physician health advocate. Everyone knows his quotes: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” and “An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure” and “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” Mr. Franklin was a great supporter of the individual taking an active role in maintaining their own health.

The key to having a healthy, long life is relatively straight forward—take care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, get good sleep and exercise. The most important of all three is exercise. In fact, if one focuses only on exercise, the other two will be incorporated into one’s lifestyle automatically. Studies have shown that regular exercise improves sleep habits and motivates people to make smarter diet choices.

The average life expectancy of Americans is increasing; however, a lower quality of life is prevalent due to chronic illnesses. It’s not hard to find 85 year olds in the community. Some octogenarians are living very active lives, while others are quite sedentary with debilitating, chronic pain.

The common denominator amongst the healthy people is almost universally that their activity level has remained significantly elevated throughout their lives, compared to their age-range peers. Many chronic pain problems can be prevented or minimized by making lifestyle changes earlier in life.

We should all plan for good physical health in the same way that we plan for our financial health. We put money aside for financial security in the form of retirement plans, investments, savings accounts, etc. The same planning and discipline should be applied to our physical health by maintaining a regular exercise program. The best example is people who are in their 60s, 70s, and 80s and above remaining active—swimming, running, biking and walking. Most of them aren’t athletes who have been exercising for years; it is something that they now choose to do in order to improve their chances of a healthy and active older age. They are making it a priority to fund their “health bank.”

It’s never too late to start investing in your physical health and strengthening your body. The really good news is that even small bursts of exercise can improve your health. Studies have shown that people who live in two story homes have better cardiovascular health and live longer than those who don’t. The energy it takes to climb a flight of stairs exercises the heart enough to keep it fit, if done on a regular basis.

A good fitness plan doesn’t have to be a burden and should be something that you actually look forward to. Start with small goals and build on them. If you don’t currently have an exercise routine, start with 15-20 minutes a day, twice a week, doing something you enjoy. It can be as simple as taking a walk, but be sure to quicken the pace or include hills. Maximum benefit occurs when you increase your heart rate or your breathing rate. Work towards a long term goal of exercise 30 minutes a day, five days a week. If you can find a friend to exercise with or share your milestones with, you’ll be even more motivated to succeed.

Dr. DeLaney is the founder and medical director of Balanced Pain Management, located at 114 La Casa Via, Suite 210, in Walnut Creek, California 94598. She is board certified in both Chronic Pain Management and Anesthesiology and has published multiple papers on chronic pain management. She continues to give lectures at local and national medical meetings on Pain Management. She is a member of the California Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Pain Association, the American Academy of Pain Management, the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain. For more information, visit her website at delaneymd.com or call 925-988-9333.

Kathy and John realized their long planned retirement days would have to be postponed. Two events caught them by surprise: Their substantial portfolio had lost nearly one third of its value and Kathy’s mother, who watched her wealth disappear in the financial meltdown, suffered a debilitating stroke, which required 24-hour care. Like many people, Kathy and John never had a master wealth plan.
Just as successful institutions make every financial decision based on a specific master plan that outlines their focus on what they can control and what may impact their financial security, every person should have a master wealth plan as well.

Your master plan is the product of an honest conversation about where you are today and where you are going. It’s a living document that lays out assumptions about your future and helps you focus on the factors that you can control today. Equally important, your plan assumptions are continuously reassessed over time.

Your master plan demonstrates the impact and consequences of every decision and helps you make the appropriate trade-offs based on what you value most. It helps you prepare for and adjust to foreseen and unforeseen events in your life and in the financial markets.

A master wealth plan has four steps:

1. Identify your financial life goals.
Oftentimes, couples don’t know each other’s goals or they don’t have the same goals. Through candid discussions, couples begin to align their goals as they understand each other’s objectives. A private wealth counselor works to help the couple identify and clarify their goals and aspirations, which is the foundation of the master plan.

2. Understand the five financial control factors.
There are five aspects of your financial life, which you can control and which become the basis for your master plan assumptions. These assumptions may change as you pursue your lifestyle and long-term goals. The control factors are:

• Spending – lifestyle level you wish to maintain
• Savings – money dedicated for investment
• Timing – when you want the event to occur
• Risk – the level of volatility in your investment portfolio
• Legacy – assets you want to transfer to heirs or maintain as a safety net

3. Measure the probability of success.
To measure the likelihood of your plan’s success, a private wealth counselor will use advanced scenario analysis software that considers thousands of simulations of “financial lifetimes” with inputs of actual and hypothetical historical market performance. These scenarios include optimistic and pessimistic circumstances that have never occurred in the markets’ history, which demonstrates your plan’s ability to withstand the unexpected.

4. Make adjustments along the way.
Your plan is a living document that should be consistently updated to ensure its effectiveness over time. Unexpected changes can influence financial situations and decisions. These include changes in the tax code, a sudden rise in inflation, an inheritance or unforeseen illness, all of which require a review of your master wealth plan and adjustment of your control factors.

Don’t let the volatile financial market or life’s events catch you by surprise. By having a master wealth plan, you ensure that your goals, which you’ve worked hard to achieve, will occur as planned.

Kelly Trevethan CIMA is a Managing Director at United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC, a private wealth counseling firm with more than 80 offices around the country. He can be reached at (415) 418-2101 or at kelly.trevethan@unitedcp.com.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal, and investors should carefully consider their own investment objectives and never rely on any single chart, graph or marketing piece to make decisions. The information contained in this piece is intended for information only, is not a recommendation to buy or sell any securities, and should not be considered investment advice.

I consider myself a Patriot (yes, capital P). I don’t usually cry at movies. I didn’t even cry during Beaches or Terms of Endearment. Now I know that probably comes off a little hard core, but before you judge me, I want you to know that I always cry during the Star Spangled Banner or when the American Flag in front of a marching band goes by.

Taking Chance is a truly amazing movie. It doesn’t scream at you, it quietly gets under your skin. The films power comes from a simple word – Reverence. Yeah, I guess that one would have to be capitalized as well. Taking Chance tells a true story, adapting Marine Colonel Mike Strobl’s personal journal of his assignment escorting the remains of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps, killed in Iraq in 2004, to Phelps’ family in Dubois, Wyoming. Mike, who served in Desert Storm is now sitting behind a desk stateside and feels guilty for not requesting combat duty in Iraq. Living comfortably at home with his wife and children had been the choice. He often wakes in middle of the night and checks the KIA list. One night while Mike is perusing the list he sees a name listed from his home town. He volunteers to be Phelps’ escort home. It changes his life.

Director and Screenwriter, Ross Katz has done a brilliant job telling the story of one man’s coming home in death and another’s coming to life. It’s a delicate balancing act, keeping focus on both the mourning of Phelps and Mike’s personal journey, neither overshadowing the other.

Kevin Bacon, who plays Col. Strobl, is incredible. He does so much with just his facial expressions. Lean and chiseled, Bacon is the consummate Marine. Slow, deliberate and did I mention Reverent with his actions, Mike’s devotion lends the story great intensity, and his struggles lend it great honesty. This is probably Bacon’s best.

The film also shows how we honor our fallen heroes, a chore revealed in great detail. It is all very informative. From the time Lance Corporal Chance Phelps leaves the battlefield, packed in ice, to his arrival at Dover in the States, it’s an amazing journey. His body is cared for. His belongings are cared for. A new uniform was created especially for him even though it was a closed casket. No detail was left undone. We also see the custom of how the escort salutes the casket every time it is moved from one mode of transportation to another, all working to guarantee that what may look like a giant cardboard box being shipped cross country is truly a “pearl of great price.”

Don’t misunderstand; Taking Chance is no mere documentary about how military remains are transported. It is a story about grieving. It is a story about honor. It is a story of Americans at our finest. No political agenda—no “support our troops” platitudes—just Reverence with a Capital “R” from Dover to Dubois.

Once again, I invite and enjoy your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com or look for my movie archives on CarolynHastings.com

Eight nights of gorgeousness and on trend looks to astonish your friends and family. No more “I don’t know how to do my make-up.” Here’s a whole season worth of head-turning, heart-stopping and just flat-out fantastic ideas for nailing your look every single day or night this holiday season.

1. Modern Sleek
Vibrant red lipsticks always enhance a holiday chic look, but this year try a matte burgundy for that retro-modern swagger look. There is a wide range of burgundy lip colors out this year, even a maroon is interesting, so try a few to find your favorite shade for your very own contemporary festive vibe.

2. Hollywood Glam
Push the holiday fashion envelope by accentuating the eyes with a thick black eye liner, sweeping it up in the corner. This gives the eyes a serious, modern intensity, while looking totally chic and freshly up-to-date.

3. Holiday Lip Liner Stains
Get more mileage out of your lip color this holiday season by using a lip liner with a stain! Match your lip color with a lip liner stain to make your lips look fuller and sexier than ever! So brilliant! What will they think of next?!

4. Perfect Holiday Cheeks
Your trusty blush won’t do this holiday season if it is in pink tones. You want to punch it up to a burgundy undertone with a slight shimmer to give your skin that spot-on evening cocktail-hour glow.

5. Smoother Fuller Brows
Add some definition to your brows for drama this season with a *New* gel brow balm. A good gel brow balm will appear so natural and will look like your own brow hairs, while keeping true to your brow’s shape. Best new product!

6. 70’s On-Trend Beauty
Tap into the 70s trend by applying a soft shimmery bronze eye color on the lid, then add a champagne eye shimmer all over, follow with a bold cat eyeliner. Take a minimalist semi-sheer burgundy lip-gloss, to create an understated holiday statement. This level of unfussy mixing will earn compliments and everyone will say what a master make-up artist you are.

7. Holiday Family Brunch
To look cute but not too dressy for a brunch, marry dark, bold navy eyeliner with a winter-white eye color. Master at leisure and still look put together by teaming a sumptuous highlighter on the cheeks and a low-key rosy blush for a natural but awesome glow. Add a maroon lip-gloss for oomph!

8. Holiday Rush Hour Beauty
Blue isn’t a hue you usually reach for in winter, but it brings dreary, holiday rush-hour eyes to life. Apply a soft matte, peach eye color on the lid, follow with a gray-taupe in the crease, and top it off with a shimmer-beige color under the brow. Add an elegant plum liner on the top lid, followed by scrumptious, dark-shimmer, navy-blue eyeliner under the eye for accent. Spice up the holiday cocktail hour with a matte burgundy lip color to provide an effectively super-luxe finish that will make heads turn!

Since Align Healing Center opened its doors in 1999 we have been treating arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, well let’s just say all of the “itis’s.” In other words PAIN, whether it’s back pain, neck pain, knee pain, shoulder pain or any other pain, we have been there to awaken the healing potential in the body and relieve the pain.

That being said, I am always in search of miraculous new ways to relieve pain without drugs, without invasive procedures and without more pain. In 2004, Class III Laser therapy was added to my practice and the results have been amazing! Then in October of 2009 I was enlightened to a new treatment modality that is revealing itself to be truly miraculous- Class IV Laser Therapy. I am so passionate and excited about how Laser therapy is helping people heal and reclaim their life that I feel every person whether in pain or not should know about it!

I am here to tell you that you no longer need to “live with pain” from an injury or surgery no matter how long you may have had it. Pain ruins your quality of life. It can go on for months—even years, while you try to ignore it, take pain medications and try treatments that don’t work. In the mean time, you’re losing sleep and missing out on your favorite activities. There is no longer a reason to settle for a life of pain. But in order to get rid of the pain, you need to resolve the injury itself. I am often asked “why doesn’t my pain resolve on its own?” My answer is “often our cells don’t have enough energy to complete the healing process and they get stuck in an inflammatory cycle creating more pain.”

Class IV Laser therapy gets to the root of the injury and treats it at the cellular level providing energy to the cells so they can heal. We all know medications only mask the pain and inflammation and are not a long term solution so, now we have deep tissue Laser therapy as a treatment that stimulates the healing process, relieves inflammation and helps the body resolve the injury.

Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser Cube IV Laser. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During each painless treatment laser energy increases circulation, drawing water, oxygen and nutrients to the damaged area. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved.

We are having great success treating neck and shoulder injuries, sciatica, arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel, migraines, plantar fasciitis, post surgical wounds, sports injuries and more; even if it’s long-term residual pain. I have seen patients with 10 years of post surgical pain get their life back in a short period of time. Even 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 of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA has been active in natural health & wellness for 11 years. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

As I mentioned in my article last month, while this is not the flu season, it is the season of overindulgence in inflammatory foods and excitotoxins. Why would a dentist, specializing in TMJ, be concerned about what you eat? Unless things have changed, the head is still attached to the body, and unlike what insurance companies force upon us, what you do with your jaw to create TMJ problems is, many times, a result of problems elsewhere in your body.

One of the many bad side effects of increasing our intake of sugar, sugar substitutes and carbohydrates, is that a nasty little germ called candida, which thrives on these items, can take over as the ruling majority in one’s digestive system. The resulting symptoms can include fatigue, gerd, gas, bloating, depression, sleep loss, clenching/grinding the teeth and many more. These are not the kind of guests we want to invite over for the holidays. In addition, another side effect of this condition is severe weakening of the immune system, which thus invites other unwanted holiday guests like Mr. Cold and Mrs. Flu.

Aside from cutting back on our binges, what can be done to help our poor body make it through this season?

• Avoid processed foods. Go for the veggies and homemade dips. Take a look at the ingredients in a store-bought spinach dip.
Where in nature can you find all those chemicals? Well, certainly not in organic, unprocessed foods on which we evolved. Flavored chips tend to be very high in MSG as well.
• Try to avoid the non-complex carbohydrates, such as potatoes, bread and bakery goods. Keep candy and sweets to a minimum.
• Be aware of what foods are inflammatory, and avoid them. You can find lists of anti-inflammatory foods online. Seek out these anti-inflammatory foods.
• If you do binge, avoid milk and cereal for breakfast as well as any high carbohydrate breakfast, especially fruit juices, which further harm the liver.
• Take a high quality probiotic (30 billion CFU). This will help control the candida as well and help to protect your digestive system.
• A high quality multi nutrient supplement with chelated minerals can help make up for the empty calories associated with holiday food.

I love the holiday season and all the festivities and I wish a happy and healthy season to all. With a little effort we can give our bodies the best chance to survive this wonderful time of year, free from the flu. Hopefully the term “lose weight” need not be in our New Year’s resolutions.

Advanced Oral Diagnosis & Treatment Center is located in Danville. For more information please visit www.aodtc.com or call 925-837-8048.

Dear HSSS,
My husband has a rather big personality and has always spoken his mind, but lately he’s gone overboard. He has an opinion on everything and doesn’t hesitate to make it known. A family member mentioned that she was bothered by a comment my husband made at a recent family gathering. How can I get him to zip his lip? ~ Laura in Pleasanton

He Said: Chances are your husband doesn’t even have a clue that he’s offended someone or that he rubs people the wrong way with his commentary. Most people that like to hear the sound of their own voice mistakenly think that everyone else likes it too. I would simply mention to him that you’ve been told by several people that he crosses the line from time to time. Don’t make too big of a deal out of it, but just kindly let him know that most people can’t handle his off-color remarks and that he should do a better job of reading the room the next time he decides to tell people how he really feels. And reassure him that you love him for who he is, because what’s worse than a big personality? No personality at all.

She Said: Ah yes, the infamous KIA (Know-It-All). We’ve all known or been married to one of those—and the older they get, the more holes in the filter! They don’t know they’re doing it, so here’s what you do: in a quiet moment, when things are going smoothly, let him know that as much as you adore his effervescence, it can be a bit much sometimes. You know it’s not intentional, so when you notice it’s going a bit far, you will let him know by placing your hand on his arm and pressing gently, as your own personal secret code that he may want to dial it back a bit. My friend does this with her husband and it works like a charm, especially when she rewards his good behavior after everyone’s gone home!

Dear SSHS,
I am a16-year-old girl whose parents divorced eight years ago. I spend equal time with both of them, but my dad had to move out of our old neighborhood, so when I spend time with him, I feel really removed from my friends and my old life. We can’t afford to get me a car, and I hate to keep asking my dad to drive me around when I’m with him on his weekends. What should I do? ~ Bored in Orinda

She Said: I know there are rules about new drivers not being able to drive their friends around, so I sympathize with your dilemma. Divorce is tough on kids! How about talking to your dad about getting you a driving app, like Uber or Lyft? I use them all the time and am always pleased with the service. As long as you learn how to use them properly (try and refrain from using them at peak times) and don’t abuse the privilege, he might be really grateful to not have to taxi you around.

He Said: I was always taught that if you can’t afford something, then change your situation so that you can afford it. In other words, get a job so you can get that car! And Robin has a great idea with the driving apps like Uber or Lyft, but how about having your friends visit you when you’re with your dad? And there’s nothing wrong with spending some time away from your friends too. With all the technology nowadays, are you really ever that far from any of your friends at any given time? Just remember, your true friends aren’t going anywhere when you’re gone and I’m sure your dad wants to spend some time with you too.

Robin Fahr is a public relations specialist and co-host with Shawn Shizzo on Conversations and He Said/She Said seen daily on Tri-Valley TV, Channel 30 and online at www.trivalleytv.org. You can also catch He Said/She Said on TheTalkPod.com. Send your questions to www.AskHeSaidSheSaid.com.