Column

The people’s instrument

If Volkswagen was once touted as the “People’s Car” then surely the Harmonica is the people’s instrument. Ironically, they are both of German ancestry.  No wonder it is the people’s instrument as it is generally played by everyday people, amateurs and professional musicians. It is quite inexpensive to buy and very transportable. The harmonica, also known as the French harp or mouth organ, is a rectangular metal box made of brass and steel. Most models can easily fit in a shirt pocket and taken anywhere but there are many types and sizes.

The harmonica is fairly easy to learn and usually comes with detailed instructions on how to play the instrument. You can learn to play it yourself but if one can afford lessons from a teacher, it is probably a better alternative. The harmonica is a very versatile instrument, to be enjoyed as a solo instrument or in a group ensemble.

Walt Schneider, a childhood friend, said, “When I followed instructions carefully, I could play Stephen Foster’s, Old Black Joe; what a feeling of accomplishment!”  In a few weeks he learned all the songs in the instruction book and said his feeling of satisfaction was very high. Schneider started playing the harmonica in the fourth grade and he actually got very good at it. As a young boy and young man I was in awe of his playing ability.

Origins

The ancient ancestors of the harmonica date back to before the time of Christ. Some researchers trace the origins of the harmonica to Laos and others to China. The ancients developed a crude rudimentary form of the instrument.

It took centuries before European craftsmen began to develop an instrument akin to the modern harmonica. In 1821-22, Friedirch Buschmann, a German from Berlin, made an experimental instrument.  In 1829, the manufacture of mouth-organs, as they are often called, started in Vienna, Austria. Also during 1829, Charles Wheatstone of London patented his version of the harmonica.

The modern prototype harmonica was invented in 1857 by Matthias Hohner of Trossingen, Germany. The Hohner Harmonica Company is still one of the leading makers of harmonicas and has continually been in business since 1857. The Hohner harmonicas feature duel-action reeds that enable players to activate different notes or pitches while blowing or exhaling into the instrument. Notes are also produced by a second set of reeds when the player inhales or draws air back through the instrument.

Wartime

During the time of the American Civil War, the harmonica became very popular.  Because it was small and easy to learn, soldiers on both sides – the Union and the Confederates – used the instrument as a source of entertainment along with singing songs popular on both sides of the conflict.

After the war the harmonica became part of American folk-lore and the folk music scene – its popularity soared.  It was a real challenge for the Hohner Harmonica Company to keep up with orders, especially from America.

The popularity of harmonicas during wartime did not stop with the Civil War. The Golden Age of the mouth-organ in America was the years between the two world wars. World War I soldiers on both British and German sides used harmonicas as they went off to war.

By World War II harmonica imports were virtually stopped because of the embargo placed on German products. After the war, normal production was gradually returned.

John Philip Sousa, noted composer and band director, wrote a march called, The Harmonica Wizard, after he heard the Philadelphia Harmonica Band in concert. During the last two thirds of the 20^th Century, the harmonica’s popularity became worldwide in many musical genres. It gained favor in blues, jazz, classical music, country music, rock and roll, and other modern forms of popular music. Some popular musicians that included harmonicas in their music were Creedance Clearwater, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Billy Joel and others.

Before the modern era, numerous players reached Virtuoso status, including Buddy Green, Charlie McCoy, and Borrah Minevitch, who formed the group, Harmonica Rascals.  One of the most famous and endearing players was Johnny Paleo, a comedian who dressed in funny costumes and had a group called, The Harmonica Gang. One of the most famous groups was the very popular Harmonicats. These groups reveled in slapstick comedy but excelled in fantastic harmonica technique and musicianship.

In decades past, the harmonica has been featured in Western movies with singing cowboy groups, including Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and The Sons of the Pioneers.  Likewise, movies depicting the South and old-time plantation scenes often show the harmonica in scenes of musical entertainment.

Even though it is a small, simple instrument, the harmonica has been enjoyed by people for centuries and will likely continue to be enjoyed for centuries to come.  Found in many homes throughout the world, it is loved by millions. The harmonica will always be the people’s instrument.

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector0@comcast.net Visit our website at danville.org  for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.       

 

 

 

At Tri-Active Endurance, I work with athletes of all levels, from Elite-level Ironman athletes, middle of the pack “age-groupers”, ultra runners, and those just coming off the couch in pursuit of their first 5k. Unique in their own right and each presenting a different set of strengths as well as challenges, they share a common bond: to be a little bit better today than they were yesterday.

As a coach, my priority for my athletes and personal training clients is to help them not only meet, but exceed their goals in a manner that encourages them to take another bite of the apple while still maintaining their life’s primary obligations such as family and work. Oftentimes, age group athletes struggle with time management in this regard.

Over the years, I’ve learned that it is important to design a program that fits into an athlete’s lifestyle, versus falling into the trap of making their lifestyle fit into a training schedule. For serious “type A” personalities, this is often a struggle as priorities can become blurred when performance begins to increase. I have two absolute rules when it comes to training athletes. The first is: Family first. Period. This is non-negotiable. The second rule is: Give your best effort for that day at any given session.

I am also adamant that athletes know their “why.” When an athlete approaches me about coaching, I invite them to interview me and I, in turn, ask many questions, the most important of which is, “What’s your why?” If a person is not clear about why they have chosen to engage in the endurance and/or fitness world, they are more prone to struggle and perhaps will even give up on themselves during key and/or difficult sessions, leaving them to question their ability. I firmly believe we all have it inside, we just need to be clear about what our motivating factor is and make that work for us.

At Tri-Active Endurance, my philosophy is simple, and because of my background as a therapist/practitioner, I’ve found that I am able to help athletes be clear about their “why,” and keep the fire lit when necessary.

Performance means many things to different people. At the end of the day, it comes down to two things: It has to make sense to the individual (fit into the lifestyle), and it has to fit under the umbrella of overall health and wellness. I don’t think that sacrificing this for a single performance goal is sustainable, and for most, pursuit of endurance sports is much more than a one-off adventure, it a lifestyle that can give you more in return than you could have imagined.

Rob Reinhard welcomes you for a free consultation to discuss your triathlon, run, cycle, swim, endurance, or general fitness goals.

Tri-Active Endurance has a State-of-the-Art indoor cycling studio offering fully coached Computrainer sessions (using Perf Pro, Trainer Road, Zwift, & KICKr), coached group run workouts, 1:1 run video analysis ,Trueform running, individualized swim stroke video analysis and group swim sessions, TRX ,VIPr training, and more. Rob is USA Triathlon Certified, Ironman University Certified, eNRG Performance Institute Advisory Board Member, Metabolic Efficiency Testing Specialist, Level I (METS I), a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)and has an M.Ed Psychology. You can reach Rob at rob@triactiveendurance.com. Mention ALIVE Magazine and receive a free drop-in class.

 

 

 

 

Robert Reinhard, Owner, Head Coach

USA Triathlon Certified

Tri-Active Endurance, LLC

2221 Commerce Ave, Suite G

Concord, CA 94520

T 925-588-9219

www.triactiveendurance.com

“Reach Your Peak”

 

Upscale Comfort and Style!

Comfort, style and performance are the makings of what so many of us want in a sedan. We are not looking for a car that looks like the vehicle next door; instead, a car that makes the neighbors fill with envy. There are many options in the mid-size sedan class, yet in the large car category, there is only a handful. One make and model that is rising up on the charts is the 2017 Kia Cadenza.

Kia created the Cadenza for their customers who longed for a vehicle that was slightly larger than their very successful mid-size Optima model. The Cadenza was originally launched in 2010 and remodeled in 2016. With the redesign, the Cadenza has grown in both wheelbase and width which results in a roomier cabin.

For 2017, the Cadenza is available in three flavors: Premium, Technology, and SXL. Underneath the hood is a revised version of Kia’s 3.3-liter V6 engine, which has been retuned for improved fuel economy.  With an estimated 290 hp on tap (about three horses less than last year), the engine sends power to the front wheels via Kia’s first FWD-based 8-speed automatic transmission.  

The newly-developed transmission is highly efficient, making up for the few clicks down in horsepower, and provides quick and crisp shifts for a more enjoyable driving experience.  Despite having two extra cogs, the 8-speed transmission, which was designed in-house, is lighter than the one in the outgoing model.

The styling of the 2017 Cadenza really stands out from its rivals with a single contour line that runs the full length of the car, helping to create a couple-like profile. The updated design incorporates Kia’s trademark quad-LED setup with the lower front grille. A walk-around of the vehicle has you taking notice of the sharp attention to style presented in all forms of lights, from the headlights to the taillights.

The interior is crafted for luxury, with high quality materials and high-tech features. Soft-touch interior surfaces, real stitching available (Nappa leather with quilted seat bolsters accented by diamond-shaped stitching) dresses up the Cadenza’s already-attractive cabin. The driver’s seat has been lowered for a sportier, more stable feeling, while engineers extended the seat cushion slightly and developed an innovative cushion extension mechanism that slides and rotates, making it easier for drivers to find their comfort zone behind the wheel.  The heating elements used for the seat warmers have been reengineered to more evenly distribute warmth, and as a Kia first, the seat heaters now utilize a smart control system to automatically lower the heater-operating mode after a certain period of time.

Cool Features:

• Heads Up Display which shows key driver information such as speed and turn-by-turn navigation directions on the windshield directly in the driver’s line of sight
• Surround View that gives the driver a clearer birds-eye view of the area around the vehicle
• Smart Trunk, which conveniently opens the trunk lid if the sensor detects the key fob for more than three seconds
• Wireless smartphone charger
• Available Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™

Safety on the 2017 Kia Cadenza is built upon a strong foundation with a body structure composed of more than 50 percent Advanced High Strength Steel. Cutting-edge driver assistance features include an Advanced Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go functionality, Forward Collision Warning and Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Lane Departure Warning.  Another Kia first is the Smart Blind Spot Detection System which senses unintentional drifting toward an adjacent vehicle and automatically brakes the opposite side front wheel to help maintain the vehicle’s intended course.

In Summary: The 2017 Kia Cadenza blends the features of a sports sedan with the comfort of a luxury sedan. It carries on the beautiful styling of its little brother, the Optima, while adding technology features found in more expensive vehicles. It is comfortable, handles well, and delivers the performance you need to propel a large vehicle. Kia has paid attention to what buyers want in styling, features and reliability. It is definitely worth placing the Cadenza on your list of purchases to make.

Specifications

2017 Kia Cadenza SXL

Base price:                  Expected range: $32,000 – $44,000

Engine:                       3.3 Liter V6-cylinder DOHC

Horsepower:             290 @ 6,400 RPM

Torque:                       253 @ 5,200 RPM

Transmission:            8-Speedautomatic

Drive:                          FWD Drive

Seating:                       5-passenger

Turning circle:           37.2 feet

Cargo space:              16 cubic feet

Curb weight:              3633 pounds

Fuel capacity:             18.5 gallons     

EPA mileage:             City 20/Hwy 28

Wheel Base:                112.4 inches

Warranty:                   10 years/100,000-miles powertrain limited

Also consider:            Buick La Cross, BMW 5 Series, Chrysler 300, Ford Taurus,

                                      and Toyota Avalon

 

The holiday season kicks into high gear this month, commencing with a very special meal on Thursday, November 24. There are no greeting cards to mail or gifts to buy—we simply gather together for a higher purpose. That’s what makes this day an American favorite.

Whether hosting your own extravaganza or simply providing a potluck dish, Thanksgiving preparations generally abide by the “old school rule” to showcase California’s bounty. This is no time to go hunting in the frozen foods aisle of your supermarket to grab an icy bag of some ho-hum product manufactured in parts unknown. Memories are not made from frozen pumpkin pie. We are better than that.

To get the freshest and the best from neighboring counties, shopping at the Danville farmers’ market this month makes more sense than ever. It is also the most meaningful way to show gratitude to the people who grow the food we eat throughout the year.

The farmers’ market is about as low-tech as it gets, yet you are sure to find the best selection of must-haves for your holiday feast. As you explore your Inner Pilgrim, there are no massive carts to maneuver through crowded aisles. No empty shelves to aggravate you. No fluorescent lights to blind your eyes. And best of all, no Muzak to rattle your nerves.

There is a gamut of just-picked greens, and local olive oil for salads; sweet potatoes to bake; russet and Yukon Gold potatoes to mash; onions, celery, and artisan breads for homemade stuffing; Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green beans, acorn squash, and plenty of other seasonal veggies for stellar side dishes; and freshly harvested walnuts and almonds to add crunch to everything from appetizers to desserts. For a touch of natural sweetness, look for local honey, plump raisins, and California dried apricots and cherries. All right there, in the crisp November air.

For those with dessert on the mind there’s a plethora of sugar pumpkins, as well as rosy pomegranates, fiery orange persimmons, creamy pears, and a rainbow of newly picked apples. For the aspiring home decorator (or very thoughtful guest), there is a staggering variety of Indian corn and gourds, along with locally-grown flowers, plants, and wreaths—fresh as can be, and often priced at a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere.

With all there is to do this time of year, advance prep is a must. I always like to keep some sort of nuts on hand to serve along with drinks, or to package in cellophane bags as a thoughtful gift for holiday hosts. Recipes for herbed, candied, or spiced nuts abound, but this one is my current favorite. (And judging from the number of times I’ve been asked for the recipe, others seem to like them, too.) These can be made well in advance, and—as an added bonus—smell wonderful as they bake.

The key here is to use fresh nuts—not some limp or rancid ones that have been languishing on a shelf for years. At the farmers’ market, rest assured you will buy only the latest snapping-fresh crop from California.

                                                         Spiced Praline Walnuts

2 large egg whites, at room temperature

2 tablespoons water

1 pound California walnut halves and pieces (about 4 cups)

1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar*

1 teaspoon coarse (kosher) salt

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line a half-sheet pan with a silicone baking mat, parchment, or foil and spray with no-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites and water until foamy.  Add the walnuts, stirring gently to coat well. Scrape the mixture into a colander in the sink and let drain for 5 minutes. Wipe the mixing bowl dry with paper towels.
2. In the same bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, cayenne, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to blend. Add the walnuts and vanilla and toss to coat well.
3. Spread the walnuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake, stirring 3 or 4 times, until fragrant and nicely browned, about 30 minutes. (Watch carefully so they do not burn.) Transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack. If any of the nuts are stuck together, carefully use a fork to separate them. Let the nuts cool completely. Serve at once, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month. Makes about 4 cups.

* It is best to use only pure cane sugar here. Less expensive store brands are often blended with beet sugar that makes the caramelization process difficult, if not downright impossible.

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!

 

 

The number of people who affect our lives can be quite large, although it will vary from person to person. Parents, siblings, other family members, clergy, teachers all contribute to whom we become in our adult lives.  Many change our lives, for better or worse, in such small increments that we may not even be aware of them. Often they too are unaware that they have initiated change in people they barely know, may have totally forgotten, or, indeed, never even met. 

I should like to pay homage to some who affected my life in ways that they probably never knew.

JIMMY GRIGGS:  Because Jimmy also would be in his mid-eighties and we have not seen each other for seventy plus years, I seriously doubt that he would remember me. While his contribution to my life was not a major life changer, it was important and perhaps even profound. I was small for my age in the pre-teen years, but Jimmy was even smaller. While I could outrun just about anyone and could use my sense of humor against just about everyone, Jimmy just had to act tough, so quite often he would chase me home after school, never catching me, but letting me know what would happen if he did catch me.

Third Street in Sunbury, PA, is an unusual street. The Pennsylvania Railroad (we called it “The Pennsy”)  tracks run through the middle of the street, southbound on the west or river side, and northbound of the east side, with sidewalks on either side of the tracks. Jimmy and I were twelve or thirteen and he was chasing me north on the east sidewalk when I decided I had had enough running. With no real plan of attack, I was neither fighter nor lover at twelve, I turned, made a stern face, held my clenched fists shoulder high, and started to move toward Jimmy. Drum rolls, organ music, and flashing colored lights are appropriate here because, you got it, Jimmy, my nemesis, turned and ran away from me.

He had taught me a lesson about bullies that I never forgot. Nor was I ever afraid of such people again. Better yet, never did I ever have to fight anyone.  Although my mouth occasionally got me into trouble, it never failed to bail me out from bullies. Thank you, Jimmy!

MRS. MADVIG:  Mrs. Madvig was my final senior semester English teacher at Washington High School in Los Angeles. She was, in my opinion, a fine teacher and person, so I did good work in her class. Doing good work in class was not my usual modus operandi. Indeed, I did not do much good or even poor work in most classes unless I liked the teacher and subject.  I, like many teens, was lazy, angry, sullen, withdrawn, and, unlike others, with a sharp sense of humor that was often mean spirited. I had just three interests: baseball, basketball, and looking at girls (while scared out of my wits that they might look back).

One day in class Mrs. M. had us do a read around of some work long forgotten. When we finished, she said, “Edwin, may I see you after class?”  When the bell rang, I went up to her desk where she said, “They are having auditions for a play in room 201 after school today. I think you should tryout.”  The guys would play ball without me that day while I “tried out.”  The play was an old-fashioned melodrama with two acts one hundred and fifty years apart, so only the vampire appeared in both acts.  Guess who got the part of the vampire?  Come on, guess! 

I not only got the part, but I found I could make people laugh without hurting anyone. I discovered the recognition as a person that I longed for.  Through my teacher’s simple request to try out, I found my lifelong passion.  For the next fifty years plus I studied theater, acted in well over fifty plays, compiled two readers theater full length plays, directed and produced many plays, and, most important, taught theater in high schools for eleven years and in universities for over thirty. Through Mrs. Madvig’s simple request, this poor, unfocused kid experienced a profound, life changing path that led to a productive, positive, and enjoyable life and career. I am sure she had no idea, but thank you, Mrs. Madvig, from the bottom of my cothurni!  (Look it up.)

STEVE ALLEN:  Mr. Allen and I never met or even corresponded. To the great star of television, I was just another of the tens of millions of dedicated, unknown fans. Yet he too, or his old radio program in Los Angeles, had a real and positive influence on my life, an influence that began long before he was a nationally known star.

In the spring of 1948 my parents and I were living in Carlsbad, California then a small village along the Southern California seacoast—not the fine, well populated resort it has become. I was seventeen and in my junior year at Oceanside-Carlsbad High School. One evening a buddy and I walked the two miles to Oceanside to see a movie. By the time the movie was over, we had some doughnuts, and walked back to Carlsbad, it was well after eleven o’clock.

When I entered our apartment, my father was sound asleep, but my mother was doing something strange in those pre-television days: staying up and listening to the radio. I, of course, asked what she was listening to and was surprised by her answer:  “This young guy claims to be a disc jockey, but he doesn’t play records. He plays the piano, interviews Hollywood celebrities plus the audience, and he is really, really funny.”  She was referring, of course, to a quite young, unknown except locally, Steve Allen, and his late night radio show “Breaking All Records.”  Both Mom and I, late risers and sleepers, became fans instantly and followed him through his rise to fame and success.

At that time Al Jolson reigned as the leading entertainer in the U.S. and probably the world. He appeared one night on Allen’s show, and in the course of the interview remarked that he had been to the Hollywood Ranch Market the night before and bought a bunch of bananas.  While it may not sound so astounding to adults who have experienced television and the internet virtually all their lives, it was a moment of wonder for a seventeen year old naïve and unworldly kid. AL JOLSON, A DEMI-GOD OF SHOW BUSINESS, WENT TO THE MARKET TO BUY BANANAS! He was an ordinary human being just like all the rest of us. Wow!

That summer my family moved to Los Angeles, I entered my senior year of high school, and discovered that on Friday nights Allen would fill the Jack Benny radio studio and do his show from there with a real audience. In high school and community college it become almost a pilgrimage after the Friday night football games to drive to Hollywood and be part of his audience. One night Allen had two young performers on the same show. The first was a radio actor who talked about the new police show that he was developing. His new program would show police life as it really was, not through romantic Private Investigators. The actor’s name was Jack Webb, and the show “Dragnet,” which soon radically changed the picture of police work on radio and television.  “All I want are the facts, Ma‘am.”

Allen then interviewed a young, rather small but highly energetic Black man who sang, played drums, tapped danced, and did imitations that were spot on.  The young man just was beginning to get a reputation in “the business.”  He and his father appeared with his uncle’s jazz band, The Will Mastin Trio. The father’s name was Sammy Davis, Senior.   (I wonder what ever happened to “Junior“?)  

If we take the insight that performers were simply people with special talents and combine it with the newly acquired passion I received from Mrs. Madvig’s simple request, one can easily understand the effect on an impressionable teenager, an impression that has lasted a lifetime. Thank you, Mrs. M.!  Thank you, Steverino!

BASEBALL:  Through the ups and downs of my life (thankfully a lot more ups than downs) my family and baseball remained the rocks and constants in my life. How can I say it?  I can’t. Instead, please listen to James Earle Jones’ speech before he ventures into the cornfield in “Field of Dreams.” He says it all, and with that unique voice.  (Sadly, we cannot capture that magnificent sound on paper.)

I give bundles of thanks to those listed above, to my family, and to the countless others who contributed to whatever constitutes the person known today as  “Edwin Cohen“.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE.

 

 

 

Sitting around with contemporaries over morning coffee leads to long discussions on matters in the distant past. This morning, for example, we discussed our favorite Broadway musicals. It is no surprise to anyone that we did not speak of “Hamilton” or “Book of Mormon.” No, we spoke of older chestnuts. Thankfully, modern audiences enjoy these shows too, since they are constantly restaged for modern audiences. Bet you, most of you will know these.

1. My favorite is “My Fair Lady.” What song writing team wrote the music and lyrics for this timeless classic?

2. My friend’s favorite is “Guys and Dolls.” I love it too. The words and music were crafted by a prolific tunesmith of movies, radio and stage. Who was he?

3. “Gypsy” is another show that pops up every few years to feature veteran actresses who love playing Mama Rose. Who wrote the music and what young prodigy wrote the lyrics for this timeless score?

4. Musicals of the 20s and 30s do not come around often, but “Anything Goes” is a delightful exception. Who was the composer of this great score?

5. Rogers and Hammerstein are responsible for so many of the great musicals. The sources of the stories will vary greatly. “The King and I” is based on a movie of the late 40s. What was that movie?

6. “The Music Man” was an original story that resulted in a great hit of the late 50s. The words and music were the brain work of a musician who had been better known as the backup band for a couple radio shows. Who was he?

November is often associated with Thanksgiving. Most likely, we all share a similar memory of images, smells, and experiences defining our holiday experience. Even as you are reading this, you are probably salivating for turkey and mashed potatoes, imagining your family gathered around an extended table, eating way too much food, and watching football all day.

Whatever your association is with Thanksgiving, it’s probable that focusing on giving thanks is not at the forefront of your mind. Sure, maybe you go around the table to all say something you’re thankful for, but it’s often quick and obligatory as you just want to get to those potatoes before the steam subsides. And while I know that some families do focus on a stating their deeper thanks for the true meaning-of-life sorts of things, it does seem that the essence of thanks-giving doesn’t get as much attention as maybe it could or should.

How might your life change – for the better – if you cultivated a year-round practice of thanks-giving? Another current buzzword for this is gratitude. And it turns out that there is a lot of research showing that being grateful is not only important, it can change your life.

A leading expert in the field, Robert Emmons, defines gratitude as “an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things in the world, gifts and benefits, whether tangible or intangible, we’ve received, and we recognize that the sources of this goodness are outside of ourselves.”  These outside sources can vary from other people, nature or even a higher power, and placing focus outside ourselves allows us to pay attention to what we have, rather than what we lack.

Studies consistently find that looking for the good results in being happier, healthier and finding more satisfaction out of life. In fact, one study that had a control group write down five positive things each day, concluded that participants felt more optimistic about their lives. They also exercised more and had fewer visits to doctors, as compared to the group who focused on sources of aggravation.

And guess what happens when we start feeling more positive? It leads to more positivity! Additional benefits of developing an attitude of gratitude include a stronger immune systems and lower blood pressure; higher levels of positive emotions, which help contribute to more joy, optimism, and happiness; more generosity and compassion towards others; less loneliness and isolation; improved relationships by feeling closer and more connected; increased ability to manage difficult emotions and greater resiliency; better sleep, and less bodily aches and pains

So how do you start? Simply set the intention to look for the good. And when you start, it becomes easier to continue to find it.

Here’s how:

• Keep a gratitude journal and look back on it when you’re feeling down.
• Pay it forward. You can’t help but feel good when being generous.
• Say thank you more often– to everyone from your loved ones to the baristas behind the counter; you’ll make their day!
• Focus on what you’ve accomplished in addition to what is left on your to-do list.
• Be appreciative for your partners – building up their positive emotional bank will benefit when a conflict arises.

I do know that sometimes, in dark moments, it may be hard to find something to be grateful for. So, I offer you this: at the very least, you have your breath. And as Jon Kabat-Zinn, the grandfather of mindfulness in the Western world says, “As long as you are breathing, there is more right with you than wrong with you.” Even if the worst case scenario is happening, as long as you are breathing, you are already getting through it. So, during this holiday season, I invite you develop a practice of gratitude—notice how it makes you feel and be grateful that you have the power to shift to positive awareness.

Joree Rosenblatt, MA, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and founder of The Bay Area Mindfulness and Therapy Center, in Danville. She has a passion for helping others live their optimal life through the cultivation of a mindfulness practice and by examining the thoughts, habits and patterns preventing her clients from living in alignment with their heart, mind and soul. Joree specializes in those going through life transitions, as well as parenting struggles. Contact her for more information or to set up an appointment. joree@comcast.net or visit mindfulnessandtherapycenter.com

 

 

 

 

I recently moved, not far, just a couple of towns up the road. While in the midst of my move, my granddaughter picked up a baggie and asked, “Grandma, what are these?”  What she was holding in her hand was a plastic bag chocked full of film negatives. For a moment I didn’t understand the question and then I realized, “the times, they are a changing”.  Dark rooms are a thing of the past as even professional photographers are sitting down at their computers.

Joy is an interesting character study but it is also about a changing world.  As bricks and mortar building costs are going higher and higher, business is moving to a different model. 

Joy is an American biographical comedy-drama film, written and directed by David O. Russell and starring Jennifer Lawrence as Joy Mangano, a self-made millionaire who created her own business empire. In 1989, Joy Mangano is a divorced mother of two, working behind a desk for Eastern Airlines. (I think that’s about the time I got stranded in Haiti when Eastern went on strike!)  Joy lives with her young children, her mother Terri, and her grandmother Mimi. Oh yes, her ex-husband Tony is living in the basement. 

Her parents are divorced and can’t be in the same room without broken stuff flying through the air and Tony usually comes back between wives.  In a few words, Joy’s life is full of not enough money or time to take care of the all the people depending on her.  Her Mom spends her life in bed watching soap operas and avoiding the world. 

The always entertaining Robert De Niro plays Rudy Mangano, Joy’s father who owns a truck and bus shop. After divorcing his third wife, Rudy starts dating Trudy, a wealthy Italian widow with a little business experience who becomes her investor. While on her yacht someone drops a glass of red wine on the precious deck and everyone calls for Joy to “fix it” like she does with everything in their lives. She cuts her hands and voila, she has an idea for a revolutionary mop which spurs her on to QVC glory.

QVC was a fledgling company offering a different business model.  Just turn on your TV and you can buy virtually anything you want if you sit in your Lazy Boy long enough.  Overpriced?  Probably, but you never have to go out in the snow in the winter or heat in the summer ever again. You can mop that floor with your very clever mop in your diamond necklace and fancy robe.

Bradley Cooper plays Neil Walker, a seasoned merchandising guy in charge of the amazing new venture where celebrities sell entrepreneur’s products through a telethon system.  The first try, the host doesn’t understand her mop and the segment bombs.  Joy begs for another opportunity and insists on doing the selling herself.  She sells 50,000 Miracle Mops in just a few minutes and she’s on her way!

Joy has some tough times learning to become a businesswoman with manufacturers cheating her and trying to steal her patents. She survives. She thrives. As I hang my blouse on a weird hanger that actually holds tight and get my jewelry out of the box hanging on my closet door, I say, “Thank you, Joy.”

Joy is not the most brilliant film I’ve watched but is definitely interesting enough for a Thursday evening as what they’re selling on the many shopping channels you purchased last Thursday night.  As always, I welcome your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com.

 

 

Dear SSHS,

A friend I’ve known for 30 years invited me to a comedy club, where the comedian was vicious, mean, and hurtful. He started attacking people with autism, which caused one woman to leave the show in defense of her autistic son, and this guy was still taunting her as she was leaving. The worst part was that my friend was just laughing away as if this was the funniest and most clever thing she’d ever seen. I never have to see the comedian again, but I wonder now about my friendship with someone who is so entertained at the expense of others. What’s your perspective?

                                                                                    ~ Not Laughing, Walnut Creek

She Said:  I feel your pain. I’m sure this is not the first time you’ve been offended by her, but one doesn’t just casually toss out a 30-year friendship, right? There is a culture of anger and hate that’s been brewing for a while, and I think it has a lot to do with this election cycle. I have seen more friendships destroyed over differences of opinion in the last year than ever before, with the “how can I be friends with someone who thinks like that?” mentality wreaking havoc on social media, dinner parties and yes, 30-year friendships. I’m with you. I wouldn’t find that kind of demeaning humor funny in the least, and maybe you should have a discussion with your friend and explain how you feel. But perspective is what you asked for so here it is: How many times in 30 years has your friend been a good friend? Add up the kindnesses, shared moments, loyalties, laughter, and tears and come up with a percentage of how often she fulfills the role of friend.  Is it ninety percent? Ninety-five? Maybe even ninety-eight?  So she’s not someone you admire less than ten percent of the time? You can see where I’m going with this. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water.  It’s worth it to forgive some faults when there’s so much more benefit to the friendship. I think we could all benefit from a little forgiveness right about now. It’s time to start healing.

He Said: Good friendships are definitely hard to come by but life is way too short to entertain negative people in your life. First and foremost, your friend needs to know how you feel about this awful experience. You can’t expect your friends to all think and behave the way that you do, but what you can control is who you let into your life and how they ultimately affect you. I agree with Robin that you should analyze your complete friendship with this person and not just that one experience. Ask yourself if your time spent together has been mostly positive or not. I would also take it a step further and look around at the other personal relationships in your life. If you have more positive experiences with other people and you would rather give them more of your time than this friend, I recommend doing that. Remember life is full of sacrifices and all the time you may be spending with this friend that you don’t necessarily agree with could be time spent with friends you have more in common with or better yet, time spent working on yourself.

Robin Fahr is a communications specialist and host of Conversations seen daily on Tri-Valley TV, Channel 30 and online at trivalleytv.org. Shawn is that guy that everyone goes to for advice. Send your questions to AskHeSaidSheSaid.com.

As we live our lives we are apt to experience a multitude of “coming of age” moments. One of those moments is when we realize that an elder in our family circle, who was previously known as the “care giver,” now needs us to care for them in a way that we are unaccustomed. Some people seem to grow old and infirm inordinately quickly; perhaps from too many heartaches and disappointments. Life isn’t easy but I believe that we are here to help each other ease the path. There oftentimes is no “START” sign that alerts us to the fact that a family member or friend now needs our help navigating their health issues.

When I moved to California my mom would visit from the East coast with her oversized luggage in tow. Seriously, the airlines marked it with a “HEAVY” sticker every time because she would also pack her favorite snacks. On one occasion while I was picking her up at Oakland airport, I was unable to lift her big red bag into my Jeep Wrangler. I left her at the curb to get the car but I had to come back for her help. In retrospect she was having trouble walking due to leg pain but she never said a word about that. She told me to just go ahead and put the bag in the Jeep myself and I started laughing because it was HUGE. Normally, I can handle most physical tasks, but I was literally afraid of busting a gut or something. Eventually, we hoisted the bag into the car together and laughed all the way home. My mother never told me when she was hurting or that she needed help and I therefore assumed she was doing just fine. I had no reason to suspect that she wasn’t the same strong woman that I had known all my life.  When she went to the hospital in Pittsburgh for unclear reasons, but related to abdominal pain, I assumed she would tolerate the event with minimal difficulty. Devastatingly, my mom died unexpectedly during that hospitalization. My biggest regret is that I wasn’t there to support her when she needed me.

Older patients may get better medical care when they have family with them at their doctor visits or when they are in the hospital. Understandably, this isn’t always possible due to social, economic and logistic reasons; however, the reason they do get better care when accompanied by someone who knows and cares for them is multifactorial. The art of medicine and the medical practice model have changed vastly over the last fifty years. As a result, the amount of time that a doctor has to spend with her patients and conceptualize an idea of the problem and issues to focus on is reduced to a fraction of what it should be. If a patient comes to the office alone, we have only the information that they can give us to help formulate a diagnosis and treatment plan. Not infrequently, patients can’t remember specific facts or incidents surrounding the issues for which they are seeking help. They may be overwhelmed by the medical experience or may have impairments with memory or thought processes.  Patients may even be too embarrassed to mention issues that are significant and crucial for the doctor to know. Also, due to time restrictions with each patient, we physicians are losing the ability to develop trusting relationships with the people for whom we are assuming responsibility. Patients are reticent to heed the advice of a doctor they don’t know well or if they don’t understand the information that is being given to them.

In my experience, if a close relative or friend accompanies a patient, I have an opportunity to see a more three dimensional view of that person’s medical issues and how they are affecting her life and to what degree. Even if that support person is only present for the initial office visit, it is helpful to have a familiar point person who can be contacted if I have future questions or concerns.  Also, my treatment of a particular pain issue may involve medications or therapies that an older patient is unacquainted with. I do my best to teach and explain the rationale behind all of my decisions and treatment plans, but it is frequently much easier if I can simultaneously relay the information to the support person who may have a better understanding of my thoughts as well as the ability to reiterate the recommendations after the office visit to the patient.

All of the aspects of the complex medical system we have today along with the numerous health issues that people are dealing with make it more important than ever that we take the time, whenever possible, to be there for our friends and family. Sometimes we might just have to insist to be an “extra ear” to accompany our family member but most likely the offer will come as a relief in knowing that they are not alone.