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I’ve always wanted to be a department store Santa. Really, I’m not just saying that for shock value or to shamelessly draw readers into another mind numbing, yet humorous, holiday article. I also don’t mean to imply that I want to change careers. However, I think it would be a blast to dress in a Santa suit and get a “boots on the ground” Christmas experience by talking with the true believers at some mall or department store. Are they even still called department stores? Maybe the correct term is now destination shopping experience or multi-level retail goods buying facility. Regardless, Santa is still Santa and I want that gig one day.

It was the year 1890, in the small industrial town of Brockton Massachusetts, when an American Main Street tradition was born. James Edgar, a philanthropist and department store owner created a red suit from newspaper sketches and images of St. Nick and made history by becoming America’s first department store Santa. Big Jim, as his friends called him, was a tall, heavy set man with a snowy white beard and a booming voice. He opened The Boston Store in Brockton in 1878 and operated the establishment until his death sometime in the early 1900s. He was a happy and prosperous man who loved children. He originally only wore his Santa costume for one hour every afternoon in December, except for Saturdays when he wore it for three hours. He didn’t sit on a throne or chair, but instead wondered through his store chatting with kids and their parents. Read more about this truly remarkable man at http://firstdepartmentstoresanta.com/yankeemagarticle.pdf

My earliest memories of a department store Santa are from the late 1960s and the Sears and Roebuck store in Mountain View. The Sears Santa, as we called him, was a knock off Santa. Cheap Santa suit, lack of padding, less than authentic dreadlocks looking wig and he always smelled of cigarettes and whiskey. Still, believing in old St. Nick at this young age, I couldn’t be sure that this wasn’t his older (out of work) brother trying to make a little holiday scratch by covering a shift for the big man who was obviously busy managing toy production up at the North Pole. Maybe Santa was just trying to do his bro a solid. Not wanting to take any chances, I treated the man with the respect the office demanded. However, a minor detail always confused me as a snot-nosed elementary school kid. Why, when visiting several stores at one large center or mall (Liberty House, Emporium or Gemco), did each location have their own Santa? Granted, he’s magical, but that seemed like a logistical nightmare. Some astute Mall manager finally figured this conundrum out and somewhere in the late 70s, he or she talked the retail players into pulling their resources and the centrally located Mall Santa was created. Mall Santa came complete with seasonal props, attractive Santa’s helpers and a variety of picture package options.

Back in December of 2007, I wrote a delightful holiday piece entitled A Visit With Santa, The do’s and Don’ts of a Traditional Holiday Experience. A segment of the article reflected on a place called Santa’s Village, which was a Christmas themed amusement park located off Highway 17, in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. During the month of December, this was a festive, winter wonderland filled with merriment and holiday magic. The rest of the year it looked like some freaky adult rest stop attracting lonely long-haul truckers, out of work carny’s from the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and a lot of pot growing hempologists hoping to one day see their chosen crop be legalized as a pain relieving medicinal alternative. But, alas I digress.

At the height of popularity, Santa’s Village was a collection of rides (The Spinning Hot Cocoa Cups), restaurants (Sugar Plum Bistro) and a petting zoo featuring baby reindeer (probably goats). This was department store Santa on steroids. If we were lucky enough to make a pre-Christmas visit, we were convinced that this sit-down on Santa’s lap was perhaps the real deal because if this wasn’t the real Santa, it was a damn good facsimile. The guy or guys they chose to play the role of Mr. Claus, walked the walk and talked the talk. They carried their weight with pride, the hair and beard were authentic (no wigs or weaves) and his naughty/nice list was very authentic. The mountain mirage even employed real life elves, aka dwarfs, midgets and/or little people. Even the supposed Mrs. Claus fit the profile perfectly. She worked her ginger-bread apron and bun in a winter bonnet costume perfectly. As a family, we only made the pilgrimage to the Soquel Pole once before the property was eventually foreclosed upon. Sadly, some Christmas-hating developer bought the land and turned it into a sterile business park on the outskirts of the Silicon Valley. Unless I’m mistaken, they did lease a pad to a fast food operator. My attorney has advised me not to identify the company in print, but let’s just say it rhymes with Fin and Fout Burger. Try the double-double Reindeer burger for old time sake.

The ultimate department store Santa movie is of course, Miracle on 34th Street. This delightful holiday yarn has been made three separate times. The original version was released in 1947 and starred Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle, John Payne, Maureen O’Hara and a very young Natalie Wood. A remake came out in 1973, staring Sebastian Cabot as Santa. Others in the cast included Jane Alexander, David Hartman, Roddy McDowell and Jim Backus. Of the two, I liked seeing Mr. French play the bearded-one, however I preferred the original version due to the cinematography of New York City during the mid-1940s. Department stores such as Macys and Gimbels were prominent destinations back in the day and Santa had celebrity status. A cheesy television version of the timeless classic was released in 1994 staring Dylan McDermott, Elizabeth Perkins, the precocious Mara Wilson and Sir Richard Attenborough as Father Noel. As much as I was charmed by the precautious Miss Wilson, I couldn’t get past Dylan looking like he wanted to bust into full on Bobby Donnell mode from his hit TV drama, The Practice. Elizabeth Perkins has also always creeped me out since she bedded Tom Hanks in the movie BIG.

I’ve often wondered if they have a Santa in department stores in other countries. I bet Harrods in London, England would invite Mr. Claus to drop by, but what about Jiuguang in China, Big Bazaar in India or Myer in Australia? I suppose he would be welcome as long as he didn’t try to infringe on local customs, sales, religious or cultural traditions. I’ll have to keep that in mind if I can’t find a department store gig locally. I’m not sure when I’ll get a chance to check this Santa experience off my bucket list, but one day I will be channeling my inner Santa sitting on the big chair and sharing the Christmas magic with a line full of holiday crazed kids, hopped up on candy cane dust, anxious to share their list with The Claus Man. Ho, Ho, Ho. I need some work on that.

Q. I’m curious about whether gardening is actually therapeutic. I find it to be a lot of hard work with little return for my efforts.

A. Gardening is a leisure time activity that has lots of levels of enjoyment. However, it’s not for everyone, just like camping, fishing, boating, etc. Gardening provides people an opportunity to get outside; it’s a form of exercise, a change of pace from their normal routine, and a method of developing new skills. A garden allows us to go back to our roots and grow things. Color throughout a landscape is uplifting on those down days. The sound of water in a fountain is relaxing. You can’t beat the taste and satisfaction of growing home grown fruits and vegetables.

Unlike a swimming pool, spa or other upgrades, an established landscape significantly adds to property value. There are many cases where property values decline with the loss of a tree. Horticultural therapy is a growing field, out to prove that the power of nature is more than just an urban myth. These therapists, who straddle the world of psychology, ecology and botany, use gardening as a tool to help people cope with issues such as anxiety and depression, as well as physical health conditions like heart disease and post-surgery recovery.

In Denver, the non-profit Horticultural Therapy Institute, www.htinstitute.org, helps students gain the skills and confidence to create and manage successful horticultural therapy programs. In a May 2014 USA Today article, Mitchell Hewson talks about the benefits of gardening. Hewson is Canada’s first registered horticultural therapist who founded the country’s largest horticultural therapy program at the Homewood Health Center. The center is an addiction recovery and mental health treatment facility in Ontario, Canada. Hewson uses horticultural therapy with people who are suffering from conditions including dementia and eating disorders.

Research suggests that garden therapy is an efficient way to reduce stress, alleviate depression and accelerate rehabilitation in a variety of clinical settings, with no side-effects. In the 19th century, Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the “Father of American Psychiatry,” was the first to document the positive effect that gardening had on individuals with mental illness.

Personally, I’m not found of weeding or fertilizing, however it’s work that needs to be done. The gardening task that I enjoy the most may surprise you. I like to make tall grass short. This is a task that most people hire out. Mowing my lawn is an outdoor activity in the fresh air, away from the issues of the day along with burning a few calories. When I’m done I enjoy the look and smell of a freshly mowed lawn. Now to your question: Gardening is therapeutic but it does require some work. The many positive aspects are well worth the effort for lots of different reasons.

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 and on Facebook at Facebook.com/Buzz.Bertolero

Our Favorite Things

1. Fleur Visage Lip Liner Stains. With just one swipe of this lip liner stain you get a velvety lip finish that doesn’t come off, and without a side of dry mouth, perfect for the holidays because it won’t budge and stays on for over 8 hours!

2. Fleur Visage HD Black Mascara. Wrap lashes in full volumizing power with our HD Mascara with protein authority to keep lashes full, soft and luscious.

3. Fleur Visage Swirl Blush Shimmers. Dust a brush over the multi-shimmer hues, and run it over your cheeks for a gorgeous highlight. Perfect for a quick pick-me-up.

4. Fleur Visage Tortoise Brush. The cashmere-soft bristles distribute the perfect amount of color for a faultless finish for powder and blush.

5. Rue De Marli Hand Cream from Paris. A silky-smooth hand cream that makes your hands soft and heaven sent. The French love their natural products, including pure Shea Butter, Grape-Seed oil and anti-oxidants, to treat dryness to give hands a more youthful appearance than ever before.

6. Chill Body Treatments. With the fresh scent of a famed Zen sanctuary the Chill Line at The Rouge is one of the favorites among the locals. Organic and purely heavenly, the Chill Body Line includes a marvelous scrub, body lotion, body wash and organic sunscreen.

7. Ongrien Multi-Active Mud Masque. While the holidays can be very tiring, revive your complexion with our Multi-Active smoothing facial masque, to help brighten, smooth and restore the appearance of the skin. You will love the reparative effects, leaving the skin as supple as a newborn baby’s cheeks.

8. Ongrien Naturopathica Enzyme Scrub. For a “quickie” facial toning that will unclog congested pores, Ongrien Technologies took a comprehensive approach complete with a double-cleanse effect with exfoliation and a dead-cell-shedding all in one product. Great for reviving the skin in literary minutes.

9. Fleur Visage Vitamin E and Vitamin C Lip Treatment. You’ve heard of chapstick, Right? Now meet Vibran C, The Rouge Cosmetics exclusive intelligent lip treatment, designed to heal and repair dry chapped lips instantly. Great for the beauty junkie!

10. Holiday Make-over’s. If you’re scrolling through Pinterest just waiting for inspiration to strike your beauty fashionista-vibe, book a make-over at The Rouge for your next holiday extravaganza, where make-up designers are eager to create the perfect glam, glamour or naturalistic glow.
Gift Cards available for Beauty Make-Over’s.

Need a Fabulous and most perfected Foundation? Look no further! The pros at this quaint downtown beauty boutique will have you looking fabulous. Working amid loads of natural light to craft a signature, custom-blended foundation, our salon will create a flawless, gorgeously-matched, second skin look, just for you.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition in which there is damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. This can result in pain, tingling, loss of feeling, and inability to control muscles. As with any other condition, there is no “one size fits all” remedy for those suffering from this malady and treatment may vary depending on the cause and severity. However, many individuals find relief using natural remedies.

Peripheral Neuropathy is a condition that affects people in every walk of life. It is estimated that 20 million Americans and 60% of diabetics suffer from this disorder. There are hundreds of different kinds of neuropathy, the symptoms of which include burning, tingling, weakness, numbness, paralysis, and dull to excruciating pain – especially in the limbs.

Although many neuropathies have no known cause, neuropathy is often associated with another condition, such as: Diabetes, HIV, shingles, toxins, autoimmune disorders, neurological conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome, and malnutrition. Statin (cholesterol) drugs and chemotherapy can also cause neuropathy.

While medications can sometimes help with the symptoms, they cannot be relied upon to restore the health of the nerves. Most often the drugs that treat Neuropathy leave the sufferer feeling intoxicated and hopeless to lead a normal active life.

Understanding the Nervous System

Nerves carry the electrical signals that allow us to move, feel, breathe, digest, detoxify, respond to our environment, and much more. Nerves are the electrical wiring of the human body. Plain and simple, if the nerves do not work the body will not work, in some capacity. It is also important to understand that unlike other tissues, the primary blood supply to nerve tissue is actually located WITHIN the nerve itself. So, if a nerve becomes impinged or compromised, so does the blood supply to the nerve. Without proper blood supply, the nerve does not receive the energy and nutrition that are needed for the nerve to heal. Over time neural impingement leads to a painful chronic condition called Neuropathy.

How can I heal my neuropathy?

1. Class IV laser therapy. Ending the pain caused by neuropathy requires reversing the cause of nerve damage. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only modality that can both reduce pain and heal tissue simultaneously. Laser therapy creates an optimal healing environment that reduces swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness and pain. As the injured tissue returns to normal, function is restored and pain is quickly relieved. In other words, NO MORE Pain, NO MORE Numbness, NO MORE Tingling and NO MORE Burning!

2. Test for nutritional deficiencies. A single nutrient deficiency can contribute to any number of disorders of the nervous system, including neuropathy, migraines and even Alzheimer’s. We use SpectraCell Labs patented micronutrient test to measure the function of selected vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential micronutrients within your white blood cells. Standard blood tests do not measure if the nutrient is properly functioning within the body.

With the proper combination of holistic therapies it is possible to heal your nerve pain and in the process feel more alive and energetic than you have in years. Depending on the type and severity of neuropathy we have witnessed patients begin to get relief after the first visit and with continued care receive complete relief long-term.

Dr. Niele Maimone of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA has been active in natural health & wellness since 1999. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

In my practice of Dental Sleep Medicine and treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, a.k.a., TMD, STRESS plays a major role. In the case of sleep, sleep deficiency can result in several forms of stress causing inflammation. And with TMD, stress often causes us to clench or grind our teeth, causing a flare up of TMD. This is one of the many reasons that I chose to become trained and educated in both specialties.

It is quite true that many other factors, such as work, commuting, family problems and responsibilities, etc. can bring additional stress into our lives, but if your body is already under stress, these other factors can multiply the problems, not just add to it.

One very important problem many of us have that greatly lessens our ability to cope with stress is the tendency to not follow the Golden Rule when it comes to being hard on ourselves. I think it would be good to adjust this rule to say, “Treat ourselves as we would like others to treat us.” These are the words of Harvard professor Tal Ben-Sharar.

Maxwell Maltz, in his book Psycho-Cybernetics, suggests that we be aware of our inner conversation. Being self critical is anti-productive and can greatly add to your stress. On the other hand, if you love and honor yourself, you will love and honor other people, as a natural consequence. This switch in attitude significantly reduces negative and unnecessary thoughts, thus allowing increased productivity.

Another famous writer, Erich Fromm, in The Art of Loving, brings the point home that, only to the extent that one loves oneself can one love another or be able to accept and enjoy being loved.

I venture to propose that incorporating the above philosophy into one’s life would be so fulfilling that stressful situations could most times be laughed at. For sure life would be a lot more fun.

One more factor that could turn negatives into positives is found in an ancient prayer entitled “Be Thankful.” Too many of us are spoiled brats, always wanting the easy way out. This prayer points out that the only times you really grow are when you are challenged; the difficult times. I would like to quote a few passages:

“Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.”

“Be thankful when you are tired and weary because it means you have
made a difference.”

“It’s easy to be thankful for good things. A life rich in fulfillment comes to
those who are also thankful for the setbacks.”

“Gratitude can turn a negative to a positive.”

“Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they become your
blessings.”

Managing stress and its manifestations without the use of drugs is our goal at the Advanced Oral Diagnosis and Treatment Center. Unlike drugs, the side effects of our treatment are better health and a more rewarding life.

My office, Advanced Oral Diagnosis Treatment Center, is located in Danville. We can be contacted at 925-837-8048 and www.aodtc.com. The initial exam is complimentary.

The risk of bone fractures from even small types of trauma increases dramatically as we age. A major contributing factor is osteoporosis or thinning of the bones. The most common bones that are broken are the hip and spine. Unfortunately, older adults’ overall health tends to decline exponentially when they suffer from one of these fractures. An increased risk of death within the next two years is associated with these fractures in the geriatric population, defined as age over 65 with serious health issues.

Fractures can occur if the bone density or strength is less than normal and then subjected to trauma, such as a slip and fall injury. If bone density is severely compromised, fractures can occur with little to no excessive force. In extreme cases, a hard sneeze can cause a fracture.

Bone density is evaluated using a low level x-ray test called a DeXA scan. With this test, a normal score is T -1.0 to 1.0. Osteopenia (lower than normal bone strength) occurs at a T score between -2.5 and -1.0, and osteoporosis (extremely low bone strength) is a T score of -2.5 or lower. The lower the T score, the higher the risk of bone fracture. Postmenopausal women, Asians and Caucasians have an increased risk of osteoporosis. Overall, one in four people, age 80 and older, has osteoporosis.

Diet, exercise and lifestyle changes can prevent or slow down the development of osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D are essential vitamins and minerals for bone formation. Diets that include green leafy vegetables, fish, soy, dairy, and fortified orange juice and rice are high in Calcium. Vitamin D can be found in fish, milk, egg yolks, fortified orange juice and rice. Avoidance of tobacco and excess alcohol also reduces the chances of bone thinning. Exercise, especially weight bearing, increases bone strength and density. Also, the more bone density a person has in their younger years carries through to their older years and decreases the risk of osteoporosis.

Vertebral fractures are especially painful and if left untreated can lead to chronic pain and deformity which can affect other body functions. When the back bone is fractured, even the simplest movements cause extreme pain. This is because the edges of the fracture are moving with each breath and change in position. Some people find that the only comfortable position is lying in bed, motionless. This, of course, is not healthy and leads to more problems such as pneumonia, deconditioning and weakness, and blood clots, to name a few.

A fracture of the spine can take six months to a year to heal naturally. For over 20 years, a non-invasive procedure called a Percutaneous Balloon Kyphoplasty, or PBK, has been available that can immediately fix the fracture and alleviate pain. It involves injecting cement into the fracture line through a small needle. Once the cement is injected, it immediately becomes hard and forms an “inner cast” for the spine. The cement cast also prevents the bone from collapsing. If the vertebra collapses, it causes a humpback type of deformity of the spine that can make it hard for people to stand up straight or take a deep breath. After having the PBK procedure, most patients are back to their previous activities of daily living within two to four weeks, with minimal to no pain.

Once you’ve had one vertebral fracture, your risk of having another one is five times greater, regardless of the treatment. This is why it is extremely important to start a plan that includes safe weight bearing exercise, balance and core strength re-education and bone hardening medications to lower your risk of repeat fractures.

Visit my website at www.delaneymd.com for more information on the PBK procedure and osteoporosis treatment options.

It is no mystery why the friend who set up my computer system chose a character from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas as my password. He knows that I get a little cranky around the holidays.

Oh, I manage to put up a good front in public. I wear sparkly accessories; smile pretty for candid photos; attend a crazy number of holiday lunches and parties; and cook yummy things to share. I decorate my house and wrap gifts. Everything looks normal to outsiders—sometimes even better than normal. But those who really know me understand that every December I am like a crazed woman forced to spend thirty-one days in the penitentiary, methodically scratching off each day on the calendar until the New Year.

There are simply too many places to go. Too many things to do. And too little time. Yet I am determined to enjoy this very special time of year with family and friends.

After many Decembers, I have made a conscious effort to streamline my life. I no longer try to live up to the impossible standards set by all the glossy lifestyle magazines. In a good year the decorations for my home consist of a wreath on the door; a cluster of poinsettias in the foyer; perhaps a silver bowl of shiny red apples on the coffee table; and an arrangement of fragrant greens and tangerines on the dining room table. And guess what? Everything comes from the farmers’ market, where I can shop in the fresh air and avoid the mind-numbing traffic, cranky shoppers, and anxiety-inducing Muzak at the mall.

While I purchase all the produce and other specialty food items needed for the coming week, I inevitably find a few “tasteful” gifts at the farmers’ market…allowing me to happily cross a few names off my to-do list. Along with the bevy of bargain-priced fresh flowers and plants to brighten both my home and those of my hosts, there’s a wide variety of artisan jams and jellies; local honey; California extra virgin olive oil; glistening sun-dried tomatoes; and plenty of top-quality dried fruits and nuts just ripe for giving to my favorite foodies.

But even the best gifts pale in comparison to the thoughtfulness attached to something homemade. Unless you spent the entire summer putting up dozens of jars of homemade jam, maybe now is the time to go nuts… in the best way possible.

There are thousands of recipes that elevate shelled nuts to the next level; and such recipes can be a lifesaver this time of year. Just remember that the finished product will be only as good as the ingredients you’ve put into it. This is no time to risk opening a bag of rancid nuts from a supermarket. At the farmers’ market, you are sure to purchase only this year’s new crop of nuts.

The sweetness of these crunchy, easily prepared almonds is tamed by a whisper of heat from cayenne pepper, making them a versatile choice for the holidays. Other than eating them right out of hand, here are just a few of the ways to enjoy Sweet & Spicy Almonds:

–As a cocktail nibble, or tossed with dried cherries and tiny bits of crystallized (candied) ginger for a zesty snack mix.

–To add your signature crunch to an otherwise mundane cheese platter.

–Scattered over baked brie for a molten cheese course; or alongside aged blue cheese with a glass of port wine.

–As a deliciously decadent element to top of a baked & buttered sweet potato.

–To garnish a beautiful winter salad. (Consider something like wedges of ripe Fuyu persimmon on a bed of arugula, topped with bite-size chunks of soft California goat cheese and a few Sweet & Spicy Almonds.)

–For a unique dessert, sprinkled over ice cream (chocolate, vanilla, and banana are all good choices.)

— Packed into small cellophane bags and tied with rustic twine or a tartan-plaid ribbon as a gift for a favored host or other friend.

Sweet & Spicy Almonds
2 large egg whites, at room temperature
2 tablespoons water
1 pound whole natural (skin-on)California almonds(3 to 3 1/2 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 degrees. Line a half-sheet pan with a silicone baking mat, parchment paper, or aluminum foil sprayed with no-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg whites and water until foamy. Add the almonds, stirring gently to coat well. Transfer the mixture to a colander and let drain for 2 to 3 minutes. Wipe the mixing bowl dry with a paper towel.

2. In the same bowl, combine the brown sugar, granulated sugar, salt, cayenne, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir to blend. Add the almonds and vanilla and toss to coat well.

3. Spread the almonds into a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake, stirring 2 or 3 times, until fragrant and golden brown, about 30minutes. (Watch carefully to avoid burning.) Transfer the baking sheet to a wire cooling rack. If any of the almonds are stuck together, use a fork to separate them. Let cool completely. Serve at once, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 weeks. Makes about 4 cups.

The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad and Prospect, is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For specific crop information call the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at 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!

No matter what your financial goals may be, hiring a “Financial Life Manager” may help you achieve them. Whether you are planning for retirement, buying your first house, paying off debt or wish to invest some of your hard-earned cash, a “Financial Life Manager” may help you along every step of the way to help ensure you meet your financial goals. But not all financial advisers are created equal and hiring the wrong one could have serious consequences.

Find out what to look for and how to choose a financial adviser:

Check Their Credentials:
The first step of choosing your financial adviser is checking their credentials. A Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA), Registered Investment Consultant (RFC), or Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), are some of the credentials you may consider. In order for an adviser to obtain a CIMA, RFC or CFP certification, the adviser must go through rigorous testing, ongoing continuing education requirements, and meet certain regulations concerning many of the different aspects of financial planning.

1. Ask Friends and Family: Ask people you know if they have any recommendations for a financial adviser in your area. This way, you will get a firsthand account of what type of services the financial planner offers and whether they could provide the kind of help you’re looking for.

2. Understand How They Get Paid: Some financial advisers get paid by commission when they sell you an investment product. Other advisers operate on a fee only scale, meaning they do not get paid from commissions. You might also be able to find a group of advisers that charge per hour for small projects.

3. Read Their Code of Ethics: As the old saying goes, the devil is in the details. While it may be tedious, read through each adviser’s code of ethics, and make sure they have your best interests at heart. Look for terms like “fiduciary,” which means they strive to look after your best interests at all times. Registered representatives who are not advisers are held to a suitability standard, which is a lesser standard.

4. Consider Specialization: The conversation with multimillionaires needs to be different than a conversation with two college graduates starting to build their lives together. Make sure that the team you are considering to hire has specific experience doing what you need. Finding the right “Financial Life Manager” for your specific goals may make or break your success.

5. Make sure to do your due diligence so you may feel that you are in good hands: The right “Financial Life Manager” will assist you along every step of the way, hopefully helping to turn your financial dreams into realities.

Mr. Kelly Trevethanis a Certified Investment Management Analyst& Registered Financial Consultant. He is aManaging Director with United Capital Financial Advisers LLC, a national private wealth advisory firmwith 79 offices across the nation. He can be reached at 415-418-2101.To obtainyour free copy of the New York Times Bestselling book “The Money Code”, email him at Kelly.trevethan@unitedcp.com.

We have a lot of Christmas traditions in America but you may be surprised to know where they really came from. America, as we all know, is a very young country compared to other advanced countries, especially in Europe. Many, if not all of our Christmas traditions and music came from European heritage.

An interesting comparison of customs in the United States and Germany has shown how many of our traditions came from primarily the German speaking countries of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Emigrants from Germany, and to a lesser degree, England, brought their music and other traditions to this country. They incorporated their old customs from their homeland to their new home, celebrating traditions they knew.

German Christmas Traditions
The most important major holiday in Germany is certainly Christmas, or “Weihnachten.” This season begins with the start of Advent that commences with the four Sundays before Christmas.

They decorate an Advent wreath that is made from fir or pine boughs. On it are placed four candles that are lit each Sunday during the Advent period. The Advent calendar, usually made out of cardboard with 24 tiny windows, are opened one at a time, until Christmas. Sometimes the windows contained a small present or candy for children.

In Germany, Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas, does not come on Christmas Eve but on December sixth, the feast day of Saint Nicholas. It is said that Martin Luther quelled that practice and replaced it with the Christ child who brought gifts to the children. Another tradition common in Germany is Mistletoe – not to encourage a kiss but to ward off disease and old age.

The Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree – der Tannenbaum, came to America during the Revolutionary War in the 18th Century by Hessian soldiers who were mercenaries for the British. The tree was a fir or spruce and a nativity scene was usually placed beneath the tree. In Germany and other countries, candles were used to light the tree, under strict conditions to prevent fire.

Early tree decorations consisted of tinsel, glass balls, sweets and a star or angel on top. Christmas glass ornaments, invented in Germany in the late 16th Century, were brought to America from Germany by dime store magnate, F. W. Woolworth in the 1880’s.

The famous carol, O Christmas Tree or O Tannenbaum, dates from 1550. Martin Luther is said to be credited with the custom of having the Christmas tree in the home.

Christmas was and is a time for families to enjoy an evening meal, sing carols, read the story of Christ’s birth and exchange gifts. Christmas Day is usually a family day spent celebrating with relatives. The traditional meal is usually goose, rabbit, a roast, or more rarely, a turkey.

At Christmastime it is traditional to make stollen, a form of German coffee cake. Also making gingerbread houses, nativity scenes, and nutcrackers are long standing traditions. Epiphany, or 12th night, is January sixth and is observed in commemoration of the Magi, or three kings.

The custom of sending Christmas cards also came from Germany. Many earlier cards were made by German printers. Today it is a very popular custom in the United States to send cards to family and friends. It’s easy to see that without these German influences, Christmas would be very different in America today.

Christmas Markets
The famous German Christmas Markets, started in Nuremberg in 1545, begin each year in late November and are held in most German cities. They are very popular beehives of activity featuring music; beer; food; hot-mulled wine; apple cider; tree decorations and all sorts of handmade gifts.

In the United States this tradition is celebrated in certain cities that have a substantial German presence. Each December, Chicago has a very popular and famous open-air German Christmas Market that began 20 years ago in 1996.

Christmas Music
Early German Christmas music dates from the Middle-Ages – some from the 11th Century. The music came from folk melody origins with the words or text written by local clergy. This music was humble and solemn and sung in churches.

In the Reformation some of the music was intended for use outside of the church. The religious connotations were there, however, the nature of the carols were more secular than the music sung in church. In the 19th Century much of the Christmas music we know today came into being. Some of the favorite carols we sing today actually came from German traditions. Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming, circa 1599, In Dulci Jubilo, circa 14th Century and the best know version, Good Christian Men Rejoice.
Probably the most famous and favorite carol we sing today is, Silent Night, Holy Night, in German, Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht. It was written by an Austrian church organist, Franz Gruber and first performed in 1818. The first American performance of Silent Night was in New York City in 1839. It has been translated into more than 100 languages.

Some famous English traditional carols we sing are: The First Noel; Hark the Herald Angels Sing; Joy to the World; Deck the Hall; Away in The Manger; Angels We Have Heard on High; The Holly and the Ivy and Carol of the Bells.

English Traditions
Not to be slighted, but of lesser significance in terms of Christmas traditions in America, are customs from England. As German immigrants brought customs to the United States, so did the English bring theirs. German traditions were also adopted by the English. Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s German husband, brought the first Christmas tree to Windsor Castle in 1841.

A well-known English tradition is the Christmas cracker. It is a paper-covered tube with festive covering. When the tabs at the end of the tube are pulled there is a loud crack and out comes a paper hat to wear at dinner plus a riddle to read at the meal.

A traditional English Christmas dinner may consist of a turkey or roast beef with Yorkshire pudding or a stuffed goose. Dessert may be plum pudding with brandy poured on it and then set aflame. The custom of baking the plum pudding with a small charm in it is said to bring the person who finds it good luck the following year. The Wassail Bowl with hot spiced wine is a welcome treat to top off the dinner.

Most people in the United States have grown up with many of these ancient European traditions; thinking they were part of our American heritage. Indeed, they have been widely incorporated into the fabric of our culture.

Because of our multi-cultural nature many varied Christmas traditions can be found in our country today. Regardless of how it is celebrated, we wish all mankind a time of joy, peace and understanding this coming season and throughout the New Year.

Don’t miss “T’was the Night Before Christmas,” The Danville Community Band’s free annual Christmas concert, Sunday, December, 13, 2015, 3:30 p.m., East Bay Four Square Church, 2615 Camino Tassajara, Danville, Ca.

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.

At least once a year I get to shout to the world, “I LOVE CHRISTMAS!”

I love the change in the seasons, the chill in the air. I love the smells; the neighbor’s chimney wafting out the scent of burning wood and cinnamon apples baking in the oven. I love the pine trees, sap and all because they smell like Christmas.

And don’t forget the flickering lights and the brightly clothed packages under the tree. Yup, Christmas rolls around and I’m a goner. So, I will share a secret with you…I’m a schmalzy Christmas movie junkie. If I didn’t have such a busy schedule, I’d probably just put a fire in the fireplace and curl up on the sofa with Christmas movie after Christmas movie after Christmas movie.

Hallmark is the King, or maybe the Queen of “feel good” holiday movies. They started out by adding a few new ones every year. This year they have really stepped up their game and many of the other TV channels have followed suit. Hallmark now has two channels and at Christmas they need both of them just to keep up. UP Channel has some newer holiday movies as well as ION, Lifetime and of course the network channels. I’m sure there are more but you get the picture. (Pun intended).

My favorite of the older Hallmark movies is Season for Miracles. I actually purchased it a few years ago (yes you can purchase Hallmark movies on DVD) so I could watch it in the off season. Last year they introduced North Pole, a fun family movie with a sequel this year called North Pole, Open for Christmas. You might want to grab the popcorn and the grand kids for that one.

You might ask, how do I know when they are showing? Well, it has already started in November! There are so many that there are now calendars online that give you the when and where. Just to name a few, countdownuntilchristmas.com, christmastvschedule.com and chiff.com. Go online and print it off or just turn on the TV and check it out.

I personally believe that The Nativity Story is a beautiful celebration of the season and should be on your list.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the ones that will be in the theaters this year. Get bundled up, let someone else make the popcorn and head to your local theater on one of your days off. You’ll find Love the Coopers, The Peanuts Movie, A Christmas Story and It’s a Wonderful Life in select theaters. Hopefully, somewhere on the big screen you’ll be able to catch one of my favorites, The Polar Express.

Anyway you like your Christmas entertainment fare, Tis the Season for fun, family and food—the Milk Duds and Junior Mints variety. Whether it’s at home or in the theater, Christmas movies are a great way to keep your priorities straight, family, friends and of course the Reason for the Season, Faith.

As always, I cherish your comments and the privilege of writing for you another year. Chastings@rockcliff.com