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The creative triumph of Richard Linklater’s Boyhood will likely be acknowledged, perhaps emulated, by filmmakers for years to come. As auteurs study the structural genius of Linklater’s masterpiece they may also draw inspiration from the type of story he decided to tell, and become familiar with other films that seek the same delicate dance between life and art.

A wonderful place to start would be the autobiographical work from John Boorman, which feels like an old-school big brother to the new-millennium magic child that is Linklater’s celebrated cinematic time-experiment. Boorman, the legendary director who gave cinema one of its watershed films in terms of male psychology and cultural/class tension—Deliverance—has followed his 1987 classic Hope and Glory with a delightful and moving sequel: Queen and Country, which provides a touching and light-hearted conclusion to the story of his own boyhood, and in turn his illustrious career as a filmmaker.

In Queen and Country, the eight year old boy from the previous film, Bill Rohan (Callum Turner), is now 18 and conscripted for military service during the early 50s. Stationed in Britain as a typing instructor, he’s never part of a field battle, but his confrontation with military thought and decorum in the guise of Sgt. Major Bradley (David Thewlis) is the source of insightful humor and also frames Boorman’s humanistic philosophy. As with Hope and Glory, the sequel doesn’t pontificate or try to make any sweeping statements; it shows us the war experience through a very personal prism, an 18 year-old perspective, and predictably, for that age, it isn’t surprising when love soon trumps conflict as the boy’s primary interest.

For Bill—who never seems to covet the idea of distinguishing himself in the armed forces anyway—the event that makes a man of him is his encounter with a stunning “older woman” (all of 24) who he calls “Ophelia” because she will not reveal her identity. That very name suggests the unattainable love-object of the medieval troubadour’s noble knight who will fight to the death for her honor. Boorman’s juxtaposition of Bill’s passionate yet ultimately unrealized love for an unapproachable woman with the military-culture dysfunction he is forced to endure (and cleverly defeat, at least in spirit) produces a tone that is joyous, ironic, and bittersweet all at once. If Boorman’s memory of his first love has been romanticized by the passage of time, his moral clarity—likely formalized during the very years Queen and Country explores—remains razor sharp. This is a film born of a tender heart and focused mind, and its confidence and celebratory spirit is infectious throughout and quite inspiring at its conclusion.

Queen and Country, like its predecessor Hope and Glory, overtly refrains from making the expected anti-war statements, but the devastating effects of war become emphasized in spite of—or perhaps because of—their absence, and this is Boorman’s masterstroke. Showing narrative restraint that few directors achieve, he keeps the perspective firmly rooted in the level of maturity and personal experience of his alter-ego, which somehow makes the surrounding conflict more vivid in relief. Even if the character doesn’t fully grasp the implications of war, we do.

So often in films the story of the male protagonist boils down to his doing something courageous, something that saves or changes the world, something that elevates him, establishes him, or proves his worth. It is refreshing when a film shows us the emotional man, where the story is less about the importance or impact of his life and more about the individual resonance of it. Especially in a war milieu, where strength and resilience are often all that is required of a character, it is noteworthy to see a director brave enough to trust that a personal story will make the deeper impression.

Queen and Country will almost certainly be the 82 year-old Boorman’s last picture—he has said as much publicly, and the final shot of the film infers this with poetic charm: a movie camera slowly coming to a halt. It is heartening to see the great director go out with such grace, and the subtle insights of Queen and Country show Boorman’s singular voice in concert with mature wisdom. The metaphoric title of the film itself is both the clue and ultimate message. The triumph over the insanity and terror of war is achieved through sacrifice and commitment, not to abstract concepts like royalty or territory, but to something far more personal: love and family.

Don’t risk sleeping in on a Saturday this month, for arriving late at the farmers’ market might cause you to miss the debut of one of spring’s edible blessings.

The market is coming into full bloom, beginning with truckloads of cool-weather crops like locally-grown asparagus, tender artichokes, fava beans, celery, peas-in-the-pod, and super-sweet sugar snap peas. Fragrant strawberries proliferate, followed closely by juicy little cherries. But don’t stop there. Look closely and you’ll also find a lesser heralded shade of red—one that always triggers childhood memories for me.

My father was the gardener in our family, and maintained a good-sized patch of rhubarb in the backyard. As kids we considered this oddly-named plant very old-fashioned. While modern American moms threw together a Tunnel of Fudge Cake or some other gooey concoction, our Irish mother would bake a rhubarb pie. From scratch. You can only imagine our embarrassment.

By some cosmic twist of fate I ended up with a man who also happened to love rhubarb, so every spring I would dream up new ways to serve it. Rhubarb in the morning. Rhubarb in the evening. Rhubarb at suppertime.

I once made the following recipe for a friend’s annual potluck, and the fresh-outta-the-oven aroma wafting from the trunk kept us salivating all the way across the Golden Gate Bridge.

When The Cookbook Author arrived at the party, friends excitedly asked what I brought for dessert. Most could barely conceal their disappointment when I answered, “Rhubarb Crisp.”

After a leisurely lunch—and fittingly fortified by several glasses of wine—each of the biggest skeptics politely sampled a tiny spoonful of the crisp—paired with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream. And then I watched them return to the buffet for more…this time omitting the ice cream. And then suddenly the crisp was all gone, and the host was good-naturedly complaining there wouldn’t be any leftover for his breakfast the next morning. This was followed by plenty of comments from incredulous guests saying things like, “I guess I do like rhubarb…” and, of course, requests for the recipe.

Instead of a more traditional oatmeal crumb topping, this version blankets sweet-tart rhubarb with a buttery-rich, almost cookie-like layer made all the better with the crunch of California walnuts and a hit of ground cinnamon.

The moral of the story is to keep an open mind. Cherries and berries are not the only way in which spring casts its rosy glow on our lives. If you can read this you are no longer 3 years old; so no matter how icky the idea of something may sound to you, trust Mother Nature. She only deals in the good stuff.

Rhubarb Revelations
-The thick, celery-like stalks of rhubarb can reach up to 2 feet long. The leaves of the plant must be discarded before cooking, as they contain oxalic acid and are therefore toxic. (Relax. For this very reason, rhubarb is never sold with the leaves attached. I just threw in this warning for any home gardeners out there.)

-A good source of fiber and Vitamin A, flavorful field-grown rhubarb has cherry-red stalks and green leaves. Its peak season is April through June.

-Hothouse-grown rhubarb, available year-round in many supermarkets, has a milder flavor, yellow-green leaves, and pinkish stalks that cook up to a not-so-appetizing gray…which is why many recipes suggest combining it with strawberries or a few drops of red food coloring.

-Choose crisp, brightly colored stalks with fresh-looking stems. To store, refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to 3 days. Buying rhubarb at the farmers’ market ensures freshness…making no competition for the lonely stalks of limp, dry, or bruised rhubarb that languish in supermarket produce aisles.

-Rhubarb has undergone some gender re-assignment over the years: Although considered a fruit, botanically it’s really a vegetable.

-Known as “pie plant” in some areas, rhubarb is always combined with a fair amount of sweetener to tame its natural tartness.

RHUBARB CRISP

For the Cinnamon-Walnut Topping
1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped California-grown walnuts
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup (packed) dark or light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and bake, stirring once or twice, until lightly browned and fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool.
2. Using an electric mixer or a wooden spoon, mix together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy and well blended.
3. In medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Whisk gently to blend. Gradually beat the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just blended. Stir in the walnuts.
4. Loosely pack the mixture into a bowl or a heavy-duty plastic food storage bag. Freeze until very firm, at least 4 hours or as long as 1 month.

For the Rhubarb Filling
3 pounds fresh California-grown rhubarb
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Dash of salt
Finely grated zest of 1 California-grown orange
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 2 1/2- to 3-quart shallow baking dish. Rinse the rhubarb stalks under cold running water and discard any leaves. Cut stalks crosswise into pieces about 3/4-inch thick. (You’ll have 9 to 10 cups.)
2. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, salt, and orange zest. Add the orange juice and rhubarb, tossing to coat with the sugar mixture. Scrape into the prepared baking dish.
3. Use a large knife to chop the frozen Cinnamon-Walnut Topping; then scatter the chunks and bits over the fruit. Bake until the topping is golden and the rhubarb is tender and bubbly-hot, 45 to 55 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack. Serve slightly warm, at room temperature, or lightly chilled. Serves 10 to 12.

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 1-800-949-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

Dear HSSS,
I saw a good friend’s husband out with another woman. It sure didn’t look like business and it definitely didn’t look like family. He did not see me. Should I go to my friend with this information, or should I mind my own business?
~ TMI in Danville

He Said: From a man’s perspective, I just want to be sure you aren’t making a mountain out of a molehill. So, did you see anything inappropriate, or is this just a hunch? If it’s just a hunch then absolutely MYOB. If there’s more to it, then you should first bring it up to the husband and see if he can offer an explanation. If he admits to something or has a bogus explanation, then you owe it to your friend to tell her everything you know, guide her through the discovery process and be there as her rock for whatever she needs.

She Said: Old school would say MYOB, but we’ve graduated and it’s time for an advanced degree. If you’re sure of what you saw, go directly to the husband and tell him either he can tell his wife or you will. That should do it. But, if you do end up being the messenger, break it to your friend gently. Tell her what you saw and then offer to drive as the two of you stealthily follow him next time he has to “head back to the office” after hours. Best to rip the band-aid off quickly but circle the wagons for a lot of emotional support.

Dear SSHS,
We just built our dream cabin in Tahoe. It sleeps 16 comfortably, so not surprisingly, we’re hosting many friends. I love entertaining, but it takes a lot of work to prepare the place for guests and even more work after they all go home. Any thoughts on how I might make this as much fun for me as it is for them?
~ Exhausted in Pleasanton

She Said: Time for a little lesson in “house rules.” When everyone’s seated at your beautiful table, enjoying the delicious meal you undoubtedly prepared the evening of their arrival, simply bring up the fact that you are so glad everyone’s here and to ensure a good time is had by all, you’ll need the following: All guests strip their beds the morning of departure, put sheets and used towels in the washer, remake their bed with the second set of sheets in each closet, and return the freshly washed and folded sheets to closet backup position and towels to linen cupboards. Non-participants are not invited back.

He Said: Personally, I think hosting guests is more work than payoff, but if it’s something you enjoy, then let’s add the food ground rules. Guests staying for more than one night should help out with meal costs and prep. A good rule of thumb is to bring enough food and drink for everyone in the cabin for at least one or two full meals, so assign these meals to your guests well in advance. Cleanup afterwards should involve everyone who partook of the meal, bringing the kitchen back to pre-meal condition. Using biodegradable paper plates makes cleanup a whole lot easier too! Advance notice of cabin requirements is totally appropriate and will be appreciated by those who want to enjoy your place but just need a little guidance.

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. Send your questions to AskHeSaidSheSaid.com.

To: 145 East Prospect Ave. Suite 100 in Danville

Mission Statement: To provide exceptional cosmetics and skin care for future health of the skin.

Buzzing with great cosmetics and highly-advanced skin care since it opened its doors at 822 Hartz Way in Danville more than 10 years ago, The Rouge Kiss and Make-up Beauty Boutique is now The Rouge Cosmetics and is moving to 145 East Prospect Suite #100, in the heart of downtown Danville.

Although the name and location are new, this is the place to go for make-overs, personalized make-up lessons, seasonal make-up updates, expert brow shaping and superb cosmetics and skin care. They also do wedding make-up for brides and the bridal party, as well as custom blended foundations to perfectly match your skin tone color.

They feature a full line of high-end, cutting edge cosmetics and advanced skin care supplies and techniques. With their state-of-the-art Fleur Visage Cosmetics and Ongrien Advanced Skin Care line, you will receive the highest quality in beauty products available anywhere.

The Founder of The Rouge Cosmetics is Theresa Taylor-Grutzeck, a board-certified, licensed aesthetician, professional make-up artist and skin care specialist. As the creator, she has dedicated her career to helping women achieve their beauty goals through healthy choices in cosmetics and skin care products. Having more than 30 years of education, knowledge, and experience, Theresa is highly trained and qualified in the art of beauty and in advanced technologies for skin care. Whatever your concern or skin type, it is Theresa’s goal to give you the necessary beauty tools for a healthy complexion and a natural, beautiful look.

The Rouge Cosmetic’s skin care and cosmetic collections were created in direct response to the challenges Theresa sees on a daily basis. She believes that with the right tools and education, women can achieve their goals for a healthy complexion and a beautiful, natural “every day” look. She is honored to have the opportunity to work with women of all ages, every day, teaching them how to care for and enhance their looks with the right cosmetics.

Theresa is uniquely qualified and equipped to provide the necessary, advanced technologies in skin care and cosmetics, all designed to produce a youthful complexion and a future of healthy, beautiful skin.

This is the title of a book by Robert Cohen, first published in 1998. This book is quite accurate in its scientific investigation of one of our many corrupt cover ups that occur in our government and industry. This is not the first writing on the subject. Don’t Drink Your Milk, another great book, was published in 1992 and written by Dr. Frank Oski, physician and chief of the Johns Hopkins Children’s Medical Center. I thought I would relay a few of the highlights that these two doctors found regarding the negative effects that the consumption of milk has on our health…

Humans are the only animals that drink another animal’s milk. It is just not in nature’s plan—not even with raw milk. On the other hand, breast milk given by mother to infant, not only supplies the new born with the mother’s immunities, but studies have shown that a breast fed baby averages a 10% higher IQ than those fed cow’s milk. In addition the mother must not drink cow’s milk herself.

Now enters our real villains, companies like Monsanto. Genetically altering cows is not only bad for the cow, but for the cow’s milk. Then this company comes up with bovine growth hormone, BGH, aka BST, to increase production and profits. Unfortunately they have now found that this hormone passes on to the human that drinks it. The poor cow has a 50-79% increase in mastitis requiring antibiotics which, again, show up in the milk, and in the milk drinker.

In addition, milk has a high sugar content which is proven to contribute to Type II Diabetes. In Finland, which has the world’s highest rate of dairy consumption, the diabetes rate in children is six times that of America. Studies at Harvard and Roswell Park Memorial Institute have found up to a 300% increase in ovarian and prostate cancer in adults that consumed milk.

If you take time to read any of the literature that I have mentioned, you will find that there are other goodies that are allowed to be in milk, coming from the cow and its environment. Some of these goodies include blood, bacteria, white blood cells, pus, pesticides, herbicides, and pollens. When I was practicing orthodontics I would take a look at the younger siblings of my patients. If they were primarily mouth breathers, especially with dark circles under the eyes, I would suggest stopping milk. The parents would be amazed at the improved health after following my suggestion. Almost always when a teenage patient suffered from acne, milk was the cause.

Uninformed “experts,” including many doctors, believe that we need milk for calcium. Contrary to that belief, excessive dairy consumption actually interferes with calcium absorption. In fact, studies have shown that the countries with the most intake of dairy products have the most osteoporosis. Cows are much smarter than we. They get their offspring off milk and into vegetables quite soon. That is where the calcium is.

In my TMJ/TMD practice nutrition is a major factor in elimination of pain and inflammation. I have found natural cures to be much longer lasting with truly wonderful side effects.

Please call for your complimentary consultation today. 925-837-8048 or www.aodtc.co

What is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is similar to its counterpart, Golfer’s elbow. The primary differences between these conditions are the location of the pain and the activity that leads to injury. However, both conditions are caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, leading to inflammation and pain around the elbow joint, commonly called tendonitis. Tennis is one common cause of tendonitis, but many other sports and work related activities can cause the same problem.
The cause of tennis elbow can vary from a single violent action (acute injury) to, more commonly, a repetitive stress injury where an action is performed repeatedly and pain gradually develops. In an acute injury of the elbow, inflammation occurs without substantial tissue damage. However, in a repetitive stress situation a person may experience damage to the tendon and surrounding soft tissue causing tissue degeneration over time. Inflammation from acute injury often responds quickly to rest and anti-inflammatory treatment. However, if the injury is due to tendon tissue degeneration, treatment will be longer and will be focused on improving the strength of the tendon as well as rebuilding tissues.

Tennis Elbow Symptoms
With tennis elbow the pain is on the outside of the elbow and may radiate down the forearm into the wrist. It can be common to have pain and/or weakness when turning a door knob, holding a coffee cup or shaking hands.

Treatment for Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow does not usually cause any long-term disability. However, the condition may become stubborn and proper rehabilitation will help alleviate the symptoms and get you back to life again.

Rest and Reduce Inflammation: The first step a person should take if tendonitis is suspected is to stop the activities that cause the pain and inflammation. Use a topical cream containing Arnica to begin to reduce the inflammatory process quickly.

Laser Therapy to Heal the Damaged Tissue: Ending the pain caused by tennis elbow requires healing the damaged tissue. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only form of therapy that can both reduce inflammation and heal tissue simultaneously. Laser treatments at Align Healing Center are done with the K-laser 1200 a Class IV Laser. This laser does not cut or burn but is gently absorbed by the tissue. During Laser Therapy the infrared laser light interacts with tissues at the cellular level, increasing metabolic activity and improving the transport of nutrients across the cell membrane. This initiates the production of cellular energy (ATP) that leads to a cascade of beneficial effects, increasing cellular function and health. This creates an optimal healing environment that reduces inflammation, swelling, muscle spasms, stiffness, scar tissue and pain.

Correct the Mechanics of Motion: Assessing the forearm, elbow, shoulder and spine for proper postural feedback is done to diagnose and correct improper alignment. After proper alignment is restored, specific muscular taping is applied to improve circulation and insure proper motion on a daily basis. Lastly, specific strengthening and stretching exercises are prescribed. By strengthening the muscles and tendons involved with tennis elbow, you can prevent the problem from returning.

At Align Healing Center we are having great success not only treating tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, but also treating plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, arthritis, carpal tunnel, post surgical pain, sports injuries and more; even long-term residual pain. Ar¬thritis and degenerative disc disease sufferers can see long term benefits from this treatment without any of the negative side effects experienced with the long term use of medications.

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

Q. What additional chemicals would I have to mix with grey water in order to use it on trees and large shrubs? I vaguely remember something about zinc and iron from back in the nineties.

A. It’s not necessary to supplement grey water with any additives when using it to water outside plants. Grey water is defined as “Untreated wastewater from clothes washers, showers, bathtubs, bathroom sinks, and laundry tubs.” The untreated wastewater from kitchen sinks, dishwashers or toilets, referred to as Black Water, is prohibited. Most home plumbing systems can be modified in order to capture grey water, but you’ll need to check the requirements in your local area. Vegetables can be watered with grey water as long as the water doesn’t come in contact with the edible parts. You will have to change the laundry and bathing products you use to those that are plant friendly. No bleach, dyes, bath salts, cleanser, shampoos with unpronounceable ingredients, and no products containing boron.
Grey water needs to be used quickly as it’s recommended that you don’t store it for more than twenty-four hours. Watering basins around plants is desirable as it minimize run off and acts as a percolation basin. The utilization of Grey water is advantageous for sustainable ecosystems but it’s not right for everyone. You’ll find more information on grey water at
http://ccwater.com/conserve/alternatives.asp
http://ebmud.com/sites/default/files/pdfs/Gray-Water-Fact-Sheet-1009%5B1%5D_0.pdf

Q. Is it too late to divide and transplant my Daylilies? Is the green and healthy foliage normally cut back after they finish blooming? If so how far back are they trimmed?

A. Unless you really had too, I’d probably wait and not move the plants now. Daylilies are best relocated and divided October through the end of March. I wouldn’t cut the foliage off after flowering. Instead, I’d wait until the winter months and then cut the foliage off at the ground, as they do get shabby looking from the winter storms and cold. It could be done early or later as it doesn’t matter to the plants. I prefer later as the green foliage is far more visibly pleasing then the short stubble left after the ground level pruning. Those plants moved or divided in the fall and winter months produce no new growth until the following spring. Before transplanting, I would cut the foliage back to the ground as it makes it easier to move the plants. Using a round nose shovel, sever the lateral roots around the clump then gently lift the clump out of the ground. Next, you slice the clumps in half or quarters depending on their size with a pruning saw, hand shears or shovel. Before replanting remove any of the lose debris from the clumps. I would dig a hole that is twice to three times as wide as each clump and add plenty of homemade compost, soil conditioner or blended mixes to the native soil. Also, add a handful of starter fertilizer to the bottom of the hole. Moving and dividing Daylilies isn’t difficult and you have a high success ratio.

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

Have you ever had a movie that you dust off and watch…every year? The Frisco Kid is mine. I used to rent it every year, and then I realized what I was doing and bought it. The Frisco Kid, simply said, tickles my funny bone. Whether I’m watching it with a friend or by myself, I laugh out loud and I don’t do that often.

This is a quirky, inventive saga of a young Polish rabbi who is sent to America in 1850 to take over a congregation in San Francisco and meet his wife-to-be. Now Rabbi Avram Belinski did not finish at the top of his class but he is on his way to a bright new world. After docking in Philadelphia, the rabbi (Gene Wilder) plays Good Samaritan to three roustabouts who later rob him. Avram finds that the ship around the Horn to California has already sailed, and there won’t be another one for two months. He decides to make the trek overland by covered wagon instead. Fortunately he comes upon some Amish farmers who seeing a kindred spirit, give him shelter and money to resume his journey.

After a brief stint working on the railroad, Avram meets Tommy Lillard (Harrison Ford), a bank robber with a heart of gold and a quick temper. An unlikely pair, they team up and the adventure begins. A wild ride across this big country includes an escape from a posse, a trial by fire at the hands of some Indians, a visit to the brotherhood of silent monks, and two violent encounters with the men who robbed Avram in Philadelphia.

The Frisco Kid is an offbeat comedy that manages to convey the sturdy faith of a believer. Avram will not travel on the Sabbath for any reason; he returns his share of the money from Lillard’s bank robbery; he transmits the joy of Judaism to the Indians; and he agonizes over murdering a man in self-defense. Although Avram is duped and tricked on every turn he manages to hold on to his precious and blessed Torah, the holy book he must bring with him to his new congregation.

This is one of the better buddy-comedy Westerns, directed by Robert Aldrich (Kiss Me Deadly, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, The Flight of the Phoenix, The Dirty Dozen, The Longest Yard). Like most buddy movies, this one relies on opposites attracting. Avram is the humble, mild-mannered man of peace; Tommy is the gruff gun slinging outlaw. But both of them are bighearted, so the combination makes for a kinder, gentler sort of buddy movie. I think you are going to get a big belly laugh at this one! This is Gene Wilder and vintage Harrison Ford at their finest.

As always, I invite your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com or visit my archives at CarolynHastings.com.