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President Lincoln once said “Adhere to your purpose and you will soon feel as well as you ever did. On the contrary, if you falter, and give up, you will lose the power of keeping any resolution, and will regret it all your life.” I won’t be surprised if this quote is posted all over the Ford – Lincoln headquarters as Ford has never given up on Lincoln and instead has breathed new life into the brand. This evolution is illuminated in the passion expressed in each of their models and shines through in the details, quality and vision.

The Lincoln models were once slightly modified clones of existing Fords, but this is clearly no longer the reality. The Lincolns of today have their own personality, styling and sexiness. They are both amazing to drive and to ogle.

The 2014 Lincoln MKZ is a pure example of how Lincoln has infused elegant design, technology and performance into one package. The 2014 MKZ represents the reinvented Lincoln in both style and substance: stunning design wrapped around intuitive, purposeful technology. The first vehicle from the dedicated Lincoln Design Studio, is the new MKZ, which sold in record numbers after arriving in dealerships earlier this year.

The MKZ is classified as a “mid-size” vehicle and is available in two trim variations: Base and Hybrid. “Base” does not mean “basic,” but instead simply “non-hybrid.” The MKZ comes standard in front-wheel drive and can be ordered with an optional AWD system. The Hybrid is only available in FWD.

The base version comes standard with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost® turbo-charged 4-cylinder engine that produces 240 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque and yields 22 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. If you require a few more horses under the hood, you can purchase the MKZ with a 3.7-liter V6 motor that generates 300 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque and earns mpg ratings of 19 city and 28 highway. Both engines are mated to a version of Lincoln’s electronic 6-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift Automatic™ and paddle shift activation.

The Hybrid model is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a permanent magnet AC synchronous motor. Together they deliver 38 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. The transmission is an Electronic Continuously Variable Powersplit.

The Lincoln MKZ was completely overhauled for the 2013 model year, and it now embodies the future of Lincoln’s design language. The MKZ has beautifully flowing lines from front to back. Lincoln toned down the massive wing grille to produce a more subtle and elegant appearance. The grille wings draw upwards blending into the headlamps. The rear window slopes right into the trunk lid which swoops up into the spoiler. From the rear quarter panels to the large rectangle dual export ports, the entire rear portion of the XKZ is masculine and sporty.

The interior felt upscale with futuristic touches including touch bars to increase or decrease the radio volume or raise or lower the fan speed. Who needs a shift? The MXZ eliminated the normal center console transmission shifter replacing it with buttons on the dash starting with a start/stop ignition button. This freed up space in the center console for more storage and cup holders. Speaking of the center console, it has a “Volvo-like” floating design creating two additional places for storage underneath the console.

MyLincoln Touch has voice controls that take the reins over secondary controls, with buttons on the steering wheel offering redundant ways to command the system. The touchscreen allows you to page through everything from radio, phone, and climate control to navigation and more. Of course, to keep your hands on the wheel, you can always use the SYNC system; Ford’s Bluetooth-based system that allows users to command the XKZ to make, change or request operations including the ability to set a radio station or set an address for the navigation system.

The 2014 Lincoln MKZ is equipped with the Lincoln Drive Control (LDC), which is an automatic system that delivers an ideal balance of a smooth ride with confident handling, as it intuitively responds to driver commands and the road. The LDC coordinates the performance of the Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD) adjustable suspension, electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) and Active Noise Control (ANC) systems.

Cool Features:
• Touch bars for radio volume and fan speeds (optional)
• Shifter buttons
• Retractable panoramic roof (optional)

Safety on the 2014 Lincoln MKZ includes the following standard safety features: antilock brakes (ABS), stability control, traction control, driver and front passenger airbags and knee airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, crash sensing system, Post-Crash Alert system. Optional safety items include: rear view camera, blind spot monitor with cross-traffic alert; all-wheel drive.

In Summary – The 2014 Lincoln MKZ is a hot seller for Lincoln and once you see it and take it for a ride; it’s not hard to understand why. It has sophisticated styling, smart high-tech features, respectable handling and three good engine choices that earn top mpg. The interior is comfortable and well-crafted. I would also recommend stopping by a participating Lincoln dealership and asking about their Date Night promotion. You’ll receive a Lincoln for a 48-hour time period as well as a $100 gift card.

I want to give a special thanks to Sara Schleske, Marketing Manager, at Livermore Ford Lincoln, for her assistance with our test drive and setting up our Date Night test drive.

Specifications
2014 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

Base price: $35,925 as driven: $45,645 (including destination & optional
features)
Engine: 2.0-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder
Horsepower: 188 @ 6,000 RPM
Torque: 129 @ 4,000 RPM
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Drive: FWD Drive
Seating: 5-passenger
Turning circle: 38.0 feet
Cargo space: 11.1 cubic feet
Curb weight: 3,828pounds
Fuel capacity: 13.5 gallons
EPA mileage: City 38/Hwy 37
Wheel Base: 112.2 inches
Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles powertrain limited
Also consider: Acura TL, Buick LaCrosse, Lexus ES 300h, Infiniti Q50 Hybrid

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 is 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 Lab’s 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.

Q. Earlier this summer, I planted a Fuji Apple and a nectarine tree together in the same hole as my front and back yards are too small. What’s going to happen when they both start to fruit?

A. I’m not sure that anything negative is going to happen when they start to fruit. That said, there are other more pressing concerns that need to be addressed before they get to that point. Small yards are a dilemma for gardeners looking to grow a variety of different types of fruits. The typical, semi-dwarf fruit tree, fifteen to eighteen feet high, with a twelve-foot spread, is much too big. The idea of planting multiple trees in a single hole is a great solution: however, the trees have to be compatible with the same watering requirements and have a similar growth pattern. Unfortunately, that is not the case with your choices, as they’re very dissimilar.

Nectarines have an umbrella shape canopy while an apple growth pattern is stiff and upright. Nectarines are pruned annually, removing fifty to sixty percent of the growth while with apples, you remove about ten or fifteen percent. As these trees mature, this combination will look very odd and awkward in the landscape. The key issue is the watering requirements. Apples tolerate frequent summer watering while nectarines do not; hence, planting under their canopies is not recommended and that’s a problem with small yards. Personally, I think there is little chance that you’ll be successful with this grouping. You’re going to have to remove one of the trees and replace it with a variety that better fits the location.

Apples, Pears and Asian Pears are best planted together. This is your best choice as you can maximize the planting space under the canopy. Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, Plums, Plumcots and Pluots are the other groupings. Planting two, three, or even four fruit trees in the same hole will work. They’re spaced no closer than two feet apart. The grouping is viewed as a single canopy with multiple trunks and each variety is pruned accordingly.

It’s important to layer the different branches of each variety so they aren’t growing into one another along with minimizing the rubbing and crossing branches and eliminating the congestion in the center of the trees. It’s critical that these trees be pruned annually as one variety may be more aggressive than another. You prevent this by limiting each variety to a certain percentage of the space, fifty, or twenty-five percent etc, depending on the number in the grouping.

Also, it’s important that you have access around the entire diameter of the canopy to prune efficiently. It’s not as difficult as it might seem when planned correctly. In addition, whatever combination you choose, select varieties with different ripening times. This allows you to space the crops out so they don’t ripen in the same week and a half. And finally, the selection at your favorite garden center is very limited now so I suggest you wait until January for the new selection of trees to arrive

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

Untreated and undiagnosed Sleep Apnea is not only a major cause of death, it can greatly affect the quality of life, even for children.

It has taken far too long for obstructive sleep apnea, a.k.a. OSA, to be recognized as an extremely severe threat to health and sometimes the lives of others, as well as the effect it can have on the quality of one’s life and well being. In fact, the realization of the severity of this problem has not yet occurred in many health care practices, as evidenced by the lack of a thorough review and Q&A of a patient’s health history and symptoms. A simple questionnaire could be given to every patient indicating the need for a sleep study. This questionnaire is the first step that each and every medical and dental practice should take towards a basic standard of care.

Insurance companies have become aware of the risk of driving with sleep deprivation to the point that an accident may not be covered when caused by untreated OSA.

The anti-snoring devices you see so often on TV, or are provided by dentists that don’t have thorough training in sleep apnea, should be illegal because they rarely help with OSA and cover only one symptom—snoring. I compare this to putting a Band-Aid over a skin cancer, or pulling out the battery to stop the beeping of a smoke detector when there is a roaring fire. The snoring is a warning signal. By stopping the snoring and not knowing if the apnea is being effectively treated, this person’s life may be put in jeopardy.

Here are just a few of the statistics associated with this dysfunction:
– Untreated OSA subjects are 12 times more likely to have an auto accident.
– Tired driving is the #1 cause of accidents, more than DUI.
– 36% of fatal accidents involved sleep deprivation.
– Death caused by any disease; regardless of age, weight, sex or smoking; is 46% more likely to occur in patients with untreated OSA – a study of 6,400 subjects.
– Recent research at Stanford and USC revealed a strong relationship between OSA, dementia and Alzheimer’s. 70% of these dementia and Alzheimer’s patients had OSA.
– There is a strong correlation between the severity of cognitive impairment and the severity of sleep apnea.
– 500% increase in cancer deaths when OSA is involved.
– Nearly 80% of nocturnal strokes are associated with OSA
– OSA contributes to myocardial infarction more than hypertension and smoking together, causing 23.3 x increase in the odds (smoking 11.1 x and hypertension 7.8 x).

To me, what is far more important is that when I help my patients to overcome this problem, their health improves. They enjoy their day and even their work, without being over-tired, and their spouse can, once again return to the bedroom. I could go on for pages with frightening statistics. I hope that by listing just a handful of them it may help you see the extreme importance of a condition that is yet to get the recognition it deserves.

Earlier I mentioned a short questionnaire that is quite successful at making a tentative diagnosis of OSA, rating the probability of someone having OSA. It is much more than just how bad you snore. You may not snore at all and still have OSA. One of these tests is called the ARES test. If you would like us to email you a test, just ask us to at info@aodtc.com. Depending on how you, or your loved one scores, it may help give you the extra nudge you need to take action today. My staff can help you find the best place for a sleep study, even if it is in the comfort of your own home.

Once OSA is diagnosed our office specializes in dental sleep medicine and appliances to correct OSA. We work closely with medical sleep specialists to give our patients optimal care.

Fat is an unusual substance. It’s the stuff that dimples thighs, thickens waists and enlarges derriers. We typically want it gone, or to at least have it stay in place. We curse it, fight it, try to hide it, and offer to give some away to our skinny friends. Unwanted, under-appreciated, and very much misunderstood–it’s the substance we “love to hate”.

Fat comprises about 5 to 30 percent of your body depending on what kind of shape you are in. The average, normal weight adult has around 30 million fat cells. Rather than just increasing our size and taking up space, we now know that fat cells have many physiologic functions that affect overall health –so much so that fat is now considered a major organ, like the thyroid or adrenal glands. It is becoming increasingly known that fat cells or adipocytes are wildly functional. Like the other organs in the body, fat cells can function in both healthy and unhealthy ways. This makes weight maintenance and nutrition management absolutely essential in order to become and stay healthy.

Fat cells produce adipokines- proteins and hormones that regulate everything from metabolism to weight control to inflammation. Recent studies found 347 proteins that are produced by the fat cell (with some studies showing up to 600), many of which are produced only in overweight people. These included unhealthy proteins that contribute to major diseases. Some unhealthy examples are Resistin (Type II diabetes and heart disease), TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8 (inflammation), angiotensinogen (high blood pressure) and adipocyte-derived fibroblasts (cancer). Fat cells produce estrogen in both men and women. The excess estrogen effects sex drive, energy level, mood and the ability to make muscle.

Fat can be white or brown, beige or pink. Like different types of muscle or blood cells, different types of fat cells perform different functions. The average person has 30 billion WHITE fat cells. These white fat cells store fat as triglyceride and cholesterol, and they produce and secrete many proteins. BROWN fat cells store fat as well but have many mitochondria (the energy making organ of the cell) and produce heat by burning fat. Clearly it’s better to have more brown fat cells than white ones.

The American diet is largely made of up way too many grains, starches and sugars that will ultimately turn in to white fat. We are a nation that is unknowingly killing ourselves one bit at a time. Smoking is the only other factor that contributes to chronic, life-shortening illnesses more than excess fat.

WHAT TO DO?

This all sounds a bit scary and it could be if you didn’t have a plan to turn things around. One of the best approaches is to convert your white fat storing cells into brown fat energy burning cells. Sounds easy right? Well, in a way it is. This is done in your body by increasing the hormone called irisin and the easiest way to do that is aerobic exercise. Irisin also appears to help prevent or overcome cellular changes that lead to type 2 diabetes. This is a really remarkable and significant discovery. So, if you exercise you will, over time, convert your white fat cells to brown fat cells, slowly making it easier to maintain a lower ideal weight. The effect lingers, since brown fat cells keep burning fat even after you’ve stopped exercising.

Weight gain is commonly present with fatigue and depression. This is not only caused by the increased fat cells but by decreased cortisol (adrenal gland) presence, thyroid gland dysfunction, iron storage problems, raging inflammation. If these issues are things you are wrestling with, consider coming to us for help. Through evaluation of lifestye and specific lab testing, we can determine what the problems are. Remember there is always a cause to these metabolic difficulties, and you don’t have to settle for an unhealthy, unfulfilling life.

Dr. Don Davis, D.C., DACNB is a BOARD CERTIFIED CHIROPRACTIC NEUROLOGIST in Walnut Creek. He has been serving individuals with chronic pain for 30 years. For information about how you can get a free consultation with Dr. Davis, call (925) 279-4324 (HEAL).

I know we have talked about the I-Lipo before, but we’ve got exciting news – we are now offering the option of utilizing lymphatic massage to help facilitate the process of inch loss with each treatment!
Before I get into the details of how this will benefit I-Lipo clients, let me go ahead and touch on what I-Lipo is for those who may not already know.

I -Lipo by Chromogenex is a technology that was introduced to the US and approved by the FDA in 2012 and since its debut, it has become an incredibly popular option for those looking to lose inches without surgery. Using low level laser technology (AKA: cold laser), I-Lipo stimulates the body’s already natural process of releasing energy being stored to essentially shrink fat cells and create body shaping results that you are looking for. Each session with the laser is just 20 minutes with no downtime whatsoever; we recommend two treatments per week.

There’s no freezing or anything invasive with this method, and once your session is over you can go about your day as you normally would. While there are no dietary restrictions or required supplements during the treatments, this is by no means an alternative to maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine; it is more of an assistant in speeding up your results. Not only does it help to reduce inches but it also has a toning and tightening effect. In addition, it’s the only FDA approved laser to combat human kind’s mortal enemy: cellulite.

Now, let me tell you about how the lymphatic massage will help with your results. In addition to making sure you stay plenty hydrated and maintain a decent level of activity during your treatments, implementing a lymphatic massage after each treatment can help create greater loss in the areas that you are targeting. Lymphatic massage is a very soft and gentle type of massage that is used to promote natural lymph drainage which carries products of waste and excess fluid from the lymphatic system. Utilizing this type of massage will help promote more movement within your lymphatic system, which is the system in the body used to eliminate the melted fat cells from the laser treatment.

The technology used is non-destructive and does not affect the use of any of your internal organs. The laser can be used on all skin types and on virtually any area of the body except the breasts and face. Prior to beginning treatments, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists to go over medical history and water intake. If she thinks you’re good to go, you can start treatments that same day. Certain serious medical conditions may disqualify individuals.

Give us a call for more information of package options and pricing at 925-362-9892
For more information on I-Lipo: visit our website at www.healinghandssalon.net

Dear SSHS,
I live with three boys, my husband and two teenaged sons. I’m always asking them to put the toilet seat down, but because they outnumber me, they don’t think they should have to. What do you both think? ~ Samantha in Dublin

She Said: You know what I think! I’ve lived with men whose mothers didn’t teach them this simple act of courtesy, and it definitely put them in a different category for me. Let’s face it, guys — you’re not always the best aim, so when we gals walk into the loo and see the “fallout,” we’re kind of grossed out. Can’t we all agree that since the ladies ALWAYS want the seat down and gentlemen sometimes need it down, down wins? This simple courtesy makes women so happy…put it down, boys! Okay, boy Shawn, what do you say?

He Said: I say Samantha should consider herself lucky that they at least lift the seat up when they tinkle! I completely agree that it’s annoying having to put the seat down every time you need to use it, but nothing’s worse than guys who don’t even lift it to begin with. Try living with those guys! But to your point, most boys (like yours) who live with women (even Mom) need a friendly little reminder every so often, so try this: take a marking pen and write “Please Put Seat Down” on the underside of the seat. This should help drive your reasonable point home.

Dear HSSS,
My daughter starts college at a prestigious school this month, and we found out her roommate is lesbian and a Goth. I’m afraid this isn’t going to be a good match for her. Should she request a new roommate now or wait until she gets to school? ~ Worried Dad

He Said: What type of message are you sending your daughter off to college with if you let her pass judgment on her new roommate before even meeting her? As a parent, you should encourage her to meet people of different walks of life, as this is what the real world is all about. It’s not that difficult to change room assignments after the first few weeks of dorm life. Let your daughter get settled in first, then let her make up her own mind on whether she likes her new roommate or not. Some of my best friends to this day are college buddies who came from the complete opposite background and culture that I came from.

She Said: Who’s worried, you or her? Young people these days are far more accepting of differences than the older generation, and a prestigious institution only accepts the best and brightest, so they’ve already got that in common. That said, I spoke with my expert, a university RA who happens to be a lesbian, and she advised that your daughter wait to see what happens when she gets there. People from similar backgrounds often can’t live together, so different lifestyles can actually be enlightening and a good contrast. And don’t worry, last she checked, neither the lesbians nor the Goths were recruiting.

Robin Fahr and Shawn “Shizzo” Alikian host Conversations and He Said/She Said seen daily on Tri-Valley TV, Channel 30. Send your questions to www.AskHeSaidSheSaid.com.

Has California Governor Jerry Brown lost his way? Has he gotten so pumped up with some success that he has forgotten how the system is supposed to work?

 

 

 

These questions come from a guy who used to feel that the Oakland Mayor, and then Governor the second time was pretty much spot on regarding most subjects. He seemed to be pretty grass roots and common sense oriented. He usually was able to make sense. I used to interview him every Thursday on the air and it was one of the highest rated segments of our whole week…week after week.

Well he sat down with the editorial board of the San Jose Mercury News and the first issue was water. He has been a proponent of digging the tunnels under the Delta in Northern California and shipping water south to farmers (they need water), and then to Southern California (that one, the jury’s out…they traditionally have gotten water from the Colorado River in Arizona). He helped get a bond measure passed to build more water storage but even his Democratic colleagues didn’t get the twin tunnel Peripheral Canal idea as part of that bond. Now, this is the third time the Brown family has tried to do this. His dad had the idea first. That finally came to fruition as it was put on the ballot in 1982 as Proposition 9. It went down to defeat. It failed again a decade or so later to even get on the ballot, and now Brown has resurrected it. This time he says he will go around the legislature and the voters to do it. He says he’ll just do it. Really?

Seriously, didn’t you Mr. Governor criticize Arnold Schwarzenegger when he called the legislature “girlie men” and went around them to do stuff like the vehicle fee increase. Now you want to ignore the voters? Hmm. He says he wants to do it to protect the Delta. How does digging trenches underground and pumping water around a body of water that already suffers from salt intrusion, help the environment? It robs the natural flow of water from the “high country” through the Sacramento River. Seriously?

He also mentioned that he supports the President of the California Public Utilities Commission Michael Peevey who is accused of cozying up to the utilities that he regulates.

The Governor also says he is going to push through the Bullet Train. The train that leads from Modesto to Bakersfield. A shell of what was proposed and for which we voted.

Maybe we get some perspective in his response to the question of why he won’t debate his Republican opponent for governor Neel Kashkari. He said, “In the big picture, not only am I not indicted (a dig at Texas Governor Rick Perry), but I’m doing a hell of a job.” Wow…even if you do say so yourself. Oh, Mr. Governor, since you brought up indictments, wasn’t Governor Perry indicted on abuse of power charges? Hmm. Be careful of the voters, at least some of us are watching. Make Sense?

I had a different movie review written. I just couldn’t run it. This month had to be dedicated to the amazing Robin Williams. Whatever the circumstances of his death, he was a talent that will live forever in our hearts. So, this month I will share with you a review of my personal favorite.

I went to a wedding the other day. It was a beautiful summer day and I was listening to the heartfelt vows of some dear friends who probably didn’t expect to find new love in their golden years. The garden location was perfect and as we went inside for the reception I was taken back to 1993, not because of something that happened to me, but as a reminder of a movie that was filmed in this very location, Mrs. Doubtfire. We were seated in Bridges Restaurant in Danville, California.

Weddings tend to make you think. Oddly enough, I wasn’t thinking about a knight in shining armor or even a marriage gone bad, I was thinking about the film Mrs. Doubtfire and what changes have come about in our court system in the last 18 years. I bet when you watched it all those years ago you probably weren’t thinking about custody rights, at least not in retrospect.

Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) is a kind, loving father. He is also a poor disciplinarian and a generally shaky role model for his three children. Miranda (Sally Field), his wife has definitely had to take on the role of “bad cop” in the family. After quitting or losing yet another job, Daniel picks up his kids at school and throws together an impromptu birthday party for his son. Miranda is called home by a neighbor to find a huge petting zoo parked on her quiet San Francisco street with ducks and geese, little horses, and rabbits inside and outside her lovely home. The police have just arrived and her husband and children are dancing on the fancy dining table. This is the final straw, there is no room left in her life for the eccentric, fun loving actor who specializes in dubbing cartoon voiceovers.

Miranda goes to divorce court and gets custody of the children. Daniel has ninety days to redeem himself. Now 90 days isn’t a lot of time when you’re unemployed and homeless, but Daniel finds a small apartment and gets a boring job. It really gets interesting when he hears that she is going to hire a Nanny-Housekeeper for his children and Daniel applies for the job; basically in drag…enter Mrs. Doubtfire.

Mrs. Doubtfire is an elderly woman created by Daniels brother, Frank a special effects make-up artist, and she gets the job. Frank does such an amazing job that no one seems to recognize Daniel. Life is beautiful. Miranda has an amazing Nanny. The kids have someone they adore and Daniel finally figures out how to be a parent.

Oh yes, there is the resident hunk, Stuart (Pierce Brosnan). He’s an old friend, new client and wannabe new mate for Miranda which really steams Daniel. Back to Bridges. There is an incredibly funny scene at our local restaurant where Daniel is doing what Robin Williams does best, mastering chaos.

All in all, Mrs. Doubtfire is a poignant romantic comedy where Robin Williams will keep you in stitches with his improvisational antics. Sally Field will totally endear you and the children have some of the best lines. But back to the court system, my thoughts ran to how different our world is today. No longer are Dad’s relegated to Saturdays at 2pm, more and more are successfully sharing custody and loving every minute of it. I’d like to think that this sweet movie may have been a tipping point. Watch it again and tell me what you think at chastings@rockcliff.com

Symphonic music – called many things including art music, serious music, classical music, and long-hair music, has dominated the world of orchestral symphonic music for hundreds of years.

Can an upstart form of music namely jazz, developed in the early years of the 20th Century, primarily in the United States, be part of and combined with symphonic music successfully? The answer is, a resounding “yes!”

The influence of jazz on serious composition can take a number of forms, including particular dance rhythms, special types of syncopation, new instrumental combinations and special types of instrumental and vocal techniques. A signature characteristic of jazz is, of course, improvisation.

In the last hundred years, a number of forms and styles of jazz has evolved: rag-time, blues, swing, hot jazz, commercial (sweet) jazz, progressive jazz and boogie-woogie, among others.  Jazz in symphonic music came of age in the 1920s. Four of the many leading composers who combined classical music and jazz were George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, Igor Stravinsky and Leonard Bernstein.

Gershwin, (1898-1937) one of the most talented pianists and composers, was born in Brooklyn, New York. His fame and fortune began to increase with an early published song, Swanee. Al Jolson sang it and it became an instant hit. Gershwin was one of the first composers to utilize the jazz idiom in serious symphonic compositions. It was said that he was the link between Tin Pan Alley and the concert stage. Gershwin’s most notable compositions using elements of jazz are: An American in Paris, Concerto in F, the folk opera, Porgy & Bess and the incomparable, Rhapsody in Blue.

Paul Whiteman (1891-1967) an American band leader in 1924 in New York, presented a program, “An Experiment in Modern Music,” where Rhapsody in Blue, with Gershwin playing the piano solo, had its premiere. A year later the first performance of Concerto in F, again with Gershwin playing the piano part, was first performed.

The Concerto in F was the most successful of the many compositions incorporating jazz techniques in traditional forms. Some of Gershwin’s notable songs are: Summertime, I got Rhythm, and Who Could Ask for Anything More.

Aaron Copland (1900-1990) another New Yorker, was known as the “Dean of 20th Century American Composers.” He was also a strong voice for new American music and influenced many young composers. Copland was given many awards including a Pulitzer Prize. Some of his early works were classified as neo-classicism.

Copland was influenced by Stravinsky and the famous French teacher, Nadia Boulanger. His works incorporating jazz idioms were: Piano Concerto, El Salon Mexico, Billy the Kid, the film score Of Mice and Men, Our Town, Rodeo, and Appalachian Spring. Copland’s compositions were both exceptional and innovative.

Igor Stravinsky, (1882-1971) although born in Russia, is also considered a French composer having lived in Paris after 1918, becoming a French citizen in 1934.

Stravinsky lived in the United States after 1939. He studied with the noted composer Rimsky-Korsakov in Russia. Stravinsky showed interest in jazz dance rhythms of American popular music. No composer had a greater impact on modern contemporary art music.  Stravinsky was a prolific ballet composer, writing, Firebird, Petroachka and The Rite of Spring. A riot ensued when The Rite of Spring first premiered in Paris, shaking the music world to its foundation because it was so unconventional. It is said that no piece of music had a greater influence on 20th century composers. Stravinsky’s ballet music put him on the musical map. “He turned western musical thinking on its head,” said Marcus Weeks, in his book, Music: A Crash Course.

Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts and studied at Harvard. He later became conductor of the New York Philharmonic. Bernstein was a distinguished composer, piano soloist, conductor, and orchestrator. He was a major force in promoting American 20th Century music. Bernstein was a genius at synthesizing popular jazz with established symphonic elements.

Some of Bernstein’s most noteworthy compositions are On the Waterfront, Candide and his most popular, West Side Story. He was a master at bringing jazz to the symphony orchestra. For many years Bernstein’s “Young People’s Concerts” were produced on television bringing good music to children in an entertaining and exciting way. William Schumann said, “Bernstein is an authentic American hero, a new breed of hero, an arts hero showing that America does honor her artists.”

Duke Ellington, (1899-1974) formed a big band in 1923 to primarily play jazz that previously was performed by smaller groups. He revolutionized jazz by bringing it to symphonic proportions with his complete scores and improvisational patterns.

One can see that from this small sample of noted composers that indeed jazz can be assimilated into symphonic music quite successfully; making great music even greater for all to enjoy.

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