Archives

Lost Passport

April 2, 2014 by Harry Hubinger Leave a Comment

Pray tell, what is the disaster that world travelers fear the most? What can happen that absolutely destroys a pleasant vacation? What possible item can bring a seasoned traveler to tears? Let’s see. A long security check line? No. A bad case of food poisoning? Perhaps. A terrorist threat? Quite possibly. But the one thing – the ultimate nightmare – is to lose one’s passport. Stranded without hope, unable to communicate with the locals, a person without a country. Oh! Woe! Actually it wasn’t so bad. Let me tell you about it.

During a three week stay in Munich, Barb and I decided to visit a dear friend’s relatives in Skopje, Macedonia. The foray was not without its difficulties. While Macedonia is quite modern in most respects, the shadow of the past internal wars and a shaky record with tourists has kept it off most travelers’ agendas. The flight between Germany and Macedonia required a plane change in Vienna, Austria. This necessitated our passing in and out of Austrian security where both English and German are spoken. While we can get along quite well with the German language and/or in countries where English is a prominent second language, when we arrived in Macedonia, we found Macedonian quite undecipherable. Here they speak their own internal language. In addition, their use of an adaption of Cyrillic letters kept us permanently in the dark when trying to read signs. Nonetheless, the people were very friendly, the weather was wonderful, and all in all we were enjoying our visit.

While Skopje is the capital city and does contain a number of enjoyable sites and places, we read where the city of Ohrid, about two hundred kilometers to the south is the vacation capital of this country. Naturally we had to visit there, and we were well rewarded. Ohrid sits on beautiful Lake Ohrid, surrounded by mountains. The city itself is a resort town, visited by many from other nations. The lake sports flocks of swans, lots of decorated fishing boats, and a colorful fleet of tourist boats. The food was very good, and the prices were by far the best we found in Europe. A large lunch on the patio of a fine hotel on the lake’s edge cost a mere twenty five U.S. dollars for four of us. There is a wide spread of opinions on which currency to use. Macedonia has its own denar which is preferred by local merchants. They have applied to become part of the EU which would require the use of the Euro. This change is popular among politicians, not so among locals.

But alas, (and I’m stealing from my story ending here,) when I pulled out my wallet to pay at this pleasant hotel – unknown to me – my passport jumped from the protection of my cargo pants and very quietly fell to the floor. Here it hid unnoticed while we meandered back to our car and drove the three hours to our hotel in Skopje. There, for the first time I noticed I was naked of my United States protective shield.

The next morning after a frantic search through everything I owned, I notified the local police of my plight and took a cab to the United States Embassy. It was Sunday, and I was told the Embassy was closed but would be available to me on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. This was cutting it close, as our flight back to Munich left early Tuesday morning. But, I had little choice. I wasn’t getting out of Macedonia without a passport, much less back into Germany. I suffered a great deal of kidding from my wife, Barb, who promised to send me cookies here in Skopje after she got back home to California if they would not let me out.

The Embassy sits high on a hill overlooking the city – a huge concrete structure – surrounded on all sides by ten foot high wire fencing with razor wire on top. Cameras are everywhere. In the guard booth sits a pair of Marines who are polite, but formal. I made the appointment for the next morning.

On Monday I was ushered into the facility, signed papers, swore my allegiance to the United States Constitution, and was politely given a ninety day temporary passport paid in full with US currency. Ah, ‘twas a joy to be whole again.

There is a p.s. to this story. I did speak to my friend’s relatives about my situation. He asked where we had eaten in Ohrid, and I told him. He used his cell phone and called a friend in Ohrid who went over to the hotel and asked the maître d’ whether or not they had found a passport.

“Yes, we found a passport under a table but did not know how to contact the owner. We hoped he would call.” This friend in Ohrid retrieved the passport, went to the local bus station, and gave the passport to a bus driver who was on his way back to Skopje. Truly, four hours later we met the bus at the terminal in Skopje and sure enough – the driver had the package! A nice tip followed. I salvaged all of the past “Stamps In My Passport” – a very comfortable feeling.

Tax Time (aka April Madness)

April 2, 2014 by Michael Copeland Leave a Comment

“Our new Constitution is now established,and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes” —Benjamin Franklin

The month of April is synonymous with Tax Time. As everyone over the age of ten, maybe 9 (child labor laws), knows, April 15^th is the last day to file your tax return for the previous year. That is… if you pay taxes. Personally, I’ve been living off the grid for the last few years. That’s why I don’t use my real name for these silly articles. However, if you do pay taxes, like a vast majority of the country, the next few weeks is a chaotic time as we frantically attempt to get our tax returns gathered, finished and filed during that period of the year commonly known as “Tax Time,” or, “April Madness.”

By definition, taxes are money people and businesses must pay to support the government. We all understand that as U.S. citizens it is our responsibility to pay for essential services such as our armed forces, police and fire departments, public school educators, the maintenance for our city, state and national parks and various other not-so-appreciated expenses (elected official salaries), but that doesn’t mean we like it. I’m probably not the only one who feels like I pay way too much in taxes. It hurts to give away my hard earned money. It’s like passing a kidney stone when I mail that check to the IRS. In fact, I may just mail my actual kidney stone in with this year’s tax return. Can you write off a kidney stone as a charitable contribution?

Thanks to the crackerjack research staff at Alive Magazine (me, surfing Wikipedia), I could take this opportunity to explain the complicated history of taxation in the United States and quote various state and federal tax laws, but I might fall asleep at my keyboard. Normally that’s not a big deal, but I’m I hammering out this article on my smartphone while driving to see my accountant so a nap could be dangerous. I will tell you that in 1862, in order to support the Civil War effort, Congress enacted the nation’s first income tax law. It was a forerunner of our modern income tax, in that it was based on the principles of graduated, or progressive, taxation and of withholding income at the source. Additionally, The Act of 1862 established the office of Commissioner of Internal Revenue. In 1913, the 16th Amendment to the Constitution made the income tax a permanent fixture in the U.S. tax system. #taxes.

Taxes come in a variety of shapes and sizes. On a regular basis, we are subjected to state and federal income tax, sales tax, inheritance tax, personal property tax, estate tax, TicTacs (a tiny but effective breath freshener) and taxidermy. Somewhere out there a creepy guy is stuffing a dead possum in his parent’s garage apartment knowing he’ll have to pay income tax on his next big sale. His customer, another creepy guy who acquires taxidermy road kill for resale, knows he’ll have to pay sales tax on his petrified dead animal purchase. Fortunately, both creepy buyer and seller have tax loop-holes, allowing them a certain amount of business write-offs for their slightly twisted obsession.

It’s a little known fact that the notorious gangster, Al Capone, eventually went to prison for tax evasion and not one of the many more serious crimes (murder, arson, extortion and racketeering) he was suspected of committing as a gangster in the 1930s. An equally interesting, while lesser- known fact, is that in the final years of Capone’s life, he suffered mental deterioration due to late-stage syphilis. I doubt however that that had anything to do with his tax issues, but we’ll never know for sure.

When I think of the job or occupation I would most like to pursue, Tax Man was never high on my list. Internal Revenue Service Auditor, Correspondence Examination Technician, Data Transcriber or Taxpayer Advocate Service, Contact Representative are all actual job openings at http://jobs.irs.gov/opportunities.com. Those tax career options ranked right up there with prison guard, long haul trucker, circus clown and septic tank pump operator on my list of jobs I was least likely to have in my lifetime. Come to think of it, I would rather be the prison guard of septic tank long haul truckers who wear clown make-up, than tell my friends I work for the IRS. With all due respect to the fine men and women who are employed by this valued governmental agency, the IRS makes a majority of my acquaintances nervous, anxious, nauseous and stressed-out. Suffice it to say, if I worked at the IRS, it would be just one more strike against me in my already difficult pursuit of friends.

When my Dad’s Night Out group of bowling buddies was recently asked what the first word that came to mind when I presented them with term, “tax time,” here were their responses;

Sucky (Censored) irritating

(Censored) Anxiety (Censored)

Extension Poopy (Censored)

Crappy (Censored) Resentful

(Censored) Agitated Uncomfortable

(Censored) (Censored) (Censored)

Money Tearful Confused

Painful Frustrating (Censored)

These guys may not be the most articulate, but they speak from the heart.

Conversely, when I informally polled a group of local accountants and bookkeepers about their response to the same “tax time” phrase, here were their responses;

Exhausting Stressful Demanding

Lucrative (Censored) Poopy

Sleeplessness Complicated (Censored)

(Censored) Cha-Ching Necessary

Patient Maddening Vacation

“Tax Time requires that I have very sensitive interpersonal skills, almost a gentle bed side manor. People tend to be nervous and on edge around tax time, especially those that think they are going to owe money. These are individuals that I have a personal relationship with and I truly do care about them. Unfortunately, the numbers are the numbers. “ —AJ Major of Vavrinek, Trine, Day & Co., LLP

Tax Time is nothing anyone looks forward to, but it doesn’t have to be a time to dread either. As I see it, we all have two choices. We can; A) Turn the house and office upside down feverishly searching for every 2013 receipt and record in our possession, stuff them all into an accordion file, shoe box or garbage bag and then run down to our neighborhood H&R Block office to file our return on time, or, B) We can file an extension. Even though the extension simply pushes off the strain, pain and brain (damage) a few months, it can provide us the opportunity to get comfortably organized, thereby eliminating the April Madness brought on by Tax Time. Why not enjoy the start of spring this year?

Healing Afghanistan

April 2, 2014 by Robin Fahr Leave a Comment

ALIVE Book Review by Robin Fahr

Healing Afghanistan: Hope for the Children By Judy Duchesne-Peckham

The story of House of Flowers, the only Montessori school/orphanage in Afghanistan

In 2003, Judy Duchesne-Peckham, award-winning photographer, educator, and long-time social activist, joined a small humanitarian team headed for Kabul, Afghanistan. The mission was to provide aid to Afghan women and some of the country’s estimated two million orphaned children.

Duchesne-Peckham photographed and documented both the prevailing despair in the large government orphanages and the beginning of hope in one small Montessori-based orphanage/school, the House of Flowers. Here, Afghan teachers were being instructed in Montessori techniques that encourage the healthy development of the whole child, including peaceful conflict resolution, gender equality, and respect for the individual as well as the group. At first, much of the philosophy seemed antithetical to the Afghan perspective, in which children are seen as being capable of very little. The critical importance of the Montessori approach was stressed to the Afghan staff; the children would maintain their freedom to engage in their areas of interest, producing works that reflect their temperament, intellect, and emotions. Ten years later, the verdict is in: the House of Flowers is a resounding success and is being hailed as the model for all government-run orphanages in Afghanistan.

Healing Afghanistan is about the institutional transformation now under way in Afghanistan and the ways in which it is serving to teach, nurture, and heal the children. Filled with beautiful photographs and thoughtful essays, it tells the story of a country once renowned for its educational system, the effect of the Taliban takeover which closed half of the country’s schools and made education for girls illegal, and how in the midst of chaos, there is a sanctuary of hope for it’s children.

ALIVE Magazine sat down with Healing Afghanistan photographer and contributor Judy Duchesne-Peckham to find out why we should care about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and why she believes its children are the best defense against the return of darkness and oppression.

ALIVE Magazine: Why did you create this book?

Judy Duchesne–Peckham: Of all the countries I had ever visited throughout the world up to the time of my first trip there in 2003, Afghanistan affected me the most profoundly. That still remains true approximately 34 countries (total) later. I had never been anywhere that was currently at war – and had been for more than 20 years. The suffering, as well as the resilience and strength, among ordinary Afghans was palpable and often brought me to tears. It also compelled me to think of ways that I, as a middle-class teacher and photographer in California, could help. Once I met the children and staff at the House of Flowers Orphanage/Montessori School in Kabul, I knew that my efforts on their behalf could make a real difference.

Most of the news we get in the West about Afghanistan is negative. I wanted to share something hopeful and positive by focusing on the remarkable work being done at the House of Flowers; hence my book, from which 100% of profits from sales will go to House of Flowers.

AM: What was your objective?

JDP: House of Flowers is privately funded by a dedicated group of supporters but has always struggled to stay afloat since its founding in 2002. Though I have helped with fundraising these past ten years, it has never been enough to ensure that the House’s annual operating budget would be met. It seemed to me that with more global awareness of House of Flowers as a ten-year Afghan success story, raising $69,600/year shouldn’t be insurmountable. That sum provides care for up to 32 children/year, including monthly rent, food, clothing, school supplies, the salaries of a house manager, two full-time teachers, a cook and a night watchman! (visit www.mepoonline.org for complete details). But perhaps even more importantly, House of Flowers contributes to the critical development of well-rounded, intelligent, open-minded, and generous children who see themselves as global citizens. They are the best hope for future leaders who have been raised in an environment of gender-equity and peaceful conflict resolution. I wanted to celebrate that.

A couple of years ago, the orphanage nearly closed due to lack of funding. Also around this time, as the war in Afghanistan raged on, wildfires erupted and burned uncontrollably in southern California, where I live. I thought about the couple of thousand photographs I had made in Afghanistan stored in my house and what a shame it would be if everything burned up before the world had a chance to see unique images of the forgotten Afghan faces of war – the ordinary citizens, the women and children, the orphans, the disabled. I hoped the time was right to publish a book and use the profits to benefit House of Flowers. I contacted my friend, Dr. Mostafa Vaziri, founder of House of Flowers and its parent organization MEPO (Medical, Education, and Peace Organization) and asked for his advice and guidance. He approved and agreed to participate.

AM: Who is your intended audience?

JDP: The book is intended for anyone who believes that hope, healing, and peace can occur in the most unlikely of places. It’s also intended to show the importance of education in its power to change peoples’ hearts and minds through personal acts of courage, love, and humanitarian service. The book is also intended for people who don’t see things that way.

AM: What did you learn about Afghanistan that you didn’t know before and what personal stories and memories can you share with us?

JDP: I learned so many things that it’s hard to know where to begin. I had wondered what ordinary Afghan citizens thought about the US intervention after 9/11/2001. I asked some of them, who told me that in spite of the bombings, they were very glad the Taliban had been deposed.

I wondered what type of reception our small humanitarian team of Americans would receive. Without exception, Afghans welcomed us warmly, with generosity, kindness, and goodwill. Those with the least to give often gave us small gifts and shared hospitality over many cups of tea. A teacher I met thanked us for coming and upon learning that I, too, was a teacher, embraced me tightly, crying, “Because of your visit, I know that God has not forgotten us.”

I didn’t know my heart would be broken by much of what I observed and what a lasting impact those trips would have on me. When I think of Afghanistan, I remember so many beautiful faces and eyes filled with sadness and uncertainty.

I recall standing in Ghazni Stadium and weeping at the thought of the executions that had happened there.

I remember using my camera as a shield from the suffering I saw at the government-run Tahya–e–Maskan Orphanage where, in 2003, hundreds of orphan boys stood in long lunch lines waiting for food to be cooked in large black cauldrons over wood-burning stoves, something reminiscent of a Dickens novel.

I didn’t know there were countless numbers of dedicated individuals from all over the world, risking their lives through their involvement in NGO’s (Non-governmental organizations) in Afghanistan, doing their best to help rebuild a devastated country. I didn’t know their presence would greatly inflate local rents.

I didn’t know I would meet older women in literacy classes who were thrilled to be learning to read for the first time in their lives. I remember sitting on the floor next to one of them who lifted her floor length skirt to expose her pulverized anklebone as she pointed to it and whispered to me “Taliban.”

I didn’t know that in the midst of the dust, the noise, and the chaos of Kabul, there was a little sanctuary of hope, healing, and light at the House of Flowers. I didn’t know that I would fall in love with the children who lived there and would have become an instant mother to them all if I could have.

AM: Speak to the importance of educating girls in Afghanistan.

JDP: There’s an old saying “to educate a girl is to educate a nation” since a child’s first teacher is his or her mother. Imagine a world where everyone has the life-long right to pursue an education, where learning to read, write, create art, and think critically are ordinary and expected activities for both girls and boys — where legal jobs of all sorts are plentiful and pay enough to support families with a decent standard of living, including the basics of safe food to eat and clean water to drink — where people develop understanding and compassion and learn tolerance toward peoples’ differences — where no one needs to kill anyone who shares a divergent point of view — where men and women live in peace and friendship, not fear and domination.

In Kabul, House of Flowers is a microcosm of this idealized world. When the new government head of orphanages discovered this thriving Montessori-based program, he recognized its success immediately in the well-adjusted children who live there. An orphan himself, Mr. Sayyid Hashimi supports implementing the same type of program in the government-run orphanages. Allison Lide, Montessori teacher and co-founder of

House of Flowers, returned to Kabul last year to begin a pilot program in those very orphanages. Lack of funding, of course, is a major obstacle to its full implementation.

I’ve always believed that education is the strongest antidote to societal ills and challenges, with the infinite power to change peoples’ lives for the better on so many levels. It’s why I’ve been a teacher most of my adult life, as well as a life-long student. Though not a panacea for everything, education can certainly address the roots of problems such as terrorism and extremism. When children are loved and raised in healthy environments, when they are taught self-respect, respect for others, employable skills, and peaceful conflict resolution, they grow into healthy adults, immune to despair, desperation, and hopelessness that leads to terrorism.

The team that I traveled with on my first trip included three therapists from the Bay area – Casi Kushel, Taghi Amjadi, and Suzanne Pregerson – who specialize in PTSD therapy with immigrant populations, primarily from Afghanistan and Iran. They were able to begin a pilot program for traumatized children in the orphanages using finger puppets designed and made through a network of women established by the trip’s organizer, Diana Haskins, of the Afghan Academy of Hope.

We’ve all seen what happens when ordinary people become truly desperate. As Americans, if we’ve learned anything since that fateful day in New York City in 2001, it’s that we are truly members of a global community, no longer isolated by continents and oceans. We have a personal stake in caring about children in remote countries half a world away. What kinds of adults will they become? I am haunted by the faces of the once-young boys I met in the government-run orphanages and wonder what has become of them.

AM: What’s next?

JDP: I hope that enough books get sold to generate interest in a second and third printing so that House of Flowers never has to close its doors and can become the role model for other Afghan orphanages. I also dream of creating a sustainable educational fund for orphans who desire higher education, and I hope that compassionate benefactors everywhere will step forward and offer financial support to these very worthwhile projects.

HEALING AFGHANISTAN–Hope for the Children is available at www.HealingAfghanistan.com. 100% of profits from book sales will benefit the House of Flowers, Montessori school/orphanage, in Kabul, Afghanistan.

I Now Pronounce You … Hoodwinked?

April 2, 2014 by Kristina Batiste Leave a Comment

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with the idea of marriage. What would my dress look like? How would I wear my hair? Who would I invite? Would I marry the man of my dreams on a tropical island, at a romantic winery, or in a beautiful church with exquisite stained glass windows?

I never could pick one clear path, so I wrote out each of my fantasy weddings in full detail, in a blue binder labeled, “Kristina’s Wedding,” with pretty stickers and red felt marker hearts. If only I would’ve known then what I know now, that binder that I spent years building would have been done in less than a week—and without all of the accessories. You see, all my life I have been told how wonderful weddings are, and I can’t just blame my family and friends for this miscommunication, oh no, my complaints go a lot further than that.

As a newly-married woman, I have decided to take a stand for all of the engaged women in the world who, like me, have preplanned and daydreamed what their wedding day will be. For those who have no help, and those who have too much help with all of the details, I vow to tell you everything “they” don’t want you to know about “the wedding day,” and the so called “blissful,” first year of marriage. I didn’t have anyone willing to keep it “one hundred percent real” with me, so I figured I would help my fellow woman as she walks down the isle of her American dream.

Let’s get straight to it: Getting married is the best and worst experience of your life. Now I know this statement sounds a little harsh, but trust me, as an engaged woman, you spend so much time planning out every detail of that special moment—like which, of the over 200 shades of white, you want your dress to be; how the napkins should be folded, or whether you want to have the dry chicken or unseasoned salmon as your main course during the reception.

You spend many tiring hours, pouring out your hearts’ desires, rummaging through wedding magazines, all for a twenty to thirty minute ceremony and a reception that you will hardly remember having. Not to mention that you are throwing a huge dinner party that will cost you thousands of dollars for a bunch of guests who you won’t even remember were there until you see your pictures.

The night is busy, and let me just say, you are incredibly lucky if you even get to eat more than two bites of your food during dinner, because all of the nice, excited people want to take your picture and ask you a bunch of overwhelming and intrusive questions about when you’re going to pop out kids, when you haven’t even consummated your marriage yet. It’s like being one of the animal attractions at Six Flags. You’re highly annoyed, hungry, and sleepy all at the same time.

Am I saying that there aren’t any good moments? Of course not. You do experience the moment when all eyes are locked in on you as you sashay down the aisle in a fabulous designer gown, the incredibly magical moment of your vows to your handsome husband, and the first kiss as a married couple that completely steals every breath in your body.

There are those moments when you enjoy shaking your groove thang on the dance floor and realizing that you are no longer a single lady, because he put a ring on your finger. You found your prince charming and get to transition from Miss to Mrs. It’s one of the best moments in your life, and you will remember it forever; it’s just that you will also remember the drunk bridesmaid that passed out at the reception and slept under the head table during the toasts to the bride and groom.

So who’s to blame for these unrealistic expectations of the biggest day of our lives? Is it Cinderella, Twilight, or Pinterest for enticing us to fall in love with ideas of weddings and marriage that is only twenty percent accurate? Or do we blame our families and friends for trying to relive their marriages through ours, so much so, that on that day we stop caring about the details of it all, and are just glad that it’s over?

No, the truth is, it doesn’t matter that someone planted the seed and watered it, or even that it grew wildly in the forest of our minds. The real issue is that no one came to prune these delusions so they became out of control. Well, I’ve got great news: I just went to Home Depot and bought a pair of the cutest red shears. I’ve got

2014 Lexus LS: Luxury with the Tech Factor!

April 2, 2014 by Charles Donaldson Leave a Comment

These days, luxury is offered in cars from every corner of the earth. The levels and even definitions of luxury may vary; however, they all claim extreme comfort with commanding handling, performance and in 2014, the cream-of-the-crop models highlight technology. Of course, typically, the more advanced and complete the packaging is reflected in how many tens-of-thousands of Benjamin’s one must lay down for the privilege of driving such a car!

One of the offerings from Japan, or perhaps I should rephrase to say; one of the top models, comes in the form of the 2014 Lexus LS sedan. Its price tag may not be on everyone’s list, but the overall driving experience is what we dream of at night.

The 2014 Lexus LS is available in the following line up: LS460 Rear-wheel drive ($73,050), LS460 All-wheel drive ($75,995), LS460 L Rear-wheel drive ($79,350), LS460 L All-wheel drive ($82,835), and LS600h L Rear-wheel drive ($120,970).

Lexus redesigned the LS for the 2013 model year and delivers the 2014 version with a slightly more aggressive stance and additional standard features on the LS 460, including heated and cooled front seats, navigation, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, Bluetooth audio streaming and rearview camera.

Many features are controlled using the Lexus’ Remote Touch – a mouse-like controller that allows the user to manipulate the infotainment functions including radio, heating and cooling, navigation and more. It works fairly well; although, it doesn’t take much to accidentally bump into it and find yourself going from ’80’s alternative rock music to classical jazz.

Speaking of music, the LS460’s sound system is a Mark Levinson entertainment system that offers 19-audio channels, 450 watts of power, and an 8GB of hard-drive space for music. Other major features include massaging rear seats, Blu-ray DVD entertainment system, climate-controlled, ottoman-style backseat and a rear cooler box. Plus, new for 2014 is the “Siri ™ Eyes Free Mode,” which integrates Apple’s Siri voice command system with the car’s infotainment system.

While previous generations have been characterized as having conservative styling, the 2014 Lexus LS generates more of a buzz with its new “Spindle” corporate grille that blows back into the creases of the hood. As part of the 2013 redesign, Lexus also reworked the rear-end adding a strip of chrome that runs over the license-plate area and connects to the new tail lamps.

There is plenty of passenger room, especially for the rear occupants. Comfort is delivered with ultra-high-quality leather and beautiful wood trim throughout the cabin. For those seeking even more interior room, Lexus offers the LS460 L model that adds 4.8-inches to the wheelbase and overall length. Talk about having plenty of legroom for even an NBA player!

Performance is driven from a single powertrain source – the 4.6-liter V8 that is mated to the world’s first eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine with rear-wheel produces 386 horses at 6,400 rpm and 367 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm. The 4.6-liter with AWD drops the numbers to 360 horses and 344 lb-ft of torque. The EPA numbers are rated at 16 City and 24 Highway (RWD) and 16 City and 23 Highway (AWD).

Cool Features:

Siri ™ Eyes Free Mode
Integrates Apple’s Siri voice command system with the car’s infotainment system
AWD option

Safety on the 2014 LS460 comes standard with dual front, knee, side and side-curtain airbags, traction and stability control systems, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist. Rear-side airbags are available as an option. Other optional safety features include a Pre-Collision Safety system with Collision Avoidance Assist, which is designed to help the driver avoid or mitigate collisions with vehicles and pedestrians.

In Summary – The 2014 Lexus LS460 offers luxury buyers all of the bells and whistles in many forms including, for the economically minded folks – a hybrid version. It handles wonderfully, has a smooth and powerful engine and an interior that is loaded with comfort and high-tech gadgets. The LS offers an F-Sports package that increases edginess and includes a number of aesthetic and performance upgrades to the inside, exterior, and suspension.

Specifications

2014 Lexus LS460 4-Dr Sedan

Base price: $72,140 as driven: $81,179 (including destination and optional features)

Engine: 4.6-liter eight-cylinder

Horsepower: 386 @ 6,400 RPM

Torque: 367 @ 4,100 RPM

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Drive: Rear-wheel Drive

Seating: 5-passenger

Turning circle: 35.4 feet

Cargo space: 22.2 cubic feet

Curb weight: 4,233 pounds

Fuel capacity: 14.5 gallons

EPA mileage: City16/Hwy 24

Wheel Base: 116.9 inches

Warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles powertrain limited

Also consider: BMW 7-Series, Jaguar XJ, and Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Are You Ready to Step Into the “Winner’s Circle” for WEIGHT LOSS Success?

April 2, 2014 by Trina Swerdlow Leave a Comment

In my private practice, over the last nine years, I’ve helped many clients step into the “Winner’s Circle” by offering them practical tools to nourish, water, and prune their colorful “inner gardens.” An “inner garden” is the place where a person’s innermost thoughts and emotions come together. Now, just as a cared-for “outer garden” feels good when we come home to it (and relax into a comfy lounge chair)—a nourished and cared-for “inner garden” can also feel good when we “come home”…and relax into it (ah-h-h).

By contrast, when we don’t take the time to nourish our “inner gardens,” we may lose touch with what our soils/souls are longing for. Often, when we are out of touch with our innermost thoughts and feelings, we “act out” our emotions in unconscious ways, like compulsively overeating.

Unfortunately, if this habit becomes a “mainstay of our diets”—we are likely to become overweight. Meanwhile, with unhealthy food temptations lurking around every corner, it would take TRUCKLOADS of willpower to resist all the junk food enticements!

As a certified clinical hypnotherapist, I offer “guided imagery” and find it to be one of my most effective tools. “Guided imagery” helps weight-loss seekers harness the power of their unconscious minds—instead of trying to succeed on their conscious willpower alone. Now, you may be wondering, what is guided imagery and how does it work?

First, guided imagery gently guides people to relax and calm their minds and bodies. Then, they simply listen to some positive suggestions that nourish and support them on a deep level. In this way, unhealthy eating habits are addressed by engaging the wisdom of the unconscious mind. And this is where it gets really interesting—based on studies from Stanford University, the University of Connecticut, and Washington University, research shows that guided imagery can DOUBLE the success of a weight-loss program!

Now in case you missed my EXCITING NEWS last month, here’s a recap: After three years of development—with the help of an extremely talented team—I’ve created a weight-loss program that offers guided imagery as its central tool. Our program is designed to help people step into the “Winner’s Circle” for weight-loss success. Our web-based program is called:

~ Weight Loss 18 Minutes ~

We chose this name because it takes about 18 minutes a day—to use the program’s “primary tools.” As you’ll see in my illustration

the primary tools of Weight Loss 18 Minutes are:

DAILY GUIDED IMAGERY (about 11 minutes of listening)
A DAILY EMAIL that offers support and TIPS…designed to empower personal success (about 1 minute to read)
Downloadable “SELF-CARE” FORMS (about 5 minutes to use)
ARTsy INSPIRATIONS…sprinkled generously throughout our program (a few seconds to enjoy!)

These primary tools provide a solid “Circle of Support” to help people stay focused on their weight-loss goals as they patiently move forward, one-step and one-day at a time.

Now I must tell you, to introduce our weight-loss program, I had my first experience of “starring” in a video. Eric Johnson, the publisher of this magazine and owner of ALIVE MEDIA, produced the video. He and his team did an amazing job showing what sets Weight Loss 18 Minutes apart from other programs—and helped me bring my “personal story” to life. (Thank-you Eric and Michael!)

I’ll be honest here, prior to filming I was quite nervous about being “on camera” and especially about telling my story—including my own struggles with food. Thank heavens, my passion for sharing these important tools helped me overcome my camera shyness and avoid becoming a “deer in the headlights!”

So, on that note, I hope you enjoy seeing my video and hearing more about our program’s powerful tools! If you’re ready to embrace the healthier body you’ve been longing for and experience our “Circle of Support”—then don’t miss out on getting your 10-Day Free Trial. Simply go to: www.WeightLoss18minutes.com and click the purple gift box.

“I feel supported throughout my day using the tools. Best of all—I’m changing my relationship with food—and am losing weight!” Maureen

Trina Swerdlow, BFA, CCHT, is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist, an artist, and the author of Stress Reduction Journal. Trina has a private practice in downtown Danville. You can reach her at: (925) 285.5759, or info@TrinaSwerdlow.com.

Certified Clinical Hypnotherapy services in California can be alternative or complementary to licensed healing arts, such as psychotherapy.

Tailor Your Beauty Wardrobe

April 2, 2014 by Theresa Taylor Grutzeck Leave a Comment

Custom Foundations Are A Perfect Match.

A foundation is one of the most important beauty accessories to have for the majority of women. It is the coveted beauty accessory and understandably so – it makes the skin look flawless, youthful and healthier, but only with the correct color foundation will you achieve the most natural looking skin.

A customer with beautiful blond hair and rosy cheeks came in to our beauty boutique. She complained that she couldn’t find anything to conceal her red cheeks and that everything made her skin look pale. When questioned on what she was currently using, we soon realized why the redness in her skin had not disappeared. It was clear to us that she was using too much. Her morning ritual began with a “one shade fits all” foundation tint, a cream concealer, followed by an application of a green stick pen and a mineral based powder. She was using products that had very little coverage, not to mention her skin looked pale and cakey and too made-up. We suggested a custom foundation with AB coverage, with a warmer shade tint mixed with a beige undertone, followed by a mica powder with 45 percent pigment, by Fleur Visage, thus leaving the skin perfectly matched with full coverage to hide the redness. She was elated that her skin looked so smooth and beautiful, flawless and very natural. Walking out the door radiating her new-found beauty, she was ready to conquer the world with confidence.

Foundations are one of the most sought-after commodities in cosmetics today. It takes up to four years for a make-up artist to develop an eye for color. Most beauty counter sales girls do not have the experience or the know-how to choose the correct color for women. The “one shade fits all” foundation does not always work for everyone. Our client is a perfect example of incorrect products and wasted time and money. What women don’t know is that a perfectly matched foundation can make your skin go from dull and pale to a radiant glow in seconds.

At The Rouge they have been custom blending foundations for women for over 20 years. They are committed to excellence and ensure that their clients have the most updated cosmetics in the industry. They are available Tuesday through Saturday to help women select the right color foundation and they can color match their skin with the custom foundations they provide from Fleur Visage Cosmetics.

Kick your Plantar Fasciitis, Once and for All!

April 2, 2014 by Dr. Niele Maimone 1 Comment

What is Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar Fasciitis is an irritation and swelling of the thick tissue (plantar fascia) on the bottom of the foot. The plantar fascia is a thick fibrous band of connective tissue originating on the bottom surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) and extending along the sole of the foot toward the five toes. The plantar fascia helps hold up the bones on the bottom of the foot, creating the arch. When this fascia becomes inflamed, it makes walking painful and difficult. The pain is usually felt on the underside of the heel and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. Plantar Fasciitis is commonly thought of as being caused by a heel spur, but research has found that this is not the case. On x-ray, heel spurs are seen in people with and without Plantar Fasciitis.

Risk factors for plantar fasciitis include:

Foot arch problems (both flat foot and high arches)
History of low back pain or sciatica
Tight Achilles tendon (the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel)
Obesity
Running, extended amounts of driving or repetitive stress to the foot or leg
Sudden weight gain

What treatments are available for Plantar Fasciitis

Western medicine typically treats Plantar Fasciitis with oral and/or injectable anti-inflammatories. These may temporarily reduce the pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis but they do not treat the cause of the problem, and by no means heal it.

Long term correction of Plantar Fasciitis is a two step process.

First: Heal the Damaged Fascia

Ending the pain caused by Plantar Fasciitis requires stopping the cycle of inflammation. Class IV laser therapy is an excellent method for this, because it is presently the only modality that can both reduceinflammation 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 and pain. As the injured area returns to normal, function is restored and pain is relieved.

Second: Correct the Foot and Gait Mechanics

This involves rehabilitation ofspine as well as the arch of the foot. Arch rehabilitation is achieved by utilizing specific insoles and/or specific taping of the foot in order to re-establish proper motion of the arch while walking, then specificstrengthening and stretching exercises are used to rehabilitate of the musculature of the foot and lower leg to ensure lasting results.

At Align Healing Center we are having great success treating plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel, post surgical pain, sports injuries and more; even if it’s long-term residual pain. Even arthritis 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 founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. To set up a complimentary consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com for more information.

Tomato Cages and Lilacs

April 2, 2014 by Buzz Bertolero Leave a Comment

Q. It has occurred to me that tomato cages should be cleaned somehow before placing them around a new plant. I’ve never done it before. Can tomato diseases over-winter on them?

A. I don’t believe you should be overly concerned about any diseases that might carryover from year to year. The surface of metal or painted tomato cages is quite sterile, so it’s very unlikely the right environment exist for any problems. With wooden supports or if there is organic debris still on the cages, there might be issues. Early and Late Blight is the primary diseases you’re looking to prevent. Cool to mild temperatures and wet conditions create the right condition for these diseases. The last time this could have been a problem was in 2010. That being said, it certainly would not hurt to disinfect your cages along with any plastic, and or wooden containers. You’ll need to remove any of the left over debris from last year, as the Blights requires visible plant residue to over-winter. Next wipe the supports down with a mixture of water and household bleach. The ratio for this simple disinfectant is nine parts water to one part bleach. You also could apply the solution with a pump spray bottle and then wash it off. The disinfectant should be dripping off the cages. Since your using bleach, it’s recommended that you wear old clothes and gloves. The cages should then be left to air dry in the afternoon sun, overnight. Clorox Disinfecting Wipes can be used for those cages already in place. And finally, a thick layer of mulch can prevent the fungal spores from splashing on the plants. With tomatoes, we don’t have to worry about planting them too deep, as they will produce roots off the buried portion of the plant.

Q. I haven’t had any luck finding out how to prune an old fashioned lavender lilac. It’s a baby from one that would be about sixty years old now. I‘ve always taken the old or dead wood off but I need to find out how to get longer stems with the larger blooms?

A. Lilacs are not that difficult to prune they done require any special technique, as they’re pruned to shape. I would stand back and eyeball the plant to see what needs to be done. It is very subjective and they’re pruned in the spring after flowering. Lilacs bloom on the current year’s growth. Pruning and the time of the year it’s done shouldn’t have any effect on the stem length or the size of the blooms. These are genetic characteristics. Those plants propagated from another plant part will be identical to the parent. Those started from seeds will not. So, long stems and larger flower clusters may not be in this plant future if the original plant didn’t have them to start with. To encourage the growth, feed after pruning with 16-16-16 and then see what develops next spring, as there isn’t much else you can do.

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

Diagnosing TMJ Pain

April 2, 2014 by Dr. Robert Brown Leave a Comment

Sometimes life will guide you… if you let it.

More than thirty five years ago, being frustrated by my referrals to others for TMJ treatment, I attended a year long training to better my understanding of the disease. I had already taken many weekend courses, but felt more understanding was necessary. At that time, almost all the emphasis was placed on the way the teeth come together and how that related to the joint position.

At the time my two year old daughter was diagnosed with a very serious asthmatic condition and she received the standard medications, with side effects and limited effectiveness. At a local dental meeting there was a talk by an oral surgeon whose sister was saved from having near fatal attacks of asthma by alternative medicine. The oral surgeon was so impressed that he was retiring from practice to start an alternative treatment center in Idaho. I took him to lunch and, learning his story, became an enthusiastic student of alternative medicine. With this approach, I had my daughter asthma free within six months and she has gone on to become a world class athlete.

Incorporating a holistic approach to my diagnosis and to the establishment of a treatment plan has greatly improved treatment effectiveness. A simple two day course in acupuncture at UCLA, for example, helped me to discover that some migraines are related to colitis. Migraines are a good sized part of a TMJ practice and, in a non holistic practice, are usually treated with drugs.

In general, TMJ is a very poor term for a complex syndrome that can include a number of factors, the most common being myofacial pain, or pain in the muscles of the face, head, neck and shoulders. This pain can be so severe that it was necessary for me to refer one patient to emergency for attempting suicide.

Most of the time, it is just annoying, as it interferes with eating, talking and the general enjoyment of life. It can also be a true “pain in the neck,” with severe neck and shoulder pain. True TMJ or TMD is pain or dysfunction associated with the joint itself and can include popping or gravely sounding noises when moving the jaw, mild to severe pain and, sometimes, ringing in the ear.

The pharmaceutical industry would have us believe that the typical migraine is a disease to be treated with a drug, when it can be a symptom of an underlying disease. It’s like our body is crying out the only way it can for help, and the practitioner says, “shut up and take this.”

As I mentioned earlier, an irritated colon can cause migraine headaches. Crohn’s disease, which is a name given to colon inflammation, can be the underlying factor, but wait, Crohn’s is more a symptom, but is called a disease and, if only the symptom is treated, may continue to return and worsen.

In my practice several cases of this disease were caused by food sensitivities and in one case, by the body’s inability to handle raw vegetables. It was definitely not caused by a dietary prednisone deficiency, a steroid commonly used to treat Crohn’s “disease”.

I have not strayed away from the original subject, TMJ. My purpose for using this example of incomplete medicine is to demonstrate the importance of the TMJ specialist understanding more than the limited field of his/her specialty. That practitioner could be missing the opportunity to discover the underlying factors that are causing the patient’s body to cry out for help. Many continue to view TMJ as a bite problem, and it may be just that, although most of the world has some kind of bite problem with no serious TMJ symptoms.

A good working relationship with other experts not only can be of extreme, even life-saving value to the patient, but makes a potentially boring practice become enriching experience. Belonging to professional organizations outside the field of dentistry can truly not only be of great benefit to the patient, but stimulating and refreshing, always opening new doors for the practitioner.

None of this would have happened had my daughter not contracted asthma and I did not develop an interest in holistic medicine!

Robert Brown, DDS has a TMJ, orthodontia, and sleep apnea practice in Danville and thoroughly enjoys discussing holistic medicine. You can contact him at 925-837-8048, at info@aodtc.com, or visit his web site at www.aodtc.com.