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Trivial Matters About “The Crown”

February 5, 2020 by Darrell Garrison Leave a Comment

The British Royals always seem to be in the news, not only with family issues, but also with ongoing TV shows about them. February sees the debut of The Windsors on CNN. From history to documentaries to tabloid fodder, they often fascinate. Here are some questions blending history and entertainment.

1) Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning monarch in England’s history. In a few more years she’ll be the longest-reigning in the world’s history. Her first-born and first in line to succession is Charles. Name her three other children.

2) Two actresses have played Queen Elizabeth II in the TV series ‘The Crown’. There will be a third announced in the future as the storyline is brought to a more current era. Name the two actresses who have played QE II so far on The Crown.

3) The House of Windsor is the current royal house name. It was changed during World War I due to anti-German sentiment. What was the name before Windsor?

4) Prince Charles called this sport “my one great extravagance.” Name it.

5) As shown on an episode of The Crown, Queen Elizabeth read documents from The Marburg Files, purporting to show a member of the royal family as a Nazi sympathizer. Name him.

6) In 2007, this Oscar-winning actress was invited to dinner by Queen Elizabeth, but she turned the dinner invitation down because she was busy with filming. Name her.

Burt Bacharach and His Music

December 31, 2019 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

A legend in one’s own time is a hard moniker to achieve. Without a shadow of a doubt, Burt Bacharach is one of the undisputed owners of this title. He has more than earned this distinction by his many significant contributions to his art. Among his varied musical talents are: prolific composer, song writer, arranger, conductor, record producer, versatile pianist, and singer. Not only has he done them all, he is amazingly accomplished at all of them –except being a conductor—he had to grow into that one. This was echoed by scores of people he worked and collaborated with through many years.

Bacharach was born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1928. Shortly after his birth the family moved to Forest Hills, Queens, New York. This is where he grew up and went to school. He was born into a German Jewish family who did not practice Judaism. His mother, Irma, was an artist and amateur song writer who played the piano by ear.

His father, Bert, had different jobs in men’s clothing, He worked in public relations, as a disc jockey, and became a syndicated journalist with a column in 84 newspapers. Fortunately for the family they were not hit hard during the depression of the early 30s. Bacharach’s father always seemed to have several “irons in the fire” that brought in enough money to supply the family with what they needed.

When he was born his parents decided he would not be named Bert, after his father. They did not like the nameof Big Bert and Little Bert or Bert Junior, so they compromised by selecting the name, “Burt”—same name different spelling. To differentiate even further, his mother started calling him “Happy.” That name stuck for a long time.

At age eight, Bacharach started piano lessons taught by his mother. She was a task master when it came to practicing. Young Bacharach did not like to practice! He wanted to go outside with his friends and play ball. Consequently, all that practice led him to become an excellent pianist. What a boon to his career later in life.

Bacharach was not a great student in school, but when it became obvious that he had a real talent for music, he went on to higher education. He studied at McGill University—where he wrote his first song—at the Mannes School of Music, and the Music Academy of the West.

After his second year at McGill, he spent the summer in California and studied composition with the famous French composer, Darius Milhaud, a French Jew who fled from Paris when it fell to the Nazis in 1940. Milhaud also taught at Mills College in Oakland, California where jazz artist, Dave Brubeck, was one of his students.

After his third year at McGill he decided not to continue his studies toward a degree. He was drafted into the army, but did not take to military life at all. He eventually joined an entertainment group and began playing piano at different army bases. Bacharach was assigned to the officer’s club on Governor’s Island in New York City. He could even live off base, which was conveniently close to his parents’ Manhattan apartment. Later, he was assigned to Germany where he wrote orchestrations for the band that played in a nightclub.

After the army, he returned to live with his parents in New York. He studied for a while at Mannes College of music. He really didn’t know what he wanted to do with his music. A quote from his book, Anyone Who Had a Heart, sums up Bacharach’s philosophy – “I think what you write is what you are.”

He became a pianist and conductor for singers, Vic Damone, later, Polly Bergen, Steve Lawrence, The Ames Brothers, and Paula Stewart, whom he eventually married. Stewart related that Vic Damone was not well educated, and he asked Bacharach for some “Big Words” so he could impress the girls.

Bacharach was married four times. His most noteworthy association was with movie star, Angie Dickinson, from 1965 to 1981.

A huge milestone in Bacharach’s career was meeting Hal David, a lyricist who had worked with Guy Lombardo, Frank Sinatra, Teresa Brewer, and many more. Like Bacharach, Hal David was a perfectionist. He was known as an extraordinary lyricist and a dependable person. David proved to be a flexible partner, often bringing words to Bacharach to set to music. Sometimes Bacharach would bring David a phrase he had written, and they worked together to write a song.

The first hit song with Hal David was The Story of My Life, written in 1957; this was the start of many hit songs with David. Later, David went on to become the president of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) from 1980 to 1986.

Bacharach had a long association with German entertainer, Marlene Dietrich, which began when Dietrich was 56 years old. They played Las Vegas, and from there went on tours in South America and many other extended world tours together. She was quoted as saying, “Bacharach, as a man, embodied everything a woman could wish for. He was considerate and tender, gallant and courageous, but above all, he was admirable and loving. His loyalty knew no bounds. How many such men are there?”Dietrich said.

There have been many influential people in Bacharach’s life, including Hal David, Herb Alpert, Brian Epstein, and a very important association with the songstress, Dionne Warwick. Among Bacharach’s many honors, awards, and citations are six Grammys and three Academy Awards. He holds the distinction of having over 70 top hit songs among his many compositions. Bacharach was also associated with the Austin Power Films in 1997, 1999 and 2002.

Bacharach composed through the late 1950s-1980s. He wrote for both stage and film, as well as recordings. He is one of the top composers of the 20^th century. One of his personal favorites is the song, Alfie from the film of the same name in 1966. He recorded this song with Cilla Black at the Abbey Road Studios in London, England. With Hal David they produced the Broadway Musical, Promises, Promises.

A few of his hit songs are: Raindrops Keep Fallin’On My Head, What’s New Pussycat, The Look of Love, What The World Needs Now is Love, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, (They long to be) – Close to You ,and, Do You Know The Way to San Jose.

Bacharach’s songs can be characterized by unorthodox chord progressions based on his background in the jazz idiom, sometimes diverting from the traditional form of pop songs. His music has been recorded by more than 1,000 artists. He is always adamant about how a song should be played and what it should sound like.

If there is a more deserving song composer called “iconic,” it is certainly Burt Bacharach. What a gift his music has given us to enjoy for years and years to come.

Please submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net

Visit our website at danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

New Year’s Resolutions are Too Stressful

December 31, 2019 by Michael Copeland Leave a Comment

I’ve been around the block enough to know, I’m not going to lose weight, workout more, manage my spending, drink less, learn a foreign language, travel to exotic places, volunteer in the community, or spend more time beautifying my yard, just because I stated these goals and objective as “resolutions” to begin the New Year. That’s way too much pressure to put on myself. I’d rather start a new year off with a clear mind, full heart, and clean pallet, in hopes that good things fall my way. Who was it that said, “Hope is not a strategy?” The truth is, New Year’s Resolutions are just too stressful.

“I never freaking get my New Year’s Resolutions done and then I feel worse.” Blake C.

A New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person resolves to change an undesired trait or behavior, to accomplish a personal goal or otherwise improve their life. It is believed that the Babylonians originated the practice of making promises to their gods at the start of each year that whey would return borrowed objects and repay their debts. Those Babylonians were full of great ideas and it actually does remind me to return that case of White Claw Hard Seltzer that I borrowed from my neighbor’s outdoor refrigerator, even though they probably don’t even know its missing or who took it. Additionally, my debt to Mr. Visa keeps getting bigger and bigger so it’s probably time I send him a minimum payment sometime soon.

“Isn’t it customary formost New Year’s Resolutions to be broken by Super Bowl Sunday, especially anything having to do with drinking?” Zack H.

Popular sociologist, Ekim Dnalepoc, has publically stated that most New Year’s Resolutions are in fact usually self-defeating prophecies. “By coming up with more than an abundance of hard to achieve resolutions, can oftentimes lead to feelings of failure and depression.” Starting a new year should be a happy time full of optimistic possibilities. Why set a bunch of goals and objectives that will make us feel like failures when we fail to accomplish them? Dnalepoc adds, “Create a resolution list you can actually complete with little to no effort, such as; 1. Stop eating worms, 2. Don’t go to the mailbox on Sundays and holidays, 3. Watch less than 22 hours of television in a 24 hour period. 4. Brush teeth twice a day, 5. Breath air.” Most people could accomplish several of these resolutions and start the year off on a positive note.

“My New Year’s Resolutions are typically forgotten by January 2^nd.” James M.

In my informal, unofficial, half-baked survey, it appears as though most of the people I interviewed typically grind out their New Year’s Resolutions in a hung-over state on New Year’s Day. Several people I talked with said it’s not uncommon to forget where they put their resolutions, if they kept the documented list at all. I was still mostly drunk one New Year’s day and couldn’t ever read my handwriting once I sobered up so I yelled, to no one in particular, “Just forget it!” I liked when my kids were little and encouraged me to write my resolutions out in crayon. Crayon just makes everything feel happy and cheerful even when the first resolution was “Quit eating like a pig.”

“I never write out my resolutions. I keep them in my head. Just ask me and I’ll tell you what I resolved to accomplish in 2003.” Dave J.

I think “Big Year’s,” such as 1976, 1999, 2000 (Y2K) or the upcoming 2020 create a self-imposed BIG Resolution type of atmosphere or expectations. Our resolutions for these years become more substantive and life changing. Many people feel an extra layer of pressure to achieve something monumental in a notable year, such as running a marathon, running for public office or getting the old Ford Pinto, sitting on blocks on your front lawn, running again. Running is apparently a popular theme as we venture forth into a significant time period. I would probably run myself into the ground if I tried to take on a bigger list of resolutions.

“I hate running. I don’t even like walking that much. I’ve never going to make running part of my resolutions.” Jon C.

When we were children, resolutions were the first goal setting experience most of us encountered. However, if your parents helped you create your New Year’s Resolutions, you might look back on that as a diabolical ploy to make their lives easier. If your parents collaboratively urged you to include resolutions such as, work harder in school, keep your room clean, help around the house, don’t fight with my brothers and sisters, listen to my parents, they were essentially laying out a list of objectives to make you a more productive member of the family team. Who could blame them? Kids are hard enough to raise so why not look for a little subtle help when you can find it.

“I don’t make resolutions, but I help my kids to make resolutions. The first resolution is usually, Listen to Dad and obey Dad. Treat Dad like the King of the castle.” Matt C.

That thing they call the Internet, which may or may not take off this year, has too many links to mention when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. If you are going to succumb to the resolution pressure, here are the top 10 resolutions, according to some unnamed source, and my sophomoric commentary.

Diet or eat healthier (I presume that means after the 4^th of July picnic?)
Exercise more (I’m all about those bocce, bowling and pickle ball leagues)
Lose Weight (Like it’s that easy. Why not say win the lottery too while you’re at it)
Save more and spend less (my dyslexia always thought that said Spend more and Save less, oops!)
Learn a new skill or hobby (Is anyone willing to give me free voice lessons so I can sing better?)
Quit smoking (Please, if you smoke or vape, quit! I’m not saying it’s easy, but smoking/vaping is awful)
Read more (Read more what? Comics, obituaries, Harlequin romance novels or just ALIVE Magazine?)
Find another job (Sign me up. How can I make more with less responsibility?)
Drink less alcohol (As if. Maybe I could give up the Mad Men Martini Lunches?)
Spend more time with family and friends (this one make sense since YOLO and we work to live not live to work)

Researchers say about sixty percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, but only about 8 percent of us are successful in achieving them. I’m definitely in the 92% category of not achieving them if I make them at all. We all want to start a new year out on the right foot so let’s not put the stress of resolutions on ourselves this year. Alternatively, if we do feel the need to create NYR’s, can we agree to limit it to just one or two items so we don’t get overwhelmed or feel like a failure if we get sidetracked or distracted dealing with this thing called life?

Already the New Year, 2020, sounds happier.

Car Art

December 31, 2019 by Charles Jarrett Leave a Comment

Norman Prickett’s interest in automobiles began as a child, while working in his father’s automotive garage in Piedmont, California. At first, he just cleaned tools, but by the time he reached age twelve, he started working on and overhauling cars. The repair shop remained at that location for about six years, until his dad became frustrated with politics in the big city. Then, his father, who had grown up on a Nebraska farm, decided to move the family back to the small community of Hamilton City, between Orland and Chico, near the Sacramento River. There, his father leased a huge World War II Quonset hut, to be used as a two-story repair shop. He named it “Pappy’s Auto Repair,” Pappy being his father’s nickname.

The family lived on the hut’s upper floor, with the repair shop below. The building had extensions on both sides. One side contained a machine shop and the other side was rented to a tenant who sold arc welders. The building was wide enough that the central work area could contain about 16 cars at one time. Norman lived there until he graduated from high school; a high school with a senior graduating class of only 32 students.

Norman didn’t see much future in Chico or the surrounding area. When he returned to the Bay Area after graduation, he found a job as an apprentice on construction crews. When he was 19 he got his journeyman’s card and soon ran work crews until age 21. He then joined the Army. After his Army service, he came back to the Bay Area and again ran a construction crew for a while, then obtained a part-time real estate sales license while still working in construction. Eventually, realizing how much money he could make in the real estate business, he became a full-time realtor. Following another inspirational and motivational moment in his life, he started buying old houses and fixing them up. Before long, he began building spec homes, apartments and condos, which led him into his lifetime work in managing, building, and selling real estate.

Norman doesn’t consider himself a collector of cars, but purchasing good cars became his passion—cars that he could drive to and from work and enjoy on a daily basis. When he finished his military service in 1965, he bought a green 1965 Pontiac GTO convertible with a black top, which he loved. However, one day while driving a couple around in that car, the wife got out of the car and told her husband that she never wanted to ride in that vehicle again. It became obvious that the back seat of the car was not the most comfortable for taking customers out to see properties. Wisely, Norman sold his GTO and purchased a larger vehicle—a new station wagon that could accommodate more people comfortably.

In 1989, while on a drive in Sacramento, his wife, Sherry, pointed out a Red 1965 GTO convertible and asked Norman if this wasn’t the same type of car that he had owned previously and spoke fondly of many times. She suggested that he take a look at it, which he did. He then bought it and brought it home. It had the wrong engine and a few other things wrong with it, but he soon found the correct engine and installed it. Originally, it was a tri-power, four-speed transmission car with factory air, which was unusual for a convertible. Consequently, it was quite a rare vehicle. He later modified it further with a four-barrel carburetor, replaced the four-speed transmission with an overdrive automatic transmission, and upgraded the old air-conditioning unit with a more modern one. After making the changes, that GTO is what he now considers his primary highway car. In fact, it has taken them to Canada, Texas, Yellowstone, and Las Vegas, and is now a vehicle that his wife, Sherry, also enjoys driving.

At one time he owned as many as five vehicles. One of his favorite cars was a 1950 Ford coupe that he purchased 50 years ago, in 1970. A friend of his called him one day and told him that he had found a 1940 Ford sitting underneath a tree in a backyard in Castro Valley. It had a near perfect body for restoration, but no motor or transmission. Norman purchased it and towed it home. He installed a small block Chevy engine in it and drove it with a stock transmission and rear end for 30 years. He then added a brand-new engine, a new rear end, air conditioning, and completely rewired the car. Today, this 1940 Ford even has power steering, power brakes disc brakes on the front, and is almost a brand-new car. He also owned a Ford Ranchero for 15 years, which he sold last year. Prior to that, he had a 230 SL Mercedes that he drove for 18 years.

Norman reminded me that he did the mechanical work on these cars himself, and “remember,” he said, “I’m not a car collector. I simply like to buy and maintain great cars and keep them in great condition for the pure enjoyment of driving them.”

And for the right price, he may eventually sell his exquisite 1940 Ford coupe and seek another adventure!

Beware the Easier Road

December 31, 2019 by Eric Johnson Leave a Comment

If you haven’t noticed, there seems to be a movement afoot in America toward socialism. In a 2019 Harris poll, nearly half (49.6%) of adults under 40 said they would prefer living in a socialist country. The same group also favored “free” public college (67.1%) and universal health care (73.2%). Fully 75% of democrats believe America would be “better off” if it was more socialist, with about 43% of all Americans saying the same thing.

I understand that people want life to be better for everyone, but is becoming a more socialist-style nation a way to accomplish that goal? Before I go on, let’s settle on a definition of the term. Merriam-Webster defines socialism as:

1: any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods

2a: a system of society or group living in which there is no private property

b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state

3: a stage of society in Marxist theory transitional between capitalism and communism and distinguished by unequal distribution of goods and pay according to work done

As far as I can tell, the basic promise of socialism is to share everything equally, where the disparity between the wealthy and the poor is eliminated. Everyone makes a “living wage” and no one goes without necessities. This all sounds very nice. Every person is guaranteed housing, health care, clean air, water, food, education, and mobility (aka, an electric car). The balance of the living wage would be needed so Americans could also afford the other “necessities” they have become accustomed to—iPhones, Pilates classes, HD TV sets, streaming music, pizza, Botox, Starbucks coffee, visits to nail salons, and of course, Amazon Prime memberships.

Bernie Sanders points to countries like Sweden as examples of this utopia. The problem is these are not socialist countries; they are hybrid nations with various levels of capitalism. True socialist countries, like Venezuela and Cuba, have economies with state-owned or controlled production and commerce. How many migrant caravans do we see invading these stellar examples of socialist Shangri-la?

Socialism generally appeals to younger people, and others, who, so far at least, seem to believe that toil, struggle, difficulty, and failure are experiences to be avoided at all costs. They pray for a “lighter load and an easier road” rather than a “stronger back.” What they are missing is that it is only through life’s challenges that we develop the character, experience, and strength to accomplish greater tasks and goals.

The lie of socialism is that there are only so many pieces of pie in the universe to be shared, whereas the truth is, capitalism allows infinite pies to be created, limited only by one’s imagination. One only need study history to understand that most of the progress in solving the world’s greatest problems—hunger, disease, and poverty—all lie at the foot of Western capitalism, not socialism or communism.

Americans must remember that the easier road never leads forward.

The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy.

—Winston Churchill

No Safe Spaces

December 31, 2019 by Carolyn Hastings Leave a Comment

As I’m writing this, the chaos continues. Will the Impeachment pass in the House today? Probably. But then what? The chaos will continue because in my humble opinion “The Chaos” has become white noise, ever present in our society, the new norm.

I only mention the seemingly never ending saga of the impeachment because it is in some strange way a bi-product of the subject of my movie review this month.

I went to see No Safe Spaces in the theater. I’m not usually a huge fan of documentaries because they are often designed to promote a certain perspective. I actually expected no less from this one, yet I have to admit that I arrived with a glimmer of hope for a true unbiased vantage point.

So there is no confusion I am going to quote directly from the promo.

The First Amendment and the very idea of free speech are under attack in America today. A growing number of Americans don’t believe you have the right to speak your mind if what you have to say might offend someone, somewhere. They advocate for “safe spaces” in which people won’t be offended by ideas they may find troubling. But is that what America is about?

In No Safe Spaces comedian and podcast king Adam Carolla and radio talk show host Dennis Prager travel the country, talking to experts and advocates on the left and the right, tour college campuses, and examine their own upbringings to try to understand what is happening in America today and what free speech in this country should look (and sound) like.

As I’ve mentioned before, I consider myself a patriot. I love my country. It’s like a big family, some of them may do things I don’t like, but they’re still family. I love the principles our country was founded upon and feel they are truly worth holding on to and defending. Somewhere along the line, we have gotten off track and the divisiveness is only getting worse. The University of California at Berkeley right here in our own back yard, has gone from honoring and defending our First Amendment of free speech to looting, pillaging, shouting and screaming and yes, violence to keep it off their campus. When did that happen? You’ve heard the old analogy about putting the frog in the pot of cold water if you want to cook him and turn the flame on under the pot. That’s how it happens. That’s how one day you wake up and free speech is not free any longer. Slowly, very slowly the pot of water heats up and cooks the frog…

I’ve got four teenage grandchildren and I didn’t see freedom of speech in our colleges and universities going away. Is it too late? I don’t think so. Dennis Prager and Adam Carolla have created a film that every American should see. I don’t care if you know their politics or like their politics. In fact, once you see the movie you’ll understand that it goes much deeper than that. It’s who we are as Americans. It’s who we want to continue to be. Owen Gleiberman wrote in Variety, ‘The most head-turning point made by No Safe Spaces is that today’s anti-free-speech radicals, who on many college campuses dominate the discourse, are going to be tomorrow’s leaders. Now, that’s something that can keep you awake at night! We can no longer afford to stay uninvolved while the pot of water starts to boil. We need to bring back the art of civil discourse. When it comes right down to it, it’s not what you say but how you say it that usually makes the difference in whether others listen.

As always, I welcome your comments at Carolyn@carolynhastings.com

20 – 20 Vision

December 31, 2019 by Peggy Fallon Leave a Comment

Got the January doldrums? Tired of cold weather? Feeling financially depleted? Weary of restaurant meals and fancy party food? Yearning for some quiet time at home? I think I know the answer to your dilemma. It sounds like a good day for soup.

So why not make an outrageously good, budget-friendly main course made from ingredients you may already have in your pantry? And, in deference to all the born-again dieters out there, the carbs and calories in classic onion soup gratinee are dramatically reduced by omitting the bread and gooey cheese. The soup is delicious without them, though certainly not as luxurious. (If it’s a clean-out-the-produce-drawer kind of day, feel free to add celery, carrot, and other veggies to make the soup more substantial.)

But if you are ready to fall face-first into some New Year’s decadence, sit right next to me. Converting this recipe to the more familiar flavors of French onion soup requires minimal effort for maximum flavor. I’ve added the instructions at the end of the recipe. As we say in California, bon appetit!

California Onion Soup

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut up

2 tablespoons California olive oil

6 medium onions (2 1/2 to 3 pounds) halved and sliced about 1/8-inch thick (about 6 cups total)

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/4 cup dry sherry, dry white wine, or brandy

4 cups beef stock, store-bought or homemade

1 cup water

Optional: 1&1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

Freshly grated Dry Jack or parmesan cheese

In a soup pot or other heavy-bottomed 4- to 6-quart pot, melt the butter in the oil over medium heat.
Stir in the onions and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat well. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let cook for 15 minutes, until the onions are very soft.
Uncover the pot and increase the heat to medium. Let cook, stirring frequently, for about 40 minutes, or until the onions are deep golden brown. Adjust the heat as needed to avoid burning.
Stir in the flour and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the flour turns golden, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the sherry and cook 3 to 5 minutes longer. Stir in the stock, water, and thyme, if using. Cover and bring to a boil; then reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste, adding more salt and pepper as needed.
Ladle the hot soup into 4 bowls and pass the grated cheese at the table.

To Make French-Style California Onion Soup Gratinee, you will also need:

8 slices Gruyere cheese, plus 1 generous cup shredded

2 cups homemade or store-bought plain croutons, or 8-to-12 toasted baguette slices

After Step #5 above, preheat the broiler. Place 4 ovenproof crocks or bowls on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet.
Divide the hot soup equally among the bowls. Cover each with 2 slices of cheese and top with 1/2 cup croutons; then sprinkle a generous 1/4 cup of shredded cheese evenly over all. Place the baking sheet about 6 inches from the broiler and broil, watching carefully, until the cheese is bubbly-hot and lightly browned. Serve warm.

Cook’s Tips

# If you are skilled with a knife, go for it! Otherwise, use the slicing blade on a food processor or a mandoline to cut the onions.

# Cooking onions “low and slow” results in caramelization, and elevates this humble vegetable to one of the tenets of haute cuisine. Many good cooks keep a batch of caramelized onions in the refrigerator, at the ready to add richness and instant depth of flavor to sautés, stews, and sauces. (Prepare the onions through Step #3 above. Let cool, and refrigerate in a sealed container.)

You can also create your own California Onion Dip by mixing caramelized onions with sour cream, a drizzle of California olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

# For those who follow a strict vegetarian diet, substitute good-quality vegetable stock for the beef stock in this recipe.

#If you prefer to avoid alcohol substitute water or stock for the sherry, and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavors.

# If you are indulging in the more traditional version of onion soup, do opt for Gruyere cheese whenever possible. Its texture, melting quality, and slightly nutty flavor outshine any other Swiss-style cheese.

But for a change of pace, a goodcheddar also works surprisingly well.

It’s a Cryin’ Shame….

# There are more than 500 hundred varieties of onions, but they all fall into three major categories: Common “storage onions” have protective papery skins and can be kept for long periods of time. They have a more pronounced heat that mellows with cooking—as in the soup recipe above. Storage onions should be kept in a paper (not plastic) bag in a pantry or other cool, dry place, away from potatoes or other vegetables.

“Sweet onions” are grown seasonally in various parts of the world. Although they have a much shorter shelf life, they are considerably milder and release no fumes when cut.

Finally there are “fresh onions” with green stalks, such as spring onions and scallions, which are the most perishable of all. These should be stored in an open plastic bag in the produce drawer of the refrigerator.

# Although you should not routinely refrigerate storage onions, refrigerating them for 30 minutes or so before slicing seems to tame their sometimes pungent fumes.

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The Danville Certified Farmers’ Market, located at Railroad & Prospect, is open every Saturday, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For specific crop information call the Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association at 1-800-949-FARM, or visit their web site at www.pcfma.org. This market is made possible through the generous support of the Town of Danville. Please show your appreciation by patronizing the many fine shops and restaurants located in downtown Danville. Buy fresh. Buy local. Live well.

It Takes a Village

December 31, 2019 by Stefanie Boggs-Johnson Leave a Comment

Writing has always been an outlet for me. Since I was a child, I was drawn to reading books (I was a regular at my local library) and soon to follow was journal writing, poetry, and excitement whenever given an essay assignment in school. As time went by, like most people, I strayed away from my creative passions to earn more accessible income employment through the common employment sectors of retail or administrative work. I eventually became a parent and the rest is history. I was officially another number added to the percentage of creatively inclined individuals that stopped doing the things they loved. It wasn’t until my youngest child survived a stroke that I got my writing groove back. At first it was to help me cope with this unexpected trauma but it became more than that as time passed.

The year 2020 invites many cliché statements to make it a year of gaining a new perspective, making a year of clear visions and so on. While I do hope it is a year of new opportunities and realizing the potential available for all of us, I wanted to reflect on 2019 as a contributor to Alive East Bay Magazine. With my decision to focus on special needs inclusion and provide awareness along with hope for the special needs community, I thought it would be articles that would help families going through similar struggles. As I sought new ideas and topics each month with the typical writer’s block, I had an epiphany. In addition to provide awareness, hope and resources for special needs families I thought “why not interview individuals or organizations?”. And so I did. It was the most enlightening and positive decision I could have made. The year 2019 turned into such positive introductions to the many people in our community that have hearts of gold. With all the despair shoved in our faces and our ears, it was a breath of fresh air to interview those that provide assistance, time and love for others that struggle. My warm and fuzzy monthly articles not only gave me a new appreciation for our world but introduced me to a new definition of the term “special needs”. It is a term intended to reference those with physical or developmental delays. I found, through the many people I got to meet in person or by phone, that it is an umbrella term because although not every person needs physical assistance, every human has a special need to feel included, acknowledged, appreciated and most of all loved. Everyone, no matter their physical or developmental abilities, has a need of emotional, mental and spiritual fulfillment. We all have a need to feel special. We all have a need to not just survive but to feel “Alive.”

My articles began as a way for me to inspire families with medical struggles but I was inspired- by the people I met and the tenacity of their focus to help others struggling daily. As a new year begins, while my focus is still inclusion, it will encompass my new appreciation for those who have survived the unthinkable. It will also encompass those who lend a hand along with blood, sweat and tears to provide some ease for those going through unfortunate moments that can happen to any of us. It’s a boomerang. What we give, we get back in tenfold. It takes not just one person but a village. So begins 2020 with grateful hindsight and a new vision for my articles- to expand my promoting of inclusion that started with those with medical delays to also encircle all random acts of human kindness. Welcome to “It Takes A Village.” I hope you join me monthly as I share my experiences of meeting people that continue to enlarge the circle of inclusion, connection and joy that covers the multitude of struggles all humans may face in their lives. May my articles be one of many droplets that help maintain a spiritual, mental, and emotional 20/20 vision that reminds you that you are never alone.

2020 Kia Soul

December 31, 2019 by Charles Donaldson Leave a Comment

Your Soul Mate!

The world of vehicles is changing as the demands for sedans decrease, and the desire for SUVs and Crossovers are on the rise. One vehicle filling this fairly-new demand is the newly redesigned 2020 Kia Soul, a subcompact SUV. The Soul has a comfortable interior boasting generous passenger and cargo space, including a long list of available features. It’s easy to drive and has good performance and handling.

Pricing and Trims
The2020 Kia Soul is available in five trim levels: LX ($18,535), S ($21,335), GT-Line ($21,335), X-Line ($22,535), and EX Designer Collection ($23,735).

What’s New for 2020?
According to Kia, the 2020 Soul includes a forward design, modern tech, and a more diverse model lineup. The iconic Soul’s shape and profile has evolved slightly and sits upon an all-new platform. Technology advancements begin with the available 10.25-inch wide display, heads-up display, and a new cockpit designed to improve the musical experience. New model trims like the GT-Line and X-Line showcase the performance aspirations of the Soul.

Interior Highpoints
The Kia Soul is known for its boxy dimensions that deliver a surprising amount of passenger and cargo room. The 2020 version grows slightly longer (2.2-inches) than its previous version and Kia’s smart-design packaging allows for increased accessibility. The wheelbase has also been amplified by 1.2-inch helping in part to improve the driving comfort. The biggest boost is in the Soul’s cargo capacity which has swelled to 23.8 cu.-ft.; a 5 cubic-foot increase!

Other interior design highlights include an available sound mood lighting that emits customizable colored soft light from the door panels that can be synchronized to the beat of the music playing from the Soul’s audio system. Plus, there is available wireless charging, dual auto climate control, and tweeter speakers.

The 2020 Soul is equipped with a next-gen infotainment system and Kia’s drive-wise technologies including an available 10.25-inch HD color touchscreen with split screen function and rearview monitor with parking guidance. Android Auto and Apple Car Play, available 8-inch heads-up display, Bluetooth® multi-connect, and an available 640-watt Harman Kardon audio system.

Exterior Highlights
The exterior of the 2020 Soul is even cleaner than before with better “SOUL” graphics garnished in the C-pillars. High-tech front headlights and slim-designed daytime running lights and turn signal indicators sit in between a larger front grille with a unique two-toned treatment. Three-dimensional wraparound boomerang- shaped taillights and C-pillars designed to resemble airplane wings finish up the rear design.

Performance Specs
Power comes from a 2.0-liter Nu four-cylinder engine with 147 HP matted to a 6-speed manual transmission or Intelligent Variable transmission. An optional 1.6-liter twin scroll turbocharged 4-cylinder is packaged with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission and generates 201 horses.

Cool Features:

Available 10.25-inch HD color touchscreen
Available 8-inch Head-Up Display

Safety &Integrity
The 2020 Kia Soul is packed with what Kia calls the “Kia Drive Wise” features. These include Forward Collision Avoidance, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Changing Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross Collision Warning, Smart Cruise Control, High Beam Assist, and more.

In Summary –If you are in the market for a subcompact vehicle that possesses ample people and cargo space, is fun to drive, has an iconic shape, great price and gets excellent gas mileage, then you might want to get behind the wheel of the all-new Kia Soul!

Specifications.

2020 Kia Soul X-Line

Base price: $21,620 as driven: $22,615 (including destination & optional features)

Engine: 2.0-liter 4-cylinder

Horsepower: 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm

Torque: 132 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm

Transmission: Intelligent Variable Transmission (i-VT)

Drive: FrontWheel Drive

Seating: 5-passenger

Cargo space: 24.2/62.1 cubic feet (rear seats up/down)

Curb weight: 2,844pounds

Fuel Capacity: 14.3 gallons

Fuel Economy: 27 MPG City, 33 MPG Highway

Wheelbase: 102.4inches

Warranty: 10 years/100,000-miles

Also Consider: Buick Encore, Chevrolet Trax, Fiat 500X, Ford EcoSport, Honda HR-V, Mini Cooper, Jeep Renegade, Hyundai Kona, Subaru Crosstrek

Lookin’ Good Vibrations

December 31, 2019 by Dr. Michael Tomcik Leave a Comment

I have been a Board-Certified Dermatologist for over 40 years and I have observed that there are many wonderful procedures and treatments that improve the look and health of your skin, hair and nails. However, the number one secret to beautiful skin is connected to your “thinking.” The world is vibrational—protons, neutrons, energy waves—everything around us in motion, and nothing moves around more than our thinking.

When we have a disease or any illness, it certainly affects our thinking. The big question is: does disease cause stinkin’ thinkin’ or does stinkin’ thinkin’ cause disease. No matter which comes first, the idea is to stop the negative thinking to help improve conditions.

There are five simple principles that can improve your overall health and well being leading to glowing skin.

Principle #1: Be Grateful

Start where you are right now. Focus on the good stuff in your life and the world in general. There has to be something—even a stopped clock is right twice a day! When we stop to pay attention to all that we have to be grateful for, we find so much. Gratitude creates success and fulfillment in our lives. Being grateful for all that we have leads us to attract and create more things to be grateful for.

Principle #2: Choose Positive Thoughts & Feelings

Our thoughts and feelings are incredibly powerful. Both what we think and how we feel have the ability to attract positive and negative things into our lives. When we are able to acknowledge and express our thoughts and feelings appropriately, we can consciously choose the positive ones we want. By focusing our thoughts and feelings in a positive direction, we’re able to create a life of appreciation, success and fulfillment.

Principle #3: Use Positive Words

The words we use towards others and about ourselves have great impact. Our words have the power to create, not just to describe. Understanding the power of our words and using them in a positive way are both essential aspects of appreciation, acknowledgement, and good health.

Principle #4: Acknowledge Others

Expressing our appreciation and gratitude for others through acknowledgment is one of the most loving and empowering things we can do for those around us. Acknowledgment, both reactive and proactive, is the best way to connect with people, let them know how much they mean to us, and motivate them in a genuine way. AND it feels good!

Principle #5: Appreciate Yourself

Self-appreciation is self-love. Self-love is the most important gift we can give ourselves. If we truly love ourselves, nothing much else matters. You cannot give what you do not have inside you to give. When we appreciate ourselves, we make it possible to honestly appreciate others and life in general. Self-appreciation is the foundation of all appreciation.

In the spirit of self-appreciation, take time today to make an appointment to have that original birthday suit of yours checked out and cared for. At Advanced Laser & Skin Care Center, we take care of your skin and the shape that it’s in. We provide Medical and Cosmetic Dermatology in a spa-like environment with a positive and professional team to help you look and feel your best. For more information about all our services or to schedule a consultation, call me: Michael J. Tomcik, MD at Advanced Laser & Skin Care Center 925-743-1488.