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Most concert programs provide interesting reading and information regarding both the composer and the music to be played. But many people, who are not versed in the language of music, open a concert program and are often at a loss to understand some of the words, terminology and phrases they encounter.

The idea for this subject came from a good friend and former colleague, W. Richard Smithousen, a biologist. After going to a Danville Community Band concert he told me he had no idea what some of the words meant and was confused by the terminology. He asked me to clear up and explain some of the mysterious words and phrases in the program.      I can appreciate his confusion and frustration. Many people don’t know some of the commonly used musical jargon found in almost all concert programs.The main part of a program is in English but Italian is the language usually used for musical directions in the vast majority of music compositions. So if one does not understand the Italian language, many musical terms are quite a mystery. Italian is the universal music language but this is not the case in 100 percent of music written throughout the world. The directions for playing, singing or conducting are usually in Italian. This may also be true in music written in other countries by composers who speak other languages.

Some of the words and phrases are categorized according to their function and meaning. Many words denote names of movements that make up the composition, others are directions for volume, tempo, and style of playing.

There are literally thousands of words that could be used to describe some aspects of musical expression. Space does not permit but a few of the most common words and expressions found in music literature. Some of the words and phrases used in music are:

Volume

Volume or dynamics, indicates loudness or softness

            Pianissimo pp – very soft

            Piano p – soft

            Mezzo piano mp – medium soft

            Mezzo forte  mf – medium loud

            Forte f – loud

            Fortissimo  ff – very loud

Tempo

Tempo or speed of a composition

            Allegro – fast, happy, quick

            Allegro con brio – played in a brilliant style

            Allegro con fuoco – played with fire and extreme animation

            Allegro con spirito – performed with spirit

            Allegro ma non troppo – allegro but not too rapid

            Allegretto – slightly slower than allegro

            Andante – a moderate or walking tempo

            Andantino – slightly faster than andante

            Moderato – a moderate tempo

            Vivace – quite fast, lively, quick

            Presto – very fast

            Presto assai – as fast as possible

            Adagio – slow

            Largo – very slow and broad

            Lento – slow

            Grave – very, very slow

Terms used to alter tempo markings:

            Accelerando – becoming gradually faster

            Stringendo – quickening the tempo

            Ritardando – gradually slowing the tempo

            Rallentando – slowing the tempo

            Meno mosso – less movement

            L’istesso tempo – the same rate of speed

            Maestoso – majestically

            Dolce – sweetly

            Grandioso – grandly

            Pesante – slowly, heavily

            Con moto – with motion

            Agitato – agitated

Program Makeup

The components of a concert program vary according to the ensemble, either band, orchestra or choral and what each ensemble deems important and appropriate to mention.

I’m proud to say that the programs of the Danville Community Band (DCB) are very complete in content and scope. When we take sample programs to national conventions they are called exemplary and are quickly sought after.

Our printed programs begin with greetings from the conductor and a list of dates for all upcoming concerts and events. Then the musical selections to be performed and a brief history of the founding of the band follows. Biographies of the conductors and featured guest artists (if performing) are next, then a list of the musicians name, profession and the instrument they play. Corporate and individual contributions of financial donations follow. Also included are

acknowledgments of individuals who help the band in many ways, including the Board of Directors of DCB. Photos of band members are featured throughout the written program.

Program Notes

This section is where you will find some words and phrases that you may not now. These are common words to describe something that is inherent in the music being performed.

            Acappella – unaccompanied

            Bel canto – beautiful singing, associated with Italian opera

            Chorale –         a hymn tune (or a choral group)

            Coda – means tail, a section at the end of a piece

            Concerto – a composition for one or more solo voices and orchestra or band

            Consort – a small instrumental ensemble

            Counterpoint – two or more melodic lines played together

            da capo – go back to the beginning

            da capo al fine – go back to the beginning and play to the end or fine

            Diatonic – major and minor scales

            Etude – French for study

            Legato – play smoothly without separate attacks

            Leitmotif – a recurring theme

            Libretto – text of opera, oratorio or musical

            Minuet – a country dance in triple time

            Monophony – a single line of melody, no harmony

            Ornaments – a little quick note, a trill, grace note or turn

            Opus – a number assigned to the works of a composer

            Overture – an introduction to a musical work

            Polyphony – two or more independent lines combined

            Sotto voce – Soft or low voice

            Staccato – detached, each note short

            Syncopation – accent on the weak part of the beat

            Secco – dry or simple

            Segue – without a break

            Sonata – multi-movement composition for solo instrument

            Sordino – mute

            Subito – suddenly or immediately

            Tacet – be quiet, do not play or sing

            Tessitura – range of a part

            Tutti – all

            Timbre – tone quality or color

            Unison – two or more playing the same note

            Vibrato – a wobble or fluctuation of pitch

There you have it. A thumbnail sketch on how to read and interpret the words and phrases in a concert program.

Many thanks to the very fine members of DCB who produce our programs before each event. George March, DCB’s business manager, who does the leg work and writes the copy for each issue, Jim Ketsdever, of Sara Waters Design Group, who designs the graphics and does the layout and Steve Tom, of Printing by Coast Litho for printing our beautiful programs. These dedicated folks do a superior job, getting the word out to our audience and making us look good.

Hopefully, I have dismissed some of the mystery in understanding what is offered in a program.

Happy concert going.

Submit your questions and comments to banddirector01@comcast.net Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band.

One of the hallmark characteristics of liberty is the protected right to share and express ideas—even unpopular ones. “Freedom of Speech,” as it is often referred to, is part of the First Amendment to our Constitution; listed among the first “God given” freedoms identified in the Bill of Rights.

To place a value upon this right one must consider the American lives lost in the cause to preserve and protect it. Truly, it is among the sacred rights, bought and paid for by the blood of patriots. We each have a duty to respect, defend, and uphold it, for when we do not, we dishonor the men and women who paid dearly–many with their very lives–to secure it for us.

The full text of the First Amendment is:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free          exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Now if you have been paying attention, you know that the right of free speech has been under attack lately. And while it is true that there are certain limits to this freedom (yelling “fire” in a crowded theater is often cited as an example of using speech in a manner that is illegal), there are apparently a good number of citizens–many who likely claim to be well educated–who don’t understand what freedom of speech is or what it means.

In fact, when you read our feature article, Risk, Reward, and Republicanism, by Bradley Devlin, Secretary of the Berkeley College Republicans (page 20), you’ll discover that among the worst, chronic offenders in the assault on free speech is the very administration at what was once a standard-bearer in causes for freedom and liberty–the University of California at Berkeley.

When the controversial, firebrand speaker, Milo Yiannopoulos, was scheduled to speak at the U.C. Berkeley campus last February, he was prevented from doing so by a large group of individuals (students and non-students) who became violent, destroying school property and threatening anyone who dared support this free speech event.  The event became an all-out riot, as the campus police simply stepped back and allowed the anarchists to have their way.

Later in the year, conservative speaker, Ann Coulter was scheduled to speak, but the U.C. administration would not allow it because they “couldn’t ensure her safety.”

The real tragedy in all of this is that, while the young students who opposed these event might be excused because they are simply too immature or ignorant to realize their error, the so-called adults in the U.C.  administration surely know better.

Shame on them for not standing up for free speech. Shame on them for dishonoring those men and women– the ones mentioned previously, with courage that they, apparently, do not possess.     

 

 

 

With summer upon us, I have found that one of the primary questions around the water cooler is “What are you and your family going to do this summer?” This year, the trophied response was “camping,” followed by my co-water-cooler friends asking me “What type of vehicle works best for camping?”

This question gave me the inspiration for this article, which will be the first of three that will highlight the pros and cons of three vehicle categories along with my personal camping experiences of each. That said, what are our choices outside of renting an RV?

The three most common vehicles, are an SUV (Crossover), a Minivan, and a Truck, where the first two choices offer the security of an enclosed area for your stuff. The pickup’s attributes include a large bed for your outdoor wilderness provisions and perhaps, more off-road capabilities.I enjoy and began the sport of camping several years ago, thanks to “the bug” that I caught from an old girlfriend’s family. They would pack up the tents, coolers, hot dogs and family to recreate their home in the woods for two weeks every year. After joining them for a couple of days, I found that I was hooked and started buying supplies.

In the beginning, there was enough room in my 1966 Mustang for camping gear for two people. Now, however, with the addition of kids and equipment, I need a canyon of cargo space. When my daughter, Cayla, and I started a tradition of camping adventures, my cabinets began multiplying with the essentials needed. The space grew from one half cabinet to two large ones.

A request went out into the universe, and the 2017 Kia Sorento SXL AWD Crossover was delivered. At first glance, I was happy to see that the Kia came with AWD in case a dusty trail crossed our path. The 2017 Sorento comes in four trim levels: L, LX, EX, SX, and SXL and range in price starting at $25,400 to $45,700. All except the L is available in both FWD and AWD.

There are three engine choices that vary on the trim level. They include: 2.4-liter I-4 with 185 hp/178 lb. ft. torque, and a 6-speed automatic transmission, 2.0-liter turbo I-4 with 240 hp, and 260 lb. ft. torque and a 6-speed automatic, and a 3.3-liter V6 with 290 hp and 252 lb. ft. torque, and 6-speed automatic.

Some new features of the 2017 Sorento include and again are based on trim level: Telematics Audio with head unit Android Auto™ , Apple CarPlay®, Advanced Technology Package, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Paddle shifters, and Dynamic Bending Headlamps.

The styling on the Sorento is both sophisticated and attractive. The lines are modern and clean with just enough contour to create the presence of an elegant and bold silhouette. From the front, the signature Kia grille is met with a bank of quad running lights below the headlights to help illuminate your way. My trim, the SXL, embodied a full-length sunroof that furnished a panoramic view of the sky. The roof line flowed downward into the tailgate.

The interior was comfortable with plenty of amenities and legroom. The wood trim touches created an upscale feel and the entire vehicle felt solid. The dash was a mixture of soft touch points and a 7-in LCD display panel. Our model included front ventilated and heated 10-way power seats trimmed in Nappa leather. The two rapid USB charging ports kept our phones fully charged while out exploring. In the back, there’s a third row of seats for two extra passengers.

The cargo area allowed: a tent, three large plastic totes, a medium size cooler, fishing poles, three folding chairs, two medium-sized bags of clothes, a box of wood and other supplies. The backseat alongside of my 9-year old son, Chase, embraced three sleeping bags, three pillows, small cooler and a bag of sheets and blankets. At the back of the center console was a 110-volt power inverter plug which worked perfectly for Chase’s portable DVD player.

Cool Features:

• Panoramic Sunroof
• Standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can access popular smartphone features including: maps, text messages and music
• 110-volt power inverter plug

The 2017 Kia Sorento comes well-equipped with safety features including the following: Vehicle Stability Management System, Electronic Stability Control, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Hillstart Assist Control, driver and front passenger advanced airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact airbags, roof-mounted side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors, rearview camera, driver’s blind spot mirror. Some of these items are optional safety features for purchase.

In Summary – The 2017 Kia Sorento is a wonderful representative for the SUV/Crossover class. It delivered plenty of power without sputtering over hills with its 3.3-liter V6 motor. We loaded the Sorento up with our camping gear and our vehicle took it without hesitation. I must admit that it would have been difficult but not impossible, to create room for one more person due to my efforts to be overly-prepared and overly-stocked.

We never did feel uncomfortable in the 2017 Sorento, and in fact, we left and returned in a very relaxed state. The verdict – an SUV/Crossover definitely wins over my 1966 Ford Mustang and all sedans as well. Having the enclosed space for our stuff adds a level of security while traveling. Properly organizing and packing your supplies optimizes the amount of people and cargo you can transport. The raised height of an SUV/Crossover improves visibility when driving, and…

Stay tuned for the 4-11 on how an SUV/Crossover compares against a Minivan and Pickup!

Specifications

2017 Kia Sorento SXL AWD 
Base price:                  $45,700 as driven: $46,595(including destination & optional
                                    features)

Engine:                       3.3-liter V6

Horsepower:               290 hp

Torque:                       252 lb.-ft.

Transmission:            6-speed automatic

Drive:                          AWD-Wheel Drive

Seating:                       7-passenger
Turning radius:         18.6 feet

Cargo space:              154.2 cubic feet

Curb weight:              4,211 pounds

EPA mileage:             City 17/Hwy 23/Comb 19 MPG

Wheel Base:                109.4inches

Warranty:                   10 years/100,000-miles powertrain limited

Also consider:            GMC Acadia, Honda Pilot, Jeep Cherokee, Mitsubishi  

                                      Outlander

 

I have been asked which of the many trivial subjects that are in general use are my personal favorites. Most of them are favorites, but because of where I grew up, pre WWII, baseball and the movies seem to be what I gravitate to. So, with that in mind let’s deal with some baseball movies.

1.) My favorite baseball movie is “Bull Durham.” Kevin Costner played Crash Davis, who played the naive young pitcher Nuke Lelouch?

2.)  In “Field of Dreams”, who was the real life player of the 20s played by Ray Liotta who asked Costner to build a field so “they will come?”

3.) Who played Babe Ruth in the movie “Pride of the Yankees?”

4.) What was the name of the mysterious great hitter played by Robert Redford In “The Natural?

5.) Who played Branch Rickey, the man who introduced Jackie Robinson to Major League Baseball in the movie “42?”

6.) In the 1970’s film “The Bad News Bears,” who was the sponsor of Walter Matthau’s Little League team?    

 

 

Summer is here and as ever, we are on the eternal quest for the ultimate summer beverage. With so many creative and fabulous cocktails out there, how can you possibly decide on just one? The drink menus at bars and restaurants today are often staggeringly long. Narrowing your choices down can be challenging. But while some drinks are infinitely more appropriate for winter, such as Irish Coffee, a White Russian, or a snifter of cognac, others just scream summertime and are equally refreshing and delicious on a hot day.

If you’re not in the mood to try the trendiest new cocktail on the block and are perhaps leaning towards something more traditional, why not sample some tequila? You may be surprised. Serious tequila drinkers can be as finicky as scotch drinkers and are generally very well informed. They each have their own favorite brand and style and if prompted will happily tell you why, in no shortage of detail.Some tequila aficionados prefer their spirit crafted into the ever-popular Margarita, either blended or on the rocks, salted rim or clean. Some like the fine, aged sipping tequilas. Others still enjoy the smoky goodness of mezcal. But hold on! Tequila is tequila, right? Wrong. Very wrong. Time to learn something new.

Not just a faceless liquor serving as the base of a margarita, tequila is an historic spirit of Mexico, steeped in history, and offering a true flavor experience to those daring to step beyond the platter of tequila shots at the local Mexican joint. Contrary to popular belief, tequila is not made from a cactus. Tequila is a spirit crafted from the Blue Weber agave plant, a bluish green succulent, which is a cousin to the lily and the amaryllis. The heart or “pina” of the blue agave is cooked in a kind of pressure cooker which forces out the juice or “agua miel”. This liquid is purified, fermented, and double distilled to a minimum of 40% alcohol.

The best tequilas are made from 100% Blue Weber agave (or just “blue agave”). Blended tequilas or “mixtos” may be made from a mixture of blue agave and other agave plants. These lesser tequilas often lack the freshness and finesse of pure blue agave.

The blue agave plant is native to our southern neighbor, Mexico, known for its hot climate, beautiful beaches, and spicy food. It makes perfect sense that the spirits crafted within Mexico’s borders would be appropriate and in fact, perfect, for warm weather sipping.

By law, tequila can only be crafted in five Mexican regions that together make up the state of Tequila. The most important of the five is the state of Jalisco, where the actual town of Tequila is found. If created outside the state of Tequila, a spirit cannot legally be called “tequila”. The two largest tequila companies, Sauza and Cuervo, are both located in the town of Tequila.

Tequila is divided into five categories: gold, blanco (or silver), reposado, anejo, and extra anejo. Gold tequila is generally the cheapest. The gold color is achieved through the addition of caramel coloring to a lower quality tequila. Gold tequila holds little intrigue and should generally be avoided.

Blanco tequila is the most pure in flavor. While pungent in nature, blanco tequila carries the true essence of the blue agave plant, unaffected by wood or age. It has a clean taste and can easily be sipped alone, shot with lime and salt, or blended into an ice cold margarita or other festive cocktail.

A reposado (“rested”) tequila is aged in barrel for three to twelve months. The extreme heat of the production region accelerates the aging process and allows the tequila to take on light notes of vanilla and wood.  A reposado tequila has a more mellow flavor than a blanco and the color is generally a pale caramel shade.

Anejo (“aged”) tequila must be aged one to three years in old Kentucky bourbon barrels. Anejo tequila has a deep golden brown color and is smooth and full-bodied with delicate essences of vanilla and oak. Cocktails are generally made with blanco tequila although mixologists are now experimenting with reposado and anejo tequilas to add extra dimension to their recipes.

Like anejo tequila, extra anejo tequila is also aged in old Kentucky bourbon barrels but must be aged for four years and is always made with a distillery’s very finest spirits. Extra anejo tequila is the most expensive tequila. Rarely made into cocktails, extra anejo tequila is served straight up and sipped.

A discussion of tequila is not complete without touching on mezcal. Mezcal aficionados already know that all mezcal is tequila, but not all tequila is mezcal. In other words, mezcal can be produced both inside and outside of Mexico’s Tequila region, while true tequila can only be produced within the borders of the state of Tequila. Also, tequila must be made with blue agave while mezcal can be made with any agave plant.

Mezcal has a strong, smoky flavor that comes from the roasting (as opposed to pressure cooking) of the agave plant. It is more artisanal than regular tequila as each producer has his own secret method of roasting the agave. Mezcal is an acquired taste and a splash of mezcal added to any cocktail gives a distinctly earthy flavor and smoky aroma.

This summer, branch out a little. Many local restaurants and bars now offer interesting tequilas and mezcals. If you’re feeling daring, order one of the many Mexican-style cocktails you may have never tried before. They just might rock your world. Try something new. Add a splash of tequila to your life and enjoy!

Cheers!

Questions or comments can be sent to 4elizabethkate@gmail.com. Follow Elizabeth Kate on Instagram at @ielizabethkate!

 

 

 

Once in a while, I love seeing a movie that I know nothing about ahead of time. This was The Book of Henry. I wasn’t sure I wanted to risk a friend’s fifteen bucks in case it was a bust, so I saw it by myself. This is one of those films that you truly aren’t sure how you feel about it until the credits have rolled. 

In case you’re wondering, I loved this movie. Going into this review, I’m not even sure what I’m going to say about it. It’s a little hard to explain but just maybe that’s the exact reason I liked it so much.

Sometimes things aren’t always what they seem, especially in Henry’s world. The Carpenters, single mom, Susan, and her two son’s Henry, eleven, and eight-year-old Peter, live in a small, suburban town. Susan works in the local diner with her best friend, Sheila. Peter is a playful little boy who adores his older brother Henry, and the feeling is quite mutual. 

Protector to Peter and tireless supporter of his often-self-doubting mother, Henry goes about taking care of everyone and everything in his world. Henry is a genius who spends his days and nights arranging things, including the family finances by investing.  At Henry’s insistence, Susan discovers that the family next door, which includes Henry’s classmate Christina, has a dangerous secret and Henry has devised a surprising plan to help. As his ingenious plan to help Christina takes shape, Henry falls ill and Susan finds herself at the center of the plan.

This film is different—definitely not run of the mill. Once in a long while, you find a movie that was made for the sheer beauty of the film. This is one of them.

The Book of Henry takes you down one road and the next thing you know, you’re down another road.  It certainly keeps you on your toes, so just let it play out and by the end you’ll see that all the roads lead to the place that only a young genius can take you.  The reviews I bothered to read were all over the place. The critics, for the most part, didn’t like it, but that’s what made me want to see it. 

The cast is wonderful. Naomi Watts as Henry’s mother is so believable, and Jaeden Lieberher, as Henry, is truly amazing. Christina, the girl next door, is quite accomplished. You may recognize her from her five-year stint on Dance Moms.  Younger brother, Peter, was played by Jacob Tremblay. Director Colin Trevorrow should be applauded for his work but also for the sheer risk of making this movie.

I ask you to view this movie with an open mind. If you are the kind of person who criticizes a film for being different, then your experience with this film will be flawed and you might want to skip it. But if you do watch it, you will be amazed. 

I would suggest care when viewing with younger children. It’s rated PG-13 and that’s about where you should start. While not graphically so, it does deal with subject matter that may not be appropriate for younger children. 

I am truly interested in finding out what you thought about this one! Let me know at Carolyn@CarolynHastings.com

This is the month to leave no stone unturned, as tree-ripened peaches, nectarines, plums, and pluots are at the peak of perfection.

The August farmers’ market is also loaded with dozens of varieties of vine-ripened tomatoes; crunchy, bursting-with-flavor cucumbers; a color spectrum of sweet bell peppers; the best just-picked corn; mountains of tiny summer squash; and tender young green beans. Pick up a bottle of California extra-virgin olive oil, and your meals for the week will pretty much make themselves. For dessert and warm-weather snacking, you can’t beat sweet-as-candy grapes; juicy watermelon; ruby red strawberries, and so many of their multi-hued cousins.

One of my favorites is the elusive boysenberry, so seldom found fresh in supermarkets due to their fragility. Their season is also pitifully brief, so it pays to seek them out now. Eat your fill this month, and preserve a secret stash to enjoy throughout the year. Boysenberries freeze well, and make exceptional jams, pies, cobblers, crisps and such.

The boysenberry resembles the blackberry in appearance, but has a deep red-to-purple color and rich, distinctive sweet-tart flavor.

Northern Californian Rudolph Boysen created the hybrid boysenberry in 1923 by crossing a raspberry, blackberry, and loganberry—to my mind, the best of all worlds. It took years of nurturing by esteemed farmers and other horticulturists to develop the berry we know today. In fact, it was their signature boysenberry preserves that put Knotts Berry Farm on the map.

As summer winds to a close, there seem to be an inordinate number of picnics and barbecues happening. This is the perfect time to showcase the season’s bounty—from homemade salsa and veggie-centric salads, to the last of summer’s fruits. The following recipe works well as a potluck dessert, as it has all the goodness of pie without any of the last-minute mess of cutting and serving in the great outdoors. I often place each square in a paper cupcake liner before piling them into a basket or other picnic-friendly container for easy serving.

Boysenberry Crumb Bars

Buttery Pastry Dough2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon (about 2 teaspoons)

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Boysenberry Filling

1/2 cup granulated sugar

4 teaspoons cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt

Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 Tablespoons)

4 cups farm-fresh boysenberries

Optional: Confectioners’ (powdered) sugar for serving

1. Grease a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking pan; line the bottom and sides with parchment or foil and grease again. Position the oven rack on the lowest level and preheat to 350°.

 

2. To make the dough: Combine the butter, sugar, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on Medium speed until soft and light, about 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.

 

3. Reduce the mixer speed to Low and mix in 2 1/4 cups of the flour, occasionally scraping down the bowl and paddle with a rubber spatula. Mix just until smooth and well blended.

 

4. Remove the bowl from the mixer and scrape about 3/4 of the dough into the prepared baking pan. Use the palm of your hand to evenly press down the dough without compressing it too much. Refrigerate the dough-lined pan until needed. Work the remaining 1/4 cup flour into the remaining dough with your fingertips, forming 1/4- to 1/8-inch crumbs. Set aside at room temperature.

 

5. To make the filling: In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in the lemon juice. Fold in the boysenberries, stirring gently to coat.

 

6. Spoon the filling over the chilled dough, spreading into an even layer. Scatter the reserved crumb mixture over the filling. Bake until the filling is bubbly-hot and the crust is cooked through and barely browned at the edges, 30 to 35 minutes.

 

7. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely. Carefully lift the slab of baked dough out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Cut off the browned edges if desired; then cut the slab into 24 (2-inch) squares. Store in an airtight container. If desired, just before serving sprinkle the squares with confectioners’ (powdered) sugar.

 

                                                     Berry Good Things to Know

 Boysenberries are drupes, meaning each berry is composed of dozens of tiny sack-like fruits called drupelets. (How’s this for idle cocktail-party chatter?)

The proper balance of sweetness and tartness occurs only when berries are left to fully ripen on the vine. Once picked, they will never taste any better.

Refrigerate unwashed berries in a shallow airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.

Rinse berries clean just before using; and gently pat dry between paper towels.

Berries are high in Vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.

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.

 

I’ve seen it time and time again—a group of cyclists blow right through a red light or stop sign at a busy intersection. On more than one occasion, awestruck by what I was seeing, I’ve felt a sense of responsibility as the self-designated “bike police” to rescue these cyclists from themselves. I’ve pedaled feverishly to catch them screaming at the top of my voice, “What in the ‘heck’ were you thinking? Don’t you know it’s riders like you that give us all a bad name!” Only to be scorned for my efforts as if I’d lost my mind.

Some might say, rarely, if ever, “I hold my mud,” but, on this occasion, rather than pursuing further, I was so dumfounded that I simply turned around and pedaled home thinking, “If they want to die, it’s on them. Idiots.” I found out a few days later, one of them was hit by a car later in their ride.

Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common. Spend any time biking on the road in the Bay Area, and chances are you’ll see or experience a dangerous scenario of bike vs car. It both frustrates me and makes me sad because in the end, someone pays the price. It’s dangerous for the cyclists and the motorist. Whether cyclists are aware of it or not, the fact is that many Bay Area motorists are fed up with cycle traffic on the road. Frankly, given scenarios like the one above, who can blame them? Unsafe and inexperienced riders are all too common making things even worse. The same goes for motorists. We are a highly congested area; lots of people equals lots of traffic and lots of bikes.

The number of serious injuries and fatalities in car vs bike “accidents” has escalated dramatically over the past five years. Especially in the Bay Area. We live in an amazing place. We have beautiful terrain that allows us to ride up hillsides, mountain sides, around lakes, and every kind of scenery and topography you can imagine. Avid cyclists and triathletes view many parts of the Bay Area as “hallowed ground” for training—Mt. Diablo, Mt. Tamalpais, Three Bears, Redwood, Skyline, Grizzly Peak, Mines Road, just to name a few. All these locations are fed through a few main thoroughfares which are riddled with gobs of cyclists on any given weekend morning regardless of weather, time of year, etc.  Just drive your car down Danville Blvd on a Saturday morning in the summer and you will see hundreds of cyclists. Riders riding solo, couples on townies, pelotons of riders out for a group ride, and everything in between.

The bottom line is that no matter how experienced a rider is, they will lose the fight against a motorist in a car. Period. Common sense tells us that a 2000 lb piece of metal going 35 plus MPH on four wheels has a distinct advantage over a two wheeled bicycle weighing 15-22lbs with a rider wearing spandex (basically underwear) and a Styrofoam helmet. Yet, some neglect this principle.

Do cyclists have the right to ride on the road shared by cars? YES! The law even says so. After all, we even have our own lanes to use—some recently made safer by highlighted green paint and signage for which the cyclist community has fought hard for years. However, that doesn’t change the fact that we will still lose a confrontation with a car, regardless of who’s at fault. 

At the end of the day, it is up to us as cyclists and motorists to be safe, look out for ourselves, and look out for each other. After all, who wants to die because they lost a fight with a car in a fit of self-righteousness? Ride safely, drive safely.