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Q. The leaves on our forty-year old Fruitless Mulberry have been dropping. We don’t water it much as the shallow roots are growing in the lawn area. Do you think the canopy has outgrown its root system?

A. No, I do not think your Mulberry has out grown its root system as they’re not a short-lived tree. This is a drought related problem. In previous years, frequent lawn watering was sufficient to support a mature tree. However, dry winters, water restrictions and several triple-digit heat spells are showing its effect on mature landscape trees throughout the area. While you may have stopped watering your lawn, you should not abandon watering mature trees. They more than pay their way with the energy savings and the cooling effect from the shade along with the increase in property value. Trees with exposed roots and or shallow-rooted varieties such as Redwoods are susceptible to water stress. It’s not too late to take some positive steps this fall and to continue them next year and beyond. Mature trees should be watered every three to four weeks, June through October, depending on the temperatures. This is particularly important for those areas replanted or not planted at all. I’d mulch the exposed root area with a three inch layer of organic matter to replace the insulation effect from the previous lawn. You could use bark, compost or the natural debris from other plants along with shredded household paper. Also, be sure not to bury the crown or base of the tree with the mulch.  Next, under the canopy, set up a drip system or better yet use my personal favorite—a soaker hose, the grandfather of the drip irrigation systems. Soaker hoses offer a slow and steady release of water to your tree(s). The slow release allows the soil around tree roots to gradually absorb the water. And the proximity of the hose to soil means that very little if any is lost to evaporation. It’s tough to know how long you should run your soaker hose to get enough, but not too much, water into the ground. It’s recommended you apply six to eight inches of water per month in one or several waterings. The easiest way to calculate this is with a shallow container such as a tuna can. It’s placed under a section of hose and you see how long it takes to fill it up with one inch of water.  You then multiply that by six or eight to determine how long to run you hose. Once that’s determined, you automate the process with a Dramm Water Timer attached to your hose bib. With turf being replaced with water wise planting, mature trees are going to suffer unless measures are taken to replace the moisture the previous lawn provided.

Note: Here are two short videos produced by the Forest Service and California ReLeaf on how to water mature and young trees. They worth the viewing.  https://youtu.be/lrirPBMTYi0  and    https://youtu.be/P_kQZriJ38U.

Q.  I purchased my tomatoes seeds online from the Burpee Seed Company. I germinated the seeds and transplanted twelve seedlings into my vegetable garden last spring. The plants have all prospered, however, five plants produced dinky, little, cherry like tomatoes instead of the desired large, slicing type tomato. What happen and what should I do next year to prevent it from recurring?

A.  I do not believe anything culturally went wrong with your tomato plants. This is a simple case of human error. Flower and vegetable seeds are packaged by machine. When they change from each variety, the machine should be cleaned out of any remaining seed before resuming packaging. This apparently did not occur with your seed package so you ended up planting two different varieties. I’d write Burpee and explain the problem and ask for refund.

Q. We removed an old apricot and plum tree from our backyard. We’re planning to pour a cement slab over one spot and place a shed over the other. The stumps are below the soil surface and I’ve been digging out the other roots, but it’s a lot of work. If I leave the roots, will I have a problem with shoots growing through the cement and or shed floor?

A. It’s not necessary to remove all the roots. You should level the area and remove those roots in the area of the new pads. It is going to be difficult for roots to penetrate a cement slab as long as it’s poured correctly. I’d be concerned with cracks, especially from earthquakes, so you might pour a thicker slab than normal. Apricots and plums are budded on the same root stock that is notorious for suckering, so I’d expect that suckers will appear in the open area beyond the pads. Right now, there isn’t much you can do. You’ll have to wait for new shoots to develop and then spot treat them with a herbicide or remove them manually. Which herbicide you use will depend on where the shoots are and the location of desirable trees and shrubs. I wouldn’t be inclined to spray any herbicide on bare ground as it’s not a very effective control. You’ll need to be persistent as it will be a battle of attrition which you will win.

 

Scientific research, in its pure form, is magnificent. It has no predetermined outcome and is conducted by individuals who are totally open to new and different information. Medicine at its best is quite similar in as much as the doctor should not be prejudiced and should always have an open mind, quickly recognizing that the diagnosis may be incorrect, and a new approach or specialist be considered.

In both of the above examples, throw in EGO along with a memorized protocol to a misconceived initial idea or diagnosis and you have a very common result: failure and/or lack of progress.

Looking back in history there exist classic examples of egotistical attitudes severely slowing growth in both physics and medicine. Around the end of the 19^th Century, Max Planck was one of the earliest scientists to propose what came to be known as Quantum Physics. Other greats like Einstein and Tesla got involved as well. To this day their ideas are challenged. One resulted in the world being prevented from having free, pollution-free electricity, a Tesla invention.  Because of the better understanding of magnetism and electricity, a doctor by the name of Albert Abrams, a Stanford professor, began a study of the electricity and magnetic fields created in the human body.

One of Abram’s inventions was the “Reflexophone” that detected disturbances in magnetic fields that could identify not only the disease, but, in some cases, the cure.  He used this tool and accurately detected the presence of syphilis in the director of the medical school at Stanford. Due to his ideas being so outside of the norm, he was labeled a quack by the American Medical Association.

Today Abram’s work is reappearing in Europe with instruments that can detect, and sometimes cure or prevent diseases. It seems that a malfunction of an organ can create a situation that brings on a disease and this malfunction can be detected.  Once detected, there is a chance that immune system and other factors can be concentrated into that area to correct that condition.

The egotists never were able to stop Quantum Physics, even though in many cases it does not appear logical.  Our brains are not there yet. A famous physicist, Micho Kaku, said, “It is often stated that of all the theories proposed in the 20^th Century, the silliest is quantum theory. Some say the only thing that quantum theory has going for it, in fact, is that it is unquestionably correct.”

Why should a doctor specializing in Dental Sleep Medicine, Pain and TMD be concerned about the above history?  I am sick and tired of doctors throwing pills at undiagnosed diseases, causing prolonged, needless, secondary diseases and suffering.  As the old saying goes, he who does not study history is destined to repeat it. If medicine is to progress, research must be performed by purely scientific methods, not guided by profit.

At Advanced Oral Diagnosis & Treatment Center in Danville we specialize in TMJ treatment and Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep Apnea.  Please visit www.aodtc.com for more information and to request a complimentary consultation.

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is similar to its counterpart, Golfer’s elbow. The primary differences between these conditions are the location of the pain and the activity that leads to injury. However, both conditions are caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, leading to inflammation and pain around the elbow joint, commonly called tendonitis. Tennis is one common cause of tendonitis, but many other sports and work related activities can cause the same problem.

The cause of tennis elbow can vary from a single violent action (acute injury) to, more commonly, a repetitive stress injury where an action is performed repeatedly and pain gradually develops. In an acute injury of the elbow, inflammation occurs without substantial tissue damage. However, in a repetitive stress situation a person may experience damage to the tendon and surrounding soft tissue causing tissue degeneration over time. Inflammation from acute injury often responds quickly to rest and anti-inflammatory treatment. However, if the injury is due to tendon tissue degeneration, treatment will be longer and will be focused on improving the strength of the tendon as well as rebuilding tissues.

Tennis Elbow Symptoms

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

Treatment for Tennis Elbow

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

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

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

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

At Align Healing Center we are having great success not only treating tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, but also treatingplantar fasciitis, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, migraines, arthritis, carpal tunnel, post surgical pain, sports injuries and more; even long-term residual pain. 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 owner and founder of Align Healing Center in Danville, CA. She has been active in our natural health & wellness community since 1999. For more information or to set up a consult call 925.362.8283 or visit www.alignhealingcenter.com.

 

 

 

In fashion, change is the only real constant. It may be subtle or groundbreaking, but it’s the one inevitable in an industry dependent on reinvention. This year a new guard of trailblazing lip colors has upended the status quo with a quirky, off-kilter cool that redefines the ideas of conventional beauty.

A New Reality: The future of beauty in cosmetics is a new generation, ignoring yesterday’s rules and expectations, while experimenting with color and texture like never before. Lips have an unpredictable edge with colors ranging from teal, dark matte purples and sapphire blues, to nude pinks and bright reds too. Color is intense, impulsive and unusual, but doesn’t take itself too seriously.

If you Dare: Make a statement by trying something entirely different, like a teal lipstick. This will fast forward you to the future with lightning speed.

Game Changers: Lip colors are wildly the focus this season with high-impact, colored liquid lipstick mattes. The new range of futuristic lip tones are teal, deep purple, sapphire blue and bright orange, to name a few. While not everyone can pull off these colors, young millennials will for sure start exploring the new color continuum. If you’re not up to exploring the new bold colors, try the new neutrals and bright reds in the liquid lipstick mattes. The non-drying formula delivers a timeless matte finish in high impact hues for everyone to enjoy, with delicious colors that are of-the-moment-modern.  I still love using gloss so I will be choosing a soft lip gloss to go over these remarkable Liquid Lipsticks for my own modern vibe. I say, “Always make it your own, while following some of the hot new trends.”

Easy On the Eyes: Lid-Loving Cream Eye Liners. These lusciously smudge-proof textured eye liner creams apply like a dream and then sets to an ultra soft, long lasting finish, leaving the eyes looking especially natural and oh-so-modern. Buildable color helps create looks that run from sheer to sultry, without caking or smudging.

Fall in Love with Color-Corrector Pens: Beauty experts and make-up artists are always the first to adopt new trends, application techniques and secret ways to create a flawless and youthful appearance. Try a color corrector pen for a younger retouched look, in real life. Our new color corrector pen concealers come in six fabulous colors, from light apricot, light green to light purple, to name a few. It helps to brighten the skin around the eyes and change the tone of the skin for that beautiful, youthful glow. If you have redness, try the light green corrector to banish ruddiness. Light yellow counteracts pink, and is best suited for dull skin tones. Discover the new beauty correctors coming to The Rouge Cosmetics this fall.

The team of professional make-up artist at The Rouge Cosmetics are excited to assist you with all your modern beauty needs, whether it is subtle and natural or bold and futuristic-dreamy. Their Fall Beauty Trend Event starts September 12 through October 30 2016.  Book your appointment today for a free Fall Make-up Update and discover a new you, or reinvent yourself with the new future colors with the looks of the season. Check out their Facebook page at “The Rouge Cosmetics,” for beauty tips, and special events.

 

 

 

Dear SSHS,

Our youngest just left for college, which officially makes us empty nesters. The house is so quiet now and I’m realizing my husband and I have very little in common. I know I sound like a cliché, but I cannot see myself spending the next forty years like this. What do people do?

~ Kathy L., Walnut Creek

She Said: Well, don’t do anything just yet. You’re in a huge transition, so settle down and give yourself time to adjust to the new normal. What you’re experiencing is typical, and honestly, your husband could be feeling the same, so communication is key. I suggest you start with a vacation together and see if you can find the common ground that brought you together in the first place. If you’re still feeling this way in a year, you may want to do something, but for now, shelter in place.

He Said: Who says you need to have a ton in common with your husband? Raising children together is more in common than most couples ever have. What you need to do is get out of the house and not worry about reconnecting with your husband but instead rediscover yourself and what makes you happy. After all these years of focusing on family and children, you owe it to yourself to focus on YOU. Find somethings that you’re passionate about, and as Robin says, stay put for now, but get the heck out of that quiet house!

 

Dear HSSS,

I’m a 52-year-old guy who hasn’t been on the dating scene for a couple of decades. I’m doing the on-line thing now and wondering about the protocol when out to dinner and the bill comes. Who pays nowadays?

~ Going for Broke, Concord

He Said: This is a no brainer—you don’t usually get a second date if you don’t pick up the tab on the first date. Unfortunately for us guys this is how the dating world works and it’s the chivalrous thing to do. But chivalry goes both ways and it’s very refreshing to hear our female counterparts at least offer to pay their share or say something like “I’ll get the next one.” It’s a good sign that a woman is interested in you and not your wallet if she offers to pay. But Guys, don’t be a cheapskate;  pick up the whole darn tab, at least on the first date.

She Said: Shawn and I have talked about this a lot and both admit we’re drawing a lot of conclusions based on what happens after the check is placed on the table. So I’m just going to tell you what’s going on behind the scenes for us.  Shawn will always pick up the check, but Ladies, he really likes it if you at least open your purse and pretend to go for your wallet. That little game of, “oh let me get it; no I got it; oh are you sure?” goes on for a bit and ends with Shawn picking up the tab, but he feels good that you tried. Guys, I will always play that little game, but deep down, as Shawn told you, I want you to pick up the tab on the first date, that is if you want a second date. And I will reciprocate on the second date, if you’ll let me. Good luck—it’s not easy navigating the new dating age!

Robin Fahr is a communications specialist and host of Conversations seen daily on Tri-Valley TV, Channel 30 and online at trivalleytv.org. Shawn and Robin also host He Said/She Said on TheTalkPod.com.  Send your questions to AskHeSaidSheSaid.com.

Why would anyone want their kid to play football?  I have a son and he opted for other sports, but I have a grandson. He’s built like a linebacker and loves the game. This is going to be a movie review but even deeper we’re going to talk a little about the “love of the game.”

This is his fourth year. He works hard at the game. Even before the practice season started, I’d look out the window and he would be doing conditioning exercises in the heat. When I asked him if he wanted a cookie or something equally as enticing to an eleven year old, he would respectfully decline, hmm, “for the love of the game.”

Friday Night Lights profiles the economically depressed town of Odessa, Texas and their heroic high school football team, The Permian High Panthers. I’ve known a few people who like, even love football, but high school football takes on a whole new meaning in Texas. I’m talking about full stadiums that hold 20,000 fans. Somehow I can picture Al Bundy, one hand in his pants the other wrapped around a beer telling the story of his glory days.

For most of the boys, it wasn’t just a game, winning the Texas State Football Championship was scholarships for education and even the dream of playing pro football. It was the hope of a way out when they honestly believed there was no other way.

Director, Peter Berg captured Texas football:  the guts and the grit and every bump, bruise and broken bone in between. Billy Bob Thornton (who else would be right for the part) plays Coach Gary Gaines. Others doing a noteworthy job in this true story are Garrett Hedlund, Amber Heard, Lucas Black and Tim McGraw.

Back to my Grandson.  I decided to ask him why he loves football so much. He plays for the Thunderbirds, lovingly known as the T-Birds. He actually articulated his reasons quite well. He said that it has helped him to become a better person; more disciplined physically, mentally and scholastically. He loves that the coach and the team have expectations of him that he strives to achieve. Knowing that his team needs him to do what is right, doing his part, teaches him to serve others. He tells me it is anything but easy but that his confidence is growing with each year as well as his physical and mental strength. Yes, and his passion as well!

As I watched Friday Night Lights I had all kinds of emotions. I talked to the screen a little and I wondered: Who are these people? After talking to my grandson I realized I knew these people—thirty years later and a few states away—but I knew these people.  They are the ones who fill the bleachers in your hometown and mine. Family and friends bursting with pride even when the scoreboard doesn’t reflect the real outcome… building men.

You can see the floodlights of the neighborhood high school from my grandson’s home.  If you listen closely, you can even hear the band. Grab a bleacher blanket and follow the lights, Friday Night Lights, for a night of fun; but look closely at the young men on the field.  Blink and you’ll miss it because before you know it they will be defending your country, tending you when you’re sick or carrying your neighbor out of a burning building.

As always, I welcome your comments at chastings@rockcliff.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Open Letter to Debbie and Draymond

Dear Debbie and Draymond (and to the readers of ALIVE MAGAZINE):

You gotta be kidding!  Did you really expect something put out into electronic space to remain between yourself and the intended recipient?  Debbie, you are obviously a bright, accomplished person and a U. S. Representative in Congress.  In addition you are a most attractive woman, and I confess that I especially kvell about one aspect of your background (Wasserman Schultz + Cohen = MOTs or Members of the Tribe).  You organized, unfortunately without the credit you deserved, a four day national committee conference that came off   beautifully (I personally would like to have a little more spontaneity other than from Bernie’s people).  You obviously have a dynamic brain between your lovely ears, but are you really so naïve (dumb) as to believe that electronic information goes from just one person to just one other person without the Russians, the Chinese, and 726 teen age boys with severe acne reading it?

Everyone who has ever been on a nominating committee, whether it be with a small local organization or a gigantic national committee, has their favorite candidates for whatever position, but if they are smart, they do not publicize their choice or certainly do not send it out for international consumption.  That is why Roberts’ Rules of Order specifically states that a member of a nominating committee cannot be a nominee.  On the Internet!

Oy, Debbie! Debbie!

Draymond, you, as you well know, are a magnificent, championship caliber, all-Pro basketball player. As one who in his younger days enjoyed playing the game, I realize that in addition to your natural advantages of height, speed, and coordination, you had and have the discipline and desire to achieve at the highest level of the sport. (Discipline and I were total strangers.)

Do you really think the entire world, however, is interested in seeing pictures of your private parts? Oh, it was an accident! Sure. Perhaps (come on) you are really so naïve (dumb) as to believe that electronic information goes from just one person to just one other person.  As a professional athlete, you must realize that in ten years you will be a has-been; an over-the-hill jock.  Do you think that any reasonable school board would hire you to coach their children?  (Reasonable and School Board are probably contradictory terms. As Mark Twain said over a century ago, “For practice God made idiots, then He made school boards.”  That discussion, however, is for another time.)

Mr. Green, you are physically advanced way beyond most of us.  Maybe it is time you thought about growing up and becoming an adult.  Can you imagine a coach telling young players, “First you have to learn how to handle the ball; then you need to know how to knee a guy in the groin; and then you send images of your . . .”   Get the point?  I hope so.  I personally love to watch you play ball, but most of your life will happen after NBA basketball. So now a great, big “Oy!” for you too.

Now to both of you, Debbie and Draymond, as well as to 325 million Americans, and to 7.5 billion Earthlings I say unto you:

THERE AIN’T NO SUCH THING AS PRIVACY. 

For all of us: if you have credit card, YOU HAVE NO PRIVACY; if you have some kind of bank account, have ever taken out a loan, or if you have ever passed within 100 feet of a bank, YOU HAVE NO PRIVACY; if you have and use a computer, YOU HAVE NO PRIVACY, if you have a cell phone, forget about it, YOUR PRIVACY IS LONG GONE. If you use a card or your phone number at a supermarket THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR LIKES AND DISLIKES THAN YOU DO. Ever contribute to a legitimate charity? Guess what?  Yep, it’s gone.

Our privacy began to die when they cut down the fruit trees in Saratoga and Palo Alto and planted silly silicon baubles and toys that may have some usefulness for business, but are mostly grown-up playthings for the adolescent  in us.  I personally know people who if you say, “How are you?” they have to consult Siri or some other disembodied voice that rattles off blood pressure, pulse rate, body temperature, and cholesterol count before the person can answer, “Pretty good!”  And then it’s there for everybody.  (All right, I do not know anyone like that, but I will bet they exist.)

The number of people and organizations that know more about us than we ourselves know boggles the mind. And, unless you opt out, they sell the information about you and me to other people and organizations. (My cynical mind thinks they sell the info even if you do opt out.)

What is the moral or lesson to this open letter?  It seems pretty simple: Gentlemen, if you are going to say “I love you” to someone, either whisper it in her ear or in a private, extremely private, place.  If you decide to email it, realize that your wife and the recipient’s husband will both probably read it and you will never be the chair of national committee or a great athlete.  (You might want to go online first and discover the cost of a good divorce lawyer.

Sincerely yours,

No way will I tell you my name. That is PRIVATE. (Nuts! You probably already know it anyway.)

 

 

I was asked to supply several sports questions for the annual Kings X Trivia Tournament, held on August 21 in Walnut Creek. Since I have exhausted myself with the work, I thought it convenient to share a few of them with Alive. Here goes…

1. On April 15, 1958, the first Major League Baseball game in West Coast history was played in San Francisco between the Giants and Dodgers. The Giants won 8-0. Who was the winning pitcher?

2. Another famous day in San Francisco sports history occurred August 28, 1965 when a Minnesota Viking picked up a 49er fumble and proceeded to run the wrong way. He spiked the ball in the end zone and the ball went out of bounds, resulting in a 2 point safety for SF. Who was that ill fated Viking?

3. You may not think of competitive eating as a sport, but let’s. This chap was the annual champ of the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest, until Joey Chestnut came along. He then got into a dispute with Nathan’s, so is no longer invited back. He still competes and goes by a single name. Who is he?

4. The late Nate Thurmond was one of the most popular players in Warrior’s history. Ironically, he was traded to Cleveland a Center for a Center , who played on the Warrior championship team of 1974-1975. Who was that center?

5. Serena Williams is closing in on the record number of Grand Slam titles of 24. Who holds the record of 24 Grand Slam Tennis titles?

6. He played for the undefeated, untied, uninvited University of San Francisco Football team of 1951. He went on to a Hall of Fame career as a Defensive End for the Baltimore Colts and participated in the so called Greatest Game ever Played against the NY Giants in 1957. Who was he?