September 2019

Naked Ladies, Crabgrass & Tomatoes

September 16, 2019 by Buzz Bertolero Leave a Comment

Q. What are those enormous clusters of pink lilies with no leaves that I see blooming? Are they a new type of Lily of the Nile or Agapanthus?

A. The pink flowering lilies are not Lily of the Nile or Agapanthus. There are no pink varieties of Agapanthus just blue and white. The pink lilies are a summer blooming Amaryllis called belladonna. They are also referred to as the Naked Ladies as they bloom without any leaves. Naked Ladies produce rosy pink fragrant flowers on two- foot-long stems in August. They have long strap-like leaves that dried up and disappear weeks before the red, flowering stems emerge from the ground. Amaryllis belladonna is a large bulb about two pounds that is drought tolerant, grows in any type of soil and requires very little care. You’ll find them at your favorite garden centers in the fall and winter months with the other spring and summer flowering bulbs.

Q. Crabgrass is taking over my lawn. What can I use to kill it before I reseed the areas?

A. Crabgrass is an annual weed that is a problem during the summer and fall months. Seed heads form starting in late August and continue throughout the fall. It then disappears during the winter leaving behind bare spots and seeds to germinate the following year. For years, no better yet decades, Crabgrass has been mistakenly used as a general name for all sorts of weeds especially Bermuda Grass. Bermuda Grass a different problematical grass that is not affected by the Crabgrass controls. Bermuda has short, narrow leaves and wiry stems while Crabgrass is herbaceous with broad, green blades. Also, it is a perennial grass that turns brown with cold weather leaving a network of narrow stems. Crabgrass disappears entirely leaving the ground bare. Turflon Ester from Monterey Lawn and Garden kills actively growing Bermuda Grass in turf while Crabgrass controls will not. If you’re not sure what you have, take a sample to your favorite garden center. The nursery professionals on staff should be able to assist you in determining your problem. Wind is the primary means of spreading Crabgrass seeds, but another contributor can be a gardening service. It’s fairly typical that between jobs equipment is not cleaned. The equipment can quickly move the Crabgrass seed from one location to another. The summertime Crabgrass problem was pretty much a non-issue fifteen years ago. A dormant season application of a pre-emergent herbicide prevented the problem. But times have changed and the application of a pre-emergent Crabgrass control has declined increasing the problem during the summer months. Fortunately, you can control the actively growing Crabgrass. Bayer Advanced All-In-One Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Control is one of several brands available. It kills actively growing Crabgrass without damaging the grass as well as many other problematical broadleaf weeds such as Dandelion. Unfortunately, there are no specific organic controls for the actively, growing Crabgrass other than manually weeding the area. This isn’t a practical solution in many cases. Vinegar is often mentioned as a control, but you have to be very careful when applying it. You can only spot treat a lawn as it kills both desirable and undesirable grasses. Using Bayer All-In-One Lawn Weed and Crabgrass Control, the Crabgrass should turn yellow and die within three weeks. Applied now, this will leave you just enough time to reseed the bare patches with Scott’s EZ Seed or Pennington One Step. These products contain a super absorbent growing material that absorbs water and expands to surround the seed in a moist, protective layer along with a fertilizer. You’ll do is sprinkle the material across the area and water. The organic control for the dormant seed is corn gluten, but you can’t reseed right away. You need to check the label for the waiting periods. It’s usually months.

Q. Why are my Beefsteak Tomatoes cracking at the stem and down the sides? Also, why have they taken so long to ripen? I planted them in May.

A. Cat Face is a physiological disease that causes the skin of tomatoes to crack. It usually starts at the stem, and there are two types; one that radiates down the sides while the other form concentric circles. They’re caused by rapid changes in temperatures and genetics. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything one can do to correct it. Although they’re not perfect, they’re still very edible. Beefsteak is one the latest ripening tomato variety in the Bay Area. It is very typical for them to grow all summer but not to start to ripen until now. If you want tomatoes earlier, you’ll have to plant a different variety next year.

Book Publishing

September 16, 2019 by Eric Johnson Leave a Comment

If you’re reading this, it’s likely you are interested in having a book published or know someone who is—or, you are at least curious about the process. Maybe you’ve done some research on “self” publishing, but it all seems a bit confusing.

Not to worry. By the time you’re finished reading this, you should have a much better understanding as to the process of becoming a published author.

Indeed, that process is far different today than it was just a few years ago. Many of the changes are largely due to ever-evolving technology, as every step in the “author to reader” experience has changed due to those advancements.

Authors of fiction and non-fiction alike have far greater access to information, as well as tools to help in writing process. Spelling and grammar-check programs are common for example, as is voice-to-type/dictation software, and the steady growth and sophistication of the internet and search algorithms make research easy. Together, these changes help free the author of some of the labor and mundane aspects traditionally involved in the creative process of “writing” a book.

How printed books are manufactured today is far different than it was in years past, as advancements in this aspect of the publishing process continues at an ever-increasing pace. Print-on-demand (POD) technology allows one-off, single-book printing to be accomplished at very-low cost, within minutes of an order. This means authors and publishers no longer need order large quantities of books in order to keep unit costs low.

Alongside POD, the process in printing bulk-volume orders has also progressed. Our company, ALIVE Book Publishing, recently placed an order for one of our authors for 5,000 copies of his book. Within five days of the order, all 5,000 copies of his book were en route—printed, bound, boxed, and shipped. Just a few years ago, the printing process alone in this case would have required several weeks at least.

The advent of e-books is of course another change. An e-book is simply a device-friendly PDF (Portable Document File) version that one can read on a mobile device or computer. While not appropriate for all books (better than 80% of book-buyers still prefer the tactile experience of printed books), e-books are an attractive alternative for some books, like the “quick read” while you’re at the beach on your vacation.

Then, there is marketing and distribution. The gorilla in the room here of course, is Amazon. This behemoth is doing its best to dominate the entire book universe. Currently, they list about 33 million books for sale. While responsible for the demise of countless small, independent booksellers—a shame, however you look at it—they are not the “be all end all” in books and publishing for many reasons.

In terms of marketing for example, someone must know about your book before they search for it online. And here, nothing beats good old-fashioned advertising. After all, you came to this article by way of ALIVE’s cover, or the ad on the back cover, am I right? Traditional advertising methods and human-driven public relations are critical elements in the sales process that Amazon does not and cannot provide. At ALIVE Book Publishing, we have re-published several titles for authors who at first tried Amazon’s in-house publishing service. Did you know that most independent, local booksellers won’t list or sell books created through Amazon’s publishing service? Those authors didn’t either.

The fact is, while Amazon is terrific at warehousing and order fulfillment, when it comes to the more specialized aspects of book publishing, marketing, and sales, their automation-algorithm model is no match for the human touch.

New vs Old World of Publishing

“I have a manuscript but would NEVER pay to have my book published.” Those were the words of a young author in response to my mentioning to him that in addition to publishing this magazine, ALIVE publishes books too, but in most cases the author pays the front-end cost to have their work published.

While we sometimes hear the sentiment expressed by this young author, it is a throwback from a bygone era when a handful of large publishing houses served as gatekeepers of the industry. Today, largely due to those technological advancements I mentioned before, this is no longer the case, as independent publishing houses like ALIVE now compete, toe to toe, with better-known publishers like Random House.

In fact, had that author chosen to submit his manuscript to us at ALIVE Books, assuming we approved his work, in as little as 90 days his book would have been in front of the same book buyers throughout the world as the current best-selling authors’.

The Three Paths of Book Publishing

There are three ways to have one’s book published: traditional, subsidy, and self-publishing. All have advantages and disadvantages, and the path one takes largely depends upon the reason(s) for wanting to see one’s book in print. Some authors simply want to see their work bound in a book format with the intention of sharing it with family and friends; some have a desire to share their story or communicate an idea, and some have commercial success in mind, even if as only a “side benefit” of reason number two.

Path #1: Traditional Publishing

In the past, the traditional route was considered the only path. This is where an author begins the process by sending query letters—essentially a “sales pitch,” intended to capture the attention of a literary agent or publisher. The query letter includes a description of the work and the intended audience for it, along with some information about the author (a bio). In this case, if the author’s pitch is compelling, they may be afforded an opportunity to have a publisher review the author’s manuscript, and if it is “good enough,” the publishing house may agree to publish the author’s work. If one hopes to have their work considered by publishing houses like Random House or Harper Collins, it is essential that the author be represented by an experienced agent.

Unfortunately for most, this path is a long, unfulfilling process. Few authors “make the cut,” as most agents and large publishing companies are so inundated with queries that they reject all submissions they are unable to classify with 100% certainty as “marketable.”

The most likely candidates to have their work represented by established agents and considered by “Madison Avenue” publishing houses are celebrities and personalities with well-recognized names (the Clintons, Trumps, Kaepernicks, and Kardashians) or authors who have already demonstrated—through previous subsidy or self-publishing success—that their work sells. Publishing is, first and foremost, a business and the days of “speculating” on unknown authors are long gone. The only relevant question publishers ask about an author’s manuscript is: “How many books will sell upon release?”

For example, prior to January 2009, ALIVE Magazine’s fitness columnist was Lorrie Sullenberger, the wife of the now famous pilot, Sully. Prior to his successful landing in the Hudson River, had Sully approached the major publishing houses with a query letter about his experiences as an airline pilot, it’s likely he would have received the typical response—a rejection letter.

However, after a flock of geese collided with his plane and his subsequent artful skill in landing that plane, Sully became an instant celebrity—and a marketable commodity. The result? He was offered a two-book deal by a major publishing house, and eventually a motion picture was produced about the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

While traditional publishing provides advantages—namely brand recognition and the ability to have books placed onto the shelves of major book retailers, the profit margin for authors on each book sold can be miniscule. Publishers are betting on mega-sales—preferably millions of books—so they are looking for authors that fall into just a few, select categories. First, they look for “proven” authors; ones who can re-produce work that will be eagerly snatched-up by fans (the Grishams, Kings, Steels, Pattersons and Rowlings). Next, they are happy to publish the works of someone well known and currently popular; actors, sports stars and politicians for example; or anyone making news, like Sully, right after his remarkable landing.

In all these cases, if all goes as hoped, an author might earn thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. And the publishing houses, of course, enjoy significant returns in all these scenarios too.

But what if you are chosen by a major publishing house and your book doesn’t sell in the thousands? In that case there are challenges associated with traditional publishing. First off, major publishing houses will remove a book from circulation—designate it as “out of print”—if it fails to sell in significant quantities. Worse still, if a book fails to meet the publisher’s sales expectations, they will often demand that any “advances” paid to an author be returned. Ouch!

Unless one has already sold thousands of copies of his work, or has the last name Kardashian or Clinton, authors like the young man mentioned previously will likely never see their book published. The only reasonable—and wisest—route open to this young author is self or subsidy publishing.

Path #2: Self Publishing

It is possible to self-publish your book. The main advantage to self-publishing is that you control 100% of the process. The main disadvantage is… you control 100% of the process!

You will earn the highest margin of profit this way, but that is because you will be doing all the work yourself. The steps involved are numerous, and if your plan is to produce a quality product (your book) that sells well and sells enough copies to be commercially successful, you need a very large tool-box of skill sets.

Self-publishing means that you will not only write your book, you’ll need to edit it, design and create the cover, design and format the interior pages, obtain the necessary ISBN and bar code, file your copyright, and obtain your Library of Congress Control Number. And then you’ll need to know where and how to have your book printed.

Then assuming you want to sell your book with a hope of making money, you’ll need to market it. And even though your profit per book can be higher by doing all the work yourself, you still need to sell a lot of books to make very much. To do that, you’ll need to know how to make your book available through large online resellers like Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and to thousands of ancillary online wholesalers and retailers. Will you know how and where to make your book available to independent bookstores and libraries throughout the country and worldwide? Will you know how to re-format your book as an e-book and make it available that way in the marketplace, or if it even makes sense to do that? Will you be able to create your own website, promotional materials, and press releases? In short, do you already have the knowledge, technical and artistic skills, connections and resources to truly “publish” and market your book?

Self-publishing is an option if you’ve written a book. . . and then again so is building your own car if you want to travel. . . but sometimes just being the driver—or author—is a more logical choice.

Path #3: Subsidy Publishing

The final path of publishing is subsidy publishing. Years ago this was considered a second rate method, supposedly used only by desperate authors whose work was not “good enough” or had been rejected by traditional publishers. It was implied that authors who chose this route were having their work published merely for the sake of “bragging rights,” as in, “Hello, my name is Joe Smith, and I am an author.”

The fact is, however, many highly successful writers got their start this way, and in light of the realities of traditional and self-publishing, this is the most logical, effective, and affordable way for any author to have their work published.

To be sure, there are a plethora of subsidy publishing companies to be found online, most of which offering a menu of various services designed to get your book published. Most have low cost options to start, but just like in self-publishing, the more they do for you, the more it costs.

One of the major disadvantages of online subsidy publishing companies is their absence of personalized service. Looking at it from their perspective, because they function and compete solely in the very crowded online universe, they have designed their services with that in mind, so they often limit authors to “A, B or C” cover template options for example, or “Gold, Silver and Platinum” packages, each with narrowly defined options. And in most cases, these services are automated, whereby the author’s work is pushed into a pre-existing format—otherwise known as a “cookie cutter process.”

Another important consideration with online subsidy or self-publishing companies is their ability—or, more accurately, lack of—to market and promote an author’s book. While most of these publishers offer a variety of services, they are usually limited to very basic, simple things, like providing the author with a stack of postcards, or to writing up a press release. Some will even claim to include a website, which is often just a page on the web displaying the author’s book, with no functionality included.

The fact is, while web-only, cloud-based publishing services can publish an author’s book, they are limited in what that entails. You won’t be meeting with their art director or designer, for example, to discuss one of the most important marketing elements of any book —the cover; nor will you be able to select a font style from a vast collection of options for the text of your book. And while these online companies claim to offer marketing services, the fact is, they only offer a thin veneer of “marketing-like” resources at best.

Lastly, there is one other type of service to be aware of—authors who have self-published their own book(s) who now advertise themselves as a “publishing company.” While these individuals may have navigated their way through the maze of requirements listed previously so as to get their own book(s) listed on Amazon, this type of service is often akin to someone who wins a case in traffic court marketing themselves as a lawyer. If the first book they published was their own, they may be qualified to guide an author in the self-publishing process, but they are hardly a publishing “company.”

Are There Any Other Options?

Does all this sound a bit hopeless? Are you beginning to wonder if there are any viable options available to the author who wants to have their book not just published, but effectively and successfully marketed as well?

Yes, Option #4: ALIVE Book Publishing!

Let’s get something out of the way right now: Regardless of the reason that an author has for wanting to have their book published, the only reason any publisher will agree to publish an author’s work is if they believe it will be a profitable venture; plainly stated, the goal is to make money—period. Large commercial publishers are banking on a proven track record or an author’s celebrity status, while online subsidy publishers offer only a cookie-cutter process and are ill-equipped for little more.

After thinking about this dilemma, it occurred to us that with our vast experience in magazine publishing, we could create a kind of “hybrid” publishing company that not only publishes an author’s work but does so in ways that meet authors’ unique needs and situations.

Enter, ALIVE Book Publishing, where we provide what no online publishing company can—a one-on-one, face-to-face relationship, every step of the way. We consider every publishing project to be a partnership, so we work with our authors and their projects in a hands-on, individual way. One size does not fit all with ALIVE, so we don’t have set formulas for the projects we accept. We sometimes invest more in a project than the author because our goal is for the author’s book to sell successfully over the long term.

And, ALIVE is uniquely equipped to market and advertise an author’s book because we are the only publisher with multi-media marketing and advertising tools, and the expertise required to put real power into a local, national, and international book launch.

What Can ALIVE Publishing do for the Author?

The typical services we provide for all authors includes personal advice as to the overall concept of the book project; a custom cover design; layout and formatting of the book’s interior pages; the determination of the best price for the book; obtaining the required ISBN and bar code for the book; filing for a Library of Congress Control Number; Copyright; and POD (print on demand) set-up of every book.

We then advertise all our authors’ books in the Ingram Book Catalog, reaching every bookstore and library in the country. This is THE catalog book retailer use to choose what books they will sell in their stores. We also list all our authors’ books through major online distribution channels like Amazon and Barnes and Noble, as well as throughout an established network of booksellers worldwide. ALIVE Books’ direct print book markets include the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Brazil, Spain, Germany, Italy, Poland, Russia, India, China, Japan, and South Korean. Additionally, ALIVE Books reaches over 100 countries and territories through a vast network of over 35,000 wholesale and retail distribution channels in a relationship with Ingram Books.

We are also able to provide comprehensive editing and formatting in all e-book formats, and we offer a wide variety of marketing and advertising options. We create and run display ads in ALIVE Magazine; create professional, fully-functional order-fulfillment-capable websites, and can produce professional videos for online and TV, and can conduct local or national public relations campaigns.

We even produce podcasts and own a podcast site, and can feature our authors on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcasts, Radio Public, Stitcher, Soundcloud, and Spofitfy.

Putting it All Together: What Does it All Mean?

While advances in technology have radically changed the publishing landscape to the point where anyone with a computer and a credit card can become a published author, as I noted earlier, this is not going to be enough if an author wants to successfully break into the book market.

If everyone on the planet already knows who you are, you might consider having your book published via the traditional path. If you have all the skills and resources to go it alone, self-publishing may work, and if you’re only interested in a short-lived yet expensive ego boost, go ahead and send your manuscript into “the cloud,” and hope for the best.

But if your goal is to be serious about your book project and its chances for success, I suggest you elicit the aid of and partnership with a local publishing company that will be as serious and careful about your project as you are—ALIVE Book Publishing.

Email or call me today at 925-837-7303 for a free, confidential, one-on-one appointment, and tomorrow you may be well on your way toward having your book published!

City Boy Enjoys the Country Life

September 16, 2019 by Michael Copeland Leave a Comment

As I sit on the porch of my cousin’s home on 20 acres of ranch and farmland in beautiful Brenham, Texas, I’m reminded of the popular television series Green Acres that ran from 1965 to 1971. Green Acres was a sitcom about a successful, wealthy attorney, Oliver Wendell Douglas (Eddie Albert) who buys a rundown farm from con-man, Mr. Haney, much to the chagrin of his sophisticated Hungarian wife, Lisa’s (Eva Gabor). When they arrive at the ramshackle place, Oliver and Lisa try to get used to the bizarre town of Hooterville (not Hooters-Ville although the potential storylines would certainly have an audience) while trying to fix up their shack of a home with the help of their humble, but dimwitted, hired hand, Eb. Ironically, Lisa is the one who makes friends with their cow, Eleanor, their chicken, and Alice and Fred Ziffel’s television-loving pet pig, Arnold, who they treat like a son and who seems to be smarter than the most of the Hotterville citizens in several ways. That’s not to say Brenham is anything like Hooterville, but tending cows and chickens, enjoying a 4H auction, attending a VFW ceremony and grabbing a one-dollar ice cream at the Blue Bell Creamery might put most I-680 residents a little out of their element, much like the Douglass’. I, on the other hand, have been coming here most of my life and it’s a visit that’s good for the soul.

Some of my fondest family memories were our road trip vacations to Texas every few years to visit my paternal grandmother, along with my aunt and uncle and their kids. Now the road trips in the family car I could’ve done without as we were forced to listening to horrible music while both parents smoked with the windows rolled up. My dad would say, we can’t roll down the windows or we’ll let all the cold air conditioning out. My younger sister could sleep, but unless I was reading a good book, those trips that routed through Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and most of Texas were pure torture. I remember wishing someone (me) would invent a small device to play cassette tapes with earphones so I could listen to my own music. Or better yet, if somehow I could concoct a small portable screen that might play movies then all this pain would go away. Obviously, I was a visionary way ahead of my time since Sony didn’t come out with the Walkman until late 1979 and portable DVD players weren’t available until around 1998. If only one of the early Silicon Valley tech firms could’ve tapped into my 3^rd or 4^th-grade Genius Kid brain. Think of the money we could have made?

Those trips were all about visiting family and experiencing a different way of life from what we knew growing up in suburban Mountain View. My older cousins were country tough and I idolized them. The boys were pretty rugged too. As it was a working ranch, we stored hay bales in the barn, fed cows, collected chicken eggs, worked the greenhouse and garden, fished at the lake, hunted for snakes, fired guns, and drove the tractor—all the things my HOA frowns upon. There were always dogs and cats around along with the occasional armadillo, but armadillos don’t like to be petted as I found out the hard way.

Once I hit 16, my high school and college football training obligations prohibited me from making the summer trip with my parents. Once I graduated from college, there was Club Med and other singles-type vacations that distracted me. I didn’t return to Texas until I was 28. Reconnecting with my country kin became a priority again after my dad passed away earlier that year. Since 1990, I have returned to the Great State of Texas every few years. Along the way, I have introduced my daughters and wife to country living. Dropping two Danville debutantes into the heart of the Lone Star State was educational, inspirational, and motivational. There’s nothing like stepping in a fresh cow pie wearing Tory Burch sandals to make a girl appreciate her tidy back yard. The truth is my girls seemed to enjoy and remember their Texas trip adventures as fondly as my sister and I did as kids.

This year’s trip was predicated on us taking our youngest daughter back to school at the University of Oklahoma where she’ll be starting her junior year as a Boomer Sooner. Who knew Sooners boomed other than at the quarterback position? After flying into Austin and driving the 70 miles into Brenham, we arrived just in time for a family BBQ and margarita chugging contest. During our five day visit, we toured both the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library on the Texas A&M campus and the Johnson Space Center in Houston—two things I had never done on any previous trip.

Given that the catfish weren’t biting, one of the highlights of this visit may have been seeing two calves being born in the pasture on consecutive days. Truth be told, other than my own kids being birthed, which was messy enough, I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen another living thing being born. While we didn’t see them actually drop, we were there just a few minutes after their arrival. It was pretty cool.

We have been back to Texas for three big holidays; Easter, Thanksgiving, and the 4^th of July. There’s a simple, warm pleasure to experiencing a holiday in the country. I think that’s what most Hallmark movies try and replicate. Not that I watch cheesy Hallmark holiday movies…very often. We have also attended the Washington Country Fair twice which is also something to be experienced, with rodeo competitions, 4H auctions, concerts, food eating contests, and carnival rides. Washington County is the oldest county in Texas and the birthplace of Texas, or so the billboards proclaim.

While I did find Green Acres amusing, I probably enjoyed the Andy Griffith Show, Mayberry R.F.D., and Petticoat Junction even more. All of those shows portrayed country life in a gentle, down-home, relatively care-free environment. Doc Hollywood, Sweet Home Alabama and Fried Green Tomatoes were also wonderfully whimsical movies about life in the south. Steel Magnolias was good but too sad for my tastes. Granted, life is never as simple as television or the silver screen portrays it, but there’s something to be said for the charm, manners, and simplicity of life in the country.

Is Your Book Good Enough?

September 16, 2019 by Eric Johnson Leave a Comment

Celebrities, professional athletes, and those considered newsworthy or controversial aren’t generally shy when it comes to having their stories published. Being popular has a way of boosting one’s self-confidence, even if their greatest life accomplishment is being a professional basketball player or an actor who plays the part of a comic book super-hero.

But everyone has a story, and many of those I’ve heard over the years are every bit as interesting or important—many more so, in fact—as those of the rich and famous, produced and promoted by Madison Avenue publishing houses.

ALIVE Books has published autobiographies with first-hand accounts of daring family escapes from Nazi and Soviet-invaded countries during WWII, and of courageous individuals who, when struck with a life-threatening illness, fought like hell to overcome, then wrote about their experience hoping to help others going through similar challenges.

I am often struck by the humility of people with rich life experiences that could and should be shared, and of those with an amazing, creative talent for writing, drawing, or painting, who ask, “Do you think it’s good enough for a book?” I suppose, sometimes, we all need someone else to believe in us before we do.

Granted, sometimes authors need a bit of professional help to take their stories and put them into a book, but that’s what publishers do. Our ghostwriters, editors, and graphic designers work to organize and polish an author’s work into a packaged form—a marketable book—one that ultimately communicates the author’s intended message. We then make it available to the world. And while it is true some books have more commercial potential than others, authors often sell themselves short because they are too close to their projects. Part of our job as publishers is to help the author discover or see possible markets for their work that they haven’t considered or possibly even recognized.

After working with hundreds of otherwise “unknown” authors over the years, a few points come to mind that I hope the authors and writers reading this will find useful…

Your story has value. It is yours alone, so, by definition, it is unique—one of a kind. No one has ever walked the same path, nor does anyone see things exactly as you do.
Don’t compare your work with anyone’s. Because your work is unique, it is, by definition, incomparable.
There is no “perfect,” so don’t get stuck. Do your best, give it your all, then let it go. As Teddy Roosevelt said, “The only man who makes no mistakes is the man who never makes anything.”
Life on Earth is relatively short. You don’t need anyone’s permission. Do it now.
Having a “Best Seller” isn’t the most important goal. Leaving a legacy is.

If you are an author or writer wondering if your work is “good enough for a book,” I hope you’ll come in and share your idea with us. Allow us the opportunity to believe in your project, and let’s see if that helps you believe in it too.

Friends for Good Health and Happiness

September 16, 2019 by Leslie R DeLaney MD Leave a Comment

Ask any healthy octogenarian, and they will tell you that the secret to living a long, healthy, happy life is having “good friends.” They don’t have 100 best friends or 500+ Facebook friends, but they do have a few people who truly care about them. Friendship is about love which is the one thing that none of us can live or be happy without.

We live in an era where communication between people couldn’t be easier. Skype lets you talk to someone in Australia as easily as you can to your next-door neighbor. You can use Google translate to speak Hindi to your new overseas sweetheart. You can watch children grow up on Instagram regardless of where you or they are. Facebook allows you to expound your thoughts and views to thousands of people at once without leaving your bedroom.

With all of this “connectedness,” however, studies have shown that people are lonelier than ever. Depression and anxiety are common medical problems of the old and young. Stories of suicides, mass shootings, and hate crimes are frequently in the news. It seems as if people don’t know each other and they don’t trust each other. It seems as if the unfamiliar person is now bad and dangerous.

Some of my best memories are related to the different people that I’ve met who became friends unexpectedly. It’s normal for people to associate with people who are similar to them. Usually, we make friends with family and friends who belong to the same race, religion, nationality, or economic status. Within that group, people then find others with more specific shared interests that cause them to become closer friends. Alternatively, one sometimes makes friends by starting backward, with shared interests first, then ending up with a more diverse “family.”

I’m grateful for having had the opportunities to become friends with people who are very different from me but who are also similar to me at the level of the heart. Choosing friends based on shared values, interests, and passions shows how much alike we all are despite the unfamiliar superficialness.

Building and maintaining true friendships is not as easy as friending someone, however. People aren’t perfect, but your friends like you despite that fact. When you demonstrate your imperfections, they love you enough to forgive any trespass but also enough to hold you accountable for it so that you continue to become a better person because of their friendship. As was famously explained, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) In many ways, social media outlets and supposed “friendships” accomplish the opposite of just that.

Friends are people who make you laugh.

Friends are people you enjoy being around.

Friends are mirrors.

Friends are sounding boards.

Friends keep you honest.

Friends keep you grounded.

Friends validate your importance and worth just because they like you.

Friends allow you to relax and be yourself.

Friends want you to succeed.

Friendship brings love, love brings happiness, and happiness brings health. Friendships can be forged with even the most unlikely people if we can open ourselves up and embrace our differences knowing that our hearts are all in the same place.

Car Collector

September 16, 2019 by Charles Jarrett Leave a Comment

When I opened my first article in this series of articles about the art of car collecting, I shared the fact that some people I have spoken with have given me a lot of reasons why they have been inspired to purchase, drive, restore and love their unique automobiles. During a gathering at the Blackhawk Museum this past July, Gordon Johnson explained to me how he admires his three-car collection and invited me to come out to his home to see his award-winning 1928 Rolls-Royce.

During that visit to his home this past month, I asked what inspired or accelerated his interest in buying and selling cars. Gordon thought for a moment and said that his keen interest in cars was not necessarily the thought of owning them. While he always considered old-fashioned, collectible cars as works of art, and admired them for that aspect alone, he confessed that he certainly didn’t buy collectible cars to drive or exhibit them. What he enjoyed most of all was the process of working on and restoring those old cars to the beautiful works of art originally envisioned by their creators.

Having been raised on a farm in Iowa, Gordon was quite familiar with making repairs on farm implements and equipment as his dad needed and encouraged him to do. He explained that the challenge of solving problems is what spurred his automotive acquisition attention. His first collectible car was a 1925 Model T Ford doctor’s coupe which he purchased in the 1960s. He later converted it into a touring car because there just was not enough space in the two-seat coupe for his four-member family.

In the 80s, Gordon and his wife were building a cabin in Northern California near Lake Almanor, and one day as they wandered the back roads in that area, they eventually ended up in Greenville. While driving through town Gordon saw an old car sitting in somebody’s yard. It looked disheveled but unique, and curious to find out what it was, he went up to the house and knocked on the front door. Nobody was home, so he returned to the yard and looked a little closer at the frame of this car immersed in high grass and weeds. It was really in sad shape, but Gordon determined that it was a vehicle called a Paige.

Gordon went to the mailbox, wrote down the name and the address he found there and returned home. With a little research, he discovered that the name and house number on the mailbox was listed in a telephone book, providing him with a number which he consequently called. The woman who answered the phone said that the car was her son’s. She gave Gordon her son’s number and Gordon called, requesting permission to go back out to the property and look at the vehicle more closely. The owner said that he wasn’t even sure if he wanted to sell it, but told Mr. Johnson to go ahead and take another look.

Shortly after that, Gordon drove over to Harrah’s Club in Reno, which had a big car collection and an automotive library. A gentleman in the library informed Gordon that the seven-passenger Paige convertible he had discovered was potentially a collector’s car and that there were not many of them around. Ultimately, Gordon worked out a deal with the owner and purchased that old skeleton of a car, consequently spending the next 12 years rebuilding and refurbishing it. He did most of the work himself, including painting much of the vehicle in his garage. That experience was Gordon’s introduction to serious car collecting and rebuilding, which had come at a time when he was open to a change in his life. He had been a typical stockbroker, primarily focused on an office environment but became a guy who found himself spending two or three nights a week working in a garage, totally engaged in restoring his old car.

A few years later, Gordon came up with the idea to purchase another car that he had long admired—a Rolls-Royce. He bought one of Paul Wartenberg’s books on Rolls Royce vehicles, and while perusing the pages, he stopped when he saw a particular car that he liked. It just happened that at that same time, in the San Francisco Chronicle want-ads section, he found a similar type of collector’s vehicle for sale. The car was located a long way away, in Muskogee, Oklahoma and that the man who owned it lived nearby in Santa Barbara, California. The vehicle could not be driven home after he went to Muskogee to check it out, because in the photographs he was shown, the vehicle was in pieces in a garage in Oklahoma.

None the less, Gordon decided to take a huge risk and literally bought it sight unseen. He then found a car rebuilder in Oklahoma who could at least put it back in basic running condition. After bringing it to the West Coast, he took it to Santa Barbara where it was painted. This car was beautifully restored and is now a shining example of a 1928, T1 Seven Passenger Springfield touring car. Today it is one of only two identical vehicles still in existence.

The first time Gordon took the car to a Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, it won third place in its class. At the show, Gordon discovered that the woman who first purchased this vehicle in 1928 paid $19,000 for it, which in 2017 dollars would be worth approximately $490,000. What’s it worth today? Whatever the right person is willing to pay!

Today Gordon also owns two Bentleys, one of which he traded the Paige convertible for, and another, a ‘34 Bentley that is currently on exhibit in the Blackhawk Museum. He bought and sold several other cars over the years as well, including a Delahaye, a Delage, and an Auburn. At one time he had as many as seven cars in a show at Pebble Beach. His love of restoring and buying cars has made him and his wife many close friends who hold similar interests.

Live. Love. Local. The Danville Livery

September 16, 2019 by Daniel Austin Leave a Comment

To the merchants of the Danville Livery, “The Art of Living” is not just a slogan on their website—it’s a way of life. The Livery isn’t your ordinary shopping center. It’s a community. It’s a gathering place; a curated collection of local, small-store merchants who do business the old-school way, where the merchants and shoppers are neighbors.

The mom and pop shops at the Livery offer a different sort of shopping experience— one that is in danger of disappearing. This isn’t “buy with one click” shopping. These merchants take the time to share their world of wonder. They want you to touch; they want you to gather—like at the hardware stores of yesterday.

Every day is Saturday at the Livery, and everybody is family. There is a feeling like “we’re all in it together,” which of course, we are. Family matters here. You won’t be worrying about validating your parking ticket because parking is free. You won’t have to make an extra stop to buy wrapping paper because gift wrapping is free. And no worries if you have your hands full with the kids because these merchants also offer package carry out.

The entire family is welcome at the Livery, so bring the kids. Stop by Games Unlimited Toys where the owner, Steve Banducci, encourages kids and families to touch everything and enjoy a hands-on experience. Stop for a sweet treat at Tal’s to nibble a freshly-made pastry and check out the schedule for baking workshops for children, catering ideas, and more.

Join the Danville Livery for a signature event. The Pumpkin Jubilee in October or visits with Santa at his designer Santa house where families take their time with their children and all photos are free.

The real star of the Livery could be the property itself, which captivates you with its charm. Cobblestones wind through the grounds under a lush canopy of Sycamores and grand, old Oaks, sun streaming through like a morning walk in the park. The boutique shops line plank sidewalks in the tradition of old towns. Caretakers cultivate terraced landscapes, including a memorable garden dedicated to 9/11. The Danville Livery is home to three of the largest Redwood trees in the Bay Area.

Most importantly, shopping at the Livery is fun. It’s a chance to shop with your senses and reconnect with the pleasure of shopping. It’s a chance to stop in and chat with your neighborhood merchants as if they were sitting beside you on their front porch.

The Livery is a place to enjoy The Art of Living.

Let’s Rock a Graphic Tee!

September 16, 2019 by Macca Edwards Leave a Comment

Graphic tees are a great way to get creative with your wardrobe. The options for how to wear them are endless. Gone are the days when a graphic tee is just meant for only casual wear. Wearing a t-shirt with an image and/or saying adds depth, visual interest, and honestly can be such a great conversation piece!

This particular graphic tee is sold at J.Crew. There’s a story that goes along with it which is always fun to share when wearing, so let’s get the conversation going! A Californian couple decided to recreate a hand-me-down from a parent. They wanted to recreate the loved-in tee and bring back the 80s vibe from way back when.

The other great thing about a graphic tee is that it isn’t meant for just one generation. Any age could and should take part in the fun trend and give it a go. Dress it up with a skirt and booties or flats. Dress it down with a pair of jeans and sneakers. No matter what your style, you can add a fun tee to your wardrobe.

Let’s say you have one graphic tee in your wardrobe. There are several ways to style your tee, but, for this case let’s discuss three outfits so your graphic tee has a place of pure style.

Wear a graphic tee with a moto jacket, straight leg jeans, sneakers, and a leather backpack. This outfit keeps it simple and comfortable. It’s the perfect day-wear look. Keep it cool and casual for weekend errands, sporting events, or out with family and friends.

Take it up a notch and choose a pair of trendy, cropped, flare jeans. This style of denim is great way to change things up from traditional denim. Add an oversized coat, a tote bag, and spotted mules. The patterned mules dress things up. Wear this look to a casual dinner date or out for coffee.

Finally, kick it into full gear and opt for a slip skirt. Slip skirts are all the rage! Love the idea of adding some texture with the silk material, as well as the leopard print. Keep it cozy and dress it down a bit with the camel cardigan. If you’d prefer to keep it on the dressier side, go for a long hem black blazer. Finish the look with a sleek black crossbody bag and a pair of pointy toe black leather or suede booties. This look is surely the sassiest and a personal favorite.

There are so many variations of these three looks. Switch out the camel colored cardigan for black if that’s more you. Opt for flats instead of mules if that’s your thing. Stick with a solid black slip skirt if leopard print doesn’t do it for you. Basically, make it you! Take these outfits as inspiration and decide what fits your own personal style. Have fun with it. Change things to add a personal flare, because in the end, if you feel confident in what you’re wearing, you’ll look and feel amazing!

Thanks, so much for reading dear one’s. Stop by maccarose.com for more on fashion and links to complete your graphic tee outfits.

Savoring September

September 16, 2019 by Peggy Fallon Leave a Comment

September is one of my favorite months at the farmers’ market. Though the approach of fall is unmistakable in the cool morning air, afternoons provide all the glories of an extended summer.

This seasonal transition is most apparent at the Saturday farmers’ market, where we enjoy the best of both worlds. While Northern California continues to wallow in an embarrassment of riches—vine-ripened tomatoes, sweet corn, tender summer squash, crunchy cucumbers, plump eggplant, crisp peppers, juicy peaches, nectarines, berries, and a rainbow of melons—early fall crops like apples, dates, figs, grapes, persimmons, and pomegranates are gradually finding their way into the market.

This is the month when smart cooks rush to capture yet one more taste of summer by stocking up on end-of-season produce. If you happen to go a little overboard at the market, taking advantage of bargain prices by buying everything in sight, have no fear. Ratatouille may be the answer to your dilemma. (An overflowing bin of farm-fresh vegetables? Such problems!) But be forewarned: Next week you’ll probably purchase these very same ingredients, just to make another batch.

Ratatouille originated in Southern France—it’s a classic vegetable stew rich with olive oil and fragrant with garlic and herbs. Traditionally each vegetable is sautéed separately, before combining everything to cook low and slow until meltingly tender. It’s delicious—but also time-consuming to make and a bit of a mess. That’s not always the way I want to roll on an Indian summer day.

This streamlined version is roasted in the oven for convenience, providing a more concentrated vegetable flavor. I use a heavy roasting pan (that usually hasn’t seen the light of day since Thanksgiving), because the high sides contain the cooking juices released by the veggies.

The recipe provides very specific measurements for dicing the vegetables, but this is just intended as a guideline. This is a rustic dish, so don’t worry if your knife skills are less than stellar. Just keep everything about the same size as directed; and remember that if the vegetable pieces are larger, they are going to take longer to cook.

As long as I am firing up a hot oven this month, I want to make it worth my while—so this recipe yields a generous amount. Ratatouille is the perfect offering for summer potlucks or barbecues, but an equally practical addition to your home refrigerator. When you see how deliciously versatile this is—for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—you’ll be happy to have it on hand.

When possible, make this at least 1 day in advance. Like most stews, the flavors continue to develop and blend while cooling overnight in the refrigerator.

Ramblings on Ratatouille

Ratatouille can be eaten at once; stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; or frozen.

Serve as a side dish alongside grilled meat or fish; or, for a vegetarian entrée, over polenta (either soft & creamy, or firm & grilled), quinoa, couscous, or any other favorite grain.

Brush thick slices of artisan country bread with olive oil and grill until the edges are lightly charred. Top with ratatouille.

Fold into omelets or frittatas; or tuck inside pita bread and top with a handful of arugula for a first-class sandwich.

Toss ratatouille with pasta, a few capers, and serve with a generous shower of parmesan cheese.

Top ratatouille with crumbled California goat cheese, or go trendy with a poached or fried egg.

If you have a couple of ears of corn hanging out in the refrigerator, adding the kernels to ratatouille would not be a bad idea. (Veggies that grow together always go together.)

Ditto for adding one or two sliced hot or mild chile peppers. I have also successfully incorporated a few coarsely chopped pitted Kalamata olives; and sliced cooked sausage. All totally untraditional, but all delish.

Oven-Roasted Ratatouille

1 large onion, halved and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices

1 large eggplant, cut into 3/4-inch dice

4 small zucchini or other summer squash, cut into 3/4-inch dice

4 vine-ripened medium tomatoes, each cored and cut into 6 wedges

1 large red or yellow bell pepper, cut into 3/4-inch squares

6 large garlic cloves, peeled and crushed with the flat side of a knife

5 tablespoons California olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt

1/4 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes

2 sprigs fresh thyme

1/2 cup (packed) fresh basil leaves, torn or coarsely chopped

3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

1 teaspoon balsamic or other wine vinegar

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

In a large roasting pan, combine the onion, eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, bell pepper, and garlic. Drizzle with 4 tablespoons of the olive oil and season with the salt and pepper flakes. Spread into an even layer and tuck the thyme sprigs beneath the vegetables.

Roast until the vegetables begin to sizzle and release their juices, about 20 minutes. Stir; then continue cooking until the eggplant is very tender and the other vegetables are lightly browned at the edges, 20 to 30 minutes longer. If the eggplant is not soft, reduce the heat to 325 degrees and continue cooking until done.

Remove and discard the thyme sprigs. Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the basil, parsley, and vinegar. Taste, adding more salt if needed. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold. Makes about 7 cups.

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!

The Steam Calliope

September 16, 2019 by Lawrence E. Anderson Leave a Comment

A venerated phenomenon of yesteryear is certainly the steam calliope. It was once a well-known fixture in the 19^th century and early part of the 20^th century. I believe that now in the 21^st century, it is widely unknown and obscure.

What is a steam calliope? It is a musical instrument that produces sound through a row of pipes that are connected to a steam boiler. Pressure from the boiler blows steam through metal whistles controlled by valves from a pinned cylinder or a keyboard. Keyboards were made from brass to offset the heat and moisture from the steam.

Background

Early experimentation with steam-driven sound occurred around 1732 and after. Most instruments were invented in Europe during this time, but the calliope is uniquely American in origin. Some of the first prototypes were locomotive whistles. Steam locomotives had plenty of steam to divert a small portion to a whistle that was very loud. A calliope usually has 32 whistles, but some may have as many as 67.

An American, Arthur S. Denny, circa 1850, was working on designs of a steam-driven organ previously conceived. He improved the design and construction. However, he did not patent his invention. Joshua Stoddard built a steam calliope and patented his design in 1855. His daughter demonstrated it in Worchester, Massachusetts on July 4^th, 1855. Other names sometimes attributed to the instrument are Steam Organ and Steam Piano. A distinctive feature of the early calliope was, it was an extremely loud instrument and could be heard for miles around.

The early venues for the calliope were riverboats and circuses. Because of its loud sound, one of its early uses was to attract attention and interest in circuses and fairs, thereby bringing people to these attractions.

What’s in a Name

How did the steam calliope get its name? It came from Greek Mythology. There were nine muses. The oldest of the nine muses was Kalliope, the muse of eloquence and ethic poetry. The name meant “beautiful voiced.” The “K” was changed to a “C”, hence the name calliope. The name meaning “beautiful voiced” is ironic because the sound produced by the instrument is shrill and loud, not what most would consider “beautiful.”

River Boats & Circuses

During the paddle-wheel era, many such boats were built for river travel. Most of these boats were on the Mississippi River, but there were also boats on the Missouri River and others. These boats provided an easy and convenient source of steam from their main boiler to run the calliope. It became popular to place a calliope on these boats, not only for entertainment of the passengers but also to announce the arrival of the boat at each stop along the way. Since the sound traveled far, the boats attracted large crowds.

The traveling circus was the other main venue for the calliope. Large circuses like Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey used calliopes for many reasons. It was traditional upon arrival for the circus to have a parade through town to where the “big top” (circus tent) was set up. When on parade, the calliope was mounted on a very fancy, painted and decorated wagon, usually pulled by horses. It had a source of steam mounted on the circus wagon. Some circuses presented a short calliope concert before the main attractions.

How it is Played

The instrument can be played in two ways. It can be played manually by a pianist or organist. The keyboard is set up like a piano. It can also be played mechanically instead of an actual player. Around 1900, calliopes were beginning to use a box-drum or a roll-like a player piano. Some calliopes have the capability of both methods of playing while others have only one method.

The whistles that produce the sound from the steam going through them are tuned to a chromatic scale. The whistles are quite difficult to keep accurately tuned due to the variable temperature of the steam.

Merry-Go-Rounds/Carousels

There are other venues for the calliope besides riverboats and circuses. They are spread across the nation in many cities and towns. Calliopes are the source of music on many famous carousels. These special calliopes, for the most part, post-date the calliopes of the era of the riverboats and some of the circus instruments as well. Of course, not all carousels have a calliope, but those that do have an unmistakable sound.

Some carousels are quite old and acquire a reputation and a sizeable following from devoted fans. Some of the most famous have calliopes. Locally, we have some famous carousels, including one at the San Francisco Zoo (as a young boy I road on that one several times). There is one at the Oakland Zoo, and one at Tilden Park in the Berkeley hills. The one at the San Francisco Zoo is over 90 years old and has been refurbished and restored over the years to its original state and beauty. The carousel at Tilden Park was built in 1911. In 1976 it was named a historic place by the National Registry of Historic Places. It uses calliope style music

The Oakland Zoo carousel uses calliope style music also. We are fortunate to have historic carousels in the Bay Area for all to enjoy at reasonable prices. Take your kids for a carousel ride. I know they will enjoy the experience.

Modern Uses

The Beatles used tapes of calliope music in Sargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Smokey Robinson’s, The Tears of a Clown featured a circus calliope. The Rock Band, Kiss, used it in Flaming Youth. Madonna used the calliope in her girlie show in the song, Holliday. Sponge Bob Square Pantsused it in the episode Free Samples. These are just a few examples of modern-day usage of calliope style music in contemporary times. Modern-day calliopes use compressed air rather than steam.

If you are traveling and contemplate a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River or other great American Rivers, be sure to investigate and listen to the music of yesteryear on an authentic steam calliope. Take in the rare experience of a genuine paddle-wheel boat calliope concert. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

Visit our website at www.danvilleband.org for up-to-date information about the Danville Community Band or reach me at banddirector01@comcast.net.