2011 September

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Fall fest drums up local crowd , talent

September 21, 2011 at 1:30 pm

By Staff Reporter September 20, 2011

Phil Ciaramitaro and Community Initiatives, his non-profit organization, hosted a music concert and talent show at Susana Park on Saturday, and Ciaramitaro reported Monday he was pleased with the turnout.

“It couldn’t have landed on a better September day at one of the prime parks in Martinez. A lot of

new faces were to be seen … excited parents and most importantly, some terrific young talent,” Ciaramitaro said.

Ruby Songster won first place in the youth category with her rendition of “Somewhere over the Rainbow;” Carol Stewart took first place in the adult category with a vocal and guitar solo and the Pleasanton/Dublin-based teen band Justify took the first place prize in the best band division.

Other winners in the youth category were Kimberly Misenhimer for her violin solo and Samantha Misenhimer for her rousing guitar solo. Nick Jessup, Richard Keyes and Georgia Kokolios were runner-ups.

In the Solo/Duet category Brian Wilson and Megan Young to second prize for their vocal/guitar duet and Gernee Rufus took third for a shakin’ dance routine.

Judges Ron Coveno, Dee Wood and Roy Jeans also awarded prizes in the band category to Brave Ulysses and Life Before Death.

Danny White of Good Stuff Guitar Shop donated the sound equipment and Tom Martin volunteered as soundman. Dee Wood led the Martinez Community Chorus through a few numbers, followed by the Diablo Regional Concert Band, led by Cora Martens.

Classical-guitar-man-about-town Doug Wendt performed, as did Tracy Durden, a.k.a. Flutopia, who gave the audience a primer on a variety of flutes and their specific uses.

“The partnership with the Vets at the Veterans Memorial Building is a positive step for both organizations,” said Ciaramitaro. “Community Initiatives has committed to hosting fundraising projects through the next year to fund the renovations that are much needed in the historic building – such as electrical upgrading, air conditioning, enlarging the hall, building a new stage and modernizing the bathrooms. Doing so will give the hall new life and provide a first class venue for most any private or public event or activity.”

Ciaramitaro provided a run-down of upcoming events hosted at the Veterans Memorial Building Martinez on Ward Street: October 29 Halloween Dance; November 24 Family Thanksgiving Dinner; a Christmas Dinner on December 10 to benefit the Early Childhood Center of Martinez; a new Year’s Eve Dance Party on December 31 and the popular annual “Be my Valentine” Dance on February 11.

All proceeds will benefit the Veterans Memorial Building Renovation Fund and the Fourth Annual Fall Music Festival planned for next September.

Ciaramitaro said, “much thanks goes to the vets and all of the folks who helped make the Third Annual Fall Music Festival a great success.”

For more information contact Ciaramitaro at (925) 917-0441.

Fall fest drums up local crowd , talent

Engagement a Key Theme at ASHHRA Convention

September 21, 2011 at 12:10 pm

If one word encapsulates the focus of last week’s American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration annual convention, that word is "engagement."

Employee engagement; physician engagement; patient engagement; leadership engagement: the four-day ASHHRA convention in Phoenix, AZ saw more talk of engagement than the Viva Las Vegas Chapel on Valentine’s Day.

"Engagement is critical because it helps you utilize your best resource," says Ann M. Torkelson, Human Resources Director at Mayo Clinic, and an ASHHRA seminar leader. "An engaged workforce is going to produce. You are going to have better patient satisfaction, better outcomes, even with less," she says.

For years, progressive healthcare organizations, like Mayo, have prided themselves on employee engagement and mission "buy-in" as the right thing to do.

Practically speaking, however, the bottom-line case for engagement clearly has been bolstered by two big-dollar issues: first, engaged employees are less likely to quit, and that greatly reduces budget-busting turnover costs associated with recruiting and training new workers.

Secondly, there is an understanding that patient satisfaction scores under the healthcare reform law will soon be linked to reimbursements. Engaged employees care about patient satisfaction, and that empathy will be reflected in higher reimbursements.

"all those soft pieces of your customers’ experiences come from that engagement. if your staff is willing to go above and beyond, whether it is an internal customer, a patient, a physician, whoever, you are going to get a lot more value," Torkelson says.

Engagement a Key Theme at ASHHRA Convention

My Valentine to Kellie Rasberry

September 21, 2011 at 11:50 am

Kellie agreed to have dinner with MTM and me while we were in Dallas. I think she was charmed by MTM, but, what girl wouldn’t be? on the other hand, I think I spent far too much time worrying about being genuine and probably just came across as stiff and fake. I guess that’s because I always looked up to Kellie when I was growing up. Being the same age as her younger brother made me automatically uncool, and that’s perfectly understandable.

Kellie was more accepting than I was. She did invite me to a party when I was in ninth grade. I remember being giddy because I was included with that group, because a boy I had a desperate crush on was going to be there.

And, that boy talked to me the whole time. Kellie’s party turned me into a boy charmer, infusing a confidence in me that I didn’t have on my own back then. Or, maybe her invitation did that for me. Either way, the boy in question was riveted by me, and I was ceaselessly grateful to her.

At some point, everyone cleared out of the house and ran into the woods with paper bags in tow. I started to follow on something called a ‘snipe hunt,’ thinking it would be another fun Kellie activity that I needed to know about because she thought it was cool. I stood at the edge of the woods, hearing catcalls and laughter and screaming, missing out on all the fun. I turned to that boy and begged him to take me snipe hunting, too.

Whatever it was.

He smiled and said, “Andra, they’re just using the snipe hunting thing as an excuse to go into the woods and make out.”

And, just like that, my evening was ruined. Why didn’t the boy want to take me ‘snipe hunting?’ Was I somehow not ‘snipe’ material? not ‘snipe worthy?’

I know someone who is ‘snipe worthy,’ and that person is Kellie. She is a strong woman who can hold her own with anyone, and that means weak, pathetic dudes need not apply. Or dudes who are selfish. Or dudes who can’t handle being in her aura. (And, I realize that excludes a lot of dudes. But still.)

If you are a guy who is sure of who he is; who can hold his own in a conversation; who possesses quiet strength; and who knows how to have a blast in all forms of public places, go up to Kellie the next time you see her and ask her to go snipe hunting.

She just might say yes. After all, it’s the deep guys who get my blog. *Wink. Wink.*

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Too Much is Just Enough: Sneaking a Smooch

http://andrawatkins.com/2011/02/14/my-valentine-to-kellie-rasberry/

My Valentine to Kellie Rasberry

Valentine’s Day Flowering Plants at Riverbanks Botanical Garden

September 21, 2011 at 11:10 am

Prunus Mume ‘Matsubara Red’ – Arlene MarturanoIn midwinter Riverbanks Botanical Garden in Columbia, South Carolina displays vigorous cold weather flowering candidates for the southeastern home garden

Fragrance, form and flower are outstanding characteristics of plants in the winter walled garden at Riverbanks. Trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennials are represented.

Fragrance in the Winter Garden

The sweet fragrance of winter-blooming honeysuckle shrub, Lonicera x purpusii has earned it the common name breath of spring. Creamy white waxy flowers line the brown-grey branches.

Wintersweet or Japanese allspice, Chimonanthus praecox is a 12 foot tall multi-stemmed shrub with spicy scented waxy translucent yellow cup-shaped flowers.

The evergreen shrub holly grape, Mahonia x media ‘Lionel Fortescue’ wears a top hat of bright yellow fragrant flowers with long arching racemes.

The rice paper shrub, Edgeworthia chrysantha, is interspersed throughout the winter garden where the creamy clusters of nodding buds decorate the dormant beds. the dangling buds hang from bold bare bronze stems and are set to burst open into fragrant yellow flowers before any leaves begin to show.

The majestic ornamental Japanese flowering apricots, Prunus mume, with fragrant and fragile five-petaled flowers are dropping white, pink, and red petals like confetti in celebration of the approaching spring. Prunus mume ‘Matsubara red’ has masses of double deep-red blossoms.

Form in the Winter Garden

The growth habit of shrubs and herbaceous plants catch the eye of visitors and add interest to garden design. the dormant leafless stems of many trees and shrubs are stunning when clad solely in flowers.

The rambling ways of the long green stems of winter jasmine, Jasminum nudiflorum, arch, cascade, and tumble with the sparkle of bright yellow funnel-shaped flowers. when arching stems touch soil, they easily take root.

A dense yet airy red-stemmed hedge of Spiraea x arguta ‘Baby’s Breath’ is studded with miniature white flowers among the twiggy growth.

At ground level in the Orene Horton shade garden the Lenten roses, Helleborus orientalis, bloom, their nodding flower heads hiding faces blushing in shades of cream, pink, green and purple. the long-lived perennials are easy to grow and bloom throughout winter and Lent.

The dormant garden beds show signs of spring with numerous clusters of scilla, hyacinth, and daffodil green bladed foliage emerging. But the crocuses are blooming!

The early blooming snow crocus Crocus sieberi atticus ‘Firefly’ is known for its lilac color, golden throat, vigor and ease in naturalizing. the tender looking bulb babies are tough contenders in the winter garden arena.

Valentine’s Day is a favorable time to appreciate the fragrance, form and flower of midwinter at Riverbanks Botanical Garden.

Valentine’s Day Flowering Plants at Riverbanks Botanical Garden

The Globe and Mail

September 21, 2011 at 10:50 am

The back-to-school sales are over. Next up: Halloween and then the doozy, Christmas. The store window propaganda will soon start, and like every year, people will pile debt on their credit cards.

One area of household budgeting that tends to be poorly accounted for are the infrequent, lump-sum expenses. People are not likely to spend $100 per month on clothing. Rather they are more likely to spend $600 twice per year. It’s the same for holiday expenses. We don’t buy $10 per month of toys. We buy $120 worth in December.

More related to this story

The problem for the many people who are only making ends meet on their regular expenses is that these non-monthly expenses can derail us. We have gifts to shop for before the holidays and sales to tempt us after. Alcohol consumption rises in December with all the family get-togethers (perhaps to survive them) and then as we enter January, we’re tempted by the prospects of tanning on a beach at an all-inclusive resort.

Add it all up and you could have consecutive months of overspending by more than $1,000 per month.

For many people, the norm is to spend the money and then pay it off. The debt remorse kicks in, which usually means the debt gets paid off, but every time that happens a new cause for celebration is just around the corner. think Valentine’s Day and the sudden jump in prices for petals. It never ends. but we keep treading water – for now.

If people could save up ahead of time instead of financing a purchase after the fact, they could earn interest as opposed to paying it. The overall cost would come down, not to the mention stress levels. but of course, flipping that switch is easier said than done. Mostly it means delaying gratification for at least a little while. and that’s not a lot of motivation.

With experts divided on the possibility of another global recession, here’s an idea worth considering. Pretend you lost your job today and will be unemployed until the end of the year.

Tighten your purse strings immediately and take the leftover money and put it into a savings account. Switch to no-name brands and cheaper foods at the grocery store. No going out to fancy dinners or movies. No buying songs on iTunes and no lattes. if you don’t face any penalties for putting 1,000 channels of TV on hold, try that too. Only spend on needs, not wants. see how far you can take it.

Think of it as a fire drill. No one knows if there is a global recession coming and if and when it will impact Canadian jobs, but perhaps the prospects of such an event is enough to motivate you to shift from financer to saver through a temporary crash-test.

If you try it and are successful, the key is to continue to be one step ahead by constantly saving up for the next event as opposed to always paying off the last one. if you plan ahead, those pesky non-regular expenses are actually pretty regular.

Budgeting boot camp

It would be tough to simulate a total loss of income, but you should try to cut your spending as much as you can on a temporary basis. Expenses that are not practical to simulate being cut can be written down so that at least you have an idea as to what your actual minimum expenses would be if you really had a significant loss of income.

Pinch your pennies hard for three months on luxuries. put that money into a savings account.

Calculate what you would change if you really did lose your job. Could you downgrade your car? House?

What penalties would you face for cancelling long-term contracts (think cellphones, gym memberships, cable TV)?

After you’ve figured out your minimum living expenses, calculate how long you could you survive.

This exercise might provide the motivation you’re looking for to switch from financing to saving, and hopefully it will only ever be a drill.

Preet Banerjee, B.Sc, FMA, DMS, FCSI is a W Network Money Expert, and blogs at wheredoesallmymoneygo.com. You can also follow him on twitter at @PreetBanerjee

The Globe and Mail

Aquarium Drunkard » My Bloody Valentine :: Isn’t Anything

September 21, 2011 at 10:10 am

On no other record before it’s time does anything sound so out of this world, odd and disorienting than my Bloody Valentine’s 1988 landmark album Isn’t Anything. It’s a raw, visceral, and surreal experience rooted in punk and layered with texture and distortion. Most importantly, it features Kevin Shields’ signature tremolo-bended guitar and expansive use of reverb effects (first explored on the quartet’s you made me Realise EP), which are the sounds that launched and influenced an entire genre of music. Isn’t Anything is the blueprint to just about every shoegaze album you will ever hear. And, to this day, you won’t find a sound that is so emulated, so xeroxed, and so obvious as to who birthed its brilliance.

During a 2008 interview with Totally Dublin’s Ika Johannesson my Bloody Valentine’s Bilinda Butcher described her vocalist audition as such: “In the end, it was between me and this girl, Julie, who was going out with Douglas Hart from The Jesus and Mary Chain.” This is perfect, right? Butcher goes on to join a band that is heavily influenced by JAMC and yet that group’s founding member and bassist is dating the girl who comes in second place. my Bloody Valentine would go on to record some of the most amazing music the world has ever known with Butcher — two of the best albums in existence — while the Jesus and Mary Chain would go on to being MBV’s runner-up in terms of overall influence, legacy and experimental rock creativity. Simply put: JAMC introduced guitar feedback and noise into the pop spectrum, my Bloody Valentine completely rearranged it.

Along with the amount of noise and aggressive guitar attack this album provides, MBV’s new vocalist brings a sensual innocence to the male-female vocal harmony while adding a heightened awareness to the already sex-themed lyrics and song titles. “Soft as Snow, but Warm Inside” isn’t exactly a tune about the Winter Olympics. Butcher sings almost identical to Shields yet in some ways it’s as if she sounds like his long lost sibling. Her voice instills this calming yet seductive tone that balances Shields’ chaotic wall of sound with soft, angelic melodies. “Lose my Breath” is the perfect example of this — dark guitar chords strummed with a deadpan vocal delivery that gives way to a dreamlike chorus featuring Butcher’s trademark “oohs”. It’s almost imaginary or something right out of a fantasy novel where a beautiful siren appears out of nowhere and lulls you into a trance. There’s so much beauty and personality revealed in this track, and it becomes a huge part of the band’s sonic trademark.

Of course, why would we be discussing this fantastic record without mentioning its muscular framework? “(When you Wake) You’re still in a Dream,” “All I Need” and the masterful punk barrage of guitars on “Feed me With Your Kiss” rattle eardrums and will continue to blow minds for generations. Never has rock music sounded so equally punishing and experimental. “Sueisfine” and “You Never Should” provide more examples of the group’s magnificent noise-pop assault plus a nod to both Dinosaur Jr. and Hüsker Dü. “Several Girls Galore” is MBV at its most warped moment. It’s as if Shields left his guitars and effects outside so they could intentionally be exposed to intense levels of heat.

I could go on for pages about the band’s follow-up album Loveless, but Isn’t Anything is where the band’s innovations, moods and sounds blur into one. It’s a desert island album that should be discussed in every country, in every language. It belongs in the same company as The Beatles, The Velvet Underground, and Brian Eno, defies categories, and demonstrates how arresting and magnetic music can be on the senses. there are few albums in this world that sound so fragile yet so uncompromising and explosive. Isn’t Anything changed people’s lives, and that’s why we’ll continue to talk about it. words/ s mcdonald

MP3: My Bloody Valentine :: Feed me With Your KissMP3: My Bloody Valentine :: Lose my Breath———————____________________________________________________________________________________

Aquarium Drunkard » My Bloody Valentine :: Isn’t Anything

Valentine Gifts for Men

September 21, 2011 at 9:30 am

You need not settle for the conventional gifts such as ties, socks and toiletry kits when shopping for a gift for your husband or boyfriend. There are a lot of gifts, which you could buy to make guys feel special on Valentine’s Day. Similar to women, men also have the need to be and feel emotionally secure. With that in mind, you need to start thinking of ways, which would be thoughtful and special enough for the man you love.

You could start off with a card or letter that contains your sincere message to him. Remember that words of admiration, affection and affirmation effectively boost the self-esteem of a man. make sure that he would feel special with the gift you would be giving.

Another way to give him a unique and loving gift would be through serving him. You could probably cook a delicious dinner for him – his favorite dish perhaps. You could bake him some brownies or some pastries. You could give him a relaxing and romantic massage, some kisses and hugs – men appreciate this kind of gifts the most.

If you have the money to spend, you may want to buy him some cool gadgets that would definitely be appreciated by the modern and tech-savvy man of today. these would include a high-quality watch, an Apple iPod, a universal remote or the latest mobile phone. You could also get him perfume, grooming products, DVDs, magazine subscriptions, silk boxers, engraved jewelry and even a puppy or kitten.

Getting your special man a special gift for Valentine’s Day would truly bring more meaning to your relationship. You need not spend a whole lot to make him smile and feel warm with your love. You just have to give it a lot of thought and think of something that would let your love for him shine through.

Valentine Gifts for Men

Mary Kipp makes a difference for Vets

September 21, 2011 at 9:10 am

What do you do? I send packages to members of the military. the children in my class write letters and send cards as well. I got more involved with it after 9-11, but I’ve been doing it for a long time. We have even received some letters back from members of the military. I also have veterans visit the classroom to talk to the students, which I’ve been doing for nine years so far. Along with veterans we even have people come in who have returned from Iraq or Afghanistan. We show them around and celebrate them with a little party. I also correspond with some military personnel online. I saw my nephew graduate from basic and it was nice to see how disciplined they all are, and how much respect they show. I invited him to visit the class and he showed some things from being in the service. One of the soldiers who visited, Captain Jacob Watson, happened to have a cousin in my class and it was an overwhelming experience for the student. I like showing my class how important it is to respect and give back to our military. the students are great at doing just that. Members from all branches have come and talked with the students. I also keep pictures of the visitors, which are displayed outside my classroom and down the hall. there are even some display cases with pictures, and items that are sometimes given to us from military members who visit. Captain Jacob Watson gave us his war jacket, which is displayed in one of the cases. inside my classroom I have flags from all the branches as well. Most of our visitors come in November. We also send packages to military members around Veteran’s Day, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Memorial Day. the Wayne Pike Detachment #640, Military Corp League, helps cover shipping. We even set up a Toys for Tots program at school in December and many participate. Sometimes students donate something to Toys for Tots instead of exchanging gifts with the class. Why do you do this? I’ve met many wonderful people I probably wouldn’t have met if I wasn’t sending stuff to the troops. some are even good friends of my family and I. It’s great to get to know soldiers. I have much respect for what they do and it amazes me. the Department of Pennsylvania VFW gave me the Citizenship Education Teacher Award 2009-2010 and the National Teacher of the Year award in 2010. What was it like receiving those awards? I was very proud. It’s been one of the highlights of my life. To be honored by people who fought in the military is awesome. they are all my heroes. One of the soldiers I got to be friends with through sending packages, even came down from the War College in Rhode Island from training, to see me receive those awards. that meant a lot to me. More about Mary Age 57 Lives in Hawley Teacher at the Wallenpaupack North Primary School Historian for the Marine Corp League. make scrapbooks from things they have done and events they participated in Loves taking photos Has a dog named Glory, that is a Sheltie. “I adopted her from a shelter called, ironically, American Glory Farms, and knew this was going to be my dog.” Who may we interview next? if you have a suggestion of a person in the region who is making a positive difference, who we could interview, please contact Managing Editor Peter Becker at (570)226-4547 or news@neagle.com.

Mary Kipp makes a difference for Vets

Birthday surprise means father’s safe

September 21, 2011 at 7:30 am

Young flew into Logan International Airport Tuesday and stayed in Boston with his wife for a few days so that he could rest before making the trip to surprise Katie, who will turn 13 on Sunday.

Between the long shifts he works overseas and the flight back home, Young said, he was exhausted by the time he arrived.

“I’ll feel more rested in about eight months,’’ Young said in a phone interview. In eight months, he will be done serving overseas and home with his family in Townsend for good.

He said his reunion with his daughter was “very moving.’’

Katie’s mom, Sandy, had been planning the surprise for months, and she began coordinating with the school a few weeks ago. Young has been a part of Katie’s family for four years, and he adopted Katie on Valentine’s Day. He refers to her as his “Valentine’s Day present.’’

Katie was dismissed early so she could catch up with her father. The soldier has 15 days at home and he has a plan.

“We’re just spending family time together,’’ he said.

Birthday surprise means father’s safe

Childhood Crushes – Will You Be My Valentine?

September 21, 2011 at 7:10 am

Remembering back to my life as a child and into my teenage years. Boy, did I have several crushes that only turned out to be devastating and embarrassing

Here’s one example.

I had this huge crush on a boy named Rob. I sent him flowers, candy, balloons, etc on Valentine’s Day. Boy, did I make a fool out of myself I never received a thank you, didn’t even get a response from this guy at the least, he could have thanked me and said I’m not really interested you know, when I think back – he probably re-gifted the Valentine Gifts I gave him

What a traumatic time that was for my social ego I am a shy person by nature and that took a lot of guts for me to do. I did a similar thing to another guy later in life – he did about the same thing – no response Teenage dating was the worst

Valentine’s Day Here it is again – how can I avoid this embarrassing holiday once again as an adult without having a spouse, lover, or just a standard boyfriend? what is love anyway? With my immature thoughts running through my mind- I was thinking i would just settle for lust at this point just for the attention

Well first of all, I think that is the wrong attitude to have The right person will show up at the right time and the right place. you just have to be patient for most people, including myself, when you stop looking, that is when Mr. right shows his face.

That is exactly what happened to me – I stopped looking, chasing, buying someone’s love or attention, and just letting the boys come to me That’s when I met my husband to be, My Mr. right, My Best Friend and now My Lover as well The key to the best relationship is communication – so, talk to one another

My advice to you- don’t settle, be patient and Your Perfect Valentine will show up at your door soon enough

Happy Valentine’s Day

Childhood Crushes – Will You Be My Valentine?

Happy Valentines Gifts Gifts for a Happy Valentines Day

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Fall fest drums up local crowd , talent

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Engagement a Key Theme at ASHHRA Convention

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My Valentine to Kellie Rasberry

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The Globe and Mail

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Mary Kipp makes a difference for Vets

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Birthday surprise means father’s safe

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Childhood Crushes – Will You Be My Valentine?

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Happy Valentines Gifts Gifts for a Happy Valentines Day

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