Delta Living Magazine April - June 2016

delta living APRIL – JUNE 2016

Inspiring stories across 1700 miles

magazine

HOPE FOR OUR VETERANS 42 Gerald G. Wilson "JR"

14 Heather Johnson

No Single Thing

Margaret Cocksedge

Liberty High School Teacher, Wife, Warrior

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April – June 2016

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in this issue‌

Cover feature: Hope for our veterans Story and photos by Kristina Moldovan 10 Happiness meter | Walter Ruehlig 16 Indoor plantscaping | Debbie Gatt 20 Protecting our pets | Silky Sahnan 22 Trending hair colors | Emily Wesolek 24 Crush on winemaking | Dennis Hall 6

April – June 2016

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James Hundon NFL & AFL

By Felicia Purcell 28 30 32 40 44 45

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Vulnerability will set us free

By Kristine Cataldo

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Researching colleges early | Lisa Spencer Brentwood author Karin Tabke | Charleen Earley Wine tasting limo tour | Charleen Earley Los Medanos College | Maddison Trester End of early retirement | Vinny DiNocola Book author stomps on bullies | Harry E. Pacheco www.deltalivingmagazine.com

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CONTACT US P.O. Box 395 Knightsen, CA 94548

925.383.3072 charleenbearley@gmail.com www.DeltaLivingMagazine.com

PUBLISHER Charleen Earley - charleenbearley@gmail.com

letters from our readers…

g n i v i l delta H 20 16 JA N. – MA RC

Inspiring stories

g to n La d y Wa sh in lta o n th e D e

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D e l t a Li v i n g M a g a z in e V is io n Delta Living Magazine is an artery of hyper local and regional feature articles, photography and businesses, sharing information to promote improved lives to our families and environment. It specifically focuses on inspiring, motivating, educating and entertaining our surrounding communities to encourage dialog, build unity and reach a bit higher in creating our ideal lives.

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Dear Delta Living Mag and its staff, Thank you for being a great resource of educational, pleasure and informative readings for your audiences. I enjoy your quarterly investment and hope it continues to pay off. Keep them coming! Congrats to another year of success!

Hugs and cheers, Dina Benigni Pleasanton, CA

rch 2016 Januar y – Ma

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Us Face our Fears

$5 each issue or $15 annual (4 issues a year) Mail check to: P.O. Box 395 Knightsen, CA 94548 Make check payable to: Delta Living Magazine

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A Classic Ma

COPY EDITORS Ana Hurt • John Hartmann • Rita Caruso Tammy Borba • Walter Ruehlig

SUBSCRIPTIONS

I just finished reading cover to cover, your Jan-Mar 2016 magazine. It's the first one we've seen. Loved it. Can't wait for the April-June to come. Thank you, Frank and Lois Rozenski Brentwood, CA

FEB. 11, 2016

id e r O a kl a n d R a TJ C a rr ien

WRITERS Vinny DiNicola • Felicia Purcell • Walter Ruehlig Kristine Cataldo • Heather Johnson • Debbie Gatt Emily Wesolek • Dennis Hall • Ryan Frerking-Ramos Lisa Spencer, MA • Maddison Trester • Kristina Moldovan Charleen Earley

SALES Senior Advertising Manager - Kristina Moldovan Kristina.deltalivingmagazine@gmail.com 925.565.9069

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Rita Caruso - rcaruso@guildmortgage.net

DISTRIBUTION Barbara Ellison-Smith • Walter Ruehlig • Kristina Moldovan

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GRAPHIC DESIGNER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Conrad Borba - conradborba@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHERS JVB Photography • Jody Hanson • Maddison Trester Charleen Earley

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Delta Living Magazine is published quarterly on recycled paper. Copyright© 2012 by Charleen Earley. Single copy price $5 in U.S.A. on 100% recycled paper. $15 for annual subscription. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Printed in the U.S.A. E-zine version available. Contact charleenbearley@gmail.com, 925.383.3072 or visit www.deltalivingmagazine.com.

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All rights reserved. No part of any issue of Delta Living Magazine, be it editorial content, photographs or advertising design, may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means; electronic, mechanical, photocopy, or any other format, without the prior permission of the publisher. All facts, opinions and statements appearing within this publication are those of the writers and editors themselves and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions, views or endorsements by the publisher of Delta Living Magazine. Accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed. Due to uncertain nature of U.S. Postal Service and third party freight services, Delta Living Magazine does not guarantee delivery of said publication by any specific date.

April – June 2016

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contributors

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Rita Caruso | Editor-in-Chief

Conrad Borba | Graphic Designer

Charleen Earely | Publisher/Owner/Writer

Rita, a mortgage loan consultant for Guild Mortgage, has been in the mortgage industry for over 30 years. She served two terms as President of the Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce. With a deep love for journalism and an avid reader, she brings a love to her role as Editor-in-Chief. She's also an avid runner, hiker, cycler and caterer, who loves to spend time with her husband, celebrating 20 years together. Reach her at RCaruso@GuildMortgage.net.

Conrad is a graphic and web designer, who spent much time in his youth drawing and creating, with his earliest memories of working on a computer as a kindergartner. He studied graphic and web design at Modesto Junior College and the Institute of Technology of Modesto. With over 10 years experience in graphic design and six years as a freelancer, Borba stays abreast industry standards in order to provide his clients with fresh and new ideas. Reach him at conradborba@gmail.com.

Charleen is a mom, comedienne, freelance writer, humor columnist, speaker, wedding planner and now graduate student at San Jose State University. She’s studying Mass Communications/Journalism and hopes to one day teach at the community college level. Known as “Charlie” to most, she’s also founder and publisher of Delta Living Magazine. Reach her at charleenbearley@gmail.com.

Kristine R. Cataldo, MSCIS, MAed | Writer/Blogger

Walter Ruehlig | Writer

F.D. Purcell | Writer

Kristine is a proud mama of two, a college instructor and curriculum developer. Her passion as a blogger, author and speaker is etched on her heart. She uses her story to inspire, motivate and empower women to live healthy, happy lifestyles through mind, body and spirit. Kristine is an avid cyclist, hiker and adventurous free-spirit. Reach her at omnigal@gmail.com or www.kristinecataldo.net

Walter graduated cum laude with a degree in English from the State University of New York at Albany and career counsels adults with disabilities. He’s the former President of the Antioch School Board, founded the Antioch Music Foundation, and is the 2012 Antioch Citizen of the Year-Lifetime Achievement award recipient. He regularly contributes to three local newspapers. Email him at walter.ruehlig@gmail.com.

Felicia, an East County resident for nearly 20-years, found her passion for writing when she won Student-of-the-Month honors at age 10. Her love for sports began early while sitting on her late dad’s knee watching football. A certified make-up artist and animal-lover, Felicia lives by her dad’s favorite quote: “Treat others the way you wish to be treated.” Follow her on Twitter @sportsinthebay_, Facebook: Sports in the Bay or sportsinthebay1.blogspot.com.

Vinny DiNicola | Writer

Jody Hanson | Photographer

Ryan Frerking-Ramos | Writer

Vinny is a Certified Senior Advisor® and owner of HomeLife Senior Care in Brentwood with wife Angela, a provider of professional, dependable in-home senior care. Vinny graduated with honors from Menlo College, Atherton, CA, earning a Bachelors degree in Management with a focus in International Management. Vinny’s passion is providing world-class home care for their elderly clients. Reach him at vinny@homelifesc.com.

Jody’s a small town Colorado native who loves the outdoors.

Whether it’s the Rocky Mountains or the California coast, she is drawn to the visual stimulation of nature. Jody found her zest for life behind the lens of a camera while attending Brooks Institute of Photography. She loves photographing people and capturing the variety and beauty this world has to offer. Visit her at www.JVBPhotography.com.

Ryan is a senior at Liberty High School. Since his sophomore year, he has strived to build an extensive portfolio and learn about all aspects of journalism. At Liberty High, he’s in the First Priority Christian Club and has written for The Lion’s Roar for the past three years. He plans to make a career in journalism after graduation.

Dennis Hall | Writer

Heather Johnson | Writer

Lisa Spencer MA | College & Career Advisor

Dennis Hall is co-founder of Avere Group with his wife Dana, a business focusing on the wine industry, craft breweries, cider, distilleries and diverse productions. Sip California and Brewery Card increase customer traffic into the tasting rooms of California wineries, breweries, cider and distilleries, and fundraising for nonprofits. Dennis earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento.

Heather Johnson is an Oakland-based content marketing writer, journalist and editor who writes for a wide range of publications and companies. She covers legal issues, small business, real estate, technology, health and fitness, general interest and more. She spends much of her free time running in Redwood Park and riding all over the East Bay. Visit her at heatherraejohnson.com. Photo by Christine Jegan.

Lisa Spencer, MA is the owner of Next Phase College and Career Advising. With a Master’s in Career Counseling from Saint Mary’s College, she helps high school and college students identify their interests and match them to colleges, majors and careers that are the right fit. She can be reached at 925.726.1209 or lisa@next-phase.net or go to www.next-phase.net.

Maddison Trester | Writer | Photographer

Debbie Gatt | Plantscape Designer & Writer

Emily Wesolek | Writer

Maddison is a 2015 graduate of Freedom High School in Oakley. She is currently attending Los Medanos College with plans to major in Mass Communications. Her creativity is born with a pen and paper, a camera and a stage. Maddison is a photographer and videographer working with Discovery Bay studios. She enjoys theatre arts and is currently an actor in Diablo Valley College’s production of Almost, Maine! Reach her at maddisontrester@gmail.com.

Debbie Gatt is the owner and design consultant of Indoor Eden, an interior plantscape design business. She’s also a decorator consultant for a window covering company. Debbie belongs to the Discovery Bay Yacht Club and Corvette Club; she’s on a bowling league, does Zumba and boating and enjoys traveling the world. Her favorite pastime is being with family and friends.

Emily, who has a passion for making those around her feel great, is a licensed Cosmetologist since 2009 and works as a hair stylist in Brentwood. She’s also a Certified Cosmetology Instructor and taught at Paris Beauty College in Concord. Writing is another talent of hers since she was young.

Always willing and eager to learn new beauty techniques, Emily loves her career. Got hair questions? Reach her at emilyw1722@gmail.com.

April – June 2016

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happiness meter The 10

April – June 2016

By Walter Ruehlig

walter.ruehlig@gmail.com

D

isneyland would have you believe that it is the happiest place on earth. If, though, you’re preparing for your next game of Trivial Pursuits, here’s what bonafide researchers say.

Yes, believe it or not, happiness is actually formally studied and there’s a “World Happiness Report.” It’s an initiative of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solution Network, with data generated from interviews with over 146,000 people by leading experts in the fields of economics, education, psychology, sociology, health and public policy.The report, measuring the overall well-being of some 150 countries, was first conducted in 2012.

Switzerland took the latest crown.

Maybe it’s all that yodeling. Strikingly, its Nordic neighbors didn't do too shabbily either, as it was followed on the smile-meter by Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Canada, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden. Down Under also fared well with New Zealand and Australia rounding out the top 10.

Nine of the top 10 were repeaters and, interestingly, only Canada had

a population of 35 million or more. The U.S. did reasonably well, ranking at #15; Mexico nudged us at #14. No surprises that countries in turmoil, like Syria, Afghanistan and Yemen scored poorly. Flying bullets can bottom out mood.

Also, as expected, countries rocked hardest by the world recession, Greece. Egypt and Italy among them, saw their favorables drop as study benchmarks included levels of income; medical access and life expectancy; generosity; social support; freedom to make choices; and lack of corruption.

Though some relatively poor, institutionally weak, countries have happy populations (for example, Brazil and Venezuela scored higher than, say Luxembourg); generally countries with a richer, freer and more participatory citizenry fared better.

Let’s now look closer at the winning region. The Scandinavian countries see happiness less fiery than we as Americans might.They equate happiness more with steady contentment than with flashes of excitement or exuberance. The Scandinavians also have a different work-play balance than us. They average a 37-hour work week and six weeks vacation. Overtime is frowned upon. There, you are more likely to be asked what do you do to recreate, than what do you do?

There is a stronger safety net with universal access to medical care, higher education and parental leave.

Unlike in America, individualism is scoffed at.There is less isolation and social capital is evident by greater involvement in groups. Friends often hang out and even date collectively.

The real upshot of all this analysis is that governments in this shrinking world are now looking beyond mere gross national product to happiness metrics as a proper measure of social progress.

‘Be happy, don’t worry’ might, after all, someday transcend inspiring song lyrics to becoming a goal of public policy.

It would bring a smile to Walt Disney. www.deltalivingmagazine.com

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No Single Thing was a girl. If I had a boy, “Oh, I dunno. Maybe Cecil.” No girl seriously considering motherhen you come back, you better be hood would name her poor kid Cecil. I picked names out of thin air, or from teen magazines, married!”

Those were the last words I heard as I hurried because I never fully believed that I would have out of the hotel banquet hall near the end of the a child to name.

As I entered my teens, I waited for that materSmyrna High School Class of 1989 10-year reunion. I knew I should have skipped the surreal nal instinct to gestate, but it never did. My future experience of revisiting those four years of trau- planning involved college, a career, and ideally, ma and insecurity 10 years and, for many, 10-plus a mate. I continued to monitor my soul for the pounds later. But revisit them I did, spending a baby urge: after college? Nope. Approaching 30?

Saturday night eating a bland dinner in a bland Nada. Nearing 40? Still nothing. When I turned banquet hall, mingling with people I barely knew 40 and retreated into myself for a serious (and or hadn’t spoken to in 10 years, listening to tales seriously depressing) life assessment, I questioned of perfect families, perfect jobs, and perfectly big whether I made the right decision, especially afhouses while I explained my career as a music ter a fresh wave of baby showers and pregnancy journalist and my life in the “big city” – Nashville. announcements from friends and acquaintances.

Vicki, a last-chair saxophonist in the marching My heart ached during those events, but not with band, who started calling herself Victoria after high regret. It ached with joy for my friends’ happiness school and is, of course, married—happily mar- and with empathy for lives that will never be the ried—didn’t approve of the fact that I was single same, but in the best way.

Through all of those years, and through dozens and had no children at age 28. She demanded that of breakups, first dates and flings, I always intended I change this for the 15-year reunion, which I had to marry. In and after college, I longed to find my no intention of attending.

Now, as the 25-year anniversary approaches, I “soul mate,” someone who would complete me and make all of my problems go away. Eventually, I have not married and I have no children. grew to understand that I am complete all on my Vicki would be pissed.

I expected to remain child-free, as that is the own without a man, and that only I am responsible route I chose. My biological clock came without for my own happiness. So I let go of the soul mate a battery, so that deep innate longing to carry a ideal and kept heart and mind open for that “spechild one or more times never materialized. As a cial someone” that I can be as comfortable and reyoung girl, I played along with my friends who laxed around as if I were by myself. Someone who liked to imagine what they would name their fu- loves and accepts me, quirks and all. Someone who ture son or daughter. “Maybe Chyna,” I said, if it inspires me to be a better person. When I’m feel-

By Heather Johnson

“W

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April – June 2016

www.deltalivingmagazine.com

ing especially introverted, I think that a loving next-door neighbor would be enough.

I’ve had a couple of close calls, but no home runs yet. I also have a well-devised list of excuses to explain my poor batting average. I focused intensely on my career in my 20s and 30s, and the long hours left me no time for a relationship. Actually, I became a workaholic and almost an alcoholic because one of my close calls fell down an elevator shaft and died when I was 24. The experience shattered my trust in just about everything for many years, and I was especially afraid of intimate relationships. For years, I ran like a startled deer from “good” emotionally available men and globbed on like a glue stick to self-absorbed, commitmentphobe jerks (usually musicians).

In my mid ‘30s, a few years after arriving to San Francisco, I met my person, someone that I was as comfortable and relaxed around as if I were by myself. Someone who inspired me to be a better person. We stayed together for four good years, but when the rubber met the road and we had an honest talk about our relationship and marriage, he wasn’t willing to go there. Either he wasn’t willing to go there with me, or he wasn’t capable of the intimacy required for the journey. So away I went, after a long, painful departure.We parted ways amicably, and he continues to inspire me to be a better person, even though he’s no longer my person.

After that split, I found myself 40 and single.

As David Byrne asks, “how did I get here?” I spent the better part of my 40th year mulling over this question. Holy matrimony happens for all sorts of people, regardless of education, race, background or common sense. Why did www.deltalivingmagazine.com

I am extremely healthy. I’m an athlete that competes for Team USA in the duathlon for Christsakes. I can outride or run women (and some men!) 20 years younger than me. I love my neighborhood and my neighbors, I have some good friends and solid social networks through my various athletic clubs. I love my family. I love my cat, Soleil, to pieces. I have a reliable car. I have no debt, decent benefits and can save for my retirement. I’m not allergic to or on any medications. I have time to write.

The more I focused on the positives, the negatives moved to my mind’s backburner. “I can’t stand my job, I’m miserable, I am going to crack any day now” became “It’s not a Holy matrimony happens stimulating job, but I’m still okay.” I can also for all sorts of people, accept my single status, regardless of what regardless of education, other people think. I’m not defective, I’m not background or common a weirdo (not all the time), but I have had obsense. Why did the Love stacles to relationship bliss that I have worked Boat pass me by? through and that wisened me into the person I am today. Living solo, I can walk around my I must have gotten sick of myself in the apartment half-dressed, eat my lunch standing midst of that self-pity party, because some- up, and spend Saturday night with my notewhere along the way, the worry eased. I book instead of worrying about planning an stopped dwelling on my stagnant job and outing or a meal that he would enjoy. I like lack of relationship. Both of those things can date night, but I like time with my notebook change, with willingness and action. A friend too. I can accept that this is a notebook phase. and mentor reminded me of a process called I am grateful to live in Oakland, CA, the Emotional Freedom Techniques, a healing heart of the liberal San Francisco Bay Area, method that combines “tapping” certain me- where I’m not considered odd for having ridian points with such statements as, “Even never married. Had I stayed in Smyrna, Tenthough I have this [insert problem here], nessee, I am certain I would be quizzed daily I deeply and completely accept myself.” I on “Why aren’t you married?”“What’s wrong hadn’t accepted myself as a single woman. I with you?” resisted, I searched, I belittled myself for what Ain’t nothin’ wrong with me Vicki, not I thought I lacked and told myself I was inad- one single thing. equate. Well that got me nowhere.

So I started to focus on what’s going right: Originally published on xojane.com, March 14, 2014. the Love Boat pass me by? Am I too flawed to board?

I made myself miserable for many months, wallowing over my failed, inadequate life and presumably unlovable personality. I browsed through my collection of self-help books, but soon lost interest and sought out a novel. I jumped into online dating and jumped out two months later. The artist-teacher from Petaluma that stood me up because he got lost because he doesn’t drive on the freeway gave me an easy excuse to cancel my virtual matchmaker membership.

“

”

April – June 2016

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Interior plantscaping Natures’ health and beauty in your home or office

By Debbie Gatt

debbie@indooreden.com

H

ave you ever wanted live, lush green plants in your business or home, like you see in high-end hotels? Did you opt to use silk or dried arrangements, because you thought you would end up with dead plants?

Interior plantscaping can help you create a healthier and

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April – June 2016

Live plants benefit your health and environment, plus they add an overall successful image in your workplace.

NASA research on the benefits of ingreen environment for your wellbeing. door plants was quite an astonishment.

Interior plantscape comes in many Certain plants can purify the interior forms these days. There are terrari- air by removing several toxic chemicals ums, air plants with whimsical designs, in homes and buildings. In one study, miniature fairy gardens, moss art, plant within 24 hours, plants philodendron, portraits, plant walls and even vertical spider plant, and golden pothos regardens. They are not just a group of plants thrown together; there is actually a design process for interior plantscapes.You use live plants to naturally uplift your spirits, improve your thought process, clean the air you breathe, plus many more attributes.

The option of going with silk arrangements does not have any benefits for you. Sure, you don’t need to water them, but they don’t look real, they have no character, and they sit and colmoved 80% of lect dust. No matter how many prodthe formaldeucts you try to clean your silk plants hyde molecules with, they are not going to be in a sealed Plexisuper clean. Many people have glas chamber. They allergies with dust. This is absorb the volatile ornot a healthy option. ganic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air, converting them into harmless compounds that plants use for food.

Plants also absorb those pesky virus bugs that fly through

the air from person to person when we’re sick. You can use live plants to improve the quality of air inside your home or business. The oxygen you breathe will be cleaner and healthier, and indoor plants are a natural air purifier. Unlike the store-bought air purifiers that just circulate the air, they work to actually remove the toxins from your rooms.

Plants are very resilient. I have taken a plant that was left at a vacant house, in a small rusty coffee can of dried up dirt, and brought it back to health. It was a jade plant, with one tiny stem hanging over the edge of the can, and shriveled up leaves. Over time, it started perking up and growing new sprouts. Thirty plus years later, I still have that plant, in a much larger container, and it’s two feet in diameter.

There are many discoveries about how beneficial indoor plants are to our health. Having live plants within our indoor environment will help alleviate many health ailments like headaches, tension, lower blood pressure, brain fog and more. Plus, they bring in the outdoor beauty of nature and add ambiance to your décor.

For more information on plantscaping, visit www.indooreden.com www.deltalivingmagazine.com

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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Open to all merchants and property owners on Oak, Chestnut, Pine, Walnut, First and Second Streets and Brentwood Blvd. www.brentwooddowntown.com dross@cremedelagem.com

ST. PATRICK’S PUB CRAWL March 17 : Thursday 5-10 p.m.

Taste & sip in honor of Irish heritage. SIX of our finest beverage stops will offer a taste & sip off their menu at First St., Oak St. & Chestnut St. Brentwood, CA

BRENTWOOD BLUES & BREWS May 21 : Saturday 5-9 p.m.

Blues Concert in City Park, Brentwood, CA

HOT BRENTWOOD DAYS August 6 : Saturday 3-7 p.m.

Car show featuring local and non-local collectors and restoration artists.

Judges will award prizes.

First St., Oak St. & Chestnut St. Brentwood, CA

OKTOBERFEST October 8 : Saturday 3-8 p.m.

In honor of Bavarian heritage, Brentwood celebrates this festival with beer, wine, good food, singing, lederhosen, German music, chicken dance, Wiener Dog Parade and the very popular Beer Stein Games.

First St., Oak St. & Chestnut St. Brentwood, CA

WINTER WALKABOUT & TASTING TOUR November 19 : Saturday 2-5 p.m.

Holiday inspired children’s activities in merchant’s businesses, pictures with Santa, and a tasting tour of Downtown Brentwood’s food & wine.

Same day, but prior to the Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade.

Brentwood, CA www.deltalivingmagazine.com

$20

wristband

FREE

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April – June 2016

17

James Hundon takes one for the team Professional football player tackles head trauma issues

By Felicia D. Purcell

sportsinthebay@gmail.com

Photo by Charleen Earley

F

rom watching Jerry Rice as a kid, James ‘Jhun’ Hundon knew he wanted to play football.

Standing at 6’2” and a lean, yet muscular 175 lbs., Hundon was often told he was too small for the game, even laughed at, but that never deterred him. After all, he had speed, good hands and durability.

Mix those ingredients along with his passion for the game and you’ve got a recipe of disaster for opposing defenders – yet he remained undrafted coming out of Portland State University. It would be the Cincinnati Bengals who’d take a chance on the Daly City raised, Bay Point resident, where he played wide receiver for four seasons in 1999.

Hundon would play six more years of football, four in the NFL (National Football League) and eventually finding his home with the San Jose SaberCats of the AFL (Arena Football League) where he won two Arena Bowls (2002, 2004) etching his name in the history books, named to the Second Team All-Arena Team as an Offensive Specialist in 2002.

Forced into an early retirement in 2004 with a neck injury sustained in training camp, Hundon’s body would begin feeling the effects of the game with excruciating headaches, prompting him a visit to the famed Mayo Clinic in Ohio.

Over the past several years, retired NFL players have begun speaking out about the lack of aftercare for re18

April – June 2016

tired players and the brutal punishment their heads and bodies endure, some even taking their own lives because the pain became unbearable. This has forced discussions about Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative disease caused by repetitive trauma to the head.

Today, the NFL has done extensive work on and off the field to inform and protect players with various concussion rules and regulations, extending to other league as well.

This is one man’s story … James Hundon’s story.

Felicia Purcell: You were so exciting to watch when you played. If you could do it all again, would you?

James Hundon: Absolutely. I found something I fell in love with and I stuck with it.

FP: Let’s start at the point where you think it all began. I was listening to the championship game on the radio and they said your nose was bleeding and then you were back in the game. (An opposing player punched him in the nose while defending him.)

JH: Yeah, I didn’t even know it. I went into the locker room and was on the trainer’s table waiting to get a pain injection and then I heard the cannons go off.

I jumped off the table, grabbed my helmet and ran back into the game.

FP: Needless to say, no shot?

JH: Nope. I can still see the players on the opposing team’s faces; they looked like they saw a ghost. LOL! FP: Do you think it was the pounding from that game, which led to your overall problems now?

JH: I think it was the years of football. I was a slight guy, I wasn’t big, but I had good hands and I was a hard worker.

FP: How long after that did you retire?

JH: The next year.

FP: Was that hard?

JH: I had no choice. I was told I had neck surgery.

FP: Have you seen the film “Concussion” starring Will Smith? (2015 - Smith plays Dr. Bennet Omalu, a Nigerian forensic pathologist who studied brain damage suffered by professional football players. He discovers neurological deterioration, similar to Alzheimer's.)

JH: No. People ask me, ‘Have you seen it?’ I can’t right now. I don’t see movies because everyone else says so. I have to be able to see it and process it. It www.deltalivingmagazine.com

may open up a can of worms.

FP: When did you begin to feel your headaches were linked to playing football?

JH: The headaches got progressively worse in 2005. I started journaling by posting my experiences on my Facebook page to inform people on how it’s affecting me. I wanted to help others and I wanted to be open to their suggestions. It’s hard not to be angry that the NFL knew about it all these years.

FP: What are your triggers?

JH: Anything. Light. Rain. From that broken nose, I also have nasal trauma, so that pain is all connected with the headaches. I basically diagnosed myself. You’ve got that constant pounding and no matter how much protection you may have on your head, your head is on an axis and you’re falling on it at top speed – there’s going to be some damage with your brain shifting like that.

FP: How long do the headaches last?

JH: 24-hours. Sometimes the medicine works, sometimes it doesn’t, but I know how to deal with it now. I’m pretty much at a level 5 in pain on a daily basis, but when I get a bad headache it’s like a 10-plus.

FP: Would you discourage anyone else from playing, knowing what you know now?

JH: I would never discourage anyone, but if you give people information, it makes them a smarter player. www.deltalivingmagazine.com

That’s why I’d like to work with the younger generation and speak to parents if they have a son or daughter.

It’s not just football, because a concussion can happen in all sports.The first 24-hours are the most serious.

FP: Why? JH: Because they can go to sleep and not wake up.You have to wake them up hourly to make sure the brain moves. Having a concussion means you’ve had some jarring movement to your brain. All those years I played, the pads and helmets can only do so much.

FP: What do you miss most about the game?

JH: The camaraderie; going into battle with your brothers. You’re with them six months out of the year. Of course the fans too.

FP: What would you say to someone who was your size and wants to play football?

JH: If you believe in what you’re doing and have a true love for it, keep doing what you’re doing.

FP: Any regrets?

JH: No. I’d do it all over again.

Photo by Charleen Earley Palo Alto native and retired NFL and AFL player, James Hundon, talks about football, head traumas and his experiences on the field, with no regrets in looking back.

James Hundon, 44, is a newlywed and proud father of 21-year-old Jade, a junior at Colorado-Mesa University and Jalen, 16, a high school sprinter. His story does not reflect those of others playing in the NFL. April – June 2016

19

advertorial

Protecting our pets when divorce hits Law Offices of Silky Sahnan

I

t’s unfortunate when a couple goes through a divorce, because everyone, including the children, suffers significant pain, loss and change – but whom sometimes gets overlooked are the beloved pets. And whether it’s a dog, a cat or birds, pets are family members in every sense of the word.

Animals of every species have emotions and more specifically, emotional attachments to their keepers.

Until recently, there were no laws protecting the well-being of pets through a divorce. In essence, animals were treated like property and the court could only award the pet to one person. So if that one person were awarded the pet, what would the other person get? Courts would award something of the same “value” of that pet, or in some cases, visitation rights.

With California Family Code Section 6320, which passed July 1, 2014, judges are now looking at the well-being of animals, regardless of who has the rightful ownership of the pet.

“It’s a two-way street of the well-being for pets now; it’s between the pet and a person. It’s not who bought the dog or cat, but who has the ‘emotional ownership’ of the pet,” says Silky Sahnan, Attorney at Law. When divorces get ugly, in some cases, couples have used their pets as inappropriate leverage to hurt, spite or retaliate against their partners. When this happens, those who suffer the most damage are the pets.

“Whether the cat or dog belongs to you, if you believe that out of spite, the other person is going to harm the animal, then you can get a court order – similar to a restraining order – for that pet,” says Sahnan.

Section (b) of Family Code 6320 states: On a showing of good cause, the court may include in a protective order a grant to the petitioner of the exclusive care, possession, or control of any animal owned, possessed, leased, kept, or held by either the petitioner or the 20

April – June 2016

Law Offices of Silky Sahnan 654 3rd Street Brentwood, CA 94513

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respondent or a minor child residing in the residence or household of either the petitioner or the respondent. The court may order the respondent to stay away from the animal and forbid the respondent from taking, transferring, encumbering, concealing, molesting, attacking, striking, threatening, harming, or otherwise disposing of the animal.

“We understand that this is a very emotional battle and your pets are just like family; they’re like your kids,” she added.

“So you have to know you have those rights and are able to exercise those rights. In addition, you have to see it from the other’s perspective – don’t be the person that’s doing that. It is never okay to hurt pets.”

Law Offices of Silky Sahnan suggests these tips: • Look inside yourself and ask – whom does this pet connect with emotionally?

• Which home is the best for the utmost well-being of this pet?

• Take your anger off the divorce and ask yourself what’s the best for the pet and the family?

“If you feel like the other party is going to harm your pet, our Team can help you file the right documents to protect your pets,” says Sahnan. www.deltalivingmagazine.com

www.deltalivingmagazine.com

April – June 2016

21

Trending hair colors Color me grey!

Story and photos by Emily Wesolek emstylist17@gmail.com

A

s with the weather, hair color trends change all the time. Have you ever thought of adding a fun, bright pop of color to your hair? How about adding some “grey” highlights? These questions may seem odd to you, but for me, these are typical questions often asked in the salon on a daily basis.

Over the last year or so, color trends have gone from your typical blonde and caramel-brown highlights to fun, bright colors like blue, purple and red.You may think that these fun colors are only for “young” people or young girls. But that’s not the case anymore.Women of all ages are adding a fun pop of color. I’ve even

22

April – June 2016

seen an older woman, perhaps late 60s, whose hair was completely purple, and she totally rocked it.

Another popular trend has been women wanting to go grey. Ironic, right?

We get grey hairs as we get older, and most women, and a few men, usually ask to cover the greys. Some women who have grey hair, who’ve been spending many years trying to cover them, no doubt, are wanting to go for a more “natural” look, thus by adding the grey highlights, it helps women transition from colored hair to their natural hair.

Even younger women have been asking for grey highlights, perhaps even calling it a shade of ashy-grey highlights.

So why the craze for bright colors and grey highlights? Trends change, just like fashion, music and food. Go ahead a live a little – add a little spice to your hair! www.deltalivingmagazine.com

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23

A crush on winemaking Entrepreneurs’ dreams to reality

By Dennis Hall Photo by JVB Photography

24

April – June 2016

Photo by JVB Photography

T

echnology evangelist, author and blogger Robert Scoble espouses Silicon Valley is not a place, but rather a frame of mind for entrepreneurs.

The same perspective is found at Estate Crush in Lodi, CA, a place for winemaking entrepreneurs.

Estate Crush, a 16,000-foot facility located at Two West Lockeford Street in Lodi, is a full-service winery supporting entrepreneurial winemakers. The winemaking team delivers fusion of viticulture and winemaking entrepreneurship, transforming sips to dreams.

Visitors access the Estate Crush tasting room through the quaint corner recessed door opening into an expansive room of wine bar with cubby shelves holding bottles of wine, stools, tables and chairs for sipping, buying wine and relaxing.The décor shines with classy, exuberant understated whites and greens.

You may sip and buy artisan wines for a client brand such as Lamar Family Estates. Estate Crush pours and sells its own vintages as well. By appointment, there are tours of the laboratory, crush pad, barrel cellar room and bottling and labeling operational areas. Clients can taste wines aging right from their own barrel.

The Estate Crush 2013 white wine Albarino, produced with grapes crushed by Estate Crush in Lodi, tantalizes the nose with its floral fragrance and initial taste and then tangy on the finish. The red Lamar Family Estates 2012 Merlot, sourced locally

Visit Estate Crush 2 W. Lockeford St., Lodi, CA 209.368.7595 www.estatecrush.com via Creekside Vineyards, exudes spicy aroma with vibrant flavor all through the sip.

If you have dreams of being in the wine business or just making wine for your own enjoyment, Estate Crush brings to the process its team from vineyard to bottle. It takes as little as about $2,000 and patience in waiting about 10 months for white

wines and a year and a half for reds.

The culmination – Estate Crush delivers cases of wine you progressively followed all through the cycle, with your own label design reflecting a unique brand name. No fuss, no muss. Dream to reality! The wine and label meet all the compliance requirements and quality assurance of government regulations, so you can sell, give out as gifts or simply sip for your own enjoyment.

Guy Kawasaki, a Silicon Valley based author, speaker, entrepreneur and former chief evangelist of Apple asserts – the key element of success for entrepreneurial vintners is enchantment. Deriving from his teachings in his book “Enchantment – the Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions,” winemaking enchantment has three distinct, mutually exclusive qualities: likeability, trustworthy and good cause. Estate Crush designs its operations allowing entrepreneurial winemakers to tap into all three enchantment qualities at once.

Former professional winemaker Richard Bunch for global brand Bogle Wines spoke to the value of Estate Crush versus owning one’s own winery.

“Estate Crush liberates you with peace of mind” he said.

He means you don’t need to deal with regulatory red tape and know every critical detail in the cycle from sourcing your grapes, hauling to crushing, fermentation, interdicting contamination, lab testing, aging, barrel maintenance, storage and marketing.

What a relief!

Dennis Hall is a freelance writer, author and entrepreneur.

He is co-founder of SipCalifornia.com, a wine-industry business, and BreweryCard.com, a beer-industry business.

Dennis.SipCalifornia@gmail.com 916.430.5263 www.deltalivingmagazine.com

advertorial

It Works!

K

elsey Belscher found a company that not only works for her as a single mom of a three-year-old, but she also found a product that works on her body to tighten and tone. The company is called It Works!

It’s a direct marketing company that focus on health and beauty with products ranging from body wraps, facials, toners, cleansers, detoxifying energy drinks, dietary supplements, stretch mark creams and more.

“I’ve used the wraps and love them! The results are crazy and my clients are sending me ‘before and after’ pictures all the time,” says Kelsey of Oakley, CA. A student studying to be a psychiatric nurse, who also works part-time at Macy’s in Antioch, Kelsey is doing everything she can to not only improve her life for her and her son, but also to earn extra income while

It really does!

selling products she believes in.

“I’m not the sale-sy type!” she says. “My Upline and the people in my group, whom I work closely with, are really great people and very supportive. We are all about sharing our goals and dreams and helping each other take the steps to achieve them!”

The ingredients in the body wraps are botanically based; they are plant extracts and all natural, with no GMOs. “One of the most effective ingredients in the wrap is Guarana seed extract, a shrub rich in caffeine. The ingredients promote lipolysis, which literally means fat breaking.

The plant extracts and botanicals penetrate the fat cells and break down large fat molecules into smaller ones. They also release toxins from the fat cells, improve microcirculation and also have an anti-inflammatory effect. Fat tissue is terribly inflamed be-

cause of toxins.”

Kelsey books and hosts home parties for the Christian-based company.

“We host parties in customer’s homes or place of choice, we have free samples and also offer samples for sale,” says Kelsey. “We like to educate others about the products and at the parties, we ‘wrap’ the host for free!”

Wraps costs $25 each, but for the full affects, four wraps, 72-hours apart, are recommended.With various membership pricing and Loyal Customer specials, Kelsey can explain how it all works in greater detail.

Kelsey’s customers prove to her weekly, how real the products are working for them.

“All the photos are not ‘professional’ shots, they are all taken by my customers themselves. Almost all of them are taken

by their cellphone cameras!” says Kelsey.

“Our goal is not to sell you on products, but to make connections with people, get to know them and help them achieve some of their goals!”

Individual results can and will vary. Testimonials are not necessarily representative of all those who use our products. All participants giving testimonials utilized a reasonable exercise program that incorporates the Ultimate Body Applicator, It Works!® dietary supplements, physical activity, and a reasonable diet. These testimonials are not intended to make claims that these products can be used to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease. These claims have not been clinically proven or evaluated by the FDA.

To become a customer or business distributor today, call or text Kelsey at 925.752.1856, email kbbelscher@outlook.com or visit

www.kickmekelsey.myitworks.com www.deltalivingmagazine.com

April – June 2016

25

A teacher, a wife, a warrior Story by Ryan Frerking-Ramos ryanfrerking2016@gmail.com

Photos courtesy of Margaret Cocksedge

W

hen pressure is applied to coal, it can crumble or come out a shining diamond, much like the outcomes of stressful situations in life. Despite constant pressures in her life, one woman has come out brighter than ever before.

Her name is Margaret Cocksedge.

A teacher at Liberty High School for the last 16 years, where she teaches Film Analysis and English Language Development in Brentwood, CA, Margaret is from Visalia, CA, and is the youngest of three children. During her childhood, she backpacked regularly with her family, spending time outdoors, as early as age six. She studied at the University of California, Santa Cruz, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature. College life was a new chapter in her life and the beginning of the long road ahead.

“Honestly, what I enjoyed the most was the freedom. I grew up being fairly shy and naïve, and self-conscious. I loved living in the dorms and making friends with genuine people who didn’t care about my looks.

I loved becoming an adult and discovering the real me. I also liked having the ability to choose my classes, and schedule everything in the afternoon so I could sleep-in in the mornings!” said Margaret.

She earned her Master’s Degree at 26

April – June 2016

San Jose State University, along with her teaching credentials. In the years following, she met the man of her dreams, Roger Cocksedge.

“We met at a Halloween party, of all places, so love at first sight would be a bit of a misnomer, given our costumes. We talked all night as if we were the only ones on the planet, losing track of my friends, even though they were counting on me to drive them home,” recalled Margaret. “We were definitely love-struck! He fit all my childhood fantasies and favorite quotes about true love. He really is my one true love.”

All was a fairytale until tragedy struck.

In 2003, Roger suffered a traumatic brain injury, sustaining severe brain damage.

“I was at work when it happened,” said Margaret. “I didn’t know until I arrived home and heard the message on the answering machine. I remember calling to get the info, and being told, almost casually, that yes, he was definitely staying overnight. I didn’t know how bad it was, but I figured it was pretty serious if there was no doubt that he was staying in the hospital. I do remember hanging up and just crying right there, in the kitchen, before getting it together and heading to Walnut Creek.”

“There was a lot of uncertainty,” she added. “But we didn’t know that the brain damage would affect us all these years later.

The doctors didn’t even know how bad it was, so the fear came later, when we be-

Margaret Cocksedge is a high school teacher at Liberty High School in Brentwood, CA. She married her one true love, Roger, and while the two face many difficult challenges, their faith in God keeps them strong.

www.deltalivingmagazine.com

gan living with the suffering, and began seeing the hopelessness of it; began feeling the daily struggle.”

Roger cannot work or drive, and as a result of his brain damage, he suffers from increasingly deteriorating health. During the past 13 years, he’s been in one accident after another, exacerbating all the symptoms of his brain injury. He was even hit in a crosswalk while on his handicapped scooter.

This leaves Margaret as the sole provider in her household. However, the worst burden of all is that the couple is infertile, and they cannot adopt as a result of Roger’s repetitive injuries.

Despite their many challenges, Margaret goes above and beyond for all those around her. She is the advisor for the First Priority Christian Club, National Honor Society, and California Scholarship Federation at Liberty High. She hosts meetings with the three clubs and their elected councils.

Her faith in God runs strong.

“I’ve always believed in God. There are flowers, sunsets, and babies, and all kinds of miracles in nature and life that simply cannot be explained – beautiful things that did not occur by accident.

I choose to continue to believe in God because I have felt His strength and power and comfort in times when I had none myself, because He keeps me going when I feel like giving up and running away,” said Margaret.

“I doubt I would have stayed with Roger through this ordeal if I had not had God’s strength and support,” she added. “Roger suffered a major head injury that could have killed him. God gives us the strength to persevere.”

She serves her ministry as a deacon and choir member at Harvest Time Assembly of God in Brentwood, CA, attending weekly www.deltalivingmagazine.com

“

He fit all my childhood fantasies and favorite quotes about true love.

He really is my one true love.

”

practices and services.

Margaret is also is a film-fanatic with a long list of movies in her collection. Her favorites include Disney’s Tangled and The Princess Bride. Every lunch hour, she opens her classroom to students to show movies and provide a safe space for interaction.

Having a positive outlook on life, despite the wrenches thrown her way, Margaret serves her community with open arms.

“I think it’s true what they say about your attitude. We all suffer loss and adversity; it’s part of

the human condition,” said Margaret. “But how you live with it determines the quality of your life. I sometimes feel quite sad, but then I remember all the blessings in my life, and I focus on the good things, even if it’s just a pretty flower or a nice sunset.”

Ryan Frerking-Ramos is a senior at Liberty High School in Brentwood, CA and a freelance writer. His passion is writing and has a career goal to become a journalist.

Reach him at ryanfrerking2016@gmail.com.

April – June 2016

27

Start researching colleges early

By Lisa Spencer, MA Photo by JVB Photography

28

April – June 2016

Photo by JVB Photography

S

ome students start thinking about college early in high school or even middle school. That’s great, but if all you do is focus on are grades and extracurricular activities, you’ll be missing a great opportunity. This is the time to start some preliminary planning.

The first step is to look at your finances. Does your family have a college savings account? If not, start one now! Yes, it is late, but something is better than nothing. Every dollar now means one less dollar that will need to be financed. You can also look at other options such as refinancing your home or taking out reasonable amounts of loans. Decide how much you can afford and how you will cover those costs, but don’t assume the only thing you can afford is an instate school. There are a lot of tuition discounts out there if you know where to look.

That leads us to the next step, which is researching colleges. Think outside the box and explore the hundreds of smaller, lesser-known, unique colleges, especially ones that are beyond your state's borders. They frequently offer small class sizes, passionate teachers, individual attention, hands-on learning, tight-knit communities, and so much more. Unfortunately, many people assume that if they haven’t heard of a college or university, it must not be good. The reality is, these schools may offer a better education and college experience than many of the well-known schools that

(L-R) Julianna Stone, a freshman at Heritage High School, is currently undecided on a major, but is interested in photography. Jeremiah Thomas (wearing hat), a graduate from Grizzly Challenge Charter School in San Luis Obispo, plans to attend Los Medanos College this fall to pursue a nursing degree with an emphasis in cardiology, and Jack Andrews graduate from Diablo Valley College in 2014, is currently studying marketing. All three students live in Discovery Bay, CA.

everyone else is considering.

How do you find these hidden gems? Start asking people where they went to school – especially if they’re from the East Coast (they have a lot more colleges than in the West).You can also use search engines such as the one on the College Board’s website or find books such as “Colleges That Change Lives.”

Make a point of touring colleges when you go on vacation. You can also tour local colleges, even if the student has no intention of staying local.That’s a good way to get a sense of what a college looks like and the difference between large research institutions and smaller private colleges.

If you follow these steps, students will be in a better position when they reach their junior year of high school and have to start making decisions about where they plan to spend the next 4 to 6 years after high school graduation (Six years? Yes, many of our California public colleges are impacted and often take 5 to 6 years to complete an undergraduate degree).

Lisa Spencer is an independent college counselor and owner of Next Phase College & Career Advising. You can reach her at lisa@next-phase.net or 925.726.1209. For more information, go to www.next-phase.net. www.deltalivingmagazine.com

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29

delta reads

Brentwood author Karin Tabke tells us

By Charleen Earley

charleenbearley@gmail.com

A

ffectionately known as “K Tab” to her friends, Karin Tabke is a national best selling, awardwinning romance novelist with over 40 books written and 25 of them published through Kensington, Simon & Schuster and Penguin. She received RWA’s (Romance Writers of America) Pro Mentor of the Year award in 2008, and has served as president of her local RWA chapter in San Francisco and as Director-at-Large on the RWA National Board of Directors. She is married to retired cop Gary Tabke, who was featured in Delta Living Magazine’s October, 2015 issue. She took a moment to share her life as a writer with us.

Where were you born and raised? I was born in the south and raised in the east.

How has your upbringing shaped you as a writer? It’s given my heroines a spine and balance. As the oldest, I was never given anything. My daddy insisted I learn and do it myself. He also taught me that the sky was the limit.

“Dangle the carrot just out of reach, Karin, and work toward it. Once you have, dangle another one, then another.” It drives my conservative husband (Gary Tabke) crazy. The other lesson I learned from my father was, “Never settle. Work for the good stuff, don’t settle for the junk.” My goal was to land a top agent and sell to New York. I did both. I worked my butt off for my first contract. I’m still working hard.

Kids? An outfield, plus one. Ages? All adults, in theory anyway. Does your husband and kids support your writing? 100%. They’ve always taken my work seriously because I have.When I sold my first book back in 2005, I sat the fam down around the dinner table, including my 30

April – June 2016

Photo by Ultra-Spective Karin Tabke is a national best selling, award-winning romance novelist with over 40 books written and 25 of them published through Kensington, Simon & Schuster and Penguin.

mother-in-law and father-in-law and said, “Okay, I did it! Now I need to know if any of you are uncomfortable with me using my real name, considering I write some hot stuff.” No one objected.

Anyone following in your footsteps? I think Gary mentioned he's getting into writing now too? Gary is an excellent storyteller, and a remarkable poet, however, he

doesn’t possess the patience or the drive to do the heavy lifting necessary to write a publishable novel. My eldest son, however is not only a gifted storyteller, he’s the funniest man I know and possesses a strong writing ability that I would love for him to explore. He’s a voracious reader and highly intelligent. To be a good writer, you must be an avid reader and be willing to learn the craft.

When did you begin writing? And how did it all start for you? In high school. My love affair with romance began when I read my first romance novel in the 8th grade. I was hooked from page one, and have been ever since.

What inspired you to write romance novels? Love! I mean really, who doesn’t love falling in love? I love the rush of emotion that comes with meeting the man of my dreams. As a romance novelist, I get to do that with each new story I write.

Who is your audience? My demographic is women between the ages of 18-70, the sweet spot is 27-55.

Other than romance, is there a recurring theme, message or hook in each of your works? Love hurts but it’s a hurt worth fighting for. Never give up, and never judge a book by its cover.There is always a HEA aka Happily Ever After in my stories. It’s my guarantee to my readers. I might rip your heart out and stomp on it a few times before The End, but I promise to patch it all up before we get there.

What do you love about writing? For me, the entire point of writing is connecting with my characters, my readers and ultimately a part of myself.

What is your educational background? High school and college, no degree.

Do you write full-time? In my perfect world I do. What are your writing rituals? I procrastinate A LOT. Then I catch fire and stay in the cave until I have a rough draft.

My family knows the score when I say, “I’m going in, leave me alone.” They fend for themselves and leave me www.deltalivingmagazine.com

delta reads

her novel secrets: well, some of them be. During that time, I’m up until 4 or 5 each morning, then back at it by 9 a.m. I love every minute of it.

Outside of writing, what do you love to do? I love to garden and travel. I also love to cook and hit wineries.

What is your mantra in life? Go all the way. My mantra for 2016 however is Work Harder. What do you live life by or tell your kids on a regular basis? No excuses.

What jobs have your worked along the way? I worked for a vet, started several business, one of which I sold, and the other I still run in my spare time. I’ve racked up hundreds of hours serving on non-profit boards, working with animal rescue organizations, fundraising for booster clubs, giving workshops on writing as well as traveling to serve on industry panels. It all adds to the brain matter. Have they added to your novel(s)?

Absolutely. How so? The growth and experiences with business and people. Diversity is good, and lends itself to new points of view, new friends and new worlds. It’s all good, even the bad parts.

Are any of your characters based on people you know? I plead the fifth. Based on you? There is a part of me in every one of my heroines. Just like there is a part of my real life hero in my fictional heroes. Alter ego? I don’t have an alter ego; all my egos are combined into what you see. Or all completely made up? The sum of all of my characters is bits and pieces of people I have come across in life. The baddest of the bad are fictional, but there is always a human part of them that is real to me. It’s what makes an intriguing protagonist or antagonist. Real human qualities good and bad create a multi dimensional being. Those are much more interesting to me that the Dudley Do Rights or Perfect Princesses.

What authors do you look up to and why? Authors who show up at the keyboard every day and don’t cheat their readers out of a good story.Writers who will push a book www.deltalivingmagazine.com

Book Cover Photo by Ralf Mack, cover model Daniele Tomasulo.

back before they’ll release something not worthy of their readers. It’s too easy in this business to churn out stories because readers are impatient. Like a good wine, a good story takes time. It’s built upon layers and becomes a complex entity that is to be savored. Yes, there are fun quick reads too, kind of like a wine cooler, I’ve written them and readers love them, but even those were written with care.

Do you map out the entire book in outline, sticky notes,

or create as you go along? I begin a story with two characters and a villain and build from there. I write as I go.

In the writing world I’m what is known as a pantser.

I write by the seat of my pants as opposed to a plotter who outlines, uses storyboards and mass qualities of sticky notes. Do you let the book lead you instead? Yes, I allow the characters to tell me their story. I stopped listening to what I thought I should do as far as the industry rules go a long time ago.

Advice to wannabe novel-writers? Learn your craft and prepare to be crushed. After you’ve cried your eyes out, get up, dust yourself off and try harder. Rinse and repeat. Learn more, and READ! And don’t forget; you never have a second chance to make a first impression.

That next bestseller you have under your bed that you couldn’t sell to New York? There’s a reason. If you self publish it, without having done the heavy lifting, you are setting yourself up for complete failure. Be. Patient.

And write what you love, not what’s trending.

What are the pros and cons of being a writer? It’s all good. It’s hard and demanding, and you have to have a thick skin, but it’s all part and parcel of the business, but that’s how I like it. If it were easy, it would be boring and boring isn’t fun.

Final words … If anyone who loves to read and hasn’t given romance a chance, pick up one of my books or one of the millions of other titles out there and take a read. You might be surprised how much you enjoy the ride.

Visit Karin at www.KarinTabke.com, @KarinTabke on twitter and www.facebook.com/Karin.Tabke.Harlow.

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Limo wine tasting tour with besties gal pals to the mix, a stretch limousine, charleenbearley@gmail.com great tasting rooms and knowledgeable Photos by Charleen Earley staff – well, then you’ve just taken your adventure to the next level. ine tasting is a blast all on its On Jan. 8, Diane Stockman of own, but when you add your Knightsen and Rita Caruso of DiscovBy Charleen Earley

W

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April – June 2016

ery Bay (Editor-in-Chief of Delta Living Magazine) celebrated their birthdays a day early with me (Charleen Earley), Kersti Evans and Gretchen Wolf, both of Sacramento, Lisa Taylor of Brentwood, Kristine Cataldo (writ-

er of Delta Living Magazine) and Deborrah Oliver of Brentwood and Wild Rose Equestrian Facility in Knightsen – for a day of wine tasting, traveling by limo and simply enjoying each other’s company. www.deltalivingmagazine.com

We were either being frisked by our limo driver or praying for traveling mercies, I don't remember which now, however, from L-R we are: Lisa Taylor, Diane Stockman, Kersti Evans, (me) Charleen Earley, Gretchen Wolf, Rita Caruso and Kristine Cataldo.

Cindy Patterson, owner of All in One Limousine Services, Inc. arranged our limousine tour to begin at Hannah Nicole Vineyards, where we started our sip-fest at 11 a.m., because “it’s five-o’clock somewhere.”

Hannah Nicole Vineyards (HNV) prepared a too-beautiful-to-eat cheese and crackers spread, put wine glasses in www.deltalivingmagazine.com

our hands, poured some estate-grown ’14 Sauvignon Blanc and gave us a behind-the-scenes tour with Debbie Francis, Director of Operations.

“The tasting room at Hannah Nicole is so warm and elegant,” said Lisa Taylor. “I really enjoyed the tour and learning how the wine was made. I would love to see more.”

Debbie is proud of their wines, but three in particular.

“Our estate grown Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier and Rose,” said Debbie. “What’s different about these wines are that they are our first release from our new winemaker under a new era for HNV.” She said the vineyard has undergone

great new changes this last year to include new vineyard techniques, new winemaker and a new business philosophy. They also have a full lineup of events.

“Our events can be found on our website and we’ve also reintroduced weddings to the facility,” she added.

“The grounds here are beautiful and April – June 2016

33

should be shared. Our new team at HNV prides itself on the great momentum we are in. It’s a new era and we are excited about its potential.”

From Hannah Nicole Vineyards, we all jumped back into the limo and our driver whisked us off to LeerVineyards, a 44-acre parcel located in Byron, CA. Owned and operated by Stefan and Tanisha Leer, the two gave us a presentation about their estate, its history and connection to serving our veterans.

They also showcase big name country artists such as Clay Walker, Kellie Pickler, Rodney Atkins and Easton Corbin.

“I was especially pleased to personally meet Stefan and Tanisha Leer at their incredible winery,” said Lisa Taylor. “I can’t wait to sign up for the

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April – June 2016

concert line-up.”

The couple set up a lunch table inside their winery, complete with tablecloth and napkins, while Cindy gathered our lunch snacks from the limo and set up our lunch.We all felt spoiled.

Leers property houses a softball diamond, Bocce Ball court and gives back to the community.

“We donate raffle baskets to all the local schools and organizations, we have a local travel baseball team that uses our field, we hold many fundraising events and we’ve made several wines (awardPhoto by Rich Stockman Enjoying our first sip of the day at Hannah Nicole Vineyards in front of their winning Heroic Red andValiant White) beautiful indoor fireplace. (L-R) Kristine Cataldo, Kersti Evans, Gretchen that benefit non-profits such as MiliWolf, Lisa Taylor, Diane Stockman, and me front/center (as usual!). tary Warriors Foundation, Special Kids Foundation and K9 Paw Print Rescue Kersti Evans enjoyed the ’13 “We are family-friendly and hold in Pittsburg, CA,” said Tanisha. many events for the whole family, in- Bloomfield Cabernet, which has a luscious fruit erupting through the glass, cluding fur babies!” added Tanisha.

Cindy Patterson is owner of All in One After lunch, we headed to CoCo notes of dark ripe berries and vanilla, Limousine Services, Inc., located in County Wine Co., located on First with hints of exotic spices. It’s full bodDiscovery Bay. Book your next limo trip at www.allinonelimos.com.

Street in the heart of downtown ied with soft tannins.

“It makes me feel like I’m wearing a Brentwood, CA. Co-owned by Becky Bloomfield and Dafne and Brett Swish- negligee,” said Kersti.

Expert Wine Server Crystal Rice er, Becky is a third generation farmer informed us that their grapes are locat– her sons will be fourth.

We sampled five wines from their ed in Byron, and processed and bottled 2014 Bloomfield Viognier to their ‘13 in Livermore, CA. Entertainment and wine go handDevil’s Daughter Red Wine, which is rich with dark berry, Cocoa, hint of in-hand at CoCo County Wine Co., sweet wood, Tobacco, soft vanilla notes which is why they offer live entertainment every Friday and Saturday and smooth long finish.

“This wine makes me want to go nights, featuring the best in the Bay straight to the alter and pray!” said Area to include bands such as “The Gretchen Wolf. “And this wine-tasting Playthings,” “The Automatics,” “Gage was like an unforgettable sleepover Courtois,” “The Doctor D Band,” and many more. with great girlfriends.” www.deltalivingmagazine.com

I​ n front of Hannah Nicole Vineyards, after frisking was over, (L-R) Diane Stockman, Lisa Taylor, Kristine Cataldo, Kersti Evans, Gretchen Wolf, Rita Caruso, and (me) Charleen Earley.

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For the beer enthusiasts, Becky said there’s “Pint Night.”

“It’s the third Thursday of every month, in which we feature a brewery, give raffle prizes and feature live music on that day,” said Becky. “What sets our tasting room apart is that we are really the only tasting room in Brentwood, besides Hannah Nicole Winery. You can taste many different wines here. Plus we are the nicest in the whole world!”

All back in the limo, while stashing our wine bottle purchases in the trunk of the limo, our driver took us north to Lodi Vintners where Tasting Room Manager Dennis Fagundes was waiting for us at our final destination on our day-cation.

One of the newest tasting rooms

Expert Wine Server Crystal Rice, gave us great information about the wine we tasted at CoCo County Wine Co. in Brentwood, CA.​

April – June 2016

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Cheers, from behind-the-scenes at Hannah Nicole Vineyards (L-R) Diane Stockman, Lisa Taylor, Gretchen Wolf, Charleen Earley (me), Kersti Evans, Rita Caruso (my sister!) and Kristine Cataldo.

Hannah Nicole Vineyards & Winery 6700 Balfour Rd. Brentwood, CA 94514

www.hnvwines.com wineinfo@hnvwines.com 925.392.3189

Leer Vineyards 3501 Byer Road Byron, CA 94514

www.leervineyards.com Private tastings available

CoCo County Wine Co. 633 1st St. Brentwood, CA 94513

to open in Lodi, Lodi Vintners is located on Woodbridge Road and has five new releases to include: Reign, ’14 Napa Valley Rose, with delicate notes of strawberry and rhubarb on the nose, Rippey Family Wines, ’14 Clarksburg Chenin Blanc, Unfiltered Blonde, ’14 Sonoma Chardonnay (my personal favorite for its fruit-forward taste), Rippey Family Wines, ’13 Lodi Petite Sirah, and Rippey Family Wines, ’13 Lodi Zinfandel.

Dennis hosted a fun “junk-food pairing” with their delicious wines, while explaining each offering and how it paired with chocolate, Cheetos, pretzels and other tasty snacks.

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April – June 2016

Like Leers, Hannah Nicole and CoCo County Wines, Lodi Vintners offers live entertainment with great bands and artists, but they also host Christmas toy drives, dinner and movie nights, even grape-crushing and sip and paint events.

Deborrah Oliver of Wild Rose Equestrian Facility in Knightsen enjoyed the wine tasting at Lodi Vintners.

“Lodi Vintners is a true wine lover’s gem. Their well-crafted wines were palate-pleasing and true to their individual varietals,” said Deborrah. “This working winery sources fruit from both their Lodi and Napa Valley vineyards. When visiting, be

sure to taste their signature Lodi ‘Old Vine Zinfandel’ and Napa ‘Concrete Cabernet.’”

Calling it a day, we fit ourselves back into the limo for the hour-long drive back home while we rocked out to tunes from our limo radio, laughed, joked and posed for selfies.

A day out with the girls was exactly what the doctor ordered, especially for the two birthday girls Rita Caruso and Diane Stockman.

We thanked our limo driver Cindy.

“The limo service was amazing and our driver, very experienced,” said Diane. “I felt safe and it was the smoothest ride ever. I highly recommend this company!”

925.634-9463 www.facebook.com/cocowineco/ www.cocowineco.com

Lodi Vintners 3750 East Woodbridge Rd. Acampo, CA 95220

www.lodivintners.com 209.368.2019

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advertorial

Graceland Christian Books & Gifts P

astor Irv Jones, owner of Graceland Christian Books & Gifts, is proud and honored to serve his community in spreading the Gospel by selling Bibles, books, music, gifts, CD’s and more – and he’s also pleased to be the only Christian bookstore of its size in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.

“We carry a variety of books from inspirational and self-help to novels and biographies,” said Pastor Irv Jones, with wife Connie and grown kids Christopher and Erica, with four grandkids, Bryce, Dominic, Ethan and Ava. Located off of Brentwood Blvd. and Balfour Rd., Pastor Irv said his bookstore also offers specialty books, jewelry, art, church supplies, DVDs, gift items, greeting cards, plaques, even minister apparel by special order.

His favorite books to read are The Jeremiah Study Bible, Marching Ahead to Armageddon, written by his son Christopher Jones, The Harbinger and The Mystery of the Shemitah, both written

by Jonathan Cahn.

With holiday sales throughout the calendar year, discounting various items sometimes up to 70% off (except jewelry), Pastor Irv said to look for sales during Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Back-to-School and Christmas.

Born in San Francisco, Pastor Irv and his family relocated to Brentwood in 2002, after living in Minneapolis, MN, 38

April – June 2016

Photos by Charleen Earley Pastor Irv Jones is owner of Graceland Christian Books & Gifts and says his store is the largest Christian bookstore in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. They carry a wide variety of books from inspirational and self-help to novels and biographies.

where he managed the Tour & Leisure Sales and Marketing organization for Northwest Airlines. His department encompassed service programs throughout the U.S., Asia and Europe.

Ordained as a minister in 1989 by the Christian Evangelical churches of America, headquartered in Oakland, CA, Pastor Irv said he is a Christian and believes in the Judeo/Christian ethic.

“I believe in the fundamental tenets of my faith that Jesus is the Son of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, died on the cross and was buried, rose on the third day, which we call Resurrection Sunday, or otherwise known as Easter,” said Pastor Irv.“I believe in the Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

Pastor Irv, who was installed as pastor of On The Way Church in July 2013, a foursquare denomination church, lives his life based on Word of God. “I live by the scripture found in Proverbs 3:5, which says ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make your pathways successful,’” said Pastor Irv.

GRACELAND CHRISTIAN BOOKS & GIFTS 8640 Brentwood Blvd., Ste. A/B Brentwood, CA 94513 Mon - Sat | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

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April – June 2016

39

Lost my chance or got my chance?

Breaking stereotypes of community college routes Photo and story by Maddison Trester maddisontrester@gmail.com

F

rom the time we are young, we are reminded to follow our dreams. In many cases, these dreams are accomplished through a college education. At times it is difficult to see the end result of the long nights and even longer semesters of college, to see the light at the end of the tunnel of reaching your dreams.

There is a misconception that to reach your dream you must go to a highly ranked college right away – which costs a substantial amount of money – and achieve top of the line grades.

In a perfect world, this seems great, however, it is not always practical.

East Contra Costa County is made up of a few relatively small towns. The most common community college in this area is Los Medanos College (LMC) or often referred to as “Lost My Chance” for the abbreviation of LMC. I am changing that narrow-minded view of “lost my chance” to “got my chance” instead.

The reputation LMC has with high school students is completely misconstrued. Not every student has the same reason for attending LMC, over going straight to a four-year institution out of high school. Meaning, not every 40

April – June 2016

student that attends LMC was a failure in high school; in fact many were just the opposite. For many of those students, enrolling in LMC is a conscious decision rather than a consequence for getting poor grades in high school.

There are various factors that go into choosing LMC over a four-year college. The opportunities and advantages with attending LMC are endless. To address the elephant in the room, money is a huge factor in the decision to go to LMC. After all, college is quite expensive and most families in our area do not have the means to afford the thousands of dollars it costs to attend a four year school, just in the first two years alone. LMC costs a fraction of the price of a CSU (California state University) or UC (University of California) for one single year, for the same exact general education classes.

Young adults who truly consider their financial stability in the long run are those who choose to start out at LMC. They will have little-to-no-debt in loans after graduating college, rather than roughly twenty to thirty thousand or more per year at a four-year institution. While the temptation to move away from your parents and all their rules seems like the most ideal thing at age 18, there are many factors that can make it quite the contrary.

First, the “amazing” experience associated with living in dorms, is often NOT so amazing. Staying home for two years to complete your general education at a community college, you avoid awkward or even nightmare roommates. Staying home allows time to save

your own money. When you are ready to transfer to the school of your dreams, you will have earned a substantial amount of money to be able to support yourself in one way or another; rather than your childhood savings fund or your piggy bank that you crack open the day before move-in day.

Second, with more time, comes growth as a person: someone who is truly mature and actually ready to move out and live on their own or at least more ready than at 18 years old. The two years spent completing general education courses at LMC is a time to explore and truly narrow down what you want to major in, once you transfer.

I cannot stress enough how great the decision of going to LMC has been for me.

It was not only the best short-term decision, but long-term as well. Being a transfer student opens up doors to so many more schools than you may have been accepted into as an incoming freshman straight out of high school.

Where I thought I wanted to go to college upon graduating high school is not even in my top three colleges of where I plan to attend now. I know the pressure is real when it comes to going to college and your life feels like it is being rushed into a black hole of “succeed now or fail forever” however, that is not the case.

Throw away the reputation your peers have given LMC and any other community college and look through that tunnel; your light is there on the other side, and its price isn’t so high after all. www.deltalivingmagazine.com

www.deltalivingmagazine.com

April – June 2016

Photo by Maddison Trester

Highlighting the critical importance of improving student success in America’s community colleges, the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program named Los Medanos College (LMC) as one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million in prize funds, as well as Siemens Technical Scholars Program student scholarships.

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Hope for our veterans JR gives his time to serve those who have served their country

itary-focused organizations, local businesses and numerous volunteers, DVG has been able to provide our homeless veterans with meals, clothes, medical attention and hope,” said JR, who lives in Antioch with his wife and their three Story and photos by Kristina Moldovan kids ages 7, 14 and 16.

Not only is he the president of DVG, Kristina.deltalivingmagazine@gmail.com he’s also Chair of Veterans Employment ust as the Delta water waves shape Committee of CCC, Sr. Vice Comthe shorelines of East Contra Costa mander of Department of California, County, retired disabled American vet- life member of the Disabled American eran Gerald G. Wilson, known as JR, Veterans, VFW, Amvets and American spends his time shaping the future of our Legion, a Rotarian, Elk and Mason.

JR labels his goal-setting “BHAG,” local veterans.

President of the Delta Veterans Group which stands for Big Hairy Audacious (DVG), JR said the non-profit organiza- Goals.

“I strive to set BHAG, because as hution is based on four pillars: Housing, Education, Health and Employment, which mans, we will always meet regular goals are the focus for each event they organize. and that is great, but accomplishing a JR helps local veterans in Alameda, Con- BHAG gives you even more feelings of tra Costa, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San success,” he added. “It also proves that this community has the ability to give our Mateo and Stanislaus counties.

“I am determined to house our veterans a chance at life again. From dohomeless veterans and provide them nations and assistance of our supporters, with resources and opportunities to re- DVG will be able to hopefully go out of join the local workforces and neighbor- business for good!”

JR does not take a paycheck for his hoods through gatherings and events work at DVG. He simply refuses to allow like the every-even-year East Bay Stand Down on the Delta held at the Antioch United States veterans, no matter their fairgrounds (Sept. 8-11, 2016),” said JR, generation, to be deprived of their rights.

He spends countless hours helping those age 45.

JR uses his humble nature and drive in need prepare for their future.

As a disabled veteran himself, JR exto serve the men and women who have given their time and their mind, body perienced a long journey of homelessness. and spirit to preserve America’s rights He knows firsthand how difficult it was when he had to find a place to sleep, not and freedoms.

“With the support of many other mil- knowing what the night would bring him

J

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April – June 2016

Photo by Kristina Moldovan Started in 2012, Delta Veteran's Group's (DVG) objectives and goals are to bring together all of the various Veterans Service Organizations, remove barriers and walls that frequently exist between these organizations and champion support for veterans in the California Delta region. JR (left) works with veteran Mark McConnell, United States Marine Corps (right) to help him reach his goals.

and desperately seeking the foundations of success.

Homeless and living on the streets at night, working during the day, JR joined the United States Army in 1990, where he served in the Military Intelligence Corps as a Non-Communication Interceptor/ Analyst (98J1P) with 3rd Special Forces (A), where he was airborne-qualified.

“Wearing many hats from the time I enlisted, to my newest accomplishment as Sr. Vice Commander Department of California DAV – in June, I become the Commander of the great State of California – I intend to bring the resources and attention to our local community and offer the much needed solution to the sad reality that our veterans need homes and hope,” said JR.“I also dream of developing new programs, such as property tax waivers and new transportation discounts for those who qualify.”

Hitting rock bottom motivated JR to

take action for his fellow veterans.

“It was a low point for me that pushed me to become stronger and better. I made the call to volunteer my time to making this country better, making my community and situation better, becoming the man my father Glenn Wilson raised me to be and now I want to share that strength with my fellow military men and women who need help,” he said.

“The mountain we chose to climb, should be that of positive change,” JR added. “I am destined, as we all are in the Delta region, to open our hearts to support the people who have earned the right to fair benefits; to see them as a part of our society for the rest of their years and to be treated with the respect they deserve.”

For more information on Delta Veterans Group, visit www.deltaveteransgroup.org. www.deltalivingmagazine.com

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April – June 2016

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delta silver linings

might wonder what assurance they have that they will be able to see their great-grandchildren in the event of their parents’ divorce. These shifts are challenging families to reassess and evolve to confront these new dynamics.

The image of seniors living out their lives in a nursing home is a thing of the past. Use of nursing homes is declining. Society’s preference is that we remain in our own homes as we age. This trend is being fueled by the increasing availability of home and community-based services, in-home products technology that make it easier for the oldest old to live independently. More accessibility to public and private sector programs that provide incentives for seniors to stay in their homes for as long as possible are increasing. On the rise are: reverse mortgages, home and community-based services, businesses such as home health care that cater to older adults at home, adult daycare and geriatric care management are examples.

In addition, alternative housing developments that offer independent living for seniors are springing up all over the country.

Nursing homes are also changing their appearance and philosophy of care. Many are providing a A remarkable bit of good news is leaving the job market. more casual, stimulating and home-like environment

By Vinny DiNicola that today’s seniors as a whole have Patterns in family life and the with a less rigid schedule of activities and care plans vinny@homelifesc.com far fewer disabilities than those in family system are changing too. that encourage a stronger atmosphere of spontaneity.

Sadly, family caregiving will continue to be an magine your optimal future the past.The young-old senior popu- Increased longevity into old age and chart your path in life. lation (ages 65-74) is more active means a four-generation family is enormous challenge. Today, families provide the vast Americans are living longer, are than ever. The trend of early retire- no longer rare. Divorce and remar- majority of the informal care received by older famihealthier than in the past and are ment has stopped and is heading in riage raise new questions for multi- ly members. Many families will struggle to reconcile likely to remain healthy and able- the opposite direction. In fact, re- generational families. For example, their own needs with the pressing need to care for bodied for a longer period of time. tirement now appears to be more a an ex-daughter-in-law may wonder elderly relatives. An unavoidable reality, yet so much This is an example of the key trends series of steps rather than an event. what responsibility she has for car- to celebrate when imagining our optimal future. we see today in the aging popula- Half of older adults work in tran- ing for her ex-mother-in-law, who tion in our country. There’s more sitional bridge jobs before full retire- as a grandmother to her children Vinny DiNicola is a Certified Senior Advisor® and and I hope this will help you imag- ment; positions that take a worker from has played an important role in her owner of HomeLife Senior Care in Brentwood with full-time work to part-time work before family’s life. Or, great grand-parents his wife Angela. Email vinny@homelifesc.com. ine your optimal future.

The end of early retirement

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Writer stomps on bullies through children’s books

By Charleen Earley

charleenbearley@gmail.com

Published in The Current Stockton

T

easing is a form of bullying and while many of us have encountered it at one point in our lives, when Harry E. Pacheco found out it happened to his daughter Naomi on her first day of kindergarten for wearing glasses, he decided to do something about it.

He used his words and wrote a book.

Gladys’ Glasses, his first in a series of five children’s books aimed at addressing anti-bullying issues, was released last November. Stanley No Stripes is due out in April sometime.

“I write from the heart. My first instinct in writing these books was to decrease the number of suicides from bullying,” said Pacheco, who discovered through research what was out there on anti-bullying in elementary school.

He felt that if he could nip bullying in the bud at this young age, it would not continue in middle school and higher.

Born in Guam, raised in Hayward, CA, and now living in Manteca, Pacheco admits he grew up the www.deltalivingmagazine.com

Former writer for Bay Area hip hop artists, Harry Pacheco of Stockton, now spends his time writing anti-bullying books for children, adults and schools.

athletic type, was Homecoming King and never encountered bullying himself.

“I was the one defending those who were bullied!” said Pacheco.

He chose animal characters to tell his stories – for a reason.

“You get the effect of the character being sweet and lovable,” he

said. “I wanted the audience to ask themselves ‘why would I make fun of an elephant (with glasses) or tiger (with no stripes)?’”

Father of four, with Naomi his youngest, Pacheco, who owns a real

estate business with his wife Rhea, is no stranger to writing. For years, he wrote hip-hop rap music for Bay Area artists such as Ammo and E-Bone.

The remaining three books in his series include Will’s Wheelchair, Cyberbully Cirus with the last title still in the works.

Pacheco’s goal is to increase awareness that acceptance of race, color, appearance, religion and culture are important.

“I tell my family and friends that the only one who could judge you is God, no one else. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but you know what you are about and who you are as an individual,” said Pacheco.

For Pacheco, it’s not about making money from the books; it’s about the message.

“By doing these books, I hope I could reach somebody and let them know that families were affected by a suicide from bullying,” he said. “I want them to know that there is help out there, and if these books help them, then I did my job. That’s the most rewarding!”

Visit his website at www.harr yepacheco.com April – June 2016

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Vulnerability will set us free

By Kristine R. Cataldo, MSCIS, MAed

Kristine@KristineCataldo.net

Photo by Tammy Olson

A

s Mother Nature waves her magic wand, the valleys surrounding my favorite mountain begin to turn a luscious green and are blanketed with the vibrant yellow glow of the mustard flowers. When we think of springtime, we reflect on fresh beginnings, new life and love. It is a time synonymous with shedding our “winter coats,” leaving our trials and tribulations in the past, and looking into the future with a fresh, new perspective. Each spring, we are blessed with the opportunity to start anew…body, mind and spirit.

We all long to live authentically (being our true selves) and yearn for love to flow abundantly in our hearts. Instead of embracing this opportunity for a fresh new start, we stop shy of doing so out of fear. Our lives are easily steamrolled by the fast-paced, technologydriven environment we live in. Our reality is heavily skewed by social media posts laden with a reoccurring “happily ever after” theme that could have easily been scripted by a Hollywood director. www.deltalivingmagazine.com

Social media shares are well-scripted games of smoke and mirrors, making it difficult to decipher reality from makebelieve.We often become so fearful that we do not allow ourselves to live vulnerably and avoid loving ourselves as we are, speaking freely from our heart space, and living in a joyful state. Instead we live in a protective, defensive state of fear of rejection.

Society has conditioned us to associate the term “vulnerability” with weakness, defenseless, susceptibility, and danger. However, these synonyms could not be further from the truth.

Vulnerability is the boldness, strength and courage it takes to step out of the norm and to live transparently and openly, with raw, pure honesty.

My journey has given me the opportunity to grow and live vulnerably.

It has not been easy and has taken me several years to make the shift. However, I am now free from social conditioning and living my life through social media’s rose-colored glasses. As a self-proclaimed technology geek, I have coined the term “living the WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) way.” While I do all with grace and respect, I now live openly without deep regard for how others view or judge me. I embrace my

gypsy, soulful, free-spirited, joyful, and glitter-laden ways, fearlessly.

As a result, an abundance of freedom, love and joy now flow deep within my soul. After seeing individuals in our community and my virtual circle live in fear, I decided to live my life openly in the public eye. I now allow my journey to serve as a testament to show others how to live boldly, fearlessly and vulnerably… embracing their true, authentic self.

I invite you to join me on this journey and to try “living the WYSIWYG way.” I hope you accept this challenge and become contagious by inspiring and motivating others to live authentically and vulnerably as well. By doing so, you will give them the greatest gift of all… joy freely dancing in their lives in the very place fear once dwelled.

After all, sometimes the very thing we are afraid of doing is the one thing that will set us free.

Photographed (left) by Tammy Olson, Kristine Cataldo, MSCIS, MAed, is an Educational Consultant, spiritual, wellness and happiness guide, columnist, author, educator, inspirational speaker and healthy living advocate...body, mind, spirit.

Visit her at www.KristineCataldo.net.

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