The Billboard TELL THE WORLD!! • Listings: are $5 a line with a 4-line minimum, prepaid • Headlines: 20 char. & Regular lines 30 char. Photo/Graphic: $10 • Next deadline date is Thurs., Mar. 25th for the Apr. 1st, ‘10 Issue • Go to our Website: www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com • Email: Ads@ConnectionMagazineOnline.com • Mail to: The Connection Magazine, 7960 B Soquel Dr. #355, Aptos, CA 95003 • Phone: 831/459-0522 or Fax: 831/480-5902 •Visa / MC / Discover / American Express/Diner Card SPECIAL: Prepay 4 months =10% off. Serving: Santa Cruz, Monterey, Santa Clara, and San Mateo Counties.10% off for non-profit. ANNOUNCEMENTS BUSINESS ALEX JONES YOUR SOURCE FOR NEWS ABOUT . . . . . . Big Brother, the Police State, 9/11 Truth, Economic Crisis, New World Order!! Beyond the Left/Right Paradigm. KOMY/AM1340 M-F 9am-noon KSCO/AM1080 M-F 7/8pm-10pm Listen online @ http://www.infowars.com http://www.prisonplanet.com SANTA CRUZ MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY/ CLASSES Nature Notes & Sketches: Keeping an Illustrated Field Journal. Ages 14 and up. Families/beginners welcome! Sat, Mar 27 from 11am- 4pm. SC Museum of Natural History. Museum Members $50/ General $65. Register online at www. SantaCruzMuseums.org JOIN THE UP-WISING: THE SPONTANEOUS EVOLUTION BOOK IS HERE RECLAIM YOUR LIFE Anxiety Triage/Post-Addiction, Life Coach & Business Advisor, Michael Knowles 831-5312896. Free newsletter, book chapter. www.MaximumYouToday.com FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY of the CENTRAL COAST AGELESS ART PROJECT Artist & crafts people share your artistic talent as an Ageless Art Project volunteer and make creative expression possible for residents in care facilities by leading an art group. For info: (831) 459 8917 x 208. DR. TONYA FLECKD’ANDREA & SANTA CRUZ NATUROPATHIC MEDICAL CENTER ANNOUNCE . . . ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Perspectives Radio airs every Saturday at 12 noon until 1pm (PST). It’s been a full year (in many ways!) since the Santa Cruz Naturopathic Medical Center has opened and we want to celebrate in style! Join us on Fri, Mar 19th from 4-8pm at the Center for a Holistic Happy Hour Celebration & Open House Party! The evening will consist of Wine, Spritzers, Wholesome appetizers, lots of Giveaways and great people! Bring yourself and your friends and start the weekend off right! We are also excited to launch ‘B12 Happy Hours’ in response to many requests from the community for quick and affordable B12 shots. B12 Happy Hour is now happening every Wed from 4-6pm. Stop by for your mid-week B12 shot! And due to our ongoing commitment to education, our Doctors are giving Health Talks at the Center and in the community. For upcoming talks visit our events page: http://scnmc. com/news-and-events.html. 736 Chestnut St - SC (831) 477-1377 And, you can read our Column in Health Notes in Connnection Magazine (each month). FOR THE SANTA CRUZ NEEDLE EXCHANGE . . . ARTS & PERFORMANCE The boxes have arrived, and we have a bouncing, baby book! You can have your autographed copy NOW. https://bear.he.net/ ~wakeupl/epistore/ To read more about the book Gregg Braden has called, “the map we’ve all been waiting for,” and Deepak Chopra and Thom Hartmann have called “world-changing,” click here. http://www.wakeuplaughing. com/SponEvoBook.html COME JOIN THE SANTA CRUZ AIDS PROJECT ON APRIL 10TH FOR… 20th Annual Santa Cruz AIDS Walk! Please visit our website at: www.scapsite.org. Santa Cruz! The Queer Queens of Comedy hits The Rio Theatre on Sat., Mar. 6th, @ 8pm. For tickets, go to www.RioTheatre. com Poppy Champlin and her coterie of laughing lesbians are traveling to Santa Cruz to entertain the community with a comedy show that guarantees to leave you gasping for air. Champlin wants all of Santa Cruz to know that this show is not just about being gay, but it is all about laughing at the human condition unconditionally. All Hail The Queens! Phone: (213) 713-4104. DR. DAVID L. BILES, DDS, MA HOSTS THE PERSPECTIVE RADIO SHOW 2 SATURDAYS A MONTH. KSCO 1080 AM & STREAMING LIVE ON WWW.KSCO.COM Call: SOS @ (831) 239-0657. To volunteer or DONATE visit us at www.shootclean.org NEED MONEY? OWN A HOME? Private Money Available. Geoff Gault (408)202-2089. Flips Welcome! DRE# 01260763 CLASSES /WORKSHOPS REALPLAY WITH JULIE OAK Transformative Expression & Movement Improv Art Classes & Individual sessions www.julieoak.com julie@julieoak.com (831) 477-0407. per person. $100 non-refundable after Apr 16. JUN 25-27 LIVING FROM THE HEART W/BARRY & JOYCE VISSELL SHARED HEART FOUNDATION THE COUPLE’S JOURNEY at our Home-Center Would you like your relationship to reach a new level of love, healing, intimacy and commitment? Cost (includes 6 vegetarian meals): $550/couple camping or day use if paid in full by Jun 18. $600 after Jun 18. Limited indoor accommodations, so please call early to reserve space. Please visit www.sharedheart. org for more details or call 831684-2299 Barry and Joyce Vissell, a psychiatrist and nurse/therapist couple for 45 years and longtime Santa Cruz residents, are the authors of 5 popular books and the founders of The Shared Heart Foundation, dedicated to changing the world one heart at a time. APR 23-25 WOMEN LIVING FROM THE HEART RETREAT with Joyce at our Home-Center Give yourself a true spiritual gift. Empower yourself to more fully express your divine feminine. The focus of this retreat will be the deepening of our connection with the sacred and the supporting of ourselves and each other as women to express all the beauty that is within us. Friday dinner to Sunday lunch. Cost (includes six vegetarian meals and either camping, bed-rolling or day use/local lodging): $250 if paid in full by Apr 16. $275 after Apr 16. $50 non-refundable deposit THE QUEER QUEENS OF COMEDY ARE COMING TO SANTA CRUZ! God save the Queens—because they are coming back to Page 2 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 THE BILLBOARD CONTINUES ON PAGE 3 Look for Our April Issue — Apr. 1st The Connection Magazine is for educational purposes only. We do not necessarily recommend the specific remedies, exercises, treatments or activities, etc. summarized. Please consult with your personal health care provider to find out what is appropriate for you. Feature Index Arts & Entertainment.................................24-25 Astrology .........................................................31 Awareness..................................................10-13 The Billboard..................................................2-3 Sustainable Business ......................................4 Call to Awaken ................................................11 Dining Delights ................................Will Return Directories .................................................26-30 Fitness & Sports .............................................21 Green Business Directory ........................18-19 Health Notes...................................................5-7 How to Reach Us: Healthy Appearance .........................................8 Healthy Planet ............................................19-20 Lively Letters ....................................................3 Martial Arts ......................................................14 Movies .............................................................24 Music ..............................................................24 Parenting, Kids & Education .........................22 Pet / Animal Health .........................................23 Rave Reviews....................................................3 Theme .........................................................15-17 Travel & Fun .....................................Will Return Wonderful Women .........................................8-9 Entire Contents © The Connection Magazine Check Out Our New Website at www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com (831) 459-0522 • Fax: (831) 480-5902 (Please Call to Confirm Fax Receipt) Connection Magazine 7960 B Soquel Dr. #355 • Aptos, CA 95003 awaken@ConnectionMagazineOnline.com Free Magazine Download from Anywhere in the World www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com Cover Art by Local Artist - Melanie Gendron, Gaia’s Blessing 2, © 2009, (831) 335-9064 IT’S a BREATHTAKING DISPLAY of PUBLIC HYPOCRISY. On ABC News last weekend, former Vice President Dick Cheney confessed to playing a key role in the commission of war crimes during the Bush administration. “I was a big supporter of waterboarding,” boasted Cheney. Since he has publicly confessed to ordering torture, the U.S. has no choice but to prosecute Dick Cheney for war crimes. I just signed a petition to Attorney General Eric Holder urging him to prosecute Dick Cheney. Will you join me? Go to: http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/ cheney_torture Maria Alfaro, Santa Cruz At least 116 Republican governors, senators, and representatives have spent the past year railing against the Recovery Act, while simultaneously requesting funds to create jobs in their districts and taking credit for projects at ribbon-cutting ceremonies. As the independent PolitiFact put it, they’re trying “have their cake... and vote against it too.” They know the Recovery Act is creating jobs, but they think attacking it will bring them victory in the 2010 elections. Not so fast. We’re preparing to meet every hypocritical attack with press conferences in states across the nation and a rapid-response program to fact check every lie. But, we need your help to make it happen. Please donate $5 or more today to support our campaign against Recovery Act hypocrisy. Today is the anniversary of the President signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that has saved or created at least 2 million jobs, cut taxes for 95 percent of working families, and made loans to over 42,000 small businesses. And as a former governor, I can tell you it also provided critical relief A U.N. TAX on WEAPONS ACROSS BORDERS How about a U.N. tax on all weapons shipped across national borders? Initially it could apply to small arms and gradually be extended to military materials of all kinds. Such a tax, small at first, might discourage weapons manufacturing, help the U.N. financially, and maybe eventually help people consciously evolve to the idea that the use of force doesn’t solve problems. Buryl Payne Ph.D., Soquel The Billboard H 1. For Beginners/Level 1, purchase My Dvd and practice one chapter per week. 2. Qi Friends or Club members may call ShuLei for private 30 min. sessions for understanding basics or refining the GuiGen Qi Gong Flow. 3. Attend Monthly Group Meetup outdoors. 4. Monthly Club Membership is $20 with barter/trade options. Return To Source Level 1 Qi Gong DVD is avail. @ Gate- FELTON Sun.. Mar 21st. @ 7pm. $15. FUN way to meet new people! Info & reservations @ (831) 332-9734 HYPNOSIS HEALTH & HEALING Addiction & Recovery Counseling, Hypnotherapy, Individual & Couples Therapy. Marriage & Family Therapist (MFT) Intern # Explore, release, restore inner child, past life beliefs explore supportive guides Call Robert Camillo, MA, CHT at 831-458-6415. GREEN EYED TIGER ACUPUNCTURE w/Michael Burton Thank you Michael very much for all of your great expertise! You are the best with all pain relief. Everytime I go in, I come out feeling better and healed, too! Michael Burton is the BEST! Patricia Lee, Santa Cruz ow in Santa Cru Vibe Machine N z Intro Session $8 COME TO HYPNOTHERAPY Pets Welcome This machine is an electromagnetic device that brings the vibrational level of your body back to its natural state of being. Call Christina at (831) 427-1822 yoga teacher Hypnosis,is a perfect mind body connection to improve individual needs. Work on stress, phobias, anxiety, addictions & more. Meet certified Hypnotherapist Holger Massalski, (831) 239-8278. www.hmhypnosis.com Learn to get centered and blend dynamically with others! Noncompetitive, supportive practice. Adult/Teen 8 week Intro Class: Mar. 2. (Enrolling through Mar. 13). T,Th 5:45 – 6:45pm, and Sat. 9:1510:15am. Youth classes. Aikido of Santa Cruz- nonprofit organization- 306 Mission St, SC. Call for info, 423-TEAM. www. aikidosantacruz.org. training 200 and 500 hour certificate programs PRO BASSIST AVAILABLE Seasoned professional with 30+ years experience available for performance and/or studio. Blues/rock. (831) 335-0223. RENTALS/OFFICE COUNSELING OFFICE FOR RENT, LOS GATOS P/T, MUST SEE VM (831) 479-3424 DR. JASSY Available Wed. evenings after 5:30pm, Saturdays & Sundays. Ideal location, elegantly furnished large group room, new carpet/paint, valet parking, view of oaks. RENTALS / HOUSING LET ME SELL YOUR HOME! I will get you Top Dollar! Call Today. (408) 208-2089. Agent: Geoff Gault DRE# 1260763 Call for Session Packages Available Ionic Footbaths Offered Too! Bass Instruction by Professional Bassist with 30+ years experience. Beginning, Intermediate & Advanced. (831) 335-0223. MARTIAL ARTS EXPERIENCE YOUR CONNECTION WITH HYPNOSIS Thank you Donna for the wonderful Facial Toning Series. I look so much younger and will continue to get your great Facials and the Facial Toning, too. It is sooooo relaxing and also energizing, too. I look and feel so much younger. And, no needles or surgery! I’ll be back! Juney Miller, Aptos MUSIC AIKIDO: THE ART OF PEACE COUNSELING We’ve had Jim conduct drum circles for our staff on several occasions, usually as a key step in team building when dealing with organizational changes and shifting assignments…some of those life/work situations that make people anxious and wary. What Jim does in these drum circles is to help us see that we can all work together and still be unique and individual; that we need each other to be truly harmonious. Some staff are hesitant at first, but it’s almost as if they can’t help themselves! And, soon they are drumming and shaking, contributing and making the whole much greater than any single part. Peggy Flynn, Director of Knowledge and Information Management at ETR Associates, Scotts Valley BASS LESSONS /W C JOIN OUR NEW QI CLUB IN SANTA CRUZ! PRACTICE MODERN MEDICAL QI GONG APPLICATIONS WITH SHULEI for state governments facing record budget shortfalls. But don’t take it from me. Listen to Rep. Joe Wilson, who told the Department of Agriculture that the money he was seeking “would provide jobs and investment” for his South Carolina district. Or take it from Minnesota’s Tim Pawlenty, who balanced his state budget with the same funds he’s so often attacked on TV. Even the GOP leadership that went all out to kill the bill has gotten into the game -- Sen. Mitch McConnell has bragged about funding for a military project in Kentucky, while Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor sought funds for a high-speed rail project in Virginia to create jobs. President Obama has made it clear he knows that we’re not out of the woods yet, and he’s focused on creating jobs. Honesty with the American people is one of the obligations of leadership. In stark contrast, Republicans are engaged in a hypocritical campaign of attacks -- and they’re proving what we’ve said all along: Their opposition is about politics, pure and simple. We’re going to prove that it’s not winning politics—butl, we need your support to expose their hypocrisy: https://my.democrats.org/hypocrisy With your help, we’ll be ready for the fight ahead. Thanks, Gov. Tim Kaine 46345. Supervised by Louanne Ellison-Cole Psy., sliding scale $45 to $80. Call Robert Camillo, MA (831) 458-6415. EALTH ELLNESS ways Books & Gifts and online @ www.TheBlossomingSpirit. MEAL DELIVERY com. ALL NATURAL FOODS Any questions? Please call Let me cook you a week’s worth (831) 425-1819 of delicious, healthy meals. Only $125 a week! OMMUNITY www.elementalfoods.net SPEED-DATING IN Call Jill at: (831) 332-2160. RHYTHM POWER® with Jim Greiner FACIAL TONING with Donna Wms-Smith Lively Letters IS WATERBOARDING TORTURE? Connection Magazine apologizes for leaving out the contact info from the article on page 4 in the Feb. 2010 Issue for ‘Eco-Friendly’ Painting. We recommend that you check out this company for environmentally conscious painting. You can find their Ad in our Green Business Directory each month as well as many other green businesses. Debbie Sek, CGBP, Green Painting Expert, T Paul Sek ‘Eco-Friendly’ Painting, CA #741374, 721 Seabright Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062, (831) 588-4080. www.GreenPaintingContractor. com Angeles Arrien The Second Half ofcertificate Life - Mar 5-7 200 hour Swami Nirmalananda Saraswati June Living With24-July Heart - Mar20 12-14 Kamalesh Ginger Hooven Asana: The Art of Adjustment - Apr 16-18 & Apr 16-20 Spring Intensive Julie Bowden and Herb Gravitz Care for the Caregiver - Apr 30 - May 2 & Apr 30 - May 4 Bhagavad Gita – Support for Daily Life Yoga Teacher Training 500-hour Modular Series First of Six19-26 Sessions - Apr 30 - May 7 May Vanessa Realization Through Our Humanity - A Silent Retreat - May 7-9 Upasana Yoga Retreat Upasana May 26-30 A Devotional Meditation Retreat - May 27-31 may be taken as part of the 500 hour certificate program or Sarita Shrestha for personal growth Ayurvedic Spring Cleansing and Rejuvenation Retreat - June 7-13 Beth Riley The Body is a River - Exploring Continuum Movement - June 18-20 445 Summit Rd. Watsonville CA, 95076 408-847-0406 www.mountmadonna.org Page 3 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 The First Crusade Local Green Remodeling Experts by Benjamin Diaz W HAT BRINGS TOGETHER an organic assembly of homeowners, contractors, designers and local business people on a stormy Thursday night? On February 18th, 2010 it Debbie Sek 1126 Soquel Ave. Free Public Parking at Cayuga & Soquel “Nowhere can a man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.” — Aung San Suu Kyi was an informative seminar regarding eco-friendly options for the remodeling process. Leading this event was Jeffrey Talmage, a dedicated green builder in Santa Cruz, along with Lydia Corser of Greenspace, and Debbie Sek, green painting guru from T. Paul Sek ‘EcoFriendly’ Painting. Each speaker stressed that newer environmentallyconscious products and services are comparable in durability and price to premium non-green options. As a senior Economics student at UCSC, I have a great interest in the ‘green movement’. I believe ‘green’ is not a passing trend, and that both the environment and businesses can benefit with enough effort. I came to this event to absorb real-world experience from greenminded educators and I was particularly taken with what I learned about Santa Cruz, near the Crepe Place and Rio Theatre (831)429-9600 At Your Service Everyday From 10-9 since 1978 Be the Hero of your own Sacred Quest Mon, March 1 at 7 pm Wed, March 17 at 7 pm Laura Davis Bill Raney Journey Through Writing March Theme: Friendship No Pre-Registration Begins Promptly at 7 pm Bring Pen and Notebook Letters to Zerky (Nickelodeon Press) Buoyant and bittersweet travel memoir by the founder of the famous Nickelodeon Theatre in Santa Cruz. Wed, March 3 at 7 pm Dr. Laurie Moore, LMFT, CHT The Cat’s Reincarnation and Unconditional Trust in Love (Alison Frandeen Press) Thu, March 4 at 7 pm Ralph Metzner, Ph.D Thu, March 18 at 7 pm Christopher R. Edgar Inner Productivity A Mindful Path to Efficiency and Enjoyment in Your Work (Cruzado Press) Birth of a Psychedelic Culture (Synergetic Press) and Mind Space and Time Stream (Regent Press) Wed, March 24 at 7 pm Veronica Monet, ACS Mon, March 8 at 7 pm Author of Veronica Monet’s Sex Secrets of Escorts — Tips from a Pro (Alpha Press) Leigh Wunce NC Medical Intuitive The Truth About Men and The Mind of a Woman Astro Night — Cosmology 2010 The Zodiac & Pisces Thu, March 25 at 7 pm Wed, March 10 at 7 pm Laughter, Tears, Silence Expressive Meditations to Calm Your Mind and Open Your Heart (New World Library) Antero Alli The Eight-Circuit Brain Navigational Strategies for theEnergetic Body (Vertical Pool Publishing) Pragito Dove Tue, March 30 at 7 pm Thu, March 11 at 7 pm Glenn Kazmierski, LAc Jeff Bell, Maple Street Clinic Director KGO Radio Personality Voices of Qi Seasonal Attunement with Chinese Medicine When in Doubt, Make Belief (New World Library) Tue, March 9 at 7 pm green painting from speaker Debbie Sek. Debbie engaged the audience by walking around the room and encouraging each of us to smell assorted samples of the non-toxi finishing product samples her company uses in their dedicated ecofriendly painting company. I know from my own experience in the construction field that, had she held out conventional materials, many of us would have felt the acute effects of toxic fumes – dizziness, lack of breath, and headaches. Instead, we inhaled neutral odors (some actually pleasant), manufactured without the harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) found in conventional paintingtrade materials. She explained that short-term or long-term exposure to these toxins can lead to acute or chronic illnesses, such as asthma. Debbie related a serious joke passed along the painting trade – “There is no such thing as an old painter”. She illuminated this grim fact by recounting a situation her family experienced in 2003 when Debbie’s husband, Paul Sek was working on a project that required use of lacquer – a highly toxic chemical in the painting trade. One day Paul arrived home with pale-yellow skin, a body temperature of 82 degrees and the sensation that his blood was ‘bubbling’ under his skin. The Emergency room physicians discov- ered he was suffering from the potentially fatal symptoms of ‘lacquer poisoning’. That night, they decided to make major changes in their business, focusing on finding safer products to work with. They never looked back. They became one of the first painting contractors in the world to specialize in the use of “Safe & Durable” products, which are completely free of carcinogens, toxins, and harmful VOC’s. Together they now run T. Paul Sek ‘Eco-Friendly’Painting; a Santa Cruz based full-service painting contractor company with over two decades of Bay Area service. The company’s website www.GreenPaintingContractor.com is impressively educational, demonstrating the extraordinary differences inherent in their ‘green-minded’ work and the benefits their clients’ experience. The Sek Family sees themselves as crusaders working towards creating change in the ‘status-quo’ of the painting industry, at both local and national levels. I view their quality-driven business as an innovational model for the future For more information about creating a healthier home, business or learning environment, contact T Paul Sek ‘Eco-Friendly’ Painting at (831) 588-4080 or visit www.GreenPaintingContractor.com You can find their ongoing Ad in the Green Business Directory in The Connection Magazine. SPECIAL EVENT! Tales of Transcendence A Planet Cruz Comedy Presentation An evening of stories and songs about surpassing your limit. Hosted by Richard Stockton $5 Suggested Donation. If you're hungry-broke, we'll pay you five dollars to come. Wed, March 31 at 7 pm FREE SPECIAL EVENT! Master Mingtong Gu Wisdom Healing Qigong Ancient Science of Energy Healing Art from China Master Gu will guide the group in an extraordinary life changing energetic healing experience, revealing powerful tools for improving health and opening to spiritual dimensions. Page 4 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 T ABOUT NATUROPATHIC DIAGNOSIS—AND HOW WE G O A BOUT F INDING THE CLUES FOR WHAT AILS YOU by Dr Ruth Bar-Shalom elena came to see me after noticing that a friend of many years looked radiant, had lost weight, had not complained in months about migraines or depression, and overall seemed happier since visiting our clinic. Helena needed to lose 20 pounds, had terrible skin breakouts, and ever since menopause had struggled with depression. She wanted “to get some of the vitamins that had helped her friend regain her health.” I explained that before I could prescribe, we needed to diagnose. She had brought with her a copy of her last blood tests. Although some of the results showed abnormal numbers, those abnormalities did not explain her symptoms. Whenever we want to diagnose disease, we look at conventional medical diagnosis. Common blood tests, for example, can help diagnose heart disease, anemia, and auto-immune problems. However, very often conventional tests will not show an abnormality, yet the patient is suffering. Naturopathic physicians then turn to “functional diagnosis”. These tests help find imbalances in the body BEFORE there is a total breakdown. H The ADA defines moderate fluorosis as “All tooth surfaces affected; marked wear on biting surfaces; brown stain may be present” and severe fluorosis as “All tooth surfaces affected; discrete or confluent pitting; brown stain present.” Mild fluorosis is white spotted teeth affecting about 25% to 50% of tooth surfaces. (5) National data (1986-1987) shows dental fluorosis is a huge U.S. problem with 62 percent of 5 - 17 year-olds afflicted with white spotted, yellow, brown and/or pitted teeth. (6) Data from 1999-2000 shows that fluorosis has increased further since then. (7 ) The Food and Drug Administration ruled that fluoridated bottled water cannot be marketed for infants as a decay preventive. ( 8 ) In November 2007, The Globe and Mail quotes ADA spokesman and University of California dental professor, Howard Pollick, as saying the ADA recommendation applies to infants under one year of age who consume a lot of formula and “are at risk for developing some level of dental fluorosis.” Dr. Pollick said the risks occur at the level of fluoride recommended for U.S. water Some common examples of these tests are: • Mineral or vitamin levels—does your body have the basic building blocks for normal function? • Testing the ability of the body to absorb nutrients or detoxify harmful substances. • Metabolic Typing—a test in which we find what proportions of nutrients are adequate for the individual (rather than trying to find a diet that is good for everybody else). • Levels of essential fatty acids (often key in chronic skin conditions). • Amino acids levels—important information when healing chronic injuries. • Heavy metals test—an often overlooked modern malady. High heavy metals need to be taken into consideration in chronic unexplained disease. • Neurotransmitters levels—for depression, anxiety or chronic fatigue. Without individualized functional diagnosis, we are left frustrated trying to find one solution for everybody. If one answer fit everyone, we would not be still searching for relief. People are all a bit different, and finding the unique way in which the body functions gives us the answers about the right type of treatment. As for Helena—she did get her vitamins. But they were not the same as what was prescribed for her friend. Dr. Ruth Bar-Shalom has been ▲ NYSCOF News Release he California Dental Association (CDA) joins a growing list of researchers, dental and health organizations advising against regularly mixing infant formula with fluoridated water to avoid discoloring babies’ developing teeth (fluorosis). But little effort is made to inform the public, reports the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF) “Neither a nutrient nor required for healthy teeth, fluoride chemicals are added to many public water supplies and some bottled water in a failed attempt to reduce tooth decay,” says attorney Paul Beeber, NYSCOF President. “...mixing powdered or liquid infant formula concentrate with fluoridated water on a regular basis for infants primarily fed in this way may increase the chance of a child’s developing enamel fluorosis,” according to the CDA’s Feb 2010 Report, Oral Health During Pregnancy and Early Childhood: Evidence-Based Guidelines for Health Professionals. (1) In March 2006, the National Research Council (NRC) cautioned that infants can fluoride-overdose via reconstituted baby formula. (2) The American Dental Association (ADA) passed this information on to its members in a November 2006 e-gram (3) which the ADA reaffirmed and strengthened in a November 2009 News Release (4). systems. (9) Health Canada reported in 2008 “The consumption of powdered infant formula reconstituted with fluoridated water could lead to excessive intake of fluoride in infants.”(10) Other government and medical groups which advise against mixing infant formula with fluoridated water: The Centers for Disease Control (11), The Academy of General Dentistry (12), The Vermont Department of Health (13), Delta Dental (14), The Minnesota Dental Association (15). This information has been known for decades: “Studies of fluoride levels of baby formulas and cereals have shown a significant increase in the fluoride content when fluoridated water was used for processing these foods,” was reported by Kumar et al. in the May 1989 American Journal of Public Health. Some scientists tried in vain (in January 1990) to get the word out as described in “Suppression by Medical Journals of a Warning about Overdosing Formula-Fed Infants with Fluoride,” published in 1997 in the Journal Accountability in Research. (17) “Four major [fluorosis] risk factors were consistently identified: use of fluoridated drinking water, fluoride supplements, fluoride toothpaste, and infant formulas before the age of six years,” reported Mascarenhas in 2000 (July-August Pediatric Dentistry). (18) “Infant beverages, particularly infant formulas prepared with fluoridated water, can increase the risk of Page 23 in practice for 23 years. She is the founder of the Holistic Medical Center in Santa Cruz. A graduate of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Dr. Ruth has been an associate professor of Rheumatology and Geriatrics at the South West College of Naturopathic Medicine and has presented multiple workshops at Bastyr University and at her alma mater. She served as president of the Alaska Naturopathic Physicians Associations from 1992-1994. Dr. Ruth’s practice is in the Live Oak area of Santa Cruz. For information please call (831) 4756666, or visit the her web site: www. naturalmedicineUS.com. Vital Nutrients Organic Liquid Vitamins, Minerals and Wholefood Supplements are 1625A - 38th Ave, Capitola 831-475-4651 (Behind OSH) MON - FR: 10-6 SA: 10-5 Flu Season Protection Siberian Chaga Extract Very High ORAC and SOD, Contains 215 phyto nutrients, beta glucans, saponins, amino acids and betulinic acid for inducing cellular aptosis. i Easily absorbed i Great tasting! MycoPhyto® Complex 6 potent mushrooms xSupport healthy immune function xActivate natural killer (NK) cells xElevate suppressed vital energy 2oz - $49.95 - 100 servings Monolaurin (high strength) Reduces Flu severity and duration Solubilizes membrane of 14 common viruses. 90 caps (600mg) $32.95 Page 5 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 60 caps $35.95 Wellness Flu Guard™ Comprehensive Homeopathic Flu Remedy Reduce severity and duration of flu symptoms 1oz (500 pellets) $13.45 AVOIDING VACATION DENTISTRY by David L. Biles, D.D.S., M.A. ravel or vacation dentistry is one of the newest responses to the high cost of dental care, and… I would advise against it unless you have the time and funds available for returning to have the necessary adjustments and follow-up with the new dentistry, and some means of effectively addressing deficiencies. And… I hope you have a great reliable referral from a well-trusted source close to you. It is tough enough finding a dentist in this country that meets your needs, let alone traveling to a foreign land to get treated by a complete stranger who just happens to have great connections and business acumen. The risk and cost is just too great. Moreover, there is something to say about having treatment in facilities monitored by third parties, as we do in the USA. I can certainly understand the lure… traveling to some exotic land to have dentistry done at a fraction of the cost… by American trained dentists no less—probably from New York University, a private institution that very likely educates more foreign-born dentists than any other dental school in the United States. So… such a deal. Why not seize such an opportunity? Yes, doctor, why not? Simple, for the reasons I witnessed this past week with one of my patients who just returned from a dental vacation… and… she is just another in a long list of victimized travelers. This particular patient went to India, had several teeth extracted, then had a double-abutted 5 unit porcelain fused to metal maxillary bridge placed, along with a single porcelain fused to metal crown, and maxillary and mandibular removable partial dentures. (I know that is a T At ter ruly n e C Integrativ e Wellness Join us! Holistic Happy Hour & Open House! March 19 4-8pm Conditions we treat ■ Hormone Imbalances ■ Menopause ■ Anxiety ■ Depression ■ Thyroid Imbalance ■ GI Upset ■ Insomnia ■ Chronic Fatigue ■ Diabetes ■ High Blood Pressure ■ High Cholesterol ■ Low Adrenals ■ Detoxification ■ PMS and more ... 736 Chestnut St. Santa Cruz Modalities Naturopathic Medicine Homeopathy Medical Nutrition Botanical Medicine Nutritional IVs Heavy Metal Chelation Lifestyle Counseling Psychotherapy Rolfing Massage www.scnmc.com We offer Pre & Post-Natal Services 831.477.1377 Call for a Free 15-minute Consultation veritable mouthful, but it is specifically descriptive and can be deduced with a dictionary and a little bit of patience.) Of the treatment rendered, the surgery and single porcelain crown appear satisfactory. The patient reports feeling better, but nearly all of her new restorations need replacing. The bridge has a significant 1 ½ - 2 mm opening between one tooth and crown margin too big to begin to consider sealing, and with likely decay, or soon to develop. Neither partial denture will ever retain or function due to design flaws and materials selection. Plus, because the partial dentures were created too close to the date of surgery… with healing, they simply will not fit. The design, plus materials make these partial dentures impossible to modify, rendering them virtually useless. The solution is now more costly than before, with the added negative feelings to spice it all up. But… what to do about travel dentistry? First, if you are going to go, find a dentist like you would in this country, from personal referral of a highly trusted source. Then, be prepared to return to that country for follow-up treatment and adjustments. Also, have 1-2 American dentists independently evaluate the overall treatment, before you return for adjustments. Then… think… is it really worth it? Dr. David Biles, a PBK general dentist with a biological/physiological perspective on dentistry, has a lifelong history of excellence and service in many eclectic fields. He has significant background in human research, athletics, medicine, physical education, and dentistry enabling him to see dental/body issues on multiple levels. His practice of dentistry continues to evolve as he pursues his journey to unravel the discovery of the oral systemic connections that impact human health, (831) 423-0121, www.drbiles.com. JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM— A MEDITATION by Maghi Thurlow RMT invite you to take a deep breath and imagine moving into the middle of your back to your spinal cord, which along with your brain, makes up your central nervous system. Notice how this vital innermost core is safely surrounded by your cranial bones, vertebrae, and the large triangular bone at the base of your spine, your sacrum. Your brain and spinal cord are suspended in a warm, clear, colorless fluid that is protecting, nourishing, electrically balancing, and cleansing your central nervous system. Feel your brain and spinal cord floating gently with a subtle rocking motion in this buoyant salt water. Surrounding and containing this spinal fluid are three concentric membranes. Feel how the fluid cushions these membranes by flowing between each of them, allowing free gliding movement. Notice how these membranes also incase your cranial nerves. The freedom of mobility of these membranes supports the health of your vision, your sense of smell, and many other physical functions, including the performance of your brain and spinal cord. Feel the slow, graceful, rhythmical pulse of the spinal fluid and the membrane system. Remembering that your body is mostly water, feel how this pulsing motion is transmitted throughout your body by fluid I wave transmission. Experience your body as a gentle wave pool. Feel how this craniosacral motion stimulates the movement of all the fluids in your body, supporting your physical health on a multitude of levels. Imagine the very small movement of your cranial bones softly expanding, contracting, and slowly moving slightly outward, creating a sense of more space around your brain. Feel the membranes inside your head smoothly unwinding any tension there. Tightness at the base of your skull is now softening and melting. Experience the membranes along your spine releasing and gliding freely. Notice, at the base of your spine, your sacrum bone is slightly swaying in sync with the motion of your cranial bones. Your whole spine is loosening and mobilizing as it softly undulates with the delicate motion of the spinal fluid. The subtle pulse of your craniosacral rhythm is now steady and strong, enhancing your over all well-being as it activates your natural healing processes. Allow your entire body and mind to sink deeply into the quiet internal rocking, like being comfortably cradled in a warm sea of relaxation and stillness. For a guided audio version of this visualization, visit my website at www. deeplycalm.com. Maghi Thurlow RMT, advanced CranioSacral specialist, has 28 years Upledger Institute-trained CranioSacral experience. In her creek side Soquel office, Maghi provides a safe, nurturing environment for clients. For more information, intro rates, or gift certificates call (831) 425-3109 or visit www.deeplycalm.com. Page 6 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 Horizontal Planes of the Body by Sylvia Skefich, D.C. hroughout the body, there are vertically oriented muscles and tissue (like the leg muscles or the long erector muscles of the spine), and there are also a number of horizontally oriented planes of tissue. You can visualize these “horizontal planes” as a stack of hanging baskets or hammocks within the body. If you alter the position of one basket, all the others get altered too, because they are connected. The horizontal planes are: 1. the pelvic bowl fascia, 2. the umbrella-shaped diaphragm muscle, 3. the thoracic outlet (another umbrella-shaped mesh of connective tissue that attaches the shoulders, clavicles and torso together), and 4. the bowl of the base of the head including the jaw. There is also a plane inside the head, and the knees and ankles are planes, too. How do they work? Imagine a tightrope walker. If she starts to loose her balance, she can shift weight in order to regain balance. The hip may jut one particular way, the rib cage may shift the other, and the shoulders may lean. Although each individual block of the tightrope walker’s body is off-balance relative to the center line, the balance and counter-balances add up and keep her walking upright. This is how our bodies compensate daily. Let’s say you have a knee problem due to a soccer injury. You may favor the leg, and the muscles may have healed a little bit too tight due to the strain of injury. The pelvis may torque, to level itself over the uneven knees. Then the T Depression—The Naturopathic Medical Cure H • Psychological and family history If you or someone you care about suffers from depression—where do you start looking? If the depression is mild and doesn’t affect daily function—the first place to concentrate is in your food intake, digestion and elimination. High levels of sugar intake can dramatically affect emotional response. Absence of beneficial fats (good fish and flax seed oils) can affect neural and hormonal function. Improper mineral balances can aggravate depressive moods by slowing metabolism. If digestion is improper, then many nutrients that are essential to proper brain function may not be absorbed sufficiently. If, on the other side, elimination is improper, toxins can be incorporated into the blood stream, liver function can be taxed and the foundation for emotional wellbeing is shaken. Of course, psychological trauma is always taken into account. However, even in the presence of severe psychological dysfunction, a balanced chemistry will make the difference between suffering and being able to handle the trauma and move beyond it. Severe depression requires more than a “do-it-yourself” approach. Find a practitioner that is knowledgeable on the areas Page 23 chi gong, or standing meditation to become aware of how to identify and fluidify your own misalignments. Sylvia Skefich is a Doctor of Chiropractic, instructor of Cranio-Sacral Technique, and certified Orthopedic Massage therapist. 115 Maple Street, downtown Santa Cruz. (831) 459-6001 www.vital-you.com Why Wait? If you have been struggling with feeling less than your best, come in ready for transformation. Remember what it was like to have a nervous system free from “static" and blockage? Dr. Skefich has been trained in two lineages of healing work that specifically removes neurological blockages of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Why be less than your best when you can free yourself with a treatment plan with Dr. Skefich? (831) 459-6001 First visit: $90 for a one hour-session Follow up visits: $55 per half hour 6\OYLD6NHILFK'RFWRU RI&KLURSUDFWLF 7 years chiropractic experience 115 Maple St., Downtown Santa Cruz ▲ by Dr. Tonya Fleck-D’Andrea I suffer from depression. Can Naturopathic Medicine help me? ow is it possible that someone that has been suffering for years and, taken a myriad of prescription medicines, would respond to something as simple as natural medicines? The main differentiation between treating depression with holistic medicine versus prescription drugs is actually not in the medicines themselves, but in the approach to diagnosis. At any given time I may see ten different patients labeled as suffering from Depression, and yet my treatment approach will radically differ from one to the next. During the last decade, the media and health food industry have presented a number of natural substances as great “holistic remedies” for depression. Some examples are St John’s Wort, SAM-E and B Vitamins. While the motivation is sincere, they missed the point of what true healing (cure) entails. The role of a good Naturopathic Physician is that of a ‘Medical Sherlock Holmes’: to investigate hidden clues for the imbalances in the individual’s body chemistry. Just like the famous detective, we find subtle clues that guide us to a proper diagnosis and the “right treatment”, which is always highly individualized for each patient. Hence, I search for clues in areas such as: • Nutritional status • Digestion and elimination • Metabolic type • Neurotransmitter (brain molecules) levels • Essential Fatty Acids ratios. • Blood sugar and Insulin fluctuations • Food allergies or intolerances • Heavy Metals Toxicity • Sex Hormones levels • Detoxification patterns mid body and diaphragm region are pulled by the pelvis due to the long muscles that span the two regions. Now the shoulders need to respond… then the base of the head upon the neck adapt. You may end up getting pain in the mid back, but it originally stemmed from the poorly healed knee. The same scenario can play out in many different orders. Let’s say the chest and shoulders are really tight from mental stress. This makes the back of the head and jaw brace upon that altered foundation. Headaches may ensue. Or in another person, low back tension could eventually evolve—because it is all connected. The more flexible the person is, the less compensation is forced into the neighboring horizontal plane. Imagine a slinky spring. You can wiggle one portion of it without necessarily causing the rest of the spring to wiggle too. But now imagine a stiff steel spring. If you wiggle one end of the spring, the whole spring is going to move. Think of the human body in this same way. The more flexible you are, the more buffer you have against compensatory postural reactions. How can you eliminate and reduce the whole chain of compensatory reactions as well as the seed? Regular stretching will always be useful. Receiving body work by one of the many systems that recognize the interconnectedness of the parts is often necessary to accurately identify and reduce tension from the problem areas. (A short list of effective therapies includes Cranio Sacral Therapy, Sacro Occiptial Technique, Applied Kinesiolgy, Acupuncture, Mechanical Link, Rolfing and others.) Also, practice a technique that increases body awareness, such as tai chi, Page 7 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 hot water. Follow with Acid Rinse to restore acid mantle. MASQUE TO TIGHTEN and TONE 1 egg beaten, Facial Treatments In An Egg Shell by Donna Williams-Smith ggs offer a variety of skin care possibilities in one neat pack-age. Egg proteins nourish, tighten and tone. The egg yolk provides a rich assortment of fatty acids as well as other nutrients the complexion absorbs, and egg whites have been used traditionally as a tightening masque. Even the shell provides a great blemish treatment. When using eggs in facial care, it is imperative to note that they are highly alkaline—both the yolk and white. For best results use a fresh egg and always follow with an acid rinse, to counteract the alkalinity. ACID RINSE 1/8 Cup Vinegar for Dry skin 1/4 Cup Vinegar for Oily or over active oil glands 1/2 Cup bottled water Allow this instant acid mantle to air dry—or dry skin blot lightly. The following Scrub/Masques are offered as a good way to revive over dry/winter skin and add a radiant glow to the complexion. OATMEAL SCRUB / MASQUES This may be used either as an anti-blackhead scrub, to be rinsed off immediately, or be left on the skin add E GENDRON STUDIOS Fine & Commercial Art & Tarot Products & Services (831) 335-9064 www.melaniegendron.com THE KISS, ©2000 M. Gendron after “scrubbing” so that its tightening powers will work as a masque. 1 egg white 1 1/2 tablespoons oatmeal 1 tablespoon honey Combine ingredients, apply to skin and gently massage 3-4 minutes. If desired, leave on face to harden into masque l5-20 min. Rinse well with hot water. Follow with Acid Rinse. GRAINY MASQUE 1 tablespoon oatmeal 1 tablespoon cornmeal 1 egg white Mix with fork, apply to skin, and leave on as a masque. If skin is very oily or congested, remove masque by dry rubbing gently with finger until masque flakes off face. This will lift debris and dead cells from complexion and also speeds circulation and aids skin in sloughing. Rinse with CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY S aturday March 8th is International Women’s Day, highlight of the whole month that is now celebrated as Women’s History Month, It isn’t even ninety years since women won the right to vote in the United States, and while we have gone a long way, there is much to achieve on the road ahead. Winning ratification of CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, should be a top priority in our next administration. CEDAW establishes both a universal definition of discrimination against women and an agenda for action to prevent such abuse and standards for the protection of women’s rights in political, economic, social, and legal contexts. It is the only comprehensive international treaty addressing women’s rights. Countries that ratify the treaty are obligated to take measures to implement this wide-ranging agenda, including in the areas of education, employment, legal rights, health care, and political participation. US ratification of CEDAW will strengthen our country’s efforts to advance the status of women around the world. The treaty has facilitated the enactment of anti-discrimination laws in many countries and serves as a tool with which activists can press their governments to fulfill their commitments under the treaty. However, failure to ratify CEDAW weakens America’s ability to demand that other governments meet their treaty obligations to protect women’s rights, and reduces America’s credibility as a global leader on human rights. The United States, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Qatar, Nauru, Palau, and Tonga are the only countries that have failed to ratify CEDAW. For a full reading of the convention go to www. unausa.org/CEDAW. On Saturday, March 13th, the Santa Cruz County United Nations As- 1 teaspoon lemon juice This mixture gives a slight amount of acidity, a MUST for healthy skin. Apply to face and neck, allow to dry 30 min. Rinse well with hot water. Follow with Acid Rinse. The acids from the lemon juice and vinegar are highly desirable because they are potent antibacterial agents. However they must be used judiciously as too much acid can be drying. BLEMISH TREATMENT The membrane of an egg will help draw the impurities forward, enabling the skin to flush them out on its own. Break an egg and use the thin membrane that lines the shell. Apply the moist side directly to blemish. Allow to dry, if possible, overnight. Rinse with hot water. Follow with instant acid mantle. Donna Williams-Smith is a wholistically oriented Aesthetician, licensed in California and Nevada. Her Skin Care Services, including Facial Toning, are available at Angles 5000 in Scotts Valley, (831) 438-0431. sociation will celebrate International Women’s Day from 12 am - 3 pm at the Louden Nelson Center, 301 Center St., Santa Cruz, with a free Program on Empowering Women. At 12:30 there will be two women’s singing groups: Women With Wings choir and Raging Grannies. At 1 PM, Rev. Deborah Johnson from Inner light Ministries, will be the keynote speaker followed by a panel of community leaders: Mireya Gomez-Contreras, Community Action Board, June Gorman, teacher, UNA education chair, Carmel Judd, Rising International, Cynthia Mathews, former Santa Cruz mayor. An International Soup Kitchen will be open all day where $8 buys all the soup you can eat donated by great restaurants including, Gabriella’s, Michael’s on Main, Ristorante Italiano, and West Valley Grill. There will be a TREASURE SALE & SILENT AUCTION; for information call the UNA office at 903 Pacific Ave., (831) 426-3101, 10am - 6pm. —Patricia Arnold Page 8 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY—HERSTORY I Opposed by political leaders, the women continued to strike; after four days, the Czar was forced to abdicate, and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. The date the women’s strike commenced was Sunday 23 February on the Julian calendar then in use in Russia. This day on the Gregorian calendar, in use elsewhere, was 8 March. 1918-1999: Since its birth in the socialist movement, International Women’s Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. For decades, IWD has grown in strength annually. For many years, the United Nations has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts for women’s rights and participation in social, political and economic processes. 1975 was designated as ‘International Women’s Year’ by the United Nations. Women’s organizations and governments around the world have also observed IWD annually on 8 March by holding large-scale events that honour women’s advancement while diligently reminding of the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women’s equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life. 2000 and beyond: IWD is now an official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, ART & TAROT PRODUCTS & SERVICES HONORING ART BY THE in status. The United States even designates the whole month of March as ‘Women’s History Month’. So make a difference, think globally and act locally! Make everyday International Women’s Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding. Here are a few sites to peruse: WomenForWomen.org, www.internationalwomensday.com/, en.wikipedia. org/wiki/International_Women’s_Day. GODDESS MELANIE GENDRON INNER LOOK, SPRING, ©1986, M.Gendron 831•335•9064 WWW.MELANIEGENDRON.COM PORTRAITS • PAINTINGS • PRINTS • ETC. nternational Women’s Day has been observed since in the early 1900’s, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialized world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies. 1908: Women’s oppression and inequality was spurring women to become more vocal and active in campaigning for change, 15,000 women marched through New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. 1909: In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman’s Day (NWD) was observed across the United States on 28 February. Women continued to celebrate NWD on the last Sunday of February until 1913. 1910: A second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen. Clara Zetkin (Leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day. She proposed that every year in every country there should be a celebration on the same day—a Women’s Day—to press for their demands. The conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, representing unions, socialist parties, working women’s clubs, and including the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament, greeted Zetkin’s suggestion with unanimous approval and thus International Women’s Day was the result. 1911: Following the decision agreed at Copenhagen in 1911, International Women’s Day (IWD) was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women’s rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. However less than a week later on 25 March, the tragic ‘Triangle Fire’ in New York City took the lives of more than 140 working women, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This disastrous event drew significant attention to working conditions and labour legislation in the United States that became a focus of subsequent International Women’s Day events. 1911 also saw women’s ‘Bread and Roses’ campaign. 1913-1914: On the eve of World War I, campaigning for peace, Russian women observed their first International Women’s Day on the last Sunday in February 1913. In 1913, International Women’s Day was transferred to 8 March which has remained the global date for International Women’s Day ever since. 1917: Russian women began a strike for “bread and peace” in response to the death of over 2 million Russian soldiers in war. Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc. with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother’s Day. There has been a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that ‘all the battles have been won for women’ while many feminists from the 1970’s know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts; women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics; and globally, women’s education, health, and the violence against them is worse than that of men. However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers; school girls are welcomed into university; women can work and have a family; women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives. Google annually on 8 March; thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatrical performances, fashion parades and more. Many global corporations have also started to more actively support IWD by running their own internal events and through supporting external ones. Year on year, IWD is certainly increasing Page 9 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 “SELFISH UNCONDITIONAL LOVE: THE DANCE by Joyce and Barry Vissell oyce and I have a real thing about fairness. It’s very humbling to admit this—sometimes embarrassingly so. I remember when our three children were young and we would have dairyless ice cream for dessert. It was my job to dish it out into five bowls. The catch? Joyce and the children got to pick theirs out first, and the last one remaining would be mine. There might have been some history about me occasionally taking too much for myself. I admit the possibility. So, giving these conditions, was I compulsive about exactly measuring the amount of ice cream in each bowl, in case I ended up with the smallest one? You bet I was! Then there’s exercise. Joyce and I love walking our dogs on the multitude of trails around our house (mostly built by me). Our preference is to go with each other, but sometimes it doesn’t work out that we can walk together at the same time. It feels fair for each of us to take the same amount of time. Even being outside, particularly on a sunny day, doesn’t feel fair if the other one needs to be indoors, counseling for example. We take turns writing these monthly columns. It wouldn’t feel fair for one of us to write two consecutive months. Recently, we were invited to be guest speakers at a local church. We were informed we had fifteen minutes to speak. Joyce spoke first, and kidded with the congregation that she would be speaking for exactly seven and a half minutes. And she did! Yes, you’re right, this might come across as petty, the opposite of spiritual generosity. Sometimes we do feel a bit like two little children, making sure the other one doesn’t get more than me. And certainly it seems to have its origins back in our childhoods with our siblings. I have clear memories of demanding fairness, especially with my younger J OF FAIRNESS” brother. It was completely unacceptable for him to get more of my favorite foods, desserts, toys, or attention. Joyce was the same with her older brother. This is normal sibling rivalry. But is this insistence on fairness healthy as adults in an intimate relationship? It can be, especially if it is done with honoring and humor. If I’m heading off for an afternoon of counseling, and Joyce has no one scheduled, she might teasingly ask, “Barry, it’s such a glorious sunny day. You don’t mind if I garden this afternoon?” Then we both laugh. I know she’s just teasing me. She understands my leading a group requires intense focus and energy, and she honors me by sharing that focus and working in the office. I do the same for her when she is the only one scheduled with sessions. Is insistence on fairness an aspect of conditional loving? Yes, of course. Unconditional loving, on the other hand, involves complete generosity, without any concern about fairness. Do Joyce and I strive toward unconditional loving? Absolutely! Are we there yet? No. Are we trying to have compassion for the little boy and girl inside us that still acts out with sibling rivalry? I believe that’s part of the path of spiritual growth, which includes accepting all the parts of ourselves, the human as well as the spiritual. We know too many couples who don’t demand fairness, who seem to endure unfair conditions in their partnership. There’s the man who works long hours at a stressful job and comes home exhausted and hungry to find his wife on the couch watching TV, without even a thought about dinner. Rather than say anything, he grabs a box of snack crackers, sits down at the table, and starts munching. Or how about the young mother, stuck at home with two small children, who doesn’t say anything when her husband comes home late from work and immediately goes out with his friends to the local pub. She really needs him to be with her, the children, or both, but she doesn’t address the blatant unfairness. Perhaps underlying both these situations is a partner who doesn’t know what he or she deserves, and is therefore unable or unwilling to speak up about unfair conditions. Demanding fairness is in fact a way to stand up to your partner. It is the same as a union demanding fair working conditions for employees, or a race of people speaking up about discrimination. Unfairness in a relationship means one person has the power, and the other remains passive and powerless. It also means neither partner is happy. How can you be happy if you have power over another? A bully is never truly happy or at peace. How can you be happy if you accept unfairness and don’t stand up for yourself? Resentment builds and erodes your love. There are many ways Joyce and I rise above personal fairness and touch upon unconditional love. We each receive the greatest joy by giving love to each other. When we appreciate one another, we don’t keep score. Hmmm. Today I said twelve nice things to Barry and he only gave me nine appreciations. We don’t do that. When we make love, I feel the greatest joy and receive the most pleasure by giving to Joyce. Is this unselfish? Not really. If I focus my energy on making Joyce happy, I feel the happiest. Perhaps I can call it “selfish unconditional love.” You just can’t give love without receiving huge benefits. So, in this sense, giving love may be the highest fairness, because you always receive just as much as you give. It is really the human part of us that is concerned about fairness. The word fairness doesn’t even exist in the spiritual part of our being. Is it possible to accept the two parts of ourselves, the human and the spiritual? Can we accept our inner child who sometimes intensely feels sibling rivalry with the inner child of our lover? And at the same time, can we give our full heart’s love, just for the sheer joy of giving? If we can do both, we can learn the dance of fairness. Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/ therapist and psychiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors near Santa Cruz, CA, who are widely regarded as among the world’s top experts on conscious relationship and personal growth. They are the authors of The Shared Heart, Models of Love, Risk To Be Healed, The Heart’s Wisdom and Meant To Be. Even one session with either or both of them (over the phone or in person) can shift your life or relationship. Call (831) 684-2130. Call Toll-Free 1(800) 766-0629, locally (831) 6842299, or write to the Shared Heart Foundation, P.O. Box 2140, Aptos, CA 95001, for free newsletter from Barry and Joyce, further information on counseling sessions by phone or in person, their books, recordings or their schedule of talks and workshops. Visit their web site at www. sharedheart.org/ for their free monthly e-heartletter, their updated schedule, and inspiring past articles on many topics about relationship and living from the heart. Page 10 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 GENTLE CHANGE –LASTING SUCCESS by Karin Leonard hat does it take to cultivate lasting results? Whether it is changing outdated habits, balancing business and personal life, or achieving important goals, like so many other people, you may feel frustrated with making change work. This article series explores important ingredients for enduring triumph. Make it Sustainable When moving in a new direction or attempting to alter behavior, do you get impatient with yourself? Do you take on a whole new plan, go full force and then sooner or later let go of the whole thing? In these “fast food” times of instant gratification and dizzying speed of life, is it no wonder that we expect ourselves to transform just as quickly. All you have to do is turn on the TV or open a magazine, and you are bombarded with promises of immediate and miraculous results, be it changing your body, getting rich or the fulfillment of all desires. However, the charm of quick fix schemes wears off quickly. Letting go of the illusion of instantaneous change is a significant step in the quest for real results. What W by Paddy Easton Graves ight is finding its way in, with or without your consent, so you might as well make it a pleasurable experience. Once you accept the fact that you are an extraordinary being here to live the dream in your heart, the opposition will be irrelevant. You are poised now to free your inherent and divine power, and since everything in your life, up until this moment, has contributed to this, you can have gratitude no matter how strange or painful the journey has been. This power that you are setting free has no limits, as the resistance that ruled before no longer rules, and without opposition you are aligned with your authentic Self where everything works in your behalf for your highest good and the good of all. You came into this life already knowing this, and now you get to live it without any fear of failing, being wrong, or appearing foolish. Even though the resistance will escalate for a while, it will not last; for, there is a mighty force called the river of light, which is infinitely greater than your willful mind, rushing through you in an effort to reconnect with itself. In the past, you have been able to close off at the crown and live your life in four dimensions, but an acceleration is occurring that amplifies the electrical current of the field, while the magnetic field decreases exponentially until it reaches zero point magnitude where you perceive L does work is the gentle approach: become supportive of yourself, and make a sustainable plan for success. Take into account the complexity of your life, the different roles you play and what you can realistically commit to. And while the magic wand approach belongs in fairy tales, when you truly take the driver’s seat of your life, evolution and lasting change unfold naturally. Having had the privilege to witness countless clients transform themselves and their lives, in a short period of time, I am in awe of human nature, and what we are capable of accomplishing —once we decide to do so, and believe that we can. Critic into Coach When embarking on the road to change, inner conflicts often surface. Dissimilar aspects of yourself may want differing things. If internal disagreement goes unchecked, it can waste a lot of energy and leave you feeling drained. You are probably familiar with the voice of the inner critic, for example, constantly nagging you about what you did or did not do. Reminding you of how you “should have …” or “could have …” Transforming that voice into an ally can bring tremendous vitality, alignment and inner peace. As you become your own best friend, and shift self-talk to encouragement rather than put-downs, lasting results emerge. Just like the gardener steadily nurtures the seedlings and pulls the weeds, voices of victory create a climate of possibility and excitement, rather than anxiety and despair. Next time you notice negative self-talk, simply notice it and know that you are not your thoughts. They simply arise and then dissipate, like the waves of the ocean. Then, experiment with replacing the negative thoughts with encouraging words. You may even wish to keep count how often you successfully make that switch during the day. Don’t worry if you come up with a high number—all it means is that you are becoming more aware of what goes through your mind! That awareness is crucial for shifting towards a supportive mind-set, and makes it possible to turn the inner critic into a coach. …to be continued Karin H. Leonard is known for her compassionate, leading-edge and highly effective brand called InnerEvolution™, leading to quick results in life and career, while creating greater life-balance. She has been in private practice in Santa Cruz for 20 years, integrating life coaching with hypnotherapy, NLP and a good dose of intuition. Office located in Santa Cruz. (831) 724-5400. Visit Karin’s website at wwwInnerEvolution.com. presence, ready or not. In the present there is no mind distortion to resist the dream in your heart, and your personal experience is a continuous expansion of the joy you are having now. This power that is being offered is the source of your being, occurring as absolute, eternal, unconditional love, and from this you make your reality anything you can dream it to be. It is simple, yet, it is also the most challenging and difficult thing you will do in your lifetime. One of the lessons you learn from being fully in your own presence is trusting the whisper in your heart as you step into the unknown. Most people are too afraid of the consequences of being true to themselves. Not you. Thank you for that. The consequences of being true to your Self are irrelevant, and at first there may be discomfort, confusion, and increased fear. This matters not. The only thing that matters is that you continue to listen to the voice in your heart and follow it wherever it leads without needing to understand, take control, or be right. Light is finding its way in with or without your consent so you might as well make it a pleasurable experience. When you intend together into the human collective, there is absolutely nothing that you cannot be, do, or create, individually, or as the whole of humanity; yet, the potential for fear, once you notice this, is what keeps your dream from taking form. When no one is present in the conversation other than your authentic Self, everything changes so quickly that you may feel a need to put up a wall, just to slow things down. This you will do until you grow so tired of the replay of your story that you are willing to leap with abandonment into your own essence. In the presence of light, everything flows in gentle measured action towards greater joy. Conflict is the reminder that you have left your divine nature, which holds no opposition to its self, and called up the imposter. Then, you can say ‘thank you’, as you call yourself back home. Copyright 2009. Paddy Easton Graves is a writer, author, and Green Builder. She can be reached at Harpertime@charter.net. B AUMAN C OLLEGE Turn your passion for nutrition into a career!Arts Holistic Nutrtition and Culinary Professional Certificate Programs: Nutrition Educator Nutrition Consultant and Natural Chef Enroll Now! Classes Begin in March Classroom or Distance Learning Available Santa Cruz, CA • Berkeley, CA • Penngrove, CA • Boulder, CO Community Education Nutrition Essentials for Everyone Each class is comprised of: Lecture on the foundations of nutrition Cooking demonstration Group discussion 8 week class: Mondays from 6-8:30 PM Classes Begin on April 5th Space is Limited Sign Up Online www.BaumanCollege.org • (800)987-7530 THE RITES OF THE MUNAY-KI AVAILABLE IN SANTA CRUZ SHARE THIS OPPORTUNITY WITH FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY. MARCH 14, APRIL 11, MAY 23, JUNE 13, 2010 EACH EVENT FROM 6:00-8:00 RECEIVE THE FREE 9 RITES OF THE MUNAY-KI AT UNITY TEMPLE 407 BROADWAY, SANTA CRUZ Page 11 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 by Jenna Ratna Sturz iffering viewpoints will naturally surface among friends, relatives or business associates. Conflict is inevitable! Conflict: two or more people with incompatible concerns. Whether the conflict is of high or low importance, there are ways to move through it strategically and constructively. D Two researchers, Drs. Thomas and Kilmann, created a five-mode model for managing conflict: Competing, Collaborating, Compromising, Accommodating and Avoiding. Their research shows that everyone inclines towards one of these five styles. By expecting and accepting differences, by understanding the attributes of each style and by stating clearly your own position, you improve relationships as well as organizational productivity. The five styles are positioned along two independent dimensions: 1. Results, the extent to which you try to satisfy your own concerns, and 2. Relationships, the extent to which you try to satisfy the concerns of others. Before responding to a conflict, ask yourself this basic question: Is the relationship (cooperativeness) or the result (assertiveness) more important? The answer steers you toward the best response. The idea is to choose an intentional strategy in a given situation. It may be helpful to erase associations with these words and take a fresh look at the meaning in this new context. • Competing: assertive and not cooperative • Collaborating: assertive and cooperative • Compromising: in the middle on both dimensions • Accommodating: cooperative and not assertive • Avoiding: neither assertive nor cooperative by Brie Wieselman, L.Ac ou may eat a well-balanced diet, work out almost every day, and have tried every diet trend under the sun, but still have a frustrating 5-15 lbs that you just can’t get rid of. Though it may not seem like much, even these few extra pounds can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and fatigue. The most common reasons for this kind of frustrating extra weight are: • Blood sugar imbalances • Hormone imbalances • Toxin buildup • Adrenal Fatigue • Thyroid Imbalances Our blood sugar spikes and crash- Y FITNESS HAPPENS with the Nia Technique! Motion Pacific Dance Synergy 1001 Center St. S.C 9055 Soquel Dr. Aptos Sunday’s 10:15 a.m. www.dance-synergy.com 831.334.0500 www.dance-synergy.com Dance Synergy Thurs. 9:30 a.m. THE TECHNIQUE New Tuesday class coming! Dance Synergy 9055 Soquel Dr. Aptos 9055 Soquel Dr. Aptos In the Arts Center 831.334.0500 www.motionpacific.com Body and Soul 738 Chestnut St. Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. Saturday’s at 11:45 Wed. 5:30-6:30p.m. Downtown www.dance-synergy.com Santa Cruz 831.251.1172 831.251.1172 831.251.1172 jillian-engbers@comcast.net www.dance-synergy.com jillian-engbers@comcast.net Westside Studio 509 H Swift St. Santa Cruz THE TECHNIQUE Friday’s 9:00 a.m. Experience the joy of movement Melanie Stern 831.425.3070 Dancing into a healthier you lcsw2000@sbcglobal.net Pleasure Point Fitness 907 41st ave Capitola Pleasure Point Fitness 907 41st ave Capitola Get Fit...Get healthy Dance Trim Tone Body Mind Spirit Monday’s 8:30 a.m. Wednesday’s 8:30 a.m. Join the fitness fun at Linda Beatham 831. 476.1753 Linda Beatham 831. 476.1753 one of these class sclindab@sbcglobal.net sclindab@sbcglobal.net locations nianow.com Class details subject to change Competing uses rank or position for desired results. It works best when expertise is paramount, a crisis is at hand or an unpopular decision needs to be made. If you compete too much, trust erodes and those around you do not feel empowered. Underuse risks loss of authority or influence. Collaborating is especially good for new ideas and when you have time, and rates high in relationship building as well as in results. Collaboration brings the right people in the room for a generative conversation. If used too frequently or for unimportant decisions, people may feel their time is being wasted. Underuse can limit commitments and innovation. Compromising lies in the middle. No one gets exactly what they want, yet everyone gets something. It requires skills of negotiation, communication and research to pinpoint the important aspects of a position, those worth holding on to. If used too frequently, great visions become watered down and cynicism can result; if not used enough, people may not feel heard and power struggles can result. Accommodating is a great strategy when the relationship is more important than results. It builds trust and shows that you are willing to go with someone else’s preference and let go of your own. However, if you constantly accommodate, your own ideas will not be actualized and people may take advantage of you. Avoiding buys time. If tensions are high and you need time to consider points of view, best to avoid—temporarily. If you avoid too often, however, issues fester, you may be overlooked and decisions made by default. Underuse can result in impulsive, less helpful responses to conflict. This Conflict Model is a practical, productive tool for businesses, work teams and individuals to learn and incorporate. Think about utilizing it in your next staff retreat, corporate event or personal coaching. Participants can take the TKI beforehand to discover one’s natural style, discussing and applying results during the workshop or session. (Take the Thomas-Kilmann Inventory, ‘TKI’ online at www.cpp. com, or monitor your reactions in different situations). Jenna Sturz has a Masters degree in Counseling, and offers coaching, trainings and workshops to individuals and businesses. Contact at ratnajenna@gmail.com or (408) 842-7406. es each time we eat sugary foods, too many carbs in one sitting, or, meals that are heavily loaded with the types of carbs that tend to flow into the bloodstream all at once, rather than slowly over several hours. Insulin levels rise in response to this rapid sugar rise, in order to try to get it out of the blood and into the cells to be used as energy. If this happens too many times, our cells become less reactive to the insulin, or, “Insulin resistant”, and instead, our carbs get stored as fat. Hormone Imbalances, besides other symptoms, can cause bloating, water retention, and unexplained weight gain. This is a common symptom of hormonal drugs, such as birth control pills, so why wouldn’t we expect the same symptoms from altered levels of hormones from within our bodies? Unless the root cause for the imbalance is addressed, there is no way for the body to let go of the extra weight. Toxins are all around us, in the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink. Over time, these toxic substances can accumulate in our tissues, and can place extra burden on the liver and other organs of detoxification. Mostly, toxins are stored in our fat cells, as a way of preventing them from being “active” in the blood stream. In order for out bodies to get the message that it is safe to let go of the fat that is protecting us from these toxins, we first need to give our bodies the support they need to safely detoxify and clear these toxins. Stress triggers our adrenal glands to secrete cortisol, a chemical that influences carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism, and causes sugar to stay in the bloodstream in order to be used as fuel in times of need, such as between meals. High levels of circulating cortisol can make us crave sweets and caffeine, and makes us feel the need to eat to relieve fatigue and shakiness. If we have gone through a period of intense stress, or a prolonged period of low-grade stress, our adrenal glands can get stuck in a pattern of hyperactivity. This can lead to irregularities in blood sugar, thyroid function, and reproductive hormone production, which can further inhibit weight loss. There are other issues, such as the health of the digestive tract, and food allergies, that can turn our metabolism up or down. The above and other issues affecting weight management are best-diagnosed using specific blood and salivary analysis, and are best treated using a combination of subtle dietary shifts, herbs, supplements, professionally-guided detoxification programs, and acupuncture to regulate the body’s internal chemistry and reset the metabolism. Using this holistic approach, along with regular exercise and stress reduction techniques, I have seen people finally succeed in overcoming their struggles with those last few stubborn pounds. Brie Wieselman, L.Ac, is a State and Nationally Licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist. In her private practice, she treats Gynecological and Fertility issues, Anxiety/Depression, Insomnia, Digestive Disorders, Adrenal Fatigue, Thyroid Imbalances, Blood Sugar Irregularities, Food allergies, Pain, Asthma, Allergies, and Autoimmune Disorders. Brie offers quarterly detoxification programs and practices at the Natural Bridges Acupuncture Clinic at 550 Palm St. For appointments call (831)706-5378. Website: www.santacruznaturalhealth.com. Page 12 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 Relaxation Rhythms by Jim Greiner “Tension is who you think you should be, relaxation is who you are.” —Chinese Proverb never realized that relaxing could be so easy. I always thought that you had to work at it for years! Daniel’s eyes widened in amazement as he exclaimed his enormous “Aha!” realization as we sat together in my drum studio in Soquel. Daniel, a 50-something marketing executive, had come to me for private hand drumming lessons after having taken one of my Rhythm Power® workshops at a community center in Palo Alto. He had called me about a week after the workshop because, as he said, “I kept hearing your voice telling me to ‘drop my shoulders and breathe’ whenever I felt stressed at work... and I by Karen L French et’s start with the word ‘geometry’, a word that terrifies many people because of its association with mathematics and, sadly, not a subject that the majority of people enjoy. Putting aside the fear of equations, geometry in the simplest terms is the nature of shapes in space. Shapes are the visual manifestation of mathematics that structure reality. This means that every time you draw a picture, sculpt, or build, you are actually using complex geometric equations. Nature uses geometry in all of her creations; plants, animals, even clouds and coastlines that appear random have fractal geometry behind their formation. Geometry is everywhere, embedded in you, in everything around you, and even in your actions. Throughout the World, people are inspired by the beautiful imagery, clarity and precision of geometry. What is sacred geometry? This fairly modern term is used to convey the idea that as geometry is the blueprint of the Universe, then all manifestations by Nature and humans are inherently sacred. However, many people view geometry as only having a functional and structural purpose to build houses, chairs, lay out roads, to bake a cake, and so on. The key is INTENT. When you deliberately use geometry for a sacred purpose, then it is truly ‘sacred geometry’. Shapes and numbers contain unique powers of their own, depending on which facet of reality they represent. When specific shapes are used with intent for whatever reason, their powers can be harnessed. This is why certain geometric shapes are in symbols, tools, buildings and images used for sacred purposes. In modern house designs, no sacred intent is given to the location and layout; unlike temples where location, layout, proportion, decoration and use are all vital to the energies being harnessed. This latent potential in shapes, and the numbers behind them, has L it worked!”. What he said next goes to the core of one of my fundamental Rhythm Life Lessons: “The more I reminded myself to drop my shoulders, the more it has become a habit, and the less I have to think about it.” The Rhythm Life Lesson: Repetition leads to consistency; we get good at what we repeat! (Of course, this applies to both positive and negative actions and thoughts.) I realized long ago that I could drum more effortlessly for longer periods of time, and maintain a solid groove when I dropped my shoulders. This simple action releases the upper body tension that seems to be epidemic in our culture, and that creates inconsistencies in our playing... and stress in our lives! (One of my fundamental principles as a percussionist is that our largely been forgotten. Interestingly, its potential is being remembered by increasing numbers of people. As it is built into all of us, like our body proportions and atomic structures, why should this be surprising? Sacred geometry is something you can use without having to know complex mathematics, because much of it you know intuitively, especially the energies of simple shapes. Complexity generates confusion; simplicity provides some clarity. Basic shapes are generally taken for granted, especially the circle, square and triangle. The first things children draw—yet few question their existence, their natures, what they mean. Consider, would a triangular television make sense? What about the simple circle that has no number? A huge circular moon dominates the sky; circular ripples form in water; more significantly, you intuitively notice the cyclic nature of the seasons and represent this as a circle. It is no coincidence that you refer to your social circles, family circles... Circles represent the dynamics of time, a hugely complex idea. Time facilitates events, and through events, change ripples out from the still moment, infinitely small at the centre, to the edge of the infinitely large circle encompassing all time. Time appears to move as a circle. It is eternal with no beginning or end. And so you use the circle in your language, as a symbol, in tools like clocks, and in sacred applications such as the Medicine Wheel, Stonehenge and Mayan Calendar. My book, ‘Gateway to the Heavens’, focuses on the profound meaning and purpose of the simplest of the shapes; the circle, square, triangle, cross, heart, spiral, and principle of duality. These all combine to create a geometric model that has been used through all cultures in sacred applications. Using individual shapes, or models like the ‘Gateway to the Heavens’, with positive intent enables you primary role is to serve the Groove... by serving the Groove, we serve Music... through serving Music, we serve People. We therefore have the privilege of being in Community Service!). Releasing Stress Through Rhythm: One of our bodies innate responses to stress is what psychologists call “bracing”. We tend to brace, or tighten, our bodies as part of our natural “fight, flight or freeze” response to perceived dangers. Dropping our shoulders seems to be an easy and immediate way to counteract the bracing response. Since playing rhythm instruments is basically repetition of movements, releasing physical tension plays a huge part in making purpose-driven drumming such a great vehicle for creating positive Life Rhythms... such as releasing stress. That is, we feel better and play better when we are relaxed, and playing while relaxed helps us to build stress-releasing habits into our bodies... a powerful, rhythmic, reinforcement loop! Rhythm Action Pattern #4: Reinforcing Relaxation Rhythms. As you read this issue of Connection Magazine, regularly drop your shoulders. Simply let them go... don’t wrestle them down, don’t tense or lift them and then drop them... just drop them. Don’t analyze the movement, or judge your skill at relaxing... just let them go! Repeat this simple action regularly, especially when driving, at your computer, when watching TV and at work. This then becomes part of your muscle and nerve memory... a positive Life Rhythm! Jim Greiner conducts HandsOn! Drumming ® interactive rhythm programs and drum circles, and presents Rhythm Power® workshops, locally and worldwide for corporate team building, conference ice breaking, community events, schools and private events. Jim also teaches a limited number of private lessons in hand drums and hand percussion instruments in his Soquel studio, www.handsondrum.com, (831) 462-Drum (3786). “Percussionist Jim Greiner invokes the primal power of rhythm to lower the participants stress, to exercise their minds and bodies and to bind them together into community.” —PBS special, Healing Quest to enrich your experience of reality, learn from it and work with it. Karen L French is an international author and speaker on the meaning and purpose of geometry. ‘Gateway to the Heavens’ is the first book of four providing a comprehensive, highly illustrated and insightful look at the meaning and purpose of geometry across a wide range of disciplines. From Britain Karen has a background in mathematics, art and twenty years in business. As part of her USA launch, Karen will be presenting her talk ‘Simple Shapes: Profound Purposes’ in: SAN FRANCISCO New Living Expo, Saturday 1st May at 8pm, Concourse Exhibition Centre, 8th St. at Brannan St., www. newlivingexpo.com SANTA CRUZ Gateways Bookstore Wednesday 5th May at 7pm, 1126 Soquel Ave, (877) 429-9600, www. gatewaysbooks.com MOUNTAIN VIEW EastWest bookstore Thursday 6th May at 7.30pm, 324 Castro St., (800) 909-616, www. eastwest.com ‘Gateway to the Heavens’ (ISBN 9 780955 725609) can be bought via good bookshops and online stores, www.gatewaytotheheavens.com. Page 13▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 The Martial Arts Directory Still Going Strong by Shelley Morris Judo in Santa Cruz and Aptos Benefits include: Participate in an Olympic Sport; Improved Strength, Stamina, Agility and Balance; Self-Defense Techniques; Competitive Edge in MMA. Judo is Fun! Free Trial Class. Ask about Summer Day Camp. Classes Taught by 13-year Indian National Champion and International Competitor Sidharth Seth. sidharthseth@hotmail.com Francis Farley Academy - (831) 688-4100 / Aptos Martial Arts Academy - (831) 688-1118 Personal Protection Pro Instructor: Richard Grode Reality Based Personal Protection 916A Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 831-706-5928 richard@PersonalProtectionPro.com PersonalProtectionPro.com Ages: 18 and up KUNG FU SANTA CRUZ Instructor: Matt Cavender Ages: 18 and above Self Defense, Weapons, Tai Chi Qigong, Chi Gung Breathing Practice 1255 41st Avenue, Capitola • 3 ways to pay: monthly, weekly or per class (you decide) (831) 476-7575 (Santa Cruz) • (408) 353-3001 (Los Gatos) www.kungfusantacruz.com • matt@kungfusantacruz.com Family Martial Arts Center Master Randall Smith • Mrs. Gemma Smith • Mr. Scott Symons Taekwondo, Judo, Jiu Jitsu 152 Walk Circle, Santa Cruz, CA 95063 (831) 426-5425 ScottSymons3000@yahoo.com www.CompleteFamilyMartialArts.com Ages: 4 and up Santa Cruz Budokan Instructor: Mark Roemke All ages Bujinkan Ninjutsu, Aikido, Iaido, Yoga. Two weeks free instruction tryout. Private instruction available. (831) 465-8236 or www.santacruzbudokan.com for training times & info. Valley Tae Kwon Do Instructors: Cathy & Paul Rotes Ages 5 - 16 & Adult Kickboxing Tae Kwon Do, Fitness Kickboxing & After School Program (831) 336-2043 10090 Hwy 9, Ben Lomond, CA 95005 MINORSAN Self Defense & Fitness E XERCISE SHOULD BE fun! Mind, body, and spirit engaged in activity that strengthens, empowers and makes you feel good! Cardio Kickboxing captures this perfectly. It is a highly motivating & challenging workout. Self confidence, weight loss, stress release, flexibility, increased stamina, cardiovascular health, connection with a fitness community. Sounds good, doesn’t it? These are just a few of the benefits of Cardio Kickboxing. With focus & intent it isn’t just possible, it WILL happen! Who doesn’t want to be stronger, have more selfesteem or lose weight? I am a walking, talking billboard for the real life benefits of this exercise program. I can’t tell you how many times a student will walk into the school, stressed out, in a hurry, and with so many things to do. For that hour it’s just about them. At the end of class they leave bright-eyed, relaxed and ready to continue on with their day, smiling, centered & grounded. After a warm-up set to highenergy music, we put on our gloves for twenty-five minutes of punching and kicking combinations on the heavy bags. Punching results in a stronger, more toned upper body. Add some squats to your kicks and you get the added bonus of powerful legs and abdominals. We finish the hour on the floor, working our core muscles and stretching. Safety is an important component of any exercise program. Learning the correct positioning and posture is key to Cardio Kickboxing. This is fundamental in our martial arts school. As a Cardio Kickboxing instructor since 1999, I’ve had the pleasure of watching men and women of all sizes and shapes empower themselves through this dynamic program. I absolutely love helping people work toward their fitness goals. The workouts change weekly to prevent boredom and keep it challenging. If you are looking for a new energizing, whole body work out, Cardio Kickboxing may be for you! Shelley Morris is the Program Director of Tiger Martial Arts in Aptos. She has been a certified Cardio Kickboxing Instructor since 1999.Please visit our website www.tigerbjj.com or call 661-0184 for more information. Serving the community’s martial arts, self-defense & fitness needs since 1985. Build your confidence & empower yourself with programs that work. Dio P. Santiago & Clara E. Minor @ 831.458.0900 www.minorsan.com info@minorsan.com, 1320 Mission Street, Suite 1, SC 95060 Santa Cruz Academy of WingChun Instructor: Jericho Broek Ages:14 to adult WingChun Kung Fu and Escrima (831) 588-8432 • wingchunsc@yahoo.com • www.santacruzwingchun.com Louden Nelson Center • 301 Center St. • Santa Cruz • CA 95060 Aikido of Santa Cruz a.k.a. North Bay Aikido Chief Instructor: Linda Holiday Ages: 6-Adult Aikido (non-competitive Japanese martial art - “The Way of Harmony”) (831) 423-8326 • info@aikidosantacruz.org • 306 Mission St., Santa Cruz 95060 Join our new Qi Club in Santa Cruz! Practice Modern Medical Qi Gong Applications with ShuLei Return To Source Level 1 Qi Gong DVD is avail. @ Gateways Books & Gifts and online @ www.TheBlossomingSpirit.com. Any questions? Please call (831) 425-1819 Rod Sanford’s Traditional Martial Arts Instructors (by order of seniority): Rod Sanford, Lou Jemison, Dan Wakefield, Sean Sanford, Jennifer Farley, Diego Simkin. Shorinji-Ryu Karate-Do, Okinawan Weaponry, T’ai Chi Chuan & Aikijujutsu (831) 475-9676 • questions@mydojo.com 4626 Soquel Drive, Soquel CA 95073 Green Forest Temple Instructor: Scott Ripke Ages 12 and older Tai Chi, Long Fist, Praying Mantis, Weapons (831) 688-6934 • www.greenforesttemple.org 5901 Freedom Blvd., Aptos Golden Shield Qi Gong Instructor: Darren Huckle L.Ac. Ages 10 to 100 Hard Style Qi Gong taught for Health and Longevity. Hand/Arm Qi Gong for Healing and Vitalizing Hands/Arms (831) 334-5177 • RootsOfWellness@gmail.com 301 Center St., Santa Cruz • GoldenShieldQiGong.com Contact Connection Magazine at (831) 459-0522 or awaken@theconnect.com to get your school listed in the Martial Arts Directory for only $20 a month. Page 14 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 I T IS DIFFICULT to believe, and especially during these evolving times (which can definitely be positive, if . . . ) that human beings would put forth effort to curtail free choice and health rights by limiting and stopping our ability to purchase nutritional supplements. As always, we must educate ourselves in regards to this issue and the many, many others. See what John McCain is up to or if he knows what he’s up to— with an article for each. A sample letter to send to government officials, (asap) is included, a questioning of the integrity of the medical industry; ending in pertinent info regarding the merger of two organizations which, we believe, will be ‘watchdogs’on behalf of truth & justice. — Pattie & Thom O N FEBRUARY 3, 2010, Senator John McCain (RAZ) introduced his Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010 (“DSSA”), a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Senator Byron Dorgan (DND). If DSSA becomes law, it will: Dear Readers, Here is a sample letter that you can send in to your legislatures. Please take the time to do so. This is at an urgent level of need to protect your health and that of your loved one. Thank you, Connection Magazine McCain Bill Targets Dietary Supplement Industry unlawful unless and until the FDA Commissioner says otherwise. Under McCain’s bill, the FDA Commissioner can ban an ingredient as unsafe without a hearing, without a rulemaking, and without any due process, simply by excluding it from her Accepted Dietary Ingredient list. Amend the definition of “adulterated” as it relates to a dietary supplement that contains a new dietary ingredient. Currently, a dietary supplement which contains a new dietary ingredient is adulterated unless: (1) it “contains only dietary ingredients which have been present in the food supply as an article used for food in a form in which the food has not been chemically altered”; or (2) “there is a history of use or other evidence of safety establishing that the dietary ingredient when used under the conditions recommended or suggested in the labeling of the dietary supplement will reasonably be expected to be safe and, at least 75 days before being introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce, the manufacturer or distributor of the dietary ingredient or dietary supplement provides the Secretary with information, including any citation to published articles, which is the basis on which the manufacturer or distributor has concluded that a dietary supplement containing such dietary ingredient will reasonably be expected to be safe.” The DSSA removes the exception for new dietary ingredients that have been present in the food supply, making it more difficult for new dietary ingredients to be introduced into the market. Require persons submitting information in support of use and safety for a dietary supplement that contains a new dietary ingredient to “create and maintain a scientifically reasonable substantiation file relating to the claim that the dietary ingredient or dietary supplement will reasonably be expected to be safe.” Require dietary supplement manufacturers and retailers to obtain written evidence that their dietary supplements are registered and that the requirements for new dietary ingredients have been satisfied prior to their manufacturing, packaging, holding, distributing, labeling, or licensing the dietary supplements. Impose a civil monetary penalty for non-compliance that is not more than twice the gross profits or other proceeds derived from the manufacture, packaging, holding, distribution, labeling, or license of the noncompliant supplement. Require event reporting for nonserious adverse events. The bill fails to define what a non-serious adverse event is, making it likely that reporting will be required for everything from a consumer?s dislike of the product’s taste to a consumer’ts objection to the color of a label. Give the FDA authority to issue a cease distribution and notification order if “there is a reasonable probability that a dietary supplement or a product marketed or sold as a dietary supplement would cause serious, adverse health con- Page 17 Page 15 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 Page 17 ▲ McCain’s bill, everyone from a multi-level marketer of supplements to the local health food store owner to the large national and multinational supplement manufacturer and distributor must report to FDA their names, addresses, dietary supplement products they hold and sell, and the ingredients of those products, or be in violation of the law. For the first time in American history, every person who distributes supplements will be tracked by the federal Food and Drug Administration, subjecting him or her to inspection and to the panoply of regulatory restraints that the FDA now uses against wholesalers and large retailers. Amend the definition of “adulterated” to include dietary supplements that are manufactured, packaged, held, distributed, labeled, or licensed by a dietary supplement facility that is not registered. Amend the definition of “new dietary ingredient” to mean a dietary ingredient that “is not included on the list of „Accepted Dietary Ingredients? to be prepared, published, and maintained by the Secretary.” Presently, a “new dietary ingredient” means “a dietary that was not marketed in the United States before October 15, 1994 and does not include any dietary ingredient which was marketed in the United States before October 15, 1994.” Under the DSSA, products in circulation prior to 1994 are no longer grandfathered. If a dietary ingredient is not on the accepted list, it will be unlawful to sell in the United States. In other words, all supplements are presumed Please do not co-sponsor Senator McCain’s Dietary Supplement Safety Act (DSSA). Please oppose it! DSSA would repeal key sections of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). DSHEA protects supplements if 1.) they are food products that have been in the food supply and not chemically altered or 2.) if they were sold as supplements prior to 1994, the year that DSHEA was passed. If a supplement fits one of these two descriptions, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cannot arbitrarily ban it or reclassify it as a drug. If this bill passes, the FDA would have full discretion and power to compile a discreet list of supplements allowed to remain on the market. Supplements drawn entirely from food and long established supplements or supplement potencies could be arbitrarily banned. McCain’s Dietary Supplement Safety Act (DSSA) appears to be supported by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) which is funded by major league sports teams including baseball, football and others. In his comments, Senator McCain cited six NFL players recently suspended for testing positive for banned substances and purportedly exposed to these substances through dietary supplements. The problem here is, of course, one of illegal sale and use of steroids. So, why dismantle the supplement industry in order to control already illegal substances? The FDA currently has complete and total authority to stop illegal steroids and, more broadly, to regulate dietary supplements. If the agency were doing its job, it could and would have prevented the sale of illegal steroids. The answer to this problem is not to give FDA more power; we should instead ▲ Require the registration of “dietary supplement facilities,” which are defined as “any business or operation engaged in manufacturing, packaging, holding, distributing, labeling, or licensing a dietary supplement for consumption in the United States.” The registration would contain information sufficient to notify the Secretary of the name and address of each facility at which, and all trade names under which, the dietary supplement registrant does business. In addition, the registrant would also be required to submit the following: a list of all dietary supplements manufactured, packaged, held, distributed, labeled or licensed by the facility; a full list of the ingredients contained in each dietary ingredient; and a copy of each dietary supplement?s labeling. Registration would be updated annually and when there is a new dietary supplement or reformulation of an existing dietary supplement. Thus, under Senator Write to Your Representatives Does the Medical Industry Have a Fundamental Senator McCain O Please Read Your Own Bill N MONDAY, Senator McCain released a Senate Floor Statement defending his Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010. He lashed out at “opponents of the bill and their well-paid Washington lobbyists” who have “spread false statements and rumors about the legislation”. OK. So, what are these alleged “false statements and rumors”? McCain again: “Opponents have stated that the legislation would seek to limit consumers’ ability to purchase dietary supplements, vitamins, or prescription drugs. That is completely false…. If you take a vitamin now, this bill will in no way restrict your ability to take that vitamin.” McCain clearly hasn’t read his own bill. Perhaps, he needs a plain English version. Under current law, the FDA cannot arbitrarily ban a supplement that was sold prior to October 15, 1994, the date that the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) was passed. McCain’s bill wipes out that protection. What supplements would be legal to sell if this bill passes? Only those supplements “included on [a] list…prepared, published, and maintained by the [FDA]“. In other words, traditional (pre 1994) supplements would no longer be protected. The FDA would have arbitrary power to choose permitted supplements and (importantly) supplement doses. McCain is engaging in patent falsehoods here, not the critics. And, let’s not forget: the FDA has repeatedly shown its hostility to supplements and favoritism toward drugs (perhaps because drugs pay the FDA’s bills). An FDA with arbitrary power over supplements could very well be expected to institute a European style regulatory regime, one that restricts the amount of beta carotene in a supplement to what is available from half a carrot. Sound ridiculous? It is happening right now in Europe, and the FDA is in close touch with the European regulators. McCain touches on just this point. He says that “Opponents also claim the bill establishes a new regulatory structure for dietary supplements. That is completely false.” But it’s not false; it’s true. The broad regulatory framework for supplements at the moment is provided by DSHEA. McCain’s bill guts the protections provided by DSHEA and gives the FDA complete and arbitrary authority. If that isn’t a new regulatory structure, what is? Until now, supplement producers have also been allowed to market a “new dietary ingredient”, that is, one not sold as a supplement prior to 1994, if it has been “in the food supply as an article used for food in a form not chemically altered.” McCain’s bill also wipes this out. If passed, supplement producers would have to prove the safety of the ingredient to the satisfaction of the FDA even if the item has been in food for millennia. This is a big change. But, McCain still insists that it isn’t a new regulatory structure. Need we add that the FDA almost never agrees that a supplement has been proven safe? The Agency wants full drug trials, but who can afford to pay for full drug trials on a non-patentable substance? Are we going to end up paying $100 for a supplement tablet? McCain also tells us that, “people have died from taking dietary supplements… and thousands have had to be hospitalized….” He should provide his sources. No one died from dietary supplements in 2008, the last year reported, according to the Association of Poison Control Centers. Supplements have a truly remarkable record of safety, in sharp contrast to FDA approved drugs, which are a leading cause of death. There is much, much else that is wrong with the McCain bill. But, we have covered that in our earlier alert [1]and won’t repeat. We will close with a few more whoppers from Senator McCain. He tells us that his “legislation is about truth in labeling” but he can’t even label his bill truthfully. He also says that it “is about giving consumers choice”. Taking away consumers’ existing rights to choose supplements and giving arbitrary authority to the FDA is not about “giving consumers choice”. This could be Orwellian double speak. More likely McCain does not understand his own bill. Have you contacted your senator to ask them not to co-sponsor and to oppose Senator McCain’s bill? If not, please do so now! If you have already contacted your senators, please send a letter protesting Senator McCain’s gross distortions. Article printed with permission from Alliance for Natural Health – US: ? www.anhusa.org/new_site? URL to article: www.anh-usa.org /new_site/?p=2438? URLs in this post: [1] earlier alert : www.anhusa.org/new_site/?page_id=2281? [2] Take Action: https://secure3.convio.net/aahf /site/Advocacy?cmd=display &page=UserAction&id=510? [3] Take Action: https://secure3.convio.net/aahf /site/Advocacy?id=520 &pagename=homepage? Copyright © 2009 Alliance for Natural Health - US. Lack of Integrity? T WO ARTICLES — one in the New York Times, the other in the Wall Street Journal—speak to a crisis of integrity in the medical industry that has led insiders like Dr. Jerome Kassirer of Yale and Tufts to muse that some of their colleagues appear to act as “paid prostitutes for the drug industry.” The Times article discussed a Colorado company that drug and medical device makers paid to oversee patient safety during clinical trials, prompting a Congressional hearing on whether such companies adequately supervise medical trials. The hearing follows incidents in recent years in which patients have died during clinical trials or companies have submitted fraudulent data to the FDA to get new medical products approved. During this period, the oversight of clinical trial safety has shifted from academic medical institutions to commercial firms like company in question. The company was snared when undercover federal investigators created a sham medical study to see how closely firms evaluate the studies they are paid to review. This company approved a trial, involving a makebelieve surgical product and researchers who did not exist. There was testimony at the Congressional hearing that some companies “shop for an accommodating oversight board” when their research is questioned by more stringent reviewers. The Wall Street Journal article reported that the Alliance for Human Research Protection has protested the “unprofessional and intimidating” tactics from the editor-inchief and executive deputy editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association. An academic questioned the lack of acknowledgement by JAMA of the financial relationship between a drug company and a study’s author. We would expect the FDA to be outraged over these claims, since they are sworn to protect Americans’ health. Yet, the FDA appears to only mind the interests of the companies whose fees add to their coffers. Medical device makers and pharmaceutical companies have their eye on the bottom line, but the FDA is supposed to balance these vested interests. The time to reform the FDA from the ground up is NOW. 2 Responses to: “Does the Medical Industry Have a Fundamental Lack of Integrity?” M. Mears says, “I couldn’t agree more. The FDA is just the paid cop on the block for big Pharma. Witness it’s attempt to shut down Armour thyroid and natural thyroid supplements. Is your organization doing anything to protest this take over of the natural thyroid market? It is reprehensible that the most effective, oldest treatment for hypothyroid has been hijacked in order to line the pockets of the synthetic thyroid companies. I do not see anything about this on your site, yet it is another angle on the FDA’s total corruption. If you know of an organization that IS working on restoring this critical drug to the 2 million or more who use it, would you please forward that information? Thank you for working to defend natural, preventative forms of medicine for all of us.” S. Miller says: “The fact that the # 1 addiction problem in the USA is a clear indication that there is no integrity in our current medical practices. Pharmaceutical companies who knowingly release drugs that are addictive and are not held criminally responsible is an example of corruption and conspiracy.” Page 16 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 ANH announces merger T expanded use of natural and sustainable approaches to healthcare. Known for its longstanding efforts to protect integrative practitioners from unjust prosecution for utilising natural healing modalities and ensuring consumers have continued access to the natural healthcare options of their choice, ANHUSA brings an arsenal of lobbyists and more than 50,000 advocates dedicated to shifting the medical paradigm from an exclusive focus on surgery, drugs and other conventional techniques to an “integrative” approach incorporating food, dietary supplements and lifestyle changes. “United we are stronger”, said Dr. Robert Verkerk. “Europe has one of the most restrictive systems which we badly need to liberalize,” continued Dr Verkerk, “while the USA represents one of the most liberal systems, which we must ensure is not lost. Together, we handle both sides of the issue. Many consumers and natural health advocates have criticized the lack of cooperation among natural health campaigners. We hope today marks a permanent change.” Gretchen DuBeau, executive director of ANH-USA, commented, “We are thrilled about the merger. The opportunity to join forces with a top-notch, international natural health organization increases our strength in moving towards a sus- one expression of this. According to ANH International, preventative medicine is too often incorrectly defined by the use of increasing amounts of drugs, earlier and earlier in life, even in childhood. The concept of sustainable healthcare is about genuine prevention, particularly chronic disease prevention. Chronic diseases represent the single greatest burden on healthcare systems around the world and it is well accepted that they are largely preventable through dietary and lifestyle changes, rather than the use of drugs. Drawing on the legal, scientific and policy expertise of its US and European offices, as well as its affiliates around the world, ANH International will work tirelessly and with even greater effectiveness to help stimulate a fundamental shift in the orthodox western healthcare paradigm. The new paradigm, built on the principles of sustainability, needs About the Alliance for Natural Health International? www.anhinternational.org [1] The Alliance for Natural Health International (ANH-Intl) represents an international non-governmental organizaation dedicated to promoting natural and sustainable approaches to healthcare. It upholds that the integrative medicine and functional medicine models, as well as many traditional healthcare systems that have evolved over millennia, are more appropriate means of dealing with today’s health challenges than the current dominant western medicine model, which is over-reliant on the use of pharmaceutical drugs. The ANH is working collaboratively to help facilitate the development of scientific and legal frameworks appropriate to natural healthcare. Printed with permission. DSSA illness or injury, can get an injunction blocking the sale, and can prosecute those responsible. Moreover, under McCain?s bill, there are no safeguards to prevent an abusive use of this new regulatory power; the FDA Commissioner has unbridled discretion to remove any dietary ingredient from the market on a mere suspicion that it causes harm. The ingredient remains off the market while the seller is first required to litigate in a hearing before the FDA Commissioner (thus, no separation of functions) before proceeding to a court of law. Thus, a decision to halt distribution can remain in place for years before there is an independent adjudication on the merits. Because this bill will fundamentally change the way dietary supplements are regulated and force the removal of supplements from the market that have been consumed safely for decades, we urge you to ▲ WO LEADING NATURAL health campaign organizations are formally merging as of today. The Alliance for Natural Health (ANH), based in Dorking, UK, and the American Association for Health Freedom (AAHF), of Washington DC, have merged to form the Alliance for Natural Health International (ANH International). The new organization is headed up by internationally acclaimed scientist and activist, Dr Robert Verkerk. The organization’s headquarters will be in Dorking, UK, which will remain the base for ANH International’s European activities, now to be conducted through ANH-Europe. The Alliance for Natural Health USA (ANH-USA), under the leadership of attorney Gretchen DuBeau, will continue to operate out of its Washington DC base, although its activities will be closely coordinated with that of ANH International.The merger joins two powerful, resultsorientated natural health organizations that have long advocated for natural and integrative medicine. Dr Verkerk and his co-workers at ANH-International have been at the forefront of moves to reduce the impact of the increasingly far-reaching and stringent European regulatory system. This system threatens to decimate clinical nutrition, nutritional therapy, non-European healthcare traditions such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda as well as the leading-edge of the health food sector across the 27 Member States of Europe. European regulation is also acting as a key regulatory template influencing many countries around the world, as well as global standards and guidelines for food products issued through the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The ANH has pioneered the use of ‘good science’ and ‘good law’ as the key principles in establishing a legal and scientific framework appropriate to the continued and Page 15 sequences or death, or is adulterated or misbranded.” This provision is unnecessary since the FDA can already halt the sale of any dietary ingredient that presents a risk of tainable, integrative medical model.” ANH International is committed to sustainable approaches to healthcare. It strongly believes the existing orthodox medical paradigm, based around the over-use and abuse of pharmaceutical drugs, can no longer be countenanced. Its lack of respect for biological principles, born out by poor efficacy and huge costs in terms of side effects, is just to work harmoniously with biological systems, rather than against them. Given the imminent threats to natural health in many parts of the world, and the urgency of required action, ANH-International, and its two regional offices, is looking to expand significantly its reach among consumers, practitioners and companies in the natural health field. New or substantially revised campaign websites have been launched which hope to facilitate this process. Companies or practitioners, or even volunteer members of the public, wishing to collaborate with any of the organizations should contact their nearest regional office. For further information, please contact Meleni Aldridge, Executive Coordinator, ANH-International; ph: +44 (0)1306 646 600, email: mel@anhcampaign.org or Gretchen DuBeau, Executive Director, ANHUSA; ph: +1 202 467 1988, email: gretchen@anh-usa.org. Letter ▲ ‘United we are stronger’ Page 15 demand that the FDA do its job. Why would a bill be offered to solve an illegal steroid problem that does not really address the steroid problem but instead gives the FDA complete and arbitrary control over all supplements? One possible explanation is that the bill’s sponsor buys into the often heard argument that supplements and drugs should be treated identically, that both should be brought through the FDA’s drug approval process in the same way. This is a completely false argument. The FDA drug approval process costs as much as a billion dollars. It is not economically feasible to spend such vast sums on substances that are not protected by patent, and natural substances cannot legally be patented. This is the great “Catch 22” of American medicine. The FDA is unfriendly to supplements because they do not come through the drug approval process. But the drug approval process only makes sense for patentable substances that will sell at very high prices. This leaves the FDA, which is supposed to guard and promote our health, hostile to the kind of natural medicine—based on diet, supplements, and exercise—that represents the real future of healthcare. If McCain’s bill passes, we can look to Europe for a snapshot of what we may be in for: EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, has sharply reduced the list of available supplements and is in process of reducing potencies to ridiculous levels, such as less beta carotene than can be found in half of a large carrot. Please refuse to co-sponsor and otherwise oppose the Dietary Supplement Safety Act! Sincerely, Your Name Find your government officials at: www.usa.gov/Contact /Elected.shtml contact your representatives to oppose this bill. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. Printed with permission. EMORD & ASSOCIATES, P.C. (202) 466-6937/ www.emord.com/default.ht= Page 17 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 The Green Directory Support the Businesses that are Green and tell them you saw them in Connection Magazine! Page 18 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March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age 20 The Green Directory Support the Businesses that are Green and tell them you saw them in Connection Magazine! Page 19 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 ▲ 1 -$18$5< 7+ 3*( LQVWDOOHGWKHQHZ6PDUW0HWHU RQRXUKRPHLQ$SWRV,ZDV QRWKRPHDWWKHWLPHDQGKDGQRLGHD LWZDVLQVWDOOHG , DUULYHG KRPH IURP D JUHDW IDVWDQGWKHQP\EUDLQIHOWZLUHG :LWKLQ PLQXWHV , VWDUWHG WR JHWGL]]\QDXVHRXVDQGZHDN :LWKLQ PLQXWHV P\ ZKROH ERG\EHJDQWRDFKHOLNHQRWKLQJ,KDG HYHUH[SHULHQFHGEHIRUH :KHQ,JRWRQP\FRPSXWHUP\ IDFH DQG KDQGV VWDUWHG WR EXUQ DQG KXUW 0\ KXVEDQG DUULYHG KRPH PLQWXWHV ODWHU DQG DVNHG KRZ , ZDV The Ersatz Avatar by Robert LaRosa, Ph.D. P ROTECTORS OF OUR living biosphere are among the worthiest servants, bending their backs in personal sacrifice to right the wrongs committed against Gaia — Mother Earth. In service to the planet’s life support systems, conservationists defend a world threatened by mindless greed, an environment torn asunder: oceans plundered and trashed, lakes drained, streams turned into muddy ditches, polluted skies — an ongoing war against nature’s wild creatures. Impassioned advocates for Nature strive to conserve untamed landscape and its native inhabitants for future generations. Gritty environmentalists push social and political boundaries to protect the public trust — rivers, forest and savanna — from the destructive mentality of “profit-at-any-cost.” Crusaders come from all lifestyles and careers to seek practical solutions to environmental health — economic progress in balance with ecologic protection. With little thought to monetary compensation, they toil on behalf of wild things trampled by humanity. Environmental warriors are in combat worldwide to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, stop clear cuts of rain forest and end the slaughter of whales and dolphins. They struggle valiantly in America’s Homeland to preserve scenic wonders and protect air and water quality, to prevent egregious abuse of rangeland, forest and waterway. They fight for animal rights, restraint in the harvest of food from the sea and to rebuild wetland habitat for endangered species. The Twentieth Century’s final decade saw the disregard for environmental stewardship permeate the whole of society. Catastrophic loss of key species — indicators of planetary health — were ignored by an impotent electorate in oblation to America’s warlords and their cronies on Wall Street. As the onslaught against Gaia and her ecological systems continue unabated, nature’s suffering demands nothing less than Environmental Renaissance. California’s nearly pristine Monterey Bay has nurtured a consciousness for conserving remnants of salmon and steelhead populations lost to dams, mining, logging and land development. An amalgam of talent in ecology, engineering and art rose to the challenge. Landowners near Monterey Bay joined hikers and sport fishing groups for handson stream ecology — bioengineering that mimicked nature. Inventive creek repair that worked. In the Soquel Watershed, a new breed of altruistic landowner began cir- ▲ PG&E Page 19 felt better in 30 minutes. When we arrived home Sunday I felt horrible again and could not sleep that night. I called PG&E first thing Monday morning and pleaded to have it taken off right away since I felt so sick from it all. Monday night a PG&E installer came, took it off and replaced it with the old meter. Within 15-20 minutes I felt 90 percent better. I have been electrically sensitive for four years, and these forms of radiation are the worst that I ever felt in my life. These devices emit millions of new electromagnetic radiation (RF) wireless signals 24/7. This is a huge amount of electrosmog. Exposure to electrosmog has been documented to have major negative biological effects on living tissue. The exponential increase in the use of wireless technologies presents serious public health risks. Please check out the Bioinitiative Report at www.bioinitative.org,which is recognized by the European Parliamnent. It demonstrates RF health effects:DNA breaks, free radical production, cell stress, premature aging, memeory loss, sleep disturbance, cancers, memory loss and headaches. PG&E has not provided critical evidence of health & safety results they claim to have commissioned. At this time we can not opt out so, we all must act qucikly. Please sign the petition on my web site at www.tammiedonnelly.com Tammie Donnelly has spent the last 4 years educating herself and others on the many health challanges associated with Wi-fi, cell phones, cell towers and other form of Electrosmog. She lives in Aptos, Calif., and can be reached at (831) 476-1526 or by emailing emfhelp@yahoo.com. cumventing government’s dismal failure to save steelhead and Coho salmon from the brink of extinction. Considered a maverick for evading the (onerous and prohibitively expensive) regulatory permit process, the belief that individual intervention was the only way to undo nearly a century of costly watershed mismanagement drove the construction of simple, low-cost creek enhancements. With only hand labor and available rock and logs secured by steel reinforcement bar, weirs — hydraulic structures — were installed to harness the power of floods, scouring sediment from streambeds. The process resuscitated pool, riffle and spawning habitat crucial to the rescue of endangered fishes. Decades of streambed degradation Robert LaRosa rior naturalist has become an Ersatz Avatar. In defiance of public agencies’ continued waste of tax dollars for paper projects and big-budget engineering with little tangible result, a synergistic embodiment of artist, ecologist and engineer has designed a new field of endeavor — “Ecologineering.’’ In turn, creative habitat restoration has spawned an art form: “Streamscape for Salmon.” were reversed with do- it-yourself ingenuity. Today, in fierce denunciation of the imperial exploitation of nature, the war- LaRosa, known for his stream work in San Diego and Santa Cruz Counties, is a former art professor-turned ecologineer. Call (831) 479-4915. Triangle of Life Earthquake Survival Tips from an Expert M Y NAME IS Doug Coppeteam. The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake. I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and am a member of many rescue teams from many countries ... I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years. I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters. The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake. Every child was under his or her desk. Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones. They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles. It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles. I didn’t at the time know that the children were told to hide under something. Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them. This space is what I call the “triangle of life”. The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact. The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured. The next time you watch collapsed buildings on television, count the “triangles” you see formed. They are everywhere. It is the most common shape you will see in a collapsed building. TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY 1) Most everyone who simply “ducks and covers” when buildings collapse are crushed to death. People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed. 2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position. You should too in an earthquake ... It is a natural safety/survival instinct. You can survive in a smaller void. Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it. 3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created. Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight. Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries, but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs. 4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed. A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on the back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake. 5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair. 6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed. How? If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above. If the door jam falls sideways, you will be cut in half by the doorway. In either case, you will be killed. 7) Never go to the stairs. The stairs have a different “moment of frequency” (they swing separately from the main part of the building). The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place. The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads — horribly mutilated. Even if the building doesn’t collapse, stay away from the stairs. The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged. Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people. They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged. 8) Get near the outer walls of buildings or outside of them. If possible, it is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior. The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked. 9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles,which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway ... The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles. They were all killed. They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them. All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them. 10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper. Spread the word and save someone’s life ... The entire world is experiencing natural calamities, so be prepared! “We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly” In 1996 we made a film that proved my survival methodology to be correct. The Turkish government, city of Istanbul, University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test. We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside. Ten mannequins did “duck and cover,” and ten mannequins I used in my “triangle of life” survival method. After the simulated earthquake collapse, we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results. The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions, relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover. There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the “triangle of life.” This film has been seen by millions of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe, and it was seen in the USA, Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV. Magic is alive and well ... remember we are the magic ... so let us conjure consciously Page 20 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 Get on Track Cross Train by Dennis Blakely O VER THE LAST several years, I have had countless con- versations with athletes from multiple sports in regards to cross training programs. All of these conversations have a thread that rings constant: cross training is making the difference. From the weekend warrior to the professional athlete, people are experiencing the benefits of cross training. The term, “cross training”, was introduced into the fitness world in the mid 1980’s and the birth of the first Nike Cross Trainer followed immediately after. By simply alternating fitness regimens, whether it was through court sports, swimming, lifting weights, or participating in a step class one was “cross training”. The reality is many people have been cross training for years but now sports marketing has a term for it. I will share a true story about a high school cross-country runner who was a lean, long muscle athlete who would run his meets almost effortlessly. This athlete named Ray, also tried out for the Varsity Basketball Team that winter just after cross-country season had ended. Ray was known as a runner as few people envisioned him to be successful as a basketball player. Ray surprised many of the student body and coaches by making the final cut and landing a spot on the Varsity. His coach quickly recognized the top physical condition that Ray was in and used him as a “gym rabbit” during practice as he was routinely wearing down his defenders. His teammates began to feed him the ball more each practice as Ray was always found open for easy buckets under the hoop. His stamina and supremely conditioned body was the obvious difference between himself and his teammates. By game three of that season, Ray had made the starting lineup and was a body in motion for forty minutes every game from then on. This finely tuned cross-country runner was now a force on the basketball court. As Ray would wear his defenders down, opposing coaches would send in substitutes with fresh legs to try and keep pace with Ray. It didn’t work. Ray ended up leading the team in nearly every statistical category and made all conference honors that year. Athletes and fitness experts are blazing the trail for anyone interested in the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. I have met tennis players that like to downhill ski as they possess a strong core, well conditioned legs, and stamina for the long ski runs in deep powder. Quarterbacks cross train by jumping rope to help with balance, coordination, and to gain foot speed by being light on their feet. Long distance runners cross train by running incline hills, sprinting at the track, and running in water to increase hip strength and build stamina. Golfers are much more involved in yoga training now to help build core strength and increase their flexibility. Even basketball and ballet resemble similar body movements while complimenting each other, minus the tutu. Some of the best professional athletes today will tell you that cross training H ERBOLOGY • D IETETICS • ACUPUNCTURE • M ASSAGE during their off season profoundly made the difference in becoming a top performer in their sport of discipline. Insights into proper conditioning and fitness now reverberate through the society as we are urged to greater health by becoming more active and less sedentary. Resistance training with weight, water, bands, or a more technical sport apparatus have become commonplace in today. People are now making their way into the weight room at a much greater rate. We have become much more educated about the benefits of cross training and are seeing results in preventing injury, increased bone density, increased muscle mass, and with great importance, our self confidence. Not only are we learning how to live longer with fewer health issues, it is going to save us money on unwanted medical bills. Along with its cardiovascular benefits, cross training helps maintain our sense of balance, muscle strength, mental stimulation, and improved range of motion. By mixing up your exercise workouts, one can develop new skills, condition different muscle groups, and even meet new friends. Now getting and staying healthy is getting easier and includes a larger dose of fun as people discover the joys and benefits of living healthy, by working out with partners and friends, in group classes and with personal trainers. Dennis is a personal trainer for Santa Cruz Core Fitness and Rehab located at 317 Potrero Street in downtown Santa Cruz. Dennis specializes in speed and agility training for athletes of all levels. Call (480) 695-3669 or email dennis@santacruzcore.com FITNESS HAPPENS with the Nia Technique! Dance Synergy Motion Pacific 9055 Soquel Dr. Aptos 1001 Center St. S.C Sunday’s 10:15 a.m. www.dance-synergy.com Thurs. 9:30 a.m. THE TECHNIQUE 831.334.0500 www.dance-synergy.com New Tuesday class coming! Dance Synergy Dance Synergy 9055 Soquel Dr. Aptos 9055 Soquel Dr. Aptos ■ Sports Medicine ■ ADHD, Depression ■ Pain Management ■ Facial Rejuvenation ■ Diabetes ■ Menopause, PMS, Fertility ■ Cardiology & Neurology Body and Soul 738 Chestnut St. Wed. 5:30-6:30p.m. Downtown www.dance-synergy.com Santa Cruz 831.251.1172 831.251.1172 831.251.1172 jillian-engbers@comcast.net www.dance-synergy.com jillian-engbers@comcast.net Westside Studio 509 H Swift St. Santa Cruz THE TECHNIQUE Friday’s 9:00 a.m. Experience the joy of movement Melanie Stern 831.425.3070 Dancing into a healthier you lcsw2000@sbcglobal.net Pleasure Point Fitness Pleasure Point Fitness 907 41st ave Capitola 907 41st ave Capitola Get Fit...Get healthy Dance Trim Tone Body Mind Spirit Monday’s 8:30 a.m. Wednesday’s 8:30 a.m. Join the fitness fun at Linda Beatham 831. 476.1753 Linda Beatham 831. 476.1753 one of these class sclindab@sbcglobal.net sclindab@sbcglobal.net locations nianow.com Class details subject to change “Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” — Edward Stanley, English statesmen Centuries of proven healthcare naturally restore your body without side effects for healing relief that lasts. Treat your family to a better alternative at Five Branches Medical Clinic. Digestive Healing 831.334.0500 www.motionpacific.com Tuesday’s 6:30 p.m. Saturday’s at 11:45 Wellness Redefined ■ In the Arts Center Come discover why Traditional Chinese Medicine is America’s fastest growing choice for primary healthcare. Effective, safe and natural… Five BraNches university Graduate School of Traditional Chinese Medicine 200 7th Avenue, Santa Cruz ■ (831) 476-8211 ■ www.fivebranches.edu Page 21 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 KIDS AND VACCINATIONS ARE MANDATORY VACCINATIONS ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN? Excerpted from the article by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, Editor of NaturalNews.com. ost modern vaccinations are, of course, a form of chemical violence against children. If they were all formulated without chemical preservatives (like thimerosal) and dangerous adjuvants (which can harm the nervous system), that might be a different story. But far too many of today’s vaccines are chemical concoctions that are entirely unnatural to the human body. To force them into the bodies of innocent children is an act of medical violence. The method of introducing the vaccines is unnatural and highly interventionist: These chemicals and DNA / RNA fragments are injected directly into the tissues and blood, bypassing the skin (a normal protective defense) and bypassing the digestive system, too. An injected mandatory vaccine dumps foreign material directly into the bloodstream of children without the consent of either the child or the parents—that’s what qualifies mandatory vaccines as “chemical violence” against children. Vaccine failures are common Meanwhile, in the real world vaccines are failing miserably. A recent outbreak of mumps in the New Jersey / New York area occurred almost entirely among children who had already been vaccinated against mumps. See: http://www.naturalnews. com/028142_m... Clearly if vaccines really worked, then an outbreak should have only occurred among those who were NOT vaccinated against mumps, right? But as I reported here on NaturalNews, M 77 percent of the children who got infected had already been vaccinated! A similar truth emerges when you look at H1N1 deaths: Thousands of those who were vaccinated against H1N1 swine flu had already received the vaccine shots (http://www.naturalnews.com/027956_H...). We still don’t know the exact number of how many vaccinated people died because the CDC is hiding that data from the public, making sure the mainstream media doesn’t learn the truth that even many of those who were vaccinated still died. What the CDC and its Big Pharma cohorts want people to mistakenly believe is that vaccines always offer protection against infectious disease. (100% protection). But this is blatantly false. In fact, because vaccines introduce a weakened virus into the body, they may hamper the normal immune response, creating systemic weakness that makes people more vulnerable to future infectious disease. In essence, weakened viruses create weakened immune responses, “training” the immune system to be more passive against future threats. That’s why people who received vaccines in the past are far more likely to die of infectious disease in the future. The Big Lie Vaccine safety and effectiveness is “the Big Lie” of modern medicine in much the same that the WTC 7 building is “the Big Lie” of the war on terror. People who believe vaccines always work usually also believe the WTC 7 building was brought down by ordinary office fires.Watch this minidocumentary to learn more: www. youtube.com/watch?v=iEuJ... So what does WTC building 7 have to do with vaccines? They both serve as a simple test of intelligent skepticism. The real Skeptics are the people who are skeptical of the official explanation of 9/11 and the cause of the collapse of WTC building 7. Real Skeptics are likewise skeptical of the vaccine-pushing agenda of the CDC and the drug companies. The real Skeptics think for themselves and ask intelligent questions like, “If human beings survived for hundreds of thousands of years without vaccines, developing highly effective internal defenses against infectious disease, then why are vaccines all of a sudden being pushed so hard given that the human gene pool has hardly changed over the last 10,000 years?” Or, here’s an even better question: “If avoiding vaccines is so dangerous, then why are nearly all the children of anti-vaccine parents so amazingly healthy and intelligent?” They’re the smartest kids in the room. Meanwhile, all the really low-IQ kids tend to belong to parents who dutifully approve every vaccine shot they’re told to subject their children to. (And they use antibacterial hand soaps at home, too, because they’re suckers for any chemical that’s marketed as “protecting kids from disease.”) The non-skeptics are people who believe whatever they’re told by authority figures no matter how ridiculous the explanation. Here, you need these vaccines shots because without them you might die! Irradiate your body with mammography in order to prevent cancer! Don’t take vitamins or nutrients because they might hurt you! Instead, swallow these chemical medications—they’re GOOD for you! For the complete article: http:// www.naturalnews.com/028215_vaccines_Merck.html. Mike Adams is a holistic nutritionist with a passion for sharing empowering information to help improve personal and planetary health. He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, impacting the lives of millions of readers around the world who are experiencing phenomenal health benefits from reading his articles, NaturalNews.com. The Seventh Fruit Tree Tour is off to a Great Start! F ruit Tree Tour 2010 got a sweet and sunny start at Ohlone Elementary in Watsonville, CA where the students are great and the administration and teachers are super-heroes. Twenty trees were planted on the campus, and the students created an orchard full of their wishes for a more beautiful world starting in their own community. We are so very excited to announce our new partner, Organic Valley, and their sponsorship of Fruit Tree Tour 2010. The Organic Valley Farmers Cooperative creates organic food products with integrity. Their commitment to the organic food movement, farmers, and a healthier planet inspires us. Their support is making possible the school orchard planting, and all of the orchards of healthy abundant fruit still to come! Thanks Organic Valley, and Thank you Ohlone Elementary. With love from the road, Common Vision, www.commonvision.org/. Organic Valley: www.organicvalley. coop/. Page 22 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 WHAT ARE ALLERGIES? by Anne Singer n allergy is the body’s intense reaction to a substance called an allergen that can be inhaled through the lungs, ingested through the mouth, or absorbed by the skin. Often, when these substances are eliminated, symptoms do seem to decrease. Pets exhibit their distress by scratching and biting their bodies, by digestive upsets, bad body odor, and poor coats and by their difficulty in breathing, and/or anxiety. Allergies are common when the body is not cared for as nature intended. As time passes, the pet’s immune system gets weaker, placing additional stress on the body’s other systems, until the whole body breaks down. A pet’s body is constantly being confronted with dangerous substances, A ▲ Page 7 can increase the risk of fluorosis in primary teeth,” reported Marshall et al. in Journal of the American College of Nutrition (April 2004) (19) “A major effort should be made to avoid use of fluoridated water for dilution of formula powders (Fluoride in Dentistry).” (20) “Our analysis shows that babies who are exclusively formula fed face the highest [fluorosis] risk,” reports the Environmental Working Group. (21) “The entire Board [Burlington VT Board of Health] holds serious concerns about the current fluoride exposure of infants between the ages of zero and six months. We deem this exposure to be a ‘significant public health risk’, and one that should be given immediate attention by the city and state.” (22) “Some risk of increasing fluorosis may be attributed to the ingestion of powdered infant formula reconstituted with fluoridated water,” (Pizzo et al. Clinical Oral Investigations, Feb 2007) (23) At least eleven other studies link reconstituted formula with fluorosis. (24a-k). NYSCOF news releases in 2000, 2004, 2009 and 2010 (25a,b,c,d) cited many studies linking fluorosis to infant foods mixed with fluoridated water. in the environment (pesticides in the house, for instance), by the commercial pet food they eat containing animal byproducts, rancid animal fat and grain by-products (all common pet food ingredients). Waste products build up in the body, and the whole digestive system suffers. The skin, the largest eliminatory organ, then takes on the challenge of releasing these wastes. This results in pimples, rashes, hot spots and a lowered resistance. Scratching is common! Urea, a waste product of protein digestion, promotes a gout-like condition, resulting in foot chewing and licking. To strengthen the immune system, it’s necessary to cleanse the body of toxins. Supplements and homeopathic or herbal remedies will help to assure that the fundamental (Also see: http://www.fluoridealert. org/health/infant ) “Instead of using their enormous resources to warn the public against mixing fluoridated water and infant formula, fluoridation proponents have created news releases attempting to discredit NYSCOF that actually reinforce NYSCOF’s science-based information (4, 26),” says Beeber. SOURCE: New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. (NYSCOF) Contact: Paul Beeber, JD, President, (516) 433-8882 nyscof@aol. com... http://www.orgsites.com/ ny/nyscof, http://www.FluorideAction.Net, http://tinyurl.com/ NewsReleases. Follow NYSCOF on Twitter and Facebook. REFERENCES 1) http://www.cdafoundation.org/library/docs/poh_guidelines.pdf (Page 12) 2 ) h t t p : / / w w w. n a p . e d u / c a t a l o g . php?record_id=11571 3) http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/ pubs/epubs/egram/egram_061109.pdf 4) http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/ topics/fluoride_research_study_response. pdf 5) http://www.ada.org/public/topics/ fluoride/facts/fluoridation_facts.pdf 6) http://jada.ada.org/cgi/content/ full/133/2/157 7) http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/preview/ mmwrhtml/ss5403a1.htm 8) http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/LabelClaims/FDAModernizationActFDAMAClaims/ucm073602.htm 9) http://www.fluoridealert.org/media/ 2007d.html 10) http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/ imbalance is corrected. It will also help to maintain the balance of your pet’s blood sugar and hormones to feed your pet at least twice a day and sometimes more if needed. Do provide proper grooming and an emotionally stable environment. You will find that this regime will foster a strong immune system and the allergies will disappear. Anne Singer, owner of Shampoochez at 1380 Soquel Avenue, Santa Cruz and editor of the “Shampoo-chez Newz,” has been an advocate of quality, natural, nontoxic pet products for the 24 years that Shampoo-chez has been in business. For questions call (831) 427-2284. Visit Shampoo-chez on the Web at www.shampoochez.com for location and store hours, information on their Self-Service Dog Wash, professional grooming for dogs and cats, vaccination clinic, useful facts and recipes, testimonials, and natural pet products which can be ordered and shipped to you or delivered locally. pubs/water-eau/2008-fluoride-fluorure/index-eng.php 11) http://www.cdc.gov/FLUORIDATION/safety/infant_formula.htm#1 12) http://www.agd.org/support/ articles/?ArtID=1187 13) http://healthvermont.gov/news/ 2006/120806fluoride.aspx 14) http://oralhealth.deltadental.com/ Children/Infant/22,DD63 15) http://www.medicalnewstoday. com/articles/57490.php 16) http://ajph.aphapublications.org/ cgi/content/abstract/79/5/565 17) http://www.sustainabilitycentre. com.au/FormulaFedBabies.pdf 18) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/10969430?itool=EntrezSystem2. PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel. Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=2 19) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/15047676?itool=EntrezSystem2. PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel. Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1 20) Ekstrand J. (1996). Fluoride Intake. In: Fejerskov O, Ekstrand J, Burt B, Eds. Fluoride in Dentistry, 2nd Edition. Munksgaard, Denmark. Pages 40-52. 21) Environmental Working Group, “EWG Analysis of Government Data Finds Babies Over-Exposed to Fluoride in Most Major U.S. Cities”, March 22, 2006.http:// www.ewg.org/node/21000 22) Burlington Board of Health (Vermont, USA) August 31, 2005. See copy of full report. 23) “Community Water Fluoridation and Caries Prevention: A Critical Review,” Clinical Oral Investigations, by Giuseppe Pizzo & Maria R. Piscopo & Ignazio Pizzo & Giovanna Giuliana 2007 Feb 27; [Epub ahead of print] http://www.newmediaexplorer. org/chris/Pizzo-2007.pdf 24 a) J Am Dent Assoc. 2000 Jun;131(6):746-55. Risk of enamel fluorosis in nonfluoridated and optimally fluoridated populations: considerations for the dental professional. Pendrys DG. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/pubmed/10860326?dopt=Abstract 24 b) Caries Res. 1999 JulAug;33(4):26774. Altitude as a risk indicator of dental fluorosis in children residing in areas with 0.5 and 2.5 mg fluoride per litre in drinking water. Rwenyonyi C, Bjorvatn K, Birkeland J, Haugejorden O. h t t p : / / w w w. n c b i . n l m . n i h . g o v / pubmed/10343089?dopt=Abstract 24 c) Am J Epidemiol. 1998 Nov 15;148(10):967-74. Risk factors for enamel fluorosis in optimally fluoridated children born after the US manufacturers’ decision to reduce the fluoride concentration of infant formula. Pendrys DG, Katz RV. h t t p : / / w w w. n c b i . n l m . n i h . g o v / pubmed/9829868?dopt=Abstract 24 d) Aust Dent J. 1996 Feb;41(1):37-42.Fluoride content of infant formulae in Australia. Silva M, Reynolds EC. http:// w w w. n c b i . n l m . n i h . g o v / p u b m e d / 8639113?dopt=Abstract 24 e) J Public Health Dent. 1995 Winter;55(1):57-62. Commentary on and recommendations for the proper uses of fluoride. Horowitz HS. http://www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/pubmed/7776294?dopt=Abstract 24f) Am J Epidemiol. 1989 Dec;130(6):1199-208. Risk of enamel fluorosis associated with fluoride supplementation, infant formula, and fluoride dentifrice use. Pendrys DG, Katz RV http:// w w w. n c b i . n l m . n i h . g o v / p u b m e d / 2589311?dopt=Abstract 24g) J Dent Res. 1988 Dec;67(12):1488-92. Risk factors for dental fluorosis in a fluoridated community. Osuji OO, Leake JL, Chipman ML, Nikiforuk G, Locker D, Levine N. h t t p : / / w w w. n c b i . n l m . n i h . g o v / pubmed/3198847?dopt=Abstract 24h) Caries Res. 2003 SepOct;37(5):327-34. Socio-demographic features and fluoride technologies contributing to higher fluorosis scores in permanent teeth of Canadian children. Maupo- mé G, Shulman JD, Clark DC, Levy SM. h t t p : / / w w w. n c b i . n l m . n i h . g o v / pubmed/12925822?dopt=Abstract 24 I) ASDC J Dent Child. 2001 JanFeb;68(1):37-41, 10. Fluoride content of infant formulas prepared with deionized, bottled mineral and fluoridated drinking water. Buzalaf MA, Granjeiro JM, Damante CA, de Ornelas F. h t t p : / / w w w. n c b i . n l m . n i h . g o v / pubmed/11324405?dopt=Abstract 24 j) J Public Health Dent. 2000 Summer;60(3):131-9. Fluoride intake and prevalence of dental fluorosis: trends in fluoride intake with special attention to infants. Fomon SJ, Ekstrand J, Ziegler EE. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ 11109209?dopt=Abstract 24 k) 1438 Fluoride content of and estimated fluoride intake from milk formula P. MOYNIHAN, V. ZOHOURI, A. JODHEEA, and A. MAGUIRE, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdomhttp://iadr.confex. com/iadr/2004Hawaii/techprogram/abstract_40477.htm 25 a) http://www.orgsites.com/ny/ nyscof/_pgg10.php3 25 b) http://groups.google. com/group/fluoridation-news-releases/browse_thread/thread/ b627e6114c7a3ea6 25 c) http://groups.google. com/group/fluoridation-news-releases/browse_thread/thread/ 9b3d9d201a2cef53 25 d) http://groups.google. com/group/fluoridation-news-releases/browse_thread/thread/ cffdaad18e4591cd 26) http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ Anti-Fluoridation+Group+Misinterpret s+Published+Australian+Study%3B...a0121683554 Page 23 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 Hello Folks, W e publish this magazine to support our community and enjoy featuring leading theater, performances, and events. It is very important that you, our readers, tell all of the Arts & Entertainment Venues, businesses and events, that you read about them in The Connection Magazine. We appreciate your much needed support in return. Thank you very much! Pattie & Thom Hawaiian Singer/Co-founder of HAPA on Quixote’s Music Hall: Wed. March 17, 7:30PM, Molly’s Revenge with Moira Smiley, Saint Patrick’s Day Celtic Party, plus Irish Step Dancers from Rosemary Turco School of Irish Dance. The classic combination of bagpipes, whistle, fiddle, and song—set against a backdrop of guitar, bouzouki, and mandola accompaniment—guarantees an enjoyable experience for all fans of Scottish and Irish music. Sun., Mar. 21, 2:00-9:00PM, 4th Annual Santa Cruz Jug Band Jamboree, Battle of California Jug Bands, featuring The Tarantulas Jug Band, The Club Zayante Jug Stompers, Ukelele Dick and Jayme Kelly Curtis Vintage jug and ragtime, Amazing Grapes, Dr. Zarcon’s Breathing Machine, www.donquixotesmusic.info/. Kuumbwa Jazz Center: Sat.,7:30PM, Mar. 13, Roy Zimmerman, also The Tyrants Thu. • Mar.11 • 7:30pm • $10 KICKASS GIRL GUITARS Vicki Genfan, Jill Knight, Erika Luckett THUMBNAIL MOVIE REVIEWS 1011 PACIFIC AVE. SANTA CRUZ • 831-423-1336 6DWXUGD\0DUFK$*(6 ,QHIIDEOH0XVLF*URXSSUHVHQWV Sun. • Mar.7 • 7pm • $12adv/$14dr Planet Cruz Comedy w/ Richard Stockton, Mark Pitta, Dan St. Paul, ROMP Wed. • Mar.10 • 7:30pm • $15 SOXV'(9 DOVR6LQFHUH LQ$GY'U'UVSP6KRZSP 7KXUVGD\0DUFK$*(6 $QGUHҋV%LUWKGD\ %DVK Keli’i Kaneali’i Band Wed. • Mar.17 • 7:30pm • $12 9f\j] Fa[cYlafY Sat. • Mar.20 • 8pm • $15 • Dance Avatar 3D Fri. • Mar.19 • 8pm • $12 • Dance The Original SNAIL &KULV5HQH plus The Concaves • Rock )ULGD\0DUFK$*(6 7520%21(6+257< THE NEW MASTERSOUNDS SOXV6DOYDGRUH6DQWDQD $GY'U 'UVSP6KRZSP 6DWXUGD\0DUFK$*(6 9LWDO6&SUHVHQWV “ROBOTIC HYPNOTIC” by Karin Leonard & Daniel Robin The Infamous Stringdusters Saint Patrick’s Day Party $GY'U 'UVSP6KRZSP D ach month, we select our favorite or otherwise important films to be featured on this page. We rate them, subjectively, on a scale from 1 (worthless) to 5 (awesome) in terms of their entertainment and message. We leave the plot details and storytelling to the filmmakers and instead attempt to characterize, highlight strengths and flaws, and hint at purpose. Reach us at movies@innerevolution.com. Enjoy! Molly’s Revenge w/ Moira Smiley plus Irish Step Dancers SOXV6PRRYH DOVR M ARCH M USIC H IGHLIGHTS : 3X Int. Bluegrass Music Assoc. Winners Sun. • Mar.21 • 2-9pm • $10 4th Annual S.C. Jugband Jamboree Battle of California Jugbands Sun. • Mar.28 • 7pm • $10 Joanne Rand Band plus Dianne Patterson • Alt-Folk AN-TEN-NAE ZLWK SOXV175/'DOVR$QG\3 $GY'U'UVSP6KRZSP :HGQHVGD\0DUFK$*(6 New Found Glory Saves the Day SOXV+HOORJRRGE\H DOVR)LUHZRUNV $GY'U'UVSP6KRZSP )ULGD\0DUFK$*(6 SOXV7ULEDO6HHGVDOVR7RS6KHOI LQ$GY'U'UVSP6KRZSP 6DWXUGD\0DUFK$*(6 Hank III www.hank3.com SOXV$VVMDFN $GY'U 'UVSP 6KRZSP Mar 5 Dirty Penny Atrium (Ages 16+) Mar 6 The Naysayers Atrium (Ages 21+) Mar 7 Igor & Red Elvises Atrium (Ages 21+) Mar 8 Sick Puppies Atrium (Ages 16+) Mar 9 Sleepy Sun Atrium (Ages 21+) Apr 1 Yonder Mt. String Band (Ages 21+) Apr 16 Collie Buddz (Ages 16+) Apr 17 Phoenix (Ages 16+) Apr 23 The Devil Makes Three (Ages 21+) Apr 24 The Devil Makes Three (Ages 16+) May 4 Thrice/ Manchester Orch. (Ages 16+) May 15 Groundation (Ages 16+) Aug 11 Rev. Horton Heat (Ages 21+) Unless otherwise noted, all shows are dance shows with limited seating. Tickets subject to city tax & service charge by phone 866-384-3060 & online www.catalystclub.com Page 24 E With Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez Warning: war violence Entertainment: 4.5 Message: 5 vatar’s special effects set a new standard for masterful storytelling—a fully immersive cinematic experience where the techniques disappear into the emotion of the characters and the sweep of the story. Peering though 3D glasses, you are quickly transported to a spectacular and breathtakingly beautiful place called Pandora. This A in Therapy. The Los Angeles Times says, “Zimmerman displays a lacerating wit and keen awareness of society’s foibles that bring to mind a latter-day Tom Lehrer.” Fri., Mar. 26, 7:30PM: Hawaiian Generations Featuring Dennis and David Kamakahi, George and Keoki Kahumoku. Expect side splitting stories, searing vocals and jerking melodies from these incredible ambassadors of Aloha, www.kuumbwajazz.org. Moe’s Alley: Wed., Mar. 17, St. Paddy’s Day Reggae Fest with JUNIOR REID, Andrew and Wada Blood, Toussaint The Liberator (I-Grade/Soulive) and more! 4 artists, 2 bands...1 Big night of International Reggae music at it’s best. Show starts at 9:00PM; doors open at 8:00PM, CD Release Celebration For “Living Legend”; Fri., Mar. 19: Charlie Musselwhite, Blues Harmonica Legend, 8:00PM doors, 8:30pm show, www. moesalley.com. Rio Theater: Thurs., Mar. 11, 7:30PM: Patty Larkin and John Gorka. Redefining the boundaries of folk-urban country music, Patty Larkin celebrates 25 years in the recording biz with “25”—the unplugged verfuture world becomes an eerie and compelling reflection of our present trajectory. The storyline itself might not sound new: a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption and discovery as he leads an epic battle to save civilization. Pass the popcorn. But James Cameron, the Oscar-winning director of Titanic, first conceived the film 14 years ago and then spent four years in production. It was worth it. This is, in part, an antiwar movie about respecting other cultures and beliefs, building sharp contrasts and moral conflict to drive points home. It contains far more war violence than we’d prefer, but it is also a powerful call that millions of people around the global seem ready to hear. Some films are meant to be realized at just the right moment in our history; Avatar seems to be one of them. If you haven’t already, go out and see this pioneering masterpiece (2 hrs 40 min.) The Blind Side With Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Quinton Aaron Entertainment: 4 Message: 5 ere’s a wonderful, feel-good movie, perfect for this time of year, with a great cast, including Sandra Bullock’s Golden Globe-winning role, and probably her best work to date. Her performance alone makes this one of the most enjoyable films of 2009: her character is a model of generosity, confidence (chutzpa) and certain “traditional” values. This true story is thus less about football and more about how a disadvantaged youth, with the right kind of help, can tackle and gradually rise above his circumstances. They didn’t ruin a splendid story, and though not fast paced (mirroring, perhaps, the loving patience and steady support required to bring forth our young star’s gifts), ultimately he does the work—the type of hard work and persistence that seems under appreciated in our instant gratification society. This triumphant tale grabs you and H sion of classic Patty Larkin love songs and some 25 friends along the way. Sat., Mar. 27, 8:00PM, House of Floyd, www.houseoffloyd.com—California’s #1 Pink Floyd show! Sat., April 3, 7:30PM: David Lindley with Bob Brozman. Multi-instrumentalist David Lindley performs music that redefines the word “eclectic”, www.riotheatre.com. Classical Highlights: March 13-14, Santa Cruz Chamber Players “Resonant Lyricism”—Downland, Harrison, Kim, Pratorius, and Piazolla. Christ Lutheran Church, Aptos (831) 425-1589 or www.scchamberplayers.org. March 20: Santa Cruz Baroque Festival “Imaginarey Intersections: Raga & Raj” First Congregational Church, Santa Cruz (831) 457-9693 or www.scbaroque.org. March 27: Chorale Santa Cruz “New Choir” Holy Cross Church, Santa Cruz (831) 427-8023 or www.santacruzchorale.org. March 27-28: Santa Cruz County Symphony “Romantic Rhapsodies” Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz & Mello Center, Watsonville, (831) 462-0553 or www.santacruzsymphony.org. simply refuses to let go (2 hrs 6 min). Crazy Heart With Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Robert Duvall, Anna Felix Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 4 hat could have been just a moderately interesting story about an aging country singer becomes a jewel of a movie through four-time Academy Award nominee Jeff Bridges’ superb performance, as well as Scott Cooper’s wonderful script and elegant directing. We had to remind ourselves that Bridges is acting, and actually singing the tunes himself; he is that convincing and authentic as Bad Blake, who’s Big Time has come and gone. We’re not country music fans per se, but enjoyed the soulful, bluesy originals. Blake’s unlikely romance with an intriguing and sensitive Maggie Gyllenhaal becomes the much needed whack-on-theside-of-the-head to his destructive, long-term companion—booze. Like a melancholic country song, this movie slowly draws you in through its artful realism and heart-breaking honesty (1 hr 51 min). W Precious: Based on the Novel “Push” by Sapphire With Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd Note: disturbing violence and sexual abuse Entertainment: 2.5 Message: 4.5 ifficult and often painful to watch, this is a heart-wrenching and unvarnished reminder of the violence and abuse that goes on within some families—but also the remarkable resilience of the human spirit. Precious tells an important tale that is worth the momentary discomfort of sitting through it. Let it be a personal challenge to witness the atrocious circumstances of 16-year-old Clareece “Precious” Jones, overweight, pregnant and illiterate, in 1987 Harlem. Her speech is such fractured English, it reflects a broken world, hard to relate to let alone understand. But you will. Despite a desperate life that could defeat even the bravest and strongest, Precious manages to persevere. The story is gritty and dark, but interspersed with her imaginative fantasies, contains the shimmering light of hope and sense of possibility. This raw and gripping portrait features Oscar-nominated performances by newcomer Gabourey Sidibe as Precious, and comedian Mo’Nique as her monster mother, Mary. What unfolds is a powerful social drama that serves as a persuasive argument for ignoring surface appearances, supporting literacy education, and engaging every human in living up to their potential (1 hr 49 min). D Up In the Air With George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 3.5 erhaps not as fantastic as some critics would claim, here is the opposite of callously announcing “You’re Fired!,” a film benefitting from George Clooney’s charm and appeal, delivering the same message to future ex-employees, but with much more finesse and skill, the old-fashioned way: as a hired consultant doing the dirty deed. Love affairs while on the road, the importance of keeping metaphorical baggage “light,” and an unwelcome attempt by his employer at modernization provide enough tension to keep things moving. This is a very funny parody, and yet a serious and topical film. A must see for anyone who has ever been fired, or who works in corporate America, especially in personnel (1 hr 49 min). P ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 New Living Expo —9th Annual— 21st Century Village For Health, Prosperity, and Happiness April 30 • May 1• May 2, 2010 The Concourse Exhibition Center, 8th Street at Brannan Street, San Francisco Mike Farrell • Dick Gregory • John Robbins Amy Goodman • Judith Orloff, M.D. Dan Millman • Paul Stamets Jonathan Goldman • Caroline Casey Dannion Brinkley • David Wilcock Susan Miller • Arielle Ford • Dr. Emoto Leonard Horowitz, D.M.D. and more … 300+ Exhibits • 100+ Speakers • Panels Workshops • Green Business Health & Wellness • Bookstore • Bodywork Natural Food • Business Opportunities Exhibit/Attend 415-382-8300 Volunteer 707-275-9094 newlivingexpo.com The Directory - New This Issue “Living in Conscious Unity with each other and all life” Teaching Science of Mind: Law of Attraction Oneness of all Life 10:30 Sunday Celebration Service 10:00 Meditation. Ongoing classes, workshops and events. Santa Cruz Rev. Angela Geary, Senior Minister 1818 Felt St, Santa Cruz, CA. 95062 • (831) 462-9383 • www.cclsantacruz.com ADVANCED LIGHT THERAPY Blossom into Radiant Health Just as plants need sunlight to thrive, researchers have found that light activates the body's own healing capability at the molecular level. It takes only 30 minutes to jump-start the body's own synergistic healing and anti-aging processes providing the equivalent of a full nights rest! s Profound Relaxation s Improved Sleep Patterns s Mood Lifting SCHEDULE TODAY! Adora Deva 831.566.9678 adoradeva@got.net s Increased Energy s Photo-facial s Pain Relief and much more! For a full list of benefits visit: www.LifeSpiritHealing.com Lotus Holistic Health Institute I 4245 Capitola Rd, Ste 103 I Santa Cruz Page 26 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 ALTERNATIVE/COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH & MEDICINE Page 27 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 ALTERNATIVE/COMPLEMENTARY HEALTH & MEDICINE ASTROLOGY • PSYCHICS • INTUITIVE COUNSELING Available for Readings at Gateways: Mondays 2pm to 6pm nd healing a l Promote ve le y n ever growth o being. of your Work Magic in your life by finding clarity and answers that may have eluded you. (831) 338-2257 ❖ www.valeriewhitelight.com BUSINESS A unique way to pick your perfect pup. Learn some fascinating things about yourself as a dog owner by exploring your sun sign personality chapter, then read about and see all the breeds selected as being most compatible with your personality. AstroPups is designed to help you pick the perfect pup that you will enjoy for its whole lifespan. Buy the book on amazon.com COACHING COUNSELING • PSYCHOLOGY • THERAPY Loïc Jassy, Ph.D. Transpersonal Psychology Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFC 22014) Psychotherapy for Individuals, Couples & Families 25 years experience Dr. Jassy has taught ‘I offer you a safe and supportive environment for growth & healing.’ ◆ Couples Counseling ◆ Communication Skills for Better Relationships ◆ Conscious Parenting ◆ Life Purpose & Work Transitions ◆ Addiction Management y Looïïcc JJaasshshs.y.DD.. L P P ◆ Somatic Psychotherapy ◆ EMDR for Trauma Recovery ◆ Process & Gestalt Therapy ◆ Anxiety & Depression ◆ Crisis & Grief Counseling at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Center for Spiritual Enlightment, Esalen Institute, and Cabrillo College and was the Director of Training for the Hendricks Institute of Somatic Psychotherapy. Soquel (831) 479-3424 | Los Gatos (408) 395-4662 Page 28 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 COUNSELING • PSYCHOLOGY • THERAPY Who Are You Really? • Self Esteem • Stress Management • Inner Child Healing • Spiritual Issues •EMDR (Trauma Resolution) (#MFC25548) • Flower Essences MA-Transpersonal Counseling • Soul Exploration Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, 20 years • Recovery Sensitive Holistic Psychotherapy For Individuals & Couples Helen A. Harris, MA, LMFT Note New # - (831) 425-3405 • Soquel Scent Free Environment HYPNOSIS • NEURO-LINGUISTICS • ETC. e h t . w ww m o c . t c e n n Co Check it Out! INSTRUCTION • EDUCATION • CAREER TRAINING • TECHNICAL SCHOOLS Call for Info about Next Class Intro Tues. Dec. 15 at 7pmOpen H 2-1511B East Cliff Drive (at the Santa Cruz Integrative Medical and Chi Center) www.cypresshealthinstitute.com MASSAGE • ACUPRESSURE • SHIATSU ALL SERVICES LISTED HERE STRICTLY NON-SEXUAL +ZIVQW;IKZIT*WLa5QVL0MIZ\<PMZIXa OMV\TMXW_MZN]TZM[\WZI\Q^M ]V_QVLNZWUaW]ZKWZM\WZMOIQV KWUNWZ\KTIZQ\aIVLQVVMZKITU LMMXTaKITUKWU ! ;XMKQIT1V\ZWL]K\WZa:I\M[ 1VXZIK\QKM[QVKM! Page 29 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 MIND • BODY • SPIRIT • HEART Where We Connect to Change Our World In 1997 I visited South Africa on a business trip. It touched my soul and I knew that I wanted to do something to help the children in Africa. Through the years I had looked at different organizations, but none of them seemed to speak to my heart until I found Humanity Unites Brilliance. I knew immediately that I wanted to be involved. I had been looking for a way to make a difference in the world. I wanted my life to mean something, to find my passion, my purpose, and create prosperity for all. I feel that I am a light worker...helping to raise the consciousness of the planet through HUB. If this speaks to your heart and your soul...won’t you please join me in co-creating a new world now!! Call me Jan Price at: 831-233-2845 janprice@hubhub.org • www.Janprice.hubhub.org Call for New Classes Lovingly Supporting Individuals and Groups in Higher Love, Self and Life ✦ Transformational Healing ✦ Soul Mated Relationship ✦ Reiki Instruction ✦ Workshops ✦ Groups “Healing With Love” - 5-week course “Soul Deep Love” - bimonthly group “Soul Filled Romance” - healing/manifesting package P Cons hone u Availltations able (831) 457-7788 • www.micheledemoulin.com MOVEMENT, POSTURAL & STRUCTURAL BODYWORK and EDUCATION For Certification Training and Seminars visit biodynamicschool.com A Biodynamic approach to Craniosacral Therapy d healing potency of th ral an u t ’s inherent potential e tid na nite the body for es e th s, ig h ; ge nes ga still n E in For more information: www.biodynamicschool.com Carol Agneessens, MS. RCST. 831-662-3057 Do You Desire Lasting Relief from Chronic Pain, Stiffness, and Poor Posture? TRY ROLFING..... Kelly Stoll Certified Rolfer 831 345-7987 A body in balance is a body at ease. Be happy. Get Rolfed. Call for a free 30 m inute consultation YOGA Page 30 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 eal th. Libra (Sep 23-Oct ASTROLOGY A FOR s we move into March, with a Sun Jupiter alignment, the Piscean energies of deep feelings, is experienced. Let’s take advantage of its positive expression; compassion, and forgiveness, watching its negative manifestation of getting emotionally caught up in old story lines of blame or victimization. With Venus also in Pisces, the arts, music, and theatre, are all emphasized as the powers of imagination and our desire to share feelings and stories are increased. Pisces is also the sign of collective health care. Watch what happens after March 10th when Mars goes direct. Yet this month, just like this year, is one of extremes… not only are the powers of compassion and spirituality highlighted, but also through the strong presence of Mars, daring, assertive, aggressive, accusing and polarizing behavior is enhanced. Warrior Mars is action, and the action to support survival. It is competitive, carrying the hot energy of enthusiasm, courage, frustration, irritation, anger, and violence. It separates rather than unites to insure individual or group existence. It blames in order to insure its own existence. How can we most consciously interact with this Martian energy? Through the 10th, let us investigate our own impulses, behavior and any situation that brings about our reactive response. What unspoken need promotes the reactions? Look at issues of self-empowerment and will to take action for what you want. Is it over done or lacking? Look at repeating patterns in your life. What thwarts your intentions? Mars has extraordinary powers to cut through illusion. The new moon on the 15 t h brings insight, excellent for intuitive problem solving. The Spring Equinox takes place on March 20 th, defining a 3 month period. One must be wise in contemplating new beginnings now, with demand for clear organization. Balance material concerns with spiritual and wholistic values. There is strong energy for action. Review how the relationships you are involved in support the goals you are seeking to reach. Mid month communications are intense, fast paced and challenging. Stay calm. At the end of the month, on the 29th, the full moon brings issues to a head. “Where Swami answers your questions, and you will question his answers.” Dear Swami: I have asked this question of many great masters, and none could answer it to my satisfaction. So I will ask you: How do you know you know? —Ashir Dropov, Brooklyn, New York Dear Ashir: As far as I know, there are Four Stages of Knowing: 1. You don’t know. 2. You don’t know you don’t know. 3. You know you don’t know. 4. You know “I don’t know” is all you need to know. Clearly, you have not achieved Stage Four, because you still think you need to know if you know, and your desire to be aware of what you know and what you don’t know has led you to a state of mental confusion. I understand this condition from my own experience, because I too was a know-aware man. But then in an instant of enlightenment, I went from know awareness to no awareness. As soon as I knew I didn’t know, I knew. Y’know? I’ll put it another way. All of the knowing we fill our heads up with is to avoid a void. But emptiness is the space of all creation. It says so right in the Bible: “In the beginning vas the MARCH 2010 Twelve opportunities for March: Aries (Mar 20-Apr 19): As Mars goes direct on the 10th, situations move forward for you. Much review is going on until then. Finding right action based on truth is important, and communication is stimulated. At the Equinox, there is opportunity for renewed faith and trust in self. All relationships demand careful consideration. Old issues surface to be released and new foundations built. Taurus (Apr 20-May 20): Recently, you have come into a deeper truth about yourself and your needs. It has centered around your home, family or deep subjective awareness. You have gotten into core material. A rebirth is happening. Keep situations simple and relatively quiet until mid-March. You are having opportunities with new groups of people. Gemini (May 21-Jun 20): These last few months, you have had to limit yourself in order to understand what motivates you to scatter yourself. Now you come to a greater understanding of what’s essentially important in terms of your energy output and what you have take on. You can utilize what you have learned. Don’t take on too much this month. Cancer (Jun 21–Jul 21): This month highlights travel and learning something new. Change in career and home are up for you. Take time to review choices. What supports a good foundation of well-being for you? You are completing a review of money, resources, talents and what you deeply value. Money can move quickly after March 10th, so be practical. Leo (Jul 22 – Aug 22): After March 10th, you are released into forward movement. You have felt stalled. Now quick moving change can happen. Do you want to take up something new? After the Equinox, this is very highlighted for you. Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22): Since last October, you have been challenged in ways that seemed to demand putting aside your own desire to create and express your life the way you want to. Certain decisions about how you respond to this have taken place, but now continue to take stock of your life, making your desires a priority, for this bears fruit in summer. Void.” (Note: It is not widely known that the early God of the Hebrews spoke with a Yiddish Brooklyn accent.) So instead of doing a void dance to avoid an unavoidable void, we must seek Holeness. That is why I recommend you carry your own box of Nothing with you at all times. This is nothing personal. And I recommend that you stop throwing bait at all these spiritual masters. Believe me when I tell you this mental master-baiting will not get you nowhere. As my friend Brad Blanton says, “The mind is a terrible thing— waste it!” Dear Swami: I am one who believes that Universal Intelligence in the form of Nature is always sending us signals. For example, if I see an eagle, it is a reminder to let my higher nature soar. Or an armadillo tells me to be aware of my boundaries. I am usually able to figure out these messages pretty easily, but last week I was at a nearby lake, and I saw something I’ve never seen before. As I peered at the rocks along the shore, 22): Cut away the extraneous this month. Take full responsibility for your own well being and life intentions. This is the time to define goals. Continue through March to know want you want in the face of demands of others. Patience and perseverance with long range plans allow realization of expression. Mid March is a good time to initiate new health habits. Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21): Since last year, you have had a need to define a plan to find a new career or more connection with what you do. As Mars goes direct on March 10 th , you can move forward with change. Your fear of change or any patterns that don’t allow you to move into what you want, can be transformed through patient observation. Spring launches you. Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 20): With situations changing at home and in family dynamics, take this opportunity to examine your belief systems. What views shape your relationships? Greater understanding and compassion is now available to you, allowing change in relationship. This can also bring a greater depth of perception in your next course of action. Capricorn (Dec 21- Jan 19): This month brings clarity around how you are emotionally affected by others. Balance inner time with outer commitments. Patience and a long view is the right attitude and is successful for achieving your goals. Share your feelings calmly rather than repress. Writing, music and the arts help release feelings. Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 17): This month, someone wants answers from you. You can feel a pressure to take up action to express yourself in a way you haven’t. You feel tension from others. Can you cool the heat? Powerful Mars demands you get to the truth in your relationships. Be open to change and dynamic movement last part of month. Pisces (Feb 18-Mar 19): This is a time of clearing out and simplifying. The universe is offering you opportunities for more space and love in your life. Take a retreat from daily life to feel a new future. There is an incredible need to get things done. Don’t let this cover over the very strong feelings you are now experiencing. Susan Heinz, a professional astrologer in Santa Cruz for 27 years, brings together traditional and esoteric astrology, Tarot and Qabalah. For info on her Friday monthly astrology groups, her Qabalah and astrology classes and for personal consultations, call (831) 4765787, or e-mail susanheinz@comcast. net. I saw a fish that looked like a cross between a catfish and a swordfish. A local fellow later told me it was a gar. Never having seen one before, I am at a total loss as to the special meaning of this unusual sighting. Swami, what does it mean to see gar? —Barber Q. Dribbs, Lampasas, Texas Dear Barber: Since no book I’ve ever seen has mentioned any symbology for this critter, maybe we should just fall back on the words of Dr. Freud: “Sometimes a ‘see gar’ is just a ‘see gar.’” © Copyright 2009 by Steve Bhaerman. All rights reserved. Swami Beyondananda—and his hilarious books and CDs —can be found online at http://www.wakeuplaughing.com. Steve’s new book with Dr. Bruce Lipton, Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future a n d a Wa y t o Get There From Here, is now available. Just go to http://www.wakeuplaughing.com/ or call toll free (800) SWAMI-BE to order. Tarot Readings • Life Purpose • Career • Relationship • Body • Mind • Spirit with artist • intuitive Melanie Gendron, creator of The Gendron Tarot Tarot Readings at Your Next Party! (831) 335-9064 Art & Tarot Products & Services Gendron Studios PO Box 1438, Felton, CA 95018 www.MelanieGendron.com IX The Hermit, ©1997, US Games Systems, Inc. Page 31 ▲ The Connection Magazine ▲ www.ConnectionMagazineOnline.com ▲ March 2010 Monterey Mattress Company www.montereymattress.com Going green and sustainable A big thanks to Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay Now implementing our Resort Green and Sustainable beds in all rooms Esalen Institute, Big Sur Our long-term partner in developing Green and Sustainable products “Our story is simple. We build our own mattresses, put our good name on them, and sell them at fair prices. We take pride in our quality products and services.” Dale Gingerich, Owner 2009 Entrepreneur of the Year Salute to Small Business presented by KSBW-TV and Union Bank New Organic and Natural Sleep Systems Luxurious natural latex quilted with the finest certified organic wool from our own partnering wool mill, covered with organic cotton. Come experience our hand-made Organic Wool Pillow Topper using the finest quality wool from happy sheep grazing in sight of Mt. Shasta. 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