Jul sep 2016 delta living magazine

delta

Inspiring stories across 1700 miles

living JULY – SEPT 2016

magazine

Breastoration Nipple Tattoos Kathryn Sibley

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FASHIONTAP APP DESIGNER

Michael C. Grumley Local book author

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Amy Roiland

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July – September 2016

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in this issue…

Cover feature: Amy Roiland

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by Charleen Earley

Let Your Heart Beat Again

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Delta Wines

by Dennis Hall

by Kristine Cataldo

16 Hip Hop Dance Academy | by Charleen Earley

28 Be Happy | by Walter Ruehlig

18 Indoor Plantscaping | by Debbie Gatt

34 Delta Silver Linings | by Vinny DiNicola

22 Delta Education | by Lisa Spencer

38 Glowing Skin | by Emily Woselek

26 Community Events | Downtown Brentwood Coalition

42 Funny Side Up | by Charleen Earley

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from the editor and publisher…

CONTACT US

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P.O. Box 395 Knightsen, CA 94548

925.383.3072 charleenbearley@gmail.com www.DeltaLivingMagazine.com

PUBLISHER Charleen Earley - charleenbearley@gmail.com GRAPHIC DESIGNER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR Conrad Borba - conradborba@gmail.com EDITOR IN CHIEF Rita Caruso - rcaruso@guildmortgage.net WRITERS Vinny DiNicola • Felicia Purcell • Walter Ruehlig Kristine Cataldo • Heather Johnson • Debbie Gatt Emily Wesolek • Dennis Hall • Ryan Frerking-Ramos Lisa Spencer, MA • Maddison Trester • Kristina Moldovan Charleen Earley PHOTOGRAPHERS JVB Photography • Jody Hanson • Maddison Trester Charleen Earley COPY EDITORS Ana Hurt • John Hartmann • Rita Caruso Tammy Borba • Walter Ruehlig DISTRIBUTION Barbara Ellison-Smith • Walter Ruehlig • Kristina Moldovan

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find myself engulfed and enamored by the t’s been a crazy last semester, let me tell you! level of amazing writers we have. “Are you While completing another round of two being squeezed?” by Vinny DiNicola (pg. 34) is classes towards my Master's Degree at San incredibly precious. I recently had a conversation Jose State, I got to teach my first journalism with my cousin about us adult kids dealing with (mass communication) class at Los Medanos care for our elderly parents while at the same College and loved every single second of it. time, making time for our own self-care. This I also got to finish out the final quarter of article is so important and poignant! Until you journalism classes at Heritage High School in experience having to care for your parent, this Brentwood, which included over 150 freshmen to seniors.With that many new names to is something you won’t understand until you are memorize, quizzes and photography assignthere and in the moment. We really are “sandwiched” in dealing with family and our loved ments to dish out, I have to admit, it was filled ones who need our care and attention and we with many fond memories. Students signed don't fully realize (until you are there) that help- (L-R) Rita Caruso is Editor-in-Chief, my Yearbook with "HAGS,” (means Have a while sister Charleen Earley is ing yourself; actually helps our loved ones! This Publisher and owner of Delta Liv- Great Summer). This has to be the acronym article spoke volumes to me, being someone ing Magazine. Born in the same generation! While I was busy teaching, gradwho has experienced this firsthand.This is an aryear at 10 months apart, the two ing, studying and writing, my DLM writers always laugh about how much were busy writing prose about being happy ticle I know everyone will benefit from reading! they're "twinning." (Walter Ruehlig, pg. 28), being vulnerable I find myself constantly delving into and enjoying each and every article in this magazine. I again (Kristine Cataldo, pg. 10), and regaining gravitate towards things that I read that inspire and a sense of self as a cancer survivor through nipple help me in my life and I know each reader will find tattoos (Kathryn Sibley, pg. 24). I also got to connect something that will uplift and inspire them in some with the FashionTap app creator Amy Roiland who way or form in their lives. appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank. Her piece is on Read, absorb and enjoy the knowledge and inpage 40. I hope you enjoy this issue of Delta Living spiration each incredible author has prepared and Magazine as much as we enjoy creating it for you!! shared with you, the reader!

Charleen Earley | Publisher

Rita Caruso | Editor In Chief rcaruso@guildmortgage.com

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

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

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contributors

Rita Caruso | Editor-in-Chief

Conrad Borba | Graphic Designer

Charleen Earely | Publisher/Owner/Writer

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

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

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

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

Walter Ruehlig | Writer

Liz Leppelmeier | Copy Editor

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

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

Liz is the Project and Marketing Director for Element Power Systems, a locally based renewable energy and solar company. She takes pride in being part of a quality driven company that shares the same level of professional values as those that are personally important to her. She loves meeting new people and has a passion for archeological artifacts.

Vinny DiNicola | Writer

Jody Hanson | Photographer

Lisa Spencer MA | College & Career Advisor

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

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

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

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

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

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July – September 2016

Delta Living Magazine Vision Delta Living Magazine is an artery of hyper local and regional feature articles, photography and businesses, sharing information to promote improved lives to our families and environment.

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Let your heart beat again Story and photo by Kristine R. Cataldo, MSCIS, MAed Kristine@KristineCataldo.net

A

nother day comes to a close as the sun begins its descent into the west and we are treated to another spectacular light show. As an artist’s watercolors move effortlessly across his canvas, so do the colors in the sky as they slowly bleed into each other across the horizon. Beginning with the brightest yellow, the colors intensify to the most brilliant reddish-orange, before melting to the softest cotton candy pink, and fading into a comforting purple hue as the sun makes its final decent and sinks below our beloved mountain.

I am made more aware that the show is by no means a mistake, but yet another daily miracle, a masterpiece, created especially for us. Even though I do not understand how it happens, the show will continue regardless. The same is true for people who enter our life. Each person is no mistake or coincidence, but instead, a strategic placement in our life… a gift. People are placed in our life for reasons, seasons, to help us grow, strengthen us, stretch us, and to teach us valuable lessons.While some indi10

July – September 2016

viduals are meant to bless us for short periods of time, others are meant to stay longer.

Just like the sun’s rays, some people will be a bright light and add a spectrum of color and sparkle to our life.

These souls will touch our life, add joy, bring us warmth, display brilliance and show us amazing grace.

They are meant to teach us how to shine, even when we have forgotten how. They touch our heart and soul more profoundly and deeply than we could ever imagine.

Others with a heavier, darker presence will also enter our life. While they will be elusive, bring stormy and dark clouds, cast shadows, and even burn us in our interaction with them, their purpose is nonetheless important. Regardless how individuals pass through our life, they all serve a purpose, even if we do not fully understand it at the time.

It is human nature to struggle to understand why people pass in and out of our lives, but also to build walls and shield our hearts from the perceived pain associated with the loss as individuals leave our life… whether through breakup, death, or the slow growing apart in a relationship.

Even though the sun sets each day, it rises again the next with new rays of light. In a storm, we know that the blue sky doesn’t permanently disappear, but is merely temporarily covered with dark clouds that will soon pass, allowing the rays of light to shine again.The same is true with our life.

Instead of focusing on the end of the relationship, building walls, and shutting down the possibility of future love, what if we shifted our focus to the blessing the relationship brought to our life?

If we move forward in a vulnerable way, love will once again flow into the depths of our hearts. Just as the broken pieces of stained glass are melted together into a wonderful masterpiece, so will the shards of a shattered heart meld back together into a beautiful new heart. For this to happen, we must focus on lessons learned, the growth that occurred, and the love we experienced instead of pushing the pain deep down into the recesses of our heart and refusing to love again. Our heart will beat strong and a stronger more beautiful heart will be formed, fully ready to receive and give love once again.

It is all a gift.

Kristine R. Cataldo, MSCIS, MAed, is an Educational Consultant, spiritual, wellness & happiness educator, columnist, author, inspirational speaker and healthy living advocate… body, mind spirit.Visit her at www.KristineCataldo.net. www.deltalivingmagazine.com

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delta reads

Amid Michael C. Grumley’s book-writing styles

By Charleen Earley

charleenbearley@gmail.com Photos courtesy of Michael C. Grumley

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’ve never been an action-thriller type book reader – until I read Michael C. Grumley’s Amid the Shadows. A real page-turner for me, his prose kept me hooked and now I want to read the rest of his books!

Michael was born in Southern California and stayed until fifth grade. He moved to the Northern California Bay Area where he currently lives with his wife and two daughters. By day, he works in the information technology field, but by night he’s writing novels, working his literary craft and taking interviews with Delta Living Maga- Does your wife and family support your zine! I dove right in, in true action- writing and if so, how? Oh yeah. My style fashion and asked away … wife and two daughters definitely support my writing. They're very excited How, if at all, has your upbringing to tell their friends about their "famous" shaped you as a writer? I'm not sure daddy. Which is a bit of a stretch. My if my upbringing had a huge bearing wife is a huge supporter. She's actually on my interest in stories. My first story, my editor.When I'm done with a book, when I was young, was one-page about she spends about a month cleaning it a bionic rat. I remember leaving it out up. I joke about what people would for my mom when she got home from think of my books if my wife had never work, and she wrote on it, how great it got her hands on it. I'm still a part-time was and that maybe I'd be a writer some writer having to hold down a job, so day. I actually still have that paper. And I write in the evenings, usually after the best part is...I'm now my mom's fa- everyone goes to bed. I have actually vorite author.

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managed to utilize the time on the train to and from work to write too. So those are my two windows.

things came to be the way they are.

There are a lot of historical references - were you a history major or buff? It's funny. When I was in school, I hated history. I thought it was terribly boring. But now as I get older, like a lot of people, I'm much more drawn to history and want to know more about how

Who is your audience? How many in your fan base? Because of the actionbased scenes, do you have many male readers? So, this is interesting. My Breakthrough series is by far the most popular, and as you point out, is very action-based. Though all my books

What's your educational background and how does that factor into your writWhen did you begin writing - how did ing? I have a Bachelor's degree in Orit all start for you? You know, I've always ganizational Behavior with a minor in toyed with short stories here and there. Telecommunications. So, my education It wasn't until my girls were born and I didn't really factor in. However, my cafound myself just browsing the Internet reer has had a huge impact. I've worked at night, or playing Words with Friends in the computer field for 20 years, so with my mom, that I thought that if I I've developed a pretty solid underwas in front of a screen, I should prob- standing of technology in general. And ably do something constructive. So I there's quite a bit of technology in most started writing a story that I'd wanted to of my books. But not so much that peowrite for years. That book was Break- ple fall asleep. through. And when I was done, I liked the experience enough to keep going How many books have you written so with another. far, and how long does it take for you to write each one? I've written six so far.

How would you categorize your genre And it does vary quite a bit. My shortest of writing? That's a hard one. My sto- time was about four months and lonries are pretty multi-genre. I would say gest was about nine. It depends on two Thrillers primarily. And within that things primarily; how diligent I am and there are Action/Adventure thrillers how large the story is. And like most (like Breakthrough), conspiracy thrill- people, motivating yourself after a long day at work can be tough. ers, and a couple supernatural.

www.deltalivingmagazine.com

delta reads move pretty fast. Interestingly, I have a very wide audience. I get many emails from readers and at least half of them are women. And I get emails from middle school students all the way up to people in their 80's. I think it's because my books span so many different genres that there's something for everyone.

I'm actually not an action-based fan, but after reading Amid the Shadows, I AM NOW! Do you get this a lot from female readers? You know I do. A lot of people tell me that they don't normally read "this" genre or "that" genre, but they loved my books. Every book moves fast and has a lot of suspense, which is something I think a lot of us like.

Are there recurring themes, messages or hooks in each of your books? That's a good question. I think there is a common theme. I'm always one to root for the underdog and I love it when people overcome their own limitations (both mentally and physically) to achieve something great. I guess it leaves me with a feeling of hope for our own future.

Assuming you love it, what is it that you love about writing? You know, writing is hard. Much harder than I thought it would be. But I do love it, especially the feeling you get when you finish a book and people write emails to tell www.deltalivingmagazine.com

What is your mantra in life? What do you live life by or tell your kids on a regular basis? Hmm...that's a really good question. I suppose my mantra, more than anything else, would be to “smell the flowers.� Appreciate what you have.

Because most of the world has a lot less.

So I don't focus on the acquisition of things as much as the appreciation of things.

Visit Michael C. Grumley at www.michaelgrumley.com you how much they loved it too. It's deeply gratifying, on a level that's difficult to explain.

Outside of writing, what are your hobbies and interests? I'm interested in a lot of things and they vary quite a bit. I love to run and exercise, though I have to force myself to do it, like all of us. I like to garden and grow things. I like to sail (though I don't do it as often as I like). I'm interested in economics, other people's stories, and where the lines of "what's possible" end. However, more than anything else, I want to be with my girls.

What jobs have you worked along the way in life? Have they added to your novels? Most of my job contribution has been through my technology career.

However, with that said, I often add people and careers I know to my stories. Something I suspect all authors do.

Are any of your characters based on people you know? Based on you? Alter ego?

Or all completely made up? The short answer is yes. But I'm not going to say who.

What authors do you look up to and why? The authors I look up to are the ones that have persevered and built up a career over many years. Most well known people have a long history behind their success. People like Tom Clancy and Clive Cussler. I'm also a big fan of Robert Heinlein.

Do you map out the entire book in outline, sticky notes, or create as you go along or do you let the book lead

you instead? Very good question. This is a rather interesting one for me, because so many authors have a different style. I map out most of my books before I start. Not super detailed though, as the books and stories need to breathe as you write them. It needs be inspired just as much as it needs to be designed. Interestingly, I've read about indie authors who begin their books by writing the last chapter first.

Something I have a very hard time understanding.

Advice to wannabe novel-writers? My advice to a new author is actually pretty simple. It is not to let anyone ever tell you what your chances of success are.

What are the pros and cons of being a writer? Oh, this is a fun question. The pros? You get to see the world from within your book, and to travel to different places. I know that sounds a little trite but it's true. And when I write, I truly feel as though I'm in the room with the characters. The cons are that it takes a lot of patience and fortitude.

In the larger context, writing a book happens in such small pieces, it's like writing a term paper one sentence a day. Then hoping that all of those sentences still flow. It's fascinating really. In fact, every time I finish a book, I am sure it's not very good. But then I give it a fresh read and think, "Hey, that's not too bad."

July – September 2016

15

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July – September 2016

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advertorial

By Charleen Earley

Photos by JVB Photography

O

wner of Hip-Hop Natyam Dance, Priya Nykan of Burnaby, British Columbia Canada, has been dancing for 30 years and it all started with her mother.

“She was a dancer and a singer and started me at age four,” said Priya, who moved to Oakley, CA after getting married in 2010. “I am professionally trained in Bharata Natyam, an ancient Indian dance style that originated in South India.”

She trained in Vancouver, Canada for 14 years, and then lived in India for four months to learn 10 new dances and original studio music recordings.

Her favorite artists include Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Paula Abdul, Jai Govinda, Lata Pada, Malavika Sarukai, Madhuri Dixit and many more.

When Priya moved to Oakley, while expecting her first daughter, she searched for dance studios.

“I began to research Indian dance schools in the surrounding area,” she said. “I was pretty surprised that there was no professional school near Oakley and Brentwood, and in fact, Contra Costa County.”

At Hip-Hop Natyam Dance, which opened February, 2014 at Red Door Dance Studio in Brentwood on First www.deltalivingmagazine.com

Street, students (children to adults, male and female, all nationalities) will learn core principles of full body postures, along with mathematical rhythmic footwork patterns, facial expressions and precise technique.

“We then go into Bollywood, Bhangra, Kathak, Hip-Hop and contemporary steps in any order,” said Priya, who got back into dancing after the birth of her second daughter. “In one year, a student of the academy is set up to learn a Bharta Natyam dance, where Bharata Natyam steps are incorporated with Hip-Hop dance and music.”

Priya feels dance is important on so many levels.

“The internal muscle and brain function is equal for all humans,” she said. “It helps with stress management, balance, muscle memory, cognitive thinking and creative thinking.

Dance helps you develop imagination if it is lost or hidden; it brings joy and you can learn about different cultures through cultural dancers.”

“True dance comes from a place where there is no more thinking involved and takes you to a state where the dancer disappears and only the dance exists,” she added. “It can serve as a type of meditation to some.”

The student skill level required to learn the dances is considered easybut-challenging.

“It’s very easy to learn the styles I

teach, as long as you are dedicated and eager to learn,” said Priya. “My school does challenge the brain functions. I wouldn’t say it’s very easy, but I would say it is fun and challenging and I am a very patient and knowledgeable teacher. I typically notice huge progress after only three classes. Dance is a difficult art, but with passion and discipline, anything is achievable.”

Priya said she couldn’t do this without the strong support of her husband Marcus Nykan.

“He supports me to pursue my passions while raising our kids,” she said.

“Marcus is a scientist at Genentech and cares about our dance culture and Indian heritage as well. My brotherin-law and my in-laws help take care of my kids when I go to work for my dance business. I am very blessed and grateful for being an entrepreneur; a good support system is a key element.”

Her 30 years of experience, continually learning new inventions in dance and her down-to-earth personality is why Priya receives countless compliments from her students saying how much they enjoy her classes.

“I taught workshops at UC Davis and worked as an artists in two theater productions in San Francisco since 2013,” said Priya. “I create dancers. If you want to go to a professional level in Indian dance specifically, I can take you there.”

Her main goal for teaching in Brentwood is about unity.

“I built this school out of passion for arts and culture,” she said. “And to bring the community together through Indian dance.”

Hip-Hop Natyam Dance Academy Priya K. Nykan Founder | Director Choreographer | Instructor www.hiphopnatyam.com www.indiandanceartist.com

Red Door Dance Studio 817 1st Street Brentwood, CA 94513

July – September 2016

17

Get out the barbecue skewer and turkey baster DIY tips for watering your indoor plants

not want to water at all when it’s moist. Wait ten to fourteen days before watering. Checking the soil with the skewer also aerates the plant. This allows the water to go completely down to the tips of the roots.

By Debbie Gatt debbie@indooreden.com The second rule of watering is to water all around Photo by Charleen Earley the pot with lukewarm water. Full coverage of watering is very critical to the overall health of the ow can you tell if your plants have plant. If you dump the water only where the base of enough water, or getting too much? the plant is, not all of the roots will be watered propDo your plant leaves droop, have yellow leaves or erly. This will result in an area of the plant dying. A brown tips or do the leaves drop? Plants actually rule of thumb is to have the water room temperalet you know what they need by how they look. ture as you would to bathe a baby. Too cold or hot Most people think they have to constantly water will cause your plant to get root damage.

The last rule of watering is dump out any explants so they won’t die. Quite the opposite is true.

Most plants prefer to be a little too dry than too cess water. You want to pour in enough water to wet. Once you start paying attention to how your run through to the saucer, or drainage portion of a plant looks, you will become more proficient at the decorative container. This is called leaching.

Leaching removes excess soluble salts and minwatering process.

Let me go over some DIY tips of indoor plant erals that can build up and damage a plant. It also watering. Indoor plants are different than outdoor washes away stale air from the pores of the medium plants.The number one rule is to check the soil me- and pulls fresh oxygen to the soil.

Plants sitting in too much water will cause root dium before ever watering. Most residential indoor rot. The best trick to pull out excess water is a food plants are not very large in size.

The easiest, affordable tool to use for checking baster. The one you use for cooking your Thanksthe soil is a metal BBQ skewer. You are probably giving turkey. Yes, it’s another kitchen gadget. Pull thinking what the heck is she talking about. Usually out the water with the food baster and empty.

I hope these few watering tips will help keep your with larger plants you need a very heavy, thick soil probe to go to the roots of the plant. A BBQ skewer plants thriving a bit longer. Time to go out and get is much easier on the roots because of how thin it your BBQ skewer for your plants. It is the handiest is.You still need to be very careful not to puncture tool you’ll ever use. any roots.

When you pull up the skewer, it will either be For more information on plantscaping, visit dry, damp, moist, or too moist when you touch it.

Debbie Gatt at www.IndoorEden.com Soil will pull up on the skewer if it is moist.You do

H

Photo by Charleen Earley Plant Beaucarnea Recurvata, also knows as elephant's foot or ponytail palm, needs bright indirect light. Water when soil surface is dry, evenly moist, not soggy. Despite it's name, it is not closely related to the true palms (Arecaceae), and are native to Tamaulipas, Veracruz and San Luis Potosi in eastern Mexico.

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July – September 2016

www.deltalivingmagazine.com

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July – September 2016

19

advertorial

6 Common Sense Rules for Being a Good Client Part (1)

J

ohn was in the middle of an intense family law case. Things were running along just fine – and then the wheels came off the bus. Suddenly something was “off.” John and his attorney seemed to be on the same page, but John was beginning to sense that something was missing. It almost felt like his attorney was annoyed with him.

One day his attorney had a heart-to-heart with him. Apparently John, in his intensely emotional state had become “that guy” – the kind of client who typically gets “fired” by his attorney.

What went wrong?

John wasn’t doing any of these:

hemming and hawing. In his mind he was examining every aspect of each decision.

Unfortunately, he could see every angle, and this made deciding difficult. The “what ifs” were keeping him up at night. In his stress, John wasn’t trusting himself that whatever decision he made would be the best he could with the information he had at the time. He was busy second-guessing and judging himself. As you can probably see, this was driving his attorney crazy, because without firm decision-making, nothing could move forward in the case

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REFRAINING FROM EMOTIONAL OUTBURSTS AND BEHAVIOR DURING MEETINGS RESPONDING PROMPTLY TO MEETING AND INFORMATION It was hard for John to keep it all in perREQUESTS spective. When confronted with uncomfortJohn was practicing avoidance and hop- able comments about his own behavior, or ing that if he procrastinated long enough, the his ex-wife’s, it was very difficult to keep sting of the situation would go away. After all, the emotions inside. Unfortunately this was digging through all of those personal records compromising the outcome of meetings with for the information his attorney had request- his attorney and opposing counsel. John was ed brought up all kinds of difficult emotions. looking like a “hot head” which didn’t make But by making his attorney wait, he was mak- him look good at all. ing it very hard for his attorney to help him.

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The College Admissions Game

By Lisa Spencer

lisa@next-phase.net

H

ave you ever wondered how colleges decide which students to accept and which ones will be denied? If you hang around high school seniors after acceptance letters have come out in March, you will undoubtedly hear stories about a student with lesser statistics getting accepted to a certain college, while a higher achieving candidate got waitlisted or denied. How does this happen?

According to Jacques Steinberg, author of The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College, the admissions process is not as objective and formulaic as we would like to believe. It is often “messy, intuitive and idiosyncratic.”

Typically, an application is assigned to two readers. If both readers agree, the student is put into the appropriate pile: yes or no. If they don’t agree, the application will go to a committee and the debating will begin. Let’s take a look at what goes on behind closed doors in the admissions office.

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July – September 2016

Below are two hypothetical students and their basic statistics. Who do you think will get accepted out of these two?

Student #1 – GPA: 3.5 and SAT: 1350 Student #2 – GPA: 3.3 and SAT: 1330 Here is a little more information on each student: Student #1 – She had straight A’s in 9th and 10th grade, but has some B’s and a C in 11th grade, plus a few AP and honors classes. She has played softball since elementary school and is currently on the varsity team. Plans to major in business. She had a solid but typical essay and positive letters of recommendation.

Student: #2 – Started off weak in

9th grade with a D and 2 C’s, but by 10th and 11th there was marked improvement to mostly A’s, including a couple AP classes. She provided an explanation on the application stating that her parents were going through a contentious divorce and she had to move to a new school where she had no friends in 9th grade. She is active in Leadership and competes on the Model UN and debate teams. Plans to major in political science. She had a candid, personal essay and positive letters of recommendation.

Now what do you think?

The results: Student #1 was denied and Student #2 was accepted.

Can you understand why? Grades and test scores were slightly better for Student #1, but in many other

areas, Student #2 was the stronger candidate.

So what does this mean to current high school students? It means that a few bad grades early on will not dash all your hopes of getting into a good college. Most admissions offices take a holistic approach when reviewing applicants. They aren’t looking for perfection; they are looking for interesting, well-rounded students with the determination to improve themselves.

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

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Breastoration and beyond Using my survivorship to fight for women’s reconstructive rights

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July – September 2016

By Kathryn Sibley

Photo by Maria Tavares kbsibley@gmail.com

M

ost people proudly show off their tattoos.That would be a little difficult in my case. You see, my “tats” are two exquisitely detailed nipples that I had tattooed after my breast reconstruction. It wasn’t easy getting my nipples. Despite the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998, a federal law designed to protect women’s reconstruction rights after mastectomy, my insurance company denied coverage for the procedure. Even after I appealed their decision, they refused www.deltalivingmagazine.com

because they considered nipple tattoos “cosmetic.” Excuse me?

As a two-time breast cancer survivor, I’ve learned what it means to fight.

Sure, there was the treatment, hours of slow-drip chemo and daily radiation.

Then, of course, there was the prospect of my life hanging in the balance.

Who would have guessed that fighting with the insurance companies would become my basic training for survivorship – a brutal boot camp that taught me how to advocate for my own health and take a stand for all women.

My first battle in 2006 was with an estrogen-positive breast cancer, stage 2.

The doctors assured me I’d be fine. But it was scary. Back then, my kids were in kindergarten and second grade. I remember picking them up at school with my bald head, poorly concealed under a baseball cap. I bargained with God a lot, praying for a little more time.

Then in 2013, I received an even more terrifying diagnosis: triple-negative breast cancer, stage 3, in the opposite breast. I could tell this one was bad, mostly because of what the doctors didn’t say. There weren’t a lot of assurances, but everyone tried to stay positive. One thing was certain, my breasts were trying to kill me, and so I decided to get rid of them.

I opted for a double mastectomy with a DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Artery Perforator) flap reconstruction, whereby surgeons used my own belly fat to rebuild my breast mounds. Forwww.deltalivingmagazine.com

Tips for Tats Typical out-of-pocket cost for nipple tattoos $700 - $1000 Dragonflyink.com Custom Tattoos & 3D Nipple & Areola Restoration in SF Blinksandbrows.com Permanent Cosmetics in Brentwood, CA tunately, I had been harvesting my future breasts for several years, thanks to motherhood and the slowing metabolism of menopause!

It took me a while to come around to the idea of reconstruction, but after losing the soft “pillows” of my former self, I felt self-conscious about the gaping holes in my chest. I was reluctant to hug my kids and embrace my friends.

It wasn’t so much the loss of my sexual identity, but more about missing the reciprocal comfort that breasts provide.

I knew rebuilding myself would help me heal.

After several surgeries and hospital stays, my new “breasts” resembled that of a Barbie doll – fairly symmetrical, but something was missing.

The search for my nipples began on the Internet. I researched dozens of websites and learned that while some plastic surgeons offer this as a final step of reconstruction, not all of them do it well. It turns out that many surgeons have their physician assistants do this procedure, but often they are not trained in tattooing.

Sometimes the results look more like heavy-handed “pepperonis” rather than the delicate appearance of natural-looking areolas.

Fortunately, I found Sasha Merritt of Dragonfly Ink in San Francisco, CA. Sasha has been doing 3D nipple and areola tattoos for nearly a decade.

She is one of the few tattoo artists in the country who has mastered the 3D technique. In early 2015, Sasha and I teamed up to host a 3D Nipple Breastoration Workshop & Training Program designed to teach medical professionals how to use 3D tattoo artistry to recreate nipples with “the illusion of protrusion.”

Sasha also did my nipples during this program and I was happy to volunteer as a test subject for her first group of trainees, two whom came from Stanford to learn her technique.

It only took a few hours and was practically painless. My results are beautiful!

Somehow the placement of a nipple on a breast creates a focal point that distracts the eye from the remaining scars. Mostly, I feel whole again.

Now with my own breastoration

behind me, I am working on creating a non-profit dedicated to assisting other women like me.The Nipple Tattoo Alliance (www.niptat.org) will offer advocacy, funding and resources to help patients gain better access to this important procedure. It will also connect those in the medical field with training resources to help them learn the latest techniques and best practices.

My mission is to create enough awareness so that all plastic surgeons offer nipple tattoos as the final step of breast reconstruction. If we can demonstrate that this is a “standard and customary practice,” then more and more insurance companies will be obligated to provide coverage for it.

Call me a “curable romantic,” but I am convinced that nipple tattoos can play a positive role in a patient’s health and continued healing. Beyond the physical, there is psychological power in restoring our breasts, rebuilding our bodies and reclaiming our lives. That alone is worth the fight!

Kathryn Sibley’s nipple tattoo experience was profiled on NPR affiliate, KALW radio at http://kalw.org/ post/healing-art-3-d-nipple-tattoos.

Her non-profit website www.niptat.org is under construction and expected to be live later this year. Kathryn lives in Brentwood, CA, with her teenage kids, Emma and Henry.

July – September 2016

25

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The perennial pursuit of happiness Seven road signs to destination Blissville

By Walter Ruehlig

walter.ruehlig@gmail.com

environments, careers and relationships.

At every turn, we need to elect optimism, empathy, serenity and gratitude over pessimism, anger and resentment.

Walking down the road of life, we have the constant choice to look down

‘B

e happy, don’t worry’ makes for an engaging sound bite, but it seems easier said than done. We each travel our own long and winding road seeking the Holy Grail of happiness.

Psychologists tell us, though, of seven common road signs to heed on our quest.

BE INTENTIONAL: Yes, there is the old saw that equates finding happiness with catching a butterfly; concluding that contentment comes when we least aggressively pursue it.

Granted, each of us has a genetic baseline happiness set and yes, some of us are merrier souls than others. Nevertheless, the truth is that we can all enhance our givens, increasing the highs, in the gutter and dwell on the cigarette stabilizing the lows.

Life is after all, mixed nature and butts, or to look up into the blue sky.We nurture. Happiness takes conscious ef- are our own judge and jury over mood. fort and plain hard work. We have to BE PURPOSEFUL: Our experiment; adapt strategies that work minds and hearts expand and abandon those that don't. We have when we go beyond personal to take stock of habits, attitudes, values, 28

July – September 2016

selfishness to a cause greater than ourselves; be it God, country, family or community. Pain comes from being cramped. Thinking small is cramping.

BE ACTIVE: My mom used to say that ‘people don’t wear out in life, they rust out.’ Stay moving as the body and mind thrive on activity. Dynamism will enhance outlook as well as longevity. Physics tells us that two things can’t occupy the same place at the same time. Beat boredom or depression to the punch by filling the void. Call it inoculating yourself from negativity, then, by exercising; consider practicing yoga, prayer, meditation or indulging in creative hobbies and volunteering.

BE FORGIVING: Resentment only corrodes. Don’t be your own worst enemy.

BE GRATEFUL: Try a daily gratitude exercise upon rising or setting, acknowledging a few of your myriad of blessings. What we put our attention on in life grows.

BE BALANCED: Recreation is just what the word embodies; we renew ourselves by getting away from the grind. Re-

searchers have shown that TV produces some of the lowest levels of leisure happiness, so consider adding a hobby that allows your mind to be thoroughly absorbed and creatively engaged.

BE SOCIAL: We live in an increasingly isolated society with epidemic depression. One Australian study found that people with the strongest network of friends were happier and lived much longer. Join a church, club or community group.

Above all, then work at happiness.

The philosopher Bertrand Russell in his book, ‘The Conquest of Happiness,’ published in 1930, said: “Happiness is not, except in extreme cases, something that drops into the mouth, like ripe fruit...Happiness must be, for most men and women, an achievement rather than a gift of the gods, and in this achievement, effort, both inward and outward, must play a great part.”

Ultimately, it’s not so much what road we go down that determines contentment; for we each have our own. What counts is the open or closed attitude we have on the journey and, as with any trip, our mindfulness and adaptation to changing conditions.

Enjoy it all; the scenery, the road stops, the detours. Happy trails! www.deltalivingmagazine.com

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warmed in winter by a beautiful fireplace.The Chardonnay Gardens and the exquisite Fountain Courtyard make for a perfect place to retreat and sip your wine.

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By Dennis Hall

Photos courtesy of wineries Dennis.SipCalifornia@gmail.com

T

reat your summertime senses with wine bouquets and savory sips of three wineries with tasting rooms amid our Delta, steeped in viticulture and wine lore dating back to the middle 1800s. Then taste their splendors while you relax adjacent vineyards.

Merlo Family Wines acquaints visitors to the Old Sugar Mill in Clarksburg with its Blackbird red wine blend stemming from foreign Trinity County some 200 miles north. Blend of half Syrah and Zinfandel aged in French and American Oak barrels yields rich full-bodied notes of cedar, spice finishing smooth. Enjoy your wine indoors or out on a terrace and picnic area.

Scribner Bend Vineyards, just across the Sacramento River from Clarksburg of Sacramento County on River Road, famously touts its Tempranillo Black Hat wine. Bouquet of black currant, oak spice leading to flavor of spiced dark berry and subtle vanilla.

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July – September 2016

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Dennis Hall is a freelance writer, author and entrepreneur. He is co-founder of SipCalifornia.com, a wine-industry business, and BreweryCard.com, a beer-industry business. Reach him at Dennis.

SipCalifornia@gmail.com or 926.430.5263.

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caring for everyone, boldly and bravely shouldering the load.

There are some things this extraordinary and admirable generation of people can do for themselves to ease the burden.

Setting boundaries for spending can minimize financial hardship. Make sure everyone in the family is on the same page. Share that you have set aside a certain amount for the year. Set expectations by having a family meeting and include extended family and siblings if possible to discuss care for family. Seek outside help. Speak with family counselors, pastors, doctors, and seek out caregiver support groups and information by contacting the Family Caregiver Alliance and the Area Agency on Aging.

Some tips to maintain your own health.Take breaks.

Even short ones like simply stepping outside to walk to the mailbox for fresh air. Exercise of any kind can help. Eat nutritious food to give you the stamina to handle anything thrown your way. Avoid junk food and get plenty of sleep. If you have an unexpected two-hour break in the middle of the afternoon, take – while also seeing to their own needs (and children). a nap and refuse to feel guilty about it. Take time to Money is tight and resources are spread thin. They laugh and have fun, even if it’s brief, like chatting on typically work full-time, are raising children (and pos- the phone with a friend. Try to see the humor in life,

By Vinny DiNicola sibly grandchildren) and are also caring for elderly laugh hard, and laugh often. Don’t skip your own vinny@homelifesc.com medical screenings or your own medication. Stop parents.

The U.S. Census Bureau predicts that the number spontaneously to do the things that are soothing to re you part of the ‘sandwich generation?’ Is of Americans aged 65 or older will double by the year you. Read a few pages in your book, listen to music. there a whole generation of people in Amer- 2030 to over 70 million. The model of the ‘sandwich Don’t push yourself beyond your own limits. Ask ica who eat sandwiches more than other generations? generation’ is expected to expand. for and accept help. If you work yourself sick, what Probably not, however there is a generation of Specific influences are not helping. In recent years, good is that to those you love? adults, women and men who are being squeezed a poor economy has substantially increased the need physically, emotionally and financially, sandwiched, for children to remain home longer than expected, or Vinny DiNicola is a Certified Senior Advisor® and between a younger and an older generation. return home after college. Medical breakthroughs and owner of HomeLife Senior Care in Brentwood, CA Sandwich generation people (typically in their 30’s healthier lifestyles have also resulted in longer lifeswith wife Angela. Email him at vinny@homelifesc.com. and 40’s) are assisting loved ones, young and old, with pans, prolonging caregiving to the elderly. activities of daily living.Things like supervision, emoThe ‘sandwich generation’ is overworked, yet there tional support, aide with medical needs, transporta- remain feelings of not doing enough. Guilt, despair, Family Caregiver alliance: www.caregiver.org tion, banking, shopping, legal and financial assistance isolation and depression can result, because they are Area Agency on Aging: 925.229.8434

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37

Beauty is only skin deep Make it glow in the meantime

By Emily Wesolek

Emstylist17@gmail.com

I

believe I speak for everyone when I say we don’t want any blemishes, pimples or breakouts, but sometimes it’s inevitable. Stress, certain foods and not washing your face regularly can all contribute to breakouts and blemishes. Here are a few tips and tricks to more clear, glowing skin.

STRESS: I’m sure this sounds funny, but stress can lead to poor skin.

Sometimes when we’re stressed, we tend to eat poorly, which can lead to breakouts. Stress can also affect our hair, causing it to fall out. Try to reduce your stress by exercising, meditating, reading or doing something you enjoy to get your mind off your busy, hectic life.

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July – September 2016

DIET/FOOD: The food you eat can definitely affect your skin.

Foods high in fat and grease, and that aren’t good for you, will definitely make you breakout. Make sure to eat lots of veggies, fruits and proteins to ensure not only a healthy diet, but great skin too. A new diet trend that seems to be getting more popular is the “raw diet,” where eating raw veggies and fruits have led to clearer skin. I’ve seen many of my clients who are prone to breakouts and have very bad acne try eating “raw,” and their skin has totally cleared up. Soda can also lead to poor skin, so make sure to drink lots of water, unsweetened tea and/or green tea.

MAKEUP: Most of us women wear makeup on a daily basis.At the end of a long, busy day, we don’t feel like washing our face before going to bed. I know I’ve fallen victim to this time and time again, but trust me when I say, wash your face before you go to sleep! Not only will you remove all your makeup, but you’ll also be removing any dirt and grime that may have stuck to your face throughout the day.

FACIAL PRODUCTS: Use good, professional (if possible) facial products.

A good facial cleanser,

toner and moisturizing lotion – preferably with SPF in it – will make your skin radiant and glow. A few great products that I love are Burt’s Bee’s Radiance face wash – it smells amazing. It also removes all makeup and buildup, and has a very light and mild scrub, which helps remove any dead skin. I also love Burt’s Bee’s toner; both of which can be found at almost any drugstore like CVS, Safeway and WalMart. I also highly recommend a moisturizing lotion that has SPF in it; that way, not only are you replenishing the moisture in your skin, but you’re also protecting your skin from the sun’s UV rays. I personally use Image Prevention+ Daily Matte Moisturizer. It’s a professional product and its moisturizer has SPF, is lightweight and doesn’t leave skin feeling greasy or oily.

BED SHEETS/PILLOW CASES: I know it’s silly, but by keeping your sheets and pillow cases clean, your skin will thank you!

If you think about it, we’re putting our faces on our sheets and pillowcases every night – why wouldn’t you want clean, fresh sheets?!

I know it’s difficult to get that clear, glowing skin we always want, but if you follow these simple tips, I’m sure your skin will be glowing in no time! www.deltalivingmagazine.com

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July – September 2016

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Swimming with the ABC Sharks FashionTap App gal Amy Roiland knows her stuff

By Charleen Earley

charleenbearley@gmail.com Photos courtesy of Amy Roiland

I

was enjoying another episode of ABC’s Shark Tank when in walks Amy Roiland on my TV screen. Dressed in vintage attire, she was poised, didn’t flinch and gave her spiel with ease and grace. Barbara Cochran took the bait. She asked pointed questions, but didn’t get a deal Amy felt comfortable with. For such a young gal, only 31, I was mega impressed with not only her confidence, but with her product – a fashion app that allows users to “tap” into where to buy a particular necklace, shirt or shoes a model is wearing. While Amy didn’t get a deal on Shark Tank, she made a big deal with television viewers and prospective investors. I Googled Amy, found her, emailed her, and below is the interview she graciously gave me.

not only are you tapping into the fashion industry, but you are tapping an image to buy an item.

Our “button” logo not only represents the fashion world, but also holds your clothes together and this is a network that holds everyone together in one spot.

I love the concept about your app/business ... so many times I want to know where so-and-so got that shirt or necklace. And true, Instagram is nothing like your app. Why didn't the Sharks see this fact? I wish the Sharks could have played with my app before I even pitched it and then they would’ve gotten it right away. It was very hard to convey what I was about in such a short amount of time.

What do you love about fashion, makeup and jewelry? I love the details in fashion the most; I love What made you create your Fashion Tap app? I the smallest details that only you can see. I also love worked in marketing PR for an e-commerce denim makeup because it makes me feel amazing, and look website and my boss asked me to locate her bloggers amazing, hehe. Fashion is a way to express yourself in Austin, TX for South by Southwest Festival and in the best way and helps others perceive you as I couldn't. I searched across the entire Internet and well. couldn't find anyone. I couldn't believe there wasn't one spot for the fashion industry to be; instead we Do you have siblings? Do they (and your parents) are on all of these other social networks not built support your passions? I have one brother (Justin for us. I also hated going onto Instagram and seeing Roiland) and he is co-creator of a hit TV cartoon Where were you born and raised? Where do you live a dress I loved and asking the user who posted it, show called Rick and Morty. He is very supportive now? I was born in Stockton, CA and raised in Man- who makes it, and they wouldn't respond or they and so are my parents. My parents came down from teca, CA, about an hour and half from San Francisco would say ZARA and I would have to search pages San Francisco area to be in LA to watch the show on an almond orchard farm.Today I live in Southern and pages to find that exact dress. I wanted to tap with me.

California. and buy.

What was it like to be on ABC’s Shark Tank? You When did you get the fashion bug? I began to re- Did anyone help you with the app? Yes, I have a de- seemed so calm and poised ... what was going on ally love fashion at age 14. Before this, I was a very veloper and an advisor. I created the entire app and - on the inside? I was pretty confident and calm because I love my app and I believe in what I have tomboyish skater chick. One day I just caught the designed it as well. built and everything I was saying was true and honfashion bug and wanted to be super girly and cute.

My inspiration was Jennifer Love Hewitt; I adored How did the name come about? The name just came est. I won't lie though, it was pretty scary out there her and her style. to me one day at random. I love the name because and a crazy experience.

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July – September 2016

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Have the Sharks reached out to you after the show? No but Daymond did a poll on Twitter asking if anyone has shopped off of Instagram and 88% said no. So my point was 100% proven right there. Instagram is not a shopping app; it's a photo-sharing app.

favorite hairstyle. I love knee high socks and berets the most. I feel like I really relate and embody this style and it really inspires me. I also really love colorful clothing and the mid-to-late 60s really embraced a ton of bright colors.

What response did you get after the show aired? AMAZING responses, emails non-stop and comments. Everyone loves my app and everyone was backing me up. I gained a ton of true FashionTap fans, very excited. A lot of my favorite brands joined as well.

Who are your favorite designers? Orla Kiely, Pepaloves, Manoush, Miss Patina. I love these brands; they really are my exact style, high waisted, collars, tons of details.

Which Shark were you hoping to hook? Daymond, of course. I felt like he knew the fashion industry and would get the huge issue I am solving here. Boy was I wrong.

He was super out of touch in what is happening in the fashion world at this moment. It bummed me out. I had high hopes regarding getting an investment from him. I also thought I would hook in with Chris Sacca or that he would get the platform right away since he invested in Instagram and Twitter. However, he also is somewhat of a competitor over at Instagram.

What is your educational background? I have a degree in fashion merchandising and marketing from CSU Northridge.

Where do you see yourself in in the future? Running the biggest fashion e-commerce social network in the world, connecting every single person in fashion on one social platform.

You seem to like vintage style clothes ... what draws you to that era? I have always had a deep love for the 1960s.

My biggest style icons are Brigitte Bardot and Chantal Goya. I have that super 60s French bob hair cut, my

www.deltalivingmagazine.com

What would you like our readers to know about you? I am in the middle of a fun design project with CrownedBird. I can't really say much, but I think people will go wild over it.

Do you support any charities? I do, I support Lucky Puppy Rescue in Studio City. I am all about the animals 100%. I want to get into more charities soon!

What is your mantra in life? Persistence is the key to success. If one door doesn't open, keep banging on that door as much as possible; it is bound to open up sooner or later!

Visit Amy Roiland, CEO and Founder of FashionTap at: www.afashionnerd.com www.FashionTap.com/getapp www.FashinonTap.com/introvideo @afashionnerd

July – September 2016

41

delta laughs

funny side up

Divide and Conquer: One woman’s quest to end party fouls at the checkout line menopausal range, but this is driving me crazy, to the point of secretly visualizing charleenbearley@gmail.com myself bopping the person on the head admit things are beginning to get with the food-separator stick and yella bit out of control – my issue at ing at them to “PUT YOUR STICK checkout lines. The last two years I’ve DOWN!” noticed myself turning into a borderWhile I’m not a proponent of viocontrol Nazi while in line, and if you’ve lence or inappropriate behavior (well, never been in front of me at Lucky or maybe a little inappropriate behavior), I Safeway, just wait, your turn is coming, AM an advocate of common courtesy. and all’s I have to say is – if you don’t In the beginning, I would begrudgplace a food divider stick between your ingly put their stick down, in addition food and mine – it won’t be pretty. to my own. When I grew weary of this, Be prepared to go home with items I decided to simply place my groceries you didn’t know you needed. down without using the stick, but leavFirst of all, I might be way off here, ing a good 10-inch airspace between my but I thought it was common courtesy after lifting heavy cartons of sugar-fla- kale and their Marlboro’s. Most of the to place one divider stick at the end of vored juice, Svenhard’s bear claws, bags time, the person in front would notice your groceries while I place one at the of chips, and a six-pack of Coors Lite. and tell the clerk where their groceries end of mine. Like placing a period at the I’m not judging their food choices, just ended. end of a sentence, so you don’t have run- their food-separator practices (okay, When I felt this wasn’t affecting global on groceries, right? maybe both). change, but merely encouraging selfish I don’t think it’s my responsibility to Or maybe they’re too busy thinking behaviors (on their part), I decided to go separate both mine and yours. STOP the about themselves to concern themselves a step further and place my items smack madness! with the person – cute, kind and ador- dab up to theirs so the clerk would have How simple can this simple act be? able as she can be – behind them. no idea who was buying what. I started Well, apparently it’s not that simple for I do understand this is not a big deal getting a kick out of it, even sported a sly three out of five people who simply to most. No one has died, this won’t af- smirk on my face, when I realized this don’t do it, can’t do it or won’t do it. And fect our local economy, and it won’t trig- had to be the beginning of a psychologiyes, I’m counting. ger a nuclear war. cal problem on my part, not theirs.

Maybe they’re running out of oomph And maybe this falls within periEventually, with my groceries smack

By Charleen Earley

I

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July – September 2016

dab up to theirs, the clerk would start swiping my stuff; sometimes three items in, and the customer would notice and tell the clerk those items weren’t theirs.

The clerk would have to delete my items.

This happened the other day, so in my best motherly voice, I waved my divider in the air and said with great authority, “That’s what the dividers are for!” I got a stink-eye in return for my comment, but that’s when my best idea hit me yet.

I finally resorted to launching an “oh-this-is-so-on-now” campaign I’ve dubbed “Divide and Conquer.” And I sincerely hope it doesn’t happen to you!

I’ve decided to do my regular grocery shopping with a twist. I will shop for some extra items I don’t really need or want, and place them between the nondivider-user’s groceries and mine, however, I will go the extra step and place their divider down for them, but, I will place the revenge-stick behind those extra goodies I picked up on isles two, five and nine.

I just wish I could be a fly on the wall to see the expression on the customer’s face when he or she gets home and unloads the groceries and finds a box of tampons, log-lighter wand, duct tape and caviar. www.deltalivingmagazine.com

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