musicians have it covered

college performing in a classical guitar ensemble.

Local bands and musicians continue to release new singles, EPs and full-length albums all across the Bay Area, but it can be difficult to know how to find what you like.

As a DJ who airs exclusively local music on my weekly radio show on 90.5 KVHS, I’ve acquainted myself with a considerable amount of these releases. So, let me guide you toward some current local music.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the many offerings from “this side of the tunnel” released in recent months.

“Everlasting” comes from Orinda singer-songwriter Daniel Ray Hilsinger. Upon being diagnosed with bone cancer at age 29, Hilsinger started to sing and play guitar. Half a decade later, his debut album materializes as the culmination of his expressed

“Sex and Heartache” is the latest from Concord soul singer Selena Soberal. It’s the follow-up EP to her 2022 album “Be Mine.” Jazzy tunes about love and relationship woes showcase Soberal’s impressive vocal ability, with guitar accompaniment by Elias Lozano.

“Finally!!” is the 14th release from Martinez’s Doug Michael and his first album of entirely instrumental progressive rock. With “Finally!!,” the Diablo Valley College music instructor taps into some of his biggest experimental rock influences, including Rush, King Crimson and Mahavishnu Orchestra.

“Warped & Ruined” by Concord resident Marco Gallerin was released exclusively on BandCamp.com under the name Auditory Portraits. The instrumental album soothes with electric guitar loops and effects to evoke the emotions that come with reflecting upon one’s feelings during times of struggle or loss.

“Stereotongue” is the self-titled debut album from the Walnut Creek hard rock quartet of the same name.

With anthemic choruses, guitar solos and vocals reminiscent of Sammy Hagar, Stereotongue’s familiar sound is a bit of a throw-back to the hard rock one might have found on commercial radio or MTV in the late ’80s to mid’90s.

“Acustícs” is an instrumental EP from Concord’s Mitch Beard, who releases his solo work under the artist name Yolanda Blonda. “Acustícs” explores rhythmic and melodic ideas that sprout from Beard’s mind when playing acoustic guitar, drawing inspiration from his years in

“The SunCrashers” is the fourth album from Lafayette recording artist Chris Ahlman. This well-produced contemporary rock album has a relaxed modern country feel. Consistent with his previous output, the music is mellow and the lyrics are positive and uplifting.

“EP 2022” is the sixth release from Concord’s death metal band Lyceum. It’s heavy, it’s fast and it’s intense. With all the judd-judds, blast beats and throaty metal vocals one might expect from a quality death metal band, the music will please fans of the genre.

More recent local reviews are available online at PioneerPublishers.com/tag/BeatofDiablo. Find an extensive catalog of local releases at ConcordRockCity.com.

Contact Dave Hughes at MrDaveHughes@gmail.com.

JOR Fine Art Gallery is a special gem on the western edge of downtown Clayton. Gallery owner and longtime Clayton resident Julia O’Reilly hopes the inviting space with beautifully displayed artwork brings joy to the community.

During the 2020 pandemic, with many businesses closing or struggling to survive, O’Reilly felt a need to support local businesses. With community healing in mind, she thought, “After the pandemic, we all need art therapy to get back to normal.”

She came up with the concept of an open art gallery, someplace where people could hang out, maybe take an art class or just enjoy the beauty of art.

O’Reilly and a business partner opened the gallery in May 2022 as JE Fine Art Gallery and Gifts. In December 2022, her business partner, who was an artist, had to leave the business due to medical issues.

O’Reilly took sole ownership, renaming the business JOR Fine Art Gallery.

O’Reilly learned a lot about the artist world after that change.

“I needed a partner who was an artist,” she said with a shrug. “I am a jewelry maker. I can’t give art classes.”

Despite being a novice in

Just as you can’t balance your bank statement without tracking what’s coming in and going out, you need to measure your food intake.

You’ll need a kitchen scale to weigh your vegetables, proteins and starches.

My pre-measured prepared meals are in these proportions: 4 oz. cooked protein (6 for men). 6 oz. cooked veggies.

3 oz. whole grains or

Container gardening is an expressive way to enhance your yard or garden landscape.

The freedom to choose your vessel and your plants while controlling the composition of the soil is quite a luxury for the home gardener. Container gardening takes little time and effort with bountiful rewards.

With so many pots, urns and baskets available, some made of concrete or wood, others terra-cotta, plastic or glazed ceramic pottery, where does one begin? The choice is yours.

Plastic containers are reasonably priced, but the sun dries them out so the plastic will eventually become brittle. Terra-cotta containers last several years, then eventually crack or start to decompose. Wooden planters have the same problems. The cost makes them appealing, but as with a fence, they will rot and fall apart.

Concrete pots last many years. Their weight makes them difficult to manipulate, but they are great for high wind areas or front yard plantings. Glazed ceramic pottery has its pros and cons, depending on the thickness of the clay and the glaze. The color of the glaze makes them very desirable because they are decorative even without plants.

You need to use potting soil in pots because it’s finer and will hold moisture starchy veggies.

6 oz. salad.

1 T of fats, e.g. salad dressing.

My method to help people change their palates is about regular meals and losing the desire to snack. There are people who say they don’t eat breakfast, but then they’re sneaking snacks midmorning. And how many confine themselves to one visit to the snack drawer? Simply put: Do not snack.

Another trap is eating buffet style, where you congratulate yourself for small portions and then go back for seconds.

My method involves cooking a number of meals ahead of time. Measure out your portions and when the plate’s done, you should be full. Your gut will get used to those portions. Sometimes that full feeling comes a half hour or an hour later, but you will get to know your habits and your body.

You need to fast four to six hours between meals to aid digestion and regulate the craving for sugar and processed food. The liver needs to rest and digest.

If you wait to eat until you’re truly hungry, you’re more keenly aware of the flavor of your food – the natural sweetness of parsnips and jicama, for example. Back away from the snack shack and try this recipe for a healthy breakfast.

OVERNIGHT OATS

1 serving

Chia pudding: 6 oz. plain unsweetened yogurt or kefir

1 T chia seeds

1 oz. oats soaked in 4 oz. water*

2 oz. very ripe banana, chopped

Optional: vanilla, cinnamon, chopped nuts

*For creamier pudding, use quick oats

Fruit topping: 4 oz. chopped fresh fruit or berries*

*If using frozen fruit, use 3 oz. plus 1 oz. unsweetened applesauce

Mix all pudding ingredients in a 16-oz. Mason jar. Scoop the fruit onto the top of the mixture. Refrigerate overnight. The oats will last about four days in the refrigerator – the longer they sit, the better they are. longer. If you are planting citrus or vegetables in a container, mix potting soil with a rich soil conditioner to satisfy your plants’ needs. Using potting soil with a built-in fertilizer is up to you. Some gardeners enjoy the freedom to add what they need when they need it; others may like that the feeding is done for them.

Did You Know? Greek yogurt has more protein and less sugar than regular yogurt because Greek yogurt is strained and some of the whey is removed. Whey has lactose, a naturally occurring form of sugar.

Cindy Gershen is an educator, nutritionist, chef, and co-author of “Fat Chance Cookbook”. Send questions and comments to cindym.gershen@gmail.com.

Just keep in mind that different plants need different care – not everything likes phosphorus, and most plants’ nitrogen needs vary.

So ask questions about your plants as you install.

Containers should be treated like above-ground gardens; you shouldn’t see any bare dirt. Some plants should be highlighted in their own container, while others need to be grouped with friends to prolong the blooming time.

Single plantings are sometimes formal and used to frame an entry way or add

JOR, from page B6 the art world, she has managed to find talented artists to work with as she develops ideas to support the community. She seeks out local artists and invites them to display their work and also hosts “Artist Spotlight Shows.” She promotes each spotlighted artist, advertising meet-the-artist receptions and providing a welcoming social atmosphere, with printed bios and individual art techniques for each artist.

On Valentine’s Day, she partnered with her business neighbor, Nails Naturally, for a Customer Appreciation Day that drew more than 30 people. In addition, she has conducted several sip-and-paint parties. One Halloween sip- and-paint event was particularly memorable. The tribute to Elvis Presley featured an Elvis impersonator and attendees in costume.

Classes on macramé, rock painting for kids and floral arranging are among other events she has put on at the gallery. She is always looking for guest artists who can give art lessons.

O’Reilly enjoys her location a bit off the main drag. She sees kids walking by after school and is always ready to welcome them in to look at the art. She also appreciates when local artists and other visitors see her gallery as a comfortable spot to stop in and say hello or to stay and share a Turkish cof- focal height. Green Beauty Boxwood is an excellent evergreen. This small-leafed plant can reach 4-6 feet tall and is great shaped into a cone, spiral or sphere. Camellias also make successful single plantings, as well as gardenias. fee and some treats with her.

Fruitless olives left to their natural shape or pruned to shape are excellent fullsun, hardy container suggestions. Hybrid tea roses and Lomandra grasses are both successful container installations.

Combination container plantings are my favorite. Layering small, medium and tall plants within the same container extends interest. The larger the container, the greater the above-ground garden. Great talls to consider are Kangaroo Paws, Canna lilies, Salvia Indigo Spires, Agastache and roses. Add medium height to a tall container plant by using a contrasting flower color.

She tries to keep her gallery kid-friendly and does not accept nudity or political art. She strives to avoid conflict and stay neutral.

“When people visit my gallery, I want them to feel like they are walking into a beautiful garden and come away with a smile on their face.”

Visit JOR Fine Art Gallery at 1026 Oak St., Suite 102, Clayton. Learn about its events at jorfineartgallery.com, Facebook: /claytongalleryjor, Instagram: @claytongalleryje and Twitter: @fineartje.a

John Nakanishi is an acrylic painter and a ceramic artist. Email comments and suggestions for future columns to phjona@gmail.com.

Angelonia, commonly called summer snapdragons, have orchid-resembling flowers that last all summer.

Alstroemeria Colorita Series is a group of 12-inch tall Peruvian lilies that wow a container in bright pinks, purples, oranges and yellows.

Nemesia is a familiar family of short-lived color. New shades on the scene are the Sunsation series and the Angel heart collection. These are winners to enjoy.

Medium-sized considerations may call for foliage rather than flower. Fancy leaf geraniums come in variations with colors that lend themselves to many companions. Heuchera and coleus both have splendid leaves that add tons of interest.

The trailing plants in a combination container get all the praise. Super Cal and Wave Petunias have dramatic blooms with a bounty of flowers throughout the growing season. Verbena is fabulous in larger pots for a different trailing look.

Ipomea vines are super fun in a container or hanging basket – look for lime, bronze or tri-color leaves. Bacopa has tiny white flowers in constant bloom.

Spin pots occasionally to even out the amount of sun. Water regularly, fertilize monthly and enjoy.

Nicole is the Garden Girl at R&M Pool, Patio, Gifts and Garden. You can contact her with questions or comments by email at gardengirl94517@yahoo.com

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