Satori LifeStyle Magazine by Bernice McNeil

ATORI LifeStyle Magazine

Making Cents Of It All

Trouble In Paradise The Not So Golden State

Shaniya Davis A Preventable Tragedy

Staying Healthy and Fit With Diona Lynn Austin

Issue 1 Revised October satorimagazine.com - December 2010 www.satorimagazine.com

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Shaniya Davis

SATORI

This is a sordid tale of child neglect, rape and murder. According to press accounts, 5 year old Shaniya was allegedly sold by her mother, 25 year old Antoinette Nicole Davis, to a drug dealer, 29 year old Mario McNeill, for payment of debt. The mother is said to be facing a 40year jail sentence.

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Trouble In Paradise If paradise existed on this planet, surely California would be a leading contender. With a magnificent coastline, fertile valleys, and majestic mountains and near perfect weather, California is among the bestendowed states on the planet. It’s research universities are world famous. And, more Nobel Prize winners live in California than any other state. Page 14

Getting Started If you tend to use the escalator, or head to the kitchen during commercials, or park in the nearest space, and the mere thought of breaking a sweat makes you tired, don’t feel like the “lone ranger,” you are a member of a growing majority. Page 30

Contents Articles

Food

Raising Eager Readers

The Shaniya Davis Story

10 Fancy Holiday Cheese Dishes 14 Trouble In Paradise - The Not So 10 Making Merry Small Plate Style Golden State 20 Where Is Help For The From The Editor Unemployed 34

The Birth of A Dream

Feature

Fitness & Health

Book: Black Mamba By Robert E. Blue

Lifestyle

Getting Started With Diona Lynn Austin

Cover

Can You Hear Me Now

Tips For First Time Moms

Making Cents Of It All

Fashion For Your Figure

Cover Photo:

Beauty 25

Chocolate Caramel Brownies

Home Made Beauty Tips satorimagazine.com

Bernice Carter-McNeil Editor & Publisher Satori LifeStyle Magazine

SATORI

LifeStyle Magazine

Making Cents Of It All

Trouble In Paradise The Not So Golden State

Shaniya Davis A Preventable Tragedy

Staying Healthy and Fit With Diona Lynn Austin

Issue 1 Revised October - December 2010 www.satorimagazine.com

satorimagazine.com

Food

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Sensational Sleepovers Whoever coined the phrase “sleepover” must still be laughing – because, as many of you know, very little sleeping actually goes on! I’m always looking for fun ideas and recipes to keep the night-owls happy – here are some that you might like to try, too. •

•

Make a Sleepover Pillow: Buy and prewash some inexpensive white pillowcases. Then hand out fun fabric pens so guests can create a one-of-a-kind souvenir they can take home. (If you put a piece of cardboard inside the pillow case, it will keep ink from seeping through to the other side. Go on a Backyard Treasure Hunt: Hide all the goody bags in one place somewhere in your backyard. Then create some clues to lead guests in search of the treasure. Tape the first clue to the back door. When they reach the next spot, have another clue already there to lead them on, until they get to the prize. You can make the clues like riddles, or give the guests a compass and write directional clues to follow. Mix Up Great Munchies: Part of the fun of a sleepover is munching on some yummy treats. Brownies are always a hit – and these Chocolate Caramel Brownies are sure to be party favorites. And they’re super simple, too! For a fun twist on party mixes, try some Toll House Party Mix – sweet and salty combine for a taste so good you might want to make an extra batch.

For more sleepover treats, go to www.VeryBestBaking.com.

Chocolate Caramel Brownies

DROP remaining batter by heaping teaspoon over caramel mixture. BAKE for 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into 24 squares.

Toll House Party Mix Yields: 8 servings 2 cups toasted cereal squares 2 cups small pretzel twists 1 cup dry-roasted peanuts 1 cup (about 20) caramels, unwrapped and coarsely chopped 1 2/3 to 2 cups (11- to 12-oz. pkg.) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, Butterscotch Flavored or Premier White Morsels COAT 13 x 9-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Yields: 24 brownies

COMBINE cereal, pretzels, peanuts and caramels in large bowl.

1 package (18.25 ounces) chocolate cake mix 1 cup chopped nuts

MICROWAVE morsels in medium, uncovered, microwavesafe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted. Pour over cereal mixture; stir to coat evenly.

1 cup Nestlé Carnation Evaporated Milk, divided 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted 35 (10-ounce package) caramels, unwrapped 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels PREHEAT oven to 350° F. COMBINE cake mix and nuts in large bowl. Stir in 2/3 cup evaporated milk and butter (batter will be thick). Spread half of batter into ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. BAKE for 15 minutes.

HEAT caramels and remaining evaporated milk in small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly, until caramels are melted. Sprinkle morsels over brownie; drizzle with caramel mixture.

SPREAD mixture in prepared baking pan; cool for 30 to 45 minutes or until firm. Break into bite-size pieces. Store in airtight container. Jenny Harper is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestlé Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com. Photo courtesy of Nestlé

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Create Halloween Memories That Will Last a Lifetime

Can You Hear Me Now?

While candy is certainly the treat du jour during Halloween, why not share a spooky and sweet treat with the special kids in your life that will last a lifetime — and won’t rot their little teeth?

If you’re the parent of a teen or tween, chances are you’ve wondered, half-jokingly, if your child hears anything you say. The reality is that there are over 6.5 million American children ages 12 to 19 living with some form of hearing loss — and much of it is preventable.

Hearing loss in teens and tweens

This Halloween, parents, grandparents and their little ghosts and goblins can participate in a new Halloween activity that can be re-lived every day of the year — reading and recording their voices in Hallmark’s new Recordable Storybook “We’re Not Scared of Anything.” Hallmark Recordable Storybooks feature an exclusive voice capture technology that records the reader’s voice, which is then captured within the pages of book. When a page is turned, the Recordable Storybook automatically plays the text on that page in the reader’s voice.

Though Halloween’s thrills and chills are all in good fun, kids may still be a little scared of things that go bump in the night once the costumes are put away and the candy is all gone. “We’re Not Scared of Anything” is designed to help address and calm these fears by putting the child in the shoes of a pint-sized monster. For more information, visit http://www.hallmark.com/recordable storybooks.

Noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). Every day, we experience sound in our environment — from television and radio, to household appliances and dreaded rush-hour traffic. Normally, we hear these sounds at safe levels that do not affect our hearing. However, when we are exposed to harmful noise, sounds that are too loud or loud sounds that last a long time, sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged, resulting in noise induced hearing loss. Noise induced hearing loss can be caused by a one-time exposure to an intense “impulse” sound, such as an explosion, or by continuous exposure to loud sounds over an extended period of time, such as a too-loud MP3 player. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), long-term exposure to 80 to 85 decibels, or any more than 15 minutes exposure to 100 decibels, can lead to hearing loss. Music players like iPods can top 100 decibels when turned all the way up. In fact, according to a survey conducted by Hear the World, a global initiative by leading hearing system manufacturer Phonak, exposure to high noise levels was found to not only result in gradual hearing loss, but also stress, aggression or insomnia in 73 percent of those surveyed.

MP3 players and your teen A study released in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that 1 in 5 U.S. teens suffer from some form of hearing loss. Among other culprits named, from nutrition to environmental toxins, the use of the “earbud” style of headphones while listening to high decibel music Can You Hear Me Now Continues on page 12

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Captions: Mini Three-Cheese Balls, Petite Cheese Tarts and Mini Empanadas Baked Onion Dip and Two-Cheese Fingerling Crostini satorimagazine.com

Merry Making, Small Plate Style Going to holiday parties is part of the fun of the season. Hosting a holiday soiree can be just as fun — if you’re prepared with some helpful hints and a buffet of scrumptious small-plate appetizers.

Setting the Scene Creating seasonal sparkle at the table is easy and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Look around at what you already have. A pretty satin sheet can double as a tablecloth or be folded in thirds to become an elegant table runner. Add a few twists of gold or silver ribbon, some table glitter and greenery and you have a beautiful backdrop for your buffet. Small plates are a chic and practical way to serve appetizers. They’re easy for guests to carry and hold just the right amount. If you don’t have enough, borrow some from friends and create an eclectic collection. Tea lights, tapers, groups of pillars and candles are a great way to create big ambiance on a small budget. Just be sure to use unscented candles around the table so they don’t compete with the aroma of your food.

Choosing the Menu Plan on a mix of hearty and light appetizers. These recipes take advantage of the versatile taste and texture of Jarlsberg cheese. A mild semi-soft cheese made from cow’s milk, Jarlsberg has a buttery, rich texture with a mild, nutty flavor that lends itself to all kinds of flavorful bites. Add in some spiced nuts, marinated olives, fruit and a decadent cheese plate, and you have a small-plate party with plenty of style. For more recipes to make your holiday entertaining visit www.norseland.com.

Cheese Plates 101

Choose an interesting variety of cheeses. Pick 3 to 5 different cheeses with varied styles and different milks. Label each cheese by name, milk variety and country of origin. Fruit helps amplify a cheese’s sweetness. Include dried fruits such as cranberries, dates or figs, and fresh fruits like apples, pears, apricots or melon. To pick up on cheese’s salty notes, include olives, fruit chutneys, toasted nuts or cured meats such as salami or prosciutto. In choosing breads or crackers to go with your cheese, make sure the flavors won’t overpower the flavors of the cheese.

Get Started: Jarlsberg pairs well with fresh fruit, such as grapes, apple and pears, savory jellies, and pumpernickel bread.

Planning Portions Appetizers Evening party with no dinner: 10 to 15 pieces per person. Make sure your appetizers are on the substantial side, to satisfy guests. Evening party with dinner following: 3 to 5 pieces per person, usually lighter fare such as cheese and vegetables.

Beverages About 3 beverages per person. Guests drink an average of two drinks during the first hour and one drink each hour after that. A 2-liter bottle of soda fills ten 8-ounce glasses. Count on getting about 5 glasses of wine per standard 750 ml bottle, and 6 glasses of champagne from a standard bottle.

Baked Onion Dip Makes: 2 cups 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup chopped onion Grated nutmeg, to taste 1 cup (4 ozs) shredded Jarlsberg cheese A good cheese plate is a simple, yet elegant addition to any party. Here are some tips to help you put together a terrific holiday cheese plate. For the best flavor, take cheeses out of the refrigerator 30 to 45 minutes beforehand, leaving them wrapped until you’re ready to serve. 10

In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, onion and nutmeg; stir in cheese. Spoon into a 1 quart oven-proof dish and bake, uncovered, 325°F for 40 minutes or until lightly golden. Serve warm with flatbreads, cooked sausage, boiled mini potatoes and vegetable crudités.

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Making Merry Small Plate

on baking sheet. Use a small spoon to fill each cup three quarters full with mixture, top with crumbled bacon. Bake until mixture is golden brown in center, about 20 minutes.

Continued from page 10

Two-Cheese Fingerling Crostini Yield: 15 to 20 pieces 1 pound baked Fingerling potatoes (you can also use red or Yukon gold) 1 4-ounce log soft unripened goat cheese 1 cup coarsely grated Jarlsberg cheese 1 French baguette, 15 to 20 1/2-inch slices brushed with olive oil and toasted (10 minutes, 350°F oven) Crumbled bacon bits and diced chives for garnish Mash baked potato with fresh unripened goat cheese and grated Jarlsberg. Place on bread toasts and top with cooked crumbled bacon bits. Warm crostini and, before serving, top with diced chives.

Mini Three-Cheese Balls Yield: 24 to 30 balls 1 4-ounce log fresh goat cheese 6 ounces crumbled blue cheese 2 cups coarsely grated Jarlsberg cheese 2 tablespoons grated onion 1/4 cup non fat plain yogurt 1/4 cup finely diced fresh chives, plus extra for garnish Dash hot sauce (optional) 1 cup slivered almonds or chopped pecans In a food processor, process cheeses with onion, yogurt and chives until well blended. If you’d like, add a dash of hot sauce. Shape into mini balls and roll in slivered almonds or chopped pecans and chives, or spread in serving dish and top with nuts/chives. Chill several hours or until ready to serve. Serve with flat breads, fresh vegetables, etc.

Tip: You can also mix nuts into cheese mixture and use to stuff cherry tomatoes and peppadews, sweet peppers or top cucumber rounds, mini party breads, etc. Chill several hours or until ready to serve. Petite Cheese Tarts

Mini Empanadas Yield: 20 Empanadas 1 package refrigerated pie crust Fillings:

Potato-Onion-Cheese 1 1⁄4 cups mashed potato 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder 1 4-ounce can diced green chilies, not drained 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste 3 to 4 cloves garlic, chopped 2 cups finely chopped cooked green onions (white and green parts) 6 ounces Jarlsberg or Jarlsberg Lite cheese, diced Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.

Chorizo-Chicken-Cheese 1 1⁄2 cups diced cooked chorizo 1 1⁄2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced 2/3 cup mashed potatoes 6 ounces Jarlsberg or Jarlsberg Lite cheese, diced 1/3 cup packed chopped parsley (stems included) Salt and pepper, to taste Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.

To make Empanadas: Preheat oven to 400°F. Unroll dough and cut out 20 4-inch rounds. Place 2 tablespoons filling in center of each round. With wet fingers, moisten inside edges of dough and gently stretch over filling to make half moon shape. Using fork tines, crimp edges to seal. Bake empanadas on parchment-lined cookie sheet, about 14 to 16 minutes, or until light golden brown. Serve warm. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Set aside.

Yield: 45 tarts 2 cups coarsely grated Jarlsberg cheese 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup heavy cream 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon paprika Ground white pepper 45 small phyllo shells Cooked crumbled bacon

Meals that Make the Grade From Delicious Dinners to Perfect Brown Bags Transforming last night’s dinner into tomorrow’s brown bag lunch can save time and maximize budgets without cutting corners on nutrition.

Heat oven to 350°F. Combine cheese, eggs and cream. Mix in mustard, paprika and pepper. Arrange phyllo shells satorimagazine.com

Making Merry Small Plate Continued from page 11

Jammin’ Jambalaya Prep Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Makes 4 (2 cup) servings 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped 1 cup frozen okra cut, thawed 1 14.5-ounce can stewed tomatoes, undrained 12 ounces chicken breast, cut into strips (tenders) 12 ounces fully cooked Cajun-style andouille sausage or smoked turkey sausage 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning 2 cups cooked brown rice 1/4cup Hidden Valley Original Ranch Light Dressing Heat one teaspoon of olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat until sizzling hot. Add onion, bell pepper and okra; cook and stir until crisply tender. Remove and set aside. Add the other teaspoon of oil and heat; add chicken tenders and stir-fry about five minutes until lightly browned. Return vegetables to skillet with chicken and stir in sausage and Cajun seasoning; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer about five minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in rice and dressing; continue cooking until liquid is almost absorbed and rice is thoroughly heated. Tip: The next day, wrap leftover jambalaya in a whole wheat or veggie tortilla for a special brown bag lunch. For more great recipes visit LoveYourVeggies.com.

past,” said Dr. Craig Kasper, Chief Audiology Officer of Audio Help Hearing Centers and Hear the World spokesperson. “Ongoing exposure to loud sounds daily, through earphones for example, can have a direct impact on your hearing early in life and not just as you age.” How loud is too loud? If an earbud headphone sounds loud to people nearby, it’s too loud. If you suspect your child might have hearing loss, contact your local audiologist for a complete hearing screening. For more information on hearing loss and how loud is too loud, as well as an online hearing test, visit www.hear-theworld.com. Reducing the risk The good news is that noise induced hearing loss is 100 percent preventable. “The impact of noise on hearing is often underestimated because the damage may take place gradually. As a result, many people do little to prevent the process of hearing loss that takes place throughout their lives due to the noise pollution around them,” said Dr. Kasper. To protect hearing, Dr. Kasper recommends these tips for teens and tweens: 1. Be mindful of your hearing. Think about the level of noise you’re exposed to as well as the duration of time you’re in that noise. 2. When attending concerts or loud events, wear hearing protection. Most of us would never think to sunbathe without some form of SPF protection. Using either overthe-counter earplugs or custom-molded hearing protection is like SPF for your ears. 3. When listening to your iPod or other MP3 player, invest in a sound-isolating earphone, such as the Audéo PFE by Phonak (see sidebar). This will reduce the amount of environmental sounds and allow you to turn the volume down. Sound waves travel through the ear canal to the inner ear, where tiny hair cells convert the sound into nerve impulses that travel to hearing centers in the brain. Excessive noise can damage those cells and cause permanent hearing loss. Top five misconceptions about hearing loss:

Can You Hear Me Now? Continued from page 8

was found to be one reason for the increase. “It is no surprise that teens and young adults today are listening to music longer and potentially louder than years

1. Hearing loss is only for the elderly: Only 35 percent of people with hearing loss are older than age 64. There are over 6.5 million American children ages 12 to 19 living with some form of hearing loss.

Can You Hear Me Now? Continues on page 18

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Raising Eager Readers Technology Makes It Fun

V.Reader, the first interactive, animated e-book system for children, creates an engaging reading experience for early readers, ages 3 to 7, so they love to learn to read. “We understand that parents are looking for ways to merge learning and fun and VTech is excited to offer the V.Reader, which does exactly that,” said Tom McClure, director of marketing, Vtech Electronics North America, LLC. “Parents can trust this cutting-edge e-book to aid in their children’s development while proving how learning can be fun too.” The touch-and-read e-book brings stories to life with narration, characters, animation, graphics, sounds and music. Kids interact as they listen and follow along with a story, or touch the screen and play games to learn each word and sentence. The V.Reader helps teach reading comprehension, vocabulary, phonics and word building.

Photo Courtesty of Getty Images

Parents are looking for ways to get their kids back into the learning mode. Making education a part of the norm is essential for an easy transition back to school. Not only is it important for success, but childhood development as well. Exposure to books in the early childhood stages plays a key role in a child’s reading development, and while most parents and caregivers know that children benefit from reading time, many struggle to fit it into their children’s hectic schedules. A survey conducted on behalf of VTech, a leading electronic learning products provider, found that more than 40 percent of moms with children ages 3 to 7 years old said that not having enough time to spend reading with their children is the biggest challenge they face in trying to make reading a daily activity. And nearly half wished there were ways to include reading in their child’s on-the-go schedule. Fortunately, there are plenty of fun and practical ways to make reading a part of everyday family life.

Making Reading Fun You can help a child develop reading skills even when you’re running errands or doing activities together. By going places and doing things with children, you help build their background knowledge and vocabulary, giving them a basis for understanding what they read. Telling stories and interacting with each other while on the go helps them develop their listening and thinking skills. And now there are technologies that let you take interesting reading material wherever you go. The new

Reading is a skill that requires nurturing. Creating a literacy-rich home is the best way to engage children with the joys of books and help them become readers for a lifetime. One convenient way to keep a constant stream of new books available to young readers is by downloading new e-book titles. Through the VTech website, new titles are available at your fingertips to add to your child’s V.Reader library. To find out more about the V.Reader and to download titles, visit www.vtechkids.com

Create a Reading-Friendly Environment Research1 shows that lack of access to books and educational materials is the single greatest barrier to literacy development in the US and beyond. Books, magazines, newspapers and other reading tools should be within easy reach of the whole family. Try designating a bookcase or shelf where children can keep a personal library. According to First Book, a nonprofit organization that provides new books to children in need, a steady stream of new, age-appropriate books has been shown to nearly triple interest in reading within months. By visiting www. firstbook.org, families, teachers and reading programs can help children from low-income communities build their own home libraries and start the journey to becoming lifelong readers. “It’s important for beginner readers to continue practicing their newly acquired reading skills,” said Ron Fairchild, founding CEO of the National Summer Learning

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Raising Eager Readers Continued from page 13

Association and a national authority on how to expand learning opportunities for youth. “Research shows that access to reading material that matches kids’ ability levels and interests, and assistance to ensure comprehension, are important to sustaining and advancing reading skills.” Some other tips for helping young readers develop include: Read with your child every day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Ask open-ended questions, such as “What do you think is going to happen next?” or “Why do you think he did that?” Read your child’s favorite book over and over. Find out what interests your child and get reading materials to feed that interest. Let children see you read and invite them to read with you. The US Department of Education (DOE) also recommends that when reading a book aloud to young children, point to each word as you read. This helps the child make a visual connection — that the word said is the word seen.

Literacy Milestones Most children develop certain skills as they move through the early stages of learning language. According to the Department of Education, these are some milestones to be working toward: From ages 3 to 4, most preschoolers: Enjoy listening to and talking about storybooks Understand that print carries a message Identify familiar signs and labels Research1 Susan B. Participate in rhyming games Neuman, Ph. D. University Identify some letters and make of Michigan, Center for some letter-sound matches

Trouble in Paradise – California The Not So Golden State By N. Ronimus October 1, 2010

f paradise existed on this planet, surely California would be a leading contender. With a magnificent coastline, fertile valleys, and majestic mountains and near perfect weather, California is among the bestendowed states on the planet. It’s research universities are world famous. And, more Nobel Prize winners live in California than any other state. Californians invented the movies, the first blue jeans, the Frisbee, the beginning of the computer and many high tech products. It has the 9th largest economy in the world (over $1.5 trillion dollars). Famous companies started in California include Levi’s, Disney, Apple, Intel and Google. It’s a major transportation hub handling more than 1/5 of U.S. trade with the world. Its farmers produce 350 crops that are shipped world wide; 1 out of 5 glasses of milk, 8 out of 10 avocados, and 2 out of 3 bottles of wine consumed in the U.S. is from California. Tourists are drawn to California to experience treasures like Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Hollywood, the San Francisco cable cars, its beaches, and of course, its near perfect weather. The Problem -- In spite of California’s abundance, there is trouble in paradise. The state is broke, heavily indebted and flirting with financial insolvency. The political process is broken and state government is dysfunctional.

the Improvement of Early Reading Achievement

At age 5, most kindergartners: Retell simple stories Use descriptive language to explain or to ask questions. Recognize letters and letter-sound matches. Show familiarity with rhyming and beginning sounds. Begin to match spoken words with written ones .

At age 6, most first-graders: Use a variety of ways to help with reading a story such as rereading, predicting what will happen, asking questions, or using visual cues or pictures. Read some things aloud with ease.Identify new words by using letter-sound matches, parts of words and their understanding of the rest of a story or printed item .Sound out and represent major sounds in a word when trying to spell. Try to use some punctuation marks and capitalization. 14

<end>

What caused the problem? California is a diverse state. People are drawn there from all over the country and the world. It has almost 37 million people whose ideological views stretch from “Orange County Republicans” to “Berkeley Liberals.” Five million new people were added in the past ten years.

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“Star public officials” like “star athletes” come along seldom. I can’t imagine Apple replacing Steve Jobs or The Chicago Bulls replacing Michael Jordan because of term limits -- NO WAY! Bull fans would still be rioting and Apple would still be looking for the “ i.”

Nearly 500 thousand were added in the last year alone. California ranks with the United Nations for diversity; one in four was born in another state, one in four was born in another country. The socioeconomic diversity stretches from indigent farm workers to Silicon Valley billionaires. Consequently, there are differences that make agreement difficult to achieve. With the state budget, there has to be common agreement. After all, there can only be one state budget. If you have ever dickered with the family over which movie to watch on the family “big screen” you know how difficult agreement can be. Now imagine that your family numbers 37 million and you can understand why it’s so difficult to agree on important issues. Because Californians can not reach agreement or compromise, it has resorted to “Permafixes,” and “Gimmicks” which are intended as permanent fixes to intransigent problems that are dynamic in nature. The dynamics are such that it’s like hitting a moving target from a moving target. This throws the doors wide open and allows the “law of unintended consequences” to work its diabolical magic. No matter how well a piece of legislation is constructed, there can be no allowance for unintended consequences.” Gimmicks are problematic but not show stoppers. If the Permafixes are dealt with the Gimmicks will become less of a problem. The causes briefly and simply, can be summed up as follows in the order of importance: Proposition 13. In 1978 Proposition 13 passed. Officially titled “People’s Initiative to Limit Property Taxation” it amended the state constitution and capped property taxes, meaning that local communities are prohibited by law from voting to raise their own taxes beyond a specified level. This sounds great; no one particularly likes property taxes, however, in practice, it’s sheer insanity. Why shouldn’t San Francisco be able to tax itself more to fund a local community project? Nobody outside of San Francisco has to pay for it. Imagine what would happen if a law was enacted that prevented local communities from lowering their property taxes. Communities with a higher need for public goods (such as spending more on public health and public safety) have to lobby at the state level for increased spending. This imposes it on communities that without prejudice would prefer to spend less. A major reason Californians are so vicious in their squabbling is that Proposition 13 precludes diverse policies at the local level. To get the community project, the folks in San Francisco have to get the state to fund it, and Anaheim will not buy into that.

Requiring a two-thirds majority to pass a budget, tax legislation and assorted other measures. At first blush this seems like a formula for fiscal rectitude; in actual practice, it creates a tyranny of the few. Roughly a third of the legislators can thwart a budget or tax legislation supported by the majority. In a democracy, how can 1/3 of the people get away with running the state? I thought that was the prerogative of the majority. In a diverse state like California, getting a 2/3 majority for anything is a pipe dream and seldom happens. A poorly informed electorate. The majority of likely voters don’t know that K-12 is the largest budget outlay and personal income taxes are the largest revenue source. Yet the majority of likely voters think that major decisions regarding reforming the state’s budget process should be made at the ballot box. Term Limits - On the surface Term Limits seems a wonderful idea; however, in actual practice it falls short. Governing California is an incredibly complex undertaking; yet it routinely and indiscriminately removes those best at doing it from office -- forever. “Star public officials” like “star athletes” come along seldom. I can’t imagine Apple replacing Steve Jobs or The Chicago Bulls replacing Michael Jordan

Trouble In Paradise Continues on page 18

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The Beauty Of

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Abstract Art

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Trouble In Paradise Continued from page 15

because of term limits -- NO WAY! Bull fans would still be rioting and Apple would still be looking for the “ i.” Ballot initiatives. California leads the way with ballot initiatives. Far too many governance decisions are made directly by the people through the ballot initiative. In theory, this is direct democracy. In practice, it’s a three-ring circus sans fun. The referendums are very confusing, very expensive and very contentious. Complex issues must be reduced to a yes/no vote. Would you want all Americans to vote on federal tax policy or federal immigration policy? Some big thorny issues that are easily understood should probably be decided by referendum; most issues probably shouldn’t.

Register today and vote your conscious every election. Make your voice heard! What to Do? For California to work, ideologues need to find some common ground for compromise. First and foremost Californians need to inform themselves about the state budget and the state budget process. After which, they need to make some critical decisions: What kind of society do they want, now and in the future? What is the role of public institutions in securing shared prosperity and opportunity for all? What role should government play in providing a safety net for the needy? What changes are needed in California’s budgeting, taxing, and spending rules to promote this vision of California’s future? Finally, Californians need to take another look at the Permafixes: Proposition 13 and the requirement for a 2/3 Super Majority. Both will be difficult to change; yet, change is needed, because as written, they are an impediment to righting California’s broken budgetary process and by extension, state governance. California is the only state in the Union with a 2/3 Super Majority requirement to pass a budget or a tax bill. Other states 18

can avoid the same plight; however, they must resist the temptation to adopt the “easy fixes” of the California formula. <end>

Can You Hear Me Now? Continued from page 12

2. If my child or I had hearing loss, my family doctor would have told me: Only 14 percent of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss during a physical. 3. Your hearing loss cannot be helped: With modern advances in technology, nearly 95 percent of people with a sensorineural hearing loss — a type of hearing loss in which the root cause lies in the inner ear — can be helped with hearing aids. 4. Hearing aids are large, clunky and obvious: Many modern hearing aids are nearly invisible to the naked eye and smaller than a quarter. 5. Hearing loss isn’t serious enough to treat: Hearing loss can create social and emotional barriers for the individuals living with it, or the families of those it affects. Research shows that when left untreated, hearing loss can lead to reduced earning power, disruptions in family life and can cause a wide range of other psychological problems.

Signs of hearing loss in your teen

— Loss of hearing sensitivity, first to high-pitched (highfrequency) sounds, then eventually to lower pitches. — Difficulty hearing conversations, especially in a group setting or in a noisy environment. — Temporary or permanent ringing, buzzing or fluttering in one or both ears. — Often asks people to repeat themselves. — Needs to set the TV or radio volume louder than other people. — A sense of fullness in the ears. — Voices and other noises sound muffled and/or distorted.

Audéo PFE Perfect Bass

The Audéo PFE (Perfect Fit Earphones) Perfect Bass are a set of high-end, sound-isolating earphones by leading hearing systems manufacturer Phonak. The Audéo PFE provides exceptional fit with different, replaceable ear tips, great sound (even at low volume levels) without sacrificing the health of your ears, and starts below $100. The Audéo PFE Perfect Bass can be purchased online at www.audeoworld.com. Main: Photo courtesy of Getty Images Earphones: Photo courtesy of Phonak <end>

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LifeStyle Tips for First-Time Moms With experience comes wisdom – ask any second-time mom. Without that experience available, first-time moms often make decisions based on what they think they are supposed to do.

online market researcher OnePoll.com. And a poll by MyCelebrityFashion.co.uk found that 25 percent of women only wear 10 per cent of the clothes they own, while 91 percent have an item in the closet that still has the tags on. Lifestyle expert Amy Sewell, of Shop With Style, has some tips to help you put your shopping time to good use by finding fashion that suits your figure.

To help new moms, Kerry Colburn, author of “How to Have Your Second Child First,” shares these bits of wisdom: •

Try to sleep (or nap) when your baby does.

•

Wash all the family laundry together. all® Free Clear is the #1 free clear detergent and is pediatrician, dermatologist and allergist recommended for sensitive skin, so mom never needs to separate baby’s laundry from the rest of the family’s.

•

No need to tip-toe around when baby’s sleeping; if they’re used to noise they will sleep right through it.

•

If you’re feeling advice overload, ignore it all (except that of your pediatrician, of course).

•

The Perfect Suit. Choose a jacket with small pads to define your shoulders and a waist that is slightly fitted to give you a womanly curve. Pants with a flat front and slightly-flared legs will minimize the tummy and create a longer, leaner look.

•

A-line skirts offer good camouflage for fuller hips and thighs; skirt lengths that hit at or just below he knee flatter most figures.

•

Keep It Monochromatic. Wearing the same color from head to toe creates the illusion of one long, unbroken line, making you appear slimmer. Think neutrals: black, camel, cream, dark brown.

•

Skim, Not Skin. Clothing should skim your curves, so look for fabrics that drape in a flattering way. Heavy fabrics will hide your shape, while super-sheer fabrics and spandex reveal a little too much. Knitwear line Ming Wang is a perfect wrinkly-free and shaperetentive clothing option.

To share tips with each other and to hear more of what Colburn has to say, moms can visit www.facebook. com/alllaundry. The all Facebook page will also provide money-saving advice and coupons. To download a coupon and get more information on pediatrician and dermatologist recommended all® Free Clear, visit www.all-laundry.com.

Fashion for Your Figure Do you spend a lot of time shopping for clothes that you hardly ever wear? If so, you’re not alone. Most women spend an average of three years of heir lives shopping, according to a recent survey by global Fashion for Your Figure satorimagazine.com

Continues on page 20

alliances in a state of flux. The Marshal plan (1947-1951), viewed by some as American economic imperialism, had run its course and Europe was rebuilding.

Fashion for Your Figure Continued from page 19 •

Fit Is Key. Buy clothing that actually fits your body. Anything too large or too small will make you look heavier than you are. You won’t fool anyone by stuffing yourself into a smaller size or hiding your body under loose fabric.

•

Smooth Foundations. Wear pants and skirts with builtin shape wear to alleviate the hassle of extra layers that can create bunching throughout the day.

•

Ming Wang has created a line of Slendersize bottoms with built in shape wear that works to smooth and contour all body types. Since Slendersize pants and skirts are available in both black and white, they can form the foundation of your wardrobe from season to season. For more on Amy Sewell, visit www.shopwithstyle.net

Where Is Help For The Unemployed? By N. Ronimus August 8, 2010

t’s 1956, December in Newport, Rhode Island and its frigid cold with snow up to my knickers. As I boarded USS Manville (PC-581), my first ship, I was elated and thought, “finally, I’m in the real navy.” I didn’t know it then but I had just met the “military industrial complex” (MIC). This is a term that was used by the late President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, in his final address to the nation warning against what he correctly foresaw as the emergence of a force to be reckoned with. USS Manville, a sub chaser, was so small it could hardly be called a ship at all. Its was 173 feet in length and capable of speeds of 18 knots. She had a crew of 43 crammed into poorly ventilated living quarters. The bunks were situated such that you always slept with a ship mates smelly feet in your face. Life aboard a small ship in the northern latitudes, especially during winter, is absolutely miserable. Standing on the deck of Manville in a rough sea was akin to riding a wet mechanical bull in the driving wind and rain. Seafarers never forget their first ship. In 1956, the world was in the midst of the Cold War and World War II was still an open-wound. The world was undergoing rapid geo-political change with international 20

Some argue that the Marshal Plan was an attempt, with some degree of success, to gain control over Western Europe just as the Soviets controlled Eastern Europe. The Marshal Plan is also credited with beginning a long legacy of disastrous foreign aid programs; however, I beg to differ. The mistaken assumption is that foreign assistance in whatever guise is for the benefit of the recipient nation. Nothing could be further from the truth. Its sole purpose is to increase U.S. economic influence and dominance by co-opting governments through foreign-buy-out strategies including: Military basing arrangements Military training agreements Joint military exercises Foreign aid Area defense pacts such as NATO, SEATO etc. BI-lateral defense pacts Trade Agreements Economic Alliances This benefits the MIC directly. Just what is the MIC? It’s a combination of the uniformed Military, weapon manufactures, Para-military Industry, Israeli Lobby, electronic device manufactures, Software Publishers, Aircraft Industry, Security Industry, Think Tanks, Academic Research Institutions, Political Action Committees and organizations such as the Tri-lateral commission. This entity is insidious, all-powerful and in a very direct way formulates and run U.S. foreign policy. There are fortunes to make, influence to peddle and power to be gained from a constant state of war. When public officials at the national level leave office chances are better than even they will seek and they will gain lucrative employment within the MIC. It’s pay back for services rendered in the service of the MIC while on the taxpayer’s dime. People, that’s how it works. Heretofore the U.S. didn’t bother with niceties; when it wanted to expand empire, it created the justification and sent in the troops. Why change a strategy that had been in place since the 1890s? Because changes in the geo-political sphere after World War II, made it less advantageous for major powers to invade countries to gain and maintain influence. This forced a change in strategy that substituted the United Nation’s Imprimatur, diplomatic persuasion, economic blackmail, entangling agreements and military threats as opposed to direct, unilateral, U.S. intervention or military invasion. Remember, this is 1956, and the MIC is already well established. During my 49 years in the MIC I witnessed first hand its rapid expansion and growing sphere of influence. The cost of running the empire is staggering and it soaks

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up a disproportionate share of the federal budget; this starves other worth while programs of adequate funding. Our health care system should be a national pride instead it’s a national scandal. We pat ourselves on the back for the excellent care provided the affluent while paying lip service to the millions whom can’t pay the premiums. As a final indignity, we blame the less fortunate for their own plight, as if they had control of the economic cycles. During economic turmoil, unemployment runs high, layoffs are the norm and suffering is wide spread. This is compounded by uncertainty as to duration of the downturn and the depth of the lay off. An added wrinkle to recent downturns is near jobless recoveries. Business profits soar but layoffs persist and grow. Yet, unemployment benefits are limited in amount and in duration and extensions are not a given. Congress, because of political posturing and entrenched ideologues acts as if granting and extension is tantamount to social treason. Look no further than the 2010 congress to see what I mean.

The Federal Reserve’s latest forecast says the unemployment rate will climb to between 8.5% and 8.8% this year. The previous prediction, issued in midNovember, estimated that the jobless rate would rise to between 7.1% and 7.6%. Many economists believe that the current 7.6% jobless rate--itself the highest in more than 16 years--will hit at least 9.0% by early next year, even taking into consideration the $787.0 billion stimulus package signed into law by President Obama. The “U.S.”, not being a coherent society, dedicates inadequate resources and as a result it lacks effective means to underpin society and provide for the needy. In the U.S. if you are unemployed its your problem. Employment benefits are available but not automatic; first, you have to submit an application and meet the state eligibility requirements. Just because you worked and lost your job, doesn’t automatically qualify you for unemployment benefits. I don’t know what workers do if they fail to meet eligibility requirements. If the requirements are met, the weekly stipend will barely cover food and shelter. Its fixed and not contingent on individual needs and limited to 26 weeks with a 13-week extension. Further extension is possible but it’s not a given since Congress has to act. The economic downturn may last for years, but that doesn’t change the limits and doesn’t seem to faze Congress. I’m not suggesting a Swedish overlay, but, instead, change the philosophy behind the program and back it up with resources. I don’t know what or how it should be changed, but I’m sure the legislature can figure

it out if we the people tell them what we want and then command it. The way it is now, Congress will feud and fuss, posture and pontificate, confer and caucus for what seems like and eternity, and then come up with an empty larder. While Congress is dithering, out of work Americans are hurting and in danger of falling further behind and completely off the economic wagon. This is “bullmarkey” and it stinks. With the cost of running the empire starving everything with “social” in its title or any program deemed social in nature such as Medicare, there will never be enough for basic societal needs. So you may ask, “why do we maintain an empire?” It’s really quite simple. To run an empire you need lots of gold and lots of weapons. In order to spend trillions on weapons you need enemies with which to scare the hell out of the American people. Once enemies are in place and fear stoked a mechanism for keeping the American people in a state of panic is needed. Stage right stage center stage left enters the media outlets right on cue to play their orchestrated part. The war on terrorism is a new construct and its perfect. We are told up front that it will last forever. So as long as the press is compliant and dutiful runs up the fear flag when expected, the American people like sheep, will roll over and sing the praise of war, as expected. There is a percentage of the populace that is by nature war like, easily led and whose solution is always to bomb. They form a ready group of supporters and front men when the government flies the fear flag. As long as the American people believe what they are told and not what they see with their own eyes this situation will continue to persist. If you add up the dollars in the budgets for the Defense Department, war on drugs, State Department and the Intelligence services you will start to understand just how expensive empire is. It is my contention that there are no foreseeable threats on the horizon that justify the size of the defense budget. China because of its size and economic power can and probably will rival the U.S. militarily and probably in the not too distant future. Yet, it would make no sense what so ever to war with China, especially since they seem amenable to agreements that reduce the likely hood of war. The Russians are formidable but don’t seem bent on war. Such a conclusion can be drawn from the restraint shown in Georgia and the economic direction taken in recent years. There is no threat from drugs period. And to think we continue to spend hundreds of billions on a so call war spawned in the Eisenhower administration and ramped up in the Nixon administration. Since 1971 we have spent untold billions every year trying to stamp out drugs. In

Help for The Unemployed Continues on page 22

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Help for The Unemployed Continued from page 21

2008 the U.S. spent 19 billion on the war on drugs. According to drugsense.org, as of Sunday, August 8, 2010 at 5:00 PM the total dollars spent on the war on drugs this year alone stand at $30,784,787,672. If you extrapolate out for the year the total could be well over 40 billion. Think how many out of work Americans we could help with an extra 40 billion. So what did we get after decades of a war on drugs and hundreds of billions spent? This is what I see:

Annual Causes of Death in the United States Tobacco

435,000

Poor Diet and Physical Inactivity Alcohol

365,000

Microbial Agents

75,000

Toxic Agents

55,000

85,000

doesn’t work; look no further than the 1920s and what happened when alcohol was prohibited. Motor Vehicle Crashes 26,347 What if we had plowed a share into public health and a share into Adverse Reaction to Prescription Drugs 32,000 public safety and a share to rebuild broken infrastructure such as unsafe Suicide 30,622 Increased availability of Cocaine bridges? Would that not have been a (crack and powder) Incidents Involving Firearms 29,000 wiser use for the hundreds of billions Increased availability of Heroin squandered prosecuting a war on Lower street cost and higher Homicide 20,308 drugs that has no end? In the next quality decade, if the present trend persist, Sexual Behaviors 20,000 Increased amphetamine the U.S. will spend close to a trillion production All Illicit Drug Use, Direct and Indirect 17,000 dollars on the war of drugs. Folks, Corrupted U.S. Law Enforcement that’s trillions with a T. officials Drugs Such As Aspirin 7,600 As you can see if you look, the Over flowing jails. moneys there, it’s just a matter of Marijuana 0 Criminalized Marijuana rearranging national priorities. If trillions can be spent on welfare for the “military industrial The smart thing would have been to legalized drugs 50 complex,” and that’s what it amounts to, then surely years ago and taxed them accordingly. We could have we can come up with more money for such things as saved hundreds of billions and could have put into place an unemployment benefits for laid off and displaced workers effective drug treatment program for those that require it. and better health care for all Americans. Accordingly to Benson B. Roe MD, Professor Emeritus and former Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of California at San Francisco: “It is frequently stated that illicit drugs are “bad, dangerous, destructive” or “addictive,” and that society has an obligation to keep them from the public. But nowhere can be found reliable, objective scientific evidence that they are any more harmful than other substances and activities that are legal. In view of the enormous expense, the carnage and the obvious futility of the “drug war,” resulting in massive criminalization of society, it is high time to examine the supposed justification for keeping certain substances illegal. Those who initiated those prohibitions and those who now so vigorously seek to enforce them have not made their objectives clear. Are they to protect us from evil, from addiction, or from poison?”

As it stands we have squandered hundreds of billions that resulted in a better market for illicit drugs. If you think that makes sense, I got a bridge for you. We know prohibition

“The information presented and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of www.satorimagazine.com and/or it’s partners.”

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Beauty Tips A Real Treat for Your Feet Foot SPA half filled with warm water ½ cup milk 1 tbs epson salts (optional) 2 drops of your favorite body wash Foot brush Foot scraper Place your feet into foot spa Turn the control knob to heat and massage Let feet soak for 10 min. Scrub bottom of feet with pedicure brush/scraper Soak feet another 10 min. Complete pedicure and pat dry Moisturize feet with Vaseline Put on pair of white socks If you do this once a week for two months your reward will be soft and beautiful feet Best when done before bedtime

Homemade Facial Scrub ¼ tsp cornmeal or crushed almonds 1 tbls oatmeal 1 ½ tbls yogurt Place dry ingredients in food processor until fine Add yogurt Massage face lightly, rinse with warm water Refrigerate leftovers and keep for 2 weeks

Facial Mask 1 banana 1 tbls honey 1 to 2 drops vitamin E oil ½ tsp yogurt Mix all ingredients together and leave on face for 15 to 20 minutes

Toner

Natural Skin Care Should be an Obvious Choice Natural skincare should be part of every woman’s daily routine. Many factors can affect a person’s skin. Over exposure to the sun is a common factor that can be very noticeable. The sun can dry out the skin and leave it dry and wrinkled. If you are out in the sun, then your skin needs a good sunscreen to keep it moist and protected. Natural skincare products are products that use natural ingredients such as essential oils, roots, herbs and even flowers. In addition, these products do not contain any synthetic chemicals and to be considered natural it cannot be made in a way that does not preserve the integrity of the natural products as well. Natural skincare involves more than just applying a cream to your skin. It also applies to how you look after your body and what you eat as well. People who use natural products are not as concerned with artificial products to enhance their appearance. Natural look and beauty is much more important to them. One of the more popular natural skincare products is honey or beeswax because of its natural antioxidants and anti-microbial properties. It also has the ability to retain and absorb moisture, which helps keep the skin soft and supple. Therefore, if you can find a product that contains honey then you have found yourself a good skincare product. It is a natural tonic for dry, damaged skin. Another popular natural skin care solution is the shea butter products derived from the Karite tree of Africa. In it’s purest form it can provide healing for some skin conditions such as stretch marks, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema. This product is very popular because of its therapeutic properties. Before applying any natural skincare products to your skin, you should give your skin a dry brush exfoliation with a soft natural bristle brush. This will remove any dead skin cells and will allow the skin to detoxify. It will also improve blood circulation. In conclusion, natural skincare should be a part of every woman’s daily routine. Avoid applying synthetic chemical based products to your skin, go the natural way!

About the Author Why are so many people using Natural skin care products? We have done a lot of research on the various natural skin care options on the market. Visit our site today! http://www.thefacewrinkle.com/ By M. Applebaum Source: http://www.everydayarticles.com

Use egg white on face for toning. Leave on for 10 minutes after facial mask. Be sure to moisturize and use sunscreen or block even in the Fall and Winter months. Visit www.satorimagazine.com for more beauty tipssatorimagazine.com

Shaniya Davis -- A Preventable Tragedy By Bernice Carter-McNeil Editor Satori Magazine October 1, 2010

haniya Davis’ story is a sordid tale of child neglect, rape and murder. According to press accounts, 5 year old Shaniya was allegedly sold by her mother, 25 year old Antoinette Nicole Davis, to a drug dealer, 29 year old Mario McNeill, for payment of debt. The mother is said to be facing a 40-year jail sentence. The mother, Antoinette Davis reported Shaniya missing on November 10, 2009. She stated that “when she woke up that morning, Shaniya was gone.” A nationwide search ensued and after an intensive police investigation, it was discovered that the mother had filed a false missing person report. The real story defies belief! The investigation revealed that Shaniya had been allegedly prostituted and sold to a drug dealer for payment. The 5-year-old was found dead just 7 miles from home the same day she was reported missing. According to the autopsy report, Shaniya had been raped and died of asphyxiation, and then her body was dumped along the road. Mario McNeill, charged with kidnap, rape and murder, was captured on videotape by a hotel surveillance camera carrying a child into a hotel room. Incriminating photos of another child was found on his telephone. McNeill admitted to taking the girl but according to his attorney he will plead not guilty. As of this writing Antoinette Davis is currently out on bail but was scheduled to appear back in court August 11, 2010 for sentencing. The Shaniya Davis story has received wide press coverage, and rightfully so. However, most press accounts missed the larger story: to wit, too many children are at risk within their own homes” and society can’t figure out what to do about it. The state spends untold moneys and spares no effort to root out and prosecute any hint of sexual abuse to children in our schools or other public places. It even extends its reach into the home if sexual abuse is suspected, and rightfully so. In the state’s zeal to protect children it some times over steps it bounds. It can get caught up in the hysteria of the moment and over react. This is one of the down sides to present means and methods. Once accused, innocent or guilty, you lose, and the full weight of the law will come crashing down. To understand how devastating this can be, I suggest you check out 26

what happened to the McMartin pre-school of Manhattan Beach, California in 1983. In this case the state did what it “had to do” to make a case and from 1983 to 1990 pure hell rained down on the McMartin staff. At trial end, no convictions were obtained and all charges were dropped. Life for those charged, though innocent of all charges, will never be the same again. You may or may not sympathize with the McMartin pre-school staff, but what about the innocent children that were traumatized by this ugly ordeal? Some may carry unnecessary scars for years and for what? A certain amount of sexual malfeasance toward our children is inherent in our society and has been since recorded times. It happens and to say it doesn’t is to deny your own childhood. I’m sure some of you experienced things in child hood that you did not tell your Mom and Dad about, or knew some one from your childhood that experienced molestation at the hands of some one close or even a relative. The point is, with a few exceptions, the kid not quite understanding what is happening will shrug it off and move on. That seems to be what happened with most of the children caught up in the Catholic Church scandal. I am not trying to rationalize behavior that I neither condone nor understand. My point is, we spend too much effort and too many resources on this sort of thing and not nearly enough on what I perceive as an equally serious and more pervasive problem; but one with the potential to kill. Look at what happened to the innocent and pure Shaniya Davis. When violent acts this despicable are perpetuated, no sane person can help but ask, why? I am no different, I ask why, but I start my questions with the family. I already know that I don’t understand or comprehend what motivates people like the Mario McNeills of the world so I see no reason to start there. 5 year old Shaniya did not just happen to be in harms way, her deliverance had to be aided and abetted by the family. In this case the first question that come to mind is “What in blazes can a father be thinking if he knowingly delivers up something as precious as an innocent child to a mother he know to be unfit?” How can any concerned parent take one month of seeming stability -- probably staged -- as evidence that the child is being delivered into a healthy and fit environment? It makes no sense what so ever. Yet, according to accounts in the press, this is exactly what happened. Also, where were the immediate family members when Shaniya was being, allegedly, sold into sexual slavery? If the whole sordid episode had not ended so tragically, the beautiful waif that was Shaniya could still be in Mario’s clutches, and still be living unknown horrors, and right under our collective nose. Think about that! How many Shaniyas have gone undetected simply because they did not have

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Shaniya Davis

Continued from page 26 such a tragic end? How many other Shaniya Davis’ are out there? What preventative measures can society take to try and get a handle on the problem? How can children living in a dangerous family setting be identified and protected? What else can the state do? In our society people have rights; there are children rights and there are parent rights, and the state is the insurer of those rights. Yet, the state is no position to insure the rights of a child. It makes a great effort but more often than not finds its hands tied. The state can’t just walk in and remove a child from a dangerous home. Before it can do that, it has to satisfy the necessary legal requirements and show cause as to why the parents should be charged with child endangerment or some other crime. That is not always easy to show and it takes precious time while the child remains in danger. What follows is a synapse of a story by Raegan Medge reporting for TV station WNEP that illustrate the process: In December, Police, during a burglary investigation found that five children ages six through 12 living in filthy conditions in a home in disarray as the parents were sleeping. In January, after an investigation that took more than one month to complete the parents were charged with endangering the welfare of their five children. In January, one parent was charged with possession of heroin.

In my opinion, uninformed as it may be, we must change the necessary laws and statutes so those children can be summarily removed from demonstrably dangerous environments. If after an investigation, it is proven that the state acted in haste, the state action can be reversed and the child returned to its rightful home and the natural parents -- sort of like “no harm no foul.” If on the other hand, an investigation determines that the state was right to remove the child, some child may be spared the horror that was Shaniya Davis’ last days on this earth. Let this tragic event be an action call; too many of our children are living in danger within their own home, and if not by happenstance, as in the story by Raegan Medge, we will not know of them until they become a headline in the media.

According to an old African proverb, “It Takes A Village to Raise A Child” -- I second that.

In a separate incident in January, both parents were pulled over as they were returning from an out of state drug run. They admitted to buying heroin and using it during the ride home. In February it came to a head when social workers went to the children’s home. The children were found in the care of another adult that said he didn’t have money and had to ration the children’s food. Days later, troopers arrested both parents. I say this is backwards, 2 to 3 months to remove endangered children from a dangerous home is too long. I say, “lets remove them first, save a child, and then worry about due process. Not worry about due process first and then remove the child.” A life may be at stake. To my way of thinking all rights are not equal. A child’s right to live and grow in a non-threatening environment is non-negotiable. They did not ask to be here, but since they are, their rights to a safe life must take precedence. The “rights of a citizen” is the basis of the social compact. We the citizens, as makers of the social compact, have the right and the duty to modify it as necessary, so that our children can receive the protection they deserve.

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We Must Protect Our Children

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Getting Started By Diona Lynn Austin October 1, 2010

f you tend to use the escalator, or head to the kitchen during commercials, or park in the nearest space, and the mere thought of breaking a sweat makes you tired, don’t feel like the “lone ranger,” you are a member of a growing majority. The first time it’s the stairs instead of the escalator, 60 seconds of crunches during commercial break, or park in the furthermost space, that’s the first step to becoming and staying fit.

Like what I see in the mirror Feel better Be stronger Fit into my favorite jeans Better sex More attractive Compete in a sport Keep up with my children Keep knees/back/neck/feet from hurting Don’t want to gain another size Feel better about myself Fill in your own reason ()

How to get started? I think I can plot a reasonable course; however, before starting any exercise routine, it is advisable to check with your physician; it’s also advisable to know your family medical history so that any concerns can be dealt with up front. What follows are the components for creating a plan to get started: Commit to a fitness regimen: A fitness regimen is the vehicle to turn your love and respect for your body into an action plan. In order to establish a regimen consider the following: Step one, figure out exactly who you are, what you have to work with, and then accept yourself as you are. In front of the mirror take a good look at your body and decide what to make better. Use this feedback to develop workout goals and to create a plan. Promise your body that you will honor and respect it everyday.

How Fast Can I slim down? Are those drop 5 pounds in 5 days ads are realistic?

Develop ways to overcome inertia and deal with the issues that keep you in the same old rut.

Consider this:

Lastly, establish starting baseline and set an end goal. With out a road map, One can wander aimlessly about and never reach the intended destination. Know why you need to exercise – not why you should. According to Dallas Fuentes, a certified Pilate’s instructor, body therapist, anatomist and a fitness consultant. “What’s likely to keep you going is recognizing what truly motivates you.” There are no right or wrong reasons, so examine what matters and check all that apply: Improve my health

3.Visualize how you want your body to look, but don’t base that picture on some external standard of beauty or what others think because, when it comes to bodies, it’s not a level playing field. But keep in mind, nothings more beautiful than what you have. Keep your ideal image in mind and identify the areas for improvement. The overall goal should be a healthier and fit body and shedding pounds is a critical step; however, its normal that the arms and waist are also targeted for toning. This is the basis of your exercise plan.

The body has to burn 3,500 calories to lose a pound. To burn 300 to 600 calories, it takes 45 minutes to an hour of aerobics and stretching. To zap 3,500 calories, it takes six hours per day of exercise and fasting. As a practical matter focusing on weight loss is shorted sighted. If one is in a hurry to lose weight, starvation works but at what cost to health and fitness. It’s more effective to establish a goal; put a workable plan in place to accomplish that goal, and be disciplined in the execution of the plan. This is a general plan for getting things done and it works.

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Getting Started

Continued from page 30 A scale is not necessary to check progress; however, it may be useful to some. Every time you slip into a dress, take a shower or walk up a flight of stairs the body provides a direct read out as to progress. It can be depressing to jump on the scale and it indicates a gain when a loss was expected. Although it’s best not to focus on weight loss per se, a reasonable expectation is to lose a pound or two each week. The more exact in goal, the better chance of attaining it.

Take a look at your schedule and see what can be let go. Sun bathing can become a stretching session. Instead of kicking back to watch TV, with a little ingenuity the treadmill can be relocated to where you can run/walk and watch TV at the same time. That’s “having ones cake and eating it too.” If a healthier body and fitness is important, finding time will be no problem. 6. Keep a Journal: At least once a day, write down goals and assess progress. Don’t get discouraged if goals sometimes exceed reach. Remember that sticking to the plan will get you to your goal; however, the time line may stretch out or it could shrink, but you will get there. Don’t just track quantitative measures such as pound loss, track what’s in the mirror, track what your body is saying, track improvement in stamina and strength. Listen to your body it will not lie. If you live your plan, your lifestyle will morph into the lifestyle needed to get in shape and stay fit. That’s the ultimate goal, and soon enough, the mirror will reflect, the body will say, and stamina and strength will verify, how far one has come. Not living your plan will probably lead to stalls along the way. If this should happen, get up, dust yourself off, and get back on the plan.

It’s an accepted fact that in order to burn calories its necessary to increase the heart rate. How much is enough? It depends on age:

Target Heart Rate Zone by Age 20s 98-170 beats per minute 30s 93-162 beats per minute 40s 88-153 beats per minute 50s 83-145 beats per minute 4. Knowing your goal provides a better idea on how to attain it. Cardio and aerobic workouts improve lung capacity and endurance. Some popular exercises are brisk walks, jogging and biking. If the goal is to tone and firm, resistance training and weight training exercises will strengthens muscles. To attain greater flexibility and improve posture, Pilate’s, Yoga or Tai Chi will stretch and lengthen muscles. To increase strength, supervised weight training and circuit training are recommended. 5. Set aside time for fitness: A common refrain is “jeez, with the children, and the job, I just can’t find anymore time. Of course you can’t find anymore time, you already have all there is. Every one has the same amount of time; the difference is in scheduling. Workouts need to be scheduled just like any important event.

Make your daily diet a lifestyle and a commitment to good health. 7. Eating Habits: Not eating regularly and starving yourself to lose weight will result in rapid weight loss and you may look great. The problem is your body is smart. It knows that it was starved, so as soon as you start eating again, it stores anything and everything it can from the food being eaten. By storing up food its creating a reserve to live off should it be starved again. With your body in the storing mode, weight gain will occur, rapidly, and sometimes the gain will be more than the initial lost. 8. Proper Sleep – There is a misunderstanding about the sleep diet, which suggests weight lost from simple sleep. Its doesn’t mean that if you sleep, you will lose weight. What it does mean is sleep deprivation inhibits metabolism not allowing it to function properly. On average, the body needs about 7.0 hours of quality sleep per night. If 7.0 hours is already the norm, another hour will not help lose pounds, but if a five-hour sleeper starts to sleep for seven hours a night, weight loss should occur. Proper sleep in

Getting Started

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Getting Started

Continued from page 31 proper amounts is also needed for the body to recover from the day’s strains and stresses. Body recovery in general needs proper sleep and continued sleep deprivation will exact a price.

Take a few sips of water every 15 minutes during exercise routine.

How to Stay Healthy When Traveling The last thing you need when you’re traveling is to get sick while on the road. Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to reduce your risk of picking up a bug along with your souvenirs. •

The Centers for Disease Control says that keeping hands clean is one of the best ways to stay healthy and avoid spreading germs. If you can’t get to a sink with soap, use an alcoholbased hand sanitizer. Look for gels or wipes that say “sanitizer” and that have at least 70 percent alcohol content.

•

Cold and flu viruses can survive on surfaces anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Stomach flu viruses can linger on surfaces for two to four weeks. On the airplane, wipe down your tray table, armrests, seat belt buckle and the air/call buttons. You can also use the wipes in your hotel room to wipe down faucets, switches, phones and door knobs.

•

Each year, more than 10 million overseas travelers develop a gastro-intestinal illness often caused by unsafe water. One way to avoid traveler’s diarrhea is to use a handheld water purifier like the SteriPEN Traveler or Traveler Mini. They use ultraviolet light to destroy more than 99.9 percent of viruses, bacteria, household germs and protozoa – including giardia and cryptosporidium – in seconds. To find out more visit steripen.com.

If you are thirsty you are already dehydrated. I hope that by providing this information you will be able to start on your journey to a healthier lifestyle. Although it may not be easy, and at times you may want to give up, just say to yourself “I can do it – I will do it.” Stay focused, stick to the plan and together “We Can Stay Fit From The Inside Out.” Recommend Reading: The Extraordinary Health Magazine www.extraordinaryhealth.com For more information please visit “Staying Fit and Healthy with Diona” at www.satorimagazine.com 32

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Feature Black Mamba By Robert E. Blue In the last days of the Vietnam War, U. S. Sergeant Benjamin Holmes undertakes a daring mission to rescue a downed helicopter pilot with the help of Angi, a young Cambodian refugee. Treasure reportedly worth millions of dollars is hidden in the treacherous mountains bordering the war ravaged state. Benjamin recruits Black Mamba, an underworld organization to recover the treasure, as Angi’s love beckons him to Vietnam once more. It is a mission more dangerous than any Benjamin encountered during the war, a mission in the heart of difficult terrain in South Vietnam. Will daredevil members of Black Mamba succeed in recovering the treasure? Will Benjamin be able to rescue Angi and her friends? Will love and heroism triumph?

Chapter one (excerpt) The Vietnam War was coming to an end. My unit, which consisted of only three companies, was ordered to stand down, to be deployed elsewhere. …”Hey, Sarge! The old man wants you in the command post. It sounds urgent. I think we might have a mission” I got dressed and trotted over to the CP and entered Captain Murray’s office. This was the building where all plans and strategies were made. “You want to see me sir?” I asked. “yes,” he replied, “we have a major problem here. He was pointing at a red squiggly line on a map that was spread out on the table before us. “What your see here, Sarge,” he said, “ is the route from Cam Rahn Bay to the distribution point in Phan Rang. …We have a convoy leaving the bay at 1300 hours. Get these rats of yours ready to move by then.” They called us rats because Bravo Company was populated with mainly small personnel. They were the tunnel rats, which would enter tunnels and flush out the Viet Cong.

Chapter Two (excerpts) At 1200 hours we departed for Highway One. I placed my assault vehicles equal distance apart throughout the convoy, with my 81’s in the center for forward and rear supports. I rode the command vehicle (jeep), which scouted for he column. The convoy rolled on without incident. At dusk we stopped for chow for on hour, and also gave the drivers time to stretch and shake out the kinks. After the break, we loaded up and continued the long trek to Phan Rang. At midnight the convoy stopped again, this time to change drivers so that the guys would not fall asleep at the wheel. After ten minutes we were back on the road. This is too easy, I thought, as daybreak neared and still there was no enemy contact. I turned the jeep around to checkthe rear of the convoy, and then it came. In the distance I saw a streak of fire homing in on one of the fuel tankers. It mushroomed into a flaming inferno. The shock wave was so tremendous, it overturned two supply trucks, one aflame. I got on the radio and gave the command to stagger and take cover. It was time for action.

Black Mamba Paperback is available online amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. For more information visit www.satorimagazine.com

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From The Editor’s Desk

may bring wealth and fame but that’s a bonus; however, wealth and fame may be your dream and that’s okay. Bernice Carter-McNeil Editor and Publisher Satori Magazine

The Dream -- “If you have a dream, bring it to life; make it a work in progress.” By Bernice Carter-McNeil October 1, 2010

ow often have you heard friends, relatives and or co-worker bemoan, “If I pursue my dream, by the time its realized, I will be 60 years old.” If you are 50 that’s a true statement; however, you have the choice of pursuing your dream and being in a different place in ten years or doing nothing. You are going to be 60 regardless, so doesn’t it make sense to get cracking. That same person probably said the same thing when they were 40, when they were 30, and so on. Its never too late in life to pursue your dreams, whether they be old dreams or new dreams make little difference. I say to anyone who has a long held dream and is still passionate about it, “Follow Your Heart.” After all it’s your dream and others may not understand its importance to you or your passion for it. Don’t be swayed from your course by well meaning others. What some may not understand is that a dream is just that -- a dream. In others words it’s a strong desire to do something but the outcome is unknown and the path towards the end is not yet defined. Because of this uncertainty many are conflicted and spend their life procrastinating afraid to take the first step. Ask them and they will claim “I’m just being practical.” In other words, because it’s not a “for sure thing” its impractical to pursue it. That’s really sad; because if you think that way, you are unlikely to ever know the joy and sheer exhilaration of watching something of your very own creation come to life and grow to fruition. Every dream is not bottom line driven. Making money is great and I could use more but it may have nothing to do with my dream. Just launching your baby and seeing it turn into a finished piece of art is satisfying beyond measure.

Contributors Dreamstime.com Tollhouse Fotolia.com Robert E. Blue Diona Lynn Austin Avon Warren N. Ronimus Family Features Jenny Harper Satori Lifestyle Magazine is printed in the United States and distributed in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Satori Lifestyle Magazine is operated and published by Bernice Carter-McNeil Entertainment. No part of this magazine may be printed or reproduced in any way without the permission of Bernice Carter-McNeil Entertainment. All rights reserved. Copyright 2010. www.satorimagazine.com; bernice@satorimagazine.com. ISSN Online 2157-6890

34 That’s how I measure success. Following my dream satorimagazine.com

ISSN Print 2157-6882

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