Archive for the ‘Are you ‘n-volved? Add your voice to the current conversation!’ Category

Q Ranch: Historic for a Thousand Years

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

B&B sports archeological site, wildlife, gourmet meals

Nestled under the Mogollon Rim in Arizona’s infamous Pleasant Valley lies the Q Ranch. It was founded as a cattle ranch in 1893 by one-time Texas Ranger and Confederate Colonel Jesse Ellison. The Q brand belonged to Ellison’s wife, Susan.

The Ellisons were hardly the first people to live at that spot. A millennium earlier it was the site of a thriving Mogollon culture, a pueblo-style village of which at least 250 rooms, some of them two or three stories high, still exist. It is the third-largest archaeological site of its kind and has been undergoing continuous study and excavation since 1988. In 2010, archaeologists discovered evidence of a pit house village near the pueblo, which would push back the dates of occupancy another 300 years.

Ellison had eight children, but his daughter Helen, known as Duett, was his favorite. Despite having two sons, Ellison called Duett his “right-hand man.” She could act the part of lady when need be, but she could also ride, rope and shoot. Duett planted a fruit orchard at the ranch, of which there remain apple, persimmon and almond trees today, along with half a dozen towering elderberry shrubs whose fruit provides food for birds and wine, pies and jelly for humans. In 1904, Duett married George W.P. Hunt, who became Arizona’s first governor when the territory was granted statehood. Hunt, Duett and Col. and Susan Ellison are entombed in the white pyramid in Papago Park adjacent to the Phoenix Zoo.

Arizona’s Pleasant Valley War was the longest and bloodiest range war in American history. Between 1885 and the end of the century, rival cattle families, the Tewksburys and the Grahams, committed upwards of 30 killings, some of them so horrific and bloody that it delayed the granting of statehood to Arizona. Col. Ellison’s name was connected with a group of vigilantes who, hoping to extinguish certain factions that kept the war alive, hanged a number of individuals.

In 1956, Jefferson Z. (Jack) Rogers purchased the Q, building it into the one of the largest cattle operations in the state. At its peak, Q Ranch consisted of over 2,500 deeded acres and an additional 120 sections (square miles) of grazing permits. In 1988, Jack retired, turning the running of the ranch over to his son Jonathan. The cattle permits and some of the land were sold, as Jonathan had no wish to stay in the cattle business. At that time, Jonathan negotiated with the Arizona

Archaeological Society to begin studying and excavating the ruins and he turned the main ranch house into a bed-and-breakfast operation, the Q Ranch Lodge.

The lodge has seven guest rooms, each of which sleeps two, and four shared baths. It also has a separate, self-contained bunkhouse with bath and furnished kitchen that also sleeps two. All lodging includes three gourmet meals per day. There’s a separate refrigerator in which guests may store personal snacks and beverages, including alcohol.

The ranch is off the grid. The nearest paved road is 20 miles away. Electricity is generated on site and water comes from one of several wells. Your cell phone will not work (though you can drive a few miles and find a hot spot), although there is whole-house wi-fi for those who cannot be too separated from the outside world.

The “season” at Q Ranch runs from April through November. The lodge is a popular destination for birders, amateur and professional archaeologists, families looking to escape the Valley’s heat for a weekend, groups needing a restful place for a retreat and more. The remote location guarantees dark skies at night (you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye) and abundant wildlife. The elk arrive daily at cocktail hour and more than 130 species of birds can be found.

Events scheduled in 2011 include a pottery restoration class taught by the Arizona Archaeological Society, in which each participant will get a 1,000-year-old piece of prehistoric pottery, in pieces, from the Q Ranch pueblo and learn how to clean and reassemble it; several birding weekends sponsored by local chapters of the Audubon Society or the Desert Botanical Garden; and a photography weekend. Q Ranch also participates in the annual “Pleasant Valley Days” in nearby Young, celebrated the third weekend of July, which offers many activities remembering the Pleasant Valley War. Would-be visitors can also reserve the ranch for an event of their own choosing; a minimum of six persons is required. Over the years, the ranch has hosted retreats for several of the Valley’s LGBT social organizations.

It’s a uniquely historic Arizona site, not only for its archaeological significance but for the role it played in the Pleasant Valley War and in the development of Arizona’s cattle industry, one of the state’s 5 C’s. For more information, email qranchlodge@earthlink.net.

Ethics En Masse

Friday, August 19th, 2011

By Dr. Dina Evan

It might seem that it’s not easy being ethical these days. Nor is it easy to find people who stand up for what they believe in. Many are only ranting against the things don’t believe in, often with lies and deceit. It’s difficult to get a straight answer, or a direct and truthful response to any question. If you find that kind of stand up person, that’s someone you can elect to an office or with whom you start a business a relationship or a family.

It’s not easy finding people who are not so frozen in fear, that their own littleness, and morbidity has risen to the surface, and they are no longer being who they once knew they could be. If you find a person who is not made immobile, or who has not compromised his or her core beliefs with fear, that is a person with whom you can walk safely.

Not easy finding people are willing to take full responsibility for their own reality. These are people, who understand and embrace cause and effect and are fully in the process of commanding change. If you find that empowered person, join him or her in any endeavor.

Find me one person who is so divorced from her own arrogance and contempt that each contribution made, comes from a place of honest endeavor and you will have found the essence of consciousness.

It’s not easy finding people who are able to speak excruciating truth with empathy, compassion and understanding. If you find a person who can do this, you have found a true heart, free of any punitive emotional or psychological ego. That is a person you can love and be loved by safely.

The circumstances we are in today pull at our ethical edges and give opportunity after opportunity to leave the basic beliefs we may have about honesty, and integrity and ethical behavior. When there is no paycheck, there is no food. When there in no income there is no rent. When there are no accounts payable being paid, there is no business and often in these circumstances, the result is a loss of ethics, depression and fear that freezes us into inaction.

True as it is, that ethical people are hard to find, I don’t think we are going to find them shopping the racks at Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus. Maybe we won’t meet them in the bar, in line at the grocery store or even in an OMG moment on Match.com. I think what we are talking about, is that ethical people would be easier to find if we each chose to be one them. It is in the trying times that we get a real peek at who we really are. It’s in the worst of times that we face the greatest tests of character. As Einstein says, “The great spirits choose the greatest challenges,” and these current challenges are not for the faint of heart. We are still experiencing a bumpy ride and we will each, in some set of circumstance, or another, have to decide who we are at the core of our being. The whole point of this time and era is to find our real selves again. It’s not about anyone else.

We have given over the responsibility for our welfare, our security and our peace of mind to those who forgot they were elected to act on behalf of the people, by the people and for the people- not solely the party, not solely the corporation and not the solely C.E.O.’s

The greatest gifts of this time are not found outside of us, but rather they are inside at the core of our own character. There are no longer any answers outside of us. They are all on the inside where they have been waiting all along. With each challenge, stop and ask the most important question of your life, “Who am I and what am I here for,” and then act in alignment with the truth you know, to the degree that you know it. It’s in that place that we will find each other and our true self. It’s in that pause that we identify and fine-tune our values and our ethics. It’s in that pause that we have the opportunity of stepping into greatness. The only way to have a world guided by integrity and ethics is if we embody these values and live them through our actions. Hmmm, perhaps that’s the point of this whole mess after all.

Dr Dina Evan is an author and  licensed MFT in California and a Spiritual and Executive coach in Arizona. She has won national acclaim as a human rights advocate and motivational speaker. You can reach her at DrDBE@attglobal.net, www.DrDinaEvan.com,602-997-1200 or
here at ‘N Touch and on her weekly podcast “50-minute Hour” on QTalkAZ.com

Exciting new therapy relieves pain

Friday, August 19th, 2011

By Dr. Damien Brandeis

Dr. B:  What is the best option for someone with chronic lower back pain? I have tried physical therapy several times — no relief.  X-rays show I have a slightly bulging disc but not enough, the doctor said, to cause that much pain. I have had this since 2001 and am so tired of pain killers. Judy

The good news is: I have a solution for you. Thank you for an opportunity to discuss a new therapy I have been using in my practice. I have searched and studied alternative pain treatments for years. In the past, when all else failed, I prescribed prescription pain medications. But not any more!

I have found an effective therapy to replace the medications and most of the alternative pain treatments you may have considered.  Better yet, the FDA has approved this therapy for pain relief and control. The therapy utilizes “Scenar” (pronounced SKI-nar).  I am excited because my patients are receiving lasting relief from pain. This therapy is non-toxic, has few contraindications and can improve over-all health. While the FDA has approved Scenar for pain control, it is all that and much more. In Russia, Scenar is used extensively, in doctors’ offices and hospitals.

Scenar stands for Self Controlled Energetic Neuro-Adaptive-Receptor. In a nutshell, the therapy uses electro-magnetic energy to awaken and balance the nervous system throughout the entire body. In doing so, scenar regulates and relieves pain by creating a dialogue between the device and the nervous system. The therapy is quite similar to acupuncture and other medical therapies. As a result, the body regains control of the healing process and the pain resolves in the process.

Scenar was developed in the 1970s in the Soviet Union for the treatment of a variety of health issues for cosmonauts. The goal of the therapy was an effective treatment which would work in the weightless of space and could be used at the direction of a physician on Earth and at times without the input of a doctor. The Soviets were seeking a means of medical treatment for the Space station. Considering that people in the USSR were treated by the state for health issues, an effective and inexpensive therapy would also be useful on the ground. Other criteria were safety and universal application without harmful side effects or restrictions of application. The Soviets accomplished their goals and spent decades studying the applications for a number of diseases.

After over 40 years of study, the Soviets developed a thrilling therapy. The rest of the Europe, Canada and Australia have been using Scenar for quite some time. It is only lately becoming known within the United States.

Pain is like an indicator light on your car. It tells you there is a problem. It is your task to resolve it. You and your physician can ignore the indicator light, turn it off, or fix the issue. Many people ignore the problem by taking pain meds. This is somewhat like turning the indicator light off. Pain meds bypass the indicator light from your nervous system. However, the patient owns the choice and the result.

Scenar therapy does three things. First, it locates the issue and assists in diagnosis. You can tell a physician where the pain is. The device will confirm this. Also, it will actually tell the physician where the real issue is. Second, the device creates a dialogue with the body’s nervous system. This opens communication for healing and resolution. Third, because the device interacts with the brain, it allows the nervous system to balance which leads to resolution of many issues.

For instance, I have treated acute allergic headaches and acute sinus attacks with potential infections successfully with 15 minutes of Scenar therapy. In the past, I would normally have provided intravenous therapy or possibly antibiotic therapy. Patients have not required this after Scenar therapy. The body was able to generate and promote a natural immune response and resolve the pain by the end of treatment. Of course, Scenar does not replace good nutrition and all of the other ingredients for good health, but it does enhance the body’s ability to direct metabolism in a positive healthy manner. Scenar is simply balancing.

To this reader’s particular issue: Forty years of Russian research has demonstrated resolution of bulging discs and associated pain. Pain resolution occurs soon and the disc resolves relatively quickly over time. This treatment does not use surgery.  Scoliosis and a bending of the spine have been resolved as well. So while the FDA approved Scenar for pain control, the therapy does much more. I have successfully used this therapy to improve mobility and reduce pain in several patients with back pain. Some of these patients have had pain for decades. Their quality of life without pain is priceless.

We love your letters. Keep them coming! Thank you!

Dr. Damien Brandeis, NMD has a private practice located at the corner of Chandler Blvd and McClintock Road. For more information about Dr. Brandeis and his practice, visit drbrandeis.net. Or phone 480-855-6560 to make an appointment.

RX for listening

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

By Dr. Dina Evan

Ever wondered why doctors don’t listen? For whatever the reason; high costs, low energy, high risk, low ethics, I have had a run of doctors who feel they know more about my body in less than six visits than I know in sixty-plus years and it’s not only annoying, it’s plain dangerous.

I went to one doctor that told me for several years that the reason I was weak was that I had fibromyalgia. He would become agitated if I dared interrupt to tell him anything and he felt our sessions should be controlled by his unending stories about other patients and off-point questions. The second doctor, who the first doctor’s administrative manager sent me to, told me I “looked great, how could anything be wrong?” Something was wrong! I had a non-contagious bacterial infection that was getting the best of my lungs. I searched the city and found a new doctor, this time a woman.

Within less that three visits, the truth that despite their gender, doctors don’t listen raised it’s ugly head on her shoulders. She told me I was imagining some visual acuity problems I reported experiencing from a medication she prescribed and when I insisted the symptoms were real, she for the third time, insisted she knew best. I took myself off the medicine and become her non-compliant patient. I went to an optometrist and an ophthalmologist, both of whom told me and her I needed to get off the medicine immediately and do not use it ever because had I stayed on it I would have become permanently blind. My doctor never apologized for giving me so much guff after receiving both of their reports.

Not listening has become an epidemic. Our elected officials don’t listen. Our employers don’t listen. Our family members and even our spouses very often don’t listen. Why? Maybe it is because we are not connected enough to care. Maybe it’s because we are afraid we will be responsible and have to do something in our already burdensome lives. Maybe it’s because we are on sensory-overload, but whatever the reason, listening has become a lost and precious art.

I was very fortunate when I was getting my license to have had had a Zen Buddhist supervisor who taught me that mindful listening, created mindful responses which ultimately resulted in mindful living. Granted this skill is a lifelong work in progress, especially when faced with injustice and inequity, however, it’s a skill worth working toward.

I think we stop listening because we are afraid we might disagree, or we might have to change something, or fix something. What if all we really have to do is hear and understand? If I can hear you, and understand why you believe what you believe, I can then respond in a caring way that accepts the possibility of differences. Not only does this allow for greater compassion and connection, it may save a life – your own or another’s.

Are we listening to our kids when they tell us about their fears and feelings of despair? Are we listening to our spouses when they speak of their aloneness? Are we listening to our community when they say we are sick of having gay pride be about booze and sexual activity we can’t be proud of? Are we listening when our gut tells us not to take a medicine or get involved with an inappropriate potential partner? Are we listening when our intuition tells us to find another doctor, stop drinking, ask for what we need and get healthy?

Simply by becoming a good listener, you’ll discover what motivates your clients to buy your product or use your service. By listening, you’ll discover what’s bothering your spouse, your partner or your children. By listening, you’ll discover a lot of very interesting people in the world around you. Listening is the catalyst that fosters mutual understanding, compassion and provides us with insight into people’s needs and desires, so that we can connect with them. By listening, you’ll become a mindful, compassionate, conscious human being. By listening to yourself, you could save your own life. You are your highest authority on everything in your life. Don’t let a license, a title, or any other façade of authority trick you into ignoring what you know to be right for you. Listen to yourself first, and foremost.

When you are genuinely listening, you are not judging, or being critical, you are being humble and caring both when listening to yourself and others. Moreover, if you are not listening, you’ve stopped learning.

Thanks for listening.Send questions to  DrDBE@attglobal.net or to editor@ntouchaz.com.

Dr. Dina Evan is a licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist in the State of California. She has offices in Phoenix, AZ and Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Evan has won national acclaim as a human rights advocate. She is a columnist for several newspapers and has written five best selling books. For more information you may go to DrDinaEvan.com.

Fitness – weight loss

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

Kirk, I have sort of a confession, well kinda.  Since January, I thought I’d been doing really good at work and with my friends about sticking to my diet and trying to lose weight like everybody else.  And it’s not even that much really.  I’m only 32.  So I just wanted to lose like 25 pounds to be my old college self again when girls would give me attention.  But I noticed at work that I’m not the only one who sneaks snacks at her desk in between the “official” meals.  So, it’s kind of a sad show we put on.  Like what I mean is that it seems like we cheat and then pretend it’s all good when we sit down to eat together.  So only a few of us really are getting anywhere.  And I for one am starting to just feel really guilty and want to give up.  So any help would be great.  Thanks, Sharon

Sharon, honesty is the first step, so let’s start there.  And you deserve credit and respect for it.  You’re thinking that you’re sabotaging your own results, and you’re probably mistaken, as you’ll read below.  Whether it’s deliberate is rarely up for debate: most people who enter a program of change really are sincerely wanting the result.  It’s the getting there that’s frustrating.

Many of you feel as though you’re shooting in the dark; hoping you hit that target with the poor aim of simple guesswork.

Important point: At least you’re not attempting to starve the weight off.  That’s so very important because we know that starvation diets don’t work in the long-term scheme of smart weight management.
So I’ll be repeating this idea several times here…

Here’s an important question to ask yourself: Am I currently gaining weight?  Really, am I?  Be honest and not judgmental for now, as we’re using some simple dietary science here.  Let your honesty carry you through these observations: less judgment and more factual observation.

Here’s why: If you’re not currently gaining weight, and in fact if you’ve not been adding weight for some time now, then what you’re currently doing is actually serving you well.

Think of food as firewood on a roaring fire: take away too much of the wood and you risk extinguishing the fire.  Obviously, complete removal of food would eventually result in death; and while that sounds drastic, many people steer dangerously close to damaging their health in the pursuit of the quick fix.  Many people who are simply trying to become healthier and slimmer do some crazy starvation fad diets, cleanses, flushes and so on just to lose weight.  And many doctors will confirm for you that while these fasts and cleanses might be good for allergies and more, they aren’t really regularly observed to be helpful or healthful for long-term weight loss.

I’m striking a solid mark on the ground here for you to stand on as you repeat these phrases:

Starvation does not work.
Extra bodyfat is only stored energy.
I am not obese, and my goal is within reach.
I love food and I am in control.

That last point is a big one: control.  And I’m focusing on your control because you might very well see your friends losing control as they stab at this diet and that fad to attempt the quick fix.  But you know better:  you’re cheating with snacks at your desk behind open view of others because your body knows better: it knows something’s not quite right about the “dry Caesar salad with dry chicken and dressing on the side” approach to “dieting-for-show”.

So, let’s discard this notion that we’re going to lose weight as a New Year’s resolution, or a deadline-based venture.  Let’s celebrate the control you do have by entering a new phase where you acknowledge that if it took eight to ten years to put the weight on, then even as much as a year to lose the extra weight is a sensible, and more likely long-lasting, prospect.

Let’s understand that simply eating tiny amounts less at every other meal is one key. One more walk around the block on your evening walk is another easy key. A really good night of sleep is yet one more key.  And let’s not forget the value of water, water, and more clean water as an additional very effective key.

So to recap:  Eat a bit less at every other meal – barely noticeable.  Walk a bit more – barely tiring at all.  Sleep a bit more – who doesn’t enjoy that?  And more clean water: easy as can be.

Key point to remember: you’re still in your menstruating years.  Every month, your body prepares for the possibility of pregnancy, right?  And while men clearly don’t have the same concern, both genders risk dramatic loss of muscle in calorie restriction diets.  And your muscle is your metabolic “fire”.  We don’t want a lowered metabolism: that’s like taking wood off the fire – and cooler burning is not the way to lasting results.

And women are more likely to suffer greatly reduced metabolism as a result of continual caloric restriction.  Here’s why, from a strictly hormonal human survival viewpoint: If you become pregnant, the priority is to feed the baby, not to attract girls like in college. How’s that for honesty?  The hormones rule everything.  So women in their childbearing years – whether considering becoming pregnant or not – cannot toy with caloric restriction for very long without it backfiring on their best intentions.  Fabulous and skinny doesn’t feed babies.  Did I mention that hormones rule everything?

But the hormonal system can easily tolerate some mild trickery in the form of ICR: Intermittent Caloric Restriction.  Take calories away here, then eat normal, then strip a few calories there.  Over time, this becomes a habit.  Over time, you consider taking a yoga class or biking or a casual hike.  Over time, you might take up a light jog instead of a walk around the block.  Over time, you consider that you’re worth hiring a trainer to learn how to preserve and build the metabolic fire of appropriate muscle for your body type and size.  Over time, you can have your cake and eat it too.

And when the girls start giving you attention like they did in college, that cake tastes so much better, because it’s smart cake!

You’re going to do just fine, because you are smart — I can sense it.  And sooner than later, you’ll be sending a follow-up e-mail about how you knew the steady course was the key all along, and all of this information is just another step to propel you to the easy discipline to reach your goals…

Sharon, Best of Results to You and Good Luck!

That’s all for now.  Best of health to you all and as always, keep those questions coming!

Kirk Matthews is a multiple Certified Personal Trainer and Professional Nutrition Consultant; answers may contain advice from either or both disciplines.  Call: 602-616-9195. Questions: e-mail kirk.matthews@hotmail.com (use “‘n touch” in subject line). Visit www.thetrumpnetwork.com/kirkmatthews and hover over “Why Our Products Work” and click on Privatest, Custom Essentials and Silhouette Solution to learn about Lab-formulated supplements made just for you!  And visit: www.sportsclubatcitysquare.com to try before you buy.

Time to plant those herbs!

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

By Dr. Damien Brandeis

Summer is coming! If you are so inclined, it’s a great time to plant some herbs. Of course, the culinary herbs come to mind for flower pots and little garden plots. I have a suggestion that thrives in the Arizona sun. It is useful and beautiful.

Calendula officinalis is one of my favorite herbs. It is an excellent herb for treatment of all skin ailments including chemical burns, cuts, abrasions, eczema, psoriasis, impetigo, staph infections, acne, and sunburns. Calendula is also safe to use on the mucosal membranes of the ear, nose and throat. It’s common name is pot marigold. This herb is not the nasty smelling flowers that are many times planted as borders in vegetable gardens.

The plant’s flower reminds me of the sun. It has a beautiful flower with bright yellow petals. There is very little aroma to the plant. The medicinal parts are the stem, flower petals, and the sap. You may use the plant fresh though dried it is are much more potent.

Calendula is extracted with water and can be used in herbal teas, tinctures, ointments and remedies. Calendula contains many bioflavinoids which are antioxidants which protect the body from free radical cellular damage. It is a superlative antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral. I apply the “succus” (sap from the plant) to all abrasions, sutured wounds, and all forms of skin irritation. I use this herb in place of an antibacterial ointment. Calendula is great for all skin issues. An ointment made from Calendula is excellent for the treatment of sun burns. If you have eye irritation from allergies, you can place an herbal tea bag of moist warm Calendula flowers over your eyes and the swelling will decrease rapidly. If you are suffering from an ear ache, a cooled tea dropped into the external canal will soothe the pain and promote the demise of the offending organism. When I have throat irritation from allergies or colds, I gargle with Calendula succus. Then I make a hot cup of the tea prepared by steeping the dried flowers in boiling water for 20 minutes. It is a refreshing drink and soothes your throat. I find the tea one of the most effective treatments for a common sore throat and seasonal allergies. Calendula is also a great treatment for ulcers and other stomach and intestinal ailments. I have had reports that the tea is a great tonic for menstrual cramps. Calendula is healing for all surfaces of the body.

Considering the beauty of the plant and its many uses, Calendula is one plant you should consider growing this summer. The fresh plants will serve you now, and the dried plant will serve you all winter long. It is beautiful medicine.

Dr. Damien Brandeis, NMD has a private practice located in west Chandler. For more information about Dr. Brandeis and his practice, visit drbrandeis.net.

Billy Elliot Comes to Gammage April 26-May 8

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

By John Thomas Lotardo

Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Working Title Films and Old Vic Productions bring the 2009 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Billy Elliot the Musical to ASU Gammage from April 26- May 8.  Based on the international smash-hit film and featuring music by Elton John, book and lyrics by Lee Hall, choreography by Peter Darling and direction by Stephen Daldry, Billy Elliot the Musical  has earned critical acclaim on Broadway including 10 Tony Awards.

I spoke with Kurt Froman who is the resident Choreographer and understudy for the “older” Billy while catching him in Houston. “It’s going fantastically well, explains Froman. Continuing, “It (the Show) is at a really good place right now.”  In December of 2002, Kurt Froman made one of the biggest decisions in his life.  After seven incredible years as a dancer in the corps of the New York City Ballet, he left the company to dance a leading role in a Broadway musical.  In just a few weeks he went from dancing the toy soldier in “The Nutcracker” to dancing an ill-fated Vietnam soldier in the Twyla Tharp/Billy Joel musical, “Movin’ Out”. And the move has worked out smashingly for him.

Froman’s main responsibility is for the Billy’s ballet classes. There are four boys in rotation from 10 am to 11 at night. I asked if he uses a whip or honey tactic with the boys and Froman explains, as in any training circumstances. “You have to use it all. When I need to be I need to be tough. But always from a very loving place.”

Froman agrees that the show will really resonate with gays. “Absolutely! It’s about fulfilling your dreams and finding your place in the world.” The idea of acceptance permeates the show as a central theme.  There’s a point in the show where’s there’s a presumption of the character being Gay but is diverted from overtaking the show’s overall massage. This rings true for Froman as he explains, “Personally when I wanted to be a ballet dancer. I was not out of the closet at the time.” In fact, at the City Ballet where he danced, Froman explains that ¾ of the male dancers were straight!

Billy Elliot is a great early summer show. It has some fun and some success story intermixed within the music and song. As Froman describes the show, it’s just a wonderful mix of “fantastic dancing and amazing music- that moves you to tears – sentimental tears of joy.”

Tickets are on sale now at  asugammage.com or by calling 1-800-982-ARTS (2787). ASU Gammage is located on the main campus of Arizona State University in Tempe at Mill Avenue and Apache Boulevard. The PROGRESSIVE® Broadway Across America – Arizona series is presented by ASU Gammage, Broadway Across America and US Airways. U.S. Bank is the official bank sponsor of the PROGRESSIVE® Broadway Across America – Arizona series. Additional information about Billy Elliot the Musical is available at billyelliotthemusical.com

Skin and cholesterol

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

By Dr. Damien Brandeis

Hi Doctor B!  Summer is almost here so I am wondering about the best way to moisturize skin.  Should it be from the inside out, or are moisturizers the way to go?  Susan

I suggest that people attack dry skin with multiple methods. First, dry skin is more prevalent in the summer because of dehydration and oxidative damage associated with ionizing radiation from the sun. Pinch the skin on the top of your hand. If the skin stands up by itself, you are dehydrated. The formula for ideal hydration is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number by two. This equals the number of ounces of water you should consume daily. Dehydration is a huge problem in the desert because you loose water with every breath you take.

You need to hydrate the dry air as it enters your respiratory tract to keep the tissue of the respiratory tree healthy and free of injury from the dry air. As you exhale, you loose moisture. This is a significant means of dehydration. The second is sweating.

Humidity is low in the desert and we actually loose water via the skin and we don’t feel it. This process not only contributes to skin dehydration but also to the “drying” of the skin. The other main issue with dry skin is oxidative damage as a result of ionizing radiation from the sun. As the ultraviolet radiation cooks your skin, you dehydrate and absorb energy that promotes oxidative damage. This alters the structure of the skin and contributes to the luggage/leather appearance in sun worshipers. So my suggestions are: 1. Take good doses of antioxidant supplements internally. 2. Consume adequate water. 3. Protect your skin from ionizing radiation with as many means as possible, light clothing being the best method. 4. Use moisturizers and sun blockers. 5. Essential fatty acids and all of the

fat soluble vitamins are implicated in a good means of reducing oxidative damage skin.

You really cannot do too much, and all are quite helpful means of protecting your skin and maintaining that youthful attractive quality we covet so much.

Is there a natural way to lower cholesterol? I’m about 15 points over “normal”.

Roger

Total cholesterol is a combined serum measurement that computes cholesterol from diet and liver sources. You can take medicine or supplements but dietary intake will still impact your results. Low density lipoproteins or bad cholesterol is another marker as a risk factor for heart disease. I am not sure which of these tests you are indicating. Depending on the test, the recommendation for therapy

varies. I generally do a comprehensive workup and consider both tests. On the other hand, I don’t simply treat lab results and hope the patient improves too.

I prescribe Guggyl, Garlic and Niacin. Guggyl is an herb that helps lower total

cholesterol and promotes lipid metabolism in the liver. A clove of raw garlic is one of the cheapest most effective means of regulating bad cholesterol there is. A crushed clove of garlic taken in water at bedtime with a diet regimen low in saturated fat is a great place to start. Another supplement to consider is the vitamin Niacin. Some people do not like the flushing experience, so the metabolite Niaci-

nate will also work. Your problem appears to be moderate, and these nutritional supplements should help.

Dr. Damien Brandeis, NMD has a private practice located in Chandler.  Dr. Brandeis is a new Cigna provider, so please give him consideration for your medical care.  For more information, please visit  drbrandeis.net or call 480-855-6560.


Arizona Theatre Company delivers outrageous fun in The Mystery of Irma Vep

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

By John Thomas Lotardo

Buckle-up Ladies and Gentleman. Back by popular demand, Arizona Theatre Company promises an evening of fabulous fun and merriment with the hilarious quick-change horror spoof THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP as the grand finale of its 2010-2011 Season. Charles Ludlam’s great comic spoof is once again directed by ATC Artistic Director David Ira Goldstein and stars ATC favorites Bob Sorenson and Oliver Wadsworth. IRMA VEP runs in Phoenix at the Herberger Theater Center from May 5-22, 2011.

THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP has been the most requested show by ATC audiences – so they’re bringing it all back to endanger your funny bone again! These two lightning-fast actors portray all the residents of Mandacrest –as well as a host of vampires, werewolves, mummies and things that go bump in the night–who travel from the moors of England to the tombs of Egypt and back again.

Bob Sorenson, an ATC regular and a familiar face to Valley theatre reprises his role, or shall I say roles in the upcoming production. For a splash of fabulousness, we have Oliver Wadsworth rounding out the duet. I had a chance to speak with Wadsworth, also a theatre favorite of mine about the show and how he will bring that special something to the show. We saw him last in the National Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in which he played the Child Catcher – stealing the show with his spooky writhing antics and trinckle-tart offerings. Off-Broadway, he was seen in Endpapers at Variety Arts and Well at The Public Theater.  He has appeared with Actors Theatre of Phoenix in This, Shipwrecked!, Angels in America, Parts I and II, Pillowman and Nickel and Dimed.  Other regional credits include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Misalliance, An Enemy of the People, Santaland Diaries, Dracula, Peter Pan, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Fully Committed, The Taming of the Shrew, Take Me Out, Murder on the Nile, Stones in His Pocket,  and Art. Mr. Wadsworth’s film and television credits include Law & Order: SVU, Ira Sach’s Ed’s Next Move, and Dotty Gets Spanked.

As Wadsworth recalls from his Child-Cather role, it was one that he “had to walk away from the TV” when watching as a child. But being so good at being so bad really made the show and we anticipate his ability to really pure it on with shine in the upcoming IRMA VEP show. When asked what he will bring to the show to make it fresh, without hesitation he explains it is the whole outrageous gay sensibility that the show is over-flowing with. It is the same set and same costume director but I’m their “new element. I’m bringing to the table a real interest in all the gay camp in the script. There’s so much in there that makes me HOWL!”  (Thank you Oliver)

Tickets start at $30 depending on date and section choice and are available at   arizonatheatre.org or by calling the box office at 602-256-6995.  Discounts are available for students, seniors and active military on specific performance days.  Half-price rush tickets are available for balcony seating for all performances one hour prior to curtain at the ATC box office (subject to availability).  Pay What You Can for The Mystery of Irma Vep is May 8 at 7p.m..  Balcony seats for this performance are available for a suggested $10 donation.  (Tickets must be purchased at the Herberger Theater Center box office starting at 6p.m. on May 8.  Seating is first-come first served and is not guaranteed.  Cash only, please.  Two tickets per person maximum.) For discounts on groups of eight or more, call 602-256-6995.

A Journey of Faith

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

By George Burson

When you are gay and looking for a spiritual home, it tends to be difficult to find a

church that will accept you as you are. My partner David and I were cradle Catholics and over the years, we have been involved in various ministries. While the Catholic communities that we have belonged to have accepted us for the most part, the teachings of the Catholic Church does not accept active homosexuals and we are not about to live a celibate life to conform.

In 2003, we decided that the time had come for us to begin exploring other churches that were more accepting of gays and our journey began. As we explored various denominations we found far greater acceptance, but there still very often seemed to be conditions and limitations or the worship structure was very different than what we enjoyed. Finally frustration set in and we decided to give up our search and spend Sunday mornings at home.

Recently we moved to central Phoenix from the west valley and decided to begin our search again. We had thought about trying some of the gay churches in town but opted to try some more mainstream churches where the congregation would offer a mix of backgrounds and sexual orientations. We had tried a couple of churches that people had recommended to us and on Christmas Eve decided to try the First Congregational United Church of Christ. We didnʼt know much about the church, however much to our surprise, we found exactly what we were looking for!

We walked into what looked like a very charming but traditional church and found anything but a traditional congregation.

We have never had so many people come over to us to greet and welcome us to a church. There was a very visible LGBT presence, but many of the people welcoming us included older heterosexual couples who had been members for 40 or 50 years as well as young families. We even ran into several friends who we did not know attended the church.

We decided to return to the church the following Sunday and began doing some homework on this church that seemed too good to be true. In looking into the history of the church, we discovered that the forebears of the UCC were the pilgrims arriving in America in 1620. In 1785, Lemuel Haynes was ordained the first African American minister in the United States by the Congregational Church. In 1853, Antoinette Brown was ordained the first female minister by the Congregational Church. In 1957 the Evangelical, Reformed and Congregational churches joined to form the United Church of Christ.

In 1972, The UCC ordained William R. Johnson, the first openly gay minister in a Christian Church in modern times.

The church has obviously had a long tradition in the fight for social justice, and is a welcoming home for the disenfranchised of all walks of life. For David and I, this is what “church” truly is about.

For the last 18 years, under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Stephen E. Wayles, who is openly gay, the First Congregational UCC has been in the fight for gay rights, civil rights and immigration rights. It is a church that welcomes everyone equally. Groups meeting at the UCC include PFLAG, Hispanic PFLAG, 1n10, Desert Overtures, and Full Circle Womenʼs Choir. The church is involved with the Interfaith Cooperative Ministries and Habitat for Humanity.

Rev. Wayles feels that at UCC “we take the bible too seriously to take it literally” and that faith in God is demonstrated by how we treat others especially those that are different from ourselves. The church with over 400 members is comprised of approximately 60% heterosexual and 40% from the LGBT community. The church was the first integrated church in Phoenix. The church also performs gay commitment services.

Services are held on Sunday morning at 10:30. This is a service that incorporates traditional, contemporary and secular music sung by a great choir. If you prefer non traditional services, the church has recently begun an alternative service under the leadership of Rev. Jarrett Maupin on Sunday evening at 6. This service was begun as an outreach to people who have been rejected from churches or donʼt feel comfortable in a traditional church setting.

You can find out more about the First Congregational United Church Of Christ by going to phoenixucc.org and ucc.org.

The First Congregational United Church of Christ is located at 1407 North 2nd Street in Phoenix, AZ.