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Its time we talk about something important, not about drama between stars or what is the new craze. We need to talk about something important that affects everyones life. It is the education system, I am writing as a 16 year old High school student, who is being hurt by serious budget cuts. It is one of the most important things in the world, and you rather talk about clothes or new trends. We need to face the pink slips with our heads up, knowing that we did EVERY possible thing to save our youth from their own destruction. We need to talk about something real, that reaches the heart of so many, with something I am personally involved with, my mom being a teacher. Every pink slip add more pressure to the shoulders of so many. I would apperciate an article, just for teachers, about teachers, and how everyone can help the future generations. Thank You,
Emily St. Pierre
Diablo responds: Check out this blog by Diablo editor Martha Ross addressing the rash of pink slips for our local teachers.
I loved reading about your honeymoon in Bali. I spent 3 weeks there in 2004(5?) mostly in Ubud, taking art classes. I went with some of my artist friends and visited some of the places you described. I really want to take my husband there. I will keep in mind some of the places you stayed. I’m sure he’d love the Westin Nua Dusa. His idea of camping is a 4 star hotel, rather than a 5 star one. -Bee
Hylinski, Alamo
I was looking at your Top Tickets blog today. A friend and I are going to go to the White Elephant Sale in Oakland, then go to Walnut Creek for the Post Secrets exhibit, AND THEN we'll go to The Counter to have some yummy burgers!!!!! All thanks to Diablo!
-C.T., Dublin
On Sidelined
Dear Diablo Editors,
As fitness professionals who regularly see local teen athletes, we read your article “Sidelined” with interest. While we agree wholeheartedly with the problems and solutions presented in the article, there is a whole component of this problem not addressed which we feel is of the utmost importance.
We all know, as a society our movement has changed drastically in the last 20 years. Those of us who are adults now, grew up, for the most part, playing outdoors, riding our bikes and playing games. Today’s children do not move as we did. They almost immediately become computer experts, playing games and surfing for hours on end. They have 3 to 4 hours of homework even in first grade, then they watch 3 to 4 hours of television. We have a valid fear of letting them “outside” to play, and when they turn 10 (or younger), we sign them up for competitive traveling sports teams. We exaggerate a bit here but we have seen this pattern in our clients far more than once.
When we play as children, we establish the basic neural connections needed to teach our muscles stability, reactivity, co-ordination, control, and most important, deceleration. High-level and even weekend athletes are injuries waiting to happen without this basic learning. During free, unstructured play without regimented competition, we learn propreoception, the ability to know where we are in space. When we are young, that free play allows us to learn how to fall, recover or arrest a fall. When we feel free to just move, we connect with our bodies not only on a physical level, but we learn to trust those bodies on an emotional level as well. We find out what movement is comfortable in our bodies and it may not necessarily be the sport that is available or that parents feel we should play. Learning to trust that innate intuition builds self esteem that we need. Awareness of movement response brings a lifelong connection with our bodies that promotes health and physical longevity. Without that connection however movement can become dysfunctional and we may become injured. Athletics as in general discourage that connection, athletes invited to work through the pain, come back too soon, and “take one for the team”. When that happens, our identity as an athlete is compromised; fear and uncertainty can creep in.
We live in a somewhat enlightened community as far as health and fitness are concerned, and for the most part have the recourses to allow our children to participate in high-level sports. Often a parent’s perception of their child’s exercise requirements only involve organized sports. We are doing our children a great disservice when this occurs.
We as parents and coaches need to make fundamental changes is the way we encourage our kids to move. We suggest four ways to do this:
1. Encourage what we call “free play” by doing what we did as kids. Set up your yard to play games like hopscotch, redlight-greenlight, freeze tag, dodge ball, jump rope, hula hoop, you name it. Don’t sell these games short. this is a cost effective way to teach a child movement.
2. Be mindful of year-round single sports. A periodization method of conditioning (a year-round plan that focuses training development in phases) should be incorporated in all athletic conditioning. A well rounded periodization training will include scheduled rest and “off season” activities that are different but complimentary to the athlete’s sport. use basic conditioning including the games mentioned above during “off” season.
3. Be careful of specialized sport acceleration programs as they often foster more and more ballistic and unsafe movements.
4. Be aware of your child’s coach’s abilities. The lowest level athlete often gets the same level coach. While coaches generally mean well, a lack of education, expertise and awareness coupled with a competitive spirit, puts your child at tremendous risk. Look for high-level programs with educated coaches who know that they don’t know it all.
The solutions above are meant to augment what was stated in the article. We feel that they are an essential part of your child’s health.
Sincerely,
Katie Santos, Claudia Moose & Louise McMenamin
Owners of ABsolute Center in Lafayette, absolutecenter.net.
I love your magazine and have been an avid reader who looks forward to receiving it every month. For the first time this month I had a problem your feature story Spring Style on how to update my closet with a fresh new look. How many women that subscribe to your magazine can afford to update their wardrobe with a $458 Nellie Partow slip? Or a Alice and Olivia coat for $495? Come on! Times are tough. We need practical advise on how to update our looks that don't break the bank. How about a story on how to update your look with clothes from Ross, Tj Max, Marshals, etc. where the average person can afford to shop? Thank you for listening to me vent.
Robyn
PS I really do love you guys!
