“Just Chillin’ A little History...& More by Ellie Schmidt ~ eschmidt@upbeattimes.com


Santa Rosa, CA. ~ Let’s shout-out a most Happy Birthday - November


10th to Paul Doyle, our intrepid, in- novative,


truly bril- liant publisher of The Upbeat


Times! Too few humans on our beleaguered planet have Paul’s pa- tience, marvelous, positive philos- ophy of life, super sense of humor, or the willingness to work so hard to fulfi ll his vision. He encourag- es everyone to live harmoniously on this earth. My thanks to Paul and wife Valerie for being great people. Paul’s zest for goodness in life I hope is contagious. Always I am grateful to my par- ents who, by their loving example of living life fully, exuberantly, with a constant spirit of genuine compassion for others, gracefully encouraged me to learn, to discov-


er, to remain curious, and to live a meaningful life.


There were no boundaries drawn by my par- ents who were over- whelmingly inclusive, gathering friends and family on so many, count- less occa- sions. These days, I sort still through innumer- able boxes of papers, notebooks, letters they wrote during decades of their loving life togeth- er. Inspirational. Our large family gatherings,


when I was very young, were inde- scribably delightful for my cous- ins and me. All those uncles, aunts and offspring loved their feasts,


fun and musical celebrations laced with plenty of anecdotes about the European childhood they had


each had left behind. Our United Nations kind of mish-mash family helped my cousins and me greet new aunts and un- cles from Ecuador, Chile, France, Italy, and Scotland. We thought we knew all about Germany, Austria and Hun- gary.


A rousing


welcome greeted a new auntie not only born in America but a college grad from Connecticut! Add- ing friends from Poland, Czechoslo- vakia, Ireland and Canada meant those gatherings were never hum-drum or


shared. I noticed how with each passing year, they clung to each other a little longer than the year before.


Maybe they were trying to combat change, to recapture moments of their shared youth, to not lose touch entirely with what


boring. More years passed before some bravely set out to live away from NYC. Descendants of all that stalwart troop now live in ten different states. Some have visited “the old countries.”


... continued on page 22


UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • November 2015 • 5 November Gratitude and Nourishments!!


Weird Facts & Fun Trivia - 2 The anti-adhesion properties


of cranberry juice may inhibit the bacteria associated with gum disease and tooth decay.


It is an aggravated assault In Louisiana, to bite someone with your false teeth, but simple assault if you bite someone with your natural teeth.


Dr Pepper was invented in Waco, Texas in 1885.


More land is farmed in Texas than in any other state.


Redwood Credit Union ... continued from page 3


RCU has also created special loan and fi nancial assistance programs for those who have been directly impacted by the fi res. For


more information


on these programs, please call (800) 479-7928 option 3, 6.


An independent local Community Bank since 1890


Personal and Business Checking and Savings products and services: • Loans–Consumer and Business • Online Banking with Bill Pay and Paperless Statements–It’s the Greener way! • Youth Savings programs • ATM locations throughout Sonoma County for your convenience • A Customer Service team dedicated to answering your call before and after business hours


• We invite you to e-mail, call or visit us at any of our branches to answer your questions about how Exchange Bank can become your bank.


www.exchangebank.com 707.524.3000 or toll free 800.995.4066


The tracks of the L Train are the manly stubble on the ruggedly handsome face of Chicago. ~Jason Sweeney


UPBEAT TIMES, INC. • November 2015 • 5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32