Last fall, Axis offered its walls to showcase local art via art@axis. This year, Axis is providing prime space to house an actual art gallery, located on-site in a street-level live/work unit.

The Axis Art Gallery is San Joses newest contemporary fine art gallery. Curated by local photographer Deborah Mills Thackrey, the Axis Art Gallery (http://www.AxisArtGallery.com ) features emerging and mid-career contemporary fine art in all media including digital installations, all for sale in a pop-up store location at Axis, 38 N. Almaden Blvd., #101 (next to Hotel De Anza) in downtown San Jose.

This gallery concept was sparked by the spectacular response from the public we received for art@axis, said Thackrey, who was the curator for the art@axis collection of works by local artists that has adorned walls at Axis since Sept. 2009. Axis was generous enough to lend space for local artists to display and sell their fine work.

The gallery will cater to Axis homeowners, neighborhood residents, downtown shoppers, and art collectors, as well as those who are new to art collecting and are curious about the products of the local art scene, she added.

Aside from supporting the arts, Axis is using the gallery as a chance to show off its award-winning luxury high-rise condominiums and, specifically, its collection of live/work units.

Axis has eight live/work units, each with two entrances and private street-level access. They are priced from the mid-$ 300,000s for up to 1,845 sq. ft. They are called live/work units because city codes allow for residents to live there, while also conducting business out of the same location.

The situation is ideal for many types of small businesses that benefit from a street entrance for clients, vendors and customers. The kitchen and restroom is also handy for both the at-home professional and for visitors.

Live/work units are an ideal situation for a solo practitioner or small business owner, said Sandra Eaton, Axis community sales manager. Axis offers great selections for the buyer which sees the value and convenience in mixing home and office.

A live/work set up works for a wide-array of professionals, such as a graphic designer, public relations practitioner, insurance agent, therapist, yoga teacher, aesthetician, attorney, and many more. While The Axis Art Gallery is only a temporary installation or pop-up store, it does demonstrate the flexibility of the space for live/work users, such as an artist who needs a combination home, studio and storefront. While art will still adorn the Axis lobby and model homes, beginning Jan. 29, Thackrey will have REGULAR business hours — noon – 6 pm., Wednesday-Saturday, and by appointment by calling (408) 623-9888) — in the on-site gallery to show and sell work for local artists.

The Axis Art Gallery will debut during a gala opening 5-9 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 28, at Axis. The preview reception will feature food, drink and music, as well as tours of model homes decorated with contemporary fine art. Tours of Axis and several well-appointed model homes will be available 5-7:30 p.m. The debut event is free and open to the public: RSVP to info(at)art-at-axis(dot)com.

Silicon Valleys emphasis on high tech tends to overwhelm and ignore the creative arts, as does having to live in the shadow of San Franciscos notoriety as an arts mecca, said Thackrey. While the reputation of the local arts scene has suffered, the quantity and quality of artists is very good and thats what this gallery will offer.

We are thrilled to be able to showcase the areas outstanding artists to a greater audience amidst such a beautiful venue, she added. And if visitors like what they see, they can buy the individual works of art — a great way to decorate their new condo at Axis.

The association between art and Axis was formed when the condominiums marketing team reached out to local artists to lend space in their beautiful new building as a showplace for original artwork. Thackrey answered the call for artists offering her company, Willow Glen Productions, to help curate the space in order to provide exposure for the many talented local artists she knows. Thus, art@axis was born last fall featuring 80 works by more than a dozen Bay Area artists filling the Axis lobby, 12th floor and penthouses from Sept. through early December 2009. A totally new collection of art for public viewing debuted a month ago. The art featured includes sculpture, paintings, photography, ceramics, and textile arts (both digital and traditional). The public is invited for viewing daily from noon to 5 p.m. and admission is free.

For more information about the Jan. 28 event, The Axis Art Gallery and the collection of art displayed at Axis, visit: http://www.axisartgallery.com .

About Axis

Axis is downtown San Joses award-winning luxury high-rise condominium development, which welcomed its first residents in fall 2008 and now has more than 100 residents. Neighbor to historic Hotel De Anza at the apex of majestic Almaden Boulevard, Axis commands downtown San Joses premier location, offering all the advantages of urban living, including access to sunny streetside cafes and popular nightspots at nearby San Pedro Square. The dramatic 22-story, 228-ft. tall glass and granite high-rise designed by noted architects Ankrom Moisan features 329 spacious homes with luxury services and amenities, including floor-to-ceiling windows that provide breathtaking views of Silicon Valley. Axis was named Residential Development of the Year for Structures 2007 by the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal. For more information about Axis, marketed exclusively by Pacific Marketing Associates, visit the sales center, open daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 38 N. Almaden Blvd. in San Jose; call (408) 297-9888; or, visit online at http://www.axissanjose.com .

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SUWS, the nations longest continually operating therapeutic wilderness program for struggling youth, is going back to the future with a new program that harkens back to its founding days. From October 12 to November 22, 2011, SUWS will host the premiere session of SUWS JOURNEYS, a therapeutic wilderness experience for young adult males ages 18 to 26.

The very first SUWS program back in 1981 was developed for college-age students, said SUWS Executive Director Kathy Rex. As we celebrate our 30th year, were excited to get back to our roots by adding the JOURNEYS program for young adults.

SUWS JOURNEYS is a 42-day program that has been specifically designed to meet the unique needs of young adult men who are struggling emotionally, psychologically, socially, academically, and/or spiritually, Rex said. These individuals are inherently good, but are struggling with issues such as low self-esteem, poor interpersonal relationship skills, anger management, impulsiveness, lack of motivation, alcohol or drug use, gaming/internet addiction, or academic failure.

The goal is that once these individuals complete their journey, they will have developed character, communication skills, values, self-confidence and goals for moving forward in their lives, Rex explained.

SUWS JOURNEYS will set out to accomplish this through an innovative combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and a family/group systems approach. Individuals will receive intensive weekly individual therapy, multiple weekly group therapy sessions, intensive experiential learning, equine-assisted psychotherapy, and ropes course opportunities. Family involvement will take place at key intervals, and each individual will have their learning style and aptitude assessed along with extensive clinical testing as needed.

During their 42 days with us, SUWS JOURNEYS participants will function within a small group environment, Rex said. Each JOURNEYS group will have no more than 8 participants, along with two field instructors, a therapist, and an activity leader.

In addition to providing significant personal attention, this contained group model also harnesses the power of group process to enhance the individual progress of each student, Rex said. Group activities throughout the 42 days are focused on training, simulations, team building and service projects in the local community.

Young adults need to find their own footing and believe in something bigger than themselves in order to thrive and contribute in todays society.

A range of adventure-based activities such as fishing, mountain biking, rafting and snow shoeing also help teach healthy and fun lifestyle choices to young adults who may have previously filled their leisure time with far less productive pursuits.

SUWS is currently accepting applications for the Oct. 12 Nov. 22 session of SUWS JOURNEYS. For more information, call (888) 879-7897 or visit the SUWS website at http://www.suws.com.

SUWS is a program of Aspen Education Group, the nations leading provider of therapeutic education programs for struggling or underachieving young people. Aspens services range from short-term intervention programs to residential treatment, and include a variety of therapeutic settings such as boarding schools, outdoor behavioral health programs and special needs summer camps, allowing professionals and families the opportunity to choose the best setting to meet a students unique academic and emotional needs. Aspen Education Group is a member of CRC Health Group, the most comprehensive network of specialized behavioral care services in the nation. Since 1995, CRC Health has been achieving successful outcomes for individuals and families.

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An Alternative Therapist, Lana Rolfe, founder of the alternative health website http://www.sublimeself.com has rediscovered that Acupressure is not an exclusive treatment to be used by Acupuncturists only.

Fingertip medicine (Acupressure) can be used by anyone to treat the most common ailments in their own home. A natural and effective cure for headaches, menstrual cramps, toothaches, nosebleeds, nausea, coughs, fevers, allergies and more.

It is possible to heal ourselves naturally and effectively when we are shown how, said Lana Rolfe. She mentions there are, …specific points on the body which when stimulated properly can relieve many of todays most common ailments.

While it may appear to be difficult, Lana reveals that with the right technique and knowledge even a young child can stop a headache, nosebleed or toothache in its tracks.

It is important for people to learn how to heal themselves naturally in case a pharmacy or doctor cannot be found in time. Fingertip medicine is the perfect alternative.

Lana Rolfe is a Life therapist and qualified in various alternative therapies. She runs a successful private practice where she assists people in becoming their SublimeSelf?. Her goal is to raise awareness of the bodys own ability to heal itself and to share proven methods with millions around the world. To learn more, visit the http://www.sublimeself.com web site today.

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A 50 year old lawyer who wears his Clash t-shirt under an Armani suit…a 40 year old artist who does her best work late at night, with Journey blasting from the speakers…a thirtysomething couple, just relocated and desperately looking to find friends who want to do more than share potty training stories.

These are the veteran rockers people who know that a gray hair or two is no reason to turn down the volume on your life. They’re everywhere, and yet there was no way to find one another. Until now.

RockandRollTribe.com, The Community for Kick-Ass Grownups, launched in July, features free memberships and a full social network experience. Online, members can create special interest groups, post blogs, embed video and audio and make friends with like-minded people across the globe. Offline, local Tribe chapters gather for record store expeditions, pre-concert tailgating and parties that are anything but dull.

>> Cheap Beer + Thin Lizzy = A Big Idea

The site is the brainchild of two 48 year old Colorado music geeks, Jon Bard and Bruce Brodeen. We were sitting in our favorite dive bar on a Friday night, pumping money into the jukebox and drinking cheap beer, Bard says. And it occurred to us ‘where is everybody?’ Why aren’t there scores of other people our age in here listening to Thin Lizzy and having a blast?

We knew that these folks were out there, continues Brodeen. We see them at shows, we see them at record stores. But how do we connect them with each other?

A few scrawls on the back of a beer coaster ultimately led to a worldwide social network for veteran rockers The Rock and Roll Tribe.

>> What Makes The Tribe Different

According to Bard and Brodeen, RockandRollTribe.com’s true purpose is to connect people in real life, to spark and nurture friendships at a time in life when new friends can be hard to come by.

Talk to anyone over 30 and they’ll tell you the same thing it just gets harder to meet people who share your interests, your values, your sense of humor, your taste in music. We all yearn to be surrounded by people to ‘get us’, but we rarely are. For people who want to maintain their rebellious spirit and not get sucked into the whole ‘grownup thing’, it’s even harder and more frustrating.

One of The Tribe’s first orders of business was to set up the Local Chapter Incubator, where members find others in their area to arrange meet ups, attend shows together, plan record store expeditions and expand their social circles. Already, chapters in major American and international cities are forming.

>> Can Kickass Grownups Save The Music Industry?

Brodeen, who founded and ran the record label Not Lame Recordings for close to two decades, says The Tribe is about much more than schmoozing. Our generation buys music. We don’t steal it. And it’s an ingrained behavior for us to constantly seek out new music to buy. So why in the world have we been ignored by the music industry? It’s crazy, but it’s been happening for years. We’re here to change that dynamic.

The Rock and Roll Tribe includes a number of powerful ways for musicians to find new fans and buyers for their music. Bands can create fan pages and user groups, post music and video, link to online stores and participate in Best of The Tribe samplers in which the music Tribe member bands are shared with the entire Tribe. Genres range from classic rock, punk and heavy metal to Americana, jambands, reggae, blues and more. Again, it’s all free for both artists and fans.

A demographic hungry for new music. Artists desperately seeking ways to find listeners. Putting them together is a true no-brainer, Brodeen says.

>> Living the Kickass Grownup Lifestyle

Although music is the glue of The Tribe, the scope will range far beyond chords and notes. Tools, info and resources for living a life turned up to 11 will be a major part of the site. Travel, books and movies, cooking, health, money, parenting and a range of other interests will be explored, all in keeping with the philosophy Don’t Get Old, Get Rock!

It’s not about denying getting older, it’s about denying the expectations of getting older, Bard says. We’re here to live life on an upward trajectory, and to make damn certain that our good times aren’t to be looked back on but looked forward to.

For additional press materials and more information about RockandRollTribe.com, or to interview its founders, call Jon Bard (970-495-0056) or e-mail info(at)rockandrolltribe(dot)com

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WMU athletes involved in Advocare Biggest Loser 24 Day Challenge in Kalamazoo
All it takes is a commitment to a diet and a little sweat. Slater, along with a few WMU hockey players and senior football receiver Robert Arnheim will be assisting in the Advocare Biggest Loser 24 Day Challenge in the Kalamazoo area beginning Oct. 30 …
Read more on MLive.com

Yellow Jackets enjoying bye week after big win
Georgia Tech suffered no serious injuries Saturday and will get center Jay Finch back for the Virginia Tech game. Junior Nick McRae did an admirable job filling in for Finch against Clemson and may have earned himself more playing time. …
Read more on Macon Telegraph (blog)

Because women are four times more likely than men to get osteoporosis, its often considered a womans disease, but men can get osteoporosis. Two million American men have osteoporosis with another 12 million at risk. Despite the large numbers of affected men, osteoporosis remains under-diagnosed and under-reported. Known as the silent disease, osteoporosis is generally painless, but it causes bones to become fragile and more likely to break. Crush fractures of the vertebrae in the back can lead to chronic pain. If not prevented or treated, osteoporosis generally progresses, says Elizabeth Streeten, MD, director of the Metabolic Bone Clinic at the Veterans Affairs (VA) Maryland Health Care System and associate professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

When bone density is lower than normal its considered low bone mass (osteopenia), diagnosed by DXA (dual xray absorptiometry), a painless 15-minute test to assess bone strength. Not every person diagnosed with low bone mass (osteopenia) will progress to osteoporosis, but risk factors may increase the development of osteoporosis. Fractures are a major concern for older adults with low bone mass, said Streeten. For older adults who test with low bone mass (osteopenia), who have not had a fracture, providers use an online resource named Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (or FRAX) to assist determine who needs a prescription medication to assist forestall fractures.

What can you do on your own to prevent osteoporosis and fracture?

Keep body weight in the normal range (low body weight and obesity both increase the risk of fracture). Avoid smoking and drinking too much alcohol (more than two drinks per day). Do regular burdening bearing exercises. Add calcium (by taking in dairy products or taking a supplement) and take a vitamin D supplement (1,000 units daily is enough for most adults). Avoid falls by removing loose carpets in your home and practicing good safety protocols. Speak with a health care provider about osteoporosis. This is important, particularly if taking medicines or managing a chronic disease such as celiac disease, which increases the risk for developing osteoporosis. Ask your provider if you need a Bone Mineral Density Test (DXA), the most effective way to diagnose osteoporosis in people who have not had a fracture. This is a simple 15-minute painless test that calculates the strength of the spine and hip (or forearm if the spine or hip cannot be imaged).

Risk Factors

Research indicates that genes (family history) are an important risk factor for osteoporosis. Other risk factors for osteoporosis and fracture include advanced age, low body weight, low testosterone in men and menopause in women, vitamin D deficiency, smoking, three or more servings of alcohol per day, some medications such as Prednisone and some medical problems. Aging is the most important risk factor for osteoporosis because we all lose bone strength with age.

How is DXA interpreted?

Bone Mineral Density Test results are reported as a “T score (in men over 50 and postmenopausal women), which compares bone density to that of salubrious young adults. The World Health Organization has defined T-scores as this:

Normal bone density: -1. to zero and any positive number Low bone density or osteopenia: between -1. and -2.5 Osteoporosis: -2.5 or higher electronegative number

When DXA is repeated, it is best to use the same testing machine at the same facility. This increases the accuracy of the comparison between the two tests.

What is the FRAX tool?

Developed by the World Health Organization, the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (or FRAX) calculates the risk of fracture in the next 10 years by including most known risk factors for fracture, in addition to the bone density of the hip (femoral neck) from DXA. Using the FRAX tool helps providers to identify those who have a T-score in the low bone mass range but are at high risk for fracture and need treatment, and to avoid treating those who are at low risk of fracture.
Who should have a DXA?

All women over 65 and men over 70. Also, any adult with: A fracture consequent from a mild travelling (eg. from standing height) Chronic treatment with prednisone Men with low testosterone Women being treated for breast cancer with medication to lower estrogen level Men with prostate cancer being treated with medication to lower testosterone levels Spine fracture or thin bones noticed on X-ray How is osteoporosis treated? In addition to calcium, vitamin D and exercise, many medications uncommitted now are effective in treat osteoporosis, which reduce the risk of fracture by 50 percent. Your health pity provider will determine whether you need medication and if so, which medication is best for you.

Importance of Vitamin D:

Vitamin D decreases bone loss and lowers the risk of fracture, especially in older men and women. It may also decrease the risk of other chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Vitamin D is made in the skin after exposure to sunlight, but most people do not make enough vitamin D to meet their needs and should take a supplement. Although there is some controversy about how much vitamin D is ideal, most adults need 1,000 units of vitamin D day-to-day to maintain a normal vitamin D blood level. How long is osteoporosis treated with medication?

Treatment duration needs to be individualized. For some patients who are at moderate risk for fracture and have responded well to treatment, treatment can be stopped after 5 years. For patients who remain at high risk for fracture after 5 years of treatment, treatment should be continued.

If you are a Veteran enrolled in the VA Maryland Health Care System and want to speak to your VA provider about bone health, call the Appointment Call Line at 1-800-463-6295, ext 7333.

The VA Maryland Health Care System (VAMHCS) provides a broad spectrum of medical, surgical, rehabilitative, mental health and outpatient care to veterans at two medical centers, one community living & rehabilitation center and five outpatient clinics located throughout the state. More than 52,000 veterans from various generations receive care from the VAHMCS annually. Nationally recognized for its state-of-the-art technology and quality patient care, the VAMHCS is proud of its reputation as a leader in veterans health care, research and education. It costs nothing for Veterans to enroll for health care with the VA Maryland Health Care System and it could be one of the more important things a Veteran can do. For information about VA health care eligibility and enrollment or how to apply for a VA medical care hardship to avoid future copayments for VA health care, interested Veterans are urged to call the Enrollment Center for the VA Maryland Health Care System, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1-800-463-6295, ext. 7324 or visit http://www.maryland.va.gov.

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