World Environment Day reminds us of the reason once a year what we should work on each day.

Whales are endangered due to our careless and feckless behaviors and policies.

So far in the Western United States scientist of the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) shared more whales than ever have died and washed ashore in California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. So far 73 whales have washed up. Whales are dying due to malnutrition and it is suspected that the plastics causes indigestion and the microplastics in the water is damaging their organs. Whales are important to the eco balance of the oceans in ways we don’t even understand fully as yet.

Microplastics, which are tiny pieces of plastic, no larger than 5 mm, float around in the fill the water at the Monterey Bay according to Anela Choy. “Our findings buttress a growing body of scientific evidence pointing to the waters and animals of the deep sea, Earth’s largest habitat, as the biggest repository of small plastic debris,” said Anela Choy, the lead author of a study paper by the MBARI.

MBARI’s uses underwater robots to filter plastic particles out of seawater multiple times at two the Monterey Bay and in Moss Landing Harbor at the Pacific Coast of California. The study showed microplastic samples from five to 1,000 meters below the surface. They found identical concentrations of microplastic particles near the surface and in the deepest waters surveyed. However in the mid range, at 200 to 600 meters down, the pollution was 4x higher than at the surface. Shockingly they found that all of the animal specimens they surveyed had internal microplastic.

May 28, 2019August 6, 2020

Misinformation at work! Columbia company hired to influence US politics, but by whom?

There is a new most likely Republican sheriff in town. A group of young Republicans who met during their work at Republican National Committee got together to create the Independent Journal Review, which is owned by https://imge.com/.

IMGE is a marketing company that provides: “Fresh concepts. Unparalleled execution.” The company provides digital marketing campaigns to troubled companies as for instance Boing, burdened by the shut down of an entire division of planes, due to their lack of quality control. The Republican Governors Association who is suffering from the many problems they have had thanks to being paid off by the Russian Sponsored NRA. John James for Senator campaign who lost against Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. The also market on behalf of “Winning for Women.” A non-profit group that seems to be designed to sway the wives of Republican men to vote against their own interests and cruel policies like “Childen in Cages” camouflaged as security. Free Market concepts like eliminating Roe vs Wade, women’s right over their own bodies.

When receiving a facebook post from IJR it was impressive how well edited the newsclip were. I was struck by the partisanship, strung together to cause malaise in potential American voters. The company owned and operated by highly committed Republicans offers IJR red and strangely IJR blue. When reviewing the clips from that point of view it becomes apparent that the blue and the red posts have the same goal. Increasing partisanship, creating uncertainty and strife.

https://ijr.com/voter-torches-bidens-terrible-history-black-community/

This post is design to turn off African Americans and get them to dislike Biden. And, at the same time have regular Republicans feel terrible about “African Americans.” Goal? Causing strife.

https://ijr.com/biden-campaign-trump-kim/

I look at life from both sides now, from here and there…

It would be great if it was genuinely bi-partisan content. Unfortunately it seems designed to increase the separation between different factions in the US – following the strategy of causing hate and deepening divides to serve the small hardcore, rightwing racist misogynists. The only group of people who are fond of the current POTUS.

US Political News made in Colombia, South America, masquerading as an Alexandria, VA based company.

Is it designed for people who want to learn what they already prefer?

It is interesting that the company pretends to be pro democracy but uses the Russian style Kompromat techniques to influence people.

March 21, 2019August 6, 2020

Join us on April 4th for “A Night at Yoshi’s Oakland featuring Jonah Melvon & Adesha”

Join us for “A Night at Yoshi's Oakland featuring Jonah Melvon & Adesha" - the Inaugural Peralta Colleges Foundation for Study Abroad Fundraising Event

Inaugural Peralta Colleges Foundation for Study Abroad Fundraising Event

March 21, 2019, Oakland, CA, The event will be held at the renowned jazz supper club Yoshi’s Oakland on Thursday, April 4, 2019 from 7:30pm – 10pm featuring entertainment by local sensations Jonah Melvon featuring Adesha. Jonah and Adesha are more than Oakland natives who share a passion for the arts, they also happen to be siblings. This year they decided to bring the household back together again, as they tour on Jonah’s latest record “RainWater Project”, with teasers from his first record “This is the Year”. This soulful, lyrical, warm-hearted dual, is proud to be bringing their home away from home experience, to listeners worldwide.

The Office of International Education and Peralta Colleges Foundation of the Peralta Community College District will be hosting its Inaugural Study Abroad Fundraising Event, “A Night at Yoshi’s Oakland featuring Jonah Melvon & Adesha”, to raise monies for local students to support and expand their horizons in their quest to become global citizens in the 21st century.

The sponsors and listeners support provides scholarships to worthy students so that they may have the resources for this once in a lifetime experience. In 2019, the Peralta Colleges are planning to offer up to 11 programs in Japan, Taiwan, Belize, New Zealand, Germany, Mexico, Egypt, London, China, Ghana and Costa Rica (http://web.peralta.edu/international/study-abroad).

It takes a village to raise a child and a community to shape and strengthen a city.

The Oakland, CA is known to have a population of which 38% hold secondary degrees. This is largely due to the effective education successes.

The Peralta Community College District helps fuel the economic engine of East Bay, supplying the region with a trained workforce in essential fields such as nursing, automotive technology, office administration, mechanics, biomanufacturing, bookkeeping, carpentry, food service and restaurant management, to name a few. This workforce helps build and maintain a vibrant, economically diverse region that meets the present and future needs.

According to the California Community Colleges system, if an additional two percent of California’s population earned associate degrees and an extra one percent earned bachelor’s degrees, the state’s economy would grow by $20 billion. These educated workers would generate state and local taxes of $1.2 billion a year, and create 174,000 new jobs in California. Students receiving a degree or certificate from a community college see an 86 percent increase in their wages, from $25,600 to $45,571, three years after earning their degree. For every dollar spent on economic and workforce development programs at community colleges, there is a $12 increase in California’s business income and employee wages.

According to the Institute for International Education (IIE), fewer than 10% of American college students participate in international study programs, and less than 25% of those students are from underrepresented minority groups. Since many of our students are from low-socioeconomic families, studying abroad has never been a major priority for them. The study abroad experience often is a life-changing event that can provide a student with a new found sense of confidence or independence, a new foreign language skill, an increased ability to work in diverse work environments and most importantly the opportunity to explore new cultures. The Study Abroad program has been shaped by visionary and author, Drew Gephart and his dedicated team.

Peralta Community College District STudy Abroad Book Cover

To learn more about how you can join us in this celebration of music, art, and education please contact Drew Gephart, M.S., International Services Manager at dgephart@peralta.edu or 510-587-7834 for any questions you may have. We sincerely thank you for your time and continued support. http://web.peralta.edu/international/study-abroad you save $5 per ticket by buying from the website. You may also purchase tickets at Yoshi’s.

About the Artists

Jonah and Adesha are siblings and Oakland, California natives, who have a passion for the arts. Raised in a household that fostered music and the arts, they have fond memories of their parents singing along to Marvin Gaye, and dancing the night away to Stevie Wonder.

In 2019, Jonah launched the “Bridging the Gap” music tech tour. Designed to bring awareness about the dissolving art scene to the tech community, and to spark ideas and thoughts of community leaders to actively “bridge the gap” between tech and art

To learn more about Jonah Melvon and the Rainwater Project, please visit his website at https://www.jonahmelvon.com/

Media Relations Contact

See you at the show! To set up an appointment or for request for additional materials with the label, college, get photos, video links, or more please text Edie Okamoto, Media Relations,
at 510-693-0166 or facebook or linked in.

About the Rainwater Project

You can hear the music on Spotify or purchase them on Amazon.

Please join our list of sponsors who like you believe that education is the answer to a higher standard of living for all.

Sponsored by Vigilint Biosensors: Keeping Families together 24/7 – digitally. www.vigilint.store

RioVida Networks: Bringing artists, musicians, celebrities
and corporations together for mutual benefit. www.riovida.net

Welcome to the Jonah Melvon and the Rainwater Project – together we are “Bridging the Gap.”

October 30, 2018August 6, 2020

VigilintsHeart™ Launches “Shop, Save, Donate” helping parents save money while donating to schools and non-profits.

Working together to create a better world for our kids.

VigilintsHeart™ Launches “Shop, Save, Donate” helping parents save money while donating to schools and non-profits.

RioVida Networks is happy to announce the creation of the new VigilintsHeart program that will allow parents to shop online in over 1200 stores that offer special savings. The portal which can be reached via a link on the VigilintsHeart tab or direct by visiting the store directly.

The customer signs up and receives the sales prizing from the overall stores directly, but because the shopping is done through the portal the customer an additional small savings. And, more importantly this customer “VigilintsHeart” savings is matched and collected from the purchase of all the participants. This collective affiliate fee is then donated to various school programs through Micro Donations addressing teachers concerns.

The VigilintsHeart™ “Shop, Save, Donate” community outreach program will provide micro donations to individual school teachers. Often these dedicated professionals reach into their own pocket to purchase school supplies for our kids. The average teacher spends over $400 out of pocket each year and they really need pencils, paper, books, computer programs, chalk, rulers, glue, and many other items that they use during their instructions. Many parents are either unable to financially assist the teacher or they “assume” that these supplies are provided by the schools. Unfortunately, school administrators often are burdened with safety needs, building maintenance, and salaries.

There are many wonderful people at the PTA that diligently raise money to help with the bigger issues, school trip, music lessons, art classes and new recess areas. Often the “little things” – what the teacher actually needs to liven up their class room for the kids on a daily basis rescinds to the background.

Together we can help! Just move your online shopping to the portal, get your friends and family to do it, and Vigilints will donate their portion of the affiliate fee to teachers and non-profits.

The VigilintsHeart™ “Shop, Save, Donate” program is simple. Parents join the program FREE by signing up to shop online through the VigilintsHeart™ portal, they receive the discounts offered by the affiliates. The participating list of major stores includes nearly everyone’s favorite store, including Macy’s, Kohl’s, Sak’s Fifth Avenue, Best Buy, Old Navy, Disney’ and many other popular stores. Participants shop and save. The Loyalty Superstore receives 25% for licensing of the software platform, program managers, customer experience center, and maintenance team, and the rest of the affiliate commission will be donated to the VigilintsHeart™ program who will provide funds to the organizations.

Click on picture to sign up for the shop, save and donate program

This program does not alter the other VigilintsHeart™ Educational Programs which provide product and donations to teacher’s class rooms and programs. We invite classrooms and teachers to submit their donation requests.

“We are excited to help schools, children and non-profits through VigilintsHeart™,” said Martin Berns, CEO of Loyalty Superstore. Mr. Berns continued, “Loyalty Superstore is dedicated to serving the needs of its affiliates, customers, and the community, and are proud to be a part of the VigilintsHeart.”

The VigilintsHeart™ “Shop, Save, Donate” program is reaching out to other companies who wish to participate or add funds through sponsorship. To sponsor or learn more about the American classroom’ needs and the donations VigilintsHeart™ make by contacting Edie Okamoto to discuss how you may wish to participate as a co-sponsor.

About VigilintsHeart™

Vigilint Biosensors strives to provide fun and safe solutions to families with children: communications and learning for children and peace of mind for parents. The combination of the best location technologies (GPS, GNSS, A-GPS and sensors) will easily locate your child, anytime and anywhere. Vigilint Biosensors is dedicated to improving the quality of care that parents and senior caregivers provide through a complete 360º intelligent family care assistant, that connects family members together via smartwatches. Vigilint Biosensors provides the family/caregivers with a cloud infrastructure bringing devices and software services together, which strives to improve time management and reduce stress by improved non-intrusive care for kids, seniors, and other loved ones in need. This is achieved through the most modern application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies to life data that provide alerts, if and when needed. “When those we care about are well, we can relax and focus on our day.” www.vigilint.store

Vigilint Biosensors

For introductions and appointments with the appropriate contact persons or to receive further Viglint Biosensors press materials, whitepaper links, or investor packages please contact Edie Okamoto at +1 510 693 0166 or edie.okamoto@riovida.net

Loyalty Superstore

The Loyalty Superstore Officers and Board have 50 years of successfully experience in the Loyalty and Rewards space. We have extensive experience in launching and operating public companies. Loyalty Superstore, Inc. (“LSS” or “the company”) began developing proprietary loyalty and rewards solutions in early 2013. The company has been servicing a niche market for mid-large brands that wanted a private branded, Value Add customizable online loyalty rewards platform, both nationally and locally. To learn more about the www.loyaltysuperstore.com

We love to learn more about your ideas on how we can grow this program. You may reach Edie Okamoto with your request or to learn how we could set up a school specific program for you.

And don’t forget to join our growing community of professionals and parents atTwitter & Facebook.

Attention writers and parents: Please feel free to share your accomplishments, advice for other parents on the Vigilint Biosensor blog

Feel free to reach out for an interview and for consideration of recommended products or services for review. We will be glad to consider featuring highly recommended products or services in our advice columns, as long as, we deem them to match well with our desire to support only high quality products that represent our core values and that we may consider reselling through our app(s) or store(s).

October 11, 2018August 6, 2020

Dance expresses culture in a non-verbal way. 2018 around the world.

Dance in Spain 2018

15 year old Puerto Rican dancer, Victoria Caban – USA 2018

English Country Dance – USA 2012

October 10, 2018August 6, 2020

Faye Carol is a Star. She has amazing range, knowledge and grace.

Faye Carol is one of the most amazing ladies you will ever meet. She is grace personified. She electrifies the room with her presence. When she walks into a place you feel that you are in the presence of greatness. She is quiet and humble yet, she has an amazing way to uplift people’s spirit. Soul music in the Bay Area would not be the same without her.

Tomorrow, Thursday October 11, 2018, she will be performing in Mill Valley at the Mill Valley film festival. This is a “can’t miss event”. Although you may want to check to make sure you still can get tickets. She will be performing at the Sweet Water Music Hall.

Another way to experience her is to take her 4 week music lesson. They are a Bay Area treat not just for people who want to learn how to perform in front of crowds, but also for those who want to sound great at a wedding, bar mitzvah, or at the next family gathering. It is also wonderful for people who enjoy learning about music. Ms. Faye Carol has encyclopedic knowledge about American music. She leads with grace, knowledge and soul.

Fun Fact: March 13, 2018 was declared “Faye Carol Day” by the city of Berkeley.

Faye Carol & Her Quartet – Willow Weep For MeFaye Carol & Her Quartet – Willow Weep For Me
Faye Carol & Her Quartet – Willow Weep For Me

Faye Carol teachers music with love, grace and knowledge

Do yourself a favor and find a way to meet, hear and experience this “Living Legend.” You will be glad you did. To learn more visit her websites at: www.fayecarol.com

July 24, 2018May 21, 2019

Basic trust in parents is essential for healthy child development.

This boy trusts his father completely. Photo by Filios Sazeides, www.unsplash.com

Basic trust that develops through interaction between parents and children is the foundation of a purposeful and content life. Without trust life is not worth living. When children are in a trusting environment they learn to relax, count on the people around them, trust in themselves and trust in their ability to overcome obstacles. For that reason it is important for kids to learn to trust in the people around them. This is also the reason betrayal of basic trust, or interruption due to abandonment during early childhood while the essential first trust is build, is so very damaging to the psyche.

? ?Father-daughter duo Dave and Claire Crosby

In our modern lives people are not always available to children. There is work, travel . Experts know that being responsive to children’s needs is the Nr. 1 important thing that can done for them. Their psychological make-up and their outlook during the rest of their lives depends on their ability to know that when they reach their most trusted adults and that they we will be there when needed. Erik Erikson and Jean Piaget to of the most formidable child psychologists teach that trust in self cannot happen without this basic trust. When kids are able to trust that their parents will respond to their every need they develop this “basic trust” or ‘Urvertrauen” is formed. Without this basic trust a person will develop “basic mistrust.”

The only way a parent can help a child find that basic positive outlook on life it to respond to their children in realtime. Technology can have a positive or negative effect on our lives. We can become distracted or we can use the technology the be there for our kids. The choice is ours.

Smartwatches are a solution that will allow us to stay in touch with those who are most important to us. We can created phone trees of trusted adults and create a digital circle of love with Family Assistant Apps and Vigilints Kids Smartwatches are a potential for parents to stay connected, regardless of how busy life gets.

June 26, 2018June 29, 2018

Vigilints and School Districts work together to increase school safety.

Vigilints and School Districts work together to increase school safety.

San Jose, California – June 26, 2018 – Vigilint Biosensors, leading supplier of Family Assistant Parental Services through smartwatches, is extending its Educational Support Programs which increases school safety, helps child learning and raises money for Educational Foundations, Schools, PTAs, and Booster Clubs. After successful pilot programs in San Ramon and Sacramento California school districts, Vigilint Biosensors is offering the program to qualified organizations in all fifty states.

“Vigilint Family Assistant Services provide parents with life-altering insights collected from the kid’s smart watch that can inform parents of a child’s location and allows them to speak when needed,” said Kris Narayan, Chairman of Vigilint™ Biosensors. Mr. Narayan continued, “I am grateful Vigilint Biosensors can get our smart watches to the children, parents and schools that want the help kids with deal with stress and adversity to improve our children’s emotional resilience.”

Vigilint Biosensors Education Programs allow school districts to raise money while they provide kids smart watch phones and software to parents and their children which increase school safety. Modern tools like Vigilint Family Assistant help working parents stay in touch with their kids via calls, chat and the ability to guide the kids 24/7. Kids have access to parents each time they need their parents’ input and feedback. Hawkeye kid’s smart watches and the Vigilint Family Assistant app allow parents to create custom SafeZones™. School safety is increased when at the moment the child moves out of the SafeZone™, parents are alerted.

Knowing exactly where and how our children are is a major comfort for parents and kids. Each kids smart watch holds up to 20 parent-selected numbers that children can call. Kids are able to speak to their siblings and close friends through a direct kid-to-kid “walkie-talkie” connection. The more parents and kids communicate the less stress they have due to wondering and worrying. Relaxed parents enjoy happier and more confident kids that have a better, healthier and smarter life thanks to increase emotional resilience as recent studies by the Harvard Child Development show. For more information regarding kids smart watches and child learning, please click here.

Tonja Jarrell, Principal of Paso Verde School, in California’s capital city: “Partnering with Vigilint Biosensors provides a valuable resource to our school community. We work with families and the community to offer solutions that increase school safety, allows our staff and scholars to focus on teaching and make our students feel safe enough to learn thereby increasing their outcomes.”

The improved communications via kids smart watches help teachers deal with children’s and faculties’ anxieties about the fears regarding school safety related to the recent increase of shootings at schools: “My experiences in the educational community, have shown that these tragedies affect all of us, not just the families involved,” said Nancy Phelps, President Coyote Creek Learning Fund. “Vigilint Biosensors software and smartwatches help protect our kids while providing parents peace of mind.”

Every school, school program, non-profit or educational program manager is invited to join the Vigilint Biosensors Education Program, thereby increasing funding for vital programs, raising awareness of how to help children learn better and increase school safety.

About Vigilint Biosensors
Hawkeye kids smart watches from Vigilint Biosensors provide fun and safe solutions to families and younger children: communications and learning for children and peace of mind for parents. The combination of the best location technologies (GPS, GNSS, A-GPS and sensors) will easily locate your child, anytime and anywhere. Visit http://www.vigilint.store/ for complete product details.Vigilint Biosensors is dedicated to improving the quality of care that parents and senior caregivers provide through a complete 360o intelligent family care assistant, that connects family members together via wearable devices like Hawkeye. Vigilint Biosensors provides the family/caregivers with a cloud infrastructure of devices and software services, which strives to improve time management and reduce stress by improved non-intrusive care for kids, seniors, and other loved ones in need. This is achieved through the most modern application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies to life data that provide alerts, if and when needed. “When those we care about are well, we can relax and focus on our day.” www.vigilintbiosensors.com

Learn more about our dedicated team: Vigilint Biosensors

Learn more about our products and services: Vigilint Store

Vigilint Biosensors
20315 McKean Rd
San Jose, CA 95120

bizdev@vigilintbio.com

June 27, 2018 BY Edie Okamoto

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20315 McKean Rd
San Jose, CA 95120

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June 24, 2018June 25, 2018

Made in Germany – will it stay a strong brand without the US partnership?

https://bmw-grouparchiv.de/ — BMW HISTORY

Europeans are starting to accept that they will have to go it alone and figure out how to deal with their own issues – now that the “Partners in Leadership” pact that lead the world is dead and gone. Since the end of World War II – Germany gladly tamed its own internal monsters by relying on this partnership with the US. Germany has followed the US, partnered with the US, implemented US strategies, fully trusting that the promises Reagan, W.H.Bush, Bill Clinton, W. Bush, and Obama made to the Germany and by extension to the EU. Now the world has to come to grips with the current change of direction that sometimes feels like a betrayal by the US. As Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff explained to Juurd Eijsvoogel, in the NRC News.

“Now Germany is faced with the horrible truths as Germany has no nuclear weapons. The country is completely dependent on the American security umbrella. That awareness was of course there earlier, but only in abstract. Trump’s harsh attitude here has caused an acute sense of complete powerlessness in Berlin. The world is no longer about Europe. The problem why America engages here dates back more than seventy years ago. In itself it is understandable that America wants to shift its attention to other parts of the world. We could have seen that coming. You also saw it with previous presidents.”

Trump’s wishes to focus the US inward. He wants to cut the country off from the world and seems merely eager to please Putin, Kim Jong-Un, Xi JinPing, and the Saudis. He welcomed Duterte and Erdogan, and the right-wing leader of Poland and Hungary. He disregards all the leaders of democratic nations and voices his dislike of most European, NAFTA leaders and Australians.

The West is floundering. Blaming immigrants, closing borders will not be the most constructive way to run a country or economic region. It doesn’t matter whether we are talking about the US or Europe. The US wants to close its borders to immigration instead of strengthening the middle class. This policy will not succeed regardless of whether the US succeeds in offending the rest of the world and shutting itself into its tiny fortress. Without a growing population and without international trade every country will move backwards. The policy of breaking promises and committing inhumane and egregious acts will backfire for many years to come regardless of whether it is carried out in the US or in Europe. All we have to do is watch the Middle East and Africa to see that conflict doesn’t pay many dividends, except to weapons’ dealers, mining operators and eventually construction companies.

Similarly in the EU, the ill-fated Dublin-Agreement burdens Greece and Italy as the point of entry states with all the problems of integrating immigrants. Naturally this doesn’t work, it could never have worked. Without a healthy immigration policy the EU will suffer terrible economic consequences. It is already a tiny region when compared to China, India, Latin America and North America. Without immigration, the population and therefore the economy will shrink, burdening the ever fewer young with the cost of caring for an expanding older population.

Ronald Barazon states in his article in the DWN: ” With a realistic attitude that emphasizes the need for immigration, meets foreigners positively, but does not close their eyes to problems and needs, a constructive policy should be possible.

The US and Europe are partly responsible for the prevailing chaos. The interventions of recent years – from Afghanistan to Iraq to Libya – have been driven by a very positive effort to eliminate brutal dictators in these countries. However, not a flourishing democracy followed, but the abolished rulers were replaced by numerous other brutal actors who are now triggering the waves of refugees. Currently, too many politicians are misusing immigration as a means of concealing their many failures in other areas. “

Strengthening the middle class works wonders for stability. That role falls on investors and business leaders. Politicians are too dependent on donors and simply carry forth policies that are in the best interest of a few wealthy donors. Only when global business leaders realize that an eroding middle class erodes ROI, will the world move in a better direction. Perhaps things have to get quite terrible in terms of ROI before business leaders and politicians get personally affected enough to choose change. In Europe that time is now.

June 24, 2018June 25, 2018

Trade Wars: What will the multi-billion dollar trade wars accomplish for the US?

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-art-of-the-deal-royalties-trump-2017-6

Trump Supporters are exhilarated about their US created global trade wars

Trump supporters approve of the US presidents actions, words and attitude at historic levels. 90% approve of everything Trump does or says, not everyone agrees. Yet, many wonder whether the GOP actually is following a plan:

“Yes, they have a plan. No, I don’t think it will work,” said Bill Reinsch, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “The plan is always push harder, demand everything and offer nothing.” Source: South China Morning Post

European’s, especially Merkel, are frightened by the changes imposed on the EU. The situation depends on the individual global companies business strategies. Many European and Asian companies are baffled by Trump’s strategy. For many decades they have listened to many US presidents and their “Partners in Leadership” promises and in the spirit of collaboration have created hundreds and thousands of jobs for Americans in the US.

https://global.handelsblatt.com/mobility/vw-bmw-daimler-trump-import-895206

Das Handelblatt’s, Lukas Bay, reports: “The US president has threatened European automakers such as VW, BMW and Daimler with a levy. He’s forgetting that the Germans have huge plants in the US. At the time, he warned that BMW and other carmakers could face a 35 percent import duty for cars not built in the United States. He targeted BMW because it is building a new plant in Mexico. Trump doesn’t seem to realize that the BMW plan in Mexico is there to meet rising demands for cars in Latin America.” BMW actually exports cars made in the US by American workers. Source: Das Handelsblatt

Der Spiegel reports: “Executives at Siemens, the global engineering giant, are still relatively relaxed at company headquarters in Munich. Siemens operates its own plants in the U.S. for products with high steel or aluminum content like trains, gas turbines and ultrasound equipment. In theory, at least, its subsidiaries could buy raw materials or semi-finished products locally to circumvent the punitive tariffs. But that does not apply to special alloys that are not produced in the U.S. They would have to be imported from Germany and would be slapped with the additional tariffs. The biggest concern is not the impact the trade tariff’s have on the US – German trade – it is only 4% for many companies so they can withstand that comfortably.

The bigger issue that companies and countries are grappling with is cheap steel that is now diverted from Russia, India and Turkey. Since these companies were not given a temporary exemption they have dumped their inferior products in the EU for super low prices. The EU is more worried about the effect these inferior steel will have on the EU brand around the globe as cheap inferior products are making it on the market. It will not affect the US either in trade nor in taxes.

In Germany for instance 95% of all wealth is created by small and midsize firms. This is the reason why Germany is thriving and able to withstand economic upheaval. Germany has a very strong middle class that has been growing jobs. In the US the Middle Class has been eroded by corporate welfare laws that favor large global conglomerates.

June 19, 2018June 25, 2018

How to teach your child the confidence of a peak performer.

We all want the best for our kids Photo Credit: Creative Commons — We all want the best for our kids. Photo Credit: Creative Commons

Our job as parents is to prep our kids to live happy and successful lives. We want them to succeed to allow them to enjoy a life without financial stress. We want them to find love to allow them to have healthy and fulfilling relationships. We want them to feel confident and able to achieve their very own dreams. So how can we protect the kids, while prepping them to become peak performers?

Step 1 – Build up their confidence.

One way to build confidence in our children. When children feel loved, heard, and held in esteem they feel confident that they matter. The child eventually knows that she is important to us. This also means parents have to avoid any prolonged absences. Small children don’t understand why the parents are not there, even if it feels unavoidable to the parent. The child needs to know that it can reach us and count on us to be there for them. We want the children to know they are important to us. We also teach the child that we are in charge of our own life. We have the freedom to set priorities. We choose to be there for the child. The child learns by observing. If we are there for them, they will feel that it is natural to care for themselves and to care about themselves. They learn to trust not only the parents but also themselves.

Step 2 – Honesty is important for realistic self assessment and leads to follow through.

Life has challenges and it has ups and downs. When we are honest with our children they don’t always like it. Yet, this is how they learn that sometimes the truth is difficult. They also learn to trust us, when we give them genuine compliments. Genuine compliments are worth so much more than indiscriminate praise. The child learns that honesty is ok. If we tell them they didn’t seem to have given their personal best, they learn they could try harder and get better. Then when they do well after they really practiced and succeeded, the praise feels wonderful. Additionally, if they try something that isn’t realistic, you can plan with them what they may wish to do instead, or what they may have to do to carry out the desired task. They learn to research, analyze and make plans. The also learn that plans without action will not yield results. Honest with children leads to self honesty by children, which helps them to keep a clear mind rooted in reality.

Step 3 – Responsibility helps us feel in charge of our own destiny

When we take responsibility for our own actions we model behavior to our children. The sooner we teach kids that they are responsible for their own actions and words, the sooner they will feel in charge of their own life. They learn while they cannot influence everything that happens around them, they are in charge of how they react to the circumstances. They are in charge of how they act, speak, follow through, commit themselves and equally important take care of their health, both mentally and physically. By taking responsibility they will learn fast that they have choices in life. They are free to choose how they want to live their life. Do they want to study and get good grades, do they diligently practice their work outs. Naturally as they responsibly work on improving themselves they perform better and better. The children feel in charge because they learned they are responsible for their own actions and words.

Peak Performance is a result of hard work, a good attitude, and the willingness to do what it takes. We can start our support for children by providing them with the basis of success. We let them know they are important, valued and adored by us. We are available when they need us.

www.vigilints.com - smartwatches for kids — www.vigilints.com – Hawkeye Smartwatches for kids

In the digital age, this means we are there to guide and coach them. One valuable tool is a Hawkeye Smartwatch which is designed for 3 to 7-year-old kids. The Vigilint Parental Assistant app provides the function to check their child’s friends. Parents can talk or text (emojis) allowing to share in their life. The app has a listening function and an SOS button. This allows parents to coach the children and advise them when the child needs help dealing with other kids. A parent can share responsibility with three other trusted adults and link up to 8 people into a phone tree of trusted care takers. Additionally the child can have up to 20 friends in their phone. The Hawkeye Smartwatch has a roll over function which can be set to call the father if the mother is not available. It rolls over to the babysitter, aunt or the child’s friends parent. Being there for our kids matters and it is the foundation to a successful life.

May 24, 2018May 26, 2018

Guns, guns, guns – Americans love guns, despite the many mass murders

In America, we grow up with a romantic vision of being explorers who conquer the wilds and create new homes and lives in the wilderness. During the frontier days Americans hunted for food. They sustained themselves and lived off the land. Beautiful vistas, wide open grasslands, forests, and log cabins by the lake were a fact of life, not such a very long time ago.

Shooting dear, rabbits, or even wild boars, geese and ducks was a way of life. Hunting was a necessary part of sustaining the family in a land that had few stores. It was romanticized in literature, in TV Shows and the movies.

Fast Forward to Parkland, FL and Santa Fé, TX in 2018

“I’d be comfortable with our teachers having guns,” said Tessa Ybarra, 15, a sophomore at Santa Fe High School. “If Ms. T and Ms. Perkins had guns, maybe they could have protected themselves,” she said, referring to Cynthia Tisdale and Glenda Ann Perkins, the two teachers killed on Friday. NYT

Do you agree with Tessa Ybarra? The gun lobby agrees with her.

The NRA, a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization, claimed that they provided a means to raise millions of dollars to fund gun safety and educational projects of benefit to the general public. While they certainly succeed in influencing Congress and have over 5 Million members, and a supportive group of wealthy individuals who support assault rifle sales to 18 year olds, the gun safety part of their proclaimed mission is failing miserably. Now they practically promote gun violence.

“I don’t understand why I could still go in a store and buy a weapon of war,” said Sam Zeif, 18, sobbing after he described texting his family members during the attack. “Let’s never let this happen again, please, please.” Reuters

Why is it that Americans as a whole, can’t understand that guns are used to kill innocent children and adults?

With school shooting on the rise it actually is not romantic any longer. Good Housekeeping reported that since the beginning of 2018, 20 people were killed at school to do gun violence.

Recie Tisdale, son of Cynthia Tisdale, who was a substitute teacher at Santa Fe High School. told the Washington Post, “She started substitute teaching because she loved to help children. She didn’t have to do it. She did it because she loved it.”

Gun violence is not romantic. Letting go of the Frontiers’ men fantasy will take a long time. It is so compelling. Meanwhile stay in touch with your kids and parents. Talk to them, stay aware of what they are going through. The Vigilint Parental Assistant App is designed to allow parents to communicate via Hawkeye Smartwatches with their elementary school children. Harvard research shows that stress affects brain development. The damage caused to the next generation goes way beyond the gun violence.

Protect, Encourage and Communicate with Your Children Always

Photo by https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/gun-deaths-wars/

May 18, 2018May 26, 2018

How to help kids fit in while teaching the positive aspects of our heritage.

We fall in love, get engaged and get married. When we have kids we start to genuinely reflect about our own heritage and value system.

Immigrants experience culture shock when value systems clash with those of others.

When our kids arrive we naturally remember our own childhoods. We want our kids to enjoy their childhood and grow up to have a wonderful life. As parents with want to prepare them in the best possible way. When kids go to school they experience new attitudes by their teachers and especially by their peers. Often, these attitudes might raise issues that we never really consciously contemplated.

To keep them our kids emotionally safe, we want the ability to communicate with them. We need to allow them to ask questions, as they arise. We do well to genuinely try to answer as many questions our children ask, as possible. We want to admit that we may not have the answer ourselves. We also need to acknowledge that there are differences between the way we live at home and the way society shapes our attitudes and value systems.

Other parents may have raised their kids with entirely different value systems. They may think it is adorable when a child doesn’t worry about soiling their clothes, touching doorways with muddy or sticky hands, rough-houses, or throws rocks. “Kids will be kids.” is often the prevailing attitude. In other cultures the prevailing attitude maybe: “Kids are seen not heard.” Straddling the differences is a challenge for all families who wish to raise kids who develop situational awareness.

I believe that being polite, considerate, and honest helps to foster self-respect. These are traits that help us to get along with others and ourselves. Regardless of the setting, it fosters friendships and good will. Most people greatly enjoy being treated in a considerate way; being heard and listened to politely; being able to rely that they are not lied to or deceived; that they are not being taken for granted.

Most people regardless of their background love being treated with respect.

Parents often struggle to find a healthy balance between the ways they wish to pass down to their children, and the need to allow kids to adapt to their surroundings. Children need to get along with others, even with kids who encouraged to be tough and and mean.

Communicate with your child, and perhaps even listen in with the Vigilint Family Assistance app. By empowering the child to share with you in real-time, what they are dealing with, as it happens, helps parents to better guide them in practical ways.

Your real-time advice helps your children feel safe and cared about. At the very least kids will know, their parents care about them deeply. This fosters self-esteem and helps children to develop a solution-oriented attitude and to seek advice when needed. They will not feel alone. They feel supported by their families.

May 10, 2018August 14, 2020

Check in with your friends and family. Make sure they feel loved.

We are apparently living in a loneliness epidemic. Over the past 80 years our culture has changed a lot and over the past 30 years industrialized nations may have lost our cultural bearing.

I learn recently of a lady in Japan who died and only after her corps smelled terrible did the neighbors realize that she had passed. In Japan they have a word for “dying alone,” they call it Kodokushi. Several hundred thousand people pass away, without a relative or friend who cares about them. I thought it was terrible and I was shocked that a nation of over 100 Million people would not care for their families or neighbors. Then I found out that over 45 Million people in quasi “First World Nations” are lonely. That doesn’t sound very “first world.” It is embarrassing and a sign we need to rethink our lives.

Recently I joined the marketing effort of Vigilint Biosensors, a company that has designed affordable smart watches that allow parents to check in on and communicate with their children and loved ones. The Vigilint Family Assistant is an app that you can download that links to the kids or elderly parents Vigilint Smartwatches. When I started reading up on the topic I couldn’t believe it. OMG. It is a world wide epidemic. Apparently over 40% of people in the US report that they are feeling lonely. And experts think that the actual number is higher. How can that be?

Loneliness is deadly. Literally. First of all it doesn’t feel very nice. Remember how you felt when your first girl friend or boy friend didn’t call you back for several hours, when you first started dating and you were not sure whether they really loved you yet? That feeling. It feels like that. Most unhealthy.

Apparently it is genuinely unhealthy to feel lonely. Vivek Murty, who served as the 19th Surgeon General in the US, shared that one of his more shocking experiences as SG was loneliness: “I met middle and high school students in urban and rural areas who turned to violence, drugs, and gangs to ease the pain of their loneliness. I sat with mothers and fathers who had lost sons and daughters to drug overdoses and were struggling to cope alone because of the unfortunate stigma surrounding addiction.” He went on to say: “During my years caring for patients, the most common pathology I saw was not heart disease or diabetes; it was loneliness. The elderly man who came to our hospital every few weeks seeking relief from chronic pain was also looking for human connection: He was lonely. The middle-aged woman battling advanced HIV who had no one to call to inform that she was sick: She was lonely too. I found that loneliness was often in the background of clinical illness, contributing to disease and making it harder for patients to cope and heal. ” (1)

Vigilint Biosensors has been created by a bunch of highly successful Silicon Valley Semiconductor engineers, who created microchips for mobile phones that measure vital signs. Is the person moving, is the person where they are supposed to be? It also allows you to talk to them through their affordable VB wrist watch. They will not lose their phone, since it is tied around their wrist. Brilliant I say!

And apparently it not only reduces the stress of the parent, it also reduces the stress in the kids and the elderlies. Social connections are so vital to our health. Apparently stress increases the cortisol level which is some kind of hormone in our bodies. Loneliness increases the stress hormone called cortisol very much. This causes inflammation which according to Time Magazine is responsible for stress-related difficulties including obesity, diabetes, metabolic disorders, heart diseases and other disorders. (2)

So this weekend, hug your mom, your grandmother, your dad and your kids, and make sure you check in with your neighbors. Apparently for young and old loneliness is an epidemic and nearly every second person feels lonely. Smile, say hello and ask: “How do you do.” And mean it. Increasing your social circle may be the best medicine against: “Kodokushi.” And I am sure you agree, none of us want to have that.

Instead talk with your family regularly. Even if they are all grown, talk at least once a week, but more often if possible that is the only way you have enough time for a genuine relationship. Only regular contact let’s you know what is going on in their lives and for them to know what is going on in yours. Bob Black once wrote a great tagline: “Reach out and touch someone.” If you can’t do it physically, do with via a text and even better a conversation.

There are plenty of people to call. The New York times claimed that about one-third of Americans older than 65 now live alone, and half of those over 85 do. Loneliness can be fixed. We need to reintroduce the concept of TLC and talk to each other. I love the quote that Vigilint Biosensors execs use:

Vigilint Biosensors is about moving people from the Internet of Things to the Internet of Caring.

Love that! Happy trails and if you feel lonely reach out. Call someone you haven’t talk with in a while. Remind them of the good times you had. You will be surprised how happy it will make them to get your call after all these years. Tell them you remember them and you feel good about your memories. It works.

May 2, 2018

Rolando Morales May 2018 Performance Calendar

To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.

~ Beethoven

¡Hola, Mi Gente!

Passion is definitely something I bring to every performance. I can’t help it. It’s like breathing for me. The music requires it.

I’ll be bringing that passion all over the Bay this month, and especially this weekend. Cinco de Mayo happens this Saturday, the day Mexico commemorates their victory over the much larger, better equipped French army at the Battle of Puebla.

And I’ll be commemorating it TWICE on May 5 at TWO separate events. The first happens at Maria, Maria in Danville this Saturday May 5 from 1-5pm, out on their patio. I’ll be playing for 4 hours out there, providing a huge sound track for you celebrants. I might be joined by talented friends at different parts of the day. We’ll see how it goes. They’ll also have a 6-piece band for the evening until midnight. Yeah, it’s a big deal. Details below.

After that, I shoot over to the North Bay to make my debut at The Tavern on Fourth in San Rafael from 9:30-Midnight to continue the Cinco de Mayo celebration. They convinced me to swing by and bring the Latin side of my repertoire to their newly renovated bar. If you’re in the North Bay, join me so we can make this a semi-regular venue. Details below.

More highlights of the month include my return to The Vine in Danville on Saturday May 12, where I’ll feature the great rock guitarist who played with Carlos Santana. We haven’t done this in a couple years, so don’t miss it. It’s a lot of fun! Details below.

And make your reservations for our big Saturday May 19 show at the Sausalito Seahorse with another great lineup featuring Carlos Reyes, Estaire Godinez, Celso Alberti, David Belove and Yours Truly. Details below.

And there’s much more in your new May Calendar. See you at the show!

Ciao,

Rolando

May 2018 Calendar

Friday May 4, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx 6-9pm. Rolando returns to Santana’s Walnut Creek tavern to perform on solo guitar and voice out on the front patio. Flautist Bob Harrison may sit in. Swing by and enjoy the energy.
(925) 820-2366, www.mariamariarestaurants.com.

Saturday May 5, Maria, Maria Cantina Cinco de Mayo Event, 710 Camino Ramon Road, Danville CA, 1-5pm. Santana’s Danville restaurant breaks out all the stops for this big Cinco de Mayo party featuring live music all day and night long. Rolando kicks it off on the Patio on solo guitar and voice from 1-5pm, doing a huge bunch of tunes, probably with a few special guests taking turns sitting in. Then from 6-Midnight, dance to the fun party band “Power Play” indoors while the food and libations flow. (925) 820-2366, www.mariamariarestaurants.com.

AND:

Saturday May 5, The Tavern on Fourth, 711 4th Street, San Rafael, 9:30-Midnight. Rolando makes his debut at this newly renovated North Bay bar, just in time to bring his Latin flavor to this Cinco de Mayo party. Craft and classic cocktails, 18 Nor Cal draught beers and more. This is a special invite to you North Bay friends: Let’s pack the place and make this a semi-regular appearance! (415) 454-4044, www.thetavernonfourth.com.

Rolando’s at Maria, Maria on Cinco de Mayo

The next weekend offers many opportunities as well:

Friday May 11, Havana Cuban Cuisine, 1516 Bonanza St., Walnut Creek, approx 8:30-11pm. Rolando returns for his only appearance of the month at this fine Cuban restaurant and live music venue. Great Cuban cuisine, ceiling fans swirling lazily and Rolando’s vast Latin repertoire and beyond on solo guitar and voice. Great hang! www.havanarestaurant.net, (925) 939-4555.

Saturday May 12, Vine at Bridges, 480 Hartz Avenue, Danville, 8-11pm. The Rolando Morales Duet returns to this cool winery and nightspot. Enjoy a wonderful selection of wines, superb dinners and tapas while grooving to this powerful duet. This time Rolando welcomes the fiery Latin-Rock guitarist who played with Santana and local band favorite Ruckatán, Carlos Hernandez. And on guitar, voice and his pedal board of magic, the passionate Rolando Morales. They’ll blend exciting creations on the fly. It’s been a few years since they’ve done this, so don’t miss it! www.thevineatbridges.com, (925) 820-7210.

Sunday May 13, Maria, Maria Cantina, 1470 North Broadway, Walnut Creek, approx 12-3pm. Rolando returns to Santana’s Walnut Creek tavern for a special Mother’s Day performance on solo guitar and voice out on the front patio. This may be the only Sunday appearance he does at this venue. Treat your mom to a special day. (925) 820-2366, www.mariamariarestaurants.com

Friday May 18, Barone’s Restaurant, 475 St. John St., Pleasanton CA, approx 7:30-10:30pm. Rolando returns to one of Pleasanton’s premiere dining establishments. Enjoy exquisite meals and service, libations and Rolando’s vast repertoire in the Cocktail Lounge for a great night out. See www.baronespleasanton.com, (925) 426-0987.

Saturday May 19, “An Evening with Rolando Morales and Carlos Reyes,” Sausalito Seahorse, 305 Harbor Drive, Sausalito, approx 8:30-11:30pm. After a couple months away, these two passionate musicians return to The Seahorse to put on their unique show at this fun waterfront restaurant and club. The amazing Paraguayan violinist/harpist Carlos Reyes and passionate guitarist/vocalist Rolando Morales will play a short set in duet to close out the dinner hour, followed by a concert and dancing to the World Class Rolando Morales Group featuring the rock-solid bassist to Pete Escovedo, David Belove; from Airto and Steve Winwood, the amazing Brazilian drummer Celso Alberti; from George Benson, the charismatic Latin percussionist-vocalist Estaire Godinez; from Paraguay, the thrilling violinist and harpist from Arturo Sandoval and Steve Miller, Carlos Reyes; and the powerful Rolando Morales leading the journey on guitar, guitar synthesizer and vocals. Don’t miss it! $15. Make your reservations at (415) 331-2899. www.sausalitoseahorse.com.

Friday May 25, Maria, Maria Cantina, 710 Camino Ramon Road, Danville CA, approx 6-9pm. Rolando returns to Carlos Santana’s Danville restaurant. Enjoy Rolando on solo guitar and voice with his diverse repertoire performing on the patio by the fire pits. See if he has any special guests sitting in… (925) 820-2366, www.mariamariarestaurants.com.

Saturday May 26, Barone’s Restaurant, 475 St. John St., Pleasanton CA, approx 7:30-10:30pm. Rolando returns to one of Pleasanton’s premier dining establishments. Enjoy exquisite meals and service, libations and Rolando’s vast repertoire in the Cocktail Lounge for a great night out. See www.baronespleasanton.com, (925) 426-0987.

Wednesday May 30, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 15th Annual “Mujer Latina” Luncheon, Embassy Suites Hotel, 101 McInnis Parkway, San Rafael CA, 11:30am-1:30pm. Celebrate Latina/women-owned business leaders in Marin! Rolando Morales will perform starting at 11:30 for the VIP Reception with wine and appetizers. The Keynote Speaker will be Dalia Ceja, Director of Sales and Marketing at Ceja Vineyards. $50 Chamber Members/$65 Non-Members. $450 Tables of 8 available. Includes pre-lunch Host Wine Reception, complimentary wine with lunch. Register at www.tinyurl.com/MujerLatina2018, (415) 492-4420. www.hccmarin.com.

CD SALES

If you would like to order a CD, read on. If you’d like to order our CD “Rolando Y Qué?!”, you can pick it up at my website, the gigs or by mail. They’re $15.00 at the gigs, or $17.00 by mail to cover postage and handling. TO ORDER THE NEWEST CD “ROLANDO, Y QUÉ?!” by mail: Send a check or money order payable to Rolando Morales for $17.00 for the CD and postage to Rolando Morales, 9028 Burr Street, Oakland, CA 94605. and I’ll send it to you. Let me know if you’d like .it signed.

TO ORDER THE ORIGINAL “PASSPORT: 10th ANNIVERSARY EDITION” CD by mail, send $17.00 to the same address as above. Be sure to include your return address.

BOTH CDs ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT WWW.ROLANDOMORALES.COM

All other shows are private. Why not hire Rolando for your own private event? He’s available for corporate shows, weddings, parties, concerts and festivals. The Rolando Morales group is available as sextet, quintet, quartet, trio and duo depending on your entertainment needs and budget.

This email was sent to you for Rolando Morales: RMG, 9028 Burr Street, Oakland, CA 94605