Right now Shasta Disabled Sports is gearing up for their annual Ski Buddy Trainings.

If you yourself love to ski, are local to the Mt. Shasta, CA area, and would like to share your passion by helping someone who cannot experience the sport on their own, SDS will train you in helping others who have lost the use of their legs, are blind, or have another disability that would normally prevent them from experiencing the slopes.

Trainings take place from 10am-1pm on Sunday January  8, and Sunday January 23.

Held at the Mount Shasta Ski Park, Ski Park Hwy off Hwy 89 (off Hwy 5).

Info: (530) 925-1531. www.shastadsusa.org

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Dogs! They offer the qualities of affection, loyalty and a sense of adventure, and can be a great addition to your family…but when? Your kids may think the right time is now, but how do you really know if your family is ready for the responsibility of a new canine member?

Before deciding to bring a new dog into the family, here are some things to consider:

The Basics

Time and interaction: Dogs need devoted time and interaction with their humans, including time spent exercising, grooming, training, playing, and giving and receiving affection. Feeding, bathroom breaks, and trips to the vet also take time. These activities can be worked into a routine to the benefit of your family–we all need exercise, affection and play! The rewards of a family dog are many; the question is whether your family is ready to handle the additional responsibilities. Dogs become family members, and many live to age 14 or more. Are you willing to make a commitment to the dog for its entire life?

Housing: Where will the dog sleep? Eat? Stay when no one is home? Is there a secure yard where the dog will be safe outdoors? A fenced outdoor area is often a requirement of animal shelters and rescue groups. If your dog will be outside during the day, is there a shaded area? Is there an area where the dog can run free and possibly dig, without ruining a coveted garden?

Costs: Routine veterinary care, quality food, licensing, grooming supplies, dog training, toys and treats all add up. After-hours emergency veterinary care can run from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars for a single procedure or surgery. Pet insurance (an additional monthly expense) can help with emergency costs of non pre-existing conditions, but typically not the entire cost. Get recommendations from other pet owners regarding pet insurance companies, and research and compare policies.

Vacations, job travel, or being gone the majority of the day: Some lucky dogs are able to accompany their families on vacations or to a work environment, but many environments aren’t an option for Fido. You’ll need a plan for making sure your dog gets a bathroom break if the dog spends extended time indoors during the day. For vacations, you may have canine-loving friends who are willing to care for your dog for a period of time, but it’s a good idea to know of alternate plans such as a trusted dog-sitter, boarding, or even doggie daycare.

Local laws concerning dogs: Cities and counties have laws pertaining to dogs, most often regarding licensing, on-leash requirements, dogs at public events, and tying dogs outdoors. Some cities ban particular dog breeds (as do some homeowners associations or landlords). Whether you are in agreement or not with a law philosophically speaking, as a future dog owner you need to be aware of any restrictions. If you know that you may need to relocate down the line, think ahead regarding your future state/city/county’s laws. The last thing you want is to bond with a great dog, and discover that dog isn’t welcome in a location you need to live in.

Remember that your new dog is a member of the family and treat the dog accordingly, just like when you brought your baby home. As to when a family is ready to adopt a dog, I’ve always felt dogs and cats pick their owners. Go into a shelter or rescue with an open mind, meet and talk to all the dogs, and be open to the one that steps up and seems to say, “Hey, it’s time to go home!” It may not be the color or the breed of dog you originally thought you wanted, but that sense of connection makes for a happy long-term relationship.

-Joyce Darrow, Volunteer Coordinator for Another Chance Animal Welfare League in Palo Cedro.

Psychological Aspects of a Family Dog

Photo: Living Shasta Photography www.livingshastaphotography.com

Dogs are similar to people–they bond with their “pack” (your family, your extended family, and other family pets). Like any new relationship, it takes time for a dog to adjust to its new environment and individual family members.

Training your dog: All dogs can learn basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “down,” “wait,” “leave it” and “okay.” These skills are obviously helpful for enhancing your family’s relationship with your dog, but training is also important for safety reasons. For example, when in a vehicle a dog needs to know to wait until given a signal it’s okay to jump out – leaping out the second the door opens could mean leaping into parking lot traffic, or next to a surprised child or another dog, none of which are good situations. Dogs are intelligent, so learning new commands and tricks is enjoyable for most dogs and keeps active dogs challenged. Shelters, rescues or legitimate breeders can refer you to a reputable trainer, and many trainers offer both group and private lessons. Consider training your dog for a “Canine Good Citizenship (CGC)” certificate, showing that your pooch is able to interact successfully in public situations.

Puppy or Adult dog? Consider what age dog is right for your family. Puppies are adorable… and training a puppy requires a tremendous amount of work and patience. It’s like bringing home an active, investigative toddler – one with a tendency to chew furniture and shoes. Research the best way to embark on raising a puppy as a life-long friend. Adult dogs in a new environment may also have accidents and make messes during the “getting to know you” phase. A dog needs time to learn the family routine and to gain confidence in its new environment… and its humans need to learn what to change in the environment, such as moving the hard-to-resist kitchen garbage can to a location the dog can’t get to, or for tall dogs, keeping the butter dish out of sight.

Picking the right animal for your lifestyle is key. We offer a “Meet Your Match” program that matches dogs at our shelter with a family’s lifestyle. It’s a national program that many shelters offer. It makes a huge difference – the staff knows the dogs and can help. Also consider volunteering at a shelter; it’s a way get to know the dogs.

-Lori Wells, Communications & Outreach Associate for Butte Humane Society.

Dogs and Children

Ages of the children in your family: Your children’s ages can influence the timing of bringing a dog into your family, as well as the dog you choose. Are your children responsible enough to help care for the dog? Can they learn to be gentle with the dog and treat it well? All dogs have a limit when it comes to ear-pulling and other forms of roughhousing. Some breeds are more fragile than others; some are known to be more tolerant, some more active. If you have young children, consider that the dog should be solidly built and be patient and gentle by nature; a large and easily excitable dog can knock a child over.

Safe space for the dog: Can you create a “safe area” the dog can go to that’s off limits to young children? Most dogs grow to love and protect “their” children, but likely will need a break from the kids now and then. Create a neutral zone for the dog. Surprising a dog is the most common reason a dog will snap at a child; children need to know not to disturb a dog while its eating or sleeping, and need to learn how to respect a dog’s space. Never leave a young child, especially a toddler, alone with a dog unsupervised.

Educate your family: Do your homework regarding the body language and signals of dogs (e.g., a wagging tail does not necessarily indicate an approachable dog) and educate your children. There are many excellent books, DVDs and online resources available to get you started. Talk with trainers, and experienced staff from shelters and rescue groups – many offer school/group visitation programs that help children learn about animal behaviors.

In any relationship, you get what you put into it. Training a dog makes a huge difference! It’s just like teaching a child to say “please” and “thank you.” You wouldn’t think of having a child and not educating that child. Training helps grow your relationship with your dog. It improves the dog’s quality of life – a well-mannered dog can go places with you (and be welcomed) and can participate more as a family member. You can radically improve behavioral problems with training.

-Emily Gaydos, Behavior Program Coordinator, Siskiyou Humane Society.

Child-friendly breeds: Breeds (and mixes) that are often recommended as getting along well with children include Labrador and golden retrievers, beagles, pugs and collies. In honor of this issue’s cover model: bulldogs are known to be patient and loving with children, and will typically walk away when they’ve had enough play.

There are many breeds and mixed breeds that make wonderful family dogs. Just remember that breed alone does not guarantee the best choice for your family – the unique temperament and personality of the dog does, along with what you put into the relationship.

Raising a dog with your family can be a wonderfully rewarding experience. By making an informed decision based on the needs of both your family and your potential dog, you’ll know if you can offer what’s needed to welcome, care for and bond with a dog. If you choose to do so, you’ll likely discover a loyal family companion that will remain in your heart forever.

Resources

For Upper CA shelter and rescue information, visit North State Parent’s animal shelters and rescues resource page online at www.northstateparent.com/animalshelters&rescues

The ASPCA behavior website offers a great selection of articles on canine behavior and training, including a section on children and pets. Visit www.aspcabehavior.org.

For Upper CA spay/neuter programs & clinics: www.northstateparent.com/spayneuter

Whether global or local, a healthy community respects all ages and fosters connection and support. John Cunningham has a passion for building community that embraces youth. “A community with a good foundation offers its members a net to fall back on.

It even helps to raise each other’s children, by the willingness to be a presence in their lives, even if it’s just to keep a watching eye,” John says.

One of John’s many fans includes Mark Telles, Superintendent of Castle Rock Union Elementary School District in Castella. “John is an unwavering advocate for inspiring and empowering youth as they learn what it takes to become skillful contributors to the vibrancy of their community,” says Mark. “He has the ability to discern what is needed and to inspire contributions of time, energy and resources. John, with others, helped bring the nationally acclaimed Challenge Day program to hundreds of local high school students, giving teens the opportunity to acquire new tools for healthy self-expression.”

John grew up in Dallas, Texas and moved to California while attending John F. Kennedy University, graduating with a degree in transpersonal counseling psychology. He has been an active marriage and family therapist since 1985; a post-grad program led him to Redding in 1989. For the past 13 years John has made his home in Mt. Shasta, where he first met his wife Claudia Mansfield. His two children are Isaac, age 28, and Jocela, age 25.

John has taught in special education, serving severely emotionally disturbed kids. Along with his private therapy practice, John is involved with corporate executive coaching, helping participants make positive long-term changes. He’s also a workshop facilitator. Each aspect of John’s career brings perspective to his work with community.

I asked John who has inspired him to make a difference. “Doug Carter came along and wrecked my world,” he joked. John says Doug, a corporate trainer and executive coach, “inspired me to understand my deeper genius. The way I saw myself and my work was profoundly changed forever.”

John is involved with a project that originated with Doug: the multi-generational Communication Council of the Siskiyou Union High School District. To improve communication between all ages, the Council hosts two ongoing public events at Mt. Shasta High School (MSHS) during the school year.

At fast-paced monthly Communication Council meetings, participants are encouraged to bring project ideas and to share what their project is, what excites them about it, where they ideally see their project going and the next step for implementing their project. The group offers support, feedback and brainstorming, allowing individuals to discern the viability of their idea and to create an action plan.

Secondly, John facilitates a monthly “Challenge Night,” also for community members of all ages. During Challenge Nights, John uses storytelling and poetry to inspire connection and change. Youth participant Chad Oliver says: “John leads you to your own conclusions. He has a mischievous side! It’s one way he relates to teens… a lot of adults don’t let themselves play. He has an infectious sense of humor.”

Storytelling can spark thought and cut through to underlying emotion. While working with gang youth, John recalls, “What’s amazing is how stories and poetry brought the young men out. Opposing gang members connected though a common ground. Working together, it was a time of learning the relevance of stories and poetry and being in community. That’s powerful stuff.”

John is a strong believer in mentoring. “We all need mentoring,” John says. “Author/poet Robert Bly asks, ‘Who admired you when you were young and told you so?’ Young men who are not being admired are being hurt. Men end up in my office and they don’t know why; a root cause is that they were never admired for who they are when they were young.”

John also helps facilitate Leadership classes at MSHS. The classes provide an opportunity for youth to both develop leadership skills and to talk about what’s on their minds. Chad Oliver, a graduating participant says, “John has touched my life in so many different ways. He is deeply wise, yet so playful and humorous that his teachings are as subtle as they are powerful. Overall, I think John’s greatest gift has been his solid support and loving encouragement that has given me the confidence to live up to my fullest potential.”

Contact John at (530) 926-5888.

Writer Lisa Shara resides in Siskiyou County. Her life is enriched by involvement with several community projects.

Sentences, paragraphs and chapters

On March 15th, 2008, the legendary Angélique Kidjo came to Chico’s Laxson Auditorium to share her world-renowned music. Kidjo is also known for her role with UNICEF, her association with Oxfam, and for the organization she founded and holds close to her heart: Batonga Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to expand secondary school opportunities for poor and orphaned girls in sub-Saharan Africa.

Even in the flurry of activity following her recent Grammy win for Best Contemporary World Music Album for her 2007 release Djin Djin, Kidjo took time to speak with us about her passion for music, education, and for making a difference in the lives of children and teenagers.

Lisa Shara: I love the story of how you invented and used the word Batonga as a child, and think it’s fascinating how the word has developed over time into being the song title of one of your first song hits, and more recently has become the namesake of the amazing organization that you founded, the Batonga Foundation. All of the stages of Batonga’s evolutions relate to your long-held conviction about the importance of education and it’s impact in helping young women become self-sufficient and contributing member’s within their communities…and I’m sure long-range, to being contributors and voices heard on a global level.

Can you share a bit about this for our readers who don’t know the history and vision of ‘Batonga’?

Angélique Kidjo: As a child growing up in Benin, I was blessed to receive a good education. My parents had eight children but they made sure each one of them was attending school. People could not understand why my parents put their three girls into school, but I am glad they did–it allowed me to accomplish my dream of being a singer and to travel the world. The African Continent has given me so much because its traditional songs and its people inspired my music. I feel I have the responsibility to give back as much as I can by empowering those who will make the face of Africa tomorrow: the girls who don’t have access to education. My dream is to see every girl in Africa getting the kind of education I received.

LS: I’ve talked with Batonga President Mary Louise Cohen about the reasons Batonga Foundation’s mission focuses beyond primary school and is about supporting secondary and higher education. What inspired you to take the step of creating Batonga as an organization?

AK: The idea for creating Batonga came when I heard that Wangari Maathai, the African Noble Peace Prize Laureate, received a scholarship from president JFK when she was a little girl. It is an incredible success story! So we’re hoping the work of Batonga will help another Wangari! The Millennium Goals have put a lot of emphasis on free primary education, and in fact it is a priority, but we want to make sure that the best students are able to go beyond primary education and one day become highly educated leaders.

LS: Can you explain the current situation regarding education in the areas of Africa Batonga is working in, why it’s imperative that there is assistance beyond primary education, and how Batonga is working to make secondary and higher education a reality for the students Batonga serves?

AK: My experience during my travels to Africa with UNICEF or Oxfam-to more than 15 countries-showed me that at a certain age girls stop their schooling, and for many reasons. Many cannot afford school fees. In rural areas both distance and a need for girls to help care for younger siblings are factors. This is especially sad since we know that educating girls reduces maternal and infant mortality rates, and the likelihood a girl will contract HIV. Educated mothers lead to educated children, and I am convinced that this is the best way to empower African girls to change Africa. Right now, Batonga is providing scholarships to poor girls in Benin and Mali, we provide vocational training to girls who have been victims of war in Sierra Leone, and we are sending AIDS orphans to school in Ethiopia and Cameroon. We are also providing funds to improve teacher training. Next year we hope to be able to fund projects in Ethiopia and Mozambique that will focus on girls in rural communities.

LS: You are a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Having been in this role since 2002, you must be witnessing and playing a part in developing aspects of the organization’s mission. Is there a particular vision you bring to the role? Where can people learn more about UNICEF and its mission?

AK: My first encounter with UNICEF took place when I was a little girl. I was not happy about it because it meant vaccination shots! My mother always made sure I got those, and then I saw the great work they are doing in places where sometimes UNICEF is the only active agency for children, especially in cases of conflict or disaster. My main focus since 2002 has been supporting the “Go Girl” campaign, which supports improving gender parity in primary education. If you want to know more about their work and about some of my trips with them you can go to www.unicef.org and look up Kidjo in the search engine.

LS: In addition to the work you are doing in the world outside of the music realm, your impressive musical career includes 10 studio album releases, your work has been featured in numerous other album and film releases, you’ve collaborated and toured with many high-caliber talented musicians, have won multiple types of “best artist” music awards, and have received one video and four album Grammy nominations-of which your most recent album release Djin Djin just won for Best Contemporary World Music Album. Can you share a few highlights of your musical adventures and experiences and what you hold in heart when you are performing and sharing your music?

AK: My passion is playing on stage. I started when I was six in the theater company of my mother, and since then I have not stopped and I am not planning to stop soon! I feel my mission throughout the world is to bring to the people a little glimpse of what African culture is about. Sometimes my audience has never heard African music before, but at the end of the concert they understand the warmth and the universal message of African music.

LS: [Asked pre-concert] You are playing at California State University, Chico’s Laxson Auditorium on March 15th. Is there anything you are especially excited about and looking forward to in regards to your current tour?

AK: Every time, I hope to reach a new audience and bring them as much energy and joy as possible!

LS: What brings you hope?

AK: I think something is changing in the mentality of people. They are starting to realize that the mixing of culture can bring a lot of good to this country! When I see all these people coming to my shows and feeling the message of my music when they don’t understand the lyrics, I feel really positive about the power of music.

For more information visit www.kidjo.com and www.batongafoundation.org.

North State Parent was proud to be a sponser of Angélique Kidjo’s March 15th, 2008 concert at California State University, Chico’s Laxson Auditorium.

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Writer and editor Lisa Shara’s top passions include music, dance and being involved with organizations that make a difference in the quality of life. © Lisa Shara 2008 www.z-manproductions.com

In a recent article Lawrence reflects on how we as children likely used the But Everyone Else Is Doing It argument with our parents at one time or another, à la “But So-And-So’s mom is letting him do it!”  Mom, of course, would counter-argue with a question:  “And if So-And-So jumped off a bridge, would you too?”

Mom’s goal was to get us to think.

Lawrence’s point as related to business and marketing is that marketing efforts often echo that same argument: “Organization A has resounding success with an initiative, and organization B (usually a competitor) wants to follow suit.” For those helping clients to build a business and successful marketing platform, Lawrence advises, there may be a need to step in and repeat Mom’s refrain, in particular with exuberant clients bitten by the social media bug.

Clearly, it can be difficult to resist jumping into what appears as “fresh” and current—folks like being part of something that’s all the rage.  It does seem like everyone and every entity has a Facebook page and that the world is communicating in Tweets. However, per marketing your business, keep in mind that “there is no ‘conventional’ social media strategy that’s right for all organizations,” says Lawrence.

I recently attended an excellent internet marketing course (the Online Marketing Boot Camp) in Upper CA, taught by marketing wiz Tom Chandler (http://chandlerwrites.com). Both Lawrence and Chandler strongly urge businesses to take the time to stop and consider just what their business goals are before joining the mad dash to the social media arena.

Make a plan– a solid business plan is the underlying foundation for the success of your business. As Lawrence says (and Chandler also strongly reflects), “My experience has shown me that the best big leaps are made from solid, carefully thought-out ground—not fly-by-night whims. Once you identify your objectives, then you can determine the best blend of innovation and practicality to take…” [Note to Self: sometimes it is embarrassingly  obvious that we writers write about what we most need to hear.]

I’ll close with some questions that invite digging deep in order to clarify business goals and a solid business perspective. To those for whom the answers come simply, hat’s off to you, you’ve obviously done your homework.  To others, I think these and similar questions often prompt a process, and so are questions to revisit frequently—answers may change as we change.

Here’s to clarity.  ~Lisa

From Bill Lawrence’s Dec 1, 2009 OMMA magazine article on this topic Everyone Else Is Doing It:
- What are the business objectives?
- What are the marketing objectives?
- What do the resources look like – finances, personnel, etc.?
- Do we have a plan in place to do all of these things? (Perhaps most important)
- How can we apply our experience and current formulas to those innovations to take the business further?

From Seth Gordon’s December 15, 2009 blog post:

8 questions and a why:

Who are you trying to please?
What are you promising?
How much money are you trying to make?
How much freedom are you willing to trade for opportunity?
What are you trying to change?
What do you want people to say about you?
Which people?
Do we care about you?
(and after each answer, ask ‘why?’)

Vermicomposting is the natural process of using earthworms and associated micro-organisms to convert organic matter, such as kitchen waste and yard clippings, into a material known as worm castings (worm manure). Earthworm castings are loaded with nutrients that plants thrive on and that are vastly important to healthy soil. Interestingly, worm castings are often richer in nutrients and mico-organisms than the material worms consume to create the castings!

Earthworms play a big role in positively affecting soil structure and the way water moves through soil. Their presence in the garden is most often an indicator of a healthy soil system.
Earthworms could be referred to as honeybees of the soil, pollinating soil with beneficial micro-organisms. They act as a kind of mass transit system for aiding the colonization of beneficial soil organisms throughout an area. Earthworms loosen and aerate soil by creating tunnels and turning and mixing the soil as they move around. This increases soil drainage and contributes to the growth of plants, which in turn helps reduce soil erosion.

All these factors also help decrease the amount of water usage needed in the garden – vermicomposting combined with mulching is especially effective in terms of water conservation.

On yet another beneficial level, studies have shown that earthworms can make a 30-50% reduction in heavy metals, such as lead, in contaminated soils; the bacteria living in the guts of earthworms helps break down hazardous materials.

Earthworm species number in the thousands, but the two most common earthworms raised on worm farms are nightcrawlers, commonly raised as bait; and redworms, also raised as bait, but more importantly as composting worms to benefit farms and gardens.

Local (Upper CA) vermicomposting resource:

The Worm Farm in Durham is located 7 miles south of Chico at 9033 Esquon Rd. Owners Mark and Arlita Purser raise redworms (Eisenia fetida) on farmland that has been in their family for 100 years. Currently the farm has 9,600 linear feet of windrows of worms, both indoors and outdoors. The Pursers are dedicated to providing gardeners with a means of producing healthy plants while positively affecting the environment. They sell (and ship) redworms, worm castings, and other soil amendments.

The Worm Farm is a popular field trip destination, offering groups a hands-on tour of the farm, year-round by appointment. Be sure to wear your gardening clothes when visiting!

The Worm Farm also offers Build Your Own Worm Bin workshops, open to all ages and held the first Saturday of each month at 10am.  Ongoing: Mention North State Parent for a special workshop fee of $25 (normally $50). All supplies are included – you/your family will take home a functioning worm bin – complete with bedding and worm residents!

As passionate advocates of organic gardening, the Purser’s and their crew are happy to share their knowledge with anyone wanting to learn more about the benefits of vermicomposting and growing healthier plants, fruits and vegetables. Give them a call at (530) 894-1276, or visit The Worm Farm website www.thewormfarm.net for worm related info, including instructions on how to build your own worm bin.

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Mount Shasta writer Lisa Shara is a passionate gardener. She tends to several compost piles that are the birthplace of the many worms she relocates around her garden.

Article appeared in North State Parent magazine, April 2009

About Dr. Noize

Dr. Noize (Cory Cullinan) performs across the country in family-oriented shows, sharing music in all its varieties with young audiences. He was raised and began his career in the San Francisco Bay Area, and more recently moved to Colorado with his wife and two young daughters.

Cullinan began composing music in junior high school, and fell in love with classical and orchestral music while attending Stanford University. Since then he has created and recorded numerous music releases, and taught many aspects of music composition and production to youth. He’s led an award-winning youth choir (winners of Disneyland’s huge Music in the Park competition) and his music has appeared in television shows, movies and documentaries.

While attending Stanford, Cullinan met Kyle Wiley Pickett, now Music Director and Conductor of the North State Symphony. The two hit it off and became friends. They sang in the Stanford Chamber Chorale together, and performed together in operas for Bay Area school kids. They’ve kept in touch and have followed each other’s careers over the years…now both fathers, they are excited to be coming together again to blend their musical talents in this very special show for kids.

The Birth of Dr. Noize

In 2007, Cullinan created his Dr. Noize character and began devoting himself to music for children and families. He released both a recording and book called The Ballad Of Phineas McBoof (the recording features the Grammy-nominated string quartet “Quartet San Francisco”). Within two months, the track Banana had become a national #1 hit on XM Kids Radio. Word quickly spread from kids to parents to college music professors, and Dr. Noize won awards ranging from the Parents Choice Award to being named one of Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products.

Interview With Doctor Noize

We caught up with Dr. Noize himself to ask a few questions.

Who is Mr. Beethoven?

He’s probably the most accessible great composer ever. His music is both deep and instantly approachable. It’s hard to find someone of any age who’s not instantly riveted by the opening of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, which we’re performing at the concert. (I use the term “we’re” very loosely in the previous sentence…) Also, he wrote what may be the greatest symphony ever written (his Ninth) when he was deaf. I think he did this to make all future musicians look like hacks.

Is playing with North State Symphony a dream come true?

Actually, yes. And not just because of Kyle’s “concert night cologne,” which is smashing. When I was a senior at Stanford, I had a giant stack of graduate school applications in music composition. In one of the few practical decisions I’ve ever made in my life, I decided not to apply to grad school in composition. Of all the great composition professors I knew of, almost none of them had any orchestras playing their stuff. I decided to go in directions that ensured I could personally get my music played and recorded. So it is both exciting and ironic that I am now able to perform with and compose for a fine orchestra through Doctor Noize. I am grateful for the opportunity; Kyle, the orchestra and I are going to do something truly unique in the world of family orchestra concerts.

You’ve been working diligently creating music for the upcoming show-give us a highlight!

One of the songs we are playing is an orchestral/operetta version of my hit song “Banana.” It has recitative and aria sections, but it’s played for laughs, of course. In the concert, it will be performed by the North State Symphony and sung by… Kyle and me!!! This version of the song will be included on my next cd, and the recording will feature the vocals of opera superstar Nathan Gunn, who I befriended rather fortuitously several years back. I wonder if he will sound as good as Kyle and me?

What’s your favorite thing about playing with and creating music with kids?

Kids are open to anything that is presented correctly to them. Classical, rock, jazz, John Tesh… Kids are fearless with their energy and focus. Adults are more complicated, trained by experience to always try to figure out what they SHOULD do or like; kids can still respond to their curiosity without bias. So actually, in some ways the best part about playing family music concerts is watching the kids loosen up the adults’ inhibitions, and then the next thing you know I’ve got some formerly macho dad up onstage with me singing “Mr. Roboto” (this has happened at a Dr. Noize show). Everybody has fun together.

What’s a highlight of your work with children & music?

The upcoming concerts with North State Symphony.

What do you daughters think of your shows?

They LOVE them, which is great because they were my inspiration to start Dr. Noize in the first place. As anyone with a Pixar DVD and a kid knows, kids love repetition; my kids go to tons of Dr. Noize shows and always want to go to more. The nice thing about the shows, as compared to a movie or recording, is that each one is a little different. I loop-record songs live on the spot at my shows, adding various instruments and bringing members of the audience up to record things into the loop. My daughters are always clamoring to get up onstage and do that.

What’s in store for Dr. Noize in the upcoming year?

I’m playing this show, and lots of others. I’m guest hosting on the XM/Sirius “Kids Place Live!” channel. That will be a blast. I’m releasing the next Doctor Noize recording and book next year. And I’m launching an ostrich farm on the moon. (One of those claims is false.)

Any advise to parents regarding tapping children’s creativity?

Follow their lead and don’t squelch it. Let your kids open your minds to new things. Don’t be afraid to be ridiculous. Don’t think certain musical genres are too deep or serious for your child, they’re not. Remember that your child has a greater capacity for learning than us old people do, but we can get some of it back with our kids’ help.

# # #

Writer Lisa Shara makes her home in Siskiyou County, CA, and loves all things musical.
Article appeared in North State Parent magazine, September 2009.