A former gymnast of 14 years, and an accomplished triathlete herself: Gina raced in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, HI in October of 2006. She treats on site at Ironman events nationwide and is the provider of choice for many of the nation’s and worlds top Ironman triathletes.

Gina received her Bachelor’s in Communication Studies and Masters in Physical Therapy from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, where she served for more than 8 years on the USA Gymnastics National Health Care Referral Network; providing medical care at meets and lecturing. Currently, Gina takes care of many of our nation’s top gymnasts, including local Elites, National Team members, World Team competitors, NCAA Champions, Olympians, and Pan American Champions.

Before starting her PT career, Gina obtained a Masters in Health Communication from Michigan State University in order to broaden her education and knowledge of health care campaigns, patient-practitioner interaction, and the art of “marketing” health to her patients. While at MSU, she served as an Asst. Women’s Gymnastics coach.

Through school and after, Gina had focused on all levels of athletes and became nationally and internationally recognized as a leading lecturer, educator, and researcher. She has presented over 100 lectures for coaches, parents, gyms, and athletes on various aspects of health care. She has been published in “Technique Magazine” for gymnastics professionals and coaches nationwide, is a Medical Editor for “Inside Publications”, whose disciplines include gymnastics, dance, cheerleading and volleyball. She also writes for “Irish Dancing and Culture Magazine”, as well a medical blogger/contributor for adolescent, adult, and women’s health through “Shannon Miller Lifestyle” online.

Gina has also co-written the only American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) approved manual and course on performing arts medicine: recognized worldwide. Her Performing Arts Medicine specialization includes treatment on site of Broadway touring theater musicals and local productions. Analysis, assessment, treatment, injury prevention, program creation and tour health longevity are focuses of her time with the performers. She has been privileged to work with shows such as “Mary Poppins National Tour, Jersey Boys Chicago, A Chorus Line - National Tour, Fiddler on the Roof - National Tour, Memphis, Shrek - National Tour, the Billy Elliott National Touring Company, Motown, and The Book of Mormon”.

Gina focuses on manual therapy/hands on techniques in combination with in depth analysis of biomechanics and movement patterns. She is fully certified and serves as an instructor with Active Release Techniques, based in Colorado, the leading elite technique for soft tissue-based and overuse injuries. Gina is currently focused on both treatment and education.

In 2007 Gina started her own business: MedGym, LLC and has expanded it via websites, blogs, publications, and educational seminars, focusing on “Gymnastics Sports Medicine for Me,” a course directed at educating gymnastics coaches on the importance of injury prevention and proactive healthcare. Locally, she provides physical therapy and movement analysis, strength program creation, flexibility assessment and sport-specific biomechanics education. Gina works with many local figure skating and cheerleading clubs, dance studios, gymnastics gyms, and musicians as well as endurance sports clubs and more while providing PT services in the Chicagoland Suburbs with Achieve Orthopedic Rehab Institute.

Gina resides in the suburbs of Chicago and enjoys working out, theater and music, and spending time with her husband and three children and dog, Bucky!

Dr. John Huber is a Clinical Forensic Psychologist; Chairman of Mainstream Mental Health; Professor of Psychology, Texas State University.

Dr. John Huber, a mental health professional and university professor that has been in mental health for over twenty years. His experience began as a School Psychologist. Today, he is in private practice as a Clinical Forensic Psychologist, and he is a practitioner with privileges at two long term acute care hospitals.  In addition, he taught undergraduate and graduate psychology at Texas State University from 1996 until 2017.  Dr. Huber will provide the public face for Mainstream Mental Health.

As Chairman of Mainstream Mental Health management, their common goal is to help people get mental health services. The target market for services are underprivileged and underinsured youth, veterans, and their families. Both of these groups are taught to be wary of mental health labels. They are often told that there is a lack of access to needed resources. Negative peer pressure through fear of the consequences of being ostracized scares these people in need away from psychological treatment. Additionally, many community programs do not “kick in” until after an individual has a serious mental breakdown.

The primary goal is to help before that breakdown occurs. There are two parts to our goal. First, we must provide a way to make out-patient therapy and out-patient mental health services financially practical to the individual. Second, we must reduce the stigma of “mental health” treatment. The focus is slightly different at each level but the goal remains the same; empower the young person or veteran to make positive changes in his/her life before a crisis evolves.

Over time, Mainstream Mental Health will create an environment that will be an invaluable resource to the young and the veteran alike to stop the fear in seeking help and problem solving; and embrace each other and our differences as part of the normal human condition.

Mainstream Mental Health is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

http://www.mainstreammentalhealth.org/

Edel Travieso is a veteran who served six years in the US Air Force. While serving his country, Edel performed many roles including logistics, mobility air freight, traffic management and EMT. He served during Kosovo, supporting the Alabama Air National Guard. As a civilian, Edel has been in management with various companies throughout his professional career. Edel’s strengths include innovative planning, project management, business management, consulting, building science, sustainability systems... and always thinking outside the box. He holds an MBA, a BS degree in Alternative and Renewable Energy Management, a minor in teaching, and holds several professional certificates and licenses, including BPI building analyst and HERS rater. He is founding member of the Green Veterans and serves as the current chair. He is always looking for ways to help his fellow veterans by advancing the Green Veteran mission and vision. He is an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council and is passionate about veterans leading the way forward in sustainability at home and abroad.

Website: http://www.greenvets.org/index.html

Video on Green Veterans:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbq5KyDUTsU

P.J. Thomas is the founding editor and co publisher of Pathfinders Travel Magazine, a unique publication that speaks to the lifestyles and values of people of color and others who enjoy heritage and cultural tourism. She is responsible for the editorial planning and direction of the publication and the on line and digital components.

In addition, Ms. Thomas hosts ThePerfectBeachblog.com where she writes about all things beach related including U.S. and international destinations, accommodations, and beach-related product reviews.

Ms. Thomas is a frequent speaker on topics such as, African American Family Reunions, Magazine Publishing, African American Travel, Heritage and Cultural Tourism and “The Best Beaches You Never Saw” and has been honored as one of the most influential women in travel. 

Pathfinders Travel Magazine received tributes from then First Lady Hilary Rodham Clinton and Richard Moe, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation for the company’s two-year campaign for the preservation of African American Historic Sites and Cultural Institutions. She received a B.A. in journalism from Temple University and has completed Master’s course work at the University of Pennsylvania in Organizational Dynamics. When she is not traveling the world, she lives and works in Philadelphia with her husband, co publisher, Weller R. Thomas

About Earthfort And How It Began Fixing Broken Dirt!

Earthfort is a small company with a big heart! Earthfort was founded in 2004 in Corvallis, Oregon by Matt Slaughter (President, Lab Director and Soil Specialist of Earthfort) and Dr. Elaine R. Ingham to address the needs of Soil Foodweb testing clients on how to repair their damaged soils. Starting out in the back office of the Soil Foodweb Lab, Earthfort grew quickly, testing and reselling soil and compost related products that were commercially available and proven quality products. Soil is a fundamental resource that often needs restoration. Whether you have degraded soil or good quality soil we can help make it better. That’s why we offer our support and products to all the dedicated agricultural workers, landscape managers, and everyday farmers who care about the environment as much as we do!

For over a decade our lab has provided detailed soil biology profiles for land managers across multiple industries.  Using these profiles we have created custom products to help revitalize tired, worn out soils and to boost the effectiveness of composts and teas.  Utilize our expertise to help unlock the productivity in your soil! No matter what you grow, Earthfort improves its health and quality. Our expertise improves soil fertility, water retention, nutrient uptake and overall soil health. What sets us apart is the ability to measure soil health through lab testing.

Test your soil with us, attend one of our educational programs, or try our products and see how we can help you. Soil microbiology: Measure it, manage it. Earthfort labs and offices are located in Corvallis, Oregon – the heart of the beautiful Willamette Valley.

Contact us at: 541-257-2612, or email us at: info@earthfort.com.

CRAIG CHAQUICO

​LEGENDARY GUITARIST/SONGWRITER

FOR

THE JEFFERSON STARSHIP & STARSHIP

SPECIAL GUEST ON

THE RAY SHASHO SHOW

Craig Chaquico (pronounced Cha-KEY-so) was born September 26, 1954 and was raised in Sacramento, California, and by the time he was 14, he was playing in his own band and playing professionally in nightclubs. Primarily self-taught, Chaquico says "I was just this kid in my bedroom playing along with all these records. I would play until my fingers bled. All I did was play guitar from sunup to sundown."

Paul Kantner and Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane auditioned Chaquico on his 16th birthday and invited him to join them for a series of concerts and recording sessions. Chaquico made his recording debut with Kantner and Slick in 1971 on their Sunfighter duo album. This was followed by appearances on the pair's next album in 1973 and Slick's solo debut album, Manhole, in 1974.

During this period members of the Airplane, the Grateful Dead, Quicksilver Messenger Service and Crosby, Stills and Nash often appeared together in concerts and recordings, and Chaquico played alongside a number of musicians including Jerry Garcia, David Crosby, David Freiberg and Carlos Santana.

Craig recalls the early days as great learning experiences. "l learned a lot from doing sessions with Grace and Paul Kantner and that group of musicians," he says. "There were a couple of songs where I was playing rhythm guitar and Jerry Garcia was going to come in and do the guitar solos later. I figured we could just erase it when Jerry came in but when Jerry came in the next day and he heard the track with the solo I did he said, 'That's a great solo. Why don't you let the kid have the solo?' Being around all those musicians was like getting thrown into the deep end. There were so many different songwriters, musicians, and styles that I had to wear a lot of different hats."

In 1974 Chaquico toured with the newly-renamed Jefferson Starship, and opened the shows with his own band, Steelwind. After the tour, the band went into the studio and recorded Dragon Fly, and Chaquico demonstrated on tracks such as " Ride The Tiger" and 'All Fly Away" that he was a distinctive lead guitarist able to define the Starship sound just as the very different Jorma Kaukonen had the Airplane. Chaquico, who had expected to go back to school after that one tour, was instead approached by Slick and Kantner, who invited the teenager to join the band permanently. He jumped at the chance.

In 1975 Jefferson Starship recorded the best-selling album of their career, Red Octopus, with Rolling Stone remarking that "the emergence of guitarist Craig Chaquico resulted in the finest San Francisco music since the heyday of the Haight."

Chaquico became a central figure in the band, playing lead guitar on all their hits from 1973 to 1990 including "Miracles," "We Built This City," "Sara" and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now," and developing into one of their main songwriters. He wrote or cowrote some of Starship's most memorable songs such as "Find Your Way Back,"

"Jane," 'Layin' It On The Line," and "Rock and Roll is Good Time Music."

He played a seminal role in making Jefferson Starship (later Starship) one of the top selling bands in history, earning twenty platinum and gold albums. While in the band he was also on the covers of Rolling Stone, Guitar Player, the front page of the New York Times, featured in USA Today, People, Easy Rider, GO, and Playboy, performed on both the Grammy and Oscar telecasts, appeared on a number of late night TV shows, and contributed to movie and TV soundtracks. While others came and went, Craig is the only person in the band to appear on every recording, tour, MTV video, album, and hit song during that time,

When Starship broke up in the early 90's, Chaquico formed Big Bad Wolf, a hard rock band continuing in the same vein as Starship, recording one eponymously titled album before disbanding.

Then, after finding himself at the top of the national charts in each of three consecutive decades, Craig left the fast-paced pop world of arena rock and reinvented himself as a top-selling contemporary jazz/New Age guitarist.

As a solo artist Chaquico quickly emerged as one of the most original and exciting pop instrumentalists on the contemporary jazz landscape. The fresh sounding combination of his rock, blues, contemporary jazz and new age influences allowed him a rare crossover success to the top of the charts once again. In 1993 he released his first solo album of contemporary instrumental music, Acoustic Highway, which hit number one on the Billboard charts and was named by that publication as the "Independent New Age Album of the Year."

His next recording, 1994's Acoustic Planet, also found a home at number one on the Billboard charts. The album, a blend of guitar playing and recordings of African and Native American music, garnered Chaquico a Grammy Nomination for "Best New Age Album." One of the songs from the release, "Just One World," became part of NASA's Space Ark project and is now in permanent orbit around the Earth.

In early 1995, he contributed guitar tracks for the animated children's film Gumby: The Movie, most notably in the scenes where Gumby plays his guitar solos in his concerts.

Some of Chaquico's other celebrated chart-topping titles include A Thousand Pictures (1996), Shadow and Light (2002), Midnight Noon (2004) and Follow the Sun (2009). Chaquico continued his success into the new millennium with two songs - "Café Carnival" and "Luminosa" - that topped the Billboard and radio airplay Smooth Jazz charts, and he even extended his chart dominance into a fifth decade with "Songbird."

Altogether, the acclaimed guitarist has sold over a million albums as a soloist. And he was voted the "Best Pop Instrumental Guitarist" by the readers of Guitar Player magazine while Jazziz magazine listed him as one of the "Top 100 Most Influential Guitarists of All Time.

Chaquico has continued to work regularly as a studio musician and maintains a robust touring schedule with his own band. In addition to recording and performing, Chaquico, a believer in the healing power of music ever since a lengthy boyhood hospitalization where his guitar saw him through the recovery process, does charity work by performing in hospitals and working with the American Music Therapy Association and riding his Harley in benefits for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. A graphic artist and amateur astronomer, he has also designed his own guitars, including a signature series that features wider frets, lower action, and steel strings. A die-hard environmentalist, Craig negotiated a deal with the guitar maker to "give something back" by planting a tree for every Chaquico guitar manufactured.

Chaquico, an avid Harley-Davidson enthusiast, had two songs chosen for the company's official double CD collection, Road Songs. Both his hard rock side and his more contemplative playing are represented, with one Jefferson Starship track and one from his solo career. Craig also arranged a licensing deal between Harley-Davidson and Dunlop for the manufacture of a special edition series of guitar picks and guitar straps featuring the motorcycles company's well-known logo.

Going into the fifth decade of his illustrious career, with the release of Fire Red Moon Chaquico continues his improbable journey from the boy-wonder of 70's rock to genre-defying success as a top jazz and new age guitarist, returning to the roots blues he listened to in his early teens. Says Chaquico, "The multi-platinum stadium rock period in my musical life was as rewarding as it was fun, and part of my higher musical education. And as much as I still love instrumental smooth jazz, which for me was always blues-based anyway, I sometimes missed the edge that I could experience with blues-based rock and roll."

As the Los Angeles Times said of Chaquico, "Despite his having achieved a remarkable degree of technical prowess, it's the feelings that he elicits that gives his music magic." And blues, one of the most emotional forms of music, if it's about anything, is about feelings. Fire Red Moon sublimely showcases Craig Chaquico's innovative guitar wizardry, the refreshingly honest musical approach of a consummate artist, and, delightfully, more music magic.