Reva Seth is a bestselling author and the founder of The Optima Living Lab, an initiative making the case for public investment in the personal infrastructure of individuals.

Pro athletes, celebrities, Fortune 100 CEOs and Silicon Valley billionaires have rhapsodized on how meditation and mindfulness are the most effective tools for health, personal performance and well-being since, well, exercise. Like yoga and running before it, mindfulness tools and meditation programs are now big business with popular apps like Headspace, the Mindfulness App and Buddhify receiving tens of millions of downloads.

Mindfulness and meditation are simply about regularly exercising the ability to be, deliberately and calmly, fully in the moment. This requires an individual to still his or her mind, control emotions and breathe regularly and deeply. Its a simple habit that produces incredible (data-based) results which is why leading global companies such as Google, Target and General Mills are incorporating it into their organizations.

Research shows regular practice reduces both physical and mental-health costs and improves emotional quotient (essential for social cohesion and success in a knowledge economy) and resilience to stress, as well as employee focus, concentration and productivity.

Researchers from John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md., found that meditation and mindfulness reduce anxiety, depression and pain.

Similarly, a study in the Journal of Health Psychology found that meditation and mindfulness lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Scientists at the University of Oregon found that meditation techniques actually result in physical brain changes that protect against mental illness by increasing the signalling connection in the brain and the density of protective tissue.

From a public-health perspective, Canada should be experimenting and implementing what research suggests is a cost-effective, non-invasive means of helping to address our national mental-health crisis.

Mental illness and addiction affects one in five Canadians in their lifetime. Canada is also the second highest per capita consumer of opioids in the world and, according to the International Narcotics Control Board, these numbers are rising.

Data show that Canadas youth are also suffering from rising levels of anxiety, stress, depression and suicide. A large-scale 2016 study tracking Ontario students for the past 20 years found that one-third had moderate to severe symptoms of psychological distress an increase from two years earlier.

The economic costs of these numbers are significant. Mental illness broadly costs the Canadian economy more than $50-billion (from health care, social services and income support) and Canadian businesses lose $6-billion annually as a result of lost productivity, absenteeism and turnover.

Even more staggering is the ripple effect that our national mental-health crisis is having on our families, workplaces and communities. Statistics Canada in 2012 found that approximately 11 million Canadians had a family member with a mental-health or addiction problem. More than one-third reported that their own lives had been directly and adversely affected by their family members mental issues.

The traditional frame of reactive acute care is no longer sufficient or optimal.

Its time for public-health officials, policy makers and the public to get behind a commitment to scaling up access to meditation and mindfulness programs. These practices shouldnt remain the stronghold of the affluent who have the time and resources to invest in cultivating stronger mental wellness. Information and opportunities to practice meditation should be available to all Canadians with schools, hospitals, workplaces and even public transport or the CBC as possible points of delivery.

Successful models that could be scaled up are already operating across the country, and the first step should be to survey these existing success stories for templates that could be nimbly offered more widely. For instance, in the Toronto District School Board, the Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute introduced lessons in mindfulness with six workshops over two months. Similarly, the Vancouver School Board offers teachers mindfulness training through the MindUp program.

This is not a replacement for better medical care, improved social services or pharmaceutical intervention its a supplement or augmentation to existing treatments and a pro-active means of strengthening the ability of more individuals to personally invest effectively in their mental and emotional wellness.

A national strategy and commitment to promoting mindfulness and meditation would also positively nudge forward our collective ability to better navigate other social and health priorities. For instance, meditation has been shown to alleviate loneliness among seniors, reduce stress among caregivers and help promote focus and reduce anxiety among youth.

Much like ParticipAction was launched by the Canadian government to promote healthy living and physical fitness (and to battle exorbitant health-care costs), the next frontier is to do the same with our countrys mental well-being by publicly scaling up education, understanding and access to meditation and mindfulness.

Follow us on Twitter: @Globe_Health

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Mindfulness and meditation need to be part of Canada's mental-health strategy - The Globe and Mail

AHMEDABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today termed the Sabarmati Ashram here as Mahatma Gandhi's "tapobhoomi", or the land where he did spiritual practice, and said the place has enlightened the entire humanity.

Modi was here to take part in the centenary celebrations of the Sabarmati Ashram, which was home to Gandhiji from 1917 to 1930.

After a short visit to the Ashram, Modi left a message in the visitors' diary at 'Hriday Kunj', a place inside the premises where the Father of the Nation used to live.

In his message in Gujarati, the PM said the Ashram is not just a building or an institution, but a place which has witnessed the building of a nation.

Modi wrote in the diary that "100 years of Sabarmati Ashram is not a centenary of a building, institution or an activity only. To bring the nation out of hundreds of years of slavery, Bapu made this place his 'tapobhoomi' and gave us 'swaraj' (independence)".

"This Ashram is a live witness to the process of nation-building. This place enlightened the consciousness of entire world's humanity, not just of India. I bow down to this 'tapobhoomi'. I bow down to respected Bapu," he further wrote.

During his visit, Modi interacted with Ashram trustees about ongoing activities, planted a tree, offered flowers at Gandhiji's statue and also tried his hands on a 'charkha' (spinning wheel).

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PM Narendra Modi visits Sabarmati Ashram, says it enlightened human race - Economic Times

Ahmedabad: Meira Kumar, the opposition's presidential candidate, will launch her campaign from the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad on Friday in the presence of Gujarat Congress leaders.

File image of Meira Kumar. Reuters

Kumar, who arrived in Ahmedabad on Thursday evening, would visit the ashram at around 9.30 am and then meet the Congress MLAs at the party headquarters in the Paldi area, said Gujarat Congress spokesperson Himanshu Patel.

Sabarmati Ashram was home to Mahatma Gandhi from 1917 to 1930.

Upon her arrival at the airport in Ahmedabad, Kumar, who will contest against NDA nominee Ram Nath Kovind in the 17 July presidential poll, said it was a "battle of ideologies" and not a "Dalit versus Dalit" fight.

"Attempts are being made by some to project the election as a Dalit versus Dalit fight. It was from Gujarat that the ideology of Gandhiji spread across the country and world. That is why I have come here to make the people realise that we fight for our ideologies," she told reporters.

After meeting the Congress MLAs on Friday, Kumar will interact with the media in the afternoon, said Patel.

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Meira Kumar to launch presidential poll campaign from Sabarmati Ashram at around 9.30 am - Firstpost

EXPAND

Look at that pancake with its margarine scoop. Just look at it.

Kathryn DeBruler

It is noon on a Sunday and a line is predictably snaking its way from Jonathons Oak Cliff. People drive for miles to have their chicken and waffles, making Jonathons more than a place to simply consume brunch, but rather a brunch destination.

But if you keep walking down North Beckley Avenue a few more paces, you will quickly find yourself stumbling upon another restaurant with another, albeit smaller, line. This one doesnt spill out onto the street but instead takes the form of people biding their time on benches inside. These patrons are waiting to be seated at Spiral Diner, the vegan eatery that has built an ardent following over the 14 years it has been in operation.

This is the Lumberjack and it's more than okay. It's vegan all night, and it's vegan all day.

Kathryn DeBruler

For those whose suspicions are aroused by restaurants that only serve plant-based foods (and the people who choose to eat them), picture this. Spiral Diner is a happy place. It has the look of a '50s diner tin ceilings, Formica tables thats collided with a candy store, with its enthusiastic embrace of springy, youthful colors.

If you fear vegan restaurants because of a stereotyped (but also semi-accurate) perception of the people who work there as militant vegans who will throw red paint on your Cole Haan loafers, fear not. Spiral Diner is staffed by people who may be collectively described as hip but also nonthreatening. They wont mention your leather shoes, but they will ask you how you like the pancakes.

And yes, Spiral serves pancakes. And quesadillas. And biscuits and gravy. So if you fear vegan food because of its foreignness, fear not. Spiral Diners brunch menu is all about the familiar faces.

It's also all about the tofu scramble. Every dish on the menu, save for the pancakes and disco home fries more on these later features tofu scramble in some way. Now before you complain about tofu being foreign, just know that tofu scramble has the consistency and appearance of scrambled eggs but the taste of something that has been kissed by a turmeric-loving God that wants us to eat well and live for a long, long time.

Spiral Diner will make you a dang quesadilla.

Kathryn DeBruler

Spiral Diner elevates the humble scramble to new, cumin-scented heights. The tofu is scrambled with a generous hand of spices, bits of potato and other veggies, which provide a nice textural breath between the monotone mouth-feel afforded by the tofu. One dish that brings the scramble into its fold is the breakfast quesadilla ($10.95). Here youll find the scramble tucked into a whole-wheat tortilla along with a smattering of vegetables and peppers, vegan sausage and Daiya cheese. Daiya cheese is akin to American in that it has that distinctly silken texture when melted that can only arise from being highly processed. The overall effect is a quesadilla that is exceedingly rich yet virtuous.

That whiplash between indulgence and altruism continued with an order of the disco fries ($4.95). These friespresent the eater with a rare opportunity to feel both the delight of not perpetuating a pattern of systematic animal exploitation and also the unbridled joy of eating poutine. Its true that the gravy has a slightly mottled, broken appearance and tastes subtly and oddly of vanilla, but one can only expect so much when cow udders have been spared.

The disco home fries are proof that veganism and weight loss can be mutually exclusive.

Kathryn DeBruler

The gravy captures that creamy, rich, artery-painting quality of traditional gravy just the same. Its particularly enjoyable when served on a couple of the diners sky-high biscuits, which manage both a hearty chew and a delicate crumb. Paired with a couple of herbaceous and toothsome sausages with a bit of scramble(the Lumberjack, $9.95), this is the kind of food that, despite its ingredient list, doesnt shy far from grandmas table.

But if youre going to order one item only from Spirals brunch menu, let it be the pancakes. Light with nutty crumb, these cinnamon-studded beauties, when drizzled with a bit of golden agave nectar, are divine. A true, well-made pancake if there ever were one.

Spiral Diner is a vegan restaurant, yes. And in our steak-adoring city, its nice to have an option for those who have chosen an animal product-free path. But in truth, Spiralis simply a restaurant a place which can readily accommodate the majority of palates.And Spiral Diner has demonstrated what perhaps all of us omnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike always secretly knew, that Horace Mann is full of crock: Biscuits and gravy are the great equalizers.

Spiral Diner, 1101 N Beckley Ave. Brunch served 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

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After All These Years, Spiral Diner's Vegan Brunch Is Still Better Than Most Meaty Dallas Options - Dallas Observer

San Franciscos plant-based food maker Hampton Creek has announced that it will now produce animal-free meat, joining the clean meat arms race of companies trying to produce lab-grown animal-matter meat, without the animal. CEO Josh Tetrick announced the plans on LinkedIn, writing that he hopes to get products in the marketplace by 2018.

The Bay Area has become ground zero for technology and food companies developing both lab-grown meat and plant-based meat alternatives. That includes Hampton Creeks now-direct competitor Memphis Meats, the San Leandro meat hopeful that has previously said they plan to get lab-grown meat on retailer shelves by 2021. Meanwhile, plant-based Impossible Foods is already serving its meatless, bleeding Impossible Burgers around San Francisco, on the menu at high-end restaurants like Jardiniere and Cockscomb; its also opened a large East Oakland production facility to hasten the product to supermarket shelves.

The movement towards lab-grown meats, which are grown in-vitro from cell cultures harvested from living animals, has been embraced by the vegan community, hailing it as the beginning of the end for abusive animal ag industries. In his LinkedIn post, Tetrick emphasizes that the impetus for the companys research is less about animal rights and more about creating an environmentally sustainable and accessible food system for the planet. At current rates, production of meat and seafood around the world will double to 1.2 trillion pounds by 2050, he writes. Our planet cannot afford to supply the water, fuel, pesticides, and fertilizer that industrialized animal production requires. It cant afford the polluted water or the biodiversity loss. It cant afford the moral inconsistencies.

While Tetrick touts Hampton Creeks scientific discoveries, others have questioned them. In 2015, unhappy Hampton Creek employees told Business Insider that Tetrick had overstated the companys scientific claims, inflating the number of plant samples used, taking credit for recipes created by consultants rather than in the Hampton Creek lab, and celebrating dubious breakthroughs. A major investor joined Hampton Creek as chief strategy officer, only to cut ties with the company completely just nine days later.

Tetrick places the blame for most of Hampton Creeks controversies on powerful companies and lobbies like Hellmann's Mayonnaise, who unsuccessfully sued the company for improper use of the word mayonnaise on an egg-free product. (Will the famously litigious chicken and beef industries follow suit?) More recently, Target began to remove Hampton Creek products from its stores over concerns regarding unconfirmed allegations of salmonella and listeria, as well as labeling issues. After hiring a third party firm to investigate, Hampton Creek says the findings proved the allegations to be false.

Updated 12:40 p.m. to more accurately reflect the nature of Hampton Creeks alternative meat products. Theyre developing lab-grown meat, not developing a plant-based fake-meat product.

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Vegan Mayo Maker Hampton Creek Joins the Lab-Grown Meat Arms Race - Eater SF

Written by Zachary Toliver | June 28, 2017

We here at PETA just finished watching the Netflix original movie Okja, andmy goodnessbe still our beating vegan hearts. If you havent seen it yet, be sure to tune in (mild spoilers ahead).

Directed by Snowpiercers Bong Joon Ho and starring Ahn Seo-hyun, Tilda Swinton, Paul Dano, and Jake Gyllenhaal, this animal-rights action-adventure follows Mija, a young girl who must risk everything to prevent the powerful multinational meat company Mirando from slaughtering her best frienda massive super pig hybrid named Okja.

Along the way, Mija becomes mixed up with a group of heroic (and often humorous) animal rights activistsled by the character Jay, played by the dashing Paul Danowho work to expose the corrupt Mirando Company.

Like many people and their animal companions, Mija and Okja share an unconditional love. They sacrifice their own well-being for one another. The playfulness and companionship of Okja is a firm reminder to viewers thatjust like usanimals are individuals who are capable of emotions and have personalities and a will to live. They form families and friendships when given the chance.

For inspiration in creating the computer-generated character of Okja, Bong looked to three real-life animals: dogs, pigs, and manatees. Okjas eyes alone exude all the emotion and intensity of any real-life being.

WithOkjaI want to show the beauty that can exist between man and animal, and also the horror between them, said director Bong.

This film reaches its climax in the confines of a concentration camp-like factory farm where hundreds of other Okjas are being slaughtered, mimicking the bloody everyday reality for cows, pigs, chickens, and other animals around the globe. The scenes are intentionally realistic and disturbing, as Bong thought it would be a disservice to the movie if they were watered down.

Its revealed that Mirando gave out these super pigs to farmers around the world to be raised humanely and naturally as a publicity stunt to cover up the horrific reality of animal slaughter.

Sounds an awful like the humane meat lie, doesnt it?

During a news conference for Okja, Swinton spoke to the heart of this film:

I live outnumbered by animals. You can read them as a lesson to all of us on how to liveloyalty patience, presence, love of a good walk, catching a ball, whatever. The feeling of dedication and simplicity that animals can teach us.

Its a very important directive at a time when capitalism is really upping its game to trick us that we are more consumers than sentient beings, more than people who love each other. We have to guard against these tricks. And I think the film offers a corrective against this trickery.

This film keeps the characters in near-constant motion, and your feels will move just as much! Props are in order to Bong Joon Ho and Netflix, which has hosted numerous great animal rights films such as Blackfish and Cowspiracy!

Like dogsand Okja!pigs are friendly, loyal creatures who are playful and affectionate. Theyre intelligent, and they love to snuggle. But on factory farms, theyre denied everything thats natural and important to them. Just like the heartache that Mija feels when Okja is ripped away from her, mother pigs experience this every time that theyre denied the opportunity to nurture their young. Mother cows also grieve and cry out as their babies are routinely ripped away from them shortly after birth so that their milk can go to humans.

Pigs on factory farms never get to take a breath of fresh air, and extreme crowding and filth cause rampant disease. Mother pigs are kept in tiny, barren crates so small that they cant even turn around. The tails of piglets are cut off, their teeth are clipped, and male pigs are castratedall without any painkillers.

Their brief lives end when these sensitive animals are hung upside down and their throats are slit, often while still fully conscious.

Anyone whos inspired by Okja and horrified by the suffering that real pigs endure for the meat industry can help animals in their own lives by simply not eating them. With many delicious recipes to choose from and dining-out tips, our vegan starter kit makes it easier than ever to make the switch.

I Want Your Free Vegan Starter Kit Today!

I Want to Order Your Vegan Starter Kit for a Friend!

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We'll Send You Our Vegan Starter Kit. You'll Need One After Watching 'Okja' - PETA (blog) (press release)

In his new book, Food Fight: My Plant-Powered Journey From the Bingo Halls to the Big Time, professional WWE wrestler Austin Aries questions everything, especially whats on our plates.

Its easy now to look back and see that Aries was destined for the spotlight. Athletic all through school, Aries (born Daniel Healy Solwold Jr.) also loved performing singing and dancing. He also didnt subscribe to the traditional rules of success. Aries felt there was another way to be successful, that there might be something cooler than working a traditional 9-to-5 desk job once out of school.

He was right, of course, and his career as pro wrestler and colorful commentator is proof that his charisma and athleticism have outlasted the pressures of the structured school-work-family dogma. Aries, known as The Vascular Vegetarian and The Greatest Man That Ever Lived, is the longest reigning Ring of Honour World Champion and Tag Team World Champion, as well as the TNA (Total Nonstop Action) World Heavyweight Champion. He is one of only five wrestlers to have won the Wrestling Triple Crown (world champion, tag team, and secondary singles championship). And, hes vegan.

Rules dont apply to Aries, at least, not when it comes to how he looks at the world. This unwavering self-inquiry and propensity to question the system not only led Aries to look deeper into his career options and design the perfect career for himself, but it also led him to something we often take for granted: food. But for Aries, it was a tipping point the ultimate system to question.

Food kind of intersected with that for me, Aries says.

While many people who adopt a vegan lifestyle had special bonds with pets as a child, that wasnt the case for Aries. It was more the typical midwest lifestyle that rubbed him wrong Aries grew up in Wisconsin where hunting and fishing were the norm. And that is where Aries felt a disconnect.

It just seemed wrong to take a life when you didnt have to, he says. Its a learned behavior. I dont need to do that.

But, of course, as a professional athlete, Aries ate the way athletes are supposed to eat: whey protein shakes, steaks, and chicken. Lots and lots of chicken. That is, until he had a wake-up call early on in his wrestling career.

I was subscribing to conventional wisdom meat for protein to build muscle, and that chicken is better for me than red meat, he says. I remember the day when I looked at it all and said, This is disgusting. Im done.

It all became clear in that moment in 2000 he says, that the cruelty, the effects on the planet, and the health risks, were inseparable from eating animals. It would be another few years before Aries went from vegetarian to vegan, but he says living this way now is a no-brainer.

We live in a corporate food system that does not have our best interest at heart whatsoever, he says. We need to wake up and educate ourselves.

In his memoir,Aries sheds a lot of light abouthis own transformation, how he started to ask and find answers to the questions weve been discouraged by the corporatization of our food system from asking.

Why would you give corporations and the government the benefit of the doubt? What have they done to earn that trust? he ponders in the book.

Aries is specifically passionate about not just eating a cruelty-free diet, but also one focused on whole foods he snacks on lentils, makes smoothies with bananas, berries, and greens. Like any vegan these days, he enjoys his fair share of pizzas, mac and cheese, and the abundance of delicious plant-based comfort foods, but he says even when indulging in those vegan junk foods, that his diet is rounded out with plenty ofwhole foods, and hes more likely better off than the meat-egg-and-milk-eater who avoids junk food. Thats because the benefits of veganism are a lot like a get out of jail free card. Despite the pressures from our corporate food system to eat animals, loads of sugar, and artificial ingredients, boosting your intake of nutritious plant-based ingredients is the ultimate antidote to those unhealthy foods.

If youre going to navigate your way through all the misinformation being thrown your way as a consumer, you have to learn to see past all the dirty tricks, he writes in the book.And to do that, you need to get a real education about nutritionthe one you should have gotten in school.

Aries adherence to a vegan diet puts him in some excellent company. Some of the worlds best athletes have shifted to a plant-based diet, including David Carter, the former Chicago Bears defensive linemanbest known these days as the 300 Pound Vegan; nine-time Olympic gold medalist track athlete Carl Lewis; theres Heavyweight Boxing Champion Mike Tyson; and Venus Williams, winner of sevenGrand Slam singles tournaments, and one ofonly fourwomen to have wonfiveor more Wimbledon singles titles.

Theres enough data that supports the short and long-term health benefits of a plant-based diet, says Aries. And, its worth it, he says, even if it requires extra effort, the trade-off is pretty clear, and Im performing at every bit the level of the meat-eaters.

Most any professional athlete is paying way more attention to their food intake than the rest of us. Whether theyre boosting protein or fat, or even trimming calories down to shed some weight, theyre tracking and monitoring how and how much food affects their bodies both during competition and in recovery.

All protein comes from plants in its original form, says Aries, and it makes sense the body breaks down amino acids and rebuilds them just the same.

One of the biggest criticisms of the meat industry is just thatthat were routing the vital plant protein through animals at the expense of not just the animal (some 56 billion annually), but our planet and our health. If the goal is to break down and rebuild amino acids that originated from plants, why not just go to the source?

It just doesnt make sense, Aries says.

The nations leading physicians, including the AMA itself, have begun publicly recommending a move away from meat (and eggs and dairy), and focusing more on plant-based options, largely because of the long-term health benefits. Studies have linked vegetarian and vegan diets with increased longevity, reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, and obesity.

Mitigation of climate change is also a significant factor in our health moving forward. A planet in the throes of rising oceans and warming temperatures will not only have devastating effects on our food supply, but also on the quality of the food. Some experts predict climate change could make food less nutritious and more prone to blights and diseases. Livestock production is responsible for at least 18 percent of all greenhouse gases, and a reduction in animal products now is vital to ensuring a safe and abundant food supply in the not-so-distant future.

As Aries travels the world, he sees just how unhealthy the American food system is in comparison to other nations, and also how its influencing the rest of the world to devastating degrees. He worries about kids developing obesity and type-2 diabetes at the hands of a corrupt system pushing them away from real food.

Im just a guy who loves vegetables and loves figuring things out for myself, Aries writes in the disclaimer for Food Fight. Its what pushed him to write the book in the first place, notingthat his status as a public figure and the nature of his lifestyle brings a common cluster of questions he once had himself, like, Where do I get my protein? WillI miss bacon? Is it expensive [to be vegan]?

Questioning all that opens your eyes, he says. We say this food thats everywhere is okay; this is good for me. But it isnt.

Check out Aries new book Food Fight here.

photos byLee South

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Jill Ettinger is a Los Angeles-based journalist and editor focused on the global food system and how it intersects with our cultural traditions, diet preferences, health, and politics. She is the senior editor for sister websites OrganicAuthority.com and EcoSalon.com, and works as a research associate and editor with the Cornucopia Institute, the organic industry watchdog group. Jill has been featured in The Huffington Post, MTV, Reality Sandwich, and Eat Drink Better. http://www.jillettinger.com.

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Vegan Pro-Wrestler Austin Aries Dropkicks the Food System in ... - Organic Authority

Credit: Stephen Bondio/Insomniac

EDC 2017 is over, and with it were 400,000 EDM fans, 8 stages, over 230 artists, 18 carnival rides, and 10 art installations. Each year is a spectacle, and 2017 is no different.

As my colleague JR and I are in a car headed to Las Vegas for EDC 2017 on a Sunday morning, I look at the thermostat and am surprised at the rising temperature. It was a whopping 115 degrees! And it is only going to rise once we arrive in Las Vegas. Even though I was shocked, I wasnt worried about my EDC experience. Sooner or later, I know well besweating it up anyway with lots of dancing and jumping up and down.

Youre probably wondering why were going to EDC for just one day. Well, I had a prior engagement the day before shooting a pre-wedding video for JR and his fiance. Duty calls.

As we arrive in Las Vegas, the first thing we had to take care of is getting our wristbands. We headto the Mandalay Bay, and it was smooth sailing with no lines in sight. Thats what I like to see. (Plus, we got it on a Sunday afternoon.)

We then met up with our other crew in Las Vegas at the Luxor. Of course, the night hasnt started yet so we had time to go to one of my favorite taco joints, Tacos El Gordo. I usually get tacos with carne asada and al pastor, but this time the gang treated me with carne asada fries. It was so delicious, and my only regret was eating the whole thing. (Its so worth it.)

After filling my belly, its finally time for the long ride from the Vegas Strip to the Vegas Speedway. With many people trying to get there when the gates open, traffic would be inevitable. Bumper to bumper traffic does suck, but we get ourselves hyped with loud EDM music and bobbing our heads up and down with other fans passing by in their cars.

We parked our car, and then proceed to the gate!

There was trouble at the gate. A fan decided he didnt need to be checked at the security checkpoint and started to bypass all of that by running. This led to the security team sprinting after the man. Other fans cheered him on as he tried to escape into the crowd, but he was soon apprehended. EDC can get a bit crazy.

EDC 2017 is a huge music festival filled with lots of activity. The main eventis, of course, the artists. And I was excited for the chance to check out their sets including Madeon, Seven Lions, Flux Pavilion and Chet Porter. If you need a breather, theres plenty to do like going on the carnival rides or resting in the many areas with food and refreshments all around.

There are many spots for emergencies and medical aid, so one should feel very safe. Its also important to stay hydrated, and EDC has many waterstations for guests at no extra cost. Simply have the attendant fill up your water backpack or Insomniac bottles.

One of my favorite activities during EDC is creating Kandi, and the VIP areas have plenty of Kandi stations. The EDM community is so welcoming, and Kandi helps bring people together. If youre hanging out with someone and are digging their vibe, you can give them your Kandi via the PLUR handshake (Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect). This is what its all about, and its such an important part of what makes EDC so special.

Weve met some wonderful fans and have exchanged Kandi. I remember a guest next to me who was super niceand made me feel at home by offering me Kandi on the spot.

In addition, theres a story of someone I know who has been picked on at school. It was a pretty sad life, but that all changed when she went to EDC. And it was there where she met a group of friends who didnt care about what shes like back home and embraced her for who she is. The friendship would grow and continue to this day.

There are so many artists performing all over at the same time, and its impossible to not have a good time. If youre not digging one artists set, simply move on to the next one. When you do move about, dont forget to stay safe and to regroup with friends if youre lost. Always have a spot for meeting up if your phone dies or if you cant get in contact with anyone.

EDC is a high energy event, and one would think that listening to soothing and relaxing music would be out of the question. Wrong! There are many artists that will get you so pumped that you cant resist shaking your body. And then there are those who will make you feel like youre running across a grassy field with the sun shining brightly behind you. With this in mind, I was ecstatic for Chet Porters set at the end of the night. He performed on the cosmicMEADOW stage, an area with bleacher seats thats perfect for relaxing and taking in the music.

All in all, EDC 2017 is a wonderful and magical experience filled with new friends, music, and fun.

All EDC 2017 photos by JR Cajigas unless noted otherwise.

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Our EDC 2017 is filled with memories, dancing and PLUR - Nerd Reactor

Evening Bell will perform from 7-8:30 p.m. on Aug. 17 at Mercerdale Park as part of the Mercer Island Arts Councils annual summer concert series Mostly Music in the Park. Photo courtesy of eveningbellmusic.com

It seems that the ear plays an important role in the awareness of the world around us. With the negativity that we have been hearing lately, it might be wise to treat our auditory senses to some entertaining and relaxing music. One way to maintain mind-soothing harmony this summer would be to enjoy selections of comforting music.

What if these musical opportunities were free and outdoors? The answer to that question is easier than you might think. Communities on the Eastside of Lake Washington offer the opportunity to enjoy music without cost at a variety of venues.

These free summer concerts offer an assortment of musical styles, including singer-songwriters, cover groups and symphonies. They are family friendly with opportunities to picnic, dance and meet others who enjoy music. Some sites have refreshments available for purchase.

Even though the concerts are free, sometimes there is an opportunity to put some money or bread in the performers jar, basket or a repurposed guitar case. If you truly enjoyed the show, often the performers have CDs for sale usually at a reasonable price.

The following is a list of the various shows to enjoy this summer. Each venue has a website that you can visit to check locations, dates, times and whos performing.

In Mercer Island, there is Mostly Music in the Park, from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursdays nights July 20-Aug. 24 at Mercerdale Park.

In Sammamish, Concerts in the Park take place Thursday evenings at Pine Lake Park. The weekly outdoor concerts happen from 6:30-8 p.m. between July 13-Aug. 31. Bring your own picnic or purchase dinner on-site. Parking for this event is available at Pine Lake Park, Discovery Elementary School and South Sammamish Park and Ride. Note that parking at the Pine Lake Park is extremely limited and fills up early in the day. There is a free shuttle that runs between the South Sammamish Park and Ride and Pine Lake Park before and after the concert.

In Issaquah, there are two weekly events: Tuesdays Concerts on the Green are held at the Issaquah Community Center lawn. This series runs from 7-8:30 p.m. July 11-Aug. 28. Spectators often start gathering as early as 6 p.m. for community picnicking. On Thursday nights, the Downtown Issaquah Association, in partnership with the Washington Blues Society, presents the Gas Station Blues at the Historic Shell Station on Front Street from 7-9 p.m. July 13-Aug. 24.

A very ambitious offering is presented by the Bellevue Downtown Association through its Live at Lunch concert series. These performances take place at various downtown Bellevue venues every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 12-1:30 p.m. July 11-Sept. 14.

Redmond has Thursday Nights Rockin on the River Concerts (6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.) at the Redmond Senior Center Garden Plaza, July 13-Aug. 10.

Newcastles concert series happens at Lake Boren Park from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday evenings July 19-Aug. 9.

Kirklands Summer Concert Series are held from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday nights, July 6-Aug. 17 at Marina Park.

A special shout goes out to the sound crews who keep the music clear and properly amplified. Most importantly, the opportunity to hear free music this summer is made possible by sponsors as well as different city organizations that provide funding and staffing.

Look for the opportunity locally to allow your acoustic perception to provide you with some free and fun relaxation. It has been stated that many times we do not hear the melody or the lyrics until we need the song. This may just be the chance to tune in and enjoy music and put your troubles aside.

Sammamish resident Larry Crandall is a retired educator and serves on the citys Planning Commission.

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Maintain mind-soothing harmony with summer music concerts | My ... - Mercer Island Reporter (subscription)

Contemporary Christian bands and soloists will fill GAR Park with music when New Life Christian Assembly of God presents "Hillstock 2017."

"Hillstock is a celebration of praise and evangelistic music and arts designed to lift up and promote the lordship of Jesus Christ in private and public settings," said New Life Pastor Rick Amendola.

The celebration is at June 30 at 7 p.m. in GAR Park, with performances by Christian bands, rappers, and soloists. Thepublic is invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy the festivities.

The July 1 event at GAR Park is from noon to 5 p.m. and will feature live music, human videos, rap, Christian bands and soloists, and a special puppet show for children. There will be special activities including face painting, pony rides, dunk tank, snow cones, popcorn, hot dogs, refreshments and a high striker all for free. There will also be free raffles of items such as bicycles, school back packs and CDs.

Sunday services on July 2 are at New Life Christian Assembly at 10:45 a.m. and will feature the Teen Challenge Choir from Brockton. Events conclude at 12:30 p.m. with an all-church picnic on the church grounds.

IF YOU GO

What: Hillstock 2017

When:June 30 at 7 p.m. and July 1 from noon to 5 p.m.

Where: GAR Park

More information: Call 978-373-1379. Visit online at http://www.newlifechristianag.com.

Here are activities and events going on around Haverhill:

Vietnam on display: A display of military artifacts from the Vietnam War and the War on Terror is on exhibit at the Buttonwoods Museum through July 8.

The exhibit features the collection of Richard Barbato, a veteran who served as a paratrooper on the battlefield in Iraq in 2003. He is a graduate of Bradford College.Barbatos exhibit was chosen from many entries for this years Curate Your Own Exhibit contest.

For more information and museum hours, visit http://www.buttonwoods.org. The Buttonwoods is at 240 Water St. Please enter through John Ward Avenue off of Water Street.

Antique Appraisal Roadshow planned:The Groveland Historical Society will host an Antique Appraisal Roadshow on June 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at historic Washington Hall, 101 Washington St.

Antique appraiser John Crowder of Haverhill, who has more than 50 years of experience in the antique and old book business, will be conducting appraisals. Crowders experiences consist of appraising, buying and selling.

He will be assisted by Elaine Drinkwater, owner of Vintage View Antique Shop at 371 River St. in Haverhill. Her shop features 20 different dealers and encompasses more than 5,000 square feet in one of Haverhills former factory buildings.

There will be a $5 charge for each appraisal, with a limit of three items per person. Admission is free and the program is open to the public. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Groveland Historical Society.

More information is available from Claire Walsh at 978-376-6779 or clairew1401@aol.com.

Free screening of recent movie: The public library will have a free showing of recent films on July 1 and 22 at 2 p.m., and July 27 at 1 p.m.

Check http://www.haverhillpl.org or call 978-373-1586, ext. 508, for specific title.

Calling all knitters and crocheters: The public librarys Knit and Crochet Group will meet on July 1 from 1 to 3 p.m. and July 18 from 7 to 8:45 p.m.

Talk about your favorite books, yarns and patterns. Bring your knitting and/or crochet project and make some progress while we chat. No registration is necessary.

Dance party for senior citizens:Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley along with Fallon Health Care and the Haverhill Council on Aging will host a Latino/Hispanic dance party for the entire senior community on July 7 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St.

Festivities will include Latino music and food from Villa Mar Caribbean Restaurant in Haverhill. Tickets are $2 per person and all are welcome. More information is available from Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390.

Learn about streaming services: On July 10 at 7 p.m. at the public library, learn how to use Hoopla, a free streaming service for e-books, movies, music and graphic novels.

Attendees must have a Haverhill Public Library card. Register at http://www.haverhillpl.org or call 978-373-1586, ext. 608.

Coloring club for adults: Join fellow adults for a relaxing hour of coloring on July 11 at 6 p.m. and July 29 at 2 p.m. at the public library.

No registration is necessary. All materials are provided. Call 978-373-1586, ext. 608, for more information.

Brown Bag distribution date changed:Due to the Fourth of July holiday, the Citizens Center Brown Bag Program will happen on July 11 at 10:30 a.m.

This once-a-month program supported by Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley and the Boston Food Bank provides qualifying senior citizens with a bag of groceries.

Holistic health discussed: Andrew Morris, owner of a Better Life Hypnosis & Reiki, will discuss holistic health and healing onJuly 13 at 7 p.m. at the public library,

Topics covered include relaxation exercises, hypnosis, EFT, suggestibility tests and group meditation. Register at http://www.haverhillpl.org or call 978-373-1586, ext. 608.

Trip to Maine: The Council on Aging is offering a trip to Maine on July 15.

Enjoy a Lighthouse Lovers Cruise and lobster bake at the York River landing. The trip also includes a stop at When Pigs Fly bakery. Cost of this trip is $97. To register, call Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390.

Free showing of Spanish language movie: The public library will have a free showing of a Spanish film with English subtitles on July 15 at 2 p.m.

Check http://www.haverhillpl.org or call 978-373-1586 for specific title.

Talk on hydration planned:Marsha Davis of Assurance Homecare will be at the Citizens Center, 10 Welcome St., on July 17 at 10 a.m.to discuss the prevention of dehydration.

Dehydration often happens partly due to inadequate water intake, but can also happen as a side effect of medication. As we age, people become less aware of thirst and fluid balance can become a problem. Davis will discuss the signs of dehydration and explain how to stay hydrated.

Call 978-374-2390 for details.

Photographers to meet: Join fellow photography enthusiasts at the public library for its Photography Group on July 17 at 7 p.m.

Meet fellow artists to share your passion for photography, trade tips and techniques. No registration is necessary. The group is open to everyone.

Healthier snacking discussed: Chef Liz Barbour will discuss the pitfalls of snacking at work, how to recognize when we are mindlessly eating, and how to change the way we eat so that snacking at work becomes what it should be a healthy part of your day.

Her presentation is July 18 at 6 p.m. at the public library.

Following a slide presentation, Barbour will prepare two snack recipes for everyone to sample. Space is limited, so please register in advance by calling 378-373-1586, ext. 608, or online at http://www.haverhillpl.org.

Bird Walk planned: Tattersall Farm will host a Bird Walk on July 22 at 8 a.m.

Audubon representative Dave Williams of the Joppa Flatts Education Center and Brookline Bird Club will be the group leader. The walk will consist of a 90-minute trek of the Tattersall Farm property. As they walk, participants will be introduced to the birds that are nesting on the property, looking for adults and any young that are still begging to be fed. The group will also check the nesting boxes that have been put up by volunteers. Wear long pants to prevent exposure to ticks.

A $5 donation is suggested. Contact Kathy Bresnahan at 978-374-2390, ext. 11, to register for this walk.

Church to host free Health Fair: The Haverhill Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Church at 346 Broadway will host its first free Health Fair on July 23 from 1 to 5 p.m.

The public is invited to learn about and participate in basic preventive medicine, medical screenings, nutritional advice, exercise training advice and health advice for the body and mind. Participants include dentists and doctors in different areas of health and physiotherapies as well as trainers and nutritionists and other services.

Other churches in Haverhill are expected to participate along with vendors in the community, for whom the event will be free of charge with the expectation that vendors will provide their services for families in the community free of charge as well.

Vendors are asked to bring their own tables and chairs, but if they cannot bring their own, please inform organizers in advance.

For more information, contaristict Can J Borbon, senior pastor, at 859-221-4161 or cborbon@aol.com.

Enjoy a lobster buffet: Life Long Journey Haverhill, in partnership with the Council on Aging, will host a trip to the Indian Head Resort in Lincoln, N.H., on July 25.

Haverhill senior citizens will enjoy a lobster all-you-can-eat buffet which includes carving stations, dessert, coffee and two cocktails. Dancing and two floor shows are included. Cost of this trip is $87. Contact Darlene Sutton at 978-476-4677.

National Night Out:The city will host National Night Out on Aug. 1 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Swasey Field on Blaisdell Street. Rain date is the following night.

This free event is open to all residents and will feature free hot dogs and hamburgers cooked by members of the Haverhill Police Department, face painting, a magician, music, inflatable amusements, a smoke house and a water park.

This community-police partnership has been held the first Tuesday of every August since 1984 and is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch in the United States and Canada. The event aims to increase awareness about police programs in communities, such as drug prevention, town watch, and other anti-crime efforts.

Community groups, service groups and other organizations that might have something to offer the community are invited to set up a tent to promote their services. More information is available from Officer Paul Malone, deputy director emergency management and community policing at 978-722-1565.

Trip to Connecticut planned: Groups Inc. in partnership with the Council on Aging is planning a trip to Connecticut on Aug. 19.

Visit New London, Connecticut, and the Cross Sound Ferry docks where travelers will board the comfortable Sea Jet catamaran. Once on board, travelers will enjoy a two-hour lighthouse tour. After the tour there will be a stop at the Ocean Pizza Restaurant for a meal of pork chops, chicken Parmesan, or fish and chips.

Cost of this trip is $99. Contact Groups Inc. at 978-372-8080 or contact Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390.

Golf tournament planned: The Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport will hold its 13th annual golf fundraiser on Aug. 21 at Haverhill Country Club.

Registration and lunch are at 11 a.m. A shotgun start is at 12:30 p.m. Dinner and auction is at 5:30 p.m. Fees are $200 for a single player and $750 for a foursome. The early bird special cost is $175 per player or $650 for a foursome if you register by June 15.

To register for the tournament or for sponsorship opportunities, call 978-373-0552, ext. 220 or email bianca.gill@thearcofghn.org.

Class reunion planned: Haverhill High School/Haverhill Trade School Class of 1957 will hold its 60-year reunion on Sept. 16 from noon to 4 p.m. at DiBurros Function Facility, 887 Boston Road.

Guests will have a choice of roast beef or fresh haddock. Social hour is from noon to 1 p.m., followed by the meal and more opportunities for socializing. Dress is informal.

Tickets are $40 per person. Mailing to individual classmates will take place July 24. Bina Beauregard, Theresa White Jesionowski and Joanne Accardi Duchemin are actively looking for missing classmates via Facebook. Classmates are encouraged to visit their individual Facebook pages to see whos missing and to reach out with any information. Call Joanne Accardi Duchemin at 978-374-1500 or Tom Behan at 978-372-9734 for more information.

Tour Marthas Vineyard: Groups Inc. in partnership with the Council on Aging is offering a day trip to Marthas Vineyard on Sept. 17.

Travelers will visit Woods Hole for a 45-minute crossing to Vineyard Haven, and a motor coach will accompany passengers on the ship. A Vineyard Haven tour guide will lead the group in their motor coach to Edgartown for two hours of shopping and a Dutch treat lunch. From there, travelers will go to Aquinnah for photo opportunities, and then Oak Bluffs and Methodist Campgrounds. Along the way the guide will share stories of the history and culture of the area.

Cost of this trip is $89 per person. Contact Groups Inc. at 978-372-8080 or Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390.

Class reunion announced: Haverhill High Schools Class of 1981 will hold a reunion on Sept. 23 at Palmers Restaurant, 18 Elm St., Andover.

A reception is at 6 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 7 p.m. The event will include a cash bar, raffles, and music. Tickets are $60 per person.

For more information and payment options, email brownandgold81@gmail.com.

Museum trip planned

The Council on Aging is offering two new museum trips this summer.

Senior citizens will travel to the Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, on July 19. This museum specializes in beautiful 18th Century Seascapes and ship models by Fitz Henry Lane and others. Cost of this trip is $40.

More information is available from Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390.

Museum trip planned:Haverhill senior citizens will travel to the JFK Library and Museum in Boston on Sept. 14 to visit the special exhibition celebrating John F. Kennedy's 100th birthday.

Cost of this trip is $40. More information is available from Kathy Bresnahan or Rita LaBella at 978-374-2390.

The rest is here:

Christian music coming to GAR Park - The Harvell gazette