This years dates for the eighth iteration of Champaigns DoCha chamber music festival have been solidified. DoCha will occur over the weekend of March 31 - April 2 at the Orpheum Childrens Science Museum Theater.

The distinguished festival will feature a lineup of acclaimed local and visiting musicians from the chamber music field, including several faculty members from the University of Illinois. All events are free and open to the public.

See the full press release below for a breakdown of the daily itinerary and other information. Find out more about DoCha here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DOCHA, CHAMPAIGNS PREMIER FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR ITS

EIGHTH SEASON PRESENTING WORLD-CLASS MUSIC.

ENJOY GREAT MUSIC IN AN INTIMATE CABARET-STYLE SETTING OF THE

ORPHEUM THEATER.

March 31 - April 2, 2017

Champaign, ILDoCha, downtown Champaigns premiere free music festival, announces its eighth season, March 31 April 2, 2017. The beautiful and historic Orpheum Theater will once again serve as DoChas venue for the 2017 festival. DoCha will transform this former vaudeville theatre into a cabaret-style, live music venue. Guests will be welcome to enjoy food and drinks at tables set up inside the theatre while listening to great live chamber music in an intimate and stylish setting. All events continue to be free and open to the public.

Committed to the idea that music can and should be enjoyed by all people, DoChas festival events will be fun-spirited, informal, engaging, collaborative, and educational. Tables and chairs will be set cabaret style around a centrally-placed stage allowing guests to experience the live music performances up close while enjoying food and beverages that will be sold at each evening event. The event is casual and we extend an open invitation to the entire community to join us for a relaxing evening of world-class music.

The festival will feature some of Champaigns own world-class, internationally acclaimed musicians, scholars, and music educators as well gifted young musicians in unique artistic collaborations both within and outside the chamber music genre.

Highlights for 2017

Young Peoples Concert on Saturday, April 1 at 1 p.m at the Orpheum Childrens Science Museum featuring Finding Forms, Composer-in-training Wolfgang Amadeus Schmutzinberry has been commissioned to write some music for the local Pickle Parade. But, before he marches off, he needs to learn how to combine different melodies in clever patterns to create musical forms such as ternary, rondo, and theme and variations. Featuring Rami Vamos & Natalie Monterastelli. This program is Family friendly and open to the public!

Gourmet savory and sweet snack plates prepared by Pekara Bakery and Bistro and wines* and other beverages will be sold by art mart at the venue.

*Pending issuance of State and local permits

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

All events are free and open to the public. All events will take place at the Orpheum Childrens Science Museum Theater in downtown Champaign: 346 North Neil, Champaign, IL 61820.

Friday, March 31st

7 p.m. Jazzissimo,featuring jazz greats Larry Gray and Jim Pugh, this duo will be joined by friends for an evening sure to entertain. Come enjoy original works and jazz standards by these world-class artists.

* Open to people of all ages.

Saturday, April 1st

1 p.m. Young Peoples Concert: Finding Forms, a comical and educational musical. Family friendly and open to the public. Composer-in-training Wolfgang Amadeus Schmutzinberry has been commissioned to write some music for the local Pickle Parade. But, before he marches off, he needs to learn how to combine different melodies in clever patterns to create musical forms such as ternary, rondo, and theme and variations. Featuring Rami Vamos and Natalie Monterastelli.

7 p.m. La Grande Bellezza,String orchestra Camerata Illinois with guest soloists Stefan Milenkovich, Dmity Kouzov, Megan Freivogel, Daniel McDonough and Michael Cameron performing masterpieces by Vivaldi, Bottessini, Puccini, Wolf and more. Please join us for an evening abundant in string virtuosity!

* Open to people of all ages.

Sunday, April 2nd

5 p.m. Bohemian Rhapsodies, A celebration of works by bohemian composersDvorak, Muczynski, and songs by Tchaikovsky performed by Yvonne Redman, Julia Fedoseeva, Dmitry Kouzov, Stefan Milenkovich and the Meliora Trio. * Open to people of all ages.

DoChas 2017 festival is made possible in part by the generosity of community partners and individuals including the Orpheum Childrens Science Museum, Barham Benefit Group, Sullivan-Parkhill Imports, Koester & Bradley, LLP, BodyWork Associates, Dixon Graphics, Adams Outdoor Advertising, Pursuit Institute, Darrell Hoemann Photography, Class Act, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, University of Illinois School of Music and the College of Fine and Applied Arts.

About DoCha

DoCha creates chamber music-based experiences for all people that engageall of the senses. Committed to the idea that chamber music can and should be enjoyed by everyone, DoCha is fun, engaging, collaborative, educational, and its performances are free. DoCha began as a collective effort among University of Illinois faculty, students, community members, and friends to experiment with new and adventurous ways to present chamber music for the 21st century.

For more information about the festival, visit http://www.docha.org.

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Dates for DoCha Chamber Music Festival 2017 announced - Smile Politely - Champaign-Urbana's Online Magazine

Here are some local events taking place today:

Art and Coffee,10:30 a.m., Philomath Community Library, 1050 Applegate St. Those 16 or over are invited to join in a relaxing morning of art, coloring, conversation, music and treats. Bring your own supplies or share the library's.

Coloring for Everyone,6:30 p.m., meeting room,Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave. Supplies, coloring pages and relaxing music provided.

Stakeholder Committee of Philomath Downtown Streetscape Project,7 p.m., council chamber, city hall, 980 Applegate St.

Corvallis Community Band: Topsy-Turvy: The Music of Edward Elgar and Gilbert and Sullivan,7:30 p.m., LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St. The band in concert, with assistance from the Corvallis Academy of Ballet and OSU vocal students. Information: c-cband.org.

For more information, see Thursdays E, the calendar in each days edition or http://www.gazettetimes.com.

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Today's Highlights (March 21) | Events-calendar | democratherald.com - Albany Democrat Herald

What is your idea of perfect happiness? My definition of happiness is to be in balance with your life, your principle. Enjoying the life you are happy with and spending your time accordingly.

Which living person do you most admire? People who are true to what they believe, who can lead a life true to themselves and dont follow others.

What is your greatest extravagance? I like mountain climbing. I really enjoy taking these off trips to the mountains on my own or with my friends, just getting myself away from the world. And the same goes for swimming. I love swimming and I am a good swimmer.

What is your current state of mind? I am happy because I am pursuing this dream to get recognition for our wines for many years, and finally I am seeing that its happening.

What is the quality you most like in another person? Humbleness and being transparent and honest. Just be yourself.

Who or what is the greatest love of your life? My wife and my four daughters. I live for them.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Finesse and elegance [breaks out in laughter]. I am embarrassed to say but its true. We were always trying to express what we do, and I think I overused it. I apologise for that.

When and where were you happiest? I love a house by the sea, overlooking the ocean. Nice music, relaxing mood at home with my family.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be? Id like to have more patience and to be more in control.

Which talent would you most like to have? I would like to have more artistic talents to appreciate music and art.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? From a business perspective, we helped the world to recognise quality wines from Chile, and to put Chilean wines on the map. Thats something on the professional side, but on the family side, I am very proud of my family, my daughters.

Where would you most like to live? I love living in Chile, but its far from the rest of the world. Its a long journey to everywhere we go but its a lovely place, with ideal weather.

Who is your favourite writer? Isabel Allende, a Chilean writer. She has very nice novels on Chile. She is a very talented writer.

Who is your hero of fiction? Let me think about that. Normally when you think of hero of fiction, you think of Superman. I dont know if he is my hero but thats what comes to my mind when I was reading comic books.

What is your greatest regret? I had the loss of two children. They were born but suddenly died. Its a lifelong regret.

What is your motto? This is just the beginning.

Who would be your ideal dinner party guests and what three wines would you serve? I guess I would love to invite Angelina Jolie. I would have to say my wife as well, but [would invite them] separately of course [more laughter]. Also, Jeannie Cho Lee MW, who is a very fond friend of mine. Every time I come to Hong Kong, I would try to see her. Its funny she also has four girls so we are really good friends. I would have a very nice selection of wines, starting with Aconcagua Costa Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir, perhaps followed by some nice Cabernet from Chileand Bordeaux. I love Margaux, its my favourite first growth. I was also very close to the late winemaker Paul Pontallier. We spent some time in Chile together. Margaux has been my benchmark wine, and of course I would serve ViedoChadwick.

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Proust Q&A: Eduardo Chadwick - The Drinks Business

Dear Editor:

This is big business, literally. I am not making a judgment about the affect on the nutritional needs of the human body, but I have to question their advertised nutritional affects. That is where the big business aspect comes in to play.

Do you the consumer, realize how much extra you are paying for organic or non GMO foods? Are you aware of the truth about GMO products? Do you know that there is no scientific proof, at all, that GMO foods are harmful to the body? This rumor was started years ago and to this day nobody can provide one shred of evidence that GMOs are harmful. But on the other hand it has been proven more products can be produced on less acres, using less water, less fuel, and less herbicides to harvest and feed more people, worldwide. Now what about the benefits? This part of the equation can be answered by the retailers.

They are making a killing. Some times twice the price of non organic or GMO.

Many of the same questions can be applied to organic foods. The Food and Drug Administration has strict rules that govern the production and distribution of foods raised on our farms.

One example-Honey, how can organic honey be produced? Can that little bee, be told where he can go to get his ingredients? But the retailers do not have to prove what makes his product organic. He just ups the price, puts his label on and collects his money.

You the consumer are paying for all of this. It might be wise for you the consumer to contact our geneticists at the U of I or some of our honey producers and get their opinion.

Concerned Citizen,

John Gilliam

Lenore

Excerpt from:

Letter to the Editor: Should we be concerned about organic foods? - Clearwater Tribune

PHOENIX - Organic foods are really popularand usually expensive. But what are you really getting for the price?

Were breaking down three myths about organic food.

Myth number one: Organic foods are automatically healthier.

Not quite. Experts say there isnt a lot of evidence one way or the other about the healthfulness of organic versus conventional produce. However, registered dietician Sarah Martinelli with ASU School of Nutrition and Health Promotion says some organic meats can have a higher amount of good fat.

Myth number two: Organic and natural foods are the same.

Theyre not. Organic foods have to come from USDA certified organic farmers. They have to adhere to strict growing standards and use fewer pesticides. And higher prices for organic foods are often due to the cost of maintaining safer water and soil protection.

The natural label is much broader.

It just means nothing artificial but it doesn't address how things are produced, Martinelli said.

Myth number three: Health food stores only sell healthy food

Just because its a health-focused store like maybe Sprouts or Trader Joes or Whole Foods, it doesn't mean that every product they sell is good for you, Martinelli said.

No matter which foods you get, Martinelli says washing produce with water and friction significantly reduces pesticides.

Need my help?

Call volunteers with the Assistance League of Phoenix at 855-323-1515, email me at Joe@abc15.com or contact me on Facebook or Twitter.

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3 myths about organic foods you need to know - ABC15 Arizona - ABC15 Arizona

Many people -- from consumers and farmers to scientists and international organizations -- believe that organic agriculture can produce enough nutritious food to feed the world without destroying the environment, while being more resilient to climate change and improving the livelihoods of farmers.

We discovered that organic farming does matter -- just not in the way most people think.

Compared to a neighboring conventional farm, an organic farm at first appears to be better for the environment. But that's not the whole story. Here's how it breaks down.

What's good: Organic farms provide higher biodiversity, hosting more bees, birds and butterflies. They also have higher soil and water quality and emit fewer greenhouse gases.

The jury's still out on whether the consumer is better off, too.

What's good: For consumers in countries with weak pesticide regulations, like India, organic food reduces pesticide exposure. Organic ingredients also most likely have slightly higher levels of some vitamins and secondary metabolites.

Organic methods bring certain benefits for farmers, some costs and many unknowns.

What's not-so-good: We still don't know whether organic farms pay higher wages or offer better working conditions than conventional farms. Organic farm workers are most likely exploited in similar ways as those tilling the fields on conventional farms.

In short, we cannot determine yet whether organic agriculture could feed the world and reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture while providing decent jobs and giving consumers affordable, nutritious food.

It's a lot to ask of one industry, and there are still just too many unanswered questions. Some of these questions relate to agriculture, such as whether organic farms can eventually close the yield gap with conventional farms and whether there are enough organic fertilizers to produce all the world's food organically.

But some questions are also about humanity's collective future. Can people in the rich world learn to change our diet and reduce food waste to avoid having to increase food production as the global population grows? And are enough people willing to work in agriculture to meet the needs of labor-intensive organic farms?

A more useful question is whether we should continue to eat organic food and expand investment in organic farming. Here the answer is a definitive yes.

Organic agriculture shows significant promises in many areas. We would be foolish not to consider it an important tool in developing more sustainable global agriculture.

So yes, you should identify and support those organic farms that are doing a great job of producing environmentally friendly, economically viable, and socially just food. Conscientious consumers can also push to improve organic farming where it is not doing so well -- for example on yields and worker rights.

As scientists, we must close some of the critical knowledge gaps about this farming system to better understand its achievements and help address its challenges.

But in the meantime, everyone can learn from successful organic farms and help improve the other 99% of agriculture that's feeding the world today.

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Organic farming matters - just not in the way you think - CNN.com - CNN

MINNEAPOLIS Organic cotton textiles register no more than a footnote in the worlds cotton production, but Vishal Naithani wants to change that.

His company, Sustained Organic Living in suburban Minneapolis, selects certified organic cotton grown in India with non-GMO seeds. The products are made using only fair trade labor on the farms and in the factories.

The challenge for Naithani and his company, which is also known as Sol Organics, is to be able to create the level of interest among consumers for organic apparel that has been generated for organic food. For now, his chief weapon is price: He aims to price his products significantly lower than his online competitors and on par with high-quality bedding that is not fair trade organic.

Every family should have access to affordable organic cotton just like they have access to affordable organic food, he said. It shouldnt be only the wealthy who can afford premium products.

Sol Organics is one of a number of companies offering organic, fair trade textiles online or in stores. Companies such as Boll & Branch and Patagonia sell them. West Elm, Pottery Barn, and Target feature organic cotton that may or may not be fair trade. Naithani said Sol Organics is the only Minnesota-based company to do so.

Part of the reason Naithani acts as a maverick is that organic cotton hasnt grabbed the consumers attention like organic milk, produce and poultry.

Shoppers arent ingesting organic cotton as they do organic foods, so they may not see the benefit, said Mary Brett Whitfield, senior vice president at Kantar Retail, a retail consulting business. We havent trained shoppers to think about how cotton is grown or how it fits in the environmental food chain.

Conventionally grown cottons critics say the so-called fabric of our lives is a crop that requires lots of water and chemicals to grow. A pesticide-intensive crop, conventional cotton uses more than an average amount of pesticides, although the amount is in dispute.

Cotton covers 2.5 percent of the worlds cultivated land, yet growers use an estimated 10 to 25 percent of the worlds pesticides, according to Rodale Institute, a Pennsylvania organic farm and researcher. AMIS Global, an agriculture data firm, estimates the pesticide usage for cotton at closer to 5 percent, according to Cotton Inc., a U.S. trade organization.

In India, where more than 20 percent of the worlds cotton is grown, child labor is common. According to a Harris Poll conducted in 2016, three in five consumers would not purchase a cotton product if they knew it was picked by children or forced labor.

Naithani and others in the business believe that, in time, more consumers will search out organic sheets, towels and clothing. Only 5 percent of consumers purchase organic clothing, slightly higher among millennials, according to Kantar Retail.

The average price paid for a queen sheet set in the U.S. is $80, but organic cotton sets (300 thread count sateen) start at $240 at BollandBranch.com and $258 at Coyuchi.com.

At the wholesale level, organic, fair trade cotton costs only about 15 percent more than conventional cotton, Naithani said. He doubles the cost of the goods for his retail price while competitors triple the cost, he said.

The only way to get people to convert to buying organic cotton is to keep prices competitive. Costco and Wal-Mart have made organic food affordable, he said. We want to do the same for organic cotton.

At $119 for a queen set and $139 for a king set at solorganix.com (after a $40 instant savings), his prices are 30 to 50 percent less than comparable products online, but still nearly double what a conventional set costs at Kohls or J.C. Penney.

Naithani hopes to drop the price of his queen-sized set to $99 within two years, once the product reaches critical mass. Affordability is the tipping point, he said. It promotes access, which in turn creates demand and conversion to organic cotton.

Brett Whitfield sees organic cotton as early in its life cycle but poised for growth. Target and Pottery Barn recently expanded their organic textiles selection. Pottery Barns spring collections show fair trade, organic sheets and towels.

Target, which already had organic cotton sheets, clothes and baby items, added organic in its new Cat & Jack kids line. Its recent pledge to remove perfluorinated chemicals and flame retardants from textiles by 2022 shows a long-term commitment.

We know organic cotton is important to our guests, said Erika Winkels, a Target spokeswoman. It will continue to grow in the future, whether its home or apparel. Its not the be-all-end-all, but its important.

Naithani, who also sells his product on Amazon, hopes to break $1 million in annual sheet sales by next month. Thats still a fraction of the online retailer Boll & Branch, which sold about $40 million in organic fair trade sheets and towels in 2016.

Sols products are getting four- and five-star reviews online. His return rate is an enviably low 2.5 percent.

Increasing the demand for organic cotton creates this tremendous upside where everyone wins, the farmer, the consumer and the earth, he said.

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Can organic cotton become as mainstream as organic food? - Mesabi Daily News

Mandy L. Puckett 9:01 a.m. ET March 22, 2017

Mandy Puckett(Photo: Photo provided)

The organic food business is growing rapidly. Nearly 70 percent of Americans buy organic food occasionally and nearly 25 percent buy it weekly. Organic food can be costly, so be sure to look for the USDA seal on any kind of packaged food to ensure youre getting antibiotic and hormone-free products.

What is the definition of organic?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines organic products by stating they have been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balanceand conserve biodiversity. The national organic standards forbid the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, sewage sludge, irradiationand genetic engineering to grow fruits, nuts, vegetablesand grains. Also, organic meat and poultry cant be irradiated and the animals must have access to the outdoors, plus cant be given any growth hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs. All feed must be 100 percent organic, with no animal by-products.

Furthermore, it is important to clarify that organic focuses more on how the crops were grown or the animals were raised, rather than on the nutrients the food provides.

How is organic defined for food product labeling?

100 percent organic: Made with 100 percentorganic ingredients

Organic: Made with at least 95 percentorganic ingredients

Made with Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70 percentorganic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30 percentincluding no GMOs (genetically modified organisms).

What are reasons to choose organic?

Individuals choose to include organic foods in their diet for several reasons, such as to reduce or avoid toxins (pesticides, herbicides, etc.), to avoid genetically modified foods, because they prefer the taste of organic food, for protection of the environment, and due to perceived nutritional benefits.

If your reason in choosing organic food is to limit exposure to pesticides, antibiotics, etc., then you are making a good choice. Research has found that organically grown crops consistently have about one-third as many pesticide residues compared to conventionally grown versions. Organic foods are also less likely to contain residues of more than one pesticide.

However, if you are choosing organic foods because you feel they provide a better source of nutrition, that is still up for debate.Currently, there is limited scientific evidence that shows that organically produced foods are in fact more nutritious in comparison to conventionally grown food. Similarly, taste and appearance of organic compared to conventionally grown foods tend to not show a significant difference either.Choosing fresh food is the best way to ensure you are consuming food at its peak of nutrition and best taste, whether organic or conventional.

RELATED:

Local organic grocery store owner takes aim at city support for Fresh Thyme

Muncie Makers Market joins Indiana Grown

What foods should you always, whenever possible, buy organic?

Ultimately, choosing to buy organic foods is a personal decision.Cost tends to be the more significant barrier in choosing to eat organic foods as they typically are priced 20-100 percenthigher than their conventionally raised counterparts.

If you would like to incorporate some organic foods, but your food budget does not allow for a full shift, you can use the Environmental Working Group (EWG) as a guide to selecting produce as a place to start. Based on the EWG analysis of tests performed by the USDA, they identify each year the top 12 foods that should be purchased organic when possible due to their high pesticide residuals.For 2017 the EWGs Dirty Dozen includes, in order,strawberries (one of their key findings was a single sample of strawberries showed 20 different pesticides), spinach, nectarines, apples, peaches, celery, grapes, pears, cherries, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers and potatoes.

Are there any foods that dont necessarily need to be organic? Opposite of the Dirty Dozen is the EWGs Clean 15.The 2017 Clean Fifteen list of produce least likely to contain pesticide residues included sweet corn, avocados, pineapples, cabbage, onions, frozen sweet peas, papayas, asparagus, mangoes, eggplant, honeydew melon, kiwis, cantaloupe, cauliflower and grapefruit. The EWG reported that there were relatively few pesticides detected on these foods, and tests found low total concentrations of pesticide residues on them.

What produce is in-season in the spring?

Choosing produce that is in season is one way to control food cost. This spring look to include asparagus, broccoli, snap peas, green beans and a variety of lettuces.

Mandy L. Puckett is the manager of clinical nutrition and weight management at the IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital Bariatric andMedical Weight Loss Center. For more information, visit http://www.iuhealth.org/ball-memorial.

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Ask the Expert: How (and why) to eat organic - Muncie Star Press

Gluten-free bakery goods, organically grown food and even fresh dog and cat food is catching the publics eye these days and the interest in these products is helping to drive changes at Goodwin and Sons Market in Crestline.

We have been adding organically grown fresh vegetables and fruits to our produce section and the public loves it, said Mike Johnstone, store manager. We started out with just a four-foot section of produce and have expanded that to 12 feet. Weve been expanding our fresh organic line to where we even have a dry rack at the front.

Johnstone said that some of the most popular produce items are organically grown bananas and unique items such as golden beets.

One of his main suppliers is Alberts Organics, the nations leading distributor of quality organically grown fresh produce and perishable items, including meat, dairy, soy products, juices/beverages, and much more.

The golden beets we sell are very popular and have a sweeter taste, he said.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, consumer demand for organically produced goods continues to show double-digit growth, providing market incentives for U.S. farmers across a broad range of products.

Organic products are now available in nearly 20,000 natural food stores and nearly three-out-of-four conventional grocery stores. Organic sales account for over 4 percent of total U.S. food sales, according to recent industry statistics.

U.S. sales of organic products were an estimated $28.4 billion in 2012and was projected to reach an estimated $35 billion in 2014. Fresh fruits and vegetables have been the top-selling category of organically grown food since the organic food industry started retailing products over three decades ago, and they are still outselling other food categories, according to the Nutrition Business Journal.

Produce accounted for 43 percent of U.S. organic food sales in 2012, followed by dairy (15 percent), packaged/prepared foods (11 percent), beverages (11 percent), bread/grains (9 percent), snack foods (5 percent), meat/fish/poultry (3 percent), and condiments (3 percent).

Our customers really enjoy the idea of taking home fresh organic produce and our need to keep adding to our produce section shows that, Johnstone said.

Also popular these days are gluten-free baked items and gluten-free baking supplies and products.

We now have a section of the store solely devoted to gluten-free items, and we organized it so that these products would all be in one area to make it easier on our customers, he said.

Goodwins also has brought gluten-free into its bakery.

Our specialty baker, Katharine DeClerck, has been adding a number of items, from breads to cookies, to our lineup, Johnstone said. The gluten-free baked goods have been really popular.

The items complement the stores lineup of fresh-squeezed organic juices from the juice bar, next to the coffee bar.

Johnstone also added that the publics interest in organic food extends to the stores lineup of pet food.

Recently Goodwins added a refrigerated display case featuring fresh pet products from Freshpet, a New Jersey-based company.

Packed with vitamins and proteins, our meals offer fresh meats, poultry and vegetables, farmed locally, according to the company. The Freshpet kitchens then thoughtfully prepare these natural ingredients and everyday essentials. We cook in small batches at lower temperatures to preserve key nutrients. That way, your pet gets the best.

Johnstone said that Goodwins will keep adding organic and gluten-free products to the stores lineup because the demand is there.

Its just amazing, he added.

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Goodwin's Adds Organic, Gluten-Free Items - Mountain News

More than 20 people gathered Wednesday in the upper level of the Art Center of Burlington for the first of what will be many weekly Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center meditation classes.

The Davenport-based nonprofit has been operational about seven years and in that time has offered its meditation expertise to those in Davenport, Iowa City, Des Moines and Rock Island, Ill.; youths in the Quad Cities and Iowa City can attend childrens meditation.

Meditation teacher Joe Gauthier said the Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist Center tries to get the classes to wherever there is an interest or need. He decided to bring his services to southeast Iowa after people from Burlington and Fort Madison who attended his classes in the Quad Cities told him they wished there were similar sessions closer to home.

Those attending were there for reasons ranging from hoping to reduce stress, to improving their mindfulness, to satisfying their curiosity about the subject.

It was the first time Angie Kruse of Burlington tried meditating. Aside from a general interest, she wanted to try something new and was grateful for the opportunity.

We need to take advantage of these things, she said.

Jim and Linda Bean of Fort Madison were doing just that. Jim, a 17-year DuPont retiree, wasnt there to de-stress as Linda keeps a low-stress environment, but he thought meditation might be a good way to stay sharp.

They say keep your mind engaged and learn knew concepts, Jim said.

He plans to pass on what he learned to his son and his sons family.

Linda had her own reasons for attending.

Its supposed to be healthful. Its supposed to be relaxing, stress-reducing, Linda said.

Also there for health benefits was Don Roasa of Burlington, who hoped the class would give him some tools to fall back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night.

Before getting started, Gauthier explained how meditation works.

The experience we have in life is very subjective, as we all know, he said.

People have good days and not so good days, despite being surrounded by the same external environments on a daily or near-daily basis, he said. People have good days because those external things are seen through the prism of positive mind.

You can gradually move to a state of permanent positivity through training and meditation, he said.

Gauthier told his students they must focus on their breath. Meditation requires one to focus on an object, such as a mental image of a cat or a specific feeling. Breathing is a popular object of meditation because its always there and is deeply connected to the mind and body, which helps those meditating become more absorbed in their focus.

Concentration is key when meditating, as it helps those practicing access a deeper level of consciousness. When deeper levels of the mind are reached, Gauthier said, time moves by quickly. This is because the subtle mind processes time differently than the surface mind. And turning awareness inward allows people to let go of external objects and gain more control over their emotions and state of mind.

With the goal in mind, the class got down to business. Sitting in chairs with their backs straight, heads tilted downward at a 45-degree angle, hands in their laps and feet rooted to the floor, Gauthier helped the students settle in for their 10-minute mental journey, reminding them to focus on their breathing and gently guiding their concentration back to that object should their mind wander. The room grew silent as the class turned their attentions inward in hopes of stilling their thoughts.

Its not as easy as it sounds.

Usually, the mind will be a little rebellious, Gauthier said before they began, but it does get easier with practice.

Roasa didnt have too much trouble keeping his focus, but he did get warm. He noticed cooling off again when discussion resumed following the group meditation. That is because, Gauthier said, concentration creates energy and, in turn, gives off heat.

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Meditation classes come to Burlington - Burlington Hawk Eye