As stress levels rise and attention spans shrink, consumers are increasingly using technology to tap into Zen. Approximately 18 million Americans practice meditation, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and, much like yoga, meditation apps are exploding in the marketplace.

Apps like Calm, Headspace and The Mindfulness App offer both monthly and yearly subscriptions. Meditation sessions, which can be customized by length and according to mood, are dedicated to improving physical and emotional well-being, increasing focus, managing stress and getting a better nights sleep.

Meditation is based on principles of Buddhism and has been practiced for thousands of years, but its current popularity is due, in part, to decreased stigmas around discussing mental health, said Alex Tew, co-founder and co-CEO of Calm, which averaged 30,000 new users per day in the last year.

For a long time, people associated meditation with spirituality or religion or general weirdness, Tew explained. But now, in some places, its almost a badge of honor to meditate, which is a total 180 shift. Especially in Silicon Valley, its surprising if somebody doesnt meditate. Its the same as physical exerciseits becoming a bigger trend because people are realizing that its good for them.

"Especially in Silicon Valley, its surprising if somebody doesnt meditate."

-Alex Tew, co-founder and co-CEO of Calm

Theres also an increasing realization about how emotional well-being impacts physical health. Forty-six percent of U.S. consumers say that keeping a positive mindset is one way they manage their overall health, and 40 percent say that stress is their main source of body pains, like headaches and backaches, according to Mintel.

People are getting more savvy about how chronic stress can lead to chronic ill health, said Carli Gernot, manager of trends, North America at Mintel.

The turbulent political climate is also playing a part in these apps growing popularity. Increasingly, people are dissatisfied with the direction of the country, and if theyre stressed out about whats going on, these apps can help them be more present and manage stress, said Alexis Fragale, director of consumer insights at Mindshare North America. Calms Tew, meanwhile, noted that his apps downloads have doubled in the months following Trumps election.

Each meditation app tends to have its own particular vibe. The Mindfulness App has a global focusits available in 30 languageswhile Headspace aims to stand out through the volume of its content and by emphasizing the expertise of its instructors. Calm offers unique services like Sleep Stories, bedtime tales for adults, as well as ambient background sounds andnature scenery.

The Mindfulness App, which primarily targets urban consumers 35 to 50, promotes itself through Instagram influencers and paid ads on Facebook. The company also partnered with El Al Airlines and Mini to offer meditation sessions on flights and in London traffic, respectively, and tested the app on 100 hospital employees in Sweden and the U.K. to measure its impact on staffers trauma management and interactions with patients. Its been proven over and over again that meditation reduces stress and helps people with compassion, said Magnus Fridh, the apps co-founder.

Headspace has partnered with seven major airlines to offer passengers content on staying calm through flight delays, avoiding jet lag and sleeping better on board, and worked with the British Olympic teams athletes and sports psychologists to improve performance during the 2012 and 2016 games. Partnerships have been key to our success, and the sheer depth and breadth of our content helps differentiate us, too, said Headspace co-founder Rich Pierson.

Calm advertises on Facebook and through search ads in the Apple app store, but reaches 99 percent of its customers through word of mouth. When people have a good experience and feel the benefits of meditation, it turns them into evangelists, Tew said.

Analysts see the meditation trend expanding to include wearables, which could track your pulse and offer ideas on stress management, or expanding in the retail sector. (A recent example is Lululemon, which installed a meditation bus outside of one of its London stores.)

The trend is going to continue to grow, agreed Tew. Weve become good in the West with advances in medicine, but the modern ailments of our time, anxiety and depression, are more about your state of mind than your body.

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Meditation Apps Are Becoming a Source of Zen in an Overstressed World - FishbowlDC (blog)

By the time Brian Stann was interviewing Derrick Lewis in the cage after UFC Fight Night 105 on Sunday in Halifax, Nova Scotia, there was subdued outcry at the fact that referee Mario Yamasaki was late to stop the fight, allowing Lewis to land a few additional strikes on an already unconscious Travis Browne. Lewis did nothing wrong; the strikes werent malicious, just unnecessary, which is an expected occurrence in this line of work. Its just that Lewis hits harder than a 10-foot wave breaking onshore, which makes those extra shots a bit more serious than if it were, say, Jared Rosholt delivering them. Alas, Yamasaki was a little late to intervene, and The Black Beast crashed on the eroded shoreline of Brownes consciousness.

In other circumstances, that may have manufactured some outrage, at least for a few hours until people got bored. Not this time. Browne has become one of the more reviled fighters on the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster in certain circles. His association with perpetual punchline Edmond Tarverdyan and his relationship with Ronda Rousey are both part of it, but Lewis made sure to remind people why they shouldnt feel too bad for Browne: He calls himself a man, but he likes to put his hands on women, so forget that guy.

If there was any lingering resentment about the late stoppage, it evaporated quickly at that line. Lewis, of course, was referring to a 2015 domestic abuse allegation from Brownes then-wife. Its important to note that Browne has denied the allegations and no criminal charges were pressed. Some felt the comment crossed the line, while others celebrated it. Either way, it begged some contemplation. What is the role of sportsmanship in MMA? What are the ethical responsibilities of fighters and consumers? Is it OK to feel pleasure from watching bad things happen to bad people or, more accurately, people we deem bad?

Sportsmanship is a strange subject with which to grapple. The word usually evokes images of pity-trophies for the worst teams in youth leagues across the country, which, by virtue of being the least talented, were recognized as the most sportsmanlike. Its important to get over that kneejerk dismissal, though. Sportsmanship is the umbrella term for the virtues of competition. As anyone who has competed knows, sports are not simply a measurement of who is better at a given game on a given day. Games are microcosms of real life, brief encapsulations of the ongoing highs and lows of living in the world.

To view sports as a rote form of entertainment is empty. They are that, but thats not all they are. Our games exist to satisfy our reptilian thirst for entertainment as much as they are here to reflect our values. We live in a society of ethical prescriptivism, where things dont always fall under strict binaries of winners and losers. There are also ways we should win and ways we should lose. The shoulds are up for debate, but youd be hard-pressed to find a sports fan that does not have any opinions on them at all.

This is why people tend to get up in arms about trash talking after a fight. Before a fight, it is usually accepted -- even encouraged -- because it adds intrigue. Its good business. However, trash talking an opponent after a fight, the argument goes, is ugly. Browne had already been knocked out and then some. Did Lewis really need to add insult to injury?

Think of it in a different context. What if an employer fired a coworker of yours and proceeded to send a mass email to everyone in the company airing out their dirty laundry? Or if the same thing happened with someone you know who got dumped? That sort of thing is juicy and inherently attention-grabbing, but it also leaves a sticky residue of voyeurism, even if it is easy to justify our antipathy.

That opens up into a larger discussion. Is there a moral duty of sports? If your answer is no, then sportsmanship is of no concern to you and likely you couldnt care less about how the winners and losers act after a fight. That there is a winner and loser is probably enough. If the athletes themselves have any sort of moral responsibility, however, and if we as consumers share in it, then what exactly are those responsibilities? Should we expect people who inflict violence in a cage for a living to be pillars of righteousness? Are we part of the problem by actively supporting people who destroy their brains and their bodies for low pay for our weekend amusement? Im not sure these questions can be separated from the sport -- the product -- itself.

This is especially tangled territory because unsportsmanlike behavior is naturally captivating. Think how boring it is for fighters to reel off the my opponent is tough and I really respect him line after each fight and compare that to how you felt after hearing Lewis post-fight speech. One type of response blends into an amorphous mass of white noise; the other makes you want to see more. It goes without saying, but the desire to see more is better for business, for both the company and the fighter.

The most pointed ethical question in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night 105 was whether or not it is OK to feel good about seeing something bad happen to someone we perceive as bad. Its MMAs version of the Is it OK to punch a Nazi? debate. On one hand, punching someone repeatedly after theyre knocked out is a bad thing on its face. On the other hand, we feel a natural vindication when we see people get what they deserve. Then, is an action itself less bad if it is inflicted upon a bad person? Whether or not Browne is actually a bad guy and regardless how you felt about seeing him get punched in and out of unconsciousness, these are things we have to reconcile as fans; we are complicit in each and every ethical dilemma that intersects with the fight game.

We tend to view MMA through varying Venn goggles, that it exists to some extent as competition and some extent as entertainment. What the Lewis fight showed us, though, was that we really watch through more granular, essential lenses. Its part of the poetry of fighting; we can devour it with animalistic mindlessness at the same time we dissect it with human thoughtfulness. Im not going to tell anyone how they should or should not enjoy themselves on fight night, but Im not going to ignore the food for thought this sport provides, either.

Lewis may not be the philosophical provocateur Im making him out to be, but for a man whose post-fight interview included the word booboo and called feces Number 2 -- the most kid-friendly, potty-talk way to say shit of all euphemisms -- he gave us a lot to think about. Until we see him again, may he enjoy the fruits of bodily rest and steer clear of excess sex.

Hailing from Kailua, Hawaii, Eric Stinton has been contributing to Sherdog since 2014. He received his BFA in Creative Writing from Chapman University and graduate degree in Special Education from University of Hawaii. He is an occasional columnist for Honolulu Civil Beat, and his work has also appeared in The Classical. You can find his writing at ericstinton.com. He currently lives in Seoul with his fianc and dachshund.

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Opinion: 'The Black Beast' -- A Meditation on Ethics in MMA - Sherdog.com

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Free aerobics fun in the pool News24 Dozens of seniors took the opportunity to have fun while staying active with free aqua aerobics classes that was offered at the Lentegeur swimming pool. Berenice Martin, the event organiser, says: I love the water and I thought it was important to ...

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Free aerobics fun in the pool - News24

Kevin Markham assesses the European Tours innovations designed to sex up golf.

Brett Rumford plays his tee shot on the 18th on his way to winning the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth in Australia. Picture: Paul Kane

The Kaiser Chiefs are probably not words you expect to see in a column about golf.

The band famous for I Predict a Riot, Ruby, and Oh My God does not contain any passionate golfers but, as the last putt rolls it at the BMW Championship this year, the boys will be tuning up for a celebratory gig in the exclusive setting of the Wentworth Golf Club.

Thumping out their tunes amid the multi-million pound homes of Surreys stockbroker belt might seem an oddity for golf and the European Tour, but this is a new age.

Ill promise to not play golf if Rory McIlroy promises not to sing, though if he wants to get up and join us hes more than welcome, said Chiefs frontman, Ricky Wilson.

With the important business of the golf out of the way, hopefully everyone will be in the mood for a bit of a party on the Sunday night.

Yes, the European Tour is rattling the cage when it comes to fan engagement. A live gig by The Kaiser Chiefs is just one step in a new direction for the tour, now under the guidance of chief executive Keith Pelley.

Pelley has only been in the role since April 2015, but the changes he has been instrumental in introducing are stirring new conversations in clubhouses around the world.

In Ireland, we might look on with some bemusement at these efforts to attract fans. The Irish Open has lured large crowds in recent years.

The events at Royal Portrush (2013) and Royal County Down (2015) were sold out. Indeed, the Royal Portrush event was attended by over 112,000 and was the first European Tour event to be sold out.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, now in its third year, is proving to be a well-orchestrated and well-oiled machine. As part of the new Rolex Series, this years event at Portstewart will also see an already impressive prize fund (4m in 2016) rise to an even heftier 6.6m.

That purse is sure to attract many more of the worlds best as part of a three-week links swing, which culminates with the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Yes, it is more than likely that the 2017 Irish Open will be sold out, too.

Elsewhere on the European Tour, however, the crowds and prize funds are not as impressive and especially when they move outside Europe.

The recent events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi cannot hope to lure the same number of fans the audience simply isnt there but that doesnt mean the European Tour and Pelley arent going to try some innovative ideas to make golf more entertaining for fans and for players, too.

Throughout the week at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, music was played on the range. The Pros seemed to enjoy the experience:

It keeps you kind of relaxed, said Dustin Johnson.

Having a little music going kind of keeps the mood light. Hopefully, it will attract some other people to come out and watch and enjoy the game.

There are plenty of pros who hit the range wearing headphones to help them cut out the noise and distractions and/or to help them relax, but they have selected music to suit their tastes.

It certainly suggests that the variety of music (from Calvin Harris to the Red Hot Chili Peppers) pumping out of the speakers on the driving range is aimed more at attracting fans.

Not every pro was enamoured, however.

I didnt like it on Tuesday, said Paul Lawrie, the 48-year-old Scot who won the Open in 1999. When they turned it down it was fine, but, before that, you couldnt hear your caddie.

As part of the European Tours committee, Lawrie actually approved the music on the range.

You need to try [these ideas] to see if they work or not, he said.

Everyone seems to quite like it, but Im just old.

A further step might see music being played on the walkway to the 1st tee. There is room for all sorts of fun with this idea, as each golfer could find themselves assigned a signature tune. How about Eagles Take it Easy for Ernie Els, or Boom, Boom, Boom, by the Outhere Brothers for Rory McIlroy, or Abbas The Winner Takes it All, for Jordan Spieth.

And on the matter of all things Swedish, Henrik Stenson could be accompanied by Europes The Final Countdown infinitely more desirable than Abbas Dancing Queen, which is often played as the walk-on tune when he arrives on the 1st tee for exhibition matches.

Im all for it, said the 2016 Open champion.

Im sure not everyone is going to be delighted, maybe, but I would imagine the majority of players and the majority of the fans will like it. It creates a nice atmosphere, and I think that could be a good way going forward.

Whether this boxing match type atmosphere of having competitors arrive to music will catch on remains to be seen. Much will depend on whether it distracts players on the course.

Music on the driving range will continue, with Pelley targeting the European Tours Rolex Series (a minimum of seven events), which includes Portstewart (July 6-9). As long as Thin Lizzys The Boys are Back in Town is played, Irish fans will be happy.

The BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, in May, is the first Rolex Series event of the year and music is now seen as an important part of the fun factor. Driving range music will, in Pelleys own words, become synonymous with golf.

It is easy to applaud (or despair at) these efforts to make golf tournaments more vibrant affairs, but there is an important underlying motive. The number of golfers around the world has fallen dramatically. You only have to look at Ireland to see a decline that is mirrored elsewhere.

From a peak of 209,000 club members in 2007, membership now stands at 167,000. Despite snazzier clothing and, for the most-part, the relaxation of strict clubhouse policies, golf is still seen as elitist, expensive, and a game for the elderly.

Many pounce on issues such Muirfield voting to refuse female members as an example of how golf has failed to move with the times. This refusal saw Muirfield struck off the list of Open Championship venues, though a second vote has just taken place with the results due in mid-March.

The European Tour is attempting to lighten the mood, to make golf more relaxing, fun and attractive for everyone. Such efforts may attract more young people to the tournaments and, eventually, the game itself.

Of course, this is not specifically the responsibility of the European Tour thats for the unions but it is about altering perceptions and music is not the only change being introduced.

Tournament format is also being experimented with and last weekends ISPS HANDA Super 6 Perth saw something very different.

Following three days of stroke play, the top 24 golfers qualified for a final day of matchplay. It made Saturdays moving day an interesting affair, as golfers threw caution to the wind to be among the top 24.

The final day then presented a matchplay shoot-out, with each match contested over six holes. The eventual winner, Brett Rumford, had to win four matches to claim the title.

Another six-hole event will be held at The Centurion Club, outside London, in May. It is a very different format, being a fourball greensomes (Scotch foursomes a team event where both partners get to hit a tee shot, while only one tees off in foursomes, with tee shot duties alternating from hole to hole), with teams from 16 countries being represented.

All competitors will wear microphones during play, which will make things interesting on snap hooks and bladed bunker shots, but it is further evidence of an experimental approach.

All in all, Pelley sees these changes as the most significant advancements in the Tours 44 years.

It really has been a fun exercise to sit in a room and think about where this could go, he says. This is created for a younger audience, for people who havent necessarily experienced our game as much. We want to get them engaged.

No doubt there will be the naysayers who see these innovations as making change for changes sake, but our sport is combatting a decreasing relevance and shaking things up is no bad thing.

Now, if only we could do something about slow play I predict a riot.

Kevin Markham assesses the European Tour innovations designed to sex up golf

Having a little music going kind of keeps the mood light. Hopefully, it will attract some other people to come out.

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Swing to the music of golf - Irish Examiner

"My decision was, however, made simple by the fact that my church, the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, is within walking distance from here.

"But then, more wealthy black people got to know about this area, and they also moved in and bought land, pushing the prices up over the years. I have since bought more neighbouring plots, and now my land is 6ha.

"I started to build this place in 2010 before the Soccer World Cup. Being in construction myself, everything you see here, I built," Mohlala says.

She also owns resorts in Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

Molobane Estate Lodge and Spa has all the amenities for a relaxing stay a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, spa, lapa and six chalets.

A standard room costs R500 per night, and executive rooms are available at R1,200 a night.

The resort has a conference centre that can accommodate up to 200 delegates. Other amenities include a dining hall and a kitchen available for hire for events such as weddings and company functions.

The spacious garden area with well-manicured lawns can be used for music concerts.

"Even though we started building this place in 2010, it is only now that we are concentrating on marketing Molobane Resort Lodge and Spa, with discussions going on with [the] Virgin Active group of gyms to try and get them to operate one of their franchises from here. We have so many guests and residents who need a gym facility here," Mohlala says.

"This place is also very close to other tourist attractions in Soweto the famous Vilakazi Street is only a few minutes drive from here.

"When tourists visit any country, they like to go to where ordinary people live. With Soweto and other townships such as Bekkersdal on our doorstep, we are well-situated to host tourists, with the added advantage that we have created a rural atmosphere that is not that far from the big city."

The lodge provides tours of local townships for its guests.

"Molobane Resort Lodge and Spa is also safe as we have security 24 hours a day, complete with cameras that can reach as far as a kilometre away, to make sure that our clients have a relaxing retreat here," says the resorts operations manager, Terry Mokoena.

Mokoena organised a belated Valentine Days event, dubbed Valentine Garden Picnic, on February 19, with couples that were promised an afternoon of relaxation on the day.

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Spa offers relaxing time out with tours to nearby Soweto a special treat - Business Day (registration)

The first Wednesday of every month brings Texas Americana, Folk, and Country Blues by singer-songwriter Hank Erwin to Vino Di Sedona, March 1, 7-10 PM. Hank has an incredible history of life experiences that have resulted in a collection of songs that tell his story.After five years as a merchant marine he logged over 1,000 days at sea, traveled over 200,000 nautical miles, was US Coast Guard certified as an Able Bodied Seaman, and delivered roughly 10 million tons of cargo. He made more money than hed ever seen, blew more money than hed ever seen, and lost all control of his life off the boat which included any hopes of a music career. He stepped off of theSS Wilfred Sykes on January 10, 2014, and he never went back. He had no way of knowing that day that music would soon become his focus again, and that he would spend most of the following year on tour, or that hed spend the year after that fighting cancer...and touring, or that hed become the first member of his family to survive cancer. His gentle, but strong, soulechoesin his melodies, and he shares lifes lessons when he plays guitar and sings.

Local favorite, singer-songwriter, David Harvey performs classic rock covers and originals, including songs from his CD Ten Years Running at Vino Di Sedona on Thursday March 2, 7-10 PM. Harvey always delivers quality entertainment that keeps his audience toes tapping. According to Harvey, Music is a catalyst of expression, it can touch you, but you cannot touch it. Experienced only through the moment of sound. What music means is still yet to be discovered.

International singer-songwriter Darius Lux performs music live at Vino Di Sedona on Friday March 3, 7-10 PM. Darius is an award-winning artist who specializes in classic, uplifting pop with soulful vocals. Lux plays classic covers from Van Morrison to John Mayer, and his original songs connect with the heart through inspiring themes that range from empowerment to romance. His smooth voice and looped guitar stylings create an earthy blend of popular music, rock and reggae that you can relax or dance to.

Darius life has been one of expansive adventures. Originally hailing from London, hes been creating music almost as soon as he could talk. His influences range from Sting, Otis Redding, U2 to OneRepublic, Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz.

Darius went to school in NYC, after which he worked for Sony/Warner Chappell writing songs for artists such as Daryl Hall and Jennifer Lopez. After living in New York, Darius travelled the world for a year, embarking on a life-changing pilgrimage that led to a move to Hawaii, where he recorded his debut album, Arise.

Next moving to Los Angeles, Darius put together a band, released several more albums, Time is Now and We The Living, and music videos. All three of his albums feature songs that have been in film (The Butterfly Effect 3, Puncture Wounds) and TV (NBC, MTV, VH1, History & Discovery channels, Style Network and Oxygen Network). For more information visit dariuslux.com.

Saturday afternoon wine tasting on March 4 is accompanied by music by local musician Bill Barns. Barns music contributes to a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere and adds to your wine tasting experience. Barns is best known for his role in the Celtic trio, The Gaelic Dogs.

Night-time entertainment on March 4 is by local sensation Decker, 7-10 PM. When people ask what kind of music I playI dont really know what to say. All I can really say is that the desert is integral to my sound, says Brandon Decker. Since 2009, the Sedona, AZ based songwriter has written, produced and released a trove of mesmerizing music; an expansive palette of folk, gospel, rock and psychedelia recorded under the nom de plume Decker.

Decker has managed to encompass typical folklore story-arcs and blend them with a nostalgic sound that is reminiscent of 90s guitar rock, modernized and reinvented to the point whereby they sound both unique and familiar; a rare combination. Indie Music Reviewer Magazine. For more information visit deckermusic.org

Rick Busbea performs at Vino Di Sedona for Sunday-Funday, on March 5, 6-9 PM. Rick puts on a high-energy show playing a lot of familiar tunes by the likes of Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett and Jim Croce. After re-locating to Sedona from Los Angeles just two and a half years ago, Rick is becoming one of Sedonas favorite musicians. If you are not at Vino Di Sedona on Sunday nights, you are missing out!

Music Monday at Vino Di Sedona on March 6 brings an opportunity to see singer-Songwriter Brian Keith Wallen, 6-9 PM. Brians 2017 tour has him playing over 100 cities in the U.S. and Europe. From coast to coast and beyond, Brian is spreading his blend of blues-influenced acoustic music across the world. His award winning combination of storytelling and lightning licks on guitar will never let you forget his name. In just a few years, Brian has released multiple albums and performed over 1,000 shows in 26 states.

Brian won 2nd place in the 2015 International Blues Challenge, ranking in the top two out of hundreds of artists from all over the world. He was also named Artist of the Year by the Starr-Gennett Foundation. Brian has brought his foot-stomping, one-man show to timeless treasures, such as Dollywood and the Ryman Auditorium. For more information visit bkwmusic.com

Sedonas best Open Mic night, hosted by Dan Rice is every Tuesday, 6-10 PM, at Vino Di Sedona. Each musician is allotted an amount of time, or number of songs, and every week brings a variety of new talent along with regulars like KB Bren, Randy J, Rick Busbea, Zack Mack, Vickie Moyer and Dave Rice who frequently play at Open Mic.

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Vino Di Sedona ready to entertain - Verde Independent

This is a community calendar. To accommodate demand for the print edition, we ask that items be brief and include time, date, place, address, admission cost and a contact number for publication. Inclusion of items is at the discretion of the newspaper. Further information is available at 541-758-9524 or jane.stoltz@lee.net.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide tax preparation assistance.Individual tax returns prepared during tax season at various locations: Albany,Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, appointments: 541-917-7760; Corvallis and Philomath, Mondays through Saturdays, appointments, 541-602-5829. Free, in-person tax service is open to anyone of any age, especially those 50 or over or who can't afford paid tax preparation. Information: 888-227-7669 or http://www.aarp.org/taxaide.

Emergency food boxes,by appointment, North Corvallis Ministry Center, 5050 NE Elliott Circle. Appointments: 541-220-1040.

Screenings for Emergency Adult Dental Voucher Program eligibility,9 a.m. to noon, Benton County Health Center, 530 NW 27th St. For Benton County residents with proof of residency, such as an ID card, piece of mail or utility bill. Information: 541-207-5875.

Emergency food boxes,1:30 to 4 p.m., St. Vincent de Paul Society Corvallis Conference Food Pantry, campus of St. Marys Catholic Church, 501 NW 25th St. No appointment needed. A thrift store is in the same building; proceeds help support the pantry. Information: 541-757-1988, ext. 317.

Stone Soup dinner,5:30 to 6:30 p.m., McLean Hall,First Christian Church, 602 SW Madison Ave. Free meal for those in need.

Morning meditation circle,8:45 a.m., Live Well Studio, 971 NW Spruce Ave., Corvallis. Each week includes a yoga- or spirit-based idea to weave into participants' practice. No experience necessary. Donation: $7. Information: 541-224-6566 or http://www.livewellstudio.com.

Academy for Lifelong Learning,9:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., First Congregational United Church of Christ, 4515 SW West Hills Road, Corvallis. At 9:30: Olena Taratula presents "Multifunctional Nanomedicine for Cancer Imaging and Phototherapy." At 1:30: Ismail Warsame presents "Islamic Reformation vs. Islamic Revival (Tajdeed vs. Islah)." Information: 541-737-9405, admin@academyforlifelonglearning.org or http://www.academyforlifelonglearning.org.

Strength and Endurance,10:30 a.m., Recreation Room, North Star Manufactured Housing Community, 2601 NE Jack London St., Corvallis. Full-body, gentle, effective. Cost: $20 per month, or $4 drop in; first class free. Information: 541-754-6554.

"Raising a Canine Good Citizen," 12:30 p.m., Albany Senior Center,489 Water Ave. NW. The workshop will cover the basics of what it means to have a well-mannered dog.

Chair yoga,3 p.m., Live Well Studio, 971 NW Spruce Ave., Corvallis. Suited to those with medical or physical limitations. By donation. Information: 541-224-6566 or http://www.livewellstudio.com.

Cannabis Horticulture Q & A,6 p.m., CAN! Research office, 551 SW Fourth St., Corvallis. Cost: $10.

Running and walking group,5:45 a.m., track, Corvallis High School, 1400 NW Buchanan Ave. Information: 541-754-0441 or http://www.hotvrunners.com.

Traveling Wall of Honor on display,9 a.m. to 8 p.m., American Legion Post 10, 1215 Pacific Blvd. SE, Albany. The wall is a 32-panel display representing and honoring America's military killed in action. Opening ceremony, 11 a.m.; guest speaker: Jim Willis, Commander of the American Legion Department of Oregon, retired director of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs. Information: http://www.vetshelpingvetshq.com.

Infant story time,10 a.m., Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave. For children from birth through 1 year.

Art and Coffee, 10:30 a.m., community meeting room, Philomath Community Library, 1050 Applegate St. Those 16 and up are invited to join in a morning of art, coloring, conversation, music and treats. Supplies will be on hand; feel free to bring your own.

Little Listeners Story Time,10:30 a.m., Monroe Community Library,380 N. Fifth St.

Story time with puppet show,10:30 a.m., downtown Carnegie library, 302 Ferry St. SW, Albany. Information: 541-917-7580.

"Fruit of the Loam: Gearing Up for Gardening,"noon, main meeting room,Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave. Joseph Postman of the U.S. Department of Agriculture presents "Awesome Apples: New Varieties and Old Favorites."

"Know Your Cat Bingo!,"12:30 p.m., Albany Senior Center,489 Water Ave. NW. Test your knowledge of what it takes to make your feline companions happy and healthy; win prizes. Registration: 541-917-7760.

Genealogical library open,1 to 3:30 p.m., annex, Benton County Historical Museum, 1101 Main St., Philomath.

"Don't Worry, Be Happy,"3 to 5 p.m. or later, Old World Deli,341 SW Second St., Corvallis. Join in games; bring your favorites or just show up at any point. Fragrance-free, please. Information: 541-752-0135.

Read with the Beavs,4 to 5 p.m., youth activity room, Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave. Readers ages 4 to 11 can practice their reading with an athlete from Oregon State University. Bring your own book or use one from the library. Information: 541-766-6794.

Story time for infants and toddlers,5 p.m., Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. SE.

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

American Red Cross mobile blood drive,8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, 333 NW 35th St., Corvallis.

Rapid HIV testing,1:30 to 5:30 p.m., First Christian Church, 602 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis. Free testing and counseling. Information: 541-740-0405.

"Eating Your Way to Better Heart Health: The Mediterranean Diet,"6 p.m., Lebanon. The Mediterranean Diet is linked to better heart health, lower cholesterol and other health benefits. Registration: 855-873-0647 or samhealth.org/behealthy.

Takena Kiwanis Club of Albany,7 to 8 a.m., Elmers Restaurant, 2802 Santiam Highway SE. West Albany High School Athletic Coordinator Pat Richards presents "Upcoming Bond Measure for Albany Schools." Information: 541-619-9730.

Willamette Weyerhaeuser Coffee Group,9 a.m., Jack in the Box, 2020 S. Santiam Highway, Lebanon. No-host coffee hour.

Albany Optimist Club,noon to 1 p.m., Sizzler, 2148 Santiam Highway SE. Information: Ray Hilts, 541-928-0951.

Corvallis Bicycle Collective,noon to 4 p.m., 707 NW 11th St. Fix up your bicycle with free use of tools and advice; affordable used bicycles and parts. Information: 541-224-6885 or http://www.corvallisbikes.org.

Philomath Rotary Club,noon, Peace Lutheran Church, 2540 Applegate St. Cost: $10 for lunch; no charge for first-time guests.

Rotary Club of Albany,noon, Pops Branding Iron, 901 Pacific Blvd. SE.

Sweet Home Rotary Club,noon, Sweet Home Linn-Benton Community College Center, 1661 Long St.

Walking group,noon; meet in front of Running Princess Apparel, 351 SW Madison Ave. Information: 541-602-5057 or http://www.runningprincess.com.

Toast of Corvallis Toastmasters,12:10 p.m., Corvallis Chamber of Commerce, 420 NW Second St. Improve your public speaking skills and confidence. Information: 541-760-4361.

Corvallis Bridge Club,1 p.m., 6:30 p.m., Heart of the Valley Bridge Center, 1931 NWnCircle Blvd. Sign up 20 minutes before game. Partners/information: 541-740-1072 or http://www.corvallisbridge.org.

Pages,4 p.m., community room, Lebanon Public Library,55 Academy St. Book club for children ages 10 to 14. Meetings will include discussions and craft projects based on "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker. Registration: at the circulation desk or 541-258-4926.

Rotary Club of Corvallis After Five,5:15 p.m., downstairs, Tommys 4th St. Bar & Grill, 350 SW Fourth St. Information: 503-559-0971.

Corvallis Meditation Community,5:30 p.m., 3311 N.W. Polk Ave. Information: 971-218-6798, or on Facebook at Corvallis Meditation Community.

Cribbage Club,6 p.m., Veterans of Foreign Wars Hall, 1469 Timber St., Albany. Information: 541-928-9893.

Jacks and Queens Pinochole Club,6 p.m., Sweet Home Senior Center, 880 18th Ave. Dinner at 5:15 p.m. Cost: $2. Information: 541-409-0869.

Chintimini Kennel Club, 7 p.m., Carriage House, Benton County Fairgrounds, 109 SW 53rd St., Corvallis. Natjional Animal Interest Alliance Founder Patti Strand will present "Current Dog-Related Legislative Issues, and More." Dogs welcome.

Corvallis Community Choir,7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis, 2945 NW Circle Blvd. Cost: $50 per term. Information: 541-740-6068 or nonandjay1@gmail.com.

Gospel Choir,7 p.m., social hall, College United Methodist Church, 1123 Main St., Philomath. Information: 541-929-2412.

Scio Historical Society,7 p.m., Scio Depot Museum, 39004 NE First St.

Society for Creative Anachronism,7 p.m., Avery Park Boy Scout Lodge, Southwest Allen Avenue, Corvallis. Information: 541-754-2372 or http://www.shireofcdv.org/.

Sons of Legionnaires,7 p.m., Albany American Legion Hall,1215 Pacific Blvd. SE.

Albany Elks Lodge 359,7:30 p.m., Albany Golf and Event Center/Spring Hill Golf Club,155 NW Country Club Lane. Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Information: 503-997-5690.

Eagles Auxiliary,7:30 p.m., 127 Broadalbin St. NW, Albany.

St. Johns Lodge No. 17,7:30 p.m., 431 First Ave. NW, Albany. Information: 541-928-3145.

Application forms for the 2017 Young Women in Public Affairs Award are available from the Zonta Club of Corvallis by emailing erin@reynoldslaw.us. The goal of the award program is to encourage more young women to participate in public affairs by recognizing a young woman's commitment to the volunteer sector, evidence of volunteer leadership achievements and a dedication to the empowerment of women. Applications are due by Friday to Erin Duncan, the Reynolds Law Firm, PC, PO Box 1183, Corvallis, OR 97339.

Corvallis School District Board of Directors, 6:30 p.m., administrative offices, 1555 SW 35th St. Special meeting.

Scio School Board, 6 p.m., library, middle school,38875 NW First Ave. Training work session presented by the Oregon School Board Association.

Albany Senior Center,489 Water Ave. NW 9 a.m., blood pressure screenings; 9 a.m., Stitchers; 1 p.m., Scrabble; 1 p.m., game afternoon.

Lebanon Senior Center,80 Tangent St. 8 a.m., billiards, snooker and shuffleboard; 9 a.m., knitters and crocheters; 11 a.m., tai chi; noon, senior meal served; 1:30 p.m., Caregiver Support Group; 1:30 p.m., line dancing; 2 p.m., billiards for the disabled; 6:30 p.m., country dance.

Sweet Home Senior Center,880 18th Ave. 8:15 a.m., senior quilters; 6 p.m., Jacks and Queens pinochle.

Support group for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.Information: Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence hotline, 541-754-0110.

7 a.m., noon, room 11, First Christian Church, 602 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis.

6:30 p.m. (open meeting), basement, New Life Fellowship, 1412 Applegate St., Philomath.

7 p.m., Alsea Community Library, 19192 Alsea Highway.

7 p.m., Crossroads Christian Fellowship, 2555 NW Highland Drive, Corvallis.

Narcotics Anonymous,noon to 1 p.m., 7:30 p.m., room 11, First Christian Church, 602 SW Madison Ave., Corvallis. Information (24 hours): 877-233-4287 or http://www.lblna.org.

Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group of Corvallis and Albany,2 p.m., Elmer's Restaurant,1115 NW Ninth St., Corvallis.

Albany Celebrate Recovery,6 p.m., family center, Albany First Assembly,2817 Santiam Highway SE. For those dealing with any kind of hurt, habit or hangup, not just drugs or alcohol. Dinner for $1 donation; children eat free. Large-group meeting, small groups. Child care available.

Support group for family and friends of those dealing with addictions,6:30 p.m., Room 7, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis, 2945 N.W. Circle Blvd. Support, hope, sharing, listening. Information: 541-231-9598.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Mid-Valley Support Group,7 p.m., conference room, fourth floor, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, 3600 NW Samaritan Drive, Corvallis. Information: 541-745-2064 or http://www.namimidvalley.org.

Al-Anon,7:30 p.m., room 2, Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, 333 NW 35th St., Corvallis. Support group for families and friends of alcoholics. Message center: 541-967-6262.

Corvallis Mens Support Group,7:30 p.m., 1975 SE Crystal Lake Drive, No. 131. Information: 541-752-6261.

Read more:

Calendar (Feb. 20) - Albany Democrat Herald

In growth terms, organic is now outperforming the non-organic grocery market. Photograph: Richard Drury/Getty Images

So much for the view that organic food is just a navel-gazing lifestyle preoccupation for the neurotic rich. The latest UK market figures show that sales for organic produce are booming at their strongest in a decade with a 15% hike last year at Tesco alone.

In growth terms, organic is now outperforming the non-organic grocery market, contradicting cynics who said that at the first whiff of austerity we would ditch high-minded concerns about animal welfare, pesticides and the planet, and join the cheap food scrum.

In anticipation, UK supermarkets cut back on shelf space allotted to organic food to compete with German discount chains. But organic continued to thrive from independent retailers, home-delivery schemes, farm shops and in restaurants. Thoughtful chefs increasingly give organic a big thumbs-up; sales to caterers also shot up by 15% last year. And guess what? Aldi and Lidl shoppers also prefer not to eat pesticide residues or meat from GM-fed livestock that have never seen a green field.

Organic loyalists have developed a shopping strategy that makes organic food accessible, even if youre on a tight budget: organic fruit, vegetables and herbs bought from growers, or at farmers markets, are regularly cheaper than the conventional equivalent from supermarkets, which routinely profiteer on fruit and veg. Equally, never make the mistake of popping into your local small-format supermarket for organic eggs because you will pay around 2.49 for six, as opposed to the wholefood store/market/box scheme price of 1.65-1.99.

In the dry goods department (staples such as flour, oats, rice and peanut butter), the price differential between buying organic and non-organic is often slim. Once again, organic can actually be cheaper, particularly if minimally packaged in a wholefood shop. Happily, organic chocolate costs the same as good-quality non-organic.

There is excellent British beef and lamb from non-organic animals that have had a decent life, so there is less reason to pay a premium for organic red meat. Organic poultry and pork are always significantly more expensive than non-organic 12 as opposed to 3 for a chicken but free-ranging, organic pigs and poultry are reared in a measurably more humane way and usually taste discernibly better. Knowing this, you might decide to eat poultry and pork less, but stick with organic.

Organic milk and yogurt are more expensive than supermarket equivalent economy lines, but not necessarily than their mid-range or premium ones, and the cows are happier: no zero grazing allowed.

Perhaps the trick is to be pro-organic without making a religion out of it. Buy organic in the categories that matter most to you, but regularly test any presumption that it is costing you more. You could get a pleasant surprise.

Read the original:

How to surf the organic food boom on the cheap | Life and style | The ... - The Guardian

Chicagos suburbs have famously already seen the launch of one fast-food giant thanks to Ray Kroc and McDonalds in Des Plaines. The very first Nics Organic Fast Food opens sometime this month in Rolling Meadows and their ownership team hopes the debut of Chicagolands first organic fast-food chain will also lead to success at 2101 S. Plum Grove Road. Theyre attempting to create a recognizable brand that includes a mascot.

Farmer Nic wants to tell customers about the virtues of eating organic foods. If a cartoony mascot isnt credible enough, perhaps seals of approval will help. Throughout the restaurant theres stamps that read USDA Organic and Quality Assurance International Certified Organic. QAIs approval meant a lot to CEO Benjamin Brittsan, as it should tell customers how serious Nics is when it comes to serving food without pesticides and chemicals.

But dont mistake organic for fat free. This isnt a place to come to lose weight. Theres burgers, fries and chicken nuggets on the menu. However, there are options like a veggie burger and salad. The aim is a cleaner version of the fast food many Americans grew up eating. Burgers cost about $5. Add fries and a drink and the meal costs under $8.

Interior wise, check out the LED menu screens. They picked a simple and clean look. Nics is also the countrys first organic fast-food drive-thru, which is a boon for the car-centric suburbs.

Both Brittsan and his wife, Nicolette Brittsan, have dreams of expanding all across the country. Check out the photos below of their first restaurant in the Northwest Suburbs, a 10-minute drive north from Woodfield Mall.

Read more from the original source:

Tour The Very First Nic's Organic Fast Food in Chicago's Suburbs - Eater Chicago

"Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my open mall ..." (With apologies to The Beatles)

Youre sitting in the middle of Southgate Mall at lunchtime, right next to the clock tower, and youre told to close your eyes, take a deep breath and focus on yourself, allowing all the noise to pass through your mind.

Meanwhile, shoppers stream past talking loudly on their phones or with each other, ordering coffee, pretzels or smoothies, shushing crying babies, scraping chair legs as they sit down or stand up from tables at the nearby cafe.

One child blows up a balloon, releasing the air with a high-pitched squeal. Then he does it again and again.

Its a good thing meditation doesnt require you to tune all that out completely.

To meditate you need no concentration, Laura Bender said. Thats the beauty of it.

Bender, who is certified as a personal trainer and a meditation teacher, combines the two at her downtown studio, Bodies by Bender.

Monday, she partnered with the Boys and Girls Club and Red Willow Learning Center to host the Mindful Mall Meditation, giving people a chance to relax and be in the moment during the turbulent start to 2017.

Though Bender and Nic Wilson, with the Boys and Girls Club, made sure to say there was no political bent to the event rather the opposite the two wanted peoples minds to be elsewhere for a while.

We want to take a step back a little bit and use peace and quiet rather than loud and angry, Wilson said. Just be thankful a little bit more than thinking about all the chaos.

And so a little after 1 p.m., Bender plonked herself down cross-legged in the center of a semi-circle of chairs, Himalayan singing bowl on the floor in front of her.

Bender led the group of about 15 people through a mindful meditation, starting with hands in lap, feet flat on the ground, eyes closed. First she told them to take in the surrounding noise, before taking a few deep breaths and focusing instead on their bodies where their feet touched the floor, their thighs touched the chair, all the way up to their heads.

Some meditators sat perfectly still, while others crossed and uncrossed their legs, took sips of water, or opened their eyes and glanced around.

Passerby gave curious glances, conversations halting between pairs of friends carrying shopping bags as they both watched the group sit slack-faced and quiet. None opted to join, though a few stopped and observed.

I was surprised that I was actually able to really feel centered in that moment, one of the participants, Sonia McLain said. 'Cause I was skeptical with all the noise at first.

It almost felt more peaceful than when I was in a completely silent room trying to meditate.

Her friend Christopher Morucci agreed, saying the point of mindfulness meditation is not to ignore noise, but acknowledge it as part of the brains distractions.

After about 10 minutes, Bender rang her singing bowl and told the group to slowly open their eyes. Some smiled, some stretched, rubbing their eyes like theyd just taken a nap.

Wasnt that fun? she said.

Bender has taught meditation for about eight years and is certified by the Chopra Center and the center's David Ji. She called the idea of a meditation flash mob hilarious, but not pointless.

Were in a community thats full of wonderful, loving people and we want to celebrate community, Bender said. Its really powerful when you get a group of us together.

Read more here:

Taking a moment to meditate in Southgate Mall - The Missoulian