I remember exactly two great sleeps in my adult life. The first was after I had my wisdom teeth removed, and I passed out while my dad was walking me home from the car. The second was when I traveled to northern Finland, after four connecting flights and a 10 hour layover in Helsinki. As for the other 8,000 nights or more? Not so good.

I have been a chronic poor sleeper for as long as I can remember. I experienced night terrors in elementary school, and the insomnia remained long after the nightmares themselves subsided. At my absolute best, I average about six hours of restless sleep per night; at worst, I’ll stay awake for 36 hours straight with no apparent rhyme or reason.

I tried just about every remedy for sleeping under the sun: I cut out the caffeine. I bought white noise machines and essential oil diffusers. I did body scan meditations. I took Tylenol PM, Nyquil, Benadryl, Magnesium and Melatonin all to absolutely zero effect.

Fortunately, things have improved slightly over the past two years. I still have occasional bouts of insomnia, but I can usually get at least a few hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. I count three things: natural sleeping pills that actually work, an extremely comfortable bed, and non-electronic distractions that help me relax once the sun goes down. (Oh, and lots of therapy.)

Below, I share some of the things that have helped me get relatively normal sleep recently. I’m by no means an expert, but hopefully some of my past experiences can guide other insomnia sufferers to some relief.

Natural sleeping pills

I took prescription sleeping pills for a while in my twenties, and although they did a great job of knocking me out, I spent the next day groggy and falling asleep at my desk – and trying to get them weaning was a miserable process. I try to stick to natural solutions these days.

My biggest sleep breakthrough was trying CBD for the first time in November. I had always assumed that CBD would fall into the “things that work for everyone but me” category, but I was desperate and decided to give it a try. I ordered FAB CBD’s PM Chews after reading positive reviews, and they have changed my life. I grab a piece of gum when I’m ready for bed, and I start feeling sleepy in about 20 minutes – a kind of mild drowsiness that I assume normal people experience after being awake for 18 hours.

Having this assurance that I’ll probably be able to fall asleep has made my nighttime routine so much more meaningful. I’ve found a lot of things that help me relax, like sipping a cup of Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra tea. (I also love this K-Cup sampler from Twinings, because sometimes I’m too lazy to boil and brew.)

I installed an aromatherapy showerhead from Moen, which has space for INLY capsules that infuse the water with essential oils like lavender and tea tree. I will then wash my face with St. Ives Calming Chamomile Cleanser, and top it off with a few spritzes of Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel. It’s like a lovely little spa treatment every night.

Quality bedding

I’ve never cared much about investing in high quality bedding and pillows in the past, thinking it’s pointless since my sleep sucks anyway. But I made it my personal mission last year to turn my bed into the most charming and comfortable space in my apartment. It’s not like I bought a satin pillowcase and my insomnia was gone, but now I have a much nicer place to wait for sleep to come.

I ditched my super lumpy spring mattress at the end of 2020 and got a green tea memory foam mattress from Zinus then added a 3 inch memory foam topper from EDILLY. This combination is a fraction of what I would have paid for a memory foam mattress, but the result is just as comfortable.

Then I turned my attention to the pillows. I bought a PharMeDoc pregnancy pillow after seeing one on my pregnant friend’s bed and getting extremely jealous, and the U-shaped structure looks like a giant hug. I also invested in a down pillow and mulberry silk pillowcase from Brooklinen, the latter being so good that I bought another for my sister’s birthday a month later.

Soothing distractions

I used to lie in bed for over an hour waiting to fall asleep, which not only caused panic, but also very poor sleep hygiene. The American Sleep Association recommends that you don’t stay awake in bed for more than 5-10 minutes, which means getting up and moving to another location if sleep doesn’t come right away. (The idea is that your mind should associate your bed with sleep, not insomnia.)

As I still deal with sleepless nights from time to time, I keep an arsenal of soothing distractions to turn to outside of my bedroom. A lot of people use ASMR or guided meditations to relax, but I’m weird and find both of these things extremely stressful. Instead, I like to listen to sleep stories on the Calm app. They help me get out of my own anxious head, and let’s face it, who would not Want to hear the sweet tones of Idris Elba at 2am?

If I go through a whole sleeping thing without falling asleep, I turn to non-electronic hobbies. Puzzles are always cool – I love the ones from The Found and Buffalo Games, but literally any brand will do. I’m also obsessed with the Lord of the Rings– cross stitch patterns inspired by Country Magic Stitch. I bought the “Visit Mordor” model, and it gave me something to work on for about four months of restless nights.

Of course, there are countless other options to fill the nighttime hours, from crossword puzzles to adult coloring books. I encourage you to find what works best for you, and don’t give up! It took me years to establish good nighttime habits, and I imagine my journey is far from over. But I consider even an hour of uninterrupted sleep well worth the effort.

LOGAN SQUARE — A grocery delivery company that recently opened a store on Logan Square’s Milwaukee Avenue is taking heat from neighbors for throwing away unopened bags of fresh produce and other groceries.

Buyk, a New York-based startup that offers express grocery delivery by bike, opened several stores in Chicago late last year, including one at 2774 N. Milwaukee Ave., as part of a expansion plan backed by venture capital.

But as Buyk expands its footprint in Chicago, some Logan Square residents are concerned about the company’s food disposal policy.

Megan Milich lives in a condo building that shares an alley with Buyk. While taking out his trash last week, Milich saw Buyk employees throw away “industrial-sized” trash bags full of still-wrapped groceries, including unopened yogurt that hadn’t expired, he said. she declared. She put the bags on top of the dumpster, hoping to save them from the landfill and get the goods to someone in need.

Then, earlier this week, Milich found a few more bags in the dumpster filled with high-quality fresh produce, including apples, radishes, potatoes, onions and squash, she said. .

Milich said she was outraged that the delivery company was rejecting what seemed like perfectly good and healthy food, especially given the number of food-insecure Chicagoans and the number of organizations providing free food to people. neighbors in need.

“There are so many people out there who need food, and it really broke my heart to see a company throw away such good, quality food,” she said.

Credit: Ariel Parrella-Aureli/Block Club Chicago

Buyk launched in New York in September. By early January, the company had 28 stores there and seven in Chicago, and plans to open 14 more by spring.

A customer orders food on the company’s app and a bike courier delivers the order in 5-15 minutes with no delivery charge. Company stores are not open to the public but are stocked with food products from local and national suppliers.

Asked about Buyk’s policy on food waste, CEO James Walker said his company partners with “several food banks and charities” to minimize food waste.

But Walker said those donations don’t always pan out.

“Each partner has limits on pick-up days and frequency, donation limits per occasion, and product types accepted,” Walker said in a statement. “From time to time there may be instances where a partner is unable to accept the goods.”

Walker said Buyk is also cutting back on fresh produce to minimize waste.

When it became clear that the food from the Logan Square store was headed to the landfill, Milich took the groceries home. She posted in the Buy Nothing Facebook group in Logan Square, asking her neighbors to help her distribute groceries to people in need of food.

Milich said she was surprised by the overwhelming response.

Several neighbors picked up produce; some wanted to help and others needed food themselves, such as a woman and her two children, Millich said.

Milich said she and other neighbors hope to connect Buyk to local food pantries so any unused food goes to people in need — not the landfill.

“It filled my heart that people needed food,” she said. “Not an apple was wasted.”

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Amazon has been challenged to beat an exciting new online store on its prices. Botree Goods Store challenged the big brand knowing they couldn’t beat or match them on price.

A new online store that sells quality products has challenged one of the biggest brands in the world. Botree Goods Store has just announced that customers can get 10% discount on their first order has given Amazon a big challenge.

The online store, which sells everything from accessories, children’s products, sports and fitness products to camping and hiking accessories, wants Amazon to try to match their prices. Botree Goods Store has earned a reputation for selling quality products at the lowest possible price because they can’t be beat on price.

When Botree Goods Store (https://botreegoods.com) first launched, they had a mission. This mission was to ensure that they were selling quality products at the lowest price. They succeeded in their challenge. They achieved this by reducing their profit margins and passing all the savings on to their customers. Their low prices are so low that some customers think they made a mistake. However, this is not a mistake and it is a way to ensure that customers buy quality products while saving money.

Here are some examples of their low prices:

Baby carrier size seat

The carrier waist seat is priced at just $34.99. The 10% off offer makes the popular baby accessory even more affordable.

It is available in different colors and is the perfect way for a parent to carry their child. It takes away the stress caused by the body when carrying a child. The way it was designed prevents parents from experiencing neck and shoulder pain.

For more details, please visit https://botreegoods.com/baby-carrier-waist-seat/

Micro leather shoulder bag

Priced at just $32.99, the Micro Leather Shoulder Bag has become a big seller. It’s very fashionable, and with the price so low, it’s a perfect gift for a loved one.

For more details of micro leather crossbody bag, please visit https://botreegoods.com/leather-micro-crossbody-bag/

Infant car seat head support band

The baby accessory priced at just $18.99 is one of the most important accessories a parent can have in their vehicle. It allows the infant’s head to be fully supported while the vehicle is in motion.

For more information, please visit https://botreegoods.com/baby-car-seat-head-support-band/

Botree Goods Store keeps updating stock to provide customers with high quality products. All products come with a full warranty and include expedited shipping service.

To view the full product line, please visit https://botreegoods.com

About Botree Goods Store

Botree Goods Store is a popular online store that sells quality products at the lowest possible price.

Media Contact
Company Name: Botree Merchandise Store
Contact: Media Relations
E-mail: Send an email
Country: United States
Website: https://botreegoods.com

The German ruling class is responding to the explosive spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant not with the necessary protective measures but with an escalation of its policy of collective immunity. This was underlined by the decisions of the Conference of Minister-Presidents of the Federation and the Länder (MPK) on January 7.

The meeting focused on the decision to shorten the quarantine period for those infected. According to the official MPK decision document, people infected or in contact with an infected person should now only be isolated for 10, seven or five days. Previously, the official quarantine period was 14 days.

If infected people or their contacts have a negative PCR test or a “high-quality antigen test,” they can be released from quarantine after just seven days.

Staff in hospitals, care homes and nursing homes may even be released from quarantine or isolation after five days if they show a negative PCR test and have been asymptomatic for 48 hours. Children who test negative can also be released from quarantine after just five days. People who have received a vaccination booster should no longer be quarantined after contact with an infected person.

The new regulations contradict all scientific evidence and will lead more sick and infected people to return to work and school. It is well known that infected people can be contagious for well over 10 days after the onset of symptoms. Likewise, it is known that infected people can transmit the virus even when they do not show any symptoms. Even those who have received booster shots can become infected or become infected as a result of the progress of the vaccination.

In addition, PCR tests and especially antigenic tests can provide a false negative. In addition, there is no indication that officially scheduled tests are performed consistently. Teachers and students frequently report that those who test positive are sent back to school by health authorities.

The assertion by Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Social Democratic Party, SPD) at the press conference following the MPK meeting that all “necessary measures” were taken against the pandemic is a blatant lie.

The only restriction, totally inadequate, that the federal “traffic light” coalition, comprising the SPD, the Greens and the Liberal Democrats (FDP), as well as the 16 state governments (Länder) put in place is a so-called “2G-plus” regulations for the restaurant industry, as of January 15th. This means that the unvaccinated are banned, those with two vaccines must show a negative COVID-19 test, and those with a third vaccine must show proof of their vaccination status.

A full lockdown, which would be needed to stop the Omicron wave and completely contain and eliminate the pandemic, is fiercely opposed by all government parties.

The measures taken are explicitly aimed at keeping schools and businesses open under all conditions. Already on the eve of the MPK meeting, state education ministers demanded “a review of the quarantine rules for students and school staff.” They said that “keeping schools running” was “essential” and, moreover, “a basis for ensuring the functioning of other critical infrastructure”.

During the press conference with Scholz, the mayor of Berlin, Franziska Giffey (SPD), expressed similar views. She said there was “a commitment to keep schools open in order to maintain provisions for the population.” She added, “People need good child care to be able to go about their business, and that’s why it’s important that we keep schools open here.

Giffey has spoken openly that the murderous collective immunity course is supported by all parties in government – the SPD, the Greens, the FDP, the Christian Democrats (CDU / CSU) and the Left Party. The issue of school closures was “no longer even to be debated” in the decisions taken, she stressed, “because it goes without saying that we have reached an agreement on this point”.

The return to unsafe schools after the Christmas holidays is also supported by the Education and Science Union (GEW). The day before the MPK meeting, GEW chairperson Maike Finnern signaled her support for the federal government’s quarantine plans in a tweet. If this was what the Federal Government’s Expert Council recommended, she said, the GEW could “accept” it.

In his speech on January 6, Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) summed up the essentially fascist character of the politics of the ruling class. “The protection of health” was “a high social good, but the supreme good of our Constitution is and remains freedom”, he declared, in the manner of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) d ‘far right.

The “freedom” Lindner speaks of is clear: the freedom of banks and corporations to enrich themselves with the death and suffering of millions of workers and their families. To ensure the maximization of capitalist profit, the ruling class has trampled on corpses since the start of the pandemic. Officially, some 5.5 million people have died from COVID-19 worldwide, including more than 1.5 million in Europe and more than 113,000 in Germany. During the same period, stock prices and the fortunes of the super-rich have exploded.

From the start, the new “traffic light” coalition government was prepared to continue this policy of class war. Its first official act was to declare the end of the “national epidemic situation” and thereby remove the legal basis for uniform protection measures nationwide. In doing so, he unleashed an even greater disaster.

In its second statement on Jan.6, the federal government panel on COVID-19 warned of a collapse in the health care system, saying:

A high volume of patients combined with an acute staff shortage can jeopardize general medical care in Germany in a short period of time. All medical and nursing care settings must prepare for a considerable stressful situation in the coming weeks.

The statement points out that the so-called “smoother course” of Omicron infections compared to the Delta variant is offset by the “strong infection dynamics and the high number of associated parallel diseases”. The “very high number of cases in some European countries and in the United States”, he continued, “is currently leading to a significant increase in hospitalizations”.

In fact, the situation in the United States and in many European countries is completely out of control. In the past week, there have been an average of more than 600,000 new infections in the United States and hospitals are on the verge of collapse. Of particular concern is the rapid increase in child hospitalizations.

At the same time, the opposition is growing. In many school districts, including Chicago, a city of millions of people, educators are refusing to resume face-to-face teaching in order to protect their health and that of their students and families.

The rapid spread of Omicron is also evident in western and southern Europe and Scandinavia. In Denmark, the 7-day incidence rate is currently 2,334 per 100,000 population; in the UK it stands at 1,865. In France, where Omicron has become the predominant variant during the holidays, the incidence level is now 2,142. On Friday, Paris recorded a new record, with 262,787 new infections.

The situation is just as dramatic in Italy, where the 7-day incidence rate has more than doubled in one week. Rome’s Supreme Institute of Health (ISS) on Friday reported an average of 1,646 cases of coronavirus per 100,000 population. The previous week the figure was 780.

Omicron is also spreading rapidly in Germany. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 44.3% of all new infections in the country can be attributed to Omicron. In eight Länder in northern and western Germany, the variant is already dominant. In Bremen, ruled by an SPD-Left Party-Greens coalition, where Omicron already accounts for 85.5% of all infections, the 7-day incidence rate is also the highest, at just under 800. The RKI reported 56,335 new infections nationwide on Friday. and an increase in the 7-day incidence rate to 303.

The real numbers are several times higher. At the turn of the year, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) said the actual data is “currently probably two to three times higher [than] the incidence rates that we are recording.

To stop the Omicron wave and prevent the emergence of even more dangerous variants, the working class must intervene in the political arena. It must organize itself into independent grassroots committees and fight to end the pandemic on the basis of the principles formulated by the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) in its open letter to the working class:

1. The current policy of “collective immunity”, which allows the unlimited spread of COVID-19 in the population, must be rejected. Instead, the implementation of a new strategy for the elimination and eradication of SARS-CoV-2 is required.
2. Containment measures should be guided by public health needs. The protection of human life and the safety of the population must have absolute and unconditional priority over any financial interests of companies. The costs of fighting the pandemic, including paying wages and salaries, compensating small business owners, comprehensive medical care for the sick, and payments to survivors, must be borne by large corporations. There must also be a 100% tax on pandemic profits made by large investors from rising stock prices.
3. The fight against the pandemic must be carried out on a global scale. The pandemic can only be stopped if SARS-CoV-2 is eliminated in all countries. Workers in Germany and across Europe must demand that their colleagues in less developed countries receive the necessary vaccines free of charge.

The implementation of this program requires a struggle against the capitalist profit system and a clear international socialist strategy and perspective.

There has long been a stigma attached to non-alcoholic beer. Most of the products in the category are bland versions of German-style lagers, which are really indistinguishable from each other.

The stagnant category has never seen much innovation, but a series of new-school alcohol-free breweries are changing the game by applying a craft beer approach. And the two most awarded of these groundbreaking operations – Athletic Brewing and Two Roots Brewing – are right here in San Diego.

Bi-coastal athletics

Athletic Brewing was founded in 2017 in Stratford, Connecticut, on the initiative of Bill Shufelt, who did not initially intend to lead the non-alcoholic beer uprising. All he originally wanted was a good beer or non-alcoholic lager option.

“When I was working in finance I had an incredibly busy schedule and it became evident that alcohol was not compatible with my goals and what I wanted to accomplish professionally or personally,” says Shufelt. “All of the soft drink choices were what you would find on the kids’ menu, and none of the non-alcoholic beers offered the true craft beer flavor profile that I loved. Athletics was born out of a genuine need in my life. I wanted a good non-alcoholic beer but couldn’t find one on the market.

After teaming up with co-founder and chief brewer John Walker – who agreed to Shufelt’s offer to go into business after more than 200 other brewing professionals turned him down – the couple spent years leading home brewing research and prototypes. This, despite being told by friends, family, and market data that there is no demand for non-alcoholic beer. The duo claimed there was no demand for the non-alcoholic beer available, believing their possible products – ales and lagers of American, English and German origin, ranging from light to dark, malty to hoppy – would rejuvenate the segment.

They were right. When Athletic’s brewery and valve room opened in Stratford, Shufelt and Walker thought it would take them at least five years to exceed capacity, but they did so in less than a year . By year two, they were at the point where they desperately needed to grow to meet the demand for products. To determine where to set up their second manufacturing plant, they decided to do so in an area where the majority of their customers were located: the West Coast.

In March 2020, Athletic purchased an 80,000 square foot building on Trade Street in Miramar. Formerly a pilot brewery, barrel and packaging warehouse for Ballast Point Brewing, it suited the business perfectly, getting it up and running quickly. Today, this facility is capable of producing up to 150,000 barrels of beer per year, as much as the Stratford Brewery and a second Connecticut brewery, which is currently under construction. It’s also home to more than 60 employees, including brewers who previously worked for craft beer companies in San Diego.

In 2021, Athletic launched more than 50 different beers, including flagship products Run Wild IPA, Upside Dawn Golden Ale, Free Wave Hazy IPA and All Out Stout, as well as seasonal beers such as its Mexican-style lager Cerveza Athletic. canned, small-batch and non-alcoholic seltz offerings. That’s a far cry from the unique archetype established by longtime leaders in the non-alcoholic beer segment, and it continues to work well for the bi-coastal brewing company.

Athletic currently has a 45 percent share in the alcohol-free craft beer category and about 8 percent in the overall non-alcoholic beer category in the United States. They also distribute their products in Canada, Australia, Spain, France, Ireland and UK, and intend to launch Japan and Brazil while expanding European distribution to other countries in a near future.

“We have been the fastest growing brewery in the country for two consecutive years now. In 2020 we were among the top 50 craft breweries in the country and this year we should be in the top 25, ”said Shufelt. “We’ve set out to revolutionize beer for the active, modern adult, and we’d like to think we’re off to a great start. “

A road rooted in THC

While the impetus behind Two Roots Brewing was similar to that of Athletic – a desire for quality craft beer without the unwanted side effects of alcohol consumption – the road the company took to make its mark in the industry. alcohol-free segment was different. Two Roots was originally created to produce cannabis-infused beers and sold its first THC-infused non-alcoholic beers at dispensaries in Nevada in 2018. This process involved brewing and dealcoholizing the beer at the Kearny Brewery. Mesa Two Roots bought from the former Helm’s Brewing operation, then shipped the beer to a facility in Las Vegas where it would be infused with THC.

“To perform product demonstrations for shoppers and dispensary staff, we canned our non-infused product, alcohol-free craft beer, and the feedback we received over and over again was just amazing,” said Maikel de Mortel, Director of Marketing and Revenue at Two Roots. . “In 2019, we decided to test our beer against the best of the best, introducing our basic styles in the Great American Beer Festival, where our Enough Said Helles won gold.”

The Great American Beer Festival is the world’s largest and most prestigious annual brewing competition. The rise of non-alcoholic beer has been so rapid that in 2021, the festival added a Non-Alcoholic Beer category, where Two Roots’ Enough Said again clinched gold, and a pair of Athletic beers won. silver and bronze for a San Diego sweep. . Together, the two companies have amassed over 50 beer and brewing awards over the past four years, with Athletic holding over 40 alone.

Critical and public praise for Two Roots’ THC-free products became such that in late 2020 the organization focused on alcohol-free beers, parting ways with the cannabis efforts of its Sorrento-based parent company. Valley, Lighthouse Strategies. Two Roots currently employs 16, including master brewer Kevin Barnes (formerly of Green Flash Brewing).

“We realized that consumer mindsets were shifting rapidly from alcohol consumption to moderation and conscious consumption,” explains de Mortel. “For years, we’ve been following this trend closely in the functional drinks and food categories. Well-being of body and mind continues to guide consumer buying behavior.

Since its switch to non-alcoholic beer production, Two Roots has experienced significant growth. Its beers are now available in 28 states and seven international countries, and its revenue is expected to increase fivefold during this year. In 2022, the company will also expand its portfolio to include a pair of specialty beers as well as limited-time offers, which will be available through the company’s website.

Save segment

Last month marked the launch of the Adult Soft Drink Association, or ANBA, an industry group founded by a coalition of more than 30 brands, including Athletic, to overcome challenges in the emerging segment, including the lack of universal regulations, industry standards, and guidelines for international trade and market expansion.

According to Global Market Insights, the global adult non-alcoholic beverage market is expected to reach $ 30 billion by 2025. ANBA hopes to position the segment for success by educating and engaging stakeholders to further accelerate the growth of the industry. ‘industry, creating industry and regulatory compliance standards, advocating and developing government business strategies to protect producers of non-alcoholic beverages.

“Non-alcoholic beer is the first major segment that has grown the category in over a decade. We open up beer drinking opportunities from very specific days and times of the day on Friday and Saturday any day and any occasion in just about any location ” said de Mortel. “Now you can have your favorite beer any night, including Sunday through Thursday, and feel good.”

Non-alcoholic beers have been available for decades, but the key to the new interest in the segment is a greater variety of styles and tastier beers and lagers. The main challenge that remains for producers is to convince consumers to let go of their long-held impressions of non-alcoholic beer and to sample modern offerings.

“It’s time to get the (non-alcoholic) beer off the penalty bench,” says Shufelt. “Forget what you knew about (non-alcoholic) beer in the past and treat yourself to a high quality product that tastes great and makes you feel even better.”

Brandon Hernández is the founder of San Diego Beer News (www.sandiegobeer.news), a site providing daily coverage of the county’s brewing industry, an area he has covered for 15 years. Follow him @sdbeernews or contact him at: [email protected]

NORTH LAWNDALE – A West Side entrepreneur plans to open a supermarket in early 2022 that will become North Lawndale’s only full-service grocery store owned by black people.

The grocery store, North Lawndale Fresh Meat & Produce Market, is developed by Al Person at 628 S. Pulaski Road. Person will also launch a cafe and ice cream shop, Sugar Rush, next to the supermarket.

Both companies are expected to launch before spring. The person said the goal of both stores was to provide basic goods and services that the wealthier neighborhoods usually have, but which Lawndale missed.

“We don’t have any fresh produce. We don’t have black owned coffee, ”Person said. “These are the things our community is supposed to have, too. We shouldn’t have to go to another neighborhood to sit down and have a good cup of coffee. Our community deserves these same benefits.

The supermarket will have a full butcher’s shop as well as a produce section with a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables, Person said. The grocery store “will provide our community members with better quality food at better prices,” he said.

Person’s goal is to source at least 85 percent of the food stored at the North Lawndale Meat and Fresh Market from black farmers and black-owned vendors. He is working with the Black Farmers Association to partner with farms that can provide high quality, affordable food.

Many small black farmers and distributors find it difficult to sell through large grocery chains, Person said, so it is essential that local businesses “be an outlet for them to distribute their produce.”

In addition to the produce on the store shelves, Person plans for the warmer months to host “a farmers market where people can buy fruit and vegetables … at a lower price because they will come directly from the farmer.”

Like much of the West Side, North Lawndale is considered by many to be a food desert, an area where residents have to travel for miles to purchase fresh food. Lawndale only has one grocery store, a Freshway Market at 3240 W. Roosevelt Road.

The importance of local grocery stores and black-owned businesses became increasingly evident during the 2020 protests after Minneapolis police killed George Floyd. At that time, it was extremely difficult for many residents to obtain basic necessities such as food, Person said.

In the surrounding areas of Austin and West Garfield Park, supermarket chains like Save A Lot and Aldi have suddenly shut down over the past year, exacerbating the food shortage for the West Siders. The best way to make sure the community has necessities like food is for locals to own the businesses that provide those goods and services, Person said.

“In this particular time, black people in particular, we need our own stores. We need to be able to feed ourselves, ”Person said.

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Deer Mountain Cabinetmaking in Ramsay

Slainte Butte America Pub, 43 E. Park St.

Butte Auto, 3883 Harrison Ave.

406 Quality Home Care, 208 W. Park St.

Granite Technology Solutions, Southwest Montana

Buying gifts for teens can be a thankless ordeal. This is the age when preferences seem to change every day (or hourly) and kids are perhaps the least likely to like gifts that aren’t from their best friends.

But that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to accepting your teenager’s indifference to the gifts you’ve been agonizing about choosing. We’ve put together this list of cool gifts that have something for every teenager. To choose the products, we researched our own past coverage, including expert recommendations.

Related

Best gifts to buy for teens

To help you find the best gifts for teens in your life, we’ve reviewed our previous expert recommendations and rounded up the top-rated articles aligned with Reader’s Interest Select.

Nintendo Switch video game console

One of the best gaming consoles of the current generation, the Nintendo Switch is unique for its versatility – it doubles as a traditional console (like a PlayStation) and handheld (like the old Nintendo DS or Game Boy). , a good feature for busy teens. moving. Its library includes games for all ages, including the well-known, kid-friendly Super Mario franchise and more mature offerings, such as Doom Eternal and The Witcher 3.

Sonic Bomb Dual Extra Loud Alarm Clock

Okay, maybe teens won’t like this gift at first, but they’ll probably appreciate it in the long run. Sleepy, groggy teens will never have to worry about missing morning classes again with this explosive disguised as an alarm clock. The clock uses a 113 decibel alarm and includes a 12-volt bed shaker to wake up even the deepest sleepers. It was considered one of the best alarm clocks for every type of sleeper in 2021.

Apple AirPods Pro Earphones

AirPods are a status symbol these days, but there’s a good reason beyond the superficial to buy them for your teenager – these are the best high-end headphones for iPhone users, as outlined in our guide. of the best wireless earbuds and headphones of 2021. Pairing with Apple devices is easier with the H1 chip than with Bluetooth, and AirPods also include noise cancellation, touch controls, adaptive EQ that adjusts music to match. according to your ear shape and 360 degree audio format for playing and watching movies.

Remington Pro 1 “-1 ½” Beaded Ceramic Tapered Curling Wand

A top notch curling wand for 2021, this curling wand from Remington is available for under $ 30 and in two sizes: one for ½ inch to 1 inch and another for 1 inch to 1 1/2 inch. The barrel heats up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit and is tapered.

Tribit XSound Go bluetooth speaker

Teens love music, and this affordable speaker – ranked the best affordable portable speaker in our 2021 guide to the best Bluetooth speakers – is solid for the price. While it doesn’t have the same oomph as other high-end Bluetooth speakers, it’s compact and portable, with a strap to clip to your backpack. It also has an IPX7 waterproof rating.

Polaroid Go Camera

Polaroid pictures make great photo walls, and a Polaroid camera can be a great gift for a teenager who enjoys photography. This Polaroid Go weighs about half a pound and is more compact than other Polaroid models. It has a battery that won’t drain until 15 packs of film are used, according to the company.

Quiet Temperature Balancing Weighted Blanket

Featured in our guide on how to choose the best weighted blanket for you, this weighted blanket is more affordable than the others in the guide, registering for under $ 50. It is available in weights of 12 to 20 pounds.

Red Dead Redemption 2 video game

A prequel to the original Red Dead Redemption, this video game is one of the best video games of recent years. As an outlaw Arthur Morgan, you can experience the Wild West in 1899 through the game’s open sandbox. Plus, it has a free online component where your teen can party with friends or just party. go fishing. You can play the game on Xbox, PlayStation and PC.

Rifle Paper Co. Clear Willow iPhone Case

Rifle Paper Co. phone cases feature hand-painted designs, which will appeal to teens who want a personal touch for their phone. This iPhone 13 case from the company is thin and transparent with gold accents and a lovely floral pattern. They also have cases in many other designs including Strawberry Fields and Wildflowers. We’ve featured these cases in our iPhone cases and accessories tour.

ASUS ProArt PA278CV Computer Monitor

Whether your teen wants to improve their gaming setup, do homework more easily, or just surf the web on a bigger screen, a monitor can make a workspace more functional. This ASUS monitor has a 27 inch screen with 1440p resolution and adjustable stand. We’ve ranked it as the best all-rounder computer monitor for everyday needs in our guide to the best computer monitors and screens for 2021.

SnackSack Classic subscription box

Growing teens need snacks, so why not give them a stash of healthy snacks? This subscription box includes 12 or more snacks per month, linked to the current season. It is available in Classic, Vegan, Gluten Free and Classic + Gluten Free options.

W&P Porter Travel Mug

This ceramic mug has a 12 ounce capacity and matte silicone exterior and comes in several pastel colors and terrazzo patterns. It is also dishwasher safe. It was featured as a top-notch travel mug in our guide to the best travel mugs and reusable mugs of 2021.

Shure MV5 digital condenser microphone

Teens these days all seem to go through stages of budding podcasters, but a good microphone is a solid investment, even if you just love high-quality video calling. This microphone was ranked as the best stylish and portable microphone in our guide to the best microphones to buy in 2020. It has three different settings for instruments and vocals.

Seattle three-by-three drawer organizer

This organizer has separate compartments that can be stacked on top of each other. Each compartment is made of metal and is available in a fun color, giving the organizer a distinct style. It is also suitable for use in the kitchen, as each compartment can safely hold food. It’s a top notch desktop organizer for 2021.

Fitbit Charge 4 activity tracker

One of the best fitness watches and fitness trackers of 2021, it’s a great gift for active teens who want to get the most out of their workouts. The Charge 4 comes with features like step counting, guided breathing routines, and sleep tracking. It also uses GPS so they can plot their runs on a map. Its battery life lasts up to a week.

Related

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Four major brands are expected to announce the opening of new stores in Norwich next year.

Agreements are currently underway with Chantry Place and shutters are expected to arrive in early 2022.

Chantry Place general manager Paul McCarthy said national businesses will have a positive impact on other merchants in the center.

Mr McCarthy said: “We are now in a position where I only have five units that do not trade 91 and that is a very good position to be in.

“Of those five, four are really, really close to getting listed and exchanged for some fantastic new brands.

“When we are able to close and announce these deals, not only will these four tenants do incredibly well because they are big brands, but the rest of the center will benefit as well.”

The mall boss cited the example of Hamleys, the world’s oldest toy store, as having a productive impact on footfall nearby as more families visit as a result.

Chantry Place has also hosted Subway, H&M Kids and H&M Home, as well as The Real Greek restaurant during the pandemic time.

Reflecting on the Covid rebound, the head of retail added: “It’s interesting when you look at what we’ve been through.

“Sometimes it’s been very difficult because no one had run or ran a business during a pandemic before, so this is all completely new.

“For a while there was a real crisis affecting everyone, but you always find yourself going back to some fundamentals during a crisis.

“The first is always to take care of your employees and make sure they are safe. We have almost 2,000 people working here.

“We’re one of the largest single site employers in all of Norfolk, so making sure these guys are safe to go about their business is a priority.”

Among the safety measures that should remain at the center are an increased cleaning regime and hand sanitizing stations.

Mr McCarthy said staff will also continue to monitor occupancy to limit overcrowding if necessary.

And the boss believes the mall and retail are in a good position to stand up to the online shopping world and ever-changing consumer habits.

“While footfall has not quite returned to pre-pandemic levels, sales are,” said McCarthy.

“What our tenants tell us in terms of sales numbers is that most of them are doing at least at 2019 levels – even though footfall has not recovered.

“What this tells me is that our offering and the way we attract customers to the center is working.”

The mall’s senior officers are constantly monitoring customer feedback through social media and looking for ways to adapt to people’s needs.

Mr McCarthy said: “We’re in a really strong position. I think there will be less retail in cities and towns across the country in general, but the best destinations will be the ones that thrive. I really place us. in this category.

“We came out of the pandemic with everyone as before and we got new high quality rentals.

“There will always be reasons for people to come visit us and see what our tenants have to offer. I see that will be the case for the next five to ten years.

“I’m naturally optimistic anyway, but looking at how we’ve responded to the pandemic, I think we’re in a really strong position.”

Only Disney left Chantry Place during the pandemic period which was the result of a national corporate decision.

Mr McCarthy said: “There were some great people working there and we already know that all of these people have jobs elsewhere.”

He also reflected on a productive post-containment summer with families engaged in the GoGoDiscover T-Rex sculpture trail.

Mr McCarthy also said restaurants in Chantry Square were able to expand their seats with the tables often full.

Christmas excitement

Those visiting Chantry Place this Christmas will be greeted by a tunnel of twinkling stars that temporarily returns to the Rainbow Square currently on the site.

But many shoppers are already in the Christmas spirit with Mr McCarthy saying people have started shopping for gifts earlier than usual.

The General Manager of Chantry Place added: “We are really excited about Christmas and hope it will be much more like a traditional Christmas where friends and family come together.”

Christmas decorations will be installed at the mall on Sunday evening to welcome visitors the next morning.

The mall thrives at this time of year which is usually the busiest time on its calendar.

And Mr McCarthy thinks the mall has an edge over online retail when it comes to handling the giveaways and getting a feel for what they’ll be.

Questions and answers

When you look the new episode of Shark aquarium this friday night you will see Ali Bonar, a resident of Fishtown, launch her granola butter business, Oat Haus, to the “sharks” Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Kevin O’Leary and Barbara Corcoran, as well as to the guest shark Daniel Lubetzky of Kind Bars.

But creating the nut-free spread involved more than just being an entrepreneur – it also stemmed from her struggles with eating disorders. We met her to find out all about her career and Shark aquarium start.

I have to admit I had never heard of Oat Haus until I learned that the company was offering the new episode of Shark aquarium. Are you from Philadelphia?
No. There are three founders: me; my eight year old boyfriend, Eric Katz; and our friend Ari Schraer. We are all from California. In fact, we just moved here in January of this year in order to have a bigger facility. California real estate is so expensive, and we needed something much bigger. We were open to looking anywhere, and both of Eric’s parents lived in Philly for a long time. He has a lot of family here. So we said: Let’s do it.

Presumably, you were able to get a much better deal here?
We were paying $ 6,000 a month in San Diego for 2,000 square feet of space. It was share space out. And here we found our own home in Warminster for the same price for 12,000 square feet. And the three of us live in Fishtown. The drive to Warminster isn’t great, but we realized we had to live in the city to make friends.

California in Fishtown seems like a major lifestyle change.
Oh my God! Night and day. It couldn’t have been more different. I wanted something like New York or Philly that had energy and drive, not a live-to-surf mentality. The people here seem really genuine and genuine. They don’t just say things to seduce you to make you happy. They don’t just tell you what you want to hear.

How old is Oat Haus?
We started the company in 2018, but just changed our name in July of this year. We were previously known as Kween.

Excuse me, Kween?
[Laughs] My personal Instagram account was @AvoKween, because I love avocados. I wanted @AvoQueen, but it was taken. So we called the product Kween. But then I realized most people don’t follow me on Instagram, so it really didn’t make sense.

But Oat Haus does, considering you’re making an oatmeal spread. Where did this idea even come from?
I went to UC Berkeley for the nutrition. And that’s where I developed an eating disorder. Well, the troubles. Binge eating. Anorexia. Over-exercise. And what we now call orthorexia.

What is that?
It is the idea of ​​eating perfectly “clean”. I was terrified of eating foods that were processed or containing “bad” ingredients or possible allergens, and developed OCD behaviors around it. My friends saw me eating only salads, and they said I had very good nutrition. But what really happened was that I had created a mental prison for myself.

And where does Oat Haus fit into all of this?
My recovery from all of this really required the introduction of foods that I had terrified for so long. Eventually I turned to peanut butter and almond butter, but my gut just couldn’t handle them after years of restriction and binge eating. So I was in my kitchen in California trying to make a spread of Something. I tried the sunflower butter stuff, but just didn’t like the taste. And finally, I landed on oats, and that’s where Oat Haus comes from.

I just had the chance to try Oat Haus Original Granola Butter. I don’t have any dietary restrictions or allergies, but I could easily see this in the pantry on a regular basis. Are you targeting people who are allergic to nuts or have certain restrictions?
We see a lot of people like you. We’re not trying to be that keto / macro-friendly / gym-bro product. Given my background, I want to give back joy and pleasure to eating – something that is so often lacking in the wellness area. Yes, this is a high quality, healthy, nut free product, but it tastes great too. At the same time, it is important to manufacture them in-house for our customers without allergens. The alone what we produce is granola butter. There is therefore no problem of cross contamination.

You forgot vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, kosher, non-GMO and dairy-free.
And you can pronounce all the ingredients.

I compared the nutrition label of Oat Haus Original Granola Butter to the “natural” peanut butter I had in my pantry, and it looks like you’re pretty close to that in terms of all of those numbers.
We are super comparable.

As for Shark aquarium himself, was this your first time applying to be on the show?
No. We had already applied three times. But this time they contacted us and invited us to reapply. I was like, if we don’t, I am not do that again. I had a feeling that maybe because they contacted us, we might have a better chance of being on the show. We applied in February and shot in Los Angeles in July.

We’ve heard so much about the great worker shortage of 2021. Has it affected Oat Haus?
A. Thousand. Percent. We really struggled to hire. I feel very lucky to have the team we have right now, but it has been difficult to get here. In the tech industry, for example, it’s easy to find people on LinkedIn and other online sites, but for production-type work and manual labor, it doesn’t work as well. We have resorted to posting flyers at bus stops and in Warminster Parks.

And where can we find Oat Haus, and how much does it cost?
We sell it on our website for $ 12.95 for a jar or a pack of three for $ 32.95. We’re at some Whole Foods in New Jersey for $ 9.99 and just launched the Gopuff. You can also find us on DiBruno Bros., Way of the weavers and Reap Mini Mart. We have a smoothie collaboration with the Wellness refinery in the old town – great in smoothies!