Earthly Goddess Offers Art Studio

Winter Classes

Earthly Goddess in Durham, Conn., is giving the community a chance to get in the studio for multiple classes in February and March.

The Stained Glass Workshop with teacher Cheryl Tuttle takes place on February 25 from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (30-minute lunch break). This is a beginner stain glass class. You will learn to design your own patterns or use some that are available in the studio, cut the glass, grind the edges, wrap the glass with copper foil, and learn to solder. The cost is $125, which includes materials.

be used on any glass product. The fee is $30 with all materials included.

The regular Creative Crafting class takes place on the first and third Friday nights each month, which will be February 3 and 17, and March 3 and 17. Join from 6-9 p.m. for a creative evening of conversation and crafting in the spirit of the sewing bee. Bring a project you’re working on or try a simple project on the studio. All are welcome. RSVP at 203-314-1059. The drop-in cost is $10. Looking forward to March, there will be a Needle Felting Animals Workshop on March 25 (10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. with a 30-minute lunch break). This is a beginner class. You will learn to create a small animal out of felt using the needle felting process. The cost is $125, which includes materials. No experience is needed.

For more information and to register, call 203-314-1059, email EarthlyGoddess02@gmail.com or visit earthlygoddessart.com. Location: Earthly Goddess, 352 Main St., Durham, CT.

Artists Present Winterlude

Exhibition in Stonington

Tuttle will offer Weaving with a Handmade Loom and Beads on February 10 from 6-9 p.m. This is a beginner-level introduction to weaving without having a loom at home. Each student will make their own loom and create a small project on that loom. The fee is $30 with all materials included.

Painting Wine Glasses with Tuttle on March 10 from 6-9 p.m. is a class at the beginner to intermediate level. In this class, you will learn how to paint on glass. This versatile method can

Breast t hermography

The Winterlude exhibition features works by Gallery One artists and celebrates the beauty of the quiet season. Winter’s arrival in New England invites creativity as the artists turn to their studios to explore and expand their artistic vision. Connecticutbased Gallery One represents a diverse group of established artists whose works reflect different artistic traditions. The exhibit opens on January 6 and runs through February 26 at the La Grua We

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Center, located at 32 Water Street in Stonington, Conn. Gallery hours are Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and other times by appointment.

Artists include Rosemary Cotnoir (Westbrook), Victor Filepp (New London), Karen Israel (West Hartford), Michael Fanelli (Clinton), Ann Knickerbocker (Old Saybrook), Paul Fitzpatrick Nager (Old Lyme), T. Willie Raney (Ivoryton), Diana Rogers (Clinton), Rick Silberberg (Ivoryton) and Jill Vaughn (Ivoryton).

“During this season, the landscape becomes a dramatic, monochromatic and moody setting for photography,” said Filepp. “The long shadows and waning light create abstractions in nature and in everyday objects and structures.”

“The oblique light of winter is magical, rendering textures in the landscape that are not always evident at other times of the year,” noted Fanelli. “This is especially true in the woodlands with branches stripped bare revealing the structure of the trees. Dormant energies can be felt, like the warmth of the sun deep in the forest.”

For more information, call 860-535-2300, email galleryonect@ gmail.com or visit galleryonect.com. Location: La Grua Center, 32 Water St., Stonington, CT.

Extravaganza Event Spotlights

Importance of Crystals and Gems

The Crystal & Gem Extravaganza is taking place in the Sanctuary Space inside The Red Barn in Durham, Connecticut, on February 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Extravaganza is offered by psychic medium Jennifer Gaylord, owner of The Borrowed Time Emporium, which is located at Red Barn and open seven days a week from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Crystals and gems are so very important to a daily routine. Whether you carry them in your pockets, purses, lunch bags or jacket, keeping the amazingness of the crystals, minerals and gems of the Earth close helps on so many levels.

The Crystal & Gem Extravaganza is open to the public and offers free admission. The Borrowed Time Emporium will be open during the event hours too.

For more information, call 860-929-6623 or visit borrowedtimeemporium.com. Location: Red Barn, 352 Main St., Durham, CT.

KnoWEwell and Natural Awakenings Join Families

KnoWEwell, P.B.C., the Regenerative Whole Health benefits and services company, acquired Natural Awakenings Publishing Corporation in December, 2022. “This is a transformational moment for both companies. Readers and consumers looking for trusted knowledge and education related to whole health, sustainable green living and community connections, locally and globally, will surely benefit from this collaboration,” says Kimberly Whittle, CEO of both companies.

Whittle is quick to celebrate the visionary behind Natural Awakenings , which has had an almost 30-year run across American cities, saying, “I am thankful for the tremendous leadership, vision and spirit that Natural Awakenings founder Sharon Bruckman instilled in this great publication—which I have been reading, enjoying and benefitting from for many years—and I look forward to continuing her legacy as part of the KnoWEwell family.”

Natural Awakenings is—and will continue to be—a franchise with scores of publishers in different markets. “As a franchisee, each publisher manages their own magazine, collaborating with local businesses and producing hyperlocal news reporting and feature stories about people and events in their hometowns. Because they’re right there, they are wellequipped to connect readers with the best local resources. Publishers also are able to offer their readers national articles that are produced by a team of professional journalists. It’s the best of both worlds,” says Whittle.

KnoWEwell operates the Regenerative Whole Health Hub, a digital ecosystem, community and marketplace that central izes global health and well-being knowl edge, resources and connections. With a mission to transform health care, it is connecting the dots between regenerative organic agriculture, lifestyle choices, social issues and environmental solutions to in spire and empower individuals to prevent harm, address the root causes of chronic disease and achieve “WELLthier Living”.

KnoWEwell’s acquisition will have minimal impact on local magazine operations. “Moving forward, we’re looking for ways that the two companies can complement each other and also support our publishers at each location in their quest to offer the best content,” Whittle says. “We’re growing a move ment as we share knowledge, celebrate healing success stories, provide access to evidence-based resources and create meaningful connections while help ing today’s consumers, whole-health providers, mission-aligned nonprofits, businesses and advertisers thrive. Together, we’re addressing global, local and personal issues—the nexus for consumer consciousness, healing and hope.”

Zinc for Colds and Flu

Mental Health Benefits of Breastfeeding

Add maternal mental health benefits to the well-documented physical advantages that breastfeeding offers to moms and their infants. A systematic review published in the Journal of Women’s Health found that breastfeeding was associated with overall improved maternal mental health outcomes. A majority of the studies concluded that breastfeeding was connected to fewer mental health symptoms. Thirty-six of the 55 articles reported significant relationships between breastfeeding and reduced symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety. Notably, when breastfeeding challenges arose or when the actual experience of breastfeeding didn’t meet expectations, five studies reported negative mental health symptoms.

The researchers suggest that breastfeeding may have protective effects on mental health due to the release of oxytocin—also known as the love hormone—which is associated with decreased maternal stress levels and anxiety. This suggests that breastfeeding may have immediate, short-term effects on maternal mood. Further research is needed to help provide better personalized breastfeeding and mental health counseling to moms.

Weighted Blanket for Better Sleep

A study published in BMJ Open evaluated the use of zinc for the prevention or treatment of acute viral respiratory tract infections (RTI) in adults. As a treatment for colds and flu, zinc reduced symptoms by two days, compared to the placebo. The researchers surmised that of 100 people with upper respiratory infections, 19 of them recovered by day seven as a result of the zinc treatment. Symptom severity appeared to be lower for those treated with zinc—with improvements seen by day three. Those taking zinc experienced an 87 percent lower risk of developing severe symptoms.

In terms of the prevention of colds and flu-like illness, taking zinc was found to have a modest effect compared to the placebo, with one out of 20 infections prevented. Preventive effects were most significant in reducing severe symptoms. Overall, there was evidence suggesting zinc might prevent RTI symptoms and shorten its duration. Researchers were unable to clearly ascertain the efficacy of different dosages and delivery (oral or nasal spray).

Weighted blankets may be a non-drug option to help ease conditions like insomnia and anxiety by allowing the body to release more melatonin (a hormone that promotes sleep) at bedtime.

In a new study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden measured the amount of melatonin, oxytocin and cortisol in the saliva of subjects after sleeping with either a light blanket or a weighted blanket. They found that using a weighted blanket helped naturally increase production of melatonin by 32 percent. There were no significant changes in the levels of oxytocin, cortisol or sympathetic nervous system activity.

Herbal Toothpaste Deemed Safe and Effective

Toothpaste containing certain plant-derived extracts was found to be effective in the prevention or treatment of gingivitis and early-stage periodontitis, according to a study published in Dentistry Journal The authors noted that people should still get regular, in-depth cleanings and treatments to maintain oral hygiene, and that antibacterial herbal extracts have safer toxicity profiles for human use.

In the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, patients with a previous diagnosis of gingivitis or initial stages of periodontitis were given an experimental toothpaste or the control toothpaste for a 60-day trial period, during which time they brushed twice daily. The experimental toothpaste contained chemical components and extracts of German chamomile, sage, arnica and echinacea. The control toothpaste contained only chemical active ingredients. The herbs used in the study showed positive antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic and antibacterial actions. Patients in the experimental group experienced diminished bleeding of the gums and teeth whitening. The indices of gingivitis, general oral hygiene, plaque, tartar buildup and mild periodontitis decreased in both groups over the trial period. While both toothpastes eliminated several bacterial periodontal pathogens, the experimental one was more efficient against several of them.

Put On a Happy Face

According to a new study led by Stanford University and published in Nature Human Behaviour, positioning our facial muscles into a smile can actually cause us to feel happier. Researchers collected data from 3,878 participants across 19 countries, using three techniques: n Mimicking facial expressions of actors seen in photos n Moving the corners of their mouths to their cheeks using only their facial muscles n Using the “pen-in-mouth” technique, which moves facial muscles in a simulated smile shape

The study found a noticeable increase in feelings of happiness from people that mimicked smiling photographs or pulled their mouth toward their ears.

One Step Closer to Fusion Power

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced the achievement of fusion ignition at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). This is a major scientific breakthrough decades and billions of dollars in the making, paving the way for us to be able to produce clean fusion energy. Fusion power is considered a game-changer because it would allow us to produce electricity with no carbon footprint or radioactive waste, using fewer resources than it takes to harness solar and wind power.

On December 5, 2022, the LLNL team conducted the first controlled fusion experiment in history to reach what is known as “scientific energy breakeven”, meaning that it produced more energy from fusion than the laser energy used to drive it. Merely a theory until now, fusion combines two light nuclei to form a single heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy. To achieve this milestone, LLNL built a series of powerful laser systems housed in a facility the size of a sports stadium. The lasers create temperatures and pressures comparable to cores of stars and giant planets.

There are still enormous challenges to be tackled in the decades ahead. The first is to develop machinery capable of affordably turning the reaction into electricity without destroying the machinery in the process. The hope is to address these challenges in time to have a positive impact on climate change.

Reforestation Is More Than Planting Trees

The United Nations designated 2021 to 2030 the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean. To that end, the European Union and 26 nations, along with donor support, recently pledged $16 billion to protect, restore and sustainably manage forests. A significant portion of the monies will be spent on reforestation.

Many reforestation projects focus on the number of trees planted, with less attention to how well they survive, how diverse the resulting forests are or how much carbon they store. A study of data from 176 reforestation sites found that on average only 44 percent of newly planted trees last more than five years, with some sites reporting a sapling survival rate of less than 20 percent.

Several studies have explored ways to improve survival rates. Promising measures include planting near mature trees, fencing out cattle, improving soil conditions, planting native species first to pave the way for other tree species and involving local people to support reforestation efforts.

Finding Hydrogen in Oil Wells

Climate change has spurred researchers and companies to develop fuels with zero carbon emissions. A simple solution is hydrogen because it burns without carbon emissions and is seemingly everywhere—under our feet and in every glass of water. The challenge is obtaining a reliable, safe and sustainable volume of hydrogen at a reasonable cost. There are several methods used today to produce pure hydrogen in large quantities. Most hydrogen is a byproduct of natural gas or coal gasification.

Cemvita Factory, a Texas biotech firm, field-tested a new method of hydrogen production in July, 2022, by injecting a propriety combination of bacteria and nutrients into a depleted oil well. Once inside, the microbes broke down the oil dregs to generate hydrogen and CO2. Cemvita Factory estimates there are more than 1,000 depleted oil wells in the United States that are suitable for their microbial treatment. While hydrogen production using depleted oil wells is getting some interest and attention, it still appears to be at a relatively early stage of development. One challenge faced by Cemvita Factory and other innovators in this area is how to prevent the CO2 from leaking into the atmosphere and contributing to climate change. Methods to capture, store or neutralize the CO2 byproduct will need to be developed.

Earleen Wright