news briefs

Groups Urge Candidates’ Commitment to Green New Deal

There’s been much ado about New Yorkers’ use of rankedchoice voting to choose their mayor and city council members. But a less talked-about first in this year’s city elections was the coordinated push for candidates to adopt Green New Deal policies at the municipal level. According to the Gotham Gazette, a coalition of environmental groups—Sunrise NYC, New York Communities for Change, and Food & Water Action—asked all candidates for city office to pledge to advocate and vote for policies that “aim to end fossil fuel infrastructure, create more green jobs by upgrading buildings’ systems, and grow environmentally-friendly transit options.” The article noted that three candidates in the race— Shaun Donovan, Kathryn Garcia and Scott Stringer—had platforms heavily focused on mitigating the effects of climate change, and that environmental activists have been frustrated by the city’s efforts in this regard: “New York City government has taken several steps in recent years to combat climate change and create a more resilient city, but efforts have been too slow, many activists argue, and a number of resiliency projects promised after 2012’s Superstorm Sandy or since have barely begun or have not been started at all.” For more info, visit Sunrise-NYC.org, NYCommunities.org and FoodAndWaterAction.org.

Renowned Clairvoyant to Teach Classes in Port Salt Cave

Tori Quisling, founder of the Center for Clairvoyant and Psychic Development, will be teaching a new sixweek series, Intuition and the Energetic Body, this summer in person inside the Port Salt Cave, in Port Washington. The series is for “anyone who is curious about their psychic abilities, healing, soul purpose and relationships, or who has had psychic experiences with the other world or deceased loved ones and wants to gain confidence in this area of their life.” Quisling is a world-renowned clairvoyant, medium, teacher and healer and the author of Calling in Your Baby and The Clairvoyant Practitioner. She offers readings and psychic workshops and classes. “I’ve been teaching for 35 years and will create this course as a safe environment for deep healing and psychic exploration along with the practical application,” she says. “All questions are welcome. I’ll offer on-the-spot readings in this small group class as well.” An Intuition and the Energetic Body Certificate will be awarded upon completion of all six classes and study materials. According to Quisling, participants will gain control over their aura, with a number of benefits, including physical, mental and emotional healing; greater self-reliance and self-confidence; a deeper sense of personal purpose and direction; release of past traumas and negative habits; accelerated development of talents and abilities; stronger character and moral stamina; greater harmony in relationships; and heightened spiritual awareness. “Your aura, or your infinite soul that surrounds your body, is the key to understanding the etheric realm and soul purpose,” she says. “It contains all your deep soul answers regarding relationships, purpose and communication, and healing.” Classes will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the following Mondays: July 19 and 26; and August 2, 9, 16 and 23. For more information, visit ToriQuisling.com and see calendar, page 35.

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Farmers Markets Nourish Communities in Every Borough

One thing New York City grows well is farmers markets. With community gardens sprouting on rooftops and green spaces, and small farms flourishing outside the city, farmers markets are neighborhood clearinghouses for nature’s bounty, ensuring residents of every borough have access. Better yet, most markets and farmstands have a mission beyond delivering the goods. Norward Farmstand, in Bronx, partners with GrowNYC to provide both nutritious food and employment opportunities for young people. From July through November, the farmstand is run by neighborhood youth. At the Jackson Heights Greenmarket, in Queens, the Department of Health conducts weekly bilingual nutrition education workshops and cooking demonstrations. The Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket, in Brooklyn, is one of many farmers markets in NYC that partners with Wearable Collections, which accepts clean, dry clothing for distribution to second-hand markets or recycling into rags or fiber products like insulation. Another Wearable Collections partner, Tompkins Square Greenmarket, in Manhattan, also partners with LES Ecology Center to accept food scraps for composting. But one thing all farmers market provide is a place for neighbors to gather and connect. These days, that may be the most important mission of all. To find a comprehensive list of markets or farmstands in your area, visit NYCNaturalAwakenings.com.

oral health brief

Not All Bad Breath Begins in the Mouth

A 2016 study published in the European Journal of Dentistry notes that 15 to 20 percent of halitosis cases don’t begin in the mouth. Tonsillitis, acid reflux, diabetes and even some cancers are among the many conditions that can cause bad breath that defies the most scrupulous oral hygiene. But as a Healthline article points out, cavities or gum (periodontal) disease are still likely culprits, as both provide places for bacteria to “hide” from a toothbrush or floss. So is dry mouth, which can result from the use of alcohol, tobacco and even certain medications. There are also the usual dietary suspects—here’s looking at you, garlic—whose malodorous effects remain long after they’re consumed. The American Dental Association makes several lifestyle and diet recommendations for preventing bad breath. They include brushing twice a day and flossing once a day; eating a healthy diet (more fruits and veggies and fewer sugary drinks and snacks); getting regular dental checkups; drinking fluoridated water; avoiding tobacco products; and avoiding oral piercings. Home remedies suggested by Healthline include drinking pineapple juice, eating fennel seeds, and swishing for 30 seconds a day with a baking soda rinse (two teaspoons of baking soda mixed into a cup of warm water). Information sourced by Jonathan Richter, DDS, FAGD, owner of Cariodontal, located at 310 E. Shore Rd., Ste. 101, Great Neck, NY (516-282-0310 / Cariodontal. com), and Manhattan Oasis Dentistry, 525 West End Ave., Ste. 1G, New York, NY (212-874-2880 / ManhattanOasisDentistry.com). See ad, back cover.

Jonathan Richter, DDS, FAGD