March is upon us! For sports fans this is an exciting time because March Madness starts. So we’re bringing you the yogi version of March Madness with MeditationMarch Madness for a $10 donation. We’re bringing mindfulness and relaxation to Merchantville through meditation. We have a wonderful line up of local folks who have offered to guide you through a beautiful meditation experience. From Chakra Meditation to Kundalini, Sound Meditation and more. Whether you already have a regular meditation practice or would like to start one, this is an event you won’t want to miss. Join your community and start your weekend off right every Friday evening at 6 p.m. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve your place. 

Pegasus Tower has entered into a lease agreement with Merchantville Country Club to build a 150 foot Cell Phone Tower on the club grounds. Merchantville resident, Dorothy Foley, is rallying others to join her in speaking out about how the plan will affect our community with her FB group "Citizen Power. No Cell Tower". The proposed site is approximately two blocks from the intersection of Spruce Street, Woodlawn Avenue and Prospect Street in Merchantville and in close proximity to the Community Center property. The request for a variance to erect the 150’ tower and 60’x60’ base station will be heard at the Cherry Hill Zoning Board meeting on Thursday, March 1st at 7:30 p.m. at the Cherry Hill Municipal building, 820 Mercer St Cherry Hill, NJ.

The first in a long series of steps toward healthcare reform was taken yesterday, when a bill that will introduce sweeping changes to the way insurance is sold in New Jersey was voted out of an Assembly committee. It defines a health insurance exchange, an online marketplace where individuals and small businesses will buy coverage starting in 2014, when federal healthcare regulations will make insurance mandatory for most Americans. The bill was moved over the objections of health insurers and business trade groups, but with strong support from consumer advocates. http://bit.ly/yyoF2K

Garlic mustard - a winter edible. The roots of garlic mustard are best gathered when the plants are dormant (in the colder whether), when they are at their most flavorful. They can be used in cooked dishes such as stir fries or stews, but they are probably better used as a condiment. They have a flavor similar to horseradish, though somewhat milder. I have often ground them up in vinegar, with a little sugar added as a substitute for horseradish sauce. However, one of the best ways to use and preserve the roots is to dry them out and grind them into a spicy powder that can be sprinkled on food or used as a flavoring in cooking.

Are you interested in learning about the ancient Indian medical system of Ayurveda and how you can incorporate these practices into your daily life? If so, join us on October 14th for our Fall workshop. We will begin with basic concepts of Ayurveda and move into more specific diet and lifestyle practices for the Fall season. Learn how to use this time tested medicine to prevent illness and optimize health for you and your loved ones. We will have lecture in the morning, followed by a small break for lunch. In the afternoon, we will design and make our own nasya (nasal) oil and abhyanga (massage) oil to take home. Participants must pre-register so there are sufficient materials.  Investment: $50 (includes materials fee). *Class will be limited to 12 participants