Fit for Life: A Divided Nation
Matt Espeut, GoLocalProv Fitness Expert
Fit for Life: A Divided Nation
Half conservative, half liberal. Or, half for gun-control, half against it. We are divided by different faiths and religions, which dictates many different views on issues such as abortion, contraception and same sex marriage. We also have different views on issues like who gets taxed and who doesn't and which group is entitled to certain social programs, and which ones aren't. It is common when a person is on one side of any of these issues, they are usually on the same side across the board. Kind of like a “master lever” of opinions held.
However, there is one issue that has no political or religious team, and that's concern about ones health. There is no discrimination, political party, race, sex or religion that separates the two sides. This division is the healthy and the unhealthy people of this nation. And the numbers aren't even close.
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Those who are unfit and in poor health are outnumbering the fit and healthy by a landslide. Rather than approach health in a preventive frame of mind, people would rather get sick, then react. There are issues and debates that can be seen from both sides, but I can't comprehend the choice to be unhealthy. I am not talking about the misinformed, or the people that think they are trying, only to be fooled by big marketing of commercial foods and weight loss gimmicks. Or the people who are on low salt and low fat garbage because their doctor told them that their blood pressure or cholesterol was too high. I am talking about the people that deliberately use drive-thru windows as their primary food source. Most often, these are the same people who would protest the mayor of NY for banning big gulp sodas. They do not want the government or anybody else telling them how to live, even if it is in everyone's best interest. These are the people who are making a conscious choice to be ignorant of the evidence – they are literally choosing to be or become unhealthy, going down the road of killing themselves slowly, with no consideration for loved ones, much less healthcare costs for themselves or the country. This puts a burden on all of us in many ways, and I will give you a quick example of how this ignorance and choice impacts all of us.
When you let yourself go, eat processed garbage, don't exercise, it’s not a question of IF you will get sick, but WHEN you will get sick. When you do, you clog up the medical system with what are most usually preventable ailments. Once you get into the system, and get on prescription drugs, you basically become a prisoner for life. When this happens, hospitals become a revolving door, and we all get hit in the pocketbook because insurance is based on averages.
So the people that care about their health and wellbeing and choose healthy lifestyles get to pay unnecessary high premiums so insurance and medical companies can recoup the payouts from the other side. I know I can't reach everyone, and it is impossible for everyone to think on the same level, but it is extremely frustrating to watch people do deliberate harm to themselves. I can't seem to get the rationale behind killing yourself slowly. I understand that there are addictions, and the lure of sugar and carbohydrates and fat is real - and that it is hard to adhere to a strict program, and I try to not chastising anyone in this category; my issue is with those who know - and do not care. They lobby against everything that could help put a strain on fake food manufacturers, prevent dangerous drugs from the shelves, or try to clean up the school lunch programs. These people are standing in the way of making changes for the better. They represent the demand for harmful products, and keep these unscrupulous companies rich and powerful.
So if you care about your health, but are stuck in a rut, let’s talk. If you just do not care, love feeling lethargic with aches and pains, or overweight and out of shape, by all means keep killing yourself, but please stop trying to interfere with those efforts that will help those of us who do care. I’m talking about those who want bans on soft drinks, high taxes on sugar, cigarettes, and alcohol. We want the schools to intervene, and remove soda machines, processed nugget-food, and fake cheese from the building. I would love to see big food, and big pharma take big hits in the pockets, but it will never happen as long as WE are so greatly outnumbered. If you are with me, gather some allies and fight the resistance. If not, enjoy your supersize fries and soda, but don't get in the way of those of us who want to look and feel great. Those of us who care about those who love us and want us to be around for a long time – healthy and strong.
Spring and Summer Music Festivals
Boston Calling Music Festival
May 23-25
City Hall Plaza
Boston, MA
Boston Calling Music Festival is a three-day, two-stage festival featuring some of the biggest and best acts in live music. The event will be one big party with easy access to both stages, food, services and more. All ages are welcome and children under 10 are free.
Lineup Features:
Jack Johnson
Modest Mouse
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
The Decembrists
Bastille
Death Cab for Cutie
Tegan & Sara
Brand New
The Neighborhood
Built to Spill
Magic Man
Maximo Park
Walk Off The Earth
The Districts
Warpaint
Kurt Vile and the Violators
Jenny Lewis
Plus More...
Strange Creek Campout
May 23-26
Camp Kee-Wanee
Greenfield, MA
Presented by the Wormtown Trading Company, the Strange Creek Campout features live music, on-site camping, disc golf, yoga, a holistic village, and the Strangers Helping Strangers Food Drive.
Lineup Features:
Rusted Root
Max Creek (2 Shows)
Zach Deputy (2 Shows)
Donna the Buffalo
Ryan Montbleau
Turkuaz
Goosepimp
Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band
Fungus Amungus
Consider the Source
Plus more…
Roots on the River
June 5-8
Bellows Falls, VT
Roots on the River is an annual roots music festival featuring 23 sets, 7 shows, 6 venues over 4 days.
Lineup Features:
James McMurtry
Curtis McMurtry
Mary Gauthier
Carolyn Wonderland
JD McPherson
Sean Rowe
Poor Old Shine
Heather Maloney Band
Caitlyn Canty
Hayley Reardon
The Meadows Brothers
Leominster Starburst Festival
June 14 (Rain Date June 15)
Various Locations
Leominster, MA
For a free music festival in Central Massachusetts, check out Leominster’s Starburst, hosted by the Leominster Cultural Council. Everyone in your family will enjoy this day of music and fun, topped off with a firework show in the evening.
Paulie's New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival
June 20-22
Canal District
Worcester, MA
Now entering its seventh year, the mission of Paulie's New Orleans Jazz & Blues Festival is to provide quality New Orleans & Louisiana jazz, blues, country, funk & zydeco music & food within an urban setting.
Lineup Features:
Roomful of Blues
Honey Island Swamp Band
Marcia Ball
Little Freddie King
Mem Shannon & The Membership
Bobby Patlauf Band
Big Al Carson & The Blues Masters
Eric Lindell & The Sunliners
Plus more…
New Bedford Folk Festival
July 5-6
New Bedford Whaling National Park
New Bedford, MA
The New Bedford Folk Festival brings together over 70 renowned and emerging folk performers and 90 juried arts and crafts vendors in New Bedford's authentic historic district during the first weekend in July.
Lineup Features:
Chris Smither
Christine Lavin with Don White
John Gorka
Poor Old Shine
Jonathan Edwards
RUNA
Vance Gilbert
Bill Harley
Green River Festival
July 12-13
Greenfield Community College
Greenfield, MA
The Green River Festival is a premier Pioneer Valley Music event that takes place every July. The event attracts national talent, the great local food and fine crafts, and even hot air balloons.
Lineup Features:
Puss'N'Boots Featuring Norah Jones
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Hurray for the Riff Raff
Trampled by Turtles
Lucius
Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin & The Guilty Ones
The Lone Bellow
Ana Tijoux
James Hunter Six
The Iguanas
Poor Old Shine
Barnstar!
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
Plus More...
North Atlantic Blues Festival
July 12-13
Public Landing
Rockland, ME
The North Atlantic Blues Festival is an annual two-day blues music festival featuring national blues performers and considered one of the most prestigious on the East Coast.
Lineup Features:
Mr. Sipp
Joe Louis Walker
Jarkeus Singleton
Teeny Tucker
Joanna Connor
Victor Wainwright
Melvin Taylor
C.J. Chener
Jimmy Thackery
In Layman Terms
The Mannish Boys
The Golden State lone Star Review
Lowell Folk Festival
July 25-27
Various Locations
Lowell, MA
One of the largest free folk festivals in the country, the Lowell Folk Festival attracts thousands of people over three days. The event features traditional music, food, crafts and good vibes.
The Pine Leaf Boys – Cajun
Bud Hundenski & the Corsairs – Polka
James Kelly, Donna Long, & Sean Keane – Irish
Kevin Doyle – Irish Step Dance
Marquise Knox – Blues
Seichi Tanaka & the San Francisco Taiko Dojo – Taiko Dojo Drums
Nikki D & the Browns – Sacred Steel Gospel
Sonny Burgess & the Legendary Pacers – Rockabilly
Joe Mullins & the Radio Ramblers – Bluegrass
Samba Mapangala & Orchestre Virunga – East African Rumba
E.U. – Go Go
Hassan Hakmoun – Moroccan Gnawa
Seizmos Band – Greek
Thomas Maupin, Daniel Rothwell, & Overall Creek with Kory Posey – Appalchian Buck
Plus More...
Gathering of the Vibes
July 31 - August 3
Seaside Park
Bridgeport, CT
Gathering of the Vibes is an annual music, arts and camping festival now in its 19th year. Vibes has grown into a four-day festival that has featured such world-class talent as Crosby, Stills and Nash; all original members of the Grateful Dead; the Allman Brothers Band; Jane's Addiction; James Brown; the Black Crowes; Buddy Guy; Elvis Costello; George Clinton and P-Funk; Bruce Hornsby; Les Claypool; and many, many more big names, while continuing to showcase extraordinarily talented, young, up-and-coming bands to the 20 thousand people who attend each year.
Lineup Features:
John Fogerty
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Rusted Root
Widespread Panic
Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros
moe.
Slightly Stoopid
Maceo Parker
Deep Banana Blackout
Plus more…
Newport Folk Festival
July 25- 27
Fort Adams State Park
Newport, RI
Folk music has been a presence in Newport since 1959, when the Newport Folk Festival was founded by George Wein. Backed by board members Pete Seeger, Theodore Bikel, Oscar Brand, and Albert Grossman, the Festival became renowned for introducing a number of performers who went on to become major stars, most notably Joan Baez (who appeared as an unannounced guest of Bob Gibson in 1959), and Bob Dylan, whose first Newport appearance, as a guest of Joan Baez in 1963, is generally regarded as his premiere national performance.
Lineup Features:
Deer Tick
Ryan Adams
Nickel Creek
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Jimmy Cliff
Mavis Staples
Band of Horses
Jeff Tweedy
Kurt Vile and the Violators
Conor Oberst
Sun Kill Moon
The Devil Makes Three
Puss N Boots
Plus more...
Newport Jazz Festival
August 1-3
Fort Adams State Park
Newport, RI
Established in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival begins its 60th year this August, one week after its sister event, the Newport Folk Festival, takes place. The first event was originally billed as "First Annual American Jazz Festival" and featured many notable jazz musicians, including Billie Holiday.
Lineup Features:
Bobby McFerrin
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
David Sanborn & Joey DeFrancesco
George Wein & Newport All-Stars
Dee Dee Bridgewater - To Billie With Love
Dave Holland
Dr. John
Gregory Porter
Gary Burton
Robert Glasper
Vijay Iyer
SFJAZZ Collective
Danilo Pérez
Ravi Coltrane
Plus more...
Peacham Acoustic Music Festival
August 15-16
Various Locations
Peacham, VT
The Peacham Acoustic Music Festival is also a blend of the old and the new - roots music from the Celtic traditions, old time fiddle tunes, and a touch of blues and bluegrass - not to mention The Dance. Smoke and alcohol free.
Lineup Features:
Jonathan Edwards
Bob Amos & Catamount Crossing
Carl Jones
Alan Greenleaf & The Doctor
The Bayley-Hazen Boys
Plus many more to be announced…
The White Mountain Boogie & Blues Festival
August 15-17
Sugar Shack Campground
Thornton, NH
Entering it's 18th year, the Boogie and Blues Festival features award-winning blues artists, food vendors, craft vendors, a climbing wall, and many fun activities for children --including Saturday night fireworks.
Lineup Features:
Brandon Santini
Moreland & Arbuckle
Southern Hospitality
Samantha Fish
Jeremiah Johnson
Gracie Curran
Plus many more to be announced…
Rhythm&Roots Festival
August 29-31
Ninigret Park
Charlestown, RI
The 17th Annual Rythym&Roots Festival features award-winning roots music artists on the Main Stage and at two big tented dance floors, plus intimate one-of-a-kind workshops and kids activities.
Featuring The Duhks as the featured host band
2014 Artist Lineup Announcements Coming Soon