Everyone knows that exercise is important--to maintain optimal physical and mental health. The body is a vast complex of billions of cells, all interacting with each other.
Getting up off the couch and getting your body moving can get you on the road to better physical well being. Staying alert mentally means putting your brain cells to work - like turning off the television and turning the pages of a book.
Many activities are designed to promote exercise. Some focus primarily on the physical side, like muscle toning. Others focus on the mental side, like programming a computer. And then there are parties--combining pre-planning with on-the-fly strategizing as the event unfolds.
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Barbara Bennett opened her Velocity Cycling Studio last September. It's located at 104 Main St. in Lebanon.
"I just wanted to exercise and get fit," Barbara said. That was several years ago. She began her journey with a road bike, and it evolved into the business today.
At Velocity Cycling Studio the stars of the show are the bikes. These are special bikes that utilize a unique articulating frame design. They don't go on the road.
The geeks have been hard at work on these machines. It's not just pedaling, although that's an important part. The bike moves from side to side and each bike has its own computer. It simulates hills and dales of the countryside. Riders steer and lean and balance as if the road is flowing beneath them. And instructors are on hand in classes to guide each rider.
"We offer functional training," she added. "It's like a family environment."
Velocity also has an array of fitness equipment focused on a full body workout. Or people can target specific areas of concern. Yoga is also offered.
From time to time, Barbara schedules Healthy Happy Hours. This is when she might bring in a medical professional to give a talk and take questions. Others discuss nutrition or chiropractic. Stay tuned for the next session she sets up.
Classes here are offered seven days a week, 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more info, call 908 437-8622 and visit VelocityCyclingStudio.com plus check out the Facebook pages.
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Computers and computing invaded our lives in the last half of the 1900s. Well, here we are in 2018, and the invasion is still happening. It would be next to impossible to find an individual or business not touched by this burgeoning technology.
"HackHunterdon is Hunterdon County's annual hackathon, a 24-hour tech-product-creation competition for innovators," said Marc Saluk. "We're bringing together the most passionate technologists to team up and work around the clock to build groundbreaking software solutions that solve real-world problems in one weekend."
Hackathons are all about exercising the mind to take a step beyond today's problems.
This year's hackathon is set for Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10 at Hunterdon Central Regional High School. Attendees register ahead of time and they must plan on spending a full 24 hours interacting with other attendees. Individuals or teams are welcome.
The hackathon will provide "a platform for local technologists to come together and build their ideas, so that the resulting innovations and associated opportunities might grow right here in Hunterdon," Marc added. This type of event draws technologists from the tri-state area, and it helps brand Hunterdon as a hub of innovation, ultimately attracting jobs in IT, BioTech, life sciences and more, he explained.
Use of the word "hack" has taken on some unwarranted and ominous connotations. The media regularly report some big entity has been hacked, exposing customers to dire consequences. This has nothing to do with hackathons.
Hackathons bring together computer programmers, coding experts, software developers, project managers, and others. Bringing these specialists together can result in innovations in computing technology, both small and large. Think Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.
"This year, an additional benefit is that the hackathon is being held at Hunterdon Central Regional High School and will play host to a separate event for the students there," added Marc.
Prizes will be awarded to the winners of the hackathon. Winning team gets $5,000. The second team winner will receive $3,000, and third place gets $2,000.
This event is organized by Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce, Flemington Community Partnership, and Hunterdon County Economic Development, of which Marc Saluk is director.
HackHunterdon also holds regular monthly meetings on the last Thursday of each month. These meetings are held at Lone Eagle Brewing, 44 Stangl Rd., Flemington. The next meeting is set for 31 May, 7 to 10 p.m. Go to MeetUp.com/HackHunterdon for details.
"We have 381 people, with an average of 30 attending the meetings," Marc said.
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Mike Patrick and Mark Rehrig are the DJs who operate M&M Sight-N-Sound. Expect them to arrive at your event in tuxedos.
"We do many elegant affairs, banquets, weddings and bridal shows, theme parties and corporate events," said Mike.
The two partners have been turning the mundane into sophisticated shows since 1985. They provide all-inclusive packages, including lighting and music. And what a wealth of music, everything from the 1930s to today's hits to keep the body and mind entertained.
"We focus on performing according to the clients' needs," added Mike. Past events have included shows at AT&T and Exxon. They handle events all over New Jersey and extend into New York and Pennsylvania.
For more info, call 908-235-8255 and visit MandMdjs.com. Also on Facebook.
Al Warr can be reached at 610-253-0432 or AlWarr16@gmail.com.