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There’s something to be said for live music in the summer sun, especially with the experience comes with a server that delivers food and drinks at your request. You and all your new best friends sitting back and taking in the sounds and sights. Nothing to set-up or clean-up, just pure simple enjoyment.

CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS  Music doesn’t just bring joy to the listener, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it also has cardiovascular benefits. Researchers found that the emotions aroused by music have an effect on the function of blood vessels, similar to that initiated by laughter. The inner lining of the vessels dilates and thus blood flow increases. For music that is not perceived as enjoyable, but rather stressful, blood vessels narrow and blood flow decreases.

Results showed that while the joyful music increased blood vessel diameter by as much as 26%, while the music inciting anxiety only narrowed the vessels by 6% on average. The participants in the study overwhelming selected country music as the music that evoked joy, while heavy metal was the music genre that caused the most anxiety. Researchers agreed that this generalization does not necessarily reflect the general public since we are all wired differently, and thus react differently to different music.

MUSIC THERAPY  In further studies, music was found to be a powerful form of therapy. Listening to music has a profound impact in the listener’s state of mind including regulating anxiety and depression and promoting creativity and optimism, in addition to the many health benefits such as boosting immunity and easing muscle tension. The health care field is recognizing the benefits of using music therapy to heal patients with ailments from cancer to Attention Deficit Disorder. Research shows that music with a faster beat increases concentration and alert thinking while slower tempo induces a calm, meditative state. Most music has a combination of these tempos, and therefore requires the brain to change its state quickly. This has lasting effects on you long after you have stopped listening to music, as you are training your brain to change pace quickly.

LIVE MUSIC AT TIMBERLAKE LODGE Now that you fully understand the benefits derived from listening to music, mark your calendars for music on the patio at the 17^th Street Grill at Timberlake Lodge. Boosh, a trio of brothers, is back again this summer starting June 20^th, the first day of summer, and returning July 18^th, August 2^nd and August 23^rd. They play a thrilling assortment of acoustic covers. Rockin’ Retros, a local rock ‘n roll four man group, will also play June 28^th. Join us for one or all from 6-10pm on the patio at the 17^th Street Grill, 144 SE 17^th Street, Grand Rapids, MN. For more information or to make reservations, please call 218-326-2600.

Sources:

• http://www.umm.edu/news/releases/music-cardiovascular.htm
• http://stress.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=stress&cdn=health&tm=128&gps=405_8_852_691&f=00&tt=2&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.stanford.edu/dept/news/pr/2006/pr-brainwave-053106.html

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THE SCOTS

The Scots take part in a tradition called ‘first-footing’ where shortly after midnight they visit their neighbors bringing coal for the fire. It is also thought to be good luck if the first person through your door is ‘tall, dark and handsome’ (though I believe all cultures would agree that any tall, dark and handsome visitor was good luck!).

JAPANESE

The turning of a new year is a huge celebration in Japan starting with Bonenkai or ‘forget the year parties’ which are held to bid farewell to woes from the past year and prepare for the new year.  At midnight, the Buddhist temples strike their gongs 108 times to expel 108 types of human weakness. New Year’s Day is a day of no work and all play.

SPANISH

Spainerds traditionally eat twelve grapes during the twelve chimes at midnight to secure twelve happy months in the coming year.

SOUTH AMERICANS

In the continent to our south, people traditionally wear bright colored underpants when ringing in the new year. Red underwear are worn by those hoping for love and yellow underwear are worn by those wishing for prosperity in the new year.

DUTCH

Those in The Netherland burn Christmas trees and set off fireworks as a means of purging the old.

GREEK

New Year’s Eve is a larger celebration than Christmas in Greece, as it is the main gift giving day. It is also considered St. Basil Day, as the Greek Orthodox Church forefather was thought to have died on that day. The primary tradition is the Vassilopitta or St. Basil Cake, which is baked with a gold or silver coin in it. The member of the family that receives the piece of cake with the coin is said to have good luck for the upcoming year.

AMERICANS

Perhaps the most common tradition in the U.S. is watching the ball drop in Time Square. The ball is made of Waterford Crystals, weighs 1,070 pounds and is six feet in diameter. Since 1907, it has made a one minute descent, arriving at exactly midnight. Other New Year’s Eve traditions include kisssing a special someone at midnight, tooting blow horns and toasting champagne.

This New Year’s Eve, make a new tradition and join us at the 17th Street Grill at Timberlake. Our Executive Chef has put together a special prix fixe menu, with your choice of appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert, plus a champagne toast for $35/person. There will also be other popular menu items varying in price from $12-$34. Full menu is available here. Call today to make your reservation!

Tell us about your New Year’s plans or traditions!

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COMPACT

A pair of running shoes, socks, shorts and top take up less space than your toiletries, so no excuses about them not fitting in your suitcase or duffel. It is even so little space used, that you cannot be upset if you don’t get that jog in.

THE BURN

Thirty minutes of leisurely walking burns a whopping 175 calories, and that is if you weigh 150 pounds. At the 200 pound mark, you are burning 234 calories. Imagine if you walk your way through an entire TV movie or the morning news, conveniently playing right in front of your eyes, with the controller in your hand, that is 600-1,000 calories! If you are feeling especially zealous, consider a hearty jog and weight lifting for double the calorie burn.

ENDORPHINS

The numbers are one thing, but consider the strong sense of accomplishment you will feel as you return to your hotel room to enjoy the unforgetable dual headed showers at the Timberlake Lodge. Instead of lazying on the hotel bed (we know it is tempting at Timberlake, but still), get your bum in gear and make the stroll to the Fitness Center. Also, skip that elevator and USE THE STAIRS!

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