Barry Howard, the 'aimlessly wandering artist,' works on his Ipad in his self built Micro Gypsy Caravan at Santa Monica Beach on Saturday, August 3, 2013. Barry Howard Fine Art

Mothers breastfeed their babies while trying to break a world record for synchronized breastfeeding during La Leche League leaders' "Big Latch On” at Douglas Park on Saturday, August 3, 2013. The event was held in honor World Breastfeeding Week.

On the 1 – 7th of August every year, to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and the need for global support, the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action organises World Breastfeeding Week. World Breastfeeding Week, August 1-7, is celebrated in 120 countries and marks the signing of the WHO/UNICEF document Innocenti Declaration, which lists the benefits of breastfeeding, plus global and governmental goals.

To mark this occasion on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd August 2013 at 10:30am thousands of breastfeeding women and their babies/children across the world will gather in their own communities to take part in the Big Latch On, a synchronized breastfeeding event in multiple locations. Our local Big Latch On will take place at insert your location here.

The first Big Latch On took place in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2005 and was introduced to Portland, Oregon in 2010 by Joanne Edwards. It has now taken off globally and in 2012 8862 children were counted breastfeeding as part of the Global Big Latch On. This year we are aiming to once again break this record!

The Big Latch On is informed by the principles of community development, providing the opportunity for breastfeeding women to get together in their local communities, host their own events, and identify opportunities for on-going support.

Breastfeeding contributes to the normal growth and development of babies/children, and babies/children who are not breastfed are at increased risk of infant morbidity and mortality, adult obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer (both mom and baby.) The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby's life to optimize these benefits, continuing to breastfeed for 2 years and as long thereafter as is mutually desired by a woman and her child. 2013 FabianLewkowicz.com

Norma T. Hollis walks  the labyrinth at Crescent Bay Park during the kick-off of Los Angeles Natural Hair Care Expo (Part of the Nappywood weekend LA.) on Friday, August 2, 2013. A labyrinth is an ancient symbol dating back 3500 years. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools. A labyrinth has only one path. It is unicursal. The way in is the way out. There are no blind alleys. The path leads you on a circuitous path to the center and out again.

Congratulation to former Santa Monica Mayor Nathaniel Trives for being the first African American to be elected president in the Rotary Club of Santa Monica's 92 year history! Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. There are more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries, and there are over 1.2 million members World-Wide. The members of Rotary Clubs are known as Rotarians. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary's best-known motto is "Service above Self," and its secondary motto is "They profit most who serve best." (Riviera Country Club, Friday, August 2, 2013)

Aaron Hill, owner and "top dog" at Pets in the City, Inc. , walks a pack of dogs on Idaho Street on Monday, July 29, 2013. Pets in the City has been providing professional personal care for pets since 2002 in the Los Angeles area. Services include dog walking, dog training and cageless pet boarding. Aaron is Pet CPR certified and members of Pet Sitters International. Aaron is a graduate of the renowned Karen Pryor Academy and is certified to work with your dog. Pets in the City offers  cage-free boarding.

125 participants relax in hammocks at the Santa Monica Pier while trying to break a world record on Friday, July 19, 2013. The event was sponsored by neuro and was filmed for a segment on Entertainment Tonight. 

Neuro drinks today announced the results of its proprietary study that surveyed more than 1,200 consumers, revealing nearly 50 percent of Americans spend at least half their daily lives stressed out. In response, neuro is urging Americans to join a stress reduction movement with the launch of its BLISS and Tell campaign, inspired by its drink neuro BLISS. The nationwide campaign encourages consumers to take time to relax and share their blissful moments. To view an infographic of survey findings, visit:www.BLISSandTell.me 

While controlling stress might not be the easiest feat, nearly 100 percent of survey respondents agree it’s at least somewhat important to be in control of stress. neuro’s study also reveals that the cure for stress varies, with only 11 percent agreeing that a night out on the town helps relieve stress. A quarter of the respondents say personal time would help treat the stress, while more than half admit a vacation is what they need the most. 

In response to the nation’s heightened stress levels, neuro is offering a chance to break free from stress through its summer-long contest, which will conclude on Sept. 9. How it works:

• Fans are encouraged to BLISS and Tell for a chance to win $10,000 to go on a dream vacation to their ultimate happy place, as well as daily and weekly BLISS giveaways.
• To be eligible, visit neuro’s BLISS and Tell contest homepage and submit a picture of your BLISSful moments, from laying on the beach to laughing with friends at a barbeque. 
• Fans can also enter their photos via Instagram and Twitter simply by using the hashtag ‪#‎BLISSandTell‬.

In addition to the online contest, neuro will be popping up in cities across the nation to offer consumers a timeout from their daily stressors. The brand will be hosting a series of “hammock hangouts” designed to relieve the daily commuter routine or let people put their feet up for a break from the summer festival circuit. Like neuro on Facebook to learn about events in your area. 

“As we dive into summer, we want to remind consumers that bliss is attainable in a variety of ways and encourage them to find moments to relax. As evident in our study, Americans are looking for ways to reduce stress and want to feel relaxed; however, the fast-paced culture of today’s non-stop world presents a constant challenge,” said Brian Pope, chief marketing officer of neuro. “Through BLISS and Tell, we hope to make people a little less stressed out and help them get to their happy place, whether that’s getting the vacation they need by winning the ultimate relaxation getaway, kicking back in hammocks or enjoying a bottle of neuro BLISS.”

neuro BLISS is a delicious tropical citrus lychee flavored drink designed to reduce stress and relax the mind. It contains chamomile and a powerful blend of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants including L-theanine. This combination provides a calming effect and promotes a positive outlook by reducing stress levels, improving memory and attention and supporting the brain, resulting in the ability to concentrate on one’s goals – not the pressure.

For more information about neuro’s BLISS and Tell campaign, along with official contest rules, please visit www.BLISSandTell.me. 

#BLISSandTell