Gastroenterology | Digestive Care | MaineHealth
United Way Supports Oasis Counseling
Oasis Counseling is one of the many organizations that receive funding assistance from United Way. The following is a Q&A with Mark Stortvedt, director of community networking.
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What services does your agency provide, and who does it serve? We provide mental and behavioral health counseling, EDMR (trauma therapy), marriage and family counseling, substance abuse counseling, psychiatry and in-home family support. The Oasis Counseling building is located at 333 W. Norfolk Ave. And serves Norfolk and surrounding communities.
In what way does United Way assist you? They help fund two of our programs: The first is subsidies for therapy fees for those who do not have financial means to pay for their counseling sessions, thus allowing more people with limited resources the ability to access a wide range of behavioral services, and the second is for after-care treatment.
Has your United Way need increased or decreased? Increased because we want to ensure our funds are available to provide help to those who need it in the coming years.
What percentage of your budget does United Way fund? 2%
Without the United Way funds, what would happen to this agency? We would have fewer people coming in to receive mental health care.
Share a story about how your agency has made an impact on the community or an individual. Information about individuals who utilize services from Oasis is kept confidential. Stortvedt noted that Oasis did begin working with children in schools about three years ago to continue the organization's goal of providing quality mental health care.
Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid Mattress Review: Cosy Comfort
Today's best Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid Mattress deals
Leesa Oasis Chill mattress review: Two-minute reviewI slept on a queen sized Chill mattress for three weeks, testing it in all areas of comfort and performance, to see how it compares to the rest of today's best mattresses. I also enlisted the help of a panel of others to get a more rounded overview for this review.
This mattress comes in two firmness options, cushion-firm and plush. I tested the cushion-firm option and found it very comfortable. Despite the fact that you don't really sink into the mattress, there is something cozy about the top layer which hugs the body on all sides. As someone who can sleep in all sleep positions, I did find that sleeping on my back or stomach was the most comfortable on this mattress. The Oasis Chill Hybrid is reinforced in the center to provide support in the hips and lower back area which makes for a great sleep experience and removes any pain or pressure you may have.
Getting in and out of bed is a breeze and there was never any concern of slipping off in my sleep. The motion isolation capabilities are also top-notch, making it a good choice for those with fidgety partners.
This hybrid mattress was designed with plenty of cooling properties, however, I found the breathability of the mattress to be lacking. Despite having a hybrid design, cooling cover, and memory foam with cooling properties, I consistently felt warm at night (during October of all times).
With the ability to try the Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid mattress under a 100-night trial, it's well worth seeing if the mattress suits your body or not. Returning is free, though if you decide to keep it, a 10-year warranty is added to the mix.
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Section Notes Score Comfort Comes in cushion-firm or plush version, has a huggable feel, and hip and back support. N/A Value Slightly overpriced for a cooling mattress that doesn't do well in terms of cooling. Excels in other areas however. 4.5/5 Design Six layered hybrid mattress with coils, two firmness options, and cooling features. 4.5/5 Temperature Despite cooling claims , retains more heat than expected. 3.5/5 Motion isolation Decent motion isolation makes it a good choice for couples. 4/5 Edge support Sides are reinforced which offers solid support. 5/5 Customer service 10-year warranty, and free delivery and returns with a 100-night trial. 4/5 Leesa Oasis Chill mattress review: DesignThis hybrid mattress has six layers comprised of coils and foams and is 13.5 inches tall. It's designed specifically with cooling in mind, and is available in two different firmness feels.
On the bottom is a base foam layer that provides long-term support for the mattress. Above this layer is the individually wrapped coil system, reinforced along all the edges of the mattress for edge support. There are also multiple rows of reinforced coils in the center of the mattress, designed to support your hips and keep your spine in line, to prevent back pain.
The next three layers are foam layers. Above the coils is an adaptable foam layer which helps the mattress spring back after your body weight is removed. From there you have a memory foam layer infused with copper which is supposed to create an antibacterial sleeping environment and disperse heat, thereby making the mattress cooler. The last foam layer is a quilt foam infused with gel that assists with the mattress' breathability.
All the foams in this mattress are CertiPUR-US certified. This is important because it means that while the mattress isn't organic, it has low VOCs and is free of the most harmful chemicals.
Last but not least, there's the super soft cover. This includes cooling fibers that Leesa says will disperse heat to leave your body at 88 degrees Fahrenheit – which according to them is the ideal temperature for sleep. The cover is not removable, however, there are handles that make it easier to move.
From my experience testing mattresses, I feel as if the materials are top quality and put together well for long-term use.
If it doesn't sound quite right for you, be aware that this brand makes a wide range of mattresses to suit different needs and preferences. That includes all-foam models, hybrids, and others geared towards cooling. Our Leesa Sapira mattress review will give you a taste of what to expect from another high-end hybrid.
The Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid has a MSRP that is in the premium price bracket category, but regular sales take it down into the upper mid-range. . From the materials to the feel, I'd say that the price matches the value. Among Leesa mattresses, it's not the cheapest option, but it's also not the most expensive either (see how it compares a pricer option in TechRadar's Leesa Sapira mattress review).
Here's the current pricing for the chill Hybrid, along with the prices you can expect to pay:
Generally, today's best hybrid mattresses cost more than all-foam models, and this Leesa is pretty well priced within its category. I wasn't especially impressed with the cooling here (as I'll get on to later), but if you go down the specialist route, the best cooling mattresses also tend to sit in the premium price bracket.
You'll usually get two free pillows bundled in with your mattress, which is nice, but otherwise the extras are pretty standard – free delivery, 100 night trial, 10 year warranty.
Like many bed brands, Leesa has regular sales. However, if you're looking for a particularly strong discount, your best bet is around a national holiday – the Labor Day mattress sales in September, Presidents' Day mattress sales in February, Memorial Day mattress sales in May, 4th of July mattress sales, and of course the Black Friday mattress deals at the end of November.
Leesa Oasis Chill mattress review: Comfort & supportI ordered the Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid in the cushion-firm comfort level. Leesa doesn't provide a firmness rating, but I can say that a 15lb weight sunk about half an inch when placed in the center. In my opinion, it's a 6 out of 10 on a firmness scale.
When laying on the mattress, my body, which is 5'5" and weighs 175 lbs, does not sink in too much. It's a supportive surface that isn't hard by any means. I'd describe it as cloud-like, with an almost buoyant feel. The sleep surface is quite responsive and springs back immediately when pressure is removed. It doesn't contour, but rather seems to hug the body instead.
Sleeping in the back and stomach positions feels most comfortable on the Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid mattress. My hips and lower back feel completely supported, and the mattress seemed to relieve some pressure points in my hips. It's not uncommon for me to want to sleep on my side too, however, that sleep position was not as comfortable. I felt like my hips and shoulders needed to dip in further into the mattress so that my spine could be aligned in the side sleeping position. Unfortunately, this did not happen. Perhaps a larger or smaller body would find the side sleeping position more comfortable on this mattress.
I had a friend sleep on this Leesa mattress who was smaller than me in height and weight. They found that sleeping on their back and side felt most comfortable. On a scale of 1-10, they rated it as a 5.5 in terms of a firmness level.
Leesa Oasis Chill mattress review: PerformanceWhile comfort is important to consider when buying a mattress, I also made sure to assess the temperature regulation, edge support, and motion isolation, through an assortment of tests and personal sleep experiences. With all of this information, I can provide more insight into the overall value of the Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid mattress, and who it might suit best.
Temperature regulationAs a hybrid mattress, the Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid is inherently more breathable than, say, an all-foam mattress. However, as someone who doesn't run hot at night, I was surprised by how warm I got sleeping on this mattress – especially given that it's specifically designed for cooling, with a copper-infused memory foam layer meant to absorb excess body heat and a quilt top cover with special fibers meant to keep your body at exactly the right temperature.
I tested this mattress in October when nights were between 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit. I even used a fan and slept under lightweight sheets and a comforter, but despite that, there were quite a few nights where I woke up sticky with sweat and had to throw the comforter to the side. I have tested over a dozen [edit if required] mattresses, and I generally don't have this issue.
This mattress may not be a good choice for couples – who create more body heat – or those who run hot at night. Perhaps, adding the cooling mattress cover protector to your order will help.
Motion isolation refers to how well a mattress absorbs movements, and is important for light sleepers and couples who don't want to be disturbed by their partner's movements. To test the motion isolation on the Leesa Chill, I placed a wine glass in the center of the mattress and dropped a 15lb weight from a distance of 4, 10, and 25 inches away. The wine glass remained steady when the dumbbell was dropped at 25 inches away, but swayed a bit at 10 inches, and toppled over at four inches. These results are pretty common for most mattresses.
I combined this test with real-world experience by having someone else in bed. I didn't feel the other person get in and out of bed, but I did feel them change sleep positions. If I was in a deep sleep, I probably wouldn't notice them moving at all. Ultimately, I'd say this mattress has solid motion isolation capabilities and is a good choice for couples, unless one of them is a particularly light sleeper. (For the most complete motion isolation, look for an all-foam mattress – most of today's best memory foam mattresses absorb movements extremely well).
Though it may seem trivial, you want your mattress to have good edge support so you don't slip off in the middle of the night and can more easily get in and out of bed. The Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid has great edge support along the entire perimeter. This was expected as the two outer rows of coils around the whole mattress are comprised of higher gauge springs, which means they're more reinforced.
I never felt like I was going to slide or slip off when I slept near the side of the bed or even when I sat on the sides or the foot of the bed. The additional support became even more apparent when I placed a 15lb dumbbell on the edge. It didn't roll off and only sank half an inch.
Customers will be happy to hear that the Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid is delivered rolled and vacuum-packed in a box to your door – for free. Keep in mind that the mattress is assembled upon ordering, so it takes five to nine business days to be assembled before it's shipped – if you're in a particular rush, there are beds with far shorter delivery times.
There is an option to add an in-home set up and old mattress removal service, but it's a little different than you'd expect. Leesa delivers the mattress to you in a box and then their partner has up to seven business days to set up and remove the mattress in your home.
I was able to move the mattress on my own into my room and remove the packaging with ease. There were no off-gassing smells and the mattress seemed to inflate immediately. Leesa notes that it could take up to an hour for the mattress to fully inflate and days for it to fully firm up.
Leesa offers a 100-night trial, which is pretty standard (again, some brands are more generous here, with some offering up to a full year's trial). You just have to sleep on the mattress for 30 days before you go through a free return process. The 10-year limited warranty offered is also standard, which means they'll replace or repair the mattress if there is a defect in the craftsmanship and/or materials.
One of the most notable aspects of Leesa is that it donates one mattress for every 10 sold to a child or family in need.
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Materials Memory foam, other foams, zoned pocket coils Cover Polyester / polyethylene / rayon blend, not removable Handles Yes Firmness (1-10) Two options: Cushion-firm or plush (we rate cushion-firm at 6 out of 10) Height 13.5 inches Trial period 100 nights Warranty 10 years Price bracket Upper mid-range Queen price MSRP $1,679 (usually sold at $1,399) Sizes Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King Delivery Free, option to upgrade to in-home setup and removal service Returns Free, $100 from Alaska or Hawaii Leesa Oasis Chill mattress review: Other reviewsAt the time of writing (October 2023), the Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid is still fairly new to the market so there are only two reviews of the mattress online. For some reason, you can't see these two reviews on the website, but I was able to see one of them via Google. The reviewer pointed out that this mattress' reported cooling properties did not work well, and they found themselves sweaty and uncomfortable at night.
If you'd like to look at the reviews on your own as they come in, you might find them on Leesa, Google, or other sites where they sell the mattress like MattressLux.Com and Better Mattress.
✅ You like to sleep on your back and stomach: The hybrid design offers incredible hip and back support that keeps your spine in line.
✅ You suffer from joint and back pain: Sleep on this hybrid mattress that has a reinforced center and you'll quickly find your joint and back pain disappearing. At least the cushion-firm version helped alleviate hip and lower back pain I'd been dealing with for months.
✅ You have a fidgety partner: Enjoy a seamless night of sleep with the Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid. Through our testing, we determined that you likely won't feel your partner move or get in and out of bed at night.
Don't buy it if...❌ You have a tendency to get hot at night: Despite a design that is meant to promote cooling, the Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid isn't as breathable as I hoped – I found myself getting hot at night during the testing period. Head to TechRadar's cooling mattress guide for alternatives at a range of price points.
❌ You prefer to sleep on your side: Due to the center coils of the mattress being reinforced, the Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid doesn't offer enough give in the hip area for side sleepers. Something like the Helix Midnight mattress would be a better choice for most side-sleepers.
❌ You have a smaller budget: As an upper-premium mattress, the Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid is fairly expensive. If you're on a tighter budget, check out the Cocoon Chill mattress, which is more affordable and comes with a phase-change cover that our testers found regulated temperature very effectively.
Today's best Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid Mattress deals
How I tested the Leesa Oasis Chill HybridI tested a queen-sized, cushion-firm Leesa Oasis Chill Hybrid in my Dallas, Texas, home for 3 weeks. The testing period was during October when night temperatures ranged from 60-75 degrees. The bed was made with a light comforter and microfiber sheets. I had a friend sleep on the mattress one night. I also ran standardized tests to determine the mattress' softness, edge support, and motion isolation.
Read more about how we test
Former Desert Land Transformed Into Oasis For Relocated Villagers
© Provided by Xinhua
YINCHUAN, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Liu Kerui said it was a dream come true when he moved into a livable home in the Hongsibu District of Wuzhong City, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The development of the district began over 20 years ago for people relocated from many parts of the impoverished Xihaigu area in the south of Ningxia.
Liu's courtyard house was built with government support and is a comfortable home with electric appliances and running water, as well as a kitchen, flushing toilet, water heater and heating system. He also has a cattle hut in his backyard.
More than two decades ago, government in Ningxia launched a large-scale relocation project, moving people from desolate, sparsely populated regions in the south of the region to the central area of Hongsibu, where they would be able to work together to seek common development.
Over the last 20-plus years, more than 200,000 people like Liu have been relocated there from Xihaigu area, and they have since witnessed the construction of a modern city and modern agricultural infrastructure.
But when the first group of these people arrived in Hongsibu, they had their work cut out for them as it was still a part of the Gobi Desert. The area is located at the base of Luoshan Mountain, which rises high amid a vast plain and is the third-largest mountain in Ningxia.
The popular TV series "Minning Town" was released in 2021 to tell the story of the people of Hongsibu. The show described the area they arrived in as a place where grass could not survive, where no birds cared to visit, and where the ground was only sand and stones.
People relocated to Hongsibu in earlier days had to adapt to the unlivable environment. Many elderly people remember that their bowls and cups were always full of sand and dirt due to frequent sandstorms.
In 1995, the government launched a huge project to pump Yellow River water into the area, constructing a multi-stage channel approximately 50 kilometers in length. The river water was pumped to a height of 300 meters -- the height of a 100-story building -- to supply irrigation facilities.
At the same time, the local government launched a forestation campaign to plant 1.24 million mu (about 82,667 hectares) of trees to fend off desertification and protect villages and towns.
Agricultural and industrial infrastructure has been built where nothing existed before, and a wide variety of commodities are produced locally today -- wines, goji berries, daylilies, beef, mutton, green power and textiles.
At a large fruit and vegetable greenhouse farm, locals now plant produce throughout the year using soilless cultivation equipment and technology, thanks to investment from businesspeople in east China's Fujian Province.
"We are building a three-dimensional planting structure in order to increase production and efficiency," said Li Qi, director of a greenhouse project in the Fujian-Ningxia industrial park. The project has equipment worth a total of 6 million yuan (over 845,000 U.S. Dollars), Li added.
Liu Sisheng, 50, works at the greenhouse farm. He is in charge of five greenhouses and has earned 50,000 yuan over three months of harvests. "The company has improved management by helping us purchase seeds and fertilizers, and by selling the products for us."
Ningxia is an ideal wine production area thanks to its dry environment and sufficient sunshine, and Hongsibu is catching up with other parts of the region in the field of winemaking.
At wineries in Hongsibu, employees can always be seen selling products online, and deals totaling 20,000 bottles can be made in just five minutes of livestreaming.
With vineyards occupying 108,000 mu of its land, the district now has 22 wineries producing 15 million bottles of wine annually, worth a total of 700 million yuan.
"Our winery produces 130,000 bottles, or 100 tonnes, of wine each year. We have opened a branch in Fujian Province, where wine sells very well," said Lyu Zhenjie, a manager at the Pengsheng Zhenlu Wine Mansion.
And it is not only local industry that has improved -- local education has also advanced to become more forward-looking.
Many of the first group of people relocated to Hongsibu were illiterate or semi-literate. Now, they are watching their children and grandchildren graduate from colleges and even universities in big cities.
Hongsibu high school was established 20 years ago and has since been nurturing future college students, with the number of students enrolling in colleges seeing an annual increase of 10 percent over the past three years.
This is the result of the construction of a comprehensive education system in the new district, which now has 144 schools of various kinds, and all children complete their compulsory education years.
The district has also built a comprehensive health care and elderly care system, which has eased the difficulties faced by the aging population.
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