by Jan Christensen / photo by Vince Bushell 
Imagine a health fair where you really learn about health. Where the guy who looks like a heart attack waiting to happen gasps, grabs his arm, and falls to the ground. As the paramedics dash up and start working on him, a woman in a white lab coat addresses the gathering crowd, talking about heart attacks, what causes them, how modern medicine deals with them, how to prevent them. That would get your attention, wouldn’t it? How about a booth with a sign that says, “Ask Me About Sex” (age appropriate information only). Or gymnasts and martial arts practitioners staging impromptu demonstrations of their disciplines. Alternative health professionals demonstrating acupressure, acupuncture, reiki, and chair massage. Conflict resolution demonstrations — remember, injuries and violence are health concerns, too. These are the kinds of things planned for the Riverwest Health Initiative Fall Festival scheduled for Saturday, October 11. Plus, of course, the things you expect to find at a health fair: diabetes and blood pressure screenings, flu shots, vaccinations, paramedics and Red Cross. If you would like to help with the Riverwest Health Initiative Fall Festival, call Mark McInerney at 263-8383 ext. 141. The group is looking for volunteers to help with logistics and for alternative health professionals and others to offer information and demonstrations. This is a worthwhile project that promises to be a lot of fun. Anyone interested in Riverwest health concerns is invited to attend the next Riverwest Health Initiative meeting scheduled for Monday, September 15, at 6 p.m. at COA Youth and Family Centers. The RHI meets on the second floor of the Rose and Harry Samson Administration Building, 909 E North Ave. The door is on the west side of the big white building on North Ave. Enter through the door on the left and go up the stairs – follow the signs. Riverwest Currents – Volume 2 – Issue 9 – September 2003
by Jan Christensen / photo by Vince Bushell