21st annual Community Health Fair

[MARCH 28, 2006]  Good health is no joke, no foolin'. This year's edition of the Community Health Fair will be focusing on what's hot in safety, health and fitness.

The fair is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Park District's Indoor Sports Center. Admission is free. Everyone is invited to attend.

More than 70 organizations will have displays or offer health screenings. Guests at the fair will learn new and innovative approaches to wellness.

Health screenings are always popular at the fair, and more than a dozen kinds will be offered. There will be screenings of blood pressure, blood sugar and diabetes, body mass index, bone density, child development, cholesterol, hearing, hemoglobin, pulse oximetry and child vision. All screenings will be free of charge except the hemoglobin test, for $1, and cholesterol, for $5.

Cooking demos at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. by the dietary department of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital will feature low-fat, low-cholesterol Mediterranean skillet dishes.

The American Red Cross will conduct a blood bank from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in conjunction with the health fair. Your gift of blood can help save someone's life, so please make plans to give at the Red Cross blood bank. First-time donors are welcome. No experience needed.

Coming attractions

Making a return visit is a child identification program. The Lincoln Police Department is bringing this popular program to the fair. Parents will have the opportunity to have their children fingerprinted at no charge. Pictures will also be taken. Both forms of identification have been very beneficial to the police in locating missing children. Parents are urged to take advantage of the program, starting at 9 a.m.

Smokey Bear, of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Forestry Department, will be on hand throughout the day promoting safety.

Saturday's entertainment

At 9 a.m. Dan Dugan will demonstrate Yoshukai karate with his spirited group of students. He has been teaching this ancient art throughout central Illinois for over 26 years.

Beginning at 10 a.m. the LinPro square dancers will demonstrate their agility and rhythmic dance steps. This talented group of people meets regularly at the park district, and new members are welcome.

At 11 a.m. and again at 12:30, Robert Spickard will exhibit the skills of the Logan County drug dog. The deputy will demonstrate how these dogs are able to successfully conduct their searches. Spickard will be available for questions as well.

At noon Julie Parker from Logan County Animal Control will stop by with a friend or two. It is well-documented that pets have a positive effect on people's mental and physical health. Parker will explain the many opportunities available to adopt a pet.

Concluding the day's entertainment at 1 p.m., the Lincoln Tae Kwon Do will take center stage. Led by Scott Brown, this high-energy performance is always a popular segment and sure to entertain all ages.

Closing credits

Nutritious foods prepared by Lincolnland Catering will be available for purchase at the fair throughout the day.

The Community Health Fair is co-sponsored by the Lincoln Park District and the Logan County Health Department.

Questions about the health fair should be directed to Marcia Greenslate at the Lincoln Park District, [phone], or Marcia Dowling at the Logan County Health Department, [phone].

[News release]