Learn healthy habits at Health & Wellness Expo Saturday

MOSES LAKE - Healthy living will be the topic at the second Central Washington Health & Wellness Expo, scheduled for 8 am. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the ATEC building at Big Bend Community College.

Admission is free. The expo is sponsored by Samaritan Healthcare, Confluence Health, Health Alliance Medicare, Columbia Basin Hospital, Moses Lake Community Health Center, Horizon Credit Union and the Columbia Basin Herald.

The expo features 66 vendors providing information, services and products for healthy living, organizer Tera Redwine said. "We're sold out," she said. Vendors also will include health care providers, as well as information and services for seniors.

"Our goal is to educate and promote healthy lifestyles and wellness in this wonderful community we live in," Redwine wrote.

The first 325 children will receive a free teddy bear, and the new owners will accompany their bears through the "teddy bear clinic." Bears will get a checkup, immunizations and an X-ray. There's also a station called "My Plate," where kids learn about food portions and healthy eating.

Speakers will present information on a number of topics beginning at 9 a.m. All presentations are in the BBCC cafeteria in the ATEC building.

Speakers include Joan Acres from the Alzheimer's Association and Laurie Ahmann of Summerwood Special Care Center at 9 a.m. The 10 a.m. presentation is from Eric Olson, physical therapist from Samaritan Healthcare, talking about maintaining a healthy neck and back. Maria Blancas, of Moses Lake Community Health, will be the speaker at 11 a.m., with information on living with a chronic disease. Dr. Matthew (Kai) Elliot will be featured at noon, speaking about knee arthritis. Presentations wind up at 1 p.m. with Tara Zamarron, Samaritan Healthcare, who will discuss diabetes education.

Every kid is invited to the "Kid Zone," with a coloring contest, activities and emergency equipment on display. Grant County Fire District No. 5 is bringing a fire truck, MedStar will bring one of its helicopters, and AMR will have an ambulance on display.

Children who participate in the coloring contest have the opportunity to win a gift certificate for a birthday party from the Splash Zone in Ephrata, including admission for 10 children, food and a cake, Redwine said. Moses Lake Community Health will have a jump-rope-and-hopscotch station.

Adults can participate in the vendor "passport" program; participating vendors will stamp the "passport," which can be entered in a drawing for prizes. Those include a $300 gift certificate to Tri State Outfitters, a Wii Fit game system and a family season pass to the Surf 'n Slide water park.

"It is truly a pleasure to coordinate this worthwhile community event, and I appreciate everyone's help and support in planning and implementing this expo," Redwine wrote. "Our corporate sponsors are instrumental in the whole process of this expo, and I truly appreciate all of their teamwork and the friendships we have developed along the way."