Independent Record - 02/10/2009

Geophysicist to talk on Yellowstone Park volcanic activity

University of Utah geophysicist Bob Smith will give a talk on Yellowstone's past and present earthquake activity Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. at Bozeman's Emerson Cultural Center.

Smith will discuss the most recent swarm of about 1,000 earthquakes centered near Yellowstone Lake and will share his knowledge and research about what is happening far beneath the earth's surface in Yellowstone National Park.

The event is part of a free community lecture series sponsored by MSU's Thermal Biology Institute and the NASA-funded MSU Astrobiology Biogeocatalysis Research Center. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served prior to the lecture. Admission is free.

The event is sponsored by Montana State University.

For information, visit www.abrc.montana.edu/cls/

Exhibit features quilts honoring women's health program

Two colorful handmade quilts made in honor of the Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program will be on display this month at the Montana Historical Society.

The quilts are part of the Montana Historical Society's "Traditions in Color and Comfort" quilt exhibit, showcasing quilts made by Montana women of diverse and regional backgrounds. They are among 100 currently on display.

The two quilts were made by women whose lives have been touched in some way by breast cancer," said Diane Arave, MBCHP health education specialist for the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

One quilt, by the Montana American Indian Women's Health Coalition, represents the tribes in Montana. The second quilt was made by MBCHP site coordinators representing all 13 of the program's sites in Montana.

The Native American Pink Shawl dancers will perform at the Historical Society museum lobby on Feb. 17 at noon. The Pink Shawl Society raises awareness among women of the importance of yearly cancer screenings.

The Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program provides free or low-cost breast cancer screening for women ages 40-64 and cervical cancer screening for women ages 30-64. Participants must be uninsured or underinsured and meet income eligibility requirements.

For more information call MBCHP toll-free at 888-803-9343 or visit www.cancer.mt.gov.

Talk will focus on link between diabetes and heart disease

"Diabetes and Heart Health," will be offered as part of St. Peter's Hospital's monthly Diabetes Lecture Series today from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the hospital's Education Center.

Cardiologist Dr. Carla Kingsley will speak on the link between diabetes and heart disease.

Kingsley will talk about action that diabetics can take to prevent heart attacks and stroke. There will be time for questions from those attending.

Visitors should use the Main Entrance off Winne Street to reach the Education Center. For details about diabetes education programs at St. Peter's Hospital, call 444-2116 or visit www.stpetes.org.

Hospital offering free mammograms

St. Peter's Hospital is offering free mammogram screening s for qualified uninsured and underinsured women ages 30 and over through a grant from the Montana Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the assistance of Montana Interventional Radiology Specialists.

The $5,000 Komen grant will help fund 50 mammograms for eligible women on a first-come, first-serve basis. To determine eligibility and receive a voucher, women should call the Lewis & Clark County Breast and Cervical Health program at 457-8923, before Feb. 24.

MSU professor to talk about climate change in Yellowstone system

Cathy Whitlock, an MSU earth sciences professor, will discuss "Climate Change in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Big Sky Community Library at Ophir School. A reception will follow.

Whitlock's research focuses on the ecological consequences of past climate change and the long-term links between fire, vegetation, and climate. Her current research extends from the western United States to Patagonia and New Zealand. Whitlock's research touches on climate and fire in the past and points toward patterns that might emerge in the future.

To RSVP or for more information, call Twila Moon at 993-9355.

St. Peter's holding free wellness event

St. Peter's Hospital and Macy's are holding "Heart of the Matter," a free wellness event, Tuesday evening, Feb. 24, at St. Peter's Hospital.

This event begins at 6 p.m. with a health expo featuring wellness screenings, booths from local organizations providing heart-health information, a cooking demonstration from Mediterranean Grill, ballroom dance instruction and more.

Cardiologist Dr. Carla Kingsley will speak at 7:30 p.m. on women's heart health and answer individual questions. Participants can also visit with dietitians and fitness experts, monitor your blood pressure and body fat, learn how to operate an automatic external defibrillator and administer first aid.

For more information, visit www.stpetes.org.