Museum holding talk on weather science

ExplorationWorks will host a talk on the science and business of weather with Ben Schott of the National Weather Service, March 12 at 6:30 p.m.

Schott will provide a brief introduction to the National Weather Service, talk about basic meteorology and radar principles, show how to interpret radar imagery and provide a tie to real world meteorology using the current ExplorationWorks exhibit, on loan from the Exploratorium in San Francisco.

Schott is the warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Great Falls.

The program is free and open to all ages.

For more information call 457-1800 ext. 5, visit www.explorationworks.org or e-mail amys@explorationworks.org

Talk to focus on link between sleep, health

Learn about sleeping disorders that may cause serious health problems at "Healthy, Blissful Sleep," a lecture sponsored by St. Peter's Hospital and the Waterford, Tuesday, March 3, 6 n 7 p.m. at St. Peter's Education Center. (Use the Main Entrance off Winne St.) Neurologist Thomas Mulgrew, M.D., will discuss the connection between sleep disorders and serious medical conditions like high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Dr. Mulgrew will also offer solutions to sleep problems and discuss the treatment options that are available at St. Peter's Sleep Disorder Center, including a sleep study. Sleep technologist Joe Boule will provide a quiz to help attendees determine if they have a sleep disorder and answer questions. The "Better Living Lecture" series is the first Tuesday of the month. Visit www.stpetes.org for information on upcoming lectures and events.

Yoga seminar to benefit horse rescue

Dancing Lotus Yoga Center of Helena is holding a yoga workshop to raise funds for rescued horses at Montana Horse Sanctuary.

The workshop is open to the public and will be held Friday and Saturday, March 20-21.

Dancing Lotus is donating the proceeds of the workshop to the Sanctuary.

Kelly Baraby, certified Ashtanga yoga instructor, horsewoman and co-owner of Dancing Lotus Center, will teach the workshop.

The workshop is designed for yoga practitioners of all levels.

The first segment, Friday from 6-8 p.m., will focus on balance and restoring balance to the nervous system. The second segment, Saturday from 9-11 a.m. will focus on strength and flexibility though dynamic yoga poses. The third segment, Saturday from 1-3:30 p.m., will help physical balance with the focus on increasing natural function of the hips and low back.

Cost for all three segments is $60. Separately, the first two sessions are $20 each and the final session is $30.

To register and for more information, contact Jane Heath at Montana Horse Sanctuary in Helena 458-9722.

Hospital offering teen babysitting classes

Safe Sitter classes for youth ages 11-13 begin this March at St. Peter's Hospital.

Classes include training in medical emergencies, babysitting responsibilities, safety, and age-appropriate entertainment. The instructional program includes hands-on practice in rescue breathing and information about babysitting as a business.

Sessions are held in two-day sessions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 13 and 14; March 21 and 28; or April 10 and 11.

Enrollment is limited to 10 students per class. The fee is $50 per student. Scholarships are available based upon financial need. Register online at www.stpetes.org, or call 444-2130 for more information or to pay by check.

Safe Sitter is the only national, nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to preparing adolescents to be safe and nurturing babysitters. Upon completion of the course, students receive a certificate designating them as a trained and safe babysitter.

DPHHS surveying state health behaviors

About 6,000 Montanans will be asked this year to participate in a Department of Public Health and Human Services annual telephone survey used to collect data on current health and health-risk behaviors and developing health trends among state residents.

The Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System survey includes 165 questions and takes about 20 minutes to complete, said BRFSS director Dr. Joanne Oreskovich said.

The survey asks Montanans about the status of their health, their access to health care, their use of preventive services and their knowledge of and attitudes toward health care and health care practices. Recent reports on alcohol consumption patterns, smoking behaviors, nutrition and physical activity are examples of the kind of information the survey generates.

The information will also be compared to other states in the nation. DPHHS conducts the survey in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The survey is the primary source of state and national information about health-related behavior. Federal and state public health officials use the survey data to develop health policies and legislation, as well as public awareness strategies.

More information about the survey is available at the DPHHS Web site, www.brfss.mt.gov or the CDC Web site, www.cdc.gov/brfss, or by contacting Dr. Oreskovich at 444-2973 or joreskovich@mt.gov.