Fitness events on tap for middle-schoolers

Broadwater Athletic Club is having a free fitness event for children on May 18, from 2-4 p.m., at Carroll College's P.E. Center.

There will be a circuit of activities that attendees will participate in. Activities will include drumming, dance, yoga, spinning and strength training, among others.

The event will be the culmination of a series of fitness events the club is providing at Helena Middle School and C.R. Anderson Middle School. These events will be from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 1, May 8 and May 15 at the schools' gymnasiums.

Students who participate in the school events will be entered into a drawing for prizes, which will be held at the May 18 event at Carroll.

The Broadwater is putting on the event in hopes of getting kids more active to help curb childhood obesity.

Governor to honor state's 100-year-olds

The Governor's Advisory Council on Aging will honor Montana's centenarians at the 40th annual Governors' Conference on Aging May 20-22 at the Red Lion Colonial Hotel.

The theme of the conference is 'Creative Aging -- A Community Challenge.'

The event will honor all those 100 years of age or older and those who will turn 100 this year, said Brian LaMoure of the Senior and Long Term Care Division of the state Department of Public Health and Human Services.

The 2000 U.S. Census revealed there were 162 Montana centenarians. By 2025, that figure is expected to rise to over 3,000.

"By recognizing our eldest of the elders and honoring them we hope to raise the public's awareness of the baby boom generation which is turning 62 years old," LaMoure said.

The conference will include a luncheon May 20 to honor all the centenarians.

Centenarians who reply will receive recognition from the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging.

To nominate a centenarian, send a photo of the individual, his or her name and address, and the following information to LaMoure by April 30:

- Age

- Where and when you were born; if not born in Montana, what brought you here and when?

- Your secret to living a long life

- The most wonderful event in your life you would like to share

- Your thoughts of the television, telephone and computer

- A favorite quote or saying

- Anything else you would like us to know

- Can you be attend the luncheon? Please RSVP if possible.

Nominations should be sent by e-mail to blamoure@mt.gov or my mail to Brian LaMoure, DPHHS n SLTC, PO Box 4210, Helena, MT 59604-4210.

For more information about the conference, visit www.aging.mt.gov or call LaMoure at 444-7782.

St. Peter's pharmacist to speak on managing your medication

St. Peter's pharmacist Brian Heeney will be the featured speaker at the next meeting of Mended Hearts Chapter 96 on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at The Waterford, 915 Saddle Drive. He will speak about medication management.

The purpose of the Helena Chapter of Mended Hearts is to offer encouragement and support to patients and their families. Members do this by attending the monthly meetings. The meeting is open to new membership. For details, call Rich Palmer at 461-4014.

Entries sought for youth art show for mental health awareness

The Helena Area Kids Management Authority is seeking entries for a youth art show to promote children's mental health awareness.

The event will feature youth art that raises awareness or reduces stigma about children's mental health disorders, or captures or depicts the importance of youth, especially those with a mental health problem, thriving in the community.

Art and entry forms must be recieved by May 2.

All work will be displayed the week of May 6-11 at ExplorationWorks.

Registration forms will be available on the ExplorationWorks Web site, www.explorationworks.org. For more information, call the Kids Management Authority at 442-1236 extension 105.

Children's Miracle Network ambassador to appear in Helena

Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger will greet Montana's 2008 Children's Miracle Network Champion, Addy Scher, at the Grandstreet Theatre in Helena on April 30.

Bohlinger and Scher, an 11-year-old from Livingston, will be included in rehearsal activities by fifth- and sixth-grade cast members of "How to Eat Like a Child" at 3:30 p.m.

Scher is a theater fan, and Bohlinger is a longtime Grandstreet supporter.

Scher was selected to represent the state of Montana and children's heath care needs in the international Children's Miracle Network program, Champions Across America, presented by CO-OP Financial Services. She is one of 50 young ambassadors for health care from other states who will travel to the nation's capital later this month.

County promoting National Infant Immunization Week

National Infant Immunization Week is this week, and the Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department is encouraging parents to talk to their health care providers to ensure that their infant is up to date on immunizations.

Each day, nearly 12,000 babies are born in the United States who will need to be immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before the age of two. According to Kay Robertson, Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department Public Health Nurse, infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases.

If your child is not up to date on immunizations, they could be at risk for serious diseases like mumps, whooping cough and measles.

The City-County Health Department offers immunizations on a sliding-fee scale every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at its clinic at 1930 Ninth Ave. No appointment is necessary.

For more information, contact Kay Robertson 457-8945 or visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines.