Health And Fitness

The Area Substance Abuse Council’s annual Take Charge conference was held this year on September 29th at the Kirkwood Training and Outreach Center.  ASAC Prevention Staff from Linn, Benton, and Jones County took the day to train over 130 high school students from Linn, Benton, and Jones Counties.  The students discussed topics such as marijuana, prescription drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.

Virginia Gay Hospital and the Vinton Parks & Recreation Department are teaming up to host the 2nd Annual Benton County Community Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, October 17th at the Vinton Skate & Activity Center. This fair will focus on health, wellness and safety topics that are of local interest. This year we are offering local farmers and producers the opportunity to showcase and sell their products in a Farmers Market environment outside in the parking lot during the fair.

October marks the second annual National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, an initiative first started via White House proclamation last year. This serves as both a humbling reminder of the toll substance abuse has on our families and communities, as well as a celebration of what accomplishments have already taken place. It’s a month for reflection, a month for action, and ultimately a month for optimism.

The Vinton Red Cross Blood Drive is this Thursday, September 17, at the Vinton Skate Center from 1:00pm to 6:00pm.  All donors will have a chance to  win a $10 Visa card.

On Monday, September 21st at 7pm, ASAC will be having a public showing at Tilford Elementary Auditorium of the documentary movie “Anonymous People” to promote prevention, treatment and recovery efforts.  This is being done during the month of September in recognition of it being Recovery Month.  The Above The Influence Coalition is partnering with this event in an effort to bring more attention to the issues of prevention, treatment and recovery within Benton County.

The Vinton Parks & Recreation Department is now taking registrations for three fitness programs that will help keep you in shape this fall. All programs are designed to allow you to participate at a rate that is most comfortable to you.   Aqua Aerobics This program provides a great cardiovascular workout to music while the in-water environment reduces stress to your body’s joints and ligaments.

THE NEXT VINTON COMMUNITY RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE will be held Thursday, September 17, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Vinton Skate and Activity Center.  Four $10 VISA gift cards will be given away. For an appointment contact Kristie at 472-4292 or davcdavis@q.com.  Walk-ins are welcome.

Have you ever tried to explain the effect of a concussion to someone who did not understand it? My first attempt at this came on Friday, Sept. 13, 1974. I had been playing sandlot football at recess with my third-grade peers and while running a pass route I was cruelly blind-sided by a utility pole. My friends say I was unconscious for a few moments.

What’s the first group of people that comes to mind when you think of blood transfusions? Trauma victims? Those patients’ lives are certainly saved with donated blood, but the bulk of blood transfusions go to people battling cancer! LifeServe Blood Center is proud to be the blood provider for local hospitals. Each pint of blood generously given with LifeServe Blood Center stays right here in Iowa and is eventually received by a local hospital patient in their critical time of need!  Besides giving a life-saving gift, for a limited time, as part of our “What Color Do You Bleed?” promotion, generous blood donors can earn a commemorative koozie in their choice of school colors for only 200 points.

The September WOW newsletter is here! It highlights how to make a recipe for safe food, recipe for broccoli salad, superfoods: more than kale and quinoa, and ways to get moving in your community. Take a few minutes to take a look here!