BUILDING BLOCKS PROGRAM SATURDAY AT WEST PARK MALL

Louie the Lightning Bug will join Mr. Yuk and Freddie the Fire Truck at West Park Mall in Cape Girardeau Saturday to join in the Building Blocks for Better Health and Safety program, which is being sponsored by mall merchants, St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri Hospital.

The day-long, free event is designed to offer back-to-school safety tips, screenings and health education to children.

Louie the Lightning Bug, adorned in a bright yellow costume with green wings and a light bulb body, will be accompanied by a Union Electric ambassador who will verbally deliver messages Louie acts out. Louie is part of the UE electrical safety education program.

The Missouri Conservation Department will present Smokey the Bear, and members of the Southeast Missouri Hospital Poison Patrol will present Mr. Yuk. The Cape Girardeau Fire Department will bring Freddy the Fire Truck.

Children may participate in dozens of activity booths during the day,

Pearle Vision will offer free vision checks for children at an area adjacent to its mall location. Miracle Ear will have a mobile screening unit parked in the mall for hearing checks.

Feature entertainment includes the Judith Heiken Puppets Troupe of Evansville, Ind., with their "Great American Pow Wow Indian Show," to be presented center court. Free shows will be held at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Children's aerobic demonstrations, sponsored by both hospitals, will be held at center court at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

A bicycle rodeo will be held on the front parking area, from 10 a.m. to noon, and 2 to 4 p.m., and a free movie will be shown at West Park Cinema at 10:30 a.m.

Dozens of free gifts have been donated for door-prize drawings open to children 18 and under.

The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.