WOMANCARE CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD FRIDAY HERE

Organizers of St. Francis Medical Center's Womancare Conference/Pamper Yourself Night expect record-breaking attendance for the Friday night event.

The event, which begins at 3 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center and will wrap up at about 10 p.m., will feature seminars, exhibits, health screenings and glamour treatments.

Registered nurse Barbara Crowell, clinical coordinator of Womancare, said the conference offers an opportunity for women to learn firsthand about a variety of issues.

Mini seminars include "Genesis of a Garden" by Joe "Mr. Good Garden" Sherinksi; "Eating the Best You Can" by Linda Lawrence and Vicki Frank, registered nurses; "Creative Decorating" by Phyllis Seabaugh of Cracraft Miller; "Making and Designing Sweatshirts" by Janie Koch of Golden Needle; "Strange Danger" by Jim Roche of the St. Francis security department; and "Mind and Body Exercise" by Virginia Heston and Marsha Holloway.

A highlight of the evening will be a presentation on osteoporis by Dr. Barbara Sterkel, president of the Missouri Osteoporosis Foundation and a clinical professor at St. Louis University.

At 6:15, the Woman of the Year Award will be presented to honor an area native who has made outstanding strides professionally.

This year's event will feature a carnival theme and for the first time will be presented in a one-night format, Crowell said.

This is the 10th anniversary of the event, she said. "It has grown over the years," she said, adding that more than 400 people have pre-registered.

"That's going to be a record-breaker, and we're going to have more exhibits than we've ever had," Crowell said. "We've got 51 exhibits."

A number of health screenings have been added. "That's a real plus," she said.

Some of the special features will include manicures, facials, hair styling and massages, carnival games, prizes, refreshments, a magic show and a "white elephant" auction.

For registration information call 339-6209.