Spring for a healthy you

The flowers are blooming, the temperatures are rising - and Cape Girardeau is in a healthy mindset. Check out these local health events and resources geared toward boomers and beyond:

Diabetes Resource Fair

Cross Trails Medical Center will host a Diabetes Resource fair from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Osage Centre in Cape Girardeau. Admission is free, and attendees will learn about the latest glucometers, medications and devices. Diabetic shoe suppliers will also be available. Call 573-332-0808 for more information.

National Senior Health and Fitness Day

Saint Francis Medical Center will mark this national health promotion day on Thursday, May 16, with special events at Fitness Plus, 150 S. Mount Auburn Road (Entrance 8) in Cape Girardeau. This year's theme is "Think Healthy, Eat Healthy, Act Healthy ... Be Healthy!" From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., life coach and retired professor Edward Leoni will present "Make the Rest of Your Life the BEST of Your Life!" in the Health and Wellness Center conference rooms. After the presentation, visit the Las Vegas-themed health fair, which will include free health screenings, games, exercise demonstrations, healthy snacks, door prizes and the chance to ask questions of health care professionals. The health fair will be held in the multipurpose room.

The event is free for all adults ages 50 and older. The first 100 guests will receive a free gift, and all nonmembers will receive a two-day trial membership to Fitness Plus. For more information or to register, call Fitness Plus at 573-331-3355.

Health Neighborhood at the Cape library

The Cape Girardeau Public Library has introduced a "Health Neighborhood" to make health materials easier to use and locate. Materials on subcategories related to health are now grouped together and labeled for easier access, such as diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, fitness and nutrition. Guests can also check out canvas bags containing materials on specific health topics; the library has teamed up with SoutheastHEALTH for this aspect of the project. Look for the Health Neighborhood on the north side of the adult services collection. Over the next few years, the library will work toward organizing additional neighborhoods for topics like travel, pets and gardening.