OUR TOWN: Initial Mayor's Health Challenge numbers show high BMI

Ormond Beach Observer
Neighbors

Also: A new poetry workshop is in the works, and MLK Day celebrations.

BY THE OBSERVER STAFF

As participants of the Mayor’s Health & Fitness Challenge currently receive their test results from the Jan. 5 kickoff event in the mail, Florida Hospital Volusia-Flagler, which sponsors the initiative, is calculating their findings.

Of 187 total participants, the average weight of all tested is 183 pounds. The average body mass index is 32.

According to Florida Hospital Volusia-Flagler spokeswoman Lindsay Rew, “The normal acceptable range for BMI is 20.1-25 for men, and 18.7-23.8 for women.” Exceptions to these numbers are usually athletes or bodybuilders, she added.

The average age of competitors is 51.

Health data will be collected again April 6.

Call 847-2253.

The glee of poetry: Become a poet, and know it

Heather Vedder, Ormond Beach arts coordinator, is working with David Axelrod, director of Daytona Beach’s Creative Happiness Institute, to bring a new poetry class to Volusia County.

A series of four monthly classes, the program, to run 7-9 p.m. the first Thursday of every month, is aimed at writers of any level. The first course will take place Feb. 7.

Axelrod, who will teach the class, has published 20 books of poetry and has taught creative writing and poetry for more than 40 years. He is also the founder and publisher of Writers Ink Press.

Seats must be reserved at least a week before each workshop session. Cost is $15 per class or $50 prepaid for all four workshops. Proceeds will benefit the hosting of visiting writers to the area for lectures and readings.

One poet, Len Greco, of The Villages, will perform his Valentine’s Day program 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10, at Lilian Place, in Daytona Beach. The performance will be followed by an open-mic night.

Call 337-4567.

Health agency celebrates MLK Day

Hosting Dr. Ivory Webb-Young, founder of Chosen Generations Ministries, as a guest speaker, Signature HealthCARE, at 103 Clyde Morris Blvd., celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday Jan. 15. They also brought in a guest soloist, Pastor Norman Wiley.

Call 673-0450, or visit www.signaturehealthcarellc.com.