National statistics show coronary heart disease, which causes heart attack, is the single leading cause of death for American women.

As part of Munson Medical Center’s ongoing Women’s Heart Health efforts, area women will again have the opportunity for a one-on-one heart disease screening the week of Sept. 27 at Munson Community Health Center in Traverse City.

Screenings and tests will include blood pressure, body mass index, stress and depression levels, nutrition review, smoking and alcohol assessments, family medical history review, and a blood test for glucose, lipid profile, and cholesterol. Participants will leave with a personalized action plan, including an educational DVD, risk factor reduction material for improving health, and referrals for further cardiac care as needed.

Cost for the program is $45, and grants are available. To schedule an appointment, call (231) 935-8561.

Those who complete the comprehensive screening are eligible for a six-week women’s exercise class starting in October. Cost for the class is $90, and grants are available in October.

Munson Community Health Center is located at 550 Munson Ave. in Traverse City.

Residents at the Goodwill Inn in Traverse City now have a weekly opportunity onsite that allows a nurse to review their medications and general health status.

Members from Munson Home Health, the Traverse Health Clinic, and Goodwill Inn have established time on Thursdays for clients to have their medications reviewed, a basic health screening, and education to help guests care for any chronic health conditions.

“This is a really great program for us. We have people who come here without adequate health care, inadequate medications, or the wrong medications,” said Elizabeth Post, manager of the Goodwill Inn. “This is a great program for them to start back on their health care. We also wanted to reduce reliance on Munson’s emergency room. We can triage their medical concerns and make more appropriate medical referrals.”

The nursing triage time began in June after a series of conversations between the hospital, the Traverse Health Clinic, and the homeless shelter, Post said. Guests at the shelter are living in poverty and often arrive with chronic health conditions that require appropriate care.

Munson Home Health nurse Kristin Harrison, R.N., has written some protocols for staff to follow when shelter guests have health needs. She said the triage provides a time for education as well as addressing basic needs.

“It’s a time the new residents can come in and we can go over their medications,” she said. “We also look at their health history to see if there are any recommendations we can make to the Goodwill Inn and to the Traverse Health Clinic.”

Harrison said the joint effort between volunteer nurses from the community and the Traverse Health Clinic currently offers eight guests a two-hour time block on Thursdays for health reviews. The time could expand based on need, she said.

Traverse Health Clinic staff nurse Karen Comella, R.N., said the triage will allow the clinic to connect with Inn residents who are new to the area. It also benefits the overall health system.

“We want to try and catch those people who have not been established with the Traverse Health Clinic,” she said. “I consider it a consultation time that offers pointers on what they can do with their health regime. It also is a chance to do some very basic follow-up if they are coming to the Traverse Health Clinic.”

Post said Goodwill Inn staff also has an after-hours phone number to contact a nurse about health concerns prior to seeking a physician’s care. Guests at the Inn also appreciate the nurses’ time.

“We’ve had great feedback from the guests who have received services,” Post said. “We are grateful to the nurses for all of their time and efforts.”

The Goodwill Inn averages 84 people a night and had more than 700 people use the shelter during the 2010 fiscal year, Post said.

Nurses interested in volunteering for the program may contact Harrison at (231) 935-9126.

On Friday, September 10^th, Traverse City Area Public Schools, in partnership with the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation and 4^th and Goal, will celebrate the completion of Thirlby Field’s synthetic turf installation with a full night of football, marching bands, and fun. Evening events include:

• Community Tailgate

4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

$5.00 per person, children 5 years old and under are free

• TC West Senior High School Varsity Football vs. Essex District

5:00 p.m.

• Special Recognition Ceremony

7:00 p.m.

Don and Gerry Oleson will be honored for their generous donation for enhancements to Thirlby Field. Marching bands from TC Central High School, TC West Senior High School, and St. Francis High School will perform.

• TC Central High School Varsity Football vs. Alpena

7:15 p.m.

General admission tickets will cost $6.00 per person. Tickets are good for both games.

Please contact Alison Arnold at (231) 933-8995 for more information.

 The Downtown Art Walk is local favorite and will showcase 18 art exhibits along Front St. The public is invited to enjoy an evening of art, refreshments, food and music. Artists from the Traverse City region and beyond will feature their works. Visit participating locations and check out the truly amazing art from drawings and paintings to the rare art form of Polaroid transfers. The Downtown Art Walk offers a little something for everyone’s liking.

The DTCA will collaborate with the Traverse City ArtCenter on a public art project throughout the evening. Attendees may contribute by painting small tiles that will eventually create a large mosaic to display on the side of Ace Hardware on W. Front St.

Refreshments will be offered at various locations throughout the evening. Purchase a commemorative wine glass and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Downtown Public Art projects. Participating galleries will also be offering prize drawings throughout the evening. Walking maps will be available at each participating gallery and the Downtown Traverse City office. Here’s a glimpse of who will be featuring an art exhibit:

? Americana Gallery ? Horizon Books

? Artisan Design Network ? James C. Smith

? Angela Schuler Gallery ? Kay’s

? Art & Soul Gallery ? Krissie’s

? By Candlelight Amish Furnishings ? McMillen’s

? Cherry Republic ? Orvis Streamside

? Evergreen Gallery ? Red Hare Tack & Togs

? Gallery Fifty-Downtown ? Sweet Pea

? Harbor Wear ? Wooden Gallery

The Annual Downtown Art Walk is provided by the over 200 merchants, restaurants and businesses who are members of the Downtown Traverse City Association. Please contact the Downtown Traverse City Association at 922-2050 or e-mail colleen@downtowntc.com for further information.

www.downtowntc.com

The Traverse City Light & Power (L&P) Board will now enable L&P ratepayers to produce local renewable energy that may partially or fully offset their energy requirements. At its July 27, 2010 meeting, the board approved a Net Metering Policy which expands L&P’s Net Metering Program and gives individual ratepayers this new incentive for individual power generation. L&P’s first Net Metering Project was in 2006, when it partnered with Northwestern Michigan College to install a solar photovoltaic array which, at the time, was the largest solar array in Northern Michigan.

“There have been many community discussions regarding local renewable generation and in response to that, L&P staff developed the Net Metering Policy,” said Ed Rice, L&P Executive Director. “The Policy will allow those ratepayers who qualify and are interested in installing a wind or solar generator on their house or business, the ability to do so.”

The Net Metering Policy allows for the installation of wind and solar projects on property owned by the ratepayer. Interested ratepayers will need to submit an application to L&P to participate in the program. Once the application is received, an engineering analysis will be performed by L&P staff to determine if all proper utility standards are met. Ratepayers will then be contacted by L&P with information on how to proceed.

All projects undertaken will ensure the general safety of L&P employees and the public, while maintaining the integrity of the L&P distribution system.

For more information on the Net Metering Program and how to submit an application, please contact the L&P Engineering Department at 231-932-4564.  Net Metering documents will be available on the L&P website (www.tclp.org) at the beginning of October, 2010.

Crystal Lake Art Center will have an opening reception for the Sixth Juried Art Exhibit on September 10th from 5pm till 7pm at the Art Center, in Frankfort. The exhibit will show September 3 – 30th with artists from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Manistee counties invited to enter the competition. There will be cash prizes for the winners. The show will be juried by Ellie Harold, a full time regional landscape artist. The show is open to all artists 18 and over.

Contact Info for this event: