Wellness Fair gives residents options to healthy living

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By Tamara Fudge | Sunday, October 15, 2006 12:52 AM CDT | () comments

Credit Island was the place for fitness buffs and those who want to be fit Saturday morning.

The 2006 America On the Move Walk and Wellness Fair, a free event sponsored by Davenport Parks and Recreation Department and the Scott County Family YMCA, was held on the island. Although the unexpectedly cold temperatures drove some of the events indoors, a few hundred participants came, and some walked the road all around the island.

Others chose to spend time on one of five stationary bicycles placed in front of the lodge, receive a free massage or join the yoga class. Little ones jumped inside the inflatable brought by the Swing of the Quad Cities.

“There’s something for every age group,” said Sherri Fischer, recreation coordinator for the city of Davenport.

Healthful snacks, disc golf, regular golf, senior fitness and various exercise regimens filled the morning with activity.

“The whole idea was to introduce people to options and opportunities they have,” said Renee Schwartz, who coordinates group exercise programs for the North and Bettendorf YMCAs.

Shihan David Birdsell of Moline brought eight students to demonstrate the art of shinkendo and kum do (kendo). Kum Do (the Korean name), also known as Kendo (Japanese), utilizes a “sports sword” of bamboo and lends itself to tournament play.

“Shinkendo is a battlefield art,” Birdsell said, “sort of like a game of tag.”

Using real swords and carefully planned choreography, the students strive to slice a rolled-up straw floor mat at a 35-degree angle. Birdsell stresses the importance of safety with this “sword art” and studied with Obata Toshishiro himself, the originator of shinkendo and the actor who portrayed Master Tatsu in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies.

Safety is always a concern, and so the Davenport Fire Department briefly brought Engine No. 5 (the “Mighty Mouse”) to the scene so firefighters could answer questions.

Jazzercise instructor Sue Walsh held her regular class at the island Saturday.

“We had a good turnout,” she said, mentioning that the program is for both men and women. “Some men Jazzercise on a regular basis and find it’s a strenuous activity. We gear it towards whatever the participants are able to do.”

Students in her classes through the Y and the city of Davenport range from teenagers to adults in their mid-80s.

“It’s a beautiful day to see what is offered,” said participant Brenda Warren of Walcott, who also talked to others about pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy-induced hypertension (previously called toxemia).

The collaboration between Davenport and the Ys was deemed a success.

“We’ve been working together for a few months, said Frank Klipsch IV, director of communications for the Y. “We hope to do this on an ongoing basis.”

“It was fun teaming up, because we could offer a large variety of activities,” agreed Fischer.

A sport pack “goodie bag” with program guides and other information, a Frisbee and a recipe for the “Hallelujah Brain Power Smoothie” was provided by Orthopaedic Specialists PC and given to all who attended.

“It’s great to have people come out to the park for an active or even a passive activity,” Fischer said. “Many will be contributing to their fitness without realizing they’re exercising.”

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.

To learn more

For more information on the Scott County YMCA, go to www.scottcounty familyy.org. For more information on the Davenport Parks and Recreation Department, go to www.cityofdavenportiowa.com/department/index.asp?fDD=21-0.