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Sarasota News Leader September 20, 2013 Page 75 COMMUNITY WELLNESS WALK PLANNED FOR SEPT. 21 Members of the Laurel Osprey Venice Nokomis (LOVN) Community Health Action Team, along with local participants, will take to the streets Saturday, Sept. 21, at 8 a.m. to raise awareness for mental health and wellness, Sarasota County has announced. itively address those concerns, the release adds. "Through this active display of public support, the LOVN Community Health Action Team intends to help break down the stigma associated with mental illness and get people talking about mental health and wellness," The event is free and open to the public. Reg- added Eagen. istration will begin at 7:45 a.m. on the grounds "Exercise makes one more alert and increasof Summit at Venice, 200 Nassau St. North in es feelings of well-being," the release quotes Venice. Walkers donning lime-green clothing Dr. David V. Habif Jr., a physician, researcher and ribbons — the color representing men- and trustee of Washington University in St. tal health awareness — will travel down Ven- Louis. "It negates emotional pain and negative ice Avenue to Esplanade Avenue and back, a thoughts. It enhances learning in the post-exnews release says. ercise period. It is a natural mood stabilizer, "Although medications have improved, we at attitude adjuster and sleep enhancer," accordMental Health Community Centers are well ing to Habif. aware of the impact of healthy lifestyles and their vital contributions to a person's recovery Information tables will be set up on the from mental illness," said Carolyn Eagen, ex- grounds of Summit at Venice, the release ecutive director of Mental Health Community notes. Water and light refreshments will be provided. Centers Inc., in the release. The Community Wellness Walk is designed to promote healthful lifestyles while drawing attention to health concerns facing the community and fostering partnerships that pos- Representatives of businesses and other organizations who would like to join the event may contact Blair Monnett at 237-1777 or email admiss@heritagehealthofvenice.com. NATIONAL ESTUARIES DAY PHOTO CONTEST ANNOUNCED The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is joining its 27 sister National Estuary Programs around the U.S. in a nationwide "Toast to the Coast" in honor of National Estuaries Day on Saturday, Sept. 28, the organization has announced. "We invite you to join us by lifting a glass, mug or cup in a salute to our very own Sarasota Bay," a news release says. "Creativity is encouraged, but all pictures must show Sarasota Bay in the photograph. Please be sure to reference where the photo was taken," the release adds. Those wanting to participate should submit a picture by Monday, Sept. 23, the release points out. Later that day, an album will be posted on the SBEP Facebook page with all the submissions. The picture that gets the most "likes" via the album will be named the winner on National Estuaries Day, Sept. 28. The winning submission will receive four Sarasota Bay Explorers tickets, the release notes. "Snap a picture of yourself or a group of friends toasting to Sarasota Bay and email [it] to info@sarasotabay.org to enter SBEP's 'Toast to the Coast' photo contest," the release Anyone with questions may contact Stephanie Hames at info@sarasotabay.org or at 955-8085. continues.