Eastern Hills Mall presents 'Healthy Resolutions' this Saturday
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

E astern Hills Mall plans to aid shoppers in sticking to their resolutions for happier, healthier lives in 2007.

The mall, at 4545 Transit Road, will host a "Healthy Resolutions" health fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27.

"We have found from members of the

community that there was a need for

something like this," said Ellen Kaminsky, Eastern Hills marketing manager, who added that the fair will be the first of its kind held at the mall.

"This year in particular, people are looking for additional ways to get and stay healthy, and through this fair, local businesses will be providing them with just that," she said. "And of course, they will be able to enjoy everything the mall offers on a regular basis, from shopping in one of our terrific stores to eating in our delicious International Food Court."

The day will offer area families information and demonstrations related to healthy living from area businesses and organizations including fitness and recreational centers, chiropractors, vitamin and supplement suppliers, day spas, dance and karate centers.

"We have a wonderful list of exhibitors who will be offering informational brochures and pamphlets to shoppers on how they can get and stay healthy in the New Year," Kaminsky said. "The list of participants will also be handing out goodies to those who stop by their booths and learn more about what the business has to offer."

Kaminsky noted there will also be live demonstrations on the main stage at the mall.

"Master Chong's will be giving a live demo as well as representatives from the BAC (Buffalo Athletic Club)," said Kaminsky. "We're hoping to encourage our residents to stick to their healthy resolutions this year, and if they haven't made any, then perhaps they will learn something by attending this fair about nutrition, health and exercise that they did not know before."

Attendees of the health fair will also receive a free "healthy" gift from the mall.

During the fair, the Jewish Community Center will be offering education and information about becoming a member of the facility.

"Right now we are in the middle of a huge membership promotion at a phenomenal rate, which is one-third off the normal price," said Laurie Greenspan, JCC marketing coordinator. "And we offer a lot of different services here at the center, many of which focus on promoting a healthy, active lifestyle."

Greenspan noted that there are two separate facilities which make up the JCC, one located at 2640 North Forest Road in Getzville and a second facility in downtown Buffalo at 787 Delaware Ave.

"Both of our facilities boost indoor swimming pools, fitness facilities, squash and racquet ball courts, after-school programs, early childhood education programs which are nationally credited." Greenspan said, adding that the JCC focuses on aiding its clientele in living a healthy active lifestyle to promote wellness in the mind, body and soul.

"We are offering programs for every age," Greenspan said. "We have programs for the young infants and things for adults and even seniors to participate in."

Greenspan added that the center offers numerous educational classes and seminars and hosts guest speakers.

"We will be representing the center as a whole during the health fair on Saturday," Greenspan said. "We are looking forward to meeting members of the community and informing them of what we at the JCC are about and all the fine facilities we offer."

For more information on the center, visit www.jccbuffalo.org

Renee Sperrazzo from Diagnostic Imaging, also an exhibitor in the fair, said her company is looking forward to participating in the event.

"We are excited to be a part of the health fair, and we are looking forward to getting the word out even more about our company through this venue," the marketing specialist said. "We do a lot of advertising, and we are looking to see how effective certain things can be, and of course, I'm sure we will find by meeting and greeting the public and sharing our information with them, Diagnostic Imaging will become even more recognizable by the general public."

The imaging center specializes in numerous services including magnetic resonance imaging or MRI, computed tomography or CT scans, nuclear medicine, bone densitometry and fluoroscopy, X-rays and ultrasounds.

"We offer a wide range of services at Diagnostic Imaging," Sperrazzo said, adding that many people may be of unaware of some of the services and how patients can benefit from them.

"Take nuclear medicine for example," she explained. "Doctors may spend a lot of time looking at an X-ray to find a break in the bone. But with nuclear medicine technology, the patient is injected with a substance which will indicate by color where the break is. This is used often for things like stress fractures."

Diagnostic Imaging accepts all major insurances. To learn more, call 636-1902.

Atwal Eye Care will be offering information about laser vision correction as well as other eye conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma.

"We'll be offering pamphlets and brochures about eye conditions that effect all age groups," said David Korzak, CEO of Atwal Eye Care, who added the company is involved in numerous health fairs throughout the year. "We find health fairs, such as this one, beneficial for both introducing us to patients as well as being able to bring information to individuals about the importance of routine eye care."

One of the "hottest" eye care procedures today is laser vision correction which, according to Korzak, is performed over 1 million times in the United States per year.

"Not only do we offer pamphlets and brochures on the procedure, but we also have an informative

DVD," Korzak said. "The DVD educates

the patient on the procedure

including the type of laser we use

which is the lightest and most

recent laser to be approved by

the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)."

Many people are nervous

about a procedure such as

laser correction and Korzak

said the surgeon and staff at

Atwal does a great job making

its patients feel comfortable and

relaxed. "Fear is a common issue among laser vision correction surgeries," Korzak said. "It is, however, a fairly common procedure and Dr. Atwal has performed over 14,000 refractive procedures and 25,000 cataract procedures, so he is an experienced surgeon."

To learn more about Atwal Eye Care, visit www. atwaleye. com

Additional exhibitors participating in the health fair include Blue Cross/Blue Shield of WNY, Millard Suburban Hospital, Catholic Health System Home Care, Sears, Vitamin World, Murphy Orchards, Independent Nursing Care LLC, The Training Edge and Senior Blue.

Throughout the month of January, vendors in the mall's International Food Court also took a healthy initiative by offering shoppers alternative meal options.

"Shoppers really responded to the lighter, healthier choices the vendors are offering," Kaminsky said. "Even before this initiative, our vendors offered at least one item that is a lighter fare. And you know, fast food does not have to be fat food, and our vendors are offering more items to customers to help them with their weight loss plans and healthy lifestyle goals."

To learn more about the "Healthy Resolutions" health fair, visit shopeasternhills.com