Local Digest

By Staff
Health forum tonight in Meridian
The Mississippi State Department of Health invites residents to take part in public forums addressing disparities in minority health care accessibility and delivery.
The Meridian forum will be held tonight from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Mississippi Power Community Auditorium, 2401 11th St. The forum will address six areas minority health issues: infant morality, cancer screening and management, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and adult and child immunizations.
For information, call Toni Brooks at (601) 859-8020.
Evans featured performer at ECCC concert
Guitarist Chas Evans of Chunky will be a featured performer during a concert Wednesday at East Central Community College in Decatur. Evans' performance will begin at 1 p.m. in the Vickers Fine Arts Center.
Evans, a senior at the University of Southern Mississippi, has won top honors in the 1999 Guitar Solo Competition and received honorable mention recognition in the 2000 event. He was runner-up in the Pine Belt Guitar Solo Competition. He is married to the former Laura Shaow of Forest and they have a daughter, Katie.
American Business Women to meet
The Pinnacle Chapter of the American Business Women's Association will meet today at Western Sizzlin' Restaurant, 1100 N. Frontage Road. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m.
Robbie Hales of The Liberty Shop will present a "Spring Fling" fashion show. Members and guests should order their dinner as they arrive. The waitresses will serve dinner at 6 p.m. Hales has put several outfits together to give the working woman a first-hand preview of spring fashions.
Guests are welcome. For more information, call Dot Davidson at 644-3592 or 485-4942, or Pattie Robinson at 583-7518 or 581-8613.
Red Cross to hold fund-raiser
The final event marking Red Cross Month will be a barbecue fund-raiser catered by Squealers to be held Friday at the Red Cross Office, 1711 24th Ave. The barbecue will begin at 11 a.m. and end at 1 p.m.
Orders of five or more to the same address will be delivered free of charge. Plates are $6 and include pork, baked beans, potato salad, bread and dessert. All proceeds go to the local chapter of the American Red Cross.
Tickets can be purchased at the Red Cross office or by calling 485-5151.
Fund established for Traci R. Alsup
A trust fund has been established at BankPlus for Traci R. Alsup, who was critically injured March 15 in an automobile accident. Donations to help cover medical expenses can be made at any BankPlus branch. For more information, call Cynthia Redmond at 659-4660.
Public invited to upcoming events
Check out these events, coming up in the next couple of weeks in East Central Mississippi:
Saturday Queen City Speedway presents the Mississippi State Championship Challenge Race. For information, call 485-0201.
Saturday Martin Volunteer Fire Department Annual Fund-raiser. Chicken plates will go on sale at 10 a.m. for $5. A craft sale begins at 9 a.m., which will include antiques, gel candles, baskets, wood crafts and more. For information, call Robin at 737-5968 or Rae at 737-5333.
Saturday Meridian Community College's Phi Beta Lambda chapter will sponsor the Multiple Sclerosis Society's Annual Walk at Bonita Lakes. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Lunch will be served after the walk. Call Brenda Arnsdorff, PBL chapter adviser, at 484-8810, or the MS Society at (601) 856-7575 or information.
Saturday Enterprise Fire Department and Ambulance Service will hold a chicken barbecue beginning at 11 a.m. The cost is $5 a plate. For information, call Bessie Speed at 659-4502.
Saturday Newton County Elementary School and Newton County Junior High School will hold their annual "Beauty and Beau" pageants at 6 p.m. at the East Central Community College auditorium. Tickets are $3. For more information, call Judy Leach 635-2718 or Pam Keith 635-2956.
April 21 The Central Mississippi Spring Review Pageant will be held at 4 p.m. at East Central Community College's Huff Auditorium. The entry fee is $35, photo fee is $10. Contestants should wear Sunday dresses. Registration deadline is April 16. For information, call 683-7985.
The staff of the Lauderdale County Agri-Center announces these upcoming events: 1) April 7 Longhorn Cattle Show; and 2) April 22-23 Hendrix Family Circus. For more information, call 482-8498.
Red Cross announces Help Save A Life'
The Key Chapter of the American Red Cross has announced its "Help Save A Life" summer campaign. Summer is approaching and many activities are being planned. The following courses are being offered to educate residents about water safety, CPR, first aid awareness and prevention.
Life guarding course Ages 17 and over, teaches the essential skills of first aid, CPR, how to perform water rescue, aquatic safety, etc. Dates of the classes are April 21-22, 27-29. For more information, call 485-5151.
Water Safety Instructor course Teaches pool safety and how to instruct different age groups in the skill of swimming. For more information, call Barbara Bishop at 484-8720.
CPR/First Aid Instructor class Teaches how to instruct the public in the art of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid. Dates of the classes are April 20-22. For more information, call 485-5151.
Basic CPR/First Aid course Teaches cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid for all age groups. The course is eight hours long and held twice per month. For more information, call 485-5151.