Happy Ending to February-Filled Heart Month

It was a February filled with fine wine, great books, wonderful food, dance, cooking and drama. What could be better for one’s heart?
That was the idea behind NorthBay’s big Heart Health Month, which kicked off on Valentine’s Day with a heart-healthy buffet, heart bingo and a presentation by Dr. Kulbir Bajwa about women’s health, and culminated on Leap Year Day with “Solano’s Bounty for the Harvest,” showcasing local farmers and great recipes for their specialties.
A number of local politicans even turned out for the event, including Sen. Lois Wolk, Solano County Supervisor Linda Seifert and Fairfield City Councilwoman Cat Moy.
Cookbook author and instructor Marie Simmons teamed up with Dr. Deborah Murray for a spirited presentation on healthy cooking at the Green Valley Administration Center. A room packed with more than 100 guests had a chance to sample the results of the demonstration, as well as taste local fresh produce in an event co-sponsored by Slow Foods Solano.
NorthBay also partnered with the Solano County Library and the Solano County Library Foundation for literacy events at Town Square Library and at Kab’s Club, both in downtown Vacaville.
The first event Feb. 16 featured Bay Area mystery novelist Cara Black, who has written a series of books featuring private detective Aimee LeDuc.
Wine lovers enjoyed a presentation by “A Moveable Thirst” author Rick Kushman, who guided guests through a sampling of three red wines and discussed their heart-healthy benefit.
A Day of Dance had every participant’s heart racing in the zumba class at Gold’s Gym on Saturday, Feb. 25. NorthBay teamed up with Gold’s Gym to host a free day for the public to come check out everything from Zumba to yoga, spin class to water aerobics.
It was also a cance for women to sign up as members for NorthBay’s Spirit of Women organization.
“We had a great time sharing information, testing body mass and watching the zumba,” says Mary Dickey, interim service line director for the NorthBay Center for Women’s Health.