Get healthy this weekend at Agoura Hills event
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Healthy living and environmental awareness will be the focus of a free event this weekend.

The city of Agoura Hills is sponsoring "Planet Expo and Healthy Picnic" from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., April 19 at Sumac Park, 6000 Calmfield Ave.

The first-time event is free to the public, said Meredith Petit, Agoura Hills' recreation supervisor. Even the picnic lunch of fresh fruit, veggies, salads and sandwiches is gratis, Petit said. All families need to bring is a blanket to spread out on the park lawn.

Several activities are scheduled. Captain Carl's Mobile Tide Pools will offer children the opportunity to touch and explore sea creatures, including urchins and starfish.

Sports equipment, a rock climbing wall and an array of active games will be available for children, Petit said. In addition to music and dancing, the National Theatre Group will perform skits on the importance of water conservation.

Free services include document shredding and cellphone recycling. A bake sale to support the upcoming "Relay for Life" at Willow Elementary School on May 3 and 4 will be hosted at the park.

Coinciding with the park festivities is the city's ewaste disposal day at City Hall. E-waste items include unwanted electronic equipment such as computers, printers, cables, telephones, televisions, video games, radios, stereos, DVD and VCR players and other unwanted equipment with video displays. A cellphone recycling bin will be available at the park and city headquarters.

Petit said the city focused the event on environmental awareness and health and wellness to kick off the Healthy Cities program. Agoura Hills has been designated a "Healthy City" by the Center of Civic Partnership, Petit said. The city joins 55 other agencies in the statewide network, she said.

As part of the program, city officials will present a "Walking Challenge" to the community as a means to promote fitness. The challenge will be appropriate for all ages. Petit said the walking challenge is the first of many healthrelated programs to be introduced to residents over the next couple of years.

Trashbusters will host a trash pickup event. Petit said volunteer groups should call ahead of time to register.

Several local agencies and businesses are participating in the event and will have informational booths open, including the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, Waste Management, Toyota, Premiere America Credit Union and ShredIt Paper Shredding. Toyota is expected to provide information on how hybrid vehicles can help the environment and save money on gasoline.

For further information, contact Agoura Hills Department of Community Services at (818) 597-7361.