Archwell Health

Located where Rite Aid once was, Archwell is a health clinic for those aged 60 and above located in Roebuck Center.  I'd long wanted to know what services they provided. Today's Open House afforded me that opportunity.

After registering, attendees were free to mingle with other guests and explore vendors. Some people I met were already members of Archwell and seemed to be pleased with the offerings.  There were representatives from  Medicare Advantage , Salvation Army, Jefferson County Department of Senior Services and the staff at Archwell.

The tour guide gave us valuable information and answered our questions. Doctors book no more than 5 patients a day. Being able to see a/your primary care physician when needed was a positive that got my attention. Having to wait two weeks to see a doctor and given little time of his or her time is a turn off for me. Also, patients see the same doctor when they visit. 

I asked if there is a fee to join Archwell and was told no. 👍  Although, there are caveats to everything. There are only two insurances they accept. Those are Cigna and United Health Care.  Sadly, I do not have either of those.🙁 I know that I have the option to change from what the retirement board gives me but, I am hesitant to do so. I don't care to investigate options. I don't want to do THAT much thinking.  

It was  a wonderful event. The staff was friendly and accommodating.  The schedule in the picture above shows programs and activities they have during the week.  Non members are welcomed to attend. 

That's it***

 

 

Ebony and Ivory Sassy Hatters

Red Hat Society (RHS) members strutted their favorite Red Hat Costumes and Regalia at Queen Bridget’s, Ebony and Ivory Sassy Hatters (EISH), meet and greet luncheon.  This was also an event to sign new chapter members and give insight into what the RHS is about.  Scheduled were talent, dancing, dining and most of all meeting other ladies who were there to have fun.

Hatters are known for tea and tea parties. At each place setting was a box containing, a tea cake, two candies, a tea bag and a honey stick. 

There were hooped skirts, pirate costumes, pajamas, poodle skirts and general Red Hat regalia.

Cash prizes were awarded to 1^st and 2^nd place costume winners.

 EISH members dressed in 1950’s poodle skirts, fitted sweater tops, hair scarves and head bands, bobby socks, tennis and I even saw a pair of red, high-heeled sneakers.

One member of the Flamboyant Prima Donnas sang  Help Me Make It Through the Night. Members of Fellowship of Friends did a coordinated dance routine.  Members from the Red Hot Mamas had us all laughing and participating in their exercise routine done to Tooty ta

Lunch included savory, skinless, baked chicken breasts, spring greens salad with fruit and cheese, seasoned baked vegetable medley, rolls and iced tea. For dessert, red velvet cake (which is the RHS signature dessert) along with a dollop of lemon mousse inside a chocolate candy shell.  

    

Of course every RHS event has the 50/50 cash drawing. Attendees purchase tickets for a set price. The money goes into a pot. If a person’s number is called she wins half of what is in the pot with the other half going to the hosting chapter. Since RHS is a non-profit, this money is used toward sponsorship of future events. Other funding efforts include auctions, and ticketed gift basket drawings. Of course members pay a fee to attend the various events.

Dancing, entertainment, door prizes, food and innocent mayhem is definitely a part of the fun at all of the events I have attended. We were all surprised at being gifted a selfie stick from EISH as we left the event.

That's it ***

Party with a purpose

 Ensley held  a community festival October 1st. This festival was sponsored by Councilor Steven Hoyt who is the rep for that district. Below is a quote taken from the B'ham News website.


The four-hour event, headed by Birmingham City Councilor Steven Hoyt, is a combination job fair, educational initiative and community festival. (copied from al.com)

The article indicated that over 10,000 people attended, up 4,000 more than previous years. Originally the event was brought about in an effort to have residents more involved in their community after a number of homicides. In addition to wholesome activities, the festival allowed families to spend time together.

There was more than one group of dancers. Also, positive rappers with positive messages.

There were numerous community service tents available for the public to visit. Among them were Project Rebound, to help tornado victims with recovery. Various church and non profit agencies were also there. Hopewell Church will be sponsoring a Women's workshop next weekend which I plan to attend. The subjects that got me interested were edible landscapes and practical business skills. The seminar is free as was EVERYTHING at this festival.

McWane Center's rep in the children's area showed how to make slime or goo. In the container above is about 3 TBS of ordinary white glue that has been colored with food coloring.


To that is added a little water that has borax in it. When the two are stirred together you get the gooey slime you see above. I can see how this would be a fascinating activity for children. As the rep pointed out it was also a great, safe chemical reaction experiment.

There were also airbrushed tattoos. I stood in line to get one also. I wanted mine to be fierce.



Can't get any fiercer than this snake. I'd like to see what I'd look like with a full sleeve and the reactions I'd get?

Not sure what type of owl this is but it was also in the children's section.




 

If You Cook it, they will come. 

 Cooks prepare the tasty meal given to the festival goers.

Everyone is served by adults as well as a Boy Scout troop. I remarked to the den mother how proud I was to see young men performing community service without selfishness.
There were hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, chips or cheese curls, ice cream, soda pop. The Scouts and their mentors had everything moving smoothly.



These kids are gearing up to play Simon Says. The winner gets a bicycle.

Not to be outdone, those over age 40 were challenged in a game of Red Light, Green Light. The prize was a new vacuum cleaner.

The statue of Vulcan in  Birmingham, Alabama was made of iron since iron and steel was the primary industry at one time in this state. The Vulcan statue was also a feature at the 1904 World's Fair. It is thelargest cast iron statue in the world. You can read more about Vulcan and his history as it pertains to Alabama . 

Strength and stamina were tested when partakers did as many chin ups as they could within a given amount of time. Before that it was weight lifting. 

The weather for this event was beautiful . Not too hot and not too cold. A perfect fall day.

THAT'S IT