JANUARY AGENDA///

Free event AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ASSISTANCE: Little Rock, Jan. 6

DEC. 28 3 BRIDGES MARATHON The inaugural 3 Bridges Marathon is a celebration of the three majestic bridges of central Arkansas — the Big Dam Bridge, the Two Rivers Bridge and the Clinton Presidential Bridge. The marathon will begin at 7 a.m. at the base of the Two Rivers Bridge on River Mountain Road in west Little Rock. Spectators are welcome to ride the trolley provided by the Arkansas Trolley Co. that will run continuously from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the Cantrell West Building at 11300 Cantrell Road and from the First Baptist Church at 62 Pleasant Valley Drive. For more information, visit www.3bridgesmarathon.com and Facebook at www.facebook.com/3bridgesmarathon.

4 A MUSICAL NIGHT OF CARING The Caring Place will host Ken Goodman and Roy Rivers in a concert titled A Musical Night of Caring at 6:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center in Hot Springs. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit The Caring Place Scholarship Fund. The Caring Place is a nonprofit organization that provides respite for caregivers and families of people with dementia. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 501-623-2881.

6 AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ASSISTANCE The Central Arkansas Library System will provide in-person aides to help the public gain a better understanding of the Affordable Care Act. IPAs are individuals trained to help the public understand health-coverage options and enroll in a plan under the new Arkansas Health Connector insurance exchange. The sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Dee Brown Library. Additional meetings will be held Jan. 13 and Jan. 27. For more information, call 501-568-7494.

11 HEART- ATTACK RISK ASSESSMENT Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock invites the public to attend a heart-attack risk-assessment session from 8 a.m. to noon in the Arkansas Heart Hospital lobby. The event will include screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, total cholesterol and more. For more information, call 501-219-7050.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS EXPO Speakers, demonstrations, exhibits and prizes will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Baxter County Fairgrounds in Mountain Home as part of the New Year New Healthier You Health and Wellness Expo presented by Integrative Health and Wellness Works of Mountain Home. For more information, call 870580-0050 or email HealthandWellnessWorks@yahoo.com.

18 DIABETES BOOT CAMP Sheron Weiss, a registered nurse and certified diabetes educator, will host a talk about diabetes from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Arkansas Heart Hospital Annex. The seminar will include information about how to count carbohydrates, how to talk to doctors and more. Caregivers and family are invited to attend. Participants must register prior to the event by calling 501-217-7050.

23 MID- WINTER CONFERENCE The 2014 Mid-Winter Conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Arkansas Department of Health Auditorium, 4815 W. Markham St. in Little Rock. The event will focus on health literacy for older adults and will feature guest speaker Michael Villaire from the Institute for Healthcare Advancement. Workshops will include How to Get Easy-to-Read Health Information for Older Adults with Cancer and Chronic Diseases; and How to Help Older Adults Understand Medicare and Health Insurance, among others. This event is open to anyone interested in health literacy. For more information or to register, visit phla.net.

29 ARKANSAS HERO CELEBRATION

The American Red Cross of Greater Arkansas invites the public to join in honoring lifesaving Arkansans during the 2014 American Red Cross Arkansas Hero Celebration luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Little Rock. Select Arkansans from a variety of ages and professions that have responded to a life-threatening need for help will be recognized, and Skip Rutherford, dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, will be presented as the Clara Barton Distinguished Humanitarian of the Year. Proceeds from Arkansas Heroes fund local emergency disaster response provided at no cost to those in need. For more information, email arkansasheroes@redcross.org or call 501-748-1030.