Memorial lists Heart Month events

February is American Heart Month. The Heart Center of Niagara at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has begun a month-long campaign of health and wellness events to promote heart health.

Upcoming events include:

•On Friday, Feb. 11, beginning at 10 a.m., heart health screenings and education will be an integral part of the annual Black History Month celebration in the Memorial Medical Center auditorium. A luncheon program with guest speaker the Rev. Darius Pridgen, pastor of True Bethel Baptist Church, will begin at 11:30 a.m.

•Tuesday, Feb. 15, Dr. Eram Chaudry will discuss "Smart Choices for Heart Healthy Living" during an 11:30 a.m. presentation at Crestwood Commons Patio Homes and Apartments Community Center, 2600 Niagara Falls Blvd., Wheatfield. A light lunch will be provided. To register, call 278-4604.

• Monday, Feb. 21, heart health screenings will precede "It's in My Heart," an 11 a.m. Black History Month celebration at the Doris Jones Family Resource Center, 3001 Ninth St., Niagara Falls. The keynote speaker will be James Robertson, special agent with the Buffalo office of the FBI.  A light lunch will be served.  Call 285-2382 for information.

•American Heart Month will culminate with The Heart Center of Niagara's second annual Healthy Heart Fair on Saturday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Niagara Falls High School.   Presentations, health screenings -- including echocardiograms to measure the heart's ejection fraction, blood pressure monitoring and electrocardiograms -- along with healthy cooking demonstrations, interactive displays, food, refreshments and door prizes will be featured. Call 278-4300 for details.

All events are free and open to the public.