Greetings friends of Live Well Ferguson!

The award-winning Ferguson Farmers Market will celebrate its twelfth delicious season with the opening on May 3. This Saturday morning tradition brings you fresh fruits and veggies picked within 24 hours of the market and brought directly to you by the friendly farmers who grow them. Enjoy live music in a festive, family atmosphere and discover a wide variety of fresh and tasty food booths with edible delights. Connect with the farmers and make the Ferguson Farmers Market your farm fresh destination on Saturday mornings from 8am-noon at Victorian Plaza (20 South Florissant Road). Come for the farmers. Stay for the fun!

Live active! Live healthy! Live well!
Live Well Ferguson

Upcoming Events

• May 3—Ferguson Farmers Market Opening Day
• May 3—Run with Ferguson Running Club
• May 3—10-10-10 Bike Ride with Ferguson Bicycle Shop
• May 9—Ferguson Citywalk Concert Series
• May 10—Ferguson Farmers Market
• May 10—Run with Ferguson Running Club
• May 10—10-10-10 Bike Ride with Ferguson Bicycle Shop
• May 16—National Bike to Work Day
• May 17—Ferguson Farmers Market
• May 17—Run with Ferguson Running Club
• May 17—10-10-10 Bike Ride with Ferguson Bicycle Shop
• May 17—Tennis Block Party with Ferguson Recreation
• May 17—Ferguson Twilight Run
• May 24—Ferguson Farmers Market
• May 24—Run with Ferguson Running Club
• May 24—10-10-10 Bike Ride with Ferguson Bicycle Shop
• May 24—Opening Day of Splash at Wabash

May 17 Ferguson Twilight Run

The 5th Annual Ferguson Twilight Run on May 17 is a family-friendly race for participants of all fitness levels. The race includes one mile, 5K and 10K routes on a USATF-certified course with professional timing by Big River Running. Registration is available online at FergTwilightRun.com. Special rates are offered to teams of ten or more. Packet pickup is available at the Ferguson Bicycle Shop on May 13 and 14 from 4-8pm, May 15 and 16 from 10:30am-8pm, and at the Health and Wellness Fair at the Ferguson Farmers Market on May 17 from 8am-noon. Participants are encouraged to walk, jog, bicycle, or bus to the event that begins at the Plaza at 501 in Ferguson Citywalk. Post-race entertainment includes a concert, food and drink samples from local restaurants and a finish line health and wellness expo. Volunteers are needed for the Ferguson Twilight Run. Register here to volunteer.

2014 Ferguson Sunday Parkways

For the sixth year in a row, Ferguson will be closing our streets to cars and opening them to people to run, walk, bike, dance and play on Sunday afternoons throughout the year. At these Sunday Parkways events, you can check out a variety of fun activities for all ages including rock climbing, tennis, dance classes, rocket building, jump ropes, basketball, hula hoops, bicycle safety, health screenings, art, bicycle-blended smoothies, free helmets, lifesize chess, fitness contests, prizes and more. Mark you calendar now for the Sunday Parkways events this year: June 8 in the Old Ferguson West Neighborhood, August 24 on the Ted Jones Trail, and October 12 in Old Ferguson East Neighborhood. Check our website for updates!

Live Active: Exercise Your Brain

You know how your heart benefits form exercise. Your brain does, too! Research shows 30 minutes of walking or a light run helps fight the effects of aging on the brain. Other forms of exercise count as well, including biking, hiking, swimming, aerobics, weight training, participating in athletics, and even dancing! With all those options there’s always something to get involved in. For information on fitness programs in Ferguson contact the Ferguson Recreation Department at (314) 521-4661.

Live Healthy: Good Eating in Season

Beets are a great way to add color to your plate, and they are loaded with nutritional benefits. Betalain is the pigment that gives beets their red color, and it also fights cardiovascular disease. Beets are a great source of manganese which is needed for the health of our bones, connective tissue, blood clotting, metabolism, blood sugar regulation and healthy brain function. The leafy greens of beets have an even higher vitamin and mineral content than their colorful roots.

Live Well: Healthy Hero Gene Stephens

Live Well Ferguson: How do you make active living fun?

Gene: I make active living fun by participating in the variety of activities offered both in Ferguson and outside of Ferguson. In addition to being a part of the Ferguson Twilight Run and the Ferguson Twilight Ramble, I also play softball during the spring, summer, and fall. I like to walk and jog around Ferguson with my wife, Jennifer, and we enjoy training together for the Ferguson Twilight Run. Last year I rediscovered my enjoyment of disc golf and I like to visit nearby courses with friends from Ferguson. Also, being a volunteer with the Ferguson Farmers Market and Volunteer Flower Department keeps me active.

LWF: What is your advice to someone struggling to keep a healthy lifestyle?

Gene: I understand that struggle and find it especially challenging during the winter months when I am busy at school and going to meetings most evenings. I would advise someone like myself to avoid fast food and other excess calories when you can’t fit in regular exercise.

LWF: What resources does Ferguson have for healthy lifestyles?

Gene: Ferguson has an abundance of resources for healthy lifestyles and that number will only increase once the community center is completed. Forestwood Park and the Ted Jones Trail are both assets to Ferguson, as well as the constant focus that the city has on active living for its residents. It seems like there is always an activity like the Twilight Run, the bike rides, or Sunday Parkways available to residents.

Do you know a healthy hero?
Nominate a Live Well Ferguson Healthy Hero by sending an email to recreation@fergusoncity.com explaining in 200 words or less how this person lives a healthy lifestyle and inspires others to do the same.