By Peggy
O'Farrell
Cincinnati Enquirer

Hot news

Walk: Hamilton County Communities on the Move kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday at Forest Park's Activity Center, 651 W. Sharon Road.

Kickoff for the program in Lincoln Heights will be at 7 p.m. in the courtroom at the Municipal Building, 1201 Steffens Ave.

The program, sponsored by the Hamilton County General Health District, the Hamilton County Cardiovascular Health Coalition and the cities themselves, encourages residents to improve their health by following a regular walking program.

Information: 946-7807.

Calendar

Update: The Breast Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati will hold "Looking Locally for Answers About Breast Cancer and the Environment" at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Drake Center, 151 W. Galbraith Road, Hartwell. Researchers from the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center will present research updates. Cost: $10. Reservations: 588-4142.

Stretch: The Cincinnati Art Museum in Eden Park will hold a five-week yoga class beginning at 11 a.m. May 22. Zen-inspired art tours are included. Cost: $15 per class or $62.50 for the series. Registration: www.cincinnatiartmuseum.org or 721-2787.

Lecture: The Cole Center for Healing and Cincinnati Hyperbarics, 11984 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, offers "Healthy Bodies from the Inside Out," on removing toxins from the body, at 7 p.m. May 27. Free. Registration: www.colecenter.com or 563-4321.

Screen: University Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists will offer free hearing screenings weekdays throughout May at the University Pointe office, 7700 University Court in West Chester Township. Registration: 475-8453.

Benefit: Registration is open for the Racing to Read 5K Run and Walk, 9 a.m. June 5 at the Mary Ann Mongan Library, 502 Scott Blvd. in Covington. Cost: $12 before May 26; $15 after. Registration: www.kenton.lib.ky.us or any Kenton County library branch. Proceeds benefit the Library Foundation.

Healthy living

Shade: The best way to prevent skin cancers is to avoid unnecessary sun exposure, says Dr. Tatiana Oberyszyn, a cancer researcher at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Use the "ABCD" guidelines to spot problem growths that should be checked by a doctor:

• Asymmetry: the halves of the mole or growth don't match.

• Border: Edges are jagged or irregular.

• Color: The growth is a patchy mix of color, including red, brown, black, white or blue.

• Diameter: The area is larger than a pencil eraser or growing larger.

Shelf help

Buffed: The Pilates Promise (DK Publishing; $15) by Alycea Ungaro follows three clients over 10 weeks as they follow a new Pilates regimen. Lots of illustrations.

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Contact Peggy O'Farrell by phone, 768-8510; fax, 768-8330, or e-mail, pofarrell@enquirer.com