Other articles by Valerie Vinyard:

It's 'just the ultimate'UA junior thrives on adrenaline-fueled adventuresLive to travelWine, Dine, UnwindCouple hit the road for half the yearTravel fun includes making plans, finding deals, organizing photos 'We'd rather travel than make money,' pair say Pack light, follow your whimsEl Saguarito to open second Tucson eatery in FoothillsExcellent La Placita Cafe offers innovation

Administrative & Professional
Jorgensen Brooks Group
Counselor Sales and Marketing
Everready Glass
Sales Reps Health Care
Dependable Health Services
Physical Therapists Health Care
CENTRAL ARIZONA COLLEGE
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT Mechanical
Komatsu Equipment Co
Resident Field Mechanic Finance and Accounting
Charles E. Gillman Company
Accounting Specialist Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator

Would it hurt you to learn some health tips?

Probably not — especially with a two-day festival making it easy and fun.

Spearheaded by the Pima County Public Library, with help from the Pima County Health Department, the Get Fit Festival will take place Sept. 24 and 27 at Jácome Plaza and the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, 101 N. Stone Ave.

"This fit into our strategic goals," said Steffannie Koeneman, community relations manager for the library.

The first Get Fit day will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 24. Called Get Fit Downtown, the weekday event targets people who live, work and play Downtown. It will offer, among other things, good to-go lunch ideas that are healthy; free body-fat and core-strength testing; and a book sale featuring personal care, fitness, sports and recreation books.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27, Get Fit Outdoors is more of a mixed bag. The indoor-and-outdoor event a week from Saturday will focus on families and kids, but as with the first day, anyone can participate.

Speakers will include authors such as Jennifer Ward, who wrote "I Love Dirt" and a number of children's books. Also, Jeff Williamson, president of the Arizona Zoological Society and a founding member of the networking organization Be Outdoors Arizona, will speak.

Overall, more than 30 community organizations across Pima County will be on hand to help you get fit. That includes running and exercise demonstrations, lots of food from area restaurants, music and art performances, interactive games and a raffle with prizes (see the Top 10's at the right).

"We're hoping that people are going to do things that keep them healthy," said Renee Peyton, communications coordinator for the Pima County Health Department. "We are supporting the library in this — they are the lead agent. It's a logical thing for us to do."

Axhel Munoz, an environmental educator for Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, is working with the library and health department on the festival.

"My goal is to show families that it's OK to be outdoors — it's not scary," said Munoz, 45. "You don't need to know everything to go out and appreciate it. It's more from the point of view of appreciating the Sonoran Desert around us."

Munoz will give short presentations at his booth on Saturday on orienteering, which uses a compass instead of a GPS navigation system. He'll have compasses on hand for people to use on a small course.

"We learn the old-fashioned way," he said.

Go to www.library.pima.gov/ getfit for more information.