Vision Cafe
Body Mind Spirit Expo
Now in its 20th year, Body Mind & Spirit Expos (BMSE) has become the largest health and wellness expo in the United States. With a presence in 20 states and expanding, BMSE creates an arena for the general public to increase their knowledge of alternative health and metaphysical topics. Expo founder Steve Strickland hopes that by providing these venues, people in search of change will be enabled to take charge of their own wellbeing. He encourages taking a skeptical approach to the metaphysical ideas presented, while remaining open to the possibilities that will unfold. “We live in a much larger world than we normally think about, and skepticism takes a backseat when we see things proven.”
Originating in Ashland, Oregon in 1987, BMSE has always maintained an equal emphasis between national holistic topics and local presenters. As the company evolved, the awareness of the venues grew to present semi-annually throughout the west, east, and mid-western states.
Coming to San Diego for the seventh year on Sep. 20 and 21 at the Scottish Rite Center, BMSE will bring to life a positive, healing environment. Here they have gathered the best from your community and joined them with others from throughout the country to provide the essential tools for discovering overall health and wellbeing.
Body Mind & Spirit’s 90 exhibitors introduce the tools necessary for achieving full body wellness. Retail exhibitors offer everything from natural and holistic health products to spiritual books and enlightened art. Healers at the expo provide treatments ranging from massage and yoga to intuitive readings and life coaching.
The two days of the expo will feature 60 free lectures including topics on the power of crystals and guided healing meditations. Weekend admission of $12 includes all lectures and demos, as well as admission to the exhibit hall. Come rejuvenate! Get a massage, have your aura photo taken, and open yourself to new ideas, familiar revelations or shift your perspective altogether. The expo offers a safe environment for growth and exploration, so mark your calendars for Sep. 20-21, 2008.
For more information on Body Mind & Spirit Expos, visit www.bmse.net or call 541.482.3722.
A new hands-on exhibition at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in San Diego takes a slightly different view of Fluffy, Fido and the rest of the animal kingdom. Come experience some of the slimiest, stinkiest and downright yuckiest creatures on earth at the all-new Animal Grossology exhibition, running daily from Sep. 27, 2008 through Jan. 4, 2009.
Oozing with disgusting science and hilarious hands-on learning games, Animal Grossology features sophisticated animatronics and imaginative characters adapted from the best-selling Grossology children’s book series by author and science teacher, Sylvia Branzei. The 5,000 square-foot exhibition engages visitors in a larger-than-life look at nature’s blood-sucking, vomit-munching, and slime-making creatures. Fundamental educational content is provided in the form of giant 3-D book walls throughout the exhibition.
Visitors to Animal Grossology will gain a unique perspective on the animal kingdom, with 16 colorful exhibits that bring to life all the gritty and gross facts about some of nature’s most disgusting critters. For example, visitors will discover that cows are one of the gassiest animals on earth, how leeches are used after some surgeries to assist in the healing process, and why scientists are studying the slime produced by slugs and snails for clues in treating cystic fibrosis.
One animated and colorful exhibit entitled, “The Slime Game,” (modeled after the classic game show “The Dating Game”) features three of nature’s slimiest creatures answering questions about themselves and their environment. Visitors then vote for which animal is the “King of Slime.”
A life-sized cow, with animated head and tail, stands peacefully chewing her cud in the “Chew Chew Express” exhibit. Participants use controls to operate a mechanical model of the cow’s digestive tract. This exhibit explains the various steps of ruminant digestion and why cows have four stomachs.
In “Stupor Fly,” a giant animatronic fly explains to visitors why—and how—flies eat what they eat, while dispelling many myths of the fly world. Visitors may select questions from topics such as table manners, favorite foods, hygiene and more. It’s a sticky mess!
A circus-themed exhibit, “Blood Sucker Blow-up,” shows how ticks, mosquitoes and leeches suck blood, what happens with it and where it goes. An animatronic flea emcee adds levity and three blood-pumping stations allow visitors to see how the creatures store blood anatomically.
With exhibits to touch, IMAX® films to watch, and motion simulator rides to experience, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (“the Fleet”) offers an educational, entertaining experience for visitors of all ages. Located at 1875 El Prado, two blocks south of the San Diego Zoo on Park Blvd, the Fleet is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the public’s understanding and enjoyment of science and technology.