<lst>Have any health notes to submit to the paper? New class? New or ongoing support group? Blood drive? Fax a brief write-up to 703-917-0991 or e-mail vienna@connectionnewspapers.com. Call Nina M. Dry at 703-917-6422.
The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area sponsors an online support group chatroom on Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. Bill Robbins, a support group co-leader with the Parkinson's Foundation, will moderate the chat. The online chat sessions are the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The Foundation's Web site, www.parkinsonfoundation.org, provides a link to the chatroom with further instructions to enter. Those interested should register prior to Sept. 20 for the first chat. For more information call 703-830-3823 or e-mail wbr_yanks@cox.net.
Mothers First — Vienna/McLean is a group dedicated to supporting women that have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms night out and lectures. Next meeting is on Sept. 21, at 10:15 a.m., at the Patrick Henry Library, 101 E. Maple Ave., Vienna. Call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
VIP Vienna. Support group for people with vision loss meets on Thursday, Sept. 23, at 10:30 a.m., at Patrick Henry Library. Free. To register, call 703-938-0405. Patrick Henry Library is located at 101 Maple Ave. E., Vienna.
The Town of Vienna hosts a weekly lunchtime Weight Watchers program. Open to the public, the cost is $150 for each 12-week series, payable in advanced. To register or for more information, call 703-255-6350.
Migraine Discussion. Inova neurologist discusses migraines, and a psychologist gives strategies for managing stress, on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m., at Patrick Henry Library. Light refreshments provided. To register call 703-204-3366. Patrick Henry Library is located at 101 Maple Ave. E., Vienna.
La Leche League of Vienna meets on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m., at the American Legion Post. The topic is "The Art of Breast Feeding and Overcoming Difficulties." The American Legion Post is located at 330 Center St. N., Vienna. For more information call 703-281-5801.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society sponsors "Life After Transplant," a telephone support group for those who have had a transplant for the treatment of a blood cancer. The four-week group meets on Tuesdays, beginning Oct. 12, from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. To participate, register by Oct. 1. Free, space is limited. For more information or to register, call 703-960-1100, ext. 231 or e-mail singers@dc-cap.leukemia-lymphoma.org.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, offers several ongoing, free bereavement support groups.
A general bereavement support group for anyone grieving the death of a loved one. Meets the first and third Wednesday of each month, 7:30-9 p.m.
A widow/widower bereavement support group for anyone grieving the death of a spouse. One group meets the first and third Thursdays of each month, 2-3:30 p.m. An evening group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month, from 7:30-9 p.m.
A suicide survivors bereavement support group for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide meets the first Tuesday of each month, 7:30-9 p.m.
Call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org for more information.
Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Groups. Meetings are facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Support groups allow families to meet other caregivers, to share experiences and caregiving tips while developing coping skills. Caregivers and family members are invited to visit.
In Oakton, the group meets the third Monday of the month from 7:30 p.m. at Sunrise Senior Living (10322 Blake Lane).
In McLean, a caregiver support group meets on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at The Sylvestery, 1728 Kirby Road in McLean. The Sylvestery is Vinson Hall Retirement Community's new assisted living residence for the care of people with memory impairments. Barbara Adams, M.S.W., will be the support group leader. Call Betty Moore, group leader, at 703-255-2050, before attending for the first time.
For a complete listing of Alzheimer’s Association support groups meet throughout the National Capital Area, call toll-free 1-866-259-0042 or visit www.alz-nca.org. Support groups are subject to change. Contact the support group leader to verify date, time and location.
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Hyperactivity Disorder) of Northern Virginia. A support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7:15 p.m., at Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. Contact Annette Spector, aspector@der-online.com, with questions. The support group schedule is also posted online at www.novachadd.org. For more information about these and other upcoming meetings, call 703-641-5451 or e-mail nova_chadd@hotmail.com.
The Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group meets every Wednesday, 7-8 p.m., at the Falls Church High School Career Center, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail.
Life with Cancer Caregivers Meeting. Every Wednesday, 5:30-7 p.m. Meetings for family members to discuss and explore topics of concern including coping strategies, support, information related to cancer and more. Use Blue parking garage. Meetings held at Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, radiation oncology conference room, at 3300 Gallows Road in Falls Church. Call 703-698-2841 for registration and information.
Social Skills/Therapy Groups. In small, age-appropriate groups, children who have difficulty in social situations learn and practice appropriate behavior, such as initiating and maintaining conversation, listening, sharing, problem-solving, self-control, handling teasing, dealing with emotions and making friends. Cost is $55-$65 per session. (May be insurance-reimbursable.) For registration, call the Jewish Social Service Agency at 703-204-9100.
The Alzheimer's Family Day Center is looking for volunteers. If interested, contact Joan at 703-532-8899 or afdc@alzheimersfdc.org.
The Epilepsy Foundation is sponsoring on-going support groups and classes in Fairfax County; Washington, D.C. and Prince William County. Free. For information, call 703-425-6660.
Recovery Inc., a nonprofit support group for depression, bipolar disorder and other nervous diseases, meets every Friday at Boulevard Baptist Church, 7000 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church. Contact Lee at 703-777-1708.
Multiple Sclerosis Group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at the Vienna Baptist Church, 941 Marshall Road SW, Vienna. Meeting is open to anyone with multiple sclerosis and/or their friends and family. Sponsored by the National Capital Chapter of the MS Society. Call 703-768-4841.
Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent Today. A chance to make a difference in a child’s life. Call Fairfax County’s Foster Care and Adoption Program at 703-324-7639.
Amputee Support Group of Northern Virginia. A support group for amputees, their families and friends. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m., at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Physician's Conference Center, Room 1D, first floor, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. There is no cost to participants, and parking is provided free in the garage for cars displaying handicapped placards or license plates. Contact Irvin Axelrod at 703-222-7120 or e-mail asgnva@earthlink.net for more information.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) sponsors groups for injured victims and for relatives and friends of those who have been killed in drunk driving-related crashes. For information and location, call 703-978-3025.
Sunrise Assisted Living of Oakton offers a short-term stay program for aging persons. Fees vary depending on the community and personal care needs. Three meals per day are included. Program is designed for a week's stay to several months. For more information, call 703-691-0046. Sunrise of Oakton is located at 10322 Blake Lane, Oakton.
Parkinson's Groups. A Parkinson's Disease caregivers/carepartners support group meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m., at Dolley Madison Library, lower level meeting room, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. Call Angela Robb, 703-277-9666.
A Fairfax Parkinson’s Disease support group meets at 2 p.m. on the third Thursday at the Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes patients and family members. No charge. For more information, call Leon at 202-966-4450.
A Parkinson’s Disease exercise class meets weekly every Thursday at 2 p.m. at Greenspring Village, 7400 Spring Village Drive, Town Center Building (classroom), Springfield. Instructor: Monica Phillips. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes patients, family members and carepartners. Fee. For a class schedule and more information, call Michel Margosis at 703-569-2630.
A Springfield Parkinson’s Disease support group meets at 2 p.m. on the fourth Thursday at Greenspring Village, 7400 Spring Village Drive, Town Center Building, Springfield. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes patients, family members and carepartners. No charge. For more information, call Michel Margosis at 703-569-2630.
Virginia Health Information (VHI). VHI, a nonprofit, independent organization, has published information on its Web site, www.vhi.org, reporting on the in-patient cardiac care provided at all licensed hospitals in Virginia. The information compares their performance and mortality outcomes. VHI’s study is based on over 100,000 cardiac patient discharges submitted by Virginia hospitals for the year 2000.
Shoplifters Anonymous. Group offers a new 12-step meeting program for those who wish to stop compulsive shoplifting. The group meets every Thursday, 7-8 p.m., at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road. Call Sue at 703-759-0396 or Carol at 703-764-0347 to confirm the meeting date.
The Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area accepts used car donations through its partner cars4charities. To participate, call 1-866-448-3487 or visit www.cars4charities.org. Vehicles are towed away free of charge. Some restrictions apply.