To have an item listed free in The Potomac Almanac, send mail to 10220 River Road, Suite 303, Potomac, MD 20854, e-mail to almanac@connectionnewspapers.com, or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Thursday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos encouraged. Unless otherwise noted, all events are in Potomac. If you have any questions, call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6476.
Coffe Club Come out, have a drink, chat, walk on Tuesday July 18 at 11 a.m. Meet along the side of the front of the White Flint Mall Eatery.
DRADA (Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association), Potomac Chapter, will hold its only July meeting on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 p.m., in the Parish Hall of St. Raphael's Church at 1513 Dunster Road in Rockville. The meeting is for the families and friends of people who have been diagnosed with depression or bipolar illness. Free. For additional information, call 301-299-4255 or 301-570-9065.
Come to the Women's Tour Network Expo July 22 at Westfield Montgomery. See the latest products and services for the Woman of Today at all ages; come and be pampered. Exhibits throughout the center will include demonstrations and samples from beauty experts, screenings from health experts, and a wealth of information from other physicians and professionals, including plastic surgeons, weight experts, chiropractors, fertility specialists, pediatricians, and more. For more information, contact Dee Lance at Nationwide Expos, 866-494-3976.
The Greater Chesapeake & Potomac Blood Services Region will help conduct the American Red Cross blood drive at Westfield Montgomery on July 24 from 4-8 p.m. Help the effort to save lives at the ARC Bloodmobile, which will be located in front of Entrance #5 (the Old Navy Wing, near Sears Automotive). Don't miss out on the opportunity to receive a "Be the One We Count On" campaign t-shirt as part of the donation, as well as a chance to win a $100 Gas Card. To schedule a donation, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE, and remember to bring photo identification to the appointment. For more information, visit www.my-redcross.org.
Stroke and traumatic brain injury survivors, as well as victims of degenerative neurological conditions, can now use new TWIST to speech therapy. Technology with Innovative Speech Therapy (TWIST) is among the first speech-language therapy programs to integrate computers and technology into an intensive rehabilitation program. TWIST features eighteen hours of intensive individualized speech therapy that specifically defines a patient's communication and cognitive strengths and weaknesses. It then matches those strengths and weaknesses with advanced computer software. TWIST gives people the opportunity to tackle their challenges head-on through technology. Visit www.innovativespeech.com or call 301-602-2899 for more.
Deaf Parent Network presents "Raising Teens Today" Thursday, July 26 from 7-9 p.m. at Jewish Social Service Agency, 118 Firstfield Road, Gaithersburg. Join other parents for a free workshop and learn the possible dangers of at-risk behavior and what resources are available. Response requested by Friday, July 14 by calling 301-990-7215; TTY 301-990-6880 or e-mail lkatz@jssa.org. Accommodations for disabilities can be provided with two-weeks notice. Light refreshments will be served. Deaf social workers will be leading this group.
Seminars, support groups and classes through Adventist Health Care take place at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, 9901 Medical Center Drive in Rockville, unless noted otherwise. To register and for a complete listing of available classes, call 1-800-542-5096.
* Alcoholics Anonymous/Al-Anon. These groups meet every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Call 202-966-9115.
* Narcotics Anonymous. This group meets every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Call 1-800-543-4670.
* Sickle Cell Anemia Support Group. For individuals with sickle cell anemia, their families and friends. Call 301-972-2442.
* Healthy Hearts. Cardiac support program is designed to provide inspiration, motivation and education to patients and caregivers following a heart attack or stroke. Group meets on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. Call 301-253-1502.
* Hepatitis Support Group. A group for people suffering from chronic hepatitis. For information, call 301-216-1367.
* Heart-to-Heart, a support group for people with heart disease and their spouses, meets on the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m., at the Adventist Cardiac Rehab Center, 9715 Medical Center Drive, Room 130, Rockville.
* Amputee Support Group, "Ability with Mobility," meets the last Thursday of every month from 6-8 p.m. Call 240-864-6200.
* Fatherhood 101 class meets on Saturday, July 15 at 1 p.m. $20. This workshop will help expectant fathers meet the challenges of fatherhood.
* Home Alone class meets on Saturday, July 15 at 10 a.m. $10/child and advance registration is required.
* Babysitting class meets on Saturday, July 15 at 10 a.m. $30 and registration is required.
Maryland Families for Stem Cell Research, a nonprofit education and advocacy group for stem cell research, invites citizens to share their stories of hope for a cure or treatment to debilitating diseases and injuries. By visiting www.marylandcures.org, you can tell your story, send a photo and voice your support of public funding for stem cell research. Web site visitors can also donate on-line to support the education and advocacy programs of the organization. The site also serves as a source of information about stem cell advocacy efforts in Maryland for patients, families, researchers, doctors, scientists and public officials.
Bethesda Help, a 35-year-old, ecumenical, nonsectarian organization, seeks volunteers for one day’s service per month. Officers of the day work from home handling cases provided through an answering service, and drivers take qualified (elderly or disabled) persons to doctor’s appointments and deliver groceries to clients' homes. Training and backup are provided. Call 301-294-4888.
Volunteer Opportunities at the National Institutes of Health:
Donate Blood. The NIH Blood Bank is in urgent need of donors with Type O blood. Donations are given at the Clinical Center, Building 10, on the NIH main campus in Bethesda. Hours are Tuesday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Call 301-469-1048 for an appointment to donate.
Volunteer opportunities exist in the county addressing a wide range of health issues.
* Sexual Assault Victims. Montgomery County seeks residents interested in helping sexual assault victims and their families. Volunteers provide 24-hour crisis counseling and companion services at hospitals and police stations. Call 240-777-1355.
* Hospice Caring Inc. seeks volunteers to offer non-medical support to families facing terminal illness. The job involves providing companionship and respite care, assistance with household errands and tasks, and transportation. Call 240-777-2600.
* Montgomery County Hot Line. The Mental Health Association is recruiting volunteers for the Montgomery County Hot Line, a 24-hour telephone-support, suicide-prevention and crisis-intervention service. Volunteers are asked for a minimum of four hours a week for at least one year after training. Call 301-424-0656, ext. 117, to request an application.
* American Cancer Society. The Road to Recovery Program is recruiting and training drivers from Montgomery County. Donate a few weekday hours to transport patients to chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments. Must have own vehicle.
* Licensed estheticians and cosmetologists are needed to teach female cancer patients beauty techniques to restore patients' appearances and self-image. Call 301-933-9350.
In recognition of Home Safety Month, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disability Services is offering county residents free reminder cards with information on how to prevent falls in their homes. The "12 Ways to Prevent Falls" provides tips on how to decrease hazards in the home. In addition, this easy-to-post card provides ideas on how to lessen other risks for falling. To request a free "12 Ways to Prevent Falls," call the Department of Health and Human Services, Aging and Disability Services at 240-777-3000; TTY 240-777-4575.
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac (GC & P) Region asks all eligible whole blood donors to "Be the One We Count On" by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule a donation appointment right away. Blood supply levels are at a critical low. The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region of the American Red Cross is offering all blood program participants an exclusive "Be the One We Count On" t-shirt, as well as a chance to win $100 worth of free gas in a weekly drawing. Information about Regional Blood Donor Centers or community blood drive locations and times can be found at www.my-redcross.org.