Send announcements to The Loudoun Connection, 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, e-mail to loudoun@connectionnewspapers.com or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is Friday, two weeks before the event. Photos/artwork encouraged. For more information, call Jennifer Lesinski at 703-917-6454.
This free listing is reserved for activities and events that are open to the public at no or minimal cost.
Catherine Stuart, a licensed psychotherapist and mental health nurse, will speak on "Laughter the Best Rx," Thursday, March 30, 10:45 a.m., at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Free. Call 703-430-2397.
Hospice Foundation of America's 13th Annual National Bereavement Teleconference, focusing on "Pain Management at the End of Life: Bridging the Gap Between Knowledge and Practices," Wednesday, April 5, from 1:15-4:30 p.m., broadcast live via satellite at Falcons Landing, 20522 Falcons Landing Circle, Potomac Falls. Includes an interdisciplinary panel of experts explaining laws and regulations governing pain management, and ways to improve the societal approach to pain management. Free, but preregistration required, call the Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging, 703-777-057.
The Loudoun County CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder) parents support group will meet the second Tuesday of every month, from 7:15-8:30 p.m. SuccessLab Learning Centers is hosting the meetings and providing refreshments. SuccessLab is located at 20660 Ashburn Road in Old Town Ashburn near the fire station.
The purpose of the support group is to provide a place where parents can come to be heard, be understood and help each other with their struggles and also learn about the amazing qualities children with ADHD possess. Contact CHADD Loudoun County coordinator Kirk Martin at 703-508-7908 or e-mail at kirk1martin@aol.com. Meetings are slated for April 18, May 16 and June 13.
The Nova Medical Group, 21785 Filigree Court, Suite 100, Ashburn, is offering a free seminar, Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, April 22, 10:30 a.m. Carol Coloma, Dr. Grace Keenan and Michelle Thompson will discuss hormone replacement studies and available options. Preregistration required, e-mail marketing@novamedgroup.com or call 703-554-100, Ext. 323.
The Social Security Administration is accepting applications from older adults and people with disabilities who may qualify for extra help paying for the new Medicare drug benefit.
The extra help will pay some or all of the monthly drug plan premiums and deductibles, and most of the coinsurance for prescription drugs covered by the new Medicare drug benefit. It is expected to provide an average of $2,100 per year in assistance.
Call the Medicare Hot line, 703-737-8036, at the Loudoun County Agency on Aging to request an application, to get help in filling out the application and for income requirements.
People with Medicare can apply for the subsidy by mail or in person at a local Social Security office. The application will also be available online at www.ssa.gov.
The Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit begins Jan. 1. The enrollment deadline is May 15. The average premium is expected to be about $37 per month for people who do not have the low-income subsidy.
The Nova Medical Group, 21785 Filigree Court, Suite 100, Ashburn, is offering a free seminar on fibromyalgia, May 21, 10 a.m. Annette Hudler, D.O., and Elise Schroeder, N.D., will discuss treatments for fibromyalgia, a disorder of chronic widespread pain accompanied by soft tissue tenderness and fatigue. Preregistration required, e-mail marketing@novamedgroup.com or call 703-554-100, Ext. 323.
Ashburn Presbyterian Church is beginning a cancer support group for those diagnosed with cancer, their family and friends. All are welcome. The group will provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere whose purpose is to support individuals affected by cancer by encouraging them to connect with God, resources and one another.
The group will meet from 6:30-8 p.m., on the second and fourth Thursday of every month, beginning Oct. 13. There will be no meeting on Thanksgiving. The meeting will be held upstairs at APC, 20962 Ashburn Road, in room 209. Child care will not be provided. Call the offices at 703-729-2012, or visit the Web site at www.ashburnpresbyterian.org.
The Epilepsy Foundation of the Chesapeake Region is sponsoring the following support groups for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers.
Free of charge. Call 703-425-6660.
* Reston Epilepsy Group meets the second and fourth Friday of each month, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Herndon High School, Entrance 5, Room 123, 700 Bennett St., Herndon.
* Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group meets every Wednesday, from 7-8 p.m., at Falls Church High School, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church.
Teresa Tupaj from Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing will be at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, the third Tuesday of each month, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., to clean, make adjustments and minor repairs to hearing aids, and perform hearing screenings. Call 703-430-2397.
The Loudoun Association for Children with Hearing Loss (LACHL) is a nonprofit association with a mission to support families of D/HOH infants and school-aged children through networking and sharing information about the issues that face our children. Meetings are the second Friday of the month from September through May. Visit www.loudounhearing.org or call Mary Photinakis at 703-327-5026.
A support group for people with hearing loss, tinnitus or Meniere's disease meets at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, 2 p.m., the first Friday of each month. Call 703-430-2397.
The staff from Lenscrafters at Dulles Town Center will provide eyeglass care the second Wednesday each month, from 1-2 p.m., at the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Call 703-430-2397.
The Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month, from 6:30-8 p.m., at the Senior Center at Cascades marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Call 703-430-2397.
A support group for persons suffering with Alzheimer's and other dementia diseases as well as other mental illnesses, and their caregivers meets the second Monday of each month, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Galilee United Methodist Church, 45425 Winding Road, Sterling. The meetings are open to the community. Call 703-430-2203 or visit www.Galileeumc.org.
The YMCA Loudoun County, 6 Fairfax St., S.E., Leesburg, is offering Forever Fit. A gentle, but effective exercise program for seniors age 55 and older for men and women. Improve strength, flexibility, endurance, posture and balance through walking, marching, strength exercises, stretching and relaxation. Wear comfortable clothes and supportive rubber-soled shoes. Mondays and Wednesday, 9-10 a.m. Cost $8 per class. Call 703-777-2275.
The Loudoun HealthCare's Mobile Health Van visits the Senior Center at Cascades Marketplace, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling, the second and fourth Tuesdays each month, from 9:30 a.m.-noon, to take blood pressure and glucose testing along with other medical needs. Call 703-430-2397.