Know something that should be listed in Health & Fitness? Send a brief write-up to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA, 22102, fax to 703-917-0991 or call Lea Mae Rice at 703-917-6459.
The Youth Suicide and Depression Task Force (YSAD) of the Fairfax Partnership for Youth sponsor free mental wellness screenings, in English and Spanish, for teens, adults, and senior citizens Thursday, Oct. 5 from 2-6 p.m. at the South County Teen Center at the South County Government Center, 8350 Richmond Highway, Suite 309, Alexandria. For more on the screenings, call Susan Lydick at 703-324-5292. For more on the Fairfax Partnership for Youth, call Elise Neil Bengtson 703-324-5703 or visit www.fairfaxyouth.org.
La Leche League of Fairfax City has its next meeting Oct. 11 at 10 a.m. at Fairfax Christian Church, 10185 Main St. The topic is "The Family and the Breastfed Baby." Pregnant and nursing women as well as their children are welcome to attend. Free. For more information or questions, call a La Leche League leader at 703-323-6683 or 703-385-0527, or visit www.fairfaxcitylll.org.
Haven of Northern Virginia offers an eight-week support group beginning Oct. 16 from 7:30-9 p.m. for those who have experienced the death of a loved one by suicide. Meets at Haven, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. Registration required. Call Haven at 703-941-7000 or e-mail havenofnova@verizon.net.
Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia offers the Lebed method "Focus On Healing" classes Thursdays 6:15-7:30 p.m. Meets in the adult lounge at JCCNV, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. Focus on Healing is a therapeutic program of exercise and movement to music designed especially for breast cancer survivors. First class is free. Call Jacki at 571-212-3347 or e-mail lebedmethod@verizon.net.
Caregiver Support. A support group in Burke will offer support and information to people caring for elderly or disabled adults, whether these loved ones live in their home, nearby residences or miles away. Meetings are free and open to the public. This caregivers support group meets on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, 1-2:30 p.m., at Accotink Unitarian Universalist Church, 10125 Lakehaven Court, Burke. Call 703-451-8631 or e-mail jjclement@earthlink.net.
Donate Blood. Inova Blood Donor Services is open weekdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., at its main location at 3289 Woodburn Road in Annandale. To inquire about appointments at a convenient donor center or blood drive, call 1-866-BLOOD SAVES (1-866-256-6372) or visit www.inova.org/donateblood.
Other Inova blood donation sites are:
* Inova Alexandria Hospital
4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria
703-504-3500
Hours: Monday and Wednesday; noon-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday; 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
* Inova Mount Vernon Hospital
2501 Parker's Lane, Alexandria
703-664-7229
Hours: Monday-Thursday; 4-7 p.m.
* CentreMed, Centreville
703-322-1970
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; noon-8 p.m.
Saturday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Registration for weekday and weekend Lamaze childbirth classes in Springfield is available at www.lamaze-dc.com or by calling 703-549-2226.
Anger Management Class. The Intensive Family Services division of Northern Virginia Family Service is teaching a weekly anger management series beginning Tuesday, Sept. 5 from 7-8:30 p.m. and ending Tuesday, Oct. 24 at the NVFS Oakton office, 10455 White Granite Drive, Suite 100. $25 per session or $175 if all sessions are paid in advance. Pre-registration and an intake interview required. Call 703-219-2185, ext. 1.
Teen Anger Management Class. The Intensive Family Services division of Northern Virginia Family Service is teaching a seven-week anger management/life skills class for youths between the ages of 15 and 18 beginning Thursday, Sept. 21 at the NVFS Oakton office, 10455 White Granite Drive, Suite 100. $175 for all seven classes or $150 if paid in advance. An intake interview required. Call 703-219-2116.
Foster Care Training. The Intensive Family Services division of Northern Virginia Family Service is teaching a class to train potential special foster care and therapeutic respite care parents. Learn how to support children with special needs and therapeutic parenting techniques. Classes are Saturday, Sept. 16, Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the NVFS Woodbridge office, 2200 Opitz Blvd., Suite 100. To register or for more information, call 703-219-2184.
Registration forms are available for seniors 50 and older to enter the 2006 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics from Sept. 16-28. Registration deadline is Sept. 1. Participants must be 50 years of age by Dec. 31 of this year and live in a sponsoring jurisdiction. In addition to traditional Olympic events such as track and field and swimming, other events include activities such as cards and board games, tennis, bowling, golf and more. Registration fee is $10 which includes one event; additional events are $1. Call 703-228-3600, ext. 9996 or visit www.novaseniorolympics.com.
Alzheimer's Family Day Center, located at 2812 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, hosts various classes. Reservations are required, and classes are open to people who are caring for a relative or friend with dementia. For more, call 703-204-4664 or visit www.alzheimersfdc.org/classes.htm.
King of Kings Lutheran Church, 4025 Kings Way, Fairfax, will conduct a support group for loved ones with Alzheimer's on the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Call toll-free 1-866-272-3900 or visit www.alz-nca.org/fs/supgrpid.php. Support groups are subject to change, so please contact the Alzheimer's Association prior to attending for the first time to verify date, time and location.
The Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area offers the following support group opportunities:
* Fairfax Sully Group and Exercise Class. The Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets monthly on the fourth Saturday, from 10-11 a.m., with an exercise class at 11 a.m., at the Fair Oaks Sunrise Assisted Living Facility, 3750 Joseph Siewick Drive, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients and family members. Co-leaders are Bill Robbins 703-830-3823 and Darryl Edwards 703-378-9213. Visit www.parkinsonstories.com.
* Fairfax Little River Glen Group. The Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 1 p.m., at Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients, family members, and carepartners. No charge. Call Leon Paparella at 202-966-4450.
* The Springfield Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at 2 p.m., at Greenspring Village, 7400 Spring Village Drive, Town Center Building, Music Room, Springfield. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients, family members and carepartners. Call Michel Margosis at 703-569-2630 or Mitch Mills at 703-913-0270.
* The Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets on the fourth Saturday of the month from 10-11 a.m., with an exercise class normally reserved at 11 a.m., at the Fair Oaks Sunrise Assisted Living Facility, 3750 Joseph Siewick Drive, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients and family members. For more information, contact Bill Robbins at 703-830-3823 or e-mail wbr_yanks@cox.net and Darryl Edwards at 703-378-9213. Visit www.parkinsonstories.com.
* Fairfax Little River Glen Exercise Class. The Parkinson's Disease Exercise Class meets weekday mornings at Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes PD patients, family members and carepartners. Call the LRG Senior Center at 703-503-8703.
TLC: Teens Living with Cancer. Monthly social activities for 13 to 18-year-olds who have cancer give them a chance to meet others with cancer, share a little, and have fun. Call 703-208-5623 for details. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Screenings. Residents in the Burke area can be screened for stroke risk. Appointments begin at 9 a.m. at Burke United Methodist Church, 6200 Burke Centre Parkway, Burke. Screenings are fast, painless and low cost. A complete vascular package plus osteoporosis screening is $129. Call 1-800-697-9721 for an appointment.
Positive Changes Hypnosis offers free hypnosis screenings Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. with appointment. It also offers a complimentary nutrition class Thursdays 6-7:30 p.m. Lectures on specific health topics to be announced. Located at 4244 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax. For questions contact Dr. Coleman at 703.352.5042.