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.
The Montgomery County Commission on Health is sponsoring a community forum on health care resources and services on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 7-8:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend and learn about activities in Montgomery County to increase access to services and reduce health disparities. Following brief presentations by public officials, attendees will hear from Brian Smedley, Ph.D., research director and co-founder of the Opportunity Agenda, a research and advocacy organization, on ÒHealth Care Disparities in Our Community.Ó The community forum will be held at Sligo Middle School, located at 1401 Dennis Avenue in Silver Spring. To request language interpretation, sign language services or other assistance to participate in this meeting, call 240-777-4422 or email doreen.kelly@montgomerycountymd.gov by Oct. 13.
Montgomery County health officials will hold two flu vaccination clinics for children ages 5-11 ONLY on Friday, Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at Einstein High School, 11135 Newport Mill Road, Kensington and Gaithersburg High School 314 South Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg. Vaccine will be given on a first-come first-served basis to those meeting the age criteria. A parent, legal guardian or designated adult must accompany children. Call 240-777-1050.
DRADA (Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association), Potomac Chapter - will meet at 7:30 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 20, at the Parish Hall of St. Raphael's Church at 1513 Dunster Road (Falls Road and 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.
"Chronic Pain Speakers Series" is Monday, Oct. 23 from 1-2:30 p.m. For those with chronic pain as well as family and friends. Guest speaker is Sarah Knowlton, reiki teacher. Located at Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring. To learn more, call 301-309-2444 or visit www.pain-connection.org.
Residents living in and around the Bethesda community and the Potomac community can be screened to reduce their risk of having a stroke. Life Line Screening will be at the Potomac Community Center, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac on Friday, Oct. 27. Appointments begin at 9 a.m. Screenings are fast, painless and low cost. They scan for potential health problems related to blocked arteries, aortic aneurysms and hardening of the arteries in the legs. Also offered is a bone density screening to assess their risk for osteoporosis. Each screening requires 10 minutes or less to complete. A complete vascular screening package is $109. Sign up for a complete vascular package. Include the osteoporosis screening and pay $129. For more about the screenings or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-697-9721. Pre-registration is required.
DRADA (Depression and Related Affective Disorders Association), Potomac Chapter, will meet at 7:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Parish Hall of St. Raphael's Church at 1513 Dunster Road, Rockville. The meeting is for the families and friends of people who have been diagnosed with depression or bipolar illness. Free. Call 301-299-4255 or 301-570-9065 or visit www.drada-potomac.org.
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross reports dangerously low inventory of types O and B blood, causing the organization to issue an urgent plea to blood donors throughout the Region to schedule an immediate appointment to give the gift of life. The Red Cross is reporting an inventory level for each of these blood types which is dramatically below the desired safe level of five to seven days worth of blood. Donors are urged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE immediately to schedule a donation appointment. Addresses and driving directions for these Donor Centers, as well as a complete list of community blood drives can be found at www.my-redcross.org or by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
Giant Food LLC, in partnership with Maxim Healthcare, offers influenza and pneumonia vaccinations in the pharmacy department of several local Giant Food stores Tuesday, Oct. 3-Saturday, Nov. 18. Maxim provides Giant with the personnel and vaccine for the vaccination clinics. Vaccines cost $25 for flu and $40 for pneumonia. Free for Medicare beneficiaries with Part B coverage. For more, call 1-888-4-MY-GIANT or visit www.giantfood.com. No appointments necessary. Scheduled times for vaccination clinics are:
* Potomac Promenade, Oct. 25, 2-8 p.m.
* Potomac Promenade, Oct. 28, 12-6 p.m.
* Potomac Promenade, Nov. 1, 2-8 p.m.
* Potomac Promenade, Nov. 10, 12-6 p.m.
* Cabin John, Oct. 26, 2-8 p.m.
* Cabin John, Oct. 28, 2-8 p.m.
* Cabin John, Nov. 11, 12-6 p.m.
Seniors and their caregivers can get diet and nutrition questions answered by a registered dietitian by calling Montgomery County's free Senior Nutrition Hotline at 240-777-1100. The new service is available Wednesday mornings from 9-11 a.m. Information is available on topics such as how to lower sodium intake, how to find reliable nutrition information on the Internet and how to choose the healthiest cooking oil. Bilingual assistance is also available.