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.
A seminar, “When More Help Is Needed with Caregiving,” is Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 7–8:30 p.m. at the Braddock Glen Adult Day Health Care Center, 4029 Olley Lane, Fairfax. Seminar presents information to help those caring for older adults assess their current caregiving situation and prepare for future needs. Free. Registration encouraged but not required. To register, call 703-324-5205, (TTY 703-449-1186). For details, visit the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/aaa.
Breast Health Education Day with Inova Fairfax Hospital's Cancer Center Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the atrium on the ground floor of Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. The public can interact with doctors, nurses, counselors, and therapists to learn more about breast health and breast cancer. Learn how to perform a breast self-exam correctly and what role genetics play in determining a risk for cancer. Door prizes and refreshments available. Contact Deborah Cook, RN, at 703-204-3763.
The seventh annual Mental Illness Awareness Week Conference is 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29 at the Marriott Fairfax at Fair Oaks, 11787 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax. The theme is "Transforming Mental Health Care in the Age of Recovery." Keynote speaker is Scott Diering, M.D. A morning workshop is "Transforming Mental Health Care in the Age of Recovery." Contact the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board at 703-324-7000; TTY 703-802-3015.
"Meditation Made EZ" begins Sept. 17 and continues on the first and third Sundays of the month from 5-6:15 p.m. at 9870 Main St., Fairfax. Practice, teaching and discussion on breathing, mantra and more. Facilitated by Dr. Bo Hoffman. Hosted by Creative Healing Institute, 703-591-9600 x101, www.mainstreetchi.com.
Haven of Northern Virginia offers a free six-week support group beginning on Thursday, Sept. 21 for children, ages 6-12, who have experienced the death of a significant person in their lives. The children will learn how to identify their feelings of grief and express them appropriately. The group will meet from 5-6 p.m. at Haven, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. Registration is required. Call Haven at 703-941-7000 or e-mail havenofnova@verizon.net.
My Gym Children's Fitness Center of Burke now offers registration for its fall session. The fitness center offers fitness classes for children as well as birthday parties. For more information about My Gym of Burke or to register for fall classes, contact Valarie Jacobs at 703-425-5327.
The Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia, LLC will be holding its monthly support group meeting on Sunday, Oct. 1 from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Alzheimer's Association's Barbara deAngelis presents an overview of the disease and discusses latest treatment advances and ways to keep one's brain active and alert.The meeting will take place at Physicians' Conference Center, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Rd., Fairfax. Park in Blue garage. For more information call 703-802-3457 or visit www.ostomysupportofnova.org.
Registration continues for Northern Virginia Family Services programs. Hosted at the NVFS Oakton office, 10455 White Granite Drive, Suite 100, Oakton.
* The fall Anger Management series begins Tuesday, Sept. 5 and continues weekly through Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 7-8:30 p.m. Teaches participants how to identify their anger triggers and how to express anger appropriately. Classes cost $25 a session and $175 if all sessions are paid in advance. Pre-registration and an intake interview are required. Call 703-219-2185, ext. 1 to register.
* The Equipping Teens series begins Thursday, Sept. 21. Teens learn ways to improve their social and communications skills as well as stress reduction techniques and how to make good decisions. Youth ages 15-18, currently enrolled in high school, can attend. $175 for all seven classes, $150 if paid in advance. A sliding scale is available to those who qualify. An in-take is required for all registrants, available by phone or in person. Additional $25 charge for a 50-minute, in-person intake interview. Call 703-219-2116 to join.
Birthmothers is an outreach ministry for pregnant women serving Fairfax county. They match pregnant women with a specially trained friend who listens to concerns about being pregnant, the baby's father and the future. The group also connects women with practical assistance like low-cost prenatal care, housing resources or legal aid. Birthmothers is confidential and free. Call 1-877-77BIRTH.
Parent-to-Parent. A support group for parents of young children with special needs, co-sponsored by Jewish Social Service Agency and the Board of Jewish Education, Northern Virginia. Fourth Friday of every month at a location to be announced. $65/individual, $90/couple for entire series, $10/session for drop-ins. Call 301-255-1944.
Short-term Counseling Services offers an opportunity to discuss the challenges that follow a cancer diagnosis and to explore effective ways of coping. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Life with Cancer office at 703-698-2820.
Recovery Inc. A nonprofit support group for depression, bipolar disorder and other nervous disease meets every Friday at Boulevard Baptist Church, 7000 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church. Contact Lee at 703-777-1708.
Chapter 5300 of the AARP. Meets on the first Tuesday of each month at Greenspring Retirement Community in Springfield in the theater at Village Square at 1 p.m.
Home Safety Survey. An opportunity to spot fire or life safety hazards. The life safety education officer or a City of Fairfax fire inspector will perform a home walk-through to inspect all smoke detectors, review fire escape plans, check to see that all emergency numbers are posted, scan for other safety hazards and make suggestions to remedy any problems. Call Lt. John Henderson at 703-273-8109 to make an appointment.
Burke Internal Medicine, 5631 Burke Center Parkway, offers free health evaluations for individuals ages 55 and over who have no current health coverage. Included in the offer is a free cholesterol screening, blood pressure screening, diabetes screening, personal risk assessment and consultation. To make an appointment, call Dr. Nabil Andrawis or Dr. Nashwa Gabra at 703-250-5171.
Child Medications. The Citizens Commission on Human Rights aids parents who question the use of prescribed drugs for their children with mental "disorders" to improve educational performance or overall behavior. Call 1-800-869-2247 or visit www.fightforkids.org.
The Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area accepts used car donations through its partner cars4charities. Call 1-866-448-3487 or visit www.cars4charities.org. Vehicles are towed away free of charge. Some restrictions apply.
Good Grief for Children 5-12 Years Old. Life with Cancer Family Center, Suite 203, Room B, 2832 Juniper St., in the Merrifield area. This is the continuation of an eight-week series utilizing group activities and art therapy through which children can share thoughts and feelings to help with the grief process. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Lung Cancer Group. Join fellow lung cancer patients and family members to discuss the challenges of living with lung cancer and its treatments. Facilitated by an oncology counselor. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
Weight Management. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets Thursdays, at 6:45 p.m., at Bruen Chapel United Methodist Church, 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax. Annual membership is $20. Call 202-622-6042 or visit www.TOPS.org.
DivorceCare is offered as a support group at First Baptist Church of Springfield, 7300 Gary St., Springfield, each Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Church Parlor. Call the church office at 703-451-1500.
Social Skills/Therapy Group. In small groups, children who have difficulty in social situations because of ADHD or other challenges learn appropriate social behaviors such as initiating and maintaining conversation, listening, sharing, problem-solving, self-control, handling teasing, dealing with emotions and making friends. Classes are $55-$65 a session and may be insurance-reimbursable. Sponsored by the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. To register, call 703-204-9100.
Breastfeeding Mom's Group. New Mom and Baby topics, including breastfeeding. Experienced maternal-infant nurse/lactation consultant facilitates group discussions. Weekly prize drawing. Complimentary parking, baby weight check, refreshments and resource information. Groups meet on Thursdays, at 10:30 a.m., at Inova Fairfax Hospital Women's Center, 7 South Dayroom, 3300 Gallows Road. Cost is $5 per session. Call 703-776-MILK (6455).
Epilepsy Health Info. The Epiliepy Foundation of the Chesapeake region provides support groups and classes for parents of children (of all ages) with seizure disorders, adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and their caregivers. Free. For additional information call Diana at 703-425-6660 or go to www.abilitiesnetwork.org.
Divorce/Separation Group. Middle school boys and girls meet weekly to discuss issues related to their parents' separation/divorce. One meeting for parents. Thursdays; time and date to be announced. Sponsored by the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax, second floor. To register, call 703-204-9100.
Young Widowhood Support Group. A support group for persons under the age of 50 who have been widowed two years or less, meets the second and fourth Monday of each month 7-8:30 p.m., at The Washington Regional Transplant Consortium, 8110 Gatehouse Road, Suite 101, W., Falls Church. It is an open group with an open agenda each meeting. Persons can join any time throughout the year, but it is important to register. Free of charge/free parking. RSVP to Lisa Colaianni at 703-641-0100.
Fairfax Sun and Moon Yoga Studio sponsors "Mindfulness Meditation Class" on Sundays at 7 p.m., at the studio, 9998 Main St., Fairfax. Free. E-mail ErikaKL@aol.com or call 703-864-2807.
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.