The Northern Virginia Alliance on Smoking or Health has published "Your Springfield and Burke Guide to Smoke-Free Dining." The guide was published with grant funds from the Virginia Department of Health's Tobacco Use Control Project. The guide lists restaurants in Springfield and Burke that offer smoke-free dining.
The guide is free. To obtain a copy, visit the South Run RECenter, 7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield. To receive a copy by mail, call Fairfax County Community and Recreation Services at 703-324-5213.
People living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia are invited to the program, "Living Well with CLL," on Saturday, May 31, 9:30 a.m.-noon, at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2700 Prosperity Ave., #100, Fairfax. The program will include an update on new treatments with Georg Aue, M.D., of the National Cancer Institute and a panel presentation of people living with CLL. To register for this free program, call The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at 703-960-1100, ext. 231 or e-mail sarah.singer@lls.org.
Second annual Kid Health and Safety Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at Fair Oaks Mall, Grand Court, in Fairfax. Activities to include gummy worm surgery, become a "nurse for a day," bike and helmet safety, fitness and nutrition tips and more. Also, meet McGruff, the Crime Dog. Free and open to the public. Visit ww.inova.org/events.
Alternative House, the Abused and Homeless Children’s Refuge in Fairfax County, is hosting its 12th annual road race. The renamed "Rock the House 8K" is a USATF certified 8K course that will wind through the neighborhoods surrounding the Fairfax County Government Center, and will take place Sunday, June 8, at 8 a.m., in conjunction with the annual Celebrate Fairfax! Festival. The cost is $22, or $20 for those who own a Champion Chip; after June 6, the fee will be $27. Register online at www.runwashington.com; click on featured races. Alternative House offers children, youth and families counseling, shelter, neighborhood support and after-school programs; visit www.thealternativehouse.org.
The Ostomy Support Group of Northern Virginia, LLC holds it monthly meeting, Sunday, June 1, 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Physicians’ Conference Center, Inova Fairfax Hospital, 3300 Gallows Road, Fairfax. "Meet and Eat" begins at 1:30 p.m., presentation starts at 2 p.m. Featured speaker is Dr. Joshua Katz, colorectal surgeon. His presentation will be followed by "Ask the Doctor" and more. No admission fee. Park in Blue garage. For more information, call 703-802-3457 or visit www.ostomysupportofnova.org.
The American Red Cross is teaming up with 3M and Roush Fenway Racing to launch Red Cross Racing, a campaign to engage NASCAR fans as blood donors and to raise awareness about the ongoing need for blood. Visit redcrossracing.com to sign up for a new donor rewards program and accrue points to be exchanged for Red Cross Racing gear including items like caps, T-shirts, jackets and limited edition die-cast cars. Registrants between now and Oct. 1 will be entered into a sweepstakes to win an all-expense-paid trip for two to the Phoenix race on Nov. 9. The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region will host several Red Cross Racing blood drives in June, including Tuesday, June 10, at the Fairfax Donor Center, noon-6 p.m. Participants will receive chances to win special prizes. Call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) to schedule an appointment.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Fairfax is sponsoring the Out of the Darkness Community Walk Saturday, Oct. 11, in Burke Lake Park, Fairfax Station. Funds will benefit suicide awareness and prevention research and programs. To register, visit www.outofthedarkness.org.
The next meeting of La Leche League of Fairfax City is Wednesday, June 11, at 10 a.m. Pregnant and nursing women as well as their children are welcome to attend. Meeting location is the Fairfax Christian Church, 10185 Main Street, Fairfax. Free. For more information or breastfeeding questions, call Kaila at 703-251-0488 or Vanessa at 703-323-6683, or visit www.fairfaxcitylll.org.
The Jewish Social Service Agency’s second annual Positive Aging Fair, "Expanding Our Horizons" featuring lectures, information booths, and workshops on senior-focused topics including travel tips, improving health and transportation options, will be Thursday, June 12, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, 8900 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. For information, call Pam McDonald at 703-204-9100.
The Positive Aging Fair features a keynote address by author Dr. Harry R. Moody, AARP director of academic affairs, who will speak on "Discovering Your Creativity in the Second Half of Life." The event will include a light kosher lunch with live musical entertainment and raffle prizes. To register call 703-323-0880 and reference the following code: 153/2AF/JUN12. The fee to attend is $8 for JCC members and $10 for non-members. Registrants can reserve a free lunch by signing up prior to the event. The deadline for registration spots that include lunch is Thursday, June 5. Walk-in registration will also be available for $5 (lunch not included). Transportation can be provided, call JCA’s Connect-a-Ride at 703-323-6494.
The Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia hosts a monthly support group for parents of young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome and related disorders. The group focuses on building a support network, identifying community resources and balancing one’s own needs with those of adult children with special needs. Group meets on Wednesdays, June 25, July 23 and Aug. 27; 7-8:30 p.m. at JSSA, 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax. JSSA also presents a social club for young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome or related disorders. A variety of outings will be scheduled from June through December.
Call 703-204-9100 to register for the support group or to get information on the social club.
Inova Heath System’s Congregational Health Partnership has been named a 2007 Healthy Hero Award winner. The Healthy Hero Awards program was created by the Amerigroup Foundation to recognize teachers, schools, physicians and community-based organizations that have demonstrated outstanding leadership or innovation in the area of health promotion.
Inova’s Congregational Health Partnership was selected for its efforts in addressing health promotion in the context of a mind-spirit-body connection in the Northern Virginia area. The Partnership’s outreach stresses primary prevention and is innovatively done through health ministries in multi-faith communities. As part of the award, the Amerigroup Foundation is donating $1,000 to the Inova Health System Foundation.
NOVACO Transitional Housing is a non-profit program for victims of domestic abuse. Through HUD funding and community and church donations, the organization offers a comprehensive two-year transitional housing program for families including counseling, education for job enhancement, life skills training and child care. All clients receive follow-up counseling for up to two years after graduation from the program. Call 202-723-3000.
Food Addicts In Recovery Anonymous is a program for individuals recovering from addictive eating and anorexia based on the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins at our meetings. Meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m., at Westwood Baptist Church, 8200 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield. Call 1-877-805-2823 for more information and other times and locations.
Sunrise Assisted Living of Fairfax offers a short-term stay program for aging persons. Fees vary depending on the community and personal care needs. Three meals per day are included. Program is designed for one week's stay to several months. Call 703-691-0046. Sunrise of Fairfax is located at 9207 Arlington Blvd., Fairfax.
Individual Nutrition Counseling. Schedule an individual appointment with registered dietitian Julie Thorsen from Inova Fairfax Cancer Center's Cancer Patient Nutrition Support Program and learn how to optimize your nutritional status related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Call 703-289-8787 to schedule an appointment.
VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Northern Virginia offers pet therapy and a multilingual staff to patients and families living in the City of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun counties. Volunteers should contact the program office at 703-788-6680 for opportunities to participate in patient care. Families may call 800-93-VITAS for more information about hospice or to schedule a free consultation.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia sponsors the following bereavement support groups. HAVEN of Northern Virginia is located at 4604 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. For more information, call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org:
* Widow/Widower Bereavement Support Groups, for anyone grieving the death of a spouse. Meetings take place on the first and third Thursday of the month from 2-3:30 p.m. or on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9 p.m.
* Suicide Survivors Bereavement Support Group, for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide, meets the first Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9 p.m.
* One on One Support. A volunteer will meet with a person grieving the death of a loved one, as needed, to provide individual support. Volunteers will be carefully selected to match individual needs.
Lamaze classes will be on Wednesday nights at Kaiser in Springfield. Weekend classes are also available. Call 301-352-9727 to register.
Northern Virginia Community College is awarding scholarships to child care providers through a program sponsored by the Virginia Department of Social Services. The goal is to produce well-trained childcare providers in an effort to lead those individuals to future success and assist parents. Details are available at www.dss.virginia.gov/family/cc/scholarship.html or call 866-636-1608 (toll-free) for more information.
The Jewish Social Service Agency sponsors services for older adults in Northern Virginia, including in-home support services such as nonsectarian geriatric care management services and counseling for seniors and their families. Call 703-204-9100. The Jewish Social Service Agency is located at 3018 Javier Road, Fairfax.
Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group. Meets the third Monday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m., at Manor Care of Fair Oaks, 12475 Lee Jackson Highway. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Call Anita Newsome, group leader, at 703- 352-7172 prior to attending for the first time.
CanSurvive. Life with Cancer sponsors a patient-led, drop-in lunchtime general cancer support group for those dealing with any type of cancer on Thursdays at noon, at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 301-610-9146 or visit www.can-survive.net.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia sponsors support groups and classes for adults diagnosed with seizure disorders and caregivers. Free. For additional information, call Dana at 703-425-6669.
Thyroid Cancer Support Group. Open to thyroid cancer survivors and their adult loved ones to share information and support in this monthly meeting co-sponsored by the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association. Call 1-877-588-7904.
Spirituality Quest support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841.
Multiple Myeloma Group meets monthly to discuss experiences, emotions and challenges of living with multiple myeloma. The Life With Cancer Family Center is located at 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841.
Breast Cancer Group at the Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, Radiation Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road. Call 703-698-2841.
Metastatic Breast Cancer support groups provide a closed group setting with other women living with metastatic breast cancer, take place on Thursdays and Fridays. Registration is required. Call Sage Bolte at 703-208-5620.
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.
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. is 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 is 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.
Doorways for Women and Families provides a safe, weekly, confidential domestic violence support group. The support group meets on Tuesdays and helps current and former victims of domestic violence share feelings, thoughts and information to make healthy life choices and end abuse. Call 702-237-0881.
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.
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.