<lst>Nutrition Classes, 7- 8:30 p.m. Come see how hypnosis can help a person lose weight easily and permanently. Positive Changes Hypnosis hosts informative nutrition classes on the following Thursdays: Dec. 12, 19. $15. Register with Positive Changes, 4244 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax. 703-352-5042.
Meditation. Learn about and experience the benefits of several types of meditation. Fridays, Dec. 13, 20. 1-2 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Wear loose clothing. Space limited; registration requested. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
ICAN of Northern Virginia (International Cesarean Awareness Network) is having its December meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m., at INOVA HealthSource, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. For more information about ICAN of Northern Virginia and the location of the meetings, call 703-237-6136 or e-mail icanofnova@naturalbeginnings.org.
Hypnosis Screenings will be offered from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 23 and 30. Screenings will also be offered at the same time on the following Wednesdays: Dec. 11, 18. Hypnosis video included. Free. Register with Positive Changes, 4244 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax. 703-352-5042.
Fairfax Epilepsy Group is a support group for adults with diagnosed seizure disorders and caregivers. The group will meet on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 12-1 p.m., at the St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church, 4801 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. For more information, call 703-425-6660.
Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group will meet Dec. 18 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Falls Church High School, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church.
Caregivers Meeting. Weekly meetings for family members to discuss and explore topics of concern including coping strategies, support, and information related to cancer. Free parking; use Blue garage. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at Inova Fairfax Women's Center, Radiation and Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Breast Cancer Group. Wednesdays, Dec. 18, 5:30-7 p.m., at Inova Fairfax Women's Center, Radiation and Oncology Conference Room, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Advanced Relaxation and Imagery Techniques. Monday, Dec. 23, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Space limited; registration requested. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Colorectal Cancer Group meeting. Thursday, Dec. 12, 7:15-8:45 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Keeping Joy in your Holidays. Experience relaxation and imagery techniques designed to lower stress and create a sense of joy, peace and serenity during the holiday season. Friday, Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Space limited; registration requested. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Carcinoid Cancer Group meeting. Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Writing to Wellness: One Monday a Month. Georgia Robertson, Ph.D., counselor and certified poetry therapist, facilitates this monthly writing and discussion session to help manage the challenges of living with cancer. Monday, Dec. 16, 7:15-8:45 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Space limited; registration requested. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Young Adults with Cancer. Meet with others, age 18 to 30-something, to discuss issues such as sexuality, dating, body image, work and health insurance concerns. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7:30-9 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Multiple-Myeloma Group - Potluck lunch. Bring food to share (A-L main dish; M-Z dessert or salad). Tuesday, Dec. 17, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Lymphedema Group Meeting. Wednesday, Dec. 18, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Lung Cancer Group Meeting. Wednesday, Dec. 18, 5-7 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
“After the Death of a Loved One — Handling the Holidays.” Meet for mutual support, discussion, tips on getting through the holiday season and an overview of the grief process. Registration requested. Thursday, Dec. 19, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Reiki for Relaxation. This experimental workshop will teach participants to use "hands on healing" to renew oneself through the ancient practice of Reiki. Dress comfortably. Thursday, Dec. 19, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m., at the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Space limited; registration requested. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
The Northern Virginia Brain Injury Association is facilitating a free support group meeting for all Traumatic Brain Injury survivors, their families and friends at Falls Church High School on Thursday, Dec. 19, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. More information can be obtained on the Web at www.nvbia.org or by calling 703-569-1855.
La Leche League of Burke will meet on Jan. 4 at 9:30 a.m., at the Burke Presbyterian Church on Oak Leather Drive off Burke Center Parkway. The breastfeeding support group offers help and support to mothers who are currently breast feeding a child or anyone who plans to breastfeed. Expectant and new mothers are encouraged to attend. The topic will be "Advantages of Breastfeeding to Mother and Baby," but all questions and concerns will be addressed. The meeting is free and babies are welcome. For more information contact Leslie at 703-256-2854.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia at 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, offers several bereavement support groups. A general bereavement support group for anyone grieving the death of a loved one meets the first and third Wednesday of each month. The next meeting is on Jan. 15, from 7:30-9 p.m. Two widow/widower bereavement support groups meet for anyone whose spouse has died. One group meets on the first and third Thursday of each month. The other meets on the second and fourth of each month. The next meeting of the Thursday support group is Jan. 2, 2-3:30 p.m. The next meeting of the Tuesday support group is Jan. 14, 7:30-9 p.m. A suicide survivors bereavement support group for anyone grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide meets the first Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is Jan. 7, 7:30-9 p.m. For information, call 703-941-7000 or visit the Web site at www.havenofnova.org.
INOVA VNA Home Health needs volunteer snow drivers with four-wheel-drive vehicles. Drivers transport nurses to homebound patients living throughout Northern Virginia during snow emergencies. Contact the Volunteer Office at 703-916-2885 to help.
Parents of Children with Epilepsy will meet Wednesday, Jan. 15, 10-11:30 a.m., at the St. Baranabas' Episcopal Church, 4801 Ravensworth Road in Annandale. For information, call 703-425-6660.
The American Lung Association of Virginia’s youth tobacco prevention program, “Smoke Free — That’s Me!” will give students in Fairfax County the opportunity to participate in the program when it comes to selected schools in the 2002-2003 school year. It is a one-hour interactive program taught by certified American Lung Association facilitators and geared toward children ages 9 to 11. The program is designed to prevent young people from starting to use tobacco by educating them using a non-threatening approach. For more information, visit www.lungusa.org/virginia.
Parents of Children with Epilepsy (Burke) will begin meeting one Monday per month on Jan. 27, from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Braddock Supervisor's Office, Conference Room, 9002 Burke Lake Road. For information, call 703-425-6660.
The Fairfax County Health Department is making flu vaccinations available for adults over 65 and children or adults with chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary disorders. Vaccinations will be available at the following locations: Joseph Willard Health Center, 3750 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax and the Springfield District Office, 8136 Old Keene Mill Road, Suite A-100 in Springfield. There is a charge of $11 for the flu vaccine and $20 for the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine. Medicare Part B (non-HMO) will be accepted. Medicaid will be accepted only for those in a high-risk category.
Recipients must bring their identification cards and should call one of the following numbers to schedule an appointment: Joseph Willard Health Center, 703-246-7100, or Springfield District Office, 703-569-1031.
Persons who would like to get a flu shot but are not eligible to receive the vaccine from a Health Department clinic should contact their personal physician or call the Fight the Flu Hotline at 1-877-895-5284 for information.
New Mom's Group meets at Inova Fairfax Hospital Women's Center, 7 South Dayroom, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. New mom and baby topics and concerns, including breast-feeding. Experienced maternal-infant nurse/lactation consultant facilitates the group discussions. Weekly prize drawing. Complimentary parking, baby weight check, refreshments and resource information. Ongoing, Thursdays 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. For the convenience of new moms, no preregistration needed. $5/session. Call 703-204-6455.
Haven of Northern Virginia offers several free ongoing support groups. General Bereavement Support Group for anyone grieving the death of a loved one meets the first and third Wednesday of every month. The Widow/Widower Bereavement Support Group meets every first and third Thursday or second and fourth Tuesday. The Suicide Survivors Bereavement Support Group for those grieving the loss of a loved one to suicide meets the first Tuesday of every month. Contact 703-941-7000 for more information.
Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Groups. Facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. For schedules, call 1-866-259-0042.
Burke/Springfield/Fairfax Compassionate Friends Support Group offers friendship and understanding to families grieving the death of a child. The support group meets monthly at St. Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church, 5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, at 7:30 p.m. Call 703-425-9504.
Birth Mother’s Support Group meets weekly in Northern Virginia. It is for any woman who has ever placed a child in adoption and would like to meet with others who have done the same. The group will be led by a licensed clinical social worker and a national certified counselor. Call Pat Cunningham or Stephanie Hayden at Catholic Charities at 703-425-0100. A modest fee is charged based on income.
Social Skills Group for children who have difficulty in social situations will meet at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, second floor, Fairfax. In small, age-appropriate groups, children can learn and practice appropriate behaviors, such as initiating and maintaining conversation, listening, sharing, problem solving, self-control, handling teasing, dealing with emotions and making friends. Call 703-204-9100 for dates and times. $55/65 a session, may be insurance-reimbursable.
“You and Your Aging Parents” will meet at the Jewish Social Service Agency, 3018 Javier Road, second floor, Fairfax, on the second Monday of each month, September–December, from 7-8:30 p.m. Adult children with aging parents meet to discuss communicating about sensitive issues, responsibilities to parents, responsibilities to family and the need for time to yourself. Call 703-204-9100. $15 a session.
Recovery Inc., a non profit 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 Greensprings Retirement Community in Springfield in the theater at Village Square at 1 p.m.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Financial Aid program offers people up to $5,500 a year to help pay for chemotherapeutic medication, transportation and blood work associated with cancer treatment to those with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma and other blood-related cancers. To get an application for the program, call 703-960-1100, ext. 232, 1-888-576-6878, or e-mail singers@dc-cap.leukemia-lymphoma.org.
Schedule a home safety survey to spot any 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.