<lst>Have any health notes to submit to the paper? New class? New or ongoing support group? Blood drive? Fax a brief write-up to 703-917-0991 or e-mail vienna@connectionnewspapers.com. Call Nina M. Dry at 703-917-6422.
Mothers First — Vienna/McLean is dedicated to supporting women who have chosen to alter their careers to raise their children at home. Activities include parent/child morning meetings and field trips, moms night out and lectures. Next meeting takes place on Feb. 22, from 10:15 a.m. to noon at the Patrick Henry Library, 101 E. Maple Ave., Vienna. For more information, call 703-827-5922 or visit www.mothersfirst.org.
Patrick Henry Library sponsors a session on long-term care insurance, on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m. Long-term care insurance specialist Penny Gilbert presents information and answers questions. For more information, call 703-938-0405. Patrick Henry Library is located at 101 Maple Ave., E., Vienna.
The Vienna Community Center hosts a blood drive on Friday, Feb. 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the center's game room, 120 Cherry St., S.E., Vienna. To make an appointment, call 1-866-256-6372.
Life Line Screening, an initiative that offers preventative health screenings, including ultrasound screenings for stroke, abdominal aneurysms and arterial disease, and osteoporosis screenings, takes place on Feb. 21, from 1:50-3:55 p.m., at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 7628 Leesburg Pike. Cost is $35 to $45 each, with special pricing available for those who take several tests. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call Life Line
at 800-324-1851.
VIP Vienna, a support group for people with vision loss, meets on Feb. 24, at 10:30 a.m., at Patrick Henry Library, 101 Maple Ave., E., Vienna. For more information, call 703-938-0405.
La Leche League of Vienna meets on March 2, at 10 a.m., at the American Legion Post, 330 Center St., N., Vienna. The topic of the meeting is "Nutrition and Weaning." Free. For more information, call 703-281-5801, 703-716-4872 or send an e-mail to abcgray@hotmail.com.
TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is a national non-profit group whose members help each other understand the pressures to eat and the ways to resist. For more information, call 703-273-3741 or 703-532-3213.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society sponsors the “First Connection” program, which matches patients newly diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or another blood-related cancer — and their families — with cancer survivors who have lived through a similar illness. For more information on this program, call 703-960-1100, ext. 231.
The Northern Virginia Epilepsy Group meets every Wednesday, 7-8 p.m., at the Falls Church High School Career Center, Room 100, 7521 Jaguar Trail.
Life with Cancer Caregivers Meeting. Every Wednesday, 5:30-7 p.m. Meetings for family members to discuss and explore topics of concern including coping strategies, support, information related to cancer and more. Use Blue parking garage. Meetings held at Inova Fairfax Woman's Center, radiation oncology conference room, at 3300 Gallows Road in Falls Church. Call 703-698-2841 for registration and information.
Social Skills/Therapy Groups. In small, age-appropriate groups, children who have difficulty in social situations learn and practice appropriate behavior, such as initiating and maintaining conversation, listening, sharing, problem-solving, self-control, handling teasing, dealing with emotions and making friends. Cost is $55-$65 per session. (May be insurance-reimbursable.) For registration, call the Jewish Social Service Agency at 703-204-9100.
The Alzheimer's Family Day Center is looking for volunteers. If interested, contact Joan at 703-532-8899 or afdc@alzheimersfdc.org.
Recovery Inc., a nonprofit support group for depression, bipolar disorder and other nervous diseases, meets every Friday at Boulevard Baptist Church, 7000 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church. Contact Lee at 703-777-1708.
Multiple Sclerosis Group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at the Vienna Baptist Church, 941 Marshall Road SW, Vienna. Meeting is open to anyone with multiple sclerosis and/or their friends and family. Sponsored by the National Capital Chapter of the MS Society. Call 703-768-4841.
Become a Foster or Adoptive Parent Today. A chance to make a difference in a child’s life. Call Fairfax County’s Foster Care and Adoption Program at 703-324-7639.
Amputee Support Group of Northern Virginia. A support group for amputees, their families and friends. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m., at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Physician's Conference Center, Room 1D, first floor, 3300 Gallows Road, Falls Church. There is no cost to participants, and parking is provided free in the garage for cars displaying handicapped placards or license plates. Contact Irvin Axelrod at 703-222-7120 or e-mail asgnva@earthlink.net for more information.
Sunrise Assisted Living of Oakton 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 a week's stay to several months. For more information, call 703-691-0046. Sunrise of Oakton is located at 10322 Blake Lane, Oakton.
Virginia Health Information (VHI). VHI, a nonprofit, independent organization, has published information on its Web site, www.vhi.org, reporting on the in-patient cardiac care provided at all licensed hospitals in Virginia. The information compares their performance and mortality outcomes. VHI’s study is based on over 100,000 cardiac patient discharges submitted by Virginia hospitals for the year 2000.
Shoplifters Anonymous. Group offers a new 12-step meeting program for those who wish to stop compulsive shoplifting. The group meets every Thursday, 7-8 p.m., at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road. Call Sue at 703-759-0396 or Carol at 703-764-0347 to confirm the meeting date.