<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 Miguel Koropecky at 703-917-6437.
Vienna Weight Watchers is back. Meetings at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E., Vienna are every Tuesday from noon-1:15 p.m. Cost is $150 for 12 weekly luncheon sessions, payable in advance. To register call 703-255-6350.
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.
The Alzheimer's Association, National Capital Area accepts used car donations through its partner cars4charities. To participate, call 1-866-448-3487 or visit www.cars4charities.org. Vehicles are towed away free of charge. Some restrictions apply.
Parkinson's Groups. A Parkinson's Disease caregivers/carepartners support group meets the third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m., at Dolley Madison Library, lower level meeting room, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. Call Angela Robb, 703-277-9666.
A Fairfax Parkinson’s Disease support group meets at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday at the Little River Glen Senior Center, 4001 Barker Court, Fairfax. The Parkinson Foundation (PFNCA) welcomes patients and family members. No charge. Call Leon at 202-966-4450.
Suicide Survivors Support Group. A suicide survivors bereavement support group meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m., at HAVEN of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale. Call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org.
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, Va.
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, Va.
703-664-7229
Hours: Monday-Thursday; 4-7 p.m.
* CentreMed, Centreville, Va.
703-322-1970
Hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; noon-8 p.m.
Saturday; 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Life with Cancer, an Inova Health System program, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, offers a number of support groups and events for individuals and families coping with cancer. For children, call 703-208-5623. Adults, call 703-698-2841, or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
* Lung Cancer Group. Facilitated by an oncology counselor. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. Call 703-698-2841; visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
* Eating Can be Good for You! After a cancer diagnosis and during cancer treatment, many worry about eating the "right" foods. Julia Thorsen, registered dietitian for the Cancer Patient Nutrition Support Program at Inova Cancer Center, provides recent findings and recommendations to get the year off to a good nutritional start. Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Suite 203, Room B. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.com.
* TLC: Teens Living with Cancer. Monthly social activities for 13- to 18-year-olds who have cancer give them a chance to meet others with cancer, share a little, have fun. Call 703-208-5623 for details. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Fairfax. Call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
* Carcinoid Cancer Group. Meet with other carcinoid cancer patients and their adult loved ones to share experiences and learn from one another in this monthly group meeting. At the Life with Cancer Family Center, 2832 Juniper St., Merrifield, Room 1E. 703-698-2841, www.lifewithcancer.com.
Individual Reiki Appointments. Schedule an individual session with a certified Reiki practitioner, and experience the benefits of this ancient healing practice. Dress comfortably. To register, call 703-698-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
Fibromyalgia/Arthritis Support Group. Meets the second Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at Pohick Library, 6450 Syndenstricker Road, Burke. Call Barbara at 703-913-0890 or Maxine at 703-451-4558.
Weight Management. Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meets Thursdays at 6:45 p.m., at Bruen Chapel United Methodist Church, 3035 Cedar Lane, Fairfax. Call 703-205-9041.
HAVEN of Northern Virginia, 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale, offers several ongoing, free 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, 7:30-9 p.m.
* A widow/widower bereavement support group for anyone grieving the death of a spouse. One group meets the first and third Thursdays of each month, 2-3:30 p.m. An evening group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays each month, from 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, 7:30-9 p.m.
Call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org for more information.
Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Groups. Meetings are facilitated by trained group leaders, ongoing, free and open to the community. Support groups allow families to meet other caregivers, to share experiences and caregiving tips while developing coping skills. Caregivers and family members are invited to visit.
In Oakton, the group meets the third Monday of the month from 7:30 p.m. at Sunrise Senior Living (10322 Blake Lane).
In McLean, a caregiver support group meets on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at The Sylvestery, 1728 Kirby Road in McLean. The Sylvestery is Vinson Hall Retirement Community's new assisted living residence for the care of people with memory impairments. Barbara Adams, M.S.W., will be the support group leader. Call Betty Moore, group leader, at 703-255-2050, before attending for the first time.
For a complete listing of Alzheimer’s Association support groups meet throughout the National Capital Area, call toll-free 1-866-259-0042 or visit www.alz-nca.org. Support groups are subject to change. Contact the support group leader to verify date, time and location.
The Women’s Center of Vienna offers a number of classes and workshops designed to help navigate the different aspects of separation and divorce, continuing through August at various locations in Vienna, Fairfax and McLean. Some of the program topics include "Divorce Through Mediation," "Divorce Without Litigation," "Dollars and Sense of Divorce," "Financial Planning for Separation and Divorce," "Helping Your Child Cope With Separation and Divorce," "Legal Aspects of Child Support" and "Understanding Your Right to Marital Assets" and others. Visit www.thewomenscenter.org or call 703-281-2657.
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.
CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Hyperactivity Disorder) of Northern Virginia. A support group meets on the second Tuesday of each month, 7:15 p.m., at Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave., McLean. Contact Annette Spector, aspector@der-online.com, with questions. The support group schedule is also posted online at www.novachadd.org. Call 703-641-5451 or e-mail nova_chadd@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. 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. 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.
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 the second Wednesday of the month at the Vienna Presbyterian Church, 150 Maple Ave. E, Vienna and 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.
Active for Life, a program designed to help healthy but less active adults ages 50 and older increase physical activity, runs Thursdays from Sept. 22-Feb. 9, 1-2 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. and is free of charge. As a part of a national study of physical activity behavior and attitudes, certain qualifications apply. Prescreening by phone is required; call the Active for Life Center at 703-807-5855. Call 703-255-6330.
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 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. Call 703-691-0046. Sunrise of Oakton is located at 10322 Blake Lane, Oakton.
Balance and Beyond. Persons with Parkinson’s Disease who can walk unassisted are invited to join a balance class that meets weekly on Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E. The classes are sanctioned by the Parkinson Foundation for the National Capital Area (PFNCA) and are led by a certified instructor of the American Senior Fitness Association. For session dates, fees and information, contact Cheryl Bartholomew at 703-281-1560. To register, call 703-255-6360 and specify the "Balance and Beyond" class.
Body and Soul Cardio and Strength Training classes take place at the following locations this fall:
* Active for Life/Low Impact. Fridays, from 9:15-10:30 a.m., at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 2589 Chain Bridge Road, Vienna. For more, call Lynn Mosteller at 703-698-8624.
* Active for Life/Low Impact. Mondays, from 9:15-10:30 a.m. at Epiphany United Methodist Church, 1014 Country Club Drive N.E., Vienna. For more, call Lynn Mosteller at 703-698-8624.
* Body and Soul. Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9:45-11 a.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2381 Cedar Lane, Vienna. For more, call Lynne Brents at 703-242-8826.
Heart and Sole. Persons with Parkinson’s Disease are invited to join an exercise class that meets weekly on Fridays or Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m., at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. S.E., Vienna. The classes are sanctioned by the Parkinson Foundation for the National Capital Area (PFNCA) and are led by a certified instructor of the American Senior Fitness Association. Care partners and family members are welcome to come and assist the PD patient. For session dates, fees and information, contact Cheryl Bartholomew at 703-281-1560. To register, call 703-255-6360 and specify the "Heart and Sole" class.
Virginia Health Information. 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.