Send announcements to the Mount Vernon Gazette, by e-mail to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com, by fax to 703-917-0991 or by mail to 1604 King St., Alexandria, VA 22314. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
Inova's "Fight the Flu" will run until Dec. 31 and clinics can be found by visiting www.inova.com or call 1-877-895-5BUG (5284). Flu shots are available for everyone over the age of 6. $25/shot. Register by visiting www.inova.com or calling 703-204-3325. For more information, call 703-204-3339.
Inova Cancer Services’ Life with Cancer program will sponsor a series of events to encourage exercise and education among breast cancer patients and survivors. The series, held each Wednesday, Oct. 18-Nov. 8 at Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4320 Seminary Road, Alexandria, includes stretching and toning exercises from 6-7 p.m. to overcome fatigue associated with radiation and chemo therapies, and information sessions from 7:15-8:30 p.m. to discuss breast cancer treatment options, breast reconstruction, nutrition and intimacy issues that face cancer survivors. To register, call 703-776-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org.
"Boost Your Self-Esteem: Overcoming Negativity in Yourself" on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at United Community Ministries, 7511 Fordson Road, Alexandria. $45 Registration Fee/ $35 Center Circle Donors. Participants will learn skills to combat negative self-talk, thinking distortions, mistaken beliefs and fear of change. Support group available.
The Inova Hospital System asks the public to give blood. There is a need for all types of blood, with an emergency need for Type O-positive & O-negative. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. There are T-shirts for all donors. Call 1-866-BLOODSAVES (1-866-256-6372). A photo ID is required. Allow one hour for donation. In the Alexandria/Mount Vernon areas, blood can be given at
Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4320 Seminary Road, 703-504-3500 or at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, 2501 Parker's Lane, 703-664-7229.
The Alexandria Sexual Assault Response and Awareness Program is seeking participants for its sexual assault support group. This group is for women who were sexually assaulted as an adult or adolescent and want to join with others in their healing journey. Call 703-838-5030 or visit www.alexwomen.com.
Emotions Anonymous is a 12-Step fellowship for people whose emotions are causing difficulties in their lives. A local group of Emotions Anonymous meets every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Shiloh Meeting and Conference Center, 1400 Duke St. Call 703-660-8798, or e-mail hemsidan@aaahawk.com.
Y-ME National Breast Cancer Hotline helps those who are newly diagnosed or under treatment for breast cancer. Staffed 24 hours a day by trained peer counselor breast
cancer survivors: 1-800-221-2141 in English with interpreters available in 150 languages; 1-800-986-9505 in Spanish. Also one-on-one matches with a breast cancer survivor.
Yoga Classes are offered by YogaKala at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington St., on Saturdays, 10 a.m. for intermediate and 11:25 a.m. for beginners, and at the Carlyle House, 121 N. Fairfax St., on Thursday 6 p.m. for intermediate and 7:15 p.m. for beginners, as well as Fridays, 10 a.m. gentle yoga. Cost: $15 per class or $88 for eight classes. For more information, call 703-549-0484 or e-mail YogaKala@aol.com.
Haven of Northern Virginia is offering the following Bereavement Support Groups at 4606 Ravensworth Road, Annandale:
* General Bereavement Group: First and third Wednesday evening of each month, 7:30-9 p.m.
* Suicide Survivors Bereavement Group: First Tuesday evening of each month, 7:30-9 p.m.
* Widow/Widower Support Groups: First and third Thursday evening of each month, 2-3:30 p.m.; Second and fourth Tuesday evening of each month, 7:30-9 p.m.
Joyful Heart Yoga for body, mind and spirit. Mondays, 10 a.m., at St. Marks, 6744 South Kings Highway and 5:30 p.m., at Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal St.; Tuesdays, 7 p.m., at Mount Vernon Unitarian, 1909 Windmill Lane. Call Sandy at 703-971-2214 or go to joyfulheartyoga.com.
Burn Survivors Group. A group for people with serious burn injuries and their family and friends meet from 7:30-9 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month except December in the American Red Cross Building, 123 N. Alfred St., Alexandria. For more information, call 703-698-1626.
Take off Pounds Sensibly, TOPS chapter VA #280, Alexandria, meets Thursdays, at 10 a.m., at the Hollin Hall Senior Center on Shenandoah Road. For more information, call Joan at 703-751-6086.
The Alexandria Health Department has a volunteer opportunity focusing on emergency management. The position involves a commitment of 1700 hours over the next year with an Americorps educational stipend of $4725 upon completion. Flexible hours and some work-at-home possibilities. Individual will be directly involved in emergency preparedness and volunteer management. Contact John Clizbe, Emergency Planner, Alexandria Health Department, 4480 King St. Call 703-838-4400, Ext. 275.
Alzheimer's Support Group. The Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group meets the first Wednesday of each month, at 4:30 p.m., at the Alexandria Adult Day Health Center. The group is free and open to the community. The Alexandria Adult Day Health Center is located at 1108 Jefferson St. Call 703-838-4224 before attending to verify time and location.
Alexandria Red Cross relies on volunteers to sustain its humanitarian mission for disaster relief efforts, to teach first aid and CPR, for the Friendly Visitor Program and other community service work, special events, administrative support, to work with the Junior Red Cross and for blood donation services for the citizens of Alexandria. Training is provided. Call 703-549-8300 or see the Web site at http://www.alexandriaredcross.org.
Haven of Northern Virginia sponsors several ongoing free bereavement groups meeting throughout Fairfax County. For more information, call 703-941-7000 or visit www.havenofnova.org.
The Mount Vernon Community Wellness Initiative has published a free educational pamphlet, "High Blood Pressure: Learn the Facts and Reduce the Risks." The pamphlet is being distributed to churches, libraries, pharmacies, physician's offices and community organizations. For a copy, call 703-360-4000.
CrisisLink has been helping people deal with anxiety, stress and crisis throughout the entire metropolitan area for 35 years. Call 703-527-4077 or 1-800-784-2433, or learn more about their confidential, free hot line and crisis response services on the web at www.crisislink.org.