E-mail announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Friday at noon for the following week’s paper. Photos and artwork encouraged. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with questions.
The Alexandria Mental Health Family Support Group of NAMI/FOCUS is open to all dealing with mentally ill family members suffering from depression, bipolar or schizophrenia. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Alexandria Mental Health Office, Community Service Board Clubhouse, 4480 King St. Contact J. Gulka, Facilitator, 571-451-0773.
Yoga in Daily Life, 2402 Mount Vernon Ave., offers classes for people of all ages and physical ability, seven days a week. Meditation classes also offered. Free trial class the first week of each session for newcomers - next session begins March 31. Drop-ins welcome anytime. Lunchtime Yoga classes held on Wednesdays 12:15-12:50 p.m. Visit http://www.yogaindailylifeus.org/ for complete class schedule or call 703-299-8946 for more information.
The Naomi Project needs volunteers who will be trained to serve as mentors to disadvantaged pregnant women and new mothers in the Northern Virginia area. Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially needed. The next training session for volunteers is Saturday, March 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Falls Church Presbyterian Church, 225 E. Broad St., Falls Church. A $20 registration fee covers a background check, study materials and lunch. Contact Pilar Jones at 703-860-2633 or naomiproject@hotmail.com or visit www.naomiproject.org.
A Free ADHD Support Group for Parents of middle and high school students is being formed in Alexandria at the Howard Gardner School. The group will meet on the second Thursday of each month from 7-8 p.m. and will feature guest speakers. Reservations are required. Contact Emily@thehowardgardnerschool.org .
St. Elmo's Group, a get-together of parents of children with special needs, will meet from 8-10 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 14, at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub, 2300 Mount Vernon Ave. Academic Coach Laurie Chester and Personal Success and ADHD Coach Kim Smith Kidd will present "News You Can Use: Hear the Latest on ADD, Executive Functioning, Exercise and the Brain and Rick Lavoie's Latest Book on Motivation." For more information, contact Anne Lipnick, coordinator of the Alexandria City Public Schools Special Education Parent Resource Center, at 703-706-4552 or alipnick@acps.k12.va.us.
The Support Group for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Presents "Social Stories: Using Visual Strategies and Social Stories to Help Children with ASD Understand Directions, Change and Social Situations" at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16. The event takes place at the Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Special Education Parent Resource Center at Jefferson-Houston School for Arts and Academics, 1501 Cameron St. Babysitting is available by advance reservation. To RSVP for babysitting or to receive additional information about the free event, contact Anne Lipnick at 703-706-4552 or e-mail at alipnick@acps.k12.va.us.
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 Alexandria Mental Health Family Support Group of NAMI/FOCUS is open to all families dealing with mentally ill family members suffering from depression, bipolar or schizophrenia. We provide insight to the related issues of dealing with these conditions, guidance as to what you can do to help, and information on the various locally available services. Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Alexandria Mental Health Office Clubhouse, 4480 King St. Contact J. Gulka, Facilitator, 571-451-0773.
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.
For breast cancer support or information including publications and newsletters, visit www.y-me.org or call the Y-ME National Breast Cancer Hotline at 1-800-221-2141 (English, with interpreters available in 150 languages) or 1-800-986-9505 (Spanish). The 24-hour Hotline is 24/7/365 and staffed entirely by breast cancer survivors.
YMCA Alexandria offers monthly registration for its cardio workout with Thurston McClain, Sunrise Yoga and Prop Pilates classes. All programs are great for beginners to advance level exercisers looking for a challenge and variety to their workout program. Class registration runs is monthly and located at the YMCA at 420 East Monroe Ave., 703-838-8085. Call the YMCA for any class fee information at 703-838-8085.
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.
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 Towers, 2151 Jamieson Ave., 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 $96 for eight classes. For more information, call 703-549-0484 or e-mail YogaKala@aol.com.
The Alexandria NAMI/FOCUS Family Support Group meets the second Wednesday of each month from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Alexandria Mental Health Office Clubhouse, 4480 King St. The sessions are open to all who are dealing with a mentally ill family member and are looking for support. Next meeting is Sept 12 will have a special guest, Mr. George Dodge, Special Magistrate for Arlington County, to speak on the reality of access to services for the mentally ill. Contact John Gulka, 571-451-0773.
His Kingdom Ministries, 2707 Dewitt Ave., Alexandria, will be teaching "Your Best Life Now," on Sunday mornings from 10-11 a.m. Free. 202-409-4761 or 703-329-1594.
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.
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 8 p.m. at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, 2006 Belle View Blvd. Call 703-660-8798, or e-mail ea-alexandria@cox.net.
Yoga at Fitness on the Run, 109 S. Alfred St., offers daily classes at 12:15 p.m. and evenings starting at 6 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and on Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. Visit www.fitnessontherun.net and view the online calendar for a complete list of classes and times.
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.
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.
A Gentle Yoga series for cancer patients and survivors will be offered at Inova Alexandria Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, 4320 Seminary Road. The courses, held Wednesdays 6-7 p.m., will explore the physical and mental health benefits derived from Yoga. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. To register, call 703-776-2841 or visit www.lifewithcancer.org
Take Off Pounds Sensibly, a weight loss support group, meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m., Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave. Private weigh-ins. Annual fee $24. 703-299-5788 for more information.
On the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., there is a support group for families of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Located at Duncan Library, 2501 Commonwealth Ave. Light refreshments will be served. Call Amber at 703-338-8890. E-mail alexandriafamilies@hotmail.com for more.
Yoga & Health Studies Center offers classes at 7918 Bolling Drive, Alexandria. Four classes per week beginners to teachers. For private classes, to arrange seminars at your convenience or more information, 703-765-7707 or e-mail nandg@patriot.net.
Young women with breast cancer are invited to attend a monthly support group for pre-menopausal women diagnosed with breast cancer. The group, sponsored by the Inova Alexandria Hospital Life with Cancer group, will hold meetings from 6-7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Inova Alexandria Hospital Cancer Center, 4320 Seminary Road. For more information call 703-504-7921.
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.
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.