E-mail announcements to gazette@connectionnewspapers.com. Deadline is Thursday 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. Meditation classes also offered. Free trial class the first week of each session for newcomers - next session begins Aug. 4. 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.
The Alexandria Health Department announces new hours for its HIV Testing Clinic, effective immediately. The HIV Testing Clinic is available every Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The clinic, located at the main Health Department Building, 4480 King St., offers free, anonymous and confidential testing. For more information about the HIV Testing Clinic or other HIV/AIDS services, contact Nechelle Terrell, HIV/AIDS Coordinator, at 703-838-4400, ext. 305.
Dr. John Albrigo, orthopedic surgeon, will discuss hip and knee replacements that are minimally invasive, Monday, July 28 at 7 p.m., Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4320 Seminary Road. To attend, visit www.inova.org and click on “Health Info & Classes” or call Inova HealthSource 703-750-8800.
Dr. Stefano Agolini, board-certified surgeon, will discuss new options for hernia repair, Wednesday, July 30 at 7 p.m., Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4320 Seminary Road. To attend, visit www.inova.org and click on “Health Info & Classes” or call Inova HealthSource 703-750-8800.
Dr. Corey Wallach, orthopedic surgeon, will present “Treatment for Neck Pain”, Thursday, July 31 at 7 p.m., Inova Alexandria Hospital, 4320 Seminary Road. To attend this free lecture, contact Inova HealthSource at 703-750-8800 or visit www.inova.org and click on “Health Info & Classes.”
Body in Balance Center, 1423 N. Powhatan St., offers fusion flow for parents and babies, a class specifically designed for parents with babies who are crawling and beginning to walk as well as pre-crawlers. Classes are offered Thursdays at 11 a.m. and Saturdays 11:30 a.m. $20.00 drop in fee or 6 class pass for $90.00. Visit www.bodyinbalancecenter.com or 703-518-4434.
The Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) has scheduled a series of free Confident City Cycling Classes for 2008. The classes, which are free and open to all, regardless of residency, are designed to provide cyclists with the skills they need incorporate bicycling into their daily routines. To register visit waba.org/events/education.php. The classes are offered:
*Saturday, June 28 from 1-4 p.m. at Fairlington Community Center, 3308 Stafford St., Arlington.
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.
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.
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.
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 .