Meetings

NAMI: The National Alliance on Mental Illness meets from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursdays in Parish Hall, at St. Michael's by the Sea Episcopal Church, 2775 Carlsbad Blvd., Carlsbad. Call 760-722-3754.

OCD: A professionally led obsessive-compulsive disorder support group will meet at 7 p.m. the last Monday at 502 W. El Norte Parkway, Escondido. Call 760-715-7273.

NAMI: The National Alliance on Mental Illness meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Mariposa Clubhouse, 506 Greenbrier Drive, Suite C-E, Oceanside. Call 760-439-2785.

Classes, workshops

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER: The Treatment and Research Advancements Association for Borderline Personality Disorder will host a class at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Tri City Medical Center, 4002 Vista Way, Oceanside. Classes examine symptoms, treatment and prognosis of the psychiatric disorder. Use the main entrance. Call 760-724-8411.

STRESS MANAGEMENT: Dr. Raneth Heng offers a free stress management workshop from 7-8:15 p.m. Thursday through Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine. Learn mind-body techniques such as self-hypnosis, breathing exercises and meditation to improve the relaxation response and decrease stress hormones. Register to 800-SCRIPPS; visit scrippsintegrativemedicine.org.

MIND MEDS: A. Gordon Ray of Horizons Unlimited International presents "Medications From the Mind" from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the Oceanside Inn and Conference Center, 1680 Oceanside Blvd and I-5 South. Cost is $49; includes CD. Reserve to 760-967-1295, e-mail to huintl@aol.com or visit www.agordonray.com.

FROM PPH: Palomar Pomerado Health will host these free and low-cost health education classes:

- 10:30 a.m. Thursday, "Pain Management," RB Joslyn Senior Center, 18402 W. Bernardo Drive, Rancho Bernardo. Fee: $3. Register to 760-432-0635.

- 1 p.m. Friday, "Body Composition Screening," Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. Register to 800-628-2880 or visit www.pph.org. Free.

- 10:30 a.m. Mondays, July 20-Aug. 24 (six-week series), "Infant Mommy & Me Yoga," Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. Register to 800-628-2880 or visit www.pph.org. Fee: $60.

- 6 p.m. July 22, "Integrative Medicine and You," Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. Register to 800-628-2880 or visit www.pph.org. Free.

- 7 p.m. July 24, "Becoming a Young Woman," The HealthSource, 125 Vallecitos De Oro, Suite A, San Marcos. Register to 800-628-2880 or visit www.pph.org. Fee: $15 daughter/mother.

- 9 a.m. July 25, "Baby Sign Language," Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. Register to 800-628-2880 or visit www.pph.org. Fee: $40.

- 10:30 a.m. July 27, "Health Care on the Road: Tips for Worry-Free Road Trips," at OASIS, Westfield Shoppingtown, 280 E. Via Rancho Parkway, Escondido. Register to 760-432-0635. Fee: $3.

FROM SCRIPPS: Scripps Health offers these free lectures and events at its medical centers:

- 6 p.m. July 21, "Multiple Sclerosis," Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, 354 Santa Fe Drive. Call 760-633-6501.

- 10 a.m. July 23, "Congestive Heart Failure," Scripps Coastal Medical Center locations. Call 760-806-5881.

SAFE DRIVING: The Fallbrook Hospital will host a free talk on safe driving and what to do when the unexpected occurs from 5:30 to 7 p.m July 23 at Neiman's Collision Center, 1381 S. Mission Road. Dean Robinson of the Fallbrook Spine Center will speak afterward about common auto injuries. Food and door prizes. Reserve at 760-731-8432 or visit fallbrookhospital.com.

FROM CHC: "Heart Rhythm Problems" is a free class offered at 12:30 p.m. July 28 through the Centre For Health Care at Pomerado Hospital Campus, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Suite 400, Poway. Call 858-613-8900 and press 6 for reservations.

CAREGIVER CLASS: The Elizabeth Hospice Center for Compassionate Care offers a free workshop on exploring options when caring for someone who is aging at 6 p.m. July 29 at the Center for Compassionate Care, 930 Canterbury Place. Learn what to consider and what's available. For at-home caregivers, skilled nursing facilities and everything in between. Reserve to (760) 737-2050.

Screenings

AT PPH: Palomar Pomerado Health offers these free screenings in July. Walk-ins welcome; no registration required.

- Blood pressure: Noon-2 p.m. second Tuesday, Pomerado Hospital lobby; 11 a.m.-1 p.m. first Friday, Palomar Medical Center lobby; noon-2 p.m. second Monday, OASIS (Westfield Shoppingtown, Escondido)

- Blood glucose screenings: 9-11 a.m. first Wednesday, Palomar Medical Center lobby; 9-11 a.m. second Wednesday, Pomerado Hospital lobby; 9-11 a.m. third Wednesday, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion lobby.

AT EXPRESSCARE: Palomar Pomerado Health expresscare is offering Summertime Screenings Specials until July 31 at its centers at Rancho Penasquitos Albertsons/Sav-On Pharmacy, 14340 Penasquitos Blvd., and Escondido Albertsons/Sav-On Pharmacy, 1509 E. Valley Parkway. Visit www.pphexpresscare.org or call 760-746-1562, Escondido or 858-672-2065, Rancho Penasquitos.The Specials provide screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index and obesity for a discounted fee of $10 each, and cholesterol screenings and smoking cessation consultations for a discounted fee of $15. Discounts for free and $5 screening specials will be provided only on the designated days:

- Tuesdays: Free blood pressure (hypertension) screenings and free blood pressure cuff calibration checks (bring your blood pressure cuffs from home to be examined by an expresscare clinician to ensure adequate readings)

- Wednesdays: Free blood sugar (glucose) screenings (fasting required)

- Fridays: $5 cholesterol screenings

- Saturdays: Free blood sugar (glucose) screenings (fasting required)

Events

BLOOD DONATIONS: The San Diego Blood Bank is hosting these donation opportunities. Call 800-469-7322:

- 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Scripps Clinic, 15004 Innovation Drive, Rancho Bernardo

- Noon-5 p.m. Friday, Radisson Suite Hotel, 1152 W. Bernardo Court, Rancho Bernardo

- 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Penasquitos Lutheran Church, 14484 Penasquitos Drive, San Diego

- 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Westwood Club, 17394 West Bernardo Drive, San Diego

- 1-6 p.m. Monday, Pat & Oscar's, 137 S. Las Posas Road, San Marcos

- 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. July 26, Wal-Mart, 13425 Community Road, Poway

- 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. July 30, General Atomics, 16969 Mesamint St., Rancho Bernardo

- 10 a.m.-3 p.m. July 30, Palomar Medical Center Graybill Auditorium, 555 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido

- 7:30 a.m.-noon Aug. 2, Community Lutheran Church, 3575 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido

'HORSE PLAY': HorsePlay '09, a bootcamp-style workout held as a charity fundraiser, will be from 9-11 a.m. July 18 at and on the Del Mar racetrack. Participants will run short track and stair distances and do calisthenics along the route. Trainers from the track will assist and give a behind-the-scenes tour. Proceeds benefit Helping Honduras Kids (www.helpinghonduraskids.com). Fee is $50. Sign up at www.active.com; search for "bootcamp" or "Horseplay."

ALZHEIMER'S FORUM: "The Caregiving Journey: Practical Advice from Experts in the Field" will be held from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. July 30 at the Lake San Marcos Resort Conference Center, 1025 La Bonita Drive, San Marcos. Continental breakfast. This free educational forum will host a panel of experts to address the issues facing a family caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease. Sponsors are Health Care Group's ActivCare-Residential Alzheimer's Care facilities and the George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Family Centers Inc. Sign up for the free Town Hall Forum at 858-565-4424. Free adult day care during the event at the Glenner Encinitas Center, but reservations are a must: Call 760-635-1895 at least one week before the event.

ONGOING

SATELLITE CLINIC OPEN: The Department of Radiation Oncology at the Moores UCSD Cancer Center and the UC San Diego Medical Center have opened a satellite center in Encinitas, offering the same types of radiation therapy services and opportunities for participation in clinical trials that are provided at UCSD's La Jolla campus. The satellite clinic is at 1200 Garden View Road. Visit radonc.ucsd.edu or call 858-246-0500.

FREE EXERCISE: First Presbyterian Church of Oceanside hosts a free Active Older Adults & Seniors exercise class twice weekly, funded by the County of San Diego Aging & Independent Services. Classes are from 9-10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and Fridays; strengthen major muscle groups and learn about the benefits of exercise, health and fitness. The class meets at 2001 El Camino Real at Fire Mountain Road. Call 760-757-3560.

INSURANCE HELP: Vista Community Clinic offers help to low-income families in need of health insurance by assisting with applications for Healthy Families and Medi-Cal. Free, but an appointment is required. These documents will be required for the application process: copy of birth certificate; Social Security card; proof of income (example: pay stubs for the most recent month; employer's letter. If self- employed, bring copy IRS Form 1040, etc.). Call 760-407-1220, ext. 126.

IMMUNIZATIONS: Low-cost or free immunizations for children and low-cost immunizations for adults are available daily at the Vista Community Clinic on a walk-in basis. Vaccinations available include: measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, polio, diphtheria, varicella, HPV, hepatitis B, Tuberculosis test, etc. Call 760-631-5000 or visit www.vistacommunityclinic.org.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Glenner Alzheimer's Center in Encinitas is seeking volunteers and arts and crafts donations for its Alzheimer's day program. Call 760-635-1895 and ask for Dawn.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials recruit volunteers to test drugs and therapies. Many are held in and around our area. These Web sites list many clinical trials. Clinical trials have precise inclusion and exclusion rules, so when you find one that interests you, be sure to read the rules carefully:

http://clinicaltrials.gov/. Site of the National Institutes of Health.

http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials. Site of the National Cancer Institute.

http://www.centerwatch.com/. This site partners with WebMD.com to list 42,000 trials.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/clinicaltrials.html. This site sponsored by Medline/National Library of Medicine explains what you should know about clinical trials.