Meetings

PARKINSON'S: The Cardiff North County Parkinson's Support Group meets from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday at Belmont Village, 3535 Manchester Ave., Cardiff. Topic: "Fall Prevention Workshop: Tips, Tactics and Technique." Call (760) 940-2763.

Classes, workshops

PTSD THERAPY: Great Life Technologies LLC of Carlsbad is seeking 190 veterans to receive free treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and follow-up, now through November 2009. CEO Tom Stone and his staff are using "Human Software Engineering" techniques to assist veterans with PTSD. Call 619-557-2700 or e-mail barbara@greatlifetechnologies.com.

AT SHARP: Sharp Rees-Stealy at Scripps Ranch offers free heath education seminars from 6 to 7 p.m. except as noted at 10670 Wexford St., San Diego. Register to 800-827-4277 or visit www.sharp.com/classes:

-- Your Skin at Every Age, Wednesday: Learn decade-by-decade skin care techniques to help achieve optimum skin quality.

-- Memory Loss: Is It Time to Worry? Nov. 11: Knowing the difference between normal loss and dementia, such as Alzheimer's, can mean a world of difference.

-- Advances in Prostate Cancer: Treatment Options, Nov. 18: The latest surgical treatment options available for prostate cancer, including the da Vinci Surgical System and the Novalis Shaped Beam Surgery.

AT PPH: Palomar Pomerado Health hosts free and low-cost health education classes and screenings. To register, call 800-628-2880 or visit www.pph.org and click on "Classes and Events" unless otherwise noted:

-- 11 a.m. Saturday, Holiday Festivi-Tea, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway: Certified tea specialist and local author Dharlene Fahl-Brittian will host a special afternoon of sipping and learning about the history of the world's No. 1 beverage next to water. Fee is $10.

-- 9 a.m. Saturday, HeartSaver CPR (Certified), 125 Vallecitos de Oro, Suite A, San Marcos: This class provides CPR certification and is designed for the layperson who may serve as a rescuer in the workplace. Fee is $40.

-- 6 p.m. Tuesday, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Pomerado Hospital, Conference Room E, 15615 Pomerado Road, Poway: Cardiologist Rod Serry discusses cause, diagnosis and treatment for peripheral vascular disease. Free.

-- 1 p.m. Nov. 11, Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Information Support, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. Free.

-- 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at Meeting Room D, Pomerado Hospital, 15615 Pomerado Road, Poway, and 2 p.m. Nov. 13, second floor cafeteria, Palomar Medical Center, 555 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido: free events focusing on diabetes with a registered nurse and a registered dietitian on hand to answer questions and provide information. Free handouts and giveaways. Call 760-510-7377.

-- 10 a.m. Nov. 14, Baby Sign Language, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway: Monta Briant, a Sign2Me Certified Instructor, will teach 50 to 60 signs during the class and provide couples with a copy of her book, "Baby Sign Language Basics." Please note that this class is for parents and caregivers only. Fee is $40 per couple.

-- 6 p.m. Nov. 17, Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Procedures, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway: Sudabeh Moein, M.D., OB/GYN, explains the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. Free.

-- 6 p.m. Nov. 19, Managing Your Stress, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway: Dr. Elizabeth Salada discusses the effects of stress, how to identify and avoid stress in the future, and ways to cope with the unavoidable stressors in your life. Free.

WEB CONFERENCE FOR CAREGIVERS: "The Best Care for Your Parents: Senior Care Solutions and Potential Pitfalls" is a free Web conference offered at 4 p.m. Nov. 19 as part of National Family Caregivers Month. Co-hosted by Suzanne Mintz, president and CEO of the non-profit National Family Caregivers Association, and Home Instead Senior Care co-founder and CEO Paul Hogan, the session is designed to help family caregivers plan for their loved ones' care. To register for the Web conference, go to www.caregiverstress.com.

CARDIO OPEN HOUSE: The Cardiovascular Disease Foundation hosts a free open house from 2:30-5 p.m. Tuesday at 3088 Pio Pico Drive, Carlsbad. Meet the staff, have a healthy snack, get info on nutrition and ways to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, have your blood pressure checked and take home a free T-shirt. Learn about the Foundation's free services, such as the James G. Murray Access to Care program, and the Healthy Habits, Healthy Kids program. At 4 p.m. is a free nutrition panel discussion and workshop by cardiologist Dr. Frank Zalman and nutritionist Kyle Brown. To attend the lecture only, please reserve to 760-730-1471.

FREE HEART LECTURES: The Cardiovascular Disease Foundation in Carlsbad is hosting a series of four free interactive educational lectures in February to promote cardiovascular health and raise awareness about heart disease, stroke and its many risk factors and wellness strategies. The "American Heart Month Lecture Series" features topics including how to identify risk factors, links between diet and health, stress management, children and overweight issues, and current advances in cardiac health and medicine. The lectures will take place on four different days and locations in San Diego County. Learn more at www.CVDF.org; reserve to 760-730-1471.

CPR CLASSES: Tri-City Medical Center offers CPR Heartsaver classes for beginners from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday. The course will cover adult and infant CPR, choking and the use of the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Enroll from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays in the education department at 4002 Vista Way, Oceanside. Cost is $35, plus material fee of $15. Call 760-940-3118.

FREE FLU-SAFETY CLASSES: UC San Diego Extension is offering a no-cost 90-minute presentation on H1N1 flu (swine flu) safety to San Diego County businesses, civic groups, clubs, associations, youth groups, Chambers of Commerce and other community organizations. To schedule a free presentation, call Shannon Oriola at 619-884-0311 or e-mail her at Shannon.oriola@sharp.com.

HOSPICE TRAINING: The Elizabeth Hospice will hold free volunteer training from 8:30 to 3 p.m. Monday through Nov. 11 at the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, 720 N. Broadway. Bilingual volunteers needed. Classes address issues such as the volunteer role in hospice care, spiritual concerns in death, dying and grief, working with nonverbal patients, cultural diversity, therapies, and active listening. Graduates will serve hospice patients and their families as well as transitioning clients and their families.Register by Nov. 2 at 760-737-2050. Visit elizabethhospice.org.

AT HEALING INSTITUTE: These classes are offered at the Natural Healing Institute of Naturopathy Inc. at 543 Encinitas Blvd., Suite 105, Encinitas. Call (760) 943-8485, ext. 103, e-mail steve@naturalhealinginst.com or enroll@naturalhealinginst.com; visit www.naturalhealinginst.comvisit:

-- 7:15 p.m. Nov. 12: Open house. Meet school director Steve Schechter. Three scholarship raffles.

-- 9 a.m.-5:40 p.m. Nov. 14: "Longevity, Anti-Aging, Regenerative Medicine, Vitality and Life Enhancement" ---- Foods, herbs, supplements, seven other natural therapies.

-- Nov. 21: "Atkins, Paleolithic (ancestral) Diets; Leptin Hormone, Weight and Fat Loss."

COPING WITH GRIEF: The Elizabeth Hospice Center for Compassionate Care will offer "Ordinary Holidays During Extraordinary Times," focusing on coping with grief during the holiday season, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Center for Compassionate Care, 930 Canterbury Place, Escondido. Free. Workshop leaders will share practical resources, ideas and wisdom from others. Register to (760) 796-3757.

HICAP Q&A: The Cardiovascular Disease Foundation offers a question and answer session at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 2 with a representative from HICAP to answer questions about Medicare changes for 2010. HICAP is a volunteer-supported program that provides unbiased information to help Medicare beneficiaries make the best choices for their individual health care needs. The free workshop is at 3088 Pio Pico Drive, Suite 202, Carlsbad. Reserve to 760-730-1471.

Free

E-BOOK FOR PARENTS: Carmel Valley Dr. Chrystal de Freitas offers a free, easy-to-follow 44 page e-book, "The Birds and the Bees with Ease!" at www.healthychats.com. De Freitas is the creator of the "My First Period" Kit & DVD, based upon the doctor's mother-daughter seminars. "The Birds and the Bees with Ease!" covers what details are appropriate to relate to a child at what age, starting at age 5 and moving up to ages 6 through 9. "When we start the conversation at the appropriate age of 5 or 6, we can leave out all the details of dangers and pleasures associated with sex," said de Freitas in a press release. "This is not too early because if we parents don't initiate this conversation, others ---- like the kid next door or the media ---- will do it for us."

Events

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

-- 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Sony Electronics Inc., 16550 Via Esprillo, Building #5, San Diego

-- 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Pomerado Bldg/Cultural Hall, 15705 Pomerado Road, Poway

-- 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Temple Adat Shalom, 15905 Pomerado Road, Poway

-- 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 11, Palomar Medical Center, 555 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido

-- 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Nov. 15, Mission Hills Church, 400 Mission Hills Court, Lake San Marcos

-- 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 17, Cymer Inc., 17075 Thornmint Court, San Diego

-- 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 18, Northrop Grumman, 15120 Innovation Drive, Rancho Bernardo

-- 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 19, Aurora Behavioral Health Care, 11878 Avenue of Industry, Rancho Bernardo

-- 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 23, Rancho Santa Fe Rotary, at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, 5951 Linea del Cielo, Rancho Santa Fe

-- 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Dec. 4, GEICO, 14111 Danielson St., Poway

-- 8:30-11 a.m. Dec. 10, Mitchell 1 parking lot, 14145 Danielson St., Poway

-- 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 10, First Advantage CREDCO, 12395 First American Way, Poway

-- 1:30-4 p.m. Dec. 10, HME/Kontron America, 14110 Stowe Drive, Poway

HEAR FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Palomar Pomerado Health is having an essay contest to give the gift of hearing in their annual "Hear for the Holidays Program." To participate, submit an essay of 500 words or less, telling us why you or someone you know would benefit from receiving a pair of hearing devices. A panel of independent judges will read the essays. Essays will be accepted until Dec. 4 by e-mail at hear4theholidays@hotmail.com, fax to 760-489-1694 or mail to Professional Hearing Associates, 1045 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA 92025. Winner will be selected based on financial need, the inability to acquire quality hearing devices and care, degree of hearing loss and quality of essay. Call 760-489-6901.

ONGOING

CLINICAL TRIAL: Dr. Mark Stern, a neurosurgeon and founder of the Southern California Institute of Neurological Surgery in Escondido, is participating in a clinical trial for a dynamic spine stabilization device that if approved by the FDA, will serve as an alternative or adjunct to spinal fusion. The device, Stabilimax NZ Dynamic Stabilization System, offers "dynamic stabilization" to stabilize the spine at one or two levels while potentially preserving motion in that area. It is designed to potentially decrease the movement that causes pain while allowing both bending (side-to-side and front-to-back) and twisting motion. Potential candidates who wish to be screened for this surgical trial should be over age 21 and should not have had prior back surgery. Call 760-489-9490. For more on clinical trials for back pain, visit clinicaltrials.gov.

FELDENKRAIS: The Encinitas Senior Center will offer a monthly Feldenkrais program, "Awareness Through Movement," for seniors from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays at 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. "Awareness Through Movement" is a simple series of guided movements designed by Moshe Feldenkrais to scientifically improve human function. No experience required. Cost is $5 per class, payable in full monthly. Call 760-943-2250.

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.