Meetings

Parkinson's: The Cardiff North County Parkinson's Support Group meets from 1-3 p.m. Aug. 5 at Belmont Village, 3535 Manchester Ave., Cardiff. Dr. Stephanie Lessig will speak on "Hope for the Future in Parkinson's Disease." Care and Share. Call 760-940-2763.

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.

Classes, workshops

PET THERAPY: The Elizabeth Hospice Center will have a volunteer pet therapy informational session from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at 150 W. Crest. The session will focus on how to certify your animal and how to become a volunteer. Register at 760-737-2050.

JOINT INFO: Fallbrook Hospital will offer a free class on "Joint Replacement Surgery: What to Expect," from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at 624 E. Elder St. for anyone scheduled for a partial or total knee replacement or total hip replacement, or those who may be considering the surgery. Reserve at 760-731-8432.

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. Wednesday at the Center for Compassionate Care, 930 Canterbury Place. Learn what to consider and what's available. Reserve to (760) 737-2050.

SLEEP APNEA: Progressive Medical hosts "Wake Up San Diego, Sleep Apnea Can Kill," a free lecture on the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday at 2720 Loker Ave W. #P, Carlsbad. Reserve to 760-448-4448 or e-mail smulcahy@progressivemed.org. Visit www.hesnores.com.

IMMUNIZATION: Dr. Philip Goscienski will discuss "Immunizations: The Good, the Bad, the Future" from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday at OASIS, an educational center for adults age 50 and older, in the former Robinson-May store in Escondido. Only the south entrance is open. Class fee is $4. Call 760-432-0635.

SHARP SESSIONS: Sharp Rees-Stealy at Scripps Ranch offers these free heath education seminars from 6 to 7 p.m. at 10670 Wexford Street, San Diego. Register to 800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277) or visit www.sharp.com/classes:

- Aug. 5, Your Skin at Every Age: Learn decade-by-decade skin care techniques to help you achieve optimum skin quality.

- Aug. 11, Ask the Pediatrician: Dr. Jeanne Montal will answer your most pressing questions about babies, children and teens. Send questions to srs.communications@sharp.com or bring them the night of the event.

- Aug. 19, Healthy Living Through Diet, Exercise and Early Cancer Detection: Learn how to achieve optimal health by incorporating a healthy diet, regular exercise and important cancer screenings.

- Aug. 26, Memory Loss? Is It Time to Worry? Knowing the difference between normal loss and dementia, such as Alzheimer's, can mean a world of difference.

STOP SMOKING: Oceanside's Tri-City Hospital is sponsoring a six-session Smoking Cessation Program starting at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11 and running through Sept. 1 at the Cardiac Wellness Center. Fee is $60 and includes all materials. The Aug. 11 meeting is for introduction and signup. Participants should not plan to stop smoking until Aug. 18. Register to 760-940-3092 or e-mail duvel@sbcglobal.net (put "Smoking Cessation program" in subject line).

QIGONG: Qigong Master Jane Jin, Ph.D., of China will be observing a qigong class and discussing qigong from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Aug. 12 at Silverado Senior Living in Escondido. She was the instructor of Silverado Senior Living's qigong instructor Fay McGrew. Jin will discuss qigong, its health benefits, and experiences she has had in China with helping the memory-impaired through Qigong. Silverado Senior Living is at 1500 Borden Road. Free. Visit www.silveradosenior.com.

DIET AND CANCER: Local cancer patients and survivors can learn about the connection between diet and cancer at a free workshop from 6:30-8 p.m. Aug. 25 at Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines. The "Nutrition and Cancer" workshop is co-hosted by Scripps Cancer Center and Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine. The workshop is open to patients, survivors and family, regardless of where care was provided. Registration is required; call 858-554-8533. Cost for parking is $3. The clinic is at 10666 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla.

HOSPICE HELP: The Elizabeth Hospice Center for Compassionate Care offers "Share the Care -- How to Organize a Group For Someone Who Is Seriously Ill" from 1-3 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Center for Compassionate Care, 930 Canterbury Place, Escondido. Call 760-737-2050.

Screenings

AT EXPRESSCARE: Palomar Pomerado Health expresscare now includes these treatments: ear lavage (wax removal); mononucleosis; motion sickness prevention; shingles treatment; wound care; wart removal. PPH expresscare centers also offer treatment for many common medical conditions including cold and flu, strep throat, allergies, ear infections, bladder infections, pink eye, skin conditions, minor injuries and health screenings and physical exams. Most services cost $59; if you are a member of a participating health plan, you may pay less. Centers are 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.

Events

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

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

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

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

- 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, Pat & Oscar's, 12045 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego

- 1:30-7 p.m. Monday, CVS/pharmacy, 12358 Poway Road, Poway

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

- 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 8, Stater Bros., 9909 Carmel Mountain Road, Rancho Penasquitos

- 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 8, Sophie @ 103.7 FM parking lot, 13475 Poway Road.

- 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 11, County Health & Human Services office, 620 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido

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. Thursday 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.

ZUMBA: Curves in Oceanside will host a Zumba dance exercise party under the stars from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday at 3935Â Mission Ave., Suite 4, with a live DJ and bongo drums, snacks and drinks -- two hours of happy hour fun and dance for $10. Reserve to 760-721-9911 or curvesoceanside@sbcglobal.net.

ART AND SCIENCE: Distinction Gallery hosts a show/fundraiser titled "Scientific Evolution" with the opening reception from 6-11 p.m. Aug. 8 at 317 E. Grand Ave., Escondido. Twenty 20 artists have created art based on everything from the conception of the first cloned sheep, "Dolly," to the idea that the controvery could lead us into war. The gallery will donate 10 percent of commissions to benefit stem cell research through UC San Diego. UCSD's Larry Goldstein, professor of cellular and molecular medicine, will be on hand to answer questions from 6-8 p.m. Suggested minimum donation is $5 for opening night, which will include live music and beer/wine for those over 21. Call 760-781-5779.

HEALTH FAIR: Vista Community Clinic hosts a community health fair from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 10 at 1000 Vale Terrace, Vista, to mark National Health Center Week. The fair will include information, screenings and free gifts from the clinic's various programs, including asthma, HIV services, breast health, prenatal, dental, immunizations, food stamp application assistance and more. Cooking demonstrations will also be offered by the clinic's nutritionist. Free face painting and other activities available for children. Visit www.vistacommunityclinic.org or call 760-631-5000, ext. 1418.

VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT: The Cardiovascular Disease Foundation hosts a Volunteer Recruitment event with snacks and coffee from 5-6 p.m. Aug. 13 at 3088 Pio Pico Drive, Carlsbad. Call 760-730-1471 or visit www.CVDF.org.

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.