Meetings

BREATHING: The Senior Service Council will host a Respiratory Support Group meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Dorothy Boeger Building, 728 N. Broadway, Escondido. The group is for people with diseases that include asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Call 760-480-0611.

BREAST CANCER: Tri-City Medical Center will host a Breast Cancer Support Group at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Classroom 7, on the lower level of the Medical Center, 4002 Vista Way, Oceanside. Enroll from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Tri-City Medical Center Social Services Department. Call 760-940-3632.

HEARING LOSS: The Escondido Hearing Loss Association will meet from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday in the Joslyn Senior Center auditorium, 210 Park Ave., Escondido. Nanci Linke-Ellis, Southern California Coordinator with the Hearing Loss Association of California, will discuss new media and ways to find others with hearing loss. HLA State President Mary Clark will also be a guest. Visit www.hearinglossescondido.org. Call 760-745-5408.

Classes, workshops

MEDICARE CLASS: The Carlsbad Senior Center hosts "A Simplified Look at 2010 Medicare Advantage Options" at 10 a .m. March 19 at 799 Pine Ave., Carlsbad. The Medicare Open Enrollment period ends March 31, and the seminar will discuss some important changes to the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. There will be a brief explanation of the four basic "parts" of Medicare to help you clearly understand parts A, B, C and D of Medicare. Call 760-602-4650.

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:

AT SHARP SAN DIEGO: Sharp Memorial Outpatient Pavilion hosts classes. Register to 800-82-SHARP or visit www.sharp.com/classes.

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

-- Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Information and Support, 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, Education Classroom, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. Free.

-- Cataracts & New Technologies in Intraocular Lenses, 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. Learn to identify the signs and symptoms of cataracts and the available surgical treatments. Free.

-- CPR Healthcare Providers Renewal, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Pomerado Hospital, 15615 Pomerado Road, Poway. This American Heart Association Renewal course is designed for health care providers who care for patients in a variety of settings, in and out of the hospital. Each person must have an American Heart Association Healthcare Provider card to take this renewal course. Fee is $40; registration required.

-- Peaceful Parenting, six-week series, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturdays, starting this Saturday through April 24, Cafe Conference Room, Palomar Medical Center, 555 E. Valley Parkway, Escondido, or 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays, March 23-April 27, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. This class focuses on the positive impact that parents can have with children before the age of 6. Appropriate for expectant and new parents as well as grandparents of children ages birth to 5 years. Child care not provided. Free; registration required.

-- Eating in the Fast Lane, 1:30–3 p.m. March 17, Pomerado Outpatient Pavilion, 15611 Pomerado Road, Poway. If grabbing a pastry in the morning, fast food at lunch and pizza delivery for dinner sounds like your daily routine, it’s time for a change. Free; registration required.

CAREGIVER SUPPORT: The Elizabeth Hospice Center for Compassionate Care offers these workshops at the Center for Compassionate Care, 930 Canterbury Place, Escondido. Reserve to 760-737-2050:

-- The (Not-So) Organized Caregiver, 6 p.m. March 25. Walk through the steps needed to make caring for your loved one more organized, more manageable and less stressful.

-- Share the Care ---- How to Organize a Group for Someone Who Is Seriously Ill, 6 p.m. March 30. For new and current caregivers of those with a serious illness. The workshop will focus on mobilizing a caregiver support team to help with everyday tasks such as meal preparation,

transportation for children to/from sporting events and coping techniques for caregivers.

Free

CPR CLASSES: The American Red Cross San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter invites all San Diegans to get free adult CPR training and certification in downtown San Diego Saturday at "CPR Saturday," to be held downtown at the San Diego Concourse. The American Red Cross will be offering the training starting at 7 a.m., with the last session starting at 1 p.m. Each session is about 3 1/2 hours. Also, the Red Cross will be offering training sessions in English, Spanish and American Sign Language. The concourse (Golden Hall) is at 202 C St., San Diego. Visit www.sdarc.org or call 858-309-1369.

BALANCE SCREENING: Are you finding yourself feeling unsteady or losing your balance? Have you had a fall? In-Home Therapy Services of San Diego is offering free personal 10-minute balance screenings from 9-11 a.m. March 25 at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave., Carlsbad. Reserve to 760-602-4650.

YOGA: Tri-City Medical Center in partnership with the Yoga Vista Studio offers two free gentle yoga classes for cancer patients and their caregivers. Classes are given from 11 a.m.-noon Fridays at Tri-City Medical Center, or from 4-5 p.m. Thursdays at Yoga Vista Studio, 319 E. Broadway, Vista. Call 760-630-9642.

DIABETES TALK: A registered dietitian from Palomar Pomerado Hospital will speak about diabetes at 1 p.m. May 15 at the Vista Library, 700 Eucalyptus Ave., Vista. No registration required. Call 760-643-5100.

Events

HEALTH FAIR: Lifestyles in Focus presents the second Poway Health Beauty and Wellness Expo from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. March 26 at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 14068 Stowe Drive, Poway. Free. Call 888-706-8228; e-mail info@lifestylesinfocus.com.

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

-- 8:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, Mitchell 1, 14145 Danielson St., Poway

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

-- 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, Poway High School, 15500 Espola Road, Poway

-- 8-11 a.m. Friday, Canyon View Elementary, 9225 Adolphia, San Diego

-- 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Vons & Subway parking lot, 13255 Black Mountain Road, San Diego

-- 2-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Stater Brothers, 9909 Carmel Mountain Road, Rancho Penasquitos

-- 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. March 20, UltraStar Cinemas, 13475 Poway Road, Poway

-- 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. March 21, Horizon Christian Fellowship, 6365 El Apajo Road, Rancho Santa Fe

-- 8 a.m.-1 p.m. March 21, Temple Adat Shalom, 15905 Pomerado Road, Poway

-- 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 23, National Cesar Chavez Blood Drive Challenge, Library Plaza, Cal State San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road, San Marcos

Clinical trials

CANCER: Scripps Health, through the Scripps Translational Science Institute, is launching a clinical research trial for cancer patients to analyze and compare the genomics of tumor tissue with the individual's core DNA. The hope is the data will lead to individualized therapies. Patients with a new diagnosis of cancer may elect to participate in this study. While participation is not likely to provide direct benefit for participating patients, the data will be shared with each patient's treating physician in the hope that it will have impact for future patients. The study also will create a repository of information for the future treatment of cancer. The study will be conducted at Scripps Health locations throughout San Diego County, as well as the San Diego Cancer Center sites in Vista and Encinitas. Contact study coordinator Sharon Haaser at 858-554-5738.

DIABETES: AMCR Institute seeks individuals with type 2 diabetes to volunteer for a clinical research study to help determine whether an investigational medication is safe and can provide better control of blood glucose levels than other medications approved for use. Half of the participants will receive the investigational medication and the other half will receive an approved medication. Participants must be at least 18 and take oral metformin alone or with other medications to treat their type 2 diabetes. Qualified participants will receive all study-related care and study medication free, and may be compensated for time and travel to AMCR Institute clinics in Escondido and Temecula. Call 877-567-2627.

Please send your health news to health@nctimes.com, or mail to Laura Groch, Health Editor, North County Times, 207 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, CA 92025