pls put at end of brfs: Send your health news
Please send your health news to yourhealth@nctimes.com, or mail to Laura Groch, Health Editor, North County Times, 207 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, CA 92025.
Free classes for those with mental illness
SAN DIEGO -- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI San Diego) offers free classes for those with mental illness and their families.
Family-to-Family is a program of 12 classes for the families of those with mental illness. The course has been designed and written by an experienced family member-mental health professional. It balances education and skill-training with self care, emotional support and empowerment.
Peer-to-Peer is an education program for those with mental illness who want to establish and maintain wellness and recovery. This course consists of nine two-hour sessions and is taught by three trained mentors who have personal experience at living well with mental illness.
NAMI San Diego has classes starting in March throughout the county. Some are available in Spanish. Call the NAMI San Diego Helpline at (619) 543-1434 or (800) 523-5933 to sign up; visit www.namisandiego.org and click on "Services" to learn more.
'Stride & Ride' for MDA is Sunday
SAN DIEGO -- San Diego residents will walk, roll, and run Sunday at the Muscular Dystrophy Association's 13th Annual Stride & Ride at Crown Point Park at Mission Bay in San Diego. MDA clients, sponsors, friends and family are encouraged to join MDA and create a walk team. The "Stride & Ride" 5K Walk will also have food, prizes and entertainment. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 10. Registration is free; but participants are encouraged to raise funds by contacting friends, family and business associates. All donations may be turned in the day of the event. Walkers can raise funds online through MDA's secure online Stride & Ride site, www.joinmda.org/sdwalk09. Call (858) 492-9792.
Scripps offers class on osteoporosis
SAN DIEGO -- Scripps Coastal Medical Center will offer a free community lecture on reducing the risk of osteoporosis from 7-8 p.m. Monday. Call (760) 806-5881.
Brain injury lecture offered
SOLANA BEACH -- "Road to Recovery" is a free community lecture offered March 11 by Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas and the Scripps Health Foundation at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, 1505 Lomas Santa Fe Drive. A reception is at 4 p.m. and the lecture starts at 4:30 p.m. Dr. Michael Lobatz will speak about programs to help patients overcome traumatic injuries. Reserve to (800) SCRIPPS.
Parkinson's group to host speaker
VISTA -- David Peterson, a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Neural Computation at UC san Diego, will discuss "Brain Imaging and Parkinson's Disease" at the monthly North County Parkinson's Support Group meeting from 10 a.m.-noon March 11 at Gloria McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. Call (760) 940-2763.
Clinic ceremony to honor local dentist
ESCONDIDO -- Neighborhood Healthcare hosts an open house honoring the late John Ruzich, D.D.S., at 5:30 p.m. March 11 at its headquarters, 425 N. Date St. The 40-year-old nonprofit is naming its dental program in honor of Dr. Ruzich, a longtime Escondido resident and private dentist, who was instrumental in creating the agency's dental program. Ruzich also served on Neighborhood Healthcare's Board of Directors for 30 years. Call (760) 520-8365.
Library offers program on nutrition
OCEANSIDE -- Christina Avaness, author of "Living Beyond Organic," hosts a free program at 11 a.m. March 14 in the Mission Branch Library Community Room, 3861 Mission Ave. She says her studies of ancient Egyptian healing arts involving plant medicine have provided "true nutritional understanding" and knowledge of how to both regain and maintain optimum health. Call (760) 435-5640.
'Healthy Hearts' lecture offered
SAN DIEGO -- "Healthy Hearts" is a free lecture offered by Scripps Coastal Medical Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 11. Learn practical tips for nutritious, low-fat cooking, shopping and dining out. Learn how a healthy diet can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. Call (760) 806-5881.
'Gentle Yoga' workshop offered
ESCONDIDO -- Naomi Judity offers a Gentle Yoga workshop for all ages and sizes from 9:45 a.m.-3:45 p.m. March 14 at her studio. Learn a spiritual approach to weight loss. Cost is $57 before March 7 or $67 afterward. Includes free TIPS booklet, "108 Best Ways to Balance Your Weight Health Naturally." Please bring your own lunch. Snacks and drinks provided. Register to AmalyaGoddess@aol.com or (760) 432-6574. Visit http://www.goddess-studio.com/default_files/specialevent7.htm. Address sent upon registration.
Caregiver support workshop offered
ESCONDIDO -- The Elizabeth Hospice Center for Compassionate Care offers "Share the Care -- How to Organize a Group for Someone Who Is Seriously Ill" from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. March 14 at 930 Canterbury Place. This workshop is for new and current caregivers of loved ones with a serious illness. Call (760) 737-2050.
Scripps La Jolla to host free expo
LA JOLLA -- Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla will host a free Physician Expo from 9 a.m.-noon March 14 at 9888 Genesee Ave. Meet physicians from numerous specialties, and enjoy free health screenings and information, food and giveaways. Call (800) SCRIPPS or go to www.scripps.
Pilates, stretching classes begin
ENCINITAS -- Pilates Mat Classes for ages 14 to adult will be from 7:15-8:15 p.m. Mondays from March 16-April 27, and the Art of Stretching Class for ages 14 to adult will be from 8:15-8:45 p.m. Mondays from March 16 to April 27. at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Reserve to (760) 943-2260 or visit www.EncinitasRecReg.com.
Colon cancer lecture offered
CARLSBAD -- "Caring for Colon Cancer" is a free lecture offered March 17 at The Crossings, 5800 The Crossings Drive, sponsored by Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas and the Scripps Health Foundation. Reception is at 4 p.m., with program from 5-6:30 p.m. Reserve to (760) 633-7722.
Nutrition class offered
ENCINITAS -- "Heart Healthy Nutrition" is a free lecture offered at 6 p.m. March 17 at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, 354 Santa Fe Drive. Learn about the types of fat, low sodium principles, how to read labels and make healthy food choices when dining out. Reserve to (800) SCRIPPS.
Crisis intervention program offered
ESCONDIDO -- The Salvation Army offers a two-day Crisis Intervention Program training from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. March 26-27 for San Diego County residents. This course helps those immediately after a major event or trauma, and the skills learned can also help anyone cope after a personal life trauma. The course is offered at 1301 Las Villas Way. Register by March 20; cost is $100. Call (760) 745-8616 or e-mail david.ebel@usw.salvationarmy.org.
Rheumatologist speaks on arthritis
SAN DIEGO -- Dr. Howard Kaye, rheumatologist and author of "Arthritis: Pain Free, Side Effect Free," speaks from 12:30-2 p.m. March 18 at a free lecture sponsored by Scripps Coastal Medical Center. Register to (760) 806-5881.
Graybill acquires new radiology equipment
NORTH COUNTY -- Graybill Medical Group, with offices in Escondido, Fallbrook and San Marcos, has installed new state of the art digital radiology equipment, including ultrasound, mammography and Dexascan. The new system makes Graybill the first in Escondido with full field digital radiography.
New health center in San Marcos
SAN MARCOS -- Palomar Pomerado Health has opened a corporate health center at 120 Craven Road, Suite 207. The center offers these services: international travel medicine, workers' compensation injury care, new-hire physicals, annual health evaluations, drug and alcohol screening and immunization programs. The center is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Call (760) 510-7374.
