Parkinson's group to host speaker

ENCINITAS -- The Encinitas North County Parkinson's Support Group meets from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday at the Encinitas Senior Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Ariel B. Neikrug will speak on the recent research project studying sleep disorders in Parkinson's. Call June Brunson, (760) 940-2763.

Meditation class offered

RANCHO BERNARDO -- Melynnique Seabrook, M.A. will offer Stress Reduction With Meditation classes from 11 a.m.-noon on Thursdays starting this week through April 30 at RB Swim & Tennis, Club 21, 16955 Bernardo Oaks Drive. Cost is $50. Register to (760) 747-3505.

Health workshops offered

TEMECULA -- Inter Valley Health Plan offers these ongoing health and wellness workshops. Visit www.IVHP.com:

- 10:45 a.m. Thursday: Maintain a Healthy Brain. Practical suggestions to help prolong brain health. At the Mary Phillips Senior Center, 41845 6th St. Call (951) 694-6464.

- 1:45 p.m. Thursday: Stressbusters. Positive suggestions for releasing stress. At The Chateau at Harveston, 40024 Harveston Drive. Call (951) 308-9200.

Personality disorder group to meet

SAN DIEGO -- TARA (Treatment and Research Advancements Association for Borderline Personality Disorder) holds its monthly support/psychoeducation meeting for family members at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at UCSD Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic, 140 Arbor Drive. Call (760) 729-5748.

Parkinson's seminar set for Saturday

CARLSBAD -- The Parkinson's Disease Association of San Diego hosts Dr. Robert Hutchman, movement disorder specialist, at its Saturday meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn. Call (858) 273-6763 for cost and directions.

Free SB acupuncture clinics to fight stress

SOLANA BEACH -- Licensed acupuncturist Barbara Seymour offers ear acupuncture clinics for stress reduction, pain relief and sleep improvement. A non-needle alternative treatment is also available. The clinics will be at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, 21 and 28, at 136 N. Acacia Ave. Free, but donations will be accepted. Reserve to (858) 342-1333 or visit www.marineviewacupuncture.com.

Report scheduled at Parkinson's meeting

VISTA -- The North County Parkinson's Support Group will meet from 10 a.m.-noon April 8 at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. Marilyn Herman will report on the recent Research & Public Policy Forum meeting in Washington, D.C. Call (760) 940-2763.

Workshop on reducing pain with acupuncture

ENCINITAS -- A free workshop on reducing pain naturally without surgery or prescription drugs will be offered at 7 p.m. April 9 at the San Diego County Credit Union Community Room, 501 N. El Camino Real. Presented by the nonprofit Foundation for Wellness Professionals, guest speaker Peggy Raikes will discuss how acupuncture can successfully treat and reduce all kinds of pain. Reserve to (760) 942-8100. Visit www.acupunctureforme.com.

Blood donation sites

SAN DIEGO -- The San Diego Blood Bank is hosting these donation opportunities. Call (800) 469-7322:

- 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Public Works parking lot, 14467 Lake Poway Road, Poway

- 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, City Hall parking lot, 13325 Civic Center Drive, Poway

- 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Thursday, Fallbrook Hospital Parking Lot, 624 E. Elder St., Fallbrook

- 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, V.G. Donut & Bakery, 106 Aberdeen Drive, Cardiff

- 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Albertsons, 1459 Main St., Ramona

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

- 7 a.m.-noon Sunday, Grace Lutheran Church Multipurpose Room, 643 W. 13th Ave., Escondido

- 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, St.Catherine of Alexandria Parish parking lot, 41875 C St., Temecula

- 1-7 p.m. Monday, CVS/pharmacy parking lot, 12358 Poway Road, Poway

- 1-6 p.m. Monday, Albertsons, 1133 S. Mission Road, Fallbrook

- 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, North County Regional Complex parking lot, 325 S. Melrose Drive, Vista

- 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 8, Northrop Grumman parking lot, 15120 Innovation Drive, Rancho Bernardo

- 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 8, MiraCosta College, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside

- 1:30-7 p.m. April 8, St. John's Catholic Church, 1001 Encinitas Blvd., Encinitas

- 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 9, County Health & Human Services Agency, 620 E. Valley Pkwy., Escondido

- 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 12, Marie Callender's, 515 W. 13th St., Escondido.

Caregiving conference is free

CARLSBAD -- The Caregiver Coalition presents the "Art of Caregiving" from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 15 at the St. Elizabeth Seton Parish Center, 6628 Santa Isabel (corner of Alga and Santa Isabel). Free. Advance directives, legal issues, memory loss and aging, fall prevention and the emotional aspects of caregiving are among topics that will be discussed. Adult day care will be provided by Heritage Senior Care. Call (760) 720-7740 to make respite arrangements. Register to (800) 827-1008 for the free conference.

Meet the Pharmacist Day set

CARLSBAD -- AARP California sponsors a "Meet the Pharmacist" day from 12:30-3:30 p.m. April 24 at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave. To receive a free personal medication review, bring all your prescription medications in their original bottles, plus any over-the-counter medications you may be taking, including vitamins, dietary supplements, herbal medications, drops and creams. Also, exhibitors will provide health materials and educational presentations. Free, but reservations required by April 17. Call (877) 926-8300. Light refreshments. Free Vial of Life for each attendee.

Pet-massage class is fundraiser

WILDOMAR -- A pet-massage class for dogs and other small animals that like dogs will be from 10 a.m.-noon April 25 at Gardens of Hope, off Grand Avenue between Corydon and Baxter. The class will be a fundraiser for Gardens of Hope and Rosie's Rescue, which offers medical help for rescue dogs with diabetes and Cushing's syndrome. Suggested donation is $15 per family and pet(s). Space is limited. Send registration to Wendy Hammarstrom, director, Warm Springs Massage & Yoga, 38721 Via las Flores, Murrieta, CA 92563. Questions? Call (951) 677-5962 or go to www.WendysWellnessWorld.com.

Scripps offers home screening program for colon cancer

SAN DIEGO -- Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla offers a new community screening program to assess risk for colorectal cancer. Participants receive a package in the mail, including educational materials and a secure bottle for collecting a small stool sample for a fecal occult blood test. Scripps provides a stamped, pre-addressed envelope for participants to promptly return their samples for laboratory analysis at Scripps. For those with no family history of colorectal cancer, a variety of screening options are recommended for adults starting at age 50. Some of these include fecal occult blood tests every year; minimally invasive CT colonography every five years; and invasive colonoscopy every 10 years. Consult with your doctor to determine the most appropriate options and frequency. Order a home testing kit by calling (800) SCRIPPS. Cost to participants is $25 for lab analysis.

Volunteers sought for Alzheimer's trial

SAN DIEGO -- Researchers are seeking volunteers with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease to test a new drug.

The drug, which was previously tested in animals and in preliminary human studies, seems to block nerve damage and inflammation triggered by a buildup of protein plaques in the brain, which can lead to progressive memory loss.

Researchers are looking for approximately 400 volunteers ages 50 and older with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease to help test this drug in a Phase II clinical trial conducted by the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study. At UC San Diego, researchers will coordinate the 18-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial with a 3-month followup period (for a total of 21 months participation).

To learn how to participate, call (800) 438-4380 or e-mail to adear@nia.nih.gov. To see a list of the research sites or for information on dementia and aging, go to http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers.

Pomerado Hospital seeks volunteers

POWAY â€"â€" Pomerado Hospital is seeking volunteers to help in the convalescent center, drive the parking lot shuttle, push patients in wheelchairs, work in the gift shop, attend to families of patients in surgery, staff reception desks, and other interesting assignments. Call (858) 613-4659.

Clinical trials for cancer patients

SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Pacific Oncology, affiliated with Premiere Oncology, has several clinical trials open to patients with most forms of cancer. Patients must qualify to enroll in studies. These trials are testing the newest medicines and provide patients access to cutting edge treatments. Call (760) 452-3340.

Exercise class offered thrice weekly

OCEANSIDE -- 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 to strengthen major muscle groups and educate about the benefits of exercise, health and fitness. The class meets in the Great Hall of the church, 2001 El Camino Real at Fire Mountain Road. Call (760) 757-3560.

Weekly exercise classes offered

SOLANA BEACH -- The A Better Life Group is sponsoring free exercise classes for men and women from 8 to 9 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the Unitarian Fellowship Hall, 1036 Solana Drive. Attendees listen to classical music while getting in shape and sharing fellowship. Call (858) 481-0813.

Parkinson's, seniors' sculpture classes

CARLSBAD -- The ongoing special sculpture class developed for seniors age 55 and older and those with Parkinson's disease is held at 10 a.m. Mondays at the Lynn Forbes School of Sculpture, 300 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite 102. The 2 1/2-hour classes feature setup and methods geared for seniors and those with Parkinson's. Wheelchairs welcome. Cost is $15 per session, plus materials. Call (949) 444-1926.

Clinic offers help with health insurance

Vista Community Clinic offers help to low-income families in need of health insurance by assisting with the applications for Healthy Families and Medi-Cal. The service is 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.

VCC offers immunizations

Worried about measles? You can avoid many diseases including measles by getting immunized. Low-cost or no-cost 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.

Clinic offers INS healthcare exams

ESCONDIDO - Neighborhood Healthcare offers INS medical exams, a requirement for anyone applying for legal residency or citizenship in the United States. Exams are available weekdays at the health center, by appointment only. The health center is at 460 N. Elm St., Escondido.

The exam costs $85 plus laboratory fees. Additional costs may vary, depending upon specific government requirements for type of application and country of origin.

Patients will also need to bring a government-issued photo ID and BCIS physical forms, which may be obtained online at www.bcis.gov/graphics/surgeonportal.htm, from INS or from their attorney.

For details or to make an appointment, call (760) 520-8100. Exams are also available weekdays by appointment at Neighborhood Healthcare -- Pauma Valley, off Highway 76. Call (760) 742-9923 to make an appointment in Pauma Valley.

Clinic offers help with health insurance

Vista Community Clinic offers help to low-income families in need of health insurance by assisting with the applications for Healthy Families and Medi-Cal. The service is 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.

Affordable medications through Vista clinic

VISTA -- Vista Community Clinic's Patient Assistance Program is designed to help low income patients receive medications they could otherwise not afford. To qualify for help, you must be enrolled in care with a VCC physician, be uninsured, be a resident and able to provide proof of low income either through 1040 tax form and/or current month pay stubs. Interested persons must make an appointment with a physician at the clinic. Annual $30 application/enrollment fee. Medications are shipped to the home at no charge. Call (760) 631-5000.

Volunteers sought for adult center

ENCINITAS -- Glenner Alzheimer's Center in Encinitas is seeking volunteers and arts and crafts donations for its Alzheimer's day program. Please call (760) 635-1895 and ask for Dawn.

Clinic offers low-cost immunizations for kids

ESCONDIDO -- Neighborhood Healthcare -- Escondido, a nonprofit community health center, is offering walk-in immunizations at 460 N. Elm Street in Escondido from 1:30-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 2:30-4 p.m. Wednesdays. The clinic accepts a variety of insurances and provides services based on a sliding scale fee. Call (760) 737-2000.

VCC offers breast cancer support group

Vista Community Clinic's Breast Health Program offers a support group for breast cancer survivors and those in treatment. The group meets bi-weekly on Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Members of the group share experiences and resource information. Call (760) 407-1220 Ext. 167, or (760) 407-1220 Ext. 154.

Speakers available from VCC

Vista Community Clinic provides guest speakers for group luncheons or meetings and provides health education booths for health fairs. The clinic speakers bureau can present a variety of health education topics such as:

- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug (ATOD) Prevention Programs: Learn about substance abuse issues that affect the local community, public health initiatives that work, and what local citizens can do to get involved in combating these problems.

- Breast Health Education Program: Learn about breast health issues, mammograms, free services offered to target populations, special event schedules.

- Junior REACH and Project REACH: Learn about REACH after school programs for at-risk youths in Vista and Oceanside, challenges facing today's youth, and REACH success stories.

Contact Betsy Heightman at (760) 631-5000, Ext. 1139 to request a speaker.

Anger management classes return

OCEANSIDE -- A Superior Court-approved 12-week anger-management program is offered from 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays, designed to assist individuals who have difficulty managing angry feelings and behaviors. The program's goal is to teach appropriate expressions of anger and to reduce violent and self-destructive behaviors. This co-ed group meets weekly for 60 minutes. Enrollment is "open," with individuals welcome to join at any time. Cost is $60 enrollment fee (including workbook) and $20 session fee. Proof of enrollment and completion certificates are provided. Contact Pacific Coast Counseling at (760) 439-1124.

Clinical trial Web sites

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.