Health

THE PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP OF SANTA MARIA holds its regular meeting featuring speaker Trainer Sandi Sandberg, dog trainer for Doggie Do Good, giving a demonstration on helper dogs for Parkinson’s victims on Aug. 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church, 605 E. McCoy Lane, Santa Maria. Info: 937-7776 or 925-0266.

THE GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR BALANCE AND HEALING offers free energy balancing sessions from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every third Saturday of the month at Sierra Vista Hospital, 1010 Murray Ave., SLO. Info: 438-4347 or globalalliance.ws.

MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers a “Smart Eating for Kids and Teens” class meeting the first Monday of each month this year from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Medical Center at 1400 E. Church St., Santa Maria. Info: 739-3578.

ONGOING

SYCAMORE MINERAL SPRINGS HEALING ARTS INSTITUTE offers a range of classes including yoga and meditation, alternative and herbal medicine, aroma and color therapy, compassionate communications, creative play, and movement classes from dance to Pilates. Location is 1215 Avila Beach Dr., San Luis Obispo. Info: 595-7302.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN CARING holds a support group for Orphan Seniors on the fourth Friday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Merrill Gardens, 1350 Suey Road, Santa Maria. Info: 925-8000 or colleen@partnersincaring.org.

CALMING THE MIND are classes taught by British Buddhist Nun Gen Kelsang Lekma every other Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Lompoc Valley Community Center, 1501 E. Ocean Ave., Lompoc. Cost is $10 per class. Info: meditationinsantabarbara.org.

GROWING GROUNDS FARM STAND is open Thursdays from noon to 6 p.m. at the corner of Foster Road and California Boulevard, Orcutt. Info: 934-2182 or agottschalk@t-mha.org.

MARIAN HOSPICE offers a grief recovery support group Tuesdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the physician’s dining room at Marian West, 505 E. Plaza Dr., Santa Maria. Info: 739-3830

MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER offers many community support groups, classes, and lectures including Cancer Support Groups, Cardiac Risk Profile Screening and Counseling, Prenatal Preparation, Grief-Recovery Group, Exercise for Arthritis patients, Free Blood Pressure and Blood Glucose Screening, Ostomy Support Group, Caregiver Support Group, Mended Hearts Support Group, stroke and Brain Injury Support Group, Depression Screening, Nutritional Instruction, Services for the Spanish Speaking Community, Stroke Support Group, and Diabetes Support Groups. Info: 739-6300 or visit Marian Medical Center.

MARIAN RESIDENCE is in need of lifeline service monitors to help those in need of emergency assistance or volunteers to help out with anything they can. Info: 922-7731.

ORCUTT ALZHEIMER’S/DEMENTIA GENERAL INTEREST SUPPORT GROUP is open to all on the second Tuesday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Magnolia House, 4620 Song Lane, Orcutt. Info: 937-3332.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED at Marian Medical Center to help with Hospice programs in Santa Maria, Lompoc, Solvang, Nipomo, and Five-Cities areas. Info: 739-3830. Volunteers are also needed at the Marian Medical Center Auxiliary. Info: 739-3520.

FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS meet in Santa Maria at the Wisdom Center Social Service Department. Info: 354-5326.

FREE LOW-VISION CLASSES with the Braille Institute teaches participants how to remain independent despite loss of vision every Monday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Santa Maria Terrace, 1405 E. Main St., Santa Maria. Info: 682-6222.

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECKS at Marian Health & Wellness Center, 1406 E. Main St., are available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. Info: 739-3250.

HEALING TOUCH MASSAGE THERAPY by Emilio Espinoza offers a senior citizen discount rate of $30 per half-hour massage session Mondays from noon to 4 p.m. at the Luis Oasis Senior Center, 420 Soares Ave., Old Orcutt. Info: 937-9750.

COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC in Santa Maria, 2115 S. Centerpointe Pkwy., offers a variety of services and programs. Well Baby, Child, Teen, Healthy Families and Gateway examinations are available through the well-child program. No cost for low-income eligible families; programs available. Info: 346-8414. Clinics for confidential sexually transmitted disease exams are held every Thursday morning and cost $20, which includes the examination, medication, and a one-month follow-up visit. Info: 346-8410. Free, anonymous HIV testing is Wednesday from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. No appointment needed. For family planning, birth control, and PACT services, call 346-7336.

SANTA MARIA WOMEN’S HEALTH CENTER offer women’s health services for women of low-income, Medi-cal or on a sliding scale. Free pregnancy testing is Mondays through Fridays, from 8 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. Appointments preferred, but not required. Donations accepted. Info and appointments: 739-8710.

STROKE, BRAIN INJURY AND BRAIN TUMOR SUPPORT GROUP for patients, family and friends meeting the third Tuesdays of the month from 5 to 6 p.m. at Cardiac Rehab Center, 1406 E. Main Street, Santa Maria. Info: 739-3591.

PUBLIC HEALTH IMMUNIZATION CLINICS are offered Wednesdays from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The clinic is at 2115 S. Centerpointe Pkwy., Santa Maria. Info: 346-8410. A Lompoc clinic offers the clinics the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month, from 1 to 3 p.m. The Lompoc clinic is at 301 North R St. Info: 737-6454.

FREE PREGNANCY TESTING is offered by Community Health Center weekdays, from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m., 2801 Santa Maria Way, Suite A. No appointment necessary. All tests are confidential. Referral and pregnancy resources are available. Info: 938-9200.

FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY offers a Community Resources/HelpLine. This is a free, confidential 24-hour information and referral, crisis hotline, and telephone counseling service. Info: 928-5818.

NORTH COUNTY RAPE CRISIS AND CHILD PROTECTION CENTER is conducting intakes for a closed support group in Lompoc and Santa Maria for survivors of sexual assault or childhood molestation. Info: 736-8535.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED with the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center to offer information and support for its 24-hour hotline, fundraising, educational programs and self-defense classes. Two yearly training sessions are held in the fall and spring. Info about classes: 922-2994 or 736-8535.

SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM of San Luis Obispo County is accepting applications for volunteers. Needed: drivers to deliver meals, people to help prepare and bag food, and help with clean up. Positions are available at nine locations from Paso Robles to Nipomo. Nipomo needs volunteers Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Most sites are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Info: 541-3312, (Nipomo) 925-1066.

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE AND BLOOD GLUCOSE SCREENING are Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon at the Guadalupe Senior Center, 4545 Tenth St., Guadalupe. Info: Ms. Szumski, 739-3622.

PACIFIC PRIDE FOUNDATION/AIDS PROJECT CENTRAL COAST offers support groups for HIV-positive people. HIV testing and needle exchanges are every Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. Located at 819 W Church St., Santa Maria. Info: 349-9947.

THE WOMEN’S SHELTER PROGRAM of San Luis Obispo offers a free weekly support group for women dealing with substance abuse and domestic violence issues Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Registration is suggested. Free child care is available. Info: 473-6507. The program is seeking volunteers to work in crisis intervention, and as child mentors. Training is provided. Info: 781-6401, Ext. 202.

FREE LOW IMPACT EXERCISE class is for seniors on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Valentine Court Apartment’s Community Room, 280 E. Newlove St., Santa Maria. Info: 928-2818.

AMERICAN RED CROSS offers health and safety courses such as first aid, CPR, and other health and safety training. For a detailed list of courses or to register, call the American Red Cross Santa Maria Valley District office at 928-0778.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN CARING, located at 111 North Vine St. in Santa Maria and 111 South I St. in Lompoc, offers many services free of charge, including information and referrals, transportation, interpreting, respite care, shopping and errands, friendly visits, light housekeeping, and telephone reassurance calls. They are also looking for volunteers to perform these services. For more information call: 925-8000, 737-1976, partnersincaring.org.

FINAL EXIT OR COMPASSION & CHOICES is always ready to answer questions. Info: 489-5481.

CALIFORNIA ANIMAL AND REFERRAL EMERGENCY HOSPITAL provides free pet loss grief counseling to the public the first and third Tuesday of month from 6:30 to 7 p.m. at Antioch University, 801 Garden St., Santa Barbara. Info: 899-CARE, 961-2528, aniocsb.edu.

THE CROHN’S AND COLITIS FOUNDATION SUPPORT GROUP OF AMERICA has a support group that meets the second Wednesday of each month (except in June, August, and December) at Marian Medical Center Clinic, 116 S. Palisades, in classroom B on the first floor, Santa Maria. Everyone is welcome. Info: 922-6133.

SANTA MARIA LUPUS AND RHEUMATIC DISEASES GROUP offers regular meetings, support, information, and fellowship. Group meetings are on every fourth Tuesday of the month (not December) from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Knollwood Village Mobile Home Park Clubhouse, 4012 South Bradley. Info: 346-2484 or smlupus@gmail.com.

ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP meets with a certified counselor as facilitator on the third Thursday of each month, 7 p.m., at Merrill Gardens, 1220 Sway Road. Free. Info: 928-2662.

FIBROMYALGIA AND ARTHRITIS SUPPORT GROUP meets the third Saturday of every month from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Arroyo Grande Hospital Annex classroom, 345 Halcyon Road, Arroyo Grande. Info: 929-0487 or 925-8075.

BETTER BREATHERS CLUB, sponsored by the American Lung Association of California, meets monthly and is open to all adults with chronic respiratory disease and their families. The club meets at 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at Marian Health and Wellness Center, 1406 E Main St. Info: 922-2161.

WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY SUPPORT GROUPS for pre-ops, post-ops, and interested patients are held monthly by Central Coast Life Savers. Groups meet the second Monday, 6:30 p.m., at the Rabobank in Orcutt; and the third Saturday, 12:30 p.m., at Arroyo Grande Hospital. Info: 934-0659.

COMPULSIVE EATERS ANONYMOUS/H.O.W. meets at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Mondays at noon, Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m., and Fridays at 6:30 p.m. They also meet in Cambria at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Head Start Office, 1920 Main St. And in Arroyo Grande on Saturdays at 4 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 275 N. Halcyon Road. Info: 546-1178. Phone meeting: ceahow.org or 938-0664.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS, a nonprofit group for those seeking recovery from overeating and other eating disorders meets every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church, 624 East Camino Colegio, Santa Maria. Info: 937-1499. Please leave a message.

YOGA CLASSES with Amanda de la Garza feature “Yoga: Levels 2-3” Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and “Yoga for Beginner and Injured” Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m., all in Santa Maria. Info: 315-2518 or Amanda_delagarza@yahoo.com.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR TOTAL JOINT REPLACMENT OR ROTATOR CUFF REPAIR SURGERY classes are offered by the Santa Maria Valley Physical Therapy Group. Call for times. The Santa Maria Physical Therapy group is located at 820 E. Enos Dr. Info: 928-8257.

THE ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION offers an exercise program for those with arthritis Mondays and Wednesdays at 9 a.m. at Santa Maria Terrace, 1405 East Main St., Santa Maria. Info: 925-8713; Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. at the Nipomo Senior Center, 200 E. Dana, Nipomo. Info: 929-1615; and Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. at the Luis Oasis Senior Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt. Info: 937-9750. An Aquatic Exercise Program is offered Mondays and Wednesdays at noon and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 a.m. at the Santa Maria Physical Therapy Group, 820 E. Enos. Info: 928-8257.