Self-help course for arthritis sufferers
MANISTEE -- Arthritis sufferers can learn about their options at an "Arthritis Self-Help Course" being offered by West Shore Medical Center in conjunction with the Arthritis Foundation.
The class will meet on Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. beginning today and continuing through June 5 at the West Shore Education Center. Instructors will teach the latest pain management techniques, help participants develop individualized exercise programs and share methods for managing fatigue and stress more effectively. Participants also will be able to discuss medications and share solutions for problems caused by arthritis.
The series is free, but registration is required. To learn more or to register, call 398-1414 or (800) 968-9292, ext. 81414.
Expo will focus on natural health
TRAVERSE CITY -- The Natural Health Network of Northwest Michigan will sponsor its second Natural Health and Wellness Expo.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Grand Traverse County Civic Center. It will feature a wide variety of practitioners and vendors offering sample services, hands-on activities, demonstrations, free samples, health care products and supplements.
Admission is free. For details, call 275-0333 or 228-5365, or visit www.thenaturalhealthnetwork.net.
Blood donors will receive gift of song
TRAVERSE CITY -- The Cherry Capital Chorus, a local men's barbershop group, will present a gift of song to individuals who give the gift of life by donating blood during the "Singing for Life" blood drive.
"Singing for Life" is part of a North American campaign being promoted this spring by the Barbershop Harmony Society. More than 150 BHS chapters in the U.S. and Canada are planning blood drives during the campaign. The organization hopes to make "Singing for Life" the largest North American blood drive and blood donor recruitment project ever.
The local blood drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Michigan Community Blood Center's main donor center, 2575 Aero Park Dr. Two barbershop quartets made up of chorus members will take turns performing between 9 and 11 a.m. and chorus members also will serve refreshments to blood donors in the canteen throughout the drive.
Any healthy person ages 17 or older who weighs 110 pounds or more may be eligible to donate blood every 56 days.
New spring fitness classes set to begin
MANISTEE -- West Shore Health Connection will offer two new fitness classes this spring.
"Fit to Break Par," a golf conditioning program will meet from 6:45 to 8 p.m. beginning Tuesday and will continue on Tuesdays through May 27. It will be taught by golf conditioning specialist Janet Carriveau and will include individual assessments on posture, flexibility, strength and balance. The cost is $30 and class size is limited.
A special adaptation of the gentlest form of Tai Chi from the Arthritis Foundation will begin Tuesday and continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays through June 12. It will meet from 11 a.m. to noon and features six basic and six advanced movements performed in a slow, gentle, deliberate way. The cost is $96 and advance registration is required.
Both classes will meet at West Shore Health Connection. For details or to register, call 398-1520.
Class focus is family weight loss
TRAVERSE CITY -- Family physician Patrick Friedli, MD, will offer families strategies for healthy eating and exercise at a free seminar on Tuesday.
"Getting Fit: Helping You and Your Family Lose Weight" will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Munson Community Health Center's classroom A and B, 550 Munson Ave. Friedli will share tips and provide time for questions and answers.
Registration is requested. For details or to register, call 935-9265 or visit www.munsonhealthcare.org.
Lakeshore Free Clinic benefit
BOYNE CITY -- A fashion show and dessert buffet on May 8 will benefit the Lakeshore Community Free Medical Clinic.
The clinic provides health care for uninsured and under-insured families. It is funded completely by donation and gifts are tax-deductible.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church's fellowship hall, 401 S. Park St. It features fashions by Mary's of Boyne City and its sister shops in East Jordan and Charlevoix. Ten percent of sales for the three days following the show also will be donated to the clinic.
Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the clothing stores and at the Boyne City Chamber of Commerce.
Events for Mental Health Month
CHARLEVOIX -- Excerpts from the movie "Normal People Scare Me" and two open houses are being planned by North Country Community Mental Health in conjunction with Mental Health Month.
The film, an award-winning documentary, was co-directed by 17-year-old filmmaker Taylor Cross, who has autism. It will be shown at 6 p.m. on May 8 at the Charlevoix Public Library, 220 W. Clinton St. It will be followed by a panel discussion on autism. Admission is free. For details, call the library, 838-1258.
There also will be two open houses on May 9. One will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at North Country Community Mental Health's new office in Charlevoix, 6250 M-66 North. The second will be from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Petoskey Club, 555 W. Mitchell, Petoskey, which offers psychosocial programs for persons experiencing or recovering from mental illness. For details, visit www.norcocmh.org.
Raffle for breast cancer fund
CHARLEVOIX -- Tickets are on sale for a quilt created by breast cancer survivor Linda Schofield of Charlevoix.
Scofield dedicated the quilt to the memory of her sister-in-law, Mary Moore, who died of breast cancer. The 72-inch by 72-inch pink batik quilt features a cream and pineapple background.
The raffle is sponsored by Charlevoix County's Kappa Sigma Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. The drawing will be held between 11 a.m. and noon May 10 at Bridge Park in conjunction with the Sue DeYoung/Judy Edger Memorial Breast Cancer Walk. Proceeds will be distributed to the Circle of Strength cancer support group and Charlevoix Area Hospital to help purchase a digital mammography machine.
Raffle tickets are $5 each or six for $25 and only 1,000 will be sold. Tickets are available from sorority members or by calling 675-3572.
Blood pressure and foot care clinic
ALDEN -- The Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency will sponsor a community blood pressure and foot care clinic on May 13.
The clinic will be held at the Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Road. Reservations are available beginning at 9 a.m. The blood pressure clinic is free. There is a $15 charge for foot care. For details or reservations, call 331-4318.
United Way will offer free workshops
TRAVERSE CITY -- The Volunteer Center at United Way of Northwest Michigan has received grant funding for free workshops designed to expand or revitalize area organizations' volunteer programs.
Nonprofits are challenged with fewer resources and growing demands. The workshops will explore how expanding the use of volunteers, including using non-traditional types of volunteers may be a solution for area groups.
"Rethinking Resources: Responding to New Volunteer Demographics" will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 13 or 19 at Northwestern Michigan College's Great Lakes Campus, 715 E. Front St. The workshops will be presented by Northsky Nonprofit Network and are open to any nonprofit with an interest in volunteerism. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Space is limited and registration is required. For details or to register, visit www.northskynonprofitnetwork.org.
Tobacco addiction specialist training
TRAVERSE CITY -- National certification training for tobacco addiction specialists will be offered locally May 12 through 16.
This is the only nationally accredited program through the Association of Addiction Professionals and is not held often in Michigan. The training is worth up to 85 CEUs varying by discipline and already has been approved for 33 CEUs for social workers in the State of Michigan. The training also may be eligible for college credit or tuition reimbursement.
The training will be held at the Bayshore Resort. The cost is $1,500 per person and registration is through the sponsoring agency, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services Traverse City Clinic, 1050 Silver Dr. For details, contact Lisa Danto, 271-3684 or ldanto@mac.com.
Diabetics invited to program on insulin
MANISTEE -- West Shore Medical Center in conjunction with Munson Diabetes Education will offer a program on insulin and diabetes via REMEC, a remote interactive satellite.
"Insulin: Facts, Myths, Rumors and Hearsay" will meet at 6:30 p.m. May 12 at the West Shore Education Center. Amy Holtgren, a registered dietitian on the staff at West Shore, will facilitate the session. Jill Vollbrecht, MD, an endocrinologist on the medical staff at Munson Medical Center, will lead a discussion about insulin and share an update on new developments in insulin treatment.
The program is free and anyone interested in learning more about diabetes is welcome. For details, call West Shore Medical Center Diabetes Education, 398-1033 or (800) 968-9292, ext. 81033.
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