LUPUS ALERT OPEN HOUSE | Portage
The Lupus Foundation of America, Indiana chapter, presents a National Lupus Alert Day open house from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Portage Lupus office, 2642 Eleanor St. An Ask the Doctor session with Dr. Tarek Kudaimi begins at 6 p.m. The Tell 20 campaign in honor of the chapter's 20th anniversary urges people to distribute lupus information to 20 friends by e-mail, phone, mail, or literature.
FYI: (219) 762-6575
STOP SMOKING SEMINAR | Portage
Life Extension Center hosts an anti-tobacco/stop smoking seminar and support group at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 3357 Willowcreek Road.
FYI: (219) 764-2900
HEALTH FAIR | Hammond
The Wellness Center at Purdue University Calumet is hosting its annual spring health fair from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday in the Student Union Library building at the university, 2200 169th St. Various vendors will provide free screenings such as vision, blood pressure and posture. Admission is free for all.
FYI: (219) 989-2709
MYTHS AND FACTS | Hebron
CHOICES natural birth and parenting network holds free monthly community meetings with preplanned topics at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at the Hebron Community Center, 611 N. Main St. This week's topic is "The Myths and Facts About Pregnancy, Birth & Babies." No registration is required, and all are invited. Nursing infants are welcome, but participants should be considerate of others by making other arrangements for toddlers and older children who may disrupt the program.
FYI: (219) 996-5188 or www.IndianaBirthChoices.com
OPEN GYM | Calumet City
The Calumet Memorial Park District makes its gyms available to parents and their children to spend time together doing a healthy athletic activity. The Memorial Park gym is available from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, and the Sandridge Center gym is open from 5 to 7 p.m. Fridays. Restrictions may apply.
FYI: (708) 862-6443 or calumetmemorialparkdistrict.com.
CPR | Portage
The Portage Fire Department will offer an American Heart Association healthcare provider course from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Station 1, 3401 Swanson Road. It is a renewal course only. All participants must have been previously certified in a healthcare provider course. The cost is $35 per student. Register by calling the fire department. Checks should be payable to Portage Fire Department EMS Gift Funds and can be sent to Portage Fire Department headquarters, 3401 Swanson Road, Portage, IN 46368. Students must pay in advance.
FYI: (219) 762-7404
MENTAL HEALTH WORKSHOP | Valparaiso
National Alliance on Mental Illness Porter County will offer a peer-to-peer workshop for people with mental health disorders beginning from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 8 at 701 Wall St. The program is free and is for those with serious mental illnesses who are interested in establishing and maintaining their wellness and recovery. The program consists of 10 two-hour units and is taught by a team of three trained "mentors" who are experienced at living well with mental illness. Class size is limited. Call to register.
FYI: (219) 764-2958
HEALTHCARE HELP | Hobart
Healthcare Advocacy Group, Inc., is a nonprofit organization working for people's rights to healthcare benefits, reasonable quality medical care and prescription assistance. Representatives are available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays at St. Mary Medical Center, 1500 S. Lake Park Ave. Free resources, education and help with denied claims and health care issues is available.
FYI: (888) 923-3330, (219) 942-9727 or (219) 947-6846
KIDNEY EVALUATION | East Chicago
East Chicago Health Department and MOTTEP, in partnership with the National Kidney Foundation, will sponsor a Kidney Early Evaluation Program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Riley Park Recreation Center, 1005 E. Chicago Ave. The free screenings will include blood pressure and weight/height measurements; blood and urine tests for signs of diabetes, anemia and kidney disease; cholesterol screening; and a detailed report sent to participants to review with their physicians. Kidney early evaluations are recommended for adults who have one or more of the following: diabetes; high blood pressure; or a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease.
FYI: (219) 391-8226
Y-ME | Valparaiso
Y-Me of Porter County will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Porter Education Center, 1401 Calumet Ave. The mission of Y-Me is that no one should face breast cancer alone. The public is invited to this free meeting.
FYI: (219) 465-0566
BAD BACK? | Munster
Learn about spinal function, how to identify the factors that cause back pain and options for pain relief at a free Hammond Clinic seminar at 10 a.m. Saturday at its Family Wellness Center, 9800 Valparaiso Drive. Call to register.
FYI: (219) 836-3600 or hammondclinic.com
HUB RUN | Crown Point
Southlake YMCA will host its 28th Annual Hub Run 5K/2K race at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S. Court St. The entry fee is $20. Race applications are available at the Southlake YMCA, 1450 S. Court St., or can be downloaded at www.slymca.org. Proceeds help low-income families and individuals participate in YMCA membership and programs.
FYI: (219) 663-5810
WELL WALKERS | Whiting, East Chicago
Well Walker's presentation, Good Nutrition: Easier Than You Think, will take place two days and times. The program will be given from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday at the Whiting Community Center, 1938 Clark St., and from 10 to 11 a.m. April 7 at The Salvation Army, 513 W. Chicago Ave. The presentation helps participants understand the importance of eating properly, assists with making healthy food choices and assists with portion size. It's free, and anyone is welcome. Registration is not required. Call for information about Well Walker's Club, sponsored by St. Catherine Hospital.
FYI: (219) 398-2939 or (219) 659-0860
SKIN SEMINAR | Munster
A Healthy Skin - Healthy You! seminar will be held at 6 p.m. April 7 at Hammond Clinic's Specialty Center, 7905 Calumet Ave. The seminar, conducted by board-certified dermatologists, will focus on keeping skin healthy and looking young. The doctors will explain laser vein treatment, hair removal, Botox and Restylane facial treatments and skin care products. Call to register.
FYI: (219) 836-3600 or hammondclinic.com
PHYSICIAN AWARD | Indiana
The Indiana State Medical Association is seeking nominations for its 2008 Physician Community Service Award that honors an Indiana physician for outstanding volunteer activities based on civic, cultural, social or economic contributions to the community. Nominations are due June 4. Nomination forms are available at www.ismanet.org/news/convention/index.htm. The award will be presented during the group's annual convention in September at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Indianapolis.
To be eligible for the award, a physician must be licensed with the state, be living, not have received the award previously, and have an outstanding record of community service, which apart from his or her specific identification as a physician, reflects well on the profession.
Physicians who have been nominated previously but have not received the award may be re-nominated. All nominations will be sent to the physician's local peers for review as well as to the group's review committee. The recipient and the person or group making the nomination will be notified before the award presentation.
FYI: (800) 257-4762 or (317) 261-2060
BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING| Portage
Free blood pressure screening will be available from noon to 2 p.m. April 7 at Portage Public Library, 2665 Irving St., sponsored by Miller's Senior Living Community. No appointment necessary.
FYI: Call (219) 763-1508.
CPR | Portage
The Portage Fire Department will offer an American Heart Association healthcare provider initial training class from 5 to 9:30 p.m. April 10 at Fire Station 1, 3401 Swanson Road. The cost is $40 per student. Register by calling the fire department. Checks should be payable to Portage Fire Department EMS Gift Funds and can be sent to Portage Fire Department headquarters, 3401 Swanson Road, Portage, IN 46368. Students must pay in advance.
FYI: Call (219) 762-7404.
STOP SMOKING SEMINAR | Portage
Life Extension Center hosts an anti-tobacco/stop smoking seminar and support group at 7:30 p.m. April 8 at 3357 Willowcreek Road.
FYI: (219) 764-2900
COMPULSIVE EATERS | Hammond
Compulsive Eaters Anonymous-HOW meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at First United Lutheran Church, 6705 Hohman Ave. The group is for those discouraged about dieting who are getting nowhere. If offers confidential, no-fee support. Newcomers are welcome.
FYI: (219) 513-0725
SHOW YOU CARE | Munster
Hospice of the Calumet Area will hold a Charlie's Ale House "Show You Care" Reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 8 at Charlie's Ale House, 8940 Calumet Ave. Purchase a $25 plaque at Charlie's to show you care. All plaque proceeds benefit Hospice of the Calumet Area. No purchase or reservation is necessary.
FYI: (219) 513-0505
MEDICARE SESSION | Merrillville
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program will sponsor an information session on the basics of Medicare Part A, B and C from 10 a.m. to noon April 9 at the Lake County Public Library, 1919 W. 81st Ave. This informal, classroom-style session will enable beneficiaries to ask specific questions about the program. Attendees will hear about billing issues, Medicare requirements and supplement coverage. Admission is free, and light refreshments will be served. No registration is required.
FYI: (219) 838-4873
TRY YOGA | Merrillville
Merrillville Parks and Recreation Department offers a new Evening Yoga class from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays at the Pruzin Center, 5750 Tyler St. This class is for beginners and experience yoga students. The cost is $20 for residents and $25 for nonresidents for six weekly sessions.
FYI: (219) 980-5911
