RSSEvent Calendar

Well-Being Events in Northwest Indiana

Because dates and times are subject to change, please call ahead to confirm all event details. If you would like to submit a health-related event to be considered for listings in the Get Healthy calendar of events, please send the information at least 6-8 weeks in advance to laveta.hughes@nwi.com.

FITNESS

ONGOING Ballroom Dancing, 10:30-11:30am Wed, Pruzin Center, 5750 Tyler St, Merrillville. 219.980.5911. activenwi.com. Instructor Robert Lenten teaches various ballroom dances based on class participants' interest. Partner not required.

ONGOING Chi Gong, 9:30-10:30am Thu, Cancer Resource Centre, 926 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3349. cancerresourcecentre.com. This ancient Eastern healing art of breath, movement, non-movement and meditation will be taught through a one-hour session of warm-ups, positions and focused movements.

ONGOING Class Pass Program, Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave, Munster. 219.924.5348. comhs.org. Those who want to participate in some of the classes offered at the Fitness Pointe, but are not members, can take advantage of select group exercises including Aqua Flow, Bike & Tone, Pilates, and Punch & Crunch Low II.

ONGOING Group Cycling, call for dates, times and to register, Southlake YMCA, 1450 S Court St, Crown Point. 219.663.5810. slymca.org. Four group cycling classes are offered at the Southlake YMCA: indoor group cycling, 45-minute group cycling, 30-minute express group cycling, and more. All classes are indoors and meet for five weeks to offer participants the challenge of a low-impact, yet high-intensity, workout.

ONGOING Laughter Yoga, 6pm, 3rd Thu of the month, Community Center, 111 E Old Ridge Rd, Hobart. 219.973.3273. These free yoga classes are taught by a certified yoga instructor.

ONGOING Running Club, 6pm Tue, 5:30am Thu, 6:30am Sat, Duneland Family YMCA, 215 Roosevelt St, Chesterton. 219.926.4204. dunelandymca.org. This program is for all skill levels—beginning, intermediate and advanced. Participants should dress for an outdoor run. Saturday runs are held off-site.

ONGOING Senior Aerobics, 9:30-10:30am Tue, Thu, Pruzin Community Center, 5750 Tyler St, Merrillville. 219.980.5911. Merrillville residents ages 50 and older can stay fit at this free aerobics class.

ONGOING Yoga, 4:30-5:30pm Wed, St. Mary Medical Center, 1500 S Lake Park Ave, Hobart. 219.805.5180 (Lake County) or 219.548.9395 (Porter County). comhs.org. The basics of yoga will be the focus of this class, which uses gentle yoga to release stress and increase flexibility and strength.

ONGOING Y-Run, 6-7pm Mon, Southlake YMCA, 1450 S Court St, Crown Point. 219.663.5810. slymca.org. Participants will be provided with a specific training program, and the group will meet once a week to run and discuss stretching, hydration, finding the right running shoe, nutrition, and avoiding/treating injury.

CLASSES/SEMINARS

ONGOING C.H.O.I.C.E.S. Natural Birth & Parenting Network, 7pm, 1st Wed of the month, Hebron Community Center, 611 N Main St, Hebron. 219.996.5188. indianabirthchoices.com. This free community program brings together midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, chiropractors, breastfeeding consultants and new and expecting parents. No need to preregister.

ONGOING Diabetes Management Classes, Crown Point. 219.757.6268. stanthonymedicalcenter.com. After completion of this four-week course, recognized by the American Diabetes Association, participants will have learned all aspects of diabetes care. Afternoon and evening sessions are available, as are individual appointments for glucose monitoring or insulin administration, and free blood glucose screenings.

ONGOING Meet and Greet, Kids First Pediatrics on 30, 1130 Joliet St, Ste 103, Dyer. 219.322.8534. In these free meetings, board certified pediatricians Dr. Tae'Ni Chang-Stroman and Dr. Parul Pathak will meet with any parents one-on-one to answer questions about their child's health and choosing them as physicians. Please call the office for an appointment.

ONGOING Moving Forward, call for dates and times, St. Catherine Hospital, 4321 Fir St, East Chicago. 219.852.6287. comhs.org. This five-part series helps stroke survivors and their caregivers learn to prevent future strokes through risk detection and management.

ONGOING Weight Management Class, 6:30pm, 2nd Mon of every month, Hammond Clinic Specialty Center, 7905 Calumet Ave, Munster. 219.836.5800. hammondclinic.com. Those interested in weight loss through bariatric surgery should attend this ongoing weight management class. A physician referral is required to attend.

ONGOING State Health Insurance Assistance Program, call for dates and times. 219.392.7448. comhs.org. This program is sponsored by Community Healthcare System to assist seniors in getting the most from their health insurance and understanding Medicare and Medicaid programs.

MAY 30 Victory over Violence, 5-6pm, St. Catherine Hospital, Pastoral Care Dept, 4321 Fir St, East Chicago. comhs.org. 219.836.3477. This free session is for those who are dealing with the aftermath of a violent incident.

JUN 18 Weight-Loss Surgery: Is It Right for Me? 6-8pm, St. Mary Medical Center, Patient Tower, 1500 S Lake Park Ave, Hobart. 219.836.3477. comhs.org. Using a team approach to achieving weight loss, bariatric surgeons Drs. Paul Stanish and Hung Dang discuss the etiology of obesity, its effect on an individual's physical, emotional and psychological health, and how surgical weight loss can help increase an individual's ability to move, improve self-esteem and, most importantly, extend their life.

SUPPORT GROUPS

ONGOING After Care Breast Cancer Support Group, 7-8:30pm, 2nd and 4th Mon of every month, Cancer Resource Centre, 926 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3349. cancerresourcecentre.com. Women who have completed their treatment for breast cancer can gather to share experiences and address concerns twice a month.

ONGOING Better Breathers Support Group, 2nd Tue of every month, Ingalls Wellness Center, 2920 W 183rd St, Homewood. 708.333.2300. ingallshealthsystem.org. Anyone with breathing and lung-related health issues is invited to attend this free support group.

ONGOING Breastfeeding Mothers Support Group, 10am-noon, 3rd Tues of every month, Franciscan St. Anthony Health, Crown Point. 219.757.6368. stanthonymedicalcenter.com. Mothers meet to discuss various topics in an open forum.

ONGOING Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance, 6pm, 1st and 3rd Wed of every month, Porter-Starke Services, 701 Wall St, Entrance C, Valparaiso; 7pm, 2nd and 4th Mon of every month, Methodist Hospitals Southlake Campus, 8701 Broadway, Merrillville. 219.462.3689. porterstarke.org. This unique support group is a peer-directed discussion, with patients being treated for depression or bipolar disorder and their families helping form a comprehensive common denominator of the support needed.

ONGOING Diabetes Support Group, 6:30pm, 2nd Thurs of every month, Hammond Clinic, 7905 Calumet Avenue. Pre-register for this program to be included in a raffle drawing for door prizes. Refreshments will be provided.

ONGOING Emotions Anonymous, 7pm Wed, Spiritual Care Services, Saint Anthony Memorial, 301 W Homer St, Michigan City. 219.879.8659. saintanthonymemorial.org. This weekly, twelve-step program is made up of people who work towards recovery from emotional difficulties, including depression, anger, grief, boredom or compulsive behavior.

ONGOING Fibromites Unite, 10am, 4th Sat of every month, Saint Margaret Mercy’s Dyer Campus Classroom F, 24 Joliet St, Dyer. 708.539.9896. smmhc.com. This monthly support group is for people who suffer from fibromyalgia.

ONGOING Gluten Intolerance Group of Northwest Indiana, 7-8pm, 2nd Mon of every month, St. Mary Medical Center, 1500 S Lake Park Ave, Hobart. 219.588.9829. comhs.org. This free support group is for those with gluten intolerances, including celiac disease, dermatitis herpetiformis and other sensitivities.

ONGOING Knit One...Nurture Too, 12:30pm-2pm, 2nd and 4th Thu of every month, Cancer Resource Center, 926 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3349. comhs.org. Cancer survivors and their caregivers are invited to join the knitting/crocheting group. Yarn and needles will be provided.

ONGOING MS Support Group, 11:30am-1:00pm, 3rd Fri of every month, Center for Advanced Clinical Studies Conference Room, Methodist Hospitals’ Southlake Campus, 200 E 89th Dr, Merrillville. 219.738.4926. methodisthospitals.org. No registration is required for this free support group for friends and family of people with multiple sclerosis.

ONGOING Pain Management Group Therapy, 9-10:30am, 2nd and 4th Tue of every month, St. Catherine Hospital, 4321 Fir St, East Chicago. 219.392.7722. comhs.org. This free group provides an opportunity to learn a variety of coping skills and techniques of pain control for those with chronic pain.

ONGOING Parenting Together, 11am, 2nd Tue of every month, Bellaboo’s Play and Discovery Center, Three Rivers County Park, 2800 Colorado St, Lake Station. 219.963.2070. mybellaboos.com. This new support group allows participants to visit with other parents and discuss interesting topics—including phobias, discipline, physical fitness, children's literature, safety, separation anxiety and more. Parents can attend with or without their children, but those who attend without their children will need to leave promptly after the meeting.

ONGOING Pulmonary Support Group, 1pm, 2nd Mon of every month,  Marian Education Center, Franciscan St. Anthony Health, 1201 S Main St, Crown Point. 219.757.6141. stanthonymedicalcenter.com. This group provides support for those with chronic lung disease.

ONGOING Rehabilitation Club, 3pm, 1st Thu of every month, Omni 41, 221 S Rt 41, Schererville. 219.322.1600. smmhc.com. The group is open to anyone with multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, or who has had a stroke, spinal cord injury or other injuries requiring therapy, and their caregivers, family and friends. Participants can share stories, talk with other patients and caregivers, and ask questions of therapists.

ONGOING Shared Experience, Crown Point. 219.757.6008. stanthonymedicalcenter.com. This support group for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer offers participants the chance to share experiences—joys and triumphs—and methods of coping in a nonjudgmental environment with others who are facing similar circumstances.

ONGOING Stroke Survivor Support Group, 7pm, 3rd Thu of every month, Trinity Lutheran Church Teacher's Lounge, 250 S Indiana Ave, Crown Point. 219.663.0265. Individuals who have survived a stroke are invited to join this new support group. Registration is encouraged by calling 219.663.0265.

JUN 5 Memories, 5:30-6:30pm, St. Catherine Hospital, Pastoral Care Dept, 4321 Fir Street, East Chicago. 219.836.3477. comhs.org. This group is for parents and family members who have lost their unborn child or a child at a very early age. Additional dates: Jul 3; Aug 7.

JUN 14 Good Grief, 5-6pm, St. Catherine Hospital, 4321 Fir St, East Chicago. 219.836.3477. comhs.org. This group provides support for those suffering from the loss of a loved one. Additonal dates: Jul 12; Aug 9.

NUTRITION

ONGOING Cooking For You, call for dates and times, Cancer Resource Centre, 926 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3349. comhs.org. Visiting chefs prepare a delectable dish for all to sample from the "Cooking For Zita" cookbook.

ONGOING Nutrition Counseling, call for dates and times, St. Mary Medical Center, 1500 S Lake Park Ave, Hobart. 219.947.3063 comhs.org. This seesion includes a dietary evaluation and counseling by a registered dietitian. Physician referral is required.

ONGOING Nutrition Counseling, call for dates and times, Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave, Munster. 219.934.2858. comhs.org.  This program entails individualized meal planning designed by a registered dietitian with expertise in food allergies, weight management, abnormal blood lipid management, diabetes, eating disorders and more.

ONGOING Nutrition for Life, call for dates and times, Cancer Resource Centre, 926 Ridge Rd, Munster. 219.836.3349. comhs.org. This program, facilitated by a registered dietitian/diabetes educator, enforces the importance of healthy eating.

KIDS

ONGOING Healing Hearts for Teens, 5:30-6:45pm Mon, 600 Superior Ave, Munster. 219.922.2732, 708.895.8332. This free six-session support group, sponsored by Hospice of the Calumet Area, is for youth ages 13 to 17 who have experienced the death of a loved one and need support for their grief.

ONGOING KidFit Camp, Ingalls Wellness Center, 2920 W 183rd St, Homewood. 708.206.0072. ingallshealthsystem.org. This program is a children's weight management series geared toward kids 8-12 to help children learn healthy lifestyle changes without an emphasis on diet. The focus is on self-esteem and promoting healthy attitudes and habits that will last.

ONGOING Yoga for Kids, 10:15-10:45 (ages 4-6), 11-11:30am (ages 7-10) Sat, Valparaiso Family YMCA, 1201 Cumberland Crossing Dr, Valparaiso. 219.762.9622. valpoymca.org. Boys and girls ages 4 to 10 can learn traditional yoga poses in fun and educational ways at this yoga class taught by certified Yogafit instructor Anita Beaudoin.

SCREENINGS

ONGOING Blood Pressure Screening, 10:30-11:30am, Central Library Red Desk, 1919 W 81st Ave, Merrillville. 219.756.0744. lcplin.org. Blood pressure screenings are provided by Spring Mill Health Campus.

ONGOING Blood Profile Screening, 9am-noon, Wed & Fri, call for dates and locations. 219.762.3196 or 219.769.2258. comhs.org. A 12-hour fast is necessary before this screening, which checks cholesterol, HDL/LDL ratio, glucose and triglycerides and provides results in only a few minutes.

ONGOING Peripheral Arterial Disease Screenings, call to register, Community Hospital Fitness Pointe, 9950 Calumet Ave, Munster. 219.934.2830. comhs.org. This 15-minute screening checks for any indication of Peripheral Arterial Disease and blockages in leg arteries.

ONGOING Personal Training Initial Assessment, call to register, Valparaiso Family YMCA, 1201 Cumberland Crossing Dr, Valparaiso. 219.462.4185. valpoymca.org. This consultation features a fitness assessment of body composition, resting heart rate, blood pressure, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance. Participants must fast from food, caffeine and activity for four hours prior to the testing.

ONGOING Pulmonary Rehab “Breathless” Support Group, 11am-noon, last Mon of every month, Spectrum of St. Mary Medical Center, 1354 S Lake Park Ave, Hobart. 219.947.6574. comhs.org. Patients of pulmonary rehabilitation can find answers and someone to listen at this free support group.

ONGOING Scoliosis Screening, by appointment only, Southlake Campus, NeuroScience Institute, 200 E 89th Ave, Merrillville. 219.738.4926. methodisthospitals.org. Get checked for spine curvature by making an appointment for this free screening.

ONGOING Sleep Apnea Screening, Duneland YMCA, 215 Roosevelt St, Chesterton. Portage YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek Rd, Portage. Valparaiso YMCA, 1201 Cumberland Crossing, Valparaiso. 219.764.4567. porterhealth.com. No appointment is necessary for these free sleep apnea screenings performed by Porter’s Sleep Disorders Institute. For dates and times, call 219.764.4567.

JUN 2 Coronary Health Appraisal, 8-11:30am, Community Hospital, 901 MacArthur Blvd, Munster. 219.836.3477. comhs.org. This screening determines risk for heart disease and other related medical conditions. Screening includes: cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), hemoglobin A1C and average estimated glucose, metabolic syndrome, blood pressure, body mass index, and a Heart Health Profile. A 10-12 hour fast is required.

SPECIAL EVENTS

MAY 19 Free Community Health Fair, 9am-noon, Methodist Hospitals Midlake Campus, 2269 W 25th Ave, Gary. The health fair will offer free screenings (blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, prostate blood test) and heart attack, stroke and peripheral artery (PAD) risk assessments. Free health information will be offered, and attendees will be entered into a raffle. No registration is required, but some tests are limited and are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. A 12-hour fast is required for blood sugar and cholesterol tests.

MAY 19 Plant Sale, 9am, Aquatorium, 6918 Oak Ave, Gary. 219.938.8532. millergardenclub.org. The Miller Garden Club's annual plant sale will offer loads of plants, great bargains and a collection of gardening art, tools, accessories and more.

JUN 21 Save the Dunes Day Council Ring and Potluck BBQ, 5-8pm, Barker House, 444 Barker Rd, Michigan City. 219.879.3564. savedunes.org. On June 21st, 1952, a group of passionate women from Ogden Dunes officially formed Save the Dunes. Starting years before that, dunes lovers were known to gather around a Council Ring fire to talk about their connection to this inspiring landscape. In honor of the tradition of getting together around a common cause the members are hosting a barbecue.