Group spreads love one hug at a time
TRAVERSE CITY -- If you need a hug, downtown Traverse City will be the place to find one on Sunday.
The goal of Global Free Hugs Day is to have people hugging on each continent. Global huggers are asked to take pictures and videos of their experience to be included in a video montage posted on YouTube.
Global Free Hugs Day will be celebrated locally from noon to 4 p.m. starting in front of Higher Self Bookstore, 328 E. Front St. For more information on how to participate, call 941-5805.
Event offers a 'Taste of Grand Traverse'
TRAVERSE CITY -- About 19 restaurants and five beverage companies will offer samples of their finest food and drink with proceeds going to the Women's Resource Center.
The WRC's biggest fundraiser of the year, "Taste of Grand Traverse," will be held 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Great Wolf Lodge Conference Center. Admission is $15 for adults and includes three tasting tickets. Additional tasting tickets are $1 each. Samples are available for one to three tasting tickets each.
Tickets are available at www.tasteofgrandtraverse.com. For details, call the WRC, 941-1210.
Family Life video series continues
TRAVERSE CITY -- Michael J. Sullivan, a marriage and family therapist, will continue a monthly video/discussion series that highlights topics using concepts from Bowen Family Systems Theory.
The next presentation will focus on "Individuality and Togetherness." It will begin at noon Tuesday. The cost is $20. For details, program location or to register, call 947-0350 or e-mail mksullivan2@att.net.
Program and exhibit on homelessness
CHARLEVOIX -- Martha Bloomfield will give a presentation on homelessness as part of "Your Story and Mine: A Community of Hope," a joint project between Advent House Ministries and the Michigan Historical Museum.
Project organizers worked with homeless adults from various cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds to create art, photography and poetry documenting their personal oral histories. Their works touch on addiction, domestic violence, crime, health issues, mental illness, disabilities and trauma from war or abuse.
Bloomfield's program will start at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Charlevoix Public Library, 220 W. Clinton. "Your Story and Mine: A Community of Hope" also includes a multi-faceted, traveling exhibit that includes a mural, individual art, photos and more on display through May 7 at the library.
Doctor discusses hysterectomy
TRAVERSE CITY -- Advanced laparoscopic gynecologist William Nowak, DO, and Terri Glenn, MSN, FNP, will discuss minimally invasive techniques for hysterectomy.
"Hysterectomy: Knowing Your Surgical Options" will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in classroom A and B at Munson Community Health Center, 550 Munson Ave. It will focus on techniques that include the da Vinci Surgical System®, single-incision laparoscopic hysterectomy and the pros and cons of supracervical hysterectomy, which retains the cervix
The free program is open to the public and registration is requested. For details or to register, call 935-9265 or (800) 4-MUNSON.
Senior Wellness Expo at Glen Eagle
TRAVERSE CITY -- Glen Eagle Retirement Community will host its annual Senior Wellness Expo on Wednesday.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Glen Eagle, 3950 Sumac Drive. Admission is free and the public is invited.
There also will be door prize drawings, refreshments, a bake sale and a used book sale. Call 935-4553 to learn more.
Myasthenia Gravis support group
CADILLAC -- The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation-Great Lakes Chapter will hold a patient and family support meeting Wednesday.
Myasthenia Gravis is an autoimmune, neuromuscular disease with no known cause or cure. It affects about 140,000 adults and children in the United State.
The group will meet at 2 p.m. at Mercy Hospital Cadillac, 400 Hobart. To learn more about the disease, the chapter of the meeting, call (616) 956-0622 or e-mail info@myasthenia-mi.org.
Hospice movie screening in TC
TRAVERSE CITY -- A documentary following a man through hospice will be shown at the State Theatre April 22.
"Except for Six" follows Ron as he negotiates his way through his final days with grit, humor and gentleness. The movie is presented by Hospice of Michigan and will be shown at 11 a.m. Admission is free and lunch will be provided.
For details, contact Jennifer Simmer, 301-5644 or jsimmer@hom.org.
'Circle of Strength' hosts fashion show
CHARLEVOIX -- Charlevoix Area Hospital's cancer support group, "The Circle of Strength," will host a fashion show.
The event will be from 2 to 4 p.m. April 24 at the Charlevoix Public Library, 220 W. Clinton St. Donations will be accepted at the door and light refreshments include hors d'oeuvres from Esperence and chocolate from Kilwins. Proceeds help provide access to cancer care in the area.
Traverse House open house, dinner
TRAVERSE CITY -- Members of Traverse House Clubhouse invite the public to an open house and spaghetti dinner to celebrate the completion of its remodeled site.
The clubhouse is a community based on the Clubhouse Model of Pscyhosocial Rahabilitation. Members take an active role by making friends and organizing the work of the day within the clubhouse. It also is a place where members share life events, access support for challenges and explore vocational opportunities and new fields of study through the Education Club.
The event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. April 22 at the clubhouse, located in the Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Building, 105 Hall St. Members of the Traverse City West Senior High School Jazz Band will provide entertainment.
The meal is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 10 and younger. Proceeds will fund member scholarships for training opportunities. Light refreshments will be provided for those attending the open house only.
Class on dessert recipes for diabetics
TRAVERSE CITY -- Munson Registered Dietitian and Chef Laura McCain will teach a class on preparing lower-calorie, lower-carbohydrate desserts.
"Diabetic Desserts That Don't Damage Waistlines" will meet from 6 to 9 p.m. April 22 in the Oleson Center Kitchen, room 129, at Northwestern Michigan College. Participants will learn recipe modifications that allow them to keep flavor and texture intact while creating healthier desserts that are less damaging to waistlines and blood sugar.
The cost is $65. For details or to register, call NMC's Extended Education, 995-1700.
Rehabilitation center is at new location
TRAVERSE CITY -- Munson Medical Center's Memory and Attention Training Center is open at its new location in Munson Community Health Center, 550 Munson Ave.
The center provides comprehensive services for adolescents and adults who have sustained a traumatic brain injury or who have difficulty with memory, attention, organization and problem solving. The new site provides patients easier access to comprehensive therapy services and therapeutic aquatic programs. Patients who use the center are referred by their physician.
Call 935-0388 to learn more about the center.
No local 'Let's Get Moving' program
TRAVERSE CITY -- Organizers of the local and regional "Let's Get Moving" program will not conduct a program this spring.
The decision was made based on declining participation and the fact that many of the participants were the same each year.
The Web site, www.lgmnm.org, will have details within the next couple of months on other opportunities for people to remain active.
