Program on gluten-free dining out
TRAVERSE CITY -- The Traverse Area Gluten Free Support Group will hold a restaurant forum at its meeting today.
The group will meet at 7 p.m. at the First Christian Church, 3686 S. Airport Road. Restaurant managers/owners from Red Mesa, Tuscan Bistro and M22 Cafe will discuss issues in preparing gluten-free food, employee training, and putting together gluten-free menus or menu items.
The meeting is open to celiacs and their families or caregivers, others following a gluten-free diet or anyone interested in learning more about following a gluten-free diet. For more information, call 943-9285 or 946-1687, or visit www.traverseareaglutenfree.org.
Medical assistants invited to meeting
TRAVERSE CITY -- All area medical assistants are invited to the next meeting of the Northwest Michigan Chapter of Medical Assistants.
The meeting will begin at 5:45 p.m. on Monday at Munson Family Practice, 1400 Medical Campus Drive. The group will vote on delegates and Dr. Heather Kennedy will give a presentation on "Cancer in Women."
Teter Orthotics will offer free screening
CADILLAC -- Teter Orthotics & Prosthetics will hold a free L300 Screening for anyone suffering from foot drop.
Candidates for the screening include individuals who have suffered a stroke, brain injury or spinal cord injury, or patients with multiple sclerosis.
Screenings will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesday at Teter Orthotics & Prosthetics, 8865 Professional Drive, suite 4. To schedule a screening or for more information, call 779-8022 or (888) 260-2482.
Program on elder law, estate planning
TRAVERSE CITY -- Elder Law attorney Deborah Rysso, from Rizzo & Associates, PLC, will offer insights into elder law and estate planning in a community program on Tuesday.
The free program will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in classroom A and B at Munson Community Health Center, 550 Munson Ave. Topics include estate planning, wills, probate, power of attorney and Medicaid for nursing home residents.
Registration is required. For details or to register, call 935-9265.
Area doctors offer free dental care
TRAVERSE CITY -- For the 12th year, six dentists in the Traverse City area will provide free care to area residents unable to pay for basic dental care. This year, patients do not need referral tickets.
"Doctors with a Heart" include Dr. Steven Niergarth, Dr. Jason Merrithew, Dr. Stephen Kozelko and three oral surgeons, Dr. Wayne Olsen, Dr. Craig Fountain and Dr. Daniel Madion. Free dental care will be available on a first come, first-served basis, with children receiving top priority.
Services will be provided from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the offices of Dr. Niergarth, Dr. Merrithew and Dr. Olsen, 5217 N. Royal Drive; and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the offices of Dr. Kozelko, Dr. Fountain and Dr. Madion, 1330 S. West Bay Shore Drive.
H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine clinic
TRAVERSE CITY -- Rite Aid will offer an H1N1 clinic Wednesday.
The clinic will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. at Rite Aid's Chum's Corner location, 939 U.S. 31. The cost for the H1N1 vaccine is $15. A limited quantity of seasonal flu vaccine also will be available. The fee is $30.
The H1N1 vaccine is billable to Medicare and Medicaid. The seasonal flu vaccine is billable to Medicare. For more information, call 943-9288.
Tai Chi class for arthritis sufferers
TRAVERSE CITY -- The Health Education Institute, a partnership between Northwestern Michigan College and Munson Medical Center, will offer a Tai Chi fitness class for those suffering from arthritis.
The specially designed program is based on sun-style Tai Chi and is easy to learn, safe, effective and suitable for any fitness level. Instructor Nancy Deye has studied and practiced sun and yang style Tai Chi and is a certified Tai Chi instructor for arthritis.
The class will meet from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays from this Wednesday through Feb. 10 in classroom F at Munson Community Health Center, 550 Munson Ave. The fee is $49. For details or to register, call NMC, 995-1700.
Lymphedema Network meeting
TRAVERSE CITY -- The next meeting of the Lymphedema Network of Northern Michigan is scheduled for Jan. 26.
The brown bag lunch meeting will be held from noon to 1 p.m. at the Smith Family Breast Health Center at Copper Ridge, off Silver Lake Road. The topic will be "What is Lymphedema."
Closed circuit TV (REMEC) coverage will be available for many of the meetings for those unable to travel to Traverse City. Remote locations and contacts are: Cadillac Mercy Hospital, Dawn Ewald, 876-7359; Charlevoix Area Hospital, Connie Roland, 547-8570; Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, REMEC room in the Administrative Offices, Theresa Donathan, 258-7502; Otsego Memorial Hospital, Professional Medical Building conference room, Della Lambert, (989) 731-7876; Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital, Nancy Ragan, (989) 731-2258; and Smith Family Breast Health Center, Jane Rolf, 935-6691.
For information on topics for discussion and availability on REMEC, call (866) 443-0797 or 935-6691.
Yoga Day at New Leaf Fitness Center
GLEN ARBOR -- The Homestead's New Leaf Fitness Center will host free yoga classes as part of Yoga Day USA.
The free classes will be offered at 9 and 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 23 at the fitness center at The Homestead, 5000 Homestead Road. In the practice of "karma" yoga, or service to others, donations will be accepted. All proceeds will benefit Sharecare, a Leelanau County organization that promotes the independence and well-being of senior citizens by providing access to services and programs that help them remain in their own homes.
For details or to register for a Yoga Day class, call 334-5160.
Donation drive for area shelters
TRAVERSE CITY -- Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan is participating in a project in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and national holiday.
In recognition of Dr. King's legacy of non-violence, helping those in need and giving back to the community, donations of feminine hygiene products will be collected for domestic violence shelters through Jan. 31. Donations may be dropped off during business hours at the Planned Parenthood office, 1135 E. Eighth St. For details, call 929-1844.
Online screening for depression
TRAVERSE CITY -- Munson Medical Center's Partial Hospitalization Program offers an anonymous online screening for depression.
The user receives immediate feedback as well as the opportunity to schedule an appointment for further evaluation if necessary. Go to mentalthealthscreening.or/screening/munson to access the screening.
For more information or assistance, call the Munson Healthcare Partial Hospitalization Program, 935-6880 or (800) 662-6766.
Health dept. offers vaccine, Pap tests
BELLAIRE -- The Health Department of Northwest Michigan is offering HPV vaccination.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer and precancers. The vaccine is administered in a series of three shots and recommended for girls age 11 and 12 and for girls and women age 13 through 26 who did not get any or all the shots when they were younger.
If qualified, the reduced fee for the vaccine is $15.
Pap tests, recommended every two years beginning at age 21, are free or low-cost.
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan serves Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet and Otsego counties. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (800) 432-4121.
