healthy happenings

in and around Rochester, NY, March-April 2010

To list your organization's event, email it to info@rochesterhealthyliving.com
(text only -- no PDFs or JPGs).

Events and programs that GILDA'S CLUB ROCHESTER will be holding throughout the month of March. All events take place at Gilda’s Club Rochester, 255 Alexander St., except where noted. RSVP for any events listed on the calendar by calling (585) 423-9700 or emailing knutting@gildasclubrochester.org.

March 11, 5:30-6:30 p.m.	St. Patrick’s Day Party. There will be dinner, music, and crafts for kids!
March 15, 22, & 29, 6-7:30 p.m.	How to Have an Awesome Attitude: A Series for Children and Teens. Each class we will play interactive games and make crafts that will help build interpersonal skills and form positive attitudes. We will learn meditation and effective communication techniques and explore our personal interests and unique characteristics. Children and teens will leave this class series feeling more comfortable with their environments and with an enhanced sense of positivity.
March 18, 5:30-7 p.m.	Gilda’s “Food Network” Cooking Class. From the show Melissa d’ Arabian’s $10 Dinners with “Chef” Mary
March 19, starting at 11:30 am	Scrabble Day: Do you love to play Scrabble? We’ll have a day of activities related to the Scrabble Game: Initial Pin made from Scrabble letters, a light lunch (“Scrabbled” Eggs or Alphabet soup), ending with a fun game of Scrabble.
March 25, 6-7:30 p.m.	Ask the Expert: Sleep from A-Zzzzz
March 26, 5 p.m.	Dinner & a Movie: Ice Age Dawn of the Dinosaurs (movie starts at 6 pm). For adults only.
March 27, 8-10 a.m.	Gilda’s Diner: For Men Only. Join the men of Gilda’s for breakfast, newspaper, and conversation.
March 27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.	Spring Egg Hunt & Brunch. Bring the whole family for brunch and crafts and enjoy watching the children win prizes during an egg hunt.

 

WAYSIDE GARDEN CENTER UPCOMING SEMINARS & EVENTS. All seminars are free – please call ahead for seating. Please note that this year seminar days of week and time may vary. This schedule is subject to change. Call or check our website, waysidegardencenter.com.

March 13, 10 AM	Beginner Bonsai Techniques with Amanda Bielski. Bring in or buy your own starter plant(s) and go home with your first bonsai arrangement. Bonsai pots and supplies will be available for purchase. Register in advance for this popular workshop. Contact Trish at (585) 223-1222 x100 or trish@waysidegardencenter.com.
March 20, 10 AM	Spring Lawn Care and Products Update with Jim Guck of Turfline Products.
March 21, 2 PM	DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Garden Design Clinic. Create your own garden design, with instruction, then determine how much and what to do yourself. You will complete at least one ready-to-plant design for this Spring! Contact Trish at (585) 223-1222 x100 or trish@waysidegardencenter.com.
March 27, 10 AM	Spring Garden Prep. Newest techniques and the usual must-dos to jump start your garden year. Preview our newest products also.
April 3, 10 AM	Using Herbs and Essential Oils with Trish Gannon. Learn how to make your own cleaning supplies, cosmetics, and pest repellants using essential oils and other natural ingredients.

 

March 13, 7 PM. BOOK SIGNING EVENT. The empowering new guidebook, Boys Before Business: The Single Girl’s Guide to Having It All, hits the road with an 18-city U.S. tour. Co-author Jennifer S. Wilkov will visit Rochester to do a book signing and give advice about finding the balance between the career they want and the romantic relationship they desire. Barnes & Noble, 3349 Monroe Ave.

March 16, 5:30 PM. SPIRITUALITY AND ILLNESS TALK AT WILMOT CANCER CENTER. The role of spirituality when facing a serious illness will be the focus of an integrative oncology lecture at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center. The free session will be led by the Rev. Robin Franklin, director of Chaplaincy Services at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and Erin Reeve, a student at the School of Medicine and Dentistry. They’ll discuss spirituality, how it impacts quality of life and how it differs from religion. The event is part of a monthly integrative oncology lecture series for patients who want to learn more about improving their quality of life during cancer care and survival. To register for the event, call (585) 276-5432.

March 17 through April 28, Wednesdays, Noon–1 PM. "STRETCH AND STRENGTHENING FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS." Safely and at your own pace increase your muscle strength and flexibility which may help improve coordination, balance, and endurance. Exercise may be done seated. Pieter’s Family Life Center, 1025 Commons Way. Drop-in Fee $7 per class. For further information, contact Dee Mascari at (585) 271-0801, option #2, or 1-800-344-4867 toll-free.

March 17, 7 PM. "Review of the Latest in Celiac Research and the Importance of Whole Grains in the Gluten Free Diet" by Anne Lee, RD, Schar Foods. Meetings of the ROCHESTER CELIAC SUPPORT GROUP are held on the third Wednesday of each month. Fellowship Hall, Brighton Reformed Church, 805 Blossom Rd. All are welcome. Newcomer orientation starts at 6:30 PM. For more information: www.rochesterceliacs.org.

March 18. LIFESPAN'S 14TH CELEBRATION OF AGING WITH GUEST SPEAKER WILLARD SCOTT. Known for his centenarian birthday salutes on the Today show, Mr. Willard Scott will speak about his book, The Older the Fiddle, the Better the Tune: The Joys of Reaching a Certain Age, and his views on longer life. Tickets are $55 per person or $500 for a table of ten. For reservations, contact Kari Cameron, kcameron@lifespan-roch.org.

March 19, 11 AM-6 PM. HICKOK CENTER OPEN HOUSE TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH. Open House plus Art & Bake Sale. Take a guided tour of our facility, meet members and staff, and enjoy delicious homemade baked goods, as well as a large variety of framed/unframed original and print member-made artwork, photography, and note card sets. Learn and help us to raise awareness of brain injury prevention and compensatory services available to brain injury survivors in our community. Hickok Center for Brain Injury, 165 East Union St., Suite 206, Newark.

March 20, 6:30 PM-midnight. NETWORKING SOCIAL & MOONLIGHT DANCE sponsored by Parents Without Partners of Greater Rochester, Chapter 683. Join us for a networking event with an array of information from gathered social organizations, meetups, clubs, and others who offer a variety of services to the Rochester area. Immediately following, join us for our Spring Moonlight Dance with DJ Joetta. 6:30-8:00 pm networking hour with hors d’oeuvres; 8-midnight dancing with DJ Joetta. Towpath Room, Burgundy Basin Inn, 1301 Marsh Rd, Pittsford. Cost: $10 at the door. Open to the public - 21 and over only. For more information, go to singleparents.meetup.com/721/. If you would like to join the event and promote your group, please call (585) 278-4099 or email l_farrands@yahoo.com.

March 26, 6 PM-midnight. NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame Member Jim Kelly and Wife Jill Announce 8TH ANNUAL HUNTER’S HOPE CANDLELIGHT BALL . This gala event is an evening to celebrate life and love for all children while raising funds to help broaden public awareness of Krabbe disease and other leukodystrophies. Funds raised from the Ball will support research efforts that will identify new treatments, therapies and ultimately a cure. Radisson Hotel Rochester Riverside. The Ball will feature a Chef’s Extravaganza with the finest restaurants and wineries from Western New York and beyond, silent and live auctions, and entertainment by Caribbean Extravaganza Steel Drum Band. Registration and Corporate Opportunities for the event are still available online at www.huntershope.org. For more information, visit us online or call (716) 667-1200.

April 6. HEARING LOSS ASSOCIATION/ROCHESTER CHAPTER MEETING. 11 AM: “Furry Helpers: Hearing and Assistance Dogs” features a team of dog and trainer from Canine Helpers for the Handicapped Inc. in Lockport, Niagara County. The group has trained and placed over 500 assistance dogs since its 1983 founding. CHH unites people facing a variety of physical challenges with highly trained dogs to create a team. Participants will learn about the CHH program, the types of dogs and criteria for selecting and matching them with applicants, training the client with the dog, and follow-up training. The demonstration dog shows its talents and skills in helping clients to achieve independence. Clients have ranged from four to 96 years of age and include people with hearing, service, mobility, seizure, and other challenges. Hard of hearing people are considered disabled and have certain rights of employment, accessibility, etc., spelled out by provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 7 PM: Kara Halstead, Monroe County’s ADA compliance officer, outlines the County’s continuing efforts to observe ADA provisions for almost twenty years. She comments on current service delivery, updates in technology and facilities, and the efforts of the Council for People with Disabilities. Both meetings are Audiolooped; the evening session is real time captioned. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, East Ave. at Westminster Rd., across from George Eastman House. HLAA is a nationwide organization dedicated to advocacy, education, support, and information for people with hearing loss. For more information call (585) 266-7890 or visit www.hlaa-rochester-ny.org.

April 12, 7-9 PM. COMMUNITY LABYRINTH WALK with free energy work, chair massage, and music. Experience the transformational power of the labyrinth combined with the deeply restorative energies of Reiki and chair massage. The event is free, however donations are appreciated to help cover expenses. First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 South Winton Rd. Fifteen minute orientation from 7-7:15 p.m. Handicapped Accessible. For further details, contact Deborah Roller at (585) 469-4818.

April 14, 6-8 PM. THIRD ANNUAL EARTH DAY CELEBRATION. A fun filled family event featuring over 50 local businesses and organizations promoting sustainable living in our own area. *PLUS great gifts and raffle items, *Visit the Zoo Mobile of Seneca Park, *Experience the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle from General Motors, *Learn about Ganondagan and the League of the Seventh Generation, *Enjoy a natural ice-cream from Dars Delights, *Participate at one of several kids’ crafts and activities including composting with worms. Be sure to bring your gently used books for the book swap. Victor Primary School. Sponsored by the Victor Central PTSA Environment Committee. For more information, visit www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/VICTORPTSA.

April 19. VARICOSE VEINS SCREENING EVENT. If you're considering treatment for varicose veins, take this opportunity to learn the treatment options available at Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic. Dr. Lewis Zulick will be conducting complementary screening clinic for varicose veins. Appointments are required but there is no cost or obligation. Call (315) 462-2636 to learn more and to schedule your free consultation. Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic is located at 2 Coulter Rd., Clifton Springs.

April 24, 10 AM-12 Noon. WORLD T'AI CHI & QIGONG DAY 2010. Local participation in a Worldwide Health Event. Local groups will exhibit T'ai Chi and QiGong exercises followed by demonstrations. The Ching-Fen Lee Dancers will perform traditional Chinese dance. Brighton High School, 1150 Winton Rd S. Free. For more information, call The Rochester T'ai Chi Ch'uan Center at (585) 461-0130 or visit www.rtccc.com.

GAY ALLIANCE OF THE GENESEE VALLEY BEGINS ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTATION PROJECT. The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley announces the beginning of its Documentation Project. This project will record the history of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and allied (LGBTA) community of the greater Rochester area. Phase One of this project, which will span the next six months, will focus on locating, identifying, and preserving community records from individual and organizational collections in order to document the history and experiences of LGBTA peoples who have lived within Monroe County. The LGBTA Community of Rochester, NY Documentation Project was made possible in part by a grant from the Documentary Heritage Program (DHP) of the New York State Archives, a program of the State Education Department. The Gay Alliance wants to be certain that the work and efforts LGBTA groups and individuals survive and are recognized as part of New York State's rich cultural, political, social, and economic history. The records will document the existence and impact of LGBTA people on Rochester and the Genesee Valley region. Any individual or organization with historical records that may be pertinent to the history of the Rochester LGBTA community should contact Nicole Menarchem at (585) 244-8640 x32 or NicoleM@gayalliance.org.

Tuesday afternoons. STOP SMOKING SUPPORT FOR 55 AND OLDER. Lifespan is starting two support/education groups for people age 55 and older who want to stop smoking. Participants will learn about the latest nicotine replacement therapies, build skills to manage cravings, and find support for healthier lifestyles. Research proves that quitting, even in later life, can significantly increase longevity. For more information about the support groups, call Tammy Leach at (585) 244-8400, x184. Lifespan is located at 1900 S. Clinton Ave.

Every Tuesday evening. MINDFUL MEDITATION sessions for adults and children. No meditation experience needed. Children’s session 6:30-7 PM; adults 7-8 PM. Meditation is facilitated by Wendy Sullivan, LMSW, and based on the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction work of Jon Kabat-Zinn. Sessions are free and open to the public. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 350 Chili Ave. Wheelchair accessible. Free (donations welcome). For more information, call (585) 328-0856 or email wendy@sullybrown.com.

Second Wednesday of the month, 10 AM. Spencerport-Churchville MOMs Club meets at Trinity Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Elmgrove Rd., Gates. All stay-at-home moms are welcome!

Third Wednesday of each month, 7-8:45 PM. Truechildwithin – Parent and Teen Support Group for families affected by pediatric bipolar disorder. A peer-led self-help group facilitated by parents sharing our own stories and knowledge – what has worked and what hasn’t. We provide a safe, compassionate, and confidential place where parents can feel free to ask questions and talk about anything that concerns them. We also invite guest speakers to provide us with information about topics that concern us. Past speakers have included experts in the fields of current scientific research, hospitalization, education, courts and the law, nutrition, social development and many others.

There Is No Normal is our teen support group which we co-sponsor with Better Days Ahead for kids ages 12-17. The group is a peer-directed support group facilitated by paid and trained young adults who have experience with mental health issues. The group’s purpose is to provide a fun place where kids with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder have an opportunity to socialize with others teens who share their experiences. It helps teens understand that living with a mood disorder does not define who they are, and allows them to rediscover their strengths and humor. Meetings include event and trip planning, activities, discussions, and food. The group is held the same night and time as our parent group and is free of charge to all who attend, however, teens must register one day in advance with Better Days Ahead. Registration is required to ensure that there are enough facilitators to run the group.

Both groups meet at the Mental Health Association, 320 N. Goodman St. To register, contact Karen Draper at (585) 325-3145, x131 or kdraper@mharochester.org. Visit www.truechildwithin.org for more information.

4th Wednesday of each month, 5:30-6:30 PM. CAREGIVER SUPPORT SERVICES SUPPORT GROUP IN WEBSTER. Caregiver Support Services, a non-dementia support program of the Alzheimer’s Association, invites you to a caregiver support group for those providing care and support for an aging loved one with short or long-term care needs. The group meets at Baywinde (Sage Harbor), 100 Kidd Castle Way, Webster. Contact Caregiver Support Services at (585) 760-5470 or 1-800-272-3900 for further information.

Thursdays 7-8 PM. LAUGHTER CLUB! Learn to laugh for no reason. Benefits: relieves stress, develops joyfulness, improves circulation. Laughter Yoga was developed by a medical doctor and does not require a sense of humor. Led by Joellen Kuhl and Dale Heffer, certified Laughter Yoga Instructors. Free and open to the public (donations appreciated). Lady Be Fit Express, 1945 E Ridge Rd, Irondequoit (next to Golden Tans). For more info, contact Dale Heffer at (585) 278-1302 or daleheffer@hotmail.com, or check out www.LaughterYoga.org.

Weekly meetings, Sundays 7-8:30 PM. FEAR BUSTER SUPPORT GROUP meets at rotating locations. Based on the book Fearless Living. For location info, RSVP to FearBusterGroup@yahoo.com.

ART CLASSES: Check out our monthly art class offerings at www.gildasclubrochester.org/highlights.cfm. Open to individuals with a connection to cancer. RSVP by calling (585) 423-9700. Sponsored by Gilda’s Club, a cancer support community located at 255 Alexander St.

ON-GOING WELLNESS & FAMILY GROUPS: These groups meet weekly. Call (585) 423-9700 for more information and to RSVP. Sponsored by Gilda’s Club, a cancer support community located at 255 Alexander St.