HEALTH NOTES

Published: May 7, 2008

ANGER-MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP: Family Service Association, 407 N. Parsons Ave., Suite 104-A, Brandon. The Family Service Association will offer anger-management workshops from 4 to 5:30 p.m. today and May 14, 21 and 28, June 4, 18 and 25, and July 2, 9 and 16. Cost is $40 for each five-week series. Call (813) 571-1684 from 1-4:30 p.m. for information and to register.

WELLNESS SEMINAR: Hawthorne Village Retirement Community, 859 W. Lumsden Road, Brandon. The retirement community will offer a seminar on health and wellness at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Lela Lilyquist, owner of Nature's Health Foods, is the scheduled speaker. Refreshments will be served. The workshop is free and open to the public. Call (813) 661-8998 for information.

EXERCISE AND NUTRITION: Winston Park, 7605 Destin Drive, Tampa. Greater Palm River POINT will offer free classes to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and asthma and suggest exercise options and healthy cooking. Classes will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Call Lisa Vargas at (813) 628-9179 for information.

WOMEN'S CENTER RELOCATES: Family Service Association, 407 N. Parsons Ave., Suite 104-A, Brandon. The Family Service Association has relocated from Tampa to Brandon. The center offers individual, family, marital and group counseling, wellness workshops, confidential assessments and employee assistance programs. The center is open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call (813) 571-1684 for information and appointments.

SUPPORT GROUP FOR MENTAL ILLNESS: 1402 Jontilly Place, Brandon. National Alliance on Mental Illness family support group meetings are held at 7 p.m. the fourth Thursday monthly. The group helps those suffering from mental illness and anyone interested in learning about mental health issues. Call (813) 571-9811 for information or go to www.namihillsborough.org.

AUTISM SUPPORT GROUP: The Riverview Academy for Autism, 9631 Radian Lane, Riverview. Concerned Parents of Autistic Children, is a support group for parents and caregivers. Group members share experiences and discuss developmentsand strategies in caring for children with autism. The meeting place is the future site of a school for autistic children. For information on dates and time of meetings, contact Housam Moursi at (813) 643-9393 or e-mail hmoursi@hotmail.com.

DEMENTIA SUPPORT GROUP: Consulate Health Care of Brandon, 701 Victoria St., Brandon. Consulate Health Care offers support group meetings for people affected by dementia at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. the second Thursday monthly. Call (813) 681-4220.

ALATEEN MEETINGS: Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church, 604 N. Valrico Road, Valrico. Fellowship meetings for young people who have been affected by someone else's substance abuse, are at 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays. Call (813) 881-9372.

SPINAL CARE: Brandon Integrated Healthcare Clinic, 804 W. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon. The clinic will offer free spinal care workshops from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursdays. The workshop will include a question-and-answer session. Call (813) 685-5200.

BEREAVED PARENTS: The Bereaved Parents of the USA Tampa Bay Chapter is a support group offering compassion and care for parents, grandparents and siblings who are grieving the loss of a child. Meetings are from 10 a.m. to noon the second Friday monthly. Call (813) 832-3175 or (813) 661-0680 for locations.

LOOK AND FEEL BETTER: American Cancer Society, 1462 Oakfield Drive, Brandon. Certified cosmetologists will help cancer patients to cope with appearance-related side effects from treatments. Call toll-free 1-800-227-9954.

FREE TRANSPORTATION: The American Cancer Society offers free transportation to cancer patients through its Lifeline Transportation Program. The program is funded by a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. Volunteer drivers are needed. Call toll-free 1-800-ACS-2345 (227-2345).

SELF-DEFENSE: Brandon New Hope Church, 1607 Lithia-Pinecrest Road, Brandon. The church offers free basic classes on self-defense for adults 21 and older. The classes will be held 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays. A children's class will be offered from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays.

LA LECHE LEAGUE:

•East Hillsborough Chapter of La Leche League, Oakfield Medical Plaza, 119 Oakfield Drive, No. 262, Classroom A, Brandon. The La Leche League meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month. Mothers discuss parenting and breast-feeding issues. Fathers, parents-to-be and grandparents also are welcome. Call (813) 932-3664.

•Brandon Chapter of La Leche League, St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 3315 Bryan Road, Brandon. The support group for women who breastfeed or plan to meets at 10 a.m. the third Wednesday monthly. Call (813) 685-1096.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS: St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, 3315 S. Bryan Road, Brandon. Meetings will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and from 7 to 9 p.m. Fridays. Both meetings will be held at the church's Family Life Center, Room 309-A. Call toll-free 1-866- 442-8622.

MEDITATION CLASSES: Paul Sanders Park, 3319 Kings Ave. S., Brandon. Classes in Falun Gong, which involves gentle exercises and meditation, are at 9:45 a.m. Sundays. Call (813) 671-0080.

AEROBICS FOR WOMEN: Women's Ministry, First Baptist Church, 216 N. Parsons Ave., Room D-212, Brandon. Aerobics instructor Rebecca Piatt teaches a free class at 6:30 p.m. Mondays. Call (813) 689-1204 or go to www.fbcbrandon.org.

WOMEN'S STEP: Redeemer Lutheran Church, 701 Valley Forge Blvd., Sun City Center. Women's step meetings are at 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Call (813) 634-1292.

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP: Brandon Senior Center, 612 N. Parsons Ave., Brandon. The Brandon Stroke Folks will host a support meeting at 10:30 a.m. the second Thursday monthly. Call Melissa Cole at (813) 571-6433.

HIV SUPPORT GROUP: Nativity Catholic Church, 705 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon. The church offers a HIV support group meeting at 7 p.m. Mondays. Call (813) 689-2289.

LIVER DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP: Oakfield Medical Plaza, 228 S. Moon Ave., Brandon. The Florida Liver Association will host a support group at 7 p.m. the fourth Tuesday monthly. Call (813) 689-7136 or Dee Lindsey at (813) 671-3339.

Send your Health Notes to Felix Martinez, The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, fax to (813) 643-6844 or e-mail fmartinez@tampatrib.com.