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New listings

Medicare Advantage Seminars – Informational seminars on Group Health’s Medicare Advantage plans. Held at 10 a.m. today and Feb. 19 and 26 at Oxford Suites, 15015 E. Indiana Ave.; Jan. 26 and Feb. 11 at Corbin Senior Center, 827 W. Cleveland Ave.; and Jan. 28 and Feb. 18 and 25 at South Hill Medical Center, 4102 S. Regal St., Suite 101. Visit www.ghc.org/ medicare/hmoSeminars.jhtml or call (800) 446-8882, Ext. 100 to register and for more information.

Fresenius Medical Care’s Treatment Options Program – Free session covers dialysis treatment options and the benefits of all the available treatment types, and offers support and education for patients and their families. Also features a question and answer time. Jan. 27, 4 p.m., at 610 S. Sherman St. Call (509) 473-1027 to RSVP and for more information.

Prescription Medication Do’s and Don’ts – Free seminar for seniors features a presentation on the use, misuse and abuse of prescription medications. Jan. 28, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at East Central Senior Center, 500 S. Stone St. Call (509) 625-6693 for more information and to reserve a seat.

QiGong for Weight Loss – For ages 18 and older. Teaches this simple, documented and successful method of losing weight, as well as its many other health benefits. Eight-week class is held Wednesdays, Jan. 27-March 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Northwest Tai Chi, 2802 N. Monroe St. Cost is $53. Call (609) 625-6200 or visit www.spokaneparks.org for more information.

“Smiles” Teeth Whitening Fundraiser – Community members can have their teeth whitened at participating dentists any time between Feb. 1 and March 31 for $99 and proceeds will go to benefit the Spokane Guilds’ School Foundation, ensuring that infants and toddlers with disabilities in Spokane County receive early intervention services, regardless of ability to pay. Call (509) 729-3798 for a referral to one of the participating dentists.

Transforming Difficulties: Inviting the “Demons” to Come to Tea – Workshop teaches an ancient Tibetan visualization and meditation practice to help bring a curious and friendly attention to difficulties such as fear, anger, grief, anxiety, self-hatred, confusion, addictions, physical illness or pain to transform these “demons” into an “ally.” Cost is $25-$35 (no one will be turned away for lack of funds). Held Feb. 6, 9 a.m.-noon in Spokane Valley. To register, send a check payable to Dori Langevin to 4612 S. Schafer Branch Road, Spokane, WA 99206-9225. Include your name, email address and phone number and a confirmation letter will be sent to you. Call (509) 928-3863 or visit www.mainstream-mindfulness. com for more information.

Today

Baby Care – Course focuses on learning hands-on care of infants, safety issues, feeding and comforting of a new baby. Today, 6-8 p.m. at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, 711 S. Cowley St. Cost is $25 per person. Call (509) 232-8138 to register.

Total Joint Replacement Class – Free classes to help educate the community on the benefits and process of having a total hip or knee replacement will highlight the process of receiving your new joint, including what to expect before and after surgery. Each attendee will receive a complimentary total joint replacement guidebook and a presentation to answer questions about the rehabilitation of a new joint. Classes will be held the third Tuesday of each month, beginning today, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at 1590 E. Polston Ave., directly across from Northwest Specialty Hospital. Call (208) 777-4242 to reserve a spot and for more information.

First Aid/CPR Re-Certification – Presented by Shelly Donovan. Today, 2-5 p.m., ABC Office, 12310 E. Mirabeau Parkway, Suite 100, Spokane Valley. Cost: $45. (509) 252-9207.

Red Cross K.N.O.W. HIV Prevention Education – Topics include the stages, transmission, treatment, emotional aspects and impact of the disease. Participants receive a packet and certification. Held today, Feb. 11, March 2 and 25, 8 a.m.-noon; and Jan. 28, Feb. 17, and March 18, 6-10 p.m. Cost is $35 per class. Held at American Red Cross Inland Northwest Chapter, 315 W. Nora Ave. Call (509) 326-3330, Ext. 215 or 209 or visit www.spokaneredcross.org/ classes.html.

Upcoming

Biomedical Aspects and Intervention for Autism and ASD – Featured guest speaker Michael Whitney will give a short presentation about the recent advances in biomedical research on autism and touch on some of the environmental triggers, common medical issues in ASD, and possible interventions. Event is free and open to the public. Wednesday in Room LL1 at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, 711 S. Cowley St. Social networking is from 6-6:30 p.m. (gluten and casein-free hors d’oeuvres will be available), the presentation is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call (509) 220-1788 or e-mail spokane@autismsocietyofwa.org for more information.

Spokane Holistic Chamber of Commerce Meetings – Thursday, 7 p.m. at The Saranac Building, 25 W. Main St.: networking event. Refreshments will be served. Feb. 4, noon at One World Spokane Community Kitchen, 1804 E. Sprague Ave.: an opportunity to meet members of the holistic community and to help grow that vital community as well as to eat some of Spokane’s finest organic food. Feb. 19, 7 p.m. at The Saranac Building, 25 W. Main St.: event will feature a guest speaker. All events are free and open to anyone with a holistic mindset. Call (509) 844-4206 or (509) 389-7290 for more information.

Pilgrim’s Market Events - A Healer in Every Household: My Body, My Life, Stay Healthy, Learn How: Covers personal care tips for stimulating the body to increase brain activity and strengthen the immune system. Hands-on class also covers the thymus thump, breathing well, the Thompson maneuver, the four by four, the sciatic reliever and other self-care techniques. Saturday, 3-4 p.m. East Meets West: Eastern and Western Medicine – Unified: Presentation will cover whether there are similarities between Eastern and Western medical views of health; if Eastern medicine is only about Yin and Yang as Western medicine is only about chemicals, molecules, blood and organs; and if the two models are entirely divergent thoughts or do they meet somewhere. Thursday, 6-7 p.m., and Saturday, 1-2 p.m. Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine: Facts and Fears – An Introduction: Informal presentation will cover the basics of the Traditional Chinese Medicine system, how acupuncture and herbal medicine are used for healing and prevention, and what to expect from your appointment with an acupuncturist. Jan. 28, 6-7 p.m. All events are free and open to the public. Pilgrim’s Natural Market, 1316 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. Call (208) 676-9730 for more information.

Red Cross First Aid – Participants learn skills to provide care and minimize the consequences of injury until help arrives. Topics include sudden illness, bleeding, etc. Participants receive a laminated reference skills card, workbook and First Aid certification card valid for three years. Held Thursday, Feb. 16 and March 31, 8 a.m.-noon, and Feb. 2 and March 1, 6-10 p.m. Cost is $30 per class. Held at American Red Cross Inland Northwest Chapter, 315 W. Nora Ave. Call (509) 326-3330, Ext. 215 or 209 or visit www.spokaneredcross.org/ classes.html.

Red Cross Babysitter’s Training Course – For ages 11-15, class helps participants develop skills in leadership, basic care, safe play and first aid. Participants receive a manual, emergency guide, CD-ROM, first-aid kit and Babysitter’s Training certification. Cost is $45 per class. Classes are held 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6 and 20, and March 6 and 20 at Red Cross Inland Northwest Chapter, 315 W. Nora Ave. Call (509) 326-3330, Ext. 215 or 209 or visit www.spokaneredcross.org/ classes.html.

Red Cross Adult/Child CPR/AED plus Infant CPR – Participants learn to care for respiratory or cardiac emergencies for adults, children and infants. Topics include choking, rescue breaths, chest compression and operation of an AED. Participants receive a laminated reference skills card, workbook and CPR/AED certification card valid for one year. Two-part classes are Feb. 22 and 24, 6-10 p.m.; and March 29 and 31, 6-10 p.m. Regular classes are Jan. 27, Feb. 2, 13, and 18, and March 3, 13, and 18, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Cost is $67 per class. Held at American Red Cross Inland Northwest Chapter, 315 W. Nora Ave. Call (509) 326-3330, Ext. 215 or 209 or visit www.spokaneredcross.org/ classes.html.

Red Cross Bloodborne Pathogens Training – Participants obtain an understanding of the OSHA bloodborne pathogens regulation: how they are spread, how to prevent exposure incidents, properly disinfecting equipment, etc. Participants receive a manual and BBP certification valid for one year. Held 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 4 and March 4. Cost is $25. Held at American Red Cross Inland Northwest Chapter, 315 W. Nora Ave. Call (509) 326-3330, Ext. 215 or 209 or visit www.spokaneredcross.org/ classes.html.

Cancer support

Breast Cancer Support – Meets Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. at Providence Cancer Center at Holy Family Hospital, 5633 N. Lidgerwood St. Free. Call (509) 325-8716 for information.

Breast Cancer Support – The group meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 6-8 p.m. at the Holy Family Hospital ER Conference Room, 5633 N. Lidgerwood St. Call Kathy Jo Avery at (509) 448-5660 for more information.

Breast Cancer Wellness Group – Support group sponsored by Kootenai Health meets Mondays, noon-1 p.m. at Kootenai Cancer Center, 1440 E. Mullan Ave., Post Falls. For more information, call (208) 619-4138.

Cancer and Community Charities – Meets the second Wednesday of each month, Elks Lodge, 1170 W. Prairie Ave. For time and information call (208) 659-2064 or e-mail tjgallery@icehouse.net.