Health and fitness

Events that focus on physical and mental health, well-being and fitness, including runs, walks, exercise events, classes, health screenings, mental health screenings and support information, support groups starting up. Send items to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com two weeks before event date.

Dec. 6

5K Chilly Chili Race: 10 a.m. Dec. 6, Schaumburg Golf Club. 5K run and warmup after with a chili lunch. $29 before Nov. 30; $32 day of race. (847) 490-7015 or parkfun.com.

"What is Your Why?": 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 6, The Center, 801 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Participate in a seven-step process to learn what motivates you and leads to the realization of your dreams. $25. (630) 837-7486.

Philosophy of Food and Good Nutrition: 10 a.m.-noon; Saturday, Dec. 6; Arlington Heights Senior Center, 1801 West Central Road. Cost is $10 per person. Call (847) 797-5341

Santa Sleigh 5K run: 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 6; South Middle School, 400 S. Highland Ave., Arlington Heights. Don a Santa suit and race a 5 kilometer, traffic-free course for the Arlington Heights Rotary Club. There will also be a 1-mile walk for those who prefer a Santa stroll. All registered participants receive a 5-piece Santa suit and goody bag filled with items from the event sponsors. Entry fee is $30 for age 13 and older, and $20 for age 12 and younger. There is a $5 charge for registering on race day. Register at www.rotaryah.org Benefits Rotary Club International's efforts to eradicate polio worldwide, and the Arlington Heights "Drive to Revive Memorial Park." Call (847) 506-2613.

Dec. 7

Winterfest: Noon-4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7; Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter, 2050 Claire Court in Glenview. Day of activities for children, teens and adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. Children and teens will participate in art and physical activities to honor their loved one or to express feelings of grief. Adults will learn about ways to manage the holiday season and engage in an art activity related to developing meaningful holiday rituals. Free. A light lunch will be served at noon. Registration required. (847) 556-1562

Dec. 9

"Gray Areas, Deep Discussions": 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, The Center, 801 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Discussion will probe the deeper meanings of "Christmas Spirit." $5. (630) 837-7486.

Dec. 11

Hatha Yoga: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11 and 18, The Center, 801 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Walk-in basis. Get in shape for the holidays spiritually and physically. $10 per class. (630) 837-7486.

Dec. 13

Pinnacle Chiropractic food drive: Saturday, Dec. 13. For a donation to the Schaumburg Township Food Pantry, patients will receive free chiropractic care while new patients will receive an exam for free. For an appointment, (847) 524-4357.

Dec. 15

Multiform Fitness anniversary celebration: 5:30-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, 1588 W. Algonquin Road, Hoffman Estates. Meet members, entertainment, special offers. (847) 358-8700.

Dec. 17

Catholic Charities LOSS program meets: 7-9 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 17, Holy Family Family Church Counseling Center, 2515 Palatine Road, Inverness. For those who have experienced the loss of a love one to suicide. (847) 376-2118,

Zumba Gold free preview: 10:45-11:35 a.m.; Wednesday, Dec. 17; Wheeling Park District, 333 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling. Group exercise class, exhilarating routine set to fun, motivating music. A Zumba chair workout also is available. Call (847) 465-2943. Zumba Gold will be offered every Wednesday at the Wheeling Park District beginning Jan. 7.

Dec. 18

NAMI Elk Grove/Schaumburg: 7-9 p.m. Dec. 18, Hanover Park Branch of the Schaumburg Township District Library, 1266 Irving Park Road, Hanover Park. Support group for people who have a family member of friend with mental illness. For information, call (630) 529-3037 or (630) 302-2530.

Catholic Charities LOSS program meets: 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, Carmel High School, 1 Carmel Parkway, Mundelein. For those who have experienced the loss of a love one to suicide. (847) 376-2118.

BACOA Alzheimer's Support Group: 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, Eastlake dining room at The Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington. No speaker or presentation at this meeting. For information or to register to attend, call (847) 381-5030.

Hatha Yoga: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, The Center, 801 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Walk-in basis. Get in shape for the holidays spiritually and physically. $10. (630) 837-7486.

Dec. 17

National Alliance of Mental Illness family group: Meets 7-9 p.m. Dec. 17, Hanover Township, Downey Hall, 250 S. Route 59, Bartlett. For those afflicted with biological brain disorders, their families and loved ones. (630) 736-2823.

Dec. 18

Alzheimer's Association Support group: Meets 1-3 p.m. Dec. 18, Eastlake dining room at the Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington. Sponsored by the Barrington Area Council on Aging, the group provides education, speakers and support for families and caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Call (847) 381-5030 to register.

Dec. 20

Winter Solstice celebration: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, The Center, 801 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Reminder of the goodness of both darkness and light will be followed with glog nog and Yule bread. Free will offering. (630) 837-7486.

Jan. 1

Free blood pressure screening: 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 1, Patient Resource Center at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, 8820 W. Dempster St., Niles. The Senior Advocate of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital offers free blood pressure screenings on the first Wednesday of every month. No appointment necessary. For information, call (847) 723-7277.

Jan. 8

Water Walkers Club: 9-10 a.m. Thursdays, Jan. 8-March 20, Splash Central, 700 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. No-impact way to strengthen your body and a good cross-training alternative from walking on land. Water weights and water noodles provided. Adults. $35-$50.

Jan. 15

Alzheimer's Association Support group: Meets 1-3 p.m. Jan. 15, Eastlake dining room at the Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington. Sponsored by the Barrington Area Council on Aging, the group provides education, speakers and support for families and caregivers of Alzheimer's patients. Call (847) 381-5030 to register.

Jan. 25

Health, Wellness and Fitness Expo: Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, Vernon Area Public Library District, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire. Local health, fitness and wellness organizations will be at the library to share key factors in leading a healthy life, featuring displays, chair massages, blood pressure checks, health screenings, food samples, a healthy foods cooking demo and an appearance from Chicago Bears official team mascot Staley da Bear. For infomation, e-mail sgalton@vapld.info or call (847) 634-3650 ext. 137.

Feb. 21

Roselle Park District Fitness Center open house: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. use the fitness center for the afternoon. refreshments, health screenings, chair massages, blood pressure readings and body fat analyses available to current and prospective members. (630) 894-4200

Walkers club: The Arlington Heights Walkers Club, from the Arlington Heights Senior Center, invites walkers to join them during business hours Monday-Saturday at 1801 E. Central Road, Arlington Heights. The club is co-sponsored by Northwest Community Hospital's Healthy Aging/Senior Services. For information, (847) 253-5532.

Smoke Free Solutions: Dates vary. Hosted by DuPage County Health Department, 7-week smoking cessation program. Free. Classes held throughout DuPage County. Call Janet (630) 682-7400, ext. 7044.

Aqua Arthritis Classes: Held weekly, Buffalo Grove Fitness Center, 601 W. Deerfield Parkway, Buffalo Grove. Designed to loosen joints and relieve some of the pain associated with arthritis. Non-Member registration available. Call at (847) 353-7500

Fitness membership sale: Offered by the Mount Prospect Park District. Purchase a one-year All-Facility Plus, All Facility, Fitness Center Plus or Fitness Center membership and save $50 off regular fees. Choice of two state-of-the-art fitness centers. Offer is good through Jan. 15. For details, visit mppd.org.

Wheeling Chapter of T.O.P.S. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly): Meets 5:30-7 p.m., Mondays; AMVETS Phillip Carpenter Post 66, 700 McHenry Road, Wheeling. Visit tops.org or call (847) 37-8666.

Drop-in Grief Support Group: Noon-1:30 p.m.; Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview. Grief support group is free to the general public. Call (800) 331-5484

National Alliance on Mental Illness: Support group for persons over 18 with any form of mental illness meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays at Alexian Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek Lane, Arlington Heights. (847) 899-0195.

National Alliance on Mental Illness: A support group for people who have a family member or friend with mental illness meets from 7-9 p.m. every third Thursday of the month at the Hanover Park Branch of the Schaumburg Township District Library, 1266 Irving Park Road, Hanover Park. For information, (630) 529-3037 or (630) 302-2530.

National Alliance on Mental Illness: A support group for people who have a family member or friend with mental illness meets from 7-9 p.m. every second Thursday of the month at Kenneth Young Center, 1001 Rohlwing Road, Elk Grove Village. For information, (630) 529-3037 or (630) 302-2530.

Grief to Hope Group: 9:30-11 a.m., fourth Tuesday of the month; Arlington Heights Senior Center, 1801 West Central Road. The Center for Loss and Hope at Hospice of Northeastern Illinois offers regular drop-in groups to help those dealing with the death of a loved one. To register or for more information on the groups or Hospice of Northeastern Illinois' Center for Loss and Hope, call (847) 381-5599, or e-mail nbillman@HospiceAnswers.org.

Mourning to Meaning: Meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month, at Hospice of Northeastern Illinois Crystal Lake workstation, 390 East Congress Parkway, Suite E in Crystal Lake. To register or for more information on hospice groups or Hospice of Northeastern Illinois' Center for Loss and Hope, call (847) 381-5599, or e-mail nbillman@HospiceAnswers.org.

NAMI Elk Grove -Schaumburg Connections group: 7-9 p.m. Fridays, Alexian Brothers Behavior Hospital, 1650 Moon Lake Dr., Hoffman Estates. An opportunity for people with any mental illness to connect with others and learn how best to cope and find recovery. Carol (847) 352-6708

Palatine Jazzercise: 1294 E. Dundee Road, Palatine. For class schedule, visit smbjazz.com or call (773) 227-7167.