Health and fitness

To have an event listed in this calendar, e-mail the details at least two weeks in advance of the event or registration deadline to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com. Please put "Health & fitness" in the subject line.

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.

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.

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.

NAMI family support group: 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, Kenneth Young Center, 1001 Rohlwing Road, Elk Grove Village. For any family member, friend or loved one of an adult 18 or older with severe mental illness. Sponsored by NAMI Elk Grove-Schaumburg Township. (630) 529-3037.

Concussion education: 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 11 at Mercy Indoor Soccer Center, 1101 W. Adams, Chicago, and Sept. 18, at Chicago Indoor Sports Center, 3900 South Ashland, Chicago. Parents and athletes can learn how to avoid concussions and ACL tears while playing soccer. To register, email info@neuro-ortho.org or call (773) 250-1009.

"Stars of Light" theatrical production: 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, Harper College, Palatine, room J-143. NAMI Affiliates from the Northern Suburbs present a theatrical production featuring actors with mental illness. Troupe performs vignettes about mental illness, personal stories, and music as they provide an educational and entertaining performance on what it's like to live with mental illness. Free, donations appreciated. ((630) 529-3037.

Community lecture: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, Good Shepherd Hospital Prairie room, Barrington. "Act Fast at the First Signs of Stroke." Dr. Barry Bikshorn, from Northwest Neurology, discusses stroke and what can be done to prevent it. To register, call (800) 323-8622.

National Alliance of Mental Illness family group: Meets 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 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.

Laughter Club: Meets 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at the gazebo in Towne Square Park, 150 W. Palatine Road, Palatine. Free-flow laughter with breathing exercises to release stress and boost happiness. Free. Call Doug at (847) 359-6969 for information. www.laughteryogachicago.org.

Confused by Medicare?: 7:30-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, Rasmussen North room at the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Karen Zych of Merit Hospice Service will provide valuable information for Medicare beneficiaries and their families to help facilitate a better understanding of right and Medicare Hospice benefits. She will also discuss volunteer opportunities.

Alzheimer's Association support group: 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, Eastlake dining room at The Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington. Speakers from three different adult day care facilities will speak, followed by an open forum for questions. Sponsored by the Barrington Area Council on Aging. Free, registration required. (847) 381-5030.

Mental health event: Thursday, Sept. 18, Barrington Village Hall. "Recognizing the Signs of an Impending Suicide Attempt," will be presented by Jim Christian from Alexian Brothers. To register, call Hugh at (847) 991-1863.

Early stage memory loss group: The Barrington Area Council on Aging, in partnership with The Alzheimer's Association, Alexian Brothers Neurosciences Institute and Barrington Youth and Family Services, will begin a support group for people experiencing early memory loss and their family or partners. Program meets for 10-weekly sessions beginning Sept. 18. Includes overview of early-stage memory loss, medical information, legal and financial planning, social and family relationships, driving and other considerations. Free, registration required, call (847) 381-5030.

NAMI Barrington chapter: 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, Barrington Village Hall, 200 S. Hough St., Barrington. Jim Christian from Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Center will present "Questioning-Persuasial-Referral." Call Hugh, (847) 991-1863.

Eye screening: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, Hanover Park Village Hall, 2121 W. lake St., room 131. The Hanover Park Lions Club will provide a free diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration eye screening. No preregistration require. Everyone welcome to this walk-in screening. For information, call Linda at (630) 254-8080.

Community Health and Wellness Expo: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road, Bartlett. Victory Centre of Bartlett and Hanover Township host "Just for the Health of It," to inform and provide the community with 100 health and wellness resources and programs vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventive care. Included are fitness classes, screenings, blood drive, health presentations, food vendors, raffles, more. Proceeds benefit the Hanover Township Community Health Nurse crisis Care Fund. Open to the public, reservations required, call (630) 213-0100. For vendor participation, call Mary Jo, (630) 837-0301 or Tracy, (630) 483-5673.