Northwest suburban health & 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, etc. Deadline is two weeks before event date.

Heat: 6-6:50 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, RecPlex, 420 W. Dempster St., Mount Prospect. Fitness class for the person wanting to challenge themselves at the highest physical and mental levels. New offering is based on the UNICUS fitness training system designed for firefighters, police officers and Homeland Security personnel. For information, (847) 640-1000.

Rookie Road Runners: Through June 8, in Mount Prospect. Designed for the novice runner and focuses on the basics starting with how to choose the right pairs of shoes, proper running form and how to start slowly from a walk/jog to finishing your first 5K run. Class ends in time for participants to join the Strive for Five 5K run on Saturday, June 19. For information, (847) 640-1000, ext. 224.

Prospect Heights Fitness Center: The Prospect Heights fitness center is equipped for all workout interests. Convenient hours and low membership fees available. (847) 394-2848 or prospectheightsparkdistrict.org.

Feb. 11NAMI Family Support and Information meeting: 6:45-8:45 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, Kenneth Young Center, 1101 Rohlwing Road, Elk Grove Village. For any family member, friend or loved one of an adult 18 and older with mental illness. Gina, (630) 302-2530.Keys to a Healthy Pregnancy: 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, St. Alexius Medical Center, St. Michaels Conference Center, 1555 Barrington Road, Hoffman Estates. Dr. Kathryn Ray presents, "Keys to a Healthy Pregnancy." Free, to register, (866) ALEXIAN.Ostomy Support Group: 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, Northwest Community Hospital, Busse Center, Arlington Heights. Guest speak is pharmacist Len Zych.BACOA Alzheimer's Group: 1:30-3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11. Angela C. Riley, from the Chicago State University College of Pharmacy discusses strategies for coping with medication management. Free. For registration and meeting location, call Bonnie, (847) 852-3890.Feb. 12Couples Yoga: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, elements, 106 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect. Yoga class for couples followed by wine and chocolate. $40 per couple. Register at (847) 222-7870.NAMI Connections support group: 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, Alexian Brothers Behavioral Hospital lobby, 1650 Moon Lake Drive, Hoffman Estates. For persons ages 18 and over with any mental illness. Connect with others, learn how to cope and recover. Carol, (847) 352-6708.Feb. 13NAMI Recovery Support Group: 4-5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, Lutheran General Hospital, 1775 Dempster, room 1062, Park Ridge. Support group for persons with any mental illness age 18 and over. Call (847) 716-2252.Feb. 15Mourning to Meaning: Meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, Hospice of Northeastern Illinois Crystal Lake workstation, 390 East Congress Parkway, Suite E in Crystal Lake. To register or for information, call (847) 381-5599, or e-mail nbillman@HospiceAnswers.org.Good Mourning program: 6:45-8 p.m. Mondays, Feb. 15 and March 15, Lutheran General Family Care Center, 9375 Church St., Des Plaines. Monthly support group for children, teens and families, who have lost a loved one through death. (847) 692-8884 or rainbowhospice.org.NAMI Recovery Support Group: 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, Alexian Center for Mental Health, 3350 Salt Creek lane, Arlington Heights. Support group for persons with any mental illness age 18 and over. Call Star, (847) 899-0195.Feb. 16Disability Support Group: 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Schaumburg Township Disability Services, 1 Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. New disability support group meeting. New members welcome. RSVP to Bonnie Sargent at (847) 884-0030, ext. 2022. If special accommodations are needed, please call the township a week before the event. Refreshments will be served.Healing Our Lost Dreams support group: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, The Counseling Center of Advocate Medical Group, 1610 Luther Lane, Park Ridge. For persons who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. (847) 795-3100.PIETA: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Hurley Center at Saint Edna Church, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. For mothers who have lost a son or daughter. Call Margaret Moser, (847) 398-3362, ext. 318.Deaf Social/Support Group: 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Schaumburg Township board room, 1 Illinois Blvd., Hoffman Estates. Theme is Game Day. Refreshments served. RSVP to (224) 520-9763 VP; (847) 884-1560 TTY; (847) 884-0039 Fax; or sphadke@schaumburgtownship.org. Take Off Pounds Sensibly: Weigh-in from 6-6:30 p.m.; meeting 6:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Church of the Holy Spirit, 1451 Bode Road, Schaumburg. Men, women and couples are invited to join the club that supports weight loss with nonjudgmental support at a reasonable fee. Dorothy, (847) 524-4677.Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program: 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 and Friday, Feb. 19, Lake Barrington Shores Recreation Center. Program emphasizes relaxation and joint-protection techniques that participants can practice at home. $4 per session if sign up in four-week blocks; $5 per session for drop-ins. To register, call Linda at BACOA, (847) 852-3892 or Patricia Olsson-Prescott at Lake Barrington Shores, (224) 622-1518.NAMI Connections support group: 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Kenneth Young Center, 1001 Rohlwing Road, Elk Grove Village. For persons ages 18 and over with any mental illness. Connect with others, learn how to cope and recover. Michelle, (847) 524-2690.Meditation Skill workshop: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, Wellness Place, 1619 W. Colonial Parkway, Palatine. Learn meditative skills designed to assist with pain management and stress as well as creating healthier journeys through life. To register, (847) 221-2400.Infant Massage Course: 10:30 a.m.-noon Tuesday Feb. 16, 23 and March 2, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, 1775 Dempster, Park Ridge. Six-hour infant massage class designed for parent and child care givers. Helps promote and develop positive interaction between parent and child. $75 for a series of three weeks. Register at (800) 323-8622 or advicatehealth.com.Feb. 17Surviving the loss of a spouse: 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, JCFS, 1156 W. Shure Drive, Arlington Heights. Weekly group for those adjusting to the death of a spouse within the last year and a half. $7 per session. Rosalie, (224) 625-2819 or jcfs.org. Art Therapy class for caregivers: 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, Christus Victor Lutheran Church, 1045 S. Arlington Heights Road, Elk Grove Village. Relaxation techniques coordinated with painting and other art mediums. For information, (847) 437-266.Community respite care program: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, Christus Victor Lutheran Church, Elk Grove Village. Designed to nurture older adults cognitively, physically and spiritually through structured programs and to give caregivers a respite. Sara, (847) 437-2666, ext. 24.Bereavement Group: 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, Jewish Child and Family Services, 1156 W. Shure Drive, suite 180, Arlington Heights. For widows and widowers. $7 per session. Rosalie, (224) 625-2819 or jcfs.org.Parenting a child with special needs: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, JCFS, 1156 Shure Drive, Arlington Heights. Weekly parent support group for parents of children with special needs. Pamela, (224) 625-2804 or jcfs.org.MS support group: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, Elk Grove Village Library, 1001 Wellington. People living with MS, and caregivers are welcome. Call (630) 860-0281.NAMI Family Support Meeting: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, Hanover Township Office, 8N180 Route 59, Bartlett. For any family member, friend or loved one of an adult 18 or older with mental illness. namiht@usa.net. Cholesterol education: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road. A clinician from Vital wellness leads a program on cholesterol. Free, open to the public. Register at (630) 213-0100 or rlopienski@pathwaysl.com.Feb. 18Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Group: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, Palatine Township Senior Center, 505 S. Quentin Road, Palatine. Caregiver support group for individuals caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. For information, call Megan Conway at (847) 991-1112 or ptscc.org. Alzheimer's Caregivers Support Group: 1:30 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, lower level conference room of Lutheran General Hospital's Nesset Pavilion, 1775 Ballard Road in Park Ridge. Co-sponsored by Advocate Medical Group and the Alzheimer's Association. Meetings are free and no registration is required. Call (847) 318-2501.Wellness program: 1-3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, Victory Centre Senior Apartments, 1105 W. Bartlett Road. Free screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate and hemoglobin/anemia checks. (630) 213-0100.Laughter yoga session: 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, Victory Centre of Bartlett, 1101 W. Bartlett Road. Certified Laughter Yoga Trainer Rita Lopienski host a laughter yoga session. Experience the therapeutic benefits of laughter and how it enhances exercise and lowers stress while creating joy and fun. To register, (630) 213-0100.'Holding Space and Living from the Soul' workshop: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, Wellness Place, 1619 W. Colonial Parkway, Palatine. Dr. C. Scott Giles, a board certified chaplain and internationally acclaimed hypnotist, shows how he puts "Soul" into his life and uses it to overcome his own medical issues. Registration required, call (847) 221-2400.Feb. 19Drop-in Grief Support Group: 10:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 19, Midwest Palliative Hospice CareCenter, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview. Grief support group, free to the general public. Call (847) 467-7423.Feb. 22Alzheimer's disease caregiver support group: 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22, Arlington Heights Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Road. Community support group provides emotional support and practical information for family members and caregivers. Refreshments served. For information and meeting confirmation, call (800) 272-3900. Support group leader is Dolores, (847) 253-8268.Feb. 23Widowed support group: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 23, and March 9 and 23, Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, 444 N. Northwest Highway, suite 145, Park Ridge. Ongoing support group addresses the losses faced by persons, as a general guideline, who have been widowed less than two years. $5 per session. (847) 692-8884.Younger widowed support group: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 23, and March 9 and 23, Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, 444 N. Northwest Highway, suite 145, Park Ridge. Ongoing support group for widowed persons 55 and younger. $5 per session. (847) 692-8884.Hospice volunteer orientation: Tuesday, Feb. 23, Midwest Palliative Hospice CareCenter, 2050 Claire Court, Glenview. Orientation includes a brief overview of hospice and palliative care, programs and services, volunteer opportunities and a tour of the Glenview campus. R.S.V.P. to Elizabeth at (847) 556-1982.Grief to Hope Group: 9:30-11 a. m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, 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 information on the groups or Hospice of Northeastern Illinois' Center for Loss and Hope, call (847) 381-5599, or e-mail nbillman@HospiceAnswers.org.Phoenix Group: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, Saint Edna Hurley Center, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road. Support group, all ages, for those struggling with divorce. Free. For information, call Denise Novak, (847) 392-3155 or Margaret Moser, director of human concerns, (847) 398-3362, ext. 318.Morning Circle: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, Saint Edna Hurley Center, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Grief support group for those who have been widowed. Call Margaret Moser, director of human concerns, (847) 398-3362, ext. 318.Feb. 24CareCoach: 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Feb. 24, Vernon Township Food Pantry, 3050 N. Main St., Buffalo Grove. Lake Forest Hospital's CareCoach mobile health unit offers Lake County residents health screenings, including blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and asthma. All services are provided free to Lake County residents; no appointment is necessary. For information, call (847) 535-6709 or visit www.lfh.org. Debunking Hospice Myths: 10:30 a.m.-noon Wednesday, Feb. 24, Hanover Township Senior Center, 240 S. Route 59, Bartlett. Caregiver Support Group host Gina J. Munao, a hospice nurse and end-of-life educator, who discusses the history of hospice care; understanding the Medicare hospice benefit; hospice team and services; who qualifies for hospice care; and how and when to access hospice services. RSVP to Amy Seul (630) 483-5682. Feb 26February fiesta: 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, 701 Lee St., suite 800, Des Plaines. The Advocate Addiction Treatment Program of Advocate Medical Group has formed an alumni volunteer group for former patients of the AMG-Parkside, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and AATP programs. The volunteer group is hosting a fiesta for all former patients $10 includes speaker and Mexican dinner. RSVP to Maureen Collins at (847) 795-3064 or Maureen.Collins@advocatehealth.com. MaineStay program seminar: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, Maine Township Town Hall, 1700 Ballard, Park Ridge. "Managing Anger, Depression and Anxiety in Youth and Adolescents" by Margaret Wehrenberg, nationally recognized expert on the treatment of anxiety and other disorders. Q A follows. $3 individuals; $5 for families in advance or $7-$8 at the door. Register with Michelle Lyon at (847) 297-2510, ext. 271 or mainetownship.com before Friday, Feb. 26.Feb. 27ALS support group: 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, St. Alexius Medical Center, Hoffman Estates. Les Turner ALS Foundation hosts support group for ALS patients and caregivers. RSVP to Claire Owen, (847) 679-3311 or cowen@lesturnerals.org. Free Health and Wellness Fair: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, Buffalo Grove Banquets, 301 N. Weiland Road, Buffalo Grove. Village of Buffalo Grove invites residents to its annual Health and Wellness Fair. Free blood glucose screenings by Condell Immediate Care; Lake County Health, Affinity Healthcare, American Diabetes Association and others on hand to provide information. For information, (847) 459-2518.BACOA Parkinson's Group: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, Performing Arts Center at The Garlands of Barrington, 1000 Garlands Lane. Amy Bash, a licensed clinical social worker, discusses depression. To register, (847) 852-3890.March 1Grandparents Raising Grandchildren support group: 10-11:30 a.m. Monday, March. 1, Our Saviour's United Methodist Church, 701 E. Schaumburg Road, Schaumburg. Get support from other grandparents, share ideas, get information about resources. Offered through a partnership of School District 54 and Kenneth Young Center Senior Services. For information, call Daxa, (847) 524-8800, ext. 168.March 9NAMI Family Support Meeting: 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, Barrington Area Library, 505 N. Northwest Highway, Barrington. For any family member, friend or loved one of an adult 18 or older with mental illness. Call Mary, (847) 381-6919.March 10Mourning Light: 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, Saint Edna, 2525 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights. Grief support group for those who have been widowed. For information, call Margaret Moser, (847) 398-3362, ext. 318.July 9Abilities Expo: Friday, July 9-Sunday, July 11, Schaumburg Convention Center, Schaumburg. Abilities Expo Chicagoland brings the disability marketplace together for three days to see new products, learn about advances in technology and provided education courses for professionals and consumers. For a schedule of events visit abilitiesexpo.com. or call (310) 450-8831, ext. 130.OngoingWalkers 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.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.Mount Prospect Jazzercise: 2354 S. Elmhurst Road, Mount Prospect. Over 30 classes per week. smbjazz.com or (773) 227-7167.Palatine Jazzercise: 1294 E. Dundee Road, Palatine. For class schedule, visit smbjazz.com or call (773) 227-7167. Streamwood Jazzercise: 550 S. Park Blvd., Streamwood. For information or to register, contact Jeaneen at jeaneenjazz@sbcglobal.net or call (847) 584-1969.Hoffman Estates Jazzercise: 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates. For information or to register, contact Jeaneen at jeaneenjazz@sbcglobal.net or call (847) 584-1969.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 Open Yoga Practice: 6:15-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Highland Park Hospital Health and Fitness Center, 1501 Busch Parkway, Buffalo Grove. For information, call (847) 229-0292.Jewish Yoga: Yoga is going strong at Congregation Beth Am, 225 N. McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove. A class is offered from 11:30 to 12:45 p.m. Wednesdays. The class is open to nonmembers. Call for pricing details, (847) 459-1677. In addition, a drop-in class is offered from noon to 1:15 p.m. the first Sunday of the month. This class is free with a suggested donation for attendance.