Digest

Health notes

By MICHELLE JONES, Times Correspondent
Published August 19, 2007

Texas Hold 'Em to help Alzheimer's group

The Alzheimer's Family Organization will present AFTER FIVE - Texas Hold 'Em at 6 p.m. Sept. 15 at the Heritage Springs Country Club, 11345 Robert Trent Jones Parkway, Trinity. Sponsored by WJQB-106.3 FM, the event will feature prime rib or chicken Oscar, a live auction, a 50/50 auction, a raffle-style auction and door prizes. Cost is $75 per person with $2,000 in chips included. Call 727 848-8888 or toll-free 1-888-496-8004.

Families, learn to cope with mental illness

The National Alliance on Mental Illness offers a 12-week series of the nationwide Family-to-Family Education Class from 6:30 to 9 p.m. beginning Aug. 28 at Community Hospital, 5637 Marine Parkway in New Port Richey. The series emphasizes problem solving, listening, communication skills and it describes the major brain disorders, treatments, medications and community resources. The classes are free for families who have relatives with serious mental illness. Seating is limited. Call Gloria at (727) 992-9653 to register.

Support groups

Adult children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families meet at 7 p.m. Thursdays at Unity of Port Richey, 5844 Pine Hill Road in Port Richey. This is a 12-step program that maintains anonymity. Call Bonnie at (727) 862-4556.

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The Epilepsy Support Group for adults will meet at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Suncoast Epilepsy Association, 9851 State Road 54, New Port Richey. Call (727) 375-7774 or (727) 546-2856.

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The Pasco County Chapter of National Alliance on Mentally Illness offers three types of support group meetings each month for family and friends of those with mental illness. This includes all types of brain disorders, including, but not limited to, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, autism, bipolar, schizophrenia and multiple personalities.

Daytime meetings are from 3 to 5 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month at the Regency Park Civic Association building, 10240 Regency Park Blvd., Port Richey. Evening meetings are from 7:30 to 9 p.m. the second and fourth Monday of the month at Resource Room at Community Hospital, 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey. Call Gloria at (727) 992-9653.

The Family and Friends Adolescent Support Group meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the North Pinellas Children's Medical Center, 5508 Little Road, New Port Richey. Call Charity at (727) 457-8514.

A consumer support group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at Community Hospital Resource Room, 5637 Marine Parkway, New Port Richey. Call Mike at (727) 842-3372.

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Nicotine Anonymous meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Educational Center of St. Vincent DePaul Church, 4843 Mile Stretch Drive in Holiday. Call (727) 937-1396.

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The Depressive Bipolar Support Alliance of West Pasco meets at 2 p.m. each Tuesday at the A Club, 5650 W Missouri Ave., New Port Richey (located behind Jimmy's Restaurant). Call (727) 819-9427.

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The Alzheimer's Family Organization offers three support groups this week.

- 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Claude Pepper Senior Center, 6640 Van Buren St., New Port Richey. Call Lea Mahoney at (727) 845-8726.

- 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at New Port Inn, 6120 Congress St., New Port Richey. Call Dina Giannet at (727) 848-3617.

- 2 p.m. Aug. 26 at Heritage Park, 37135 Coleman Ave., Dade City. Call Mary Beth Lumbra or Ramona Scott at (352) 567-8615.

The Alzheimer's Family Organization will present its 2008 Gong Show at 6 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Jewish Community Center in Port Richey. Committee members are being sought for a meeting at 5 p.m. Sept. 25 to coordinate this fundraising event. Call (727) 848-8888 if interested in serving on the committee.

Send any health related meetings or information to Michelle Jones at mjones721@tampabay.rr.com or fax to (813) 684-2457 or mail to P.O. Box 558, Valrico, FL 33595. Call (813) 685-2200.

[Last modified August 18, 2007, 21:11:50]