Health calendar

Aug. 13-19

Notices

Polio gathering

TODAY Annual state picnic for persons with polio, friends and their families; Dan Miller is speaker. 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Juanita Beach Park, 9703 N.E. Juanita Drive, Kirkland; (800-609-5538).

Volunteers

Providence Hospice

FRI New volunteer orientation for people to offer services throughout King County, registration required. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Providence Hospice of Seattle, 425 Pontius Ave., Seattle; free (206-389-4320 or www.providence.org/ long_term_care/hospice_of_seattle).

Classes/workshops

Weight-loss surgery

MON Seminar reviews the medical implications of morbid obesity, pros and cons of surgical options, preparation for surgery, post-op care and permanent-patient lifestyle change, registration required. 3:30 p.m., Swedish Ballard Hospital (Conference Room A), 5300 Tallman Ave. N.W., Seattle; free (206-782-7441).

WED Registered dietician Brian Higginson explains LDL, HDL, triglycerides and effective strategies for managing your cholesterol, registration required. 6:30-8 p.m., Providence Hospice (Center for CardioVascular Wellness), 500 16th Ave., Seattle; $10 (206-386-2502).

Relaxation for pregnancy & birth

THU Get instruction with the practice of visualization, breath awareness, meditation and yoga poses to release tension, registration required. 7:15-8:30 p.m., Seattle Holistic Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., (Room 302), Seattle; $16 (206-525-9035 or www.seattleholisticcenter.com).

Get your guts in gear

FRI-SUN Three-day bike-ride fundraiser to raise awareness about Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and the needs of people with ostomies, preregistration required. Edmonds (start location); (www.ibdride.org/about.php).

Support groups

Parkinson's

TUE Bi-monthly meeting, please register before attending your first meeting. 2-3:30 p.m., Community Center at Mercer View, 8236 S.E. 24th St., Mercer Island (206-230-0166).

Alzheimer's caregivers

WED Information, support and resources for Alzheimer's or dementia caregivers. 1:30-3 p.m., University Congregational Church, 4515 16th Ave. N.E., Seattle; free (206-230-0166).

Burn injury

THU For family members, friends and people recovering from burns. 7-8:30 p.m., Harborview Medical Center (Eighth Floor Conference Room), 325 Ninth Ave., Seattle; free (206-731-8324).

E-mail gethealthy@seattletimes.com, fax 206-464-2239 or mail to Health Calendar, Seattle Times, P.O. Box 1845, Seattle, WA, 98111.