N. Arundel hospital names Tolner chief of neurosurgery

North Arundel Hospital has announced the appointment of Dr. David Tolner as chief of the sub-department of neurosurgery. Tolner will be responsible for overseeing neurosurgery care in the operating room and on the patient floors, and overseeing equipment used by his department. He will also coordinate the call schedule for the hospital's four neurosurgeons.

Tolner is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his residency in neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital in 1984. In addition to his duties at North Arundel, Tolner is an instructor of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital and an assistant clinical professor of neurosurgery at the University of Maryland Medical System. He lives in Pasadena.

Program alerts children to hazards of cigarettes

Lydia Park of Pasadena, a senior at North East High School, and Kierstyn Francois of Landover, a senior at the University of Maryland, are using games and quizzes to teach children at local camp and playground sites about the dangers of cigarettes. Working with the Anne Arundel County Department of Health's Learn to Live cancer-prevention campaign, they hope to reach more than 1,700 young people this summer.

The young women are presenting their "Smoking Stinks" program through the first week of next month to elementary and middle school children at more than 42 local camps and playgrounds sponsored by the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Departments of Recreation and Parks, and at several private camps.

Children play trivia and wheel-of-fortune games by answering questions about the dangers of tobacco taken from the Department of Health's Smoking Stinks Web site, http://smokingstinks-aaco.org. The campaign promotes lifestyle choices that reduce cancer risk, including avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthful diet and practicing sun safety. Information: 410-222-7979.

Red Cross offers CPR, first aid classes

The Central Maryland chapter of the American Red Cross will offer courses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid at several sites in the county. Classes will be taught at Severna Park United Methodist Church, 731 Benfield Blvd.; St. Philips Episcopal Church, 730 Bestgate Road, Annapolis; Edgewater Red Cross, 3475 Pike Ridge Road.

"Adult CPR" focuses on emergency action, rescue-breathing, anti-choking procedures and rescue for victims age 8 and older. The course is scheduled from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. tomorrow in Edgewater. The cost is $35.

"Standard First Aid" includes instruction for one-rescuer CPR for victims older than age 8, and basic first-aid skills such as treatment of severe bleeding and burns, injuries, shock and sudden illness. The course will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow in Edgewater. The cost is $40. Registration for courses is on a first-come, first-served basis. Payment is required at registration. Information: 410-764-4609.

North Arundel Hospital plans parenthood classes

North Arundel Hospital is offering free classes on childbirth and early childcare:

"Motherhood Experience," 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 12 and 26, is for women who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant. The classes include a tour of the birthing facility, tips for reducing risks during pregnancy and delivery and planning for childbirth.

"Maybe Baby Preconception Counseling," 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 7, helps parents prepare for conception and discusses prenatal care.

"Baby Care Basics," 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 13, provides answers to common questions asked by new parents.

Classes will be held at the Special Beginnings Birth and Women's Center, 1454 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd. in Arnold. 410-686-8982.

Calendar

Disability workshop: A free Social Security disability workshop will be offered from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Annapolis branch library, 1410 West St. The workshop is for first-time applicants and those who are reapplying. Information: 410-266-7941.

Pulmonary function: North Arundel Hospital will offer pulmonary function screenings from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Marley Station mall. 410- 787-4367.

Hospital tour: Harbor Hospital's Women's and Infants' Program will offer a tour of the hospital's labor and delivery area at 1 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Aug. 7 Registration is required. 410- 350-8255.

Cancer support: North Arundel Hospital will hold a meeting for women undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday in the hospital's Radiology Conference Room, on the lower level. 410-721-4304.

Blood drive: A blood drive will be held by Laurel Regional Hospital and the American Red Cross from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 6 in the hospital's J.R. Jones Conference Room, 7300 Van Dusen Road. Appointments are requested, but walk-ins will be accepted. 410-792-2270, Ext. 77950.

Aromatherapy:A two-session aromatherapy class will be offered from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 13 and 20 on the second floor of the Sajak Pavilion of Anne Arundel Medical Center, off Jennifer Road at the AAMC Medical Park campus. The fee for the series is $40. In the first session, participants will learn about aromatherapy as a stress reducer and learn to create a basic aromatherapy kit featuring seven common essential oils for personal use. The second session will cover plants that can be easily cultivated to make essential oils and how to make products for personal use. 443- 481-4000.

Surgical weight loss group: North Arundel Hospital will hold its next Surgical Weight Loss Support Group meeting at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12 on the third floor of Padussis Conference Center. 410-787-4367.

Epilepsy Support: A free epilepsy support group will begin in September. Nancy Timer, 410- 266-7941.

Colorectal screenings:Life Screen Colorectal Cancer Program is offering free screenings to qualified county residents ages 50 to 64 who meet the program's income and insurance requirements. 410-222-7979.

Crime avoidance: The Red Cross offers a crime-avoidance class. The interactive course emphasizes security awareness; tough-target strategies; safety while walking, driving, taking public transportation or using an automated teller machine; and responding to threatening situations. The cost is $9.95. Instructors are available to teach the course to groups at a convenient time and place. A minimum of 10 participants is required to schedule a session. Michael Brooks, 410-764-7000, Ext. 7235.

Infant care, safety: Harbor Hospital will offer an infant care and safety class from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday and Aug. 17 in the hospital's LifeResource Center Room A. The cost is $25. Registration required. 410-350- 8255.

Blood pressure screenings: North Arundel Hospital will offer blood pressure screenings at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11 and 25 at Harundale Presbyterian Church, Eastway and Guilford roads in Glen Burnie. 410-787-4367.

Foot care: Harbor Hospital will offer foot-care tips at 1:30 p.m. Aug. 23 in the hospital's LifeResource Center. 410-350-8255.

Stress management: North Arundel Hospital offers a stress-management guide for county residents. 410-787-4367.

Childbirth refresher: Harbor Hospital will present a childbirth refresher class from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 20 at the hospital's LifeResource Center. The cost is $35. Registration required. 410-350-8255.

Sun safety: Guidelines for year-round sun safety are being offered in the county Department of Health's Learn To Live Notes. 410-222-7979.

Fat-free recipes: The county Department of Health offers a free set of "Light and Luscious" summer dessert recipes that are low in fat and include moderate amounts of sugar. 410-222-7979.