Birth center to offer classes in parenthood, conception, baby care

Special Beginnings Birth and Women's Center will offer free parenthood classes next month at the center, 1454 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd. in Arnold. The classes are:

"Motherhood Experience," 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday and Dec. 16. The class will include a tour of the birthing facility, information about reducing risks during pregnancy and delivery, and tips on planning the childbirth experience.

"Maybe Baby Preconception Counseling," 6:30 p.m. to 8 :30 p.m. Dec. 4. The class will offer advice to couples who are considering having a child. Basic information on preparing for conception and prenatal care options will be discussed.

"Baby Care Basics," from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 10. This class will provide answers to questions such as how to stop a baby from crying and how to tell if the baby is hungry or sick. Registration. 410-626-8982.

Hospital offers screenings at Arundel Mills storefront

North Arundel Hospital will offer services and health activities this month at its Arundel Mills storefront, between mall entrance No. 4 and Jillian's.

Monday, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., representatives from the hospital's knee center will answer questions about arthritis; Special Beginnings Birth and Women's Center will offer blood pressure and anemia screenings from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and story hour for parents and children will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 3, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., free blood pressure screenings.

Dec. 4, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., foot screenings.

Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., blood pressure screenings. The Department of Aging will provide information about its services and answer questions.

Dec. 17, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., blood pressure screenings.

Dec. 17., 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., foot screenings; and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., blood pressure and pulse oximetry screenings.

Dec. 19, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., blood pressure and lung capacity screenings; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., blood pressure screenings.

Dec. 20, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., neck and back screenings.

Dec. 23, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., blood pressure screenings. 410-787-4000.

Hospital seeks assistance with Santa's Helper List

Volunteer Services of Crownsville Hospital Center is seeking groups, businesses and individuals to assist with its Santa's Helper List.

Help is needed in seven areas: Holiday Adoption Program, Cash Donation Program, Movie Madness, Holiday Extravaganza, Holiday Spectacular, Holiday Gift Giving and Big Ticket Item.

The hospital center provides inpatient care to patients ages 12 to 95 with psychiatric disabilities.

Information: 410-729-6517.

Medical center auxiliary announces new officers

The Anne Arundel Medical Center auxiliary has announced the election of new officers.

They are: Kathy Clabby of Edgewater, president; Judy Hall of Severna Park, first vice president; Becky Quattelbaum of Annapolis, second vice president; and Anne E. Sentman, third vice president.

The auxiliary, an all-volunteer group of 900 men and women, welcomes visitors, delivers flowers, makes baby clothes and assists patients' families. They also work in the Clothes Box, a consignment store in the Sajak Pavilion; a gift shop in the Acute Care Pavilion; and a Business Center in the Clatanoff Pavilion that offers computer, fax and e-mail access to the public.

Red Cross seeks volunteers as aides in blood drives

The Red Cross is seeking volunteer drivers to assist medical staff at area blood drives by transporting collected donations to laboratory headquarters in Baltimore. Drivers also are expected to transport other volunteers to work at blood drives between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, hold a Maryland driver's license, and have a good driving record, two years' driving experience and a knowledge of the Baltimore area.

They must be able to lift 30 pounds, and be able to follow directions and maps throughout Central Maryland.

Reliability and punctuality are essential.

The Red Cross will provide training.

Information: 410-764-4602.

Calendar

Foot screenings: North Arundel Hospital offers free services at its Arundel Mills storefront, between Jillian's and mall entrance No. 4. Foot screenings will be offered from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday. 410-787-4000.

Volunteers sought: Volunteers are being sought by Harbor Hospital to assist staff with services for patients, their families and visitors. Adults who enjoy working with others and want to share their time and talents are encouraged to join the hospital's volunteer staff. 410- 350-3478.

Cancer detection: Anne Arundel County Health Department advises all county residents older than age 50 to undergo a colonoscopy to detect colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. County residents older than age 64 who are not eligible for Medicare or are only covered by Part A of Medicare benefits are eligible for free screenings. 410-222- 6640.

Bereavement counseling: Hospice of the Chesapeake's Spiritual and Bereavement Care Center offers one-on-one counseling for people grieving the loss of the loved one. Counselors are available for short-term counseling for individuals and families. The cost is $20, except for families of patients who received care from the hospice. 410-987-9129.

Cancer care: North Arundel Hospital offers a monthly program for women undergoing chemotherapy, "Look Good ... Feel Better." The next session will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday in the hospital's Radiology Conference Room, on the lower level. Reservations are required. 410-721-4304.

Healing touch: Anne Arundel Medical Center will offer a two-part class, "Introduction to Healing Touch," from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 4 and 11 in Room 250 of the center's Sajak Pavilion. Healing Touch is a holistic approach to influencing the body's energy system. The cost is $45. Registration is required. 443-481-4000.

Life after HRT: A panel of specialists from Anne Arundel Medical Center will discuss problems faced by women after they discontinue hormone replacement therapy from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 5 in the second floor auditorium of the Sajak Pavilion. Registration. 443-481- 4000.

Holistic workshop: A symposium on holistic medicine, featuring 36 workshops and presentations and 20 vendors, will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7 at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold. Registration. 410-777-2325 (request program booklet CSS 561).

Surgical weight loss: North Arundel Hospital's Surgical Weight Loss Support Group will meet at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9 in the hospital's Dr. Constantine Padussis Conference Center, on the third floor. Appointments are required. 410-787-4367.

Acupuncture: Anne Arundel Medical Center will offer a class on acupuncture from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 10 in Room 250 of the hospital's Sajak Pavilion. The cost is $15. 443-481-4000.

Aromatherapy: Anne Arundel Medical Center will hold a two-session course in aromatherapy from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19 in Room 250 of the hospital's Sajak Pavilion. The cost is $40. 443-481-4000.

Blood donors: Anne Arundel Medical Center has selected "Be a Double Donor" as the theme for its campaign to attract blood donors to alleviate traditional shortages during the holiday season. Donors giving twice before Jan. 31 will receive a mug. Appointments: 443-481-4215.

Cholesterol screenings: North Arundel Hospital will offer cholesterol screenings from 9 a.m., to 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Arundel Mills storefront between mall entrance No. 4 and Jillian's. Appointments are not needed, and fasting is not required. 410-787- 4367.

Health publications: North Arundel Hospital offers free health publications on topics including hip and knee replacement; childbirth; treatment and prevention of sports injuries; treatment of nonhealing wounds; cancer prevention, detection and treatment; dieting; 911 emergencies for children and baby sitters; and advance directives. 410-787-4367.

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

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

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

Colorectal screenings: The county Health Department's LifeScreen 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.