Blood donations

The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Region of the American Red Cross is requesting blood donations. Eligible donors can call 800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule an appointment. Platelet donors should call 800-272-2123.

Healthy Families gets grant

The Columbia Foundation has awarded a $1,500 grant to the Healthy Families Howard County program at Howard County General Hospital. HFHC is a free and voluntary program for first-time parents. It assists with community resources and offers support to ease the parents' transition through pregnancy and into the first five years of parenthood. Qualifying participants can opt to receive home visits and referrals from Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland.

Calendar

Volunteers needed: The organizing committee for Relay for Life needs volunteers. This overnight event June 4 and 5 is designed to celebrate cancer survivorship and raise money for the American Cancer Society. For information, call Jason Copley at 410-781-4316, e-mail hcrelay@hotmail.com or go to howardrfl.com.

Education programs: Howard County General Hospital will feature the following community education programs. Space is limited; registration is required. Unless otherwise noted, all programs will be held at the HCGH Wellness Center's Medical Pavilion, 10710 Charter Drive, Suite 100, Columbia. To register, call 410-740-7601 or register online at hcgh.org.

* Shiatsu massage for couples: upper body techniques 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and lower body techniques, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 29. $50 per couple per class or $90 per couple for both classes.

* Happiest baby on the block: Learn soothing techniques to quiet your crying newborn, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 13. $50 per couple includes parent kits.

* Prenatal class for early pregnancy, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 20. Learn about the early stages of pregnancy and understand the physical changes, your baby's growth and easy ways to support your pregnancy. Free.

Clinical trial: A clinical trial of the effects of culinary herbs on brain function will be studied at Tai Sophia Institute, 7750 Montpelier Road, Laurel. The study begins in January and runs through February. Participants must be between the ages of 65 and 90 and nonsmokers in a stable state of general health. Volunteers will consume a tomato drink containing a randomly assigned amount of the herbs being investigated and complete computer-based tests and questionnaires. All the herbs are commonly found in grocery stores, and there are no legal, social or psychological risks involved with the study. To sign up, call 410-888-9048, ext. 6711.

Also, the institute will offer free wellness programs in January, including.

* 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 12, powerful practices for everyday life.

* 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 13, healthy eating for a busy life.

* 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 14, discussion and demonstration of traditional acupuncture for health and healing.

* 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jan 19, Qi Gong: Dance of the Phoenix. This Taoist health and longevity exercise has been practiced for thousand of years in China.