Some Northern and Central California Parkinson’s support groups have interesting speakers or programs lined up for December 2013.  Plus I snuck in one Michael J. Fox Foundation event that sounds like a great way for those with PD and “normal controls” to learn about clinical trials and research studies going on in Northern California (Stanford, SF VA, The Parkinson’s Institute, UC Berkeley, UCSF).

For support group meeting location, day/time, contact info, and RSVP details (if an RSVP is required or requested) for all Northern and Central CA support groups, see the Stanford Parkinson’s webpage.

What does it mean if a support group you sometimes attend isn’t listed below?  It might mean that the group doesn’t have its regular meeting this month, or the group is having a social event (very likely in December).  Or it might mean that this month’s meeting doesn’t have a guest speaker.  Or it might mean that the guest speaker info didn’t arrive from the group in time to be added here.  Last but not least, it could mean that I messed up.  If you are not a regular attendee of a group, it’s always a good idea to call the group leader to confirm the meeting!  (See the link above for the group leader’s contact info.)

Robin
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Placerville
Tuesday, 12/3, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Perry McManus, nutritional consultant
Topic:  Nutrition Can Make A Difference In Your Health
RSVP?:  No.

Eureka
Thursday, 12/5, 1-2pm   (Special day/time for this December meeting only)
Guest Speaker:  David Filippi, MD, neurologist, CoastNeuro, Pismo Beach
RSVP?:  No.

San Jose – Willow Glen
Friday, 12/6, 10am-noon  (speaker starts about 10:20am)
Guest Speaker:  Jim Fowler, musician
Topic:  Applying music as therapy for Parkinson’s patients
RSVP?:  No.

Ft. Bragg
Friday, 12/6, 2-3pm
Program:  Conversation with Ft. Bragg Police Chief
RSVP?:  No.

El Dorado Hills
Tuesday, 12/10, noon-2pm
Guest Speaker:  Erin Vestal, PT, DPT, NCS, physical therapist, Kaiser Rehabilitation Services, Roseville
Topics:  Exercise, physical therapy, and BalanceWear products for Parkinson’s patients
RSVP?:  No.

Palo Alto
Wednesday, 12/11, 2-3:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Wendy Lynn, OTR/L, occupational therapist, Farewell to Falls Program, Stanford Hospital & Clinics
Topic:  Fall Prevention — In and Out of Your Home
RSVP?:  No.

Oakland
Thursday, 12/12, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Matt Arnold, MD, movement disorder specialist, Sutter East Bay
Topic:  Wellness and Parkinson’s Disease
RSVP?:  No.

Millbrae
Thursday, 12/12, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  John Berdoulay, PT, physical therapist and creator of PD exercise class in Redwood City
Topic:  Parkinson’s and Exercise
RSVP?:  No.

San Francisco – Michael J. Fox Foundation Clinical Trials Fair
Saturday, 12/14, 8:30am-1pm, W Hotel
8:30am registration, 9am panel, 11am panel, visit researcher tables in between panels and until 1pm
Stanford’s Kathleen Poston, MD, movement disorder specialist, is on the 9am panel
Researchers from Stanford, SF VA, The Parkinson’s Institute, UC Berkeley, UCSF
Register at michaeljfox.org/sftrialsfair by Tuesday, 12/10
No charge for parking, if you pre-register
Refreshments provided (but I don’t think it’ll be a full breakfast or lunch)

San Jose – The Villages
Tuesday, 12/17, 2-3:30pm
Program:  Neil Tantingco, VideoCare, Cupertino, giving a demonstration of the VideoCare system
RSVP?:  Required if you are not a resident of The Villages.  Contact group leader in advance about access.