Happy fall to everyone!  But, please, no falls this month…

Many Northern and Central California Parkinson’s support groups have
guest speakers or programs planned for October 2015.  Here’s what’s
happening at a support group near you.

Do you need to know the meeting location, day/time, contact info, and
how to RSVP if required?  Please refer to the Stanford Parkinson’s
website for all Northern and Central California support groups:

Stanford Parkinson’s website

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.  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.)

Happy October,
Robin Riddle

**********************

San Jose/Willow Glen
Friday, 10/2, 10-11:45am  (guest speaker starts about 10:10am)
Guest Speaker:  Kathleen Poston, MD, movement disorder specialist, Stanford
Topic:  To be determined – audience choice
RSVP?:  No.

Visalia
Friday, 10/2, 10:30am-noon
Program:  “Daily Living with Parkinson’s” video
RSVP?:  No.

Santa Rosa (Sonoma County)
Saturday, 10/3, 1-3:15pm  (guest speaker from 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker:  Kathleen Poston, MD, movement disorder specialist, Stanford
Topic:  Managing Non-Motor Symptoms of PD
RSVP?:  No.

Lodi
Monday, 10/5, 10-11am
Guest Speaker:  Sheri Adams, deputy district attorney, San Joaquin
District Attorney’s Office
Topics:  Safety and avoiding fraud
RSVP?:  No.

Placerville
Tuesday, 10/6, 1:30-3pm
Discussion Topic:  Exercise
RSVP?:  No.

San Francisco/Kaiser
Tuesday, 10/6, 4:30-6pm
Guest Speaker:  Susie Fazlollahi, account executive, AbbVie
Topic:  Duopa – a new Parkinson’s treatment
RSVP?:  No.

Soquel (Santa Cruz County)
Wednesday, 10/7, 1-2:30pm
Discussion Topic:  Everything you want to know about Parkinson’s and
aren’t afraid to ask
RSVP?:  No.

Chico
Wednesday, 10/7, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Megan Elliot, Rhythmix Dance
RSVP?:  No.

Stockton
Thursday, 10/8, 1:30-3pm
Discussion Topic:  Safety at home, in our cars, and out and about
RSVP?:  No.

Redding
Friday, 10/9, 1-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Judy Chambers, SLP, speech therapist, Redding
Topic:  Sound therapy
RSVP?:  No.

Fresno
Saturday, 10/10, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Robert Howk, senior senator, California Senior Legislature
Topic:  Changing laws that effect Parkinson’s patients
RSVP?:  No.

Gilroy
Monday, 10/12, 1-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Steven Russell, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach
Program
Topics:  Local and national resources for exercises, driving and PD, and
medication
RSVP?:  No.

Lakeport
Monday, 10/12, 2-3:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Maritess Canlas, RD, general manager of food and
nutrition services, Sutter Lakeside Hospital
Topic:  Nutrition Management of PD
RSVP?:  No.

Auburn PD Caregivers
Tuesday, 10/13, Noon
Guest Speaker:  Shannon Vitro, MSW, social worker, Healing Grace
Topic:  Suicide Prevention – Question, Persuade, Refer
RSVP?:  No.

Bakersfield (Kern County)
Tuesday, 10/13, 2-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Dawn, physical therapist, Terrio Fitness
RSVP?:  No.

Pacific Grove (Monterey County)
Tuesday, 10/13, 3-4:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Martin Skerritt, LCSW, social worker, CHOMP Behavioral
Health, Monterey
Topic:  Depression and PD
RSVP?:  No.

Palo Alto YOPD (Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease)
Tuesday, 10/13, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Casey Halpern, MD, neurosurgeon, Stanford
Topics:  Overview of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and What’s On the Horizon
RSVP?:  Yes, preferred if this is your first time.  Email group leader
Martha Gardner, mgapda@gmail.com

Palo Alto/Avenidas
Wednesday, 10/14, 2-3:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Melanie Lising, MD, movement disorder specialist, Stanford
Topic:  Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) – Everything you always wanted to know
RSVP?:  No.

Davis
Thursday, 10/15, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Ted Skiera, RN, Yolo Hospice
Topic:  End-of-life issues common to PD patients
RSVP?:  No.

Merced
Thursday, 10/15, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Erin Keeney, SLP, speech therapist
Topic:  Speech, language, and swallowing
RSVP?:  No.

Walnut Creek
Saturday, 10/17, 9am-noon
Program for first hour:  Divide into two groups – Parkinsonians and
caregivers
Program from 10:40am-noon:  Divide into three groups – Parkinsonians,
caregivers, deep brain stimulation
RSVP?:  No.

Antioch
Saturday, 10/17, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Katie Innes, community outreach manager, MyParkinsonsTeam
RSVP?:  No.

Lincoln
Tuesday, 10/20, 10-11am
Guest Speaker:  Diane Houlton, gerontologist, Aging Plan-it, Roseville
Topics:  Light and sleep
RSVP?:  No.

Auburn
Tuesday, 10/20, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Christine Grmolyes, Senior Care Solutions, Fair Oaks
Topics:  Preparing and advocating for your loved one’s medical care
RSVP?:  No.

San Francisco/VA
Tuesday, 10/20, 4-5:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Maya Katz, MD
Topic:  Update on management of dyskinesias
RSVP?:  No.

San Jose/The Villages
Tuesday, 10/20, 2-3:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Berna Sanayei, DDS, dentist, San Jose
Topics:  Oral and dental care for all persons taking medications, especially Parkinson’s medications
RSVP?:  Yes, required if you are not a resident of The Villages.  Contact group leader, Alice, 408-223-8033, at least one day in advance
Note:  October meeting location is Vineyard Center

Sunnyvale DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation)
Wednesday, 10/21, 1:30-3:30pm
Speaker:  Representative from Isha Foundation, San Francisco
Program:  Audience participation in meditation and yoga for those with
limited mobility
RSVP?:  No.

Sacramento Post-DBS (Deep Brain Stimulation) at UC Davis
Wednesday, 10/21, 2:30-4:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Ruth Rosenberg, Pamela Trokanski Dance Workshop, Davis
Program:  Audience participation in dance therapy
RSVP?:  Yes, required.  Contact Karla Lindstrom, UCD, 916-734-6282,
karla.lindstrom@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu

Napa YOPD (Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease)
Sunday, 10/25, 3-5pm  (guest speaker 4-5pm)
Guest Speaker:  Herb Heinz, PD Active, Berkeley
Topics:  Empowerment and Community – PD Active programs and personal stories
RSVP?:  No.

Fremont
Monday, 10/26, 7-9:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Karen Marshall, Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL)
Topic:  Gadgets
RSVP?:  No.

Mill Valley (Marin County)
Tuesday, 10/27, 1-3pm  (guest speaker is 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker:  Anupan Pathak, engineer, Liftware, Mountain View
Topic:  Lift spoon
RSVP?:  No.