Many Northern and Central California Parkinson’s Disease (PD) support groups meetings have speakers or discussion programs planned in March 2019.  See the list below of what else is happening near you…

Do you need to know the support group 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.

What does it mean if a support group you sometimes attend isn’t listed below?  Generally, it means that there is no speaker at the meeting.  So, it’s an open discussion format.

It might mean that the guest speaker info didn’t arrive from the group in time to be added here.  Or, 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 this list for the group leader’s contact info.)

Happy March,
Robin Riddle

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San Jose/Willow Glen
Friday, 3/1, 10am-noon  (program begins about 10:15am)
Guest Speaker:  Christopher Way, MD, movement disorder specialist, The Parkinson’s Institute, Mountain View
Topic:  Introduction to Parkinson’s treatments
RSVP?:  No.

Aptos (Santa Cruz County)
Saturday, 3/2
“My life is bigger than Parkinson’s” symposium
Note:  The symposium has reached maximum capacity.

Lodi
Monday, 3/4, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Quinn Monsma, Medtronic DBS
Topic:  Update on deep brain stimulation treatment
RSVP?:  No.

San Andreas (Calaveras County)
Tuesday, 3/5, 10am-noon
Program:  Watch “Ten Mountains Ten Years”
RSVP?:  No.

Placerville
Tuesday, 3/5, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Lin Zhang, MD, PhD, movement disorder specialist, UC Davis
Topic:  Apokyn
RSVP?  No.

Roseville
Tuesday, 3/5, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Jerrod Sieberg, DMV Ombudsman
RSVP?:  No.

San Francisco Young Onset PD/UCSF
Tuesday, 3/5, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Cecelia Beam, SF Ballet School, dance instructor for PD dance
RSVP?  Yes to Monica Volz, UCSF, 415-353-7382

Chico
Wednesday, 3/6, 1:30-3pm
Program:  Watch and discuss short videos on depression and sleep
RSVP?:  No.

Brentwood
Wednesday, 3/6, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Lin Zhang, MD, PhD, movement disorder specialist, UC Davis
Topic:  How to go from “off” to “on”
RSVP?:  Yes, as dinner will be provided.  Email group leader.

Redding
Friday, 3/8, 1-3:30pm  (speaker begins at 1:30pm)
Guest Speaker:  Bela Singha, PhD, senior medical science liaison, Lundbeck Pharmaceuticals
Discussion Topic:  Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension
RSVP?:  No.

Clovis (Greater Fresno)
Saturday, 3/9, 10am-noon
Program:  Four discussion groups – men with PD, women with PD, men caregivers, women caregivers
RSVP?:  No.

Pleasanton
Saturday, 3/9, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Carol Fisher, yoga instructor
Topic:  Mindfulness
RSVP?  No.

Santa Rosa (Sonoma County)
Saturday, 3/9, 1-3:15pm  (guest speaker 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker:  Carol Peterson, OT, occupational therapist
Topic:  Assistive devices and home adaptations
Note:  Bring to share/show an aid useful in daily life
RSVP?:  No.

Bakersfield
Tuesday, 3/12, 2-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Jeri Yvonne Williams, MD, movement disorder specialist
Topic:  Effects of certain foods on PD medications
RSVP?:  No.

Union City
Tuesday, 3/12, 2:45-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Gena Lennon, Parkinson’s Foundation
RSVP?:  No.

Pacific Grove (Monterey County)
Tuesday, 3/12, 3-4:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Katie Pietsch, SLP, speech therapist, Montage Wellness
Topic:  Dysphagia and voice disorders in PD
RSVP?:  No.

Palo Alto Young Onset PD/Stanford
Tuesday, 3/12, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Dana Ben-Yehuda
Topic:  Alexander Technique
RSVP?  Yes, if you are a first-time attendee.  RSVP to group leader John Mamin at least 24 hours before the meeting.

Palo Alto/Avenidas
Wednesday, 3/13, 2:30-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Brent Bluett, DO, movement disorder specialist, Stanford
Topic:  Freezing of gait and falls prevention in PD and other movement disorders
Note:  New location (Avenidas, 450 Bryant, Palo Alto) and new start time (2:30pm)
RSVP?  No.

Stockton
Thursday, 3/14, 1:30-3pm
Speaker:  Representative from Bone Store, Stockton
Topic:  Assistive devices
RSVP?:  No.

Walnut Creek (Mt. Diablo)
Saturday, 3/16, 10am-noon  (speakers begin at 10:45am)
Guest Speaker #1:  Debbie Sternbach, Dance Moves Me
Guest Speaker #2:  Lori Santo, Rock Steady Boxing East Bay
RSVP?:  No.

Sacramento Post-Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)/Kaiser
Monday, 3/18, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Occupational therapist
Topics:  Hobbies, crafts, handwriting, and computer skills
RSVP?:  Yes, required.  Kaiser Neuroscience, 916-973-6860

Lincoln
Tuesday, 3/19, 10-11am
Guest Speaker:  Kelly Ward, FallProof balance and mobility specialist
Topic:  Fall prevention
RSVP?:  No.

Elk Grove
Wednesday, 3/20, 10-11:30am
Guest Speaker:  Fran Mironchik
Topic:  Movement and music with Parkinson’s
RSVP?:  No.

Modesto
Wednesday, 3/20, 1:30-3:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Joyce Gandelman, Esquire, executive director, Senior Advocacy Network – Senior Law Project
RSVP?:  No.

Sacramento/Arden Arcade
Thursday, 2/21, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Dr. Robert Sullivan, medical cannabis evaluator
Topic:  Q&A on medical cannabis
RSVP?:  No.

Palo Alto Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)/Stanford
Thursday, 3/21, 11am-12:45pm
Guest Speaker:  Helen Bronte-Stewart, MD, movement disorder specialist, Stanford
Topic:  DBS overview – who, when, and why
RSVP?:  Yes, required as lunch will be provided.  RSVP by 3/19 to Steven Russell, Stanford, phone 650-995-6379.

Mill Valley (Marin County)
Friday, 3/22, 1-3pm  (guest speaker 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker:  Maya Katz, MD, movement disorder specialist, UCSF
Topic:  Scientific updates on PD
RSVP?:  No.