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

Alert!  If your support group doesn’t have an email reminder list and there have been power outages (or fire evacuations) in your area, it’s a good idea to confirm that the group is meeting in November with the group leader.  At least one group (Santa Rosa) has cancelled its November meeting.

One other special support group note:  The Palo Alto group has changed locations to a new venue downtown.  The November 13th meeting is in the new Palo Alto location. 

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.  These open discussion group meetings are not part of this email list. 

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.)No falling in the fall (autumn),

No falling in the fall (autumn),
Robin Riddle
parkinsons.stanford.edu
**********************

San Jose – Willow Glen
Friday, 11/1, 10am-noon  (program begins about 10:15am)
Program:  Breakout sessions — PwP and caregivers.  Plus a brief visit by some Stanford students about research into a wearable to reduce freezing.
RSVP?:  No.

Lodi
Monday, 11/4, 10am-noon  
Guest Speaker:  Judy Lewis, LMFT, family therapist
Topic:  Managing stress during the holidays
RSVP?:  No.

Placerville
Tuesday, 11/5, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Peggy Kline, MFT, family therapist, private practice, South Bay
Topic:  Overcoming depression and anxiety using cognitive behavioral therapy
RSVP?:  No.

Roseville
Tuesday, 11/5, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Angela Wise, account manager, US WorldMeds
Topic:  Three PD medications
RSVP?:  No.

San Francisco YOPD (Young Onset PD)/UCSF
Tuesday, 11/5, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Andreea Seritan, MD, psychiatrist, UCSF
Program:  Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.  Best to be in an “on” state so you can relax during brief demonstration.
RSVP?:  Yes to Monica Volz 

Chico
Wednesday, 11/6, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speakers:  Erica Petersen, Butte Home Health & Hospice, and Renee VanEk, Country Village
Topic:  Respite care options – in-home care and social day care
RSVP?:  No.

Soquel (Santa Cruz County)
Wednesday, 11/6, 2-3:30pm
Guest Speakers:  Brian and Lily Reedy
Topic:  Positivity in the face of adversity
RSVP?:  No.

Carmichael YOPD (Young Onset PD)
Wednesday, 11/6, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Denise Dempsey
Topic:  Mindfulness meditation
RSVP?:  No.

Redding
Friday, 11/8, 1-3:30pm  (1:30-3pm speaker)
Guest Speaker:  Khashayar Dashtipour, MD, movement disorder specialist, Loma Linda University, Murrietta
Topic:  Off times with PD
RSVP?:  No.

Eureka
Friday, 11/8, 3-4pm  (Note new meeting location)
Speaker:  Laura, RN, Humboldt Patient Resource Center
Topic:  Management of PD with natural therapies (diet, herbs, essential oils, and exercise)
RSVP?:  No.

Clovis (Greater Fresno)
Saturday, 11/9, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Representative from Amneal Pharmaceuticals
Topic:  PD medication
RSVP?:  No.

Pleasanton
Saturday, 11/9, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker #1:  Jeanie Slater, family caregiver support coordinator, Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley, Pleasanton
Topic #1:  Assessments, care planning, resource referrals, counseling, and support groups
Guest Speaker #2:  Lori O’Sullivan, caregiver registry administrator, Senior Support Program of the Tri-Valley, Pleasanton
Topic #2:  Home care providers
RSVP?:  No.

Berkeley Forum
Saturday, 11/9, 10:30am-12:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Chad Christine, MD, neurologist, UCSF
Topic:  Primer on clinical trials to advance Parkinson’s treatment
RSVP?:  Not required but helpful to PD Active, 510-479-6119, or online 
Note:  $10 suggested donation

Auburn
Tuesday, 11/12, 11:30am-1pm
Guest Speaker:  Pinky Agarwal, MD, neurologist, University of Washington, Seattle
Topic:  Movement problems in PD
RSVP?:  No.

Bakersfield (Kern County)
Tuesday, 11/9, 2-4pm 
Guest Speaker:  Deb McCormack, PD exercise coach, Bakersfield
Topic:  Learning chair exercises
RSVP?:  No.

San Andreas (Calaveras County)
Tuesday, 11/12, 10am-noon  (special meeting day in November)
Guest Speaker:  Teresa Dellorto, speech therapist, Sonora Regional Hospital
RSVP?:  No.

Pacific Grove (Monterey County)
Tuesday, 11/12, 3-4:30pm
Program:  Discussion groups – those with PD and caregivers
RSVP?:  No.   

Palo Alto YOPD/Stanford Children’s Hospital
Tuesday, 11/12, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Brent Bluett, MD, movement disorder specialist, Stanford
Topic:  Status of PD research – is there hope?
RSVP?:  If you are a newcomer to this meeting, please RSVP by Monday, 11/11 to John Mamin, phone/text 650-248-7363

Palo Alto/Channing House  (new meeting location!)
Wednesday, 11/13, 2:30-4pm
Program:  PD exercise and movement.  Wear comfortable clothes for standing or seated exercise.
Presenter #1:  Rupali Vyas, DPT, neurologic clinic specialist in physical therapy, Congruence Physical Therapy & Wellness
Exercise #1:  PWR!  Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery demonstration class
Presenter #2:  Dana Ben-Yehuda, Alexander Technique expert and ballroom dancer, private practice, Mountain View
Movement #2:  Better posture in motion for PDPresenters #3:  Alex Paz, coach, and Cherry Tuck, fighter with PD, Rock Steady Boxing Silicon ValleyExercise #3:  Rock Steady Boxing for PD
RSVP?:  No

Sonoma
Thursday, 11/14, 10-11am
Program:  Discussion on emergency preparedness for people with PD
RSVP?:  No.

Stockton
Thursday, 11/14, 1:30-3pm
Program:  Using “Five Wishes” to create advance care directives
RSVP?:  No.

Walnut Creek (Mt. Diablo)
Saturday, 11/16, 10am-noon  (speaker begins at 10:45am)
Guest Speaker:  Lena Hart, Alexander Technique, private practice, Walnut Creek and San Francisco
RSVP?:  No.

Sacramento Post-Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)/Kaiser
Monday, 11/18, 10am-noon
Topic:  PD as a chronic illness – living your best life
RSVP?:  Yes, required to Kaiser, phone 916-973-6860

Union City
Tuesday, 11/19, 2:45-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Salima Brillman, MD, movement disorder specialist
Topic:  Non-motor symptoms in PD with an emphasis on anxiety and depression
RSVP?:  No.

Merced
Wednesday, 11/20, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Gena Lennon, development manager, Parkinson’s Foundation
Topic:  Parkinson’s Foundation and Moving Day Fresno
RSVP?:  No.

Mountain View Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Wednesday, 11/20, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Salima Brillman, MD, movement disorder specialist
Topic:  Novel directions in the management of PD
RSVP?:  Yes, preferred to PPSG

Davis
Thursday, 11/21, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Khashayar Dashtipour, MD, PhD, movement disorder specialist, Loma Linda University, Murrietta
Topic:  New PD medication and non-motor symptoms
RSVP?:  No.

Mill Valley (Marin County)
Friday, 11/22, 1-3pm  (program is 1-2pm)
Program:  Sound healing music with Bodhi Setchko, Fairfax
RSVP?:  No.

Woodland
Tuesday, 11/26, 1-2:30pm
Program:  Highlights and take-aways from PANC conference
RSVP?:  No.