While most Northern and Central California Parkinson’s Disease (PD) support groups have holiday parties or are not meeting in December, a few groups do have meetings with speakers or programs.  See the list below of what is happening near you… 

Two special notes:  The Palo Alto group (meeting on December 11th) has changed locations to a new venue downtown, as of a couple of months ago.  And there’s a quarterly DBS support group meeting at Stanford this month (meeting on December 19th).

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?  For December, that usually means the group is not meeting or is having a holiday party.  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.)

Stay warm and dry,
Robin Riddle
parkinsons.stanford.edu

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San Francisco YOPD (Young Onset PD)/UCSF
Tuesday, 12/3, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Prarthana Prakash, MD, neurology fellow, UCSF
Topic:  PD sub-types
RSVP?:  Yes, to Monica Volz.

Chico
Wednesday, 12/4, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Megan Willi, speech/language pathologist, CSU Chico
Topic:  LSVT LOUD – update and demonstration
RSVP?:  No.

Carmichael YOPD (Young Onset PD)
Wednesday, 12/4, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Angela Leahy, clinical pharmacist, Sutter
Topic:  Current treatment and future therapies with PD medications
RSVP?:  No.

San Jose – Willow Glen
Friday, 12/6, 10am-noon  (program begins about 10:15am)
Guest Speaker:  Sharon Jung, NP, Puget Sound Neurology, Tacoma
Topic:  Management of off-episodes using Apokyn
RSVP?:  No.

Half Moon Bay
Friday, 12/6, 12:15-1:15pm  (special time for December only)
Guest Speaker:  Randy Hoffman, speech/language pathologist, Palo Alto Speech
Topic:  Speech and swallowing issues in PD
RSVP?:  No.

Napa YOPD (Young Onset PD) – all ages welcome
Saturday, 12/8, 3-5pm
Holiday party plus
Guest Speaker:  Winslow Rouse, tai chi instructor
Topic:  Tai chi and PD
RSVP?:  Yes, to Kathay Smith.

Palo Alto/Channing House  (new meeting location!)
Wednesday, 12/11, 2:30-4pm
Program:  Discussion groups of those with PD and caregivers.  Facilitated by Sydney Fergason, Rock Steady Boxing Bay Area, and  others.  Plus fun (!) brain games and food.
RSVP?:  No.

Sonoma
Thursday, 12/12, 10-11am
Guest Speaker:  Jeff Solomon, Boston Scientific
Topic:  Deep brain stimulation (DBS)
RSVP?:  No.

Eureka
Friday, 12/13, 3-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Glenda Hesseltine, Humboldt Patient Resource Center
Topic:  Tai chi for PD and pain management
RSVP?:  No.

Woodland
Tuesday, 12/17, 1-2:30pm  (special day for December only)
Guest Speaker:  Dr. Gerred PopeJoy, Nordic Walking Nations, Fair Oaks
Topic:  Nordic pole walking for people with PD
RSVP?:  Required as seating limited.  RSVP to Bernadette Murray, phone 530-661-1950.

Palo Alto Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)/Stanford
Thursday, 12/19, 11am lunch available, 11:30am-12:45pm program
Panel Discussion about DBS with two people with PD who have had DBS and one caregiver to someone who has had DBS
RSVP?:  Required by noon on Tuesday 12/17 to Steven Russell, Stanford, phone 650-995-6379.  Indicate how many in your party.  Lunch is provided.

Davis
Thursday, 12/19, 1:30-3pm
Program:  A music director will demonstrate warm-up techniques for voice strengthening
RSVP?:  No.

Walnut Creek (Mt. Diablo)
Saturday, 12/21, 10-11:45am  (program begins at 10:30am)
Guest Speaker:  Robert Cochrane, PhD student in kinesiology, UNLV
Topic:  Improv to improve PD
Plus holiday party
RSVP?:  No.