Many Northern and Central California Parkinson’s Disease (PD) support groups have meetings with guest speakers or programs in March.  See the list below…

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?  Most likely it means that the group is having an open discussion (so no speaker or special program).  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.)

Best,
Robin Riddle
parkinsons.stanford.edu

**********************
Lodi
Monday, 3/2, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Pinky Agarwal, MD, movement disorder specialist, University of Washington
Topic:  Recognizing off-periods (and using Inbrija)
RSVP?:  No.

Kentfield
Monday, 3/2, 3-4:30pm
Guest Speaker:  Lisa Oei, DPT, PD-Connect
Topic:  What is Parkinson’s-specific exercise and how does it change your body and mind
RSVP?:  No.

San Andreas (Calaveras, Amador, and Tuolomne Counties)
Tuesday, 3/3, 10am-noon 
Program:  Divide into two groups — those with PD and care partners.  Discuss your most difficult challenges and how you are facing them.
RSVP?:  No.

Placerville
Tuesday, 3/3, 1:30-3pm
Program:  Watch “Breathing and swallowing in PD” video (hosted by Davis Phinney Foundation, 2013)
RSVP?:  No.

Roseville
Tuesday, 3/3, 1:30-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Alexander Grzebski, owner, One Source Mobility
Topic:  Ever-changing mobility solutions for the PD home
RSVP?:  No.

San Francisco YOPD (Young Onset PD)/UCSF
Tuesday, 3/3, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Brandie Sendziak, attorney, Independent Living Resource Center, San Francisco
Topic:  SSDI
RSVP?:  Yes, to Monica Volz

Soquel (Santa Cruz County)
Wednesday, 3/4, 2-3:30pm  
Guest Speaker:  Michael Gansaeuer, MD, neurologist, Santa Cruz
RSVP?:  No.

San Lorenzo
Thursday, 3/5, 10-11:30am
Guest Speaker:  Aaron Wong, Spectrum Community Services, Hayward
Topic:  Fall prevention
RSVP?:  No.

CANCELLED – San Jose – Willow Glen
Friday, 3/6, 10am-noon  (program begins about 10:15am)
Guest Speaker #1:  Brian Coulter, CEO, The Parkinson’s Institute, Mountain View
Topic #1:  2020 Vision
Guest Speaker #2:  Fahd Kahn, MD, neurosurgeon, Good Samaritan
Topic #2:  Latest updates in deep brain stimulation
RSVP?:  No.

Visalia
Friday, 3/6, 10:30am-noon
Program:  Exercises plus watch video on PD treatment
RSVP?:  No.

Tracy
Monday, 3/9, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Bret Garduno, Abbvie
Topic:  Duopa
RSVP?:  No.

Gilroy
Monday, 3/9, 1:30-2:40pm
Guest Speaker:  James Lu, DPT, licensed acupuncturist
Topic:  Neuro-acupuncture
RSVP?:  No.

Auburn
Tuesday, 3/10, 11:30am
Guest Speaker:  Denise Dimicelli, executive director, Auburn Senior Center
Topic:  Programs for seniors and those with PD
RSVP?:  No.

Bakersfield
Tuesday, 3/10, 2-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Adam Schwartz, NextStride
Topic:  Device for your walker
RSVP?:  No.

Pacific Grove (Monterey County)
Tuesday, 3/10, 3-4:30pm
Program:  Divide into discussion groups
RSVP?:  No.

CANCELLED – Palo Alto YOPD (Young Onset PD)/Stanford
Tuesday, 3/10, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Sydney Fergason, Rock Steady Boxing Bay Area, Menlo Park
Topic:  The value of exercise.  Plus participatory exercise class.
RSVP?:  Yes, if this is your first time attending.  RSVP by Monday evening to John Mamin.

CANCELLED – Palo Alto/Channing House  (new meeting location since October)
Wednesday, 3/11, 2:30-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Blake Scanlon, PhD, psychologist, Stanford
Topic:  Unseen challenges of living with PD
Note:  See blog post on speaker
RSVP?:  No.

Sacramento/Natomas
Thursday, 3/12, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Christine Shade, DPT, physical therapist, Kaiser Roseville
Topics:  Physical therapy for PD and sample exercises.
RSVP?:  No.

Sonoma/Vintage House
Thursday, 3/12, 10-11am
Guest Speaker:  Carol Krauthamer, PT, physical therapist, Caliente Springs Physical Therapy
Topic:  Exercise and Parkinson’s — creating the fitness habit
RSVP?:  No.

Redding
Friday, 3/13, 1-3:30pm
Program:  Discussion of speech therapy facilitated by Prof. Megan Willi and speech/language pathology students
RSVP?  No.

CANCELLED – Eureka
Friday, 3/13, 3-4pm
Guest Speaker:  Joan Rainwater-Gish
Topic:  SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life) program
RSVP?:  No.

Clovis (Greater Fresno)
Saturday, 3/14, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Alexander Bowser, Hempworx affiliate
Topic:  Benefits of CBD
RSVP?:  No.

CANCELLED – Pleasanton
Saturday, 3/14, 10am-noon
Guest Speaker:  Diana Blum, MD, neurologist, Menlo Park
Topics:  Current therapies for PD, diet, SIBO, and Rytary
RSVP?:  No.

CANCELLED – Santa Rosa (Sonoma County)
Saturday, 3/14, 1-3:15pm  (speaker from 1-2pm)
Guest Speaker:  Barbara Corinblit, SLP, speech therapist
Topic:  Speech and communication issues
RSVP?:  No.

San Jose/BerryessaWednesday, 3/18, 1-3pm
Guest Speaker:  Gerred Popejoy
Topic:  Nordic pole walking as a stabilizer and body strengthener
RSVP?:  No.

CANCELLED – Stanford Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Thursday, 3/19, 11am-12:45pm  (speaker begins at 11:30am)
Guest Speaker:  Helen Bronte-Stewart, MD, movement disorder specialist, Stanford
Topic:  Answering your questions about DBS
Note:  See blog post about this meeting
RSVP?  Yes, required to Steven Russell by Tuesday 3/17, 5pm.  Lunch is provided.

Salinas
Thursday, 3/19, 1-2pm
Guest Speaker:  Gerred Popejoy
Topic:  Nordic pole walking as a stabilizer and body strengthener
RSVP?:  No.

CANCELLED – Walnut Creek 
Saturday, 3/21, 9am-noon  (speakers begin about 10:45am)
Guest Speaker #1:  Bonnie Slatkin, RDHAP, dental hygienist, East Bay
Topic #1:  In-home dental hygiene
Guest Speaker #2:  Heather Kennedy, writer
Topic #2:  Hunting joy in challenging times
RSVP?:  No.

Napa Young Onset PD
Sunday, 3/22, 3-5pm  (speaker begins about 4pm)
Guest Speaker:  Colleen Winters, LCSW, social worker
Topic:  Advance care planning
RSVP?:  No.

Fremont
Monday, 3/23, 6:30-8pm
Guest Speaker:  Stephanie Congdon, intern, Life Elder Care
Topic:  Nutrition for PD
RSVP?:  No.

If you know of a PD support group meeting with a guest speaker, please pass the info along!

Finally….if you copy this guest speaker information elsewhere, please give credit to:  Robin Riddle, Stanford Parkinson’s Community Outreach Program.  Credit is always appreciated