The Health Calendar is a listing of support groups, activities and lectures. Send information to Health Calendar, The Augusta Chronicle Newsroom, P.O. Box 1928, Augusta, GA 30903-1928. Send information by fax to (706) 722-7403 and send e-mail to newsroom@augustachronicle.com. Please include a contact name and phone number.

SPECIALS

GROWING UP FOR GIRLS: 6-8 p.m. today, Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., first floor, Conference Center; for ages 8-12; free; registration required; (706) 721-7606

TOBACCO WARS: THE BATTLE FOR A SMOKE-FREE SOCIETY: 6-7:30 p.m. today, Belair Conference Center, 4081 Jimmie Dyess Parkway; with guest speaker Patrick Reynolds, grandson of tobacco company founder R.J. Reynolds; free; dinner served; reservations required; (706) 828-2502

WORLD AIDS DAY: Monday, Dec. 1

SAFE SITTER CLASS: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, Doctors Hospital, Medical Office Building I, Cradle Club Classroom, Suite 310, 3623 J. Dewey Gray Circle; teaches ages 11-13 child care techniques, behavior management and appropriate responses to medical emergencies; $25; (706) 651-2229

ALL ABOUT SHINGLES EDUCATION LUNCHEON: 11:30 A.M. TUESDAY, DEC. 16, DOCTORS HOSPITAL, H2U BUILDING, 1305 INTERSTATE PARKWAY; free; reservations required by Dec. 12; (706) 651-6716

Child Safety Seat Inspection: First Fridays, Medical College of Georgia Annex II, 15th Street; how to use a car seat properly; free; (706) 721-7606

Family Focused Childbirth Tours: Tours of mother/baby wing; Trinity Hospital of Augusta, 2260 Wrightsboro Road; by appointment; (706) 481-7727

HOME CARE ASSESSMENT: In-home clinical care or personal aides provided by University Home Health Services; free; (706) 774-4160

LOOK GOOD ... FEEL BETTER: 5-7 P.M. THIRD MONDAYS, AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, 2607 COMMONS BLVD.; HELPS WOMEN CANCER PATIENTS MAINTAIN APPEARANCE AND SELF-IMAGE DURING TREATMENT; MAKEUP KIT FOR EACH PARTICIPANT; FREE; REGISTRATION REQUIRED; (706) 731-9900

pulmonary function screenings: 10-11:30 a.m. third Wednesdays, University Hospital, Professional Center 2, Suite 200, 818 St. Sebastian Way; free; appointments required; (706) 774-5777

take off pounds sensibly chapter GA 110: 5:15-6:15 p.m. social and private weigh-in, 6:30-7:30 p.m. meeting and motivation, Mondays, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Fellowship Hall, 2321 Lumpkin Road; nonprofit weight loss support group; Joy Southern (706) 737-1120, www.tops.org

CLASSES

american sign language-advanced level: 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Medical College of Georgia Medical Center, second floor, terrace dining, Magnolia Room, 1120 15th St.; $40 per course level; (706) 721-6929

ARTHRITIS AQUATICS: 9-9:45 a.m., 10-10:45 a.m. and 12:15-1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Walton Rehabilitation Hospital Outpatient Building, 1355 Independence Drive; $37.50 per month; (706) 823-5294

BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR EXERCISE: 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays, Walton Rehabilitation Hospital, 1355 Independence Drive; (706) 823-5294

BREAST SELF-EXAM CLASSES: 4 p.m. second Mondays, University Hospital Breast Health Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 205, 818 St. Sebastian Way; free; registration required; (706) 774-4141

CAR SEAT CLASSES: 9:30 a.m. to noon third Mondays, Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center, first floor classroom, 1446 Harper St.; safety, education and training; $10 registration fee; registration required; must be Medicaid or Peach Care eligible; Rene Hopkins (706) 721-7606

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION AND PARENT PREPARATION: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. second Saturdays, Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center, 1446 Harper St., first-floor conference center; discussion with tools and techniques; plan to attend during fifth to ninth months of pregnancy; $50; registration required; (706) 721-9351

FIBROMYALGIA AQUATICS: Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Walton Rehabilitation Hospital Outpatient Building, 1355 Independence Drive; $32 per month; (706) 823-5294

JOINT EFFORTS: 11-11:45 A.M. THURSDAYS, AUGUSTA ORTHOPAEDIC CLINIC, 1521 ANTHONY ROAD; CAUSES OF KNEE AND HIP PAIN AND LATEST TREATMENTS, TIPS ON MEDICINE, FOOD AND EXERCISE; (706) 481-7604

MY BROTHAZ HOME INC.: HIV prevention education and risk-reduction counse-ling; weekly educational groups; call for times and locations; (706) 798-0244

NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MENTAL HEALTH: 6 p.m. board meeting, 7 p.m. general membership meeting, first Thursdays, Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, 2261 Walton Way; for those interested in mental health issues; volunteers and computer needed; (706) 733-8838

PROJECT LINK LECTURE SERIES: 6:30-8 p.m. first Tuesdays, Medical College of Georgia Children's Medical Center main conference center BT 1810, 1446 HARPER ST. ; free; educational resources and guidance for families who have children with developmental disabilities and special health concerns; (706) 721-5437

WEE WISDOM-CARING FOR NEWBORNS: NOON TO 1 P.M. WEDNESDAYS, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER, FIRST FLOOR, FAMILY RESOURCE LIBRARY, 1446 HARPER ST.; FREE; FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN UNDER 5; TOPICS ON NEWBORN CARE; (706) 721-5437

support groups

Alcoholics Anonymous: Call for times and locations; (706) 860-8331

ALZHEIMER'S CARE: 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Jud C. Hickey Center for Alzheimer's Care, 1901 CENTRAL AVE.; (706) 738-5039

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE-RICHMOND COUNTY: 10 A.M. FIRST THURSDAYS, ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION, AUGUSTA OFFICE, 1899 CENTRAL AVE.; (706) 731-9060

alzheimer's disease-westwood: 3 p.m. third Thursdays, Westwood Nursing Facility Conference Room, 561 University Drive; (706) 731-9060

ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT: 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Alzheimer's Association, Augusta chapter, 1899 Central Ave.; (706) 731-9060

BETTER BREATHERS: 11:30 a.m. second Tuesdays, University Hospital Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center, St. Sebastian Way at 13th Street; bring covered dish; (706) 774-5864

BLOOD CANCER/STEM CELL TRANSPLANT SUPPORT GROUP: 6-7:30 P.M. LAST THURSDAYS, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA ALUMNI CENTER, GARDEN ROOM, 919 15TH ST.; EDUCATIONAL AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FOR PATIENTS, FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND CAREGIVERS; RE-FRESHMENTS; (706) 721-2752

Breast Cancer Support Group: 5:30-7 p.m. second Thursdays, Medical College of Georgia Medical Center, first floor, Breast Health Services, 1120 15th St.; (706) 721-4726

BREAST SELF-EXAM: 4 p.m. second Mondays, University Hospital Breast Health Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 205, 818 St. Sebastian Way; free; registration required; (706) 774-4141, (866) 774-4141

CANCER SHARE: 7 p.m. first Mondays, University Hospital, Cancer Learning Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 104, 818 St. Sebastian Way; registration required; (706) 774-7000

CANCER SUPPORT GROUP: 6-7 P.M. SECOND THURSDAYS, AUGUSTA ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES, 3696 WHEELER ROAD; FREE; (706) 651-2283

caregiver support group: 2-3 p.m. second Tuesdays, Doctors Hospital, Medical Office Building I, Cradle Club Classroom, Suite 310, 3623 J. Dewey Gray Circle; (706) 651-2283

chromosome disorders support group: 6:30 p.m. FIRST TUESDAYS, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER, FIRST FLOOR, FAMILY RESOURCE LIBRARY, 1446 HARPER ST.; SUPPORTS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS WITH CHROMOSOME DISORDERS; (706) 721-5160

COPING WITH GRIEF AND LOSS GROUP: 6-7 P.M. THIRD THURSDAYS, DOCTORS HOSPITAL, MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING I, SUITE 110, 3623 J. DEWEY GRAY CIRCLE; LIGHT REFRESHMENTS; (706) 650-1522

CSRA Bereaved Parents: Grief support for parents, siblings and grandparents after the death of a child; Augusta meeting 7:30 p.m. third Tuesdays, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 3185 Wheeler Road; Aiken meeting 7:30 p.m. first Thursdays, Millbrook Baptist Church, 176 E. Pine Log Road; Cathy McNitt, (803) 279-8179

CSRA PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP: 6 p.m. fourth Tuesdays, dining room in St. John Towers, 724 Greene St.; (706) 364-1662

EPILEPSY SUPPORT GROUP FOR CHILDREN: 10 a.m. third Saturdays, University Hospital Education Center, third floor, 1350 Walton Way; for infants through elementary school age; (706) 863-5557

DIALYZE FOR LIFE: 6-7 P.M. first Thursdays, 1829 Wrightsboro Road, in front of Macedonia Baptist Church; for dialysis patients, group support and help; free; (706) 447-1114

hope for tomorrow: 6:45-7:30 p.m. first Wednesdays, Millbrook Baptist Church, 176 East Pine Log Road, Aiken; for women who have experienced infertility, miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant loss; child care available; (803) 295-2080

HUNTINGTON DISEASE GROUP: 6:30 p.m. first Thursdays except for January, which will be second Thursday, Jan. 8, Medical College of Georgia Marks Building, Room 1122, 1429 Harper St.; (706) 721-2798

INFERTILITY SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 P.M. SECOND TUESDAYS, MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATES, 618 PONDER PLACE, SUITE 2, EVANS; FOR WOMEN AND COUPLES SUFFERING FROM INFERTILITY; (706) 210-0642

Leukemia and Myeloma support: 7-8:30 p.m. second Mondays, Warren Baptist Church, 3203 Washington Road; (800) 399-7312

LIVING WELL WITH DIABETES: 5 p.m. second Thursdays, University Hospital cafeteria conference rooms 1 and 2, 1350 Walton Way; adult support group; (706) 868-3241

MY MOM HAS BREAST CANCER GROUP: 5 P.M. THIRD THURSDAYS, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL BREAST HEALTH CENTER, PROFESSIONAL CENTER 2, SUITE 205, 818 ST. SEBASTIAN WAY; (706) 774-4141

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS: Meetings throughout the week; open discussion, closed discussion (addicts only), open text study, step study; smoking and nonsmoking areas; (706) 855-2410, (706) 855-2419

NONOFFENDING CAREGIVERS OF ABUSED CHILDREN: 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Child Advocacy Center, 2312 Walden Drive; Maggie Tucker (706) 737-4631

PARENTS HEALING TOGETHER: 7 P.M. FIRST MONDAYS, UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, PRE-ADMIT/TESTING WAITING ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, 1350 WALTON WAY; FOR PARENTS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE LOST INFANTS THROUGH MISCARRIAGE, DEATH, ECTOPIC PREGNANCY OR STILLBIRTH; (706) 774-2751, (706) 774-5802

PINK MAGNOLIAS BREAST CANCER: 6:30 p.m. second Mondays, University Hospital Breast Health Center, Professional Center 2, Suite 205, 818 ST. SEBASTIAN WAY ; group for partners of women with breast cancer meets at same time; free; (706) 774-4141

PREGNANCY LOSS GROUP: First Tuesdays; for anyone affected by the loss of baby; (706) 721-8299 for times

SKIP TO MY LUPUS: 6:30 p.m. second Saturdays, Doctors Hospital, Medical Office Building I, Suite 309, Classroom 1, 3623 J. Dewey Gray Circle; for those with lupus and similar autoimmune disorders; (706) 496-2558, www.skiptomylupus.org