Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

Sunday briefs

COMPUTER CLASS: The O'Fallon Public Library will offer a beginner's computer class from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the training room at the library, 120 Civic Plaza, O'Fallon.

The class is for those who need basic information on how to use a computer. The instructor is Jamie Doil, reference/technology librarian.

Class is limited to eight participants. For information or to sign up, call 632-3783 or stop by the library information desk.

SUPPORT GROUPS: Support groups will meet:

*Karla Smith Foundation support group for the family and friends of anyone with mental health problems will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Peace Chapel, 10101 W. Main St., Belleville. For information, visit www.KarlaSmithFoundation.org.

* The Brain Injury Support System for Southern Illinois will meet from 10 a.m. to noon Friday at LINC, Inc., 120 E. A St., Belleville. Resource information will be available. Anyone with a head injury is welcome to attend. For information, call Barbara at 616-1700.

* Columbia Convalescent Center will host an Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia support group for family, friends and caregivers, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. For information, call Linda at 281-6800.

RACIAL HARMONY: A Racial Harmony dinner meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Center for Racial Harmony, 501 Fullerton Road, Schnucks Swansea Plaza, Swansea.

The topic is "Saving Our Planet by Going Green: Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint."

Refreshments will be served. Bring a non-perishable food item for the food pantry.

For information, call Racial Harmony at 234-0508.

POINSETTIA WONDERLAND: A Poinsettia Wonderland open house will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Millstadt Gardens, 6667 Route 158, Millstadt.

There will be guided tours led by staff

The Millstadt Optimist Club will receive a percentage of the day's sales to benefit the Millstadt Optimist Youth Club.

The open house is hosted by the Millstadt Gardens, NG Heimos Greenhouses, Millstadt Greenhouses and the Heimos family.

Call 476-9600 for information.

LUNCH WITH DOCTOR: The monthly Lunch with the Doctor program will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Southwestern Illinois College's Programs and Services for Older Persons, 201 N. Church St., Belleville.

St. Elizabeth's Hospital Outpatient Nutrition counselor Stacy Hecht, and clinical pharmacist Julia Schimmelpfennig will present the program on "Diabetes Management."

For a reservation, call 234-4410, ext. 7015.

FOOD DRIVES:

* The YMCA of Southwest Illinois is sponsoring its annual Thanksgiving food drive to help local families this season. Volunteers can pick up a box at any location of the YMCA of Southwest Illinois, fill the box with nonperishable food items (a suggested list is included), and return it to the YMCA by Friday. Food boxes will be distributed to local organizations who deliver the food to families. For information, call Jeannie at 233-9485.

* A Thanksgiving food drive will be from noon to 4 p.m. today and Nov. 21-22 at Bounce Cheap Party Supply store, 834 S. Morrison Ave., Collinsville. For each item a child contributes, they can bounce in the Bounce House for free. Food donations go to the Collinsville Area Ministerial Association Helping Hands Ministry-Salvation Army Food Pantry, which will distribute the food items to families.

EPILEPSY SEMINAR: The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Southern Illinois is offering a free educational seminar by registered nurse Patty Schaefer of The Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center for Children and Adults at St. Luke's Hospital.

She will present current information about children living with epilepsy.

The program will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the Memorial Conference Center, 706 E. Highway 50, O'Fallon.

For information or reservations, call 236-2181, ext. 109 or 108.

BLOOD DRIVES: Central Illinois Community Blood Center blood drives will be:

* 3-7 p.m. Monday, Senior Building, 213 N. Prairie St., Bethalto.

* Noon-6 p.m. Thursday, YMCA, 600 Troy Road, Edwardsville.

Visit www.cicbc.org to make an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome.

PARENTS GROUP: Children and Parents Partnership Group at Family Life Consultants in Collinsville will be from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the Family Life Consultants, Collinsville.

The group is for parents and children ages 4 to 12. Parents will learn how to successfully maintain good behavior from their child and children will learn how to appreciate and respect their parents.

For information or to register, call 345-9536 or visit www.familylifeconsultants.com.

COOKING DEMONSTRATION: Rachel's Garden will present an "All About Lunch" cooking demonstration from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday at Rachel's Garden, 3917 Frank Scott Parkway West, Belleville.

The cost is $19.99 per person and reservations are required.

The cooking demonstration features appetizer mini bites, pomegranate salad, holiday seafood chowder and pecan pumpkin pie.

For information, call 234-9355 or visit www.rachelsgarden.com.

ROUNDTABLE SERIES: The National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows along with the Aquinas Institute of Theology will present the final session of the 2009 Roundtable Series.

The lecture will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 24 in the Visitors Center at the Shrine.

The topic is "Becoming an Everyday Mystic" with Sister Carla Mae Streeter.

The cost is $20 per person and includes lunch. Registration is required by calling 397-6700, ext. 6281 or visit www.snows.org/roundtable.

RAMS DRIVE: The St. Louis Rams and the American Red Cross will host the annual Rams Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at:

*Gateway Center, 1 Gateway Drive, Collinsville.

* O'Fallon YMCA, 284 N. Seven Hills Road, O'Fallon.

*VFW Hall, 1900 VFW Lane, Highland.

For information or to schedule an appointment, call (800) GIVE-LIFE or visit bloodisneeded.org.