Weight loss surgery

The Gastric Band Institute will hold a free seminar on gastric banding (Lap-Band and Realize Band) and the new “sleeve” procedure for people who are 100 pounds overweight, 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St, in the Roosevelt Room. Call 423-580-0830 for reservations.

Obesity Walk and Lap-Band giveaway

Join the 2010 Walk From Obesity. The event is open to anyone who supports the fight against obesity. Visit www.walkfromobesity.com to register and learn more. Event held 9 a.m. Sept. 11 at the Memorial Atrium off Gunbarrel Road. Also enter 2nd Annual Lap- Band Contest Giveaway by The Gastric Band Institute and Dr. Jaime Ponce. One winner will receive a free gastric band procedure performed by Dr. Ponce, 12 months aftercare and lifetime support for optimal results. To enter, log on to www.gastricbandinstitute.com and fill out questionnaire and see rules. Tell why you, a friend or loved one would benefit from this procedure. The winner will be announced at the Walk from Obesity, Sept. 11. Entries must be received via online by Sept. 8 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Call Jennifer Hilkert at 423-580-0830 for information on the walk and giveaway.

Infant/child CPR

An American Heart Association course on cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is taught by a Basic Life Support instructor from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 7 at The Birth Place at Parkridge East Hospital. The course covers what to do if a child stops breathing or begins to choke. The class fee is $15 per person. Call MedLine at 800-242-5662 for information or to register or visit www.parkridgeeasthospital.com

Core training class

Free exercise class 10-11 a.m. on Thursdays, at the Fitness Center at Siskin Hospital. This class will introduce several exercises that are the building blocks for core muscle strength and coordination. No registration is necessary. HealthLink Plus free membership is required. For more information call Erlanger’s HealthLink at 778-5465.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening

Free screening for men and women 65 or older, to detect bulge in artery wall with no previous diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm, and no abdominal CT in the past five years. Screenings held Monday through Friday, Aug. 6 at Memorial Hospital, Memorial North Park Hospital and Memorial Atrium Imaging Center. Registration and appointment required at 495-6000.

New t’ai ji classes

On going classes at Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain, 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Tuesday; St. Timothy Episcopal Church in the Labyrinth, Signal Mountain, 9:30-10:30 a.m. every Tuesday; First Christian Church in the t’ai ji room 11 a.m.-noon every Friday. All classes 10 weeks only $80. Contact Chris Campbell, 821-8947 or visit timefortaiji@mac.com or http://web.me.com/timefortai.

Items for this column are due the Friday before Thursday’s publication date. Write to Linda Weaver, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447; fax 668-5071; e-mail lweaver@timesfreepress.com