Diabetes speaker

Nicole Johnson, global diabetes advocate and Miss America 1999, will speak about lessons learned from living with type 1 diabetes, tonight at 7 in the Krannert Spruill Ballroom at Berry College in Rome, Ga. There will be a question-and- answer session and a book signing at 8 p.m. The event is free. For information, call 706-236-1716.

Pancreatic cancer

The Chattanooga Affiliate of Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will meet Thursday, Nov. 10, 6:30 p.m., at Memorial Hospital's Cancer Support Center, Memorial Plaza, room 307. Plans for PurpleStride Chattanooga, to be held at First Tennessee Pavilion on Saturday, Nov. 12, will be discussed. This year's event includes a timed 5-K run. For information, call 240-5282.

Holistic health fair

The Complementary Health Education Organization is hosting its free annual "HealthWise Holistic Health Fair," Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Eastgate Mall. This event emphasizes free and discounted preventive health screenings and samplings. More than 50 tables expected. For information, visit www.4cheo.org or contact Donna McMillan at 629-1935 or dmreiki@yahoo.com

Special needs Children's conference

The second annual Connections Conference, designed for families who have children with special needs, is sponsored by 16 Chattanooga area disability-focused nonprofit and governmental agencies and held Friday, Nov. 11, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at First-Centenary United Methodist Church, Oak Street Center, 416 McCallie Ave. Cost $20/individual (scholarships available). To register, go to http://chatt

connectionsconference.org/registration/ For information, contact Dr. Graham Parker (Signal Centers) at 698-8528, ext. 219 or graham_parker@signalcenters.org

Medicare options

BlueCross Medicare Advocates will hold a community meeting to help beneficiaries find out about available Medicare options on Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Drive, Hixson. For information about Medicare Advantage and drug coverage or for reservations, contact a BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee representative at 866-902-0684, 8 a.m.-9 p.m. ET, seven days a week. (TTY/TDD users call 877-664-6422.) Persons with special needs should request accommodations in advance.

Gastric study

If you are more than 75 pounds overweight and want to participate in a research study with the new sleeve stomach plication, call 899-1000 or visit www.gastricbandinstitute.com for information.

Boot camp for dads

A boot camp for dads will be held at Erlanger East (Gunbarrel Road), 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 12. First-time dads can learn how to help the new mom. Topics include diapering, feeding, why babies cry. Learn about postpartum depression and hands-on infant care. A new "veteran" dad is invited (along with his baby) to the class for question-and-answer time. Call Erlanger's HealthLink at 778-5465 to register.

Parish nursing

Registered nurses who want to bring whole person health and wellness to their faith community may attend the Spring 2012 Faith Community/Parish Nursing class offered by Memorial Health Care System beginning Feb. 14 and ending April 12. The 33-hour class includes three eight-hour day sessions on Wednesdays (Feb. 14, 22, and 29, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) plus three three-hour afternoon sessions on Thursdays (March 15 and 29 and April 12 from 4:30-7:30 p.m.). All six classes must be completed to fulfill course and contact hours requirements. Contact Connie Blake (Nov. 1-30) at 495-6163 or email connie_blake@memorial.org for application and tuition information. Registration and tuition deposit deadline is Feb. 3.

Balance/gait screenings

Rehab South will offer free balance and gait screenings during November at Rehab South Physical Therapy, II Northgate Park, Suite 102 (behind Hixson Red Lobster). Call for appointment, 877-4599.

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; email lweaver@timesfreepress.com.