text: AMERICAN RED CROSS, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Food Lion, 420 S. King St., Leesburg; 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Adelphia Communications, 45745 Nokes Blvd., Sterling. 800-448-3543.
  LOUDOUN CHAPTER ALLIANCE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL, 7:30 p.m. first Tuesdays, Friendship House, 16480 Meadowview Ct., Leesburg. Free. 703-444-5326.
  BACKPACK SAFETY EVALUATION, backpacks can cause painful back and neck problems and injuries. Safety guidelines for backpacks advise children not to carry anything on their back in excess of 15 percent of their weight. Free evaluations throughout the month of September, Sonak Family Chiropractic, 46859 Harry Byrd Hwy. 703-406-0200.
  BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS, noon-2 p.m. Sept. 8, Fauquier Hospital, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. Free. 540-349-0588
  ECHO-LARC SATURDAY LEISURE PROGRAM, ages 13 and older with disabilities, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. first and third Saturdays, Aurora School, in Childhood Development Center, Purcellville. Activities include arts and crafts, board games, cooking, videos, music, special events and guest speakers. Supervised, trained staff on-site. Limited transportation available from Northern Virginia Community College and Douglass Community Center for $3 each way. $20 a session. Call for registration forms and details. 703-777-1939.
  NORTHERN VIRGINIA LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN, investigates and resolves complaints made by or for residents of long-term care facilities. 703-324-5861.
  Pregnancy and Parenting
  BIRTH AND BEYOND, 7-9 p.m. tomorrow, Sept. 13, 20 and 27, Fauquier Hospital Tower, Sycamore Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. For parents in the last trimester of pregnancy. Register. $40 a couple. 540-349-0588.
  GREAT EXPECTATIONS, discussion-oriented, interactive class for expectant parents, 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 7-28, Fauquier Hospital Tower, Sycamore Room, 500 Hospital Dr., Warrenton. Topics include feelings during pregnancy, caring for your baby once you get home, labor, breathing techniques and relaxation. Each couple receives the American Red Cross book "Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby." Register. $50. 540-349-0588.
  LOUDOUN FAMILY CHILD CARE COALITION, support for child care providers through training, education and networking, 7:30 p.m. first Tuesdays. Free. For location, 703-715-6656.
  MOTHERS FIRST, support group offers discussions, lectures, field trips, play groups and mom's night out. 10:30 a.m.-noon first and third Tuesdays, Sterling Library, 120 Enterprise St.; 10:30 a.m.-noon first and third Tuesdays, Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Rd., Leesburg; 10 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Ashburn Library, 43316 Hay Rd. 703-827-5922 or www.mothersfirst.org.
  MOTHERS OF PRESCHOOLERS, Ashburn, 9:30-11:30 a.m. second and fourth Fridays, Capital Community Church, 20430 Ashburn Village Blvd. Child care provided. Taking registration for the 2004-05 year, which begins Sept. 10. 703-723-9290. Leesburg, 9-11 a.m. first and third Fridays, Leesburg Baptist Church, 835 Lee Ave. Crafts, speakers, discussion. Child care provided. Taking registration for 2004-05 year, which begins Sept. 17. 703-669-9163. Leesburg, 9:30-11:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays, Leesburg Church of the Nazarene, 17667 Roxbury Rd. Discussions, crafts and child care for infants-age 5. 703-858-1906. Another group meets at Ashburn United Methodist Church. 703-729-5100, Ext. 48.
  ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT, 9-10:30 a.m. first Thursdays, Sunrise of Leesburg, 246 W. Market St. Free. 703-777-1971. For schedules and locations of groups throughout region, call Alzheimer's Association. 866-259-0042.
  "CHILDREN COUNT" SUPPORT/INFORMATION, led by trained counselor providing structured activities and group discussions, for elementary school-age children who have a parent with cancer, 6:30-8 p.m. first Wednesdays, Loudoun Cancer Care Center, 14 Pidgeon Hill Dr., Suite 130, Sterling. 703-444-4460 or 703-771-2974.
  COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS, for parents who have experienced the death of a child, 7:30 p.m. first Wednesdays, St. James' Episcopal Church, 14 Cornwall St. NW, Leesburg. Free. 540-338-4076.
  CRISISLINK, suicide and crisis prevention, intervention and response organization. Nonprofit organization serves Northern Virginia. Volunteers are needed to staff its local and national suicide and crisis hotline. Training classes are forming for September. Must be 18 or older, willing to complete 45-hour training class and give three hours a week 703-527-6016 or www.crisislink.org.
  GRIEF SUPPORT, sponsored by Hospice Support of Fauquier County, drop-ins welcome, individual counseling available, 7:30-9 p.m. first and third Thursdays, Warrenton Church of Christ, Route 29 and Nordix Drive. 540-347-5922. Griefshare, 13-week educational program and support group for those who have lost a loved one, 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays Sept. 14-Dec. 14, Purcellville Baptist Church, 221 Nursery Ave. Register. Free. 540-338-0918. Growing Seasons, ages 4-12, deals with a child's loss due to death or divorce, 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays Sept. 14-Dec. 14, Purcellville Baptist Church, 221 Nursery Ave. Register. Free. 540-338-0918. Grief support, for individuals in crisis or change. Eight-week program. Hospice of Northern Virginia Loudoun office, 209 Gibson St. NW, Suite 202, Leesburg. Free. Register. 703-777-7866. Grief and loss support, 7:30-9 p.m. third Wednesdays, Leesburg United Methodist Church parlor, 107 W. Market St.; 7:30-9 p.m. fourth Wednesdays, Community Lutheran Church, 21014 Whitfield Pl., Sterling. Free. 703-777-8766.
  MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT, 2-4 p.m. last Sundays, Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Rd., Leesburg. 703-771-4256; fourth Saturdays, 10-11:30 a.m., alternating months between Fauquier Hospital and Culpeper Memorial Hospital. Free. 540-937-3808.
  PFLAG SUPPORT, first Tuesdays, meet at the Sterling Starbucks, 21800 Towncenter Plaza, to carpool to local meeting. For parents and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. Helps work to keep families together. 703-431-0882 or www.equalityloudoun.org.
  SEPARATION AND DIVORCE SUPPORT, 7:30-9 p.m. first Wednesdays, Leesburg United Methodist Church, 107 W. Market St.; 7:30-9 p.m. first Mondays, Sterling United Methodist Church, Room 105, 304 E. Church Rd. Free. 703-777-8766.
  -- Compiled by SANDY MAUCK
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