=== Center of Attention ===
Newsletter of CHADD of Northern California
Also at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
7 February 2005

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>> IN THIS ISSUE <<
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*Calendar of Events
*Feature Article: Free Meds, Free Stuff!
*Please Tell Us
*Subscription Information
*CHADD Information

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>> CALENDAR OF EVENTS <<
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This calendar only has events for the next 3 or 4 weeks listed. It
also does not list some other CHADD groups which may be closer to you
and it does not list some non-CHADD events. For a thorough calendar,
including directions, look at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/schedule
and also http://www.chaddnorcal.org/schedule/otherevent.htm.

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=== Alameda ======================
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2/9/2005, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting -- Possible speaker to be announced.
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
2/22/2005, Tues. 7 - 8:30 pm
Adult Support Group --
Lynnwood United Methodist Church, Pleasanton - Contact: Pattie: 925-548-3997
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3/9/2005, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
============================
3/22/2005, Tues. 7 - 8:30 pm
Adult Support Group --
Lynnwood United Methodist Church, Pleasanton - Contact: Pattie: 925-548-3997
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=== Contra Costa =========================
============================
2/16/2005, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult General Support Meeting -- Ongoing, confidential
support groups for Adults with ADHD
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
============================
2/22/2005, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Danville Parent Meeting: -- Topic followed by Group Discussion
Los Cerros Middle School Library, Danville - Contact: Liz: 925-886-8735
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3/22/2005, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Danville Parent Meeting: -- Topic followed by Group Discussion
Los Cerros Middle School Library, Danville - Contact: Liz: 925-886-8735
============================

=== Marin =========================
============================
2/17/2005, Thu. 7-9 pm
Ask the Doctor. -- Meet Dr.Orman Cornell, MD, a psychiatrist who
sees children, teens and adults. Ask your questions about ADHD and
learn the latest on medications.
Town Center Corte Madera Community Room, Corte Madera - Contact:
Beverlee: 415-789-9464
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2/28/2005, Mon. 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Parent Resource & Support Group -- Call for directions in Mill Valley.
Mill Valley Home, Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria Vogel & Holly
Seerley: 415-383-6048 or 415-924-6656
============================
3/1/2005, Tues. 7-9 pm
Adult Support Group, with SueZee Poinsett, Professional coach and
organizer. -- Free, drop-in peer-support group, the first Tuesday of
each month. Talk with others who really understand. And share and
develop life skills.
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
============================
3/28/2005, Mon. 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Parent Resource & Support Group -- Call for directions in Mill Valley.
Mill Valley Home, Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria Vogel & Holly
Seerley: 415-383-6048 or 415-924-6656
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=== Online =========================
============================
2/24/2005, Thu. 6 - 8 pm PST
"Ask The Expert" Chat --
Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Chat Web Page: www.chadd.org - Support - Chat
============================
3/23/2005, Wed. 6 - 8 pm PST
"Ask The Expert" Chat --
Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Chat Web Page: www.chadd.org - Support - Chat
============================
Online - 4/26/2005, Tues. 6 - 8 pm PST
"Ask The Expert" Chat --
Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Chat Web Page: www.chadd.org - Support - Chat
============================

=== Sacramento =========================
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3/1/2005, Tues. 6:45 p.m.; 7-9 pm
Women and Girls with ADHD -- Cass Brown Capel, PhD. presenting
Sutter Center for Psychiatry, Sacramento - Contact: Greater
Sacramento CHADD: 916-552-1557
============================
3/12/2005, Sat. 8:15 am - 4:30 pm
Rick LaVoie - Looking at Learning Disorders Through Three Lenses:
Philosophy, Knowledge and Techniques. -- Sponsored by the Sacramento
Learning Disabilities Association and others
Collings West Sacramento Teen Center, West Sacramento - Contact:
Sacramento LDA: 800-203-7542 or www.SacramentoLDA.org
============================

=== San Francisco =========================
============================
2/28/2005, Mon. 7 - 9 pm
Adult Success Group -- Share skills and strategies for success at
home, in the workplace, in relationships, etc.
First Unitarian Universalist Church, San Francisco - Contact: Rachel
Rosenfeld: 888-759-9758
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3/9/2005, Wed. 6:00 - 7:45 pm
"Developing Minds" Video: Developing Control Over Attention --
Sponsored by the SF Unified School District, Schwab Learning, the
CAC, SF PTA and SF School Volunteers.
San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco - Contact: Marilyn Dong,
Librarian: Resource Collection for Learning Differences 415/557-4540
============================
4/6/2005, Wed. 6:00 - 7:45 pm
"Developing Minds" Video: Producing and Communicating Ideas --
Sponsored by the SF Unified School District, Schwab Learning, the
CAC, SF PTA and SF School Volunteers.
San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco - Contact: Marilyn Dong,
Librarian: Resource Collection for Learning Differences 415/557-4540
============================

=== Santa Clara =========================
============================
2/8/2005, Tues. 7:15 - 9 pm
Support Group for Partners! -- Support and community-resource
information for the partners of folks with ADHD. PLEASE NOTE: This is
NOT a support group for people with AD/HD, nor for couples, nor for
parents. It is EXCLUSIVELY for PARTNERS of people with ADHD, and
others will have to be turned away.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Gina Pera: 888-759-9758
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2/16/2005, Wed. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Silicon Valley Adult and Parent Support Groups -- Support for Adults
and Parents, with Coach Michael Hinckley and Peggy Goodman.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline:
650-949-5472
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3/2/2005, Wed. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
"New Advances in the Treatment of ADD: Integrative Approaches." --
Speaker: Michael Lara, MD,
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline:
650-949-5472
============================
3/3/2005, Thu. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Stop, Look and Listen: Prioritizing Your Life From the Inside Out --
Speaker, Mary Dabaghian, Professional Life Coach and Organizer
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Kitty Petty ADD/LD
Institute: 650-329-9443 or visit www.kpinst.org
============================
3/8/2005, Tues. 7:15 - 9 pm
Support Group for Partners! -- Support and community-resource
information for the partners of folks with ADHD. PLEASE NOTE: This is
NOT a support group for people with AD/HD, nor for couples, nor for
parents. It is EXCLUSIVELY for PARTNERS of people with ADHD, and
others will have to be turned away.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Gina Pera: 888-759-9758
============================
3/16/2005, Wed. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Silicon Valley Adult and Parent Support Groups -- Support for Adults
and Parents, with Coach Michael Hinckley and Peggy Goodman.
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Silicon Valley Warmline:
650-949-5472
============================

=== Santa Cruz =========================
============================
5/6/2005, thru 5/7/2005
Dr. Robert Brooks and Dr. Sam Goldstein -- Save the Date...
TBA, Santa Cruz - Contact: Mary Cross: 831-419-2845
============================

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>> FEATURE ARTICLE <<
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Cheap Meds and "FreeCycling"

Money can get tight with ADHD. Two items can help you with the
shortage of cash, and one of them can help with your clutter too.

First, let Beverlee tell you about places that you can get free or
cheaper medications. After that Lew can tell you about a movement
called "FreeCycling" that lets you share your discards with others,
or pick up on a needed item for free.

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Medication: Ways to Lower Cost - Beverlee Kell

1. Compare costs between local pharmacies

You can call a pharmacy and ask for the price of a specific
prescription.

Also, you can ask if there is a cheaper generic form available.

2. Tablet Splitting

When 2 tablet sizes of a medication cost about the same, splitting
the larger size saves money. For example: Zoloft, an anti-depressant,
costs about $2.69 per tablet for the 50mg and 100mg size tablets, so
splitting can save 50%.

Ask your physician/pharmacist if your medication can be safely
split. Enteric coated and unscored extended-release tablets should
not be split. It is best to split medication one tablet at a time and
use the second half for the next dose. Pharmacies sell pill-spilling
devices. (source, The Medical Letter, vol 46: 1195, Nov 8/04.)

3. Canadian Internet Pharmacies

Medication is generally a lot cheaper in Canada. Buying meds from
Canada is "illegal" according to the federal government but is not
enforced. There are now several state governments buying medication
from Canada.

Some sites used by our members are:

http://www.canadadiscountrx.com
http://www.crossborderpharmacy.com

Controlled substances/medications are not available via internet,
such as Ritalin or Dexedrine. Also, medication brand names may vary
between the US and Canada. Try both the generic and brand name when
searching.

4. Ask your psychiatrist for medication samples, especially when
trying a new medication that may not work for you.

5. Low-cost or Free Medication Programs

Some drug companies supply low-cost or free medication to persons who
meet their low-income program requirements. Your doctor will have to
fill out some forms.

See these websites to see if you might qualify:

http://www.helpingpatients.org
http://www.needymeds.com

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FreeCycling - Lew Mills, PhD

One of the most difficult parts of getting rid of things is worrying
about things going to waste. What if you could connect directly with
somebody you knew was going to use your discarded items? Here's how
to unload your clutter, or capitalize on somebody else unloading
theirs.

"FreeCycling" is a grassroots movement to connect donors and seekers
of items not valuable enough to warrant a big garage sale, but too
good to toss out or clog the landfill with.

FreeCyclers post e-mail messages with items "offered" and those who
would like the item generally arrange to pick it up. You can also
post for items "wanted", although the spirit of freecycling suggests
that you should be sharing your castoffs too, to benefit everyone.

Here is how the San Francisco group describes itself: "The goal of
the San Francisco Freecycle Network is to reduce waste by connecting
individuals who are throwing away goods with others who are seeking
them. The mission of the Freecycle Network includes keeping good
stuff out of landfills while helping to foster a local gifting
community."

You can find a group for your area by searching this page of West
Coast FreeCycling groups:

http://www.freecycle.org/display.php?region=US+West+Coast

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>> PLEASE TELL US <<
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We thank members for their responses to the Newsletter. Any comments,
suggestions, or criticisms will be greatly appreciated. Please
continue to help us make this newsletter and CHADD of Northern
California more beneficial to you all.

We also invite readers to share their experiences with us and other
members. Please feel free to write to us about anything that you
would like to see published.

You can e-mail your comments to us at Lew@.... Simply
replying to this e-mail will also send your message to the editor.

Lew Mills, Editor

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>> CHADD INFORMATION <<
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About the Newsletter:

The Center of Attention is CHADD of Northern California's bi-weekly
newsletter. The newsletter is designed to keep you up to date with
CHADD of Northern California's activities and updates in the field.

* CHADD Works to Improve the Lives of People with
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder through Education, Advocacy,
and Support *

Contact:

--

Lew Mills, PhD, LMFT
Editor, "Center of Attention"
CHADD of Northern California, Chapter # 504
mailto:Lew@...
http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
Fax or Voice Message: 510-291-2950
Toll Free 888-759-9758