Camp Blue Skies is accepting applications from youths ages 7 to 16 who have experienced the death of a loved one three months to three years prior to the start of camp. The camp, held Sept. 26 and 27 at Cradle Beach Camp in Angola, offers age-appropriate therapeutic and recreational activities that allow children and teens to interact with professional grief counselors. Activities include welcome circle, arts and crafts, drum circle, music therapy, dance movement, yoga, cooking, nature walks and campfires. Cost is a $25 registration fee per camper. For information or registration, call 836-6460.

Gilda’s Club, 1140 Delaware Ave., offers support groups, workshops and social activities for anyone touched by cancer. Call 332-5900 for information or visit

www.gildasclubwny.org

.

The Amherst Secular Organizations for Sobriety will hold a support group meeting at 7:30 p. m. today in the Center for Inquiry, 1310 Sweet Home Road, Amherst. No fee for the meeting. For information, call 636-4869, Ext. 318.

Forward Fitness is offering Nordic walking classes at 6:30 p. m. every Tuesday in August at the Amherst Bike and Walking Path at Maple and North Forest roads. Nordic walking uses two specially designed poles to work the upper body and burns more calories than regular walking. All welcome; no preregistration required. For information, call 639-0566 or visit

www.forwardfitnessinc.com

.

Joyce M. Sheldon, author of “From Fear to Faith, A Caregiver’s Journey” and a former Buffalonian, will speak at 2 p. m. today in Niagara Hospice, 4876 Sunset Drive, Lockport. The free presentation is a journey through the five stages of grief for any kind of loss—financial, relationship, health or a loved one. She also will speak at 2 p. m. Friday at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Buffalo.

The WNY Chapter of the Emergency Nurses Association will meet at 6 p. m. Wednesday in Buffalo General Hospital. Dr. Anthony Billitier, Erie County commissioner of health, will talk about “Emergency Preparedness.” Guests are welcome. For reservations, call 773-3292.

Independent Health’s Wellness and Education Center will have its grand opening from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. Wednesday at 620 Dick Road, Cheektowaga. The event will include healthy cooking and fitness demonstrations, massage therapy, health screenings, Nintendo Wii computer demonstrations, visits by local health and wellness organizations and Buffalo Sabres announcer Rick Jeanneret. The center, open from 9 a. m. to 4 p. m. Monday through Friday, offers seminars, programs and activities to help Medicare members better manage their health. For information, call 635-3500.

A grief support group for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one will be offered from 6:30 to 8 p. m. Thursday at Life Transitions Center, 150 Bennett Road, Cheektowaga. The fee is $5. For information, call 836-6460.

The Head and Neck Cancer Support Group will meet from 4:30 to 6 p. m. next Tuesday in the cafeteria, Meeting Room C on the first floor at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. Survivors of oral/head and neck cancer and their significant others are welcome. For information, call Amy Sumbrum at 845-4947.

Support groups, and phone numbers to call for

information include: Northtowns Parkinson’s, Elaine Stolarski, an occupational therapist, will speak, 6:30 p. m. Thursday, Temple Beth Am, 4660 Sheridan Drive, Amherst, 689-1559; Alzheimer’s caregivers, 1 p. m., The Pines Healthcare Rehabilitation Center, Machias Campus, 353-8516, Ext. 4630; Alcoholics Anonymous First Step, 8 p. m. Friday, auditorium, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, 278-4569; Alcoholics Anonymous International Group, 6:30 p. m. Saturday, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, 278-4569; Narcotics Anonymous, 5 p. m., Sunday, Memorial Medical Center Auditorium, Niagara Falls, 278-4569.