Support groups

Narcotics Anonymous meets at 2 and 8 p.m. today at 919 Hobson Ave. This is a 12-step recovery program for people for whom drugs have become a major problem. The Help Line number is 321-8700.

Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 11 a.m. with speakers and 8 p.m. today at 411 Sellers St.

Al-Anon, a fellowship for relatives and friends of alcoholics, meets at 11 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 109 Hobson; and 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Oaklawn United Methodist Church, 216 Higdon.

Narcotics Anonymous, SOS Group, meets at 6 p.m. today at 315 W. Grand Ave. All meetings are open. Call 866-7542579 for information. Alcoholics Anonymous, for those who wish to stop drinking, may be reached by calling 623-6328.

Alcoholic Anonymous, Last House on the Block, meets at 6 and 8 a.m. today at 315 W. Grand Ave.

Narcotics Anonymous, Square Peg, Round Hole, will meet at 8 p.m. today at 315 W. Grand Ave. Call 866-754-2579 for information.

Celebrate Recovery is designed to help those struggling with hurts, habits and hang-ups through a recovery process with Jesus Christ at the center.

Locations of local meetings include:

• Lake Valley Community Church, 910 Shady Grove Road, at

5:30 p.m. Mondays with a brown bag meal; 6:30 p.m. meeting. Call

623-8892 for information.

• LakePointe Church, 1343 Albert Pike Road, meets at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays for free food and fellowship, followed by large group at 6:30 p.m. and small group at

7:30 p.m. Afterward, Solid Rock Cafe is available. Celebrate Recovery step studies are available.

Anchor of Hope Cancer Ministry, for anyone who currently is or has been affected by cancer or knows someone who has, meets at 6 p.m. every third Monday in Room 131 of Hot Springs Baptist Church, 144 Weston Road. Call 760-4744 for information.

A bereavement group meets at Hospice Home Care Inc., 3955 Central Ave., Suite

6, Buena Vista Plaza. All are welcome. Call 321-4014 for date, time and information.

Cancer Support Ministry, for anyone who has been touched by cancer in any way, meets at 6 p.m. every first Monday in Room

100 of Piney Grove United Methodist Church, 2963 Airport Road. Call 767-4765 for information.

Grief Share, a 13-week Christian support group for those who have suffered a loss through death, meets from 2-4 p.m. Sundays at LakePointe Church, 1343 Albert Pike Road. Cost for a workbook is $15, scholarships may be available.

Girls Circle is a gender-specific program for females ages

13-18, regardless of risk factor, designed to promote the development of courage, confidence, honesty, communication skills, and includes an evidence-based reproductive health component. Studies have revealed statistically significant improvement for girls in the program: increases in self-efficacy, attachment to school, positive body image, and social support, and decreases in self-harming behavior, and alcohol use. Meetings are held for five weeks from 4-6 p.m. Thursdays at Ouachita Children’s Center, 339 Charteroak St. Call April Kindle, ACT2 project coordinator, at 623-5591 ext. 215 or email akindle@occnet.org to sign up or for information.

The Council for Boys and Young Men is a gender-specific program for males ages

13-18 designed to meet the core developmental need in boys for strong, positive relationships. It is a strengths-based approach to promote health development, addressing the physical, emotional and relational aspects of manhood. Studies have shown a significant increase in boys’ school adjustment and decreases in aggression rates, particularly in programs which are implemented in and or supported by schools. Meetings are held for 10 weeks from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Thursdays at Ouachita Children’s Center, 339 Charteroak St. Call April Kindle, ACT2 project coordinator, at 623-5591 ext. 215 or email akindle@occnet.org or email mdraper@occnet.org to sign up or for information.

Active Parenting of Teens: Families in Action is an educational and interactive program that provides guidance and support to parents of tweens and teens, promoting communication/relationship building, nonviolent discipline and risk prevention. This program has been listed in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices, and in OJJDP’s Model Programs Guide. Meetings are held for six weeks from 5:45-7:30 p.m. Mondays at Ouachita Children’s Center, 339 Charteroak St. Call April Kindle, ACT2 project coordinator, at 623-5591 ext. 215 or email akindle@occnet.org to sign up or for information.

Open Minds is a recovery support group for youths with substance abuse issues, incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Facilitator is Angela Moses of Living Hope. Meetings are held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Mondays at Ouachita Children’s Center, 339 Charteroak St. Call April Kindle, ACT2 project coordinator, at 623-5591 ext. 215 or email akindle@occnet.org or email mdraper@occnet.org to sign up or for information.

Living Restorations Anger Management, a 15-week course, is being taught at Garage Church,

122 Sanford, at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and 4:30 p.m. Sundays at no charge. For information, call

282-3515.

Stand Amputee Support Group meets from 6-8 p.m. the third Monday of the month in the Roland Room at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs Women’s Center. SASG provides support to amputees through it ambassador program. It is a positive atmosphere to get or give answers to everyday questions. Its goal is to help amputees get back to their normal life sooner. Call Karen MacDonald, 282-4788, for information.

Mothers of Multiples will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Dublin Room at the St. Vincent Heart Center. M.O.M.S. is a nonprofit support group for mothers of twins, triplets and more. Call Sherry McCurrie, 332-4167, or Denise Davis, 332-4025, for information.

Lupus Foundation of Arkansas Inc., Hot Springs Support Group, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the second floor boardroom at Levi Hospital, 300 Prospect Ave. Parking is in the rear, walk down the steps; or if unable to do steps, park on the lower level. The meeting is open to everyone (fibromyalgia, scleroderma, mixed connective tissue, etc.). Call Jamesetta Smith, 5259380 or 800-294-8878, or email lupusarkhs@direclynx.net for information.

An Alzheimer’s/dementia support group will be held at

4 p.m. Tuesday at Brookfield Assisted Living & Memory Care, 205 Sawtooth Oak St., one block north of National Park Medical Center. The group is open to anyone who has a family member with a dementia-related condition. Free caregiving services are provided during the session, reservations required. Call 520-0016 for information or to sign up.

Suicide Loss Support Group meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs, in Mercy Heart Center. Call 627-5441 for information.

Diabetes Support Group meets at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month in the Roland Room at St. Vincent Women’s Center. Call 622-4665 or 922-5451, ext. 4665, for information.

Parkinson’s Support Group will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at CHI St.Vincent in the Mercy Room for fellowship and the program begins at noon. Stew Isbell, from Medtronic, will speak about deep brain stimulation and its treatment for Parkinson’s. Members and visitors are welcome.

Thrift stores

Guardian Angels Thrift Store, 907 Hobson Ave., is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and Saturday. Donations of gently used, in clean condition, linens, household items, home decor, clothing and furniture are accepted. All proceeds support the cat shelter. Low-cost spay and neuter vouchers are available during store hours. Volunteers and foster parents are needed, call 6233484, leave a message and number. Adoption days are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Saturday.

Stop Animal Cruelty Thrift Store, 123 Albert Pike, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. All proceeds benefit the rescued pets in foster care. SAC is an all-volunteer organization striving to promote humane principles, prevent cruelty and alleviate fear, pain and suffering in animals. It investigates reports of cruelty and neglect in Hot Spring and Garland counties. Donations of kitchen items, home decor, clothing, shoes, bedding, linens, collectibles and furniture in good condition are appreciated. Donations of dog and cat food or pet supplies may be left at the store. All donations are tax deductible. Low-cost spay and neuter vouchers are available to the public. Anyone wishing to volunteer or become a foster parent may call the hot line, 501276-7570, for information.

Miscellaneous

Duplicate bridge will be held at 1:15 p.m. today at The Bridge House, 300 W. St. Louis St., for all bridge players for a unit championship game with stratified scoring. Need a partner? Come early, one is onsite. Call 525-8780 or

262-9149 for information.

Hot Springs AIDS Clinic, 1801 Central Ave., Suite C, is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The clinic provides free, comprehensive medical care, lab testing, medications, case management and support groups, and arranges HIV/AIDS awareness topic discussions. Call Mike Melancon, 623-5598, for information, to make a clinic appointment or donation.

Aquatic programs are offered at Quapaw Community Center, 500 Quapaw Ave., including: Swim lessons for all ages year round. Water Aerobics from

9-10 a.m. Monday-Friday; Water Workout, 10-11 a.m Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 9-10 a.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays; Aqua Arthritis, 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; Lap Swim, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 6239922 for information. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Hot Springs Branch

6013, secretly founded and chartered on Nov. 11, 1942, in a hotel linen closet, meets at 2 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month at Webb Community Center, 127 Pleasant St.

Special low-cost spay/ neuter prices, for residents of Garland and Hot Spring counties only, are offered by Paws and Claws Rescue. Pick up a voucher at Petco from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays. Email info@pawsandclawsrescue.org for information.

Mountain Valley Sportsman’s Association holds International Defensive Pistol Association matches at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday and U.S. Practical Pistol Association matches at 10 a.m. the fourth Saturday of each month. Rimfire matches are held on various Sunday afternoons. Trap and Skeet fields are open at 9 a.m. Saturdays; and 1 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays. Cowboy Action matches are the first Saturday. Civilian marksmanship matches are the third Saturday. All are held at Valley Range. From the intersection of Highway 70 east and Millcreek Road, take Millcreek and drive 6.5 miles to the gravel pit, turn right on the dirt road, go 1.9 mile to the range. Call 620-0601 for information.

Cans for Kids is sponsored Hot Springs Board of Realtors. Donate canned and boxed food items and help provide meals to children in all nine Garland County schools. Call Beverly,

321-2517, for information or drop donations off at the HSBOR office, 437 Orange, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Garland County Historical Society, 328 Quapaw, two blocks south of Levi Towers, is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Friday. Researchers can explore their family history or learn more about Hot Springs and Garland County. Call 321-2159 for information. Volunteers are welcome.

Needle Crafters Group meets from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays in the Hobby Lobby classroom, 4411 Central Ave. Explore crochet, knitting, cross stitch and needlepoint. Everyone is welcome. Call Janet, 501-5474054, or Dee, 540-581-6574, for information.

Family History Center at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2765 Malvern Ave., is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays. The public is welcome to work and/or get help on their family genealogy. Call 262-2782 for information.

Sweet Sound Mountain Dulcimer meets at 1 p.m. Wednesdays in Room 205 of the Christian Life Center at First United Methodist Church, 1100 Central Ave. If interested in playing a mountain dulcimer or you play one already, you are welcome to join. Free lessons are provided. Call 625-3882 for information.

Ageless Bikers Club has 10 bike rides that are 16-35 miles. No one is left behind and members stop often to regroup and socialize. Several rides are “out and back,” so the beginner can turn back for a shorter ride. The start times are seasonal. For time, routes and information, call Dave OBrien, 830-285-5129, or email

djob1947boom@gmail.com. Teen Clinic provides optional STD testing, pregnancy prevention and medical exams, in partnership with Garland County Health Department family planning and clinic services. Call Melissa Draper, outreach and volunteer coordinator, at 623-5591 ext.

10 or email mdraper@occnet.org to sign up or for information.

“Meditation” gatherings meets at 5 p.m. Mondays. Meditation is based on “The Infinite Way” by Joel S. Goldsmith. To those interested in living a spiritual life at home or at work, without neglecting daily responsibilities, through mediation and prayer, members can learn to live in the world, separate and apart from its negative aspects. Meditation and silent prayer begins and ends within an one hour or so and includes a little reading together and listening to a tape or CD. All are welcome. Call 623-9730 for location and information.

Yoga is held at 11 a.m. Saturdays at Quapaw Community Center, 500 Quapaw Ave. Beginners to advanced welcome. Call

623-9922 if interested in taking a Thursday evening class or for information.

Edgar Cayce’s ARE Search for God Study Group will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at Hot Springs Yoga Center, 1107 W. Grand Ave. Call Alex, 545-3516, for information on this Association for Research and Enlightenment group.

Melting Pot Genealogical Society, 649-B Ouachita Ave., on the back side of the Election Commission building, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday and Friday. Call 624-0229 or email mpgs@att.net for information.

The Literacy Council of Garland County, 119 Hobson Ave., is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Thursday. It provides literacy tutoring for free — both basic and ESL to Garland County. Be a tutor. Accepting students at all times. Call 624-7323 for information.

Arkansas People First Hot Springs Chapter meets at noon on the third Monday each month at S.A.I.L.S., 621 Albert Pike. Call Shannon Rivas, 624-7710 or 2764442, for information. LaLeche League of Hot Springs will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Call Barbara, 623-2618, for location and information. Nursing babies and young children are welcome.

Arkansas Hawg Hunters, a B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Bass Club, meets at 6:15 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at Atoka Inc., Highway 70 west. This is a grassroots anglers group dedicated to bass fishing’s future. Member fish competitively and share the goal and opportunity to fish in the Bassmaster Classic. They teach each other and youths about bass fishing. If interested in joining, come learn about the group. Call Mark Tyler, 262-5963, or Billy Graves, 922-0596, for information.

Disabled American Veterans, Whitby Chapter 5 meets at

11 a.m. the third Tuesday of each month at Smokin in Style BarB-Que, 2278 Albert Pike. Members eating should go through the line then bring your food to the meeting room. Those not eating, expect the meeting to begin around 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Veterans in need of assistance should contact the Service Office at 401 Mid-America Blvd., Hot Springs, AR 71913, call 760-4648 or email garlandcntydavoffice@ gmail.com.

Bridges Out of Poverty community discussion will be held at 8 a.m. Wednesday at The Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, 659 Ouachita Ave. It typically lasts until 9:30 a.m. This discussion is by Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic-Bridge to Hope. Call 3181153 to reserve a place, seating is limited.

Women’s Welcome Club member’s card groups will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday at West Shores Retirement Community,

2607 Albert Pike Road for Hand, Knee and Foot and 10:30 a.m. for bridge. Call President Coni Hall,

760-744-4491, for $10 lunch reservation and information.

Faith Point Ministries,

440 Broadway, will host a food pantry from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. Everyone is allowed to choose their own groceries. Please bring a valid ID.

The Preceptor Epsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday in the home of Linda Needham, 151 Ellis Court. Carpool will leave CHI St. Vincent hospital at 5 p.m.