AQUATIC CROSS TRAINING. North Shore Physical Therapy and the Salem YMCA will provide an aquatic cross training exercise workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 7: 15 p.m. in the small pool. The workshop trains in shallow water techniques, abdominal conditioning, lumbar stabilization, core strengthening and deep-water cardiovascular training. For more information and to register, call 781-631-8250.

WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE. Local residents are launching a 12 week nonprofit Weight Loss Challenge. No specific program is required; participants can be on Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Herbalife or a customized plan of their own. Recommendations will be available from coaches. The class will be held at The Vault, 217 Essex St., Salem. Register at 617-257-5159.

FLU SHOTS FROM MDA: The Muscular Dystrophy Association is offering flu shots to people who have any of the more than 40 diseases it covers. To obtain a voucher that will qualify the bearer to a shot at a Walgreens flu clinic, call the Beverly MDA office at 866-632-2259 or visit www.mda.org.

FREE BIRTH CONTROL: Health Quarters in Beverly is now offering a free three-month supply of popular birth control methods to new patients, in conjunction with a clinical assessment. Health Quarters also offers free rapid HIV and pregnancy testing at its health center at 19 Broadway, Beverly. Gynecological exams, cancer screening and STD testing are also available. Call 978-922-4490 or visit www.healthq.org.

HYPNOSIS: Sessions in progressive relaxation are held at the Lifestyle Management Institute at Beverly Hospital's Danvers Medical Center, 480 Maple St., Danvers. To reserve a 30- or 60-minute session or for fees and other information, call 978-304-8415.

CPR CLASSES: The American Heart Association offers adult and pediatric Heartsaver classes as well as health-care provider classes through the Beverly Hospital Education Department. Call 978-922-3000, ext. 2236.

PREPARE FOR SURGERY: A workshop on preparing for surgery to help patients heal faster is offered prior to scheduled procedures at the Lifestyle Management Institute at Beverly Hospital's Danvers Medical and Day Surgery Center, 480 Maple St., Danvers. 978-646-7060.

OSTEOARTHRITIS OF KNEE: A clinical research study is being held to evaluate the safety of a new oral medication for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. To qualify for the study, participants need to be at least 40 years old, have radiographic evidence of knee osteoarthritis, and have had knee pain for at least six months that required medication such as Naproxen or Celebrex for pain relief. Contact Dr. Matthew Heller, Arthritis Associates Inc., 39 Cross St., Peabody, or call 978-532-7545.

AIDS TESTING: Health Quarters, 19 Broadway, Beverly, offers free HIV testing and counseling and free pregnancy tests, as well as low-cost birth control, cancer screenings and STD testing. Call 800-892-0234 for an appointment.

FREE SCREENINGS

Peabody-Martins Senior Homecare, 70 Main St., Peabody, offers free blood pressure screenings the first Monday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. A bilingual Portuguese/Spanish nurse is available. Walk-ins welcome.

Partners Home Care offers free monthly health screenings for Salem residents at various locations in Salem. Call 978-236-1300.

RED CROSS CLASSES

The Red Cross is offering the following classes at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 210-E in Beverly (unless noted). To register call 978-922-2224 or visit www.northeastmassredcross.org.

Adult CPR/AED, Dec. 3, 15, 6 to 10 p.m.

Adult CPR/AED review, Dec. 10, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Infant and Child CPR, Nov. 25; Dec. 2, 18, 6 to 10 p.m.; Oct. 16, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

First Aid, Dec. 11, 16, 6 to 10 p.m.

CPR/AED for PRO review, Dec. 8, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Adult CPR/AED, Infant and Child and First Aid, Dec. 20, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

HELP WITH HEALTH INSURANCE: North Shore Elder Services in Danvers has trained volunteers to counsel Medicare beneficiaries about health insurance and benefits, including Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Part D, HMOs, Prescription Advantage Program, and long-term care insurance. Volunteers provide seniors with free, confidential, unbiased information. Appointments required. Call 978-750-4540.

QUIT SMOKING

Individual smoking cessation sessions focusing on relaxation methods are offered at the Lifestyle Management Institute in Danvers. Thirty-, 60- and 90-minute sessions are available. Call 978-646-7060.

Beverly Hospital Hunt Center, 75 Lindall St., Beverly, offers a smoking cessation program using progressive relaxation. Call 978-304-8415.

Smoking Cessation, Quit and Quit for Good: Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at NSMC Salem Hospital, $140 for seven sessions, covered by many insurance policies. Register at 1-866-NSMC-BEWELL.

DIABETES: Highlow Diabetes provides education, information and help to children and families dealing with type 1 diabetes. They also raise public awareness through activities, functions, events and fundraising that further supports families and that supports organizations and institutions trying to find a cure. For information on upcoming programs, contact Julie Sparages at 781-231-2936 or highlowdiabetes@verizon.net.

OVEREATING: Overeaters Anonymous holds meetings on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. at Shaughnessy Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital, Dove Ave., Salem. Call 781-641-2303.

BLOOD PRESSURE

Right at Home and Landmark Assisted Living at Oceanview offer free blood pressure clinics on the first Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. Registration is required. Located at 3 Essex St., Beverly. Call Doreen Tanzella, 978-927-4227, ext. 11.

Radius Healthcare Center and CVS Pharmacy hold blood pressure clinics the second Tuesday of every month at various locations including Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, and Salem. For information or times, call Mary Roberts at 978-777-2700, ext. 3067.

A free blood pressure clinic is held on the first Tuesday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Center for Healthy Aging, 75 Lindall St., Danvers. Pre-registration is not required.

WEIGHT LOSS: Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a nonprofit weight loss group for men, women and teens, meets every Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cove Community Center on East Corning Street, Beverly. Weekly dues $2. Sessions include private weigh-ins, nutrition tips and more. Call Barbara Walburn, 978-922-7245.. 11, 284 Bay Road, South Hamilton, 9 a.m. for an irregular heart rhythm screening to help prevent strokes. A bone density screening to check for osteoporosis is also available. Pre-registration is required. To schedule an appointment, visit www.lifelinescreening.com or 1-800-697-9721.

WOMEN'S HEALTH

VNA Care Network provides financial assistance stipends to women in need diagnosed with breast cancer. Stipends can be used for treatment, medication, child care, prosthetic undergarments, head coverings, and transportation. Call 888-663-3688, ext. 2429.

The Women's Health Network, part of VNA Care Network, offers uninsured and underinsured, income-eligible women ages 40 to 64 free mammograms, pap tests and cardiovascular screenings. Call 888-663-3688, ext. 1340, or e-mail kwebber@vnacarenetwork.org. All inquiries and services are confidential.

SENIOR MEALS: Beverly Hospital's Food and Nutrition Services invites local seniors to purchase hot and cold meals for $6 or less daily between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. at the hospital, 85 Herrick St. Meals are served in the third-floor cafeteria, which is handicapped accessible. Parking is free.

HEARING LOSS

Dial-A-Hearing-Screening offers automated confidential hearing loss tests to Beverly residents. Call 800-222-3277 from a phone in a quiet room between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. for a screening.

Rogers Hearing Solutions holds free hearing clinics the last Friday of every month from 9 a.m. to noon at the Beverly Council on Aging, 90 Colon St. Call 978-921-6017 for an appointment.

MEN'S HEALTH

A Prostate Cancer Support Group meets the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. at Ledgewood Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center at Beverly Hospital, 85 Herrick St., Beverly. Meetings are free; no registration required. Call 978-236-1650.

The Gay and Bisexual Men's Health Program has drop-in hours Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. at 156 Cabot St., Beverly, and offers free and anonymous HIV testing, free condoms and information on HIV, STD, hepatitis and other men's health issues. Call David at 978-927-4506, ext. 219.

SENIOR HEALTH

The Seniors EyeCare Program offers free eye-care information for patients who qualify. The program is designed for those ages 65 and older who have not seen an ophthalmologist in three or more years. Eligible patients will be matched with a nearby volunteer ophthalmologist. Call 800-222-3937.

The Senior Outreach Program at Beverly Hospital hosts a Senior Supper Club open to all area seniors. Each month, the group meets for a lecture followed by a nutritious and affordable meal in the hospital's cafeteria. Call 978-774-4400, ext. 4005.

VNA Care Network offers a free Medication Management Program to help seniors and their caregivers effectively manage seniors' prescription medications and reduce errors and adverse drug reactions. Participants must be 60 or older and be a resident of Danvers, Marblehead, Middleton, Peabody or Salem. Call 800-728-1862.

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS

Infant/Childsaver Class, a two-evening, six-hour program helps parents, expecting parents and caregivers recognize and cope with emergency situations involving infants and small children. Call the education department at Beverly Hospital at 978-927-9103.

Managing Childhood Obesity, a family-centered program, is offered at the Lifestyle Management Institute at Beverly Hospital's Danvers Medical and Day Surgery Center, 480 Maple St., Danvers. Call 978-646-7060.

Catholic Charities North offers Healthy Families services for first-time parents ages 20 and younger in North Shore communities. The home visiting program provides group-based activities to reduce isolation and promotes peer-to-peer support to young parents. Enrollment in the program is voluntary, and may begin prenatally or until the child's first birthday. Service continues until the child turns 3. Call 781-593-2312.

Beverly Hospital offers several classes and workshops for new parents, including prenatal classes, childbirth education, and postpartum classes. The hospital also offers Boot Camp for New Dads and childbirth class house-calls. Participants are advised to register early as classes fill up quickly. Call 978-927-9103.

Mothertalk Too, a play time for moms and babies 8 months and older, takes place every other Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Women's Health & Medical Arts Building, on the campus of Beverly Hospital, Herrick Street, Beverly. Cost is $5 a class. Call 978-927-9103.

WEIGHT LOSS: A patient information session for the Optifast Medical Weight Loss program will be held the second Monday of each month from 5 to 6 p.m. in the board room at the new Lifestyle Management Institute, located in Beverly Hospital's Danvers Medical and Day Surgery Center, 480 Main St., Danvers. For information or to register, call 978-304-8415.

REIKI: Upcoming Reiki clinics at the Lifestyle Management Institute, at the Beverly Hospital at Danvers Medical and Day Surgery Center, 480 Maple St. in Danvers, include:

Reiki Level II clinic, Saturday, Nov. 8, from 6 to 7 p.m. The cost is $200.

For more information about class availability and fees, please call 978-304-8020.

VOLUNTEERS: Beverly Hospital is seeking volunteers for the hospital's gift shop for Sunday afternoons. The Volunteer Department provides training for the position, free parking, meal voucher for the hospital's caf’© and gift shop discount. For information call 978-922-3000, ext. 2307.

BYPASS LECTURE: Gastric bypass and banding information sessions are held the fourth Monday of every month from 1 to 3 p.m. for bypass, and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. for banding, at Salem Hospital, 81 Highland Ave., Salem. To register call 877-676-2637.

KEEP WELL

VNA Care Network and Hospice offers free Keep Well clinics, where individuals may check their blood pressure and present any health concerns, at the following times and locations:

In Beverly, at the COA, 90 Colon St., first Tuesday each month, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; Garden City, 20 Sohier Road, first Tuesday each month, 11 a.m. to noon; Turtle Creek, 401 Essex, first Wednesday each month, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Fairweather, 245 Elliott St., second Tuesday each month, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Upton Place, 137 Bridge St., third Tuesday each month, 1 to 2 p.m.; Apple Village, 501 Manor Road, third Wednesday each month, 1 to 2 p.m.; Jaclen Towers, 215 Rantoul St., fourth Tuesday each month, 10 to 11 a.m.; Hannah Village, 17 Conant St., fourth Tuesday each month, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

In Boxford, at Four Mile Village, 50 Four Mile Village, first and third Wednesdays each month, 9 to 11 a.m.; Boxford Senior Center, 4 Middleton Road, fourth Wednesday each month, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In Manchester, at Congregational Chapel, Chapel Lane, first and third Thursdays of the month, 9 to 11 a.m.

In Marblehead, at the COA, 10 Humphrey St., second Thursday each month, 11 a.m. to noon.

In Middleton, at COA, 38 Maple St., second Monday each month, 10 to 11:30 a.m.; Oak Knoll, 61 North Main St., first Friday each month (not July), 9 to 10 a.m.; Senior Housing, Orchard Circle, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., second Tuesday each month; Ferncroft Towers, 40 Village Road, second Friday each month, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

In Swampscott, at the COA, 200 R Essex St., second Tuesday each month, 11 a.m. to noon; Stop and Shop, Vinnin Square, fourth Wednesday each month, 12 to 2 p.m.

In Topsfield, at Little Brook Village, 69 Washington St., second and third Thursdays of the month, 9 to 11 a.m.; Washington Meadows, 92 Washington St., first and fourth Thursdays each month, 9 to 11 a.m.