Needing some time with your Self at the beginning of the New Year? Social worker Cathy Gallagher and art therapist Debbie Purdy will facilitate a weekend of reflection, using meditation, creative tools and exercises which will focus on ways to look at personal and spiritual issues. The event will be held at Science of Spirituality Center, 4S175 Naperville Road, Naperville, Friday evening, February 25 starting at 7:30 and Saturday, February 26 from 9 til 4. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on Saturday and some overnight lodging is available for those traveling from great distances. This program is free and open to the public.

This is part of the Enlightened Living workshops and talks sponsored by Science of Spirituality. To register by February 12, call 630/955-1200 or visit their web site at www.sos.org.

Deb Wadas, M.S.E., Career and Life Coach of Mundelein will be offering two new courses for adults at the Libertyville Tennis & Fitness Club. "Design the Career You Love" is a lively and interactive 8-session course for people who want to discover and attain a career they love. (Begins February 17). "Creating Your Ultimate Destiny" is the topic of the next 12-session Personal Development Group that is designed for people who enjoy personal growth and stimulating discussions with other positive and motivated people. (Begins February 18.) Call Deb Wadas as 847/949-7241 for fee and enrollment information.

Thousands of used books sorted by categories (religion, philosophy, self-help, literature, biography, science fiction, travel, etc.) will be available at bargain prices at Valparaiso University's Great Hall, in Valparaiso, Indiana. Hours are 8am to 9pm on Thursday and Friday, February 24 and 25, and 8am to 1pm on Saturday, February 26. All books are half price on Saturday morning.

The used book sale is sponsored by Valparaiso Branch, American Association of University Women, which donates all proceeds to educational projects. For information, call 219/464-9200.

On March 3-5, Ridge Art will host a trunk show featuring new art from Haiti purchased during their January-February buying trip. The show will include paintings, metal sculpture from recycled oil drums, sequin Voodoo flags and more. There will also be a sale on older inventory. Dates are Friday 6-10; Saturday 1-5; Sunday 1-4 and by appointment. Location: 21 Harrison Street (one block north from Austin exit of I-290), Oak Park. For information, call 708/848-4062.

A renowned Grand Master of Qi Qong, Jian Qiang Wan, will be coming to Evanston to give an experiential class in San He Qi Qong at Unity Church on the North Shore (3434 Central, Evanston) on Sunday, March 5, 1:30-4:30pm.

Master Wan is a director of several Chinese paranormal and life science centers and vice president of a Qi Qong convalescent hospital.

When Master Wan took part in a national level track competition in China, he broke his back in three places. He was paralyzed and in constant pain for over two years. Neither traditional nor conventional Chinese medicine was able to help him. Through Qi Qong his pain went away and he regained full function and feeling in his limbs without using medicine.

With his powerful mastery of Qi circulation, he has helped alleviate or reverse many difficult conditions for many people, such as paralysis, resistant kidney disease, pneumonia, asthma, deafness, blindness, infertility, some cancers, trauma injuries and eating disorders.

During the class participants will be empowered into powerful yet simple San Hi Qi Qong techniques which will give an immediate and tangible life energy (Qi) boost for health, vitality and healing. Master Wan also teaches his students how to give Qi to help others.

Health care practitioners and healers and those who have little or no experience in energy therapy can benefit and are warmly welcome. The fee is $35 in advance or $45 at the door. Please make checks payable to Jian Wan and mail c/o Dr.R.G. Hatland, 5701 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60660. Phone 773/334-4166 for more information.

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine is proud to announce approval by the Illinois Board of Higher Education of its branch campus in Chicago. This marks the first time that Illinois has approved a program of graduate study in Acupuncture and Traditional Oriental Medicine. Students completing Pacific College's four year program will earn a Master's degree. This event reflects the growing interest in and acceptance of acupuncture by patients and students alike.

Pacific College was founded in 1986 and has two additional campuses in San Diego and New York. It is the largest school of Oriental Medicine in the nation. As part of its internship training program, Pacific College will operate a low-cost clinic open to the public as well as off-site internships at clinics and hospitals throughout the Chicago area.

Pacific College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and its graduates are eligible for state licensure and national certification.

Cited as an effective means of treatment by the National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization, acupuncture and Oriental Medicine are becoming a serious alternative or complement to conventional pain management and medical treatment. With fifteen million acupuncture treatments performed safely each year and over 14 billion dollars spent for these services, Pacific College of Oriental Medicine is at the forefront of offering accredited graduate programs as a means of entering this growing profession.

For more information on Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, please contact Gina Rubbo or Chuck Parrish in admissions at 800/729-0941 or www.ormed.edu.

A new stress reduction center aimed exclusively at reversing the unhealthy side effects of stress is under construction in Lake Forest. In Vita Esse, Latin for "to have a life," is believed to be the first center of its kind, bringing together ancient Eastern, European and proven contemporary relaxation techniques, philosophies and methods with state-of-the-art technology from around the world.

What makes In Vita Esse so unique from anything else in North America are the steps and preparation prior to the massage-the most important factor of all of this," said developer Mark Mayer. In Vita Esse uses thermal and hydrotherapeutic treatments along with a full, deep body massage to increase blood flow and rid the body of harmful lactic acid. This two-hour regimen begins with a series of four detoxifying and relaxation procedures designed to prepare the body to reap the full benefits of the massage.

Either before or after their session, members and their guests may enjoy the many additional amenities available throughout the 18,000 square foot center, including a full-service salon, a French-style café, private business rooms and a plush television room. Additionally, In Vita Esse's gift boutique houses a collection of unique artwork from the cultural capitals of Europe as well as superior art pieces from emerging and established local artists. The antique European décor was created to stimulate the senses and maintain a tranquil state.

"The latest breakthroughs in natural health science have confirmed our concept to natural treatments and remedies for the reduction of the harmful side effects caused by stress," said Mayer.

In Vita Esse is currently accepting charter memberships which are limited to 500. The center is scheduled to open in March 2000. Individuals interested in membership may call 847/367-7904 for more information.