BELLINGHAM - A New Zealand pediatrician specializing in gluten issues will be the guest speaker at the 11th annual community awareness event put on by the Bellingham Gluten Information Group.

It begins 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, at the CTK Community Church Conference Center, 4173 Meridian St. (corner of Meridian and Bakerview).

Admission is free.

The speaker will be Dr. Rodney Ford, who will talk about his new book "Gluten: Zero Global," in which he focuses on the harmful effects of gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley that can sicken people who can't tolerate it.

Learn more about the event online at glutenfreeway.info.

Reach KIE RELYEA at kie.relyea@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2234.