Content is selected from e-mail submissions to Community Editor Amy Edgett at aedgett@sierrasun.com. Send the 5w’s: who, what, when, where and why, about 100-175 words.

Parent Talk

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You are invited to the Community House for a “Bullying and Cyber-Bullying” parent talk presented by Tahoe SAFE Alliance on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 6-7 p.m. at the North Tahoe Community House, located at 8321 Steelhead Ave. in Kings Beach.

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Dentistry from the Heart brushes up on smiles

On Oct. 4, Sierra Crest Dental and Tahoe Oral Surgery & Implant Center held their third annual “Dentistry from the Heart” free dental day. Spreading free smiles, Dentistry from the Heart, a registered nonprofit, started as a way to give back and support the community. Sierra Crest Dental is pleased to announce they surpassed last year’s event with the help of Dr. Robert Colpitts, Dr. Mark Zila, Dr. Dan Martin their staffs, and many other volunteers. Sierra Crest Dental was able to treat 96 people from the community and provided more than $30,000 of free dental care.

Sierra Crest Dental and Dentistry from the Heart wants to thank the many volunteers that made this event possible.

And look for them next year on Friday, Oct. 3 and 4, 2014 for the annual Dentistry From The Heart. Visit http://www.drcolpitts.com for more information about Sierra Crest Dental.

National Rural Health Day

Tahoe Forest Health System and the California State Office of Rural Health are proud to be part of National Rural Health Day in Truckee and North Tahoe, Thursday, Nov. 21, to celebrate the “Power of Rural.” Did you know Truckee and North Tahoe are rural, and even classified as frontier communities? There are 50.1 million residents in rural areas in the United States, of which 5.1 million are in California. Of California’s 58 counties, 44 are rural counties. Approximately 13 percent of the population resides within these rural areas with 80 percent of California’s landmass designated rural. The Truckee Tahoe area provides health care services that rank among the nation’s top in the nation for rural communities. Area practitioners and facilities contribute significantly to the economic health of our communities. Technology advances in the area allow residents to connect to expanded health resources.

Contact The Wellness Neighborhood at 530-582-7425 or visit http://celebratepowerofrural.org for a listing of times, topics and scheduled speakers for National Rural Health Day. Webinars can be viewed at http://celebratepowerofrural.org/?page_id=1031.

Registrater for Wellness Neighborhood Director Caroline Ford’s session on population-based health and health promotion in rural communities at https://nosorh.webex.com/nosorh/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=666479151.

Celiac disease and gluten-free living support group

Led by Betsy Taylor, registered dietitian. Learn about healthy ways to be gluten free, and how to navigate safely in your eating experiences! Share your gluten-free journey, and support others who are new to this lifelong eating commitment. Group meets once a month at 5:15 p.m., the last Monday of each month, Nov. 25, with a break in December during the holidays. This support group is offered free of charge. Tahoe Center for Health & Sports Performance, 10710 Donner Pass Road, Truckee. For more information, please call 530-587-3769.

NASTC to host early season jumpstart

On Dec. 4-7 Truckee’s North American Ski Training Center (NASTC) will offer an early season course designed to boost confidence levels and dial in the technique you need to ski hard the rest of the season. Creating a strong technical platform at the season’s start helps you ski better throughout the season. In addition to your skiing technique NASTC’s top-notch coaches will assess your equipment and fitness training needs to make sure they are the best fit for you and your goals.

Qi Gong for health

Worried about winter colds and other ailments? Scientific studies consistently show that the practice of Qi Gong (Tai Chi) strengthens the immune system and reduces the incidence of ailments such as colds. Stressed from work, schlepping kids to endless activities and the general spin of life? The deep breathing coordinated with slow and gentle movements and overall meditative nature of Qi Gong creates a sense of relaxed “easefullness,” and has been shown to decrease hypertension. Smiling and vigorous laughter immediately raises the level of our energy, strengthens the immune response and lightens up our outlook on life. Qi Gong practice includes these behaviors throughout. In general, the practice is such that it can be accomplished regardless of physical condition, restrictions and while sitting if necessary. This ancient practice increases our sense of well-being, raises our physical and mental energy and enhances our overall health.

Summer classes were very popular.

They will continue throughout the winter, with a 9 a.m. Tuesday class at Truckee’ Community Recreation Center and a Thursday class at 10 a.m., at the Truckee Donner Senior Apartments. Drop-ins are welcome.

Call Rolf Godon at 530-587-2557.