INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — Content for the weekly Health and Wellness section is selected from e-mail submissions to Bonanza editor Kevin MacMillan at kmacmillan@tahoebonanza.com. Please send the 5w’s:, who, what, when, where and why, plus website and contact information.

Rotary Ski Day a Success, Raffle Winner Announced

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The Rotary Club of Tahoe Incline announced the winner of a two-night stay at the Hyatt Andaz in Napa Valley at the annual Rotary Ski Day on March 12. The winner of the raffle is Dale Smith of Incline Village. The Rotary Club wishes to thank all who participated in this fund raiser. Proceeds will be used to support various educational and community projects in incline Village.

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Zipkin to Speak about Colorectal Cancer

In honor of March as National Colorectal Awareness Month, gastroenterology specialist Dr. Charles Zipkin from Tahoe Forest Health System (TFHS), will present two free talks about how to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Both presentations are on Wednesday, March 27. A noon brown bag lunch session will be held at Incline Village Community Hospital at 880 Alder Ave., Incline Village. An evening presentation starts at 5:30 p.m. at the Tahoe Center for Health and Sports Performance, located at 10710 Donner Pass Road in Truckee, Calif. Dr. Zipkin’s presentations will outline preventative care, discuss the importance of a healthy lifestyle and explain how screening tests can find pre-cancerous polyps, so they can be removed before they become cancerous. Then there will be a question and answer session.

Tahoe Forest Health System is also offering in March free fecal occult blood screens for anyone age 50 or older. The test cards along with full instructions on how to complete the test can be picked up at the Tahoe Center for Health and Sports Performance or at Incline Village Community Hospital, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Test cards should be returned to these locations for processing. Results will be sent in the mail with follow up information.

For more information about Tahoe Forest Health System, visit http://www.tfhd.com.

Snowshoe Under the Full Moon at Lake Tahoe

Join Tahoe Adventure Company and watch the sun set and stars come out while you trek through a snowy and tranquil forest under the full moon. Increase your knowledge of astronomy with moonlit views of Lake Tahoe and cap it off with hot drinks, snacks and stargazing.

Day trips cover a safety talk and instruction, natural and human history discussions as well as snacks, hot drinks and an impressive lunch served at a scenic location. Guides point out winter ecology, geology and other natural and human history along the way.

Full Moon Snowshoe dates: March 27, 6:30-9:30 p.m. and April 25, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Trip includes Full Moon Snowshoe Trek with all gear, hot drinks, trail snacks, professional guides, natural history discussions, and permit fees. Cost is $65 per person. Call 530-913-9212 or visit http://www.TahoeAdventureCompany.com. Reservations required.

Last Call for Indoor Open Gym

Attention parents with infants and toddlers up to 3 and a half: Tahoe’s Connection for Families (TCF) offers indoor playtime 10 a.m.-noon every Saturday through March 30. Children may play and explore with toys, books, games, dress up costumes, slides, wheeled toys and more. A parent or caregiver must accompany children.

The cost is included with a TCF annual membership. Without an annual membership the fee is $15 per day drop-in.

TCF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to building a strong community of families in the Northern Nevada/North Lake Tahoe area. Founded in 2001, TCF offers parent education classes and child development programs for infants and toddlers before they enter preschool. TCF has provided educational services to hundreds of children in the community, from infancy to 42 months old, and expectant parents.

TCF is located in the Village Shopping Center, 754 Mays Blvd., Ste. 12 in Incline Village. For more information visit http://www.tcfkids.org or call 775-832-8230.

April 13-14 Wilderness First Aid Course

Cost is $195 (non-TRTA members) and $175 (TRTA members). The Tahoe Rim Trail Association is hosting a two-day Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course taught by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS. This course will provide individuals with a foundation in important first aid concepts critical to responding effectively to emergencies in a remote backcountry environment.

The WFA course will help you prepare for the unexpected. This fast paced, hands-on training is designed to meet the needs of trip leaders, camp staff, outdoor enthusiasts and individuals working in remote locations. Classroom lectures and demonstrations are combined with realistic scenarios where mock patients will challenge you to integrate your learning. Go prepared for wet, muddy, cold or hot environments.

Prerequisites: No previous first aid training is required. You must be 16 years old to attend this course.

Certification: Successful course completion earns you a WMI Wilderness First Aid. This certification is current for two years.

Recertification: This course may also be used to re-certify WMI Wilderness First Responder and WMI Wilderness EMT (wilderness portion only) certifications.

Continuing Education: This course is approved by the United States Coast Guard to satisfy the first aid and CPR training requirements [46 CFR 11.205(e)(1)(i) &46 CFR 11.205(e)(2)(iv)] for a merchant mariner license. More info…

Scholarship: Individuals fluent in American Sign Language or Signed Exact English may be eligible to receive a full scholarship to their initial Wilderness First Aid course. AmeriCorps awards for the WFA with college credit accepted.

College Credit: 1 semester credit is available from WMI-affiliated colleges and universities.

Inquiries regarding Backcountry Skill Courses should be directed to Hayley at 775-298-0238 or programs @tahoerimtrail.org. Visit http://www.tahoerimtrail.org.

Wanderlust Returning to Tahoe

North Lake Tahoe announced the Wanderlust Festival, the world’s largest and fastest growing yoga and music festival, will return for a fifth year to Squaw Valley Thursday, July 18 through Sunday, July 21.

In addition to yoga and live music, attendees will enjoy organic food and wine, an inspirational speaker program, meditation and outdoor activities, such as paddle boarding, hiking, biking, and running. The yogis teaching and speaking are considered rock stars of the discipline and include Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, Dharma Mittra, Rod Stryker, Gurumkh Kaur Khalsa, Schuyler Grant and more.

The music lineup is equally impressive with Moby, Gramatik, Caravan Palace, Random Rab, Quixotic, Hannah Thiem, East Forest, MC Yogi, DJ Drez and Fabian Alsultany.

For more information, a complete lineup of events, photos and videos, and event tickets visit http://squaw.wanderlustfestival.com.

For special Wanderlust Festival lodging packages, head to the North Lake Tahoe Visitors Bureaus’ website at http://www.GoTahoeNorth.com, and click on the Cool Deals tab, which is updated daily with deals and savings.

Make a Difference in Someone’s Life

Tahoe Forest Hospice is offering volunteer training for hospice patient and family support volunteers to help patients and families who live in Truckee, North Tahoe and Incline Village. Volunteering is a great opportunity to help patients at end-of-life in your community. Provide companionship and friendship. Provide a break (respite) for caregivers. Do errands and shopping. Other activities include reading, playing games, gardening and helping with meals. Flexible hours available.

Training is a combination of online and in-person training totaling 20-25 hours, free of charge, at the Hospice Volunteer and Bereavement Center, 10083 Lake Ave., Truckee. For details contact Tahoe Forest Hospice Volunteer Coordinator Val Sutter at vsutter@tfhd.com or 530-582-3534.

Get-on-the-Ball

Incline Village Recreation Center, 980 Incline Way, Incline Village, Wednesdays at 9:10 a.m. Class uses the large therapeutic ball to help improve core strength, flexibility, balance, and posture. Exercise on the ball changes the angles and planes of motion to work more muscle groups, with more efficiency and great results. Call 775-832-1300, visit http://www.inclinerecreation.com.

55+ Fitness/Yoga

Incline Village Recreation Center, 980 Incline Way, Incline Village, Tuesdays and Thursdays, fitness; Wednesdays, yoga at 10 a.m.

Members are free. Drop-in rates: $5 for 55+ individuals who are Incline Village pass-holders and $10 for general public. Call 775-832-1300 or visit http://www.inclinerecreation.com.

Jazzercise new student special

Two weeks free for full-time, local residents. Jazzercise is a fun and challenging 60-minute total body workout that combines aerobics, strength training and stretching. Move to hot, current music — all ages are welcome.

Get great results in friendly classes at the beautiful lakefront North Tahoe Event Center in Kings Beach. Monday through Saturday, 8:45 a.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30 p.m.

For more information call Ginny at 530-546-7745 or 530-320-4556.

TRX Circuit Training

Incline Village Recreation Center, 980 Incline Way, Incline Village, Wednesdays, 6:10 p.m. A circuit/interval class that moves participants between TRX Suspension and BOSU Trainers (or other equipment) to produce a workout that includes full body strength, including core, and cardiovascular fitness. Call 775-832-1300 or visit http://www.inclinerecreation.com.

Aqua Fitness Liquid Cardio

Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 7 a.m. through April 1, 2013 at the Incline Village Recreation Center, 980 Incline Way, Incline Village. Get your morning started with one full hour of this kicked up aqua fitness class packed with endurance and strength training exercises. This is not your typical water fitness experience, but rather one that creates a liquid blast of energy, exercise and enthusiasm. Cost is $10, with IVGID pass $5, members free. Call 775-832-1300 or visit http://www.inclinerecreation.com.

Veteran Suicide Prevention

It is topic mostly ignored and avoided. Nevada has one of the highest suicide rates in the country among veterans, both men and women. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Information from the Nevada Office of Veteran Services.

Area Foster Parents and Respite Caregivers Needed

Foster parents are desperately needed, especially in Washoe County and Kings Beach (you can be single or non-married couple or LGBT couple).

Respite caregivers are also desperately needed. This means you are trained to take the foster children for a few hours or days so foster parents can go out to dinner, take a weekend away or visit relatives in another state. It is difficult to get permission to take a foster child across county or state lines. For more information on how to become a foster parent or respite caregiver contact Washoe County at 775-337-4470 or FosterCare@washoecounty.us. Placer County contact Placer Kids at 888-387-9982.

IVGID Senior Programs Pickleball

IVGID Tennis Center. Come one, come all to a exciting sport that is sweeping the nation. Enjoy the social fun pickleball brings to the community. Never played? Fear not! It is easy to learn and easy to play. Call 775-832-1325.

Youth modern dance announced

Youth Modern Hawkins Technique for ages under 11 at Tahoe Players, 920 Incline Way, Incline Village, Saturdays, 4 p.m. Brittnee Bramy, a graduate from UNLV with a heavy concentration in dance will join the Tahoe Players family of teachers to bring the free flowing easy-to-love technique developed by Eric Hawkins to the community. Call 775-831-0379 or visit http://www.tahoeplayers.com.

Cardio & Strength Conditioning

Incline Village Recreation Center, 980 Incline Way, Monday and Friday, 7:45 a.m., Incline Village Cardio/Strength Conditioning. A combination of cardio and muscular conditioning. Method of cardiovascular conditioning (i.e. step, circuit, boot camp, or kickboxing) varies. Call 775-832-1350, visit http://www.inclinerecreation.com.

Yoga

Incline Village Recreation Center, 980 Incline Way, Incline Village, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 11:10 a.m. Yoga, yoga/Pilates, advanced yoga, gentle yoga or stretch and balance. Combined movement classes that promote strength, flexibility, and balance while reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Call 775-832-1350 or visit http://www.inclinerecreation.com.

Zumba

Incline Village Recreation Center, 980 Incline Way, Incline Village, Tuesdays, 5:10 p.m. Zumba — cardio class that fuses Latin and African rhythms with easy-to-follow dance moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program. Visit http://www.inclinerecreation.com.

Support for Domestic Violence Survivors

Tahoe SAFE Alliance is offering two support groups for women who are survivors of domestic violence. One group is in Spanish and held on Tuesday afternoons at 3:30 p.m., and one group is in English which is held on Thursday evenings 6-7:30 p.m. Both groups have snacks provided. During the support groups, a children’s appropriate group with fun activities and snacks is available. If you are interested please call Juan at Tahoe SAFE Alliance at 530-582-9117 for more information.

Volunteer with Kids & Horses

Kids & Horses, northern Nevada’s only premier certified therapeutic riding center located in Minden seeks to recruit volunteers to work in their equine-assisted therapeutic riding lessons. Horse experience is a plus but not a requirement. Lessons at Kids & Horses run Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

People of all ages over 14, no upper age limit, are encouraged to offer time and skills including helping out with fundraising events and mentoring from experienced and passionate instructors.

Contact Barbara Morningstar, office and volunteer manager at 775-267-1775 or by email at info@kidsandhorses.org.

Affordable community health screenings

A simple, affordable way to start taking charge of your health. Introducing a variety of affordable lab tests and screenings. No appointment is necessary.

Incline Village Community Hospital, 880 Alder Ave., Incline Village. Second Thursday of the month. For information call 775-833-4100.

Monthly second Wednesdays, Tahoe Forest Laboratory Draw Station, 10956 Donner Pass Road, Ste. 230, Truckee, inside the Medical Office Building. Second Wednesday of the month. For information call 530-582-3277.

Regular physical exams by your health care provider and screening tests are an important part of preventive health care. Tests include complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid panel, Vitamin D- 25 hydroxy, hemoglobin A1C, TSH thyroid stimulating hormone. Patients should fast for 10-12 hours prior to lab test, this service is a low-cost laboratory screening that is not necessarily reimbursable by your insurance company, cash, checks and credit cards are accepted, and tests are available to individuals 18 years or older.