Valley happenings

Staff Reports

Fishtank plays Friday

The Carson Valley Arts Council presents the Fishtank Ensemble in concert at the CVIC Hall, 1604 Esmeralda, Minden on Friday. Doors open at 6 p.m., concert at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $17 for members and $20 for nonmembers and can be purchased at www.cvartscouncil.com or at the Copeland Cultural Arts Center ticket office, 1572 Highway 395, Minden.

The Fishtank Ensemble produces everything from French hot jazz to wild Serbian and Transylvanian gypsy anthems.

The Fishtank Ensemble is Fabrice Martinez on violin and trombone; Ursula Knudson on saw, voice, and violin; Douglas Smolens on guitar and Djordje Stijepovic on bass. LA Weekly called the Fishtank Ensemble, "one of the most thrilling young acts on the planet."

Celiac disease discussed Dr. Hong Gao from GI Consultants gives a lecture on "Celiac Disease: A Common Disease with Multi-System Manifestations," 2:30-4 p.m. Saturday, at the Douglas County Public Library in Minden.

Gao discusses and answers questions about the symptoms, diagnosis, complications and treatment of the disease. The event is hosted by the celiac disease support group Gluten Free Diners.

Celiac disease is a common hereditary auto-immune disease where the small intestine is damaged when exposed to gluten in the diet, reducing its ability to absorb nutrients properly, creating a variety of health problems. It may affect one of 133 people. Symptoms may include irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia, diarrhea, anemia, vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis.

Gao is a gastroenterologist at GI Consultants in Carson City and is also a doctor of public health. She became interested in celiac disease during her training at Yale University and has been involved in patient education of celiac disease over the last several years. Information, Vicki Bates at 265-6827 or vrbates@charter.net

Rotary hosts Beast Feast

The Minden Rotary Club's Beast Feast wild game chef's dinner begens at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Carson Valley Inn. The event features a five-course dinner of wild game, wine from Cleavage Creek Winery, no-host cocktails and charity auction.

The menu includes Muscovy duck, Idaho trout, roasted elk and wild boar. Auction prizes include firearms, wine dinners, outdoor packages and vacation and golf experiences.

The Beast Feast is a major fundraiser for the Minden Rotary Club to assist children at risk in the community. Minden Rotary supports organizations such as Austin's House, China Spring, Aurora Pines, Boys & Girls Club, Junior ROTC and works with Douglas County schools and the Boy Scouts.

Tickets are $75 and available from any Minden Rotarian or Brent Holderman at Carson River Bank, bholderman@carsonrivercb.com or 781-5112.

Lions recycle eyeglasses

Member of the Carson Valley Lions Club are collecting eyeglasses to distribute in developing countries. The Lions are asking people to donate old, unwanted eyeglasses for the Lions Recycle for Sight program.

The Lions collect used prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses as part of a recycling program in Nevada. Glasses are distributed in countries where eye care is often unaffordable and inaccessible.

"We need everyone to donate their old glasses," said Carson Valley Lions Club president Tom Cheney. "In most developing countries, an eye exam can cost as much as one month's wages, and a single eye doctor may serve a community of hundreds of thousands."

The glasses are shipped to the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center to be cleaned, categorized by prescription and prepared for distribution by Lions and other groups.  

According to the World Health Organization, the eyesight of a quarter of the world's population can be improved through the use of a corrective lens.

Donate used eyeglasses in Lions Recycle for Sight collection bins at the Minden post office, Douglas County Senior Center, Raley's, Scolari's, Smith's, Rite-Aid, and other Valley businesses.

Minden resident Lion Jim Kneeland chairs a year-round Lions recycle program. Information, 782-0845.

Lab tests at health fair

The Douglas County Senior Center's 11th annual Senior Health Fair is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 27 in the Shannon Ballroom at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden. The event is open to the public and admission is free.

The health fair is designed to provide seniors an expanded awareness of health care providers and services in Carson Valley and is an opportunity for individuals to address concerns with health care professionals.

Information given on vision, hearing, hospice, Alzheimer's support, residential care, area hospitals, fitness, home care, investment professionals and TRIAD. Raffle prizes awarded.

Laboratory tests including a wellness and lipid panel, complete blood count, prostate evaluation and thyroid evaluation are made available through Carson Valley Medical Center. The wellness panel requires a 12-hour fast. No appointment or physicians orders are necessary. Tests are offered for a small fee payable with cash or check at the time of the draw. For information on booth space, contact Amanda at the senior center, 783-6455.

Lab tests offered at health fair:

Wellness panel, includes comprehensive and lipid panels, $40. Requires a 12-hour fast. Water and medications OK.

Complete blood count, $25.

Prostate evaluation, $30.

Thyroid evaluation, $35.

Patients must be 18 years and older. No physicians orders or appointments necessary. Insurance will not be billed for community wellness services. Cash or check only.