In honor of Asthma Awareness Month, locally renowned pediatric allergist, Srinagesh Paluvoi, M.D. of Allergy and Asthma Affiliates of Gainesville and Leesburg, Va. is hosting free asthma screenings on Thurs., May 30 at LA Fitness at 1490 Classic Path Way, SE and Fri., May 31 at the Gainesville Sports & Health Club at 7201 Heritage Village Plaza from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the health clubs. The screenings are open to adults and children and no appointment is necessary. Call 703.729.8830 or visit www.vasneezers.com for more information.

In honor of National Heart Month, Metropolitan Fine Arts Center (MFAC) of Alexandria and Fairfax Station, Va. is featuring their “Dance Your Heart Out” campaign, offering unlimited adult dance and mind/body classes throughout February for a special price of $110. And MFAC will donate 10 percent of all “Dance Your Heart Out class fees to the American Heart Association. Schedules can be viewed at www.metrofinearts.com. Classes are available at Alexandria and Fairfax Station, Va. locations.

MFAC’s “Dance Your Heart Out” campaign includes all adult dance, yoga and MetroBarre classes. A regular adult class fee is 10 classes for $130. The February “Dance Your Heart Out” program provides unlimited adult class access at a significantly discounted set fee of $110 with 10 percent donated to the American Heart Association.

Each Christmas, there are children around America who unwrap a new, non-powder gun. These guns include BB, pellet, and paintball. While many parents may believe such guns to be harmless, and even see them as a toy, statistics suggest otherwise. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, over 20,000 injuries result from these types of guns each year, with four percent of them requiring hospitalization.

“These guns are not toys at all, and they can certainly do damage both to people and to animals,” explains Robert Misseri, president of Guardians of Rescue, an organization dedicated to helping animals in need. “In our line of work, we have seen it often – kids who shoot at animals just for fun, and leave them distressed and injured. These guns create problems that parents are not even usually aware of.”

Here are 5 tips for parents who may have a child with one of these non-powder guns, or who are considering getting one for them: