Yol Swan is an artist, jewelry designer, and writer located in Weaverville, and the owner of Sacred Jewelry & Yoga Designs. She has been involved with art and the creative process since childhood and now devotes most of her time making silver, copper, and gemstone jewelry inspired by the Hindu and Buddhist spiritual traditions, ethnic cultures, and her exploration of the mind and its symbolism. For more information about her and her work visit: www.sacred-jewelry.com and www.sacredjewelry.wordpress.com.

Here’s another Weaverville-owned and operated business:  McLendon Bylines, a freelance journalism and PR service.  I asked writer Sherri McLendon, the woman behind the bylines, to put together her own press release about herself and her business. Here’s what she had to say:

Sherri L. McLendon communicates with McLendon Bylines

A stroll down “Memory Lane” in Sherri L. McLendon’s neighborhood may find her greeting corporate executives in full costume and in character to enliven a high-profile merger celebration, interviewing the Indigo Girls about an artistic collaboration, covering a high profile serial killer trial, creating cross-branding opportunities using themed entertainment, or promoting an individual or cause through ethical public relations practice.Behind each of these personas one finds a committed, enthusiastic communication strategist, writer, and editor. Working as a public relations and marketing professional since 1999, Ms. McLendon currently operates McLendon Bylines, an independent freelance copywriting and editing service for journalism, marketing and public relations projects, publications and events.

Recognized for her exceptional writing and editing, vivacious personality, and leadership abilities, Ms. McLendon holds an MA in journalism and mass communication from the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia (2004). A former newspaper editor and pilot magazine publisher, she proves experienced in all phases of news process; since 1989, her writings continue to appear in numerous daily and community newspapers, alternative news weeklies, blogs, public relations/news service releases, e-marketing and online publications, and regional and national magazines.

Serving as 2010 president and a 2009 board member of the Public Relations Association of Western North Carolina, she remains a member of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, enjoys social media messaging, and teaching or coaching emerging writers.

She lives in Weaverville, N.C., with her partner, Scott Parker, their son, Riley, who was born on St. Patrick’s Day 2006, and Simone, their “mountain manx.” Read her media topics blog at sherrimclendon.blogspot.com, access her web site at www.sherrimclendon.com, or email her directly at sherri@sherrimclendon.com.

I spoke recently with a couple of the counselors who make up North Buncombe Counseling Offices.  They’re in one of what I consider to be hidden office spaces in Weaverville, at 2 South Main Street above the United Country/Peregrine Properties real estate offices.  There are three counselors who share the office space but they actually work independently of one another, each with a different focus. All three live in Weaverville and said they opened their space to provide a service they felt wasn’t available in Weaverville. Here’s more info and short bios provided by each:

Page Albright, MC, LPC
Over 20 years of experience providing counseling services for children, adolescents, adults, and families. I use CBT, Motivational Interviewing, expressive therapies (music,drama, art) to assist clients in developing their own unique solutions. Accept Medicaid/Health Choice, BCBS, Medcost, & Crescent insurances.

Karen Osborne-Rowland, MAEd., LPC
Osborne-Rowland has worked with children, adolescents, and families for over 25 years, and “values the client’s world-view while also suggesting and teaching alternative perspectives and strategies for resolving difficulties.” In addition to traditional talk therapy,  she may use play therapy,  sand tray, games, art, and other activities for engaging fully in the therapeutic process and relationship.

Chandra Passero, MA, LMFT
Passero has a degree in child development and a Masters in Somatic Psychology and has been licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist since 1997. In an atmoshphere of warmth and curiosity, she “draws on behavioral and body-based therapies, mindfulness practices, play therapy, expressive arts, parent education and psychodynamics” to facilitate healing and change in her clients.

Location: 2 South Main Street (offices above United Country/Peregrine Properties)

Hours: by appointment

Phone:
Page Albright Counseling, (828) 713-6438
Osborne-Rowland Counseling, PLLC: (828) 768-5440
Mountain Area Body-Psychotherapy, PLLC: (828) 337-2716

Payment options: Cash, checks, or insurance, including Medicaid, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, Crescent, MedCost and NC HealthChoice.

Scribbles the Clown, aka Donna in Weaverville, is available for parties or special events. According to her flyer, Scribbles “loves to facepaint, make balloon animals, dance, and play games.” If you need more information, you can reach her at (828) 645-3528, (561) 866-2280 or Scribbles can also be found doing face painting most Wednesdays at the Weaverville Tailgate Market.

They don’t have a sign up yet, but Aabani Salon & Spa is officially open at 12 North Main Street. The salon carries Aveda products for skin and hair and offers all the usual hairstylist services. They also offer brow wax and facials, and are setting up an area for manicures and pedicures. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. Their phone number is 484-8488.

An overdue introduction, this is Chris LaFond. Chris took over as the new manager at Blue Mountain Pizza (55 North Main Street ) after Rose left to pursue other opportunities. He and his family came to Weaverville via Montana over two years ago. If you haven’t met him already, be sure to say hello the next time you stop in.

Also at Blue Mountain: they’re still offering the Family Dinner Special every Thursday. The special includes a house salad, spaghetti and meatballs, garlic knots, and a fountain drink. It’s $19.95 for a family of four and $11.95 for two (and that’s the total, not the per person price).

Business Name: Clay Spa & Salon

About Clay Spa & Salon: Trish Harwood and Tammy Laffitte opened Clay Spa in February 2004 and they love their 3 South Main Street location. Clay Spa is a full-service day spa and salon, offering hair, nails, massage, facials, body treatments, and depilatory services. From the moment you enter you are greeted by a professional, artistic group of women who truly value your patronage and want to make your experience perfect. The products used at Clay are all made with certified organic ingredients and are safe for the environment.

Location: 3 South Main Street

Phone #: 828-645-2529

Hours: Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Wednesdays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Business Name:  Rose Pilates

About Rose Pilates: Rose Pilates is a fully equipped studio offering professional instruction and personalized fitness programs designed to meet the needs of everyone any age or fitness level. The Studio offers one on one equipment sessions, group equipment sessions and mat classes. Your instructor is certified with over 10 years of teaching experience. Pilates offers fitness benefits as well as recuperative benefits.

Location:  670 Merrimon Ave. (Weaverville Hwy) in the Stoney Knob Commons next to the Verizon store.

Hours/Schedule:  Full schedule available at www.rosepilates.com/schedule.htm

Website:  www.rosepilates.com

Phone: 333-2223

Special Offers: First mat class is free if you purchase a class card.

Beginning this week I will be publishing “Business Profiles” as a way of promoting new and existing local businesses.  If you own a business located in or doing business in Weaverville and would like to submit your information for a Business Profile, please email myweaverville@gmail.com for details.  This week’s featured business is Weaverville Massage:

Business Name:  Weaverville Massage, Brie Ward (LMBT #5490)

About Weaverville Massage:  Brie Ward of Weaverville Massage has been Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage Therapy since 1996 and a certified USUI Reiki Master since 1999. She has spent many years studying a variety of massage techniques and then distilled each into the essence of most effective technique. Massage is simply touch. By use of the hands, fingers, elbows and forearms, we can achieve relaxation, relief from pain and improvement in function. Brie believes in a true multi-disciplinary approach to the treatments and may use any or all of the following to achieve an appropriate plan for the client.  Weaverville Massage offers Swedish Massage, Sacred Stone Therapy, Reflexology, Basic Deep Tissue Massage, and Neuromuscular Therapy. Read the rest of this entry »