Dispose of your unused, unwanted, or expired prescriptions in Weaverville next week during Operation Medicine Drop:

Who
Safe Kids, Weaverville Police Department, Weaverville Drug Company, CVS Pharmacy, KERR Drug, and WalMart locations in Weaverville.

What
Prescription drug take-back event where the public can dispose of unused, unwanted or expired prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications and keep them out of the wrong hands.

When and Where

• Monday, March 15, 2010, 3-6 p.m. , CVS Pharmacy (Monticello Road)
• Tuesday, March 16, 2010, Noon-2 p.m., Weaverville Drug Company (Main Street)
• Friday, March 19, 2010, 3-6 p.m., KERR Drug (Weaver Blvd)
• Saturday, March 20, 2010, Noon-3 p.m., WalMart (Northridge Commons)

Why
Unintentional poisoning from prescription medicatinos is on the rise in North Carolina – since 1999, nearly 4,500 people have died from prescription poisioning. Operation Medicine Drop offers the public a free and convenient option for disposing of their prescription and over-the-counter medications to protect their families and the environment.

Walk with Dr. Ogg and Dry Ridge Family Medicine (including me) on March 27, 2010 to help them support Colon Cancer Awareness:

Dr. Nicole Ogg and the staff at Dry Ridge Family Medicine invite you to walk with us on March 27 at the 2010 Colon Cancer Awareness 5k Run/Walk in Asheville.

The 5K (3.1 mile) Run/Walk is scheduled for Saturday, March 27, 2010 and will start at 8 a.m. at the Asheville Gastroenterology Associates parking lot (191 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville).

This is the first year for this event, which has been put together by Asheville Gastroenterology Associates to promote the importance of colon cancer screening. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Despite effective tests being available, colorectal cancer screening remains underused, with less than half of the American population undergoing some form of screening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s estimated that as many as 60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if all men and women aged 50 years or older were screened routinely. Colorectal Cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death, with 1 in 19 Americans developing the disease during one’s lifetime.

All proceeds from the event go to the Mission Healthcare Foundation to help fund the Mission Comprehensive Cancer Care Facility, which will bring state of the art outpatient cancer treatment to Western North Carolina.

If you’d like to walk with the Dry Ridge Family Medicine team (the Turtle Trotters), please stop by our office at 104 North Main Street and pick up a registration form.  You can also visit our Events page at www.dryridgefamilymedicine.com/events.php for more information about the race or to register online.

The Mountain Area American Red Cross is holding the annual CPR Saturday on March 13, 2010.  They’re offering free CPR classes at the Weaverville Fire Department (3 Monticello Road) and 14 other locations throughout Western North Carolina. Pre-registration is required. The class runs 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (I was told they will shut the doors promptly at 9 a.m., so if you’re late you won’t be let in). Info and locations:

CPR Saturday

On March 13, instruction will be given at a total of 15 locations in eight Western North Carolina counties.  Pre-registration is required for participation.  Interested persons should call 828-258-3888 or their local Red Cross offices for more information on times, locations, type of class being offered (adult, child or infant) and reservations.

“For one day each year, our community chapters offer these valuable life-saving skills for free to area residents,” said Patrick Fitzsimmons, regional Red Cross executive.  “Whether required for a particular job or as a skill someone wants to learn, the fact is that CPR saves lives.  We are hopeful area citizens will take advantage of these free classes,” he added.

Last year, over 450 individuals received free training on CPR Saturday.

Buncombe County
To Register (required):  828-258-3888

• Red Cross Chapter Headquarters (100 Edgewood Road, Asheville)
• Skyland Fire Department (9 Miller Road, Skyland)
• Weaverville Fire Department (3 Monticello Road, Weaverville)
• Stephens Lee Recreation Center (30 George Washington Carver Street, Asheville)

Haywood County
To Register (required): 828-456-8141

• Haywood Regional Fitness Center (262 Leroy George Drive, Clyde)
• Waynesville Recreation Center (550 Vance Street, Waynesville)

Henderson County
To Register (required):  828-693-5605

• Mountain First Bank and Trust Operations Center (960 Spartanburg Highway, Hendersonville)
• Henderson County YMCA (810 6^th Avenue, West, Hendersonville)
• Pardee Hospital Education Center (Blue Ridge Mall, 1800 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville)
• Fletcher Library (120 Library Road – just off Hendersonville Road, Fletcher)

McDowell County
To Register (required): 828-652-6531

• Corpening Memorial YMCA (348 Grace Corpening Road, Marion)

Polk County
To Register (required): 828-894-2700

• Red Cross Chapter Headquarters (231 Ward Street, Columbus)

Rutherford County
To Register (required): 828-287-5916

• Isothermal Community College Gymnasium (286 ICC Loop Road, Spindale)

Transylvania County
To Register (required): 828-884-4530

• First United Methodist Church (325 Broad Street, Brevard

Here’s a free workshop for people living with chronic conditions. It starts April 14, 2010:

LIVING HEALTHY is a FREE 6-week self-management program for people with chronic conditions.  Learn how to take charge of your health and manage pain, fatigue, frustration, increase fitness and self-confidence at this workshop sponsored by the Land-of-Sky Regional Council and hosted by the Town of Weaverville on Thursdays, April 14-May 20, 2010, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Weaverville Town Hall (30 South Main Street).  Contact Rebecca or Christina to register at 828-251-6622.

From Barbara at Weaverville Yoga (One Florida Avenue):

Three new yoga classes make their appearance at Weaverville Yoga.

Greg Zocher, a physical therapist from Johns Hopkins who has moved to Weaverville, is teaching Flexible Stretches for the Inflexible Guy.  There is a class Tuesday evening at 4.30 and another class Saturday morning at 10.30.  It really is for guys.  Wear your gym clothes.  Mats are available at the studio.  Regain your flexibility.  Improve your posture.  Play a better game of golf?

Friday mornings at 8.30, Leslie Cunningham returns to  teach Ashtanga Prep, a vigorous traditional flow of postures guaranteed to get the glow back in mid-winter.  Perfect for parents who have children off to school by 8.30.  Take an hour to center and strengthen.  Leslie is an elegant teacher.

Thursday mornings at 10.30, Krystal Kinnunen begins the teaching of Kundalini yoga at the studio with Intro to Kundalini.  This ancient form of yoga leaves you feeling energized, vibrant, and whole. Kundalini Yoga is a deeply transformational practice of movement, breath, mantra, and meditation that yields precise and powerful energetic changes in your whole system.

See our website for prices and the rest of the schedule.  And read the article on Yoga and Arthritis on the new Health and Wellness page on the back of this week’s Weaverville Tribune, a great addition to the local newspaper.

Here’s a few special offers from Dianne Rose at Rose Pilates (670 Weaverville Highway):

Rose Pilates is offering a FREE introductory lesson to students who are new to Pilates!

If you have a friend who can bring 2 or 3 people with them they get their first equipment introductory class FREE! Or if they bring one friend they can share the introductory offer for just $20 each for the first 3 lessons.

And if any of the people you refer to the studio sign up for classes you receive a FREE class.

For more information visit their website at www.RosePilates.com or call (828) 333-2223.

from Barbara at Weaverville Yoga (One Florida Avenue):

New classes at Weaverville Yoga

Flexible Stretching for the Inflexible Guy.  Tuesday 4:30 p.m./Saturday 10:30 a.m.  Taught by fellow Guy, Greg Zocher.  Geared for men who know they’ve gotten rusty but really don’t want to step into a class with nimble girls in leotards who can wrap their ankles behind their ears.  This is the perfect way for guys to stake a claim on strength, better health, and, as the title says, flexibility.  It’s a winner.

Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30 a.m., Saraswati Tiberi teaches a gentle, genuine Hatha yoga class for new or returning yoga students or for those who know gentle is smart and effective with the body.  Sunday mornings at 10, Saraswati teaches a high energy, deep reaching Hatha Vinyasa – also a new class.  Saraswati has just come back after advanced studies in Chinese medicine in China.  She’s a great and very perceptive teacher.

Weaverville’s own Diane Saccone will begin teaching a Wednesday morning class at 8:30 a.m. called Moving Toward Recovery.  Diane has a long experience teaching yoga and blends her rich background in yoga with her practical training in the medical field (she is with the Red Cross) to focus on yoga for rebuilding strength and good health after injury, illness, or disuse.  This approach can be the foundation for a healthy body and a better life.

Winter Class Schedule at I Am Living Yoga:

Monday and Thursday evenings: 5:30–6:45pm (Baptiste Power Yoga)
Tuesday morning: 8:15–9:30am (Gentle Yoga)
Thursday morning: 8:15–9:30am (Baptiste Power Yoga)
Thursday evening: 7:00–8:15pm (Gentle Yoga)
Friday morning: 8:15–9:30am (Gentle Yoga)

$12.00 single class – $50.00 series of 5 classes
First class COMPLIMENTARY

Private instruction is available: $65 for one hour

For more information contact Donna at (561-866-2280), (828) 645-3528 or scribblesh@verizon.net.

from Weaverville Yoga (One Florida Avenue):

This Saturday, January 2, 2010, from 2-4 p.m. Diane Saccone will lead a workshop at Weaverville Yoga on stepping into a yoga studio and starting a practice, which can be a daunting prospect for those who worry that they will be the only one who can’t touch their toes or needs to lose 20 lbs.  Diane will give prospective students their creds in stepping into  real class and claiming their right to be there – what to expect, how to dress, what a class is like in action, what yoga is supposed to feel like, etc.  The cost for the two hour class is a mere $25.  It is going to be fun – and helpful in getting past the inner critic and into the renewal of yoga.  Call or email the studio to preregister.  www.weavervilleyoga.com / Tel:  828-348-4171.

Dry Ridge Family Medicine, doctor’s office of family practitioner Nicole Ogg, MD, will be opening at 104 North Main Street on Monday, January 4, 2010. From their website:

The goal at Dry Ridge Family Medicine is to provide excellent medical care and customer service to the individuals and families of Weaverville and the surrounding area. Dr. Ogg understands you have a choice in who your doctor is. She hopes to provide you with the best quality medical care and do so in a friendly, home-like environment.

Patient forms and more information about Dr. Ogg are also available on their website, www.dryridgefamilymedicine.com. Office hours will be 8:30-5 p.m. Monday-Friday (but closed for lunch from 12:15-1:15 p.m.). Phone number is 645-7974.  New patients are being accepted.

—-
[Note and full disclosure: I'm actually doing work for their office, so if you're looking for me that's a good place to start. I have a desk set up just inside the back entrance. ]

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.

From the Secret Garden Inn & Spa newsletter, reprinted with Jacob’s permission. Secret Garden will be closing its doors on November 30, 2009:

Farewell and thank you!

The time has come to bid farewell!  The Secret Garden Inn and Spa will close its doors permanently on November 30th of this year.  We have touched over 8,000 people in the four plus years we have been open.

Beginning January 1st, 2010, the property will be used as a recovery home for professional women who have gone through treatment for alcohol or drug addiction, and are now seeking a safe living environment to transition back into main stream society.

My intention with this property was to create a peaceful, healing environment, and I am very pleased that it will continue to be just that for these women.

I will remain in the area working as a real estate broker.  Please contact me if I can be of service.  I have attached the contact information for our therapists whom you have all grown to know so well.

My gratitude goes out to each and every one of you for your love and support!

Best regards,
Jacob Lions
828-280-0919

Lisa Lorr
Services offered:  Jurlique facials, massage, deep tissue, foot reflexology
Contact:  828-236-9003   inspirit88@yahoo.com
Area:  Asheville

Kelly Gilmore
Services offered:  Swedish, deep tissue massage, hot stones, foot reflexology, shiatsu, and private yoga.
Contact:  828-545-9763    kellyagilmore@yahoo.com, ckmassage1@gmail.com
Area:  Weaverville/Asheville

Tacy Apostolik
Services offered:  Integrated reflexology (feet, hands and ears), Raindrop (aromatherapy) technique, Reiki.
Contact:  828-775-4624    healingscents@gmail.com   www.tacyapostolik.com
Area:  Weaverville

Sarah Wells
Services offered:  Swedish, deep tissue, sports massage, pregnancy massage, hot stones, foot reflexology, individualized integrative sessions.
Contact:  828-775-9555    introducingsarah@gmail.com www.sarahwellslmt.byregion.net
Area:  West Asheville, and in-home visits

Jill Burynski
Services offered:  Thai massage, deep tissue, hot stones,
Thai foot reflexology
Contact:  619-990-0073    jillburynski@gmail.com
Area:  Asheville

Caroline Hobson
Services offered:  Swedish, deep tissue, foot reflexology, hot stones, and various holistic health modalities.
Contact:  828-545-1360    ckmassage1@gmail.com
Area:  Weaverville

Emmy Bethel
Services offered:  Swedish, deep tissue massage, hot stones, Thai massage, foot reflexology, sports massage, heart-centered integrative massage.
Contact:  828-280-4449    emmy@forsythiahall.com
Area:  Asheville

Note: I understand Caroline and Kelly will be opening a studio here in Weaverville in January, in the space where the Weaverville Tribune offices are currently located.

You may have received a notice or seen the story on WLOS about how annual average compliance levels of total organic carbon (TOC), a naturally occurring substance found in water, were above acceptable levels in Weaverville water. Though TOC itself isn’t harmful, it does provide a medium for the formation of byproducts which may be harmful. I haven’t yet received a copy of the actual notice sent to town residents, but I was forwarded this, which Town Manager Mike Morgan tells me is the same information provided in that notice. It also includes contact information for Ivy River Water Treatment Facility Operations Manager Tony Laughter, who I understand is happy to speak with anyone who may have concerns. Specific health issues or concerns should probably be brought to the attention of your own doctor.

Mayor Root also sent me this message:

The Town became aware of this problem after the Ivy River reached record low levels in the fall of 2008.  Upon learning of the problem the Town began working on a solution and since last spring the TOC levels in the water have been below even the stringent standards set by the state. The Notices of Violation, issued on October 9 and October 13, are for annual averages which include fall 2008, and relate back to the problems that have been addressed. The town has no reason to believe that a public risk was created while our treatment process was adjusted to meet the new conditions created by the drought, because the TOCs are not harmful in and of themselves, and no harmful byproducts formed.

Just received this about a Memory Loss workshop taking place at Town Hall (30 South Main Street) tomorrow:

The Western Carolina Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Land-of-Sky Area Agency on Aging are offering a meeting for anyone concerned with memory loss in themselves or a loved one.  The meeting will be held at the Weaverville Town Hall on Thursday, November 19, 2009, from 9:30 a.m. to ­ 12:30 p.m.

The session will include:

• Sense and Nonsense About Memory Loss
• What Do We Do Now?
• Community Resources

To register for the workshop, contact Larry Reeves at (828) 254-7363, or Pat Hilgendorf at (828) 645-9189, pat@landofsky.org

North Buncombe High School (890 Clark’s Chapel Road) is one of seven locations where the Buncombe County Health Center will hold H1N1 flu mist vaccine clinics.  They will be there Thursday, November 19, from 4 until 7 p.m. The vaccine is free. More info from the Buncombe County website:

The Buncombe County Health Center will hold 7 simultaneous H1N1 flu mist (only) vaccine clinics this week at schools throughout the county. Clinics will be held this Thursday, November 19, between 4 and 7 p.m. The Health Center currently has approximately 2,800 doses of flu mist, but not enough vaccine in shot form to offer at this time.

Flu mist will be available to many people who are between 2 and 49 years of age, healthy, and meet certain other health requirements. Pregnant women may not receive flu mist.

H1N1 vaccine is free to the public; however those with insurance are asked to bring their insurance card. Insurance will be billed an administration fee to help recoup the Health Center’s expenses. If insurance denies the claim, the charge will not be billed to the card holder.

The Health Center expects to continue having H1N1 flu vaccine clinics in the future as vaccine is received.

For complete information about school locations for flu mist, those who may and may not receive flu mist, or to learn when other clinics are scheduled later, please check buncombecounty.org/health or call the Health Center’s Hotline at 250-6400.

Specific information about the November 19 H1N1 Flu Mist Clinic (pdf)

Yoga for Anxiety and Depression

with Tricia McDonald

Saturday, November 14, 2009, 1-5 p.m.
Cost: $50

Engage in empowering techniques to manage your moods. Learn:

• practices that raise energy alleviating depression
• practices that calm the nervous system easing anxiety and the likelihood of panic attacks
• simple, short meditations to balance the mood

Students may register in advance at Weaverville Yoga, by email at mail@weavervilleyoga.com or by phone, (828) 348-4171.

Yoga for Anxiety and Depression

Wednesday Evenings 6-7:15 p.m.
This class is designed to offer people simple, powerful, and effective practices to manage their mood with yoga. All levels welcome, including beginners! For more information please contact instructor Tricia McDonald at (508) 863-3328 or trilacmcd@gmail.com.

Ingles is offering seasonal flu clinics throughout October. Maxim Health Systems will be sending nurses to their stores to perform seasonal flu and pneumonia shot clinics.  The clinics at the Weaverville location (140 Weaver Blvd.) will be held daily beginning October 26 and ending October 31, 2009. Hours will be 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Cost is $30 for Influenza (Seasonal flu) or $45 for Pneumonia.  Cash and personal checks will be accepted, but not credit cards. More information and clinic dates at other Ingles locations are available at www.ingles-markets.com/flu.

The Weaverville United Methodist Church (85 North Main Street) Fellowship Hall is the location for a Health Fair and Flu Shot Clinic on Saturday, October 17, 2009.  The clinic, sponsored by Weaverville UMC’s Care Network and Mission Hospitals, will be held 8 a.m.-Noon. More info:

Health Fair and Flu Shot Clinic
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 8 a.m.-12 noon
Weaverville United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

Featured screenings:

• Asthma (free)
• Complete Lipid and Glucose ($20.00)
• Bone Density ($15.00)
• Flu shots – routine flu ($24.50). Pre-registration is required

Checks or cash will be accepted.  Insurances will not be billed.

Also featured:

• Pharmacist “Brown Bag” consultations – bring your medications for review.
• Nutrition – pediatric obesity
• Breast and Prostate Health
• Stroke Awareness
• Five Wishes – advanced care planning
• Smoking Cessation
• Low Vision
• H1N1 Information
• Weaverville Police Dept. – fingerprinting for children
• Weaverville Fire Department

To register for a flu shot, call or email Robin Shepherd, Faith Community Nurse, at (828) 645-5380 or parishnursecoord@yahoo.com.

Just received this note from Secret Garden Inn & Spa owner Jacob Lions:

Greetings! After four years of being open for business, I have decided to close The Secret Garden Inn & Spa and lease the entire property out to a single tenant. I am presently speaking with one specific user, but have not entered into a contract as of this writing.

We will remain open and conduct business as usual until December 1st of this year. So please, if you or someone you know has been talking about experiencing one of our wonderful spa treatments, now is the time to act! All of our therapists are still here and will remain with us until our last day open. Please come and celebrate with us four plus incredible years of serving and healing people. We have had over 8,000 people cross our threshold and we have enjoyed every moment.

I want to thank everyone who has supported us during this time. I am eternally grateful for what we have been able to provide, and the rewards of serving we have received in return. I will remain in Weaverville and will have more time to apply toward my real estate career and the ABC Board.

I embrace this decision with excitement and great expectation for what the future has in store for me as well as The Secret Garden property. Please know that my staff and I celebrate this change!

In service,
Jacob Lions

Bosom Buddies is a support group for breast cancer survivors. It meets the last Tuesday of every month at the First Baptist Church (63 North Main Street). Here’s more info:

Bosom Buddies Weaverville is reaching out to women on their journey of Breast Cancer.  Our members are diverse in age, elapsed time since diagnosis, and individual prognosis—our commonality is the journey itself.

Our Purpose:

1. Educate ourselves in areas essential to our well-being and topics of interest by hosting expert speakers from various fields.
2. “Share and Care” through exchanging our experiences and ideas with each other.
3. Establish a “sisterhood” of support; fostering a sense of true caring where deep friendships are formed.

There is no paperwork, fee or special requirements for breast cancer survivors to become part or this group.  Our meetings are held the last Tuesday night of each month from 6-8 p.m. in Room 204 at the First Baptist Church. Contact cbaustin@comcast.net for information.

Next meeting: September 29, 2009 @ 6 p.m.