The Chamber of Commerce invites you to enter the Yancey County Christmas Decorating Contest! Light up or decorate your business in the spirit of the holidays, and be eligible to win a cash prize of $100! This applies to all Businesses regardless of location. To enter your Business for judging, register by phone with the Chamber of Commerce. Call 682-7413 No later than 12/10/09.

Brookside Angel Trees

Brookside Rehabilitation and Care in Burnsville, will have angel trees at Burger King and Western Sizzlin  in Burnsville this holiday season. Resident’s likes/sizes/needs will be listed on an angel. Please make someone’s holiday brighter this year and take an angel off the tree. If you choose to take an angel please place the angel card on the gift and return it to the restaurant you got it from no later than December 22nd 2009.  If you have any questions about your angel, of if you would like to volunteer this holiday season at Brookside please call Derek Freeman or Heather Henson at 682-9759 ext 28.

Food Giveaway Now Only on Mondays

God's Hands Ministry of Crabtree Chapel Baptist Church now only operates on Mondays from 10:00am-2:00pm to give food to the needy. You'll find the church on Crabtree Road near the Mitchell-Yancey County line.

Food - Friends - Fun - Free

Everyone is invited to the Higgins Memorial United Methodist Church family life center from 5 to 6pm each Monday for a time of Free Food with Friends. For more information call 682-2835.

Soup Kitchen

Yancey Transportations Closed for Thanksgiving

Yancey County Transportation Authority will be closed with vans not operating on Thanksgiving (November 26th and 27th).

Spruce Pine Kiwanis Club Pecan Sale

The Spruce Pine Kiwanis Club is selling pecan halves for $10 per one pound package.  This is a fund-raiser to support Key Club and scholarships at Mitchell High School; endowed scholarship at Mayland Community College; “Reading Is Fundamental” for first graders, Bring-Up-Grades for grades 3, 4 and 5, Christmas Food Baskets to Families with Children and equipping a new nursery at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. You can support these activities by purchasing pecans from any member of the Spruce Pine Kiwanis Club or telephoning your order to 828-765-9489.

Addiction Counseling

For families in need of drug and alcohol addiction counseling, Narconon Arrowhead can help. Narconon offers free counseling, assessments, and referrals to centers nationwide. Please call toll-free 1-800-468-6933 or log onto their website at www.stopaddiction.com.

Weatherization Assistance *

If you are a low-income family, disabled, or elderly you may qualify for free weatherization services to improve the energy-efficiency of your home, mobile home or apartment and possibly repair or replace your heating system.  To apply call WAMY Community Action at 682-6618 or visit their website at www.wamycommunityaction.org.

Animal Shelter Filled to Brim with Cats & Kittens

The Yancey County Humane Society announces that all cats and kittens may be adopted "2 for 1" due to the influx of numerous felines.  Some adult cats may be adopted for the special adoption fee of $30.  Call 682-9510 if you have any questions.

The Mountain Regional Medical Reserve Corps is seeking active and retired physicians, nurses, pharmacists and support staff who are interested in health issues to volunteer for local and state emergencies, disasters, and public health events. Medical personnel from home health agencies, long-term care facilities and mental health would also be an asset. Community members without medical training such as office workers, administrators/interpreters, legal advisers, law enforcement, chaplains, and others who can fill key administrative and essential support positions as volunteers are also needed. If the Toe River Health District (Avery, Mitchell, & Yancey Counties) is tasked with providing a mass flu vaccination clinic in the fall additional volunteers may be needed to assist. Being a member of the Medical Reserve Corps and being trained in advance of the need could make you feel more comfortable in your role as a volunteer. To find out more information on how to volunteer, contact Jamie Davidson at 828-393-0190 or 828-693-6213.

Mayland Offers Free Basic Skill Classes

Scholarships Available to Start New Career

Are you out of work? Scholarships are available to pay all costs for classes where there are high growth job opportunities! Jobs such as: Construction Trades including Green Construction, HVAC (Heating and Cooling), Truck Driving (CDL), computer classes, medical classes welding and many others! Have it paid for you if you are 18 or older and fall in one of these categories:

• You have been laid off from employment

• You were self-employed (including employment as a farmer, a rancher, or a fisherman) but are unemployed now because of general economic conditions.

• You are a homemaker (female or male) who was, but is no longer supported by another family member.

• Unemployed and have been unable to find a job

Contact a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) staff person at your local JobLink Career Center to get more information:

Avery County: 733-3901 or 737-0510

Mitchell County: 765-7758

Yancey County: 682-6618 or 682-5054

Watauga County: 265-5385

Mitchell Health Assessment Survey

The 2009 Mitchell County Community Health Assessment survey is underway. Click here for more details or Click here to go directly to the survey.

Lunch is served every weekday at 11:30am.  There is no charge for persons 60 and over: contributions are accepted.

Exercise class is held ever Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:30am-11:15am: led by a trained instructor from the Physical Therapy Department of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.

Bingo is played every Monday at 10:00am.

Bible Study is held every Tuesday at 10:30am: Line Dancing Classes every Tuesday at 7:00pm.

Bridge for Fun is played ever Thursday at 12:00pm.

For More information call 688-3019.

Intermountain Head Start

Intermountain Head Start is currently recruiting pre-school children for the present school year and for school year 2009-2010 that will begin in August.  Head Start provides individualized care and guidance for children, helping them to fulfill their developmental potential.  The Head Start approach is well-suited to helping children with special needs.  For more information, in Mitchell County call Pam Snyder at 688-2190 ext 17, in Yancey County call Ramona Thomason or Laura Fortner at 682-6668.

Scholarship for Children of Veterans

Hospice of Yancey Needs Volunteers

If you are looking for a way to help those in need in your own community, Hospice of Yancey County has a place for you. Volunteers are needed to help in the office, with fundraising events and to provide companionship to patients in their own home and in the nursing home. For information on how you can help and become part of the hospice team call Angie Higgins at 682-9675.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

If you are 55 or older and you are a grandparent raising a grandchild or a blood relative, you may be eligible to receive a free book bag and school supplies.  For more information, please contact Nina Hughes, Director of the Yancey Senior Center, at 682-6011.

Activities at the Yancey Senior Center

The weekly schedule of activities at the Yancey Senior Center are :

Bingo – Everyday

Billiards – Everyday

Sewing - Everyday

Ceramics & Crafts – Tuesday & Thursday , 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Physical Fitness Classes – Tuesday & Thursday, 10:15 – 11:15am

Singing Hour – Monday & Thursday at 12:00

Bible Study – Wednesday at 12:00

Trip to Wal-Mart – Thursday (if have at least 4 people signed up)

For more information, please contact Cindi Renfro, Activities Coordinator, at 678-3581.

How You Can Help Save a Life

Narconon Arrowhead is saving lives, reuniting families, and making stronger communities through effective drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn how and why a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol and what you can do to help, log on to www.stopaddiction.com or call 800-468-6933 to receive free counseling, referrals and assessments. Stop the cycle of addiction today!

Funds For Free Sterilization Available

If you are considering either a tubal ligation or vasectomy, the Yancey County Health Department currently has limited funds available for FREE sterilizations for person over 21. The tubal ligation and vasectomy are safe procedures and do not require an overnight stay. Contact the Health Department as soon as possible.  Call Fran or Donna at: 682-6118

Lost a Pet? Call Humane Society First

WAMY Community Action Looking for Testimonials

WAMY Community Action is searching for former customers and staff of their non-profit agency. Have you ever participated in any of WAMY’s many different programs? Did WAMY help you get back on your feet when you really needed help? Have you even been employed by WAMY? If your life has ever been impacted by WAMY Community Action, give them a call or stop by sometime! Call 682-6618 for WAMY’s Yancey County office and share your story today!

Protect Yourself Against Rabies

Public health officials say that rabies cases have increased compared to this time last year. As a result, they are urging North Carolinians to be wary of wild or strange animals. Precautions include:
* Vaccinate pets.
* Don't try to rescue, pet or touch wild animals.
* Avoid physical contact with unfamiliar dogs and cats.
* Do not sleep in a cabin, tent or shelter if bats are present.
Any mammal can get rabies, but raccoons are the most common carrier in North Carolina. The disease can occur at any time of year, although humans are most likely to be exposed in the warm months when they are outside more often. More information on rabies in North Carolina, including county-by-county data, is available on the web at http://www.rabies.ncdhhs.gov

Volunteers Needed*

The Blue Ridge Fitness and Rehabilitation Center is looking for a few good men and women to volunteer.  Volunteers are needed at the center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8am-3pm.  If you have some extra time on your hands, and would enjoy helping the staff at Blue Ridge Fitness and Rehabilitation Center in providing quality care for its patients and the best fitness services possible for its members call 766-1770.

Mitchell Senior Center

The Mitchell Senior Center needs substitute volunteers for all routes, but for the Bakersville area especially. Substitutes are people who are willing for them to call at the last minute when they need someone to deliver meals. They know a sub can not always drop what they are doing and come out to deliver the Meals on Wheels, and that's okay, they do it when they can. All the Meal Routes are approximately 1 hour from pick-up at the Senior Center until the last meal is dropped off. So all in all it takes about an hour and half to do a Meal Route. They have 7 Meal Routes and serve approximately 85-95 Meals on Wheels 5 days a week. Wed-Bakersville Area Thu-Ledger Area Fri-Glen Ayre Area. Please call 688-3019 or come by the Senior Center. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Shriner's Hospitals

Children with serious medical problems face many challenges in life. That's why Shriner's Hospitals for Children offers help and hope by providing world-class medical care to kids with orthopedic, spinal cord or burn injury problems, totally free of charge!  Shriner's Hospitals combine leading edge research with outstanding teaching programs and there is a Shriner's Hospital helping kids from this area. If you know a child they could help call 1-800-237-5055 or visit www.shriners-hospitals.org

Help for Starting or Expanding a Small Business

Are you interested in starting or expanding a small business?  If so, then W. A. M. Y. Community Action, Inc. may be able to help with funding or other assistance.  W.A.M.Y.'s Micro Enterprise Program makes small business loans and also can arrange for various types of training to help small business owners. Call (828) 733-0156 and ask for the Micro Loan Coordinator to learn more.

Fair Housing is the Law in North Carolina

Fair Housing is the law in North Carolina.  If you feel that you have been discriminated against in housing because of your race, color, sex, religion, national origin, handicap, or family status you have options.  If you wish to report a fair housing complaint and you live in Yancey County, call the Yancey County Manager's Office at 682-3971, the Burnsville  Town Hall at 682-2420, or you may contact the North Carolina Human Relations Commission at 1-866-324-7474.  The hearing impaired may dial 711 to access Relay North Carolina.

Community Service Workers Available to Non-Profits

The North Carolina Department of Corrections Community Service Program is seeking non-profit agencies who would like to be considered for placement of court-ordered persons to work off community service hours at their location.  For more information call William Whiteside at 682-6300 or email WWH04@DOC.STATE.NC.US.

Spruce Pine Kiwanis Club Meeting

For 50 years, the Kiwanis Club of Spruce Pine has been actively involved in projects that make our community a great place to work and live.  They focus on providing services to help children and youth, funded by conducting events such as fish fries and golf tournaments.  During the past 2 years, Kiwanis of Spruce Pine has conducted reading and grade improvement programs in local schools, supported clubs and activities in Mitchell High School, distributed and read more than 500 books to Elementary classes, sponsored a dental hygiene education program for students, and established and endowed a scholarship at Mayland Community College.  They invite all interested persons to attend their meeting any Tuesday at 7pm at Western Sizzlin' on Highway 226 in Spruce Pine for food, fun, fellowship and a chance to be a part of these programs which support our youth.  For more information call Douglas at 766-7777.

SafePlace Fresh Start Program

SafePlace is working with local agencies to improve lives of the underemployed and homemakers who have lost financial support through divorce or death of a parent or spouse through their Fresh Start Program.  This program offers job counseling, job training, health and educational services to those wanting to re-enter the work force and is offered free of charge to individuals, both male and female, who qualify.  Upcoming Life Skills classes are scheduled for Monday evenings at the Trinity Episcopal Church and Employability Skills Development classes are held at the JobLink Center Tuesday afternoons from 3-5pm.  Computer Classes are held at Mayland's Main Campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  For a complete list of classes, dates and times and more information and registration call Elizabeth Artalejo at 765-4015 or 765-4044.

FVC Needs Volunteers with Trucks & Strong Backs

If you have a little time to donate every now and then to help move furniture, appliances, and other heavy items, then the Family Violence Coalition needs you.  The Family Violence Coalition never knows exactly when a family will be leaving the shelter or when they'll receive donations of furniture and other items too heavy for their female staff members to move, so they'd like to assemble a list of willing volunteers they can call on from time to time to help out.  Also, right now The Family Violence Coalition does not have a truck and could really use one.  If you have an old truck you would like to donate, it would be appreciated and would be tax deductible.  They'll give you a tax receipt for the donation.  If you or your church group is interested in volunteering or if you'd like to donate a truck, call Samantha Phipps at 678-3436 or 208-2981 and leave your name and phone number.

Domestic Violence Support Groups

Mitchell County Safeplace has a support group for victims of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault.  If you'd like more information call 765-4044. The Family Violence Coalition of Yancey County offers a support group for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault.  For information about this group call 682-0056.

Meals on Wheels Needs Volunteers

The Yancey County Meals on Wheels program needs volunteers to deliver meals to Yancey County shut-ins, any weekday from 10:30am-noon.  If you'd like to volunteer, call the Yancey County Senior Center at 682-6011.

Health Department's 5 R's of Rabies Prevention

The Mitchell County Health Department encourages everyone to practice "Responsible Pet Ownership" by following the 5 R's of rabies prevention. (1) Rabies Vaccination...have your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies and keep their vaccination up to date. (2) Remove food from your yard...food items left outside will attract wild or stray animals that may have rabies. (3) Restrict your pets to your property...this will lesson the likelihood that your pets have contact with sick animals. (4) Receive prompt care from your medical provider if you are bitten by an animal. (5) Report animal bites and unusual animal behavior...such as refusal to eat or drink water, staggering walk, sick wasted look or extremely aggressive or passive behavior.  For more information call your local health department. In Yancey County call 682-6118.  In Mitchell County call 688-2371.3

Fundraiser for Mitchell Animal Rescue

Mitchell County Animal Rescue is collecting and recycling printer cartridges and old cell phones as a fundraiser for shelter pets awaiting adoption.  Drop off your used cartridges and old cell phones at the shelter, Blue Moon Bookstore in Spruce Pine, or The Gallery Upstairs in Bakersville.  For more information call Patricia at 766-7348.

Yancey 4-H Friends

The Yancey 4-H Friends, governor one on one volunteer program needs your help.  They need Volunteers, men and women, who can be a role model for referred youth. It only takes 2 hours a week to make a big difference in friends life. Call 682-6186 or 682-6393 and ask for Bob.

Heritage Adult Day Retreat

Need help caring for your loved one? Call Heritage Adult Day Retreat at 682-1556.  They're open Monday through Friday 7:30am-5:30pm.  They provide assistance with medications and personal care, social activities, a registered nurse on staff...and transportation and financial assistance is available.  They're located on Highway 19E at Riverside.

To Tutor or Be Tutored

The Yancey County Literacy council is a non-profit organization that gives free one-on-one tutoring to both children and adults.  If you need a tutor or would like to become a tutor with the Yancey Literacy Council call 678-9646 for more information.

MY Meds Medication Ministry

MY Meds Medication and Health Ministry is a local non-profit organization that provides help to Mitchell and Yancey County residents who have no prescription health plan and often have to decide between buying food and buying medicine. No one should have to make that choice. If you need help paying for needed prescription medications call MY Meds office at 766-6336.

Breast Feeding Support

The Yancey Health Department and WIC Program provide breastfeeding education and support to all women in Yancey County regardless of income.  Breastfeeding counselors are available 24 hours a day to offer one-on-one assistance before and after pregnancy.  This service is made possible through funding from Mitchell-Yancey Partnership for Children.  For more information call the Yancey County Health Department at 682-6118.

Facts About Blood Donation

* Every 2 seconds in the U.S. someone needs a blood transfusion. * By donating blood regularly, we can be assured blood will be available for an emergency.  * It takes about an hour to give blood (The actual amount of time the needle is in the donors arm is approximately 10 minutes).  * Only 5% of the medically eligible population is willing  to take about an hour to save someone's life.  * You can give blood even if you're on most medications.  * You may be able to give blood even if you have had most types of Cancer as long as the Cancer has been in remission for 5 years.  * You may be able to give blood if it has been 5 years since your last chemotherapy or radiation treatment. * You have to be at least 17 years old to give blood, but there is no upper age limit. * You have to weigh at least 110 pounds.  * Because blood can be separated into 3 components, a single blood donation can save up to 3 lives.  * By donating blood you save lives and become a hero, and the American Red Cross would like to thank your for giving the gift of life.

Reach to Recovery

Have you just been diagnosed with breast cancer? Do you have questions about recovery, a prosthesis, or reconstructive surgery? Do you need someone to talk to? Reach to Recovery is a peer support program aimed at women who have been newly diagnosed or just treated for breast cancer that helps to answer these questions. If you or a loved one would like information on Reach to Recovery, contact your doctor or the American Cancer Society toll-free at 1-866-227-7798.