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Unless otherwise noted all phone numbers are in the (828) area code

Mayland Community College will be having their Annual Motorcycle Poker Run Saturday July 31st with registration beginning at 12:00pm.  The ridge will begin at 1:00pm.  Registration is $20 per driver and $10 per rider and includes a dinner at Riverside Park.  "Coming Up Brass" will provide a free concert at Riverside Park at the end of the ride.  For more information call 1-800-4-Mayland ext. 240 or visit www.mayland.edu/foundation.  Proceeds will benefit the Mayland Foundation and Relay for Life.

A bluegrass celebration is coming to the Burnsville Town Center Saturday July 31st at 7:00pm.  Enjoy a fun night of bluegrass music from local favorites and outstanding musicians Mitchell Cannon of 3 Wheel Drive and Rhonda Gouge.  Tickets are $10.  For more information call 682-7209.

The Yancey Senior Center invites you to participate in a self-management workshop for people with any type of ongoing health problems. These problems may include heart disease, lung disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure, overweight,
fibromyalgia and others. Designed at Stanford University, research studies have shown that the workshop is extremely effective in helping people manage their health. Sessions are highly participative, where mutual support and success build the participant’s confidence in their ability to manage their health and maintain active and fulfilling lives. Participation in all sessions is very important to learn better ways of coping and managing your health by: setting goals that are do-able, working with others, finding support and solutions to problems, making daily tasks easier, relaxing and managing
stress and working in partnership with your health care team. The Living Healthy workshop is held for two and a half hours, once a week, for six weeks. The next workshop is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 and it will be held at the
Blue Ridge Fitness & Rehabilitation Center. Pre-registration is required, therefore to pre-register or for more information, please contact Cindi Renfro at 678-3581 or 682-6011 between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

A Jams, Jellies , & Pickles Workshop will be held Wednesday Aug. 4th from 9:30am-12pm at the Mitchell County Cooperative Extension in Bakersville. Call 688-4811 to register. The class is free.

There will be a Big Book Sale on August 5th, 6th and 7th to help complete the expansion for the Yancey County Public Library.  The sale will be in the Library Annex and will begin at 10:00am Thursday and open at 9:00am for the Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair on Friday and Saturday.  Hundreds of books, including reference, fiction, young adult, and children's books will be for sale.  Many of them are new and are in very good condition, priced at $2 or less.  Free ones will also be included.  The sale on Thursday makes it possible for patrons and friends of the library to buy books before the Crafts Fair begins.  Owners of book stores should wait to purchase books during the fair.  For more information contact James Byrd at 682-9285.

The Burnsville Pool will be closed on Friday August 6th and Saturday August 7th. It will re-open on Sunday August 8th.

The 54th Annual Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair will be held on the Burnsville Town Square Friday and Saturday August 6th and 7th.  More than 200 juried crafters will be displaying all sorts of handmade crafts from jewelry, pottery, quilts...if it's handmade and arts and crafts you'll find it at the fair.  Tens of thousands of people flock to this annual event that has again been named one of the Southeast's Top 20 August Events by the Southeast Tourism Society.  They will also have a food court with a diverse selection of mouth watering treats from barbecue to homemade ice cream.  And of course they always have a great lineup of entertainment from mountain clogging, live traditional mountain music, bluegrass, folk and gospel.  The Yancey County Schools Foundation will be having inflatable fun in the Wachovia parking lot from 10-5 on Saturday, during the Craft Fair. One activity will be a water activity. Cost will be $5.00 per hour. For more information call the Chamber of Commerce at 682-7413.

An exhibit of the auction items that will be up for bid in the Annual Toe River Arts Council Art Auction will be on display in the TRAC Spruce Pine Gallery from August 7 through August 15, 2010. The Gallery is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 am to 5 pm (and until 6 pm on August 14) For more information call 828-765-0520 or 682-7215, email TRAC@toeriverarts.org. 

Pleasant Grove Cemetery Annual Decoration Day will be Sunday August 8th.  Please bring your family, a covered dish, if you wish and stay for lunch.  Pleasant Grove Cemetery is located behind the church at the intersection of Double Island and Big Brush Creek Road in Yancey County.

Yancey County Schools will be conducting its annual hearing screenings during the weeks of August 9th thru the 13th and 16th thru the 20th. If you have any questions please contact Pete Peterson, Director of Student Services, at the Yancey County Board of Education at 828-682-6101. For more details click here.

In the summer, a baseball coach balances his busy work schedule while still making time to donate blood after the big game. A physical therapist works to better patient lives every day and helps save them by donating blood every eight weeks. What many don’t realize is that during the busy summer season, blood donations often decline due to vacation and summer activities, while the need for blood remains constant. That’s why the American Red Cross is telling individuals that no matter what your occupation, “You Can Be A Lifesaver This Summer. Donate Blood.” Another chance for your to be a lifesaver is coming up on Monday August 9th at the Spruce Pine Community Blood Drive from 2:00pm-6:00pm at the First Baptist Church on Tappan Street. To make an appointment call (828)231-3211. The need for blood is constant, please take time to donate.

The Happy Lookers Club, the blind support group of the Tri-County area (Avery, Mitchell & Yancey), meets the second Wednesday of every month from 10:00am-12 noon at the First Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, followed by lunch for those who want to join them.  If you need transportation, call your local transportation service. In Yancey call 682-6144, Mitchell, 688-4715. (The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday August 11th.)

Concerned residents of Yancey and Mitchell Counties are invited to St. Thomas Episcopal Church on August 12, 2010 from 6:00-7:30PM to hear about FACE-IT (Facing Addiction through Community Empowerment and Intervention Teams). FACE-It in WNC will train a group of community members to address the accidental drug overdose death rate epidemic and to help address other local substance abuse issues. Food will be provided along with information about how to participate in the FACE-IT project and ways to get involved to prevent and reduce prescription drug abuse.

The Relay for Life of Yancey County will have a 5K Run/Walk, presented by the Zula's Angels relay team, Saturday August 14th from 8:30am-11:30am in Downtown Burnsville.  The race/walk will begin at 8:00am directly in front of the Yancey Library on the square in downtown Burnsville.  Water will be offered at the turn-around.  Registration fees are $20 in advance, $25 the day of the event.  All donations will go to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Yancey County.  Registration will begin at 7:45am. All pre-registered entries are guaranteed a t-shirt.  Awards will be given to first place winners in these categories: 11-17 (male and female) and 18-adult (male and female).  Registration packets can be picked up at: Yancey Common Times Office, Yancey Graphics, Sav-Mor Grocery, and Blue Ridge Fitness and Rehabilitation.  For more information or to pre-register contact Kim Wilson-Hopkins at 682-4940 or email pixiechick1972@yahoo.com.

The 10th Annual N.C. Law Enforcement Torch Run Car Show for Special Olympics will be held Saturday August 14th from 9:00am-4:00pm on lower street in Spruce Pine (rain date Aug.21st).  Registration will be from 9:00am until 12:00 noon, entry fee $15.00 per vehicle. Trophies presented to - top 50 vehicles, top 3 motorcycles, best of show and peoples choice. They will have hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and drinks with all proceeds going to Special Olympics. For more information contact Linda Miller at 828-766-2395 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday-Friday.

Mitchell County Animal Rescue will be holding their Annual Art for Animals Exhibition and Sale Saturday August 14th from 10:00am-6:00pm and Sunday August 15th from noon-6:00pm at the Carolina Theatre in downtown Spruce Pine.  Many talented local artists from Yancey and Mitchell County will be donating their artwork to this sale to help support the work that the shelter does in caring for homeless and abandoned animals.

Mayland Basic Skills Free Adult Services

Mayland Community Colleges' Basic Skills free adult services can help you:

• Improve math skills
• Master reading skills
• Learn ESL
• Improve writing ability
• Feel better about yourself
• Prepare to find a better job
• Learn how to help kids with homework
• Receive compensatory education service
• Acquire General Education Development.

They have locations in Avery, Bakersville, Mitchell and Yancey.  Morning and night classes are available.  Call Joyce Boone at 1-800-462-9526 ext. 291.

Mountain Regional Medical Corps Needs Volunteers

Habitat for Humanity Needs Volunteers

Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers for its Habitat Store in Spruce Pine, 4 to 8 hours a day, 1 to 5 days a week.  The days needed are Tuesday through Saturday.  Anyone retired, out of work, school or college students can volunteer.  Must be able to lift to pick up deliveries and move inventory around the store.  For more information call Linda Ledford at 675-5355 or the Habitat Store at 766-9000. 

 Dog Park Available Free to Pet Owners

The Yancey County Humane Society offers a beautiful community dog park at the Animal Shelter off Cane River School Road.  This dog park provides county residents with an area where they can spend quality time exercising their pets and sharing memorable moments with fellow pet owners and volunteers can provide fresh air and exercise to Shelter pets awaiting adoption.  The dog park is open to the public from 10 A.M. to sunset, 7 days a week. There is no fee to use the dog park. Needless to say there are Rules and Regulations to follow. Copies of these Rules and Regulations are attached to the dog park fence.  Please observe all posted informational signs because the success of the dog park relies upon each of you. If you have any questions, please call 682-9510.

Mayland Community College’s Basic Skills program offers adults help in improving their reading, writing, and math skills as well as preparing students to complete the requirements to earn their GED. Between yesterday’s regrets and tomorrow’s dreams lie today’s opportunities. Mayland will help you reach your educational goals. These classes are free. The college will be adding a new date and time for this service at the Bakersville Library. Classes will be held on Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30-5:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 12-5 p.m. Anyone interested in these classes should call 1-800-4-MAYLAND, ext. 291.

Weekday Schedule at Mitchell Senior Center

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.  (update: The new North Carolina rabies law allows an owner 5 days to get their pet vaccinated after an encounter with a rabid animal.)

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.