Last June, Umoja debuted HOPE 4 the Future, a summer camp for children and teens. In its initial season, it served 78 youths.
Wellness roundup: Mercy Urgent Care extends hours
Mercy Urgent Care, a nonprofit urgent care network, expanded hours at two locations April 23. The South Asheville clinic, 1833 Hendersonville Road, and the East Asheville clinic, 1272 Tunnel Road, are open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
Dr. Mollie Scott on contraception and public health
“Focusing on access to contraception so that women can plan their family — when and if they want to have a family — is really important,” says Dr. Scott.
From Asheville Watchdog: In Asheville, options for treating mental illness are limited
Untreated mental illness is the nexus of many of the problems contributing to a perception that downtown Asheville has become less safe.
Gyms eye sustainability along with workouts
“Most people are really good at bringing their own water bottle,” says Kathleen Hahn from DANCECLUB Asheville.
Daughter publishes book by pioneering physician father decades after his death
For most people, Dr. Charles S. Norburn‘s name may have been a footnote in history, if it was known at all. Yet his contributions to the region’s health care industry are considerable thanks to his 1946 purchase of 32 acres of property at 509 Biltmore Ave., which became the site of the Norburn Hospital & Clinic. […]
New community health clinic opens in Marion
Western North Carolina Community Health Services, a federally qualified health center, will open its McDowell Health Center on April 11. Services provided include primary care, immunizations, substance abuse services, specialty referrals and other wellness resources. Family nurse practitioners Natali Cabrera and Heather Cook will staff the new location.
Schools address student anxiety over mass shootings
Technologically-connected students and their peers can be exposed to any tragic occurrence at any time, so a mass shooting at a faraway school can create terror and panic all the same.
No ‘cookie cutter approach’ for students with autism
“It takes resources to serve kids [with autism],” notes David Laxton, spokesperson for an advocacy organization called Autism Society of North Carolina. “It also takes training for the teachers and collaboration with families and other folks that are involved in those students’ lives.”
Kids stuff: Self-expression is key!
Emma Berger-Singer, owner of Asheville Kids Yoga & Art, discusses the benefits of yoga for young children.
Mental health respite offers place to recharge
It provides a safe, homelike environment where individuals can slow down and recharge — ideally tempering their current mental health struggles into a more manageable state.
Local cyclist relives his 62-day ride in new book
In January, Wayne Aho self-published Journey of Discovery: A Narrative of Loss, Aging, Training and What’s Important: 62 Days on the TransAmerica Trail.
Wellness roundup: VA debuts ambulance for veterans
The Veteran Medical Transport ambulance for Charles George VA Medical Center will provide transportation between facilities and after hospitalization.
Therapists discuss resources for coping with birth-related trauma
As many as 1-in-5 women experience mood changes or anxiety after experiencing trauma while giving birth, with roughly 9% being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to Postpartum Support International.
Green in brief: Duke Energy completes Hot Springs microgrid
The microgrid includes 2 megawatts of solar panel capacity and 4.4 MW of battery storage. Those resources are enough to power the entire town for an extended period if its connection to the main grid is disrupted.
How to date mindfully in Asheville
Mindful dating “means taking a break from the casual ‘swipe right or left culture’ and … thinking about what you truly want in a partner and reflecting on patterns and habits that may be keeping you from finding that person.”
New meal prep program targets community health
“I wanted to address food insecurity with those who had Type 2 diabetes or hypertension and do something similar to Hello Fresh or Blue Apron, but with food pantry food,” Simuel says.
WTF: Fentanyl test strips
North Carolina criminalizes the possession of drug-testing equipment as drug paraphernalia. The state defines paraphernalia as “all equipment, products and materials of any kind that are used … [for] testing, analyzing … or otherwise introducing controlled substances in the human body.” But the state also exempts the possession of fentanyl test strips “for personal use.”
Area fitness centers emerge from COVID-related downturns
For many local gyms and workout facilities, which saw membership plummet in 2020 and 2021, things took a positive turn in 2022. Most say they are at or near pre-COVID numbers. But virtual offerings, outdoor exercise and smaller exercise classes introduced during the pandemic are likely to stick around.
Health checkup: The evolution of the local vitamin and herb scene
Bill Cheek, co-owner of Nature’s Vitamins & Herbs discusses popular products, the need for kindness and the importance of getting outdoors.
Health checkup: Yoga and music
Whitney Shroyer, co-owner of Purna Yoga 828 and a local DJ, discusses self-care, music’s role in health care and the respect he has for the history and tradition of yoga.