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You have a spot – Need a lift?

WCCA cares about our community’s health! Apple Country Transportation is offering free rides to Henderson County vaccination sites for Covid-19 immunizations. A pre-scheduled vaccination appointment is required. Call Apple Country Transportation at (828) 698-8571 for more info and schedule a ride today!

Seniors (65+) in Henderson County can schedule an immunization appointment in one of 4 ways:
1) Pardee UNC Health: Call (828) 694-8222 or visit: www.pardeehospital.org/covid-19
2) Advent Health: Visit: www.AdventHealthNC.com
3) Henderson County Health Dept: Call (828) 585-4700

Once a vaccine appointment is scheduled, individuals may contact Apple Country Transportation
at (828) 698-8571 to schedule to immunization clinic sites in Henderson County including East
Henderson High School, Blue Ridge Community College, Apple Valley Middle, North Henderson
High School and other community sites as they become available.

People have a new opportunity to enroll in health insurance for 2021 on HealthCare.gov, but only for a limited time. This new COVID-19 Special Enrollment period starts on February 15, 2021 and ends on May 15, 2021. Pisgah Legal Services (PLS), and its enrollment partners of WNC, are once again offering free assistance helping people in the 18-county mountain region review their options and sign up for ACA health insurance.

With job losses continuing to mount amid the COVID-19 resurgence, and millions of people having lost their job-based health insurance since the start of this public health and economic crisis, the Biden Administration has opened up HealthCare.gov to give people who need health insurance a new opportunity to get covered, but they must act quickly. For free help locally, with trained assisters, make an appointment at pisgahlegal.org/aca or call (828) 210-3404.

“More than 535,000 North Carolinians enrolled in a health insurance plan during the last Open Enrollment period,” said Shannon Cornelius, Pisgah Legal’s Health Justice Program Director. “This is a new chance for people to sign up, and anyone who needs health insurance should visit HealthCare.gov today, or contact Pisgah Legal Services if you need assistance. Don’t delay.”

Health insurance is more affordable than many people think. In North Carolina, 83 percent of current marketplace consumers had plans available for 2021 that cost less than $50 per month, after financial help. Nine out of 10 marketplace enrollees in North Carolina received financial help that lowered their monthly health insurance premiums last year. In addition, 57 percent of enrollees also qualified for lower out-of-pocket costs for health care services.

“With this new Special Enrollment Period, both new and existing marketplace consumers can shop for marketplace pans, compare options, costs and even make changes. It opens up the ability to get health insurance outside of Open Enrollment. Our certified application counselors can help answer questions and get you enrolled in the plan that works best for you and your family,” said Cornelius.

Consumers enrolling in a plan on HealthCare.gov are guaranteed to receive comprehensive coverage, with no pre-existing condition exclusions or markups. All plans cover essential benefits, including doctor and hospital visits, prescription drugs, mental health treatment, and maternity care. In addition, consumers receive free preventive care services, such as immunizations and health screenings. Testing and treatment of COVID-19 are considered essential health benefits and are covered by all HealthCare.gov plans.

Consumers should avoid insurance plans offered outside of HealthCare.gov that seem too good to be true. “Junk insurance” products and short-term limited duration plans pose huge financial risks to consumers. These products can refuse to pay for care for pre-existing conditions, charge consumers more based on their gender, and impose annual coverage limits.

“HealthCare.gov is the only website where North Carolina consumers are guaranteed to get comprehensive coverage,” said Cornelius.

Make a Free Appointment Today

The health insurance landscape can be confusing, but free, local help is available. Appointments can be made online at www.pisgahlegal.org/aca or by calling (828) 210-3404. For the safety of consumers, staff and volunteers, all Pisgah Legal Services appointments are currently being conducted by phone, some community partners may offer in person assistance.

PLEASE SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY: Asheville Center – Donate Blood – The Blood Connection

Platelet Information

PLEASE SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY: Hendersonville Center – Donate Blood – The Blood Connection

General Information

Testing Site Locations in Buncombe County: Appointment required at these sites

South West Buncombe

58 Apac Dr., Asheville (Buncombe County Sports Park)
Every Thursday
9:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.

The presentation will include ways that Woodford has highlighted the voices of people that have often been overlooked, as she shares the history and heritage of African Americans who have lived in far Western North Carolina communities.

The lecture will be followed by four additional virtual events featuring Woodford on Thursdays, March 11 and 25, and April 8 and 15 from 1-2 p.m.  Those free-to-the-public sessions, held under the theme “When All God’s Children Get Together:  Fostering Racial Justice Book Club with Ann Woodford,” will address several topics covered in the author’s new book.

Participants, who can register at https://aarp.cvent.com/AnnWoodfordBookClub, will discuss subjects listed below with facilitators and Woodford:

March 11–General Overview.  How African American people in this region compare to nationwide:  race relations and racial disparities.

March 25–History of Ethnic Cleansing in Georgia and how it led to African American people coming to Western North Carolina (includes other national cleansings, the Green Book and a coup in Wilmington, N.C.)

April 8–What is White Privilege and how it can make a difference; Using your power to make a difference.

April 15–Steps that can be taken to smooth race relations locally and beyond.

As a child in a segregated, one-room, one-teacher “colored/negro” elementary school in the small mountain town of Andrews, N..C. Woodward’s talents as an artist were discovered by one of her teachers.  Soon, she was using oils, pencil, charcoal and ink as she drew remarkable scenes of people, animals and landscapes, which has led to a long career as an artist.  Eventually, her creativity knew no boundaries, as she has excelled as a writer, designer, entrepreneur and speaker.  Learn more about Woodford at her website, https://anntree.com.

Event participants can find her book at the library, various local and national online sellers or on her website.  While the book is recommended, it is not required to participate.

Free Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing

The Brevard Music Center in association with the Pisgah Health Foundation announces a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing site for everyone – the insured and uninsured, those on Medicare and Medicaid – everyone!

Keystone Laboratory of Asheville will administer the COVID-19 tests and antibody tests, with results typically available within 5 business days depending on volume.

When: Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Please no early arrivals.

Where: Brevard Music Center Main Parking lot (entrance on Music Camp Road off Probart Street)

Who: Anyone who wants a test.

How:

• Appointments are not necessary. Participants will be served in the order of their arrival.
• Participants can choose to be tested for COVID-19 via nasal swab or have the COVID-19 antibody test via blood sample.
• Participants will receive their test results at the contact information provided at check-in, typically within 5 business days depending on volume.

What:

• A driver’s license is helpful, but not required.
• A doctor’s order is not required.
• If you have private insurance, please bring your insurance card with you.
• If you have Medicare or Medicaid, please bring your card with you.
• If you do not have insurance, you will be asked to sign an affidavit stating so.
• Please wear a mask and stay in your vehicle while on BMC’s campus.
• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please seek medical attention from your medical provider, urgent care, or the hospital.
• Please leave pets at home.

Questions: Please email [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Group for a 60 minute of strength training. You will get personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready to get a full body workout in for all fitness levels. So, no matter where you are at from beginner to collegiate athlete Trainer Preston will make sure you get a phenomenal workout. For Strength day we focus on slow controlled weight lifting. Learning how to become more aware of our bodies. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.

“Getting to know you…” Meaningfully connect and collaborate with young artists from across the country in this virtual musical theatre class featuring Broadway songs about friendship! In high-energy zoom classes combining singing, acting, and movement, students will hone their theatrical skills while developing a virtual musical revue shared with friends and family at the end of the semester. 

Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Group for a 60 minute of strength training. You will get personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready to get a full body workout in for all fitness levels. So, no matter where you are at from beginner to collegiate athlete Trainer Preston will make sure you get a phenomenal workout. For Strength day we focus on slow controlled weight lifting. Learning how to become more aware of our bodies. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.

Push your imagination to the limits as you collaborate with artists from across the country to devise original, virtual theatrical performance art. With inspiring, out-of-the-box artistic challenges, this class encourages artists of all kinds to use their voices and talents in new and unexpected ways. Whether you’re an actor, writer, dancer, comic, storyteller, artist, musician, or editor, this class led by improviser and actor TJ Simba-Medel will encourage you to create art from anywhere! 

January 28 – March 25

Virtual Platform: Zoom
Instructor: TJ Simba-Medel

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Supplies Needed: Internet connection, a device (mobile phone, tablet, or computer) with a working camera for video submissions.

Join the Asheville Fit Tribe Group for a 60 minute of strength training. You will get personalized training with the power of the group to positively motivate you. Get ready to get a full body workout in for all fitness levels. So, no matter where you are at from beginner to collegiate athlete Trainer Preston will make sure you get a phenomenal workout. For Strength day we focus on slow controlled weight lifting. Learning how to become more aware of our bodies. We hope you give us a shot and see what we are all about!! For any question shoot Preston a text/call (984)204-0591.

Thursdays, 6:30 – 9pm
January 7th – February 25th

Come join Lauren in this beginner sculpting class where we explore all things… UNUSUAL. Using different sculpting and handbuilding techniques we will create animal skulls, body parts, and more, then transform them into functional or sculptural pieces. You are welcome to bring in your own weird and random sculpture ideas or inspirations or see where the class takes you! Nothing is off limits as we learn to build what we see and imagine with clay.

Level: All Levels
Tuition: $315 + $60 Lab Fee

Acting: An Organic Approach

The WNC Dairy Beef Feeder Calf Program is designed to introduce youth to livestock showing, feeding, and care. Participants in the program will be provided a dairy calf that they will feed and care for at their home or another approved facility from March through the 2021 Mountain State Fair when the calves are sold. Participants will attend an informational orientation to prepare them for their project, participate in other events/clinics where they will work with their calf, and conclude their project by showing and selling their calves at the Mountain State Fair.

Please click on the links below to download the application form, rules, and program information. The WNC Dairy Beef Feeder Calf Program Committee met recently and revised the application and rules so please refer to the links below for the most up-to-date version.

New for 2021

All youth interested in participating in this program must attend our virtual orientation meeting on Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021, at 7 p.m.  Youth must register for this event: WNC Dairy Steer Program Orientation Sign-Up After registering, you will receive the login information for the Zoom meeting. *Each youth interested in participating must complete this form even if they will be logging in to the meeting together.

After attending the orientation and discussing the program requirements with your family, interested youth MUST submit a signed application for the program (located at the links below) which is due no later than Friday, Feb. 26, 2021.

The application can be scanned/photographed and emailed to [email protected]. The applications will be reviewed by members of the Dairy Beef Feeder Calf Program Committee and successful applicants will be notified during the first week of March. Please contact Ethan Henderson by email at [email protected] or phone (828) 456-3575 regarding any questions about the 2021 Dairy Beef Feeder Calf Program.