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Foundations Express, a new five-week business-planning course, will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays starting March 27 at the Mountain BizWorks office in Sylva. Designed for current and prospective entrepreneurs who are willing to complete a business plan quickly and work independently. Pre-register. 828.631.0292 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
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The Duke Citizenship and Service Award selection committee is seeking nominations for people or groups who have made contributions in Swain County through volunteer efforts. “These persons and groups use their time, talents and compassion to positively impact the lives of others,” said Fred Alexander, District Manager for the Nantahala Area. Stop by the Swain County Chamber of Commerce office to nominated someone by April 6. 828.488.3681.
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Zumba Fitness recently began offering classes every day, except Fridays and Sundays, at the Macon County Community Building in Franklin by Linda Cherry, a licensed Zumba Fitness Instructor. 828.342.7762.
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Grandview Lodge has a new chef and a new Popcorn’s Moonshine Grill.
Thomas Torrey comes to Waynesville from Florida, where he previously served as clubhouse manager at Trump International Golf Club. The grill will feature special moonshine-based drinks and menu items including braised pork shanks, clam dip and fried green tomatoes, among other delicacies.
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Commercial real estate owners with property to lease in Macon County can now list their properties on a recently revamped website for the Macon County Economic Development Commission. www.maconedc.com or 828.369.2306.
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Jeannie Kelley and Libby Hall of Krismart Fashions presented a check for $1,000 to the MedWest Fall Fight, an initiative that provides underserved women in the region with mammograms. Krismart Fashions, a local ladies’ clothing store in Sylva, won a contest last fall to design a window display using products from the French Dressing Jeans Company.
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Western North Carolina healthcare leaders are working together to make local improvements through “Collaborate for Healthy Weight,” a national effort to reverse the obesity epidemic through innovative local partnerships between primary care providers, public health professionals and leaders of community-based organizations. Fifty teams from across the country participating in the initiative will learn from national experts, exchange ideas and create plans for becoming best practice models for other communities to follow.
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The WNC Health Network has received a $22,000 planning grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust to support the work of a collaborative Triple Aim Team of mental health providers from across the region. The network, located in Asheville, serves hospitals in WNC to reduce cost and improve quality by providing a group purchasing program, a health information exchange quality improvement initiatives and supporting strategies for population health.
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MedWest-Harris donated $3,000 to Relay for Life in Jackson County. Relay for Life will be held May 18 at the Recreation Center in Cullowhee.
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The Franklin Lions Club has worked with Habitat for Humanity of Macon County to plant more than 60 Dogwood Trees around Habitat For Humanity homes, the Franklin Airport and other areas. The plan was to help the environment by reducing erosion to save soil, help preserve local water sources and provide habitat for wildlife living.
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Franklin’s Angel Medical Center was ranked the top patient pick in North Carolina, according to a patient survey conducted by The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems. The center tied with Duke University Hospital and UNC Hospitals for the top spot.
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MedWest-Harris hospital is expanding its gift shop on the first floor with a concept aimed at providing comfort for patients’ family members, visitors and staff. This area, called ‘The Comfort Zone,’ will offer seating, beverages and volunteer support.
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Sheila Gordon has joined their staff of Angel Medical Center in Franklin as director of performance improvement. Gordon comes to AMC from Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville.
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Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel recently donated $2,000 to Mountain Mediation Services to help people in Western North Carolina communities settle conflicts peacefully outside the court system.
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Southwestern Community College’s Public Safety Training Center is now accredited to offer a Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program on behalf of the National Park Service. SCC is the second college in the country to offer the NPS-SLET academy and currently only 12 other colleges and university that offer the training.
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Western Carolina University has a new bachelor of science degree in engineering, a strategic step in WCU’s efforts to help meet the needs of Western North Carolina business and industry. WCU will take a generalist approach to its engineering offerings, with a common core of coursework in mathematics, science and engineering augmented by concentrations in specific specializations.
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The MedWest-Harris thrift store will fund the renovation of office space for Dr. Clay Smallwood at Harris Medical Park and the purchase of two portable ventilators, lab and surgery equipment and a crib, among other equipment.
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Kila Thompson, of the Haywood Soil and Water Conservation District, was awarded the NC Association 2012 Outstanding District Administrative Employee of the Year Award at the 68th Annual meeting of the North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
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The Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center recently received one of only 12 MLK Drum Major for Service Awards from the US Department of Agriculture. This award is the highest national service award offered by the USDA and represents a commitment to improving the lives of others through community engagement.
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The Arc of Haywood County recently purchased a new van for the Arc Apartment Living program with the support of the Evergreen Foundation. The Arc apartment-living program enables individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live in their own homes and work in the community.
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Western Carolina University got two national awards for an interactive blog that publicized the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band’s participation in the 2011 Rose Parade. WCU’s Rose Parade blog incorporated a range of social media tools.
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Andon-Reid Inn Bed and Breakfast was named Traveler’s Choice 2012 Top 10 B&B’s in the country by Trip Advisor.
