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LOCAL BRIEFS: Tree City, back pain, mental health documentary

Hendersonville is Tree City of the Year

 

The city of Hendersonville has been named the Tree City of the Year by the North Carolina Forest Service and the North Carolina Urban Forest Council.

Hendersonville was selected from Tree City USA recipients that had received a Growth Award for 2017. Entries were judged on impact, quality, innovation and the degree to which the work serves as a worthy example for others to follow. Hendersonville has several efforts to support its urban forestry program, including the creation of partnerships with the N.C. Department of Transportation’s mowing program and a Bee City USA pollinator species program.
“All of the hard work the Tree Board, with the support of City Council, City staff, and volunteers have put in this past year has been recognized by the N.C. Forest Service and N.C. Urban Forest Council by being awarded the Tree City of the Year for North Carolina,” Public Works Director Tom Wooten said.
The city will be recognized at the N.C. Urban Forest Council’s 11th Annual Great N.C. Tree Conference Awards Luncheon on Sept. 20, in Winston-Salem.

 

Surgeon, therapist 
to discuss back pain

Pardee UNC Health Care will host a seminar on managing lower back pain on Thursday, Sept. 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Henderson County Health Sciences Center, 805 Sixth Avenue West (second floor, room 2003). Sonny Guram, M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon at Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, will discuss an often overlooked cause of lower back pain. He will also cover the importance of receiving a proper diagnosis and a variety of treatment options, including non-operative treatments and a minimally invasive surgical procedure.

A licensed physical therapist will demonstrate exercises to help alleviate lower back pain. Dr. Guram will be available to answer questions and speak one-on-one with guests afterward. The seminar is free. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. To register, visit www.pardeehospital.org/classes-events. For more information, call 828-274-4555.

Youth of the month 
winners get bicycles

 

As part of its ongoing Kids & Cops program at the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County, Stand TALL (Thank a Local Lawman) donated funds to purchase a new bicycle and safety helmet for winners of the club’s June and July Youth of the Month.
 
The June and July winners, Giovanny Campos and Stephany Vigil will both be taken shopping to pick out the bicycles and helmets each would like to have, compliments of Stand TALL. The Kids & Cops program provides for uniformed, off-duty police officers to be at the Boys & Girls Club throughout the school year and for their summer program, which this year involved over 800 children.
 


Documentary highlights 
mental health system

Full Circle Counseling, NAMI Four Seasons and Thrive will host a screening of the award winning documentary “CRAZY” at the Flat Rock Cinema at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23. There is no entrance fee but a donation of $5 per person is suggested to cover the cost of the event. Flat Rock Cinema will have their concession stand available to attendees
“CRAZY” is a one-hour documentary film that follows one young man’s journey through the mental health system. This collaborative event will inform viewers and provide the opportunity for a group discussion about how the community treats mental illness.
In one hour, you’ll hear from all the stakeholders—the treaters (doctors), the family, the scientists, people debating public policy and the patient point of view. For more information about the film visit www.crazythefilm.com. For more information about the event, contact Kristen Martin kmartin@thrive4health.org or 828-697-1581.

 

Trinity pastor answers 
questions about church 

Trinity Presbyterian Church, 900 Blythe St., invites the community to attend an Inquirer Class at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, to meet with the Rev. Dr. Mark Stanley and learn about worship and the work of Trinity.
“This is a great chance to ask questions, get answers, and make new friends,” Stanley says. “You will even learn the meaning of Presbyterian. Come as you are and invite a friend. All are welcomed.”

Presbyterian — what does it even mean? What goes on at Trinity after Sunday mornings? What’s an Elder? A Deacon? Why are there Ministries instead of Committees? Who can use the Columbarium? Why do worship leaders wear robes? How can I get a permanent nametag? How do you join this outfit?

If you have been wondering about the answer to any of these questions, or if you just want to know more about Trinity, join Stanley on Sept. 16. The class is open to church members, visitors and friends and neighbors in the community.

Faith garden has grown
 600 pounds of produce

 

What had been an empty corner space destined to be a parking lot is now a flourishing, faith-based community garden and mission of First United Methodist Church. 
Called “Rooted in Faith” and operating in partnership with Safelight and Bruce Drysdale School, the garden celebrated its first full year of bounty on Aug. 14.
Spearheaded by church members Dee West and Russ Anderson and supported by a crew of 14 “God Squad” volunteers, the garden has yielded almost 600 pounds of donated produce to date. The goal of 1,000 pounds of harvested vegetables by the end of the growing season is becoming a reality. 
Rooted in Faith provides fresh, organic produce to local agencies serving the food insecure of Henderson County. Volunteers regularly deliver harvested vegetables and herbs to the Storehouse; Interfaith Assistance Ministry; Dandelion Restaurant, a Safelight training enterprise; and the Providence Church Sunday meal. Students from Bruce Drysdale School’s third grade are junior gardeners in the garden.
The garden includes 19 raised beds, 10 of which support our partner agencies, FUMC’s kitchen and the church’s congregational care teams. Several plots are used by residents of the adjacent Fifth Avenue Apartments, another mission project of FUMC in partnership with Safelight. The remaining beds are cooperative gardens managed by gardening enthusiasts who have pledged to donate 80 percent of their produce to local agencies. The community garden is next to First United Methodist Church at the corner of Buncombe Street and Fifth Avenue.