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Email Announcements We Are Receiving Today: See What’s Going On Around The Community

1) ASU’s Family Weekend Moved to Oct. 31-Nov. 2

Appalachian State University announced on Thursday that the University’s 2014 Family Weekend has been moved from Oct. 3-5 to Oct. 31-Nov. 2. As part of the Family Weekend events, Appalachian State football hosts Sun Belt Conference rival Georgia State on Saturday, Nov. 1. Season tickets are on sale now and half-season ticket packages will be available in the near future. Single-game tickets go on sale on Aug. 5. 

2) Watauga Humane Society Hosts Vintage Sale March 22

A “Treasure Trove of Vintage Values” sale will be held Saturday, March 22 from 1-5 p.m. at Watauga Humane Society’s Adoption Center. Choose from hundreds of lovely keepsakes and collectibles such as chandeliers, pottery, china, Depression glass, Franklin Mint plates and treasures from the Far East. With items from 50 cents to $50 donated by the Humane Society’s valiant volunteers, you can’t go wrong and all proceeds will benefit the SNIPS Spay/Neuter Fund and Mychal’s Fund for sick and injured animals. This is not a yard sale, it’s a treasure hunt! And there’s a bake sale too with complimentary beverages. Don’t miss it on March 22 on Paws Way in Boone. 

3) Digital Mammography Now Available at Cannon Memorial Hospital

Charles A. Connon Jr. Memorial Hospital (CMH) is excited to be the first in Avery County to offer breast cancer screenings using full field digital mammography. With the recent installation of the Selenia Dimensions 2D full field digital mammography system, all mammography patients at CMH will be imaged with the most state of the art equipment available. “Now that we have Full Digital Mammography, the women of Avery County can receive the breast care they deserve close to home,” said Martha Daniels, Lead Mammographer at CMH. “We are very excited to be a part of offering the latest technology to women in the High Country.” Digital mammography is different from conventional or film-screen mammography in how the image of the breast is acquired and, more importantly, viewed.  The radiologist can magnify the images, increase or decrease the contrast and invert the black and white values while reading the images.  These features allow the radiologist to better evaluate micro- calcifications and better evaluate any areas of concern. For most women 40 and over, an annual mammogram is the best way of finding breast cancer early.  Mammograms play a central role in the early detection of breast cancer because they can detect changes in the breast that may be early signs of cancer, but are too small or subtle to be felt. The use of mammography and in particular, digital mammography, has greatly enhanced the ability to detect breast cancer at an earlier stage, when it’s most treatable.  Digital mammography detected significantly more cancers than screen-film mammography in woman 50 and younger, premenopausal and perimenopausal women, and women with dense breasts, according to results from the American College of Radiology Digital Mammographic Imaging Screening Trial (DMIST). Breast cancer statistics are staggering:

* One in eight women living in the U.S. will get breast cancer in a lifetime.(1)

* Breast cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. It’s the leading cause of death in 35 to 65 year old women. (2)

The installation of full field digital mammography at CMH, part of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS), allows radiologists to view breast images taken at Cannon Memorial Hospital or Watauga Medical Center at either facility.  ARHS is committed to the fight against breast cancer, providing high quality, acute healthcare and preventative medical care in a compassionate and professional manner to all people who live, work or visit the high country.   

4) Yoga Classes Starting April 15 at Harrill Senior Center

Akal Dev Sharonne will be teaching her next session of Yoga classes starting April 15 at the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center. This will be an 11 week session. The first four weeks of class will be held on Tuesday’s from 6:15pm-7:30pm and the last 7 weeks of class will be held from 6:15pm-7:15pm.  Deadline to register is 5pm on April 15th.  The total cost of the class is $62.00.  Akal Dev Sharonne has been practicing and teaching yoga since the 70s.  Her classes are a delightful blend of humor, challenge and wisdom.  This class is appropriate for beginners as well as experienced yoga students. Any age may register, but if the class exceeds the attendance limit priority will be given to persons age sixty and older.  Please call 265-8090 with any questions. The next 12-week session of Yoga classes are scheduled to start on Thursday April 10th from 10:15-11:15am at the Western Watauga Community Center.  Deadline to register for the class is 10am on April 10th.  The total cost of the class is $62.00.  Akal Dev Sharonne has been practicing and teaching yoga since the 70s.  Her classes are a delightful blend of humor, challenge and wisdom.  This class is appropriate for beginners as well as experienced yoga students. Any age may register, but if the class exceeds the attendance limit priority will be given to persons age sixty and older.  Please call 297-5195 with any questions. 

5) Town of Beech Mountain Sledding Hill Report 

The Beech Mountain Sledding hill is still OPEN. Bring your family this weekend, March 15-16 and you might catch a peek at some Leprechauns sliding down the hill. The hill is open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends. Don’t forget your hat, gloves and warm, waterproof clothing. Please see below for the full schedule. Monday-Friday 1-5 p.m. and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Contact the Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce at 828-387-9283 for more information or for current conditions.