This Week in the Swannanoa Valley

Blood drive comes to Black Mountain Neuro Center

January is National Blood Donor Month, a time when it’s difficult to collect enough blood to meet patient needs due to extreme winter weather and seasonal illnesses, which often affect donor turnout. You can help. The next blood drives in the area will be 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 6 at Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center, 932 Old U.S. Highway 70, and 1:30-6 p.m. Jan. 9 at Ingles Markets in Swannanoa. To make an appointment to donate, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Prostate cancer group meets again in Asheville

Us TOO of WNC, a prostate cancer support forum for men, caregivers and family members, will meet Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak Street. This month Jon Clancy will present strategies to manage or eliminate pain associated with prostate cancer through yoga stretching, body rolling and massage. There is no fee to attend. For more, call 273-7698.

Recycle Styrofoam and Christmas lights

Recycle Styrofoam, packaging and Christmas lights at the annual holiday collection sponsored by Rainbow Recycling from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, (snow date Jan. 9) at Hopey & Co., 3018 U.S. 70 West, Black Mountain. Accepted will be clean, dry Styrofoam peanuts and pieces (free of tape, paper, grease), bubble wrap and other packaging. No arryout containers or upholstery/insulation foam. For Christmas tree strands, remove bulbs larger than mini-sized. Bag items separately and secure to prevent blowing. There will be a requested $1 fuel donation per large bag of Styrofoam; for business quantities, the fee is $10. For more, contact info@rainbowrecycling.org or 828-774-8673.

Start year with a yoga challenge

Get the new year started with Black Mountain Yoga’s 30-day yoga challenge Jan. 4-Feb. 17. You have 45 days to complete 30 yoga classes. For more, visit blackmountainyoga.com or call 669-2939.

Montreat gathers to welcome new year

Each New Year’s Eve, the Montreat community and neighbors gather to prayerfully welcome the arrival of a new year. Organized by the Montreat Cottagers, worship will be at 5:30 p.m. in Graham (formerly Gaither) Chapel.

The Rev. Edna Banes, retired pastor and dean of students at Union Theological Seminary, will be the featured speaker. The Rev. Keith Grogg and members of the Montreat Presbyterian Church will lead communion. Music will be provided by the Tarnished Brass.

A freewill offering will be received in baskets following the service and divided equally among the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry, the Women’s Correctional Ministry and Bounty & Soul.