Hendersonville, NC

The City of Hendersonville just posted a new item of interest for all City Residences. They are partnering with the National League of Cities (NLC) to provide discount cards administered by CVS Pharmacy. Use of the card will give you an average of 20% discount off of the retail cost of the medications you need. Savings may vary between drugs and pharmacies, but if you have no medication coverage, this will help a lot.

You can go to the City of Hendersonville website and read more about it.

You can check the website for CVS Caremark for a list of participating pharmacies and find FAQ's about the program.

You will be able to print a card for yourself right there on line. If you are not in our area but want to see if your city is participating in this program, check with this website for other NLC cities.

If you know anyone with this need, please pass it along. This is a FREE Program and costs nothing to sign up.

We are having one of the worst ice storms I have seen here in my 5 years as a residence of Henderson County. You can see from the Accu-Weather Report that it is not looking good. We have had every combination of weather you can imagine since thursday around 2:30 PM. It has gone from rain to sleet to snow and then to rain and back again. Moisture has come down non-stop since then, slowing sometime overnight, But it is supposed to stay like this for a while with a rapid freeze warning for the next 6 hours.

Here is what I am seeing from my front door.

Trees and limbs have fallen all around my home. Even though I am lucky enough to have electric so far, I am very concerned about trees coming down on my house. I can hear them falling in the woods around me and it has been stressful.

I hope that everyone is staying put and not going out if you don't have to.

Health Reform: Henderson County, Hendersonville NC Offers a Novel Idea currently being tested and practiced as a possible alternative health care option.

The new Pardee Flat Rock Family Health Center has been trying out this approach to health care which utilizes email appointments, email consultations, group visits, phone consultations, etc.

Dr. Steven Crane, the Assistant Division Director of Mountain Area Helth Education Center began taking patients in November.

Dr. Crane rents space at a competitive rate at the Free Client located on Case Street off Upward Road at Spartanburg Highway and they currently are accepting new patients.

You don't call to make appointments but go online to do so. They accept medicare and Medicaid patients and also have pay as you go for uninsured patients -- and sooo much more. Read and view the excellent links below for a much better explanation than I can muster on how it all works and is practiced.

The Hendersonville Times-News has done a very good article on this medical model by Leigh Kelley Times-News Staff Writer which is well worth a read for an informed explanation of how it works. The paper has also provided a video presentation by Dr. Crane.

Sue of Robin and Sue

For real estate and local information visit Robin's Website.

It seems that more and more businesses are going "green" nowadays. Jongo Java is a new green coffeehouse and juice bar that recently opened up in Hendersonville, NC. Located at 117 South Main Street in downtown Hendersonville, Jongo Java owner Jamie Tanner believes in an environmentally responsible business design. She uses real silverware, ceramic plates and compostable cups. Since the silverware and plates are reusable and the disposable cups can be composted down, they will not contribute to the already overburdened landfills. Regulars are encouraged to bring in their favorite mug to leave at the shop for future visits. There's even a special shelf for these "favorites". Tanner also buys bread from the local Underground Bakery and shares in recyling with the Never Blue restaurant to help herself and other Hendersonville businesses stay "green".

To help keep expenses down and encourage community involvement, Tanner sub-leases part of her space to other businesses. Right now, "Once Upon a Sign" (a specialty gift shop) has signed up and a bookstore is a strong possibility in the future. By sharing business space, Tanner hopes to keep local Hendersonville businesses strong during hard economic times.

Jongo Java offers organically-grown specialty coffe, tea and some baked goods that are provided by local baker Daniel Duprey. They are gearing up to start offering real fruit smoothie using local, organic produce as well as soups and sandwiches in the near future.

Head to Jongo Java, a new green coffeehouse and juice bar in Hendersonville for your morning cup of joe. You'll be supporting local businesses and Mother Earth at the same time. What a great combo!

Current existing problems for downtown merchants in this lousy economy. Things weren't quite as bad back in the Spring but without any bright spots to look ahead to for awhile landlords as well as merchants are feeling the hurt! More and more businesses are having to leave their downtown places of business seeking cheaper rents or simply closing their business down. Obviously this creates issues for the landlords as well.

Some of the landlords are trying to work with merchants and adjust rents but other landlords have raised rents!

The Henderson County Chamber of Commerce is introducing programs to assist area merchants in managing inventory and coping in the current down economy.

I love and really enjoy our downtown with its ambiance, beauty and it radiates friendliness.

Hope lives eternal and I certainly hope the spring of 2010 will see an upturn in the economy and a return of life for merchants, landlords, residents and visitors alike to our unique downtown.

For information on the Hendersonville area and real estate visit here.

Sue of Robin and Sue