Nick Jordan:  The Man. The Gift.

By Lynn Sellers 

Like many people, Nick Jordan came to Asheville from somewhere else. Unlike many people, why and when he came is distinctively '"Nick." The Jordan family of five left New York to answer the call of Western North Carolina when Nick was just a teenager. Though the beauty and lifestyle of their small town, Lenoir, were compelling, the question of education, especially college-prep, resulted in Nick and his brother becoming boarders at the Asheville School.

Nick spent his professional career in business in New York City and Nashville, TN. With two daughters, Nick and his wife, Helen, were living in Nashville, when in 2000, Helen had a horrific fall and died. Within four months of Helen's passing, Nick's father died and the company where Nick was employed was sold. Nick found himself in a major life transition -- adrift.

Tips to Enable Good Hearing

For the Hearing Person:

• Get listener's attention first
• Face the person directly
• Let light fall on your own face
• Avoid noisy backgrounds
• Do not shout
• Speak clearly at a moderate pace
• Don't cover your mouth or chew while speaking
• Rephrase (don't repeat) when not understood
• Use gestures, facial expressions
• Give clues when changing subject
• Be patient: pause, allow absorption time

• Tell others how best to talk to you (slow down, don't shout, etc.: see above)
• Pick your best spot (light, quiet, proximity)
• Plan for difficulties (if necessary, ask for a different time, place)
• Ask for written clues if necessary
• Pay attention
• Focus on speaker
• Look for visual clues
• Let conversation develop, to gain context and time to absorb (interrupt only when necessary)
• Don't bluff
• Don't say "What?" Let speaker know where you became lost
• Let speaker know how well s/he is doing
• Don't be hard on yourself for falling behind fast or accented speakers: relax!

Volunteer Opportunity

Verner is an early learning program of distinction where young children thrive, families flourish and early childhood professionals excel. 

We have opportunities for groups and individuals to volunteer for an hour, a day, or on an ongoing basis.  Volunteers spend time with our children, teach specific skills to children and to parents, help us maintain our facilities and playgrounds, and serve on our Board of Directors and Policy Council. We even have opportunities for older children to volunteer as reading buddies for our little ones!

As a nonprofit organization, we appreciate the valuable support we receive from our volunteers. This donation of their time saves our organization both time and money that allows us to provide more for our children and families.

To learn more about our mission, visit our website:  

http://www.vernerearlylearning.org/ 

For information on volunteering, contact:  Katy Allen, Family & Community Partnerships Manager, KAllen@verneremail.org    828.298.0808    

Free Heart Health Screenings 

Wednesday, January 14, 9 am-12 pm, Room 206
Wednesday, January 14, 1-4 pm Room 102B
Thursday, January 15, 9-11 am and 1-4 pm Room 102B

For more info and to schedule an appointment, call Jane Morrow, Community Screening Nurse, Healthy Heart Buncombe, 828-257-4471