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Sally Mae's Emporium West Jefferson
Old fashioned fun in downtown West Jefferson. Check out Pond Mtn. Pottery, Jewelry, Libby's fashions, kitchen items & more. Open Mon.-Sat. 10-5:00 Follow us on Facebook.com for updates! 336-846-9069
www.sallymaesemporium.com
Behind the Scenes Tours at Grandfather Mountain
See where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears up close, and learn how we take care of these beautiful animals all year round. Join us for our educational Behind-the-Scenes wildlife habitat tour. Available on weekends for an additional fee. 828-733-8715.
www.grandfather.com
Piedmont Federal Savings Bank

Piedmont Federal Savings Bank has been providing home loans, financial services and community support throughout northwestern North Carolina since 1903. In Boone on Blowing Rock Road. Member FDIC.

www.piedmontfederal.com.
The MUSTARD SEED MARKET

It's BLOOMING BUCKS REDEMPTION TIME! Entire month of AUGUST! Bring in your light purple "BUCKS" to enjoy your half off savings!!!Refresh your garden for fall. mon-sat 9-6 828.295.4585

themustardseedmarket.com
Boone Church of Christ

You are invited to worship God with us this Sunday. The sermon this week is:

Do Not Just Walk Away!

Sunday: 10:30 AM
Location: 130 Cool Woods Drive (1.3 miles east of Mack Brown Chevrolet on Old Hwy 421)
Phone: 828-264-9693

boonechurchofchrist.org

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New Look, New Goal
by Ray Russell

Latest Update: January 29, 2010

The earlier posts about health and fitness can be found from the installment archive link above.

Dozens of people have asked that I publish a photo contrast of the old Ray (almost 230 lbs) and the new Ray (about 150 lbs) on the site. Okay... here it is (with my wonderful wife, Rhonda, a kindergarten teacher at Parkway School).

In a previous post, I said that it was important to set goals for fitness and nutrition (even if that goal is to maintain). Well, I have a new goal... To run the Boston Marathon, April 19, in about 3 hours 20 minutes. Thanks to the fine folks at Zap Fitness, I have a spot reserved in Boston. I have been training since the beginning of the year (after a few weeks rest from the Charlotte Marathon).

I'm longing for some milder weather. In marathon training, one has to make one long run each week (in addition to shorter runs 5 days each week). Those 1.5 to 2 hour runs are really tough in this cold. "You can't fake a marathon"; so I running in the cold and at the Wellness Center on treadmills these days. In fact, you'll find many runners around town every day in all conditions.

For good health, you don't have to run and you certainly don't have to run marathons. The key is to do something to get your heart pumping for 30 minutes, 5 days a week. Whether its running, walking, swimming, cycling, etc. Get out there! You'll be amazed at what a difference it will make over time.