SALISBURY — The deadline to make reservations for the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce’s new Power in Partnership breakfast meeting is 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Reservations are required, and the event will not accept walk-ins.
Mike Hughes with Duke Energy will deliver the keynote address at the event, which is set for 7:30 a.m. Thursday at Trinity Oaks, 728 Klumac Road.
His presentation will focus on the N.C. General Assembly’s legislative session and the “new” Duke Energy as it moves into its second year as a merged company.
Hughes is vice president of community relations for Duke Energy in North Carolina. He is responsible for their state government and community relation strategies. He has been with Duke Energy and its predecessor companies since 1992.
The chamber’s new breakfast series will bring top-notch speakers to the community and provide high-level networking opportunities, President Elaine Spalding said. Partner agencies will share updates with the local business leaders and address issues of concern for the entire region.
The Leadership Rowan Class will start their day at the breakfast and then venture out for each day’s session, focused on a different aspect of the community.
The chamber has turned the Friday Forums program into the new PIP.
The cost for the breakfast is $12 for members and $20 for non-members. Contact the chamber at 704-633-4221 or info@rowanchamber.com
SALISBURY — Smart Changes Household Move Management now offers move planning and management services to a broader market. 
Under its former name, Smart Choice Senior Transitions, the company provided downsizing, moving and related services to older adults who were transitioning to retirement living.  
Owner and Senior Move Manager Jo Kearns said, “We have training and extensive experience providing these services for older adults, and we realized that people of all ages want the chaos and stress taken out of household relocation. That’s exactly what we do.” 
Kearns is a certified relocation and transition specialist.
“When the children of older adults see what we can do with their parents’ move, they become some of our biggest fans and want our help with their own move,” said Smart Changes partner Candy Ellis, who is also a Senior Move Manager.
Smart Changes Household Move Management will have an exhibit at the upcoming Home Expo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27 at the Salisbury Civic Center.   
Novant Health Rowan Pediatrics will host an open house Tuesday, Sept. 17, 5-7 p.m. at 530 Corporate Circle, Suite 200.
Novant Health Rowan Pediatrics is the newest member of the Novant Health team.
The open house includes a meet-and-greet with physicians, a tour of the new facility, refreshments and fun for kids.
SALISBURY — Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Central Carolina Insurance Agency will host a free health-care seminar on what businesses need to know about the Affordable Healthcare Act.
The event, for members of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 in the Gateway Building, 204 E. Innes St.
Reserve a spot by contacting ccia@centralcarolina.com or 704-636-5311.
SALISBURY — Food Lion has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2012 Superior Goal Achievement Award, one of the agency’s honors for commercial refrigeration achievements by GreenChill Partners.
Food Lion officials received the award at the FMI Energy & Store Development Conference in Baltimore, Md.
The announcement “reinforces Food Lion’s commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen by reducing emissions, protecting the environment and becoming more efficient as we enhance our customer shopping experience,” said Susan Sollenberger, director of energy, maintenance and equipment purchasing at Delhaize America South, which owns Food Lion. “We are honored to receive this award, and look forward to continuing to serve our communities.”
Delhaize America and Food Lion are both based in Salisbury.
The award recognizes that Food Lion met its GreenChill commitment for reducing refrigerant emissions.
“Food Lion has been a member of GreenChill since the partnership began in 2007,” Tom Land, GreenChill partnership manager. “Since then, Food Lion has continually renewed their commitment to reducing harmful refrigerant emissions. Earning a Superior Goal Achievement award is further evidence of this.”
Food Lion has won the award before and has pioneered various technologies that save energy and reduce harmful refrigerant leaks. 
Food Lion has more than half of the nation’s Energy Star stores, with more than 1,000 certified stores. In addition, the company has partnered with utilities to evaluate a variety of energy saving opportunities, such as solar power. 

STATESVILLE — Energy United will hold its 2013 Annual Meeting of Members on Sept. 21 at Davie County High School in Mocksville.
Gates will open at 9:30 a.m. and the event will run through noon.
Members will once again have the opportunity to take advantage of a health fair presented by Wake Forest Baptist Health. In addition, attendees will receive home energy efficiency tips, learn about Energy United products and services, see safety demonstrations and enjoy live entertainment provided by Rich in Tradition, recently named the Appalachian Cultural Music Association’s Bluegrass Instrumental Group of the Year.
The event will be fun for the entire family. Younger attendees will have an assortment of activities to choose from including a bounce house, a magician, pole top rescue demonstrations and the popular junior lineman photos.
Prior to the meeting, EnergyUnited members were asked to vote for two board of director candidates by mail-in ballot. Final election results will be announced at the meeting.

SALISBURY — Charlotte-based bookstore The Last Word has opened a Salisbury location at 612 W. Innes St.
Owner Elizabeth Pope said she believes everyone should have affordable access to education and entertainment that will enrich their lives.
Pope said she offers a place where everyone from kids to seniors can have a great shopping experience.
“It’s a place to linger, with comfortable seating and bright, open spaces, where kids can enjoy playing while their parents shop,” Pope said. “It’s well-organized so that you can run in and find what you’re looking for if you’re in a hurry.”
The inventory is computerized, and staff can transfer merchandise between the Salisbury and Charlotte locations.
The Last Word acquires inventory by giving cash or trade credit to customers who sell books and DVDs to the business.
Purchase price is set according to a criteria of age, condition, market value and supply and demand.
The shop offers a teacher/school trade credit program, discounts for teachers, a good-grades report card incentive, a college student discount and a frequent buyer program.
The business also offers a small meeting room, free of charge.
Store hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The Last Word buys books and DVDs from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Sellers do not need an appointment and can drop off items and return later for the order.
Contact the store at 704-245-6159.



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