TWO N.C. SITES ON NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER’S “STAY” LIST

National Geographic Traveler’s 2009 “Stay List” includes Falling Waters Adventure Resort in Bryson City and The Swag Country Inn in Waynesville. To find these hotels, the magazine tapped into the collected experiences of veteran journalists, inveterate road warriors, and local experts. They based their nominations on key criteria. Further research and detailed questionnaires winnowed hundreds of submissions down to this list of 129 hotels. The hotels on the Stay List 2009 don't just reflect their surroundings – they help define them. What they all have in common is a transcendent vision that goes beyond traditional hotel-keeping. This mindset is what gives these hotels their special sense of place. To find out more, visit http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/2009/04/stay-list/intro-text.

Calaboose Cellars wins Three Medals at the 2009 Finger Lakes Wine Competition

March 30, 2009, Andrews, NC -- Competing with 2,606 wines from 543 wineries worldwide, Calaboose Cellars won three medals including one silver and two bronze awards.

Receiving a silver medal was Wardin's [sic] White, a smooth semi-sweet wine made from Diamond Grapes. Of the twelve Diamond wines entered in the competition, Wardin's White tied for the highest honor with Goose Watch Winery, Romulus, NY, whose Diamond won a 2009 Gold Medal & "Best of Class" in the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition and Liberty Vineyards & Winery, Sheridan, NY, whose Diamond won a 2009 Double Gold, Best of Appellation by Appellation America -- some pretty impressive company.

This makes Wardin's White the most decorated wine offered by Calaboose Cellars. It won a silver medal at the 2008 Wines of the South Competition after winning a bronze medal at the 2008 NC State Fair.http://www.fliwc.com

Flat Rock Wine Shoppe Old fashioned shrimp and crab boil

Mark this date: Tuesday, April 14 Kon Tiki... Tropical Swing Music and great food.
The evening will feature a Hawaiian music extravaganza and an old fashioned shrimp and crab boil accompanied by potatoes, corn on the cob, sausage, hush puppies, cole slaw, cornbread, fruit salad, cucumber salad, and mixed greens, and dessert served buffet style. Just $15 per person. www.flatrockwineshoppe.com/music.html

Swannanoa Sweep

Annual Spring Clean up
Saturday, April 4, 2009
9 am to Noon

Meet at Ingles/Ace Parking Lot, Gloves, Vests and Bags will be supplied. Come rain or shine!
Sponsored by SPCC call Maureen 713-8836 Swannanoa Pride Community Coalition
www.swannanoapride.org

Grand Opening Appalachian Grill Company

April 3-4, 8791 Highway 105 South, Boone. John Henry will be cooking live and demonstrating recipes and grilling techniques. http://www.appgrillco.com

Mitchell’s Lodge & Cottages Spring Special

We would like to offer you a Spring Special. Come stay with us in April and we’ll give you $20.00 off per night. This is such an incredible offer that we cannot combine it with any other specials or discounts. Special is valid on NEW RESERVATIONS ONLY, cannot be used on existing confirmed reservations under any circumstances. Limited Availability and is only available in the Cedar Lodge and Cottages so call now to reserve. 1-800-522-9874 www.mitchellslodge.com

Classic Wineseller Easter Brunch

Visit us on-line at http://ClassicWineSeller.com

Grey Eagle Online Ticketing

Upcoming events and featured events.
Jonatha Brooke

Wed 04/08/09

Tickets:
$15 advance/$18 day of show

Doors: 7:00pm
Show: 8:00pm

Great Lake Swimmers w/Kate Maki & Wayne Robbins Sat 04/11/09 Tickets: $8 advance/$10 day of show Doors: 8:00pm Show: 9:00pm

Wed 04/1/09
Michelle Malone
w/ Joshua Singleton
8:30pm. $10 advance
$12 day of show

Thu 04/2/09
Midnite: Night 1 w/Chalwa, Da Stateside Lion, & more!
9pm. $20 advance/$25 day of show OR $36 for both nights

Fri 04/3/09
Midnite: Night 2 w/Tablesaw and more!
9pm. $20 advance/$25 day of show OR $36 for both nights

Sat 04/4/09
Bands For Kids' Sake 2009: Big Brothers Big Sisters Benefit
8pm. $10 suggested minimum donation at the door.

Sun 04/5/09
Tim O'Brien: AMS Benefit
7pm. $27 advance/$30 day of show

Mon 04/06/09
Contra Dance
8pm. $6 at the door

Thu 04/9/09
The Baker Family CD Release w/Royal Bangs & more
8:30pm. $6 at the door.

Fri 04/10/09
Dubconscious w/Hope Massive and more
9pm. $10 advance/$14 day of show.

Mon 04/13/09
Contra Dance
8pm. $6 at the door

Wed 04/15/09
Greasy Beans w/Jennie Benford & Garbage Bear
8pm. $8 at the door.

DIscount on Cabin Rental

WEST JEFFERSON - GRASSY GREEK. Luxurious cottage at off-season rates through MAY. Specials: Weekdays stay 2 nights, get 1 extra night free - Long weekends: 4 days for the price of 3. Book now for summer (June-Aug) and get 10% off. Gourmet kitchen, gas grill, crow's nest with views, cutting gardens, pond, goats & sheep, 45acres to roam, DVD, washer & dryer, central heat & air. THE NUTHOUSE COTTAGE

Asheville Arboretum Blooming Out Loud exhibit

April 1- May 7. Blooming Out Loud exhibit by Peruvian-American artist Miriam Sagasti. NC Arboretum, Asheville.

Tryon Comedy Show

Apr. 1: "el gleno grande," one-man comedy show, Tryon Fine Arts Center. 7:30 pm.

Explore Life onLake James

Make plans to join us for our spring "Explore Life on Lake James" event. The day will be packed with activities that will give you a taste of what life is like here.

At 11 a.m. at Camp Lake James' Social Hall, come to our "Meet the Builder" coffee to speak with builders about building in 1780 and Old Wildlife Club. For a taste of what's possible, check out our new online portfolio and get ideas on cabins big and small.

Rutherford County on Facebook, MySpace

Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority – known to visitors as Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills – joins the social media age and invites you to be our Facebook fan or MySpace friend!

To view Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills on Facebook, click here.
To view Lake Lure & the Blue Ridge Foothills on MySpace, click here.
These sites will continue to develop and supplement the TDA’s main website: www.rutherfordtourism.com

Todd General Store Opens

Here’s a note from TGS owner Gini Mann: “The Todd General Store has just opened again, hoping for another interesting and great year. We had a very good year on our buying trips and have brought in lots of new antiques and collectibles. We are looking forward to another creative Storytelling season on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and Bluegrass Friday nights. We are once again having Authors on Saturdays along with artisans from all over America. What an exciting time to be in the cool mountains of North Carolina! This is Bob’s second year in Real Estate and he has helped lots of people find the cabin of their dreams.” Visit Todd General Store online at www.toddgeneralstore.com.

2009 Appalachian Women’s Fund Grantee Award Breakfast

Monday, April 6

Directors from the nine agencies funded by the Appalachian Women’s Fund in 2008 will share their progress on programs made possible by AWF grants. Areas funded include domestic violence, hunger and poverty, substance abuse, homelessness, education and health care. The event will be held Monday, April 6 at 8:30 a.m. at the Broyhill Conference Center in Boone. Click Here to PURCHASE TICKETS . Or, if you can't attend, but want to make a donation instead, Click Here. For more information, please call 828-264-4002

Ashe Chamber Business Breakfast

Thursday, April 9 Please RSVP to 336-846-9550 by Tuesday, April 7.

Agricultural Extension Office to host Chamber Business Breakfast There will be a Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast hosted by the Ashe County Cooperative Extension office on Thursday, April 9, at 8 a.m. in the Agricultural Services Building to the right of the new County Courthouse, in the 1^st floor conference room. Please come to network and hear about the good things in store this year from Cooperative Extension!

Black Mountain Community Blood Drive

Black Mountain Community Blood Drive
Thursday, April 2nd 2pm-6:30pm Black Mountain Presbyterian Church
Call Margaret at 669-6131 to schedule your appointment.

Chance to win a cruise for two!!!

CLOSE OUT SALE!

Waterfall Drives and Hikes in Transylvania County Book

This 37 page full color book is available at the Chamber of Commerce for $4 each. The book provides maps, pictures, difficulty of hikes, and directions to 30 waterfalls in Transylvania County. If you are interested in purchasing these books, please call the Brevard Chamber at 883-3700. We are happy to reserve them for you

Prospering in 2009 Conference

Prospering in 2009 Conference on April 6, 2009 at Glen Canon Country Club, 8:30am-noon.

The Conference will consist of four tracks: 1. Accommodations 2. Retail 3. Arts/Crafts 4. Culinary

There will be tips on increasing your revenue, managing your costs, and marketing; just to name a few. We will start with our guest speaker Phil Davis, President of Tungsten Marketing. The event is FREE and open to all.

Click the link below for registration and conference details.

Prospering in 2009 Conference.

Ramp It Up

This festival highlights two of our mountain delicacies: trout and pungent, wild onion/garlic-like ramps. Held in conjunction with trout season opening on the Qualla Boundary, the festival includes music, our fourth-annual horseshoe competition, a barbecue cookoff, and a trout and ramp feast for all! 877-433-6700

When: Saturday, March 28, 2009, 10am-2pm

Where: Cherokee Indian Fairgrounds, Cherokee, NC

Bank of America US Open

Two days of big-time racing at NOC! Watch world-class paddlers compete in downriver wildwater as well as canoe and kayak slalom competitions. Nantahala Outdoor Center, 800-232-7238

When: March 28 & 29, 2009

Where: Nantahala Outdoor Center

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