Heritage Classic Dancesport Championship this weekend in Asheville

March 1 - 3   Asheville's Grove Park Inn is the venue for the  Heritage Classic DanceSport Championships 2011   The annual DanceSport Championship weekend is a wonderful way to compete and have a great time. This event has been voted "Competition of the Year" 3 years in succession.

Mt Jefferson and the Underground Railroad

Sunday, Feb. 27 at 11 AM  AND 2 PM at the 2nd overlook in Mt Jefferson State Park. Learn some of the history of Mt. Jefferson with a park ranger as he takes you back in time to the days of the Underground Railroad. Experience the folklore and history surrounding Mt. Jefferson including legends of escaped slaves hiding out in Mt Jefferson's ledge caves while seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad . Free to the public. Call 336-246-9653 for more info.

Farm Soiree Fundraiser at Asheville's Orange Peel Features the Firecracker Jazz Band

March 5th, 2011 from 8pm-12am at the Orange Peel (101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC. In conjunction with the 18th annual spring conference, the Organic Growers School will host FarmSoiree, a benefit event. The event will feature a combination of spoken word and live music. From 8-9:30 pm, selected community leaders will present on a theme of “FOOD” using a unique presentation style known as “Ignite”. Ignite presenters will use 20 picture slides of their own creation, and each slide will auto-advance every 15 seconds, for a total presentation time of just 5 minutes.

The Organic Growers School has assembled a group of 8 citizens, from farmers to politicians, to present an Ignite presentation at the FarmSoiree event. (see below for a full list of the speakers, and their bios.) Presenters will cover the topic of food from many unique perspectives, and enlighten the audience in the quick-fire style of Ignite.

Following the Ignite presentations, there will be a performance by Asheville’s own Firecracker Jazz Band.
Doors Open at 7:30 pm. Buy Tickets Now $15.00 for Adult $7.00 for Children or purchase your ticket for only $12.00 with your OGS conference registration! You may also buy tickets at the door. 

Appalachian Voices Updates: More challenges for Protecting the Enviroment

Submitted by Willa Mays, Executive Director for Appalachian Voices

Last week, as the new Congress debated the federal budget, several members decided to seize the opportunity to score some goodies for Big Coal.

Rep. John Yarmuth defends the mountains of Kentucky on the floor of the House of Representatives.

In the wee hours of Friday night, the House passed amendments designed to give a green light to new mountaintop removal mines and cut funding to the EPA, annihilating the agency’s ability to work on critical issues like coal ash. These revenue-neutral amendments do nothing to reduce the federal budget deficit, and were designed solely to prevent the EPA and other government agencies from enforcing clean air and clean water laws, even with a majority of Americans expressing firm support for the agency.

Your support has made it possible for us to maintain a steady drumbeat in the halls of Congress, helping educate decision makers and enabling us to bring ordinary citizens to Washington, D.C., to tell their personal stories of fouled water and lost mountains. And we will continue working to defeat these amendments in the Senate and ensure a Presidential veto.

The coal industry may be defiant and determined to proceed on an unregulated and reckless path, but with the help of people like you, we can stop them in their tracks.

Clean Water Act is Under Attact
Federal and State Legislation Threatens Our Waterways

Bills in the U.S. Congress as well as the state of Virginia seek to undermine the protection of our waterways and citizens from mountaintop removal coal mining. Here is the rundown:

Congress hits below the money belt:
Last week, Congressional representatives in the U.S. House voted on several amendments to the federal budget bill which would prevent the EPA and other agencies from enforcing coal-related clean water regulations (reps have also introduced these amendments as stand-alone bills in the house). Due to your efforts, we have the momentum needed to defeat these amendments in the Senate.  See how your rep voted and send them a message

Virginia Senate's assault on water: The Virginia State Senate recently passed legislation to restrict the state’s ability to use water quality testing to monitor discharges from coal strip mines. Virginia already suffers high levels of toxic metals below mine sites, declines in stream life and higher levels of heart, lung and kidney disease in the regions closest to mountaintop removal operations. 
Get the full story

Appalachian Voices is an award-winning, environmental non-profit committed to protecting the land, air and water of the central and southern Appalachian region. The organization is located at 191 Howard St, Boone, NC

WNC Nonprofit Pathway offers March Workshops

Five Excellent Options for 1-DAY WORKSHOPS are available in March from WNC Nonprofit Pathway:

You'll be a better leader after you attend Leading in the New Nonprofit World (March 7 in COLUMBUS)
Builld future resources with Nonprofit Fundamentals - Fund Development (March 15 in ASHEVILLE)
Be Prepared! Crisis Communication Skills is a must for every community organization. (March 18 in BRYSON CITY)
Are you ready to be more effective? Attend How to Lead Group Meetings. (March 23 in SPRUCE PINE)
Hispanic Cultural Awareness will help you work with the growing Latino population in our mountain region. (March 31 in FLAT ROCK)

For the full Spring 2011 course line-up, click here. 50% scholarships are available for WNC nonprofits, thanks to Pathways funding partners.

Friends of WNC Nature Center call for Volunteers

Friends of the Westerrn North Carolina Nature Center in Asheville NC are calling for volunteers for "Oceans of Change" on March 11, 2011 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm and March 12, 2011 from 9:00am - 4:00pm

The Center is searching for enthusiastic adult volunteers to assist with our educational stations for their newest event called "Oceans of Change". Stations include hands-on activities on marine mammals, hypothermia, whale tails, global weather patterns, live shrimp viewing, and even some arts and crafts. The Center is working with local organizations to provide our guests with information on changing climate conditions and its impact on marine life. If interested, contact  Keith Mastin  (828) 298-5600, ext 305 kmastin@ashevillenc.gov

RagApple Lassie Vineyards IPO

On February 26  RagApple Lassie Vineyards heralds the IPO (Initial public offering) of the 2007 Estate Grown Zinfandel. To quote Winemaker, Linda, "This Zin is the best ever and will 'knock your socks off'!" All this, plus it is the only North Carolina Zinfandel grown right here in the Yadkin Valley! Come, claim your free sample and see for yourself!

RagApple Lassie was one of the first vineyards planted in the Yadkin Valley area, and due to the successful farming heritage of its owner, Frank W. Hobson, Jr.,  and wife Lenna,  it rapidly became one of the leaders in North Carolina viticulture. Tastings are available noon to six p.m., daily and include up to 11 varieties of wine. RagApple Lassie Vinyards is located at 3724 RagApple Lassie Lane in Boonville, NC .

What to do on Sunday in the NC Mountains

Feb 20  Old Fort NC hosts a Classic Car Show   Bring your car, truck, or motorcycle. Downtown Old Fort, 1-5 p.m.; free. Sponsored by Route 70 Cruisers. For more information, call 828-442-5135
Feb 20  in Nebo (near Marion NC) learn about Winter Tree ID.  Join Park Ranger Earl Weaver for a hike on the Sandy Cliff Overlook Trail to identify trees this time of year. Easy level hike of one half mile. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Meet at the Catawba River Area office (old office) of Lake James State Park at 2:00 p.m. Free; for more information, call 828-652-5047.

Feb 20   Brevard NC offers From Mozart to Gershwin - Brevard Philharmonic   Soprano Lori Hicks, a rising star in the music world who has won acclaim for her magnetic performances, will sing Mozart's Exultate and Jubilate arias from Cosi Fan Tutte and Le Nozze di Figaro as well as Summertime and My Man's Gone Now from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Porter Center at Brevard College

Feb 18 - 20 the last day of Asheville's  Arts & Crafts Antique Show and Conference  Recognized for its dedication to the education of the collector, the weekend blends informative talks with an immense show of furniture and collectibles.
Feb 18 - 21   Maggie Valley's  President’s Day Holiday Weekend at Cataloochee Ski Area   Holiday rates in effect 2/18/11 - 2/21/11. In addition to our regular twilight and night skiing schedule of Tuesday through Saturday evenings, there will also be twilight and night ski on Sunday, February 20.

Riverlink Announces Celebrity Judges for Annual Voices of the River: Art and Poetry Contest now taking applications

RiverLink has just announced two local celebrity judges in the poetry category for the annual Voices of the River: Art and Poetry Contest. The event provides an opportunity for students to display their art in the community and be recognized with awards. In addition, the contest promotes an interest in the local environment for Western North Carolina youth.

Voices of the River will recieve submissions from schools spanning eight different counties from now until April 6 in Poetry, 2D and 3D Art. All grade levels are welcome to participate and prizes will be awarded for each category.

Meet the Poetry Judges:

       Glenis Redmond

Twice voted Best Poet of Western North Carolina Glenis Redmond is a local staple who works with Poetry Off the Page a program geared to introduce students in our community to poetry. In addition to her Best Poet title, she has been recognized with several national awards including The Carrie McCray Literary Award in Poetry, a study fellowship from Vermont Writing Center, Scholarships to the Atlantic Center for the Arts, and a week of study with Natalie Goldberg.  

   

Sebastian Matthews

Between balancing his professorship at Warren Wilson College and serving on the Creative Writing MFA faculty for Queens College Sebastian Matthews also finds time to spearhead Asheville's annual Poetry Review. He has published four books including a memoir on his relationship with his father, renowned poet William Matthews, that won him the Bernard De Voto Fellow Award in Nonfiction.


RiverLink is a regional non-profit spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River and its tributaries as a place to live, work and play. Since 1987 we have engaged in simultaneous efforts to address water quality concerns throughout the French Broad River basin, expand public opportunities for access and recreation, and spearhead the economic revitalization of Asheville's dilapidated riverfront district.

Foscoe Fishing Company & Outfitters Announces New Ownership

Foscoe Fishing Company & Outfitters are pleased to announce their new ownership: Slate and Tyler Lacy (and baby Janie).  Some of you may remember Slate from the earlier days of Foscoe Fishing where he managed the shop and guided.  Slate and Tyler have been off in the Virginia mountains for the last couple of years but couldn't be happier to be back in the High Country!  Foscoe is currently hard at work placing spring orders and the guides are gearing up for what is sure to be the best season ever!

Foscoe Fishing Company & Outfitters is the only Orvis Endorsed Flyfishing Outfitter and Guide Service in North Carolina's High Country. Foscoe operates a full service fly shop in Boone, North Carolina and offers high quality fly fishing on the Watauga, Linville, Toe, Elk and New Rivers as well as many other pristine mountain streams  located near the shop. The shop is open all year round, staffed with knowledgeable professionals and located at  8857 Highway 105 South in Boone, North Carolina.

Weekend Wine in the Mountains - Tastings and Events

Table Wine Asheville  Saturday Wine Tasting:  "Battle of the Cabs Under $15", and the customers will be the judges. You'll sample 6 Cabernet Sauvignons and you'll be given a rating card to score each of the wines. At the end of the day, they tally the results and post the winner online. A fun and educational tasting, and it's free!  Table Wine is located at 1550 Hendersonville Road,  Suite 102, Asheville  NC

Head for RagApple Lassie Vineyards and  play Wine Trivia for free tastes or free glasses of wine and for you really good players, the chance to win bottles of wine! Of course, normal tastings of all their award winning wines will be available, plus the ambiance of all things Ragapple Lassie! Ragapple Lassie Vineyards is located at 3724 Ragapple Lassie Lane, Boonville, NC

Hops and Vines offers Wines From Portugal, a free tasting from 3 PM - 6 PM.  Casal Garcia Vinho Verde- Many people are hooked once they try Vinho Verde. Light, delicate, and fresh, this is an elegant white wine that is great to drink on a surprisingly warm early spring day.  Charamba Vinho Tinto- From the Douro region of Portugal, this red wine has nice tannin structure, great berry fruit, and a smooth finish. Presidential Tawny Port- One of the most painstaking and difficult of all wines to make, Port is what Portugal is renowned for. Rich and lush, this fortified sweet dessert wine is great paired with chocolate. Hops and Vines is located at 797 Haywood Rd., Ste 100,  West Asheville  NC

This week Appalachian Vintner's  free Saturday tasting will be bringing you another installment in their noble varietal series ~ SYRAH, or is it Shiraz? Sirah maybe, but make it Petite if you please. No matter the spelling or the country, most wine drinkers are familiar with Syrah. We use this spelling for explanation mainly because we are at heart, traditionalists. Not to be confused with transcendentalists of course.  Appalachian VIntner is located at 2-B Huntsman Place,  Asheville NC.

Coffee with the Poet, 3rd Thursday Series in Sylva

February 17th at 10:30 AM City Lights Bookstore presents Coffee with the Poet Featuring Barbara Duncan. Crossing Cowee Mountain is a limited-edition printing of award-winning non-fiction-author Barbara Duncan's first book of poetry. Specific to the western North Carolina mountains and its landscape and mountain culture, it is a beautiful first collection.

Barbara Duncan works as the Education Director at the Museum of Cherokee Indians and has a PhD in folklore and folklife. She received the Brown-Hudson award from the North Carolina Society for Contribution to the Study of Folklife in North Carolina. Her previous books she include: Living Stories of the Cherokee, Cherokee Heritage Trails Guidebook and The Origin of the Milky Way.

Coffee with the Poet is a monthly reading series co-sponsored by City Lights Bookstore and NetWest. For more information, please call City Lights at 828-586-9499.City Lights is located at 3 East Jackson St., Sylva, NC

Watch the Birdie

February 18 - 21   NEBO   Great Backyard Bird Count   This is an annual four-day event engaging bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent and in Hawaii. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. Count for as little as 15 minutes per day, or as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.
A limited number of bird field guides and binoculars available, so bring your own if you have them. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Meet at the Paddy's Creek Area office of Lake James State Park at 8:00 a.m. Call 828-652-5047 for more information.

Buy one get one FREE Romance at the Rock

Through February 15  find affordable (not to mention healthy) Romance at Chimney Rock Park with Buy One Get One FREE regularly priced adult tickets. Go for a refreshing hike to the base of Hickory Nut Falls. Top off the perfect day with a tasty lunch at the Old Rock Cafe.


CHIMNEY ROCK PARK   is a 500 million-year-old giant granite monolith overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge. Visitors to the Park are awed by the breathtaking view that spreads 1200 vertical feet beneath them and 75 miles across the Carolinas. The state-owned park, located in Chimney Rock North Carolina, encompasses 1,000 acres, including the Chimney itself and Hickory Nut Falls and the beautiful Hickory Nut Falls.  Chimney Rock Park is a "must see" for  any trip to the mountains.

Valentine's Day Champagne and Sparkling Wines...and Sales!

Valentine's Day is almost here and the good folks at Table Wine in Asheville NC are offering some interesting info and great sales to help your Valentine sparkle.  This year, if you'll be enjoying sparkling wine, why not try something new and different.  You can be unoriginal and go buy one of the likely candidates at the grocery store, or you can try some bubbly from a small grower/producer.

Did you know that roughly 85% of Champagne is produced by the large houses (Veuve, Perrier Jouet, Moet, etc.), but that these folks only own 14% of the vineyards?  At Table Wine, they only stock Champagnes from the folks who own their own vineyards, and who bottle small amounts of wine from their grapes.  At the end of the day, these folks produce a small fraction of the amount of wine as the big houses, and they control quality from vine to bottle.  A number of grower Champagnes are in stock at the moment, as well as many high quality sparkling wines from other parts of the world.  Try something new this year, try a Champagne or sparkling wine from a small family producer.

Great Bubbles For Valentine's Day!

Table Wine is running a 3 day sale on the following sparkling wines in honor of Valentine's Day.  Today, tomorrow and Monday, these will all be on sale, and they guarantee that any of these will make your day a little more special.  In addition, there will be tasting some of these out this Saturday from 2-5, and it's free!

R. Dumont et Fils Champagne "Brut Tradition"

Reg. Price: $34.99   Sale Price:$29.99

Francois Pinon Sparkling Vouvray Brut

Reg. Price: $23.99   Sale Price: $19.99

Domaine Carneros Sparkling Brut

Reg. Price: $24.99   Sale Price: $20.99

German Gilabert Cava Brut and Rosato

Reg. Price: $14.99   Sale Price: $12.99

St. Hilaire Blanquette de Limoux

Reg. Price: $13.99   Sale Price: $11.99

Table Wine is happy to announce their charitable partners for 2011.  After much thought and consideration, we decided to work with two organizations near and dear to our hearts. 

The Mission Healthcare Foundation's Breast Cancer Program and the Animal Compassion Network both do great work to improve the lives of many wonderful creatures, big and small and human, feline and canine.  For the entire year, we will have a display of wines in front of the register, and when you purchase one, Table Wine will donate 10% of the proceeds back to these dynamic organizations.  Who ever thought that buying wine could be fun and for a good cause?

Table Wine, offering artisanal wine at affordable prices,  is located at 1550 Hendersonville Road, Suite 102, Asheville NC

Last Minute Valentine Romance at Asheville Cabins and Luxury Vacation Rentals

February is the Month for Celebrating Love!

Not that we don't believe in loving all year long, but when it comes to an official telling-your-honey-I-love-you time, February is it. We are honoring Valentine's Day for the entire month at Carolina Mornings!

Asheville is known for it's beautiful scenery, amazing local restaurants and a plethora of places to say "I Love You." Whether you want to scream it from the rooftop of a romantic getaway home or whisper it during the symphony, Carolina Mornings has the home away from home that you need to share your love in just the right way. In addition to our Month of February Packages, we are extending our love to you: Enjoy an EARLY CHECK IN AND LATE CHECK OUT on us! Save $120! *Some restrictions may apply.

Massage Specials:
Celebrate love and romance by sharing the blissful experience of massage with your loved one! A 60 minute couple's session with complimentary aromatherapy and chocolate dipped strawberries. Both relaxing and refreshing, it is the sweetest deal in town! Save $20 off our Couple's Massage.
Or for an antidote to the cold winter days, try the Hot Stone Massage. This blissful experience applies deep penetrating heat using hot volcanic basalt stones, releasing aches and muscle spasms, and increasing circulation. We are offering the 90 Minute Hot Stone Massage for $95, another $20 savings.Perhaps you would rather have a dozen roses awaiting your arrival? Maybe rose petals scattered through your vacation cabin, or chocolates on your pillow... if you have another idea, we can usually make your wish come true! Let us help you plan your romantic weekend.

Call 828.398.0712 to take advantage of these great packages!

WNC Wildlife Rehabilitation Workshop

 Rehabilitation Workshop 

Only a few spots left - register by tomorrow!

Click here for Registration Form

Our four-day Wildlife Rehabilitation Workshop is designed to educate those with or without prior rehabilitation experience to care for orphaned or injured small mammals, birds and reptiles. Workshops include lecture, demonstration and hands-on experience about all aspects of animal rehab, including feeding, housing and general medical care. Participants will leave the class with knowledge and resources to apply for and obtain a NC State Wildlife Rehab Permit for small mammals and reptiles and information regarding steps to obtaining a federal permit for bird rehabilitation.

Get on the Bus! and see Asheville's French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers

Asheville -- The RiverLink Bus Tour offers answers about Asheville's past, present and future: What is the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Plan and what does it hold for Asheville's future? Who is Peter Demens and why is he world famous but not known in Asheville? Where is the RiverLink Meditation Labyrinth?

The next tour will be Thursday, Feb. 17, when the public is invited to tour the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers with RiverLink. In an effort to make parking easier for participants, the tour departs from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce parking area now.

  

This is an opportunity to see the improvements that have occurred and hear what is coming over the next several months and years to make our rivers better places to work, live and play. You will learn some local history and visit some streets and neighborhoods you have never seen before.

The bus will meet you at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce (36 Montford Avenue)at noon and return you there around 2 PM. This tour is free for RiverLink members. Non-members cost $15 per person. Lunch is not provided but you can bring your own. Reservations are required. Please go to www.riverlink.org to make your reservation online or call 828-252-8474 ext. 11.

Asheville Valentine's Weekend Wine tastings

Feb 12, 3 PM - 7PM Appalachian Vintner, 2-B Huntsman Place, Asheville NC  will be hosting some local talent this Saturday to usher in the Valentines weekend ~ Wine from the amazing Paitin di Pasquero-Elia. This Piedmontese Barbaresco producer has returned to its deep historic rootstock crafting wines that defy soul depleting modernism and the price tags that are usually attached. Mike Tiano of the Haw River Wine Man, is the direct importer here working directly with the Paitin family in Italy, Mike lives here in Asheville's west side. Our chocolate for this tasting trio will be provide by David Mason, owner of Black Mountain Chocolate. David creates his delectable chocolate from single source beans from prestigious cacao farms around the world. The cheese selection will mostly be Italian and chosen for their ability to pair perfectly with these Northern Italian gems. $8 per person.

Feb 12, 1 PM - 4 PM Asheville Wine Shop, 65 Biltmore Ave, Asheville NC hosts " Best Buys from below the Equator", a free wine tasting with Join Bill O'Friel this Saturday for an informative tasting of very affordable wines perfectly suited for the winter season and the everyday pocketbook. South Africa and Argentina continue to bring wines of uncommon character and very high quality to the marketplace in a regular fashion. In fact the wines seem to get better every year, while remaining eminently affordable.

Feb 12 3 PM - 6 PM Hops and Vines, 797 Haywood Rd. Ste 100,  West Asheville, NC  offers Valentines Day Picks. Gruet Rose- One of our favorites, this is dry, brut style, sparkling rose that has bright flavors of cherry, raspberry, and strawberry. Left Bank Shiraz- This South African, full bodied blend of Cabernet, Shiraz, and Merlot, is a perfect wine to cozy up with over a home cooked meal.

Left Bank Shiraz- This South African, full bodied blend of Cabernet, Shiraz, and Merlot, is a perfect wine to cozy up with over a home cooked meal. Cantamessa Malvasia di Casorzo d'Asti- From the Piedmont region in Italy, this is a sweet, slightly sparkling wine made from the grape Malvasia.

Feb 12 Vino Vino Wine Market, 178 Weaverville Rd., Asheville, NC  WINE TASTING HELD EVERY SATURDAY 12:00 UNTIL 5:00pm. Join us anytime between 12:00 and 5:00pm each Saturday for a sampling of wines from around the world. We also offer a 10% discount on each of the wines we are featuring.
Feb 12 The Wine Guy 55 Merrimon Ave and 1200 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville NC Free Tasting Every Saturday 2-5 PM Our FREE Saturday tastings are a great way to sample some of our new favorites in a casual setting. Every week we sample 4 to 6 new wines. Light hors d’ oeuvres will be served and all wines poured will be specially priced. rceive. The better we can communicate our experience, the more likely we are to find wines we thoroughly enjoy!

Feb 12  12 PM – 6 PM The Wine Studio of Asheville 139 Charolotte Street, Asheville NC  Stop by the Wine Studio every Saturday between 12-6 for a free sampling of staff picks from our wide inventory. It is our goal to create a learning experience with each tasting and to equip you with tools you can use to best describe what you like (and perhaps more importantly, what you don’t like!). This means we use maps to talk about where the grapes are grown, how the wine is made and the inspiring stories behind its production. We also have aroma wheels handy so we can begin to describe what we perceive. The better we can communicate our experience, the more likely we are to find wines we thoroughly enjoy!

NC Senate Moving to Gut Conservation Trust Funds

On Thursday, February 3, the North Carolina Senate took its first vote on fast-moving legislation that would gut two conservation trust funds. Senate Bill 13 would take $1.8 million from the Farmland Preservation Trust Fund and $8.5 million from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund. This legislation is moving quickly, so write your Representative and Senator today and ask them to oppose Senate Bill 13.

The legislation is part of an effort to shift money from this year's state budget into the next fiscal year. Legislators are facing a $3.7 billion budget shortfall for the next fiscal year, and are looking for ways to reduce the size of that shortfall.
Land for Tomorrow believes taking money from the state's conservation trust funds is the wrong way to close that gap. These trust funds leverage local dollars, protect farms and create jobs.>Click here to take action now by writing your state legislators. Tell them to protect the state's conservation trust funds. Get details and find out how to take action to prevent the funding cuts...

Give a "Green" Valentine this year

Make a donation to Foothills Conservancy for someone special in your life this Valentine’s Day! It’s a great way to say, “I love you” to anyone who loves the Blue Ridge Mountains and foothills. Give a gift membership and a special acknowledgment card will be sent to the recipient. The Conservancy is offering a   Valentine’s Day Special – Friend Membership $25

WNC TRAIL NEWS

Bryson City Bicycles (BCB), NOC, Motion Makers, the USFS and IMBA/SORBA have all joined forces to establish a mountain biking chapter for western North Carolina to include Tsali and other regional trail systems. We have the commitment from leaders, now we need support, YOUR SUPPORT! Bottom line is that we'll need 50 dues paying members to establish a chapter. Here's some of what's going on and how you can get involved:

February 8: Meet & Greet & Beer at Nantahala Brewing Company, 61 Depot St, Bryson City. This is the first of two meetings that will be held to share information and ideas to start shaping the chapter and gathering membership. A second meeting, TBD, will be held in Sylva in March.

If you can't make the meetings but are interested in supporting the chapter, please let us know by e-mailing andy@brysoncitybicycles.com   


Bryson City Bicycles  is are open 10 to 6 Monday through Saturday, 11 to 4 on Sunday, and closed Wednesday. and located at 157 Everett St.  Bryson City, NC

NC Valentine's Weekend Events: The Blue Note Grille Hendersonville's Newest Hot Spot

The Flat Rock Wine Shoppe and Blue Note Grille Invite You to the David Brannock Memorial Vinyl and CD Sale. As many of you know, David Brannock of the Flat Rock Wine Shoppe and Blue Note Grille passed away on November 30th, 2010. He was a premiere collector of vintage vinyl and music cd's. Most likely the most extensive collection in the area! We are having a David Brannock Memorial Music sale on Saturday, February 12th from, 11:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. Come to the Blue Note Grille for lunch and stop in to get fantastic deals on some of Dave's classic collectibles.

Romantic Valentine’s Day Dinner at The Blue Note Grille. The dinner includes: 1 bottle of Champagne or Red Wine (per couple)Your Choice of:

Brie and Crab Stuffed Oysters
orExotic Cheese PlateHouse Salad

Francesco's Chicken Marsalla with Angle Hair Pasta
or
Filet Medallions

Our signature Espresso Shot-in-the-Dark Chocolate Mousseor
Fruit Parfait

For your listening and dancing pleasure:Ellen Trnka  $45.00 per person(excluding tax and gratuity)  Call today for reservations 828.697.6828  - The Blue Note Grille is located at 114 N Main St in historic Downtown Hendersonville NC.

Spruce Pine Hosts Non-profit Workshop Series

Workshop Series Sponsors  WNC Nonprofit Pathways, MainPRO, and Small Business Center of Mayland Community College announce a two part participatory workshop held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 25 and April 8 at Mayland Community College in Spruce Pine.

Bring a team from your organization and take part in a participatory workshop to choose strategies, develop materials, and build a plan to solicit unrestricted support from grassroots sources. In these times, it takes all hands on deck -- working effectively together -- to raise the resources a non-profit organization needs.  Fundraising consultant Beth Trigg provides two sessions targeted to help your staff/Board team members be successful. 

Click here for more information, pricing, and registration. Participation includes free follow-up consultation tailored to your needs.

Feb 25th Workshop:
This hands-on workshop is a unique opportunity to work with other leaders in your organization in a structured framework to build the foundation for your fundraising success.

Each team will:

• Evaluate your current donor base and annual fund capacity
• Evaluate current annual campaign materials and strategies
• Identify potential allies and supporters in the community for annual fund development and learn how to build a successful annual fund development team
• Identify and rank prospective donors for the annual campaign
• Learn how to convert prospective donors into donors and how to retain and upgrade donors
• Plan activities for donor acquisition and retention
• Understand the annual fund calendar and begin to develop a calendar
• Develop detailed gift-range charts
• Develop detailed timelines, strategies, and tools for successful annual campaign fundraising
• Learn how to evaluate success in annual fund development.

SPACE IS LIMITED, sign up early!   Click here for more information, pricing, and registration. 

April 8th Workshop:
This workshop is a unique opportunity for the leaders of your organization to prepare, train, and practice for soliciting gifts.

Each team will:

• Learn how to develop a "case for support" and begin drafting a case for annual fund solicitation
• Learn how to determine who should ask, involving Board members and volunteer fundraisers and utilizing your fundraising team; 
• Identify personal, cultural, and organizational barriers to fundraising success (including the fear of asking) and work together with teammates to overcome these barriers; 
• Understand benefits and challenges of various methods of solicitation (mail, phone, face-to-face at an event, face-to-face at an individual donor meeting) and choose methods for your organization; 
• Learn how to prepare for a major or "thoughtful"gift ask; 
• Practice asking for funds by phone and face-to-face, critique their own and other participants' asks, and reflect on the experience; 
• Practice and plan with other leaders to prepare for successful fundraising asks; 
• Set realistic expectations and learn how to evaluate success in asking for donations.

Click here for more information, pricing, and registration.

Chminey Rock Park's Official Mascot says Spring is just around the Corner

Good news! On his namesake day, Grady the Groundhog, the new Chimney Rock Park mascot, did not see his shadow, signaling that spring is just around the corner. Just for clarification, Grady has been the Park mascot for many, many years, but now, he actually lives at Chimney Rock. That's right, Grady is a new member of the Chimney Rock on site family. Once it gets warm enough, Grady will move into his exhibit near Grady's Animal Discovery Den on the Meadows. There will be  a "Welcome Grady" party for spring, with details coming soon.

North Carolina now 100 Wineries Strong

NC Governor Beverly Perdue announced last Thursday that North Carolina is now home to 100 wineries. The 100th winery in North Carolina is Cauble Creek Vineyard in Salisbury.  North Carolina is now seventh in wine production and 10th in grape production nationally,” Gov. Perdue said during a press conference at Cauble Creek Vineyard. “Our wine industry is made up of small business owners, entrepreneurs and farmers. It’s marketed by our tourism industry which daily impacts small businesses.”

North Carolina’s wine and grape industry accounts for more than 5,700 jobs with total economic impact as much as $813 million. North Carolina also ranks among the top five states in the country as a destination for culinary tourism according to a 2007 Travel Industry Association (now known as U.S. Travel Association) survey. The number of wineries in the state has grown dramatically recently. In 2005, the state boasted around 50 wineries making both European vinifera and muscadine wines; in five years, that number has doubled to 100 wineries today.
To find out more about North Carolina wineries, visit VisitNCWine.com.

Icycle Mountain Bike Race at Fontana Valentines Weekend

Fontana Village is  preparing the trails for this year’s Run un February 12th at Fontana Village Resort. Fontana Dam, NC.  The Icycle Mountain Bike Race Classic returns to Fontana Village Resort on February 12th. The race and festivities attract riders and their families not only for the challenging course but the gathering and location as well. Many riders come in a day early and make a weekend of it by filling up the lodge and cabins at the resort. This year’s event promises to be action packed with five different classes of daytime races and he always exciting nighttime Downhill Race. The evening race is not for the faint of heart. All riders are required to have 10 watt or greater night riding lights. A chili supper party will be served starting at 4pm and the After Party with Awards Ceremony will begin at the completion of the evening Downhill Race. Get more information about the Icycle Mountain Bike Race.

Sylva Brewery Ready for Super Bowl and Valentines

February 6 is the day and Heinzelmannchen Brewery is the place for your party needs! Pick up 5 & 15 gallon kegs of your favorite beers and sodas, dips, wickles, mustards and a cookbook to make some great recipes. Call ahead to reserve your kegs 828.631.4466!

Chocolate and Beer Pairing February 4th from 5-8 p.m. AT the brewery and enjoy chocolate yummies from Annie's Naturally Bakery paired with Heinzelmannchen Ales.

Anti Procrastination Sale still going - Every week between now and Valentine's Day you can save money on t-shirts, cookbooks, pint glasses and cooler bags. Here's the catch: we start out with BIG savings, then every week the percentage gets less with the week before Valentine's day being the least. So, get that shopping out of the way and save yourself some money! Sales prices are only available in the brewery. 10% off Feb 2-5 5% off Feb 9-12.

Heinzelmannchen Brewery is located at 545 Mill Street Sylva, North Carolina