News from Cataloochee Ski Area

More Snow, More Fun, &
Starting This Weekend...More Time to Ski!

submitted by Cataloochee Ski Area
 

'Tis the season and we know you are in the midst of making your holiday plans.  We're hoping a trip to Cataloochee will be at the top of your list this year! 

We are continuing to make snow as temperatures permit and today we were open for day skiing Friday from 9am-4:30pm.  Yesterday night we began skiing under the stars when we kick into our day, twilight and night skiing schedule and offer skiing until 10 each night with the exception of Christmas Eve.

Today we are open on 16 out of 18 trails with three aerial lifts and one conveyor lift operating – Advanced Upper Omigosh, Intermediate Upper Snowbird Trail serviced by the Omigosh Double Chairlift, Intermediate Rock Island Run, Advanced Alley Cat, Upper and Lower Turkey Trot, Wild Cat Glade, Short n' Sweet, Lower Snowbird Trail and Lower Omigosh serviced by the Rock Island Run Quad Chairlift.  Beginners Upper Over Easy, Beginners Over Easy Beginners Easy Way and Beginners Rabbit Hill serviced by the Easy Way Triple Chairlift, Beginner’s Luck Learning Area serviced by the Moving Carpet Conveyor lift and the Wolf Creek Hollow Teaching area on a base of 28-52" and a machine worked surface.
 

Tube World, located four miles from the ski area, across from Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley, opened for the season on Saturday, December 16 at 10am for tubing from 10am until 10pm.  Tubing continues daily through the holidays from 10am until 10pm each day, with the exception of Christmas Eve, when we tube from 10am until 6pm and Christmas Day when we tube from 2pm until 10pm. 

Our rental shop in Maggie Valley NC, Cataloochee Ski & Sports, is open as well.  Be sure to stop there for discounted rentals and any accessories you might need prior to your day on the slopes.

We remind you to be aware of changing ski conditions and use caution.  Natural and manmade obstacles exist and snowmaking and grooming activities are routinely in progress. Please use control and ski or ride only on designated slopes and trails.

Find more information about Cataloochee Ski Area and other NC Ski Slopes on our NC Ski Resorts Guide 

News from the National Park Foundation: 31 Days of Giving Campaign

The National Park Foundation's 31 Days of Giving Campaign is now underway. The Foundation is working to raise $1,000,000 for America's national parks by December 31, 2017. But to reach this goal and continue the work to protect our national parks in the year ahead, your help is needed.

America’s national parks include some of the nation’s most important natural, cultural, and historical treasures. It's up to all of us to safeguard these more than 400 places today, and into the future.

With your special year-end gift now, you'll work side-by-side with the National Park Foundation to continue protecting:

• Natural marvels like Yosemite National Park
• Historic locations like Valley Forge National Historical Park
• Culturally significant sites like George Washington Carver National Monument

We need your support to reach our goal! Your gift to the National Park Foundation will help conserve and care for America's greatest treasures — our national parks.

 Please stand with us by making  

your generous year-end gift now.

Last chance for FREE holiday chocolate

The Chocolate Fetish

36 Haywood Street Asheville, NC 

 

Order holiday chocolates early and get rewarded!

Make your holidays extra sweet with this exclusive order early special. Place an online order before December 6th and use coupon code SHIPDEC15 to receive a FREE bag of Almond Buttercrunch Toffee with your order.

These award winning handmade chocolates make a great gift for everyone on your list and there is no limit to how many times you can use the coupon code. Send a box of truffles to your friend and they'll get a a free bag of Buttercrunch Toffee, send a box to your boss and they'll get a free bag of Buttercrunch Toffee, send a box to yourself and you can enjoy the free Buttercrunch Toffee.

Hurry, this offer ends December 6th at midnight. Why stress about holiday shopping? Support family owned business from the comfort of your couch and savor the rewards.

 Learn more about The Chocolate Fetish HERE

Not sure what to get?

Try  hand packed assortments featuring a variety of chocolates so you don't have to choose. Available in a range of sizes suitable for one person or for a family or office to share.

News from Grandfather Mountain

The Holidays bring Dollar Days, discounts, shopping and more at Grandfather Mountain. With winter on the way, Grandfather Mountain is decking its halls — and hills — for the holidays. Visitors are invited to celebrate the season from a mile high, where they’ll encounter idyllic winter scenery, invigorating outdoor adventure and more at the Linville NC, nature preserve and attraction.

 

Grandfather Mountain offers two simple ways to save on park admission during the holiday season.
As a gesture of support for local tree farmers, anyone who arrives at the mountain with a tree atop their vehicle or a receipt from a local tree farm will receive $2 off each adult admission and $1 off each child admission.

December also marks the return of Dollar Days for local residents. From Dec. 1-31, anyone who lives or works in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga or Wilkes counties will be admitted to the mountain for only $3 per person, with proof of local employment or residency.

In lieu of cash, Grandfather Mountain also will accept three cans of food from local residents for distribution to local food pantries. Christmas tree discounts may not be combined with Dollar Days discounts.

Grandfather Mountain introduces new cougars. Call it a tail of two cougars. On Wednesday, Nov. 16, Grandfather Mountain introduced its newest Western cougars to the
public. Named Logan and Trinity, the sibling duo is now on display in the park’s environmental wildlife habitats. The Linville NC -based nature preserve and attraction adopted the brother-and-sister cubs in March 2016, after they’d been orphaned in the wilds of Idaho before they could learn to hunt. They were found on an Idaho man’s property that January, emaciated and searching for food. Upon rescuing them, Idaho Fish and Game contacted Grandfather’s habitat staff to see if the mountain could provide the cubs a home.Learn more about these amazing felines...

Elk are coming to Grandfather Mountain. This December, Grandfather Mountain will welcome some new residents to its environmental wildlife habitats. The nonprofit nature preserve and attraction has adopted three male elk — a bachelor herd — to reside in an all-new habitat. After the park’s resident white-tailed deer passed away earlier this year, the habitat underwent significant renovations to accommodate these new residents. The adoptees are calves, each around four months old, and hail from a private elk farm and breeder in central North Carolina. Learn more about the Elk HERE.

Learn more about Grandfather Mountain and other 

NC mountain Parks on our North Carolina Parks Guide

 

Asheville's Feast now a Bontiful Cities Program

As of January 1, 2018, FEAST Asheville will become a program of Bountiful Cities, an Asheville non-profit organization dedicated to teaching sustainable agriculture skills in urban environments. This union is a perfect match, and will allow FEAST to considerably expand their reach and mission of empowering youth and families to grow, prepare and eat fruits and vegetables.

Bountiful Cities is an Asheville NC based organization dedicated to teaching sustainable agriculture skills in urban environments. Core Value: Justice. Bountiful Cities is committed to promoting an environment of equitable Social Justice by honoring and practicing cooperation and mutual respect, promoting jobs in urban agriculture that support a profitable living, promoting access to healthy food for people of all economic means while working to protect and improve environmental health for soil, water, air and community.



FEAST Asheville, Inc. is a collaborative organization, partnering with schools and after school programs in Asheville, NC. The mission of FEAST is to empower youth and families to grow, prepare and enjoy fruits and vegetables through hands-on cooking and garden education. Our classes use fresh produce to prepare easy recipes with affordable ingredients using limited equipment and space. We build skills, encourage healthier eating habits and ultimately strive to lower obesity rates in our community.

DONATE TO FEAST NOW! 

information and images provided by FEAST Asheville, Inc.

 

The Flat Rick Playhouse Presents: Dial M for Murder

October 27 - November 11, 2017    Dial M for Murder    A classic whodunit just in time for Fall at the Playhouse, Dial M for Murder is a sophisticated, chillingly sinister thriller brimming with madness, murder and mayhem and will hold you spellbound with suspense. Seats from $15 - $50 and  Group Sale.

“Wonderfully intricate and clever.” – Variety
“Original and remarkably good theatre — quiet in style but tingling with excitement underneath.” — NY Times
“It’s a holiday for the whodunit fans, and, as such, it couldn’t be more welcome.” — NY Herald-Tribune

Find more Flat Rock  events on our 

Flat Rock NC Visitor Guide

2017 BLUE RIDGE FOOTHILLS PROTECTION CHALLENGE

submitted by The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina:

Between now and August 31 2017, your support for Foothills Conservancy goes TWICE as far with a dollar-for-dollar match toward our $80,000 challenge goal!

It never ceases to amaze us when those committed to a cause achieve great things.

This May, in an effort fully funded by private contributions, Foothills Conservancy purchased and permanently protected Sank Gap, a 259-acre tract in the Catawba River's headwaters near Old Fort in McDowell County. Residents of the adjacent Creston Community, motivated by one couple's $25,000 challenge pledge, rallied to raise the final $50,000 needed to complete the purchase.

Thanks to these passionate individuals and other private funders, this incredible land, which contains nearly a mile of the ridge of Edmondson Mountain including Sank Gap, is now part of Foothills Conservancy's Catawba Headwaters Preserve.

The ridge of Edmondson Mountain, including Sank Gap

During our 2017 Blue Ridge Foothills Protection Challenge, you have an opportunity to double your impact and help us achieve our $80,000 summer challenge goal.

Two anonymous individuals together have pledged $37,500 and the von Drehle Corporation of Hickory has pledged $2,500 to match up to a total of $40,000 for this annual fund challenge.

From now through August 31, your gifts toward this challenge will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling your investment in this unique and wonderful region and allowing us to advance our land and water conservation work this year. 

With your help, we will continue our work this year to protect places like Lake James, where concerned citizens contributed half the funds needed for our land trust to acquire and add another 41 acres to Lake James State Park last year. Known as the Whippoorwill Dairy Farm, this land offers public access to a section of the Overmountain Victory Historic Trail along Paddy's Creek and protects the clean waters of Lake James.

Paddy's Creek flows along the Whippoorwill Farm

Protection projects like this are inspiring examples of the community members and landowners who are committed to working with Foothills Conservancy to protect our beautiful region.

With your help, Foothills Conservancy will be able to continue adding to the more than 51,000 acres of mountain forests, foothills farmlands, and the thousands of miles of streams, rivers and trails that we have protected since 1995.

We consider it a privilege that thanks to supporters like you, Foothills Conservancy can use our expertise and resources as a regional land trust to work with people in our community who are passionate about land and water conservation to achieve our shared goals.

Thanks to your support we are able to respond to opportunities to protect scenic vistas, preserve family farmland through conservation easements, and safeguard the water quality of the streams and rivers that we rely on for recreation and drinking water. 

Please double your support for our region's future during our Blue Ridge Foothills Protection Challenge by mailing your gift, making a secure gift online at foothillsconservancy.org/donate, or calling our office at 828-437-9930 by August 31.

DONATE NOW

Thank you,

Susie Hamrick Jones 

Executive Director

 

Ron Beane 

Board Chair

 

P.S. Don't forget! Mark your calendar today and make a two-for-one gift by August 31.

 

Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina 

P.O. Box 3023, Morganton, NC 28680

Ph: 828-437-9930

info@foothillsconservancy.org

www.foothillsconservancy.org

 

 

 

 

Carolina Public Press Calls for Support

submitted by Angie Newsome, Founder and Executive Director

Greetings!,

What is the quality of life for residents at housing facilities for people living with mental illness? Are they safe and dependable? And are regulators and agencies doing their jobs to make sure facilities are well-run?

This month, our news staff is driving from Bryson City to Wilmington, from Raleigh to Lewisburg to report on how patients, families and caregivers cope with some of the most challenging health issues facing North Carolinians.

This is the latest reporting project coming from Carolina Public Press, a
not-for-profit online news organization devoted to providing you nonpartisan, in-depth and investigative reporting you can trust. From mental health to the environment, from the halls of the N.C. General Assembly to local government, from education to human trafficking, we aren't afraid to ask hard questions and report on tough issues. Because you are a subscriber, you know that we delve deeply into the overlooked and under-reported issues facing our communities, region and state through our award-winning journalism and civic and civil dialogues.

 

CLICK HERE

You can strengthen this work during the last week of our two-week sustaining donor challenge -- and double your gift right now!

Can you pledge just $10, $15 or $25 a month to support a news organization you can trust and count on?

And, due to the generosity of the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation -- your donation can be DOUBLED up to a total of $25,000. If you've never given before, you can turn your $10 a month gift into $20 a month. And if you've given to us in the past, an increased gift will be doubled.

 

Because, it's true. As our staff schedules interviews, crunches data, prepares questions, researches policies and lawsuits, and schedules public dialogues,
we need your help to bring this award-winning, high-quality journalism to you.

Now is the time to strengthen independent, in-depth and investigative reporting. It's needed now more than ever.

We hope you'll join us and show your support during the last week of our two-week sustaining donor fund drive. You can help build fact-based and context-rich journalism that matters.

 

Thank you,

Angie Newsome
Founder and Executive Director
Carolina Public Press  

 

 

Flat Rock Cinema Gears Up for the 2017 Magnolia Concert Series

The Magnolia Concert Series  held at The Flat Rock Cinema (2700 Greenville Hwy., Flat Rock NC) starts June 11.   The live concerts, produced by Howard Molton, begin at 3:00 PM on various Sundays each month from June through October.

2017 Magnolia Concert Series Tickets  are $15 plus sales tax and fee ($16.75 total) ALL SALES ARE FINAL. NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES SO PLEASE CHOOSE CAREFULLY. This is a PAPERLESS ticket series so you'll receive an EMAIL with your receipt which serves as your ticket. You can not pick up tickets before the day of the concert. Doors open at 2:30 so tell us your name at the box office. If you don't receive an email, the transaction wasn't completed or the receipt may be in your spam folder.

 Queen of Hearts - June 11, 2017

Hank, Pattie & The Current - July 9, 2017

Underhill Rose - August 13, 2017

Wayne Henderson - August 27, 2017

Aaron Burdett - September19, 2017

Lonesome Road Band - October 8, 2017

The Flat Rock Cinema is "your affordable, locally owned clean and friendly bistro cinema, featuring great food, wine, and local brews." Check the website for regular movie schedules and showings.

Art on the Greene Creates an Outdoor Gallery in Banner Elk NC

Art on the Greene transforms the grounds of the Historic Banner Elk NC School into an art gallery filled with works from local and regional artists, May 27-28, 2017.

The Memorial Day weekend show is the first of three Art on the Greene shows that take place throughout the summer in Banner Elk. The second show will be July Fourth weekend, July 1-2, and the final show will be Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2-3.

The Memorial Day show includes approximately 40 artists from up and down the East Coast, as well as some from the Midwest. They represent a variety of media, such as metal, glass, ceramics, wood, watercolor, acrylics and oil. The July Fourth show is expected to be the largest with 60 artists attending.

“I hope attendees find our town to be a place they want to return and tell other people about,” says Kimberly Tufts, show director. “I also hope they leave with something tangible, that they find a new piece of artwork and build a relationship with an artist that enriches their life.”

Proceeds from artists’ booth rental fees go to renovation efforts at the Historic Banner Elk School. Funds from previous art shows have helped restore heat to the school gymnasium and freshen the paint, as well as contributed to the town’s payments on the property.

The 1939 school was built as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project during the Great Depression. The Town of Banner Elk owns the school, which is home to the Banner Elk Book Exchange, professional theater company Ensemble Stage and a lifestyle magazine.

“We have a rich heritage that makes us special, and I think people feel that when they’re here,” Tufts says. “Banner Elk is also a very friendly town in a beautiful location. We have wonderful restaurants and so many things to do outdoors, which make this place a destination.”

Art on the Greene has no admission fee. Hours are 10 AM to 5 PM both Saturday and Sunday. Food vendors will be on hand, complementing the offerings at local downtown restaurants.

For information, visit the website or call 828-387-0581.

Mothers Day in the Mountains: Free Mother's Day Chocolate from The Chocolate Fetish

use special coupon code + order before May 1st to receive 

Free Mother's Day Chocolate

The Chocolate Fetish (36 Haywood Street in Asheville, NC) is making it extra sweet to give your Mom chocolate this Mother's Day with a Free Chocolate Round offer.  Choose from the limited edition Mother's Day selections, create your own custom box of our award winning truffles, or choose from a wide variety of hand made chocolate assortments.

No matter what you choose, when you order before May 1st (and use our special coupon code, details below) they'll include a FREE Chocolate Round with your order. 

Chocolate Rounds are their version of a traditional Chocolate bar made round instead of square.  Chocolate Rounds are available in a variety of flavors featuring premium blends of milk, white and dark chocolate.

 

How to get your free round: Place your order online before May 1st and use the special coupon code and we'll automatically include your free chocolate round: Use coupon code MOMLIKESITDARK for a Dark Almond Raspberry Round Use coupon code MOMLIKESITMILK for a Milk Raspberry Round Order must be placed before May 1, 2017. Orders will begin shipping May 8th to arrive before Mother's Day. No minimum purchase. Online orders only. Use coupon code INSTORE PICKUP to pick up in our downtown Asheville shop after May 10th.

Last Call for Mountains-to-Sea Trail Gathering of Friends Registration

March 24-25 in Elkin NC: Registration closes on Friday, March 17th for the MST Gathering of Friends, March 24th through 26th in Elkin, NC.  

Become a Friend at www.mountainstoseatrail.org

Get ready for an action-packed weekend, filled with a Hiking Boot Gala, the annual meeting, plus lots of hikes, bikes, paddles, art classes and plenty more.

The Town of Elkin, the Elkin Valley Trails Association and the Foothills Arts Council have just announced these exciting events immediately following the annual meeting on Saturday, March 25:

• Art Hike through downtown Elkin. Musicians at 6 venues, 12 artists and vendors, wine and beer tastings and even karaoke will be peppered through downtown Elkin.  For the entire lineup, see the Foothills Arts Council website.

• The Foothills Arts Council will host Old Country Store, a blues group from 5 to 7, with wine tasting from Round Peak Vineyards and beer from Skull Camp.

• The Reeves Theater presents an Evening of Music with Martha Bassett at Grassy Creek Vineyards from 7 till 10. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended.  Email Debbie or call 336-366-0875 for more info and to RSVP.

Please join The Friends of The Mountains-To-Sea Trail and celebrate 40 years of the MST and explore the Greater Elkin area!  Get more information HERE.

 REGISTER HERE

Carolina Public Press Spring Fundraiser This Week

Carolina Public Press Kicks off its Spring Fundraiser TODAY with only one week to raise its goal of $7,000.

There has never been a greater need to strengthen independent, in-depth and investigative journalism. Thanks to reader support the publication was able to invest more than 3,000 hours last year to report Western North Carolina's most important issues - work that earned two statewide and regional awards. Today, Carolina Public Press is the only news organization in WNC with a journalist in Raleigh covering the legislature.

Now YOUR help is needed. Help raise $7,000 by Saturday. New and increased gifts will be DOUBLED. Your donations will be helping build fact-based and content-rich journalism in Western North Carolina.

DONATE NOW

Carolina Public Press is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit online news service providing Western North Carolina with unbiased, in-depth and investigative news as well as educational opportunities. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Mountain Spirits: Brushy Mountain Winery Final Weekend

February 24 - 25, 2017: Bye Bye Brushy - Brushy Mountain Winery, 125 W. Main Street in Elkin NC, holds its last Party and final chance to buy Brushy Mountain Wine.

Celebrate the history and good times we have had at Brushy Mountain Winery, one last time! Take home a case of wine to enjoy later.

FOOD: Sweet and savory snacks from Roxxi and Lulu's Please feel free to bring something to share

WINE: DISCOUNTS 1-6 bottles - 10% 6-11 bottles - 15% Case or more - 20%

MUSIC: Currently on the schedule 6:00-6:45 Caroline Noel Beverley on guitar She will be joined by friends: Jim Matthews on stand up bass, Joe Thrift on fiddle, and RG Absher on banjo. 7:00-9:Cory Myers and friends, including Russell McCumber on fiddle.

THEY WILL BE OPEN SATURDAY 1:00-5:00PM to sell any remaining inventory.


Brushy Mountain was established in 2005 by Ann and Matthew Mayberry in the Harris Building in historic downtown Elkin.  Many of their wines have been named after local legends, including civil war and revolutionary war legends.  The labels of the fruit wines were designed from the labels of the cans from the Elkin Canning Company.  Brushy Mountain Winery was purchased by Brushy’s long-time winemaker Jason Wiseman in 2013.  Jason has roots in western North Carolina, and is now happy to call the Yadkin Valley home.

Hidden Figures Held Over at Flat Rock Cinema

Three time Oscar nominated film Hidden Figures has been held over at The Flat Rock Cinema, 2700 Greenville Hwy. in Flat Rock NC.

 

HIDDEN FIGURES is the incredible untold story of Katherine G. Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)-brilliant African-American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation's confidence, turned around the Space Race, and galvanized the world. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big. 

SHOW TIMES: ​Jan 20th - Feb 2nd: FRI, SAT, TUE, WED, THU 3:30, 7:00.  SUN 1:00 PM ​Closed Monday. ​ $6 Movie Tickets on Tuesday.  $2.50 Shock Top pints on Wednesday.  $5 Lunch Plates on Sunday.

Doors open 40 minutes before show time. Arriving at least 20 to 30 minutes prior to show time if you plan to eat or if you have a group of three or more and want to sit together is recommended. Reservations are encouraged but not always required. Seating is first-come, first-served, general admission -even if you have a reservation. The phone number is (828) 697-2463, answered during open hours except when seating for a show. Tickets are $8.75 for all shows, all ages. The "Bistro" Cinema serves burgers, sandwiches, fresh Orville Reddenbacher's® popcorn, nachos, Green River BBQ, plus wine and local brews.

Don't miss the upcoming 

13th Annual Golden Globe and Oscar Series 

and more...

President Obama Signs National Park Service Centennial Act into Law

The National Parks Foundation is thrilled to report that President Obama signed the National Park Service Centennial Act (PL 114-289) into law on December 16, 2016.  For the past 18 months, NPF has worked closely with The National Park Service and other partners to pass this significant legislation. 

NC Mountains National Parks:  The Blue Ridge Parkway

Among its many important components, the act establishes a Second Century Endowment for our national parks that will be housed at and managed by The Foundation. It also provides dedicated funding for the Centennial Challenge program, which leverages federal funds with philanthropic support secured by NPF and local Friends Groups to support projects and programs across the National Park System. 

NC Mountains National Park: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Act also makes important structural changes to The National Parks Founration’s board of directors and authorizes $5 million in annual appropriations for the first time in NPF’s history. Learn more about how these improvements will enhance NPF’s work by reading the Foundation's press release.

All information and photos provided by The National Parks Foundation. 

Mountain Spirits: Coming Soon to Old North State Winery

Old North State Winery, located at 308 N Main Street in Mount Airy NC, welcomes in 2017 with new menus, great wines, a Bloody Mary Bar and lots of live music. Check the website for details and dates.

 New Lunch and Dinner beginning Friday

Live Local music on 
Friday and Saturday nights

Shop online for ONS and Fish Hippie Wines

Enjoy the Bloody Mary Bar 
all day Saturday and Sunday

The Tasting Room is open 7 days a week, 
Tours are available

Join the Wine Club and get 15% off wine, draft beer, 
food and ONS merchandise