RiverLink Honors 2013 CriticaLink Volunteers

Each year the RiverLink board of directors selects non-board member volunteers to honor. These CriticaLinks have distiquished themselves through their long-term efforts, creativity, persistence and impact and earned this special recognition. In the past RiverLink has honored such notables at Margie Eblen, Joe Eblen, Margie Maxwell, Mr. James Green, Art Streppa, Maylyn Seyler, Jim and Peggy Brazell, Jean Webb, Sally Rhoades, Jane Mathews, Kate Mathews, Bob Bowles, Walt Damtoft and a host of other terrific volunteers who helped make the organization better because of their involvement. According to Karen Cragnolin, executive director of RiverLink, "Our legion of volunteers inspire us and challenge us with their engery and leadership. We could not do and accomplish so much with our small professional staff without our dedicated and long-term volunteer teams."

This year the RiverLink board is delighted to honor the following CriticaLinks 2013 for their work to improve the French Broad River and its watershed as a destination for everyone to live, work and play:

Ginny Hunneke- Ginny is one of those quiet volunteers who takes on an idea, thinks outside the box and gets the job done. She never wants the limelight for what she has accomplished on behalf of French Broad River watershed revitalization efforts. She has been gifting RiverLink for decades with her work and her wisdom. Having run a business Ginny brought good old common sense to every task she undertook on RiverLink's behalf. Well over a decade ago Ginny became acting volunteer-volunteer coordinator, researched other organizations' manuals from around the country, developed a "best practices" manual for RiverLink staff and energized our volunteer efforts through her own "best practices." Ginny's efforts helped us get where we are today with over 1,700 volunteers. Most recently Ginny served on the Anything That Floats Boat Parade Committee and has been a significant volunteer and creative voice for RiverMusic in its formative stages. This year she created "thank-you" books for sponsors that captured the essence of RiverMusic in photos as a fun, river-oriented event for the family.

Suzanne Hudson - Suzanne is a familiar face to many of the non-profits around town both as a donor and as a volunteer. She works hard at understanding a non-profit's specific mission statement and is always trying to help the non-profit meet and exceed expectations at its own program of work. For several years Suzanne helped fund RiverLink AmeriCorps positions. As a music lover she saw the need for a music event that would bring people to the river to experience the French Broad. Her help in inspiring RiverLink's RiverMusic as a series of free concerts in the heart of the urban riverfront cannot be over estimated.

W.D. Reed - W.D. is a "go to" type of guy. When just about any idea or project at RiverLink needs a volunteer, a worker, someone to help implement it and get it done - we all think, "Call W.D.!" When we needed construction help, he stepped up. When we needed help parking cars at RiverMusic, he stepped up. We needed an event videotaped, and W.D. was there to help. He is a native and a part of the Reed family that the Reed Creek Greenway is named for. W.D. has a BS, Construction Management and Business from Western Carolina University and 10 years of construction experience, and holds a Building General Contractor's License. He is co-owner of Old Friends Realty and Development Co. LLC.

Sharon and Vic Fahrer - We think of this couple as our two-for-one helpers. When we do a volunteer call and neither Sharon nor Vic responds immediately, we are pretty sure they are volunteering with one of our collaborating partners like the Preservation Society or the Montford Neighborhood Association. The Fahrers' impact on WNC is impressive. Sharon has become an expert local historian and created tours and interpretative panels about important people and places like the kiosks she did for us of Wilma Dykeman and her legacy that have helped bring history alive for children and adults of all ages. Sharon and Vic are often the last people to leave an event and are always willing to help take down a tent, or pack a car. One time we ran out of ice at RiverMusic and Vic jumped in his car and delivered it to the event and refused repayment.

Curt Crowhurst   You could call Curt a long time river lover. He served on the board of directors for the French Broad River Foundation back in the 1980s before the foundation was merged into RiverLink. For RiverLink he has been a hands-on volunteer, helping us set up and take down events, solicit event vendors from food trucks to arts and crafts vendors as well as serve on numerous committees where he always offers sage advice. Curt is always helping our small staff, and is one of the very last to go home no matter how late or how long events last because he is there to help us close down, pack, load and put away tents, coolers, chairs and whatever else was needed to make the event successful. If Curt is not at a RiverLink event helping us make it better, he is probably recreating out on the river -- fishing, camping, observing and reporting issues. Curt is a volunteer who understands the importance of a clean and vibrant river and is willing to spend a good deal of his free time helping to keep it clean and working with us to enable others to enjoy this incredible and historic resource.


Located in Asheville's River Arts District, RiverLink is a regional organization spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can work, live and play.

RiverLink Hosts Community Seminar on "The Business of Art The Art of Business or the Business of Art"

April 11 - Phil Mechanic Studios and Flood Gallery and Fine Arts Center,  in association with RiverLink, Self-Help Credit Union (SHCU) and the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC), are pleased to present:

"Shedding Light on the Business of Art:  An Intensive One-Day Workshop on Business Basics for the Artists of the Watershed."

On Thursday April 11:

from 9:00 AM until 4:30 PM, Phil Mechanic Studios will open their doors for this one-day-only, free seminar (with lunch included) that will engage you in topics such as:

• Improving Your Credit Score
• Licensing, Registration with the State, and Legal Considerations
• Obtaining Funding
• Developing a Business Plan
• Growth Strategies
• Marketing, Pricing, Preparing a Professional Portfolio, and the Appropriate Use of Social Media

Each topic will be discussed by a group of experts in the field and then opened up for questions from the audience.  In addition to members of the four sponsor organizations, panelists will include, among others, representatives from AB Tech's Small Business Center, Asheville Grown, the City of Asheville, Eagle Market Street Development, Handmade in America, Mountain BizWorks, the Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF), OnTrack Financial Education and Counseling, SCORE, the Small Business Administration (SBA),  The Support Center, Venture Asheville and from the consulting firm, Who Knows Art.

Two special sessions will round out the day:  one that will present two artists in front of a select group of experts and give them the opportunity to present issues/problems/needs facing their business and receive feedback and a second that will wrap up the day with "success stories" that will inspire and empower you.

Participating artists will include Sean "Jinx" Pace, Melissa Terrezza, Jeremy Russell, and others.

This one-day event is FREE and open to all artists in the Watershed, but registration is required in order to assure seating and lunch.  Register today by calling 828.252.8474 ext. 10.  

Located in Asheville's River Arts District, RiverLink is a regional organization spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can work, live and play.   


 

Asheville's RiverLink will Host Fourth Friday Salon Series Environment Lectures

Asheville, NC -- RiverLink is kicking off 2013 with a stimulating five-part seminar series by Frank Kalinowski. The first seminar will be held at the RiverLink offices on Friday, Jan. 25 starting at 3 p.m.

Kalinowski is a retired and popular professor from Warren Wilson College and the author of

Dr. Frank Kalinowski

numerous articles and treatises that are thought provoking and informative about the complex world in which we live today.

The purpose of these interactive lectures is to explore a deeper understanding of environmental issues and to attempt the placement of these issues in a larger social, political and historic context.

The first seminar is titled "A Practical Solution to the Environmental Crisis: The Scope and Range of Environmental Politics." 

The dates for Salon Series are February 22, March 22, April 26 and May 31. Future topics include "The Constitution and the Environment," and "Two Dreams and a Nightmare: The Environmental Legacies of Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison." 

This series is free and open to the public but reservations are required -  call 828-252-8474, ext. 10 to reserve a spot. RiverLink is a regional non-profit working to revitalize the French Broad River as a place for everyone to live, work and play. The RiverLink office, the site for this series, is at 170 Lyman Street in the River Arts District of Asheville.
 
Located in Asheville's River Arts District, RiverLink is a regional organization spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can work, live and play.

RiverLink ends 2012 with a liong List of Accomplishments

submitted by Karen Cragnolin, Executive Director RiverLink

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at RiverLink -- our staff, our board and our wonderful volunteers. Thanks for making 2012 a productive year working together with our 300 collaborating organizations and partners to make the French Broad River Watershed swimmable, fishable and drinkable now and into the future. We wish you a New Year filled with hope, good health, joy, and peace of mind. Thanks to you it has been a wonderful year. Here are some highlights:    We empowered 1644 volunteers to put in 2800-plus hours, collecting 744 bags of trash, 271 tires and an assortment of TVs, toilets, mattresses, hubcaps, toys, and other debris.   We did MAJOR work at Karen Cragnolin Park. Not only did we donate an easement across the front of the property for brand new sidewalks, we also started phytoremediation on the land. Phytoremediation is a technique that uses nature's healing properties (plants) to clean up contaminated soils  We partnered with local micro-breweries to host the annual Winter Warmer Beer Festival.  The brewers donated $2,500 and we directed that money  to the Broadway greenway   We hosted our 5th annual "Voices of the River: Art and Poetry Contest. Using all of their senses, students observe their watershed and create a piece of art or poetry based on topics such as fish and wildlife; boating and recreation; pollution and trash; geography; culture and history; water and the hydrologic cycle, or any relevant topic that students wish to address. We co-sponsored two events in April: The River Management Society conference entitled "From Intimate Creeks to the Infinite Sea" and the 3rd annual French Broad River Classique Canoe and Kayak Race. We were happy to transform the old tire store at 704 Riverside Drive and welcome the our new tenants,  Asheville Adventure Rentals. AAR is a full-service gear rental, retail, travel and instruction company. High-quality rental and retail inventory includes whitewater, recreational and touring boats, Stand-Up Paddleboards, fishing gear, and camping essentials. We sponsored community dialogues with the neighborhoods around Amboy Road and the developer who is working on a project at the corner of Amboy Road and Riverview. We raised $25,000 from the Pigeon River Fund to install the Best Management Practices or BMP's along the greenway that will help to control the erosion and sediment. With all the money raised thus far we only need another $42,000 to get the old Health Adventure section of greenway and BMP's installed. We hosted RiverMUSIC throughout the summer. We kicked off our series of performances and events at the RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza with a live theatre performance by the Warren Wilson College Theatre Department. The "Swannanoa River Play" took anecdotes and stories directly from Swannanoa Valley residents and mixed in music to create a half-hour performance.  Over the summer we welcomed, Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds with special guests The Krektones and The Mad Tea; Sanctum Sully with special guests Bobby Miller and The Virginia Daredevils; The 42nd Street Jazz Band; Sirius B. with special guests The Blood Gypsies. We finished off the concert season with a Purveyors of Funk Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band with special guests The Fritz. We celebrated the river at the 13th annual RiverFest at French Broad River Park.  We were pleased to announce that Sierra Nevada as our title sponsor and the Asheville Adventure Rentals, Navitat Canopy Adventures, Carolina Mountains Credit Union, a division of Self-Help Credit Union, Glazer Architecture, PA., and Happy Body Studio and RC Cola also helped to sponsor RiverFest this year. We  enjoyed another year of  our  world famous Anything that Floats Parade during RiverFest. We incorporated environmental education, river recreation and service learning  during SUMMER CAMP! At camp, RiverLink works to: Provide young citizens of the French Broad River watershed an in-depth, hands-on educational  experience about their environment;   Empower campers to be lifelong watershed stewards by educating them on the issues facing our rivers and watersheds, and providing concrete examples of what can be done; Inspire campers to make community service an integral part of their student and adult lives. We hired long-time artist resident of the river Heinz Kossler to create some handmade tiles for the new sidewalk that will surround one of our properties The Warehouse Studios at 170 Lyman Street. The city installed the sidewalk using granite curbstones that were removed from the river area when they asphalted the street most times right over the granite and the old trolley tracks We  received funding for an all-inclusive online interactive map for the French Broad River camping and paddle trail. Make sure to get in touch with us if you want to be included on this map. We welcomed new Board members -- Barb Korb, retired marketing and operations director for AT&T; Mike Sule, founder and executive director of Asheville on Bikes; Paul Dismukes, community volunteer who works with Habitat for Humanity, GreenWorks and Rotary; and Peter Sprague, an executive with Ingles Market and lifetime volunteer with Boy Scouts of America. Incidentally, Peter was one of RiverLink's first volunteers way back in 1987!   We spent time with close friends at the annual Friends of the River dinner. Our speaker this year was Ken Grossman, president of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. We dedicated a new section of Broadway greenway. We taught water-related lessons to approximately 4,000 children ages K-12. We celebrated the life and legacy of Wilma Dykeman by installing three new information kiosks at our Sculpture & Performance Park on Riverside Drive. It was such a joy to hear her youngest son, Jim, describe his mom's legacy and a new effort to preserve and perpetuate it.  Guests were also able to meet Sharon Fahrer, president of History@Hand, and songwriter and singer Laura Boosinger. We showed our love for the Swannanoa River at Swannanoa RiverFest with river cleanups and a ton of Swannanoa fun with Warren Wilson College students and staff.    We hosted a volunteer appreciation party at Dave Russell's Avant Garden. We made a big difference during NC's BIG SWEEP, collecting over 90 bags of trash  and 13 tires from  a 15-mile stretch of the French Broad River. We had a very productive meeting with our Secretary of Tourism and the head of the Community Foundation from the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. We also had a two-day visit with Friendship Force folks from the Maldives in October. Do you know that by law the buffer around any water body -- lake, river, stream -- is a mandatory 150 feet in Moldova!  We love sharing our projects and exchanging information with visitors from overseas. We are continuing to raise funds for the Broadway Greenway at the former Health Adventure site. One of our fundraiser was held at the home of Jo and Kevin Hogan in Montford and another one was in cooperation with the Asheville  Track Club Thomas Wolfe 8K run.  We connected with the community groups. This year's Leadership Asheville Seniors Class adopted our labyrinth as their project and have installed a mediation bench and are working with us to spruce up the whole area. We were voted  The Best Environmental Group for the 7th year in a row in the Mountain Xpress. Thank you so much, Western North Carolina. We braved a cold and wet Sunday to celebrate future greenways at Hominy Creek and at the old Health Adventure site on Broadway. These events raised over $3,500 towards implementing new greenway access corridors! We announced the recipients of the 2012 RiverBusiness Awards: The Asheville Brewers Alliance, The Self-Help Credit Union, The Montford Neighborhood Association, PSNC Energy, Sundance Power and FLS Energy. These wonderful river-friendly companies have made lasting contributions to the entire community making our watershed a better place to live, work and play for everyone. We announced our CriticaLink award winners for 2012. CriticaLinks are non-board members who through their extraordinary volunteer  efforts have helped make the French Broad River watershed a better place for everyone to live, work and play. We are  proud to honor  Margie Eblen, Dr. Robert Quayle,  Rob & Bess Baird,  Mary Anne Worthingham, and Terry & Russ Robertson.  We received funding from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund  to help New Belgium Brewing Co. install BMP'S and restore a sub-watershed of the French Broad River.  New Belgium is  going above and beyond the city of Asheville's storm water ordinance as part of this new brewery effort to recover an old landfill and bring economic vitality to our community. We have a new trademark -- WaterRICH -- a residential program designed to help homeowners and renters manage storm water and erosion on their property. We received a really wonderful thank you letter from Ira Bernstein for  helping  Ira implement his dream of installing a rain garden at his Montford home.    We also installed 3 additional  storm water features constructed for properties in the WaterRICH Program,  conducted 8 WaterRICH Property installations and  Certified  32 WaterRICH Consultations We helped attract the funding for the $600,000 federal highway administration road study for the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay that has been adopted. We had a good old-fashioned oyster roast in Marshall with over 300 people and great music. Our host was Rob Pulleyn who bought the old Marshall high school building on Blannahasset Island and turned it into Marshall High Studios, an artist enclave.  We teamed up with another non-profit to develop an online interactive water quality game designed specifically for the French Broad River watershed.  This is another way we are seeking to reach children of all ages and - surprise surprise - reward them for their knowledge. We were recipients of the sale at an art show at Asheville Adventure Rentals by  local artist, Maryanne Pappano, who has created a series of installations reflecting our work to improve the French Broad River. Peace and Joy in 2012, Karen, Melinda, Dave, Nancy, Nikki and Jess P.S. There is still time to remember that special someone in your life at Christmas with these great gifts from RiverLink.

Support your Local Greenways Sunday October 28th!

Wilma Dykeman RiverWay RiverLink photo

RiverLink is working to support greenways along tributaries to the French Broad River, as part of the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Plan to connect neighborhoods, downtown Asheville and the river to area assets and attractions, from the Blue Ridge Parkway, NC Arboretum, River Arts District, UNC-Asheville, Appalachian and Mountains to Sea Trails, Biltmore Village, and more. 

Currently, RiverLink is supporting greenway efforts through a variety ways, and you too can help support this local greenway initiative through Deeds of Support and local fundraising events.  Currently there are three greenway initiatives: the Broadway Greenway Link,  the Friends of Hominy Creek Greenway and the sustaining support for the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay which helps make all the connections.  Get more information about Greenway Development HERE.

On Sunday October 28th, RiverLink is co-hosting fundraising events for local greenways:

The Friends of Hominy Creek Greenway (FOHCG) will host the second annual Greenway Gathering at the Altamont Brewing Company from 3:00 - 6:00 PM. The event will launch the FOHCG's membership drive and will include activities for children, guest speakers, and a cycling ride. The family friendly cycling ride through the greenway will leave the brewery at 2:00 and return at 3:00.  Get ride details HERE. In addition to hosting the gathering, the Altamont Brewing Company will recognize the FOHCG as the "non-profit of the month" by donating a portion of beer sales from the event and throughout November to the organization.

FOHCG have partnered with Blue Ridge Bicycling Club, Asheville Greenworks, and RiverLink to support the ongoing maintenance, clean-ups, invasive species removal, and park water quality improvements. RiverLink serves as fiscal agent for the FOHCG, you can purchase deeds of support and Riverlink items through RiverLink's website HERE. 

Broadway Greenway Benefit Party   - starting at 4 PM, Jo and Kevin Hogan are opening their home at 273 Pearson Drive, Montford to help raise funds for the Broadway Greenway, aka the former Health Adventure site. Sponsors include RiverLink, The Montford Neighborhood Association, the Nine Mile vegetarian-friendly restaurant, ModestoWood Fire Kitchen, the WedgeBrewery, Clayworks and HossHaley.

The Hogans will prepare Spit Roast Turkey as the main course for a wonderful feast. Your ticket will also enter you into a raffle for a Hoss Haley bronze candelabra, a JoshCopus ceramic platter and a silkscreen print by Kevin Hogan. Tickets are $20 per person and additional raffle tickets may be purchased at $10 each. You do not have to be present to win. Call 254-4055 or e-mail scouser415@aol.com for tickets. Make checks out to the Montford Neighborhood Association and mail to 273 Pearson Dr. Asheville NC 28801, by October 21. If you wish to pay by credit card contact RiverLink at www.riverlink.org or information@riverlink.org and note that this is for the Hogan House Party Benefit.

RiverLink Calls for Volunteers

submitted by Dave Russell, Director of Volunteer Services for RiverLink

RiverFest and RiverMUSIC -- Good times by the River, but only possible with your help   

If you haven't been to one of our RiverMUSIC events, you should consider it whether you do a volunteer shift or not. We've had a great time both nights so far, and still have three concerts to go. You can read all about the series by clicking here. We still need volunteers for the events on August 3, 24 and September 14. Please let me know if you are interested.

RiverFest 2012 takes place on Saturday, August 11, from 1:00 p.m. until 7 p.m. this year. It's just around the corner and coming up quickly. We're looking for enough volunteers so that we only ask for three-hour shifts, though we encourage everyone to stay longer and join in the fun.We'll have beer from Sierra Nevada (volunteers get a free one) and some great music. Read about the musical acts by clicking here.

We need about 120 people to make it work. 

Please let me know if you are available and interested in helping out. We need folks for everything from parking lot patrol to recycling station help to pulling rafts out of the River.  

Call me or e-mail me or drop by and say "Hi" (free coffee!) and then I promise not to bother you again until ... I get desperate.

dave

Dave Russell, RiverLink
Director of Volunteer Services
(828) 252-8474, ext. 11
Cell: (828) 545-9099

volunteer@riverlink.org

Riverlink calls for Special Events Volunteers

RiverLink has two major events coming up this Summer: RiverMUSIC, a five-night concert series, and RiverFest, the usual big party by the French Broad. Each event will call for a large number of volunteers - at least 30 per night for RiverMUSIC and 110 for RiverFest - hang out with Riverlink enjoy great summer events while helping out for a good cause.

RiverMUSIC 

RiverLink's RiverMUSIC consists of five Friday evening concerts at the RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza, 144 Riverside Drive. All concerts start at 5:00 PM. There will be beer from New Belgium, food trucks, live music from local and national acts, and the waters of the beautiful French Broad flowing right by the stage.

 

RiverFest  

RiverFest takes place at French Broad River Park on Saturday, August 11, from 1 PM - 7 PM  this year. Last year there were 90 RiverLink volunteers  and this year even more will be needed. Work will indluce parking cars, pulling rafts out of the river, pouring beer, etc. It will be a fun day, full of live music, kids activities, the Anything That Floats Parade, beer, local food, and more.

Please contact Director of Volunteer Services Dave Russell at 828-252-8474, ext. 11 or dave@riverlink.org and come help out with one or all of these fun events. 

RiverLink Hosts River Symposium in Asheville and Online Webinar

RiverLink and RMS Present River Symposium - History of Whitewater Paddling in WNC, French Broad Camping Water Trail, and Thinking and Linking Outside the Box.  RiverLink is delighted to be hosting and sponsoring the 2012 River Management Society Symposium here is Asheville with River Management experts from across the USA sharing their river stories.

RiverLink has received funding from the federal and state agencies as well as private foundations to create a world class - free and open to the public overnight camping trail that will extend from the French Broad's headwater in Rosman to Knoxville, TN. "The economic impact of this newest RiverLink initiative is in the millions" according to RiverLink Executive Director, Karen Cragnolin.

For those who cannot attend the conference you can join the webinar on the RiverLink Paddle Trail as presented by RiverLink Executive Director, Karen Cragnolin, RiverLink Watershed Manager Nancy Hodges, RiverLink Paddle Trail Advisory Committee member and author Will Leverette and Tennessee partner Jane Polansky on Thursday, April 26, 2012 from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM EDT

The  Webinar includes:

- History of Whitewater Paddling in Western NC: Will Leverette
- Karen Cragnolin, Executive Director RiverLink - River Access history in French Broad River watershed
- French Broad Camping Water Trail: Nancy Hodges, Presenter.
- Thinking and Linking Outside the Box: Jane Polansky, Presenter

Webinar System Requirements:

PC-based attendees - Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh®-based attendees - Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

Reserve your Webinar seat now at:

https://www4.gotomeeting.com/register/476879847

RiverLink Calls for Volunteers

RiverLink is looking for someone to assist in constructing two kiosks for the French Broad River Paddle Trail.

     

The kiosk to the right shows the kind of roof structure to be built and then transpored with the other materials to the site to be completed at a later date.  RiverLink has all the materials but needs  help with power tools and construction ability.

Current planning is to have the kiosks completed by April 20 or the following weekend. I you are able to assist, let RiverLink know ASAP with the tight timeline.

Click here to see a pdf containing the instructions to assemble the roof

Please contact RiverLink's Watershed Resources Manager  at 252-8474, ext. 14 or nancy@riverlink.org if you can help  out.  

New Belgium Brewing Company Opens in Asheville's River Arts District

April 5, Asheville NC -  In conjunction with the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County (EDC), New Belgium Brewing Company announced the selection of Asheville, North Carolina to build its first expansion brewery outside of Fort Collins, Colorado.

The nation’s third-largest craft brewer plans to invest $175 million over seven years to build a state-of-the-art brewery on Craven Street in Asheville’s historic River Arts District. The expansion will strengthen the company’s capacity to serve new markets and reduce the cost and environmental impact of cross-country distribution. The brewery will create over 154 new jobs by 2020 and is expected to launch production in the first quarter of 2015. The average annual wage for jobs created will exceed $50,000, plus benefits, exceeding the county's average wage by 43 percent.

The site selection process was driven by factors including proximity to Eastern markets, water quality and a shared community commitment to sustainable practices. The nearly 20-acre development at the gateway to the River Arts District and downtown Asheville will revitalize a former hub of commerce and agriculture for the greater Western North Carolina region. The current uses of the site,  a stockyard, auto repair and mini-storage facility will be replaced as  New Belgium invests in new brewery operations, a distribution center and a hospitality tasting room on the banks of the French Broad River.

The company’s investment in stream restoration, storm water improvements, environmental remediation and green building technologies will serve as a model for riverfront renaissance long envisioned by leaders of RiverLink and the Asheville Area Riverfront Redevelopment Commission.

“After several years of searching we are incredibly excited to have landed in Asheville,” said Kim Jordan, CEO and co-founder of New Belgium. “From the deep sense of community to the rich natural environment and the opportunity to revitalize a brownfield site near a vibrant downtown, Asheville has everything we’ve been looking for in a location for our second brewery.”

Asheville Mayor, Terry Bellamy, commented, “For decades, the City of Asheville has worked to build consensus for the responsible redevelopment of our River District. These efforts are rewarded today with the arrival of New Belgium, a world-class employer that shares our vision for community development and our values of corporate social responsibility.” The investments made by the company will catalyze public infrastructure improvements in nearby roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, water service, greenway and way finding consistent with the Wilma Dykeman Riverway Plan. The infrastructure improvements will be funded in part by a grant from the North Carolina GoldenLeaf Foundation.

“This pioneering development will do more than grow our tax base and create quality manufacturing jobs. The company will transform a vital stretch of riverfront, add a brand-name destination for visitors and strengthen our well-known craft-brewing community,” said Chairman of the Buncombe County Commission, David Gantt. “We foresee a long and successful future for New Belgium in Buncombe County.”

“This is a major milestone for our riverfront and our region. New Belgium shares our values of creativity and innovation, and our history of craftsmanship and industry. As we toured our River Arts District together last year, it was clear they want to contribute to what makes the river a special place.”
Karen Cragnolin, Executive Director, RIVERLINK:  “It is a dream come true for RiverLink, our volunteers, our members and our donors to welcome an anchor project to our urban riverfront that is attracted by the clean, abundant water in the French Broad. That New Belgium chose Asheville is further proof that our economic future and our environmental stewardship are intertwined and on the same page.”

Since its founding in 1991, New Belgium Brewing Company has released 25 award-winning Belgian-Style beers, including its best-selling Fat-Tire Amber Ale. By 2011, the employee-owned company was producing over 700,000 barrels annually and distributing New Belgium products to 28 states and the District of Columbia. The company has grown to over 400 employees while earning a reputation with consumers and corporate America as an environmentally, socially and economically conscious employer. The brewer operates the largest private photo-voltaic solar array in Colorado and has donated over $5 million to community non-profits in areas of environmental education and stewardship since 1995.

The company plans to break ground in the first quarter 2013 and commence hiring in the fourth quarter of 2014. For additional information on New Belgium Brewing Company, visit www.newbelgium.com. For more detail on the project plans, community reaction, maps etc.  visit www.newbelgiumasheville.com.

Riverlink Workday - Volunteers Needed

On Saturday, March 31, from 9  AM until 1 PM. or so, Riverlink will have a workday to begin preparing the RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza for some BIG events. The Plaza will provide the venue for the  RiverMusic Series this summer. The Series includes six nights of music, beer and food all in the beautiful setting by the River.  There is much work to do in preparation and volunteers are needed..

The March 31 workday will involve mowing,  weeds wacking, removing dead brush, and more. RiverLink will supply gloves, water and tools, though anyone with a favorite weedeater, lawnmower or brush-hog is certainly welcome to bring it.

A donated lunch is planned, so RSVP to allow for adequate food amounts.

The property is about 1/2 mile north of 12 Bones at 117 Riverside Drive. Call Dave Russell, Director of Volunteer Services  (828) 252-8474, ext. 11 for details and RSVPs..

Another Good Reason to Drink Beer

The Altamont Brewing Company in West Asheville is sponsoring RiverLink for the month of March.  $1 from the beer of the day will go to RiverLink.   

Just ask the bartender the daily beer selection and you'll help improve the environmental and economic revitalization of the French Broad River as a place to live, work and play.

The Altamont Brewing Company is a brewing company and bar with all the best Asheville has to offer. Known locally as “the bar”, the Altamont offers a wide open floor plan with regulation ping-pong, a foosball table and single disc-golf basket. A variety of musicians and dj’s provide weekly music plus open mic-night every Tuesday. While the brewing facility is still a work-in-progress, the Altamont has some of the finest locals on tap.

The Altamont is located at 1042 Haywood Road in West Asheville.

RiverLink Special Events Committee

RiverLink is calling for Volunteers for their newest volunteer group, the Special Events Committee.  Committee members will be asked to assist RiverLink at least through the summer, as in hosting a donor party in March, Earth Week events, a concert series through the Summer, and RiverFest, the biggest RiverLink event of the year.

Volunteers will take on tasks relating to a part of each event, and report progress to the committee. The special event committee will meet at least once a month, usually at 5:30 PM.

RiverLink staff will be working with and directing the committee, but outside help is essential to accomplish all RiverLink has planned. This would be a great opportunity for volunteers who enjoy or have experience in planning, and the folks who tell us, "I'd like to get involved but don't want to get in the water."

For more information about helping out, volunteers should call RiverLink's Dave Russell at 252-8474, ext. 11 or e-mail to dave@riverlink.org.

The first Special Events Committee meeting is Thursday, March 8 at 5:30 PM.
Located in Asheville's River Arts District, RiverLink is a regional organization spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River watershed as a destination where everyone can work, live and play.

Adventure Films help benefit Riverlink

February 16, from 7:30 PM - 9 PM., Horizon Line Pictures will host a night of short adventure films at the Southern Appalachian Brewery in Hendersonville, with a portion of the proceeds going to local non-profit RiverLink. Entry is only $6, with a raffle for a kayak from Liquid Logic and door prizes provided by Diamond Brand Outdoors.

Tickets for the kayak raffle are $10 and available at the RiverLink office at 170 Lyman Street in the River Arts District, Monday thru Friday 8 AM. - 5 PM. They are also on sale at the Southern Appalachian Brewery Tasting Room, 822 Locust Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Open Wednesday thru Friday, 4 p.m. to close, and Saturday thru Sunday, 2 p.m. to close.

Several of the films were produced in WNC, including "Longboarding Asheville" and "The Smokies: Punished into Ecstasy." The two others are titled, "The Grand Canyon in Winter" and "World Championships of Kayaking."

Legacy Paddlesports, the parent company of Liquid Logic Kayaks, recently moved their base of operations to Henderson County.

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. Monies collected in this raffle and movie event will be used to further work on The Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Plan, a 17-mile greenway linking the French Broad and Swannanoa Rivers with walking and biking trails anchored on the south at the NC Arboretum and on the east by the Blue Ridge Parkway and on the north by UNCA.

RiverLink Hosts Volunteer Information Sessions

RiverLink is an exciting place with an abundance of opportunities for volunteers to get involved. From office work to helping host special events to cleaning litter from local waterways, RiverLink can match most everyone with a way to help out.

Western North Carolinians (and others) who would like to be involved in restoring the French Broad Watershed as a place to live, work and play are invited to join the team by attending one of two volunteer information sessions on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. There's a morning session at 10 a.m. and an afternoon session at 5 p.m. at the RiverLink office, 170 Lyman Street in the River Arts District of Asheville.

The information session will detail RiverLink's volunteer positions in a Powerpoint presentation. Volunteers will have a chance to fill out a volunteer application, and Volunteer Coordinator Dave Russell will be available to answer questions and help everyone find their best fit at RiverLink.

RSVP to Dave by calling (828) 252-8474, ext. 11 or via e-mail at volunteer@riverlink.org.

RiverLink Co-sponsors Winter Warmer Beer Festival

RiverLink is proud to partner with many of Asheville's local micro-breweries to host the Winter Warmer Beer Festival againfor 2012. Winter Warmer takes place at the Asheville Civic Center on January 21 from 3 to 7 PM. Asheville is known as Beer City USA with its many innovative and creative world class breweries. Equally important is the local great water needed to make great beer.

Again this year RiverLink will be dedicating all the donations from Winter Warmer to the greenway development fund, affectionately referred to as the "Missing Link" fund. What better way to celebrate the river than to build greenways next to it so that everyone - local or visitor - can access and enjoy this precious natural resource? Rivers belong to everyone. It is one of those really precious shared resources, like air. We all own it and we all share it -- both the rights and responsibilities.

Get information about the Winter Warmer Beer Festival and other
Asheville events and festivals HERE

RiverLink Blog "The River Whisperer" Offers Daily River News

RiverLink has a blog available for everyone to enjoy. RiverLink's Director of Volunteer Services, Dave Russell, and Assistant Volunteer Coordinator Worth McAlister, an AmeriCorps member, are dedicated to bringing high quality information and entertainment to the citizens of Western North Carolina with a new blog entry published each day through this wonderful tool.

Readers can find up-to-date news on stream ecology, special events in the area, recreation and fishing, the greenway system, important community topics and meeting dates, WNC flora and fauna, current water news from our region and beyond, and anything exciting that is related to the French Broad River Watershed. The site is chock full of pictures, videos, and facts that are sure to inform and entertain anyone who loves moving water, Asheville and WNC.

The River Whisperer blog was born on April 30, 2010, and can be found through the media tab on the RiverLink Web site or by visiting http://theriverwhisperer.blogspot.com. The blog is complete with links, labels, and an archive for easy navigation to whatever topics may strike your fancy. Older entries can be a great source for knowledge in an array of focal areas.

The River Whisperer currently has over 550 entries, with a brand new one each morning. The blog boasts over 4,000 hits per month, and counting. Don't hesitate to make The River Whisperer a primary source for staying up-to-date and informed on what's happening in your region and in your waters.

Riverlink - The Year in Review

Riverlink is a regional non-profit established in 1987 spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River and its tributaries as a place to live, work and play. Its team of professionals and volunteers are among the most active and accomplished anywhere in the nonprofit and conservation industry. Below is a review of their  accomplishments for 2011:

• Made the final payment on Karen Cragnolin Park in January -- Amboy Road never looked better! That is another $1.2 million we raised for the river revitalization effort and another step closer to implementing the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Plan.

• Completed 4 rounds of testing at Karen Cragnolin Park (the old EDACO junk yard on Amboy Road) you will start to see some progress in the next few months as we begin the planting for our phytoremediation.

• Hosted a "Build your own rain barrel" event in the Spring and helped 30 local homeowners install rain barrels on their property. Hosted rain barrel construction and installation training this winter for Asheville Green Opportunities new WaterTeam.

• Empowered 1,430 volunteers to put in 2,500-plus hours, collecting 647 bags of trash, 236 tires and an assortment of TVs, toilets, mattresses, hubcaps, toys, and other debris.

• Recruited and coordinated a 100-strong army of volunteers to make RiverFest - our big annual riverside party - a successful event.

• Were voted the "Best Environmental Non-profit" by the readers of MountainXpress for the fifth year in a row.

• Are co-sponsoring the River Management Society Conference here in 2012 and expect over 400 river experts from across the country and Canada to come to WNC.

• Hosted "South America as told by Water" slideshow presentation by Cathy Holt.

• Hosted a series of French Broad River Paddle Trail Community Planning Meetings, giving the public a chance to learn about - and have input into -- the French Broad River Paddle Trail, a canoe camping trail along the French Broad River through North Carolina.

• Have raised over $105,000 in grant funding for the planning, construction, and management of the French Broad River Paddle Trail. Volunteers and the Advisory Council have put in over 1000 hours of volunteer time assisting in developing the Trail User Guide and Design Guidelines, as well as on-the-ground research.

• Developed and launched a residential stormwater management handbook and certification program, WaterRICH - Water Reuse, Infiltration and Conservation at Home. RiverLink has specifically designed WaterRICH to assist homeowners in understanding rainwater management and conservation techniques that will help recycle and infiltrate water in their own yards.

• Hosted and received proceeds from the 4th Annual Winter Warmer Beer Festival on Saturday, January 22, 2011.

• Named Silver-Line Plastics, The Pink Dog Creative Studios and the Wedge Brewery as the 2011 RiverBusiness Award winners.

• Donated funds and acted as fiscal agent for the Blue Ridge Bike Club and partnered with a Buncombe County and the City to buy another 12 acres (known as the Waller Tract) that extends up Hominy Creek.

• Hosted the 2010 Fins & Gills Classic at the Asheville Outdoor Center on Saturday, May 14, primarily to get fishermen on the French Broad River and rods & reels in the hands of young anglers.

• Completed the LinkingWaters Urban Watershed Project at our friend Michelle Smith's house, an initiative to increase community action and promote permaculture, and to make clear the benefits of effective, economical, safe, and appropriate means for handling stormwater and replinishing the water table.

• Installed information kiosks at The ByWater and the RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza and signs at Malvern Hills and West Asheville Park to provide additional information about our projects and the water quality measures implemented along with the stream restorations.

• The RiverLink Sculpture and Performance Plaza was the site for the Asheville Rites Project, a collaboration between muralist Molly Rose Freeman, dancer Garth Grimball and musician Michael Libramento that attracted a crowd of over 300 people.

• Hosted a series of Invasive Species training sessions to teach the public about the invasive species threatening our native flora and how to deal with these pests.

• Produced a weed guide detailing the exotic invasives that plague our area and means to control them.

• Ttaught water-related lessons to approximately 4,000 children ages K-12.

• Had a visit from a three-member team from Brazil that was arranged by the State Department. They came to learn how we engage the public on the issues surrounding water.

• Two members of RiverLink team, Executive Director Karen Cragnolin and former AmeriCorps Member and Education Coordinator Hayley Smith, went to the Project Wet Blue Planet Conference in Bozeman, Montana to show off our newly-constructed model of the urban water cycle.

• We hosted a conference for The Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science (PLOTS), using simple do-it-yourself techniques -- cameras mounted on balloons and kites -- to produce inexpensive satellite imagery of the Wilma Dykeman Greenway and the French Broad River through the City of Asheville.

• Held the 4th annual "Voices of the River: Art and Poetry Contest," with over 100 kids participating. Prizes were awarded for poetry, 2-D and 3-D art, with an award ceremony at the Holly Room of the A-B Tech Library. The deadline for 2012 submissions is March 9.

• Won the 2011 Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of North Carolina for our work with Baker Engineering for our Rhododendron Creek (West Asheville Park) stream restoration.

• The RiverLink Board of Directors voted unanimously to develop a greenway from 12Bones to the Smith Bridge (Haywood Street) and presented the unanimous vote to Asheville City Council. Their reply has been favorable though construction is as yet unconfirmed, but we may see a greenway running through that area in 2012!

• Asked the city to donate a parcel of land they own at the Pearson Bridge for the new Outdoor Sports Adventure business we are planning. This past summer we acquired the old tire store on the south side of the Pearson Bridge and the north side of the bridge was donated by Marge and Jake Michel.

• Facilitated the transition of the Richmond Hill Inn to Oshun Mountain Sanctuary, a center for health and wellness, and remain a fiscal agent for the Sanctuary.

• Held a successful summer camp, including an overnight camping experience for the kids.

Tax-deductible contributions and membership from the public are always welcomed and may be made online HERE

New Grant for RiverLink's French Broad Paddle Trail

RiverLink's French Broad River Paddle Trail just got one step closer to reality. The non-profit was awarded a grant in the amount $78,890 toward river access in Marshall, signage, and tools and materials for construction of campsites. The goal of the Paddle Trail is to allow overnight camping at a series of campsites along the French Broad River. Spaced about 8 miles apart, the sites will feature paddle-in, paddle-out camping at primitive campsites and a few amenities at the improved campsites. Currently there are no facilities for free overnight camping on the French Broad. RiverLink is pleased to be leading this exciting project and future amenity for the region.

RiverLink has been working on the paddle trail in idea form since 2007. In 2010 the non-profit began the planning efforts with the assistance of an eight-member advisory board made up of long time river advocates and paddlers from the region, including Will Leverette, Steve Hendricks, Gordon grant and Ed Maggart. RiverLink also worked with a landscape architect intern, Scott Ogletree from Clemson University, to assess the trail, and research existing paddle trails around the country.

The grant came from the North Carolina Trails Program, under the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Parks and Recreation. The Recreational Trails Program funded $75,000 for access and campsite construction, while the Adopt-a -Trail Program has funded $3,890 for trail signage.

The French Broad River Paddle Trail will serve to protect the river as a resource for recreation, environmental stewardship, education, and economic development. The trail will build long-term partnerships with local governing agencies and private landownersto make the French Broad River accessible and memorable for residents and vacationers. As we move forward with the development of the trail there will be opportunities to assist in the trail design, and construction. Please let RiverLink know if you are interested in helping with the project by visiting the website or emailing:  nancy@riverlink.org

Volunteer opportunities at RiverLink

Do you own a bush hog? Have any connection with a landscaping company? We want to get several of our properties in the River District looking sharp to hint at what a completed greenway might look like and keep the idea fresh in the minds of the powers-that-be. Give RiverLink's Dave Russell a call at 252-8474, ext. 11 and let's talk about it.

Hayley Smith, our education coordinator, is also seeking some volunteers to help with her education outreach. Contact Hayley at 252-8474, ext. 18 and find out how you can help educate the next generation of river stewards.

Office work - We need someone to come into the RiverLink office and enjoy the air-conditioning and finish up our filing inventory. Some knowledge of Excel is helpful, but not necessary. We can train you. Contact Dave at 252-8474, ext. 11.

Malvern Hills Park workday:  Come out and enjoy your Friday in the Park helping with general maintenance of the stream restoration project. We will be ... 1) installing a mulch path 2) weeding around planted woody material -- specifically removing vines etc., anything competing with what we've planted 3) splitting plants from one of the ponds. 4) removing invasives 5) mulching around woody plants to deter weeds. Get in touch with our Watershed Resources Manager, Nancy Hodges at 252-8474, ext. 14 for more information.

Garden Stroll: 10-1 or 1-4pm shifts. Tabling at the Garden Stroll, answering questions, etc. Training session is available on June 16 at 11:30 a.m. or 5 p.m. for those who are not familiar with the park or the stream restoration project. If you are interested but can't make the training session please email nancy@riverlink.org

Invasive Species training session -  July 14 at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. -- Come learn about the invasive species threatening our native flora and how to deal with these pests.
or call her at 252-8474, ext. 14.

For details CLICK HERE