Through its Live Positively initiative, Coca-Cola will award grants totaling $175,000 to the three U.S. parks. The public can vote for their favorite park at www.livepositively.com/#/americasparks/vote, and while only one park will receive the title of "America's Favorite Park," grants will be given to the three parks that receive the most votes by September 6, 2011. These grants of $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000 can be used to restore, rebuild or enhance places within the park to play or be active.
RiverLink, the local non-profit working to revitalize the French Broad River and environs as a place for everyone to live, work and play, has nominated Asheville's Carrier Park. "Just think of the amenities that could be added to Carrier with $100,000 or even $25,000," said RiverLink's Dave Russell. "We could build more trails, another fishing platform, a canoe launch ... we'd let the public weigh in on how to spend the grant and follow their lead. So please vote often, as you can vote as many time as you like."
According to Karen Cragnolin, executive director of RiverLink, "We are so proud of Carrier Park,. In 1999 when RiverLink bought the old speedway and eventually turned it into carrier park we had no idea, although we were very hopeful, that it would become the number one park destination in the city wide system. Carrier Park really does offer something for everyone - so we hope that everyone will vote often!."
To vote, visit www.livepositively.com/#/americasparks/vote, and put the word "Carrier" in the window beside the words "Search for a park." When the little orange balloon comes up, click on it and vote.
Gardening in the Mountains - Extension Master Gardeners of Buncombe County are again offering their monthly lecture series. Programs will be at 10 AM the 3rd Wednesday each month at the Buncombe County Extension Center. The Center is located at 94 Coxe Avenue in Asheville NC. The lectures are free and no pre-registration is required.
July 20 - Caring for Your Trees and Shrubs
August 17 - Food and Color in the Fall Garden
September 21 - Growing Shiitakes and other Edible Mushrooms
October 19 - Backyard Bullies—Dealing with Invasive Plants
July 10 - 19 Flat Rock Playhouse Music on the Rock The Music of James Taylor and Joni Mitchell. Summer Music on the Rock Concerts offer audiences a variety of music of well-known artists performed by exceptional singers and musicians.
The FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE, designated the State Theatre of North Carolinain 1961, has been entertaining audiences with Broadway musicals, comedy and drama for more than 50 years. Now enjoy special performances of some of America's most popular music styles and artists with the Music on the Rocks series. From James Taylor and Air Supply to Cole Porter and the Kings of Country, there's something for everyone.
UNTO THESE HILLS is an outdoor drama presenting the history of the Cherokee Indians in a beautiful Mountainside Theatre, mid-June thru late August each year. 2011 Season Dates: June 3 - August 13, Monday - Saturday at 7:30 PM. In 2006, “Unto These Hills” began a new script aimed at conveying a more culturally authentic, historically accurate and Cherokee-centered experience. The new play traces the Cherokee people through the aeons, through the zenith of their power, through the heartbreak of the Trail of Tears, finally ending, appropriately, in the present day, where the Cherokee people, much like their newly re-scripted drama, continue to rewrite their place in the world.
Horn in the West at Hickory Ridge Homestead. Outdoor Historical Drama and 18th Century Living History first premiered in 1952. One of the nation's oldest Revolutionary Dramas stil performed, Horn in the West portrays the lives of pioneers who survived the wilderness challenges to settle in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Through drama, dance and music a cast of 50 performers takes you back 230 years to the American frontier.
