Chefs Challenge Semi-finals begin this week in Asheville

August 14  WNC Chef Challenge Semi-finals: Knife and Fork VS L.A.B. (Lexington Avenue Brewery) Chefs battle for the championship and dinner guests will receive six courses (3 from each team) and will participate in scoring the dishes to determine the winner of the Chef Challenge Semifinals. Special wines are selected based on the "Secret" ingredient and are available for purchase along with beers and cocktails. 

August 16   WNC Chef Challenge Semi-finals: Stewart Lyon (Boca), David Ryba (Inn on Biltmore Estate) 

With 10 teams  eliminated in previous competitions, The final 4 teams and competitors are: Returning 2011 Champion Nate Allen (Knife & Fork), Stewart Lyon (Boca), David Ryba (Inn on Biltmore Estate) and Jason Roy (Lexington Avenue Brewery.) The Century Room on the Park, located above Pack’s Tavern on 20 South Spruce Street in Asheville, will serve as host for the dinners on August 14 and 16. Tickets for the Semi-Finals are $49 and include the six plated culinary creations from the chefs, but not  alcohol, tax or gratuities.

Get a link for the WNC Chefs Challenge and other Asheville events on the Asheville NC Visitor Guide.

"Wolf Days of Summer" at the WNC Nature Center

Western North Carolina may be deep in the "dog days" of summer,  but  at the WNC Nature Center, it's more like wolf days. Once again, the red wolf pups are making headlines as they and their parents, Phoenix and Mayo, move to the on-exhibit habitat. Their grandfather, Rufus, has moved off-exhibit.

 

Just like human kids getting ready to go back to school, these pups are in a crucial learning stage of life. They're old enough now that in the wild, they might start play-hunting with small animals or wind-blown leaves, learning the techniques that will someday make them apex predators. They wander a little further from their parents, learning through experience.

As summer draws to a close, make use of these beautiful sunny days for a visit to the WNC Nature Center and some of the most endangered canines in the world.

 

Adopt a Red Wolf Puppy!  Give the red wolf pups a special welcome by becoming their Wild Parent!  Adoption levels start at $25. 

All adopters will receive an adoption certificate, a special red wolf pup photo, a fact sheet, a Zoobook, and an invitation to the annual Wild Parents Day event at the Nature Center.  Click here to adopt a red wolf today

 

The Western North Carolina Nature Center  is a living museum of plants and animals native to the Appalachian region.  Its mission is to increase public awareness and understanding of all aspects of the natural environment of Western North Carolina through hands-on and sensory experiences. The Center is located at 75 Gashes Creek Road in Asheville NC.

Sourwood Festival in Black Mountain this Weekend

August 11 - 12   35th Annual Sourwood Festival   Great music and lots of fun for all ages fills downtown Black Mountain. Held each year in August, it's a time for good food, good fun and good friends. Music, dancing, arts & crafts, super food, kid's rides and games, face painting and more in a no alcohol environment make it the perfect event for you and your entire family. 

The Sourwood Idol Contest is an amateur singing competition that was added to the festivities in 2005. It opens the annual festival on Friday, August 10, at 7:00 PM.  The contest is free to enter and offers cash prizes
Get more local information on the Black Mountain NC Visitor Guide.

Riders in the Sky, a favorite western quartet, Returns to Tweetsie Railroad

Famed Cowboy Quartet Visits Tweetsie  For a true Wild West experience, join America’s favorite cowboys, Riders In The Sky, during their upcoming visit to Tweetsie Railroad. The cowboy quartet will be at the park August 18-19  to perform their Grammy-winning song from the movie Toy Story 2, as well as traditional Western favorites. The spectacular group brings a wide repertoire of music and outrageous comedy to Tweetsie during their daily noon and 3 PM performances.


Get a link for Riders in the Sky at Tweetsie Railroad and other local attractions on the Blowing Rock NC Visitor Guide.