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Last Updated: 8:06 a.m., Tuesday, January 6
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Mark Your Calendar for National Girls and Women in Sports Day
National Girls and Women in Sports Day, to be held at UNC Asheville on Saturday, February 7, 2009, is a community event designed to expose women and girls to a variety of activities that will inspire them to lead active, healthy lives. Registration begins at 8:30am, and the opening session begins at 9am. More details
Take a Tour of the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Community Poster Installation Beginning January 15
The Asheville Art Museum’s invites you to take a free, self-guided tour of the Christo and Jeanne-Claude Community Poster Installation on view Thursday, January 15th through Sunday, February 15th, 2009 in business windows around town.
As part of its 60th Anniversary Celebration, the Asheville Art Museum brings internationally acclaimed artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude to Western North Carolina audiences on Thursday, February 5th, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. More details
American Red Cross Offering Continuing Education Credits
Imagine gaining Continuing Education Credits (CEU’S) for completing an American Red Cross First Aid/CPR Class or learning about International Humanitarian Law? Now that can happen. More details
World Wildlife Fund Names Tigers, Rhinos, Polar Bears, And Elephants Among Most Threatened Species in 2009
World Wildlife Fund has released its annual list of some of the most threatened species around the world, saying that the long-term survival of many iconic animals is increasingly in doubt due to a host of threats.
WWF’s list of “9 to Watch in 2009” includes such well-known and beloved species as polar bears, tigers, gorillas, pandas, elephants, whales and rhinos, as well as the lesser-known black-footed ferret and vaquita.More details
Heat Your Home Safely and Save Energy
With the increased cost in utilities, more homeowners may return to using their fireplace or wood stove for additional heating. With this in mind, there are some safety precautions that need to be followed to insure a safe heating season.More details
Headwaters Gathering March 27-29 at WWC to Focus on Climate Change in Southern Appalachia
Just as climate change has become a very real issue globally, its potential impact regionally cannot be ignored. In the Southern Appalachians, a biological “hot spot” with varied ecosystems, the issue poses a growing challenge to the environment, economy and community life.More details
RiverLink Expanding Volunteer Information Sessions
RiverLink is expanding its volunteer information sessions. Sessions will now be offered the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10am and 5pm. More details
Evening with the Authors at the Weaverville Library
January 13
The Friends of the Weaverville Library host two local authors on Tuesday, January 13th at 7pm : Gary Lucas, author of “Rotten at the Core” and two other William Johnson mystery novels; and Bahia Abrams, author of “The Other Half of My Soul,” a novel about a Syrian Jew and a Shiite Muslim who are able to look beyond their ingrained prejudices. The authors will discuss the writing and publishing process as well as their books. More details
Smith McDowell House Hosts History Theme Tea Parties
The Smith-McDowell House Museum is continuing its series of Historic Tea Parties for boys and girls ages 7 and up. This series is a hands-on program bringing American history to life. More details
Stephens-Lee Recreation Center Hosts WHEE Workshop January 13 Asheville Parks and Recreation presents Women's Health & Education Endeavors (WHEE), a series of free, educational workshops on women's health and wellness at the Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver St.
The next WHEE workshop featuresHoop Fitness Workshop with Melanie McNeil on Tuesday, January 13, from 6:30-8 p.m. More details
Save A Life Campaign To Launch This Month at Asheville Mall
Calling all Moms - grab the kids and come shopping in January! A special event in support of the new Buncombe County SAVE A LIFE Campaign will be held at the Asheville Mall on Saturday, January 24, 2009 from 11 AM to 3 PM.More details
Shakespeare, Slapstick, and Men in Dresses: ACT Opens Leading Ladies January 16 - February 1
Asheville Community Theatre will open the side-splitting comedy "Leading Ladies" by Ken Ludwig on Friday, January 16th at 8:00 pm. Performances will run for three weekends through February 1, 2009 and are held on Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 pm and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 pm. More details
Wildlife in North Carolina Announces Photo Contest Winners
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and Wildlife in North Carolina magazine have selected the 2008 photo competition winners to be featured in the upcoming January 2009 issue.
Jared Lloyd, of Moyock, won the grand prize with his image of Tulls Creek in Currituck County at dawn, which will grace the January cover of the magazine. More details
WCU to Hold January 8 Info Session, Registration for Asheville Programs
Prospective students can learn about the 100 courses Western Carolina University will offer in Asheville during the upcoming spring semester as the university holds an information session and registration from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8.
Hosted by WCU’s Programs in Asheville, the event will be held in Karpen Hall on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Asheville. More details
Free 2009 North Carolina Guide Features Family Activities, Pull-out Map
The the official 2009 North Carolina Travel Guide is available for free to assist those visiting the state or seeking information about the various attractions. The 184-page guide celebrates the state’s diversity and includes a range of activities that can be shared by families or enjoyed by individuals of all ages. More details
Keep Your New Year's Resolutions at the YWCA of Asheville
Do your New Year's resolutions involve wellness, fitness, or a healthier you? The YWCA can help.More details
The Asheville Art Museum Proudly Presents the Western North Carolina Regional Scholastic Art Awards
The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to invite you to view the Western North Carolina Regional Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition on view in the Pack Place Community Gallery January 24th – February 12th, 2009 as well as the Awards Ceremony in Diana Wortham Theatre at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, February 15, 2009.
The Asheville Art Museum, with the assistance of its volunteer docents, partners with the Asheville Area Section of the American Institute of Architects each year to sponsor the Western North Carolina Regional Scholastic Art Awards. More details
Now is the Time to Order Old-Timey Apple Trees
Every spring, Environmental and Conservation Organization (ECO) sells old-timey, disease-resistant apple trees, and the popular annual sale is now on. As usual, you’ll find unique choices to complement or create your backyard orchard. More details
UNC Asheville Acquires Historic Rhoades Property
If you were to stand at the intersection of Merrimon Avenue and W.T. Weaver Boulevard in North Asheville, you would see a single tree-covered corner that has resisted the press of commercial development. This is not by accident. It is the tip of ten acres of land, owned by the W.T. Weaver family and later the Verne Rhoades family for over 100 years. More details
The 18th Annual Big Band & Swing Dance Weekend at the Grove Park Inn January 23 - 25
Bring your dancing shoes and hit the dance floor for a weekend of great Big Band music! Event activities include dance instruction, an afternoon tea dance, and two fantastic nights of dancing with amazing music groups—The Charles Goodwin Orchestra and The Glenn Miller Orchestra. More details
Out With The Old, In With The New... But AHS Will Take The Old!
Next time you clean out your closet or simply want to do a good deed, please remember the dogs and kitties in the care of the Ashevilel Humane Society! The Humane Society is always in need of towels. More details
Adult Volleyball Organizational Meeting Set for January 8
Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts will hold a winter Adult Volleyball Organizational Meeting on Thursday, January 8 at 7pm at 72 Gashes Creek Rd. All teams interested in playing must have a representative attend the organizational meeting. More details
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Famed "Dancing" Lipizzaner Stallions to Perform January 15
The world-famous Lipizzaner Stallions will perform Jan. 15 at Ramsey Regional Activity Center on the campus of Western Carolina University.
Tickets are now on sale now for a performance by the venerable Lipizzaner Stallions at Western Carolina University. More details
Nature Center's Otter Dies Unexpectedly of Stomach Blockage
The staff of the WNC Nature Center is very sad to report the death of its animal ambassador Oscar the Otter. Results from a necropsy from University of Tennessee Veterinary Hospital indicate that he died of complications from a torsioning or twisting of his stomach that occurred without warning or explanation. More details
Enjoy Winter at the Botanical Gardens of Asheville
Winter holds a special beauty which emphasizes the silhouettes of many of our fine specimen trees. It's a good time to look for lesser known flowers. More details
Adult Recreational Basketball Hosts Three-on-Three High School Basketball League
Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts, along with the Asheville Police Department, will offer a 3-on-3 High School Basketball League for girls and boys. Interested teams must have a minimum of 3 players and maximum of 4 players, and register by January 13, 2009. More details
UNC Asheville to Offer GRE Prep Class
Registration is now open for a Graduate Records Examination (GRE) prep class offered by UNC Asheville's Professional Education Programs. Classes will meet on the UNC Asheville campus. More details
MFA Public Readings, Lectures Continue Through January 12 at WWC
The public is welcome to attend the morning lectures and evening readings in fiction and poetry offered during the Master of Fine Arts Program for Writers’ winter residency. Events last approximately one hour. More details
Experience Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Projects at the Asheville Art Museum
The Asheville Art Museum invites you to experience the innovative works of internationally acclaimed artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude in the exhibition titled Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Projects opening Friday, January 16, 2009 with an opening reception from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. that evening. This event is free with Museum Membership or admission. More details
Linville Caverns a Great Addition to a Weekend Ski Trip
It all started from a inquiring nature and a willingness to explore … how could there be fish swimming out of the mountain? So began the curious journey of eastern Carolinian, H. E. Colton, and his local guide, Dave Franklin, over 100 years ago. More details
Eat Smart Move More Offers Tips for a Healthy and
Happy 2009
If you're like most Americans, healthy goals like getting more exercise and eating healthier top your list each year. But very few of us are actually able to stick to the resolutions we make for ourselves. More details
Montford Recreation Center Announces Winter Programs
Winter is a busy season at the Montford Recreation Center. Asheville Parks and Recreation and Center will offer the following programs and events this winter. More details
Town of Fletcher 8th Annual Chili Cook-Off Set for
Saturday
What does the mention of spices, meats and secret ingredients mean in the Town of Fletcher? It means it is Chili Cook-Off time again! More details
Popular Art Adventurers Day Trip Returns Sunday
The Asheville Art Museum invites you to take a day trip — or two — with the Asheville Art Museum Art Adventurers as they journey on the popular annual day trip Collections & Obsessions in January and plan to Go West! in April.
The Art Adventurers spice up a winter’s day with the popular annual Collections & Obsessions day trip on Sunday, January 11, 2009. More details
Hiking Hounds Brings Volunteers and Shelter Dogs Together in the Great Outdoors
Get outdoors with some furry friends in the New Year! The main purpose of the "Hiking Hounds" is for AHS volunteers and shelter dogs to have fun in the beautiful outdoors of Western North Carolina. More details
T’ai Chi Chih Series at Harvest House in January
Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts will host a series of T’ai Chi Chih sessions on Wednesdays, from 3:30-4:45 p.m., beginning January 14 for nine weeks at the Harvest House, 205 Kenilworth Road. A free introductory session will be held at the center on January 7, from 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. More details
Mount Mitchell Promises Cold Weather, Great Views (If It’s Not Snowing)
Mount Mitchell, part of North Carolina’s Black Mountain Range and the highest peak in the US east of the Rockies, is one of the more popular stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the height of 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell looms high above the valleys below, a dramatic testament to the birth of the mountains in the eastern US a billion years ago, and to the millions of years of wind, water, and other forces that have worn down the pinnacles to their rounded, more subdued profiles that we greet with familiarity today. More details
2009 Pisgah Fly Masters Fly-Fishing Tournament Announced
The Pisgah Fly Masters fly-fishing tournament on the Davidson River is back for a second year, on March 21-22, 2009, and will add a youth category this year for anglers younger than 16.
Hosted by the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and Davidson River Outfitters, the competition tests anglers’ casting skills off-stream and catch and release abilities on-stream. More details
Ice Skating Returns to the Asheville Civic Center This Season
Folks in Asheville might not be the best ice skaters around – and we certainly don’t get as much practice as others with year-round rinks in other parts of the country – but there probably aren’t many people who enjoy the public skating sessions at the Asheville Civic Center more than we do. The laughter, the shrieks and spills of first-time skaters, and the look of satisfaction on the faces of those who have figured out how to get around the rink without taking a fall all combine to provide some great winter fun for all ages – at least, for those willing to run the risk of a few bruises or sore muscles. More details
RiverLink Hopes to Create French Broad River Paddle Trail
As part of promoting and ensuring the French Broad River is a clean and viable resource into the future, we at RiverLink want to promote the river as the tremendous recreation resource that it is.
RiverLink's vision is to create a French Broad River Blueway trail. More details
Help Out at the Nature Center on Workday Wednesdays!
In order to complete needed construction and maintenance projects, specifically, around the opening of the new Red Wolf, Fox and Raccoon habitat, the Nature Center needs adult volunteers (especially groups of volunteers over 18 years old) to help on workday Wednesdays through February 25th. This would be a great help to the animals of the Nature Center, and a great service opportunity over the holidays. More details
Biologists Discover New Fish Species in North Carolina
A federally endangered fish thought to live only in two river basins in Virginia was recently discovered in North Carolina.
The Roanoke logperch, one of the largest darters in the Perch family, was thought to live only in portions of the Roanoke and Chowan River basins of Virginia. More details
Renew this Season at The North Carolina Arboretum
The NC Arboretum is the perfect winter break escape, with opportunities to renew connections with nature, explore engaging exhibits and programs, hike and bike, and discover 434 acres of scenic beauty.
The Arboretum property is open Dec. 24, Dec. 26 and Jan. 1 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. More details
UNC Asheville's Great Smokies Writing Program Offers Winter Workshops
Local writers will have the opportunity to hone their skills with the Great Smokies Writing Program's spring workshop series of ten courses in poetry and prose. The classes, held at varying locations in Asheville and at two new locations in Hendersonville and Burnsville, are open to writers of varying levels. More details
Find Balance at the Asheville Art Museum
The Asheville Art Museum wants you to have your healthiest and most inspired year yet. Join us for Yoga @ the Museum beginning Monday, January 12, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. The six-week series will take place on consecutive Mondays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. January 12 through February 16, 2009. More details
Dialect Study Enters Second Phase, Seeks Volunteers
Researchers conducting a dialect study at Western Carolina University are seeking lifelong residents of Western North Carolina between the ages of 9 and 13, and age 50 and older to volunteer to participate.
Volunteers will be asked to listen to different words through a headset and record their responses on a computer. More details
A-B Tech Partners With WCU Engineers To Assist Small Businesses
The Center for Business and Technology Incubation at A-B Tech is partnering with Western Carolina University's Kimmel School to provide free engineering and development consulting services for area business owners who need assistance with developing their products or prototypes.
Undergraduate and graduate students from the Kimmel School department of engineering and technology will provide the consulting services. More details
RiverLink Announces Critical Link Award Winners for 2008
Each year, the RiverLink Board of Directors honors non-staff, non-board member volunteers who have been instrumental in assisting RiverLink to fulfill its mission of revitalizing the economic and environmental quality of the river as a destination where everyone can live, work and play. During its over 20 year existence, RiverLink has worked with thousands of volunteers and has honored over 500 citizens of the watershed as "Critical Links." More details
Water Resources Grant Will Create Three Wetlands On A-B Tech Campus
A-B Tech received a $62,500 grant from the N.C. Division of Water Resources to create and enhance three storm-water wetlands on the Asheville campus. The terms of the grant require the college to provide a match of $11,600, and students will provide about half of that work. More details
Buncombe County Schools Home to 37 New National Board Certified Teachers
For the second straight year, the number of new National Board Certified Teachers hit record-breaking highs with the announcement of 9,600 accomplished teachers who achieved certification in 2008. This achievement brings the total number of teachers who achieved National Board Certification to nearly 74,000. More details
WCU Students Use Trash to Harness the Wind
It took Western Carolina University students Drew Tolliver of Atlanta, Ben Plowman of Waynesville, and Josh Kirkland of Hendersonville just 10 days and dozens of discarded plastic bottles to design and build a product that is original, innovative, creative, useable – and award winning.
The three students, all seniors majoring in engineering technology, were among the top three regional winners in the Juicy Ideas Collegiate Competition, a contest organized by AdvantageWest. More details
NC Leads the Nation in National Board Certified Teachers for 13th Year
North Carolina again leads the nation in the total number of teachers who have earned certification by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. With 14,211 teachers across the state now certified, nearly 15 percent of North Carolina teachers have achieved National Board certification.More details
Nominations Sought for Wildlife Conservation Award
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking nominations for the fourth annual Thomas L. Quay Award through Jan. 30.
The award, the Commission’s most prestigious, recognizes individuals who make outstanding contributions to wildlife diversity in North Carolina and who are considered leaders in wildlife resources conservation. More details
Local Red Cross Gets Highest Rating
Each year Red Cross chapters across the nation are evaluated on a variety of organizational strength issues including: service delivery to the public in Health & Safety training, Disaster Relief services, and Services to the Armed Forces. Fundraising, financial management, and governance matters are also evaluated.More details
Flat Rock Playhouse Announces 2009 Season
Flat Rock Playhouse is proud to announce its 57th season of plays. “The theatrical legacy established by the Farquhar family is a shining example throughout the Southeast. More details
City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy Students Paint Murals at the W. C. Reid Center
If you thought our city’s highly successful Youth Academy was just a summer thing, think again. Each month, the 2008 Class of 20 students invests in a service project built around “giving back” to the community. More details
The Duke Endowment Funds Breast Cancer Program for McDowell
The Duke Endowment has awarded a grant of $515,065 to The McDowell Hospital in Marion to develop a comprehensive breast cancer care program. The grant will be paid over a period of three years beginning late this year. More details
Nature Conservancy Releases “Green” Economic Stimulus Package
The Nature Conservancy released a “green” economic stimulus package, advocating for the funds to restore ecosystems, initiate green infrastructure construction, and create much-needed jobs in the process. The package will be provided to Capitol Hill lawmakers, agency staff, and members of the president-elect Obama’s transition team. More details
A-B Tech Hospitality Skills Certification Course Wins Innovation Honorable Mention
A partnership between A-B Tech, various local industry employers and Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina resulted in an honorable mention at the North Carolina Community College Adult Educators Association 2008 Innovation Awards.
Janette McNeill, Dean of the High Point Campus of Guilford Tech, and Sue Marion, NCCCAEA President, congratulate Shelley White, Occupational and Public Service Training Executive Director, for A-B Tech's North Carolina Community College Adult Educators Association 2008 Innovation Award honorable mention. More details
Review Bird Feeding Basics to Keep Feathered Friends Well-Fed This Winter
Did you know that more than 100 North American bird species supplement their natural diets with birdseed, suet, fruit and nectar obtained from backyard bird feeders? It's true! Natural food supplies are scarce during the cold days of winter, so there's no better time than the present to prepare your backyard feeders for feathered friends. More details
RiverLink Needs Landowners Who Want to Enhance Their Property and Help the Environment
Are you a landowner or business owner interested in enhancing the beauty and value of your property while helping to restore your local environment?
RiverLink and the City of Asheville are partnering to fund the construction of rain gardens, stream restorations, and other vegetated bioretention areas in the Ross Creek watershed of East Asheville. More details
Get Outdoors & Plan for Spring at The NC Arboretum
With bright sunny days and a little down time from gardening, winter is the perfect season to see mountain landscapes after the leaves have fallen and begin planning for spring.
The North Carolina Arboretum offers several winter walks and programs that highlight forest ecology, natural history and garden preparation. More details
Quality Forward’s 2009 Treasured Trees Calendar Now on Sale
From time to time, in different parts of Buncombe County, they will catch our attention – large, stately trees that have seen so many more years than most people can imagine. Trees that have watched as families grow and centuries change, trees that have offered shade to a weary Union or Confederate soldier, trees that have offered comfort and “sameness” in hard times – each one is different and has a different life story to tell, yet they have all provided the same sort of stalwart protection that many people not only acknowledge, but seek.More details
Asheville Parks and Recreation Offers 2009 Teen Ski and Snowboard Programs
Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts is accepting registrations now for the 2009 Teen Ski and Snowboard programs, which include “Friday Nights at Cataloochee” and a West Virginia overnight trip to Winterplace, February 21-22. These packages make great gift ideas for the teen in your family! More details
Asheville.com and Leslie and Associates Host Food Drive to Benefit MANNA Food Bank
Need to clean out your kitchen cabinets? Do you have a few more cans of soup, or jars of peanut butter, than you can use? More details
RiverLink Offers Indoor Classes Perfect for Fall and Winter
As the weather cools, and we grab our coats and gloves, RiverLink is gearing up to continue their Watershed Education Fall and Winter Programs. From building interactive watershed models to watching slideshows, there are classes for every age group and curriculum from Kindergarten to 12th grade. More details
Asheville Urban Hub Rising
Biltmore Park Town Square is a construction zone today with stores, condos, apartments and parking decks rising from the George Vanderbilt family's former dairy land.
But by late next summer, this will be Asheville's Next Big Thing – a commercial and residential hub similar to Birkdale Village in Huntersville. More details
Looking for Creeks, Stream, and Parts of Rivers to Adopt
RiverLink is loking for a few good streams! If you know a section of the river - a creek, a stream, or a tributary, or the main stem of any river in the French Broad River watershed - that is in need of care, attention, and litter pick-up, please call Riverlink at 252-8474, ext 118 or ext 110. More details
Take Home a Piece of the Asheville Art Museum eARTh Bags on Sale Now!
The Asheville Art Museum, celebrating its 60th anniversary, invites you take home a piece of the Museum as a souvenir! The Museum’s eARTh Bags went on sale in the Museum Shop. More details
Help Save the French Broad!
As far back as the Cherokee Indians, the French Broad Watershed has attracted people with its stunning natural beauty and clean water. For the first time in over three decades, the river is declining and threatened as never before. More details
Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center Movie Wins International Award
“The Blue Ridge Parkway: America’s Favorite Journey”, a film created by Aperture Films of Hollywood, CA, for the Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center’s theater, has received a prestigious international award of excellence, the “Platinum Best of Show” Aurora Award.
The film depicts the history and scenic beauty of the Parkway, as well as the unique biodiversity and cultural heritage of the North Carolina mountains, a region designated by Congress as the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.
More details
Free Family Days Uncover the Inner Life of Toys at The Health Adventure
From motors to Martian hats, two upcoming programs at The Health Adventure will explore the science behind toys, and families can enjoy the fun for free.
Held in conjunction with the museum’s traveling exhibit, "Toys: The Inside Story", the Family Day events will offer children and adults a fun introduction to the simple mechanisms commonly found in toys.
More details
UNC Asheville Earns Top Spot in "Fiske Guide to Colleges"; University Named Best Buy for 15 Consecutive Years
UNC Asheville continues to stand with some of the nation's finest colleges in popular college rankings. The annual "Fiske Guide to Colleges" released its 2009 list of Best Buys of American and Canadian colleges earlier this month.
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Bookends at Pack Library Hosts Bag Sale
Bookends used book store at Pack Library is having a bag sale! Buy a library tote bag for $10 and fill it with all the books, movies and music you can stuff in for free.
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Asheville.com Helps to Make Asheville Greener
Asheville has always been green. Late winter and spring rains in the mountains that embrace Asheville inevitably reawaken for another season the countless species of flowers, shrubs, and trees that have called Asheville “home” for centuries.
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Asheville Ranked #1 on Relocate America's Top 100 List
Asheville has recently been named Relocate America's number one spot to live in the country. 2007 marks the tenth year compiling this list of the best places to live in the United States.
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Regional and National Blood Supply Low, Donations Urgently Needed
The nation’s blood banks, represented by the American Red Cross, American Association of Blood Banks, and America’s Blood Centers, are asking for immediate blood donations to boost already critically low blood supplies.
The need for blood always increases during the winter months, when weather, sickness, and the holiday bustle keep some donors away.
More details
Asheville Among Frommer's Top Worldwide Destinations for 2007
The votes are in! This year, the editors at Frommer's Travel Guides and Frommers.com scoured the globe and polled their stable of authors and experts to identify twelve surprising, thriving, or emerging travel destinations, and Asheville is among those chosen. After careful thought and consideration, Frommer's announced the following picks of the places not to be missed in 2007.
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ECO Seniors Club Looking for Energetic Retirees Interested in Environmental Issues
Are you an energetic retiree interested in environmental issues? Would you like to meet with likeminded folks to discuss ideas and do projects?
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Chimney Rock Park's Unique Birding Sites and "Big Boy" Trees Officially Recognized
Everyone in WNC knows that Chimney Rock Park's beautiful 1,000 acres of forests and hundreds of gorgeous and rare birds are special, but recently, the Park has been honored for both.
With the help of NC State University, the NC Division of Forest Resources recently updated the state's Register of Big Trees.
More details
Enjoy a Walk through Asheville History on Urban Trail
Asheville’s Urban Trail, an entertaining, informative, and artistic walk through Asheville history, is 1.7-miles of architecture and memories from earlier times in this engaging mountain city.Started in 1991 by a group of dedicated volunteers who were determined to put downtown Asheville’s best foot forward, the Urban Trail has evolved into a fairly complete walking tour of Asheville’s historic and present day world. More details
Legends and Geologic Facts Equally Intriguing at The Blowing Rock
Legend has it that after a Chickasaw maiden’s warrior love had leapt from the Blowing Rock, she prayed daily to the Great Spirit to return her warrior beloved to her and was granted her wish when the brave was blown back up by the winds surrounding the rock. Geologists with the US Geologic Survey estimate the metamorphic igneous rock to be about 1,055 million years old and have determined the wind comes from a flume formed by the rocky walls which sweeps the wind up, along with any objects in its current . More details
River Access Guide Offers Helpful Info about Using the French Broad River
Have you ever wondered where to put your boat in the French Broad River, or where you might find the best fishing holes? Do you want to know where to camp along the river, or stop to see an historic site? More details
The Horticultural Legacy At Biltmore Estate Having Lasting Impact on Forestry
In the the shadow of Biltmore House, America’s largest private residence, are some of America’s finest formal and informal gardens. Here, too, is the birthplace of the first scientific school of forestry in the United States. More details
Explore the Great Outdoors at Chimney Rock Park
Chimney Rock Park, located just north of Lake Lure, NC, in the stunningly beautiful Chimney Rock Gorge, is an ideal place to explore some of North Carolina’s most scenic mountain tracts – yet all within easy reach of the comforts of restaurants, cozy inns, and easy chairs. Chimney Rock Park has several outdoors activities in February and March that encourage visitors to get outside, breathe the fresh air, and stretch their legs. More details
Grandfather Mountain, a Globally Recognized Nature Preserve
Most visitors to Western North Carolina probably recognize Grandfather Mountain’s famous swinging bridge, and more than likely enjoy visiting its restaurant and souvenir shop. Many thousands of travelers stop by Grandfather Mountain during the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, one of the largest gatherings of Scottish clans anywhere in the country. What some visitors might not know, however, is that Grandfather Mountain has been a globally recognized nature preserve and wildlife sanctuary for over 100 years.More details
New Walking Trail Guide for Asheville and Buncombe County Now Available Online
Quality Forward, Mission Hospitals Foundation, and Tortoise & Hare Running Outfitters have collaborated on a new walking trail guide for Asheville and Buncombe County, and the guide is now available both in print and online. The new guide, which contains information on 17 different walks, offers suggestions all over the city and county.More details
Treasured Waterfalls, Mountain Scenery the Reward of Scenic Drive through Gorge
As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, many visitors to Western North Carolina find themselves drawn to any number of the region’s pristine waterfalls for the visual entertainment and cooling respite that they offer from the day’s heat. But some of these popular spots require a bit more hiking, climbing, and crawling over rocks, boulders, and trails than some folks are willing or able to do.More details
Folk Art Center Programs Share Simplicity of Traditional Crafts
The Southern Highland Craft Guild, located in the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway just east of Asheville, is a membership guild of some of the finest craftspeople in the country. Some of these guild members generously share their knowledge of crafts and Appalachian culture with the public through a series of free educational events that take place year-round at the Folk Art Center. More details
A Tour of the Winery is a Great Addition to Biltmore Estate Visit
The most visited winery in the United States isn’t located in the Napa Valley. Perhaps a surprise to some, it is at the Biltmore Estate, quietly nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, where fine food and wine, paired with elegant entertaining, have been traditions since the end of the 19th century.More details
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