Rainbow Recyling’s “Hard to Recycle” event honored by Carolina Recycling Association

The CRA Spotlight Award recognizes a one-time extraordinary event, person, project or program. The winners of this award must demonstrate a strong commitment to waste reduction and recycling and serve as a leader among his or her peers. The 2012 Spotlight Award winner is Rainbow Recycling’s “Hard-To-Recycle” collection event. Rainbow Recycling saw a need in […]

Biodiversity-conservation lecture at Mars Hill College on Monday, March 26

FROM MARS HILL COLLEGE Dr. Nick Haddad, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor in the Biology Department at North Carolina State University, will present a lecture titled “Landscape Corridors for Biodiversity Conservation in a Changing World,” at Mars Hill College, March 26 at 7 pm, in Room 135 of Ferguson Math and Science Center. Dr. Haddad’s […]

N.C. Students visit Statehouse on Friday, March 23, for Youth Legislative Assembly

FROM the YOUTH ADVOCACY AND INVOLVEMENT OFFICE of N.C. Students from across North Carolina will get an idea of the challenges faced by members of the General Assembly this session when they arrive in Raleigh on Friday for the 42nd annual Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA). The mock legislature is sponsored by the Youth Advocacy and […]

Leadership Asheville calls for applicants for 2012-2013 session

FROM LEADERSHIP ASHEVILLE Asheville, NC – Leadership Asheville, the region’s foremost community leadership development organization since 1982, is accepting applications for the LA 31 Program through Friday, May 18. Beginning in September, the 9-month program’s unique format makes the community the classroom, bringing people together from all sectors who are interested in strengthening their knowledge […]

Community Foundation awards first food-and-farming grant to Mitchell-Yancey project

FROM THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WNC There are many challenges facing small farmers across Western North Carolina. A strong alliance between Mitchell and Yancey counties will address several of these by creating a food hub for the region that will provide a shared aggregation facility, expanded access to customers, joint marketing and now, through a […]

North Carolinians urged to be aware of risks, vote on top-10 invasive plants

Gov. Beverly Perdue has declared April 1 through April 7 “Invasive Plant Awareness Week.” As part of its efforts to raise awareness about the problem, the North Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council (NC-EPPC) is urging North Carolinians to create a top 10 list of invasive plants. “As things green up and people start planting their […]

Rockslide cleanup completed on U.S. 129 in Blount County, Tennesee

FROM the Tennessee Department of Transportation: On Tuesday evening, Tennessee Department of Transportation maintenance crews completed cleanup of a rockslide on U.S. 129 in Blount County, Tennessee, approximately nine miles from the North Carolina border. The road is now open to traffic in both directions. TDOT geotechnical engineers will continue to conduct evaluations of the […]

Flashback

A recent article by Clarke Morrison quoted state Rep. Tim Moffitt saying, "Selective timbering under the auspices of a professional arborist is the best thing for a watershed" (see "Moffitt: Asheville Watershed Rules Shouldn't Be Too Restrictive," March 12 Asheville Citizen-Times). Moffitt chairs the Statehouse's Metropolitan Sewerage/Water System Committee, whose five members are now considering […]

Average retail gas prices will likely rise this week, GasBuddy.com projects

Average retail gasoline prices in Asheville have risen 6.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.82/g yesterday. This compares with the national average that has increased 4.3 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.80/g, according to gasoline price website AshevilleGasPrices.com. Including the change in gas prices in Asheville during the past […]

During “Battle of the Plug,” WCU reduced more energy than ASU

FROM WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Western Carolina University won the three-week “Battle of the Plug” challenge against Appalachian State University, reporting a higher percentage of reduced energy usage in residence halls. From Feb. 13 to March 2, WCU residential facilities reported a 7.5 percent reduction in energy usage while ASU reported a 2.4 percent reduction. ASU […]

Hendersonville’s Times-News: Farmers, brewers, experts ponder growing hops for local beer industry

FROM “Farmers Consider Growing Hops for Local Breweries”: …”I mean, you brew on harvest day, and it’s within hours of (picking) those hops, and there’s nothing else like it,” [co-owner of Southern Appalachian Brewery in Hendersonville Andy] Cubbin said. “If you can achieve a good, fresh-hop ale … remarkable. Everything about the hops comes through […]

ACT: Low-, middle-income residents challenged to find affordable rents in Buncombe

The North Carolina Justice Center released a statewide study that shows the challenges facing residents in Asheville and Buncombe County (for details and a link to the study, see “Educated, High Rent, Low Pay: An Economic Snapshot of Buncombeclick here). Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times examination of some of that data (“Renting in […]

Asheville Citizen-Times studies one family’s struggle with food insecurity

FROM THE ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES Recently, the Food Research and Action Center in Washington released rankings that put the Asheville metro area third-worst among 100 metropolitan areas in the United States. Local media have been exploring the issue and the data (click here here to go to mountainx.com/hunger). Here’s an excerpt from a March 17 Asheville […]

ECO calls for biomonitoring volunteers to sample Henderson County streams, rivers

PRESS RELEASE: April is almost here, and if you’re an ECO biomonitoring volunteer — you know what that means! Time to sample Henderson County streams and rivers for water bugs! Not an ECO biomonitor? Keep reading! Please join ECO at Blue Ridge Community College on Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 10-4 for our annual Biomonitoring/SMIE […]

Local nonprofits hosts “Clean Water Not Coal Ash” cookout, rally on Thursday, March 22

PRESS RELEASE In honor of World Water Day, the Western North Carolina Alliance, Appalachian Voices and partners are inviting the public to a “Clean Water NOT Coal Ash” cookout and rally from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, at Lake Julian Park. Lake Julian Park is located at 75 Long Shoals Road. Local speakers, food, […]

Brevard College groups will hosts 11th Congressional District debates, March 22 & March 26

PRESS RELEASE Brevard College in Brevard, N. C. will host a pair of key congressional debates that will shape the race for the state’s 11th Congressional District. The debates are sponsored by the Brevard College Debate Society and Young Politicians of America. “We are pleased to offer a venue where citizens and students can participate […]