Asheville Schools Foundation: Grove Park gingerbread fundraiser helps nonprofits

Photo courtesy of Children First Communities in Schools The following commentary was submitted by the Asheville City Schools Foundation: Remember when you could get a parking spot anywhere in Asheville in the dead of winter? You never had to pay for parking. Ever. Those days are long gone and paying to park has become commonplace. […]

Appalachian Trail Conservancy reports record number of volunteer hours

Here’s the press release from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy: The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is pleased to announce that volunteers devoted a record number of hours last year to maintaining and protecting the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) for hikers to use. For the federal fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2013, close to 6,000 volunteers reported approximately […]

Buncombe County declares ‘Local State of Emergency’

Here’s a copy of the declaration approved by the Buncombe County commissioners: DECLARATION OF A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY The following declaration is issued by Board of Commissioners of Buncombe County: WHEREAS, on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, Governor Pat McCrory signed a State of Emergency declaration allowing him to mobilize resources for the snow storm […]

North Carolina solar jobs growing fast

Here’s the press release from Environment North Carolina: Raleigh, NC—North Carolina has more than 3,100 people employed manufacturing and installing pollution-free solar energy, according to a national Solar Jobs Census released today by The Solar Foundation. According to the analysis, North Carolina more than doubled the number of solar jobs from 2012, and added more […]

Congressman Meadows announces candidacy for reelection

Here’s the press release from the Mark Meadows campaign: Sylva, N.C. – Representative Mark Meadows (NC-11) released the following statement after officially announcing his candidacy for reelection in the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina. “From my campaign to my time in Congress, representing the people of Western North Carolina is a responsibility I have […]

National Park Service to Assist 350 Communities with Conservation and Outdoor Recreation projects

Here’s the press release from the National Park Service: The National Park Service today announced that it will help more than 350 communities improve local parks, establish trails, access rivers, and protect special places through its Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program this year. Learn more about projects in your state at the link below. […]

VIDEO: Nibbles predicts 6 more weeks of winter for Asheville

To the chagrin of those hoping for an early spring, Nibbles, Asheville’s very own clairvoyant groundhog, predicts six more weeks of winter weather. Or at least that was the interpretation of WLOS Chief Meteorologist Jason Boyer, who “translated” the adorable rodent’s Feb. 2 forecast at the WNC Nature Center during a Groundhog Day celebration attended by hundreds of onlookers.

Today, Feb. 2, is Groundhog Day at the Nature Center

Here’s the information via the Nature Center website: Groundhog Day at the Nature Center! 2:00pm presentation The WNC Nature Center is proud to present Carlton Burke’s whimsical presentation on groundhogs on Sunday February 2 at 2:00pm. Explore the folklore of this native rodent species with stories and song. Meet live groundhogs who have been reared […]

Buncombe County STEM school celebration Feb. 1

Here’s the press release from Buncombe County Schools: ASHEVILLE, NC: A host of state and local elected officials, business leaders, educators, parents, and students ready to show off some of their technology skills will gather on Saturday, Feb. 1, to celebrate progress on the Buncombe Discovery Academy, a new science, technology, engineering and math-themed high […]