Asheville Chamber of Commerce names Everyday Gourmet as Small Business of the Month

The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes Everyday Gourmet as its Small Business of the Month. Click on the read-more link to go to an interview with owner Alisia Parrott: Everyday Gourmet is a full service catering company serving “gourmet without pretention.” Owned by Alisia Parrott, Everyday Gourmet values teamwork and resourcefulness in delivering delicious, […]

Need to winterproof your home? ECO offers Wednesday, Feb. 13, workshop in Hendersonville

Press release from ECO (Environmental and Conservation Organization – Hendersonville) (HENDERSONVILLE, NC, February 4, 2013) – ECO, the Environmental and Conservation Organization’s Green Energy and Sustainability Committee will host a new Sustainable Living Workshop titled “Winterproofing Your Home” led by Rick Bayless, a home energy and home health expert and instructor at Blue Ridge Community […]

Sustainability for Generations to Come gift will help repair Little Cataloochee Church

Press release from Friends of the Smokies Waynesville, N.C. – Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is pleased to receive a generous gift of $2,000 from Sustainability for Generations to Come LLC (SFGC). “We are so fortunate to have the Great Smoky Mountains National Park right here in our back yard. We’re honored to […]

Lenoir-Rhyne hosts theologian Vigen Guoroian for “Gardening & Faith” presentation Feb. 14

Press release from Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Institute for Faith and Learning HICKORY, N.C. — The Lenoir-Rhyne University Institute for Faith and Learning will welcome Dr. Vigen Guroian to campus on Thursday, February 14th at 7:00pm to present, “Gardening and Faith: Ecological Musings from the Garden.” This event will be held in the Belk Centrum on campus […]

Mars Hill College gets grant to study possible WNC sites for biofuel-production

Press release from Mars Hill College Mars Hill College has received a grant worth $43,750 from the Biofuels Center of North Carolina (www.biofuelscenter.org) to study site suitability for biofuel production in Western North Carolina. The grant proposal, written by Dr. Scott Pearson, professor of biology, is titled Modeling Site Suitability for Biofuels Production in Western […]

Ms. Wheelchair N.C. seeks contestants for April 6 pageant in Asheville

Press release (Asheville, NC) The Ms. Wheelchair North Carolina (MWNC) Pageant, a nonprofit advocacy and activism organization, is seeking contestants for its 2013 Ms. Wheelchair North Carolina Pageant. The annual pageant will be held on April 6, 2013, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Asheville. The MWNC Pageant showcases the accomplishments and achievements of women […]

NC Supreme Court: GOP doesn’t have to reveal emails about redistricting plans

From the Raleigh News&Observer: “N.C. Supreme Court decides Republicans do not have to make public lawyers’ redistricting email,” by Lynn Bonner “The state Supreme Court ruled Friday that Republican legislators do not have to make public email from lawyers who helped them draw new voting districts. Democrats, civil rights groups and nonprofits suing over redistricting […]

Rally today calling on Duke Energy to produce clean energy: Prtichard Park, 1 p.m.

ASHEVILLE, NC – On Saturday January 26th, Asheville residents will gather in Pritchard Park in downtown Asheville to call on Duke Energy to include more clean energy in their 2013 Integrated Resource Plan. This is Duke’s 20 year plan for how North Carolina will get its energy, which they must present in front of the […]

What to do about flea beetles in the garden? CFSA points members to Pacific Northwest report

Garden season may seem months away, but winter’s a good time for casual gardeners and farmers alike to ponder ways to battle pests. A Carolina Farm Stewardship Association member sent out this missive: Here is an new, free, and interesting publication on organic management of flea beetles. Although it comes from the Pacific Northwest and […]

ACT: New “pockets of pollution” found at Chemtronics site in Swannanoa

The Asheville Citizen-Times’ Joel Burgess reports that new “pockets of pollution” have been found at the former Chemtronics site in Swannanoa. State and EPA officials are investigating; a Community Action Group has organized; and further cleanup action may take place — but not until 2016. For years, the companies responsible for the former military weapons […]

Warren Wilson College students plan Saturday Jan. 26 day-of-service at Hall Fletcher

Press release from WWC As part of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Week at Warren Wilson College, about 50 new students will honor King’s commitment to civic engagement with a day of service Saturday at Hall Fletcher Elementary. Freshmen and transfer students who started at Warren Wilson this semester will be joined by WWC peer […]

NCDOT: Beware black ice

Public service announcement from the N.C. Department of Transportation Wet roads, bridges and overpasses across the state have the potential to refreeze overnight and in the early morning hours Saturday, creating black ice. The N.C. Department of Transportation urges motorists to use extreme caution in these areas to stay safe. The video below explains what […]

Politico: In 2014, Dems face big race to keep Sen. Kay Hagan’s seat

Online media Politico takes a look at North Carolina politics — forecasting that in 2014, the Democrats may face a fight in defending Sen. Kay Hagan’s seat. Katie Glueck cites Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx and notes the recent gains by Republicans in the state, with Pat McCrory becoming the first GOP governor “since the 1980s” […]

The band blog: ACT’s Casey Blake tracks Asheville High Band’s DC adventure

If you’re an old high-school band musician (I played flute and piccolo), or you like to keep up with some of Asheville’s adventurers, check out Casey Blake’s Asheville Citizen-Times blog. She’s tagging along with the Asheville High School marching band as it prepares to play at the president’s inauguration in Washington, D.C. Their first D.C. […]

Oskar Blues grand opening benefits kids’ enviro program, Muddy Sneakers

Press release from Oskar Blues Oskar Blues Grand Opening benefits Muddy Sneakers BREVARD, NC–Muddy Sneakers is thrilled to be the beneficiary of proceeds raised at Oskar Blues Grand Opening Hootenanny on December 31, 2012. “The mountains and forests in this part of the world are part of why we’re here, and we’re excited to support […]

Stay off US Forest Service roads till storm passes, agency asks

Press release From the U.S. Forest Service The U.S. Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina is encouraging drivers to stay off all Forest Service roads in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests until the storm passes. Heavy rain has produced mudslides in the two national forests. Travel conditions are also dangerous because of the […]

WNC biofuels project receives $766,256 grant

Press release from AdvantageWest January 16, 2012 – Officials with AdvantageWest and the Biofuels Center of North Carolina announced today that a consortium of Western North Carolina partners will receive a grant of $766,256 from the Biofuels Center, which will measurably advance the biofuels industry in the region. It is the largest single award ever […]