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Email Announcements Received Today:

1) Gamekeeper Hosts Chef’s Showcase Dinner Nov. 9

Join in for a Chef’s Showcase Dinner of local food on Nov. 9, at 4 p.m. at the Gamekeeper Restaurant. The dinner will feature Chefs Ken and Wendy Gordon from the Gamekeeper, Travis Sparks – Artisanal and Seed to Plate Catering; Ed Winebarger – Reed’s Catering and Michael Armes – Sous Chef at Hound Ears Club. The food for the meal will be provided by New River Organic Growers from local farms in the High Country. New River Organic Growers is a farmers’ cooperative in the High Country selling produce, meat, cheese and eggs. It was begun in 1998 to help farmers transition from growing tobacco to other crops. It has grown into a large cooperative selling food to restaurants and retailers throughout the High Country and Asheville area. NROG’s warehouse is located in Fleetwood. The dinners highlight the crucial link between farms and restaurants in providing high quality local products. Baby carrots, winter squash and fingerling potatoes are just some examples of the products chefs use in preparing unique and flavorful dishes for their customers. Tickets can be purchased at www.newrivergrowers.com. The ticket price is $50. Come out and join in on the local fall bounty.

2) Watauga Medical Center Receives Golden Bow Award

You are invited to a Golden Bow Award Ceremony, at which the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition will honor Watauga Medical Center’s efforts to protect and promote the health of mothers and children. The Ceremony will be held in the waiting room area on the third floor of Watauga Medical Center on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 5 p.m. The North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition (NCBC) is awarding Golden Bow Awards to select maternity facilities who refuse to advertise on behalf of infant formula companies, and therein support the health of mothers and babies. The Golden Bow Awards are a way to commend hospitals for stopping the distribution of infant formula companies’ bags to new mothers. Members of the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition are prepared to support their local hospitals in making this same decision. And, when the formula bags are out of the facilities, the Coalition will proudly honor hospital leaders with Golden Bow Awards. Formula manufacturers label their bags as “free gifts,” but Golden Bow Award recipients choose instead to promote health and are therefore denying formula companies opportunities to advertise infant formula – a product that has negative economic and health consequences for mothers and babies. Research indicates that the marketing of breast milk substitutes in healthcare settings decreases the rates of breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity. The removal of these powerful forces of formula marketing from these hospitals means that North Carolinian women will be more likely to give their babies the best start in life through breastfeeding. The North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition brings together breastfeeding advocates, health care providers, agencies, individuals, organizations and families to support, protect and promote breastfeeding in the state of North Carolina.  Founded in 2005, NCBC provides a forum for development and exchange of resources for families and breastfeeding professionals. The vision of NCBC is to ensure that exclusive and continued breastfeeding is the norm in North Carolina. To learn more about the Golden Bow Award call 919-630-4460 or visit www.apprhs.org/golden-bow. To learn more about Watauga Medical Center visit www.apprhs.org.

3) Free Intro Class to Meditation and Buddhism Offered Nov. 8

The Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center (ADMC) is offering an introduction to meditation and Buddhism class on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 1-3 p.m. This is an opportunity for anyone who has ever been interested in discovering more about meditation and Buddhism to learn about the practice and the Dharma Center in an opening and welcoming environment. This class is free but donations are welcome. The meditation and introduction to Buddhism class will cover various ways to meditate, as well as give an overview of Buddha’s life, his basic philosophy, and his prescription for overcoming suffering in our lives. The facilitator is Peter Ford who has been practicing meditation for over 40 years and was a founding board member of ADMC. Participants can sit on the floor on a cushion or in a chair if they would rather. Loose comfortable clothing is suggested and please refrain from using colognes or perfumes as some people are very sensitive to it. The Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center opened in June 2011. ADMC is a place where Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness and meditation can be learned and practiced. “Dharma” refers to the Buddha’s teachings and philosophy. Mindfulness and meditation can be practiced by anyone for stress relief, healing or for Buddhist awareness of mind. The Center welcomes anyone interested in Buddhism or meditation. There are a number of groups practicing various Buddhist traditions at the Center, including Zen and Western Buddhism. There are also groups related to Buddhist healing such as a grief support group and a 12-Step program for Buddhists. ADMC is located at 108 West 10th Ave. in Johnson City, Tenn. For more information on attending the introduction class or any other groups and courses, contact dharma4et@gmail.com. For more information about the Center and its offerings, check out the Appalachian Dharma and Meditation Center’s website at www.dharma4et.org.