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Today’s Email Announcements

1) Intro to Buddhism and Zen Meditation on Sept. 12

Introduction to Buddhism & Zen Meditation
Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center
Sept. 12, 2015
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Who should attend?

This two hour session is open to anyone curious about Buddhism or Zen. Prior experience with meditation or Buddhism is not expected. All are welcome. There is no registration procedure—just attend!

What is the content?

This session will include a brief history of Buddhism, and an introduction to Buddhist teachings with an emphasis on applying those teachings through Zen meditation.

Will I have to sit on a cushion with my legs folded?

Various meditation postures will be demonstrated. Participants may sit on chairs, cushions, or benches, all of which are provided. Please wear loose, comfortable, modest clothing like sweatpants, especially if you want to try sitting on the floor. Please do not wear perfume or cologne.

Who is the facilitator?

Peter Ford will be the facilitator. He has been practicing meditation for over 40 years and was an original board member of ADMC.

Is there a fee?

The session is free of charge. All events at ADMC are open to dāna (selfless giving) or donations..

How do I get there?

Directions to the center at www.dharma4et.org.

For additional information, please email the address at the bottom of this page.

108 W. 10th Ave., Suite #3 (Downstairs), Johnson City, TN 37604
E-mail us at:
dharma4et@gmail.com.

2) Baha’i Devotional Meeting on Sunday

There will be a Baha’i devotional meeting at 11 am on Sunday 6 September at 297 Cherry Drive in Boone.   The theme will be “All True Healing Comes from God” and will include Baha’i perspectives on healing.   The Baha’i teachings center on unity and the removal of prejudice.    All are welcome.   For more information and directions call 264 2297.

3) CCC&TI Instructor Spent Summer Working at Google

Teddie Barrier, a Networking Technology Instructor at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute wanted to spend her summer doing something worthwhile. When the opportunity arose to spend the summer working as an intern at Google’s Lenoir Data Center, she jumped at the chance.

The opportunity was offered as part of the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) Teachers@Work Initiative, a program that helps local teachers gain a better understanding of business skills needed in their region and highlights the relevance of those skills to their classroom curriculum.

Locally, Google extended the concept and offered several Caldwell County teachers the opportunity to work in the Lenoir Data Center for the summer. The “interns” worked alongside Google’s Hardware Operations team, learning hands-on processes and technologies used to maintain the infrastructure in a Google production data center.

According to a statement from Google about the program, they hoped to help local teachers “take some of the concepts learned over the summer, and integrate those into lesson plans and classroom instruction.” Ultimately, the goal for the program and the industries involved is to inspire interest in science and technology careers, and help to build a future workforce for companies like Google.

Barrier applied for one of the positions and was selected after an interview process. “There were several other teachers there, but I was the only community college instructor. I got the opportunity to work with students from ASU and graduates from CCC&TI,” said Barrier. “I gained knowledge of the type of jobs performed to keep a datacenter running. This relates greatly to my hardware class at the college.”

Barrier says that the experience will help her develop new instructional lessons and activities for her students. She says it’s also helped her gain a greater understanding of what’s current and what’s around the corner for the technology industry. Barrier says this knowledge will be very beneficial to CCC&TI students, looking to start a career in that field.

“The experience will allow me to share an updated, insightful view of the real technological world with my students,” said Barrier. “I have enjoyed it immensely. I found that I was surrounded by familiar faces as I was working alongside former students who have found employment with Google, as well as other Caldwell County residents. We are fortunate to have Google in our community.”

For more information about computer programs at CCC&TI, call 828-726-2200 or visit www.cccti.edu.

4) Tree Identification Class at the Ag Center

Tree Identification and Use Class Series: Classes will be held on Thursday Sept 17th, Oct. 1st and Oct. 15th from 4:00-6:00. meeting at the Agriculture Conference Center at 252 Poplar Grove Rd. Instructors for the course will be Robert Reynolds, and Watauga County Extension Agent Paige Patterson. Robert is a certified arborist and holds a Master’s Degree in Tree Physiology. While in graduate school he taught the tree identification laboratory classes at Clemson University.

Classes will focus on identification of landscape and native trees along with the uses of these trees in the landscape such as for shade, directing views and encouraging wildlife. Maintenance, disease, and insect issues will also be discussed. Participants will create their own collection of samples as a study guide. Call 264-3061 to register.