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Town of Boone Files Bolick Property – New River Conservation Easement Protecting Town-Owned Property Along South Fork of New River


February 16, 2021 On Jan. 21, the Town of Boone officially filed the Bolick Property – New River Conservation Easement protecting 30.286 acres of town owned property along the South Fork of the New River. The easement is in partnership with the North Carolina Land & Water Fund (NC LWF) and will protect the property in perpetuity, while allowing for natural riparian restoration, enhanced wildlife habitat, promotion of clean water and passive recreation.

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Local Author Glenn A. Bruce Shares His Experience with Writing as He Releases Two New Novels


February 15, 2021 Having previously self-published nine novels and two collections of short stories, local author Glenn A. Bruce now has two new novels out with traditional publishers. Being a longtime Writers Guild of America and International Thriller Writers member, Bruce is now the author of his first western novel, “He Rode,” published by Dusty Saddle Publications in December 2020, with a contract for 1 to 4 more books in two years, and political thriller “Last Blast,” scheduled for release on Feb. 15, by World Castle Publishing. He recently completed a prequel novel to “He Rode” titled “Three Rode” and is currently editing a third in the series, “Three Rode On.” By Harley Nefe

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Movie Review: ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ Is an Award-Worthy Movie Worth Going Out to See

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February 15, 2021   One good thing about the year 2021 in movies is that we might get two Oscar seasons. Usually the deadline to qualify for a year’s Oscar race is the end of the calendar year, so December is often loaded with awards-chasers. But because there were so many releases pushed back in 2020, the Academy has decided to extend the deadline two months, so last-minute Oscar bait is actually opening now, in February 2021. Hopefully the system can be restored by the end of the year, meaning that we’ll get one margin of Oscar eligibility that lasts fourteen months followed by one that lasts ten months. “Judas and the Black Messiah” is a film that is shrewdly positioning its release date at the end of the fourteen-month frame. And it is wise to do so, because I can see this film doing very well in the Oscar race. At the heart of “Judas and the Black Messiah” is the fully-dedicated Kaluuya performance, virtually a lock for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination, if not the win. I could see Fishback slipping into the Best Supporting Actress race as well, and even the movie for Best Picture. I haven’t seen many of the direct-to-streaming awards contenders, so I don’t know where this film falls in relation to them, but this is certainly a film that screams “award-worthy.” In fact, it’s better than any film released in the year 2020 that I reviewed. And it’s only February. I always recommend seeing movies in theaters for the sake of supporting theaters, but now there’s a movie that’s worth going out of your way to see. By Bob Garver

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The Town of Beech Mountain Celebrates 40 Years

February 11, 2021 The Town of Beech Mountain is celebrating 40 years as a municipality in 2021. The highest town in eastern America was formed in 1981, and lots of progress has taken place since then. There will be a year-long celebration, with activities and events for residents and visitors alike. Each month, we’ll have new feature, or “present” for the town. In January, the highlighted aspect of the town was the second sledding hill, which has been developed behind the Brick Oven Pizzeria. For February, the highlighted feature is the newly revitalized Avery County Barn Quilt Trail.

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App State and Banfield Pet Hospital® Announce New Online Vet Tech Program Aimed at Addressing Veterinary Shortage


February 10, 2021 Appalachian State University and Banfield Pet Hospital® — the leading provider of preventive veterinary care in the U.S. and part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of practices — have announced a partnership aimed at strengthening the pipeline of licensed veterinary technicians and creating a more sustainable future for the veterinary profession. This is in direct response to a recent study from Banfield, which finds an estimated 75 million pets in the U.S. may not have access to the veterinary care they need by 2030, with an important factor being a critical shortage of veterinary professionals. By Elisabeth Wall

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BRAHM Partners with Small and Mighty Acts for Black History Month Programs and the Altar for Black Lives Exhibition


February 9, 2021 Over the next five weeks BRAHM will celebrate Black History Month and explore the intersections between social justice and creative expression. The program series has been organized around the current exhibition, Small and Mighty Acts Altar for Black Lives. Small and Mighty Acts serve as a platform to bolster the High Country of North Carolina and beyond toward a more peaceful, just, and productive future. In the summer of 2020 they put that into praxis by creating their altar for Black lives on king street in Downtown Boone. The murder of George Floyd in May of 2020 sparked a global outcry and a resurgence of interest in the Black Lives Matter Movement. In response to the murders, Small and Mighty Acts constructed an Altar for Black Lives as a call to action and place for our community to come together, grieve, and co-create an equitable future. The Altar for Black Lives is a recognition of the power in ritual in socio-political turmoil, as social change is not only a matter of policy, it is a matter of imagination and of the spirit. 

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Movie Review: ‘Promising Young Woman’ Is an Exciting, Unpredictable, Terrifying Film of 2020

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February 9, 2021 I had particularly high hopes for “Promising Young Woman.” When I saw the first trailer in early 2020, my instincts told me that this was going to be one of the most exciting, unpredictable, maybe even terrifying films of the year. I made it a point to see the film on my 35th birthday because something told me it was going to be a monumental film and I wanted to connect it to a monumental day. The good news is that it is indeed one of the exciting, unpredictable, terrifying films of 2020. The bad news is that with 2020, anything halfway competent is going to be one of the most exciting, unpredictable, terrifying films of the year. It doesn’t mean that this film could hold its own against a proper holiday movie slate. I’m writing this article a few days after the announcement of the year’s Golden Globe nominations. “Promising Young Woman” is nominated for Best Picture – Drama, Best Actress in a Drama, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. I haven’t seen many of the other nominees, so I can’t say where this film belongs in relation to them, but I hope that at least one of them is better so we don’t have to settle for this movie as the best of the year. I am by no means saying that this passionately-made movie isn’t among the best of the year. What I’m saying is that if it is, the year settled for very little. Which, given the year, is not surprising. By Bob Garver

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Foggy Pine Books Receives Ad from Stephen Colbert Featuring Tom Hanks and Sam Elliott


February 8, 2021 During Sunday night’s episode of CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Colbert spotlighted the small, locally-owned, independent bookstore Foggy Pine Books in an ad that featured the voice of Sam Elliott and the endorsement of Tom Hanks. While introducing the ad, Colbert said during his show that “big companies aren’t the ones that need our support the most right now. It’s small businesses that have been hurt the most in this pandemic. Of course, a small business could never afford the millions of dollars it would cost to produce and run an ad on CBS tonight, which is why we here at The Late Show have decided to just pick one and just give it to them. Tonight an actual small business that has been struggling during the pandemic will get their very own, very real, high-octane Super Sunday ad.” By Harley Nefe

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SmartAsset Study finds Watauga County Residents Donate Among the Most Money Relative to Their Income in North Carolina

February 2, 2021 The financial technology company SmartAsset does an annual study on the most generous counties in the U.S. For North Carolina, Watauga County ranked fourth, as residents donate among the most money as a percentage of their income according to the study. The study used IRS data and measured the amount of money donated in each county, relative to income, to arrive at the rankings. Chowan County came in first as the most generous county in North Carolina with its contributions as a percentage of income being 3.30%. Macon County was second with 2.39%, Mecklenburg County was third with 2.27%, and Watauga County was fourth with 2.03%. By Harley Nefe

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Today is Groundhog Day; Grandfather Mountain’s Animals Have Their Own Thoughts on the Holiday


February 2, 2021 This morning around 7:25 a.m. Punxsutawney Phil was awakened from his burrow and saw his shadow, which calls for six more weeks of winter weather. While today is a day that puts the spotlight on groundhogs, Grandfather Mountain’s animals have their own thoughts on the holiday and are thoroughly enjoying the snow, according to a recent press release. Groundhog shmoundhog. When it comes to six more weeks of winter, Uno the river otter says, “Bring it!” Uno is one of three North American river otter rescues who reside on Grandfather Mountain. Otters are specially adapted for dealing with cold, icy winters, as they have a very thick fur coat and layer of fat to help keep them warm. For swimming in such conditions, their skin produces oils that help to waterproof their fur, and their fur traps in air for extra insulation — sort of like a natural scuba suit. Due to these special adaptations, Uno never has to worry about getting cold and can play in the snow and swim in his icy pond to his little heart’s content — regardless of the Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction. By Harley Nefe

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Watauga County Public Library and Downtown Boone Development Association Partner to Provide Scavenger Hunt in Downtown Boone


February 1, 2021 The Watauga County Public Library and the Downtown Boone Development Association are partnering to provide Boone families and visitors with a fun, safe, socially distant, multigenerational experience, according to a press release. Beginning Feb. 1, a Hibernating Animals Scavenger Hunt is available for families to complete in Downtown Boone. This activity will be available for the months of February and March. Visitors in Downtown Boone have the opportunity to hunt for 10 hibernating animals that will be located on posters in the windows of participating downtown businesses. The Hibernating Animals Scavenger Hunt is self-paced and can be started by picking up a Hibernating Animals Worksheet in the brochure holder in front of the Jones House or in front of the Watauga County Public Library.

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App State Resumes Face-to-Face Instruction; 24% of Spring Semester Classes Taught In Person

February 1, 2021 Appalachian State University resumed its face-to-face instruction today after temporarily moving all classes online from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1 to reduce opportunities for COVID-19 exposure. Now, 24% of the spring semester classes are being taught in person and 76% are being taught remotely or with hybrid (mixed) formats. Students with residence hall contracts began returning to campus on Thursday, Jan. 28 and move-ins continued through Sunday, Jan. 31. These students’ housing fees were prorated according to when they moved in. Residence hall occupancy is currently at 61%.  By Harley Nefe

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Boone Police Department Investigating 20-Year-Old Female Found Dead in Apartment on Sunday


February 1, 2021 On Sunday, January 31, 2021, at 11:55 am, Boone Police, Boone Fire, and Watauga Medics responded to 161 Howard Street, apartment 210, after receiving a 911 call about an unresponsive female. The individual was located by officers and found to be deceased. She was identified as Payton Denise Furr, age 20, of Concord, North Carolina. The medical examiner has not yet determined her cause of death. The Boone Police Department detectives are investigating the incident, but no foul play is suspected, and the cause of death will be determined by the autopsy and toxicology. Lieutenant Jon Houck with the Investigations Division stated that, “This family deserves to know the facts surrounding what happened to Payton and we extend our condolences to the Furr family”.

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National Weather Service Issues Winter Storm Warning for Elevations Above 3500 Feet; Winter Weather Advisory for Elevations Below 3500 Feet


February 1, 2021 The National Weather Service out of Blacksburg, Virginia, has issued a Winter Storm Warning for areas above 3500 feet elevation and a Winter Weather Advisory for areas below 3500 feet. These alerts are effective until Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 1 p.m. for Ashe and Watauga counties. According to the alert, snow showers will develop across the mountains Monday afternoon and continue into Tuesday resulting in light to moderate accumulations of snow in most areas. By Harley Nefe

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Onwuachi has volunteered within the Bronx with José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen

The former contestant discusses food policy activism, racism within the dining world and therefore the significance of him returning as a judge for season 18: “America is diverse, and it should be reflected within the panel.” The moment has met Kwame Onwuachi, a Bronx-bred culinary sensation who’s emerged together of the food world’s most essential voices. His kitchen-confidential memoir, Notes From a Young Black Chef, which tells of racism in American fine dining, is being adapted into a feature starring LaKeith Stanfield and begins shooting this summer. Onwuachi, 31, is prepping his own mini-role within the project: “Four lines goes to be tons to recollect ,” he says. Starting April 1, the previous Top Chef contestant — he competed on season 13 in 2015-16 — will return to the show, but this point as a judge in its pandemic-era Portland season, months after host Padma Lakshmi acknowledged the franchise’s inclusion issues. “America is diverse, and it should be reflected within the panel,” says Onwuachi, who’s also nurturing a nascent production company called Broken Whip. “Whether it’s his Nigerian grandmother’s oxtail recipe or his aunt’s Creole treatment of the classic étouffée dish, Kwame takes all of his life experiences and pours …

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Movie Review: ‘The Little Things’ Is Boring But Cast Does What They Can With The Material

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February 1, 2021 We all know that 2020 was a weird time for the movie business (as well as every other business), but the weirdness started back in January, before everything went haywire. “Bad Boys for Life” made $206 million at the domestic box office and wound up as the biggest theatrical release of the year. Obviously that achievement wouldn’t have held up to stronger competition had more blockbusters been allowed to open, but it still counts. And even if it didn’t sit atop the year-end list, it still would have made more money than any film to ever open in January by nearly $60 million (movies like “American Sniper” that technically opened in December and then went wide in January don’t count). The point is that January is traditionally not the time for juggernauts like “Bad Boys for Life.” It’s a time for certain flops to become lesser flops because they are able to be the big new release on weekends no other studio wanted – for good reason. In that way, 2021 is a return to tradition. We’ve only had two new movies this year: “The Marksman,” from last week, and “The Little Things” from this week. Both films’ biggest selling point is nothing more than a dearth of competition. The studios weren’t going to make much money with these movies anyway, might as well capitalize on that advantage. By Bob Garver

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MechaGodzilla could also be accompanied by Ghidorah’s technological counterpart

The spectacular Godzilla vs. Kong saw the giant lizard flare up all his fury at the Gorilla King. Muscular, action-packed images that have aroused the curiosity of Kaiju fans. However, the trailer for the film directed by Adam Wingard does not seem to have given us all the secrets of its adaptation. So much so that several theories would like the real villain of the feature film to be the robotic version of Godzilla . If the presence of this legendary monster has already been confirmed by several leaks, MechaGodzilla could also be accompanied by Ghidorah’s technological counterpart. At the end of Godzilla 2: King of the Monsters , Alan Jonah had recovered the head of the creature. However, a theory relayed by Bounding into Comics recently suggested that the eco-terrorist of the MonsterVerse could finally be absent from Godzilla vs. Kong . The reason in question? His assassination by Monarch, the cybernetic company having sought to acquire by force the head of Ghidorah in order to study it and make a robotic version of it. In addition, many speculations around the film have also teased the future alliance of Kaiju and the King of Skull Island. Indeed, it would …

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National Weather Service Issues Winter Storm Watch Until Sunday Night; Wintry Mix of Snow, Sleet, Freezing Rain Likely

January 29, 2021 The National Weather Service out of Blacksburg, Virginia has issued a Winter Storm Watch that is effective until Sunday, Jan. 31 at 10 p.m. for Alleghany, Ashe, Caswell, Rockingham, Stokes, Surrey, Watauga, Wilkes and Yadkin counties. A winter storm will impact the region beginning the night of Saturday, Jan. 30 through at least Sunday night, according to the alert. Heavy mixed precipitation is possible, changing from snow to sleet to freezing rain throughout the event.  By Harley Nefe

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Blowing Rock’s 2021 WinterFest is Happening Through Jan. 31; Ice Stroll Opens Friday Evening, Chili Challenge is Saturday Afternoon


January 29, 2021 Blowing Rock’s 23rd annual WinterFest has already kicked off, celebrating the fun side of a chilly winter season. Though the festival looks a little different from previous years, events and activities are still happening throughout the weekend. On Friday, Jan. 29 starting at 5 p.m., the Ice Stroll will open where visitors can view a variety of ice sculptures outside of the local businesses. A total of 15 ice sculptures will be on display this year, and they are all created by the company Artisan Ice Sculptures out of Charlotte, which is one of the only five master ice carvers in the United States. “We’ve been working with them for a long time now, and they always do a great job,” said Suzy Barker, WinterFest coordinator. By Harley Nefe

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2021 Economic Outlook From North Carolina Bankers Association Economist Dr. Harry Davis

January 28, 2021 After the longest expansion in history, the economy slammed into a wall and a recession in March 2020. The carnage was immediate, with the unemployment rate rising from the lowest level in 50 years to nearly 15 percent. Over 22 million people lost their jobs in March and April, compared to 11 million who lost their jobs during the Great Recession of 2008/2009. Wages and salaries, along with consumer spending, plunged as the economy was shut down. For the year 2020, GDP fell by 3-5 percent. For 2021, expect GDP growth to come in around a robust five percent. At the same time, expect the unemployment rate to fall to 5.5 percent by year-end. 

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“The Schaefer Center Presents” Features Actor-Playwright Anna Deavere Smith in a Livestream Presentation of “Reclaiming Grace in the Face of Adversity”


January 28, 2021 The Schaefer Center Presents (SCP) performing arts series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs, kicks off its Spring 2021 virtual season with An Evening with Anna Deavere Smith: Reclaiming Grace in the Face of Adversity, Thursday, Feb. 4 at 8pm. This one-time livestream event with celebrated playwright/actor/educator Smith features moderation from the Schaefer Center stage by Dr. Paulette Marty, Professor of Theatre Arts at Appalachian State University. Ms. Smith will begin the evening with a storytelling presentation live from her home in New York City. An interactive Q&A session will follow the performance. The event is free, but registration is required. The event is supported in part by the Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series at App State.

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State Parks and Recreation Areas in North Carolina Saw a Record Number of Visitors in 2020


January 28, 2021 State parks and recreation areas welcomed 19.8 million visitors last year — 400,000 more than any other year on record and 1.2 million more visitors than in 2019. The previous record for visitation was set in 2017 when the parks welcomed 19.4 million visitors. “As we came together to face the pandemic, our state parks became a comfort in a time of isolation,” Gov. Roy Cooper said. “The records set in park visitation show that our outdoor spaces hold even greater value than we could have imagined before the challenges of the last year.” Park staff attribute the increased visitation not only to public recognition that outdoor recreation promotes better health during the pandemic, but also to recently completed Connect N.C. Bond projects at parks across the state. These projects include improved and expanded campground facilities, new trails and visitor centers and improved parking and access. “State Parks staff have done an extraordinary job welcoming guests, protecting natural resources, and ensuring public safety during the pandemic,” said Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary D. Reid Wilson. “These outstanding public servants look forward to continuing to welcome and serve parks visitors in 2021.” 

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Kong is bound and carried aboard an Antarctic ship a giant reptile

For some reason, Godzilla, a predator, resembles a giant reptile that can bomb. Its enemies with nuclear radiation, attack cities and kill people. Godzilla, the always considered savior than an indiscriminate killer, is mighty of something and has defeated cities like dominoes. Skull Island, the giant EPA on which many say that humanity’s survival depends. That has been dragged from its isolated house to civilization. Fortunately for humans, there is a little girl who has a connection to Kong, and they communicate with sign language. Kong is bound and carried aboard an Antarctic ship. Just because the continent is hiding in its depths. It finds a door leading to a whole world in the Earth, the Titans’ original home. They intend to discover the secret of this hidden world and if the theory of digging Earth has a truth. Meanwhile, a podcast and a couple of teenagers discover a deadly conspiracy that could explain why Godzilla has become crazy. If you have noticed why this exam speaks of waves’ human characteristics, there is a good reason. This monster mash-up is another addition to the monster in which human characters are thrown. To have an excuse for the titanium clash. It …

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App State’s Community Music School Continues to Make Musical Arts Accessible for All Ages; Spring Group Classes Registration Open Until Feb. 5


January 27, 2021  The Community Music School at Appalachian State University is a nonprofit organization that proudly serves Boone and the surrounding communities by making the musical arts accessible for people of all ages. The Community Music School has been offering private lessons to Boone and the surrounding areas for over 10 years and offers the private music lessons for all ages, which are currently being held online. In addition to the private music lessons, the Community Music School also offers online group music classes for ages 5-18. Registration for the spring group classes is open until Feb. 5, with the classes beginning the week of Feb. 15. This past fall semester was the Community Music School’s first online semester, and Community Music School Program Manager Lisl Doughton said it was a great success. By Harley Nefe

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Movie Review: ‘The Marksman’ Barely Qualifies as an Action Movie with its Sequences and Script

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January 26, 2021 “The Marksman” has the unfortunate timing to come out less than a month after “News of the World.” Although the two movies are set over 150 years apart, the plots are very similar: a crusty adult has to go on a long, dangerous journey with a child they don’t know, to the point where they don’t even speak the same language. But while “News of the World” was able to get a plum Christmas release date, thanks in no small part to the star power of Tom Hanks, “The Marksman” feels like it was always destined for the doldrums of January, even with Liam Neeson attached. I’d say this movie is a disappointment as a Liam Neeson action vehicle, but there’s so little action that it barely qualifies as one, it’s more of a road trip movie with action sequences at the beginning and end. By all means see this movie to support your local theater, but only after you’ve seen better movies like “News of the World.” By Bob Garver

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