Email Announcements Received Today:

1) Screening of Pink Floyd: The Wall Held Nov. 20 at the Watauga County Public Library

The Watauga County Public Library’s movie discussion group invites you to join us for a viewing of Pink Floyd: The Wall on November 20th from 6:30 pm – 8:30 p.m. Director Alan Parker’s 1982 adaptation of Pink Floyd’s 1979 concept album The Wall traces the life of fictional protagonist, Pink Floyd, from his boyhood days in post-World-War-II England to his self-imposed isolation as a world-renowned rock star. Born to an overprotective war widow who lavishes him with equal measures of love and fear, Pink begins to build a mental wall between himself and the rest of the world. Every incident that causes him pain is another brick in Pink’s ever-growing wall.  As his wall nears completion Pink spirals into a veritable wonderland of insanity, eventually transforming into the very dictatorial persona that antagonized the world during World War II, scarred his nation, killed his father, and in essence defiled his own life from birth This film has an MPAA rating of R and an approximate run-time of 95 minutes. For more information please call (828) 264-8784 ext. 2

2) Craft Sale Coming to Senior Center Nov. 18-20

Please join us for our Annual Craft Sale from Tuesday, November 18 through Thursday, November 20th from 10a.m.-3p.m. each day at the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center.  Crafts are handmade by local seniors who get 100% of their asking price.  If you are a crafter age 60 or older and interested in earning extra money then make plans to participate in this year’s sale.  Inventory forms and instruction sheets for participating crafters are available at either the Harrill Center or the Western Watauga Center.  Please call 265-8090 for more information.

3) Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff and Gershwin Performed Nov. 23

Works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff and Gershwin fill the program for the Appalachian Repertory Orchestra performance Nov. 23. The program begins at 2 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. William Selle is the conductor. Admission is free. The program begins with Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Dance of the Tumblers.”  From his 1882 opera “The Snow Maiden,” “Dance of the Tumblers” is a spirited piece taken from a scene in the opera that celebrates the arrival of spring. The program continues with Rachmaninoff’s third movement from his “Symphony No. 2 in E minor” written in the early 1900s. The molto adagio movement’s dreamlike theme and its clarinet and oboe solos are supported by the string sections. The piece builds to the first of two climaxes midway into the composition with strings, brass and woodwinds playing in unison before the piece returns to its ethereal melody. Tchaikovsky’s “Capriccio Italien” follows next on the program. Written in 1880, the composition was inspired by the composer’s trip to Rome and the folk music and street songs he heard during Carnival. The program concludes with works by two American composers. “An American in Paris Suite,” arranged by John Whitney, is derived from George Gershwin’s jazz-influenced “An American in Paris,” a composition that was inspired by time he spent in Paris. Gershwin’s composition premiered in 1928. It was written to “portray the impression of an American visitor in Paris as he strolls about the city and listens to various street noises and absorbs the French atmosphere,” according to the late music critic Deems Taylor. The program concludes with three dance episodes from Copland’s “Rodeo,” written in 1942 for a ballet at the request of choreographer Agnes de Mille. The orchestra will perform “Saturday Night Waltz,” “Corral Nocturne” and “Hoedown.”

4) Sugar Mountain Resort”s SugarFest Held Dec. 12-14

Sugar Mountain Resort’s twelfth annual SugarFest lights up winter in North Carolina from December 12th through the 14th. Weekend festivities begin Friday with the twenty-first annual Pre-Season Ski Clinic.  The all-inclusive training camp welcomes serious ski racing enthusiasts.  It includes video analysis, a ski tuning seminar, lift/slope tickets, a Saturday night banquet and the camaraderie of old and new friends.  Elmar Schmidinger, trainer and Dad of Olympian, Krista Schmidinger, Eric Harlow, USSA Eastern Region Alpine Director and Sean McKee, Sugar Mountain Ski Club’s long-time head coach lead the charge. Later that evening at 7:00p.m., 1992 Olympic Medalist Paul Wylie performs his signature skate routines free of charge. The approachable Wylie is a great showman who eagerly interacts with anyone on or off the ice after the show.  If you’ve never seen or held a real Olympic silver medal, stop by the ice rink.  Paul will share his medal and Olympic experiences with you. Delight in the beginning of the three-day SugarFEAST during the evening’s skate show on Sugar’s 10,000 sq. ft. outdoor ice rink.  To keep you warm and well-hydrated a hot chocolate and whip cream bar will flow creamy, smooth chocolate pleasures. All day Saturday and Sunday Check out the in case you missed them!15 pictures inside of Zac Efron, Michelle Rodriguez, and more on vacation… walks around shirtless on a yacht with friends on Sunday afternoon (August 3) in Ibiza, Spain. ski and snowboard manufacturers roll out their newest equipment for an unmatched demo inventory.  Other than a valid lift/slope ticket or pass and a driver’s license the demo is free of charge. Participating brands include Salomon, Blizzard, Volkl, Nordica, Burton, Head, Never Summer, K2, Atomic, Rossignol, Ride and Line. Just bring your boots, register, and test drive the goods from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.  The SugarFest demo is brought to you by Ski Country Sports. SugarFEAST continues throughout the weekend.  Browse through the cafeteria line each day and experience the “Soup Safari”.  Beginning at 11 a.m. North Carolina BBQ and Sweet Tea should satisfy your appetite during a productive and rewarding day demoing this season’s new equipment. At SugarFest, Après ski isn’t a thing of the past.  A fireworks display will take place just before 6 p.m. The deck at the base lodge is a great place to take it all in.  Kick off your boots and enjoy great food, warm drinks and live bluegrass music from favorite local music group, BOSS HAWG.  The Last Run Lounge will feature SugarBrew’s award winning “best in show” Oskar Blues’, G’Knight Imperial Red IPA brewed in Longmont, CO.  Of course, the good ole German beer, Spaten will be on tap among others. No shortage of beverage selection here. Not to forget, tubing is always fun and doesn’t require much of anything.  Snowshoeing on the other hand is a healthy workout in a beautiful environment. To enjoy the total SugarFest experience, you’ll want to spend the weekend on the mountain. Participating lodging agencies within the Village of Sugar Mountain offer discounted rates for slope-side and on-mountain accommodations. Sugar Mountain Resort’s Winter Value Packages are available too. To learn more about SugarFest please visit www.skisugar.com/sugarfest or call 1-800-SUGAR-MT and become a part of Sugar Mountain’s fun-filled winter kick off.

5) Celebrate the Holidays with the Town of Newland

The Season of Celebration will take place every weekend from Dec. 29-Dec. 20 in downtown Newland. On Nov. 29, at 6:30 p.m., the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at Town Square. A Christmas Parade will take place on Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m. with events on the square following the parade. Fridays and Saturdays in december will feature caroling by the Christmas Tree and more weather permitting. all events are sponsored by the Town of Newland and the Newland Business Association.

6) Lees-McRae to Kick Off Canned Food Drive at Basketball Games on Nov. 19

From Monday, November 17 through Friday, December 5, Lees-McRae will host a canned food drive to benefit Feeding Avery Families. As a kick off to the drive, on Wednesday, November 19, community members can bring two canned goods as the entry fee to the men’s and women’s basketball games against Southern Wesleyan University. The women’s game begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m. The games will be played in the Williams Physical Education Center on Hickory Nut Gap Road. If you can’t make it to the games, please bring donations to the Student Development Office located in the Cannon Student Center. Preferred non-perishable items for donation include: Canned meats (beef, chicken, tuna), Peanut butter (plastic jars only, please), Dried/Canned Beans (pork & beans, pinto, kidney, black), Hearty Soup (pop-top cans preferred), Meals in a Box or Can (beef stew, chili, mac & cheese), Canned Fruits (fruit cocktail, raisins, apple sauce), Canned Vegetables (green beans, carrots, corn), Cereals and Grains (rice, pasta, cereal in a box or bag), Fruit and Vegetable Juice (100% juice preferred) and Dry Milk (instant non-fat). One hundred percent of all contributions on behalf of Feeding Avery Families go directly to Avery County families in need. Feeding Avery Families provided 60 percent of the food assistance in Avery County in 2012 and distributes approximately 500 boxes of food reaching more than 1000 individuals each month. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Lees-McRae College is a private, four-year college offering diverse baccalaureate degrees, strong athletic programs and outstanding faculty. With 950 students hailing from 31 states and more than 8 countries, Lees-McRae’s broad core curriculum is enhanced by field-specific career preparation and experiential learning. For more information, please visit www.lmc.edu or call 828-898-5241.

7) Watauga County Sanitation Thanksgiving Schedule

The Watauga County Sanitation Department (Transfer Station and ALL Convenience Centers) will be CLOSED on Thursday, Nov. 27 for Thanksgiving Day.  All Convenience Centers, including Bethel, and the Transfer Station will be open on Friday, Nov. 28.  For more information, call 264-5305.

8) Mary Boyer Sustainable Food and Agriculture Grant Application Period Opens

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) is calling for proposals for the 2015 Mary Boyer Sustainable Food and Agriculture Grant program. The purpose of the Sustainable Food and Agriculture Grant is to strengthen our local food system by supporting female farmers, ranchers, and processors who plan to create innovative, sustainable solutions to production or marketing obstacles in the High Country. Grant applications are due by December 19, 2014 and Awards will be announced Jan. 28, 2015. Two grants of up to $2000 will be awarded to female farmers, ranchers, or processors based in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, or Yancey Counties in North Carolina, or Johnson County, Tennessee for completing a sustainable food and agriculture project or pursuing educational opportunities in sustainable food and agriculture. Examples of past projects include: ‘Multi Species Rotational Grazing and Invasive Weed Control’ and ‘Highland Handling to Reclaim the High Country’ “We”re proud and excited to offer a fifth year of funding for our Mary Boyer Sustainable Food & Agriculture Grants.” explains Executive Director, Carol Coulter, “Not only is this an opportunity to highlight innovative agricultural approaches in our High Country region, it is an excellent way to provide support to an underserved, and growing, demographic group.  We are honored to be able to offer these small grants and we give continued thanks to all those who make this possible.” Applications for the 2015 grant funding cycle are available on BRWIA’s website (www.brwia.org) and must be received no later than December 19, 2014. Please contact BRWIA with any questions via email programs@brwia.org or phone 828-386-1537.

9) Weekly Events at Lost Province Brewing Company Nov. 18-25

Tuesday November 18

Cheap date night at Lost Province. Dinner A Movie only $25 6-10pm. Movie starts at 8PM. No charge to come and watch the movie. Movie feature this week: “Dead Poets Society”

Thursday November 20

$3.00 Thursday-$3.00 pints on all Lost Province brewed beers (except high gravity)

8:00pm-Closing Live Music: High Country Jazz Collective (No cover)

Friday November 21

Freakin’ Firkin Friday at Five continues with the release of a special 12 gallon cask of beer at 5pm.

8pm Closing Live Music: Klee and Mike Show (No cover) The Klee & Mike Show is an acoustic duo featuring Klee Liles on guitar and vocals and Michael Robertson on percussion and vocals. Having played together for over 20 years, Klee and Michael have a built a huge repertoire of pop/rock songs ranging from well-known to obscure, from both artists you know and love and performers you may not know quite as well.

Saturday November 22

5:00-ASU vs. Louisiana-Lafayette Football Game Watch Party on large screen

8pm-Closing Live Music: The Lucky Strikes (No cover) Lucky Strikes is a local classic jazz band that prides themselves on creativity and versatility.

Tuesday November 25

Cheap date night at Lost Province. Dinner A Movie only $25 6-10pm. Movie starts at 8PM. No charge to come and watch the movie. Movie feature this week is “The Fisher King”

10) 2015 Slate Ballot for Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

In accordance with the amended Chamber’s bylaws, please vote electronically FOR or AGAINST the slate for Blowing Rock Chamber Board of Directors for 2015. This process will completely replace the paper ballot. Click on the link below to cast your ballot online. Click Here To VoteThe last day to vote is November 25 by 4 p.m.

11) Deer Butchering and Processing Workshop Held Dec. 6

On Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., Extension Agents Eddy Labus and Margie Mansure will explore ways to process and preserve your hunting season bounty. Demonstrations include sausage making, canning venison, jerky making and cutting up a deer. Cost of the workshop is $15 (or $25 per couple) and must be paid in advance at NC Cooperative Extension, 971 West King St., Boone. (828)264-3061. Workshop will be held at Agricultural Conference Center, 252 Poplar Grove Rd, Boone.