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Email Announcements We Are Receiving Today: See What’s Going On Around The Community

1) Appalachian Opera Theatre Presents ‘Die Fledermaus’ Nov. 14-15

Student musicians from Appalachian State University’s Opera Theatre at the Hayes School of Music will perform “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss Jr. Nov. 14-15. Performances will take place in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall on campus. The performance will last approximately two hours with two brief intermissions. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday night. Admission is $5 for students and $10 for the general public. Tickets are available at the Valborg Theatre and Schaefer Center box offices or by calling 828- 262-4046 or 828-262-3063.

2) Upcoming TRAC Happenings

  • Old Timey Christmas Fun: Saturday, December 7, 2 to 4pm, join in making some classics from Christmas times past. Remember looping colored paper chains, stringing popcorn and dipping pine cones? We’ll be creating and listening to old timey Christmas tunes by some of our Traditional Arts Program for Students instructors (and students).  Get ready for the Holiday with that trip down memory lane…Christmas back in the simpler days. Arts Resource Center, 269 Oak Avenue, above Spruce Pine TRAC Gallery (entrance in back). Call 828-682-7215 for more information. The event is free.
  • Elliot Engel’s Light History Lesson: On Thursday, November 21, 7pm, Dr. Elliot Engel will lecture on “The Slippery Mother Tongue – a Light History of English.” Dr. Engel is a well known lecturer and purveyor of words, wisdom, and witticism. He’ll take us on a journey into the foibles of the English language. You’ll laugh as you learn. Arts Resource Center, 269 Oak Avenue, above Spruce Pine TRAC Gallery (entrance in back). Call 828-682-7215 for more information. $8 in advance/$10 at the door.
  • Christmas Workshops for Kids: On Wednesday December 11, 3:30 to 5pm, Cassie Floan will host a “Burlap Bird Ornaments and Holiday Beeswax Candles” workshop for children 3 and up (parents welcome). While exploring the spirit of creating and giving, we will make some wintery crafts! Everyone will roll beeswax candles to light the cold night of winter. We will also make burlap bird ornaments by cutting, gluing, and assembling with feathers, fabric, beads, and more. You can take these creations home and keep them for your family or give them as gifts of the season. $14 per child (additional $4 for adults who want to make their own). Arts Resource Center, 269 Oak Avenue, above Spruce Pine TRAC Gallery. To reserve your place, call 828-682-7215.
  • The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t: Burnsville Dogs presents the Fifth Annual Read It & Weep Theatre production of the classic children’s story “The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t” by Ogden Nash Friday November 29 at 10:30am at The Burnsville Town Center. This wonderful staged reading tells the tale of Nicholas Knock, a brave shepherd boy who saves Christmas from Prince Evilard and his hateful and miserly gang and stars John D. Richards, Claudia Dunaway, Dr. Daniel Barron, Pete McWhirter, Kathleen Sioui, Britt Kaufmann, and Willa and Elijah Briggs. Our Little Nell (Drew Smoker, who is not so little anymore) is going to re-invent the role of Tree, and on her lap will be a newer, littler Nell named Willa. Fun for Everyone! Tickets are $1 for kids, $5 for those 17 and up. Proceeds benefit the Toe River Arts Council For more information call Lucy Doll at 828-208-4731.

3) Healthcare System Recognizes Nurses During Perioperative Nurse Week

During Perioperative Nurse Week, November 11-15, 2013, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) recognizes its perioperative nurses for their important role and commitment to safe patient care. Perioperative nurses specialize in the care of patients immediately before, during and after surgical and other invasive procedures. In 1979, Operating Room, or OR, Nurse Day was established by the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). A few years later, the observance was expanded to a full week. In 2000, OR Nurse Week was changed to Perioperative Nurse Week to more accurately reflect the broad spectrum of care provided to surgical patients by these nurses. On October 4, 2013, Governor Pat McCrory proclaimed the week of November 11-15, 2013, as “Perioperative Nurse Week” in North Carolina. The proclamation highlights the contributions these registered nurses make to patient safety and the opportunities and challenges facing the profession. Joan Messner, BSN, MHA, CNOR, Director of Surgical Services at ARHS said “The perioperative nurses at both Watauga Medical Center (WMC) and Cannon Memorial Hospital (CMH) are truly invaluable. Their commitment to outstanding patient care is the cornerstone to a successful surgical department.” 

4) Buckeye Recreation Center Angel Tree 2013

Please join us in this holiday opportunity to adopt a less fortunate child who would otherwise receive very little or nothing during the holiday season. Become an Angel and provide them with personalized gifts and necessities to make this holiday a special one. Our program identifies local children in our surrounding area and determines their wants and needs for the holiday. That Child’s name and needs are then placed on our Angel Tree at the Buckeye Recreation Center. You then have the opportunity to select a child or two-or five!- and become their Angel to help meet their needs and wishes for a joyous holiday, bringing a smile to their face. The very sad truth is that we have already identified so many children in need from Bethel Elementary, Freedom Trail Elementary and Banner Elk Elementary who need our assistance for the holidays, that we may have to limit the amount from each location to place in our program. The only way we can increase our assistance to these children is by you letting us know that you will be participating as an Angel to one or more of these children. The names and needs of the children will be available by Nov. 25 at the Buckeye Recreation Center. Call now to let us know that you will be participating as an Angel. Be prepared to provide us with your name, address, phone number, email address and just how many children you would like to adopt as their Angel. 

5) Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week 2013 Starts Nov. 16

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is Saturday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 24, at Appalachian State University with a series of events. The public is invited to participate. Hunger and Homelessness awareness week brings attention to issues of national poverty, hunger and homelessness. Engage in this educational and meaningful week of events hosted by a variety of campus organizations. The Third Annual Gobbler 5k will be held Saturday, Nov. 16, at 8 a.m. Participate in the Gobbler and look forward to warm cobbler at the finish line. The race begins at Duck Pond Field, Stadium Drive. The run is sponsored by Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT). All proceeds benefit the Leigh Lane Edwards Scholarship, which provides students with the opportunity to serve internationally. On Monday, Nov. 18, the documentary screening of “Homeless: The Kids of Orange County” will begin at 6 p.m. in Belk Library Room 114. The documentary explores the world of children who reside in discounted motels within walking distance of Disneyland, as their families struggle to survive in one of the wealthiest regions of America. A panel discussion will follow the film. This event is sponsored by Amnesty International, Appstate Peace Jam, ASU Wine to Water, Hospitality House, Appalachian Educators for Social Justice and People Fighting Poverty. “Given the Benefit of the Doubt: Dissecting Privilege and Oppression Seminar” will be held  Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 6 p.m. in Belk Library Room 114.  Dr. Cameron Lippard from the Department of Sociology explores the notions of privilege and oppression through various social identities including race, social class, gender, sexuality and being able-bodied. This seminar-style experience will challenge participants to consider their own identities and decipher how these identities impact the American social institutions plagued by stratification. This event is sponsored by Amnesty International. Also on Friday, the documentary “From Place to Place: Changing the System That Raised Them” will be shown at Three Top Mountain Room of Plemmons Student Union at 6 p.m. The film follows plucky underdogs who set out to change America’s foster care system. This event is sponsored by Amnesty International and Graduate Student Social Work Association. In addition to these events, university organizations will sponsor programs for students throughout the week, including an Adopt-a-Family activity sponsored by the Black Student Association and a Food Initiative Forum and Oxfam Hunger Banquet sponsored by Student Government Association. Students will also participate in a People Fighting Poverty Fast event, The Hunger Games canned food drive sponsored by ACT and the Leigh Lane Day of Service at the Hospitality House.

6) Have You Thanked A Veteran?

The Avery County Chamber Staff would like to take this time to send our most heartfelt thanks to the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve this country and help protect the freedoms we all hold so dear. If you know a veteran, meet a veteran or see a veteran on the street, please take the time to show them how much we appreciate their service by a handshake, a hug or a simple thank you. After all, where would we be without them? So, to all the men and women who have served and those who continue to serve our country with such bravery, thank you. You rock.