1) Alto Saxophonist Scott Kallestad Performs Feb. 9
Scott Kallestad is the featured musician Feb. 9 during the Hayes School of Music’s Faculty Performance Series at Appalachian State University. The program begins at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission to the event is free. Kallestad, who plays alto saxophone, will be joined by Bair Shagdaron, piano; Nancy Schneeloch-Bingham, flute; Andrea Cheeseman, clarinet and Todd WRight, alto saxophone. The diverse program begins with “Suite pour saxophone solo” by François Daneels. Also on the program is “Elegie et Rondeau”by Karel Husa, “Aeolian Song” by Warren Benson, “Mai” by Ryo Noda, “American Counterpoint” by David Gillingham, “Bop Duets” by “Bugs” Bower and “Escapades” by John Williams from the film “Catch Me If You Can.’
2) Book Signing Feb. 8 at Watauga County Library
Join author Melissa Halsey Caudill for a book signing for the newly-published Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. She will discuss her story: ‘Uncomfortable’ and sign copies of the bok in the meeting room of the Watauga County Public Library. For more information or special accommodations, please call the library at 828-264-8784 or visit www.wataugacountylibrary.com.
3) National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
AIDS Leadership Foothills-area Alliance (ALFA) is a United Way member agency providing Medical Case Management, Prevention Education, HIV testing and counseling as well as volunteer opportunities. Its mission is to improve the lives and health of those affected by HIV/AIDS while preventing transmission through education and testing. ALFA serves Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Lincoln, Watauga, and Wilkes Counties. For more information about ALFAs services, please visit www.alfainfo.org. Friday, Feb. 7, in National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Agencies across the nation will be highlighting this day to remind communities of the disproportionate impact HIV has on African American individuals. Not only do a higher proportion of Black individuals become infected yearly, but higher numbers continue to succumb to the disease as compared to other ethnic groups in the United States. Black men have an estimated 1 in 16 lifetime risk of developing HIV infection while black women have a nearly 1 in 32 lifetime risk. “Although some rates have declined over the last five years for the African American community, the numbers remain far too high. Lack of awareness increases the likelihood of HIV infection,” states Annie Earle, MPH, Program Director for ALFA. In this region of North Carolina, late diagnosis of infection is all too common and decreases the opportunity to get into effective, early medical care. Late diagnosis also leads to inadvertent transmission of the virus to others. In order to combat the primarily preventable disease, it is important for communities, families and faith communities to acknowledge the risk and educate themselves. For more information, please contact Annie Earle, Program Director, at 828-322-1447 ext 233 or Linda Sheehan, Director of Education and Outrach at ext. 231. International programs and testing are offered free throughout the community.
4) Learn How to Grow Grapes and Make Wine at Home
On Tuesday, Feb. 25, the Sustainable Appalachian Viticulture Institute, the French Broad Vignerons and the Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyards will host the fourth annual Grape Growers Conference at the Madison County Cooperative Extension Office in Marshall. Come learn how to participate in the fastest growing industry in North Carolina that provides over $1.5 billion economic impact in NC. The conference will feature speakers who will share information on how to grow grapes, how to sell grapes, winemaking chemistry know-how, how to make homemade wines and some of the many value added products that can be made from grapes. Come and network with other people in the mountains who are interested in cold-hardy steep slope viticulture. Presentations in the morning will include a session on how to grow and sell grapes in the mountains. There will also be a session on winemaking at home. Come and get some great grape growing advice and learn useful winemaking tips from some of the best winemakers in the region. Panel discussions in the afternoon will allow you to ask questions of specialists in growing grapes, winemaking, and grape based value-added products. The conference registration fee is $25 paid in advance or $30 walk-in. Registration fee includes lunch, coffee break refreshments, handouts, and free parking. Walk-in registration will not guarantee a lunch will be available. Online registration is now available at www.GrapeSAVI.org – Sponsors and Trade Show Vendors may also register at the same website. People who register in advance will receive a copy of the agenda and directions to the conference location. For additional information about the upcoming conference, please contact Chuck Blethen, Executive Director, Sustainable Appalachian Viticulture Institute, 828-606-3130 or email Blethen@GrapeSAVI.org
5) High Country Audubon Society Meets Feb. 18
The High Country Audubon (HCAS) will have its next meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express in Boone. Dr. Jennifer Feib of Appalachian State University Department of Biology will present the program “Pollinators and Pollination.” HCAS invites the public to attend the monthly meetings and field trips. Announcements about meetings and field trips can be found at www.highcountryaudubon.org.
6) ARHS Sponsors ZumbaThon Feb. 21
February is heart month and to help you get your heart pumping, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) is sponsoring a Zumbathon on Friday, Feb. 21 from 4-7 p.m. at the Paul H. Broyhill Wellness Center located at 232 Boone Heights Drive in Boone. The Zumbathon is an extension of the second annual Heart Shape event, which is taking place on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Wellness Center. Registration for the Zumbathon costs $10 and all proceeds will benefit the ARHS THRIVE Scholarship Program. THRIVE is a medically supervised program at the Wellness Center that transitions patients from more acute phases of chronic disease management to wellness. The program, which requires a physician referral, consists of cardiopulmonary track as well as an oncology track. You can purchase tickets at the Heart Shape event on Feb. 8 or at the front desk of the Wellness Center. “I am honored to be able to take part in this Zumbathon,” said Gwen Dhing, Aerobics Instructor and Zumba leader at the Wellness Center. “Knowing that 100 percent of the proceeds will go toward such a worthy cause is truly heartwarming.” Since its inception in 2011, THRIVE has helped 110 patients improve their quality of life. The THRIVE Scholarship Program was established to ensure that all patients, regardless of financial barriers, would be able to benefit from the program. Heart Shape T-shirts will be on sale for $16 dollars at the Wellness Center during the month of February while supplies last. On average, 40 percent of all T-shirt sales will go toward the THRIVE Scholarship Program. Additional cash or check donations may be made during the event. For more information about the Zumbathon or Heart Shape visit www.apprhs.orgheartshape or call 828-268-8960. To learn more about the THRIVE program visit www.apprhs.orgthrive. For more information about Appalachian Regional Healthcare System visit www.apprhs.org.