1) S.E.A.M. Seeks Proposals from Entrepreneurs by March 21
Supporting Economic Alternatives in the Mountains (S.E.A.M.) is now accepting proposals from emerging High Country entrepreneurs until March 21. Funding of up to $1,000 will be allocated to projects at the second S.E.A.M. community investment dinner on May 4. These participatory events seek to strengthen our region’s communities by bringing together good ideas and community investments in Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties. Any project idea may be submitted, from infrastructure improvements to conferences, which will help applicants develop and grow. A panel of small business leaders will evaluate and select three proposals based on the creativity, feasibility, readiness and sustainability of the projects. These three proposals will be presented at the locally-sourced S.E.A.M. dinner on May 4. Following the presentations, dinner attendees will vote to fund the projects at varying levels (60 percent, 30 percent and 10 percent), distributed the funds raised from dinner ticket sales. This process cultivates relationships between community members and local entrepreneurs and challenges the traditional funding movel. At the inaugural S.E.A.M. dinner, more than 50 people gathered at CoBo Sushi Bar and Bistro to support Boone Barr, High Country CSA, and Homestead Mushrooms Inc. Rusty Kuhfeld and Matt Webb of Homestead Mushrooms received funding for the purchase of a large HEPA filter. Proposals should include 500 words about your idea, how it will impact your work, and your budget goal. Email submissions will be accepted until March 21, 2014 at 5 p.m. To submit an idea, email seamnc@gmail.com. To learn more about S.E.A.M. visit seamnc.org.
2) Boone Service League Accepting Grant, Scholarship Applications
The Boone Service League is currently accepting applications for 2014 scholarships and grants from students and nonprofit organizations in Ashe, Avery and Watauga counties. Grants will be awarded only to nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) tax status operating within the High Country and serving Ashe, Avery and/or Watauga counties. No award in excess of $1,000 will be made to any single organization. Monies granted must be used for a project or special program. Visit www.booneserviceleague.org/strantson.html to submit applications by Friday, March 28. For more information, contact Kelli Haas at kh51845@yahoo.com. Scholarships will be awarded to senior high school students in Ashe, Avery and/or Watauga counties who plan to pursue undergraduate degrees beginning in fall 2014. Applicants must selected one of two essay prompts and prepare an essay not to exceed 500 words. Applications for scholarships are due by Friday, April 25. Only online applications will be accepted. Visit www.booneserviceleague.org/scholarshipson.html to submit applications. For more information, contact Stephanie Allen at sallen628@hotmail.com. Established in 1957 as an auxiliary women’s organization to the Boone Jaycees, the Boone Service League is open to women ages 21 and older living in the High Country area, including Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties.For more information, visit www.booneserviceleague.org.
3) Ensemble Stage Presents: Resort to Murder April 12
Ensemble Stage presents the interactive musical murder-mystery “Resort to Murder” in the Evergreen Room at Chetola Resort and Spa on Saturday, April 12 during the Blue Ridge Wine and Food Festival. That’s right, we’re back for our fifth, somewhat naughty, installment of murder, mystery and mayhem during Winefest. This year our show will be presented at 10pm in the beautiful Evergreen Ballroom at Chetola Resort and Spa located just off Main Street in Blowing Rock. The show is a little risque’ (with its innuendos and double-entendres) and a lot of fun (with its music and madcap mayhem). Every year our Winefest murder-mysteries have sold out and left numerous folks on the stand-by list. So make your reservations now and join us for some out of the ordinary late night fun. The event will take place on Saturday, April 12 at 10 p.m. To order tickets, call 828-414-1844 or go to www.ensemblestage.com/box-office. Tickets are $45 each which includes the show, three wine tastings, bottomless dessert trays, coffee, tea, water, a cash liquor bar, an espresso station and at least one murder.
4) Exciting Offers for NC Ski Resort Passholders
Appalachian Ski Mtn., Beech Mountain Resort & Wolf Ridge Ski Resort are combining to offer any North Carolina Ski Area Season Pass Holder a discount on ski tickets of half price or $20, whichever is less. This offer applies any day or night in March on an unlimited basis and is available to any NC Ski Resort Season Passholder that presents a season pass at any of the three participating ski areas. Please limit one per person. Appalachian Ski Mtn. is projected to ski through Sunday, March 23, Beech Mountain Resort is projected to ski through Sunday, March 23 and Wolf Ridge is projected to ski through Sunday, March 9.
5) Programs at the Harrill Senior Center.
he Lois E. Harrill Senior Center will have Timmy Stiling, an Outreach Enrollment Specialist, at the center every Tuesday in March from 10-4 to meet with individuals about the Affordable Care Act. Timmy will meet with individuals and help enroll them in a plan, see if a person may qualify for a subsidy, and he will be available to answer questions. Individuals are welcome to stop by or can call for an appointment, 828-265-8090. The Lois E. Harrill Senior Center has Art Classes, Craft Classes, Computer Classes and more available for individuals 60 and older. Art Classes are held each Monday and Wednesday from 9am-noon. Craft Classes are held on Thursdays from 10am-1pm. Computer Classes, Exercise Classes and more are held throughout the month; for dates, times, and additional information please contact the senior center at 828-265-8090.
6) Country Breakfast at the Post Held March 15
The Watauga American Legion Post #130 will host the Country Breakfast at the Post on Saturday Morning, March 15 from 7-10 a.m. Cost is $8 per person for an all-you-can-eat country breakfast with menu items including country ham, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, homemade biscuits and gravy, hash browns, grits, cooked apples and fresh fruit, orange juice, coffee, regular and buckwheat pancakes with takeout available upon request. This event is open to the public and supports local Veterans and Veteran programs. The post is located at 135 Bear Trail at Junaluska Town Park in Boone.
7) Start Your Own Ag-Business Workshop Series
Starting on March 22nd, this four-part workshop series is designed for community members who are interested in starting or expanding an agricultural based business (for-profit or non-profit). Ag-entrepreneurs produce food and drink – raw or value-added, fibers – sunflower hulls to fiberboard for building, energy – bio-fuels and renewable energy from alternative sources like wind, solar, and micro-hydro, and fun – farmers markets to produce stands to corn mazes! The series, led by local farmer and planning consultant, Lisa Redman, and hosted by the Greater Lansing Area Development (GLAD) Committee, uses the NC REAL Agricultural Entrepreneurship Curriculum, an experiential learning model that teaches entrepreneurship through hands-on activities. Students will develop their business idea, gain knowledge and skills on marketing, operations, and financials, and will leave the course with a business plan to help jump-start their path to small business ownership. The final workshop in the series will connect students with local ag-entrepreneurs, who will serve as business mentors to students, offering the wisdom that only real world experience brings.
- Workshop 1 – Entrepreneur Assessment & Ag-Business Basics
- Saturday, MARCH 22nd, 10am-2pm (lunch included)
- During the first workshop, we’ll explore what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur through self-assessment and by learning from experienced entrepreneurs. We’ll review the various parts of starting and operating a business, and share ideas through a hands-on ag-business building activity.
- Workshop 2 – Marketing & Operations
- Saturday, MARCH 29th 10am-2pm (lunch included)
- During the second workshop participants will explore the needs and desires of their customers and strategize ways to reach and satisfy them through their business. We’ll also explore various for-profit and non-profit legal structures and business roles and responsibilities. Students will start to create their business plan and continue work on it over the next two weeks.
- Workshop 3 – Financials & Bringing It All Together
- Saturday, APRIL 5th 10am-2pm (lunch included)
- During the third workshop we’ll learn about cash flow, breakeven analysis, and enterprise budgets through hands-on work. We’ll review our business plan work to date and prepare to finish business plan drafts by the 4th and final workshop
- Workshop 4 – Wisdom from Real World Entrepreneurs
- Saturday, APRIL 12th, time & location TBA
- During the final workshop we’ll invite local entrepreneurs to join our group and share their business stories. Guest entrepreneurs will listen to participant business ideas and give feedback and answer questions. Students who complete the 4-part series will leave with a business resource packet and a solid business plan to build upon.
8) Free Developmental Screenings Offered April 4-5
Parents of Watauga County children who will be 4 years old on Aug. 31, 2014 are urged to bring their child to a tree developmental screening available April 4-5 by appointment. Appointments can be scheduled by contacting Renee Battle at 828-264-7190 between now and April 2. On April 4, appointments will be offered from 7:45 a.m.-2:25 p.m. at four schools: Cove Creek, Green Valley, Hardin Park and Parkway. On April 5, appointments are available only at Hardin Park School between 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.watauga.k12.nc.us and choose the Parent Links heading.
9) Congressman Mark Meadows to be in Avery County March 19
Congressman Mark Meadows will be in Avery County on Wednesday, March 19 from 9-10 a.m. as a “meet and greet” for the community. The event is open to the general public and will be held at the Avery County High School. Breakfast will be provided by the culinary class and the cost for breakfast will be $5 per person. Please RSVP to the Avery County Chamber at 828-898-5605.