1) Special Public Hearing Held June 2
The Boone Town Council and Boone Area Planning Commission will hold a Special Public Hearing on Monday, June 2 at 6 p.m. at 1500 Blowing Rock Rd. to hear the following case: CASE 20140049 – Standard at Boone LLC is requesting Conditional District Map Amendment approval to zone property to Conditional District B3 General Business for a site-specific development for a mixed-use project containing commercial and multi-family uses to be located at 784, 862, 862-B Blowing Rock Rd.; 299, 311, 325, 339 Faculty St. and 3 vacant parcels. Full text of the proposed amendments can be obtained from the Town Clerk. Substantial and insubstantial changes in the proposed amendments may be made following the public hearing.
2) Shawneehaw Volunteer Fire Department Hosts Annual Barbeque
Come join the Shawneehaw Volunteer Fire Department for their annual barbeque with succulent pork barbeque seasoned with Big Bill’s Shawneehaw Fire sauce, slaw, rolls, baked beans and the best homemade desserts in the world on Saturday, June 7 at 5 p.m. The venue is located at 171 Rominger Rd. between Valle Crucis and Banner Elk. The cost is $9 for adults and $5 for children under 11.
3) Blues Festival Seeks Volunteers
The Pop Ferguson Blues Heritage Festival VI is seeking volunteers for the event held Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14 in downtown Lenoir. Organizer Clyde Ferguson said that he expects a good turnout this year. Headline acts include Mac Arnold, former co-producer of Soul Train and member of Muddy Waters, Phil Wiggins, who will also teach the blues harmonica workshop, John Dee Holman and Pop Ferguson. Additionally, Lawyers, Guns & Money, a North Carolina blues band which had two singles to reach No. 1 on the Cashbox Magazine Roadhouse Blues Charts will be performing. Big names like that are expected to pull a good turnout of blues lovers, underscoring the need for volunteer assistance. The 2014 festival opens on Friday night with a free block party from 6-8 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Center, located at 313 Greenhaven Dr. NE in Lenoir. Jazz musician Bryan Anderson will perform. The party then moves several blocks away to The Alibi, a downtown restaurant and pub located at 915 West Ave. NW. An open jam session will be held from 10 p.m.-midnight. The public is invited to bring guitars and jam with artists who will be performing on Saturday. Additionally on Friday, a VIP meet and greet will be held and will include a special performance by Phil Wiggins. TIckets are $35 per person and can be purchased by calling 828-757-0783. Events kick off on Saturday with free workshops from 9 a.m.- noon at Highland Coffeehouse on 113 Main St. NW in downtown. The street festival will be held from 1-10 p.m. with heritage crafters and food vendors open. Entertainment will perform from 2-10 p.m. The Pop Ferguson Blues Heritage Festival VI is made possible by a grant from the Lenoir Tourism Authority. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, call Jackie Sigmon at 828-757-2107.
4) Volunteers Sought for Appalachian Trail Crew in Great Smokey Mountains National Park
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) invites volunteers aged 18 and older to help maintain the Appalachian Trail (AT) in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park as part of the Smokies Wilderness Elite Appalachian Trail (S.W.E.A.T.) crew for the 2014 season. These particular positions are physically demanding and are designed for experienced hikers who love to work hard, live in the backcountry and create lasting friendships. S.W.E.A.T. Crew is a mobile group that focuses on Trail maintenance in the heart of the Smokies on sections more than five miles from the nearest road. Crew members carry tools, water, food and camping supplies to support their work. Each session lasts six days in the field where the crew focuses on clearing the A.T. and repairing it with materials they find. Food, lodging, training, equipment and transportation to and from the work site is provided. Members of the S.W.E.A.T. Crew arrive at ATC base camp the day before their crew session begins to meet the professional crew leaders, prepare for the work trip and check out any gear they need. The next day the crew enjoys a family-style breakfast and loads up in an ATC vehicle and drives to a nearby trail-head in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. After a challenging hike in, often up to ten miles long, the crew establishes a campsite they will work out of for the next five days. The crew repairs, reconstructs and maintains some of the most isolated and stunning sections often working at elevations more than 6,000 feet. For more information visit www.AppalachianTrail.org/crews.
5) Lawnmower Race Held May 31
The Rotary Club of North Wilkesboro will host the first lawnmower race of the season on Saturday, May 31 at Worth Evan Tomlinson Rotary Park in North Wilkesboro. The event is a fundraiser for the club. The Rotary Fairgrounds is located beside West Park off of D Street in North Wilkesboro. Gates open at 1 p.m. Inspection is from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Practice begins at 4:30 p.m. and racing starts at 6 p.m. Admission is $7 with children five and under admitted free. This is a Rednecks and Rebels Mower Racing Association event. Food vendors will be on site. For more information, call Mike Staley at 336-902-7052.