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

1) Blue Ridge Parkway Special Ranger Program

On Friday, July 26, at Julian Price Memorial Park Campground Amphitheater Milepost 293 at 7 p.m., the Civil War in the Mountains with Award Winning Historian and Author in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Civil War author and 2010 North Carolina Historian of the Year Michael Hardy and a group of historic re-enactors will give a presentation on the Civil War in the Appalachian Mountains. 

2) Fire Yell

On Saturday, July 27 at Linville Falls Campground Amphitheater at milepost 316. As one of the classical elements, fire has been seen as a powerful force within the universe. Learn about fire’s positive and negative effects and how wildland fire is fought. 

3) Tree Board Meeting

A meeting of the Town of Boone Tree Board will be held on Wednesday, July 24, at 6 p.m. in the Planning and Inspections Conference Room located at 680 W. King Street, Post Office Main Floor-Conference Room. 

4) Appalachian Trail Conservancy Launches “I am The Appalachian Trail” Video Contest

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is currently accepting submissions for the “I am the Appalachian Trail” video contest, a nationwide search for the best fan-made video about the Appalachian Trail (AT). The grand prize winner will have their video screened in movie theaters during the 2014 ATC Membership Drive. The video contest asks participants to answer the question “How are you a part of the Appalachian Trail?” Contestants will submit short videos, no longer than three minutes, emphasizing the many ways that they are connected to the trail. Whether as a hiker, volunteer, teacher, artist or simply someone who loves the Trail, the contest will explore how people are a part of the AT> “”The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is very excited to see just how important the Trail is to the Appalachian Trail community. Each video tells a different story and brings to light the special connections people have to the Trail and each other,” said Javier Folgar, director of marketing and communications for the ATC. The creators of the top three videos with the most votes will each win a one year membership to the ATC and be featured in an issue of A.T. Journeys, the official magazine of the ATC. The grand prize winner will have their video featured in theaters during the 2014 ATC Membership Drive and shared with thousands of followers across ATC’s social media sites. The contest winner will also receive a custom ATC hammock, courtesy of ENO. The public will vote for their favorite video through ATC’s Facebook page. Submissions are being accepted until Sunday, Sept. 15, and voting will take place from Sept. 16 through Nov. 8. Winners will be announced on Monday, Nov. 11. Last year, Hector Reyes Miller of Dorado, Puerto Rico won the contest with a captivating video that highlighted like lessons he learned at the AT. Miller’s video was shown in theaters during the 2012 membership drive and at the ATC’s leaders in conservation award gala in Washington D.C. 

 5) Watauga Task Force Work Day

The Watauga Task Force will have a work day on Saturday, July 27. We will meet at 8:30 a.m. on the Parkway at MP 286, just south of where the Parkway crosses over the Goshen Creek Bridge. This is about 9.3 miles south of US 421 and 5.8 miles north of US 321. The Parkway can also be reached from Bamboo Road/Little Laurel Lane just north of the work site. We will be working on trail rehabilitation at the site of the new High Shoals Creek bridge. The contractor did a good job of protecting the trail and greenery, but there are some things that can be done to make it look even better. At 10:30 a.m. we will take a break and have a small ceremony to “dedicate” the new bridge. Even if you cannot work, please come to the ceremony. From the informal parking on the Parkway, take the access path down to the MST and turn right (south). The bridge is less than 0.1 mile. Workers should wear suitable work clothes including sturdy footwear and leather gloves. Some of us may be working in the creek, so bring creek shoes and other water gear. We will provide all necessary tools. Make sure you have water, snacks and lunch for yourself. Let me know if you are coming so I can provide enough tools. In case of bad weather forecasts, I will cancel by email by 7 p.m. the Friday before the work day. Thank you all for all the work you are doing on the trail. I look forward to seeing you. Please call John at 828-963-6901.

6) American Heart Association HeartSaver CPR and AED Course

Aug 13 from 6-9 p.m. at the Watauga Medical Center Auditorium. The cost is $40, registration deadline is Aug. 9. This course is designed for community members who want to learn CPR for adults, children and infants; how to help a choking victim and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). The certification card is valid for 2 years. 

7) American Heart Association BLS for HCP Part II – Skills Check

Tuesday, Aug. 13 from 5-6 p.m. at the Watauga Medical Center Association. Cost is $15 per person. This course is for healthcare providers seeking an initial or renewal basic life support for healthcare providers course completion card. Part I can be completed online in 1-2 hours. You must bring your Part I completion certificate to the skills check. The skills check will take approximately one hour. 

8) American Heart Association First Aid Course

Tuesday Aug. 20 from 6-9 p.m. in the Watauga Medical Center Auditorium. The cost is $30. This course is designed for community members who want to learn basic first aid skills like how to recognize and respond to different emergencies like heart attack, stroke, choking, bleeding, seizures, diabetic reactions, breathing problems, shock and environmental emergencies. Participants receive a certification card which is valid for 2 years.