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Today’s Email Announcements

 CCC&TI Launches Workforce Ready Program

Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s College and Career Readiness Division has launched a new initiative called the Workforce Ready Program. Workforce Ready is a one-year job training certificate program that provides a foundation for transitioning into entry-level jobs or additional coursework.

The program helps students develop reading, math, computer skills and job skills and provides hands-on experience within a specific program of study. The program does not require prerequisite classes. Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Programs of study that are currently available are Auto Mechanic and Detailing Assistant, Landscape Gardening Assistant and Food Service Assistant. The schedule for each program includes academic study and career training and exploration.

Administrators at the college hope that the program will provide another option for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities, as well as other individuals who can benefit from a hands-on approach to learning. Ginny Nivarro, Coordinator of Special Populations states, “We are excited to offer these new job training opportunities that will allow individuals to earn a certificate.”

Program developers and leaders also hope that professionals in the community who work directly with students will make referrals. High School Exceptional Children’s Teachers, transition advisors, transition coordinators, vocational rehabilitation specialists, guidance counselors, social workers and others are all encouraged to make referrals if they work with students who would benefit from the program.

The program runs concurrently with the regular CCC&TI academic year. Classes will begin on Aug. 8 with the program concluding in May 2017. Class schedules vary for each area of study. Students must be 18 or older to enroll. Tuition for the program is $181 per semester. There may also be additional costs for textbooks and supplies. Scholarships and financial assistance are available through NCWorks or the Education Foundation for those who qualify.

The application deadline is July 15, 2016. Application packets can be downloaded from the CCC&TI website and are available by request from the College and Career Readiness Division on the Caldwell Campus. For more information about CCC&TI’s Workforce Ready Program, contact Ginny Navarro, Coordinator of Special Populations, at 828-726-2230 or visit www.cccti.edu/CCR/WorkforceReady.asp.

Animal Birthday Part Set for June 15 at Grandfather Mountain

 

How does a bear eat birthday cake?

With its bear hands, of course.

But don’t take our word for it. See for yourselves at Grandfather Mountain’s Animal Birthday Party on Wednesday, June 15.

The annual celebration includes a full day of special events designed to honor the black bears, bald eagles, deer, river otters and cougars that call Grandfather Mountain home. Most activities are included with park admission.

“This is a great way to celebrate all of the habitat animals, from our oldest bear, Gerry, at 27 years old, to our youngest otter, Oscar, who’s just two years old,” said Animal Habitats curator Christie Tipton. “We want to use this day to thank the animals for all they do to enrich our lives and to educate people about our native wildlife.”

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the Nature Museum, kids can make animal birthday cards and participate in a “Test Your Animal Knowledge” contest.

From 10:30 a.m. to noon, a Behind-the-Scenes Habitat Tour will be offered at a reduced rate of $20 per person. Guests can see where the cougars and otters sleep overnight, meet black bears not usually on display, observe a training session and learn more about why each animal lives at Grandfather Mountain. Space is limited, so the Behind-the-Scenes tours must be booked in advance by calling (828) 733-8715 or registering in the Nature Museum.

Fun and games commence at 10:30 a.m. and run through 12:30 p.m. just outside the Nature Museum. At 11 a.m., visitors can join in the popular “Thicket Game” at the Let It Rain Picnic Shelter.

At 12:30 p.m., staff members will host a Keeper Talk inside the Nature Museum with some of the educational animals, which include owls, snakes and a skunk.

At 1 p.m., an interactive activity will be held outside the Fudge Shop to introduce guests to the different types of animals that live on Grandfather Mountain. Free birthday cake will be available from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Fudge Shop.

At 1:30 p.m., join the habitat staff to make birthday enrichments for the animals at the Let It Rain Picnic Shelter. Help decorate the bears’ birthday cakes or prepare a homemade toy for Aspen the cougar.

At 2:15 p.m., when winners of the “Test Your Animal Knowledge” contest are announced in the Nature Museum. Winners, along with one family member, get the rare opportunity to go behind the scenes and help habitat staff give the birthday enrichment to the animal they were most knowledgeable about.

The final activity of the day begins at 2:30 p.m., immediately after the announcement, in which visitors can head to the habitats to watch the animals receive their birthday enrichments. Visit grandfather.com for the full schedule.

“They are very excited,” animal keeper supervisor Alexis Rowe said of the animals. “They can definitely sense that their birthdays are coming — and that we have special treats for them.”

Grandfather Mountain also offers several other ways friends of the animals can help improve their lives.

The nonprofit park offers an Amazon.com wish list, listing toys and supplies that are appropriate for the Grandfather Mountain habitat animals. Donors can choose a gift for their favorite animal, purchase online and have it delivered straight to Grandfather Mountain for immediate enjoyment by the animal residents. The list of suggested items is available at http://bit.ly/GMAmazonWishlist.

Animal lovers also can contribute through the Grandfather Mountain Adopt-an-Animal Program. Honorary adopters receive a photo of their animal, certificate of adoption, informational sheet about the animal’s life and additional items at higher donation levels, including a plush animal, cast of an animal footprint, day pass to Grandfather Mountain, note cards or behind-the-scenes visits with the adopted animal. Adoption levels range from $25 to $300. More information is available online at http://bit.ly/1O5deat.

The not-for-profit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. For more information, call (800) 468-7325, or visitwww.grandfather.com to plan a trip.

Two New Orleans Bands to Perform at 641 RPM Records June 15

Wednesday, June 15 at 9 p.m.

641 RPM Records will host two New Orleans Bands, The Pheasants and The Toonces.

Pheasants and Toonces Tour Poster

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LifeStore Insurance Welcomes Pam Barker to the Team

LifeStore Insurance recently welcomed Pam Barker to the Insurance Team. “We could not be more pleased about Pam’s addition to the insurance team as Group Benefits Executive,” commented LifeStore Insurance President Jody Brown. “Pam’s experience is unmatched. She grew up here, has served in a leadership capacity assisting LifeStore employees for 18 years and is now willing to assist the businesses we serve.”

Pam will be assisting clients with group insurance and employee benefits in all of the offices where LifeStore is located. Pam has experience in aligning employee benefit plans with company objectives, health care reform challenges, plan administration, and various other areas of human resources expertise.

“I am excited to be working with employers and helping them to provide benefits to their employees and I enjoy working with our clients and learning about their business and communities,” commented Pam.

Pam is a graduate of Appalachian State University with a degree in Finance. She began her career at LifeStore in 1994 as a teller in the downtown West Jefferson branch. She became Human Resources Director in 1998 and at different intervals her duties also included loan operations, accounting, facilities management and deposit operations.

Pam is the organist and treasurer at Calvary Free Will Baptist Church in Glendale Springs and is active in the Ladies Auxiliary and VBS. Pam also serves on the board of directors for the Ashe County Free Medical Clinic. She and her husband Mitchell live in Glendale Springs and have two children, Josh and Hannah. Josh is married and lives in Glendale Springs and is an HVAC Installer/Service Technician. Hannah is a rising junior at Ashe County High School.

LifeStore Insurance is an independent insurance agency providing its clients with options for their auto, home, business, employee benefits, life and health insurance needs. They are located across West North Carolina with offices in Boone, Elkin, Lenoir, North Wilkesboro, Sparta and West Jefferson.

Programs on the Parkway June 15-19

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30 am – Informal Upstairs Tour at Cone Manor

From 10:30-12:00, the second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it-yourself tour. Rangers will be on hand to answer questions.

 Thursday June 16, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30– Children’s Hour

Activities may include storytelling, traditional games, and/or hands on simple crafts. An adult or older responsible attendee must stay with children in order for them to participate (best suited for ages 4 – 12)

Friday, June 17, 2015

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:30 am – Informal Upstairs Tour at Cone Manor

From 10:30-12:00, the second floor of Cone Manor will be open for a do-it-yourself tour. Rangers will be on hand to answer questions.

Saturday June 18, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:00, 11:00, 2:00, 3:00 -Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor

Ranger led tours of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. Tour is approximately 45 minutes long and reservations are required. To reserve a tour: call 828-295-3782 or sign up at the NPS information desk at the Manor House. Reservations are accepted beginning at 10:00am Friday for the upcoming weekend only. No advance reservations, please.

 Julian Price Campground Amphitheater – Milepost 296

7:00 p.m. – Coyotes!

This newcomer to North Carolina has rapidly spread from the mountains to the coast, and is now found in all 100 counties. Why are they so successful? Are they to be feared? How should we treat this new neighbor? Come find out.

Approximately 45 minutes in length

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Cone Manor – Milepost 294

10:00, 11:00, 2:00, 3:00 -Upstairs Tours at Cone Manor

Ranger led tours of the second floor of the former home of Moses and Bertha Cone. See Saturday (above)