1) App Voices to Launch Interactive Time-Laps Map of Mountaintop Removal Coal Mines
Appalachian Voices is releasing an interactive map this week that shows the first-ever, time-lapse view of the expansion of mountaintop removal coal mines closer to communities in Central Appalachia, even as coal production in the region declines.
Using Google Earth images, census information and other data, Appalachian Voices developed the web tool that shows the expansion of mountaintop removal mines, and ranked 50 communities with active surface mining within a one-mile radius that are most at risk for polluted drinking water, toxic dust, health threats including cancer, birth defects and premature death, poverty and population loss.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 28, 11 a.m.
WHAT: Launch and demonstration of the tool via press webinar
WHO: Matt Wasson, Ph.D., Program Director; Erin Savage, Central Appalachian Campaign Coordinator; Ben Hooper, resident of Inman, in southwest Virginia
WHERE: Register at Go-To Meeting: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6305915055583248642
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the webinar.
The mapping tool is the centerpiece of “Communities at Risk,” a new campaign aimed at the White House urging President Obama to end mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia before he leaves office. It was developed by Appalachian Voices for iLoveMountains.org on behalf of the Alliance for Appalachia.
2) The Valle Crucis B&B to Open the Valle Crucis Mercantile on May 15
The Valle Crucis Bed & Breakfast has just recently celebrated their 11 year Anniversary in business this past March and will now be providing guests of the Bed and breakfast, local residents and tourists a new option of shopping in Valle Crucis. We are excited to announce that the Grand Opening of The Valle Crucis Mercantile will take place during the weekend of May 15.
The Valle Crucis Bed and Breakfast has been welcoming visitors from all over to enjoy the picturesque community of Valle Crucis. With the growth of Watauga County and increased visitors staying in hotels, it has been important to grow with the needs of the area and Suzanne and Damon Stevens have recognized this. Many individuals come to Valle Crucis to experience the mountains as well as to find that something special to purchase for a wedding, birthday or anniversary. The Stevens have found a niche with unique farm house décor and cabin décor. The many items in the store will appeal to the year round residents and seasonal visitors. They have taken great time and care in selecting items that cannot be found in other shops in the area. Suzanne and Damon Stevens also want to add to the shopping experience by offering the largest selection of delicious coffee and teas. This is located in our Koffee Korner. There is a specially designed K-Cup area where you can choose from hundreds of flavors of coffee and teas. You personally select your blend of from the K-Cup Wall and we will make your coffee and recycle the chosen K Cups.
The Valle Crucis Mercantile has a great architectural design that sets the stage of being in an Old West Town and each side is decorated to enhance the buyers’ experience. Come visit this new shop and take away something you will be thrilled to share with others. Operating Hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays with seasonal hours announced. For more information, visit the Valle Crucis Mercantile on Facebook.
3) Beech Mountain to Host Covered Dish Birthday Party, Arbor Day Celebration on Friday
The Town of Beech Mountain will host its 34th birthday party and Arbor Day celebration on Friday, May 1 from 5-7 p.m. at the Buckeye Recreation Center. There’s icing on the cake and the fried chicken will be hot, just bring a covered dish to share and a beverage of your choice and let the celebration begin.
Come and learn some “must-know” information, which will enhance your summertime fun.
Head home with a “live” party favor and schedules for summer hikes and special events. Sign up to volunteer for special events.
R.S.V.P. to 828-387-3003 and let us know what you’re bringing.
4) Appalachian Choral to Perform Rutter and Bernstein on Tuesday
The Appalachian Choral will perform works by John Rutter and Leonard Bernstein on Tuesday, April 28. The 8 p.m. performance will be presented in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall at Appalachian State University. Admission is free. Dr. Linda Larson is the conductor.
The program opens with Rutter’s “The Sprig of Thyme” a choral suite of folksongs written in 1994.
Drawing his work from English, Irish and Canadian folksongs, Rutter wrote, “For children growing up in post-war England as I did, traditional songs still form a common musical currency. These songs brought me delight and pleasure then, and they still do now, though pleasure has become tinged with nostalgia because, for the most part, they are forgotten and gone from our lives, perhaps forever. ‘The Sprig of Thyme’ is an affectionate tribute to their composers and poets; a few were renowned, most were obscure or unknown, but the songs they created were famous, and I remember them fondly.”
The second work on the program in “Chichester Psalms” by Leonard Bernstein. The composition was written in 1965 when he was on sabbatical from his position as the New York Philharmonic’s music director. He wrote it at the request of the dean of the Cathedral of Chichester in England for the cathedral’s 1965 music festival.
5) Launch Party for Author Maryrose Carroll’s “Beats Me” to be Held at the Public Library on Friday
Beats Me, described by N.C. Poet Laureate Joseph Bathanti as “a wonderful book,” will be launched with a party at the Watauga Public Library, sponsored by High Country Writers. Local writer Maryrose Carroll will be signing copies and answering questions. The story starts in Chicago and ends in the High Country. It is the story of a poet’s last year, during which he relates his story of beating university and U. S. Post Office attempts at censorship. He tells about his friends, James Dickey, Allen Ginsberg, Studs Terkel, Jack Kerouac and many other writers. During his last year he recites lines of his poetry which include the line: “we walk inside the heart of God all day.”
Come at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 1 to the Watauga Library and celebrate this new book with Maryrose. High Country Writers is an organization which fosters the growth and creativity of writers of all genres offering its members support, constructive criticism and professional development. For more information, visit http://highcountrywriters.tripod.com.
6) Watauga Community Band to Perform Spring Concert on Sunday
The Watauga Community Band will perform its annual spring concert Sunday, May 3. The concert begins at 7 p.m. in Rosen Concert Hall on the campus of Appalachian State University.
The band, under the direction of Bill Winkler, will perform an ambitious and exciting program. Selections include Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Concerto For Trombone and Band featuring Zach McRary, Haydn Wood’s Mannin Veen (Dear Isle Of Man) with guest organist Laurie Nicholson, exciting music from the television show Dr. Who, Michael Markowski’s The Cave You Fear, and for fun, A Symphony Of Sit-Coms. There will be a quiz after this one!
Special guest conductor, Dr. George Naff, will lead the band in performing his new piece, Mountain Serenade. It is dedicated to Dr. Charles Isley, Professor Emeritus at ASU and a wonderful band director and educator. Dr. Isley is also a founder of Watauga Community Band and served as its conductor for many years.
The concert is free, and all are welcome to attend. Please join us in welcoming spring with an evening of music.
7) Weekly Events at Lost Province Brewing Company
Tuesday, April 28: Cheap date night at Lost Province. Dinner for two for only $25 from 6-10 p.m.
Wednesday, April 29: Benefit for Jacob and Carleen. Lost Province Brewing Co. will be hosting a benefit night to support two local individuals and staff members, Carleen Berndt and Jake Rudolph, in an effort to help with their medical expenses. A portion of proceeds from the day will go to Carleen and Jake, as well as the money raised from our silent auction. There will be live music from the band Hilltop Riot and lots of great prizes! So come join us for a great night of beer, food, music, prizes and more!
Thursday, April 30: $3 Thursday: $3 pints on all Lost Province brewed beers (except high gravity); Live music with Erin Mason from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Soulful country and Folk-pop. Her library of original work tells stories of everyday life written with powerful lyrical depth; always performed in a distinctively engaging Southern soulful style.
Friday, May 1: First Friday: Freakin’ Ferkin Friday at Five continues with a Mojito Cream Ale. We’re taking our Councill’s Store Cream Ale and infusing it with lime and mint.; Live music from 10 p.m. to closing with Dr. Bacon. Dr. Bacon is a genre defining “Appalachian Funk-Grass” band from Boone, NC. We play an infectiously danceable blend of funk, soul, jazz, rock, blues, folk, hip-hop and more with a Southern Appalachian Bluegrass foundation and instrumentation. We feature as diverse instrumentation as our influencing styles including: guitar, resonator, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, bass, trumpet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone drums, trombone, kazoo and more.
Saturday, May 2: Live music with Jacob Johnson Band from 8 p.m. to closing. Guitarist, singer, songwriter from North Carolina playing the Blues.
Sunday, May 3: Lost Lost Province Sunday: Residents of “The Lost Province” (Watauga, Ashe, Avery and Alleghany) receive 10 percent off food with verification of residency.
Tuesday, May 5: Cheap date night at Lost Province. Dinner for two for only $25 from 6-10 p.m.