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F.A.R.M. Cafe’s Benefit at Harvest House April 4

March 20, 2014. Join F.A.R.M. (Feed All Regardless of Means) Café on Friday, April 4th for it’s latest fundraising event. Harvest House in Boone will host the affair from 7pm-11pm that will include food, live music, dancing, raffles, and auctions. Not only will this be a great way to support the Cafe’s fight against hunger in the High Country, but also a “Real. Good. Party!”  A ticket to “Real. Good. Party!” will include entry to the event, food, and drinks including beer provided by local sponsor Appalachian Mountain Brewery. Tickets are $40 for one and $75 for a couple. All proceeds will benefit F.A.R.M. Café’s mission to build a healthy and inclusive community.  Those who enjoy a meal at the Cafe are welcome to donate, pay what they can, or volunteer in return for a meal. F.A.R.M Café has served over 36,000 meals since its opening in May of 2012, and annually, twenty percent of guests volunteer for their meal or receive it at little to no costs. The Cafe’s daily lunch includes a variety of soup, entrees, sides, salad, drinks, and desserts. At it’s location at 617 W. King Street, the Cafe serves an average of 75 meals each …

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Mix of Emotions at Farewell for MHM’s Joe Shannon’s

By Jesse Wood March 18, 2014. The mood at the Mountain Home Music’s St. Patrick’s Day concert at Blowing Rock Art & History Museum on Sunday was joyous, inspirational and sad. “You know? All of those emotions, and everybody felt that,” MHM Chair Ada Webster said on Tuesday morning. MHM founder Joe Shannon was honored and recognized at the concert on Monday. Shannon, who was recently awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Gov. Pat McCrory, has been battling cancer since he was diagnosed in late 2012.  Shannon founded the music series 20 years ago but recently stepped down from his role as executive director. He plans to leave the High Country soon and live with family in Florida as his health continues to spiral downward.  “I am so glad everyone came out,” Webster said. “It was the kind of sendoff we wanted to have for Joe.” Webster added that more than 200 people packed BRAHM to say their goodbyes to Shannon and listen to the bands Strictly Clean and Decent, The Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys and The Forget-Me-Nots play their Celtic repertoire during the all-Celtic St. Patrick’s Day benefit concert to assist Shannon with his medical expenses. David …

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Check Out All Ballots for Primary in Watauga

By Jesse Wood March 13, 2014. Individuals of all political persuasion have a reason vote during the primary. See ballots for those registered as Republican, Democrat or Libertarian below – as well as important dates. There is even a nonpartisan ballot for those just wanting to vote in the Watauga County Board of Education race.  The primary will narrow the field for the general election in November.  Republican Races: See Ballot Below As for the Republican races, plenty will be contested both in the primary. Eight Republicans are running for U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan’s seat. Philip Doyle is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, a congresswoman in North Carolina’s fifth congressional district of many terms. Three Republicans are running for District Attorney of the 24th Judicial District. Two Watauga County Board Commissioner districts are contested in the primary.  While the Watauga County Board of Education is nonpartisan, Republicans will have to help whittle the education race down to six. Eight people have run for Watauga County Board of Education.  Democrat Races: See Ballot Below While not as many races to vote on during the primary, Democrats have plenty of reason to vote during the primary. Two Democrats are challenging U.S. …

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State Jobless Rate Improves To 6.7 Percent

March 17, 2014. The state’s seasonally adjusted January unemployment rate was 6.7 percent, decreasing 0.2 of a percentage point from December’s revised rate of 6.9 percent. The national rate decreased to 6.6 percent from December’s 6.7 percent. North Carolina’s January 2014 unemployment rate was 2.1 percentage points lower than a year ago. The number of people employed increased 17,407 over the month to 4,356,090, and increased 45,283 over the year. The number of people unemployed decreased 11,354 over the month to 311,740, and declined 105,656 over the year. Seasonally adjusted Total Nonfarm industry employment, as gathered through the monthly establishment survey, decreased 7,200 to 4,097,000 in January. The major industry with the largest over-the-month increase was Construc- tion at 6,400, followed by Other Services, 1,900; Education & Health Services, 1,700; and Information, 400. Major industries to experience decreases were Leisure & Hospitality Services, 5,600; Trade, Transportation & Utilities, 5,300; Government, 3,500; and Professional & Business Services, 3,200. Mining & Logging, Manufacturing, and Financial Activities employment remained flat over the month. Since January 2013, Total Nonfarm jobs gained 70,100 with the Total Private sector growing by 72,200 and Govern- ment declining by 2,100. The largest over-the-year increase of major industries was …

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Commissioners To Hear Landowners Reval Appeals in April and May

By Jesse Wood March 19, 2014. The Watauga County Board of Commissioners approved the Board of Equalization and Review (E&R), which is the first level of appeal for landowners after the county revaluates property, on Tuesday evening, according to board clerk Anita Fogle. The commissioners also adopted a resolution establishing commissioners as the E&R board members and County Manager Deron Geouque as the alternate member. As in years past, the member compensation is $75 per session. Meeting times for the commissioners to hear and review appeals of listings and valuations placed upon taxable property in the county are: April 28: 4 to 7 p.m. April 29:  4 to 7 p.m. May 1: 4 to 7 p.m. May 5: 4 to 7 p.m. May 6: 4 to 7 p.m. May 12: 4 to 7 p.m. May 15:  4 to 7 p.m. May 19: 4 to 7 p.m. May 21: 4 to 7 p.m. Read prior story about reval:  Jan. 22, 2014. Watauga Commissioners Hear ‘Great News’ on Tax Reval, County Properties Decline .33 Percent Since 2006

Boomer Bytes #9: Hobbies: What’s Your Favorite

Editor’s Note: Below is Steve Canipe’s fourth column in his series called Boomer Bytes. The column, as the title suggests, will focus on a variety of topics that may be of interest to baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964. But Canipe also hopes to start a conversation with younger generations, too. Check out an introduction and Canipe’s (first self-titled) column here. See second column – Are We Really Old? – here.  See third column – Cars and More Cars – here.  See fourth column – Getting Educated – here.  See fifth column – Home Alone? – here.  See sixth column – Death – here.  See seventh column – They’re Playing Our Song – here.  See eighth column – Driving: Knowing When To Quit – here. Hobbies: What’s Your Favorite By Steve Canipe One of the pleasures we have as we get older is the ability to pursue things we enjoy instead of always doing what we have to do in order to earn a living.  Some and hopefully a lot of boomers have been lucky enough to have been able to combine the two especially in retirement.  Of course some of those younger boomers reading this are only going to …

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More Watauga Kids Insured, Less Pregnant

*Release from N.C. Child Feb. 26, 2014. Since 2007, Watauga County children have experienced improvement in key health indicators, including insurance coverage, dental care, teen pregnancy, child deaths and even high school graduation rates. These gains are at odds with what’s expected during economic downturns when health outcomes typically worsen. “Poverty causes increased financial and emotional strains on families that often result in poorer health outcomes for children,” said Laila A. Bell, director of research and data at NC Child. “These data show that public policy actions which promote evidence-based programs and support local communities can be powerful tools to safeguard our children’s health during tough economic times.                                                                                     NC Child’s 2013 Child Health County Data Card for Watauga County finds between 2007 and 2012: Medicaid enrollment increased by 25.5 percent and Health Choice enrollment increased by  6.4 percent, which is consistent with statewide data showing a 30 percent decline in uninsured children; Medicaid-eligible children who received dental care increased …

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Spring Fever Blowout at Winter Resorts

March 4, 2014. With plenty of snow present and cold weather in the forecast for the foreseeable future, March is shaping up to be one of the finest endings to a winter season in recent memory. While this is icing on the proverbial cake for resorts in the High Country, the customers receive deep discounts for essentially the same high-quality product offered during the prime winter months – awesome conditions to ski, snowboard and tube. “We still have a lot of snow right now. This is probably the most snow we’ve had at this time of the year in a very long time,” said Talia Freeman, Beech Mountain Resort’s marketing director. “I feel confident in the product that is on the hill and we’re going to stay open as long as we can.” In a release, Beech Mountain Resort noted that the “definite advantages to hitting the slopes in March” were the moderate temperatures, extended daylight hours, shorter lift times and discounts. Beech Mountain Resort is offering weekday pricing for all seven days of the week for lift tickets and “stay-and-ski” packages. See all discounts here. Noting yesterday’s snowfall and the chilly temperatures on Tuesday, Kim Jochl, vice president and marketing …

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Punch Brothers To Perform at ASU March 19

March 4, 2014. Punch Brothers with Aoife O’Donovan will perform at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts at Appalachian State University on March 19 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m.    Tickets are $12 and $18 for Appalachian students and the general public, respectively, and can be purchased at the Schaefer Center box office at 828-262-4046 or online at http://theschaefercenter.org/tickets. Punch Brothers are a New York City-based quintet of mandolinist Chris Thile, guitarist Chris Eldridge, bassist Paul Kowert, banjoist Noam Pikelny and violinist Gabe Witcher. The New Yorker magazine calls their most recent album, “Who’s Feeling Young Now?,” a “mystical alchemy of old-time music and contemporary sensibilities.” The album contains some of the most exhilaratingly direct, sonically daring performances the group has ever recorded. Opening act Aoife O’Donovan will perform songs from her debut solo album “Fossils,” which was a full decade in the making. O’Donovan’s music resembles the folk-traditions she grew up withduring her New England childhood. “This solo album seems like it was a long time coming to me,” O’Donovan said. “I’ve been thinking about it since I was 18 years old.” The folk and bluegrass of both acts will play into the heritage of the …

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Who To Vote For in Watauga, Avery 2014 Elections?

Update: Candidate filing ended at noon on Friday, Feb. 28. Another candidate has entered into the races for Watauga County Board of Commissioners and Watauga County Board of Education. Also, Avery County features last-minute candidate filings. Check out the list before yesterday’s story for all the filings that came in before the deadline.  As of noon on Friday, Feb. 28, after filing ended. Candidates Representing Avery, Watauga Counties & Beyond U.S. Senate (Kay Hagan’s Seat) Mark Harris (R) Ted Alexander (R) Heather Grant (R) Greg Brannon (R) Jim Snyder (R) Kay Hagan (D) (I) Will Stewart (D) Thom Tillis (R) Edward Kryn (R) Sean Haugh (L) Tim D’Annunzio (L) Ernest Reeves (D) Alex Bradshaw (R) District Attorney 24 (Jerry Wilson’s seat) Nathan Miller (R) Britt Springer (R) Seth Banks (R) N.C. Senate District 45 (Soucek’s Seat) Dan Soucek (R) Jim Sponenberg (D) WATAUGA COUNTY RACES U.S. House District 5 Virginia Foxx (R) (I) Philip Doyle (R) Gardenia Henley (D) Michael W. Holleman (D) Josh Brannon (D) Will Stinson (D) N.C. House District 93 (Jonathan Jordan’s seat) Sue Counts (D) Jonathan Jordan (R) (I) Watauga County Board of Commissioners (Three seats open) District 3: Karen Lerch (R) Matt Klutz (R) Billy Kennedy (D) (I) District 4: …

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School Board Votes 3-2 To Keep ‘The House of the Spirits’

By Jesse Wood Feb. 27, 2014. Before a fractured Watauga County Board of Education voted to keep “The House of the Spirits,” a novel dividing the county for nearly six months, in the Watauga High School curriculum, Chris Campbell, an attorney for Watauga County Schools, summed up the decision facing the school board Thursday evening at a special hearing in the Watauga County Courthouse. “Take a deep breath,” Campbell said. “Whatever you do tonight, you will not make everybody happy.”  Following the vote, Ron Henries, a veteran educator and two-term school board member, found that out firsthand after he sided with two of his fellow board members who were also long-term educators – Board Members Barbara Kinsey and Brenda Reese – to retain the novel in Mary Kent Whitakers 10th grade honors English class. Henries was considered the swing vote on the board by other board members. He was also one of the last people to leave the courthouse as he spoke with disappointed citizens, but immediately following the vote, a woman confronted and berated Henries. “You let us down,” she lambasted.  Henries later called his vote the “most difficult” decision he has made on the school board. “I believe …

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No Early Voting on ASU Campus for May Primary

By Jesse Wood March 5, 2014. Just like the general election last November, no early voting will take place on the campus of Appalachian State University during the upcoming primary on May 6. On Tuesday evening, the Republican-led Watauga County Board of Elections voted to have one-stop sites at the: Watauga County Administration Building in downtown Boone Western Watauga Community Center in Sugar Grove Blowing Rock Town Hall Deep Gap Fire Department Meat Camp Fire Department While Chair Luke Eggers and Secretary Bill Aceto voted for the aforementioned sites, Kathleen Campbell, the lone Democrat on the three-member board, had a plan of her own that included sites out in the county and sites at the Watauga County Courthouse, Boone Town Council Chambers and Plemmons Student Union at ASU. Bill Aceto submitted the approved plan, and because it wasn’t a unanimous vote, the matter will go before the State Board of Elections, which entertained proposals from local board members in September regarding early voting during the 2013 general election. The state board, which is controlled by a Republican majority, upheld an early voting proposal favored by Aceto and Eggers that eliminated early voting on the campus of ASU last fall.   The …

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Boomer Bytes #6: Death

Editor’s Note: Below is Steve Canipe’s fourth column in his series called Boomer Bytes. The column, as the title suggests, will focus on a variety of topics that may be of interest to baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964. But Canipe also hopes to start a conversation with younger generations, too. Check out an introduction and Canipe’s (first self-titled) column here. See second column – Are We Really Old? – here.  See third column – Cars and More Cars – here.  See fourth column – Getting Educated – here.  See fifth column – Home Alone? – here.  Death By Steve Canipe Feb. 21, 2014. What is the old saying…”nothing is certain but death and taxes.”? This has been attributed to several folks – but probably is most often related to Benjamin Franklin’s letter to Jean-Baptiste Leroy, 1789, which was re-printed in The Works of Benjamin Franklin, 1817, in which he said   “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Well it is a little early to talk about taxes – in another couple of months perhaps!!  But this column is going to look at and explore death that is certain for each of us.  I …

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Landmark High Country Shop – Everything Scottish – Shut Down

By Randy Johnson Feb. 21, 2014. Everything Scottish, one of the nation’s first Scottish import shops and a landmark of High Country Scottish culture, will close next Monday after a remarkable 43 years in business. Octogenarian owner Harvey Ritch is entering full retirement. Ritch will be at the shop this weekend, Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 12-4, and friends in the Highland Games and piping community “urge his friends and acquaintances to come out, relive some memories, and wish him well,” says Sally Warburton, the only member of The Grandfather Mountain Highlanders to still be a member since 1974 when Ritch co-founded the award-winning band. All remaining merchandise will be 50% off to benefit Ritch’s retirement. Everything Scottish is located in the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games building in Linville, opposite the U.S. Post Office. Ritch and his shop are more than just part of the local business community. Called “the High Country’s Pipe Major,” Ritch has founded a number of pipe bands, trained dozens of award-winning pipers, and played a major role in the growth of Scottish culture in the High Country, the South, and the nation. “It’s no exaggeration to call Harvey the forefather of piping in the South,” says …

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Commissioners, WCS Discuss Education Budget

By Jesse Wood Feb. 25, 2014. Representatives of Watauga County Schools spoke before the Watauga County Board of Commissioners last Friday during the boards annual retreat and outlined a preliminary budget and “possible increases” for the 2014-15 fiscal year. In a memo to County Manager Deron Geouque, WCS administrators noted that the school system was asking for the “same level of current expense” in the amount of $12,063,334 and an additional $460,000 for capital outlay. “While we have not completed our budget development process at this time and uncertainties continue with state funding, we believe this proposal will provide for present level of service to our students,” the memo states. The Watauga County Board of Education and staff are meeting this week – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – to finalize its budget request. WCS Finance Director Ly Marze outlined three “possible increases” that she wanted the commissioners to be aware of moving forward. She mentioned that costs for health and retirement benefits will increase “across the board” by about 2.32 percent. She mentioned that while the school system has used its fund balance to fund the one-to-one laptop initiative for the 2014-15 school year, WCS will ask the county for …

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Watauga Election Board Holds Early Voting Session

By Jesse Wood Feb. 25, 2014. Organized by the Republican members of the Watauga County Board of Elections, a drop-in session was held in downtown Boone on Monday night to discuss potential early voting sites in Watauga County for the primary election in May. Several maps were unfolded on tables and an easel for attendees to reference the different voting districts and – schools, governmental buildings and fire departments that may house a one-stop polling precinct in the county – was set up. A box of thumbtacks was also present for people to plot their preferences.  The public workshop took place in the commissioners’ boardroom on West King Street and was scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. For at least the first hour, a steady stream of constituents filled the room, but only two thumbtacks were placed on the maps. Board members stood around, entertained questions and listened to suggestions or thoughts from the public.  The workshop was announced at February’s board meeting last week to the enthusiasm of many who attended that meeting and who felt that more public input was needed before the selection of early voting sites. They also pressed for public comment period towards the end …

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The Junaluska Gospel Choir Debut CD Release Party March 2

by Madison V. Fisler Feb. 21, 2014. The Junaluska Gospel Choir will have a CD release party on March 2 at the Boone Mennonite Brethren Church. Their debut CD, Rough Side of the Mountain will be released with a concert at 4 p.m. with refreshments to follow. Admission to the release party is free and all are welcome.  From a press release: Nestled within the Junaluska neighborhood, one of the oldest predominantly African American communities in western North Carolina, the “little white church on the hill” has been home to some of the region’s most talent-rich gospel ensembles and over the years, the Junaluska Gospel Choir’s unique and eclectic sound has evolved into a passionate blend of gospel styles.  Rough Side of the Mountain was recorded in Boone at Owens’ Lonesome Pine Studios and at the Boone Mennonite Brethren Church. The CD itself features a full 15 tracks which include soloists, R&B workouts and an original composition by choir director Danny Whittington. Copies of the CD are available for $15 at the CD release party.  “The music is just very high energy, very inspirational and very uplifting,” said Danny Whittington, choir director for the Junaluska Gospel Choir. “It is very unique and spiritually …

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Man Arrested for Walgreens Armed Robbery

Feb. 26, 2014. On Feb. 25, 2014, Keith Brandon Cunningham, 20, of Morganton, was arrested for felonious robbery with a dangerous weapon and two counts of felonious tracking in opiates.  Mr. Cunningham is alleged to have entered Walgreens, located at 2184 Blowing Rock Road, in Boone, on Feb. 16, 2014, demanding pills from the pharmacist while threatening the use of a gun. Boone Police Department investigators sent out a Crime Stoppers alert shortly after the robbery.  Tips received from the Crime Stoppers alert led investigators to contact the Burke County Sheriff’s Office concerning Mr. Cunningham.   Mr. Cunningham was already wanted by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office for a 2013 breaking and entering incident.  Burke County investigators located Mr. Cunningham at an address provided by Boone Police Department investigators and arrested him on the outstanding breaking and entering warrants.  Mr. Cunningham was subsequently served with warrants charging him with the armed robbery in Boone, while he was still lodged in the Burke County Detention Center. “I am very pleased with the speed our investigators were able to solve this robbery and I greatly appreciate the invaluable assistance of the Burke County Sheriff’s Office,” Chief of Police Dana Crawford said.  “This again …

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Business Spotlight: Restoration House, Possum Hollow Antiques

By Jesse Wood Feb. 20, 2014. About 30 years ago during a major renovation period, representatives from the Biltmore Estate recruited Tommy Klutz to live onsite and work at the Biltmore House, restoring the impressive furnishings and architecture in the French Renaissance-styled mansion in Asheville.  Tommy, however, turned down the offer. After all Blowing Rock is home – as it has been for the Klutz family since the Civil War. Although Tommy didn’t take the job, the inquiry was a testament to his woodworking skills. He began learning the craft in 1973, the year after he married his wife Ruth, who recalled Tommy building beautiful Windsor chairs for their home before dinner in a little woodshed. “Like it was just born in him to build beautiful furniture, he just did,” Ruth said.  After selling his custom-built furniture in a showroom on Morris Street and working in a couple different workshops, Tommy constructed a two-story building in 1982 that houses both the downstairs Restoration House, where Tommy and their two sons Matt, 41, and Jason, 31, work, and Possum Hollow Antiques that Ruth manages upstairs. When Tommy first started out, he would buy antique furniture to restore and sell in consignment …

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What’s Going On? ‘494 Lofts’ in Downtown Boone

By Jesse Wood Feb. 24, 2014. Neighboring Hob Nob Café and across the street from Boone Saloon, the newest addition to the plethora of apartment complexes in and around Boone is 494 Lofts, a Winkler Organization Inc. mixed-use development slated to rent in time for fall semester 2014. The three-story development, named after its address on West King Street, features 12 efficiencies, 8 one-bedroom apartments and 5 two-bedroom apartments priced at $700, $750 and $650, respectively, according to advertising pamphlets on the property. The 0.224-acre property has no parking for tenants, who must provide proof that they either do not own a vehicle or have already leased a parking space elsewhere. Johnny Cooke, the initial developer of the project, agreed to this condition in February 2012 whenever members of the Boone Board of Adjustment expressed concern about tenants filling parking spaces reserved for area businesses, according to meeting minutes. The development also brought about questions regarding building height. How tall is too tall for a new building in downtown? Initial plans called for a four-story, 54-foot-tall building. At the continued meeting in March, Nova Nelson, owner of Hob Knob Café, spoke during a public hearing on the property and noted …

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