August 2009 Archives

Bluegrass fans got together at the Old State Fairgrounds in Boone on Saturday for Music on the Mountaintop. Performers this year were Sam Bush, Keller Williams, The Steep Canyon Rangers, and Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, as well as 15 regional and local acts from around Western North Carolina.

This show was not only entertaining, but also green. There was a solar powered stage, recycling programs, as well as the addition of renewable energy nonprofit organizations.

A portion of the proceeds from this year's festival will go to the Appalachian Institute for Renewable Energy and the Appalachian Energy Center.

Many brought their pets to the Boone Mall on Sunday for a Pet Show! The Watauga Humane Society hosted the show, and good thing is, all pets were a winner.

The show allowed all animals to attend, not just dogs and cats. In the past, the Humane Society has had birds, goats, mice, rabbits, snakes and more. Events this year was a pet costume contest, an adopted pet parade, an agility course and more.

This free event was for the entire family.

Tough economic times are leading many to cut back. Businesses are finding themselves to close down or put operations on hold... and that is exactly what's happening with the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock.

Known to be the hub of entertainment for those in the High Country, the center holds musicals, shows and competitions. Their last performance of the summer season, Hank Williams: Lost Highway is performing now through September 5th. Though the center's future is uncertain, the board of trustees are going over all options to hopefully continue operations at the center before the 2010 summer season begins.

For more information or tickets, go to hayescenter.org.

A lane is closed on Highway 421 this week as part of a widening project. Contractors' plan to begin work on U.S. 421 in front of the hotels across from New Market. This section will include work on building the retaining walls.

Crews are also beginning to install water lines and sewer lines at N.C. 194. The lanes will close between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The project will widen U.S. 421/King Street from a four- to six-lane divided highway with a raised concrete median from U.S. 321/Hardin Street to east of N.C. 194.

The project is to cost around $15 million and be completed by the end of 2011.

Lees-McRae College will hold their opening convocation ceremony on Wednesday. Beginning at 3 p-m at the Hayes Auditorium, a 'coming together' of the college community will celebrate the beginning of the academic year.

Lees-McRae College President Dr. Scott Colley will be this year's speaker. Colley is President Emeritus of Berry College in Mount Berry, Georgia where he served as President from 1998-2006. He has also published three dozen scholarly articles and reviews in several publications.

For additional information on the ceremony, contact Meghan Wright, at (828) 898-8729 or email wrightm@lmc.edu.

Have you lost your job and need to find another one? Well the Watauga County Schools are looking for more bus drivers. The school will be offering bus driver training at Mayland Community College in Newland August 26^th-28^th and at Old West Jefferson Elementary School in Ashe County September 1st -3rd. Both classes will run from 8:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Watauga County residents are encouraged to attend because the next training in Watauga County is uncertain. Before attending the class, anyone who is not a current Watauga County Schools employee must have a recommendation from the principal at the school they wish to be hired from.

For directions or additional information, contact Toni Floyd at 828 264-6391.

If you drive on Bamboo Road, it will be hard to miss the large brand new Samaritan's Purse facility.

On Thursday, a dedication ceremony took place to celebrate its grand opening. But how did the organization get this far and become a success? According to Chief Operating Officer Kirk Nowery, it's all about prayer. With Samaritan's Purse almost in its 30^th year since President Franklin Graham led the organization, Nowery claims bigger things only lie ahead.

If you would like to know more on the organization, log onto their website, samaritanspurse.org.

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx will host a district-wide telephone town hall on the topic of healthcare reform for 5th district constituents on Thursday.

Foxx claims we need sensible healthcare reform that is patient centered, not government-centered or insurance company-centered.

Constituents can call into the town hall meeting by dialing 1-877-850-4133 at 6:30 p.m. and enter the password 3699 or Foxx. Those who call will be connected to a live conference call with Representative Foxx and other constituents in the 5th district.

The need for blood is constant, so give a part of yourself to save a life. With the summer ending, many forget to give blood.

But now is time more than ever to donate because you can still be apart of the "Give blood and see America" campaign, which will run until September 30^th. Each person who presents to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross may enter for a chance to win one of three $1,000 dollar gas gift cards.

The next blood drive in Watauga County will be on Friday, August 21st, from 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Walmart and the Boone Mall.

For other blood drives, go to RedCrossBlood.org or call the Watauga County American Red Cross at 828-264-8226.