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Coming off the most successful year in the franchise's history, entertaining more than two million fans and setting a record-breaking 62 box office records, the iconic Harlem Globetrotters brings its 2010 "Magical Memories" World Tour to Boone on Tuesday, March 16. The performance begins at 7:00 p.m. at ASU's Holmes Convocation Center, and tickets start at $16. The show features extraordinary athletes and entertainers with a unique blend of athleticism, spectacle and humor.Since its formation in 1926, the team has played in 120 countries on six continents, entertaining more than 130 million fans.

To purchase tickets, click to theholmescenter.com.

After being absent for more than a decade, late-night skiing returned to the High Country this season in the form of Midnight Blast Weekends at Appalachian Ski Mountain and, based on reports from customers and mountain staff, they have become a welcome addition to the High Country snowsport scene. The success of the Southeast's only offering of late-night skiing and snowboarding has been so successful, in fact, that mountain management has decided to bring Midnight Blast Weekends back next season. 

If you haven't tried Midnight Blast, you're in luck because there are two Weekends left this season. Midnight Blast lift tickets cost $28 for adults, $24 for students and $20 for juniors, seniors and military. For more information, call 295-7828.

The Watauga Education Foundation is now accepting applications from college-bound Watauga High School Seniors for the Kate Swift Reese Scholarship.  At $1,000 the scholarship is a noteworthy addition to the funds that are available to local students for post secondary education. The endowment was established with the Foundation this past year to honor Miss Kate, who was best known for showing kindness to all she encountered and for being a natural born educator. Eligible students are those who graduate from WHS, are enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education in the US who demonstrate excellence in academic achievement, citizenship and community involvement and who clearly demonstrate a need for the scholarship.

The Kate Swift Reese Scholarship will be awarded this May, to a WHS student who epitomizes Miss Kate's spirit of helping others. Applications for the scholarship are available on the Watauga Education Foundation's website at wefnc.org, and through guidance counselors Watauga High School. They must be received by the foundation by March 1st.

To learn more about the positive impact this organization has had on students how you can join the effort, visit wefnc.org.

Athletes from North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana will compete in the 2010 Special Olympics Southeast Region Alpine Games this weekend and into next week at Appalachian Ski Mountain. According to Watauga County Parks and Recreation's Karon Poteat, who is heading up the event, the three-day competition will begin on Sunday evening with a torchlight parade of athletes and coaches, and an opening ceremonies event on the ski slope.  Poteat said area law enforcement and Boone Mayor Loretta Clawson will be on hand for the lighting ceremony. The actual games will be held on Monday and Tuesday.  Spectators are welcome to attend the event, and volunteers are encouraged to be a part of the games. 

Interested residents can call Watauga County Parks and Recreation at 264-9511.

A resolution passed through the House of Representatives this week that was sponsored by Congressman Patrick McHenry. The motion commemorates NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson for becoming the first driver to win four consecutive cup championships. McHenry said Jimmie Johnson's historic season and rise to the pinnacle of his profession is the embodiment of the American dream.  He represents what's best about professional sports, and his contributions to NASCAR and the community through his foundation are truly remarkable.  McHenry added that he's looking forward to watching Jimmie's 'Drive for Five' in 2010. The 2010 NASCAR season begins with the Daytona 500 on February 14.

Around 100 athletes from North and South Carolina competed in the 2010 North Carolina Special Olympics Winter Games this week at Appalachian Ski Mountain. Local Coordinator for the Special Olympics in Watauga County, Karen Poteat, was very pleased with how smoothly the event ran on Sunday and Monday.  Poteat said, "It went perfectly and couldn't have been any better. Five athletes from Watauga County competed in this week's games.  They were Catlin Bray, Justin Cordini, Ricky Corley, Clint Miller, and William "Rusty" Writer. Poteat said the Southeastern Regional Special Olympics Winter Games will be held on February 7, 8, and 9 at Appalachian Ski Mountain and it will feature around 150 athletes from six states.

The 2010 Special Olympics North Carolina Winter Games will be hosted by the French Swiss Ski College at Appalachian Ski Mountain on Sunday and Monday. According to Special Olympics officials, more than 100 athletes are set to compete. The festivities get started at 7:30 Sunday evening with the Opening Ceremonies, which will be held at the Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock.  The Special Olympics cauldron will be lit at the Appalachian Ski Mountain on Sunday afternoon and will remain burning throughout the competition. Volunteers are still welcome to sign up to help.  Interested residents can call Karen Poteat at 246-9511.

Coming off the most successful year in the franchise's history, with a record-breaking 62 box office records and more than two million smiling fans, the iconic Harlem Globetrotters bring their eye-popping 2010 "Magical Memories" World Tour to Boone on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at ASU's Holmes Convocation Center.  Sponsored by Campbell Soup Company, Spalding and America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, the Harlem Globetrotters will take the court at 7:00 p.m. Tickets start at $16 and are available by going to theholmescenter.com.  The Globetrotters' wholesome family entertainment is known worldwide for thrilling fans young and old and making cherished family memories.   Now in their 84th consecutive season of touring the world, the Globetrotters' high-flying show features some of the most extraordinary athletes and entertainers on the planet. For more information on them, you can check out their website at harlemglobetrotters.com.  This is a show you definitely don't want to miss!

Former Appalachian State wide receiver, and Sports Illustrated cover boy, Dexter Jackson, was signed to the Carolina Panthers' practice squad on Monday. The Panthers made the announcement thRough the team's official Twitter page. The National Football Post is also reporting Jackson's signing AND indicates Jackson could help bolster Carolina's return game and if he picks up the offense quickly, could be promoted to the 53-man gameday roster at some point  Jackson was drafted in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Motor Racing Network will be broadcasting one of their programs live from Wilkes County next week. According to MRN's website, Eli Gold will host a special edition of NASCAR Live at 7:00 pm on location at the "Moonshiners and Revenuers Reunion Show" in Wilkes County. The late Benny Parsons, a former Cup Series champion, will be remembered throughout the program.  Special guests lined up for the show include Ryan Newman, Jack Roush and Tony Stewart. The show will be aired live on Highway 106.1. Listeners of NASCAR live are invited to post their questions to the hosts online at www.motorracingnetwork.com.