HIDE
Announcing a great opportunity for summer fun for curious grownups - guided High Country Nature Hikes! Adults interested in the diversity of our beautiful Southern Appalachians are invited to join Dr. Stewart Skeate on three special nature hikes, Wednesday through Friday, July 16-18. Dr Skeate will lead guided day hikes through the diverse natural communities of the rich Northern Hardwood Forests, the Mixed Oak Forests, the high elevation Spruce-Fir Forests, the Mountain Bogs, and the Heath shrub lands. Skeate will share the natural history of the plants and animals of these communities and the factors that have produced these unique habitats. Dr Skeate is the author of “A Nature Guide to Northwest North Carolina,” and is a professor of biology for the Lees-McRae Wildlife Biology Program. He brings a wealth of outdoor experience to these days trips that are guaranteed to enhance your understanding of what’s in your own backyard. The $85 fee covers three days of transportation and guided hikes in the High Country. Help us spread the word - share this with visitors to the High Country! More information is available at www.pathways.appstate.edu, or you may call 828-262-2530.
HIDE

HIDE
The Summit will focus attention on emerging sectors in North Carolina’s economy and show their interconnection and relationship to a larger strategic movement called the Creative Economy. The Creative Economy is upon us and many of us aren’t aware of its economic importance. Often people think of artists when they hear the word "creative," however, the Creative Economy embodies more than art; it includes architects, designers, engineers, farmers, hoteliers, entertainers, storytellers, builders, construction workers and umpteen others who emphasize the aesthetic, intellectual and emotional aspects of their product or service, and their customers place a high value on these contributions. These people, their companies and their ideas are critical to our communities -- and they are becoming more relevant to economic development initiatives throughout North Carolina, especially western North Carolina. Panelists will represent new sectors in viticulture, agriculture and farmland preservation, recreation and natural resources, music and film, construction and design, and financing the Creative Economy. North Carolina School of the Arts Chancellor John Mauceri will be the luncheon keynote speaker. Dr. David McGranahan, senior economist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Resource and Rural Economics Division, will open the Summit with a national overview. Summit sponsors include Appalachian Regional Development Institute, Appalachian State University, AdvantageWest, BioNetwork BioBusiness Center, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corp., Future Forward Economic Alliance, the High Country Council of Governments, Skyline Membership Corp., and the Western Piedmont Council of Governments. The Appalachian Regional Development Institute (ARDI) is an applied research and public service program of Appalachian State University. Through ARDI, the University makes its resources, faculty and professional staff available to address economic, business, government, and social issues and problems related to regional development. ARDI focuses University resources on issues of regional development with emphasis on the development opportunities and problems of western North Carolina. Its annual leadership summit is one mechanism to fulfill this mission. For more information about the Summit or ARDI, please go to www.ardisummit.com.
HIDE

HIDE
July 12th Saturday 2:00 pm Kayak and Canoeing Beginning Paddlers! Come out to the visitor center for an informative talk on canoeing/kayaking the New River. Topics covered include trip planning, common hazards on the river, and some important paddling techniques. This is a talk only. There will be no paddling involved. Meet at the US Hwy 221 Access Visitors Center Auditorium. (818) July 13th Sunday 12:30 pm Guided Canoe Trip Join Park Rangers at the Wagoner Access Road for this 3-hour float down the Wild and Scenic New River. The trip will take approximately 3 hours from beginning to end. You will learn some basic canoeing paddle strokes and other useful information to help you paddle safely. You must be able to help carry and load the canoes. The Rangers will interpret many sights along the route. The trip will end with one of the local outfitters shuttling you back to Wagoner Access. This trip is limited to 8 visitors per trip, so please call the park office to have your name added to the list. The outfitters charge a minimal fee for shuttling. Park phone number is 336-982-2587. (921) July 20th Sunday 2:00 pm Fern Hike Learn the ferns of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Join a Park Ranger on a 1-mile hike, which will last about an hour. Meet at the Wagoner Road Access at 2:00 pm (811) July 26th Saturday 2:00 pm Nature Crafts for Kids Bring your children to the Visitor Center to create bugs, butterflies and snakes they can take home! Program appropriate for preschool thru elementary age children. Meet a Park Ranger at the US Hwy 221 Access Visitors Center Auditorium at 2:00pm (982) July 27th Sunday 12:30 pm Guided Canoe Trip Join Park Rangers at the Wagoner Access Road for this 3-hour float down the Wild and Scenic New River. The trip will take approximately 3 hours from beginning to end. You will learn some basic canoeing paddle strokes and other useful information to help you paddle safely. You must be able to help carry and load the canoes. The Rangers will interpret many sights along the route. The trip will end with one of the local outfitters shuttling you back to Wagoner Access. This trip is limited to 8 visitors per trip, so please call the park office to have your name added to the list. The outfitters charge a minimal fee for shuttling. Park phone number is 336-982-2587. (981) July 27th Sunday 2:00 pm Lost, But Found Safe and Sound Be prepared! Come learn what kids should take hiking with them, just in case they get lost in the woods. Meet at the US Hwy 221 Access Visitor Center. (818)
HIDE

HIDE
July 5th Saturday 6:30 pm Escaper from Affulenza A review of ways to get out of the consumer trap. The New River Earth Institute presents Visions: Environmental Impact and You-A summer film series helping protect the Earth. Showing at New River State Park’s Hwy 221 Visitor Center. Meet at the Visitor Center at 6:30 pm. July 12th Saturday 6:30 pm The Future of Food Hybrids to Genetic Modifications, how we are tampering with life on this planet. The New River Earth Institute presents Visions: Environmental Impact and You-A summer film series helping protect the Earth. Showing at New River State Park’s Hwy 221 Visitor Center. Meet at the Visitor Center at 6:30 pm . July 19th Saturday 6:30 pm An Inconvenient Truth Al Gore’s theory of global warming. The New River Earth Institute presents Visions: Environmental Impact and You-A summer film series helping protect the Earth. Showing at New River State Park’s Hwy 221 Visitor Center. Meet at the Visitor Center at 6:30 pm. July 26th Saturday 6:30 pm Who Killed the Electric Car The ultimate electric car was built and subsequently destroyed. The New River Earth Institute presents Visions: Environmental Impact and You-A summer film series helping protect the Earth. Showing at New River State Park’s Hwy 221 Visitor Center. Meet at the Visitor Center at 6:30 pm . July 26th Saturday 6:30 pm Who Killed the Electric Car The ultimate electric car was built and subsequently destroyed. The New River Earth Institute presents Visions: Environmental Impact and You-A summer film series helping protect the Earth. Showing at New River State Park’s Hwy 221 Visitor Center. Meet at the Visitor Center at 6:30 pm . Gerry Tygielski, President of New River Earth Institute, will be the presenter.
HIDE

HIDE
Art in the Park in Blowing Rock, North Carolina begins its 46th year, on May 17th! This award-winning series features the works of juried artisans from all over the Eastern U.S. in metal, fiber, watercolor and oil painting, wood, photography, basketry, jewelry, clay, glass and more. The Chamber of Commerce provides free shuttles throughout the day. Just park your car at Tanger Outlet Center or the Food Lion Grocery on Highway 321 bypass, and hop on the shuttle which will bring you right into downtown Blowing Rock. The show is located at the American Legion Grounds just behind Memorial Park and admission is FREE. Show hours are 10 am til 5 pm. Dates for this year’s shows are: May 17, June 14, July 19, August 16, September 13 & October 4.
HIDE

HIDE
Every Saturday 9am-2pm. Meet in the trailhead parking lot at 9am. Bring work gloves and Cover toed shoes (no sandals or flip flops will be allowed when working on the trail). Please be sure to bring any water and or snacks you will need while working.
HIDE

HIDE
At least 5 aid stations. 7 hour time limit. Pottery cup or Nathan Quickdraw for entrants. Patagonia Long Sleeve finishers shirts. Prizes top 3 M &F under 40 and 40+. Post race meal. $50.00 before 9/1/08, $65.00 after. Register at http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?EVENT_ID=1512090&CHECKSSO=0 For more information: www.ncnr.org/nrt50k.html or contact race director Annette Bednosky: annettebednosky@gmail.com, 336-620-2986
HIDE

HIDE
Camp UREC will run on ASU's campus through the months of June & July!! Come climbing on the climbing wall and swim in the pool while playing crazy games with trained Counselors who are all ASU Students!! The Camp runs Monday - Friday from 8am - 5pm. For more information, please visit our website! www.urec.appstate.edu
HIDE

HIDE
4/5-6 Solar Water & Space Heating Attendees will learn how to best take advantage of a free and renewable fuel source to heat their home and water using proven and reliable technologies. Solar thermal applications are currently the most accessible and economically favorable of solar technologies available in the marketplace. Solar thermal systems are not new, but they are definitely exciting, and current tax credits make them more affordable than ever. Site assessment, system design, maintenance, and operation will all be covered in depth in this question-oriented clinic. 4/19-20 Small Scale Wind Energy 5/2-23 Photovoltaics 6/20-21 Community-Scale Biodiesel Production 7/11-12 Domestic Solar Water Heating 8/27 PV & The National Electrical Code 10/4-5 Micro Hydro 10/18-19 Small Scale Wind Energy
HIDE

HIDE
When:Every Friday Night Time:7:00pm-10:00pm Admission:Free Location:2425 Silas Creek Rd.; Lansing, NC. 28643 Info:Dawg or Rita Wood-336-384-2382.
HIDE