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Saturday my husband, dogs and I drove 55 minutes to Travelers Rest, SC to hop on the Swamp Rabbit Trail–a nearly 14 mile greenway that connects Travelers Rest and Greenville, SC.

Aside from being curious about the trail (having heard so much about it), I wanted to explore the trail because I’ve been working with Buncombe County to help with Connect Buncombe–a friends group to support the recently adopted 102 mile county-wide greenway plan.  I grew up near Pittsburgh, so I understand the Rails to Trails system and have seen how they benefit communities, but Greenville really has it goin on!  In fact, as we were leaving, we ran into some Asheville friends who had been in Greenville for the day exploring the trail as well.

Without further ado, here is what a developed greenway system can look like.  Here are the citizens who use the greenway system and here are the businesses that benefit from them.  After today, we REALLY want to Connect Buncombe with greenways and trails!  Also, here are some statistics about economic development impact on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.

 

Courtesy of MACFC

Mountain Area Child & Family Center, offering care and education to children ages 0-5 and their families, welcomes Bronwen McCormick as its new Director of Rainbow in My Tummy®. The healthy eating program for preschoolers, which kicked off in 2008, aims to prevent obesity by exposing children under five to colorful, nutritious foods that will promote lifelong preferences for healthy eating. The one-of-a-kind program is now being implemented in 11 early education centers in Buncombe County, with plans for expansion into surrounding counties and then beyond.

McCormick comes to MACFC from AB Tech’s award-winning Culinary Arts and Hospitality department, where she graduated first in her class to earn an Associates Degree in Culinary Technology, served as lab manager and instructor from 2004 to 2007 and Department Chairperson from 2007 until 2012. During her time at AB Tech, McCormick helped lead multiple culinary competition teams to state and regional acclaim and to a National Championship in 2007.

Under McCormick’s direction, plans for RIMT’s expansion include additional menus and recipes that significantly exceed minimal requirements for food served in early childhood education centers, training and curriculum for centers, teachers, and parents, an interactive website that will complement the current RIMT program, and an accreditation process for centers that have successfully implemented RIMT.

Long-term plans include teacher certification, assisting families to implement RIMT in the home, and partnering with community restaurants to offer healthier kids’ menus. With funding support from The Community Benefit Committee of Mission Hospital and United Way of Asheville & Buncombe County, MACFC is working to implement Rainbow in My Tummy® in additional Western North Carolina counties in 2013, with a push for state and national reach to follow.

Both with a local bent, The Wedge Brewery is showing two films for the spirit of Halloween!!!   OOooooohhhhaaaaaaaa!

Thursday, 10/25/12 7:30 p.m. Night of the Living Dead

This is a re-release of the original movie with a new soundtrack by Asheville’s Silver Machine

Tuesday, 10/30/12, 7:30 p.m. Wander Lost

David Kabler’s film about a drifter crosses a mysterious old man while returning home to visit his fathers grave. He pursues a beautiful artist, convinced she will somehow free him from his family curse.

Jane Whilden is opposing Tim Moffit for Representative of District 116 and the Buncombe County GOP posted this photo on their Facebook on 10/18/12 asking, “”Just how much tax-payer funded travel did Shanghai Jane take while she was working for former Governor Mike Easley? And why did she take her family?”

I have a question for  the Buncombe County GOP:  Why do you post racist propaganda?

Jane Whilden is opposing Tim Moffit for Representative of District 116 and the Buncombe County GOP posted this photo on their Facebook on 10/18/12 asking, “”Just how much tax-payer funded travel did Shanghai Jane take while she was working for former Governor Mike Easley? And why did she take her family?”

Why is this ok?  Whether you are liberal, conservative or somewhere in between or other, we the people should NOT tolerate this type of behavior from our supposed political leadership.

Please, no matter where you lie on the political spectrum demand that respect and dignity remain through the process.  I have requested over Facebook that they remove this post.  Please give them a call if you think it’s racist as well: (828) 253-5800

 

Two cool programs are happening in WNC schools: Asheville Community Design Lab (ACDL)  After-School and Mother Earth Produce’s Support Our Schools (SOS) Fundraising program.

Sponsor an ACDL Scholarship for one of 15 Students who need them

“For $130 per month, I’ve been able to sponsor a local student in a meaningful after-school program with artists, design professionals and others who are improving our neighborhoods…and teaching the next generation how to contribute.”

–Local small business owner who lives near a partnering school

Create a custom logo while learning the basics of marketing. Design shoes from concept to creation. Learn first-hand from an architect to design a home or bus shelter. Model a dream playground then bring it to fruition with professional designers, artists and builders.  A project of Roots + Wings School of Art, ACDL is an after-school program that engages students in critical thinking and innovation through principles of art and design for community reinvention.

Asheville Community Design Lab is devoted to programming focused on art and design for community reinvention. ACDL is a project-driven, after-school program that addresses what a typical school curriculum does not.  The ACDL works with students to learn about what’s beyond the walls of their schools, and teaches students how to fail in order to find better collective solutions to community problems. They believe problem-solving starts with listening and understanding.  They create symbiotic relationships with local schools, giving back to school art programs and offering scholarships to create inclusive spaces and collective voice.

Support Our Schools Fundraising Program

Rather than selling cookie dough and candy to raise funds for schools, Support Our Schools (SOS) enables schools to raise funds, while supporting local farms and local businesses, as well as health in our communities.  Schools can sign up with Mother Earth Produce, a farm to front door delivery service of organic produce and local edibles, to raise funds for their schools by selling bins of local produce and edibles. Co-owner Andrea DuVall is a former 6th grade teacher and is passionate about giving back to local schools.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Go to the School Fundraising page on www.MotherEarthProduce.com (click the purple button)
  2. Fill out the SOS Registration Form.
  3. Mother Earth Produce assigns your school an SOS code and sends you an outreach packet (with draft emails and outreach materials).
  4. Your school reaches out to your networks with the SOS code.
  5. The first 100 veggie bins sold with you school SOS code earns your school $4/bin, or $400.
  6. Bin Benchmarks: You can continue to earn additional funding throughout the year for selling additional bins. Your school will earn $2 for any number of bins sold over 100 through May 31 of the following year!

Any parents or teachers from participating ACDL schools want to raise some scholarship funds by selling local, organic produce and edibles?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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