WNC Home Lawn & Garden Show is March 15-17

The WNC Home Lawn & Garden Show is March 15-17, 2013 at the U.S. Cellular Center (Civic Center) in downtown Asheville. 

This show is expected to have 6,000-8,000 attendees and is the largest home show in Western North Carolina. Exciting new items this year for the 2013 show include: 

*There will have an online version of the show, providing exposure and links to all exhibitors by categories and search capabilities on the WNC Home Lawn & Garden Show Website. All exhibitors will remain online until January 31, 2014. **This feature will launch February 15, 2013**

*An Antique Appraiser will be live at the show, Saturday, March 16th to do live antique appraising for show attendees from 12 noon- 5pm - included in admission to the show.

*John Andretti, Indy 500 and Nascar Race Driver, will be on-site to do meet & greets, autographs & photos Saturday, March 16th from 12 noon - 4pm.

*Exhibitor Awards!

Exhibit space is still available, however it is selling out fast. To exhibit at this year's show fill our your exhibitor application online here, or call Mandy at 828.255.2526.

Mountain BizWorks names Miksa-Blackwell to new Director of Rural Entrepreneurship position

Mountain BizWorks has created a new position, reflecting its commitment to helping rural small businesses in western North Carolina start, grow and create jobs. Long-time employee Jo Ann Miksa-Blackwell has been selected to fill the role of Director of Rural Entrepreneurship.

“It is with trust and confidence that we have brought Jo Ann into this new position,” says Shaw Canale, Mountain BizWorks CEO. “We are committed to helping small businesses in rural areas, including those working within the agriculture industry and food system. Jo Ann is a natural fit for this important work.”

Miksa-Blackwell has been employed by Mountain BizWorks for over a decade, and in that time has served in a variety of capacities, from managing programs to working directly with small business owners. She holds a Master of Entrepreneurship degree from Western Carolina University.

In her role as Director of Rural Entrepreneurship, Miksa-Blackwell will lead Mountain BizWorks’ efforts to support rural communities by building sturdy partnerships and delivering customized classes and coaching to rural small business owners.

To learn more about business loans, coaching, and classes from Mountain BizWorks, visit www.mountainbizworks.org or call 828-253-2834.

RiverLink introduces 2013 Voices of the River Contest judges

RiverLink is pleased to present an outstanding line-up of judges for 6th Annual Voices of the River Art and Poetry Contest for K-12 students in the French Broad River Watershed.  Judges this year also happen to include poet laureate Kathryn Byer and world renown artist Mel Chin. They will be joined by familiar faces within the community including Cleaster Cotton, returning RiverLink judge, Jolene Mechanic, of Phil Mechanic Studios, Doc Klein of the consulting group Uncharted Territories, and Maryanne Pappano, whose river-inspired work was just recently displayed at Asheville Adventure Rentals.  These talented individuals will volunteer their time, evaluate artwork and poetry themed around the French Broad River, and celebrate the participation of the local youth. 

On April 13th, 2013 an awards ceremony and art display will be held at AB Tech's Holly Library to honor the participants. The art and poetry will remain on display throughout the month of April. 

The contest welcomes 2D art, 3D art, poetry, and as a brand new category this year, The Fundred Dollar Bill Project.  Fundred is drawing attention to lead-contamination and lead poisoning that is compromising the health and learning abilities of children.  Everyone is encouraged to create and contribute their own Fundred Dollar Bill- an original, hand-drawn interpretation of a US $100 bill- to demonstrate and celebrate the power of human expression making a difference!

Please visit http://www.riverlink.org/earthdaycontest.asp or call 828-252-8474 x18 for more information on how to enter a piece of work into the contest. 

Mars Hill College receives frunds from The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation

Mars Hill College has received $135,000 from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation of Atlanta, GA to go to scholarships for Christian women residing in southeastern states. This is an increase of $15,000 over last year’s funding.

Fifty students currently enrolled at Mars Hill College during the spring 2013 semester have received scholarship funds from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation.

Conkey Pate Whitehead created the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation in 1946 as a memorial to his mother. The foundation primarily serves to provide financial aid to Christian female students who currently reside in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia. Thousands of women in over 200 institutions currently receive financial aid from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation.

Wild Wing Cafe hosts annual fundraiser for St. Gerard House on Feb. 12th

Fat Tuesday is coming up fast Wild Wing Cafe invites everyone to come party for a cause. They are gearing up for their annual fundraiser to support the St. Gerard House (a sanctuary for families facing Autism). The Mardi Mardi Party Party will be held on Fat Tuesday, Feb.12th. Wild Wing Cafe is being transformed into a Bourbon Street Bash. Come hungry for their Big Easy Buffet including Gumbo, Muffaletta Sandwiches, Red Beans and Rice, Po' Boys and even Oyster Shooters. Come thirsty for an Abita Beer and One Hope Wine tasting. You get all of this for a $25 donation in advance, or $30 at the door.

Buy your advance ticket online here. http://www.showclix.com/event/wwmardigras2013

So....It’s time to break out the beads (even if you didn’t earn them) grab your party mask and head down to the Wild Wing Cafe. Don’t have beads? Don’t worry, they'll have you covered. Caribbean Cowboys are bringing a full horn section this year, and some pretty sweet silent Auction items are included in the fun. Who doesn’t need a Beer Neon, Golf or Spa Package? 100% of all ticket sales and silent auction sales go directly to the St. Gerard House.

"Last year a little more than $20,000 was raised," says Wild Wing Cafe owner, Dave McFarland. "With everyone's help, we can go over that amount this year. The St. Gerard House is an amazing place for kids and families affected by Autism. I know because I am one of them. My daughter Madelyn is on the spectrum and goes to St. Gerard."

WHAT IS AUTISM?
-Autism Spectrum Disorder affects a person’s ability to understand what they see, hear, and otherwise sense. It is a brain disorder that impacts communication, social interaction, and behavior.
-Autism now affects 1 in 93 children. In 2011 it was 1 in 110.
-About 40% of children with Autism do not speak at all. 25 to 30% of children with Autism have some words at 12 to 18 months of age and then lose them. Others may speak, but not until later in childhood.
-Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the U.S., increasing 10 to 17%
annually.

Check out these videos and see what the St. Gerard House is all about.

http://vimeo.com/22804649
from 2011

http://vimeo.com/42777673
from 2012

Or Visit
www.stgerardhouse.com or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/stgerardhouse?fref=ts