Grant used to help Cullowhee dogs

May 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The volunteers at Humane Society of Jackson County, also known as ARF, has made it their mission to educate Jackson County about the importance of spaying and neutering animals. ARF has taken their message one step further and secured a grant from the PetSmart Charities Foundation for $20,000. The money is used to spay and neuter dogs in Cullowhee at no cost to the animal owners.

One of the puppies leaving on the Northern animal transport through the Jackson County Humane Society. This program places unwanted animals in Jackson County. Photo by Heather Mason.

PetSmart Charities has given more than $165 million in grants and programs to help animal-welfare organizations. Due to their generosity, more than 5 million animals have been saved nationwide.

ARF applied for the grant in 2012 and they targeted Cullowhee as their focus. ARF had to collect census data on the targeted area that included income and population numbers. They also had to have some hope of impacting at least 60 to 70 percent of the population of unaltered dogs. This would have been harder to accomplish with cats because the numbers are much greater.

“We couldn’t target a place like Whittier or Downtown Sylva, since they aren’t broken out separately from the greater Sylva area on the census,” said Mary Adams, Vice President of ARF and WCU professor. “We are too small of a group with too small of an annual budget to handle all of Jackson County. That is why we decided on Cullowhee.” [Read more...]

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Spring fever for Catamount football

April 20, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Just months after wrapping up a 1-10 season, the Catamounts took the field for the annual Spring Game on Saturday, Apr. 20 for chapter two of the Mark Speir era. With temperatures in the mid-60’s, trees blooming on the mountains, and a good crowd on hand, it was picture perfect weather to get a sneak peak at the 2013 Western Carolina Catamounts.

Head Coach Mark Speir addresses team at the conclusion of the Spring Game.

With Eddie Sullivan and Troy Mitchell splitting time under center last season, the 2013 quarterback issue was still a doubt. It appeared that Coach Speir is leaning in the direction of Sullivan as he trotted onto the field with the first-team offense for the opening series of the game.

The performance put forth by the Catamount offense was anything but a work of art, as Sullivan appeared to be the only bright spot. Sullivan completed 13 of his 16 passes while tossing three touchdowns. The rest of the quarterback committee seemed to struggle, including Troy Mitchell. Mitchell saw substantial amount of playing time during the 2012 campaign, including a start against rival Appalachian State.

The offensive line didn’t provide much aid for the struggling quarterbacks as the Catamount ground attack remained bottled up for most of the day. Backfield exchanges also seemed to be an issue as the Catamounts fell victims to several fumbled snaps. The kicking game pretty much summed up the day for the offense as they only managed to connect on one field goal out of the five attempts. Soon-to-be freshman Blake Metcalf was the only Catamount special teams player who managed to put the ball through the uprights. [Read more...]

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WCU students remained in Cullowhee over break

April 4, 2013 By Leave a Comment

For some students like the women’s and men’s track team, baseball team, softball team, dance team, and cheerleaders having this break all to themselves was out of the question.

Dance team member Dawn Henderson stayed at WCU because of scheduled rehearsals for an upcoming National Dance Alliance (NDA) competition which is being held in Dayton, Florida. Henderson said this is their first time competing at the NDA. Over the break they practiced multiple days over break to prepare for the upcoming event.

Front row (left to right):Ariana Wingo, Nichole Decoskey, Brittany Parker, Kaitlyn Sizemore, Ariel Schnell, Mary Beth King, McKayla Martinez and Allie CrossBack row (left to right): Ariel Hedgepeth, Dawn Henderson, Larissa Capps, Tevin Henderson, Will Stewart, Cody Meadows, Meredith Ivey, Kelby Faw, Shani Searcy. Photo taken by Catamount Athletics

 

“It wasn’t as much of the practices; it was knowing we have competition in 3 weeks. Whenever my mind drifted to what I could be doing I thought about how much I love to dance, how much I love my team, and how close competition was so I stayed focused.”

Although Henderson managed to slip away to visit relatives in Wingate, NC, she ultimately wished she could have gone home to Henderson,  to lie in her bed and spend time with her family.

“Because it was spring break not having many people here was nice. The point of spring break is to get away and it can be very peaceful, so I like the emptiness,” Henderson said.

Student Michael Robinson had no other option but to remain in Cullowhee due to new car expenses, and he would rather spend his money wisely rather than using all of his saved money to attempt to go a trip he could barely afford.

For those who weren’t aware dinning services were very scarce, remaining students only had the option of eating at Einstein’s from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m.to 2 in the afternoon. Even though Robinson fasts for a certain amount of hours a day we wished Einstein’s was open later to accommodate students who couldn’t eat at those available hours.

Robinson had an interesting view about the deserted campus.

“To be honest I can’t tell a difference. This campus is always dry and dull to me but, maybe it’s because I came from a school that was a lot more student friendly. It gave students the freedom to make campus life fun rather than administration pulling all of the strings. Here at WCU that option is nonexistent,” Robinson said.

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Restaurant brings the taste of ‘new Mexican cuisine’ to Cullowhee

March 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

While driving down Old Cullowhee Road, it’s hard to imagine that the small, strip section of buildings housing a tattoo parlor and beer store, would also be the home of some of the freshest Mexican food in town. Sazon Restaurant, hidden behind the unassuming facade is a diamond in the rough.

Alex Rodriguez came to the United States with a dream.  Ten years ago, when he moved to Cullowhee from Mexico City, he knew he wanted to open a restaurant and continue the cooking tradition that his grandmother started. Sazon is that dream realized.

“I just had a dream to open a little restaurant and share the ‘new Mexican cuisine’,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez and his wife Alma Acevedo opened Sazon about two years ago to bring this fresh, Spanish and French inspired food to Cullowhee. The word Sazon translates to someone who can cook. “It means one hell of a cook,” said Rodriguez. “That is why I picked the name.”

The menu is not your typical tex-mex style food. Rodriguez uses fresh ingredients; many purchased from local farmers and every dish is cooked to order. Nothing is precooked.

“We don’t even own a freezer,” said Acevedo.

Rodriguez and Acevedo come in two and a half hours before opening the restaurant to cut fresh vegetables and to prepare the salsa and fresh chips for the day. All the recipes are passed down from Rodriguez’s grandmother who, at one time, was a chef for a Mexican president.

“I can remember being six or seven year’s old and peeling onions in the kitchen with my grandmother,” said Rodriguez. “These recipes come from the heart.”

Although Rodriguez moved to U.S. from Mexico City, he was raised in a town called Puebla, Mexico. Rodriguez discussed how approximately 75 percent of Mexican cuisine comes from Puebla.

“It’s the heart and soul of Mexican Cuisine,” said Rodriguez.

Owners of Sazon Mexican Restaurant Alex Rodriguez and his wife Alma Acevedo. Photo By Heather Mason.

Rodriguez loves Cullowhee and although he has had several offers to move locations and expand, he stays true to this area.

“This university made us,” said Rodriguez. “All of my employees are students from WCU and we are close. They are like family.”

Rodriguez explained that each employee leaves him with something. Whether it’s a friendship or something business related. One of his employees created the website for the restaurant. He feels that by showing pride in his food, it creates pride in the workplace for his employees.

The future for the restaurant is exciting. Rodriguez plans to have a food truck by the end of the summer and he will call it “Sazon to Go.” This will expand his client base and he hopes to provide food from his truck for football game tailgating parties and campus events.

For more information and hours of operation, visit their website  or Facebook.

Below is a video of Alma Acevedo preparing  vegetarian black bean nachos.

Video produced by Kathleen Kiser.

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808 West apartment complex to offer many features

February 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Construction at 808 West. Photo by Bayleigh Davis.

Construction of the new 808 West apartment complex began in September 2012 and is expected to be completed by August 2013.

808 West is located across Highway 107 from the main entrance to the Western Carolina University campus.

808 West offers the basic amenities that everyone looks for: washer, dryer, built-in microwave, cable, and internet. The complex will also feature many luxury amenities: a sparkling pool, community center, cyber cafe with a coffee bar, fitness center, dishwasher, and intrusion alarms.

The complex offers two floor plans for prospective residents to choose from.

The two-bedroom plan offers a fully equipped kitchen and living room space. Each bedroom connects to a private bathroom. This floor plan is approximately 922 square feet. Each bedroom will cost $595 per month for a total of $1,190 per month.

Construction workers burying cables. Photo by Bayleigh Davis

The three-bedroom plan offers a fully equipped kitchen, living room space, and hallway. Each bedroom connects to a private bathroom. This floor plan is approximately 1,186 square feet. Each bedroom will cost $565 per month for a total of $1,695 per month.

The 808 West website is aimed more toward university students than professors or families.

“Throughout the year, 808 West plans social events that allow you to take a breather from the stringent demands of college life. It’s the perfect way to relax, meet new friends, and just have fun,” according to the website.

More information can be obtained in the on-site office at 808 West.

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Environmental health students gain hands-on experience

February 10, 2013 By 1 Comment

Cane Creek in Cullowhee. Photo by Bayleigh Davis

A team of Western Carolina University students teamed up with the Jackson County Health Department and the Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River to monitor the quality of nearby creeks.

WCU professor Tracy Zontek teaches a course on water quality every fall under the environmental health program.  Last semester Zontek’s students began to monitor various sites along Cane Creek, located just outside of campus off Old Cullowhee Road, with the help of the Jackson County Health Department.

“The Jackson County Health Department is a tremendous supporter of the WCU environmental health program,” said Zontek.

The health department has not only taken interns from the program but also provided multiple lectures in the past. [Read more...]

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