ARF uses transport to save unwanted animals in Jackson County

May 10, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The Jackson County Humane Society uses all of its resources and volunteers to help the growing population of unwanted and homeless animals in the community. Currently, there are no programs in the area to deal with this problem, but ARF volunteers have literally taken to the road to find a solution.

ARF has created a lifesaving transport program that takes the many unwanted and abandoned dogs to a non-profit organization in New Jersey called Common Sense for Animals. Volunteers give their time and energy to drive a truck-load of crated animals through the night to their chance at a home and family.

Many states in the Northeast have strict regulations concerning spay and neuter laws and leash laws. Since 2007, ARF has helped to transport 759 animals to adoptable areas in the North. 179 dogs were transported in 2012 alone. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community, Home, Multimedia Projects Tagged With: , , , ,

Greening Up the Mountain’s Festival set for April 27

April 25, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 

Sylva is ready for another spring festival. Photo by Jarrett Frazier (2011)

Downtown Sylva is making preparations for the 16th Annual Greening Up the Mountain’s Festival on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival, which began as a celebration of Earth Day, has now evolved into an event that focuses on sustainability, the local economy, and traditional heritage crafts.

“We are trying to strengthen our commitment to keep the festival as local as possible,” said Katy Elders, event coordinator.

Greening Up the Mountain’s Festival gets its name for the way that spring slowly creeps over the mountains and makes everything green. This festival prides itself on being one of the largest annual events in Jackson County and draws more than 10,000 visitors each year.

This year, the festival will offer more than 130 art, craft and food vendors, as well as demonstrators and live music. Food vendors will have festival favorites, including fry bread, kettle corn and ice cream, with new vendors selling wood fired pizzas and fried pies.

Three stages, located throughout downtown Sylva will feature local musicians and bands providing music during the day.

Porch 40, a popular local band that plays a mix of southern rock, funk and blues, will be the feature band on the Soul Infusion Stage in the Bridge Park in Downtown. Porch 40 will take the stage at 3 p.m. The Freight Hoppers will be the feature band at 3 p.m., on The Suntrust Stage, located on Main Street. This local band specializes in old-time fiddle music from the south.

The Annual Greening Up the Mountain’s 5K run, sponsored by the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department, will kick off the day’s events, starting at 9 a.m. The course will begin at Mark Watson Park and take runners through a scenic tour around Montieth Park in Dillsboro. For more information about the race and registration, visit http://www.imathlete.com/events/GreeningUptheMountains5k

“This event is aimed at giving back to the community and I am proud to be a part of it,” said Elders. “This year is shaping up to be a great event and we hope to see everyone on the 27th.”

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Community, Featured, Home Tagged With: , , , ,

Election watch party a big success

November 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

By: Ariel Rymer & Kane Rowell

Faculty and students watching election results. Photo courtesy of WCU Political Science Department.

The election watch party held at the Cat’s Den hosted by the Department of Political Science and Public Affairs received a bigger turn out than expected.

The party included live coverage of the election broadcasted on big screens, political bingo, political family feud, prizes, snacks and drinks.

In the crowd were mix of undergraduate and graduate students along with faculties. In between the TV screens and the games, students and staff debated the results and were constantly refreshing their social media pages.

When students were asked why they were engaged in the election process answers varied.

Jared Gant, a 21-year-old WCU student, said that “the importance of the decision made will influence legislation for many years to come.”

Derald Dryman, a registered Independent, said that Obama’s consistency was crucial for his decision.
“The social issues surrounding this election were important to me. I like Obama because he didn’t flip-flop on these issues like Romney did,” said Dryman. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Election 2012 Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

“Once in a Lifetime” hits the stage Nov. 8

November 5, 2012 By Leave a Comment

WCU’s School of Stage and Screen will present their fall production of the classic play “Once in a Lifetime” beginning Thursday, Nov. 8.

Credited as George Kaufman and Moss Hart’s first collaboration, “Once in a Lifetime” premiered in 1930 at New York City’s Music Box Theatre.

“Once in a Lifetime” is the story of a vaudevillian team in New York City whose act is beginning to fail. The trio, Jerry Hyland, May Daniels, and George Lewis, decide to head west to Hollywood and try their hand at teaching silent stars to speak on camera.

Life isn’t as easy as it would seem and the trio often have misadventures, including teaching the beautiful Phyllis Fontaine and Florabel Leigh how to speak on camera when their voices are dreadful.

The WCU production is directed by Claire Eye, theatre program director.

The cast of students has been rehearsing for “Once in a Lifetime” for weeks. Amanda Wilson, who is playing May Daniels, shared her thoughts about the experience so far.

“We spend so much of our time in school focusing on the way the industry is now that we sometimes forget those whose shoulders we stand on,” Wilson said. “This show has helped to remind us of where we have been and what it took to get where we are today. And most importantly, it emphasizes how friends become family, which is an aspect we, as actors, designers and technicians, have been taught since day one.”

“Once in a Lifetime” will be held in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center Theatre at 7:30 p.m. from Thursday, Nov. 8 through Saturday, Nov. 10. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for faculty, staff, and senior citizens. Student tickets are $10 at the door and can be purchased for $7 in advance.

Tickets are available online or by calling the box office at (828) 227-2479. Between the three nights there are 2,712 tickets available.

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Campus News, Community, Home Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

College Democrats kick off with an early voting event

October 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

College Democrats of Western Carolina University, Organizing for America, and 11th Congressional District hosted an early voting event on Tuesday, Oct. 23 on the A.K. Hinds University Center Lawn.

College Democrats President, Corey Duvall, speaks with student about how they can vote early. Photo by Alisha Lambert

This event was planned to promote early voting and to make students aware of the Cat Tran that takes students from campus to the polls.

Frank Lee from the Freight Hoppers entertained the crowd with a solo musical performance; students stocked up on free pizza and shared why they were voting early.

Maria Isabel Lovingood, a sophomore social work major and Puerto Rico native, said she is voting early so she can be more informed. “I want to avoid the whole rush of November because it gets really busy. I’ll be able to get more information and go there calmly and be able to ask more questions so I can be more informed.”

Nathan Kelly, a WCU senior, said he registered in Jackson County for another reason besides voting in this election. “I’m voting in Jackson County because when the alcohol vote came around they asked me to register in Jackson County and I wasn’t registered in Gaston County where I’m from so I registered in Jackson County.” Kelly also said he plans to vote early to avoid the long lines on November 6.

The Cat Tran will run Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until after the election and will carry students of any political party. Students who are not registered can also ride the Cat Tran to the polls in order to register as well. To catch a ride, you can find the Cat Tran at the stop behind the University Center.

Students gather for free music, pizza, and to get information about how they can vote early.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Campus News, Community, Election 2012, Home, News Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Amendment One passes, Jackson County no longer dry

May 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

A majority of North Carolina voters approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages Tuesday, May 8, while Jackson County opted to legalize the countywide sale of alcohol.

Cullowhee voters cast their ballots at the Jackson County Recreation Center. Photo by Ben Haines.

The amendment to North Carolina’s state constitution reads “marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.” The referendum has drawn national attention and impassioned controversy.

Sixty-one percent of North Carolina voters approved the amendment. Running contrary to Jackson County and the state as a whole, 55 percent of voters in Cullowhee opposed the amendment.

Same-sex marriage is already prohibited under N.C. statute 51-1.2.

Jackson County held referenda on alcohol sales, divided into four measures. With a 35 percent turnout, the majority of voters elected to permit the “on-premises” and “off-premises” sales of malt beverages and unfortified wine, the operation of ABC stores, and the sale of mixed beverages in hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theatres, and convention centers throughout the county.

More than 2.1 million registered voters cast ballots in North Carolina. About 500,000 voted prior to Tuesday by absentee ballots or early voting, which ran April 19 through May 5.

North Carolina was one of three states that held a primary Tuesday, along with Indiana and West Virginia. Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney won all three.

Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich remained on the North Carolina ballot despite previously suspending their campaigns for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination. Prior to their withdrawals from the race, Romney had failed to win a primary in any Southern state aside from Florida.

Full results:
North Carolina State Board of Elections
Jackson County Board of Elections

Filed Under: Community, Featured, Home, News Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
« Older Posts

Switch to our mobile site