Waynesville to discuss watershed management plan

The town of Waynesville will hold a public forum from 3 to 5 p.m. on July 9 and another from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 15 in the town hall for citizens to discuss the new Waynesville Watershed Forest Stewardship Plan.

There will not be a formal presentation, but Dr. Peter Bates of Western Carolina University and the Waynesville Watershed Advisory Commission will answer questions and information stations will be available.

The town placed 7,300 acres of its 8,600-acre municipal watershed under a working forest conservation easement and agreed to develop a forest stewardship plan for the entire property. The plan was developed by the Western Carolina Forest Sustainability Initiative (WCFSI), which is housed in the Natural Resources Management Program at WCU, in conjunction with other universities and organizations.

The fundamental forest stewardship goal for this property is to increase forest diversity and maintain a healthy forest by increasing the number of naturally occurring forest types. Approximately 17,000 Haywood County residents drink water that originated in the Waynesville Watershed.

A survey to gather public input on the plan will soon be available online, in town buildings, and at the Watershed Forum. The full document is available for viewing and download in the Watershed Information section of the town Web site at www.townofwaynesville.org

For further information call 828.452.2491 or visit the town’s Web site.

Electric vehicles go to work in the park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Dale A. Ditmanson said operations in Deep Creek Campground and at Cataloochee Valley in North Carolina got a little cleaner and a little quieter this month with the addition of two new donated electric vehicles.

The two new vehicles are classified as neighborhood electric vehicles which means that they are street legal for use on public roadways where speeds are limited to 35 mph or less. The Park has assigned them to highly visible uses where they serve as tools to help educate visitors about the Park’s air quality issues as well as some alternatives to fossil fueled transportation.

The new vehicles which are fully equipped with lights, heaters, wipers, and other auto-type features, were purchased through a $31,900 grant from the Clean Fuels Advance Technology (CFAT) program through the North Carolina Solar Center at North Carolina State University. The Friends of the Smokies provided an addition $11,100 as a required match. The Friends share came from the proceeds of the Friends of the Smokies license plate which has raised over $1.2 million for Park projects.

Sylva Rotary Club looking for World War II veterans

The Sylva Rotary Club is seeking community help to find the names and contact information of World War II veterans living in Jackson County. The club plans to sponsor at least six veterans for participation in the Honor Air Flight Project.

Sponsored in part by District Rotary Clubs, the Honor Air Project provides free air transportation and escorts to visit the World War II in Washington, D.C., as well as the Korean Conflict and Vietnam War Memorial. Also included is a visit to the Iwo Jima Memorial and a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to view the changing of the guard.

In addition, a lunch and volunteer assisting “guardians” are provided for the Honor Air participants.The Rotary District has 100 slots available.

The Sylva Rotary Club, as an active sponsor of the Honor Air Project, has made a presentation about the Honor Flight to the Sylva American Legion and is receiving names of those who would be interested in going on the flight. Any donations to help defray costs for a local veteran or for a Rotary Club “guardian” to assist are appreciated.

For donation information contact Scott Baker at scottb@southwesterncc.edu or 828.293.0371. For information about the Honor Air Project partnership project and Rotary Clubs, check out the Sylva Rotary Club Web site at www.sylvarotaryclub.org.

SKYWARN course offered for radio buffs

The National Weather Service and the Franklin Amateur Radio Club are offering a SKYWARN training class at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1, at the Southwestern Community College Campus on Siler Road.

SKYWARN spotters are trained volunteers for the National Weather Service. Some volunteers are also known as “chasers,” who track storms in vehicles, but it is not encouraged by the National Weather Service.

SKYWARN is a concept developed in the early 1970s that was intended to promote a cooperative effort between the National Weather Service and communities. The emphasis of the effort is often focused on the storm spotter, an individual who takes a position near their community and reports wind gusts, hail size, rainfall, and cloud formations that could signal a developing tornado. Another part of SKYWARN is the receipt and effective distribution of National Weather Service information.

Although aimed at amateur radio operators and emergency service personnel, the class is open to anyone interested in accurately recognizing and describing weather events. Additional information about SKYWARN may be found at www.skywarn.org. For additional information about the Franklin class email Bob Scott at scoopscott@aol.com. Registration will be conducted at the class.

Swain Democratic women host Ruby Red Slipper event

The Swain County Democratic Women’s Club will meet at the Democratic Headquarters on Everett St. in Bryson City at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1, for a “Ruby Red Slipper Decorating Party” honoring state Sen. Kay Hagan.

Hagan is the Democratic candidate challenging Republican incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole for the U.S. Senate.

Carrie Hagan, Sen. Hagan’s daughter, will be a special guest speaker.

When Sen. Hagan first entered the race last fall, she made this statement: “What I want to do is give Elizabeth Dole a pair of ruby red slippers, let her click her heels three times and go home to Kansas.”

This has become a campaign slogan for Sen. Hagan. The Swain County Democratic Women will be decorating many pairs of shoes that will represent issues Elizabeth Dole has ignored during her term as senator.

All are invited to bring an old pair of shoes to decorate and join other Swain County Democratic Women for a fun event with refreshments and lively conversation.

For more information call Denise Tyson, 828.488.3878 or Jackie Smith, 828.488.3070.

Help available for disabled in Jackson

The Community Alternatives Program (CAP) currently has openings for participants in Jackson County. CAP is a Medicaid program providing in-home services for disabled adults at risk for institutionalization. WestCare Health System is the lead agency for Jackson County.

The program is a less costly alternative to nursing home care and is available to adults 18 and older who have significant health problems and are at risk for institutionalization. Services include screenings and assessments, adult day health care, home mobility aids such as ramps and grab bars, home-delivered meals, personal emergency response system (Lifeline), incontinence supplies, case management and in-home aide services.

For more information call 828.586.7410.

King selected to head HRMC joint center

Dr. Gerald King of Western Carolina Orthopaedic Associates in Clyde has been named medical director for the Carolina Center for Joint Replacement at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

Carolina Center for Joint Replacement is a three-phase program designed to maximize patient outcomes after total joint replacement. Patients become part of a team of surgeons and their staff, pre-op and operating room staff, anesthesiologists, specially trained nurses, physical therapists, case managers and pharmacists.

“Our program is very unique to Western North Carolina because very few hospitals and communities have such a center,” he said

Western Carolina Orthopaedic Specialists is located at Mountain Medical Center adjacent to the hospital, at 600 Hospital Drive, Suite 3, Clyde. Carolina Center for Joint Replacement is located on the seventh floor at Haywood Regional Medical Center.

WestCare finds buyer for Mountain Trace

The WestCare Health System Board of Trustees has agreed to accept a bid proposal from Millennium Management to purchase Mountain Trace Nursing Center, a 106-bed long term care facility located in Webster. The Free-standing facility was established by C.J. Harris Community Hospital in 1989.

In April, the WestCare Health System board of trustees accepted a recommendation from the Mountain Trace ad hoc task force to seek divestiture of the facility, which operated at a loss of more than $1.1 million during the 2007 fiscal year.

Millennium Management owns 25 facilities in Florida, South Carolina, Ohio and Georgia and is experienced in acquiring hospital-owned skilled nursing facilities. Company officials have expressed confidence in providing a seamless transition to benefit both employees and residents. The company has noted the quality of the staff at Mountain Trace Nursing Center and is committed to their retention.

A period of due diligence will span the next four to six months during which time the buyer will conduct inspections and complete applications for a certificate of need and other licenses per government approval. Closing of the transaction is expected after such approvals are granted.

WestCare Health System administration and Millennium Management officials are currently developing a transition plan to include meetings with staff, residents and their family members in the coming months.

Waynesville receives trout designation

State Sen. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, and Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown will hold a ribbon-cutting dedication at 11 a.m. on July 1 at the Waynesville Recreation Center pavilion next to Richland Creek to mark Waynesville’s designation as a Mountain Heritage Trout City.

Waynesville is one of five North Carolina towns participating in a pilot program that designates it as a Mountain Heritage Trout Waters City. Maggie Valley is also a Mountain Heritage Trout City.

Sen. Queen sponsored the legislation during the 2007 General Assembly session.

“The Mountain Heritage Trout designation for ... Waynesville will not only enhance trout fishing and outdoor opportunities in this fine mountain town, but the designation will contribute to the fine food, dining, craft and retail opportunities to engage our citizens and our visitors,” said Queen.

The Mountain Heritage Trout Waters Program was established by the General Assembly in 2007 as a means to encourage trout fishing as a heritage tourism activity. Participation is limited to cities or towns that provide public access to trout waters which are currently in the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s trout management program and which run through or adjacent to those cities or towns.

Following the festivities there will be free fishing rod rentals. There will also be exhibits, demonstrations and hot dogs and beverages for purchase.

Texas comedies coming soon to Kudzu players

The Kudzu Players theater company will hold auditions for James McLure’s one-act comedies, “Lone Star” and “Laundry and Bourbon at Western Carolina University in the Niggli Theater on Sunday, June 29.

Auditions times for the three male characters in “Lone Star” will be from 1 to 3 p.m. and auditions for “Laundry and Bourbon’s” three female characters will take place between 3 and 5 p.m.

Callbacks or appointment auditions will be on Monday, June 30. These short plays are companion pieces and will be staged in Niggli August 14–17.

Though set in the fictional town of Maynard, Texas, McLure humorously caricaturizes the down-but-not-out working class of small town America during the post Vietnam and Watergate years. Both plays have “mature subject matter” and are gritty and humorous reminders of a time when many Americans considered “Slim Jims” comfort food and the “king” of country music was Hank Williams. So, if your idea of “keeping fit” is bench pressing a F-150 transmission off your chest or a “natural disaster” involves peroxide and a bad perm job, bring a 1 to 2 minute comedic monologue or be prepared to do cold readings from the scripts.

For more information contact Kudzu at 828.508.2230.

Heifer sale returns to Haywood June 28

The 51st Annual National Jersey Heifer Sale will take place at 6:30 p.m. on June 28 at the Haywood Agricultural and Activities Center in Waynesville.

Among the offerings are 49 heifers ranking in the top 20 percent of the breed for genetic merit.

“Profitability drives the dairy industry, and Jerseys deliver profitability and the longest productive life in the industry. Here is an outstanding opportunity to buy from the top herds in the United States,” said Herby Lutz, manager of Ohio-based Jersey Marketing Service, which is conducting the sale.

The sale has been a nationally ranked top 10 sale for jersey cattle over the past decade.

For more information, contact Jersey Marketing Service at 614.861.3636 or visit http://JMS.USJersey.com. A catalog is available at the site. Locally, those who want more information can call Tony McGaha at the Haywood County Cooperative Extension Service at 828.456.3575.

Canary Coalition to hold annual meeting June 30

The Canary Coalition will hold its ninth annual membership meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, June 30, at the Firestorm Café at 48 Commerce Street in Asheville.

The meeting will include Board of Director election results, an annual report from the executive director, and a round-table strategy session for the coming year.

Membership in the Canary Coalition — a Sylva-based clean air advocacy organization — has soared in the past two years from less than a thousand to nearly 2,500 activists, supporters and contributors.

Presently, one of the principle activities of the Canary Coalition is building opposition to Duke Energy’s new 800-megawatt coal-burning power plant under construction at Cliffside, in Rutherford County. The plant would annually pump 6 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, twice the current greenhouse gas emissions of the existing facility at Cliffside. In addition, the $2.3 billion ratepayer-financed new construction at Cliffside would commit Western North Carolina to coal-burning technology for the next 50 to 60 years, continuing the cycle of poor health from nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, mercury and dozens of other toxic emissions released into the air, says Avram Friedman, the Canary Coalition executive director.

For more information about the Canary Coalition contact Friedman at 828.631.3447 or visit www.canarycoalition.org.

Mountain Research Station may get reprieve

A partnership agreement worked out between the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and the state’s land-grant universities means that all test farms around the state will likely remain in operation.

Haywood County’s Mountain Research Station found itself in danger of shutting its doors last month when it ended up on a list of farms that weren’t performing efficiently.

A proposal by a committee set up to study the efficiency of state-funded initiatives recommended that test farms be moved solely under the control of North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T University instead of the Department of Agriculture.

This sparked concern that the universities wouldn’t have any interest in a test farm hundreds of miles away allegedly performing under par and would have little reason to keep the Mountain Research Station open.

Under a recently adopted General Assembly bill sponsored by Sen. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, the universities and Department of Agriculture have agreed to continue jointly overseeing the state’s test farms. Together, the parties will study the farms and develop a comprehensive plan to improve their efficiency.

Republican women meet the candidates July 1

The Jackson and Swain Republican Women’s Club is sponsoring a free reception to meet Republican candidates at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, at the Qualla Community Center on Shoal Creek Road in Whittier. Dr. Carl Mumpower, candidate for U.S. Congress; Susan Pons, candidate for state Senate; and Dodi Allen, candidate for state House, will be speaking. All are invited to come out for a meet and greet with the candidates. It’s a free event and food will be provided. For further information call 828.497.2022.

Unite for change in downtown Sylva

A “Unite for Change Picnic” will be held at the Bridge Park site in downtown Sylva at noon on Saturday, June 28.

This is a potluck picnic to meet people who want to organize a get-out-the-vote effort for the presidential campaign of Sen. Barack Obama. Read more at my.barackobama.com/unite.