Quick hits: People stealing Venus fly traps, and Sierra Nevada chooses our state

3 poachers arrested for uprooting rare N.C. Venus fly traps
"The Venus flytrap's precarious survival in the wild along the coast of the Carolinas faces an added threat from poachers looking to cash in by uprooting and selling them," says the AP.

"Three people were arrested this week and charged with uprooting an endangered species without permission, a misdemeanor. North Carolina wildlife enforcement officer Matt Criscoe says they took about 200 of the bug-eating plants, which they expected to sell for about 10 cents apiece. ..."

Sierra Nevada choose N.C. for East Coast expansion

"West Coast craft beer-maker Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is opening a production site in North Carolina to expand its East Coast reach," says reports.

"The Chico, Calif.-based company said Wednesday it chose a site along the French Broad River 12 miles south of Asheville as the home of its East Coast brewery.

"Sierra Nevada founder Ken Grossman says the mountain region's beer culture, water quality and quality of life were right for his company...."

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/25/4214752/sierra-nevada-chooses-nc-for-east.html#storylink=cpy

Heat could be very bad for apple crop

A confession: I've always had this dream of having a large apple orchard in the mountains. It would be my ticket to the "Thomas Jefferson School of Gentlemen Farmers" (sans the other accomplishments, mind you). But now may not be the best time to take a stab at it, according to the Hendersonville Times-News.

“This heat has affected fruit, and a lot of growers are putting materials on to reduce sunburning,” said Marvin Owings, interim director of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Henderson County office.

... Fred Hoots, owner of Fred Hoots Orchard, who has been growing apples full-time since 1966, said last year's and this year's summers are the worst he can remember with regard to hot and dry conditions.

Hoots just finished picking one of the earliest apple varieties of the year — the tasty, semi-sweet ginger gold — and he's been using a product that holds the fruit firm and prevents it from getting too ripe.

...

Meanwhile, Mark Williams, the county's new agri-business executive director, has been busy in his first month on the job, exploring opportunities for potential new markets for not only apples but other commodities as well, he said.

With the possibility of a couple of new buyers already that Williams has contacted, he's hoping Mother Nature will cooperate.

“The apple crop is looking good,” he said. “We've suffered through some hail storms — there are always those things to contend with, and other challenges that we face — but overall it looks like a good crop, and we're just trying to make it through until we get the apples picked and get them sold. Until that happens, you never know. There's always risk.”

Quick hits: 'Christmas Town USA' lights up the night, and the Nature Conservancy saves a mountain

McAdenville lights up the night
"The Gaston County town of McAdenville transformed into Christmas Town USA Tuesday night," says the Charlotte Observer.

"For the 54th straight year, hundreds of buildings in the town are decorated with lights and other holiday displays. The switch to turn it all on was flipped at 4 p.m.

"McAdenville's lights – which annually attract an estimated 300,000 vehicles – date back to 1956, when Pharr Yarns installed lights at its plant and worked with residents to put lights on homes. ..."

Nature Conservancy saves a mountain (yes, a mountain)

"The Nature Conservancy has acquired 466 acres at the summit of Little Yellow Mountain in Avery and Mitchell counties, the organization announced Tuesday.

"The 5,504-foot mountain is one of the higher peaks in the Southern Appalachians and is part of a large corridor of protected land in the Greater Roan Highlands. Little Yellow can be seen prominently from the Appalachian Trail and Big Yellow Mountain Preserve. It is also part of the Audubon Society's Roan Mountain Important Bird Area," says the Citizen-Times.

"New York-based Open Space Institute proved a $1.2 million low-interest loan for the project, enabling the conservancy to reduce the total cost of the project, they said. ..."

Western N.C.: Let the explosion of fall colors begin

"Leaf hunting and viewing will consume travelers, tourists and native North Carolinians alike over the next few weeks as colors in the high forests reach an exhilarating peak," says the Asheville Citizen-Times. "It is anybody's guess where the leaves will change first or fall last but conventional wisdom says the higher the elevation, the later the color change."

The paper goes on to recommend 10 "spectacular vistas" from which one can "experience the remarkable hues of changing maple, ash, oak and more," starting with the highest elevations and making their way down ... down ... down.

These images are my own. Click through to the article for more.

Blowing Rock

Hayesville

Chimey Rock Village

Irish road bowling comes to the mountains

Heck, I've just gotten used to Cornhole being the game du jour, and now comes word from the N.C. mountains that there may be a new game on which to latch: Irish road bowling.

"Irish road bowling is a sport best played on winding country roads, with lots of hills," says the Citizen-Times.

" 'Of course, Western North Carolina has quite a bit of those,' said Justin Hunter, one of the founders of the newly formed Asheville Irish Road Bowling Association. 'Plus it's an outdoor sport and relaxed, which fits the personality of the area.'"

Road bowling is an old sport, dating back about 350 years. It was originally played by Irish soldiers. A road bowler hurls a 28-ounce cannonball, called a bowl or a bullet, roughly the size of a tennis ball, toward a designated finish line between 1-1.5 miles away. Unlike conventional bowling, there are no pins to knock down. The bowler who takes the fewest tosses to reach the finish line wins. ...

Hunter grew up in West Virginia, home to one of the sport's three major associations in the United States; Hunter's father co-founded the association in Ireland, W.Va., in 1995. When Hunter moved to Asheville, he brought road bowling with him, and in March, the association had its first meeting.

About 15 people regularly play matches here, usually on a stretch of Grandview Road near the Buncombe-Madison county line. On a Sunday afternoon in early September, the road bowlers gathered there for a match. ...

You're on alert, Cornhole.

(Photo from Steve Dixon, Citizen-Times)

Is N.C. the new Florida?

The retirement blog Florida Islands pondered the above question recently, admitting that many Northerners are now choosing the Tar Heel State over the Sunshine State.

Florida has traditionally been the state that most chose to retire in due to its beautiful weather and excellent retirement communities. Due to the increased number of hurricanes and tropical storms of late, many northerners that moved to Florida are now moving a little bit further north to North Carolina. In Florida, because of the massive hurricane damage, the average home insurance premium for a non-coastal home has risen 26.3%. For the coastal properties, are averaging a premium insurance increase of 42.1% with some choice areas facing premium increases far higher then that. Condo associations are also increasing their costs to members by an average of $2000 per year to make up for their increased insurance costs.

...

Your dollar goes a lot further when buying a house in North Carolina compared to Florida. Both property and home insurance are very affordable in North Carolina. This is yet another reason why so many who may be on a fixed income choose to retire there.

North Carolina is a beautiful state with many great places to move to for retirement. ...

The site goes on to list the amenities of the N.C. coast, the mountains and Sandhills (but not the urban, 40/85 crescent).

In closing, the site states that "North Carolina offers affordable property, great weather and activities for every taste. With baby boomers reaching retirement age, we may be seeing a larger wave of retirees moving that way. It’s easy to see why so many people are shifting to North Carolina for their retirement plans."

No surprise here.

(Florida image from Destination360.com)

Best place to retire in the South? Why, North Carolina, of course!

Ideal Living has released its list of the top places in the South to retire, and of North Carolina regions stake the claim in two of the top five, including the top one. Nice.

"Based on our reader surveys, we know that the 'lifestyle' is what you desire most," says the site. "Active year-round outdoor activities, small-town flare with big city access, a sense of community, golf, boating, abundant walking trails and more."

Taking readers feedback, Ideal Living ranked the N.C. coast No. 1.

"Consistently ranked in the top 5 US retirement destinations, the North Carolina Coast is home to Wilmington, New Bern, Cape Hatteras, The Albemarle Sound region and more." They recommend "checking out" Waterside at The Point near New Bern, Compass Pointe and River Landing, both in Wilmingon.

Following the N.C. coast were the Florida and South Cackalacky coasts, respectively, then the Tennessee mountains and, finally at No. 5, the North Carolina mountains.

"Rounding out our top 5, the NC Mountains have gained extreme popularity over the past 5 years, primarily for the national attention Asheville, NC has received as a retirement destination. But if you take a step outside of the mainframe, you’ll discover a lot more to explore in quaint mountain villages."

(Coastal photo by Kelly Capps)

NASCAR comes full circle

Most people know that NASCAR's history is rooted in "runnin' 'shine." There was a time when "drivers ran bootleg whiskey" from the mountains and the bootleggers "needed to distribute their illicit products, and they typically used small, fast vehicles to better evade the police," according to Wikipedia. "Many of the drivers would modify their cars for speed and handling, as well as increased cargo capacity, and some of them came to love the fast-paced driving down twisty mountain roads."

The repeal of Prohibition in 1933 dried up some of their business, but by then Southerners had developed a taste for moonshine, and a number of the drivers continued "runnin' shine," this time evading the "revenuers" who were attempting to tax their operations. The cars continued to improve, and by the late 1940s, races featuring these cars were being run for pride and profit. These races were popular entertainment in the rural Southern United States, and they are most closely associated with the Wilkes County region of North Carolina. Most races in those days were of modified cars. Street vehicles were lightened and reinforced.

Well, it looks like NASCAR has come full circle.

"Dean Combs, a former NASCAR driver and crew chief for the legendary Junior Johnson, has been charged with making moonshine," says ThatsRacin.com.

State agents and Wilkes County sheriff's deputies said they found a 300-gallon still in a shop building on property owned by Combs, 57. Acting on an anonymous tip, the still in a shop building behind a go-kart track near the North Wilkesboro Speedway.

He was charged with making non-tax paid liquor and possessing ingredients and equipment to manufacture non-tax paid liquor.

N.C. State Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement agents said about 1,150 gallons of corn mash was found. Agents also seized 200 gallons of corn liquor and 3,000 pounds of sugar.

"It was a very professional, clean operation...all stainless steel," N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Agent Shon Tally told the Journal Patriot newspaper.

Economy effecting Harrah's, Old Salem

Not that this should surprise anyone, but one of the state's oldest tourist attractions and one of its newest are being severely impacted by the national economic crisis.

The Citizen-Times reports that Harrah's Casino in the mountains is "facing job cuts for the first time in its 11-year history."

The casino will reduce its work force this year by 5 percent, or about 100 jobs. The company is making the cuts voluntary at first, with offers of severance to workers based on years of service.Harrah's managers told employees about the plan in a meeting Monday.

General manager Darold Londo said in a statement the casino would turn to layoffs if the reduction isn't achieved voluntarily. He said the weak economy has meant fewer customers.

The casino has enjoyed steady growth since it opened in the fall of 1997, becoming one of the region's largest private employers, with about 1,800 workers. ...

In addition, the payments to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, which owns the casino, were also down for the first time.

"The tribe's 13,500 members receive a check twice a year from casino profits. The last check of the year, issued Dec. 1, was $4,473 for each member, an 11 percent drop from June."

A little further east and north, Old Salem announced it will lay off workers and "change the way it tells its story to tourists," according to the News & Record of Greensboro.

The museum will trim its staff from 120 to 95 full-time workers and from 103 to 79 part-time workers through voluntary retirements and layoffs, said Lee French, the president of Old Salem Inc. ...

Some of the positions have been vacant for some time and will not be filled. A few full-time positions will be converted to part time. ...

Old Salem's management and its board of directors have worked on the plan for about six months, French said. ...

But laying people off and cutting costs can't be the end of the story, he said. Old Salem needs new ideas and new energy to attract visitors.

''I don't think you can just lay off and expect the world to get better," French said. ...

The museum is changing the way it does its tours, starting next Tuesday. Currently, people pay $21 for a one-day ticket that gives them admission to buildings in the village and a history of life there.

Under the reorganization, visitors would pay $21 for a two-day ticket. The history of the village in the 18th and 19th century would be presented on alternate days.

Autumn colors are on the way

Want to get a head start on seeing the most spectacular fall colors? Then head up the mountains, says the Asheville Citizen-Times' Dale Neal.

"Go high for the best bet at seeing spectacular fall colors over the next week or so," he says.

"With recent rains and a cooling trend, the highest peaks around Western North Carolina could see colorful fall foliage starting this week, said Gary Walker, a biology professor at Appalachian State University.

"Temperature, rainfall, the length of the nights and elevation all factor into the formula of where to expect the best color. ...

"Grandfather Mountain may be nearing its peak color this weekend, with about half the trees above 5,000 feet already turned, park naturalist Jesse Pope said. 'All the maples are in full color and many of the oaks have changed. I think this weekend will be really nice, but we should have good color next weekend and two weeks out.' ..."

Quick hits: Some good news for Loggerheads ... not so much for N.C. apples

Loggerheads nesting in bigger numbers

"Nearly two hours before dawn Wednesday, the beaches on Hilton Head Island are empty," writes Hilton Head Island Packet.

"The only sounds are of sloshing waves and the low hum of two all-terrain vehicles whose riders scan the 12 miles of beach for loggerhead hatchlings.

"This is a banner nesting year on Hilton Head, where 199 nests have been discovered. It is the second largest nesting season since 1985 – the year the local Sea Turtle Protection Project began.

"Loggerheads are setting records statewide and they're laying eggs in large numbers in North Carolina as well. Across South Carolina, more than 3,000 nests have been found and numbers are up in Georgia and Florida. But those numbers don't guarantee the species' continued survival.

"Despite strong nesting, biologists warn the population of these rare turtles, which can weigh up to 300 pounds and live to be 100 years old, is still at risk. ..."

Drought shrinks apple size

"The Henderson County apple crop could take a serious hit from the drought, with some growers estimating apple size will be down considerably," says the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"Apple processors and grocers want apples that are at least 2.5 inches in diameter, and growers usually have little trouble meeting that threshold. But the lack of rainfall this year has resulted in much smaller fruit in the county’s 6,146 acres of orchards.

" 'This year you’re probably looking at 70-80 percent of them that are going to be that size — at least 2 1/2 inches,' said Adam Pryor, president of the Blue Ridge Apple Growers Association. Pryor’s family grows 100 acres of apples in Henderson County’s Edneyville community.

" 'If we get a little bit of water in the next week or so, that could change. There’s still time for them to put some size on,' Pryor said.

"Marvin Owings, an extension agent and apple specialist with the Henderson County office of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service, said the extent of the small-sized crop will depend on how much growers thinned out their trees this spring. The more apples they thinned, the larger the remaining fruit. ..."

(Loggerhead turtle baby photo from Wikipedia)

Quick hits: Grammy nominations for memorable N.C. music and grants for memorable N.C. vistas

Grammy nominees include some N.C. faces
" ...North Carolina 'American Idol' alumnus Chris Daughtry heads up a large group of nominees with four each, a pack that includes Akon, Bruce Springsteen and Feist," writes the News & Observer's David Menconi. "Daughtry's nominations include a nod for best rock album, but he was snubbed in the best-new-artist category.

"Also on the North Carolina 'American Idol' tip, High Point's Fantasia picked up a nod for best contemporary R&B album.

"Durham-based Merge Records earned its second-ever nomination, for Arcade Fire for best alternative album. Former Chapel Hill resident James Taylor's 'At Christmas' picked up a nod for best traditional pop vocal album. ..."

Grant will help protect scenic vistas
"There's good news on the horizon for motorists who like to take the long way occasionally, just to enjoy the gorgeous Tar Heel landscape," writes the Greensboro News & Record.

"The Conservation Trust of North Carolina recently was awarded a grant of $252,000 from federal highway officials for coordinating efforts to preserve scenic vistas along such routes as the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherohala Skyway and Grassy Island Crossing.

"The statewide conservation group and nine local land trusts will use the money from the Federal Highway Administration to 'identify, map and prioritize key parcels' along 560 miles of scenic byways. ..."

Quick hits: Mayberry and maybe UNC medical in the mountains

Barney Fife's girlfriend moves to 'Mayberry'

"On the drive home from the Los Angeles airport, there was a particular billboard along La Cienega Boulevard that always gave Betty Lynn a chuckle. 'This Ain't Mayberry!' it declared.

"As if she needed a reminder of that fact, the West Hollywood home where Lynn had lived since 1950 was broken into twice last year," writes the Associated Press.

" 'That made it for me,' the 81-year-old actress says. 'I just was too frightened to stay. So I thought, I've got to find some place I feel SAFE.'

"When she reflected on what safe meant to her – and what 'home' meant, for that matter – one place stood out.

"And life imitated art.

"The woman who played Thelma Lou on 'The Andy Griffith Show' moved more than 2,100 miles to Mount Airy – Griffith's hometown and one of the inspirations for the fictional Mayberry. ..."

Western UNC med school proposed

"Officials say a proposal to create a branch campus of the UNC School of Medicine in Western North Carolina could bring more doctors, jobs and newcomers to the region," writes the AP.

"Mission Health and Hospitals, the Mountain Area Health Education Center and the Western North Carolina Health Network submitted a proposal for the medical branch campus.

"A similar branch campus proposal has also been submitted by Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. The medical school is considering the proposals along with increasing enrollment at Chapel Hill. ..."

'Little Charleston of the Mountains' celebrating 200 years

The Village of Flat Rock -- called the "Little Charleson of the Mountains" because of all the Charlestonians who built summer homes there in the 1800s -- is celebrating 200 years, according to the Pisgah Mountain News.

"Though the Cherokee first inhabited Flat Rock and next pioneer settlers who obtained land grants, the 'Great Flat Rock' first appeared in public land records in 1807," said the paper.

Several events are planned to celebrate the bicentennial.

The Flat Rock Bicentennial Celebration will be held Saturday. The rain date is Sunday. Events include an ice cream social from noon to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Flat Rock Village Hall.

Four hours of entertainment are scheduled, including individual musical artists, the Kenmure Chorus, storytellers, face painting and clowns.

Hot dogs, food and drinks will be available for purchase, as well as bicentennial T-shirts. Storyboards highlighting Flat Rock history will be on display.

The events will be held at Blue Ridge Fire and Rescue, Village Hall, Singleton Centre, Rainbow Row and Flat Rock Post Office Building.

Quick hits: Park news galore

Water park, resort to open near Charlotte
"A Wisconsin developer confirmed Tuesday it intends to build an indoor water park and resort hotel in the Charlotte area this year, costing around $100 million and bringing about 400 jobs," according to the Charlotte Observer.

"Great Wolf Resorts' project would be the first of its kind in the Charlotte region and only the second in the Carolinas, an industry expert said.

"The company said it had not made a final decision on where its Great Wolf Lodge will go. But one place under review is in Concord between Lowe's Motor Speedway and Concord Mills mall. Another is in Fort Mill, S.C.

"Public incentives have been used to lure Great Wolf to other cities. A package worth more than $5 million, for example, helped attract it to a site outside Fort Worth, Texas. But it's too early to say what incentives, if any, the company will seek here, Great Wolf spokeswoman Jennifer Beranek said. ..."

Chimney Rock Park may be renamed
"With the state's $24 million purchase of Chimney Rock Park on Monday, the General Assembly is considering changing the name of the planned Hickory Nut Gorge State Park," according to the Hendersonville Times-News.

"The new name as specified in Senate Bill 773: Chimney Rock State Park.

" 'Typically all our state parks are traditionally named in recognition of their significant natural features,' State Parks Director Lewis Ledford said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

"So Chimney Rock, with its iconic, flag-topped spire jutting from the side of Hickory Nut Gorge, will join the other monumental North Carolina land forms with state parks named after them -- Mt. Mitchell, Pilot Mountain and Hanging Rock.

" 'I've heard it described as one of the top five most recognized landmarks on the East Coast,' Ledford said. 'I don't know what the other four are, perhaps Stone Mountain, Georgia, Grandfather Mountain. I think we all recognize that rock formation with the flag.' ..."

Carl Sandburg historic site expansion gets OK from House
"A 115-acre expansion of the Carl Sandburg Home Historic Site was approved Wednesday by the House," according to the Asheville Citizen-Times.

"The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, easily passed 268-150 after several Republican House members attempted to delay or pare down the expansion.

"The state’s Republican Sens. Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr have introduced a companion bill, which is pending in the Senate. The Bush administration has expressed support for the idea.

" 'Carl Sandburg was a national treasure,' Shuler said of the famous poet during House debate. 'We in North Carolina are proud to claim him as one of our own.' ..."

Ghost Town re-opens this Friday

As mentioned before, some of my favorite childhood memories involve the chronically quirky mountain theme parks Tweetsie Railroad and, to a lesser extent, Ghost Town in the Sky. It appears that both parks -- recently on the cusp of extinction -- have received reprieves. Tweetsie now has a life of at least a few more years. And good things appear to be in store for Ghost Town.

"Hard times closed [Ghost Town] in 2001, and it instantly went from an average seasonal attendance of 163,500 tourists, to one lonely security guard," writes the Charlotte Observer.

Several buyers presented themselves in that five years, but park creator R.B. Coburn refused one after the other. "I preferred to sell it to someone who would keep it a park, not tear it down for houses," says Coburn, 87.

On Friday, his stubbornness pays off. Ghost Town in the Sky will be back in business, with new owners and $7 million in renovations. Tourists longing for the romance of the Wild West will once again ride chairlifts to the peak of Buck Mountain and see saloon doors swing open, outlaws gunned down in the dust, and cancan girls flipping their skirts and kicking their legs.

Even better for the valley: These played-out fantasies are expected to draw 200,000 in the first season. That's an economic bull's-eye.

"A lot of people didn't realize how important the park was till it closed," says Louise Price, a 30-year park employee who was recently re-hired. "Since it has been gone, motels closed and were torn down, restaurants went under. It was bad."

Read the rest of the article here.

Tweetsie gets a reprieve

We've discussed the evaporation of "Americana" before. The good news is that at least one vestige will remain -- at least through 2010: Tweetsie Railroad.

"A landmark Wild West theme park nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina will remain open through 2010, despite skyrocketing land prices that threatened to shutter its doors," writes the Associated Press.

"The Tweetsie Railroad theme park was up against a 2007 deadline to renew land leases or close, but owners negotiated deals so the family-run park could operate for at least a few more years at its current location in Blowing Rock. The park will celebrate its 50th season of entertaining families when it opens May 4. ...

"The park has identified and secured a site in neighboring Wilkes County for possible relocation if additional long-term agreements on the current leases don't work out. ...

"About 250,000 visitors are expected at the park this year. ...

"The park also has historical roots in the mountains. Tweetsie No. 12, one of two steam engines used on the excursion railroad, is the last surviving engine from the 50-mile, narrow-gauge Eastern Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad that ran through the mountains from Boone to Johnson City, Tenn., beginning in the late 19th century.

"Locals named the train the 'Tweetsie,' after the shrill steam whistles that echoed through the hills."

Personally, I'm pleased to read this. I've got a 4-month old; I've always looked forward to taking my kid(s) to Tweetsie. Now, I may just get that chance.