Home › Blog › Page 197

New hotel brand from Starwood launches with South Beach property

Posted on by See Article Source Posted in Tourism — No Comments ↓

Another new hotel brand has arrived in South Beach: Tribute Portfolio, the latest from Starwood Hotels Resorts Worldwide.

While the collection is brand new, its first property has plenty of history: The 393-room Royal Palm South Beach at 1545 Collins Ave., most recently known as the James Royal Palm, sold earlier this year for $278 million to Chesapeake Lodging Trust.

The publicly traded real estate investment trust owns several hotels that carry Starwood brands, including W and Le Meridien. After finding the South Beach property, the company approached Starwood to see if the Royal Palm would be a good fit for any brands, said Chesapeake Lodging Trust executive vice president and chief operating officer Rick Adams.

That’s when they found out about plans for the Tribute Portfolio, a collection of four-star independent hotels that would be linked into Starwood’s worldwide reservations system and Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty program.

“They’ve just been a great partner over the years and to me, this is a brand that has been missing from their offering,” Adams said. “It just seems like a perfect fit for the Royal Palm.”

Dave Marr, Starwood’s senior vice president of brand management for North America, said the hotel’s prime location, upgraded condition, ownership group and management company made it an attractive prospect for the collection.

“As a brand leader, you could not ask for a better first hotel for the Tribute Portfolio than the Royal Palm,” Marr said.

Another four properties — in Asheville, North Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; Savannah, Georgia and Nashville — are all to join the portfolio in the next couple years. By 2020, Starwood expects to have 100 Tribute Portfolio hotels.

Tribute Portfolio is Starwood’s 10th brand. The company already has The Luxury Collection, which focuses on independent five-star properties, and St. Regis, W, Westin, Le Meridien, Sheraton, Four Points by Sheraton, Aloft and element.

The Associated Press reported earlier this week that the 10 largest hotel chains in the world now include a total of 113 brands, 31 of which have come along in the last 10 years.

In Miami-Dade alone, new brands including Hyatt Centric and Canopy by Hilton are in the works.

Earlier this year, Miami-based hotel consultant Scott Brush said in an interview that he has to frequently update the material on brand affiliations for his class at Florida International University.

“I’m going crazy trying to remember who’s what,” he said.

Brush said hotel companies are eager to launch new products in Miami because of its international reputation.

“It’s what they call a gateway city, and all these brands want to be in gateway cities,” he said.

Tagged with:

How travelers can add charity to their vacation itineraries

Posted on by See Article Source Posted in Tourism — No Comments ↓

After hundreds of business trips and a vacation or two, Clement Quintyne’s Briggs Riley Rollaboard was ready for the recycler. The wheels were worn and the outside was frayed.

His wife, Debra, figured it was time for new luggage. But what to do with the old bag?

Then she heard about the company’s new trade-in program called “A Case for Giving.” Quintyne, a manager from Raleigh, N.C., could return his luggage and receive a $100 credit on a new Briggs Riley bag. The aging spinner would be donated to charity.

It was a deal she couldn’t pass up, she said, because there’s a deficit of compassion among travelers.

“I don’t think travelers are charitable to one another,” she said. “People are more concerned with getting on airplanes first so they can stow their luggage before there is no more overhead space. Hopefully, this luggage exchange will spread and will make people stop and think about the many blessings that they have.”

The Briggs Riley program, which just wrapped up, is one of many travel-related charities that are easy to miss in today’s frenetic travel world. Perhaps it’s good to acknowledge them because they have the potential to make travel better — and maybe even make us better travelers.

It can start before your trip begins, with your planning. For example, Vacation 4 A Cause, a travel agency based in Flower Mound, Tex., donates a portion of the money you spend on your vacation to a nonprofit partner. The agency’s mission: “Making the world a better place, one vacation at a time.” A typical resort vacation for a family of four could generate a donation of about $300, said Jennifer Gross, the agency’s owner.

Organizations such as Tourism Cares help the travel industry be more philanthropic, giving professionals like Gross an outlet for giving and volunteering. Tourism Cares is well known for its industry volunteer projects at destinations in need. Most recently, it coordinated an effort by 325 volunteers from 29 states to help restore Miami’s landmark Marine Stadium.

But lately, it has added philanthropy and corporate social responsibility programs, said Mike Rea, the organization’s chief executive, such as philanthropic awards and strategy consulting.

“Travelers are using their pocketbooks in new ways to benefit communities,” Rea said. “Often, before they leave, they’ll scout out options for giving back and getting involved. Sometimes they plan their whole trip around community involvement.”

Voluntourism, as the concept is known, remains one of the most popular ways for travelers to get involved in a charitable cause.

Because many tours are just resort vacations interrupted by an afternoon of feel-good activities, like picking up trash on the beach, tour operators such as REI Adventures are trying to set themselves apart by offering trips that make a “real and significant impact,” said REI Adventures General Manager Cynthia Dunbar.

Its Virgin Islands Volunteer Vacation, for instance, focuses on trail work in Virgin Islands National Park that is done alongside National Park Service rangers. You’ll clean debris, fix trails and remove vegetation in the park. But it’s not all work; you’ll have two free days out of the week to hike, snorkel, swim and relax.

Hotels are getting in on the act, too. The Sheraton Kauai Resort offers a program called Table 53 at its signature oceanfront restaurant, RumFire Poipu Beach. A portion of your check goes to charity. So far, the program has raised $90,000.

“It’s an easy way for travelers to give back to our small island community,” said hotel spokeswoman June Cappiello.

The luxury cruise line Seabourn has a new partnership with UNESCO that allows passengers to help save destinations that may have been damaged by years of irresponsible tourism. It now offers World Heritage Discovery Tours with itineraries developed in cooperation with the agency, site managers and tour experts. Prices for the tours include a donation to benefit UNESCO’s World Heritage sites — designated places of special cultural or physical significance. Seabourn will also make a small donation to UNESCO when customers book its shore excursions online.

The two-week luggage exchange by Briggs Riley resulted in hundreds of bags being donated through participating retailers. The luggage was refurbished and sent to people in immediate need in local communities, including the Ronald McDonald House charities in New York, Atlanta and Denver. All told, more than 100 charity partners participated in the promotion.

It came about when Briggs Riley chief executive Richard Krulik, who is active in charities, realized that his products had the potential to meet a very real need, “whether it’s helping a child leaving foster care or a family traveling to care for the health of a loved one.”

Bottom line: No matter where you’re going or what stage of the journey you’re at, there are more opportunities than ever to do good.

Elliott is a consumer advocate, journalist and co-founder of the advocacy group Travelers United.
E-mail him at chris@elliott.org.

More from Travel:

Travel Guide

Ski Guide

Caribbean Guide

Read more from Travel:

Read past Navigator columns here

Tagged with:

Polls indicate that Islamophobia exists

Posted on by See Article Source Posted in Tourism — No Comments ↓

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 16, 2015 – In a recent poll by Huffington Post nearly 60 percent of the respondents said they were not interested or do not know whether they want to learn more about Islam.

According to the numbers acquired by Huffington, only 7 percent said they had a very favorable opinion of the religion while 14 percent claimed they saw it somewhat favorably. The poll also revealed, not surprisingly, that younger Americans are the group most likely to have positive feelings about the religion.

However, few people based their opinions upon any knowledge of Islam and/or personal relationships with Muslims, even though the bulk of those who participated had negative viewpoints.

Read Also: The more we lie about Islam, the more it resembles the truth

Many of the results followed common perceptions, while others were somewhat surprising. Only one person in 10 said he had ever been to a mosque. Not an unexpected response because there would is usually no need for non-Muslims to visit a mosque and because in many places non-Muslims are forbidden to enter one. For example, only Muslims are allowed in the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Thirty-nine percent of those who were polled said they would like to learn more about Islam, but 44 percent were not interested. Seventeen percent were unsure, making 61 percent of the answers either negative or not certain.

Further breakdowns indicated that young people and Democrats were more likely to respond positively and had a desire to learn more about Islam. Democrats outnumbered Republicans by 16 percentage points in favorability of Islam and by 13 points in having a desire to learn more.

By age category, between the ages of 18 to 29, 40 percent were unfavorable in comparison to 63 percent favorable in ages between 45 and 64. Those who are older than 65 had a 58 percent favorability tally.

The poll was conceived and conducted by Antonia Blumberg as part of a series in Huffington Post called “Muslim Life in America.” Said Blumberg, “The bottom line is, too many Americans have never even (consciously) met a Muslim person. They have no context for understanding the faith outside of what’s in the news. The aim of the Muslim Life in America series is to lift up the voices and stories of Muslim Americans from all walks of life to contextualize and humanize the faith for other Americans. When you realize the incredible diversity of the Muslim American community, stereotypes just won’t make sense anymore.
Polls will become the lifeblood of journalism in the not-too-distant future as the political parties crank up their speculation machines to see who can be the first to determine the presidential candidates followed by the first media outlet to pick the winner.”

If the purpose of the Huffington Post survey was to generate enough negative numbers to prove that “Islamophobia” is rampant in the United States, then the figures could be interpreted to justify their goal. However, a purely negative set of statistics does not necessarily mean that the majority of Americans are Islamophobic. After all, if Muslims really are trying to kill you, then Islamophobia is nothing more than reality.

Furthermore, there is a large enough number of examples of actual acts of Islamic extremism and terrorism to completely refute the Huffington Post results as fictional.

The fact that Barack Obama refuses to recognize that Islamic extremism exists is not enough proof to verify Huffington’s conclusions. While Obama has convinced himself beyond any shadow of doubt that he has never been wrong about anything, and while the entire planet recognizes him as the purveyor of all wisdom by being the smartest human being in the world, the Huffington Post poll still cannot override the glaring fact that Islam is, by definition, extreme. Calling opposition to it the made-up name of “Islamophobia” will not make it any less of a reality.

Read Also: Muslim voices demand Islamic reform

Robert Spencer, a noted expert on Islam and founder of Jihad Watch, expresses it best when he responds to Islamic apologists by saying, “They see one of the most brutal, barbaric and bloodthirsty polities in the history of the world call itself the Islamic State, and claim to represent Islam in its purity and fullness. They see all this happening and then people whining about ‘Islamophobia,’ rather than calling for genuine soul-searching and honest reform within the Muslim community.”

The negative statistics compiled by Huffington Post are not an indication of Islamophobic beliefs by the American people. Rather they are a validation that Islam in its current form is a global problem that must be challenged and reformed.

Bob Taylor has been traveling the world for more than 30 years as a writer and award winning television producer focusing on international events, people and cultures around the globe.

Taylor is founder of the Magellan Travel Club (www.MagellanTravelClub.com)

Read more of What in the World and Bob Taylor at Communities Digital News.

Follow Bob on Twitter @MrPeabod

Tagged with:

Hands-On, Mind-Tickling Fun at the Playhouse Build Fest Saturday April 11 at …

Posted on by See Article Source Posted in Tourism — No Comments ↓

The Children’s Playhouse presents Playhouse Build Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 11th at Parkway School. This free event is part of the 2015 North Carolina Science Festival.

A free event for kids aged 2 to 12, Playhouse Build Fest will be a daylong celebration of creativity and problem-solving, offering over 30 hands-on STEM and Art activities and engaging demonstrations. There will be all ages activities as well as activities specifically designed for preschool, grades K-3, and grades 4-6.

“STEM is a hot buzzword which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math” explains Playhouse Executive Director Kathy Parham, “but really this fest will have a head of STEAM because we’ll incorporate visual Arts as well.”  And that all translates into a lot of fun and learning for the inventors of the future.

Parham explains that activities will be provided by multiple Appalachian State University classes and clubs, including Appalachian Educators, Chemistry, Designer Craftsman, Industrial Design Student Association, Math Education, and Physics and Astronomy.

Watauga High School will be represented by the Robotics Club and Mountain Alliance.

Other community groups participating will be the Appalachian District Health Department, the Children’s Playhouse, High Country Girl Scouts-Peaks to Piedmont , Lettuce Learn, Mary’s Montessori School, NC Cooperative Extension and Greening My Plate, and Watauga County Library.

There will even be local toy inventors Richard Elaver of Joinks! and Noah Gordon of Box ‘n Balls. And one precocious youngster, Simon Elaver, son of Richard and Andrea Elaver, will host his own “insane domino trick” station.

The Presenting Sponsors are the OPSmiles (Drs. Mayhew, Scheffler, Conn, Hardaway, and Copley) and the NC Science Festival. Major Sponsors are Mast General Store, the High Country Home Builders. Contributing sponsors are Appalachian Regional Healthcare System/Harmony Center for Women’s Health and Vitality and Bluebird Exchange with additional support from Sarah B. Long Real Estate of Keller Williams Realty. The event supports The Children’s Playhouse, the High Country’s only nonprofit children’s museum.

There will be things everyone can enjoy such as the Lego Robots and the Pinewood Derby track, along with activities specifically designed for preschoolers, grades K-3, and grades 4-6. “I think every kid is going to find something to entrance them whether it’s making mini-marshmellow catapults or building a giant Cardboard City or burying their hands in some gloopy-gloppy Oobleck” says Playhouse Executive Director Kathy Parham.

The ASU departments of Chemistry and Physics are planning a demo show sure to amaze and engage all ages.

Admission will be free at the event but families making a day of it will want to purchase lunch at the festival. Pizza, fruit, gluten free Sunbutter and Jelly sandwiches, and water will be available.

This is the second year for Playhouse Build Fest. Last year’s event attracted 1000 kids and adults. For more information about Playhouse Build Fest, see www.goplayhouse.org or call 828-263-0011.

As an official 2015 North Carolina Science Festival presented by the Biogen Foundation event, Playhouse Build Fest is among hundreds of community-based events that are showcasing STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) activities for the citizens of North Carolina.

“The North Carolina Science Festival is about communities coming together to celebrate the wonders of science,” said Jonathan Frederick, Festival director. “Thanks to the talents of our event hosts across the state, there’s something for everyone.”

Founded in 2010, the North Carolina Science Festival is the first statewide science festival in the United States.  During a two-week celebration each spring, the Festival brings hundreds of events (hosted by schools, colleges, libraries, museums, parks, businesses and other community organizations) together under one banner to recognize the economic, educational and cultural impact of science in North Carolina. The Festival is presented by the Biogen Foundation and produced by Morehead Planetarium and Science Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For more information, visit www.ncsciencefestival.org.

About The Children’s Playhouse

A nonprofit children’s museum founded in 2002, The Children’s Playhouse provides an enriching play environment for children from birth to age eight while at the same time offering parents and caregivers friendly support in the important job of raising children. It is located at 400 Tracy Circle near downtown Boone.  Daily admission is $5 per person. A one year Playhouse Passport Membership for $125 includes admission to The Playhouse and half-price admission to more than 150 children’s museums nationwide. Scholarship memberships are available for families that meet income guidelines. The Children’s Playhouse is supported in part by grants from the Barnickel Foundation, the Ethel and W. George Kennedy Family Foundation/ The Kennedy-Herterich Fund, the Town of Boone,  the Blood, Sweat, and Gears Foundation, and donations from individuals.  For more information, call 828-263-0011, like it on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Childrens.Playhouse), or visit the website, www.goplayhouse.org.

Comments

comments

Tagged with:

Best Bets for the Myrtle Beach area, April 17-23

Posted on by See Article Source Posted in Tourism — No Comments ↓

SUNDAY | 04.19

Students star in ‘Waves of the Future’

The Chicora Rotary Club of Myrtle Beach presents the third annual “Waves of the Future” concert, with 24 performances by an expected 20 schools and more than 650 students participating overall.

See this celebration of youth from all grade levels of Horry County Schools at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Calvin Gilmore Theater, at the northern junction of U.S. 17 Business and U.S. 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach.

All proceeds go toward Horry County fine arts programs, and local and international Rotary projects for polio eradication, water sanitation in Peru, the Dictionary Program and Project Happy Feet.

Tickets are $24.95, $29.95 or $45.95 for ages 17 and older, and $9.95, $14.95 or $19.95 for ages 3-16.

Also, every paid ticket to “Waves of the Future” will include a nontransferable voucher from the box office to attend a performance of “The Carolina Opry” or “The Good Vibrations Show” anytime April 13-25.

Details at 913-4000 or www.wavesofthefuture.com, and www.thecarolinaopry.com.

FRIDAY | 04.17

Ying Quartet leads week of CCU events

Coastal Carolina University has a slew of arts events just in the next week, mostly on the main campus, accessed from U.S. 501 and S.C. 544 in Conway. Details at 349-2787 (ARTS) or www.coastal.edu/culturalarts:

▪ Ying Quartet (www.ying4.com), 7:30 p.m. Friday in Wheelwright Auditorium. $15.

▪ “Gospel Extravaganza,” 5 p.m. Saturday in Wheelwright Auditorium. Free, with ticket.

▪ Eighth annual “Isn’t It Romantic?” concert, 7:30 p.m. Monday, with CCU concert and chamber choirs. $5.

▪ Wale, 8 p.m. Monday, in HTC Center. $20.

▪ “Words to Say It – Faculty Showcase,” 4:30 p.m. April 23 in Johnson Auditorium, in E. Craig Wall School of Business Administration, with CCU English professor Jason Ockert reading from his newly released novel “Wasp Box,” book signing at reception afterward. Free.

▪ “Pop 101 in Concert,” 7:30 p.m. April 23 in Wheelwright Auditorium, with various singers and instrumentalists. $5.

Also, Atlantic Stage’s “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged),” 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, through April 26 at 79th Avenue Theatre, in CCU’s Myrtle Beach Education Center, at U.S. 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach. Also: “After Words” discussions with the cast and director after show this Sunday. $27.50 general; $22.50 seniors (ages 55 and older)/educators/military; $17.50 students, including Osher Lifelong Learning Institute members; and $12.50 side-section seats. Details at 877-287-8587 or www.atlanticstage.com.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY | 04.17-04.19

‘Gullah and Gospel in Georgetown’

The “Gullah and Gospel in Georgetown” festival will cover this weekend at various Georgetown sites, mostly in the city:

▪ Friday-Saturday – Films at Georgetown County Library main branch, 405 Cleland St., with “Say Amen, Somebody” at 2 p.m. and “20 Years of Oslo Gospel Choir” 4 p.m., each for a suggested $2 donation.

▪ Friday – Opening concert with Pure-N-Heart Movement, 7 p.m. at Waccamaw High School auditorium, 2412 Kings River Road, Pawleys Island, for $15.48 advance online or $17 at door.

▪ Saturday – Street fair downtown, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., including the Top Gullah Chef cook-off; free concerts by Geoffrey Forrest and Big God Praise, noon and 2 p.m., respectively at Front and King streets; and master art classes 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., with Jonathan Green, at Cultural Council of Georgetown County, 922 Front St., for $250, and Charles Williams, at The Carefree Canvas, 129 King St., for $150.

▪ Sunday – Closing concert by Vickie Winans and Capital City Chorale, 6 p.m. at Lighthouse of Jesus Christ Church, 159 Johnson Road, $20.66 online advance or $25 at door.

The festival is a collaboration of the Georgetown Business Association, Georgetown County Tourism Office, Cultural Council of Georgetown County and The Mitney Project. Proceeds will benefit community revitalization work at Mitney, which helps to give educational and culturally enriching programs to needy youth and their families (546-7900 or themitneyproject.org).

More festival details at www.gospelgeorgetown.com.

OPENS SUNDAY | 04.17

High schoolers’ art sparkles in exhibit

The 14th annual Horry-Georgetown County High Schools Juried Art Exhibition opens at the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum with a reception 1-3 p.m. Sunday, including awards at 1:30 p.m., and the show continues through May 17.

This exhibit showcases works by students from various local schools: Carolina Forest, Conway, Green Sea Floyds, Loris, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, St. James and Socastee high schools; Horry County Schools’ Academy for the Arts, Science and Technology and Academy for Technology and Academics; Georgetown School of Arts and Sciences, Lowcountry Preparatory School; and Vine and Branches Home Educators.

More than 342 pieces were submitted for consideration, and 83 works were chosen for display.

Find the museum at 3100 S. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, across from Midway Par 3 and Springmaid Beach Resort. It’s open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays, for free.

Other exhibits into May:

▪ “Voices of the Island: The Cuban Art Collection of Reynier Llanes,” with works by 18 Cuban artists; “Swim: An Artist’s Journey,” paintings by Georgetown native Charles Williams; and “Laurie Blum: My Inner Garden,” with gouache paintings, all through April 23.

▪ 18th annual Waccamaw Arts Crafts Guild Juried Exhibition, April 30-May 31.

▪ Winyah River Keepers Foundation Photo Contest Winners, May 8-21.

Details at 238-2510 or www.myrtlebeachartmuseum.org.

SATURDAY, MONDAY | 04.18, 04.20

Events include Croissants, ‘Trio Dinner’ dates

▪ Pet Fair, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday in Surfside Beach Bark Park, at Willow Drive North and First Avenue North, including rabies clinic opening at 9:30 a.m. 650-9548 or www.surfsidebeach.org.

▪ Colonial-era celebration, for children in kindergarten-grade 5 and their parents, with Long Bay Society of Children of the American Revolution, 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday at Horry County Memorial Library Socastee branch, 141 707-Connector Road, between S.C. 707 and S.C. 544. Free, but reservations requested at 492-0061, 249-8664, or email CAR.Longbay@gmail.com.

▪ Waccamaw Arts and Craft Guild’s 43rd year of “Art in the Park,” 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday in Myrtle Beach’s Valor Memorial Garden, at The Market Common, on Farrow Parkway. Free. 446-3830 or www.artsyparksy.com.

▪ Grand Strand Beach Social Dancers’ belated “Easter Parade” dance, 7-10 p.m. Saturday with DJ Ed Brown, at Grand Strand Senior Center, 1268 21st Ave. N., Myrtle Beach. $7. 903-3765.

▪ Third annual Spring Wine Tasting and Art Show, benefiting the International Culinary Institute of Myrtle Beach and including debut of Heidi Vukov’s “Bonjour Y’all” cookbook – 4-6 p.m. Saturday at Croissants Bistro and Bakery, 3751 Robert M. Grissom Parkway, Myrtle Beach, at 38th Avenue North. Wine tasting $15. 448-2253 or www.croissants.net.

▪ “Edible Book Festival,” with tastes inspired by a book, Monday at Horry County Memorial Library Surfside Beach branch, 410 Surfside Drive. Drop off entries 11 a.m.-1 p.m., for judging 1-1:30, public vote 1:30-2, and winners announced 2-3. Register at 205-5280. Free, www.hcml.org.

▪ “Trio Dinner Coastal Culinary Experience,” 6:30-9 p.m. Monday at Myrtle Beach Convention Center, at Oak Street and 21st Avenue North, with top Myrtle Beach-area executive chefs and students they mentor competing for 2015 Best Dish and People’s Choice awards, with music by the U-N-I jazz-blues band, in a benefit for Myrtle Beach Area Hospitality Association’s scholarship funds directed at hospitality and culinary education. $25 student, adult $85, couple $160, table of eight $600, table of 10 for $750. 626-9668 or www.triodinner.org.

Tagged with:

Community News, April 16, 2015:

Posted on by See Article Source Posted in Tourism — No Comments ↓

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Anne Springs Close Greenway will host its annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, offering free entry and activities for all ages, from hiking and kayaking to horseback rides, in addition to new events.

One of the nation’s foremost folk musicians and storytellers, four-time Grammy award winner David Holt, accompanied by acoustic music star and Grammy nominee Josh Goforth, will perform. Asheville-based folk musician Billy Jonas, who mixes conventional instruments with homemade creations, also will perform.

There will be a 5K race and the inaugural “Recycled Runway” competition. The competition will feature local students, clubs and individuals who will create costumes from recycled materials and compete for prizes. Other events include horse-and-wagon rides, canoeing, kayaking and cane-pole fishing, border collie demonstrations, guided nature and history hikes, kids’ zone, farm animals, geocaching, historic cabin interpretation and vendor exhibits.

For information, call 803-547-4575 or go to ASCGreenway.org

Special events

▪ The fifth annual Massing of the Colors, sponsored by the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasony and the Air Force Junior ROTC at Rock Hill High School, will be 3 p.m. Sunday at Rock Hill High School auditorium, 320 W. Springdale Road.

The event includes 19 groups presenting colors. The Tuckaway Quartet will provide music.

▪ The inaugural Live Well Clover 5K Run/Walk will be April 25. The 5K will begin at 8 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 117 S. Main St. Registration opens at 7 a.m. Preregistration is $20; race day registration is $25. Fee includes T-shirt.

For information go to cloversc.org. Register online at active.com. Live Well Clover is a volunteer effort aimed at growing a healthy and active Clover community. All skill levels are welcome.

▪ York County veterans are invited to an open house, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at the new American Legion, 524 Heckle Blvd., Rock Hill. Bring proof of service, honorable discharge, DD214 or active Military ID. Those younger than age 21 are not permitted in the Clubroom.

▪ The 2015 Glencairn BloomFest planning committee is seeking additional vendors for the event, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 16 at Glencairn Garden. BloomFest features garden-themed vendors, music, food, garden tours, plant sale and kids’ activities celebrating National Kids to Parks Day. For information and applications, go to cityofrockhill.com/bloomfest or call 803-329-5620.

Fundraisers

▪ The annual Plant Sale and Walkathon sponsored by York County Christian Women’s Job Corps will be 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at Family Trust Federal Credit Union, Dave Lyle Boulevard, Rock Hill. Flowering plants, vegetables, herbs and hanging baskets, provided by Farmer’s Exchange, will be available. Registration for the Walkathon begins at 8 a.m. Proceeds go to YCCWJC, a nonprofit organization that helps women become self-sufficient through job and life skills classes, mentoring, and Bible Study.

▪ The Clover Optimist Club will have a barbecue from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday next to Killian’s Service Center on S.C. 55, Clover. Plates, $8, include pork barbecue, slaw, chips, a cookie and bun. A 5-pound bucket is $30, and a sandwich with chips is $4. Drinks are $1. Walk-ins are welcome. One dollar from each plate sold will be given to Lee Killian’s medical fund. For tickets or details, call Asby Skinnell at 803-222-0177.

▪ Benefit dinner and singing for cancer patient Elaine Cheek will be April 25 at Sharon Baptist Church. The Riverside Boys sing at 5 p.m. Dinner served between 6-7:30 p.m. Plates: $10, adult; $4, ages 3-12; free, age 3 and younger. Menu: fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, slaw, dessert, bread and tea. Eat in or take out. Sausage biscuits and baked goods will be sold beginning at 8 a.m. at the Sharon Fire Department.

▪ Grits and Grace breakfast buffet will be 8-11 a.m. Saturday at Eastside Baptist Church, 318 N. Jones Ave., Rock Hill. Cost is $6, adult; $3 age 12 and younger.

▪ The Abolition Flagship of the Gamma Beta Phi Society, a Winthrop University honor society, will hold a car wash 2-7 p.m. Friday at Advance Auto Parts, 2166 Cherry Road, Rock Hill. Cost, $5.

Abolition Flagship’s focus is fighting human trafficking and slavery. Proceeds will go to LOVE146, a nonprofit that works to end child trafficking and exploitation. For information, contact Sara Tennant at tennants2@winthrop.edu, or call 803-389-4266.

▪ The Home Builders Association of York County Spring Charity Golf Tournament will be May 7 at Springfield Golf Club, 639 Hambly House Lane, Fort Mill. Shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. Deadline to sign up is April 30. Cost is $115 and includes greens fee and cart, lunch, goodie bag and steak dinner. To sign up, call Linda Wilson at 803-328-8460 or email HBAYC@comporium.net. Proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity of York County.

Entertainment

▪ Allison Creek Bluegrass presents “Driveline,” 7-9 p.m. Thursday at Allison Creek Presbyterian Church at the corner of S.C. 274 and Allison Creek Road. No cover charge. Doors open at 6 p.m. Concessions available at 6:30 p.m..

Meetings

▪ The Yorkville Historical Society will meet 7:30 p.m. April 23 at McCelvey Center in York. Paul Gettys will speak. Visitors welcome.

▪ The York County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs will meet 7 p.m. April 23 at the Administration Building , 7900 Park Place Road in the East York Industrial Park, off S.C. 5 in York. Open to the public.

▪ The York Soil and Water Conservation District commissioners will meet 5 p.m. April 23, at the USDA Service Center, 1460 E. Alexander Love Highway, York. Open to the public. For information, contact Barbara O’Connell, at 803-684-3137 ext. 101.

▪ United States Submarine Veterans, Carolina Piedmont Base, will meet 7 p.m. April 25 at Fort Mill VFW, 1442 Harris Road. Social and dinner at 5:30 p.m. For information, contact John Wardean at 803-323-9130.

▪ York County Genealogical and Historical Society will meet 3 p.m. May 3 at Allison Creek Presbyterian Church, 5780 Allison Creek Road at S.C. 274, York. There will be a brief history of the church and a walking tour of the adjacent African-American graveyard where over 300 graves have been located and marked. Open to the public.

▪ Hope For You will host an informational meeting, “Touching a Child’s Life,” on foster care, adoption, guardian ad litem, private and international adoption and orphan care ministries in churches. The group will meet 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Fort Mill Library. For information, call 803-448-1075.

▪ The western York County branch of the NAACP will meet 6 p.m. Thursday at Wesley United Methodist Church. For information, contact Wanda Simril at 803-684-6200.

Clubs

▪ The Rock Hill Civitan Club will celebrate its 60th anniversary 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mary’s Cafe, Firetower Road. S.C. District Gov. Misty Konow, past S.C. District Gov. David Simpson and S.C. District Gov.-elect Bill Tolleson will attend. Members and guests are invited.

▪ York County Quilt Guild will meet 7 p.m. Monday at Grace Lutheran Church, 426 Oakland Ave., Rock Hill. Joyce Walton of Rock Hill will give a program “My 29-Year Journey In Quilting,” which will include a trunk show with nearly 50 quilts. Open to the community.

▪ The Lake Wylie Shag Club will have pre-SOS dance 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Moose Lodge in Fort Mill, 1676 Harris Road, Fort Mill. Members bring food. Admission: $3, members and $5, guests. For information, go to lakewylieshagclub.com.

▪ Tega Cay Beautification Committee workday will be 9-11 a.m. Tuesday at the Living Memorial Gardens to trim, clean, weed, and spread mulch. New members and workers are needed. For information, contact pcmartin@comporium.net or 803-802-8727 or klinew@comporium.net or 704-287-7432.

▪ Rock Hill Area Shag Club will have its spring party, 8 p.m. Saturday at Celebrations at Ramada Inn. Dinner provided. Members, $3; guests, $5.

▪ The Ballroom Dance Club will meet 7:30-10:20 p.m. Friday at Fort Mill Golf Course Club House, 101 Country Club Drive. Adults of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Guest admission is $15 per couple, $7.50 for singles and includes a free dance lesson. Dressy casual. No alcohol; light refreshments provided. For information, call Bob at 803-329-5764, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Nominations

▪ Rock Hill Neighborhood Empowerment Office is accepting nominations for the 2015 Rolling In Rock Hill paint project, Sept. 19.

To be eligible, homes must be owner-occupied and located in the city limits. Homeowner must be in the low-to-moderate income bracket, an elderly resident or physically unable to paint your own home.

Applications are available at cityofrockhill.com/neighborhood on the Rolling In Rock Hill page, or contact Dorene Boular in the Housing Neighborhood Service Department at 803-325-2527 or Dorene.boular@cityofrockhill.com.

Recreation

▪ The Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department’s A.L.L. Outdoors program offers several introductory programs for those who want to learn to kayak.

Leisure Kayaking 101 102 is a 2-½ hour introduction to lake or pond kayaking. Certified American Canoe Association instructors work with participants one-on-one in a small group setting teaching basic skills needed to enjoy this life-long leisure activity. Dates are planned June-August.

Family Kayak programs is a safe way for beginners of all ages to learn the basics. Dates are June 16, July 7, and August 11.

Moonlight Kayak Trips will be offered May-October.

Other kayak programming includes safety and rescue clinics, Boy Scout Merit Badge clinics, and moving water clinics. Pre-registration is required for all programs. For information or to register go to cityofrockhill.com/alloutdoors or call 803-329-5527.

Assistance

Carolina Community Actions is taking applications through April 30 to assist families with home heating bills and a variety of other programs and services through the LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) and GEAP (General Emergency Assistance Program).

The LIHEAP program assists households twice each year with money to pay home energy bills up to $1,000 in addition to assisting with heating/air unit repair or replacement. The GEAP program assists with rent or mortgage bills, GED education, job training, tuition for Certified Nursing Assistant training and child care.

Applications are taken 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday at 546 S. Cherry Road, Rock Hill. Appointments are available on Wednesdays for applicants 60 and over or disabled.

Monthly income for one person cannot exceed $1,471.25 and the household income for two cannot exceed $1,991.25. Add $520 for each additional person in the household to help determine eligibility. Income varies for the two programs. For information, call the CCA office at 803-329-5195.

Enrollment

▪ ISWA Head Start is currently taking applications for the 2015-16 school year for children who will be 3 years old by Sept. 1. Applications are taken 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays at 1540 Tom Steven Road, Rock Hill. For information, call 803-328-2267.

Classes

▪ AARP Drivers Safety Program will be offered for ages 26 and older 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday at Springs Complex, Tom Hall St., Fort Mill. Open to the community.

Participants will get certificates that may reduce the insurance rate on collision and liability coverage and is good for three years.

Cost is $15, members; $20, nonmembers. Registration is required. Contact Chris Gross at 803-329-8253.

▪ Carolina Community Actions is accepting enrollment in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Program for 2015. Applicants must be ages 17-21 and meet the income guidelines to qualify. The program offers participants up to $5,000 in the following program services:

Assistance with obtaining a GED.

CNA training and assistance with tuition, books, uniform supplies and state exam fees.

Occupational training from a technical and occupational institution in the Tri-County.

Pharmacy tech internships.

Dental chairside assistant and office training.

Heavy equipment operator’s training.

Welding training.

Truck driving.

Incentives up to $300.

The program is paid for through the Catawba Regional Council of Government. CCA is a private, nonprofit corporation with a mission to promote self-reliance of low-income individuals and families by forming partnerships, which will provide a systematic reduction of the causes and conditions of poverty.

For information or to enroll, call Marilyn Burris, York County WIA case manager, at 803-366-5302, or Gwen Harris, Lancaster County WIA case manager, at 803-289-0904.

Workshops

▪ The Rock Hill Chapter of the South Carolina Writers Workshop is presenting the ninth annual Writers Intensive Workshop on April 25 at Grace Lutheran Church, 426 Oakland Ave.

This year’s theme is “Writers’ Secrets Uncovered.” Each participant can choose four of 24 sessions, a panel discussion and optional critiques. Sessions are presented for beginning writers through published authors and include many genres, poetry and illustration. Registration is 8:30-9 a.m. The cost is $30 for nonmembers; $25 for members and students age 16 and older. Lunch is included. Space is limited. For information and registration, go rockhillscww.org.

Health

▪ North Central Family Medical Center will have a yard sale, a bake sale, and enrollment drive for the Affordable Care Act 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 25 at 1131 Saluda St., Rock Hill. Proceeds will go to a local charity.

Reunions

▪ The Robinson/Gladden family reunion is hosting a Chinese auction 2-4 p.m. April 25 at VFW Post 3746, 1404 Crawford Road, Rock Hill. For information, contact Charlie M. Robinson at 803-327-4547.

▪ The annual Blackstock High School reunion will be April 25 at the school’s former gym, Schoolhouse Road. Registration at 11 a.m. and picnic lunch at noon. All former students and friends are invited. For information, call Susan Cassels at 803-328-1121 or Edward Hunter Mills at 803-581-2744.

Support groups

▪ Alateen meets 8-9 p.m. Thursdays at Zoar Road Club, 14701 Thomas Road, Charlotte. Meetings are for two age groups: 6-12 and 13 and older. For information, call 803-547-2124 or 704-904-7834.

▪ Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at Serenity Club, 209 Grayson Road, Rock Hill; at noon Tuesdays upstairs at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church, 421 Oakland Ave., Rock Hill; at 8 p.m. Mondays at Grace Presbyterian Church, 2955 S.C. 160, Fort Mill; and at 8 p.m. Tuesdays in the house beside First Baptist Church, 121 Monroe White St., Fort Mill.

Send Community News items to communitynews@heraldonline.com or to 132 W. Main St., Rock Hill, SC 29730. Deadline for the Thursday column is 5p.m. Monday. Deadline for the Sunday column is 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Tagged with:

National Basketball Association Game Capsules

Posted on by See Article Source Posted in Tourism — No Comments ↓

Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) – James Harden scored 29 points and the Houston Rockets kept their hopes of a Southwest Division title alive with a 100-90 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. The Rockets had seven players finish in double figures as they pulled even with the idle Spurs atop the division. If the Grizzlies beat the Warriors on Monday, there will be a three- way tie with one game remaining. All three teams play on Wednesday, with the Rockets hosting the Jazz, the Spurs playing in New Orleans and the Grizzlies hosting the Pacers. Josh Smith finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, and Terrence Jones also recorded a double-double with 10 points an 11 boards in the win. The Hornets have dropped five in a row overall and finished their home slate with a 19-22 record. They have lost nine straight meetings against Houston. Brian Roberts scored a team-high 23 points, while Charlotte’s starting backcourt of Kemba Walker and Gerald Henderson combined to shoot 3- of-20 from the field for six points.

Final Score: Cleveland 109, Detroit 97

Cleveland, OH (SportsNetwork.com) – LeBron James got his second triple-double this month and the Cleveland Cavaliers made 17 3-pointers to easily beat the Detroit Pistons 109-97 on Monday with four starters back in the lineup. The Cavaliers were coming off consecutive losses in a home-and-home series with the Celtics, including a 117-78 blowout in Boston on Sunday when they rested James, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and J.R. Smith in their most lopsided loss of the season. James finished with 21 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds and Smith scored a game-high 28 points. Timofey Mozgov added 16 points and 13 rebounds and Irving scored 12 before sitting out the second half with hip soreness. The Central Division champions will finish the regular season on Wednesday at home against Washington. They own the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and are still waiting to find out who their first-round opponent will be. Andre Drummond had 20 points and nine rebounds and Caron Butler scored 19 for the Pistons, who have dropped five of their last seven. They remain on the road to play New York on Wednesday in their season finale.

Final Score: Milwaukee 107, Philadelphia 97

Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Michael Carter-Williams is familiar with Wells Fargo Center after spending over a season calling the arena home and winning a Rookie of the Year award in the process. He showcased that familiarity on Monday night in leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a 107-97 win over his former team in his return to Philadelphia. Carter-Williams scored 30 points through three quarters, and he flirted with his career high of 33 points set on Jan. 7 2014 against Cleveland as a member of the Sixers at Wells Fargo Center. The reigning Rookie of the Year was dealt to the playoff-bound Bucks at the trade deadline, however, in a bold move made by Philadelphia’s front office. O.J. Mayo and Ersan Ilyasova each scored 13 points for Milwaukee, which trailed by as many as 14 in the first half. Robert Covington paced Philadelphia with 25 points but committed 10 of the team’s season-high 30 turnovers. Hollis Thompson added 19 points and Ish Smith tied a career high with nine assists for the Sixers, who have lost nine straight.

Final Score: New York 112, Atlanta 108

Atlanta, GA (SportsNetwork.com) – Langston Galloway made all six of his 3- point shots and scored a career-high 26 points as the New York Knicks held on for a 112-108 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. Tim Hardaway Jr. had 23 points and Jason Smith scored 20 with nine rebounds and five assists for the Knicks, who have won back-to-back games for the first time since late February. Jeff Teague finished with 19 points and nine assists for Atlanta, but missed a potential game-tying floater in the lane with 9.3 seconds remaining. Kyle Korver also had 19 points for a Hawks team that will go into the postseason as the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed.

Final Score: Chicago 113, Brooklyn 86

Brooklyn, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Pau Gasol posted 22 points and 11 rebounds and the Chicago Bulls used a big second half to dispose of the playoff-hopeful Brooklyn Nets 113-86 on Monday. Nikola Mirotic had a game-high 26 points in 24 minutes off the bench for the Bulls, who have secured homecourt advantage in the first round of the postseason. With the win, they moved one half-game ahead of idle Toronto for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls finish the regular season at home against Atlanta on Wednesday, while Toronto still has two games left on its schedule. Brooklyn meanwhile lost an opportunity to pick up a game in the increasingly competitive race for the final playoff spot in the East. The loss locked up a berth for the idle Celtics and knocked Brooklyn a half-game behind Indiana for the eighth seed. The Nets will take on Orlando on Wednesday in a must-win game and need help from the Pacers, who host Washington on Tuesday and visit Memphis on Wednesday.

Final Score: Miami 100, Orlando 93

Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) – Hassan Whiteside had 24 points and 13 rebounds and the Miami Heat stayed alive in the playoff race with a 100-93 win over the Orlando Magic on Monday. The Heat, who would have been eliminated from contention with a loss or a Brooklyn win over Chicago, led by as many as 22 points but needed to hold off a late Magic run to get their second win in eight games. The four-time reigning Eastern Conference champions will have to win again in their regular season finale on Wednesday in Philadelphia to have a chance of making the playoffs. Miami hasn’t missed the postseason since the 2007-08 season. Dwyane Wade added 22 points, Luol Deng had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Goran Dragic scored 13 with eight assists in the win. Victor Oladipo scored 30 points and Tobias Harris had 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Magic, who have dropped three in a row.

Final Score: New Orleans 100, Minnesota 88

Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) – Anthony Davis totaled 24 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks, and the New Orleans Pelicans trimmed their postseason magic number to one with a 100-88 win over the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. The Pelicans can wrap up the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference with either a home win against the Spurs or a Thunder loss in Minnesota on Wednesday. Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon both added 22 points in New Orleans’ seventh win in the past 10 games.

Final Score: Oklahoma City 101, Portland 90

Oklahoma City, OK (SportsNetwork.com) – Russell Westbrook put the Thunder on his back again Monday night, scoring 36 points and pulling down 11 rebounds in Oklahoma City’s 101-90 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Westbrook scored a career-high 54 points in Sunday’s road loss to the Indiana Pacers, but the guard received his 16th technical foul of the season. The NBA, however, rescinded the technical foul earlier Monday, enabling him to play against Portland. Enes Kanter added 27 points and 13 rebounds for the Thunder, who remained tied with New Orleans for the final postseason berth in the Western Conference. The Pelicans beat Minnesota on Monday. Oklahoma City finishes the season Wednesday in Minnesota, while the Pelicans host the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday. Meyers Leonard made five 3-pointers en route to a career-high 24 points for the Blazers, who already were locked into the No. 4 spot in the West. Portland entered the game without injured starters LaMarcus Aldridge (left foot sprain) and Arron Afflalo (right shoulder strain). Nicolas Batum (knee) and C.J. McCollum (ankle) left Monday’s game.

Tagged with:

Sunday hunting in NC up for debate in General Assembly

Posted on by See Article Source Posted in Tourism — No Comments ↓

N.C. House members debated a proposal to allow hunting on Sundays, with some legislators worried the practice would create noise and safety concerns for churches.

House Bill 640, titled the “Outdoor Heritage Act,” would allow Sunday hunting – but only on private property. The bill passed the House Wildlife Resources Committee on Wednesday in a 10-3 vote. Chasing deer with dogs and hunting migratory waterfowl would still be illegal on Sundays.

The hunting debate was one of dozens of agenda items before the House and its committees Wednesday as major legislative deadlines approach. The House was in session for more than three hours, adding bills to the calendar that had been discussed in committees hours before. Eleven House committees met Wednesday, addressing some of 207 bills filed the day before.

Among the topics: a proposed ban on powdered alcohol, a new economic development loan fund and even the Clay County “Possum Drop,” a New Year’s event.

All House bills not dealing with money must be filed by Thursday, and any legislation that hasn’t been passed in one chamber by an April 30 “crossover deadline” isn’t suppossed to become law this session.

Speaker Tim Moore said Wednesday’s busy schedule is just a taste of what’s to come. “We will probably have session late into the evening several days next week to get our work done,” he told legislators.

With that deadline pressure, the debate on Sunday hunting was cut to 30 minutes to give legislators time to rush to the next meeting.

The hunting bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Jimmy Dixon of Warsaw, said it’s time for North Carolina to join 39 other states in ending a centuries-old ban on Sunday hunting.

“All we are doing is practicing some good old property rights,” he said. “If I want to hunt on my own land on Sunday, why are there any of you in this room to tell me I can’t do it?”

Dixon pointed out the related activities that are already legal on Sundays. “We’ve had Sunday hunting for a long time – you can fox hunt on Sunday, you can hunt fish with a hook on Sunday, you can shoot skeet,” he said.

But several House members said the rule change is unpopular in their rural counties. They said they’re concerned about the impact on church services, and they weren’t swayed by a provision that would ban hunting within 300 yards of a church.

Rep. William Brisson, a Democrat from Bladen County, said that “300 yards sounds like a long ways, but with a high-powered rifle it’s not long enough. You don’t know where that bullet’s going to end up.”

But Rep. Charles Jeter, a Republican from Huntersville, dismissed the safety concerns. “There is no case we know of where a bullet has been discharged and hit someone at a church,” he said. “The safety argument to me is a red herring.”

Rep. Bob Steinburg, a Republican from Edenton, unsuccessfully tried to exempt the counties in his district from the bill.

“I have never seen such an outcry in my district,” Steinburg said. “I’m just a little tired of those things that we have valued in this nation for so long being whittled away, one thing after another.”

Supporters of the bill say allowing hunting seven days a week will draw more tourism to the state. “From an economic development standpoint, we lose money because hunting is not allowed in North Carolina on Sunday,” said Rep. Jay Adams, a Republican from Hickory.

Campbell: 919-829-4698;

Twitter: @RaleighReporter

Also in the House

Powdered alcohol: The N.C. House Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to ban powdered alcohol in the state.

Sold under the brand name Palcohol, the product was approved by federal regulators last year. It comes in packets that can be poured into other beverages to make mixed drinks. It can also be snorted, allowing consumers to get drunk within minutes.

“It’s obvious what the concerns would be if we should have powdered alcohol being sold,” said Rep. Shelly Willingham, the Rocky Mount Democrat who sponsored the bill banning it. “It’s like making Kool-Aid. Anybody can do it.”

Possum Drop: A 94-18 House vote Wednesday backed a bill to suspend all state wildlife regulations related to opossums for five days each year – a move designed to combat legal challenges to an offbeat New Year’s Eve celebration in Clay County.

House Bill 574 would suspend all wildlife protections for opossums throughout the state from Dec. 29 to Jan. 2 each year. The animal rights group PETA sued last year to block a similar law that limited that exemption to Clay County, where revelers ring in the New Year by lowering a live opossum in a cage.

“With all the interest we had in the Possum Drop, we wanted to share it with the rest of the state,” said the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Roger West, a Republican who represents Clay County.

But Democratic Rep. Pricey Harrison of Greensboro said the bill would open the door for other actions involving the animal. She said opossums could be “tortured, burned or skinned alive by anyone in this state” during the five-day period.

Tagged with:

Pisgah Brewing celebrates 10th year – Asheville Citizen

Posted on by See Article Source Posted in Tourism — No Comments ↓

It’s been 10 years since Pisgah Brewing made its debut in Black Mountain, officially joining the region’s craft brew scene. A decade ago, Pisgah was one of just five breweries in Buncombe County.

Today, there are 19 breweries in the county with more on the way. And Pisgah has become one of the area’s top craft brands, equally famous for its flagship pale ale and imaginative one-off brews. On Sunday, the brewery hosts a daylong birthday bash with performances by Leftover Salmon featuring Bill Payne and other bands.

“In some ways, it does seem like 10 years,” said brewery owner David Quinn. “And in others ways, the time has flown by.”

Pisgah has made a number of improvements through the decade, adding a tasting room, building an outdoor stage featuring top touring bands and releasing canned beers along with its draft products. During its first partial year of business, Pisgah put out 600 barrels of brew. Last year, it was 4,000 barrels, Quinn said.

But the beer itself has stayed a steady path. “Even though we don’t print ‘organic’ on our labels anymore, we are still using organic grains and whole leaf hops in our beers,” he said.

Quinn was a home brewer in Charleston, South Carolina, when he moved here to open Pisgah with former partner Jason Caughman. Quinn launched the brewery around an award-winning recipe for English pale ale, which became Pisgah Pale. He chose to build in Black Mountain, feeling that Asheville might have maxed out on the number of breweries it could then support.

“I was wrong,” he said, noting the explosive growth in Asheville breweries. Still, “I’m a country boy,” he said. “Black Mountain has a slower speed that appeals to me.”

From the beginning, Pisgah found support in the Swannanoa Valley and from Asheville. And “there’s been a huge uptick in beer tourism,” he said. “We are marketing to a group that wants to get away from the hustle and bustle.”

Among the brewery’s bright moments was winning a gold medal last year at the highly competitive Great American Beer Festival in Denver for its Chocolatized beer.

As Pisgah celebrates its birthday, Quinn is looking ahead. He hopes to add a 30 barrel brewing system in early 2016 somewhere in Black Mountain. It would brew Pisgah’s core brands while the original brewery would be used for specialty beers, he said. Eventually, he’d like to expand his distribution area.

For now, he’s enjoying the anniversary. “There have been some great moments,” he said.

IF YOU GO

What: Pisgah’s 10th anniversary concert with Leftover Salmon featuring Bill Payne, Travers Brothership, Dead 27s and Pimps of Joytime perform on the outdoor stage. A late-night set after Leftover Salmon will feature Dead 27s on the indoor stage.

When: 2 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Pisgah Brewing, 150 Eastside Drive, Black Mountain.

Tickets: $10. www.pisgahbrewing.com/shows/10-year-anniversary-party.

Tagged with:

NC high court orders new trial for boastful death row inmate

Posted on by See Article Source Posted in Tourism — No Comments ↓

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s highest court ordered a new trial Friday for a death row inmate who once wrote, “Kill me if you can, suckers,” in a letter from prison to his hometown newspaper.

The North Carolina Supreme Court issued a 4-2 decision vacating Danny Hembree’s conviction and death sentence in 17-year-old Heather Catterton’s 2009 killing and ordering a new trial. The court agreed with Hembree’s argument that he was denied a fair trial because of several errors, including the presentation of evidence from another killing.

The 53-year-old inmate is serving a separate 26-year prison sentence for killing another woman, Randi Saldana, whose burned body was found in South Carolina in 2009. He had been accused of killing a third woman in 1992, but those charges were dropped as part of a plea deal.

The defendant admitted to smoking crack and having sex with Catterton in the hours before she died but denied during his trial that he killed her.

In Friday’s ruling, the justices found that the trial court erred by letting prosecutors present too much evidence related to Saldana’s death, call Saldana’s sister as a witness and argue in their closing arguments that Hembree lied on the stand at the behest of his attorneys. No new trial date has been set.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Paul Newby wrote that there’s overwhelming evidence of Hembree’s guilt, including an initial confession to police that he later retracted. He was joined by Chief Justice Mark Martin.

“The jury took little time, less than four hours, to reject defendant’s recantation and find him guilty,” Newby wrote.

Newby wrote that Hembree failed to show “any reasonable possibility that the jury would have reached a different result absent the alleged errors.”

An attorney for Hembree, Marilyn Ozer, said that Hembree is pleased with the decision. She expects him to be moved from death row to another prison, and he’ll get to have a contact visit soon with one of his grandchildren.

“I think the opinion makes it very clear that the prosecution was stretching to get a conviction on Heather Catterton’s murder,” Ozer said. “We’re just very pleased that the justices understood that introducing all that evidence about Saldana was not appropriate and that the forensic testimony was at best uncertain.”

More than a year after his conviction for Catterton’s death, Hembree pleaded guilty to killing Saldana as part of a separate prosecution.

Saldana’s burned body was found about two weeks after the discovery of Catterton’s remains, both in York County, South Carolina.

The grisly nature of the crimes drew attention to the case, but Hembree’s letter to The Gaston Gazette in 2012 brought even more notoriety. The newspaper published a front-page story about the letter in which he boasted of being a “gentleman of leisure” on death row, watching color TV and taking frequent naps.

Hembree wrote that his execution wasn’t likely to happen anytime soon, adding: “Kill me if you can, suckers.”

Outrage about the letter included a bill to prohibit death row inmates from watching television, but the state legislation was ultimately unsuccessful.

Tagged with:
Top