News

LOCAL BRIEFS: Roots music, Happy Tails, compost pumpkins

Amythyst Kiah performs Nov. 10 at Thomas Auditorium at BRCC.

By Bill Moss, Published: November 2, 2017

The Center for Cultural Preservation, WNC’s cultural history and documentary film center, continues its 2017-18 “Keeping the Fires Burning” series with a performance by up-and-coming Johnson City roots musician Amythyst Kiah at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at Thomas Auditorium at BRCC.

Kiah’s commanding stage presence is only matched by her raw and powerful vocals—a deeply moving, hypnotic sound that stirs echoes of a distant and restless past. An expert performer on the banjo and acoustic guitar, she also has an incredible grasp on the history of Appalachian African-American roots music. Her eclectic influences span decades, drawing heavily on old-time music (Mississippi Sheiks, Son House, Jimmie Rodgers, Olla Belle Reed, Carter Family), inspired by strong R&B and country music vocalists from the ‘50s-’70s (Big Mama Thornton, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mahalia Jackson, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn) and influenced by contemporary artists with powerful vocal integrity (Adele, Florence and the Machine, Megan Jean and the KFB, Janelle Monae).

Tickets are $10 and advanced reservations are strongly recommended by visting www.saveculture.org or calling (828) 692-8062.

Recycle your holiday leftovers

Between Halloween and Thanksgiving households will accumulate plenty of jack-o-lanterns and fall squash leftovers. Instead of filling the landfill, they can become compost at the Henderson County Convenience Center.
Residents can bring leftover pumpkins and decorative squash to the food waste collection bins at the Henderson County Convenience Center through Dec. 8. Since September, residents have deposited 243 pounds of food waste into the bins at the recycling center, kicking off a strong start to the 10-month pilot program. Providing this voluntary collection option is part of the Solid Waste Division’s long-term waste reduction strategy. The collected food waste and pumpkins is taken to Atlas Organics in upstate South Carolina, mixed with other organic materials, and eventually become saleable gardening material.

Throughout the month of November, residents can also participate in a canned food drive at the Convenience Center to benefit local food pantries through Manna Foodbank. Needed items include: dried/canned beans, peanut butter (no glass jars), canned meats, hearty soups, canned fruits, fruit/vegetable juices, cereals and grains (bag or box), canned vegetables, and meals in a box or can (stews, chili, mac-n-cheese). Find more information online at https://www.mannafoodbank.org/how-you-can-help/donate/donate-food/.

This food waste and pumpkin collection program is for use by Henderson County residents. No household trash or recycling is acceptable in the food waste collection bins. Only organic materials are accepted, even painted pumpkins (please remove any candles or other items). The Convenience Center, at 265 Convenience Center Drive, is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information on this and other recycling programs, visit hcrecycles.org or call Environmental Programs at (828) 694-6524.

Master Gardener signup is now open

Henderson County’s Extension Service is accepting applications for its 2018 Master Gardener program through Nov. 10.

The program’s educational component includes a required 12-week class typically offered on Wednesday mornings from mid-January through early April. Topics include general botany; soils and fertilizers; annuals, perennials and woody ornamentals; trees; and plant diseases.

Students also give 40 hours of volunteer service for the remainder of their first year. Once certified as a Master Gardener, each must volunteer 25 hours per year on approved projects, and continue their horticulture education through occasional part-day classes.
Applications are available at the Extension Office, 100 Jackson Park Road in Hendersonville. Candidates can also request an emailed form by calling 828-697-4891 or emailing sdpettis@ncsu.edu. The training fee is $130, and class size is limited.

Pardee on rebound from weak 1st quarter

Pardee Hospital reported a lackluster first quarter financially but is off to a strong start in the second quarter of its fiscal year, the Pardee Board of Directors was told last week.
The finance committee reported that admissions were 7.9 percent under budget and 1 percent above last year. In-patients surgeries were up by 7.7 percent while emergency room visits were 2.8 percent below budget and 4.6 percent behind last year. The hospital lost $563,399 in September.
The first quarter report came after the board received a positive presentation on its FY17 audit, which showed that the hospital finished the year on June 30 with a 1.5 percent margin, bouncing back from a 10.5 percent loss in the previous fiscal year.
The first quarter has been up and down, CEO Jay Kirby said, with a weak July followed by a strong August and a weak September. October is sustaining the pattern.
“We’ve already more than made up for that (loss in September),” Kirby said. “You’ll see in October.”

Happy Tails Lady offers pet care tips

Charlotte Sheppard, The Happy Tails Lady, is hosting a “Spoil Your Pet” fundraiser for the Blue Ridge Humane Society 2-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Sanctuary Brewing Company, 147 First Ave. E.
The event is designed to teach pet owners little-known ways to care for their pets. The public is invited to attend short classes to learn how to use essentials oils to benefit pets, participate in a group healing for pets and their parents led by a Reiki Master Healer, and learn about pet massage, training, and nutrition. There will also be a class on pet trusts so attendees can learn how to provide for their pets if they survive their parents. Vendors will be on hand for early holiday shopping. Admission is free.
For information on the fundraiser, visit Facebook.com/HappyTailsLady/. To learn more about Blue Ridge Humane Society visit blueridgehumane.org