REMINDER - A PUBLIC LISTENING SESSION ON THE PRESIDENT'S AMERICA'S GREAT OUTDOORS INITIATIVE IN ASHEVILLE

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC LISTENING SESSION ON THE PRESIDENT’S AMERICA’S GREAT OUTDOORS INITIATIVE

In April, at the White House Conference on America’s Great Outdoors, President Obama established the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to develop a conservation and recreation agenda worthy of the 21st century and to reconnect Americans with our great outdoors. The President understands that protecting and restoring the lands and waters that we love and reconnecting people to the outdoors must be community driven and supported.

The President directed the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality to lead this effort and to listen and learn from people all over the country. Please join senior representative of these agencies for a public listening session and discussion on land conservation, recreation, and reconnecting Americans to the great outdoors.

In the Southeast, many citizens and organizations are deeply involved in the conservation of working farms, forests, lakes, and rivers, scenic lands, and historic areas, and in celebrating and enjoying the region’s rich outdoor and cultural heritage.

This public listening session and discussion is an opportunity for leaders of the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative to hear from you about solutions for building a 21st century conservation and recreation agenda and reconnecting all Americans with the outdoors. Please join us – here are the details:

Listening Session and Discussion Information:

When: Thursday, July 15, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
There is a young adult listening session (ages 12 to 24) from 10 to 12 same day and place.

What: Public Listening Session on President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors Initiative

Where: Asheville-Buncombe County Technical Institute; Asheville Campus
340 Victoria Road, Asheville, NC 28801 (Map & Directions)
This is the only city in North Carolina that will host a listening session.

Who: Representatives from DOI, USDA, EPA, and CEQ will be present to hear your thoughts and to participate in a conversation with you about land conservation, recreation, and reconnecting Americans to the great outdoors.

Register: This event is free and open to the public and we will make every effort to accommodate everyone. To help with our planning, we encourage you to pre-register by Monday July 12. To pre-register, please email Teresa Lovelace (Teresa_Lovelace@nps.gov). Include with your email your name, organization, and primary area of interest:

 - Working land, open space, and landscape conservation

 - Outdoor Recreation

 - Youth engagement and environmental education

 - General Discussion

More Info: You can find more information on the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative and submit comments on-line at: www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/.

We hope you will participate and look forward to hearing from you.

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A fundraiser for the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center
YMI Cultural Center - 39 S. Market Street, downtown Asheville

Saturday, July 10, 2010
8:00 p.m.

Food for Thought is a champagne and dessert party and live auction at the YMI Cultural Center in downtown Asheville. This exciting event will raise money for programming at the museum/arts center. A wide variety of desserts will be served with champagne and coffee along with a lively auction conducted by professional auctioneer John Hill of Weaverville who is well known for his humor.

Items to be auctioned are unique plates, platters, and bowls designed and decorated by some of the area's most talented artists such as Alli Good, Taiyo la Paix, Linda Larsen, Kevin Hogan and many others including a very well-known New York-based artist. These works of art all feature a thought from a student or teacher from the legendary Black Mountain College. Quotes inscribed on each piece of dinnerware are from Black Mountain College poets, painters, philosophers, architects, and scientists. The finished works can be previewed upstairs at Blue Spiral 1 during their regular business hours.

Food for Thought will be held at the historic YMI Cultural Center, 39 S. Market St., beginning at 8:00 PM on Saturday night, July 10. Tickets are $20.00 for members or $25.00 for non-members at the door. For further information call Alice Sebrell at 828 350-8484.

Visit the site, Black Mountain College

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Synesthesia: A Sensory Overload

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Fiber Freaks Quilting Class

Quilting is a practice born out of necessity and scarcity. Although we are not pioneers settling uncharted territories in covered wagons, we are pioneers seeking sustainable and meaningful ways of living. In a time of useless abundance and fundamental scarcity, we seek to examine our everyday objects and life practices in order to improve ourselves and the world surrounding.

In this four day course, students will explore various techniques in fibers, including surface design, needlework, image transfer, appliqué and blocking. We will discuss both traditional and contemporary quilting practices and consider the sustainability of quilting with recycled materials.

Classes held Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 20-July 29 from 11:00am-3:00 pm. The $70.00 fee includes some materials and how-to handouts.
Register online today.

The class will culminate in a festive quilting bee to include live music refreshments and charitable auctioning of a group project quilt. Details to be announced in August!

Learn more about the class and register to reserve a spot @ http://fiberfreaks.wordpress.com/

Find out more about Jen Bruce, visiting artist instructor, @ http://jenbruce.wordpress.com/

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