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Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., has announced a series of job fairs throughout the summer month.

Workforce training and employer training seminars will run from 10 a.m. to noon July 9 at the Franklin Employment Security Commission Office at 427 Harrison Ave. The seminars will address issues such as resume development, job interview training, tax credits and more. The Economic Security Commission will offer assistance with job applications for local job offers.

A job fair will be held Aug. 14 at the former Coats American facility at 155 Palmer Lane in Marble. Murphy Medical Center will also hold a health fair in conjunction with this job fair.

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Two informational sessions will be available for Western North Carolina’s small businesses.

“Ask the Experts: What’s new for small businesses in 2010” events will focus on access to capital and entrepreneurial development. They will offer updates about new opportunities as well provide a forum for attendees to ask questions about their small businesses or start-ups.

The first event will take place on Monday, July 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Flat Rock campus of Blue Ridge Community College in the Blue Ridge Conference Hall, Cortland Room.

The second event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 13, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Haywood Community College’s auditorium in Building 1500 on the Clyde campus.

Free. For advanced registration, contact the office of Congressman Shuler at 828.252.1651.

 

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A raffle drawing and silent auction will be held on 6 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at Mountain View Intermediate School in Franklin with proceeds going to the Roy Rickman Scholarship.

The Rickman Scholarship is Macon County’s largest local private scholarship. Each year the Franklin Rotary Club awards a $10,000 scholarship and several $1,000 scholarships to deserving Franklin High School graduating seniors based on demonstrated academic achievements, civic involvement and financial status.

The winner of this year’s vehicle raffle grand prize can choose either $15,000 in cash or one of three automobiles: a Ford Focus from Franklin Ford, a Chevy Malibu LS from Smoky Mountain Chevrolet or a Dodge Caliber from Jim Brown Chrysler.

A ticket entitles the purchaser to admission for two to the silent auction and drawing for the grand prize as well as dinner during the event. Cost $100. For more information, call Ashley Vinson at 828.534.3321.

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Haywood Habitat for Humanity marked its 20th anniversary at the organization’s Annual Meeting. To celebrate, Habitat Executive Director Marnette Colborne announced the creation of the annual Walton Garrett Award to recognize special volunteers. Garrett started the organization in the county and has worked on every house built. Four volunteers were recognized this year: Hugh Constance, Tom Henry, Ted Lazo and Steve Kirton.

Colborne summarized accomplishments of Haywood Habitat throughout the past year, including completion of the 39th house and ground breaking on the 40th, which was sponsored by Jay and Buckie Somers. The 40th house should be completed this fall.

Habitat for Humanity is a volunteer-based organization committed to eliminating sub-standard housing. For additional information or to volunteer, visit  www.haywoodhabitat.org or call 452-7960.

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1. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Jackson County government?

Favorable    33%

Unfavorable    46%

Not Sure    20%

 

2. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the federal government?

 

Favorable    29%

Unfavorable    62%

Not Sure    9%

 

3. Currently alcohol sales are legal in Sylva and Dillsboro but not allowed elsewhere in the County Would you support legalizing alcohol sales anywhere in Jackson County?

 

Yes    56%

No    39%

Not Sure    4%

 

4. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the Tea Party movement?

 

Favorable    42%

Unfavorable    40%

Not Sure    18%

 

5. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Jackson County schools?

 

Favorable    49%

Unfavorable    27%

Not Sure    24%

 

6. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue?

 

Favorable    33%

Unfavorable    44%

Not Sure    23%

 

7. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of U.S. Representative Heath Shuler?

 

Favorable    46%

Unfavorable    39%

Not Sure    15%

 

8. If you are a Democrat, press 1. If you are a Republican; press 2. If you are an independent or identify with another party; press 3

 

Democrat    45%

Republican    23%

lndependent/Other    32%

 

9. What is the highest level of education you’ve completed?

 

Did not complete high school     10%

Graduated from high school,

but not college    30%

Graduated from college    61%

 

10. If you are a woman, press 1 if a man, press 2.

 

Woman    55%

Man    45%

 

11. ThinkIng about politics today; would you describe yourself as a liberal, moderate. or conservative?

 

Liberal    18%

Moderate    42%

Conservative    40%


*The poll, conducted by Public Policy Polling in Raleigh, surveyed 587 registered voters in Jackson County and was conducted in early June. It has an error margin of +/- 4 percent.

 

A few additional notes

People who approve of Jackson County government are more likely to be:

More educated

Ideological liberals

Older

Less likely to be from Cashiers

 

People who approve of the federal government are more likely to be:

 

Democrats

Educated

Liberal

 

People who approve of Jackson County Schools are more likely to be:

 

Older

Less likely to be from Cashiers

 

People who approve of Shuler are more likely to be:

 

Conservative

From Sylva

Interesting Note: Party ID has no effect

 

People who approve of Perdue are more likely to be:

 

Liberals

Educated

Democrats

Older

 

People who approve of the TEA Party are more likely to be:

 

Republicans

Conservative

Disapprove of the Federal Government (this is VERY strong)

Disapprove of Jackson County Government (not as strong as for federal government)

 

People who support alcohol being available and legal in the County are more likely to be

 

Educated

Male

Liberal

Younger

Less Likely to be from Sylva

More likely to be from Cashiers

The rich, downhome sound of the Josh Fields Band will be showcased from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 2, during the Concerts on the Creek series at Sylva’s Bridge Park Pavilion. This free live music series takes place every Friday evening through Labor Day weekend.

The Josh Fields Band, based in Haywood County, is emerging as a top act in Western North Carolina thanks to its ability to blend Southern rock, country and bluegrass into an enjoyable musical experience.

The band, also known for its tight, three-part harmonies, will play a mix of cover songs and original tunes. Many of the original songs will be from its forthcoming album, “Tobacco Road,” which will be released in August.

800.962.1911, or www.mountainlovers.com. www.joshfieldsband.com.

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What do you get when you mix the pristine vocals of Ella Fitzgerald with the guitar licks of Robert Johnson?

Find out as the “sweetest” singer in Dillsboro, Karen “Sugar” Barnes performs with Dave Magill at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 8, on the front lawn of the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Sugar has been an aficionado of vintage blues styles for decades, and has created her own engaging persona as a result of singing and writing in the genre she loves most. She also plays guitar, slide guitar and the ukulele.

Dave Magill is one of those musical chameleons who blends in with whatever genre is currently on the playlist. He is equally adept on the guitar, piano and bass guitar. Together Sugar and Dave play their unique blend of standards and originals regularly in Western North Carolina.

The Friends of the Marianna Black Library will be there to provide snacks and refreshments. Concert is free.

828.488.3030 or visit www.fontanalib.org/brysoncity.

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The Lonesome River Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 10, on the Grand Old Stage at Stecoah Valley Cultural Center as part of the Appalachian Evening series.

Longtime band member and driving banjo picker, Sammy Shelor, will play, along with two lead vocalists, Andy Ball (mandolin) and Brandon Rickman (rhythm guitar), Mike Anglin on bass and Mike Hartgrove on fiddle.

LRB’s most recent album “No Turning Back” has garnered several nominations from the International Bluegrass Music Association. Sammy Shelor is an inductee of the Virginia Music Hall of Fame.

Traditional Appalachian dinner served family-style perform the performance. 828.479.3364 or www.stecoahvalleycenter.com.

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Marvin Cole, a Western Carolina University graduate famous for his impersonations of Mark Twain, will entertain at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Franklin’s Summer Coffee House.

Compelling performances by Cole as Twain have been lauded across the country and on major riverboats like the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen and the American Queen. Tharon Giddens’ review of Cole in the Atlanta Journal Constitution says, “With the perfect timing of a stand up comedian and the flair and fervor of an evangelist, Cole entertains an audience with recitations of Twain’s tall tales and short anecdotes.”

Suggested donation of $15.

828.524.6777, 828.524.3161, or buy at the door of 89 Sierra Drive.

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Middle school students in the area will have an opportunity to learn about Cherokee heritage during a “Mini-Camp for Middle Schoolers” offered by Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Center.

Designed for rising sixth-and seventh-graders, the camp will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon beginning Tuesday, July 20, and continuing through Friday, July 23. The cost is $35 per child.

With a theme of Cherokee heritage, the camp will allow participants to explore the history and contributions of the Cherokee people, past and present. Youth attending the camp will spend time with a Cherokee crafter, examine artifacts of historic value and visit significant Cherokee sites in the region.

For info, 828.227.7129. To register, 828.227.7397 or visit www.wcu.edu/13177.asp.

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Craft artists are invited to submit digital images of their work by July 19 to be considered for inclusion in The Bascom’s juried exhibition “American Craft Today.” This national competition and exhibition will feature original works in all craft media: ceramics, metal, wood, glass, fiber, book arts, etc. Cash awards will be made for various categories including best in show.

The exhibition will take place from October 2 to December 18 in The Bascom’s main gallery in Highlands.

Carol Sauvion will select 40-50 works. Sauvion is executive producer of the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-nominated “Craft in America” PBS television series.

www.thebascom.org/exhibitions or 828.526.4949.

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Regional artists are encouraged to take part in ColorFest, Art of the Mountains, an official event of the Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Anniversary Celebration.

The art festival will be held on Saturday, October 23, on the streets of downtown Sylva, where festival-goers can watch artists at work. All month, downtown Sylva shops will spotlight the work of regional Western North Carolina artists.

Catch the Spirit of Appalachia is partnering with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce & TTA and Jackson County’s Visual Arts Association to present ColorFest. Interested artists should visit www.spiritofappalachia.org or call 828.293.2239. Applications are due July 31.

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Witness the arresting culture of Apache, Totonac, Aztec, Crow, Navajo and Cherokee through ancient wisdom, song, dance, legend, arts and regalia all in one place. Indigenous tribes will gather for the 6th Annual Festival of Native Peoples on Friday, July 16, and Saturday, July 17, at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds in Cherokee.

Gates to the festival will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with performances throughout the day. The Art Market Preview will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 16.

Considered the finest showcase of native dance, song and art in the Southeast, the event honors the collective history, customs and wisdom of some of the oldest documented tribes from across the Americas, including the 11,000-year-old Cherokee civilization which hosts the weekend’s revelry.

“The tribes are so different, and when we come together to celebrate our collective native heritage, we gain a better understanding of our own history and customs,” said Mary Jane Ferguson, director of marketing for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Daily admission is $10 per person; children six and under free. 800.438.1601 or visit www.cherokee-nc.com.

 

The Hoop Dance

 

Four-time world champion Hoop Dancer Tony Duncan will create many designs and images from “The Circle of Life.” By weaving these hoops through his body the dancer creates designs such as, the eagle, a butterfly, the sun, the moon, a snake, and Mother Earth.


Laguna

The Laguna Youth Group dancers share various traditional dances that are both a means of prayer and personification of the animals the Pueblo people hold sacred.

 

White Mountain Apache

 

Centuries ago, the Apache believed that there were mountain spirits living in the highest mountains near a cliff or a cave. If sickness came among the people, the mountain spirits’ medicine man had to call these spirits down from the mountain to dance during the night hours of darkness for the people, in order to bless them and keep evil spirits away. Today, there are but a few Crown Dance medicine men among the younger generation, who know the Crown Dance songs and prayers.

 

Totonac

The spectacular Totonac dancers, known as the pole flyers, will hurl themselves from the top of a 90-foot pole in a spectacle of swirling color in honor of the sun and the Totonac calendar.

The Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers) represent 57 tribes in Mexico. This sacred ceremony is dedicated to the sun and is similar in intent to the sun dance of the Plains Indians of the United States.

 

Yurapik

 

The Yurapik Dance Group of Alazka performs two common styles of Eskimo dancing, Yuraq and Yurapik, a prayer dance and an inherited dance that has been passed down from generation to generation.

 

Navajo

The Pollen Trail Navajo Dancers have been the featured dance group in the Grand Canyon area for more than eight years. They will perform: the Navajo Basket Dance, in the spirit of Hozho “Blessing Way;” Bow and Arrow Dance; The Dancing Ye’iis; and The Weaving Dance.

 

Aztec

The Tezcatlipoca Aztec Dancers from Mexico City will perform colorful dances representing the sun, the eagle the earth ad other symbols from their land.

 

Estun-Bah

 

The band Estun-Bah combines the traditional melodies of the Native American flute with the contemporary sound of the acoustic guitar, creating a musical journey of traditional and contemporary songs.

 

Cherokee

New to the festival is one of Cherokee youngest dance groups, the Dora Reed Child Care Center Traditional Dancers. See this energetic group of dancers, ages 3 to 5, doing renditions of Cherokee dances such as Friendship, Quail, Bear, Buffalo, and Eagle. Performer Paula Nelson will share contemporary songs written in the Cherokee language.

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