The
bear that was in my yard a few weeks ago returned again yesterday and visited with us for a few hours around lunch time; peacefully munching old apples that are buried under our leaf pile. We were able to snap a few more photos, ~Enjoy:
We watched in total amazement as she enjoyed her lunch. These creatures are truly incredible; we are so blessed to live in such a beautiful area rich with native wildlife. These photos were taken in Haw Creek, East Asheville near the Blue Ridge Parkway.
It seems I am not the only one with a Black Bear story. When Governor Bev Purdue visited Asheville, not too long ago, she had a run in with a bear outside the Western Residence. Security footage shows a Black Bear family exploring the property, even walking along her back porch on that very same weekend:
For more information on North Carolina’s Black Bear population, check out NC Wild Life Resources Commission and Bears in Your Backyard, courtesy of the WNC Nature Center.
Local honey is not only sustainable and environmentally positive in supporting local lovers of nature it is also best for you. It’s true, indulging in local honey is one of the best things you can do for your allergies. It makes perfect sense; it’s becoming immunized to the pollen in your area.
We are lucky enough to live in Haw Creek and enjoy honey from the blossoms around us. Haw Creek Honey is an Asheville favorite. Greg Rogers, better known as the Honey Man, is friend to the bees and delivers the most delicious honey I’ve ever had.
From blackberry to wild flower or my all time favorite Sourwood, you can take your choice in flavors. You can purchase bottles of Haw Creek Honey at all the local health food grocers, such as GreenLife, the French Brood Co’op, and Earth Fare. Or you can go straight to the source and get honey from the Honey Man himself.
To find the sweet spot, turn into Haw Creek, take a right onto New Haw Creek Rd and just before you turn to go to Evergreen or the East Asheville Recreation Club, turn right onto Graham Rd. Yes it’s true, you will find the honey pot overflowing on Graham Road, the address is 15 Graham Rd. or you can call 298-7639.
Enjoy the sweet goodness of Mother Nature!
The
Home Team Network was created by Josh Blake, an Asheville dad and musician who wanted to find a way to serve the needs of our local businesses while supporting local non-profits too. Home Team Network does just that.
Offering credit card processing machines and credit card services the Home Team Network, keeps processing fees local and then donates 10% of its profit to an Asheville based non-profit, featuring a new one each quarter. At the moment proceeds are going to
Dogwood Alliance to help protect Southern Forests and promote sustainable forestry practice.
The great part about Home Team Network is the business owner now has a local contact and personal relationship with their credit processing services. This makes customer support a breeze and allows the Home Team Network to share proceeds in support of a good cause. Here’s a list of all those who are already on the ‘home team’
Adorn Salon & Boutique,
Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism,
Bobo Gallery,
Emerald Lounge, Feel Good Foods,
Growing Young Café, Haywood Road Market, Honeypot,
Over Easy Café , P.C. Dharma,
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Sugar Beet Café,
The Dripolator ,
The Rocket Club,
The Spotted Dog Farm,
Echo Mountain Records, and several musicians Malcolm Holcombe, Arizona and Tyler Ramsery.
When you support these businesses you will be promoting a local non-profit as well. Need merchant services? You can join the
Home Team Network too!
Today, the Hop Ice Cream Café will be kicking off soccer season with a sweet deal. The local owners Greg and Ashley Garrison will be giving 20% of today’s sales to ABYSA, (Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association.) That’s right 20%! That’s not all, they are also holding a drawing for a FREE 9” custom made ice cream cake.
”As owners of the Hop, we love to see locals supporting locals. In tough economic times, local businesses and organizations feel the pressure just as much or more than national groups. We believe that by teaming up with ABYSA we can not only raise awareness about our business, a locally owned and operated store for over 30 years, but also support a program that keeps kids active and involved in the community. So join us for cool treats, hot drinks, and fun at the Hop for the ABYSA fundraiser!”
The Hop makes all their ice cream from scratch in the store with natural ingredients. For those who can’t partake in the delicious mocha ice cream and world of other flavors, they also serve lactose free alternatives made with soy. Surprise the kids with ice cream after school today and feel good about supporting your community. I may see you there!
One of Asheville’s own schools was named in Ellen Degenerese’s Top Ten Greenest Schools . It is a charter school with about 380 students kindergarten through eighth grade. Based on expedition learning and outward bound principles
Evergreen Community Charter School strives to develop both character and intellect of students and to instill a love of learning, where learning becomes an adventure.
As an Evergreen parent myself I love the sense of community we have. Every parent commits to volunteer service hours. Many of these hours are fulfilled by working in the classroom or driving on the many field trips which are often totally dependent on parent volunteers. We also have once a month workdays where we landscape and work on the grounds. We enjoy “capture the hoops” a fun family game on the field the first Sunday of the month. With expedition nights, family contra dancing and all the potlucks we share Evergreen becomes a way of life and not just another school.
The loving compassionate teachers are out of this world. With a teacher and a teacher’s assistant per classroom, there is usually 2 to 19 ratio. Each classroom starts with a morning circle in every grade. I never miss the Friday morning group sing alongs, where the classes sing together, led by many of the teachers playing instruments and singing.
Evergreen’s composting system and waste free lunches remind students of the preciousness of our environment. I look forward to both of my children thriving at
Evergreen and being lucky enough to be raised in this community.
This morning as I was making my son’s lunch and trying to adjust to daylight’s savings time, the dog began barking more ferociously than I’ve ever heard her. I tried to call her in but she refused and just kept on barking. I saw a large black object in the hedge and ran and got my glasses.
Low and behold a three hundred pound black bear was in our yard. Barely noticing the barking dog the bear just munched on old rotten apples from a tree near the hedge. My son and daughter and I watched from the window as our huge neighborhood bear made himself at home in the yard as their crazy dad ran outside to take pictures.
We are in Haw Creek in East Asheville and this is the second bear I’ve seen. Our neighbors say they often see him on trash day just walking down the road completely undisturbed by us humans on our way to work. I’m sure my son had a blast telling his class in morning circle all about the black bear. This was by far much more exciting than the dozen turkeys who meandered their way around our neighborhood last week.
Have you had sightings of the Haw Creek Bears?
Any other interesting wildlife appearing in your yard?
This talented Asheville father, inspired by his daughter has created positive hiphop music for kids with a sound that’s all grown up. After touring in a hiphop band for over ten years, Agent 23 has transformed his lyrical genius and original sound into Asheville’s favorite family funk.
At the recent one year anniversary show all of Asheville came out for a gloriously grand time at the Grey Eagle. Check out the MountainXpress slideshow. Family and friends joined Secret Agent 23 Skidoo for some booty shaking that captivates a child’s imagination with a beat that even babies move to.
From Hot Lava, sleepovers and mermaids to The Last Dragon Left On Earth & Luck, there’s something for everyone. 23 Skidoo sends out a positive message with songs like I Gotta Be Me and It’s a New Day. My all time favorite song though is Family Tree in which his daughter Saki raps along with him.
This is a special treat for the entire family. You've got to check it out, the album Easy is 23 Skidoo’s first release and all us fans are eagerly awaiting his next masterpiece.
To hear a few songs, watch some music videos and check out show dates visit the website at www.secretagent23skidoo.com
Evergreen Charter Community School’s 6th annual CAFÉ is March 7th 7:30 pm at the Haywood Park Hotel Ballroom. Evergreen celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and is going all out with a spectacular line up of musicians, artists and food. Caring Artists For Evergreen is a fun-filled fundraising event.
The silent auction is an impressive display of local artist’s finest work, from oil paintings to ceramics, there is something that will strike everyone’s fancy. The musical guests this year is an incredible line up of local bands.
Woody Wood (Hollywood Red) and Je Widenhouse (Squirrel Nut Zippers and Firecracker Jazz Band) and other members of the
Mad Tea Party,
Firecracker Jazz Band and the
Snake Oil Medicine Show. This collection of talent will have everyone dancing all night.
Some of the many local contributors are the Red Orchid, Ruby’s BBQ,
Early Girl Eatery,
West End Bakery,
French Broad Brewery,
Highland Brewery and many more. Check out the evergreen site to see all sponsors.
Of course all proceeds go to
Evergreen Charter Community School. The event is open to the public, general admission tickets are $25, $30 at the door, so plan ahead. You can purchase tickets on the school website at
www.evergreenccs.org or by calling Evergreen at 298-2173.
