Category Archives: Asheville Attractions

The Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary has had a rough year, so it’s time for a party.

The Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society, which owns and manages the sanctuary in North Asheville, will host an afternoon party, 1-4 p.m. this Sunday, Sept. 8, to celebrate the completion of the many improvements made to the Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary, 1056 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville.

Beaver Lake Bird Sanctuary ecofilter pond filled with debris

The celebration will feature exhibitors, nature activities for children and adults, live raptors, and music. Naturalists will be stationed along the boardwalk ready to tell visitors about the many unique features of the sanctuary and the flora and fauna found there.

The party is open to the public. 

General parking for the celebration is available at the North Asheville Library, right next door. Handicapped parking will be available at the sanctuary itself. People are encouraged to use public transportation or to come by bike and use the new bicycle rack near the Great Blue Heron sculpture. 

In addition to all the improvements, including new boardwalks and viewing areas at the bird sanctuary, the natural area has had some major headaches this past year.

Stormwater and

Article source: http://blogs2.citizen-times.com/outdoors/2013/09/06/party-down-at-ashevilles-bird-sanctuary/ If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

For the second weekend in a row in the last days of this finally beautiful summer in Western North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway is OPEN completely from end to end for driving traffic, and most likely through the end of October.

That means the section closed due to the famous “crack” north of Asheville is re-opened from Milepost 376 at Ox Creek Road in Asheville to Milepost 355 at Mt. Mitchell State Park. Crews created temporary bypass lanes through the slope failure area, which reopened on Monday, Aug. 26.

Craggy Gardens Visitor Center on Blue Ridge Parkway

But remember, this is no shortcut. The speed limit in this section of the roadway has been reduced to 15 mph to ensure public safety while traveling through the bypass area. Drivers are strongly encouraged to reduce speed as they approach this area. The reduced speed limit will be strictly enforced.

The Craggy Gardens Visitor Center and Picnic Area, located at Milepost 364, is also now open. This is probably one of the most beautiful areas on the parkway, so be sure to take advantage this weekend.

Take a hike up to Craggy Pinnacle or Craggy Flats to

Article source: http://blogs2.citizen-times.com/outdoors/2013/09/06/blue-ridge-parkway-completely-open-for-weekend-travel/ If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

Chattanooga will be home base for an automobile tour unlike any other—the AAA Revival Glidden Tour—the oldest and most prestigious antique car tour in the country. Some 229 antique autos and their owners will tour approximately 425 miles during the week-long event from Sept. 8-13. Local residents will have the opportunity to view the vehicles along the route.

The tour re-creates similar events first sponsored by AAA in 1904 to demonstrate the reliability of automobiles and the need for good roads, uniform traffic laws and services for automobile travelers. Building off the success of that initial tour, AAA organized a second run the following year. But where the 1904 tour was a “pleasure trip” and not a race, the 1905 event was a competition. The winner of the 1905 tour—and subsequent tours—received a $2,000 trophy offered by Charles J. Glidden, a wealthy New England industrialist and avid automobile supporter. From that point on, Glidden’s name would be used for the tour. The original trophy is on public display in the atrium of the AAA National Office in Heathrow, FL.

After the 1913 event, the tour ended its run, as its purpose had been fulfilled. American-made cars had proven their reliability, good

Article source: http://www.chattanoogan.com/2013/9/6/258611/Nations-Oldest-And-Largest-Antique.aspx If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

Love Army announces CD release show
CARRBORO – The North Carolina Music Love Army will perform an album release show Nov. 30 at Cat’s Cradle, 300 E. Main St., Carrboro. The Love Army formed in June to express solidarity with the Moral Monday movement that protested the policies of the N.C. Legislature.
Many North Carolina musicians, led by Caitlin Cary and Jon Lindsay, recorded several original protest songs for release. All proceeds from NCMLA activity will go to the NAACP, Progress N.C., and Planned Parenthood, which are at the forefront of the Moral Monday movement.
Cat’s Cradle also has announced the following shows. For information, visit www.catscradle.com or call 919-967-9053.
— Sept. 28. Walk The Moon
— Oct. 21. Crocodiles
— Nov. 2. Birdsmell.

Ipas to have homage to ’73
DURHAM – Ipas, a reproductive rights organization, will present its annual Rock for Reproductive Rights Sept. 14 at Motorco Musical Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave. This event celebrates 1973 — the year Ipas was founded, when Roe v. Wade cleared the way for legal abortion in the United States.
Musical guests will be Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band from Asheville. The Booty Band will be releasing its latest album “Onward!”

Article source: http://www.heraldsun.com/lifestyles/x1576248750/Entertainment-briefs If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

See a sea lion: Families will enjoy the daily shows by splashing rescued California and South American sea lions.

Man vs. gator: Kachuna and the Alligator Show will have a strongman wrestling bout with a 300-pound gator in daily matches.

Blue-ribbon competitions: The Mountain State Fair has plenty of competitions, including contests for best crafts, quilts and baked goods to the top senior citizen art. Come see who won.

Love some livestock: This is your chance to get up close with a host of farm animals, from cattle to horses to swine. Past fairs have also included sheep, llamas, chickens, rabbits, goats and turkeys.

Baby critters: The Mooternity Ward is a unique opportunity to watch the birth of farm animals. Veterinarians will be there to assist as needed.

Rocket Man: Human cannonball Chachi Valencia performed at the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremonies. He’ll be fired from a special cannon nightly at the fair.

Come hungry: The fair is no place to be if you’re on a diet, but for everyone else, feel free to have a corn dog, cotton candy, fried onion, giant

Article source: http://www.blackmountainnews.com/article/20130905/ASHEVILLESCENE/309050048/ If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

Photo by Adam Brimer // Buy this photo

ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL
A dense forest near the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

HIKING CLUB

Smoky Mountain Hiking Club will sponsor the following outings in September. For info, go to www.smhclub.org.

Sunday, Sept. 8: Max Patch. 9 miles, rated moderate. Meet at Comcast , 5720 Asheville Hwy, Knoxville, at 8 a.m. Leader: Claudia Dean, claudiadean0@gmail.com

Wednesday, Sept. 11: LeConte from Newfound Gap, down Alum Cave, 13.5 miles. Meet at

Alcoa Food City, 121 N Hall Rd., at 8 a.m. Leader: Michael Zielinski, kf4yws@comcast.net

Saturday, Sept. 14: Devil’s Race Track, 3 miles with a 720’ climb and descent, rated moderate. Meet at Books-A-Million, 310 South Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge, at 10 a.m. Leader: Charlie Klabunde, klabundece@aol.com

Saturday, Sept. 21: Old Sugarlands Trail and Cemetery, 5 miles, rated easy. Meet at Sugarlands Visitor Center, 1420 Little River Road, Gatlinburg, at 10 a.m. Leader: Charles Hurst, charlesbh@charter.net

Wednesday, Sept. 25: Gold Mine, Cooper Road, Beard Cane, 13.2 miles. Meet

Article source: http://www.knoxville.com/news/2013/sep/04/get-moving-a-guide-to-upcoming-hikes-fitness-and/ If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com