Kathy Walker waited patiently with dozens of others in the lobby of Helping Hand Monday afternoon.

She was there to pick up some food for herself and her husband.

The lady behind the desk said things have gotten crazy lately at the assistance center on Mr. Joe White Avenue. Many more people are looking for help.

As of Nov. 1, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly called food stamps, were reduced. The program had seen a temporary increase since 2009 when the federal stimulus law was enacted to bolster the faltering economy.

“People are already bringing in their letters to show us,” said Tina Shuppy, associate director of Helping Hand. “We know this is going to be an issue for our clients.”

The benefit decline is different for every household, but a family of four with no income and no other changes in their case will see a $36 decrease in their monthly benefit, according to the District of Columbia Department of Human Services.

For the Walkers, the change has been more dramatic — a drop off from $167 a month to $61.

Despite

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Ten years after its
designation by Congress and the president in November 2003, the Blue Ridge
National Heritage Area announced that heritage tourism contributes more than
$2.4 billion to the regional economy.

Blue Ridge National
Heritage Area Executive Director Angie Chandler released preliminary results
from an economic impact study at the organization’s annual meeting earlier this
month. The $2.4 billion generated by heritage tourism in turn contributes over
$182 million in tax revenue to local and state governments, and the economic
activity supports 31,000 jobs, the study found.

The Blue Ridge National
Heritage Area commissioned the study earlier this year to assess the economic
contribution of the region’s heritage assets and the work of the 10-year-old organization.
Consultant David Primm and Chris Cavanaugh of Magellan Strategies conducted the
study.

“In addition to our
program of work, the BRNHA recognizes that evaluation and measurement is an
ongoing process,” Chandler said in a statement. “In a time of shrinking public
investment, it is important to assess and demonstrate the success of what we do.”

The BRNHA was designated
in recognition of the unique character, culture and natural beauty of the Blue
Ridge Mountains and foothills in Western

Article source: http://www2.wataugademocrat.com/News/story/Study-Heritage-tourism-contributes-24B-to-region-id-013337 If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

Wood grew up in South Carolina and cherished trips with her family to the high country. “We would drive along the curvy mountain roads, stopping to enjoy the view from overlooks or to take a hike to a waterfall.”

Western North Carolina is teeming with natural beauty. From its high peaks to rural valleys, it is filled with cascading streams, rolling pastures and rocky cliffs. This diverse and stunning scenery is a major reason why we hold this region so dear, undeniably inspiring residents to make it home and luring millions of visitors each year from far and wide.

A few months back, this column explored the ways in which Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy showcases the relevancy of land conservation efforts by facilitating public access to conserved lands via trails and greenways. While lacing your boots or saddling your bike may be more direct and intimate methods of experiencing the natural splendor of our region, a vehicle is most often still necessary to access them. And many outdoor activities are not accessible to all who seek mountain views.

More frequently than not, WNC’s gorgeous scenery is experienced, or accessed, out the window of a vehicle. Like Wood, many current residents first experience our

Article source: http://www.goupstate.com/article/20131126/ENT/131129768 If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Sparked in the second half by a little bit of everyone, the Rhode Island Rams awoke just in time and tore away from UNC Asheville, 73-56, Monday night at the Ryan Center.

The Rams (5-2) struggled in the first half that ended in a 33-33 tie. Rhody had issues scoring and keeping the Bulldogs in check. But in the second half, URI put together a 15-5 run and then wore down the visitors.

Biggie Minnis and Xavier Munford led the Rams with 14 points each. Gilvydas Biruta added 13 for the Rams who will host McNeese State on Tuesday. Jaron Lane and Andrew Rowsey each put up 17 points for the Bulldogs (1-5), who’ve already lost to Kentucky and Duke. The attendance for the consolation round game in the National Invitation Tournament was just 869.

Article source: http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/college/content/20131125-uri-pulls-away-from-unc-asheville-73-56.ece If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Almost before his rebounders had even cleaned the defensive boards, Dan Hurley was imploring — no, screaming — at his Rhode Island Rams to roar up the court Monday night at the Ryan Center.

The Rams, blessed with more depth and talent than a year ago, haven’t run all that much early this season. That needs to change and Hurley made that a point of emphasis as his Rams shook off a sluggish opening half and ran past North Carolina Asheville, 73-56, in a National Invitation Tournament consolation game.

The Rams and Bulldogs were locked in a 33-33 halftime tie. At that point, the Rams were grinding through possessions and letting down on defense too often. With an added push to run the floor, the Rams forced nine second-half turnovers (15 for the game) and started shooting layups instead of jump shots.

“It’s a transition for us,” said Hurley, who’s team improved to 5-2. “Last year, the guys that played for us, if we ever got a rebound, it was stop, not run. We would like to play fast now. We have so many more weapons on the perimeter. We were tentative and sluggish and not in attack mode to

Article source: http://www.providencejournal.com/sports/college/content/20131125-uri-73-unc-asheville-56-rams-kick-it-into-gear.ece If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

Wood grew up in South Carolina and cherished trips with her family to the high country. “We would drive along the curvy mountain roads, stopping to enjoy the view from overlooks or to take a hike to a waterfall.”

Western North Carolina is teeming with natural beauty. From its high peaks to rural valleys, it is filled with cascading streams, rolling pastures and rocky cliffs. This diverse and stunning scenery is a major reason why we hold this region so dear, undeniably inspiring residents to make it home and luring millions of visitors each year from far and wide.

A few months back, this column explored the ways in which Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy showcases the relevancy of land conservation efforts by facilitating public access to conserved lands via trails and greenways. While lacing your boots or saddling your bike may be more direct and intimate methods of experiencing the natural splendor of our region, a vehicle is most often still necessary to access them. And many outdoor activities are not accessible to all who seek mountain views.

More frequently than not, WNC’s gorgeous scenery is experienced, or accessed, out the window of a vehicle. Like Wood, many current residents first experience our

Article source: http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20131124/ARTICLES/311241004 If you need a cheap air ticket, hotel or rental car please visit http://www.airticket.com

Sandburg Home hosts Christmas at Connemara

Monday, 25 November 2013

Written by Staff Reports

FLAT ROCK, N.C. – Award-winning musicians, storytellers and performers will share regional holiday traditions at Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site every Saturday from Thanksgiving to New Years as the park hosts Christmas at Connemara.

The festive, family-friendly celebration honors Carl Sandburg and highlights the Sandburg family tradition of singing holiday music. (A complete schedule of performers is below.) Music and storytelling begins at 11 a.m. each Saturday. For young visitors, a Christmas craft activity station opens at 10 a.m.

Guided tours of the Sandburg home, decorated in the simple style of the Sandburg’s with poinsettias and a traditionally-decorated Christmas tree, are available for a small fee. All other activities are free.

Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site, a unit of the National Park Service, is located about 25 miles north of Travelers Rest off U.S. 225 on Little River Road and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days.

For further information, please call 828-693-4178, or visit the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site website.

Christmas at

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