Posted on: July 14, 2008 by Whisper Mountain
The Asheville area is an excellent place for continuing education on a wide variety of subjects. Asheville and its surrounding communities has been headquarters for some of the finest educational institutions in the United States. The University of North Carolina Asheville is nationally acclaimed for its liberal arts focus and has programs for adult learners. Warren Wilson College is widely renowned for its Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, which caters to adult learners by offering classes during summer and winter break for professors who are employed during fall and spring term.
These two institutions of higher education are leading the way in continuing education in the area, but they are by no means the only schools actively serving the continuing education population. Mars Hill College, AB Tech, and Penland School of Crafts also offer continuing education. Working professionals are in need of continuing education and many retired professionals need continued training to take part fully in the workplace and community service, or simply enhance their knowledge or skill in an area of interest. There are plenty of options for adult learners in the Asheville area to do just that.
University of North Carolina Asheville (UNCA)
UNC-Asheville is one of the sixteen schools in University of North Carolina system and it is the only one dedicated solely to the liberal arts. UNCA began as an institution that prioritized the humanities and has flourished into one of the top liberal arts schools in the country. UNCA has also established a North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement (NCCCR) where adult learners can pay an annual membership fee of $40 and receive access to university resources such as the library, and classes. NCCCR members take classes in a variety of useful subjects that can enhance professional skills, nurture creative talents, and allow study in areas where more knowledge is desired such as: computer software, finance, art, and photography.
Mars Hill College
Mars Hill College is a Baptist institution of higher education located in the town of Mars Hill. Adult Access at Mars Hill College is a program that caters specifically to the needs of professional adults. Mars Hill College offers classes in the evening in the areas of business management, teacher and special education, social work and teaching English as a second language. Academically and intellectually gifted and reading classes area also available. Some classes are also available online, on the Moodle platform, and at satellite classrooms in Asheville, Burnsville, Hendersonville, Marion, and Waynesville.
Warren Wilson
Warren Wilson College inherited a distinguished program called the MFA for Writers from Goddard College, that is designed for the professional adult learner. This low residency program is taught during summer and winter academic breaks so that active professionals can take part. The highly distinguished faculty and students have made the program what it is today, one of the top MFA programs in the nation.
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College (AB Tech)
AB Tech is located in Asheville and surrounding locations and works especially hard to meet the needs of working professionals seeking continuing education opportunities. Through its close association with the Small Business Incubator and Small Business Center, AB Tech offers a variety of choices of continuing education classes for the business professional. Many classes are taught at night or on Saturdays. Class topics range from “Marketing Your Business for Success” to “Accounting for Non-Accountants” and “How to Value a Business”. Most classes cost $75-175. The Small Business Incubator is one of the few programs like it in the country, and is housed at the AB Tech Enka/Candler campus, just west of Asheville.
Penland School of Crafts
One of the world’s most highly acclaimed school of crafts is located just outside Burnsville, North Carolina in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Penland School of Craft’s mission is “individual and artistic growth through craft”. It supports this with one to eight-week workshops in a variety of craft mediums, artist residencies, and a top-notch gallery that exhibits the best in student and faculty work, and other craft artists. A complete updated list of classes is available on their website.
Posted on: June 17, 2008 by Whisper Mountain
Throughout Western North Carolina more and more restaurants are becoming environmentally aware and building eco-friendly, sustainable businesses. In Marshall, NC and Hot Springs, NC (both located in Madison County near Asheville, NC) residents and visitors have a variety of environmentally conscious restaurants to choose from.
Green, Sustainable Mexican Delights at French Broad Taqueria
The French Broad Taqueria in Marshall, NC offers a delicious local approach to traditional and vegetarian Mexican dishes. The Taqueria purchases local and organic produce whenever possible including kale, spinach and lettuce from local framers like the Rice Family Farm, Philosophy Farm and Dry Pond Farm. Co-owner Amy Newton says local farmers keep her up to date about what produce they have available and The Taqueria takes advantage of the local tailgate markets as often as possible.
Newton is currently studying Sustainable Community Development, with a focus on sustainable food systems therefore, creating a model of sustainability in the restaurant’s daily operations is a major goal. The Taqueria recycles as much as possible. They compost kitchen scraps through an employee, compost vegetarian cooked food scraps through a local bakery that uses them to feed pigs and fryer oil waste is removed by a local bio-fuel producer.
The Taqueria also uses eco-friendly take out packaging and continuously explores local meats. Currently their most popular menu item is the fish taco made with Sunburst Farms trout, a local fish producer. They also offer hormone-free and humanely raised chicken and pork (for the chorizo).
Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Business at The Bridge Street Cafe & Inn
The Bridge Street Cafe and Inn in Hot Springs, NC is an excellent dining choice when you are in Hot Springs, NC. Located on the first floor of a restored 1920’s building on historic Main Street, Bridge Street Cafe provides an elegant yet earthy experience of Italian and Mediterranean flavors. Stop in and taste their Zucchini Parmigiana, made with locally grown zucchini or the hormone free Grilled NY Strip topped with caramelized red onions and accompanied by smoked gouda, mashed potatoes and lemon asparagus.
Sustainable, Green Initiatives
The restaurant has also taken a multiple green initiatives to promote earth-friendly and sustainable business.
1. Preparing food with fresh, locally-grown organic vegetables, organic flours and grains, and hormone and antibiotic free meats.
2. The use of cloth napkins instead of paper and recycled paper products.
3. A dishwasher model that conserves water by using rinse water from one cycle as the wash water for the next cycle, reducing per-wash water usage by 75%.
4. The use of eco-friendly cleaning supplies, environmentally safe paints.
5. Composting food waste to minimize landfill usage.
6. All oil used in the kitchen is recycled and used in local bio-diesel engines.
Bridge Street Cafe also has future plans that include building a bio roof, purchasing energy efficient water heaters, using solar power, buying energy efficient washers, supporting the One Laptop Per Child Program through an Internet program for Cafe guests and sponsorship of a community based Clean Up Hot Springs Day.
Zuma Coffee: Building Sustainable Communities in WNC
If you are looking for a quick bite and a great cup of coffee stop at Zuma coffee in Marshall, North Carolina where you’ll find a delicious selection of fair trade and organic coffees, as well as what co-owner Joel Friedman calls “creative, healthy comfort food”. For six and a half years owners Joel Friedman and Lesley King have cultivated a warm, inviting atmosphere that celebrates mountain heritage.
In addition to fresh baked goods and yummy lunch sandwiches made with high quality, local ingredients Zuma has become a popular local music venues. Residents and visitors can take part in the Friday night open mics, see local musicians on the weekend or come to the long standing Thursday night bluegrass jam. Stop by and give their signature Chipotle Turkey Wrap a try or visit their website to find out more about upcoming events like the monthly French Broad Friday celebrations.
Posted on: May 1, 2008 by Whisper Mountain
Hot Springs North Carolina
Hot Springs, North Carolina is one of the most pleasurable retreats in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. This quaint mountain village features a hot spring that was used by Native Americans before settlement, and was cultivated by the colonists, then local businessmen who understood the attraction of mineral springs. A dip in the mineral springs is a delightful way to improve health, relax, and take pleasure in nature.
A Short History of Hot Springs Spas
At one time the town of Hot Springs in Madison County was at the peak of popularity. When the Buncombe Turnpike opened, Hot Springs was a superhighway for drovers and other merchants headed for Charleston and Augusta to sell their livestock and wares. Weary travelers rested at Hot Springs to take in the healing waters. Two elegant and well-known establishments, the Warm Springs Hotel in 1837, and then the Mountain Park Hotel in 1886 were both built in Hot Springs. Warm Springs Hotel burned in 1882, and the Mountain Park Hotel burned in 1920, after serving as an internment camp for Germans during World War I in 1917. Hot Springs Today Although Contemporary Hot Springs is changed, it is still a treasured vacation spot for locals and tourists. It’ situated on the French Broad River just north of Marshall, and not more than 20 miles from Whisper Mountain and only 33 miles from Asheville. Luxury hotels are no longer in fashion in Hot Springs. Still, there are many fine establishments where one can take a mineral bath right in the room or in one of the nearby tubs.
Mountain Magnolia B&B
Featured in Southern Living , This Old House and on HGTV, the Mountain Magnolia Bed and Breakfast is a quaint authentic mountain home in Hot Springs that was built in 1868. Guests may stay at the Mountain Magnolia, or they may dine there. Make reservations keeping seasonal hours in mind. In February and March, the Mountain Magnolia B&B is open Thursday through Sunday from 5:30 to 9 PM. Beginning in April dinner is available nightly. For the day visitor to hot springs, enjoy the private, outdoor tubs with renewed mineral water for each visit.
Visit the Hot Springs Spa website. Make reservations for the Spa in advance, especially during high season in the summer and fall, and on weekends. Hot Springs Spa is a wonderful retreat and it’s just a drive over the mountains from Whisper Mountain.
White Water Rafting and Kayaking in Hot Springs North Carolina
The mineral springs are just a portion of what Hot Springs has to offer to the day visitor. Because of its proximity to the French Broad River, Hot Springs is a great destination for white water rafting trips, kayaking, or fishing along the banks. Depending upon the water level, the white water can be as high as class 4 or 5 and a real challenge to any outdoor sportsperson. Hiking in Hot Springs North Carolina Some of the best hiking on the Appalachian Trail (AT) is in Hot Springs. In fact, Hot Springs is known as North Carolina’s Appalachian Trail town. There are numerous places inside and outside of Hot Springs where visitors will find backpackers taking a break from the demands of the AT. The Appalachian Trail intersects with the main road heading out of Hot Springs, towards Asheville. Whatever an individual’s choice for relaxation or outdoor adventure, chances are that Hot Springs, North Carolina is the place to be.
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