|
Letter from the Executive Director
Hello river lovers,
"May
you live in interesting times" is an ancient Chinese curse. I think
most people will agree that these are interesting
times. Everything seems to be In transition -- from
how we work to how we communicate -- has changed dramatically and
will continue to change and evolve in new and unexpected as well as
planned ways. Here we are at the end of the first decade of this
new century! Wasn't the millennium just last year?
The River Arts District is certainly in transition and that is causing areas near and around to also be in transition. Click here to see a letter
we wrote to the city about the history of this area and the challenges
and opportunities these interesting times bring to our community.
No
matter how much things may be in transition, water is a constant. It is
a basic, fundamental element and an absolutely necessary
ingredient to every aspect of living, working and
playing. How we view, use and protect water in these
interesting times will determine how we survive and or thrive as a
community, region, state and planet. The state of N.C. has been a
leader nationally on water issues, not just for the environmental
benefits of clean water but for the economic health of our state.
Since
1996 when the N.C. General Assembly created the Clean Water Management
Trust Fund, your tax dollars have been hard at work cleaning up dirty
water like the Neuse River as well as protecting pristine waters
like we enjoy along the headwaters of the French Broad. Take a moment to
read the annual report of the Clean Water Trust Fund by clicking here. This is a program I believe we can all benefit from and be proud of as we navigate these interesting times.
Speaking
of interesting - you will be interested I hope to know that RiverLink
was successful in its bid to attract the River Management Society (RMS)
national convention to come to Asheville in May 2012. We are
honored and excited to bring 400 of
North America's most professional and knowledgeable river advocates to WNC. We are  thrilled
to have the opportunity to show off our evolving river successes
with the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay demonstration project and a wide variety
of other innovative projects we are involved with --- all of which are
designed to preserve and protect the river while
empowering our citizens about the importance of water. If
you are not familiar with the River Management Society, check out their website by clicking here. Watch this space. We will be announcing speakers, topics and other important information in the coming months.
On
behalf of the RiverLink family of staff, board members and our 600-plus
volunteers, thank you for an interesting and wonderful year. We wish
you and your family the very best in the New Year and collectively
renew our commitment to you to be your voice for the river
every day in every way. May the holidays bring you peace of
mind, joy and renewed energy to work together for the very
interesting times ahead.
All my best, Karen |
The RiverLink Cotton Mill Labyrinth received a first-rate blessing -- come walk its paths
Last month's newsletter detailed the Oct.
7 visit and workday by members of the Outdoor Industry Association. One
of the projects we completed that day was the RiverLink Cotton Mill
Meditation Labyrinth. While it saw a good bit of use following its
completion, the space had not yet been blessed and truly welcomed into
Asheville's collective spiritual community. All that changed on
Saturday, Nov. 13, as six spiritual leaders from a variety of faiths
gathered with interested onlookers to offer blessings over the
labyrinth.
 | | Laura Collins competes with a train during the ceremony |
Laura Collins of Living Rituals helped
with contacting the speakers who came out and agreed to emcee the event.
In her opening remarks, Collins noted, "Their origins are kind of
mysterious. They go back at least 4,500 years in history. There are
different types of labyrinths in every part of the world. Just as there
are many different labyrinth traditions around the world, we're bringing
many different local traditions here to bless this tradition."
Collins went on to invite a series of
spiritual leaders to step to the front of the crowd and offer a
blessing: Byron Ballard of Mother Grove Goddess Temple represented the
Wiccan community, and she was followed by Pastor Guy Sayles of First
Baptist Church of Asheville, Rabbi Rob Cabelli of the Beth Israel
congregation,
 | | Rob Cabelli of Beth Isreal makes a point. |
Cat Matlock of West Asheville Yoga, and Howard Hanger of the Jubilee! Community.
"We extended an invitation far and wide
to area spiritual leaders to take part in the ceremony," said Dave
Russell of RiverLink, "as we wanted to stress that this space is meant
to be a sacred place used by everyone for meditation and prayer. Or just
as a nice place to go for a walk. It's a quarter-mile walk all the way
to the center of the labyrinth and back out again."
At the end of the ceremony, the clergyfolk lined up for a Rockettes-style kickline:
 | | Howard Hanger, Cat Matlock, Rob Cabelli, Laura Collins, Guy Sayles, Byron Ballard |
Also constructed on Oct. 7 was an information kiosk now erect at the site. A
collaboration of several RiverLink staff, it offers information about
labyrinths in general, the RiverLink labyrinth, and RiverLink, as well
as offering tips on enjoying your labyrinth experience.
The labyrinth is located on the site of the Cotton Mill ruin, at approximately 124 Riverside Drive, right next to Cotton Mill Studios.
It's
open until dark each day, and the public is welcome to visit this
cultural amenity provided to the Asheville community by RiverLink.
We'll
be putting more sand on the labyrinth's paths this Saturday, Dec. 4,
from 9 a.m. -- 1 p.m. Come join us! We'll have coffee.
The ceremony ended in a circle singalong
|
"Kids in the Creek" is often full of pleasant surprises
Teachable
moments are often the best kind because they are unexpected
opportunities for learning, for both student and the teacher. On
Veterans Day this year, RiverLink education coordinator Hayley
Smith taught fourth-graders from Carolina Day School, and their fearless
teachers honored America's freedom by exploring Bent Creek
Experimental Forest. While the surface of a creek may not seem
like much to discover, there is plenty of marvel to behold under leaves,
rocks, and sediment. The students found a variety of
pollution-sensitive species, which indicates a healthy body of
water.
The excitement of finding life in a creek is a
wonderful lesson but seemed out of grasp for the one boy who could not
get in the water. I suggested he look under the leaves near the
bank and wi thin minutes he found the coolest thing of the day, a
Blue Ridge Mountain Salamander. Due to his need to stay on the
creek's bank many students were able to hold a salamander for the first
time.
Another teachable moment also involved handling the
life forms. This one was a medium sized crayfish that angled his
pincers just right to grab onto the little finger of a young girl.
"Yikes" she yelped as she flicked if off. Upon asking her is she
was okay, she replied, "I was more scared and startled than hurt.
Can I try to hold another one again?"
What I continue to learn
from these students is less about identification of a dragonfly
and more about being open to trying new things, getting your hands dirty
and making the best of a situation.
|
|
Don't Miss Your Chance to Win $840 in Great Outdoor Gear!
Our
March 2011 Grand Prize Drawing is just months away! Get your
ticket today to be entered to win great prizes including, a Nemo Go Go
Tent and High Gear Axio Max Moss Altimeter Watch. 100% of ticket
sales benefit RiverLink.
 |
|
Floodzone Tour was popular and informative
 On
Sunday, November 20, RiverLink invited interested parties from across
WNC on a free bus tour through the urban Swannanoa River floodzone and
the Biltmore Area.
Working in partnership with UNC Asheville's National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC), the Renaissance Computing Institute (RENCI) and the Swannanoa Flood Risk Management Project, the tour included stops along the River at the WNC Nature Center, Biltmore Village and points in between.
There was an amazing turnout; many people had to be turned away due to seating on the bus.
The tour focused on the
recommendations from the Swannanoa Flood Risk Management Task Force and
consultant within Azalea Park and Biltmore Village. Karen
Cragnolin and Marshall Taylor from Brown and Caldwell explained the
projects to the residents, merchants, and local consultants.
They fielded many
questions and stressed the importance and balance of Flood Risk
Management, stream protection, and economic development.
Participants were surveyed after the tour for their thoughts, questions and concerns on the recommended projects. The information gathered will be used in the evaluation of future recommended projects.
RiverLink's Karen Cragnolin speaks to the group
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
Keep your cell phone out of the landfill!
Drop
off old and unwanted cell phones to the RiverLink office for recycling
and fundraising. RiverLink has partnered with GRC Wireless to keep
cell phones out of the landfill and raise money for volunteer and
education programs. The office is open 8am- 5pm Monday through
Friday. This is an on-going program, donations are welcome all
year round.
Gifts that Give
AB-Tech Ferguson Building Lobby.
10 a.m. -- 1p.m.
An annual socially responsible shopping extravaganza.
Labyrinth Maintenance Project
Saturday, Dec. 4, 9a.m. -- 1 p.m.
Sounds like a '60s band name, but it's actually what we will be doing this Saturday at our new labyrinth. Click here for a map.
Volunteer Information Session
Wed., Dec. 8, 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. Come learn about RiverLink volunteer opportunities. RSVP to Dave at 252-8474, ext. 11
Bus Tour Thurs., Dec. 16, noon -- 2 p.m. Call Dave at 252-8474, ext. 11 to reserve your seat.
Brevard Middle School Science Fair
Monday, Dec. 20, 7:30a.m. -- 4p.m. Brevard Middle School will display over 100 science projects in its library.
A
RiverLink staffer will be a judge and the public is invited. More
judges are needed -- contact Anne Talley at annet@tcsnc.org.
|
River lover Brett Fisher just completed his season as a river ranger. He started a blog titled River Ranger: When river passion becomes river profession (www.riverranger.net).
The blog is for and
about river rangers including those working in the field now, those who
have been river rangers, and those who are kindred spirits.
The site is inteded to:
- Share river ranger stories, adventures, misadventures, successes, and solutions.
- Support conservation and restoration of rivers.
- Encourage the safe enjoyment of whitewater recreation.
- Provide information on river ranger skills and gear.
- Promote professional development, camaraderie, and esprit de corps among river rangers.
Check out his blog and
let him know what you think. Let him know if you have stories, news,
book reviews, gear reviews, events, or similar you would like to write
about.
|
|
Winter Trivia
It doesn't have to be below 32 degrees to snow, it has been known to snow when temperatures are in the mid 40s.
10 inches of snow melts down to about an inch of liquid rain.
An inch of ice is heavier than an inch of snow.
The
Winter of 1779-1780 was so cold that ice was piled 20 feet high
along the Delmarva Coast and stayed there until spring. The upper
portion of the Chesapeake Bay and the entire Potomac River were frozen
solid. People were able to walk from Annapolis to Kent Island and from
Alexandria into DC.
"Hoar" is a type of frost formed by flat frozen crystals.
Icicles most often form on the south side of buildings
Fresh snow is composed of 80% air.
The largest iceberg ever recorded worldwide was found in the Arctic. It was 207 miles long and 62 miles wide.
Trivia from queendom.com |
|
Volunteer Spotlight
This
month our star volunteer is Jeremy Rasik. He saved Hayley, the
education coordinator, by volunteering to help with several school
programs. Even last minute, when no other volunteers replied, he
came to the rescue and did a fabulous job. Jeremy proved to have a
knack for engaging the fourth-graders learning macroinvertabrates and
teaching eight-graders about water quality. Jeremy truly shined
when he was in front of a classroom explaining RiverLink's role in the
community and leading a conversation about how water is part of our
life. The students even asked him questions. Way to go!
|
|
