Annual Fund: WE DID IT!!! We are proud to say RiverLink reached the target of the Annual Fund Drive! Our goal of $175,000 was achieved, thanks to the generosity of our donors!   Special thanks to the donor who matched donations 2-1 received during the latter half of our drive!     We need and want your support financially and any other way we can get it. If you would like to join Team RiverLink as a member and/or volunteer please see below for opportunitites, visit us online at www.riverlink.org or give us a call at (828) 252-8474.

Karen Cragnolin recognized for 20 years with RiverLink RiverLink Executive Director Karen Cragnolin was recognized for her 20 years of work with the organization at the June 16th Open House at EDACO. RiverLink board members unveiled a sign that marks the former EDACO site 'Future Karen Cragnolin Park.'  The site for the park is located between Carrier Park and French Broad River Park on Amboy road.  Currently, the land is in the Brownfields program and is being assessed for contamination from the former auto salvage yard. RiverLink's Annual Fund chair Patsy Keever said, "As a Buncombe County Commissioner, I worked with and admired Karen's passion and effectiveness in keeping the river in the public's eye. Inter-City visits by the Chamber always included a river destination and Karen to give and receive input on river development. She is a treasure to this community and it is thrilling to see the river plan progressing." She also received the Old North State Award from Gov. Mike Easley's office. The award recognizes people who have had a significant influence in North Carolina. Congratulations, Karen, Thank you for two wonderful decades!!!

RiverLink featured in Southern Living magazine Pick up a copy of the July Southern Living magazine, and look for a story titled, "Beyond the Water's Edge: The scope of one nonprofit organization stretches beyond the banks of the river its' saving."   The story features many of the projects RiverLink has been involved in the last 20 years. It also goes beyond discussing the aesthetic appeal of RiverLink's accomplishments and talks about the benefits parks give to the community. Also discussed are the challenges of economic development and environmental protection. "Growth and development are inevitable," said Karen Cragnolin, RiverLink executive director. "The area is going to continue to grow and we have to keep coming up with ways to preserve the river" (Carolina Living section, page 5).   You can read the story online here

Yacht Club Soiree highlights                                                                 Photo by Jen Lepkowski                                                                               Click for web photo gallery More than 150 guests celebrated the French Broad River at RiverLink's Yacht Club Soiree earlier this month in downtown Asheville's Windows on the Park.   The soiree featured two local bands-Johnny's Inhaler and Commonfolk. Yacht club guests, dressed in their finest 'yacht club attire,' helped themselves to first-class food and drinks while listening to live music and helping to raise money for the revitalization of the river.     Over $3,500 was raised to help RiverLink achieve its mission of revitalizing the French BroadRiver watershed.   Special thanks to our sponsors: the Asheville Affiliates, Artful Shelter, Top Floor Studio, 828 Design, Catawba Valley Brewing Company, Asheville.com, Colorful Palate Catering, Greenlife Grocery, Image Smith, Imaging Technologies, Jen Lepkowski Photography, RBC Centura Bank, Realty World Marketplace, Skyland Distributing, and Lexus of Knoxville.

Rockin' River Fest & Raft Race Saturday, August 11, 2007 The fun starts at 11:00am French Broad River Park Asheville, NC Online registration for Raft Race The annual Rockin' River Fest and Raft Race is back again with lots of family fun in store! The public is invited to bring a raft, homemade or store bought, and float down the river to French Broad River Park. Rafts will be welcomed by great music provided by Musician's Workshop Battle of the Bands, local food vendors and artists, face painting and games for kids, and a pet social. Everyone's invited to the park for a fun time! For more info, including race registration and sponsor/ vendor applications, please visit www.riverlink.org.                                                                       Click to see pictures from 2006! Sponsored by Classic Hits 96.5 WOXL  and RiverLink

River Cleanups June river cleanup stats: ~ 10 river cleanups ~ (6 during National River Cleanup Week!) ~ 159 volunteers ~ ~ 296 hours ~ ~ 147 bags of trash ~

Great job, cleanup teams! THANK YOU!!! Big Ivy Community Club                              Asheville House Ivy Creek                                               Reed Creek Evergreen Community Charter School      French Broad Fly Fishers Haw Creek                                              FBR East Fork Starbucks Biltmore Village                          Fullerton Genetics Center Swannanoa River                                     FBR, Lyman St. Rotary Club of Asheville                               YWCA Spirit Camp FBR, Carrier Park                                      FBR Park and Swannanoa River The River Condos FBR, Riverside Dr.

Upcoming River Cleanups We're taking a break in July to avoid the heat, poison ivy, and snakes- oh my! We will resume river cleanups in August/ September, so check back next month!