Miracles on Amboy Road
 October 2009 marked the 10th anniversary of RiverLink's purchase of the old Asheville Motor Speedway which has been transformed into Carrier Park, the most used recreational facility in the city wide system. Many thanks to all who voted for Carrier Park as the "# 1 Best Place to Take a Walk" in the city in the Mountain Express 2009's Best Of. We love that you love it!
In 2006 we bought the "missing link" EDACO junk yard, now Karen Cragnolin Park. We recycled 100,000 tons of concrete and started testing for contaminates. Armed with $300,000 in stimulus funds, we are about to start the first phytoremediation in WNC on the first Brownfield for Open Space in WNC.
Thank you to the 17,000 members of the Garden Club of America who voted for Karen Cragnolin Park to be the winner of the 2009 Founder's Club Award.
On November 1st we made our penultimate payment for this "missing link" in the amount of $195,000. Many thanks to the Janirve Foundation, The Stanback Family and all the people who have bought "Deeds of Support" at $50 a foot. Only one more payment to go - next November 1st, 2010 for $185,020.
Many thanks to the NCDOT for funding a sidewalk linking Carrier Park and French Broad River Park. Also many thanks to the property owners who gave right of way easements and to the NC DOT for funding the wonderful trail that leads from Carrier Park to Homing Creek Park.
Thank you for your continued support of RiverLink. Your energy and moral and financial support of our mission to revitalize the French Broad River Watershed as a destination where everyone can live, work and play is helping to make the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay a reality!
Thank you also for voting us #2 "Best Do Gooder" in the Mountain Xpress 2009's Best Of - we couldn't do all we do without you! They don't have the Best Environmental Organization category anymore at Mountain Express Best Of -- but you voted for us and we are proud to have won that honor in 2008 and 2007.
Miracles do happen and they especially happen when people come together around a common goal. A river is powerful because many drops of water have learned the secret of cooperation. A very big thank you to all the ladies at the French Broad River Garden Club, to Land of Sky EPA Brownfield Program, to D.H. Griffin Salvage Company to all the folks who volunteer and all our members! Working together we make it happen!
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City of Asheville Stream Buffer Update
In a surprise move the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5 to 1 to reduce the number of parcels requiring buffers by 75%.
 Stream buffers are part of the City of Asheville's revisions to the storm water ordinance. Buffers or river set backs, play a critical role in protecting the water quality of our streams as well as reducing drought and flooding risks.
The state of North Carolina requires a minimum 30 ft. buffer on all development that disturb over an acre. The rule proposed by the Planning and Zoning Commission would leave an overwhelming majority of the streams in Asheville unprotected.
Research from other municipalities in North Carolina demonstrate that state wide stream buffers range from 30 ft. to 100 ft. The science and trends across the country support larger buffers as well as the need for buffers that cover both large and small developments.
To add your voice to this issue you can sign the petition opposing the Planning and Zoning recommendation at http://www.riverlink.org/BufferPetition.asp
or email us at information@riverlink.org . We will post meeting times and dates for the City Council to vote on this important issue on our website at www.riverlink.org and in our newsletters so stayed tuned! |
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Winner of the November Save the French Broad River Raffle Announced!
RiverLink and Asheville Adventure Guide are pleased to announce the winner of the November prize package for the Save the French Broad River Raffle is Jim Webb of Weaverville. Jim and his wife Diane became RiverLink members because they believe in our mission to cleanup and revitalize the river.  Jim and Diane look forward to visiting Chimney Rock Park, canoeing down the river with Asheville Adventure Guides and taking classes at Bikram Asheville Yoga; just a few of the prizes from their November prize package valued at over $400!
Jim hiking in the WNC Mountains with his dog Zeppelin.
Last Save the French Broad River Raffle drawing will be on December 1st with prize package valued at $1,200! Just at $10 per ticket, you can win an ENO DoubleNest Hammock, MSR Elbow Room 2 Tent, Osprey Kestrel Technical Backpack, pair of Ahnu Tilden Sandals, Watershed ZipDry Largo Tote, pair of La Sportiva Mountain Running Shoes and more! Great gear for you to enjoy or give as holiday gifts!
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RiverLink Volunteer River Cleanups
Volunteers unload their collected catch during the October 10th Big Sweep cleanup of the French Broad River.
October River Cleanup Tally
250 Volunteers
975 volunteer hours
830 Bags of Trash
60 tires
A big thank you to the following Adopt-a-Stream teams and volunteers for their time and efforts during October river cleanups!
Big Sweep Cleanup with Asheville GreenWorks
French Broad River
Rotary Club Asheville Adopt-a-Stream Team
French Broad River
FLS Adopt-a-Stream Team
French Broad River
New Life Community Church Adopt-a-Stream Team
French Broad River
Central United Methodist Adopt-a-Stream Team
Swannanoa River
Warren Wilson College Biology & Environmental Studies Adopt-a-Stream Team
Swannanoa River
Subtle Yoga Training Cleanup
Ross Creek
Rotary Club of Biltmore-Asheville Adopt-a-Stream Team
Nasty Branch
Asheville Beer Meetup Adopt-a-Stream Team
Swannanoa River
RiverLoafers at Loafers Glory Adopt-a-Stream Team
Toe River
Odyssey Community School Adopt-a-Stream Team
Reed Creek
Buncombe County Early College Adopt-a-Stream Team
Swannanoa River
Altamont Environmental Adopt-a-Stream Team
Reed Creek
Upcoming River Cleanups open to the Public
(for more details please go to Upcoming Events above)
Saturday November 7th 10am
Swannanoa River Cleanup with Underground Church Adopt-a-Stream Team
Sunday November 8th 8:30am
Hominy Creek Cleanup with UNCA Outdoors Program Adopt-a-Stream Team
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RiverLink's Watershed Education Programs!
Owen Middle School 8th graders learn about the French Broad Watershed through participating in RiverLink's Enviroscape model lesson.
October proved itself to be a great month for Watershed Education at RiverLink. RiverLink delivered free water quality lessons to students and teachers alike at Owen Middle School, Cane Creek Middle School and Buncombe County High School Science teachers. We jump started our partnership with Odyssey School, making a commitment to serve each other in the areas of education and service learning projects throughout the school year.
November is also shaping up to be a pretty busy month for the educators and volunteers at RiverLink, with new requests for lessons coming in every day. Don't worry- it's not too late to sign up for FREE Watershed Education at your school! Click HERE to take a look at our lessons. Head's up-due to immanent approach of Winter, we will not be doing anymore "Kids In The Creek" lessons until Spring of 2010.
Please contact RiverLink's Education Coordinator Rebecca Childress at education@riverlink.org or 828-252-8474 x111. |
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Volunteer Spotlight
Shines on
Marilyn Kolton and Lou Dwarshuis!
Marilyn Kolton and Lou Dwarshuis have been leading RiverLink's guided seasonal hikes for the public each spring and fall for the past several years in Carrier Park and French Broad River Park. As experienced birders and nature enthusiasts, Marilyn and Lou love the river greenways. They also wanted to volunteer with RiverLink to support the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay and share their expertise.
 Marilyn, 2nd from left, and Lou, fourth from left, lead a spring seasonal guided walk in Carrier Park.
Marilyn and Lou moved to Asheville in 1997 from Danville Illinois where they were surrounded by parks and enjoyed the seasonal arrival of spring wildflowers and birds. Asheville attracted them with its wonderful natural areas mostly outside the city. They were surprised by lack of greenways and open space in the city but were thrilled to discover the river greenway and park system. Marilyn and Lou both have Ph.D's in clinical psychology. Lou specialized in neuropsychology and Marilyn focused on child and adolescent psychology. When not volunteering with RiverLink, Lou can be found building homes with Habitat for Humanity and assisting in projects at the Botanical Gardens of Asheville where he also serves on the board. Marilyn is on the board of the Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society and the GEM Fund of the Asheville American Association of University Women.
Thank you Marilyn and Lou! The next Volunteer Spotlight could be on you! To learn more about volunteering with RiverLink, please come to our Volunteer Information Sessions the 2nd Wed of each month at 10am and 5pm at our offices. Please contact Rachel Doebber, the Volunteer Outreach Coordinator, at volunteer@riverlink.org or 828-2852-8474 ext. 118 to RSVP for the information session. |
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RiverLink Selling Rain Barrels!
For only $60, you can have your own rain barrel ------ save water and support RiverLink!
RiverLink's rain barrels are recycled 55 gallon white barrels and are the best value in town.
RiverLink's  French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson, center, works with NC Outward Bound participants to construct rain barrels. To purchase your rain barrel please call us at 828-252-8474, ext 115 or visit our website at www.riverlink.org. | |
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Quick Links
River News
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11/6/09
11/13/09
12/4/09
12/11/09
11/6/09
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Get a Discounted Massage at Sensibilities Day Spa & Support RiverLink at the same time!
 During the month of November, Sensibilities Day Spa will match each RiverLink donation dollar for dollar up to $1000! To thank you for supporting RiverLink, you will also receive a 10% discount card to use on your next merchandise purchase or service. Visit Sensibilities Day Spa at one of their two locations; 59 Haywood St downtown or in Biltmore Park to donate and receive your discount card.
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City Council Candidates Respond to RiverLink Survey on the River
RiverLink was
ager to know what City Council candidates are proposing as part of their campaign platform to protect and enhance the French Broad River Watershed. RiverLink developed a survey for the city council candidates and the community. Click here for the Candidate's responses.
Thank you to everyone that responded!
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 Support RiverLink and enjoy your coffee all in one cup!
RiverLink's French Broad River Coffee Blend from locally based roaster, Blue Smoke Coffee, is now available at these fine establishments in the Asheville area where $1 from every bag sold goes directly to RiverLink.
- Greenlife Grocery on Merrimon Ave.
- Grove Corner Market in West Asheville on Haywood
- Red Bike Deli in the Grove Arcade
- New Bridge Market at 1311 Tunnel Rd in East Asheville area
- Laurey's Gourmet on Biltmore Ave near the Orange Peel
- Sunshine Pharmacy in Black Mountain
You can also purchase the coffee blend online from Blue Smoke Coffee.
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Save the French Broad River
fundraiser with Sweetwater!
Thank you to Sweetwater Beer and all the participating vendors for supporting RiverLink
with the Save the French Broad River Campaign!
We will have final tallies of how much funding
was raised in our December newsletter.
We take organ health very seriously. For more
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We want your input for the new Karen Cragnolin Park!
If you have some ideas about this "missing link" in the Wilma Dykeman, click here to take the survey and give us your suggestions too!
Click here to purchase a Deed of Support to help us continue to make the Wilma Dykeman RiverWay Plan a reality!
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Ashevegas, October 30.
Sevier County News,
October 28.
Asheville Citizen Times, October 25.
Asheville Citizen Times, October 19.
Asheville Citizen Times, October 18.
Scrutiny Hooligans,
October 16.
Ashevegas, October 13.
Greenlife Blog, October 12.
Knoxville News Sentinel, October 12.
Asheville Citizen Times, October 9.
Asheville Citizen Times, October 2.
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River Fact
First settled by members of the Cherokee Nation and visited in 1540 by the treasure-seeking Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto, the river basin was ultimately occupied by English-speaking settlers. They gave the river its often-misunderstood name because it flowed west toward the Mississippi Valley lands claimed by French explorers and fur traders.
River Photo
Save the River by Hannah Calloway, Owen Middle School 7th Grader, RiverLink Earth Day River of Words & Art Contest Honorable Mention 2-D.
"A Waterfall"
by Zoe Eshan
Rainbow Mountain Children's School 3rd grader,
RiverLink Earth Day River of Words & Art Contest honorable mention writing category.
I am a rain drop
just a simple rain drop
I dream of waterfalls
wishing to see one someday
But it's Winter,
water is frozen
I will wait for spring
crack swush, off I go
no clinging on stick or leaf
for I am too excited
for what waits ahead
I hear a rushing sound
growing louder and louder
after flowing off a rock
I see a big drop
I realize I am on a
Waterfall
I feel the rocks on my sides
like someone rubbing
my back
I have reached my
dream I said under
my breath.
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