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Letter from RiverLink Executive Director
Welcome to the October 2009 issue of RiverLink's electronic newsletter. Since we are in election season, RiverLink has prepared and sent the winners of the Asheville Primary Elections a series of questions all of which pertain to the French Broad River. We are publishing the candidates answers on Monday October 26th using all our media outlets so that you will know where the candidates stand on the issues related to water and to the River.
Here is a link to the questions in a survey format for your review. We invite you to answer these questions - let's see how the candidates' answers compare to your stance on the French Broad River, Citizens of the Watershed.
Thank you for your continual support of RiverLink and our mission to revitalize the French Broad River as a place to live, work and play - we couldn't do what we do without you!
Karen Cragnolin |
RiverLink Welcomes New Education Coordinator & Communication Outreach Coordinator
RiverLink is very excited to have two new staff members through the Americorps Project Conserve Program; Rebecca Childress is replacing Ashley Brown as the Education Coordinator and Kyle Wolff is the new Communication Outreach Coordinator. RiverLink received applications from many qualified applicants, and after a month long interview/selection process, selected Rebecca and Kyle based upon their impressive educational background and work experiences. Please join us in welcoming Rebecca and Kyle to RiverLink!  Rebecca Childress comes to RiverLink with a background in education and visual arts. After graduating from Appalachian State University in 2008 with a degree in Technical Photography, Rebecca joined AmeriCorps in August of 2008 where she delivered environmental education and implemented recycling programs in Knox County public schools.
Rebecca grew up hiking the mountains of North Carolina with her brother and father and has consequently developed a passion for the environment and its well-being. Rebecca decided that she had been away from North Carolina for too long, and returned with new experiences, insights, and enthusiasm. During her free time, Rebecca enjoys photography, bike-riding, art, cooking, reading, and hiking, and hopes to have her own garden one day. Rebecca is excited to start her role as RiverLink's new Education Coordinator, and can't wait to start teaching. She is positive that this year will be full of growing and learning-not only for her students but for herself as well.
 Kyle Wolff grew up in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky and spent her childhood roaming through the forests and playing in the creeks. She went on to graduate from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelors Degree in Integrated Strategic Communications focusing on Green Marketing.
Kyle spent her college summer breaks working at the Home Ranch in Clark, Colorado. Her appreciation for the great outdoors was intensified in this inspiring setting. She spent most of her free time wandering about the Rocky Mountains by day, and spotting shooting stars by night. She enjoys the simple things of life; exploring the outdoors, reading books, writing poetry, scrumptious local food (she hasn't had a bad meal yet here in Asheville), corny jokes, dancing aimlessly, adding to her record collection, and giving high-fives. While she is beyond ecstatic to live in the wonderful town of Asheville, she is a bit nervous for basketball season to roll around.
Kyle is an aunt of three; her nephews and niece are her inspiration for conservation. She hopes that the future generations view the outdoors as a giant playground. She believes that nature is a great way to bring communities together and is looking forward to serving with AmeriCorps, RiverLink and the Asheville community. |
 Give Your Liver to Save the River As far back as the Cherokee Indians, the French Broad Watershed has attracted people with its stunning natural beauty and clean water. For the first time in over three decades, the river is declining and threatened as never before.
Because of this critical moment in the history of the French Broad River, RiverLink and Sweetwater Beer are working to Save the French Broad.
During September and October, RiverLink is working with Sweetwater Brewery to Save the French Broad. Dozens of bars, restaurants and businesses are selling paper fish and t shirts that say "I gave of my liver to save the river." This campaign is designed to raise awareness about the health of the French Broad River and to raise money so RiverLink can continue to build parks, greenways, conduct water quality monitoring, and stream cleanups.
Pick up a fish and shirt at one of these participating businesses: Mezza Luna, Hannah Flanagans, Scully's, Carolina Cinema, Westville Pub, Greenlife, Nantahala, Outdoor Center, Wild Wing Cafe, Spa Theology, Square 1 Bistro,Asheville Yacht Club, Bier Garden, Brixx Pizza, Mellow Mushroom - Asheville, Little River Tavern - Saluda
Never Blue, Orange Peel, Grove Corner Market, Diggable Pizza, Universal Joint, Northside Bar and Grill, Cinebarre, Cats and Dog, Weinhauss, Beef o Bradys - Hendersonville, Burgermeisters, and Lobster Trap.
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What is Muddy Water Watch (MWW)?
MWW is a state-wide initiative to reduce sediment runoff from construction sites by providing training workshops and materials to help volunteers understand erosion control violations, and how they can help prevent our biggest polluter- sediment.
How can you help?
RiverLink's MWW organizers are looking for volunteers. No previous knowledge of erosion and sedimentation is needed, just a motivation to learn. We are looking for people to: -monitor construction sites and take pictures of potential violations -document and report streams, creeks, and other waterways that are polluted with excessive sediment -learn how to use several data storage websites -take photographs after heavy rainfalls -MUCH MORE! Upcoming MWW Training will be at Haywood Community College Regional High Tech Center in Waynesville, NC
October 13th and 27th (5:30-8:30pm), and November 10th (5:30-7:30pm) - spaces still available but filling up quickly! Sign up by Mon Oct 12. Volunteers will need to attend all three trainings.
How do I learn more about MWW? Visit www.riverlink.org or www.muddywaterwatch.org Here you will find directions, job descriptions, contact information, workshop dates and locations, and much more.
To sign up, contact Hartwell Carson, RiverLink's French Broad Riverkeeper at 828-252-8474 ext. 114 or email Riverkeeper@riverlink.org |
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Winner of the October Save the French Broad River Raffle Announced!
RiverLink and Asheville Adventure Guide are pleased to announce the winner of the October prize package for the Save the French Broad River Raffle is Erik and Maggie Weber who purchased their winning ticket at Rockin' RiverFest, their first event in Asheville after recently moving here from Erie, PA.
 Erik Weber, center, poses
with some of his prizes with Chuck Lee of Asheville Adventure Guide, 3rd from left, and RiverLink Board members left to right, Jerry Johnson, Daniel Hitchcock, Eleanor Ashton, Denise Snodgrass and Kirk Robinson.
Erik, a biologist by training who likes RiverLink's environmental mission, looks forward to volunteering with RiverLink to help cleanup the French Broad River. Erik and Maggie will enjoy lots of great prizes in their October prize package including Climbmax Bouldering Packages, Bikram Asheville yoga packages and shopping at Jus' Running with their $100 gift card!
There are 2 more chances to win great outdoor gear with the November and December drawings. Buying just one $10 raffle ticket in the Save the French Broad River Raffle enters you in both drawings while supporting RiverLink to clean up the French Broad River! The December prize package is worth $1200 - wow! Next drawing is Nov 2nd - be sure to buy your ticket online or at our office before Nov 2nd!
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RiverLink Volunteer River Cleanups
The Asheville Catholic School Adopt-a-Stream Team pose with their collected loot during their September cleanup of the French Broad River.
September River Cleanup Tally
120 Volunteers
238 volunteer hours
46 Bags of Trash
6 tires
A big thank you to the following Adopt-a-Stream teams and volunteers for their time and efforts during September river cleanups!
Highland Brewing Company Adopt-a-Stream Team
Swannanoa River
CAYLA cleanup
Glenn Creek
YWCA of Asheville Future Vision Adopt-a-Stream Team
Swannanoa River
Buncombe County College Adopt-a-Stream Teams
Swannanoa River
Asheville Catholic School Adopt-a-Stream Team
French Broad River
Upcoming River Cleanups open to the Public
(for more details please go to Upcoming Events above)
Tuesday September 20th 9am-4pm
Swannanoa Riverbank Restoration Project with RiverLink to remove invasive species - choice of shifts 9am-noon, 1-4pm or both shifts
lunch provided by Chick-fil-A
Saturday October 24th 9am-noon
Make a Difference National Day of Service with RiverLink: choice of 2 projects to volunteer with - Swannanoa River Cleanup with Asheville Beer Meetup Adopt-a-Stream Team OR
French Broad Riverbank restoration project with the French Broad River Academy |
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Don't forget to sign up for FREE RiverLink Watershed Education Programs at your School!!!
Better hurry! RiverLink's FREE watershed lessons are in high demand! With October's schedule filling up fast, RiverLink is hard at work delivering watershed education all over the French Broad River Basin! Last week alone, RiverLink reached 117 students at Leicester Elementary! What better way to empower our future water stewards than have RiverLink come to your school and teach your students about their watershed? We have lessons for all ages! Interested? You can view our lessons here.
Watershed Education Volunteer Training
RiverLink Office
November 3rd at 5:30
We're offering free training for all of our volunteers on Tuesday, November 3rd. We'll be going over some of our most popular lessons in preparation of upcoming volunteer events. Even if you've already been through the training, this is a good chance to get a refresher on everything. Light refreshments will be served. This is a great opportunity to begin serving as a RiverLink volunteer!
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Quick Links
River News
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RiverLink Links with the Technological World!
On Tuesday September 15th, Facebook welcomed its 300 millionth member, and it could have been RiverLink. Yes, that is right; RiverLink has been improving its links with technology. Facebook is growing and so is RiverLink. If only RiverLink could recruit five million volunteers or members a week...
One might think, wait a minute; RiverLink is an organization that encourages getting outside, cleaning up the river, and building greenways. All this is true, however; RiverLink knows that one of the best ways to promote these happenings is via the wonderful world of social networking sites.
RiverKeeper Hartwell Carson checks out the new RiverLink facebook page!
Everyday half of all Facebook users (that rounds out to be over 150 million) sign in to see what is going on in their corner of the technological world. RiverLink strives to use every possible technology and technique to inform the community what is going on in the French Broad River Watershed, promote environmental policy and education, and increase conversation about conservation.
Then there is Twitter; who gives the tweeter 140 characters to answer the common question, "What are you doing?" RiverLink is eager and enthusiastic to inform the public about what we are doing. There is a lot going on here at RiverLink; we will be posting daily on these social networking sites to let the community know about upcoming events, projects and information in and around the French Broad River Watershed.
There are many ways to stay informed with us here at RiverLink; become our friend and fan on Facebook, follow our tweets on Twitter, be a part of our space on Myspace and read our blog at www.getriverlinked.blogspot.com. We are like a river here at RiverLink, and right now we are navigating down the wonderful World Wide Web to promote and create more knowledge about all of our programs.
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Upcoming Events
10/12
River Front Bus Tour - learn about past, present & future of French Broad River. FREE RiverLink members; $15 nonmembers. RSVP's required.
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 FREE RAFTING TRIP! Huck Finn Rafting Company is offering buy one get one free rafting trip per person for every person who purchases a RiverLink membership thru the end of rafting season. To redeem this offer, please contact Carrie Allen, RiverLink Operations Manager, at carrie@riverlink.org or 828-252-8474 ext. 115 to purchase a RiverLink membership.
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RiverLink selling Rain Barrels!
For only $60, you can have your own rain barrel while saving water and supporting RiverLink! RiverLink's rain barrels are made from recycled 55 gallon white barrels and are the cheapest in town.
 French Broad Riverkeeper Hartwell Carson, center, works with NC Outward Bound participants to construct rain barrels. To purchase your rain barrel please click here or contact Hartwell Carson, RiverLink's French Broad Riverkeeper via email riverkeeper@riverlink.org or call 828-252-8474 ext. 114
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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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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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River News
link to news page
Asheville Citizen Times, September 30
Ask Asheville Twitter, September 24
Asheville Citizen Time, September 22
Hendersonville Times News, September 21
Ashevegas, September 21
Prestige Subaru,
September 21
Asheville Citizen Times, September 15
WHKP, September 14
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River Fact
The French Broad River is so old as to be practically devoid of fossils. Only the Nile and, ironically, the New River predate it.
River Photo
Autumn River by Sarah Rhoades, Asheville Middle School 7th Grader, RiverLink Earth Day River of Words & Art Contest Honorable Mention 2-D.
River Poem
"Pollution Affects Deer Too!"
by Matthew Coward
Learning Community School 5th grader,
RiverLink Earth Day River of Words & Art Contest 3rd place writing category.
My deer colony has scattered searching for food
Dying of thirst, starvation, and illness. But I must search still.
Non-polluted water is hard to find these days. It's the same
with berries, nuts, grass, and leaves.
I come by a river, almost dry and filled with garbage. The humans don't know it,
But they dump their trash high in the mountains. Then it flows down to the plains of plague and sorrow.
Two nights ago three hungry hunters came down to our home and killed my friends with gun and bow
Running water? Is that what I hear? I stagger towards the sound. I freeze. It's a bear searching for food!
The bear spots me and runs my way. I don't have the energy to run.
I lie down knowing the end is near. I relax and release my fear. And wait for the final blow...
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