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www.yanceycountynews.com vTo be a voice, and to allow the voices of our community to be heard.v March 8, 2012 W Vol. 2, No. 10
Broadband still delayed
The comprehensive broadband Internet project has been slowed because of new plans being required by the USDA, locals familiar with the situation said this week. “They’ve got some new pe rsonnel at USD A , ” s a id Economic Development director Wanda Proffitt, and “it has caused some delays. There’s just a lot of red tape,” she said. Delays in the installation of the tax-funded broadband system for Yancey and Mitchell counties came up at the Yancey County Commission meeting Tuesday, and Commissioner Dale England said the issue arose after a new administrator came on board with the USDA agency overseeing the funding. Proffitt said she would prefer
SEUSSAPALOOZA!
to have Country Cablevision President Randy Miller address the problems, but Miller did not respond to a message left at his office on Wednesday, and was said to be out of the office on Thursday. “We need to work through this amicably,” Proffitt said, and she repeatedly said Country Cablevision is not the cause of the delays. “We (the residents) have everything to gain, and County Cablevision is taking all the risk” by doing work before the federal funds are released for the project. Raven Tata brought up the subject at the county commission, and said the community needs more regularly scheduled updates on the project. “Businesses are losing money,” she said. “We are losing business” due to the delays, she added.
Dr. Babb is retiring D r. Ti m B a b b , the band director at Mountain Heritage High School, told students this week that he is retiring. “I’ve been a teacher 33 years,” he said Thursday, and every year was in the Yancey County School System. Babb graduated Mars Hill College and earned his doctorate at the University of South Carolina. “I came to Yancey County straight out of Mountain Heritage High School Band Director Dr. college,” he said. “I Tim Babb has told students and administrators that love it here.” he is retiring after 33 years at the high school.
Special to the Yancey County News
You really must respect a teacher who will dress up at the Cat in the Hat. Here Jamie Pate, media coordinator at Bee Log Elementary School, helped celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss. See more photos inside!
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Seuss celebration spurs love of reading B e e L o g Elementary School celebrated with a “Seussapalooza”! On March 1, Bee Log held their first annual “Seussapalooza” to celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The evening began with a reading of “Fox and Socks” by The Cat in the Hat himself. Students then rotated through stations which included classroom readings of favorite Dr. Seuss books, games and dancing. Students and parents also enjoyed sharing a birthday cake in honor of Dr. Seuss. Parents and students were given reading kits containing resources and strategies to help aid in reading comprehension at home. We want to thank everyone for coming to show their support and helping to make this night such a great success. Remember,
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
Bee Log Elementary School fourth grade teacher Teena Robinson, above, works with students and parents to celebrate Dr. Seuss. Dawn ― Dr. Seuss, I Hughes made the beautiful Can Read With My Seussian cake, at right. Eyes Shut!
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March 8, 2012
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Opinion/Outlooks A word of thanks from Brookside
As many people in the community already know, on Feb 14th, several Brookside residents tested positive for the flu virus. The flu virus can present very serious health complications in the elderly population. To stop the spread of the virus to resident families, friends, volunteers, and others in the community, Brookside contacted the CDC and local
health professionals at the Yancey County Health Department. We worked in conjunction with these professionals, devising a plan of action that would protect our residents and the community. This plan involved administering appropriate preventative medications to residents and staff, monitoring for positive flu tests, and prohibiting visitation to the facility for a temporary, specified time period. The management and staff
at Brookside would like to express our deepest gratitude to the families and friends of our residents for their understanding and compliance of these temporary visiting regulations. We understand how difficult it was not to be able to visit your loved ones during this time. We appreciate your trust in us to take care of your loved ones while the restrictions were in place. The health and safety of our residents and the community are our top
priority, and your cooperation helped us contain and minimize the effects of the virus. We would also like to thank the Yancey County Health Department and CDC for their prompt attention to our concerns. The collaborative effort of these agencies helped us ensure the safety and well being of our residents and staff. Brookside Rehab and Care Burnsville
You Decide: Are there different economies?
Mike Walden N.C. State University By The economy, the economy, the economy! It’s the main issue around the dinner table, the office water cooler, media talk shows and of course, in the political campaigns. Just about everyone has an idea of what the problems are and what the solutions should be. But if you listen, clearly everyone isn’t on the same page. Some say the major problem in the economy is too much spending, either by government or consumers; while others say just the opposite -- spending isn’t high enough! We also see differences on taxes; some see them as a problem, while others see them as a solution. We also don’t have agreement on where today’s economy stands. There’s widespread perception the economy is still dead in the water,
with unemployment uncomfortably high, the housing market continuing to struggle and gas prices headed up again. But this viewpoint isn’t universal. More optimistic observers point to more than 3 million new jobs in the last two years and record levels of factory production. So are people disagreeing about the economy just to be disagreeable and maybe support a particular point of view? Or is there a way to make sense of these differences that seem to be pulling in so many directions? Part of the problem may be that there are d i ff e r e n t k i n d s o f economic problems, a n d i n t e r e s t i n g l y, solutions for one set of problems may be harmful for the other set. Let me explain. For
generations, economists have found it useful to categorize economic problems into two groups. One group identifies problems related to the irregular ups and downs in the total economy, which we call the business cycle. Each business cycle is composed of two parts. The good part is called the expansion, and during it business improves, jobs increase, investments gain value and standards of living -- on average -- rise. The bad part is called a recession, and of course, we know what happens then: sales drop, unemployment rises, investments fall and standards of living deteriorate. Issues related to the business cycle are called cyclical problems. The most obvious cyclical problems occur when the economy is in a recession, with the focus being on curbing unemployment and sparking an economic revival. But there can be cyclical problems even when the economy is improving during an expansion. Often, concerns will develop about rising inflation, higher interest rates, labor shortages and -- in some areas like N o r t h C a r o l i n a ’s Tr i a n g l e r e g i o n population growth that is outstripping the development of roads, schools and other infrastructure. The second set of economic issues share in common the fact they are present in both the good parts (expansions) as well as the bad parts (recessions) of the business cycle. They
are fundamental issues that go to the foundation of the economy, and they affect the longrun growth path of the economy. Economists term them structural problems. Examples of today’s structural problems include the continuing impacts of globalization and rising educational needs on the labor force; the forecasts of ever higher federal debt and projected financing shortfalls in programs like Social Security and Medicare; the meaning of our aging population for government finances, the job market and health care; and the challenges of rising energy costs and the quest for energy alternatives. Economists argue it’s useful to keep cyclical problems and structural problems separate for two key reasons. First, they can help us understand why the economy doesn’t perform the same in all states and regions. For example, it is well-known that North Carolina’s job market has lagged the national labor market in recent years. Certainly cyclical problems related to the recession have hit both the nation and North Carolina. But it can also be argued that on-going structural problems -- particularly related to globalization and the reduction of labor inputs to manufacturing -- have been affecting North Carolina more than the nation. Also, once the cyclical issues related to the recession subside, many regions in North Carolina -- often in rural counties -- will continue to experience very high
unemployment. But this isn’t because the recession hasn’t ended. Instead, it’s because the structural problems in those areas continue. My last comment leads to the second reason it’s important to keep the cyclical and the structural problems separate. It’s because the policies designed to address each set of problems are often different and sometimes even conflicting. Here’s one good example. The federal government has reduced the payroll tax workers pay to fund Social Security and Medicare. The move is designed to help the cyclical problem of a slow economy by putting more spendable funds in workers’ pockets. But since both Social Security and Medicare face future funding shortfalls, this reduction actually hurts the structural problem faced in the long run by those two programs. Sometimes it may feel like you just can’t win with the economy. Economic success may be a long way off, but the first step is identifying the problems. You decide if separating cyclical problems from structural problems helps.
WRITE US A LETTER! YC News
132 W. Main St.
Burnsville, NC 28714
Are we teaching illegals instead of training American workers for jobs on the farm?
Subject: Pesticide S a f e t y Wo r k s h o p being offered across the state From your article (Feb 16, 2012), the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service and the North Carolina Farm Bureau Safety Team are partnering to help growers train Spanish-speaking farm workers on pesticide safety. It is against the law for illegal aliens to be here. Our government agencies are stealing from the American people. These agencies are supposed to be working for the American citizen. Promote and pay our American workers enough to do this work. Our American workers do not want to work with gangs of illegal aliens. Train our workers from their youth, and pay them enough to have a lifetime career. Do not turn our American farms over to illegals to poison our foods. Our government transferred the growing of tobacco over to other countries. That is not their job to dictate. Is our government getting its orders from a foreign power? This is what has happened to America. Tom Robinson Burnsville
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Obituaries Christine Thomas
Christine Thomas, 58, of Cane Branch, died Sunday, March 4, 2012, at Mission Hospitals St. Joseph Campus. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Juanita Winfield Brockey. She was a loving wife and mother. Surviving is her husband of 40 years, Gary Dennis Thomas; a daughter,Jennifer Thomas of Houston, Texas, and a son, Craig Thomas of the home; two brothers, Jeffrey Brockey and Gerald Brockey of Cumberland, Md. Funeral was Wednesday with the Rev. Dale Banks officiating. Burial was in the Crabtree Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.
Tommy Ray Sineath
Tommy Ray Sineath, 59, of Burnsville, passed away unexpectedly Monday, March 5, 2012, at his home. A native of Moore County, he was a beloved son, husband, father, brother and grandfather. He was the son of the late Frank and Alma Sineath and stepson of the late Tom Clayton. Tommy and his wife, Ginger, were married for 40 years. He was a loving father to Brian (Allyson) of Weaverville, Daniel “Randy” (Tabitha) of Austin, Texas, and Kyle (Lauren) of Florida, and a precious grandfather “Papa” to Davis and Luke Sineath. Also surviving are sisters: Rose Sledge and husband, David, of Houston, Texas, Merryellen Hensley of Baytown, Texas, and April Earley of Jacksonville, Fla.; father-inlaw Cliff Worsham Jr., and wife, Karen, of Southern Pines; brother-in-law: Cliff Worsham III, and wife, Sylvia, of Weaverville, and many nieces and nephews. Tommy was a Navy veteran and then spent a lifelong career in all areas of general contracting. He loved hunting, fishing, working in his shop and above all, being with his family. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, March 9, at First Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be from 2 until 3 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Donations may be made to the Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Foundation, www.brrhfdn. org or the Western NC Down Syndrome Alliance, PO Box 421, Weaverville, NC 28787 www.wncdsa.org.
Lois Robinson
Lois Phillips Robinson, 85, of the Bee Log Community, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 2, 2012 in Mission Hospital. A native of Yancey County she was a daughter to the late Harrison and Lora Pate Phillips and the wife of the late Virgil Robinson, who passed away in 1996. She was also preceded in death by two infant sons: Keith and Carroll Robinson; a daughter, Judy Kay Robinson; and five sisters: Opal Phillips, Edna Tipton, Edith Pate, Josie Robinson and Georgia Ramsey. She was a member of Bee Log Baptist Church. Lois was a kind, humble lady who loved to read her bible, always helped others and enjoyed her flowers. Surviving are her son, Kenneth Robinson and wife, Rhonda, of Bee Log; granddaughter, Tasheena Marlene Robinson; grandson, Keith Daniel Robinson both of Burnsville and a special caregiver, Cindy Whitson of Green Mountain. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral was Sunday in the Chapel of Yancey Funeral Service. Burial followed in the Bee Log Cemetery.
Earl Gene Webb
to Mitchell-Yancey Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Earl Gene Webb, 71, of Meadow Road, Box 409, Micaville, NC 28755. A memorial died Saturday, March 3, 2012, after a period of service and potluck will be held at the Celo declining health. Earl passed away peacefully Friends Meeting at 3:30 p.m., April 15. at his home surrounded by his family. Elaine McIntosh Earl was born on January 9, 1941, to the late Elaine McIntosh, 71, of Pensacola, died Arthur and Lucy Webb in West Virginia. He was preceded in death by one brother, George Thursday, March 1, 2012 at her home. Dale Webb. A native of Yancey County, she was a Earl was married to the late Anna Louise daughter of Clara Atkins Penland of Pensacola Bollinger and was survived by two daughters and the late Bill Penland. Elaine was a faithful Mrs. Bradley Mathson (Lisa) of Whitehall, member of Laurel Branch Baptist Church, Wisconsin and Mrs. David Weaver (Leslie) of serving in the children’s ministry, seeking Hickory. He was loved by nine grandchildren: God’s will for herself and the children she Nathaniel Aldridge of Blair, Wisconsin, Levi Aldridge of Whitehall, Wisconsin, Lucy-Lou served. Surviving in addition to her mother is Mathson, Lily-Lan Andrea Mathson, Daisyher husband of 36 years Claude McIntosh; Mae Alissa Mathson and Isaiah Luke Mathson all of Whitehall, Wisconsin, Emilie Ann a daughter, Teena Fox and husband, Jeff, of Weaver and Allen Mayo Weaver of Hickory. Nebo; a son, Ronnie McIntosh and wife, Lisa, He was also survived by his faithful canine of Burnsville; five grandchildren: Brandi Gilliland and husband, Kyle, of Asheville; companion of six years, Buddy. Earl was an OTR truck driver for many Cody Fox and wife, Darsey, of Waynesville; years and retired from Lance Transport. He Ashley Geouge and husband, Mark, of was a dedicated member of South Bend Burnsville; Jayme Maier and husband, Cole, of Church and loved his brothers and sisters in Burnsville; Kyle McIntosh and wife, Katrina, Christ. of Burnsville; two great-grandchildren: Funeral was Monday in the Chapel of Hunter Geouge and Collin Gilliland, a sister: Yancey Funeral Service. Memorial donations may be made to Barbara Peek and husband, Grady, a brother: Gideons International PO Box 264, Burnsville, Dean Penland and wife, Mozelle, all of Burnsville, several nieces and nephews and NC 28714. her loving dog Abby Gail. Funeral was Saturday in the Laurel Branch Pamela Isobel Murray Baptist Church. Burial was in the Allen Pamela Isobel Murray, 72, of Burnsville, passed away on Monday, March 5, 2012, at Cemetery on Cattail Creek. Memorials may be made to The Gideons the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospital. A native on Johannesburg, South Africa, International, P. O. Box 264, Burnsville, she was the daughter of the late George and NC 28714 or Laurel Branch Baptist Church Grace Smit Burton. Building Fund, c/o Joe Capps, 201 South Face Surviving is her husband, Roger, of the Lane, Burnsville, NC 28714. home; a daughter, Maureen Makings of Burnsville; two sons: Gavin Murray of Lorain Gortney Arnhem, Holland, and Bruce Murray of Lorain Gortney, 78, of Phipps Creek Road, Jacksonville, Fla., and six grandchildren. died Wednesday, February 29, 2012, at St. A private family memorial service will be held. Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is Joseph Campus of Mission Hospitals. A native of Yancey County, she was assisting the family. a daughter of the late Cling and Estelle Letterman Hughes and the wife of Calvin Carol Henry Carol Henry’s strong, loving heart stopped Gortney, who died in 2001. She was also beating at dawn on Sunday, March 4, 2012. preceded in death by a son, Rickey Gortney, who died in 2005, and a brother, Fate Hughes. Her spirit is with us still. Her spirit blooms in the Hudsonia montana, Surviving are her son Maurice C. a rare wildflower on a craggy outcropping now Gortney and wife, Karen, of Asheville; stepprotected thanks to her keen eye. grandchildren Nichole Wells of Weaverville Her spirit offers a firm foundation for and Josh Wells of Atlanta; three sisters: Louise hundreds of people in Mitchell and Yancey Webb of Hickory, Mary Evelyn Thomas County - she was a founder of Mitchell- and husband, Billy, and Emily Wilson and Yancey County Habitat for Humanity, and the Stitch and Chat group that gathered around her husband, Ronnie, all of Concord. Funeral was Friday in the Chapel of table has raised more than $25,000 by selling Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home with the colorful patchwork potholders. Her spirit lingers in the mind’s eyes Revs. Billy Thomas, Phillip Parker and David of hundreds of now-grown Spruce Pine Ingram officiating. Burial was in the Academy Montessori kids. With Ms. Carol’s gentle Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Gideons guidance they learned to sound out words, recognize trees, sing songs, and make new International, P. O. Box 264, Burnsville, NC friends. 28714. Her spirit sings with the Celo Sacred Harpers. Her title is clear and she’s homeward bound. Worship event planned Her spirit fills the hearts of her family and a multitude of friends. Celebrating her A worship event with singer song-writer loving spirit are her four daughters (Linda and worship leader Catherine Mullins, will Henry, Nancy Raskin, Janet Henry, and Cindy be held Saturday March 31, at 7 p.m., and McMahon) and their families (Bob and Emma Sunday April 1, at 10:30 a.m. at Abundant Snope; Randy, Lane, and Evan Raskin; Matt Life Outreach, 12023 S 226 Hwy Spruce Pine. Revis; and John, Caleb, and Katie McMahon) This is a free event. No reservations as well as her brother, Walter Moore Jr., his required. For more information, go wife, Marian Moore, and their children and to abundantlifeoutreach.com or email grandchildren. abundantlifeoutreachinfor@yahool.com or The family asks that contributions be made call 828-765-2567.
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Schools get ready for kindergarten registration
Ya n c e y C o u n t y S c h o o l s Kindergarten Registration Kickoff will be held March 22 from 11:30 -3:30 at the Burnsville Town Center. Either before or after registering your child for Kindergarten on March 22, come join us for a fun-filled afternoon at the Burnsville Town Center, 11:30 – 3:30. Activities scheduled are fingerprint kits completed by Police Department; school bus safety activities with a school bus tour; face painting along with balloons, introduction to Letterland along with Letterland characters, games with Yancey County Schools PE staff; art activities and much more. A dental hygienist will also be on hand. Up-coming kindergartners will also receive a free ice cream cone coupon from McDonald’s and a free hamburger coupon from Burger King. Registration for all children who will be entering kindergarten during the 2012-2013 school year will be held in each Yancey County elementary school on Thursday, March 22, from 1–6 p.m. The parent or guardian must bring the following documents to registration: • Child’s birth certificate (certified copy preferred; mother’s copy acceptable) • Child’s social security number and Medicaid ID number (if applicable) • Student residence verification (two items of verification – see below)
The NC Kindergarten Health Assessment Report along with the immunization record signed by doctor/certified nurse practitioner are required for enrollment. If possible, bring the completed Health Assessment Report with you to registration. The NC Kindergarten Health Assessment Report is available on line (http:// kindergarten-information.yancey. schoolfusion.us), from health care providers, and at local elementary schools. Any child entering kindergarten during the 2012-2013 school year must be five (5) years of age on or before August 31. The current statute specifies a single entry age for enrollment in a public school and designates kindergarten as the initial point of entry into the system. Certified copies of your child’s birth certificate can be obtained from the Yancey County register of deeds if your child was born in North Carolina. The cost of obtaining an out of county birth certificate at the Yancey County Register of Deeds office is $24. All kindergarten children must comply with the state immunization guidelines and Health Assessment Law. North Carolina General Statute 130A – 441 requires children entering school to have both the kindergarten health assessment form and their immunization records completed and up-to-date by the first day of school. Parents must make sure the information recorded on the child’s immunization/health record is signed by a doctor
Church planning several activities
Join Green Mountain Presbyterian Church for the following: • March 14 at 6:30 p.m. St. Patrick’s After Dinner Scripture & Dessert fellowship. • March 25 Worship through Song, led by Roberta Whiteside at 11 a.m. • March 28 at 6:30 p.m. special guest, Rev. Pete Fender will be speaking at Prayer Meeting. Refreshments will follow. • April 6 at 6 p.m. the 6th Annual Women’s Seven Last Word’s of Christ Program. A potluck will precede the service. • Easter Sunday, April 8, worship will begin at 7:30 a.m., along with Holy Communion followed by breakfast. No 11 a.m. service.
Circle K to host book discussion With the upcoming theatrical release of The Hunger Games directed by Gary Ross on March 23, people of various age groups have shown an interest in the book by the same title by Suzanne Collins. As a result of this heightened interest, Mayland Community College Circle Kiwanis Club will host a book discussion on
or certified nurse practitioner or registered nurse who meets the North Carolina Division of Health Standards. This form can be downloaded on the Yancey County Schools website; http:// kindergarten-information. yancey.schoolfusion.us .The form is also available at most health care providers and will be available on Kindergarten registration day, March 22. For information or questions regarding the immunizations and health assessments, please contact the school or Patti Hughes RN, School Nurse, at 828/682-4515. Parents or guardians who are unable to bring the required immunization records and health assessments records to the kindergarten teacher before school is out this year should wait until school opens in the fall to bring these records. During the summer, buildings are being cleaned and materials may be misplaced. Student residence verification must be submitted to the school when registering for kindergarten or when enrolling your child in Yancey County Schools for the first time. The verification of address must be accompanied by any two of the following items: • Property tax records which indicate the street or road address location of the residence • Copies of mortgage documents or copies of the deed of property which indicate the street or road address of property • Copy of residential lease showing residence address • Copy of current driver’s
the evening of Thursday, March 22. Leading this discussion will be Elizabeth Baird Hardy, who is an English teacher at Mayland Community College, a writer, and an avid lover of books, and has been using the novel with her ENG 111 courses for the past two years. The public is invited to join in this event for games, snacks, and a discussion of one of the most important works of literature of our time. This is a free event and will be held at the Main Campus of Mayland Community College at 6 pm on March 22. For more information call 1-800-4-MAYLAND, x 209.
license showing street or road address • Current utility bill showing residence address • Copy of voter registration form showing street or road residence address • C o p y o f a u t o m o b i l e registration showing street or road address Failure to provide the student residence verification information requested may be result in the reassignment of the student to another school or the suspension of attendance privilege until the necessary information is provided. Parents requesting student transfer must first register the child in the school district in which the child resides. Transfer requests are available online, http://kindergarten-information. yancey.schoolfusion.us. The transfer request form must be completed by the parent, signed for approval by the principal of the school requested and the principal of the school from which the student is transferring, then submitted to the YCS Board of Education for approval. A Request for Transfer can be denied by the principal of either school or by the YCS Board of Education. For questions regarding general registration information contact your child’s school. Forms and general information are also available on the Yancey County Schools website, http:// kindergarten-information.yancey. schoolfusion.us .
Pastel Society exhibition set this fall
Pastel artists: the 2012 Appalachian Pastel Society Juried National Exhibition, Oct. 18 – Dec. 14, 2012 at the Asheville School in Asheville, NC. Deadline for entries: August 1, 2012. For prospectus, visit www.appalachianpastelsociety. org.
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Health
Surgeon General authors new report on youth smoking More than 3.6 million kids smoke cigarettes The fight against youth tobacco use was accelerated Thursday by Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, with the release of the Surgeon General’s Report, Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults. This report details the scope, health consequences and influences that lead to youth tobacco use and proven strategies that prevent its use. To help communicate the report findings and steps every American can take to join the fight against youth tobacco use, the surgeon general also unveiled a guide with practical information on addressing tobacco use in young people, Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults: We Can Make the Next Generation Tobacco-Free. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health will launch the Surgeon General’s Video Challenge to engage youth and young adults in developing original videos that feature one or more of the report’s findings. More information can be found
at www.Challenge.gov. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable and premature death, killing more than 1,200 Americans every day. For every tobacco-related death two new young people under the age of 26 become regular smokers. Nearly 90 percent of these replacement smokers try their first cigarette by age 18. Approximately 3 out of 4 high school smokers continue to smoke well into adulthood. “Targeted marketing encourages more young people to take up this deadly addiction every day,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “This administration is committed to doing everything we can to prevent our children from using tobacco.” This administration has taken historic steps to protect children from the dangers of tobacco use including the passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (TCA) which gives the Food and Drug Administration authority to regulate tobacco products to prevent use by minors. TCA prevents tobacco use through activities such as age and identification verification at retailers, restrictions on the sale
of single cigarettes and a ban on certain candy and fruit-flavored cigarettes. Other activities include support for state quitlines and implementation of web and mobile based interventions aimed to reach young people. The surgeon general’s report provides further scientific evidence on the addictive nature of nicotine. The younger individuals are when they start using tobacco, the more likely they are to become addicted and the more heavily addicted they will become. “The addictive power of nicotine makes tobacco use much more than a passing phase for most teens. We now know smoking causes immediate physical damage, some of which is permanent,” said Dr. Benjamin. “Today, more than 600,000 middle school students and 3 million high school students smoke. We don’t want our children to start something now that they won’t be able to change later in life.” While the long-term health effects of tobacco use are well known, this report concludes that smoking early in life has substantial health risks that begin immediately in young smokers.
These include serious early cardiovascular damage and a reduction of lung functionality. This lung damage is permanent, causes shortness of breath immediately and increases the risk of pulmonary diseases later in life. Expenditures for marketing and promotion of tobacco products exceed $1 million an hour – over $27 million a day – in the United States alone. Targeted messages and images that portray smoking as an acceptable, appealing activity for young people are widespread, and advertising for tobacco products is prominent in retail stores and online. “We can and must continue to do more to accelerate the decline in youth tobacco use,” said Dr. Howard Koh, assistant secretary for health at HHS, “Until we end the tobacco epidemic, more young people will become addicted, more people will die, and more families will be devastated by the suffering and loss of loved ones.” Copies of the full Report, executive summary, and the easyto-read guide may be downloaded at http://www.surgeongeneral. gov. To order printed copies of these documents go to http://
State details top-ten consumer complaints
Last year, 18.483 consumers filed complaints with Attorney General Roy Cooper’s Consumer Protection Division. To file a complaint or get tips on avoiding problems, visit www.ncdoj.gov or call 1-877-5-NOSCAM. Here are the top consumer complaints of 2011 as reported by the state attorney general:
1. Lending: 3,998 people complained to us about lenders last year. Complaints often include problems with high interest rates, charges for late or missed payments, adjustable rate mortgages, prepayment penalties and loan fees. Many consumers are looking for help dealing with foreclosure, or have fallen for a foreclosure assistance or loan modification scam. It’s against North Carolina law to charge an upfront fee for foreclosure help. For free help dealing with foreclosure, call 866-234-4857 or 888-995HOPE. 2. Health Care: In 2011, a total of 3,271 people filed complaints about health insurance, medical providers, and health products and services. Common complaints include getting charged money for supposedly free trials of weight loss products. Consumers often have problems with medical billing or collection practices, and also complain about overcharging for medical services. For help with health insurance issues such as grievances, appeals, and
external reviews, call our Managed Care Patient Assistance Program at (919) 733-MCPA or (866) 867MCPA (toll-free in North Carolina) or email MCPA@ncdoj.gov. 3. Do Not Call/Unwanted Te l e m a r k e t i n g C a l l s : 2 , 9 3 3 consumers filed complaints with our office about unwanted telemarketing calls in 2011. Among the top sources of complaints are offers for credit cards with lower interest rates, free grants, or debt consolidation services. Many of these pitches are made using illegal robo calls which ask consumers to press a number to speak with a representative. To cut down on unwanted sales calls, join the Do Not Call Registry. Sign up at www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888382-1222 from the number you wish to register. 4. Credit and Collections: 1,426 North Carolinians filed complaints about credit repair scams, debt collectors and identity theft. Complaints about scams that promise to fix your credit or settle your debts for an upfront fee are increasingly common. Under North Carolina law, it’s illegal to charge an upfront fee for credit repair or debt settlement help. Consumers also complain about threatening calls from debt collectors. People also get calls about debts that aren’t really theirs, as identity thieves continue to steal personal financial information and use it to run up debts and commit
fraud in someone else’s name. 5. Motor Vehicles: We received 1,348 complaints from consumers who had problems with car repair and purchases. Common complaints include mechanical problems with used cars, difficulties obtaining a car title when the dealership has gone out of business, and failure to honor warranties. People also complain about pricing, improper diagnosis, unauthorized repairs, and slow repair jobs. 6. Telemarketing Fraud: A total of 1,036 North Carolina consumers filed complaints about telemarketing fraud last year. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that fraudulent telemarketers take as much as $40 billion a year from unsuspecting U.S. consumers. Scammers often located outside the U.S. try to lure consumers into giving up their money and their personal information. Some of the most popular telemarketing schemes pitch bogus lower credit card rates, international lottery tickets, advance fee loans, government grants, identity theft protection, and phony prizes or sweepstakes. 7. Home Repair: We received 988 complaints about home construction and repair work. Most consumers who complain are dissatisfied with work done on their homes. Other common sources of complaints are contractors who abandon the job after getting paid, miss deadlines, or go over budget. There are also
scam artists who target homeowners, especially seniors, attempting to talk them into a series of expensive and unnecessary repairs. 8. Television Services: 946 consumers filed complaints about problems with their television or television service in 2011. Many consumers complained about warranty issues, unsatisfactory repairs, and advertisements for TVs that weren’t actually available at the retailer. Consumers can also file complaints with the Consumer Protection Division about satellite television and state-issued cable franchises. 9. Internet/Computers: 911 consumers complained about Internet service providers, unsolicited e-mails, computers, computer software, Internet auctions as well as merchandise they ordered online that was never delivered. 1 0 . Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s : We heard from 825 people with complaints about their telephone or cell phone. Many people complain that bundled packages don’t provide the savings they were expecting. People also have problems with cell phone bills, poor cell service, and the cramming of unauthorized charges onto their phone bills.
March 8, 2012
• yANCEY cOUNTY nEWS 7
Regional Market Reports Which markets offer Yancey farmers the best return on their investment? Should they head west, east or south? Agriculture and food industries accounted for $29,057,488 in Yancey County income in 2000, or 7.77 percent of the total county income. Livestock, poultry, and their products accounted for 23 percent of the total agricultural market. So this list recounts the prices in the last week at regional farm markets.
Harward Brothers Livestock Market, Turnersburg, NC Weighted Average Report for Monday Feb 27, 2012 Cattle Receipts: 1921; Last Week: 717; Last Year: 1464 Slaughter cows trended 1.00 to 3.00 higher, bulls trended 7.00 higher. Feeder cattle trended mostly steady to 7 higher with instances 10 higher. Slaughter cows made up 20 percent of the offering, slaughter bulls 2 percent, replacement cows 1 percent, other cows 1 percent, and feeders 76 percent. The feeder supply included 35 percent steers, 40 percent heifers, and 25 percent bulls. Near 13 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs.
Regional Livestock Center, Canton. Weighted Average Report for Monday Feb 27, 2012 Cattle Receipts: 412. Last Week: 166. Slaughter cows made up 14 percent of the Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1 - 2 offering, slaughter bulls 3 percent, replacement cows 4 percent, and feeders 79 percent. The feeder supply included 39 percent steers, 35 percent heifers, and 26 percent bulls. Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price Near 35 percent of the run weighed over 600 lbs. 6 165-195 182 205.00-240.00 224.97 Feeder Steers Medium and Large 1 - 2 10 200-240 221 212.50-232.50 224.61 Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 24 250-295 273 194.00-229.00 214.38 2 225-245 235 200.00-220.00 210.43 31 300-345 325 190.00-217.50 203.91 Tennessee Sheep and Goat 1 265-265 265 225.00 225.00 46 350-395 375 175.00-217.00 198.29 Auction 2/24/12 Tennessee 1 335-335 335 208.00 208.00 38 400-445 424 173.00-218.00 201.13 Livestock Producers Graded 4 360-390 379 197.50-217.00 203.56 28 450-495 472 171.00-217.00 187.78 4 400-443 432 195.00-207.00 197.78 Goat and Sheep Sale. Receipts: 16 500-549 537 178.00-202.00 184.50 5 455-495 469 180.00-190.00 187.29 495 (402 Goats; 93 Sheep) Last 13 500-535 514 174.00-182.00 178.88 14 550-595 571 158.00-182.00 168.43 Sale 587. Next Sale April 13. 19 550-585 577 160.00-179.00 176.19 12 600-630 613 154.00-166.00 162.01 (Second and fourth Friday of 9 605-645 620 149.00-166.00 162.20 6 655-675 665 152.00-160.00 157.35 11 650-695 674 140.00-156.00 148.03 each month) 3 715-730 720 128.00-144.00 135.66 14 710-740 730 127.00-149.00 145.15 Goats sold per hundred weight 2 750-765 758 142.00-143.00 142.50 4 755-795 768 130.00-147.00 138.47 (cwt) unless otherwise noted, 5 805-835 821 131.00-136.00 134.79 4 800-808 806 139.00-140.75 140.32 2 860-885 873 124.00-127.00 125.52 weights, actual or estimated. Small 1 - 2 Small 1 - 2 Slaughter Classes: Kids 3 365-395 377 150.00-168.00 155.81 4 200-245 228 129.00-180.00 154.42 1 465-465 465 155.00 155.00 Selection 1 1 525-525 525 169.00 169.00 6 255-295 274 130.00-190.00 163.86 25-35 lbs 267.00-270.00 1 555-555 555 135.00 135.00 10 300-345 320 110.00-185.00 159.73 36-50 lbs 265.00 Medium and Large 3 19 355-395 378 120.00-180.00 156.51 51-65 lbs 247.50-261.00 2 355-395 375 160.00-170.00 164.73 4 410-430 421 160.00-176.00 163.89 3 530-540 537 135.00-160.00 146.74 66-80 lbs 220.00-235.00 10 450-495 480 150.00-170.00 159.63 1 530-530 530 140.00 140.00 Brahman X 81-90 lbs 150.00 5 515-545 524 145.00-165.00 158.27 3 555-585 572 154.00-157.00 155.31 Selection 2 1 505-505 505 120.00 120.00 Full 1 630-630 630 138.00 138.00 25-35 lbs 217.50-255.00 5 550-575 568 126.00-155.00 147.77 Holstein Large 3 1 565-565 565 130.00 130.00 Full 36-50 lbs 252.50-270.00 1 245-245 245 60.00 60.00 1 380-380 380 65.00 65.00 2 605-620 613 142.00-144.00 142.99 51-65 lbs 249.00-250.00 1 455-455 455 60.00 60.00 2 650-675 663 120.00-148.00 133.74 66-80 lbs 202.50-225.00 2 530-530 530 100.00-105.00 102.50 1 705-705 705 116.00 116.00 81-90 lbs 197.00 5 675-690 680 107.00-111.00 107.79 2 875-875 875 97.00-115.00 106.00 Selection 3 1 720-720 720 84.00 84.00 Medium and Large 3 1 975-975 975 78.00 78.00 25-35 lbs 215.00 1 260-260 260 150.00 150.00 2 1105-1105 1105 79.00-80.50 79.75 36-50 lbs 247.00-249.00 2 310-340 325 172.50-180.00 176.42 Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1 - 2 51-65 lbs 237.50-242.50 1 330-330 330 106.00 106.00 Thin Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 66-80 lbs 190.00 2 380-380 380 150.00-165.00 157.50 1 175-175 175 155.00 155.00 Yearlings Selection 2-3 1 245-245 245 189.00 189.00 2 445-445 445 160.00-174.00 167.00 1 310-310 310 182.50 182.50 3 465-495 483 169.00-175.00 171.26 60-120 lbs 134.00-208.00 5 375-395 384 160.00-176.00 167.71 1 555-555 555 137.00 137.00 Slaughter Bucks/Billies 8 405-445 429 160.00-172.00 166.80 1 695-695 695 141.00 141.00 All Wgts 106.00-190.00, 12 450-495 475 150.00-168.00 160.42 1 775-775 775 135.00 135.00 mostly 108.00-116.00 20 500-540 519 145.00-167.50 155.84 Holstein Large 3 6 555-585 575 150.00-170.00 161.47 Slaughter Nannies/Does 2 170-185 178 140.00-141.00 140.48 4 605-645 629 141.00-155.00 147.00 All wgts 86.00-130.00, few 4 273-273 273 140.00 140.00 15 650-692 688 135.00-141.00 140.49 207.50 8 310-345 335 130.00-141.00 137.84 3 700-705 702 124.00-135.00 129.67 Kids Feeders Selection 3 5 750-790 770 111.00-124.00 118.77 27 355-395 375 120.00-142.00 136.24 31-52 lbs 181.00-191.00 2 815-820 818 110.00-124.00 117.02 5 415-440 428 127.00-131.00 128.20 Small 1 - 2 SHEEP 6 455-495 466 115.00-131.00 124.13 1 245-245 245 150.00 150.00 6 500-545 524 114.00-122.00 118.04 Slaughter Lambs-Includes all 1 330-330 330 125.00 125.00 breeds, sold per hundred weight 2 505-505 505 139.00-140.00 139.50 Upstate Livestock Exchange, Williamston, SC (cwt). 1 515-515 515 155.00 155.00 Full Report for Monday Feb 27, 2012 2 565-590 578 119.00-128.00 123.40 Choice and Prime 40-60 lbs Cattle Receipts: 581 Last week: 325 Last year: 2 620-630 625 134.00-138.00 135.98 707. Slaughter cows and bulls 3.00-5.00 higher, Good, Choice and Prime 61-80 Medium and Large 3 Feeder steers and heifers steady-4.00 higher. lbs 209.00-217.00 3 410-445 425 130.00-155.00 145.02 Slaughter cows made up 14 percent of the Good 209.00 , Choice and 4 450-485 466 130.00-147.50 137.61 offering, slaughter bulls 2 percent, replacement Prime 81-100 lbs 169.001 520-520 520 140.00 140.00 cows 4 percent, other cows 2 percent, and feeders 7 575-595 586 115.00-146.00 135.11 188.00, Good 157.50-170.00 79 percent. The feeder supply included 30 1 630-630 630 120.00 120.00 percent steers, 41 percent heifers, and 29 percent Choice and Prime 100-120 lbs 1 685-685 685 115.00 115.00 bulls. Near 15 percent of the run weighed over Good 147.00, Choice and Prime Feeder Bulls Medium and Large 1 - 2 600 lbs. (Figures in parentheses are weighted 120-150 lbs 143.00-147.00, Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price average weights and prices for each category) 6 400-440 428 189.00-202.50 194.79 150-170 lbs 122.00 Feeder Steers: Medium and Large 1-2 210-230 6 450-485 468 182.00-193.00 186.39 lbs (223) 210.00-240.00 (222.94); 260-295 Slaughter Ewes Utility and 13 505-547 532 159.00-175.00 164.13 lbs (276) 200.00-235.00 (218.61); 300-345 Good:All wgts 128.00-160.00 9 550-595 570 150.00-167.50 156.04 lbs (316) 212.00-233.00 (218.81); 350-395 Slaughter Rams: 11 600-645 629 139.00-152.00 147.64 lbs (371) 197.00-220.00 (203.92); 400-430 All Wgts Not well tested. 4 650-660 655 145.00-150.00 146.25 lbs (416) 195.00-206.00 (198.53); 450-490 3 705-720 715 137.00-140.00 138.01 lbs (463) 178.00-199.00 (189.72); 500-535 3 775-785 778 120.00-135.00 129.36 lbs (511) 170.00-183.00 (176.84); 550-590 Tennessee Dept of Ag-USDA 2 820-845 833 124.00-128.00 125.97 lbs (565) 165.00-179.00 (169.54); 600-645 Market News, Nashville, TN 1 865-865 865 126.00 126.00 lbs (630) 152.50-161.00 (155.88); 650-675 Small 1 - 2 lbs (663) 148.00-149.00 (148.51); 700-710 1 435-435 435 140.00 140.00 lbs (705) 138.00-144.00 (140.98); 810-830 4 460-475 469 140.00-158.00 151.45 lbs (820) 98.00-104.00 (101.04). Small 1-2 1 540-540 540 150.00 150.00 210-225 lbs (218) 195.00-198.00 (196.45); 255-295 1 580-580 580 100.00 100.00 lbs (272) 175.00-182.00 (178.17); 320-325 lbs (323) Medium and Large 3 180.00-197.50 (190.89); 385-395 lbs (390) 175.005 405-440 427 140.00-180.00 158.54 182.50 (178.70). Medium and Large 3 315-345 lbs 3 450-465 458 166.00-170.00 167.68 (333) 150.00-175.00 (164.81); 350-395 lbs (374) 1 540-540 540 150.00 150.00 121.00-160.00 (146.90); 475-485 lbs (480) 155.005 550-585 566 120.00-140.00 130.75 160.00 (157.53). 1 705-705 705 120.00 120.00 Brahman X Feeder Heifers: Medium and Large 1-2 165-180 lbs Bred Cows Medium and Large 1 - 2 Young (173) 200.00-205.00 Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price (201.73); 210-230 lbs (223) 205.00-220.00 (211.42); 1 795-795 795 825.00 825.00 Per Head 7-9 Months Bred 255-280 lbs (265) 197.50Medium and Large 1 - 2 Middle Aged 212.00 (204.29); 300-345 lbs (319) 182.50-200.00 2 920-1060 990 725.00-900.00 818.69 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred (190.07); 350-395 lbs (371) 1 1370-1370 1370 999.00-1200.00 1200.00 Per Head 4-6 Months Bred 175.00-183.00 (178.19); 400-445 lbs (424) 174.002 965-1195 1080 875.00-1125.00 1013.31 Per Head 7-9 Months Bred 188.00 (177.92); 450-495 lbs Medium and Large 1 - 2 Aged (475) 164.00-174.00 (167.42); 500-545 lbs (524) 1 1000-1000 1000 875.00 875.00 Per Head 7-9 Months Bred 155.00-166.00 (158.38); 560-590 Boner 80-85% Lean lbs (579) 146.00-157.00 (150.50); 600-645 lbs (623) 2 700-885 793 76.00-80.00 78.23 140.00-153.00 (147.66); 6651 127-127 127 84.00 84.00 High Dressing 690 lbs (677) 125.00-137.00 (128.46); 700-745 lbs (733) 1 880-880 880 68.00 68.00 Low Dressing 117.00-124.00 (118.87); 17 900-1355 1141 72.00-83.00 76.84 755-795 lbs (776) 114.00-128.00 (121.97); 815-845 lbs 8 1090-1355 1226 84.00-90.00 86.99 High Dressing (830) 99.00-119.00 3 1055-1190 1137 60.00-70.50 66.76 Low Dressing (108.82). Small 1-2 210-220 lbs (215) 185.00-187.50
1 1 1
565-565 615-615 660-660
565 126.00 126.00 615 130.00 130.00 660 100.00 100.00 Holstein Large 4 1 425-425 425 105.00 105.00 1 460-460 460 100.00 100.00 2 575-580 578 90.00-91.00 90.50 1 625-625 625 92.00 92.00 Feeder Heifers Medium and Large 1 - 2 Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 7 150-185 164 182.50-240.00 223.14 14 200-245 223 181.00-222.50 196.64 19 250-295 275 167.50-218.00 185.43 46 300-345 324 160.00-192.50 175.79 41 350-395 370 150.00-186.00 168.26 56 400-445 423 155.00-180.00 167.41 80 450-495 474 150.00-179.00 161.98 43 500-545 520 145.00-173.00 158.12 28 550-595 566 145.00-164.00 154.98 16 600-645 613 140.00-154.00 146.27 11 650-695 669 132.00-146.00 138.16 4 710-740 721 131.00-136.00 133.49 2 760-765 763 127.00-140.00 133.52 1 870-870 870 123.00 123.00 Small 1 - 2 3 225-235 230 175.00-180.00 178.37 3 265-290 278 130.00-160.00 144.55 1 295-295 295 100.00 100.00 Yearlings 7 305-335 322 120.00-160.00 150.21 12 360-395 381 120.00-164.00 145.07 15 405-445 426 120.00-155.00 144.96 4 460-495 474 121.00-140.00 128.05 5 505-530 517 105.00-146.00 134.44 2 575-595 585 102.00-138.00 120.31 2 630-640 635 115.00-120.00 117.52 3 650-675 660 110.00-125.00 118.23 1 705-705 705 127.00 127.00 1 805-805 805 99.00 99.00 Medium and Large 3 4 275-295 285 125.00-160.00 146.90 2 315-340 328 150.00-167.00 158.18 1 340-340 340 120.00 120.00 Full 1 390-390 390 138.00 138.00 3 400-420 408 131.00-165.00 150.49 8 460-495 475 125.00-165.00 146.43 2 515-520 518 105.00-141.00 123.09 2 560-595 578 105.00-130.00 117.12 1 610-610 610 120.00 120.00 1 670-670 670 130.00 130.00 1 725-725 725 130.00 130.00 2 755-765 760 98.00-121.00 109.58 1 790-790 790 77.00 77.00 Yearlings Feeder Bulls Medium and Large 1 - 2 Head Wt Range Avg Wt Price Range Avg Price 42 400-445 423 172.00-210.00 196.92 46 450-495 473 160.00-202.00 182.09 51 500-545 522 162.00-186.00 173.11 26 550-590 566 150.00-185.00 164.55 20 600-640 619 145.00-161.00 154.45 8 655-685 659 120.00-158.00 146.51 5 705-735 721 142.00-147.00 143.99 4 750-785 771 124.00-138.00 131.95 (186.28); 255-290 lbs (272) 170.00-183.00 (175.85); 310-340 lbs (328) 150.00-177.00 (168.24); 375-395 lbs (383) 135.00-137.50 (136.18); 400-440 lbs (419) 139.00-150.00 (143.50); 460-490 lbs (475) 140.00149.00 (144.36). Medium and Large 3 350-395 lbs (367) 105.00-130.00 (114.74); 410-420 lbs (415) 110.00-112.00 (111.01); 750-770 lbs (760) 75.00106.00 (95.20). Feeder Bulls: Medium and Large 1-2 400-440 lbs (416) 187.00-213.00 (196.41); 450-495 lbs (470) 181.00-197.00 (186.89); 500-548 lbs (526) 170.00-179.50 (174.42); 555-595 lbs (570) 160.00170.00 (164.35); 605-645 lbs (626) 148.00-163.00 (153.74); 650-665 lbs (658) 146.00-152.00 (148.97); 710-735 lbs (723) 129.00-139.00 (133.91); 755-785 lbs (776) 121.00-127.00 (123.72); 815-835 lbs (827) 100.00-124.00 (109.42). Medium and Large 3 400-425 lbs (413) 137.00-137.50 (137.26); 485-490 lbs (488) 115.00-135.00 (125.05); 500-530 lbs (515) 125.00140.00 (133.24). Bred Cows: Medium and Large 1-2 Young 700-850 lbs (775) 830.00-880.00 per head 1-3 months bred (852.58). Medium and Large 1-2 Young 1015-1130 lbs (1072) 900.00-1160.00 per head 4-6 months bred (992.94). 9801035 lbs (1008) 950.00-1000.00 per head 7-9 months bred (974.32); 1300-1405 lbs (1353) 999.00-1265.00 per head 7-9 months bred (1176.09). Medium and Large 1-2 Middle Aged 760-785 lbs (773) 550.00-660.00 per head 1-3 months bred (604.11). 1000-1050 lbs (1030) 770.00-820.00 per head 4-6 months bred (803.01). Slaughter Bulls: Yield Grade 1-2 1420-1465 lbs (1445) 104.50-107.00 (105.34); 1575-2600 lbs (1940) 97.00110.50 (105.77). (3)COW CALF PAIRS: Medium 1-2 1045-1095 lbs young-middle age cows with 140-250 lbs 1210.001450.00 per pair. (44)HOGS: Barrows-Gilts U S 2-4 215-295 lbs 67.0080.00, Sows U S 3-4 315-510 lbs 70.00-78.00, B B Q PIGS 115-195 lbs 62.00-70.00. (60)GOATS: KIDS 1 20-40 lbs 45.00-55.00, KIDS 1 40-60 lbs 65.00-70.00, KIDS 1 60-80 lbs 85.00-90.00, KIDS 2 20-40 lbs 32.50-35.00, NANNIES 1 70-100 lbs 70.0077.50, NANNIES 1 100-140 lbs 85.00-95.50, NANNIES 1 140-180 lbs one 200.00, BILLIES 1 70-100 lbs 92.50-97.50, BILLIES 1 100-150 lbs 122.50-127.50, BILLIES 1 150-250 lbs 130.00-147.50. Source: SC Dept of Ag-USDA Market News Service,
8
March 8, 2012
• yANCEY cOUNTY nEWS
Alex Biggerstaff on Hoop Stars ballot Mountain Heritage Cougar Senior Alex Biggerstaff is a finalist for the Army Hoops Stars of the Year competition. Fans can support Alex by voting for him online in the campaign, which honors the best high school basketball players in the Army recruiting territory in Western North Carolina. Fans will select the Hoop Stars of the Year with an online vote at www.TheSportsFlash. com. Voting for the Hoop Star of the Year began Monday, March 5, and will end at midnight on Sunday, March 18. The winner will be announced on Monday March 19. HOOP STARS – BOYS’ FINALISTS Alex Biggerstaff – Mountain Heritage Devonte Boykins – East Rutherford Ethan Freeman – McDowell Justin Gonyea – Hayesville Trever Hyatt – East Burke Austin Mask – Mitchell Rory McClure – Pisgah Taylor McCurry – Enka Travis Waldroup-Rodriguez – T. Jefferson Sam Wilkins – Hendersonville HOOP STARS – GIRLS’ FINALISTS Shakira Allen – Erwin Lauren Armstrong – North Lincoln Sarah Henson – Smoky Mountain Alexis Maney – Cherokee Meghan McQuade – Hayesville Nicole Miller – West Henderson Lindsay Simpson – Franklin Madi Story – Bandys Christi Terry – Roberson Katie Williams – Robbinsville The program honors the best high school basketball players in the company’s recruiting territory in western North Carolina. Each week, fans voted online to select the Hoop Star of the Week. Each weekly winner was an automatic finalist for the Hoop Stars of the Year. Fans have the opportunity to vote online to select the best high school basketball players in Western North Carolina. To vote, visit http://www.thesportsflash. com/HOOPSTARS-NC.htm.
2012 MHHS Men’s Golf Schedule Date Site Host
Time
March 15 Hendersonville CC Hendersonville 1 pm March 22 Reems Creek Madison 1 pm March 27 Meadowbrook Polk County 1 pm April 2 Cleghorn Plantation Thomas Jeff. 2 pm April 16 Black Mountain Owen 2 pm April 19 Grassy Creek Mitchell 2 pm April 26 Mount Mitchell Mtn. Heritage 2 pm
All area youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join the fun for free, fun pick-up basketball games every Tuesday in March at Higgins Memorial UMC Family Life Center from 5:30-6:30 p.m. “We are encouraging youth to come out and have some fun while getting exercise” said Kim Garland, Healthy Higgins coordinator at Higgins UMC. This is a good opportunity to take advantage of an indoor facility while it is still dark out in the evenings and kids are looking for something fun to do. “The youth that have been attending are having a great time and burning off some good energy” said Steven Grindstaff, Youth Group coordinator at Higgins UMC. Snacks are provided. Drop in any Tuesday in March to participate. Higgins Memorial is located at 101 N. Main Street, Burnsville. For more information, call Graham Children’s Health Services at 682-7899.
May 1
Mountain Glen Avery
2 pm
May 7
1A Cleghorn CC Thomas Jeff. 2A Fox Den CC Statesville
TBA TBA
May 14 - 15 1A State Championship - Keith Hills CC TBA 2A State Championship - Longleaf CC TBA . Head Coach: Carrie Huskins
March 8, 2012
• yANCEY cOUNTY nEWS 9
Varsity spring sports kick off at Mountain Heritage Varsity Softball Schedule Mountain Heritage Varsity Baseball Schedule 4 p.m. Feb. 25 MH @ Christ School 1 p.m. March 1 North Buncombe Away 9 North Henderson Away 4 p.m. Feb 28 MH @ Erwin 4 p.m. 13 Hendersonville Away 4 p.m. Mar. 1 MH @ N. Buncombe 4 p.m. 14 North Buncombe Home 4 p.m. Mar. 3 MH @ Unicoi TN 12 p.m. 16 Polk Away 4 p.m. Mar. 13 Hendersonville @ Home 4 p.m. 20 Owen Away 4 p.m. Mar. 14 North Buncombe @ Home 4 p.m. 23 Thomas Jefferson Away 4 p.m. Mar. 16 MH @ Polk 4 p.m. 27 Mitchell Home 4 p.m. 28 Trailblazers Home 4 p.m. Mar. 20 MH @ Owen 4 p.m. 4 p.m. Mar. 23 Thomas Jefferson @ Home 4 p.m. April 3 Madison Away 4 North Henderson Home 4 p.m. Mar 27 MH @ Mitchell 4 p.m. 6 Hendersonville Home 4 p.m. Mar 30 Avery @ Home 4 p.m. 17 Thomas Jefferson Home 4 p.m. April 3 Madison @ Home 6 p.m. 19 Polk Home 4 p.m. April 4 Christ School @ Home 6 p.m. 20 Mitchell Away 4 p.m. April 6 MH @ Hendersonville 4 p.m. 24 Avery Home 4 p.m. April 17 MH @ Thomas Jefferson 6 p.m. 25 Trailblazers Home 4 p.m. 27 Madison Home 4 p.m. April 19 Polk @ Home 6 p.m. 30 Owen Home 4 p.m. April 20 Mitchell @ Home 5 p.m. Away 4 p.m. April 24 MH @ Avery 4 p.m. May 3 Avery 8-10 Tournament @ Madison TBA April 27 MH @ Madison 6 p.m. Conference Tournament May 3-5 in Forest City
Girl’s Soccer Conference Games
3/14 - Wed Hendersonville Home 3/19 - Mon Polk Away 3/21 - Wed Owen Away 3/23 - Fri Hendersonville Away 3/26 - Mo Thomas Jefferson Home 3/28 - Wed Mitchell Away 4/2 - Mon Madison Home 4/4 - Wed Avery Home 4/18 - Wed Owen Home 4/20 - Fri Polk Home 4/23 - Mon Thomas Jefferson Away 4/25 - Wed Mitchell Home 4/30 - Mon Avery Away 5/2 - Wed Madison Away 5/9 1st Round of Playoffs 5/12 2nd Round of Playoffs
6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m.
6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 6 p.m. 5 p.m. TBA TBA
Track Schedule Date Location Coaches: Erik Buchanan, Jared Pope, Susie Shelton March 3 @ Madison March 8 @ Madison March 17 @ Owen March 22 @ North Buncombe March 29 FCA Men’s Meet @ Madison March 30 FCA Women’s Meet @ Madison April 5 @ Mitchell (3:30 pm) April 7 Home April 12 @ Avery April 14 @ Mitchell (3:30 pm) April 26 @ Mitchell (3:30 pm) April 28 Home May 4 Conference Meet @ Madison May 14 Regional Meet @ North Henderson May 21 State Meet @ NC A&T
Support your Spring sports at Mountain Heritage
Go Cougars!
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March 8, 2012
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Is it the experience, or the trophy? This past weekend I spent the better part of one part of the split was taken as the main the days waiting on huge antlers to cross the beam over the other, it could sway the official curtain at the Dixie Deer Classic in Raleigh. score by a rather large sum. My opinion was Saturday kicked in with, now this is hear-say, also the opinion of other more experienced a record attendance for one day. Friday and scorers, and resulted in a lower score. The Sunday were not bad, but Saturday forced hunter was visibly disappointed. show goers to walk shoulder to shoulder at But my response was it was a beautiful times. deer, an outstanding example of taxidermy, While the number of heads to be scored and a trophy that could and should be valued seemed slower than past years, the quality for a lifetime. Couple that with the actual was certainly there. A scorer at a trophy show experience of not only seeing such a wonderful such as the Dixie Deer Classic is given some animal in the wild, but successful in the basic training, and usually paired with another harvesting of that animal, and there should be experienced scorer during his first event. no disappointment what so ever. If we only Typical racks rarely present a problem. Cut hunt for the trophy, the experience means less. and dry measurements are taken in which the However, if we hunt for the experience, then main issues are usually mistakes in adding the trophy means much more. fractions or judgments on whether something is a point or not and whether the measurement Bill Howard is an avid bowhunter and on the ruler should be rounded up or down an outdoorsman. He teaches hunter education scorers worked together on the deer. The deer 8th of an inch. (IHEA) and bowhunter education (IBEP) in was mounted in a beautiful half body pose. For non-typical racks, things can be a North Carolina. He is a member of North little trickier. Often, the ones with a lot of The rack, still in velvet as the deer was taken Carolina Bowhunters Association and Pope ‘junk’ are left to the brave souls willing to early in the season, had what appeared to be a & Young, and is an official measurer for both. attempt what amounts to a tedious, and time split in the main beam of the right antler. This He can be reached at billhoward outdoors@ consuming ordeal. Properly trained scorers is where the judgment call came into play. If gmail.com. usually make the right calls on these interesting and challenging antlers. Then, there are some that require judgment calls that can affect the overall scores greatly. Without getting to deep in the science, maybe even art, of scoring tough antlers, scorers take it very seriously and often recruit help from other trained scorers for their opinions as well. Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young trained scorers take on the difficult, and potential record book mounts with passion that is often equal to the same passion the hunter exudes on his trophy quest. Accuracy is first and foremost the top priority in order to properly honor the game animal. Now to answer the question from the beginning of this column. Sunday, a hunter was dissatisfied with the score received on his deer. In order to assure proper measurements were taken, not only did another scorer volunteer to re-score the trophy, but a panel of Steven Patterson, Bill Howard and Cole Carr scoring at the Dixie Deer Classic in Raleigh.
Bill Howard’s
Outdoors
Wildlife classes teach Talkin’ Turkey and Wildlife Photography The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host a free “Talkin’Turkey” program March 24, from 9 a.m. until noon. The program is being coordinated by the Commission’s Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. The informative program is suitable for ages 12 and older. Wildlife enforcement officers will discuss the
history of wild turkey in North Carolina, hunting methods and equipment, calling techniques, safety concerns, and other helpful hunting strategies and tips. Pre-registration is required by calling 828-877-4423 or registering online. The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is one of four learning facilities operated
by the Commission. Located south of Asheville off U.S. 276 and next to the Davidson River, the Pisgah Center offers free admission, daily showings of an award-winning documentary, and online schedules of upcoming events and conservation activities. The Center will also offer ‘Outdoor Photography for
the Beginner,’ a four-hour classs on the basics of nature photography including how to use general equipment and effective composition. The class begins at 9 a.m. March 24.Bring your camera and come have a morning of learning and clicking. The class is open for those age 14 and up. Register at www.ncwildlife.org.
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FOR RENT
Executive mountain home with 3 bed/3 baths, beautiful views, Fireplace, wood stove, open floor plan and recreational rights to the Cane River for fishing, swimming, etc. West side of Burnsville. Available 4/15/2012. $950/ month. Cattail Peak Realty, Burnsville 682-3217. 3 Bedroom apartment in downtown Burnsville. Electric included. $550/ month. Please call 865-6073208. Dollar and a Deed is all you Need! For a new home. Call Sam @ 828-684-1550 After 5 call 828-768-3648.
WANTED TO BUY Need Cash? Got Clothes, Furniture, Household Items?
CLASSIFIEDS
Planning a yard sale? Call 828-284-9449. I will buy good condition items. No calls on Sundays or after 8 PM.
LAND FOR SALE 6.29 acres land plus 3 bedroom, 2 bath Mobile home for sale in Ramseytownship. Will finance with 10% downpayment. Listed at $110,000. 828-329-4958
FOR SALE 4 Bd Rm 2 Bath 2,000 sq ft. Delivered to your property. $68,800! Call Sam 828684-1550 After 5 call 828768-3648 3 Bd Rm 2 Bath New home. Only 2 left $23,995. Call Sam 828-684-1550 After 5 call 828-768-3648
Dune Buggy for sale $2,500 OBO. 828.208.0406.
1999 Toyota Camry, good condition, needs shocks. $1,950.00. Please call 828208-7137 Boxwoods for Sale. $10 each. 828.208.0406. MOVING SALE - 290 gallons of oil, 500 gallon oil drum, Moniter heater with standing 275 gallon tank, Bed, Chest of Drawers, 2 End tables, - could be antique, Call for Pricing. 682-7062 after 2 p.m.
MISSING DOG
2 Year Old Female White Husky. Answers to Eryn (Aaron) Has one blue eye and one brown eye. $100.00 REWARD if returned safely.
Missing since January 20, 2012 from Burnsville area. Please call 828-682-6008 or 828-284-8661 if you have any information. Please leave message if no answer.
SERVICES
Will do housecleaning, sit with elderly, Reliable, responsible, and reasonable rates! Please call Linda, 828682-7984. Sewing alterations. Call 208-3999. Neighbors helping Neighbors, a Bolens Creek Community Project. Call 208-3999. L a u r a L a n i e r, B . A . C e r t i f i e d Te a c h e r. Multisensory Language Tutor, Orton-Gillingham Trained. 81 Summertrees Lane, Burnsville, NC 28714 828-682-4174 Low Interest Loans to
Qualified Home Owners for Any home improvement projects. 828-273-0970 First Time Home Buyers. Special Financing Program New Homes Only! Call Sam 684-1550 After 5 call 768-3648 Grading, excavating, hauling RICE Grading and Hauling: Land Clearing, Roads, Ponds, Home Sites, Erosion Control, Gravel, Fill Dirt, Mulch, Septic Systems & Repair, Retaining Walls. FREE ESTIMATES. Firewood for sale! Call
Tim Rice, Burnsville 828284-2979 Upgrade your home. I will trade for any used mobile home! No pay-off too BIG. Call Sam 828-684-1550 After 5 call 828-768-3648. Give the gift of reading! Subscribing to Yancey County’s ONLY LOCALLY OWNED newspaper can provide a year’s worth of great information! Only $25 will get your home delivery started TODAY! Call 6783900 to sign up NOW!
Director of Social Services Yancey County Yancey County Board of Social Services is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Social Services Director. The Director serves as the Executive Officer of the County Department of Social Services, executing the authority of the Department as defined in G.S.108A-14. The Director appoints and supervises all Department of Social Services staff in the delivery of agency services to the residents of the County and will provide leadership and direction for program development, establishing program standards, and monitoring and evaluating quality of service delivery. The Director will supervise budget activities and will act as spokesperson for the agency relative to program issues. The Director will represent the agency with government officials, other Human Services providers and with community planning efforts. Qualified candidates must possess: • Thorough knowledge of the legal and philosophical basis for public welfare programs, including client rights; • Thorough knowledge of the principles and practice of social work; • Thorough knowledge of management principles, techniques and practices; • Knowledge of the agency’s organization, operation and objectives, and applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations; • Ability to exercise sound judgment in analyzing situations and making decisions; • Ability to direct employees and programs in the various areas of responsibility; • Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with the general public and with federal, state and local officials and • Commitment to quality services for clients. Minimum Training and Experience Requirements: A Master’s degree in social work and two years of supervisory experience in the delivery of client services; or a bachelor’s degree in social work and three years of supervisory experience in the delivery of client services, one of which must have been in Social Services; or graduation from a four year college or university and three years of supervisory experience in the delivery of client services, two of which must have been in Social Services; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Salary is commensurate with experience and State personnel guidelines. Submit letter of interest, resume, salary history, list of professional references, transcripts, and the completed official NC PD 107 application form (available at www. yanceycountync.gov or http://www.osp.state.nc.us/jobs/ pd107ltr.pdf ) by April 20, 2012 to: Gwen Harris, Interim Director Yancey County DSS PO Box 67 Burnsville, NC 28714 The position is open until filled. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE, YANCEY COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION Administrator / Executor notice Having qualified as Executrix of the estate of Johnnie Crain of Yancey County of North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before 8th day of May 2012 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment. This the 29th day of February 2012. Mary Crain 330 Crain Rd. Flag Pond, TN 37657
3/1, 3/8. 3/15, 3/22 2012
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‘Learn from us,’ couple says, ‘and stay in school’ Mark and Sherry Stout will celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary on March 31. They met when both were attending 10th grade at Faith Christian School in Spruce Pine. “It was a good school,” they say, “but we were drawn out of the classroom by the thoughts of getting a job and earning a steady paycheck.” So, when they were 16, these two left school and started working at a local fast food restaurant. After a span of time, they both left this workplace and went their separate ways, not to see one another again until 15 years later. Then one Sunday, when Sherry was visiting her Aunt Ruby in the hospital, providence placed Mark at that same location at the same time. Their renewed friendship matured into a lovely courtship which soon resulted in their engagement and marriage. They both agree they could never have been favored with a more wonderful, perfect life companion. Their love and respect for each other is clearly evident as they smile while easily sharing their story of bygone days, as well as their hope and faith in their future together. For 12 years, they enjoyed their mutual love of the great outdoors and camping (Mark has a passion for deer hunting and fishing), their loyalty to family ties, their faith in God, a commitment to caring for their beloved parents and precious “grand young’uns” Trevin and Aden, a continuing interest in education, a heart for helping others, and service in their church at Greater Joy Fellowship in Newland. Mark is gifted in woodworking, construction and carpentry, and in his younger years he earned a comfortable living at Lexington and Ethan Allen Furniture companies. But when those industries closed and relocated, Mark said he knew it was time to make a major life change.
“Companies were not hiring anyone unless they had finished high school or earned their GED,” he said. “I knew I could do the job and do it well at many places I applied for work, but I did not have the diploma which was required to get a better job with benefits. It was time for me (to) earn my high school equivalency, the GED.” Meanwhile, Sherry’s workplace of 14 years, Taylor Togs in Micaville, relocated to Mexico. So she, too, enrolled in classes at Mayland Community College. Both Mark and Sherry successfully earned their GED diplomas and walked in ‘’cap and gown’’ ceremonies across the Sam Center Auditorium stage on Mayland’s Main Campus. Sherry lacks only one class at MCC to earn her degree in horticulture, and one day she hopes to have her own business: Sweet Water Greenhouse. “Sweet Water will be a perfect name,” she said as she reflects on the future business which had been envisioned by “Poppe,” her late father-in-law. For now, as Sherry awaits completion of that one class, she is experiencing great personal satisfaction as a busy and happily devoted homemaker who loves having a delicious hot meal waiting for Mark when he arrives home in the evening following a day’s work at his dream job. In 2011, Mark completed 168 hours of Detention Officer Training in the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) classes at Mayland and successfully passed the state certification examination which is required for all detention officers who serve at any sheriff’s office across the state of North Carolina. In addition, Mark earned certification in CPR and fire safety as well as in subject control, and he is now employed with the Avery County Sheriff’s Office.
“The Mayland instructors who led these BLET classes were Steve Clawson, Mark McWilliams, and Bruce Pittman,” Mark said. “They are top-quality law enforcement teachers and do an excellent job. The classes are interesting and filled with good information and lots of hands-on training. Students learn a lot and are wellprepared for their service as detention officers.” According to Clawson, Mark was a great BLET student and all-around fine person. “We enjoyed having Mark in class, and we are proud of his success; he will definitely be an asset as a detention officer with the Sheriff ’s Mark and Sherry Stout who will celebrate Office,” Clawson said. their 11th wedding anniversary on Mark and Sherry said they March 31. This couple found the paths continue to be thankful for to their dreams with help at Mayland their learning experiences Community College. at Mayland Community to successfully earn your high school College. “We know firsthand,” they agreed, “that when one equivalency diploma. We did it; you door closes, God opens another can do it, too!” “Prepare today for your dream job door.” They know others might be of tomorrow. You can be prepared tempted to quit school at an early age, for when the employment market and they have one distinct message: strengthens and offers new and better Do not drop out! It is not worth it! job opportunities and a brighter The grass is not greener on the other future for you and your family,” side. Going to school is always easier Mark said. Any adult can complete the GED when you are young; your hard work and study will pay off in big ways. and enroll in classes that are not only It’s worth all the effort, so stay in personally satisfying but also serve as a key step toward a happier, more school!” “If you are over age 18, and you rewarding, and successful career. Interested persons can call or have already dropped out of school, for whatever reason, enroll in the free drop by to learn more about free GED classes now at Mayland before morning and evening GED classes all the upcoming GED changes at the Mayland Community College occur,” said the Stouts. “The GED class nearest them: In Spruce Pine, instructors are terrific to study with 828-765-7351, extension 216 or and they are very patient. They work 279. In Burnsville, 828-682-2154. with each student individually and In Newland, 828-733-5017. In help you prepare at your own speed Bakersville, 828-688-1986, or 1-800462-9526.
Rewards don’t aid academic performance
By John Rosemond
practice becomes embedded in a bureaucracy - in this case, America’s educational bureaucracy - changing it takes more Q: Our 8-year-old son was caught Living than evidence it isn’t working. It takes a proverbial act of stealing from the teacher’s prize box Congress. at school. He has done this in the with According to every manager I’ve ever spoken to in both past and was punished, but it seems settings, educational correctness is now having adverse he hasn’t gotten the picture yet. Do effect on motivation and productivity in the workplace and you have any suggestions for us? children the military. A submarine commander recently told me, for A: Before I answer your question, example, that many of the young people in his command don’t I want to address the issue of understand the concept of doing what is necessary simply classroom “prize boxes.” because it’s necessary. And they have great difficulty grasping A few weeks ago, I wrote a column concerning the disconnect between research and practice in that obeying orders is not reason enough to receive special privilege. I America’s schools. This “prize box” foolishness is a prime example hear pretty much the same complaint from managers in corporate and business settings. The most-often used word is “entitlement.” of just that. Where your son’s nimble fingers are concerned, I first recommend Well-done research has all-but completely debunked the notion that rewards improve academic performance. If any improvement does that his teacher make the prize box disappear. Since it won’t disappear, take place, it is generally short-lived. Furthermore, some research however, I encourage you to make him get up in front of the class has found that rewards can actually depress motivation and result in and apologize to everyone. In addition, there should be extended consequences at home (e.g., early bedtime for a month) and school lowered performance. In a school setting, this issue is complicated by what I call (e.g., no recess for a month). Will that solve the problem? Maybe, and “educational correctness.” These days, a teacher who gives rewards maybe not. The fact is - and it’s a fact every parent should keep in mind - when must come up with excuses to give them to every child in the class. If she doesn’t, she runs the risk of dealing with outraged parents as a child does something wrong, and the adults in his life respond by well as disapproving administrators. In the final analysis, therefore, doing something right, there is no guarantee the child will stop doing the wrong thing. In that case, the adults should simply keep doing the classroom rewards become meaningless, even counterproductive. All of this has been known for quite some time. The question, right thing. It’s called staying the course…no matter what. therefore, becomes: Why are America’s schools still using rewards Family psychologist John Rosemond answers questions at to “motivate” students when they are likely to have the opposite effect? The answer: bureaucracies are inherently rigid. Once a certain rosemond.com.
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Soil scientists investigate wastwater reuse options
Why do Americans continue to flush their toilets with drinking water? It’s a question that an N.C. State University team of soil scientists contemplates every day as they work to show that small-scale wastewater reuse can be a way to ensure a safe and plentiful water supply in the face of projected nationwide water shortfalls. Dr. Sushama Pradhan, a soils and on-site water technology research scientist, and Dr. Mike Hoover, a soil science professor and expert on on-site wastewater treatment, are leading research and outreach efforts to show that wastewater doesn’t have to be pumped all the way back to a municipal treatment plant to be safely treated and reused. This is particularly true, they say, for producing non-potable waters – those that aren’t used for drinking, cooking, showering or bathing. Pradhan and Hoover are focusing on what they call decentralized water reuse – smallscale systems that treat and then recycle water at the point where it is initially used: for example, within a home, an apartment building or a business – for toilet flushing, landscape irrigation, building chiller systems and other non-potable purposes. Groundbreaking research With the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hoover and Pradhan are wrapping up research into technology performance and health effects of such decentralized water reuse technologies. They are studying seven systems employing different technologies to treat and reuse wastewater for non-potable purposes at apartment buildings, resort communities, schools and clusters of houses. The systems are in New York, North Carolina and Texas and have flows ranging from about 1,000 to 500,000 gallons a day. The research is the first ever conducted in the United States on decentralized water reuse for non-potable purposes. “Australia and Germany are literally 10 years ahead of us when it comes to decentralized reuse,” Hoover said. “Research in other countries has shown the safety, but people
here want research done here, in in Greensboro, the N.C. State the United States.” University team has been assessing pilot wastewater treatment and Systems suited for rural areas water reuse technologies at Pradhan noted that decentralized the T.Z. Osborne Wastewater reuse can be successful in rural, Treatment Plant in Greensboro. suburban and urban communities. Other industry partners include “Even inside the city center, Reuse Innovations, a western where public sewers already exist, N.C. company; Aquapoint in decentralized reuse can occur Massachusetts, JaMac and using a process sometimes called Associates in North Carolina, sewer-mining,” she said. Grundfos in Denmark, BUSSE in As an example, she pointed to Germany and Nubian in Australia. the Visionaire, a 35-story building The team also collaborates with with 251 condominiums in lower public agencies, such as Chatham Manhattan. New York City’s and Orange county governments, drinking water and sewer systems the New York City Green Building serve the building, but the building Committee, the city of Los also has an on-site wastewater Angeles’ Department of Water treatment system in its basement. and Power, Los Angeles County’s “The non-potable waters Public Health Department and the produced from the sewage are Department of Infrastructure in then pumped back up into the Harris County, Texas. Federal labs building after treatment. These and non-governmental partners waters are acceptable for use for include NSF International’s toilet flushing, grounds irrigation, Wastewater Joint Committee, water display fountains, makeup U.S. Environmental Protection waters for chillers and other Agency’s National Environmental similar uses,” she said. Research Laboratory, the CDC’s “This approach diverts about National Center for Emerging half of the sewage that would and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, normally be going into New York and numerous universities and City’s sewers. Once this water colleges. is treated, it gets used a second time, a third time and so on. Outreach efforts This reduces drinking water use The research the team conducts by 48 percent in this high-rise is just part of what Hoover believes community,” she added. “Not it will take to push past the soonly does it save money, but this called “yuck factor” and gain approach also extends the life of public acceptance of wastewater the city’s drinking water supply reuse. That’s why, as part of his by as much as 30,000 gallons a responsibilities as a North Carolina day. The capacity of the city’s Cooperative Extension Service wastewater treatment plant is specialist, Hoover gives frequent also extended by an even larger decentralized wastewater reuse amount.” presentations, demonstrations and Closer to home, Pradhan and workshops for scientists, system Hoover have seen increased operators, environmental health interest in decentralized water specialists, engineers, builders reuse. At a new city park in and developers. Raleigh, for example, there are Frequently, these presentations plans to provide reclaimed water take place at the College of for toilet flushing. Recycled waters Agriculture and Life Sciences’ are also being used to irrigate golf L a k e W h e e l e r R o a d F i e l d courses from Lexington in the Laboratory, where displays Piedmont to Corolla in the Outer illustrate working demonstrations Banks. And a high school¬-middle of decentralized wastewater school complex in Greensboro treatment technologies. uses harvested rainwaters and At a January workshop, Pradhan locally treated wastewaters for discussed the CDC research and toilet and urinal flushing as well showed participants one of the as for athletic field irrigation. German technologies that can be Meanwhile, with the support of installed in a home’s basement and the Irish company Anua, which has treat wastewater for reuse within its North American headquarters the home and its yard. Dr. Barrett Kays, an N.C. State University Soil Science Department alumnus who leads the Raleigh-based environmental consulting firm Landis Inc., discussed several pioneering wastewater reuse systems that he’s helped develop. Hoover told workshop participants that centralized wastewater reuse has gained increasing acceptance in recent years, with cities and large communities treating wastewater and using separate pipelines to carry the treated non-potable water to customers for irrigation and other uses. But many North Carolinians – about 50 percent, he said –
will never be served by such centralized systems and instead rely on septic systems. If these people were interested in water reuse, they would need the types of decentralized technologies that Pradhan and Hoover are studying. Treating water for its uses While the N.C. State scientists stress the efficiency of decentralized wastewater reuse, they also emphasize the need to treat water to the safety level that matches the water’s intended uses, instead of treating all water to drinking water standards. As Pradhan noted, getting river water clean enough to drink can get expensive, and takes a lot of energy. Yet every day the average American uses 400 gallons of water treated to drinking water standards. “Only three of those gallons are consumed,” she said. “Some more is used for cooking food and taking showers, but the vast majority of the water we bring into our houses doesn’t need to be treated to the same extent as drinking water. So that’s why our team is focusing on the nonpotable water supply – on having water supplies that are fit for their purpose.” Hoover added, locally treating water supplies based on their intended purposes using this decentralized wastewater reuse approach is more efficient and less expensive than many centralized reuse options. Extending water supply “It’s clear we need to improve and enhance our water supply choices. We need to be sure there is more than just one menu choice for the future of water,” Hoover said. “Decentralized reuse for nonpotable water supply production is one means of doing that. “Decentralized wastewater reuse works facility by facility, community by community, home by home, business by business,” he added. “A drop of water becomes a quart, a quart becomes a gallon, a gallon becomes thousands of gallons. Thousands of gallons become millions of gallons. Millions of gallons are a water supply for a community. And it adds up. “Decentralized wastewater reuse is a way of extending our water supply drop by drop.” Gardening class at MCC will provide a schedule for maximizing your garden’s potential as well as the resources and practices needed to successfully implement your spring planting game plan. Learn what to plant, when to plant, and how to do it in a manner that is sustainable and productive. Develop a calendar of activities that aids in the accomplishment of goals based on your particular needs. Class begins March 10 at 1:30 p.m. at Mayland Community College’s Yancey Campus. Call 682-7315 for details.
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The nutritional benefits of sprouts By Medea L Galligan, MS Nutrition Few of us realize that a very simple and inexpensive solution to dramatically improving our overall health is easily within our reach, and that that solution is sprouts! Sprouts give us protein, important vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and anti-oxidants , as well as flavor and texture, to our often less-thanperfect diets. Yes, I’m talking about sprouts. Those simple little things we sometimes add on our salads are actually incredibly nutritious and good for us, and there are numerous ways to add them to our meals. Sprouts come in a variety of flavors to accent almost any meal, and in most cases have more nutritional value than the full size vegetables, often several times as much. This amazing food is so easy to incorporate into a well-balanced diet. The simplest way is to add them to sandwiches and salads, but you can also add the great taste, texture and variety of sprouts to soups, pizza, stir-fry dishes and omelets. Although Alfalfa and Bean Sprouts are the most familiar varieties, many other kinds of Sprouts are readily available, including Broccoli and Radish Sprouts, Garlic and Onion Sprouts, Lentil, Clover, Sunflower, Pea Shoots and Soybean. All of these individual varieties have their own unique flavors, textures and nutritional benefits. Sprouts can be excellent sources of protein and other essential nutrients. For example, one cup (100 grams) of Soy Sprouts contain the same amount of protein as 100 grams of Eggs, but zero cholesterol. Several types of sprouts contain more protein than cooked meat-at a tiny fraction of the cost. Also, the presence and balance of amino acids makes this protein much more digestible than animal protein. All sprouts are rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, and fiber. When exposed to light, several become rich in chlorophyll, which helps cleanse and oxygenate the blood. Enzymes aid in the digestion and assimilation of nutrients, and contribute to the body’s life force. Fiber aids elimination and their lecithin helps the body get rid of cholesterol. Antioxidants supply protection for you from radiation and toxic chemicals. They are an equipment of sorts to help the body to cleanse, detox, rebuild and heal itself. Antioxidant enzymes are especially important because they are essential for the proper function of the immune system, and organic sprouts are one of the best sources for these important nutrients, allowing you to be able to build up your immune system. The protein in Sprouts can be made “complete” by pairing Sprouts with garbanzo beans in a hummus sandwich. Pea Sprouts contain 3 times more phosphorus than Spinach, and over 4 times its potassium and niacin. Radish Sprouts provide 40 times more vitamin A than the mature radish vegetable. Studies have shown that in comparison to dried seeds, sprouted foods contain an amazing increase in nutrients. During the sprouting process, the vitamins, minerals, and protein increase substantially and the calories and carbohydrate contents decrease. These comparisons are based on the equivalent water content contained in the foods that were measured. As expected, analysis showed that dried seeds, grains, and legumes have a very low water content. The water and nutrient content increases when the same foods are converted into sprouts. Sprouts are real health food. The right combination of sprouts contains everything needed for life and health. All their many nutritional elements are easily assimilated and readily available to your body. And when you grow them at home, you know they are pure, and you can enjoy them at the peak of their
perfection. In addition to adding protein and other nutrients to your diet, many varieties of Sprouts contain plant chemicals that some studies indicate may protect against the onset of heart disease and cancer. Alfalfa Sprouts contain high levels of saponins, which have been shown in studies to reduce cholesterol. Much has been written about the cancerinhibiting properties of broccoli, but very few people know that Broccoli Sprouts actually contain 20 to 50 times the amount of the cancerinhibiting chemicals as broccoli. Johns Hopkins scientists have found a new and highly concentrated source of sulforaphane, a compound they identified in 1992 that helps mobilize the body’s natural cancerfighting resources and reduces risk of developing cancer. “Threeday-old broccoli sprouts consistently contain 20 to 50 times the amount of chemoprotective compounds found in mature broccoli heads, and may offer a simple, dietary means of chemically reducing cancer risk,” says Paul Talalay, M.D., J.J. Abel Distinguished Service Professor of Pharmacology. Clinical studies are currently under way to see if eating a few tablespoons of the sprouts daily can supply the same degree of chemoprotection as one to two pounds of broccoli eaten weekly. The sprouts look
and taste something like alfalfa sprouts, according to Talalay. Talalay founded the Brassica Chemoprotection Laboratory, a Hopkins center that focuses on identifying chemoprotective nutrients and finding ways to maximize their effects. Brassica is a plant genus more commonly known as the mustard family, and includes in addition to broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, cauliflower and turnips. By adding Sprouts to salads, soups, sandwiches and stir-fry dishes, you can bring new flavors and textures to everyday foods. They contain all of the nutrients found in the various fruits and vegetables. Eating sprouts is a safe way of getting the nutritional advantage of both fruits and vegetables without contamination and harmful insecticides. However, it’s very important that seeds and dried beans are purchased from a store where they are fresh, unsprayed and packaged as food. Seeds that are sold for planting may contain mercury compounds or other toxic chemicals. You can buy organic sprouting seeds at natural food markets, and there are a number of companies that sell organic seeds and sprouting kits on-line. If you are looking for simple ways to eat healthy in 2012, remember that Sprouts are a wonderfully easy and inexpensive way to add important nutrients to your diet. Medea L Galligan earned her Masters of Science in Nutrition from Oklahoma State University, and also attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’s Health Coach Training Program, located in New York City.
Sprouted bean stir fry
Serves 4 (or 2 and healthy leftovers for 1 minute, add oil and stir to melt it evenly. the next day!) 4. Toss in onion, let cook for 1-2 minutes, then add sprouted beans and stir fry, 4 cups water alternating between tossing and covering, 2 cup brown rice (basmati, long grain, for about 3-5 minutes, depending on the or a wild rice blend) type of sprouted beans you are using. 2 Tbs. unrefined coconut oil 5. While sprouts are cooking, mix your 1 onion, chopped 8-16 oz. sprouted beans (either one type or a mix, mung bean sprouts are delicious mixed with other types) Classic Stir Fry Sauce 2 Tbs. Tamari or Shoyu 1 Tbs. toasted sesame oil (or hot toasted sesame oil if you like heat!) 1 large clove garlic, minced 1 Tbs. fresh grated ginger root 4 Tbs. water (enough to dilute to your liking) Directions 1. Rinse and soak your brown rice in clean filtered water 8 hours or overnight. 2. Boil the water. Add the rinsed rice, stir, cover, and reduce heat to a very low simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until rice is done (it is best to set a timer and not lift the cover for at least 30 minutes). 3. Heat a skillet or wok over high heat for
sauce in a small bowl. 6. Pour sauce over sprouts, cover for another minute, and serve over a plate of steaming rice. Sit back and enjoy a warming , nutritious, and delicious meal!
16 March 8, 2012 • yANCEY cOUNTY nEWS
A public service of the Yancey County News