NCSU PEST NEWSThe latest issue, containing updates on current pest problems, is available here:http://ipm.ncsu.edu/current_ipm/pest_news.html VEGETABLE PLANTING GUIDE An excellent new resource for gardeners from NCSU Horticulture Dept.!http://cals.ncsu.edu/hort_sci/extension/documents/AG-756.pdf SMALL FRUITS NEWS Latest issue available here: http://www.smallfruits.org/Newsletter/Vol12-Issue3.pdf IPM SEMINAR Seminar on Integrated Pest Management, by Wayne Rowland, Ag and Natural Resources Technician, Monday, July 30, 6:30 pm at the Vance County Extension Office. NC SUMMER VINEYARD VISITSJuly 27th, sponsored by NC Muscadine Association and NC Winegrowers Association. More info. at:http://www.ncwinegrowers.com/docs/events/VineyardVisitAgenda.pdf ASPARAGUS TWILIGHT …
State & Federal Grants Workshop
Congressman G. K. Butterfield presents State & Federal Grants Workshop Thursday, August 9, 2012 8:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The Grants Workshop will include: Information on funding opportunities available to small businesses and non-profit organizations; Representatives from federal, state, and private agencies; and Panel discussions, how-to exercises, and customized break-out sessions. You don’t want to miss this! East Carolina Heart Institute 1115 Heart Drive Greenville, NC 27834 To register, call (252) 538-4123 or visit: www.butterfield.house.gov
Representative Michael H. Wray’s Raleigh Report
Even though the legislative session has ended, work continues on some proposed new laws. In the past week, the governor has signed nearly 50 bills into law. Nine bills were pending as of Thursday afternoon. The governor has until Aug. 2 to sign these bills, allow them to become law without her signature or veto them. If she vetoes any bills, the General Assembly could come back to Raleigh to consider an override. This week, I want to share with …
Butterfield Applauds East Carolina University’s Receipt of Nursing Anesthesia Grant
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for awarding East Carolina University (ECU) with a Nurse Anesthesia Traineeship grant in the amount of $12,516. The university will use the funds to support nurses who wish to obtain advanced educational preparation at ECU’s Nurse Anesthesia Program. “There is currently a local and national shortage of nurses and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists,” said Congressman Butterfield. “Research shows that the quality of …
Friday / Weekend Open Line
Beginning on this date in 1874, the largest swarm of Rocky Mountain locusts ever recorded blackened the skies from the Dakotas to Texas and stripped farm fields in minutes. The swarm is estimated to have been 1,800 miles long and 110 miles wide. The locusts not only ate crops but ate the wool off of living sheep and even brought trains to a halt. While not as large, similar swarms continued for several years. Then, in one of the greatest …
Biofuels Center of North Carolina in Oxford Awards Grants
Farmers, area restaurants and energy-conscious drivers could benefit from a pilot program to develop homegrown biofuels in the mountains. Blue Ridge Biofuels, AdvantageWest, Biltmore Estate and other partners have been awarded a $130,000 grant from the Biofuels Center of North Carolina in Oxford, NC for a yearlong study of the F3 or “Field to Fryer to Fuel” program. Blue Ridge Biofuels will produce edible oils from regionally grown oil seeds, sell these oils to restaurant partners for their frying needs …
Restaurant associations sue U.S. Dept. of Labor over tip pools
Restaurant industry trade associations have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on behalf of restaurants and restaurant employees who share in tips and participate in tip pools. The lawsuit was brought by the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association, the Washington Restaurant Association, the Alaska CHARR and the National Restaurant Association, along with a Portland, Oregon restaurant and an employee of that restaurant. The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court in Portland, asks the court …
“Revolution” filming set to begin this week in Wilmington
The new TV series “Revolution” began filming this week in the Wilmington area. After considering a number of filming locations, the show’s creator, Warner Bros. Television, decided on the region because of its locations, experienced local crew and vendors, and North Carolina’s film incentives program, according to the Wilmington Regional Film Commission. The production is expected to hire 125 film industry workers and hundreds of extras to work part time, the commission has said. The sci-fi adventure will tell an …
North Carolina Weekend
For the week of July 19 on UNC-TV’s “North Carolina Weekend,” work up an appetite with a culinary bike tour of Beaufort. Remind yourself of simpler times at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy. Take a spin on the Burlington City Park Carousel in Burlington. Lift a glass at Shadow Springs Vineyards in Hamptonville. And enjoy a tour around Wrightsville Beach. (Please note: listings are subject to change.) “North Carolina Weekend” is exclusively underwritten by the N.C. Division of …
Charlotte’s center city to host state’s first bike-sharing program
People who want to ride a bike in Charlotte will soon be able to rent a cycle from one of 20 stations in and around uptown. Charlotte Center City Partners was expected to formally unveil Charlotte B-Cycle, which they say is the state’s first bike-sharing program, at an event last Thursday. The first stations have been installed uptown at Trade and Tryon streets and outside 7th Street Public Market. The effort will formally debut in late July or early August. …
Charlotte and Durham N.C. venues among Pollstar’s top-selling theaters
Concert industry magazine Pollstar has released its list of the Top 100 ticket-selling theaters in the world for Jan. 1- June 30, and three sites are in North Carolina. Coming in at No. 2 in the world is Durham Performing Arts Center, whose tickets sold rank behind only Mexico City’s Auditorio Nacional. That makes DPAC No. 1 in the United States, ahead of fabled venues including Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre (No. 3 worldwide), Atlanta’s Fox Theatre (No. 5) and New …
Ghost Town in Maggie Valley has limited opening
Ghost Town in the Sky opened earlier this month – sort of. The once-popular amusement park in Maggie Valley opened its chairlift and a new zipline just in time for the July 4 holiday and is offering rides on both attractions. For now, visitors can view the mountains surrounding Maggie Valley and the valley itself as they ride the chairlift. Some arcade games are housed on the first level, and tours are being offered of the slowly recovering park. The …
Thursday Open Line
It’s time to pass the strained peaches or maybe the junior green beans. The 22nd annual National Baby Food Festival is under way today in Fremont, Michigan, and through Saturday some 100,000 people will enjoy top-ranked entertainment as well as baby food eating contests by adults and toddler races. Today in the U.S., there are more than 4 million babies being cradled or held in parents’ laps for their feedings. More than 12 million others aged 1 through 3 have …
Presidential Potluck July 20th, 2012
Organizing for America (OFA) in Vance County, the grassroots movement for President Obama’s Reelection campaign is in full swing for the upcoming November election. Organizing for America will be having numerous activities during the upcoming election season. Organizing for America in Vance County is launching its first ever ‘Presidential Potluck’ gathering this Friday, July 20th, 2012 at 6:30 PM at the Vance County Democratic Headquarters, 219 South Garnett Street, Henderson, NC 27536. The event will consist of two dynamic guest …
Southern Vance High School Hosts Orientation Sessions
The Ninth-Grade Orientation for incoming freshman who will attend Southern Vance High School will be held on Tuesday, August 7. Two sessions will be offered for the convenience of students and their parents. The sessions are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Anyone seeking additional information should contact Tannis Jenkins, ninth-grade school counselor, at 430-6000.
NC Cooperative Extension Updates
CANOLA/RAPESEED MEETING, 8/2 Thursday, August 2nd, 6 pm, Franklin County Extension Center, Louisburg. Featuring presentations by Dr. Ron Heiniger (NCSU Crop Specialist) and Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton (NCSU Crop Specialist). One hour of pesticide credit and CCA credits will be applied for. Please call the Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office (919-496-3344) to register by Monday July 30, 2012. A meal is being provided thanks to the generous sponsorship of Technology Crops International. WHEAT VARIETY DATAhttp://www.smallgrains.ncsu.edu/ VIDEO ON WHEAT VARIETIESDr. Randy Weisz …
Bono Mack, Butterfield Lead Efforts in House to Reauthorize, Extend U.S. SAFE WEB Act
WASHINGTON, DC — Calling it vitally important to efforts by the federal government to fight online fraud, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, and Ranking Member G. K. Butterfield (NC-1) today introduced bipartisan legislation (H.R. 6131) to reauthorize the U.S. SAFE WEB Act of 2006. Passed unanimously by the House and signed into law by President Bush, the U.S. SAFE WEB Act – set to expire next year – has become …
Crooks Using Court’s Health Insurance Ruling to Steal Private Information
Scammers always keep an eye on the headlines for events they can use to trick you. This time, they’ve jumped on the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act (“ObamaCare”). The scammers are pretending to be government employees. When they call, they may be armed with a bit of information like the routing number for your bank. The purpose of the call, they’ll say, is to “verify” that number or other information. Using that hook they push forward, …
Wednesday Open Line
This is the height of the U.S. golf season, with interest made high by international players taking part in major tournaments, and the return of Tiger Woods to the links, all covered by television. Even those who follow the sport may not know that the first 18-hole course in the country was the Chicago Golf Club, laid out in 1893 by Charles MacDonald, who was greatly influenced by courses in Scotland. The Chicago course was one of the original five …
Butterfield on the Passing of State Representative William Wainwright
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement on the passing of North Carolina State Representative William Wainwright: “I join with so many others who knew William in offering my deepest sympathy to his family on his passing. A devoted public servant of more than 20 years, Representative William Wainwright was an unwearied advocate of the people and communities he served. He lived a Christ filled life and possessed the extraordinary ability to make a …