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Iconic rockers REO Speedwagon will play at 9 p.m. Feb. 14 at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center.

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op congressBy Don Livingston • Guest Columnist

Congress is not our most popular branch of government, not by a long shot. Its lowest job approval rating, according to one respectable polling organization, was 9 percent late last year. Earlier this year, this polling firm found that only 13 percent of the respondents in its scientific survey felt that Congress was doing a decent job. Congress’ average job approval rating since pollsters began probing for such feedback in the 1970s is around 33 percent. That’s certainly nothing to brag about.

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To the Editor:

I read with interest the article regarding Western Carolina University and the regional tourism conference with hopes of learning something new in the industry. Disappointment set in knowing that the same-old, same-old hadn’t changed over the years.

It was like watching one of the network soap operas, once in 2001 and again in 2010 ... pretty predictable.

• Tourism and its effect on the local economy: a storyline from the 1970s still being played as an ace card.

• The need for regional marketing cooperation: thought that was the responsibility of Smoky Mountain Host.  

• Determining why visitors come to the mountains: fairly obvious, etc., etc.

I think the area tourism industry continues to lay a foundation and once that’s done, move over and lay another foundation without really building much of anything.  

What needs to be done is to play the game smarter and move forward. But what I see is tourism wheels spinning in the same old ruts. While the bed tax concept has been historically good for a local community, it divides a region. 

Too much bickering on the local levels. Monies and energies that could be used to accomplish much-needed goals are being wasted.

We will never be able to compete monetarily with Sevier County (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville) or the state of Florida; however, finding some “smart, out-of-the box” avenues for promotion just might be the ticket.

David Redman

Sylva

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To the Editor:

This may be liberal heresy, but it is true. Republicans are right about many things: “Family Values,” education and jobs. Republicans clearly saw the serious social damage caused by ignoring these issues.

Republicans correctly argue that the breakdown of the family and the increase in single-parent households greatly increases the poverty rate for families. So what is their response? They stop extended unemployment benefits. They cut family planning services and restrict contraceptive availability, thereby increasing out-of-wedlock births. Then they cut food stamps, of which 50 percent or more goes to children. Next they block Medicaid for millions, creating real health and financial hardships for poor and middle class families. This is the single greatest cause of bankruptcy in this country.

School reform has been a rallying cry for Republican for years. Broken school systems and overprotective unions are seen as a problem. To fix these problems they have gone on a crusade to eliminate teacher union, ignoring the fact that the states with the strongest unions consistently have the best schools. The most effective and proven school reform is preschool and assistance to disadvantaged kids. Yet Republicans have fought tooth-and-nail to stop these programs. The most successful universal preschool state is Kentucky; but apparently proven results don't trump politics.

As for jobs creation, Ronald Regan said, “The best social program is a job.” He was right. Most able-bodied citizens on public assistance say they would rather have a job that gives them the dignity that comes with supporting their families. So, how do Republicans go about creating jobs? They give big tax breaks to wealthy, the so-called “job creators,” who invest the extra cash in the stock market. They block attempts to improve our infrastructure. They stop any increase in the minimum wage, which on balance creates many more jobs than it costs. 

The key to a good job in the future is a good education. So what do they propose? They cut back funding for public education at all levels but give public money to religious schools. They charge high interest on collage loans and cut back funding for all forms of higher education. And my favorite: make our students share 15-year-old textbooks.

When it comes to family values, education and job creation; Republicans should be judged on what they do, not what they say.

Louis Vitale

Franklin

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To the Editor:

Rumor has it that once again vote buying may be taking place in Swain County and on The Cherokee Reservation. These vote buyers will use cash, liquor or fear to get your vote, because your vote is important to them. It helps insure that the “Old Guard” stays in control.

But your vote is important to you. It’s important that you as an American have the freedom, the right and the honor to vote your own choice.

If you are approached by anyone offering you something in exchange for your vote, contact the Board of Elections. Vote buying is a crime.

Do we really want someone running our county who has to buy votes to win?

Barbara Robinson

Bryson City 

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A public input session regarding the future growth in Cullowhee is scheduled for 6 p.m. May 6 at the Cullowhee Valley School Library. 

The session will focus on the Cullowhee Vision Plan, which has been prepared based upon comments provided at previous community meetings. Attendees will have the opportunity to comment on the draft plan, put together by the Cullowhee Community Planning Advisory Committee.

According to the 2010 census, Cullowhee is the fastest-growing area in Jackson County. The growth is evidenced by recent residential and commercial development.

The public input session is being hosted by the Cullowhee Planning Advisory Committee and Jackson County. 

828.531.2255 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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fr coffeeBy Jake Flannick • Correspondent

He had gained enough wealth as a young marketing executive to fulfill almost any of his aspirations. But the very trappings of success are perhaps what led Justin Phillips, 33, to turn elsewhere for clarity.

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greening upThe 17th annual Greening Up the Mountains Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 26, in downtown Sylva.

Named for the way spring’s green gradually progresses up a mountain, the festival is Sylva’s largest annual event and is expected to draw an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 attendees. 

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Live raptors, green building and spring flowers will all be part of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Greening of the Parkway special event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center. 

In this combined celebration of Earth Day, National Park Week and National Junior Ranger Day, visitors can learn how to landscape with native species, see spring animal babies, see a live raptor demonstration, tour a LEED-certified building, learn about sustainability and green building practices, check out the Parkway’s new green vehicles, learn about the Junior Ranger program and hike on a Kids in Parks TRACK Trail. 

Free, with food from Webo’s BBQ available for purchase. 828.298.5330, ext. 304. 

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The Wildflower Whimsy event, May 2-3, at the Highlands Biological Foundation, will feature guided garden tours, a live plant auction and reception — with live music — guided wildflower walks and a lecture. At 6 p.m. on Friday, Peter Loewer will present a lecture titled “Wildflowers and Native Perennials - and Even a Few exotics - for the Southeast.” Loewer is an established writer and botanical artist, writing on topics ranging from ornamental grasses to nocturnal flowers. 

The Wildflower Whimsy event runs from 5 to 8 p.m., May 2, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 3. $40 for Highlands Biological Foundation members, $50 for non-members or $25 for Friday night only. Friday tickets include heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, garden tours, live music and a seat during the lecture on Friday night. Saturday tickets include lunch and a wildflower walk. 828.526.2221 or www.highlandsbiological.org/wildflower-whimsy.  

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Another season is underway for Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market, which starts up again at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 26. The market will run every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon until mid-December at the parking lot of HART Theater and Museum of North Carolina Handicrafts, 250 Pigeon St. in Waynesville. 

On any given Saturday, 50 vendors will be there to sell food and craft items. Early season wares are spring greens, meats, eggs and starts for vegetables, herbs, annuals and perennials. Fresh seafood from North Carolina’s coast will be available Saturdays, and fresh-caught trout from Almond will also be sold. 

www.waynesvillefarmersmarket.com or like on www.facebook.com/waynesvillefarmersmarket for weekly updates on what’s being sold. 

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Rain barrels made from recycled food-grade containers are available for purchase at the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce and the Haywood County Cooperative Extension Office. They can also be ordered through the Haywood Waterways Association. 

The barrels have bug screen and connections for a garden hose, overflow pipes or to connect multiple barrels together. During drought, the barrels provide a source of irrigation water, reducing strain on rivers and wells, and they capture stormwater to reduce runoff when it rains. The average barrel captures 650 gallons of stormwater annually and has a 30-year lifespan. 

$80.25 each, including tax. Contact Haywood Waterways, 828.476.4667 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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out itsabarBear management will get a boost in the Smokies with $4,000 in Appalachian Trail license plate sales to go toward repairing damaged cables in the cable-and-pulley systems installed at each backcountry campsite and shelter in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

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out richlandVolunteers are needed to help Haywood Waterways root the invasive plants out of Richland Creek’s banks at Vance Street Park in Waynesville. From 2 to 5 p.m. April 29, the group will remove Japanese knotweed, multiflora rose, oriental bittersweet, Chinese privet and Japanese honeysuckle.

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out skateparkThe Waynesville Skate Park will be closed from April 28 to May 2 for repairs. The park will reopen May 3.

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out jrrangerNational Junior Ranger Day will spur festivities in Great Smoky Mountains National Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 26 at Oconaluftee, Sugarlands and Cades Cove visitor centers.

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To the editor:

The election season is here. Several candidates are promising to cut government costs or taxes, but they won’t say what services will be cut. These people either don’t know enough about the job they’re trying to get, or they’re insulting you, the voter. 

If a candidate knows enough about the office to be able to guarantee cuts, they know where those cuts will be. Macon County has already absorbed a lot of cuts from the state, mostly in education. This county already has the lowest property taxes in the state and runs remarkably well in spite of that. More cuts can only eliminate key services. Do you want more cuts in education? Police protection? Emergency and fire protection? 

If the candidate promises cuts, then demand to know where those cuts will be before casting your vote. The cuts might just be someplace very important to you. Your life could depend on it. Don’t vote for a pig in a poke!

Primaries are important. They determine the candidates who will best represent your interests and beliefs in November. Study the candidates, understand their positions, make your decision and vote.

John Gladden

Franklin

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To the editor:

Children are our future and as a former educator, I’ve been concerned about the cutbacks in spending for our schools. Teachers need to make a living wage and class size needs to be reduced so students can learn. Job growth and education should be talked about in the same paragraph, as they are inter-dependent. And students who go into debt for a higher education should not pay more interest than banks. Ron Robinson, candidate for N.C. State Senate, agrees.

We need to protect the environment, for without it we have nothing. Clean air and clean water means say no to fracking and yes to solar. And healthcare for all is only possible by accepting money for Medicaid expansion to make it affordable Ron Robinson, candidate for N.C. State Senate, agrees.

 I am so looking forward to the upcoming elections and the opportunity to make some serious changes in our state capitol.  It is time for the people of this state to take control back. We may not have the money, but despite efforts of those who do, we still have the vote. We need to make it count.

I’m planning to provide transportation to elderly and disabled so they can get to the polls. I’m going to help inform people of the changes that affect their voting rights. And I’m campaigning for Ron Robinson for N.C. State Senate District 50.  

Connie Jean Conklin

Dillsboro, NC

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op frBy Doug Wingeier • Columnist

Good news! General Mills has recently announced that — in response to consumer pressure — it has removed GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) from its original Cheerios cereal. And Post has done the same with Grape Nuts. These are victories for folks like me who like our morning bowl of cereal but are wary of food products that are untested for consumer safety and identified by some studies as giving cause for concern. It’s too soon to celebrate, though, as General Mills has 11 other types of Cheerios (such as Multi-Grain and Honey Nut) that still contain GMOs.

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When cyclists roll through Jackson County during the Tour de Cashiers May 3, some of them will be sporting new jerseys. 

“This is the official bike jersey,” said Stephanie Edwards, executive director of the Cashiers Chamber of Commerce, Edwards showed off the jersey’s graphics recently to her cohorts on the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority. 

The bike jersey features a lush mountain landscape and the event name. But Edwards and members of the tourism board seemed most excited about a circular logo emblazoned on each sleeve. This logo, employing the slogan “Play On,” is the result of the TDA’s branding efforts. 

“On the day of the event,” Edwards explained, “that will debut on the sleeves of many of our riders.”

In addition to being featured on the Tour de Cashiers jerseys, the logo will also be used in tourism efforts throughout the county and beyond. It will be featured in advertisements and prominently posted in visitor centers. Exuding a sense of recreation and triggering the want for activities such as hiking, biking and golf, the new brand is intended to solidify the area in the minds of tourists. 

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fr clowningBy Jake Flannick • Correspondent

If wardrobes are a form of self-expression, then Gloria Stockton has a whimsical flair.

She would say the opposite, of course. But the bright pink, polka dot smock, colorful high-top shoes and green-dyed hair in which she sometimes leaves her home in Sylva suggests otherwise.

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art alicechainsGrunge rockers Alice in Chains will perform at 9 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Harrah’s Cherokee.

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art pawsAs part of Western Carolina University’s yearlong observance of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the institution, a game designed especially for local children will be kicking off Saturday, April 26, during the annual Greening Up the Mountains festival in Sylva.

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A retreat for writers and artists will be held at Lake Logan Retreat Center May 18-23 by Cullowhee Mountain ARTS, an organization that hosts a gamut of workshops and retreats to connect artists with accomplished instructors in their field.

The May retreat will host North Carolina Poet Laureate Emeritus, Kathryn Stripling Byer, who will conduct the workshop “Singing it Forward.” The music of language, its modulation, its dramatic tension, and its syntactic and rhythmic properties will be the focus of this workshop.

There will be a parallel track for visual artists with two instructors.

Lake Logan Retreat Center sits on 300 preserved acres in Haywood County.

The second artist and writers retreat will be held at Lake Logan in September with different instructors.

www.cullowheemountainarts.org or 828.342.6913.

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The May 6 primary will narrow down the contenders for the Jackson County sheriff. The field of six Democrats and three Republicans will be whittled down to one candidate per party for the November ballot.

 

Glen Biller, D, 50

Qualifications: Deputy at Haywood County Sheriff Department. Twenty-four years in the U.S. Army, including four years active duty; 14 years managing building supply company.

Reason to run: “My goal is to make sure that Jackson County is safe for all of our citizens and to enforce the laws of North Carolina without bias.”

Philosophy: “The Sheriff’s Office will serve the citizens of Jackson County with respect and the courtesy they deserve.” 

Favorite vacation spot: The beach 

 

Douglas Farmer, D, 50

Qualifications: Police officer at Sylva Police Department. Sixteen years in law enforcement, including stints with the Macon and Jackson county sheriff’s offices, as well as the Highlands Police Department; One year as international police officer in Iraq.

Reason to run: “I’ve got such a wide range of experience that I think it gives me a real even keel on how to deal with people and how to approach difficult situations.”

Philosophy: “I will enforce the law and aggressively pursue the people that put this stuff [drugs] on our streets, put them in jail and keep them there.” 

Favorite music: Bluegrass and gospel, especially Mountain Faith

 

Michael Gosnell, D, 58

Qualifications: Security guard at Old Edwards Club at Highlands Cove. Thirty-five years in security, including seven as an armed guard and 27 in law enforcement.

Reason to run: “Jackson County is my home and I want to see what I can do to deter and fight crime. It’s not going to be wiped out, but it can be reduced.”

Philosophy: “A sheriff elected is only as good as his word. In other words, make no promises but show results.”

Favorite TV show: “In the Heat of the Night”

 

Robin Gunnels, D, 49

Qualifications: Owner of Custom Truck Covers. Seventeen years in law enforcement as jailor, patrol officer, sergeant and lieutenant; 12 years as business owner.

Reason to run: “I know what the public talks about. I know what their needs are. I know how to manage a budget. I’m not a one-dimensional person.”

Philosophy: “We have to fix things now. We have to be proactive now, not wait till later. I built my entire life on one principle, and that is integrity.”

Favorite fruit: Mangos

 

Chip Hall, D, 46

Qualifications: Chief deputy at Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Twenty-five years at Jackson County Sheriff’s Department in a variety of positions.  

Reason to run: “I want to reach out to be active in everything that goes on in our community, to have a relationship with our citizens beyond anything we’ve ever had.”

Philosophy: “Community involvement is the key to a functioning sheriff’s office and a good community response.”

Favorite fruit: apples  

 

Steven Lillard, D, 43

Qualifications: Assistant police chief at Western Carolina University. Nineteen years in law enforcement as a patrol officer, investigator and division-level administrator

Reason to run: “My experience, training and education have helped prepare me to make good decisions and collaborate with other people and agencies.” 

Philosophy: “I want to be open and honest with the public. Working together, we can solve problems.”

Favorite TV show: “Blue Bloods” 

 

Jim Hodgins, R, 62

Qualifications: Retired logger. Forty years as a logger, including business ownership.

Reason to run: “I’m hoping we can accomplish getting the drugs out of here, or doing our best to slow them way down.” 

Philosophy: “I think the sheriff ought to be out there looking after his men. I believe he needs to take care of them and stay on them to make sure they do their jobs.” 

Favorite TV show: “Andy Griffith Show” 

 

Curtis Lambert, R, 44

Qualifications: Former officer at Sylva Police Department. Fourteen years in law enforcement, including service with the Sylva Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office; former vice president of payroll service. 

Reason to run: “I have a combination of law enforcement and business experience, and that’s what it takes nowadays to be an effective sheriff.” 

Philosophy: “An effective leader will be someone that will have an open-door policy and an open-department policy to where they’re not trying to hide things that are going on.”

Favorite vacation: history tour of Charleston, S.C. 

 

Mary Alice Rock, R, 46

Qualifications: Bail bondsman. Two years of active duty in the U.S. Army; seven years in inactive reserves; basic law enforcement training; 15 years as bail bondsman.

Reason to run: “There appears to be no law in Jackson County, and we need law restored.” 

Philosophy: “Help people who need help. Get back to the basics of why you have a sheriff’s office to begin with. It’s to protect and serve the public, not personal needs or gains.” 

Favorite music: “Keep Ya Head Up” by 2PAC; “God Bless America” 

Comment

Three of the five seats on the Haywood County board of commissioners are up for election this year.

A field of five Democratic candidates — the three incumbents and two challengers —  will be narrowed down to three in the primary election.

There are two Republicans and one Libertarian running, but they automatically advance to the general election in November without a primary.

 

Kirk Kirkpatrick, 45 • Waynesville

Kirkpatrick has a solo law firm in Waynesville and does a mix of criminal and civil cases, as well as real estate law.

Kirkpatrick has been a county commissioner for 12 years and consistently wins re-election as the top vote getter.

Kirkpatrick defended a suite of county building projects over the past decade as necessary and a smart move for the future. They included a new courthouse, a new jail and sheriff’s office, a new office for the department of social services and health department, a senior resource center, a landfill expansion, a new community college building and an adult day care. 

“Basically I feel like I have been a contractor for the past 10 years,” Kirkpatrick lamented. “But it had to be done and somebody had to do it and hopefully we did it at the least expensive point in time.”

PLATFORM: “I really like my county. I like the people in the county. I enjoy doing what I do. I want to have good open government. I want to see our county prosper.”

 

Mike Sorrells, 57 • Jonathan Creek

Sorrells is the owner of a gas station, community general store, auto repair and tire service and café in his home community of Jonathan Creek.

He served on the school board for six years and has been a county commissioner for four years.

Sorrells touts the county’s economic development record over the past four years. The county extended property tax breaks to two existing manufacturers — Sonoco Plastics and Conmet — as an incentive for expanding their operations and adding jobs.

The county landed a $2.1 million state grant and will put in $700,000 in county money to help Evergreen paper mill with a $50 million coal-to-natural gas conversion in order to meet air pollution standards.

The county played a supporting role for Haywood Regional Medical Center, amid its financial uncertainty. And the county re-envisioned its economic development arm as a joint venture with the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce.

PLATFORM: “I have common sense. You have to look at whether something is a good, wise decision and you move forward.”

 

Bill Upton, 69 • Canton

Upton spent 35 years in public education, as an assistant principal and principal of Pisgah High School, principal of Meadowbrook Elementary and eventually superintendent.

He’s been a county commissioner for eight years and is proud of the course the county is on.

Upton said he is a supporter of education and children. His career in the school system taught him how to work with people, be it parents, teachers or students.

“You can’t prejudge a kid’s actions, you have to listen to both sides and make a fair decision,” Upton said.

He said the current board has been forward-thinking and balanced.

PLATFORM: “I have managed a large budget with responsibility and integrity, and I haven’t been afraid to make tough decisions. I have worked to find the best solutions to our county’s needs while being open to the will and voice of our citizens.”

 

Kyle Edwards, 74 • Maggie Valley

Edwards has been a contractor since 1970 and specializes in grading, excavation and heavy equipment jobs. He grew up dirt-poor but went on to become a self-made business man. 

“I started with one backhoe,” he said, a far cry from the expansive machinery yard outside his living room window today.

He is the owner of the Stompin’ Ground, a clogging and entertainment venue in Maggie Valley, which he built to showcase the natural talents of his two children, who were both champion cloggers.

Edwards also runs a 100-site commercial campground in Maggie Valley, which he built in the early 2000s. He was a Maggie Valley alderman in the 1970s and 1980s.

PLATFORM: Lower taxes, smaller government, less regulation, private property rights, gun rights, business friendly, pro-veteran and pro-seniors.

 

Bob McClure, 67 • Crabtree

McClure prides himself on being in Haywood County’s workforce for 50 years, mostly in manufacturing. He worked at Unagusta Furniture Factory, then Dayco for three decades, and the short-lived Dana Corporation.

Twice, the factory he worked at closed and he was laid off. He soon found a new job with the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, where he’s worked as a jailer and now a court bailiff.

“I had to keep going. I have never been a quitter. Even when those plants shut down I was out the next day looking for a job. I feel as a person you are just as strong as you want to be,” McClure said.

McClure said he would put his energy as a commissioner into recruiting industry and jobs, ideally small manufacturing.

“As part of the commissioner team we should be out trying to find jobs,” McClure said.

McClure said he doesn’t know how much the current board does on this front, nor how he would go about it himself or what the prospects of being successful are, but he would try. 

“I just know as commissioner, if I am elected as commissioner, I would be more hands on trying to get jobs,” McClure said. “Don’t set on their laurels and expect something to happen. Try to make something happen in the job force.”

PLATFORM: “I feel like what I am doing is for everybody in Haywood County because I feel like the decisions that is made by the commissioners affect all the people in Haywood County, and they deserve to know what is going on in Haywood County and have a voice in what is going on.”

But some opponents believe the sitting commissioners are agents of the government instead of a voice for the people.

“My main objective is to give people a voice of what they want to happen in Haywood County,” said Bob McClure, a challenger on the Democratic ticket. “We need to get more people involved in the meetings, when they go to the meetings, and get more feedback of what the majority of people want, not just a select few.”

Kirkpatrick said he tries to be cognizant of that.

“I have to take a good look at myself and not think that I have all the answers to things and to continue to listen to people. You have to tell yourself all the time to make sure to listen to people,” Kirkpatrick said.

Comment

N.C. House of Representatives, seat 118

Is this my state rep? Yes, if you live in Madison and Yancey counties and part of Haywood — namely Canton, Clyde, Bethel, Cruso, Maggie Valley, Jonathan Creek and Crabtree areas.

Is there a primary? No Democratic or Republican primary.

About the race: This is a slightly Democratic-leaning district and was held by the popular and effective leader Ray Rapp, D-Mars Hill, for more than a decade. But Rapp lost in 2012. It surprised politicos on both sides of the aisle. Rapp’s loss was chalked up to collateral damage in the Republican landslide in North Carolina that year. Despite the Democratic Party begging Rapp to run for his old seat, he didn’t want to reenter politics. 

About the candidates:

• N.C. Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, is running for reelection after her first term. She is a small business owner. Presnell previously ran on a platform that included lowering taxes, requiring voter I.D., expanding gun rights, restricting abortion, and reducing regulations — and she delivered. 

“I am proud to be able to say that I made promises during my 2012 campaign, and I kept those promises,” Presnell said.

www.presnellforhouse.com

• Dean Hicks, D-Burnsville is challenging Presnell. Hicks, a Yancey native and a retired teacher and coach, served three terms as a Yancey County commissioner. The candidate lists education reform as his top priority. 

“I feel like we’ve lost 50-plus years of progress in the last year,” Hicks said. “That is my main goal, is to try to get education back on the right track.”

 

N.C. House of Representatives, seat 119

Is this my state rep? Yes, if you live in Jackson and Swain counties and part of Haywood  — namely Waynesville and Lake Junaluska.

Is there a primary? There is a primary for Republicans, but not Democrats.

About the race: The seat in this left-leaning House district has long belonged to a Democrat. In 2012, the seat came up for grabs with the retirement of long-time legislator Phil Haire of Sylva after 14 years. A fellow Democratic statesman picked up the torch — one of the only Democrats elected to the legislature in the mountains two years ago.

Democratic Candidates

• N.C. Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, is running for reelection. Queen, an architect and businessman, is serving his first term in the N.C. House. But Queen has previously served three terms in the N.C. Senate over the past decade. Queen, who is married to a doctor and has two grown children, is a long-time civic leader in Haywood County and has served on many community organizations, including heritage and cultural organizations, as well as being involved in environmental and business initiatives.

www.joesamqueen.com

GOP Candidates:

• Dodie Allen, an auctioneer for the past 30 years, runs Dodie’s Auction in Sylva. The 79-year-old is seeking the House seat because she believes “that we are pulling further and further away from our constitution.”

• Mike Clampitt, a Republican from Bryson City, ran against Queen for the House seat two years ago but lost. Clampitt served 28 years as fire captain with the Charlotte Fire Department and returned to his hometown of Bryson City 10 years ago.

www.mikeclampitt.com

• Aaron Littlefield, 22, is a political science student at WCU and server at Bear Lake Reserve, who is graduating this May. He wants to be “a voice for the struggling business of WNC, support higher standards in education, and fight back against corruption in our government.”

 

N.C. House of Representatives, seat 120

Is this my state rep? Yes, if you live in Macon, Clay, Graham and Cherokee counties

Is there a primary? No Democratic or Republican Primary

About the race: The indefatigueable and apparently untouchable N.C. Rep. Roger West, R-Murphy, will once again run for this seat unopposed. 

 

N.C. Senate, seat 50

Is this my state senator? Yes, if you live in anywhere in the seven western counties of Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Graham, Clay and Cherokee.

Is there a primary?

About the race: The district is fairly evenly split, with neither the Republicans or Democrats able to claim a real leg up. The seat has flip-flopped between Republicans and Democrats twice in the past decade.

The race for this state Senate seat from the far western mountains usually is a local affair, but it garnered national media attention in 2010 and 2012 as a poster child for the flood of outside money from right-wing groups to influence regional races — allegedly part of a larger, far-reaching strategy to bankroll local campaigns as a way to amass state conservative majorities.  

N.C. Senator Jim Davis, R- Franklin, won the seat narrowly in 2010 by unseating the Democratic incumbent John Snow. Snow ran to get his seat back in 2012, but didn’t come close.

Nearly $1 million was spent by Davis’ campaign and by outside groups on Davis’ behalf in the 2012 election.

GOP candidate:

•N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, is an orthodontist and two-term legislator. 

Democratic candidates

• Jane Hipps of Waynesville is a retired public educator with six degrees, including three master’s degrees. Her expertise was in science and math curriculum development and training. She has promised to make education one of her main areas of concern if elected. She is the widow of a former state senator and long-time district attorney in the region.

• Ron Robinson of Cullowhee is a management consultant who says the current GOP leadership in Raleigh does not represent the working people of the district and has called their policies extremist. 

www.robinsonncsenate.com.

Comment

Meet the candidates, pick one

Three seats are up for grabs on the Macon County Board of Commissioners this year, but only one has a primary contest: two Republicans vying for one seat in the Highlands district.

Any Republican or unaffiliated voter in the county can vote in this primary race, even though it’s the Highlands district. Candidates must hail from that district, but the election is open to voters countywide.

Two commissioner seats are also up for election in Franklin, but all the candidates in that race — two Republicans, a Democrat, and Libertarian — automatically advance to the general election in the fall. A Democrat will join the mix for the Highlands seat come fall as well.

Here are the two Republicans facing off the primary:

Jim Tate, 42

Owner, Tate Landscaping Services

Tate graduated from the University of Georgia with a landscape architect degree. He lives with his wife and children in Highlands. The candidate has served on the Highlands zoning and planning boards, as well as Macon County’s planning board.

Political philosophy: “I feel like everybody needs to be responsible. [Use] simple, common sense.”

On Macon’s fund balance: “[My opponent] doesn’t like the fact that we have a big piggy bank.”

John Shearl, 45

Owner, J&J Lawn and Landscaping Services and Shearl Produce

Shearl is a retired firefighter. He lives with his wife and children in Highlands. The candidate currently serves on the Macon County Planning Board.

Political philosophy: “Limited growth in government, lower taxes and less regulation.”

On weathering economic uncertainty: “The government as a whole has to tighten their belts and stop this excessive spending. It’s going to take some tough decisions and very conservative-minded people to do this.”

On Macon’s fund balance: “In my opinion, that fund balance belongs to the taxpayers of Macon County.”

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About the race: This used to be a toss-up district, but clever redrawing of voting boundaries by the Republican-led legislature in Raleigh two years ago tipped the scales to the right. The liberal stronghold of Asheville was carved out and shunted it into a different Congressional seat.

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The Franklin area will be getting a new farmer’s market this year, held on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Macon County Heritage Center in Cowee, which was formerly the old Cowee School.

In addition to agricultural products, the market will feature entertainment, food tastings, kids’ activities, music, arts and crafts, classes and educational booths. 

“We want this to be a fun and interesting experience for our visitors, and for people to want to come back week after week,” said Susan Ervin, project coordinator with Friends of Rickman Store, a community-run general store next door to the heritage center. Friends of Rickman Store received a small start-up grant to help develop the new farmers market.

Organizers chose Tuesday for the market in hopes of giving growers who already sell at other markets a new venue on a different day of the week to expand their reach.

Interested vendors are invited to attend an organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m., April 22, at the old Cowee School. Registration, space reservations and information will be available, and producers from adjoining counties are welcome. Vendors can register for a full season at $50 or by the day for $5. 

“We want all to feel welcome — from our small growers, beginners and youth vendors to our local experts and commercial growers. Cowee is a market for everyone, “ said Pamela Jackson, one of the market organizers.

The market will kick off Tuesday, May 13, and run through the end of October. 

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Disc golfers will have a chance to show their stuff at the Inaugural Disc Golf Tournament at 5:30 p.m., Friday, April 25 at the Jackson County Recreation Center in Cullowhee. The doubles-format event is hosted by Jackson County Parks and Recreation and sponsored by Blackrock Outdoor Company. Early registration $20; Day-of registration $30. 828.293.3053 or 828.631.2020. 

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Western North Carolina can lay claim to two of 2013’s top three most visited places in the National Park System.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park kept first place among the 59 primary national parks. With 9.4 million visitors, it remained head-and-shoulders above its closest competitor: the Grand Canyon, with 4.6 million visitors.

The Smokies came in third among all units in the National Park System as a whole.

Meanwhile, the Blue Ridge Parkway took second place in visitation among all national park units with 12.9 million visitors. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area was the winner with 14.3 million visitors. 

It was the first year the Parkway was edged out by Golden Gate. Visitation to the Parkway fell by 2.5 million visits, due in large part to storm damage and generally cool, wet conditions. Overall, though, visitation to national park sites nationwide fell by 9.1 million in 2013. 

“The shutdown reduced our visitation for the year by more than 5 million visitors who were turned away during those two weeks,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. 

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out midnightholeA guided hike along Big Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be held at noon April 26 by the Haywood Waterways Association.

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out donationAn anonymous donor gifted $2.2 million to Great Smoky Mountains Association last week, one of the largest cash donations ever given to support Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The donation will be made in five installments between through 2018.

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out buyhaywoodFrom farmers markets to roadside stands to U Pick farms to plant nurseries to historic preservation sites, Haywood County’s agricultural heritage is showcased in Buy Haywood’s recently released 2014 Agritourism Guide.

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out graveyardOne the Blue Ridge Parkway’s most popular recreation areas will soon be closing for construction. The Graveyard Fields parking area and trailhead, at milepost 418.8, will close for approximately 11 weeks beginning April 22. 

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art chicksThe Southern Fried Chicks Cage-Free Comedy Tour will hit is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. The Cage-Free Comedy Tour features Etta May, Sonya White, Karen Mills and Style Network’s Trish Shure. 

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Lake Junaluska offers Easter weekend activities, services

The Easter weekend celebration at Lake Junaluska will be held April 19-20.

On Saturday, April 19, activities begin with the Friends of the Lake 5K at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K Family Walk and Children’s Fun Run. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and is required for the races. 

Indoor children’s activities —  including an egg-decorating contest, face painting, yo-yo balloons and more — begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Harrell Center Auditorium. Prizes will be awarded for the egg-decorating contest. The Easter egg hunts will take place near Stuart Auditorium beginning at 11 a.m. Children ages 1 to 12 are welcome to participate. 

The Easter sunrise service will feature guest preacher Rev. Amy Coles, Smokey Mountain District Superintendent, and a brass ensemble with special music. The service will take place at 7 a.m. on Sunday, April 20, at the Lake Junaluska amphitheater and cross. Rain location is Memorial Chapel.  Following the sunrise service, breakfast will be served in the Lambuth Inn from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m.

Long’s Chapel’s Easter service is scheduled for Stuart Auditorium at 10:25 a.m. Lake Junaluska’s annual Easter lunch buffet will be held in the Terrace Hotel. Tickets are available at the Bethea Welcome Center or by making a reservation at 828.454.6662.

Easter events are sponsored in part by Lake Junaluska, Ingles, Bilo, Mast General, Wal-Mart and more.

For a full event schedule visit www.lakejunaluska.com/easter.

 

Sylva church to celebrate Maundy Thursday, Good Friday

A special service observing Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the First United Methodist Church of Sylva. Immediately following the Holy Eucharist, a Tenebrae service will commence. 

Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday, is a service to commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper.  The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word for “commandment.” Christians believe that on the day before his crucifixion, Jesus celebrated Passover for the last time with his disciples; it was then that he issued a new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

“Tenebrae” is Latin for “shadows” or “darkness.” The Tenebrae is an ancient Christian Good Friday service, which dates back to the eighth century and commemorates the passion and death of Jesus Christ. During the service, the lights dim to darkness to symbolize the death of Jesus.

 

More Easter events

For a complete list of Easter festivities, see our calendar section.

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art fantasticks“The Fantasticks,” the world’s longest-running musical, will bring a steampunk-styled allegory about deceit, disillusionment and devotion to the stage at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 27, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

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fr culinarySouthwestern Community College culinary students C.J. Reum and Scott Dolbee recently placed fourth at the Wake Tech Culinary Arts Showcase at the Raleigh Convention Center. 

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April is National Poetry Month, and the occasion will be celebrated with a special film presentation at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Jane Campion’s literary biopic tells the true story of Fanny Brawne (played by actress Abbie Cornish) a 23-year-old Londoner in 1818 whose independent streak manifests itself through an intense interest and love for fashion and dressmaking. Her neighbor, the struggling but gifted young poet John Keats (played by Ben Whishaw), underestimates her intelligence because he believes she’s frivolous; and she, having no interest in literature, seems thoroughly disinterested in him. However, Fanny attempts to help the Keats family when John’s brother becomes gravely ill, and in order to express his gratitude John agrees to teach her poetry — leading Fanny and John to quickly fall deeply and profoundly in love with each other. Although they wish to wed, his lack of finances and his writing partner — who believes Campion is nothing more than an unwelcome distraction — keep the two from marrying.

Popcorn will be provided. Free.

828.488-3030.

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art whiteoakWith a second album of historic mountain music on the horizon, the producers of the Grammy-nominated “Old-Time Smoky Mountain Music” are searching for anyone with knowledge of the following musicians:

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To the Editor:

Bob Wilson’s most recent published letter (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/12729-kids-can-endure-a-little-stress) typifies the callous oversimplification and blanket insults typical of today’s Republican Party fed by Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, etc.

To quote Mr. Wilson, “One must dismiss opinions that teachers come up with because they are, after all, union members and unions exist to protect teachers, not students.” 

This is akin to claiming that “one must dismiss opinions that (all) Republicans come up with because they are, after all, more devoted to the almighty dollar than they are to the Godly principles they claim to hold.”

First, this is an oversimplification. There are many conservatives who put moral principles ahead of profit, but those who are in control of the current political-economic process clearly worship money and power above biblical principles.

Secondly, teachers do have a state teachers’ organization, but it is not a union. We cannot legally strike, nor would we want to. We care too much for our students and our communities. They are our children, however they come to us.

Teachers are public servants, serving the public (all of us) with a vital service: educating and preparing our children to be responsible adult citizens. That is a heavy burden, and we treat it as such. 

Yes, teachers try to make a living by doing this, but we sure aren’t getting rich. We, part of the working middle class, pay taxes like everyone else. And like most residents of Macon County, we live paycheck to paycheck, and spend it locally. We are regular folks, and some of us are quite conservative.

Finally, let’s talk about Republicans and public education. The complete Republican takeover of our state government has led to the laying off of thousands of teachers and teacher assistants across the state. 

The Republican politicians have slashed the textbook budget while requiring that our children pass the tests based on the new standards that we don’t have books for. 

And the Republicans are trying to give away $10 million of our public education tax dollars to private and often religious schools. Certainly the Fox/Rush crowd has been instilled with the idea that we should have an official government religion, in spite of our Constitution. 

Further, the Republicans currently in charge of our state gave massive tax breaks to millionaires while underfunding public education and many other basic services, such as mental health care. Basically, they are stealing from our children and giving it to the wealthy.

Finally, the Republican ruse of a raise for teachers is just that. They plan on giving teachers a slight raise, but require the county governments to fund much of this. This is an underfunded mandated, which our Republican Sen. Jim Davis from Franklin railed against when he was a county commissioner. How times have changed.

I strongly urge all critics of public education to spend a day volunteering in a class to find out what is really going on in public schools.

Dan Kowal

Franklin

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To the Editor:

There are several people running in Jackson County for public office this year and many are claiming to do one thing — raise the pay for school teachers in Jackson County. Who could be against that issue?  

First, let’s ask why Jackson County teachers would want to replace three of the county commissioners — Jack Debnam, Charles Elders and Doug Cody? In their first three and a half years in office they have approved the $11 million Performing Arts Center for the Smoky Mountain High School that should open in April. In Glenville, they approved a million dollar new locker and weight room facility at Blue Ridge School that was completed last year. They were able to give the Jackson County School Board enough money so that all of the teachers in Jackson County and their assistants kept their jobs last year. 

Jack Debnam only won his election by 64 votes, and those 64 votes have helped turned our county around from the worst financial mess it was in many years. 

In addition, these three men — with the help of Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin — got the alcohol initiative on the ballot in 2012. That passed by a 60 to 40 majority. This vote to make Jackson County a wet county has increased the sales tax revenue the county receives. This needed income source to the county will be permanent. The only people who pay this alcohol sales tax are the people who buy alcoholic beverages.  

Gov. Pat McCrory, R, has promised to raise teachers in the coming year. How can he make that promise? Since January 2011 when the Republicans came into office, almost 200,000 jobs have been added in North Carolina. Some people have criticized the new tax laws, but that is why businesses have been moving back into our state and many businesses have expanded. Only people with jobs pay taxes, and North Carolina has been singled out nationally for the great job it is doing in helping people find jobs. We currently have 4.3 million employees in North Carolina paying taxes. That is why Gov. McCrory can promise teachers their pay will increase.  

Many other good things are happening in our county, like the new satellite facility of the East Carolina University Dental School, which will open shortly above the senior center off Webster Road. This dental facility will provide the school kids in Jackson County some much needed affordable dental service that has been lacking for years. That should be something our teachers can applaud. 

Jim Mueller

Glenville

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To the Editor:

As the economy sputters along, members of Congress and the Obama Administration are singling out one of the most productive economic sectors in America. By proposing increased taxes on the oil and natural gas industry, President Obama seeks to penalize the very companies that helped keep the economy afloat following the recession.

 The domestic oil and gas industry already pay a much higher tax rate than the majority of other businesses. Comparatively, other companies on the S&P pay an average of 26.5 percent, while oil and natural gas companies pay 41 percent. 

This discrepancy was reinforced in a recent New York Times study, where results confirmed the oil and natural gas industry is not only taxed at a much higher rate than other industries but also does not receive equal tax breaks. Unfortunately, the government remains unsatisfied with the state of this already unfair situation.

Despite this, employment within the oil and natural gas industry has grown by 40 percent, while the rest of the economy saw a mere 1 percent growth in employment rates. What President Obama doesn’t seem to understand is this tax implementation will not only hurt the oil and natural gas industry, but also each citizen who depends on its resources as a necessary part of their everyday lives. This includes anyone who turns on a light switch, drives a car or simply enjoys the comforts of modern living.

 I hope our leaders in Washington take a stand against the president’s proposal. The oil and natural gas industry play a key role in our energy portfolio, and we cannot unfairly target them with the implementation of higher taxes.

Sen. Jim Davis (R)

50th Senate District

Franklin

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To the Editor:

Wow, I’ve seen a lot of small-town politics in this area but the Haywood County Republicans are out of control. A bully stands up and takes over an official meeting. What was he thinking? Who does he think he is? A bully for sure and maybe a wanna-be dictator?  

These fanatics might think they are getting their way, but they’ll soon find out voters are a lot smarter than them. They are only hurting their cause. There’s a right and wrong way to get your point across, and that wasn’t it.

I’m just in shock that this kind of thing could happen in this modern world. Do they expect to run the government this way? Do they want laws made without the press or other parties involved? God help us all if they really think that’s the way it should be done.  

The people of Haywood County need to stand up to this guy and his followers before the state or even federal Republican Party has to take control and embarrass the county even more. 

Chuck Harrell

Whittier

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op frBy Mark Swanger • Guest Columnist

Regardless of their magnitude, all disasters — natural or man-made — are local events and require an immediate, coordinated response from local government to protect public health, safety and welfare.

This function is called Emergency Management, and, in the aftermath of national tragedies such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, not to mention incidents like our own two 500-year floods in September 2004, many local governments have adopted ordinances to allow for a better, quicker response to disasters. These Emergency Management ordinances, which are heavily regulated through state and federal laws, give local governments the authority to quickly mobilize the resources needed to protect our citizens when the unexpected occurs.

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coverAs the primary approaches, local candidates are making their case. Around the region, county commissioner seats are opening up and incumbents and challengers alike are looking for votes. 

• Navigating the political stripes of the Haywood commissioners’ race
Are Haywood commissioners big spenders, or doing the best they can?

• Macon commissioner race spending pits conservative and moderate Republicans
• Swain commissioner candidates weigh in on the issues

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out seedprogramTribal families got some help jumpstarting their summer gardens when Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Principal Chief Michell Hicks handed out 750 springtime garden kits last week.

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Astronomy lovers and night owls in the Carolinas will get the chance to witness a total eclipse of the moon on the morning of April 15, and photographers will have a chance for some spectacular moon photos during its eclipse in the western sky. 

As the Moon orbits the Earth, it becomes a full moon once every 29 days.  Most months, the full moon moon passes above or below the Earth’s shadow, so there is no eclipse. But twice per year (some years, three times), roughly six months apart, the Moon can pass through the Earth’s shadow, causing an eclipse. 

So, if you’re a stargazer, pencil these times into your nighttime schedule April 15. 

• 12:54 a.m.: Moon starts to enter a space of partial shading — the penumbra — of Earth’s shadow. 

• 1:58 a.m.: Moon starts to enter a space of complete shading — the umbra — from Earth’s shadow. Look for a “notch” in the left edge of the Moon.

• 3:07 a.m.: Moon is entirely in the umbra; total eclipse begins.

• 4:25 a.m.: Moon starts to leave the umbra; total eclipse is over.

• 5:33a.m.: Moon is completely out of the umbra and enters the penumbra. 

• 6:38 a.m.: Moon is completely out of the penumbra. Eclipse is over.

Unlike a solar eclipse, which is not safe to view with unprotected eyes, lunar eclipses are perfectly safe to look at directly. 

For more, connect with the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute at http://twitter.com/Astronomy_PARI.

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