Big Sweep = Big Success!

The call for rain did not deter the 120 dedicated volunteers from participating in the Big Sweep Cleanup of the French Broad River coordinated by RiverLink, Asheville GreenWorks, Asheville Outdoor Center and 1-800-Got Junk this past Saturday. In their brightly colored rain jackets, volunteers from ages 3 years old and up collected 3,440 pounds of trash and about 400 pounds of recyclables from the French Broad River!

Volunteers cleaned up on the riverbanks and in the river in canoes, waders and john boats in the six mile stretch from Hominy Creek to the intersection of Riverside and Broadway. In addition to the usual trash suspects of tires, bottles and cans, volunteers also removed car doors, corroded oil drums and televisions. One cleanup team discovered a huge pile of tires on the river banks near Pearson Bridge Drive where they were able to remove 25 tires with about 100 tires still remaining. RiverLink and Asheville GreenWorks are working on getting these tires removed. Illegal dumping of tires and other trash is a big problem in the French Broad River Watershed especially along riverbanks.

"Trash negatively impacts the water quality of the French Broad River. It also makes fun recreational water activities not enjoyable. Who wants to see tires when kayaking or canoeing down the river?" says Hartwell Carson, RiverLink's French Broad Riverkeeper. "These volunteers are directly helping to improve the river's water quality and making our river a more beautiful waterway for everyone."

RiverLink thanks everyone who participated in the Big Sweep Cleanup including Asheville Outdoor Center for lending canoes and 1-800-Got-Junk for collecting and transporting the trash and recyclables to their proper disposal places.

RiverLink Questions City Council Candidates

It's election time; the air is crisp, the leaves are changing and city council candidates are making their priorities known in an effort to be elected to the Asheville City Council. RiverLink is eager to know what these potential city council members are proposing as part of their campaign platform to protect and enhance the French Broad River Watershed. RiverLink developed a short and simple survey, with the following questions:

1. What is your vision for implementing the Wilma Dykeman Riverway (a regional model consisting of 17 miles of greenways along the Swannanoa and French Broad River)? How would you ensure funding to implement this plan? How/or should the City of Asheville work with the Buncombe and other counties to expand and replicate this plan throughout the watershed? Why or why not?

2. Over 25 municipalities in North Carolina require buffers ranging from 30 to 100ft along streams. A new proposal (click and scroll to page 13 to see new proposal) by the City of Asheville calls for changes to Asheville's current 30 ft stream buffers. What do you feel is the right size stream buffers in Asheville?

3. What is your vision for future uses within our city's floodplain? How will you implement that vision?

4. What regulations and enforcement do you think are adequately protecting our streams and rivers and what, if any, areas need additional regulation and enforcement?

5. With Asheville having the largest tax and population base in the region, is there a leadership role for Asheville when it comes to land use planning along waterways throughout the region?

6. How does the French Broad River and its watershed contribute to the region's sustainability?

The French Broad Watershed is a valuable resource for the region. Both city and regional river fans need to understand how the folks they elect view the river. RiverLink will publish the candidate's answers on Monday, October 26th, using all its media outlets. RiverLink encourages the public to participate in the survey as well to find out how their opinions compare to those of the candidates (click here to voice your opinion concerning the watershed or to participate.) The public's answers will remain anonymous. RiverLink will link the potential candidate's names with their respected answers .

RiverLink, is a regional non-profit spearheading the economic and environmental revitalization of the French Broad River and its tributaries as a place to work, live and play. RiverLink is home to the French Broad Riverkeeper, and employs full-time education and volunteer coordinators. Volunteer information sessions are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 10am & 5pm at RiverLink offices, join RiverLink this Wednesday, October 14th. RiverLink also conducts monthly bus tours with an over-view of the past, present and future of the French Broad River Watershed, with a tour this Thursday, October 15th from 12-2pm. Sign up
for RiverLink's monthly newsletter at http://www.riverlink.org/newsletter.asp, follow RiverLink’s tweets at www.twitter.com/RiverLink, befriend RiverLink on facebook at www.facebook.com/RiverLink and check out RiverLink's space at www.myspace.com/RiverLink. Hop aboard this election season, and be a voice of the French Broad River Watershed.

Fall has Fallen

Due to a minor power outage this morning, I had the opportunity to get out of the office here at RiverLink and in step with nature. I decided to head down to French Broad River Park to enjoy the fresh crisp fall air, and observe the first foliage findings. Many people were out and about, enjoying the sunshine and scenery. The dogs seemed to have an extra bounce in their step as they happily trotted alongside their owners.

Every so often, the wind scurried along causing the leaves to dance about the park. Yellows, greens, oranges and a hint of red were floating about, making me stop in my step and sit to enjoy this natural beauty. I found a bench right along the French Broad River, donated by RiverLink in honor of Corrine Zenga, which glistened under the sunshine. Looking out onto the French Broad River, I was taken back by the power and righteousness of the river. A river fills itself with strength, stamina and simplicity.

I could have sat there all day, observing the French Broad River and the lingering leaves, but was re-insured by the fact that it was not going anywhere. These parks were made for our convenience. Parks and greenways are great places to nurture our curiosity of the great outdoors. The French Broad River Park offers swings to sway, a dog park for dogs to play, picnic tables to ponder the day, scenery to study nature’s way and walkways to wander away.

If you have some free time today, I encourage you to get outside and have a heart-to-heart with nature. You won’t be disappointed!

Cheers,

Kyle E. Wolff

AmeriCorps Member

Communication Outreach Coordinator

Give your liver; help save the French Broad River...

RiverLink, along with Sweet Water Brewing Company, are in cahoots to get your liver to help save the French Broad River. Save the French Broad is Sweetwater Brewery’s Annual Campaign to raise money and awareness for RiverLink’s efforts to build parks, green ways, conduct water quality monitoring, river cleanups, environmental education, muddy water watch and more! The French Broad Watershed is the drinking water source for over a million people and a critical fish and wildlife habitat as well as a world class recreation area.

For the first time in decades, the health of the French Broad River is declining. Visit one of the participating accounts in and around Asheville: Mezza Luna, Hannah Flanagans, Scully’s, Carolina Cinema, Westville Pub, Greenlife, Nantahala Outdoor Center, Wild Wing Cafe, Spa Theology, Square 1 Bistro, Asheville Yacht Club, Bier Garden, Brixx Pizza, Mellow Mushroom Asheville, Little River Tavern – Saluda, Never Blue, Orange Peel, Grove Corner Market, Digable Pizza, Universal Joint Northside Bar and Grill, Cinebarre, Cats and Dog, Weinhauss, Beef o Bradys, Hendersonville Burgermeisters– and buy a paper fish that says, “I gave my liver to save the river!”

Help us save the French Broad River! For more information visit Save the French Broad

Palmyra’s Story

On May 27th, 25-year old Palmyra Romeo – an Asheville-based AmeriCorps intern at RiverLink, avid outdoors woman, talented bluegrass bass player, and an honors graduate of NC State University – unexpectedly had a seizure, lost her ability to speak, became paralyzed on her right side, lost consciousness and was rushed to Mission Hospital. An MRI revealed a ping-pong ball sized abscess on the left side of her brain. Since then, Palmyra has undergone two brain surgeries, and is making amazing progress. While a full recovery is expected, it will be a long road ahead.

Although Palmyra has minimal health benefits through AmeriCorps, the coverage is not sufficient to cover the astronomical cost of hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and the need for ongoing care. Shortly after Palymra’s first surgery, she said:

I think it is very important that people know about the health care system… I want to see some benefit to others when catastrophe happens. To have all of that happen and to have to worry that you can’t even pay the bill, what are you going to do because you want to live? The opportunity to worry about your health and your care should be very separate from worrying about whether or not you can afford to get the care.

Palmyra needs our community’s support and financial help.

Join us for a benefit concert for Palmyra Sept 15 at the Grey Eagle. http://palmyrabenefit.org

Rockin' RiverFest is Aug 1st, a FREE day-long festival sponsored by Asheville Radio Group and RiverLink at French Broad River Park featuring the ever popular raft competition, music competition featuring local bands, kids parade, live performances, local food and beverages, corn hole, frisbee golf, kayak demonstrations and much more! There's something fun for everyone!

WIN BIG! Raft Competition Prizes include:
Grand Prize: Diamond Brand boat
2nd Place: $100 Diamond Brand gift certificate
3rd Place: $50 Diamond Brand gift certificate

Celebrity Judges will be selecting Grand Prize, 2nd and 3rd place winners for the raft competition based upon creativity and ingenuity.
For more details on the raft competition, visit

www.riverlink.org

Rockin' RiverFest Event Schedule:
10am - Raft competition begins with launching at Hominy Creek Park
11:00 Rockin RiverFest opens & Kids' Parade Registration begins
Ongoing - local food & beer; kayak demos with Diamond Brand; aerial dance lessons with Asheville Aerial Arts; frisbee golf; cornhole competition and kids' activity area including WNC Nature Center live animals, facepainting, hula hoops with MelMacPink and interactive RiverLink art project.
11:30 – Kids' Parade/Intro
Noon – The Secret B-Sides kicks off Music Competition
12:30pm Belly Dancing with Baraka Mundi World Spirit Student Troupe Dancers
1:00pm Jason Ross Martin
1:30pm Musicians' Workshop Demo and RiverLink presentation
2:00pm Blackjack
2:30pm Asheville Aerial Arts aerial dance performance
3:00pm Hollowpoint
3:30pm MelMacPink Hula Hoop
4:00pm Brushfire Stankgrass
4:30pm Announce winners of competitions - raft, music & cornhole
5pm Festival closes
6-8pm After Party at Wild Wings on Biltmore Ave

Enjoy Tasty Treats:
Anna's Sweets
Blue Daisy Cafe
Luella's BBQ
Rolling Stone Pizza
Ultimate Ice Cream
Wild Wings
Yuengling

Rockin' RiverFest Parking:
Parking for the public will be available at Karen Cragnolin Park (former Edaco Junkyard) on Amboy Rd with shuttles provided to French Broad River Park courtesy of Buncombe County Department Recreation & Parks and EcoTrips. Shuttles will begin at 10:45am and run continuously till 5:30pm. Dogs are not permitted on shuttles. Carpooling is encouraged. Please contact volunteer@riverlink.org with questions about volunteering, raft competition and festival.

The results are in!

Asheville has voted & the ballots have been counted. We have some spectacular bands playing at the Rockin’ River Fest this year! Check them out:

Brushfire Stankgrass www.myspace.com/brushfirestankgrass

Jason Ross Martin www.myspace.com/jasonrossmartin

BlackJack www.myspace.com/blackjackrocks4

Hollowpoint www.myspace.com/hollowspin

The Secret B-Sides http://www.myspace.com/entertheboom

Rockin' RiverFest is Aug 1st!

Start making your "yacht" for this year's Rockin' RiverFest, a FREE day long festival sponsored by Asheville Radio Group and RiverLink at French Broad River Park featuring the ever popular raft race, music competition featuring local bands, kids parade, live performances, local food and beverages, corn hole, frisbee golf, kayak demonstrations and much more! There's something fun for everyone!

Have your say who plays at Rockin' RiverFest! Vote online through Fri July 17 for your favorite band to play and win great prizes! http://theriverasheville.com/Band-Voting-For-RRF/4782373.

Now accepting raft race registration. Prizes are awarded for winners in 8 categories including most creative, funniest, fastest, Green Machine Award, That Floats? and Best Theme. Non-profits can enter for free and receive up to $1000 in free on-air advertising with Asheville Radio Group! Raft race registration is only $15 per raft with proceeds benefiting RiverLink and ends July 31st.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to make this a fun & successful event! New this year are team captains to help coordinate parking, kids' activities, raft race, etc. Captains will receive a Rockin' RiverFest 2009 t-shirt, 2 drinks of choice and RiverLink hat and volunteers will receive a Rockin' RiverFest 2009 t-shirt and drink of choice as a thank you for your hard work!

Here is the official logo for Rockin' River Fest! Lily Davis created this logo & won the contest. Way to go Lily!

Volunteer info session tomorrow, Wed July 8 at our offices at 10am and 5pm - RSVP volunteer@riverlink.org to attend and indicate which session you will be attending. Come learn fun ways on how you can get involved in protecting the French Broad River!

Volunteer info sessions are 2nd wed of each month at 10am and 5pm.