Community Briefs

Photo contest now taking submissions

In a joint agreement between the Blue Ridge Parkway and Friends, the official Parkway photo contest is entering its third year. This successful photo contest is one example of how Friends and the Blue Ridge Parkway provide joint programs to help support the needs of the Parkway.

Friends is currently accepting online photo entries until Oct. 31. The categories are flora, fauna, friends and family. The competition is open to amateurs, including a youth category, from ages 6 to 15. All photographs must be taken within the boundaries of the Blue Ridge Parkway, and each photographer may submit no more than three photos for consideration.

To register your photo for the contest, visit www.blueridgefriends.org. Contest rules are posted on the Web site. Winners will be notified by Dec. 1 and judges’ decisions are final.

Tree Board looking to fill vacancy

The Hendersonville mayor and City Council are soliciting applications from interested citizens who might wish to serve on the Tree Board, which currently has a vacancy.

The Tree Board, composed of seven members who are residents of the city, extraterritorial jurisdiction or property owners of the city, are appointed by the city council. Among other duties, the Tree Board publicly recognizes individuals, businesses or organizations which exceed landscaping requirements with annual landscape awards. The Tree Board is also charged to educate the public as to the economic and aesthetic benefits of trees and shrubs to the city and its citizens, both on publicly and privately-owned property.

The Tree Board meets at 3 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in the assembly room of the Operations Centers. For more information, visit www.cityofhendersonville.org. You may apply on-line or request an application by e-mail tdrake@cityofhendersonville.org or by calling 697-3005.

Many volunteer

positions available

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program can match you with a volunteer opportunity.

Some of our current volunteer opportunities are:

n Meals on Wheels is in search of volunteers to drive routes, even fill-ins for summer schedules.

n A HOPE needs volunteers to provide meals and services for the homeless in Buncombe County.

n Fletcher Police Department needs volunteers to assist with answering the phone and greeting visitors to the station during lunch hours.

n Deputy Director for the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department Citizens Academy to assist the Citizens Academy Director with coordinating the activities and schedule for the academy.

n Brevard Police Department need volunteers for street crossing guards and their Reassurance Program.

n Madison County library needs a volunteer or two to help maintain their landscaping. Someone has donated tiger lilies and irises to plant.

n Land-of-Sky Regional Council is looking for a volunteer to help answer the phone and greet visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays.

For more information, call 251-6622 or e-mail connie@landofsky.org or bennie@landofsky.org.

Wilderness First Aid course begins Aug. 8

Wilderness First Aid, offered by the Henderson County chapter of the American Red Cross, includes information and skills needed to handle emergency situations that occur in the wilderness or remote areas. Participants in the course will learn about the different situations that can happen and what action steps must be taken in those delayed-help scenarios. First aid skills include caring for wounds, head and spinal injuries, abdominal injuries, bites and stings and many other possible injuries when out on the trail.

The course is open to adults or youth who are at least 16 and the fee is $125. The course is being held on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 8 and 9, at the Henderson County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 203 Second Ave. East. Each participant receives emergency handbooks. You can register by phone with a credit card or come into the office to sign up. Registration is required to guarantee there are enough participants to hold the class. Participants should bring a lunch. For more information, visit www.hcredcross.org or call 693-5605.

—T-N Staff