DUE TO A GREAT YEAR, UNIVERSITY NISSAN IN BOONE, NC IS LOOKING FOR 2 SALESPEOPLE! If you are good with people and have a good work ethic, we would like to help you increase your income. We offer a great working environment and very rewarding career where you are able to benefit from your hard work! Call us today at 828-264-7726 or email Steve Bussell at Bussellsteve54@gmail.com.

Mountaineers Host Top-Ranked GSU on Black Saturday

Courtesy: Appalachian State Sports Information

Release: Thursday 10/27/2011 (ET)

 

In perhaps the most anticipated NCAA Division I FCS matchup of the season to date, fifth-ranked Appalachian State University hosts No. 1 Georgia Southern on Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. on Black Saturday at The Rock.

NOTING SATURDAY'S MATCHUP

• Appalachian (5-2, 3-1 SoCon) controls its own destiny in its quest for an unprecedented seventh-straight Southern Conference championship while Georgia Southern (7-0, 5-0 SoCon) can all but assure at least a share of its first SoCon crown since 2004 with a win.

• Appalachian and Georgia Southern have combined to win 19 SoCon championships in the last 25 years.

• ASU’s current run of six-straight SoCon crowns (2005-10) is tied with Georgia Southern’s string of six-consecutive championships from 1997-2002 for the longest title streak since the conference began crowning a champion in 1933.

• Since 2000, Appalachian and GSU are the SoCon’s winningest programs, although the Mountaineers have 11 more conference victories (72) than the Eagles (61) during that span.

• Georgia Southern is one of only two SoCon teams to defeat Appalachian since 2006 (Wofford is the other).

• Last year, the Mountaineers squandered a 14-0 lead and dropped a 21-14 overtime decision to the Eagles in Statesboro, Ga., snapping a 26-game winning streak in SoCon play (the second-longest conference winning streak in the league’s 90-year football history).

• The last time that GSU visited Kidd Brewer Stadium, the Apps routed the Eagles, 52-16.

• ASU has won three of the last four matchups at The Rock and is 9-4-1 all-time versus GSU in Boone.

• Overall, Appalachian leads the all-time series by a slim 13-12-1 margin.

• The showdown’s key matchup pits GSU’s vaunted triple-option offense, which leads the nation with 369.7 rushing yards per game, against an ASU defense that ranks just 90th nationally against the run (177.3 ypg) but has held three of its seven opponents to less than 100 yards on the ground. Last week, Samford managed just 84 rushing yards against the Mountaineers, nearly 100 yards fewer than its average going into the contest.

• Offensively, Appalachian’s balanced offensive attack (199.3 rushing yards and 201.6 passing yards per game) will square off versus a GSU defense that ranks 13th nationally against the run (100.7 ypg) but just 92nd against the pass (236.9 ypg).

That's not a manhole cover, it's an electric car charger

By Richard Read | High Gear Media – Wed, Oct 23, 2013 6:24 PM EDT

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Fully electric cars and range-extended vehicles like the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S, and Chevrolet Volt have only been on the market a few years, but it's pretty clear that they're on the front line of an automotive revolution.

For that revolution to be successful, though, automakers need to overcome several significant hurdles. Battery capacity is perhaps the biggest obstacle of the bunch, but charging logistics are troublesome, too. Sure, you can find outlets for your plug-in vehicle at home and some stores -- even a few McDonald's outposts -- but those require cables, which are messy and inconvenient. Simplifying the process could lure in would-be buyers and speed up the rate of electric caradoption.

And that's where the folks at HEVO Power come in. They've designed a new system for wireless charging that they'll be testing next year in New York City. If all goes as planned, it could make life much easier for electric car drivers and fleets.

HEVO's system relies on charging plates embedded in the street, designed to look like manhole covers. When parked above them, electric car owners can power up their batteries with no muss and no fuss.

There are, of course, other wireless charging systems on the market, but HEVO's is designed to work faster and more efficiently than most of those. It uses resonance charging, a variation on conventional inductive charging in which the capacitors on the charging coils in the ground and on the vehicle resonate at the same frequency. Using identical frequencies facilitates the transfer of energy from one coil to the other, reducing energy loss and charge times.

In practice, it'll work like this: vehicle owners will have their cars outfitted with special receivers that can communicate with HEVO's in-ground chargers. HEVO, in turn, will work with the city to create special charging zones that look a bit like bus or loading zones.

Drivers can pull into one of those zones and open an app on their smartphones to initiate charging. While they're away from the vehicle, they can use that same app to see how fully their batteries have been charged. HEVO's business model includes not only revenue generated from charging fees, but also from advertisers who want to alert EV owners of sales and events near the charging stations.

HEVO's prototype is expected to debut in early 2014, using two specially outfitted Smart Fortwos owned by New York University. For an overview of how the system will work, check out the video above.

 

 

 

 

This Thursday, Oct. 24, the Hospitality House will celebrate National Food Day with an open house, tour of the garden and facility, and a locally grown meal. The Hospitality House is focusing on promoting safer, healthier diets and supporting sustainable and organic farms within National Food Day’s aims.According to event organizers, serving local food reduces the amount of preservatives in the meal and encourages people to eat more nutritious foods grown in or around where they live. The food served on Food Day will all be locally grown and donated or purchased through partnerships with the Watauga County Farmers’ Market. Donations were made by Billy Kennedy, Earth Fare and Stick Boy Bread Company.The vouchers received through the partnership with the Watauga County Farmers’Market allowed Allison Jennings, Hospitality House food service coordinator, to purchase some additions to the meal for Food Day. “I enjoyed being able to add a nice touch to the meal,” Jennings said.Thursday’s meal will be classic meatloaf made with locally raised beef, Tumbling Shoals roasted peppers, rosemary-roasted Watauga County potatoes, locally grown spicy butternut squash with Blue Ridge Apiaries cinnamon honey, Hospitality House garden salad with Sunshine Cove Farm Market micro-green mix, coffee seedling apple crisp with Faith Mountain Farm granola and Stick Boy Bread Company soft yeast rolls.Food will be prepared and served by Hospitality House staff, Appalachian State University slow food students, Chris May, from the Hospitality House board of directors, and Boone Unitarianism Universalist Fellowship. The public is welcomed and invited to attend the Food event.                                                                                

 

                                                           

 

 

NEW PLACES TO HAVE A GREAT TIME IN THE HIGH COUNTRY

 

 

Western North Carolina has earned a name for itself in recent years as a hub for craft beer breweries and pubs. Our area’s plentiful supply of crisp mountain water, WNC’s adventurous yet laidback lifestyle and, to some extent, our moonshining traditions have all created the perfect backdrop for a beer brewery boom. Up until now, that boom has been taking place in towns, such as Asheville, Waynesville, Brevard and Weaversville. Now, Blowing Rock can boast of its own contribution to WNC beer culture. The Blowing Rock Ale House and Inn is the High Country’s first brewery, pub and inn all rolled into one. Located on Sunset Drive in downtown Blowing Rock, the venue features an on-site brewery, first-class restaurant and pub and a 14-room inn. The Blowing Rock Ale House has been open for nearly two months, but had been serving Blowing Rock Brewing Company products that were created by the company at breweries off of the mountain. All of that changed this week, when the company unveiled its own brewery, located in a building behind the restaurant and inn. The opening was the result of a full year of renovations to one of Blowing Rock’s historic downtown properties. The grand opening and ribbon cutting for the Blowing Rock Brewing Company took place Thursday, Oct. 10, sponsored in part by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce. At the event, people met with the owners and brewers, sampled food and beers from the Blowing Rock Ale House and toured the new facility. “In such a great town as Blowing Rock, we weren’t satisfied doing all this just to serve the same old bar food,” said Blowing Rock Brewing Company co-founder Todd Rice. “We’re striving for something unique to provide for an exceptional experience.”At the grand opening, Rice was on hand with co-owner Jeff Walker and their spouses, Tuesdae Rice and Shelly Walker. Also present was master brewer and beer production manager Ray Hodge, along with his “brew crew” of Todd Ritter and Josh Carlough. “Armed with decades of brewing wisdom and a brand new, high-end boutique brewing system, I can tell you that Ray Hodge and his crew intend to put the town of Blowing Rock on the national map for great beer,” Walker said.Rob Dyer and Lisa Stripling, owners of the Best Cellar Restaurant and Inn at Ragged Gardens, opened the Blowing Rock Ale House earlier this year in the large inn that formerly housed the Maple Lodge. Open for both lunch and dinner every day except Wednesday, the Ale House features a casual dining atmosphere combined with one of the most unique menus in the High Country. Husband and wife executive chef team Eric and Jenny Virt prepare a menu that revolves around seasonally available food, making freshly made, locally sourced appetizers, entrees and desserts. Blowing Rock Brewing Company is also making a significant input into the local economy. Founded in 2008 by Walker and Rice, the company now employs 35 people in the High Country. Through its partnership with Charlotte-based Tryon Distributing Company, its beers can be purchased in restaurants and independent retailers throughout the state, as well as in retail chains, such as Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods, Fresh Market, Ingles, Whole Foods, Earth Fare and Total Wine. “Our company is quality-focused, not quantity-focused,” Rice said. “And our Ale House series brand positions us to focus on product creativity, quality and freshness.” Blowing Rock Ale House and Inn is located at 152 Sunset Drive in downtown Blowing Rock.

                 

 

 

FALL IN THE HIGH COUNTRY

 

It is so beautiful in the High Country are that encompasses so many quaint, little

towns and you really need to come see them all before the leaves go away for the winter.

The leaves aren't the only thing to see here though.  We have so much to do.

Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk and Beech Mountain, etc. are home to Appalachian State, Tweetsie Railroad, Appalachian Ski mtn., Sugar Mtn, Beech Mtn., Hawksnest Ski Mtn.,

and many, many fantastic restaurants!

There is always something to do here and it is always beautiful no matter what season.

 

Don't forget to stop in and see our new building in Boone on Hwy 421

at UNIVERSITY NISSAN.  We have so many new models, as well as, used cars to choose from and we are

open to welcome you until 8 pm everyday except Sunday when we close to observe the day with our families.

 

Come see us soon!  We can't wait to see you!

 

 



2013 Wooly Worm Festival in Banner Elk NC

36^th Annual Woolly Worm Festival

OCTOBER 19TH AND 20TH, 2013

Downtown Banner Elk, North Carolina

Purchase e-tickets (click here)

2012 Woolly Worm Winner is Lickety Split

Find your mountain accomodations for the Woolly Worm Festival by clicking here!

There are 52 weeks in a year, broken down to the 4 seasons Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Each of the 4 seasons have 13 weeks and there are 13 segments on a woolly worm. Starting at his or her little head the prediction is taken from head to it’s little bottom so here we go! Black being natural abundant snow..yea winter!
On Saturday there should be plenty of parking around Lees McRae College because students will be away on Fall Break. Lees-McRae College has the highest elevation of any college campus east of the Mississippi. Enjoy a walk through this beautiful campus on your way to this year’s Woolly Worm Festival.
Back in the late 1970s, the editor of the now-defunct Mountain Living Magazine, Jim Morton, was preparing to include a Woolly Worm Forecast in the winter issue of the magazine. He photographed the first Woolly Worm he saw to use in formulating the prediction and illustrating his story, but the next day he saw a second worm that looked completely different from the!
 ”That’s when it struck me that we needed some formal procedure to use to decide which was going to be the official worm for making the winter forecast,” said Morton.


So since 1978, the residents of the village nestled between the Carolina’s  largest ski resorts have celebrated the coming of the snow season with a Woolly Worm Festival. They set aside the third weekend in October to determine which one worm will have the honor of predicting the severity of the coming winter; and they make that worm earn the honor by winning heat after heat of hard-fought races – up a three-foot length of string.

The Woolly Bear caterpillar has 13 brown and black segments, which the late Charles Von Canon explained to the small crowd that huddled together in the sub-freezing temperatures at the first Woolly Worm Festival correspond to the 13 weeks of winter. The lighter brown a segment is, the milder that week of winter will be. The darker black a segment is, the colder and snowier the corresponding week will be.
“If you went solely by the attendance figures, you probably wouldn’t call the first festival a success,” recalled Morton. “But WCYB-TV in Bristol sent a cameraman and their report ended up being broadcast nationwide by NBC News. That national TV coverage was really what gave me the motivation to want to keep the event going.”
And the more than 20,000 people who attended the Festival last year certainly are glad that he did. Because racing Woolly Worms is a total blast!
First, no person is more likely to have a winning worm than any other person. There is no home-field advantage, no preferred age for the person who sets the worm on the string (although worms raced by children do seem to win a bit more frequently).
Second, selecting names for the Woolly Worms is a delightful way to learn how amazingly creative your friends and family members can be. Consider these clever monikers: Merryweather, Patsy Climb and Dale Wormhardt.
Finally, there is no other experience in life that can produce the absurd euphoria that comes from cheering for a caterpillar to climb a string. It is so indisputably ridiculous that it is completely liberating!
And the $1,000 first prize that accompanies the prestige of having your worm used to pronounce the official winter forecast doesn’t hurt either.
The Woolly Worm races begin around 10:00 a.m. Each heat consists of 25 worms and races continue all day until the grand final around 4 p.m. The winning worm on Saturday is declared the official winter forecasting agent. The Sunday worm races are for prestige, fun and small prizes.
In addition to the Woolly Worm Races, the festival features crafts, food vendors, live entertainment and much more. Last year’s festival attracted an estimated 23,000 fans, 140 vendors and around 1,000 race entrants.
The Woolly Worm Festival is sponsored by the Avery County Chamber of Commerce and the Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk and a portion of the proceeds go to support children’s charities throughout the county and small business and tourism. For more information phone 828-898-5605

Want to be a vendor? Click here

Apply for woolly worm funds

Apply for Kiwanis Funds

 

Tickets can be purchased online via credit card or on the day of the event at the gate with cash.

Gate Ticket Prices (Cash Only):
Adults – $5.00 per day
Children (Ages 5 to 12) – $2.00 per day
Children Ages (0 to 4) – Free

On Saturday there should be plenty of parking around Lees McRae College because students will be away on Fall Break. Lees-McRae College has the highest elevation of any college campus east of the Mississippi. Enjoy a walk through this beautiful campus on your way to this year’s Woolly Worm Festival.

As we head into the weekend you might be considering the purchase of a used previously loved vehicle, and lucky for you, we are here to help.

With thousands of detailed vehicle reviews, and over 3 million used-car listings, The Car Connection has your back when it comes to finding the perfect vehicle. You can sort vehicle listings by make, model, year, and oh so much more with our easy-to-use sliders.

This week we've shuffled through thousands of used-car listings to bring you these four winners. We know budgets can be tight sometimes, so we've tried to find some good deals just for you.

One last thing before we get into our picks for the week, we wanted to let you know that we would be happy to assist you in finding the perfect vehicle anytime. We'll even provide you with free advice. 

So, without further delay, here are this week's top used car finds:

2004 Toyota Tundra SR5

75,095 miles; $15,698

It's winter and that means you just might need four-wheel drive. Also, pickup trucks are quite popular in this region, and we were always big fans of the first generation Toyota Tundra. This fine example is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It has higher than average mileage, but it's price is nearly half the average price of similar trucks. We feel the mileage is a fair trade off in price, especially because Tundra's are rather reliable. This truck did live it's life in a climate where they salt the roads, so be sure to have the undercarriage checked for rust. We also like that the dealership is throwing in a 3 month / 3,000 mile powertrain warranty. 

2005 Honda Odyssey EX-L

101,111 miles; $9,977

Need a family hauler on a budget? The Honda Odyssey is known to be reliable, and features better driving dynamics than most people would assume. This particular Odyssey is priced nearly $20,000 below average, but that's because it has nearly 60,000 more miles than average. The miles don't concern us too much since the Odyssey has a reputation for reliability. For those in cold climates, you'll appreciate the heated leather seats, and the sunroof will come in handy in the summer. It's been for sale for over 100 days, and the dealership's dropped the price a few times. You might have some wiggle room to negotiate.

2003 Nissan Murano

109,081 miles; $9,795

Looking for a great crossover to haul the family to the mountain to go skiing? This 2003 Nissan Murano would do the trick. Located in Portland, Oregon it features black leather seats and a Bose premium sound system. While the mileage is higher than average, the price is nearly $20,000 below other 2003 Muranos. Fuel economy ratings aren't terrible at 20 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The dealership notes it has a clean Carfax which we like, as it means the dealership is open and upfront about the vehicles history. The dealership seems ready to make a sale, as it's only been listed for 10 days and the price has already dropped $1,200. Negotiations may be in your favor if you play your cards right. 

2003 Mazda MX-5 Miata

53,689 miles; $10,495

It may not be summer time yet, but we always love the idea of blasting down the highways of California in a convertible. This Miata's calling to us with a price that is attainable. While the mileage is about 16,000 miles more than the average 2003 MX-5, it's not a huge concern as these cars are both reliable, and usually feature low miles. The dealer provided no information about this particular car in the listing, so we suggest you ask some detailed question when you call. As always, ask them for the Carfax report.

As always, we highly recommend you have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection on any used vehicle before you write a check. It's also a good idea to ask the dealership for the Carfax report.

Have a question or need help finding a used vehicle? Just let us know! 704-500-2349

Special thanks to The Car Connection.

Nissan Resonance Concept At Detroit: Previewing The Next Murano?

At the Detroit Auto Show, Nissan has revealed a daring crossover design concept that previews a potential direction for the next-generation Muranocrossover.

Created at Nissan Design America, in San Diego, and penned by Nissan Motor Co. senior VP and chief creative officer Shiro Nakamura, the new concept was inspired by “the ‘innovation era,’ and optimism for a bright, energetic future.”

From the front there’s a V-shape, running from the grille all the way through the hood and back to boomerang-shaped headlights, while special attention has been paid to side surfacing, and the combination of steep A-pillars and a large, full-length glass panoramic roof with flowing rear pillar help altogether add to a feel of cabin spaciousness.

The exterior is done in a warm Flare Orange, with tinted acrylic grille, Satin Chrome accents, and 22-inch alloy wheels.

Holographic display

Inside, the Resonance Concept has its instrument panel ‘floating’ on the console, with infotainment and communication features all up front, with a holographic experience and visual depth helping to assign priorities and levels of importance to the driver. Cloud-based telematics complete the connectivity and information suite.

“The architecture of the cabin is open and structural,” said Bancon, in a release about the concept. “Like the exterior, it redefines and pushes the segment beyond convention.”

Overall, the length of the concept is 190.6 inches, while the wheelbase is 113.2 inches—just slightly longer than the current Murano. But at 78.7 inches, the concept is about four inches wider.

Hybrid powertrain

Under the hood, the new model features the hybrid system that Nissan has been developing for a wide range of vehicles, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, plus one electric motor/generator and two clutches integrated into the case of Nissan’s next-generation Xtronic continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). There’s also a compact laminated lithium-ion battery and intelligent battery charging control.

While Nissan now has the Pathfinder crossover to appeal to families, as well as the Rogue compact crossover just below, it seems that the automaker might take a more daring path with the Murano.

The automaker also hints in the release that it expects the Resonance Concept to be provocative—and even polarizing. With that in mind, what do you think of its design direction? Let us know in your comments below.

How Unleaded Gas Cut Crime And Made Us All Safer

If you keep up with the news, you know how often violent crime makes headlines. But despite some heart-wrenching stories that have played out on 24-hour news channels in recent months and years, violent crime is on the decline in the U.S. -- and according to some theoreticians, we may have unleaded gasoline to thank for that.

In the current issue of Mother Jones, Kevin Drum looks at an interesting series of facts. Among them:

• Rates of rape, assault, robbery, murder, and other violent crime peaked in many U.S. cities in the early 1990s, then went into decline.
• Those declines have largely continued despite (a) a growing population of young men and (b) economic troubles like the Great Recession, both of which should've theoretically caused a spike in violent crime rates.
• While some credit the declines to legislation like the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, violent crime has continued to abate, even though that particular ban expired in 2004.

How is this possible? Some point to increased incarceration rates, others to larger police forces, and still others to various forms of birth control, which helped couples manage the size of their families and all the attendant expenses.

But Drum suggests that the decline in violent crime may be due to a molecule -- namely, that of lead.

GETTING THE LEAD OUT
We've long known that lead can cause serious health problems in humans, especially children and pets. Even low levels of exposure have been shown to affect IQ and behavior.

Most of that research has come from studies of lead paint, which was banned in the U.S. in 1978. However violent crime in the U.S. took off in the 1960s and didn't really start declining until the early 1990s. In other words, there's no neat overlap between lead paint and violent crime.

However, economist Rick Nevin discovered that there is, in fact, a very close correlation between tailpipe emissions from leaded gasoline and violent crime. Those emissions began climbing during the 1940s, and in the 1960s, as the children of the 1940s reached adolescence and young adulthood, crime began to spike.

Soon afterward, the detrimental effects of leaded gas on the environment became clear, and its gradual phase-out began in 1973. Roughly two decades years later -- as children of the early 70s reached their late teens and early adulthood in the 1990s, crime began its steep decline.

As of January 1, 1996, the Clean Air Act outlawed the use of leaded gasoline in on-road vehicles, so you'd think that by about 2016, lead would be a non-contributing factor to crime rates in the U.S. But as Drum points out, lead doesn't disappear so easily. It hangs out in the atmosphere, and even more importantly, it penetrates the ground, where it remains hazardous. (To back that up, Drum posts data from a detailed study of lead levels in the soil of New Orleans and its correlation to crime rates.) A nationwide cleanup and prevention effort would cost around $20 billion today, but Drum claims that such an investment would generate $210 billion in returns via reduced crime and higher IQs.

What is your opinion? Let us know in the comments!