Local Firm Selected To Pursue Large-Scale Solar Energy Plant on County’s Closed Landfill

Watauga Solar partners Ray Sinclair, left, and Ged Moody, right, are currently conducting a feasibility study to determine the practicality of constructing a 1- to 2-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) power plant at the county’s closed landfill site that will produce solar energy, create opportunities for local investment and ownership and serve as an educational tool for all ages of students and citizens. Photo by Sam Calhoun
Click here for the article from High Country Press
Trout Season Began Over the Weekend

Trout season got underway across North Carolina at 7:00 Saturday morning.
According to the North Carolina Sportsman magazine, the season will run until February 28, 2011.
You can stay up-to-date on the latest fishing regulations and see maps of public fishing areas by visiting www.NCWildlife.org/Fishing.
Ten tips for a Greener Bathroom
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the greenest bathroom of them all? Not you? Perhaps asking environmental questions of the mirror is not the best idea, but greening your bathroom is! With all of the water, products and tissue paper used in this one room, this is part of your home that deserves some attention.
Here are 10 ways to make your bathroom greener:
Circular Hakka Houses Create Self-Sustaining Communities

War and conflict often bring about the destruction of architecture, however these forces can also result in new constructions that define a cultural identity and place. Stressed by China’s growing population, the Hakka people have been confronted with armed warfare for local resources since the 17th century. To remedy their situation the Hakka began building massive structures that could not only stave off intruders, but would also form amazing self-sustaining micro-communities complete with food storage, space for livestock, living quarters, temples, armories and more.
Click here for more from inhabitat.com
A winter coat

Most of the trees on Grandfather Mountain are painted with rime ice Friday, while those at the top half of the mountain have a heavy coating. The top half of the mountain is closed to the public as the Mile High Swinging Bridge is covered in inches of ice and continues to be enveloped by fog. Photo by Landis Wofford @ Watauga Democrat
Nature Conservancy Protects High Country Mountain Peak
The Nature Conservancy this week announced the acquisition of 466 acres at the summit of Little Yellow Mountain in Avery and Mitchell counties…
A Beautiful Bend Oregon Green Prefab

All of you know Stillwater Dwellings. This new company is indeed very busy these days with an array of orders. They have recently completed their first prefab home in Bend, Oregon. This home was built using the sd231 floor plan and includes 2,950 square feet of space. This house contains three bedrooms, two and halfbathrooms, a laundry room, and 600 square feet of garage space. The cost of construct this house was $175 per square foot which includes the entire site work.
Click here for more from Homedit.com


ASU to cut ribbon on wind turbine
The Renewable Energy Initiative of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC is holding its official ribbon-cutting event on Nov. 12 at 3 p.m. for the 100KW wind turbine successfully installed at the university-owned Broyhill Inn & Conference Center. The project, installed by Alteris Renewables, was completed this past summer. The turbine is currently the largest wind development in the state of North Carolina.
Click here for the article from The Watauga Democrat