Circular Hakka Houses Create Self-Sustaining Communities

Environment, Future Development — EDITOR on December 15, 2009 at 9:27 am

sustainable design, green design, self-sufficient communities, hakka houses, china, tulou communities, rammed earth walls, world heritage site

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

Blue Ridge Parkway, Environment — EDITOR on December 6, 2009 at 8:51 am

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

Environment — EDITOR on December 6, 2009 at 8:42 am

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

Building, Environment, Future Development — EDITOR on November 5, 2009 at 9:51 am

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

A Beautiful Bend Oregon Green Prefab6

A Beautiful Bend Oregon Green Prefab5



ASU to cut ribbon on wind turbine

Environment, Future Development, General — EDITOR on November 5, 2009 at 9:30 am

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



Watauga’s Future in Farming

Environment, Zoning & Politics — EDITOR on November 5, 2009 at 9:26 am

Citizens Take Part in Visioning Workshop for County Ag Plan

About 50 people participated in lively discussions about farming in Watauga County at a community visioning workshop held October 29 at the Watauga County Administration Building. The Watauga County Soil and Water Conservation District hosted the workshop to gather input for a plan intended to support the growth of farming and the availability of farmland in the county.

Click here for the article in the High Country Press



County landfill to create electricity

Building, Environment — EDITOR on September 18, 2009 at 7:27 am

By: Scott Nicholson
The Watauga County Board of Commissioners gave the go-ahead for a gas-to-electricity project at the former county landfill Tuesday night.

More from the Watauga Democrat



Blue Ridge Electric Offers Solar Water Heating Rebate Program

Environment, Future Development — EDITOR on September 18, 2009 at 7:25 am

http://www.highcountrypress.com/weekly/2009/09-17-09/00_photos/shelter-1.jpgStory by Celeste von Mangan
Water heating in your home uses a large portion of electricity and is preceded in energy consumption only by air heating and cooling systems. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using a solar water heating system in conjunction with a backup electric heater can cut costs by 50 percent. Though it may take several years to recoup the initial outlay at the time of purchase, recovery of this cost can be facilitated by taking advantage of a $500 rebate from Blue Ridge Electric, along with progressive tax credits from the federal and state government.

Click here for more from High Country Pres
Click here to learn more about Blue Ridge Electric



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Registration is now open for the High Country Triple Crown running series - Appalachian State University
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:25:57 GMT+00:00 -

Registration is now open for the High Country Triple Crown running series
Appalachian State University
BOONE – The Institute for Health and Human Services (IHHS) at Appalachian State University announces the High Country Triple Crown, a series of three ...

Downtown Farmers Market set to open April 3 - Cherokee Scout (subscription)
Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:06:49 GMT+00:00 -

Downtown Farmers Market set to open April 3
Cherokee Scout (subscription)
At 11 am Saturday, March 27, the club will begin a three- to four-hour benefit ride through Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Anyone with a motorcycle ...

High Country Climber Killed in Fall - Boone Mountain Times
Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:17:12 GMT+00:00 -

High Country Climber Killed in Fall
Boone Mountain Times
The body of a Boone rock climber was discovered on Thursday, March 4, near mile marker 242 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Alleghany County. ...

Cold, snowy winter has been a blessing for ski resorts in Beech Mountain - Hickory Daily Record
Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:52:04 GMT+00:00 -

Cold, snowy winter has been a blessing for ski resorts in Beech Mountain
Hickory Daily Record
Beech Mountain - Nobody's complaining about this winter's abundant snowfall in the ski-lodge villages of North Carolina's High Country. ...

and more »
Time capsule buried at courthouse - Jefferson Post
Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:42:40 GMT+00:00 -

Time capsule buried at courthouse
Jefferson Post
What will future generations of Ashe County citizens remember about the High Country in 100 years? ...

Author Pegram to address High Country Writers - Boone Mountain Times
Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:59:13 GMT+00:00 -

Author Pegram to address High Country Writers
Boone Mountain Times
He and his wife, Patty, reside in Oak Ridge, NC and he is a grandfather. His wife will be joining him for the meeting on March 11. ...

Old Man Winter vs. Watauga musicians - Boone Mountain Times
Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:17:16 GMT+00:00 -

Old Man Winter vs. Watauga musicians
Boone Mountain Times
Since the clinic involved so many students, parents and school systems across North Carolina, it will not be rescheduled. "They were very disappointed," ...

Boone resident snags Gov's Award - Boone Mountain Times
Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:24:40 GMT+00:00 -

Boone resident snags Gov's Award
Boone Mountain Times
Boone resident and College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) senior associate director of technology Robin Greene was awarded the Governor's Award for ...

Women's Basketball Welcomes UNCG for "Pink Zone" Game and Alumni Day Saturday - ASU Appalachian Mountaineers
Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:02:10 GMT+00:00 -

Women's Basketball Welcomes UNCG for "Pink Zone" Game and Alumni Day Saturday
ASU Appalachian Mountaineers
BOONE, NC - Appalachian State University women's basketball returns to the High Country for the first time in a little over 10 days as the Mountaineers host ...
Women's Basketball Women's Basketball Hands UNCG 67-49 LossASU Appalachian Mountaineers

all 127 news articles »
Land coalition on track - Winston-Salem Journal
Tue, 23 Feb 2010 05:12:36 GMT+00:00 -

Land coalition on track
Winston-Salem Journal
BOONE - A coalition of 10 North Carolina land trusts is on track to complete an effort to protect 50000 acres of mountain land by the end ...

and more »



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