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River Cleanup, Earth Day event merit support
Two ecologically-themed events are scheduled during the coming week: Saturday's annual Tuckaseigee River Cleanup will offer a hands-on opportunity to improve the local environment, and next Thursday's Earth Day celebration will provide a chance to gain knowledge of the global rewards of environmental stewardship.
This will be the 20th year that Western Carolina University has taken the lead and organized a community-wide litter pickup along the section of the river that stretches from East LaPorte to Barkers Creek. Participants can raft down the river or walk along the shore; either way, dedicated volunteers remove tons of debris from the Tuckaseigee each April.
Aside from Mountain Heritage Day, the river event is our best chance as a community to interact with WCU students, and everyone who pitches in will have the satisfaction of knowing they've done their part for the river that runs almost the entire length of Jackson County.
After cleaning up the river Saturday, take a lesson in reducing trash and cleaning up the air we breathe during an Earth Day celebration hosted by the Canary Coalition and WCU Biology Club on the University Center lawn.
Learn about hybrid vehicles and other alternative transportation methods, participate in the knowledge-based contests to win great prizes and generally support the efforts of these two groups to focus attention on the health of Planet Earth.
Informing citizens
Jackson County Sheriff Jimmy Ashe deserves kudos as well for his planned Saturday seminar on the growing crystal methamphetamine epidemic sweeping the region.
With use of the new "drug of choice" on the rise, it makes sense for the sheriff to take the lead in raising the level of community awareness of this new threat. Coupled with the upswing in the use of crystal meth is a spike in crime, which is made more alarming by the fact that the majority of those arrested in connection with meth use are armed, Ashe said.
Take advantage of Saturday's forum to acquire firsthand knowledge of the drug and its effects. The event will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. in Southwestern Community College's Myers Auditorium. |
