Things and Stuff: 01/18/01

Notes from our business community
- and everywhere else

THE NORTH CAROLINA ...

Center for the Advancement of Teaching made national news this week in an article that appeared in The New York Times.

The story, "Giving the Teacher Balm for Burnout," appeared in the Education Life section of the Times on Sunday, Jan. 7. It was written by Jacques Steinberg of New York, national education correspondent for the Times. Steinberg wrote a feature accompanied by color photos taken by Asheville photographer Benjamin Porter.

The article focused on the experiences of several teachers who attended an NCCAT seminar in October. Steinberg visited NCCAT for three days to research his story. The electronic version of the article in the Education Life section can be seen at www.nytimes.com or through a link on NCCAT's home page at www.nccat.org.

Steinberg wrote that NCCAT is drawing national attention "because of the added pressures put on teachers by new standardized tests, and because of the looming teacher shortage in many districts. With the nation expected to need 2 million new teachers in the next 10 years, a function of rising retirements and enrollments, districts are trying to extend the careers of teachers. Over the last year, delegations of educators, business leaders and politicians from more than a dozen states and districts have traveled to the center to study its model."

The New York Times is one of the most admired and influential newspapers in the world. The members of its staff have won more prestigious journalism awards for excellence than any other newspaper.

DR. THOMAS WILSON ...

a family practice physician with 30 years experience, is now accepting patients. His office is on East Fork Road, south of Sylva.

THE REACH ...

Thrift Boutique will hold a half-price sale Wednesday, Jan. 24, through Saturday, Jan. 27. The store is located next to the Merita store on West Main Street in Sylva.

JERRY SEAGO ...

of Hillsborough, nephew of Jesse Flake of Cullowhee, will participate in Saturday's Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C., along with other members of the N.C. Chapter of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. Seago is planning to take two helicopters he exhibited at Cullowhee Valley School last fall. The parade is set to begin at 2 p.m. Saturday. Seago and other members of the group often participate in Veterans Day parades and school events, Flake said.

THE ALMOND TWIRLERS ...

will host a regular dance Thursday, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m. at the old Whittier School. Caller will be Marty Northrup, and Carol Pound will lead line dancing. A beginners' class will be offered each Monday at 8 p.m. starting Feb. 5. For more information, call 497-2490.

VOTE FOR ...

your favorite tree! The National Arbor Day Foundation is spearheading an effort to choose a tree as a national symbol. The winning choice will be announced on Arbor Day, which is the last Friday in April. Visit www.arborday.org to cast your vote.

"As a society, our symbols matter. Having a national tree selected by the people will serve as a continual reminder of the importance of our magnificent natural heritage and of our responsibility to care for America's great gift of trees," said a foundation spokesman. "This symbol will be our gift for the ages, made possible by your actions today. Please encourage everyone you know to participate in this historic vote."

AREA ARTIST ...

Kathy Van Kleeck of Bryson City, a jewelry designer and studio artist, will teach a one-day jewelry workshop at Comfort Suites in Cherokee Saturday, Jan. 27. The session will focus on Precious Metals Clay, a putty-like mixture of silver powder, water and binder that results in real silver jewelry after being dried and fired in a kiln. For more information or to enroll, call Van Kleeck at (828) 488-6395.