RockyFest set for May 25 at Rocky Face Park

The public is invited to attend “RockyFest” on Saturday, May 25, 2013 at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area (Rocky Face Park) to celebrate the park’s one-year anniversary. rocky-face-1

The day-long event will feature activities for the entire family, including: 10K, 20K, and 50K runs; rock climbing classes; geocaching; children’s activities; live music; food; and guided nature hikes. Except for the trail races, all activities are free and open to the public.

Download the flyer HERE.

The 10K, 20K, and 50K races will all begin at 8:30 a.m. All races follow the same course on hiking trails around the mountain starting at the park’s picnic shelter, located beside the parking lot in the quarry area. run-the-rock-runnersThe 10K course is one (1) loop, the 20K course is two (2) loops, and the 50K course is five (5) loops. Special awards will go to the top three (3) overall males and females in each race. All finishers will receive a custom medal. Awards will be presented as participants finish. There will be no age-group awards. Early entry fee for the 10K and 20K is $20, or $30 for the 50K, if postmarked by May 13, 2013. Registration will increase $10 for all race registrations after May 13, including race day. Tech water-wicking shirts are guaranteed for all pre-registered runners, so early registration is encouraged. Checks should be made payable to Alexander County, and mailed to Rocky Face Trail Race, 621 Liledoun Road, Taylorsville, NC 28681. No refunds will be available. Race numbers and shirts may be picked up at the park on Friday, May 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Late registration will be also be accepted at that time. Registration will also be available on race day from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. at the picnic shelter. Download the registration form HERE… or contact Rick French at (828) 632-9332 or rfrench@alexandercountync.gov.

rocky-face-2Free rock climbing classes will be offered throughout the day from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., 12:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and 4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Rock Dimensions Climbing Guides of Boone will provide the climbing equipment and training as participants will get a taste of climbing on real rock. The 90-minute sessions will focus on getting participants into the gear (harness, helmet, climbing shoes) and getting them on the rock for a vertical experience. There will be a maximum of 15 participants (age 6 or older) per session. A waiver must be signed. A parental consent form must be signed for participants under age 18.

geocachingA geocaching event will begin at 2:00 p.m. that day. There are approximately 20 geocaches hidden at Rocky Face Park, offering visitors ample opportunity to explore the park and find the geocaches. Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor treasure hunting game using GPS-enabled devices. Participants navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location. Participants must have a GPS unit and an active geocaching.com account. For more information, visit www.geocaching.com.sugar-loaf-ramblers

Children’s activities will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., including inflatables, face painting, and storytelling with Miss Mel (4:45 to 5:15 p.m.).

In addition, there will be live music and free food from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Sugar Loaf Ramblers will perform from 3:00 to 4:45, and The Idle Time Band will perform from 5:15 to 7:00. Please bring a lawn chair, and sit back and enjoy the music.

At 5:00 p.m., park rangers will take visitors on guided nature hikes to explore the trails and learn more about the park and its unique ecosystem.

The-Idle-Time-BandLimited parking will be available at the park; otherwise, parking will be available at Rocky Face Baptist Church (a Greenway Public Transportation shuttle will transport visitors to and from the park).

For more information, visit www.rockyfacepark.com/rockyfest or call 828-632-1093.

Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area is located at 3451 Rocky Face Church Road, Hiddenite, NC 28636. From US Hwy. 64 East (from Taylorsville), turn left onto Millersville Road, or from US Hwy. 64 West (from Statesville), take a right on Millersville Road, and travel to the stop sign. Take a left on NC Hwy. 90 and turn right onto White Plains Road. Travel to the stop sign and turn right onto Rocky Springs Road. Turn left onto Rocky Face Church Road. The park will be located on the right. The church is just past the park on the right.

Household Hazardous Waste/Shred It Day – April 27

In conjunction with Earth Day, the Alexander County Household Hazardous Waste/Shred It Day will take place Saturday, April 27, in the County Administration building parking lot.

The purpose of this event is to give county residents an opportunity to dispose of environmentally harmful materials (that are found around the home) and personal documents in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Listed below are some of the items that can be disposed of at the HHW/Shred It Day.

-Household Cleaners, including drain openers, toilet bowl cleaners, oven cleaners, and disinfectants;

-Paint Products, such as latex and oil based paint, solvents, thinners, shellacs, varnishes, wood preservatives, and sealers;

-Pesticides which include herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides in the forms of aerosols, liquids, granular, etc.

-Miscellaneous items such as acids, bases, kerosene, household batteries, photographic chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, electronics, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, propane gas cylinders and metallic mercury.

-Any type of personal documents for shredding. Material will be shredded on site, in front of you.

The HHW/Shred It Day is a free service for the residents of Alexander County only, businesses will not be allowed, with the exception of farmers. Farmers are welcome to dispose of pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides in aerosol, liquid, or granular form, free of charge.

Sponsors for the HHW/Shred It Day are Alexander County Government, Alexander County Cooperative Extension Service, and the United States Department of Agriculture. The Alexander County Administration Office is located beside the Senior Center off Liledoun Rd. Operating hours will be 9:00a.m. until 1:00p.m. Saturday April 27. For additional information please contact the Alexander County Solid Waste/Recycling Department @ 632-1101, jmitchell@alexandercountync.gov or Cooperative Extension @ 632-4451

Free Gardening Forum Offered March 12, 2013

The Garden group of the Alexander Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition and the Alexander County Partnership for Children will offer a free forum on gardening on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, at 7 to 9 PM, in the conference room at the CVCC campus on the street across from the Walmart entrance in Taylorsville. Anyone interested in planning a garden this year, whether at home or with a group, is invited to come to hear about the recent and exciting community garden and other gardening activities in our county. Not only have several garden plots been created in town and offered to anyone interested in having their own garden area but community gardens have been created by others, including churches and businesses. Those interested in creating a garden area at home will find the program interesting and helpful too. All age groups can participate in gardening and garden projects, enhancing inter-generational communication and activity. All county church groups and service groups, such as Rotary and Kiwanis, are encouraged to consider planning and operating gardens the products of which can be offered to improve the nutrition and dietary resources of the less fortunate of our county by offering the yield of the garden to those in need. At the Forum, several community members who have been participants in gardening projects will be discussing their experience and offering suggestions for those interested in beginning a gardening project. Helpful handouts will be available. After the short presentations there will be time for questions and discussion. Come join us in our efforts to improve the health and nutrition of our county.

Household Hazardous Waste/Shred It Day

In conjunction with Earth Day, the Alexander County Household Hazardous Waste/Shred It Day will take place Saturday, April 27, in the County Administration building parking lot. The purpose of this event is to give county residents an opportunity to dispose of environmentally harmful materials (that are found around the home) and personal documents in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Listed below are some of the items that can be disposed of at the HHW/Shred It Day.

  • Household Cleaners, including drain openers, toilet bowl cleaners, oven cleaners, and disinfectants;
  • Paint Products, such as latex and oil based paint, solvents, thinners, shellacs, varnishes, wood preservatives, and sealers;
  • Pesticides which include herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides in the forms of aerosols, liquids, granular, etc.
  • Miscellaneous items such as acids, bases, kerosene, household batteries, photographic chemicals, fluorescent bulbs, electronics, aerosol cans, pool chemicals, propane gas cylinders and metallic mercury.
  • Any type of personal documents for shredding. Material will be shredded on site, in front of you.

The HHW/Shred It Day is a free service for the residents of Alexander County only, businesses will not be allowed, with the exception of farmers. Farmers are welcome to dispose of pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides in aerosol, liquid, or granular form, free of charge.

Sponsors for the HHW/Shred It Day are Alexander County Government, Alexander County Cooperative Extension Service, and the United States Department of Agriculture. The Alexander County Administration Office is located beside the Senior Center off Liledoun Rd. Operating hours will be 9:00a.m. until 1:00p.m. Saturday April 27. For additional information please contact the Alexander County Solid Waste/Recycling Department @ 632-1101 or Cooperative Extension @ 632-4451

County to consider contract with NuCare Carolina Ambulance, Inc.

ALEXANDER COUNTY, NC (February 5, 2013) – Alexander County is currently reviewing a contract with NuCare Carolina Ambulance, Inc. to provide support for the Alexander County Emergency Medical Services division for convalescent (non-emergency) care. If an agreement is reached, NuCare would only provide supplemental services when requested by EMS or 911 Communications.

Press Release – County To Consider Agreement With Nucare

Juvenile Crime Prevention Council seeking proposals

The Alexander County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council is seeking proposals for service providers to provide services to youth and their families in Alexander County. For more information about the identified areas of need and instructions for submitting a proposal please go to http://alexandercountync.gov/pdf/rfp.pdf

All proposals are due by March 1, 2013 as explained in the RFP.