NCMC Events From Around the State… February 2, 2015

1). The Tobacco Farm Life Museum (www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org) will hold the 10th annual “Breakfast with the Commissioner” event hosted by Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler. During the event Mr. Joseph Priest, will be presented with the “Excellence in Agriculture” award. The award is sponsored by Wells Fargo. For the second year, the “Innovative Young Farmer” award, sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of North Carolina, will also be presented at the event. This special event will take place on Friday, February 6^th at 8:00 a.m. Tickets are on sale for $25 and include breakfast, the opportunity to hear firsthand the latest agriculture news, participate in acknowledging the “Excellence in Agriculture” and “Innovative Young Farmer” award winners and visit with North Carolina’s Agriculture leaders. Proceeds from this event benefit the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, Inc. Tickets can be purchased by calling 919-284-3431.

2). Asheville Art Museum (www.ashevilleart.org) is excited to present the next recital in its Pianoforte Series on Sunday, February 8 at 3:00 p.m. As part of the Museum’s popular series, Pianist Leslie Downs will perform selections by Mozart, Mompou, Ginastera and Chopin. Dr. Downs is active as both a solo and a collaborative pianist. Dr. Downs received his Doctor of Music Arts in Piano Performance degree from the University of Oklahoma. He also holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Yale University and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Centenary College of Louisiana. Dr. Downs currently serves as an adjunct professor at both Mars Hill University and East Tennessee State University. He also maintains a private teaching studio in Asheville.  Pianoforte concerts fill up quickly, so guests are encouraged to reserve seats early by calling 828.253.3227 or visiting www.ashevilleart.org.

3). NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher (www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher) will offer programs tailored especially for individuals who live with autism spectrum disorder on Sunday, February 8^th.  Autism Friendly Day programs and activities are free with Aquarium admission. The dive program, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., will include an educator assisting guests in finding animals in the Cape Fear Shoals, the 235,000 gallon exhibit featuring sharks, rays and a green sea turtle. A diver will briefly describe the found animals. Visitors also can collect seven Aquarium passport stamps to guide them through the Aquarium and help identify animal-touching opportunities. A calm-space to help provide comfort, relaxation or a break will be available to families and their children.  The Aquarium hosts Autism Friendly Day with the assistance of the University of North Carolina TEACCH Autism Program to better serve the needs and interests of children and adults living with autism.

4). The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History (www.northcarolinamuseum.org) will be hosting Beginners Genealogy Class from 6- 8pm beginning Tuesday February 10. This course, taught by local genealogist Esther Johnson, will be a five-part series designed for the individual who is interested in researching his/her family tree. The classes will be held on Tuesdays February 10, 17, 24, March 3 and 10.  Visits to the Surry County Register of Deeds office and the Carlos Surratt Genealogy Room at Surry Community College are included.  Classes are $5 per person, free to Museum members. Call 336-786-4478 to register.

5). Tryon Palace (www.tryonpalace.org) invites you to their annual Free Day on Saturday, February 7^th.  This year’s theme is “Working 9 to 5” and gives visitors and opportunity to get a first-hand look at the skills of colonial tradespeople. On this special day visitors can tour the first floors of Tryon Palace and its other historic buildings, enjoy the smells and tastes of their historic kitchens, and explore the winter gardens - all free of charge! In the N.C. History Center there will also be free hands-on craft activities and discounted admission to Regional History Museum and Pepsi Family Center.  Visit http://www.tryonpalace.org/sites/default/files/freedayflyer2015_final.pdf to download a map of all Free Day activities.

6). Museum of the Albemarle (www.museumofthealbemarle.com) invites members of non-profit organizations, as well as CPAs and accountants within the Albemarle region of North Carolina, to attend a special presentation regarding the North Carolina law that affects sales tax changes for entertainment activities and how these changes affect non-profits. The presentation will take place on Monday, February 9^th at 1 p.m. and will be led by Eric K. Wayne, Sales and Use Tax Director for the North Carolina Department of Revenue. The audience will be given an opportunity to ask Wayne questions to better clarify the law. The presentation is free and will take place within the Gaither Auditorium, located on the first floor of the Museum of the Albemarle. No reservation is necessary; however, space is limited to 200.

7). Hands On! (www.handsonwnc.org), a Child's Gallery in Hendersonville, invites you to make A Valentine at Hands On! in their Party Room Tuesday, February 10^th – Friday, February 13^th. This drop-in activity is geared for all ages and will let you be creative & celebrate the ones you love! Free with $5 admission/free for members. Sponsored by Todd Webb, CPA, PC.

8). Joel Lane Museum House (www.joellane.org) will sponsor a performance of “Oldest Living Confederate Widow” on Friday, February 6, 2015 7:00 to 8:30 pm at All Saints’ Chapel, 110 South East Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. “Oldest Living Confederate Widow” is a play Allan Gurganus and Jane Holding adapted for the stage from his best-selling novel. It is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., New York City. Admission is $26 per person.  Advanced purchase strongly suggested by visiting Eventbrite.com. Tickets are non-refundable unless we must cancel the event. For more information, visit www.joellane.org, call (919) 833-3431, or e-mail joellane@bellsouth.net.   

9). New Winston Museum (www.newwinston.org) invites you to “Two Chancellors on a Stage” on Wednesday, February 11^th, at 7:00 p.m. at UNCSA’s Freedman Theatre.  “Two Chancellors on a Stage” is a public dialogue between current UNCSA Chancellor M. Lindsay Bierman and former Chancellor Alex Ewing on leading an arts conservatory in Winston-Salem. Event is free and open to the public.

10). Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum (www.ncmaritimemuseums.com) invites you to Matters of Steel: Examining the Deterioration of a WWII Merchant Shipwreck on Thursday, February 5^th at 11:00 a.m.

North Carolina’s coastline sits along the fault lines of America’s maritime history. For hundreds of years, humans have lived along our shorelines, leaving the indelible marks of their activities embedded in banks and beaches, as well as under the water. This lectures series will highlight the results of the latest research being undertaken in the state on a diversity of topics - from reconstructing the pivotal battles, iconic shipwrecks, and critical industries of yesteryear to the challenges involved in the study and preservation of North Carolina’s maritime past.  Presenter: Kara Fox, Program Maritime Studies, East Carolina University.  Free program.  The program will also be streamed LIVE during a 6 p.m. online presentation at http://csi.northcarolina.edu/ustream.  For more information, call 252-986-2995 or email maryellen.riddle@ncdcr.gov.