(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . DKos Asheville Open Thread: Cherokees embrace recreational weed, North Fork, Cooper champions union [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-09-09 Good day and welcome to DKos Asheville. This is the weekly Open Thread for Saturday, September 9th, 2023 This space appears each weekend to give readers a variety of links to local and regional news of interest, and opens the floor for comment and discussion. Wishing all a good day from beautiful Western North Carolina. “Daily Kos fights for a progressive America by empowering its community and allies with information and tools to directly impact the political process.” CHEROKEE, N.C. (WLOS) — In a historic move, voters in Cherokee on Thursday voiced their approval of a referendum calling for legalizing recreational marijuana use for adults on the reservation. The referendum passed 2,464 to 1,057, according to unofficial results from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Board of Elections. Now, it's up to the Tribal Council to pass legislation governing the sale of marijuana. If the council does, it would make the reservation the first place in North Carolina where marijuana could be legally possessed and used. The tribe decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana within the Eastern Band's 57,000-acre Qualla Boundary in 2021 and also approved medical cannabis two years ago. SEPT. 8, 2023 - Democratic Governor Roy Cooper spoke Friday, Sept. 8, during the 66th annual N.C. State AFL-CIO convention held at the Asheville Renaissance Hotel. He touched primarily on the importance of union workers as it pertains to voting and how important it is for them to turn out to vote in the 2024 election. (Photo credit: WLOS staff) WLOS, Kimberly King, 9/8/2023 ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper spoke before nearly 300 union members Friday, Sept. 8, at the Asheville Renaissance Hotel during the 66th annual N.C. State AFL-CIO convention, which is the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations -- the largest federation of unions in the United States. Cooper expressed his appreciation for the union members' support, and he highlighted how he has worked to keep union interests as a top priority during his tenure as governor. Cooper cannot run again under state statute. His key message Friday was the importance of union workers to voting, and he encouraged Democrats to show up to the polls. He stressed the importance of state and federal elections. “We need to elect legislators, judges, members of Congress, a new governor and a President of the United States,” said Cooper, “all of whom care about working families, who will put that as number one in their priorities.” Citizen-Times, Will Hofmann, 9/9/2023 FLETCHER - The multi-colored chairlift ride over the WNC Agricultural Center can only mean one thing — the fair is back. The 29th annual N.C. Mountain State Fair opened at 9 a.m. Sept. 8, bringing rides, fair foods and Western North Carolina traditions back to Fletcher. The fair will run through Sept. 17. During the grand opening ceremony, N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler noted the predicted good weather and and hoped for a record attendance year. "We hope everybody will come out. I would love to see a record crowd this year," Troxler said. Troxler also noted the fair's emphasis on safety for the 2023 fair. Mountain Express, Jack Ingleman, 9/9/2023 North Fork of the French Broad In Transylvania County Originally published by Carolina Public Press. Carolina Public Press is an independent, in-depth and investigative nonprofit news service for North Carolina. This is a two-part investigative project reported by Jack Igelman. The project tells the history of the North Fork, how conservationists have long advocated for its special federal protection, and the process to achieve wild and scenic status for its preservation. This is part one of the investigation. As it winds its way through rugged landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and cherished recreational areas, the French Broad River in Western North Carolina is believed to be one of the oldest rivers in the world. Paddlers, conservationists, and other river enthusiasts have long advocated for special federal protection for one of its most beloved tributaries in Transylvania County. But achieving the coveted designation for the North Fork of the French Broad and similar rivers is like navigating a challenging whitewater stream. It involves skillfully maneuvering through government bureaucracy, adding years of study and review to the designation process. This complex and prolonged process requires support from local government, legislation enacted by Congress and the president’s signature. Harrison Metzger of Mills River in Henderson County is perhaps one of the North Fork’s fiercest advocates and is supporting the effort in neighboring Transylvania County to gain federal protection for this whitewater paddling destination within Pisgah National Forest. Not only has he paddled the river dozens of times, but as a local journalist in the late 1980s and early 1990s for the Hendersonville Times-News, he reported on the thwarted effort to dam the North Fork and five other tributaries of the French Broad River. Metzger calls the North Fork a “hidden treasure” and views it as a highly accessible creek run in Western North Carolina, treasured for its tight and steep features by whitewater boaters, especially during and after heavy rainfall. Citizen-Times, Rob Neufeld, 9/9/2023 (Continued from image caption above) Watch out! The traffic. Everyone seems giddy with prosperity these days. You wouldn't know there's a war going on in Europe, or maybe you would. Kids go joyriding — at night they open their mufflers and honk their horns, coming from parties. Delivery boys on bicycles go 25 miles per hour, weaving in and out. Oh, you seem to be enjoying yourself. OK, maybe you're heading to the Battery Park Hotel tonight for a party of your own. Drink some whiskey. Yeah, it's dry here, been so since 1908, but that doesn't stop these fancy places from getting liquor from across state lines. Or anyone from finding a bootlegger. Even the Vanderbilts. More of Rob’s story here. Franny's Farm Address: 22 Franny's Farm Road , Leicester , NC 28748 Times: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Dates: September 23, 2023 September 23, 2023 Admission: $60 Early Bird $90 after 9/9/23 $60 Early Bird $90 after 9/9/23 Email: info@elderflowercommunity.org Buy Tickets - Visit Event Website - View Venue Details - Add to Trip Planner Elderflower Care Community launches its fundraising efforts with a farm event reflecting its mission. On Saturday, September 23rd, community members are invited to eat healthy foods, dance, and bid on auction items from local businesses at the Rooted in Compassion event at Franny’s Farm. Proceeds from the event will support the initial phases, raising money for a low resident-to-caregiver ratio residential care for elders in a farm and nature setting. Elderflower will be a thriving multigenerational community that provides full-time support for memory care and activities of daily living, from assisted living to 24-hour home health care. The initial home will be a sustainably built Deltech structure with a communal space and four wings housing eight residents. Thanks for reading and discussing, wishing all a nice weekend. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/9/9/2192376/-DKos-Asheville-Open-Thread-Cherokees-embrace-recreational-weed-North-Fork-Cooper-champions-union Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/