OffbeatTravel.com Announces Its Top Five Offbeat Towns for 2008, (Dahlonega included)

Since 2000 OffbeatTravel.com has been seeking out offbeat towns and underknown places to visit. Now this acclaimed travel information website has named its Top Five Offbeat Travel Towns for 2008.

For Immediate Release February, 2008

For More InformationContact: Neala Schwartzberg Phone: 516 353-5300Email: Neala@OffbeatTravel.comwww.OffbeatTravel.com

OffbeatTravel.com Announces Its Top Five Offbeat Towns for 2008 “This is our inaugural offering of the top five offbeat places to visit over the next 12 months,” said Neala Schwartzberg, publisher of the respected website www.OffbeatTravel.com.

“We thought it was time – we had all these interesting, unusual, quirky towns and wanted to let travelers know about them” said Schwartzberg. “We like the small gems, the places fewer people have experienced, but many would enjoy,” said Schwartzberg.
This will be a yearly offering. “We’re making this an annual list,” said Schwartzberg, “so each year there will be new cities and towns we think people will want to visit.”

The first list highlights some of the most interesting and quirky towns in the country. Each year, newly discovered hidden hideaways will be revealed, Schwartzberg announced.

The towns for 2008 (in alphabetical order) are:

Dahlonega, Georgia – This historic gold rush town offers a charming downtown, great range of lodging, an excellent community theater, and family friendly activities from panning for gold and gold mine tours to kangaroos visits. Read more about Dahlonega, Georgia

Fort Collins, Colorado – A town with five breweries including the award-winning New Belgium Brewery, and the quirky found metal sculptures of Bill Swets, situated in the foothills of the Rockies appeals to visitors on several levels. Beer, folk art, and natural beauty make this town a winning combination. Read more about Fort Collins, Colorado

Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii – In addition to the friendly, hippie feel of this north coast Kauai town, there is the breath-taking beauty of Hanalei Bay. Add to this luxury accommodations, fun shopping, and soft adventure activities. It’s off the beaten path... for now. We expect this to change. Read more about Kauai, Hawaii

Moline, Illinois – The city of Moline is John Deere central – complete with Deere family homes, the world headquarters for Deere & Company, John Deere Pavilion, and the Collectors Center, even the John Deere Plaza in the center of town. It’s all unexpectedly good fun, especially climbing up the metal behemoth farm equipment. Read more about Moline, Illinois

Taos, New Mexico – When people hear Taos, they think of high-priced ski resorts, but down the mountain is the actual town of Taos. This is a small walkable town with some of the most innovative art in New Mexico and some of the spiciest history. The Taos pueblo is one of the oldest and is open to public for visits. Read more about Taos, New Mexico

For More InformationContact: Neala Schwartzberg Phone: 516 353-5300Email: Neala@OffbeatTravel.comwww.OffbeatTravel.com

The Beetle Battle Paddle to Help Save the Hemlocks

The Beetle Battle Paddle
A benefit to help save the Hemlock Trees

Saturday, March 29, 2008
(9:00am-2:00pm) -Note: these are put-in times; must be off river by 5:00pm

Appalachian Outfitters (www.canoegeorgia.com) and the Lumpkin Coalition will be hosting The Beetle Battle Paddle on March 29th. A fun way to help save the Hemlocks! Boat rentals and shuttles for the lower section of the Chestatee River (self-guided) will be offered at the regular rates with 100% of the proceeds going to the hemlock tree defense efforts.

Canoes and double sit-on-top kayaks are $43 and single kayaks are $28. These costs include gear rental and shuttle fees. Shuttles are $10/personal boat. The average float/paddle time for this section is 2.5 hours with plenty of flexibility. Bring a picnic and enjoy it in our outpost picnic area or half way down river on a river beach. This is a wonderful opportunity to give while having a great time.

To find out more details or make reservations you may visit their website (www.canoegeorgia.com) or call 706-864-7117.

Washington Peace March Cancelled

This message relates to the previous posting regarding the peace march, war protest in DC.

I am sorry to announce that the Peace Demonstration and March on the 15th of March, 2008 as called by A.n.s.w.e.r. has been canceled.
Iraq Veterans Against the War requested all national coalitions to NOT hold a march because IVAW is conducting "Winter Soldier" hearings from march 13-16 in DC
with veterans testifying to the criminal nature of the war and occupation. Iraq Veterans Against the War are hoping to have the total attention of the media on that day in DC.

I will continue to monitor A.N.S.W.E.R. and Troops Out Now watching for a peace march call on a national level. Please watch and let others know that our Iraq Veterans Against the War “Winter Soldier” hearings need our attention. Make sure everyone knows of this historic event. I suggest tuning into Amy Goodman on Democracy Now democracynow.org via cable or internet down load.

There will be a national call for a peace demonstration in the near future so do not loose your enthusiasm.

Peace
Bob Billings

Bus to War Protest in Washington For Dahlonega Residents

A local group from this area frequently attends the peace marches in Washington DC. Bob Billings is the local organizer and provided the following information.

A.N.S.W.E.R.
Act Now To Stop War and End Racism

This is a call to everyone in North Georgia who would like to march, help someone else get to this march or help find someone to go either in your place or with you on the bus.
Help Make History on the 5th Anniversary of the War
Join us on Saturday, March 15th for a massive demonstration in Washington, D.C., at which we will exercise our rights to assemble and speak on behalf of the majority of Americans, the majority of Iraqis, the majority of U.S. troops, and the majority of people around the world who all say: U.S. Out of Iraq! This gathering will support the Iraq Veterans Against The War Winter Soldier Testimonial.

I am filling seats to this Historic March now. Bus tickets round trip are $90.00. We carpool from Lumpkin, White and Habersham Counties to the Wal-Mart parking lot in Commerce, GA just off I-85 on Friday March 14th, 2008 and depart from Commerce bound for D.C. around 8:00 PM. We ride together all night stopping several times for breaks and food, arriving just outside of Washington D.C. the next morning. We will enter the city via the subway system and will assemble at a point to be determined on the mall. A.N.S.W.E.R.’s goal is to make this a million person march. We will meat up with the buses again Saturday evening and return to Commerce, GA around 8:00 AM Sunday morning.

Please make a contribution to help others go on this March, sponsor someone in your place, go yourself and most importantly help find others who will go. We need marchers and contributions to insure that no one who wants to go is left behind.

I have 40 seats reserved with the Atlanta International Action Center who is organizing and providing buses to this Historic event. This War is about to enter its 6th Year, Please march with us for Peace and Just for all.

Email me with what you can do, GO, Support someone else who wants to go, find others to go with you or in your place. Please we only have weeks before this event takes place and 11 of the 40 seats are already booked. If your response is so great we will add more buses.

Email me at rcbillings2@windstream.net for more information or to reserve your seat.

Bob Billings - Bus Organizer

Southeast Convergence for Climate Action

This is an event that Progressive Dahlonegan's may want to consider attending.

NIRS (Nuclear Information & Resource Service) is proud to invite you to participate in the
August 8 – 14 Southeast Convergence for Climate Action
www.climateconvergence.org (select Southeast) at a Secluded site near Asheville, NC

Social Justice * Energy Justice * Climate Justice * Non-violence * Democracy skills
Week-long intergenerational training retreat (“Action Camp”) — learn about false solutions to climate change (“clean coal” and nuclear) — build real-world skills for real climate solutions; organizing; action.

Registration required – come for all or part. Low cost ($50 -- $100, sliding scale)...scholarships available. Meals and tent camping included in registration OR stay in area motels; limited Asheville home-stays possible. To register please visit: http://www.climateconvergence.org/southeast/index.php

Daily Activities: intensive workshops on anti-oppression, basics and advanced issues in energy, environment, climate, local/global sustainability, democracy skills
all issue sessions will include strategic thinking and planning, spanning local to global
community time, shared chores, yoga, evening campfire, music

Panels/Workshops include:

Confronting False Solutions to Climate Change including “clean coal” and nuclear power
Anti-oppression leadership training
Strategic Campaign building
Grandparents of our movement telling stories of past victories
Nukes 101, Fossil Fuels 101, Organizing 101
Global Nuclear Energy Partnership and its Global Mobile Chernobyl
Countering mountain top removal and challenging expanding coal energy plans
Principles of non-violent activism
Climbing and other action skills
Making big puppets
Homegrown sustainability – wind, solar, energy efficiency, permaculture, small hydro, small biofuels
…and more!

Cosponsors include:
Southern Energy Network www.climateaction.net/
Nuclear Information and Resource Service www.nirs.org
Mountain Justice Summer
Energy Justice Summer http://energyjustice.net/ejs/
Asheville Rising Tide
Rising Tide North America http://risingtidenorthamerica.org/wordpress/category/front-page/
Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League www.bredl.org
Nuclear Watch South www.nonukesyall.org
The Canary Coalition www.canarycoalition.org

Please register – come for all or part -- http://www.climateconvergence.org/southeast/index.php
More information: Mary Olson NIRS Southeast Office 828-675-1792 – or nirs@main.nc.us

Through July 31, 2007, all web donors to NIRS will receive a free Ani DiFranco CD (Live at Carnegie Hall). Donate now and get some great music while supporting NIRS efforts to prevent new atomic reactors and build a sustainable energy future.

* * * *
NIRS is now on myspace! Join us at http://www.myspace.com/nonukesnirs

Revival Gardens Certified Organic Produce

Dahlonega is fortunate to have, Revival Gardens, a certified organic vegetable farm nearby.

Current produce available include:

• Potatoes (Yukon Gold) $1.50lb
• Yellow Squash $1.50lb,
• Zucchini $1.50
• Okra $3.00lb
• Pickling Cucumbers 4/$1.00
• Cherokee Purple tomatoes $3.00lb
• Basil, Cilantro, Oregano, Thyme, Sage, Chives and Garlic Chives, Shiso, and French Taragon $1.50 bunch
• Swiss Chard $2.50 bunch
• Green Peppers .75 each
• Jalapeno Peppers 4/$1.00

Place your orders and pick-up this Saturday 9-10AM at the garden (they will also be conducting an invertebrate sampling/count from10AM. Let them know if you and your kids, nieces, nephews, neighbors' kids can attend this fun seasonal activity.

RSVP for their annual Mid-Summer Harvest Dinner, Saturday, July 21, 6:30-8:30PM$12.00 per person; bring your own drinks and glasses (tentative menu is Tempura, cold Buckwheat Noodles,and other summer garden delicacies)

Contact Joe and Sayuri at Revival Gardens, www.worldclass.net/gardens for more information.

Happenings at Dahlonega Healing Arts Center

The Dahlonega Healing Arts Center has the following activities for individuals in the area.

Spiritual Cinema Movie Night: First Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm. Join Penny for some uplifting and thought provoking movies. A different movie is shown each month, on a variety of topics. Call her to find out what movie she will be showing this next month or just stop by! Cost: Love offering.

Qi Gong and Tai Chi: Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings

Yoga: Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings. Call Penny for days, times and cost.

Meditation and Chanting: on Monday evenings at 6:00. Cost: Love offering.

(For information and costs call Penny at Dahlonega Healing Arts: 706-867-7026)