Strut your frosty stuff at our 2nd Annual Snowman building contest. Your creativity is endless, and personal accessories are allowed. All snowmen have to family-friendly. Prizes will go to the most creative or superlative snowman or snowwomen!

Gather around the fire as one of our Nature enthusist teaches the proper techniques of Flytying. You will become an expert in no time!

Parents can enjoy a night out and support a great cause. Proceeds benefit effort to build a classroom and buy textbooks for a school in Uganda. There will be fun activities and crafts. Snacks will be provided. As a bonus, parents will receive discounts at local businesses that they can use during their night out. Cost is $10 per child/ $25 max per sibling group. For more information or to register, contact Tiffany Christian at tiffanychristian@charter.net or 828-729-2704

Local dog trainer, Vanessa Van Valin, of Dog’s Best Friend Training, will be teaching a Dog Obedience Class using the clicker training technique on Thursday evenings February 16th, 23rd, March 1st, 8th and 15th from 5:30pm – 6:30pm. Cost of class is $150.00. Classes will be held in the Watauga Humane Society’s Community Room, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the animals at the Watauga Humane Society.

Grace Lutheran Church 115 E. King Street Boone, NC will sponsor a Red Cross Blood Drive Saturday February 18th from 9-1:30

The 2012 Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program is now accepting applications. Classes will meet weekly from 1 - 4:30pm beginning on Wednesday, March 7 and continuing through May. Applications can be picked up at the Watauga Cooperative Extension Center located at 971 West King Street in Boone, or downloaded at: http://wataugaces.blogspot.com/2012/01/become-extension-master-gardener.html

Dogs love to be well-behaved. They look to their masters for guidance. This winter, join your dog and others for either (or both) of two fun-filled (indoor) winter canine behavior-improvement class opportunities. Dog Obedience Training classes with John Quy at the Watauga Humane Society, 12:30-2:00pm Saturdays - Jan. 21st, Jan. 28th, Feb. 4th, Feb. 11th - AND - Canine Good Citizen classes with John Quy at the Watauga Humane Society, 12:30-2:00pm Saturdays - Feb. 25th, March 3rd, March 10th, March 17th - held indoors in the Watauga Humane Society's Community Room, 312 Paws Way, Boone, NC 28607 - $150.00 for dogs adopted from a shelter or rescue, $200.00 for all other dogs - a generous portion of proceeds will benefit the care and shelter of the Watauga Humane Society's animals waiting for forever homes

Schedule of Events The 2012 A Cool 5 Race Weekend will be held June 8th and 9th, 2012 on Beech Mountain, NC. Events include a pre-race pasta dinner hosted at the Buckeye Recreation Center with live music, games and activities, and a guest motivational speaker (to be announced). Pre-race packet pick-up will be available for race day participants at the Buckeye Recreation Center during the pasta dinner festivities. Saturday consists of the 5 mile race, pet-friendly (complete with doggy water stops), 1.5 mile fun run and walk, race expo, kids fun village with bounce house, complementary beer, and post-race meal and awards presentation with live music and games for the family. Friday, June 8th, 2012 Race Packet Pick-up at Buckeye Recreation Center 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Pre-Race Community Pasta Dinner 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Saturday, June 9th, 2012 Pre-registered racers are guaranteed a race t-shirt, a post-race meal voucher, and other free swag in the works. For those of you 21 and over, you will also receive 2 free adult beverages upon finishing one of the A Cool 5 races. Race Day registration will be available; however, race t-shirts and swag will be given out on a first-come first served basis and sizes may be limited. Be sure to register early to geet your race T and swag! Note: Running Strollers are allowed on the entire race course. Dogs will be allowed for the first 1.5 mile fun run/walk event. Doggy water stops and "doggy bags" will be available along the way as well! Race Day Registration and packet pick-up 7:00 a.m. 5 Mile Race Start 9:00 a.m. 1.5 mile fun run and walk 9:15 a.m. Post Race Festivities 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. The overall male and female finisher will be recognized and will receive awards for their accomplishments. Age group awards and prizes will also be given out to the top 3 male and female contestants in the following age group categories: Under 13 13 - 17 18 - 24 25 - 29 30 - 34 35 - 39 40 - 44 45 - 49 50 - 59 60 - 69 70 and above