March 24

Entrepreneur Club meeting: The Entrepreneur Club collaborates with Connect-Up-WNC on March 24 at 9:30 a.m., at the Front Porch Cafe Coffee House in the Gateway Flea Market in Whittier on Route 74/441 near the Cherokee exit. Contact Cathy Gibson at (828) 497-5936 for more information. Art exhibit: Western Carolina University will present the School of Art and Design biennial faculty exhibition from Wednesday, March 24, through Saturday, May 8, at the Fine Art Museum. The exhibit, titled "System + Structure, will open with a reception from 4 to 6 p.m. March 24.

March 25

Relay for Life meeting: The Cashiers Relay for Life team captains and committee will meet at the Grove Community Church on Highway 107 N. in Cashiers on March 25 at 5:30 p.m. Commissioners plan special meeting: The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 25 in room A201 of the Justice and Administration Building in Sylva. The purpose of the meeting is to hear an appeal by Wayne Smith/Jack In The Box, Inc. Water Resources meeting: The Water Resources Board will meet on Thursday, March 25, at 5:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the of the Jackson County Health Department at 538 Scott's Creek Rd., in Sylva.

March 27

Free paddling clinic: Headwaters is holding a free cold water paddling clinic at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 27 at the outfitter's shop in Rosman. Hike: The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a strenuous 12-mile hike, with an elevation change of 2,800 feet, to Newton Bald from Smoke Mont, returning on Mingus Creek trail to Mingus Mill. Meet at Huddle House in Dillsboro at 8 a.m.; Drive 80 miles round trip from Franklin. Bring water, lunch; wear sturdy shoes. Call leader Don O'Neal at (828) 586-5723 for reservations. Hike: The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a moderate 5.7-mile hike on the Park Creek and Park Ridge loop trails in the Standing Indian area. Meet at Westgate Plaza in Franklin at 9:30 a.m.; Drive 26 miles round trip. Bring water, lunch; wear sturdy shoes. Call leader Bill Van Horn at 369-1983 for reservations.toward Highlands. Meet at the Smoky Mountain Visitor Center in Otto at 2 p.m., or call leader for alternate meeting place if coming from Highlands. Drive 22 miles round trip. Call leader Kay Coriell, 369-6820, for reservations. Balsam Grove special singing: Balsam Grove Baptist Church would like to extend an invitation to the public for a night of singing with special guests, The Rye Holler Boys, on Sunday, March 21. Supper will begin at 5 p.m. in the fellowship hall followed by the worship service. Balsam Grove Baptist Church is located on Caney Fork.

March 28

Palm Sunday cantata: The whole community is invited to Cashiers United Methodist Church (CUMC) this Sunday, March 28, at 11 a.m. as the church's Chancel Choir performs its Palm Sunday cantata, "The Lenten Sketches." For more information, call CUMC at (828) 743-5298. Palm Sunday choral concert: The Western Carolina Community Chorus will present a concert of Choral Classics on Palm Sunday afternoon, March 28, at 4 p.m., in the Sylva First Baptist Church sanctuary. There is no charge for admission, but audience members should arrive early to ensure seating.

March 29
Holy week service: Worship will be from 12:05 to 12:35 p.m., with lunch afterward. It will be held at The Church of the Good Shepherd with Toby Summerour of Good Shepherd preaching.

March 30
Holy week service: Worship will be from 12:05 to 12:35 p.m., with lunch afterward. It will be held at Grace Community Church with Michael Gonzales of Grace preaching.

March 31

Peek retirement party: There will be a retirement reception for Gary Peek, President of the Cashiers office of United Community Bank on March 31 at the bank. Karen Strickland is in charge of the event. She can be reached at Karen_Strickland@UCBI.com. Holy week service: Worship will be from 12:05 to 12:35 p.m., with lunch afterward. It will be held at Cashiers Baptist Church with Scotty Patrick of Cashiers Baptist preaching.

April 1

Holy week service: Worship will be from 12:05 to 12:35 p.m., with lunch afterward. It will be held at Cashiers United Methodist Church with Tommy Wrenn of Double Springs Church of God preaching Bluegrass jam: The Old-Time and Bluegrass Jam Session Series will continue Thursday, April 1. The 7 p.m. concert at WCU's Mountain Heritage Center will be followed by an 8 p.m. jam session in which local musicians are invited to participate.

April 2
Highlands religious service: At the Stations of the Cross on Friday, April 2 at noon. Gather at the Our Lady of the Mountains RC Church. The procession will move through downtown. All are welcome. Holy week service: Worship will be from 12:05 to 12:35 p.m., with lunch afterward. It will be held at Cashiers Church of God with Shane Silvers of Cashiers Church of God preaching.

April 3
Hike: The Nantahala Hiking Club will take a four to five-mile moderate hike on the Coweeta Hydrological Lab upper trail, an old logging trail through the pines, ending up at Shope Creek with a secluded waterfall nearby. Meet at Westgate Plaza in Franklin (opposite Burger King) at 9 a.m. Call leader Gail Lehman, 524-5298, for reservations.

April 4

Hike: The Nantahala Hiking Club will take an easy two-mile hike on the Little Tennessee River Greenway, shuttling from Big Bear Park to Macon County Library, and hiking back to Big Bear Park, observing seedpods, nuts, fruits and early wildflowers along the way. Meet at Big Bear Park, Main Street, Franklin at 2 p.m. Call leader Kay Coriell, 369-6820. Highlands religious service: Community Easter Sunrise Service at 6: 45 a.m., on Sunday, April 4 at the Nature Center in Highlands. All are welcome. Bring a blanket since the event will be held outdoors. Sunrise service: On Easter Sunday, April 4 there will be a Sunrise Service at The Village Green at 7 a.m.

April 5
Commissioners meeting: The Jackson County Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 5 in room A201 at the Justice and Administration Building in Sylva.

ONGOING:

Flu vaccine available: Vaccine is available at the Jackson County Department of Public Health daily from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Call (828) 587-8201 for updates and availability. Head Start: Head Start has announced it is now taking applications for three and four-year-old children in Haywood and Jackson Counties. To apply for Head Start or for more information, call (828) 452-1447 in Haywood County or (828) 586-2345 in Jackson County. Habitat Resale Store: The Jackson County Habitat for Humanity Resale Store is located on Highway 107 in Glenville and is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. Call (828) 743-9634 for more information. Thrift Shop: The Treasure Chest thrift shop, located on Highway107 off Slab Town Rd., in Cashiers is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. All proceeds go back into the community. For more information, call (828) 743-0889. Thrift Shop: The Glenville Thrift Store is open on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 4:00. Thrift Shop: The Cashiers Community Center Thrift Shop is open Monday from 10 a.m. to 3p.m., Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds help to keep the community center open. For information, call (828) 743-7050. Library Book Store Open: Book bargains are available at the Friends of the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library's used bookstore every day during regular library hours. Best Sellers and other interesting nearly new books can be found in the store located just beyond the library desk. AA meetings: A closed meeting is held at 5:30 p.m. (time change), Mondays, a closed meeting for women is held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, and open meetings are held at noon Wednesdays and Fridays. All meetings take place at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in Highlands. AA meetings: Open meetings are held on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. (12:00 p.m. starting Jan.), on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., and on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Highway 107 S. in Cashiers.

MONDAY:

Art Lessons: Art Lessons are held Monday through Friday mornings and afternoons at the Blue Valley Gallery. For information, call (828) 743-2956. Tai Chi: The Golden Age Senior Center offers Tai Chi exercises on Mondays and Thursdays at 4p.m. For information, call (828) 586-4944. Art League: The Area Art League meets the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Swain County Center for the Arts. For information, call (828) 488-7843. Civil War Round Table: Western North Carolina Civil War Round Table meets the second Monday of the month at 5 p.m. at Bogart's in Sylva for dinner with the guest speaker and then 7p.m. at the Justice Center in Sylva. For information, call Roz at (828) 293-9314. Family Resource Center: The Jackson County Family Resource Center is available to help families and individuals find needed resources, and it always has a public access computer available. They are now accepting applications for all respite programs. Call Carrie Swanson at (828) 586-2845. Satellite Clinic: The Jackson County Department of Public Health holds a satellite clinic on the third Thursday of the month from 9a.m. to 3 p.m. WIC services are offered, along with immunizations, blood pressure checks and a BCCCP Program Call (828) 586-8994. Free Health Clinic: The Jackson County Department of Public Health holds its general clinic Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. in Sylva. The clinic offers blood pressure checks, vaccinations, TB testing and more. Call (828) 586-8994. Cashiers Area Community Planning Council: The Planning Council meets the fourth Monday of the month at 5 p.m. at the Cashiers library unless otherwise announced. AA meetings: Open meeting are held each Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Starting in Jan. the meeting time will be moved to 12:00 p.m., but the date and place will remain the same.

TUESDAY:

Senior Fitness: On Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Cashiers Community Center Gym. It's free. This is a walking exercise class. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. For questions call Jan at (828) 743-1947. Al-Anon meetings: Al-Anon meetings offering hope and support for families or friends of alcoholics are held each Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. at Grace Community Church. For information call (828) 743-9814. Bible Study: A weekly bible study is held at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Glenville Wesleyan Church about a mile north of the Glenville Post Office on Highway 107 N. For information, call 743-0868 or (828) 743-2232. Bereavement Group: The West Care Hospice Bereavement Support Group meets the third Tuesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. at the chapel conference room at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. For information, call (828) 586-7410. AA meeting: An open meeting is held on Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd.

WEDNESDAY:

Cashiers Quilters: The Cashiers quilters meet every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at Cashiers United Methodist Church on Hwy.107 South. For information, call (828) 743-1625. Cashiers/Highlands Knitting Guild: A nice lively group meets on Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Buck's Cafe at the crossroads in Cashiers. Everyone is welcome to join this wonderful group. Preschool story time: On Wednesdays at 11 a.m. at Cashiers Community Library, it's preschool story time. Join Miss Elizabeth for stories, crafts, and plenty of fun. For more information, call the library at (828) 743-0215. Cashiers Bibliophiles: Cashiers Bibliophiles meets monthly, September through May, every second Wednesday at 5:30 PM and discusses a selection of quality literary fiction. For February the book is Serena by Ron Rash. Moderator Sandy Bayley. All members of the community are invited to attend. Questions call Ethan Staats 743-2558.

THURSDAY:

Senior Fitness: On Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Cashiers Community Center Gym. It's free. This is a walking exersise class. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. For questions call Jan at (828) 743-1947. Panthertown Workdays: The Friends of Panthertown workdays are the last Thursday of every month. Volunteers are needed to maintain trails. Contact Nina Elliott at (828) 526-9938 (ext 258) or e-mail: friends.of.panthertown@gmail.com or visit the Web site at www.j-mca.org. Planning Board: The Jackson County Planning Board meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in Room A227 of the Justice Center in Sylva. Blood Pressure Checks: The Jackson County Department of Health offers free blood pressure checks on the third Thursday of the month from 9 to 11a.m. at the Golden Age Senior Center in Sylva. Cholesterol and blood sugar checks are also available. For information, call (828) 586-4944. Bible Study: A King James Bible study will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday nights at Louise L. Long's house across from the Glenville Post Office. All are welcome. AA meeting: An open meeting is held on Thursday nights at 8:00 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd.

FRIDAY:

Living Wills: WestCare Health System will offer free information on living wills from 9 a.m. to noon on the first Friday of each month in the lobby of Harris Regional Hospital. For more information, call (828) 586-7748. Support Group: "The Circle of Life" support group continues to meet at the Highlands•Cashiers Hospital at the Jane Woodruff room 201 on Fridays. The group meets from 10 a.m. to noon. Call Barbara Buchanan at (828) 526-1402 or Florence Flanagan at (828) 743-2567. Humane Society Dog Walk: The Cashiers Highlands Humane Society dogwalk is every Friday from 10 a.m. until noon. Volunteers are welcome to assist with the walks. For more information, call (828) 743-7270. Al-Anon meetings: Open meetings are held at noon Fridays at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation.

SATURDAY:

Veteran and Ladies Auxiliary Meeting: Jimmy Dillard Post 10685 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and its Ladies Auxiliary hold monthly business meetings on the second Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. The Post is located on Hwy. 107 North in Glenville. Call 743-5908 after 5:30 p.m. weekdays. Farmers' Market: The Franklin Farmers Tailgate Market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon across from Drake Software on Palmer St. Items include organic breads and produce, herbs, landscape and ornamental plants, preserves, feta cheese, puppy treats and more. AA meeting: An open meeting is held on Saturday mornings at 9:00 a.m. at the Church of the Good Shepherd.