fracking

Presenting the acclaimed old-time, Southern Appalachian string band The Roan Mountain Hilltoppers!

Welcome in the Spring with a square dance benefit & silent auction with proceeds going to preserve the Piedmont and stop fracking from coming to North Carolina.

lesson at 7:30 p.m. dance at 8:00 on Saturday April 27th with a silent auction.

Location: The Paperhand Puppet Intervention Studio
6079 Swepsonville Saxapahaw Rd.  in Saxapahaw, NC

Entrance: $10-20 donation $5 for kids under 16

Square Dance FAQ:

Is square dancing hard?

A: Most beginners feel that old-time square dancing is pretty easy. All you need to do is learn a few simple moves like “do-si-do” and “swing yo’ partner”. You can jump in and learn while dancing, or come early for the 7:30 intro to learn all you need to know. No fancy footwork is required and the caller tells you everything to do.

I’m so shy, what happens if I come to the dance all by my lonesome?

A: It’s a friendly scene – if you come all by yourself you’ll meet new people who like to dance and have fun.

Square dancing? Ha ha! Isn’t that the hokey cheeze we done in grade school PE?

A: Well now that you made it through puberty try it again, my friend. No puffy costumes required here, but for the full desired effect you must be willing to get hog wild.

What kind of clothes should I wear?

A: Wear something comfortable that expresses your personality. To say we’re an informal bunch is an understatement. Just make sure your private parts are covered and you are wearing some sort of shoes.

What kind of shoes should I wear?

A: You ought to wear soft-soled shoes. Shoes with smooth, thick leather soles or are preferred. Some tennis shoes or dress shoes with rubber soles could be okay if they have smoother, non-sticky soles. Please avoid wearing boots, tap dancing shoes, soccer cleats, ice-skates, or any other kind of footwear that will scuff the floor. Sandals usually don’t work too well. Bare feet present a high risk of pain and disfigurement, which may or may not be to your liking.

What’s the difference between contra dancing and old-time square dancing?

A: The two styles of dance are pretty similar and there is a lot of overlap in the crowds that attend each. There are a few differences, however:

Square dance callers tend to focus on traditional southern dances that can often be traced back through the centuries. Most contras are modern dances composed within the last 15 years that have been optimized to keep dancers walking through figures continuously, up and down a big line.

In old-time square dancing it is common for the caller to improvise calls on the fly, allowing for a dynamic interaction between the caller and the dancers. Contra dances are highly repetitive, which some people like because they can trance out as they move and up down the line. Old-time squares also have more “space” in the figures for dancers to express themselves with freestyle footwork.

At a typical square dance there will be more variety in dances, often including squares, half-sets, round dances, reels, waltzes, two-steps, and other regional dances that defy categorization. Most contra dances focus on long-line dances with occasional waltzes.

Old-time square dances feature string bands playing straight-up, hard-driving, old school banjo and fiddle music. Contra dances have more variety in the types of bands that play, but tend towards a more modern mix of Celtic, New England, and Old Time music, and often have keyboards and percussion in addition to fiddles

State Environmental Agency Issues Draft Report on Hydraulic Fracturing; Public Meetings Scheduled for March 20 and March 27

 

RALEIGH – Hydraulic fracturing can be done safely in North Carolina as long as the right protections are in place prior to issuance of any permits for the practice, according to a draft report issued today by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The report also notes the need for more information on groundwater resources in the area where drilling for shale gas may occur before making final decisions on environmental standards.

The report issues the department’s findings following a study of the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of shale gas exploration and development in North Carolina. This study was directed by Session Law 2011-276, which required DENR to study the issue of oil and gas exploration in the state and to specifically focus on the use of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing to extract shale gas. The draft report was issued today ahead of two public meetings scheduled for later this month. The final report to the General Assembly is due May 1.

After reviewing other studies and experiences in oil and gas-producing states, the draft report concludes that hydraulic fracturing can be done safely as long as the right protections are in place, prior to issuing any permits for hydraulic fracturing in North Carolina. As part of the draft report, DENR developed a set of initial recommendations in consultation with the Department of Commerce in the event the General Assembly acts to allow horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in North Carolina. The recommendations include:

·         Collection of baseline data, including groundwater, surface water and air.

·         Requirement that oil and gas operators prepare and have a DENR-approved Water Management Plan and limit water withdrawals to 20 percent of the lowest stream flow that would be expected to occur for seven continuous days once in 10 years, or the 7Q10 stream flow.

·         Enhancement of existing oil and gas well construction standards to address the additional pressures of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing.

·         Development of an oil and gas waste management regulatory program, as well as the development of a state stormwater regulatory program for oil and gas drilling sites.

·         Development of setback requirements and identification of areas (such as floodplains) where oil and gas exploration and production activities should be prohibited.

·         Development of specific standards for management of oil and gas wastes.

·         Requirement of full disclosure of hydraulic fracturing chemicals and constituents to regulatory agencies. And, with the exception of trade secrets, requirement of public disclosure of hydraulic fracturing chemicals and constituents.

·         Prohibition of the use of diesel fuel in hydraulic fracturing fluids

·         Assurance that state agencies, local first responders and industry are prepared to respond to a well blowout, chemical spill or other emergency.

·         Development of a modern oil and gas regulatory program, taking into consideration the processes involved in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling technologies, and long-term prevention of physical or economic waste in developing oil and gas resources.

·         Location of the environmental permitting program for oil and gas activities in DENR where air, land and water quality permitting and enforcement expertise is located.

·         Determination of the distribution of revenues from oil and gas excise taxes and fees to support the oil and gas regulatory program, fund environmental initiatives and support local governments impacted by the industry.

·         Identification of a source of funding for repair of roads damaged by truck traffic and heavy equipment.

·         Clarification of the extent of local government regulatory authority over oil and gas exploration and production activities.

·         Completion of additional research on impacts to local governments and local infrastructure; and additional research into potential economic impacts.

·         Determination of the liability related to environmental contamination from the industry, particularly for groundwater contamination.

Findings from this draft report will be presented first in a public meeting to be held at the Wicker Center in Sanford on March 20, 2012, from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. The second public meeting has been scheduled for March 27, 2012, and will take place in the auditorium of East Chapel Hill High School in Chapel Hill from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Both meetings will also be streamed live online at https://its.ncgovconnect.com/denr_shale_gas/.

The same information will be presented at both meetings, and public comments will be accepted at both meetings as well as via mail and email. Written comments on the draft report will be accepted through April 1, in addition to any feedback received at the two public meetings. Written comments can be sent via email to  Shale_gas_comments@ncdenr.gov; or through the mail to NCDENR, attn: Trina Ozer, 1601 MSC, Raleigh, NC 27699.

The draft report can be found online on a website that NCDENR created to provide an overview of the shale gas issue; describe current regulations associated with shale gas exploration; explain how the department will study the issue (and provide study results when complete); and guide the public in how to receive updates on the study, as well as how to provide comment on the issue. This website can be found by visiting DENR’s home page – www.ncdenr.gov – and clicking on the “Shale Gas” tab near the center of the page, and then clicking on the "DENR Study" link on the left side of the page.