Graffiti success story

A release from Reynolds Mountain:

"To anyone who drives along Merrimon Avenue, graffiti has become an all too familiar sight. And although the police are actively engaged in prevention and enforcement, the problem is widespread and difficult to monitor.

"That is where local business and non-profits can come together to fill in the gaps. Asheville GreenWorks, for example, offers a graffiti kit to aid in the removal of the most common forms of graffiti.

"Recently, Executive Director Susan Roderick made it her mission to tackle an eyesore of graffiti on the former Domino’s Pizza building in North Asheville. She asked around until she learned that local developer and builder Kirk Boone was able to make contact with the building’s owners. Roderick and Boone worked together to get an estimate approved by the owner. Last week the building was repainted t all of the graffiti.

"As the local Keep America Beautiful affiliate, Asheville GreenWorks is concentrating time and effort to eradicate the eyesores around town."

Boone is the founder of Reynolds Mountain.

For more information about Asheville GreenWorks, go their Web site. For more information on Reynolds Mountain, go to their Web site.

Several road construction updates

Pleasant Grove Road in Weaverville is closed today for bridge inspection, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation Web site. It will be closed until 4 pm today. Traffic is being detoured around Pleasant Grove.

The NCDOT Web site also reports that work continues on a bridge on N.C. Hwy 251 west of Weaverville near Lower Flat Creek Road. That work is expected to continue until September.

A few public service announcements

Here are three public service announcements that didn't make this week's issue of the Tribune:

From Mars Hill College:

"Mars Hill College is honored to host the Trombones de Costa Rica in concert at 7:30 pm on Friday (Feb. 20) at Moore Auditorium.

"The Trombones de Costa Rica is a trombone quartet of world-class musicians. With a broad repertoire from classical through their own Latin flavors, their performances are captivating for all audiences.

"Tickets for the concert are $10 general admission, and will be available at the door (cash or check only). Mars Hill students may attend for free, with their college ID."

From Mars Hill College:

"Mars Hill College has been chosen as the new location for the Women Band Director’s International Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame will be dedicated during a concert of the Mars Hill College Wind Symphony at 7:30 pm on Saturday (Feb. 21) at Moore Auditorium.

"The WBDI Hall of Fame will be located on the main floor of Robert L. Moore Hall, the center of Mars Hill’s music program. The collection of oil paintings will honor outstanding WBDI members who have distinguished themselves in the music profession through national and/or international recognition and musical achievement.

"The following are the WBDI Hall of Fame Members: Gladys Wright, Helen May Butler, also known as “The Female Sousa”; Elizabeth Green, (an author of one of the textbooks currently in use in the Mars Hill College music program); Marie Louisa Cotaya; Barbara Lovett; and former Asheville Middle School teacher Pat Garren.

"The Women Band Directors International (WBDI) was officially chartered on Dec. 18, 1969 in Chicago, Illinois as the Women Band Directors National Association. In December 1997, the organization officially adopted the current name, and in December 2006 celebrated their 37th anniversary at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago."

From Church of the Holy Spirit in Mars Hill:

"Ash Wednesday services will be held at noon an at 7 pm on Wednesday (Feb. 25)."

Leftover Woodfin notes

* January 2009 sales at the town's ABC store totaled more than $167,000, an 104 percent increase over $82,000 worth of sales in January 2008.

* A portion of ABC profits must be devoted to supporting alcohol educational and rehabilitation programs, per state mandates. The Woodfin ABC Board will select several programs in the near future.

* The town is tired of trash cans on the street. The town has sent out 300-400 letters to residences with trash cans perpetually on the street. Young said the town is within its rights to collect the cans off the street and regard them as trash if they are not promptly removed.

Late afternoon weather

Some late afternoon weather has several trees and power lines down in the area, including a fallen tree which temporarily closed an eastbound lane of the future Interstate 26 near the New Stock Road exit.

Leftover Weaverville Town Council notes

* The town is beginning discussions to determine rental rates and various other issues involving the reopening of the town's community center at Lake Louise. Minor repairs are expected to be completed by the first of May with rent availability to begin shortly there afterward.

* Expect the town to look at possible annexations before the state laws change, which will likely happen soon.

* Gary Whitson asked the town to consider rezoning the First Baptist Church parsonage from commercial to residential. The Weaverville Planning and Zoning Board will review the matter March 3 and the town council will look to approve March 16.

* The emergency gas and diesel fuel pumps for the town should be operational in eight weeks, Weaverville Town Manager Mike Morgan said.

JV Boys update

We've been keeping you updated on the North Buncombe High School Junior Varsity Boys' Basketball team's path to a perfect season, both here and in the pages of the Tribune. Now that the team has completed what is believed to be the first perfect season by any BlackHawks athletic team in the school's history, the Tribune will have a story on this team's remarkable season in the Feb. 26 edition.

New occupants for The Garden Station space

Now that The Garden Station has closed its doors, a new tenant is scheduled to move into the space near the corner of South Main Street and Merrimon Avenue in Weaverville. Kim Luke of Kitchen Scapes, currently located behind Shope's Furniture, said the custom cabinetry business is moving to the former home of The Garden Station and adding home decor to its offerings. Look for a story on the refined business in a future edition of the Tribune.

JV Boys go for perfection tonight

The North Buncombe Junior Varsity Boys' Basketball team goes for a perfect season tonight at Asheville. The game starts at 5 pm. The BlackHawks have already captured the Mountain Athletic Conference crown.

Multi-car accident on I-26

Several cars involved in a minor accident on the future Interstate 26 East in Woodfin has traffic slowed and merging into one lane. The accident occured sometime before noon near Exit 23.

Big Ivy Volunteer Dinner

The Big Ivy Community Center will host a “Volunteer Appreciation Dinner,” beginning at 5 pm on Saturday (Feb. 14). All past volunteers are welcomed to attend.

Handy Mart remodeling

The Handy Mart at the corner of North Main Street and Monticello Road in Weaverville closed Sunday (Feb. 8) and will reopen in approximately 20 days, according to owners.

JV still perfect

The North Buncombe High School Junior Varsity Boys' Basketball team is still perfect.
The BlackHawks defeated Franklin 68-42 on Friday (Feb. 6). Coach Clint Loftin credited reserves Grant Westbrook, Collin Lilly and Colby Fox for their effort. Their record is 21-0, 10-0 in the conference. More on this team in Thursday's edition.

Helping out in Barnardsville

Here's a release from Bob Bowles, director of the Big Ivy Community Center:

"Two families in Barnardsville recently lost their homes in a fire. In helping these folks, we were contacted by a community member that has many items to donate (furnitire, clothes and kitchen items).

"We need folks and trucks to help move these items from Weaverville to the Barnardsville Thrift Store where they will be available for the families to pickup.

"The transport will take place from 10 am to noon this Saturday morning (Feb. 7) at 44 S. College St, Weaverville. If you can assist in loading or by bringing a truck, call 777.8916."

For more information on Barnardsville happenings, go to http://www.barnardsville.com/

No injuries in Hwy. 197 accident

Emergency personnel responding to a two-car accident on N.C. Hwy. 197 (Barnardsville Highway) reported no injuries. The accident occurred shortly after 3 pm today. The road is partially blocked currently.

Games cancelled

Basketball games for North Buncombe High School have been cancelled for tonight. The NBHS Wrestling team's match at Enka was still scheduled as of 2 pm, but things could change with these weather conditions.

Snow is falling at a light-to-moderate pace in Weaverville currently, but temperatures are still above freezing at the moment.

Wet snow falling

Some wet snow started falling in Woodfin and Weaverville around 2 pm this afternoon. Temperatures aren't currently cold enough in North Buncombe for the snow to be causing any problems, but that could change later tonight and tomorrow. Temperatures are expected to drop to below freezing this evening and hover around that mark tomorrow as more precipitation is expected to fall.

Wreck on Weaverville Road

Woodfin emergency personnel are currently clearing a two-car accident along Weaverville Road just south of Exit 23 off the future Interstate 26. No serious injuries are reported as a result of the accident, and traffic is running slowly, but smoothly.