Off for the holidays

The officers of The Weaverville Tribune will be closed from Dec. 24-Jan. 2 for the holidays.

Our Dec. 23 issue will be hitting stands Thursday. Most Weaverville-area subscribers should receive their papers Christmas Eve, but because of the postal holiday on Dec. 25 and the weekend, other subscribers may not receive their issue until Dec. 27 or later.

Our Dec. 30 issue will be our annual year-in-review edition. It will hit stands that day, and again, Weaverville-area subscribers should receive their papers Dec. 31. Jan. 1 is a postal holiday and with the weekend, other subscribers may not receive the Dec. 30 issue until Jan. 3 or later.

Our offices at 40 N. Merrimon Ave. will reopen at 9 am on Jan. 3.

Happy holidays!

Council thanks Candlelight Stroll organizers

Members of the Weaverville Town Council had several good words for the organizers of the Candlelight Stroll on Dec. 10.

"It was a great family evening," Councilman Doug Jackson said.

Woodfin Public Works facility moves

The Woodfin Public Works facility has moved from the basement of the community center to a space at 5 Taylor Street. The Woodfin Board of Aldermen approved spending $325,000 for the space in August.

Lights extended until Wednesday

The Lake Julian Festival of Lights Drive-Thru Light Show has been extended through Wednesday (Dec. 22). Hours are nightly from 6 pm – 9 pm. The park is brightly lit with thousands of colored lights and over 50 animated and stationary light displays. The show is a presentation of Buncombe County Parks, Greenways and Recreation Services.

The cost for this drive-through production is $5 per car, $15 per van and $25 per bus. Twenty percent of the proceeds will be donated to Buncombe County Special Olympics. Lake Julian Park is located at 406 Overlook Extension, just off Long Shoals Road.

This week at NBHS

Wednesday
4 pm - Girls' junior varsity basketball @ Charles D Owen High School
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity basketball @ Charles D Owen High School
6:30 pm - Girls' varsity basketball @ Charles D Owen High School
8 pm - Boys' varsity basketball @ Charles D Owen High School

Friday
4 pm - Girls' junior varsity basketball vs. McDowell High School
4 pm - Coed varsity swimming @ East Henderson High School
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity basketball vs. McDowell High School
6:30 pm - Girls' varsity basketball vs. McDowell High School
8 pm - Boys' varsity basketball vs. McDowell High School

Coat drive extended at Water Lily

The Water Lily Organic Salon celebrates true beauty, and helping those in need is truly beautiful.

Due to the extremely cold temperatures, The Water Lily is extending this year’s “Baby It’s Cold Outside” coat drive for local families in need. In the past, over 350 coats were distributed locally. Chrysalis Consignments in Woodfin has graciously agreed to donate any surplus coats that they may have, as well.

Clean, gently used or new coats can be dropped off at The Water Lily, located at
7 Beaverdam Road in North Asheville, Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm, or at Chrysalis Consignments, 81 Weaverville Highway in Woodfin.

The coat drive has been running from Nov. 10 and will now extend to Dec. 18. All coats will be donated to North Buncombe Samaritan Ministries.

For more information, please call 505-3288 or email info@waterlily.com.

Games rescheduled for Thursday

All North Buncombe High School games scheduled for today have been moved to Thursday.

This week at NBHS

Tuesday
4 pm - Girls' junior varsity basketball vs. Tuscola High School
5 pm - Wrestling @ Freedom
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity basketball vs. Tuscola High School
6:30 pm - Girls' varsity basketball vs. Tuscola High School
8 pm - Boys' varsity basketball vs. Tuscola High School

Wednesday
4 pm - Girls' junior varsity basketball @ Pisgah High School
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity basketball @ Pisgah High School
6:30 pm - Girls' varsity basketball @ Pisgah High School
8 pm - Boys' varsity basketball @ Pisgah High School

Thursday
7:15 pm - Coed varsity swimming vs. Asheville High School

Saturday
1 pm - Girls junior varsity basketball vs. Madison High School
2:30 pm - Boys' junior varsity basketball vs. Madison High School
5 pm - Girls' varsity basketball vs. Madison High School
6:30 pm - Boys' varsity basketball vs. Madison High School

Free hot cocoa at Weaverville Christmas Parade

Weaverville Girl Scout Troop 30026 will be giving away free hot cocoa at the Weaverville Christmas Parade from 11:30 am to 1 pm (or until they run out) on Saturday at Rodney's Automotive. Last year the troop gave away more than 150 cups.

Father/daughter dance for Girl Scouts

Release from Girl Scouts...

The Girl Scouts of Buncombe and Henderson County Service Units will be hosting their first father/daughter dance for local girls. Over 200 couples consisting of girls and their male role models will be attending the One Enchanted Evening at the Ball on from 6:30 pm to 9 pm on Saturday, Dec. 4 at the T.C. Roberson High School cafeteria. The cafeteria will be transformed into an enchanted ballroom where princess will roam making special appearances among the girl scouts and girls attending. All girls in attendance will receive a beautiful Enchanted Evening fun patch for their Girl Scout uniform. This is a special event that will make every young princess glow and the beginning of an annual tradition.

World's Best Carrot Cake mention on Huffington Post

The World’s Best Carrot Cake in Woodfin was spotlighted on the Huffington Post on Sunday (Nov. 28).

Columnist Sandy Henson Corso wrote about the bakery's delectable carrot cakes.

The article can be found at huffingtonpost.com/sandy-henson-corso/the-peace-list-cyber-mond_b_788217.html.

This week at NBHS

Monday
8 pm - Swim team - vs. Asheville and Erwin @ MHC

Tuesday
5:30 pm - Wrestling - at West Henderson, Tuscola and McDowell

Christmas in Big Ivy Craft Show

Christmas in Big Ivy Craft Show

Big Ivy Community Center
540 Dillingham Road
Barnardsville 626-3438

Saturday November 20 from 9 am to 3 pm.

Enjoy country hospitality as well as handmade crafts, aprons, soaps, jewelry, crocheted items, woodworking, glassware, pottery, quilts, paintings and much more..

Lunch items will be available, which includes pinto beans and cornbread.

There is no admission fee but if you can please bring a canned good to help the needy this Christmas. For directions and information, call Marcella at 828-231-8823 or the community center at 626-3438.

Christmas Story play coming to Asheville

Release from Asheville Community Theatre. A holiday staple...

Are you hoping for peace, harmony, comfort and joy this holiday? So is Ralphie Parker, at least in the form of a special Christmas present. But his dreams may just have to wait. ACT will present this American Christmas classic on Dec. 2 through Dec. 12, playing on Thursday and Fridays at 7:30pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm.

Tickets are $22 for adults, $19 for students and seniors and $12 for children.

A Christmas Story follows nine year old Ralphie Parker’s quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun as a gift for Christmas. Ralphie pleads his case be­fore his parents, writes a paper on the subject for his teacher, and even enlists Santa Claus, himself, when he visits him at Goldblatt’s Department Store. Ev­eryone, however, just tells him: “You’ll shoot your eye out!” Determined, Ralphie invents creative ways to keep the idea of the Red Ryder BB gun first and foremost in his parents’ minds. He refuses to con­sider the thought that he may not get what he wants, despite being constantly told “no.”

Based on the 1983 movie of the same name, which in turn was based on humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoirs and short stories, the adaptation of the play was written by Philip Grecian. All the elements from the beloved movie are included - from the family’s temperamental exploding furnace to the boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a frozen lamppost. It even includes when Ralphie’s father finally wins one of the many contests he enters. The prize? A lamp shaped like a leg! Watching A Christmas Story every year is considered a tradition for many people across the country, and we hope that you’ll enjoy it, too!

Adapted by Philip Grecian from the story by Jean Shepherd, Leigh Brown and Bob Clark Directed by Susan Dillard

Online at www.ashevilletheatre.org or by calling 828-254-1320.

Recycle your cooking oil this holiday season

Release from Blue Ridge Biofuels. Great idea...

Looking for ways to better the environment this holiday season while you munch on deep-fried turkey? Blue Ridge Biofuels invites you to bring your used cooking oil to us to be reprocessed into locally-made, sustainable biodiesel. Cooking oil and grease poured down drains can build up in pipes causing costly backups at home and in municipal water systems.

Dumping into a storm drain is even worse, because the oil will flow directly into rivers and lakes and pollute natural habitats. Instead, oil can be recycled and turned into biodiesel fuel! Simply strain the left-over oil to remove any batter pieces or other debris, place the oil in a clean, sealable container and bring it to the loading dock located at the rear of the Phil Mechanic building at 109 Roberts Street in Asheville. The loading dock is accessed via the dirt road running along the railroad tracks under the Haywood Rd/Clingman Ave bridge.

By bringing us your used oil you are making a big difference in the community by protecting the environment and supporting the local economy. Thank you so much in advance for your donations and have a safe and fun-filled holiday this year.

Whopping cough cases rise in Buncombe County

Release from Buncombe County...

Buncombe County has seen a significant increase in the number of pertussis (whooping cough) cases since August. Between August 1 and November 16, 2010 the Department of Health has received reports of 40 cases of pertussis, bringing the total to 44 cases for the year. This is more than four times the number of cases seen in the county last year. Many of these cases have been in school-aged children.

Pertussis is most serious for young infants under 6 months of age. For them, getting pertussis can mean the possibility of pneumonia and even death. Pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease, meaning that it can often be prevented by receiving a vaccine. It is important that everyone be vaccinated to reduce the spread and risk of the illness, especially those around infants.

Tdap, the vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, can prevent a majority of cases of pertussis, but not everyone is vaccinated. This leads to a few cases of the illness every year. Buncombe County has the highest number of families in North Carolina claiming a religious exemption and not vaccinating their children. As we have more cases of the illness, more residents in our community are at risk of exposure and more will become sick. It is important to understand that anyone exposed to pertussis needs to receive antibiotic treatment to prevent the disease. If someone begins to show symptoms of pertussis, it is important that that person stay home for 5 days. Stronger control measures may be implemented by the Health Director including exclusion of an unvaccinated child from school for 21 days.

The Tdap vaccine is recommended for all children over 12 years of age as well as for adults, especially those who are in close contact with infants or older adults. Mission Hospital now provides Tdap for all new mothers who deliver there, and fathers and grandparents are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine from their doctor or the Department of Health at 35 Woodfin Street.

Anyone who experiences the symptoms of pertussis should stay at home and contact their doctor. Symptoms of pertussis may include:

Cold-like symptoms (runny nose, sneezing)
Cough that may have a “whoop” sound
Coughing until you vomit

Please help us stop the spread of pertussis by getting vaccinated. Protect yourself so you can protect others.


For more information about pertussis please go to www.cdc.gov or www.chop.edu

November is squash month

A release from the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project...

Area farmers are serious about their squashes. Of the dozens of varieties of winter squash out there, they grown them all—from A (Acorn) to Z (Zenith; a type of Butternut)—and offer them up at tailgate markets, groceries, and roadside stands into December.

What better time to highlight the winter squash than November, when the crop is abundant and sure to end up as a soup, casserole, or pie on the Thanksgiving table? Therefore, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) has selected winter squash as the local food of the month in their Get Local initiative. A year-round component of ASAP’s Local Food Campaign, Get Local brings together farmers, restaurateurs, chefs, and community members from around the region in celebration of a featured local food.

Area schools are also now a part of ASAP’s Get Local, and cafeterias, like restaurants, highlight a specific local food each month. This November, cafeteria menus feature locally grown potatoes.

For a list of Get Local restaurants cooking with winter squash this month, as well as more information about the initiative and a school cafeteria schedule, visit the Get Local page of asapconnections.org. Search for farm stands, groceries, and tailgate markets in ASAP’s Local Food Guide, online at buyappalachian.org. If you’re a chef or restaurant interested in participating, contact Marketing Coordinator Lee Seabrook at lee@asapconnections.org.

Coat drive at The Water Lily

The Water Lily is proud to be this year’s sponsor of “Baby It’s Cold Outside: A Coat Drive” for local families in need. In the past, over 350 coats were distributed locally.

Clean, gently used or new coats can be dropped off at The Water Lily, located at
7 Beaverdam Road in North Asheville, Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 10 am and 5 pm. The coat drive began Nov. 10 and run through Dec. 10. All coats will be donated to North Buncombe Samaritan Ministries.

For more information, please call 505-3288 or email info@waterlily.com.

St. John in the Wilderness concert

On Sunday, November 14, 2010, The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness in Flat Rock, North Carolina will host three soloists and a handbell choir singing and playing music that emphasizes bell sounds and words. The concert, titled “I Can Hear the Bells!,” will begin at 4 p.m. in the church sanctuary, located at 1905 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock. A reception will follow in the Parish House across the street from the church.

Soloists are Katie Cilluffo Trani, soprano, from Hendersonville; Andrea Bailey, soprano, from Asheville; and Dominic Aquilino, baritone, from Asheville. They will be accompanied by Derrick Everhart on piano and organ and the Handbell Choir of Bright Hope Laurel United Methodist Church in Mars Hill, North Carolina.
Music will range from Mozart and Handel to songs from the musicals Beauty and the Beast and Hairspray.

A love offering will be accepted at the door. For further information, contact the church office of St. John in the Wilderness at 693-9783.

A fundraiser for the Masonic Temple

A Benefit Concert with Kaleo Wheeler & Friends. A concert of positive music & storytelling to support the renovation of a landmark building - the Masonic Temple - in downtown Asheville. Come celebrate Kaleo's return to Asheville with five other music artists for a delightful fun, and different kind of evening. Saturday, November 13; 7:30pm; The Masonic Temple 80 Broadway; Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 at the door. For more information, call 866-581-4843

Barnardsville wants a Boy Scout troop

From the Big Ivy Community Center newsletter...

We have 15 young men who want to have a local Boy Scout troop. Can you help? We need leaders and assistant leaders. We hope to start the troop in January 2011 - but don't wait - let us know now so we can begin planning. Call me at 626-3438 or better yet - e-mail me (Bob Bowles) at bicc@barnardsville.com

Prematurity Awareness Month

November is Prematurity Awareness Month at March of Dimes...

More than half a million babies are born too soon each year and thousands don’t live to celebrate their first birthday as a result.
November is Prematurity Awareness Month, and the March of Dimes launched a new web site – marchofdimes.com/fight – where people can learn more about the seriousness of premature birth and create a personalized plan of action to help. They can volunteer, donate, or create a virtual band to celebrate, honor or remember a baby in their life.
On November 17, the March of Dimes will mark the 8th annual Prematurity Awareness Day by issuing its 2010 Premature Birth Report Card, which grades the nation and the states on their preterm birth rates. In an effort to promote awareness locally, we are proud to announce a poster competition amongst students at UNCA. These students will create posters to be displayed in the lobby of Mission Hospital and will be judged by the NICU staff. The winner will be announced on Star 104.3 during our Prematurity Awareness Day Ice Cream Social, when we will be taking time throughout that day to show appreciation to all of the amazing work that the NICU staff does every single day. We encourage the public to stop by and see the art display and to help show your support for our local NICU staff and UNCA students.

Boys' soccer makes playoffs

The North Buncombe High School boys' soccer team will host South Point at 7 pm on Wednesday in the first round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Class 3-A playoffs.

Buncombe County Schools name top principal

Marcia Perry, principal of Haw Creek Elementary School and recently voted the new “Principal of the Year” for Buncombe County Schools by her peers. Perry served as assistant principal at Sand Hill-Venable for one year and principal of Woodfin Elementary for two years before coming to Haw Creek three years ago. She also taught for 12 years in Haywood County, and served as an assistant principal there, before joining Buncombe County Schools.

This week at NBHS

Monday
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer vs. Asheville High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer vs. Asheville High School
TBA - Girls' varsity golf @ NCHSAA Regional

Tuesday
TBA - Varsity volleyball @ NCHSAA playoffs - Second round

Wednesday
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer @ A C Reynolds High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer @ A C Reynolds High School

Thursday
7 pm - Junior varsity football vs. Asheville High School

Friday
7:30 pm - Varsity football @ Asheville High School

Saturday
TBA - Coed varsity cross country @ NCHSAA Regional @ Jackson Park

Flu shots at Biltmore Square Mall

Release from Buncombe County...

The Buncombe County Department of Health will have its community Flu Vaccine Clinic this Friday and Saturday.

Biltmore Square Mall
October 22 & 23
9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Flu shots will be available for anyone age 6 months and above. Flu mist will be available for anyone age 2 - 49.

Cost of flu vaccines will be $25 for the shot and $31 for Flu Mist. Vaccines may be paid for by cash, check, MasterCard, VISA or most major insurance companies. Insurance cards must be presented before a vaccine is received. Children who are not covered by health insurance may be eligible for a flu vaccine at no charge.

While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it's especially important that people in the following groups be vaccinated.
* Pregnant women
* Children younger than 5 years
* Those who are 65 years of age and older
* People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
* Those who are morbidly obese
* Anyone who lives in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
* Anyone who lives with or cares for those at high risk for complications from flu
* Household contacts and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated).

For more information about the flu vaccine for 2010 check www.buncombecounty.org/flu; www.cdc.gov/flu; or www.flu.gov.

BlackHawk Band updates

The North Buncombe BlackHawk Band had another impressive showing at the Tournament of Champions event at Western Carolina University with an overall sixth place finish. Read more about the band's recent achievements as well as upcoming information on the Perko Classic and other events on their Web site.

This week at NBHS

Tuesday
TBA - Coed varsity cross country @ MAC Championship @ Erwin
TBA - Varsity volleyball @ MAC Tournaments @ Enka

Wednesday
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer @ Clyde A Erwin High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer @ Clyde A Erwin High School

Thursday
7 pm - Junior varsity football @ Clyde A Erwin High School

Friday
7:30 pm - Varsity football vs. Clyde A Erwin High School
TBA - Girls' varsity tennis @ NCHSAA Regionals

Saturday
TBA - Girls' varsity tennis @ NCHSAA Regionals
TBA - Varsity volleyball vs. 1st round of state playoffs

Progress of Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force

Release from Heath Shuler's office mentions work of Woodfin Police Department...

Congressman Heath Shuler (D-Waynesville) and law enforcement officials from throughout Western North Carolina announced the progress of an ongoing effort to identify, arrest, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children online or in person. 

 

In May, the Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force began Operation Western Shield, a cooperative effort by law enforcement agencies in Western North Carolina to identify, apprehend and bring to prosecution individuals who exploit children.    Operation Western Shield has to-date arrested 25 predators in Polk, Macon, Haywood, Buncombe, Transylvania, Swain and Cherokee Counties.  Just this week, law enforcement officials issued ten search warrants and conducted six knock and talks in efforts to protect children and bring those who would hurt them to justice.

 

“As a parent, I am shocked by the statistics about children being sexually solicited and victimized.  As a legislator, I am honored to be able to help our local law enforcement agents get the resources necessary to keep our kids safe and secure,” said Rep. Shuler who fought for and secured $210,000 for this initiative in 2009.  

 

A study conducted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children found that one in every five girls will be sexually victimized before they reach age 18.  Only one third of those will tell someone.  One in every seven children who regularly use the internet will receive some sort of sexual solicitation.  One in three are unintentionally exposed to sexual content online. 

 

The Internet Crimes Against Children’s Task Force combines the efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.  State and national agencies participating in Operation Western Shield include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, State Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 

 

Locally, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, Spruce Pine Police Department and the Black Mountain Police Department , Asheville Police Department, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Hendersonville Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Macon County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Swain County Sheriff’s Office, Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Waynesville Police Department, Yancey County Sheriff’s Office, Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, and Woodfin Police Department all participate in this important initiative to protect the children of Western North Carolina.

More pics from Cops for Kids Bike Run

This week at NBHS

Tuesday
Noon - Girls' varsity tennis @ MAC @ North Buncombe
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball @ Clyde A Erwin High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball @ Clyde A Erwin High School

Wednesday
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer vs. T C Roberson High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball @ East Henderson High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball @ East Henderson High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer vs. T C Roberson High School
TBA - Coed varsity cross country @ United Way Meet @ Newton

Thursday
3:30 pm - Girls' varsity golf @ Linville Falls
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball vs. Asheville High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball vs. Asheville High School

10 year anniversary of Equinox Environmental

Happy Birthday release from Asheville-based Equinox Environmental...

While we could have easily let this achievement come and go with the consistently bad economic news, we thought it was more important than ever to let people know that not all the news is gloom and doom. “This milestone is a testament to the quality of work produced by the people I work with here at Equinox", said Andy Brown President of Equinox Environmental. For our celebration we quantified our accomplishments since we started the firm back in 2000. The results which are mapped on Equinox Environmental’s updated website shows just how far the firm has come over the past 10 years.

We actually started in a recession as company of four with a vision to create a well respected conservation and sustainable development firm that provides high quality environmental design, conservation planning, and ecological services. In the first few years we had tough times and things didn’t seem to be moving in the direction we wanted. We even considered changing our “green” vision of the firm but made a conscious decision to remain true to our passion. It turns out this was the right decision. “We were green before it became trendy, so we’ve had an opportunity to develop our skills and abilities through experience and, with that, our reputation” said Brown. Now we are a staff of twelve and on the verge of busting out and making huge advances as a firm.

We feel we have built an excellent reputation in the mountains of western North Carolina and we have our sights on the rest of the southeast and the even the national scene. We have had some extraordinary projects over the last few years which are getting noticed such as the award winning Muddy Creek Partnership and the award winning conservation based development Drovers Road Preserve. Just this past year, we worked on the high profile Dillsboro Shoreline Restoration which saw the removal of the Dillsboro Dam and the restoration of the banks of the Tuckaseegee River. We just completed an 18 mile greenway feasibility study for Buncombe County that will connect Azalea Park in Asheville with Black Mountain and currently consulting on a 15 mile greenway study from Asheville, through the Town of Woodfin to the Madison County line. We also have some exciting things in the works with the federal government and if they break, it will take us to California.

These are just a few projects that have helped Equinox reach the 10 year mark. “We have accomplished a lot over our past 10 years and we have a lot to be proud, said Brown. “I could think of no better reason to celebrate”. “Keep an eye out for us; we see big things for Equinox over the next 10 years”.

Meeting on Big Ivy future

Release from the Big Ivy Community Center...

The whole community is invited to join a discussion of the future of Big Ivy on October 11 at BICC at 7 pm. This is part of an ongoing process of developing a vision and goals for BI.

History
Two years ago at a community club meeting it was raised that the county was growing and changing rapidly. BI seemed to be one of the last quiet corners of Buncombe County but is not likely to stay that way. Some people thought that we would be wise to look forward and develop a vision and goals so that we might influence the county commissioners and development. Volunteers, about eight of us, met once a month and found common ground in wanting to preserve farmland and local heritage. A year later we formed the Big Ivy Rural Preservation Society and the group became a Steering Committee of 35 representing local churches, businesses, large landowners, and other organizations including the Historical Society, BI Tailgate Market, Sustainable BI, and others. Blue Ridge Blueprints (Julie Mayfield from the Western North Carolina Alliance and Chris Joyell from the Asheville Design Center) volunteered to help us define our vision, goals, assets, and challenges. They have provided experience in this process as well as connections to other agencies that may influence the outcome of our work, for example, Land of Sky Regional Council, U.S. Forest Service, and County Commissioners. Most importantly, their goal is to help us get as many people in our community involved in creating OUR view of the future.

At our June 6 community meeting we spent most of a Saturday getting everyone's detailed ideas out and recorded. The six pages are too much to reproduce here but this is a summary.

Vision
Big Ivy is a self-sufficient, economically diverse, and agriculturally productive community that maintains its rural heritage and character and whose members promote and protect Big Ivy’s pristine natural environment.

Community Goals
1. Preserve farmland by making farming more profitable and productive
2. Increase Economic Diversity & Services
3. Preserve and Enhance Recreation Opportunities
4. Preserve Community & Heritage
5. Promote Self Sufficiency

This week at NBHS

Tuesday
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis vs. Asheville High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball vs. T C Roberson High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball vs. T C Roberson High School

Wednesday
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis @ Erwin
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer vs. Enka High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer vs. Enka High School (a win moves the BlackHawks into first place)

Thursday
3:30 pm - Girls' varsity golf vs. Reems Creek
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis @ A C Reynolds High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball @ Asheville Christian Acad.-Swannanoa
6 pm - Varsity volleyball @ Asheville Christian Acad.-Swannanoa
7 pm - Junior varsity football vs. T C Roberson High School

Friday
7:30 pm - Varsity football @ T C Roberson High School

Schedule change

Here's a change in schedule from an audition press release for the Montford Park Players that was published in this week's edition of the Tribune

Due to a scheduling conflict, Christmas Carol auditions will be held as follows:

Saturday, Oct. 9, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre, 1 Jersey St, Asheville NC 28801 (park in the actors' parking lot);
Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 5:30 to 9:00 pm at the Montford Community Center, 34 Pearson Drive, Asheville 28801.

Please bring headshot and resume if you have them; if not, that's OK. Actors will read from the script and will have time to prepare.
For more information call 254-5146 or email info@montfordparkplayers.org.

Meeting with Duncan in Big Ivy

Meet Sheriff Van Duncan on Saturday from 9-10 am at the Big Ivy Community Center. This is a meet and greet to have a chance to ask questions and chance for supporters to affirm the good works that his office has done in providing for our community.
Coffee, ham biscuits will be available.
This meeting is sponsored by and paid for by the supporters of Sheriff Van Duncan.

Raffle for swim team at homecoming game

North Buncombe High School Swim Team is drawing four goodie-basket winners at our homecoming football game.

Support the swim team and have a chance to win one of four baskets all valued at over $439 each.

Tickets are $3 each or two tickets for $5. Ask any swim team member for a ticket or contact me and I'll make sure you have your chance at free dinners, manicures, paddling trip, massage, etc...

Alexander resident to host special movie screening

Release from Joshua P. Warren's Haunted Asheville...

For perhaps the first time since 1921, Asheville's first motion picture, Conquest of Canaan, will hit the big screen for one, free showing. The movie will be projected at Pack's Tavern, at 20 South Spruce Street beside City-County Plaza, where much of the silent feature was shot, 7pm on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. The rare film was lost for decades until late Asheville broadcaster Bill Banner tracked it down in Russia. His friend, Haunted Asheville author Joshua P. Warren, will introduce the movie, in person, to explain the strange journey taken by 3 reels of 35mm film. He will be joined by Asheville historian Vance Pollock, who has worked with Warren to compare Asheville then to Asheville now, complete with new information about the legendary tunnels beneath the city. Photos taken by filmmaker C. Eric Scott will also be on display, demonstrating how the town has evolved.

"It's hard to believe Thomas Wolfe was just 21 years old when this was shot," says Warren, who has worked on this project for years. "The Asheville he wrote about in Look Homeward Angel is the Asheville you'll see in this movie. It will be a fun, free time to look back. I also have some other surprises planned, so we'll probably screen about one hour of good stuff that night."

Being the Halloween season, after the showing, Warren also plans to take 20 paid guests into the Old City Jail and Gallows behind Pack's Tavern for a ghost hunt. That'll be first come, first serve, but tickets can be bought in advance at www.HauntedAsheville.com.

The author of a dozen books, Warren has appeared on the National Geographic Channel, Discovery, History Channel, Travel Channel, TLC, SyFy, and Animal Planet. He also frequently hosts, and appears on late-night radio programs like "Speaking of Strange" and "Coast to Coast AM." He's a native of Asheville, and produces the oldest & original ghost tours in town.

For more information, visit www.HauntedAsheville.com and www.PacksTavern.com

Flu clinics coming up

Release from Buncombe County...

The Buncombe County Department of Health has scheduled several flu vaccine clinics during the month of October. This year the department is placing a priority on getting children vaccinated, because they tend to spread the flu virus most easily. One-day flu clinics are being planned for one school in each school district from Oct. 4 through Oct. 14.

Vaccines at the schools will be available for children and their families and also for teachers and their families.

The Department of Health’s large flu vaccine clinic will be held this year at the Biltmore Square Mall from 9 am to 4 pm on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23. This flu clinic will be open to anyone 6 months of age and above.

Flu shots will be available for all ages at all clinic locations, however flu mist will be available for children 2 through 18 years old only. A limited amount of flu mist for adults will be available beginning Oct. 25 at the Buncombe County Department of Health, 35 Woodfin Street in downtown Asheville, across from the YMCA.

While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it's especially important that people in the following groups get vaccinated. Pregnant women, children younger than 5 years, people 65 years of age and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, people who are morbidly obese, people who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and people who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu and household contacts and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age.

Insurance information
Insurance that will be accepted this year: Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Crescent PPO, Health Choice, Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Medicare PFFS, Medicare Railroad, Primary Physician Care, Today’s Options, United Healthcare and Wells Fargo.
Without one of these forms of insurance, flu shots must be paid for at the time it is given.

Cost
Cost of flu vaccines at all clinics will be $25 for the shot and $31 for Flu Mist. Vaccines may be paid for by cash, check, MasterCard, VISA or most major insurance companies. Insurance cards must be presented before a vaccine is received. Children who are not covered by health insurance may be eligible for a flu vaccine at no charge.

School district flu clinic schedule
These vaccines are intended for children and their families and teachers with their families.
10/4 – TC Roberson, 3:30 - 7:00
10/5 – Erwin High, 3:30 - 7:00
10/6 – AB Tech, 3:30 - 7:00
10/7 – Enka Middle, 4:00 - 7:00
10/11 – North Windy Ridge, 3:30 - 7:00
10/12 – Owen Middle, 4:00 - 7:00
10/14 – Reynolds High, 3:30 - 7:00

For more information about the flu vaccine for 2010, go to www.buncombecounty.org/flu; www.cdc.gov/flu; or www.flu.gov.

Conservationist performance

From the Western North Carolina Alliance...

The Western North Carolina Alliance (WNCA), along with Clear Channel Asheville, hosts an evening around the campfire with John Muir, America’s best known conservationist, and President Theodore Roosevelt at 8:00 PM, Thursday, October 7 at the Asheville Community Theatre in downtown Asheville. Actors Lee Stetson and Joe Wiegand will reprise these legendary men in a show entitled The Tramp and the Roughrider.

The Tramp and the Roughrider recounts part of a four-day camping trip in 1903 with just President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir in the Yosemite wilderness. The action unfolds around a campfire at sunset on Glacier Point, overlooking the magnificent Yosemite Valley, and the audience will hear the men spar over environmental and wilderness issues, witnessing the conversation that helped lead Roosevelt to establish 200 million acres of wilderness, five new national parks, and 55 wildlife preserves during his tenure.

Who: Western North Carolina Alliance and Clear Channel Asheville
What: The Tramp and the Roughrider, a two man performance
When: October 7, 2010 8:00 PM
Where: Asheville Community Theatre
Cost: Tickets to the performance are $25 in advance, $30 at the door, and $20 for WNCA members. Admission includes a reception with wine and desert immediately following the performance.The public can reserve a seat or learn more information by calling WNCA at 828-258-8737 or visiting the group’s website at www.wnca.org.

This week at NBHS

Tuesday
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball vs. Enka High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball vs. Enka High School

Wednesday
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer @ Asheville High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer @ Asheville High School

Thursday
3:30 pm - Girls' varsity golf @ Hendersonville Country Club
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis @ Clyde A Erwin High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball @ McDowell High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball @ McDowell High School
7 pm - Junior varsity football @ McDowell High School

Friday
7:30 pm - Varsity football vs. McDowell High School

Info on this weekend's True Nature Country Fair

True Nature Country Fair
September 25 & 26, 2010 10am-6pm daily
Big Ivy Community Center Barnardsville NC

Farmers, homebuilders, craftspeople, restaurateurs, social and political activists, and conscious consumers of the Southern Appalachians gather together for a weekend of local food, sustainable product trade show, plant walks, sustainable living workshops, a kids program, and more!

The True Nature Country Fair is a celebration of life lived in connection with the Earth. The focus on local, organic, and sustainable means that everything featured at the Fair is from the southern Appalachian region and will be produced from resources that are at least 50% organic and/or sustainable. The exhibit areas include a farmers market, energy and shelter, health and healing, social and political action, and crafts. The education component includes workshops on gardening, farming, and homesteading, plus nature walks, a children's program, and small livestock displays.

A weekend-long event, the daily entrance fees for the Fair are $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-12, and free for children ages 2 and younger.

Leftover notes from the Woodfin Board of Aldermen meeting

Some more notes from Tuesday's (Sept. 21) meeting:

* Woodfin Mayor Jerry VeHaun will be a member on the Asheville Area Riverfront Redevelopment Commission. Ricky Silver, owner of Silver-Line Plastics in Woodfin and Woodfin town attorney Joe Ferikes, is also on the board. The AARRC was created to support the continued development and sustainability of the riverfront. This commission is a strategic partnership and includes appointees from the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, RiverLink, Town of Woodfin, Council of Independent Business Owners, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City’s River District Design Review Committee. The commission acts as an advisory board and provides policy recommendations to the city and strategic partners.

* Following the county's lead, Woodfin aldermen approved setting $160,000 as the affordable housing cap. Those constructing houses less than that amount can qualify for reduction of tap fees and other discounts.

* The aldermen approved two updates to the town's personnel policy.

* The aldermen will have a public hearing on Oct. 19 before considering adoption of a 301-foot section of Sen. Reynolds Boulevard into the municipal street system.

This week at NBHS

Monday
3 pm - Girls' varsity golf @ Marion Lake Club
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis vs. Clyde A Erwin High School
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer @ T C Roberson High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball @ Mitchell High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball @ Mitchell High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer @ T C Roberson High School

Tuesday
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis @ McDowell High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball @ Asheville High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball @ Asheville High School

Wednesday
TBA - Coed varsity cross country vs. NBHS Meet

Thursday
3:30 pm - Girls' varsity golf @ Highland Lake
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis vs. T C Roberson High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball vs. A C Reynolds High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball vs. A C Reynolds High School
7 pm - Junior varsity football vs. Enka High School

Friday
7:30 pm - Varsity football @ Enka High School

Terra Madre dinner set for Saturday

Amidst a riotous palette of flowers and overlooking lush organic vegetable gardens and livestock fields in the picturesque mountains bordering Pisgah National Forest, it’s easy to imagine life in another era – life when there was time to savor beauty and family; time to grow your own food, make hearty dinners from scratch, and appreciate the scent of lilies on the breeze.
Slow Food Asheville’s September Terra Madre fundraiser, entitled “Mountain Fire,” will offer an opportunity to taste for oneself this intentionally slower lifestyle centered around the sustainable farming and heirloom production techniques being reclaimed by environmentally minded folks worldwide.
It is these qualities the Slow Food movement has been promoting since it formed in 1986. And the organization’s origins in Italy are why delegates from Slow Food chapters around the world still gather every two years in Turin, Italy, for its Terra Madre conference.
The Asheville Slow Food chapter sponsors several WNC farmer and food producer delegates to travel to Turin where they can share their own knowledge while learning new techniques that will make their small businesses as well as their communities more economically viable.
This year’s Terra Madre fundraiser will be held at Sunswept Farm Conservancy in Spring Creek, Madison County, on September 18 and will include a scratch-made, home-grown, gourmet feast as well as a silent auction of fine, local products and services.
Arrive early to tour Sunswept Farm – a small family farm at its heart, predominantly powered by water and sun, and surrounded by 68 acres of Forever Wild forest land. Try your hand at the antique cider press, preview the crafts and services offered for silent auction, or just relax dangling your feet off the pond dock while enjoying the mountain views.
Two of the eight 2010 WNC delegates, Lalasa Mohr and Vanessa Harbin, will travel as
representatives of Sunswept Farm. Other delegates are Julie Mansfield of Mountain Harvest Organics; Dave Bauer of Farm and Sparrow Bakery; David Kendall of Elk Knob Farm and Gardens; Lady Spirit Moon Cerelli of Bee Healing Apiary; and Chuck and Jeannie Blethen of Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard.
Each delegate is contributing their own time and materials in support of the fundraiser.
In addition to the venue, Sunswept Farm will provide organic, free-range pork, chicken, and eggs plus use of their antique cider press and commercially licensed kitchen. Conservancy director, Dory Brown, an acclaimed metalsmith, will donate several pieces of her handcrafted jewelry for the silent auction.
Mountain Harvest Organics will contribute a cornucopia of seasonal, organic vegetables and coordinate event decor.
Farm and Sparrow Bakery will supply artisanal breads baked in their wood-fired ovens and offer a certificate for a dozen loaves for the auction. They will also make sumptuous apple tarts using apples supplied by Elk Knob Farm and Gardens.
Elk Knob’s apples will likewise be used for fresh-pressed cider and autumn-spiced apple sauce to accompany the meal along with their wild fruit dipping sauces for the pork.
Bee Healing Apiary will provide honey for the desserts as well as scratch-made cannoli.
Several types of honey and Lady Cerelli’s wonderfully healing Bee Lotion will also be on auction.
Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard is organizing the auction. Their contribution to the auction is a two-hour Wine Evaluation/Wine Etiquette seminar for up to eight people.
Event collaborator, Chef Mark Rosenstein, who founded The Market Place restaurant and has been dedicated to local, seasonal ingredients for the entirety of his 40-year professional cooking career, has designed the menu to be a medieval fantasy of fire-kissed offerings.
Visit SlowFoodAsheville.org for tickets and further information. To donate for the auction or to volunteer event help, please email MountainFire@charter.net.

This week at NBHS

Monday
3 pm - Girls' varsity golf @ Asheville Municipal
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer @ Enka High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer @ Enka High School

Tuesday
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis vs. A C Reynolds High School

Wednesday
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer vs. McDowell High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball vs. Madison High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball vs. Madison High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer vs. McDowell High School

Thursday
3:30 pm - Girls' varsity golf @ Etowah
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis vs. Enka High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball vs. Clyde A Erwin High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball vs. Clyde A Erwin High School
7 pm - Junior varsity football vs. Mitchell High School
TBA - Coed varsity cross country @ Owen Invitational Meet @ Black Mountain

Friday
7:30 - Varsity football @ Mitchell High School

More on Monday's Craggy Mountain talk

A meeting to discuss a possible wilderness designation for a 2,380-acre section of Pisgah National Forest near Craggy Gardens will be held at 7 pm on Monday, Sept. 13 at the Big Ivy Community Center. Forest Service representatives and others have been invited to come and answer questions and hear comments.

Craggy Mountain Wilderness Study Area Fact Sheet

Area Description:
Craggy Mountain WSA is 2,380 acres below the Craggy Mountain Visitors Center (bounded by the Blue Ridge Parkway on the south, Bullhead Ridge on the east, Forest Service Road 63 on the west, and national forest boundary to the north). Outstanding features are the waterfalls and cascades on Waterfall Creek and the old growth / virgin trees found throughout this drainage, Douglas Fall is the most prominent waterfall, with a vertical drop of 65 feet. The most outstanding example of the virgin timber is the pure hemlock stand on Sprucepine Ridge and the eastern side of Waterfall Creek.

Legislative History:
The nationwide Roadless Area Review in 1979 recommended the Craggy Mountain Area for further planning. The 1984 North Carolina Wilderness Act designated Craggy Mountain as a Wilderness Study Area. In 1987, as part of its overall Forest Land Management Plan Pisgah Nat. Forest, the USFS recommended that Craggy Mountain be designated Wilderness. Bills proposing the creation of a Craggy Mountain Wilderness were drafted by then Congressmen Jamie Clark in 1990 and then by Charles Taylor in 1991k, but neither bill made it out of Committee.

Management Situation:
As a Wilderness Study Area since 1984, no timber harvest activities are allowed. If designated Wilderness, several miles of illegal OHV trails created by private land to the north will need to be closed and restored. Continued mechanical and chemical treatment of invasive species resulting from recent fires should be considered. Ongoing treatment of Carolina/Eastern Hemlock stands for hemlock woolly adelgid control should be permitted to continue.

Race for the Ring 2

Release from Wick and Greene Jewelers. Sounds fun. A couple from Weaverville won the inaugural race last year.

There is a $15,000 Lazare Diamond Ring somewhere in the streets of downtown Asheville. No, it’s not missing, it hasn’t been stolen and no one left it there by accident. Wick and Greene Jewelers has purposefully placed it there and is hoping for some lucky couple to find (and keep) it. Wick and Greene Jewelers is turning downtown Asheville into a city-wide game-board and has built a high tech treasure hunt for couples to try and seek out the diamond! So, this event is none other than 2nd Annual North Carolina Race for the Ring!

To participate in the game, couples have to submit their love stories to Wick and Greene Jewelers at www.NCraceforthering.com. Wick and Greene Jewelers will select the pairs with the most compelling stories and offer them a spot to participate in the city-wide game on Sunday, Sept. 26.

This game is not your average treasure hunt; this is a game of skills, and it’s a fully interactive high tech game where all of the clues and challenges are delivered to couples’ mobile phones via text message. At 1 pm on Sept. 26, 350 couples will meet at Wick and Greene Jewelers in downtown Asheville to take part in 2nd Annual North Carolina Race for the Ring.

Once the game kicks off, the teams will be sent sprinting around downtown Asheville, solving clues and riddles delivered to participant’s cell phones via text message. The game will culminate when one lucky couple finds the secret location of the Lazare Diamond Ring worth $15,000. In addition to this beautiful ring, Wick and Greene Jewelers has also put together a lavish after party for all of the participants at Century Room on the Park.

This week at NBHS

Tuesday
3 pm - Girls' varsity golf @ Forest City Municipal
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball vs. McDowell High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball vs. McDowell High School

Wednesday
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis vs. Charles D Owen High School
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer @ Watagua
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer @ Watagua

Thursday
3:30 pm - Girls' varsity golf @ Sequoyah National
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis @ Asheville High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball @ T C Roberson High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball @ T C Roberson High School
7 pm - Junior varsity football vs. Brevard High School
TBA - Coed varsity cross country @ Buncombe County Meet @ Christ School

Friday
7:30 pm - Varsity football vs. Brevard High School

Navitat named one of nation's best

Navitat Canopy Adventures, the new zip-line tour located in Barnardsville, was recently picked by USA Today as one of the nation's best zip-line tours. Read the article here.

New restaurant

The former home of Frazier's Steak and Seafood near Woodfin is about to get a new tenant.
Mexican restaurant Hacienda Del Sol is scheduled to open there in the near future.

This week at NBHS

Monday
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer @ Tuscola High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball vs. East Henderson High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball vs. East Henderson High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer @ Tuscola High School

Tuesday
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis @ T C Roberson High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball @ A C Reynolds High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball @ A C Reynolds High School

Wednesday
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer @ Smoky Mountain High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer @ Smoky Mountain High School

Thursday
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis vs. Mountain Heritage High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball @ Enka High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball @ Enka High School
7 pm - Junior varsity football @ Pisgah High School

Friday
7:30 pm - Varsity football vs. Pisgah High School

Saturday
TBA - Coed varsity cross country @ Eye Opener Meet @ Spartanburg

Lake Powhatan news

Release from the Buncombe County Department of Health

The Centers for Disease Control made the recommendation that Lake Powhatan, be temporarily closed to prevent the spread of cryptosporidium (crypto). Three cases of Crypto have been reported to the Buncombe County Department of Health and a fourth case is suspected. Each affected person reported being in the lake in August. The Forest Service is fully cooperating, and has closed Lake Powhatan to swimming and fishing until at least Sept. 12. Other facilities at the lake will remain open.

Crypto is a parasite that may be found in recreational water. Recreational water includes water in swimming pools, hot tubs, Jacuzzis, fountains, lakes, rivers, springs, ponds, or streams. The parasite is introduced into the water by sewage or feces from humans or animals and can then be spread when the water is accidentally swallowed.

Symptoms usually include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever, and often last as long as one to two weeks. If you suspect that you have crypto, contact your health care provider or Buncombe County Department of Health at 250-5109.

For more information about crypto see http://www.cdc.gov/crypto.

Home move rescheduled

Moving the Albert S. Weaver house in Weaverville has been pushed back. Originally scheduled for this Sunday (Aug. 29), it will now be moved on Sept. 11, according to organizer Steve Rotundo. The house is moving from near the entrance to Northridge Commons on Monticello Road about 100 yards south and across the street. It will be rehabbed, and Rotundo hopes it will eventually be a community center-esque facility.

Work under way on Woodfin's downtown

Just outside the Tribune's offices is a significant amount of grading on other work on the new downtown corridor in Woodfin. Reynolds Mountain Development Group is constructing several new mixed-use buildings with 201 residential units as well as office and retail space.
AvL Technologies, a manufacturer of satellite technology, is rehabbing the old Newbridge Shopping Center for its new offices.
Read more about the progress of Woodfin and other North Buncombe development, including the old fire station in Weaverville, in upcoming issues of the Tribune.

This week at NBHS

Monday
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer @ Madison High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer @ Madison High School

Tuesday
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis @ Enka High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball @ Polk County High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball @ Polk County High School

Wednesday
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer vs. Smoky Mountain High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer vs. Smoky Mountain High School

Thursday
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis vs. McDowell High School
5 pm - Junior varsity volleyball vs. Mountain Heritage High School
6 pm - Varsity volleyball vs. Mountain Heritage High School
7 pm - Junior varsity football @ Madison High School

Friday
7:30 pm - Varsity football vs. Madison High School

Saturday
10 am - Varsity volleyball vs. North Henderson & Mitchell
TBA - Coed varsity cross country @ WNC Carnival Meet @ Jackson Park

Our State profile

Our State magazine has a nice story on Weaverville, featuring some of its businesses and people, in September's issue. Here's a link to the story and a slideshow. Pick up a copy!

This week at NBHS

Monday
5 pm - Girls' junior varsity volleyball @ Mountain Heritage High School
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer @ RS Central High School
6 pm - Girls' varsity volleyball @ Mountain Heritage High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer @ RS Central High School

Wednesday
4 pm - Girls' varsity tennis @ Mountain Heritage High School
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer vs. West Henderson High School
5 pm - Girls' junior varsity volleyball - Draughn High School
6 pm - Girls' varsity volleyball - Draughn High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer vs. West Henderson High School

Thursday
5 pm - Boys' junior varsity soccer @ East Henderson High School
5 pm - Girls' junior varsity volleyball @ Madison High School
6 pm - Girls' varsity volleyball @ Madison High School
7 pm - Boys' varsity soccer @ East Henderson High School

Friday
7:30 pm - Varsity football @ Mountain Heritage High School

Curras in competion this weekend

Curras Nuevo Cuisine in Woodfin will be in the final competition this weekend in the WNC Magazine Asheville Wine & Food Festival Grand Tasting's Chef Challenge. The restaurant will be facing Dining Room Inn. Read more about the event here.

Maggie B's and buchi in the Weaverville area are participating in the event as well.

More traffic?

Bridge construction on the future Interstate 26 has been a headache for many North Buncombe travelers this summer. Those looking for a quicker route to and from Asheville have been opting for Riverside Drive and Weaverville Road/Merrimon Avenue, although those two thoroughfares have seen their share of congestion as well.

Now, the Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District is planning to tear up portions of Riverside Drive, beginning with sections near Broadway, to begin replacing water lines. The project, announced in July, is set to begin later this month.

While bridge construction is scheduled to end in September, any overlap between these two projects could make for some more travel issues for local motorists.

How has this summer's increased traffic in North Buncombe affected you?

New principals in the area

We are profiling several new North Buncombe school administrators in this week's paper, out Aug. 12. Here's is some background on several of them from the Buncombe County Schools Web site:

Heidi Allison, who has served as assistant principal at Haw Creek and Hominy Valley Elementary schools since 2006, will replace Stephen Chandler as principal of Barnardsville Elementary. Allison, who has a B.A. in elementary education from Mars Hill and a M.S.A. in school administration from Western Carolina, has been a teacher and administrator with Buncombe County Schools since 2001.

Jacqueline Byerly, who has served as principal of Candler Elementary School since July 2001, will become principal of North Windy Ridge Intermediate School, replacing the departing Debbie McDermott. Byerly has a B.S. in sociology/early childhood from UNC-Asheville and an M.A. in early childhood, as well as a certificate in administration, from Western Carolina University. She has been with Buncombe County Schools in a variety of positions since 1978.

Fresh Market cooking demonstration

Chef Earl Winspear will be participating in the Fresh Market's "Fresh Flavors Cooking Demonstration" from 3 pm to 6 pm on Aug. 14 at the Merrimon Avenue store. He will lead a free, step-by-step presentation of how to prepare ginger glazed wild salmon with edamame soba salad.

Local business updates

* The first business inside the old fire station on South Main Street in Weaverville should be opening this fall, according to the building's owner Lou Accornero.

* Dairy Queen is coming to Weaverville according to their Web site.

* While the new HomeTrust building is going up at Northridge Commons, the developer reports there are no announcements on new businesses there.

Got any more new business news out there? Tell us.

Bakersville Art Festival

Release from Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival

The Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival Organizing Committee and the City of Bakersville, NC are happy to announce the sixth annual Bakersville Creek Walk Arts Festival in historic Bakersville, NC on September 25th, 2010. The festival will feature juried exhibitors from North Carolina and throughout the southeastern United States and will further establish Bakersville as a destination for individuals seeking fine art and craft.

We would like to invite local artists and craftsmen to apply for space at this year's show. Spaces are $75 and the application fee is $10. The jurying committee will require a cd with 3 images of your work and one of your booth set-up. Tents are recommended in the event of bad weather.

Entry deadline is August 31, 2010

You may obtain an application via:
Our website: http://www.bakersvillefestival.com/exhibitors.htm
Email: bakersvillefestival@gmail.com
Or by contacting our Festival Coordinator: Dawn Dalto at 828.216.9929

Water tank in Woodfin to be running in mid-September

It has been more than a year in the making due to the legal wranglings between several different parties, but the water tank at the Versant development in Woodfin is scheduled to begin running in mid-September, said Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District Director Joe Martin. The tank will be half-filled (about 500,000 gallons) and provide much improved water pressure to the district's northern customers.

Getting the tank online has been a struggle after the Versant developers went bankrupt in 2008.

A day of living history

A release for Andrew Johnson National Historic Site

The Andrew Johnson National Historic Site is pleased to announce a day of living history, Saturday July 24, 2010, on the grounds of the Andrew Johnson Homestead, 209 South Main Street, Greeneville. The day’s events will feature members of the living history organization East Tennessee Civil War Campaigns and an evening concert presented by the Alabama based band Olde Towne Brass.

Living History programming will begin at 10am, with the last presentation at 3pm. Visitors will have the opportunity throughout the day to meet historic personalities from the region like Private George Whaley and Lt Col Miles W. Keogh just two storytellers to discuss the journeys of East Tennessee Unionist during the Civil War. Old Towne Brass band will perform at 6pm in the manner of Early American and Civil War bands, playing original Civil War Music on actual Civil War Over-The-Shoulder Brass Horns.

The days events are a celebration of the Journey Stories exhibit currently on display at the Nathanael Greene Museum stated National Park Superintendent Lizzie Watts. In honor of the theme, the Civil War historians and the band will be presenting stories, living history demonstrations, and dramatic performances to provide insight into the challenges and personal sacrifices endured by East Tennesseans during the Civil War.

The event is free of charge and the public is encouraged to picnic on the grounds of the Homestead during the band concert. For more information contact Jim Small at 423-639-3711.

Cell phone company donating to classrooms

U.S. Cellular is bringing back its program "Calling All Teachers," a campaign that will donate $1 million to fund creative classroom projects submitted by public school teachers.
More than 120 North Carolina teachers have registered since May.
Beginning Aug. 1 and continuing through Sept. 15, teachers can go to donorschoose.org and post their classroom projects for funding consideration.
Teachers will be notified in late September or October. For more information or to register, go to uscellular.com/callingallteachers.

Open burning on hold in Buncombe County

Due to the dry conditions the area is currently experiencing, officials have announced there will be no open burning until further notice.

Bridge work starts back

After a two-week reprieve, bridge rehabilitation work has resumed on portions of the future Interstate 26 in North Buncombe. Expect work to continue throughout much of the rest of the summer.

Signature piece for WNCAP benefit

The Western North Carolina AIDS Project (WNCAP) benefit auction, Raise Your Hand, is now looking for its 2010 Signature Piece. Any artists wishing to submit a piece for selection should contact Harry Brown, Signature Piece Chair, at 828-252-7489 at the WNCAP office. All piece submissions must be made by July 15.
The Signature Piece selected will be featured in all promotional materials and advertisements created and used for the Raise Your Hand event. The winning artist will also be awarded regional recognition and two premier tickets to the Sept. 25 event. The auction will feature wine selections, dinner packages, vacation trips and gift certificates offering special services in addition to fine art.
Doubletree Hotel in Asheville, near Biltmore Village, will host the benefit auction that features a format new for this year.
“The antics of our Roving Auctioneer and a special wine tasting room for the delicate palate are sure to add to the excitement of a great evening of festivities and fundraising,” said Pam Siekman, event chairperson.
The Western North Carolina AIDS Project has provided HIV/AIDS education, awareness and fundraising through the Raise Your Hand auction for over 20 years. WNCAP also offers case management and other supportive services to those in the area affected by HIV/AIDS.
To become a corporate sponsor, register to volunteer, donate an item for the auction or learn more about The Western North Carolina AIDS Project and the Raise Your Hand event, visit www.wncap.org or contact Siekman at pamsiekman@earthlink.net.

Asheville Community Theatre news

* The Autumn Players, the senior theatre group of Asheville Community Theatre, proudly presents its final Readers’ Theatre Showcase Series production of the season, The Sunshine Boys. The performance will run at ACT’s 35below on July 9-10 and at UNCA’s The Reuter Center on July 11 at 2:30pm

* New Umbrella, Inc. in association with Asheville Community Theatre presents Wish I Had a Sylvia Plath which depicts the desperation of an overworked housewife and poetess. July 2-18, 2010.

* Noises Off, called the “Funniest farce ever written,” will be performed on the Asheville Community Theatre Mainstage July 2 – 18, 2010.

More details at ashevilletheatre.org.

New CD for bluegrass outfit

Paul's Creek Band is out with a new CD. They are an occassional performer at Well-Bred in Weaverville. Here's the release.

Local bluegrass group Paul’s Creek Band will celebrate the release of its new CD “Paul’s Creek” with a free performance and release party from 8 pm to 10 pm on Saturday (June 26) at the new Pack Tavern on the Green Downtown in Asheville.
For the first time, fiddler Arvil Freeman accompanies the band on the album and returns to the Hayes and Hopsons building for the first time since he was house fiddler at Bill Stanley's Barbecue and Bluegrass.
Having already played MerleFest, LEAF and the Grove Park Inn, among other venues this year, Paul’s Creek Band brings a multitude of musical sounds together to provide an original, acoustic sound to the stages it crosses.
"You can tell the members of Paul's Creek Band like each other,” said Grammy winner David Holt. “It comes through in their smooth harmonies, their solid playing and the infectious good time they bring to their shows.”
The members are all local to the Western North Carolina region. Vocalist and dancer Carol Rifkin (co-host of WNCW’s (88.7 FM) “This Old Porch”); Hot Springs native, banjoist Troy Harrison; Buncombe County native, bass player Jamie Soesbee and Freeman are the four pieces that create the Paul’s Creek Band harmonies and chemistry.
For more information about the event, contact Park’s Tavern at 225-6944 or www.packstavern.com, or contact Paul’s Creek Band at www.paulscreekband.com, paulscreek@gmail.com or call 231-9018.

Fresh Market remodel

The Fresh Market marked its finished renovations with a re-opening celebration June 12 at the Merrimon Avenue location. Events included complimentary outdoor grilling of baby back ribs, a variety of in-store samples, live music and a child’s area, featuring cupcake decorating and fruit kabob-making.
The store also handed out reusable grocery bags to the first 1,000 customers and raffled off The Fresh Market Pantry, a variety of kitchen products, from which the proceeds benefited The Western North Carolina Rescue Ministries.
The reopened store now provides customers with a “more spacious location highlighting an even wider variety of products” than before. Wider shopping aisles, an increased selection of organic products, and larger floral, gift and bakery departments are listed among changes to the store.
A North Carolina-based company, The Fresh Market was founded with a goal of bringing “friends, family and neighbors high-quality perishable products in a warm and friendly atmosphere with a high level of customer service.” For more information, go to thefreshmarket.com or call the store at 828-252-9098.

Farm Tour supports local families, educates and entertains others

Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) presents the 2010 Family Farm Tour, a program that opens 37 farms to the general public for tour. The tour runs from 1 p.m.-6 p.m. June 26 and 27 for all farms included as part of the sampling.
The tour is organized by ASAP as a part of its mission to “develop and advocate strategies that help family farms prosper, connect the region’s farmers with markets and supporters, and provide fair access to healthy, locally grown food.” Farms included offer a variety of specialties, ranging from livestock care and keep to growth, production and cooking of fresh food and all participants are advised to come ready to learn about and sample the fruits of local farming.
Fourteen Buncombe county farms, including Blue Ridge Bison, Flying Cloud Farm, Gladheart Farms, Good Fibrations Angora Goats, Hawk and Ivy, Hickory Nut Gap, Hominy Valley Farms, Hop’n Blueberry, Imladris Farm, Long Branch Environmental Education Center, Pearson Drive Community Garden, Round Mountain Creamery, Ten Mile Farm and Venezia Dream Farm, and nine Madison County farms, including Bee Tree Farm and Vineyard, East Fork Farm, Elk Knob Farm and Gardens, Farm House Beef, New Direction Farm, Philosophy Farm, Spinning Spider Creamery. Sunswept Farm and Wake Robin Farm are among those open to exploration.
For detailed information about each of the farms and to purchase admission, visit www.familyfarmtour.org. The website lists stores and restaurants selling buttons or they can also be ordered online. A button, at $25, admits a full car to all the participating farms or a $10 on-site fee covers admission to one farm.

Green certification for Burnsville contractor

Tommy Sineath of Sineath Construction in Burnsville is now one of a select group of professional contractors to have earned the Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation. This designation identifies Sineath as a builder possessing the knowledge allowing him to maximize green building techniques in home construction.
The CGP program is administered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) University of Housing and sponsored locally by Asheville Home Builders Association.
The three-day course familiarizes contractors with techniques designed to maximize efficiency and ensure cost effective practices centered in green building. These techniques improve indoor environmental quality while increasing energy and resource efficiency.
Sineath Construction offers full-service building throughout Asheville and Western North Carolina. As a family owned business they are committed to excellence in every detail of construction and personal service. Sineath Construction is a member of the Asheville Home Builder’s Association, The Green Building Council and The National Home Builders Association, as well as being a Certified Green Professional.

Land of Sky Opportunities

Opportunities for seniors at Land of Sky (www.landofsky.org)

* The Special Needs Registry provides vital information to emergency responders in the event of a 911 call and/or during a widespread disaster (hurricane, flood, blizzard, extended power outage, disease outbreak). Volunteers are needed to assist with calling those on the list and update information on a spreadsheet.

* The Council on Aging of Buncombe County’s Call-A-Ride program needs volunteers desperately to transport homebound elderly to medical appointments.

* The Black Mountain Garden needs volunteers Mondays 9am –Noon to assist with planting, weeding, harvesting and maintenance. Harvest goes to crisis services.

* The Mountain Area Red Cross is need of a driver to pick up donated food for a big blood drive on June 24th. Canteen Assistants are also needed year round.

* Help out at the Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands July 15-18th, Volunteers are needed the day of the fair to assist with the information booth, Lunchtime relief for the artist, and tickets and program.

* Madison County Visitors Center in Mars Hill needs volunteers to greet visitors, give out information and keep brochures stocked up.

* Big Brothers Big Sisters for Buncombe & Henderson Counties are in need of mentors 1 hr/wk in local elementary schools and after school programs. Activities include reading, class-work, games, art, crafts, etc.

* RSVP is recruiting volunteers to assist the Henderson & Transylvania County Sheriff Departments and Brevard Police Departments.

For more information, please contact RSVP Coordinators Patti at 828-251-6622 or at 1-800-727-0557 or patti@landofsky.org or check out our Web site at www.landofsky.org

Artisan Deli's new hours

Release from Artisan Catering (www.artisancatering.net) in North Asheville

Boasting extended hours, new menu selections and more space at a new location, Artisan Catering and Deli is now open for dinner. The only upscale delicatessen in the Merrimon area to serve breakfast and offer a deli menu from noon through dinner hours, Artisan is open Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m., with brunch hours through 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Additional summer menu items include cold homemade soups such as the popular melon gazpacho, and a variety of entrée salads. And as one customer noted, there will always be the surprise of unique seasonal specials, which change weekly.

“We are thrilled to offer another dinner option to the North Asheville area. Gourmet sandwiches and soups, with a beer or a glass of wine, seem to fit right into the neighborhood. We are also very family friendly, and look forward to serving our community for these additional hours” says Chef Mauricio Villa.

Kids in parks events

Four new TRACK Trail adventures for children open at Chimney Rock State Park, NC on Saturday, June 5, in conjunction with National Trails Day. The festivities begin at 11:00 am and kids, ages 6 through 15, receive free, all-day admission to Chimney Rock State Park.

TRACK Trail adventure opens at Pisgah District Headquarters, on Saturday, June 12. The Grand Opening of the Pisgah National Forest’s TRACK Trail begins with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:15 am. There will be children’s activities, guided hikes and family fun from 10:00am to 12:30 pm.

The public is invited to both events.

North Asheville Tailgate Market cake walk

Release from Slow Food Asheville

$1 Just like the good ol'days-win something yummy for a buck! Join us at the North Asheville Tailgate Market Saturday, May 29 for our Strawberry [short] Cake Walk. Donate a dish or walk and win. Cost per walk is $1. Walk as many times as you like for a chance to win something delicious! All ages are welcome. Funds raised will go to the market and Slow Food Asheville's educational programs.

The market is at the UNCA campus on the lower level of the two-level parking lot "C" just southeast of Owen Hall.

The North Asheville Tailgate Market is the area's oldest farmers' market in its 29th year of operation. For information on the North Asheville Tailgate Market and directions, go to http://www.northashevilletailgatemarket.org

To learn more about our programs and other events, please visit www.slowfoodasheville.org.

Update on Barnardsville Church Softball League

Tuesday's results
Game 1: Jesus Freaks win battle of Piney Mtn. in 16-7 win over the Posse.
Game 2: Timmy Littrell leads "The Posse" in 8th inning win over 1st place DP Blue!

Thursday's matchups
The Posse will face Dillingham Gray. Dillingham Gray beat the Posse earlier in the season 26-16.
DP Blue will face Jesus Freaks who won the last contest 18-11.

Updates
Congratulations to Locust Grove - Winners of 1st Annual BCSL Invitational
Alex Penley is the BCSL Invitational Homerun champion.

For more information, go to www.bcsleague.org

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy workshop

What: Stream Ecology Workshop
Who: Gary Barrigar, SAHC Board Trustee, Kristina Tarasan, PR and Outreach Americorps Member
Where: Roan Mountain State Park
When: Thursday, June 10 at 1 pm
Cost: Free
Description: Join SAHC members and friends to learn about the living community of a mountain stream. Help collect and identify creek critters in the Doe River in Roan Mountain State Park. Wear clothes and sneakers.
Please RSVP by June 9 to SAHC at kristina@appalachian.org or 828-253-0095 x 205.
Directions will be sent upon RSVP.
Check out http://appalachian.org/news/hikes.html for SAHC’s schedule of upcoming guided hikes and events this spring.

Latest MPAC 4th of July music schedule

Main Stage 2010

12:00pm T-bone's Kids
1:30pm Buyaka
3:15pm Galen Kipar Project
5:00pm Chris O'Neill , Jay Sanders and Billy Cardine
7:45pm Afromotive
8:30pm Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band
10:00pm Richard Schulman Jazz & Allyson MacCauley

Local graduates from Christ School

Rick Martin is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kipling Martin of Weaverville. Rick played varsity football for the Greenies. He will attend the University of Alabama in the fall.

Founded in 1900, Christ School is an all-boys college preparatory boarding and day school, grades 8-12. The school is affiliated with the Episcopal Church and serves young men from 14 states and nine foreign countries. It is located on a 500-acre wooded campus near Asheville.

This week at NBHS

Tuesday
TBA - Boys' varsity tennis - NCHSSA-Sectional

Thursday
TBA - Boys' varsity tennis - NCHSSA-Regional

Friday
9 am - Coed varsity track - NCHSAA Championships @ N.C. A & T-Greensboro

Saturday
TBA - Boys' varsity tennis - NCHSSA-Finals

New name for local catering, delivery service

Blue Ridge To Go LLC (http://www.blueridgetogo.com) is pleased to announce that as of July 1 its new business name and brand will be Valet Gourmet.

According to Kenan Hopkins, founder of Blue Ridge To Go, the name Valet Gourmet represents our commitment to world-class customer service, our response to customers' demand for additional menu services, our desire to become a more socially responsible corporate citizen and a dynamic shift in our core values. “We chose to re-name Blue Ridge To Go to better reflect our focus on customer service and the convenience of having locally prepared, gourmet meals delivered to your home or office,” says Hopkins. Valet Gourmet will focus on providing the most efficient means of catering and home delivery while ensuring the expectations of its customers and staff members are met and exceeded.

In addition, Valet Gourmet will maintain a comprehensive and updated Web site (http://www.valetgourmet.com) of Asheville restaurant menus, with the ability for the end customer to order delivery, catering and eventually takeout, from within the local vicinity. “We are extremely excited to have partnered with so many of Asheville's finest restaurants and will continue to build our network over the upcoming months” says Hopkins in reference to the new brand, adding that “Asheville is an amazing community and we are so grateful for the support in which we have received over the last six and a half years from local restaurants and customers alike.”

The new Web site will take effect with the name change on July 1, 2010. In the meantime, Blue Ridge To Go will continue to operate business as normal with the original website.

Founded in 2003 by Kenan Hopkins, Blue Ridge To Go provides corporate catering and residential delivery from 25 plus of Asheville's best restaurants. Blue Ridge To Go provides a website of all restaurant partners' menus (http://www.blueridgetogo.com) and receives 75 percent of its delivery orders through the web. Many of Asheville's largest employers and residents of Buncombe County rely on Blue Ridge To Go to arrange, deliver and setup their catering and residential delivery orders.

Over the past six and a half years, Blue Ridge To Go has grown from a small start-up with three staff members to a staff of 20; delivering over 1,500 locally prepared meals per month.

Volunteer opportunities

Volunteer opportunities from Land of Sky Regional Council. Go to www.landofsky.org for more.

* The Special Needs Registry provides vital information to emergency responders in the event of a 911 call and/or during a widespread disaster (hurricane, flood, blizzard, extended power outage, disease outbreak). Volunteers are needed to assist with calling those on the list from and update information on a spreadsheet (hand-written updates are okay).

* Listening Heart Crisis Center in Asheville provides free, confidential, compassionate support to anyone seeking emotional support. This new non-profit is scheduled to go live June 1. Volunteers are needed to man the crisis line, administrative support, webmaster and/or fund-raising volunteers. Their next spring training session starts May 13th from 7-10pm.

* Helios Warriors Health Care Program for Veterans in Asheville offers complementary and alternative therapies to veterans in our community. Volunteers are needed for administrative support on Fridays and Saturdays.

* The Salvation Army’s Center of Hope in Asheville needs volunteers to make bagged lunches for individuals and families in need. Cooking skills are not required!

* ABCCM Day Program serves people in transitional housing and the homeless population by providing classes in many areas that will improve their employment opportunities. Volunteers are needed to teach classes, serve lunch or simply be supportive to the teacher and the men and women attending classes. Training and class curriculum is provided.

* Hospital Volunteers needed. RSVP has a variety of volunteer opportunities at Park Ridge, Mission and the VA hospitals such as volunteering with the Information Desk, Surgery Information, administration and the Gift Shop.

Take the first step to volunteering by calling Patti Cameron, RSVP Coordinator at the Land-of-Sky Regional Council 828-251-6622, or drop us a line at rsvp@landofsky.org.

This week at NBHS

Monday
TBA - Varsity baseball - MAC @ McDowell
TBA - Boys varsity golf - State Finals-1st Round
4 pm - Junior varsity softball @ A C Reynolds High School
4:30 pm - Varsity softball vs. A C Reynolds High School

Tuesday
TBA - Boys' varsity tennis - NCHSSA-District
TBA - Boys' varsity golf - State Finals-2nd Round

Wednesday
TBA - Varsity softball - MAC

Thursday
TBA - Varsity softball - MAC
7 pm - Varsity baseball @ Hickory - NCHSAA playoffs

Friday
TBA - Boys' Varsity Tennis - NCHSSA-Individual finals

Family Farm Tour

Release from Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. For more go to www.asapconnections.org.

The 2010 Family Farm Tour will open 37 outstanding farms in six Western North Carolina counties to the public on June 26 and 27. Destinations on the tour range from century farms cultivated by the same family for generations, to certified organic farms, to urban gardens. Whether you want to learn who grows your food or get ideas for producing your own, go on an outdoor family activity or taste our area’s finest foods, you can plan a tour to suit your interests.

Tour traditional farms, as well as innovative, new farms that are diversifying agriculture in the area. Observe livestock, spinning, cheese making, and cooking demonstrations. Make your own pizza in a wood fired oven, pick blueberries and raspberries, and eat a meal on a farm. Learn about practices such as rotational grazing, cover cropping, biodynamic methods, and seed saving, and farms protected by conservations easements. See hops, medicinal plants, and Christmas trees, as well as food crops.

Visit www.familyfarmtour.org for details on each farm, suggested routes, and listings of farms selling food, and to purchase admission. Passes cost $25 plus $2 shipping at www.familyfarmtour.org, or see the website for stores and restaurants selling buttons for $25. One button admits everyone in your car. You may also purchase buttons at farms on the day of the tour for $30. If you only wish to visit one farm, pay $10 on-site. Or, support the Family Farm Tour and get free admission by volunteering.

The tour is organized by the nonprofit ASAP as part of its work to develop and advocate strategies that help family farms prosper, connect the region’s farmers with markets and supporters, and provide fair access to healthy, locally grown food.

“Through the Family Farm Tour, people get to know our region’s farms and farmers, introducing them to sources of the freshest food, and giving them great reasons to support local agriculture,” says Peter Marks of ASAP.

Looking at the bottom line

Professional services -- such as lawyer and engineer fees -- are scheduled to cost the Town of Weaverville $135,000 in 2010-2011. Town council dismissed attorney Patsy Brison early during Thursday's (May 6) budget meeting to save some money and discussed whether an attorney's presence was needed at every municipal body meeting.

Building on Weaverville Town Manager Mike Morgan's suggestion about the importance of local funding in the face of looming state revenue cuts, the council will also consider an increase in permit and privilege fees. These fees have been stagnant since 1994. The town currently charges a business a $50 annual privilege fee to operate, meaning Walmart and a mom-and-pop store owe the same amount. A proposed idea is to make the privilege fees based on a portion of revenue.

Sandy Mush hike

What: Guided Bee Branch Farm Hike
Who: Terri Wells, Bee Branch Farm Family Member, and Kristina Tarasan, PR and Outreach Americorps Member, Hike Co-leader
Where: Sandy Mush Township, NC
When: Saturday, May 8 at 10:00 am
Cost: Free to SAHC Members; $10.00 Non-Members
Description: Join the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy to hike on Bee Branch Farm in the Sandy Mush Township of Buncombe County. The hike will be a three mile loop, including panoramic views of the entire valley. The 500-acre working farm adds to over 3,000 acres of farmland that SAHC has previously protected in Sandy Mush. Learn about conservation easements as a tool for protecting farmland, and a bit of the Bee Branch family history and Sandy Mush lore. The hike will be of moderate difficulty along the farm property and should take around three hours including a picnic lunch.

This week at NBHS

Tuesday
2 pm - Boys' varsity tennis - NCHSAA-1st Round
4 pm - Junior varsity softball @ Clyde A Erwin High School
4:30 pm - Varsity softball vs. Clyde A Erwin High School
4:30 pm - Varsity baseball vs. Clyde A Erwin High School
4:30 pm - Junior varsity baseball @ Clyde A Erwin High School
Wednesday
4 pm - Coed varsity track - MAC Meet
5 pm - Girls' junior varsity soccer vs. A C Reynolds High School
7 pm - Girls' varsity soccer vs. A C Reynolds High School

Thursday
TBA - Varsity baseball - MAC @ Higher Seed

Friday
TBA - Varsity baseball - MAC @ McDowell
TBA - Boys' varsity tennis - NCHSSA-Individuals
4:30 pm - Varsity softball @ Asheville High School

Saturday
TBA - Boys' varsity tennis - NCHSSA-Individuals

Big Ivy events

Knitting Club
Starts this Thursday, May 6, from 9:30 - 11:30. All you need to do is to show up!

Shelton Laurel Incident
The Big Ivy Mountain Guard Camp Sons of Confederate Veterans,will meet at the Big Ivy Community Center, Thursday May 6 at 7pm. The program will be on the Shelton Laurel Incident that happened during the War Between The States in the Shelton Laurel section of Madison County. Dan Slagle has done extensive research on this subject and has come up with some interesting and surprising documents. Anyone interested is invited to attend.

Feeding Big Ivy, Part 2
Monday, May 10th, 7 p.m. at the Big Ivy Community Center
An ongoing community discussion about growing more food for ourselves (and neighboring communities) in the future—and how our farmers can make a living at it.
Panelists include Big Ivy farmers Marvin, Brenda, and Justin Dillingham and Paul Littman, plus Peter Marks, Director of the Local Food and Farm Campaign at the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project and Melinda Roberts, Small Farms Agent at NC Cooperative Extension.
Please come and join in this discussion about the future of Big Ivy’s food resources and farmers.