Looking ahead to the second round

Both the North Buncombe boys' and girls' basketball teams came through with big victories in the opening round of the NCHSAA Class 3-A playoffs Monday (Feb. 21).

The boys knocked out Ashbrook 86-71 and the girls routed Tuscola 62-38 on the road.
Both coaches acknowledged their second-round opponents Wednesday (Feb. 23) have a high level of athleticism.

The boys face Hickory, the fifth-ranked team in the state.

"There's not a whole lot [Hickory] doesn't do pretty well," coach David Rhoney said.

The girls will face a familiar opponent in RS Central, a team the BlackHawks scrimmaged earlier this season.

"[RS Central] is very athletic," coach Robby Parker said. "It'll all be about execution."

A note about the closing of Preservation Hall

MyWeaverville.com reported earlier today that Preservation Hall in Weaverville will close soon, likely this spring. I had noticed the Keller Williams sale signs on the building recently and worried this would be the likely outcome.

As some of you know, the Tribune offices were located in the back of Preservation Hall at 115 N. Main St. for several years. We got to know Darcy and Capri well, so we hate to see them leave their storefront, but wish them the best of luck in the future.

Lane closures Tuesday in Weaverville

NC DOT reporting an eastbound lane of the future Interstate 26 East will be closed in Weaverville until around 3:30 pm today between milemarkers 17 and 18.

This week at NBHS

Tuesday
6:30 pm - Varsity boys' basketball vs. Enka @ Erwin in MAC Tourney

Wednesday
6:30 pm - Varsity girls' basketball vs. Asheville @ Erwin in MAC Tourney

Friday
TBA - Varsity wrestling @ Western 3-A Regionals @ St. Stephens
TBA - MAC Tourney championship games

Saturday
1:00 pm - Varsity baseball vs. Unicoi County High School
TBA - Varsity wrestling @ Western 3-A Regionals @ St. Stephens

February is local trout month

Release from Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project

It’s only fitting that Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) would honor local trout for the entire month of February in their Get Local campaign—a year-round initiative that brings together farmers, chefs, and community members in celebration of a featured local food. After all, trout are a big deal in the neighborhood. North Carolina is the second largest trout producer in the United States, with almost all production happening right here in Western North Carolina.

Local chefs and restaurateurs know how lucky they are and include trout from area producers on their menus year-round. But this month, Get Local restaurants will pay the WNC favorite extra attention. The Red Stag Grill in Biltmore Village will feature a special trout tasting menu, the Market Place in downtown Asheville will offer up trout-focused entrees as well as house-made charcuterie items, like smoked trout rillettes; and it doesn’t end there. For a complete list of participating restaurants, visit www.asapconnections.org/getlocal.html.

Got cooking chops yourself? Local trout and trout products are widely available this month at area grocery stores as well as many specialty shops. You can also buy direct from the farm. One farm with an onsite store, Sunburst Trout Company, is hosting a recipe contest this month in conjunction with the Get Local celebration. Winners will receive a jar of their trout caviar. Entries should be emailed before February 15 to recipes@sunbrusttrout.com.

Browse the nearly 100 farms and businesses offering up local trout in ASAP’s Local Food Guide, online at buyappalachian.org. Find the 2011 calendar of featured foods and more information about the initiative on the Get Local page of asapconnections.org. There, you can also download a Get Local school calendar; until March, participating schools are highlighting local apples.

Weaverville native tonight at Grey Eagle

Weaverville native and singer-songwriter Malcolm Holcombe will be playing a show tonight at the Grey Eagle. Show begins at 9 pm; doors open at 8 pm.