Gas tax set to increase

The gas tax in North Carolina will rise to a record 35 cents starting July 1. A question that comes out of this is whether municipalities will see extra residuals from that increase.

What do you think about the gas tax going up and the sales tax dropping by a penny?

Discount tickets to Horn in the West

Horn in the West, one of the nation's longest running outdoor dramas, is hosting a "Buncombe County Night" this weekend of the 24th-26th. Tickets are discounted down to $8 for adults and children with proof of Buncombe County residency. The drama takes place in Boone, North Carolina, where visitors can experience the nearby scenic Daniel Boone Native Gardens and the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, which brings the 18th century back to life through reenactors and restored period cabins.

Horn in the West, one of the nation’s longest running outdoor dramas, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this summer. Horn’s story is as old as America itself. The narrative follows the hopes and dreams of intrepid frontier explorers, ordinary Piedmont settlers backed into a corner by undemocratic British policies, and the struggle to achieve cross-cultural understanding between Cherokee and pioneer.

Busy mom makeover

Promotion from U.S. Cellular

Are your readers busy moms who are always on the move, managing a busy schedule? Are they constantly trying to do five things at once, like balancing soccer practice with school lunches, play dates and homework?

U.S. Cellular has the perfect opportunity for those moms who define the word “multi-tasker”. We’re offering five busy moms a life-changing makeover opportunity with renowned organization expert, Peter Walsh. You may recognize Peter from appearances on the Oprah Winfrey Show and now his show “Enough Already!” on the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Each mom will receive private consultations with technology, organization and beauty experts who will offer tips and tools including a new U.S. Cellular mobile device that will help organize and enhance her life.

To be considered, moms just need to visit www.mobile-mom-makeover.com between June 20 and July 5 and submit an entry form along with a brief video (less than 2min), explaining why they need an organization overhaul.

Plea from local business

A note from local business owner Martha Young who is working to keep the doors open on her business, My Father's Light, in Woodfin.

Locally owned and operated, My Father’s Light is in danger of closing. The store with a unique mix of locally and regionally made items has fallen behind on rent due to the tough economic times. While they are in a desirable location next to Bellagio Bistro on Weaverville Highway, they are facing the prospect of closing their doors. The closing of the store would impact numerous local and regional artists which are already struggling, as well as creating another retail vacancy in a time where many owners are struggling to find tenants. My Father’s Light is asking the awesome citizens of Asheville to drop by and show their support for this popular local business by making purchases. Small purchases of less than $10 by a large base would be enough to prevent closure and support the many great artists they feature. Ashevillians have always showed a desire to support local businesses and My Father’s Light is counting on this.

My Father’s Light is operated by Martha Young, who makes natural soy candles, hand-made soaps, and allergy free lotions, shampoos, and bodywash. She has been featured in WNC Parent, the WLOS segment Craft Corner, and as a feature business at Capital Bank. Other featured items in the store include pottery, handcrafted jewelry, baby clothing, home décor, and furniture made from reclaimed barnwood. Please contact Martha Young at 828-645-7627 or via email, myfatherslight@gmail.com to schedule an interview or for more information.

Lost dog

A lost dog notice from Appalachian Animal Hospital in Weaverville

We found a dog yesterday afternoon June 15 in the parking lot of Walmart in Weaverville. She is an adult female australian shepard mix 44 pounds. Mostly black with brown legs and white socks. We have her is safe keeping and have posted flyers in the area. She had on a collar and no tags, no chip.

Contact info:
Appalachian Animal Hospital
68 North Main St
Weaverville NC 28787

(828)658-8989

UPDATE: Owner has been found 6/16

Local to show works in Chicago

Local artist Diane English has been selected to show her work in an exhibit titled "Seriously Funny" at Chicago's Woman Made Gallery, July 8 - August 18. The submissions for this national competition were juried by professional cartoonist Isabella Bannerman.

The artist, owner of The Great Cosmic Happy Ass Card Company, classifies her designs into three categories: Funny, Inspiring and Spiritually Incorrect. With established distributors in North America and Europe, her cards have recently been launched in Australia by B Luscious.

In Western North Carolina, English’s cards and magnets can be found at Mountain Made Gallery, Gaea Gifts, and French Broad Food Co-op in Asheville, Seven Sisters Gallery in Black Mountain, Miya Gallery in Weaverville and Earthworks Galleries in Waynesville.

Rooster hunt continues

Release from Weaverville Business Association about the ongoing rooster hunt in Weaverville-area business.

Local residents and visitors to the area are flooding businesses in Weaverville to participate in An Enchanted Animal Affaire rooster hunt. Twenty-four decorated roosters, created by area artists using a variety of mediums, are residing in participating businesses until June 20.

The rooster seekers each receive a card that will be stamped by participating businesses when each rooster is found. All completed cards will be dropped off at Aabani Salon Spa in downtown Weaverville and entered into a drawing for one of the decorated roosters.

Those who are not able to take part in the rooster hunt can still join in the fun! A raffle drawing at a silent auction to be held later this month will have one lucky person winning a rooster. Raffle tickets are being sold at participating businesses, as well as at the Weaverville Tailgate Market on Wednesday afternoons.

On Friday, June 24, the silent auction will be held at the Reems Creek Golf Club from 6 – 8pm. The remaining roosters will be auctioned with proceeds benefiting the Weaverville Business Association. Admission to the silent auction will be $10 at the door.

EarthShare North Carolina recognizes contributions

EarthShare North Carolina recently recognized several individuals and groups for their outstanding contributions to the group.

The Community Friend award for extraordinary contributions to ESNC was given to two of North Carolina’s true environmental heroes, Fred and Alice Stanback.

If you remember in 2004, the Salisbury residents donated $500,000, in addition to a $4.1 million grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, to purchase a conservation easement on 1,900 acres of the watershed for the Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District on Blackberry Inn Road in the Reems Creek area, protecting the land for future logging. The area is one of the largest remaining intact watersheds in Western North Carolina.

The Stanbacks have received numerous awards for their commitment to environmental education including the North Carolina Award for Public Service.

Others recognized by EartShare North Carolina included Elizabeth Guthrie for her volunteer work, June Blotnick of Clean Air Carolina for her outstanding leadership ESNC Vice President Kathleen Gray received the Allan Spalt Award for outstanding contribution by a board or committee member.

Principal to retire from NBMS

North Buncombe Middle School Principal Vicki Biggers will retire at the end of this school year.

Here's the release from Buncombe County Schools:

Thirty eight-year education veteran principal Vicki Biggers has provided leadership at North Buncombe Middle School since her days as an assistant principal there from 1988-98. She became principal in 1998, and has become known for her high expectations, professional yet pleasant manner, and patriotism as evidenced by the remarkable Veterans Day and Memorial Day observances the school has put on for the community.

Says Biggers, “I have thoroughly enjoyed my tenure as an educator in the Buncombe County Schools System. I have spent the last 23 years of my career as an administrator at North Buncombe Middle School, and I leave with mixed emotions. I will miss the high energy level of young adolescents, witnessing the educational and emotional growth that takes place during the middle school years, and working with a wonderful staff and community. My immediate plans include traveling to Fort Hood, Texas, next week to welcome home my son, Captain Taylor Biggers, from his year long deployment in Afghanistan. I look forward to spending time with my family, traveling, and volunteering in the community.”

Biggers earned her bachelor's in early childhood from Western Carolina University in 1972, and a masters in guidance counseling there in 1974. She received her administrative certification at WCU in 1986. Biggers worked as an elementary school teacher for Henderson County, and a school guidance counselor for Davie County, before coming to Buncombe County Schools as a guidance counselor at Erwin Middle School in 1977.

An announcement on her replacement could be made as early as Friday (June 3), according to BCS.

More on Joey Bryson

North Buncombe High School named Joey Bryson as its new head boys' basketball coach. Bryson replaces David Rhoney, who left the BlackHawks after 12 years to lead Erwin's program.

Bryson, 34, led the North Buncombe junior varsity squad last season and worked as an assistant on Rhoney's staff. He also has three years of head coaching experience on the high school level at several stops in Georgia.

However, he is a native to Western North Carolina and a graduate of West Henderson High School. His first head coaching job, in fact, was in the Henderson County School System leading Rugby Middle School's boys' team.

He is a former classmate of NBHS Head Baseball Coach Wesley King. Bryson said he and King talked about the opportunities at North Buncombe and the strength of both the academic and athletic departments.

"My wife and I prayed that another head coaching job would come available and thankfully it did," Bryson said of the new opportunity.

Local receives IT scholarship

Release from Progressive Integrations

Announcement of this year’s Association of Computer Repair Business Owners Scholarship Awardees 2011.

Each year the association receives applications for the scholarship from all over the United States.

The scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to a deserving individual(s). Applicants must be high school seniors graduating in the spring/summer semester, whose plans include the technology industry through attending college, business school, technical training or actual hands-on in the industry.

This year’s awardees:
This year’s selectees are Shaquoya Moultrie from Edisto Island, SC, who plans on attending Winthrop University and Shawn Hanson from Barnardsville, NC, who plans on pursuing a career in the information technology field.

About Progressive Integrations, Inc.:
Progressive Integrations will take the confusion out of designing the system of your dreams. Our audio video integration specialists and designers will work closely with your builder, interior designer, architect, and electrician to ensure your system will integrate properly into your home. Progressive Integrations is also is a full service computer consulting firm specializing in home user and small businesses. Our services range from virus removal, network support, data systems backup, hardware and software upgrades, as well as managed services.