Business news around North Buncombe

* A new salon is slated to open in the former location of MVP Barber Shop located near the corner of Merrimon Avenue and Main Street in Weaverville.

* Common Ground opened earlier this month on Merrimon Avenue next to The Pink House and Serenity Skin and Nail in Woodfin. Their Facebook page reads: "One-of-a-kind merchandise made from reclaimed and vintage materials; empowering the community & supporting environmentally conscious lifestyles." Right now, they are open 10 am to 6 pm Thursday through Sunday. For more, go to their Facebook page.

* Don't forget to stop by Citizen's Do It Best Hardware in Woodfin before they close for good at the end of August. All items are 30 percent off now, and discounts will get deeper as the closing date nears.

Anyone know any other business news?

Montford Park Players announce auditions

The Montford Park Players announces auditions for Romeo & Juliet, our fall production at Asheville's historic Masonic Temple. Audition dates are:

Sunday, August 7, from 1 - 4 pm and Tuesday, August 9, from 6 - 9 PM with callbacks Wednesday, August 10, from 6 - 9 PM at the Masonic Temple, 80 Broadway, Asheville.

The production will be directed by Jeff Catanese, who says: "We're seeking great actors, ages 13 and up...no previous experience required. MANY roles are available!"

Rehearsals begin August 15. Production dates are October 13 through 23 at the Masonic Temple.

Headshots and resumes are not required, and prepared monologues are not necessary...audition pieces will be provided. Audition pieces can be downloaded at http://www.montfordparkplayers.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/R-J-Audition-Sides1.pdf

For more information call (828) 254-5146 or email info@montfordparkplayers.org.

Buncombe County release pre-teen vaccine info

Because of vaccines, our country rarely sees many diseases that once devastated families here. But some serious vaccine-preventable diseases continue to threaten the health of our families like pertussis, meningitis, and cervical cancer. Immunity received from some childhood vaccines can begin to wane over time, exposing a child to serious diseases that can easily spread, leading to missed weeks of school or worse. It’s important that teens and preteens see their doctor for a check-up and make sure their immunizations are up-to-date, as well as asking about other vaccines that are recommended for their age.

Children in public schools who are entering the 6th grade are required to have the Tdap vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, or whooping cough as it’s also known. Though not required, several vaccines are also recommended for this age including the vaccine for meningitis, a second chickenpox shot (if they have never had chickenpox disease), flu shot and the HPV vaccine which protects against cervical cancer and genital warts. Though originally developed for girls, the HPV vaccine is now recommended for boys as well.

Parents of preteens who are not covered by health insurance or who have insurance that does not cover vaccines, should ask their doctor or health department about the Vaccines for Children Program. This program provides vaccines for children who are uninsured or underinsured.

Protecting the health of our youth is one of our most urgent priorities. Parents should contact their child’s doctor to schedule a check-up and receive the vaccines they need. They may also take their children to their local health department for all their teen and preteen vaccine needs.

The Buncombe County Department of Health provides immunizations for all ages Monday – Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. No appointment is necessary. Parents whose rising 6th grader still needs the required Tdap vaccine are encouraged to get their vaccine as soon as possible. As the beginning of school nears, the number of visitors to the Immunization Clinic often doubles, as does the wait time

For more information, please visit www.buncombecounty.org\preteen or www.cdc.gov/Features/PreTeenVaccines.

Local ladies' golf news

The Blue Ridge Women’s Golf Association (BRWGA) is comprised of women from the ladies leagues of eleven golf clubs in the surrounding Asheville area. They are Black Mountain, Connestee Falls, Crooked Creek, Etowah Valley, Glen Cannon, High Vista, Laurel Ridge, Maggie Valley, Reems Creek, Rumbling Bald and Wolf Laurel. Ladies that participate in these monthly tournaments must be members of a ladies league at a club that is a member of the BRWGA and have an established USGA Handicap Index of 29.9 or less. The object of the Association is to organize, promote, and encourage participation in golfing activities for women.

Etowah Country Club hosted the Blue Ridge Women’s Golf Association Tournament on July 14.

Locally, Frieda Cooper from Reems Creek finished in a tie for lowest gross in Flight #4 with a 98.

The club offers three nine-hole courses. The tournament was played on the North and South courses.

Filing for election closed

Several more candidates for North Buncombe boards filed for election before filing closed at noon Friday (July 15).

In addition to incumbents Gene Knoefel, Doug Jackson and Walt Currie, two other town residents are running for one of three Weaverville Town Council seats this November. Andrew Nagle - who’s profile is in this week’s paper - and John Penley.

In Woodfin, Mayor Jerry VeHaun, and Aldermen Don Honeycutt, Jim Angel and Ronnie Lunsford will all run unopposed.

At the Woodfin Water Board, chair Keith Snyder and member Sarah Gassaway are seeking another term. Shirley Wood and former member Robin Cape will seek one of the three available seats. Current member Lisa McDaris is not seeking her second term.

More on AB Emblem

AB Emblem is one of Weaverville's most notable industries. It has two other factories--in Mexico and China--in addition to its Weaverville plant.

Perhaps the most famous client of AB Emblem products are the NASA astronauts. In talking with executive vice president Andrew Nagle this week--who is also running for Weaverville Town Council this fall--he estimated the plant produced 30,000 patches per shuttle launch and patches worn by NASA astronauts on flight missions are made in AB Emblem factories.

The plant moved to Weaverville in 1963.