There’s lots of “2007 year in review” stories going around now, so I’m not going to add to them.  Instead, I just want to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year’s!  See you in 2008.

The Garden Station is having a Gold Ribbon Clearance Sale going on now through Saturday, January 26.  All items marked with a gold ribbon are 20% off.   Winter hours are also now in effect at the store.  Through February, they’ll be open Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  The Garden Station is located at One Merrimon Avenue.

Video from December’s Town Council meetings.  They can also be viewed on the WeavervilleNews channel on YouTube:

 Part I of II:
 

 Part II of II:

If you missed last Friday’s Sparkling Wine Tasting at Maggie B’s and you still need a suggestion to help bring in the New Year, not to worry.  They’ll have a couple of the wines out for tasting all day Monday, December 31.  Maggie B’s is located at 113 North Main Street.

Weaverville’s First Baptist Church invites your children to Kids For Christ on Wednesdays after school at the church.  All children in grades 1-6 are welcome to participate.  This is a special ministry sponsored by the volunteers of the church in order to involve children in recreation, study hall, hand bells, Bible activities, and children’s choir.  Each Wednesday, the Kids for Christ schedule will be as follows:

• 2:45-3:10     Recreation – Please wear tennis shoes.  In case of rain, play will be indoors.
• 3:10-3:30     Snack
• 3:30-4:30     Study Hall
• 4:00-4:30     Hand bells (by invitation)
• 4:30-5:00     Bible Study
• 5:00-5:45     Children’s Choir
• 5:45-6:15     Family Night Supper (call the church office for reservations)
• 6:15-6:30     Singing and Prayer
• 6:30-7:15     Missions groups (RA’s for boys & GA’s for girls)

The Church sent me a detailed letter about the Kids for Christ program, so if you’re interested in the program click ‘read the rest of this entry’ to view those details.   Read the rest of this entry »

Call the Weaverville Library at 250-6482 for more information about these or any other library events.
 
Stories for Kids
The Weaverville Library holds a Story Time for kids ages 3-6 every Tuesday at 11:15 a.m. Storytime includes singing, stretchers and creative activities.  There is also a Toddler Time for 18-36 month olds on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
 
Weaverville AM Book Club: The Joy Luck Club
Wednesday, January 2
12:30 p.m.
The book to be discussed is “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan. All interested readers are welcome to attend.
 
Weaverville PM Book Club: Favorite Short Stories
Wednesday, January 8
7 p.m.
The Weaverville PM book club will continue discussing their favorite short stories in January. All interested readers are welcome to attend.

The Weaverville library is located at 41 North Main Street. The library is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Tuesday evenings they’re open until 8 p.m.), and on Saturday from 10 a.m. -5 p.m.

Wally Maria Mazzucco Wyatt’s Discover Italian Cooking Classes continue with her “Best Italian Dishes Series”.  Classes will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on these Saturdays: January 26, February 23, March 15, April 26, May 24, and June 14.  Cost is $50 per class or sign up for all 6 and receive 1 free.  Additional information is available at her website, www.discoveritalian.com (check out the Cooking Classes page for class menus) or you can call her at 658-8928

Buncombe County recently released this about the open burning ban:

The Buncombe County Fire Marshal’s Office has issued a ban on all open burning in Buncombe County.   The ban on open burning will be in effect until further notice and is necessary because of the dry weather conditions and depleted water resources.

In October of this year, the N.C. Division of Forest Resources initiated a statewide ban on all open burning and canceled all burning permits.  The County Fire Marshall is authorized to allow open burning within 100 feet of a structure but has declared a burning ban including all open burning, regardless of proximity to a structure.

The issuance of any new permits has been suspended until the ban is lifted. In addition to the $100 fine, people in violation of the open burning ban may have to pay court costs.

The County’s ban on open burning will remain in effect until the North Carolina ban is lifted.

Blue Mountain Pizza is doing something a little different beginning in January. They’re calling it “The Other Side of the Mountain”. The third Monday of the month they will be transforming the restaurant into a fine dining establishment, complete with white table cloths, fine wines, incredible food and relaxing music. The cost of the evening will be $40 per person excluding drinks, tax and gratuity.  There is one seating at 6 p.m., with limited seating available by advance reservation only.

Menus will be posted on the Monday Dinners page of their website on the first of each month. At that time you can place your reservation for that month’s meal. When making your reservation you will also need to place your entrée order.

Here’s the menu for January’s dinner, which takes place Monday, January 21:

Appetizer
Stuffed Portobello mushroom with a crab cake stuffing served on mixed greens and topped with hollandaise.

Salad
Avocado, shrimp and hearts of palm served with a bell pepper vinaigrette.

Entrée
Lightly blackened grouper with crisp polenta rounds, pesto, pine nuts and grape tomatoes served with basil shallot butter.
or
Roast Beef Tenderloin with a port sauce, served with a twice baked potato and haricot vert with sage and pancetta.

Dessert
Stacked mousse cup. Two layers of chocolate mousse and two layers of strawberries topped with whipped cream.

For more information or to make reservations visit the Monday Dinners page of their website.

Wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas!

Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store is hosting a free New Year’s Eve Sparkling Tasting 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 28.  Stop by to taste some fun and delicious sparkling wines from all over the world.  Maggie B’s is located at 113 North Main Street.

A few weeks ago I published a letter from Arts for Life Executive Director Anna Littman about their entry in the Asheville Airport’s Holiday Contest and how you could help them win the People’s Choice award in the contest.  I’m happy to announce they did win that award, and with 34% of the vote, according to this article in the airport’s recent newsletter:

The Asheville Regional Airport Authority is proud to announce the winners of our second annual Holiday Contest benefiting local charities.  To take part, businesses sponsored a charity and decorated one of 20 trees and two menorahs located throughout the terminal.
 
A five-member panel judged first, second, and third place for the uniquely decorated displays on a number of criteria, including originality, unique use of color, and overall appearance.

• 1st Place: Southern Highland Craft Guild - Southern Highland Craft Guild Educational Scholarship Fund
• 2nd Place: Henderson County Master Gardeners - Bullington Learning Center
• 3rd Place: Beverly-Hanks & Associates - Eblen Children’s Charities

New to this year’s contest was the “People’s Choice” award, which was given to the exhibit with the most online votes. With more than 1,800 ballots cast on the Asheville Regional Airport web site, the public chose a clear winner by giving 34% of the vote to the tree decorated by WNC Magazine staff for the Arts for Life charity.

The four winning charities will receive contributions totaling $3850 in the name of the sponsoring company. “This is a wonderful way for Asheville Regional Airport to show support to local businesses and charitable organizations,” says David N. Edwards, Jr., Airport Director, “We invite everyone to visit the airport and appreciate the holiday spirit these creative displays evoke.”

The trees will remain on display at the airport through January 1.
 

Reems Creek Golf Club has a Christmas Special going on now: if you buy 3 rounds of golf you get a fourth round for free. Total cost of the package is $135.  It does have to be purchased before December 31, 2007, but you have a year to use them. Call the Pro Shop at 645-4393 for more information.

No surprise, but the Weaverville Zoning Board of Adjustments approved the Reems Creek Residential Community at the Wednesday night meeting.  I’ve been out of town this week and couldn’t make it, but here’s what I heard from someone who was there:

• Although the project was approved, it was approved with notable changes that will make the proposed development more acceptable to the community.
• The developer agreed to remove the two large 3-story 18-unit buildings up on the East ridge and if they are replaced, it will be with smaller two-story buildings.
• The developer expressed a firm belief in darkness or low ambient lighting for the roads, buildings and landscaping.
• The board requested that all buildings that have a current 45′ roofline, be brought back in compliance with the 35′ roofline ordinance on the books, so the architecture of the taller buildings may change.  This has to do with the ability of the fire department to reach that high.  
• The designs of the buildings were very good with dark colors that blend in with the forest.
• The developer stated that 280 units is the top number of units and that they may never build that many.  Their current plan is to build the main entry bridge first and start the first phase down there.  The other phases of building will be done over a four-year period.
• The developer also said their building plans intend to keep the current trees in as many places as possible (especially the perimeter) and supplement them with natural plants, grasses and trees.
• Other issues about the roads and the bridge have to be worked with the state DOT.

Sherrye at Bee & Thistle tells me she has brought in a collection of folk art snakes crafted by famed Madison County folk artist Don Price (1924-2004).  I don’t know if folk art snakes are considered a good stocking stuffer, but stop by and take a look.  Bee & Thistle is located at 55 North Main Street.