If you’re here because you read the article in the Weaverville Tribune, I want to thank you for visiting.  I’m writing this on the assumption that an article was indeed in this week’s edition, and that I didn’t come across sounding like a complete idiot.  I haven’t seen it yet, and I don’t think I’ve been interviewed by a newspaper reporter since high school.

Anyway, this is MyWeaverville.com, a website devoted entirely to Weaverville:  those of us who live here, work here, and own businesses here, and even those of you who are just visiting.  My goal is to create a comprehensive online guide which covers all that’s happening here in our town.  It runs the gamut from a store sale to new businesses to Candlelight Christmas Stroll details to updates about development, plus a little of everything in between.  It is not political, a diary, or an online space for my personal rants, thoughts or opinions.  It is also not a newspaper.  I’m not covering or investigation stories. Instead, I’m compiling all the information that’s out there so it’s in one place.  I find information in the newspapers, radio, online, on local bulletin boards, at the library, and of course from you.

Here’s a quick guide to get you around the site:

• You’re on the Home page now, a space I generally refer to as the Announcements Blog section.  It’s where I post the detailed information about Weaverville happenings.  Underneath each post is a link to a Comments section where you can post your own remarks.  You do have to register first, because when I tried it the other way I got spammed like you wouldn’t believe.  I don’t think anyone could possibly need the amount of viagra I was offered. 
• The second main section of the site is the Calendar.  This is a chronological listing of the events happening in Weaverville.  If you want to know what’s happening on a Friday night, the calendar is the place to start.
• The third main section is the Links Directory.  This is a list of those businesses and organizations in Weaverville which have websites. 
• Finally, there’s the About and Contact sections.  In the About section you can learn a little more about me and the site, and the Contact section lets you know how to contact me, whether it’s with a question, comment, suggestion, or if you have information you’d like to submit for publication.

So thanks again for visiting and please feel free to contact me with your questions, comments and suggestions.  I’m always happy to hear them, because this is our Weaverville, not just mine.

Albert Weaver III will be signing copies of his book That Just Irks the Devil Out of Me Saturday, December 22 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Weaverville Drug Company.  The book is about Weaver’s mother Dorothy (Dot), and net proceeds from sales will be used to fund an endowed scholarship at Mars Hill College in memory of Dorothy B. Weaver and L.A. Weaver, Jr.   Weaverville Drug Company is located at 3 North Main Street.

Richard Bernier has put together this video preview of the new Northridge Commons shopping development, utlizing plans the developer has available on the Northridge Commons website.

You can also view this and other Weaverville videos on his Weaverville News Channel on You Tube. 

If you’re having all your friends and family over for the holidays and you don’t know what kind of wine to serve them, Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Shop does.  They will hosting a free tasting of wines which will suit most any Christmas meal 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, December 21.

Maggie B’s will be open on Christmas Eve, but will be closing at 5 p.m.  They will also be closed on Christmas Day and December 26.  Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store is located at 113 North Main Street.

The Beech Community Center invites everyone to its annual Christmas Party on Saturday, December 22.  This year’s party will be held at the Reems Creek Fire Department from 5-7 p.m., where kids can enjoy storytime and a visit with Santa.   The Reems Creek Fire Department is located at 730 Reems Creek Road.

The North Buncombe High School Drama Club presents its production of the comedy “Noises Off” beginning Friday, December 14.  There will be 3 performances:

• Friday, December 14 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, December 15 at 7 p.m.
• Sunday, December 16 at 2 p.m.

Tickets will be sold at the door.  Cost is $8 for adults and $6 for students. 

Here’s another scheduled Weaverville Santa Stop:  the Exxon Station on Reems Creek Road.  He’ll be there 1-3 p.m. on  Saturday, December 15. Snacks will be provided.

There is an email circulating around town which brought news of the proposed Reems Creek Residential Community development to my attention:

Residents in the Pleasant Grove Road, Blevins Road, and Parker Cove Road area were surprised last Monday to learn about a 280-unit condo development, ready for approval by the Weaverville Board of Adjustment.  Their concern stems not only from the size of the proposed development but to the lack of public comment or input. The Board of Adjustment meeting was continued (because of a lack of quorum) and is re-scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 19 at the Town Hall.  At that time, the developer will present the proposed development plan and the Board of Adjustment is scheduled to vote on it.   It is likely this development will affect Reems Creek Road residents as well, since it provides the possibility of an additional 500+ cars on that road.  Other residents along Reems Creek will be affected by the building of water lines and sewer lines to connect the development to existing pipes.

Details about this project, as provided to me by affected residents, are listed below.  This did not come from the developer, with whom I have not had contact.  There is also no information about Reems Creek Residential Community nor Elk Mountain Partners available online.  I encourage concerned or curious residents to attend the December 19 meeting to hear from the developer directly about the project and/or to voice their concerns.

Name of Project: Reems Creek Residential Community
Developer: Elk Mountain Partners, LLC
12 Stoney Ridge Road
Asheville, NC 28804
Contact: Jim Egnew (828) 253-0191
 
Site Location: Southside of Reems Creek Road between Pleasant Grove Road and Parker Cove Road. This is the property formerly owned by Jim & Blanche Robertson.
 
PIN: 9752.03-33-7457.000
 
Access: Developer plans to build a new private bridge across Reems Creek intersecting with Pug Run.
 
Total Site Area: 66.8 Acres
Site Zoning: R3
Proposed Density: 4 units per acre (max.allowed=8)
Total units: 280
Total Car Spaces: 560 (underground)
 
Makeup of Homes: 4 3-story Lodge Condos (18 units per)
16 3-story stacked duplexes (6 units per)
15 2-story quadplexs (4 units per)
26 1/1.5-story duplexes (2 units per)
 
Average Price: $500,000

The Weaverville Drug Company’s Christmas Sale is going on now.  They have 25% or more off gift items:  framed and unframed artwork, wall hangings, throws, mirros, plush animals, Webkinz, Mill Creek Studios Wildlife Figurines, Joan Baker Suncatchers & Stainglass, Barlow Knives and more.  This sale ends Christmas Eve. Weaverville Drug Company is located at 3 North Main Street.

The Christ United Methodist Church will present the musical “Peace on Earth” Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15.  Both performances begin at 7:15 p.m.  The Church is also holding a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m. December 24.  Christ United Methodist Church is located at 81 Garrison Branch Road.

Local author Lou Harshaw will be autographing copies of her book, “Asheville: Mountain Majesty” from noon until 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 15 at the Weaverville Drug Company.  “Asheville: Mountain Majesty” is an illustrated history of the area with over 400 black and white photographs.

Weaverville Drug Company is located at 3 North Main Street.

The Tick Tock Sale starts Saturday, December 15 at Curtis Wright Outfitters.  Don’t know what a Tick Tock Sale is?  They’ve explained it like this:

TICK TOCK SALE
15% off starting on December 15th
TICK 1% more daily until TOCK off in January

In other words, on December 16 the percentage off is 16%, on December 17, it’s 17%, etc.  So the longer you wait, the larger the percentage you receive off the items you buy.  BUT, the longer you wait also means there’s a larger chance the items you want to buy might not be available anymore.   

The sale is good on EVERYTHING in their store, including clothing brands Woolrich, Columbia, Life is Good, Royal Robbins, Horny Toad, and Smartwool, as well as all their fly fishing and spin fishing lines.

So good luck in getting what you what for the price you want!  Curtis Wright Outfitters is located at 24 North Main Street.

Have someone out of town to buy for this Christmas?  The Green Robin, a Weaverville-based online business specializing in organic products, is offering free shipping on all orders throughout December.  Considering I was just asked to pay $10 to ship one small fruit basket, I think free shipping is a great deal.

For all of you have been waiting since October for another beer tasting at Maggie B’s, here it is. They will have a selection of winter brews out for tasting 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 15.  And Elspeth tells me no beer tasting would be complete without Lusty Monk Mustard, so be sure to try a taste of it too.

Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store is located at 113 North Main Street.

I’ve had a few inquiries lately about what’s happening with Northridge Commons.  The latest issue of the Weaverville Tribune has a front page article talking about that very thing, so if you’re curious about the details be sure to pick up a copy.  The basics are this:

• Spring 2009 is the scheduled opening date.
• Both Wal-Mart and Lowe’s are still coming.
• Construction has slowed because they have to wait for Progress Energy to move power lines.