They’re normally closed on Mondays, but for Labor Day (Monday, September 1), Blue Mountain Pizza will be open with their normal hours, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Performing that night in a “farewell concert” is Blue Mountain’s own David Fields, who will soon be leaving the Weaverville area for Indiana.  Vance Reese will be joining him on piano.  Stop by for a listen and to wish him well.

Headlines from the August 28-September 3 issue of the Weaverville Tribune:

Deputies Nab Burglary Suspect
Alexander man arrested and charged with breaks-ins

Jury Acquits Weaverville Man
Weaverville resident found not guilty of taking indecent liberties with a child

Storm Causes Minimal Damage
Fay brings needed rain and little damage to area

BlackHawks Nudge Past Mountain Heritage
North Buncombe football wins season opener

Commentary
Never, ever again
It’s time for this paper to show its support
It’s a good slogan, but it ain’t reality

Letters to the Editor
Abortion an issue for seventh graders
Gas is too expensive; try carpooling
Public smoking needs to be limited

Scholar/Athlete of the Week
NBHS senior Robert Ward

New Businesses Target Woodfin
Retail stores, factory interested in moving to Woodfin

North Buncombe Hero
Michael Bullard

Northridge Commons Adds Another Entrance
Road construction plans for the new development

Fire Department Offers Reflective Markers
Weaverville Fire Department selling address markers

Coaches Corner
NBHS Varsity Boys’ Soccer
NBHS Junior Varsity Boys’ Soccer

College Receives Conservation Bookshelf
Liston B. Ramsey Center for Regional Studies receives resources

Scouts Lay Flags to Rest
Boy Scout Troop 13 burns tattered U.S. flags

Town Adopts Spay/Neuter Program
New program begins Sept. 15 in Woodfin

Class of 1936 Gathers for Reunion
Members celebrate 72nd high school reunion

What’s Cooking in the Kitchen
Recipes from Ellie Chandler: Chicken Enchiladas, Broccoli and Cheese Bake, Cornflake Potato Casserole, Whoopie Pies, Apple Dip, Layered Mexican Dip, Crumby Chicken Casserole

Benefit Yard Sale
Benefit for Skyland Automotive Service Manager August 30

Rummage Sale at Antioch Baptist
Barnardsville church hosts sale August 30

Results from Blood Drive
Results from August 20 blood drive at the Weaverville Fire Department

Mission Conference at Ebbs Chapel
Conference from August 28-31 in Mars Hill

Vino Vino Moves to New Location
Woodfin Wine Shop moves to larger space

Two-Car Accident
Wreck on Reems Creek Road

Rummage and Bake Sale
Church of the Redeemer in Woodfin holds sale September 6

New Intern at Weaverville Drug
Student intern at Weaverville Drug Company started in July

Electrical Fire on Ollie Weaver
Small fire leaves minor damage to home

Retiree’s Doodling is Dandy
Weaverville resident’s doodles turn into designs

Two days left on Reems Creek Nursery’s “Super Sale”. They’re clearing out to make room for Fall Shipments (new trees and shrubs are expected the first week of September).  The sale lasts through Saturday, August 30. Here’s what they’ve been advertising:

• 30% Off Knockout Roses
• 30% Off Glazed Pottery, Birdbaths, & Decorative Garden Ornaments
• 50% Off Jackson & Perkins Roses
• 50% Off Flowering Hanging Baskets
• 50% Off Annual Bedding Plants
• 50% Off All Trees
• 50% Off 4″ & 6″ Flowering Annuals
  *Excludes New Crops

The Buncombe County Board of Elections has implemented a new automated telephone system.  By calling this telephone number, 250-4200, voters can check their registration, find out where to vote, check deadlines, request applications for registration or absentee ballots, or check the status of their absentee ballot. The 24/7 service will also provide voters with site information for the early voting sites, directions to voting locations, and information about working in the election.

Buncombe County Schools announced yesterday that Kay McLeod was selected as the 2008-09 Teacher of the Year for the North Buncombe School District.  McLeod is a 9th Grade Science teacher at North Buncombe High School.  Here’s the announcement:

Buncombe County Schools is proud to announce that finalists have been chosen for the 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year Award. Teachers were selected representing each of the county’s six school districts:

Reynolds:  Karen King, Cane Creek Middle, 7th Grade Science
Owen:  Jessie Devine, Black Mountain Primary, Special Education
Erwin:  Robyn Pass, Erwin Middle, 7th Grade Language Arts/Social Studies
Enka:  Debra Cheap, Enka Middle, 8th Grade Math
North Buncombe:  Kay McLeod, North Buncombe High, 9th Grade Science
Roberson:  Mary Whitlock, Roberson High, 10th-11th Grade History

“It’s a high honor to be chosen as one of the top six teachers in an outstanding school district such as ours,” said Cliff Dodson, Superintendent.

“Candidates were selected by reviewing their submitted portfolios and by a committee interview process. In the last phase of the selection process, finalists will be visited in their classrooms and also present speeches,” comments Gerry Kovach, Teacher of the Year Coordinator/Recruitment and Retention Specialist.

The BCS 2008-2009 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a banquet on Thursday, September 18th at the Renaissance Hotel. The winner will receive a $1,000 check and Crystal Apple Award from Wachovia Bank. A local car dealership will also donate a leased vehicle for one year to be used by the teacher who is chosen.

The Weaverville Library has a new schedule for Story Times, Reading Club, and the Teen Advisory Group. This schedule begins September 1 and runs through May. For more information call the library at 250-6482.

Mother Goose Time
For ages 4-18 months
2nd and 4th Wednesdays
11-11:30 a.m.

Toddler Time
For ages 18-36 months
2nd and 4th Thursdays
11-11:30 a.m.

Family Storytime
For ages 3-5 years
1st and 3rd Tuesdays
11:15-11:45 a.m.

Family Fun Night
For all ages
3rd Tuesdays
6:30-7 p.m.

School Age Reading Club
For ages 2nd grade & up
4th Wednesdays
4-5 p.m.

Teen Advisory Group
For ages 12-18 years
1st and 3rd Fridays
4-5:30 p.m.

Elspeth is back so this week’s free weekly wine tasting at Maggie B’s Wine and Specialty Store (113 North Main Street) will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 29.

Weird & Wild Wine Tasting

This week we’ll have wines from all over the world, and grapes you’ve never heard of. Sound interesting? Oh it is!Enjoy!

The Friends of the Weaverville Library (41 North Main Street) will hold their annual book sale on Saturday, August 30 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Books are priced individually and sorted into a variety of subjects: fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks, biographies, children’s books, audio/visual, reference books, etc. For more information, call the library at 250-6482.

I haven’t posted an update on Northridge Commons for awhile, mainly because until recently all I could really say was they’re pushing dirt around. Now, however, they’ve started putting up walls for Wal-Mart, as seen in this photo. It was taken on August 24 from the road behind the store (off Monticello Road). Opening date for both Wal-Mart and Lowe’s is still scheduled for Spring 2009.

Also, in response to requests, I’ve started a Northridge Commons photo page on my Flickr account. There’s only a few pictures there now but I’ll keep it updated as work progresses. A big thanks to Daniel for sending me photos he’s taken as well.

Road construction at Monticello Road for Northridge Commons. According to the DOT website there will be construction on both Monticello Road and 25/70 for “an entrance to the new business at the corner of US 25/70 and Monticello Road (SR 1727). The construction will involve constructing an access for the business on Monticello Road (SR 1727) and Turn Lanes on US 25/70 and Monticello. Motorists can expect delays intermittently during the turn lane and entrance construction.” End date for the construction is listed as October 1, 2008.

I’m told the Weaverville Tribune has an article coming up in the next issue about the construction, so look for that on Thursday for more details.

Some Weaverville animal lovers are among those organizing a group to get Buncombe County dogs off chains. Their first organizational meeting is Tuesday, August 26 at the North Asheville Library. Here’s the info:

Please Help Get Dogs Off Chains
If you care about the plight of the chained dog who lives without hope each and every day, please come to our first meeting of Unchain Asheville. We are committed to changing Asheville and Buncombe County ordinances to disallow chaining, offer fencing alternatives and educate people about the cruelty of tethering and chaining. We hope you can come. Thanks.

Where: North Asheville Library, 1030 Merrimon Ave. Asheville
When: Tuesday, August 26, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

For information, call 828-337-2448 or email peggyfordogs@aol.com.

A few days ago I published information about the North Buncombe BlackHawk Band’s Car Wash-A-Thon fundraiser.  Today I learned something new about it — they’re going waterless! According to an article in today’s Citizen-Times, in the newly named Car Care-a-Thon “the band plans to wash the exterior windows, clean the headlight and taillight lenses with window cleaner and paper towels. They have pledged not to use a drop of water.”    www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080822/NEWS05/80822006

Headlines from the August 21-27 issue of the Weaverville Tribune:

Children Safe After Smoke Scare
Smoke at Weaverville Elementary School prompts evacuation

Police Arrest Larceny Suspect
Weaverville man charged with felony breaking and entering

Progress Energy Gives Grant to Tree Board
$2000 grant awarded to Weaverville Tree Board

ESI Works to Fill Positions
Arvato has job openings after recent employee walk-off

Commentary
Council looks to once again tackle unanswered questions

Town Welcomes Arts Festival
Annual RiverSculpture festival moves to Woodfin

Former Players Return to Soccer Camp
Former NBHS soccer players come back to teach current players

A Jar of Sanka and $28
That’s all it took for a Weaverville resident to get some extra gas mileage

Workshop Focuses on ABC Store
Weaverville Town Council discusses ABC board appointments, old fire station, Lake Louise clubhouse

Coaches Corner
Junior Varsity Football
Varsity Football

Water Board Implements Mandatory Water Restrictions
Woodfin Water Board passes mandatory water restrictions amendment

North Buncombe Hero
Weaverville Elementary School staff

Council Gets Update on Northridge Commons
Regular Town Council meeting includes update on Northridge Commons, Tree Board appointments, water policy updates, subdivision approval, public hearing date on zoning ordinances

Bailey Mountain Cloggers Announce Upcoming Fall Slate
Mars Hill College’s clogging team fall schedule

Barnardsville Market Chugs Along
Tailgate market takes place every Saturday, 9-11 a.m., through mid-October

Newspaper Interns Finish Summer Program
Weaverville residents finish summer internships at the Weaverville Tribune

What’s Cooking in the Kitchen
Recipes from Tracy Wilde: Pineapple Cream Cheese Sandwich Spread, Taco Salad, Old Fashioned Biscuits, Cabbage Casserole, Pralines and Cream Pie, Nanny’s Stack Cake

Book Sale at Library
Weaverville Library’s annual book sale is August 30

Rummage Sale at Antioch Baptist
Rummage sale to benefit missions trip was August 20

Re-enactors Look for New Troops
Civil War re-enactment unit is recruiting new members

Hunting Licenses Now Available
Purchase licenses now for dove season, which opens September 1

Big Ivy Book Notes
News from the Big Ivy Book Club

Kids for Christ at First Baptist
After-school program begins

Spaces for Beech Yard Sale
Annual yard sale at Beech Community Center is September 20

Directions to North Buncombe Stadium
The headline says it all

Band to host Car Wash
Fundraising car wash for the North Buncombe High School band August 23

Chiropractor Transitions Into Health, Wellness
Weaverville chiropractor Sheila Bochicchio diversifies her business

Morgan’s Movie Review for Kids
‘10,000 BC’

Town Police and Fire Reports
Weaverville Police and Weaverville Fire Reports for July 2008

Youth Group Makes ‘Dream’ a Reality
Youth Acting Troupe brings Shakespeare to Weaverville  Aug. 22 & 23

Kids for Christ, an after-school program at the First Baptist Church, begins again on Wednesday:

Who: Children grades 1-6 who attend Weaverville Elementary, Weaverville Primary or North Windy Ridge Schools

Where: First Baptist Church, 63 North Main Street, Weaverville

When: Every Wednesday after school. Ride the bus to 63 North Main Street and we’ll meet you at the front door!

What: Come enjoy snacks, recreation, study hall (tutoring is available), Bible Drill, Children’s Choir, and more! Activities end at 7:15 pm with supper at 5:45 pm (cost $2 – we need your reservations or cancellations by Monday). Children must be picked up at the church at 7:15 pm.

All activities are fully supervised by church staff and volunteers. Parents, a medical information form must be filled out before your child can attend KFC. Please call the church office to receive a form. Also, please send a note to your child’s teacher giving them permission to ride the bus to First Baptist, 63 North Main Street on Wednesdays.

Call the church office at 645-6720 with any questions.

Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street) hosts their free weekly wine tasting 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, August 22:

So, you’ve gotten the kids back to school, and you’ve just finished paying off the summer vacation. Not much money left over for wine? We thought it a perfect time to have one of our under $10 tastings. Come in and taste some delicious wines that won’t break the bank!

See you then!

The August 22 wine tasting has been canceled.