The Mountain Area American Red Cross is holding the annual CPR Saturday on March 13, 2010.  They’re offering free CPR classes at the Weaverville Fire Department (3 Monticello Road) and 14 other locations throughout Western North Carolina. Pre-registration is required. The class runs 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (I was told they will shut the doors promptly at 9 a.m., so if you’re late you won’t be let in). Info and locations:

CPR Saturday

On March 13, instruction will be given at a total of 15 locations in eight Western North Carolina counties.  Pre-registration is required for participation.  Interested persons should call 828-258-3888 or their local Red Cross offices for more information on times, locations, type of class being offered (adult, child or infant) and reservations.

“For one day each year, our community chapters offer these valuable life-saving skills for free to area residents,” said Patrick Fitzsimmons, regional Red Cross executive.  “Whether required for a particular job or as a skill someone wants to learn, the fact is that CPR saves lives.  We are hopeful area citizens will take advantage of these free classes,” he added.

Last year, over 450 individuals received free training on CPR Saturday.

Buncombe County
To Register (required):  828-258-3888

• Red Cross Chapter Headquarters (100 Edgewood Road, Asheville)
• Skyland Fire Department (9 Miller Road, Skyland)
• Weaverville Fire Department (3 Monticello Road, Weaverville)
• Stephens Lee Recreation Center (30 George Washington Carver Street, Asheville)

Haywood County
To Register (required): 828-456-8141

• Haywood Regional Fitness Center (262 Leroy George Drive, Clyde)
• Waynesville Recreation Center (550 Vance Street, Waynesville)

Henderson County
To Register (required):  828-693-5605

• Mountain First Bank and Trust Operations Center (960 Spartanburg Highway, Hendersonville)
• Henderson County YMCA (810 6^th Avenue, West, Hendersonville)
• Pardee Hospital Education Center (Blue Ridge Mall, 1800 Four Seasons Blvd., Hendersonville)
• Fletcher Library (120 Library Road – just off Hendersonville Road, Fletcher)

McDowell County
To Register (required): 828-652-6531

• Corpening Memorial YMCA (348 Grace Corpening Road, Marion)

Polk County
To Register (required): 828-894-2700

• Red Cross Chapter Headquarters (231 Ward Street, Columbus)

Rutherford County
To Register (required): 828-287-5916

• Isothermal Community College Gymnasium (286 ICC Loop Road, Spindale)

Transylvania County
To Register (required): 828-884-4530

• First United Methodist Church (325 Broad Street, Brevard

There’s no Friday night wine tasting this week at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street). Instead, they will be hosting all day wine tastings during the Weaverville Art Safari:

Art Safari Wine Tasting
November 7 & 8, 2009
Saturday 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
Sunday Noon-5 p.m.
ALL DAY!
The Weaverville Art Safari is back, and Maggie B’s will have all day wine tastings Saturday and Sunday.  So, stop in anytime.  Also, check out this year’s artists at www.weavervilleartsafari.com.

This week’s free Friday wine tasting and “deal of the week” at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street):

Recipe & Wine Pairing Tasting
Friday, October 9, 2009
6-8 p.m.
My customers are always asking me to pair wines with meals, or to help them with different recipes.  As the holidays approach, we will periodically have wine tastings supplied with recipe pairings.  NOW, you no longer have to guess; we have done the work for you.  See you then!

DEAL OF THE WEEK:
Echeverria Reserve Syrah 2006
Colchagua Valley, Chile
“blackberries, raspberries, and cherries…hints of bitter chocolate with notes of cloves and cinnamon”
WAS: $13.50
NOW: $11.50

The Weaverville Fire Department (3 Monticello Road) will host an Open House on Saturday, October 3.  From Noon until 3 p.m., you can drop by the station to meet the firemen and tour the facilities.  They’ll also be doing demonstrations, and will have handouts and giveaways during the open house.

This week’s free Friday wine tasting and “deal of the week” at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street):

Melt In Your Mouth Malbecs
Friday, October 2, 2009
5:30-7:30 p.m.

Now, if your anything like me, you can’t wait to break into the reds during these cool, crisp evenings we are having! Malbecs are some of my favorite red wines, and this Friday, we’ll be tasting all different styles.  So, come find the style that you love.
See you then!

Deal of the Week:
Bouvet Rose Sparkling Brut
Loire Valley, France
“full body sparkling wine with a crisp freshness and clean finish”
WAS: $16.80
NOW: $13.50

Fall 2009 seminars at Reems Creek Nursery (70 Monticello Road). All are free, but please pre-register by calling them at (828) 645-3937.

FALL SEMINAR SERIES
These classes are free, just pre-register at (828) 645-3937.

• SEASON EXTENSION
  Friday, October 9 at 3 p.m. ~ with Ruth Gonzalez
• HOME ORCHARDS
  Saturday, October 10 at 10 a.m. ~ with Andrew Goodheart Brown
• BULBS ARE BEAUTIFUL!
  Saturday, October 10 at 2 p.m. ~ with Wilma Penland

Join us for any or all of these awesome seminars.  We love to share our knowledge and enthusiasm.

This week’s free Friday wine tasting and “deal of the week” at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street):

Date Night Wine Tasting
Friday, September 25, 2009
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Trying to save money on going out, but still want to have a good time?  Bring your sweetie to a wine tasting. Pick out some bottles, cheese, meat, and olives, and get ready for a wonderful evening.

Deal of the Week:
Blouberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa
60% Sauvignon Blanc, 20% Semilion, 20% Cape Riesling
“off dry lemony flavors, fresh, crisp finish”
WAS: $10.99
NOW: $8.99

The Vance Birthplace State Historic Site (911 Reems Creek Road) presents the Annual Fall Militia Encampment on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27. Admission is free both days. Here’s the info about the weekend’s events:

Once again, history will come alive on the weekend of September 26.  Vance Birthplace State Historic Site will be hosting the annual Fall Militia Encampment, Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m .and Sunday, Sept. 27, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  Admission is free.

This event will highlight the early years of our country’s history, when citizens banded together to form local militias to protect their lives and property.  Periodically, the militia’s officers would call a muster (a gathering of the members) for training, such as small arms drills.  The Catawba Militia, a group that portrays an early American citizens’ militia, will be encamped at Vance Birthplace throughout the weekend.  The group will demonstrate common camplife activities, drill routines and tell visitors what it was like to serve in the militia.  Members of the group will also provide some hands-on activities for children.

In addition to the Catawba Militia, the site will be receiving volunteer assistance for the two day event from the members of the site’s newly organized Tar Heel Jr. Historian Club. The club members will be providing assistance with the hands-on activities and with site tours and demonstrations.

Also, for 2009, the event will be highlighted as one of the events included in the Smithsonian magazine’s 5th annual Museum Day. On September 26th, the Fall Militia Encampment will be participating in a national program sponsored by Smithsonian magazine.  Details on the program are available at www.Smithsonian.com/museumday.

Vance Birthplace State Historic Site, the childhood home of Zebulon B. Vance, North Carolina’s Civil War governor, was settled in 1795 by David Vance, a Revolutionary war veteran.  The farm was the family’s home until the early 1830s.  Both David Vance and his son were officers in the Buncombe Militia during the early 1800s.  The site includes a visitor center, a reconstructed log house and six outbuildings.

Vance Birthplace State Historic Site, an agency of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, is located 12 miles northeast of Asheville on Reems Creek Road.  For more information call (828) 645-6706.

It’s almost time for the 3rd Annual Art in Autumn Arts & Crafts Festival.  This year’s festival is set for Saturday, September 19, 2009, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Main Street (between Merrimon Avenue and Church Street).  Over 100 artists will be showing their work, bands will be playing old-time and bluegrass music, and local non-profits will be selling food.  Admission is free. You can find more information, including a festival map and the list of participating artists and bands, on their website www.artinautumn.com.  A few other items of note:

Road Closures
Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. from the corner of Merrimon and Main to Church and Main. As a result traffic will be routed onto Alabama Avenue during the event.  We are anticipating thousands of visitors for this particular event.  The Police, Fire Department, and Emergency Services personnel have been alerted and will assist in monitoring the street closures.

Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to assist with setup, breakdown, information booths, and parking. If you would like to help with the event please contact Sherrye at 273-7306.

Raffle
Art in Autumn is sponsored and funded by the Weaverville Business Association. One of the ways they cover festival expenses is through the Art in Autumn Raffle. Local businesses have donated more than 40 items to be raffled off during the festival.  Tickets are $1 and can be purchased at the Information Booths during the festival.  Here’s a few of the items they’ll be giving away:

• Free eye exam, ½ off glasses or contacts from Weaverville Eye Associates
• Lunch for two from Sunnyside Cafe
• 1 hour massage from A Way to Heal Massage
• 1 hour massage from Secret Garden Inn & Spa
• $25 Gift Certificate from Maggie B’s Wine and Specialty Store
• $50 gift certificate from Miya Gallery
• $25 gift certificate to Brown’s Floral from Beverly Hanks
• Pottery Piece from Mangum Pottery
• $50 gift certificate from Curtis Wright Outfitters
• $20 gift certificate from Mike’s Grill
• $25 gift certificate from Stoney Knob
• $50 gift certificate from Weaverville Ingles

Later this week I’ll publish any of the sales or specials local businesses will be having in conjunction with the event. Please check back for those.

Live music schedule for September 2009 at Well-Bred Bakery (26 North Main Street ).  They feature live music on Friday and Saturday nights, 7-9 p.m. with no cover charge:

Friday, September 11 – Peg Twisters
Saturday, September 12 – P.J. Brunson
Friday, September 18 – Jay Brown
Saturday, September 19 – Kim Reinhart
Friday, September 25 – Garry Segal
Saturday, September 26 – Peg Twisters

Seminar at Reems Creek Nursery (70 Monticello Road) at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 12.  It’s free, but please pre-register by calling the nursery at (828) 645-3937. Details:

SEED SAVING FOR THE HOME GARDENER
Saturday, September 12 at 10 a.m. with seed-saving expert, Lee Barnes

Learn how to save your open-pollinated seed to use for planting your vegetable garden next year.  Lee will show you techniques that you can use to harvest seeds at home with simple tools.  When you save your own seed you always have next years seed supply on hand.  Plus you can gradually improve your own seed through natural selection.

Lee Barnes received the Southern Seed Legacy Award in 2001, advocates regionally for seed-saving, and operates a seed exchange.  A permaculturist and naturalist, Lee also has a Ph.D. in Plant Ecology.

Please pre-register by calling the nursery at (828) 645-3937.

Weaverville Music Study Club has a program coming up Friday, September 18, 2009. Here’s the info:

The Weaverville Music Study Club will present a free program on Friday, September 18, 7 p.m at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall (63 North Main Street).  Variety of music by Barbara Scott, flute, with piano accompanist by Pamela Ballard, Frances Murray, soprano & Bob Moser, bass & piano.  For additional information about future Music Club programs and activities contact Harriet Burnette at 645-5798.

This week’s free Friday beer tasting and “deal of the week” at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street):

Fall Beer Tasting
Friday, September 11, 2009
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Have you noticed you need a jacket at night, that can only mean one thing: Fall is on its way.  What a better way to bring in the leaves than with some great beers.

Deal of the Week:
Tomas Cusine Vilosell 2006
50% Tempranillo, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 9% Garnacha, 5% Syrah
“Cassis, violet and cured meat on the nose, with slow-building oak spices.  Licorice and mineral notes…sweet cherry and blackcurrant flavors.  Finishes with good grip and lingering dark berry notes.”
WAS: $18.99
NOW: $14.99

Weaverville will be hosting an Urban Stormwater Management Project Tour 10-11 a.m. on September 1, 2009, showcasing the Main Street Nature Park stormwater project. It’s free for those not seeking professional development hours, but online registration is required. Details:

Weaverville Urban Stormwater Management Project Tour
When: September 1, 2009, 10-11 a.m.
Where: Weaverville Town Hall (30 South Main Street)

Description:
Many urbanizing areas are faced with localized flooding problems and polluted runoff. Stormwater management best management practices (BMPs) are needed to treat both water quality and quantity. This mini-workshop and project tour will demonstrate what can be done to meet a variety of goals including water quality education, creating walking trails and viable green space, habitat restoration, decreasing erosion in streams, and methods to treat pollutants in runoff.

Join the designer for this exciting mini-workshop and project tour investigating urban stormwater management techniques. The Main Street Nature Park stormwater project that was recently constructed will be showcased, and participants will learn about aggressive exotic plant removal, riparian planting plans, and constructed stormwater wetlands. Stream enhancement techniques, stormwater best management practices (BMPs), and streamside forests will also be discussed.

Who Should Attend

• Landowners
• Natural Resource Managers
• Grading Contractors
• Design Professionals

Workshop Registration
FREE for attendees not seeking professional development hours (PDHs).
$20 for Professionals Seeking PDH Credits (1PDH has been approved for professional engineers (PEs)).
You must register online even if your registration is free. This lets us know the final headcount.

Agenda (pdf)

For more information: Contact Carter Cone at (828) 665-2492, Ext. 339 or email carter_cone@ncsu.edu

Bike Night tonight (Thursday, August 20, 2009) at Rodney’s Auto Service (37 North Main Street):

3rd Thursday Bike Night at Rodney’s Auto Service
Join the Carolina Faith Riders for Bike Night at Rodney’s Auto Service on Thursday, August 20, 2009, starting at 6:30 p.m. There’s always music, fun and fellowship! They’ll be serving hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cold drinks, plus 50/50 and door prizes.  All bikes welcome.

Bike Nights will continue to be held on the third Thursday of the month through October.

Planting Your Fall Vegetable Garden seminar Saturday, August 15 at Reems Creek Nursery (70 Monticello Road ). Details:

Planting Your Fall Vegetable Garden: Harvest and enjoy eating homegrown vegetables throughout the fall. This free seminar with Ruth Gonzalez will address successful fall gardening, what to plant, and when to plant it. Cover crops and general gardening will also be briefly discussed. Join us on Saturday, August 15 at 10 a.m. at Reems Creek Nursery & Landscaping. Free, but please pre-register at (828) 645-3937.

This week’s free Friday wine tasting and “deal of the week” at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street ):

Australian Wine Tasting
Friday, August 7, 2009
5:30-7:30 p.m.

We’re going down under to Australia this week.  This is not a tasting to be missed.  Among others, we will have Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2002 out, which received a whopping 97 points from Robert Parker of Wine Advocate. YUM!

Each week we will have a “Deal of the Week” wine, so make sure to check to see what wines you can get for a steal!  This week, we are offering:

Oxford Landing Shiraz 2007, South Australia
WAS $12.99, NOW $9.99
“soft and supple with lingering flavours of red cherry, raspberry, and liquorice”

St. Matthews Anglican Church (812 Reems Creek Road )  is hosting a “Hot Dog Saturday” open house event on Saturday, August 8, 2009. It will take place 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the church. Members of the community can enjoy free hot dogs, drinks, and cookies, meet Fr. Don Sackeet and his family, take a tour of the Church to see what improvements have been made, and hear about future plans.

Bike Night at Rodney’s Auto Service (37 North Main Street ) tonight (Thursday, July 16):

3rd Thursday Bike Night at Rodney’s Auto Service
Join the Carolina Faith Riders for Bike Night at Rodney’s Auto Service on Thursday, July 16, 2009, starting at 6 p.m. There’s always music, fun and fellowship! They’ll be serving hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cold drinks, plus 50/50 and door prizes.  All bikes welcome.

This week’s free Friday Wine Tasting at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street ):

Spanish Wine Tasting
Friday, July 17th
5:30-7:30 p.m.

Everybody loves Spanish wines!  They are delicious, great prices, and this Friday Anne Kaufmann from Dionysus Distributors will be pouring some really lovely ones.
See you then!

Reems Creek Nursery (70 Monticello Road ) is hosting a Water Gardening Seminar Saturday, July 11 at 10 a.m. It’s free, but you should pre-register by calling them at 645-3937.

Water Gardening Seminar
Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m.
Free

Watching fish is entertaining for everyone, and the sound of water adds tranquility to any spot. Pond expert Marc Montell will introduce you to various water gardening plants and fish, and he will discuss year-round pond, fish, and water plant care. Marc’s talk will include design considerations, water gardening through the seasons, and he will demystify pond care products and pond maintenance devices. Saturday, July 11 at 10 a.m. Free, but please pre-register at 645-3937.