Dine To Be Kind 2010 is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, 2010.  Participating restaurants, including Well-Bred Bakery and Sunnyside Cafe in Weaverville, will donate 10% of the day’s proceeds to the Animal Compassion Network.  The annual event raises money for their the spay/neuter program, which offers free and discounted spay and neuter services, an important part of preventing stray and unwanted dogs and cats.

All participating restaurants:
Apollo Flame Bistro
Asheville Ale House
Battery Park Book Exchange
Blue Sky Cafe
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza
Bone-a-fide Bakery
Cafe Azalea
cafe ello
Cats & Dawgs
Charlotte Street Grill & Pub
Chorizo
Corner Kitchen
chai pani
Cucina 24
Curras Dom
Dripolator Coffeehouse
Doc Chey’s Noodle House
Filo Pastries
Frank’s Roman Pizza
Green Sage Coffeehouse & Cafe
Grove Park Inn: Blue Ridge Dining Room, Horizons, Sunset Terrace Chophouse
Kilwin’s Chocolate, Fudge & Ice Cream
Laughing Seed Cafe
Lenny’s Sub Shop
Madison’s Black Mountain
The Market Place
Morning Glory Cafe
Mellow Mushroom
Mountain Brew Cafe & Bakery
Nine Mile Inc
Oakie Dokie Smokehouse
Pomodoros
Province 620
Rise ‘N Shine Cafe
Rosetta’s Kitchen
Roux at The Hilton
Sazerac
Sante Wine Bar
Sunny Point Cafe
Sunnyside Cafe
12 Bones Steakhouse
Thai Basil
The Hop Ice Cream
Tomato Jam
Urban Burrito
Usual Suspects
Waggers Dog Depot
Wayne’s Restaurant
Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe
West End Bakery
Wine Studio of Asheville
Wild Wing Cafe

Read in today’s Citizen-Times about Weaverville Mom Stephanie Trooper, who’s organizing a Diaper Drive to benefit LightShare of Buncombe County:

People can drop off unused spare or unopened packages of disposable diapers from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday at the Atlanta Bread Co., 633 Merrimon Ave., to help fill a basic need for struggling families in the Hominy Valley. There will be snacks donated by Atlanta Bread Co., and a raffle with prizes donated from area businesses.

The diapers will be donated to LightShare, which opens its pantry twice a month from February through April at Davis Chapel United Methodist Church, 26 Davis Chapel Road, Candler.

The pantry, which relies on donations, is part of the FamilyShare program, which offers parenting classes, early childhood development classes and a resource library, among other services.

Readh the full article

Update, 2/11/2010: Sarah from Lightshare sent me an update about the Diaper Drive, saying 6,000 diapers were donated.

Girl Scout Cookie time!  Throughout February you can buy some for yourself and/or for military troops serving in combat zones overseas.  Weaverville Girl Scout Troop 26 will be at various locations in Weaverville and WNC starting this Sunday (see below for times and locations).  Here’s more about “Operation Cookies for Troops”:

Operation Cookies for Troops

The Weaverville Girl Scout Troop 26 and other troops in Western North Carolina are providing Girl Scout Cookies to the US Military Troops serving currently in Combat Zones.  Their goal is to send thousands of boxes overseas to these brave men and women.  The general public can also get involved.  People can purchase a box of cookies for the normal price of $3.50.  They can even write a message on the box and the Girl Scouts will take care of the rest.  A partnership with Give to the Troops will provide shipping to those combat zone troops.  Feedback we have received from the organization is that the service men and women particularly love the Thin Mints and Carmel Delights (who doesn’t?).

You can purchase cookies for yourself or ones to be shipped to the troops at the following locations:

Sunday, February 7
2-6 p.m. – Lowes, Weaverville
2-6 p.m. – Walmart, Weaverville

Saturday, February 13
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Ace Hardware, Weaverville
9 a.m.-Noon – Lowes,  Tunnel Road

Sunday, February 14
3-6 p.m. -  Lowes, Tunnel Road

Saturday, February 20
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Lowes, Weaverville
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Walmart, Weaverville

Friday, February 26
3:30-6:30  p.m. – CVS, Weaverville

Saturday, February 27
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Ace Hardware, Weaverville
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Autozone, Weaverville

Friday, March 5
5-8:30 p.m. – Blockbuster, Merrimon Ave

Saturday, March 6
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Walmart, Weaverville

The Singing Valentine season has started for Land of the Sky Chorus, whose members include Weaverville residents Bill Fieffer, David Vrooman, and Russell Brickhouse.  Proceeds from the fundraiser help the chorus financially support vocal programs at local high schools.

February 4 Odyssey of the Mind fundraiser info from Coach Carla:

Spirit Night at the Weaverville Bojangles
Thursday, February 4, 2010 from 5-8 p.m.
A portion of all proceeds will be donated by Bojangles (164 Weaver Blvd) to our NBHS Odyssey of the Mind teams. Please help our teams raise funds for state competition in April at Wingate University. Stop by and meet our kids — they will be “working” the dining room. Thank You!

Tomorrow (Thursday, December 17, 2009) is the day for this month’s Third Thursday fundraiser at Blue Mountain Pizza (55 North Main Street). For December and January the recipient of their monthly fundraiser is MANNA Food Bank.  Blue Mountain will donate 10% of Third Thursday sales and match 100% of donations made via their cash donation box (next to the cash register) during the next two months.

(Blue Mountain donated $1000 to the Weaverville Cops for Kids program from their October and November fundraisers.)

The 6th Annual Christmas Candlelight Stroll is this Friday, December 11, from 6-9 p.m.  There are lots of activities and entertainment that will be happening on Main Street throughout the evening, merchants will stay open late, and profits from the carriage rides, hot chocolate and raffle sales will be donated to North Buncombe Samaritan Ministries.  Here’s the schedule for the evening:

The Weaverville Business Association invites you to enjoy the sights and sounds of a small-town Christmas in downtown Weaverville during the 6^th Annual Christmas Candlelight Stroll…

Schedule of Events

• 6 p.m. – Santa arrives at M7 Realty (by way of horse & carriage from Weaver Blvd. down Main Street)
• 6 p.m. – Mountain Thunder Cloggers perform at Rodney’s Automotive
• 6-6:30 p.m. – Joyful Noise Dragonscales Chamber Quartet performs at M7 Realty
• 6:30 p.m. – North Buncombe Middle School 8^th Grade Band performs at First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall
• 6:30-7 p.m. – Jill Totman Storytelling at M7 Realty
• 7 p.m. – Montford Park Players perform scenes from “A Christmas Carol” at First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall
• 7-7:30 p.m. – Joyful Noise Dragonscales Chamber Quartet performs at M7 Realty
• 7:30 p.m. – Tree Lighting Ceremony at the clock with Mayor Root, carolers, Howard Dusenberry on Bagpipes, and more
• 7:30-8 p.m. – Jill Totman Storytelling at M7 Realty

Throughout the Evening

• Get your picture taken with Santa at M7 Realty
• Caroling all along Main Street by:  Land of the Sky Barbershop Quartet, North Buncombe High School Chorus, First Presbyterian Church carolers, First Baptist Church carolers, Phi Mu Alpha (from Mars Hill College), Sigma Alpha Iota (from Mars Hill College), Union Valley Church carolers, and North Windy Ridge chorus
• Scenes from “A Christmas Carol” performed throughout Main Street by the Montford Park Players
• Main Street Merchants will stay open late
• The Dry Ridge Musuem, located on the lower level of the Library, will be open for tours.
• Horse & Carriage Rides: Rides start from Rodney’s Automotive. Guides from the Dry Ridge Museum will be there to highlight historical points of interest around town during the ride. $5 for adults; $3 for children; 5-and-under Free.
• Raffle and Hot Chocolate Sales: Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa before or after your carriage ride, and pick up a ticket or two for the Business Association raffle. Prizes include gift certificates to your favorite Weaverville businesses.

Pictured above are Weaverville Business Association board members Jennifer Jenkins and Cindy Ward presenting a check to Officer Andy Mace of the Weaverville Police Department. The donation was for the department’s Cops for Kids Toy Drive, which ends tomorrow (Tuesday, December 8, 2009). I’ve heard many local groups stepped up and donated, especially after hearing about the slow start the drive had (their big kick-off event, the Cops for Kids Bike Run, was marred by bad weather this year).

If you would like to donate, Tuesday’s the last day to do so. New, unwrapped gifts for kids ages infant-teen will be accepted at the Police Department during the day or officers will also be at the Ingles on Weaver Blvd. from 4-7 p.m. (look for the Police truck in the parking lot). All donations go towards making the Christmas season a happy one for needy children in the Weaverville/North Buncombe area.

The North Buncombe Optimist Club is selling Christmas trees again this year at the ACE Hardware Shopping Center on Weaver Blvd. Hours are Monday-Friday, Noon-8 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sundays, 1-8 p.m. Trees cost $35-$55 each. They’ll be there until the last tree is sold. Proceeds go towards scholarships for North Buncombe High School students.

There’s a few things happening during the holidays at North Buncombe Elementary School (251 Flat Creek Church Road) right now, including their Annual Cookie Dough Sale and the 2nd Graders performance of The Nutcracker. Information from North Buncombe Elementary PTO:

Cookie Dough Sale
North Buncombe Elementary School is currently doing our annual Cookie Dough Sale again. We decided to do it prior to Christmas this year so people could buy cookie dough for their holiday baking and Christmas gifts.  We are still selling the cookie dough, coffee, cocoa, brownies, and candles.  In addition, this year we have Auntie Anne’s soft pretzels and pretzel dogs and Country Creations Gourmet Pumpkin Cake Rolls.  The sale will run through Monday, December 7, 2009.  Anyone interested can contact the school at (828) 645-6054.   All proceeds will go towards the PTO Budget for this year.

The Nutracker
The second grade will be performing The Nutcracker next week at the school.  The evening performance will be on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 7 p.m. and it is always a packed house. They will also be doing performances on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 9 a.m.  There is no admission to any of the performances.

Used Shoe Drive
We are also conducting a Used Shoe Drive at NBES.  The shoes that we collect will be sent overseas to the needy.  The Preferred Shoes are Children’s/Women’s/Men’s Shoes and Sneakers.  Unacceptable Shoes:  NO Bedroom shoes, Golf shoes, flip flops, steel toe shoes, women’s boots, or women’s heels greater than 3″.  Shoes may be dropped off at North Buncombe Elementary School or the collection box at Food Lion (130 Weaver Blvd).

Benefit concert tonight at North Buncombe High School (890 Clark’s Chapel Road):

Benefit Concert featuring Chad Mackey
This concert is to raise money for the WNC Down Syndrome Alliance. Sullivan Brady and Chad Mackey will be performing acoustic sets. Cost will be $3, and we would love donations. This is in the North Buncombe High School auditorium November 30, 2009 from 7-9 p.m. Please spread the word!!!! Cant wait to see you there!!

*SPECIAL OFFER: Chad Mackey will be selling a special CD/t-shirt package for only $15. A third of the proceeds will be donated to the cause.

If you’re craving pizza today (Thursday, November 19), be sure to stop by Blue Mountain Pizza (55 North Main Street).  Today’s the day for this month’s third Thursday fundraiser, with 10% of sales going to Weaverville’s Cops for Kids Toy Drive.  Plus they’ll match 100% of the donations left in the donation box by the cash register.

The annual Weaverville United Methodist Church Christmas Craft Bazaar is scheduled for November 13-14, 2009 at the Fellowship Hall across from the Weaverville United Methodist Church (85 North Main Street).  Info from their flyer:

16th Annual Weaverville United Methodist Church Missions
2009 Christmas Craft Bazaar
November 13-14, 2009
Friday: Noon-7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Join the fun on Main Street across from the Weaverville United Methodist Church in our Fellowship Hall. All church proceeds support local ministries.

Featuring:

• Local crafters
• Unique gifts
• Fresh baked goods
• Lunch available both days
• Holiday Spirit
• Fun and fellowship
• Pictures with Santa

Salem United Methodist Church (9 Salem Church Road) hosts their fall barbecue fundraiser this Saturday, November 14, 2009, 4-6:30 p.m.. Info:

Salem UMC Semi-Annual Barbecue
Saturday, November 14, 2009
4-6:30 p.m.

Barbecue, slaw, baked beans, bread, drink & dessert
$7
Dine-in plates or Containers To Go

Canned goods will also be collected for North Buncombe Samaritan Ministries in an effort to help those who are in need in our community. Your donations will be appreciated.

Salem United Methodist Church is also collecting gently used coats and blankets for the needy. Donations will be given to Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry. They can be dropped off this week at the Reems Creek Food Market (Exxon Station) at 444 Reems Creek Road.

Buncombe County Schools “Eat Out for Education” fund raiser is Tuesday, November 10, 2009. Participating restaurants will donated 15% of the proceeds from all meals served on Tuesday, which will go directly to classroom grants and scholarships.

You can download a list of all participating restaurants here (pdf).  In Weaverville, Blue Mountain Pizza and Bojangles (for lunch only) are participating.

Need your car washed? North Buncombe High School’s baseball team is holding a car was fund raiser tomorrow:

The North Buncombe Baseball Team will be conducting a Car wash fund-raiser at Americas Home Place at the New Stock Road Exit on Saturday, November 7, 2009  from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.  Please come out and support our efforts to continue to raise money for our ongoing efforts to improve our facility.

The Weaverville Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) presents a Neighborhood Art Market on Saturday, November 7, 2009, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Weaverville Elementary School (129 South Main Street). The market, a benefit for the Weaverville Elementary/Primary Schools, will feature student art work and hand-crafted clothing, jewelry, holiday décor, gourmet foods (and more) from local artists.

The annual Boy Scout Troop 15 Barbecue Fundraiser is this Saturday, November 7, 2009, Noon-7:30 p.m., at the Weaverville United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Along with barbecue plates, there will be a live auction, silent auction, and entertainment throughout the day. Tickets are $8. Info:

Boy Scout Troop 15 will host its annual fundraising barbecue noon-7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Weaverville United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Main and Church streets in beautiful downtown Weaverville.  The 50 scouts, who range in ages 11-17, plan to raise money for camping equipment by selling slow-grilled pork barbecue, chicken, macaroni and cheese, beans, slaw, drinks and dessert. There will be a live auction at 6 p.m., entertainment, silent auction, prize drawings and take out orders will be available throughout the day. Tickets are $8 (children younger than 5 are free with an adult) and are available at the door. For more information or tickets, call 713-1339.

The WNC Carolina Faith Riders are hosting a Bikers S.O.S. (Show or Swap) Meet on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at North Buncombe Middle School (51 North Buncombe School Road).  This is their kick-off for the 2010 Weaverville Relay for Life, and all proceeds from the event will go to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Drive.  Info:

Bikers S.O.S. – Show or Swap Meet
American Cancer Society Relay for Life
2010 Weaverville Relay Kick-Off

When:   Saturday, October 24, 2009
Location:  North Buncombe Middle School
Time:  10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Bike Show
Cost: $10
1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Trophies will be presented

Swap Booth
Cost $10
You bring your own table

Food and Beverages will be available.
Also: Door Prizes, Raffle, 50/50, Luminaries, Balloons & Live Music.

For more information call:
Cary Adkins: (828) 683-4401 or (828) 768-4401
Terry Sherman: (828) 776-9160

Arts for Life is a Weaverville-based non-profit organization which supports children battling cancer and other diseases.  They’re holding their first Arts & Crafts Market fundraiser October 22-24, 2009 at 30 Cedarcliff Road in Biltmore Forest. Info:

1st Annual Arts & Crafts Market
Join us October 22-24, 2009

Start your holiday shopping early and support a meaningful cause! Arts For Life Asheville will present its first annual Arts and Crafts Market October 22-24, 2009 in Biltmore Forest to raise funds that will benefit thousands of children facing medical challenges. The market will feature pottery, textiles, jewelry and many other great craft items donated by artists and community members from all over Western North Carolina. The entire proceeds from the sale will be used to provide hundreds of hours of art lessons to young patients and their siblings.

“Young patients and families count on us to bring them creativity, sense of calm, and positive activities to focus on during lengthy clinic visits and hospital stays,” says Anna Littman, founder and executive director of Arts For Life. “Our fantastic team of teaching and community volunteers are organizing the Art Market to keep this important work going. The Art Market is an inspiring illustration of the volunteerism and artistic excellence found in our great community.”

Arts For Life is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports children and adolescents battling cancer and other serious illnesses and disabilities. Their visual art, creative writing, and music programs decrease patient stress and anxiety, keep patients active and engaged, and help families cope with the realities of illness.

The market will be located at 30 Cedarcliff Road in Biltmore Forest. The hours of the market are Thursday, 4-8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is free.

It’s the third Thursday of October already, which means it’s time for Blue Mountain Pizza’s (55 North Main Street) Third Thursday Fundraiser. This month, and for the remainder of the year, proceeds will go to the Weaverville Police Department’s Cops for Kids Toy Drive. 10% of Blue Mountain Pizza’s receipts from today (October 15, 2009) will be donated, plus for the entire month they’ll match 100% of the cash donations made in the canister next to the register.