Here’s what’s happening Independence Day Weekend 2010:

Saturday, July 3

17th Annual Kiwanis Firecracker 5K
Race Start 8:30 a.m.
North Buncombe High School Parking Lot (890 Clark’s Chapel Road)
The North Buncombe Kiwanis host the 17th annual 5k race.  For the second consecutive year the race will begin at the North Buncombe High School parking lot (890 Clark’s Chapel Road) and follow a rolling course around North Buncombe. Day of race registration is $25. Proceeds provide scholarships for North Buncombe students planning to attend a college or technical school.

Beech Community 126th July 4th Celebration
10 a.m.-3 p.m.(ish)
Beech Community Center (Sugar Cove Road)
The Beech Community is holding its 126th consecutive Independence Day celebration, beginning with a parade at 10 a.m. Anyone who wishes to participate should lineup on Roberts Cove Road by 9:45 a.m.  Following the Parade will be a Patriotic Program featuring Bill Winkenwerder, Jr, MD, lunch at 12:15 p.m. (bring your favorite dish to share with neighbors and friends), and the celebration concludes with old-fashioned field games and horseshoe pitching at 2 p.m.

Weaverville Independence Day Celebration
1-5 p.m.
Main Street
Weaverville brings back its annual celebration in a much smaller fashion this year.  No fireworks this year, but there will be plenty of food, music and local vendors selling their wares on Main Street throughout the afternoon.  Main Street will be closed beginning at Noon until 6 p.m. for the celebration.

Sunday, July 4

MPAC Block Party
Noon-10 p.m.
North Buncombe High School Practice Soccer Fields (890 Clark’s Chapel Road)
MPAC presents its 4th of July Block Party for the second year at the North Buncombe High School practice soccer fields.  Musical lineup includes Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Afromotive, Galen Kipar, Chris O’Neill with Jay Sanders & Billy Cardine, Richard Shulman, Buyaka, Dave Wendelin, and the Traveling Bonfires. The day will also include performances by groups including the Asheville Puppetry Alliance, Asheville Hula Dancers, The AVL Aerial Artists, and the Blue Ridge Rollergirls, a sneak preview of the “Taste of PUSH Asheville Fashion Runway Show”, sports demos, and local color guards.  No fireworks at the party, but they promise a view of Asheville’s fireworks at dark.

Other Area Festivities and Fireworks

• Asheville Citizen-Times roundup

• Mountain Xpress roundup

MPAC is again sponsoring a 4th of July Block Party at the soccer fields at North Buncombe High School.  Here’s the release, “hot off the press”, with more details to come as we get closer to the celebration:

At MPAC, we believe strongly that a fitting celebration of our nation’s independence is in order ~ not an after thought!

What: MPAC’s 4th of July WNC Block Party
Where: NBHS practice soccer field (Salem Hill Rd, Weaverville)
When: Sunday, July 4, 2010, Noon-10 p.m.

This year’s MPAC’s 4th of July WNC Block Party is already even bigger than last year’s. We have had so much interest from bands that we now have two stages this year! Yo Mamma’s Big Fat Booty Band headlines and Afromotive, BAYUKA (Rasta man Jacob Marley’s Band!), Traveling Bonfires, Galen Kipar, Chris O’Neill, Jay Sanders, Red Hot Sugar Babies, Richard Schulman and many others are also on the bill. Lyric poets Pasckie Pascua, Roberto Hess and many others will read and hold a Poetic SLAM. There will be a Story Telling Competition, Asheville International Children’s Film Festival will have an exhibition, “A Taste of PUSH Asheville Fashion Runway Show” will be held on stage three!, Sports & Movement Demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day, 3 Color Guards will present, and Allyson MacCauley will sing the National Anthem to Asheville’s Fireworks ~ Yes! Asheville’s Fireworks! We discovered last year that the venue has perfect view of Asheville’s display of fireworks! Thus, folks can see Asheville’s fireworks with no traffic hassle, tons of free parking and WAY better music!, etc. etc.

We are encouraging folks to bring a blanket and stay for the day. Other musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments and set up under the trees around the park and play and jam.

Several fine artists have already secured booth space. A couple of food vendors are already on the bill. We have a few booth spaces left open for vendors at $50 for a 10×10 space. Churches, Non Profits and Civic organizations receive a booth free of charge. We are also taking applications for a few more food vendors. Contact is Randy@myMPAC.com, 828-645-2030

Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday:

The annual Weaverville Community Easter Sunrise Service will be held Sunday, April 4, 2010 at 7 a.m. in West Memorial Park (on Roberts Street off Hamburg Mountain Road).  An offering will be received for North Buncombe Samaritan Ministries.  West Funeral Home will match it up to $300.

Two Easter Egg hunts tomorrow in Weaverville:

Easter Egg Hunt
First Baptist Church (63 North Main Street)
Saturday, April 3, 2010, 1 p.m.
Children from 3 years old through fourth grade are invited to attend.

Community Easter Celebration
Lake Louise Park
Saturday, April 3, 2010, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Easter egg hunt for grades 6 and younger, free hot dog lunch, face painting, crafts, games and more.

A Community Easter Celebration, including an Easter Egg Hunt, is scheduled for this Saturday, April 3, 2010 at Lake Louise:

Weaverville Community Easter Celebration, sponsored by Blue Ridge Vineyard Church, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. April 3 at Lake Louise Park. Will include an Easter egg hunt for grades 6 and younger, free hot dog lunch, face painting, crafts, games and more. For details, call 776-7773.

Here’s Sunnyside Cafe’s Valentine’s Day Dinner Menu for this weekend. They’ll be serving dinner both Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14, 2010.  To make a reservation call them at 658-3338.

APPETIZERS
Chicken Skewers
with apricot lime horseradish sauce – $5.25

Back fin Crab Cake
with Cajun remoulade sauce – $6.95

Tortilla Pizza
Feta cheese, fresh spinach, black beans, artichoke hearts and homemade salsa – $6.25

SOUPS
Shrimp and Cheddar Bisque
Or
Southwestern Black Bean – sour cream and salsa
Cup- $2.95/ Bowl-$3.50

SALADS
Classical Caesar Salad with croutons and reggianno parmesan – $4.50

Strawberry and Cucumber Salad with raspberry vinaigrette dressing – $5.95

Field Green House Salad – $2.95

ENTRÉE’S
Hunter Filet-grilled Filet laced with sundried tomatoes, garlic, mushrooms in a brandy brown sauce
served with Yukon gold potatoes and asparagus – $22.95

Cashew Crusted Rack of Lamb- with a raspberry Beurre Blanc Yukon gold potatoes and haricot verts – $27.50

Chicken Dana- stuffed chicken breast with seasoned ricotta cheese, pine nuts and spinach garnished with roasted red pepper sauce – $16.95

Pork Marsala- medallions of pork sautéed in a sweet and savory Marsala wine, mushroom Dijon sauce – $17.25

Potato Crusted Salmon- with cream leek sauce served with mashed potatoes and haricot verts – $17.25

Shrimp Pomodora- jumbo shrimp sautéed scampi style with pesto, julienne tomatoes, artichokes tossed with linguini then finished with reggiano parmesan – $22.95

Sesame Ginger Mahi Mahi-pan seared with basmati rice, haricot verts and finished with pineapple salsa – $17.95

Portabella Stack with grilled tomato, caramelized red onion, whipped potatoes, sautéed spinach garnished with feta cheese balsamic vinaigrette and basil infused olive oil- $16.25

Ask about our Valentine dessert…….

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.

Sunnyside Cafe (18 North Main Street) has a special menu for this New Year’s Eve. Reservations are being accepted and can be made by calling them at 658-3338:

APPETIZERS
Shrimp Risotto
With asparagus, hint of lemon and reggianno parmesan
$6.95

Spinach and Artichoke dip
Served with peppered tortilla chips
$5.95

Chicken Skewers
With an apricot lime sauce
$5.25

——-

SOUPS
Roasted Almond Soup
Or
Southwestern Black bean Soup
Bowl-$3.50

——-

SALADS
Spinach Salad with sundried cranberries, feta cheese and toasted walnuts tossed with Balsamic Vinaigrette-
$3.95

Classical Caesar Salad-
$3.95

——-

ENTREES
All entrees are served with our homemade bread

Portobello Stack
With Grilled Tomato, caramelized Red Onions, whipped Yukon gold potatoes and sautéed fresh spinach. A Sunnyside Classic..
$15.95

Almond Crusted Local Mountain Trout
Basmati rice, Confetti vegetables and laced with a Green Onion Cream sauce
$16.95

Blackened Salmon
Basmati rice, haricot verts and finished with artichoke, mushroom white wine sauce
$17.95

Surf and Turf
Petite Filet Mignon with Blackberry brown sauce and Back fin Crab cake topped with remoulade sauce – Yukon whipped potatoes and asparagus
$24.95

Blackberry Filet Mignon
Grilled Tenderloin with Yukon whipped potatoes, asparagus and finished with a Blackberry brown sauce
$22.95

Sesame Ginger Duck Breast
Pan Seared – accompanied with Asian Slaw and Basmati rice
$18.95

Chicken Dana
Stuffed Chicken breast with Ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, pine nuts then roasted red pepper sauce
$16.95

THE SUNNYSIDE STAFF WISH YOU A BLESSED NEW  YEAR!

2009 Church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Most of this information was pulled from the church websites. If yours isn’t listed, please contact me with the information. Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Christ United Methodist Church
81 Garrison Branch Road, 645-5785
www.cumcweaverville.org
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 7 p.m.

First Baptist Church
63 North Main Street, 645-6720
www.firstbaptistweaverville.org
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 7 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church
30 Alabama Avenue, 645-7344
www.fpcweaverville.org
Christmas Eve Service, 6 p.m.

Reems Creek-Beech Presbyterian Church
4 Sugar Cove Road, 658-3568
www.rcbpchurch.org
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 6 p.m.

St. Matthews Anglican Church
www.stmatthewsasheville.org
Christmas Eve Tradition Holy Communion Service, 7 p.m.
Christmas Day Holy Communion, 11 a.m.

Weaverville United Methodist Church
85 North Main Street, 645-6721
www.weavervilleumc.org
Christmas Eve Services, 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Holiday hours sent to me by some of our local businesses. I’ll continue to update and add to this list. If your business will be open (or closed) during the holidays (now through New Year’s Day), send an email to myweaverville@gmail.com with your hours and I’ll add you:

aabani Salon & Spa
Closed December 25-28.
New Year’s Day: Closed

Athens Restaurant
Christmas Eve: Closing at 3 p.m.
Closed December 25-27
Reopening December 28 at 11 a.m.

Blue Mountain Pizza
Christmas Eve: Closing at 6 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
Monday, December 28: Open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (with music by Allyson and Friends, featuring seasonal music and special guest appearance by David Fields)
New Years Eve: Open normal hours 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
New Years Day: Open normal hours 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Brown’s Floral
Christmas Eve: Open until 3 p.m.
Closed December 25-27
New Year’s Eve: Open until 2 p.m.
Closed January 1-3

Carolina First
Christmas Eve: Closing at 2 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

Curtis Wright Outfitters
Christmas Eve: Closing at 4 p.m.

I Am Living Yoga (Donna Hollinshead)
Christmas Eve: Heated Power Yoga @ 8:15 a.m.
No classes Thurday evening or Friday
December 28: Heated Power Yoga @ 5:30 p.m.
December 29: Gentle Yoga @ 8:15 a.m.
New Year’s Eve: Heated Power Yoga @ 8:15 a.m.
No classes Thursday evening

Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store
Christmas Eve: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
December 25-26: Closed

Mike’s Main Street Grill
Closed December 24-January 3
Reopening at 11 a.m. on January 4

Miya Gallery
Christmas Eve: Open until 5 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

Optix Eye Care
Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

Preservation Hall
Christmas Eve: Closing at noon
Closed December 25-January 5

RBC Bank
Christmas Eve: Open 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

Reems Creek Valley Nursery & Landscaping
Christmas Eve: Open 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day-January 1.
Reopen Saturday, January 2 with regular hours, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Weaverville Drug Company
Christmas Eve – open until 2 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
December 26: Open 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
New Year’s Eve: Closing at 4 p.m.
New Year’s Day: Closed
January 2: Open 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Weaverville Library
All Buncombe County Public Libraries will be closed December 24-26, 2009 and January 1-2, 2010

Weaverville Pet Pantry
Christmas Eve: Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Christmas Day: Closed
New Year’s Eve: Closing at 4 p.m.
New Year’s Day: Closed

Weaverville Tribune
Holiday Print Schedule:  The next issue will print December 23 and begin hitting stands. Some stands may not see new issues until the morning of December 24.  Our annual year-in-review issue will be on stands by December 31, but again, some stands may see the year-in-review issue a day earlier. Our print schedule will resume to normal with the January 7 issue.

Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe
Christmas Day: Open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (FREE Hot Chocolate & Shortbread Cookie to children under 12 accompanied by an adult.)
New Year’s Eve: Open 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
New Year’s Day: 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

No classes Thursday evening or Friday

Hope the rain stops in time for this tonight. The walk begins at Weaverville United Methodist Church (85 North Main Street):

Community Churches Candlelight Walk
Sunday, December 13, 2009, 6 p.m.
The walk will start at Weaverville United Methodist Church, continuing to First Baptist and end at First Presbyterian. Come enjoy the music of the choirs from each church. Light refreshments will be served after the walk.

Earlier this week I published the schedule for this year’s Christmas Candlelight Stroll (tonight, 6-9 p.m. on Main Street). Many of the Main Street businesses are also having sales and specials and/or entertainment during the Stroll. Here’s the ones I know about thus far:

aabani Salon & Spa
Entertainment: Harp player. Serving tea sandwiches and “Aveda comforting tea mimosas”.

Art Accents
“Live models” window display. 20% off sale + coupons for 20% off future purchase.

Blue Mountain Pizza
Live music from Acoustic Swing.

Dry Ridge Musuem (lower level of the Weaverville Library)
Open for tours. Serving food and drinks.

M7 Realty
This evening they’ll play host to Santa. A photographer will also be there to take pictures, and Joyful Noise Dragonscales Quartet will be performing.

Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store
Local wines will be out for tasting. Free gift with every purchase made during the Stroll.

Mangum Pottery
Annual Christmas Sale: 10-30% off all pottery.

Miya Gallery
They’ll have snacks, plus the Montford Park Players will be doing a skit inside the gallery. Their Holiday Art Exhibition with Mikpo Pottery and Maureen Hoxie is also open.

RBC Centura Bank
They’ll have “Leo the Lion” out at Rodney’s Automotive tonight handing out coloring books for the children.

Root & Root Law Firm
They’ll be showing children’s Christmas cartoons.

Secret Garden
They may not be open anymore, but they have a closeout sale going on now, with 25-50% off most items.

Shop Around the Corner
Entertainment: Flute Ensemble from Mars Hill College. Free food samples.

Sunnyside Cafe
Bring 3 canned goods and get 1 free cup of soup per entree (they’re doing this Saturday night too).

Weaverville Yoga
Will be showing artwork by two of its teachers, Leslie Cunningham and Donna Hollinshead.  Free warm chai for visitors.

Well-Bred Bakery
Live music from Jason Waller

The Children’s Choir will perform Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church (63 North Main Street).

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.

The annual Weaverville Christmas Parade is this Saturday, December 5, 2009.  The Parade will begin on North Main Street at 1 p.m. and end at Yost Street. They have at least 70 entries, and it usually lasts about an hour and a half.  The Boy and Cub Scouts will once again be pushing shopping carts and collecting canned goods along the parade route.  More details:

Parade Route

• 1 p.m.: Begin at North Main Street-Monticello Road-Dula Springs Road intersection
• Follow Main Street past Weaver Blvd., through downtown Weaverville to Yost Street
• Floats will then turn up Merrimon Avenue to find their way home, but will no longer be in parade formation

Road Closures

• 12:55-1:45 p.m. – North Buncombe School Road; North Main Street at the intersection of Monticello Road and Dula Springs Road
• 1:15-1:50 p.m. – Main Street at Weaver Blvd.
• 1:15 until parade ends – Main Street and all adjoining streets through the downtown area; Merrimon Avenue and all adjoining streets between Main Street and Banks Town Road.

No Parking
Parking will not be allowed on the East side of Main Street (the Weaverville Library side) beginning Saturday morning until the roads reopen after the Parade.

Canned Goods Drive
Cub Scout Pack #15 and Boy Scout Troop # 15 will be picking up canned goods during the Parade.  Both groups will be pushing grocery carts along the parade route beginning at 1 p.m.  They encourage people to contribute goods to help the needy at Christmas.

The annual Christmas Candlelight Tours at Vance Birthplace State Historic Site (911 Reems Creek Road) are happening Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The guided tours give visitors a taste of what Christmas in Reems Creek was like in the early 19th century.  If you haven’t been before take a look at these photos from last year’s tour, taken by Asheville Citizen-Times photographer Steve Dixon.  More details:

1830s Christmas Featured at Vance Birthplace

On Saturday, December 5, 2009, guided tours will provide visitors to Zebulon B. Vance Birthplace a glimpse of Christmas past as it may have been celebrated in the Southern Appalachian mountains.

From 4-7 p.m., the site will hold its annual Christmas Candelight Tours. The two-story reconstructed log house, decorated in the style of the 1830’s, will be opened for guided tours.

Throughout the house, decorations made of native greenery such as holly, boxwood, pine boughs, galax, rhododendron, will be placed. As the groups, guided by costumed guides, move through the house, they will experience Christmas as it may have been celebrated in the early 19th century.

Throughout the evening, acoustic Christmas music will be performed in the Visitor Center by Primrose. Primrose is an eclectic blend of musicians that love music of various styles. Additional activities will be offered for visitors in the Visitor Center by members of the newly formed Tar Heel Jr. Historians Club.

For more information, call Vance Birthplace State Historic Site at (828) 645-6706.

Here’s the schedule of  this year’s Christmas/Advent events at Christ United Methodist Church (81 Garrison Branch Road):

Friday, December 4 & Saturday, December 5:  Adult Choir’s Christmas Musical entitled “Child of Wonder”.  Musical will begin at 7:15 p.m.

Sunday, December 6:  Adult Choir’s Christmas Musical Matinee of “Child of Wonder” at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 13:  The Jammin’ Lambs Children’s Choir will present “The Best Christmas Present Ever” at 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, December 17:  Christ Love Preschool will present their Christmas Program at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 20:  “Bring a Friend Sunday”.  Come and enjoy fellowship and light snacks after the worship service.

Thursday, December 24:  Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7 p.m.