Varsity sectional basketball tournament starts tonight at North Buncombe High School (890 Clark’s Chapel Road):

3-A West Girls Basetkball
Monday, February 22, 6:30 p.m.
Tuscola (13-13) at North Buncombe (16-7)

4-A West Boys Basketball
Monday, February 22, 2010, 8 p.m.
East Henderson (11-13) at  North Buncombe (16-6)

While the snow and cold have kept students out of classes, those in North Buncombe High School’s drama department have been faithfully holding play practice this winter in preparation for their performance of the musical “Chicago“.  It’s happening this weekend, with show times at 7 p.m. on February 18, 19, and 20, 2010, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 21.  Tickets are $8 for students or seniors and $10 for adults.  All performances will be held at the Debruhl Theatre at North Buncombe High School (890 Clark’s Chapel Road).

The All-County Band Clinic Concert originally scheduled for tonight has been postponed to Tuesday, March 2, 2010 due to the weather.  It will still be held at North Buncombe High School (890 Clark’s Chapel Road). Here’s the updated information:

Students are tuning their instruments and gearing up for the annual Buncombe County Schools All County Band Clinic being held March 1-2, 2010 at North Buncombe High School. The clinic will feature approximately 200 middle and high school students, grades 7-12.

Guest conductors for the event are: Michael Robinson, Director of Bands at Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, NC, who will conduct the high school band; and Arris A. Golden, Director of Bands at Gravelly Hill Middle School, Efland, NC, who will conduct the middle school band.  Musical selections for the clinic include works by Saucedo, Ticheli, Reinke and Curnow.

The middle and high school bands will perform in concert on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Debruhl Theatre at North Buncombe High School. The concert is free and open to the public.

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!

Update: Due to the inclement weather the clinic has been rescheduled for March 1-2. The public concert will be held March 2 at 7 p.m.

Students are tuning their instruments and gearing up for the annual Buncombe County Schools All County Band Clinic being held February 1-2, 2010 at North Buncombe High School. The clinic will feature approximately 200 middle and high school students, grades 7-12.

Guest conductors for the event are: Michael Robinson, Director of Bands at Mars Hill College, Mars Hill, NC, who will conduct the high school band; and Arris A. Golden, Director of Bands at Gravelly Hill Middle School, Efland, NC, who will conduct the middle school band. Musical selections for the clinic include works by Saucedo, Ticheli, Reinke and Curnow.

The middle and high school bands will perform in concert on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Debruhl Theatre at North Buncombe High School. The concert is free and open to the public.

North Buncombe High School (890 Clark’s Chapel Road) needs proctor to oversee End of Course exams on Tuesday, January 26 and Wednesday, January 27, 2010. Exams will be held in the morning and afternoon and last approximately 3-3 1/2 hours. Morning proctors will need to be at the school at 7:45 a.m. and afternoon proctors at 11:45 a.m.  If you’re interested in helping or need more information, contact Vickie Smith at 645-4332.

I went to see James Cameron’s new film “Avatar” yesterday, and yes, the special effects are every bit as amazing as they claim. Even cooler was learning they’re the work of North Buncombe High School graduate Rob Powers.  There are articles about him in this week’s Weaverville Tribune and today’s Citizen-Times. The bio on Power’s own website says this about the project.

In June 2005, Robert was asked by James Cameron to be the first 3D artist hired for the “Avatar” feature film project. Working closely with James Cameron and the core design team Robert provided 3D concept and motion studies of key character, creature, and environmental assets for the film. Later Robert’s role evolved and he created and supervised the first ever “Virtual Art Department” for the film.

As Supervisor of the Avatar Virtual Art Department he and his team developed all real-time environmental assets for the production, and developed numerous innovative “Virtual” workflow techniques and tools that defined the process. Robert continued his efforts as Virtual Art Department Supervisor on the Peter Jackson / Steven Spielberg animated feature film “TinTin” where he organized and built a team in Los Angeles and worked in New Zealand with the Weta Digital Team.

Cool stuff.  Good job, Rob.

North Buncombe High School needs volunteers, 90 of them, to help judge Graduation Project Presentations in January. The presentations are part of a project requirement seniors have to complete in order to graduate. Projects can be about anything, and the presentations are actually pretty interesting (I helped last year). Please considering volunteering if you can. More info:

NBHS Parent Connection, working with North Buncombe High School, is asking for the Weaverville community to come volunteer to be a judge of NBHS Graduation Project Presentations, Thursday January 14, 2010. This fun and rewarding evening begins at North Buncombe High School with refreshments being served from 5-5:30 p.m. An orientation meeting will take place from 5:30-5:45 p.m. to go over judging guidelines and the scoring Rubric. Five students per room will present their project in 20-minute time intervals beginning at 6 p.m. and ending at 8 p.m. Four to five judges per room are needed – 90 judges are needed at this time. You will enjoy your time with the students, and you will be very much appreciated!

For more information, or to sign up to be a Graduation Project Judge, please contact Beth Fiore Kral, NBHS Parent Connection, at 645-0434 or at bfiorekral@verizon.net.

North Buncombe High School’s Blackhawk Band will play a free Holiday Concert Monday, December 14, 2009 at the school. The show will include performances by the concert, symphonic and jazz bands:

Blackhawk Band Holiday Concert
December 14, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
North Buncombe High School Theatre (890 Clark’s Chapel Road)

You have listened to the band during half-time at the football games and you have watched them march down Main Street – now you have a chance to hear them play a different type of music. Besides marching band, the NBHS music program also has concert, symphonic, and jazz bands. Come to the High School evening concert and listen to what these talented students can do. The Holiday Concert is Monday, December 14, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. at the North Buncombe High School Theater. Admission is free. For information about the NBHS music programs, student achievements, and awards visit www.blackhawkband.com.

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.

North Buncombe High School has placed a Manna Food Bank bin at the Weaverville Library (41 North Main Street) for their food drive. Canned goods, diapers, hygiene products, etc. will be accepted. The bin will be at the library until December 16.

North Buncombe High School Earth Environmental Science teacher Kay McLeod sent me this information on how the community can help the school win solar panels in Progress Energy’s SunSense Schools competition. NBHS is one of 12 finalists in the competition, and 5 winners will be selected on December 16, 2009.  Here’s how to help them win:

HELP NBHS WIN SOLAR PANELS!!!!
We are finalists in SunSense Schools, Progress Energy Competition.

All you need to do is go to  www.progresscher.com.  Enter your Progress Energy Account Number and your zip code. Then select NBHS’s name from the drop down menu (this is the only way your help will count).  Complete the short survey online and that is it!

Remember, you must select North Buncombe High School from the drop down menu for your survey to count towards our winning the solar panels.

You can also help by asking neighbors, friends and coworkers to participate if they have Progress Energy service….just remind them to select NBHS from the drop down menu to make it count for us!

Please participate…..every completed survey counts and you will all receive a Home Energy Report later from Progress Energy.

If you need help with any of this please email kay.mcleod@bcsemail.org

Thank you for participating!

2009-10 winter sports schedules for North Buncombe High School (890 Clark’s Chapel Road). All schedules subject to change without advance notice. Check www.HighSchoolSports.net for schedule changes and results:

Boys Varsity Basketball
Tue, 12/01: vs. Mountain Heritage, 8 p.m.
Wed, 12/02: vs. Tuscola, 8 p.m.
Fri, 12/04: @ Madison, 8 p.m.
Tue, 12/08: @ Polk County, 8 p.m.
Tue, 12/15: vs. Enka, 8 p.m.
Fri, 12/18: @ McDowell, 8 p.m.
Tue, 12/29: @ West Henderson Christmas Tournament, TBA
Wed, 12/30: @ West Henderson Christmas Tournament, TBA
Tue, 1/05: vs. T C Roberson, 8 p.m.
Wed, 1/06: vs. Polk County, 8 p.m.
Tue, 1/12: @ Clyde A Erwin, 8 p.m.
Fri, 1/15: vs. Asheville, 8 p.m.
Tue, 1/19: @ A C Reynolds, 8 p.m.
Fri, 1/22: @ Enka, 8 p.m.
Tue, 1/26: vs. McDowell, 8 p.m.
Fri, 1/29: @ T C Roberson, 8 p.m.
Fri, 2/05: vs. Clyde A Erwin, 8 p.m.
Tue, 2/09: @ Asheville, 8 p.m.
Fri, 2/12: vs. A C Reynolds, 8 p.m.
Mon, 2/15: MAC Tournament @ North Buncombe, TBA
Tue, 2/16: MAC Tournament @ North Buncombe, TBA
Wed, 2/17: MAC Tournament @ North Buncombe, TBA
Thu, 2/18: MAC Tournament @ North Buncombe, TBA
Fri, 2/19: MAC Tournament @ North Buncombe, TBA
Mon, 2/22: Sectional Tournament, TBA

Girls Varsity Basketball
Tue, 12/01: vs. Mountain Heritage, 6:30 p.m.
Wed, 12/02: vs. Tuscola, 6:30 p.m.
Fri, 12/04: @ Madison, 6:30 p.m.
Tue, 12/08: @ Polk County, 6:30 p.m.
Thu, 12/10: vs. Unicoi County, TN, 6:30 p.m.
Tue, 12/15: vs. Enka, 6:30 p.m.
Fri, 12/18: @ McDowell, 6:30 p.m.
Tue, 12/29: @ West Henderson Christmas Tourney, TBA
Wed, 12/30: @ West Henderson Christmas Tourney, TBA
Tue, 1/05: vs. T C Roberson, 6:30 p.m.
Wed, 1/06: vs. Polk County, 6 p.m.
Thu, 1/07: @ Unicoi County, 6:30 p.m.
Tue, 1/12: @ Clyde A Erwin, 6:30 p.m.
Fri, 1/15: vs. Asheville, 6:30 p.m.
Tue, 1/19: @ A C Reynolds, 6:30 p.m.
Fri, 1/22: @ Enka, 6:30 p.m.
Tue, 1/26: vs. McDowell, 6:30 p.m.
Fri, 1/29: @ T C Roberson, 6:30 p.m.
Fri, 2/05: vs. Clyde A Erwin, 6:30 p.m.
Tue, 2/09: @ Asheville, 6:30 p.m.
Fri, 2/12: vs. A C Reynolds, 6:30 p.m.
Mon, 2/15: MAC Tournament @ North Buncombe, TBA
Tue, 2/16: MAC Tournament @ North Buncombe, TBA
Wed, 2/17: MAC Tournament @ North Buncombe, TBA
Thu, 2/18: MAC Tournament @ North Buncombe, TBA
Fri, 2/19: MAC Tournament @ North Buncombe, TBA
Mon, 2/22: Sectional Tournament, TBA

Boys Junior Varsity Basketball
Tue, 12/01: vs. Mountain Heritage, 5 p.m.
Wed, 12/02: vs. Tuscola, 5 p.m.
Fri, 12/04: @ Madison, 5 p.m.
Tue, 12/08: @ Polk County, 5 p.m.
Tue, 12/15: vs. Enka, 5 p.m.
Fri, 12/18: @ McDowell, 5 p.m.
Wed, 12/30: vs. T C Roberson, 5 p.m.
Wed, 1/06: vs. Polk County, 5 p.m.
Tue, 1/12: @ Clyde A Erwin, 5 p.m.
Fri, 1/15: vs. Asheville, 5 p.m.
Tue, 1/19: @ A C Reynolds, 5 p.m.
Fri, 1/22: @ Enka, 5 p.m.
Tue, 1/26: vs. McDowell, 5 p.m.
Fri, 1/29: @ T C Roberson, 5 p.m.
Fri, 2/05: vs. Clyde A Erwin, 5 p.m.
Tue, 2/09: @ Asheville, 5 p.m.
Fri, 2/12: vs. A C Reynolds, 5 p.m.

Girls Junior Varsity Basketball
Tue, 12/01: vs. Mountain Heritage, 4 p.m.
Wed, 12/02: vs. Tuscola, 4 p.m.
Fri, 12/04: @ Madison, 4 p.m.
Tue, 12/08: @ Polk County, 4 p.m.
Thu, 12/10: vs. Unicoi County, TN, 4 p.m.
Tue, 12/15: vs. Enka, 4 p.m.
Fri, 12/18: @ McDowell, 4 p.m.
Tue, 1/05: vs. T C Roberson, 4 p.m.
Wed, 1/06: vs. Polk County, 4 p.m.
Thu, 1/07: @ Unicoi County, 4 p.m.
Tue, 1/12: @ Clyde A Erwin, 4 p.m.
Fri, 1/15: vs. Asheville, 4 p.m.
Tue, 1/19: @ A C Reynolds, 4 p.m.
Fri, 1/22: @ Enka, 4 p.m.
Tue, 1/26: vs. McDowell, 4 p.m.
Fri, 1/29: @ T C Roberson, 4 p.m.
Fri, 2/05: vs. Clyde A Erwin, 4 p.m.
Tue, 2/09: @ Asheville, 4 p.m.
Fri, 2/12: vs. A C Reynolds, 4 p.m.

Coed Varsity Swimming
Fri, 12/04: @ Hendersonville, 4:40 p.m.
Sat, 12/12: vs. Hendersonville & Owen, 9 a.m.
Sat, 12/19: vs. West Henderson, 5 p.m.
Fri, 1/08: vs. Roberson & Asheville, 4 p.m.
Sat, 1/16: Buncombe County Meet @ Asheville School, TBA
Fri, 1/22: vs. MAC @ Mars Hill, 5 p.m.
Thu, 1/28: @ Owen, McDowell, Roberson, & Asheville, 5 p.m.
Sat, 2/06: NCHSAA Regionals, TBA
Sat, 2/13: NCHSAA Finals, TBA

Boys Varsity Wrestling
Fri, 12/04: Falcon Frenzy @ West Henderson, TBA
Sat, 12/05: Falcon Frenzy @ West Henderson, TBA
Fri, 12/11: Indian Classic @ Dobyns-Bennett, TN, TBA
Sat, 12/12: Indian Classic @ Dobyns-Bennett, TN, TBA
Tue, 12/15: @ Enka, 7:00 p.m.
Fri, 12/18: Walhalla Classic @ Walhalla, SC, 5 p.m.
Tue, 12/22: Warhorse Christmas Duals @ Owen, TBA
Wed, 12/23: Warhorse Christmas Duals @ Owen, TBA
Tue, 12/29: Armstrong Rebel Invitational @ Byrnes, SC, TBA
Wed, 12/30: Armstrong Rebel Invitational @ Brynes, SC, TBA
Tue, 1/05: @ T C Roberson, 7 p.m.
Mon, 1/11: Enka/Christ School JV @ Christ School, 4 p.m.
Tue, 1/12: vs. Clyde A Erwin, 7 p.m.
Tue, 1/19: vs. A C Reynolds, 7 p.m.
Sat, 1/23: Ram Duals @ Roberson, 10:00AM
Tue, 1/26: @ McDowell, 7 p.m.
Fri, 1/29: vs. Asheville, 7 p.m.
Sat, 1/30: Enka JV Tournament @ Enka, TBA
Sat, 2/06: MAC Tournament @ Roberson, TBA
Tue, 2/09: State Duals, TBA
Thu, 2/11: State Duals, TBA
Sat, 2/13: State Duals, TBA
Fri, 2/19: Western 3A Regional Championships @ St. Stephens, TBA
Sat, 2/20: Western 3A Regional Championships @ St. Stephens, TBA
Fri, 2/26: NCHSAA 3A State Championships @ Greensboro, TBA
Sat, 2/27: NCHSSAA 3A State Championships @ Greensboro, TBA

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.

North Buncombe High School, in collaboration with the Asheville Lyric Opera Education and Outreach Department, will be performing the opera Hansel and Gretel on Friday, November 6, 2009, 7:30 p.m., at the school (890 Clark’s Chapel Road).  Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $6 for students and children. They can be purchased at Blue Mountain Pizza in Weaverville, Malaprop’s in Downtown Asheville or by calling the Opera offices at (828) 236-0670.  More info and the cast list provided by the Asheville Lyric Opera:

This production of Hansel and Gretel is the culmination of many hours of work and collaboration between the Asheville Lyric Opera and North Buncombe High School.  All roles, with the exception of three principal roles, will be played by North Buncombe High School students. The North Buncombe choral director will join her students in the cast, singing a principal role. These students will be guided by our musical director, the choral director and other applicable staff from the opera company in learning their music. In addition to traditional rehearsals during after school hours and on weekends, educational seminars will be taught about the composer of the opera, style of music, performance practices and character development. Professional artists will also help lead the project and will assist students in the creative process. Students of the technical theatre department will have the opportunity to work with our production staff as assistant stage managers, wardrobe crew, lighting operators and properties coordinators. Once the opera has been musically rehearsed and staged, students will have the opportunity to work with the conductor and orchestra in rehearsals to bring the piece together in its intended form. Students will perform live on stage with professional singers and professional set and costumes. They will have an active, creative and important voice in the success of the project.

Cast List
Hansel: Amanda Gardner-Porter
Gretel: Amanda Horton
Witch: Simone Vigilante
Mother: Jeannie Graeme (NBHS choral teacher)
Dew Fairy: Jessica Savitt (NBHS student)
Sandman: Mollie Wilson (NBHS student)
Gingerbread Children (NBHS Students): Hayley Lusk, Krystal Catron, Masami Oshita, Emory Carpenter, Caitlin Kelley, Brenna Herrick, Melissa Reavis, Emily Truesdell, Racheal Courtney, Nicolle Bremner, Estefania De Alba, Justin Fisher, Ryan Silver, Megan Cox, Zachary Quinn.
Angels (NBHS Students): Samantha Wharton, Megan Cox, McKenzie King, Krystal Catron, Caitlin Kelley, Emory Carpenter, Melissa Reavis, Brenna Herrick, Racheal Courtney, Emily Truesdell, Estefania De Alba, Nicolle Bremner, Masami Oshita, Hayley Lusk.

Music Director/Conductor: Vance Reese
Stage Director/Choreographer: Kristen Yarborough
NBHS Choral Director: Jeannie Graeme
NBHS Theatre Director: Rick Webb

Buncombe County school menus for November 2009.  These are all in PDF format from the Buncombe County Schools website:

• Elementary School Menu
• Middle School Menu
• High School Menu

The 5th Annual John L. Perko Classic Marching Band Competition is set for Saturday, October 31 at North Buncombe High School (890 Clark’s Chapel Road). 10 bands will be performing this year. Info:

The North Buncombe Blackhawk Band Boosters and the Town of Weaverville would like to invite you to the 5th Annual John L. Perko Classic Marching Band Competition. The competition is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2009 at North Buncombe High School. This year we have 10 bands from 4 states in the competition:

• North Carolina: Tuscola High School, Charles D. Owen High School, North Henderson High School, Madison High School, Hendersonville High School, and Enka High School
• Georgia: Creekview High School and North Cobb High School
• Tennessee: Sullivan Central High School
• Virginia: Pound High School.

The North Buncombe Marching Blackhawks and Mars Hill College Drumline will also have exhibition performances. The competition starts at 4 p.m., but we encourage you to come early to get a good seat. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for students, and free for children 5 and under.

For more information visit www.BlackHawkBand.com.

North Buncombe High School is one of 12 schools in the running in Progress Energy’s SunSense Schools Program. 30 schools applied for the program, and five winners will be selected on December 16, 2009. Winning schools will receive solar photovoltaic installations.  Congrats and good luck to North Buncombe!  Here’s the release about the program and the finalists from Progress Energy:

Twelve schools across the Carolinas have been selected as finalists in the Progress Energy SunSenseSM schools program. Five of the finalists will receive solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in the coming months, as part of a partnership between Progress Energy Carolinas and the Carolina Hurricanes Kids ’N Community Foundation.

This hands-on educational program for middle school and high school students supports innovative ways to use and conserve energy and encourages students to develop innovative energy solutions. Finalists were chosen from nearly 30 applicants.

The Progress Energy SunSense schools program finalists are:

North Carolina
Asheville Middle School – Asheville
North Buncombe High School – Weaverville
Owen Middle School – Swannanoa
South Brunswick High School – Southport
Williston Middle School – Wilmington
Roland-Grise Middle School – Wilmington
Goldsboro High School/Wayne School of Engineering – Goldsboro
Jordan Matthews High School – Siler City
Daniels Middle School – Raleigh
Holly Springs High School – Holly Springs

South Carolina
South Florence High School – Florence
West Florence High School – Florence

Finalist schools will participate in a professional solar site evaluation and will be required to complete an energy project to be judged in regional competitions in December. Students from five winning schools will receive a permanent 2-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) demonstration system, valued at more than $20,000, to be installed at their school. The systems will be installed by Argand Solar, a North Carolina-based renewable energy company.

The Progress Energy Foundation will select winning schools by Dec. 16.

The North Buncombe Athletic Booster Club is running an Ultimate 50/50 raffle now through October 26, 2009 as a fundraiser to support the school’s athletic programs.  They have 400 tickets, which will be on sale at the NBHS-T.C. Roberson varsity football home game on October 9, as well as at The Corner Store (1 Dula Springs Road).  Tickets are $20 each, and if all 400 are sold they will have $4,000 in prizes to give away:

• Grand Prize (1 winner) – $2,000
• Second Prize (1 winner) – $500
• Third Prize (2 winners) – $250 each
• Fourth Prize (10 winners) – $100 each

(If all tickets are not sold, the prize amonts will be reduced on an equal distribution of the percentages above)

Prizes will be drawn on October 30, 2009 at 7 p.m.  before the Asheville-North Buncombe Varsity Football home game, but ticket holders do not need to be present to win.

The U.S. Baseball Academy will be holding instructional baseball camps for Grades 1-12 at North Buncombe High School (890 Clark’s Chapel Road) beginning in January. Registration deadline is October 31, 2009.  Cost is $109 for six weeks of hitting, pitching or catching and there are limited spaces available in each age category.  Camp dates are on Sundays fro January 10-February 14, 2010.  For more information or to register online, visit www.usbaseballacademy.com/baseball/register/register.aspx?campid=501

School menus for October 2009.  These are all in PDF format from the Buncombe County Schools website:

• Elementary School Menu
• Middle School Menu
• High School Menu