Received this media release from Iraq. Welcome home Spc. Bass!

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Tikrit, Iraq—- Spc. Adam Bass of Weaverville, N.C. is returning home from his deployment to Iraq as a member of Headquarters Platoon, K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR). Bass conducted his first deployment to Iraq with the Newport, Tenn., unit.

He attended North Buncombe High School and is a wheel vehicle mechanic responsible for repair and maintaining the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP), combat vehicle.

Bass said, “I get a lot of satisfaction keeping these MRAP’s functioning as they are designed to. I want to do what I can to help keep these boys safe as they perform their mission on the roads of Iraq.”

He is the son of Jerry Bass of Weaverville, N.C., and Deborah Morrison of Weaverville, N.C.

Bass is employed by Mills Manufacturing of Asheville, N.C. He said they manufacture the canopy and harness for the parachutes used by the U.S. Army.

The 278th ACR is under the command of the 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).

– Story and Photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Greene
278th Public Affairs Office

Safe Kids Summer Events are happening at area pools this summer to highlight child safety and how to prevent accidental injuries.  They will be at North Buncombe Park Pool on Wednesday, July 7, 2010, from Noon until 3 p.m.  More info:

Accidental injury is the number one killer of children age 14 and under, yet 90% of accidental injuries can be prevented. Safe Kids Summer Events at Buncombe County Pools highlight child safety for summer and year round. Topics will include safety in and around vehicles, bicycle and pedestrian safety, fire and burn prevention, water safety, home safety, poison prevention, and ATV safety. The events last from Noon until 3 p.m. at area pools and will feature:

• Safe Kids WNC coordinators Beverly Britt and Vickie Whitlatch will be providing information about ways to prevent childhood injury.
• The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting Kid IDs. This is a great opportunity to have your child’s information printed for your safe keeping, should you ever need it.  This experience also allows positive interaction with law enforcement for children and adults.
• The Fire Department will have equipment on site for children to inspect.
• Buncombe County Parks, Greenways and Recreation has planned art projects.

Bring the family for an afternoon of safety and swimming fun. Events will take place from Noon until 3 p.m. at the following pool locations:

• Erwin Pool, Thursday, July 1
• North Buncombe Pool, Wednesday, July 7
  
• Owen Pool, Tuesday, July 13
• Cane Creek Pool, Thursday, July 15
• Hominy Valley Pool, Tuesday, July 29

Voting is going on now to select the newest sandwich to be added to the Maggie B’s Wine Bar & Specialty Store menu.  Customers submitted sandwich ideas during their 3-year anniversary celebration, and Maggie B’s owner Elspeth picked her top 10.  Now the rest is up to us.  Voting will continue until Noon next Friday, June 18, 2010.  Visit www.maggiebswine.com/sandwich-contest to cast your vote.  The winning sandwich will be added to their menu, and the customer who submitted it will win a free sandwich each month for a year.

Bellagio for Breast Cancer is a fundraiser for the “Blister Sisters”, a team of women from Weaverville and beyond. It takes place all day Thursday, June 3, 2010 (11 a.m.-10 p.m.) at Bellagio Bistro (133 Weaverville Hwy). More from the Blister Sisters about their team and the Bellagio event:

The Blister Sisters are a group brought together by friendship and walking together in hopes to one day live in a world without Breast Cancer. By alternating walking and crewing each year, our team’s goal is to participate in all 15 cities of the Komen 3-Day for the Cure series. This year we will be crewing in San Francisco, CA on October 1-3, 2010. It is our 4th event and with your support we have raised over $90,000 in the past three years for Susan G. Komen for the Cure!

We will have raffle baskets, t-shirts, bracelets & other accessories for sale to help raise money for our travel and crew expenses. Bellagio will be generously donating 10% of their business that day to the cause. And Bake Shoppe will have cupcakes for sale, a portion of that sale going to the cause. The Bake Shoppe will have these special treats from Tuesday, June 1- Saturday, June 5, 2010. The money donated by your meal, cupcake purchases & donation buckets will go directly to the Susan G. Komen foundation.

North Buncombe High School’s Odyssey of the Mind Team has qualified for the Odyssey of the Mind 2010 World Finals.  This year the competition takes place at Michigan State University May 26-29, 2010, and the team is requesting donations to help fund their trip. More info from team coach Carla Mitchell:

Our Odyssey of the Mind team is requesting donations to help fund our trip to compete in the World Finals May 26-29 at Michigan State University.  For your donation, you will receive an invitation to a fabulous thank-you dinner hosted by Sunnyside Café. The team members will be waiting on tables and we will share photos and stories of our trip to world finals.

Three Course Dinner Menu:

• Hummus/salsa w/chips
• Strawberry and Cucumber salad on a bed of romaine tossed with raspberry vinaigrette dressing
• Petite Grilled Filet Mignon and Crabmeat Stuffed Shrimp finished with herb butter and accompanied with roasted red bliss potatoes and asparagus
• Lemon ice Box Pie with fresh whipped cream OR Raspberry Cheesecake with fresh whipped cream and drizzled with caramel sauce
• Rolls and Butter on Table
• Coffee/Tea included
• Cash Bar- Beer/Wine offered

$60.00 donation per person or $110.00 per couple

For information or to donate, contact Team Coach Carla Mitchell at 779-0825 or email carladeam@gmail.com.

Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store (113 North Main Street) is adding tables and chairs to accomodate a new wine bar, and this Thursday marks its opening.  The details from her e-newsletter:

Wine Bar Kick Off!
Thursday, April 15, 2010 (Tax Day!)
5-8 p.m.
We are so excited to now be offering seating.  Come in anytime, have a cheese plate and a glass of wine. Stay for awhile, enjoy an antipasto platter and uncork a bottle.  Periodically, our wines by the glass will change, enabling you to enjoy a wide variety of wines.  Don’t see anything by the glass that tickles your fancy, feel free to pick a bottle from our retail selection for a $5 Corkage fee.

We can’t wait to see you Thursday night for the Kick Off of Weaverville’s first Wine Bar!

The first gardening seminar of the year at Reems Creek Nursery (70 Monticello Road) is this Saturday, March 27, 2010. From their latest e-newsletter:

CREATE LIVING SOIL!
Fundamentals of Soil Fertility for the Home Gardener & Homesteader
Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 10 a.m.
With expert, Brett Gustafson

LEARN ESSENTIAL TECHNIQUES for building amazing, organic GARDEN SOIL TEEMING with beneficial microbial activity. Seen through the lens of the soil as a living organism, this talk will address fundamentals like tilth, structure, nutrients, soil amendments, composting and microbiology. Improving your soil in the short-term, and over the long-term will be discussed. About 1 ½ hours. Free, but please pre-register at the nursery or call 828-645-3937.

ABOUT Brett Gustafson: Brett Gustafson has managed farms in both North and South America, co-founded local farm Luce Goose Produce, and trained at the UCSC Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture in 1992. He has a passion for soil fertility, fruit trees, and perennial flower care. He has worked in many other areas of landscaping and farming, and does private consultations.

News from the latest Buncombe County e-Zine. You can subscribe to their weekly newsletter by clicking the eZine tab at www.buncombecounty.org:

A New Prescription Drug Savings Card Is On the Way
Buncombe County Commissioners to announce a new prescription savings card.

Dispose of Your Unused & Expired Drugs Safely on March 20
Did you know that prescription and over-the-counter drugs should not be flushed down the toilet or thrown in the trash?

New Animal Shelter Sneak Peak
Here’s your chance to get a sneak peak of the new Buncombe County Animal Shelter.

SIDS: Reducing the Risks – Support Available
SIDS is the leading cause of death for babies between 1 month and 1 year of age in the U.S. There are things can be done to help lower the risk of SIDS.

Acting FAST Could Save a Life
Could you recognize the symptoms of a stroke? Doctors say that if a stroke can be recognized and treated within three hours, sometimes the effects can be reversed.

Waste Pro Recycling Information
Thanks for doing your part to preserve our landfill by recycling.

Garden Chores for March
Get ready for Spring! Here are the recommended garden chores for March.

Have You Seen This Man? You Could Get a Cash Reward!
Buncombe County Sheriff Deputies are asking for the public’s help in locating a Candler man who failed to appear in court on several charges.

Easter Egg Hunt at the Zeugner Center – March 27
Bring the whole family to the Zeugner Recreation Center for something egg-citing!

Asheville Humane Needs Laundry Detergent
Asheville Humane Society does piles and plies of laundry all day long! They are in great need of, what else, but laundry detergent.

Free Tax Assistance Through April 15
Taxes are complicated. Do you need help? Tax Assistance begins the first week of February and will continue through April 15th.

Cheap Rabies Shots – March 27
Make sure your pet is up to date on its shots! Don’t miss out on these low-cost shot clinics! Rabies is just $10!

Pets of the Week – Bud Could Be Your Perfect Pooch!
Can you give a dog a home? A cat? How about a kitten? These animals need your help.

Recipe of the Week – Quick Loaded, Twice Baked Potatoes
Congratulations to Terri March for her Eat Smart, Move More Quick Loaded, Twice Baked Potatoes recipe.

March 2010 live music schedule for 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, March 5 – Zeem (Acoustic Folk)
Saturday, March 6 – P.J. Brunson (Country/Folk/Pop)
Friday, March 12 – Carol Rifkin & Paul’s Creek Band (Old Timey/Vintage Bluegrass)
Saturday, March 13 – Peg Twisters (Old-Time Music With a Twist)
Friday, March 19 – Carol Rifkin & Paul’s Creek Band (Old Timey/Vintage Bluegrass)
Saturday, March 20 – Katie LaRue (Acoustic Folk/Singer-Songwriter)
Friday, March 26 – Demijohn Varmits (Appalachian Dirty Shuffle)
Saturday, March 27 – Peg Twisters (Old-Time Music With a Twist)

Car need a good washing? Rodney’s Automotive (37 North Main Street) is offering a $25 car wash and vaccuum today only (Friday, January 15, 2010). If you’re interested, just drop your car off anytime today between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Expect it to take about 30 minutes per car. Only cash and checks will be accepted.

MegaVote is a service provided by Congress.org as a means of tracking the most recent and upcoming votes of our elected Congressional officials.  This information is provided via e-mail on a weekly basis when Congress is in session.  Here’s last week’s edition for our district:

Recent Senate Votes

Motion to Table Nelson Amdt.; Abortion Funding Vote Agreed to (54-45, 1 Not Voting) During debate of the health care reform bill, the Senate rejected this amendment that would have prohibited federal funding of abortion coverage. Sen. Richard Burr voted NO……send e-mail or see bio Sen. Kay Hagan voted YES……send e-mail or see bio FY2010 Omnibus Appropriations bill Vote Agreed to (57-35, 8 Not Voting) The Senate gave final approval to this $446.8 billion bill that combines 6 unfinished 2010 fiscal year spending bills. The bills included are Transportation/HUD; Military Construction/Veterans Affairs; Labor/HHS; State/Foreign Operations; Commerce/Justice/Science; and Financial Services. The bill now goes to the President. Sen. Richard Burr voted NO……send e-mail or see bio Sen. Kay Hagan voted YES……send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

Tax Extenders Act of 2009 Vote Passed (241-181, 12 Not Voting) The House voted to extend a number of expiring tax cuts. The bill now awaits Senate action. Rep. Heath Shuler voted YES……send e-mail or see bio FY2010 Omnibus Appropriations bill Vote Passed (221-202, 1 Present, 10 Not Voting) The House passed this $446.8 billion bill that combines 6 unfinished 2010 fiscal year spending bills. The bills included are Transportation/HUD; Military Construction/Veterans Affairs; Labor/HHS; State/Foreign Operations; Commerce/Justice/Science; and Financial Services. The Senate gave final approval to the bill on Sunday. Rep. Heath Shuler voted NO……send e-mail or see bio The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009 Vote Passed (223-202, 9 Not Voting) This House bill would overhaul financial services regulations and place new controls on institutions deemed to pose a risk to the entire financial system. The bill now awaits Senate action. Rep. Heath Shuler voted YES……send e-mail or see bio

Upcoming Votes

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act – H.R.3590 The Senate is expected to continue working on this health care reform legislation. Department of Defense Appropriations Act, FY2010 – H.R.3326 Both chambers may complete action on the conference report funding the Department of Defense for the 2010 fiscal year.

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

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.

December 2009 live music schedule for Blue Mountain Pizza (55 North Main Street).  Blue Mountain has live music nightly (except Mondays) from 7-9 p.m. with no cover charge:

Friday, December 4 – Acoustic Swing
Saturday, December5 – The Wellhouse Band
Sunday, December 6 – John Cook
Tuesday, December 8 – Makia Groove
Wednesday, December 9 – Open Mic
Thursday, December 10 – Patrick Fitzsimons
Friday, December 11 – Acoustic Swing
Saturday, December 12 – The Wellhouse Band
Sunday, December 13 – Luke Wood
Tuesday, December 15 – Makia Groove
Wednesday, December 16 – Open Mic
Thursday, December 17 – Billy Owens
Friday, December 18 – Acoustic Swing
Saturday, December 19 – Mark Bumgarner
Sunday, December 20 – John Cook
Tuesday, December 22 – Makia Groove
Wednesday, December 23 – Open Mic
Saturday, December 26 – The Wellhouse Band
Sunday, December 27 – Luke Wood
Tuesday, December 29 – Makia Goove
Wednesday, December 30 – Open Mic
Thursday, December 31 – Mark Bumgarner

Note: Blue Mountain Pizza will close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and reopen December 26.

Film night at the Weaverville Library Tuesday, November 10, 2009:

The film “The Third Man” will be shown at the Weaverville Library (41 North Main Street) on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 7  p.m. with an introduction and commentary by local film historian Bill Brittain.  The Friends of the Weaverville Library are sponsoring this program and will provide FREE popcorn.  For more information call 250-6482.

Great picture of downtown Weaverville taken from Hamburg Mountain by Weaverville’s Jeff Pott. Jeff also owns the computer consulting company PC Plus.

News from this week’s edition of the Weaverville Tailgate Market newsletter. The market is held 2:30-6:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the community center behind Lake Louise.

You were probably thinking by now that you were going to be spared a market email this week, but no such luck.  We were just a little late in gathering information, but hopefully this means we have been thorough and can give an accurate prediction for Wednesday:

We are proud to welcome Oak Moon Creamery to Weaverville, with their fine selection of artisan goat’s milk cheeses.  We also welcome the Herban Bakery, offering gluten-free baked goods, frozen pizza crusts, and delightful cookies.

We’ve still got:
peppers, kale, chard, lettuce, squash
seafood, pasture-raised beef, eggs, chicken
jams & jellies, creative herb blends, pasta sauce and pesto
oh, and sorghum molasses too

We will have music of some sort, unfortunately research fell a bit short on this point, but it will be lively and entertaining and you should toss them a buck.  And ask them to play Free Bird.  Everyone knows that song, whether they admit it or not…

Scribbles the Clown will be painting faces, arms, etc.  We might have pumpkins, but this is uncertain.

Thanks as always for your support and patronage, we look forward to seeing you Wednesday!

P.S. Market 2:30-6:30 Wed. PM, behind Community Center @ Lake Louise.  Please write weavervillemarket@yahoo.com if you need to reach us.

Reems Creek Beech Presbyterian Church (4 Sugar Cove Road) hosts their 9th Annual Pig Picking and Singing on Saturday, October 3, 2009. Info:

9th Annual Pig Picking and Singing
Reems Creek Beech Presbyterian Church
October 3, 2009
5-7 p.m.

Adult BBQ Plates – $9
Child BBQ Plates – $5

Great food, a raffle, and music by Clearwater Connection, Jim & Jan McCoy and Alice Taylor.

Proceeds go towards the church’s expansion and the Weaverville Senior Meal Site.

Here’s some of the sales and specials local businesses are having during Saturday’s Art in Autumn festival.  I’ll add to this list as I find out more:

• Curtis Wright Outfitters: Sale – 40% off on seasonal clothing
• Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store: Wine Tasting, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
• Pistil & Stamen: Sale – 10-40% off all items
• Shop Around the Corner: Gullah Gourmet, Dessert Cheese Ball, and their Famous Iced Tea tastings
• Weaverville Drug Company: Ice Cream and sidewalk sale

Also, Robert Mitchell from Art Accents will be out with his aerial photography balloon, the one he used to capture this 2009 photo.

I was asked about parking during the festival.  Here’s that info:

Free Parking
On the North side of the festival, free parking will be available at the First Presbyterian Church on Alabama, the Weaverville United Methodist Church on Main Street, and the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Main Street.

On the South side of the festival, free parking will be available at Town Hall and the Weaverville Primary School. You can also usually park at West Funeral Home if they don’t have any services planned that day.

Handicap parking spaces will be available at the Weaverville United Methodist Church on the north side and Pistil and Stamen on the south side.

Volunteers will be located at each end of the festival (at the barricades) to assist with finding parking spaces. There’s also a Festival Map with parking marked at http://www.artinautumn.com/maps.htm

Most important: Please do NOT park along Central, Church, or Alabama. They need to keep those streets clear for emergency vehicles so you’ll likely be ticketed or towed if you park there.

One of the three entrances to Weaverville’s Main Street Nature Park. This one is off Pine Street (across from the First Baptist Church parking lot). The other two entrances are located behind the Public Parking Lot and in the lower level parking lot behind Town Hall (to the left). All the usual town ordinances apply at the Nature Park, including dogs must be on leash, no littering, and it’s closed after dark.

More photos from a recent walk I took through the Nature Park can be viewed here.