Friday, July 3 - Joe Hallock
Saturday, July 4 - Ryan Furstenberg
Friday, July 10 - Kim Reinhart
Saturday, July 11 - Dave Wendelin
Friday, July 17 - Kim Reinhart
Saturday, July 18 - Garry Segal
Friday, July 24 - Ryan Furstenberg
Saturday, July 25 - Jay Brown
Friday, July 31 - Dave Wendelin

Happy 4th of July!
Saturday, July 4
All Day

All day July 4th will be tasting Jarhead Red from Firestone Winery.  Besides being a delicious wine, 100% of the proceeds go back to a Marine scholarship fund.  So, come support your troops by buying a bottle.  Also, show support for your hometown of Weaverville by purchasing “The Doors of Weaverville” poster.  Now for sale @ $10 each! We hope you have a wonderful 4th of July!

Kiwanis Firecracker 5k Race
8:30 a.m., NBHS
More info…

Beech Community’s 125th Independence Day Celebration
10 a.m.-early afternoon, Beech Community Center
More info…

MPAC July 4th Block Party
10 a.m.-10 p.m., NBHS Soccer Fields.
More info…

If you’re wondering why there’s nothing listed for Main Street or Lake Louise, read this.

No fireworks in Weaverville this year. If you’re looking for fireworks, try Barnardsville. Their July 4th celebration starts at 2 p.m. at the Big Ivy Community Center and includes a parade, food, and music. Fireworks begin after dark. For other celebrations and fireworks displays options in the area, check out this list from Mountain Xpress.

Wednesday, July 1 - Open Mic
Thursday, July 2 - Mark Appleford
Friday, July 3 - Locomotive Pie
Saturday, July 4 - Luke Malone
Sunday, July 5 - Luke Wood
Tuesday, July 7 - Makia Groove
Wednesday, July 8 - Open Mic
Thursday, July 9 - Mark Bumgarner
Friday, July 10 - Mark Bumgarner
Saturday, July 11 - Locomotive Pie
Sunday, July 12 - John Cook
Tuesday, July 14 - John Cook
Wednesday, July 15 - Open Mic
Thursday, July 16 - Mark Appleford
Friday, July 17 - Acoustic Swing
Saturday, July 18 - Mark Bumgarner
Sunday, July 19 - John Cook
Tuesday, July 21 - Mark Bumgarner
Wednesday, July 22 - Open Mic
Thursday, July 23 - Makia Groove
Friday, July 24 - Acoustic Swing
Saturday, July 25 - Patrick Leonard
Sunday, July 26 - Luke Wood
Tuesday, July 28 - Patrick Leonard
Wednesday, July 29 - Open Mic
Thursday, July 30 - Mark Bumgarner
Friday, July 31 - Acoustic Swing

Recent Senate Votes

Nomination of Harold Hongju Koh to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State Vote Confirmed (62-35, 2 Not Voting) The Senate confirmed Yale Law School Dean Harold Koh as Legal Adviser of the State Department. 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

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2010 Vote Passed (389-37, 7 Not Voting) On Wednesday, the House passed this bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security for Fiscal Year 2010. Rep. Heath Shuler voted YES……send e-mail or see bio Department of Defense Authorization, FY 2010 Vote Passed (389-22, 1 Present, 21 Not Voting) The House approved this bill to authorize funding for military activities and prescribe military personnel strengths in Fiscal Year 2010. Rep. Heath Shuler voted YES……send e-mail or see bio Department of Interior and Related Agencies Appropriation, 2010 Vote Passed (254-173, 6 Not Voting) The House passed this bill funding the Department of Interior, Environmental Protection Agency and related agencies for Fiscal Year 2010. Rep. Heath Shuler voted YES……send e-mail or see bio American Clean Energy and Security Act Vote Passed (219-212, 3 Not Voting) This climate and energy bill, which includes a cap-and-trade program, was passed by the House on Friday. Rep. Heath Shuler voted YES……send e-mail or see bio Editor’s Note: Congress is now in recess for the 4th of July holiday. The Senate will return on Monday, July 6. The House will return on Tuesday, July 7.

State Grant Helps Baldor Electric Co. Expand in Weaverville

Gov. Bev Perdue today announced that Baldor Electric Co., an international supplier of industrial electric motors, mechanical power transmission products, drives and generators, will expand its Weaverville operations.  The company plans to invest more than $4.8 million and create 32 jobs during the next three years.  The announcement was made possible in part by a $64,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

“North Carolina remains attractive to thriving companies like this one,” Gov. Perdue said.  “Our top-ranked business climate and knowledge-based workforce help keep our manufacturing sector strong and diverse, providing the good jobs our citizens have come to expect.”

Baldor Electric Co., headquartered in Arkansas, operates 26 manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada, England, Mexico and China, and provides products to more than 70 countries. Three of the company’s plants are in North Carolina, in Weaverville, Kings Mountain and Marion, employing a combined workforce of nearly 700 people.

Baldor is consolidating its Sleevoil hydrodynamic bearing line in Indiana and moving those operations to its Weaverville plant, which currently employs 128 workers.  The 32 new jobs added over the next three years will pay an average wage of $42,209, not including benefits, which is higher than the Buncombe County average of $32,968.

“The One NC Fund grant will help us invest further in the products we build and the jobs we provide in Buncombe County.  We are proud to be part of the Weaverville community, and we look forward to many more years together,” said Bill Ramsbey, vice president-operations.

This project follows two other recent One NC Fund announcements for Baldor facilities in Western North Carolina.  In June, Gov. Perdue announced 114 new jobs and an investment of $12.2 million in Cleveland County.  In May, the governor announced 25 new jobs and an investment of $3.1 million in McDowell County.

The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state.  Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds.  These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.

Through use of the One NC Fund, more than 40,000 jobs and $7 billion in investment have been created since 2001. Other project partners include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges and Buncombe County.

The town is taking bids for the old Weaverville Fire Station until July 15. Here’s the announcement from the Town’s Bid Requests page:

Public Notice
The Weaverville Town Council is currently in the process of receiving and soliciting for bids for the property located at 10 South Main Street, Weaverville North Carolina. This property is also known as the “Old Weaverville Fire Station”. The Town of Weaverville will dispose of this surplus property according to North Carolina General Statute’s 160A-269 “Negotiated offer, advertisement, and upset bids” process.

The Town of Weaverville will receive or solicit an offer to purchase the above noted property until July 15, 2009 at 3 p.m. Offers to purchase must be sent to:

Michael JaVan Morgan, Town Manager
Weaverville Town Hall
30 South Main Street
Weaverville, North Carolina 28787

Upset bids will be allowed as according to NCGS 160A-269.

For your review, a “Prospectus for the Old Weaverville Fire Station Facility” is available at the Weaverville Town Hall. This is only a guide to assist the potential buyer of the property. The buyer must evaluate the condition of the property and complete their own “due diligence”. The Town will be selling the property as is and will make no guarantees or warranties. Please note the deed restrictions and easements that will be placed on the property by the Weaverville Town Council. The buyer will need to make connections to the Weaverville Water System and MSD Sewer based on usage of the facility. The Town of Weaverville has the right to reject any and all bids.

For additional information please contact the Weaverville Town Manager.

Weaverville Afternoon Book Club
Wednesday, July 1, 12:30 p.m.
The book to be discussed is the second half of “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin. All interested readers are welcome to attend.

Weaverville Evening Book Club
Tuesday, July 7, 7 p.m.
The book to be discussed is “On Chesil Beach” by Ian McEwan. All interested readers are welcome to attend.

The celebration starts with a parade at 10 a.m. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate. Line up by 9:45 a.m. on Roberts Cove Road . You can enter a float, decorate your pet, bicycle, truck, or 4-wheeler. After the parade, a patriotic program from guest speaker Tom Lawrence, a presentation of past celebrations, and music.  Following the program, a picnic lunch potluck - organizers ask that you bring your favorite food to share. To end the day, old-fashioned field games like the 3-legged race, sack races, watermelon spitting contest, and greased pole.

Also featured at the celebration this year, the Reems Creek Valley Extension Community Association will be demonstrating homemaking through the years in the community room after lunch.  Their group is the longest active Extension Community Association in WNC.

Finally, to commemorate the day, they have designed a t-shirt which will be on sale for $15, and a parade banner they would like everyone in attendance to sign.

Saturday, June 27 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. we are having a Benefit BBQ Dinner/Silent Auction for Kali Holderfield.  It will be at the Weaverville Community Center at Lake Louise. All food has been donated by local restaurants.  We will have local bands, such as the Sons of Ralph, a dunk booth, moon house, and carnival games. BBQ plates  are $10 and Hot Dog Plates are $5. All proceeds go to benefit Kali Holderfield.

Steven Forbes-deSoule’s 50th Firing Kiln Opening
Saturday, July 18, 2009, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
143 David Biddle Trail, Weaverville

You are invited to an exclusive Raku firing demonstration and sale at my studio.
I will fire 49 raku pieces, one piece at a time, over the course of sixteen working days leading up to the opening event and will document this on my website/blog starting June 25. On the day of the event, the 50th piece will be fired as visitors observe. At 5 p.m. this final piece in the series (estimated value of $700) will be given away in a random drawing to one of the day’s attendees. You need not be present to win. The other 49 raku works produced during this conceptual event will be on display and available for purchase.

Fox Hill Meadery
Friday, June 26th
5:30-7:30 p.m.

You all have been asking for this, so here it is!  Fox Hill is Asheville’s first meadery located in Marshall.  Jason Russ, the owner, will be in tasting his traditional, blackberry, spiced, and ginger-apricot mead.  Check them out at www.foxhillmead.com.  See you then!

The Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) Family Farm Tour is your invitation to visit 38 farms and gardens throughout six counties in Western North Carolina. The region is home to agriculture of all kinds, ranging from century farms cultivated by the same family for generations, to certified organic farms, to urban gardens. Tour your choice of a wide selection of the area’s most outstanding farms and gardens during The Family Farm Tour, June 27 and 28, 2009, from 1-6 p.m.

Here’s how it works: Get a farm tour map and button. Gather your friends, fill a car, choose the farms you want to visit, and plan a route. There are more than enough choices to fill a schedule for Saturday and Sunday. Come with a cooler and your appetite. A variety of vegetables and fruits, trout, beef, pork, lamb, eggs, artisan cheeses, herbs, mushrooms, honey, preserves, and much more are available to sample or for sale. Products including yarn, soap, and crafts are offered as well. Watch animals such as bison, llamas, baby lambs, and bunnies. See traditional skills in practice-and even try them out yourself-during demonstrations of border collie shepherding, outdoor apple butter making, milking, the maple syrup tapping process, and wool spinning. Or, learn about new ideas during a tour of renewable energy systems, see a  hydroponics system, visit an edible landscape, and explore a garden labyrinth. Eat bread fresh from a wood fired oven and artisan ice cream, and stop for a picnic at one of the many beautiful farms along the way.

You may purchase buttons at farms on the day of the tour for $25. One button admits everyone in your car. If you only wish to visit one farm, pay $10 on-site. You can download a map, but the file is 10MB+, so  downloading it is not recommended if you’re using a dial-up connection.

Farms on the tour:
Buncombe County
Blue Ridge Bison, Cane Creek Valley Farm, Flying Cloud Farm, Gladheart Farms, Good Fibrations Angora Goats, Hawk and Ivy, Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Highlander Farm, Imladris Farm, Long Branch Environmental Education Center, Martins Creek Homestead, Pearson Drive Community Garden, Pisgah View Peace Garden, Round Mountain Creamery, Venezia Dream Farm

Haywood County
Boyd Mountain Christmas Tree Farm, Rux Gardens, Sunburst Trout Company, The Ten Acre Garden

Henderson County
McConnell Farms

Madison County
Bee Tree Farm and Vineyard, Briar Rose Farm, East Fork Farm, Philosophy Farm, Spinning Spider Creamery, Sunset Valley Farm, Three Graces Dairy, Wake Robin Farm, Zimmerman Berry Farm
Transylvania County
Colonial Acres Nursery, Holly Hill Farm, Queen’s Produce and Berry Farm

Yancey County
Arthur Morgan School, Firefly Farm, Maple Creek Farm, Mountain Farm, Mountain Gardens, Wellspring Farm

This weeks Weaverville Tailgate Market will be held on Wednesday June 24, 2009 from 2:30-6:30 p.m. on the hill at Lake Louise in beautiful Weaverville. We have music and the Sustainable Gourmet this week. Toes a tappin’ to the music of the Honey Holler Girls. If you missed them the first time, try to catch them this time around. Michael Gentry, the Sustainable Gourmet, will be at the market preparing and sampling seasonal goodies.

Buncombe County Public Libraries are having a summer pet food drive to help Meals on Wheels restock their pet food pantry. Please bring unopened dog, cat or bird food to any Buncombe County Public library in June, July or August. For more information call the Swannanoa Library 250-6486 or email library@buncombecounty.org