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Loft Cafe & Pub opens off Greenville Highway

Henderson County News

Amy Grant headlines Brevard Music Center's anniversary celebration

BREVARD — Six-time Grammy winner Amy Grant will headline Brevard Music Center's 80th Anniversary Spectacular on Saturday, June 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Whittington-Pfohl Auditorium, BMC announced.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Utilities panel OKs Duke conversion, rejects backup

The North Carolina Utilities Commission on Monday approved Duke Energy's application to replace its Lake Julian coal plant with a new gas-fired power plant but went along with the public staff in rejecting a 186-megawatt backup unit that Duke said it might need by 2023.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Dandelion wins $100k grant to expand catering

Men in suits and the director of Safelight made comments during the announcement of a big grant that will help Safelight’s Dandelion Eatery expand its commercial kitchen.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

KnollsCam records video of rare black coyote

Thomas Brass's trail cam in the woods at the top of Haywood Knolls made video of a rare black coyote. Click here to watch. "The coloring of the coyote varies considerably according to location," says a website Brass cites called A to Z animals. "In the northernmost parts of its range coyotes can be pale to almost white in color. In the west they tend to be a rich reddish hue with black markings. In the plains states they are plain grayish brown. The occasional black coyote is seen in the great plains states and in the eastern states; those may actually be the result of hybridization with wolves. It would take DNA analysis to be sure."   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Playhouse holding auditions for 'Music Man' on Monday

Flat Rock Playhouse will hold youth performer auditions for The Music Man on Monday, Feb. 29.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

BRIEFS: Bunny Hop, Scout award, Woman's Club, Saluda festival, quilt scholar

Bunny Hop signup open Registration is now open for the second annual Kiwanis Bunny Hop, a 5K fun run, walk or hop to raise funds to help local children at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 26 — the day before Easter — at Jackson Park Shelter 1. The Easter Bunny will hop down the bunny trail to pose for photos and hand out prizes to Bunny Hop participants dressed in the best costume and are the youngest and oldest participants. All participants who pass the finish line will receive a prize egg. One lucky hopper will find $50 in his or her egg. The first 200 pre-registered participants are ensured free bunny ears. Through March 11, the cost to pre-register is $25 per person or $20 per person for groups of four or more. Registrations received after March 11 are not guaranteed a T-shirt. Registration the day of the Bunny Hop is $35 per person and will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Shelter 1 in Jackson Park. To sign up click here to print out a registration form and mail with payment or visit kiwanisbunnyhop.eventbrite.com to register and pay online. Conceived and organized by the Kiwanis Club of Hendersonville, the run benefits Kiwanis-supported youth programs such as the Kiwanis Club’s Terrific Kids program, Balfour Babies program, which provides diapers and other supplies to mothers attending Balfour Education Center, and the Shoes and Socks Program, which provides shoes and socks for children who need them. The annual Henderson County Easter Egg Hunt takes place after the Kiwanis Bunny Hop from noon to 2 p.m. at Jackson Park.   Webb, Williams receive Scouts’ Award of Merit The Terrora District of the Boy Scouts of America honored Charles Webb and Matt Williams with the District Award of Merit during a volunteer appreciation recently at Covenant Presbyterian Church.Webb began his scouting responsibilities in Cub Scouts. He was a den leader for several years and then moved on to Cubmaster and then Pack Committee chairman. For five years he worked closely with his son’s den and attended many events.In Troop 601 he served on the Troop Committee, including a term as chairman. He has completed training for all the positions he has held and attended the University of Scouting. He also serves on the Terrora District Committee, coordinating service opportunities, helping with Webelos Crossover and the Terrora District Camporee.Williams served as a Cub Scout den leader. He got Shooting Sports certified and worked at the Cub Scout Day Camp multiple times. He has also volunteered at Tiger Fun Day in other capacities.When his son moved up to Troop 613, Williams became involved in the troop committee but also stayed involved with the Cub Pack to offer some much needed assistance. After two years, he was able to dedicate all his time to the troop. Several years ago the troop needed a Scoutmaster and though his hiking ability is limited due to a stroke, he volunteered. Thanks to his leadership, Troop 613 had eight boys reach the rank of Eagle in 2015.A Navy veteran of Desert Storm, Williams is a trained leader and has attended several Universities of Scouting. He also earned the Wood Badge for completing an intensive training program for adult Scout leaders. He also serves on the District Eagle Scout Advancement Board.Webb was joined by his wife, Kara, and Williams was joined by his wife, Robin, in accepting the awards. The Chanté Piano Trio will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at First Congregational Church. Piano Trio to perform The Chanté Piano Trio will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at First Congregational Church on Fifth Avenue in Laurel Park.Semifinalists in the prestigious 2015 Fischoff competition and grand prize winner of North Carolina’s WDAV 89.9 Artist Chamber Music Competition, the trio ofMaria Parrini, Paul Aguilar and Stephen Hawkey will play a program of Mozart, Brahms and Piazzolla. Parrini in the summer of 2012 performed with the Brevard Music Center Orchestra as the youngest winner of the Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition.Hendersonville Chamber Music performances are presented on Sunday afternoons. A subscriptions for all four concerts is $75 including tax. To order send a check payable to HFCM, to P.O. Box 271, Hendersonville, NC, 28793.Both series and individual tickets at $20 will be available at the door on the day of performance. Subscription holders will be able to use their four subscription tickets for any or all performances. Student admission is free. For more information visit Facebook or hendersonvillechambermusic.org. Prayer journaling  First United Methodist Church announced a new class beginning in March as part of its 2016 School of Christian Living programming.“Prayer Journaling Workshop” begins on Thursday, March 3, meeting 6-7:30 p.m. and continuing for two more weeks. The workshop invites participants to explore their spiritual prayer practice using new and fresh ways to grow in relationship with God. The workshop is led by Deana Johnson. There is no cost. Bring a journal, Bible and pen to the class.A variety of classes will be offered throughout the year with a new class beginning in March and two more scheduled through the winter. All classes are open to the community.To register or learn more about courses offered at First United Methodist Church visit www.fumchvlnc.org or call 828-693-4275. The church is located at 204 Sixth Avenue West. Saluda set to celebrate art in May 21 festival SALUDA — Saluda celebrates its 13th annual Saluda Arts Festival on Saturday, May 21, in historic downtown Saluda.“Art enthusiasts, visitors, and tri-state residents continue to support this grassroots Arts festival,” said Wendy Hamil, a Saluda Arts Festival organizer. “We started with only 18 vendors and have now grown to more than 80 artists and artisans. To be immersed in mountain culture with a variety of musicians and among the most creative artists is a must for all to experience. Every facet of the arts is represented including paintings, pottery, metal work, jewelry, sculptures, fiber, and more.”With an affordable exhibit fee of $75, festival organizers expect a large number of entries in the non-jury event.This year’s event will include the popular Children’s Tent, performing artists and local and regional musicians including the Hummingbird Band, Sound Investment, Hogtown Squealers and Overmountain String Band.Applications for participation can be downloaded at www.saluda.com or by contacting Susie Welsh at 828-749-3900 or susieinsaluda@yahoo.com. Applications are due by March 17. Presbyterian pre-school registration is opening Hendersonville Presbyterian’s Creative Beginnings Pre-School begins registering children March 1 for ages 1 to 4K for the fall school. Open to the community, the school offers classes from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. five days a week beginning Sept. 6. Parents can select two-, three- or five-day options. A Christian education, as well as art and music, are focal points of the curriculum.Registration for a five-week Summer Arts program, offered twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, begins March 15. The program, for children ages 2 to 6, will be held from June 28 to July 28. To register for either the Summer Arts Program or the school year, contact Director Fran Rochester at Hendersonville Presbyterian (828) 692-3211. Hendersonville Presbyterian is at 699 N. Grove St. Smart Start holding children’s book sale Smart Start of Henderson County will hold a Children’s Used Book Sale on Saturday, Feb. 27, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church at 1245 Sixth Avenue West. For sale will be thousands of books for children of all ages.Books have been sorted by age and, when available, reading level. A wide variety of books are available including board books, picture books, early readers and chapter books. There are also parenting books, cookbooks and reference books. Books will be priced from 50 cents to $3. Remaining books will be half-off after 3 p.m.All proceeds from the book sale will support literacy in Henderson County through Smart Start’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which mails an age-appropriate book monthly to children from birth (or whenever they register) until their fifth birthday at no cost to families. Smart Start is currently providing a book each month for more than 1,550 local children.For more information about the Children’s Book Sale or to register a young child to receive books through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, call Smart Start at 828-693-1580 or visit www.smartstarthc.org. Trinity Preschool offers Transitional Kindergarten Trinity Preschool has openings for young children in its Transitional Kindergarten program designed for the child who missed the cut-off date of Aug. 31 or would simply benefit from another year of preschool. The teacher for this class is a retired Henderson County public school K-1 teacher with more than 30 years of teaching experience and a master’s degree in early childhood education. The curriculum emphasizes number and letter concepts, pre-reading and writing and daily phonics to enhance reading skills. Trinity Presbyterian Church is at 900 Blythe Street. For more information, call 696-4110. Salvation Army store extends shopping hours The Salvation Army Family Store has extended the hours of its store on Thursdays to 7:30 p.m. The store is at 320 N. King St. HHS graduate makes dean’s list Bradley Schweikert of Hendersonville made the fall semester 2015 dean’s list at Ohio University’s Athens campus. To achieve the dean’s list, students must earn a 3.5 grade point average or higher while taking at least 15 credit hours. Playhouse casting kids in ‘Music Man’ Flat Rock Playhouse will hold youth performer auditions for The Music Man on Monday, Feb. 29.Directed and choreographed by former YouTheatre alumni and Broadway choreographer Chase Brock, The Music Man will feature a large ensemble of young performers aged 8 through 18. Rehearsal and performances will be from May 23 through July 9, with eight shows a week.The Playhouse is seeking young performers for the featured roles of Winthrop Paroo and Amaryllis. Winthrop, 10, is the shy introverted little brother of town librarian and piano teacher Marian Paroo. He also speaks with a lisp. Amaryllis, also 10, is Marian’s young piano student who is enamored with Winthrop. Both young actors need to be able to sing and move well.Auditions will take place on the Flat Rock Playhouse Mainstage Monday, Feb. 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. Those auditioning for The Music Man must prepare 16 bars of a musical theatre song and be prepared to learn a short dance combination. Young boys interested in the role of Winthrop in The Music Man are strongly encouraged to review the song “Gary, Indiana” from the show. Four Seasons launches free bereavement class Four Seasons Compassion for Life Bereavement Team is hosting a free weekly Grief Support Group from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Thursdays at SECU Hospice House, 272 Maple Street. The support group offers a safe, welcoming gathering for persons who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The “come as you are” approach honors each person’s personal story, journey, and place in the grieving process. Those who attend are not required to talk but are welcome to simply listen.For information, call Four Seasons Compassion for Life at (828)692-6178, or email Michael Lee, mlee@fourseasonscfl.org. Kindergarten readiness rally set April 5 at mall Western Carolina Community Action, Henderson County public schools, Smart Start of Henderson County and the Children and Family Resource Center will host the annual kindergarten Readiness Rally from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, at the Blue Ridge Mall. All 13 elementary schools and kindergarten teachers will be on hand and local non-profits will staff tables to provide agency information as well as a fun, interactive activity/craft for kids. WNC Quilt Guild offers scholarship The Western North Carolina Quilt Guild is offering a scholarship in the annual amount of $500, renewable for up to four years, for a potential total of $2,000, plus a compact sewing machine. Applications are being accepted now from students who live in Henderson and Transylvania counties and are graduating this year or are already in college or plan to start college in the fall of 2016. Applications must be postmarked by March 15. Applicants must be interested in quilting and/or sewing, although the student’s major field of study does not have to be related. Guild members have a broad array of academic and professional backgrounds, but all share a love of quilting as an avocation to encourage in succeeding generations. Applications for the scholarship are available online at http://www.westernncquilters.org/scholarship.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

4 SEASONS POLITICS: Democratic precinct meetings, election details

Democratic precinct meetings are Saturday The Henderson County Democratic Party announced the annual precinct meetings will be held Saturday, Feb. 27, at the city Operations Center, 305 Williams Street. Times and precincts are:• 10 a.m. to noon: Grimesdale, Hendersonville 1, Hendersonville 2, Hendersonville 3, Long John Mountain, Laurel Park, North Blue Ridge, Northeast, Pisgah View, South Blue Ridge, Southeast, Southwest.• 12:30-2:30 p.m.: Bat Cave, Brickton, Clear Creek, Edneyville, Fletcher, Hoopers Creek, Moores Grove, North Mills River, Northwest, Park Ridge, Rugby, South Mills River.• 3-5 p.m.: Armory, Atkinson, Crab Creek, East Flat Rock, Etowah South, Etowah Valley, Flat Rock, Green River, Horse Shoe, Raven Rock.Carolina Village has not yet been set and will be announced. One-stop voting starts on March 3 Here are key dates in the upcoming primary elections: Primary Election Day: Tuesday, March 15 (except for congressional primaries, which are June 7.)Last day to register: Feb. 19 (in person or postmarked).Where to register: Board of Elections, public assistance agencies, agencies serving persons with disabilities, armed forces recruitment offices, Department of Motor Vehicles, libraries.Absentee voting: Under way. Last day to request a ballot is 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 8.One stop voting: March 3-12. Board of Elections office, 75 E. Central St., March 3-4 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, March 5, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; March 7-11, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday, March 12, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.Additional one-stop voting sites: Edneyville Community Building, Etowah Library, Flat Rock Village Hall, Fletcher Library. March 3-4, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, March 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.; March 7-11, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, March 12, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.Election Day: All 35 polling places are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Acceptable forms of identification: N.C. drivers license, N.C. state identification card, U.S. passport, military I.D., veterans ID, out-of-state drivers license, tribal enrollment cards issued by a state- or federally-recognized tribe.Upcoming events: Republican primary candidate forum, 48th state Senate and 113th state House districts, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, Opportunity House, 1411 Asheville Highway. Henderson County Republican Party convention, Saturday, March 5, Opportunity House. Precinct meetings, 1 p.m. Convention at 2 p.m. includes remarks by candidates.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

911 call: 'He's shooting me'

Excerpts from the 911 call Joe King placed when he surprised a burglar at his house on Upward Road at 8:02 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12: King: “I need somebody out here. He’s shooting me. I need a deputy. I’m going to kill him.”Dispatcher: “Do you know who it is?”King: “No.”Dispatcher: “You say he’s been shooting at you?King: “And I’ve been shooting at him. He stole my guns, he’s been in my house. He’s trying to get out. Get somebody out here!”Dispatcher: “The person that’s shooting at you, where is he?”King: “ “He’s beside of his truck out here. He’s trying to get away. He just shot his window out.” … “Get out of that truck!” King shouts at the burglar. “I’m going to shoot you.”Dispatcher: “I’m getting somebody out here as fast as we can but I need you to step away from him.”King: “He’s running up the hill. … He stole guns out of my house. I had two shotguns right here. I don’t know what he’s done with them. But he took off. He shot at me three or four times and I shot at him.”Dispatcher: “Where are you?”King: “I’m standing right here, so if he comes back he ain’t leaving.”Dispatcher: “Where is your gun?”King: “It’s in my hand. I carry a gun with me everywhere I go. He’s been in my motorhome and he’s been in my house. … He’s got every gun out of my house.”Dispatcher: “I’m sorry. … Can you put the gun away so the deputies can approach? Did you put the gun away?”King: “Yes.”Dispatcher: “Where is it?”King: “Right here in my holster. … He’s got stuff loaded up from my house.”Dispatcher: “Well, don’t touch anything. Wait till the deputies get there and show it to them.”   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Edwards, Baldwin spar over immigration, push polls

Lisa Carpenter Baldwin, on the campaign trail for the 48th Senate District seat, is trying to tar Chuck Edwards with a Chamber of Commerce letter that urged congressional leaders to reform U.S. immigration policy.   Read Story »

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