Enchanted Animal Affaire Unveils “Light of the Phoenix,” Benefits Lake Louise Community Center

By: about

WEAVERVILLE, N.C. – The third annual Enchanted Animal Affaire, the “Light of the Phoenix,” kicks off May 24, and runs June 1-26, with a Gala and Auction on June 28.

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Annual fundraiser to benefit renovation of Lake Louise Community Center, Weaverville

Get your copy of the downloadable 2013 EAA Poster here.The Phoenix represents the future renovation of the Weaverville Community Center at Lake Louise.

“The Weaverville Business Association has already pledged $5000 to this future effort,” says Liz Lewis, event chairman. “This fundraiser supports the Weaverville Business Association.”

The local, non-profit organization of businesses of businesses which support and promote Weaverville as an outstanding place to visit, do business, live, and work.

For the Enchanted Animal Affaire, the Weaverville Business Association partners with local artists and businesses. The artists create one-of-a-kind works of art, and merchants display the illuminated multi-media works to the delight of townspeople and guests.

Participating artists include Joan Atwood, Phil Atwood, Mark Bettis, Verge Design Studio, Sharon Bailey, Leah Baker, Randi Milofsky, Rob Durham, Gwen Komala Durham, Jackie Williams, Ray Mann, Mark Peyton, Barbara McGuire, and Pamela Paddock.

This year’s affaire will kick-off on May 24th with an unveiling at Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store, where the public will see the sculptures for the first time. Sponsoring businesses will each house a phoenix through June 25, giving residents and visitors the opportunity to participate in a scavenger hunt and drawing to win one of the works.

Entry forms may be obtained at Aabani Salon & Spa, Blue Mountain Pizza & Brew Pub, Edward Jones Financial Advisors, Maggie B’s Wine & Specialty Store, Mangum Pottery, Miya Gallery, Optix Eye Care, the Tarrants Agency Inc., Tierney and Company Real Estate, Weaverville Home Trust Bank, Weaverville Pet Pantry, and Well Bred Bakery & Cafe.

The local art collectors and scavenger hunt hopefuls will gather on the evening of the 2013 Enchanted Animal Affaire Gala and Auction, now one of Weaverville’s most anticipated summer events, to see the phoenixes as a flock one last time before the good-natured bidding begins. In addition to the widely anticipated auction, the evening fundraiser held at the community center includes live music, an array of hors d’oevres from local restaurants and a cash bar.

“In addition to sponsoring community events, such as the Enchanted Animal Affaire, the association works with town management to ensure businesses have a voice in local matters,” says Lewis.

“The support member businesses receive for their ventures is exceptional, and we look forward to an exceptional event,” she says.

 Scavenger hunt forms and informational brochures may be obtained from area businesses. The 2013 Animal Affaire Gala and Auction will be at the Weaverville Community Center at Lake Louise, 60 Lakeshore Drive, 6-8 p.m. Admission $10. For more information, profiles of the participating artists and businesses, visit the Weaverville Business Association online at www.visitweaverville.com. Sherri L. McLendon is a freelance writer in Weaverville.




Join the Asheville Community Content Team

By: about

We are putting together a Community Content Team for the new AskAsheville website and blog that we are launching in a few weeks. A team of 10 is already in place, but we are looking for more people who would like to contribute and share information about a variety of topics. Sections of the new site include News, Women, Beer, Food, Wine, Hotels, Photos, Videos, Business, Events, Music, Entertainment, Neighboring Towns and much more. We are interested in getting a great diversity of contributors that will share Asheville from their “point of view” on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

You may be a Writer or Blogger in the WNC area that would like to post a weekly story to AskAsheville. Maybe you are a Photographer or Videographer in the community that wants to share a photo or some videos each week with a quick description on the blog. You may be a marketer and have a few clients or business connections that you would like to write about on a monthly basis. Or maybe you just like to go out and eat, drink, tour, dance, shop and have a good time; and you want to start documenting the experiences, making them count more, and building a portfolio of your work. You post it… and we distribute it online through our social media audiences which reach so many focused on the Asheville area.

Team meetings (online & offline) and full support will be offered including educational opportunities for you to teach your area of expertise, and learn from other teammates. We are implementing a mentorship and internship program as well, so if there is an area of media that you would like to learn more about or improve on; we can help you with training. We can also assist you with credit and a certificate for the work you complete. This could mean extra-credit for you in College and this will give you more credibility to potential employers and clients.

Building a community takes a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Some of you, some of me, some of all of us. Can you write 200 words per month or per week about something that pertains to Asheville NC? Can you provide one featured photo per week or month with 25 word description? Can you draw a weekly or monthly cartoon? Maybe you want to do an Asheville Short Story series? We’ve got your back! We will feature you on our new website, link to you, promote you and your content, and the whole team will support you. We invite you to apply to be on our Asheville Community Content Team.

Contact AskAsheville




Weaverville’s ‘Penny Farthing’ Grand Opening is Saturday, Oct. 15

By: about

While you’re making plans for Saturday, the new hot spot on the Weaverville hub is the Penny Farthing Cyclery & Cafe, which celebrates its Grand Opening from 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

The motto, “Roll in for a Unique Experience,” suits this place perfectly.

Katrina Chenevert with the original Penny Farthing

The Penny Farthing takes its name not from the #1 over its Main Street front door (in the old Fire Station Building), but from the antique Victorian period bicycle with the curiously large front wheel and plate-sized rear wheel, with the rider seated at the top of a tall bar to steer. It’s a fabulous sight to see this classic silhouette spin its way around town during festivals and events.

I won’t lie, I went in for the coffee, which is amazing. Can we say “crema?” An expert pour. But the coffee is really the sidenote for most people, which seek out the full service bicycle shop for other reasons: repairs to a favorite ride, to purchase or restore a vintage or classic bike, and the athletic performance and testing lab.

Owner Katrina Chenevert, owner, clearly knows her rides. I don’t. But I asked a lot of questions, and left considerably more educated – and at complete ease. There’s no mistaking her passion for bikes.

The Cyclery portion of the Penny Farthing offers everything from repairs to tune-ups. They have a bicycle mechanic on staff. When I was there, the Vintage and Semi-restored bikes from the ’60s, ’70s, and early ’80s really caught my eye. Several of the bikes were beautifully custom painted with flames, black-and-white cow markings, or other distinctive features by the reknowned pro, Mark Peters, whose talent, says Katrina, has not yet been challenged by the intricate work.

Folding bicycles are also available, along with cycle apparel, bike accessories and rentals for those who’d like to enjoy an invigorating day on two wheels, or perhaps take a turn about Lake Louise.

The Lab at Penny Farthing offers sports-specific scientific testing and evaluation on all state of the art equipment, including the VO2 Max, Lactate Threshold, the Wingage Power Test, a Tiemyer Bikefit/Spin Scan (one of only three in the U.S.), Running Economy, Glucose Uptake, Sweat Test, individual program design and more. The Lab’s Simon Bartlett, Ph.D., CSCS, ATC, an exercise physiologist who provides athletes of all levels with an opportunity to reach their optimal athletic performance, will be present for the Saturday opening, making this a great chance to connect.

You could potentially walk into this bike shop and get fitted for a bike frame built precisely for you AND receive the testing, training, and nutritional support you need for absolute peak performance.

A full line of specialty coffee drinks and teas, protein shakes, assorted baked goods (fresh from City Bakery in Asheville), and Gelato are served in a coffeehouse atmosphere that would feel just as good in a big city center. (Oh, and the super duper deal maker for me? They have WiFi. Between that and the coffee, I almost decided to move in.)

Sherri L. McLendon is a freelance writer and marketing public relations practioner in Weaverville, N.C., who is a serious fan of anyone who knows how to make an espresso machine sit up and take notice.

Local Artists Shine at the Weaverville Art Safari

By: about

Weaverville, NC, 2011 — Some of the top artists in Western North Carolina open their mountain studios to the public during the Weaverville Art Safari, May 7-8, 2011. This exclusive weekend event is an opportunity to interact with more than 40 artists and see the process behind the development of their critically acclaimed works of art.

The Art Safari provides a chance to wind through the backroads and main streets of Weaverville, Alexander and Barnardsville on a self-guided driving tour. Artists are on hand to talk about their creative processes and exhibit their latest creations. Works of art showcased during the event include pottery, handmade glass, sculpture, jewelry, furniture, paintings, drawings and fiber art. Select studios offer public demonstrations and door prizes. Studios are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

A special preview party sponsored by Claxton Farm on Friday, May 6, kicks off the event and celebrates the Art Safari’s tenth anniversary. The fun begins at 7 p.m. and includes door prizes, heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts and a cash bar. The highlight of the evening is a silent auction featuring art from participating artists. Guests have the opportunity to bid on gallery-worthy works of art selected exclusively for the event and its patrons. Event tickets are $10 at the door with additional door prize tickets available for $5 each. All event proceeds fund future Weaverville Art Safari events.

Weaverville Art Safari brochures containing maps and artist information are available at Asheville-area art galleries, restaurants and shops beginning in April. A downloadable brochure is also available at www.weavervilleartsafari.com beginning in April.

The Weaverville Art Safari is a collection of Western North Carolina artists whose goal is to raise awareness of the vibrant art community residing on the outskirts of Asheville, NC. The Weaverville Art Safari is a biannual event held in the spring and fall. For more information on the Weaverville Art Safari and participating artists, visit www.weavervilleartsafari.com, or contact Steven Forbes-deSoule at 828-654-9065 or forbes143@charter.net