Once a year at the N.C. General Assembly, beer and politics and the politics of beer blend like a summer shandy at the “Rush the Growler” party.

For me, it’s a can’t miss – combining my “day job” covering politics for the newspaper and my “night job” writing about craft beer. And the growler event showcases the evolving mindset at the Statehouse toward beer – particularly craft beer – since 2005 when lawmakers “popped the cap” and lifted the alcohol limit from 6 percent to 15 percent. Click here to read the column and get an update on beer-related legislation this session.

You can find all the election results, including Orange County approving a half-cent sales tax for light rail and improved bus service, on www.chapelhillnews.com and www.newsobserver.com.

Here's a look at what else we have today:

TRASH TALK: Looks like Orange County (Chapel Hill, anyway) could get a transfer station after all, and it appears heading to Millhouse Road not far from where former CH Mayor Kevin Foy proposed it some years back. Get the details here.

BOYS AND GIRLS: Eight years in the making and $250,000 later, supporters of a Boys and Girls Club broke ground this weekend on the project site in the Pine Knolls neighborhood. That's Jaylin Sanders taking a turn on the ceremonial shovel. Read my story and see more photos here.

RENT PROTEST: Collins Crossing, formerly Abbey Court and before that Old Well, is home to some of our community's newest residents, Latino and ethnic Karen refugees from Myanmar (Burma). Now a new owner is making changes. Find out why some are worried their days at the complex could be numbered in Sarah Mansur's story here. 

Viv Taylor finds a church in today's My View, Debbie Meyer looks at the Preservation Society's look back, and a group of UNC biologists says Weaver Street Market is feeding the hype against genetically modified plants. All that and letters from Pittsboro to Cedar Grove. 

Now is a good time to send letters. With the elections and  transit vote over, the mailbag is nearly empty. Tell us what's on your mind -- Obey Creek? the transfer station? -- at editor@newsobserver.com.

Thanks for reading,

Mark

The Reliable Cheese shop in downtown Durham is expected to open Thursday, according to owner Patrick Coleff.

Coleff, 34, has been in the cheese business for six years. This Cleveland native used to work at a legal publishing company during the day and as a line cook at night. When he decided to go to culinary school, he enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City and got a part-time job at Murray's Cheese Shop. He then went on to work as a cheese buyer at Cobblestone Foods and later did a stint at Stinky Bklyn.

Two years ago, his wife, Genevieve Southern, and he decided it was time to move and open their own cheese shop. They looked at Portland and Durham but decided on Durham because Southern has family here and they have a three-year-old son. They moved to the Triangle and Coleff got a job at Southern Season in Chapel Hill and then Weaver Street Market in Carrboro.

Coleff describes Reliable Cheese as mainly a cheese shop that also will sell beer, wine and meat. He focuses on small cheese producers in the United States and Europe; local cheesemakers will be represented, including Chapel Hill Creamery and Goat Lady Dairy.

They are located next to Rue Cler at 405-A East Chapel Hill St., Durham. The hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. They are closed Mondays.

Oscar Wong, owner and founder of Highland Brewing Company in Asheville, will be offering tastes of a small-batch Scotch Ale at Weaver Street Markets next weekend.

Here is the schedule:

• 4-6:30 p.m. Friday, April 1, Weaver Street Market, 101 East Weaver St., Carrboro
• 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 2, Saturday, Weaver Street Market, 716 Market St. in Southern Village, Chapel Hill
• 3-5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 2, Weaver Street Market, 228 S. Churton St., Hillsborough
   

Here's your reminder that there are deals to be had at the Weaver Street Market's annual wine sale the first three Saturdays in April.

Wine buyer Peg Todloski searches for great wines at reasonable prices for the event.

You pay $5 to taste 37 wines, enjoy appetizers and purchase wines from 20 percent to 57 percent off retail price.

Here are the dates and locations:

• 1 p.m.-5 p.m. tomorrow, Weaver Street Market in Carrboro

• 1 p.m.-5 p.m. April 10, Weaver Street Market in Southern Village

• 1 p.m.-5 p.m. April 17, Weaver Street Market in Hillsborough.

Proceeds benefit the store’s cooperative community fund.

Weaver Street Market is gearing up for its annual wine sale the first three Saturdays in April. Wine buyer Peg Todloski searches for great wines at reasonable prices for the event.

You pay $5 to taste 37 wines, enjoy appetizers and purchase wines from 20 percent to 57 percent off retail price.

Here are the dates and locations:

• 1 p.m.-5 p.m. April 3, Weaver Street Market in Carrboro

• 1 p.m.-5 p.m. April 10, Weaver Street Market in Southern Village

• 1 p.m.-5 p.m. April 17, Weaver Street Market in Hillsborough.

Proceeds benefit the store’s cooperative community fund.

If you don't have plans tonight, why not enjoy a wild herb walk led by herbalist Will Endres, who some folks may recognize from his booth at the Carrboro Farmers Market. 

Those interested should gather at 5:30 p.m. outside the Weaver Street Market at 228 S. Churton St. in Hillsborough.  The event will happen rain or shine.

The cost is $15. No pre-registration is required. Just show up ready to go.

Weaver Street Market starts its 6th annual wine sale tomorrow. It runs through Oct. 21.

Thirty-nine wines from around the world will be on sale at up to a 50 percent discount. To taste these wines and enjoy some appetizers, each of the three stores will have separate wine shows: 

• Saturday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Southern Village store. 
• Oct. 10, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Carrboro store. 
• Oct. 17, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Hillsborough store.

The cost to attend the wine show to taste all these discounted wines is $5. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the cooperative's community fund.

Each Thursday night, starting tonight, Piedmont blues musicians will be performing at the Weaver Street Market in Hillsborough. Tonight is Cool John Ferguson.

Carrboro's Panzanella is hosting a farm dinner featuring Eco Farm owners John and Cindy Soehner and their produce. The dinner will be from 5:30 p.m.- 9 p.m. Aug. 24.

For more information, call 929-6626.