Community Information - Articles, Content and Blogs
AIR Brings Back the Main Course Dining Program for 2010
The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) is pleased to announce the return of the Main Course Dining program with buy one get one free values all over Asheville. The Main Course Dining coupon book provides diners with more than 35 buy one get one free entree deals at 18 independent restaurants in the Asheville community. Read more...
Asheville Area Schools Can Win $100,000 in U.S. Cellular's 2010 Calling All Communities Program
When U.S. Cellular's Calling All Communities campaign launched last year, the company asked everyone to vote for their favorite schools. Read more...
Asheville Still Easily Accessible After I-40 Rockslide
The Asheville area and the mountains of Western North Carolina remain accessible from the east, south and north after a rock slide along Interstate 40 at the North Carolina/Tennessee border. The choice of two convenient detours make getting to Asheville a breeze. Read more...
Blue Ridge Bags and More: An Autism Business
Blue Ridge Bags and More is a small business, owned by the Autism Society of North Carolina, which employs adults with autism. As part of my job at the Autism Society, I am the official director of Blue Ridge Bags, which is how I know that we need some serious help! See, we have a really cool business, that is actually useful for folks (with and without autism), but nobody knows about us! Read more...
A&B Opens Branch Offices in Florida, North Carolina and Texas
A&B Professional Cleaning and Concierge Services, LLC, one of the leading providers of commercial and residential janitorial services in the North Central Alabama area, has expanded both their janitorial and professional concierge divisions to three additional states. With a 30 plus years experience in office and residential cleaning, A&B offers thorough and detailed cleaning services to their customers. You will find that their staff members are professional and exceptionally proficient. Customer satisfaction is their number one goal and is the reason that A&B continues to thrive and grow, despite today's economy and the effect it has had on many other companies. Read more...
New Media: It Changes the Game - Are Your Ready to Play?
On Monday, October 19, the American Advertising Federation of Asheville (AAFA) will host The Power of New Media and Social Networking, an educational seminar that explores the world of new media. The program will be led by Dave Saunders, President and Chief Idea Officer. Read more...
TEDxAsheville, Local Version of Ultimate Brain Spa, Gathers Volunteers, Sponsors for 2010 Event
TEDxAsheville, the great-ideas conference that turned away 350 people at its inaugural event in August, returns in 2010. Volunteers and sponsors are wanted for TEDxAsheville 2010, coming next summer with new speakers, new performers and more ideas worth spreading. Read more...
Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale - October 8th, 9th and 10th at 8 pm, and the 11th at 7 pm
We began with ten cast members and the script of Shakespeare's wonderous and heartfelt story. Through improvisation and discussion, the Warren Wilson Theatre ensemble has created a unique production of this tale, which is best for winter. It's not quite winter yet, but there is a chill in the air that recalls days gone by and stories lost to Time. Read more...
YWCA Black and White Gala - October 1st, 2009
The YWCA of Asheville's fifth annual Black & White Gala will be held on Thursday, October 1, at 7:00 pm at the Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave. The evening will feature silent and live auctions, food from local restaurants, and high energy dance music by Westsound. All event proceeds will go to support the programs of the YWCA of Asheville. Read more...
Free One Hour Seminar: Understanding Adult ADHD
In recognition of National ADHD Awareness month, the ADHD Center for Success will be hosting a free one hour seminar: Understanding Adult ADHD. Aimed at increasing awareness of ADHD and ADD, the community event will be held at AB Tech, in the Small Business Center, Room #215 on September 23 at 7 pm. Read more...
YWCA Swim Lessons - Begin September 28th
Learn to swim in the YWCAs solar-heated pool. The next session of Red Cross certified swim lessons will begin on Monday, September 28. Classes are offered for babies, pre-schoolers, youth, teens and adults. Read more...
It's another funky party up in BootyBandLand! Sept 24-27th
In a chill spot called Booty Band Land, musicians and artists will flourish through an epic celebration not to be missed... or forgotten. This festival was created to provide an affordable and interactive, yet top-quality event that will showcase the excellent emerging artists in the region, as well as some world-class greats. Read more...
HAPPENING: Kicking-Off Saturday Nights at Black Mountain College
A dance party explosion and fundraiser for the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center and The Media Arts Project. Read more...
Gut Health by Dr. Sudeshna Dasgupta-O'Brien
Digestive disorders are on the increase. About 38 million Americans suffer from a variety of digestive problems such as GERD, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, food allergies, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. Read more...
Asheville Downtown Association Announces Oktoberfest
The Asheville Downtown Association is excited to announce its inaugural Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 10 from 1 - 5 pm on Wall Street. Read more...
Autism: A Perspective
Much has been said and written about autism in the past several years. Autism has become a household word. When I was a resident, over 20 years ago, it was a relatively rare diagnosis, and certainly not a condition that the general public had much awareness of. Now, many of us know of a child with autism either in our own family or our neighbor's or in the community. When a child is not developing like his peers, a parent's first concern today is that he might have autism while simultaneously hoping that he does not. Read more...
Holistic Health News: Not All Fish Oil is Created Equally Part 3
Fish oil is a natural health supplement recommended by naturopathic doctors. Learn how to buy a high quality fish oil supplement that provides the maximum holistic health benefits. Read more...
Nutrition and Autism by Sudeshna Dasgupta-O'Brien
Jesse, age 7, was also diagnosed with autism at the age of 3. Jesse had some eye contact, although he did not maintain it for long; he also had sensitivity to high-pitched noises such as singing, frequent meltdowns and delayed speech. These are some of the many faces of autism today. Nine months later, after being on a gluten-free, casein-free diet and nutritional supplements, Becca is now speaking in sentences she has put together herself... Read more...
Urban Harvest Dinner to Highlight Top Chefs, Local Food, Urban Agriculture
On Friday, September 25, 2009 at 6pm, The Bountiful Cities Project, Asheville's Urban Agriculture and Food Security organization, will host the first of a series of "BCP's Urban Harvest Dinners," at the Pearson Drive Community Garden in Montford. The dinners are elegant, on-garden evenings to raise funds for BCP's ongoing outreach and education programs in many community gardens and urban farms throughout the city of Asheville. Read more...
Health Care System...Let's Change the Tune! - Benefit Concert for Palmyra Romeo- September 15th at the Grey Eagle
On May 27th, 25-year old Palmyra Romeo, - an Asheville-based AmeriCorps intern at RiverLink, avid outdoors woman, talented bluegrass bass player, and an honors graduate of NC State University - unexpectedly had a seizure, lost her ability to speak, became paralyzed on her right side, lost consciousness and was rushed to Mission Hospital. An MRI revealed a ping-pong ball sized abscess on the left side of her brain. Since then, Palmyra has undergone two brain surgeries, and is making amazing progress. Read more...
Fitness on Top of Dysfunction - Revealing the Fallacies of Exercise Performance
There is no denying that to engage in physical fitness is a healthy endeavor. Whether you're new to exercise, hitting a plateau at your fitness level or diligently involved in sports, the mental and physical challenges of activity are what strengthen the mind, body and spirit of your being. Read more...
Dancing Makes You Smarter
Most people agree that dancing is a good form of exercise, but research shows other health benefits like stress reduction, increased serotonin levels, and improved well being. Read more...
YWCA of Asheville Completes National Peer Review
The YWCA of Asheville has successfully completed its National Peer Review Assessment for the YWCA of the USA and the Southeast Region. The YWCA of Asheville excelled in all areas of assessment - programmatic, legal and financial. This extensive organizational review requires weeks of preparation and is the critical determinate for affiliation with the YWCA of the USA and the YWCA of the Southeast Region. Read more...
Asheville International Children's Film Festival - Call for Funniest Home Short Film
The Asheville International Children's Film Festival is looking for the funniest home short film in Western North Carolina. Read more...
Asheville Area Chamber's Health Insurance Pilot Program Passes North Carolina House and Senate
The Health Insurance Pilot Program or H.B. 212 passed the North Carolina General Assembly on August 6, 2009 and was delivered to Governor Perdue on Friday, August 7, 2009 where it awaits her signature of approval. Read more...
Register Now for YWCA After-School
Registration is now open for the YWCA of Asheville's After-School Program for grades K-6. This 5-Star rated program will begin on August 25. Hours are Monday through Friday from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm at the YWCA, 185 S. French Broad Ave. The YWCA provides transportation from area schools. Read more...
Announcing the 8th Annual Lexington Ave Arts and Fun Festival - Downtown Ashevill
Arts 2 People is excited to bring you the 8th annual FREE, Lexington Ave Arts and Fun Festival (LAAFF)! Join us in the annual end-of-summer celebration of Asheville's artistic and musical communities. Three blocks of N. Lexington Ave in downtown Asheville will be brimming with all local art, food, beer, music, street performers, and random acts of creativity on Sunday, September 6th from 11am - 9pm between College Street and the I 240 overpass. Read more...
TEDxAsheville - Locally Organized Version of 'Ultimate Brain Spa' at the Orange Peel August 30
Local fans of the TED conference will present TEDxAsheville, an independently organized TED event, Sunday, August 30, 7 - 11 PM, at The Orange Peel. Mix your favorite mind-blowing lecture in college with a hot night out at a club, add a few beers, and you've got TEDxAsheville, where smart is sexy and great ideas are the name of the game. Four Asheville visionaries and a sprinkling of breathtaking local performance talent offer a night of fun for your head that promises inspiration, excitement and ideas worth spreading. Read more...
August 14th and 15th Parties Celebrate 5 Years for the Asheville Arts Center
On Friday August 14th from 5 - 8 PM and Saturday the 15th from 10 am - 3 PM the Asheville Arts Center celebrates its 5-year anniversary with 2 exciting birthday parties. The Friday evening party will be held at the South location on Summit Avenue (off of Hendersonville Road before Long Shoal's Rd). Read more...
Chimney Rock Park and Rutherford County Arts Council announce 'Music on the Mountain: Songs from the Southern Highlands'
Chimney Rock Park and Rutherford County Arts Council today announced a joint event to be held Saturday, August 15 from 3-6pm on the Meadows at Chimney Rock. There is no additional cost with park admission which is $14 for adults and $6 for children ages six to 15. Read more...
Update on the Asheville Mural Project Summer 09
The Asheville Mural Project is poised to complete last summer's work on the concrete support piers of the I-240 Bridge downtown. The Lexington Avenue side of the Gateway Mural is estimated to be completed by the end of July, where artists Kurt Thaesler, Steve Lister, and Harper Leich have been working to finish the portion dedicated to the arts in Asheville. Painting is currently well underway, as well as a plan to address the water run-off issue occurring due to the break in the roadway overhead. Read more...
Shoot A Cyclist For Safety
A few days ago outside of Asheville, NC a motorist became so enraged at a cyclist for legally riding on a public road - that he shot him in the head... with the victim's 3-year old son in the bike seat behind him. According to the police, the bullet came within an inch of killing the cyclist. Read more...
Sediment Runoff Causes Fish Kill on Little Ivy Creek
Monday's rain turned the Little Ivy Creek a familiar color, brown. Taylor Barnhill has noticed the river brown after each rain storm this summer, but this time a host of dead fish washed up along the stream bank next to his property. The mud runoff was so great the fish could no longer breath in the water. What was once a thriving hatchery supported trout stream appears to have lost many smaller fish. The dead fish, including small mouth bass and northern brook trout, are a harsh reminder of the devastating impacts of having too much mud or sediment in our streams. Read more...
Get Your Rafts Ready for Rockin' RiverFest!
Where can you celebrate summer with rafting on the French Broad River while enjoying great local music, food and beer and other fun activities? At the Rockin' RiverFest on Saturday August 1 at French Broad River Park in Asheville. There's something for everyone at Rockin' RiverFest including the Raft Race, Kids' Parade, Music Showcase & Competition, local food and beer, vendors and artists tables, exciting arts performances and fun recreational activities. Read more...
PARC call for Bele Chere Volunteers
PARC and Mountain Voices Alliance will host an information booth at Bele Chere this coming weekend. This year, we will be distributing information and signing petitions to encourage the City to use the property across from the Basilica at St. Lawrence as a park, instead of another massive high-rise hotel. Can you help? Read more...
Media Arts Project Launches New Online Directory
The Media Arts Project (MAP) announces an event to celebrate the launch of its new website and online member directory, Thursday, July 23, at 5:30pm at the Flood Gallery in Asheville. Funded by the Asheville HUB, the new directory will foster the development of Western North Carolina's creative economy by promoting the region's diverse and accomplished talent base and providing a resource for WNC media arts professionals to collaborate and connect, both with one another and with opportunities for work. Read more...
2nd Saturday Artist Market Announces New Hours and Community Booth Guest
The 2nd Saturday Artist Market announces new hours for the remainder of its season, running from 12-4pm on the 2nd Saturday of each month. The Market takes place on Domino Lane and in Christopher's Garden on the East site of West Asheville, just off Haywood Road and behind Harvest Records. Read more...
POPAsheville Needs Your Help
Hi POPAsheville Lovers & Supporters, Hope you're all well, and the spring/summer weather and your corner of the economy has been kind to you. Remember how great POPA 2009 was? Read more...
Terra Summer, offered by the Terra School
Terra Summer, a one-of-the-kind interdisciplinary experience for middle-school students that uses the magical world of food-from growing to cooking to eating-to teach children elements of a rigorous academic curriculum while exploring local and global social, environmental, and economic issues. Read more...
Asheville Women Entrepreneurs Collaborate to Create 'Asheville Street Markets'
In the spirit of community, local economy, and sustainability, the organizers of five different Asheville craft and street markets have banded together to support and promote one another's endeavors. The newly formed 'Asheville Street Markets' includes Rosetta Star, owner of Rosetta's Kitchen and founder of Asheville People's Market; Jodi Rhoden, owner of Short Street Cakes in East-West Asheville and founder of the Howard Street Handmade series of craft markets and events; Lori Theriault, owner of Crazy Green Studios and founder of the East-West Asheville 2nd Saturday Arts Market; Alexandra Brown, founder of the newly formed Lexington Bazaar, and Justin Raebuck and Brandy Bourne, organizers of Asheville's semi-yearly craft blowout, The Big Crafty, downtown at Pack Place Read more...
'Beer City Bash' to be held at The Orange Peel on June 26
Bruisin' Ales, The Orange Peel, and The Mountain XPress are sponsoring the 'Beer City Bash' on Friday, June 26. The bash is a celebration of all things beer in Asheville. The event is a victory party for the local beer community, who rallied to win an Examiner.com poll by Charlie Papazian, founder of the Brewers Association, author, and one of the most recognized names in the world of beer and brewing. Read more...
Coming soon... The Lexington Avenue Brewery (The LAB) & Sweet Peas Hostel
With each passing week, we grow closer to the much anticipated opening of the Lexington Avenue Brewery (the LAB) and Sweet Peas Hostel. Located in the TS Morrison Building on North Lexington Avenue, these two businesses, covering a total of 12,000 sq ft of space, stand to reshape the flow of nightlife and travelers in downtown Asheville. Read more...
Faces of Asheville - A Portrait Documentary Project
After two solid years of dedication the local photographer Jen G. Bowen is proud to open the final exhibit of the 'Faces of Asheville' portrait documentary project. Initially started in July 2007, the project & the artist's studio were burglarized & destroyed in Aug 2007. Read more...
MPAC's 4th of July Block Party in Weaverville
MPAC presents the 4th of July Block Party as a continuance of Weaverville's 15 year old celebration with average attendance of 31,000. This is going to be a fabulous event that also doubles as a fund / awareness raiser for a few organizations including the North Buncombe High School Band Boosters. Highlights are headlining music act - Jen and the Juice, a Firecracker 5K race, Asheville Aerial Arts, The Blue Ridge Roller Girls, Asheville Puppetry Alliance, and a variety of performers and of course... fireworks! Read more...
'Beer City Bash' @ The Orange Peel
We're having a party, Asheville! Come one, come all (over 21 only) to the 'Beer City Bash' at The Orange Peel on Friday, June 26. Doors @ 7:30pm; Starts at 8pm. Yours truly will be the MC! We're celebrating Asheville's tie with Portland, OR in the 'Beer City USA' poll. $10/pp includes two beer vouchers, giveaways, and live music. Don't miss it! Read more...
Holistic Health News: A Licensed Naturopathic Doctor Explains the Link Between Allergies and Asthma
Allergies and asthma affect millions of people in the United States. Understanding the link between the two can help people suffering from asthma to use natural health treatments to decrease symptoms and the frequency of attacks. Read more...
Mountain Green Conference
Warren Wilson, is hosting the third annual 'Mountain Green Conference' on June 24, 2009. This year's theme centers on Green Tourism. Read more...
Holistic Health Care News: The Importance of Healthy Sunscreen
Protection from the sun is essential in order to maintain overall health, but it is important to know what kind of protection you are buying. In order to achieve optimal protection you must purchase a sunscreen that is preferably organic, offers full coverage and lasts over the long term.
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DTMP: Section Three - Five Districts
The third section of Asheville's Downtown Master Plan puts forth the creation and recognition of five distinct downtown neighborhoods. Each neighborhood designation would bring its own strategic goals, and each would serve as a 'Gateway' into downtown. Read more...
Wine Q&A with Asheville Wine Consulting
So here it is...my very first blog post...evah! I've decided that at least for now, I would like to organize this page as a wine Q&A. I am much more comfortable speaking than writing and this seems like the best way for me to get my creative juices flowing! Read more...
It's never too late to get college degree
If you're a mature worker trying to decide whether it's worthwhile for you to earn that college degree you've always wanted; you'll get plenty of encouragement, not only from me and other job experts, but form your peers who have taken the leap. "I went back to college for three years and got my bachelor's degree in 1989 when I was 46 years old," said Della F. Richardson, adult student coordinator of the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. Read more...
Local Businesses Create Marketing Council
An inspired group of local business leaders is forming the Marketing Council within the Black Mountain/Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce. Its first organizational meeting will be held at 8:30 am on Tuesday, June 2 in the Conference Room of the Chamber of Commerce at 201 E. State St. in Black Mountain. Read more...
Bellamy Bringing the Broadband?
Hunter Goosmann, the mastermind behind the ERC's regional broadband service, twittered a link to stimulus money dedicated to expanding broadband access: Read more...
Give Consumers Quality Products!
Hope my readers can stand one more column about shoddy workmanship. I've written one after another because nothing is made well anymore! The other day, my normally even keeled husband blew his lid because...Here we are in this beautiful brand new townhome with all new state of the art appliances and every single one of them is defective. Each appliance requires a different technician to come out and check the problem which requires sitting and waiting from 8 to 5 for each one of them to show up and tell you what you already know... Read more...
YWCA Offers Special Pass for Bike/Walk Commuters
People who walk or bicycle to downtown Asheville now have an opportunity to shower before heading into the office. The YWCA of Asheville at 185 S. French Broad Avenue is introducing a trial program called the Y Commute Pass which will be offered during the months of June, July and August 2009. This program will allow bicycle commuters and walkers access to the locker room, a locker, and shower for $50.00 for the three months. Read more...
DTMP: Section Two - Parking and Moving
I've got three favorite parking places downtown. One of them remains unmetered. Each requires an extra block of walking to city center. You all have your favorite spots as well, even the cyclists and the scooterati. Anecdotes suggest that some folks have a terrible time finding a place to park whenever they come downtown. Downtown business owners want it to be easy for people to get out of their cars and move all over the city. Read more...
Green Opportunities
If you work with teens or know someone who does, please turn them on to this excellent organization, Green Opportunities. GO 'is dedicated to building a strong and just green economy in Western NC from the bottom-up through green-collar job training, community education, and green microenterprises.' Read more...
Today's Happenings, Beer and more...
Update on local beer news and other interesting happenings from Julie at Bruisin' Ales. Read more...
Paddlin the Nolichucky for a Cause
The Nolichucky River is one of the crown jewels of the region. Its crystal clear headwaters start at the base of the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi and flow through a gorge with some of the best whitewater in the Southeast, a stretch so scenic it has been considered for listing on the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers list. But the river is under threat. There has been a 45% increase in the amount of state listed impaired streams since 2006. Read more...
DTMP: Section One - Arts, Culture, History
Section One of the DTMP is focused on arts, culture, and history in downtown Asheville. Folks all have their favorite and least favorite things about going downtown. I love hearing music in the streets, seeing art wherever I look, running into friends, and the abounding culture of creativity. A combination of low property values a generation ago, relentless entrepreneurship, city planning, and a most excellent populace has created a downtown full of life, where it feels like anything could happen. Read more...
Locomotivity, Get Your Cowork On
I've been trying to get over to Locomotivity since it opened on March 30th of 2009. Then, a few weeks ago I got word from Jose Ibarra, of Applied Solutions Group, Inc, that Locomotivity might have a podcasting studio in the works. For those who don't know, Locomotivity is a new coworking space located at 224 Broadway Street, in the building formerly occupied by the Costume Shoppe. Locomotivity is the project of Lance Ball, a local web applications... Read more...
NC Legislation: 'Contraversial, Statewide Smoking Ban Passed'
I personally think that last week's passing of the statewide smoking ban is a big deal. I know that for smokers this new legislation is annoying, but personally I welcome the change. Read more...
Strive Not To Drive - Day Four - A Multimodal Future
This post is a sort of transcript from the speech I gave tonight at The Wedge. It was the first of four public events there. We served up 98 black bean burgers and had a great time. The next one is June 11th. I'm running for Asheville City Council because I want to help make Asheville more affordable and more sustainable. By working together, we can create a city that works for more of us. Focusing on our common goals will move us a lot further than focusing on those things that divide us. Read more...
No High-Rise in front of the Basilica!
One of the most beautiful buildings in Asheville celebrates its 100th birthday this year. The historic Basilica of St. Lawrence was built in 1909, and sits at the entrance to downtown. The City of Asheville is now negotiating with the McKibbon Hotel Group to sell them the land in front of the Basilica. Read more...
Asheville Pizza: Area Classic
Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co is a local place where my mom, Veronica, and I go sometimes to go eat or watch a movie. There are two locations: One at 675 Merrimon Ave, and the 2nd is located at 77 Coxe Ave. The Merrimon location is the only one with a theatre. They have movies for $3/person, which is not bad compared to the $8 movie prices at regular theaters. Read more...
Downtown Master Plan - An Overview
The Final Draft of the Downtown Master Plan is a creation of consensus and compromise. Dedicated people from every cranny of our community devoted 5,000 hours of their time to hammer this thing out. Public input sessions were frequent and very well attended. So no matter where you land in assessing the DTMP, you can respect the process that went into creating it. Read more...
Parkway Opens at Craggy Gardens May 15th
Parkway Opens One-Lane Traffic on May 15, 2009, Through Craggy Gardens Area. Blue Ridge Parkway officials are pleased to announce the opening of the Craggy Gardens Area to alternating one-lane traffic beginning on May 15, 2009. The Parkway detour between US 70 at Milepost 382.5 and NC Route 226 at Milepost 330.9/Gillespie Gap will be discontinued. However, retaining wall reconstruction will continue until the estimated completion in mid-June when this section of Parkway will be fully opened for two-lane visitor traffic. Read more...
RiverLink and NOC Whitewater Film Fest
RiverLink and the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) Outpost on the Nolichucky River are hosting a white water film festival to showcase the adventure whitewater films from professional kayakers and filmmakers at Rapid Transit Video. Additional clips about the Nolichucky River and global water quality issues will also be shown. Read more...
RiverLink Volunteer Info Session May 13
Come learn how you can make a difference in making the French Broad River watershed a healthier place to live, work and play at our next Volunteer Information Session on Wednesday May 13th at 10am and 5pm at our offices. Take this opportunity to learn what we do at RiverLink and how you can help us. Read more...
Asheville City Chickens Meetup
Now that Asheville's Animal Control Ordinance has been changed to be more permissive of urban chickens, it's time to shift Asheville City Chickens from a grassroots political group to a group of engaged urban chickeners interested in raising chickens in a city setting and dedicated to helping others in their endeavors. In order to facilitate that, Cathy has set up a MeetUp.com account to allow us to arrange get togethers among those interested in urban chickens in the Asheville area. Read more...
Asheville's Downtown Master Plan
Tomorrow the Goody Clancy team, who paid $170,000 to collect, synthesize, and present the work of the Advisory Team, will present it's Final Draft Downtown Master Plan (DTMP) to City Council. The plan is a result of 5,000 hours of volunteers' time and an enormous amount of input from every corner of downtown. Two weeks from tomorrow, on May 26, City Council will hold a public hearing on the Plan. Between now and then there's going to be a lot of wrangling over this vision for Asheville. Read more...
Parkside: Appeals Court To Hear Case May 19
Here's a great chance for the multiple civic organizations who opposed the Parkside boondoggle to come together one more time. According to the Asheville Citizen-Times, 'The state Court of Appeals is scheduled to hear arguments May 19 in a lawsuit over Buncombe County's 2006 sale of property just west of City Hall to developer Stewart Coleman...' Read more...
Tied with Portland! Asheville is Eastern 'Beer City, USA!'
'Over 16,000 people from 46 countries cast votes between March 18 and May 7 for their favorite Beer City USA. In the end Portland, Oregon and Asheville, North Carolina gathered the most votes. It was close right up until the end. Philadelphia came in third with 1,103 votes and cities with over 100 votes were:' Read more...
First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credits
What if someone gave you $10,000 in cash for buying house in 2009? In effect, that is what the federal and North Carolina governments are doing with their First-Time Home Buyer tax credits this year. Buyers won't literally receive a pile of bills, but they will receive a very large refund check from Uncle Sam once they file their 2009 taxes. Read more...
Media Arts Advantage Fund Open Now
The MAP has been supporting artists, innovation, and the regional economy since 2001. As a member of the Board of the MAP, I can attest to the passion and talent that goes into this Media Arts Advantage Fund. Please help spread the word about this excellent opportunity Read more...
AT&T..The Real Yellow Pages..A.K.A. The Big Ripoff!
Consumer activist Debi Drecksler speaks out against AT&T's Real Yellow Pages monopolostic business practices and its cost to small business owners. Read more...
French Broad River Fins & Gills Classic Fishing Tournament - Get out your Fishing Poles!
Get out your fishing poles and start practicing your casting for the French Broad River Fins & Gills Classic Fishing Tournament on May 9th! Sponsored by Clear Channel Radio of Asheville and Asheville Outdoor Center, this event will benefit RiverLink to further its mission to protect and restore the French Broad River and its watershed as a place to live, work and play! Read more...
HATCH Design Mentor Manuel Lima Blogs About Asheville
The Design and Technology panel was certainly one of the high points of HATCHfest 2009. I recently found myself talking about the panel with it's moderator, Sean McDonald of Jute Networks. He informed me that Manuel Lima, a HATCH Design Mentor, recently wrote a glowing review of the festival and the city Asheville on his blog. Read more...
Paddlin the Nolichucky Kick-off Event & Overnight Camping Trip
RiverLink's Riverkeeper, with the help of Altamont Environmental, is kicking off the Paddlin' the Nolichucky event on May 23rd from 11 am - 1 pm at Riverside Park in Spruce Pine, NC. This ground breaking trip is a two week monitoring, education, and outreach trip, starting on the North Toe River in Spruce Pine and finishing at the mouth of French Broad River, 140 miles down stream. Read more...
Downtown Master Plan Moves Forward
The Downtown Master Plan is entering its final phase towards adoption. Read more...
French Broad River Camps
Please help us spread the word about this summer opportunity for rising 3rd-8th graders. RiverLink excited to announce the second annual French Broad River Camps that will focus on Environmental Education, River Recreation, and Service Learning with the French Broad River as our classroom! Read more...
Family Support Network of WNC
The Family Support Network (FSN) of WNC is one of 18 other such parent-to-parent programs across North Carolina. Since March of 1998, we have provided services to families of children with special needs. We are employees of Mission Hospitals and staffed by five parents/professionals of children with special needs who can really relate to the families that come to us for support. Read more...
HATCHfest: Now I Get It!
In the weeks leading up to HATCHfest Asheville, which took place around downtown Asheville from April 15th - 19th 2009, I found it difficult to gauge my expectations. I didn't understand the festival, and it wasn't for a lack of effort. I had watched the promotional video several times, spoken to several HATCH organizers including Greg Lucas of Music Allies and Jon Elliston of the Mountain Xpress. I even wrote an article for the site about the festival. Despite my best efforts, I had absolutely no idea what to expect Read more...
Part 2: Friday at HATCHfest
Part 2 of my review of HATCHfest 2009: The following morning I was back in the Innovator's Lounge for the Journalism panel. Moderated by Jon Elliston of the Mountain Xpress, the panel included notable journalists from across the country. The conversation centered on the shifting media world under the pressure of new media and declining advertising revenue. Read more...
Yes To Urban Chickens
Urban agriculture saves practitioners money. Whether it's your bountiful garden, your beehive, or your chickens - choosing to raise one's own food is a simple, effective way to live less expensively and more sustainably. It increases a municipality's food security, and it teaches self-reliance to neighbors. Read more...
Moving Asheville Into a Green Paradigm
On this Earth Day, I'm going to highlight some of the aspects of my City Council campaign that speak directly to addressing global climate change here in Asheville. We can't wait for someone else to solve the problems in our community. We must work together and move our city into a green paradigm that elevates our economy, respects our environment, and lifts up our neighborhoods. Read more...
Director's Notes for 'A Number' at North Carolina Stage Company, April 15 to May 3, 2009
Were you jazzed to see Tyler Hansbrough work his magic for the Tar Heels in the recent NCAA National Championship? Did you take in the game on a big flat-screen TV? What would you have given to have really been there, court-side? Read more...
NC Legislators Move to Derail Municipal Internet Services
If this bill passes, then you can say sayonara to any present or future municipal internet services. Read more...
Asheville vs. Portland for Best Beer City, USA
On March 19th, 2009 Charlie Papazian, a food writer for the Charlotte, NC based Examiner.com, published a poll asking visitors to rate the best beer city in the United States. As of today about 6,300 people have voted. Asheville is currently in 2nd place with 1867 votes, just behind Portland, OR with 1907 votes. Read more...
Asheville Greenworks Invites You To The Orange Peel
Earth Day Asheville, a concert event presented by Clear Channel Radio and Greenlife Grocery, will be a music and dance party for everyone to celebrate our clean and green future in support of Asheville GreenWorks, the local Keep America Beautiful affiliate. The concert, which will raise funds for earth-friendly projects, is scheduled for April 22 from 7:00 - 11:00 pm at the Orange Peel. Read more...
LaZoom Kicks Off 3rd Season with Local Discounts
LaZoom is offering $10 tickets for locals April 15th through the 30th! Join us in celebrating our 3rd season with a new comedy show and live music. Grab a friend and a six pack and hop on the bus! Bus departs at 6pm from the French Broad food Co-op at 90 Biltmore Ave Tuesday-Saturday. Read more...
8 Chances to Win Great Outdoor Gear
Buying just one $10 raffle ticket in the Save the French Broad River Raffle gets you 8 chances to win some great outdoor gear while supporting RiverLink to clean up the French Broad River! Sponsored by Asheville Adventure Guide, the raffle will have a monthly drawing from May 2009 through December 2009. Read more...
French Broad River Cleanup and Concert April 25 in Brevard, NC
RiverLink and Duck Pond Pottery of Brevard, NC will host a stream cleanup of the French Broad River where it flows along Greenville Highway (Hwy 276) just a few miles outside of Brevard. We will leave from Hap Simpson Riverfront Park and go out in canoes to remove trash from the river. Following the cleanup, join us for a potluck and evening of local music and art through the Duck Pond at Dusk summer concert series. Read more...
Meet the Brewer: Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head
On Friday, May 15, Bruisin' Ales will hold TWO private tasting sessions with Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head: 5 - 7pm and 7 - 9pm. Only 30 tickets will be sold for each session. Read more...
I'm at the Artecture panel
Just sitting in the architecture panel. Read more...
Just attended a HATCH journalism panel
I just attended a HATCH journalism panel. Lots o' fun. Picture included. Read more...
Home Schooling in Asheville
Home schooling is becoming increasingly popular in North Carolina. In fact, there were roughly 7,000 new home schools in our state this year. The North Carolina Department of Non-Public Education reports that 2,932 students in Buncombe County are home schooled. That's the 3rd largest home-school population in the state... Read more...
Paddlin the Nolichucky
Paddlin the Nolichucky is a two week monitoring, education, and outreach trip, starting on the North Toe River in Spruce Pine, NC and finishing at the mouth of French Broad River, 140 miles down stream. This paddling trip is design to monitor the water quality of the river, but to also educate the public about the challenges facing the river and highlight the river as a world class recreation destination. Read more...
April 16: Beer Wars LIVE!
Bruisin' Ales is pleased to host an Asheville screening of Beer Wars LIVE! This is a simulcast event held nationwide on April 16 at 8pm. $15/pp The showing will take place at Carolina Cinemas 14 on Hendersonville Road in South Asheville. Read more...
Asheville Lightning Track and Field Team
The Asheville Lightning is one of the most respected and largest youth summer track and field teams in North Carolina, and every year has over 100 team members from Asheville and Western North Carolina. Read more...
A Cat Lover Finds a Vet in Asheville, NC
Finding a vet in Asheville wasn't easy when I moved here four years ago. My three tabbies were stressed by our flight from the Rust Belt. They had lost the ten-acre farm that was their hunting ground in Northern Ohio, as well as the tender care of a gruff but well-trained farm vet, who had nurtured each of them from kitten hood into a full-fledged mouse-killing machine. Read more...
Mountain BizWorks
Mountain BizWorks' mission is to provide entrepreneurs with access to business instruction, professional support, and loans, which in turn, help create and sustain successful businesses that help grow the economy of Western North Carolina. Read more...
Autism in Asheville: How to Find Local Support
Many people with autism, regardless of family income, are eligible for state-funded 'services'. 'Services' usually means getting to have some form of support, such as a case-manager, and a one-on-one for the individual with autism, outside of school. The amount of one-on-one time a person receives depends on several factors, including severity of symptoms, compounding health problems, and living situation. Read more...
Riverside Studios Gallery Show
Riverside Studios, an artist's property and gallery located in Asheville's historic river district, recently opened to the public November 7, 2008 for the city's annual River Arts District Studio Stroll. Owned by sculptor James Richbourg, the gallery is open until December 7, 2008 and features a variety of eclectic mediums created by some of Asheville's most exciting and enthusiastic local talent. Read more...
Grand Opening of A Boy and His Dog Fine Art
On Friday, November 14, 2008 from 6:00 - 10:00 pm A Boy and His Dog Fine Art in downtown Asheville celebrates its grand opening with an art show by nationally acclaimed artist Steve Tracy. The gallery is located at 89 Patton Avenue, next to the popular Jack of the Wood pub, and features nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. Owned by David Todd, A Boy and His Dog Fine Art was previously located in Key West, Florida. Todd has owned the gallery for over twelve years and opened multiple galleries in Florida. Read more...
Local Artist, Jonas Gerard featured on ABC's 20/20
When ABC correspondent Bill Weir came to Asheville recently in search of what makes people happy, he knew that author Eric Weiner's book "The Geography of Bliss" had named Asheville the happiest place in America. The ABC 20/20 program that came out of this visit emphasized the connection of community that people experience living in Asheville. Read more...
Portland East
In the beer world of Asheville, NC, there is a considerable buzz about the latest brewery opening or the most current seasonal offering making its way to shelves and taps around what many consider to be the Portland, OR of the Southeast. Portland is far and away the frontrunner in this country for craft beer and its associated culture. Read more...
