Asheville NC News : Local Scoop

Fiore's Restaurante Toscana Announces Thanksgiving Menu

2009-11-23T16:22:00.002-05:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - Fiores Restarante Toscana, located at 122 College Street in downtown Asheville, is pleased to announce the creation of their annual Thanksgiving menu.

Open from 11am to 9pm on Thanksgiving day, Fiores will be serving up traditional turkey as well as apple stuffed pork loin, prime rib of beef, pumpkin bisque with devonshire cream, sweet potato casserole and other delectable Thanksgiving delights.

Fiores will also be offering all regular menu items with the exception of saute and grill. As always, vegan and vegetarian options will be available.

To view the full Fiores Thanksgiving menu, click the following link, menu, or visit www.fioresasheville.com.

Asheville Independent Restaurant Association Presents Main Course Dining

2009-11-19T15:55:00.003-05:00

Main Course Dining is Back!

A $50 donation saves you over $600. What a deal!

Asheville Independent Restaurant Associate (AIR)'s Main Course Dining is back for 2010 with buy-one get-one free specials all over town!

AIR is proud to bring you buy one get one free deals at over 18 local independent restaurants in Asheville.

Main Course Dining Kickoff with A Taste of Asheville

Thursday, November 19 ~ 7 – 9 p.m.
The Venue, Market St. Asheville

We are so excited that Main Course Dining is back, we are throwing a party. Of course, this will not be any average party, it will be a culinary feast.

Tickets for the evening are $50 and come with a free Main Course Dining booklet, additional tickets can be purchased for $25 each. Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the event.

The evening includes food from each of the 18 restaurants participating in the Main Course Dining program and complimentary beer and wine. A cash bar for liquor drinks will also be available.

Participating Restaurants

The participating restaurants in the 2010 Main Course Dining Guide are:

Blue Ridge Dining Room
Bouchon
Burgermeister's Kitchen & Tap
City Bakery
Corner Kitchen
Ed Boudreaux’s Bayou Bar-B-Que
fig
Fiores Ristorante Toscana
Frankie Bones
Grovewood Cafe
Horizons
Laughing Seed
Mela Indian Restaurant
Pomodoros Greek and Italian Cafe
Savoy
Sunset Terrace
Vincenzo's
Westville Pub

Moda's Grand Opening Event at Biltmore Park

2009-11-19T14:15:00.005-05:00

Moda, a unique women's clothing and accessories boutique, has relocated. Their new grand opening will be held Friday, November 20, 2009, from 5pm - until.

Be sure to drop by and survey their fine collection of fashion, from names like Hudson, Denim of Virtue, People Like Frank, Susanne Lang and so much more.

To celebrate, light hors d'oeuvres & drinks will be served!

Moda
Gerber Village
8 Town Square Boulevard, Suite 120
Asheville, NC 28803
828.398.0049

Visit Moda at modaluxe.net

Blue Ridge Parkway Celebrates Birthday

2009-11-12T12:15:00.003-05:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - Another major North Carolina landmark is readying to celebrate a birthday. Just as the 75th anniversary of the Great Smokies National Park is wrapping up, the 75th birthday for the Blue Ridge Parkway is getting started.

A symbolic passing of the torch, from the Smokies Superintendent to the Parkway Superintendent takes place on Friday. "We'll have elders from the Eastern Band of the Cherokee and youth from the Cherokee Youth Council who will also pass the torch as a way to demonstrate everyone's obligation to be stewards of this wonderful natural resource," said Elizabeth Sims spokesperson for the Blue Ridge Parkway 75.

The event will also include Cherokee tribal music and dance. The parkway winds its way through North Carolina and Virginia connecting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia.

Biltmore Park Welcomes Travinia Italian Kitchen

2009-11-10T10:56:00.004-05:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - If you made it to Biltmore Park Town Square for the Fall Fest in October, chances are you've been on the edge of your seat waiting for Travinia Italian Kitchen to open. Their crab cakes, pasta, and irresistible tiramisu samples were the perfect way to whet our appetites for what promises to be a major development in the Asheville restaurant scene. And Town Square is happy to let you know that your stomachs don't have to growl with anticipation any longer.

On November 2nd, Travinia Italian Kitchen opened its doors, and as the temperatures continue to drop, their steaming plates of pasta and seafood could not be more welcome. With a large space that can easily accommodate special events or just daily get-togethers with friends and family, Travinia is an ideal spot for taking a break from the stress of daily routines. After all, it is a European tradition to express your joy over food, so let's join in on the fun with some Italian cuisine.

Menu items include pappardelle with vodka sauce, small plates of seared scallops and lobster ravioli, and, of course, everyone's favorite Italian dish--pizza. But don't forget to complement your meal with an Italian wine or one of their specialty martinis. The choices are endless, but you simply can't go wrong, so take some time out of your day, enjoy a culinary journey around the world, and experience Asheville's newest restaurant in Biltmore Park.

Hotel Indigo Opens in Asheville

2009-11-10T10:40:00.003-05:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - The newest Hotel Indigo opened its doors today in downtown Asheville, N.C. Nestled near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 100-room new-build boutique hotel is the second of five properties planned for the state; additional deals are signed in Charlotte, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Located at 151 Haywood Street, Hotel Indigo Asheville is within walking distance of locally owned-shops and art galleries, distinctive restaurants and exciting entertainment venues. Nearby attractions include Historic Downtown Asheville, Biltmore Estates, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

"Asheville's historic and architecturally diverse downtown has been beautifully preserved and is a perfect location for Hotel Indigo," said Barbara Kulweic, general manager of the Hotel Indigo Asheville. "Through the brand’s interpret indigo design platform, we’ve been able to truly embrace the neighborhood by incorporating the work of local artists and vendors into every corner of the hotel."

Working with a talented team of local artists, photographers and designers, Hotel Indigo Asheville has captured the essence of the Asheville region by using locally-inspired artwork and regionally-sourced materials throughout the hotel. For example, the lobby features a Gabion wall stacked using native stones of various shapes and sizes, and locally-inspired photographic murals of outdoor scenes taken by Asheville artist Zen Southerland are featured in the hotel lobby and guest rooms. This small, yet urban town encompassed by the Blue Ridge Mountains is reflected in the hotel design with a juxtaposition of urban concrete and steel versus the warmth of materials, texture and colors found in nature. The hotel aesthetic is light and open, featuring glass tiles, stained concrete, quartz-like countertops, decorative pendants, and large graphic wall coverings.

The Hotel Indigo Asheville is owned and managed by Hospitality and Lodging Investors II, LP, under a license agreement with a company in the InterContinental Hotels Group. Meeting the desires of today’s traveler, Hotel Indigo is an upscale boutique brand that delivers a refreshing and inviting guest experience that is truly reflective of the local community. From the locally-inspired murals to the renewal program where the images, music, scent, and menu items change throughout the year, Hotel Indigo gives guests a vibrant, engaging and genuine boutique experience.

"With the fall foliage season upon us and the holiday season ahead, we are thrilled to be able to offer guests a memorable and engaging experience that’s reflective of the downtown Asheville neighbourhood," said Mary Dogan, director, Brand Delivery, Hotel Indigo, the Americas, IHG. "Keeping the guest in mind at all touch-points within the hotel experience, the Hotel Indigo model strikes a great balance by providing guests the refreshing design and intimate service synonymous with a boutique along with the consistency, reliability, and accessibility of a branded hotel."

The Hotel Indigo Asheville features inviting guest rooms with oversized beds, plush bedding, hard-surface flooring for a fresh residential feel, and spa-inspired showers with Aveda products. Each guest room includes a 32-inch high-definition flat screen TV with 150 channels and iHome/MP3 alarm clock radio. The hotel also offers gourmet menu items and a full service-bar at Phi Bar and Bistro, complimentary parking, complimentary wired and wireless high speed internet access, a 24-hour business center and meeting space for business functions or special events. The hotel also features a pet-friendly policy.

With the addition of Hotel Indigo Asheville, there are 34 Hotel Indigo properties open worldwide and more than 60 hotels under development, either in the pipeline or in final negotiation. By the end of 2009, Hotel Indigo is forecasted to almost double its footprint in the Americas. The brand’s global roll-out is also going strong with the recent announcements of new deals in Liverpool, England, Glasgow, Scotland and Hong Kong.

City’s Capital Program Makes Asheville Civic Center More Sustainable

2009-11-10T10:30:00.004-05:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - A leaky Asheville Civic Center roof will soon be replaced by a better looking and better insulated roof, as the city’s capital improvement program will give the center energy-efficiency investments over the next five years.

The $1.5 million dollar-roof project began at the end of September and is scheduled to be completed in early January, with contractors taking breaks for heavy rains and to make way for upcoming entertainment acts, such as the Warren Haynes’ Christmas Jam, an annual arena sell out.

"The economic impact the center has on the city of Asheville is significant. Ninety percent of tickets for the Christmas Jam will be purchased from outside of North Carolina," said interim Civic Center Director Dan Dover. "This past year alone we had more than a quarter of a million attendees, and that figure is on the low side considering the constant exchange of people we have for events such as Bele Chere."

The center is the largest facility in Western North Carolina with the 7,200-person capacity Arena, the 2,431-person capacity Thomas Wolf Auditorium, the 450-person capacity Banquet Hall and 25,000 square-feet Exhibit Hall.

"The roof project is one of the largest capital investments the facility has seen since 1975 when the civic center was built and the auditorium remodeled," said Dover, who has worked for the Civic Center for nearly 11 years.

Thus far, workers have removed most of the old roof and put down a temporary one so the upper concrete columns can be power washed and cracks sealed against further weather damage. After the structural repairs are made, insulation will be laid that is nearly double the previous amount, and the new roof will be installed over it. The fading brown cornish trim on the roof will also be removed and replaced.

These new improvements will remove mold growth, increase the facility’s energy efficiency and allow staff to remove the tarps that have been hanging from the arena ceiling and catching drips for the past three years.

In addition to the roof project, $250,000 in capital funds budgeted for the Civic Center this year will be spread out over various projects according to the most pressing facility needs. Other smaller capital projects recently completed include an upgraded fire alarm system and new smoke hatches in the stage area of the auditorium. The portable-basketball court flooring is currently being refinished and painted so it is ready for the annual Globetrotter visit and the Crossfire Ministries.

The arena is also getting an upgraded electrical system to meet the changing requirements for incoming acts. The installment of three 400-amp three-phase 208 disc connects for additional electrical power will be necessary to accommodate Disney on Ice’s Thanksgiving week show, where they will need the power to run their ice plant.

"The city is investing resources to address deferred maintenance and improve the facility so that the condition of the building matches the quality of the entertainment it attracts," said Asheville’s Vice Mayor Jan Davis, who serves as the City Council liaison to the Civic Center Commission. "We want to enhance the patrons’ experience at the Civic Center while managing its operations within our financial means."

While the roof replacement is the facility’s largest immediate project, the Civic Center has mapped out a five-year capital plan to help sustain the quality of services it has been offering. Meeting basic codes, improving energy efficiencies, and improving sound and lighting to meet the changing needs of entertainment acts are all part of this plan.

Once the roof is complete, work will begin on the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium fire exit, to improve egress from the building. The stage lighting controls and fixtures with 1970’s technology also need to be replaced with more efficient ones that will have an anticipated two to three year payback on energy savings.

While the Asheville Civic Center is continually making improvements, it is still very much in high demand, turning down as many acts as it books because dates requested are already booked. It offers a special service to the Asheville area, bringing groups from the community together and groups from outside the area in, positively impacting the economy of the area.

The Asheville Civic Center is a regional destination for outstanding entertainment, trade shows and events. The Civic Center offers Western North Carolina diverse entertainment from rock concerts and sporting events to family shows and performing arts. The facility is the heart of downtown Asheville’s arts and entertainment scene. For more information on facilities and events, please visit www.AshevilleCivicCenter.com

ASHEVILLE CITY ELECTION RESULTS

2009-11-04T12:11:00.006-05:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - Unofficial Asheville City Election results below: (Winners in bold)

Asheville City Council

Candidate: Votes: Percent:

Esther Manheimer 6,567 19.24%

Gordon Smith 6,301 18.46%

Cecil Bothwell 5,899 17.28%

Robin Cape (Write-In) 4,620 13.53%

J. Neal Jackson 3,476 10.18%

Ryan D. Croft 2,525 7.4%

Asheville Mayor

Candidate Votes Percent

Terry M. Bellamy 9,543 78.75%

Robert W. Edwards 2,431 20.06%

Write-In 144 1.19%

Repairs to City Parking Garages Begins

2009-11-04T11:57:00.002-05:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - City of Asheville Parking Services will conduct repairs and restorative maintenance work on the Wall Street and Rankin Avenue parking garages beginning Nov. 3 and continuing through the end of the year. Work will include concrete repairs, water sealing, replacement or repair of joints, and repainting the stripes and directional arrows in the garages. These actions are necessary to maintain the facility for years to come.

Work will start with the Wall Street Garage and then Rankin Avenue Garage. Weather permitting, work will be conducted from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily, except Sundays, and will be conducted in phases to minimize the disruption to normal activities. Parking patrons should, however, expect differing traffic patterns, some delays, and closed-off spaces during repairs.

During repairs, the remaining two City garages, Civic Center, and either Rankin Avenue or Wall Street, will be open for parkers’ use.

Birthday Parties at The NC Arboretum Encourage Unique Experiential Adventures

2009-10-30T12:55:00.003-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - Remember how fun it was to explore nature as a child? The NC Arboretum invites families to participate in its birthday party program, offering safe adventure amid 434 acres of natural beauty and a fun, guided celebration that everyone will treasure for years to come.

The Arboretum’s birthday parties for ages 5 and up feature a 75-minute guided program of your choice along with 45 minutes for cake and a gift celebration. All programs are led by an expert environmental educator and take place in the Arboretum’s interactive children’s classroom as well as outside along the trails, creeks, pond, gardens and woodlands.

Party themes include:

Outdoor Adventure: Children embark on a short hike along the Arboretum's trails as we learn how to build survival shelters and navigate with a compass. Party favors include a compass and bandanna for each child.

Bug Hunt: Participants get up close and personal with our collection of live invertebrates in the classroom, then head out to discover the amazing insects that call our pond, fields and woodlands home. Party favors include a magnifying lense and bug box for each child.

Wildlife of the Woods: Junior wildlife biologists will be thrilled by hands-on reptile and amphibian demonstrations, a wildlife match-up game, and a guided wildlife walk. Party favorsinclude a pair of binoculars and magnifying lense for each child.

Custom parties are also available, just let us know what your child would love to explore!

Parties are available on Saturdays at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm. One adult for every 10 children are required to attend the guided program. Families may arrive 30 minutes prior to the party to decorate tables, chairs and the chalkboard (for the ecological reasons, no balloons allowed). A maximum of 24 children and 15 adults may attend. Party favors are available at an additional cost of $2.50 per child. Parties must be booked three weeks prior to the celebration. Parking fees are waived for participants.

For information, visit Arboretum Birthday Parties or contact Jonathan Marchal, Youth Education Coordinator, at jmarchal@ncarboretum.org or 828.665.2492, ext. 228.

Bulldogs Live to Start on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Scully's

2009-10-30T12:41:00.002-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - The UNC Asheville men's and women's basketball radio show - Bulldogs' Live - is returning for its sixth year starting on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Scully's Signature Restaurant on 13 Walnut Street from 6-7 p.m. The show will be broadcast on WISE Radio (1310-AM). Each week the show will provide an update on both Bulldog basketball teams.

The show will move to Wednesday's this year after being on Thursday the past five seasons. The move was necessary due to the men's basketball team playing six Big South Conference games on Thursday this year.

Bulldogs' Live will feature comments from head men's coach Eddie Biedenbach and women's coach Betsy Blose plus a chance for callers to ask questions of each coach. Both Bulldog teams will have players on the show from time-to-time.

"We are delighted that WISE Radio and Scully's is allowing us to have Bulldogs Live yet again this year," commented Biedenbach. "This is a great opportunity for our fans to interact with both of our basketball programs."

"I'm really happy that Bulldogs' Live is back for another year," stated Blose. "It's a wonderful show that gives us a chance to promote our programs and be with our great fans."

The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa Introduces 'Girlfriends Getaway'

2009-10-30T12:17:00.004-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa has the perfect way for you to reconnect with that long lost friend from high school or college with our Girlfriends Getaway package. There’s no better way to connect with good friends than with this relaxing and fun-filled package. Make a date with “the girls” and meet up at our historic mountain retreat. A visit to our celebrated world class Spa gets your Girlfriends Getaway started. Slip into luxurious robes, then swim, relax in our sauna or simply idle in our outdoor whirlpool with its incredible views. The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa offers a variety of activities such as dining, shopping, golf and a state-of-the-art sports and fitness center. At the end of a fun-filled day, girlfriends can retire to their room for a night of gossip and heart-to-hearts: Just like old times!

The Girlfriends Getaway Package includes:

- Accommodations

- Dinner served in your room or at award winning Blue Ridge Dining Room

- Daily breakfast

- Passes to The Spa at The Grove Park Inn Resort

Call (800) 438-5800 for more information or to speak to a reservations specialist, or visit www.groveparkinn.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ewgrove and Facebook at www.facebook.com/groveparkinn.

Youth Leadership Academy Helps Local Homeless Shelter

2009-10-30T12:09:00.002-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville Youth Leadership Academy (CAYLA) teaches high school students about civic responsibility, both through summer internships and through monthly community service projects.

The CAYLA students spent a recent Saturday at the ABCCM Women and Children’s Shelter preparing lunch for the residents. Among the many lessons learned: When making a four-course lunch for 40 people, there are never too many cooks in the kitchen. While there, CAYLA students also played basketball with the resident children and cleaned and disinfected the toy room. For more information about CAYLA or to support an upcoming service project, please contact program coordinator Erika Germer: egermer@ashevillenc.gov.

Bon Bébé Brings New Offerings to Biltmore Park

2009-10-30T11:53:00.003-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - Soft pastel colors, huggable gifts, and the cutest décor you could imagine. These are the newest offerings of recently-opened Bon Bébé in Biltmore Park Town Square. Whether shopping for your own children or perusing their selection of apparel and furnishing for friends and family, Town Square's newest store is not to be missed. Bon Bébé is every pampering parent's dream, and if you aren't one yet, chances are you'll want to be once you venture into the store.

Located in Suite 110 on Town Square Boulevard, the main road in Biltmore Park, their storefront display is a good representation of what they have to offer. The fashionable clothing and posh cribs, bassinets, armoires, and more will have you wishing for the days when you could spend your time snuggled deep under blankets without a care in the world. And even though you may not be able to return to that time, you can ensure that the children in your life enjoy their time with peaceful, comfortable, and, of course, fashion-forward days.

Bon Bébé is one of a group of retail stores that recently moved to Biltmore Park Town Square, and they are excited about adding to the variety of offerings in the mixed-use center in South Asheville. Town Square is quickly becoming a one-stop shopping destination, and when you visit Bon Bébé, you also have an opportunity to stop by retailers REI, Barnes & Noble, Sparrow Spa, and more. In the meantime, don't forget to venture into Bon Bébé and welcome them to Town Square.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad Announces Seasonal Service to North Pole

2009-10-27T14:13:00.004-04:00

BRYSON CITY, NC - In 1985, Chris Van Allsburg wrote The Polar Express, a story of a magical train ride on Christmas Eve. The train takes a young boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus. "The Polar Express," published by Houghton Mifflin Company, has become a contemporary holiday classic, with over 6 million copies sold worldwide. In 2004 Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. reunited the Academy Award-winning team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis in an inspiring animated version. That same year GSMR began operating The Polar Express based on the storybook version. Over 40,000 passengers rode The Polar Express with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in 2008.

The one and half hour round-trip excursion comes to life as the train departs the Bryson City depot for a journey through the quiet wilderness for a special visit at the North Pole. Guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the "North Pole" to find Santa Claus waiting. Santa will board The Polar Express, greeting each child and presenting them with a special gift as in the story, their own silver sleigh bell. Christmas carols will be sung as they return back to the Bryson City Depot.

The Polar Express 2009 schedule is November 6, 8, 12, 13, 15, & 19 departs at 6:30pm. November 7, 14, 22, 24, 25, & 29 departs at 5:00pm & 6:30pm. November 20, 21, 27, & 28 departs at 5:00pm, 6:30pm, & 8:00pm. December 2, 6, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, & 17 departs at 5:00pm & 6:30pm. December 3, 4, 10, & 11 departs at 11:00am, 5:00pm, 6:30pm, & 8:00pm. December 5, 12, & 19 departs at 2:00pm, 3:30pm, 5:00pm, 6:30pm, & 8:00pm. December 18, 20, 21, 22, & 23 departs 5:00pm, 6:30pm, & 8:00pm.

Fine Arts Theater Hosts Special Showing of Herb and Dorthy on Thursday

2009-10-27T13:58:00.004-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Art Museum invites you to a special film screening of Herb and Dorothy at 7:00 p.m. the Fine Arts Theatre in downtown Asheville on Thursday, October, 29, 2009.

With the tagline: "You don't have to be a Rockefeller to collect art, "this film tells the extraordinary collecting career of New Yorkers Herb and Dorothy Vogel, a postal clerk and librarian respectively, who managed to build one of the most important contemporary art collections in history — now mainly housed at the National Gallery of Art (NGA). The Vogel Collection at the NGA was the main lender to the Asheville Art Museum's recent exhibition Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Projects.

At one point over 2,000 pieces of art filled every square inch of their one-bedroom Manhattan apartment. This gem of a film has received numerous awards since it debuted last year; the Museum is pleased to premiere the film in Asheville.

Purchase your tickets in advance with cash, check or credit card by calling 828.253.3227 or get tickets at the Fine Arts Theatre beginning 30 minutes prior to the film with cash only. Tickets are $10 general admission and $8 Museum Members, students and seniors.

After the film, if you find you need your own Christo and Jeanne-Claude work in your home, come by the Museum Shop or visit us online! The Shop has high-quality framed posters signed by Christo and Jeanne-Claude available for purchase! (The artists derive no profit from the sale of these works. The works were donated to raise funds for the Museum's fine programming to serve the community.)

Asheville's WNC Alliance Wins Statewide Innovation Award

2009-10-27T13:39:00.003-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - The Western North Carolina Alliance (WNCA) was recognized for its "exemplary performance in innovation" and awarded $10,000 from the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation at the North Carolina Conservation Network's Annual Retreat in Raleigh.

The foundation gave WNCA its annual Community TIEs Award based on the group's innovative approach of working with federal and state agencies, private companies, and other non-profits and involving volunteers in invasive exotic plant species control and native habitat restoration efforts on vulnerable public lands in Western North Carolina. Criteria for the top innovative program included the use of new and different solutions to combat old challenges.

"The innovation category traditionally receives the most applications from competing groups," WNCA Executive Director Julie Mayfield commented, "so we are particularly honored to be chosen for this award, and we are grateful for the $10,000 gift."

Excessive growth of exotic invasive plants is ranked second only to habitat destruction as a threat to wildlife. To combat this growing problem, WNCA and its partners launched this program in 2004, and since then the program has:

- Trained close to 200 volunteers in identification, inventory methods, and control methods of nearly a dozen invasive exotic plants; Coordinated over 1,300 volunteer hours over 29 days across 25 miles of trails and roads in national forests and national parks;

- Coordinated control work on over 13,000 square feet in the Sandy Bottom ecosystem in Asheville to directly benefit endangered Bog Turtles and diverse salamander species;

- Planted over 150 mixed-hardwood trees for habitat restoration; and Educated over 300 other citizens through presentations to various organizations, schools, and garden clubs.

"Our success is measured not only in the hard numbers of miles and acres controlled, but also in the knowledge volunteers take back with them to their yards, their neighborhoods, and their local parks," said WNCA Ecologist Bob Gale, who manages the program. "WNCA is proud to use this innovative and scientific approach to continue to improve our region's most ecologically sensitive areas."

Other partners in the program are Equinox Environmental Consulting and Design, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Southern Appalachian Man and Biosphere, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and North Carolina Department of Transportation.

WNCA is a 27-year old environmental group that empowers citizens to advocate for livable communities and the natural environment of Western North Carolina. For more information on upcoming WNCA activities, call the office at 828-258-8737 in Asheville.

Western Carolina Presents "Midsummer Night's Dream Set in 1930s Appalachia

2009-10-27T10:29:00.003-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - Care for a serving of Shakespeare, hold the Elizabethan English and add a dash of fiddle and a soft Southern drawl? The department of stage and screen at Western Carolina University will present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – a commentary on the absurdity of love – at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 29-31, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Fine and Performing Arts Center on the WCU campus.

One of the most often performed of Shakespeare’s comedies, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” weaves multiple storylines: A royal wedding, a group of amateur actors planning the wedding entertainment, the confused affections of four young lovers, and a feuding fairy king and queen whose magical spells cause mayhem. The characters ultimately decide they must have dreamed the chaotic series of events, yet all find themselves changed by the experience.

"Shakespeare has purposely made this all a jumble," said director Claire Eye, a faculty member in the department of stage and screen. "Shakespeare’s point is that you can’t put logic into who you fall in love with."

Eye set the play in Depression-era Appalachia because it was a time when people craved laughter, and the play reminds her of qualities of this region. "There’s such a beauty to the music and the people here," Eye said.

The play’s music, dance, costumes and set will evoke Appalachia, and while the language will be Shakespeare’s original, the pronunciation will be in a Southern dialect – a natural fit because "Shakespeare’s writing is very musical," Eye said.

The cast includes:

- Titania, queen of the fairies – senior Dayna Damron of Valdosta, Ga.

- Oberon, king of the fairies – junior Jack Watson of Asheville

- Demetrius – senior Jon Coward of Titusville, Fla.

- Lysander – senior Nathanial Mason of Bryson City

- Hermia – junior Christina DeSoto of Charlotte

- Helena – senior Amanda Pisano of Candler

Puck – freshman Peter O’Neal of Raleigh

- Bottom the Weaver – Peter Savage of Asheville, a faculty member in the department of stage and screen

The play is part of the College of Fine and Performing Arts’ Mainstage theater series and recommended for ages 12 and older. Sunday’s showing also is part of the 2009-10 Galaxy of Stars Series.

Tickets cost $20 for the general public, $5 for students and $15 for WCU faculty and staff and people older than 60. To purchase tickets, visit the FAPAC box office or call the box office at (828) 227-2479 for Visa and MasterCard orders. Order tickets for Thursday through Saturday nights here, and Sunday afternoon here. online here.

City Calls for Bids on Economic Stimulus Projects

2009-10-27T10:15:00.002-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - The city of Asheville is calling for bids from qualified contractors for two projects, a pedestrian improvement project and a bicycle project, made possible by economic stimulus funds. Allocations for these projects were made available through the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The projects will extend the city’s pedestrian and bicycle transportation network by more than four miles.

The pedestrian improvement project includes approximately one and one-third miles of new sidewalk on parts of Hendersonville Road, Depot Street, Hilliard Street, Short Michigan Avenue, Linden Street and Evelyn Place. The project also includes construction of a quarter-mile multi-use path along Choctaw Street.

The bicycle project will increase the existing bicycle network by more than two and one-half miles. Bicycle lanes will be added to Coxe Avenue, Asheland Avenue, Hilliard Street, Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard, and Choctaw Street. Coxe Avenue will also be resurfaced as a part of the project.

"These projects will enhance the city’s capacity to support a multi-model transportation network by making it easier to walk and bike in Asheville," said Ken Putnam, the city’s transportation director.

Additional information on the scope of these projects, including the plan drawings and contract documents, is available here.

Interested contractors must attend a scheduled pre-bid conference for each project and must submit bids on or before 10 a.m. Thursday, November 12, 2009 for the pedestrian improvements project and on or before 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 18, 2009 for the bicycle project.

Maura Michelle Garcia Comes to Diana Wortham Theatre

2009-10-23T11:09:00.003-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present a performance of The Little People by MIXED BLOOD WOMAN at Diana Wortham Theatre at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 10, 2009

MIXED BLOOD WOMAN is a contemporary dance theater company founded by Maura Michelle Garcia. Garcia performs her original multi-media piece that explores the world of the ancient Cherokee fairies, the Yvwi Tsvsdi or “little people,” and the having, loosing and reclaiming of traditional Cherokee beliefs and a conscious Native identity.

"We’re thrilled to host Maura Michelle Garcia in conjunction with the Museum’s exhibition of contemporary Cherokee carvers. Maura is a contemporary dancer and choreographer of Cherokee descent and this is a wonderful opportunity to connect two different art forms that both relate to the past and continue the dialogue of what it means to be Cherokee today," says Nancy Sokolove, Asheville Art Museum Adult Programs Manager.

Garcia has recently been awarded a studio residency through the Charolotte Street Foundation’s Urban Culture Project in Kansas City, MO. Tickets are available at the Diana Wortham Theatre Box Office, by calling 828.257.4530

City of Asheville Prepares for Leaf Collection

2009-10-23T10:52:00.002-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - The City of Asheville is preparing for leaf collection which will begin Nov. 9. The Sanitation Division collects bagged and loose leaves separately according to schedules based on trash collection days. Residents using either bagged leaf collection or loose leaf vacuuming collection should separate their leaves from trash and other waste, placing leaves at the curb away from the street and storm drains. Burning of leaves is not permitted by city ordinance.

Composting provides the easiest and most efficient means for leaf disposal. Residents can run a mulching mower over leaves to compost them directly into their lawn. They may also rake leaves into a pile, which will decompose into a rich soil additive for spring gardens.

Sanitation crews collect bagged or containerized leaves twice a month on a year-round basis. Residents should place unsealed bagged or containerized leaves at the curb by 7 a.m. on the Monday of their scheduled collection week. Crews will remove the leaves by the end of the week. Residents’ bags or containers will be left for reuse after collection.

Fresh leaves can be delivered to your home or business at no cost. Call 251-1122 to schedule delivery. For more information on yard waste collection and collection schedules please call 251-1122 or visit the website at www.ashevillenc.gov/sanitation

Sparrow Spa Opens in Biltmore Park

2009-10-23T10:45:00.004-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - With so many exciting things happening in Biltmore Park this season, we thought you might want to know about a way to make sure that you can maintain your energy during all of the great events in Town Square. Sparrow Spa, Asheville's latest indulgence, is now open in the Hilton Asheville Biltmore Park, and there has never been a better place to treat yourself to a little TLC. Whether it's chasing down the kids, working long hours, or simply feeling a little high strung, we all need an occasional break from our daily worries, and Sparrow Spa offers the perfect reprieve.

With a lot of luxury and a little of Asheville's unique charm, the spa provides an experience that is noted for both the ambiance and the service. One of the first independent spas to open in a Hilton Hotel, Sparrow Spa allows guests to enjoy an entirely local experience while at the same time receiving world-class treatments. The décor features several Asheville artists, and guests can sip on tea while they admire the elegant environment. The spa exclusively uses an organic Èminence product line so that you can feel restored and rejuvenated.

And if that wasn't excuse enough for some pampering, Sparrow Spa is offering local clients 20% off of their first spa treatment through October.

Grove Park Inn & Spa Teams Up with BMW for Ultimate Test Drive

2009-10-19T13:16:00.004-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa invites guests to take the ultimate road trip! For a limited time this fall, participants can take their turn behind the wheel of the Ultimate Driving Machine, while staying at the ultimate mountain retreat. The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa has teamed up with BMW to offer a BMW Blue Ridge Driving Package. As part of the deal, guests will spend an afternoon cruising the Blue Ridge Parkway in a brand new BMW with a full tank of gas – the ultimate test drive.

Guests will receive a $50 Grove Park Inn gift card, breakfast daily and a choice of select BMW models for an extended test drive. Gift cards may be used to prepare a gourmet lunch basket to go at Tastings of Grove Park or add on a luxurious treatment at Grove Park’s world-class spa to experience the ultimate in relaxation.

This year's selection of cars includes the Z4 Roadster, the 128i Convertible, the 335Ci Convertible, the 750Li, X5d (diesel), the X6 and the MINI Cooper S. Selection of test drive vehicles are subject to change without notice.

The BMW Blue Ridge Driving Package includes:

Two nights of accommodations, breakfast daily, a $50 Grove Park Inn gift card and one three hour BMW test drive.

UNC Asheville to Hold Third Annual Math Literacy Summit

2009-10-19T13:09:00.003-04:00

ASHEVILLE, NC - Math skills have the power to change young lives, so argues noted mathematician and University of Arizona professor William Velez. He will tell his own story in a keynote address at UNC Asheville's Third Annual Math Literacy Summit. The summit, aimed at K-12 teachers, parents and students, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union. The day's activities will include the talk by Velez as well as a number of workshops. Refreshments and free childcare will be provided. The event is free and open to the public.

The summit will begin with the keynote address by Velez, entitled "Mathematics Changed My Life," at 10 a.m. In the talk, he will describe his struggle with college mathematics as a student, and his decision to persevere and overcome those challenges. Velez works to promote mathematics and increase the number of mathematics majors among Hispanics and Native Americans. He is one of the founding members of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, and has served as its president.

"If our society is to survive and prosper, we have to produce a mathematically literate society," Velez said. "I have decided to dedicate the final years of my academic life to convince our students that mathematics is relevant, that it is fascinating, and that students arriving on campus should increase the mathematical content of their course work. It is important that parents, K-12 teachers and university mathematicians understand how critical mathematics is for our students and for our communities.",/p>

Eight workshops will follow Velez's talk. The workshops will address credit fundamentals, credit reports and scores, health connections to math and statistics, mart and art, and technology. A special session for parents will also be offered on helping students with math homework. Two workshops on credit will be offered in both English and Spanish.

The event is sponsored by the UNC Asheville Mathematics Department's Asheville Initiative for Math (AIM) with support from RBC Bank and the AT&T Foundation. AIM's mission is to promote excellence in math education and universal math literacy in the Asheville region.

Asheville Regional Airport Announces United Airlines Service to Chicago

2009-10-14T10:56:00.005-04:00

FLETCHER, NC, – The Asheville Regional Airport Authority is pleased to announce that United Airlines is beginning daily non-stop service to Chicago, IL. Flights from Asheville Regional (AVL) to O’Hare International Airport (ORD) start December 17, 2009, on 50-seat CRJ200 regional jet aircraft operated by SkyWest Airlines.

"This new non-stop flight to the ‘ Windy City’ is great news for Western North Carolina," said Lew Bleiweis, A.A.E., Airport Director. "Asheville Regional Airport is proud to provide a link to business and industry in the Midwest as well as welcome tourism from the third largest city in the U.S. via this new service."

Travelers can book flights now at www.united.com and www.flyavl.com. Asheville Regional Airport is also served by AirTran, Continental, Delta, and US Airways.