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Overview > Local Scoop > Labels > Asheville Tuesday, May 13, 2008 First Place! Tourists Rock RiverdogsThe Asheville Tourists got to work early and trounced the RiverDogs, gaining first place honors in the league's southern divisions. Jeff Cunningham ripped a three run homer off the Riverdogs' pitcher Betances. Then David Christianson teed off with his first of two homers on the day -- making the score 5-to-0 in the first inning. His second home run shot increased Asheville's lead to 6-to-0. Chase Oleander's error gave the Tourists an opportunity to score again when Michael Mitchell singled to right, bringing home Lars Davis. A unearned run was recorded later in the game, giving Asheville the victory 8-to-0.
Thursday, May 1, 2008 Tourists hold Pitch, Hit and Run TournamentThe Asheville Tourists, will be having a Pitch, Hit and run Tournament for 7-to-14 year olds. The competition will take place at 1pm on Saturday, May 10th at McCormick Field. Before the activities start, kids will be grouped according to age and both boys and girls will be put into one of four groups according to age. The kids will be asked to throw as many strikes as possible with six baseballs, taking swings at baseballs on a tee and a timed base-running competition. Those who win their group events will compete for tournament champion honors. Winners of individual events will also recognized and the best in each game will advance to sectionals. If they are good enough, they can advance all the way to the finals during the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium. Participation in the Pitch, Hit and Run tournament is free. Contestants only need to bring proof of age. For further info, call (828) 258-0428.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Asheville to see more air quality warnings this summerAsheville may have more days this summer of poor air quality. Changes to the official national air quality standard have lowered the amount of ozone in the air to constitute air quality warnings. The EPA adopted the new standard to update measurements with new research on air quality and public health. It is expected that Asheville will see a substantial increase in "orange days." Forecasts started on April 15th and will end on September 1st. For updated daily forecasts, visit ncair.org. On code orange days, children, the elderly and anyone with heart or respiratory disease such as asthma should limit their physical activity. Labels: asheville, environment
Friday, April 25, 2008 Scooter Sales in Asheville on the RiseThe average price of gas in Asheville rose to a record $3.54 a gallon this week. This is driving many car owners to purchase scooters. The most popular models don't even require a driver's license to operate. Prices for new scooters are between $1,200 to $1,700. Scooter sales in the area have increased 46% since our gas woes began, and it doesn't look like the craze will end anytime soon. With gas prices predicted to climb further this summer (some analysts predicting $5 a gallon) these vehicles are a definite option for everyone. There is no shifting involved and if you can ride a bike, then you can learn to ride a scooter in mere minutes. In order for one of these bikes to be classified as a non-license requiring vehicle, the bike must have a motor smaller than 55 CCs and cannot exceed 30 miles per hour. It is also illegal to ride one on interstates or highways. If a scooter does not meet these requirements, then it is classified as a motorcycle. The law also requires helmets. Labels: asheville
Friday, April 11, 2008 Asheville is Number 2 Arts Destination in AmericaAmerican Style magazine has named Asheville the “Number 2 Small City Arts Destination” behind Santa Fe, New Mexico. And though any resident who has been to Santa Fe might argue rightly for number one, it is still quite an honor for our town to be recognized— as well as a great leap from our number five ranking last year. The award was based on the magazine's Annual Poll of 100,000 American Style subscribers. The June issue of the magazine will be on newsstands in May and will profile top art destinations in three categories, small cities, mid-sized cities and large cities. Labels: asheville, performing arts, publicity
Friday, April 4, 2008 Asheville Tourists' Regular Season StartsAsheville's minor league baseball team, the Asheville Tourists, have begun their regular season. There's plenty of time for people to grab a hot dog and join in the fun. This year, roaming vendors will be selling food and beverages to folks in the stands. New box seats have been built right under the press box and two Sunday night games will have fireworks displays. McCormick field hasn't changed much since it was built in 1924, but most people in Asheville see that as a good thing.
Monday, March 31, 2008 Another Million for Performing Arts CenterThe proposed Asheville Performing Arts Center has received another grant -- this time for $1 million from the Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation. The Center's estimated cost is between $65 million and $85 million, depending on the place of construction. This grant will more than likely be used for further planning. At this time, the Performing Arts Center has more than 200 contributors who have pledged up to three million dollars. The Center would replace the older Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, the current main venue for large concerts and events. Labels: asheville, grants, performing arts
Thursday, March 27, 2008 EPA declares Asheville's drinking water safeAsheville released its yearly report on drinking water safety. The report is required of the City by the Environmental Protection Agency. Water samples that were provided to the EPA were analyzed, and the agency found that Asheville's water is well above quality standards for municipal drinking water. The report is available on the water department website. The report highlights details about the drinking water that comes out of Asheville Residents' taps as well as the city's water treatment programs and water sources. Locals will be getting a copy of the report with their next water bill. To get extra copies, you can call the city's customer service department at (828) 251-1122.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 New Hotels On the Way for Downtown Asheville?Despite the recent downturn in the economy (or recession, depending on who you ask), real estate and hotel developers are turning a keen eye to downtown Asheville and are very eager to start putting up new hotels. A plan was presented to City Council at the end of March that proposed the building of a luxury hotel with approximately 140 different rooms along with a parking garage. The plan also called for substantial space for offices and retail stores. If approved, the building would be constructed across from the Asheville Civic Center, on land owned by the city. At last count, there were a total of five plans submitted to city council in the past several years. Other developers have submitted plans to renovate additional existing hotels. With the recent uproar about downtown condos, these newly proposed hotels will surely meet with staunch opposition. One thing is certainly working on the side of the developers; even though Asheville is becoming evermore popular with tourists, the amount of available rooms in downtown hotels has been stagnant for the past two decades. Local leaders will review the plans for the hotel across from the Civic Center this coming Spring. Labels: asheville
Thursday, March 20, 2008 Top Five Places to Stay While Visiting Asheville
Labels: asheville
Thursday, February 28, 2008 Southern Living's Eco-Friendly HouseSouthern Living has chosen eco-friendly community Whisper Mountain located just outside Asheville to build their 2008 Green Idea House. The architect has drawn up a traditional farmhouse, and visitors will be given tours to learn about building green homes. The contractor is EcoBuilders and features will include solar panels, a gray water system and radiant-heated floors. While the house is being constructed, on-site recycling is being implemented as well as the use of non-toxic materials and locally made building materials. The house's energy recovery ventilator draws in filtered air and removes humidity. Recycled metal will be used on the house's roof. Bill Allison of Allison Ramsey Architects and Traci Kearns of Alchemy Design Studio designed the house locally. For more information about the Southern Living eco-friendly house, call (877) 687-2626 Labels: asheville, environment
Monday, February 25, 2008 Restaurants and Dining Events in Asheville : Big Game BanquetThe tenth annual Lasher Family and Friends Big Game Banquet will happen on March 28th at the Crest Pavilion on Crest Mountain from 6 until 9pm. Fare will include regional preparations of game meats from around North America, including bison & venison steaks, Louisiana crawfish boil, Pacific coast salmon, East Carolina quail and more! Guests will enjoy live entertainment from Bobby and Blue Ridge Tradition, presented by 99.9 KISS Country and magnificent wildlife displays by Wilderness Taxidermy and Outfitters. Event proceeds will go to a scholarship fund, currently held by Eblen Charities and created by the Lasher Family. This scholarship benefits students pursuing a career in wildlife management and conservation. Also, the National non-profit organization, Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, will be raffling items to raise money for the organization. In 2007, FHFH and GameDinner.com worked together to feed over 2,500 meals of healthy, lean, hunter-donated venison to hungry people in Buncombe, Madison and Haywood Counties. Ticket prices are $50 for adults, and $40 for kids. Reserved tables for eight are available for $360. To purchase a ticket or table, visit the GameDinner Store. For those who can't get enough bison steak, also happening soon is a tasting event, being held by Asheville's Exchange of Restaurateurs and Women Chefs on Monday, March 3 at Stovetrotters Restaurant on Sweeten Creek Road. Food will include crab, buffalo steak and bread pudding. The food-tasting event starts with cocktails and socializing time at 6:30pm followed by a meeting, bread tasting and baking demonstration. Tickets are $20, and include a beverage of your choosing. Participants must register by next Friday. For information and registration for the Asheville's Exchange event, call (877) 927-7787.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008 Spring Dining at Asheville's Cafes and Outdoor Restaurants Here are a few restaurants in Asheville that have wonderful outdoor atmosphere:
By no means are these only restaurants in-town that offer outdoor dining; Asheville is full of them. Just take a walk downtown until you spot or smell something that strikes your fancy. Labels: asheville
Friday, February 15, 2008 Asheville Tourists hold singing tryouts for pre-game National AnthemIt's not American Idol, but you’ll still get to sing in front of a crowd (assuming you make it that far). The Asheville Tourists are looking for a few singers to sing the National Anthem before their games at McCormick Field. On Saturday, March 29th, the team's front office will be holding tryouts to find pre-game singers from 10am to 2pm. Anyone and everyone can attend, and singers are not required to register. The tryouts will be broadcast over the stadium's PA system. In the past, the Tourists have been quite impressed with Asheville citizens' vocal ability and are hoping to be equally impressed this year. Labels: asheville, events, sports
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 An Introduction to the Asheville Drum CircleIf you're visiting Asheville for the first time and want an example of the city's unique culture, stop by Pritchard Park during a Friday night in the Spring, Summer, or Fall and see the Drum Circle. Anyone can join in -- all you need is a drum. The park is smack in the middle of downtown, and you will see old and young alike beating away in rhythm. Everyone gets involved and has a great time, from professional musicians to first-timers, the Asheville Drum Circle welcomes everyone. The circle has survived numerous complaints from nearby condos and there was once a movement to have it shut down, but the weekly event survived, and is just as eclectic as ever. During the rest of the week, Pritchard Park is also used by many people to play chess, as well as hosting an outdoor silent movie series during the Summer months. For additional information on the circle, check out its page on myspace.com/ashevilledrumcircle. Labels: asheville, concerts, events
Saturday, February 9, 2008 Warren Haynes and Government Mule headline Asheville Music JamboreeWarren Haynes and Government Mule will be headliners for the Asheville Music Jamboree that runs from May 23-25 at Deerfield Retreat in Mills River. Also booked for this year's music festival are Ivan Neville's Dumpstafunk, Burning Spear, The Lee Boys, former Drive By Trucker Jason Isbell, AQ, Afromotive, the Laura Reed Band, the New Familiars, Shannon Whitworth and many more. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. Wednesday through the festival's web-site amjam.net. Advance weekend tickets will be sold for $125, which includes camping. Once advance tickets are gone, prices will go up to $140. Only 3,000 tickets are available in all, and are expected to sell out. The Asheville Music Jamboree started last spring and had crowds of about 2,000 people.
Thursday, January 31, 2008 Big Game Dinner at The Crest Center GameDinner.com and Highland Brewing Company held their Big Game and Beer dinner at Asheville's Crest Center on January 24th, hosted by Joe Lasher, co-owner of M7 Event Solutions and founder of GameDinner.com. The meal paired various big game dishes with beers brewed by Highland. A percentage of the proceeds went to feed the hungry. The menu included:
Photographs can been found at the Photo Gallery. To get tickets for GameDinner.com's next event, visit their website at gamedinner.com.
Monday, January 28, 2008 Local Indie Film "Anywhere, USA" Wins Award at SundanceAnywhere, USA was filmed right here in Asheville and was originally entitled Asheville The Movie. The project has been lauded as one of the most original films at this year's Sundance Film Festival, taking the Spirit of Independence Award in the dramatic category. It is the first film by Asheville Director and screenwriter Chusy Haney-Jardine. The final cut of the film is a raucous, homemade movie that encompasses Chusy's family and community. The movie stars his daughter -- Perla Haney-Jardine, as she was the only real actor in the project. Other actors were found by various casting trips to Wal-Mart. The entire film was edited in Chusy's Garage. There is a feeling that this isn't the last we'll hear about this talented local film director.
Thursday, January 24, 2008 Les Claypool coming to Asheville Les Claypool will be playing at Asheville's The Orange Peel. Claypool is a singer, lyricist, bassist and former member of the alternative rock band Primus. This future Rock & Roll Hall of Famer's mastery of the bass guitar has distinguished him as a solo-artist since leaving the band. Claypool mixes finger-tapping, flamenco-inspired strumming, and slap bass to create his own unique style that has to be heard be believed. The concert starts at 9pm on Saturday, March 1st, 2008; tickets are $26 in advance and $28 at the door. They can be ordered online via Ticketweb.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 Climate Change Could Bring Thousands of Jobs to Asheville Asheville's North Carolina Arboretum is very much more than a garden space to exhibit flowers and trees native to Western North Carolina. It is also a place that just might grow jobs for the local economy as well. The North Carolina Arboretum's economic developer, Ron Gordon, spoke about the Arboretum's hopes to bring in more scientific research and other, more lucrative jobs to the Asheville area. Gordon also serves as executive director for the Centers for Environmental and Climate Interaction. With an estimate of likely workloads from federal projects, he estimates that Asheville could get almost 1,000 new jobs over the next five years and perhaps 3,000 over the next 15. The government will probably be forced to make decisions by this spring on which climate agency will take the lead on climate change studies. Asheville should be hoping for the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), currently located downtown in the Federal Building, to lead research. Mr. Gordon and others hope for an expensive downtown facility that would bring NCDC scientists together with local academics and businesses. This collaboration may lead to spin-off companies marketing products built out of the NCDC's archives of satellite and weather data. Labels: asheville
Asheville Native takes Bronze in World Cup Cycling EventAsheville native Lauren Franges assisted (along with her teammates) the US National Bicycle Team get a bit closer to the Olympic team this weekend. The twenty-five year old Franges and her teammates Kristin Armstrong and Christen King won the bronze medal in the third round of the World Track Cup in Los Angeles. The Cup is one of the races that will determine the fastest women cyclists in the world and those that will represent the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games. This was the first World Cup where the U.S. was able to medal as a team. “You can only go as fast as your slowest rider, so you have to be in tune with your other teammates,” Franges said. “Track is usually an individual sport, so in that respect, to be able to share the medal with my two other teammates, is a great feeling.” The team race is a new event for women on the world scene this year. Franges lives in Asheville with her husband / former manager, Michael Tamayo. She has been a professional cyclist since she was 18.
Thursday, January 17, 2008 I-26 Connector Project Approved by Asheville City CouncilThe City of Asheville has finally settled on the long-delayed Interstate 26 Connector proposal. The new design plan features a smaller disruption to West Asheville than plans previously made by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The alternative plan will use much less land and will save the State upwards of $150 million. The major change is a viaduct, instead of the State's planned double-decker bridge. Members of the City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday, January 15th for the new plan and now are pressing the Department of Transportation to consider the alternative design. Dr. Carl Mumpower was the only member of council that voted no on the resolution. Plans call for a bridge to be constructed over the French Broad River. This new bridge will connect Interstate 240 in West Asheville to Interstate 26 in North Asheville. Asheville City Council is holding its breath on the NC Department of Transportation's approval. Projected costs have skyrocketed from $87.4 million in 1997 to $363.4 million today, with construction projected to begin in 2008. As of now, construction on the project will not start until at least 2013. The new proposal will be given to the NC DOT Friday, Jan. 18, 2008. Labels: asheville
Tuesday, January 15, 2008 Buncombe County School calendars changed for snow days Asheville and Buncombe County School systems changed the 2007 & 2008 school calendar to make up for snow days missed during the first week of January, 2008. The last day of school is now June 2nd, 2008 instead of May 30th, 2008. Snow and adverse driving conditions closed all Asheville and Buncombe County Schools on January 3rd. Adding another day to the end of the school year will make up the missed day. North Buncombe students also missed January 4th because of snow. Those students will attend the former Teacher Work Day and students in all other districts will not have classes. Note: The following is from Buncombe County Schools.Closings and Delay Information for Buncombe County Bad weather and/or emergencies may require the closing of schools, delays or early release of students. If a change in schedule is made, the announcement will be broadcast by Asheville area radio and television stations after 6 a.m. the morning after. Our website and Weather Hot-line, (828) 255-5939, will be updated with the current information. Announcements If no announcements are posted on our website or broadcast on radio or television, the buses will run on their regular schedule and the schools will be opened at the regular time. If an isolated severe weather situation occurs, some schools may close or incur delays, while those unaffected schools will remain open. If more than two of our six districts are closed, then our entire system will close as well. Early Release If schools release students early due to weather or emergency, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will receive an ALERTNOW phone notification and announcements also will be broadcast on Asheville's radio and television stations.
Monday, January 14, 2008 Asheville Recycling's New Curbside Contest Curbside Management and Asheville's sanitation department are holding the new Feed the Bin and Win competition. Starting the week of February 4th, they will be giving away $100 a week for 16 weeks. Those people living in the cities that participate in Asheville's Curbside Recycling Program can enter the contest by sending in an enrollment card. The cards and a flyer will be brought to each residence when the 2008 recycling and brush collection calendar are delivered. Every week for 16 weeks, a card will be randomly drawn and if the selected house puts out its recyclable items and all meet the city recycling guidelines; then the household will win $100. If the household does not meet the requirements, the prize money rolls over to the following week. Each week that the conditions are not met, it gives the winner of the next week's drawing a chance to win $200. The card and guidelines are available below, and can be turned in via e-mail to sanitation@ashevillenc.gov. Labels: asheville, environment
Friday, January 11, 2008 Asheville Marti Gras ParadeAsheville is having its second annual Mardi Gras parade Tuesday, February 5th. The pre-party will be at Joli Rouge; sure to be filled with crazy consumes followed by dancing in Pritchard Park with live music. The after-party is at the Grey Eagle where the Firecracker Jazz Band will play. This is the first year the Marti Gras parade will have a permit from the City of Asheville to hold the festival in the streets of downtown. Labels: asheville, concerts, events
Wednesday, January 9, 2008 Can George Lift UNCA over the Tarheels? Leading the nation in blocked shots per game, The University of North Carolina Asheville's (11-3) 7 feet, 7 inch center Kenny George impressed UNC Chapel Hill's Tar Heels (15-0) in their first match-up. On Wednesday, January 7th, 2008, UNC Asheville fans are hoping he can do it again. The giant center so far averages 12.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 5.4 blocks per game for the current 2007-2008 season. The Bulldogs are 9-and-1 when George scores more than 10 points. UNC Asheville has won five of its last six games, to bring its record to 11-3 -- making them the leader of the Big South conference. UNCA just won a 61-58 away game over SEC team South Carolina Gamecocks, so expect the Bulldogs to come into the stadium with more than a little confidence in their game. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels are undefeated, vanquishing most opponents with runaway scoring. Though this has been the case, the team did need some overtime to squeak by the Clemson Tigers last Sunday, winning by only 2 points. The game starts at 7pm in Chapel Hill, and can be viewed locally in Asheville on ESPN-U (DIRECTV channel 609, Charter channel 322) and at Wild Wing Café. Final outcome (updated January 10th, 2008) Labels: asheville, events, sports
Thursday, January 3, 2008 Cheap Lunches in AshevilleStarving for a good meal but don't want to break the bank, or even a $20 bill?  Sure, there is some exotic and expensive dining in Asheville, but if you know where to look, you can still have a delicious lunch for five bucks or less. Some establishments will even sell lunch dishes at a loss and rely on sheer numbers of people to even out the profits. The restaurateurs here hope you'll enjoy your lunch so much that you will come back for dinner, and order off of the more expensive dinner menus. The Asheville restaurants listed below are only a sample, so keep your eyes open for bargain meals! Frazier's Steak and Seafood Frazier's has all kinds of lunch specials with a variety of food. Among the range is seafood, from trout to shrimp, and meals come with your choice of many home cooked sides -- for only $4.95. They don't skimp on the portions either and you can count on either leaving with a to-go box or completely stuffed and in need of a dire need of a nap before going back to work.
Urban Burrito Get in line for a fast, tasty meal and a cheap way to kill those hunger pains. They carry a variety of entrées for about $5. One of Urban Burrito's cheese quesadillas will run you $4.75, and their famous tacos for about three dollars.
Grove Corner Market in the Grove Arcade If you want to create your own lunch, then try getting a bean salad or some Oriental noodles, though be careful about portions since they charge by the pound. On cold, wintry days, try a steaming soup cup of at $3.75. They have great outdoor seating; though for heat's sake, you may want to stay inside on the days you get soup.
Biltmore Village's Kismet Café & Coffeehouse Hopefully you like bacon, cheese and/or eggs, because Kismet Café has scrumptious breakfast items until 11am. Try a quiche or breakfast sandwich sandwiches, for less than $5. After lunch, try the soup, priced at $4.50 a cup. They also have salad and pita bread for $4.95.
Labels: asheville
Thursday, December 27, 2007 City of Asheville to propose converting to hybrid buses Asheville City leaders want to use state transportation funding to begin converting the Asheville Transit System's diesel buses into diesel hybrids some time in the next year. Ordering only of five of the new hybrid buses would give Asheville one of the biggest hybrid bus fleets in North Carolina. The five buses would come at the cost of $3 million. Funds would come from both state and local taxpayer coffers. The purchase will most likely depend on the State of North Carolina giving Asheville $2.7 million in transportation funding. The hybrids would be an element of a program that would replace Asheville's 16 older diesel buses, which were purchased in 1996. While the hybrids would cost 30 percent more than standard diesel buses, they would use 25-50% less diesel fuel as well as reduce maintenance costs. City Councilman Brownie Newman says that fuel savings is one of the major reasons to support the hybrids. Also among the stated reasons are improved air quality and lower noise levels downtown, among other advantages the hybrid buses would provide. Labels: asheville, environment
Asheville's new Winter Warmer Festival Asheville has a new beer festival. To be held at The Garage, The Winter Warmer Festival will be from 3:00pm to 7:00pm on January 19th, 2008. The Garage is a new music venue on Fairview Road, close to Biltmore Village. It can be found next-door to the French Broad Brewing Company. The festival will feature only local beer brewed in Asheville, food and live music. Mark Lyons of Asheville Brews Cruise, the bus service that takes beer lovers around to local breweries for tours, is organizing the festival. He says that just because it's winter, that doesn't mean people stop drinking beer. Usually, beer festivals happen in the warmer months. April and the Hickory Hops is pretty far away, and it is even longer until Asheville's famed Brewgrass Festival in September. In the meantime, beer lovers can put the Winter Warmer on their calendars. Tickets are $35, and it covers the beer, a souvenir glass, and North Carolina barbecue. To get more information on the festival, visit the >Winter Warmer Beer Fest web-site. Labels: asheville, concerts, events
Tuesday, December 25, 2007 Plenty of room for more pets at Asheville's newest dog park Even after receiving good reviews from pet owners, the newest dog park in Asheville still isn't drawing large crowds. On Saturday, December 22nd, not even half of the 140,000 ft.2 Azalea Dog Park was being utilized. Finished last summer, the Park is on Azalea Road by the Swannanoa River. The Park has two fenced-in areas, one for small dogs and the other for larger canines. The Azalea Park is the second dog park in Asheville, with the first being the French Broad River Dog Park, located just off of Amboy Road on Asheville's West side. The Park is open every day between 7:30-8:00am, and closes one hour before dark. All dog owners are to clean up after their pets and keep them on leashes unless they are inside one of the fenced areas. Aggressive animals' owners are urged to retreat from the park with their pets immediately. Even though the number of attendees is not up to the Parks & Recreation Department's expectations, the assistant director of Asheville's Parks and Recreation Department, Debbie Ivester, is not concerned: “Because it's so new, not everybody has heard about it yet,” she said. “We have a few ways to get the word out, and people are going to be picking up on it more and more.” Labels: asheville, attractions
Monday, December 24, 2007 The Basilica of St. Lawrence houses oldest art in AshevilleUnder the great dome of the Basilica of St. Lawrence is the body of the man who built the historic structure as well as some priceless pieces of 17th century art. Filled with works from Germany, Spain, Italy and many other places, much of the church's art is at least a few hundred years old. Asheville is well-known for its art, and the Basilica of St. Lawrence contains some of Asheville's oldest and most spectacular pieces. Spanish architect & Asheville resident Rafael Guastavino, a famed architect/builder commissioned to help construct the Biltmore Estate, built the Basilica along with fellow architect R.S. Smith. Built in the Spanish Renaissance style using a method of design for which he was already famous, Guastavino liked embedding layers of flat tiles in strong mortar to create thin but surprisingly strong, arched vaults. The Basilica of St. Lawrence's dome is purported to be the largest unsupported dome in North America at 82 feet by 58 feet. There are no reinforcing beams in the structure. In the Chapel of Our Lady (to the left of the main altar) stands a painting by the 17th century Italian painter Massimo Stanzione, above the door to the sacristy. "The Visitation" depicts Mary, mother of Jesus, talking with her cousin Elizabeth. Surrounding the sanctuary are stained-glass windows designed by Franz Mayer & Co. of Munich, Germany. Labels: asheville, attractions
Wednesday, December 19, 2007 Pack Square to receive new trees Asheville's Pack Square Park will get new trees today. Selected for inclusion in the Park are six London Plane trees and eight European Hornbeams. They will be placed in the space between Asheville City Hall, the Courthouse and Vance Monument, according to the Pack Square Conservancy. London Plane trees are a hybrid that is similar in appearance to a sycamore, but have superior disease resistance. European Hornbeams are a medium-sized tree with bright green leaves that turn a beautiful yellow in autumn. More trees and shrubs will be planted as work in various areas is completed. The park itself is scheduled for completion in April of 2009; work will begin on the 4,200ft2 pavilion in early 2008. For more information, visit the Pack Square Conservancy web-site, or call (828) 252-2300. Labels: asheville
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 UNC Asheville Students to Perform at White HouseUNC Asheville's Chamber Singers will treat White House visitors to a choral concert on Wednesday, December 19, 2007. The University only formed the Chamber Singers a year ago, and already they are accepting invitations to prestigious concerts around the nation. The concert will take place during the White House's Annual Christmas VIP tours. Melodie Galloway, a teaching assistant in the music department of UNC Asheville, sent away the application to perform. “Because the Chamber Singers was formed just over a year ago, I knew it was a long shot. But I wanted to pursue the opportunity because I knew how valuable the experience was to me,” said Galloway said in a UNCA press release. While in Washington, the UNCA Chamber Singers will also perform for sick and injured veterans at Walter Reed Memorial Hospital. They also have concerts lined up at the Koshland Science Museum and the Annondale United Methodist Church. The Chamber Singers will be singing traditional Christmas carols such as Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Gloria, Coventry Carol and many more classic favorites. You can hear the UNC Asheville Chamber Singers perform And So It Goes by Billy Joel (click the hyperlink for a direct playing of the mp3 file). Labels: asheville, performing arts
Monday, December 17, 2007 Henry Rollins coming to Asheville Former Black Flag front man and spoken word orator extraordinaire Henry Rollins is coming to Asheville's Orange Peel on February 22nd at 8pm. The show will be all spoken word and is entitled "Provoked". Tickets for the show in Asheville went on sale December 14 and can be obtained through Ticketmaster, Etix.com and Ticketweb. The show will surely incite and show insight, while also enraging and enlightening the crowd. "Not many people can hold a crowd of hundreds transfixed for three hours using only a microphone and a flat black backdrop, but Renaissance Man Henry Rollins is one of them," said a Reno Gazette reviewer. "Rollins' talks are so fluid, it's hard to tell how much is planned, how much is off the cuff." In the show, Rollins rants about current events like the war in Iraq and the media, all the while weaving in personal experiences in places like Syria and Australia. Rollins also hosts "The Henry Rollins Show" on the Independent Film Channel. His past guests have included Iggy Pop and actor Don Cheadle. Tickets for the Asheville show are available through Ticketweb.com. Labels: asheville, performing arts, the orange peel
Wednesday, December 5, 2007 NC Stage Company Presents: It's a Wonderful Life, The Live Radio PlayThe North Carolina Stage Company will present It's a Wonderful Life: The Live Radio Play December 18 - 23, 2007 here in Asheville. In a well thought-out adaptation of the James Stewart classic film, It's a Wonderful Life, playwright Joe Landry takes the film to another place, a 1940s radio station on Christmas Eve. The five characters in the production will play all of the movie characters and use old-fashioned sound effects. The play is a fresh look at the Christmas movie we all know and love. The play is being directed by Hans Meyer, who will also act the role of Clarence the Angel in the show. Other stars include Lauren Fortuna as Mary Bailey, Willie Repoley as George Bailey, Joe Sturgeon in multiples roles including Uncle Billy and Mr. Potter, and Kathryn Temple as several characters including bad girl Violet Bick. This show sold out last year, so make sure to get your tickets early. Showtimes are as follows: December 18 - 23, 2007 See the NC Stage Company web-site for more information, or to purchase tickets, visit Tix.com. Labels: asheville, performing arts
Tuesday, December 4, 2007 Former Tourists manager voted into Baseball Hall of FameFormer Asheville Tourists manager Billy Southworth has been voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Completing the season with a record of 75-62, Southworth lead the Tourists to the Piedmont League (1920-1955) title in 1935. To win the championship, the team beat the Richmond Colts in the minor league playoffs four games to two. Southworth is the second manager of the Asheville Tourists to be voted into the Hall at Cooperstown. Asheville's other Hall of Fame Manager is Sparky Anderson, who managed the Tourists in 1968. Manager of the early 1940s St. Louis Cardinals Dynasty, he managed 13 seasons in the Majors; including seven seasons over two different stints in St. Louis, KY. His teams grabbed three pennants and two World Series titles. Said Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a statement issued to the press, "On behalf of the entire St. Louis Cardinals organization, I would like to offer congratulations to the late Billy Southworth and his family and friends on his election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame," Continuing his praise, Mr. DeWitt Jr. went on: "Billy Southworth oversaw one of the greatest eras in Cardinals history and it is gratifying to see his career accomplishments recognized by the Veterans Committee." Posting a winning 1044-744 record as a Major League manager, Southworth also won another pennant in 1948 while managing the Boston Braves. Billy Southworth passed away in 1969. Labels: asheville, attractions, famous
Monday, December 3, 2007 "Asheville: The Movie" now called "Anywhere USA," to be shown at SundanceThe film formerly known as "Asheville: The Movie" has changed its name to "Anywhere USA". Slated for a spot in January's Sundance Film Festival in the resort town of Park City, Utah, the movie is a collection of comedy shorts that were all filmed here in Asheville, NC. Created by director Chusy Haney-Jardine and wife Jennifer MacDonald, the film has has been a work in progress for over 3 years. The announcement on the movie's web-site states: "We're all chuffed up here in Asheville, North Carolina where the film was shot in its entirety. We wanted to thank all the wonderful people, artists, musicians and businesses from our beautiful home town that helped this little film transcend itself, including our spectacular cast, most of whom had never set foot before a camera. Thanks to all of you who said ‘yes.’ Perversely, thanks to all of you who said ‘no.’" From the Sundance Film Festival, the description of the movie reads: "Told in three segments ranging from satirical to tragic, the film is a wildly original look at American manners, prejudices, and family dynamics." The festival is being held from January 17th through the 28th, 2008. Labels: asheville
Friday, November 30, 2007 15th annual Grove Park Inn Gingerbread House ContestThe 15th annual Grove Park Inn Gingerbread House contest will be held on Monday, December 3rd at the Resort & Spa. The award ceremony, which is free to all, starts at 5 p.m. in the Heritage Ballroom. The ever-popular contest has three categories of: adult, teen and youth. Over $6,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the top gingerbread house artists, after an expert panel judges theses completely edible treats. The winning entry and several unique entries will be taken to New York City for its tenth straight appearance on the ABC network's popular morning show, "Good Morning America." The Inn also is currently displaying all entries, when it began allowing showings on November 20. The houses are scheduled to be on display through January 5th, 2008. For more information, call the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa at (828) 252-2711. Labels: asheville
Thursday, November 29, 2007 Asheville expands recycling programAsheville's Curbside Management is adding two new materials to its collection program. All empty aerosol and plastic bottles will now be accepted for recycling!  Asheville residents can now recycle both materials by placing them in their green recycling bin and following these rules:
To see whether a plastic container is in fact recyclable, here is what to look for:
There are still a few plastics that cannot be recycled. The following items will not be collected:
If you have questions regarding recycling in Asheville, please call Curbside Management at (828) 252-2532. Labels: asheville, environment
Tuesday, November 27, 2007 Asheville asking residents to conserve waterWith Western North Carolina still in a drought, Asheville City Government is asking residents to conserve water. This voluntary conservation effort is the first step of a three-phase plan that will be implemented if water consumption in the city cannot be curbed. The Phases are as follows:  Phase I - Voluntary Measures – Phase II - Mandatory Measures – Phase III - Surcharges Implemented – Asheville's primary source of water is the 6 billion gallon North Fork Reservoir in Black Mountain, which is located in a 22,000 acre protected watershed. Asheville also gets water from the Bee Tree and the Mills River water treatment plants. These facilities provide water to all of Asheville. Asheville uses a computer-based drought management modeling program that helps the city assess how much water is on-hand. The model takes into account current water levels, precipitation, past reservoir levels and recent rainfall to access future drought conditions. Labels: asheville, environment, water
Monday, November 26, 2007 Asheville Native to Design Good Morning America SetAsheville native Cathy Barnhardt, Interior Designer for the Biltmore Estate has been chosen to be lead designer for Good Morning America's (GMA) Christmas set. Cathy is Biltmore's floral manager and will be on GMA December fifth to show off her holiday design for the show. She will also give tips on Christmas tree decoration. Her decorations will be on-set to be seen by American viewers on December third, but won't be mentioned until that Wednesday when she appears on the show. Cathy and her team of three floral designers are leaving Asheville for New York City on Thursday to start decorating. This is not her first time decorating the set; she was also chosen to decorate the set 15 years ago. Since then the set has changed considerably, and her team will have to deal with totally new color schemes. The new design will incorporate lots of Garland, and eight different Christmas Trees. The Asheville team's main message is that you don't need expensive or elaborate objects to make a room beautiful. Simple things can be just as beautiful if not more so. The Good Morning America show airs live from 7 AM until 9 AM on the ABC television network. Labels: asheville
Wednesday, November 21, 2007 Asheville's Orange Peel to host Acoustic Syndicate In case you haven't heard of them, Acoustic Syndicate is a native North Carolina rock / folk / bluegrass group. Formed in 1992, the band has toured all over the United States, playing at major festivals such as Farm Aid and Bonnaroo. Their harmonies and intricate banjo playing exemplify one of the many reasons they have been successful. While most of the band's members hail from just outside Shelby, North Carolina, bassist Jay Saunders is an Asheville native and he is coming home for Thanksgiving in a big way. Though the band announced it was going to take an indefinite break in 2005, they reunited last spring and have decided to play their yearly homecoming concert here in Asheville at The Orange Peel. There are also rumors that the newly reunited band will record its seventh album. Acoustic Syndicate has stated that they never had any plans to stop producing music for good, but that they just needed a break from the constant grind of touring. Before the break, the band was touring 250 days a year just to stay afloat with their record contract. Having said they will continue to play concerts, there are no formal plans for booking any national tours in the near future. They have stated that this time around, the terms will be their own and they will pick their own shows. For right now, the band members seem to be content spending as much time as they can with their friends and families. The concert is November 24th, with the doors opening at 8. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the gate. Labels: asheville, concerts, the orange peel |
